Josh Freeman has not been made available to the media yet, as he won't be in Minnesota until later today, but Leslie Fraizer held a press conference today to discuss the new quarterback the Vikings acquired last night. Fraizer said that Freeman would not start this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers as he needs time to learn the Vikings' playbook, but in terms of him starting in the future, Frazier said "that's very much on the table, so we'll see how well he progresses and how well he picks up our offense."
Fraizer confirmed either Christian Ponder or Matt Cassel will get the start against Carolina, though it's likely to be Cassel as the Freeman signing shows the Vikings have officially given up on Ponder as their franchise quarterback. The Vikings are now essentially having Freeman come to Minnesota for an extended tryout, and if the team thinks he can provide answers at the position they will resign him again this offseason. It's unclear when the Freeman experiment will actually begin, but it's likely to be soon, as Freeman chose to sign with Minnesota likely because he was told he will have a good shot at starting for this team in the near future. If Cassel starts again and plays well Fraizer may hesitate to pull him, but Cassel's inconsistent career arc suggests that eventually he will slip up and Freeman will be inserted into the starting lineup.
With Freeman added to the quarterback room, there is likely to be an odd man out who will have to leave. Right now, the Vikings have four quarterbacks, Freeman, Ponder, Cassel, and McLeod Bethel-Thompson, but they usually only keep three on their 53 man roster. The odd man out is likely to be MBT, who could be waived and sent to the practice squad if no other team puts out a claim on him. The Vikings could also try to trade Ponder or Cassel, to get value out of one of the two if they no longer will serve a purpose with the team. It would not be surprising if Speilman is actively shopping Ponder as we speak.
There were certainly be more updates from Winter Park soon, so keep your eyes peeled and your ears open as the Vikings' quarterback triangle continues to unfold.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Breaking: Josh Freeman signs with the Minnesota Vikings
Earlier in the week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released their struggling former starting quarterback Josh Freeman, who had been having issues both on and off the field with the organization. It was reported earlier that the Vikings might have interest in Freeman, but the Vikings did not trade for him when Tampa made him available. Earlier today it was thought Freeman was starting to receive interest from teams and would choose a new location by the end of the night. The Buffalo Bills were starting to make a push towards signing Freeman, but apparently the Vikings leaped ahead of the Bills and the Oakland Raiders in the race for Freeman. Freeman is reported to now have signed a one year deal with the Vikings, according to Pro Football talk.
Freeman's acquisition complicates the quarterback situation for the Vikings, and it will be interesting how the organization frames his acquisition in the coming days. It's unclear whether Freeman where the Vikings place Freeman on the depth chart, as it was thought Matt Cassel was the favorite to start next Sunday against the Panthers after playing well week four against the Steelers. It does not seem to be a good sign for Christian Ponder, as the increased competition will make it harder for Ponder to see the field again this season.
I previously wrote a post surveying Freeman's history in the NFL and the pros and cons of the Vikings interest in him. In the post I expressed my views that a trade for Freeman would be detrimental to the Vikings, as this was before he was released by the Buccaneers. Simply signing him off the street is a much different situation because the Vikings don't have to surrender assets for Freeman and they don't have to commit to him as their quarterback long term. Freeman has the athletic skill set to be an NFL quarterback, and he had a breakout year back in 2010 when he threw 25 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Since then, he has regressed as a passer, but Freeman is still very young (at 25 he is actually younger than 49ers' quarterback Colin Kaepernick) and it's likely the Vikings blame his struggles on an unsupportive coaching staff. Current Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano has done nothing to hide the fact that he is no fan of Freeman, and he has made that clear since he took over the Buccaneers in 2012. The Vikings are likely hoping a fresh start is what Freeman needs to regain his old form.
The Vikings are signing Freeman to only a one year deal, so they are in no way treating Freeman like their next quarterback of the future. If Freeman does not impress the organization this year, they can cut bait with him no problem and move in another direction. More will be revealed in the next couple days, but it's now clear that the Vikings weren't standing idle during their week off.
Freeman's acquisition complicates the quarterback situation for the Vikings, and it will be interesting how the organization frames his acquisition in the coming days. It's unclear whether Freeman where the Vikings place Freeman on the depth chart, as it was thought Matt Cassel was the favorite to start next Sunday against the Panthers after playing well week four against the Steelers. It does not seem to be a good sign for Christian Ponder, as the increased competition will make it harder for Ponder to see the field again this season.
I previously wrote a post surveying Freeman's history in the NFL and the pros and cons of the Vikings interest in him. In the post I expressed my views that a trade for Freeman would be detrimental to the Vikings, as this was before he was released by the Buccaneers. Simply signing him off the street is a much different situation because the Vikings don't have to surrender assets for Freeman and they don't have to commit to him as their quarterback long term. Freeman has the athletic skill set to be an NFL quarterback, and he had a breakout year back in 2010 when he threw 25 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Since then, he has regressed as a passer, but Freeman is still very young (at 25 he is actually younger than 49ers' quarterback Colin Kaepernick) and it's likely the Vikings blame his struggles on an unsupportive coaching staff. Current Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano has done nothing to hide the fact that he is no fan of Freeman, and he has made that clear since he took over the Buccaneers in 2012. The Vikings are likely hoping a fresh start is what Freeman needs to regain his old form.
The Vikings are signing Freeman to only a one year deal, so they are in no way treating Freeman like their next quarterback of the future. If Freeman does not impress the organization this year, they can cut bait with him no problem and move in another direction. More will be revealed in the next couple days, but it's now clear that the Vikings weren't standing idle during their week off.
Grading the Vikings at the Quarter Mark
The Vikings had a bye this week, so while 28 other teams suited up today the Vikings were off resting and watching the action from home. Earlier this week, we took stock of the Vikings big stars of the first quarter of their season as well as a few of their scapegoats for their first three losses. Today, we take a much broader look, assigning grades just like I do after every game, only taking all games up to this point into account. After aggregating all the grades from the first four games, here are the results:
Offense: B-
Even though the offense ranks 5th in the NFL in points per game, it also ranks 4th in the NFL in turnovers and has left even more points off the board. The offense never really was successful with Christian Ponder was successful, and it never established consistency until Matt Cassel started in London. The offense has also been held back by conservative play calling, especially at the end of games, as the Vikings are being outscored badly by opponents in the 4th quarter. (9 points in the fourth quarter through four games, compared to 31 fourth quarter points for their opponents)
Quarterbacks: B-
The grade the Vikings' quarterbacks receive is mixed, because of the difference between the two starters the team has used thus far. Christian Ponder showed little progression in his third year in the NFL, showing little poise in the pocket, failing to throw deep routes accurately or on time, and struggling to move the offense consistently. Not to mention, Ponder turned the ball over seven times in three starts this year. Veteran backup Matt Cassel performed much better in his one start for the Vikings, using his wide receivers to stretch the field with quick throws from the pocket. Cassel also avoided turning the ball over (though he needed some help from teammates) and was able to keep the offense moving more regularly.
Running Backs: A-
Adrian Peterson is off to a great start to the season, as he is currently on pace for the best season by a running back following a 2,000 yard season. Even though Adrian got off to a rough start on the year after his first carry went for a touchdown. The offensive line was not giving AP room to run so he became tentative around the line of scrimmage and starting dancing in the backfield, which did not help him gain extra yards. However, when the line finally came together in London, Peterson took off and had his best game of the season. Through four weeks, AP was 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards, so the reigning MVP is still playing like the best running back in the league.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: B
The Vikings' receivers have made some nice plays for the team when they've had opportunities, those opportunities have just been few and far between. When Ponder was playing quarterback, the throws were often late or inaccurate, meaning receivers had almost no chance to make a play with the ball. Vikings' receivers actually had no touchdown passes when Ponder was playing. Cassel, however, showed that he is able to use the weapons around him, as Jerome Simpson and Greg Jennings both showed they have great athletic ability with the ball in their hands. The Vikings' tight ends have been almost invisible so far this year, and they don't seem to be a part of the team's offensive game plans. That's downright confusing when you have Kyle Rudolph on your squad, and that's something that needs to be corrected, because wasting talent like Rudolph's makes no sense.
Offensive Line: C+
The Vikings' offensive line was extremely disappointing through the first three games before getting their act together in London. The line allowed ten sacks in the first three games and made life difficult for Adrian Peterson, as they were often getting pushed around at the line of scrimmage by defensive lineman. It's possible injuries played a role in the line's early struggles, as John Sullivan suffered a knee injury during the offseason and week one against the Lions, and Phil Loadholt was listed on the injury report until week four. In London, however, the line only gave up one sack and paved the way of AP's best game of the year, the first complete game the line played all season, a performance they need to build on the rest of the season.
Defense: C-
The Vikings' defense has been less than stellar through four weeks. The unit ranks 29th in both points and yards per game, including ranking dead last in the NFL in passing yards per game. Teams are seemingly passing at will against the Vikings, as teams are neglecting the run game when playing the Vikings to attack their secondary. The one bright spot for this unit is the fact that it forces turnovers, as its 12 takeaways was tied for third in the NFL through four games. Unfortunately, those turnovers haven't been enough to prevent scoring, especially late in games, as the two minute drill failed twice for the Vikings as they gave up two game winning drives in weeks two and three.
Defensive Line: B-
Like the offensive line, the defensive line has had its moments but overall more was expected from these guys. The line had trouble pressuring quarterbacks in the first three games, and the Vikings resorted to blitzing their linebackers frequently in week three in order to get a pass rush going. The line came alive against the Steelers, sacking quarterback Ben Roesthlisberger four times, including a sack that sealed the game for the Vikings. The line has been doing a decent job battling the run as well, but for most teams the run game is becoming an afterthought, and the line's primary directive so far this season has been to hunt for quarterbacks.
