National Football League

[Nomad]

What’s behind Daniel Jones’ breakout success with Colts? The answer is simpler than you think

Jones’ dedication, paired with his physical gifts as a dual-threat QB, convinced the Colts to take a swing on him in free agency.

www.nytimes.com

#1 in QBR & #3 in passer rating, 59% success rate on dropbacks against the blitz - ranking 2nd in the league. Zero turnovers in a high-octane offense that's tied with Detroit for 2nd highest points scored.

Interestingly, the QB coach for Indy is Cam Turner, who was the QB coach for Arizona in 2021 when Murray put up his career high passing numbers leading the team to the postseason.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Watching the Lions vs Ravens highlights and it makes me excited for the Lions and Packers rematch. Both teams playing very well and Lions will definitely want to show that they’re the better team and week one was rust.

If the Ravens lose next week I think that’ll sink their whole season for a deep run. If the Chiefs lose and Chargers win, being the five seed is very high on the table. The rematch will be very fun.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

On paper, the Ravens should beat the Chiefs by more than one score. But this could also be a game where their defense can't handle Mahomes, which has happened in the past. The loser though is definitely going to be in a hole. Chiefs schedule is tough coming up: Ravens, @Jax, Detroit, Raiders, Commanders, @Buffalo, @Denver, Indy. It's plausible they could come out of that stretch 5-6.

I get the feeling Gardner-Johnson borders on being toxic.

As to Stroud, I watched them this weekend and he played okay, but his OL was junk, and their running game is junk. Chubb has been playing hard, but CJ was under constant pressure, and they still may have won if a late fumble into Jax territory didn't happen.

Seattle-Arizona game on Thurs. If the Seahawks can contain Murray, they should win. Darnold has played very well for them so far. 70% completion with 9 yards per pass.

 

[SHAD0W93]

For this upcoming week I’m surprised Ravens vs Chiefs isn’t a nationally televised game as well. I think it’ll be a 1-3 point game decided by a turnover.

Chargers have to be hoping they beat the brakes off the Giants.
Dolphins vs Jets deserves to end in a tie.
Lions and Bills will beat the brakes off the Browns and Saints.
Bucs vs Eagles will be a really good game and deserves to be game of the week as well and the only game I’m zoned for that I’m looking forward too.

 

[Nomad]

WTH? Ravens vs Chiefs isn't going to be televised nationally? What is this world coming to?

Dart's debut against the Chargers...at least it's at home. I'm sure the Chargers are going to blitz the snot out of him welcoming the kid to the NFL. Lol. Dart is a very mobile dual-threat - he's going to have demonstrate some his running ability to avoid getting slaughtered. Interestingly, the Giants' QB coach is Shea Tierney, who was the QB coach at the Bills in 2021-22 when Allen had his All-Pro breakout season.

Fields is back practicing & looks to have cleared protocol. The question is which Fields will show up against the Finns? The Fields that played magnificently against the Steelers or the Fields that was absolutely terrible against the Bills looking like a practice squad QB?

Bucs & Eagles sounds like an absolute donnybrook. Let's see how many in-your-face skirmishes Mayfield gets into. Lol.

Apparently Wilson was told he would be the backup for the remainder of the season. However, Wilson said he's "not done" playing in the league (how many more teams does he want to keep trying to play for? What is he trying to prove?).

Russell Wilson cautions he’s ‘not done’ in accepting role as Jaxson Dart’s Giants backup

One day after he was benched for the start of the Jaxson Dart Era, Russell Wilson revealed that he is going to accept his fate as the backup quarterback rather than request a trade or a release.

nypost.com

 

[SHAD0W93]

WTH? Ravens vs Chiefs isn't going to be televised nationally? What is this world coming to?

I think it might be as close as you can get to nationally televised without being it, Raiders vs Bears game is most of Nevada and Illinois then an area around Chicago. Everywhere else is Ravens vs Chiefs.

