NFLRT 10/25/2024

 

The questions and discussion…

November 5^th is this year’s NFL trade deadline but already there have been some significant deals that have been transacted and so… 

1) It’s been no secret that whether the Buffalo Bills wanted to say it out loud or not that the team could use a go-to wide receiver. On October 5 the Bills acquired 2025 sixth-round pick WR Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick. 

What is your opinion of this deal? Does it fulfill the Bills need for a quality playmaker for their MVP-caliber QB to throw big-time passes to? Why or why not? 

I think the Amari Cooper deal is going to be explosive for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills’ offense. They needed a big playmaker, and Cooper didn’t have a reliable quarterback to throw the ball to him in Cleveland, outside of Joe Flacco last season. When Flacco did step up to the plate after the Deshaun Watson injury last season, Cooper had a 200-yard receiving game and blew up on offense. I expect him to fulfill the need of a quality playmaker for Buffalo to the fullest degree.

In their 34-10 win over the Tennessee Titans, Keon Coleman was still the leading receiver with four receptions on seven targets for 125 yards. However, Amari Cooper matched the four receptions on five targets including finding the end zone and amassing 66 yards. To have him play that big of a role in the offense he only had five days to learn speaks volumes on how he’s going to be relied upon and trusted with Josh Allen. Let the two get a nice repour together and they’re going to really excel, especially with Josh Allen as a gunner.  

The Bills offense was not too shabby without Cooper, but now that he is on the Bills he gives QB Josh Allen a true number one wideout who can go get the ball with just about any defensive back in the game.

Simply put I think adding Cooper takes the Bills offense to the next level and probably makes them winning the AFC East a lock.  I won’t go so far as to say this deal makes the Bills a cinch to be in the Super Bowl but it certainly doesn’t impair their chances of being one of the last two teams standing in February either.  

2) If anything the New York Jets are not a team averse to change early in the season as they have in recent weeks already fired their HC, demoted their offensive coordinator from in-game play calling duties and now on Tuesday October 15^th  have finally consummated what has been long rumored as being in the works… the team traded for a 2025 conditional third-round pick for WR Davante Adams. 

What is your opinion of this deal? Is Adams the final piece for the Jets offense that propels them into the playoffs? Why or why not? 

I really like this Davante Adams’ deal for the Jets’ offense. I think the chemistry between Adams and Aaron Rodgers from their days back in Green Bay is going to help this offense find some life. Rodgers relied on Adams heavily in Green Bay, almost too much, in forcing throws in. However, Adams was able to take any pass in any coverage and still make something happen. So I believe the same is going to happen, despite their aging bodies working against them.

While I do think this game was a slow start, I think they’ll find their footing in working together. It’s been a tough week for Adams as he lost to the Steelers twice (one on the Raiders, one on the Jets), in back-to-back games, but with more practice time and team bonding, he’ll get back acclimated and really explode in the Jets’ offense. They have a ton of weapons on offense. They just need to get it together. The Jets are a mess, but with the playmakers they have on their roster, I think Adams really helps and will open up other receivers and let their offense reach their full potential.  

The Jets offense right now just not clicking for whatever reason and the result i the standing shows as its now Week 8 and the team is sitting at 2-5 and 3 games behind the division leading Bills.

Once the Jets got Rodgers it was no secret they were all going all in and taking a ginormous shot to return to the playoffs and to ultimately get to the grand prize of being in the Super Bowl.  Davante Adams is part of that “all-in” strategy. 

With the Jets offense not looking as if everyone is on the same page and supposed number one wide receiver Garret Wilson getting double and triple teamed getting Adams gives Rodgers a number one wideout who is he immensely familiar with from their time together in Green Bay. Plus with Adams on the field it opens up everything on the playing field for Wilson as the defenses now can’t double or triple him and leave Adams open or playing one on one.

All in all acquiring Adams will most probably help the Jets offense but at this point it already too late?

 3) In the Browns loss to the Bengals QB Deshaun Watson suffered an injury when he hyperextended his leg on a noncontact play as he tried to carry the ball late in the first half. An MRI revealed that this was a season-ending ruptured right Achilles tendon. The injury ends another disappointing season for Watson, his third since the Browns traded three first-round picks and gave him a fully guaranteed $230 million contract to bring him to Cleveland before the 2022 season.

