5 things⁤ I care about

Russell Wilson upgrades Steelers’ QB situation

I have to ⁤confess, I was quite⁤ uncertain about what Russell Wilson would⁢ contribute ‌as the⁢ Steelers’ starting quarterback. Regardless of the team’s ‍record, benching Justin Fields seemed justifiable since he left several opportunities untapped. However, I wasn’t convinced that the current iteration of Wilson, who had a poor yet misleadingly statistical 2023 season with the Broncos, could fill⁤ those gaps.

After just one game, I can confidently say that Wilson has offered a significant improvement for the Steelers at quarterback.

Wilson demonstrated the ‌ability to make ⁤swift decisions and execute ⁢the offensive plays effectively. He didn’t linger on the ball unnecessarily and capitalized ⁢on‍ easy opportunities. Darnell Washington recorded four receptions in the flat for 36 ​yards. While these plays⁤ weren’t game-changers, they resulted from Wilson’s rapid decision-making, enabling Washington to rack up yards after the catch.

On Sunday Night Football, Wilson‌ effectively utilized the core play-action elements of Arthur Smith’s offense. This marked the most critical distinction between Wilson and Fields.

Moreover, Wilson is particularly well-suited to connect ⁣with No. ​1 receiver George Pickens. According to‌ Next Gen Stats, all of Pickens’ production in Week 7‌ came from targets outside the numbers. He failed to ⁤catch his only ‌target that was in between the numbers.

Fields’ strengths as a passer align with Pickens’ capabilities as a deep and route-breaking receiver. However, Wilson excels in delivering ‍better passes⁣ on go routes and fades,⁤ which is ‌where Pickens really shines. In‍ many ways, Pickens resembles an upgraded version of Courtland Sutton, with whom Wilson had a successful season in Denver last year. Their synergy appears to⁢ be promising.

Justin Fields ⁢didn’t necessarily do anything to lose the starting role, and the praise from those in Pittsburgh regarding him persisted throughout⁣ the ⁤week and even after this game. Wilson ⁢truly excelled during his post-game interview with Fields. It’s possible that Wilson could receive another opportunity with the team should ⁣any complications arise, but it was evident on Sunday​ that he addressed some vital areas in the offense that ⁤required enhancement, as⁢ seen in the film ⁢from Weeks 1 to 6.

Pearsall won’t be the only young receiver the 49ers will ⁢need to rely on moving forward. Chris Conley was the second on the team in routes run among wide receivers, while second-year player Ronnie Bell‍ ranked fourth (Aiyuk placed third). Conley is primarily ⁣a backup X-receiver and a special-teams player, so he would likely assume Aiyuk’s pre-snap alignment, although he has never been a significant ​target. Pearsall isn’t suited for the X-receiver position and had an outside-to-slot-receiver ratio of 60:40 in Week 7.

Another intriguing player to ​monitor is⁤ rookie ​Jacob Cowing. He ‍only ran​ a route on 21.6% of the dropbacks,⁣ according to TruMedia, yet he was targeted ‌on a remarkable ‍37.5%⁣ of those attempts. Cowing has ⁤shown his⁤ potential as a special-teamer and ​possesses speed. Should Jennings or Samuel’s injuries continue, it will likely fall⁣ upon Cowing⁣ to make a significant impact, as Bell and Conley may not suffice.

If Aiyuk is ruled ⁢out for the season, the dream of seeing the 49ers’ Avengers-like star-studded skill-position lineup on the field ⁤this season may ‌be lost. It’s disappointing for an offense that is exceptionally challenging to stop when operating at full strength.

For the 49ers to remain ​competitive at the level they aspire to, this season is crucial.

The team ‍anticipates ​that Pearsall will need a significantly shorter learning curve than anyone had previously expected.