Linebackers: C
So far, the Vikings' linebacker play has left plenty to be desired, even though it was a position they tried to upgrade in the offseason. The Viking linebackers excel at stopping the run, but with teams looking to throw so often the linebackers have not been playing to their strengths so far this year. Both Chad Greenway and
Erin Henderson have struggled in coverage this year, as teams are finding plenty of yardage in the middle of the field. The linebackers have been able to compensate for their poor coverage skills by being able to generate turnovers, but those turnovers have not scared anybody off from targeting the Vikings' middle zone.
Secondary: C-
The Vikings' secondary is the weakest unit on this team, and is one of the weakest units in the NFL. On the bright side, Harrison Smith has established himself as one of the NFL's premier young safeties, and rookie cornerback Xavier Rhodes looks like he belongs in the NFL (in fact, he may already be the best corner on this roster). Sadly, other members of the secondary have not performed nearly as well. Cornberback Chris Cook has already started missing time due to injuries, something that seems like a yearly tradition with him. Safety Jamarcus Sanford has been atrocious out in coverage, as tight ends have chewed up yardage when he is left to cover them. The worst play though, by far, has come from corner Josh Robinson. Robinson is the most targeted cornerback in the NFL, as teams have thrown his way 38 times. 35 of those passes reached their intended target, for almost 400 yards of offense. The Vikings have one of the worst corners in the NFL in Robinson, and he's a starter on this team.
Special Teams: B-
The Vikings' special teams has some great strengths, but some big weaknesses too. Rookie Cordarrelle Patterson is already the most explosive return man in the NFL, as his average kickoff return yardage is the most in the NFL, and he has already scored a return touchdown. For his high level of play, Patterson won NFC Special Teams player of the month in September, in just his first month in the NFL. Rookie punter Jeff Locke has had his ups and downs, sometimes successfully flipping the field for his team, and sometimes setting up his defense in bad spots on the field. As a holder for Blair Walsh he has been good, though Walsh's only miss so far this season on a field goal attempt seemed to be the result of a bad hold. The special teams coverage for the Vikings has been disappointing, as the Vikings have allowed several good returns on both kickoffs and punts, and when Walsh doesn't kick the ball into the back of the end zone Vikings fans always have to hold their breath.
Coaching: C-
The Vikings have started the season 1-3, and plenty of blame for that has to be put on the coaching staff. The Vikings have made several questionable decisions this year, most notably in the personnel they have allowed on the field. Rookies Xavier Rhodes and Cordarrelle Patterson have been eased into roles, even though their noticeable talent should dictate they should see the field more often. Other players, like Kyle Rudolph, have not seen the field enough and the coaching staff seems to be putting their talent to waste. The decision making near the end of games has been the Achilles's heel for this team, as the offense has stalled and the defense has given up points (see stat in offense section about 4th quarter scoring). The coaches conservative style of play has put this team in some bad spots, as a decision to not go for a touchdown near the end of week two cost the Vikings the game. Coaching decisions have held this team back so far this year, and that's not good for a staff in a prove-it year to ownership.
Offense: B-
Even though the offense ranks 5th in the NFL in points per game, it also ranks 4th in the NFL in turnovers and has left even more points off the board. The offense never really was successful with Christian Ponder was successful, and it never established consistency until Matt Cassel started in London. The offense has also been held back by conservative play calling, especially at the end of games, as the Vikings are being outscored badly by opponents in the 4th quarter. (9 points in the fourth quarter through four games, compared to 31 fourth quarter points for their opponents)
Quarterbacks: B-
The grade the Vikings' quarterbacks receive is mixed, because of the difference between the two starters the team has used thus far. Christian Ponder showed little progression in his third year in the NFL, showing little poise in the pocket, failing to throw deep routes accurately or on time, and struggling to move the offense consistently. Not to mention, Ponder turned the ball over seven times in three starts this year. Veteran backup Matt Cassel performed much better in his one start for the Vikings, using his wide receivers to stretch the field with quick throws from the pocket. Cassel also avoided turning the ball over (though he needed some help from teammates) and was able to keep the offense moving more regularly.
Running Backs: A-
Adrian Peterson is off to a great start to the season, as he is currently on pace for the best season by a running back following a 2,000 yard season. Even though Adrian got off to a rough start on the year after his first carry went for a touchdown. The offensive line was not giving AP room to run so he became tentative around the line of scrimmage and starting dancing in the backfield, which did not help him gain extra yards. However, when the line finally came together in London, Peterson took off and had his best game of the season. Through four weeks, AP was 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards, so the reigning MVP is still playing like the best running back in the league.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: B
The Vikings' receivers have made some nice plays for the team when they've had opportunities, those opportunities have just been few and far between. When Ponder was playing quarterback, the throws were often late or inaccurate, meaning receivers had almost no chance to make a play with the ball. Vikings' receivers actually had no touchdown passes when Ponder was playing. Cassel, however, showed that he is able to use the weapons around him, as Jerome Simpson and Greg Jennings both showed they have great athletic ability with the ball in their hands. The Vikings' tight ends have been almost invisible so far this year, and they don't seem to be a part of the team's offensive game plans. That's downright confusing when you have Kyle Rudolph on your squad, and that's something that needs to be corrected, because wasting talent like Rudolph's makes no sense.
Offensive Line: C+
The Vikings' offensive line was extremely disappointing through the first three games before getting their act together in London. The line allowed ten sacks in the first three games and made life difficult for Adrian Peterson, as they were often getting pushed around at the line of scrimmage by defensive lineman. It's possible injuries played a role in the line's early struggles, as John Sullivan suffered a knee injury during the offseason and week one against the Lions, and Phil Loadholt was listed on the injury report until week four. In London, however, the line only gave up one sack and paved the way of AP's best game of the year, the first complete game the line played all season, a performance they need to build on the rest of the season.
Defense: C-
The Vikings' defense has been less than stellar through four weeks. The unit ranks 29th in both points and yards per game, including ranking dead last in the NFL in passing yards per game. Teams are seemingly passing at will against the Vikings, as teams are neglecting the run game when playing the Vikings to attack their secondary. The one bright spot for this unit is the fact that it forces turnovers, as its 12 takeaways was tied for third in the NFL through four games. Unfortunately, those turnovers haven't been enough to prevent scoring, especially late in games, as the two minute drill failed twice for the Vikings as they gave up two game winning drives in weeks two and three.
Defensive Line: B-
Like the offensive line, the defensive line has had its moments but overall more was expected from these guys. The line had trouble pressuring quarterbacks in the first three games, and the Vikings resorted to blitzing their linebackers frequently in week three in order to get a pass rush going. The line came alive against the Steelers, sacking quarterback Ben Roesthlisberger four times, including a sack that sealed the game for the Vikings. The line has been doing a decent job battling the run as well, but for most teams the run game is becoming an afterthought, and the line's primary directive so far this season has been to hunt for quarterbacks.
Linebackers: C
So far, the Vikings' linebacker play has left plenty to be desired, even though it was a position they tried to upgrade in the offseason. The Viking linebackers excel at stopping the run, but with teams looking to throw so often the linebackers have not been playing to their strengths so far this year. Both Chad Greenway and
Erin Henderson have struggled in coverage this year, as teams are finding plenty of yardage in the middle of the field. The linebackers have been able to compensate for their poor coverage skills by being able to generate turnovers, but those turnovers have not scared anybody off from targeting the Vikings' middle zone.
Secondary: C-
The Vikings' secondary is the weakest unit on this team, and is one of the weakest units in the NFL. On the bright side, Harrison Smith has established himself as one of the NFL's premier young safeties, and rookie cornerback Xavier Rhodes looks like he belongs in the NFL (in fact, he may already be the best corner on this roster). Sadly, other members of the secondary have not performed nearly as well. Cornberback Chris Cook has already started missing time due to injuries, something that seems like a yearly tradition with him. Safety Jamarcus Sanford has been atrocious out in coverage, as tight ends have chewed up yardage when he is left to cover them. The worst play though, by far, has come from corner Josh Robinson. Robinson is the most targeted cornerback in the NFL, as teams have thrown his way 38 times. 35 of those passes reached their intended target, for almost 400 yards of offense. The Vikings have one of the worst corners in the NFL in Robinson, and he's a starter on this team.
Special Teams: B-
The Vikings' special teams has some great strengths, but some big weaknesses too. Rookie Cordarrelle Patterson is already the most explosive return man in the NFL, as his average kickoff return yardage is the most in the NFL, and he has already scored a return touchdown. For his high level of play, Patterson won NFC Special Teams player of the month in September, in just his first month in the NFL. Rookie punter Jeff Locke has had his ups and downs, sometimes successfully flipping the field for his team, and sometimes setting up his defense in bad spots on the field. As a holder for Blair Walsh he has been good, though Walsh's only miss so far this season on a field goal attempt seemed to be the result of a bad hold. The special teams coverage for the Vikings has been disappointing, as the Vikings have allowed several good returns on both kickoffs and punts, and when Walsh doesn't kick the ball into the back of the end zone Vikings fans always have to hold their breath.
Coaching: C-
The Vikings have started the season 1-3, and plenty of blame for that has to be put on the coaching staff. The Vikings have made several questionable decisions this year, most notably in the personnel they have allowed on the field. Rookies Xavier Rhodes and Cordarrelle Patterson have been eased into roles, even though their noticeable talent should dictate they should see the field more often. Other players, like Kyle Rudolph, have not seen the field enough and the coaching staff seems to be putting their talent to waste. The decision making near the end of games has been the Achilles's heel for this team, as the offense has stalled and the defense has given up points (see stat in offense section about 4th quarter scoring). The coaches conservative style of play has put this team in some bad spots, as a decision to not go for a touchdown near the end of week two cost the Vikings the game. Coaching decisions have held this team back so far this year, and that's not good for a staff in a prove-it year to ownership.
