Sunday Coffee: NFL News & Notes Week 5
What's With All The Mediocre QBs in the NFL? All Access Football Insider Bo Marchionte Goes Around The League
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Now more than ever the position of quarterback cannot be undervalued. In fact, the first four weeks of the regular season have made it even more clear; the value of playing an above average quarterback is a must, in order to win in the National Football League.
We woke up last Sunday, to watch the Jaguars build a 17-0 lead of the Falcons in London. The final ended up being 23-7 and the rest of the games that were available in my viewing area followed suit were lousy.
The one o’clock slate offered up the local flavor of the Browns and Steelers. The AFC North rivals each lost by a combined 58-6.
The viewing got worse at four o’clock when the Patriots led by Mac Jones offered up another dud in a lopsided 38-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. In the total of four games watched prior to Sunday Night Football, the winners outscored their opponents 119-16.
Somehow, Jets quarterback Zach Wilson was able to play like an NFL quarterback against Kansas City but everyone including his teammates probably feared for the worse when the Chiefs led 17-0 in the first quarter. New York made a game out of it and fell short 23-20 at MetLife Stadium.
Then came Monday night with Seattle taking on the Giants at MetLife Stadium. New York’s offense was putrid. The Seahawks defense sacked Daniel Jones and won easily 24-3.
So, I’m irritated with the current state of the National Football League. The winning teams I watched outscored their opponents 166-to-42 and amongst the five losing teams, only one managed to score a touchdown.
Needless to say, any franchise in need of a quarterback is going to have it addressed below, because the insanity must end!
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills (3-1)
I’m guilty of writing off the Bills this season and sure do regret it. Buffalo has won 10 of their last 11 regular season games and outscored their opponents 344-190 over that stretch of dominance. Everyone knows the horrific moment when safety Damar Hamlin collapsed last year and the residue of the moment lingered with them entering the playoffs. Hamlin is fully recovered and so are the Bills. They’re currently the top team in the AFC and appear to be the Super Bowl favorites after four weeks of action.
Miami Dolphins (3-1)
Maybe it’s the sunny skies and sandy beaches that give me the perception that the Dolphins are soft. The offense is a juggernaut and that doesn’t need to be explained. Miami traded for defensive back Jalen Ramsey this offseason. His aggressive style of play and in your face attitude is something that Miami is lacking defensively. The Dolphins rank No. 1 in the league in points scored and 28th overall defensively in the same category. Last November, Miami acquired two-time Pro Bowler pass-rusher Bradley Chubb who has 3.5 sacks in his eleven starts with the Dolphins. The defense would have a different swag to it with Ramsey on the field, obviously Chubb hasn’t lived up the hype.
New England Patriots (1-3)
Mac Jones had a promising rookie season in 2021, going 10-7 as the starter in New England. Since that time, his record has regressed to 7-11 and he has morphed into a turnover machine at critical moments. Against the Cowboys in the 38-3 loss, Jones committed three turnovers, two of which were returned for touchdowns. His quarterback rating on first down is 101.0 which is impressive but drops to 62.1 on third down, once again showing that when teams know he must throw, he’s unable to deliver.
New York Jets (1-3)
Compared to his previous performance this season, Zach Wilson played on another level against the Chiefs in the Jets 23-20 loss to Kansas City. The 24-year-old quarterback and former No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft is 9-17 as the starting quarterback in New York. Among his 26 starts in the NFL, few and far between matched the caliber of play he displayed versus the Chiefs. There’s a reason the Jets gave up on him and put all their hope in four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers this offseason. Bad game, bad game, bad game, bad game, bad game and then good game, is sort of the blueprint of his NFL career. Until he changes the negatives into positives, Wilson compromises the Jets chances of winning.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens (3-1)
The Ravens have tried and tried to find a stud receiver in the NFL Draft. They’ve had wings and misses on first round failures Marquise Brown in 2019 and Rashod Bateman in 2021, which led them to Zay Flowers in 2023. Brown and Bateman combined for 92 receptions and 1,099 receiving yards during their rookie seasons in Baltimore. Flowers has 24 catches for 244 yards putting him on pace for 102 receptions and 1,037 receiving yards. This former Boston College star is quickly establishing himself as Lamar Jackson’s No. 1 target. That’s not my opinion, he actually leads the team in targets (29), catches (24) and yards (244).
