Tag Archive for: NFL

Mike McDaniel has received an extension through 2028.

BREAKING: Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel receives extension through 2028

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Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has seen enough from Mike McDaniel, in the best way possible. On Friday morning, the third-year head coach received a contract extension all the way through 2028, per ESPN’s Jeff Darlington. The details of the contract have yet to be revealed.

In the past, Dolphins head coaches receiving extensions were preludes to them being fired. In 2011, Tony Sparano received a 2-year contract extension, only to be fired later that same year when the team underperformed. Similarly, head coach Joe Philbin received an additional year on his contract back in 2015, only to be fired after a 1-3 start to the season.

But unlike his predecessors, Mike McDaniel has led the Miami Dolphins to two straight winning seasons and two consecutive playoff appearances. The only other two coaches in Dolphins history to achieve that were Dave Wannstedt and the legendary Don Shula.

When the Miami Dolphins hired Mike McDaniel, it was after being the only team to even grant him an interview. The reward for that gamble is a top-10 offense in the past two years, and a franchise quarterback that has been rebuilt from the ground up.

During a recent interview with Dan Le Batard on his YouTube channel, Tagovailoa finally opened up about how beat down he had felt when Brian Flores was the head coach. His confidence had been destroyed, his desire to play the game had been all but eliminated. But Mike McDaniel stepped in, and on day one he made sure Tagovailoa knew he was going to get the support he was missing.

The result has been astounding. McDaniel tailored the offense around Tagovailoa’s best traits, and Tagovailoa responded by being one of the statistically best quarterbacks in the NFL the past two years. It also led to the Miami Dolphins deciding to reward Tagovailoa with a massive 4-year, $212.4 million contract extension with $167.1 million guaranteed.

The only thing that Mike McDaniel has yet to do – and it needs to be addressed to silence the doubters – is win a playoff game. Miami has made it to the playoffs the past two years, but they were eliminated immediately both times. The Dolphins are hoping that the team’s health will endure into the late months of the season this time around, rather than having to limp towards the finish line with a decimated roster.

Mike McDaniel’s story is one of growth, innovation, and a very real change of culture and atmosphere. The Miami Dolphins are no longer the league’s pushover or punching bag. They are a real contender, they are a destination spot for free agents seeking a championship, and that is largely due to McDaniel’s influence.

If he continues to evolve as a head coach, then Dolphins fans everywhere can expect to enjoy a very long tenure of success and excitement. The window to victory has never been more open.

Miami Dolphins Training Camp Week 5 Review: Three Yards Per Carry

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August 19, 2024
No practice today, as they changed the schedule for a walk-through not open to media.  Instead, we have Mike McDaniel do his press conference, where he revealed that WR River Cracraft will miss “some time” with an upper body injury.
Others nursing injuries include Cam Smith who is “week to week” and RB Chris Brooks who is in the concussion protocol.  David Long jr. was available to return in the game so he is fine.  On Odell Beckham Jr., Coach McDaniel revealed that Beckham will not participate this week, but is “progressing” as expected.  The Dolphins signed RB Anthony McFarland and LB Dequan Jackson to fill out the roster for the final week of training camp.
3YPC Player of the Practice: N/A *walk-through*
August 20, 2024

 

No orange today as yesterday was a walk-through.  I will also not witness practice as a short practice is planned with a trip to Tampa this afternoon.  I will also take advantage of this to get a head start on the road.  This morning we were met with an assistant coach availability featuring Special teams Coordinator Danny Crossman, Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith, and Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver.

 

Danny Crossman hypothesized that it will take at least 4 games into the regular season to “settle” strategy around the NFL for the new kickoff.  Crossman also revealed that the Kickoff duty battle is ongoing between punter Jake Bailey and place kicker Jason Sanders.

 

Frank Smith expanded on what fullback Alec Ingold said last week about “testing the limits of the offense”.  Smith said that sometimes it’s about small variations and additions to what you did before. That’s a fancy way of saying that they will augment the disguise of their offense.

 

Last up was Anthony Weaver who had a very positive and sunny disposition on everything from his interior defensive line, to Channing Tindall, to the UDFA corner backs, Isaiah Johnson, Storm Duck, and Jason Maitre.  The money quote came when he said: “I would not rule out one of those guys helping us out before the season is over.”

 