 

[Nomad]

Entertaining THF game. Tied game that should have gone to OT was botched by a costly landing zone kickoff violation by the Arizona kicker giving the Hawks the ball at their 40 with about half-minute left. Clutch performance by Darnold putting the team in FG range for the game winning kick. All around solid performance by Darnold throwing for 242, no picks/turnovers, Rtg 111. Anemic Cardinal offense came alive in the 4th Qtr with Harrison Jr finally making some key grabs but too little...too late.

 

[movingtarget]

Consecutive close divisional losses for the Cardinals. Better game by Harrison. Darnold looked pretty good.

 

[Unchained]

Entertaining THF game. Tied game that should have gone to OT was botched by a costly landing zone kickoff violation by the Arizona kicker giving the Hawks the ball at their 40 with about half-minute left. Clutch performance by Darnold putting the team in FG range for the game winning kick. All around solid performance by Darnold throwing for 242, no picks/turnovers, Rtg 111. Anemic Cardinal offense came alive in the 4th Qtr with Harrison Jr finally making some key grabs but too little...too late.

With all these walk off field goal wins, KC has to be worried with accuracy issues.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Kickers are definitely better than ever, despite recent blocks, and there's now less punting than ever. I want to see less FGs, as I find FGs far less interesting or dramatic than plays on the field, and like the game to be determined by 11 (or 22) guys, not just one player. I've said before the NFL has made it too easy for kickers. Many stadiums are now domes or retractable. And they could eliminate those flags on top of the poles to help with wind. I also think they should eliminate the "leverage" penalty - no more dangerous than many other plays. They could even make the goal posts half the width.

Cardinals had no business being in that game last night. Seattle got a bit lax and let them back into it. Smart play by Darnold. Also liked him showing some mobility. Remained completely cool to the end of the game.

As to Russell Wilson, the Giants were supposed to be his last (and ultimate) stop, with Ciara being a NYC girl and all. But when Russ is done with football he'll just start his own motivational speaking tour. Plenty of people will buy his kitsch.

 

[Nomad]

Good points on the kicking issues.

I disagree & believe the Cardinals can match up with Hawks or anyone in that division. Keep in mind, Arizona's defense waa completely injury struck: Their 1st rd pick NT Walter Nolan was out. Their top 3 corners were out including 2nd rd pick Will Johnson. Plus a couple of rotators were out at LB/DE. The defense looked like a preseason lineup. Lol.

Offensively, the team is good, IMO. Once they made the halftime adjustments & got Harrison Jr in sync with Murray, the passing game improved dramatic (6 targets, 6 catches & a score in 2nd half). Harrison Jr has elite pass catching skills. There's no reason why he can't catch 100 plus passes & play at the level as Jefferson, Higgins, Chase, etc. McBride looked really good. On their running game, Trey Benson does need to get better filling in for Connor.

Murray has a deceptively strong arm - a lot of zip & quick release for a 5'10" QB. He did have two picks though one not his fault with the Harrison Jr bobble. And Murray has that lethal dual-threat capability when he ripped off that long run (his reconstructed ACL looked good).

Get some of those injured players back on D, and get Murray & Harrison Jr in sync & I think this team is a playoff contender.

One last thing on Wilson: How much more humiliation can he take? Just three games into this young season & he's benched. Two years ago, Payton benched him toward the end of season for Jared Stidham. And even though he took the Steelers to the playoffs last year, it wasn't enough for Tomlin to retain him instead wanting to roll the dice with even older, also washed up QB. Wilson doesn't get it: Teams don't have confidence in him anymore.

 

[movingtarget]

Good points on the kicking issues.

I disagree & believe the Cardinals can match up with Hawks or anyone in that division. Keep in mind, Arizona's defense waa completely injury struck: Their 1st rd pick NT Walter Nolan was out. Their top 3 corners were out including 2nd rd pick Will Johnson. Plus a couple of rotators were out at LB/DE. The defense looked like a preseason lineup. Lol.

Offensively, the team is good, IMO. Once they made the halftime adjustments & got Harrison Jr in sync with Murray, the passing game improved dramatic (6 targets, 6 catches & a score in 2nd half). Harrison Jr has elite pass catching skills. There's no reason why he can't catch 100 plus passes & play at the level as Jefferson, Higgins, Chase, etc. McBride looked really good. On their running game, Trey Benson does need to get better filling in for Connor.

