The Pressure is On…

As the off-season winds to a close every year, many experts, analysts, podcasters (ahem) and the laymen take a real look at the landscape of the National Football League. When September rolls around, you always have that one friend who says “I didn’t know “X” was now in “X”.” It’s too much movement. I said it to myself on Thursday Night after I got home from work. “When did Allen Robinson sign with the Giants” as he’s playing into the 2nd half to try and make the team. It’s just natural to do that. We have the Free Agent frenzy, the NFL Draft, coaches firings and hirings. So. Much. Movement. And that’s great. What we normally don’t discuss is the teams, players and coaches that stay put. And they stay put for a reason. Their owners and front office leaders believe they are the right people in place.

The internal clock that begins in the heads of those people (as well as the fans) ticks louder and louder as the games, weeks and years go by. There comes a point where the pressure becomes too much, and then its either sink or swim. That’s what leads to the frenzy. The movement. The craziness. 2024 is no different. You look around the league about 20 days before the Chiefs and Ravens kick off, and you wonder which players are under the most pressure this year. Either viewed by themselves, their fanbases, or the league in general. Same for teams. Same for coaches. The list is endless, and depending on who you ask, can change. I remember on ESPN as a kid they would do “fact or fiction” or the “hot seat” which were always great. Today I’ll do something similar. Division by division, I’ll give you a player, team or coach that is “feeling the heat” in 24, and how whatever outcomes lies ahead may lead to a stark difference this time next year.

AFC East

1. Sean McDermott - Again, depending on who you ask this can change. Many, many people would say the team in general, or Josh Allen. But I’m sticking with McDermott here. And yes, the Bills won the AFC East again in 2023. But it’s not about that for this team anymore. This team can’t get past the Chiefs. Simple as that. Buffalo said goodbye to the likes of Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis and Jordan Poyer this season. In January, if the Bills miss the playoffs because they didn’t have enough “playmakers” I don’t think people will be blaming Josh Allen. McDermott needs to make a move here. Where there is a will, there is a way. I don’t think his seat is particularly “hot”, but I think an AFC Championship appearance would really put this franchise in the place of “ok, we made the right moves.” However, if this team misses the playoffs, some eyebrows could be raised.

Heat Meter - 4

2. New York Jets - Yeah, this one is the whole unit. The apologists will tell you that the team hasn’t really played together yet and you need to let them gel. The New York media will tell you that this team went 7-10 last year while Aaron Rodgers played four famous snaps. Here’s the skinny: A-Rod is 40 years old. That’s right. Turning 41 in December. The Jets are now above the league average in roster age. We all know they haven’t made the playoffs since 2013, the longest drought in the NFL. Let’s make one thing clear: If the Jets miss the playoffs again, everyone is gone. Saleh, Douglas, Rodgers (probably) and a whole slew of players. Someone will come in and press the reset button. If they make the playoffs and bow out in the first round, Saleh and Douglas get fired. The players stay and a new coach comes to get one more shot at getting over the hump. Make the AFC Title game, everyone stays. There may not be more pressure on a team in the NFL (the other lies in the Heart of Dixie) to perform. There are a ton of personalities on this team, and they all like to speak. Some people like that. Some people don’t. But one thing is certain. The Jets need to win.

Heat Meter - 10

3. Tua Tagovailoa (Performing in December/January) - Tua just got the big deal. 53 million. And he’s letting people know at camp. Good for him. With all the concussions he dealt with in 2022, he was healthy in 23 and played well. The reality is also this. Since he’s been in the league, he and the Dolphins have absolutely, unequivocally sucked in December and January. The Dolphins, who were leading the AFC East all year last season, struggled down the stretch to the tune of a 3-4 record and lost the division in the last week of the season to the Bills. Which in turn, granted them a travel date to Kansas City to play the Chiefs on one of the coldest days in recorded history. They lost. It wasn’t close. In 2022, yes, Tua was hurt. The concussions sucked. But being on the field is part of it. He wasn’t. Miami is 4-10 in December and January in 22’ and 23’. That’s not going to cut it. This is a team who hasn’t won a playoff game since 2000. Going on 25 years now. No one will bat an eye on this team as they wax teams they should, and lose to teams they should. Pay attention in December.

Heat Meter - 6

NFC East

4. Mike McCarthy - This is simple. If the Cowboys don’t make a serious run this season, McCarthy is cooked. The Cowboys have been “put up or shut up” for years now. And if you listen to our show, we poke fun at the yearly Dallas wheel that goes round and round every year ending with “disappointing ending” in the playoffs. This year there is some extra spice as Dak Prescott, the MVP runner up in 2023, is playing on an expiring contract. There is no telling what happens if Dallas bows out in the wild card round again, or heaven forbid, miss the playoffs!

Heat Meter - 10

5. Eagles Offense - All the pieces are there. But if you watched the Eagles in 2023, you know that something was just off. Hurts wasn’t having fun. Sirianni wasn’t himself. And it culminated with an embarrassing loss to the Baker Mayfield led Bucs in the wild card round. So 2024 is afoot and the birds are two years removed from coming within minutes of taking out the Chiefs for their second Super Bowl victory. Now, I think, the pressure is on this offense. They added Saquon Barkley. Another year of DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown. Dallas Geodert is healthy. Hurts and the offense need to do damage. Specifically, the passing attack. A lot of people think Hurts isn’t a great passer, and personally, I think the jury is still out. It will be interesting watching Philadelphia this year.

Heat Meter - 5

AFC North

6. Lamar Jackson AND John Harbaugh - I mean, you can read the Bills one. Its the same deal, except Baltimore has the pieces. Hell, they added Derrick Henry. Lamar won his 2nd MVP in 2023. Baltimore HOSTED the AFC Championship. They still couldn’t beat Mahomes. Is there “pressure” on the Ravens to win a Super Bowl. Some may say no. I say yes. This is potentially Baltimore’s best shot at the crown. Mahomes isn’t going away. He’s here for another 10-12 years. Deal with it. I don’t think people are getting fired, but at what point do you realize that you may need to change something to get over the hump?

