National Football League

[Nomad]

That is still Mahomes using his legs to run around the pocket. His reading receiver progression and defenses is average. Burrow and Stafford do those things better than Mahomes since they need to be good at it, but having those players make it even better. If Mahomes was a pocket passer like Stafford or Burrow, Chiefs aren’t making a single Super Bowl. All the magic is his leg and arm strength, which is why the next two seasons will be huge to see how he recovers from his leg and improves mentally if he has to be more of a pocket passer.

In a clean pocket, Mahomes is not using his legs. He's throwing the ball on target with high efficiency. When pressured he'll take off & scramble or run - his trademark as a mobile PP/dual-threat. I know you are aware of the difference between a clean pocket & one that is not. There are stats on this that don't lie.

In 2023, the top 10 QBs were rank according to a clean pocket passing grade. Burrow was ranked #1 with a 93.6 rating. Mahomes was ranked #2 at 92.4. His 81.6% adjusted completion percentage from a clean pocket was top 5 & he had a 1.6% turnover-worthy play rate (which means he's not turning the ball over either through picks or strip fumbles).

 

NFL’s top 10 quarterbacks in clean-pocket passing grade: Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts and more

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow earned a league-leading 93.6 passing grade from clean pockets last season.

www.pff.com

On reading defenses & progressions, there's a YT video where Peyton Manning evaluates Mahomes & Mayfield in these areas. He said he has high praise with Mahomes reading defenses particularly his pre-snap reads & audibles.

Btw, Burrow is classified as a mobile pocket passer. When he was at LSU, he operated out of a pro-spread/air raid offense where he scrambled & ran a fair amount of the time. He also ran for over 250 yds in the SB run season. He's athletic & actually faster than Mahomes in the 40. However, these days when pressured he seems to prefer to stay in the pocket & either throw the ball away or take a sack as opposed to scrambling/running (didn't he just fall down yesterday when he was about to get sacked by Garrett on his record breaking number? Lol).

 

[movingtarget]

Browns fire head coach Kevin Stefanski following six seasons in Cleveland

 

[Nomad]

Agreed but Stafford and Burrow are taller and carry more upper body weight. They can't move as fast as PM so they've learned to stay put. I haven't checked arm length on Stafford and Burrow but that could also contribute to comfort; they get fewered passes blocked.
Having noted that point; Sam Darnold is taller than all of them but seems to get more batted passes.

Stafford is listed at 6'3" & 216 & Burrow at 6'4" & 215. Mahomes is listed at 6'2" & 225 (the same size of Franco Harris). I don't know about upper body weight - I'd have to see them in the weight room. It looks like Mahomes has big thighs which might explain his fast 20 yd shuttle time at the combine.

 

[movingtarget]

Cardinals fire HC Jonathan Gannon following three seasons

 

[Nomad]

Heartbreak for the Ravens who relied on a rookie field goal kicker.

Strange miss by Tyler Loop. He's been pretty good this year making 29 out of 33 attempts (90.6%). And from the range of 40-49, he's hit 8 out of 9. He looked really distraught after the game. You have to wonder how much this is going to affect him.

 

[movingtarget]

2026 NFL season: Team-by-team opponents for every game

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Here's why Pete Carroll was fired:

• First, the Raiders were interested in Ben Johnson, Mike Vrabel, Liam Coen and Robert Saleh. But with no QB, and a questionable roster, none of them wanted the job. Pete did. Word is owner Mark Davis also liked Pete.
• Pete pushed for Geno Smith to be traded for and signed as QB, even though there were concerns he was washed. He was more than washed. He led the league in interceptions, most coming at the worst time, or in the red zone. His numbers were often JaMarcus Russell level bad.
• Pete hired his sons as assistant coaches. Brennan to be the OL coach. Nate the PGC and assistant QB coach. Both were beyond terrible. Brennan especially.
• Pete pushed to sign several old Seahawks. Most were bad, or real bad.
• Pete said he expected to win right away. This raised eyebrows.
• When it looked early on like the OL was a mess, Pete was asked why the same 5 guys on the (slightly below average in 2024) offensive line were moved around to new positions? He said they put a lot of thought into it, and knew they made the right decision. Instead, the OL was the worst in the NFL this year (see above for who the OL coach was).
• Pete fired the STC, and OC Chip Kelly mid-season. Chip took the high road and thanked the team. There were leaks Chip called "wrong" plays and was the problem. Chip was surprisingly non-creative, yes, but the offense was worse after he was fired.
• Pete talked about moving forward, but his coaching was more obstinate than anything. He had youthful energy, but his decisions were often old. He was stuck in like 2015.
• When the season was obviously slipping away and the Raiders were about 2-9, Pete was often asked why he wasn't playing more rookie players, getting them needed experience? Other teams were doing it. He said they weren't ready. Yet all this did was pad stats of old vets he signed, as the team kept losing, often badly. It wasn't until the very last game of the season that he emptied the bench. And the team actually won!
• A week ago Pete could have put Geno on IR, and elevated Cam Miller to the roster, and played him in the last game. Instead, he kept the roster as is, and the Dolphins stole Miller off the practice squad by signing him. Was Cam the next Rich Gannon? Highly doubtful. But he was also a QB Tom Brady apparently liked, a dual threat with a good arm, and Cam did look okay in the pre-season.

