The sky is falling on the Bears, however ought to we be shocked? Sando’s Decide Six

The questions flew towards Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus like poison-tipped arrows after the beforehand 2-7 New England Patriots embarrassed his group 19-3 at Soldier Discipline in Week 10.

“How do you defend your work as head coach when it seems to be this unhealthy?” one reporter requested.

If that wasn’t pointed sufficient, do that one: “Finally, you will be held accountable to that, maybe perhaps even to the purpose of termination. Are you keen to be fired with out ever exploring the chance that the offense might be higher with higher recreation planning and play calling by altering the coordinator?”

As angst rises in Chicago following what might be a fateful Bears defeat, the Decide Six column dives into the group’s predicament. We’ll tackle the offensive coordinator change Eberflus wouldn’t rule out, Caleb Williams’ 38-sack begin, culpability past the teaching employees and organizational dynamics prone to restrict the group’s choices if this season does result in a head-coaching change. We’ll additionally elevate a contrarian chance: that the Bears are about the place they have been at all times going to be, besides with a few unexpected crises to navigate.

Continued turbulence appears seemingly given the Bears’ subsequent six video games: one towards the 6-3 Inexperienced Bay Packers, two towards the 8-1 Detroit Lions, two towards the 7-2 Minnesota Vikings, one towards the 5-4 San Francisco 49ers.

The total Decide Six lineup this week:

• Bears’ dynamics
• Is a Chiefs loss even attainable?
• Steelers–Commanders shifting outlooks
• On Burrow’s unhealthy late-game document
• Hand the MVP to Lamar? Let’s verify
• 2-minute drill: Cardinals new Lions?

1. Eberflus would possibly want to alter coordinators to purchase time for himself, which is hard for a group already on its sixth offensive coordinator up to now 10 seasons.

Caleb Williams’ choice by the Bears with the No. 1 decide within the 2024 draft introduced into focus video games towards Washington and its rookie QB, Jayden Daniels, and New England with Drake Maye. The Bears loved huge benefits over these rebuilding groups as a result of their common supervisor (Ryan Poles) and coach (Eberflus) had a two-year head begin in constructing their roster. However they’re 0-2 towards the Commanders and Patriots, and so they scored 18 complete factors in these two supposed showcase video games.

The Bears have been lucky Sunday they have been dealing with the Patriots, who managed solely 4 subject targets and a 2-yard landing move on a day when Chicago exceeded 21 yards on simply one in every of 11 possessions. The Bears had 142 complete yards, their eighth-lowest complete in 405 regular-season and postseason video games since 2000, per TruMedia. The rating might have been a lot worse towards a high quality group. Chicago’s streak of 23 drives with out a landing is their second-longest in a season since 2005 (the group went 24 drives with out a TD in 2017 when then-rookie No. 2 decide Mitchell Trubisky was behind heart).

We’re only some months faraway from a spread of NFL analysts suggesting Williams may be strolling into a greater scenario than any quarterback picked first total had ever encountered. Now, we sift via the wreckage.

• Coordinator dynamics: Shane Waldron is 9 video games into what the Bears hoped could be a affluent long-term partnership with rookie No. 1 decide Caleb Williams. Would the Bears actually make a change this early?

“Their offense is so unhealthy,” an exec from one other group mentioned. “Eberflus is already on the sting due to his reply on the Hail Mary (landing allowed towards Washington). He’s going to must act on Waldron to take a number of the warmth off, or they might all be swept out.”

“We’re taking a look at the whole lot,” Eberflus mentioned when requested about altering play callers.

Waldron is the Bears’ sixth offensive coordinator up to now 10 seasons and the second since Eberflus arrived in 2022 (Eberflus’ first OC, Luke Getsy, lasted 9 video games within the position with Las Vegas this season earlier than the Raiders fired him final week).

