Blog

Another week of ultimate madness. The Bengals are the first seed in the AFC, the Cardinals are still undefeated and somehow Dan Snyder has not been put in federal custody. Shout out to the guy who negotiated his way into $63K for giving back Tom Brady’s 600th passing touchdown ball. Enough with the shenanigans. Let’s get into it.

1. Like I said before, the Chiefs are in big trouble

After stopping their streak of 29 points or more allowed against the Washington Football Team in week six, the Chiefs defense went back to their old ways, giving up 27 points against the Titans. Even worse, the offense looked absolutely horrendous only managing to score a field goal on the day. I know it’s an overreaction to say that the Chiefs will miss the playoffs, especially due to the fact that they have won the AFC the past two years. However, it’s definitely not going to get easier from here. The Chiefs upcoming stretch of games includes the Giants, Packers, Raiders, Cowboys, Broncos, Chargers and Steelers. The defense is currently 29th in the league and Patrick Mahomes has thrown nine interceptions, tying with Jets quarterback Zach Wilson for first in the league. I still have faith in the Chiefs, but in order for them to make the playoffs they need to turn it around quickly. Maybe try and trade for a disgruntled defensive star who wants to play for a contender like Xavien Howard. We shall see how this team deals with adversity.

2. Ja’Marr Chase is electric

I don’t see how anyone else can win Offensive Rookie of the Year. Ja’Marr Chase had eight catches for 201 yards this past Sunday against a Ravens defense that held Justin Herbert and the Chargers to six points the week before. The Bengals caught a lot of flack this offseason for drafting Chase, but the move has proven to be the right one. Zac Taylor has his team sitting atop of the AFC with a 5-2 record. The offense is clicking on all cylinders, scoring 34+ points in their last two games. Cincinnati is going to be taking on the New York Jets this week, who are likely going to be without their quarterback Zach Wilson. With the offense looking incredible and the defense being fifth best in the league, there’s no telling what this team can do.

3. The Sam Darnold hype train has come crashing down

After starting off 3-0, Sam Darnold and the Carolina Panthers have lost four straight. This past week came the biggest loss of the four, losing against the heavily injured New York Giants by a score of 25-3. In these four losses, Sam Darnold has thrown for four touchdowns and seven interceptions. Although I don’t think Sam Darnold is a horrible quarterback, I think his time as a starter in this league is coming to a close. I think this is Darnold’s best situation for his career. He has a great coach in Matt Rhule, a bunch of weapons on offense at his disposal and a slightly better offensive line. Darnold just keeps making the same kind of “rookie mistakes” he was making in New York. He seems like a great guy and I’m pulling for him but if he doesn’t get it fixed soon, I don’t know that we’ll be seeing him on Sundays much longer.

4. It’s looking like it’s finally starting to click in Foxborough

Michael McCorkle Jones has been looking quite decent these past two games. A huge part of that is that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has finally let loose a little bit on his previously conservative play-calling. In these past two games against the Cowboys and Jets, Jones has thrown for four touchdowns and one interception (a tipped ball to Trevon Diggs). To compliment Jones’ great performances, running back Damien Harris has tallied two back-to-back 100+ yard rushing games. The Patriots offense has the ability to be great, it just is depending on McDaniels play-calling and taking care of the ball. Jones is fifth in the league in completion percentage and eighth in passing yards, but he is also eight in interceptions with six. If they can do those two things then this teams potential will finally be met. These next couple of games against the Chargers, Panthers and Browns will be very telling for how the rest of their season is going to go.

5. Don’t forget Tom Brady’s name in the MVP conversation

Tom Brady has thrown for 2275 passing yards (First in the league) and 21 touchdowns (also first). He’s also second in the league in QBR and tied for second-to-last in interceptions thrown among starting quarterbacks with three. The Bucs are currently sitting at a comfortable 6-1 and have a favorable stretch ahead of them taking on the Saints, Washington, Giants, Colts and Falcons in their next five games. He broke the record for most passing touchdowns ever this past weekend and also has only thrown one interception since week one. He’s 44 years of age. Avocado ice cream.

Honestly I don’t even get surprised anymore. Anyone with a brain knows better then to try and bet against Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. Especially come playoff time. I’ve said it from the start this Buccaneers team is still my favorite to go win it all. They have all these defensive injuries and they are still sitting at 6-1. The world keeps turning and the football never stops. That’s the beauty of it all. Let us pray for the citizens of Detroit, Michigan and Miami, Florida. Y’all know the drill. This is YSN, until next time, signing out.