Sunday Week 6 featured the Cowboys blown out at dwelling once more, Lamar Jackson’s Ravens outlasting Jayden Daniels’ Commanders, beginning debuts from not one however two rookie quarterbacks, and one other rookie QB persevering with to climb quick.
SLAYYYYYYYY
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— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 13, 2024
The Athletic NFL writers Tim Graham, Mike Jones and Ted Nguyen share their ideas on all of those storylines and extra.
Going again to January’s wild-card playoff sport, that’s 4 straight dwelling losses for the Cowboys (through which they had been outscored 110-35 within the first half). Is it panic time in Dallas?
Graham: Completely. It’s not simply that they’re shedding, however how totally they’re getting obliterated. Though the Lions are an amazing staff, the Cowboys ought to by no means appear to be they don’t belong on the identical subject as an opponent, particularly when taking part in on their very own subject. Sunday was the second time already an opponent moseyed into AT&T Stadium and almost hit 50 factors. The Saints scored six touchdowns in Week 2, and the Lions lumped them up even worse. It will likely be tough for Mike McCarthy to scapegoat defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer when the offense is so putrid. Since beating the abysmal Browns on opening day, the Cowboys’ greatest offensive efficiency was a valiant end after being down 22 factors within the fourth quarter in opposition to the Ravens.
Nguyen: Is dependent upon what your expectations had been earlier than the season. When you thought this Cowboys staff was a Tremendous Bowl contender, then panic. When you thought this is able to be a .500 staff as a result of they’ve stars however no depth, and could be up-and-down all season, stay calm. Their offensive line has struggled to run block and move shield they usually had been coping with accidents. Their run protection is horrible. Dallas adjusted by loading the field on Sunday and it helped for a bit, however they had been going in opposition to essentially the most bodily offensive line within the league and received mollywhopped. They’ll pull off an upset after they’re wholesome they usually’ll get dismantled once more. With the “all-in” roster that the Joneses constructed, that’s simply the way it’s going to be all season.
Jones: Sure. This was a measuring stick sport for the Cowboys, they usually clearly will not be on the identical degree because the Lions, who rank among the many league’s elite groups. Jerry Jones all the time appears to suppose his staff is a Tremendous Bowl contender, however Detroit ought to have erased any such ideas on Sunday; they’d their manner with Dallas on each side of the ball. The stress on Mike McCarthy is now at an all-time excessive. He must do loads of soul looking throughout this bye week, to not point out go over his staff’s total operation with a fine-toothed comb and determine what’s lacking. The Cowboys have key accidents on protection, however they definitely have the expertise on each side of the ball to compete at the next degree than what we’re seeing. Up subsequent after their bye: back-to-back street video games in opposition to San Francisco and Atlanta (who each appear to be playoff groups), then dwelling video games in opposition to Philadelphia and Houston. This factor might get ugly in a rush.
Are we dwelling by means of one other Lamar Jackson MVP season?
Jones: Jackson is a perennial MVP candidate. He makes the Ravens legit contenders within the AFC each season, and this 12 months shall be no totally different. So, sure, if Baltimore winds up with one of many prime seeds of their convention and appear to be Tremendous Bowl contenders, we definitely might see him repeat as MVP. However, I’ll say, the addition of Derrick Henry to the offense to lighten Jackson’s dashing load might immediate him to lose some votes. (I’d additionally nonetheless wish to see the Ravens determine how you can add one other receiving risk earlier than the commerce deadline to make that offense much more explosive). Nevertheless, if the addition of weapons like Henry and others interprets right into a deep playoff run and a long-craved Tremendous Bowl victory, Jackson would gladly commerce that for one more MVP award.
Graham: Maybe the primary cause Jackson received the MVP final 12 months over Josh Allen was that Baltimore didn’t swoon, whereas many people questioned what occurred to Buffalo’s offense nicely into November. Allen began this season afire, incomes AFC Offensive Participant of the Month, however back-to-back losses through which he wanted to be scraped off the turf a pair instances allowed Jackson again within the race. Baltimore’s offense is a wagon. Allen doesn’t have anyone like Derrick Henry to assist carry the load, however Jackson seemed intergalactic in opposition to the streaking Commanders on Sunday. Every week after lighting up Cincinnati, he threw simply six incomplete passes whereas rolling up 323 yards within the air and a TD, and dashing eight instances for 40 yards earlier than killing out the clock. Your transfer, Josh.
Nguyen: Jackson is definitely one of many entrance runners. He’s been remarkably environment friendly this season, throwing 9 touchdowns to just one interception. He additionally is likely one of the best runners within the league, amongst quarterbacks and operating backs (it does harm Jackson’s MVP statline that Derrick Henry has hawked a couple of of his touchdowns on the purpose line). The Ravens appear to be they’ll end as a prime seed within the AFC they usually’ll have one of many prime offenses. Stats, wins, and a prime offense are often the makings of an MVP marketing campaign.
