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Bleeding Green Nation
Eagles vs. Bengals: 22 winners, 2 losers, 1 IDKs
Highlight performances from Philadelphia’s Week 8 win.
The Philadelphia Eagles are 5-2 after beating the Cincinnati Bengals!
Three wins in a row! Dare I say, the Eagles are … back?!
Sure feels that way after that kind of complete performance going up against a quality team on the road. The quarterback played great, the offense had rhythm, and the defense made big plays.
Multiple games this season have frustratingly felt like the 2023 Eagles all over again. Last week’s run-heavy approach was reminiscent of the 2021 Eagles. Beating the Bengals had more of a 2022 feel and makes one wonder if the 2024 Eagles might truly be for real.
WINNERS
JALEN HURTS
Now THIS is the Hurts the Eagles need to see more often to be considered legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
The box score numbers: 16/20 (80% completion), 236 yards (11.8 average), 1 TD, 0 INT, 132.5 passer rating … 10 carries, 37 rushing yards, 3 rushing TD.
Hurts had two throws that stood out in a bad way from his first two drives. The first was when he overthrew A.J. Brown on third down to not even give the star receiver a chance at making a play and forcing the offense to settle for a field goal. The second was when he checked down to Kenny Gainwell short of the sticks on third down and it looked like the pass could’ve been in jeopardy of getting picked off by a defender who looked ready to step in front of the ball but ultimately couldn’t get there.
Following that incompletion, however, Hurts was literally perfect:
This was Jalen Hurts’ best game since the Super Bowl. He’s started 25 games since then. Here is how his stats from the Bengals game rank among his other 25 starts:
Cmp%: 80%: 1st
Y/A: 11.8: 1st
AY/A: 12.8: 1st
Rate: 132.5: 2nd (Was last year was 1st)
QBR: 95.6 (1st) https://t.co/l5Hb84J9Hu— Patrick (@PhillyPMC) October 28, 2024
NICK SIRIANNI
Over the past two weeks, Sirianni has managed to STAY OUT OF THE WAY. And that’s huge!
Don’t be the story. Don’t make the team worse.
It’s a low bar to clear, for sure. And ideally you’d like the head coach to give the team an edge. But, at the very least, don’t mess things up.
Sirianni has managed to do that much. And a bit more, really!
Sirianni deserves credit for being aggressive on 4th-and-1 from the Eagles’ own 39-yard line on their second drive, opting for a Brotherly Shove that gave them a first down. Of course, there’s a case to be made he should’ve gone for it again later on 4th-and-3 from the plus-48 instead of punting. But not all coaches go for that first one.
Sirianni also deserves credit for a successful challenge on a Burrow ball that clearly wasn’t caught cleanly by Andrei Iosivas. He managed to get his red flag out before the Bengals’ no-huddle approach got a snap off. The Bengals scored on this drive anyway but Sirianni did his part to make them work harder for it.
From a culture and vibes perspective, Sirianni seems to be pushing the right buttons. The Eagles are playing with confidence and swagger.
Blogging the Boys
Cowboys and Bengals in Week 14 to have alternate Simpsons broadcast with Homer on Dallas’ side
It was announced this week that the Cowboys/Bengals game a few weeks from now will have an interesting twist.
ESPN announced their week 14 Monday Night Football telecast from AT&T Stadium will have an alternate Simpsons character broadcast available on both ESPN+ and Disney+ streaming services.
Some of America’s most recognizable characters from the show that’s been on the air since 1989 have been chosen to represent the two teams, with Bart Simpson on the visiting Bengals side and Homer repping the Cowboys. America’s animated comedy dad, meet America’s Team. Here’s a cold Duff beer.
This dip into the Simpsons-verse for the Cowboys and Bengals is the fifth straight season with some kind of animated crossover being used for at least one game. The wacky concept has been done starting with Nickelodeon as the partner in 2021 when the Saints and Bears went underwater to play in the deep sea realm of Spongebob. ESPN got in on the action last year during a London game between the Falcons and Jaguars that was alternatively available as Toy Story characters.
