The turning point of the National Football League season has cost the job of another coach who is joining Robert Saleh (New York Jets), the first coach to lose his job. This is Dennis Allen, head coach of New Orleans, who pays for the latest defeat, suffered at the hands of Carolina (23-22). After a start that had surprised everyone (two consecutive victories, including a resounding 44-19 in Dallas), the Saints suffered seven consecutive defeats and the one against the weak Panthers was the final straw. vase. In his third year in the Big Easy, Allen boasted a record of 18 wins and 25 losses, with no playoff appearances. His place on an interim basis will be taken by Darren Rizzi, special teams coordinator.
But let’s get to the football played. Based on what we saw over the last day, the forces on the field seem well defined in both Conferences. In the AFC, Kansas City continues its winning streak and maintains its unbeaten record (overtime was necessary against Tampa Bay), thanks in particular to a defense which in this first part of the season has been the team’s real strong point (fifth overall and third against runs). In the NFC, there are no longer any undefeated teams, however Detroit seems to be a cut above the contenders. He reiterated this on Sunday, winning 24-14 at Lambeau Field in Milwaukee against Green Bay, what was considered the most insidious opponent for the Lions, who in a very competitive North Division have already overcome, in addition to the Packers, also Minnesota, another candidate for a place in the Super Bowl. Detroit’s victory was more laborious than the final result might suggest. Indeed, numbers in hand, the Packers did more with better statistics in total yards (411 to 261), in those thrown (273 to 137) and in those runs (138 to 124), but they failed to exploit their opportunities, also due to a missed field goal and an interception thrown by Jordan Love. Detroit didn’t have its best performance, but winning at Lambeau Field, especially in the rain, is never a breeze and shows determination and confidence. Lions fans see on the horizon the possibility of participating in the first Super Bowl in their history and precisely in relation to the final on February 9th in New Orleans, another positive news arrives from the States for the Motor City: the recovery of Aidan Hutchinson , who fractured his tibia and fibula against Dallas in week 6, is progressing wonderfully, so much so that there is hope that the defensive end of Ticino origins will be able to take the field in the Super Bowl, assuming that the Lions manage to qualify.
Other considerations arising from the ninth day. Baltimore returned to victory and did so by crushing the ambitious Denver Broncos, who also came into the direct clash with the same record (5-3) as their opponent. Once again, Lamar Jackson was practically perfect, with a rating of 158.3 and three touchdowns throwing. If Kansas City has anyone to fear in the AFC, it can only be the Ravens. Said of the Packers, who despite the defeat remain potential candidates for the final, Washington continues to win in the NFC, with another excellent performance from Jayden Daniels (15/22, 209 yards and two touchdowns). However, the capital’s franchise appears to be in a slight decline in performance with two rather tiring victories against the New York Giants and, last week, Chicago, beaten only thanks to a 52-yard Hail Mary pass as time expired, incredibly landed in the hands of Dyami Brown. It remains to be seen whether the franchise which also has Magic Johnson among its owners will be able to maintain this cruising pace until the end.
November 5th was an important date for football. On the one hand, the transfer period has ended in the NFL, on the other, in the NCAA the first ranking for access to the playoffs has been published which, let’s remember, for the first time in history will see 12 teams involved. But let’s start with the “trades”. No Blockbuster hit, but still two transfers that denote the aggressive approach of the purchasing teams. Detroit has found Hutchinson’s replacement, who as seen could return in the best case scenario for the Super Bowl, and has acquired defensive end Za’Darius Smith, 132 career games and 65 sacks, from Cleveland. The other team that moved decisively was Washington, with the hiring of cornerback Marshon Lattimore, a four-time Pro Bowler, who further strengthens a defense that currently ranks fifth against passes.
And we close with the first projection in view of the NCAA playoffs. At the current moment, Oregon, Georgia, Miami and Brigham Young, i.e. the four best placed of the five main Conferences, would directly access the quarterfinals. In the first round Boise State (12) and Ohio State (5) would face each other, the winner of which would challenge Brigham Young, Indiana (8) and Tennessee (7), to go on to challenge Oregon, Alabama (11) and Texas (5), who would travel to Miami against the Hurricanes, and finally Notre Dame (10) and Penn State (6), with Georgia waiting for one of the two in the quarterfinals. The title will be awarded on January 20th in Atlanta.