The Dolphins placed WR Willie Snead, OG Sean Harlow on IR, and released RB Savon Ahmed.  They added RB Zander Horvath who is 6′-3″, 230 lbs and WR Jadon Janke, who is 6′-3″, 210 lbs to help them with snaps in preseason game versus the Tampa Bay Bucs.
3YPC Player of the Practice: N/A *walk-through*
August 21, 2024 (Joint Practice with the Tampa Bay Bucs)
Mike McDaniel kicks off practice with a pre-practice press conference, and he reveals that “some” starters will play in the game versus the Tampa Bay Bucs.  Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle will be suite dup and “can” practice, but won’t so as to not aggravate any lingering injuries.  He also made note of some ongoing camp battles that are yet to be settled.
Practice begins with Jevon Holland, and Anthony Walker out.  Benito Jones returns after a long absence, and just in time to be faced with real competition for his job from Brandon Pili.  If Pili does not play in the game against the Bucs, I would worry if I were Benito Jones.  The 1v1 turkey shoot features a Jonnu Smith mossing of a defender, and another deep throw completed for a TD to Jody Fortson.
After an extended install period, we get to 11v11 and we are treated to very short series work by both 1st teams.  The Dolphins defense stands tall in one series allowing only one plus play of 12 yards on a screen, after registering three QB sacks.  Two by Zach Sieler, and one by Calais Campbell.  The Dolphins offense seemed to concentrate on rolling out their new diversified run game, and had one eye catching 25 yard TD run by Raheem Mostert.
Practice concludes with a 2 minute offense session that saw both offenses go nowhere and then ended with a situational red zone period.  The ball was placed on the 8 yard line, and Tua and company complete a screen for a TD.  Baker Mayfield and his group, stall a bit and then we have a situational series.  In this series, the Dolphins force a 4th down play, where Calais Campbell batted down a Baker Mayfield pass to “win” the session.  The Dolphins then stormed the field to celebrate. Practice ends.  It was a tough call between Sieler and Campbell for the practice player of the game, but I went with Calais Campbell who was a tough guy to block all day.
3YPC Player of the Practice:  Calais Campbell

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State of the Fins: Where Miami Dolphins stand with just 3 games left.

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In the wake of Monday night’s devastating collapse against the Titans during prime time, the Miami Dolphins faced a critical crossroads heading into their next matchup against the Jets: succumb to a potential repeat of last year’s December meltdown by continuing to lose, or regroup, rebound, and return to the dominating Dolphins football seen throughout the season with a bounce back win.

 

In an impressive display of resilience, the Dolphins chose the latter path, securing a resounding 30-0 shutout victory at home against the Jets despite a significant absence of key players, including WR Tyreek Hill, CB Xavien Howard, S Jevon Holland, S Deshon Elliot, G Robert Hunt, C Connor Williams, T Isaiah Wynn, OLB Jaelan Phillips, and LB Jerome Baker.

 

Describing this performance as merely resilient would be an understatement. It was a testament to the team’s fortitude amidst a blend of crucial injuries, numerous prevailing narratives circulating throughout the NFL media, and the broader context of rebounding from their most disheartening loss of the season thus far.

 

Amidst numerous narratives, the spotlight landed on Tua Tagovailoa, Mike McDaniel, and the offense grappling with the challenge of functioning without the league-deserving MVP, Tyreek Hill.

 

Fans were banking on the Jaylen Waddle show after the hope for the Cheetah’s appearance against the Jets faded abruptly as the inactive list revealed Hill’s unexpected absence – the first game he would miss in his short Dolphins tenure.

 

8 receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown against a solid Jets secondary is what Jaylen Waddle racked up in the absence of Hill. Putting to sleep all doubts of whether he could be a reliable WR1 for the Fins, Jaylen Waddle emerged as a standout force. Simultaneously, his performance effectively buried any uncertainties surrounding the potency of this Dolphins offense without Tyreek Hill.

 

However, it would take a fool not to notice the inevitable adjustment in McDaniel’s game plan sans the Cheetah. Coach McDaniel was tasked with devising a strategy considering Hill’s potential absence. The resultant offensive game plan was notably more conservative, lacking, to an extent, the usual arial prowess, explosiveness, and chunk plays—expected when the most explosive wide receiver in football is sidelined.

 

Coach McDaniel and his staff opted to play to their strengths, adapting to the circumstances by leveraging the available resources. Despite injuries, they still possessed a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback and a decent arsenal of weapons, albeit an ailing offensive line. They crafted a game plan that was relatively conservative yet remained effective.

 

How effective was it? Well, Tua Tagovailoa’s first incompletion didn’t occur until 2:50 left in the first half, a testament to the precision and efficiency of the adapted game plan.

 

Where do the Dolphins stand with 3 games remaining?

 

The bad news? The Buffalo Bills seem to have found their groove, securing a solid two-game win streak by triumphing over the Chiefs and Cowboys. Their path ahead seems relatively smooth, facing a far less challenging schedule until their pivotal clash with the Dolphins in the regular seasons finale, potentially dictating the divisional outcome.

 

But for the Dolphins, it’s tough. —an uphill battle against one of the toughest remaining schedules in the league. The objective remains crystal clear: winning is non-negotiable. Sweeping the table against the Cowboys, Ravens, and Bills secures Miami the coveted top seed in the AFC. Yet, a stumble or two could place the AFC East crown within Buffalo’s reach.

 

In the final three weeks of the regular season, much will be learned about this team. The Dolphins are still nursing injuries to key players while facing formidable opponents. To challenge the narrative and stand tall against top-tier teams, they’ll need to operate within their strengths, fortify the formidable defense, and ride Sunday’s momentum without allowing the magnitude of the moment to overwhelm them.

Quick Takeaways from Dolphins’ Collapse vs. Titans

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We’ve seen it all in December.

We saw a 9-2 team, surging and blessed after Leon Lett’s unforgettable Thanksgiving faux pas, drop its next five, giving up 45 in one and 47 in another, and losing in overtime in the clincher.

That was 1993.

We saw a 9-5 team, finally stabilized after the return of Jay Fiedler, fall apart in Minnesota (Cris Carter doesn’t catch a touchdown) and New England (when they stopped running Ricky Williams).

That was 2002.

We’ve seen too many other collapses to count.

