Ups
Detroit’s offense (defense TBA)
“The big question mark hangs over the Detroit Lions and whether their mediocre defense can handle the loss of their cornerstone, Aidan Hutchinson,” I said in the sad annals of two weeks ago. While the stumbling defense is making the best of what it has, the offense has shown it makes little difference to the Lions’ inexorable march to the postseason.
At 6-1, the Lions should be aiming for No. 1 in the NFC. Ben Johnson’s offense operates with such aggressive efficiency — the Lions’ six touchdown drives against the Titans on Sunday lasted a whiplash-inducing average of just under 90 seconds — that the ’85 Bears were able to emerge at their peak and Jared Goff and Co. still find a way past them.
In reality, Detroit’s defense relied on dramatic playmaking against the Titans to get the job done. The Lions scored three touchdowns on short fields off two interceptions and a fumble, giving the offense a great view of the Titans’ end zone from an average starting field position at the 50-yard line. However, the pass rush without Hutchinson was non-existent. Tennessee’s Beige backup QB Mason Rudolph threw for 220 yards in the first half on 23 throws, during which he was hit four times. Meanwhile, Goff was hit four times on eight pitches in the first half. One sack was generated from 38 Rudolph passing attempts.
These numbers will boost hopes for Green Bay in a huge NFC North showdown this week, indicating that Jordan Love may be able to make the most of a comfortable wallet. They also raise hopes of a nail-biting shootout unless the Lions can find a way to apply pressure. A trade for pass rush phenom Maxx Crosby wouldn’t hurt their chances.
Battle for the NFC West
The cream is rising to the top in the competition as frontrunners begin to develop. Everywhere except the NFC West. After the Vikings’ shakedown last week, the LA Rams are dead last at 3-4, while their division rivals are all at 4-4. So after eight weeks we are essentially back to square one.
The Seattle Seahawks may be the weakest link in the division. After a hot start, Mike McDonald’s defense has melted away. In Sunday’s tough loss to the Bills, Buffalo recorded 14 first downs, double the league average this season. Seattle’s next opponent: the Rams. Sean McVay’s team came alive with the return of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Beating the mighty Vikings could be a huge turning point, as McVay can now count on the significant threat of his receiving tandem to not only make crucial plays but also create space for running back Kyren Williams. Their return couldn’t have been better timed to take advantage of Seattle’s weakness. The pressure both teams will face to win could be the determining factor, with teams likely needing a winning record in a stacked NFC to clinch a wild card spot.
Meanwhile, spirits will be high in Arizona after the Cardinals emerged from yet another nail-biting encounter to disrupt Tua Tagovailoa’s return to Miami. Of Arizona’s four wins this season, two have been by one point and one by just two. Kicker Chad Ryland was a revelation with late field goals in all three nail-biting victories. The ability to continue to find a path to victory while owning an important 2-0 division record is a huge boost. The head coach certainly has confidence in it. “See you Wednesday, motherfuckers,” Jonathan Gannon told his team after beating the Dolphins. The extra rest for a job well done will put a smile on faces before a tough but very winnable home battle with the Chicago Bears.
The favorites for the division are San Francisco and rightfully so after Kyle Shanahan rediscovered his mojo with a 21-point third-quarter thrashing of Dallas. At full strength, this would be expected, although Shanahan fooling the Cowboys with seven different runners not named Christian McCaffrey showed there is still life in the Bay Area. The 49ers will be thrilled to be in the thick of it as they complete a perfectly timed bye week to get healthy for the second stanza of the season. McCaffrey may return in Week 10 for the 49ers’ game against Tampa Bay. Good luck, Bucs.
Downs
Tom Brady
Think about Tom Brady for a moment. On his insipid Let’s Go! podcast The Fox analyst with a $375 million deal complained about a lack of interesting games to dissect. “I have now played seven games. I’ve had six blowouts and the home team only won one,” he said before taking to the mic later in the week for…check the notes…Buffalo’s big win in Seattle. “I can’t wait to get a home team in a close game and there’s a lot of juice in the stadium.” The soul searching continued as Brady, possibly displeased with another dud, let a blemish slip. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen “sometimes played like a spaz, like a high school kid on a sugar high” during his younger days in the league, Brady said.
The Bills mob rushed to defend the comment, citing differences between the British definition of the word and the broader American version, which also includes clumsiness. While that tries to explain why, it’s still a pathetic excuse. Brady must be aware of the popularity of the NFL in Britain, a country he must have some knowledge of as he owns part of the Birmingham City football club, and given his ridiculous salary he must be held to the highest standards. He should just know better. In addition, Many people in the US also find the term offensive.
It’s early days, but the laziness of both the use of the term and the dreary, clichéd analogy stink of someone who doesn’t take his job seriously or, if he can’t make better choices, someone who isn’t right for the role. Or perhaps a costly one-score match can sharpen his analysis.
Baltimore Ravens
The No. 1 seed in the AFC may have already slipped past the Ravens after they were mauled by Jameis Winston and the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Kansas City is 7-0, streets ahead of Baltimore’s 5-3, while also having the advantage of being defeated in the season opener. The calm and collected Chiefs must now completely disband before the Ravens can regain the deficit and avoid dreaded road games in January.
The problem is Zach Orr’s defense is dragging the side down. The first-year coordinator’s unit allowed Winston to scorch them for 334 yards while giving up a season-worst 291 yards per game through the air. Last season, the Ravens had the NFL’s second-best EPA per pass at -0.2; they sit 29e now at 0.16. Flawed interceptions, blown coverage and poor communications all add fuel to a secondary system that is routinely set on fire. Lamar Jackson may have too much to overcome in the postseason unless Orr can put out the fire.