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)
It seems easy enough, right? The veteran quarterback retires and the team incorporates a first-round rookie the following season. Pittsburgh followed that directive when Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season and the Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett in round one of the 2022 NFL Draft. The second-year quarterback is 9-7 as the starter, which is more than respectable, however he is 2-2 this year and his numbers haven’t exactly wowed anyone. A sophomore slump maybe? Pickett, offensive coordinator Matt Canada, a bad offensive line and slow but powerful Najee Harris all create a microcosm of confusion surrounding why the Steelers offense is so ghastly.
Cleveland Browns (2-2)
Kevin Stefanski went 11-5 during his inaugural head coaching debut in Cleveland and helped lead the Browns to a wildcard playoff win over Pittsburgh before losing in the divisional round to the Kansas City Chiefs. That year, the Browns had two separate four game winning streaks. That consistency has since disappeared. Stefanski’s wins each season have dwindled from 8-9 in 2021 to 7-10 in 2022. Cleveland’s longest winning streak reached three games in 2021 and slipped to two games last year and they’ve been unable to stack back-to-back victories in 2023 after four games. A Nick Chubb-less offense is going to turn up the heat of a coach who has gone 17-21 since his illustrious debut four years ago.
Cincinnati Bengals (1-3)
How bad is the Bengals offense after four weeks of the 2023 NFL season? Let’s just say only one team (New York Giants) in the entire league has failed to score more points than Cincinnati. It’s no secret Joe Burrow is hurting but so is the team and leaving him out there isn’t helping him heal, or the offensive production. The AFC North division title seems out of reach at this point. Considering the current state of circumstances, this situation is going to leave them zero wiggle room moving forward should they hope to have any playoff aspirations.
AFC SOUTH
Indianapolis Colts (2-2)
Anthony Richardson is proving his critics wrong and I was one of them during the draft evaluation process. His accuracy was an enormous concern but the rookie quarterback has connected on 62.4 percent of his throws in the last two weeks, after a 44 percent Week 1 debut. He’s attempted 72 passes in three games, with only one interception. Richardson has thrown three touchdown passes and has run five other footballs into the end zone for scores. The speed of the game clearly isn’t too much for him early on.
Houston Texans (2-2)
Wrote this two weeks ago; ‘C.J. Stroud looks like the best of the rookie quarterbacks thus far.’ – The rookie has helped the Texans to back-to-back victories in the last two weeks and all four teams in the AFC South are sitting at 2-2 in the standings. Stroud isn’t the only rookie that is helping to turn things around in Houston. Their rookie head coach DeMeco Ryans has the Texans squad playing significantly better than last year’s version. Houston ranked 30th in points scored and 27th in points allowed last year. Under the watch of Ryan through four weeks, Houston rank 15th in points offensively and 11th in points allowed.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)
Fourteen more weeks of regular season games remain on the docket but for Jacksonville to be 2-2, along with every other team in the AFC South, makes me want to root against them. It’s childish I know to resent them for being mediocre after four games but c’mon Jacksonville. C’mon Trevor Lawrence! A buddy of mine often says, ‘Sh*t or get off the pot’ and that holds true for the Jaguars. Either be a real contender and back-up the hype or get off the pot.
Tennessee Titans (2-2)
It’s often mentioned that availability is as important as ability. This holds especially true for second-year receiver and former first-round pick Treylon Burks, who missed another game last week. The Titans have played in 20 games since they drafted Burks and he’s suited up for 14 of them. The missed time has also resulted in missed opportunities for big plays, with him having just one career touchdown reception.
