Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their si...

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.<h3>Allen is that dude</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755942/cropped_GettyImages-2185295959.jpg?ts=1731889629" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755942/w220xh124_GettyImages-2185295959.jpg?ts=1731889629 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755942/w320xh180_GettyImages-2185295959.jpg?ts=1731889629 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755942/w640xh360_GettyImages-2185295959.jpg?ts=1731889629 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755942/w768xh432_GettyImages-2185295959.jpg?ts=1731889629 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755942/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2185295959.jpg?ts=1731889629 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Timothy T Ludwig / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>It was only two weeks ago when we talked about Lamar Jackson as the clear front-runner for this year's MVP award. That should probably remain the case, but it's becoming clear that his top competition isn't going to let him run away with it.That top competition is Josh Allen. The Bills quarterback had another signature moment in a big spot Sunday afternoon, helping his team hand the rival Chiefs their first loss of the season. The win moves Buffalo to 9-2, just one game back of Kansas City for the AFC's No. 1 seed.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>I was, admittedly, among the many who weren't all that high on the Bills heading into this campaign. In retrospect, it looks like a bad take, but there was plenty of reason to think this might be a transition year in Buffalo. The coaching staff deserves all the credit in the world for guiding the defense through major personnel losses on the back end. A productive run game, along with the addition of Amari Cooper, has helped the offense work past some shortcomings at receiver.But none of that is as important as the factor that, above all else, will make this team a Super Bowl contender year after year: having one of the two best quarterbacks on the planet.Allen's development into the player he is after an Anthony Richardson-like start to his career doesn't get nearly enough attention. He has as much arm talent as any quarterback in league history and is a nightmare to defend as a runner. As we saw against the Chiefs, the biggest moments are when Allen does his best work. He throws on the Superman cape and refuses to be denied.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
On 4th &amp; 2 with 2:27 left in regulation, Josh Allen dropped back before breaking off a 26-yard TD run. Allen had just a 1.2% chance of scoring a touchdown once he tucked the ball to run. It was Allen's first scramble TD run against the Chiefs in his career. Powered by <a href="https://twitter.com/awscloud?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@awscloud</a> <a href="https://t.co/xGduuXq6Bb">pic.twitter.com/xGduuXq6Bb</a>— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) <a href="https://twitter.com/NextGenStats/status/1858306931460649092?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>This level of inevitability, always coming through and elevating everyone around him, is as close as it gets to Patrick Mahomes. Allen now has four wins over the Chiefs signal-caller, the most of any opponent. Sunday's 30-point output was also the most Kansas City has given up since Oct. 3, 2022, against Tom Brady.Allen will be considered a tier below his biggest rival until he can translate the regular-season success into the playoffs, but that may only be a matter of time.The Bills know they can hang with the champs, and they have everything they need to get a Lombardi Trophy of their own this year.<h3>Chargers are here</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755998/cropped_GettyImages-2185317341.jpg?ts=1731906512" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755998/w220xh124_GettyImages-2185317341.jpg?ts=1731906512 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755998/w320xh180_GettyImages-2185317341.jpg?ts=1731906512 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755998/w640xh360_GettyImages-2185317341.jpg?ts=1731906512 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755998/w768xh432_GettyImages-2185317341.jpg?ts=1731906512 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755998/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2185317341.jpg?ts=1731906512 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Jim Harbaugh is building something special.The Chargers head coach would've been forgiven if he needed a year or two to get things in order after inheriting a mess from Brandon Staley. That's certainly what the majority of the football world was expecting.But this team doesn't care about our timelines. A big win over the Bengals on Sunday night should eliminate any remaining doubt about the speed with which the Chargers could turn things around and emerge as a legitimate threat in the AFC. They're already here.The immediate ascent on defense, in particular, has been incredible. Jesse Minter's arrival as defensive coordinator has helped this group go from 28th in EPA/play in 2023 to third this season, according to TruMedia.The offense has required a little patience, as the Chargers started the year with a more traditional run-heavy approach. That'll always be a part of Harbaugh's philosophy, but the coaching staff has slowly begun to open things up for their superstar quarterback, and we saw the result Sunday night.It was one big-time throw after another for Justin Herbert, providing an important reminder of how spectacular he can be with some semblance of stability around him. And it's only going to get better.The Chargers looking this good and effectively being locked into a playoff spot in the first season of this new regime bodes extremely well for what's to come. Think about what this team might look like when the front office gets the chance to add a few more weapons alongside its top-five quarterback. Or when the defense can improve its talent in the secondary.Harbaugh may soon have another powerhouse program.<h3>Quick slants</h3>The real best chance to win<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755877/cropped_GettyImages-2185281591.jpg?ts=1731906571" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755877/w220xh124_GettyImages-2185281591.jpg?ts=1731906571 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755877/w320xh180_GettyImages-2185281591.jpg?ts=1731906571 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755877/w640xh360_GettyImages-2185281591.jpg?ts=1731906571 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755877/w768xh432_GettyImages-2185281591.jpg?ts=1731906571 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755877/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2185281591.jpg?ts=1731906571 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Al Bello / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Anthony Richardson's performance upon returning to the lineup this week was an example of why his future is still so bright. Richardson played the best game of his young career in leading the Colts to a crucial win over the Jets, making his presence felt as a runner and passer. The sophomore quarterback was much improved in the accuracy department, in particular, going an impressive 9 of 12 for 185 yards on passes traveling 10-plus yards downfield, according to <a data-in-app-uri="" href="">Next Gen Stats</a>. There will continue to be ups and downs, but this is why you let a player like this work through the issues. The upside is undeniable.Nix heating upThe Broncos selecting Bo Nix with the No. 12 pick in this year's draft was largely met with skepticism. Don't look now, but the rookie quarterback is on track to make the doubters look silly. Sean Payton deserves a lot of credit, as the play designs in this offense routinely have receivers running free in rhythm. But make no mistake, Nix is getting better every week. His continued ascent culminated in a 38-6 drubbing of the Falcons this week, with Nix recording his first 300-yard game and posting the most dropback EPA (23.3) of any rookie quarterback this season, according to TruMedia. It should be noted that this production is also coming before Denver truly has the opportunity to load up on playmakers around him.Addition by subtractionThe Bears came up short this week, as a blocked kick extended their losing streak against the Packers in heartbreaking fashion. However, the result is secondary to Chicago's offensive improvements. The decision to have Thomas Brown take over as offensive coordinator for Shane Waldron provided immediate results. Most notably, Caleb Williams looked a lot more comfortable in the pocket. He was seemingly given more answers to get rid of the ball in rhythm and had no hesitation about taking off to scramble when things broke down. This is how you set your young quarterback up for success with a struggling offensive line. Better late than never.Unfamiliar territoryJustin Tucker wasn't going to be able to do it forever, and it was only a matter of time before the best kicker in NFL history started to fall off. Unfortunately for the Ravens, it seems to be happening at a time when they have a legitimate chance to go on a Super Bowl run. Tucker's pair of missed field goals made the difference in Sunday's two-point loss to the Steelers. That makes it six misses on the year, one short of his career worst. Baltimore can't afford to leave that many points on the field against teams it could meet in the AFC playoffs.Dolphins still alive<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755891/cropped_GettyImages-2185265375.jpg?ts=1731881883" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755891/w220xh124_GettyImages-2185265375.jpg?ts=1731881883 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755891/w320xh180_GettyImages-2185265375.jpg?ts=1731881883 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755891/w640xh360_GettyImages-2185265375.jpg?ts=1731881883 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755891/w768xh432_GettyImages-2185265375.jpg?ts=1731881883 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/755891/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2185265375.jpg?ts=1731881883 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Rich Storry / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Miami's offense has quietly gotten back on track since Tua Tagovailoa's return. The Dolphins put up a season-high 34 points in Sunday's win over the Raiders, with a short end-of-half possession in the second quarter being the only one that didn't end in a score. This team's still a long shot for the playoffs at 4-6, but the offense returning to this level of play at least gives it an opportunity to run off some wins down the stretch. A finishing schedule that includes two games against the Jets and matchups with the Patriots and Browns also helps their chances.Bowers already eliteDon't let the sad state of the Raiders cause you to overlook the instant superstar production from their first-round pick. Brock Bowers was at it again Sunday in Miami, recording 13 receptions for 126 yards and one touchdown. The monster performance set a new single-game record for catches by a rookie tight end and already puts him up to 70 on the year. That's second only to Ja'Marr Chase among all pass catchers this season. Jayden Daniels remains the front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, and deservedly so, but Bowers has been equally impressive. His rare combination of route-running skills and playmaking ability after the catch is already making him one of the best tight ends in the game.Making it look easyThe Lions had to find a different way to get it done last week, winning despite five interceptions from Jared Goff. A matchup with the Jaguars defense provided the perfect opportunity to get things back on track this week. Goff was nearly perfect, completing 24 of 29 passes for 412 yards and four touchdowns. Detroit also put up 196 rushing yards in the 52-6 rout. The club's 645 yards of total offense are the most league-wide this season, and Sunday's yardage differential (plus-475) is the biggest margin in a game since 1979. The Jaguars may qualify as a helpless opponent, but there's no denying that this Lions offense is a wagon.Leaving the door openThe Falcons know how to punish those who dare to believe. Following up last week's loss to the Saints with a blowout defeat in Denver suddenly has Atlanta sitting at 6-5 and at risk of surrendering its stranglehold on the division. Earning a tiebreaker over Tampa Bay by sweeping the season series gives the Falcons a bit of room for error, but it's fading fast. December games against the Chargers, Vikings, and Commanders will present a major challenge if the recent run of play continues. The Bucs, who may have Mike Evans back in the lineup next week, finish the year with the second-easiest schedule in football. The NFC South is still very much up for grabs.NFC West madnessGeno Smith didn't have any interest in letting his team fall out of the playoff race. The Seahawks quarterback took over late in Sunday's game against the 49ers, capping an 80-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown scamper with seconds to play. Smith's heroics allowed Seattle to improve to 5-5. Equally as important, the result dropped the 49ers to 5-5. With the Rams also sitting at 5-5, creating a three-way tie one game back of the first-place Cardinals, the NFC West is shaping up for a fascinating finish. All four have looked like playoff teams at one point or another. Can at least one find some consistency down the stretch?<h3>Stat of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Winning % as Jets starting QB: Zach Wilson .364 Sam Darnold .342 Aaron Rodgers .273— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) <a href="https://twitter.com/StevePalazzolo_/status/1858256527766790330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>

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Key takeaways and analysis from Week 11 in the NFL

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.<h3>All they do is win</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754634/cropped_GettyImages-2184051743.jpg?ts=1731271652" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754634/w220xh124_GettyImages-2184051743.jpg?ts=1731271652 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754634/w320xh180_GettyImages-2184051743.jpg?ts=1731271652 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754634/w640xh360_GettyImages-2184051743.jpg?ts=1731271652 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754634/w768xh432_GettyImages-2184051743.jpg?ts=1731271652 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754634/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2184051743.jpg?ts=1731271652 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The Chiefs are inevitable.We've known this to be true for years, but it somehow doesn't get any easier to believe. They're just built different.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Broncos did everything right. Vance Joseph's defense was once again swarming. Denver put Patrick Mahomes under pressure on 40.8% of dropbacks, the highest rate he's faced since Week 8 of last season, according to Next Gen Stats. The result: Kansas City was limited to a season-low 16 points.The Broncos' offense did its part, too. Bo Nix wasn't spectacular, but he avoided catastrophic mistakes and made a few big passes. Trailing by two, getting the offense in position for a 35-yard field-goal try as time expired should've been enough for the win. But this is the Chiefs we're talking about.The coaching prowess and seemingly infectious knack for making big plays also extends to Dave Toub's special teams unit. An incredible surge off the left side saw the Chiefs break through for the game-winning block, keeping their undefeated run alive in thrilling fashion.Squeaking by Denver marks Kansas City's seventh one-score victory this season. Leaning so heavily on tightly contested wins has typically been both unsustainable and a surefire sign of impending regression. But that's for all of the normal teams.Is anyone really betting against the Chiefs finishing the perfect season? This team doesn't know anything other than winning. The Patriots vibes are real.<h3>Tomlin, too</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754643/cropped_GettyImages-2184038643.jpg?ts=1731273850" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754643/w220xh124_GettyImages-2184038643.jpg?ts=1731273850 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754643/w320xh180_GettyImages-2184038643.jpg?ts=1731273850 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754643/w640xh360_GettyImages-2184038643.jpg?ts=1731273850 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754643/w768xh432_GettyImages-2184038643.jpg?ts=1731273850 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754643/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2184038643.jpg?ts=1731273850 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Speaking of teams that always find a way, how about those Steelers?Sunday's game in Washington marked Pittsburgh's first real test with Russell Wilson at the helm. Sure, beating two bad New York clubs at home was fun, but it's not quite the same measuring stick as playing one of the league's hottest teams on the road.To the surprise of no one who's ever watched a Mike Tomlin-coached team, the Steelers were up to the task.Wilson's limitations showed up at various times throughout the day. The Commanders' consistent pressure highlighted his lack of pocket presence and improv skills at this point in his career. And we're long past a point where we should be expecting him to ever make use of the middle of the field.But here's the thing: It doesn't much matter in Pittsburgh. It might be different in other situations, as was the case for the last two years in Denver. But as a team that understands its identity - running the ball and playing good defense - all the Steelers need from Russ is the one thing he still does best. And does he ever still throw a beautiful deep ball.This is exactly why Mike Williams was the perfect addition at the trade deadline. He's not a complement to George Pickens in the traditional sense - they're both dominant ball-winners who can stretch the field on the boundary. But Williams torching the Commanders for the go-ahead 32-yard TD late in the fourth quarter offered a glimpse of the good things to come.Tomlin has been proven right by turning to Wilson as his starter. More importantly, though, he knows exactly how to win with him: lean all the way into the things Russ does best. There's a reason Tomlin has never had a losing season in the NFL.Now 7-2, Pittsburgh's floor seems to be an AFC wild-card spot. Next week's game against the Ravens will tell us a lot about the team's ceiling.<h3>Time for change</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754647/cropped_GettyImages-2184059233.jpg?ts=1731301339" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754647/w220xh124_GettyImages-2184059233.jpg?ts=1731301339 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754647/w320xh180_GettyImages-2184059233.jpg?ts=1731301339 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754647/w640xh360_GettyImages-2184059233.jpg?ts=1731301339 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754647/w768xh432_GettyImages-2184059233.jpg?ts=1731301339 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754647/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2184059233.jpg?ts=1731301339 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>There's nothing left to see in Chicago, folks.Some teams don't like to fire coaches during the season - it's admittedly a pretty rough look. And if you want to be optimistic, the Bears are only one game below .500.But that won't pass the smell test for anyone who's had the misfortune of watching this team. More importantly, delaying the inevitable won't do your young quarterback any favors.The changes should, of course, start at offensive coordinator immediately. Shane Waldron has been a disaster hire, and things are only getting worse. Chicago has been the worst offense in football in the three games since a schedule-assisted win streak, and it's not even close.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754742/Screenshot_2024-11-10_at_10.11.05_PM.jpg?ts=1731294698" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754742/Screenshot_2024-11-10_at_10.11.05_PM.jpg?ts=1731294698 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754742/Screenshot_2024-11-10_at_10.11.05_PM.jpg?ts=1731294698 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754742/Screenshot_2024-11-10_at_10.11.05_PM.jpg?ts=1731294698 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754742/Screenshot_2024-11-10_at_10.11.05_PM.jpg?ts=1731294698 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754742/Screenshot_2024-11-10_at_10.11.05_PM.jpg?ts=1731294698 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption">Offensive EPA, Weeks 8-10 (via TruMedia) </figcaption></figure>Caleb Williams hasn't thrown a touchdown since Oct. 13 in London. While the hope with any superstar prospect is that he shows the ability to elevate his surroundings, it's tough to feel like he has much of a chance in this rapidly deteriorating situation. The offensive line is a mess, and the scheme has shown no ability to mask those deficiencies.Matt Eberflus will probably avoid getting shown the door until the end of the season, but what does that accomplish? Waldron was Eberflus' second offensive coordinator hire, and he's somehow been even worse than Luke Getsy. Eberflus will get credit for his defense, but that unit has given up 526 rushing yards over the last three games.The issues clearly start at the top. A 19-3 home loss to a team like the Patriots offers a great opportunity to make a change and try to avoid a truly damaging experience for this roster's most important player.Sitting back and watching a young team get worse every week isn't an option.<h3>Quick slants</h3>Team of destiny<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754761/cropped_GettyImages-2184094072.jpg?ts=1731299574" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754761/w220xh124_GettyImages-2184094072.jpg?ts=1731299574 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754761/w320xh180_GettyImages-2184094072.jpg?ts=1731299574 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754761/w640xh360_GettyImages-2184094072.jpg?ts=1731299574 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754761/w768xh432_GettyImages-2184094072.jpg?ts=1731299574 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754761/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2184094072.jpg?ts=1731299574 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Alex Slitz / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Detroit was the team that could do no wrong for the last six games. Jared Goff threw 22 incompletions over that stretch, while the Lions put up 26 touchdowns. That's not the team we saw Sunday night against the Texans. With the run game bottled up and the offense almost exclusively in his hands, Goff's decision-making crumbled. His five interceptions were the most since Jameis Winston in 2019. Yet the Lions managed to stay in it and win anyway. That makes Goff just the third QB this century (Matt Ryan - 2012, Tony Romo - 2007) to win a game while throwing five picks. If that isn't enough for a fellow contender to put away this squad, it's tough to imagine many teams being able to hang with them in far less wacky games. The Lions are the team to beat in the NFC, and they're probably the Chiefs' biggest obstacle to a three-peat.It's so overThe Jets were already cooked heading into this week, so it's not like we're breaking new ground here. But the result in Arizona leaves no doubt whatsoever. Faced with an opportunity to build off a big win over Houston and at least keep hope alive for a miraculous second half, New York put forth its most pathetic effort yet. The offense managed all of two field goals, while the defense was routinely picked apart en route to a 31-6 loss. The Jets are a bad football team with a 41-year-old quarterback who'll account for $49 million in dead money in 2025 with a release or retirement, according to Over The Cap. They'll get a few wins with a favorable schedule down the stretch, but at what cost? Any victory from here does little more than push them out of position to draft a new quarterback. That'd be an oddly fitting cherry on top of a wildly disappointing Aaron Rodgers era in New York.Cardinals deserve respectDiving into the sad state of the Jets is a necessity, but that's not to say their issues were the only story in Sunday's game. The Cardinals have quietly emerged as one of the most enjoyable teams in football. Kyler Murray looks more and more like his old self with every passing week, and his connection with Marvin Harrison Jr. is slowly becoming what we'd all hoped heading into the season. The defense, meanwhile, hasn't allowed a touchdown in three straight home games. That marks the first time the Cardinals have accomplished that feat <a href="https://x.com/CardsMarkD/status/1855764306241147199">since</a> 1926. This is a frisky team that nobody will want to meet in January. Give them another year to build the roster, and we could be looking at a nice window for contention.Baker did everything he couldThe Bucs ultimately came up short in their bid to shock the 49ers in Christian McCaffrey's return. But while a pedestrian stat line from Baker Mayfield won't turn heads, it should be noted that the box score doesn't do justice to his crunch-time efforts. The Bucs quarterback willed the offense down the field on a late game-tying field-goal drive, with the highlight being a truly heroic effort to hold off Nick Bosa on fourth down and deliver a strike to move the chains.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
BAKER &amp; RACHAAD KEEP IT ALIVE 🤯 📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SFvsTB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SFvsTB</a> on FOX <a href="https://t.co/9tQ4uwNm6s">pic.twitter.com/9tQ4uwNm6s</a>— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Buccaneers/status/1855713182188183741?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>An injury-ravaged offense is bound to look better with Mike Evans' expected return after next week's bye, at which point Mayfield will start getting some love for his impressive level of play. But a 4-6 record means the Bucs may have to be perfect from here on out to give themselves a chance at the playoffs.We're done here<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754608/cropped_GettyImages-2183361380.jpg?ts=1731263250" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754608/w220xh124_GettyImages-2183361380.jpg?ts=1731263250 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754608/w320xh180_GettyImages-2183361380.jpg?ts=1731263250 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754608/w640xh360_GettyImages-2183361380.jpg?ts=1731263250 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754608/w768xh432_GettyImages-2183361380.jpg?ts=1731263250 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/754608/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2183361380.jpg?ts=1731263250 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> DeFodi Images / DeFodi Images / Getty</figcaption></figure>It's tough to watch Daniel Jones play football. That's nothing new for the majority of us. Don't be surprised if the Giants finally decide they've seen enough, too. Another frustrating day from Jones in Germany was ultimately the difference in an embarrassing loss to the Panthers. The Giants, now 2-8, have nothing to lose by seeing if Drew Lock can provide a spark under center. There's also no reason for them to risk an injury that could lock Jones in for another $23 million in guarantees, according to Over The Cap. The decision seems obvious, but we could probably say that about a lot of things the Giants have done wrong over the years.McCarthy's injury looms largeAny MVP talk surrounding Sam Darnold was always a little excessive, but the early-season hype was well-warranted. The veteran quarterback had been playing better than anyone could've expected and was a key factor in Minnesota's 5-0 start. While the Vikings may still be headed for a playoff berth, the quarterback play has taken a turn for the worse. Darnold nearly gave away Sunday's game against the Jaguars, coughing up three interceptions to the NFL's worst defense by EPA/pass. His decision-making is becoming a real problem, but the preseason injury to rookie first-rounder J.J. McCarthy means the Vikings have no choice but to ride this out. Their ceiling will depend on how hot (or not) Darnold is in January. That's a dangerous game to play.tHe BeSt ChAnCe To WiNI hate to bring this up again (no I don't), but it needs to be said. The Colts explained the strange move to bench Anthony Richardson by going to an old Coach Speak staple: Joe Flacco gives them the best chance to win. Two weeks later, how's that working out for them? Flacco turned the ball over four times in Sunday's loss to the Bills, Indy's second straight defeat. For those keeping score at home, Richardson has never turned the ball over that many times in a game. The sophomore quarterback undoubtedly has a lot to clean up. Taking a seat after only 10 starts and watching from the sideline as a 39-year-old quarterback serves up turnovers probably won't help him do that. Play the kid.The fired-coach boost?It's real. It has to be. What other explanation could there possibly be for this version of the Saints beating a legitimately good Falcons team? (Ignore the fact that Younghoe Koo missed three field goals in the three-point loss.) We should all choose to believe that dumping your head coach, assuming said head coach wasn't well-liked in the locker room, inevitably results in an emotions-driven one-game uptick in performance. There are at least five teams in the league right now who could justify testing the theory for us. Take your pick.<h3>Stat of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Per <a href="https://twitter.com/NextGenStats?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NextGenStats</a>, Russell Wilson ranks 6th in total EPA gained on throws of 20+ yards. He has played 3 games.— Robert Mays (@robertmays) <a href="https://twitter.com/robertmays/status/1855732714395128214?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Quote of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Darren Rizzi said he clogged the toilet in the head coach’s locker room when he got to the stadium today and thought “this is going to be a crappy day.”— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kat_Terrell/status/1855724979209535728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>

