With the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs taking part in Monday night time, it was an opportunity for the remainder of the AFC’s greatest to point out off on Sunday. The Ravens, Bengals and Chargers all put collectively blowout wins, whereas the Payments overcame some red-zone follies in opposition to Miami because of Tyler Bass’ proper leg.
TYLER BASS!!!!!!!!!!!!
📺: @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/0YUMp5a5qI
— Buffalo Payments (@BuffaloBills) November 3, 2024
In the meantime, the Eagles survived some self-inflicted wounds and the Dallas Cowboys stumbled once more, this time in Atlanta. The Athletic NFL writers Mike Jones, Ted Nguyen and Michael Silver share their ideas on all of those storylines and extra.
The Eagles had some “situational soccer” points that made it a dogfight in opposition to the Jaguars (fourth-down and two-point conversion misses, two tush push failures earlier than abandoning it, a missed 57-yard subject purpose late, and many others.). Is recreation administration a big concern going ahead, or is that this simply a few fluky performs?
Jones: I don’t suppose these are deep-seated points to fret about. I feel you must contemplate the conditions, together with who the Eagles had been taking part in, in addition to Nick Sirianni’s monitor file. He’s an aggressive coach, and he noticed these fourth-down and two-point conversion makes an attempt as a possibility to place extra stress on the Jaguars. They didn’t work, and that made for a better recreation than the Eagles would have preferred, however none of these calls wound up costing them. We see Sirianni gamble like this typically, and when these calls work he’s praised for his gutsiness. I don’t know if we might have seen Sirianni repeatedly go for 2 in opposition to a extra formidable opponent, however he in all probability had two-fold causes for his choices on this recreation. The “tush push” is now not the unstoppable power it was with Jason Kelce at heart, and the Eagles want to regain their dominance right here. So you possibly can argue that operating these performs in opposition to hapless Jacksonville represented a perfect low-risk alternative to work on these eventualities for the longer term.
Silver: For Sirianni, this can be a good drawback to have. Certain, he’s been getting crushed for doubtful decision-making and getting rattled by heckling followers, however he simply defeated his predecessor (Doug Pederson) to go 6-2 and keep inside a half-game of the Commanders within the NFC East. And on condition that there was an affordable probability he might have been fired after final season’s collapse and Philly’s uninspired one-and-done postseason efficiency, he ought to take the W, give thanks and prepare to play two massive divisional video games (in opposition to the Cowboys and Commanders) within the subsequent 11 days. Did I really like Sirianni going for 2 on three events, and failing every time? Nah, however the analytics knowledgeable who talks to him by way of his headset in all probability did, particularly after an offsides penalty moved one of many makes an attempt to the 1-yard line. Did I really like him having Jalen Hurts throw for the top zone on a fourth-and-1, eschewing a 43-yard subject purpose try? Nope, particularly as a result of it didn’t work. Keep in mind all of the clock-management complaints about Andy Reid throughout his Philly tenure? Sirianni is creating a brand new technology of coach-questioners. Oh, and the tush push? That’s so 2023, when Jason Kelce was creating the leverage (and treating defenders like they had been cell telephones belonging to impolite school youngsters who’d simply dissed his brother).
Nguyen: The Eagles’ philosophy has at all times realized towards aggressive choices. They’re an analytically based mostly staff and that strategy has served them nicely for probably the most half. Typically it doesn’t work out, however they imagine that ultimately it provides them an edge. That being mentioned, I assumed among the two-point makes an attempt had been pointless, and trying an extended subject purpose late within the recreation with a five-point lead when Jake Elliott was struggling was ill-advised. I don’t see their recreation administration as a problem shifting ahead — usually, Sirianni makes good choices. After all, folks will bemoan among the extra aggressive choices once they don’t work out, however aggression wins video games.
That’s three straight wins and 4 of 5 for the Cardinals — is that this a playoff staff?
Nguyen: The Bears protection in opposition to the Cardinals offense was a battle of energy vs. energy. The Cardinals wish to put a number of tight ends on the sphere to power defenses into their base protection (4 defensive backs). Towards base defenses, the Cardinals lead the league in explosive play charge (14.9 %) and are third in offensive success charge (52.4 %). The Bears protection led the league in defensive success charge with their base protection. On the finish of the day, the Bears protection received outmuscled by the Cardinals’ bodily and distinctive offense; Arizona rushed for 213 yards, together with a 53-yard run when the Cardinals had been basically conceding, probably desiring to run the clock out within the first half. The Cardinals desperately want a move rusher, however their offense goes to provide a whole lot of groups bother. They’ve 4 division video games forward they usually’ll play three groups with shedding information exterior of their division. I assumed the Cardinals can be a frisky staff this 12 months, however they’re in place for a playoff berth. Their protection must proceed to enhance, although.