Heat Meter - 3

7. All other AFC North Starting QBs - Let’s make this simple. Joe Burrow needs to stay healthy. If he doesn’t and misses significant time again, the Bengals have to look themselves in the mirror and say “what are we doing here”. When Burrow is healthy, he’s unbelievable. But availability is key. And Burrow has basically missed two of the past three years. In what some people believe is the worst trade of all time, Russell Wilson was removed after a year in Denver and signed with Pittsburgh. He’s starting for Mike Tomlin. He also has Justin Fields behind him. The leash is short. Wilson wasn’t statistically bad in 2023, but if you watched him every play, it was underwhelming. This year will prove if Russ can still cook. In Cleveland, in what some people believe is the worst trade of all time, DeShaun Watson has had a full off-season for the first time since I think Avengers: Endgame came out? Literally. In what we’ve seen from Watson in a Browns uniform has been dreadful. Hasn’t been the same guy he was in Houston. This is the year for Watson to make amends. If we get more of the same, Watson won’t have a starting job anywhere in 2025.

Heat Meter - 8

NFC North

8. Matt Eberflus - Consider me a guy that doesn’t think Eberflus should be coaching this team in 2024. And no, Hard Knocks won’t change that. The current regime in Chicago couldn’t develop Justin Fields. No matter what you think of Fields, that’s on Poles, Eberflus and Getsy. Getsy is in Las Vegas now (someone had to get the chop) and Shane Waldron is in. Now, Caleb Williams is a much better prospect than Justin Fields. But with that, expectations are higher. Fans in Chicago are expecting the Bears to make the playoffs.I think Eberflus has the hottest seat to start 2024. If the Bears get off to an Urban Meyer-esque start like Meyer did in Jacksonville in 2021, with Trevor Lawrence in his rookie year, then Eberflus will see the door so fast. Chicago has loaded up, and they are now in a way tougher division than what presented itself two years ago. That’s a factor, but the coaching staff in Chicago needs to turn it around, and do so quickly.

Heat Meter - 9

AFC South

9. Press Taylor - I could’ve put Doug Pederson here. I could’ve put Trevor Lawrence here. I’m not going to go into all the metrics in where Lawrence was hampered last season due to his receiving core and injuries (do that yourself). All I can tell is that Jaguar fans currently hate Press Taylor. The playcylling last year for a team that seemingly had weapons all over was abysmal. It went so far as that it was widely reported that Shad Khan had a meeting with Doug Pederson in the off-season to ask him to call plays again in 2024. Pederson, who had the SAME ISSUE in Philadelphia, hasn’t “decided” on who was calling plays in 2024. Taylor called plays on Saturday night in the Jags first pre-season game. We will see. The Jaguars are getting a new stadium in 2028. The Jaguars owner has publicly put some pressure on this team in 2024. Let’s see how Doug and Press respond.

Heat Meter - 7

10. Will Levis - When you aren’t drafted in the first round, you don’t have the same type of rope other QBs get. I think the same applies for Levis here. Sure, the Titans lost Derrick Henry to the Ravens this off-season, but they gained Tony Pollard, Tyler Boyd and Calvin Ridley. The pieces are there. The Titans defense and offensive line still are a work in progress to be nice, but I think Levis needs to show some consistency in 2024 to keep the job in 25.

Heat Meter - 5

NFC South

11. Bryce Young - This is simply because of how Bryce was in 2023. But, to the Panthers credit, they cleaned house and brought in a new Head Coach and new weapons to help Young. The offensive line is still awful, but as long as Young shows progression in 2024, there shouldn’t be an issue here. I mean, he can’t be that bad again. Right?

Heat Meter - 2

12. Derek Carr/Dennis Allen - These two go hand in hand. The Saints were hoping to come back to relevance when they signed Carr last off-season, but the reality is they have sunk back to irrelevance. Derek Carr and the Saints offense was pathetic last year. I remember Dennis Allen’s first run as a Head Coach and it wasn’t pretty. I was flabbergasted when he got the job in New Orleans and he’s done absolutely nothing to make me change my mind. New Orleans defense will keep them in games, but if Carr doesn’t lift this offense in 2024, he will most likely be gone. Keep an eye on Spencer Rattler. As for Allen, his seat is probably hot on the level of Robert Saleh and Mike McCarthy.

Heat Meter - 8

AFC West

As much as I want to put Harbaugh on here, the fact is he’s on his first year of remaking that roster. Payton reset himself with drafting Nix, and Pierce is a first time head coach. No pressure in the West. Good job guys.

NFC West

13. San Francisco 49ers - The time is now. What is it, 4 NFC title games? Two Super Bowl losses to the Chiefs? San Francisco is the most complete team in the NFL from top to bottom. Sure, Kansas City has the best player in the world. But the 49ers are loaded at each and every spot. As long as San Fran is going to NFC Championships and Super Bowls, no one is getting fired. But internally, the pressure is real. They know they have what it takes to win. They know they should’ve probably won already. Some guys are getting older. Trent Williams, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey to name a couple. We spoke about the internal clock getting louder and louder. Its ringing in the ears of the 49er faithful.

Heat Meter - 9

Playoff Predictions - Whose Going to Vegas!