Did convincing street wins by the Steelers (in Vegas) and Chargers (in Denver) do something to persuade you that both of these groups might transfer to “AFC darkish horse contender” standing?
Jones: These performances didn’t change the way in which I view both staff. The Broncos aren’t superb; the Chargers, who’re higher than Denver, ought to have received that sport. I don’t know that the Chargers can sneak into the postseason, although. So far as Pittsburgh goes, the Raiders are terrible — the Steelers ought to have overwhelmed them handily. I believed previous to this sport that the Steelers are a wild-card staff. They’re not a darkish horse to win the AFC, although; though they scored 32 factors and dominated the Raiders statistically, they don’t have the offensive firepower to match the elite groups within the convention.
Graham: Not the Chargers, however I’m now satisfied Mike Tomlin has particular powers. Coming into the season, Pittsburgh projected because the AFC North’s fourth-best staff with a quarterback drawback; now, they may get up within the morning three video games forward of Cincinnati and Cleveland. Justin Fields has displayed deeper prowess than a mere reclamation undertaking. Las Vegas is a corporation in turmoil, however profitable 32-13 on the street is tough, and I do know Ted will astutely level out the sport was nearer than it seemed due to errors, however the Raiders didn’t rating their second landing till fourth-quarter rubbish time. Tomlin’s staff all the time has a excessive flooring, however I didn’t count on these Steelers to be playoff-caliber. They’re proving me flawed in that regard, however they’ll want a signature win over a top-notch opponent earlier than I’m able to overlook losses to the Colts and Cowboys and provides the Steelers “convention contender” standing.
Nguyen: The Steelers sport was nearer than the rating seemed. The Raiders had a number of alternatives, however each time there was a vital play Vegas shot themselves within the foot (two roughing the passer penalties after third-down stops, an unlawful man downfield penalty on a landing, a fumble on the 1-yard line). This was only a sport that the Steelers sometimes win. I used to be just a little extra impressed with the Chargers’ win, nevertheless it was in opposition to a weak opponent. L.A.’s protection is legit; they held Bo Nix to 22 yards passing within the first half. As Justin Herbert continues to heal from his decrease physique accidents, this offense will proceed to enhance. Each groups weren’t overly spectacular however they each have sufficient of their arsenals to probably upset one of many top-seeded groups.
How can we view the Chicago Bears after six video games? Is that this a NFC North contender, wild-card contender, or staff that’s simply beating up on not-particularly-strong opponents?
Graham: I didn’t come right here, lookin’ for bother. I simply got here to place these Bears on muffle. They’ve been distinctive the previous three weeks, however let’s not overlook the shortage of resistance. These opponents (Rams, Panthers, Jaguars) have a mixed 3-14 document. All three groups ranked among the many bottom-four in factors allowed, whereas the Rams and Jaguars owned the weakest defenses in yards allowed per play. I’ll must see the Bears go off in opposition to an NFC North rival earlier than I’m satisfied they’ll win the division, and that check received’t come for one more month. That stated, Caleb Williams has been a blast to look at, coming a pair inches away from a five-touchdown efficiency. He’s exploiting precise NFL defenders — don’t take that as a right with any rookie — and constructing confidence at a vital time in his and his group’s improvement.
Jones: The Bears undoubtedly ought to draw encouragement from the regular progress that Caleb Williams and the offense have exhibited these final three video games. Chicago offensive coordinator Shane Waldron lastly found out {that a} regular dashing assault is a younger quarterback’s greatest buddy — the Bears are averaging 137 dashing yards per sport throughout this win streak, and with some stress eased off of his shoulders Williams has had his greatest three video games of the season. The offensive line additionally has performed higher. That being stated, I don’t see the Bears as contenders for the NFC North title. Wild Card contender? It’s nonetheless just a little early to say that as nicely. It’s essential to notice that these final three defenses Chicago confronted ranked among the many worst within the league. However this was the stretch the Bears wanted to search out themselves. The true check will are available in mid-November when the Bears face Inexperienced Bay, Minnesota and Detroit in consecutive weeks. In the event that they emerge from that having received two of three, then we will view them as contenders for a playoff berth.
Nguyen: An important factor for the Bears is that Caleb Williams has made regular enhancements in each single sport. After all, it does assist taking part in the three worst defenses within the league consecutively (Rams, Panthers, Jaguars), however you may see him getting extra comfy going by means of his progressions and utilizing his eyes to control the protection. In opposition to the Jaguars on Sunday, his toes had been calm and he threw a few dimes into tight home windows to Keenan Allen for touchdowns. Williams is giving a preview of what he could possibly be with higher move safety. Thankfully for the Bears, they’ll have a bye week adopted by video games in opposition to two extra weak defenses (Commanders and Cardinals). The hope is that he makes use of these video games to construct his confidence for later within the season, when he’ll have a murderers row in entrance of him beginning in Week 10. The Bears protection has additionally been phenomenal and can maintain them in video games even when Williams will inevitably battle, as all rookies do.
