Week 9 NFL roundtable: Anthony Richardson, Lions-Packers, coaches on scorching seat

Possibly the NFL knew what it was doing when it flexed Indianapolis Colts-Minnesota Vikings into prime time.

Quarterback Anthony Richardson’s benching has been a serious speaking level across the league this week. One other act of Joe Flacco’s profession begins in opposition to the Vikings, who have been as soon as the most well liked staff within the league earlier than dropping their final two. Minnesota bolstered its offensive line by buying and selling for Jacksonville Jaguars OT Cam Robinson.

Talking of trades, the NFL commerce deadline looms Tuesday. So, there’s a lot extra our NFL writers Jeff Howe, Mike Sando and Zak Keefer will talk about on this roundtable previewing Sunday’s Week 9 slate.

We’ll see extra of the large receivers who’ve already been traded to new squads — the Buffalo Payments’ Amari Cooper and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ DeAndre Hopkins amongst them. New Baltimore Ravens large receiver Diontae Johnson ought to make his debut in opposition to the Denver Broncos.

Elsewhere, we are able to’t appear to go per week with out a massive NFC North sport. Additionally, is it time to gauge which head coaches are on the new seat?

Learn extra beneath.

One other week, one other massive NFC North sport. This time, it’s Lions–Packers. Inexperienced Bay has gained 4 straight. Detroit has gained 5 straight. What or who makes the largest distinction on this one?

Howe: The Lions are the perfect staff within the league proper now, however I feel the Packers are within the neighborhood and able to beating anybody if Jordan Love is wholesome. I’ll concentrate on the Packers run protection, although. It’s been a top-10 unit up to now, and the general protection has been strong for essentially the most half. The Lions are so profitable on offense as a result of they’ve been in a position to run it every time they need and have stored Jared Goff on schedule. From what I’ve heard, groups need to see if Goff can play at this stage if he’s compelled into extra of a typical drop-back sport — primarily, if the Lions aren’t in a position to dominate on the bottom and permit Ben Johnson to faucet into his most inventive performs. If Goff can deal with such a check, the Lions will probably be extra harmful than anybody in all probability realizes. If not, it opens the door within the NFC for a number of the groups on the Lions’ heels.

Keefer: I’m with Jeff — I feel the Lions are the perfect staff in soccer proper now, though the Chiefs are the squad with the spotless document. Love’s availability after leaving final week’s win with a groin damage stays paramount, and I’m wondering if he performs, how a lot that may restrict a few of his playmaking capacity. However the important thing right here, to me, is what Josh Jacobs may give the Packers offense. They’ve been leaning on him closely. Jacobs has extra carries within the first eight weeks of the season (145) of any Packers working again within the final 25 years aside from Ahman Inexperienced (in 2003 and 2004). With Love possible lower than one hundred pc, Jacobs breaking one or two open is likely to be the Pack’s greatest shot.

Sando: Love’s being lower than one hundred pc is the important thing variable and swings this sport towards Detroit for me. My concern from a Inexperienced Bay standpoint is that we would see the worst of Love with out the perfect, and that he merely gained’t be environment friendly sufficient to maintain tempo with Detroit.

The Saints (at Panthers), Jaguars (at Eagles) and Cowboys (at Falcons) are every on the street Sunday and in dire want of a win. Which head coach’s seat is hottest among the many three?

Howe: All three are in severe jeopardy regardless. I suppose it relies on the way you quantify hotness. As with something involving the Cowboys, each state of affairs is all the time essentially the most excessive there, and the eye on Mike McCarthy’s job with Invoice Belichick doubtlessly ready within the shadows is an unmatched state of affairs this season. Alternatively, Doug Pederson has been beneath fireplace the longest due to the Jaguars’ unhealthy begin, and it looks like it’ll take a monstrous turnaround for him to get one other likelihood in 2025.

Keefer: The Saints’ collapse this season after a blistering begin has been staggering. It’s onerous to see Mickey Loomis and possession backing Dennis Allen once more, particularly after the 2 disappointing seasons that preceded this 12 months. I feel Mike McCarthy’s future in Dallas at this level is a fait accompli. The Cowboys have been far too uneven, and the roster isn’t practically as deep because it was up to now, for this staff to turn into a severe contender later within the season. Lacking the playoffs would seal the top of McCarthy’s five-year run, and presumably open the door for Belichick to affix the circus.

Would Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy be fired if his staff misses the playoffs in 2024? (Kelley L Cox / Imagn Photos)

Sando: I anticipate all three locations to vary within the offseason. Quick time period, I feel Dallas and New Orleans are least prone to change in-season. These franchises take longer-range views.