The time is now! The 2024 NFL playoffs are among us and this crazy season is only getting crazier. The Bills completed the comeback; the Jaguars completed the collapse. Joe Flacco and Mason Rudolph are starting playoff games. The Lions are in the playoffs. It will be -30 in Kansas City Saturday Night. Have I said enough? It really is SUPER wildcard weekend. The guys (myself included) took the week to think about who they think could hoist the Lombardi trophy in Las Vegas next month. I wouldn’t say we all went chalk across the board, but the winners may not surprise a bunch. I’m going to give all of our original predictions as well and see how well we landed (it’s not pretty). Without further ado, let’s see whose going to Vegas!

John McCarthy

Original Pick - Jaguars defeat Eagles

If you asked this to John in Week 10 how he felt about this, he probably would’ve went to the casino and cashed a futures bet. Fast forward to today, and these two teams were the worst teams down the stretch. The Jaguars completely bottomed out, losing 5/6 and missing the playoffs in the last week of the season. The Eagles, after starting off 10-1, finished the year at 11-6, lost the NFC East and have to travel to Tampa Bay to take on Baker Mayfield and the resurgent Buccaneers. Maybe the big guy will do better in his playoff prediction…

NFC

WildCard Weekend

(2) Cowboys defeat (7) Packers 31-14

(6) Rams defeat (3) Lions 38-31

(4) Bucs defeat (5) Eagles 20-17

NFC Divisional

(1) 49ers defeat (6) Rams 31-17

(2) Cowboys defeat (4) Bucs 38-10

NFC Championship

(1) 49ers defeat (2) Cowboys 21-17

AFC

Wildcard Weekend

(2) Bills defeat (7) Steelers 31-10

(4) Texans defeat (5) Browns 17-10

(3) Chiefs defeat (6) Dolphins 28-14

Divisional

(1) Ravens defeat (4) Texans 21-14

(2) Bills defeat (3) Chiefs 17-14

AFC Championship

(2) Bills defeat (1) Ravens 21-16

SUPER BOWL

Bills defeat 49ers 34-31

Super Bowl MVP - Josh Allen

Rich Jones

Original Pick - Chiefs defeat 49ers

This is the only pick of the bunch that is still in play! And there is a scenario where both teams get back to Vegas this February. The Chiefs are looking to become the first back to back Champs since the 03-04 Patriots, but in order to get out of the AFC, they will need to find an answer to their offense. The 49ers have looked like a juggernaut all year, so them getting to the big dance would surprise no one.

NFC

Wildcard Weekend

(2) Cowboys defeat (7) Packers 41-13

(3) Lions defeat (6) Rams 34-21

(5) Eagles defeat (4) Bucs 21-18

Divisional

(1) 49ers defeat (5) Eagles 31-30

(2) Cowboys defeat (3) Lions 27-21

NFC Championship

(1) 49ers defeat (2) Cowboys 38-17

AFC

Wildcard Weekend

(2) Bills defeat (7) Steelers 24-21

(3) Chiefs defeat (6) Dolphins 21-14

(4) Texans defeat (5) Browns 27-21

Divisional

(1) Ravens defeat (4) Texans 30-10

(3) Chiefs defeat (2) Bills 21-14

AFC Championship

(1) Ravens defeat (3) Chiefs 31-21

SUPER BOWL

Ravens defeat 49ers 30-27

Super Bowl MVP - Lamar Jackson

Joe Miglio

Original Pick - Bengals defeat 49ers

This pick is more of an incomplete as Joe Burrow’s season never quite felt right. He eventually got hurt and missed the season after wrist surgery, and the Bengals season crumbled with it. The 49ers have already been discussed so no need to go back to that well.

NFC

Wildcard Weekend

(2) Cowboys defeat (7) Packers 41-17

(3) Lions defeat (6) Rams 35-24

(5) Eagles defeat (4) Bucs 23-21

Divisional

(1) 49ers defeat (5) Eagles 27-16

(3) Lions defeat (2) Cowboys 34-28

NFC Championship

(3) Lions defeat (1) 49ers 28-27

AFC

Wildcard Weekend

(2) Bills defeat (7) Steelers 24-6

(3) Chiefs defeat (6) Dolphins 16-13

(5) Browns defeat (4) Texans 23-14

Divisional

(1) Ravens defeat (5) Browns 17-14

(3) Chiefs defeat (2) Bills 26-22

AFC Championship

(1) Ravens defeat (3) Chiefs 20-17

SUPER BOWL

Ravens defeat Lions 29-27

Super Bowl MVP - Zay Flowers

The year of Harbaugh.

Thanksgiving Check-In: NFL Report Card

Thanksgiving! A time to celebrate what truly matters in life. Family. Friends. Football. The three F’s. Back in October, we did our first quarter check in to see how everyone was holding up. Now, teams are who they are as we head into the holiday break. Is there time to fix it? Yes, but barely. The stretch run is around the corner, and we will finally seperate the men from the boys.

AFC East

Miami Dolphins

Record: 7-3

HomeR: 5-0

AwayR: 2-3

+/-: (+67)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 30.5 (1st)

RuYds/PG - 143.0 (2nd)

PaYds/PG - 291.0 (1st)

Yds/PG - 434.0 (1st)

Penalties/PG - 5.9 (12th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 23.8 (23rd)

RuYds All/PG - 99.2 (10th)

PaYds All/PG - 220.6 (14th)

Yds All/PG - 319.8 (12th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.2 (22nd)

Record Rank - 8th

Offensive Rank - 1st

Defensive Rank - 15th

Composite Rank - 8th

Miami continues to feast on offense against poor team, but their wireless streak against good teams is alarming. Vic Fangio’s defense is quietly coming around…

Grade: A-

Buffalo Bills

Record: 6-5

HomeR: 5-2

AwayR: 1-3

+/-: (+104)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 26.7 (7th)

RuYds/PG - 117.7 (11th)

PaYds/PG - 254.5 (7th)

Yds/PG - 372.2 (6th)

Penalties/PG - 6.6 (22nd)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 17.3 (4th)

RuYds All/PG - 110.5 (16th)

PaYds All/PG - 204.2 (10th)

Yds All/PG - 314.6 (10th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.7 (7th)

Record Rank - 15th

Offensive Rank - 7th

Defensive Rank - 6th

Composite Rank - 10th

Despite ranking 10th, Buffalo is on the outside looking in. Due to some poor coaching and timely turnover, the Bills have their work cut out for them. They got off on the right foot against the Jets, but the next four games will determine their season.

