Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their si...

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.<h3>Game of the year</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748856/cropped_GettyImages-2177124214.jpg?ts=1728275824" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748856/w220xh124_GettyImages-2177124214.jpg?ts=1728275824 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748856/w320xh180_GettyImages-2177124214.jpg?ts=1728275824 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748856/w640xh360_GettyImages-2177124214.jpg?ts=1728275824 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748856/w768xh432_GettyImages-2177124214.jpg?ts=1728275824 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748856/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2177124214.jpg?ts=1728275824 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>If the defensive resurgence isn't quite your thing, the Ravens-Bengals contest had to be refreshing.This AFC North shootout was an important reminder that, although defenses often hold the upper hand in today's NFL, there's still only so much you can do to stop overwhelming offensive talent.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Baltimore and Cincinnati traded one punch after another, combining for 79 points and 962 yards, including 716 passing yards. Starting with the last possession of the first half, the two sides rattled off seven straight touchdown drives.We'll get into the Bengals later, as there's a lot to like despite the result. But for the Ravens, it was particularly promising to come away with another big win in a completely different type of game. After back-to-back weeks in which Baltimore leaned on a dominant rushing attack to take down top opponents, this matchup lended itself more to the passing game.Lamar Jackson was more than up to the task, going shot for shot with Joe Burrow to throw for 348 yards and four touchdowns. Derrick Henry got his opportunity to take over in overtime, ripping off a 51-yard run to set up the game-winning field goal.The Ravens team we've seen over the last three weeks is very much a front-runner in the AFC. The Bengals have some work to do in the standings, but they can hang with anyone. It's only right that the second matchup between these offensive juggernauts gets a primetime slot in early November. If we're lucky, we'll get a third matchup in January, too.<h3>Desperate times</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748717/cropped_GettyImages-2176218343.jpg?ts=1728232871" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748717/w220xh124_GettyImages-2176218343.jpg?ts=1728232871 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748717/w320xh180_GettyImages-2176218343.jpg?ts=1728232871 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748717/w640xh360_GettyImages-2176218343.jpg?ts=1728232871 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748717/w768xh432_GettyImages-2176218343.jpg?ts=1728232871 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748717/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2176218343.jpg?ts=1728232871 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> DeFodi Images / DeFodi Images / Getty</figcaption></figure>Joe Douglas has some calls to make.The Jets are sitting at a disappointing 2-3 after a trip to London, and, while there's no shame in losing to this version of the Vikings, it's probably time to sound the alarm about the state of the offense.Aaron Rodgers has been unable to build upon the flashes of vintage play we saw in the opening weeks. His 4.5 yards per attempt against Minnesota marks his lowest output since November 2019, and some questionable decisions led to three costly interceptions. It's clear to even the most casual observers that the 40-year-old veteran is simply not on the same page as his receivers.Rodgers is presumably pounding the table for a Davante Adams trade to bring in an infusion of playmaking talent and familiarity. The Jets are thought to be the preferred destination for the disgruntled Raiders receiver, and it may simply be a matter of the two sides reaching an agreement in the coming days.Adams alone won't solve all of the Jets' problems, as poor game plans are a staple of Nathaniel Hackett offenses. But if you've come this far in building a small window for contention, why hold back over a future Day 2 pick?Douglas has to get this done, no matter the price. It may be his only hope at salvaging the Rodgers era in New York.<h3>Enough is enough</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748791/cropped_GettyImages-2177109816.jpg?ts=1728248181" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748791/w220xh124_GettyImages-2177109816.jpg?ts=1728248181 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748791/w320xh180_GettyImages-2177109816.jpg?ts=1728248181 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748791/w640xh360_GettyImages-2177109816.jpg?ts=1728248181 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748791/w768xh432_GettyImages-2177109816.jpg?ts=1728248181 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748791/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2177109816.jpg?ts=1728248181 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>It's easy to understand why the Browns aren't willing to bench Deshaun Watson. While Cleveland's quarterback play has been astonishingly miserable, he's still due a fully guaranteed $92 million across 2025 and 2026, meaning ownership has a vested interest in finding a way to make it work.But what about when it becomes undeniably clear that there is no hope for any such outcome?After an unfathomably bad first two years in Cleveland, Watson is somehow getting worse. The former Pro Bowler looked completely lost against a Washington defense that entered this week ranked 31st in EPA/play, completing 15 of 28 passes for only 125 yards while taking seven sacks.The latest in a long line of horrific outings caps an opening five-week stretch that is among the worst we've seen since the turn of the century.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Bottom-10 EPA per dropback averages in Weeks 1-5 in any season since at least 2000: 750. AJ Feeley (-.27) 751. Ryan Leaf (-.27) 752. Kyle Boller (-.28) 753. Deshaun Watson (-.30)** 754. Chris Simms (-.31) 755. Will Levis (-.34)** 756. Kordell Stewart (-.37) 757. Jamarcus Russell…— Austin Gayle (@austingayle_) <a href="https://twitter.com/austingayle_/status/1843111360009555995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Remember, this is a Browns team that went to the playoffs with Joe Flacco under center down the stretch last year. There's more than enough talent and coaching chops to get this team in the postseason mix with average quarterback play. Cleveland is being weighed down by a $230-million passer who no longer belongs.No matter how you slice it, the investment made in Watson is going absolutely nowhere. It's time for ownership to admit as much, do right by the rest of the organization, and turn to a quarterback who gives them a chance on game day.Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, whoever. Anyone but Watson.<h3>Quick slants</h3>Commanders are for real<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748761/cropped_GettyImages-2177123881.jpg?ts=1728246714" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748761/w220xh124_GettyImages-2177123881.jpg?ts=1728246714 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748761/w320xh180_GettyImages-2177123881.jpg?ts=1728246714 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748761/w640xh360_GettyImages-2177123881.jpg?ts=1728246714 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748761/w768xh432_GettyImages-2177123881.jpg?ts=1728246714 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748761/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2177123881.jpg?ts=1728246714 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>I was going to wait until after this week before buying in on the Commanders, even if that was arguably a little conservative. All signs pointed to Cleveland's defense being an interesting test for Washington's offense. The Browns did present some challenges for Jayden Daniels, holding him to a season-low 56% completion rate, but the overall results remain impressive. Daniels threw for 238 yards at 9.5 yards per attempt while adding another 82 yards in the run game. The No. 2 pick looks more comfortable with every passing week, and he's already showing major improvements over the player he was at the end of his LSU career. The Commanders have a young superstar under center, and they're emerging as an immediate playoff threat as a result.Caleb heating upNone of us were actually panicking about Caleb Williams, were we? A slow start from the No. 1 pick is, of course, bound to lead to some irrational takes, and you can multiply those takes by a thousand when the player selected one spot later dominates out of the gate. But a four-game sample is basically nothing for a rookie quarterback, and Williams' struggles were always overstated. The early flashes of brilliance turned into consistent high-level play in Sunday's win over the Panthers. Williams was in complete control throughout the game, completing 20 of 29 passes for 304 yards and two scores. His comfort at this stage, despite the offensive system doing him no favors, is an incredibly promising sign for the future.Bills need a trade, tooJosh Allen finished Sunday's loss to the Texans connecting on just 9 of 30 passes. A 30% completion rate is the lowest mark for a quarterback with at least 30 attempts in the last 30 years, according to ESPN Stats and Info. It wasn't Allen's best game, but this is also a symptom of some major personnel issues. The Bills, whose target leader at receiver was Mack Hollins, simply don't have a player capable of winning in one-on-one situations on the outside. Buffalo could really use the route-running prowess of Browns wideout Amari Cooper. Considering its salary-cap issues, a league-minimum base salary might make him the perfect trade-deadline target.Flacco again?No, your eyes do not deceive you. For the second time in as many years, Joe Flacco stepped in as a starter and provided a clear upgrade in quarterback play, as the 39-year-old veteran nearly led the Colts to a win over the Jaguars with 359 passing yards and three touchdowns. To be clear, Anthony Richardson should - and will - remain the starter when healthy. The Colts' future depends on his development, and he needs reps to make good on his potential. But there sure are a few other teams who could use Flacco as QB1. We're looking at you, Browns.Don't give up on BengalsA heartbreaking loss to the Ravens drops the Bengals to 1-4 on the season. For most teams, climbing out a hole this deep is impossible. It may well prove too difficult for Cincinnati, too. But don't rule this team out yet. The offense finally appears to be hitting its stride. Joe Burrow lit up the Baltimore defense for 392 yards and five touchdowns, and Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins each accounted for two scores. Though the end result wasn't what they wanted, narrow losses to the Chiefs and Ravens showed how close this team still is to the AFC's elite. There's no reason the Bengals can't be 5-4 after an upcoming stretch of games against the Giants, Browns, Eagles, and Raiders.Surtain for DPOY?<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748831/cropped_GettyImages-2176275383.jpg?ts=1728259389" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748831/w220xh124_GettyImages-2176275383.jpg?ts=1728259389 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748831/w320xh180_GettyImages-2176275383.jpg?ts=1728259389 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748831/w640xh360_GettyImages-2176275383.jpg?ts=1728259389 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748831/w768xh432_GettyImages-2176275383.jpg?ts=1728259389 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748831/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2176275383.jpg?ts=1728259389 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Cooper Neill / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>It's not easy to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors as a cornerback - Stephon Gilmore (2019) and Charles Woodson (2009) are the only two to win the prestigious award since Deion Sanders in 1994. But it's time we consider factors beyond raw statistical production. Patrick Surtain Jr. is the best cornerback in the game right now, and his lockdown presence is leading the way for a resurgent Broncos defense. He single-handedly flipped momentum with a 100-yard pick-6 in Sunday's win over the Raiders, one of his two interceptions on the day. If Denver ends up as a competitive team with a largely anemic offense, Surtain should absolutely be in the mix for any award that recognizes his immense value.Gannon building somethingThe Cardinals are officially frisky, folks. Results probably won't be consistent for a while - this roster simply doesn't have the talent to maintain a high level of play on a weekly basis. But it's clear that second-year head coach Jonathan Gannon has the team heading in the right direction. Gannon's defense came up big in Sunday's win over the 49ers, tallying three takeaways and a turnover on downs to shut out the San Francisco offense in the second half. That provided