Will this injury be the catalyst to the Browns coming to a decision to face facts regarding Watson’s ability to stay on the field and/or be an effective NFL QB and give him his release from the team? Has Deshaun Watson played his last game in a Browns uniform? Why or why not?

There’s a huge, dark cloud over the Cleveland Browns’ organization dealing with their quarterback situation in terms of the limited dollar amount they’re allocated to spend in a given league year. And with the Browns still having over $100 million in cap charges that were guaranteed to Deshaun Watson makes it almost impossible for them to terminate their relationship with Watson for this year or next season. So I think that Watson will be back next season, as quarterback for Cleveland. They’re almost handcuffed to him for this season and next, and probably 2025. Trying to get rid of him like the Broncos did with Russell Wilson is extremely tough. They can’t strap themselves to a chair in terms of cap space, as they will be a team looking for a top-five pick for the next couple of seasons. However, they need to figure out the quarterback situation. This team is heavily reliant on their run game and great offensive line, which has dealt with numerous injuries all season. Getting Nick Chubb back will help, but they moved on from Amari Cooper, so whoever plays quarterback (Thompson-Robinson or Winston) will need to rely on Njoku, Tillman and everybody else in the receiver room to get their passing game alive to open up the run game even more. Watson, unfortunately, will be back in Cleveland next season as the starter. 

I think the best thing in the Deshaun debacle that the Browns can do is to cut Watson and be done with the entire rigmarole once and for all. But that ain’t gonna happen…

Simply because if they cut him the financial consequences would be too dire for the franchise to absorb and would severely handicap and handcuff any chances of getting any players to help fix the team going forward. 

So sorry Cleveland fans you’re stuck with Watson for the probable next two years.

4) In Sunday’ 28-18 win versus the 49ers the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes had no passing TDs and threw 2 INTs. While the Chiefs are 6-0 this season, Mahomes has now thrown more interceptions (8) than touchdowns (6) through those six games. Kansas City is winning games in spite of Mahomes turning the ball over.

Can the Chiefs continue winning if Mahomes can’t correct his current INTs troubles? And if he can’t rectify his tendency to throw those INTs  are the Chiefs hopes of being the first team in the history of the NFL to three-peating in the Super Bowl all but trashed? Why or why not?

Kansas City has dealt with a lot of different issues this season yet continues winning football games. They’ve had close battles every game except against the New Orleans Saints. They don’t have a true number one receiver. Mahomes is throwing more interceptions than touchdowns on the season. The running game has been a mix-match with multiple injuries and the resigning of Kareem Hunt, who had an excellent game on Sunday against San Francisco with 78 rushing yards. Mecole Hardman scored a rushing touchdown. Travis Kelce has been almost non-existent this season. However, they find ways to win.

On Sunday, they forced three interceptions on Brock Purdy, forcing him to a 36.7 rating (according to ESPN box score). They’ve relied on their defense to limit opposing offenses. They’ve relied on their kicker. Mahomes does enough to keep the offense moving, chew clock and put up enough points to win. Mahomes reminds me of exactly what Tom Brady did in New England during their successful seasons in which he was a true leader, made things happen with whoever was on the field, and continued to bring victories week in and week out. For the Chiefs to be this disoriented, including Patrick Mahomes, yet still 6-0, shows to me just how dominant the Chiefs are going to be when they get their team together, including Mahomes playing back to MVP levels like we’re accustomed to seeing. The Chiefs are still favorites to win the Super Bowl this season. They had a disappointing regular season last year, but when it came down to the time to win, they won. They ran through the playoffs on their way to their second consecutive Super Bowl. While I’m not too sure if they’ll win every game this season, I am sure that you’ll see them in February again this season. I’m not worried about Mahomes’ interceptions.

The Chiefs, Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes aren’t worried either (maybe Mahomes is upset, but worried, no). 

I have no idea why but for some reason the Chiefs can’t keep a full contingent of wide receivers healthy and on the field for Mahomes to throw passes to and I have a sneaking suspicion this takes no small part in why Mahomes INTs are up the way they presently are. Add in that for whatever reason Mahomes and his safety valve and prime go to guy in Travis Kelce also aren’t clicking fully either. And then Mahomes himself has been a little off too so far this season. He’s human. It happens.