The Seattle Seahawks ranked thirteenth in offensive EPA per play over Waldron’s 2021-23 tenure there, together with No. 10 final season. The Bears rank twenty sixth via Sunday, one spot behind the Denver Broncos with rookie first-round decide Bo Nix. The Bears are 4-5, a half-game worse than the Broncos with Nix. However Chicago has misplaced three consecutive video games that includes the Hail Mary disaster at Washington, an exceedingly uncommon 53-yard landing run allowed proper earlier than halftime at Arizona and the 142-yard debacle Sunday.

Eberflus’ document is now 14-29 (.326).

With Williams taking 38 sacks — fifth-most via 9 video games for any quarterback inside a single season since 1970, in line with Professional Soccer Reference — culpability extends past teaching.

• Poles’ line: Williams took 9 sacks Sunday behind an offensive line lacking each beginning tackles and last-minute shock damage scratch Nate Davis. The road has struggled even when wholesome.

“That is the very best (line) depth I’ve ever had,” Poles informed reporters in late August. “I truly let one of many guys go on cutdowns, and I used to be like, ‘Man, you probably did a superb job. I want we might maintain you right here.’ … Clearly, you need your beginning 5 to be wholesome and able to go, however I really feel extra assured within the depth of our offensive line than I ever have earlier than.”

Williams’ tendency towards holding the soccer as a substitute of getting the ball out shortly was a priority. It’s been a think about a number of the sacks. However his 3.12-second common time to throw or sack doesn’t lead the league. It ranks eighth. Nonetheless, Williams’ 38 sacks are yet one more than fellow first-round rookies Daniels (20) and Nix (17) have taken in 20 mixed begins, regardless of Nix holding the ball a tick longer than Williams on common (3.13 seconds).

The Bears, just like the Patriots, adopted their choice of a quarterback early within the 2024 draft by concentrating on extensive receivers with their subsequent picks. Chicago chosen Rome Odunze at No. 9. New England chosen Ja’Lynn Polk at No. 37. Each groups circled again to pick offensive linemen later. It was the reverse of the tack the Los Angeles Chargers took underneath their new coach, former Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh, who chosen sort out Joe Alt at No. 5 earlier than taking receiver Ladd McConkey at No. 34.

Alt was not out there to the Bears or Patriots after they chose quarterbacks at No. 1 and No. 3, respectively. Chicago and New England would have needed to goal less-acclaimed linemen in the event that they wished to prioritize blocking for his or her quarterbacks within the draft. The symbolism was nonetheless notable with each groups’ strains struggling terribly.

• Wait, it is a disaster? OK, so the Bears have a 4-5 document with a rookie quarterback and a brand new offensive coordinator, with an offensive line they thought could be higher than evaluators from different groups anticipated it to be.

Look across the NFC North. Jared Goff and Sam Darnold mixed to toss eight interceptions Sunday. Jordan Love has thrown so many picks that his coach bristles on the mere point out of them throughout information conferences. Williams is simply beginning out, and his stage of manufacturing is just not so uncommon.

The desk under exhibits nine-game manufacturing for all of the QBs drafted No. 1 total since 2000, supplied they began their groups’ first 9 video games as rookies. It’s a mishmash of gamers with information and passer rankings worse than these for Williams, whose EPA figures are worse due to the sacks, that are clearly an issue.

These Bears resemble the Jacksonville Jaguars, one other group that embraced expectations that it will be good, with out ever having been good. How shocked ought to anybody actually be primarily based on what might be verified? Most likely not very shocked, however the presumption right here is that Chicago anticipated to be a lot better. Which leads us to the sensitive topic reporters hammered Eberflus about throughout his postgame information convention.

• Organizational dynamics: The Bears’ choice to stay with Eberflus after they posted the NFL’s third-worst document (10-24) throughout his first two seasons mirrored a need to take care of continuity after Chicago received 4 of its remaining six video games final season. The Eberflus-led protection ranked third in EPA per play throughout November and December, after buying finish Montez Sweat. The choice was made to discover a new offensive coordinator. Now, right here we’re.

