2022 NFL Draft Big Board: Top 25 dominated by offensive and defensive linemen

November 8, 2021 Chris McGlynn Draft, Football, NCAAF, NFL 2022 NFL Big Board, 2022 NFL Draft, Big Board, Football, Kayvon Thibodeaux, NFL, NFL Draft

It is hard to believe it is already November. The first round of College Football Playoff rankings have already dropped and the second edition will already see a new top 4 following Michigan State’s loss to Purdue. While I have thoroughly enjoyed this wild college football season, I am also looking ahead to the 2022 NFL draft. This class is one of the most interesting ones we have had in recent years. Without an elite quarterback prospect, this group is dominated by elite offensive and defensive linemen. For the countless general managers who love to build in the trenches, this class is going to be a really fun one.

I already dropped my first mock draft of the year last week, but now I turn my attention to my first big board of the 2022 draft cycle. Mock drafts focus more on team fits, positional value and need. Big boards solely look at who the best prospects are to compete at the next level. While yes, it is likely that a quarterback goes in the top five picks, I do not have any ranked among my top 15 prospects. It is also unusual to see teams taking a safety in the top five, and just because Kyle Hamilton is a top-five player, it does not mean I think he will be a top-five draft pick.

This group has already been a fun one to break down and I have tons more film to go through before we reach draft day. I’ve watched at least two games for just about all of the prospects I have ranked below. This is far from set in stone. It is merely my initial assessment of where these prospects stack up. Without further ado, let’s get to these future NFL stars.

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
There really isn’t anything Kayvon Thibodeaux can’t do. He is dominant as a pass rusher and disruptive against the run. He brings all of the projectables you want to see from a top-end edge rusher. With his length, bend and burst off the edge, he can line up with hand in the dirt or as a standup pass rusher. His ability to change the game makes him the top prospect in this class.

2. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Size, speed and power. Evan Neal has it all. At 6’7”, 360 lbs, he is a mountain of a man, but moves like someone at least 100 pounds lighter than him. He has experience on both sides of the line, but has shown he is more than capable of holding his own in pass protection this year in the SEC. He has all the tools to be a franchise left tackle. He flashes some moments on film where he just flat out dominates opposing linemen. He did it to DeMarvin Leal earlier this season. I think he will be one of the top five players off the board come April.

3. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Independent of position, Kyle Hamilton is one of the best players in this draft. Obviously, we don’t see too many safeties that go in the top three, but Hamilton could genuinely be worth the selection. Unlike Jamal Adams, he has the coverage ability to make him worth the selection this early in the draft. However, he is still a hard hitter who wraps up well and can play just about anywhere you want in coverage. His range makes him a complete player.

4. Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
If it is possible, breaking his leg in 2020 was likely a great thing for Aidan Hutchinson. He was in the mix to go in the top 50 last season. Now, it will be a surprise to see Hutchinson fall out of the top 10. He is a problem for opposing offensive lines in pass protection. He has six sacks this season and the length needed to succeed in the NFL. I expect him to test pretty well at the combine and at his pro day as well to bolster his draft stock.

5. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Injuries have started to hurt Derek Stingley Jr.’s draft stock. When he has played this year, he has not looked like the elite shutdown corner we saw in 2019 and much of 2020. He has the physical tools and tape to be a top-five pick. However, he is going to need to answer a lot of questions in the pre-draft process. Otherwise, we could see Stingley start sliding much further down draft boards.

6. Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
Pick a position on the offensive line, Kenyon Green has most likely played it. He has taken snaps at every spot except center this year. Many see him fitting best as a guard at the next level, but he has been Texas A&M’s starting left tackle for much of this season. He has not done much to indicate he cannot play tackle in the NFL, but measurements and testing numbers might dictate how teams view him.

7. George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Purdue has been a giant killer this season. George Karlaftis is a big part of the reason the Boilermakers are making noise on the national stage. He has not put up the huge pass rushing numbers so far this season, but his impact can be seen on tape. He is very capable of turning the corner and chasing down opposing running backs and quarterbacks. He is a quick-twitch athlete with plenty of upside that should land him in the top 10.

8. DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
Something of a tweener, DeMarvin Leal has plenty of experience at end and at tackle from his time at Texas A&M. I like him best on the interior. That’s not to say he cannot play out on the edge, but I think he projects best as a defensive tackle. His ability to beat interior offensive line off the snap with his quickness is incredibly impactful. He has the strength to fight through run blocks as well. Teams needing a 1-technique or 3-technique player should be all over Leal.

9. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
One of my favorite players in this draft class, I’ve been banging the drum for Devin Lloyd since 2019. He jumped out to me on film when watching Bradlee Anae. His athleticism and nose for the football stood out. He can do a little bit of everything, evidenced by his 81 tackles, 6 sacks and 3 interceptions in 2021. Sometimes, he is guilty of being over aggressive and not reading his keys, but he is usually an instinctive, downhill player with good production.

10. Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Given his size, Tyler Linderbaum won’t be for everyone. He is listed at 6’3”, 290 lbs, which is definitely a little light for interior linemen in the NFL. However, he is one of the most agile linemen in the country and has some nastiness to his blocking. For any team that runs a zone blocking scheme or one that emphasizes pulling linemen to block, he would be an excellent fit. Despite that slightly smaller frame, he is still more than capable of blowing opposing defensive linemen off the ball and putting them on the ground.

11. Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The man known as Sauce is certainly no secret. He is arguably the best player on Cincinnati. Desmond Ridder and Myjai Sanders might have something to say about that. One thing is for sure, he is definitely the best NFL prospect on this team. A big corner, Ahmad Gardner is a press man corner with experience in zone schemes. I think he has the size and traits to be a true No. 1 corner at the next level.

12. Drake London, WR, USC
Despite a broken ankle, Drake London is my No. 1 wide receiver right now. He reminds me a lot of Mike Evans in his play style. Given his size and ability to catch the ball away from his body, he is a mismatch for most opposing corners. His production this season certainly points to that. He eclipsed 1,000 yards in just eight games. USC threw at him a lot too, as he recorded at least nine catches in all but one game this year. He certainly has room to improve his route running, but I like what he brings to the table.

13. Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia
After watching Jordan Davis, it is fair to wonder how people that large are able to move that fast. Davis is 6’6”, 340 lbs, but he has burst off the line of scrimmage. He can collapse the pocket and stuff the run. On tape, he displays good play strength and a solid understanding of gap assignments. It is fair to wonder how much he benefits from playing with the talent around him. That being said, there is no way Georgia linebackers would look as good without him eating up blocks in front of them.

14. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Garrett Wilson’s production won’t blow you away. It is solid, with 687 yards and 6 touchdowns on 43 catches, but far from breaking any records. However, his tape tells a different story. He has the stop-and-start ability to make defenders miss, reliable hands and a well-developed route tree. He is an all-around receiver who can fit some different roles as needed.

15. Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
When you look at Drake Jackson’s athletic profile, it is easy to see how he fits at the NFL level. He is built like a prototypical 3-4 outside linebacker, standing 6’4″, 255 lbs. While primarily serving as a pass rusher, Jackson does have a couple of snaps where he drops into coverage, mostly in the flats. It definitely his not is strong suit, but it is good to see him show he is capable of being a three-down player. Why teams will be interested though is because of his quick first step and tantalizing length. He understands the importance of keeping contain, but still has room to grow as a block shedder. He is an intriguing prospect.

16. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
The Athletic called him the most feared offensive linemen in the ACC. Put on the film and it is easy to see why. Ikem Ekwonu blocks to the whistle on just about every play, many of which involve him putting defenders on the ground. He shows some incredible raw power as a run blocker and is fairly polished in pass protection. There is room for improvement when it comes to his balance and footwork, but that mostly points to a higher ceiling for him to reach given all his physical gifts.

17. Sean Rhyan, OT, UCLA
There are a few things I really like about Sean Rhyan’s game. He always keeps the play in front of him. He slides his feet well and keeps his head up to see what he is hitting. I can’t tell you how many offensive linemen I watch that drop their heads as they lean into a block. You won’t see that very often with Rhyan. He has decent athleticism for the position but it won’t blow you away. If he can take the next step as a run blocker, he could push himself even higher up my board.

18. Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
This is not the year to desperately need a quarterback. That’s not to say Matt Corral won’t succeed in the NFL. His play style and traits are reminiscent of Baker Mayfield, maybe without the same arm strength. Corral does show nice zip on his passes, but his ball placement is inconsistent. He has a good internal clock, but there are moments where he hangs onto the ball too long. He has enough athleticism to hang in the modern NFL, but he won’t be putting up huge rushing numbers. There is definitely a bit of room for improvement if he can improve his accuracy.

19. Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
The latest example of the modern day NFL linebacker, Christian Harris is built like a linebacker, but moves like a safety. He has great closing speed and flashes impressive strength as a pass rusher against backs and tight ends. He is a very effective blitzer and has more than enough range to play in coverage. So far, he has not shown the awareness or ability to work through run blocks to be a middle linebacker, but he could fit really well as an outside backer in a 4-3 scheme.

20. Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
I tend to be a fan of taller corners. If you take a look at the top outside corners around the NFL, most are at least 5’11”. Jaire Alexander is pretty much the only elite corner below that threshold, and he is 5’10”. All of that to say that Andrew Booth Jr. checks all the physical boxes for a top outside corner. He has plus athleticism and good ball skills as well. This is more of a projection as to where he could end up, but there is a lot to like so far.

21. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
This offensive line class is shaping up to be a pretty good one. Charles Cross has all the physical tools to be a really good right tackle and the potential to start as a blindside protector down the line. He is physical in the ground game, even if Mississippi State’s offense does not run the ball much. Cross’ 2021 film shows some improved hand placement and technique in pass protection, but I am concerned by how consistently he is beaten across his face, a cardinal sin in pass blocking. If he can fix the problem, likely oversetting in pass blocking kick, he will move up on my board.

22. Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
Another long, tall corner, Kaiir Elam has all the traits to be a good press-man corner. He is 6’2” with good open field speed and shows physicality on film. I haven’t been able to watch too much of his 2021 film yet, but his 2020 film shows some room for improvement in zone and off coverage. He is definitely better when he is allowed to keep contact with opposing receivers. I’m excited to dig into more of his tape from this year.

23. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Much like Trey Lance and Jordan Love as prospects before him, Malik Willis has exciting physical traits and some truly spectacular plays on film, but struggles with consistency and has a lot of developing to do before he is ready to be a starting NFL quarterback. The arm talent is clearly there, but he holds onto the ball way too long and has not learned to throw it away. Following a hot start, he has come back down to earth. He now has three games this season with three interceptions. He also took a staggering nine sacks against Ole Miss. Some of that is on his offensive line, but Willis needs to identify the rush and learn to get rid of the football when he knows the pressure is coming.

24. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Another year, another incredibly talented Alabama wide receiver. Jameson Williams is not quite as polished or physically dominant as Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, Jaylen Waddle or DeVonta Smith, but he is a solid route runner with good hands and a knack for the big play. He has surpassed John Metchie as the top receiver in Alabama’s offense. I will be really interested to see how he tests during the pre draft process.

25. Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
Much of the early scouting process is focused on identifying traits in players that can translate to the NFL. It does not take long to start seeing how Daxton Hill’s traits could translate. He posted the highest SPARQ rating in the 2019 recruiting class and you can see his clear speed and burst when you watch him fly around in Michigan’s defense. He also has reps in man-to-man coverage out of the slot. With experience at both safety spots, he could be a versatile chess piece for defensive coordinators to move around at the next level.

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2021 NFL Power Rankings: Week 9

November 2, 2021 Chris McGlynn Football, NFL, Power Rankings Football, Los Angeles Rams, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Power Rankings

Just when you think you know what is going to happen in the NFL, the league throws you a massive curveball. Three backup quarterbacks led their teams to victories, as Mike White shocked the Bengals, Trevor Siemian beat the Bucs and Cooper Rush humbled the Vikings. We also had a massive NFC showdown to kick off the week on Thursday night as the 1972 Dolphins were finally allowed to pop their champagne.

With no undefeated teams left, the rankings see a sizable shakeup. As if that wasn’t enough, trades and injuries changed the outlook of several teams moving forward. Let’s see how the league stacks up through eight weeks.

1. Los Angeles Rams: 7-1 (Last Week: 2)
Won 38-22 at Houston
In addition to a big win over the Texans, the Rams added Von Miller to bolster its pass rush. Sitting at 7-1 with an offense capable of putting up tons of points, Los Angeles went all in for this season. As for the game on Sunday, L.A. led 38-0 heading into the fourth quarter before clearly taking its foot off the gas. Houston scored three touchdowns to make it seem a bit closer. It will be interesting to see if the Rams have any other areas they want to bolster before the deadline passes. They are running out of draft picks to make it happen though.

2. Dallas Cowboys: 6-1 (Last Week: 4)
Won 20-16 at Minnesota
No Dak, no problem. Kind of. Cooper Rush did just enough to win the game, but it was the defense that really won the day. Dallas held Minnesota under 300 yards of offense and limited Kirk Cousins to a single touchdown drive. That is really impressive, especially when you consider that the Cowboys lost the turnover battle 2-0. Finding different ways to win when you are not at full strength is the sign of a good team. Thankfully, Dak Prescott should be back for Week 9 against the Broncos.

3. Green Bay Packers: 7-1 (Last Week: 7)
Won 24-21 at Arizona
Aaron Rodgers loves proving everyone wrong. Without his top three wide receivers, the reigning MVP tossed two touchdowns to knock off the previously undefeated Cardinals. It was far from his most efficient performance, but it was good enough to get the job done, with a little help from Rasul Douglas. Green Bay keeps pace with the Rams and Cardinals atop the NFC and seems to be ready for another deep postseason run. The Packers will only get better when its full complement of receivers return and David Bahktiari gets back on the field.

4. Arizona Cardinals: 7-1 (Last Week: 1)
Lost 24-21 vs. Green Bay
This was a really tough loss for the Cardinals, especially considering how it ended. A.J. Green apparently ran the wrong route on Arizona’s final offensive play, which led to a pass whizzing right past an oblivious Green and into the waiting arms of Rasul Douglas. An incompletion could have set up a game-tying field to force overtime or another chance to win the game in regulation. While it was a disappointing finish, it is also clear that the Cardinals are capable of competing with some of the top teams in the league. A rematch with the 49ers is up next.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-2 (Last Week: 3)
Lost 36-27 at New Orleans
I turned to my wife while watching this game and said, “I would love it for the Buccaneers to get into a position to win and for Tom Brady to throw a pick-six to end it.” Low and behold, that actually happened, so I will be buying some lottery tickets this week. Tampa continues to struggle with New Orleans in the regular season. Even without Jameis Winston, the Bucs defense could not shut down the run game. Penalties also continue to crush Tampa, especially on defense. Sean Payton got creative to take advantage of their aggression up front. For Brady, this was one of the worst fourth quarters we’ve seen him play in some time. He was staring down throws and forcing the ball into double coverage, leading to two crippling interceptions. Tampa Bay still leads the division, but this changes the outlook for how the NFC South will be decided.

6. Buffalo Bills: 5-2 (Last Week: 6)
Won 26-11 vs. Miami
Buffalo picked up the win, but some of the same issues that have plagued this offense in recent years reared their head again. Josh Allen accounted for more than half the team’s rushing yards and the passing game did not produce any big plays. Cole Beasley had Buffalo’s longest reception, which went just 20 yards. Thankfully, the defense bullied an overmatched Dolphins offense. Miami managed just 68 yards on the ground and Tua Tagovailoa threw a late interception to set up the Bills’ final touchdown. There is definitely no reason to panic, but this was far from the cleanest game we’ve seen from Sean McDermott’s side.

7. New Orleans Saints: 5-2 (Last Week: 13)
Won 36-27 vs. Tampa Bay
Just as we all expected, the Trevor Siemian-led Saints hold off Tom Brady and the Buccaneers to pick up a critical division win. Sean Payton put on a master class in creative play calling to take the pressure off Siemian and find some big plays to spark the offense. The defense finished the job with a pick-six to put the game out of reach. Unfortunately, Jameis Winston is likely out for the rest of the year and Taysom Hill is still questionable to play in Week 9. It could be another defensive battle featuring a heavy dose of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram if Siemian remains the starter against the Falcons.

8. Tennessee Titans: 6-2 (Last Week: 8)
Won 34-31 at Indianapolis
Tennessee won the battle, but may have very well lost the war. Derrick Henry will potentially miss the rest of the season after fracturing a bone in his foot. While Henry was not as effective in recent weeks, he is still crucial to everything the team does offensively. The Titans rank fourth in run percentage and eighth in play action percentage. Unless Adrian Peterson turns back the clocks big time, this offense is going to change dramatically. Thankfully, the Titans held on to beat the Colts in overtime and build a three-game lead atop the weakest division in the league. That should buy them a bit of wiggle room to reinvent themselves.

9. Cincinnati Bengals: 5-3 (Last Week: 5)
Lost 34-31 at New York
Time to cool the hype. Cincinnati blew an 11-point lead in the final five minutes against Mike White and the Jets of all teams. White, making his first NFL start, lit up the Bengals secondary for 405 yards and three touchdowns. Part of the issue is Cincinnati’s inability to run the ball and Joe Burrow’s struggles with ball security in the fourth quarter. Joe Mixon managed just 33 yards on 14 carries for a whopping 2.4 yards per attempt. Meanwhile, Burrow threw his fifth fourth-quarter interception of the season, tied with Taylor Heinicke for the most in the league. The Bengals are much closer to being contenders than in years past, but still have a few areas for improvement.