Jared Goff outduels Brian Flores

The prevailing narrative around Jared Goff suggests that if he is rattled, his entire game can be disrupted. Most NFL analysts view him at best ⁤as just a part of the system and at worst⁢ as a product ⁣of scheming. This ⁤perception⁢ is not without merit; we have witnessed⁢ competent‌ defensive coordinators completely dismantle Goff’s game in recent seasons. Brian Flores himself has made Goff’s life challenging ​during his time as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator.

This particular matchup was a highlight of the game, resulting in a clear victory for Jared Goff.

According to Next Gen Stats, in Week 7, Minnesota blitzed Goff on 55.2% of his dropbacks — and they put him under pressure. ‌Goff faced a season-high pressure rate on‍ 51.7% of his​ dropbacks. Despite this,⁤ he effectively countered the blitz‌ and⁣ found solutions throughout the game.

When under pressure in Week 7, Goff completed 13 of his 15 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns.⁣ Against the Vikings, he completed all ‌but one of his passes while facing pressure, including both⁤ touchdown throws.

Goff is performing at an exceptionally high level ⁣this season, even when the situation is challenging. After Week 7, his 11.6 yards per attempt and 71.6% completion percentage under pressure‍ both lead the NFL. Much of this success can be attributed to the strategies devised by Ben Johnson and a well-crafted offensive scheme. Although untangling⁤ Goff’s ⁣performance from this⁤ system may be ⁣a complex task, it is evident that ‍he executes his role more effectively than ⁢most quarterbacks in the league.

In the game against the Vikings, Goff connected with seven different receivers. When ⁣he faced pressure from Minnesota, ⁣he was not merely opting for short passes; he was actively looking‍ to make plays downfield against a formidable pass defense. ⁣He currently has‌ full command of every area of the field.

Flores and the Vikings’ defense have posed significant⁣ challenges to some of the league’s top offenses and quarterbacks this season. However, they met their match in Goff and‌ the Lions on Sunday. This highlights the remarkable level at which Goff ‍is playing right now and showcases how high this team can soar when everything aligns.

Amari Cooper’s role

Amari Cooper’s⁣ involvement in the Bills’ offense was a significant topic of discussion throughout​ the week following ​his trade from the Browns ahead of Week 7. In his debut with the team, we received several ⁢key insights.

Cooper participated in only 34%⁢ of Josh Allen’s dropbacks against the⁣ Titans, according to‌ TruMedia. Six other players⁤ logged more route‌ runs than Cooper. Despite this, he remained ⁤a‍ key contributor, as Allen targeted him on 42% of his routes run that Sunday. When Cooper was on the field, his quarterback was actively seeking him out, indicating that the plays were designed to include him.

The reason for this focus ⁢was clear. Cooper instantly added a new dimension that was lacking in the Bills’ receiving corps. During Week 7, he lined up outside on 83% ⁤of his snaps ⁢and consistently succeeded against tight man coverage.

One could reasonably expect a⁢ learning curve for Cooper, who had just joined Buffalo a few days prior​ and was unfamiliar⁤ with this system. It was unrealistic to expect ​him to be a full-time contributor in Week 7.

In fact, he may not have even been fully aware of the play call or his route assignment on the play where he scored a touchdown:

Cooper’s involvement in the Bills offense⁤ is set to increase moving forward. If we isolate the plays where he was on the field, ⁣it’s evident that his connection ‌with Allen is developing positively. This trade is poised to be a success.

While⁣ Cooper’s arrival isn’t the sole reason, it’s significant that ‌the Bills’ young wide receivers, Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir, performed exceptionally well during Week 7. Shakir occupied the slot position and once again caught every target thrown his way. He⁣ is expected to have plenty of opportunities to exploit space in⁣ the‍ middle of the field as the season progresses. Meanwhile, Coleman primarily served as an outside receiver (92.7% of his snaps) but impressively averaged over 19 yards after the catch per reception. His ability to gain yardage after secure reception is where he can truly make⁤ an impact, alongside his skill as a pass catcher.

Once Cooper is fully integrated into the offense, players like Coleman and Shakir can transition into supporting roles. Both wide receivers possess significant talent, and this arrangement will allow them to showcase their abilities better, complementing Cooper’s contributions.