Execs across the league assume a Bears construction that includes an empowered, engaged group president (Kevin Warren) all however guidelines out the chance Chicago would search established energy coaches, though such candidates would seemingly deal with a market as robust as Chicago extra comfortably than Eberflus has or the following scorching coordinator would possibly.

“The GM received’t need to hearth the coach except the president is on board with that, and the president is just not going to show the reins over to a confirmed coach,” one exec predicted. “Their construction positively defines how a lot oxygen is left within the room, and there may be not rather a lot. You aren’t going to get a giant fish.”

That might level towards Chicago pursuing any variety of the younger offensive coordinators having fun with sturdy seasons. The Lions’ Ben Johnson or the Houston Texans’ Bobby Slowik have been scorching names getting into this season. Tampa Bay’s Liam Coen, Atlanta’s Zac Robinson, Arizona’s Drew Petzing, Buffalo’s Joe Brady match the mildew as youthful coordinators main offenses at the moment ranked among the many high 10 in EPA per play (Philadelphia’s offense ranks eleventh underneath first-year coordinator Kellen Moore). It feels early to begin strolling down that street.

“Half the league needs to be 4-5,” a coach from one other group mentioned. “What’s extra attention-grabbing is the nosedive after the Hail Mary. Is that this factor free-falling? Have they taken a cannonball blast and so they simply can’t cease the water? That’s extra attention-grabbing than, ‘OK, in the event that they make a transfer, who wouldn’t it be?’”

A phrase of warning to any future Bears teaching candidates: This job won’t be the very best scenario a brand new coach has ever walked into.

2. The Chiefs have already got as many close-game victories because the 1972 Dolphins and 2007 Patriots had mixed. What’s going to it take for this group to lose?

The Chiefs’ 14-game profitable streak courting to final season and counting playoffs was about as imperiled because it might have been when Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz lined up for a 35-yard strive on the ultimate play Sunday.

The Chiefs led, 16-14, however NFL kickers over the previous 10 seasons had made 94 p.c of their tries from precisely 35 yards getting into Week 10. That’s 262 makes in 280 tries, with solely three of the 280 kicks blocked.

NOT IN OUR HOUSE 👆 pic.twitter.com/CnXgKHl3jU

— Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 10, 2024

The Chiefs’ Leo Chenal blocked the kick to safe a 9-0 begin. Kansas Metropolis is 7-0 this season in video games determined by seven or fewer factors. The 1972 Miami Dolphins and 2007 Patriots, the one groups within the Tremendous Bowl period to go unbeaten for a full common season, mixed for a 7-0 document in video games determined by seven or fewer factors. The Chiefs live a lot nearer to the sting via 9 video games than these groups lived over their full seasons.

The seven-point cutoff permits for an across-eras comparability with the 1972 Dolphins, who didn’t have two-point conversions out there to them.

That the Chiefs have already got as many close-game victories in 9 video games because the 1972 Dolphins and 2007 Patriots had in a mixed 30 regular-season video games suggests this Kansas Metropolis win streak will quickly finish — maybe at Buffalo in Week 11.

Earlier than Sunday, groups had a 1-54 document this season when ending with damaging EPA on each offense and protection. The Chiefs bucked that pattern as effectively in beating Denver. They’re now 2-11 in these video games since Andy Reid turned coach in 2013. Each victories have been towards the Broncos, together with 30-27 at Denver in 2016, when the Chiefs received on particular groups with Tyreek Hill’s 86-yard kickoff return, a recovered muffed punt within the fourth quarter and Denver’s missed 62-yard kick in extra time.

This was oh-so-close to turning into a signature victory for Broncos coach Sean Payton and rookie quarterback Bo Nix. The sport performed out virtually precisely how the Broncos wished it to play out, as Payton mentioned afterward, and Denver nonetheless misplaced.

