The Lions’ historic crown, and fallout for Vikings, Kevin O’Connell: Sando’s Pick Six

Jared Goff had an early display go intercepted deep in Detroit Lions territory, and a deep ball from his personal finish zone picked off later. Sam Darnold missed throw after throw for the Minnesota Vikings.

The ultimate, most pivotal sport of the NFL common season, the primary between groups with 14-2 information, was not the anticipated showcase for essentially the most dominant division in fashionable league historical past. However the ramifications had been huge simply the identical.

The Decide Six column types by the fallout from the Lions’ 31-9 victory, which secured Detroit the NFC North title and a first-round playoff bye because the NFC’s prime seed, whereas Minnesota is relegated to the fifth seed and a more durable street to succeed in Tremendous Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

What does the first-round bye imply for Detroit? How do the Vikings and the 5 different wild playing cards stack up in opposition to the very best wild-card groups ever? Ought to the league change its seeding system out of equity? Did the Los Angeles Rams get it proper by resting starters as a substitute of making an attempt to dodge the mighty NFC North’s runner-up? Did Inexperienced Bay commit self-sabotage?

The Decide Six column solutions these questions and extra because the common season turns to Black Monday and, quickly, the wild-card spherical. Our full menu:

• Lions saved? Vikings doomed?
• Buying and selling for O’Connell? Let’s speak
• Burrow’s hinting awakens echoes
• What is smart for Patriots now
• Setting report straight on Barkley
• 2-minute drill: Bucs’ historic offense

1. The wild-card matchups are set. Let’s type by the fallout

• Lions saved: Had the Lions misplaced by not more than two touchdowns Sunday, they might have been the best wild-card crew for the reason that 1970 AFL-NFL merger, a minimum of by level differential. However due to their accidents, they might not have in contrast favorably to the crew atop that checklist.

The Tremendous Bowl-winning 1997 Denver Broncos completed 12-4 with a +185 scoring differential (Detroit was +200 getting into Sunday), however they had been second to Kansas Metropolis within the AFC West.

Not like the present Lions, that Broncos crew was extremely wholesome. Twenty of twenty-two Denver starters from Week 1 additionally began within the wild-card spherical. One of many newcomers to the lineup after the season opener was Corridor of Fame left sort out Gary Zimmerman, who got here out of retirement in September.

Evaluate that to the Lions, who’ve 17 gamers on injured reserve and misplaced one other defensive starter Sunday evening when first-round rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold was carted off the sphere with a foot harm.

The Lions received’t have any Corridor of Famers popping out of retirement to assist their playoff push, however they did welcome again linebacker Alex Anzalone on Sunday, to nice impact. They may get operating again David Montgomery again quickly. They received’t lose any extra gamers in a wild-card sport, a minimum of.

Even with the Lions’ accidents, successful two video games at dwelling after a one-week break feels a lot extra attainable than, say, heading on the street for a bad-weather sport at Philadelphia and even returning to Minnesota.

“They hadn’t had a bye since Week 5, and it felt they had been actually limping,” an exec from one other crew mentioned, “so this was an enormous win for them.”

The job Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn did in holding Minnesota to its third-worst offensive EPA sport of the Kevin O’Connell period (minus-16.3, per TruMedia) went past Darnold merely having an off evening. Detroit appeared further bodily with the Vikings’ receivers however didn’t incur penalties the way in which the Lions did when taking part in with aggression in opposition to Seattle’s wideouts in a Week 4 shootout victory. Can that carry over?

Dan Campbell to Kevin O’Connell: “I am going to see you in two weeks.” 👀 pic.twitter.com/WVnFoNsIx5

— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2025

• How Vikings evaluate: Dropping to Detroit by three touchdowns dropped Minnesota’s level differential to plus-100 for the season. That ranks 61st out of 249 wild-card groups since 1970, per Professional Soccer Reference — fairly good, however not up there with a lot of the wild-card groups that received all of it.

The desk beneath reveals the place the 2024 wild playing cards rank in regular-season level differential among the many final 249 wild-card entrants. I’ve included the seven wild-card groups that received Tremendous Bowls and the three that bought there and misplaced.

