It’s solely Week 4 within the NFL, and already the league has given us loads of surprises. A few of them have been good (Hiya, Seattle Seahawks). Some have been dangerous (Sorry, Trevor Lawrence).
This week the Energy Rankings have dug deep to seek out one thing stunning on every staff, and we’ll begin the surprises proper off the highest as a result of we’ve acquired a brand new No. 1.
Final week: 2
Monday: Beat Jacksonville Jaguars 47-10
Shock: That each one of their offseason losses haven’t damage
Actually, a few of them may need helped. The Payments scored touchdowns on their first 5 possessions Monday night time and led 34-3 at halftime. So long as Josh Allen remains to be round, something appears doable. On Monday, Allen posted his fourth profession recreation with 250 or extra passing yards, 4 or extra passing touchdowns and 40 or extra speeding yards. That’s greater than anybody in NFL historical past, and Allen had executed it earlier than the fourth quarter began. He completed 23-for-30 for 263 yards and 4 touchdowns, and Damar Hamlin grabbed his first profession interception to make the night time nearly good for the Payments.
Up subsequent: at Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
Final week: 1
Sunday: Beat Atlanta Falcons 22-17
Shock: Travis Kelce’s mortality
The Chiefs offense isn’t “The Chiefs Offense” and loads of that’s as a result of Kelce has solely eight catches for 69 yards. He’s nineteenth amongst tight ends in receiving yards and twenty second amongst tight ends in targets per route run (13.6 %), in accordance with TruMedia. Kelce noticed a go on 24.5 % of his routes within the final six seasons, however this season he’s on tempo for simply 68 targets, his fewest since 2013, when he performed just one recreation.
Up subsequent: at Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
Patrick Mahomes nonetheless not enjoying his greatest, however protection retains Chiefs undefeated
Final week: 6
Sunday: Beat Arizona Cardinals 20-13
Shock: That each staff doesn’t run hook and ladder on a regular basis
We’ve puzzled about this for some time. Watch the play beneath and you’ll, too. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught seven passes for 75 yards Sunday, certainly one of which he flipped again to Jahmyr Gibbs for a 21-yard landing. It was stunning. It resulted in a landing with lower than 30 seconds left within the half, and the day’s weirdest stat line: Gibbs, zero targets, zero catches, 20 receiving yards and a 21-yard receiving landing.
Up subsequent: at Seattle Seahawks, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Little hook n ladder shenanigans for the rating 😈#DETvsAZ | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/EBUcoJeBn5
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 22, 2024
Final week: 7
Sunday: Beat Houston Texans 34-7
Shock: Sam Darnold’s begin
He may flip right into a pumpkin by Halloween, however for now Darnold leads the NFL in landing passes (eight) whereas throwing solely two interceptions. Given up on by the Jets, Panthers and 49ers, Darnold is third within the league in passer score (117.3) enjoying for Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell. Darnold’s greatest passer score in his first six seasons within the league was 92.6, however he outplayed Houston’s C.J. Stroud on Sunday by a large margin, throwing 4 landing passes. One word on protection: The Vikings turned the third staff since 1990 to have not less than 5 sacks in every of their first three video games.
Up subsequent: at Inexperienced Bay Packers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
Vikings, Packers coaches make the NFC North the NFL’s greatest division: Sando’s Choose Six
5. Houston Texans (2-1)
Final week: 4
Sunday: Misplaced to Minnesota Vikings 34-7
Shock: C.J. Stroud is human
The Texans second-year quarterback had the second-worst recreation of his profession as measured by passer score (68.6) on Sunday. He threw a number of interceptions (two) for simply the second time in his profession. Getting operating again Joe Mixon again from an ankle sprain, every time that occurs, could be an enormous assist. Mixon had 159 of Houston’s 326 speeding yards this season in Week 1. In his first full recreation on the bench, the Texans had 38 speeding yards and averaged 2.7 yards per keep on Sunday in Minnesota, and Brian Flores’ blitzes rattled Stroud, which we have been starting to assume was not possible.
Up subsequent: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
6. Seattle Seahawks (3-0)
Final week: 10
Sunday: Beat Miami Dolphins 24-3
Shock: This staff leads the NFC West by two video games
It’s not the 49ers. It’s not the Rams. It’s Geno Smith and first-year head coach Mike Macdonald. Smith is second within the league in completion share (74.8) and is enjoying in addition to any passer within the league. Solely 4 quarterbacks have greater than his 823 passing yards. On prime of that, the Seahawks protection is the stingiest within the league, permitting simply 3.9 yards per play.