the offense all the support it needed to stage a comeback and secure a 24-23 win. Give this organization another offseason to build and we could be talking about a legitimate playoff contender. In the meantime, the Cardinals are a team nobody can overlook.Bigsby's breakout partyTravis Etienne's spot atop the Jaguars' running back depth chart may not be safe. Tank Bigsby was in line for an expanded workload after turning seven carries into 90 yards last week, and he did not disappoint with the increase in volume. The second-year back took 13 attempts for 101 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Colts, outproducing Etienne's 17 yards on six carries. Etienne remains the preferred option as a receiver out of the backfield - he had a season-high six catches this week - but Bigsby is quickly proving to be the more effective option in the run game.Kraft a budding starJust when you thought a young Packers offense couldn't get any more exciting, it seems like there's a future star at the tight end position. Kraft's uptick in pass-game usage started last week, when he turned nine targets into six catches for 53 yards and a score, and he followed that up with four catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's win over the Rams. Both touchdowns, including a spectacular 66-yarder, showed off his unique ability after the catch. Kraft is well on his way to being a consistent playmaker for one of the league's most explosive offenses. Don't waste any more time if he's somehow still on the waiver wire in your fantasy leagues.Tracy's arrivalTyrone Tracy Jr. received a major opportunity this week when Devin Singletary was ruled out with a groin injury. The fifth-round rookie was a key contributor in a stunning win over the Seahawks, taking 18 carries for 129 yards. Tracy was thought of as a work in progress coming out of Purdue, as it was assumed a former receiver who was still so new to the position would need time to find his footing at the NFL level. So much for that. Tracy is going to be tough to keep off the field.<h3>Stat of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Derrick Henry is the 3rd player age 30+ with 500+ rush yards and 5+ rush TD in the first 5 games of a season. He joins Curtis Martin and Priest Holmes (both in 2004). <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RavensFlock?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RavensFlock</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLPlus</a>— Tony Holzman-Escareno (@FrontOfficeNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/FrontOfficeNFL/status/1843026926551945634?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>

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Key takeaways and analysis from Week 5 in the NFL

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.<h3>Eagles in trouble</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747659/cropped_GettyImages-2174721281.jpg?ts=1727666166" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747659/w220xh124_GettyImages-2174721281.jpg?ts=1727666166 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747659/w320xh180_GettyImages-2174721281.jpg?ts=1727666166 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747659/w640xh360_GettyImages-2174721281.jpg?ts=1727666166 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747659/w768xh432_GettyImages-2174721281.jpg?ts=1727666166 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747659/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2174721281.jpg?ts=1727666166 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>It might be time to smash the panic button in Philadelphia.The Eagles made the questionable decision to retain Nick Sirianni after last season's collapse, opting instead to make changes at both offensive and defensive coordinator. Their schemes may look a little different four games into the season, but the results are every bit as frustrating.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Kellen Moore's offensive system, crucially, hasn't had the intended effect with Jalen Hurts. If you want to chalk up Sunday's loss to the Bucs as a matter of the Eagles being without their star receivers, go for it. But how long are we going to make excuses for a quarterback making $51 million per season?Hurts has continued to regress since Philly's Super Bowl heartbreak, and he's now coughed up 27 turnovers in his last 22 games. Leaning on the run game would help, but that can be hard to do if the offense is so consistently putting the team in an early hole.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Eagles 1st quarter stats through 4 games: 347 yards, 20 points allowed 161 yards, 0 points for This is a sign of a poorly coached, unprepared team.— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrendenDeeg_/status/1840483121776517319?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The defense hasn't been any better despite replacing Sean Desai with Vic Fangio, entering this week's action ranked 24th in EPA/play. Baker Mayfield marched the Bucs' offense up and down the field throughout the day Sunday, throwing for 347 yards and two touchdowns, while the run game accounted for 111 yards and another pair of scores.This team's issues run far deeper than who's calling plays on each side of the ball. And although Nick Sirianni likely receives a little too much criticism for a coach who has a 36-19 record and a Super Bowl appearance over the last four years, it's fair to assume that the problems start at the top.At this point, it'd be an upset if Sirianni is still coaching the Eagles next season. The real question is whether ownership is forced to correct its offseason mistake and make a move in the coming weeks. There's no reason for a team with this much talent to be this objectively bad.<h3>Vikings roll on offense, too</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747549/cropped_GettyImages-2175507272.jpg?ts=1727636180" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747549/w220xh124_GettyImages-2175507272.jpg?ts=1727636180 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747549/w320xh180_GettyImages-2175507272.jpg?ts=1727636180 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747549/w640xh360_GettyImages-2175507272.jpg?ts=1727636180 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747549/w768xh432_GettyImages-2175507272.jpg?ts=1727636180 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747549/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2175507272.jpg?ts=1727636180 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Much of this space last week was dedicated to Brian Flores and a truly diabolical Vikings defense. That group once again did its part with four turnovers in Sunday's win over the Packers, but the offense gets the spotlight this time around.Four games in, it's becoming clear that this isn't just another one of Sam Darnold's short-lived hot streaks. The former first-round pick put together his best game yet in helping the Vikings to a 4-0 start, completing 20-of-28 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns. That puts him up to 11 passing scores on the year, good for the top spot among league leaders.Darnold will still make the occasional mistake - another interception this week makes it three on the season. But an outstanding supporting cast and some schematic genius from Kevin O'Connell make this a completely different situation than previous stops that saw him labeled a bust. His natural abilities as a passer can shine through when he just has to be the point guard.Assuming this continues, the Vikings will have some fascinating decisions to make at season's end. Darnold will be due an enormous raise after playing on a one-year, $10-million contract, and it's only a matter of time until first-round pick J.J. McCarthy takes over as the starter. But those are discussions for another day.The Vikings are playing an elite brand of complementary football, and there's no reason they can't sustain this right through to January. Enjoy this for what it is - it's not often that a total afterthought team blows away expectations to emerge as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.<h3>Chiefs to the trade market?</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747660/cropped_GettyImages-2174768718.jpg?ts=1727666511" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747660/w220xh124_GettyImages-2174768718.jpg?ts=1727666511 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747660/w320xh180_GettyImages-2174768718.jpg?ts=1727666511 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747660/w640xh360_GettyImages-2174768718.jpg?ts=1727666511 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747660/w768xh432_GettyImages-2174768718.jpg?ts=1727666511 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747660/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2174768718.jpg?ts=1727666511 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times / Getty</figcaption></figure>The Chiefs offense was dealt a devastating blow this week when Rashee Rice suffered what's feared to be a torn ACL.Already without free-agent addition Hollywood Brown for at least the rest of the regular season, Kansas City had been struggling to take the expected steps in the passing game. Rice also being ruled out for the year would push first-round rookie Xavier Worthy to the top of the depth chart, moving the Chiefs dangerously close to the same type of paper-thin receiving corps that plagued the offense for much of last season.The Chiefs proved they could win under such circumstances, so nobody is going to be counting them out - they're already off to a 4-0 start despite the scoring difficulties. But is Andy Reid really going to be content to grind out wins in the same way he was forced to do last year?Don't be surprised if the Chiefs respond to the injuries at receiver by attempting to kickstart the trade market well in advance of the Nov. 5 deadline. Davante Adams is the obvious target for any contender in need of a pass-catcher, but prying him away from a division rival could be nearly impossible.As things currently stand, the Titans seem like one of the only teams clearly headed for seller status. DeAndre Hopkins, anyone?<h3>Quick slants</h3>Ravens, Henry take flight<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747656/cropped_GettyImages-2175548504.jpg?ts=1727664953" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747656/w220xh124_GettyImages-2175548504.jpg?ts=1727664953 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747656/w320xh180_GettyImages-2175548504.jpg?ts=1727664953 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747656/w640xh360_GettyImages-2175548504.jpg?ts=1727664953 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747656/w768xh432_GettyImages-2175548504.jpg?ts=1727664953 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747656/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2175548504.jpg?ts=1727664953 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Greg Fiume / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>It seems like it's become something of an annual tradition to wonder whether Derrick Henry will drop off. Once again, it'd appear that the answer is a resounding no. Henry built upon last week's 151-yard performance by destroying the Bills with 199 yards Sunday night. It's no coincidence that these were Baltimore's best two games of the year. The four-time Pro Bowler now leads the league with 480 rushing yards. If the Ravens have found a formula to integrate Henry into the offense and work everything else off that, including the contributions of the reigning MVP, the rest of the AFC could be in trouble.Daniels on a superstar trajectoryJayden Daniels entered the league facing some legitimate questions about how his game will translate. One month in, he's well on his way to making doubters look silly. The Commanders quarterback continues to outplay No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, making himself the clear front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Another near-flawless day in Washington's 42-14 win over Arizona brings his completion rate to an incredible 82.1%, a new NFL record through a player's first four games. Daniels has been comfortable in the pocket, he's making decisive decisions with the ball, and he's using his athleticism to both make plays as a runner and create more opportunities for himself as a passer. Things are finally looking up for 3-1 Washington.Same old JetsA few vintage flashes from Aaron Rodgers early in the season have created the impression that it's only a matter of time before the Jets' offense holds up its end of the bargain. That may well be where things are headed in time, but it'll remain a work in progress early on. The Jets' offense was particularly disappointing in Sunday's shocking loss to the Broncos, managing just nine points to waste a defensive effort that held Bo Nix to 60 passing yards overall and minus-7 in the first half. The offensive line has to be better if New York is going to make the most of its skill-position talent. Rodgers taking five sacks and Breece Hall averaging 0.4 yards per carry looked too much like the anemic Jets offense that's supposed to be a thing of the past.Falcons finding their strideIt turns out the mass panic surrounding the Falcons after a rough season opener was a little bit of an overreaction. In fairness, how else were we