#NFL 2022 - Week 6
Welcome to the Week in Review. And welcome to Separation Sunday!
(Good thing nothing important happened last week, eh?)
{Teams on bye: Lions, Raiders, Texans, Titans}
[TNF] Washington Commanders vs. Chicago Bears
The Narrative:
The Battle for The Basement, unfortunately following in the footsteps of last weeks all-time Thursday Night stinker. It's a battle of two of the NFC's three worst QB¹ in Justin Fields and Carson Wentz. It's also a battle of two of the most prominent candidates to follow Matt Rhule to the unemployment line.
The Outcome:
Five shots from inside the 10 to win the game.
Five dropback passes. From a QB the coaching staff clearly doesn't trust. When the run game got them to that spot in the first place. All of which left them at 0-for-3 in red zone opportunities for the game.
Five dropback passes. From a QB the coaching staff clearly doesn't trust. When the run game got them to that spot in the first place. All of which left them at 0-for-3 in red zone opportunities for the game.
Congratulations, Chicago! You are THE WORST TEAM IN THE NFL.
And SLOW DOWN, Deadnames. You still suck. You were just less sucky than The Worst. If you were playing ANY of your division rivals, you lose by 20.
Though Wentz (somehow) made to 7-0 in Thursday Night games. But it did cost him 4-6 weeks via a fractured finger. Taylor Heineke, come on down!²
Though Wentz (somehow) made to 7-0 in Thursday Night games. But it did cost him 4-6 weeks via a fractured finger. Taylor Heineke, come on down!²
Deadnames 12, Bears 7
- 'Sup, Baker!
- $10 says rookie Sam Howell gets at least one start before Wentz returns.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Narrative:
An oldschool NFC West matchup: The ongoing adventures of Jimmy G vs. Marcus Mariota and the Falcons trying to keep pace with the rest of the NFC South (of Good).
The Outcome:
This is how bad it's gone for Mariota this year: He went 13 of 14 for 129 yards and 2 TDs and is getting praised for it. That's the kind of stat line you praise the third stringer pressed into duty for, not a former first rounder and veteran starter.
Then again, he could have Jimmy G's stat line:
That's what happens when A) You have to abandon the run and B) The run game wasn't that great before you had to ditch it.
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| That's rock solid rite thur |
Not saying it's time to panic in the Bay (Their slide is more due to defensive injuries than anything else)... But I wouldn't scold anyone for panicking... (At this point, Garapolo is who he is, good and bad)
Falcons 28, Niners 14
New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns
The Narrative:
Chapter 3 of The Legend of Bailey Zappe¹ moves to Cleveland, where the Browns defense has been looking less than solid. Jake Briskett will try and shake off his current tendency to throw backbreaking INTs.
The Outcome:
Zappe (pronounced like "Zappy") threw for 309 and 2 TDs and is looking like everything Darth Hoodie craves in a QB. Yeah, there's gonna be a genuine controversy once Mac Jones is healthy.
Helping the Pats' cause was A) The Browns ongoing defensive woes (Everyone not named "Myles Garrett²" has taken a step back) B) Kevin Stefanski's inexplicable refusal to ride Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt until the wheels fall off. Jacoby Brissett isn't turning into a different QB: He's a care taker, a bus driver. Try and get him to be a gunslinger and you're getting...
Helping the Pats' cause was A) The Browns ongoing defensive woes (Everyone not named "Myles Garrett²" has taken a step back) B) Kevin Stefanski's inexplicable refusal to ride Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt until the wheels fall off. Jacoby Brissett isn't turning into a different QB: He's a care taker, a bus driver. Try and get him to be a gunslinger and you're getting...
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| This... |
With the win, Belichick ties George Halas for second in all-time wins with 324, trailing Don Shula (347). At this point, the only thing keeping Belichick from the record is Belichick's desire to coach at two or three more years to get there.
Patriots 38, Browns 15
- Or The Drew Bledsoe-fying of Mac Jones.