Up subsequent: at Detroit Lions, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
7. Inexperienced Bay Packers (2-1)
Final week: 12
Sunday: Beat Tennessee Titans 30-14
Shock: Matt LaFleur has by no means received coach of the 12 months
Malik Willis has received extra video games because the starter in Inexperienced Bay than he did in two years in Tennessee, and he’s been with the Packers for lower than a month. Willis, who took over when franchise quarterback Jordan Love was injured within the opener, had a 120.9 passer score and 73 speeding yards Sunday. Willis had 350 passing yards in 11 video games in Tennessee. He has 324 in two video games in Inexperienced Bay. The credit score goes to LaFleur, who has received 67.4 % of his video games as a head coach (eleventh greatest in NFL historical past). Inexperienced Bay is the fifth staff since 1990 with not less than 600 speeding yards in its first three video games.
Up subsequent: vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Final week: 15
Sunday: Beat Los Angeles Chargers 20-10
Shock: Mike Tomlin doesn’t imagine in surprises
No person anticipated the Steelers to be two video games in entrance within the AFC North at this level besides perhaps their head coach. Opponents are scoring a landing on 16.7 % of their journeys into the purple zone in opposition to Pittsburgh this 12 months. It’s early, however that’s on tempo to be the most effective fee within the NFL since not less than 2000, in accordance with TruMedia. That plus an offense that understands the task (108 staff rushes versus 91 Justin Fields dropbacks) has been ok.
Up subsequent: at Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
In a battle of dominant defenses, Justin Fields was the distinction for Steelers
Final week: 3
Sunday: Misplaced to Philadelphia Eagles 15-12
Shock: Derek Carr, even after Sunday
An afterthought getting into the season, Carr is third within the league in EPA per dropback in his eleventh 12 months within the league. His passer score (115.7) is on tempo to be the very best of his profession though Sunday was sort of a stinker — 14-for-25 passing for 142 yards and a 69.1 passer score. First-year offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak might find yourself extending Carr’s profession if he doesn’t get a head teaching job first.
Up subsequent: at Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
10. Los Angeles Chargers (2-1)
Final week: 9
Sunday: Misplaced to Pittsburgh Steelers 20-10
Shock: That Jim Harbaugh wasn’t teaching within the ’40s
The person who final week mentioned, for some cause, “Like Moses, I’m going to die leaning on my employees,” is taking the Chargers and Justin Herbert again to three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust soccer. Herbert has performed 65 NFL video games. Three of his 5 lowest passing totals have come within the first three weeks of this season, and he’s averaging 133 yards per recreation. Sunday’s whole was damage when he left the sport early after aggravating a excessive ankle sprain. If he’s out for some time, it’d damage the Chargers. Or it won’t. Taylor Heinicke can deal with 133 yards per recreation.
Up subsequent: vs. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
Will anybody within the Chargers group shield Justin Herbert from himself?
11. Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
Final week: 11
Sunday: Beat New Orleans Saints 15-12
Shock: That this staff has received two video games
Philadelphia is thirty first within the NFL in turnover margin (minus-4). It has dedicated 28 penalties, greater than all however 4 groups. Each fourth-down determination Nick Sirianni makes finally ends up being incorrect. And but the Eagles, tied for the lead within the NFC East, could be 3-0 if not for a late game-winning drive by the Falcons in Week 2. Tight finish Dallas Goedert, who had 10 catches for 170 yards in opposition to the Saints, is chargeable for the newest win. It was probably the most yards in a recreation for an Eagles tight finish.
Up subsequent: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
4️⃣3️⃣ yards for 8️⃣8️⃣!@goedert33 | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/tWiXsbsUsq
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 22, 2024
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
Final week: 5
Sunday: Misplaced to Denver Broncos 26-7
Shock: Mike Evans’ sluggish begin
This can be a Mike Evans appreciation submit in disguise. He’s had 1,000 yards in every of his 10 seasons, which is exceptional, however the streak is in early hazard. He has solely 10 catches for 120 yards, and Chris Godwin has 10 extra targets than Evans by means of three video games. His lack of participation hadn’t damage Tampa Bay till Sunday, when he was held to 2 catches for 17 yards by Patrick Surtain, and the Buccaneers have been upset by the Broncos.
Up subsequent: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
13. San Francisco 49ers (1-2)
Final week: 8
Sunday: Misplaced to Los Angeles Rams 27-24
Shock: That this staff is final within the NFC West
Brock Purdy had a 137.1 passer score and Jauan Jennings had 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns, however it wasn’t sufficient to make up for Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle being sidelined by harm. It ought to have been, although. The 49ers led by 10 factors with 6:20 left. Purdy now has 9 video games with a passer score of 130 or greater, greater than another quarterback in his first three seasons.