We’ll get an opportunity to see extra of Amari Cooper (Payments vs. Dolphins on Sunday) and DeAndre Hopkins (Chiefs vs. Bucs on Monday). Diontae Johnson’s Ravens debut might come this week in opposition to the Broncos. Which of those three large receiver trades are you most assured in transferring ahead?

Howe: I need to say Cooper as a result of he’s already been by means of a midseason commerce, and that have ought to repay on the subject of studying a brand new playbook. However with that mentioned, I can’t overthink it. Hopkins has had the perfect profession of the three, and he’s becoming a member of the perfect offensive state of affairs. Plus, Hopkins might solely must catch three or 4 passes per sport to be efficient.

Keefer: Jeff’s proper. One thing tells me Hopkins goes to make a important catch late in a playoff win for Kansas Metropolis within the subsequent few months. He’s among the finest of his era at not needing to be even remotely open and nonetheless discovering a method to catch the ball. However I cherished what the Payments did in including Cooper to their younger receiving unit; this staff goes to want each little bit of firepower in opposition to Baltimore or Kansas Metropolis within the playoffs. He’ll assist Keon Coleman proceed to develop as properly.

Sando: Hopkins, with Cooper shut behind him, after which Johnson. Hopkins looks like a superb match for Mahones within the scramble drill. I feel he can complement Travis Kelce in these conditions and anticipate that to indicate in important moments.

Contemplating a uneven NFC West race this 12 months, ought to the Rams (at Seahawks) hold on to Cooper Kupp?

Howe: The one motive to commerce Kupp, wanting receiving a big return, can be if the Rams believed Matthew Stafford was set to retire this offseason — or Kupp for that matter. I actually perceive different factors comparable to an getting older receiver who’s handled extra accidents of late, however the Rams are nonetheless in play within the NFC. Executives and coaches across the league nonetheless view Sean McVay within the highest regard, in order that they’ve acquired an opportunity to hold with anybody if they’ll get into the playoffs. Are they a practical Tremendous Bowl risk? Most likely not. However why take away Kupp from the equation in the event that they suppose he’s nonetheless acquired some years left?

Keefer: This division is large open in the meanwhile, with the Rams only a half-game again. And in the event that they beat the Seahawks on Sunday, there’s no manner I’m buying and selling Cooper Kupp. McVay will get the offense proper with Kupp wholesome once more — and if that offensive line holds up. First-year coordinator Chris Shula has the protection enjoying significantly better than within the first month of the season. With Seattle and San Francisco each trying weak and Arizona as unpredictable because it’s been, it wouldn’t stun me if the Rams made a late-season run with Kupp as a centerpiece.

Sando: I’d help the Rams getting worth for Kupp due to his sturdiness considerations and due to his contract. These are additionally the explanations I’m not anticipating groups to be lining as much as purchase him. I’d suppose he stays with the Rams.

The Los Angeles Rams have shot down Cooper Kupp (10) commerce rumors with Tuesday’s deadline approaching. (Gary A. Vasquez / Imagn Photos)

Colts–Vikings is the main target Sunday evening. Is Anthony Richardson’s benching justified?

Howe: There’s no arguing Richardson’s efficiency has dropped off this season, however that’s a small piece of a a lot bigger puzzle. Richardson isn’t going to enhance from the bench. He wants expertise. If he doesn’t play one other snap this season, he’ll enter 2025 with 23 NFL and school begins over a five-season span. It’s just like the Trey Lance dialog yet again. Should you don’t give a uncooked, younger QB an opportunity to realize the expertise he so desperately wants, you’ll possible by no means get the return on funding.

GO DEEPER

‘It’s so shortsighted’: NFL execs debate Colts benching Anthony Richardson

Keefer: That very query remains to be raging right here in Indianapolis. I feel it was. The Colts made it clear they aren’t giving up on Richardson, so what that is is a reset: This staff desires him to earn again the beginning job. His prodigious athletic abilities have been sufficient to get him the place he’s — the fourth decide within the draft after simply 13 school begins and a dismal completion proportion at Florida — however they’re not sufficient for him to maintain this job. He must catch up in each different space: preparation, management, efficiency. I wrote earlier this season that Richardson wanted to turn into greater than a spotlight. To date, he hasn’t. And this benching, humbling because it might sound at this second, will reveal if Richardson actually is the Colts’ QB transferring ahead.

Sando: Yeah, it’s clear Richardson will not be able to play and he’s not progressing. The faucet-out confirmed a whole lack of awareness for his position on the staff. Right here is the place my thoughts went: Assume what number of different methods this lack of awareness has certainly manifested itself behind the scenes. The choice to bench him tells me the state of affairs was untenable for the teaching employees.

(Prime photograph of Anthony Richardson: Cooper Neill / Getty Photos)