10. Las Vegas Raiders: 5-2 (Last Week: 12)
Bye Week
Las Vegas’ position in the AFC suddenly looks much better than it did a week ago, and the Raiders didn’t even play! The Chargers and Bengals took unexpected losses, while the Titans lost Derrick Henry indefinitely. The Raiders are tied for the fewest losses of any AFC team. Still, there is a long way to go and a lot of work to do. That starts at MetLife Stadium against the Giants in Week 9.

11. Baltimore Ravens: 5-2 (Last Week: 9)
Bye Week
Somehow, the loss to the Bengals looks even worse now after they turned around and lost to the Jets. Hopefully, Baltimore spent the week off getting healthier and gelling a bit with some of the talent returning to the starting lineup. The Ravens have had to paper over so many injuries this year with backups and free agent signings, so it is fair to wonder what an additional week of prep will allow to finally get on the same page. The Vikings are up next.

12. New England Patriots: 4-4 (Last Week: 19)
Won 27-24 at Los Angeles
Statement made. New England finally picked up a quality win. Bill Belichick seems to have Justin Herbert’s number. In two games against the Patriots, the former Oregon star is 0-2 with two touchdowns, four interceptions and a completion percentage of 50. With wins over the Texans and Jets up to this point, it was fair to wonder if the Patriots were really capable of knocking off an above average team. Now, the Pats are back to .500 and very much in the wildcard conversation. There is still room for improvement after giving up 163 yards on the ground, but this was a really good sign for New England.

13. Los Angeles Chargers: 4-3 (Last Week: 10)
Lost 27-24 vs. New England
So much for revenge. The Chargers’ hot start has fizzled a bit with losses to the Ravens and Patriots bringing them back down to Earth. Justin Herbert is not taking care of the football, highlighted by a pick-six and the defense is not generating much pressure. There is still a silver lining in the form of the ground game. Josh Jackson’s 75-yard run inflates some of the numbers, but Los Angeles still had 88 yards on 19 additional carries. Had Los Angeles not been playing from behind, it would have been good to see them lean on that run game more to take some pressure off Herbert and the defense. L.A. looks to bounce back in Philly this week.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers: 4-3 (Last Week: 17)
Won 15-10 at Cleveland
Stories of the Steelers’ demise have been slightly exaggerated. The offense is as dysfunctional as expected, but Pittsburgh’s defense continues to step up. Cleveland narrowly eclipsed 300 yards of offense and went 3-for-12 on third- and fourth-down conversions. T.J. Watt also recovered a Jarvis Landry fumble in the fourth quarter to end a Browns drive. Offensively, it continues to be ugly, but Ben Roethlisberger and Najee Harris are getting the job done. Prepare for another defensive struggle as Pittsburgh hosts Chicago on Monday Night Football.

15. Cleveland Browns 4-4 (Last Week: 11)
Lost 15-10 vs. Pittsburgh
While there is no doubt this season has been a disappointment for the Browns so far, it is amazing to see how much the expectations for this team have changed in recent years. It wasn’t that long ago that Tyrod Taylor was starting for a Cleveland team fresh off a winless season. Credit to the front office for building a much more competitive roster, but now it is time for the results to follow. Getting healthy should certainly help, but the front office might want to consider trading for a receiver at the deadline.

16. Kansas City Chiefs: 4-4 (Last Week: 14)
Won 20-17 vs. New York
Kansas City managed the always impressive feat of winning a game while also making you feel way worse about the outlook of the team. Patrick Mahomes struggles yet again, completing 60 percent of his passes with a touchdown and an interception. He should have had more turnovers, but was bailed out when the Giants jumped offsides on a late pick. I suppose the bright side is that the defense played better. New York was nowhere near full strength, missing Kenny Golladay, Saquon Barkley and losing Sterling Shepard in the contest. Beating that team by just three at home does not inspire much confidence though. The schedule gets much tougher for the Chiefs with the Packers, Raiders and Cowboys on the docket.

17. Indianapolis Colts: 3-5 (Last Week: 16)
Lost 34-31 vs. Tennessee
Indianapolis feels better than its record, but it is time for the Colts to start winning some of these close games. Indy has lost one-games against the Rams, Ravens and now Titans. Frank Reich’s crew has led in the fourth quarter of each of those games as well. This latest loss will most definitely be pinned on Carson Wentz. The veteran quarterback threw two very costly interceptions, leading to a pick-six and the game-winning field goal. Reich might want to consider running the ball a bit more. There is no reason Wentz should be throwing it 51 times in a game, even in overtime.

18. San Francisco 49ers: 3-4 (Last Week: 18)
Won 33-22 at Chicago
It took a little while to get going for the 49ers offense. The Bears led 13-9 at halftime, holding Jimmy Garoppolo and company to three field goals. San Francisco scored 24 points over the final 21 minutes of game time to pull off the win, with Garoppolo rushing in two scores. Elijah Mitchell continues to look like a gem as he racked up 138 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, the 49ers did just about everything well, except stopping Justin Fields scrambling. The rookie quarterback went over the century mark on just 10 carries, including a highlight-reel scamper to pull Chicago within one after a missed extra point. Things get much tougher as the Cardinals are up next.

19. Minnesota Vikings: 3-4 (Last Week: 15)
Lost 20-16 vs. Dallas
This was nothing short of laughable. Facing the Cowboys without Dak Prescott at home, the Vikings were set up to perfectly control the game and pick up a much-needed win to get over .500. Did I mention they were coming off a bye? Instead, the offense fell flat, managing just one touchdown. Kirk Cousins was nothing short of mediocre, totaling 184 yards passing. The defense gave up a last-minute touchdown and the offense could not respond with under a minute remaining. This is an embarrassing loss for Mike Zimmer.

20. Carolina Panthers: 4-4 (Last Week: 21)
Won 19-13 at Atlanta
Carolina went from having questions at quarterback to having a problem at quarterback very quickly. Sam Darnold had a pedestrian day before exiting with a concussion in the fourth quarter. In fact, following an impressive start, Darnold has failed to top 207 yards passing in his past four outings. P.J. Walker has not looked much better in his limited snaps this year. Thankfully, the Falcons’ offense is even more inept and the Panthers’ defense made a few big plays when it mattered. Stephon Gilmore picked off Matt Ryan in his team debut while the front seven recorded three sacks and nine quarterback hits. Unfortunately, Carolina still feels much worse than a .500 team.

21. Chicago Bears: 3-5 (Last Week: 20)
Lost 33-22 vs. San Francisco
Chicago was much more competitive, but still managed to pick up another double-digit loss. Justin Fields flashed his incredible wheels, specifically on his ridiculous 22-yard touchdown scramble that should have tied the game, but Cairo Santos missed the extra point. Khalil Herbert saw a heavy workload again, but was not as effective as he had been in previous weeks. Unfortunately, after a really strong first half, the defense fell apart down the stretch. The season is far from over, but the Bears need to turn things around quickly.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: 3-5 (Last Week: 23)
Won 44-6 at Detroit
This felt like a huge trap game for the Eagles on the road against a Lions team desperate for a win and fresh off a close game with the Rams. It turns out Philadelphia was totally prepared for this matchup. Jalen Hurts, Jordan Howard and Boston Scott each topped 50 yards rushing as the Eagles racked up 236 as a team. Hurts was impressive on his 14 pass attempts and the defense teed off on Jared Goff. Josh Sweat led the way as Philly sacked Goff six times. Darius Slay capped it all off with a scoop-and-score against his former team. Now, Nick Sirianni needs to figure out how to build on this momentum heading into a showdown with the Chargers.

23. Denver Broncos: 4-4 (Last Week: 22)
Won 17-10 vs. Washington
Winning but moving down? Well, that’s what happens when you trade away one of the best defensive players in franchise history and the offense looks lackluster in the effort. I actually think the Broncos were smart to move on from Von Miller given his contract situation and the return they netted. However, there is no doubt they were better when he was on the roster. It is also clear the offense needs a jolt. The defense did a great job pressuring Taylor Heinicke, racking up five sacks, and Justin Simmons picked him off twice. Still, Denver is averaging 16.2 points per game over the past five games. It is hard to win with that type of scoring output.

24. Seattle Seahawks: 3-5 (Last Week: 26)
Won 31-7 vs. Jacksonville
This was exactly the get-right game Seattle needed following two tough primetime losses. Geno Smith played turnover-free football and completed a sterling 20-of-24 passes. He threw for two touchdowns and added another on the ground. Travis Homer capped it off with an onsides kick return for a touchdown, something I haven’t seen since Hines Ward in the Pro Bowl back in 2005. There is definitely still room for improvement offensively, as the Jaguars actually outgained the Seahawks by 80 yards. A much-need bye week awaits.

25. Atlanta Falcons: 3-4 (Last Week: 24)
Lost 19-13 vs. Carolina
Things are looking bleak in Atlanta. Calvin Ridley stepped away early Sunday to focus on his mental health. It was evident right away how much the Falcons missed him. Matt Ryan finished with a meager 146 yards passing and a pair of interceptions as the offense stalled over and over again. The defense didn’t do them too many favors either, allowing Carolina to convert on 10-of-17 third-down plays. The Panthers also dominated time of possession. The Falcons ran 22 fewer plays on Sunday. Arthur Smith needs to get creative without a bellcow running back or a true No. 1 receiver.

