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A storm of drama is here to flood the headlines of the NFL! Star veteran receivers got dished before the eve of the trade-deadline window; Cowboys are in shambles; teams are imploding due to bad coaching; and a veteran signal caller is back off the shelf ready to be the ultimate seat filler in what could be a progression pausing motive in Pittsburgh. I have six juicy headlines to get us hype for WK-8 and beyond. Lets roll.
Who pegged the NFC North to be the best division in football right now!? I bet only the football gods themselves. The North is leading the way early on with all four squads rolling as we near the mid-way point of the campaign. The North is currently the best division with all four teams currently qualified for the playoffs.
NFC North is currently the only division that has three teams with a .667% or better win percentage... the North has all four squads in that boat. Vikings are currently undefeated and the NFC 1-seed, while the Lions currently hold the NFC 2-seed, and then we have the Packers and Bears ridin' winning-waves to stay right behind the leaders at 4-2. It's been nice, I haven't had to jot down too many negatives for a change regarding the Bears. They have hit the right switch, despite the win streak being against the bottom of the league in comp.
Chicago has recorded back to back games with 30+ points, and the offense is starting to click with the playmakers beginning to rip up the griddy. Bears now will see that schedule amp up; they got things clicking at the perfect time. A perfect way to utilize the schedule to progression. Packers have been just as good in keeping its season afloat, and in the playoff picture after seeing Jordan Love go down in WK-1. Both the Packers and Bears will see the schedule ramp up. Time for them to prove legitimacy.
We get clarity with the Lions and Vikings as well as the two are set for war this weekend in the first of two season matchups. First one is in Minneapolis. Vikings look for a 6-0 start for the 7th time in 'chise history against a Lions team that is coming off a very-very bittersweet butt-whoopin' of the Cowboys. Lions were ecstatic to destroy the Cowboys on road turf in the fashion they did, but lost its best soldier in the process in Aidan Hutchinson. Hutch looks to be gone for the rest of the season after a nasty fractured tibia injury that required immediate surgery. Gutting for the team to lose a captain and defensive workhorse, and even more gutting for Hutchinson, who is the current NFL sacks leader that was building a DPOTY case weekly. Lions look to move forward and the best way to do that, is by beating the Vikings to even up the standings.
That is a huge mid-season game with some implications! Both teams need that win. If you ask me, the Vikings might need it the most. They win, and they prove they are no early season fluke. A close loss wouldn't prove a fluke, but a win is vital here. It should be a slobber-knocker. It's billed like one, that's forsho. October and November will bring a few barn-burners throughout the NFC North. Lets see if this division is legit!
Walk in your trap, and take over your trap! Words from the wise Kirk Cousins. Kirko is feelin' himself in the A, and the Falcons are beginning to reap the awards from his confidence. After a slow start, Cousins is starting to look comfortable under center for the Birds. Not only is he lookin' comfy; Cousins is slingin' the laces with accuracy and intent. Cousins' passing talent and all-around leadership, is lifting up the receivers and weapons around him in a big way. Zac Robinson is growing as a play-caller all in the same sequence.
Falcons have now won three in a row, all against intra-division opps. The offense ranks 8th, and the squad ranks 11th in points. Zac Robinson has gotten better each week as the PC. It took some time for Cousins to adjust back to his Washington days (similar playbook) and to Robinson's design, but now he seems adjusted to the playbook, and the culture in Atlanta. Just in the nick of time; the Falcons' remaining schedule isn't off the walls difficult.
With Cousins throwing the ball the way he is, the offense will reach good heights. Falcons arguably have one of the more underrated running back duos in Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson- having a pass game will blossom that duo even more. We saw that in loud tone last week. Freeman and Turner type of production. Good news for the Falcons. More good news? Cousins has also targeted Pitts more in the past two weeks, something that has to continue as we see the results. On top of that, Cousins has elevated Drake London to look like a legitimate number-1 wideout (3rd in NFL in receptions). The more swag surfin' we see from Cousins, the higher the Falcons will fly:
video via @mrchriscole//X
Much different vibes in the Cowboys locker-room compared to the Falcons locker-room after each team's WK-6 game. Toxic overload in Dallas after a brutal-brutal performance put up against the Lions at home. Once again, the 'Boys get slaughtered on their own turf. This time, in even worse fashion as the Cowboys faced its' worst loss at home since 1988.
