Also read: State of forces
After nine weeks, we can really talk about mid-season in the NFL and despite unpredictable parity, we can start to classify the teams according to their performances.
Even if such a classification is not necessarily obvious. Except that a good indicator is to see which teams acquired players before the deadline (Tuesday) and which teams liquidated their rosters.
Here are some lessons from the Week 9 NFL matchups.
January or nothing for the <a href="https://www.archysport.com/2022/01/miami-dolphins-seek-dan-quinn-as-new-manager/" title="Miami Dolphins seek Dan Quinn as new manager”>Bills
After a 61-yard field goal from Tyler Bass, the Bills triumphed once again against the Dolphins and things are going well for Buffalo.
Perhaps too bluntly.
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TYLER BASS!!!!!!!!!!!!
đź“ş: @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/0YUMp5a5qI
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills)
November 3, 2024“/>
The 61-yard field goal was the longest in Bills history. We’re talking about the same organization that missed a Super Bowl, during its streak of four consecutive appearances, due to a botched punt.
Everything is in place for another participation in the playoffs, except that we must not get carried away too quickly. The Bills have had success during the season since 2018. In the playoffs, against the Chiefs and the Ravens, in particular, it is not the same story.
Josh Allen is still looking for his signature streak in the playoffs, something that would cement his reputation in team history.
Yes, the team has four straight wins, Allen is playing good football, and coach Sean McDermott is cruising atop the division with a four-game lead. Except that with the mid-season, we are already thinking about securing a week off to start the playoffs and that’s not easy. The Chiefs, after all, still have a perfect record.
Besides, the game against the Chiefs in two weeks will be the most important of the season for the Bills. A taste of January and the future of this incredibly well-oiled team.
The Rams confuse the issue
A month ago, the Rams were staring into space and fans were already imagining the inevitable rebuild. With a 1-4 record, injuries to Cooper Kupp and Puka Pacua and age catching up with Matthew Stafford, we cherished the memory of the Super Bowl a few years ago to ease the pill of a difficult season.
This week, after a third consecutive victory following an inspired match against the Seahawks, Los Angeles finds itself with a 4-4 record, good for 2nd place in their division behind the Cardinals (5-4). The Rams have the same record as the finalists of the last Super Bowl: the San Francisco 49ers.
Concretely, the team has found form and the defense has just made life difficult for Geno Smith by forcing three interceptions.
Since the retirement of Aaron Donald, we anticipated the window closing for the Rams due to the large number of veterans with big contracts acquired for the conquest of the Super Bowl. Obviously, after this kind of push, we must take a step back to replenish the workforce. But the Rams are finding gems at several positions and Stafford is still providing some excellent football for the team.
Not to mention a team with the Super Bowl in its sights, let’s just say we’re a long way from a rebuild in Los Angeles. We could even derail the train of a team with serious aspirations at the opportune moment.
With games against the Dolphins and Rams to come, the famous “momentum” could take hold in California.
Cardinals on track
Still in the same division, the Arizona Cardinals have a record above .500 for the first time under coach Jonathan Gannon (in position since 2023).
Sunday, against the Chicago Bears, everything was going in the right direction and the Cards really took advantage of the Bears’ injuries to impose their will. The twenty-point victory was the biggest since the one-sided game against the Rams in Week 2 (another injury-decimated team at the time).
With three straight wins and first place in the division, we could breathe a sigh of relief for the Cards, but we shouldn’t get carried away too quickly.
We already knew that the attack led by Kyler Murray could do damage, especially since the addition of Marvin Harrison Jr., but it was the defensive front that found its ease against the Bears and it is this success that it will be necessary to reproduce to maintain the cadence.
With six quarterback sacks against Caleb Williams, the defense finally deployed a complete game of efficiency and, in addition, first round pick Darius Robinson will be able to return to the field soon. An impactful addition for the team which has four victories in its last five matches.
We’re getting ready for the Jets this Sunday, a team in an identity crisis.
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Bryce to XL
đź“ş: CBS pic.twitter.com/oiFfPp54ll
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers)
November 3, 2024“/>
Don’t believe the mirages
Bryce Young, the first pick in the 2023 draft for the Carolina Panthers, was smiling again Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
At least, for now.
Carolina added its second victory to its record this season, but really, you could say the Saints lost a seventh straight game. This is not an exaggeration.
The standings give the Panthers the victory, but the game statistics tell a different story.
427 yards against 246 to the advantage of the Saints. 25 first downs against 15 to the advantage of the Saints. More than double the yards accumulated by rushing and 80 more yards by passing.
New Orleans dominated all aspects of the game, except the last sequence when Bryce Young managed to lead his team to victory.
The game was the last straw for the Saints organization and Dennis Allen was fired. The Panthers’ victory was so tepid that Dave Canales, the team’s coach, did not want to confirm the return of Bryce Young as starter for the next game.
Yes, Bryce Young played a good game, but it was mainly the opposing team that failed in its attempt to put an end to Alvin Kamara’s good game. One suggests cautious enthusiasm among the Panthers.
In bulk
Has Sam Darnold become a problem for the Vikings? Yes, the team won against the Colts and he had three touchdowns. But, he also threw two very bad interceptions and it was above all the excellence of the defense which led the way. In eight games, the Vikings have 13 interceptions, which is the best mark since the 2019 Patriots had 19 interceptions in eight games.
After a more timid start to the season, Justin Herbert has really found his rhythm in Jim Harbaugh’s system. With 230 or more yards in the last four games (three wins), Herbert controls the Los Angeles offense and when the team settles into control, the ground game closes the books. A very effective formula good for a winning record of 5-3.
The Lions added a star player to their defense to make up for the loss of Aidan Hutchinson. The best team in the NFL so far this season is gearing up to survive this winter for a long time. The Super Bowl may no longer be a dream in Michigan.
With that, I wish you a great week of football. It begins Thursday, on our airwaves, with the duel between the Bengals and the Ravens.