4 of the seven wild-card groups to win Tremendous Bowls ranked among the many prime 27 in regular-season level differential. Jim Plunkett’s 1980 Oakland Raiders and Eli Manning’s 2007 New York Giants received all of it regardless of rating close to the underside, with the slumping 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Packers, Chargers and Broncos rank greater in differential than the Vikings, regardless of Minnesota’s superior report (14-3).

After watching Darnold wrestle Sunday, that doesn’t really feel so mistaken.

The Vikings had been coming off a loss to Detroit once they traveled to face the Rams and misplaced a Thursday evening sport in Week 8. Groups are 6-10 with a minus-108 level differential of their subsequent sport after taking part in the Lions this season. Three of the six wins had been in opposition to New England, one other was in opposition to Chicago and one other was in opposition to Dallas with out Dak Prescott.

Is there something to the post-Lions hangover? Minnesota has further time to organize for the Rams this time. The Vikings-Rams sport isn’t till Monday evening.

• System failure? The Vikings completed three video games higher than the Rams within the standings, and the hole seems bigger when measured by level differential. At minus-19, the Rams tied for the sixth-worst level differential of any division winner in NFL historical past. (The 2024 Houston Texans are nineteenth on that checklist with a differential of 0.)

The place’s the outrage? The Vikings’ tough exhibiting in opposition to the Lions would possibly quiet complaints over a 14-3 crew heading on the street within the wild-card spherical.

“I don’t assume you rectify it,” an exec from a non-playoff crew mentioned. “It creates an excessive amount of nice dialog.”

4 of the 5 division winners with the worst regular-season level differentials received their dwelling playoff sport: the 2010 Seahawks, 2011 Broncos, 2016 Texans and 2014 Panthers. Two others among the many 20 worst (the 2008 Cardinals and 2011 Giants) reached the Tremendous Bowl, with the Giants (minus-6 differential) successful all of it.

Had the Lions, perceived as one of many NFL’s greatest groups all season, misplaced Sunday and wound up visiting L.A., maybe there could be extra help for reconsidering the present playoff format. It’s a troublesome break for the Vikings but in addition an outlier — the product of a historic division.

• Rams didn’t care concerning the large, unhealthy North: Led by the 15-2 Lions, 14-3 Vikings and 11-6 Packers, the 2024 NFC North proved to be essentially the most dominant division in additional than a half-century. Groups from the North outscored their non-division opponents by 384 factors throughout 44 video games. That per-game common (8.7) ranked first amongst 376 divisions since 1970, additionally per Professional Soccer Reference.

The Rams might have prevented the North within the wild-card spherical by beating Seattle in Week 18, drawing Washington as a substitute. However coach Sean McVay prioritized resting starters, together with 36-year-old quarterback Matthew Stafford, for good cause. The Rams performed the Lions robust on the street in Week 1, falling 26-20 in extra time. They beat Minnesota 30-20 in Week 8.

“I like McVay’s complete factor,” a coach from one other crew mentioned. “He’s like, ‘It doesn’t matter what, we’re going to need to be a very good model of ourself at dwelling. I can’t fear about different folks. I have to get our well being optimized.’”

• As for the Packers: Whereas McVay felt break day would assist his getting old quarterback be his greatest for the playoffs, his former understudy, Matt LaFleur, figured his younger quarterback, Jordan Love, might use the reps in Week 18. Each groups had already secured playoff spots, so there was solely the potential for seeding at stake.

As issues turned out, Inexperienced Bay was going to be the seventh seed within the NFC with a win or defeat Sunday. However with the crew struggling key accidents to Christian Watson (probably out for the season) and Love (must be OK for playoffs), and with LaFleur admittedly botching sport administration as Chicago claimed a walk-off victory at Lambeau Subject, this sport had ramifications.

Matt LaFleur referred to as timeout with 58 seconds left on fourth down earlier than Brandon McManus’ 55-yarder as a result of he was planning on going for it.

“That’s on me … I want I wouldn’t have taken that timeout.” pic.twitter.com/AQJ1WUm39B

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) January 5, 2025

The already unhealthy optics appeared worse after Bears particular groups coach Richard Hightower, who labored with LaFleur in Washington greater than a decade in the past, schemed a punt-return landing with an outdated trick — the misdirection return.