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Key takeaways and analysis from Week 10 in the NFL

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.<h3>MV3?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753361/cropped_GettyImages-2182079139.jpg?ts=1730675827" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753361/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182079139.jpg?ts=1730675827 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753361/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182079139.jpg?ts=1730675827 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753361/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182079139.jpg?ts=1730675827 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753361/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182079139.jpg?ts=1730675827 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753361/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182079139.jpg?ts=1730675827 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> AAron Ontiveroz / Denver Post / Getty</figcaption></figure>The MVP race isn't much of a race at all as we pass the season's unofficial halfway mark.A few candidates are making interesting cases, including some pleasant surprises, like Jared Goff and Jayden Daniels. But Lamar Jackson remains in a tier of his own. It's not every day you see a two-time MVP taking his game to another level and playing the best football of his career.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>This week's matchup against Denver's top-ranked defense by EPA/play had the appearance of an intriguing test heading into the game. But it took all of two quarters to confirm that it would simply be another day at the office for the Ravens' offense. Jackson was in complete control, throwing three touchdowns while completing 16 of 19 passes for 280 yards and a ridiculous 14.7 yards per attempt.Lamar has been especially spectacular over the last five weeks, leading the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns during that span. He also tops all quarterbacks in EPA/dropback through nine games. The only comparable starts in league history are from some of the best QB seasons we've ever seen.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753412/Screenshot_2024-11-03_at_10.05.13_PM.jpg?ts=1730689563" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753412/Screenshot_2024-11-03_at_10.05.13_PM.jpg?ts=1730689563 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753412/Screenshot_2024-11-03_at_10.05.13_PM.jpg?ts=1730689563 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753412/Screenshot_2024-11-03_at_10.05.13_PM.jpg?ts=1730689563 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753412/Screenshot_2024-11-03_at_10.05.13_PM.jpg?ts=1730689563 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753412/Screenshot_2024-11-03_at_10.05.13_PM.jpg?ts=1730689563 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption">via TruMedia </figcaption></figure>There's still plenty of time, and we've seen MVP front-runners fall off before, but Jackson is well on his way to becoming only the seventh player in NFL history to win the award three times. Matching Tom Brady's career total by his age-27 season would be one heck of an achievement for a perennially under-appreciated player.In many ways, Jackson's legacy as one of the best players of this generation is already locked in. The fact that he only keeps getting better bodes extremely well for his chances of getting over the hump in the playoffs sooner rather than later.Could this finally be the year?<h3>As bleak as it gets</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753365/cropped_GettyImages-2182710173.jpg?ts=1730677115" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753365/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182710173.jpg?ts=1730677115 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753365/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182710173.jpg?ts=1730677115 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753365/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182710173.jpg?ts=1730677115 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753365/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182710173.jpg?ts=1730677115 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753365/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182710173.jpg?ts=1730677115 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Grant Halverson / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Do you find yourself down in the dumps about the state of your favorite team? Are you wondering how it could get any worse? Try being the Saints.Sunday's result in Carolina made it seven straight losses after an exciting and ultimately misleading 2-0 start. Injuries have been a factor in this skid, but falling to this version of the Panthers in Derek Carr's return to the lineup is just about as bad as it gets. The worst part - there's no way out.Some truly reckless salary-cap management dating back to the Sean Payton era has put this organization in an unfathomable position when it comes to roster building. New Orleans is already $61 million over the projected salary cap for next season, according to Over The Cap.It's become something of a yearly tradition for the Saints. You'll hear people claim the salary cap isn't real, suggesting that teams move money around to get under the cap all the time. But long-term negligence eventually catches up to you, and that's what the Saints are experiencing right now.Contractual obligations have been pushed to the future so regularly that cutting big-name players doesn't even create salary-cap space at this point. The only way for the Saints to get under the cap, which is a must before the start of every new league year, is to restructure contracts and push even more money to the future. That means doubling and tripling down on commitments to players you may not even want around.It's going to take several years for this organization to clean up the mess it created for itself. So, while you can certainly call for personnel changes, like the seemingly inevitable firing of Dennis Allen, it's fair to wonder which top coaching candidate will sign up for this.The Saints could be headed for a long spell in the basement.Editor's note: The Saints reportedly <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3117627" href="https://thescore.com/news/3117627">fired</a> Dennis Allen on Monday.<h3>What did you expect?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753398/cropped_GettyImages-2181619181.jpg?ts=1730682609" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753398/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181619181.jpg?ts=1730682609 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753398/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181619181.jpg?ts=1730682609 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753398/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181619181.jpg?ts=1730682609 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753398/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181619181.jpg?ts=1730682609 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753398/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181619181.jpg?ts=1730682609 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jack Gorman / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The Colts made the curious decision to bench Anthony Richardson in favor of Joe Flacco heading into Sunday night's game against the Vikings.I wrote about the move earlier in the week, laying out the apparently controversial <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3112912" href="https://thescore.com/news/3112912">case against turning to Flacco</a>. While I understand many were tired of watching Richardson complete less than 50% of his passes and eager to make a big deal about him tapping out for a play, the potential payoff wasn't worth sitting a player who needs reps to develop. That's exactly what we saw play out on national TV.Is Flacco going to complete more passes? Sure. He put up a much improved and not at all similar 59.2% rate this week. He also chipped in an interception while leading Indy's offense to a pair of field goals. In total, the Colts posted a season-low negative-0.35 EPA/play on offense, according to <a href="https://x.com/minakimes/status/1853290154930123106">ESPN's Mina Kimes</a>.None of this is meant to blast Flacco. He is what he is at this point in his career: an extremely fine QB who's ideally no more than your backup. And it's worth mentioning that the Vikings' defense presents a difficult matchup for any opponent.Even if Richardson wasn't completing enough passes, his athleticism could have been useful on designed runs and as a means of dealing with Minnesota's pressure packages. Instead, we all have to pretend that Richardson will learn something watching from the sideline as a 39-year-old veteran plays mediocre football.The Colts sit at 4-5 heading into a meeting with the Bills, further illustrating that there really isn't anything to be gained from playing a marginally better passer if it comes at the expense of the player who's supposed to represent your future. Realistically, this team isn't going anywhere this season. At best, Indy is probably looking at a one-and-done appearance in the wild-card round. Is maximizing that limited potential more important than seeing things through with a supremely talented 22-year-old quarterback?Smart teams should be calling the Colts before Tuesday's trade deadline to see how genuine they are about their belief in Richardson. The handling of this situation calls that into question.<h3>Quick slants</h3>Look how far they've come<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753388/cropped_GettyImages-2182102734.jpg?ts=1730681063" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753388/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182102734.jpg?ts=1730681063 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753388/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182102734.jpg?ts=1730681063 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753388/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182102734.jpg?ts=1730681063 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753388/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182102734.jpg?ts=1730681063 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753388/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182102734.jpg?ts=1730681063 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Remember when Detroit rolling into Green Bay pretty much guaranteed a win for the home side? Times certainly have changed. Another outstanding effort by the Lions gave them their third straight road win in Green Bay, the first time they've accomplished that feat since 1988. Maybe it's a different game without the rain, or if a groin injury doesn't hobble Jordan Love. But don't be so sure. Detroit's offense isn't making mistakes right now. Jared Goff has thrown just 24 incompletions during the team's six-game win streak. The Lions' offense has 28 touchdowns over that stretch. This is the most complete team in football right now and should be everyone's favorite to come out of the NFC.Commanders keep getting betterIt may be hard to believe, but this Commanders team is absolutely for real. It's not just the offense, either. Washington's defense didn't get off to the best of starts this season, ranking a distant last place in EPA/play over the first three weeks, according to TruMedia. That same group is tied for seventh over the six weeks since. Dan Quinn may not have seemed like the most spectacular hire, but the results speak for themselves. The efficiency of this turnaround should provide hope for all the other sad-sack franchises in the game today. Making the right hire at head coach and hitting on your QB pick in the draft can be all you need to get rolling.More of the sameSomething had to give. Chicago's offense entered this week ranked 29th in pressures allowed, while Arizona's defense was 30th in defensive pressure rate. But anyone who's spent any time watching the Bears this season can probably guess how this one shook out. Even the favorable matchup in Arizona wasn't enough to get the protection plan sorted out, as Caleb Williams was again under constant duress.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Wow. <a href="https://twitter.com/NextGenStats?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NextGenStats</a> says *16* different Cardinals got a pressure against the Bears this Sunday. Most individual players to get a pressure for a defense since 2018. Cardinals walked into the game with a 26.6% pressure rate and pressured Caleb on 46% of dropbacks— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenjaminSolak/status/1853235409989284086?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>As if you needed another reason to doubt the competence of this coaching staff, Williams remained in the game throughout the 29-9 loss and limped off the field after getting banged up on the final play. The Bears must make major changes to avoid wasting one of the league's brightest young talents.Herbert ballingThe Chargers leaning so heavily on the run game isn't going to get Justin Herbert as much recognition as he deserves, so we'll attempt to make up for it here. Finally afforded some stability with a new coaching staff, Herbert is unsurprisingly playing at an All-Pro level. There are multiple throws in every Chargers game, no matter what the final stats say, that offer a reminder of his standing among the NFL's best. Give the Chargers an offseason to add weapons around him, and the elite-level production will likely follow. At that point, there will be little argument against his case as one of the top-five quarterbacks in the game today.Rams building something<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753430/cropped_GettyImages-2182727152.jpg?ts=1730696786" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753430/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182727152.jpg?ts=1730696786 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753430/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182727152.jpg?ts=1730696786 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753430/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182727152.jpg?ts=1730696786 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753430/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182727152.jpg?ts=1730696786 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/753430/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182727152.jpg?ts=1730696786 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Steph Chambers / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>You've already seen high praise for the Rams' drafting prowess in this space, but it's worth rehashing after this week. This was supposed to be a rough year for Los Angeles' defense. How could we expect anything different after an already thin group lost an all-time great? The rapid growth of this Rams defense, led by Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite Jared Verse, has been one of the best stories of this season. And Sunday's effort may be the unit's most impressive yet, as L.A. got to Geno Smith for seven sacks and three interceptions before coming up with a huge fourth-down stop in overtime. The defense's knack for making big plays will allow the Rams to compete if the offensive skill players stay healthy.Not quite readyA 5-3 start made the Broncos one of the NFL's most pleasant surprises over the season's first month. They may challenge for a playoff spot down the stretch, but this week's result suggests the hot start was at least a little bit inflated by a favorable schedule. The defensive magic ran out against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, with Denver giving up points on seven straight drives from the middle of the first quarter on. And this isn't the kind of offense that'll stand much of a chance in a shootout. Sean Payton has the Broncos heading in the right direction, but it's going to take some time.Deadline shaping up nicelyThe argument for pushing back the NFL trade deadline has always been that a few extra weeks could help teams better understand how they stack up for the stretch run. There should be no uncertainty on that front this year. Through nine weeks, there are already 11 teams with at least six wins. On the other end of the spectrum, nine clubs have two victories. There's a real opportunity for the trade market to pick up in a big way before Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.A surprise trade candidate?Recent trades involving the biggest names available at receiver have the potential to impact the excitement of deadline day. But can we be sure that the crystal-clear divide between contenders and pretenders won't lead to a surprise deal or two? It's a long shot, but what about Tyreek Hill? The Dolphins are pretty much cooked at 2-6, and their offense doesn't have the same juice as years past. Hill hasn't managed anything close to his typical impact, even when Tua Tagovailoa has been on the field. Could a Dolphins team that needs to reset the roster and the cap situation potentially be open to an offer while Hill's value is still in the neighborhood of a premium draft pick? He could be the one player the Chiefs are willing to go all-out to get.<h3>Stat of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Most losses as starting QB thru: 4 seasons: David Carr 43 5 seasons: David Carr 53 6 seasons: David Carr 56 7 seasons: Derek Carr 63 8 seasons: Derek Carr 70 9 seasons: Derek Carr 79 10 seasons: Derek Carr 87 11 seasons: Derek Carr and Archie Manning 91— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshDubowAP/status/1853189055342948761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>

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Key takeaways and analysis from Week 9 in the NFL

It took 10 games for the Colts to decide they've seen enough of Anthony Richardson. At least for ...

