10 Thoughts on the NFL

NFL: Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills

Until further notice, Patrick Mahomes remains the best quarterback in the NFL. But Josh Allen should be everyone’s front-runner for MVP right now. He has the 3-0 Bills looking like a freight train after their absolute demolition of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night, in which Allen threw four touchdown passes. All he has to do is get it done in the playoffs this year, and he’ll put a sizable gulf between him and everyone else behind Mahomes.
Watching Highmark Stadium explode when Damar Hamlin picked off Trevor Lawrence — the first swipe of his career — is what sports is all about. Two years ago, we weren’t sure Hamlin would last the night after his cardiac arrest, let alone play football again. He earned this one.
I know it’s not all his fault, but Trevor Lawrence is getting paid far too much money to be playing like this for the now-0-3 Jaguars. Sure, he’s suffering from drops and poor routes. But he’s also yeeting throws to wide-open receivers from a clean pocket. Between him and Mac Jones fumbling on Monday night, that 2021 QB class is in hell right now (except Justin Fields, of course).
Given their respective situations (on paper), I didn’t have Jayden Daniels looking like the best rookie QB in this year’s class. So far, though, that’s been the case, especially after he smoked the Bengals with one of the best games you’ll ever see a rookie QB play — 21-of-23 for 254 yards, two TDs and a 141.7 passer rating. Whatever you think of Daniels’ play style in the aggregate — too many scrambles and turn-downs on film — he’s finding ways to succeed early and has the Commanders 2-1. Having a discount Lamar Jackson must be nice.
Well … maybe Bryce Young really was the problem after all. Bears legend Andy Dalton responded to the Panthers’ decision to start him by having the best game a Carolina QB has had since Cam Newton played there, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns. The Panthers say we’ll see Young start again this season. But if Dalton keeps making this operation look competent? I don’t think so. Young’s career there is on borrowed time anyway. Hopefully, he lands in a good spot for his second chance because …
We might need to rethink how we view QB development after seeing Sam Darnold, Malik Willis and Fields revive their careers in new locations. Darnold, who’s now on his fourth team in seven seasons, leads the league in touchdown passes (8) through three weeks, leading the Vikings to a 3-0 record. Willis, who got jettisoned by the Tennessee Titans to make room for Will Levis (!!), has won his two starts in relief with clean, efficient football we’re not used to seeing from him. And Fields? Well, you know what he’s been up to, I’m sure. Bottom line: coaching and situation matter. Everyone who plays in the NFL has talent (though some have more than others). Clearly, some teams and coaches are better at mining that talent than others.
Speaking of the Vikings: defensive coordinator Brian Flores is an absolute maniac. He started to transform Minnesota’s defense last year with his aggressive, exotic coverages and blitzes. This year, they’re taking it to another level, ranking third in EPA/play behind only the Steelers and Seahawks and second in points allowed behind (again) the Steelers. One wonders if his pending suit against the league alleging discrimination could stop him from getting head-coaching consideration this fall. Goodness knows he deserves it.
Do we need to do the Nerds vs. Football Guy thing when it comes to the importance of running the football every time? Yes, passing the ball will always be more efficient than running it. The data on that is clear. But throwing the ball 60 times a game is not a winning formula. I like the following phrase: “You throw the ball to score. You run the ball to win.”
Gardner Minshew. Aidan O’Connell. “Insert QB here.” Does it matter when Luke Getsy is running your offense? Inquiring minds want to know.
It’s going to be so fun when Ben Johnson calls this play for the Chicago Bears next year, isn’t it? Make Bears football fun again, damn it.