Perhaps the NFL knew what it was doing when it flexed Indianapolis Colts-Minnesota Vikings into prime time.
Quarterback Anthony Richardson’s benching has been a significant speaking level across the league this week. One other act of Joe Flacco’s profession begins in opposition to the Vikings, who had been as soon as the most well liked group within the league earlier than dropping their final two. Minnesota bolstered its offensive line by buying and selling for Jacksonville Jaguars OT Cam Robinson.
Talking of trades, the NFL commerce deadline looms Tuesday. So, there’s lots extra our NFL writers Jeff Howe, Mike Sando and Zak Keefer will talk about on this roundtable previewing Sunday’s Week 9 slate.
We’ll see extra of the broad receivers who’ve already been traded to new squads — the Buffalo Payments’ Amari Cooper and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ DeAndre Hopkins amongst them. New Baltimore Ravens broad receiver Diontae Johnson ought to make his debut in opposition to the Denver Broncos.
Elsewhere, we are able to’t appear to go per week with no huge NFC North recreation. Additionally, is it time to gauge which head coaches are on the recent seat?
Learn extra beneath.
One other week, one other huge NFC North recreation. This time, it’s Lions–Packers. Inexperienced Bay has gained 4 straight. Detroit has gained 5 straight. What or who makes the most important distinction on this one?
Howe: The Lions are the most effective group within the league proper now, however I feel the Packers are within the neighborhood and able to beating anybody if Jordan Love is wholesome. I’ll concentrate on the Packers run protection, although. It’s been a top-10 unit up to now, and the general protection has been stable for essentially the most half. The Lions are so profitable on offense as a result of they’ve been in a position to run it every time they need and have saved Jared Goff on schedule. From what I’ve heard, groups need to see if Goff can play at this degree if he’s pressured into extra of a normal drop-back recreation — primarily, if the Lions aren’t in a position to dominate on the bottom and permit Ben Johnson to faucet into his most inventive performs. If Goff can deal with such a check, the Lions might be extra harmful than anybody most likely realizes. If not, it opens the door within the NFC for among the groups on the Lions’ heels.
Keefer: I’m with Jeff — I feel the Lions are the most effective group in soccer proper now, despite the fact that the Chiefs are the squad with the spotless file. Love’s availability after leaving final week’s win with a groin harm stays paramount, and I’m wondering if he performs, how a lot that may restrict a few of his playmaking means. However the important thing right here, to me, is what Josh Jacobs may give the Packers offense. They’ve been leaning on him closely. Jacobs has extra carries within the first eight weeks of the season (145) of any Packers operating again within the final 25 years apart from Ahman Inexperienced (in 2003 and 2004). With Love possible lower than one hundred pc, Jacobs breaking one or two open may be the Pack’s greatest shot.
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Lions-Packers preview: Can Inexperienced Bay sluggish Jared Goff and the red-hot Detroit offense?
Sando: Love’s being lower than one hundred pc is the important thing variable and swings this recreation towards Detroit for me. My worry from a Inexperienced Bay standpoint is that we would see the worst of Love with out the most effective, and that he merely gained’t be environment friendly sufficient to maintain tempo with Detroit.
The Saints (at Panthers), Jaguars (at Eagles) and Cowboys (at Falcons) are every on the highway Sunday and in dire want of a win. Which head coach’s seat is hottest among the many three?
Howe: All three are in critical jeopardy regardless. I assume it depends upon the way you quantify hotness. As with something involving the Cowboys, each scenario is all the time essentially the most excessive there, and the eye on Mike McCarthy’s job with Invoice Belichick probably ready within the shadows is an unmatched scenario this season. However, Doug Pederson has been beneath hearth the longest due to the Jaguars’ dangerous begin, and it looks like it’ll take a monstrous turnaround for him to get one other probability in 2025.
Keefer: The Saints’ collapse this season after a blistering begin has been staggering. It’s exhausting to see Mickey Loomis and possession backing Dennis Allen once more, particularly after the 2 disappointing seasons that preceded this yr. I feel Mike McCarthy’s future in Dallas at this level is a fait accompli. The Cowboys have been far too uneven, and the roster isn’t almost as deep because it was up to now, for this group to turn into a critical contender later within the season. Lacking the playoffs would seal the tip of McCarthy’s five-year run, and probably open the door for Belichick to affix the circus.
Would Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy be fired if his group misses the playoffs in 2024? (Kelley L Cox / Imagn Photos)
Sando: I count on all three locations to alter within the offseason. Brief time period, I feel Dallas and New Orleans are least more likely to change in-season. These franchises take longer-range views.
