NFL Quick Hits For Week Five
New England – “There was a fire fight!” Sorry, that just slipped out. No, seriously. A show is coming to television screens near you. Exact release date is unknown—just don’t miss it.
Buffalo – The Bills look great when they are playing a game straight out of 1991. That will bode well for them in their 10-yard fight against the Rams this week. They will have to be re-evaluated when they are eventually teleported back to reality.
New York Jets – There was concern about the Jets’ aging stars holding up for an entire season in August. After a 1-3 start to the year there are serious doubts whether they will be able to rally and stay strong through December.
Miami – They have average talent and no quarterback, thus are not worth discussing.
Pittsburgh – The O is great, even with the injuries. Watch their defense—that is the unit that will decide how far they can make it in the playoffs.
Baltimore – Why does Steve Smith have to retire? His catch, throw down on Raider David Amerson, and run touchdown Sunday was just perfect.
Cincinnati – In the absence of superstar level quarterback play, the Bengals have been winning in recent years by having above average talent on every single unit of their team. Recent losses in the secondary and at receiver may have changed that.
Cleveland – They’re not historically awful! And that is an upset in itself. Seriously, the offense looks competent, and if there wasn’t a height difference I probably wouldn’t have noticed that rookie Cody Kessler is playing in place of Josh McCown.
Houston – They are not good, but they have a lot of time to work on that, because they are the 2016 AFC South Champs!
Jacksonville – It’s just not happening for Blake Bortles. But he has the curse of a good arm. This is where you can watch any random throw and the guy can look amazing—a bullet or a perfectly thrown bomb can happen. These guys always get at least two too many years to strut their stuff.
Tennessee – The offense and special teams have sunk their early season and masked a really strong defensive showing. The Titans have given up 20 points on offense and special teams through four games. Compare this against the 15 second-half points they have surrendered all season on defense, including defensive shutouts in their last two contests.
Indianapolis – Indy doesn’t draft or sign good players. This is their problem and it requires no further analysis.
Denver – It has been smooth sailing so far for the Broncos offense with outside threats Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas more than pulling their weight. But through their last two victories, running back C.J. Anderson is averaging only 2.6 yards per catch. The Denver ground game has not dominated since the opener and this will need to change for them to stay atop the AFC.
Kansas City – Sometimes things change and you are not really aware they are changing. The Chiefs feel like the team from last year, but they are not. Their pass rush is gone and with it the threat their defense poses. This means that Alex Smith is going to be put in a position you never want to put him: One where he has to score points.
Oakland / SanDiego – Don’t these two teams, from a talent and strength perspective, seem like they are about the same team? The only difference is the aura surrounding each. It feels like the Raiders believe and they are out there trying to have fun. The Chargers are constantly waiting for something bad to happen.
Philadelphia – Jim Schwartz has really cured this defense. Now he plays his former team and quarterback on Sunday. After a 29-52 record and five years spent as Matt Stafford’s head coach, Schwartz is certain to have a couple play calls ready for the weekend. (Yes, five seasons! And yes, that means Stafford has been a starter for seven seasons! He’s not getting any better.)
New York Giants – Sterling Shepard has the look. He has that rare combination of speed/stockiness/body control that stands out. And so far he catches everything thrown his way.
Dallas – This doesn’t look anything like a Jason Garrett coached team. Comeback victories, pulling out close games, important division wins—what is going on?
Washington – Two fumbles by Cleveland running backs turned the tide in last Sunday’s home game. After an impressive first quarter on offense, Cousins and Co. put up 146 yards of offense the rest of the game. Kirk Cousins should not have bet on himself.
Minnesota – Their new stadium is electric. So far they have played the stadium opener and a home MNF game. Can the crowd keep it up on a regular Sunday afternoon? If they can then that defense/crowd combo could be a serious challenger to Seattle’s league best HFA.
Green Bay – Under the radar: the Packers run defense quietly ranks second in DVOA allowing a measly 1.8 yards per catch and a grand total of 128 rushing yards through three games. http://www.footballoutsiders.com/info/methods#dvoa
Detroit – “So they’re going to lose Calvin Johnson and some offensive co-ordinator is going to make them better and….hey, wait….no stick with me…I’m not done explaining how this all works yet….”
Chicago – Chicago’s small hopes have been demolished by injuries. A look a their pre-season projected front seven could be viewed as promising. But through September they are already down defensive tackle Eddie Goldman, defensive end Lamar Houston, and linebackers Danny Trevethan and Pernell McPhee (last years prized FA acquisition who has not yet suited up in 2016). This is only on the defensive side of the ball. At least Akiem Hicks has been a wrecking ball on the line so far.
Atlanta – The Falcons have given up 31, 28, 32, and 33 points so far this season. This is not a good team, or a sustainable way to win. The talent level on defense indicates that this will continue all season.
Carolina – Last season teams seemed paralyzed when Cam Newton employed play action or an option hand-off. This bought the receivers time to get down field and made it easy on the line to block in pass protection. This year teams seem more determined to get after Newton in all situations. Keep in mind though, Carolina just played the only two teams to beat them last season and the force that is the Minnesota Vikings. Panic is not necessary.
Tampa Bay – Is this the NFC version of the Jaguars? Everyone knows they are young and therefore they must be getting better and then the season starts and….nothing. It’s fun to say a team is going to improve, but usually you have to add talent to do so. Who did Tampa add?
New Orleans – Watching Saints games has gotten depressing. Their last winning season was 2013 and last division title was back in 2011. Congrats on Drew Brees‘ karmic victory over the Chargers, there aren’t many more coming.
Seattle – Seattle has a slow start and then figures it out. At least they did the turn around quick enough this year that we weren’t bombarded by stories about their downfall. The D is still appointment television.
Los Angeles – Before you get on board remember that Case Keenum is your conductor and that this 3-1 squad has been outscored on the season 63 to 76.
Arizona – Why does anyone care what the GM has to say? Steve Keim is “embarrassed” they lost to the Patriots, another real live NFL team. He really “never envisioned” the season starting out this way. And “attention to detail” is hurting the squad. Bruce Arians – pay attention to detail and quiet down your general manager. During the season this is your team not his, and no one cares what he has to say. It simply cannot help the team win.
San Francisco – “Chip Kelly, Blaine Gabbert, friends, nice to see you – Welcome to the NFL, where talent wins.”
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