#BroncosCountry LIVE: HC Sean Payton meets the media after #DENvsKC https://t.co/zlW7RSuMUJ

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 10, 2024

Is a few form of inexplicable Payments meltdown awaiting subsequent week, with the Chiefs showing so susceptible? Or will the percentages lastly catch as much as Kansas Metropolis?

3. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 28-27 victory over the Commanders appeared affirming for each groups, nevertheless it’s price elevating some questions on endurance for Washington.

• Commanders outlook: After the Ravens handed the Commanders a 30-23 defeat in Week 6, a coach from one other group urged Baltimore had performed Washington rookie sensation Jayden Daniels in a bodily method that different groups would possibly replicate. Daniels suffered injured ribs towards Carolina the following week. Washington has modified its utilization patterns with Daniels, whose manufacturing has fallen off, however the Commanders nonetheless virtually beat a tricky Steelers group Sunday.

Daniels rushed 52 occasions for 306 yards and 4 touchdowns in Washington’s first 5 video games this season. He has 25 carries for 166 yards and no touchdowns since then, a streak that started towards Baltimore.

It’s going to be an attention-grabbing dance for Washington down the stretch because the Commanders attempt to maintain Daniels wholesome whereas nonetheless maximizing his dual-threat talents.

“We are going to see whether it is sustainable over a number of years,” the coach mentioned.

The Commanders, 7-2 on the commerce deadline and 7-3 after Sunday, acquired cornerback Marshon Lattimore from New Orleans after proving their ceiling was larger this season than anticipated.

However with Daniels dashing solely 3 times for five yards towards the Steelers, Washington managed solely 242 yards, together with 60 on the bottom (beginning operating again Brian Robinson was out injured). Is that this only a momentary step backward whereas Daniels will get wholesome, or will it’s a part of a broader late-season pattern? Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s Arizona Cardinals averaged 25.0 offensive factors per recreation in video games 1-8, however solely 20.9 thereafter, partly due to quarterback attrition.

• Steelers outlook: This was a terrific victory for Pittsburgh and particularly for quarterback Russell Wilson. If Wilson wasn’t fairly nearly as good as perceived in his first two begins, each Steelers victories, he appeared to play higher than his stat line for many of this recreation towards the Commanders.

His profitable 32-yard landing move to the newly acquired Mike Williams put a punctuation mark on what might in any other case be undersold as a 14-of-28 passing day. His lone interception was on a third-and-14 deep ball that approximated a punt and value Pittsburgh solely 0.4 EPA, making this Wilson’s least consequential decide since 2018.

Wilson has completed with at the least 0.14 EPA per move play in all three begins for the Steelers. That ties the third-longest streak of Wilson’s profession inside a single season. He had a seven-game streak in 2015, a six-game streak in 2012 and a five-game streak in 2013. His final three-game streak was again in 2018. Former Steelers starter Justin Fields has by no means had greater than two such video games consecutively throughout his profession, and he had only one such recreation for Pittsburgh (towards the Chargers in Week 3).

The Steelers, with a protection ranked sixth in EPA per play, will win many video games in the event that they play as effectively within the passing recreation as they’ve since Wilson took over.

4. The Bengals are actually 1-10 with Joe Burrow when trailing by one rating and taking up possession with 1-8 minutes left in regulation. Right here’s what that does and doesn’t imply, and what should change.

Quarterbacks play outsized roles in group success, particularly in high-leverage moments late in video games, so group outcomes do start to outline the person QB as soon as the pattern measurement grows giant sufficient. I don’t assume we’re to that time with Burrow, though his Tier 1 standing does seem incongruent with that 1-10 document in these conditions.

Reminder: Joe Burrow has 1 win within the NFL when trailing within the final 8:00.

— Scott Kacsmar (@ScottKacsmar) November 8, 2024

The above submit from NFL analyst Scott Kacsmar flagging Burrow’s poor document in these video games invited a more in-depth look.