supposed to interpret Kirk Cousins, coming off a torn Achilles, spending all of Week 1 as a stationary shotgun-only passer? Looking back, though, it seems like that was nothing more than an effort to reacclimate the veteran quarterback to live action. In the three games since, the Falcons' offense has taken some meaningful steps toward becoming the unit we all expected. A big win over the Eagles got their season going back in the right direction, they had every opportunity to beat the Chiefs in Week 3, and Sunday's victory over the Saints confirmed this team is a legitimate contender for an NFC South title. Let's see if the ascent continues in the weeks ahead.Love's good outweighs the badJordan Love is back in action just three weeks after going down with a sprained MCL in the season opener. His return featured some not-so-great moments, with a trio of interceptions likely making the difference in a two-point loss, but rust doesn't exactly help matters against an outstanding Vikings defense. Rather than harp on the mistakes, though, it'd be wise to focus on the outstanding plays he did make. Love's 389 passing yards and four touchdowns was far and away the most productive day any quarterback has managed against Brian Flores' defense this year. The Packers would love to be better than 2-2, but Love bringing them back into this game after going down 28-0 was an important reminder of this team's firepower with its star quarterback healthy.Richardson banged up<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747528/cropped_GettyImages-2175499730.jpg?ts=1727632997" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747528/w220xh124_GettyImages-2175499730.jpg?ts=1727632997 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747528/w320xh180_GettyImages-2175499730.jpg?ts=1727632997 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747528/w640xh360_GettyImages-2175499730.jpg?ts=1727632997 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747528/w768xh432_GettyImages-2175499730.jpg?ts=1727632997 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/747528/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2175499730.jpg?ts=1727632997 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Anthony Richardson was forced to leave Sunday's win over the Colts with a hip issue. It appears as though he avoided any sort of major injury, but the events leading to his exit should bring up a familiar conversation. Richardson initially picked up the injury taking unnecessary contact at the end of a scramble. He then reinjured himself just one play after initially returning because an awkward slide decision exposed him to another hit. Injuries are an unavoidable part of the game, but Richardson has to do a better job of protecting himself. He'll never get the development reps he needs if he's constantly in and out of games.Broncos can play defense?What a difference a year can make. At this point in the 2023 season, it felt as though Vance Joseph wouldn't be long for Denver - it's tough to survive giving up 70 points in an NFL game. But Sean Payton stood by his defensive coordinator, and the unit slowly got better from that point forward. The progress has continued well into the 2024 campaign, with Sunday's effort against the Jets marking the culmination of the methodical turnaround. Denver's defense entered the week ranked sixth in EPA/play. That standing should be on the rise after the Broncos held the Jets to nine points, got to Aaron Rodgers for five sacks, and completely bottled up the run game. This team won't contend until it can get more out of Bo Nix, but a defense of this caliber can alleviate a lot of the pressure on the young quarterback.Progress in ChicagoThere may yet be hope for the Bears' offense. After averaging just 72.7 rushing yards per game over the first three weeks of the season, Chicago broke through with 131 yards and a pair of scores in Sunday's win over the Rams. A brutal L.A. run defense surely contributed to the successful day on the ground, but the week-to-week difference in execution on the part of the Bears' offense was still incredibly promising. D'Andre Swift putting together more performances like his 93-yard effort this week would go a long way toward assisting Caleb Williams in the early stages of his development.Bucs make statementOffseason hype for the Falcons may yet prove justified, but it's starting to seem foolish that any such discussion completely overlooked the Bucs. There have been some inconsistencies thus far, including a major letdown in last week's loss to the Broncos, but we have every reason to believe that this team will be right in the mix at the end of the season. Baker Mayfield continues to prove that 2023 was no fluke, and he's truly found a home in Tampa Bay. While a three-year, $100-million deal may have seemed a little rich for some, he'll be more than worth the price tag if he's throwing for 347 yards and two scores as he did in a massive win over the Eagles.Money well spentThe Packers spending big in free agency isn't exactly a common occurrence. But they identified some key players who were deserving of the money in this year's class, and early indications suggest they were absolutely correct. Xavier McKinney, most notably, has proven more than worthy of his top-four annual average salary at the safety position. He's been the driving force for an opportunistic defense, coming away with an interception in each of the first four games of the season. The Giants letting McKinney and Saquon Barkley walk away for nothing in the same offseason is a rough look.It's gonna be MayeThe Patriots can't delay this much longer, can they? Drake Maye is almost certainly the better option at quarterback right now - head coach Jerod Mayo even admitted that the No. 3 pick outplayed veteran Jacoby Brissett in the preseason. If the idea was to keep him under wraps for a difficult opening stretch of the schedule, fair enough. But back-to-back games against the Jets' and 49ers' defenses are now in the rearview mirror. Next week's home matchup with a beat-up Dolphins team could be the ideal opportunity to get Maye his first start. There's only so much you can learn watching from the sidelines.<h3>Stat of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The GREATEST STAT, EVER. Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos holds the record for the fewest passing yards in a winning NFL game with a minimum of 20 pass attempts, with 60 yards in a 10-9 win.— ThatsGoodSports (@BrandonPerna) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonPerna/status/1840516899508994177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2024</a>
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Key takeaways and analysis from Week 4 in the NFL

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.<h3>Flores in his own tier</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746502/cropped_GettyImages-2172743043.jpg?ts=1727060790" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746502/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172743043.jpg?ts=1727060790 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746502/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172743043.jpg?ts=1727060790 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746502/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172743043.jpg?ts=1727060790 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746502/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172743043.jpg?ts=1727060790 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746502/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172743043.jpg?ts=1727060790 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Stephen Maturen / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Don't let quarterback bias distract you from the real story in Minnesota.The Vikings' offense is doing its part with Sam Darnold under center, to be sure, and Kevin O'Connell's system will always give Minnesota a chance to put points on the board. But this team's ceiling is being lifted by everything that's happening on the other side of the ball.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>It was easy enough to shrug off a 28-6 win in the opener - the Giants have trouble scoring no matter the opponent. Frustrating Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers' offense en route to a Week 2 upset was a different story, though. And the encore in a blowout win over the Texans this week marked the best work yet from defensive coordinator Brian Flores.The stunning 34-7 result marked the Texans' second-lowest scoring effort of the C.J. Stroud era, with the star quarterback managing just 215 passing yards while serving up two interceptions and taking four sacks.Flores' knack for disguising coverages and dialing up exotic blitz packages is proving to be a nightmare matchup for even the best of opponents. Brock Purdy was highly complimentary of the scheme talking to Flores after last week's game, and Stroud may have had similar feelings.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
CJ Stroud just walked to the sideline, took his helmet off, sat on the bench and put his head in his hands.— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) <a href="https://twitter.com/alec_lewis/status/1837929221299359947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The Vikings, just like everyone expected, are one of five remaining undefeated teams. While they may not have the kind of star power to match many of their opponents on paper, this kind of coaching will allow them to hang with just about anyone straight through to January.At that time, we'll start hearing Flores' name right there alongside Bill Belichick and Mike Vrabel among the most coveted head coaching candidates around the league. He's setting the standard for the NFL's defensive resurgence.<h3>Andy Dalton?!</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746487/cropped_GettyImages-2173811039.jpg?ts=1727058245" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746487/w220xh124_GettyImages-2173811039.jpg?ts=1727058245 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746487/w320xh180_GettyImages-2173811039.jpg?ts=1727058245 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746487/w640xh360_GettyImages-2173811039.jpg?ts=1727058245 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746487/w768xh432_GettyImages-2173811039.jpg?ts=1727058245 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746487/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2173811039.jpg?ts=1727058245 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ian Maule / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Carolina's decision to bench Bryce Young sparked an interesting conversation last week. While the former No. 1 pick surely deserved blame for how his career had begun, it was also fair to wonder whether the state of the Panthers ever gave him much of a chance.One game later, it no longer seems like there's much to discuss on that front.Turning to 36-year-old veteran Andy Dalton was somehow all the Panthers needed to look like a completely different team. A 36-22 win over the Raiders, Carolina's highest-scoring output since 2022, saw the Panthers produce more points than Young's last four starts combined.Dalton's performance wasn't only impressive in relation to his sophomore counterpart, though. He became the first quarterback league-wide to put up 300-plus yards and three-plus touchdowns in a single game this season.It's possible that the offense comes crashing back down to earth in the coming weeks - Dalton is not going to emerge as a consistently high-level passer at this point in his career. But to see the unit enjoy that much improvement by simply benching its young franchise quarterback in favor of an aging journeyman is staggering.While the organization was reportedly planning to go back to Young after a few weeks on the bench, it's tough to see how that would be possible if the team is this much better without him. The Panthers shouldn't hesitate to entertain trade offers for Young and get some sort of middling value in return while they still can.Dalton, believe it or not, provides the best option for laying the foundation of what this program hopes to be under the leadership of Dave Canales. The rest of the team deserves to start out on that journey.<h3>Rams grind one out</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746505/cropped_GettyImages-2173811744.jpg?ts=1727060924" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746505/w220xh124_GettyImages-2173811744.jpg?ts=1727060924 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746505/w320xh180_GettyImages-2173811744.jpg?ts=1727060924 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746505/w640xh360_GettyImages-2173811744.jpg?ts=1727060924 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746505/w768xh432_GettyImages-2173811744.jpg?ts=1727060924 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746505/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2173811744.jpg?ts=1727060924 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Wins don't get much more impressive than that, folks.Nobody was giving the Rams a chance in Sunday's game against the 49ers, and understandably so. Injuries had absolutely ravaged this roster over the first two weeks, leaving Los Angeles without Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and three starters on the offensive line.The 49ers had their share of injury issues heading into this matchup, to be fair, but the Rams' bad luck had seemingly threatened to end their season before it could even begin.To their credit, the Rams had no interest in throwing in the towel. Matthew Stafford and Kyren Williams responded every time the 49ers seemed poised to put the game away. The defense came up with a huge fourth-quarter stop after a 10-point comeback, and a clutch punt return from Xavier Smith put the offense in position to win it at the end.