NFL WEEK 6 TAKEAWAYS: OH HOW THE MIGHTY HAVE FALLEN
And the 1972 Dolphins pop the corks on the champagne bottles once again. After a dominant first 5 weeks, both the Niners and the Eagles lose for the first time this season to historically underperforming teams.The parity in the league is incredibly healthy right now, with five 5-1 teams. However on the other side of the coin, there are multiple teams who seem to wish the season was over already.
We are one third of the way through the NFL season. These are my takeaways from Week 6.
Niners Crumble
One week after San Francisco’s dominant performance over Dallas, the Niners’ offense looked stale. Granted, the NFL’s second highest scoring team lost its Pro Bowl running back, All Pro tackle, and former All Pro wide receiver during the game. However, even in a year where great defenses seem to be a dime a dozen, it’s hard to consider any defense but Cleveland’s as the best in the league. Myles Garrett and company looked like a well oiled machine, making the unflappable Brock Purdy look flappable for once. Assuming their injury concerns get figured out, I don’t predict San Francisco to slide into consecutive losses. But seeing them look human for the first time should allow for a sigh of relief from the rest of the NFC.
Eagles Fall
After seeing the Niners lose to the Browns early in the day, I’m sure we all thought the same thing: “But surely the Eagles won’t lose too, right?” Wrong. The Eagles put up a less than impressive performance against the struggling New York Jets. The Jets’ offense does at least seem a modicum better than they did earlier in the year. However, the real deciding factor was New York’s defense. Every coach worth their salt will tell you (if you don’t include points) turnover differential is the best indicator of wins and losses. The Jets had four takeaways, including three interceptions from the usually sure handed Jalen Hurts. Even the dynamic D’Andre Swift was bottled up by the Jets defense. The story of the game? Brothers Quincy and Quinnen Williams both had great performances, Quincy getting in on 9 tackles and Quinnen being on the receiving end of one of the three interceptions.
Panthers… Keep Falling
How quick is too quick to move on from a #1 overall pick quarterback? I ask because it seems like Carolina is ready to do just that from Bryce Young. In their 21-42 loss to Miami, he didn’t look horrible, but he didn’t look very exciting. On a 23/38 for 217 yards and 1 touchdown statline with no rushing attempts, it’s just not what you hope for from your new dual threat star against the 25th best scoring defense in the league. Young might still be battling injury, but at this point it’s clear that backup QB Andy Dalton gives the team the best chance to succeed.
My Dark Horse Wears “Royal and Sol”
With the addition of Cooper Kupp, the Rams look like a full team. Even without having their best performance of the year offensively, Los Angeles made their fellow NFC West members, the Arizona Cardinals, look incredibly pedestrian. The only negative to come out of Sunday’s game was an injury to breakout running back Kyren Williams’ ankle in the 4th quarter. It will be tough to move on from the running back with the league’s fourth most rushing yards and third most rushing touchdowns, but with this high-powered offense, next man up, right? Not exactly. Backup running back Ronnie Rivers also went down with a sprained PCL, leaving rookie Zack Evans as the only healthy running back on the roster.
The Cowboys Get Back on Track
On Monday Night, the Cowboys and Chargers faced off in what will not go down as the most well-executed game in Monday Night Football history. Both teams were hampered by penalties, but the Chargers especially suffered from shooting themselves in the foot, commiting holding call after holding call, trying to fend off the dangerous Cowboys pass rush. And they did, until it mattered. The Cowboys finally connected with a sack in the 4th quarter, and it was the pass rush pressure that caused Justin Herbert to not seem himself. On the final drive, Herbert threw an interception to seal Dallas’ victory. The Cowboys defense looks strong again and the offense seems to finally be hitting its stride, with Dak Prescott connecting with CeeDee Lamb in key moments, even if they struggled at times inside the redzone.
The Colts Might Be in Trouble
Indianapolis’ offense was sloppy on Sunday. Well, specifically Gardner Minshew was sloppy on Sunday. The streaky quarterback, playing in reserve for the injured rookie QB Anthony Richardson, threw 3 picks in the Colts’ loss to the Jaguars on Sunday, 20-37. The Colts’ defense was not put in much of a situation to succeed, given that Jacksonville’s offense was given back the ball with great field position so many times. However, this isn't the main reason Indy fans should be biting their fingernails. The aforementioned Anthony Richardson might be getting a season ending shoulder surgery to fix his grade three AC sprain. Take it from someone who had a grade two AC sprain, they are not fun to recover from. A grade three is a more serious sprain, possibly meaning that ligaments were ruptured in the injury. Hopefully Richardson can recover and continue his intriguing rookie season, but more than anything, every NFL fan wants to see him at his full capacity.
The First Somber Fullback Moment of the Week
Former Dallas Cowboys fullback and actual rodeo cowboy Walt Garrison passed away this last Wednesday night at the age of 79. Having played his whole nine year NFL career with Dallas from 1966-74, he ranks ninth on their all-time rushing list and was named to the Pro Bowl team in 1972. The fullback community pours one out for one of its greats.
