Well, that's how the NFL goes sometimes. Just when your expectations are lowest and a slate looks utterly unappetizing, we get a week like this. Madness. What a Sunday.
Let's look back at some of the chaos.
A King
The pre and postgame speeches, a snowy fourth quarter leap into the end zone, the leadership and humorous tenacity. Jameis Winston, we're simply not worthy.
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| Photo: Instagram |
A Head Case
Losing a game sucks, but then to need to be separated from your defender by stadium security? Pretty bad look for George Pickens. Then instead of explaining himself or apologizing for being an ass, he calls the Browns a sorry team and blames the refs for their loss. Phenomenal wide receiver, a walking highlight reel-- but hold this L.
Another Heartbreak in Chicago
11 points in the final 22 seconds wasn't quite enough for the Bears, coming up short in overtime against their division rivals Minnesota. On a positive note, Caleb Williams looked decisive again while DJ Moore and Keenan Allen appear to be back to form. Most other weekends, this game would've been the craziest finish, but there was much more from this one o'clock slate.
Aaron Jones is Healthy Again
Aaron Jones had a rough patch a few weeks ago as he was tending to an injury, but his dismantling of the Bears run D was impressive to see-- taking 22 carries for 106 yards. If he's able to stay fully healthy, he adds a key element to this Vikings attack.
Detroit D
While the Lions' offense gets all the love, their defense has managed to get better, despite continued injuries. Since allowing 23 points in the first half to Houston three weeks ago, they've given up just 12 points and 520 yards. Over 10 quarters of play. Pretty damn impressive.
Jonathan Taylor Wearing Down?
JT's midseason lull was attributed to Joe Flacco being under center instead of the dynamic Anthony Richardson, but it hasn't gotten much better since AR-15's return. Taylor's taken 69 carries for just 254 yards over last 4 weeks, adding a meager 22 receiving yards and no trips to end zone. The Colts are much better on offense when he's able to get going, but it hasn't happened lately.
Dangerous
A slow start to the Dolphins season may ultimately doom them, but they're a team nobody wants to play now that Tua's back under center. They demolished the upstart Patriots on Sunday, scoring 34 points for the second straight game while the defense suffocated Drake Maye. Nightmare situation if they sneak into the 7 seed.
Hapless
The Patriots defense was pathetic. Drake Maye wasn't great either, but we can give him a pass. Rhamondre Stevenson was nonexistent. For a team a lot of pundits liked to pull an upset, New England fell completely flat, reminding us all that they're just not a very good. Jerod Mayo's capability as a head coach should be called into question too.
Super Hapless
Holy shit Giants. The Bucs did whatever they wanted Sunday, on both sides of the ball. New York's respectable defense got gashed and Tommy DeVito didn't look like a professional-level quarterback. Poor Drew Lock, wasting away on the bench. That $5 million dollar contract has to feel good at least.
Get Bucked
The rookie from Oregon went nuts, taking 12 carries for 87 yards and a score, adding 64 receiving yards while catching 6/6 targets. He's been a catalyst for Tampa's offense, slowly pushing Rachaad White out of that RB 1A role.
Chaos
The Commanders were trailing 10-9 as the teams entered the fourth quarter. With five and a half minutes left, it was 13-9. Then the two teams combined for 38 points in the final 5:16, featuring two kick off return touchdowns, an 86-yard scamper and two tight ends finding pay dirt. After a thoroughly dull game, it was a finale to remember in Landover.
Props to Cooper Rush
The dude completed 75% of his passes at 7.7 yards per attempt and two touchdowns, carving the Commanders secondary all afternoon. Nine different players caught passes from Rush too, so he wasn't just depending on CeeDee Lamb exclusively. Nice showing from a guy who seems poised to back up quarterbacks in this league for a long time.
Washington's Receiving Problem
Terry McLaurin's a really solid receiver, but when he's all you've got at the position, it's not a great room. Noah Brown seemingly has a drop for every catch he makes, while Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus and Luke McCaffery are barely NFL caliber. The Commanders dropped the ball at this trade deadline by not getting Jayden Daniels some help.
Bryce Young Ballin'
Small sample size, sure. But last year's #1 pick has completed 60% of his passes the last two weeks, throwing two touchdowns and no interceptions. Highly encouraging display of growth recently by Young, handling his benching with professionalism.