- Who is now the Brown's all-time sacks leader (62.5)
New York Jets vs. Green Bay Packers
The Narrative:
It's weird to consider a game A) In Week 6 and B) vs. The Infinite Jest a "must win". Especially since the Pack comes in at (a slightly-disappointing) 3-2. But a loss will get tongues wagging about the Lambeau Leapers. Especially if Discount Double Check has another dud game.
The Outcome:
Tongues are wagging.
We are living in a world where a healthy Aaron Rogers isn't 100% rostered in fantasy football.¹ Though how much of that is Rogers falling off and how much is an utter trash receiver corps, who can say?
We are living in a world where a healthy Aaron Rogers isn't 100% rostered in fantasy football.¹ Though how much of that is Rogers falling off and how much is an utter trash receiver corps, who can say?
But what I do know is that it's time to take Robert Saleh's squad seriously. Even with Zach Wilson looking like a backup they're trying to keep him out of the way, rather than the #2 overall pick just a year ago. Can't argue with success, though. Maybe they'll turn him loose when they need him. Maybe he'll be able to step up when they do. Right now, they're a game back of the Bills in the division and looking like a playoff team.
*checks Jets' schedule*
OOOOH! They haven't played the Bills yet? That happens in three weeks. That should be fun!
Jets 27, Packers 10
- Yeah, he's at 95%, but that's the lowest he's been in 15 years.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Narrative:
Loser falls two in the loss column behind the idle Titans. The Jags look to clean up the sloppy play and cut out the turnovers. The Colts are giving Matt Ryan (what should be) one last chance to make something happen.
The Colts are also looking to exorcise some demons: In addition to their week 2 curb stomping at the Jags' hands, last week of last season, the Colts just needed to beat the two-win Jags to make the playoffs. The Colts got humiliated in a not-as-close-as-the-score 26-11 game.
The Colts are also looking to exorcise some demons: In addition to their week 2 curb stomping at the Jags' hands, last week of last season, the Colts just needed to beat the two-win Jags to make the playoffs. The Colts got humiliated in a not-as-close-as-the-score 26-11 game.
The Outcome:
Now THAT is the Matt Ryan the Colts have been waiting for. Ryan his rookie Alex Pierce with a perfect 32-yard TD with 17 seconds to go to pull out the win for the Horsies. Ryan, along with Michael Pittman and RB Deon Jackson (subbing for the injured Johnathan Taylor) are virtually unstoppable (23 for 213 between the two).
And yet, they needed every bit of that to beat the two-win Jags, who had 243 yards and 3 TDs rushing as a team. How much of that was leaning on the hot hand (the run game), not trusting your QB quite yet (Trevor Lawrence only had 165 yards on 20 of 22 passing) and/or having a trash fire WR corps who can say?
I can: It's "RBs Good", "WRs Bad", "Don't trust QB with a bad receiver corps" in that order.
Colts 34, Jags 27
Minnesota Vikings vs. Miami Dolphins
The Narrative:
The Fish are starting rookie third-stringer Skylar Thompson at QB. The Vikes come in at a "wait, what" inducing 4-1 and look to feast on the ailing Fins.
The Outcome:
Thompson (7/13, 89 yds) was largely ineffective when he was knocked out of the game with a right thumb injury. Teddy Ballgame came in in relief and threw for 329 yards and 2 TDs. But he also threw two picks and ate four sacks.
Kirk "Keep him out of Prime Time" Cousins 2 TDs on 20/30 passing and Dalvin Cook had a 55-yd TD run in the win.
Kirk "Keep him out of Prime Time" Cousins 2 TDs on 20/30 passing and Dalvin Cook had a 55-yd TD run in the win.
The Vikings are now a 5-1 and on top of the NFC North. Bomani Jones has called the Giants (more on them in a bit) "the worst 5-1 team in the league". I think the Vikes might have them beat. When the Packers and this game are your two biggest wins¹, you might not have played the strongest schedule.
The Dolphins have lost three straight since Tua Tangyvanilla was literally knocked out of the Bengals game. He's cleared for return next week. We'll see if they can right the ship.