Jones: It’s a little bit early to make any kind of declaration relating to the NFC West, the place everyone seems to be hovering round .500. The Cardinals have proven a whole lot of grit in these final three weeks, beating the Chargers 17-15, Dolphins 28-27 and now the Bears 29-9. They usually will help themselves with a win over the Jets subsequent week earlier than they enter their bye week. However they nonetheless must play the Seahawks twice and the Rams and 49ers as soon as every. In addition they have what must be a troublesome recreation in opposition to Minnesota, together with winnable video games in opposition to New England and Carolina. If they will proceed to execute with stability on offense, and if they will get some pass-rushing assist on the commerce deadline, which they’ve been burning up the telephones in hopes of doing, then the Cardinals have a legit shot on the playoffs for the primary time since 2021. However once more, that is going to be a decent race down the stretch of the season, so we’ll have to attend some time longer earlier than we will make a name on this.
Silver: Um … nicely … perhaps? For one factor, somebody has to win the NFC West, and if the 49ers don’t go on one among their typical second-half runs underneath Kyle Shanahan, the Cardinals are very a lot within the combine. They’ve two remaining video games in opposition to the Seahawks, one in opposition to the Rams and shut the season at residence in opposition to San Francisco, a staff they’ve already overwhelmed. Arizona’s different opponents? The Jets, Vikings, Patriots and Panthers. The Cardinals have a reputable operating recreation, and Kyler Murray is taking part in a extra mature model of soccer than in previous years. They appear fairly clutch, too. It’s all there for the taking.
After Week 9 wins by the Ravens, Payments, Bengals and Chargers, who’s the second-best staff within the AFC?
Jones: It’s Baltimore. It was good to see the Bengals look extra like themselves, however let’s be sincere, it was the Raiders. The Chargers are enhancing, however they’re not elite. Buffalo is superb, sure. However the Payments aren’t fairly on the identical degree because the Ravens, and I’m not simply saying that as a result of they received throttled by Baltimore earlier this season. I’ve the Payments in a tier slightly below Kansas Metropolis and Baltimore. The Ravens have the extra well-rounded offense, led by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, who ought to each obtain MVP consideration and might single-handedly take over video games. They’ve some work to do on protection to realize the extent of consistency of which they’re succesful, however they positively ship some game-changing performs on that aspect of the ball as nicely.
Nguyen: Simply the Ravens. They made probably the greatest defenses within the league seem like baby’s play. Once more, Jackson regarded calm, cool, collected in choosing aside the protection. Zay Flowers seems wholesome once more and he was phenomenal after the catch. The secondary continues to be spotty — they gave up a number of massive performs within the passing recreation however they tightened up within the pink zone, permitting just one landing in 4 journeys. The Payments have been spectacular as nicely. The offense missed Amari Cooper’s presence at the moment however Josh Allen performed at an MVP degree and led them to a win. Each the Bengals and Chargers are elite on one aspect of the ball however very dangerous on the opposite.
Silver: To not be boring, however the Ravens are the plain name. Jackson is a game-changer, and the addition of Henry — the perfect operating again of his technology — has taken the offense to a different degree. (Shoutout to all of the NFL groups that determined to not pursue Henry when he was a free agent.) Defensively, I feel Baltimore will enhance down the stretch. Proper now, I imagine within the Ravens greater than I imagine within the Payments, who’ve all however wrapped up the AFC East [checks notes…] earlier than Election Day, and who simply took down the determined Dolphins on a 61-yard Tyler Bass subject purpose, outdoor, in Western New York, within the coronary heart of autumn. Allen can carry this staff a great distance. In the event you don’t have an elite quarterback, don’t even trouble making an attempt to insert your self into the “Who Will Win the AFC?” dialog.
Do you will have any confidence that the Cowboys will play a significant recreation after Christmas?