Up subsequent: vs. New England Patriots, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
The Rams, lengthy the 49ers’ ‘get proper’ foe, expose all their flaws
14. Baltimore Ravens (1-2)
Final week: 17
Sunday: Beat Dallas Cowboys 28-25
Shock: It took three weeks to seek out Derrick Henry
It looks like somebody ought to have remembered he was on the staff earlier. Sunday, he ran over the Cowboys, breaking 12 tackles and gaining 151 yards and scoring two touchdowns on 25 carries. Henry had 45 yards over anticipated, in accordance with Subsequent Gen Stats. Lamar Jackson threw solely 15 passes (finishing 12) and ran for 87 yards. Nonetheless, the Ravens gave up 19 answered factors within the fourth quarter and virtually blew one other late lead.
Up subsequent: vs. Buffalo Payments, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
Final week: 16
Thursday: Beat New England Patriots 24-3
Shock: Braelon’s Allen debut
Aaron Rodgers had his second-highest passer score (118.9) since September of 2022 in opposition to the Patriots, and that’s a reduction for Jets followers, however it’s hardly a shock. The person is a four-time MVP. What’s a shock is operating again Braelon Allen. This was speculated to be Breece Corridor’s backfield, however Allen, a rookie fourth-round draft choose, is averaging 5.1 yards per carry, virtually a yard and a half greater than Corridor.
Up subsequent: vs. Denver Broncos, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Aaron Rodgers’ TD go to Garrett Wilson was the 480th of his profession.
It was the primary TD he is thrown to a WR drafted within the 1st spherical. pic.twitter.com/5ZUE81lJQm
— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2024
16. Dallas Cowboys (1-2)
Final week: 13
Sunday: Misplaced to Baltimore Ravens 28-25
Shock: That kickers are so good this 12 months
Brandon Aubrey made a 65-yard discipline objective, the second-longest in NFL historical past, within the first quarter and has hit 15 straight kicks from 50-plus yards. For the season, NFL kickers have hit 76.5 % of their discipline targets from past 50 yards. Aubrey, although, couldn’t make up for a protection that has given up an NFL-worst 7.7 yards per play within the final two weeks.
Up subsequent: at New York Giants, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
Micah Parsons: ‘Belief shouldn’t be there’ for Cowboys’ struggling protection
17. Arizona Cardinals (1-2)
Final week: 14
Sunday: Misplaced to Detroit Lions 20-13
Shock: James Conner’s carry whole
The Cardinals operating again obtained solely 9 carries for 17 yards in opposition to the Lions on Sunday. Conner had 37 carries for 172 yards within the first two weeks. He had 21 carries for 122 yards in Week 2, and Arizona beat the Rams by 31 factors. Kyler Murray led the Cardinals in speeding Sunday with 5 carries for 45 yards. That doesn’t appear to be a profitable system.
Up subsequent: vs. Washington Commanders, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
18. Washington Commanders (2-1)
Final week: 29
Monday: Beat Cincinnati Bengals 38-33
Shock: Simply how good Jayden Daniels has been
Completion share shouldn’t be the most effective indicator of quarterback success, however it’s nonetheless exceptional Washington’s rookie leads the NFL in that stat by means of three weeks (80.3 %). Daniels, the No. 2 choose within the draft behind Caleb Williams, is second within the league in EPA per try (.43), which is a fairly good indicator of quarterback efficiency. On Monday night time, Daniels was 21-for-23 for 254 yards and his first two NFL landing passes. Daniels, whose first scoring go went to 320-pound offensive deal with Trent Scott, has but to throw an interception.
Up subsequent: at Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
19. Los Angeles Rams (1-2)
Final week: 26
Sunday: Beat San Francisco 49ers 27-24
Shock: This win, that’s it
The Rams, who didn’t have Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua and half their offensive line due to harm, had a 3.2 % probability to win this recreation at one level within the fourth quarter. Then they scored 3 times within the closing 6:15. Amid all of the chaos in L.A., operating again Kyren Williams simply retains plugging alongside. He had 116 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns in opposition to the Niners.
Up subsequent: at Chicago Bears, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
Rodrigue: The chaos Rams are again, this time with raise from particular groups and Matthew Stafford
20. Atlanta Falcons (1-2)
Final week: 19
Sunday: Misplaced to Kansas Metropolis Chiefs 22-17
Shock: Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud
The 2 newcomers to Atlanta’s offense have a mixed 21 catches for 247 yards. Drake London and Kyle Pitts have 22 catches for 241 yards. The Falcons are sixteenth within the league in passing yards per recreation (199.7) so it hasn’t been a foul offense, however the prediction that Kirk Cousins would unleash the 2 extremely drafted go catchers hasn’t but come to fruition. Essentially the most exceptional stat from Sunday: The Falcons went 2-for-9 on third down for the third straight recreation.