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The Rams’ win probability was as low as 3.2% with 4:14 remaining in the fourth quarter in their comeback win over the 49ers. Matthew Stafford led the Rams on two scoring drives in the final three minutes, with both drives leading to points in under a minute.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SFvsLA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SFvsLA</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/RamsNFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RamsNFL</a> <a href="https://t.co/KM3XvcNQIE">pic.twitter.com/KM3XvcNQIE</a>— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) <a href="https://twitter.com/NextGenStats/status/1838004005014052885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>It'll continue to be tough sledding for as long as the Rams are without some of their most important offensive pieces, but this win was a reminder that this team has the depth and coaching to be scrappy while they wait for their stars to return.Next week's matchup with the Bears provides an opportunity to get back to .500. If the Rams can start getting some of their key players back in the weeks that follow, there's no reason this team can't hit its stride at the right time and make some noise down the stretch.<h3>Quick slants</h3>Nabers already a superstar<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746344/cropped_GettyImages-2173260927.jpg?ts=1727061001" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746344/w220xh124_GettyImages-2173260927.jpg?ts=1727061001 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746344/w320xh180_GettyImages-2173260927.jpg?ts=1727061001 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746344/w640xh360_GettyImages-2173260927.jpg?ts=1727061001 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746344/w768xh432_GettyImages-2173260927.jpg?ts=1727061001 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746344/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2173260927.jpg?ts=1727061001 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> G Fiume / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The Giants passing on a rare opportunity to draft a quarterback will always be a questionable move. It's hard to be too upset with the decision when you end up with a player like Malik Nabers, though. The No. 6 overall pick was the best playmaker on the field in Sunday's win over the Browns. His pair of scores made him the first receiver in NFL history to start his career with 20-plus receptions and three-plus touchdowns over his first three games. Nabers will be one of the best in the game for a long time.Willis outplays LevisAnother week, another impressive Packers win. Malik Willis once again played a key role in place of the injured Jordan Love, this time accounting for 275 total yards and two touchdowns against his former team. Going into Tennessee and so thoroughly outplaying Will Levis, the player drafted to replace him after just one year, is the revenge game of all revenge games. Matt LaFleur putting him in a position to succeed, and Willis getting the job done when called upon, has the Packers poised to take off with Love's impending return.Concern for CowboysThere's no shame in falling to a desperate (and good) Ravens team, even if it did drop the Cowboys to 1-2. But Mike Zimmer's defense is a major concern. After giving up 190 yards on the ground in a blowout loss to the Saints, Dallas yielded an astounding 274 rushing yards to Baltimore. This group has the playmakers to create turnovers in passing situations, but it won't matter much if opponents can easily keep their offense on schedule with a dominant run game. Something has to change soon.Refs still at itA fun afternoon matchup between the Lions and Cardinals could've looked a whole lot different were it not for an inexcusable blunder from the officiating crew. Arizona appeared poised to take a late first-half lead on a wild pick-6 until the play was blown dead for the two-minute warning. The broadcast replay clearly showed that the clock was at 2:01 at the time of the snap. Credit to the Cardinals for hanging tough and keeping it close, but this was yet another game-changing error from the officials.Richardson struggles<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746354/cropped_GettyImages-2173764189.jpg?ts=1727061112" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746354/w220xh124_GettyImages-2173764189.jpg?ts=1727061112 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746354/w320xh180_GettyImages-2173764189.jpg?ts=1727061112 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746354/w640xh360_GettyImages-2173764189.jpg?ts=1727061112 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746354/w768xh432_GettyImages-2173764189.jpg?ts=1727061112 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/746354/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2173764189.jpg?ts=1727061112 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Justin Casterline / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>It's been a rough two weeks for Anthony Richardson after a highlight-reel opener. The Colts quarterback was especially bad in Sunday's win over the Bears, with strange misses and poor decisions culminating in a 10-for-20 day with 167 yards and two interceptions. Don't panic just yet, though: Richardson's path to stardom was always going to look a lot like Josh Allen's. Maybe it doesn't work in the end, but the flashes of brilliance still hint at unicorn-type upside. Patience is key here.Some things never changeAllow the Raiders to provide your latest reminder about overreacting to early-season results. An upset win last week in Baltimore was certainly a fun story, and it seemed possible that the offense was turning a corner. But nobody who's paid any attention to this team over the last two decades took it as a surefire sign of progress. Following that up with an embarrassing home loss to the Panthers, of all teams, is peak Raiders football. It's tough to be surprised by the letdown game, and that's kind of the problem.Jennings rises to occasionThe 49ers may not have come away with the victory against the Rams, but it wasn't because no one could step up for their injured playmakers. Jauan Jennings was spectacular as the second option in San Francisco's passing game, racking up 11 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns. He'll slide back into a low-volume, third-down specialist role when Deebo Samuel and George Kittle get healthy, but this kind of depth is huge for a beat-up 49ers offense.Tucker passing the torchJustin Tucker has now missed a field goal in each of the first three games. He may be on the downswing of his career after a pair of seasons in which his conversion rate fell well below his lofty career averages. If you're wondering who might take his place as the league's undisputed top kicker, all you had to do was look across the field Sunday afternoon in Dallas. Brandon Aubrey has built upon a sensational debut season with a perfect start in 2024, including a 65-yarder against the Ravens. The ease with which he connects from distance is oddly reminiscent of Tucker in his prime.<h3>Stat of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Leaguewide PFF passing grade against the blitz 2019: 73.2 2020: 81.3 2021: 75.3 2022: 71.4 2023: 72.6 2024: 59.5— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) <a href="https://twitter.com/StevePalazzolo_/status/1838059451011465319?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2024</a>
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Key takeaways and analysis from Week 3 in the NFL

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.<h3>Nobody knows anything</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745294/cropped_GettyImages-2172194215.jpg?ts=1726431483" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745294/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172194215.jpg?ts=1726431483 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745294/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172194215.jpg?ts=1726431483 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745294/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172194215.jpg?ts=1726431483 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745294/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172194215.jpg?ts=1726431483 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745294/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172194215.jpg?ts=1726431483 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Sam Hodde / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>A lot of pessimism surrounded the Saints heading into this season, and it's not difficult to understand why.A horrific cap situation once again gave them no choice but to run it back with a seemingly mediocre roster, and it seemed possible, if not probable, that an unproven offensive line would undermine anything the Saints tried to accomplish with a new scheme. Not exactly the most inspiring situation.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Yet here we are two weeks into the season, and New Orleans is the most interesting story in the league. The blowout win over the Panthers in Week 1 flew under the radar for obvious reasons, but it's impossible to overlook the Saints' similarly dominant effort against the Cowboys this week.New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is doing some phenomenal work scheming up big plays, and Derek Carr looks more comfortable than we've seen him at any other point in his 11-year pro career. He's thrown for five touchdowns through two games, leading the league with well over 11 yards per attempt.Crucially, the Saints have also put together an efficient run game despite the offensive line's perceived shortcomings. Alvin Kamara's four-touchdown day included 115 yards and three scores on the ground. His 5.6 yards per carry (in a very small sample) would be his most efficient mark since his rookie campaign in 2017.While we probably can't lump the Saints in with the NFC's other contenders just yet, their offensive resurgence, along with their always steady defense, makes them worth watching over the next few weeks. If New Orleans can keep performing at anything close to this level through an upcoming schedule that includes the Eagles and Chiefs, the hype train will be full steam ahead.<h3>LaFleur puts on a clinic</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745412/cropped_GettyImages-2172272066.jpg?ts=1726459233" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745412/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172272066.jpg?ts=1726459233 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745412/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172272066.jpg?ts=1726459233 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745412/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172272066.jpg?ts=1726459233 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745412/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172272066.jpg?ts=1726459233 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745412/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172272066.jpg?ts=1726459233 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>We all had the same thought when Jordan Love went down in Brazil; a star quarterback missing even a few weeks can derail a whole season in today's NFL. Matt LaFleur, however, wasn't interested in that scenario.The Packers head coach needed all of one week to successfully shift his team's offensive identity, putting together one of the best and most creative coaching jobs you'll see all season in Sunday's win over the Colts.While Malik Willis deserves credit for the way he handled his role in a big spot, the game plan was clear from the beginning: The Packers were going to run the ball in every possible manner, and it didn't really matter if Indy knew it was coming.Josh Jacobs led the way with 32 carries for 151 yards, and Green Bay got significant contributions from five other ball carriers, including Willis and breakout receiver Jayden Reed. In total, the Packers finished the day with 53 carries for 261 yards, their most since 2003.Succeeding under these circumstances should be appreciated. LaFleur has long been one of the game's best play-callers, and his status probably deserves another bump after his display of genius this week.This type of malleability, plus an opportunistic defense, will put the Packers in position to steal some wins until Love gets back. Once he returns, this period of run-game experimentation will keep paying off by giving the offense more ways to attack opponents. The Packers are very much alive.