Grade: C

New York Jets

Record: 4-6

HomeR: 2-3

AwayR: 2-3

+/-: (-54)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 15.0 (30th)

RuYds/PG - 99.8 (23rd)

PaYds/PG - 170.5 (30th)

Yds/PG - 270.3 (30th)

Penalties/PG - 6.5 (20th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 20.4 (11th)

RuYds All/PG - 137.6 (30th)

PaYds All/PG - 178.7 (5th)

Yds All/PG - 316.3 (11th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.6 (8th)

Record Rank - 22nd

Offensive Rank - 31st

Defensive Rank - 9th

Composite Rank - 19th

The defense woke up. The offense is still asleep. The decision to stick with Zach Wilson may very well cost Robert Saleh his job. The season is slipping away.

Grade: C-

New England Patriots

Record: 2-8

HomeR: 1-5

AwayR: 1-3

+/-: (-97)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 14.1 (31st)

RuYds/PG - 94.9 (27th)

PaYds/PG - 199.6(22nd)

Yds/PG - 294.5 (26th)

Penalties/PG - 6.3 (16th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 23.8 (23rd)

RuYds All/PG - 97.9 (9th)

PaYds All/PG - 228.8 (18th)

Yds All/PG - 326.5 (16th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.0 (27th)

Record Rank - 30th

Offensive Rank - 29th

Defensive Rank - 20th

Composite Rank - 29th

With rumors swirling around Bill leaving after the season, it would be quite a sour end. One we all saw coming though. This roster is bad. Plain and simple. This is the worst season in New England in over 25 years.

Grade: F

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles

Record: 8-1

HomeR: 4-0

AwayR: 4-1

+/-: (+57)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 27.3 (5th)

RuYds/PG - 128.1 (8th)

PaYds/PG - 234.8 (12th)

Yds/PG - 362.9 (9th)

Penalties/PG - 5.4 (6th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 21.2 (16th)

RuYds All/PG - 76.5 (1st)

PaYds All/PG - 248.1 (28th)

Yds All/PG - 324.6 (14th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.3 (19th)

Record Rank - 1st

Offensive Rank - 3rd

Defensive Rank - 13th

Composite Rank - 4th

Different team than last year - same results. Philly keeps on winning, and while Hurts may not be playing at an MVP level, he’s doing what he has to do to win.

Grade: A

Dallas Cowboys

Record: 7-3

HomeR: 4-0

AwayR: 3-3

+/-: (+127)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 30.2 (2nd)

RuYds/PG - 116.8 (12th)

PaYds/PG - 255.5 (5th)

Yds/PG - 372.3 (5th)

Penalties/PG - 7.4 (31st)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 17.5 (5th)

RuYds All/PG - 109.2 (15th)

PaYds All/PG - 157.1 (2nd)

Yds All/PG - 266.3 (2nd)

Takeaways/PG - 1.6 (8th)

Record Rank - 7th

Offensive Rank - 9th

Defensive Rank - 3rd

Composite Rank - 5th

We are at the point in the season where people consider Dallas for the Super Bowl. I need to see it to believe it. Consider me a skeptic.

Grade: A

Washington Commanders

Record: 4-7

HomeR: 1-4

AwayR: 3-3

+/-: (-69)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 21.5 (17th)

RuYds/PG - 95.7 (26th)

PaYds/PG - 245.0 (10th)

Yds/PG - 340.7 (12th)

Penalties /PG - 5.5 (8th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 27.7 (32nd)

RuYds All/PG - 114.3 (21st)

PaYds All/PG - 258.5 (30th)

Yds All/PG - 372.8 (29th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.2 (24th)

Record Rank - 26th

Offensive Rank - 15th

Defensive Rank - 32nd

Composite Rank - 27th

Unserious football team. Ron Rivera is cooked as a head coach, and the small rebuild has begun. Two losses to the Giants - this season is over.

Grade: D

New York Giants

Record: 3-8

HomeR: 1-3

AwayR: 2-5

+/-: (-136)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 13.5 (32nd)

RuYds/PG - 111.5 (13th)

PaYds/PG - 150.6 (32nd)

Yds/PG - 262.2 (32nd)

Penalties /PG - 5.6 (11th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 25.9 (28th)

RuYds All/PG - 135.1 (29th)

PaYds All/PG - 236.5 (22nd)

Yds All/PG - 371.6 (28th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.5 (14th)

Record Rank - 28th

Offensive Rank - 28th

Defensive Rank - 31st

Composite Rank - 31st

When the highlight of your season is an undrafted rookie QB who lives at his mom’s house, that should tell you all you need to know.

Grade: F

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

Record: 8-3

HomeR: 4-2

AwayR: 4-1

+/-: (+127)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 27.6 (4th)

RuYds/PG - 155.1 (1st)

PaYds/PG - 211.5 (20th)

Yds/PG - 366.5 (7th)

Penalties/PG - 6.2 (15th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 16.1 (2nd)

RuYds All/PG - 103.7 (13th)

PaYds All/PG - 169.7 (3rd)

Yds All/PG - 273.5 (3rd)

Takeaways/PG - 1.4 (18th)

Record Rank - 2nd

Offensive Rank - 5th

Defensive Rank - 4th

Composite Rank - 2nd

Best team in the AFC.