It took 10 games for the Colts to decide they've seen enough of Anthony Richardson. At least for now. Indianapolis responded to the sophomore quarterback's latest stinker - a 10-for-32 showing in a narrow loss to the Texans - by announcing Joe Flacco is <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3112869" href="https://thescore.com/news/3112869">taking over</a> as the starter "going forward." This probably isn't a brief reset, in other words.On one hand, it's easy to see why the Colts felt the need to make a change. Richardson's completing a putrid 44.4% of his passes across six starts this season, the worst rate from a QB with 100-plus pass attempts since Josh Freeman in 2013. Jacoby Brissett holds the second-lowest mark in the league this season at 59.1%.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Indy's offense operated at a much more consistent level in Flacco's three appearances this year, with the 17-year veteran completing passes at a 65.7% clip while posting a 7-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Richardson's thrown only four touchdowns to seven picks in comparison.That's the rationale. And clear as it may be, none of it justifies the move. Not when you're trying to build a sustained winner.It's tough to imagine the ceiling for the 2024 Colts with a 39-year-old Flacco being any higher than abbreviated playoff appearance. If all of this leads to a Wild Card Weekend beatdown in Buffalo or Baltimore, what exactly is accomplished in the long view? Another playoff participation <a href="https://www.thescore.com/nfl/news/779605">banner</a>?The Colts should have understood better than anyone that Richardson would need time to realize his potential. Remember, we're talking about a QB prospect who made the jump to the NFL after only 13 starts in college. Unicorn-like physical skills were more than enough to make Indy overlook his lack of experience, but live reps were always going to be essential to help him work through accuracy, timing, and decision-making issues.He can't be expected to do that watching from the sidelines, and Flacco stepping into the starting role means there likely won't be any first-team practice reps for Richardson, either.The Colts will continue to say they believe in Richardson and that sending him to the bench doesn't mean they're giving up on him. Maybe that's true. But benching him after 10 games has the potential to sabotage his development.If you're willing to look beyond the numbers and truly assess what we're seeing on Sundays, all the raw traits of a high-level quarterback are still readily apparent. Richardson's arm talent remains as good as it gets. His pocket management is miles better than most passers with such limited experience. He also has the athleticism to create outside of structure, an essential skill for top QB play in today's game.Truth is, we're probably not even having this discussion if Richardson's receivers didn't let him down on several occasions against Houston when he was accurate with the ball. Instead, he pulled himself from the game for a quick breather - a quarterback faux pas he surely won't make again - and that ends up seeming like a factor in his benching.If you can't get past the disappointing stats, fair enough. They're very bad! But it's worth remembering that there's another quarterback - in this very same mold, no less - who overcame an oddly similar start to become one of the best on the planet:<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752666/Screenshot_2024-10-30_at_4.58.52_PM.jpg?ts=1730321973" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752666/Screenshot_2024-10-30_at_4.58.52_PM.jpg?ts=1730321973 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752666/Screenshot_2024-10-30_at_4.58.52_PM.jpg?ts=1730321973 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752666/Screenshot_2024-10-30_at_4.58.52_PM.jpg?ts=1730321973 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752666/Screenshot_2024-10-30_at_4.58.52_PM.jpg?ts=1730321973 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752666/Screenshot_2024-10-30_at_4.58.52_PM.jpg?ts=1730321973 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> </figcaption></figure>(Stats source: <a href="https://www.trumedianetworks.com/">TruMedia</a>)I'm not saying Richardson will ever be Josh Allen. The Bills star is the exception and not the rule when it comes to players going from early-career disaster to certified elite QB. Those are unfair expectations to put on anyone.But Richardson's path to success was always going to look a lot like Allen's. While there are plenty of examples of young passers who clearly didn't have it from the jump, forcing their teams to pivot in short order, Richardson doesn't yet fall into that category. Not by a long shot.Teams should be more willing to weather early struggles if a QB demonstrates the traits of a true difference-maker, unrefined as they may be. The long-term payoff is the reason you draft these players where you do.We've seen that play out over the last five years with the Bills, who've become a perennial Super Bowl contender on the back of an elite quarterback. Meanwhile, the Colts seem intent on showing us how things could have turned out if Buffalo gave up when times weren't so great.There's no use taking a home-run swing if you're not committed to seeing it through.

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Why the Colts benching Richardson doesn't make any sense

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.<h3>It's beyond over</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752039/cropped_GettyImages-2181382608.jpg?ts=1730059735" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752039/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181382608.jpg?ts=1730059735 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752039/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181382608.jpg?ts=1730059735 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752039/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181382608.jpg?ts=1730059735 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752039/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181382608.jpg?ts=1730059735 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752039/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181382608.jpg?ts=1730059735 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Adam Glanzman / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The Jets are cooked.Regrettably, I was expecting this to be the week that they finally took off. The reason: Well, how could they not?<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>We'd seen flashes from the offense at times, and it was only fair to assume that the old Aaron Rodgers-Davante Adams connection would ramp up after a second week of practice together. And surely the defense would feast on the Patriots' offense.One way or another, this was supposed to be the ultimate get-right spot. As it turns out, the Jets are never to be overestimated - there's always room for them to disappoint you.A stunning loss in New England drops New York to an unfathomable 2-6 mark on the season. While the most optimistic onlookers *raises hand* left the door open for this team to overcome a 2-5 start, it no longer seems wise to cling on to any such hope.We're now at a point where the Jets may be one loss away from bowing out of the playoff race completely. And if that defeat comes next week, in a tough matchup with the Texans, we should probably start having a real conversation about what this team should do at the Nov. 5 trade deadline.Turning into a seller just three weeks after making a desperation trade for Adams would, of course, be a rough look. But that shouldn't stop the Jets from salvaging this mess and doing the right thing for their future.Then again, perhaps we shouldn't be expecting too much on that front. Doing all the wrong things is kind of their brand at this point.<h3>Browns a new team</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752032/cropped_GettyImages-2181375145.jpg?ts=1730058727" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752032/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181375145.jpg?ts=1730058727 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752032/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181375145.jpg?ts=1730058727 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752032/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181375145.jpg?ts=1730058727 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752032/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181375145.jpg?ts=1730058727 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752032/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181375145.jpg?ts=1730058727 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Jameis Winston will never be confused for a high-end NFL quarterback. Limited to just three starts over the last two years, league evaluators had effectively decided he's little more than a high-end QB2.The former No. 1 pick deserves all the credit in the world for his performance in a big win against the Ravens this week. But the fact that inserting him into the starting lineup was all the Browns needed to look like a completely different team tells you everything you need to know.Deshaun Watson, prior to his season-ending injury, wasn't just a low-end starter. He was an unplayable and borderline unrosterable quarterback. But the Browns were stuck trotting him out there week after week in an attempt to justify the worst trade and worst contract in NFL history.Were it not for the financial commitments and presumed pressure from the top of the organization, Watson likely would have been benched weeks ago. Because as we saw last year when Joe Flacco stepped in for five games down the stretch, this offense is ready-made to succeed so long as the quarterback doesn't drag it down.Winston, making his first start since September 2022, put up 334 passing yards against Baltimore. That easily clears Watson's most productive day in a Browns uniform. Winston's total of three touchdowns was matched by Watson just once in his 19 starts. Winston also posted a 0.29 EPA/dropback, more than doubling Watson's best mark in Cleveland, according to <a href="https://x.com/austingayle_/status/1850635773110018275">Austin Gayle of The Ringer</a>.Winston isn't going to be perfect - we saw several turnover-worthy plays against the Browns that could easily end up going the other way in future games. But you can deal with the occasional giveaway if you actually have a quarterback capable of running the offense the way it's designed and pushing the ball downfield.The Browns had that with Flacco last year, and they have it again with Winston. The instant success of a veteran castoff drives home just how bad the quarterback situation was in between.<h3>Richardson struggling</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752049/cropped_GettyImages-2181394403.jpg?ts=1730063872" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752049/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181394403.jpg?ts=1730063872 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752049/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181394403.jpg?ts=1730063872 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752049/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181394403.jpg?ts=1730063872 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752049/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181394403.jpg?ts=1730063872 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752049/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181394403.jpg?ts=1730063872 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jack Gorman / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The Colts have a problem.Anthony Richardson is not a good quarterback right now. In fact, one could reasonably argue that he's currently the worst starter in football.The 2023 No. 4 pick had himself another disastrous day against the Texans, completing just 10 of 32 attempts for 175 yards and one touchdown, one interception, and one lost fumble. He also took five sacks against Houston's ferocious pass rush.On the season, Richardson is now connecting on a ghastly 44.4% of his passes. That puts him at 50% through his first 10 starts in the NFL. Completion percentage isn't everything, and it's still early, but these aren't the names you want to be associated with at any point in your career:<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Anthony Richardson ranks 222nd in completion rate (50%) among the 225 QBs with 250+ dropbacks since the year 2000... bad company <a href="https://t.co/uKaom1rVjW">pic.twitter.com/uKaom1rVjW</a>— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) <a href="https://twitter.com/austingayle_/status/1850645803678740907?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>I want to be clear: I am nowhere near ready to consider giving up on Richardson as an NFL quarterback. He was low on experience coming into the league, and making good on his sky-high potential was always going to be about getting reps. The floor may now appear lower than anyone was hoping, but the ceiling is still high if the Colts can remain patient.It's also worth noting that Josh Allen's first 10 career games looked a lot like Richardson's: A lot of bad misses, a lot of terrible decisions, and some questions about whether he'd ever put it all together. Allen may be the exception rather than the rule when it comes to quarterback development, but that's the upside you're chasing when you draft one with physical tools like this.Unfortunately for Richardson, he didn't do himself any favors this week when he pulled himself out of the game for a third-and-long play because he needed a breather. That won't help his case for keeping the starting job when we have plenty of evidence that suggests the offense operates better with Flacco under center.<h3>Quick slants</h3>Hail Mary magic<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752068/cropped_GettyImages-2181403137.jpg?ts=1730068553" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752068/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181403137.jpg?ts=1730068553 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752068/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181403137.jpg?ts=1730068553 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752068/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181403137.jpg?ts=1730068553 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752068/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181403137.jpg?ts=1730068553 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752068/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181403137.jpg?ts=1730068553 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Greg Fiume / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Jayden Daniels continues to amaze. The Commanders seemed dead in the water after a late touchdown put the Bears up by three points with 25 seconds to play. And they would have been were it not for the runaway favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Daniels put all elements of his unique skill set to use for a stunning walk-off Hail Mary, buying time in the backfield before unloading a deep ball 60-plus yards to the end zone. It wasn't his best outing of the year, but Daniels battled through last week's rib injury and shook off some big hits to throw for 326 yards while running for another 52. The Commanders are suddenly must-watch TV, and it's all because of their superstar rookie.Bears get what they deserveBatting down the Hail Mary was all the Bears needed to move to 5-2. Even with a win, though, it was going to be difficult to come out of this week feeling good about the state of this offense. Caleb Williams was under pressure on a career-high 51.6% of his dropbacks, according to Next Gen Stats. The continued difficulties in pass protection contributed significantly to the No. 1 pick completing just 10 of 24 passes for 131 yards against a Washington defense that entered this week ranked 26th in EPA/pass. A concerning trend of poor play-calling reached a peak when a third-and-goal handoff to backup lineman Doug Kramer was fumbled. The Bears are headed in the right direction, but it really feels like the offensive coaching staff will hold them back in the short term.A special (teams) performanceThe Lions went into halftime of Sunday's contest against the Titans having accumulated 9 net passing yards. Typically, that would be a surefire sign of a team getting blown out. In this case, the Lions held a 35-14 lead. It was a similar story in the second half. Jared Goff finished the day with a season-low 85 yards while the Lions cruised to a 52-14 win. The run game continued to produce at a high level, and a few turnovers gave Detroit some incredibly short fields. But the real story was a truly ridiculous showing on special teams. Khalil Dorsey got things started with a 72-yard kick return early in the second quarter. Kalif Raymond ripped off a 64-yard punt return two possessions later and then took one back 90 yards for a score after halftime. In total, Detroit finished the day with 262 return yards. The unit's 196 yards over expected is the most in a game since at least 2018, according to Next Gen Stats.Falcons own the NFC SouthIt's not easy to trust the Falcons. After years of torture, with an all-time Super Bowl collapse providing the lowlight, their own fans will probably be the last ones to buy in. But this team is slowly rounding into the form we all hoped to see after an aggressive offseason headlined by the move to bring in Kirk Cousins. The offense has now put up 30-plus points in three of its last four games. The Falcons may only be sitting at 5-3, but sweeping the Bucs with Sunday's win officially puts them in the driver's seat in the NFC South. Assuming they keep trending in the right direction and potentially make a deadline move to address the defensive front, there's no reason this team can't compete with the best of the NFC in January. A home playoff game would go a long way toward a deep run.Any way you want it<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752023/cropped_GettyImages-2181380724.jpg?ts=1730057524" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752023/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181380724.jpg?ts=1730057524 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752023/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181380724.jpg?ts=1730057524 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752023/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181380724.jpg?ts=1730057524 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752023/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181380724.jpg?ts=1730057524 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752023/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181380724.jpg?ts=1730057524 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mike Carlson / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>A matchup with the Jaguars' league-worst pass defense by EPA figured to set the stage for a monster game from Jordan Love. It wasn't quite working out that way early, and the Packers' star quarterback ended up sidelined with a groin injury for most of the second half. As we've seen from Green Bay throughout this season, though, this team is about much more than a high-powered passing attack. The defense did its part with another pair of turnovers, already eclipsing last year's total with 19 on the season. The run game also came through to close things out, as it did during Love's early-season absence, with Josh Jacobs recording 127 yards and two touchdowns. Love's health is essential for this team to reach its ceiling, but the fact that the Packers don't exclusively rely on their star quarterback bodes extremely well for their chances of going deep into the playoffs.Dolphins' offense back?Tua Tagovailoa was decently efficient in his first game since Week 2, completing 28 of 38 passes for 234 yards and one touchdown. More than his individual stats could show, though, it was clear that his presence was the key to unlocking a supremely talented cast of offensive playmakers. Tyreek Hill and De'Von Achane both had productive days, and a 27-point showing against the Cardinals marks Miami's best scoring output of the season. The offense performing at this level makes the Dolphins a playoff-caliber team, but the road back to contention may prove too difficult from here. A narrow loss to Arizona drops Miami to 2-5 with the division-leading Bills up next.Eagles heating upThe Eagles' offense has been the target of some fairly consistent criticism in this space; all of which, I'll note, has been deserved. While I'm certainly not going to walk it back after one game against one of the league's worst defenses in Cincinnati, it would be silly to ignore the possibility that this could be the start of a long-awaited turnaround. Jalen Hurts played as well as he has at any point in the last calendar year, completing 16 of 20 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown while adding another 37 yards and three scores on the ground. Granted, the total passing numbers may not be what you expect from a $255-million quarterback. But with a dominant run game, and a defense that looks better every week, taking care of the ball while hitting on the occasional big play to your superstar receivers is really all this team needs. Upcoming contests against the Jaguars, Cowboys, Commanders, and Rams give the offense a real opportunity to take off.Tight ends steal the showPassing numbers may be down, but tight ends weren't going to let that get in the way of them enjoying their special day. National Tight Ends Day was celebrated this year with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3110309" href="https://thescore.com/news/3110309">a number of big performances</a> around the league. Fourteen different tight ends found the end zone at least once Sunday. In total, the 16 scores sets a new record for the honorary holiday. There were also five tight ends who didn't record touchdowns but still led their teams in either catches or yards.<h3>Stat of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This is crazy: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jets?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Jets</a> had 0 turnovers, held the Patriots to 247 yards -- and still lost. They're the first team to lose a game in which they did not turn the ball over and held their opponent under 250 yards since Week 3 of 2012. In 2012, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers lost,…— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) <a href="https://twitter.com/RichCimini/status/1850659296587227165?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>

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Key takeaways and analysis from Week 8 in the NFL