So will this be another, following an inexplicable 28-27 home defeat against the Tennessee Titans, a 14-point underdog that made several seemingly game-sealing mistakes prior to the Dolphins’ meltdown? Will we remember this fourth loss of an otherwise entertaining and at times exceptional season, to be the beginning of another untimely end?

Will we all jump off the nearest precipice?

Tua Tagovailoa tried to reassure scarred, scared Dolphins fans that this time, at last, will be different.

“I don’t think this is the same Dolphins team that everyone thinks about,” said Tagovailoa, who played below his season standards against Tennessee. “We’ve got really good players, we’ve got really good coaches, and it’s one loss (at) home this year. It’s not like the world ends because we lost this game. We’re human, we’ll continue to get better from this. This is the NFL. No one’s perfect. So that’s that.”

But Dolphins fans are human too.

They can remember.

And that’s why they’re all spasming in fear at the thought of another massive meltdown.

Here are 5 things that need to change, for these not to be the Same Old Dolphins:

 

1. Mike McDaniel needs to stop getting so cute. The former 49ers run-game coordinator, who has worked wonders on the Dolphins’ rushing attack with almost interchangeable running backs and offensive linemen, is absurdly reluctant to run inside the red zone. When he finally did it, with the Dolphins on short fields following Titans miscues, Raheem Mostert had no trouble finding the end zone. We understand tendencies play a part in the trickery, but this team can do the Old School football thing. No need to be a genius there. McDaniel said after that he understands “I deserve to be second-guessed.” But this isn’t just the second or third or even fourth time.

 

2. Figure out the center-quarterback exchange. This is the most fundamental act in football, yet it’s been an issue all season. It was with Connor Williams, who is adept at everything else and now may be lost for the season with a knee injury. And it’s certainly been with fill-in Liam Eichenberg. Tagovailoa took responsibility for a drive-killing fumble, yet another in the red zone. But he also said it’s because he doesn’t work with Eichenberg much. This week he will. Get it fixed.

 

3. Stop feeling yourselves. We love the personality of this team, after more than a quarter-century of dull Dolphins atmospheres. We love Hard Knocks. We love the collective swagger and the creative celebrations. But as our Chris Kouffman of Three Yards Per Carry pointed out, the Dolphins have played their two worst games after arguably their two best games. They appear to handle adversity better than prosperity. Well, they have some now.

 

4. Get whole. Well, some of this is beyond their control. But it also seems like there’s some load management at work, and it’s too late for that now. Could Jevon Holland and Terron Armstead have played through nagging injuries? Perhaps. Would it have helped? Likely, especially more offensive linemen (Connor Williams) and defensive backs (De’Shon Elliot) started falling. Now Tyreek Hill has tweaked his ankle, somewhat significantly (he said he thought his ankle was “gone” when he did, and that his wife told him to “get the hell back in the game”). If he misses the game with the Jets, it would be nice to have some reinforcements return.

 

5. Get healed (emotionally). They can’t let this linger. So they might want to stay off social media, which is likely to be particularly lovely this week. McDaniel said players were looking inward, without pointing fingers. If they start the latter, with four challenging opponents upcoming (even the Jets will test them), we can start pointing back to past flameouts, and start pointing to an early, ignominious exit.

5 Takeaways from Dolphins’ 45-15 win over Washington

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Despite playing away from home, the Miami Dolphins’ offense revived shades of their early-season dominance witnessed in home games. Notably, their explosive 70-point triumph over Denver in Week 3 was a standout performance. While Sunday’s victory didn’t replicate the 70-point spectacle, it showcased the Dolphins’ offensive prowess and their renewed ability to dissect defenses, a quality that had been less prominent in recent matchups.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa saw limited action after the initial possession of the second half, primarily navigating conservative play calls centered around runs. Nevertheless, Tagovailoa managed to deliver two touchdowns, both in collaboration with Tyreek Hill, who amassed a remarkable 157 yards on just five receptions. Hill’s current pace hints at a ridiculous 2,098 yards for the season, which would be an all-time record.

 

Andrew Van Ginkel shines in the absence of Jaelan Phillips

 

When the Miami Dolphins needed a hero in the absence of the sensational Jaelan Phillips, enter Andrew Van Ginkel. Known for his earlier standout performances, Van Ginkel faced big shoes to fill in for the injured Phillips. Yet, in Sunday’s game, he stepped onto the field with sheer determination. His stats spoke volumes: 2 QB hits, 5 tackles, and a game-changing pick-6. Not to mention, he came close to blocking a punt. Van Ginkel’s impactful contributions in the Dolphins’ win reflect a ‘next man up’ mentality.

 

Did the Vic Fangio defense really hold the NFL’s leading passer to 130 passing yards?

 

Washington QB Sam Howell faced a daunting challenge against the Vic Fangio defense this time around. Despite Howell’s reputation for aerial dominance (in terms of yardage), Fangio’s formidable defensive strategy posed a considerable obstacle. Miami’s defense, notably performing at a high level in recent weeks, has had to overcome hurdles due to injuries to key players like Jaelan Phillips, Jevon Holland, and Jerome Baker. Their resilient ‘next man up’ mindset remained evident. Washington’s offense struggled to find its footing against the tenacious Fangio-led defense, failing to establish any real momentum or success during the game.