The Dolphins have lost three straight since Tua Tangyvanilla was literally knocked out of the Bengals game. He's cleared for return next week. We'll see if they can right the ship.
Vikings 24, Dolphins 16
- And the one loss is to the only good team you've played thus far (the Eagles).
Cincinnati Bengals vs. New Orleans Saints
The Narrative:
Surprise revenge game, as Andy Dalton gets the start over the still-injured Rapey McCrablegs. It's also a semi-homecoming for Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, who played down the road at LSU. Both teams come in looking to stay within a game of their respective divison leads.
The Outcome:
The final score isn't the notable thing here: It's that the sports media seem to be trying to generate a QB controversy in Nawlins.
What, pray tell, about "17 of 32 for 162 and 1 TD" says "keep rolling with this guy?" It's not like (a healthy) Jameis Winston has been a trainwreck. Seems to me the Saints' injury-riddled receiver corps is a bigger culprit in their offensive woes than whoever is under center.
Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants
The Narrative:
The Giants come in at a slept-on 4-1. They also come in with the 31st ranked passing attack (but the 2nd ranked rush attack). The Ravens come in as a 5.5pt favorite, but John Harbaugh teams have dropped games like this before.
The Outcome:
Brian Dabol is your leader for Coach OTY at the 1/3rd mark. He's not the lock some say, IMHO¹. But it's hard to argue with 5-1 with this bunch, even with a healthy Saquon Barkley (83 yds, 1 TD) doing his thing.
Granted, RB8 helped them out with two costly turnovers - both of which NYG turned into touchdowns and the latter INT killed what would've been the game-icing drive for BAL. But those were both forced turnovers.
The win leaves them second in the NFC East, regardless of the Sunday Night result.²
- Hi there, Doug Pederson and Robert Saleh
- They're tied for second if Dallas wins and alone if Philly wins.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Narrative:
The Steelers and rookie QB Kenny Pickett got smoked by the Bills last week. Things don't look to get that much better vs. Brady and the Bucs.
The Outcome:
Any outcome that has TB12 yelling at his o-line like a little league parent ten seconds away from a month-long ban is a good one.
Tom Brady with some words to his offensive line. pic.twitter.com/qBqjD7vfKg
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 16, 2022
Meanwhile, Mitch Trubisky, left for dead not two weeks ago, comes off the bench and plays the hero for at least one more week. And good for him.
Steelers 20, Bucs 18
Carolina Panthers vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Narrative:
The Steve Wilkes era begins with a trip to the defending champs. PJ Walker steps in for the injured Baker Mayfield, so we don't get to see if a change in head coaches helps his fortunes.
The Outcome:
Oh... that's why they stuck with Baker for so long...
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Yikes... |
Frankly, the most interesting thing to come out of this game was Panthers receiver Robbie Anderson getting run from the game by his own coach. And less than a day later getting traded to the Cardinals.
There was also Rams RB1, Cam Akers being a healthy scratch as the team pursues trade options. Wonder what kind of PITA he was being that a team is willing to ditch their week 1 starter?
Rams 24, Panthers 10
Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Narrative:
Both teams come in at 2-3, but the Cards come in feeling like the more desperate team, as they had far greater pre-season expectations. This is also the last game of Nuk Hopkins' suspension, so that might give them a bit of pep.
The Outcome:
The Good News for Seattle? Their defense finally stepped up and made stops.
The not-so-good news? it was against a Cardinals team that looks like it's getting worse, week by week.
The Cards will get Nuk Hopkins back from PED suspension next week. But they won't have Hollywood Brown, who will miss at least six weeks with a foot fracture. (Hence the Robbie Anderson trade). We'll see if Hopkins and Anderson are enough to get the Cardinals' offense back on track and save Kliff Kingsbury's job.
The Cards will get Nuk Hopkins back from PED suspension next week. But they won't have Hollywood Brown, who will miss at least six weeks with a foot fracture. (Hence the Robbie Anderson trade). We'll see if Hopkins and Anderson are enough to get the Cardinals' offense back on track
Seahawks 19, Cardinals 9
Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Narrative:
A rematch of THE BEST GAME EVER sees the Bills and Chiefs coming vying for the top spot in the AFC.