<h3>Fields needs to start</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745397/cropped_GettyImages-2172230974.jpg?ts=1726452391" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745397/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172230974.jpg?ts=1726452391 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745397/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172230974.jpg?ts=1726452391 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745397/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172230974.jpg?ts=1726452391 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745397/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172230974.jpg?ts=1726452391 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745397/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172230974.jpg?ts=1726452391 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Justin Edmonds / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The Steelers' offense has been anything but spectacular over the first two games of the season. They've managed 31 points in a pair of narrow victories, with Justin Fields throwing for just 273 yards and one touchdown.That may not look like the kind of production that should earn him the full-time starting job after Russell Wilson gets healthy, but this isn't a normal situation.Remember: Pittsburgh's commitment to Wilson is about as negligible as it gets for starting quarterbacks in today's NFL. He's on the books for a veteran's minimum salary this year - which was only possible because he was so disastrous with the Broncos that they moved on despite owing him a fully guaranteed $39 million this season. He never should have been expected to make a huge impact in this offense.In the best-case scenario, this post-post-prime version of Wilson would be able to avoid negative plays, take care of the ball, and not lose games while Pittsburgh's defense wins them. Look beyond the counting stats and that's exactly what Fields is doing while adding a bit of upside as a runner.Don't mess with success. And who knows? Perhaps Fields has more upside to unlock as he continues to grow within this offense. That seems a whole lot better than hoping an aging Wilson can somehow rediscover a level of play we haven't seen in four years.<h3>Quick slants</h3>Caleb getting no help<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745413/cropped_GettyImages-2172276453.jpg?ts=1726459346" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745413/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172276453.jpg?ts=1726459346 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745413/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172276453.jpg?ts=1726459346 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745413/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172276453.jpg?ts=1726459346 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745413/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172276453.jpg?ts=1726459346 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745413/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172276453.jpg?ts=1726459346 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Alex Slitz / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>The popular idea that the Bears were a dream spot for a No. 1 pick at quarterback focused a little too much on the receiver group. Offensive line and scheme are also significant factors, and neither is doing much to set Caleb Williams up for early success. Chicago's front five was completely overmatched Sunday night in Houston, giving up seven sacks in a frustrating defeat. It was tough to watch the Bears keep trotting out the same basic protection plan only for their young quarterback to continue taking a beating from a ferocious Texans pass-rush. Something has to change if Williams is going to get on the right path as a rookie.Bengals deserved betterCincinnati is 0-2, but not all losses are created equal. Last week's defeat at the hands of the Patriots was cause for concern. This week's loss to the Chiefs, meanwhile, can arguably be considered a moral victory. The Bengals issued an important reminder that, if any team is built to beat Kansas City, they're it. Lou Anarumo's defense continued to give Andy Reid problems, and Joe Burrow was a late pass-interference call away from moving to 4-1 against Patrick Mahomes. The Bengals instead find themselves in a less-than-ideal hole to start the season, but they'll feel a lot better heading into next week after going shot for shot with the champs.Harbaugh cookingThe Chargers are 2-0 for the first time since 2012. Early-season wins over the Raiders and Panthers may not be enough for everyone to buy in just yet, but it sure seems like Jim Harbaugh is providing the kind of stability that has evaded this organization for well over a decade. J.K. Dobbins' sensational start continued this week with another 131 yards, and the Chargers even got two touchdowns out of Quentin Johnston. Keep an extra-close eye on the defense - new coordinator Jesse Minter has quickly brought this group up to speed on his Ravens/Michigan-style system. This team has a real chance to make some noise in the AFC playoff picture.wHaT's HiS tOp SpEeD?If you spend any time on Football Twitter, you're painfully aware that the discussion around Marvin Harrison Jr. following his dud of a debut focused on the No. 4 pick's top recorded speed being a paltry 16.7 mph. Some wondered whether Harrison, who declined to work out for teams leading up to the draft, was much slower than anyone had realized. Thankfully, it didn't take him long to dismantle that narrative in his second game. Harrison exploded for 130 yards and two long touchdowns in the first quarter alone as the Cardinals blew out the Rams. This generational draft prospect is going to be just fine.Kyler is back<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745350/cropped_GettyImages-2172226611.jpg?ts=1726440685" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745350/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172226611.jpg?ts=1726440685 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745350/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172226611.jpg?ts=1726440685 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745350/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172226611.jpg?ts=1726440685 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745350/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172226611.jpg?ts=1726440685 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745350/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172226611.jpg?ts=1726440685 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Speaking of the Cardinals, I'm pleased to inform you that Kyler Murray is extremely back. The former first overall pick had to ease his way back into action last year after recovering from a major knee injury, but after a complete offseason allowed him to return to full strength, he looks exactly like the electric quarterback we saw before he got hurt. Murray was back to making video game-like plays in Sunday's win over the Rams: He threw for 266 yards, ran for 59, and became the only quarterback this week to pass for three touchdowns. It may take some time for the Cardinals to emerge as consistent contenders, but they should be very fun to watch in the meantime.Hutch taking offAidan Hutchinson is the official way-too-early favorite for Defensive Player of the Year. The Lions edge rusher was unblockable Sunday afternoon against the Buccaneers, racking up 4.5 sacks to put him at 5.5 through two games. Hutchinson took a significant step toward elite status with 11.5 sacks as a sophomore last season, and this early dominance suggests he's lifting his game to yet another level. The Lions will have to budget for yet another market-setting contract - and they'll happily pay up.Vikings here to competeThe Vikings aren't NFC North afterthoughts. While they may lack the star power of their division rivals, this seems like a club that will defy expectations and work its way right into the mix by December. Brian Flores' defense can be a pesky matchup for even the best offenses in football, as six sacks and two turnovers from that group were key to this week's upset of the 49ers. But don't sleep on the offense either. Sam Darnold is proving more than capable of working around the occasional mistake to keep Kevin O'Connell's offense running at a more than acceptable level. His 97-yard touchdown strike to Justin Jefferson was a reminder of the talent that once made him a first-round pick.Seahawks ready to flySqueaking by Denver and New England for a pair of wins to start the season may not seem all that exciting. Look a little closer at Seattle's offense, though, and this thing is just about ready to take off. Geno Smith looked extremely comfortable in his second game in the Seahawks' new system, putting the team on his back with one big-time throw after another against the Patriots. Jaxon Smith-Njigba appears to be ready for a breakout too, as the second-year receiver tallied a team-high 12 catches for 117 yards on the day. Big plays were the selling point of Ryan Grubb's offense coming over from the University of Washington, and that's what we'll get when this group truly hits its stride. That unit working in tandem with a Mike Macdonald defense makes for an especially exciting pairing.Daniels has to protect himselfJayden Daniels has 26 rushing attempts through two games. That puts the Commanders rookie on an early 17-game pace for 221, which would shatter Lamar Jackson's quarterback record of 176. Some of those runs have been by design, while many have been scrambles under pressure. Either way, this volume isn't sustainable. Daniels has always been far too reckless about contact for a player of his size. The No. 2 overall pick getting banged up a bit in Sunday's win over the Giants, a game where he also took five sacks, should encourage the Commanders to do a better job of protecting him than they have so far. The team's future depends on it.<h3>Stat of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence has now lost seven straight starts, the longest active streak in the NFL. He has gone 294 days since his last victory as a starter (Houston Nov. 26, 2023), which is longer than drought between his last college victory and first NFL victory (289 days).— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNdirocco/status/1835448280639021358?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><h3>Quote of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
LaFleur: “I asked Malik why he didn’t throw it on that third down and he told me Josh threw up on the ball.”— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) <a href="https://twitter.com/mattschneidman/status/1835415770903499163?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2024</a>
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Key takeaways and analysis from Week 2 in the NFL

Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.<h3>Bears win anyway</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744307/cropped_GettyImages-2170848039.jpg?ts=1725852964" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744307/w220xh124_GettyImages-2170848039.jpg?ts=1725852964 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744307/w320xh180_GettyImages-2170848039.jpg?ts=1725852964 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744307/w640xh360_GettyImages-2170848039.jpg?ts=1725852964 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744307/w768xh432_GettyImages-2170848039.jpg?ts=1725852964 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744307/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2170848039.jpg?ts=1725852964 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>This is how you support a rookie quarterback, folks.Caleb Williams wasn't exactly spectacular in his long-awaited NFL debut, throwing for just 93 yards and failing to lead a single touchdown drive.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>In almost any other situation, a Week 1 dud from a No. 1 pick at quarterback would set Monday morning talk shows ablaze. Thankfully, we'll instead be discussing how this Bears team doesn't need its rookie signal-caller to be perfect.The special teams unit got Chicago in the end zone for the first time after a blocked punt in the third quarter, and the defense capped an outstanding performance with Tyrique Stevenson's go-ahead pick-6 in the fourth quarter.If you wanted to see more from a signal-caller who generated this much hype, you probably aren't alone. But remember: the transition from college to the NFL isn't seamless for most signal-callers. Sunday's result makes Williams the first quarterback since 2002 to win his debut after being selected No. 1 overall.The fact that the Bears were able to lift him up, rather than counting on him to single-handedly carry the franchise from the jump, should be considered promising for his chances at easing his way into the professional game. It's only a matter of time before his rare abilities become a factor as part of this team's impressive foundation.