BEARS FOOLED THEM ON THE MISDIRECTION PUNT RETURN 🔥

📺: #CHIvsGB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/CcWFKgCTD3

— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025

It’s all good for Inexperienced Bay if the crew wins within the playoffs, however narratives surrounding groups can change rapidly, particularly within the postseason. The Packers and Vikings might discover that out rapidly. The NFC North’s report level differential isn’t going to assist LaFleur handle video games or Darnold throw extra precisely.

2. Fox’s Jay Glazer instructed groups might search to amass Kevin O’Connell from the Vikings within the offseason. Right here’s why the thought appears credible throughout the league.

Glazer’s studies are fascinating as a result of he’s selective, weighing in solely on the large stuff. Some dismissed when Glazer instructed years in the past that the New York Giants would possibly commerce younger celebrity receiver Odell Beckham Jr., however then the Giants did commerce Beckham.

Sunday scoopage: shock candidate on a number of crew’s teaching candidates
lists: Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. He has one yr remaining on his deal after the season and some groups have an curiosity in probably making an attempt to TRADE for him. @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/TipEYM6FF6

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) January 5, 2025

Glazer isn’t saying O’Connell will likely be traded. He’s saying the thought is on different groups’ radar.

Why would different groups assume they could have a shot at buying O’Connell, who’s beloved in Minnesota and appears to like teaching the Vikings? As a result of different groups assume three issues as O’Connell enters the ultimate yr of his contract in 2025:

• That O’Connell deserves outsized credit score for the crew’s success, not only for his work with Darnold, but in addition for his hiring of defensive coordinator Brian Flores and his general success within the absence of sturdy drafting;

• That O’Connell is in a fantastic place to hunt extra energy underneath phrases of any new deal;

• That Vikings possession may not grant O’Connell that sort of energy and/or the kind of cash O’Connell would possibly command elsewhere.

Groups due to this fact sense the potential for alternative.

There’s one other a part of the equation that have to be mentioned.

How executives from different groups view Vikings normal supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah informs how they see O’Connell’s scenario in Minnesota. Many longtime NFL evaluators scoffed privately when the Vikings employed Adofo-Mensah, a former Wall Avenue commodities dealer who performed basketball at Princeton and didn’t have a conventional scouting background, as their GM. Adofo-Mensah then took the lead within the search that resulted in O’Connell’s hiring.

These executives now see the Vikings’ struggles within the draft as justifying their skepticism. In the event that they had been in O’Connell’s place, they might use their leverage to forge a direct hyperlink with possession.

“Which enterprise man would you like making your analysis: the GM or the proprietor?” a veteran coach requested.

How coaches and executives from different groups view issues is fascinating and might be instructive, however it isn’t what issues. O’Connell will resolve what’s essential to him. How issues shake out will disclose to what extent his view aligns with the views held by different soccer folks within the league.

3. The Bengals missed the playoffs with superstars Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson having fun with elite particular person seasons. Was it solely a short lived setback or is Burrow on the Carson Palmer frustration practice?

Ending 9-8 and out of the playoffs with Burrow tossing 43 landing passes, Chase topping 1,700 yards and Hendrickson gathering 17.5 sacks as soon as would have appeared inconceivable. It occurred.

The Bengals spent Sunday hoping Kansas Metropolis and the Jets would win so they might attain the playoffs. It needed to be a powerless feeling because the Chiefs rested starters and misplaced large, ending Cincinnati’s season.

Burrow would possibly really feel equally powerless getting into an offseason that might be pivotal for the Bengals. He’s lobbying for the crew to maintain receiver Tee Higgins specifically.

“You don’t need to make a residing out of letting nice gamers stroll away,” Burrow mentioned Tuesday. “That’s why you attempt to get these offers performed early.”

The Bengals aren’t identified for getting offers performed early. Burrow is aware of this. He desires to alter this.

“That is why you gotta do all the pieces you’ll be able to to get these offers performed early.” – Joe Burrow with one other message to the Bengals’ entrance workplace. https://t.co/ZwJ60jSDRz pic.twitter.com/W0hnj9DiL3

— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) December 31, 2024

Burrow doubled down Saturday after retaining alive the Bengals’ playoff hopes, if solely quickly, with a victory over the Steelers.

#Bengals QB Joe Burrow on impending FA Tee Higgins: “You do not need to make a behavior of letting nice gamers get out of the constructing. … You simply cannot let him get out of the constructing.”

