Five Takeaways
5. Enough with the penalties
The NFL is going to great lengths to protect the quarterback and
it’s getting out of control. There have been 34 roughing the passer penalties
through the first three weeks – that’s eight more than the previous high (26,
2006). Not only is it changing the course of games, but it’s causing players to
alter how they tackle the QB. Last week, Packers’ DE Clay Matthews was called
for a questionable roughing penalty on Kirk Cousins, who ended up throwing an
interception on the play, which would have resulted in a win for Green Bay.
Instead, the penalty extended the drive and Cousins got another shot, forcing
the game into overtime with a TD pass. Even worse, this week Dolphins’ DE
William Hayes suffered a torn ACL while trying to avoid putting his body weight
on the quarterback. I understand it’s a quarterback driven league but unless
the defensive players are forcefully trying to hit these signal callers, let
them play.
4. Black hole trouble
The Oakland Raiders have had an abysmal start to the season
under first-year head coach Jon Gruden. After trading away their best player
(Khalil Mack), the Raiders have struggled to find a pass rush (5 sacks) while
giving up 27 points per game. Even more concerning… Oakland has outscored its
opponents by a combined 35-17 in the first half, but has been outscored 64-17
after the break. It can’t bode well for a coach trying to change the culture
before its move to Las Vegas.
3. On Any Given Sunday
In a league that is more unpredictable than not, Sunday was yet
another example that anything can happen come game day in the NFL.
Minnesota was 17-point favorites at home against Buffalo. The
underdog Bills won (by more than 17), 27-6…
Jacksonville was 10-point favorites at home against Tennessee.
The Titans won 9-6 – their third in a row over the Jags…
The Patriots lost by double digits for the second consecutive
week – which hasn’t happened since 2002 (and just the third time ever under
Bill Belichick)…
The Lions had a 100-yard rusher (Kerryon Johnson) for the first
time since 2013 – a span of 70 consecutive games…
The Raiders ran 35 more offensive plays than the Dolphins
(74-39), yet Miami won, 28-20, averaging 9.6 yards per play…
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 411 yards, becoming the first
player in NFL history to throw for over 400 yards in three straight games
(NFLResearch). The Buccaneers lost 30-27.
2. Changing of the
times
With development of the game starting at younger ages than ever
before, rookies are coming into the league more prepared, with many of them
starting from day one. When Arizona rookie QB Josh Rosen relieved Sam Bradford
late in Sunday’s loss to the Bears, it marked the fifth of the five first-round
signal callers from the 2018 Draft (Mayfield, Darnold, Allen, Jackson) to see
playing time. It’s the first time in the common Draft Era (since 1967) that
five first-round selections played in the first three weeks of their rookie season
(NFLResearch). With quarterback being arguably the toughest position (at least
for franchises to get right), it could be a sign of things to come in the
future.
1. Brownies Baking
I’ve been to about ten NFL games in my life. Yes, it’s a small
sample size. None come close to the raucous environment I experienced Thursday
night.
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| Browns vs. Jets pregame. |
From the moment Baker Mayfield took the field in relief of the
injured Tyrod Taylor (concussion), the entire atmosphere in First Energy
Stadium was electrified. Inheriting a 14-0 deficit and (-3) net passing yards
as a result of six Taylor-led drives, Mayfield stepped in and fired a 14-yard
completion on his first pass attempt. He proceeded to orchestrate a promising
first possession (3-of-4, 47 yards) to get a field goal before the half,
injecting life into the crowd and belief into his teammates. Coming out of the
half, the rookie signal caller led two touchdown drives – the latter being late
in the fourth quarter – to complete an epic comeback and give the Browns their
first win in 635 days.
Amid the comeback, Baker showed his enthusiasm when he tied the
game at 14 after catching a two-point conversion pass on a trick play. With
adrenaline running high, the number one overall pick strolled to the sideline
and encouraged the crowd to make some noise. Everyone obliged, turning the
stadium into a frenzy.
His energy was infectious. His athleticism and passion for the
game exemplified. Like most fans, I don’t know what the glory days of the
Browns was like. But for one night, Mayfield turned back the clock, giving hope
to a starved city, and providing a glimpse into what the future may hold.
A reminder that after 30 tries, maybe... just maybe, the Browns finally
got one right.
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