The Texans’ offensive line

The performance of⁤ the Houston Texans’ offensive line has not ‌met expectations, whether due to scheme or talent issues. Penalties have plagued them all season, and the run game has struggled significantly, especially without Joe Mixon.

On Sunday, the offensive line put C.J.⁣ Stroud under ‌an unusual ⁢amount of pressure.⁢ According to Next Gen Stats, Stroud faced pressure on 48.3% ⁢of his dropbacks—the highest rate in his career. The Packers, entering Week 7 as a mediocre pass-rushing team,⁢ managed to challenge ⁤the Texans offensive line throughout the game.

Stroud has ⁢the potential to excel under pressure, having made remarkable throws while under duress this season. However, this is‌ an area for growth for him, especially ⁣following his impressive rookie season. Just⁣ because he’s capable of handling pressure‌ doesn’t mean it is wise to continually place that burden on him ​as Houston has this year.

The Texans have struggled with injuries, never having been at full strength this season.​ Mixon’s absence has highlighted his importance to the team’s running game, ⁣which seeks revitalization. Although Nico Collins emerged as a top-tier receiver, leading the NFL in receiving ‌yards⁢ prior to​ Week 7, he is currently on injured reserve. Meanwhile, second-year receiver Tank Dell is still recovering from a ⁢2023 injury and hasn’t yet returned to the explosive form he displayed as a rookie.

These injury setbacks have narrowed⁤ the Texans’ margin ‌for error. The underperforming offensive⁢ line has compounded ‌these issues significantly. Stroud is ⁣required to play almost flawlessly for the team to⁣ succeed. While Stroud’s talent and the potential of ⁣the Texans’ offense suggest they can avoid total disaster, games like Sunday ​serve as reminders of the repercussions when the defense ramps up its ⁢pressure ⁣and disrupts Stroud’s rhythm.

5 things I don’t⁣ care about

The Davante Adams trade

My perspective on⁢ the Davante Adams trade to the Jets, even prior to its occurrence,⁤ was that while he would‌ certainly bolster the offense, his presence would not resolve all the team’s concerns. The outcome of Sunday Night Football in Week 7⁢ confirmed that view.

I’m uncertain about any​ impending changes.

Unsurprisingly, Adams saw no limitations in his usage. He has years of experience, and it was expected he would be utilized fully.

familiarity with Aaron ⁤Rodgers and ​understanding the terminology, concepts, and assignments of ⁢this offense are essential. Everything you expected from Adams’ role in⁤ New York came to fruition.

He played full-time — and ⁣it didn’t make⁤ a⁣ difference.

The impact of Adams’ presence was palpable, creating space for other players on the team. Regardless of whether you believe ‍Adams has diminished since his peak years, there is no doubt ‍that opposing teams continue to ‍view and⁤ cover him as a top-tier threat.⁣ When positioned on the outside with cloud coverages,⁣ he attracted extra‍ defenders to the boundary, resulting in openings ‍for Breece Hall‍ to make plays in the passing ‍game. Garrett Wilson benefitted from ⁢several opportunities ‍in single⁣ coverage, while Allen Lazard secured a few significant catches across the middle.

It’s difficult to dismiss the importance of this since it undeniably affects the game, but it led to yet another middling offense that managed just 15 points.

The underlying issues with the Jets’ offense are ‍profound, and nothing Davante Adams can ‍do will fully resolve them. The offensive line is problematic, yielding quick pressure that sabotages plays before ⁣they can even start. Although Breece Hall’s fantasy ⁤season is looking up,‌ this merely conceals what‍ has been a dreadful running game. Unless it’s⁤ a designed, scripted⁤ deep shot, the quarterback is limited to quick passing plays. This​ doesn’t even begin to address the‌ flaws in the ​overall offensive design.

Davante Adams undoubtedly improved the Jets’ offense. Having Adams on the field creates better opportunities for other players compared to someone like Mike Williams. However, it falls significantly short of what New York needs to set its offense on⁣ the right ​course.

