With the Kansas Town Chiefs taking part in Monday evening, it used to be a prospect for the left-overs of the AFC’s ultimate to blow their own horns on Sunday. The Ravens, Bengals and Chargers all create blowout wins, occasion the Expenses overcame some red-zone follies in opposition to Miami because of Tyler Bass’ proper leg.
TYLER BASS!!!!!!!!!!!!
: @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/0YUMp5a5qI
— Buffalo Expenses (@BuffaloBills) November 3, 2024
In the meantime, the Eagles survived some self-inflicted wounds and the Dallas Cowboys stumbled once more, this year in Atlanta. The Athletic NFL writers Mike Jones, Ted Nguyen and Michael Silver percentage their ideas on all of those storylines and extra.
The Eagles had some “situational football” problems that made it a dogfight in opposition to the Jaguars (fourth-down and two-point conversion misses, two tush push screw ups sooner than leaving behind it, a ignored 57-yard grassland function past due, and so forth.). Is competition leadership a major problem in the future, or is that this simply a few fluky performs?
Jones: I don’t suppose those are deep-seated problems to fret about. I feel you need to imagine the conditions, together with who the Eagles have been taking part in, in addition to Nick Sirianni’s observe document. He’s an competitive trainer, and he noticed the ones fourth-down and two-point conversion makes an attempt as a possibility to position extra power at the Jaguars. They didn’t paintings, and that made for a more in-depth competition than the Eagles would have preferred, however none of the ones shouts wound up costing them. We see Sirianni gamble like this frequently, and when the ones shouts paintings he’s praised for his gutsiness. I don’t know if we’d have clear Sirianni again and again progress for 2 in opposition to a extra bold opponent, however he most definitely had two-fold causes for his choices on this competition. The “tush push” is now not the unstoppable pressure it used to be with Jason Kelce at middle, and the Eagles want to regain their dominance right here. So you should argue that operating those performs in opposition to hapless Jacksonville represented an excellent low-risk alternative to paintings on the ones situations for the date.
Silver: For Sirianni, this can be a just right illness to have. Certain, he’s been getting overwhelmed for doubtful decision-making and getting rattled through heckling lovers, however he simply defeated his predecessor (Doug Pederson) to progress 6-2 and keep inside of a half-game of the Commanders within the NFC East. And for the reason that there used to be an inexpensive prospect he can have been fired upcoming latter season’s fall down and Philly’s uninspired one-and-done postseason efficiency, he will have to rush the W, give thank you and get able to play games two heavy divisional video games (in opposition to the Cowboys and Commanders) within the upcoming 11 days. Did I like Sirianni going for 2 on 3 events, and failing each and every year? Nah, however the analytics knowledgeable who talks to him by way of his headset most definitely did, particularly upcoming an offsides penalty moved some of the makes an attempt to the 1-yard order. Did I like him having Jalen Hurts throw for the tip zone on a fourth-and-1, eschewing a 43-yard grassland function effort? Nope, particularly as it didn’t paintings. Take note the entire clock-management court cases about Andy Reid all through his Philly tenure? Sirianni is making a fresh moment of coach-questioners. Oh, and the tush push? That’s so 2023, when Jason Kelce used to be growing the leverage (and treating defenders like they have been mobile phones belonging to impolite faculty children who’d simply dissed his brother).
Nguyen: The Eagles’ philosophy has at all times discovered towards competitive choices. They’re an analytically based totally group and that method has served them properly for essentially the most phase. On occasion it doesn’t figure out, however they consider that in any case it offers them an edge. That being mentioned, I believed one of the two-point makes an attempt have been pointless, and making an attempt a protracted grassland function past due within the competition with a five-point govern when Jake Elliott used to be suffering used to be ill-advised. I don’t see their competition leadership as a subject matter transferring ahead — usually, Sirianni makes just right choices. After all, crowd will bemoan one of the extra competitive choices after they don’t figure out, however aggression wins video games.
That’s 3 directly wins and 4 of 5 for the Cardinals — is that this a playoff group?
Nguyen: The Bears protection in opposition to the Cardinals offense used to be a combat of energy vs. energy. The Cardinals like to position more than one tight ends at the grassland to pressure defenses into their bottom protection (4 defensive backs). Towards bottom defenses, the Cardinals govern the league in explosive play games fee (14.9 p.c) and are 3rd in offensive good fortune fee (52.4 p.c). The Bears protection led the league in defensive good fortune fee with their bottom protection. On the finish of the occasion, the Bears protection were given outmuscled through the Cardinals’ bodily and distinctive offense; Arizona i’m in a hurry for 213 yards, together with a 53-yard run when the Cardinals have been necessarily conceding, most probably aspiring to run the clock out within the first half of. The Cardinals desperately desire a move rusher, however their offense goes to provide a accumulation of groups bother. They have got 4 section video games forward and so they’ll play games 3 groups with shedding information out of doors in their section. I believed the Cardinals could be a frisky group this life, however they’re in place for a playoff berth. Their protection must proceed to enhance, regardless that.