Some offensive minded HC (and OC) will want to coach the Raiders, because it will get them:

• Access to Fernando Mendoza (or Dante Moore).
• The Raiders are absolutely flush with FA money. Some $110m for next year (2nd most in the league) and close to $300m for 2027 (most in the league).
• The Raiders tend to pay their coaches. Mark Davis has more money than people realize.
• Mark Davis statement alluded that GM John Spytek and Brady will be making all major decisions moving forward, not himself (cause for celebration, though Mark was slowly stepping back anyway). Tom is becoming the decision making owner of the team and de facto president of all football operations. I believe in 9 years Tom will be controlling owner of the Raiders, when Mark is old. Mark my words.

If I were interviewing I'd walk into it saying I expect the Raiders go to about 4-13 in 2026, and maybe 7-10 in 2027, as it will take that long to get the ship headed in the right direction. Forget any nonsense about winning right away. And that's IF they draft well, and sign good FA guys, and Mendoza reaches his potential.

 

[Nomad]

Good commentary - you sure know the Raiders organization inside & out. I had no idea Carroll had two sons on the coaching staff (I didn't even know he had sons that were involved with NFL- level coaching. Lol).

Can't believe they didn't sign Miller to the 53 to protect him from other teams. I think they lost on this one. Miller is a good dual-threat that I think is worth developing. He's better than Riley Leonard who got a start in the Colt's season ending game.

One thing on the expectations of the Raiders seasons if they draft Mendoza. Because of this instant success we're seeing on these complete turn arounds with some teams, owners are now expecting this & are less patient with a longer time frame in developing a top drafted QB. I'll exclude Jags from this because they had a veteran QB already on the team. But the instant turnaround with the Pats & Bears with 2nd yr QBs Maye & Williams, and the big turnaround with Washington & Denver with rookie QBs, Daniels & Nix, doesn't help matters.

We've talked about this before. The days of slowly developing a top drafted QB by having him sit a year or two are long gone. They are now expected to start day 1 or at least sometime during the course of their rookie season. Just this past season, Ward was a day 1 starter, Dart, who was supposed to sit a year under Wilson, started week #3. Even 2nd rounder Tyler Shough ended up starting in week #12. And if Darnold wasn't playing so well & winning, I'm sure we would have seen Milroe. Lol.

 

[Oldman]

Strange miss by Tyler Loop. He's been pretty good this year making 29 out of 33 attempts (90.6%). And from the range of 40-49, he's hit 8 out of 9. He looked really distraught after the game. You have to wonder how much this is going to affect him.

If he's going to stay a Pro he'll develop amnesia. Don't know how to recommend arriving at that level of forgetting the past; my attempts stopped at the first hangover and that's why I'll never be a Pro place kicker or golfer.

 

[Oldman]

Stafford is listed at 6'3" & 216 & Burrow at 6'4" & 215. Mahomes is listed at 6'2" & 225 (the same size of Franco Harris). I don't know about upper body weight - I'd have to see them in the weight room. It looks like Mahomes has big thighs which might explain his fast 20 yd shuttle time at the combine.

He's got a big dumpster to go with the thighs. He is amazingly quick for a guy that big.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Good commentary - you sure know the Raiders organization inside & out.

Don't forget, I've been a Raider fan since the womb! My dad liked them going back to the days of The Mad Bomber™ himself, Daryle Lamonica!

I had no idea Carroll had two sons on the coaching staff (I didn't even know he had sons that were involved with NFL- level coaching. Lol).

Well, they shouldn't have been! Nepotism at its worst.

Can't believe they didn't sign Miller to the 53 to protect him from other teams. I think they lost on this one. Miller is a good dual-threat that I think is worth developing.