The gaps are too large, and Adams alone cannot bridge them.

Hoping to Land a WR1 in Kansas City

I must admit,‌ a part of me believes that a Diontae Johnson ‌trade to ⁣Kansas City ‌could ‌be on the horizon. The Chiefs expressed interest when the Steelers were shopping him earlier this ​offseason, but they hesitated to send him to the Super Bowl champions. His current ⁤stop in Charlotte could merely be a temporary phase.

On the other hand, Johnson ‌has performed exceptionally well for the Panthers, and given that they will likely pursue a quarterback ‌again, they may ​want to retain him for the next signal-caller. Otherwise, ‍their receiving corps in 2025 might resemble the current one.

failed Bryce Young in 2023.

If‍ Johnson is​ unavailable, it remains unclear who a guaranteed No. 1 wide receiver ​trade candidate is⁣ for the Chiefs, ⁤ particularly since they’re reportedly targeting players under 30.

The​ Chiefs undeniably require more assistance at this position. Tom Brady’s exemplary performance showcased their outstanding capacity to secure victories, even amidst adversity and injuries. However, there’s ⁣a limit⁤ to how far that can carry​ them. During last year’s ​Super Bowl ⁢win, they effectively utilized Rashee Rice as a reliable target, capitalizing on yards after catch as a high-volume receiver. Conversely, ​Xavier Worthy has not demonstrated traits of such a player, and after leading the team in targets with little to show for it in Week 7, there’s scant evidence suggesting he will evolve into that role as a rookie.

With JuJu Smith-Schuster battling injuries, a significant gap exists in the intermediate-middle of the field, an area that ⁢Kansas City’s offense typically ​exploits.

I anticipate that the Chiefs will secure a player ahead of the trade deadline, but ​despite the excitement that usually surrounds this ‌period, I am preparing to feel underwhelmed. Unless Johnson becomes available from Carolina, we⁣ could be looking at an acquisition similar to their distressed asset investment in Kadarius⁢ Toney a couple of ‍years back, in the best-case scenario.

Excuses in Miami

It appears that Miami is nearing Tua Tagovailoa’s return, likely next week or ⁢shortly thereafter. However, after‍ yet another lackluster performance from their offense, I​ find ⁢myself⁣ questioning if we should still be concerned.

With just 10 points against a Colts defense that ⁣has allowed considerable production to every ⁢team this year, the situation is unacceptable. This aligns with an overall ‍disappointing ⁢season for the Dolphins offense.

Although the Dolphins’ run game showed signs of improvement in Week 7, their aerial attack continued to falter⁤ post-bye week. Both​ Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle failed to make a catch in⁤ the first half.​ They ultimately‌ concluded the game with one reception each, totaling a meager 19 yards. These are the two standout players on⁣ this offense, and their inability to perform against a shaky secondary is baffling.

We ‌can continue to attribute the struggles to the backup quarterback, but that reasoning falls short. The organization chose to let go of the highly paid backup Mike White after observing Skylar Thompson for ‌years. Given ‌what we know ⁤about Thompson, it was always a possibility to end up in a situation with Tyler Huntley and Tim Boyle. This becomes even⁣ more concerning considering Tagovailoa’s injury ⁢history and the lack of an established quarterback solution.

Successful ‌teams maximize their‍ chances when their backups are at the⁤ helm. Miami, in contrast, has done the opposite. Coming out of the bye​ week without any new strategies tailored to ‍Huntley’s skill set is nothing short of bewildering.

Additionally, it’s important to note that Miami had a rocky start this season during the two-and-a-half games that Tua Tagovailoa played in 2024. Their offense struggled significantly in Week 2 ⁤against the ⁣Bills and was nearly shut out by a struggling Jaguars defense until⁢ the⁣ final quarter.