Grade: A+

Cleveland Browns

Record: 7-3

HomeR: 5-1

AwayR: 2-2

+/-: (+57)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 22.7 (13th)

RuYds/PG - 142.7 (3rd)

PaYds/PG - 183.1 (26th)

Yds/PG - 325.8 (19th)

Penalties/PG - 6.3 (16th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 18.0 (6th)

RuYds All/PG - 99.6 (11th)

PaYds All/PG - 143.7 (1st)

Yds All/PG - 243.3 (1st)

Takeaways/PG - 1.5 (12th)

Record Rank - 9th

Offensive Rank - 16th

Defensive Rank - 2nd

Composite Rank - 9th

Despite all the injuries, the Browns keep on winning. That is impressive. A real nice job by Kevin Stefanski this year. The Browns may not win a Super Bowl in 2023, but they won’t be an easy out at all.

Grade: A

Pittsburgh Steelers

Record: 6-4

HomeR: 4-2

AwayR: 2-2

+/-: (-29)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 16.6 (28th)

RuYds/PG - 110.1 (16th)

PaYds/PG - 170.0 (31st)

Yds/PG - 280.1 (28th)

Penalties/PG - 5.5 (9th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 19.5 (7th)

RuYds All/PG - 127.7 (23rd)

PaYds All/PG - 239.9 (23rd)

Yds All/PG - 367.6 (27th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.9 (2nd)

Record Rank - 10th

Offensive Rank - 24th

Defensive Rank - 17th

Composite Rank - 18th

Matt Canada has finally been fired. Now, we can see if this offense can do anything. Kenny Pickett needs to play better. Pittsburgh is hanging on to a playoff spot by a thread.

Grade: B

Cincinnati Bengals

Record: 5-5

HomeR: 3-2

AwayR: 2-3

+/-: (-24)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 20.2 (20th)

RuYds/PG - 80.9 (30th)

PaYds/PG - 217.8 (18th)

Yds/PG - 298.7 (24th)

Penalties/PG - 5.0 (3rd)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 22.6 (21st)

RuYds All/PG - 138.3 (31st)

PaYds All/PG - 247.8 (27th)

Yds All/PG - 386.1 (30th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.8 (5th)

Record Rank - 16th

Offensive Rank - 20th

Defensive Rank - 29th

Composite Rank - 22nd

Joe Burrow is done for the season. Chalk this season up as a dud for Cincy. It’s a shame, but now the attention turns towards 2024.

Grade: D

NFC North

Detroit Lions

Record: 8-2

HomeR: 4-1

AwayR: 4-1

+/-: (+43)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 27.2 (6th)

RuYds/PG - 136.6 (5th)

PaYds/PG - 263.0 (4th)

Yds/PG - 399.6 (2nd)

Penalties/PG - 5.5 (9th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 22.9 (22nd)

RuYds All/PG - 89.5 (5th)

PaYds All/PG - 223.5 (16th)

Yds All/PG - 313.0 (9th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.2 (22nd)

Record Rank - 3rd

Offensive Rank - 2nd

Defensive Rank - 11th

Composite Rank - 3rd

This is the best Lions start since 1963. 60 years. Go. Fucking. Lions.

Grade: A+

Minnesota Vikings

Record: 6-5

HomeR: 2-3

AwayR: 4-2

+/-: (+23)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 23.0 (11th)

RuYds/PG - 93.8 (28th)

PaYds/PG - 266.7 (3rd)

Yds/PG - 360.5 (10th)

Penalties/PG - 4.9 (2nd)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 20.9 (15th)

RuYds All/PG - 94.0 (7th)

PaYds All/PG - 226.6 (17th)

Yds All/PG - 320.6 (13th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.3 (20th)

Record Rank - 13th

Offensive Rank - 8th

Defensive Rank - 10th

Composite Rank - 11th

The Vikings coulda mailed it in at 0-3. Or when Justin Jefferson went down. Or when KirK Cousins tore his Achilles. Yet, they are 6-4. KOC deserves a COTY award.

Grade: B+

Green Bay Packers

Record: 4-6

HomeR: 3-2

AwayR: 1-4

+/-: (0)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 20.2 (20th)

RuYds/PG - 102.1 (21st)

PaYds/PG - 217.5 (19th)

Yds/PG - 319.6 (21st)

Penalties/PG - 7.2 (30th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 20.2 (10th)

RuYds All/PG - 134.7 (28th)

PaYds All/PG - 193.2 (7th)

Yds All/PG - 327.9 (17th)

Takeaways/PG - 0.9 (29th)

Record Rank - 24th

Offensive Rank - 23rd

Defensive Rank - 18th

Composite Rank - 23rd

The Packers are boring. Which is crazy, cause they’re going. They are just lacking a punch.

Grade: D+

Chicago Bears

Record: 3-8

HomeR: 2-3

AwayR: 1-5

+/-: (-56)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 20.9 (19th)

RuYds/PG - 139.5 (4th)

PaYds/PG - 184.4 (25th)

Yds/PG - 323.8 (20th)

Penalties/PG - 6.6 (22nd)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 26.0 (29th)

RuYds All/PG - 79.5 (2nd)

PaYds All/PG - 245.9 (26th)

Yds All/PG - 325.5 (15th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.2 (24th)

Record Rank - 29th

Offensive Rank - 19th

Defensive Rank - 21st

Composite Rank - 26th

Chicagos hope for a playoff run ended in September. Now, we find out if Justin Fields will have a job come April.