Message despatched.pic.twitter.com/1Ul5TpSfVt

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 5, 2025

What occurs if Higgins leaves and the Bengals regress on offense? What occurs if their protection, which has fallen off after security Jessie Bates, sort out D.J. Reader and others departed, continues to slip? It ranked twenty ninth in EPA per play this season regardless of a late rally in opposition to poor offenses. (Replace: Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was fired Monday, sources informed The Athletic.)

Palmer made 99 regular-season and postseason begins with the Bengals earlier than rising so annoyed with the group that he held out and compelled a commerce. Burrow is 76 begins into his profession and hinting at some frustration over the crew letting Higgins attain the brink of free company, with Chase due for a market-setting extension.

The chart above compares the profession timelines for Burrow and Palmer, exhibiting what number of video games above and beneath .500 they had been alongside the way in which.

Palmer typically loved sturdy weaponry till No. 2 receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh departed as a free agent in 2009, a yr after prime wideout Chad Ochocinco tried to drive the crew into buying and selling him. The present scenario isn’t the identical, however what occurs with Chase and Higgins certainly will have an effect on Burrow’s outlook on the long run.

4. Right here’s what is smart for the Patriots after they moved on from Jerod Mayo following one season.

The Patriots weren’t the primary franchise to have an in-house head-coach-in-waiting for when their legendary energy coach retired or was let go.

The Seattle Seahawks did one thing comparable once they named the youthful Jim Mora as their coach-in-waiting underneath Mike Holmgren. The crew proprietor on the time, the late Paul Allen, most popular hiring high-profile energy coaches. However he went with Mora to succeed Holmgren in 2009. The association lasted a single season earlier than Allen landed an even bigger identify: Pete Carroll.

When Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft designated Mayo as Invoice Belichick’s substitute in ready, I questioned whether or not Mayo would turn out to be a placeholder for an proprietor in transition. Kraft likes taking large swings, however after tiring of Belichick’s autocratic method, his precedence for the 2024 season was merely regaining management of his franchise. Hiring Mayo let him do this.

Two issues Kraft didn’t count on occurred within the meantime.

• Mayo struggled in his first season on the job, making it seem he would possibly want years to develop.

• Kraft’s personal Corridor of Fame candidacy faltered amid what was perceived as efforts by him to prime his possibilities at Belichick’s expense.

Kraft turns 84 in June. His crew has gone six seasons with out successful a playoff sport. The Patriots have just one playoff look of their previous 5 seasons. From Kraft’s standpoint, ready to see whether or not Mayo develops into a superb coach might really feel riskier than plugging in a completed product — particularly when a number of completed merchandise can be found.

Mike Vrabel was the apparent candidate to exchange Belichick one yr in the past, aside from the truth that Kraft had already dedicated to Mayo.

Vrabel stays out there and would appear to suit properly.

Carroll is one other intriguing chance. He’s an influence coach with folks abilities, an unwaveringly optimistic outlook and unfinished enterprise in New England.

Kraft employed Carroll to exchange Invoice Parcells in 1997. Carroll posted a 27-21 (.563) report with two playoff appearances. Kraft fired him and later lamented that he hadn’t given Carroll the facility the coach wanted to form the roster. Kraft had regretted giving a lot energy to Parcells, so he withheld it from his subsequent coach, Carroll. He regretted not giving Carroll a good shake.

Carroll turns 74 in September. Some would possibly think about that too outdated for the job. What does the 83-year-old Kraft assume?

Mike McCarthy is one other potential candidate who might make sense for Kraft or any proprietor searching for a completed product. McCarthy’s contract with the Cowboys expires Jan. 14. He might signal an extension or turn out to be out there.

This quote from Eliot Wolf caught out to me https://t.co/t4rSq0fmTR pic.twitter.com/7SbjQEIn9I

— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) January 4, 2025

House owners typically pivot from one excessive to the subsequent. Kraft did that when he pivoted from Parcells to Carroll. He did it once more when he pivoted from Carroll to Belichick, and once more when he pivoted from Belichick to Mayo. With Mayo out, it’s tough to think about Kraft making one other speculative guess on an unproven candidate. He’ll desire a surer factor and can discover it in Vrabel, Carroll, McCarthy or one other seasoned coach.