AFC WEST
Kansas City Chiefs (3-1)
Looking way down the road, it’s going to be curious at the conclusion of the 2024 season if the teams current leading rusher, Isiah Pacheco, will lead Kansas City rushing. Four-time Pro Bowl selection Jamaal Charles was the last Chiefs runner to lead the team in that category three straight seasons (2012-14). He’s tied with Ed Podolak with five seasons a piece for leading the franchise in rushing yards. Pacheco led the team last year with 830 yards and is entrenched as the teams lead back in 2023. However, it seems that three times in a row is something that hasn’t happened in nearly a decade.
Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)
Bradon Staley’s luck will run out and when it does, he’ll be run out of Los Angeles as head coach of the Chargers. Two weeks in a row he has opted to play the analytics card on fourth-down plays and it’s benefited him. In Week 4, the Las Vegas Raiders had a chance to win the game with rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell filling in for Jimmy Garoppolo. The fourth round pick out of Purdue was sacked seven times and yet, the possibility remained late in the game that he could put the Raiders ahead. Khalil Mack’s six sacks weren’t because of Staley, it was because the rookie quarterback held onto the football longer in the pocket than it takes to get Taco Bell drive-thru at 2AM.
Denver Broncos (1-3)
Sean Payton enjoyed his first win as the Broncos head coach. The victory had to have a sweet taste to it after the debacle in Miami the week before when his Denver defense allowed 70-points to the Dolphins. Denver won five games last season and it’s been a role reversal of sorts between scoring points and allowing points from this season to last. In 2022, the Broncos scored the least number of points in the entire league finishing 32nd and now rank in the top-ten at tenth overall. Defensively, the Broncos defense was a very respectable 14th in points allowed last year. Now, the dubious ranking of 32nd in the league in points allowed resides next to the current Denver defense.
Las Vegas Raiders (1-3)
The aforementioned Jimmy Garoppolo missed his first game as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders. Who saw that coming? The 31-year-old quarterback is successful when playing with a 54-23 record as a starter. However, a variety of different ailments have led him to miss 32 possible regular-season games between 2018-2023—that’s almost two full seasons missed to injury. He’s well liked in the locker room and has a super quick release but it also comes along with a body that doesn’t withstand the rigors of playing a full season in the NFL.
NFC EAST
Philadelphia Eagles (4-0)
As if losing the Super Bowl wasn’t hard enough, the Eagles face skeptics with their 4-0 start to the season. I admit, they’re off on comparing this year’s team to last year’s version. I think it’s the defense allowing games to be a lot closer than Eagle fans are comfortable with. After fours games of action last year, the Eagles scored 115 points and gave up 71 (with two games under ten points). Truth be told, this season the Eagles have scored three more points than last year but have allowed 27 points more than the 2022 team. Opposing teams lingering around has given credence to think Philadelphia is off but it’s hard to argue 4-0 when you’re the defending conference champion.
Dallas Cowboys (3-1)
The Cowboys travel to San Francisco to play the 49ers on Sunday Night Football. In my mind it marks the first marquee game of the NFL season. Two heavyweight contenders for supremacy in the NFC and possibly the league when the Super Bowl concludes in Las Vegas. While I proclaimed this is the first marquee match-up on the 2023 schedule, I’m very wary to think the Cowboys can beat the 49ers and if they do win, what are the odds they duplicate the same feat with a possible showdown in the playoffs next January?
Washington Commanders (2-3)
Sam Howell is 3-3 as the Commanders starter that dates to his Week 17 debut, a 26-6 win over Dallas. Entering 2023, Washington has placed Howell in the position of possibly being their long-term solution at quarterback. Against the Bears on Thursday night, the Commanders offense was sluggish trailing Chicago 27-3 at halftime. Howell was better in the second half but by then the Bears were in prevent mode. While it’s not officially his rookie season, Howell’s inexperience leaves him vulnerable to mistakes that rookies typically make. Interceptions and sacks have come at a high volume with the second-year quarterback who owns immense upside.