Grade: D

AFC South

Jacksonville Jaguars

Record: 7-3

HomeR: 3-3

AwayR: 4-0

+/-: (+26)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 23.0 (11th)

RuYds/PG - 108.7 (17th)

PaYds/PG - 225.4 (16th)

Yds/PG - 334.1 (16th)

Penalties/PG - 4.8 (1st)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 20.4 (11th)

RuYds All/PG - 87.0 (4th)

PaYds All/PG - 254.4 (29th)

Yds All/PG - 341.4 (20th)

Takeaways/PG - 2.0 (1st)

Record Rank - 5th

Offensive Rank - 11th

Defensive Rank - 8th

Composite Rank - 7th

Jacksonville won 5 straight in October. Last year at this juncture, they were 3-7. Now they’re 7-3. Doug Pederson has worked wonders with this football team.

Grade: A-

Houston Texans

Record: 6-4

HomeR: 4-1

AwayR: 2-3

+/-: (+30)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 23.8 (10th)

RuYds/PG - 99.5 (24th)

PaYds/PG - 277.2 (2nd)

Yds/PG - 377.2 (4th)

Penalties/PG - 6.5 (20th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 20.8 (14th)

RuYds All/PG - 96.5 (8th)

PaYds All/PG - 241.4 (25th)

Yds All/PG - 337.9 (19th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.4 (15th)

Record Rank - 12th

Offensive Rank - 10th

Defensive Rank - 16th

Composite Rank - 12th

This team will have hardware this year. Whether it’s Demeco Ryan’s or CJ Stroud, or both, they deserve something. A remarkable turnaround. And oh, they are VERY alive for the division.

Grade: A+

Indianapolis Colts

Record: 5-5

HomeR: 1-4

AwayR: 4-1

+/-: (-6)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 24.2 (9th)

RuYds/PG - 118.0 (10th)

PaYds/PG - 218.1 (17th)

Yds/PG - 336.1 (14th)

Penalties/PG - 6.3 (16th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 24.8 (26th)

RuYds All/PG - 129.7 (25th)

PaYds All/PG - 228.8 (18th)

Yds All/PG - 358.5 (25th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.6 (8th)

Record Rank - 19th

Offensive Rank - 13th

Defensive Rank - 24th

Composite Rank - 17th

The Colts keep hanging around. They’re in every game and Shane Steichen deserves credit. I don’t know if they’ll make the playoffs, but they are a team you can’t take lightly.

Grade: B

Tennessee Titans

Record: 3-7

HomeR: 3-1

AwayR: 0-6

+/-: (-46)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 16.8 (27th)

RuYds/PG - 105.0 (19th)

PaYds/PG - 181.0 (27th)

Yds/PG - 286.0 (27th)

Penalties/PG - 6.1 (14th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 21.4 (17th)

RuYds All/PG - 112.3 (17th)

PaYds All/PG - 230.8 (20th)

Yds All/PG - 343.1 (22nd)

Takeaways/PG - 0.7 (31st)

Record Rank - 27th

Offensive Rank - 26th

Defensive Rank - 26th

Composite Score - 28th

It’s over - blow it up. And I mean everything. Vrabel. Henry. Everything.

Grade: D

NFC South

New Orleans Saints

Record: 5-5

HomeR: 2-2

AwayR: 3-3

+/-: (+16)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 21.4 (18th)

RuYds/PG - 100.0 (22nd)

PaYds/PG - 237.4 (11th)

Yds/PG - 337.4 (13th)

Penalties/PG - 6.4 (19th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 19.8 (8th)

RuYds All/PG - 113.6 (20th)

PaYds All/PG - 199.1 (8th)

Yds All/PG - 312.7 (8th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.8 (5th)

Record Rank - 14th

Offensive Rank - 17th

Defensive Rank - 7th

Composite Rank - 13th

NOLA can win some games, they can also lose so games. The only reason this team is in the playoff conversation is because of the division they play in.

Grade: B-

Atlanta Falcons

Record: 4-6

HomeR: 3-2

AwayR: 1-4

+/-: (-28)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 18.9 (24th)

RuYds/PG - 130.4 (7th)

PaYds/PG - 204.9 (21st)

Yds/PG - 335.3 (15th)

Penalties/PG - 5.4 (6th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 21.7 (18th)

RuYds All/PG - 108.4 (14th)

PaYds All/PG - 200.4 (9th)

Yds All/PG - 308.7 (7th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.0 (27th)

Record Rank - 25th

Offensive Rank - 14th

Defensive Rank - 12th

Composite Rank - 14th

Get this team a quarterback. And a coach who likes Bijan Robinson.

Grade: C

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Record: 4-6

HomeR: 2-3

AwayR: 2-3

+/-: (-16)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 19.2 (23rd)

RuYds/PG - 76.9 (32nd)

PaYds/PG - 227.8 (14th)

Yds/PG - 304.7 (22nd)

Penalties/PG - 6.9 (27th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 20.0 (9th)

RuYds All/PG - 90.0 (6th)

PaYds All/PG - 270.7 (31st)

Yds All/PG - 360.7 (26th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.6 (8th)

Record Rank - 23rd

Offensive Rank - 27th

Defensive Rank - 14th

Composite Rank - 21st

I feel bad because this team tried hard and Baker is playing well. They just don’t have enough. But they aren’t as far off as we thought they might be.

Grade: C+

Carolina Panthers

Record: 1-9

HomeR: 1-4

AwayR: 0-5

+/-: (-112)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 16.3 (29th)

RuYds/PG - 92.3 (29th)

PaYds/PG - 174.4 (28th)

Yds/PG - 266.7 (31st)

Penalties/PG - 7.0 (29th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 27.5 (31st)

RuYds All/PG - 129.4 (24th)

PaYds All/PG - 179.2 (6th)

Yds All/PG - 308.6 (6th)

Takeaways/PG - 0.7 (31st)

Record Rank - 32nd

Offensive Rank - 32nd

Defensive Rank - 23rd

Composite Rank - 32nd

Bad football team.