Friday, October 4, 2013
The Vikings at the Quarter Mark: Studs and Subs
The Minnesota Vikings are now a quarter way through their season, starting this season out 1-3 with losses to Detroit, Chicago and Cleveland, while winning a game in London against Pittsburgh. Compare to last year, their record is actually reversed, as the team was 3-1 through four games in 2012. With the Vikings on a bye this week, instead of previewing their game for this week, it's time to reflect where the Vikings stand right now as a team and where they go from here. It's time to start differentiating between some studs and duds, the players fans should love and the players that need to start seeing the bench a lot more (or maybe already are).
Vikings' Offense
Points/Game: 28.8 (5th in the NFL)
Yards/Game: 350.5 (15th)
Passing Yards/Game: 223.8 (23rd)
Rushing Yards/Game: 126.8 (10th)
Turnovers: 10 (4th)
Just looking at the stats for the Vikings' offense through four weeks, even though this offense didn't pass the eye test until week four, on paper it has looked good. The yardage total still makes it a mid-tier unit, but the important thing is this offense is putting up points. The passing game for the Vikings still isn't strong, but it's also not at the bottom of the NFL, an improvement from last year when the team finished 31st in that category.. The main thing holding this offense back, clearly, is the turnovers. Seven of those 10 turnovers have come from quarterback Christian Ponder, and it may have resulted in his last snaps as a Viking, as Matt Cassel started in his stead week four and did not turn the ball over.
Vikings' Defense
Points/Game: 30.8 (29th)
Yards/Game: 430.8 (29th)
Passing Yards/Game: 326 (32nd)
Rushing Yards/Game: 104.8 (13th)
Takeaways: 12 (T-3rd with Kansas City)
The Vikings' defense is one of the bottom dwellers in the NFL, which is not at all what was expected coming into this season. While this unit wasn't supposed to be dominant, it was thought to at least reside in the middle of the NFL. Right now, the NFL's middle defenses (Denver, Oakland and Miami, tied at 15th) are giving up a total of about 23 points per game. If the Vikings held their opponents to 23 points per game, they'd be 4-0 on the season so far. The biggest weakness on this team is obvious, they are getting massacred through the air right now, ranking last in the NFL. Their ranking in rushing yards is extremely misleading because teams have passed on the Vikings almost twice as much as they have tried running the ball (187 passing attempts to 99 rushing). The takeaways are a reassuring statistic, but the Vikings' corners have yet to record an interception this year, so teams still have no reason to hesitate attacking them.
Studs:
Harrison Smith
While the Vikings' secondary is the big weakness of the team, at least one player back there seems to know what he's doing. Harrison has already built off of his great rookie campaign to become one of the best young safeties in the NFL; he's a piece back there this team can build around. Smith already has 30 tackles on the year, as he just has a nose for the football and can find it anywhere on the field. He is also the only member of the Vikings' secondary to record an interception this year, already picking off two passes. Smith is starting to show that he can be a ball hawk as a safety, and that's something this team desperately needs.
Adrian Peterson
Many would look at Adrian's numbers so far this season, 92 attempts for 421 yards (4.6 yards/carry) with five touchdowns, and be almost disappointed from what we've seen from the MVP this season. He isn't dominating teams like he did the last half of the season last year, and he doesn't seem to be chasing any major records so far. Except he is. Adrian is already on pace for the best year following a 2,000 yard season, as no one has even come back for 1,500 yards in their NFL career (AP's on pace for 1684). It's also important to keep in mind that Adrian's well ahead of the pace he set last year, because after week four on 2012 Adrian had only rushed 79 times for 332 yards (4.2 yards/carry) with just two touchdowns. He also extended his lead on a record he currently owns, recording his 12th touchdown run of 60 yards or more, most in NFL history ahead of Jim Brown, who has nine. Adrian is still playing like the best running back in football right now, and he's already proven this year he's the most explosive back in history.
Matt Cassel
Matt Cassel deserves some more starts with this team. He makes quicker decisions than Christian Ponder and it seems based on player comments that he has much better command of the huddle. Cassel isn't perfect, as he almost turned the ball over like Ponder, he just got lucky in that his teammates were there to bail him out. Part of the reason the turnovers almost happened though is that Cassel played much more aggressive than Ponder every has, as he was committed to moving the ball farther downfield, which was able to open things up for Adrian. Cassel was able to put up 34 points in his one start, the most the Vikings have put on the board all year. With the way this defense is playing, they need someone who can direct them to those kind of points.
Subs:
Josh Robinson
Robinson is the scapegoat in the Vikings' secondary this year, and with good reason. He's playing like the worst corner in the NFL, and it may not be even close. According to Andrew Krammer of 1500 ESPN, Robinson has been targeted 38 times this year, the most in the NFL. Teams are looking for him so they can throw right at him. Of those 38 targets, 35 have been completed (92% completion rate) for almost 400 yards, well over 10 yards per attempt. Robinson inexplicably is still a starting corner on this team, but he needs to get the boot sooner rather than later. The Vikings don't have great depth to replace him, but Marcus Sherels can't be worse than this. It's not possible.
Christian Ponder
Year three was supposed to be the time Ponder established himself as the leader of this franchise, but now it's quite possible he might never see the field for this team again. Ponder simply has not gotten any better than he was last year, AP just hasn't been dominant enough to cover up for his mistakes. Ponder's passer rating is one of the worst in the NFL, and his yards per attempt still falls under seven yards. Ponder has also given the ball back to the other team seven times, putting an already struggling defense in bad spots. Ponder was also not an effective mover of the chains, as in the Browns game the Vikings had half their drives go either three and out or end with a turnover. In contrast, in the Steelers game, Matt Cassel had the team go three and out only three times in their 11 drives, and put points on the board on six of those drives (he also put the team in field goal range on another drive, but Walsh missed). The offense simply functions better with Cassel at the helm, and it's safe to start applying the first round bust label to Ponder.
Kyle Rudolph?
Where has Kyle Rudolph been all year? The Pro Bowl MVP has been almost invisible out on the field this year, only having 12 receptions through four games with only one touchdown. Three of those receptions have come in garbage time or desperation drives by the Vikings, meaning Rudolph is having a very minimal impact when a game's outcome is still in question. It's not entirely Rudolph's fault, as he has been rarely targeted so far this year, as the Vikings seem to be de-emphasizing their tight ends while focusing on their wide receivers. The Vikings have a potent weapon in Rudolph, and his lack of use this season has been extremely confusing, almost more so than the team's lack of use of rookie Cordarrelle Patterson.
Up/Down:
Both Lines
Both the offensive and defensive lines have had very inconsistent seasons so far this year, even though both were thought to be strengths coming into the year. The Vikings' front four struggled to generate pressure through the first three games, and the Vikings were only able to tackle the quarterback four times in the first three games. The line came alive in London however, and the Vikings left the country with five extra sacks, four of them by defensive lineman. They were playing against a bad Steeler offensive line, however, and the defensive line needs to build off that performance and show that it's not a fluke, because the weak secondary is going to get exposed often without a pass rush. The offensive line also had a rough first three games, failing to open holes for Adrian outside of one big run and allowing 10 sacks. In London they also stepped up their play though, as Adrian had great holes and Matt Cassel was only sacked once. Part of the reason they were able to have success was the new quarterback, as Cassel made quick decisions in the pocket so the lineman didn't have to hold their blocks as long. His throws down the field also helped clear the box around the line of scrimmage a few times, making the line's job in the run game much easier. The line must like playing with Cassel, and I'm guessing they're going to push for him to start.
Moving forward, the Vikings' next two games are at home against the 1-2 Panthers then on the road squaring off with the 0-4 New York Giants. Those are two very winnable games, and if the Vikings are able to make some changes around the bye week to help their defense (like benching Robinson), there's a good chance they could walk out of both contests victorious. That would bring the Vikings back up to .500 just in time for their week eight match-up: a primetime home game on NBC against the hated Green Bay Packers. Could a win there at home put the Vikings in control on the NFC North just four weeks after the world seemed to be crashing around this team? It's a long season in the NFL, anything's possible!
Vikings' Offense
Points/Game: 28.8 (5th in the NFL)
Yards/Game: 350.5 (15th)
Passing Yards/Game: 223.8 (23rd)
Rushing Yards/Game: 126.8 (10th)
Turnovers: 10 (4th)
Just looking at the stats for the Vikings' offense through four weeks, even though this offense didn't pass the eye test until week four, on paper it has looked good. The yardage total still makes it a mid-tier unit, but the important thing is this offense is putting up points. The passing game for the Vikings still isn't strong, but it's also not at the bottom of the NFL, an improvement from last year when the team finished 31st in that category.. The main thing holding this offense back, clearly, is the turnovers. Seven of those 10 turnovers have come from quarterback Christian Ponder, and it may have resulted in his last snaps as a Viking, as Matt Cassel started in his stead week four and did not turn the ball over.