New York Giants (1-3)
Opening line from last week’s post; ‘Watching the Giants' anemic offense struggles once again this season’ – Daniel Jones was abused by an average Seattle defense last Monday by sacking him 11 times for 67 yards. The offensive line is horrific and heads to Miami, possibly missing three members of the unit when facing the Dolphins this Sunday. These are the games where some way and somehow a team comes to life, sort of like the lifeless Jets against Kansas City last week. Down 17-0 in the first quarter, New York came alive offensively and scratched their way back into a competitive and controversial 23-20 loss. No one is giving the Giants a chance in hell to win this weekend, which is why they just might shock the world.
NFC NORTH
Detroit Lions (3-1)
The 49ers, Cowboys and Eagles are considered the cream of the crop in the NFC with the Lions lingering around ready to pounce. Detroit’s remaining 13 games features just three team currently with winning records (Tampa Bay, Baltimore and Dallas) coming up later in the season. Divisional games, especially in the NFC North, provide competitive atmospheres but the Lions should be favored throughout the season against them all. Detroit remains an outsider but their schedule and talent could land them a higher playoff spot, if the Lions fulfill their potential.
Green Bay Packers (2-2)
After four weeks the jury is still out on who and what Green Bay can be as the NFL heads into Week 5, as the Packers travel to Las Vegas to play the Raiders. Jordan Love had his highs and lows against Detroit. The Packers were down 27-3, as a barrage of bad plays piled up in front of Green Bay leaving them out of the game early at home. Aaron Jones is healthy and Christian Watson is as well, providing Love and company a real opportunity to make a statement Monday night at Allegiant Stadium. Through time lost by Watson, second-year wideout Romeo Dobbs has continued to build a rapport with Love and become one of the best possession receivers in the league.
Minnesota Vikings (1-3)
In 2019 the Vikings defense allowed the fifth least number of points in the entire league. Back then, George Edwards, now Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebackers coach, was the team defensive coordinator. Edwards left the Vikings in 2020 and spent 2020-22 as the Cowboys senior defensive assistant in Dallas. Since that time, Minnesota has dropped to the back of the pack defensively. In 2020, they finished 29th in points allowed, 24th in 2021, 28th in 2022 and are currently 19th under the direction of new DC Brian Flores this season. Score or be outscored is the motto the Vikings live by these days.
Chicago Bears (1-4)
Head coach Matt Eberflus avoided losing his 15th straight game with a dominant victory over the Commanders. The combination of Justin Fields and the offseason addition of D.J. Moore from the Carolina Panthers trade brought memories of Jim McMahon to Willie Gault in the 40-20 win. I’ve been harsh on Fields but if he continues to change the narrative on below average quarterback play, I’ll shower him with praise. The win against Washington was a good sign.
NFC SOUTH
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)
Todd Bowles is an early candidate for Coach of the Year and his starting quarterback Baker Mayfield is a qualifier for Comeback Player of the Year, as the pair have worked to get the Buccaneers to first place in the NFC South. The division is bad, leaving Tampa Bay in a great situation to host a playoff game, like they did last year. Dare I say they are better off without the aging Tom Brady from last season who looked angry and confused after each incompletion? The team finished 8-9 and lost in the wildcard round of the playoffs. Mayfield and the Bucs must go 5-8 over their next 13 games to match last year’s win totals. This team looks rejuvenated in 2023!
New Orleans Saints (2-2)
The Saints offense isn’t what it used to be and it was something Alvin Kamara addressed after New Orleans lost last week at home to the Buccaneers, as they managed just nine points off three field goals. “It’s been two years since we had that offense that was rolling. Now we’re kind of in this rut of,” Kamara said, via John Sigler of USAToday.com. Pete Carmichael has been the team’s offensive coordinator since 2009—hired one year after former New Orleans head coach Sean Payton was hired in 2008. Carmichael remains in the Crescent City but Payton is now the head coach in Denver and the greatest Saints player ever in Drew Brees retired following the 2020 season. Payton left one year later. When the trio was together, the offense was nearly unstoppable, averaging the fourth highest number of yards and fifth highest total points scored for over a decade between 2009-20. Following the retirement of Brees, the offense has averaged 16th in total yards and 23rd in total points. Kamara should get used to the new reality that the offense is never going to be the same in New Orleans.