“Kraft was not going to fireside Mayo until he will get Vrabel, Carroll or another clear improve,” an exec from one other crew mentioned.

5. The Philadelphia Eagles rested Saquon Barkley in Week 18, leaving him 100 yards in need of Eric Dickerson’s single-season speeding report. That makes evaluating them simpler.

The date was Nov. 11, 1984, and Eric Dickerson was dealing with a Chicago Bears protection permitting 79 speeding yards per sport and three.4 per carry, each league-leading figures. Buddy Ryan was Chicago’s defensive coordinator. Dan Hampton and Leslie Frazier had been injured, however this was nonetheless an elite Bears protection with Mike Singletary, Richard Dent, Steve McMichael, Otis Wilson and Gary Fencik within the lineup that day.

Dickerson, in his second season, rushed for 149 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 29-13 Rams victory.

Additionally that season, Dickerson had a 120-yard sport in opposition to Lawrence Taylor’s New York Giants. He was the one 100-yard rusher in opposition to the Cleveland Browns, that means Dickerson hit triple digits in opposition to formidable defenses coached by Buddy Ryan (Bears), Belichick (Giants) and Marty Schottenheimer (Browns).

These had been among the many signature performances for Dickerson on his strategy to 2,105 yards, which broke the report O.J. Simpson set in 14 video games and stays untouched with Barkley sitting out Sunday.

The LA Rams & Chicago Bears had some fierce battles within the 80s

The Rams prevailed right here in 1984.

Dwayne Crutchfield (what a reputation) was the bruiser RB behind the good Eric Dickerson. He runs for 40 yards right here and the should-be Corridor Of Famer Henry Ellard makes a stunning TD! pic.twitter.com/tXkbmKuxk9

— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) September 27, 2024

In the event you didn’t see Dickerson play, you may not understand the presents he delivered to the sport. He stood 6-foot-3, weighed 230 kilos, clocked 4.4 seconds within the 40 and had what different nice operating backs — Simpson, Jim Brown — referred to as elite imaginative and prescient. The 9.4-second time he ran to win Texas’ highschool state title within the 100-yard sprint converts to 10.28 over 100 meters. That’s the time Tyreek Hill ran to win the 2012 IAAF World Junior Championships.

Dickerson had extra speeding yards than anybody by the primary 16, 32, 48, 64, 80, 96, 112 and 128 video games of a profession. He slipped to second behind Barry Sanders by 144 video games and retired after taking part in 146.

Dickerson did these items in an period when prime backs bought extra carries in opposition to defenses that bought out to cease the run, underneath guidelines permitting better violence.

“He was hit so laborious on each play, it virtually appeared like they’d turned up the microphones on the sphere,” Rams coach John Robinson mentioned after the 1984 sport in opposition to the Bears.

For Barkley to swerve into Dickerson territory even briefly is spectacular.

Dickerson, like Barkley this season, performed 16 video games in 1984. Each backs ran behind proficient, largely veteran blockers led by acclaimed line coaches (Jeff Stoutland for the Eagles, Hudson Houck for the Rams). Dickerson’s inside linemen that season mixed for 17 profession Professional Bowls. Robinson was the right coach for him.

The desk beneath reveals how Dickerson and Barkley stack up of their signature seasons. It ranks their yardage totals from highest to lowest by opponent. The numbers in parenthesis present the place every single-game complete ranked in opposition to that specific opponent in that season. I’ve excluded 2024 Week 18 to maintain the variety of video games equal.

Dickerson had seven video games through which his yardage complete was essentially the most {that a} given opponent allowed all season. Barkley additionally had seven such video games, led by his 255-yard sport in opposition to Dickerson’s former crew, the Rams, and a 176-yard sport in opposition to his personal former crew, the Giants.

Barkley was the one 100-yard rusher in opposition to Baltimore. No different runner topped 63 yards in opposition to the Ravens.

The common (3.6) and median (2.0) rankings for Barkley’s performances had been greater than Dickerson’s common (3.9) and median (2.5). He additionally had the sting in yards per carry (5.8 to five.6). Dickerson had a 2-1 lead in 200-yard video games and shined in opposition to these legendary defenses. His report will stand for a minimum of one other season.