26. New York Giants: 2-6 (Last Week: 25)
Lost 20-17 at Kansas City
How much longer can we continue to allow the injuries facing the Giants be the excuse for why they don’t win? I understand it is uncontrollable, but Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay and Sterling Shepard all carry significant injury histories. Them missing a few games felt inevitable this season. Clearly though, this offense is not built to handle missing all of them at the same time, which is understandable. At least the defense played well to keep things close. Dave Gettleman’s tenure seems close to ending as the Giants offensive line continues to flounder.

27. Washington: 2-6 (Last Week: 27)
Lost 17-10 at Denver
In a battle of two of the worst offenses in the NFL, Washington managed to come up second best. It was the fourth game this season where Washington failed to top 16 points. Taylor Heinicke looks overmatched, Antonio Gibson has clearly regressed and this receiving corps is underwhelming. On the bright side, Washington’s defense is finally starting to show signs of its 2020 form. Four sacks on Sunday tied a season high and gives the team seven in the past two games. Thankfully, a bye week is next.

28. New York Jets: 2-5 (Last Week: 32)
Won 34-31 vs. Cincinnati
I am beyond perplexed by the Jets. Following a 41-point thumping against the Patriots in which Zach Wilson suffered a knee injury, Mike White steps in for his first NFL start and leads them past the previously 5-2 Bengals. Make it make sense. New York now owns two very impressive wins this season over Tennessee and Cincinnati. Unfortunately, the Jets have been nothing shy of lifeless in their five losses. Robert Saleh needs to find a way to carry over this performance and build some momentum into a Thursday night matchup with the Colts.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars: 1-6 (Last Week: 28)
Lost 31-7 at Seattle
The wait to win in the United States drags on. Seattle stomped the Jaguars in a game defined by missed opportunities. Jacksonville went 1-for-4 on fourth down and outgained Seattle, but struggled to get points on the board. In fact, the Jaguars’ list of drives is just pathetic. They went punt, punt, interception, downs, downs, punt, downs, punt, touchdown, end of game. Trevor Lawrence managed just 4.4 yards per attempt on 54 throws. This team is just incredibly dysfunctional at this point.

30. Miami Dolphins: 1-7 (Last Week: 30)
Lost 26-11 at Buffalo
Well, I guess this is an improvement over the last time Miami faced Buffalo. The Dolphins were shut out 40-0 in that one, so it was hard to do much worse. Unfortunately, the offense sputtered behind a hapless offensive line and the defense had no answer for Josh Allen. For a team that expected to build on a 10-6 season, it is a bit shocking to see them with more losses already in 2021 at the midway point. I wish I could say Miami could just tank for a draft pick, but they don’t even own their own first-round selection. This is not a fun situation to be in.

31. Houston Texans: 1-6 (Last Week: 31)
Lost 38-22 vs. Los Angeles
The final score looks better than this game actually was. Houston trailed 38-0 heading into the fourth quarter. Los Angeles is a talented team and should have won comfortably, but that is embarrassing. The Texans could have at least been competitive. With Deshaun Watson unlikely to move before the trade deadline, it is hard to find too much to be optimistic about at this point. Houston should definitely be major sellers on Tuesday.

32. Detroit Lions: 0-8 (Last Week: 29)
Lost 44-6 vs. Philadelphia
Oh Detroit. Just when it seemed like the Lions were making strides, they reminded everyone that they are the worst team in the league. A drubbing against the Eagles of all teams is not what was expected following a solid showing against the Rams. Jared Goff has been terrible and the infrastructure around him has to be one of the worst in the league. Detroit’s receiving corps is full of players that would not see the field on most other teams. The running game has been incredibly disappointing as well. The Lions knew they were headed for a long rebuild, that’s why they traded away Matt Stafford, but there are a ton of holes to fill on this roster.

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2022 NFL Mock Draft: Eagles have three picks in top 10, three teams find new QBs

November 1, 2021November 1, 2021 Chris McGlynn Draft, Football, NCAAF, NFL 2022 NFL Draft, 2022 NFL Mock Draft, Detroit Lions, Football, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Mock Draft, NFL, NFL Draft

Prior to 2021, we would be reaching the halfway point of the NFL regular season right. With a 17th game, there is no clean midway point of the season, so this is still close enough. The league standings are starting to take shape and it is clear which teams should start thinking about which players they could draft come April.

I am so excited that mock draft season is heating up. With tons of college football action already in the books, we are starting to get a sense for who the top prospects in the upcoming 2022 NFL draft will be. We still have a long way to go though before final rankings are in or the draft order is even set, so this more about starting to familiarize ourselves with upcoming team needs on the NFL side and players to watch as the college season continues.

This is the most up-to-date draft order according to Tankathon through the conclusion of Sunday Night Football. The outcome of Chiefs-Giants on Monday night will likely see each team slide a couple spots in either direction.

With the trade deadline right around the corner, it will be interesting to see if any of these teams’ needs change, but for right now, this is which players I could see teams targeting when the draft rolls around.

1. Detroit Lions (0-8) – Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
It is hard to find much to be positive about following a 44-6 loss. However, it moves the Lions one step closer to landing an elite edge rusher in Kayvon Thibodeaux. The Oregon star has been incredibly disruptive this season, racking up sacks and tackles for loss while just generally wreaking havoc. He would immediately provide a boost to this overmatched Detroit defense. Dan Campbell will love his motor and his nose for the football.

2. Houston Texans (1-7) – Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Houston’s secondary is a mess. The trio of Desmond King, Terrance Mitchell and Vernon Hargreaves do not inspire much confidence for the future, nor have they done much to deserve to stick on the roster past the 2021 season. Derek Stingley Jr. will have some questions to answer in the pre-draft process after missing much of this season due to injury. When healthy though, he is a sticky cover man with good physical traits and above average instincts. If he can return to the level he played at in 2019, when LSU won a national title, he will be a very good corner in the NFL.

3. Philadelphia Eagles via Miami Dolphins (1-7) – Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Miami is probably really regretting trading away their first-round pick right about now. Philadelphia will be happy to jump on an elite edge prospect who is drawing comparisons to J.J. Watt. He missed much of the 2020 season due to a broken leg and it might have been a really good thing for him. He has been on a tear in 2021, demonstrating good pass rush moves and overwhelming opposing offensive tackles. I would be surprised if he made it out of the top 10 with the production and tape he has put together this season.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6) – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
This is a perfect example of need meeting value and talent for the Jaguars. Evan Neal is built like a small mountain or a very large human being. Measuring in at 6’7″, 360 pounds, he checks all the physical boxes for a prototypical left tackle in the NFL. He also brings above average athleticism for the position, especially given his size. He brings a ton of experience going up against top-end competition in the SEC at both tackle spots in his college career. Trevor Lawrence needs to be protected and this is a smart move to accomplish that goal.

5. Washington Football Team (2-6) – Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Another week, another lackluster showing from the Washington offense. Taylor Heinicke is not the only reason for those struggles, with the offensive line and running game failing to provide much help, but it is clear Washington needs a new quarterback. Malik Willis brings the best physical tools of any quarterback in this class. He has a huge arm with impressive elusiveness and burst as a runner. There is no question he is a bit of a project at this point. He holds onto the ball for far too long in the pocket and needs to learn when to get rid of it. Given his running ability and the lack of talent around him, he rarely works through more than one or two reads. Given time though, Willis could end up being a high-end NFL starter.

6. New York Jets (2-5) – Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
Despite another improbable victory, the Jets offensive is still a work in progress, especially along the interior. Greg Van Roten turns 32 this offseason and could be a cap casualty. Kenyon Green could step in and start from day 1 in his place. He has experience at both tackle and guard in his college career, which could come in handy given Mekhi Becton’s injury history. Zach Wilson has been one of the most pressured and hit quarterbacks in the league this year. Green could help solidify an improving unit.

7. New York Giants (2-5) – George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The Giants will be disappointed Green lands with the team that shares their stadium, but it allows them to grab the electric George Karlaftis. He would be an excellent complement to Azeez Ojulari, giving New York an exciting young duo of pass rushers. So far this year, Joe Judge’s defense ranks 30th in pass-rush win rate. Karlaftis has a quick first step and some impressive pass rush moves. He has room for improvement in the run game, but is incredibly disruptive. Most of his reps come with his hand on the ground, but he could operate a standup rusher if needed.

8. Philadelphia Eagles (3-5) – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
A dynamic, ball-hawking safety would be a great addition to the Eagles secondary. Kyle Hamilton could very well be off the board before this spot, given his range and versatility in coverage schemes. He has already flashed his speed this season on a couple of remarkable plays. I am always a bit skeptical of drafting a safety this high given the positional value, but Hamilton is a complete package with the ability to drastically change the outlook of this defense. Philly definitely needs to rebuild the defense.