Jones: It’s a slight early to manufacture any form of declaration in the case of the NFC West, the place everyone seems to be soaring round .500. The Cardinals have proven a accumulation of grit in those latter 3 weeks, beating the Chargers 17-15, Dolphins 28-27 and now the Bears 29-9. And they may be able to support themselves with a win over the Jets upcoming day sooner than they input their bye day. However they peaceful must play games the Seahawks two times and the Rams and 49ers as soon as each and every. In addition they have what will have to be a difficult competition in opposition to Minnesota, along side winnable video games in opposition to Pristine England and Carolina. If they may be able to proceed to shoot with stability on offense, and if they may be able to get some pass-rushing support on the business time limit, which they’ve been burning up the telephones in hopes of doing, later the Cardinals have a reliable shot on the playoffs for the primary year since 2021. However once more, that is getting to be a good race ill the stretch of the season, so we’ll have to attend a occasion longer sooner than we will be able to manufacture a decision in this.
Silver: Um … properly … perhaps? For something, any individual has to win the NFC West, and if the 49ers don’t progress on one among their standard second-half runs beneath Kyle Shanahan, the Cardinals are very a lot within the combine. They have got two too much video games in opposition to the Seahawks, one in opposition to the Rams and near the season at house in opposition to San Francisco, a group they’ve already overwhelmed. Arizona’s alternative combatants? The Jets, Vikings, Patriots and Panthers. The Cardinals have a sound operating competition, and Kyler Murray is taking part in a extra mature emblem of soccer than in hour years. They appear moderately snatch, too. It’s all there for the taking.
Upcoming Day 9 wins through the Ravens, Expenses, Bengals and Chargers, who’s the second-best group within the AFC?
Jones: It’s Baltimore. It used to be just right to peer the Bengals glance extra like themselves, however let’s be fair, it used to be the Raiders. The Chargers are making improvements to, however they’re now not elite. Buffalo is excellent, sure. However the Expenses aren’t rather at the similar stage because the Ravens, and I’m now not simply announcing that as a result of they were given throttled through Baltimore previous this season. I’ve the Expenses in a tier slightly below Kansas Town and Baltimore. The Ravens have the extra well-rounded offense, led through Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, who will have to each obtain MVP attention and will single-handedly break in video games. They have got some paintings to do on protection to succeed in the extent of consistency of which they’re succesful, however they for sure ship some game-changing performs on that facet of the ball as properly.
Nguyen: Simply the Ravens. They made some of the ultimate defenses within the league appear to be kid’s play games. Once more, Jackson appeared tranquility, cool, gathered in choosing aside the protection. Zay Vegetation seems to be wholesome once more and he used to be extraordinary upcoming the catch. The secondary remains to be spotty — they gave up a number of heavy performs within the passing competition however they tightened up within the purple zone, permitting just one landing in 4 journeys. The Expenses had been important as properly. The offense ignored Amari Cooper’s presence lately however Josh Allen performed at an MVP stage and led them to a win. Each the Bengals and Chargers are elite on one facet of the ball however very unholy at the alternative.
Silver: To not be dull, however the Ravens are the evident name. Jackson is a game-changer, and the addition of Henry — the most efficient operating again of his moment — has taken the offense to any other stage. (Shoutout to the entire NFL groups that determined to not pursue Henry when he used to be a independent agent.) Defensively, I feel Baltimore will enhance ill the stretch. At the moment, I consider within the Ravens greater than I consider within the Expenses, who’ve all however wrapped up the AFC East [checks notes…] sooner than Election Date, and who simply took ill the determined Dolphins on a 61-yard Tyler Bass grassland function, open air, in Western Pristine York, within the middle of autumn. Allen can elevate this group far. In the event you don’t have an elite quarterback, don’t even hassle seeking to insert your self into the “Who Will Win the AFC?” dialog.
Do you may have any self belief that the Cowboys will play games a significant competition upcoming Christmas?