Yes, completely idiotic. Especially at season's end. Now he'll learn under Mike McDaniel, and probably turn out to be at least a serviceable backup who can surprise some teams, and be counted on to fill in for games if a starter is out. Very smart for McDaniel to poach Cam like this. Plus, he'll be under his rookie contract for a few more years. Very low risk move by the Fins.

We've talked about this before. The days of slowly developing a top drafted QB by having him sit a year or two are long gone.

Yep. Mendoza will start week 1. My guess is the Raiders will go maybe 4-13 with him. In John Spytek's press conference when he announced Pete being fired he was asked about this, and he said they knew it would take time to develop the team, and a QB if they drafted one. Mark Davis note also strongly implied he was not making many decisions from here on out, and Spytek and Brady would be doing that.

Let's see if that holds true. Because it's very likely Mendoza will struggle, and the Raiders will start the 2026 season with their new coach (and many new players, many of them young) something like 1-7.

 

[movingtarget]

Bills at Jaqs - one score coin flip on who wins with score in the 20s
Chargers at Patriots- two score win for the Pats 23-13
Texans at Steelers - defensive low scoring game with Texans winning 10-9
Rams at Panthers - Rams by two scores
Packers at Bears- Bears by 3 or less in a high scoring game
Niners at Eagles - Eagles by 3 or less in a low scoring game

Jags to win. Think they have been the more consistent team of late.
Haven't watched much of the Chargers and Patriots this season.Herbert's time to do something in the playoffs ? Chargers by a FG.
Steelers by a FG in a low scoring game.
Rams should win but will they ? Loaded team that has a habit of disappearing some weeks. Rams by one score.
Packers by one score. The Bears defense has looked mediocre of late.
Eagles should win but their offense has been sputtering. 49ers will need some turnovers . 49ers by a FG

 

[Sciatic]

Jags to win. Think they have been the more consistent team of late.
Haven't watched much of the Chargers and Patriots this season.Herbert's time to do something in the playoffs ? Chargers by a FG.
Steelers by a FG in a low scoring game.
Rams should win but will they ? Loaded team that has a habit of disappearing some weeks. Rams by one score.
Packers by one score. The Bears defense has looked mediocre of late.
Eagles should win but their offense has been sputtering. 49ers will need some turnovers . 49ers by a FG

Rooting hard for Packers this weekend since if they win they will be Hawk's 1st playoff opponent (as opposed to probably Rams)

 

[Nomad]

Jags to win. Think they have been the more consistent team of late.
Haven't watched much of the Chargers and Patriots this season.Herbert's time to do something in the playoffs ? Chargers by a FG.
Steelers by a FG in a low scoring game.
Rams should win but will they ? Loaded team that has a habit of disappearing some weeks. Rams by one score.
Packers by one score. The Bears defense has looked mediocre of late.
Eagles should win but their offense has been sputtering. 49ers will need some turnovers . 49ers by a FG

Bills have to win. There's enormous pressure on Allen to make a SB run since Mahomes & the Chiefs are out this year. The Chiefs has been his stumbling block the last 5 years going 0-4 against them in the AFCCG. If you exclude Mahomes, Allen has been the most successful postseason QB the last 5 yrs going 7-6. I think he'll have to outscore the Jags in an offensive shootout

If the Chargers can beat the Patriots on the road, that would be nothing short of a miracle. Herbert is 0-2 in the playoffs having been destroyed by Houston last year in the WC round. Harbough was supposed to turn them into immediate SB contenders, but he couldn't even get them past the WC round last year. I think Maye is already as good as Herbert. And I think Vrabel is a better coach than Harbaugh.

If the Steelers can beat the Texans, that would be another miracle. The Texans are riding a 9 game winning streak (last loss was way back on Nov 2nd). In this winning streak they have beaten Allen, Mahomes, Lawrence & Herbert - no easy task. Their D is something else - Anderson Jr & Hunter are absolutely scarey terrorizing QBs. Al-Shaair is a solid LB. Stingley Jr is one of best shutdown corners. If I'm Rodgers looking at film, I'm thinking how in the heck am I going to be able to throw against these guys? Lol. And Stroud needs to take the next step & progress past just winning one playoff game every season. He's a solid QB & has an elite D to make a SB run - the time is now.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Jags to win. Think they have been the more consistent team of late.
Haven't watched much of the Chargers and Patriots this season.Herbert's time to do something in the playoffs ? Chargers by a FG.
Steelers by a FG in a low scoring game.
Rams should win but will they ? Loaded team that has a habit of disappearing some weeks. Rams by one score.
Packers by one score. The Bears defense has looked mediocre of late.
Eagles should win but their offense has been sputtering. 49ers will need some turnovers . 49ers by a FG

