Now, it’s actual.
Six weeks of regular-season NFL motion is within the books, basically one-third of the season. Gamers and coaches have labored off the rust. Blaming shortcomings and disjointed performances on little to no preseason motion not works.
Of the league’s 32 groups, 13 have shedding data. One other 5 are at .500. Some are banking on their fortunes altering because the season progresses, however others are already beginning to run out of time. That is concerning the level of the season when panic begins to strike. As an example, the New York Jets already hit the panic button, firing coach Robert Saleh after solely 5 video games, regardless that all of their season objectives remained in attain.
Then, there are groups just like the Philadelphia Eagles, who entered final week in a precarious scenario earlier than profitable, enhancing to 3-2 and avoiding the red-alert mode that might have engulfed the franchise had it fallen to 2-3.
So which of those unlucky groups ought to preserve the religion? That are in harmful territory? Which already are in a full-on panic? Let’s dissect.
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Hold the religion
Cincinnati Bengals (2-4)
Nobody projected a 1-4 begin for one of the vital gifted groups within the AFC. However contract disputes and early-season accidents solely heightened Cincinnati’s typical slow-start struggles and price it in winnable video games towards New England, Washington and Baltimore. A victory over the Giants affords a level of reduction, however the Bengals stay in a gap. A 41-38 time beyond regulation loss to Baltimore confirmed that Cincinnati can nonetheless go toe-to-toe with an AFC energy. And the season performs out favorably the following three weeks (at Cleveland, versus Philadelphia, versus Las Vegas) earlier than a rematch in Baltimore on Nov. 7. Take a deep breath, and preserve swinging.
Arizona Cardinals (2-4)
The 34-13 loss at Inexperienced Bay was dangerous. Three turnovers, third-down struggles and only one landing in three journeys to the crimson zone proved crippling. However the Cardinals have earned high quality NFC West wins over San Francisco and the Los Angeles Rams (earlier than all the Rams’ accidents). Consistency is missing on offense and protection, however the potential is there. A stretch of winnable video games (Chargers, Dolphins, Bears, Jets) awaits. Arizona might enter its Week 11 bye on stable footing.
Miami Dolphins (2-3)
Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion and the shortage of a robust contingency plan at quarterback rocked the Dolphins for 3 weeks. This projected playoff staff bought some much-needed reduction with the win over New England after which its bye. Coach Mike McDaniel says Tagovailoa will play once more in 2024, however not this week at Indianapolis. Luckily for the Dolphins, it’s an extended season, and the AFC East options the gifted Payments, rebuilding Patriots and a Jets staff with an interim coach. If Tagovailoa returns and stays wholesome, an electrifying offense additionally might return and steer Miami again to relevancy.
Indianapolis Colts (3-3)
Intriguing younger quarterback Anthony Richardson has missed two video games with damage, however hope stays because of good ol’ Joe Flacco, who simply led the Colts to a different victory. Richardson is anticipated again Sunday, when one other winnable recreation (towards Miami) awaits, after which comes a stretch that features AFC South foe Houston, adopted by Minnesota and Buffalo. However the dwelling stretch of the season contains six beatable opponents. Flacco took a reduced Cleveland to the playoffs final season. If Richardson will get damage once more, what’s to say Flacco can’t return to the postseason with the Colts?
Denver Broncos (3-3)
Bo Nix has offered some vibrant spots and indicators of progress by six begins. He helped Denver win three straight after opening the season 0-2 and twice has recorded video games with a number of passing touchdowns. Positive, he’s had some low factors, like final week, when he had solely 27 passing yards by three quarters. However Nix stored dealing and completed that recreation (a 23-16 loss to the Chargers) with 216 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Nix has additionally proven some fireplace, refusing to again down from coach Sean Payton throughout sideline exchanges. As a complete, the Broncos have displayed some enchancment, and rank within the prime half of the league with some extent differential of plus-16. They should reduce down on the turnovers (they’ve 9), however they’re trending in the correct course.