Since getting into the NFL in 2020, Burrow is one in every of 26 quarterbacks with at the least 50 mixed regular-season and postseason move makes an attempt in video games when his group took possession with 1-8 minutes remaining and whereas trailing by 1-8 factors. These quarterbacks have received 34.6 p.c of the time, with 22 of them profitable at the next price than Burrow. Tom Brady (6-5) and Patrick Mahomes (8-7) are the one two with profitable information in these video games since Burrow entered the league. However even the New York Giants’ Daniel Jones (4-9) has received greater than Burrow, a giant pink flag.

Once we study statistical manufacturing for these 26 quarterbacks in these high-leverage conditions, Burrow ranks first amongst them in EPA per move play. He has accomplished 44 of 74 passes (60 p.c) for 653 yards (8.8 per try) with six touchdowns, one interception and a 109.8 passer ranking in these conditions. These numbers don’t replicate a participant struggling in these conditions.

In opposition to Baltimore on Thursday night time, Burrow led two landing drives within the remaining 8:00 when his group wanted a landing to tie or take the lead. The desk under exhibits profession landing drive charges for Burrow and three different acclaimed quarterbacks in these “want TD” conditions: trailing by 4-8 factors when taking up possession with 1-8 minutes left in regulation. Burrow’s landing drive price earlier than Thursday night time was 43 p.c, in step with the others. That jumped to 55 p.c, greatest among the many 4, after the sport towards Baltimore.

If Burrow and the Bengals’ offense have been poor in these conditions, that may present up in drive outcomes.

The Bengals’ 35-34 defeat to Baltimore might provide a window into what may be broader team-oriented points.

My total impression of the Bengals on offense is that they move too ceaselessly, sacrificing recreation management in vital conditions, and will do a greater job of managing the clock. Having an offensive play-calling head coach carries benefits, however it will probably complicate a group’s efforts to maintain typically competing priorities in stability.

Cincinnati’s total move orientation exhibits up of their excessive rating on the Cook dinner Index, which measures how ceaselessly groups move on early downs within the first 28 minutes of video games, earlier than time remaining and rating differential exert extra affect on tendencies. The Bengals rank first this season and among the many NFL’s high three since Burrow entered the league. They need to throw the ball. Larger-picture choices, corresponding to deciding towards protecting operating again Joe Mixon, might affect and/or replicate this orientation.

As for recreation administration, it’s one million occasions simpler to put out critiques on the web than it’s to execute underneath the strain of time in precise recreation conditions. I don’t faux to be an professional in game-management intricacies, however in talking with veteran coaches who reviewed the Thursday night time recreation, some factors stood out.

• The nice: Cincinnati, anticipating a shootout, introduced a four-down mentality. The Bengals went for it 4 occasions total. That included 3 times after they have been tied or main, with two of these when greater than a yard was wanted for a primary down. These totals tied single-game highs since Zac Taylor turned coach. Cincinnati additionally went for a two-point conversion within the remaining minute when an additional level would have tied the sport. The Bengals have been dedicated to an aggressive strategy, which made sense.

• The questionable: Cincinnati left ample time for Jackson and Baltimore’s offense late in each halves when preferable choices have been out there. Within the second quarter, their fast timeout utilization left Jackson with 0:30 on the clock, needing to journey about 30 yards to get a field-goal strive. Their remaining drive took the clock from 1:49 to 0:42 earlier than the Bengals scored a landing. Passing each down as soon as the Bengals reached the Baltimore 12-yard line with 0:59 left allowed the Ravens to avoid wasting timeouts.

“They must power Baltimore to take a timeout (to compromise a possible Ravens rebuttal drive), or if they don’t name timeout, they will management the two-point play being the final play of the sport,” a coach mentioned. “That is all simple with a distant in your hand and the posh of time, however once you have a look at that recreation, you do assume, ‘Nice participant in Joe Burrow, nice participant in Ja’Marr Chase, placing deodorant over a number of that.’”

5. Because the Lamar Jackson MVP practice chugs on, we offer historic context and contemplate how this Baltimore Ravens offense would possibly truly enhance.