9. Philadelphia Eagles via Indianapolis Colts (3-5) – Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Let’s keep rebuilding this defense. I expect that Philadelphia will likely trade one of these picks away, but I’m not ready to project mock draft trades in early November. Assuming they stay put, grabbing a toolsy linebacker to play at really any of their linebacker spots. I don’t think it is unfair to say that there is not an NFL starting-caliber linebacker on the Eagles’ roster right now. Devin Lloyd is one of my favorite prospects in this draft cycle. He is very aggressive and athletic. I expect him to be a playmaker at the next level with the speed to hang in coverage.

10. New York Jets via Seattle Seahawks (3-5) – Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
After addressing the offensive line with their first pick of this draft, New York goes defense to find another corner to pair with Bryce Hall. There is still a chance one of their young defensive backs could develop, but Ahmad Gardner is a better prospect than anyone the Jets have in their secondary right now. He is big and long at 6’3″ with plus ball skills. He has been a major part of Cincinnati’s impressive season. While Robert Saleh’s scheme does not prioritize corners, finding two long, athletic corners to run the system with would only increase its effectiveness.

11. New York Giants via Chicago Bears (3-5) – Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Five of the first 11 picks belong to the Eagles, Jets and Giants right now. Fun time to be a scout in the tri-state area. New York grabs an edge rusher at No. 7, so this time they go to the other side of the line of scrimmage. With Nick Gates suffering a potentially career-ending injury earlier this year Dave Gettleman attempting to rebuild the interior of his offensive line with castoffs on the trade block, center feels like a big need. Tyler Linderbaum is one of the fastest interior linemen that I have ever watched. He is great as a pulling blocker and operates well in space. He would be a welcome addition to the offense for Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley.

12. Atlanta Falcons (3-4) – DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
Unquestionably, Grady Jarrett needs some help along the Falcons defensive line. Atlanta struggles to rush the passer and has gotten very little production from anyone other than Jarrett. DeMarvin Leal is a talented defensive lineman who can play as a 3-4 end or a 4-3 tackle. He sets the edge well and shows a good initial punch at the point of attack. He would definitely command some attention, which would open things up more for Jarrett.

13. Miami Dolphins via San Francisco 49ers (3-4) – Sean Rhyan, OT, UCLA
There are a few directions the Dolphins could head here. I think the urge to move on from Tua Tagovailoa is fading slightly even though Miami continues to lose. Honestly, Tua seems to be very far from the problem right now. The Dolphins’ offensive line is the worst in the league in terms of pass-block win rate. That has to be the focal point in the draft and free agency. Sean Rhyan is an intriguing prospect with really impressive agility and technique. He keeps the play in front of him and understands blocking angles. He could potentially be Miami’s long-term answer at left tackle, Austin Jackson continues to struggle.

14. Minnesota Vikings (3-4) – Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
I know it is a running joke right now and fans will push back, but it is hard to see who else the Vikings truly trust at corner outside of Patrick Peterson. Neither Bashaud Breeland nor Mackensie Alexander has done much to indicate they have what it takes to start on the outside. Andrew Booth Jr. would give Minnesota a projectable starter in 2022 and beyond. Putting him in a position to learn from Peterson while he acclimates to the NFL would be a phenomenal situation for him. He checks all the boxes from a measurables standpoint as well.

15. Kansas City Chiefs (3-4) – Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
While the offense has not been good this season, the Chiefs defense might be the worst in the league. They lack playmakers at every level. Most notably, Kansas City ranks dead last in run-stop win rate this season. Bringing in Christian Harris should help get this defense back on track. He is incredibly athletic, flying around the field. 10 years ago, Harris likely would have been a safety in the NFL. He is one of those new-age linebackers that brings a ton of speed and coverage ability to the position. He has plenty of room for improvement when it comes to reading his keys and finishing tackles, but his athletic profile makes him an exciting prospect.

16. New England Patriots (3-4) – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
It is a little too early for a safety and the top three corners are already off the board, so the Patriots opt to protect Mac Jones instead. Isaiah Wynn is playing well enough to keep his job, so Charles Cross could be in line to start at right tackle in 2022. Trent Brown has not played since the season opener and will be a free agent following the season. Neither Justin Herron nor Yasir Durant has done much to indicate they should be the long-term starter. Cross is one of the best run blockers in this draft with a lot to like in pass protection as well. He struggles when opponents work across his face, but he can anchor and stem pass rushing moves. With a bit of polishing, he could be a really strong starter.

17. Denver Broncos (3-4) – Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
I would be shocked if Denver went into 2022 with Teddy Bridgewater as the unquestioned starter. He has been serviceable, but far from impressive enough to indicate that he should be the starter long term. Matt Corral would be a fun prospect for the Broncos to work with. He has played at a high level in 2021, piloting a high-scoring Ole Miss offense. He is a dual threat player, scoring 23 touchdowns this season, including eight on the ground. He has cut down on the interceptions this year, which is a huge improvement, but there is still plenty of upside left for him to tap into.

18. Cleveland Browns (4-3) – Drake London, WR, USC
Two years ago, the idea of the Browns spending a first-round pick on a wide receiver would have seemed outlandish. However, with Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry continuing to show signs that their best football is behind them, Cleveland will be searching for Baker Mayfield’s new top target. Drake London is not for everyone, but he can be a game-changing player with his ability to adjust to balls in midair and make catches away from his body. If you throw it within his zip code, he has the size and ball skills to bring it in. There is room for improvement as a route runner, but he would be a very reliable option for Mayfield to work with in this offense.

19. Carolina Panthers (4-4) – Darian Kinnard, G, Kentucky
Quarterback is definitely a possibility here given Sam Darnold’s struggles this season, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Carolina targeted a veteran passer to fill the void. The team has been heavily linked to Deshaun Watson after all. No matter who is quarterback for the Panthers next year, he will need to have an improved offensive line front of him. Darian Kinnard is a vicious run blocker with plenty of power. He starts at right tackle for Kentucky, but his skill set definitely points towards him fitting best on the interior at the next level. Kinnard is a bit raw and will likely need some seasoning before he can truly contribute, but the upside given his physical traits is enormous.

20. Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) – Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia
Los Angeles has struggled against the run this season. Linval Joseph is 33 and will be a free agent at the end of the season. Jordan Davis is more than capable of plugging the hole, literally and figuratively. He is a people mover with good athleticism for a man his size. He has been a menace this season in that Georgia defense. Every once in a while, he will simply bench press an opposing interior lineman to crash the pocket. That is something the Chargers desperately need.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) – Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
Ben Roethlisberger is doing just enough to keep the Steelers offense afloat. While Pittsburgh assuredly needs help along the offensive line, they also need a succession plan for their 39-year-old quarterback. If Mike Tomlin wants to keep a similar playstyle, Carson Strong is an excellent fit in this scheme. He is a big, strong-armed pocket passer who can hit the far hashes. He has work to do on his deep ball, but he has nice touch on his intermediate passes. Unfortunately, Strong brings little to the table with his legs, but he can move around the pocket to extend plays, keeping his eyes downfield whenever he does. He would slot into this offensive nicely.

22. Cincinnati Bengals (5-3) – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
While Cincinnati seems to have unearthed a diamond in the rough with Chidobe Awuzie, the rest of the cornerback room is subpar. As demonstrated on Sunday, when the Bengals surrendered more than 400 yards to Mike White, the pass defense is still a work in progress. Kaiir Elam would give Cincy a long corner with good speed to play on the outside. He still has some room for improvement in zone coverage, but his physical traits bode well for success in the NFL. If Awuzie can keep this up, the Bengals would suddenly have a pretty imposing cornerback duo.

23. New Orleans Saints (5-2) – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Quarterback is a clear need, but I don’t have a first-round grade on anyone other than Willis, Strong or Corral right now. Instead of reaching for someone like Desmond Ridder, New Orleans can grab a talented receiver. As evidenced by Kevin White leading the team in receiving yards against the Buccaneers, the Saints need help at the position, even when Michael Thomas returns. Garrett Wilson is a smooth route runner with impressive production to match. He would be an interesting addition to a receiving corps that would feature Thomas, Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harris when healthy.

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2) – Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
Quickly rising up draft boards, Roger McCreary is playing some good football in 2021. In his latest outing, he had five tackles and two pass deflections against a talented Ole Miss offense. The six-foot tall senior is turning some heads with his athleticism and production on the outside playing against top competition in the SEC. With Tampa Bay’s defense struggling all year long, especially in the secondary, McCreary would be a welcome addition. With Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting still in place, McCreary would not have to start right away, but could provide some much-needed depth and develop into a starter down the line with both Dean and Murphy-Bunting set to hit free agency in 2023.

25. Buffalo Bills (5-2) – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Buffalo already has a super reliable possession receiver capable of giving defensive backs nightmares with his route running ability. Why not add someone capable of taking the top off? That’s not to say Chris Olave isn’t also a good route runner in his own right. He is one of the more polished players in this year’s class, opting to return to school after drawing first-round consideration a year ago. Olave is not the most physically imposing receiver in this class, but he brings an exciting blend of size and speed that has led to a very productive college career. He could take over for Emmanuel Sanders, who will be out of contract after the season.

