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Now, it’s actual.
Six weeks of regular-season NFL motion is within the books, basically one-third of the season. Gamers and coaches have labored off the rust. Blaming shortcomings and disjointed performances on little to no preseason motion not works.
Of the league’s 32 groups, 13 have dropping data. One other 5 are at .500. Some are banking on their fortunes altering because the season progresses, however others are already beginning to run out of time. That is in regards to the level of the season when panic begins to strike. As an example, the New York Jets already hit the panic button, firing coach Robert Saleh after solely 5 video games, regardless that all of their season objectives remained in attain.
Then, there are groups just like the Philadelphia Eagles, who entered final week in a precarious state of affairs earlier than profitable, improving to 3-2 and avoiding the red-alert mode that may have engulfed the franchise had it fallen to 2-3.
So which of those unlucky groups ought to maintain the religion? That are in harmful territory? Which already are in a full-on panic? Let’s dissect.
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Maintain the religion
Cincinnati Bengals (2-4)
Nobody projected a 1-4 begin for one of the crucial gifted groups within the AFC. However contract disputes and early-season accidents solely heightened Cincinnati’s typical slow-start struggles and value it in winnable video games towards New England, Washington and Baltimore. A victory over the Giants provides a level of aid, however the Bengals stay in a gap. A 41-38 additional time loss to Baltimore confirmed that Cincinnati can nonetheless go toe-to-toe with an AFC energy. And the season performs out favorably the subsequent three weeks (at Cleveland, versus Philadelphia, versus Las Vegas) earlier than a rematch in Baltimore on Nov. 7. Take a deep breath, and maintain swinging.
Arizona Cardinals (2-4)
The 34-13 loss at Inexperienced Bay was dangerous. Three turnovers, third-down struggles and only one landing in three journeys to the pink zone proved crippling. However the Cardinals have earned high quality NFC West wins over San Francisco and the L.A. Rams (earlier than all the Rams’ accidents). Consistency is missing on offense and protection, however the potential is there. A stretch of winnable video games (Chargers, Dolphins, Bears, Jets) awaits. Arizona might enter its Week 11 bye on stable footing.
Miami Dolphins (2-3)
Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion and the dearth of a robust contingency plan at quarterback rocked the Dolphins for 3 weeks. This projected playoff staff received some much-needed aid with the win over New England after which its bye. Coach Mike McDaniel says Tagovailoa will play once more in 2024, however not this week at Indianapolis. Thankfully for the Dolphins, it’s an extended season, and the AFC East options the gifted Bills, rebuilding Patriots and a Jets staff with an interim coach. If Tagovailoa returns and stays wholesome, an electrifying offense additionally might return and steer Miami again to relevancy.
Joe Flacco saved the Colts afloat amid Anthony Richardson’s damage. (Steve Roberts / Imagn Photos)
Indianapolis Colts (3-3)
Intriguing younger quarterback Anthony Richardson has missed two video games with damage, however hope stays due to good ol’ Joe Flacco, who simply led the Colts to another victory. Richardson is predicted again Sunday, when one other winnable recreation (towards Miami) awaits, after which comes a stretch that features AFC South foe Houston, adopted by Minnesota and Buffalo. However the dwelling stretch of the season contains six beatable opponents. Flacco took a reduced Cleveland to the playoffs final season. If Richardson will get damage once more, what’s to say Flacco can’t return to the postseason with the Colts?
Denver Broncos (3-3)
Bo Nix has supplied some vibrant spots and indicators of progress via six begins. He helped Denver win three straight after opening the season 0-2 and twice has recorded video games with a number of passing touchdowns. Certain, he’s had some low factors, like final week, when he had solely 27 passing yards via three quarters. However Nix saved dealing and finished that game (a 23-16 loss to the Chargers) with 216 passing yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Nix has additionally proven some hearth, refusing to back down from coach Sean Payton throughout sideline exchanges. As a complete, the Broncos have displayed some enchancment, and rank within the high half of the league with a degree differential of plus-16. They should reduce down on the turnovers (they’ve 9), however they’re trending in the appropriate course.