After Sunday’s efficiency, and contemplating the scenario in relation to supporting forged, are you in favor or in opposition to the Patriots’ choice to go to Drake Maye now?
Nguyen: I used to be in opposition to it as a result of the Patriots’ offensive line is likely one of the worst — if not the worst — pass-blocking strains within the league, and we’ve seen so many younger quarterbacks change into shell-shocked after taking part in behind dangerous offensive strains. Maye additionally wanted to refine his footwork and it’s arduous to try this once you continuously must throw off your again foot. Nevertheless, Maye was spectacular on Sunday, and his capacity as a runner was large for the Patriots. New England by no means actually threatened the Texans, so he received extra vanilla appears on protection. Maye is clearly much more athletic than Jacoby Brissett so I perceive the need to start out him, however hopefully he doesn’t develop dangerous habits behind this line.
Graham: The Patriots’ 2024 marketing campaign all the time has been a tough reboot, they usually should keep on with that plan. Irrespective of how weak the Dolphins and Jets look, the Patriots can’t get okey-doked into chopping corners simply because, in the event that they squint, they’ll think about some longshot path to the postseason. Maye is the long run, not Jacoby Brissett. The one cause to not begin Maye by now could be if his well being had been in peril, and though the Texans sacked him 4 instances (Will Anderson received him thrice) and hit him 5 different instances, Maye seemed the half regardless of a menagerie of largely pedestrian playmakers. His greatest spotlight was his first NFL landing, a stunning, 40-yard strike to Kayshon Boutte. Sure, he dedicated three turnovers, however Maye handed for 243 yards and three TDs and, minus Rhamondre Stevenson, led the Patriots with 38 dashing yards. An ideal first begin to construct off of.
Jones: Maye did some good issues on Sunday. He recorded three landing passes and helped the Patriots rating a season-high 21 factors. (Unhappy when 21 factors is a season excessive, and Jacoby Brissett had solely two landing passes whole in 5 begins.) My problem with switching to Maye was, I didn’t agree with the choice to provide him his first begin in opposition to a troublesome Texans protection. The struggling Dolphins final week or the woeful Jaguars subsequent week would have been extra favorable conditions for a younger quarterback than going in opposition to a playoff squad like Houston. Maye threw two interceptions and misplaced a fumble. He additionally was sacked 4 instances. So, it was a tough day, though there have been some vibrant spots. The Patriots’ issues run far deeper than quarterback. They will’t shield any quarterback, and the road additionally struggled to pave the way in which for a productive dashing assault. New England’s protection additionally has loads of points. So, if the Patriots went to Maye believing he would change the fortunes of their season, they had been kidding themselves. In the event that they switched as a result of they determine they’re not going wherever and would profit subsequent 12 months from Maye getting as many sport reps as attainable this season, then this was the transfer to make.
Talking of rookie quarterbacks, do you suppose the Saints have one thing in Spencer Rattler?
Graham: Rattler was loads of enjoyable to look at. For a fifth-round decide, he acquitted himself nicely regardless of falling aside a bit towards the top with a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions. (For the document, Baker Mayfield was picked off thrice Sunday earlier than Rattler threw his first as a professional.) Rattler was sturdy sufficient to assist the Saints overcome a 17-point deficit in the beginning of the second quarter with 20 straight factors in opposition to an always-tricky Todd Bowles protection; New Orleans finally held a 27-24 lead deep into the third quarter. Derek Carr stays the starter when wholesome, however the Saints might need their quarterback of the long run with the correct improvement plan.
Nguyen: Rattler flashed traits which might be arduous to show whereas taking part in for a nasty South Carolina staff, like deep-ball aggression and pocket toughness. These traits flashed in his debut, however there was an excessive amount of to beat in opposition to an unique Todd Bowles protection. Chris Olave, his greatest receiver, was additionally harm early within the sport and didn’t return. Additionally, the Saints are lacking some offensive-line starters, so move safety was a difficulty. I believe we don’t almost have sufficient of a pattern dimension to make any actual judgment on Rattler, however he did some encouraging issues on Sunday.
Jones: I do suppose the Saints have one thing in Rattler, their fifth-round select of South Carolina, who throughout his early days at Oklahoma was considered as a future first-round decide. Full disclosure: Considered one of my daring predictions getting into the season was that Rattler would wind up taking Derek Carr’s job this season. So, Rattler displaying promise like he did Sunday doesn’t shock me. He ought to be capable of assist the Saints stay aggressive for the following three to 4 weeks whereas Carr is sidelined if his coaches stay sensible together with his workload and don’t put an excessive amount of on his plate. His inexperience might additionally trigger New Orleans to return up quick right here and there, so we simply have to attend and see how this performs out earlier than we begin discussing whether or not the Saints ought to keep on with Rattler over a wholesome Carr. The larger concern is the Saints’ protection, which surrendered 600 yards and 50 factors and allowed the Bucs to transform 6 of 10 third downs. It doesn’t matter who performs quarterback — the Saints protection has to place up some resistance.
(High photograph: Sam Hodde / Getty Photographs)
