User-Endzone: That's How You Lose Your Job!

Arizona Cardinals

18:16 away victory against the Los Angeles Rams

by Cruehead

When you're ranked among the bottom five teams in almost all preseason power rankings, and then you defeat the Rams, who were favored as Super Bowl contender #1 in almost all rankings, you deserve a mention here. Admittedly, the Cardinals didn't exactly play themselves into an irresistible offensive frenzy in L.A., but the defense's performance against this nominally incredibly potent offense was impressive. Especially since the Cardinals' defense had been rather unremarkable until now.

But why did it work so well this time? In contrast to the painful defeat against the Detroit Lions, they seemed more aggressive against the ball and were constantly able to put pressure on Rams QB Stafford; three sacks and seven more hits are solid numbers for the Cardinals' defense. The absence of starting LT Alaric Jackson on the Rams' side was probably a contributing factor, but still a respectable performance from Arizona.

And somehow it also fit the picture that they were able to win the big plays: a prevented 2-point conversion at the start of the game and a forced fumble against Rams TE Higbee deep in their own half in the last quarter.

Therefore, I don't necessarily want to question the Rams' mediocre offensive performance, but rather, from a neutral perspective, praise the Cardinals' great performance.

But contrary to popular belief, defense doesn't win a game on its own. It still needs an offense that scores occasionally. Arizona probably checked with the Vikings and realized that kickers alone can decide games.

Chad Ryland had a special day, and with 6 field goals, he relieved the not-so-penetrating offense led by QB Brissett. The fact that they even had a chance to turn the game around shortly before the end was thanks to Rams defender Josh Wallace, whose "unnecessary roughness" led to significant yardage and ultimately the decisive 43-yard field goal attempt.

I'm curious whether naming them the winner of the week was premature and if the Cardinals might even develop into a playoff team. What do you think? Potential for a surprise, struggling Rams, or will only one team from the NFC West even make the playoffs?

Baltimore Ravens

10:13 away loss against the Cleveland Browns

by Cruehead

As with the winners of the week, the game-deciding field goal for the losers of the week also came very late (or with the clock expiring).

The game had actually started promisingly for the Ravens. In the absence of QB Lamar Jackson, they completed their first drive with a TD pass from backup QB Tyler Huntley to TE Josh Cuevas (his first career NFL TD). A field goal gave them a 10:0 lead after the first quarter.

But that was it for the Ravens' glory. No more points, and after a scoreless second quarter overall, the Browns took control and completely turned the game around in the final quarter, culminating in the aforementioned field goal.

Once again, the NFL shows that backup QBs usually cause a significant drop in performance. Nine more attempts by the Ravens went nowhere. And then superstar RB Derrick Henry also lost the ball in the last quarter – his first fumble this season, by the way – which ultimately led to Cleveland's 10:10 equalizer.

Lamar Jackson is expected back by Week 8 at the latest, which will certainly help improve performances. For me, however, the Ravens are currently clearly underperforming – their previous victories were against moderately strong opponents (Colts, Cowboys, Titans, Falcons) and usually very close. Losing to the Saints is neither a disgrace nor a glory – but it shouldn't happen according to their own standards.

A defeat in a division duel hurts, especially considering the situation in the AFC North (see also User Endzone Week 3). After losses, all four teams have two defeats. Except for the Bengals (one bye week), all have four wins. It remains exciting. The Ravens face the Bengals, Bills, and Jaguars in their next three games. They should achieve a positive record in these games, otherwise I see very tough weeks ahead for the Ravens.

C.J. Stroud (Quarterback, Houston Texans)

34:31 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars (24/34, 312 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT)

by austrianViking

C.J. Stroud delivered a strong performance in London. In the 34:31 victory against the Jaguars, he completed 24 of 34 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Especially the 50-yard deep ball to Jaylin Noel shortly before halftime – under pressure and precisely placed – was exquisite and laid the foundation for the narrow halftime lead.

Despite the late interception in the end zone, Stroud remained cool and orchestrated the final drive to the game-winning field goal. A clear upward trend is visible over the last three games: regularly over 260 yards and a total of six touchdown passes. At the same time, the entire Texans offense currently appears more stable and versatile, which clearly benefits Stroud.

With Marvin Harrison Jr. newly in the mix and both the offense and defense showing improved form, Houston currently looks significantly better than at the start of the season and is trying to nurture the delicate plant of "playoff hope" to grow.