Up subsequent: vs. New Orleans Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Final week: 24
Sunday: Beat Chicago Bears 21-16
Shock: That Indianapolis received despite Anthony Richardson
The Colts’ 22-year-old quarterback completed with a 39 passer score and continues to confound his fan base by alternating superb completions on not possible passes with maddening misses on simple passes. Richardson is finishing lower than 50 % of his passes this season, the bottom quantity within the league, and his passer score (55.9) ranks twenty ninth. He’s performed solely seven profession video games so it’s manner too early to panic, however this was a pattern Richardson exhibited all through his faculty profession.
Up subsequent: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
#Colts QB Anthony Richardson on why he retains lacking so many (seemingly) easy passes:
“I don’t know, man. I simply gotta calm down and simply let the ball spin. I simply gotta give myself time and provides myself some grace. I’m so onerous on myself once I’m lacking passes on the market …” pic.twitter.com/P6GpWgVb2y
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) September 22, 2024
22. Cincinnati Bengals (0-3)
Final week: 18
Monday: Misplaced to Washington Commanders 38-33
Shock: The Jessie Bates falloff
Since Jessie Bates III left Cincinnati in free company after the 2022 season, the Bengals are twenty eighth within the NFL in EPA per 100 snaps and thirty first in defensive success fee (55.2 %), in accordance with TruMedia. On Monday night time, the Commanders and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels marched up and down the sphere, gaining 357 yards and averaging 6.4 yards per play.
Up subsequent: at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
23. New England Patriots (1-2)
Final week: 21
Thursday: Misplaced to New York Jets 24-3
Shock: Jacoby Brissett remains to be strolling upright
The Patriots have allowed strain on a league-worst 45.8 % of their dropbacks. New England has surrendered 11 sacks, which accounts for 12.5 % of their dropbacks. That is why coach Jerod Mayo has been hesitant to start out rookie Drake Maye, who acquired into the sport in reduction Thursday, accomplished 50 % of his passes and acquired walloped on one sack.
Up subsequent: at San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
24. Las Vegas Raiders (1-2)
Final week: 22
Sunday: Misplaced to Carolina Panthers 36-22
Shock: That it took this lengthy for a quarterback controversy
Controversy could be a powerful phrase when the alternatives are Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell, however right here the Raiders are. O’Connell changed Minshew within the fourth quarter Sunday and completed 9-for-12 for 82 yards and a landing. That could be sufficient to earn him a begin, though coach Antonio Pierce didn’t sound pleased with anyone after the sport.
Up subsequent: vs. Cleveland Browns, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Pierce mentioned he believes some #Raiders gamers made “enterprise selections” later within the recreation. He mentioned the staff will make corresponding “enterprise selections” transferring ahead.
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) September 22, 2024
25. Carolina Panthers (1-2)
Final week: 32
Sunday: Beat Las Vegas Raiders 36-22
Shock: That Carolina hasn’t already traded Bryce Younger
The previous No. 1 choose didn’t have a lot commerce worth after being benched to start out this week. He won’t have any now after how the Panthers appeared with Andy Dalton at quarterback. Dalton turned the primary quarterback this season with three landing passes and greater than 300 passing yards in a recreation, they usually averaged 6.2 yards per play. Carolina was averaging 3.5 yards per play with Younger at quarterback. Dalton’s passer score Sunday (123.6) was 50 factors greater than Younger’s profession common.
Up subsequent: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
In delivering Panthers’ gorgeous win over Raiders, Andy Dalton validated Dave Canales’ determination
26. Chicago Bears (1-2)
Final week: 23
Sunday: Misplaced to Indianapolis Colts 21-16
Shock: Caleb Williams, even when it shouldn’t be
Not solely has Williams not turned the Bears franchise round, however he hasn’t even gotten inside shouting distance of excellent regardless of posting an NFL-season-high 363 passing yards Sunday. (Whereas we’re on the topic, why did Chicago throw the ball 52 occasions in opposition to a staff that gave up 473 speeding yards within the first two weeks?) Williams is thirty first within the league in anticipated factors added per dropback (minus-.27), twenty eighth in passer score (65.3) and twenty seventh in completion share (59.3 %). Not less than fellow rookie Rome Odunze had six catches for 112 yards in opposition to the Colts.