The Outcome:
It wasn't quite the all-timer their previous meeting was, but if you don't think it lived up to the hype, your standards are too high. After a first quarter spent feeling each other out, the Bills and Chiefs traded punches till the very end, with the lead never going beyond seven points.
In the end, it was the Bills defense that made the big plays. In particular, Von "Should've paid up, Rams" Miller got a drive-killing sack on Mahomes in the Chiefs' penultimate drive, and, on KC's final drive, pressured Mahomes into a premature pass that resulted in Buffalo's game-clinching INT.
With the win, Buffalo takes the 1-seed in the AFC and the title of "Best Team In The League". And they're still looking to get better: Talk of trading for Cam Akers has heated up and Run CMC is still an option. If they can get that desired running game upgrade, they might be unstoppable.
Bills 24, Chiefs 20
[SNF] Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Narrative:
What would otherwise be the Game of the Week (if not for the above match up) sees the 'Boys and Iggles come in looking to stake their claim to the division and conference. Philly is the best offense Dallas has faced though far. The same is true for Philly and Dallas's defense.
The Outcome:
First set to Philly. And it seems I underestimated Philly's defense as well. Until the second half - when Dallas FINALLY started going to their TEs (Philly's one established defensive weakness) - the Iggles seemed to have an answer to whatever the 'Boys tried. Go deep? Nope - that way led to Cooper Rush's first THREE INTs of the season. Try and pound the ball? Nope - chip damage at best. Wasn't until Rush finally stated going to the TEs did things open up.
Then the defense couldn't hold Jalen Hurts and the Philly offense. They didn't get the explosive plays they've relied on for most of the year so far, but when they needed to get chunk yards, they got them reliably. Even losing T Lane Johnson (concussion) didn't slow them down for long.
The Eagles may be the NFC's top-to-bottom most complete team.
Then the defense couldn't hold Jalen Hurts and the Philly offense. They didn't get the explosive plays they've relied on for most of the year so far, but when they needed to get chunk yards, they got them reliably. Even losing T Lane Johnson (concussion) didn't slow them down for long.
The Eagles may be the NFC's top-to-bottom most complete team.
Paradoxically, with the Eagles proving themselves to be the truth, the loss becomes more palatable for Dallas. If you told them when Dak went down that they'd go 4-1 in his absence, they'd have taken that and run. And while the Eagles didn't exactly expose them (It's been known that Dallas' run stopping was their defensive weakness and that the WR corps is STILL unproven), they did put their shortcomings into stark relief. And it doesn't' get easier (for the defense): They get Detroit's #1 ranked offense, coming off a bye following their worst performance of the year. If Dak can't hit the ground running, it could get embarrassing next week.
Eagles 26, Cowboys 17
[MNF] Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The Narrative:
In an ongoing case of "It was a good idea at the time", Mr. Ciara and the Broncos have their third prime time game of the season. They and the similarly disappointing and eratic Chargers look to keep pace with the Chiefs in the AFC West.
The Outcome:
Russell Wilson in the first half: 12/17 for 173 yds, 1 TD
Wilson in the second half: 3/11 for 15 yds.¹
Whether or not he's truly washed or he doesn't have the personnel (or coaching) to overcome his shortcomings², the result is the same: Russell Wilson may be the worst trade/contract combination of the 21st century.
Whether or not he's truly washed or he doesn't have the personnel (or coaching) to overcome his shortcomings², the result is the same: Russell Wilson may be the worst trade/contract combination of the 21st century.
And yet the Chargers still needed to go deep into OT to beat him. And needed a fluke muffed punt to get that final chance.
The Chiefs could probably lose all their non-divisional games and still win the West by two games at this rate.
Chargers 19, Broncos 16 (OT)
- "But he had a hurt hamstring." Sure, buddy...
- He doesn't have the receivers or O-line to let him throw it deep and he's never TRIED to be good at working the short game or middle of the field (see also: the dire stats his TEs have traditionally put up)
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