26. Las Vegas Raiders (5-2) – Nicolas Petit-Frère, OT, Ohio State
The Raiders have pieced together an impressive first half of the season despite having one of the worst offensive lines in the league. Las Vegas tore apart what had been a strong unit in 2020, trading away or cutting all five of its starters and drafting Alex Leatherwood in the first round. It remains to be seen if Leatherwood can really compete at tackle or if he might be best suited for a move inside. Meanwhile, Nicolas Petit-Frere has been crushing it for Ohio State in his first season at left tackle. His experience at right tackle only increases his value. With good size and ample experience, he could continue to move up draft boards.

27. Dallas Cowboys (6-1) – Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
Dallas’ defense has been a revelation this year following a historically bad 2020 campaign. Still, there are definitely areas for improvement. The biggest one that stands out is safety. Donovan Wilson and Damontae Kazee are serviceable, but Daxton Hill has a much higher ceiling than either of those two players. He is the latest nickel corner-safety combo, showing an ability to disrupt plays in multiple roles. His versatility and athleticism would both be welcome in the Cowboys secondary.

28. Green Bay Packers (7-1) – Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
Maybe I should learn my lesson and stop mocking receivers to the Packers in the first round. Aaron Rodgers showed on Thursday he can win with pretty much anyone catching passes. While Za’Darius Smith should return from injury soon, he is also a potential cap casualty this offseason, saving the team over $15 million in cap space if they cut or trade him. Keeping him at a $28 million cap hit feels untenable. That could put the Packers in the market for an edge rusher. Drake Jackson has the body type and quickness to excel as a standup pass rusher. He could help improve a Green Bay defense that ranks 22nd in pass-rush win rate.

29. Baltimore Ravens (5-2) – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
After trading away Orlando Brown Jr. and seeing Ronnie Stanley suffer a second-straight season ending injury, tackle feels like a pressing need for the Ravens. Alejandro Villanueva is a stop-gap solution and he has had his fair share of struggles this season. Trevor Penning could be the long-term answer at right tackle with the experience to fill in for Stanley if he were to go down again. He is powerful and should fit well into Baltimore’s run-heavy approach. He might need a little bit of time to get up to speed coming from the FCS, but he handled himself well against Iowa State, which points to that being a shorter ramp up period than you might expect.

30. Detroit Lions via Los Angeles (6-1) – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
No team in the league needs receiver help more than the Lions. Detroit’s top two receivers this year are T.J. Hockenson and D’Andre Swift, neither of whom are wide receivers. I am a fan of Amon-Ra St. Brown long term, but Jared Goff needs someone to target now. It is hard to miss Treylon Burks at 6’3″. At that size, it would be easy to assume he was a possession or jump-ball receiver, but he has the athleticism to be a true No. 1 option. The biggest concern is how he fares against elite competition. Georgia’s defense held him to just three catches for 10 yards, but he was hardly the only Arkansas player to struggle in that game. It seems to be an outlier in what has otherwise been a stellar season.

31. Tennessee Titans (6-2) – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Considering that the Titans are leading the AFC at the moment after wins over the Bills, Chiefs and Colts, this team does not have too many holes. However, linebacker is definitely one of them. Rashaan Evans has been very underwhelming this year and it simply feels unacceptable for a Mike Vrabel coached team to have subpar linebacker play. Adding Nakobe Dean would instantly change this defense. He is an effective blitzer with a nose for the football. He even flashed his coverage ability with a pick-six against Florida. Adding a dynamic player to the middle of this defense would help it take a step in the right direction.

32. Arizona Cardinals (7-1) – Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
The Cardinals are a miscommunicated route away from being 8-0 right now. While Arizona has been one of the more surprising teams this season, especially defensively, its secondary has some question marks. Robert Alford has played well, but he turns 33 today (Happy Birthday) and is set to be a free agent after the season. Meanwhile, Byron Murphy has yet to really live up to the hype. Arizona could opt to return for another Washington corner to continue building out this group. Trent McDuffie might not be the biggest player on the field, but he meets my threshold for size when it comes to scouting perimeter corners. He also flies around the field, blowing up plays with his incredible closing speed and explosiveness. He would be fun to watch in Vance Joseph’s defense.

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2021 NFL Power Rankings: Week 8

October 26, 2021October 26, 2021 Chris McGlynn Football, NFL, Power Rankings Arizona Cardinals, Football, NFL, NFL Power Rankings

Week 7 felt like a changing of the guard. Cincinnati and Tennessee pulled off two massive wins that shake up the outlook of the AFC. Elsewhere, bad weather took the spotlight in primetime, the Jets reached a new level of ineptitude against Bill Belichick and Tom Brady set a new milestone with his 600th career touchdown pass.

Needless to say, the power rankings look very different this week once again as it feels like the tier of elite teams shrinks even further. Arizona remains at the top as it continues to delay the popping of champagne bottles in South Beach. With the NFL trade deadline approaching, it will be interesting to see what moves could be coming as we draw closer to the midway point.

1. Arizona Cardinals: 7-0 (Last Week: 1)
Won 31-5 vs. Houston
Smoking the Texans does not make you a contender, but it does send a clear message that this team is focused. It would have been easy to play sloppy against an inferior team. Arizona looked to be headed that way following a safety and a field goal to go down 5-0. Far from an insurmountable hole, but not an ideal start. Instead, the Cardinals rattled off 31 unanswered points. Zach Ertz is already paying dividends and Kliff Kingsbury’s commitment to running the ball makes life easier on everyone.

2. Los Angeles Rams: 6-1 (Last Week: 2)
Won 28-19 vs. Detroit
Perhaps it was the emotions of having to go up against a former team for Matthew Stafford or a former quarterback for the Rams, but this was not the type of performance we expected. The Lions have challenged a number of talented teams this year, so maybe we just write this off as a down week. Los Angeles still got the win and Stafford posted incredible numbers. The only red flag would be the lack of a running game, as the Rams finished with just 47 yards on the ground.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 6-1 (Last Week: 3)
Won 38-3 vs. Chicago
Talk about all out domination. Tampa beat the brakes off Chicago on both sides of the ball. The defense put the offense in good positions to succeed and Tom Brady was efficient. This game was over by halftime, with the Buccaneers leading 35-3. Four sacks and five forced turnovers highlights just how well the defense played. Justin Fields had absolutely no chance. A very productive run game is also a really good sign. Leonard Fournette, Ronald Jones and Ke’Shawn Vaughn each averaged more than five yards per carry. Establishing that ground attack will only make this offense better and take the pressure off the defense.

4. Dallas Cowboys: 5-1 (Last Week: 5)
Bye Week
It is good to be atop the NFC East. Washington and Philadelphia lost again, which now means the entire division is at 2-5 behind Dallas. Being four games up in the loss column in late October is pretty impressive. Hopefully, with a week off, Dak Prescott is back to 100 percent after suffering a calf injury in Week 6. There is also a chance that Michael Gallup returns to action in Week 8. A road game in Minnesota won’t be easy, but Dallas also has some cushion even if they stumble.

5. Cincinnati Bengals: 5-2 (Last Week: 8)
Won 41-17 at Baltimore
Welcome to the contender conversation Cincinnati. Joe Burrow put himself on the MVP shortlist as well with a statement game. His 416 passing yards set a new career high as he found his favorite college target early and often. Ja’Marr Chase went over 200 yards as he continues to run away with the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Perhaps even more impressive was the defense. Baltimore could not run the ball outside of Lamar Jackson. The Bengals sacked Jackson five times as well and recorded eight tackles for loss. This team looks to be more well-rounded than initially expected and are a legitimate challenger for the AFC North crown.

6. Buffalo Bills: 4-2 (Last Week: 6)
Bye Week
So the loss to Tennessee looks a bit better following the Titans’ dismantling of the Chiefs. Still, Buffalo needs to recapture the defensive form we saw over the first five weeks of the season. The Bills allowed just 12.8 points per game heading into that matchup before surrendering 34 points. On the bright side, Sean McDermott and company get to ease back into things against the reeling Dolphins in the midst of quarterback trade talks. I don’t know if we should expect another shutout, but I think the Bills will be heavy favorites.

7. Green Bay Packers: 6-1 (Last Week: 7)
Won 24-10 vs. Washington
One of the most underrated storylines of the NFL season has been the development of the Packers defense. Green Bay ranks in the top 10 in yards per game, points per game and forced turnovers. Following the Week 1 blowout, the Packers have allowed more than 22 points just once and have won five straight. If you are looking for a concern with this team, it might be the lack of production from Aaron Jones. He has just two touchdowns since his four-score outburst in Week 2. Sunday was also the fourth game in which he averaged less than four yards per carry. That feels like the only missing piece for Green Bay at the moment.