 

Tua Tagovailoa: The best QB “In the (World)?”

 

That’s what the Cheetah seemed to imply in a tweet following Sunday’s victory. Sunday’s game further bolstered Tua’s MVP candidacy. He consistently delivered on crucial third downs, notably launching a 78-yard bomb to Tyreek Hill in the first quarter. What stood out was Tua’s ability to avoid sacks throughout Sunday’s game. While credit may go to the offensive line, Tagovailoa’s adeptness at navigating the pocket, evading defenders, getting the ball out quickly, and extending plays was evident.

 

Magic number 3?

 

The Dolphins are on the verge of clinching a second consecutive postseason berth under Head Coach Mike McDaniel. With the magic number at 3 wins to clinch, the Dolphins can taste the postseason. However, their aspirations surpass mere qualification. Miami eyes the division title and a potential first-round bye, lofty yet achievable objectives. Yet, looming over them is the persistent challenge: dispelling the narrative that they struggle against top-tier opponents. As they face formidable teams like Dallas, Baltimore, and Buffalo in upcoming matchups, the Fins aim to rewrite this narrative as the conclusion of the regular season nears end.

Unease Amid Dominance: Miami’s 34-13 Victory Over Jets

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On the heels of Thanksgiving, the NFL debuted its first-ever Black Friday showdown at MetLife Stadium between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins. The holiday feast may had concluded, but the Dolphins exhibited an insatiable hunger to get back to 8-3. As soon as Miami won the coin toss and elected to defer, confidence soared among fans for good reason. The Dolphins’ defense, statistically superior to the struggling Jets’ offense in every aspect on paper, promised an advantage. This was because the Jets were starting undrafted free agent quarterback Nick Boyle who was thrown into the starting QB role after QB Zach Wilson was benched the week prior. And when the Dolphins defense forced a punt on the Jets’ first possession, Dolphins fans knew that New York’s offense would be the least of their problems throughout the game.

 

And things were going well for the Dolphins, that was until Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa threw his second pick-six of the season with under 2 minutes left in the first half when the score was 10-0. And the narrative that the only thing that could stop this Dolphins team was self-inflicted wounds resurfaced in the classic Dolphins way. Miami would go back on offense with under a minute left in the half after throwing that pick-six, in a half where they should have shut out the Jets. Nevertheless, clinging to a narrow 10-6 lead (Jets missed the PAT, lol), they fervently sought a redemptive offensive drive, with under 60 seconds in the second quarter; aiming to head into halftime without a sour taste in their mouth. 

 

It only took a couple of first downs, up to midfield, with seconds to go when Tua threw his second interception in under 60 seconds. The Jets would take over on their 49-yard line with 2 seconds left in the half.

 

And if it weren’t for the Jets being the Jets, or perhaps Jevon Holland channeling his inner Wide Receiver from his high school days in Oakland, California, the Dolphins would have carried a ‘disappointing’ 10-6 lead into halftime (at best). But Dolphins safety Jevon Holland had other plans. The Jets weren’t content with trailing merely 10-6 heading into halftime; they craved more. This led the coach of an underwhelming team, failing to meet season expectations, to resort to a Hail Mary attempt from midfield, seeking to spark some unforeseen magic.

 

And boy, did that plan backfire.

 

Tim Boyle dropped back and executed the Hail Mary, sending the ball soaring into the end zone where Holland positioned himself perfectly, waiting for the ball to descend right into the breadbasket. And from the Dolphins’ one-yard line, Jevon Holland snatched the ball and dashed 99 yards in the other direction, with the clock hitting zero seconds as he raced down the field.

 

The Dolphins entered halftime with a 17-6 lead in a defensively charged game. As some fans reveled in Miami’s longest interception return since 2002, others remained uneasy with the offense’s performance and their quarterback, who had already tallied two interceptions by halftime, a marked difference from the 2022 season where he threw only eight interceptions the entire season.

 

But in the second half, Miami’s defense took full advantage of every opportunity against the Jets’ offense. Only managing to secure a single touchdown in garbage time, the Jets struggled as the Dolphins defense flexed its muscles. With 7 sacks and 3 turnovers on the day, including one resulting in a touchdown, the Dolphins’ defensive performance clearly dictated the course of the game.

 

However, fortune favored the Dolphins only until the moment 3rd year standout LB Jaelan Phillips was carted off with an Achilles injury in the fourth quarter. Phillips, who had been delivering a season akin to an All-Pro, will be a monumental loss for the Dolphins defensive as his injury likely means he’s done for the season.

 

So perhaps it was the Phillips injury that left fans unsettled despite a double-digit win over a division rival on the road. Still, it’s worth noting that Miami outscored any other team against the Jets this season. Notably, both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle combined for 200 yards, while running back Raheem Mostert scored two touchdowns on the ground.

 

Perhaps it’s worth extending some leniency to the Dolphins’ offense. After all, they had to contend with one of the league’s elite defenses, despite facing a Jets offense that ranks among the bottom five in the NFL.

 

However, it’s evident that there’s room for improvement. Whether it was Tyreek Hill’s dropped touchdown on fourth and 1 at the beginning of the game or Tagovailoa’s two interceptions, one of which resulted in a pick-six, these are the areas that demand refinement.

For the Dolphins to realize their deep postseason aspirations, one thing remains clear–they must address these concerns while also managing to mitigate injuries to key players.