We are able to’t fairly hand a 3rd MVP trophy to Jackson with seven video games remaining in his season, however we will actually examine his 10-game manufacturing to the 10-game output for previous winners of the award. Jackson suits in properly.

The chart above exhibits Jackson’s EPA on move performs and rushes in comparison with the 10-game output for all MVP winners since 2000, per TruMedia. Crimson bars spotlight Jackson’s present season and his previous two MVP seasons. Grey bars spotlight output on rushes and receptions for the 4 operating backs to win the award since then (Marshall Faulk in 2000, Shaun Alexander in 2005, LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006 and Adrian Peterson in 2012).

Jackson’s 127 EPA this season is the ninth-best 10-game complete amongst these 24 earlier MVP winners, a tick behind his 127.2 complete up to now in his 2019 MVP season.

Beneath, we see the 10-game manufacturing for Jackson and the 5 different MVP quarterbacks with at the least 127 EPA via 10 video games since 2000 (Peyton Manning, Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers seem twice). Crimson bars present how these different quarterbacks completed their seasons earlier than profitable MVP. Jackson would possibly have to maintain producing close to these ranges to beat a shaky Ravens protection.

Jackson made spectacular performs within the Ravens’ 35-34 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night time.

pic.twitter.com/cOJRWNC7tw https://t.co/bqde43zRLD

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) November 8, 2024

The tip-toeing tightrope of a run alongside the sideline after he retreated 20 yards behind the road of scrimmage, then gained 10 yards to the Cincinnati 1, bordered on absurd. The across-his-body, jump-shot contact move for a late lead-taking landing scored fashion factors for the move itself and for the way in which he retreated afterward.

A extra routine landing move to tight finish Mark Andrews might be probably the most thrilling one for the Ravens long run.

Mark Andrews and Lamar Jackson are at all times on the identical web page. 📚

Mark mentioned this was a “mesh” idea from the Bengals. He improvised to take it excessive and Lamar noticed the identical. pic.twitter.com/YreYNdWrJe

— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) November 8, 2024

This play showcased Andrews’ return to well being after lacking six video games resulting from a damaged leg and injured ankle final season, after Andrews didn’t look something near his previous self early within the season. Andrews’ long-established rapport with Jackson and newer resurgence have added to the expansion potential for Baltimore’s offense, which is the twentieth since 2000 to common at the least 30 factors per recreation via the primary 10 video games of a season.

The 2019 Ravens are additionally in that 30-plus membership, with manufacturing practically matching the 2024 group. Jackson, the first hyperlink between these offenses, is producing in addition to ever.

6. Two-minute drill: Right here’s what the Jonathan Gannon-coached Arizona Cardinals have in frequent with the Dan Campbell-coached Detroit Lions.

Gannon, employed earlier than the 2023 season, had a 5-16 document via his first 21 video games. He has a 5-1 document since then, beating the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins (with Tua Tagovailoa), Chicago Bears and New York Jets. The final two victories, over the Bears and Jets, have been by a 60-15 mixed mark. Arizona might be turning a nook.

Campbell began 4-16-1 in his first 21 video games with the Lions and has gone 28-11 since then.

The similarities don’t cease there:

• Campbell was mocked early in his tenure for saying he wished his group, after getting knocked down, to “chunk a kneecap off” on the way in which again up. Gannon was mocked early in his tenure for a “cringe” pep discuss by which he requested gamers if that they had taken the bus to work, then knowledgeable them he was “on the lookout for f—— killers.”