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.<h3>Saquon revenge game</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750808/cropped_GettyImages-2179827497.jpg?ts=1729455263" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750808/w220xh124_GettyImages-2179827497.jpg?ts=1729455263 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750808/w320xh180_GettyImages-2179827497.jpg?ts=1729455263 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750808/w640xh360_GettyImages-2179827497.jpg?ts=1729455263 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750808/w768xh432_GettyImages-2179827497.jpg?ts=1729455263 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750808/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2179827497.jpg?ts=1729455263 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Luke Hales / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>John Mara knew this was coming.The Giants owner provided the most memorable scene from the offseason edition of HBO's "Hard Knocks" when he told GM Joe Schoen that he'd "have a tough time sleeping" if Saquon Barkley were to sign with the Eagles. Barkley indeed bolted for Philly when New York foolishly allowed him to test the free-agent market, and it's worked out pretty much exactly how everyone expected.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The former No. 2 overall pick continued his incredible start this week with the ultimate revenge game in his first trip back to the Meadowlands, gashing the Giants for 176 rushing yards en route to a 28-3 blowout.Barkley's lone score on the day saw him pull even with the entire Giants team in total touchdowns scored at MetLife Stadium this year. He's now up to 658 rushing yards on the season, setting a new Eagles record for the first six games of a campaign. For what it's worth, it would be a Giants record, too.New York's botched situation with Barkley goes all the way back to when he was first scheduled to become a free agent in 2023. The Giants talked themselves into Daniel Jones as a franchise quarterback on the heels of a 15-touchdown season and a one-off playoff appearance. As a result, he got the long-term deal while Barkley had to settle for the franchise tag.It didn't take long for everyone to realize that the Jones extension was a terrible mistake. While this year has certainly been better than 2023, Jones averaging 4.7 yards per pass attempt in the same game that Barkley rushed for 10.4 pretty much sums it up.The Giants thought they were being smart by not committing big money to a running back. In reality, it's just the latest in a long line of poor decisions from this front office. Barkley dominating with a division rival appropriately ensures they won't soon forget it.<h3>Jets still the Jets</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750917/cropped_GettyImages-2179855340.jpg?ts=1729480650" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750917/w220xh124_GettyImages-2179855340.jpg?ts=1729480650 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750917/w320xh180_GettyImages-2179855340.jpg?ts=1729480650 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750917/w640xh360_GettyImages-2179855340.jpg?ts=1729480650 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750917/w768xh432_GettyImages-2179855340.jpg?ts=1729480650 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750917/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2179855340.jpg?ts=1729480650 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Joe Sargent / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Adding a superstar receiver in the middle of the season doesn't make all your problems go away. The Jets found that out the hard way when a week of good vibes concluded with a crushing loss in Pittsburgh on Sunday night.Davante Adams was held to three catches for 30 yards despite stepping into a full workload five days after the blockbuster trade from Las Vegas. It's likely only a matter of time before he and Rodgers tap into the connection they had all those years in Green Bay, and the Jets' offense may well take off as a result. But this team's issues always went well beyond the receiving corps.The disappointing loss marks the fourth time already this season that the run game has put up less than 70 yards. A costly interception off a brutal deflection from Garrett Wilson, meanwhile, adds to the growing list of miscues. The defense still has dominant flashes, but allowing Russell Wilson to lead the Steelers to their highest point total since 2021 is a rough look.The Jets have the talent to turn this thing around, and some of the schematic changes we've seen since last week's offensive coordinator change are promising. There's no longer any room for error, though.A 2-5 record means New York probably needs to win eight of its last 10 games to make the playoffs. That's a pretty big ask for the best of teams, let alone one whose only victories have come against the Titans and Patriots.<h3>Goff is dealing</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749825/cropped_GettyImages-2178266012.jpg?ts=1728861279" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749825/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178266012.jpg?ts=1728861279 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749825/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178266012.jpg?ts=1728861279 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749825/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178266012.jpg?ts=1728861279 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749825/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178266012.jpg?ts=1728861279 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749825/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178266012.jpg?ts=1728861279 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ron Jenkins / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>How many quarterback are playing better than Jared Goff right now?Sunday's game against the Vikings figured to be the ultimate test for a juggernaut Lions offense. Detroit had hit its stride with back-to-back 40-point games, but this wasn't the Cowboys. Minnesota's defense is unlike any other in football this season.Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores predictably continued to dial up blitzes to get as much pressure on Jared Goff as possible. That was the best way to defend him in years past. Perhaps that's not the case anymore.Goff was blitzed on 55.2% of his dropbacks this week, according to Next Gen Stats. That mark eclipses his previous season high by more than 12%. He completed 13 of 15 pass attempts in those situations this week, throwing for 163 yards and one score.Part of the Lions' success against the blitz will always be an outstanding scheme having built-in answers for pressure packages. The other part, and the more significant one on this day, is Goff delivering under duress. Next Gen Stats had the Lions quarterback facing a season-high 51.7% pressure rate against the Vikings, going 10 of 11 for 164 yards and connecting on each of his two scores on the day.The Lions' defense certainly has some questions to answer, particularly in the wake of a major injury to Aidan Hutchinson. Even an aggressive trade deadline won't be enough to replace a surefire Defensive Player of the Year candidate. But the defense only has to do so much when the offense is capable of lighting up the scoreboard against even the best of opponents.Goff's continued growth, a rarity for a player on the other side of 30, is a leading factor in that dominance. At a time when a number of big-money quarterback deals aren't looking so hot, the Lions shouldn't have a single regret about paying their leader under center.<h3>Quick slants</h3>Fortune favors the bold<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750892/cropped_GettyImages-2179872999.jpg?ts=1729474598" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750892/w220xh124_GettyImages-2179872999.jpg?ts=1729474598 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750892/w320xh180_GettyImages-2179872999.jpg?ts=1729474598 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750892/w640xh360_GettyImages-2179872999.jpg?ts=1729474598 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750892/w768xh432_GettyImages-2179872999.jpg?ts=1729474598 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750892/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2179872999.jpg?ts=1729474598 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Joe Sargent / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Mike Tomlin benching Justin Fields in favor of Russell Wilson after a 4-2 start seemed ridiculous. Fields hadn't been spectacular, but there was also no reason to believe Wilson would magically recapture a level of play he hasn't enjoyed since 2021. Well, Wilson's 264 passing yards and three total touchdowns were all the Steelers needed to stun the Jets on national TV. He's still a limited version of his former self, and there'll be some not-so-fun moments in the weeks to come. But if Wilson's ability to loft up moon balls for George Pickens is all this offense needs to complement an always-stout defense, as was the case Sunday night, we should probably all agree to never doubt Tomlin again.Amari's instant impactThe Bills made a much-needed addition to the offense this week by acquiring Amari Cooper from the Browns. It seemed like the perfect fit, with the veteran wideout potentially providing Josh Allen with an established route-runner who can consistently win in one-on-one situations. Early signs suggest he'll be exactly that. Cooper made a fantastic first impression in Buffalo's win over Tennessee, turning a relatively light workload into four catches for 66 yards and one touchdown. It'll take a few weeks for him to fully get up to speed on the offense and get in sync with Allen. When that time comes, he may well help push the Bills' offense over the top.Chiefs trade incoming?The Chiefs are the NFL's lone undefeated team after taking care of business Sunday in San Francisco. As if there was any doubt, Patrick Mahomes is proving capable of elevating the offense no matter the supporting cast. After an offseason spent bolstering the receiving corps, though, it's tough to believe that the two-time defending champs are going to settle for this. Mahomes threw for 154 yards and two interceptions against the 49ers. That puts him up to eight picks to go with just six touchdowns. You have to think a veteran target like DeAndre Hopkins or Diontae Johnson (or both) could help this offense get back to where it needs to be.A true gunslingerJordan Love drew a lot of Aaron Rodgers comparisons in the early stages of his time as the Packers' starter. The more logical comp may be the legendary quarterback who came before. Love's combination of arm talent, unique playmaking traits, and inconsistent decision-making is oddly reminiscent of Brett Favre. To be clear, that's mostly a compliment. Love can connect on throws that many simply couldn't dream of making. It won't always work, and the overall decision-making isn't quite where you'd like - another two interceptions this week gives him eight in five games. But it's just not as much of an issue when the positive plays raise the offense's ceiling as his do. Love once again overcame the turnover issues to outduel C.J. Stroud and push the Packers to 5-2.Rams building it right<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/609387/cropped_GettyImages-1611207735.jpg?ts=1704231401" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/609387/w220xh124_GettyImages-1611207735.jpg?ts=1704231401 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/609387/w320xh180_GettyImages-1611207735.jpg?ts=1704231401 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/609387/w640xh360_GettyImages-1611207735.jpg?ts=1704231401 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/609387/w768xh432_GettyImages-1611207735.jpg?ts=1704231401 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/609387/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1611207735.jpg?ts=1704231401 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The versatility of the Rams' front office is truly incredible. It wasn't long ago that this team, dead set on doing everything it could to load up and chase a Super Bowl, became the leader of the "F them picks" movement. Draft selections were merely assets that could help them land established talents. Now that they've accomplished the ultimate goal, the Rams have pivoted to a more traditional draft-and-develop approach. And they're pretty damn good at that, too. First-round edge rusher Jared Verse posted nine pressures in Sunday's win over the Raiders, and he now leads all rookies with 29 this season, according to <a href="https://x.com/NextGenStats/status/1848142047456403627">Next Gen Stats</a>. Rams second-round pick Braden Fiske is second with 17. Adding a duo like this alongside Kobie Turner and Byron Young, another pair of hits from the 2023 draft, is masterful work in pivoting after the retirement of Aaron Donald.A quiet superstarThe majority of football fans could take 10 guesses and not even come close to picking out the NFL's current sack leader. Unless you're a Giants fan, that is. Dexter Lawrence got to Jalen Hurts twice in Sunday's game against the Eagles, giving him nine on the season. That's right, a nose tackle best known for his dominance against the run is on an early pace to challenge the single-season sack record. In reality, Lawrence has been an impactful pass-rusher for several years running. But an improved Giants defensive front, headlined by the offseason addition of Brian Burns, is freeing him up to feast. Lawrence is worthy of a spot on everyone's first-half Defensive Player of the Year ballots.Dolphins flounderingThe majority of us have probably been shrugging off the Dolphins' offensive ineptitude as a predictable outcome in the absence of their star quarterback. That's certainly the main factor here, but it's time we ramp up the expectations a little bit. Far less talented teams, and seemingly less regarded coaching staffs, have managed far less monumental dropoffs when turning to their backup quarterback. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle each had one catch on a combined four targets in Sunday's loss to the Colts. That's just not going to fly, no matter the quarterback situation. Mike McDaniel's reputation as an offensive guru is taking some serious hits this season. Could he be on the hot seat if this team doesn't take off after Tua Tagovailoa's impending return?They are who we thought they wereCarolina benching Bryce Young early this season was absolutely the right move. The 2023 No. 1 pick was somehow getting worse, and it was only fair to the rest of the organization to see if the team fared better with Andy Dalton. The veteran quarterback provided a spark, but it was ultimately short-lived. Now, after a 40-7 loss to Marcus Mariota and the Commanders, it seems like we're right back where we started. So why did it take until the end of the fourth quarter to get Young in the game? Great question. If the Panthers are so done with him that he can't even get significant reps in a game that was over by halftime, it's probably time for both sides to move on.Pierce does it again<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746473/cropped_GettyImages-2171720145.jpg?ts=1727052127" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746473/w220xh124_GettyImages-2171720145.jpg?ts=1727052127 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746473/w320xh180_GettyImages-2171720145.jpg?ts=1727052127 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746473/w640xh360_GettyImages-2171720145.jpg?ts=1727052127 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746473/w768xh432_GettyImages-2171720145.jpg?ts=1727052127 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746473/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2171720145.jpg?ts=1727052127 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Brandon Sloter / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Antonio Pierce got a special shoutout in this space back in Week 1 for making one of the worst fourth-down decisions you'll ever see in a loss to the Chargers. Back in the same building for a matchup with the Rams, the Raiders head coach was at it again. Trailing by eight with less than three minutes to play, Las Vegas sent out the field-goal team on fourth and goal from the 9-yard line. Pierce's trust in his defense was rewarded, as the Raiders got the ball back for a potential game-winning drive. But he got exactly what he bargained for trusting his offense to drive all the way down the field again. It took all of three plays for Gardner Minshew to throw his third interception, sealing the loss and dropping Las Vegas to 2-5. Pierce is quickly trending toward being a one-and-done head coach.<h3>Stat of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Fun fact: Since Brian Flores joined the Vikings, his defense has only allowed an offense to score 30 points 4 times in 23 games. 3 of those 30-point games belong to the Lions.— Erik Schlitt (@erikschlitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/erikschlitt/status/1848105359166304586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2024</a>
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Key takeaways and analysis from Week 7 in the NFL

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.<h3>Caleb is here</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749734/cropped_GettyImages-2178224148.jpg?ts=1728836906" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749734/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178224148.jpg?ts=1728836906 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749734/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178224148.jpg?ts=1728836906 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749734/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178224148.jpg?ts=1728836906 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749734/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178224148.jpg?ts=1728836906 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749734/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178224148.jpg?ts=1728836906 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Harry Murphy / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Let's take things back a few weeks.Chicago's offense started the year in a bad place. Naturally (irrationally), some began to wonder whether Caleb Williams would live up to the hype. Surely, with all the big-name talent at receiver, it was all the young quarterback's fault.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Jayden Daniels, meanwhile, was off to a flying start in Washington. Early returns from the top two picks resulted in wild comparisons to Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud. Looking back at the 2023 quarterback class, of course, it's pretty clear that the Panthers made a mistake in passing on Stroud in favor of Young.Fortunately, it didn't take long for any such parallels to be squashed.The Bears have begun to take off offensively over the last few weeks, culminating in an emphatic arrival for Williams on Sunday morning in London. The USC product looked comfortable as ever dicing up the Jaguars defense, completing 23 of 29 passes for 226 yards and four touchdowns. The arm talent is every bit as advertised. His feel for the game, particularly when it comes to extending plays, is sublime. The athleticism is unique, too.If you want to write this off as the Bears hitting an easy part of the schedule, fair enough. A three-game stretch against the Rams, Panthers, and Jaguars is a dream for a young quarterback. But anyone who's watched the games can understand this isn't some sort of fake breakout, even if there are some ups and downs to follow.Everyone in Chicago should be confident that they made the right decision at the top of this year's draft. Williams is going to be the best quarterback in the class, and he's got all the traits of a top-five passer, too.<h3>Jayden does it again</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749850/cropped_GettyImages-2178258717.jpg?ts=1728874503" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749850/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178258717.jpg?ts=1728874503 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749850/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178258717.jpg?ts=1728874503 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749850/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178258717.jpg?ts=1728874503 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749850/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178258717.jpg?ts=1728874503 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749850/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178258717.jpg?ts=1728874503 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Let's be clear. Any praise for Caleb Williams, or pushback on the idea that the Bears picked the wrong quarterback, is no slight toward Jayden Daniels. How could anyone have anything negative to say after the way he's started his career?Sunday's road matchup against the Ravens marked Daniels' biggest test yet, and nobody would have faulted him for stumbling against an exotic Baltimore defense while trying to go shot for shot with Lamar Jackson. The result may not seem spectacular - the Commanders dropped a game for the first time since Week 1 - but this week's performance was arguably his most impressive yet.Daniels was in complete control against everything Baltimore threw at him, completing 24 of 35 passes for a season-high 269 yards and two touchdowns. His 22 rushing yards represent his lowest total of the year, but his athleticism was a huge factor when it came to extending plays.That pass-oriented approach to scrambling has been a pleasant surprise early in his pro career. He's also attacking the middle of the field more than he ever did at LSU, which makes for two major areas of concern as a prospect that he's addressed almost immediately.Washington's defensive shortcomings - exploited for 484 yards this week - probably put a ceiling on what this team can accomplish this season. A lack of depth at receiver isn't helping matters, either. But this season is already well on its way to exceeding expectations. And that's all because of the quarterback.The future is bright because the Commanders' big swing is looking like a home run.<h3>Cowboys down bad</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749839/cropped_GettyImages-2171029818.jpg?ts=1728865304" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749839/w220xh124_GettyImages-2171029818.jpg?ts=1728865304 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749839/w320xh180_GettyImages-2171029818.jpg?ts=1728865304 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749839/w640xh360_GettyImages-2171029818.jpg?ts=1728865304 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749839/w768xh432_GettyImages-2171029818.jpg?ts=1728865304 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749839/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2171029818.jpg?ts=1728865304 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Diamond Images / Diamond Images / Getty</figcaption></figure>Jerry Jones did not have a happy birthday.Dallas had an opportunity to make a statement this week against Detroit after an uninspiring 3-2 start. Even if they didn't win, going toe to toe with a team like the Lions would prove that the Cowboys still belong in the conversation with the class of the NFC.As it turns out, they don't. The Cowboys were thoroughly embarrassed on their home field, falling back to .500 with a 47-9 loss.The defense has completely fallen off a cliff under Mike Zimmer. One could point to the injury absences of Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence as a key factor against a stout Detroit offensive front. But what was the excuse against the Saints and Ravens?Things aren't going much better offensively. While Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb continue to operate as one of the league's premier duos, there's only so much they can do by themselves. The playmaking depth beyond the two superstars is virtually nonexistent.It would appear that the need to open the wallet for extensions has left ownership feeling unable (or unwilling) to make meaningful additions at these clear spots of need. Jones said last month that the team simply couldn't afford Derrick Henry in free agency. Stephen Jones then ended all speculation about the Cowboys being a potential suitor for disgruntled Raiders wideout Davante Adams, saying the team is not interested.The salary cap is clearly a legitimate factor in these decisions - nobody wants to end up kicking the can down the road year after year like the Saints. But it doesn't have to be one way or the other. There are always ways to get creative if you're truly trying to win.Feigning helplessness doesn't fly as America's Team.<h3>Quick slants</h3>Ben Johnson cooking<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749851/cropped_GettyImages-2178264702.jpg?ts=1728874707" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749851/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178264702.jpg?ts=1728874707 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749851/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178264702.jpg?ts=1728874707 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749851/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178264702.jpg?ts=1728874707 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749851/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178264702.jpg?ts=1728874707 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749851/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178264702.jpg?ts=1728874707 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ron Jenkins / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Good offenses have either top talent or an outstanding scheme. Great ones have both. The Lions were unstoppable in a 47-9 blowout win over the Cowboys, their second straight 40-point effort. It was one explosive play after another for Detroit, highlighted by a 52-yard trick-play touchdown to Sam LaPorta. To put Johnson's schematic genius into perspective, the big play marked the young tight end's seventh touchdown on an open target with 3-plus yards of separation since 2023, according to Next Gen Stats. Also tied atop the leaderboard: Lions teammate Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Lions are a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and Johnson should be the most coveted name in the upcoming coaching carousel.Eagles not out of the woodsThe Eagles desperately needed a win coming out of the bye. Mission accomplished on that front, but was this really a game that made anyone feel any better about the direction of this team? Returns from A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith were supposed to help this offense take off. While a few big plays did make a difference in the end, the offense in general still looks broken. The defense, meanwhile, holds the honor of allowing Deshaun Watson to post his best QB rating of the season. Nick Sirianni jawing at fans after barely beating the Browns sums up everything that's wrong with the Eagles right now - the vibes are just dreadful. It's tough to see much changing without new leadership.Maye provides hopeAnyone who had concerns about the Patriots throwing Drake Maye to the wolves is likely feeling at least slightly vindicated. The No. 2 pick was under siege all day against Houston's league-best pass rush - not exactly the way you want to introduce the future of your franchise to the NFL level. But there were still plenty of flashes that offered a reminder of why that future is now so bright. Maye weathered the storm, toughing out four sacks and a pair of interceptions to start his career with a three-touchdown effort. His arm talent and poise under pressure were particularly impressive. The Patriots have to do everything they can to make sure the current situation doesn't negatively impact his development, but he's going to learn a lot more on the field than he could on the sidelines.Chargers quietly goodYou probably won't hear a whole lot about the Chargers this season - a run-heavy team that lacks receiver talent simply isn't going to garner a lot of attention in today's game. It's long past time that we start recognizing Jim Harbaugh's club as a playoff contender, though. Sunday's win over the red-hot Broncos moved Los Angeles to 3-2 ahead of a four-game stretch against the Cardinals, Saints, Browns, and Titans. Anything can happen in this league, so we shouldn't get too carried away, but this well-coached team should take care of business in each of those winnable games. The defense continued its steady play with two takeaways this week, and the Chargers have still served up only two turnovers of their own, tied for the league's lowest total.Packers offense taking off<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749852/cropped_GettyImages-2178243654.jpg?ts=1728874918" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749852/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178243654.jpg?ts=1728874918 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749852/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178243654.jpg?ts=1728874918 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749852/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178243654.jpg?ts=1728874918 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749852/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178243654.jpg?ts=1728874918 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749852/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178243654.jpg?ts=1728874918 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Patrick McDermott / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>This was the vision in Green Bay. While some were likely sleeping on this offense's potential due to a relative lack of household names, this is one of the league's best collections of young skill-position talent. Jordan Love's 22 completions in Sunday's win over the Cardinals were split between nine different receivers. The Packers also leaned heavily on the ground game, with seven different ball-carriers getting involved to the tune of 38 rush attempts. The "everyone eats" approach will pose an issue to fantasy football managers itching for high-volume playmakers, but the Packers couldn't possibly care less. With Matt LaFleur on the controls, a unit with this many options is a nightmare to defend.Bucs drop 51I'll be honest: I still have no idea what to think about the Bucs. Maybe the issue is that the defense, which entered this week ranked 24th in EPA/play, isn't nearly as good as we've grown accustomed to seeing under Todd Bowles. But you can only have so many reservations when this team overcomes three turnovers to still hang 51 points on a division rival. Baker Mayfield is playing the best football of his career. The run game is doing its part, too - Bucky Irving has forced his way onto the field early, and Sean Tucker capitalized on his opportunity this week with 136 yards and a score against the Saints. Tampa Bay should be right there with Atlanta in the battle for the NFC South, and it shouldn't surprise anyone if they come out on top.A crushing blowAidan Hutchinson is facing a long-term absence after going down with a broken tibia in Sunday's win over the Cowboys. It's a truly devastating loss for a Lions team setting its sights on a Super Bowl run. Hutchinson was in the process of establishing himself among the NFL's elite pass-rushers, entering this week leading the league in sacks and ranked seventh in pressures. He'd been doing a lot of the heavy lifting for an otherwise average Lions pass rush, arguably making him the team's most valuable player. Might the front office be forced to turn to the trade market? Jadeveon Clowney and Za'Darius Smith, for example, couldn't replace Hutchinson's production alone, but the Lions may have to do something to avoid having the defense take too much of a step back.Get comfortable, RussJustin Fields certainly isn't perfect. He still has a long way to go as a passer, and it seems likely that he'll never truly make good on his first-round pedigree. But it's also true that he's made some major improvements since his time in Chicago, and that's been more than enough for Pittsburgh to win games. While a now-healthy Russell Wilson is lurking - and the former Super Bowl champ was considered the starter all offseason - the Steelers would be out of their minds to make a change now. That could push Wilson to pursue an exit. I'm not sure the Steelers should care. Fields is doing just as much as this late-career version of Wilson can as a passer. Factor in the value he brings as a runner, and it's not even a discussion. It's time to silence the weekly discussion points and name Fields the permanent starter.<h3>Stat of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The Eagle has landed. The Bears have scored five offensive touchdowns in back-to-back games for the first time since 1956, per <a href="https://twitter.com/Stathead?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@stathead</a>.— Mark Potash (@MarkPotash) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkPotash/status/1845495862773866881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2024</a>
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Key takeaways and analysis from Week 6 in the NFL