Former Alabama quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts embrace after the Eagles win over the Dolphins.

NFL Power Rankings Week 12: Still the Eagles

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Another exciting week of the NFL is in the books and it’s that time of the season where the playoff picture is starting to take its shape. 

 

After Kansas City lost at home against the Philadelphia Eagles, they lost the top spot in the AFC to the Baltimore Ravens after their win against the Bengals. 

 

What looked like a nearly flawless Kansas City team for most of the year now has some problems that need to be addressed. 

 

The Chiefs had a total of 26 drops on Monday night against the Eagles. Yes, 26. 

 

One that stuck out to everyone was on a potential game-winning touchdown where Marquez Valdes-Scantling beat his defender and dropped the ball in the endzone after a perfect ball was thrown by Patrick Mahomes. Valdes-Scantling was shown after the game slamming his helmet against the wall in frustration. 

 

But that’s not all. Kansas City has now been shutout in the second half in two-straight games. 

 

The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Bengals on Thursday Night Football by a score of 34-20. But there were some major injury concerns that came out of the game for both teams. 

 

In the early stages of the game, star tight end Mark Andrews was tackled awkwardly and injured his ankle that will probably sideline him for the rest of the year. Andrews has played a crucial role in the Ravens offense and without him, Baltimore will need guys like Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers to step up in the pass game. 

 

Looking at the Bengals, it is safe to say that their season is over after Joe Burrow tore a ligament in his right wrist that will have him out for the season. Burrow played in the first half but as the Bengals headed into the locker room during halftime, Burrow was visibly in a lot of pain and didn’t play in the second half which is why the final score wasn’t close. 

 

The Browns, Dolphins, Jaguars and Chiefs each hold 7-3 records in the AFC.  

 

Cleveland won an ugly game against the Steelers, the Jaguars finally woke up Calvin Ridley and won big against the Titans, the Dolphins’ defense stepped up in a home win against Las Vegas and the Chiefs’ loss brought them down to 7-3. 

 

Some teams that are hanging around are the Bills, Colts and Broncos who, in case you haven’t noticed, have won four games in a row. 

 

Looking at the NFC, of course the team to beat remains the Philadelphia Eagles after a huge victory on the road in Kansas City. 

 

But some teams are still lurking around for that top spot like the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys who both are playing at an elite level. 

 

Brock Purdy played lights out for San Francisco in their home victory against Tampa Bay, throwing for 333 yards and three touchdowns with an 84% completion rate. 

 

Dallas absolutely dismantled Carolina 33-10 and their defense has shown why they are the best in football. 

 

They had seven sacks, forced a fumble and pick-six in Sunday’s victory against the Panthers.

 

The Detroit Lions had a little scare against the Chicago Bears and found a way to win while the Rams and Packers are slowly creeping back in the playoff picture after big wins at home. 

 

We are in for another exciting slate of football as Thanksgiving is approaching. It’s the best time of the year for football fans.  

 

Here are my Week 12 power rankings. 

 

  1. Carolina Panthers (1 – 9) 

Last Week: 32

Result: Lost vs. Cowboys 33-10

 

  1. Arizona Cardinals (2 – 9)

Last Week: 30

Result: Lost at Texans 21-16

  1. New England Patriots (2 – 8)

Last Week: 29

Result: Bye Week

 

  1. Chicago Bears (3 – 8)

Last Week: 28

Result: Lost at Lions 31-26

 

  1. New York Giants (3 – 8)

Last Week: 31

Result: Won at Commanders 31-19

 

  1. Tennessee Titans (3 – 7)

Last Week: 25

Result: Lost at Jaguars 34-14

 

  1. Washington Commanders (4 – 7)

            Last Week: 23

Result: Lost vs. Giants 31-19

 

  1. New York Jets (4 – 6)

Last Week: 22

Result: Lost at Bills 32-6

 

  1. Atlanta Falcons (4 – 6)

Last Week: 24

Result: Bye Week 

 

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4 – 6)

Last Week: 21

Result: Lost at 49ers 27-14

 

  1. Los Angeles Chargers (4 – 6)

Last Week: 18

Result: Lost at Packers 23-20

 

  1. Green Bay Packers (4 – 6)

Last Week: 26

Result: Won vs. Chargers 23-20

 

  1. Las Vegas Raiders (5 – 6)

Last Week: 19

Result: Lost at Dolphins 20-13

 

  1. New Orleans Saints (5 – 5)

            Last Week: 20

Result: Bye Week

 

  1. Los Angeles Rams (4 – 6)

Last Week: 27

Result: Won vs. Seahawks 17-16

 

  1. Indianapolis Colts (5 – 5)

Last Week: 17

Result: Bye Week

 

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers (6 – 4)

Last Week: 14

Result: Lost at Browns 13-10

 

  1. Cincinnati Bengals (5 – 5)

Last Week: 11

Result: Lost at Ravens 34-20

 

  1. Seattle Seahawks (6 – 4)

Last Week: 13

Result: Lost at Rams 17-16

 

  1. Minnesota Vikings (6 – 5)

Last Week: 12

Result: Lost at Broncos 21-20

 

  1. Denver Broncos (5 – 5)

Last Week: 15

Result: Won vs. Vikings 21-20

 