This same concept was actually used for a Cowboys home playoff game in 2021, as the Cowboys lost to the 49ers 23-17 in the Wild Card round. Talk about opening up fresh wounds, as the current 2024 Cowboys are coming off their fourth straight loss to the 49ers when this news broke. Would either game have been less painful to watch in animation? Anyway…
The #Cowboys vs #Bengals game will be a “Simpsons” alternate MNF broadcast special.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 29, 2024
Truth be told, there is not a whole lot of good news or positive things to talk about when it comes to the Cowboys right now. When it comes to things like new ways to bring in viewers and the cross section of marketing and football, it’s refreshing to have this Simpsons endeavor as a project of ESPN and ABC exclusively instead of something specific to the Cowboys that the Jones’ are trying to sell amidst a tough season.
Blogging the Boys
3 burning questions from Cowboys’ loss to 49ers
What are the biggest 3 things you are worried about with the Cowboys right now?
Why haven’t they benched Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson at safety?
Your guess is as good as mine. Currently grading out as two of the NFL’s worst starting safeties, two of the few healthy veterans on the defense aren’t helping. Something just isn’t clicking with what Mike Zimmer’s asking of them compared to the last regime.
Unlike the problem at right tackle, Dallas does have backup safeties who could help matters. We’ve seen the playmaking potential of both Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell and yet they’re only getting in on about 6% of the defensive snaps. That’s not even a rotation; just stuck on the bench behind guys who aren’t performing.
With both Hooker and Wilson ripe for being cap casualties this offseason, it’s time to get these younger players more work. You may need at least one or both to be a starter in 2025, so let’s find out if that’s a good option now. Could they really be any worse than the current ones?
Big Blue View
Giants injuries: Tyrone Tracy (concussion), Josh Ezeudu (knee) not practicing
Will Tracy get throughout the protocol in time to play vs. Washington?
Offensive tackle Josh Ezeudu had his knee drained and will not practice Wednesday for the New York Giants, head coach Brian Daboll said Wednesday. Daboll said that Chris Hubbard, who replaced Ezeudu as the starting left tackle against the Pittsburgh Steelers, will fill that role again this week against the Washington Commanders.
Running back Tyrone Tracy (concussion protocol) was expected to work on the side with trainers on Wednesday. With this being a short week as Tracy sustained his concussion on Monday night, it compresses the time frame Tracy has in which to get through the league’s concussion protocol. We will see if he ramps up his activity on Thursday and Friday.
Pro Football Focus
2024 NFL offensive line rankings ahead of Week 9
9. Philadelphia Eagles (Up 3)
Projected Week 9 starters:
- LT Fred Johnson
- LG Landon Dickerson
- C Cam Jurgens
- RG Tyler Steen
- RT Lane Johnson
This was the best game in some time from the Eagles’ offensive line. Although the unit pass-blocked for only 22 snaps, they allowed pressures and no sacks in the team’s win over the Bengals. The group posted a 93.2 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating — tied for the fifth-best score in the NFL in Week 8.
The interior duo of Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens were especially effective, as they did not allow a single pressure against Cincinnati.
Best player: Lane Johnson
Although Johnson exited Week 8’s game with an injury, he was able to return. His 85.1 PFF pass-blocking grade this season leads all right tackles.
11. Washington Commanders (No change)
Projected Week 9 starters:
- LT Brandon Coleman
- LG Nick Allegretti
- C Tyler Biadasz
- RG Sam Cosmi
- RT Andrew Wylie
The Commanders were down to their third-string left tackle in the second half against the Bears, with rookie Brandon Coleman inactive due to a concussion and starter Cornelius Lucas exiting Week 8’s game. Trent Scott’s 55.7 PFF pass-blocking grade was the second lowest among Commanders linemen, as he surrendered three pressures on 21 pass-blocking snaps.
Overall, this was a weaker game than what we’ve come to expect from the Commanders. They allowed 17 pressures against Chicago — tied for the third most by a team in Week 8, and their 80.9 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating ranked just 25th in the NFL.