8. Tennessee Titans: 5-2 (Last Week: 14)
Won 27-3 vs. Kansas City
How on Earth did this team lose to the Jets? Tennessee sweeps through the two participants in last season’s AFC Championship Game. Beating the Bills was a clear sign of the Titans’ potential, but thrashing the Chiefs was a reminder that this team is capable of winning without relying solely on Derrick Henry. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year still played well on a heavy workload, but Ryan Tannehill threw for a pair of touchdowns and the defense balled out. They sacked Patrick Mahomes four times and forced three turnovers. Tennessee appears to be rolling heading into a divisional showdown with Indianapolis.

9. Baltimore Ravens: 5-2 (Last Week: 4)
Lost 41-17 vs. Cincinnati
For the first time all season, Baltimore looked like a team leading the league in players on the injured reserve list. Joe Burrow absolutely shredded the secondary, eclipsing 400 yards passing and tossing three touchdowns. The Ravens also had no answer for Ja’Marr Chase. The bottom line right now is that Lamar Jackson needs more help. He was sacked five times and rushed for 74 yards more than anyone else on the team. This is a really good time for a bye week.

10. Los Angeles Chargers: 4-2 (Last Week: 9)
Bye Week
Time for some revenge. 2020 was clearly a rebuilding season in Los Angeles with a rookie quarterback taking over and adjusting to the NFL. Still, anytime you lose 45-0, that sticks with you. That’s what New England did to this team a year ago. Justin Herbert and the offense has made some major strides since then and the Chargers defense is much healthier. I am eager to see if L.A. has a little extra juice in Week 8.

11. Cleveland Browns 4-3 (Last Week: 11)
Won 17-14 vs. Denver
This was a gutsy win for the Browns. Without Baker Mayfield, Jack Conklin, Nick Chubb or Kareem Hunt, the defense stepped up big time and shut down the Broncos. Cleveland held Denver’s ground game to 41 yards on 2.9 yards per carry. Give D’Ernest Johnson credit for showing out as well with 146 yards and a score on the ground in relief of Chubb and Hunt. Hopefully, the Browns can use the extra days of rest to heal up ahead of a matchup with the Steelers.

12. Las Vegas Raiders: 5-2 (Last Week: 13)
Won 33-22 vs. Philadelphia
Quietly, the Raiders move atop the AFC West with this win. Derek Carr played well, completing an outrageous 31-of-34 passes, and the defense came up with a pair of key fumble recoveries. The post Jon Gruden era has gotten off to a good start, even if the two wins came against lower quality competition. As long as Josh Jacobs’ injury is not serious, Las Vegas should feel pretty good about where it stands nearing the midseason point.

13. New Orleans Saints: 4-2 (Last Week: 12)
Won 13-10 at Seattle
Well that was ugly. New Orleans emerged from Seattle with a scrappy three-point win that featured very little offense. Thankfully, Alvin Kamara was ready to work. He didn’t do much as a rusher, finishing with 51 yards on 20 carries. However, he racked up 128 yards through the air on 10 catches with the team’s lone touchdown. On the other side of the ball, the Saints surrendered one big play on D.K. Metcalf’s 82-yard touchdown. After that, they were close to lights out. New Orleans benefitted from a pair of missed field goals though. This offense needs to be more productive.

14. Kansas City Chiefs: 3-4 (Last Week: 10)
Lost 27-3 at Tennessee
Steve Spagnuolo’s seat is only getting hotter. However, the offensive struggles took centerstage this week. The last time Kansas City scored three points or fewer was Week 15 in 2012 when it was shut out by the then Oakland Raiders. Brady Quinn was quarterbacking the team in that game. Tennessee also seems to have Kansas City’s number winning five of the past six matchups. Andy Reid has a really tough task ahead of him as he looks to rejuvenate this offense while figuring out how to hide the clear deficiencies within his defense.

15. Minnesota Vikings: 3-3 (Last Week: 15)
Bye Week
The general consensus on the Vikings right now is that they are better than their record would indicate. Their three losses came against the Bengals, Browns and Cardinals, having been outscored by only 11 points in those three contests. However, they also topped the Lions and Panthers by a combined eight points. Hard to really gauge how good this team truly is at this point. Week 8 offers an opportunity to make a statement, facing the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. A week off should allow Dalvin Cook to get back to full strength after dealing with an ankle injury earlier in the season. That could be a key difference maker in what should be a close game.

16. Indianapolis Colts: 3-4 (Last Week: 22)
Won 30-18 at San Francisco
Suddenly, the Colts don’t feel as far out of the playoff picture. With back-to-back wins, Indianapolis is now just one game under .500 and one game back of the Browns for the final wildcard spot in the AFC. There is still a long way to go, but Carson Wentz should have Colts fans feeling a bit more optimistic. Outside of a terrible interception (or fumble, it’s hard to tell), Wentz played really well. He didn’t have the gaudiest of numbers playing in an atmospheric river, but he tossed two touchdown passes. Thankfully, he also has Jonathan Taylor to hand off to. A tough test against the Titans is up next, but the Colts are trending up.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: 3-3 (Last Week: 19)
Bye Week
Is there a path to the playoffs for the Steelers? It would almost certainly be as a wild card, but this upcoming three-game stretch will go a long way in determining if that is possible. Pittsburgh faces Cleveland, Chicago and Detroit, all winnable games, before finishing the season against the Chargers, Bengals, Ravens, Vikings, Titans, Chiefs, Browns and Ravens. That is a brutal final two months. If Pittsburgh is anything other than 6-3 following Week 10, I don’t think they have any shot of reaching the postseason.

18. San Francisco 49ers: 2-4 (Last Week: 17)
Lost 30-18 vs. Indianapolis
I really wanted to drop San Francisco even lower, but it was hard to figure out who to drop them behind. It was an ugly week for a lot of the NFL’s middle of the road teams. Unfortunately, the 49ers were unable to handle the adverse weather conditions. Four turnovers in the rain is slightly understandable, but both teams have to play in the elements. That turnover battle ended up being crucial in determining the outcome Even in a disappointing loss, there are still some positives. Elijah Mitchell and Deebo Samuel both reached the century mark. Still, being 2-4 is not a good look for a team expected to bounce back following a dismal 2020 season.

19. New England Patriots: 3-4 (Last Week: 23)
Won 54-13 vs. New York
Few things match Bill Belichick’s hatred for the New York Jets. Despite leading 31-7 at halftime and knocking Zach Wilson out of the game, Belichick refused to call off the dogs, as the Patriots scored 23 more points in the second half, including 20 in the fourth quarter. Mac Jones took care of the football and Damien Harris had a big day. Make no mistake, New England isn’t good, their only wins are against the Jets and Texans, but the Patriots are still more than capable of blowing out a hapless opponent.

20. Chicago Bears: 3-4 (Last Week: 16)
Lost 38-3 at Tampa Bay
Beating the Bucs always felt like a longshot, but it would have been nice if the Bears had been even remotely competitive. Justin Fields continues to struggle behind an overmatched offensive line, accounting for five of Chicago’s six turnovers. The defense did not offer much resistance either, allowing five touchdowns in the first half. On the bright side, Khalil Herbert continues to look like a quality find in the draft with his second straight game of at least 97 yards rushing.

21. Carolina Panthers: 3-4 (Last Week: 18)
Lost 25-3 at New York
That was rough. Sam Darnold got pulled in the midst of a horrible outing and the quarterback play somehow got worse. Darnold and P.J. Walker combined for 19-of-39 passing for 144 yards passing and an interception. Carolina could not run the ball either, finishing with 56 yards on 3.3 yards per carry. The defense played decent, but could not make enough plays to make up for such a dud offensively. Trade rumors involving Deshaun Watson to the Panthers are certainly going to intensify.

22. Denver Broncos: 3-4 (Last Week: 21)
Lost 17-14 at Cleveland
This was an embarrassing loss for the Broncos. The Browns were about as shorthanded offensively as we’ve seen with Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb and more sidelined. Another disappointing showing from Teddy Bridgewater and the offense made that obsolete. In the midst of this four-game losing streak, Denver is averaging just 16 points per game. The Broncos have beaten three teams with a combined four wins. The heat is definitely rising on both Vic Fangio and Bridgewater.

23. Philadelphia Eagles: 2-5 (Last Week: 20)
Lost 33-22 at Las Vegas
Philadelphia suffered another loss in which the offense went MIA for much of the game. After scoring a touchdown just four minutes into the first quarter, the Eagles did not put points on the board again until the fourth. Jalen Hurts continues to struggle with accuracy, finishing just 18-of-34 passing. He made some plays with his legs, but the ground game was not as effective after Miles Sanders left with an injury. Nick Sirianni needs to make some progress with this offense. At least the Dolphins lost again.