Mild The Hearth 🔥

Head Coach Jonathan Gannon units the tone for the group and his teaching employees within the newest episode of Cardinals Flight Plan, “Coach and the Coordinators” Tonight at 7 on YouTube. pic.twitter.com/3Xwuv6lVUE

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 31, 2023

• Each coaches’ beginning quarterbacks had performed effectively sufficient beforehand to earn top-of-market contracts, earlier than faltering sufficient to see their reputations backside out. Jared Goff (regardless of his five-interception recreation Sunday night time) is flourishing in Detroit. Kyler Murray, slammed for having a “homework clause” written into (and later out of) his contract, appears to have matured. He turned memes about his supposedly overboard affinity for the “Name of Obligation” franchise right into a sponsorship cope with the online game. It has labored as a result of Murray, wholesome after lacking a lot of final season with a torn ACL, has 12 landing passes and 4 dashing touchdowns towards six turnovers (three interceptions) this season. His 100.8 passer ranking could be a profession excessive over a full season, as would his 0.13 EPA per move play.

• Each coaches work with common managers poached from Tremendous Bowl groups (Brad Holmes in Detroit, Monti Ossenfort in Arizona). Each GMs used their first draft decisions for offensive tackles (Penei Sewell in Detroit, Paris Johnson in Arizona).

• Each coaches trusted first-time coordinators on either side of the ball. We’ve heard tons about Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and extra currently about his defensive counterpart, Aaron Glenn. If Arizona retains profitable, we’ll hear extra about offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, 37, and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, 31. The Cardinals rank tenth in offensive EPA per play. They’re twenty fourth on protection, together with fifteenth through the present 5-1 run.

• Each coaches took over traditionally dropping franchises and began poorly sufficient to listen to “usual Lions” and “usual Cardinals” with out having something substantive to say in rebuttal till effectively into their second seasons. Gannon’s 5-16 mark was tied for the eighth-worst via 21 video games for any coach employed since 2000. Campbell was 4-19-1 with Detroit earlier than turning issues round.

After a wild victory over the Texans on Sunday night time, the Lions are 8-1, which isn’t stunning after Detroit reached the NFC Championship Sport final season. They’re in Campbell’s fourth season and effectively forward of the Cardinals, who’ve a lot work forward of them to duplicate the turnaround Campbell has led in Detroit.

Arizona is 6-4 and fourth within the convention heading into its bye, with the next schedule ready on the opposite facet: Seattle and Minnesota on the street, adopted by Seattle and New England at house, adopted by Carolina and the Rams on the street, adopted by San Francisco at house.

Murray’s mobility differentiates Arizona from Detroit, opening other ways to win video games. Suppose Seattle through the Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson years a decade in the past, and even the Steelers with Wilson now, to an extent.

“They’re a bodily group,” an exec mentioned of Arizona. “They don’t seem to be the prettiest group, however they run the ball, they hit on protection and so they have a quarterback who’s going to run round and make one thing occur. You may win a number of video games that approach.”

• Cowboys’ house futility: The Cowboys are unhealthy sufficient total to battle no matter venue, particularly with out quarterback Dak Prescott, however they made some home-field historical past with a 34-6 defeat to Philadelphia on Sunday. Dallas’ minus-94 differential at house is the sixth-worst in NFL historical past via a group’s first 4 house video games, per Professional Soccer Reference.

The worst: Cleveland (-114 in 1975), Miami (-113 in 2019), Jacksonville (-110 in 2013), Atlanta (-107 in 1966) and Cincinnati (-100 in 1999). Dallas’ earlier worst was -88 in 1960, the primary 12 months of the franchise, when the group completed 0-11-1 with quarterback Eddie LeBaron tossing a league-high 25 interceptions.

Tom Landry, then in his first 12 months as Cowboys coach, would turn out to be a towering determine in Dallas. However because the day went Sunday, the Cowboys diminished him to a toweling determine when, in a tribute on a stadium video board, they misspelled his identify. “Tom Laundry,” the video board learn, per David Moore of the Dallas Morning Information.

The horrible outcomes at house this season didn’t cease the solar from shining on the Cowboys, at the least.

A annoyed Jerry Jones had some feedback concerning the solar impacting play at AT&T Stadium: “By the way in which, we all know the place the solar goes to be once we resolve to flip the coin or not. We do know the place the rattling solar goes to be in our personal stadium.”

