As we close to the midway level of the season, Derrick Henry has extra speeding yards than 23 NFL groups, Josh Allen has but to throw an interception and the Commanders lead the NFC East.
Just as we thought.
OK, so the NFL is unpredictable. That’s why we’re right here to reply the essential questions. Entering Week 8, FOX Sports’ NFL specialists deal with a number of matters, together with whether or not Henry can get two-time MVP Lamar Jackson to his first Super Bowl, whether or not the Lions can get there with out Aidan Hutchinson, who was not too long ago traded for assist his new workforce probably the most, and whether or not the Giants or Jets are the largest dumpster fireplace.
Let’s get began.
With Derrick Henry operating wild, you do that Crows I lastly have sufficient to get by means of the Chiefs and take Lamar Jackson to the Super Bowl?
I believe so. Part of it’s that Lamar Jackson must play just like the celebrity he’s in massive playoff moments, however having Henry alongside him within the backfield actually takes vital strain off him, doubtlessly permitting the two-time MVP to play freer.
Keep in thoughts that Henry has traditionally thrived in opposition to the Chiefs as properly. In 5 profession video games in opposition to Kansas City within the common season, he averaged 5.4 speeding yards per try on 91 carries and has seven speeding touchdowns.
Henry additionally performs higher because the season goes on. For his profession, he averaged 4.1 yards per carry in September, 4.8 in October, 4.9 in November, 5.1 in December and 5.9 (!) in January. There’s legitimacy in defenders not eager to cope with his 6-foot-2, 247-pound body within the colder months. What he is doing now’s ridiculous — he is strolling for greater than 2,100 yards speeding at age 30 — so think about how rather more essential he’ll be to the Chiefs and the remainder of the AFC within the postseason. — Ben Arthur
I’ve to say sure, as a result of I selected the Ravens to go to the Super Bowl. So sure! But look, one of many important causes the Chiefs beat Baltimore within the AFC championship final yr is that the Ravens could not throw the ball in that recreation. They have been the No. 1 speeding workforce in soccer and have been held to simply 81 yards partially as a result of they ran it simply 16 instances — and 7 instances on 35 performs within the second half. It was an inexplicable strategic resolution that the Ravens know was improper.
Now their speeding assault is a lot better. They averaged 210.9 yards per recreation (54.5 extra yards per recreation than final season). And once they run RPOs (run-pass choice performs), defenses have an unattainable selection, whether or not to arrange for Derrick Henry’s energy, Lamar Jackson’s flash, or for Jackson dropping again and utilizing his MVP-caliber arm.
It’s no coincidence that they averaged 35 factors and 479 yards per recreation throughout their five-game successful streak. They are like a boulder rolling downhill and can proceed to get higher and sooner. This time not even the Chiefs will be capable to cease them. — Ralph Vacchiano
The Lions demonstrated their dedication by beating those that have been beforehand undefeated Vikings on Sunday, however can Detroit actually win the NFC with out Aidan Hutchinson?
Unless the Lions make a commerce for a top-notch edge rusher, it will likely be an uphill battle to seize the NFC with out the workforce’s greatest defender. Winning within the postseason means eliminating groups within the fourth quarter, each offensively and defensively. And Detroit is lacking the most effective closers in soccer with Hutchinson out with a fractured tibia and fibula. Facing a few of the league’s greatest offenses within the postseason, the Lions could have a troublesome time changing that factor with the roster as it’s at present constructed. — Eric D. Williams
Sunday’s win over beforehand undefeated Minnesota with out Hutchinson proves the Lions are nonetheless there atop the NFC. It would make sense to cope with pass-rushing assist — maybe Cleveland’s Za’Darius Smith or Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney — however Sunday confirmed what Detroit’s offense can do in opposition to one of many league’s greatest defenses. Jared Goff was 22 of 25 for 280 yards and two touchdowns, and Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for one more 116 and two scores. The Lions end the common season at dwelling in opposition to the identical Vikings, and that recreation may put the NFC North title and even the highest seed within the NFC on the road. — Greg Auman
In mild of latest offers with huge receivers, he’ll Davant Adams, Amari Cooper OR DeAndre Hopkins assist his new workforce extra?
I’ll go along with Hopkins. Cooper is in second place, however the Chiefs’ huge receiver scenario has been probably the most dire. The Jets did not want Adams (they’ve larger issues on offense). The Bills solely had three gamers common at the very least 38 receiving yards per recreation earlier than including Cooper (Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Dalton Kincaid). Kansas City solely has one with Rashee Rice on IR: Travis Kelce, who would not seem like the identical participant.