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.<h3>Game of the year</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748856/cropped_GettyImages-2177124214.jpg?ts=1728275824" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748856/w220xh124_GettyImages-2177124214.jpg?ts=1728275824 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748856/w320xh180_GettyImages-2177124214.jpg?ts=1728275824 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748856/w640xh360_GettyImages-2177124214.jpg?ts=1728275824 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748856/w768xh432_GettyImages-2177124214.jpg?ts=1728275824 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748856/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2177124214.jpg?ts=1728275824 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>If the defensive resurgence isn't quite your thing, the Ravens-Bengals contest had to be refreshing.This AFC North shootout was an important reminder that, although defenses often hold the upper hand in today's NFL, there's still only so much you can do to stop overwhelming offensive talent.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Baltimore and Cincinnati traded one punch after another, combining for 79 points and 962 yards, including 716 passing yards. Starting with the last possession of the first half, the two sides rattled off seven straight touchdown drives.We'll get into the Bengals later, as there's a lot to like despite the result. But for the Ravens, it was particularly promising to come away with another big win in a completely different type of game. After back-to-back weeks in which Baltimore leaned on a dominant rushing attack to take down top opponents, this matchup lended itself more to the passing game.Lamar Jackson was more than up to the task, going shot for shot with Joe Burrow to throw for 348 yards and four touchdowns. Derrick Henry got his opportunity to take over in overtime, ripping off a 51-yard run to set up the game-winning field goal.The Ravens team we've seen over the last three weeks is very much a front-runner in the AFC. The Bengals have some work to do in the standings, but they can hang with anyone. It's only right that the second matchup between these offensive juggernauts gets a primetime slot in early November. If we're lucky, we'll get a third matchup in January, too.<h3>Desperate times</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748717/cropped_GettyImages-2176218343.jpg?ts=1728232871" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748717/w220xh124_GettyImages-2176218343.jpg?ts=1728232871 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748717/w320xh180_GettyImages-2176218343.jpg?ts=1728232871 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748717/w640xh360_GettyImages-2176218343.jpg?ts=1728232871 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748717/w768xh432_GettyImages-2176218343.jpg?ts=1728232871 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748717/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2176218343.jpg?ts=1728232871 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> DeFodi Images / DeFodi Images / Getty</figcaption></figure>Joe Douglas has some calls to make.The Jets are sitting at a disappointing 2-3 after a trip to London, and, while there's no shame in losing to this version of the Vikings, it's probably time to sound the alarm about the state of the offense.Aaron Rodgers has been unable to build upon the flashes of vintage play we saw in the opening weeks. His 4.5 yards per attempt against Minnesota marks his lowest output since November 2019, and some questionable decisions led to three costly interceptions. It's clear to even the most casual observers that the 40-year-old veteran is simply not on the same page as his receivers.Rodgers is presumably pounding the table for a Davante Adams trade to bring in an infusion of playmaking talent and familiarity. The Jets are thought to be the preferred destination for the disgruntled Raiders receiver, and it may simply be a matter of the two sides reaching an agreement in the coming days.Adams alone won't solve all of the Jets' problems, as poor game plans are a staple of Nathaniel Hackett offenses. But if you've come this far in building a small window for contention, why hold back over a future Day 2 pick?Douglas has to get this done, no matter the price. It may be his only hope at salvaging the Rodgers era in New York.<h3>Enough is enough</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748791/cropped_GettyImages-2177109816.jpg?ts=1728248181" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748791/w220xh124_GettyImages-2177109816.jpg?ts=1728248181 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748791/w320xh180_GettyImages-2177109816.jpg?ts=1728248181 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748791/w640xh360_GettyImages-2177109816.jpg?ts=1728248181 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748791/w768xh432_GettyImages-2177109816.jpg?ts=1728248181 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748791/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2177109816.jpg?ts=1728248181 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>It's easy to understand why the Browns aren't willing to bench Deshaun Watson. While Cleveland's quarterback play has been astonishingly miserable, he's still due a fully guaranteed $92 million across 2025 and 2026, meaning ownership has a vested interest in finding a way to make it work.But what about when it becomes undeniably clear that there is no hope for any such outcome?After an unfathomably bad first two years in Cleveland, Watson is somehow getting worse. The former Pro Bowler looked completely lost against a Washington defense that entered this week ranked 31st in EPA/play, completing 15 of 28 passes for only 125 yards while taking seven sacks.The latest in a long line of horrific outings caps an opening five-week stretch that is among the worst we've seen since the turn of the century.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Bottom-10 EPA per dropback averages in Weeks 1-5 in any season since at least 2000: 750. AJ Feeley (-.27) 751. Ryan Leaf (-.27) 752. Kyle Boller (-.28) 753. Deshaun Watson (-.30)** 754. Chris Simms (-.31) 755. Will Levis (-.34)** 756. Kordell Stewart (-.37) 757. Jamarcus Russell…— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) <a href="https://twitter.com/austingayle_/status/1843111360009555995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Remember, this is a Browns team that went to the playoffs with Joe Flacco under center down the stretch last year. There's more than enough talent and coaching chops to get this team in the postseason mix with average quarterback play. Cleveland is being weighed down by a $230-million passer who no longer belongs.No matter how you slice it, the investment made in Watson is going absolutely nowhere. It's time for ownership to admit as much, do right by the rest of the organization, and turn to a quarterback who gives them a chance on game day.Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, whoever. Anyone but Watson.<h3>Quick slants</h3>Commanders are for real<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748761/cropped_GettyImages-2177123881.jpg?ts=1728246714" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748761/w220xh124_GettyImages-2177123881.jpg?ts=1728246714 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748761/w320xh180_GettyImages-2177123881.jpg?ts=1728246714 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748761/w640xh360_GettyImages-2177123881.jpg?ts=1728246714 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748761/w768xh432_GettyImages-2177123881.jpg?ts=1728246714 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748761/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2177123881.jpg?ts=1728246714 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>I was going to wait until after this week before buying in on the Commanders, even if that was arguably a little conservative. All signs pointed to Cleveland's defense being an interesting test for Washington's offense. The Browns did present some challenges for Jayden Daniels, holding him to a season-low 56% completion rate, but the overall results remain impressive. Daniels threw for 238 yards at 9.5 yards per attempt while adding another 82 yards in the run game. The No. 2 pick looks more comfortable with every passing week, and he's already showing major improvements over the player he was at the end of his LSU career. The Commanders have a young superstar under center, and they're emerging as an immediate playoff threat as a result.Caleb heating upNone of us were actually panicking about Caleb Williams, were we? A slow start from the No. 1 pick is, of course, bound to lead to some irrational takes, and you can multiply those takes by a thousand when the player selected one spot later dominates out of the gate. But a four-game sample is basically nothing for a rookie quarterback, and Williams' struggles were always overstated. The early flashes of brilliance turned into consistent high-level play in Sunday's win over the Panthers. Williams was in complete control throughout the game, completing 20 of 29 passes for 304 yards and two scores. His comfort at this stage, despite the offensive system doing him no favors, is an incredibly promising sign for the future.Bills need a trade, tooJosh Allen finished Sunday's loss to the Texans connecting on just 9 of 30 passes. A 30% completion rate is the lowest mark for a quarterback with at least 30 attempts in the last 30 years, according to ESPN Stats and Info. It wasn't Allen's best game, but this is also a symptom of some major personnel issues. The Bills, whose target leader at receiver was Mack Hollins, simply don't have a player capable of winning in one-on-one situations on the outside. Buffalo could really use the route-running prowess of Browns wideout Amari Cooper. Considering its salary-cap issues, a league-minimum base salary might make him the perfect trade-deadline target.Flacco again?No, your eyes do not deceive you. For the second time in as many years, Joe Flacco stepped in as a starter and provided a clear upgrade in quarterback play, as the 39-year-old veteran nearly led the Colts to a win over the Jaguars with 359 passing yards and three touchdowns. To be clear, Anthony Richardson should - and will - remain the starter when healthy. The Colts' future depends on his development, and he needs reps to make good on his potential. But there sure are a few other teams who could use Flacco as QB1. We're looking at you, Browns.Don't give up on BengalsA heartbreaking loss to the Ravens drops the Bengals to 1-4 on the season. For most teams, climbing out a hole this deep is impossible. It may well prove too difficult for Cincinnati, too. But don't rule this team out yet. The offense finally appears to be hitting its stride. Joe Burrow lit up the Baltimore defense for 392 yards and five touchdowns, and Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins each accounted for two scores. Though the end result wasn't what they wanted, narrow losses to the Chiefs and Ravens showed how close this team still is to the AFC's elite. There's no reason the Bengals can't be 5-4 after an upcoming stretch of games against the Giants, Browns, Eagles, and Raiders.Surtain for DPOY?<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748831/cropped_GettyImages-2176275383.jpg?ts=1728259389" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748831/w220xh124_GettyImages-2176275383.jpg?ts=1728259389 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748831/w320xh180_GettyImages-2176275383.jpg?ts=1728259389 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748831/w640xh360_GettyImages-2176275383.jpg?ts=1728259389 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748831/w768xh432_GettyImages-2176275383.jpg?ts=1728259389 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748831/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2176275383.jpg?ts=1728259389 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Cooper Neill / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>It's not easy to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors as a cornerback - Stephon Gilmore (2019) and Charles Woodson (2009) are the only two to win the prestigious award since Deion Sanders in 1994. But it's time we consider factors beyond raw statistical production. Patrick Surtain Jr. is the best cornerback in the game right now, and his lockdown presence is leading the way for a resurgent Broncos defense. He single-handedly flipped momentum with a 100-yard pick-6 in Sunday's win over the Raiders, one of his two interceptions on the day. If Denver ends up as a competitive team with a largely anemic offense, Surtain should absolutely be in the mix for any award that recognizes his immense value.Gannon building somethingThe Cardinals are officially frisky, folks. Results probably won't be consistent for a while - this roster simply doesn't have the talent to maintain a high level of play on a weekly basis. But it's clear that second-year head coach Jonathan Gannon has the team heading in the right direction. Gannon's defense came up big in Sunday's win over the 49ers, tallying three takeaways and a turnover on downs to shut out the San Francisco offense in the second half. That provided the offense all the support it needed to stage a comeback and secure a 24-23 win. Give this organization another offseason to build and we could be talking about a legitimate playoff contender. In the meantime, the Cardinals are a team nobody can overlook.Bigsby's breakout partyTravis Etienne's spot atop the Jaguars' running back depth chart may not be safe. Tank Bigsby was in line for an expanded workload after turning seven carries into 90 yards last week, and he did not disappoint with the increase in volume. The second-year back took 13 attempts for 101 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Colts, outproducing Etienne's 17 yards on six carries. Etienne remains the preferred option as a receiver out of the backfield - he had a season-high six catches this week - but Bigsby is quickly proving to be the more effective option in the run game.Kraft a budding starJust when you thought a young Packers offense couldn't get any more exciting, it seems like there's a future star at the tight end position. Kraft's uptick in pass-game usage started last week, when he turned nine targets into six catches for 53 yards and a score, and he followed that up with four catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's win over the Rams. Both touchdowns, including a spectacular 66-yarder, showed off his unique ability after the catch. Kraft is well on his way to being a consistent playmaker for one of the league's most explosive offenses. Don't waste any more time if he's somehow still on the waiver wire in your fantasy leagues.Tracy's arrivalTyrone Tracy Jr. received a major opportunity this week when Devin Singletary was ruled out with a groin injury. The fifth-round rookie was a key contributor in a stunning win over the Seahawks, taking 18 carries for 129 yards. Tracy was thought of as a work in progress coming out of Purdue, as it was assumed a former receiver who was still so new to the position would need time to find his footing at the NFL level. So much for that. Tracy is going to be tough to keep off the field.<h3>Stat of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Derrick Henry is the 3rd player age 30+ with 500+ rush yards and 5+ rush TD in the first 5 games of a season. He joins Curtis Martin and Priest Holmes (both in 2004). <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RavensFlock?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RavensFlock</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLPlus</a>— Tony Holzman-Escareno (@FrontOfficeNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/FrontOfficeNFL/status/1843026926551945634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2024</a>
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Key takeaways and analysis from Week 5 in the NFL