Grade: F

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs

Record: 7-2

HomeR: 4-1

AwayR: 3-1

+/-: (+65)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 22.5 (14th)

RuYds/PG - 110.2 (14th)

PaYds/PG - 255.2 (6th)

Yds/PG - 365.4 (8th)

Penalties/PG - 6.7 (24th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 16.4 (3rd)

RuYds All/PG - 112.4 (18th)

PaYds All/PG - 170.8 (4th)

Yds All/PG - 283.2 (4th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.4 (15th)

Record Rank - 4th

Offensive Rank - 12th

Defensive Rank - 5th

Composite Rank - 6th

The Chiefs have only themselves to blame if they don’t win a Super Bowl. They didn’t get a receiver. And it’s extremely noticeable they need one. Their defense is absolutely elite though.

Grade: B+

Denver Broncos

Record: 5-5

HomeR: 3-3

AwayR: 2-2

+/-: (-51)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 21.7 (15th)

RuYds/PG - 110.2 (15th)

PaYds/PG - 191.0 (24th)

Yds/PG - 301.2 (23rd)

Penalties/PG - 6.8 (26th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 26.8 (30th)

RuYds All/PG - 160.0 (32nd)

PaYds All/PG - 240.1 (24th)

Yds All/PG - 400.1 (32nd)

Takeaways/PG - 1.9 (2nd)

Record Rank - 17th

Offensive Rank - 21st

Defensive Rank - 30th

Composite Rank - 24th

The Broncos are the hottest team in the league. Sean Payton is doing his thing. Can this team make the playoffs?

Grade: C

Las Vegas Raiders

Record: 5-6

HomeR: 4-1

AwayR: 1-5

+/-: (-40)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 16.8 (26th)

RuYds/PG - 79.0 (31st)

PaYds/PG - 198.3 (23rd)

Yds/PG - 277.3 (29th)

Penalties/PG - 5.1 (4th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 20.5 (13th)

RuYds All/PG - 132.3 (27th)

PaYds All/PG - 210.0 (11th)

Yds All/PG - 342.3 (21st)

Takeaways/PG - 1.3 (20th)

Record Rank - 19th

Offensive Rank - 30th

Defensive Rank - 19th

Composite Rank - 25th

Josh McDaniels was the first HC fired. The Raiders all of the sudden played better. Coincidence? I think not.

Grade: C-

Los Angeles Chargers

Record: 4-6

HomeR: 2-3

AwayR: 2-3

+/-: (+21)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 25.9 (8th)

RuYds/PG - 105.7 (18th)

PaYds/PG - 248.6 (9th)

Yds/PG - 354.3 (11th)

Penalties/PG - 5.2 (5th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 23.8 (23rd)

RuYds All/PG - 102.0 (12th)

PaYds All/PG - 291.6 (32nd)

Yds All/PG - 393.6 (31st)

Takeaways/PG - 1.5 (12th)

Record Rank - 21st

Offensive Rank - 6th

Defensive Rank - 27th

Composite Rank - 15th

It’s too much of a headache to talk about them. I don’t know.

Grade: D

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers

Record: 7-3

HomeR: 4-1

AwayR: 3-2

+/-: (+122)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 27.9 (3rd)

RuYds/PG - 132.7 (6th)

PaYds/PG - 254.3 (8th)

Yds/PG - 387.0 (3rd)

Penalties/PG - 6.9 (27th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 15.7 (1st)

RuYds All/PG - 81.4(3rd)

PaYds All/PG - 221.4 (15th)

Yds All/PG - 302.8 (5th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.9 (2nd)

Record Rank - 6th

Offensive Rank - 4th

Defensive Rank - 1st

Composite Rank - 1st

When healthy, they are incredible. Only they will hold themselves back.

Grade: A+

Seattle Seahawks

Record: 6-4

HomeR: 4-1

AwayR: 2-3

+/-: (-2)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 21.6 (16th)

RuYds/PG - 96.6 (25th)

PaYds/PG - 230.8 (13th)

Yds/PG - 327.4 (18th)

Penalties/PG - 7.6 (32nd)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 21.8 (19th)

RuYds All/PG - 112.6 (19th)

PaYds All/PG - 233.0 (21st)

Yds All/PG - 345.6 (23rd)

Takeaways/PG - 1.4 (15th)

Record Rank - 11th

Offensive Rank - 22nd

Defensive Rank - 22nd

Composite Rank - 16th

Seattle is alive and well, but they aren’t particularly doing anything. They are pretty average at everything. However, they are 6-2 against anyone not named the Rams.

Grade: B

Los Angeles Rams

Record: 4-6

HomeR: 2-3

AwayR: 2-3

+/-: (-25)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 19.5 (22nd)

RuYds/PG - 102.6 (20th)

PaYds/PG - 226.4 (15th)

Yds/PG - 329.0 (17th)

Penalties/PG - 5.9 (12th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 22.0 (20th)

RuYds All/PG - 117.3 (22nd)

PaYds All/PG - 217.8 (13th)

Yds All/PG - 335.1 (18th)

Takeaways/PG - 0.9 (29th)

Record Rank - 20th

Offensive Rank - 18th

Defensive Rank - 25th

Composite Rank - 20th

The Rams are close, but not there yet. The defense is better than we thought. The offense is ok. They are talent deficient, but they’re playing hard. Good job here by McVay.

Grade: B-

Arizona Cardinals

Record: 2-9

HomeR: 2-3

AwayR: 0-6

+/-: (-92)

Offensive Rankings

PPG - 17.5 (25th)

RuYds/PG - 126.2 (9th)

PaYds/PG - 171.8 (29th)

Yds/PG - 298.0 (25th)

Penalties/PG - 6.7 (25th)

Defensive Rankings

Pts/G - 25.8 (27th)

RuYds All/PG - 132.1 (26th)

PaYds All/PG - 217.5 (12th)

Yds All/PG - 349.5 (24th)

Takeaways/PG - 1.2 (24th)

Record Rank - 31st

Offensive Rank - 25th

Defensive Rank - 28th

Composite Rank - 30th

We got Kyler Murray back. So the Cards aren’t tanking? I don’t know, but they are competitive now. It will be very very interesting to see what this team does come draft time. Maybe Marvin Harrison Jr?

