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Things are starting to get spicy! Week-five was an interesting week of action as we saw a NFL Sunday start as early as 9:30AM in the States, with the final game finishing well past 1:00AM. From London to Pittsburgh, it was another noisy week on the gridiron. That noise sprang over into week-six before TNF even gets settled as we see the first coach of the season face the gallow. Lets start there.
Robert Saleh gets the long-awaiting can (in my opinion). Jets owner Woody Johnson fired Saleh on the brink of dawn of week-6, telling him to pack the desk bright on Monday morning. Thanks for coming. It's the right decision despite the unfortunate timing. Good thing; we now get another unrightful head coach return to a proper title. DC Saleh back in the mix is great- and where he belongs. If only Johnson would fire Douglas and himself on top of it.
Robert Saleh had to go, but the mess in New York doesn't just get cleaned up with the fire. Woody Johnson still doesn't have a clue, he just acts off impulse. The process was awful, unprofessional, and in the perspective of the players and staff- quite disrespectful. Again, Saleh had to go; I just hope Johnson did the right interviewing and recon before pulling the trigger on Saleh, and Saleh alone. Seeing how the players found out the news isn't soothing.
I presume Johnson did SOME level of interviewing to find that staffers and players stated the defense has been in good hands and powered by Ulbrich, and that Saleh (a top tier DC) didn't have much sway (doubtful) in the defense's success through five weeks. That presumption comes with the problem being the offense as the Jets have the 2nd-best total defense (27th O). Seeing Nathaniel Hackett lose his play-calling privilege a day after by Ulbrich answered that question for me and showed Johnson was addressing the biggest problem: a lack of coaching from the top guy. Saleh doesn't head-coach, he just stands like a mannequin and then all of sudden jumps up and down wanting hugs when something good happens... just like Nick Sirianni; who I believe will be next at the gallow. Ulbrich looks to at least be a suitable filler for that need. His defense respects him, and so does the team.
Jets should be better moving forward this season (not long-term, ha!) as a unit. The offense still has major question marks, but you still have Rodgers, and demoting Hackett was a good start. I like not firing him... at the least, you wait until the off-season. Todd Downing now gets the call, returning to OC duties for the fourth time (3 seasons/2 teams). He had one good season in term of league ranks, and two bad. His best coming with the 2021 Titans (15th). Not a shiny resume, but his experience is solid. Downing was Stafford's QBC in Detroit during the entire progression stage; did the same with Derek Carr after Carr's rookie season; and elevated Kirk Cousins for a season in Minnesota. So basically, the same type of resume as Hackett; maybe a tad better. Lets see what he's got. I still can see a trade for Davante Adams happening in the next week. The timing for change is good as the Jets sit just a game back of the Bills atop the AFC East. Not in a hole by any means; the change gives them a chance to salvage the 2-3 start, and move things forward in the right direction while utilizing one of very-very few seasons with Aaron Rodgers (if there's more).
QB Play Goes Way Up in Production:
Finally, we are beginning to see the star QBs make headway. We had an unreal duel between Joe Burrow & Action Jackson; saw Joe Flacco continue to be Joe Flacco; and witnessed Kirk Cousins be the first QB this season to eclipse the 400-yard passing mark... and the 500-yard mark. Oh, can't forget about Trevor Lawrence, Daniel Jones, and Caleb Williams puttin' in solid performances. At last, solid QB play, but lets see if consistency follows.
It was a big week for quarterbacks. It's now two weeks in a row that we have seen solid play across the signal callers. The Burrow and Jackson duel was nuts; delivering one of the best games of the season to this point (likely the best). Burrow has been playing far better than last season, despite the Bengals only being 1-4. Joey B currently ranks 2nd in passer rating; 2nd in QBR; and has the 2nd-best completion percentage behind the surging rook in DC. Burrow's 12/2 tuddy to pick ratio is also the most valued ratio in the league right now.