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Seattle Seahawks (3-3)
After opening the season 3-0, Seattle has misplaced three straight. However hope just isn’t misplaced. Two of the three losses got here towards Detroit and San Francisco, groups considered as Tremendous Bowl contenders. The loss to the Giants sandwiched in between was a shock, nevertheless it’s doable the Seahawks received caught waiting for that divisional matchup with the 49ers that adopted 4 days later. First-year coach Mike Macdonald and his prices have some issues to tweak on either side of the ball. However quarterback Geno Smith is playing well regardless of a latest uncharacteristic rash of interceptions, and Seattle stays balanced on offense. The NFC West stays up for grabs. Final week’s bye and a win over Atlanta this week can restore order.
Low-grade panic mode
Dallas Cowboys (3-3)
The report suggests a manageable state of affairs, as does an NFC East that options the shocking however nonetheless growing Commanders, a glitchy Eagles staff which may be getting its groove again and a Giants staff not positioned for rivalry in 2024. However the lack of really feel and solutions that coach Mike McCarthy and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer have displayed whereas directing an underachieving squad, and the accidents on protection, give actual trigger for concern. The bye comes at a much-needed time following the blowout loss to Detroit. However is per week sufficient time for the coaches to evaluate and repair all of their shortcomings?
San Francisco 49ers (3-3)
It has been a tough stretch for the Tremendous Bowl runner-up 49ers, who’ve battled accidents all through this younger season. Properly-coached and well-constructed, they’ve weathered adversity and own a 3-3 record. However on faucet is a tricky stretch starting with a rematch with Kansas City this week and persevering with with Dallas, a bye, Tampa Bay, Seattle, Green Bay and Buffalo. Uncertainty stays in regards to the return dates of reinforcements like Christian McCaffrey, so this difficult slate might make or break the Niners’ season.
Antonio Pierce and the Raiders are struggling to realize momentum. (Reggie Hildred / Imagn Photos)
Las Vegas Raiders (2-4)
The 5-4 end to 2023 that Antonio Pierce directed whereas interim head coach has not carried over into 2024. Now 2-4, the Raiders have benched quarterback Gardner Minshew (an offseason acquisition) and so they just traded high broad receiver Davante Adams to the Jets. Luke Getsy struggled as offensive coordinator in Chicago, and now his Raiders unit ranks among the many backside third of the league. Enchancment appears unlikely. In the meantime, there are few obvious fast fixes for a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde protection that ranks twelfth greatest in yards per recreation but fifth worst in factors allowed. Precedence No. 1 for Pierce is fixing the turnover difficulty that has crippled his staff on either side of the ball. The Raiders lead the NFL with 12 turnovers this season, with solely two takeaways.
New Orleans Saints (2-4)
These two blowout victories to open the season don’t look practically as spectacular now given Carolina’s ineptitude and Dallas’ underperforming methods. 4 straight losses have adopted, and quarterback Derek Carr’s indirect damage compelled the Saints to play rookie Spencer Rattler before anticipated. The NFC South stays up for grabs. Nevertheless, extra regarding than a cold and hot offense are the struggles of an injury-plagued protection that gave up 51 factors to Tampa Bay Sunday and didn’t get key stops in winnable video games towards Philadelphia, Atlanta and Kansas Metropolis.
New York Giants (2-4)
Can you actually name it panic mode when your roster had the look of a subpar operation to start with? Possibly when you’re Brian Daboll, head coach of a staff that regressed in Yr 2 and continues to wrestle in Yr 3. Daniel Jones remains erratic and hasn’t thrown a landing at dwelling since Jan. 1, 2023, whereas directing an offense that has failed to attain 20 factors 4 instances in six video games this season. The Giants weren’t going to win the NFC East this season, however they should present some actual enchancment as their coach’s seat heats up.
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L.A. Rams (1-4)
The Rams had been in all probability probably the most injury-riddled staff within the NFL via the primary month-and-a-half of the season. Accidents alongside the offensive line. Accidents at broad receiver. Accidents within the secondary. However reinforcements have began to reach on protection and they’re on their means alongside the offensive line as effectively. Matthew Stafford apparently should wait a little bit longer for Puka Nacua to return, and whereas Cooper Kupp is questionable to play this week, he participated in individual drills Wednesday. If the Rams can piece collectively a few wins earlier than Thanksgiving (the Raiders, Vikings, Seahawks, Dolphins, Patriots and Eagles await), in idea they’ll place themselves for a playoff push within the closing third of the season. However their margin for error is extremely slim.