<h3>Richardson worth the wait</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744305/cropped_GettyImages-2168194116.jpg?ts=1725852899" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744305/w220xh124_GettyImages-2168194116.jpg?ts=1725852899 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744305/w320xh180_GettyImages-2168194116.jpg?ts=1725852899 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744305/w640xh360_GettyImages-2168194116.jpg?ts=1725852899 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744305/w768xh432_GettyImages-2168194116.jpg?ts=1725852899 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744305/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2168194116.jpg?ts=1725852899 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>Anthony Richardson was a fascinating draft prospect. Some evaluators were scared off by perceived (and overblown) accuracy issues at Florida. Others were mesmerized by the upside that came with unicorn-like athletic gifts.Doubters may feel vindicated by his 9-of-19 completion rate in the Colts' season opener. The believers, meanwhile, will point to the incredible 11.2 yards per attempt and, well, everything they saw with their eyes. If you're not in the latter category, now may be a good time to join.Richardson made the <a href="https://x.com/Colts/status/1832832736748327323">play of the week</a> early in Sunday's loss to the Texans, unloading under pressure for a monster touchdown strike to Alec Pierce. The 65.3 air yards on the pass represented the third-longest throw tracked by NextGenStats, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/BenjaminSolak/status/1832832962746040530">Benjamin Solak of ESPN</a>.His rare arm talent was also on display on <a href="https://x.com/Colts/status/1832863946098765969">this</a> impressive tight-window touchdown throw to Ashton Dulin.There are bound to be some ups and downs in the early stages of Richardson's game - nobody's denying that. And, if completion percentage is your definition of good quarterback play, perhaps you'll never truly respect his style.But it's these flashes - along with his dynamic abilities as a runner - that separate the good signal-callers from the great ones in today's game. If you want a difference-maker, you should be chasing this kind of upside. The Colts were bold enough to do it, and they may have a future MVP candidate as a result.<h3>No way out</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744306/cropped_GettyImages-2170884050.jpg?ts=1725852918" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744306/w220xh124_GettyImages-2170884050.jpg?ts=1725852918 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744306/w320xh180_GettyImages-2170884050.jpg?ts=1725852918 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744306/w640xh360_GettyImages-2170884050.jpg?ts=1725852918 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744306/w768xh432_GettyImages-2170884050.jpg?ts=1725852918 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744306/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2170884050.jpg?ts=1725852918 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Nick Cammett / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Hope springs eternal with every new NFL season, so it's no surprise that we were all forced to entertain the possibility that, by some miracle, Deshaun Watson would once again become a capable starting quarterback.While Watson's playing time has been sporadic since he joined the Browns in 2022, this season marks his third in Kevin Stefanski's system. Not only has he failed to progress in that time, but one could argue that fading arm talent is actually making him worse.Accuracy was a major issue for Watson in Sunday's loss to the Cowboys. He completed just 24 of 45 passes for 3.8 yards per attempt while also adding a pair of interceptions and taking six sacks. In any other situation, he'd soon find himself either on the bench or cut. But a truly unfathomable contract situation essentially gives the Browns no such option.A quarterback with two fully guaranteed $46-million salaries left on his deal is not going to be sitting on the sidelines. The Browns would take a dead-money hit of $173 million to move on from Watson before the 2025 season, so that almost certainly keeps him around for next year's $72.9 million cap hit, too.There's simply nothing Cleveland can do other than wait out this albatross of a contract and learn from what may be the worst trade and contract in NFL history. Pairing two mistakes of that magnitude together completely wasted an opportunity for a long-suffering organization to build a sustained competitor.<h3>New kickoff</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744308/cropped_GettyImages-2170458676.jpg?ts=1725853015" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744308/w220xh124_GettyImages-2170458676.jpg?ts=1725853015 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744308/w320xh180_GettyImages-2170458676.jpg?ts=1725853015 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744308/w640xh360_GettyImages-2170458676.jpg?ts=1725853015 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744308/w768xh432_GettyImages-2170458676.jpg?ts=1725853015 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744308/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2170458676.jpg?ts=1725853015 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Aaron M. Sprecher / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>It didn't take long for the dynamic kickoff to give us some excitement: Cardinals veteran DeeJay Dallas made history with his 96-yard score early on Sunday afternoon. The first touchdown will be what generates headlines in the coming days, but the real story is that the new format is trending toward being a bit of a letdown.Well under 40% of kickoffs so far this week have been returned. That may represent a higher rate than last season, but it's nowhere near the 70% we saw when teams were feeling out the new rules in the preseason.The probable reason: touchbacks bringing the ball out to the 30-yard line don't do enough to incentivize kickoff teams to keep it in the field of play.If return teams are already going to be bringing kicks back to that range when they get the opportunity, and at least pose the risk of ripping off an even longer return, it's only fair to assume that more and more kickoff teams will be content to send the ball through the end zone.Moving the touchback out to at least the 35-yard line could change the equation, but the league has suggested that any such change likely wouldn't be implemented during the season.So while all football fans should be happy with the player safety benefits of the dynamic kickoff, we may be a few further changes away from teams truly embracing it from a strategy standpoint.<h3>Quick slants</h3>Rough start for Cousins<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744310/cropped_GettyImages-2170257925.jpg?ts=1725854120" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744310/w220xh124_GettyImages-2170257925.jpg?ts=1725854120 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744310/w320xh180_GettyImages-2170257925.jpg?ts=1725854120 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744310/w640xh360_GettyImages-2170257925.jpg?ts=1725854120 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744310/w768xh432_GettyImages-2170257925.jpg?ts=1725854120 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744310/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2170257925.jpg?ts=1725854120 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>Kirk Cousins didn't have the expected impact in his Falcons debut, throwing for just 155 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in a loss to the Steelers. It'll likely take some time for him to settle back in after working his way back from last year's Achilles tear, but the schedule isn't going to do him any favors. Atlanta could be looking at a disastrous 0-3 to start the season with prime-time games against the Eagles and Chiefs coming up over the next two weeks. While that may not be insurmountable in the NFC South, the Falcons would have little room for error from that point forward.Bengals (don't) do it againA stunning season-opening loss to the Patriots now makes the Bengals 1-10 in the first two weeks of the season under Zac Taylor. As we've seen in recent seasons, early stumbles are no reason to count this team out. But how does this keep happening? It's hard not to think that the offense would have been better prepared to hit the ground running if Ja'Marr Chase wasn't in and out of practice due to a contract standoff. The Bengals' front office seems dead set on outclassing the Cowboys in the business of needlessly delaying inevitable extensions.New year, same PanthersLast year couldn't have gone much worse for the Panthers, so it was easy to feel like they might be heading back in the right direction after a productive offseason. And maybe they are. It's tough to draw conclusions based on one game. But opening the season with a 47-10 loss to the Saints feels like a whole lot more of the same. The offense remained feckless, with Bryce Young posting a 10.7 QBR that would have been his second-worst output last year. Things didn't go any better on the other side of the ball, as Carolina couldn't force a punt until the Saints were pulling starters in garbage time. It might be another long year for Panthers fans.Marv's breakout delayedThe Cardinals' offense had some good moments in Sunday's loss to the Bills, but the lack of involvement for Marvin Harrison Jr. was rather jarring. The highly touted receiver had one catch for four yards on three targets in his NFL debut. If you were one of those fantasy managers drafting him as a top-10 receiver, don't get discouraged by a slow start. Justin Jefferson had two catches in his NFL debut before going on to finish his rookie year with 1,400 yards. The Cardinals are well aware of what they have in Harrison, so it shouldn't be long before he gets involved in a big way.DJ's disaster game<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744218/cropped_GettyImages-2170861938.jpg?ts=1725828224" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744218/w220xh124_GettyImages-2170861938.jpg?ts=1725828224 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744218/w320xh180_GettyImages-2170861938.jpg?ts=1725828224 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744218/w640xh360_GettyImages-2170861938.jpg?ts=1725828224 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744218/w768xh432_GettyImages-2170861938.jpg?ts=1725828224 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744218/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2170861938.jpg?ts=1725828224 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Football fans got a unique behind-the-scenes look at the Giants' roster-building process when the team was featured in the first-ever offseason edition of Hard Knocks. There's something extra mystifying about seeing a team talk itself into another year of Daniel Jones only to immediately end up looking delusional. Jones averaged 4.4 yards per attempt in Sunday's loss to the Vikings, posting a minus-17.3% completion percentage above expectation, according to Next Gen Stats. He also threw two interceptions and took five sacks, garnering merciless boos from the home crowd. The silver lining for Giants fans is that they may be in the poll position for the No. 1 pick and a new quarterback next spring.Mixon rejuvenatedIt seems the football world was sleeping on the Texans' offseason addition of Joe Mixon. The veteran back was a workhorse in his Texans debut, taking 30 carries for 159 yards, his highest total since 2021. The Texans' offense is tough enough to stop with C.J. Stroud on the doorstep of elite QB status and Stefon Diggs joining a dynamic receiving corps. A meaningful upgrade to last year's run game (26th EPA/play, 27th success rate) could send this offense through the roof.Dobbins is hereJ.K. Dobbins being forced to settle for a one-year, $1.6-million contract with the Chargers is already looking a little silly. The former Ravens second-round pick seemingly needed less than one game to pass Gus Edwards on the depth chart, spearheading a power run game with 135 yards and one touchdown on just 10 carries. Dobbins has always had top-10 running back potential, but poor injury luck consistently held him back in Baltimore. Now healthy, he could be in for a massive year as the lead back on an offense that is going to run the ball no matter what.All-time terrible decisionAntonio Pierce's first game as the Raiders' full-time head coach gave us one of the worst fourth-down decisions you'll ever see in a professional football game. Facing 4th-and-1 from the Chargers' 43-yard line, trailing 16-10 with 7:15 to play, Pierce opted to send in the punt team. The Chargers promptly put together an eight-play, 92-yard touchdown drive to put the game out of reach and seal Jim Harbaugh's first win. NFL coaching staffs have limitless resources - there is no excuse for being this bad at fourth-down calls. And yet here we are, in the year 2024, still talking about decisions that any teenage football fan could get right based on their Madden experience.<h3>Stat of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Since signing a four-year, $160 million contract with Giants before last season, Daniel Jones has thrown more TD passes to the opposition (3 pick 6s) than to his own team (2 TD passes)— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshDubowAP/status/1832974858705330347?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2024</a>
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Key takeaways and analysis from Week 1 in the NFL

The 2024 NFL Draft began Thursday with a drama-filled first round. But this party's only getting ...