Atlanta Falcons (2-2)
The Falcons need a quarterback unless an abrupt about-face by second year signa-caller Desmon Ridder unfolds quickly. He’ll make his ninth start this weekend when the Falcons host Houston. Look no further than Texans rookie C.J. Stroud to show us how easy a rookie quarterback can make it look when they get it. Remember Tyrod Taylor was the Chargers' starting quarterback in 2020 until moments before the team's Week Two game, when a team doctor gave Taylor a pain killing injection in his ribs that punctured his lung. Justin Herbert started that game in Taylor's place, stepping in with zero experience and established himself as a top-flight quarterback immediately. That’s the trick, it’s like finding the needle in the haystack when evaluating what quarterback can develop quickly and turn a franchise around. Houston appears to have that in Stroud and the Falcons and everyone else knows Ridder is not the answer.
Carolina Panthers (0-4)
Let’s stick with the idea from above. That means, the Panthers should have concerns. Young hasn’t dazzled in these three starts and his last game was the epitome of ugly rookie quarterback play. In comparison to Stroud’s situation in Houston, no one would have said the Texans on paper are heads and shoulders above the Panthers roster. Stroud after four games has exceeded his second overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, while Young looks like another first-round flop in his four-game time capsule of criticism.
NFC WEST
San Francisco 49ers (4-0)
Eight current head coaches in the National Football League have won the Lombardi Trophy. Kyle Shanahan was a runner-up for the title in 2019 after his 49ers finished 13-3 and lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV, 31-20. None of us will ever know how last year’s NFC Championship Game plays out if Brock Purdy doesn’t get hurt against the Eagles in the 31-7 defeat. Offensively and defensively, my money is currently on Shanahan becoming the ninth current Super Bowl winning coach in the NFL. He would join his father (Mike) who has two rings of his own with the Denver Broncos.
Seattle Seahawks (3-1)
The Seahawks head into the NFL’s first bye week at 3-1, with Cincinnati on deck in Week 6. Geno Smith is proving last season was not a fluke and has continued to be the player Seattle put their faith in when moving on from Russell Wilson. He showed his fiery side against the Giants after an awkward tackle by New York linebacker Isaiah Simmons that caused him to leave the game and get his knee evaluated. Just my observation of the incident, Smith was so aggravated because he has been waiting for this opportunity to shine since being the 39th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He is the league’s current version of Rich Gannon or Brad Johnson, a so-so type of player that is finding success late in their careers.
Los Angeles Rams (2-2)
Sean McVay is another coach currently getting the most out of his roster. I always admire those who get more done with less and he has kept the Rams competitive each game. One could argue they should have beat Cincinnati in the 19-16 loss to the Bengals. That said, this team is still rebuilding. Keep a keen eye on the Tuesday, Oct. 31, trade deadline at 4 p.m. ET. Aaron Donald remains one of the best defenders in the league and his value to a top contender would be the the type of big deadline deal that helps change the landscape for a Super Bowl contender.
Arizona Cardinals (1-3)
Quick, off the top of your head; Who leads the Cardinals in receiving? It’s Marquise Brown with 21 catches for 239 yards and two touchdowns. Brown played in 12 games last season for the Cardinals and finished with three touchdowns over that span. It’s fair to say the veteran is having a bit of a revival in his second season in Arizona. The 2019 first-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens is flourishing in the desert with Josh Dobbs at quarterback. The eventual return of Kyler Murray should only enhance Brown’s big play ability that went missing for a large part of his five-year career.
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