5. Nine tidbits from
Week 9
The Los Angeles Rams are undefeated on the road this season
(4-0): they’ve won as many games on the
road as they had wins all of last season…
With their win on Sunday, the Saints became the third team in the Super Bowl era to
win six in a row after starting 0-2. The other two teams – 1993 Cowboys &
2007 Giants – to accomplish that went on to hoist the Lombardi…
Cowboys’ Dak Prescott became the second quarterback in NFL
history to record 35 passing TD’s and 10 rushing TD’s in his first two seasons
(NFL)…
Kansas City’s Alex Smith threw his first interception of the
season…
In Miami, running back Jay Ajayi had 138 carries, zero
touchdowns. On Sunday, he found pay dirt on his fifth carry with the Eagles…
With his 159 yard outburst (on a career-high 37 carries), Adrian
Peterson went over the 12,000 yard mark for his career, passing Thurman Thomas
for 15th on the all-time list. Ironically, teammate Larry Fitzgerald
passed Tim Brown for sixth on the all-time receiving list (NFL)…
Through 16 games last season, the Rams totaled just 224
points. In just eight games this season, they have already eclipsed that mark,
scoring a league-best 263 points (32.9 per). They’ve outscored their past two
opponents, 84-17…
The Wentz train continues to roll, as he now leads the
league with 23 TD passes – third most all-time for a first or second year QB in
his first nine games to start a season (ESPN)…
On Monday Night Football, Matthew Stafford connected with
Marvin Jones Jr. for his 200th career touchdown pass (6th
fastest to reach milestone). It was also the Lions’ first double-digit win at
Lambeau in 35 years.
4. Jacksonville owns
the AFC North
Good thing the Jaguars don’t play in the AFC North. All they’ve
done this season is annihilate each of the divisions’ opponents they’ve faced. Through
the first half, they’ve dismantled Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati by a
combined score of 97-23 (44-7, 30-9, and 23-7, respectively). On Sunday, they
held Cincinnati to just eight first downs and 148 yards of offense. In two
weeks, the Jags go for the clean sweep against… Cleveland.
 |
| The Jags are 5-3, thanks in large part to dominating the North (Blackandteal.com) |
Fun Fact: In each of their five wins this season,
Jacksonville has held their opponents under double digits (given up
just 5.8 per).
3. Move on from
Marvin
The Cincinnati Bengals have been mediocre at best this
season. The same could be said about Marvin Lewis’ tenure – second longest in
the league – as the team’s head coach (15th season). In his career, Cincinnati
is 121-108-3 (.528), and 0-7 in the postseason. In 2017, the 3-5 Bengals rank
last in total offense, last in rushing yards per game, 28th in
points per game, and 30th in turnover margin. On Sunday, not only
was A.J. Green ejected for his altercation with Jalen Ramsey, but the team was out
snapped 78-37 to Jacksonville, and out-gained 408-148.
There’s no doubt stability is crucial to sustaining success
in the NFL, but Lewis has done nothing to prove he can take Cincy over the top,
let alone win a playoff game. And this year, things seem to be spiraling
downhill in a hurry. It’s time the Bengals’ brass cut ties with Lewis.
2. The Big Easy is cooking
After dropping their first two games, it was looking like
another middle of the road season for ‘who dat’ nation. But thanks to a
revamped defense and a newfound running game, the Saints are once again looking
like a contender in the NFC. Rookie sensations Marshon Lattimore (on defense)
& Alvin Kamara (on offense) have added dynamic pieces to a hungry bunch.
And let’s not forget, this team still has one of the all-time greats behind
center in Drew Brees. On Sunday, the backfield duo of Mark Ingram and Kamara
combined to rush for 145 yards (5.6 average) and a score. Kamara showed his
versatility by adding six catches for 84 yards and another score. It’s a team
relying more on the run, which is opening up the passing game for Brees, who
completed 80 percent of his passes for 263 yards and two TD’s. For a team that
poses an explosive offense, and a vastly improved defense, New Orleans is on
the rise.
 |
| Brees and Payton have 'who dat' nation believing once again (bigeasybeliever.com). |
1. Franchise QB = problem solver
It’s no secret that the NFL is a quarterback driven league. After all, the signal caller is the one position that is the driving force behind a team's success.
Unfortunately however, as
we’ve seen across the landscape of the NFL this season, injuries to some of the
top signal callers in the game have left their corresponding teams' flaws exposed.
Take Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. The Packers were 4-1, looking
like one of the top teams in the NFC, heading into Minnesota. Then, Rodgers
went down in the first quarter (broken collarbone), Brett Hundley was forced to
take over the reins, and the Pack have now lost three straight, going from
contender to [basically] irrelevant. With Rodgers, they averaged 27.4 points per game,
without him just 14.7. Every yard to gain is tougher, every possession is magnified.
Take rookie DeShaun Watson in Houston. In his six starts
before he lost his season due to injury (ACL), the Texans were leading the
league in scoring (34.7). On Sunday, they scored just 14 points against the Colts, who own one of
the worst defenses in the league. Backup Tom Savage was abysmal, completing
just 43 percent of his passes (19/41).
Having an elite talent behind center gives you a chance no
matter the odds and makes mediocre players/teams look
like great players/teams (i.e. Carson Wentz who is making the Eagles look elite at 8-1). It's the one position that covers up the flaws at other key positions.
No other position can hide or expose weaknesses quite like the quarterback of today's game. Just ask the Browns.
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