Grade: C+

Is This the Last Hoorah in Big D?

Every time September rolls around, there are teams that we look at and say “Hey, those guys should be really good!” The last few years we’ve seen the Chiefs, Bengals and Eagles become those teams while teams such as the Patriots, Falcons and Steelers have fallen the every year “good” list. But outside of New England, there is really one team in the NFL who pundits have consistently looked at year over year and said before the season started “this team should be really good.” That team? The Dallas Cowboys. For what seems like forever, every summer analysts and people alike look up and down their roster and say that they’re a top five unit “on paper”. But what does “on paper” really mean? Is it the fact that if you made a list of top players at their position, the Cowboys would have a guy on every list? Is it the fact that there are household names seemingly everywhere you look? Or is it just the fact that there is the famous/infamous (however you decide) star on the helmet, and the expectations just come with it?

Regardless of what it is, Dallas has seemingly fell short really since Tony Romo became quarterback. A lot of those teams were littered with 7-9, 8-8 or 9-7 finishes and a few playoff blunders here and there. But the Dallas expectations didn’t really skyrocket until Dak Prescott stepped in and took the football world by storm back in 2016. Since Prescott’s arrival, we have seen the Cowboys offense become elite, then not so elite….then elite again, and then just pretty average. We’ve seen the defense go from a wet paper towel to an iron fist with a top three defensive line in the NFL. We saw Leighton Vander Esch and Trevon Diggs take the NFL by storm for a year before crashing back down to earth. We finally saw the dismissal of Jason Garrett only to bring in an aging Mike McCarthy.

But surely, with all these new pieces and additions etc., things would change. Surely. *Checks Notes* - they have not. Since Prescott took over, the Cowboys have been to the playoffs four times: 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2022. The Cowboys playoff record is 2-4, but still haven’t reached that elusive NFC title game for the first time in almost thirty years. The 2023 season starts tomorrow for Dallas on Sunday Night in New York against a reinvigorated Giants team. A team that has lost to Dallas 11 of the past 12 times (since 2017) with the lone win coming when Prescott was hurt during the 20-21 season. Ezekiel Elliott is now in New England. Kellen Moore is now in Los Angeles. Travis Frederick had to retire. Tyron Smith is older. As is Zach Martin. McCarthy is undoubtedly on the hot seat, as is Prescott. The former responded by making the executive decision to call his own plays this season. He has been successful in the past doing that - although when he was doing that consistently, it was with Aaron Rodgers. But McCarthy does have a Super Bowl on his resume; albeit it was 13 seasons ago. The league has changed much since then.

What hasn’t changed is the expectation in Dallas. Yet again, analysts, pundits and Jerry Jones are giving the Cowboys lofty expectations. Many playoff and Super Bowl predictions are pouring in, and while a lot people aren’t picking the Cowboys to win the big game, people are predicting them to go there, or go to the NFC title game. That isn’t new. That shouldn’t change how Prescott and McCarthy approach this season. What has changed is the roster - and the talent level. And you’d be a fool to believe otherwise. The Cowboys, even at full strength, are third in terms of talent in their division. For years and years, the “on paper” people would point to Dallas as the best team. Not anymore. So for the first time in a long time, the Cowboys will have to find a new way to win games. Prescott will have to stop turning the ball over. Receivers outside of Ceedee Lamb will have to fight to get open and create separation. The offensive line will have to play better and commit less penalties. The secondary will have to be better and not give up as many big plays. A lot of these things aren’t easy.

But what happens if things go sideways this season? What happens if the Cowboys finish under .500 and miss the playoffs? Here’s a fun fact: The Dallas Cowboys haven’t made the playoffs three consecutive seasons since the 94-96 seasons. That’s 28 years. The Cowboys have made the playoffs two years in a row - so somethings gotta give. The heat is on this year in Big D, and everyone knows it. And it’s not just making the playoffs for Dallas. They have to win. Even last season; beating an under .500 Buccaneers team and then having horrendous mismanagement towards the end of the playoff game in San Francisco left a really bittersweet taste in everyone’s mouth. And other than the National Hockey League, no league has more year to year turnover than the National Football League. You look around the NFC and a ton of young teams are on the come up: Detroit, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Seattle. Hell, even the Commanders have a new owner now! While teams in the conference are making moves and having hope…what does Dallas have? Expectations. Always expectations. Sometimes unfair. But they are always there. And one can’t help but think that many changes would come if Prescott, McCarthy and Jones are watching the playoffs from their couches come January. Things may finally change in Dallas. And it get worse before it gets better. So, this is it Cowboys fans. This is the last hoorah. There’s no two ways about it - its NFC Championship or bust in 2023. No excuses. The Boys have to show out. That means Pollard, Parsons, Lawrence, Lamb, Gilmore and the rest of them. You can’t let Philadelphia be the first team since 03-04 to repeat as NFC East Division champs! This is it. Because who the hell knows what’s going to happen if things don’t go well this year. 2024 may see no McCarthy, no Dak, and possibly. One thing is for certain though. It’s in Prescott’s hands. We’ve all seen him at his best. We’ve also seen him at his worst. If Dak wanted to ball out, this is the year. It may be his last chance to do so.

It all starts tomorrow night at MetLife Stadium, where the Cowboys will look to continue their dominance against the Giants. I can’t remember a more important Week 1 game for the Boys in some time. This should be fun….