Joshua Dobbsthe beautiful story
Joshua Dobbs is perhaps the most unlikely attraction of the season. After a surprise victory against the Falcons without knowing the games or even his teammates, Joshua Dobbs took his team to a valuable victory in the race for playoffs in NFC.
The Vikings can believe in a qualification in playoffsand seem to have found a new leader. It may or may not work, but a “harmless” trade may have just saved the Minnesota franchise’s season.
The Panthers are in decline
Less than a year ago, the Panthers completed an encouraging year with 7 victories and took the risk of going up in the draft to take Bryce Young in 1st position. If the latter suffers, and the comparison with CJ Stroud hurts, it is too early to draw conclusions after 9 matches.
What is worrying is that other gaming sectors are not doing better. The defense, so dominant last season, only performs against weak teams. The running game is absent, while Miles Sanders was the big acquisition of the pre-season. Finally, Frank Reich is lost and does not inspire his players with anything. This team has no captain or management.
Bill Belichick, this has to stop
In decline for years, the Patriots imploded (again) against the Colts, subjecting European fans to an absolute purge on German soil. The Patriots’ offense is difficult to watch, proving once again that Belichick’s stubbornness in bringing back old players prevents fresh ideas from coming up.
Symbol of the loss of confidence of this team, the collective failure also applies to special teams, although a specialty of the historic coach of the Patriots. To the point of making absurd decisions like this punt without a returner.
Ultimately, perhaps that was what it took to decide Robert Kraft to turn the page, because it no longer seems possible to justify keeping Belichick for future years.
CJ Stroud is a phenom and DeMeco Ryans is Coach of the Year
Not everything was perfect, like his interception at the end of the match which could have cost the victory, but CJ Stroud remains an exceptional player. Author of a new game with more than 350 yards, he led his team to overthrow the Bengals with full confidence.
With this young quarterback, the Texans also have the chance to have an extraordinary coach in DeMeco Ryans. An incredible leader during his career, he was able to transpose this as a coach. This team walks on water, and the public wants to see Houston play. This is an incredible revival for this franchise.
Steelers defense is historic
How can the Steelers be 6 wins for 3 losses with such an amorphous attack? With a historic defense obviously. The defensive squad carries this team every week, the Steelers having never managed this season to make more yards than the opponent.
Two interceptions saved this franchise, which plays on a wire every week but always finds a way to win. In an AFC North that is tighter than ever, not sure that it will be enough, however.
Baltimore doesn’t know how to conclude
The Ravens have lost three games this season: against the Colts, Steelers and Browns. In each of these matches, Baltimore had the opportunity to win several times. But this team cannot “kill” matches, and leaves itself unnecessarily within shooting range.
Up by 15 points, the Ravens made a series of bad choices like the pick six by Lamar Jackson. Coaching or player problem? Impossible to say. But Baltimore is making life more complicated week after week.
The bye week was good for the Niners
Goodbye to the 49ers of three consecutive defeats, (again) hello to the Niners at the start of the season. San Francisco crushed the Jaguars, despite having a series of 5 victories, with a clear score of 34 to 3. Brock Purdy has put his mind right, Deebo Samuel is back, so is the defense…
In short, life is good on the bay.
Kyler Muray is back
A year after his serious injury, Kyler Murray was back on a football field. If he didn’t perform well (understandable for a return)he brought life back to an amorphous attack, and led his team to victory. He still has half a season to prove that he is the future of this franchise.
In addition, he offered us a typical extraordinary action of the player.
Kickers are people too!
Five teams (Cardinals, Browns, Lions, Texans, Seahawks) won the game on a last-second field goal. This is an NFL record. Kickers are often singled out when they miss, so we might as well pay tribute when they succeed.
The Giants in distress
The Giants are playing with a backup quarterback and have not been spared from injuries. But it’s the team as a whole that seems to have given up. Wink Martindale’s defense just conceded 640 yards against the Cowboys, in a game where the players didn’t even seem to want to be on the field.
A year after his title of coach of the year, Brian Daboll is on the brink of collapse and may not survive the disaster that is the 2023 season.