Silver: Final Sunday night time, after the Cowboys fell brief in opposition to the 49ers, a Dallas govt advised me, “I’ve this dangerous feeling that this might be a kind of years.” A 27-21 defeat to the Falcons, by which quarterback Dak Prescott was sidelined with a hamstring damage, ought to fortify that sentiment. Regardless of proprietor Jerry Jones’ “all-in” proclamations, the 2024 season has been shrouded in dangerous vibes because the spring. The staff was passive in free company, neglecting to pursue Henry (oops) and as a substitute bringing again Ezekiel Elliott, who stayed residence Sunday for disciplinary causes and might not be lengthy for the roster. Jones waited till the final minute earlier than getting huge offers accomplished with Prescott and CeeDee Lamb whereas pushing move rusher Micah Parsons’ negotiations to subsequent offseason. Parsons, who has missed the final 4 video games with an ankle damage, is definitely being suggested to not return till he’s completely wholesome. Except Prescott elevates his recreation to the purpose the place his huge wage ($240 million over 4 years) looks as if a cut price, the Cowboys can commit their focus after Christmas to planning New Yr’s events and Cancun journeys.
Nguyen: The Cowboys didn’t deal with the offseason severely; they’ve a skinny roster they usually’ve been hit onerous by accidents. There actually aren’t any extra buttons for them to push — this isn’t a critical staff. The Eagles are taking part in higher and Washington seems like probably the greatest groups within the NFC. If it weren’t for the ineptitude of the Giants, the Cowboys can be backside dwellers. The protection sells out to cease the run as a result of they don’t have a alternative, they usually routinely get overwhelmed excessive. They’ll’t defend Prescott and he has nobody to throw to constantly exterior of Lamb. We must be merciful and never converse of them once more till they present they’re a critical staff.
Jones: Outline “significant.” The Cowboys might personal a disappointing 3-5 file following Sunday’s loss to Atlanta, they usually definitely are suffering from all types of ills, and Mike McCarthy has no obvious cures up his sleeve. However Dallas nonetheless has 5 NFC East video games to go within the ultimate 9 weeks of the season, together with Philadelphia and Washington twice apiece. These video games are virtually at all times knockdown, drag-out affairs the place something can occur. So, there are many significant video games remaining for Dallas. Do I feel they will flip their season round and attain the playoffs? No. However I see a 7-10, 8-9 end as real looking.
Was Sunday’s blowout loss in Baltimore a sign of the “actual” Denver Broncos, or only a blip for a wild-card contender?
Nguyen: The Broncos ran right into a buzzsaw in Baltimore. Bo Nix has been taking part in higher and he made some performs on Sunday however couldn’t end within the pink zone. Denver has an elite protection however Baltimore’s offense presents distinctive challenges the Broncos gained’t see each week. That rating doesn’t point out how good this Broncos staff truly is. I don’t suppose they’re a playoff staff this 12 months however they’re going to be a aggressive staff each week, and opponents gained’t look ahead to taking part in them. Contemplating the place they had been after the disastrous Russell Wilson commerce, this isn’t a nasty place to be so far as long-term team-building.
Silver: This wasn’t a blip — the Broncos aren’t almost within the Ravens’ class, and with Baltimore coming off a disappointing defeat to the Browns, this final result was considerably predictable. Vance Joseph’s protection, which had been so good by means of the primary eight video games, was basically powerless in opposition to Jackson, Henry and associates. And but … seven groups make the watered-down playoffs in every convention lately, and it’s definitely believable the Broncos might be one among them. The AFC East and AFC South don’t have a ton of wild-card contenders in the intervening time, and Denver has some very winnable video games (at Raiders, Browns at residence, Colts at residence, at Chargers) remaining, together with some more durable ones (Chiefs twice, Falcons at residence, at Bengals). Regardless of Sunday’s beatdown, the Broncos — even when they lose their subsequent two video games, to the Chiefs and Falcons — can preserve hope alive.
Jones: The Broncos are a younger, still-developing staff. The Ravens — a real powerhouse with Tremendous Bowl aspirations — ought to have walloped them like that. However the loss doesn’t imply Denver is trash, it simply isn’t wherever near elite. If Baltimore had struggled in opposition to Denver, then we might have been actually involved. However as a substitute, we noticed a legit contender deal with enterprise and the upstart squad take its lumps. The Broncos in all probability have one other tough day in retailer subsequent week in opposition to the Chiefs, however a wild-card berth is a sensible purpose for Sean Payton, Nix and firm. They could come up brief, however they’ll at the least be within the combine down the stretch so long as they proceed to make the enhancements we have now seen in the course of the first half of the season.
(Prime picture: Mitchell Leff / Getty Photos)