Hopkins instantly slots in as one of many high two wholesome receivers on the Chiefs’ roster, and certain is the distinction between a deep playoff run and a 6-0 three-peat in Kansas City, whose offense is now in place to take off. — Ben Arthur
I’ll go along with Hopkins too. He has large catch radius and a knack for making massive performs. Hopkins will quickly get on the identical web page with Patrick Mahomes. He is unselfish and an excellent teammate. And it’s going to enhance Kansas City’s potential to execute in decisive moments on third down, within the crimson zone and within the fourth quarter. Adams and Cooper may also enhance their respective groups’ offense, however the Chiefs’ acquisition of Hopkins makes them even more durable to beat – and they’re already the one undefeated workforce within the league. — Eric D. Williams
I’ll take Amari Cooper. The Jets cannot be helped anymore at this level. And the Chiefs are undefeated and do not seem to wish a lot assist. So Cooper can enhance a Bills workforce that has but to beat an opponent that’s at present .500 or higher. Buffalo’s 5-2 document is much less convincing if you see that they beat the Titans, Jets, Jaguars, Dolphins and Cardinals.
So it was good to replace the payments on the receiver. Allen’s open goal proportion (39.2) is his lowest since 2019. Receiver Khalil Shakir and tight finish Dalton Kincaid are good items, however they’re clearly not prepared for an offense that works round them. Cooper is. He proved it in his first week with the workforce when he had 66 yards and a landing. It’s an excellent begin for a wideout with only some days of preparation — and who would not seem to know a lot in regards to the playbook. From right here on out it is simply Cooper and Allen. — Henry McKenna
Calling his workforce “delicate” was an excellent transfer for a rookie Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo? Was Bill Belichick proper to denounce Mayo for doing so?
I’m not right here to inform Jerod Mayo tips on how to coach his workforce, however I discover myself questioning what precisely publicly naming your workforce means. We hear on a regular basis how gamers and coaches speak about not listening to the noise amongst followers and media. So are Mayo making statements he would not need his workforce to listen to? Sounds like highschool gossip to me.
I’m all for coaches holding their gamers accountable, however I believe it is contradictory to make use of the media to take action. Keep it inner, particularly when it is such a generic and arbitrary assertion. This isn’t a name to motion that wanted promoting. I believe it might have the identical affect if it have been executed in a workforce assembly. Maybe that is just a little too old skool of me and as we speak’s coaches need to use the media as a device to encourage like that. If so, and you discover it really works, you do it.
As for Belichick’s criticism of Mayo, although BB has his personal agenda, I believe it was completely justified due to how Mayo dealt with the scenario within the first place. If you are going to make workforce affairs public, then it’s good to be liable for these public feedback as properly. You cannot have it each methods. — Carmen Vitali
Mayo seems to have violated some type of teaching code as a result of, in my view, he had each cause to name his protection weak. The Jacksonville Jaguars tore that protection aside with Tank Bigsby and D’Ernest Johnson. Now, ought to Mayo have prevented airing the criticisms publicly, moderately than preserving them internally? If the phrase “delicate” triggers a protection, perhaps that protection AND delicate. Perhaps their response solely reinforces what Mayo says.
As for Belichick, I hated the way in which he challenged Mayo. Belichick has made a number of appearances by which he says the identical factor: It’s greatest to maintain these criticisms personal. The coach should publicly take duty. It’s a good and affordable interpretation, though on this case I do not agree with it. But then there was this half:
“Last yr, the Patriots led the league in speeding protection in yards per carry,” Belichick stated. “No. 1 within the league. This yr they’re twenty sixth or no matter. It’s the identical gamers. I do not assume a few of these gamers on protection are weak, however they did not cease the run very properly.”
But they don’t seem to be the identical gamers. New England is lacking defensive finish Christian Barmore, linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley and security Jabrill Peppers. These are the three greatest gamers on the workforce and the main absences in any respect three ranges. So come on, Bill. Stop attempting to make this about your self whereas additionally pretending to not. You’re taking the low highway. We can see it. — Henry McKenna
Are the Giants or Jets, each 2-5 heading into Week 8, in worse form proper now and why?
They are the Giants. The Jets have been a dumpster fireplace, however they’ve a glimmer of hope that Aaron Rodgers – with the addition of Adams and a still-talented protection – can flip issues round within the second half of the season. There’s no cause to be optimistic in case you root for the Giants. They let the franchise’s greatest participant go to the workforce’s division rival in free company, and Saquon Barkley predictably returned to pummel the Giants on their dwelling discipline. Next, they’ll doubtless transfer on from QB Daniel Jones. First-round choose Malik Nabers has been productive when wholesome, however the Giants are searching for a full restoration subsequent season, whereas the Jets at the very least have an opportunity to achieve the postseason this yr. — Eric D. Williams
It must be the Giants. Only the Dolphins have scored fewer factors this season, and New York has scored 10 – whole – of their final two losses. The Jets are actively including items like Davante Adams, whereas the Giants may commerce replacements within the subsequent couple of weeks. And whereas proprietor John Mara stated he “would not plan on making any modifications this offseason,” it would not look good for Brian Daboll transferring ahead. The protection is promising, however this will likely be a franchise searching for a coach and a quarterback this offseason — and can virtually actually go for one thing greater than the Jets resulting from their continued struggles this yr. — Greg Auman
The following writers contributed to this story: Ben Arthur (@benyarthur); Greg Auman (@gregauman); Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis); Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchianoCarmen Vitali (@CarmieV); Eric D. Williams (@eric_d_williams).
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