Dallas became the first team since at least 2000 to trail by 14 or more points at halftime in four consecutive games on their home field, playoffs included. Cowboys lost all four. The loss against Detroit was the most embarrassing. They don't have the amount of injuries to excuse a team performance like that. Dak has to be better; he is starting to prove his every other year persona. An 8/6 ratio won't cut it; nor will getting blown out at home. The offense looks bad, and Dan Quinn's departure continues to be known with bad defensive play on the other end.
The once great Mike Zimmer may have officially lost his touch. Zimmer looks to be continuing where he left off after his final two years in Minny... his defense ranks 24th in the NFL going into WK-7, and 30th in points against. Zimmer isn't '09-2019 Zimmer. The defense is a reflection of that. It's not good right now. Dallas has the 25th-worst points differential (-42); Parsons would rather be on a podcast then rehab and return to work; and Schottenheimer's small run is over as he returns to his Jets/Rams days to push Dak to failure.
The season is not over for Dallas as they sit at 3-3 and in the mix of the NFC East, but they have to bounce back from that loss last week and STAT. Many times, a tail whoopin' like that can really spring a step into a team. This needs to be one of those times, or Dallas fans may be in for a rough season. They have the BYE week to think about it & find the right ingredients to cook up a plan... as they return from the recess it's pure and utter warfare to keep the season alive as they travel to San Fran; travel to Atlanta; then take on the Eagles and Texans in Arlington; before traveling again to face the rook and former DC in Landover. This needs to be an epic BYE week. Time to get back on track and forget about last week.
We see Mike Zimmer failing as a play-caller on the defensive for the Cowboys, but we have plenty of cats failing as play-callers on the offensive across the league. Brian Daboll and Kevin Stefanski take the cake for me right now in that regard. Both Stefanski and Daboll need to consider giving up play-calling duties or they could find themselves pouring gas on a likely hot seat. Stefanski more so than Daboll, as the Giants flippin' the duties from Daboll to Mike Kafka has no real positive effect.
The Brad Childress rooted Stefanski needs to throw in the towel if Nick Chubb doesn't come back and save him. Stefanski is killing the offense, and any talent left in Deshaun Watson (if there is any). The cat has proven to be decent in calling the run-game, but has also had Adrian Peterson, prime Dalvin Cook, and Nick Chubb to make that a reality. Without Chubb, the guy is a mess behind the 'sheet. Thankfully, Chubb is slated to make his long-awaiting return from injury this Sunday.
It's hard to tell how much usage Chubb will get; so I expect it to be another rough week with Amari Cooper no longer in the fray. Stefanski can't cut it as a play-caller without a superstar RB, and we continuously question if he can cut it as a head coach. Just rides two fluky seasons that didn't lead to anything (last year especially). Sitting at 1-5, the Browns need to let newly hired Ken Dorsey be the play-caller for the O. It's silly to say otherwise at this point. Lets see what he can do outside of Buffalo. More importantly, lets see what he can do; that Stefanski isn't doing.
The situation in New York is a bit different in my opinion (not in all shades). Considering the offensive weapons and how good Shane Bowen is doing with the defense- I can cut Daboll some slack in terms of a hot seat. I don't think letting Mike Kafka play-call over Daboll will move any needle either. I think it's safe to say Kafka didn't have a ton to do with Mahomes, or Daniel Jones might be to contract value. Firing Daboll shouldn't be in consideration right now; looks like the Giants ride things out. Different in terms of Cleveland; Browns need some change. Giants just need these clouds to past. However, Daboll might not get a YR-4 if he doesn't find a way to produce some winning culture.
Russell Wilson is back from injury and set to potentially start over Justin Fields for the Steelers. This headline has my gears moving. I think it’s idiotic to bench Fields for Wilson after six weeks of solid progression and results from Fields. I respect Justin's modesty, but come on. Wilson got hurt; Fields stepped up and has led the team to a 4-2 start. Steelers' offense ranking 26th is not because of Fields playing poorly; it's because of them enabling Fields and dumbing down the offense.
Pittsburgh's offense finally looked good last week as the team put up 30+ points for the first time this season. Najee Harris finally had some high level production to help open up the offense for Fields. The offense has flowed well with Fields, and his progression has been solid when given the chance to throw beyond the sticks. You can't tell me that Wilson is going to convert some of the conversions Fields has converted in past weeks with his burst and acceleration. Two things that a veteran Wilson lacks compared to Fields.