Vikings' Defense
Points/Game: 30.8 (29th)
Yards/Game: 430.8 (29th)
Passing Yards/Game: 326 (32nd)
Rushing Yards/Game: 104.8 (13th)
Takeaways: 12 (T-3rd with Kansas City)
The Vikings' defense is one of the bottom dwellers in the NFL, which is not at all what was expected coming into this season. While this unit wasn't supposed to be dominant, it was thought to at least reside in the middle of the NFL. Right now, the NFL's middle defenses (Denver, Oakland and Miami, tied at 15th) are giving up a total of about 23 points per game. If the Vikings held their opponents to 23 points per game, they'd be 4-0 on the season so far. The biggest weakness on this team is obvious, they are getting massacred through the air right now, ranking last in the NFL. Their ranking in rushing yards is extremely misleading because teams have passed on the Vikings almost twice as much as they have tried running the ball (187 passing attempts to 99 rushing). The takeaways are a reassuring statistic, but the Vikings' corners have yet to record an interception this year, so teams still have no reason to hesitate attacking them.
Studs:
Harrison Smith
While the Vikings' secondary is the big weakness of the team, at least one player back there seems to know what he's doing. Harrison has already built off of his great rookie campaign to become one of the best young safeties in the NFL; he's a piece back there this team can build around. Smith already has 30 tackles on the year, as he just has a nose for the football and can find it anywhere on the field. He is also the only member of the Vikings' secondary to record an interception this year, already picking off two passes. Smith is starting to show that he can be a ball hawk as a safety, and that's something this team desperately needs.
Adrian Peterson
Many would look at Adrian's numbers so far this season, 92 attempts for 421 yards (4.6 yards/carry) with five touchdowns, and be almost disappointed from what we've seen from the MVP this season. He isn't dominating teams like he did the last half of the season last year, and he doesn't seem to be chasing any major records so far. Except he is. Adrian is already on pace for the best year following a 2,000 yard season, as no one has even come back for 1,500 yards in their NFL career (AP's on pace for 1684). It's also important to keep in mind that Adrian's well ahead of the pace he set last year, because after week four on 2012 Adrian had only rushed 79 times for 332 yards (4.2 yards/carry) with just two touchdowns. He also extended his lead on a record he currently owns, recording his 12th touchdown run of 60 yards or more, most in NFL history ahead of Jim Brown, who has nine. Adrian is still playing like the best running back in football right now, and he's already proven this year he's the most explosive back in history.
Matt Cassel
Matt Cassel deserves some more starts with this team. He makes quicker decisions than Christian Ponder and it seems based on player comments that he has much better command of the huddle. Cassel isn't perfect, as he almost turned the ball over like Ponder, he just got lucky in that his teammates were there to bail him out. Part of the reason the turnovers almost happened though is that Cassel played much more aggressive than Ponder every has, as he was committed to moving the ball farther downfield, which was able to open things up for Adrian. Cassel was able to put up 34 points in his one start, the most the Vikings have put on the board all year. With the way this defense is playing, they need someone who can direct them to those kind of points.
Subs:
Josh Robinson
Robinson is the scapegoat in the Vikings' secondary this year, and with good reason. He's playing like the worst corner in the NFL, and it may not be even close. According to Andrew Krammer of 1500 ESPN, Robinson has been targeted 38 times this year, the most in the NFL. Teams are looking for him so they can throw right at him. Of those 38 targets, 35 have been completed (92% completion rate) for almost 400 yards, well over 10 yards per attempt. Robinson inexplicably is still a starting corner on this team, but he needs to get the boot sooner rather than later. The Vikings don't have great depth to replace him, but Marcus Sherels can't be worse than this. It's not possible.
Christian Ponder
Year three was supposed to be the time Ponder established himself as the leader of this franchise, but now it's quite possible he might never see the field for this team again. Ponder simply has not gotten any better than he was last year, AP just hasn't been dominant enough to cover up for his mistakes. Ponder's passer rating is one of the worst in the NFL, and his yards per attempt still falls under seven yards. Ponder has also given the ball back to the other team seven times, putting an already struggling defense in bad spots. Ponder was also not an effective mover of the chains, as in the Browns game the Vikings had half their drives go either three and out or end with a turnover. In contrast, in the Steelers game, Matt Cassel had the team go three and out only three times in their 11 drives, and put points on the board on six of those drives (he also put the team in field goal range on another drive, but Walsh missed). The offense simply functions better with Cassel at the helm, and it's safe to start applying the first round bust label to Ponder.
Kyle Rudolph?
Where has Kyle Rudolph been all year? The Pro Bowl MVP has been almost invisible out on the field this year, only having 12 receptions through four games with only one touchdown. Three of those receptions have come in garbage time or desperation drives by the Vikings, meaning Rudolph is having a very minimal impact when a game's outcome is still in question. It's not entirely Rudolph's fault, as he has been rarely targeted so far this year, as the Vikings seem to be de-emphasizing their tight ends while focusing on their wide receivers. The Vikings have a potent weapon in Rudolph, and his lack of use this season has been extremely confusing, almost more so than the team's lack of use of rookie Cordarrelle Patterson.
Up/Down:
Both Lines
Both the offensive and defensive lines have had very inconsistent seasons so far this year, even though both were thought to be strengths coming into the year. The Vikings' front four struggled to generate pressure through the first three games, and the Vikings were only able to tackle the quarterback four times in the first three games. The line came alive in London however, and the Vikings left the country with five extra sacks, four of them by defensive lineman. They were playing against a bad Steeler offensive line, however, and the defensive line needs to build off that performance and show that it's not a fluke, because the weak secondary is going to get exposed often without a pass rush. The offensive line also had a rough first three games, failing to open holes for Adrian outside of one big run and allowing 10 sacks. In London they also stepped up their play though, as Adrian had great holes and Matt Cassel was only sacked once. Part of the reason they were able to have success was the new quarterback, as Cassel made quick decisions in the pocket so the lineman didn't have to hold their blocks as long. His throws down the field also helped clear the box around the line of scrimmage a few times, making the line's job in the run game much easier. The line must like playing with Cassel, and I'm guessing they're going to push for him to start.
Moving forward, the Vikings' next two games are at home against the 1-2 Panthers then on the road squaring off with the 0-4 New York Giants. Those are two very winnable games, and if the Vikings are able to make some changes around the bye week to help their defense (like benching Robinson), there's a good chance they could walk out of both contests victorious. That would bring the Vikings back up to .500 just in time for their week eight match-up: a primetime home game on NBC against the hated Green Bay Packers. Could a win there at home put the Vikings in control on the NFC North just four weeks after the world seemed to be crashing around this team? It's a long season in the NFL, anything's possible!
Thursday, October 3, 2013
NFL Power Rankings: Post-Week 4
Wow, the NFL season is already a quarter over for most
teams. We’ve learned plenty about the strengths and weaknesses of each team
since then, but with every passing week it gets harder and harder to rank these
teams. It’s not hard to rank the top 5 or bottom dwellers, but other than that
you can almost put these teams in any order. Expect plenty of shifting as the
season goes on, as plenty of teams look like they’re in for a roller coaster
ride of a season! (I’m looking at you, Jay Cutler)
11.
Seattle Seahawks: 4-0 (1)
E Even though it was
a close call, the Seahawks stay on top after their overtime win over the
Houston Texans. The Seahawks have plenty of heart and a never say die attitude,
and they play their best football when the pressure’s on. The Seahawks haven’t
played well on the road yet though, and they’re going to be tested this week
against a new look Colts team at home.
22.
Denver Broncos: 4-0 (2)
The Broncos continue to roll over
opponents, and the team hasn’t faced a close game in close to a year. Peyton
Manning and this offense have no equal right now, and it doesn’t look like
anyone is going to come close to stopping them anytime soon. The only difficult
teams on their schedule look like the Chiefs, Chargers and Patriots right now,
and even the Chiefs most likely won’t be able to keep pace with Peyton with
Alex Smith. The ’72 Dolphins may have to wait a while to bust out the
champagne.
33.
New Orleans Saints: 4-0 (3)
The Saints were unstoppable Monday night,
crushing a good young Dolphins team. Sean Payton makes sure his team shines in
the spotlight, and the home crowd at the Superdome is the closest thing to the
12th man outside of the west coast. If the Saints can continue this
run, it’s going to be a tight competition between them and the Seahawks for
home field advantage in the playoffs, and that could decide the NFC’s Super
Bowl team.
44.
New England Patriots: 4-0 (5)
Honestly, could anyone tell Tom Brady was
working with a bunch of career role players and rookies Sunday night? Brady has
nowhere near the kind of weapons at Peyton’s disposal, but he sure can make it
look like it. Coming into the season, it was said that you need to get to the
Patriots early in the season to finally dethrone them. They went 4-0 in
September. Time for a new strategy.
55.
Kansas City Chiefs: 4-0 (8)
The Chiefs are one of the most complete
teams in football right now, without a glaring weakness on either side of the
ball. Andy Reid seems like a natural fit in the city of barbeque so far, as
this team has already doubled their win total from last season. The Chiefs
would be considered the front runner in almost every other division in
football, but somehow the AFC West went from being the NFL’s worst to currently
its best, even though they still have the Raiders. Who saw that coming?
66.
Green Bay Packers: 1-2 (7)
The Packers maybe don’t have the record
they would want at this point, but if they get healthy during the bye they
should have no problem getting back on track. If they are able to pull together
and beat the Detroit Lions in their first divisional game, there’s little to
suggest they won’t have a great shot at winning out the rest of their schedule.
The Bengals made Aaron Rodgers angry. The rest of the league won’t like him
when he’s angry.
77.
Indianapolis Colts: 3-1 (11)
The Colts move up not because they made
that big of a statement Sunday (beating the Jaguars really doesn’t count for
much) but mainly because so many teams that were above them have had off days
recently. The power running game Indy has been able to establish with Trent
Richardson has made this team much more cohesive, and they have a great shot to
actually make a statement this week by beating the Seahawks at home.