Best player: Sam Cosmi
Cosmi’s 79.0 PFF pass-blocking grade led all Washington offensive linemen in Week 8.
21. Dallas Cowboys (Up 1)
Projected Week 9 starters:
- LT Tyler Guyton
- LG Tyler Smith
- C Cooper Beebe
- RG Zack Martin
- RT Terence Steele
Rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton returned to action following the Cowboys’ bye week and played all 62 snaps against the 49ers. His 73.7 PFF overall grade was the second highest on the team’s offensive line in Week 8.
After a couple of games in which he struggled, rookie center Cooper Beebe put together an encouraging performance against San Francisco. The Kansas State product allowed one pressure in Week 8, and his 77.3 PFF overall grade led the Cowboys’ offensive linemen.
Best player: Tyler Smith
Smith is one of just eight NFL guards who have earned PFF pass-blocking and run-blocking grades above 70.0 this season.
28. New York Giants (Down 3)
Projected Week 9 starters:
Somewhat surprisingly, the Giants started Chris Hubbard instead of Joshua Ezeudu at left tackle against Pittsburgh. Hubbard allowed 12 pressures in New York’s loss, by far the most surrendered by any offensive lineman in Week 8, and his 25.5% pressure rate was also the highest in the league.
The Giants generated the worst PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating in Week 8 after surrendering 25 total pressures — including two sacks — on 43 pass plays.
Best player: Jermaine Eluemunor
Eluemunor let up a season-high five pressures against Pittsburgh.
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Front Office Sports
NFL TV Ratings Up and Down in October As Election Draws Near
With less than a week to go until Election Day, viewership results from Week 8 of the NFL regular season show another up-and-down set of performances for the league’s game broadcasts.
CBS had the most-watched national TV window of the weekend, as an average of 24.89 million people tuned in to the network’s late Sunday afternoon NFL coverage, which included a Jayden Daniels Hail Mary to help the Commanders beat the Bears as time expired, and a seventh consecutive win for the unbeaten Chiefs, who beat the Raiders.
But while that topped all other NFL game windows in Week 8, viewership was down 4% from the comparable 2023 slot, which was led by a Bengals-49ers game, according to Sports Media Watch. Meanwhile, Monday Night Football was also down 12% year over year, as ESPN dealt with competition from Game 3 of the World Series.
NFL.com
Colts’ Shane Steichen: Team ‘not giving up’ on QB Anthony Richardson in move to start Joe Flacco
It’s simple: The Colts need to win football games in 2024, and he believes Flacco gives them the best chance to do so. The Colts coach confirmed on Wednesday that Flacco will start Sunday’s prime-time game against the Vikings and will be their starting quarterback “going forward,” meaning this isn’t just a one-week swap with Richardson.
“I feel like Joe gives us the best chance to win right now. With that being said, I’m not giving up on Anthony by any means, I’m really not. He’s a young player with a ton of talent. He’ll use this time to continue to develop and grow as a professional.”
The Athletic (paywall)
Anthony Richardson’s benching goes far beyond his play: ‘A fascinating management dilemma’
The team has a 5-5 record in Richardson’s starts, better than the 4-6 average for the last 130 quarterbacks making their first 10 starts, per TruMedia. Richardson’s statistics through 10 games mirror those for Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen to the same point of Allen’s career.
These seemingly logical touchstones distract from the reality facing the Colts. They are not important parts of the equation Indianapolis is trying to solve.
“What a fascinating management dilemma to be in,” a former executive from one of the Colts’ division rivals said.
Those unfamiliar with NFL team and locker room dynamics will point to comparisons such as the 10-start comps for Richardson and the Bills’ Allen, suggesting Indianapolis is sacrificing the future for short-term gains. They don’t see any upside in riding Flacco to what might wind up being, at best, a short-lived playoff run.
Those on the inside see things differently. To them, the Colts decided the price for leaving Richardson in the lineup under these circumstances was higher than the price for replacing him. They chose to save the locker room now, in hopes of saving Richardson later, because they understand the tricky dynamics at work.