  1. Buffalo Bills (6 – 5)

Last Week: 16

Result: Won vs. Jets 32-6

 

  1. Houston Texans (6 – 4)

Last Week: 10

Result: Won vs. Cardinals 21-16

 

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars (7 – 3)

Last Week: 9

Result: Won vs. Titans 34-14

 

  1. Cleveland Browns (7 – 3)

Last Week: 6

Result: Won vs. Steelers 13-10

 

  1. Baltimore Ravens (8 – 3)

Last Week: 7

Result: Won vs. Bengals 34-20

 

  1. San Francisco 49ers (7 – 3)

Last Week: 8

Result: Won vs. Buccaneers 27-14

 

  1. Miami Dolphins (7 – 3)

Last Week: 5

Result: Won vs. Raiders 20-13

 

  1. Detroit Lions (8 – 2)

Last Week: 3

Result: Won vs. Bears 31-26

 

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (7 – 3)

Last Week: 2

Result: Lost vs. Eagles 21-17

 

  1. Dallas Cowboys (7 – 3)

Last Week: 4

Result: Won at Panthers 33-10

 

  1. Philadelphia Eagles (9 – 1)

Last Week: 1

Result: Won at Chiefs 21-17

What are the key expectations for Carolina Panthers for season?

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The Carolina Panthers entered the 2023 season with their fortunes seemingly on the upswing. They managed a 7-10 record despite giving head coach Matt Rhule the ax after a 1-4 start, subsequently going 6-6 down the stretch even with a carousel of quarterbacks taking snaps for the team. 

 

The Panthers decided to roll the dice ahead of the draft, flipping a pair of first round picks and a few other pieces to the Chicago Bears in return for the first overall pick, acquiring Heisman trophy winning quarterback Bryce Young in doing so.

 

With the talented signal caller joining a roster that was already solid, things seemed to be looking up for the Panthers: some NFL pundits were even saying that the team had a chance to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017, making them a popular pick with NC sports betting apps.

 

Instead, the Panthers promptly fell off a cliff, struggling to a 1-9 record that is the worst in the league to this point in the season. As the focus invariably turns to next season, here’s what one would hope to see out of the Panthers down the stretch.

Bryce Young, Boom or Bust?

The highly touted quarterback hasn’t lived up to expectations through the first few games of his career. It can take time for a player to develop, especially at the hardest position in the sport, but Young simply hasn’t been good enough to this point.

 

The Panthers aren’t going to punt on him yet, most likely, especially given the sorry state of the rooster and the questionable coaching that he’s receiving, but they’d certainly like to see positive development from him as the season goes on. 

 

To this point, Young has thrown for 1,683 yards, nine touchdowns and eight interceptions on 319 passing attempts. These numbers help combine for a quarterback rating of 29.9, the No. 31 mark in a league with 32 starting quarterbacks: not the type of stat line you’d expect from a first overall pick and presumptive face of a franchise.

Rebuild or Retool?

The Panthers look like they’re going to need a rebuild — one doesn’t overhaul a roster that only manages to win a game or two overnight. If Young shows that he can be the guy over the course of the rest of the season, though, the Panthers could check off the box at the game’s most important position.

In many ways, the worst place in the league for a team to be is quarterback purgatory. Having a top tier signal caller can disguise a lot of a team’s flaws, while having a putrid roster means that you’ll have a chance to swing for the fences with a high draft pick the following year. 

 

Between those extremes, though, are the quarterbacks who are just good enough to give a team hope without having quite the talent needed to win when it counts. Finding out where Young fits in will go a long way toward determining the Panthers’ fortunes moving forward. If they have their quarterback of the future, a rebuild will go a lot more smoothly than if they had to try again with a different prospect.

What to Do With Brian Burns

The 25 year old linebacker set a career high with 12.5 sacks last season, cementing his position as one of the best edge rushers in the entire league. He’s a step behind players like TJ Watt and Myles Garrett in terms of production, but with his rookie contract running out at the end of this season, Burns is going to want a new deal.

 

If he’s demanding more than the Panthers are willing to give him, they’re going to have to decide how to best proceed. Letting him walk for nothing could net them a compensatory pick in Round 3 or later of next year’s draft, which is a nice consolation prize… but likely won’t be enough to replace his production. 

 

The Panthers turned down a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, who offered two first round picks for him at last year’s trade deadline, but they probably can’t command that type of haul now given that he has disappointed this season, racking up just five sacks in nine games.

 

It may be too late for the Panthers to salvage the situation, especially if Burns wants to leave town. The fact that general manager Scott Fitterer could low-ball him after a disappointing season could make matters even worse. Finding some way to proceed without making a further mess of things will help expedite the Panthers’ rebuilding process, whether because they have a premier edge rusher on their team, or because they get suitable trade compensation for him.

Week 11 NFL Power Rankings: Cowboys Rising

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What looked like a horrible slate of matchups on paper turned out to be one of the best weekends of this NFL season. 

 

Ten of the 14 games played ended up coming down to the last possession. There were a total of six game-winning field goals that included the Browns, Texans, Cardinals, Lions, Seahawks and Broncos. 

 

And then looking at the other end of the spectrum, there were a couple of games that weren’t particularly close at all. 

 

The Dallas Cowboys put on a clinic as they torched the New York Giants 49-17. Dak Prescott does not deserve the hate he receives and he really did silence the critics as he threw for 404 yards and four touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown. 