But if these Chiefs can go 6-0 with Mahomes not playing up to his usual MVP standards and with most his receivers all being a group of walking wounded, what happens when Mahomes, who’s somehow thrown more picks than touchdowns during this six-game win streak, rediscovers his form… and what if their recent acquiring of DeAndre Hopkins gives Mahomes a key wideout who is actually healthy, and he provides needed reinforcements for the teams injury-plagued receiving corps… and of course… what if Kelce starts playing like… well… like Travis Kelce is capable of playing?

How dominant will the Chiefs then become?

Is an undefeated season in the cards and the three-peat is on again?

5) After the Lions and Vikings went toe-to-toe for four quarters, in a game won by the Lions 31-29 on a field goal with 15 seconds left on the clock, which was followed by a statement win by the Packers when they were able to kick a 45-yard field goal as time expired for a 24-22 victory over Houston…

Is the NFC North the toughest and best division in the NFL? Why or why not

The NFC North is the best division in football from top to bottom.

Not only do you have the Bears in last place, who are improving each week with Caleb Williams growing into a quality quarterback for Chicago but entering Week 7, the NFC North had the top four point differentials in the NFL.

The Vikings, who recently lost this week to the Lions, have one of the best defenses in football, have had very reliable quarterback and overall team play, and have been unbeaten on the year. However, they’re not even the best team in the division, and, according to my rankings, are the third best team in the division.

While the Vikings did beat the Packers, I still believe Green Bay is better than Minnesota. Green Bay started off slow against them, getting Jordan Love back from an injury that was expected to sideline him for four-to-six weeks. So there was some rust to be expected in the first half. The Packers were able to put up 28 points against Minnesota in a comeback to almost force overtime. They then defeated the Texans, this week, in a game they should’ve lost. Turned the ball over three times, gave three short fields to Houston, and only allowed one touchdown out of those three drives. They completely shut down CJ Stroud, limiting him to 86 yards passing on 10-of-21 passing and zero touchdowns. The defense forced zero turnovers, yet still was able to pull out the victory with a new kicker, who has a history of being reliable. The Packers’ offense has too many weapons. The defense has been lights out this year, and still leads the league in turnovers with 17.

The Lions, however, are the best team in the division, and are my top team in the NFC. They lost Aiden Hutchinson in Week 6 for the season with a broken leg. They still were able to get home to Sam Darnold, suffocate the Vikings’ offense and force turnovers. Jared Goff is playing MVP-level football. The Lions’ offense is one of the best in the league. They pummeled the Cowboys and gave them their worst home loss since 1988.

This division could realistically have four playoff teams come out of it this year. What other conference can come close to that? 

It’s not as if the NFC North has been all that bad in recent seasons… heck last season alone the Lions went 12-5 to win the North, the Packers were 9-8 and the Bears and Vikings were both 7-10. Not exceptional but not terrible either.

Now after an off-season of change and of making moves to fix whatever holes and deficiencies were apparent for each of the teams they have all come back better and stronger than last year.

The Bears offense with rookie QB Caleb Williams are improved and the team will likely win more than they lose by a decent margin.

The Vikings defense keeps them in games while Sam Darnold keeps playing essentially errorless ball and despite their losing their last two games (one to the arguable best team right now in the NFL in the Lions and a heartbreaker to the Rams) they should right the ship rather easily and begin winning games again… I fully expect the Vikings, like the Bears, to  win more games than they lose this season.

The Packers have stumbled a tad this season, what with QB Love dealing with some injury woes which didn’t help their cause but overall this Packer offense is strong with Love leading the team and their defense appears to have finally begun to play at the same level that the offense is playing.  Before the regular season comes to a close I fully expect the Packers to take a run at winning the North.

And finally… the Lions. The Lions right now just the best team in the NFC if not the entire NFL. They will win the North… maybe not as easily as many believe they should but win it they will.

What’s it all mean?

Th at yeah, the NFC North is right now the best division in the NFL and has a shot at sending all four teams to this year’s playoffs.