“If you enable him now, you lose everything,” the former high-ranking executive said, “because you sent the wrong message to your team and you sent the wrong message to him, that his behavior is acceptable. He will never recover from it.”
Can Richardson recover now?
“It’s really hard to develop a quarterback who is so far behind in learning to play the position that he’s in frantic mode all the time,” a personnel evaluator said. “This kid is truly a project more than a developmental player.”
Those who believed that about Richardson entering the draft believe it even more now. But if there was a decent chance Richardson might develop, that could still be the case.
“Maybe I’m being naïve,” the former high-ranking executive said, “but I think it is doable, and if you do it, you’re better than ever.”
In other words, if Richardson does possess the qualities required for him to become a consistent performer and true professional at what might be the most challenging position in professional team sports, those qualities will prevail in the end. But none of that will matter if he learns early on that it’s OK to do what he did as the face of the Colts’ franchise.
NFL.com
Derek Carr ‘no savior’ for skidding Saints, just trying to be ‘great leader’ upon expected return vs. Panthers
“I am no savior,” Carr told reporters Wednesday before paying respect to his Lord and Savior. “There’s only been one of those and that is not me. I am here to be a great leader and to be a great teammate and to do my job the best of my ability. Do I feel confident in what I can do? Absolutely. I feel confident in what I can do. I feel confident in what I can bring to our team. And that’s exciting. But to save us or anything like that, that’s not me.”
“When I get back, I’m going to be a psychopath,” he said. “I’m going to be crazy about the details and everything because we only get one shot at this. So, I don’t have any promises or anything except that I’ll promise great effort and promise long nights and early mornings to make sure we are at our best.”
NFL.com
Tez Effect: The Evolution
This season, Thursday nights are for the Bears defensive line. At least that’s what Montez Sweat decided.
Each week, the group gathers at Sweat’s house for dinner — which features wings or sandwiches — and Thursday Night Football. Players typically arrive before kickoff but are welcome to come and go as they please.
Before that week’s primetime matchup begins, Sweat pulls up the Bears’ film from their previous game. Despite having gone over it in meetings at Halas Hall earlier in the week, the group reviews it again. Everyone is welcome to give their perspective, bounce ideas off each other and then prep for the next opponent.
“It gets the chemistry right — all of us rushing as one,” Sweat said.
“I just felt like it was something that I needed to do. I’ve got the tools and the leeway to do those type of things, the space to do it. So why not?”
During Thursday Night Football, the gathering turns into more of a casual hangout. Sure, the players talk about the game and what the competing teams are doing well, but it’s more about spending time as friends versus being in work mode, whether that’s playing pool or striking up a card game.
It’s a low-pressure, optional event, with a simple intent — foster team camaraderie. And it’s paying off.
“I feel like we’re all genuinely cool with each other,” rookie Austin Booker said. “It’s not even like a formal D-line dinner. For Tez, it’s just ‘having my guys over that I know in Chicago.’ That’s the difference between us and other situations. We’re just actually cool with each other, we’re not just teammates.”
Pro Football Focus
2024 NFL quarterback rankings ahead of Week 9
The chart below can be divided into four quadrants:
• The top left shows quarterbacks with a high turnover-worthy play rate and low big-time throw rate — those struggling to protect the ball while doing little to mitigate the risks.
• The top right quadrant includes QBs with high big-time throw and turnover-worthy play rates, those who “live by the sword and die by the sword.”
• At the bottom left, we find the “Alex Smith zone,” populated by safe quarterbacks with low rates in both categories.
• The bottom right is the sweet spot — quarterbacks with a high big-time throw rate and low turnover-worthy play rate, exactly where every passer wants to be.
Quarterback is the most important position on the field, but we can often get stuck in their most recent blunders or successes, making it difficult to come up with an objective ranking.
In this quarterback rankings breakdown, we’ve evaluated the top performers based on PFF passing grades. Using insights from Premium Stats, we’ll also present a variety of key grades beyond passing grade, including grades under pressure, from a clean pocket, against the blitz and more.