The 2024 NFL Draft began Thursday with a drama-filled first round. But this party's only getting started.Day 2 begins Friday at 7 p.m. ET. Here's our best guess as to how things could shake out when teams are back on the clock for Rounds 2-3.<h3>Round 2</h3>33. Buffalo Bills: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Bills finally stay put and draft the biggest playmaker at wide receiver on the board after moving back twice in the first round.34. New England Patriots: Troy Franklin, WR, OregonThe Patriots have their quarterback of the future in Drake Maye. The next order of business: Making sure he gets a better supporting cast than Mac Jones.35. Arizona Cardinals: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, AlabamaMcKinstry should come into Arizona as a starting-caliber cornerback opposite Sean Murphy-Bunting.36. Washington Commanders: Kingsley Suamataia, OL, BYUThe Commanders are in the market for multiple upgrades at offensive line in an effort to set up Jayden Daniels for success. Suamataia is a future starter at left tackle.37. Los Angeles Chargers: Roman Wilson, WR, MichiganIt's only a matter of time before Jim Harbaugh picks a Michigan prospect. Wilson helps the Chargers' receiving corps and reunites with his former college coach.38. Tennessee Titans: Adisa Isaac, EDGE, Penn StateThe Titans need to upgrade their edge-rush spot opposite Harold Landry III. Isaac can compete to start from Day 1.39. Carolina Panthers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL, OregonArguably the best true center in the draft, Powers-Johnson beefs up the Panthers' offensive line and serves as a wall for Bryce Young.40. Commanders: Cooper DeJean, CB, IowaWashington gets a steal in DeJean, an instinctive and versatile defensive back who many considered to be a first-round lock.41. Green Bay Packers: Payton Wilson, LB, NC StateWilson has a bunch of medical concerns, but he'll give the Packers a dangerous 1-2 pairing at linebacker with Quay Walker - if he can avoid the blue tent.42. Houston Texans: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&amp;MCooper plays 100 miles per hour and that kind of intensity feels perfect for a DeMeco Ryans defense that could use help at linebacker.43. Atlanta Falcons: Marshawn Kneeland, EDGE, Western MichiganNo pass-rusher on the Falcons posted more than 6.5 sacks last season. Kneeland's exactly the injection Atlanta needs in that department.44. Las Vegas Raiders: Jer'Zhan Newton, DL, IllinoisThe Raiders went with the best player available when they took Brock Bowers on Day 1 and that continues here. Newton's an outstanding interior pass-rusher who should have been a first-round pick.45. New Orleans Saints: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida StateDerek Carr could use a big, freakish receiving threat. There isn't one better than Coleman, who was a contested-catch monster at Florida State.46. Indianapolis Colts: Max Melton, CB, RutgersConnecting high-end athletes to the Colts is always a pretty safe bet. Melton fills a need at cornerback with impressive physical gifts.47. New York Giants: Jonathon Brooks, RB, TexasThe first running back comes off the board at last. Brooks has Saquon Barley-sized shoes to fill but if there's any back in this draft class who can be a game-changer, it's him.48. Jacksonville Jaguars: T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa StateThe Jaguars got their big-play receiver in Round 1, but they can't afford to ignore their cornerback needs much longer.49. Cincinnati Bengals: Ladd McConkey, WR, GeorgiaThere's no telling what'll happen with Bengals receiver Tee Higgins' trade request. A high-floor insurance policy like McConkey would be a wise investment.50. Philadelphia Eagles: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, ClemsonPhilly has to find a way to improve at linebacker. Trotter's an instinctive player who could follow in his father's footsteps and emerge as a long-term leader in the middle for the Eagles.51. Pittsburgh Steelers: Zach Frazier, OL, West VirginiaThe Steelers aren't done rebuilding their offensive line just yet. Pittsburgh grabs Frazier to shore up the center position - a major weakness last year for the AFC North team.52. Los Angeles Rams: Tyler Nubin, S, MinnesotaThe Rams continue to upgrade defensively by taking the class' No. 1 safety. Nubin's a well-rounded prospect who can contribute in all areas of the defensive game.53. Eagles: Blake Fisher, OL, Notre DameFisher's a great choice as a developmental offensive tackle who already comes with starting experience. Perhaps he can take over for Lane Johnson in the future.54. Cleveland Browns: Braden Fiske, DL, Florida StateFiske doesn't have ideal size, but opposing linemen will have a tough time dealing with his explosiveness as a pass-rusher. He's the kind of player the Browns need as an interior complement to Myles Garrett.55. Miami Dolphins: Christian Haynes, OL, ConnecticutThe Dolphins suffered a massive departure on the interior after losing Robert Hunt in free agency. Haynes could very well become a starter with some polish.56. Dallas Cowboys: Trey Benson, RB, Florida StateThe Cowboys miss out on Brooks to address their running back need, but Benson has superstar potential, too. His combination of speed and contact balance could make him a threat to take any play to the house.57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, MissouriThe Buccaneers' cornerback room got seriously thin after the loss of Carlton Davis. Rakestraw beefs up a group headlined by Jamel Dean.58. Packers: Jaden Hicks, S, Washington StateAnother defensive selection, Hicks gives the Packers two intriguing safeties along with Xavier McKinney.59. Texans: Mike Sainristil, CB, MichiganDeMeco Ryans would love to add a blue-chip defensive prospect like Sainristil. It's not hard to imagine Sainristil taking the starting nickel cornerback role from Desmond King.60. Bills: Kamari Lassiter, CB, GeorgiaThe Bills turn their attention to the defensive backfield after opening Day 2 with a receiver. Lassiter has the instincts to overcome anything he may lack in athleticism.61. Detroit Lions: Kris Jenkins, DL, MichiganA stout run defender with NFL bloodlines and a championship with Michigan sounds like the perfect fit for Dan Campbell.62. Baltimore Ravens: Cooper Beebe, OL, Kansas StateBeebe's a powerful player who slides in nicely as the starting left guard for a Ravens offensive line that lost a few key pieces this offseason.63. San Francisco 49ers: Andru Phillips, CB, KentuckyThe 49ers take a flyer on a physical cornerback who adds valuable depth to their secondary.64. Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Paul, OL, HoustonThe Chiefs made their big addition at receiver with Xavier Worthy in Round 1. A left tackle is the next priority, and Paul has the size and athletic gifts to develop into a solid starter at the spot.<h3>Round 3</h3>65. Panthers: Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama66. Cardinals: Javon Baker, WR, UCF67. Commanders: Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington68. Patriots: Kiran Amegadjie, OL, Yale69. Chargers: Blake Corum, RB, Michigan70. Giants: Ja'Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas71. Cardinals: Mason McCormick, OL, South Dakota State72. New York Jets: Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky73. Cowboys: Tanor Bortolini, OL, Wisconsin74. Falcons: Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri75. Bears: Jonah Elliss, EDGE, Utah76. Denver Broncos: Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Washington77. Raiders: Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina78. Commanders: Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest79. Falcons: Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama80. Bengals: Michael Hall Jr., DL, Ohio State81. Seattle Seahawks: Renardo Green, CB, Florida State82. Colts: Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina83. Rams: Brandon Coleman, OL, TCU84. Steelers: Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington85. Browns: Junior Colson, LB, Michigan86. Texans: Brandon Dorlus, DL, Oregon87. Cowboys: Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State88. Packers: Mekhi Wingo, DL, LSU89. Buccaneers: Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State90. Cardinals: Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee91. Packers: Jarrian Jones, CB, Florida State92. Buccaneers: Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky93. Ravens: Austin Booker, EDGE, Kansas94. 49ers: Roger Rosengarten, OL, Washington95. Bills: Maason Smith, DL, LSU96. Jaguars: T'Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas97. Bengals: Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin98. Steelers: Javon Bullard, S, Georgia99. Rams: Ruke Orhorhoro, DL, Clemson100. Commanders: Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State

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theScore's prospect rankings series takes a position-by-position look at the top players in the 2024 NFL Draft.Top 50 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2877628" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2877628">QB</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884554" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884554">RB</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884479" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884479">WR</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884485" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884485">TE</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884555" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884555">OL</a> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884550" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884550">ED</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884556" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884556">DL</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884552" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884552">LB</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884551" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884551">CB</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884553" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884553">SAF</a><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Top 50 big board" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-TBijB" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/TBijB/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="1738" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>
Top 50 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2877628" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2877628">QB</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884554" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884554">RB</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884479" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884479">WR</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884485" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884485">TE</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884555" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884555">OL</a> <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884550" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884550">ED</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884556" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884556">DL</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884552" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884552">LB</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884551" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884551">CB</a> | <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2884553" href="https://www.thescore.com/news/2884553">SAF</a>

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The Minnesota Vikings are expected to sign free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold to a one-year, $10-million contract, according to <a href="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1767416315935953277?s=20">NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero</a>.News of the agreement with Darnold comes the same day Minnesota saw longtime starter Kirk Cousins reach a deal to join the Atlanta Falcons.The No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Darnold lasted only three seasons with the New York Jets before being traded to the Carolina Panthers. His struggles continued after the change of scenery, however, as he started only 17 games across two years in Carolina before departing as a free agent.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Darnold settled for a backup role with the San Francisco 49ers last season, serving as the No. 2 quarterback behind Brock Purdy. He started one game for the NFC champions, finishing the year completing 28 of 46 passes for 297 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.The 26-year-old could temporarily be penciled in as Minnesota's starting quarterback, pending a significant addition in April's draft. The Vikings currently hold the No. 11 overall pick after posting a 7-10 record in 2023.

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Sam Darnold #14 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass in the first half during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Santa Clara, California.

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Sunday Rundown recaps the most important developments from the day's action and examines their significance moving forward.<h3>A rare opportunity</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611578/cropped_GettyImages-1925911478.jpg?ts=1705281189" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611578/w220xh124_GettyImages-1925911478.jpg?ts=1705281189 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611578/w320xh180_GettyImages-1925911478.jpg?ts=1705281189 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611578/w640xh360_GettyImages-1925911478.jpg?ts=1705281189 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611578/w768xh432_GettyImages-1925911478.jpg?ts=1705281189 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611578/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1925911478.jpg?ts=1705281189 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty</figcaption></figure>How 'bout them Cowboys?This was supposed to be the year. Entering the playoffs as the No. 2 seed and fresh off posting their best point differential since 1968, anything short of a trip to the NFC title game was going to be a disappointment for Dallas. Yet that somehow doesn't even begin to describe what happened Sunday afternoon.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Green Bay raced out to a 27-0 lead before Dallas could get its bearings on either side of the ball. The offense made a charge in the second half, but it was too little, too late - there was no coming back from that start. The 48-32 loss makes the Cowboys the first team to fall to a No. 7 seed since the NFL's playoff expansion. And it was also their first home defeat of the season.Naturally, the football world is now waiting to hear about Mike McCarthy's future. Fans were calling for his job before halftime, and Jerry Jones dodging coaching questions postgame only added to the speculation.It would be wildly unfair to pin all of this on McCarthy alone. He's led Dallas to three consecutive 12-win seasons, the organization's most victories over three years since the Super Bowl teams of the '90s. And it should be noted that Jones has stood by his coaches amid much less regular-season success before. But this one still feels different.Even the biggest Cowboys haters will admit this team is close. The pieces are in place. McCarthy might get them there; he might not. But the mounting pressure to get it done now, combined with a truly historic crop of available coaches, should lead to Jones making a change.Whether it's Bill Belichick, Jim Harbaugh, Mike Vrabel, Pete Carroll, or one of the rising star assistants, there is no shortage of candidates for ownership to make a meaningful upgrade at head coach. Even if Jones hasn't lost complete faith in McCarthy, the time is now.Running it back isn't an option if you can get one of the best coaches in the game.