 

Ceedee Lamb has made a case to be one of the league’s best receivers. He had 11 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s win. The Cowboys are dangerous and if their offense can be consistent, watch out. 

 

Another blowout that happened in the NFL was between the 49ers and Jaguars. San Francisco beat the Jaguars 34-3 in a game that was never even close, which was very surprising. 

 

San Francisco’s addition of Chase Young was a game changer and their defensive line is not even fair at this point. The Niners had five sacks on Sunday and allowed just three points to a good Jacksonville offense. Brock Purdy finally played a good game, throwing for 296 yards and three touchdowns. After a three-game skid, it looks like the Niners have come back to life. 

 

And let’s talk about the quarterbacks that keep on turning heads week after week. C.J. Stroud and Joshua Dobbs who play for the Texans and Vikings, respectively. 

 

Stroud is not only a lock for Offensive Rookie of the Year, but he has now entered MVP territory. Of course, barring any miracles, it’s not likely that he’ll win it, but he’s been thriving in this Houston Texans offense. 

 

Houston went into Cincinnati and pulled off a 30-27 upset victory. Stroud threw for 356 yards and a touchdown. Houston’s ground game was excellent as running back Devin Singletary had 30 carries for 150 yards and a touchdown. And considering that the Bengals had won three games in a row against high quality opponents speaks volumes to how good Houston actually might be. 

 

Now for Dobbs, he is not afraid of anything thrown his way. New offense? No problem. New team? No problem. It does not matter to him and he very well could bring the Vikings into the postseason, especially with star receiver Justin Jefferson nearing his return. 

 

On Sunday against a stingy Saints defense, Dobbs threw for 268 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 44 yards and scoring on the ground. His favorite target was undoubtedly, T.J. Hockenson, who had 11 catches for 134 yards and a touchdown. 

 

If Minnesota can get their running back play in check, they can be a real dark horse in the NFC. 

 

Despite the Miami Dolphins being on a bye week, they still found a way to win. The Patriots, Jets and Bills each lost which means that Miami is sitting comfortably on top of the AFC East. 

 

The Patriots and Jets losses were sort of expected but the Buffalo Bills have really spiraled out of control. 

 

Buffalo lost at home on Monday Night Football against the Broncos 24-22 on a night where they turned the ball over four times. I’m surprised that the Broncos had to kick a game-winning field goal because the Bills were constantly shooting themselves in the foot. 

 

Just like that, Buffalo is 5-5 and if they can’t get it together, it might be time to blow it up. 

 

Here are my power rankings for Week 11. 

 

  1. Carolina Panthers (1 – 8) 

Last Week: 31

Result: Lost at Bears 16-13

 

  1. New York Giants (2 – 8)

Last Week: 30

Result: Lost at Cowboys 49-17

  1. Arizona Cardinals (2 – 8)

Last Week: 32

Result: Won vs. Falcons 25-23

 

  1. New England Patriots (2 – 8)

Last Week: 28

Result: Lost vs. Colts 10-6

 

  1. Chicago Bears (3 – 7)

Last Week: 29

Result: Won vs. Panthers 16-13

 

  1. Los Angeles Rams (3 – 6)

Last Week: 27

Result: Bye Week

 

  1. Green Bay Packers (3 – 6)

            Last Week: 26

Result: Lost at Steelers 23-19

 

  1. Tennessee Titans (3 – 6)

Last Week: 25

Result: Lost at Buccaneers 20-6

 

  1. Atlanta Falcons (4 – 6)

Last Week: 23

Result: Lost at Cardinals 25-23

 

  1. Washington Commanders (4 – 6)

Last Week: 22

Result: Lost at Seahawks 29-26

 

  1. New York Jets (4 – 5)

Last Week: 18

Result: Lost at Raiders 16-12

 

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4 – 5)

Last Week: 24

Result: Won vs. Titans 20-6

 

  1. New Orleans Saints (5 – 5)

Last Week: 16

Result: Lost at Vikings 27-19

 

  1. Las Vegas Raiders (5 – 5)

            Last Week: 20

Result: Won vs. Jets 16-12

 

  1. Los Angeles Chargers (4 – 5)

Last Week: 11

Result: Lost vs. Lions 41-38

 

  1. Indianapolis Colts (5 – 5)

Last Week: 19

Result: Won at Patriots 10-6

 

  1. Buffalo Bills (5 – 5)

Last Week: 12

Result: Lost vs. Broncos 24-22

 

  1. Denver Broncos (4 – 5)

Last Week: 21

Result: Won at Bills 24-22

 

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers (6 – 3)

Last Week: 15

Result: Won vs. Packers 23-19

 

  1. Seattle Seahawks (6 – 3)

Last Week: 14

Result: Won vs. Commanders 29-26

 

  1. Minnesota Vikings (6 – 4)

Last Week: 13

Result: Won vs. Saints 27-19

 

  1. Cincinnati Bengals (5 – 4)

Last Week: 6

Result: Lost vs. Texans 30-27

 

  1. Houston Texans (5 – 4)

Last Week: 17

Result: Won at Bengals 30-27

 

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars (6 – 3)

Last Week: 7

Result: Lost vs. 49ers 34-3

 