Squeakers
How many more games can the Chiefs pull off like this? For as dominant as they are record-wise, they're never really relaxing any week with these tight contests. The end result is a good one though, thanks largely to #15.
Tony Pollard Recognition Post
Didn't think he'd be able to handle a bell cow's workload, especially with an inconsistent Will Levis at the helm, but we were wrong there. After finishing with 119 yards on 24 carries, Pollard finds himself sitting seventh in the league for rushing yards with 800. He's completely phased out any competition from Ty'Jae Spears or Julius Chestnut too, establishing himself as a highly reliable fantasy option moving forward.
Sophomore Slump
Houston doesn't deserve to go to the playoffs. Their horrendous division is going to force them in, but outside of Joe Mixon, it's been really gross watching them play football. CJ Stroud looks completely frazzled for most of the game, they can't pass block and the defense gives up too many chunk plays. Demeco Ryans and Bobby Slowik don't appear to be the Wunderkinds many touted them to be.
WR1 Courtland Sutton
Things weren't looking great for Sutton over the first two-thirds of the year, but man have things clicked this last month. The Broncos' top receiver caught 8 of 10 targets for 98 yards and 2 scores, thrashing an overmatched Raiders secondary. In his last five, Courtland's popped for 467 yards on 36 receptions; helping Bo Nix put the world on notice.
Desmond Ridder Time...
With Gardner Minshew suffering a broken collarbone, we're going to be subjected to some combination of Desmond Ridder and Aidan O'Connell. Sorry Raiders fans.
Collapsing
Between the injuries and lack of killer instinct on the field, it's been an incredibly forgettable season for the 49ers. There's still plenty of talent and potential, so we won't count them out fully just yet, but a tough schedule and lingering ailments have this team bookmarked for the couch come January. Who saw that coming?
Running Back Upgrades
Another move I was wrong about this offseason, bashing the Packers for signing Josh Jacobs over Aaron Jones. It's been a brilliant play for Green Bay, as Jacobs pounded in three more scores on Sunday afternoon.
Funny enough, the teams that signed the top three running backs in free agency (Packers, Ravens, Eagles) have combined to go 25-9. The teams that let them walk? 7-26. Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs putting in the work to get their position paid again!
Jaxon Smith-Njigba's Emergence
DK Metcalf gets all the shine, but it's Jaxon Smith-Njigba quietly leading the Seahawks in yardage. His 755 yards are good for seventh in the NFL, while he's sitting at eighth for receptions with 66. That Seattle receiving core's going to be a strong one for years to come.
What Happened to the Ground Game?
The Arizona Cardinals have been touted all year for their tenacity on the ground, so where was that Sunday afternoon? 49 total rushing yards on 14 attempts, in a game where they were within one score for 75% of. Crazy failure from an otherwise reliable unit. Kyler Murray's pick-six was horrendous too, if you haven't done yourself the pleasure of seeing that replay. Inconsistent as they come.
Fake Contenders
Speaking of which... it was fun believing the Rams were poised for some breakout after Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp burst back onto the scene. But the reality is that they're just not good enough defensively and Matthew Stafford's age shows a little too often. Like the Niners, they could sneak into the playoffs, but it's not trending that direction.
A Running Back for MVP?
The aforementioned Saquon Barkley: leading the league with 1,392 yards on 223 carries-- good for 6.2 a pop. He's found the end zone 12 times and contributed 257 yards through the air. If he keeps this up and Philly somehow swipes the 1 seed from Detroit, then Saquon should be front and center in the discussion for Most Valuable Player.
At Least He Was Free...
Since joining the Ravens four weeks ago, Diontae Johnson's caught one pass on five targets for six yards. Maybe he's slow to learn the playbook, or perhaps we undervalued Rashod Bateman's talent, but it's as concerning as it is curious to see. Even Tylan Wallace has had an upswing in production since the acquisition, while Diontae can't even get into the box scores. It was a dice worth rolling for DeCosta, but it's yet to translate onto the field.
Please Be Okay JK
A season worthy of the Comeback Player of the Year appears to be at least briefly derailed, as JK Dobbins exited Monday night's game with knee soreness. He returned later in a pretty hardcore brace and is now listed as week to week. It's a frustrating development for an incredible player that's had to deal with these issues far too often.
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@Choppinglines
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