88.
San Francisco 49ers: 2-2 (12)
The 49ers rebounded from a tough two week stretch
by beating up on their division rivals on the road last Thursday. The 49ers are
nowhere near out of the picture in the NFC, though it’s also fair to say that
with all the team members they are missing and their lack of depth at receiver
they’re no longer a top contender either. This team got back to doing what it
should do best Sunday, dominating the line of scrimmage and riding Frank Gore
to victory. Keep that up, and the 49ers are going to reassert their dominance.
99.
Chicago Bears: 3-1 (4)
The Bears drop a few spots this week
because bad Jay Cutler came out in full force against the Lions, the Mr. Hyde
to the good Dr. Jekyll we had mainly seen this season. Jay’s turnovers put the
Bears behind early, and so one of their best weapons, running back Matt Forte,
had his impact diminished. The Bears’ defense also was gashed by the Lions’
track meet attack with Reggie Bush. If this defense isn’t forcing turnovers, it’s
getting beat badly.
110.
Cincinnati Bengals: 2-2 (6)
A week after supposedly making a big
statement by defeating the Green Bay Packers, the Bengals proceeded to hit the
road, and let the Browns walk all over them. The Bengals were almost crushed by
the Browns, but luckily kicker Billy Cundiff missed two field goals that at
least kept the Bengals kind of in the game. Andy Dalton supporters must have
been heading to the hills after this performance, as any time he seems to face
a competent defense he struggles, even with all the talent around him.
111.
Miami Dolphins: 3-1 (9)
The Dolphins fell a little flat coming into
the Superdome Monday night, but that can happen when you’re facing one of the
best teams in the league in one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL. The
positives for the Dolphins were that Lamar Miller showed a lot of improvement
and was doing well with his carries. The bad news is that the Dolphins’
offensive line is still getting run over, and keeping Ryan Tannehill upright is
becoming an issue. Somehow, the Dolphins need to find a better way to get their
quarterback protection (I hear Brian McKinnie’s on the open market!). The
defense struggled too, but they were without stud pass rusher Cameron Wake and
the Saints aren’t exactly the easiest to slow down.
112.
Baltimore Ravens: 2-2 (10)
It’s tough to understand Jim Caldwell’s
thought process Sunday against the Bills. The Bills have struggled stopping the
run, you have two solid backs in your backfield, and you proceed to run a total
of nine times. Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t one of the main reasons Cam
Cameron was fired as offensive coordinator last year is that he wouldn’t give
Ray Rice the ball? The Ravens don’t fall further because they have a great
defense and really, I don’t expect this kind of play calling to happen again.
The trade for Jaguars’ left tackle Eugene Monroe helps my case.
113.
Detroit Lions: 3-1 (19)
The Lions are starting to look like a
dangerous team, even if they never really make things easy for themselves. They
had a huge lead on the Bears but proceeded to let them get close before closing
the deal. Reggie Bush loves playing in Ford Field so far, so much, in fact,
that he’s starting to overcome Calvin Johnson as the focal point of this
offense. People said Bush’s pickup was a smart move this offseason. I don’t
think there’s been a bigger understatement.
114.
San Diego Chargers: 2-2 (21)
If you still don’t believe in Philip Rivers’
comeback, I don’t know what more he could do to prove it to you. The man has played
quarterback as well as anyone in the AFC not named Manning, and like Tom Brady
he’s not exactly playing with studs, either. Rivers’ accuracy is the biggest
thing that has come back, he simply isn’t missing throws. The Chargers are
probably a bigger threat to the Broncos than the Chiefs are, simply because
Rivers has a much better shot than Alex Smith to match Peyton in points.
115.
Atlanta Falcons: 1-3 (13)
Tony Gonzalez regained the step he had been
missing so far this season Sunday night against the Patriots. Julio Jones still
plays like a stud number one receiver. Matt Ryan, however, is not living up to
his end of the bargain in this offense. Yes, it’s true that Roddy White is
playing injured, but Ryan simply isn’t connecting with anyone on this team that’s
not a star. It’s tough to imagine Ryan succeeding if he were on the Patriots or
the Chargers right now, and that might be enough of a difference to cost the
Falcons a trip back to the playoffs.
116.
Dallas Cowboys: 2-2 (14)
The Cowboys have had their chances. They’ve
been ahead in both their losses on the season so far, but they’ve also found a
way to lose games late (and they almost gave their opener to the Giants, too).
The Cowboys had a chance to separate themselves in the NFC East, as the
division’s record outside of the Cowboys is a combined 2-10. Instead, the
Cowboys have dropped games and as a result, they’re only one game ahead in this
division, and RGIII gets healthier by the day.
117.
Houston Texans: 2-2 (15)
Matt Schaub jerseys were being burned
outside of Reliant Stadium after the Texans loss to the Seahawks, and while the
gesture seems harsh, it’s not hard to empathize with the fans. Schaub has
thrown a pick six in three straight games. The Texans were on track to upset
the best team in the league, whose offense they had stifled all day, when
Schaub offered Richard Sherman a free seven points. It’s not hard to make the
argument that the Texans have the best team in the league outside of the quarterback
position. Unfortunately for them, that position counts for a lot.
118.
Tennessee Titans: 3-1 (16)
The Tennessee Titans probably deserve to be
higher on this list. They’ve certainly played better than many of the teams
ahead of them. They also got an easy looking victory Sunday, meaning it looks
weird that they’re dropping down the rankings. But Ryan Fitzpatrick. I get that
Jake Locker was playing at nowhere near an elite level when he went down, but
he was showing lots of improvement, and it’s fair to wonder what his loss means
for this locker room and the huddle. Thankfully, Locker will only be out a few
weeks, but Fitzpatrick has to prove he can keep this team afloat until then.
119.
Carolina Panthers: 1-2 (20)
The Panthers, like the Packers, had a bye
this week, but they move up a spot because a few teams had some bad outings
Sunday, necessitating a move down the rankings for them. The timing for the
Panthers’ bye was definitely not ideal, as they got both their offense and defense
rolling in a 38-0 rout of the Giants, and then proceeded to have all the air
come out of their balloon as they sat on all that momentum. The Panthers will
have to hope they can keep their mojo going, because they still have time to
make some noise in their division, as they beat the Saints twice last year.
220.
Cleveland Browns: 2-2 (25)
The Browns seem to be on a roll after
trading someone people thought was their best offensive player. Jordan Cameron
seems to be making a great argument that their best offensive player is still
on their roster, as the tight end has been virtually unstoppable this season.
Brian Hoyer is playing very capably under center, and it’s becoming very clear
how much Brandon Weeden was holding this offense back. The Browns are tied for
the lead in the AFC North right now. Crazier things have happened in the NFL.
221.
Buffalo Bills: 2-2 (24)
The Bills pulled out a big win over the
defending Super Bowl champions, and they continue to be a team you can’t sleep
on. Rookie EJ Manuel is still going through some struggles, as he completed
less than 50% of his passes, but his deep ball to fellow rookie Robert Woods
was beautiful. The new defense looks great in Buffalo too, and rookie
linebacker Kiko Alonso has to be considered an early frontrunner for defensive
rookie of the year. Five turnovers in four NFL starts is absolutely ridiculous.
222.
Minnesota Vikings: 1-3 (27)
The Vikings got a much needed win out of
their trip to London this week, and this offense showed what it’s capable of
with a capable hand under center. Adrian Peterson finally looked back up to MVP
form Sunday, and if Cassel stays in and plays adequately Adrian is going to
have a fun year. The defense is still holding this team back, as Josh Robinson
looks absolutely lost out in coverage, and just keeps getting picked on game
after game. Robinson has allowed 35 of 38 passes thrown his way to be completed
this year, for almost 400 yards. He’s playing like a cornerback on Madden.
223.
Arizona Cardinals: 2-2 (23)
The Cardinals just shipped off the weakest
starter on their roster, left tackle Levi Brown, to the Pittsburgh Steelers in
exchange for a conditional draft pick. Yay? While Brown was holding this
offense back, I’m not sure I want to see a guy out there who couldn’t even beat
Brown out for a job earlier this offseason. Carson Palmer might have a long season
ahead of him (as if it didn’t already feel long enough). The good news out of
the desert is that rookie running back Andre Ellington is showing promise, and
they are getting linebacker Daryl Washington back from suspension, which should
bolster an already solid defense.
224.
New York Jets: 2-2 (22)
Geno Smith attempted to do a basketball
move behind his back on Sunday, which must have taken a lot of guts.
Unfortunately, those guts must have been moving around a lot after Smith was
hit and fumbled the ball, which the Titans recovered for a defensive touchdown.
Smith’s play this season has basically followed the path of a yo-yo, which can
happen when you’re a rookie with minimal talent around you. The Jets are asking
a lot of Geno and fast, so it’s a testament to his character that he keeps
picking himself back up and slinging the ball.
225.
St. Louis Rams: 1-3 (17)
The Rams’ offense went nowhere against the
San Francisco 49ers, and this team just keeps disappointing more by the week.
Sam Bradford still looks like the same guy as last year, and the year before
that, and the year before that; there’s been no progress. Tight end Jared Cook,
who came out and had a monster game opening weekend, has been relatively
dormant ever since. Rookie Tavon Austin hasn’t done even half the things he was
expected to do for this offense. Chris Givens, who was targeted as a field
stretching sleeper before this year, hasn’t done much for this team. I wouldn’t
be worried about extending Sam Bradford if I was the Rams, I would worry about
the fact that this franchise doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, and you had the
option to change that last year by taking RGIII. But you didn’t. You’re stuck with
Sam.