  1. San Francisco 49ers (6 – 3)

Last Week: 10

Result: Won at Jaguars 34-3

 

  1. Baltimore Ravens (7 – 3)

Last Week: 3

Result: Lost vs. Browns 33-31

 

  1. Cleveland Browns (6 – 3)

Last Week: 9

Result: Won at Ravens 33-31

 

  1. Miami Dolphins (6 – 3)

Last Week: 5

Result: Bye Week

 

  1. Dallas Cowboys (6 – 3)

Last Week: 8

Result: Won vs. Giants 49-17

 

  1. Detroit Lions (7 – 2)

Last Week: 4

Result: Won at Chargers 41-38

 

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (7 – 2)

Last Week: 2

Result: Bye Week

 

  1. Philadelphia Eagles (8 – 1)

Last Week: 1

Result: Bye Week

 

Best Record Eagles Continue to Rise in NFL

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The 2022–23 Philadelphia Eagles surprised the world with their run to the Super Bowl. Led by former second-round pick Jalen Hurts, a vaunted defense, and one of the best wide receiving duos in the league in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia nearly brought home the second Lombardi Trophy in team history. 

 

Thanks to last season, the Eagles’ net worth is as high as ever. They’ve even added several players to help bring a championship home in 2023–24, and they’re now an NFL-best 8-1 after a win against the rival Dallas Cowboys. Here’s what you need to know. 

 

 

Eagles’ Net Worth

Philadelphia has always loved its football team. One of the oldest franchises in the league, the Eagles won three championships between 1945 and 1960 before entering a long wilderness period. Between 1961 and 1977, Philadelphia never reached the playoffs and only had a winning record twice. 

 

Aside from a surprising Super Bowl appearance in 1980, there wasn’t tremendous success between 1978 and 1993 before current owner Jeffrey Lurie bought the team in 1994. After hiring Andy Reid in 1999 and building a competitive NFL roster at the turn of the century, the Eagles’ fortunes began to change. 

 

Under Reid, the Eagles made the playoffs nine times in 14 seasons, reaching the NFC Championship game four times and the Super Bowl in 2004. Lurie had bought the team for $195 million, and as of 2023, the team’s value jumped to $5.8 billion, the 10th-most valuable team in football. That number will only continue to grow as the team adds more talent. 

 

Free Agent Signing Terrell Edmunds

The secondary that helped Philadelphia reach the Super Bowl was dealt a severe blow when safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Lions. They nearly lost Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay as well before signing him to a three-year, $42 million contract. 

 

Needing help in the secondary, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman signed former Steelers starting safety Terrell Edmunds, a solid player, to replace Gardner-Johnson. Edmunds logged 70 tackles last season in Pittsburg, along with two sacks. Unlike Gardner-Johnson, however, Edmunds doesn’t generate turnovers. 

 

Gardner-Johnson hauled in a league-leading six interceptions last season, while Edmunds has just five interceptions in his six seasons. 

 

 

Free Agent Signing Marcus Mariota

As the former second overall pick in the 2015 draft, Mariota spent two seasons backing up Derek Carr in Las Vegas before getting the opportunity to start again in Atlanta. The results were a mixed bag. He went 5-8 as the starter and averaged just 170 passing yards per game, the lowest number of his career. When he got benched for his rookie teammate Desmond Ridder, Mariota left the team. Head coach Arthur Smith noted that Mariota had been dealing with a knee injury but didn’t say that was why he was gone. 

 

Fast forward to 2023, and Mariota signed a one-year, $5 million deal to back up MVP candidate Jalen Hurts. While Mariota’s drama with the Falcons is surprising, he did attempt to set the record straight. Mariota looks like one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league in a new environment, perfectly equipped to fill in for Hurts if needed.

 

First-Round Draft Pick Jalen Carter

Entering the 2023 draft, Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter was a consensus top-5 draft prospect, ranked as high as #2 by sports analytics company Pro Football Focus (PFF). In fact, PFF says Carter was “neck and neck with Quinnen Williams” for the best defensive tackle prospect ever graded by the publication. However, his draft stock plummeted after he was involved in a fatal car crash celebrating Georgia’s national championship. He pleaded no contest to the charges against him for his involvement and received 12 months probation. 

 

The unfortunate circumstances allowed the Eagles to snatch him up with the ninth overall pick, with teams before Philadelphia not wanting to risk a pick on the lineman. Carter joined a defensive line that is already among the best in the league, featuring perennial Pro Bowler Fletcher Cox and star edge rushers Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat.

 

First-Round Draft Pick Nolan Smith

 

Philadelphia got another great value pick at #30, drafting linebacker Nolan Smith. The linebacker ranked #13 on PFF’s big board, but his lack of size at under 240 pounds as an edge rusher caused him to fall in the draft. Smith joined the strongest pass rush in the NFL, allowing him to occupy a backup role as he adapts to the NFL. So far this season, Smith has dealt with injuries — but will surely be a third-down pass rush specialist when healthy again. 

 

What Is Next for the Eagles?

The Eagles were already a dynamic franchise prior to 2022. Having won their first Super Bowl in 2017, Philadelphia is one of the most respected teams in the NFL. However, the improbable Super Bowl run in 2022–23 only improved the team’s net worth. Not only that, but a tremendous draft class makes one of the best defenses in football even better.