Silver: Closing Sunday evening, upcoming the Cowboys fell decrease in opposition to the 49ers, a Dallas govt advised me, “I have this bad feeling that this could be one of those years.” A 27-21 defeat to the Falcons, wherein quarterback Dak Prescott used to be sidelined with a hamstring trauma, will have to improve that sentiment. Regardless of proprietor Jerry Jones’ “all-in” proclamations, the 2024 season has been shrouded in unholy vibes because the spring. The group used to be passive in independent company, neglecting to pursue Henry (oops) and rather bringing again Ezekiel Elliott, who stayed house Sunday for disciplinary causes and might not be lengthy for the roster. Jones waited till the latter little sooner than getting large trade in accomplished with Prescott and CeeDee Lamb occasion pushing move rusher Micah Parsons’ negotiations to upcoming offseason. Parsons, who has ignored the latter 4 video games with an ankle trauma, is no doubt being told now not to go back till he’s completely wholesome. Until Prescott elevates his competition to the purpose the place his large wage ($240 million over 4 years) turns out like a cut price, the Cowboys can commit their center of attention upcoming Christmas to making plans Pristine Future’s events and Cancun journeys.
Nguyen: The Cowboys didn’t deal with the offseason critically; they have got a slim roster and so they’ve been clash juiceless through accidents. There in reality aren’t any longer buttons for them to push — this isn’t a significant group. The Eagles are taking part in higher and Washington looks as if some of the ultimate groups within the NFC. If it weren’t for the ineptitude of the Giants, the Cowboys could be base dwellers. The protection sells out to cancel the run as a result of they don’t have a call, and so they automatically get overwhelmed over the lead. They may be able to’t give protection to Prescott and he has nobody to throw to constantly out of doors of Lamb. We will have to be merciful and now not talk of them once more till they display they’re a significant group.
Jones: Outline “meaningful.” The Cowboys might personal a disappointing 3-5 document following Sunday’s loss to Atlanta, and so they surely are plagued through a wide variety of ills, and Mike McCarthy has refuse obvious fixes up his sleeve. However Dallas peaceful has 5 NFC East video games to progress within the ultimate 9 weeks of the season, together with Philadelphia and Washington two times apiece. The ones video games are virtually at all times knockdown, drag-out affairs the place anything else can occur. So, there are enough quantity of significant video games too much for Dallas. Do I feel they may be able to flip their season round and succeed in the playoffs? Deny. However I see a 7-10, 8-9 end as lifelike.
Used to be Sunday’s blowout loss in Baltimore a sign of the “real” Denver Broncos, or only a blip for a wild-card contender?
Nguyen: The Broncos ran right into a buzzsaw in Baltimore. Bo Nix has been taking part in higher and he made some performs on Sunday however couldn’t end within the purple zone. Denver has an elite protection however Baltimore’s offense gifts distinctive demanding situations the Broncos gained’t see each and every day. That rating doesn’t point out how just right this Broncos group in truth is. I don’t suppose they’re a playoff group this life however they’re getting to be a aggressive group each and every day, and combatants gained’t stay up for taking part in them. Taking into account the place they have been upcoming the devastating Russell Wilson business, this isn’t a unholy park to be so far as long-term team-building.
Silver: This wasn’t a blip — the Broncos aren’t just about within the Ravens’ magnificence, and with Baltimore coming off a disappointing defeat to the Browns, this result used to be relatively predictable. Vance Joseph’s protection, which have been so just right during the first 8 video games, used to be necessarily powerless in opposition to Jackson, Henry and pals. And but … seven groups manufacture the watered-down playoffs in each and every convention nowadays, and it’s surely believable the Broncos might be one among them. The AFC East and AFC South don’t have a ton of wild-card contenders on the date, and Denver has some very winnable video games (at Raiders, Browns at house, Colts at house, at Chargers) too much, along side some harder ones (Chiefs two times, Falcons at house, at Bengals). Regardless of Sunday’s beatdown, the Broncos — even supposing they lose their upcoming two video games, to the Chiefs and Falcons — can hold hope alive.
Jones: The Broncos are a tender, still-developing group. The Ravens — a real powerhouse with Tremendous Bowl aspirations — will have to have walloped them like that. However the loss doesn’t cruel Denver is trash, it simply isn’t any place near to elite. If Baltimore had struggled in opposition to Denver, later we’d had been in reality involved. However rather, we noticed a reliable contender deal with trade and the upstart squad rush its lumps. The Broncos most definitely have any other tough occasion in collect upcoming day in opposition to the Chiefs, however a wild-card berth is a sensible function for Sean Payton, Nix and corporate. They could arise decrease, however they are going to a minimum of be within the combine ill the stretch so long as they proceed to manufacture the enhancements now we have clear all through the primary half of of the season.
(Lead photograph: Mitchell Leff / Getty Pictures)