226.
Washington Redskins: 1-3 (28)
The Redskins finally got their first win of
the season this week. It may have been against a depleted Oakland Raiders team,
but hey, a win is a win. The defense didn’t hold the team back for the first
time this season, actually scoring as many points as they gave up. RGIII was
able to get the ground game moving, which let him throw the ball a lot less
than he has been. That’s exactly the way this offense wants to run. RGIII still
has a ways to go, health-wise, but they’re only one game behind the division leading
Cowboys at this point. This team could still climb its way back.
227.
Philadelphia Eagles: 1-3 (24)
Yes, the Eagles beat the Redskins week one,
but they’re dropping because they have only gone backwards in the three weeks
since while the Redskins have the opportunity for a rebound. Chip Kelly’s
offense has been chewing up yardage, but it hasn’t given this team many points.
This offense looks great until the field starts to shrink. The defense is
having a hard time stopping anybody, and the fact that the offense is going fast
isn’t helping them. Chip Kelly is in Philly right now, but he could still be coaching
the number two team in college football, who look like they’re on the way to a
BCS Championship game. Could Kelly be one and done in the NFL? It’s certainly a
thought.
228.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 0-4 (26)
Big Ben said after the loss in London that
his team could be the worst in the league. Luckily for him, I think they’re
only the 5th worst. Leveon Bell was able to really help Ben and the
offense out, grinding for decent yardage even though he’s playing behind one of
the worst offensive lines in football. Defensively, this team still has no
turnovers. This defense just looks old, as they’re missing tackles left and
right and they look run down much quicker than other teams. Change is going to
be coming to Steel City after this year. I would predict a mass exodus.
229.
New York Giants: 0-4 (29)
It’s tough to figure out what the Giants
can do at this point. While they’re not completely out of their division yet
like the Redskins, the Giants don’t have a convenient excuse like RGIII’s knee
to blame for a slow start to the season. Instead, they can blame just about
everything on offense: the haphazard play by the offensive line, the lack of
trust/ability in the running game, Eli’s tendency to force things, receivers
not winning one on one match-ups, and just straight up poor execution. And that’s
just on offense.
330.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 0-4 (31)
Well, Greg Schiano, you got what you
wanted, but Mike Glennon is not that much better than Josh Freeman. Of course,
making the kid throw the ball over 40 times in his debut probably did him no
favors. Glennon also wasn’t helped by the fact that Doug Martin was stuffed all
day long, not even averaging two yards a carry. Maybe the bye week will help the
rookie get acclimated to NFL life. Or maybe Schiano is throwing a guy into the
fire who is in over his head. The odds don’t favor Greg on this one.
331.
Oakland Raiders: 0-4 (30)
After staying out of the very bottom for
several weeks, the Terrelle Pryor-less Raiders find themselves near the
basement of the rankings once again. It’s tough to blame Matt Flynn too much
for the loss to the Redskins, more than anything it just showed what a bad team
this has been all along. It also speaks to the volumes of talent Pryor has to
be able to cover up for all those flaws. Luckily, according to coach Dennis
Allen, Pryor won’t be going away anytime soon. That doesn’t change the lack of
talent on this team however, and Pryor still most likely isn’t seen as any sort
of long term solution.
332.
Jacksonville Jaguars: 0-4 (32)
Do us all a favor Gus Bradley: bench Blaine
Gabbert so your team has a chance at eclipsing double digits each week. That
should get people in the stands, right? Or you could just offer them more free
beer.
NFL Game Picks: Week 5
30 of 32 NFL teams have already hit the quarter season mark on their schedule, even though for some of us it feels like the season just started. Of course, we still haven't learned very much at all about these teams just yet, remember that the Arizona Cardinals were 4-0 at this point last year. So far this season we've seen ridiculous quarterback play from what could be described as the "Big Three" of the NFL, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees. These three have yet to record a loss on the season, and Manning and Brees are putting up ridiculous numbers, almost in response to all the attention put on the younger quarterbacks last year. I'm predicting the Big Three are going to keep on rolling this week, but a big rookie quarterback is going to be the topic of the week after a big win (Hint: they're throwing down in Indianapolis this week).
Note: After going 10-5 with my picks last week I know sit at 35-28 on the year. Still room to improve.
Byes this week: Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bills at Browns
20-18 Browns
The Browns are on a roll after trading Trent Richardson, and a win Thursday night would put them on top of their division and give the team an above .500 record after five weeks, something they haven't accomplished since 2001. Brian Hoyer has proved very capable in leading this offense, and Jordan Cameron has been an almost unstoppable weapon. The Browns' fearsome defense should also be able to box in the Bills' run game, meaning rookie EJ Manuel might have to win this one with his arm. I just don't think he's ready to do that yet, and the Browns stay perfect post-Trent.
Saints at Bears
31-28 Saints
Originally I thought this was going to be a high profile match-up between two 4-0 teams, but the Bears went into Detroit last week and had a tough time finding success on either side of the ball. Jay Cutler still has some bad habits and some bad days, especially when pressured, and this Saints' defense under Rob Ryan has excelled in pressuring the quarterback. If the Bears want to find success on offense, their best bet is to ride Matt Forte all day long. The Bears' defense has looked weak when they're unable to force turnovers, and while Drew Brees may get aggressive and throw an interception in this game, there's no way the Bears are going to be able to slow him down all afternoon.
Patriots at Bengals
27-17 Patriots
Can you imagine what Tom Brady could do if he had all of Andy Dalton's weapons on offense? Just saying. The Patriots are on the road for the second straight week facing a 2012 playoff team, but the result is probably going to be the same as last week. Bill Bilichick was able to scheme to neutralize the Falcons' top weapons on offense, and you can bet he and cornerback Aquib Talib are going to make it their mission to take away AJ Green. Andy Dalton has struggled this season when he can't throw to his go-to guy, and so it's likely the Patriots stay perfect on the season.
Lions at Packers
34-30 Lions
Coming in hot after beating the Bears on their home turf, the Lions travel to Lambeau to assert their legitimacy in the NFC North. Though the Packers are only 1-2, they're still the favorites to win their division, as the bye week has allowed some of their players to get healthy and Aaron Rodgers is still much better than Matthew Stafford. Expect a shootout to decide who's in charge of this division, and even though the Lions now have Reggie Bush running all over the place, it's hard to bet against an angry Rodgers, who most likely will be out to remind everyone the "Big Three" really should be a "Big Four."
Seahawks at Colts
24-23 Colts
My big upset pick of the week, I expect the early season Super Bowl favorite Seahawks to be trounced on the road by Andrew Luck and the Colts. Seattle is coming off a tough overtime win against the Texans on the road and they're missing key starters on their offensive line. The Seahawks offense has scored only 26 points through two games on the road. They've scored six points in the first half total in those games. Meanwhile, in their past two games, The Colts have given up a total of 10 offensive points. Their defense, thought to be a liability this offseason, has sprung to life now that this offense is using a power run game to use up clock and give the defense extra rest. If this game was at home for Seattle, the pick's a no brainer. But Lucas Oil Stadium belongs to Andrew Luck.
Ravens at Dolphins
24-20 Dolphins
The Dolphins were handed their first defeat of the season Monday night against the Saints, but this team isn't going to stay down for long. The defense had a bad day, but they were missing star pass rusher Cameron Wake, who is going to hunt Joe Flacco and his new blindside protector, Eugene Monroe. The Ravens' offense has been very underwhelming so far this season, and it seems they're now going to tinker with some different things to try to get themselves back on track. Ray Rice needs to be fed the ball more, and somebody other than Torrey Smith has to step up on the receiving end. Will it happen this week? Maybe, but Rome wasn't exactly built in a day.
Eagles at Giants
21-20 Giants
The Giants are due for a win at some point this season, and they might just get their chance when rival Philadelphia come to town. The Eagles' porous secondary should help this Giants' offense finally get itself on track, at least for 60 minutes. I'm predicting the Giants are going to look a lot more like the opening day version of their offense than the one we saw against the Chiefs and Panthers (minus some of the turnovers, most likely). The Eagles have been struggling after their opening win against the Redskins, as Chip Kelly's offense has been racking up yards but not points, and the speed at which they do so makes life difficult for their defense. Chip to USC definitely isn't happening now, but there's going to be some interesting rumors this offseason.
Jaguars at Rams
21-10 Rams
The Rams have definitely not lived up to the expectations some (including me) had for them this season, but now they get to face a team that simply has no expectations. While people start to wonder whether the Broncos can go 16-0, it's even more possible that we could be looking at a Jaguars team that will go 0-16 this season. It's really hard to find a bright spot for this team each week, besides the fact that Teddy Bridgewater has looked really good so far out at Louisville.
Chiefs at Titans
21-18 Chiefs
The Titans have perhaps been one the biggest surprise teams of the season, and they have a real shot at upsetting the 4-0 Chiefs at home this weekend. But Ryan Fitzpatrick. Tennessee has some young wide receivers that have made big plays for this team, but last year in Buffalo showed Fitzpatrick should no longer be a starting quarterback in this league. Fitzpatrick facing one of the best defenses in the NFL, one that forces turnovers on a regular basis, just does not sound like a recipe for success. Meanwhile, expect Alex Smith to not turn the ball over all game for the fourth time this year.
Panthers at Cardinals
20-14 Panthers
The Panthers are probably a little miffed that their bye week came right after a game where they pummeled their opponent 38-0, but after a week off they still should come out with a win against the Cardinals. The Panthers' front seven against the Cardinals' offensive line is a big a miss-match as I've seen this year, and in all likelihood the Panthers are going to roll over that line like a wrecking ball. Carson Palmer is going to have some bruises after this one. The Cardinals' defense is solid, and can certainly match up with all of the Panthers' weapons, but if Carolina lets Cam Newton use his legs like he did against the Giants the Panthers should cruise to victory number two.