Murray has a deceptively strong arm - a lot of zip & quick release for a 5'10" QB. He did have two picks though one not his fault with the Harrison Jr bobble. And Murray has that lethal dual-threat capability when he ripped off that long run (his reconstructed ACL looked good).

Get some of those injured players back on D, and get Murray & Harrison Jr in sync & I think this team is a playoff contender.

One last thing on Wilson: How much more humiliation can he take? Just three games into this young season & he's benched. Two years ago, Payton benched him toward the end of season for Jared Steadem. And even though he took the Steelers to the playoffs last year, it wasn't enough for Tomlin to retain him instead wanting to roll the dice with even older, also washed up QB. Wilson doesn't get it: Teams don't have confidence in him anymore.

Connor was a huge loss for them. Think they look for another RB before the trade deadline. Yes the injuries definitely knocked them around. The NFC West will be a dog fight until the end of the season.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Don't forget Russ lost his last 5 games starting for the Steelers. So he's up to 8 losses in a row. Tony Gonzalez and Richard Sherman said last night that Russ has just about played his way out of the HOF. How many players in history can you make that claim about? And it has to be Russ strange attitude, his refusal to step aside, or even acknowledge he's in a different place in his career and good with a supporting role. He seems absolutely certain he's the same guy he was 7-8 years ago, when everyone else on the planet can clearly see he's not.

Only Spencer Rattler has him topped in losses lately, at 0-9. Saints play at the Bills this Sunday, so he will almost certainly tie Derek Carr's inglorious record of starting his career 0-10. But the Saints are an awful team, heading to total rebuild. So it's not all on the young Rattler.

 

[Unchained]

Don't forget Russ lost his last 5 games starting for the Steelers. So he's up to 8 losses in a row. Tony Gonzalez and Richard Sherman said last night that Russ has just about played his way out of the HOF. How many players in history can you make that claim about? And it has to be Russ strange attitude, his refusal to step aside, or even acknowledge he's in a different place in his career and good with a supporting role. He seems absolutely certain he's the same guy he was 7-8 years ago, when everyone else on the planet can clearly see he's not.

Only Spencer Rattler has him topped in losses lately, at 0-9. Saints play at the Bills this Sunday, so he will almost certainly tie Derek Carr's inglorious record of starting his career 0-10. But the Saints are an awful team, heading to total rebuild. So it's not all on the young Rattler.

Only a few teams in recent memory used some version of rotating quarterbacks.. Maybe New Orleans recently.. Very few teams use direct snap formation were ball goes directly to the back..Russell Wilson had to know something was strange when he came off the field a few times for alternate QB to take 2nd down.
I personally liked the Taysom Hill factor..Dart is nothing like that but Giants have nothing to lose either way.. Have both guys take snaps, and have Russell Wilson standing next to coach ready to go in..can't get worse .The reason I mentioned direct snap, is it can't hurt Giants to line up with an extra blocker and try to get deliberate rushing yards..they need to mix things up, novelty play calling.. Maybe a quick kick or 2

 

[Nomad]

But the Saints are an awful team, heading to total rebuild. So it's not all on the young Rattler.

Nonetheless, countdown to Tyler Shough?

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Most interesting games:

MIN@PIT - Wentz gets the start again. Last week he was a game manager plus and won. Can he do that again ? In Ireland.
WAS@ATL - Daniels still out. This is a game were Penix may need to show he has it, if he wants to keep starting
CLE@DET - Let's see if the Browns D can do to the Lions what they did to the Packers.
PHI@TB - Two unbeaten teams. One will go 4-0. A whopping 84% of all teams that start 4-0 make the playoffs.
IND@LAR - Both teams playing quite well.
BAL@KC - The big one. Teams that start the season 1-2 have about a 32% chance of making the playoffs. 1-3? A lot worse. One of these teams will have that record. Chiefs get Worthy back, and I like their chances as Mahomes has always played well against the Ravens, 4-1 against them, and in that game he played great, only losing on a last minute Baltimore comeback.