6. Two-minute drill: Baker Mayfield and Bucs offense

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the one offense since a minimum of 2000 to satisfy or exceed the next marks over a full season:

• 28 factors per sport (28.6 for Tampa)
• 6.0 yards per play (6.2)
• 65 % crimson zone landing fee (66.7)
• 50 % third-down conversion fee (50.9)

There have been 798 offenses since 2000.

Thirty-nine of the 798 scored a minimum of 28 factors per sport on offense (excludes factors scored on protection/particular groups).

Thirty of these 39 averaged a minimum of 6.0 yards per play.

Eighteen of these 30 transformed crimson zone possessions to touchdowns a minimum of 65 % of the time.

Of these 18, solely 2024 Tampa Bay transformed a minimum of half of its third-down tries.

This was an offense that includes a first-time coordinator (Liam Coen) and a quarterback (Baker Mayfield) all 32 groups might have signed in free company a number of instances lately.

Posting that kind of manufacturing whereas reaching the playoffs and ensuring franchise icon Mike Evans reached 1,000 yards for an eleventh consecutive yr, tying Jerry Rice’s report, made Week 18 a fantastic one for the Buccaneers, even when they struggled early of their 27-19 victory over New Orleans.

• Younger and Stroud revisited: The Houston Texans are headed for the playoffs, however they can’t be pleased about quarterback C.J. Stroud’s sophomore hunch. The Carolina Panthers are completed for the season with a 5-12 report, however they have to be thrilled with the place their second-year quarterback, Bryce Younger, seems headed after passing for 251 yards and scoring 5 complete touchdowns (three passing, two speeding) in a 44-38 extra time victory over the Falcons on Sunday.

“(Younger) seems extra snug and is making higher choices, like the sting is off him,” an exec from one other crew mentioned.

Bryce is slingin’ it

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/bgslq3aUax

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) January 5, 2025

Nobody might have seen this coming when Younger, the primary decide within the 2023 draft, and Stroud, the second decide, entered this season, and particularly not after Younger was benched following Week 2. However because the desk beneath reveals, Younger has outproduced Stroud over the ultimate 9 video games of the common season. He accomplished 25 of 34 passes for 251 yards in opposition to the Falcons.

I’ll have an interest to see what the Texans do within the offseason if Stroud and their offense wrestle in a one-and-done playoff scenario. They’ve gone from having the most well liked younger quarterback and one of many hottest coordinators in Bobby Slowik to being a crew that wins on protection, despite its offense. Issues change rapidly within the NFL. Younger and the Panthers can attest to that.

• Seattle’s costly win: Geno Smith took tons of punishment throughout the season because the Seahawks leaned closely into the go behind a shaky offensive line and with out a dependable floor sport.

Whereas a case might be made that the method contributed to Seattle slipping within the offensive rankings and lacking the playoffs, Smith bought his reward Sunday. He collected $6 million in incentives after hitting profession highs for passing yards and completion fee whereas the crew received 10 video games.

That final half — successful 10 video games — was supposed to guard the crew from Smith piling up stats in a less-than-meaningful context. However the 10 wins weren’t sufficient for Seattle to succeed in the playoffs. The Seahawks barely bought their tenth win to complete 10-7 regardless that the Rams had been resting key starters Sunday.

This was concerning the worst manner Smith might gather on the incentives, in different phrases. However a deal is a deal.

• Jets by far most improved offense: Even earlier than Aaron Rodgers tossed 4 landing passes Sunday, the Jets ranked No. 1 by a large margin in year-over-year acquire for offensive EPA per sport.

After watching @AaronRodgers12 play at present, there’s little doubt he’s bought at a least one other yr in him. So if he WANTS to, I’d like to see him stick with the Jets. He might undoubtedly assist the brand new GM and coach, in addition to play ball. He’s nonetheless throwing with accuracy and authority.

— Joe Namath (@RealJoeNamath) January 6, 2025

The desk beneath reveals the highest 5 groups by this measure. All however the Buccaneers had been poor on offense final season. That makes Tampa Bay’s look on this checklist outstanding. The Bucs had been ok on offense final season for offensive coordinator Dave Canales to land a head-coaching job with Carolina, they usually nonetheless improved a tick greater than Carolina did.

(Photograph of Dan Campbell, proper, and Kevin O’Connell: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Pictures)