Broncos at Cowboys
40-27 Broncos
Peyton Manning has actually never played in the Cowboys' new stadium. Think that's going to stop him from lighting the place up? Me neither. Monte Kiffin's defense is just like the one Peyton used to see in practice each week when Tony Dungy was his head coach, except now Peyton may have even better weapons, or at the very least more of them. This looks like a long day in Big D, as Peyton get his first (and probably only) win inside of Jerry World.
Texans at 49ers
27-24 49ers
The 49ers started to look like their old selves Thursday night against the Rams, and now they've had a long week to prepare for the arrival of the Houston Texans, whose fans are heartbroken after an overtime loss to Seattle. Matt Schaub is playing like, well, Matt Schaub, and his three straight games with a pick six have sent Texans fans into a tizzy. While it might be a little far to predict that streak continuing this week, the odds are pretty good that Schaub is going to throw an interception Sunday on the 49ers tough defense. Expect the 49er offense to ride Frank Gore to another victory, as the loss of Brian Cushing for the Texans is going to open up plenty of holes on that defense.
Chargers at Raiders
31-17 Chargers
Raiders' fans rejoice because Terrelle Pryor returns to start for the team, but his return likely will do little to impact the outcome of this game. Philip Rivers has been playing as well as any quarterback not named Manning, including his former teammate Drew Brees. Rivers is going to have a field day throwing against the Raiders' weak defense, and really the only question is how good Philip looks while doing it. I'm setting the over/under and 350 yards and four touchdowns, but that's just me.
Jets at Falcons
28-20 Falcons
The Falcons are going to have to try to pick up their season after a tough home loss against the Patriots, because if they slip to four losses on the season this early, the odds of them passing the Saints for the division crown aren't good. Matt Ryan needs to rehabilitate his image after "Matty Ice" failed to complete three comeback drives already this season. He may or may not need one to beat the Jets, it depends on whether pro Geno Smith shows up, or rookie level Geno Smith that played against Tennessee. Pro Geno was able to execute against the Bills, but there's no question that a lot has been put on the young signal caller's plate early, and unless the Jets dial it back he's going to keep struggling without reliable weapons around him.
Note: After going 10-5 with my picks last week I know sit at 35-28 on the year. Still room to improve.
Byes this week: Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bills at Browns
20-18 Browns
The Browns are on a roll after trading Trent Richardson, and a win Thursday night would put them on top of their division and give the team an above .500 record after five weeks, something they haven't accomplished since 2001. Brian Hoyer has proved very capable in leading this offense, and Jordan Cameron has been an almost unstoppable weapon. The Browns' fearsome defense should also be able to box in the Bills' run game, meaning rookie EJ Manuel might have to win this one with his arm. I just don't think he's ready to do that yet, and the Browns stay perfect post-Trent.
Saints at Bears
31-28 Saints
Originally I thought this was going to be a high profile match-up between two 4-0 teams, but the Bears went into Detroit last week and had a tough time finding success on either side of the ball. Jay Cutler still has some bad habits and some bad days, especially when pressured, and this Saints' defense under Rob Ryan has excelled in pressuring the quarterback. If the Bears want to find success on offense, their best bet is to ride Matt Forte all day long. The Bears' defense has looked weak when they're unable to force turnovers, and while Drew Brees may get aggressive and throw an interception in this game, there's no way the Bears are going to be able to slow him down all afternoon.
Patriots at Bengals
27-17 Patriots
Can you imagine what Tom Brady could do if he had all of Andy Dalton's weapons on offense? Just saying. The Patriots are on the road for the second straight week facing a 2012 playoff team, but the result is probably going to be the same as last week. Bill Bilichick was able to scheme to neutralize the Falcons' top weapons on offense, and you can bet he and cornerback Aquib Talib are going to make it their mission to take away AJ Green. Andy Dalton has struggled this season when he can't throw to his go-to guy, and so it's likely the Patriots stay perfect on the season.
Lions at Packers
34-30 Lions
Coming in hot after beating the Bears on their home turf, the Lions travel to Lambeau to assert their legitimacy in the NFC North. Though the Packers are only 1-2, they're still the favorites to win their division, as the bye week has allowed some of their players to get healthy and Aaron Rodgers is still much better than Matthew Stafford. Expect a shootout to decide who's in charge of this division, and even though the Lions now have Reggie Bush running all over the place, it's hard to bet against an angry Rodgers, who most likely will be out to remind everyone the "Big Three" really should be a "Big Four."
Seahawks at Colts
24-23 Colts
My big upset pick of the week, I expect the early season Super Bowl favorite Seahawks to be trounced on the road by Andrew Luck and the Colts. Seattle is coming off a tough overtime win against the Texans on the road and they're missing key starters on their offensive line. The Seahawks offense has scored only 26 points through two games on the road. They've scored six points in the first half total in those games. Meanwhile, in their past two games, The Colts have given up a total of 10 offensive points. Their defense, thought to be a liability this offseason, has sprung to life now that this offense is using a power run game to use up clock and give the defense extra rest. If this game was at home for Seattle, the pick's a no brainer. But Lucas Oil Stadium belongs to Andrew Luck.
Ravens at Dolphins
24-20 Dolphins
The Dolphins were handed their first defeat of the season Monday night against the Saints, but this team isn't going to stay down for long. The defense had a bad day, but they were missing star pass rusher Cameron Wake, who is going to hunt Joe Flacco and his new blindside protector, Eugene Monroe. The Ravens' offense has been very underwhelming so far this season, and it seems they're now going to tinker with some different things to try to get themselves back on track. Ray Rice needs to be fed the ball more, and somebody other than Torrey Smith has to step up on the receiving end. Will it happen this week? Maybe, but Rome wasn't exactly built in a day.
Eagles at Giants
21-20 Giants
The Giants are due for a win at some point this season, and they might just get their chance when rival Philadelphia come to town. The Eagles' porous secondary should help this Giants' offense finally get itself on track, at least for 60 minutes. I'm predicting the Giants are going to look a lot more like the opening day version of their offense than the one we saw against the Chiefs and Panthers (minus some of the turnovers, most likely). The Eagles have been struggling after their opening win against the Redskins, as Chip Kelly's offense has been racking up yards but not points, and the speed at which they do so makes life difficult for their defense. Chip to USC definitely isn't happening now, but there's going to be some interesting rumors this offseason.
Jaguars at Rams
21-10 Rams
The Rams have definitely not lived up to the expectations some (including me) had for them this season, but now they get to face a team that simply has no expectations. While people start to wonder whether the Broncos can go 16-0, it's even more possible that we could be looking at a Jaguars team that will go 0-16 this season. It's really hard to find a bright spot for this team each week, besides the fact that Teddy Bridgewater has looked really good so far out at Louisville.
Chiefs at Titans
21-18 Chiefs
The Titans have perhaps been one the biggest surprise teams of the season, and they have a real shot at upsetting the 4-0 Chiefs at home this weekend. But Ryan Fitzpatrick. Tennessee has some young wide receivers that have made big plays for this team, but last year in Buffalo showed Fitzpatrick should no longer be a starting quarterback in this league. Fitzpatrick facing one of the best defenses in the NFL, one that forces turnovers on a regular basis, just does not sound like a recipe for success. Meanwhile, expect Alex Smith to not turn the ball over all game for the fourth time this year.
Panthers at Cardinals
20-14 Panthers
The Panthers are probably a little miffed that their bye week came right after a game where they pummeled their opponent 38-0, but after a week off they still should come out with a win against the Cardinals. The Panthers' front seven against the Cardinals' offensive line is a big a miss-match as I've seen this year, and in all likelihood the Panthers are going to roll over that line like a wrecking ball. Carson Palmer is going to have some bruises after this one. The Cardinals' defense is solid, and can certainly match up with all of the Panthers' weapons, but if Carolina lets Cam Newton use his legs like he did against the Giants the Panthers should cruise to victory number two.
Broncos at Cowboys
40-27 Broncos
Peyton Manning has actually never played in the Cowboys' new stadium. Think that's going to stop him from lighting the place up? Me neither. Monte Kiffin's defense is just like the one Peyton used to see in practice each week when Tony Dungy was his head coach, except now Peyton may have even better weapons, or at the very least more of them. This looks like a long day in Big D, as Peyton get his first (and probably only) win inside of Jerry World.
Texans at 49ers
27-24 49ers
The 49ers started to look like their old selves Thursday night against the Rams, and now they've had a long week to prepare for the arrival of the Houston Texans, whose fans are heartbroken after an overtime loss to Seattle. Matt Schaub is playing like, well, Matt Schaub, and his three straight games with a pick six have sent Texans fans into a tizzy. While it might be a little far to predict that streak continuing this week, the odds are pretty good that Schaub is going to throw an interception Sunday on the 49ers tough defense. Expect the 49er offense to ride Frank Gore to another victory, as the loss of Brian Cushing for the Texans is going to open up plenty of holes on that defense.
Chargers at Raiders
31-17 Chargers
Raiders' fans rejoice because Terrelle Pryor returns to start for the team, but his return likely will do little to impact the outcome of this game. Philip Rivers has been playing as well as any quarterback not named Manning, including his former teammate Drew Brees. Rivers is going to have a field day throwing against the Raiders' weak defense, and really the only question is how good Philip looks while doing it. I'm setting the over/under and 350 yards and four touchdowns, but that's just me.