Why not put up curtains over the… pic.twitter.com/28skNrZYBq

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 11, 2024

What might be extra surreal than proprietor Jerry Jones addressing sun-related imaginative and prescient issues in a 34-6 house defeat? How about coach Mike McCarthy, who doesn’t have a contract past this season, catching strays (or presumably no strays) from Micah Parsons?

Micah Parsons mentioned coaches aren’t his high fear as Cowboys season spirals.

“Mike can depart and go wherever he needs. Guys I form of really feel unhealthy for (are) guys like Zack Martin & guys who may be on their final 12 months or on their approach out. As a result of that is who I wished to carry the trophy…

— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) November 11, 2024

• Eagles surge: Elsewhere within the NFC East, the Eagles have received 5 in a row, largely towards poor groups, and now face a three-game stretch towards Washington (house), the Rams (street) and Ravens (street). The following two are in prime time and can give Philly an opportunity to claim itself as a high group.

Will the Eagles must deal with Daniels in full dual-threat mode, or will Washington proceed to restrict its quarterback’s publicity? Philly has to love drawing each Daniels matchups within the season’s second half, giving coordinator Vic Fangio 10 video games to check.

• Deebo’s assault: 49ers kicker Jake Moody hitting the game-winning kick towards Tampa Bay after lacking three tries had San Francisco on an emotional rollercoaster. Receiver Deebo Samuel going after Moody on the sideline, solely to have snapper Taybor Pepper intervene, confirmed how chaotic issues can get on a sideline.

The Seahawks skilled an identical scenario this season when defensive linemen Derick Corridor and Jarran Reed fought on the sideline throughout a 31-10 house defeat to Buffalo. The distinction for San Francisco was that Moody, as a kicker, seemingly might be extra susceptible to having such a scenario unnerve him. His game-winner confirmed in any other case, and Moody mentioned he didn’t want an apology.

“He was telling him to lock in. We all know what our job is…. As a younger creating specialist like Jake is, I don’t understand how a lot better it will get than lacking three straight & having to step up & hit an virtually 50-yard recreation winner. I’m tremendous pleased with Jake.”

Taybor Pepper on the… pic.twitter.com/4wDxfXH6kb

— KNBR (@KNBR) November 10, 2024

The missed kicks contributed to San Francisco ending with -12.4 EPA on particular groups, their seventh-worst exhibiting in a recreation since 2000, counting playoffs. Their worst recreation was in Week 4 towards New England (-15.7). Largely due to these video games, the 49ers rank final in special-teams EPA this season.

• Sticking with Flacco: Indianapolis is 0-2 whereas rating twenty ninth in EPA per play on offense in two video games since changing Anthony Richardson with Joe Flacco at quarterback, however coach Shane Steichen mentioned Indy will stick to Flacco for now.

Flacco’s three interceptions Sunday value the Colts 16.8 EPA in a recreation the group misplaced by 10 factors, 30-20, at house to Buffalo. Final season with Cleveland, Flacco had a three-pick recreation with -21.8 EPA on his interceptions. That was the eighth-most EPA misplaced in 101 complete three-pick video games since 2000, per TruMedia.

• Talking of three-pick video games: Sam Darnold had one for the Vikings and lived to get pleasure from a 12-7 victory over the Jaguars. Coach Kevin O’Connell credited the Vikings’ protection for profitable the sport, promised the offense would begin discovering the tip zone once more and turned to Darnold with a message: “Sam, everyone on this locker room is aware of, you’re the f—— man that’s going to take us there.”

Are you shopping for that, Vikings followers?

Darnold has 5 interceptions in his previous two video games. His protection, which overtook the Los Angeles Chargers to rank No. 1 in EPA per play via Week 10, would possibly be capable of overcome just a few extra picks towards Tennessee and Chicago over the following two weeks.

By no means flinched.#Skol pic.twitter.com/oQAQvvamEB

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 10, 2024

(Photograph of Caleb Williams: Michael Reaves / Getty Photographs)