Indianapolis Colts

20:26 loss against the Tennessee Titans

by austrianViking

The Colts completely gave away a game against the previously winless Titans. At halftime, they led 13:0 and clearly dominated statistically throughout the entire game (399:186 yards; 24:11 first downs). Yet, the final score was 20:26 – after turnovers (2x INT, 1x lost fumble), a blocked punt that led directly to a touchdown, and overall a second half where almost nothing worked anymore. Fans reacted with boos and "Fire Ballard" chants.

This, unfortunately, fits all too well with the picture that had already emerged before the season: a franchise stuck in perennial mediocrity. Daniel Jones remains the limiting factor – solid enough for hot streaks, but not at the level to consistently carry a team upward. The front office around Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen once again chose neither a true attack (likely due to a lack of picks after the ludicrous Gardner trade) nor a clear rebuild.

Strong individual components like the O-line, Jonathan Taylor, or the corner duo are not enough when the quarterback and consistency are lacking. Precisely this "stuck in the middle" problem was starkly revealed again on Sunday and will ensure that some people in Indianapolis will lose their jobs.

Note: I only saw shortly before sending that Chris Ballard has since been fired. I wouldn't be surprised if the Colts now start the inevitable rebuild, in my opinion.

Germie Bernard (Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers)

26:19 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers (11 Receptions, 87 Receiving Yards, 1 TD)

by austrianViking

Germie Bernard delivered his strongest professional game to date against the Buccaneers – and it was announced. After Roman Wilson's absence, the second-round pick received significantly more responsibility and used it well. 11 catches on 12 targets, 87 yards, and most importantly, the first touchdown of his career – and the fact that it was also the decisive one in overtime was the icing on the cake.

Aaron Rodgers trusted the rookie throughout the game and sought him out repeatedly. Bernard rewarded this trust and made a significant contribution to the comeback victory. As long as Wilson is out, he now has a good chance to establish himself. It will be exciting to watch.

5000

by Cruehead

For the number of the week, I initially wanted to address the flag flood in Philadelphia. 24 flags already felt very close to a record – but it wasn't (the record has belonged to the Browns and Bears since 1951 with 37 penalties). However, the Panthers did set a franchise record: 149 yards lost due to penalties, which should not go unmentioned.

But now to the actual number of the week: My colleague austrianViking suggested this to me, and after the disappointment about a non-flag record, I gladly take it up. Alvin Kamara is only the sixth player in NFL history to break 5000 yards in both rushing and receiving. Do you have an idea who the other five were/are? I must confess, apart from – spoiler alert! – Christian McCaffrey, I didn't really know the others. It was simply long before my time.

Alvin Kamara has already claimed several records for himself (e.g., Christmas Day game), but now being in this exclusive "5000" club is extraordinary.

Drew Brees was certainly conducive to these numbers, but the Saints are still well in the playoff race this year, so Kamara can still increase his yardage total. An all-time record in the cumulative ranking is probably out of reach (19,154 to Kamara's 12,394 yards)... nevertheless, a great achievement by an exceptional player!

austrianViking:

More Love for Special Teams

Everyone talks about fifty-million-dollar quarterbacks and spectacular highlight reels, but while the league is drowning in offensive hype, special teamers are often dismissed as secondary – until the kick goes wide or the punt is blocked.

However, in today's NFL, it's no longer just glamour that triumphs, but stoic precision in detail. Week 6 provided the best proof of this: The Arizona Cardinals beat the superstar-studded Los Angeles Rams 18:16. Arizona didn't score a single offensive touchdown, instead relying entirely on Chad Ryland, who converted six field goals and decided the game with a walk-off game-winner as time expired.

At the same time, kickers like Will Reichard, Spencer Shrader, and Chase McLaughlin have been showing for weeks how valuable true elite consistency is, because anyone who sees kickers only as a last resort is giving away points and victories week after week.

The days when the kickoff was a play for refilling drinks are also over due to the forced returns, which turns every kick into an exciting field-position battle. At the same time, the pressure on the league's legs is steadily increasing: a 50+ yard field goal is no longer a luxury, but the absolute minimum expectation. Anyone who wobbles from 55 yards, exaggeratedly speaking, is off the roster on Monday.

But the problem runs deep in roster building: Many general managers still treat special teams players as expendable. Anyone who isn't a starting wide receiver or linebacker has to "also" cover punts – a fatal misconception. When positions like kicker, punter, and long snapper are filled with cheap alternatives or casualties from roster cuts, the bill usually comes due promptly: blocked kicks, missed game-winners in the final seconds, and botched punts have ruined countless games.

It's true: a punter who pins the opponent at the 5-yard line, or a kicker who remains ice-cold from 55 yards, often brings more win probability than the next multi-million dollar rotational pass rusher. Anyone who treats special teams players as neglected in roster building is simply acting negligently. What do you think?