Jets at Falcons
28-20 Falcons
The Falcons are going to have to try to pick up their season after a tough home loss against the Patriots, because if they slip to four losses on the season this early, the odds of them passing the Saints for the division crown aren't good. Matt Ryan needs to rehabilitate his image after "Matty Ice" failed to complete three comeback drives already this season. He may or may not need one to beat the Jets, it depends on whether pro Geno Smith shows up, or rookie level Geno Smith that played against Tennessee. Pro Geno was able to execute against the Bills, but there's no question that a lot has been put on the young signal caller's plate early, and unless the Jets dial it back he's going to keep struggling without reliable weapons around him.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
NFL Week 4 Tuesday Whip-Around: Oldies beat the Goodies
The word "elite" has been thrown around a lot when referring to the quarterbacks in the NFL. Eli Manning put himself in that discussion and backed up his claim by winning a second Super Bowl. Joe Flacco repeated Manning's boast and proceeded to bring his team a Lombardi. Other quarterbacks don't have the hardware, but have been consistently good, like Tony Romo. There's also the young guys like Andrew Luck, Colin Kaepernick, Russel Wilson and RGIII who are trying to place themselves into this discussion. Three quarterbacks played this week though, whose names need no discussion in terms of being "elite." Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Drew Brees combined complete 75% of their passes, passing for ten touchdowns and 1,056 yards. Their teams scored a combined 120 points this week, and all three have led their team to a perfect 4-0 record despite all being over 30. 2012 was the year of the rookie quarterback. 2013 is all about the old men.
49ers 35, Rams 11
11. Colin Kaepernick has a nice bounce back game and
got his first win against the Rams, but Frank Gore showed he’s the one carrying
this offense.
22. The 49ers got back to winning at the line of
scrimmage, totaling 219 rushing yards while surrendering just 18 on 17
attempts. That’s how the 49ers are supposed to play football.
33. The Rams are treating Sam Bradford like he’s
their answer, announcing they’re willing to extend his contract already, but he’s
showed almost nothing this year (though offensive coordinator Brian
Schottenheimer isn’t doing him any favors).
Bills 23, Ravens 20
11. Joe Flacco was asked to do everything for this
offense this week, throwing the ball 50 times while the Ravens ignored their
run game (nine carries) and the result: 5 interceptions.
22. Manuel must have read here that I was worried
about his ability to stretch the field, because he responded by going over the
top of the Ravens for a 42 yard touchdown pass to fellow rookie Robert Woods.
33. Kiko Alonso has forced five turnovers in just
his first four games in the NFL, he has been an absolute MONSTER in the middle
for the Bills.
44. Torrey Smith tried to carry the Ravens’ offense,
catching five passes 166 yards, but beyond him the Ravens have no one stepping
up in the passing game (which makes the decision to abandon the running game even
more confusing).
Browns 17, Bengals 6
11. Jordan Cameron is playing as well as any tight
end in the league right now (outside of Jimmy Graham), and he’s doing it with
Brian Hoyer at quarterback.
22. The Browns are 2-0 since trading Trent
Richardson and are in second place in their division. In other words, their
season is far from over.
33. Andy Dalton has all the pieces around him to
succeed, which makes games like Sunday inexcusable. It would not be shocking if
Dalton was a backup quarterback before Hoyer becomes one.
Lions 40, Bears 32
11. Jay Cutler showed that old habits really do die
hard, throwing three interceptions behind sloppy mechanics and decisions.
Cutler’s line had its worse game of the year, but the turnovers were on him,
and he even admitted after the game he cost the team the win.
22. Reggie Bush loves playing in Detroit on that
track of a field, because he ran all over the Bears, totaling 173 yards on just
22 touches. Bush is just as important to this offense now as Calvin Johnson.
33. This was a weird day for both offenses, as they
combined to go 3/23 on third downs, but somehow managed to put up 72 points.
Seahawks 23, Texans 20
11. The Seahawks offense couldn’t get moving in the
early part of this game, but that’s to be expected when your offensive line is
missing several starters and you’re facing JJ Watt.
22. This Seahawk team never quits and never stops
believing in their ability to win a game, and that’s why they’re still the
favorites to bring home the Lombardi this year.
33. Matt Schaub has thrown a pick six in three
straight games. Schaub is usually asked just to not mess up for this offense,
but he can’t even handle that so far this season.
Colts 37, Jaguars 3
11. Just like the Browns, the Colts are 2-0 after
trading for Trent Richardson, and neither of their last two games have been
close.
22. The Colts are using Trent and the rest of their
stable to pound their running game, and it’s opening up people downfield for
Andrew Luck. That’s going to be hard to stop.
33. Blaine Gabbert might not be on an NFL roster
before the 2014 season. That’s a very safe bet.
Chiefs 31, Giants 7
11. The Chiefs turned the ball over three times in
this game (their first turnovers of the year), but they still didn’t lose the
turnover battle, as their defense got the ball back three times as well. That’s
good complimentary football coming straight from Andy Reid.
22. Right tackle Eric Fisher has been a huge negative
for the Chiefs so far this year, the number one overall pick from 2013 isn’t
even playing a hand in this team’s rebound.
33. The Giant’s offense has almost always been a top
10 unit each season since Eli Manning took over at quarterback, including last
year, and it’s tough to figure out how it could all come crashing down so fast.
The offensive line has collapsed and no receivers outside of Victor Cruz are
winning on the outside.
Cardinals 13, Buccaneers 10
11. Mike Glennon attempted 43 passes in his NFL
debut, making it clear Greg Schiano does not exactly plan to ease the rookie
in.
22. Running back Andre Ellington needs to start
seeing more carries in the Cardinals’ backfield, taking his four this week for
29 yards while starter Rashard Mendenhall gained less yards (21) with three
times as many carries.
33. The match-up between Larry Fitzgerald and
Darelle Revis did not disappoint. Revis got an early interception over Fitz,
but the receiver responded with a late touchdown grab on Revis that put the
Cardinals back in the game.
Titans 38, Jets 10
11. Jake Locker was having another solid day until
an extremely unfortunate injury. Locker was providing evidence that he could be
a long term starter for the Titans, and hopefully he will be back as soon as
possible to keep showing that to his team.
22. It was assumed coming into the season that the
Titans were just going to pound the ball all year with their offense, but so
far this year their wide receivers are out making plays for this team. And I
mean all of their receivers (except for you, Kenny Britt).
33. Geno Smith looked ugly again, and continues to
alternate between good and bad starts. At least now he won’t be looking over
his shoulder as much as Mark Sanchez plans to have season ending surgery.
Broncos 52, Eagles 20
11. In his career, Peyton Manning typically gets
better as the season goes on. Right now he’s on pace for over 6,000 yards and
64 touchdowns with no interceptions….and he’s supposed to get better.
22. It’s extremely fair to start wondering whether
16-0 is possible for Denver at this point. Right now, the only match-ups that
might be difficult on their schedule are their games facing the Patriots and
Chiefs on the road.
33. The Eagles scored 20 points on five trips to the
red zone. Just like last year, this offense can’t finish drives, and this team’s
one win against the Redskins is looking less impressive by the week (since we’ve
seen how the Redskins’ defense has played since then).
Redskins 24, Raiders 14
11. RGIII was held under 300 yards passing for the
first time this year but his team got its first victory. That’s not a coincidence,
this offense is built to run, not to pass.
22. The Redskins’ defense had their first good
outing of the year, even though the level of competition was very questionable.
The defense actually scored as many points as they allowed Sunday.
33. Coach Dennis Allen was very harsh when talking
about starting quarterback Matt Flynn after the game. It’s likely that we’re
not going to see Flynn again this year.
Chargers 30, Cowboys 21
11. Philip Rivers had another great day, completing
35 of 42 passes for 401 yards. Rivers already seems like a lock to bounce back
from two mediocre seasons and make his 5th Pro Bowl.
22. Antonio Gates is riding shotgun with Rivers on
his redemption tour, catching 10 passes for 136 yards to carry the Chargers’
thin receiving corps.
33. Rookie Terrance Williams fumbled the ball near
the goal line to ruin the Cowboy’s last chance to make the game close again.
The Cowboys still like to lose close games with stupid mistakes, and it seems
even their rookies learn that early on.
Patriots 30, Falcons 23
11. The Patriots offense showed more improvement
this week, and it’s fair to say Tom Brady and Kenbrell Thompkins are already
forming a special bond on the field.
22. Tony Gonzalez and Julio Jones had several
highlight plays on the day, but Bill Bilichick was able to scheme them out of
key spots, especially around the red zone. Of course, Bilichick was helped by
the fact that his number one corner, Aquib Talib, was absolutely balling on the
day.
33. Matt Ryan almost led a late comeback drive, but
Matty Ice was thoroughly outperformed by Tom Brady even though he has far
superior weapons at his disposal. Ryan’s accuracy was very spotty at times,
especially around the red zone, and a couple bad passes cost his team at least
three chances at the end zone.
Saints 38, Dolphins 17
11. Ryan Tannehill, who was off to a hot start in
his second year, was severely humbled by Drew Brees in this battle of unbeatens,
as Brees threw for over 400 yards with four touchdowns and no turnovers
(Tannehill had four).
22. Darren Sproles turned on the wheels at home,
averaging over seven yards a carry and 16 yards a reception, while scoring both
a rushing and receiving touchdown.
33. Lamar Miller brought balance to the Dolphins’
attack, but sadly his impact had to be significantly dialed back because of the
big Dolphin deficit.
44. Ryan Tannehill’s protection is by far the
biggest issue on this team, and something needs to change on this offense to
prevent Tannehill getting rocked every time he drops back.
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