Also read: State of forces
Seven weeks of playing and one thing is certain: Lamar Jackson really wants to add a third regular season MVP title to his collection. He would also be the youngest in history to do so, if necessary.
Weekly NFL action wrapped up with an epic Ravens quarterback display against the Bucs and now that a third of the campaign is officially over, we’re gearing up for winter and playoff football.
Yes, already, despite the mercury rising for several days.
But before all that, let’s dive into the lessons of the week.
CJ Stroud and the learning curve
Sunday, against the Green Bay Packers, young Texans quarterback CJ Stroud demonstrated his humanity and, above all, the importance of a good offensive line to be successful in the NFL.
The 24-22 defeat could have remained a victory due to the good performance of the Texan defense, but the setbacks on offense caused an impossible situation for the team as the Packers had ammunition (and an inspired kicker) at the end of the match.
Stroud, during the game, completed only 10 passes. This is his lowest career total as a starting quarterback. Same story for yards as he finished the game with 86 yards.
Let’s say that we are far from the electrical performances that it normally offers and which are found abundantly in the best moments from one week to the next.
In his second season in the NFL, Stroud will have some bumps in his path and now is the time to show us how he will react to adversity.
The Texans are 5-2, so no panic in sight. Just a match to review with the coaching team to learn something from it. A big division game against the Colts awaits the Texans this weekend.
Saquon’s Revenge
Not all of the Philadelphia Eagles’ problems are over (far from it), but Saquon Barkley’s sweet revenge against the New York Giants led the team to a convincing victory against a division rival.
The numbers speak for themselves.
Barkley finished the game with 176 rushing yards (on just 17 carries), his second-highest career total. The most telling thing is that he remained on the bench for a good part of the 4th quarter with the match out of reach.
Barkley’s 187 yards in all facets are more than those accumulated by the Giants in the entire game. 68 more yards alone to be exact. It’s also 166 yards more than Devin Singletary, his “replacement” with the Giants.
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What’s it like seeing former “fans” burn your jersey in person?
Eagles RB Saquon Barkley found out ahead of Week 7 and then proceeded to put 187 yards and a TD on the Giants 😌🦅 | @Lundy_Law pic.twitter.com/kwezuKaMUa
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly)
October 20, 2024“/>
After six seasons in New York, Barkley joined rivals Philadelphia and let’s just say words weren’t always polite between the two sets of fans. Since Sunday, it’s all smiles that Barkley is winning the confrontation, so far.
It was also the second-biggest revenge game by a running back in NFL history. Against his former team, only Cedric Benson had done better when he faced the Chicago Bears for the first time.
Richardson doesn’t need to be spectacular
Anthony Richardson was back for the Colts on Sunday and the team snatched a victory from the Miami Dolphins with a low score (16-10).
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#Colts QB Anthony Richardson’s 3.81 sack % is the third-lowest in the NFL.
Indy OC Jim Bob Cooter:
“Last game, (he) really got himself out of several (sacks) where the defender was bearing down and he was able to shrug him off. … Anthony is uniquely talented …”
Example ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/kBPV9RX39R
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid)
October 22, 2024“/>
Still, it was a positive note for Richardson who showed his strength when running with the ball. He was able to punish the defense when it gave him space and he found his rhythm at times despite some rust in his mechanics.
The Colts’ victory, now with a 4-3 record, is somewhat attributable to the Dolphins’ woes, but it is important not to minimize this return of the star quarterback in his second season. Since his draft, it has often been said that he must learn to mold his incredible athletic talent to the basics of the NFL. Winning a close match without relying on the cannon he carries as an arm is one of the tools he must add to his chest.
An honest and inspired performance. The Colts season is still going well. It remains to work on Richardson’s decision-making in the heat of the moment now that he has played a match to shake things up. With a few fixes, we could get back to the fireworks of last season before his injury.
Patrick Mahomes benefits from his defense
It’s strange to say it, but Patrick Mahomes is currently a little-used prop for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The reigning champions are, however, the only team without a loss this season and, on paper, one would say that it is the excellence of Mahomes which colors everything. It’s not a nuisance, that’s for sure, but it’s Steve Spagnuolo’s defense that’s making life difficult for the rest of the league at the moment.
The Chiefs threw three interceptions against the 49ers. The team won without any touchdown passes from Mahomes. We did a balanced job and the result is on the board. Being the rest of the NFL, I would be terrified of the Chiefs. Not only could they add an impact receiver via the transaction market (Editor’s note, DeAndre Hopkins would be on his way), but they are also undefeated even if the team still seems to be finding its cruising speed.
Will three straight titles finally be achieved in the NFL? Things are starting to look good for the Chiefs.
Russell Wilson, la solution?
Justin Fields and the Steelers were 4-2 heading into Sunday’s game against the Jets. Still, Mike Tomlin sent Russell Wilson into the fray to get his team’s fifth victory.
It’s hard to doubt the result, the second half and the long passes proved Tomlin right on this one.
But… do the numbers say it all?
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Not the best ball from Russell Wilson, but all George Pickens needs is a chance.
A+ concentration from GP. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/JR4mADH4pC
— Tommy Jaggi (@TommyJaggi)
October 21, 2024“/>
Yes, the Steelers scored a season-high 37 points. Yes, Wilson rushed for 264 yards and two touchdowns. Yes, George Pickens found instant chemistry with Wilson. Except that we shouldn’t immediately say that Wilson is back to his former form.
On the contrary.
Last season too, Wilson accumulated stats like this often during a match. He even threw two games of 300 yards or more, both losses for the Broncos.
So yes, the veteran is still capable of throwing balls, but the training around him currently hides his flaws. Without saying that Fields would have done the same job, let’s say that we have to wait a few games before really saying that Wilson is the key to the enigma.
The next game, against the Giants, should not change the situation too much unless there is a disaster.
In bulk
The Bills beat the Titans easily, 34-10, and Amari Cooper scored a touchdown on a stretch where he wasn’t sure which route he should run. With more practices with his new team, the chemistry will increase and Josh Allen could have quite the toy on his hands.
The Browns are rewarded despite their poor decisions. Deshaun Watson’s injury will allow the team to finally change quarterbacks while still recouping money from his contract due to insurance. Seriously, Cleveland doesn’t deserve such luck.
Ultimately, the Jets’ problems were more than just the coach…. To no one’s surprise.
On this note, I wish you an excellent week of football which begins on Thursday, on our airwaves.