It would be very nice and refreshing to see new teams progress deep in the playoffs.

https://community.raptive.com/t/breaking-ravens-are-parting-ways-with-john-harbaugh/105512?u=nfl_memes&fbclid=IwZnRzaAPKcW1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEetjKJJ7_Ea4lUqtxfwxCzxX56X4U8NEUIEiErG3njpdlnaXrmnXi7u5zIOXw_aem_1UW5cMg-nVuRF9aC9ExfyA

As almost everyone said, Harbaugh and Tomlin were coaching for their jobs this past Sunday. Honestly McDaniel moving over to Ravens would be a good bet.

I’ve also seen many Chiefs fans and rumors stating they want John Gruden. I don’t remember someone brought it up here but I don’t think it’s a good idea.

 

[movingtarget]

It would be very nice and refreshing to see new teams progress deep in the playoffs.

https://community.raptive.com/t/breaking-ravens-are-parting-ways-with-john-harbaugh/105512?u=nfl_memes&fbclid=IwZnRzaAPKcW1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEetjKJJ7_Ea4lUqtxfwxCzxX56X4U8NEUIEiErG3njpdlnaXrmnXi7u5zIOXw_aem_1UW5cMg-nVuRF9aC9ExfyA

As almost everyone said, Harbaugh and Tomlin were coaching for their jobs this past Sunday. Honestly McDaniel moving over to Ravens would be a good bet.

I’ve also seen many Chiefs fans and rumors stating they want John Gruden. I don’t remember someone brought it up here but I don’t think it’s a good idea.

Think Reid will retire a Chief probably in two more seasons. Ravens probably need a refresh but Harbaugh has done a good job over that time. Don't see the Steelers winning more than one playoff game but the Steelers rarely change coaches. Maybe Tomlin gets another year with Rodgers ? Raiders who knows, don't see a top tier coach going there or former one. Cards will probably get another younger coach, same with the Browns. They both need good offensive brains re a probable QB change or QB development.. Gannon will probably get a DC job if he wants one.

 

[movingtarget]

Bills have to win. There's enormous pressure on Allen to make a SB run since Mahomes & the Chiefs are out this year. The Chiefs has been his stumbling block the last 5 years going 0-4 against them in the AFCCG. If you exclude Mahomes, Allen has been the most successful postseason QB the last 5 yrs going 7-6. I think he'll have to outscore the Jags in an offensive shootout

If the Chargers can beat the Patriots on the road, that would be nothing short of a miracle. Herbert is 0-2 in the playoffs having been destroyed by Houston last year in the WC round. Harbough was supposed to turn them into immediate SB contenders, but he couldn't even get them past the WC round last year. I think Maye is already as good as Herbert. And I think Vrabel is a better coach than Harbaugh.

If the Steelers can beat the Texans, that would be another miracle. The Texans are riding a 9 game winning streak (last loss was way back on Nov 2nd). In this winning streak they have beaten Allen, Mahomes, Lawrence & Herbert - no easy task. Their D is something else - Anderson Jr & Hunter are absolutely scarey terrorizing QBs. Al-Shaair is a solid LB. Stingley Jr is one of best shutdown corners. If I'm Rodgers looking at film, I'm thinking how in the heck am I going to be able to throw against these guys? Lol. And Stroud needs to take the next step & progress past just winning one playoff game every season. He's a solid QB & has an elite D to make a SB run - the time is now.

No doubt about the Texans defense. Not convinced by the Bills even though they should win. jags have improved of late. Yes the Chargers will be underdogs but I don't think they are out of it.

 

[movingtarget]

Ravens fire HC John Harbaugh after his 18th season ends with missing playoffs

Lions fire offensive coordinator John Morton after one season

Commanders part ways with OC Kliff Kingsbury, DC Joe Whitt Jr. after disappointing 2025

Cowboys fire DC Matt Eberflus after one season in Dallas

 

[movingtarget]

QB Kirk Cousins agreed to a modified contract re-works the four-year, $180 million deal he signed in 2024, NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported. The altered deal gives Atlanta salary-cap flexibility and means that Cousins will likely be a free agent by March 13.

 

[Nomad]

Ravens fire HC John Harbaugh after his 18th season ends with missing playoffs

Lions fire offensive coordinator John Morton after one season

Commanders part ways with OC Kliff Kingsbury, DC Joe Whitt Jr. after disappointing 2025

Cowboys fire DC Matt Eberflus after one season in Dallas

That's a shocker on Harbaugh. I thought they'd cut him some slack since LJ missed about a 1/4 of the season because of injuries. I imagine though Harbaugh will be a hot commodity with all the upcoming coaching vacancies.