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.<h3>Eagles in trouble</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747659/cropped_GettyImages-2174721281.jpg?ts=1727666166" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747659/w220xh124_GettyImages-2174721281.jpg?ts=1727666166 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747659/w320xh180_GettyImages-2174721281.jpg?ts=1727666166 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747659/w640xh360_GettyImages-2174721281.jpg?ts=1727666166 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747659/w768xh432_GettyImages-2174721281.jpg?ts=1727666166 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747659/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2174721281.jpg?ts=1727666166 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>It might be time to smash the panic button in Philadelphia.The Eagles made the questionable decision to retain Nick Sirianni after last season's collapse, opting instead to make changes at both offensive and defensive coordinator. Their schemes may look a little different four games into the season, but the results are every bit as frustrating.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Kellen Moore's offensive system, crucially, hasn't had the intended effect with Jalen Hurts. If you want to chalk up Sunday's loss to the Bucs as a matter of the Eagles being without their star receivers, go for it. But how long are we going to make excuses for a quarterback making $51 million per season?Hurts has continued to regress since Philly's Super Bowl heartbreak, and he's now coughed up 27 turnovers in his last 22 games. Leaning on the run game would help, but that can be hard to do if the offense is so consistently putting the team in an early hole.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Eagles 1st quarter stats through 4 games: 347 yards, 20 points allowed 161 yards, 0 points for This is a sign of a poorly coached, unprepared team.— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrendenDeeg_/status/1840483121776517319?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The defense hasn't been any better despite replacing Sean Desai with Vic Fangio, entering this week's action ranked 24th in EPA/play. Baker Mayfield marched the Bucs' offense up and down the field throughout the day Sunday, throwing for 347 yards and two touchdowns, while the run game accounted for 111 yards and another pair of scores.This team's issues run far deeper than who's calling plays on each side of the ball. And although Nick Sirianni likely receives a little too much criticism for a coach who has a 36-19 record and a Super Bowl appearance over the last four years, it's fair to assume that the problems start at the top.At this point, it'd be an upset if Sirianni is still coaching the Eagles next season. The real question is whether ownership is forced to correct its offseason mistake and make a move in the coming weeks. There's no reason for a team with this much talent to be this objectively bad.<h3>Vikings roll on offense, too</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747549/cropped_GettyImages-2175507272.jpg?ts=1727636180" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747549/w220xh124_GettyImages-2175507272.jpg?ts=1727636180 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747549/w320xh180_GettyImages-2175507272.jpg?ts=1727636180 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747549/w640xh360_GettyImages-2175507272.jpg?ts=1727636180 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747549/w768xh432_GettyImages-2175507272.jpg?ts=1727636180 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747549/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2175507272.jpg?ts=1727636180 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Much of this space last week was dedicated to Brian Flores and a truly diabolical Vikings defense. That group once again did its part with four turnovers in Sunday's win over the Packers, but the offense gets the spotlight this time around.Four games in, it's becoming clear that this isn't just another one of Sam Darnold's short-lived hot streaks. The former first-round pick put together his best game yet in helping the Vikings to a 4-0 start, completing 20-of-28 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns. That puts him up to 11 passing scores on the year, good for the top spot among league leaders.Darnold will still make the occasional mistake - another interception this week makes it three on the season. But an outstanding supporting cast and some schematic genius from Kevin O'Connell make this a completely different situation than previous stops that saw him labeled a bust. His natural abilities as a passer can shine through when he just has to be the point guard.Assuming this continues, the Vikings will have some fascinating decisions to make at season's end. Darnold will be due an enormous raise after playing on a one-year, $10-million contract, and it's only a matter of time until first-round pick J.J. McCarthy takes over as the starter. But those are discussions for another day.The Vikings are playing an elite brand of complementary football, and there's no reason they can't sustain this right through to January. Enjoy this for what it is - it's not often that a total afterthought team blows away expectations to emerge as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.<h3>Chiefs to the trade market?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747660/cropped_GettyImages-2174768718.jpg?ts=1727666511" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747660/w220xh124_GettyImages-2174768718.jpg?ts=1727666511 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747660/w320xh180_GettyImages-2174768718.jpg?ts=1727666511 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747660/w640xh360_GettyImages-2174768718.jpg?ts=1727666511 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747660/w768xh432_GettyImages-2174768718.jpg?ts=1727666511 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747660/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2174768718.jpg?ts=1727666511 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times / Getty</figcaption></figure>The Chiefs offense was dealt a devastating blow this week when Rashee Rice suffered what's feared to be a torn ACL.Already without free-agent addition Hollywood Brown for at least the rest of the regular season, Kansas City had been struggling to take the expected steps in the passing game. Rice also being ruled out for the year would push first-round rookie Xavier Worthy to the top of the depth chart, moving the Chiefs dangerously close to the same type of paper-thin receiving corps that plagued the offense for much of last season.The Chiefs proved they could win under such circumstances, so nobody is going to be counting them out - they're already off to a 4-0 start despite the scoring difficulties. But is Andy Reid really going to be content to grind out wins in the same way he was forced to do last year?Don't be surprised if the Chiefs respond to the injuries at receiver by attempting to kickstart the trade market well in advance of the Nov. 5 deadline. Davante Adams is the obvious target for any contender in need of a pass-catcher, but prying him away from a division rival could be nearly impossible.As things currently stand, the Titans seem like one of the only teams clearly headed for seller status. DeAndre Hopkins, anyone?<h3>Quick slants</h3>Ravens, Henry take flight<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747656/cropped_GettyImages-2175548504.jpg?ts=1727664953" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747656/w220xh124_GettyImages-2175548504.jpg?ts=1727664953 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747656/w320xh180_GettyImages-2175548504.jpg?ts=1727664953 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747656/w640xh360_GettyImages-2175548504.jpg?ts=1727664953 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747656/w768xh432_GettyImages-2175548504.jpg?ts=1727664953 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747656/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2175548504.jpg?ts=1727664953 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Greg Fiume / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>It seems like it's become something of an annual tradition to wonder whether Derrick Henry will drop off. Once again, it'd appear that the answer is a resounding no. Henry built upon last week's 151-yard performance by destroying the Bills with 199 yards Sunday night. It's no coincidence that these were Baltimore's best two games of the year. The four-time Pro Bowler now leads the league with 480 rushing yards. If the Ravens have found a formula to integrate Henry into the offense and work everything else off that, including the contributions of the reigning MVP, the rest of the AFC could be in trouble.Daniels on a superstar trajectoryJayden Daniels entered the league facing some legitimate questions about how his game will translate. One month in, he's well on his way to making doubters look silly. The Commanders quarterback continues to outplay No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, making himself the clear front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Another near-flawless day in Washington's 42-14 win over Arizona brings his completion rate to an incredible 82.1%, a new NFL record through a player's first four games. Daniels has been comfortable in the pocket, he's making decisive decisions with the ball, and he's using his athleticism to both make plays as a runner and create more opportunities for himself as a passer. Things are finally looking up for 3-1 Washington.Same old JetsA few vintage flashes from Aaron Rodgers early in the season have created the impression that it's only a matter of time before the Jets' offense holds up its end of the bargain. That may well be where things are headed in time, but it'll remain a work in progress early on. The Jets' offense was particularly disappointing in Sunday's shocking loss to the Broncos, managing just nine points to waste a defensive effort that held Bo Nix to 60 passing yards overall and minus-7 in the first half. The offensive line has to be better if New York is going to make the most of its skill-position talent. Rodgers taking five sacks and Breece Hall averaging 0.4 yards per carry looked too much like the anemic Jets offense that's supposed to be a thing of the past.Falcons finding their strideIt turns out the mass panic surrounding the Falcons after a rough season opener was a little bit of an overreaction. In fairness, how else were we supposed to interpret Kirk Cousins, coming off a torn Achilles, spending all of Week 1 as a stationary shotgun-only passer? Looking back, though, it seems like that was nothing more than an effort to reacclimate the veteran quarterback to live action. In the three games since, the Falcons' offense has taken some meaningful steps toward becoming the unit we all expected. A big win over the Eagles got their season going back in the right direction, they had every opportunity to beat the Chiefs in Week 3, and Sunday's victory over the Saints confirmed this team is a legitimate contender for an NFC South title. Let's see if the ascent continues in the weeks ahead.Love's good outweighs the badJordan Love is back in action just three weeks after going down with a sprained MCL in the season opener. His return featured some not-so-great moments, with a trio of interceptions likely making the difference in a two-point loss, but rust doesn't exactly help matters against an outstanding Vikings defense. Rather than harp on the mistakes, though, it'd be wise to focus on the outstanding plays he did make. Love's 389 passing yards and four touchdowns was far and away the most productive day any quarterback has managed against Brian Flores' defense this year. The Packers would love to be better than 2-2, but Love bringing them back into this game after going down 28-0 was an important reminder of this team's firepower with its star quarterback healthy.Richardson banged up<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747528/cropped_GettyImages-2175499730.jpg?ts=1727632997" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747528/w220xh124_GettyImages-2175499730.jpg?ts=1727632997 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747528/w320xh180_GettyImages-2175499730.jpg?ts=1727632997 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747528/w640xh360_GettyImages-2175499730.jpg?ts=1727632997 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747528/w768xh432_GettyImages-2175499730.jpg?ts=1727632997 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747528/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2175499730.jpg?ts=1727632997 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Anthony Richardson was forced to leave Sunday's win over the Colts with a hip issue. It appears as though he avoided any sort of major injury, but the events leading to his exit should bring up a familiar conversation. Richardson initially picked up the injury taking unnecessary contact at the end of a scramble. He then reinjured himself just one play after initially returning because an awkward slide decision exposed him to another hit. Injuries are an unavoidable part of the game, but Richardson has to do a better job of protecting himself. He'll never get the development reps he needs if he's constantly in and out of games.Broncos can play defense?What a difference a year can make. At this point in the 2023 season, it felt as though Vance Joseph wouldn't be long for Denver - it's tough to survive giving up 70 points in an NFL game. But Sean Payton stood by his defensive coordinator, and the unit slowly got better from that point forward. The progress has continued well into the 2024 campaign, with Sunday's effort against the Jets marking the culmination of the methodical turnaround. Denver's defense entered the week ranked sixth in EPA/play. That standing should be on the rise after the Broncos held the Jets to nine points, got to Aaron Rodgers for five sacks, and completely bottled up the run game. This team won't contend until it can get more out of Bo Nix, but a defense of this caliber can alleviate a lot of the pressure on the young quarterback.Progress in ChicagoThere may yet be hope for the Bears' offense. After averaging just 72.7 rushing yards per game over the first three weeks of the season, Chicago broke through with 131 yards and a pair of scores in Sunday's win over the Rams. A brutal L.A. run defense surely contributed to the successful day on the ground, but the week-to-week difference in execution on the part of the Bears' offense was still incredibly promising. D'Andre Swift putting together more performances like his 93-yard effort this week would go a long way toward assisting Caleb Williams in the early stages of his development.Bucs make statementOffseason hype for the Falcons may yet prove justified, but it's starting to seem foolish that any such discussion completely overlooked the Bucs. There have been some inconsistencies thus far, including a major letdown in last week's loss to the Broncos, but we have every reason to believe that this team will be right in the mix at the end of the season. Baker Mayfield continues to prove that 2023 was no fluke, and he's truly found a home in Tampa Bay. While a three-year, $100-million deal may have seemed a little rich for some, he'll be more than worth the price tag if he's throwing for 347 yards and two scores as he did in a massive win over the Eagles.Money well spentThe Packers spending big in free agency isn't exactly a common occurrence. But they identified some key players who were deserving of the money in this year's class, and early indications suggest they were absolutely correct. Xavier McKinney, most notably, has proven more than worthy of his top-four annual average salary at the safety position. He's been the driving force for an opportunistic defense, coming away with an interception in each of the first four games of the season. The Giants letting McKinney and Saquon Barkley walk away for nothing in the same offseason is a rough look.It's gonna be MayeThe Patriots can't delay this much longer, can they? Drake Maye is almost certainly the better option at quarterback right now - head coach Jerod Mayo even admitted that the No. 3 pick outplayed veteran Jacoby Brissett in the preseason. If the idea was to keep him under wraps for a difficult opening stretch of the schedule, fair enough. But back-to-back games against the Jets' and 49ers' defenses are now in the rearview mirror. Next week's home matchup with a beat-up Dolphins team could be the ideal opportunity to get Maye his first start. There's only so much you can learn watching from the sidelines.<h3>Stat of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The GREATEST STAT, EVER. Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos holds the record for the fewest passing yards in a winning NFL game with a minimum of 20 pass attempts, with 60 yards in a 10-9 win.— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonPerna/status/1840516899508994177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2024</a>
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Key takeaways and analysis from Week 4 in the NFL

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.<h3>Flores in his own tier</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746502/cropped_GettyImages-2172743043.jpg?ts=1727060790" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746502/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172743043.jpg?ts=1727060790 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746502/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172743043.jpg?ts=1727060790 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746502/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172743043.jpg?ts=1727060790 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746502/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172743043.jpg?ts=1727060790 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746502/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172743043.jpg?ts=1727060790 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Stephen Maturen / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Don't let quarterback bias distract you from the real story in Minnesota.The Vikings' offense is doing its part with Sam Darnold under center, to be sure, and Kevin O'Connell's system will always give Minnesota a chance to put points on the board. But this team's ceiling is being lifted by everything that's happening on the other side of the ball.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>It was easy enough to shrug off a 28-6 win in the opener - the Giants have trouble scoring no matter the opponent. Frustrating Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers' offense en route to a Week 2 upset was a different story, though. And the encore in a blowout win over the Texans this week marked the best work yet from defensive coordinator Brian Flores.The stunning 34-7 result marked the Texans' second-lowest scoring effort of the C.J. Stroud era, with the star quarterback managing just 215 passing yards while serving up two interceptions and taking four sacks.Flores' knack for disguising coverages and dialing up exotic blitz packages is proving to be a nightmare matchup for even the best of opponents. Brock Purdy was highly complimentary of the scheme talking to Flores after last week's game, and Stroud may have had similar feelings.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
CJ Stroud just walked to the sideline, took his helmet off, sat on the bench and put his head in his hands.— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) <a href="https://twitter.com/alec_lewis/status/1837929221299359947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The Vikings, just like everyone expected, are one of five remaining undefeated teams. While they may not have the kind of star power to match many of their opponents on paper, this kind of coaching will allow them to hang with just about anyone straight through to January.At that time, we'll start hearing Flores' name right there alongside Bill Belichick and Mike Vrabel among the most coveted head coaching candidates around the league. He's setting the standard for the NFL's defensive resurgence.<h3>Andy Dalton?!</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746487/cropped_GettyImages-2173811039.jpg?ts=1727058245" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746487/w220xh124_GettyImages-2173811039.jpg?ts=1727058245 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746487/w320xh180_GettyImages-2173811039.jpg?ts=1727058245 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746487/w640xh360_GettyImages-2173811039.jpg?ts=1727058245 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746487/w768xh432_GettyImages-2173811039.jpg?ts=1727058245 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746487/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2173811039.jpg?ts=1727058245 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ian Maule / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Carolina's decision to bench Bryce Young sparked an interesting conversation last week. While the former No. 1 pick surely deserved blame for how his career had begun, it was also fair to wonder whether the state of the Panthers ever gave him much of a chance.One game later, it no longer seems like there's much to discuss on that front.Turning to 36-year-old veteran Andy Dalton was somehow all the Panthers needed to look like a completely different team. A 36-22 win over the Raiders, Carolina's highest-scoring output since 2022, saw the Panthers produce more points than Young's last four starts combined.Dalton's performance wasn't only impressive in relation to his sophomore counterpart, though. He became the first quarterback league-wide to put up 300-plus yards and three-plus touchdowns in a single game this season.It's possible that the offense comes crashing back down to earth in the coming weeks - Dalton is not going to emerge as a consistently high-level passer at this point in his career. But to see the unit enjoy that much improvement by simply benching its young franchise quarterback in favor of an aging journeyman is staggering.While the organization was reportedly planning to go back to Young after a few weeks on the bench, it's tough to see how that would be possible if the team is this much better without him. The Panthers shouldn't hesitate to entertain trade offers for Young and get some sort of middling value in return while they still can.Dalton, believe it or not, provides the best option for laying the foundation of what this program hopes to be under the leadership of Dave Canales. The rest of the team deserves to start out on that journey.<h3>Rams grind one out</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746505/cropped_GettyImages-2173811744.jpg?ts=1727060924" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746505/w220xh124_GettyImages-2173811744.jpg?ts=1727060924 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746505/w320xh180_GettyImages-2173811744.jpg?ts=1727060924 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746505/w640xh360_GettyImages-2173811744.jpg?ts=1727060924 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746505/w768xh432_GettyImages-2173811744.jpg?ts=1727060924 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746505/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2173811744.jpg?ts=1727060924 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Wins don't get much more impressive than that, folks.Nobody was giving the Rams a chance in Sunday's game against the 49ers, and understandably so. Injuries had absolutely ravaged this roster over the first two weeks, leaving Los Angeles without Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and three starters on the offensive line.The 49ers had their share of injury issues heading into this matchup, to be fair, but the Rams' bad luck had seemingly threatened to end their season before it could even begin.To their credit, the Rams had no interest in throwing in the towel. Matthew Stafford and Kyren Williams responded every time the 49ers seemed poised to put the game away. The defense came up with a huge fourth-quarter stop after a 10-point comeback, and a clutch punt return from Xavier Smith put the offense in position to win it at the end.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The Rams’ win probability was as low as 3.2% with 4:14 remaining in the fourth quarter in their comeback win over the 49ers. Matthew Stafford led the Rams on two scoring drives in the final three minutes, with both drives leading to points in under a minute.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SFvsLA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SFvsLA</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/RamsNFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RamsNFL</a> <a href="https://t.co/KM3XvcNQIE">pic.twitter.com/KM3XvcNQIE</a>— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) <a href="https://twitter.com/NextGenStats/status/1838004005014052885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>It'll continue to be tough sledding for as long as the Rams are without some of their most important offensive pieces, but this win was a reminder that this team has the depth and coaching to be scrappy while they wait for their stars to return.Next week's matchup with the Bears provides an opportunity to get back to .500. If the Rams can start getting some of their key players back in the weeks that follow, there's no reason this team can't hit its stride at the right time and make some noise down the stretch.<h3>Quick slants</h3>Nabers already a superstar<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746344/cropped_GettyImages-2173260927.jpg?ts=1727061001" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746344/w220xh124_GettyImages-2173260927.jpg?ts=1727061001 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746344/w320xh180_GettyImages-2173260927.jpg?ts=1727061001 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746344/w640xh360_GettyImages-2173260927.jpg?ts=1727061001 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746344/w768xh432_GettyImages-2173260927.jpg?ts=1727061001 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746344/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2173260927.jpg?ts=1727061001 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> G Fiume / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The Giants passing on a rare opportunity to draft a quarterback will always be a questionable move. It's hard to be too upset with the decision when you end up with a player like Malik Nabers, though. The No. 6 overall pick was the best playmaker on the field in Sunday's win over the Browns. His pair of scores made him the first receiver in NFL history to start his career with 20-plus receptions and three-plus touchdowns over his first three games. Nabers will be one of the best in the game for a long time.Willis outplays LevisAnother week, another impressive Packers win. Malik Willis once again played a key role in place of the injured Jordan Love, this time accounting for 275 total yards and two touchdowns against his former team. Going into Tennessee and so thoroughly outplaying Will Levis, the player drafted to replace him after just one year, is the revenge game of all revenge games. Matt LaFleur putting him in a position to succeed, and Willis getting the job done when called upon, has the Packers poised to take off with Love's impending return.Concern for CowboysThere's no shame in falling to a desperate (and good) Ravens team, even if it did drop the Cowboys to 1-2. But Mike Zimmer's defense is a major concern. After giving up 190 yards on the ground in a blowout loss to the Saints, Dallas yielded an astounding 274 rushing yards to Baltimore. This group has the playmakers to create turnovers in passing situations, but it won't matter much if opponents can easily keep their offense on schedule with a dominant run game. Something has to change soon.Refs still at itA fun afternoon matchup between the Lions and Cardinals could've looked a whole lot different were it not for an inexcusable blunder from the officiating crew. Arizona appeared poised to take a late first-half lead on a wild pick-6 until the play was blown dead for the two-minute warning. The broadcast replay clearly showed that the clock was at 2:01 at the time of the snap. Credit to the Cardinals for hanging tough and keeping it close, but this was yet another game-changing error from the officials.Richardson struggles<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746354/cropped_GettyImages-2173764189.jpg?ts=1727061112" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746354/w220xh124_GettyImages-2173764189.jpg?ts=1727061112 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746354/w320xh180_GettyImages-2173764189.jpg?ts=1727061112 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746354/w640xh360_GettyImages-2173764189.jpg?ts=1727061112 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746354/w768xh432_GettyImages-2173764189.jpg?ts=1727061112 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746354/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2173764189.jpg?ts=1727061112 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Justin Casterline / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>It's been a rough two weeks for Anthony Richardson after a highlight-reel opener. The Colts quarterback was especially bad in Sunday's win over the Bears, with strange misses and poor decisions culminating in a 10-for-20 day with 167 yards and two interceptions. Don't panic just yet, though: Richardson's path to stardom was always going to look a lot like Josh Allen's. Maybe it doesn't work in the end, but the flashes of brilliance still hint at unicorn-type upside. Patience is key here.Some things never changeAllow the Raiders to provide your latest reminder about overreacting to early-season results. An upset win last week in Baltimore was certainly a fun story, and it seemed possible that the offense was turning a corner. But nobody who's paid any attention to this team over the last two decades took it as a surefire sign of progress. Following that up with an embarrassing home loss to the Panthers, of all teams, is peak Raiders football. It's tough to be surprised by the letdown game, and that's kind of the problem.Jennings rises to occasionThe 49ers may not have come away with the victory against the Rams, but it wasn't because no one could step up for their injured playmakers. Jauan Jennings was spectacular as the second option in San Francisco's passing game, racking up 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns. He'll slide back into a low-volume, third-down specialist role when Deebo Samuel and George Kittle get healthy, but this kind of depth is huge for a beat-up 49ers offense.Tucker passing the torchJustin Tucker has now missed a field goal in each of the first three games. He may be on the downswing of his career after a pair of seasons in which his conversion rate fell well below his lofty career averages. If you're wondering who might take his place as the league's undisputed top kicker, all you had to do was look across the field Sunday afternoon in Dallas. Brandon Aubrey has built upon a sensational debut season with a perfect start in 2024, including a 65-yarder against the Ravens. The ease with which he connects from distance is oddly reminiscent of Tucker in his prime.<h3>Stat of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Leaguewide PFF passing grade against the blitz 2019: 73.2 2020: 81.3 2021: 75.3 2022: 71.4 2023: 72.6 2024: 59.5— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) <a href="https://twitter.com/StevePalazzolo_/status/1838059451011465319?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2024</a>
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Key takeaways and analysis from Week 3 in the NFL