We’ll get an opportunity to see extra of Amari Cooper (Payments vs. Dolphins on Sunday) and DeAndre Hopkins (Chiefs vs. Bucs on Monday). Diontae Johnson’s Ravens debut might come this week in opposition to the Broncos. Which of those three broad receiver trades are you most assured in transferring ahead?
Howe: I need to say Cooper as a result of he’s already been by a midseason commerce, and that have ought to repay relating to studying a brand new playbook. However with that stated, I can’t overthink it. Hopkins has had the most effective profession of the three, and he’s becoming a member of the most effective offensive scenario. Plus, Hopkins might solely have to catch three or 4 passes per recreation to be efficient.
Keefer: Jeff’s proper. One thing tells me Hopkins goes to make a essential catch late in a playoff win for Kansas Metropolis within the subsequent few months. He’s top-of-the-line of his technology at not needing to be even remotely open and nonetheless discovering a technique to catch the ball. However I liked what the Payments did in including Cooper to their younger receiving unit; this group goes to wish each little bit of firepower in opposition to Baltimore or Kansas Metropolis within the playoffs. He’ll assist Keon Coleman proceed to develop as effectively.
Sando: Hopkins, with Cooper shut behind him, after which Johnson. Hopkins looks like a superb match for Mahones within the scramble drill. I feel he can complement Travis Kelce in these conditions and count on that to point out in essential moments.
Contemplating a uneven NFC West race this yr, ought to the Rams (at Seahawks) dangle on to Cooper Kupp?
Howe: The one cause to commerce Kupp, in need of receiving a big return, could be if the Rams believed Matthew Stafford was set to retire this offseason — or Kupp for that matter. I definitely perceive different factors corresponding to an ageing receiver who’s handled extra accidents of late, however the Rams are nonetheless in play within the NFC. Executives and coaches across the league nonetheless view Sean McVay within the highest regard, in order that they’ve acquired an opportunity to hold with anybody if they’ll get into the playoffs. Are they a sensible Tremendous Bowl menace? In all probability not. However why take away Kupp from the equation in the event that they assume he’s nonetheless acquired some years left?
Keefer: This division is broad open in the meanwhile, with the Rams only a half-game again. And in the event that they beat the Seahawks on Sunday, there’s no manner I’m buying and selling Cooper Kupp. McVay will get the offense proper with Kupp wholesome once more — and if that offensive line holds up. First-year coordinator Chris Shula has the protection enjoying a lot better than within the first month of the season. With Seattle and San Francisco each trying susceptible and Arizona as unpredictable because it’s been, it wouldn’t stun me if the Rams made a late-season run with Kupp as a centerpiece.
Sando: I’d help the Rams getting worth for Kupp due to his sturdiness issues and due to his contract. These are additionally the explanations I’m not anticipating groups to be lining as much as purchase him. I’d assume he stays with the Rams.
The Los Angeles Rams have shot down Cooper Kupp (10) commerce rumors with Tuesday’s deadline approaching. (Gary A. Vasquez / Imagn Photos)
Colts–Vikings is the main focus Sunday night time. Is Anthony Richardson’s benching justified?
Howe: There’s no arguing Richardson’s efficiency has dropped off this season, however that’s a small piece of a a lot bigger puzzle. Richardson isn’t going to enhance from the bench. He wants expertise. If he doesn’t play one other snap this season, he’ll enter 2025 with 23 NFL and faculty begins over a five-season span. It’s just like the Trey Lance dialog over again. Should you don’t give a uncooked, younger QB an opportunity to achieve the expertise he so desperately wants, you’ll possible by no means get the return on funding.
GO DEEPER
‘It’s so shortsighted’: NFL execs debate Colts benching Anthony Richardson
Keefer: That very query continues to be raging right here in Indianapolis. I feel it was. The Colts made it clear they aren’t giving up on Richardson, so what that is is a reset: This group desires him to earn again the beginning job. His prodigious athletic abilities had been sufficient to get him the place he’s — the fourth choose within the draft after simply 13 faculty begins and a dismal completion share at Florida — however they’re not sufficient for him to maintain this job. He must catch up in each different space: preparation, management, efficiency. I wrote earlier this season that Richardson wanted to turn into greater than a spotlight. To date, he hasn’t. And this benching, humbling because it might sound at this second, will reveal if Richardson really is the Colts’ QB transferring ahead.
Sando: Yeah, it’s clear Richardson will not be able to play and he’s not progressing. The faucet-out confirmed an entire lack of information for his function on the group. Right here is the place my thoughts went: Suppose what number of different methods this lack of information has certainly manifested itself behind the scenes. The choice to bench him tells me the scenario was untenable for the teaching workers.
(High picture of Anthony Richardson: Cooper Neill / Getty Photos)