Action Jackson on the other hand, was just as electric in that game, despite some fumbled snaps that could (should) have been costly. Jackson hasn't been playing at MVP level, but he's back to game-breaking. Which is huge for the Ravens who have flipped to a winning switch. The duel-threat talent is blissful right now with Jackson, Murray, and the rookie Daniels playing great ball. This week we have quite the duel-threat entree with the rook leading his 4-1 Commanders into Baltimore to take on Jackson and the Flock. I have the popcorn prepped for that one. Another early test for Daniels and Washington to show their legitimacy. Here are my current QB power ranks going into tonight:
Ja'Lynn Polk's Near Touchdown Controversy:
Another week, another controversial touchdown review. This time, it's in the NFL with the toe-heel rule striking down mayhem once again in the Patriots/Dolphins game. Dolphins escaped Foxborough with a win after this Ja'Lynn Polk reception attempt was ruled incomplete and no touchdown:
video via @KMooreTV//X
By rule, that is the right call. A rule that they have been consistent on in recent years. See the Julio Jones/Titans vs Seahawks '21 example; the CeeDee Lamb/Cowboys vs Giants '22 example; and the Tee Higgins/Bengals vs Jets '22 example for clarification. The toe-heel rule is real, and in this instance; applied correctly. Now, there can certainly be an argument that the rule needs to removed.
In my opinion, the rule needs to be adjusted or removed. That should be a touchdown for Polk; he got those toes down BEFORE the heel hit the white and out of bounds. Polk's example is a strong one to use to have the rule removed. It's a tough one... just like the Calvin Johnson rule. I can be torn on both. I just can't fathom agreeing that Polk's grab wasn't a touchdown. If that means I am someone that wants the rule gone, then I guess that's what it means. Refs got it right, however. By the book. Tough pill for New England.
Time For Drake Maye To Face The Wolves:
Hopefully the Patriots don't continue to take tough pills, but they might after the decision to start Drake Maye this weekend. All because of a lack of patience and a pressure to win. It's going to backfire in a big way on Jerod Mayo. He is literally going to pause Maye's progression to throw him in against the wolves. It's stupid. Mayo should be demanding more from lackluster OC Alex Van Pelt, not benching Brissett for the prized project.
Patriots have the 31st-worst overall offense in the league. If you think that's because of Brissett, and that Maye will be a savior- then you are a legitimate clown. The offensive line is in utter shambles, with the replacements being pushed around like nothing. New England's arsenal of skill-players is one of the weakest in the entire league. This is the current offensive depth chart that Maye will be takin' the reigns of:
In three weeks, Maye is either going to be hurt, or have internet trolls and dorks like SAS call him a bust. All while hurting his progression in the now, and for the future. I can only sit here and chuckle at the peeps making these decisions for your favorite teams. It's some real nasty work. Poor Drake Maye... may the football gods be with him.
Big Man Rumbles:
The best highlight of WK-5 unequivocally belongs to Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, who broke the internet when he brought out his high-school self on an epic interception return:
video via @NFL//X
Ohhhh, the big dawg had some muscle memory string to life on that run back! The tuck, the acceleration, the sideline tuck awareness... yeah, Saunders definitely used to run the rock back in his amateur days. What burst! Klint Kubiak you better have that drawing board out! Andy Reid style. Saunders can be a huge tool to use on some trick plays. Feed the beast!
Giants Defensive Front Is Mean:
Giants' highly invested three-headed monster on the defensive front is starting to reek havoc on QBs. Big Dex, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux are starting to click together as the trio has helped the Giants win two of its last three games. Offensive lines are having a hell of a time trying to contain the three.
New York currently leads the league with 22 sacks, with Dexter Lawrence having 6 of them (T-2nd in NFL). In the win last week, the G-Men collected 7 sacks, with the trio having 4.5 of them; its presence against the front allowed DT D.J. Davidson to find the created creases to collect 2 sacks himself. Giants finished last season with 34 total sacks; they already have 22 in five games this season... quite an appealing pace. Big time upgrade and a huge energy booster with New York currently possessing the 13th ranked total-defense. Giants success will lean on this defensive front. Burns and KT could elevate Lawrence to 12+ sacks this season; big Dex already is just 1.5 shy of tying his career-high. Gotta love how the three are producing going into a big game against the Bengals, and then a massive one against the rival Eagles.
We have a ton of things happening across the NFL as the season begins to build its mold. Entering WK-6, and we already have a head coach executed. The madness will surely only get crazier. This weekend has a light slate in depth, but some solid gems. Bucs travel to the SuperDome after a heartbreaker in the A; Action Jackson vs. the rookie sensation; and the Lions travel to Arlington to face the 'Boys. Lets find out what type of destruction the next week brings, on and off the gridiron. Leave here with my updated power rankings:
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