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Seattle Seahawks (3-3)
After opening the season 3-0, Seattle has misplaced three straight. However hope shouldn’t be misplaced. Two of the three losses got here towards Detroit and San Francisco, groups seen as Tremendous Bowl contenders. The loss to the Giants sandwiched in between was a shock, but it surely’s potential the Seahawks bought caught waiting for that divisional matchup with the 49ers that adopted 4 days later. First-year coach Mike Macdonald and his prices have some issues to tweak on each side of the ball. However quarterback Geno Smith is enjoying properly regardless of a latest uncharacteristic rash of interceptions, and Seattle stays balanced on offense. The NFC West stays up for grabs. A win over Atlanta this week can restore order.
Low-grade panic mode
Dallas Cowboys (3-3)
The document suggests a manageable scenario, as does an NFC East that options the stunning however nonetheless growing Commanders, a glitchy Eagles staff that could be getting its groove again and a Giants staff not positioned for rivalry in 2024. However the lack of really feel and solutions that coach Mike McCarthy and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer have displayed whereas directing an underachieving squad, and the accidents on protection, give actual trigger for concern. The bye comes at a much-needed time following the blowout loss to Detroit. However is every week sufficient time for the coaches to evaluate and repair all of their shortcomings?
San Francisco 49ers (3-3)
It has been a tough stretch for the Tremendous Bowl runner-up 49ers, who’ve battled accidents all through this younger season. Nicely-coached and well-constructed, they’ve weathered adversity and personal a 3-3 document. However on faucet is a tricky stretch starting with a rematch with Kansas Metropolis this week and persevering with with Dallas, a bye, Tampa Bay, Seattle, Inexperienced Bay and Buffalo. Uncertainty stays concerning the return dates of reinforcements like Christian McCaffrey, so this difficult slate might make or break the Niners’ season.
Las Vegas Raiders (2-4)
The 5-4 end to 2023 that Antonio Pierce directed whereas interim head coach has not carried over into 2024. Now 2-4, the Raiders have benched quarterback Gardner Minshew (an offseason acquisition) they usually simply traded prime extensive receiver Davante Adams to the Jets. Luke Getsy struggled as offensive coordinator in Chicago, and now his Raiders unit ranks among the many backside third of the league. Enchancment appears unlikely. In the meantime, there are few obvious fast fixes for a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde protection that ranks twelfth greatest in yards per recreation but fifth worst in factors allowed. Precedence No. 1 for Pierce is fixing the turnover subject that has crippled his staff on each side of the ball. The Raiders lead the NFL with 12 turnovers this season, with solely two takeaways.
New Orleans Saints (2-4)
These two blowout victories to open the season don’t look almost as spectacular now given Carolina’s ineptitude and Dallas’ underperforming methods. 4 straight losses have adopted, and quarterback Derek Carr’s indirect damage compelled the Saints to play rookie Spencer Rattler before anticipated. The NFC South stays up for grabs. Nonetheless, extra regarding than a cold and hot offense are the struggles of an injury-plagued protection that gave up 51 factors to Tampa Bay Sunday and did not get key stops in winnable video games towards Philadelphia, Atlanta and Kansas Metropolis.
New York Giants (2-4)
Can you actually name it panic mode when your roster had the look of a subpar operation to start with? Perhaps when you’re Brian Daboll, head coach of a staff that regressed in 12 months 2 and continues to battle in 12 months 3. Daniel Jones stays erratic and hasn’t thrown a landing at dwelling since Jan. 1, 2023, whereas directing an offense that has failed to attain 20 factors 4 instances in six video games this season. The Giants weren’t going to win the NFC East this season, however they should present some actual enchancment as their coach’s seat heats up.
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L.A. Rams (1-4)
The Rams have been in all probability probably the most injury-riddled staff within the NFL by the primary month and a half of the season. Accidents alongside the offensive line. Accidents at extensive receiver. Accidents within the secondary. However reinforcements have began to reach on protection, and they’re on their method alongside the offensive line as properly. Matthew Stafford apparently must wait somewhat longer for Puka Nacua to return, and whereas Cooper Kupp is questionable to play this week, he participated in particular person drills Wednesday. If the Rams can piece collectively a few wins earlier than Thanksgiving (the Raiders, Vikings, Seahawks, Dolphins, Patriots and Eagles await), in principle they’ll place themselves for a playoff push within the last third of the season. However their margin for error is extremely slim.