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.<h3>Nobody knows anything</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745294/cropped_GettyImages-2172194215.jpg?ts=1726431483" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745294/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172194215.jpg?ts=1726431483 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745294/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172194215.jpg?ts=1726431483 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745294/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172194215.jpg?ts=1726431483 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745294/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172194215.jpg?ts=1726431483 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745294/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172194215.jpg?ts=1726431483 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Sam Hodde / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>A lot of pessimism surrounded the Saints heading into this season, and it's not difficult to understand why.A horrific cap situation once again gave them no choice but to run it back with a seemingly mediocre roster, and it seemed possible, if not probable, that an unproven offensive line would undermine anything the Saints tried to accomplish with a new scheme. Not exactly the most inspiring situation.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Yet here we are two weeks into the season, and New Orleans is the most interesting story in the league. The blowout win over the Panthers in Week 1 flew under the radar for obvious reasons, but it's impossible to overlook the Saints' similarly dominant effort against the Cowboys this week.New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is doing some phenomenal work scheming up big plays, and Derek Carr looks more comfortable than we've seen him at any other point in his 11-year pro career. He's thrown for five touchdowns through two games, leading the league with well over 11 yards per attempt.Crucially, the Saints have also put together an efficient run game despite the offensive line's perceived shortcomings. Alvin Kamara's four-touchdown day included 115 yards and three scores on the ground. His 5.6 yards per carry (in a very small sample) would be his most efficient mark since his rookie campaign in 2017.While we probably can't lump the Saints in with the NFC's other contenders just yet, their offensive resurgence, along with their always steady defense, makes them worth watching over the next few weeks. If New Orleans can keep performing at anything close to this level through an upcoming schedule that includes the Eagles and Chiefs, the hype train will be full steam ahead.<h3>LaFleur puts on a clinic</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745412/cropped_GettyImages-2172272066.jpg?ts=1726459233" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745412/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172272066.jpg?ts=1726459233 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745412/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172272066.jpg?ts=1726459233 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745412/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172272066.jpg?ts=1726459233 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745412/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172272066.jpg?ts=1726459233 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745412/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172272066.jpg?ts=1726459233 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>We all had the same thought when Jordan Love went down in Brazil; a star quarterback missing even a few weeks can derail a whole season in today's NFL. Matt LaFleur, however, wasn't interested in that scenario.The Packers head coach needed all of one week to successfully shift his team's offensive identity, putting together one of the best and most creative coaching jobs you'll see all season in Sunday's win over the Colts.While Malik Willis deserves credit for the way he handled his role in a big spot, the game plan was clear from the beginning: The Packers were going to run the ball in every possible manner, and it didn't really matter if Indy knew it was coming.Josh Jacobs led the way with 32 carries for 151 yards, and Green Bay got significant contributions from five other ball carriers, including Willis and breakout receiver Jayden Reed. In total, the Packers finished the day with 53 carries for 261 yards, their most since 2003.Succeeding under these circumstances should be appreciated. LaFleur has long been one of the game's best play-callers, and his status probably deserves another bump after his display of genius this week.This type of malleability, plus an opportunistic defense, will put the Packers in position to steal some wins until Love gets back. Once he returns, this period of run-game experimentation will keep paying off by giving the offense more ways to attack opponents. The Packers are very much alive.<h3>Fields needs to start</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745397/cropped_GettyImages-2172230974.jpg?ts=1726452391" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745397/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172230974.jpg?ts=1726452391 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745397/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172230974.jpg?ts=1726452391 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745397/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172230974.jpg?ts=1726452391 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745397/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172230974.jpg?ts=1726452391 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745397/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172230974.jpg?ts=1726452391 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Justin Edmonds / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The Steelers' offense has been anything but spectacular over the first two games of the season. They've managed 31 points in a pair of narrow victories, with Justin Fields throwing for just 273 yards and one touchdown.That may not look like the kind of production that should earn him the full-time starting job after Russell Wilson gets healthy, but this isn't a normal situation.Remember: Pittsburgh's commitment to Wilson is about as negligible as it gets for starting quarterbacks in today's NFL. He's on the books for a veteran's minimum salary this year - which was only possible because he was so disastrous with the Broncos that they moved on despite owing him a fully guaranteed $39 million this season. He never should have been expected to make a huge impact in this offense.In the best-case scenario, this post-post-prime version of Wilson would be able to avoid negative plays, take care of the ball, and not lose games while Pittsburgh's defense wins them. Look beyond the counting stats and that's exactly what Fields is doing while adding a bit of upside as a runner.Don't mess with success. And who knows? Perhaps Fields has more upside to unlock as he continues to grow within this offense. That seems a whole lot better than hoping an aging Wilson can somehow rediscover a level of play we haven't seen in four years.<h3>Quick slants</h3>Caleb getting no help<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745413/cropped_GettyImages-2172276453.jpg?ts=1726459346" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745413/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172276453.jpg?ts=1726459346 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745413/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172276453.jpg?ts=1726459346 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745413/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172276453.jpg?ts=1726459346 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745413/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172276453.jpg?ts=1726459346 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745413/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172276453.jpg?ts=1726459346 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Alex Slitz / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The popular idea that the Bears were a dream spot for a No. 1 pick at quarterback focused a little too much on the receiver group. Offensive line and scheme are also significant factors, and neither is doing much to set Caleb Williams up for early success. Chicago's front five was completely overmatched Sunday night in Houston, giving up seven sacks in a frustrating defeat. It was tough to watch the Bears keep trotting out the same basic protection plan only for their young quarterback to continue taking a beating from a ferocious Texans pass-rush. Something has to change if Williams is going to get on the right path as a rookie.Bengals deserved betterCincinnati is 0-2, but not all losses are created equal. Last week's defeat at the hands of the Patriots was cause for concern. This week's loss to the Chiefs, meanwhile, can arguably be considered a moral victory. The Bengals issued an important reminder that, if any team is built to beat Kansas City, they're it. Lou Anarumo's defense continued to give Andy Reid problems, and Joe Burrow was a late pass-interference call away from moving to 4-1 against Patrick Mahomes. The Bengals instead find themselves in a less-than-ideal hole to start the season, but they'll feel a lot better heading into next week after going shot for shot with the champs.Harbaugh cookingThe Chargers are 2-0 for the first time since 2012. Early-season wins over the Raiders and Panthers may not be enough for everyone to buy in just yet, but it sure seems like Jim Harbaugh is providing the kind of stability that has evaded this organization for well over a decade. J.K. Dobbins' sensational start continued this week with another 131 yards, and the Chargers even got two touchdowns out of Quentin Johnston. Keep an extra-close eye on the defense - new coordinator Jesse Minter has quickly brought this group up to speed on his Ravens/Michigan-style system. This team has a real chance to make some noise in the AFC playoff picture.wHaT's HiS tOp SpEeD?If you spend any time on Football Twitter, you're painfully aware that the discussion around Marvin Harrison Jr. following his dud of a debut focused on the No. 4 pick's top recorded speed being a paltry 16.7 mph. Some wondered whether Harrison, who declined to work out for teams leading up to the draft, was much slower than anyone had realized. Thankfully, it didn't take him long to dismantle that narrative in his second game. Harrison exploded for 130 yards and two long touchdowns in the first quarter alone as the Cardinals blew out the Rams. This generational draft prospect is going to be just fine.Kyler is back<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745350/cropped_GettyImages-2172226611.jpg?ts=1726440685" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745350/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172226611.jpg?ts=1726440685 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745350/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172226611.jpg?ts=1726440685 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745350/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172226611.jpg?ts=1726440685 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745350/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172226611.jpg?ts=1726440685 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745350/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172226611.jpg?ts=1726440685 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Speaking of the Cardinals, I'm pleased to inform you that Kyler Murray is extremely back. The former first overall pick had to ease his way back into action last year after recovering from a major knee injury, but after a complete offseason allowed him to return to full strength, he looks exactly like the electric quarterback we saw before he got hurt. Murray was back to making video game-like plays in Sunday's win over the Rams: He threw for 266 yards, ran for 59, and became the only quarterback this week to pass for three touchdowns. It may take some time for the Cardinals to emerge as consistent contenders, but they should be very fun to watch in the meantime.Hutch taking offAidan Hutchinson is the official way-too-early favorite for Defensive Player of the Year. The Lions edge rusher was unblockable Sunday afternoon against the Buccaneers, racking up 4.5 sacks to put him at 5.5 through two games. Hutchinson took a significant step toward elite status with 11.5 sacks as a sophomore last season, and this early dominance suggests he's lifting his game to yet another level. The Lions will have to budget for yet another market-setting contract - and they'll happily pay up.Vikings here to competeThe Vikings aren't NFC North afterthoughts. While they may lack the star power of their division rivals, this seems like a club that will defy expectations and work its way right into the mix by December. Brian Flores' defense can be a pesky matchup for even the best offenses in football, as six sacks and two turnovers from that group were key to this week's upset of the 49ers. But don't sleep on the offense either. Sam Darnold is proving more than capable of working around the occasional mistake to keep Kevin O'Connell's offense running at a more than acceptable level. His 97-yard touchdown strike to Justin Jefferson was a reminder of the talent that once made him a first-round pick.Seahawks ready to flySqueaking by Denver and New England for a pair of wins to start the season may not seem all that exciting. Look a little closer at Seattle's offense, though, and this thing is just about ready to take off. Geno Smith looked extremely comfortable in his second game in the Seahawks' new system, putting the team on his back with one big-time throw after another against the Patriots. Jaxon Smith-Njigba appears to be ready for a breakout too, as the second-year receiver tallied a team-high 12 catches for 117 yards on the day. Big plays were the selling point of Ryan Grubb's offense coming over from the University of Washington, and that's what we'll get when this group truly hits its stride. That unit working in tandem with a Mike Macdonald defense makes for an especially exciting pairing.Daniels has to protect himselfJayden Daniels has 26 rushing attempts through two games. That puts the Commanders rookie on an early 17-game pace for 221, which would shatter Lamar Jackson's quarterback record of 176. Some of those runs have been by design, while many have been scrambles under pressure. Either way, this volume isn't sustainable. Daniels has always been far too reckless about contact for a player of his size. The No. 2 overall pick getting banged up a bit in Sunday's win over the Giants, a game where he also took five sacks, should encourage the Commanders to do a better job of protecting him than they have so far. The team's future depends on it.<h3>Stat of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence has now lost seven straight starts, the longest active streak in the NFL. He has gone 294 days since his last victory as a starter (Houston Nov. 26, 2023), which is longer than drought between his last college victory and first NFL victory (289 days).— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNdirocco/status/1835448280639021358?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Quote of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
LaFleur: “I asked Malik why he didn’t throw it on that third down and he told me Josh threw up on the ball.”— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) <a href="https://twitter.com/mattschneidman/status/1835415770903499163?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2024</a>
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Key takeaways and analysis from Week 2 in the NFL