I'm surprised Campbell wasn't fired. He had a healthy Goff who put up some big numbers; over 4500 yds (2nd), 34 TDs (2nd), 105 Rtg (3rd), and he couldn't make the playoffs? Lol. There are so many lousy teams out there that would die to have a Goff type performance with their QB(s).

The firing of Kingsbury is a bit strange. I don't see how he can take the blame when they lost Daniels for more than half the season. With a Daniels such a dynamic QB & game changer, and Mariota not a very good backup, the Commanders were destined for failure once Daniels went down.

Hmmm....Kingsbury to the Raiders Alpe?

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Klingsbury interviewed for the Raiders OC job last season but the Commanders offered a better contract, and Jayden Daniels. I can see Kliff now going to Detroit, with all their weapons, and his background.

As to successful playoff QBs, Jalen Hurts is 6-3 (5-0 at home).

I have some concerns about John Harbaugh before I'd hire him. They lost more than a couple games they should have in recent years, and only one NFL coach is now older than him. Andy Reid. I think the teams most likely to hire him are the Giants, or the Falcons.

I think Brian Flores has to be lead contender for the Ravens HC job. No nonsense guy. Top defensive dog, and their D has underperformed the last couple years. Let Todd Monken (or someone new) run the offense.

I agree Jonathan Gannon should land a DC job somewhere.

I can't honestly see any team hiring Jon Gruden as HC. But who knows?

 

[SHAD0W93]

A team with McDaniel as HC/OC and Flores DC/HC would be pretty good I think. You get two good to great minds on each side of the ball with the better player rapport of McDaniel complimenting the strict Flores.


The Chiefs have better odds at 3 losing seasons in a row vs Raiders getting a winning one and the same timeframe.

 

[movingtarget]

That's a shocker on Harbaugh. I thought they'd cut him some slack since LJ missed about a 1/4 of the season because of injuries. I imagine though Harbaugh will be a hot commodity with all the upcoming coaching vacancies.

I'm surprised Campbell wasn't fired. He had a healthy Goff who put up some big numbers; over 4500 yds (2nd), 34 TDs (2nd), 105 Rtg (3rd), and he couldn't make the playoffs? Lol. There are so many lousy teams out there that would die to have a Goff type performance with their QB(s).

The firing of Kingsbury is a bit strange. I don't see how he can take the blame when they lost Daniels for more than half the season. With a Daniels such a dynamic QB & game changer, and Mariota not a very good backup, the Commanders were destined for failure once Daniels went down.

Hmmm....Kingsbury to the Raiders Alpe?

Harbaugh is supposed to be favourite for the Giants job. Rumors about Saleh to the Cardinals which would surprise me. Think they will pick an offensive coach over a defensive one with their QB issues. Saleh will get a few offers I think. Harbaugh was supposedly fielding calls 45 minutes after he he was canned ! Saleh with McDaniel as OC would be interesting but so far McDaniel still has a job.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I think it would be a big mistake to fire a HC you have decided to keep (McDaniel. Bowles. LeFleur), just to have a crack at Harbaugh.

I'm going to be so bold to say I'm wondering if Harbaugh is entering Belichick territory? Go back 5 short years. Belichick was considered the greatest head coach in NFL history. Last year not a single team was interested in him. And his name isn't even mentioned now. Too old? Or too much a name from the past, the game passing him by, what Pete Carroll found out the hard way? Is that where Harbaugh is headed? He's 3-6 in the playoffs heading back to 2018. Only one AFCC game, a loss to KC in 2023 which has been discussed a lot, with the criticism being the Ravens had a great rushing attack that year, and the Chiefs the best pass defense in the NFL, and in that game the Ravens hardly ran the ball at all.

Then there was the loss to the Patriots this year when the Pats could not stop Derrick Henry at all, all night. So what did Harbaugh do late? Bench Henry for the last 12 minutes of the game.

What exactly has Harbaugh's coaching style been the last 5+ years? Have Lamar be Lamar. Give the ball to Henry (sometimes). Then meltdown in the playoffs?

Can he overcome that with a new team? Form a new plan?

I'm sure we'll find out though, because some team is going to hire him. At worst, there are plenty of unstable, messed up teams, and he should at least be able to stabilize the culture.

 

[movingtarget]

2026 NFL head coach openings: Ranking the best available jobs