Pink-alert panic mode
Cleveland Browns (1-5)
Kevin Stefanski continues to pledge loyalty to Deshaun Watson, his $230 million quarterback, whom the Browns want to hold them and masks the deficiencies of an injury-plagued supporting solid. As a substitute, Watson has but to cross for 200 yards in any recreation this season. Every week, Stefanski says he’s not contemplating a change to backup Jameis Winston as a result of he believes Watson nonetheless offers Cleveland its greatest likelihood to win. He hasn’t made vital schematic adjustments to assist Watson compensate for his struggles, nevertheless. It’s unclear if Stefanski believes that, or if he’s following a mandate from above so he can save his job. However because the Browns’ struggles and losses mount, the coach is vulnerable to shedding the locker room, which might in flip price him his job as properly.
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5)
The bleeding continues for the Jaguars, who’ve now misplaced 10 of their final 12 video games relationship again to final season. If not for his or her two-week journey to London, Doug Pederson might have already been fired. Employed in 2022 to rescue Jacksonville from the City Meyer dysfunction, Pederson guided the Jaguars on a stunning late-season playoff push and postseason victory. However for the reason that midpoint of final season, prized quarterback Trevor Lawrence has regressed, as has Jacksonville’s offense and protection. The Jaguars personal some extent differential of minus-65, second worst within the NFL behind the Panthers (minus-100). Most of the similar league insiders who predicted Pederson can be good for Lawrence now discover themselves baffled by the Jaguars’ struggles. Pederson’s Tremendous Bowl-winning success with the Eagles to cap the 2017 season appears to be like extra like an anomaly now.
New England Patriots (1-5)
Everybody knew this may be a rebuilding 12 months for the Patriots following the organizational reset that featured the firing of Invoice Belichick, hiring of first-time head coach Jerod Mayo and drafting of quarterback Drake Maye third general. The plan was to lean on veteran Jacoby Brissett whereas growing Maye, however after repeated shows of offensive anemia, the Patriots basically hit the panic button and began Maye final week towards Houston. The younger quarterback is not going to clear up a pock-marked roster, however he’ll get reps and hopefully be taught whereas doing.
Carolina Panthers (1-5)
The Panthers hit the panic button after simply two weeks, benching Bryce Younger for Andy Dalton a 12 months after utilizing the No. 1 draft decide on Younger. However first-year coach Dave Canales has seen solely minimal enchancment from his offense, which is averaging simply 17.2 factors per recreation for the season and 22.5 in Dalton’s 4 begins. In the meantime, a protection led by Ejiro Evero is yielding a league-high 33.8 factors per contest. There’s no fast repair for this talent-deficient staff, which is probably going headed for a top-three decide as soon as once more.
Tennessee Titans (1-4)
A roster that appeared to boast promise with a mix of homegrown gamers and good free-agent acquisitions has but to pan out for first-year head coach Brian Callahan and second-year common supervisor Ran Carthon. A lot of Tennessee’s woes need to do with the sluggish growth of second-year quarterback Will Levis, who leads the NFL with seven interceptions whereas passing for under 699 yards in 5 video games. The Titans boast the top-ranked protection (permitting solely 248.8 yards per recreation), however their offense (253.2 yards per recreation) is second worst within the league behind the Browns. Tennessee additionally averages simply 19.2 factors per recreation.
New York Jets (2-4)
Saleh’s firing was supposed to assist the Jets transfer out of this panic class whereas jump-starting the staff Woody Johnson calls one in all his most gifted ever assembled. However the Jets largely seemed the identical towards Buffalo on Monday other than just a few spurts. Aaron Rodgers remains to be pointing fingers and throwing interceptions, and Haason Reddick shouldn’t be strolling by that door. Adams did, and maybe he can provide Rodgers some consolation. However the Jets really feel extra flamable than cohesive at this level.
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(Prime illustration: Meech Robinson / The Athletic. Photographs of Kevin Stefanski, Aaron Rodgers and Jerry Jones: Elsa / Getty Photos, Nick Cammett / Getty Photos and Michael Zagaris / San Francisco 49ers / Getty Photos)