Pink-alert panic mode
Cleveland Browns (1-5)
Kevin Stefanski continues to pledge loyalty to Deshaun Watson, his $230 million quarterback, whom the Browns want to hold them and masks the deficiencies of an injury-plagued supporting forged. As a substitute, Watson has but to cross for 200 yards in any recreation this season. Every week, Stefanski says he’s not contemplating a change to backup Jameis Winston as a result of he believes Watson nonetheless provides Cleveland its best chance to win. He hasn’t made vital schematic modifications to assist Watson compensate for his struggles, nevertheless. It’s unclear if Stefanski believes that, or if he’s following a mandate from above so he can save his job. However because the Browns’ struggles and losses mount, the coach is vulnerable to dropping the locker room, which might in flip value him his job as effectively.
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5)
The bleeding continues for the Jaguars, who’ve now misplaced 10 of their final 12 video games relationship again to final season. If not for his or her two-week journey to London, Doug Pederson could have already been fired. Employed in 2022 to rescue Jacksonville from the City Meyer dysfunction, Pederson guided the Jaguars on a shocking late-season playoff push and postseason victory. However for the reason that midpoint of final season, prized quarterback Trevor Lawrence has regressed, as has Jacksonville’s offense and protection. The Jaguars personal a degree differential of minus-65, second worst within the NFL behind the Panthers (minus-100). Lots of the identical league insiders who predicted Pederson can be good for Lawrence now discover themselves baffled by the Jaguars’ struggles. Pederson’s Tremendous Bowl-winning success with the Eagles to cap the 2017 season appears to be like extra like an anomaly now.
New England Patriots (1-5)
Everybody knew this might be a rebuilding yr for the Patriots following the organizational reset that featured the firing of Invoice Belichick, hiring of first-time head coach Jerod Mayo and drafting of quarterback Drake Maye third general. The plan was to lean on veteran Jacoby Brissett whereas growing Maye, however after repeated shows of offensive anemia, the Patriots basically hit the panic button and started Maye last week towards Houston. The younger quarterback is not going to clear up a pock-marked roster, however he’ll get reps and hopefully study whereas doing.
Carolina Panthers (1-5)
The Panthers hit the panic button after simply two weeks, benching Bryce Young for Andy Dalton a yr after utilizing the No. 1 draft decide on Younger. However first-year coach Dave Canales has seen solely minimal enchancment from his offense, which is averaging simply 17.2 factors per recreation for the season and 22.5 in Dalton’s 4 begins. In the meantime, a protection led by Ejiro Evero is yielding a league-high 33.8 factors per contest. There’s no fast repair for this talent-deficient staff, which is probably going headed for a top-three pick as soon as once more.
Will Levis is 1-4 with 5 touchdowns and 7 interceptions this season. (Sam Navarro / Imagn Photos)
Tennessee Titans (1-4)
A roster that appeared to boast promise with a mix of homegrown gamers and sensible free-agent acquisitions has but to pan out for first-year head coach Brian Callahan and second-year basic supervisor Ran Carthon. Lots of Tennessee’s woes should do with the sluggish growth of second-year quarterback Will Levis, who leads the NFL with seven interceptions whereas passing for under 699 yards in 5 video games. The Titans boast the top-ranked protection (permitting solely 248.8 yards per recreation), however their offense (253.2 yards per recreation) is second worst within the league behind the Browns. Tennessee additionally averages simply 19.2 factors per recreation.
New York Jets (2-4)
Saleh’s firing was supposed to assist the Jets transfer out of this panic class whereas jump-starting the staff Woody Johnson calls one among his most gifted ever assembled. However the Jets largely looked the same towards Buffalo on Monday except for a number of spurts. Aaron Rodgers continues to be pointing fingers and throwing interceptions, and Haason Reddick just isn’t strolling via that door. Adams did, and maybe he can supply Rodgers some consolation. However the Jets really feel extra flamable than cohesive at this level.
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(High illustration: Meech Robinson / The Athletic. Images of Kevin Stefanski, Aaron Rodgers and Jerry Jones: Elsa / Getty Photos, Nick Cammett / Getty Photos and Michael Zagaris / San Francisco 49ers / Getty Photos)
