5. So close yet so
far away
Talk about opening a season with some heartbreak. Through
the first five weeks, the San Francisco 49ers are winless… by the slimmest of
margins. In their past four games, they’ve lost by a combined 11 points – by 3
(Seattle), by 2 (LA Rams), by 3 (Arizona), and by 3 (Indianapolis). Even worse,
the past two defeats were in overtime. On Sunday, the Niners climbed back from
a 23-9 deficit to tie it up in the 4th, only to have their hopes dashed on a
51-yard FG. Tough start for rookie head coach Kyle Shanahan.
4. Coughlin Magic
In his first season with the team, Tom Coughlin (executive VP
of football operations) has instilled a different culture across the Jaguars organization.
Using the same philosophy as his time in New York, the Jags are looking like a
formidable team for the first time in years behind a strong defense and a potent
rushing attack. Through five games, the defense ranks third in passing yards
allowed (177.8), second in points allowed (16.6) and first in turnover margin
(+10). Meanwhile, the offense ranks first in rushing yards per game (165.2). The
most impressive thing about their 3-2 start: they’ve dismantled two AFC North
powers by a combined score of 74-16 (def. Baltimore 44-7 and Pittsburgh 30-9). Don’t
look now, but the Jaguars are first in the wide open AFC South. And keep this
in mind – they have the easiest remaining schedule in the league.
Fun Fact: Through just five weeks, Jacksonville has tied its
win total from all of last season (3).
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| The rookie stole the spotlight in Pittsburgh, rushing for 181 yards and 2 TD's in the win (FTW). |
3. You can’t make this stuff up
On Sunday, the Browns outplayed the Jets both offensively
and defensively through pretty much the entirety of the game (out-gained the
Jets 419-212). Hec, top prospect Myles Garrett recorded a sack on his first NFL
snap and finished with two sacks in his debut. That still didn’t matter as not
only did the Dawgs lose, they did something incomprehensible (wait... is anything this team does a surprise anymore?)
The Browns had four
possessions travel inside the red zone – three inside the Jets 5-yard line –
and scored ZERO points. Three trips inside the five!! Isaiah Crowell fumbled an
option exchange from Kizer for the first miscue (why are you calling a play you
never run?). Then, Kizer threw an interception - on a ball he should have
thrown away - to end the second scoring threat. Finally, instead of going for a
potential game-tying field goal on 4th-and-1, Cleveland decided to
go for it and were stopped short (Jets took the ensuing possession the length
of the field for a TD). For the cherry on top, rookie kicker - Zane Gonzalez - missed
two field goals. So let’s see… That’s at
least 15 points left off the scoreboard. The Browns lost by three (17-14). Just
another dreadful loss to add to a forgetful resume. You simply can’t make this
stuff up.
Fun Fact: On Sunday, Jets QB Josh McCown won his third game
in a row for the first time in his career.
2. Crazy nuggets from
Sunday
The Cleveland Browns have lost 30 of their last 32 games. That’s
not a misprint...
The Kansas City Chiefs haven’t committed a turnover since
the first snap of the season (a fumble by rookie phenom Kareem Hunt)…
Houston’s Deshaun Watson tied the rookie record for passing
touchdowns in a game with 5 (second week in a row he has tied a rookie record)…
Chiefs QB Alex Smith has completed an NFL-best 76.6 percent
of his passes, with 11 touchdowns and no interceptions…
Talk about an unlucky break. The New York Giants lost three
wide receivers for the season due to injury – superstar Odell Beckham Jr.,
veteran Brandon Marshall, and receiver/returner Dwayne Harris – and a fourth
for an extended period of time (Sterling Shepard). Oh yeah, and they're 0-5…
The Texans lost two of their best pass rushers for the
season due to injury – three-time defensive MVP J.J. Watt, and Whitney
Mercilus.
1. Mr. Rodgers’
Neighborhood
There’s not a more complete quarterback in the league than
Aaron Rodgers, especially with the game on the line. On Sunday, down three with
1:13 to go, Rodgers came through in the clutch yet again. He orchestrated a
9-play, 75-yard drive in just over a minute to defeat the Cowboys in Dallas. It
was a case of déjà vu for the Boys (just last season in the playoffs Rodgers
led a similar drive to set up a game-winning field goal to oust the number one
seed). This season, he has thrown a league-best six touchdowns in the fourth
quarter, with four of the six coming with his team trailing (ESPN). He ranks in
the top-10 in every statistical category, including fifth in quarterback rating,
fourth in yards, and first in touchdown passes with 13. Just another day at the
office for Mr. Rodgers.
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| Rodgers galloped his way to another 4th quarter comeback on Sunday (Texas Monthly). |
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