Two games Monday night.

Here's the latest NFL triage/injury report for every team. Already reads like a MASH field unit report.

 

[movingtarget]

Rams/Colts, Chiefs/Ravens and Browns/Lions look like the most interesting games. 49ers/Jags could be a messy affair with both teams not firing on offense but doing well on defense. Buccs and Eagles might be good as well.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Not going to say Wentz lost the game, but he blew whatever chance the Vikings had to win it late. First by acting like there were 20 seconds left when there was almost a minute when they only needed a FG - he was too focused on passes outside instead of quick chunk plays. Then after spiking it, he acted like they took a time out, and the delay of game penalty killed them. And why wasn't O'Connell yelling into his ear at that point? It's always bad when the announcers and everyone at home can see the play clock heading to zero, and the players and coaches do not.

 

[SHAD0W93]

The score is 13-10 now for the Giants but the Chargers have to be freaking out in the half. If they lose this game and Chiefs win laters that’s not good for them. This game showed Dart should have taken over for Wilson at some point last week.

 

[SHAD0W93]

The score is 13-10 now for the Giants but the Chargers have to be freaking out in the half. If they lose this game and Chiefs win laters that’s not good for them. This game showed Dart should have taken over for Wilson at some point last week.

Chargers with a big L while Chiefs get a dominating win over the Ravens. Ravens might be last or second to last in every defensive category after today. Their defense stinks and they are almost certainly 1 and done in the playoffs. Chiefs offense looked good and got to open the playbook more, the Jags will be another nice warmup game before the Lions. 3-3 or 4-2 after everyone was freaking out. I think 3-3 more likely with their only 2 guaranteed loses are to the Bills and Lions while maybe to the Broncos and Commanders.

Bills and Lions with good wins. Patriots vs Bills should be a fun game while Bengals are going to get destroyed by the Lions.

 

[Nomad]

What a start for Jaxson Dart. 111 passing & a score, 54 rushing & a score. No turnovers. You could see his dual-threat capability at work which takes some of pressure off of having to pass all the time. Great composure & command of the offense. He sure adds a much needed spark to that team. Skattebo also looked really good. And 11 points off of Herbert's two costly picks that basically lost the game for them. Lol. Herbert is definitely an underachiever & I doubt he'll ever make "Tier-1" status.

Vintage Mahomes throwing for 270 & 4 scores putting the Chiefs right back in the divison. Worthy back with 5 catches & 2 rushes for over 130 total yds. This team is 2-3 with Worthy back & Mahomes still able to get it done with his weapons. He's the best QB in the division. As long as he stays healthy, you can never count the Chiefs out.

And The Ravens? 1-3? Are you kidding me? And Jackson with a hamstring injury that could keep him out a game or two. Is it panic time in Baltimore? Assuming 10-7 most probably gets you a postseason birth, the Ravens will have to win 9 out of the remaining 13. Harbaugh has his work cut out.

What the heck happened to the 49ers losing to the Golden boy & the Jaguars? 2 picks and a fumble for Purdy? Are you kidding me? They're not paying him that kind of money to stink up the joint like that. Maybe Shanahan needs to go back to Jones? And the Jags a quiet 3-1.

Eagles 4-0 in a hard fought battle with Hurts the leading rushing & playing turnover free football.

I think the Commanders need Daniels back...and fast.

Packers - Cowboys: 2nd highest scoring tied game in NFL history.

 

[movingtarget]

Lamar Jackson hurts hamstring in loss to Chiefs as injuries mount for reeling Ravens

 

[movingtarget]

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes becomes fastest in NFL history to 250 passing touchdowns

 

[SHAD0W93]

Damn that’s a big loss for Ravens especially with Steelers and Browns ahead. They could be in a fight for the 7th seed and that’s even hard with how terrible their defense is.

 

[movingtarget]

Giants WR Malik Nabers believed to have suffered torn ACL vs. Chargers