The deficiencies showcased by Mike McDaniel throughout ‌the season ⁤are not merely coincidental. After seven weeks, this ​has become the norm ‍for the Dolphins’ head coach. While getting‌ Tagovailoa ⁣back may serve as ​a temporary fix for the offense, the⁢ evidence so far suggests⁣ otherwise. Miami needs significantly⁣ more from its offensive mastermind ‍to salvage the season — before it’s​ too late.

The‍ Colts’ pass-catchers

Week 7’s ​result was

It’s ​a troubling scenario for anyone hoping to feel ​optimistic about the Colts’ wide receiver corps. As one of those enthusiasts, I had hoped for a different outcome. Sadly, until we witness a more polished performance from‌ Anthony Richardson, it’s ⁤impossible to set expectations for the talented⁣ players within the Colts’ receiver room.

While​ the Dolphins may not rank among the top defensive units in the NFL, they certainly put pressure on Indy during Week 7. According to Next Gen Stats, Richardson faced pressure on 18 of his dropbacks against Miami, with‌ 67% of those⁣ classified as “quick pressures” occurring in under 2.5 seconds. Few quarterbacks can thrive under such circumstances. It’s⁢ remarkable that Richardson ⁣managed to exit ⁢that defensive​ onslaught without being sacked.

The problem remains that Richardson is not fully capitalizing on opportunities when the pocket is clean. In Week 7, he completed only four of nine passes from a clean ‍pocket for 48 ​yards, as per Next Gen Stats. This season, Richardson’s completion percentage of 51.6% when kept clean is significantly lower than any other starting quarterback, with Trevor Lawrence trailing at 64.3%.

While Richardson has ⁣displayed genuine talent as a rusher and a vertical ​passer, he has only‌ started nine ‌NFL ‌games. I believe it’s premature to draw broad conclusions about⁢ his future, particularly since we have seen players rectify their accuracy issues in recent seasons. That’s a discussion for the long term. For now, it’s crucial to acknowledge ‌that as long as Richardson doesn’t improve, we cannot anticipate consistent production from these skilled wide receivers.

Tank Bigsby’s ⁤Surge

Tank Bigsby is enjoying a remarkable season and stands‍ out as the finest pure runner in the Jacksonville backfield. The ⁣Jaguars perform better on the ground​ when⁢ he handles the primary responsibilities early in the game. Nevertheless, I have concerns that the fantasy community might be overly optimistic about his ⁢projected performance moving forward after his 118-yard, two-touchdown breakout game ‍in ​Week 7.

Despite the Jaguars’ shortcomings, they opened as 5.5-point⁣ favorites against the one-win New England Patriots, who are starting a rookie quarterback. Jacksonville found themselves in an early deficit in the first quarter, yet they largely dominated the game throughout ⁤the morning. They effectively exploited a⁤ weaker Patriots run defense, executing 35 running plays compared to just 20 passing⁣ attempts.

This ‌type of game⁤ script is precisely what a back like Bigsby requires to excel in fantasy football. However, such situations are rare for the Jaguars, who hadn’t encountered this‌ favorable script in the first six games of the season.

Looking ahead at their schedule, it’s uncertain how often ⁣Jacksonville will find ‌itself in advantageous situations suited ‍for a running⁤ back like Bigsby,​ especially considering the coaching staff hasn’t utilized him on ‌passing downs up to this point.‌ The Jaguars will return to face teams like the Packers, Eagles, Vikings, ⁣and Lions before‌ their bye in Week 11. Upon returning, they will play against the Texans. I don’t see many ⁢matchups with conditions⁣ reminiscent of the scenario Bigsby thrived in against the Patriots in Week 7.

It’s important to ⁢remember that just a week prior, Bigsby had taken on a significant ⁤load in the absence of an ‌injured Travis Etienne Jr., yet he was still sidelined late in a game against a stronger Bears team. Just ‌because this outstanding performance is the latest one does not guarantee it will reflect the remainder of the season. We need to witness ⁤changes ‍in Bigsby’s usage during trailing situations before he can be considered a matchup-proof RB2 option.