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.<h3>Bears win anyway</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744307/cropped_GettyImages-2170848039.jpg?ts=1725852964" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744307/w220xh124_GettyImages-2170848039.jpg?ts=1725852964 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744307/w320xh180_GettyImages-2170848039.jpg?ts=1725852964 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744307/w640xh360_GettyImages-2170848039.jpg?ts=1725852964 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744307/w768xh432_GettyImages-2170848039.jpg?ts=1725852964 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744307/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2170848039.jpg?ts=1725852964 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>This is how you support a rookie quarterback, folks.Caleb Williams wasn't exactly spectacular in his long-awaited NFL debut, throwing for just 93 yards and failing to lead a single touchdown drive.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>In almost any other situation, a Week 1 dud from a No. 1 pick at quarterback would set Monday morning talk shows ablaze. Thankfully, we'll instead be discussing how this Bears team doesn't need its rookie signal-caller to be perfect.The special teams unit got Chicago in the end zone for the first time after a blocked punt in the third quarter, and the defense capped an outstanding performance with Tyrique Stevenson's go-ahead pick-6 in the fourth quarter.If you wanted to see more from a signal-caller who generated this much hype, you probably aren't alone. But remember: the transition from college to the NFL isn't seamless for most signal-callers. Sunday's result makes Williams the first quarterback since 2002 to win his debut after being selected No. 1 overall.The fact that the Bears were able to lift him up, rather than counting on him to single-handedly carry the franchise from the jump, should be considered promising for his chances at easing his way into the professional game. It's only a matter of time before his rare abilities become a factor as part of this team's impressive foundation.<h3>Richardson worth the wait</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744305/cropped_GettyImages-2168194116.jpg?ts=1725852899" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744305/w220xh124_GettyImages-2168194116.jpg?ts=1725852899 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744305/w320xh180_GettyImages-2168194116.jpg?ts=1725852899 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744305/w640xh360_GettyImages-2168194116.jpg?ts=1725852899 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744305/w768xh432_GettyImages-2168194116.jpg?ts=1725852899 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744305/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2168194116.jpg?ts=1725852899 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>Anthony Richardson was a fascinating draft prospect. Some evaluators were scared off by perceived (and overblown) accuracy issues at Florida. Others were mesmerized by the upside that came with unicorn-like athletic gifts.Doubters may feel vindicated by his 9-of-19 completion rate in the Colts' season opener. The believers, meanwhile, will point to the incredible 11.2 yards per attempt and, well, everything they saw with their eyes. If you're not in the latter category, now may be a good time to join.Richardson made the <a href="https://x.com/Colts/status/1832832736748327323">play of the week</a> early in Sunday's loss to the Texans, unloading under pressure for a monster touchdown strike to Alec Pierce. The 65.3 air yards on the pass represented the third-longest throw tracked by NextGenStats, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/BenjaminSolak/status/1832832962746040530">Benjamin Solak of ESPN</a>.His rare arm talent was also on display on <a href="https://x.com/Colts/status/1832863946098765969">this</a> impressive tight-window touchdown throw to Ashton Dulin.There are bound to be some ups and downs in the early stages of Richardson's game - nobody's denying that. And, if completion percentage is your definition of good quarterback play, perhaps you'll never truly respect his style.But it's these flashes - along with his dynamic abilities as a runner - that separate the good signal-callers from the great ones in today's game. If you want a difference-maker, you should be chasing this kind of upside. The Colts were bold enough to do it, and they may have a future MVP candidate as a result.<h3>No way out</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744306/cropped_GettyImages-2170884050.jpg?ts=1725852918" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744306/w220xh124_GettyImages-2170884050.jpg?ts=1725852918 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744306/w320xh180_GettyImages-2170884050.jpg?ts=1725852918 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744306/w640xh360_GettyImages-2170884050.jpg?ts=1725852918 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744306/w768xh432_GettyImages-2170884050.jpg?ts=1725852918 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744306/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2170884050.jpg?ts=1725852918 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Nick Cammett / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Hope springs eternal with every new NFL season, so it's no surprise that we were all forced to entertain the possibility that, by some miracle, Deshaun Watson would once again become a capable starting quarterback.While Watson's playing time has been sporadic since he joined the Browns in 2022, this season marks his third in Kevin Stefanski's system. Not only has he failed to progress in that time, but one could argue that fading arm talent is actually making him worse.Accuracy was a major issue for Watson in Sunday's loss to the Cowboys. He completed just 24 of 45 passes for 3.8 yards per attempt while also adding a pair of interceptions and taking six sacks. In any other situation, he'd soon find himself either on the bench or cut. But a truly unfathomable contract situation essentially gives the Browns no such option.A quarterback with two fully guaranteed $46-million salaries left on his deal is not going to be sitting on the sidelines. The Browns would take a dead-money hit of $173 million to move on from Watson before the 2025 season, so that almost certainly keeps him around for next year's $72.9 million cap hit, too.There's simply nothing Cleveland can do other than wait out this albatross of a contract and learn from what may be the worst trade and contract in NFL history. Pairing two mistakes of that magnitude together completely wasted an opportunity for a long-suffering organization to build a sustained competitor.<h3>New kickoff</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744308/cropped_GettyImages-2170458676.jpg?ts=1725853015" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744308/w220xh124_GettyImages-2170458676.jpg?ts=1725853015 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744308/w320xh180_GettyImages-2170458676.jpg?ts=1725853015 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744308/w640xh360_GettyImages-2170458676.jpg?ts=1725853015 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744308/w768xh432_GettyImages-2170458676.jpg?ts=1725853015 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744308/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2170458676.jpg?ts=1725853015 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Aaron M. Sprecher / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>It didn't take long for the dynamic kickoff to give us some excitement: Cardinals veteran DeeJay Dallas made history with his 96-yard score early on Sunday afternoon. The first touchdown will be what generates headlines in the coming days, but the real story is that the new format is trending toward being a bit of a letdown.Well under 40% of kickoffs so far this week have been returned. That may represent a higher rate than last season, but it's nowhere near the 70% we saw when teams were feeling out the new rules in the preseason.The probable reason: touchbacks bringing the ball out to the 30-yard line don't do enough to incentivize kickoff teams to keep it in the field of play.If return teams are already going to be bringing kicks back to that range when they get the opportunity, and at least pose the risk of ripping off an even longer return, it's only fair to assume that more and more kickoff teams will be content to send the ball through the end zone.Moving the touchback out to at least the 35-yard line could change the equation, but the league has suggested that any such change likely wouldn't be implemented during the season.So while all football fans should be happy with the player safety benefits of the dynamic kickoff, we may be a few further changes away from teams truly embracing it from a strategy standpoint.<h3>Quick slants</h3>Rough start for Cousins<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744310/cropped_GettyImages-2170257925.jpg?ts=1725854120" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744310/w220xh124_GettyImages-2170257925.jpg?ts=1725854120 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744310/w320xh180_GettyImages-2170257925.jpg?ts=1725854120 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744310/w640xh360_GettyImages-2170257925.jpg?ts=1725854120 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744310/w768xh432_GettyImages-2170257925.jpg?ts=1725854120 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744310/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2170257925.jpg?ts=1725854120 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>Kirk Cousins didn't have the expected impact in his Falcons debut, throwing for just 155 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in a loss to the Steelers. It'll likely take some time for him to settle back in after working his way back from last year's Achilles tear, but the schedule isn't going to do him any favors. Atlanta could be looking at a disastrous 0-3 to start the season with prime-time games against the Eagles and Chiefs coming up over the next two weeks. While that may not be insurmountable in the NFC South, the Falcons would have little room for error from that point forward.Bengals (don't) do it againA stunning season-opening loss to the Patriots now makes the Bengals 1-10 in the first two weeks of the season under Zac Taylor. As we've seen in recent seasons, early stumbles are no reason to count this team out. But how does this keep happening? It's hard not to think that the offense would have been better prepared to hit the ground running if Ja'Marr Chase wasn't in and out of practice due to a contract standoff. The Bengals' front office seems dead set on outclassing the Cowboys in the business of needlessly delaying inevitable extensions.New year, same PanthersLast year couldn't have gone much worse for the Panthers, so it was easy to feel like they might be heading back in the right direction after a productive offseason. And maybe they are. It's tough to draw conclusions based on one game. But opening the season with a 47-10 loss to the Saints feels like a whole lot more of the same. The offense remained feckless, with Bryce Young posting a 10.7 QBR that would have been his second-worst output last year. Things didn't go any better on the other side of the ball, as Carolina couldn't force a punt until the Saints were pulling starters in garbage time. It might be another long year for Panthers fans.Marv's breakout delayedThe Cardinals' offense had some good moments in Sunday's loss to the Bills, but the lack of involvement for Marvin Harrison Jr. was rather jarring. The highly touted receiver had one catch for four yards on three targets in his NFL debut. If you were one of those fantasy managers drafting him as a top-10 receiver, don't get discouraged by a slow start. Justin Jefferson had two catches in his NFL debut before going on to finish his rookie year with 1,400 yards. The Cardinals are well aware of what they have in Harrison, so it shouldn't be long before he gets involved in a big way.DJ's disaster game<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744218/cropped_GettyImages-2170861938.jpg?ts=1725828224" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744218/w220xh124_GettyImages-2170861938.jpg?ts=1725828224 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744218/w320xh180_GettyImages-2170861938.jpg?ts=1725828224 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744218/w640xh360_GettyImages-2170861938.jpg?ts=1725828224 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744218/w768xh432_GettyImages-2170861938.jpg?ts=1725828224 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744218/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2170861938.jpg?ts=1725828224 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Football fans got a unique behind-the-scenes look at the Giants' roster-building process when the team was featured in the first-ever offseason edition of Hard Knocks. There's something extra mystifying about seeing a team talk itself into another year of Daniel Jones only to immediately end up looking delusional. Jones averaged 4.4 yards per attempt in Sunday's loss to the Vikings, posting a minus-17.3% completion percentage above expectation, according to Next Gen Stats. He also threw two interceptions and took five sacks, garnering merciless boos from the home crowd. The silver lining for Giants fans is that they may be in the poll position for the No. 1 pick and a new quarterback next spring.Mixon rejuvenatedIt seems the football world was sleeping on the Texans' offseason addition of Joe Mixon. The veteran back was a workhorse in his Texans debut, taking 30 carries for 159 yards, his highest total since 2021. The Texans' offense is tough enough to stop with C.J. Stroud on the doorstep of elite QB status and Stefon Diggs joining a dynamic receiving corps. A meaningful upgrade to last year's run game (26th EPA/play, 27th success rate) could send this offense through the roof.Dobbins is hereJ.K. Dobbins being forced to settle for a one-year, $1.6-million contract with the Chargers is already looking a little silly. The former Ravens second-round pick seemingly needed less than one game to pass Gus Edwards on the depth chart, spearheading a power run game with 135 yards and one touchdown on just 10 carries. Dobbins has always had top-10 running back potential, but poor injury luck consistently held him back in Baltimore. Now healthy, he could be in for a massive year as the lead back on an offense that is going to run the ball no matter what.All-time terrible decisionAntonio Pierce's first game as the Raiders' full-time head coach gave us one of the worst fourth-down decisions you'll ever see in a professional football game. Facing 4th-and-1 from the Chargers' 43-yard line, trailing 16-10 with 7:15 to play, Pierce opted to send in the punt team. The Chargers promptly put together an eight-play, 92-yard touchdown drive to put the game out of reach and seal Jim Harbaugh's first win. NFL coaching staffs have limitless resources - there is no excuse for being this bad at fourth-down calls. And yet here we are, in the year 2024, still talking about decisions that any teenage football fan could get right based on their Madden experience.<h3>Stat of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Since signing a four-year, $160 million contract with Giants before last season, Daniel Jones has thrown more TD passes to the opposition (3 pick 6s) than to his own team (2 TD passes)— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshDubowAP/status/1832974858705330347?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2024</a>
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Key takeaways and analysis from Week 1 in the NFL

The 2024 NFL Draft began Thursday with a drama-filled first round. But this party's only getting ...

The 2024 NFL Draft began Thursday with a drama-filled first round. But this party's only getting started.Day 2 begins Friday at 7 p.m. ET. Here's our best guess as to how things could shake out when teams are back on the clock for Rounds 2-3.<h3>Round 2</h3>33. Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Bills finally stay put and draft the biggest playmaker at wide receiver on the board after moving back twice in the first round.34. New England Patriots: Troy Franklin, WR, OregonThe Patriots have their quarterback of the future in Drake Maye. The next order of business: Making sure he gets a better supporting cast than Mac Jones.35. Arizona Cardinals: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, AlabamaMcKinstry should come into Arizona as a starting-caliber cornerback opposite Sean Murphy-Bunting.36. Washington Commanders: Kingsley Suamataia, OL, BYUThe Commanders are in the market for multiple upgrades at offensive line in an effort to set up Jayden Daniels for success. Suamataia is a future starter at left tackle.37. Los Angeles Chargers: Roman Wilson, WR, MichiganIt's only a matter of time before Jim Harbaugh picks a Michigan prospect. Wilson helps the Chargers' receiving corps and reunites with his former college coach.38. Tennessee Titans: Adisa Isaac, EDGE, Penn StateThe Titans need to upgrade their edge-rush spot opposite Harold Landry III. Isaac can compete to start from Day 1.39. Carolina Panthers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL, OregonArguably the best true center in the draft, Powers-Johnson beefs up the Panthers' offensive line and serves as a wall for Bryce Young.40. Commanders: Cooper DeJean, CB, IowaWashington gets a steal in DeJean, an instinctive and versatile defensive back who many considered to be a first-round lock.41. Green Bay Packers: Payton Wilson, LB, NC StateWilson has a bunch of medical concerns, but he'll give the Packers a dangerous 1-2 pairing at linebacker with Quay Walker - if he can avoid the blue tent.42. Houston Texans: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&amp;MCooper plays 100 miles per hour and that kind of intensity feels perfect for a DeMeco Ryans defense that could use help at linebacker.43. Atlanta Falcons: Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western MichiganNo pass-rusher on the Falcons posted more than 6.5 sacks last season. Kneeland's exactly the injection Atlanta needs in that department.44. Las Vegas Raiders: Jer'Zhan Newton, DL, IllinoisThe Raiders went with the best player available when they took Brock Bowers on Day 1 and that continues here. Newton's an outstanding interior pass-rusher who should have been a first-round pick.45. New Orleans Saints: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida StateDerek Carr could use a big, freakish receiving threat. There isn't one better than Coleman, who was a contested-catch monster at Florida State.46. Indianapolis Colts: Max Melton, CB, RutgersConnecting high-end athletes to the Colts is always a pretty safe bet. Melton fills a need at cornerback with impressive physical gifts.47. New York Giants: Jonathon Brooks, RB, TexasThe first running back comes off the board at last. Brooks has Saquon Barley-sized shoes to fill but if there's any back in this draft class who can be a game-changer, it's him.48. Jacksonville Jaguars: T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa StateThe Jaguars got their big-play receiver in Round 1, but they can't afford to ignore their cornerback needs much longer.49. Cincinnati Bengals: Ladd McConkey, WR, GeorgiaThere's no telling what'll happen with Bengals receiver Tee Higgins' trade request. A high-floor insurance policy like McConkey would be a wise investment.50. Philadelphia Eagles: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, ClemsonPhilly has to find a way to improve at linebacker. Trotter's an instinctive player who could follow in his father's footsteps and emerge as a long-term leader in the middle for the Eagles.51. Pittsburgh Steelers: Zach Frazier, OL, West VirginiaThe Steelers aren't done rebuilding their offensive line just yet. Pittsburgh grabs Frazier to shore up the center position - a major weakness last year for the AFC North team.52. Los Angeles Rams: Tyler Nubin, S, MinnesotaThe Rams continue to upgrade defensively by taking the class' No. 1 safety. Nubin's a well-rounded prospect who can contribute in all areas of the defensive game.53. Eagles: Blake Fisher, OL, Notre DameFisher's a great choice as a developmental offensive tackle who already comes with starting experience. Perhaps he can take over for Lane Johnson in the future.54. Cleveland Browns: Braden Fiske, DL, Florida StateFiske doesn't have ideal size, but opposing linemen will have a tough time dealing with his explosiveness as a pass-rusher. He's the kind of player the Browns need as an interior complement to Myles Garrett.55. Miami Dolphins: Christian Haynes, OL, ConnecticutThe Dolphins suffered a massive departure on the interior after losing Robert Hunt in free agency. Haynes could very well become a starter with some polish.56. Dallas Cowboys: Trey Benson, RB, Florida StateThe Cowboys miss out on Brooks to address their running back need, but Benson has superstar potential, too. His combination of speed and contact balance could make him a threat to take any play to the house.57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, MissouriThe Buccaneers' cornerback room got seriously thin after the loss of Carlton Davis. Rakestraw beefs up a group headlined by Jamel Dean.58. Packers: Jaden Hicks, S, Washington StateAnother defensive selection, Hicks gives the Packers two intriguing safeties along with Xavier McKinney.59. Texans: Mike Sainristil, CB, MichiganDeMeco Ryans would love to add a blue-chip defensive prospect like Sainristil. It's not hard to imagine Sainristil taking the starting nickel cornerback role from Desmond King.60. Bills: Kamari Lassiter, CB, GeorgiaThe Bills turn their attention to the defensive backfield after opening Day 2 with a receiver. Lassiter has the instincts to overcome anything he may lack in athleticism.61. Detroit Lions: Kris Jenkins, DL, MichiganA stout run defender with NFL bloodlines and a championship with Michigan sounds like the perfect fit for Dan Campbell.62. Baltimore Ravens: Cooper Beebe, OL, Kansas StateBeebe's a powerful player who slides in nicely as the starting left guard for a Ravens offensive line that lost a few key pieces this offseason.63. San Francisco 49ers: Andru Phillips, CB, KentuckyThe 49ers take a flyer on a physical cornerback who adds valuable depth to their secondary.64. Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Paul, OL, HoustonThe Chiefs made their big addition at receiver with Xavier Worthy in Round 1. A left tackle is the next priority, and Paul has the size and athletic gifts to develop into a solid starter at the spot.<h3>Round 3</h3>65. Panthers: Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama66. Cardinals: Javon Baker, WR, UCF67. Commanders: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington68. Patriots: Kiran Amegadjie, OL, Yale69. Chargers: Blake Corum, RB, Michigan70. Giants: Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas71. Cardinals: Mason McCormick, OL, South Dakota State72. New York Jets: Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky73. Cowboys: Tanor Bortolini, OL, Wisconsin74. Falcons: Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri75. Bears: Jonah Elliss, EDGE, Utah76. Denver Broncos: Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Washington77. Raiders: Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina78. Commanders: Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest79. Falcons: Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama80. Bengals: Michael Hall Jr., DL, Ohio State81. Seattle Seahawks: Renardo Green, CB, Florida State82. Colts: Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina83. Rams: Brandon Coleman, OL, TCU84. Steelers: Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington85. Browns: Junior Colson, LB, Michigan86. Texans: Brandon Dorlus, DL, Oregon87. Cowboys: Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State88. Packers: Mekhi Wingo, DL, LSU89. Buccaneers: Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State90. Cardinals: Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee91. Packers: Jarrian Jones, CB, Florida State92. Buccaneers: Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky93. Ravens: Austin Booker, EDGE, Kansas94. 49ers: Roger Rosengarten, OL, Washington95. Bills: Maason Smith, DL, LSU96. Jaguars: T'Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas97. Bengals: Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin98. Steelers: Javon Bullard, S, Georgia99. Rams: Ruke Orhorhoro, DL, Clemson100. Commanders: Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State

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Day 2 NFL mock draft: Picks for Rounds 2-3

Draft day is finally here.  We've got you covered with all the mock scenarios you could possibly ...

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2024 NFL mock draft: Final picks ahead of Round 1

theScore's prospect rankings series takes a position-by-position look at the top players in the 2...

theScore's prospect rankings series takes a position-by-position look at the top players in the 2024 NFL Draft.Top 50 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2877628" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2877628">QB</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884554" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884554">RB</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884479" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884479">WR</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884485" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884485">TE</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884555" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884555">OL</a> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884550" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884550">ED</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884556" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884556">DL</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884552" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884552">LB</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884551" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884551">CB</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884553" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884553">SAF</a><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Top 50 big board" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-TBijB" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/TBijB/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="1738" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
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Top 50 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2877628" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2877628">QB</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884554" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884554">RB</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884479" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884479">WR</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884485" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884485">TE</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884555" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884555">OL</a> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884550" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884550">ED</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884556" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884556">DL</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884552" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884552">LB</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884551" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884551">CB</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884553" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884553">SAF</a>

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2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Top 50

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2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings: DL

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2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings: OL

The 2024 NFL Draft kicks off two weeks from tonight.  While the first pick seems to have been loc...

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NFL mock draft: Updated projections 2 weeks out

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2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings: RBs

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2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings: QBs

https://rich-content.thescore.com/authors/dan-wilkins/content_cards

Dan Wilkins

Supervising Editor

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Daniel Valente

News Editor

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Andrew Dixon

Associate new editor

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