Taking it back to square one in WK-7 after a 4-2 start just doesn’t make sense to me. Not with knowing that Wilson won't elevate the offense enough for the needle to move. Don't go and call me a hypocrite either. Fields isn't a rookie project; he already was forced to skip that phase. The best thing for Fields, is to be on the field. Unlike with rookies like Maye, who I believe the best thing for them is to be learning on the sideline. Fields going back to the sideline doesn't do any good for his game, nor his progression in the stage the Bears forced him to be in. Bad move Tomlin.
We have a whole 18 days before the trade-deadline, and already have drama on drama. Within hours, we felt the shockwaves from Amari Cooper and Davante Adams being dealt. From shitty days, to bright days; with just a phone call. Both trades root drama, and come with some serious what if potential. Two veteran wide receivers now given a chance to sign off with one final run... for however long those runs may last.
Lets start with Adams. The recent Raiders WR-diva saga is finally over with Davante Adams being dealt to New York for a reunion with Aaron Rodgers (and Hackett). For Vegas, the trade is a "whatever, now it's over" type of trade. Small picture, it's dumb and the team just got rid of it's only real weapon threat on offense over millennial beef (aka silly bs). The get back is always hard to grade in my opinion, due to not knowing the other offers on the table (talk is talk), but with Adams seemingly done with the team- you had to get rid of him, and that contract.
Getting rid of the contract is huge for Vegas, and far more important than the conditional 3rd-rounder. That 3rd-rounder can become a 2nd if Adams makes an All-Pro team this season, or is on a Jets AFC Championship/Super Bowl roster this season. Solid work by Telesco to use that condition to his advantage. Raiders lose that contract, the virus, and have a strong chance of coming out on the better side of that condition. Excellent move for a team rebuilding its culture; can't have a selfish quitter as its pillar. Move forward.
That brings us to some of the outrage; the Jets grade. Why in the hell would you take on Adams' full contract (highest value among WR)? How dumb. Another panic button smashin' motive from Joe Douglas (and Woody Johnson). In effort to get a superstar that likely doesn't have superstar ability anymore (I could be wrong). Domino falling moves in hopes past prime Aaron Rodgers (still good) and Davante Adams can deliver. Just diabolical decision making. Is Mike Williams dead and gone? Yes. Williams had another bad game and just seems like a ghost out there nowadays, but I don't think adding Adams moves the needle far.
Adams can still play-make and will create more opportunities for Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard by drawing coverages- that's an obvious plus. The experience with Rodgers is a plus. Offense should get better with this move, if the offensive line can keep Rodgers upright. I grade the move a B- for the now, but it has the potential to be a D+ if all goes bad. Very risky playing in that front office. It sure would sting to not have any division titles, playoff wins, or Super Bowl wins in the... what? Three year window? Good luck, Woody.
Now on to Cooper. Browns dish Coop to the Bills for picks highlighted by a mid-rounder. For the Browns, its a move that kind of grinds your teeth. Coop had a solid 2-year tenure in the Pound, but never hit strong heights due to frustrating QB-play and bad play-calling that held him back. Big picture, the trade is money for a 1-5 squad that looks doomed. Cooper is headed to Free Agency, and was likely walking from the Browns. Cleveland gets assets before that happens; I'd say better assets than what they gave up for him at that. Browns now have the 2nd-highest available cap right now and could still be in sell mode as we near the trade-deadline. Great trade in terms of the future. For the now... Chubb time.
For the Bills, it's also a money move. Buffalo loads up for what should be another playoff run looming, doing so well in time to help power them in the seed chase as well, in attempt for home-field advantage. Don't even need to think about free agency right now. Giving Allen as many weapons as you can is key. A 3rd-round cost doesn't sting when you are in win-now mode, cha heard. At the very little, it's a rental for a 3rd-rounder that elevates your playoff chances. Not much to debate. Good move; excited to see what Coop can do with JA.
The pot had some major potions of drama be poured in the mix this week. Consider it the eve of the trade-deadline- we should only expect more drama in that regard. The action on the field this weekend should bring some drama too. That nasty TNF matchup is over and done, now we can move on to the real action. Vikings put the zero on the line against the Lions in divisional warfare; Big Red looks to haunt Shanahan some more; and the new look Jets offense (kinda) takes on the 8th ranked defense in the Steel City. LFG!
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