Up subsequent: vs. Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
27. Miami Dolphins (1-2)
Final week: 20
Sunday: Misplaced to Seattle Seahawks 24-3
Shock: That this staff is final in scoring
Taking part in with backup quarterback Skylar Thompson was a problem Sunday, however even with Tua Tagovailoa, this staff wasn’t clicking. The Dolphins are averaging 11 factors per recreation. Only a season in the past, they have been second in scoring with 29.18 factors per recreation. Miami, which was 1-for-12 on third down in opposition to the Seahawks, is the one staff within the league to not lead a recreation with time on the clock this season, in accordance with ESPN Stats & Data.
Up subsequent: vs. Tennessee Titans, Monday, 7:30 p.m. ET
From @ESPNStatsInfo, the Dolphins are the one staff within the NFL to not maintain a lead for a single second this season
Their lone lead, Jason Sanders’ GW FG vs the Jaguars, got here as time expired in Week 1
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) September 23, 2024
28. Denver Broncos (1-2)
Final week: 30
Sunday: Beat Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-7
Shock: Bo Nix was Sunday’s greatest rookie quarterback
And he’s been the second-best this season. The competitors shouldn’t be as robust as we imagined it could be in April, however nonetheless. Nix is second amongst all quarterbacks this season in speeding (107 yards) and was environment friendly from the pocket Sunday as Denver acquired its first win. With Caleb Williams’ struggles, Nix is behind solely Jayden Daniels by way of rookie quarterback worth to this point.
Up subsequent: at New York Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Final week: 31
Sunday: Beat Cleveland Browns 21-15
Shock: Malik Nabers’ begin
Everybody thought the rookie extensive receiver could be good, however this good was not possible to foretell. He’s the one receiver within the league with greater than 50 % of his staff’s air yards this season. On Sunday, he turned the primary participant in NFL historical past with not less than 20 catches and three landing catches in his first three video games, and he’s fifth amongst all gamers with 271 receiving yards.
Up subsequent: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Malik Nabers was focused 12 occasions on 34 routes for 8 receptions, 78 yards and a couple of touchdowns, accounting for 56.9% of the Giants staff air yards.
Nabers is the one receiver within the NFL to account for over half of his staff’s air yards (57.6%) this season.
Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/4H42o4zASW
— Subsequent Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 22, 2024
30. Cleveland Browns (1-2)
Final week: 25
Sunday: Misplaced to New York Giants 21-15
Shock: That they’re nonetheless attempting this
Deshaun Watson has extra dropbacks than any quarterback within the league this 12 months (141) though his EPA per dropback (minus-.28) ranks thirty second within the league. Watson’s passer score was not less than 98 from 2017-2020. He hasn’t topped 85 in a season since then, and he’s at a career-low 71.4 this 12 months. A reminder: His salary-cap quantity for every of the subsequent two seasons is $72 million.
Up subsequent: at Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
Browns’ offense hasn’t been simply dangerous, it has been borderline hopeless
31. Tennessee Titans (0-3)
Final week: 28
Sunday: Misplaced to Inexperienced Bay Packers 30-14
Shock: It’s nonetheless that they fired Mike Vrabel
Soundly crushed Sunday by the quarterback that they had as a third-stringer and traded away within the offseason, Tennessee turned the staff over this season to first-year head coach Brian Callahan and second-year quarterback Will Levis, who has thrown 4 landing passes to Titans this 12 months and two to their opponents. His EPA per dropback (minus-.31) ranks thirty third within the league. Vrabel won’t have mounted the quarterback downside, however he most likely would have received a recreation.
Up subsequent: at Miami Dolphins, Monday, 7:30 p.m. ET
32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3)
Final week: 27
Monday: Misplaced to Buffalo Payments 47-10
Shock: That Trevor Lawrence hasn’t been higher
What’s occurring in Jacksonville shouldn’t be Lawrence’s fault. The No. 1 choose from the 2021 draft has been tremendous, however he hasn’t been significantly better than that. Since he entered the league, Lawrence is thirty first amongst qualifying quarterbacks in passer score (84.4), and his anticipated factors added per dropback (minus-.01) ranks twenty seventh. Solely Josh Allen (47) and Patrick Mahomes (43) have thrown extra interceptions since Lawerence (40) in that span, and people two quarterbacks have much more positives on their steadiness sheet. Lawrence was 21-for-38 for 178 yards, one landing and one interception in Monday night time’s catastrophe effort earlier than being changed by Mac Jones when the sport was out of attain.
Up subsequent: at Houston Texans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
(Prime picture of Zach Charbonnet and the Seahawks: Rio Giancarlo / Getty Photographs)