<h3>Implosion complete</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611767/cropped_GettyImages-1935944406.jpg?ts=1705381782" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611767/w220xh124_GettyImages-1935944406.jpg?ts=1705381782 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611767/w320xh180_GettyImages-1935944406.jpg?ts=1705381782 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611767/w640xh360_GettyImages-1935944406.jpg?ts=1705381782 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611767/w768xh432_GettyImages-1935944406.jpg?ts=1705381782 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611767/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1935944406.jpg?ts=1705381782 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Julio Aguilar / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Speaking of coaches on the hot seat: Nick Sirianni might be in trouble.The Eagles were 10-1 at the end of November. They went 1-6 from that point forward, with the dagger being a blowout loss to the Bucs in wild-card action on Monday night. It's not often we see a team go from Super Bowl favorite to colossal embarrassment in seven short weeks.We could say it came out of nowhere, but that wouldn't quite be true. Despite the impressive start, it always felt like the defending NFC champs were missing something.Jalen Hurts wasn't playing at the level he had enjoyed last season, even though some all-important QB wins were vaulting him to the top of the MVP conversation. By the end of the year, he looked lost in the pocket. While the Eagles would like to get more out of their $51-million quarterback, a milquetoast offense so regularly asking him to create his own answers for the blitz, among other things, certainly isn't helping.Sirianni did attempt to make adjustments on the defensive side of the ball, installing Matt Patricia as the play-caller down the stretch. But the issues only snowballed from there. Coverage busts and tackling calamities saw Philly's defense get picked apart by Tampa Bay's 17th-ranked passing attack.Firing Sirianni so soon after a Super Bowl appearance would be bold. It's entirely possible that the front office isn't even willing to consider it. But after a meaningful stretch in which the Eagles were legitimately one of the worst teams in football, and the coaching staff was doing nothing to help pull them out of the funk, how can you have any confidence that he's the one to salvage this mess?There are a number of star coaches on the market, many of whom would likely jump at the opportunity to coach this roster. Can the Eagles afford to pass that up?There's no time for patience when you're chasing a Super Bowl.<h3>Love ascending</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611568/cropped_GettyImages-1925910571.jpg?ts=1705275287" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611568/w220xh124_GettyImages-1925910571.jpg?ts=1705275287 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611568/w320xh180_GettyImages-1925910571.jpg?ts=1705275287 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611568/w640xh360_GettyImages-1925910571.jpg?ts=1705275287 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611568/w768xh432_GettyImages-1925910571.jpg?ts=1705275287 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611568/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1925910571.jpg?ts=1705275287 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Cooper Neill / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Don't let Dallas choking in the playoffs steal all the spotlight from Sunday's blowout - that's not exactly a new development.The Packers going on the road to beat the Cowboys on Wild Card Weekend was also, and perhaps more importantly, the confirmation of everything we saw from their young quarterback down the stretch. Jordan Love is a budding superstar.It hasn't been the cleanest of seasons for the first-time starter. After a spectacular debut against the Bears, I wrote about how Green Bay could be transitioning to a third straight franchise-caliber quarterback. That notion seemed a little premature by the end of October when some offensive struggles resulted in the Packers dropping to 2-5.As it turns out, though, there was bound to be some growing pains with such a young roster. The flashes were the real indicator of what was to come. The Packers offense started to clean up some rookie-like mistakes in November, and the wins soon followed.Love has been the key to it all, showing exactly why the Packers were willing to make him a first-round pick in 2020 despite Aaron Rodgers' presence. He was near perfect in Dallas, completing 16 of 21 passes for 272 yards (13 yards per attempt!), three touchdowns, and no turnovers.The Utah State product has always had top-end arm talent and the athleticism to create outside of structure. After taking a few years to develop behind Rodgers, he's also now demonstrating the accuracy, poise, and vision to put it all together.The Packers have their work cut out for them next week in San Francisco, but that's more about Joe Barry's responsibilities to slow down Kyle Shanahan's offense. This season is an enormous victory for Green Bay, no matter what happens from here on out.Love might be a top-10 quarterback heading into next season. How in the world do the Packers keep doing this?<h3>Texans vindicated</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611419/cropped_GettyImages-1923329713.jpg?ts=1705188442" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611419/w220xh124_GettyImages-1923329713.jpg?ts=1705188442 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611419/w320xh180_GettyImages-1923329713.jpg?ts=1705188442 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611419/w640xh360_GettyImages-1923329713.jpg?ts=1705188442 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611419/w768xh432_GettyImages-1923329713.jpg?ts=1705188442 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611419/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1923329713.jpg?ts=1705188442 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Cooper Neill / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>This space could again be used to talk about how fun the Texans are right now. Houston seems destined for great things with DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud leading the way, and a playoff victory in Year 1 of this new era is only the beginning of that journey.But Houston's resurgence has been clear for the better part of the last few months. Instead, let's take it back to April's draft.The Texans stole the show in the first round by following up the Stroud pick by striking a blockbuster deal, moving from No. 12 to No. 3 to get Will Anderson Jr. While the Alabama pass-rusher certainly deserved such a high selection, the Texans drew some intense criticism for surrendering a package of picks that, among other assets, included their 2024 first-rounder.Even with Stroud and Anderson in the mix, it seemed reasonable to suggest that this team was still at least another year away from opening a competitive window. Had that pick ended up in the top five, for example, Houston could have been passing up an opportunity to land a generational receiver talent like Marvin Harrison Jr.Well, so much for that.The Texans eliminating the Browns in the wild-card round guarantees that the pick sent to Arizona will be later than the 2024 first-rounder they still own from Cleveland in the Deshaun Watson trade.Did the Texans make the Anderson trade knowing they'd be in this position? Probably not. But it sure seems like they did so with supreme confidence that they'd be competitive enough to have no regrets next April. And they were right.It's been an incredible year in Houston, and it's not done yet.<h3>Quick slants</h3>Right on time<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611461/cropped_GettyImages-1931251400.jpg?ts=1705204115" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611461/w220xh124_GettyImages-1931251400.jpg?ts=1705204115 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611461/w320xh180_GettyImages-1931251400.jpg?ts=1705204115 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611461/w640xh360_GettyImages-1931251400.jpg?ts=1705204115 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611461/w768xh432_GettyImages-1931251400.jpg?ts=1705204115 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611461/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1931251400.jpg?ts=1705204115 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>We've been waiting all year for this. No matter what Patrick Mahomes did, this offense was always going to need another reliable target for the Chiefs to make a run. Enter Rashee Rice. The second-round rookie proved more than capable of a high-volume role in Saturday's win over the Dolphins, turning his 12 targets into eight catches for a season-high 130 yards and one touchdown. You didn't think the Chiefs would go away that quietly, did you?Lions won the trade, tooThe Rams will forever be seen as the big winners of the Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff trade. That's how it works when you swing big for the quarterback who leads you to a Super Bowl. But that deal was every bit as crucial for the Lions. Detroit received a pair of first-round picks that, through some savvy trade work, helped it land key pieces like Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Sam LaPorta. And while it seemed like Goff was a throw-in, the veteran quarterback has been a key figure in revitalizing this organization. Goff and the Lions outdueling Stafford and the Rams for the franchise's first playoff win in 32 years is as good as it gets for playoff football. Detroit is going to be an incredible postseason atmosphere for years to come.Rams back in the mixThe Rams' short- and long-term future was decidedly murky this time last year. Sean McVay was worn out and considering retirement after a 5-12 season, injuries were mounting for an aging Stafford, and some ultra-aggressive personnel moves left the roster in shambles. And yet here they were, a few plays away from knocking off an outstanding Lions team on the road in the playoffs. McVay recommitted himself early in the offseason and teamed up with Les Snead to rebuild the roster with a loaded draft class. The on-field work was equally impressive, and turning such a young group into a legitimate contender should be considered McVay's best work yet. The Rams can expect to be back here next year. And they'll likely be there more often than not for as long as McVay leads the way.Bills injuries piling upThe Bills are an absolute wagon. They've completely righted the ship after some midseason turmoil, and Josh Allen is playing as well as any quarterback in the league. This season could very well be Buffalo's best opportunity to chase down its first Super Bowl in franchise history. Keep an eye on the injury situation, though. An already thin defense lost several more starters in Monday's win over the Steelers, with Taron Johnson, Christian Benford, and Terrel Bernard among those sidelined. That's not how you want to head into a divisional-round matchup with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. The Bills will have to hope that at least a few of their banged-up starters can get back in time for Sunday night.Decision time in Miami<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611486/cropped_GettyImages-1931130250.jpg?ts=1705237308" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611486/w220xh124_GettyImages-1931130250.jpg?ts=1705237308 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611486/w320xh180_GettyImages-1931130250.jpg?ts=1705237308 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611486/w640xh360_GettyImages-1931130250.jpg?ts=1705237308 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611486/w768xh432_GettyImages-1931130250.jpg?ts=1705237308 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/611486/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1931130250.jpg?ts=1705237308 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Tua Tagovailoa is a productive player. He's also been a good fit for Mike McDaniel's system. After leading the league in passing this season, Tagovailoa will be looking for an extension that makes him one of the NFL's highest-paid quarterbacks. Saturday's loss to the Chiefs all but confirms that the Dolphins should have no interest in such a deal. Those contracts are difficult to justify if your quarterback hasn't shown the ability to elevate the offense around him. To this point, that's where we are with Tagovailoa. While letting him play out the last year of his deal is the most likely scenario, there should be nothing stopping Miami from going in a new direction as soon as next season. It's worth considering whether veteran quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins or Geno Smith could be the final piece for this team.Don't blame TomlinSteelers fans are going to be annoyed at the continued lack of playoff success. That's a fair gripe. But let's be honest: Pittsburgh had no business even being in the postseason with the quarterbacks on this roster. Looking beyond the final game, this was yet another year of the Steelers outperforming their talent level and willing their way into the playoffs. That's a credit, first and foremost, to Mike Tomlin. There have been rumblings that his future with the team is somewhat unsettled, and the longtime head coach walking out of his postgame presser won't exactly put those questions to bed. But the Steelers need to find a way to get this sorted out. There aren't many teams in the league who wouldn't jump at the chance to hire one of the best coaches in football.Bucs defy the oddsThe Bucs are off to the divisional round after putting the Eagles out of their misery on Monday night. Philly's collapse will be the main talking point from the wild-card finale, but be sure to give Tampa Bay its credit, too. An all-in approach to win with Tom Brady left the organization carrying more than $81 million in dead money on the salary cap this season. That would have been a totally reasonable excuse for a rough year. Except the Bucs, led by a resurgent Baker Mayfield on a $4-million deal, went on to win the NFC South. It'll be fascinating to see what this team can do with some money to spend in the offseason ahead.Browns' road failuresThe Browns defense getting shredded by the Texans was a surprising development over the weekend. Maybe it shouldn't have been. In one of the most bizarre statistical splits you'll ever see, Cleveland's defense finished the year allowing 13.9 points per game at home and 31.3 points per contest on the road. That's the NFL's largest home-road differential since 1982, according to <a href="https://x.com/Jake_Trotter/status/1746630898366255140?s=20">ESPN</a>. How could this possibly happen? Your guess is as good as mine.<h3>Stat of the week</h3><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Jordan Love in December and January 🏈 69.4% completion (3rd in NFL) 🏈 14 TDs (1st) 🏈 90.7 <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PFF</a> OFF grade (1st) 🏈 90.3 <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PFF</a> PASS grade (1st) 🏈 15 Big Time Throws (2nd) 🏈 0.328 EPA/play (1st) 🏈 7.4 CPOE (1st) 🏈 53.5% success rate (2nd) <a href="https://t.co/8BHHdurWXU">pic.twitter.com/8BHHdurWXU</a>— Ross Uglem (@RossUglem) <a href="https://twitter.com/RossUglem/status/1746936958582980921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>

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