24. Atlanta Falcons: 3-3 (Last Week: 26)
Won 30-28 at Miami
If we are going to bash the Broncos for beating up on the league’s basement dwellers, we have to do the same to the Falcons. Wins over the Giants, Jets and now Dolphins, all by one possession, are far from impressive. A last-second field goal from Younghoe Koo delivered this latest victory. On the bright side, Kyle Pitts had the best game of his young career so far, totaling 163 yards receiving. Still, Atlanta has done little to inspire confidence in its ability to hang with the better teams in the league.

25. New York Giants: 2-5 (Last Week: 27)
Won 25-3 vs. Carolina
What in the world just happened? The Giants turned things around big time following last week’s 34-11 drubbing by the Rams. For the first time all season, the defense that inspired so much confidence in this team’s future down the stretch finally showed up. Carolina had a horrible day offensively, which was at least in some part due to a very disruptive front seven. New York tallied seven tackles for loss and six sacks, destroying Joe Brady’s offensive game plan for the week. This is a massive step in the right direction for Joe Judge and company.

26. Seattle Seahawks: 2-5 (Last Week: 24)
Lost 13-10 vs. New Orleans
Seattle really misses Russell Wilson and Chris Carson. Outside of an 84-yard catch-and-run by D.K. Metcalf, the Seahawks could do basically nothing offensively. Still, they should have won this game. The defense stepped up and limited the vertical passing game for the Saints. Unfortunately, Jason Myers missed two field goals, which proved to be the difference in the game. Thankfully, the Jaguars are up next.

27. Washington: 2-5 (Last Week: 25)
Lost 24-10 at Green Bay
What happened to the team that legitimately challenged the Buccaneers in the playoffs? Taylor Heinicke looks lost in the offense without anyone other than Terry McLaurin to rely on. The defense showed some signs of its 2020 form, with three sacks and strong showing against the run, but have not replicated the wrecking crew that struck fear into the hearts of opposing quarterbacks everywhere. Getting healthy will certainly help, with Dyami Brown, Curtis Samuel, Cam Sims, Logan Thomas and Brendan Scherff all out against the Packers. Perhaps a reeling Broncos team will be the cure to what ails Washington.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars: 1-5 (Last Week: 28)
Bye Week
Is it possible the Jaguars could win two in a row? Jacksonville still has not won on U.S. soil since Week 1 of 2020. However, the Jags face a banged up Seahawks team that has lost five of its past six games. A week off to reflect on his first six games in the NFL could be good for both Trevor Lawrence and Urban Meyer. A second straight win would greatly change the outlook of this franchise and this season.

29. Detroit Lions: 0-7 (Last Week: 32)
Lost 28-19 at Los Angeles
For a little while, it looked Detroit was about to pull off the ultimate upset. Had Jared Goff and the Lions managed to beat Matt Stafford and the Rams, social media would have had a field day. Instead, Detroit records another hard-fought loss. L.A. outscored Detroit 11-0 in the fourth quarter as Goff sealed the win for his former team with an interception in the end zone. The Lions feel really close to breaking through. A home game against the Eagles could finally see this losing streak end.

30. Miami Dolphins: 1-6 (Last Week: 31)
Lost 30-28 vs. Atlanta
Another loss is tough to swallow, but Tua Tagovailoa was definitely not the issue. He did have two interceptions, but also tossed four touchdowns while completing 32-of-40 passes for 291 yards. Unfortunately, it was the defense that could not come up with a big play when they needed it. I expect Miami to look better down the stretch, but hopes of a playoff run are officially dead.

31. Houston Texans: 1-5 (Last Week: 30)
Lost 31-5 at Arizona
If you think about it, the Texans actually improved by two points this week from the week before. Yeah, it is hard to find much to be positive about if you are a Texans fan. Well, I’m going to try to find a way regardless. Houston is scoring more points per game than the Jets. Wow, this is harder than I thought. Oh, the team has a first-round pick for the first time since 2017, when the franchise selected Deshaun Watson. More first-round picks could be on the way with a Watson trade rumored to be imminent.

32. New York Jets: 1-5 (Last Week: 29)
Lost 54-13 at New England
I hate supporting this team. Giving up 50-plus points while losing the rookie quarterback is the worst-case scenario for the Jets. Now, Joe Douglas is trading draft picks to acquire a 36-year-old backup because the team never really had a contingency plan for if Zach Wilson got hurt. Oh, and to top that all off, this all happened against the Patriots. Because of course it did. At least the Seahawks lost. Maybe two more top-15 picks will get the Jets to look even remotely competitive. Questions have to be asked of Robert Saleh as well. Coming off a bye week, New York once again looked wholly unprepared for its opponent. That is unacceptable. I know this team is young and the coaching staff is young, but it would be good if we could see they were actually learning something in all of these abysmal losses.

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2021 NFL Power Rankings: Week 7

October 19, 2021October 20, 2021 Chris McGlynn Football, NFL, Power Rankings Arizona Cardinals, Football, Jared Goff, NFL, NFL Power Rankings

Welcome back to the best reality TV show in the world. Justin Herbert and the feel-good Chargers were humbled by the Ravens. Cleveland has gone from loveable losers to frustratingly average. Three more games went to overtime on Sunday before the Bills opted not to go to overtime Monday in a stunning conclusion to Monday Night Football. All in all, the drama that comes each week in the NFL is unmatched by anything you can find on your television and we are just getting started. Did I mention Jared Goff has to return to Los Angeles to face the team that traded him away in Week 7? The storylines never stop!

We are six weeks in and the NFL hierarchy is finally starting to settle. At least for now. There was a lot less movement than there had been in recent weeks, but still a new look to the rankings with the Bills falling out of the top 5 and the Browns tumbling out of the top 10. Plus, the Jaguars finally won a game to move off the bottom. Now if only they could win in America. Anyway, let’s dive into this week’s power rankings.

1. Arizona Cardinals: 6-0 (Last Week: 1)
Won 37-14 at Cleveland
Arizona continues to impress. Cleveland was incredibly beat up, but it barely even mattered. The Cardinals are playing well on both sides of the ball and find new ways to win pretty much every week. This time it was a heavy run focus with Kyler Murray tossing four touchdowns. The defense did its part as well, sacking Baker Mayfield five times. I feel like there is still resistance in putting the Cardinals among the NFL’s, but they have picked up some quality wins and seem to be improving as the year rolls on.

2. Los Angeles Rams: 5-1 (Last Week: 3)
Won 38-11 at New York
After an ugly start, the Rams cruised to a monster victory. Matthew Stafford lit it up with four passing touchdowns, while the defense made life miserable for Daniel Jones. They came up with three interceptions, recorded four sacks and limited him to just 4.7 yards per passing attempt. From the second quarter on, it was one-way traffic. Sean McVay wants his team to start faster, which will likely be required when facing better opponents.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5-1 (Last Week: 4)
Won 28-22 at Philadelphia
The offense had a bit of an off night. For context, an off night for the Buccaneers still involved just shy of 400 yards of offense and 28 points. It just didn’t feel as fluid. Tom Brady and company did come up clutch though in the closing minutes, running nearly six minutes off the clock to seal the contest. Thankfully, the defense was smothering for most of the game. Philadelphia managed just 213 yards and struggled to find a rhythm. It was good to see the secondary step up and have a good night. The Bears are up next.

4. Baltimore Ravens: 5-1 (Last Week: 6)
Won 34-6 vs. Los Angeles
Whoa. This was a statement game for the Ravens. Baltimore made Justin Herbert look pedestrian and shut down the run game. While the offense will get some love for putting up 34 points, it was really the defense that stole the show. Los Angeles entered the game with at least 28 points in each of its past three games. If this is the level the Ravens can play at consistently, this team is the clear favorite in the AFC. That season-opening loss against the Raiders is clearly in the rearview mirror.

5. Dallas Cowboys: 5-1 (Last Week: 8)
Won 35-29 at New England
It took overtime and some rookie mistakes from Mac Jones, but the Cowboys pulled off their fifth straight win. This game probably should never have reached overtime, but some questionable play calling and a bit of bad luck cost Dallas a lot of points in the first half. A failed fourth down run and a fumble at the goal line kept the Patriots around despite the Pats picking up way fewer yards. The Cowboys definitely need to finish drives better and clean up some of those mistakes, but it is good to pick up a hard-fought win heading into a bye week.

6. Buffalo Bills: 4-2 (Last Week: 2)
Won 34-31 at Tennessee
The Bills defense we watched dominate the past month of the season was nowhere to be found on Monday Night Football. Buffalo had a pair of shutouts and a thrashing of Kansas City under its belt, but it did not matter in Nashville. Sean McDermott got aggressive in the closing seconds, going for it on fourth down to win the game and avoid overtime. Josh Allen slipped on a quarterback sneak and Jeffrey Simmons blew up the play. Despite the disappointing finish, the offense was not the problem. Surrendering 146 yards and three touchdowns to Derrick Henry was. Tennessee scored on six straight possessions to finish the game as well. Buffalo has some soul searching to do.

7. Green Bay Packers: 5-1 (Last Week: 9)
Won 24-14 at Chicago
Ownership of the Windy City apparently belongs to Aaron Rodgers. Candace Parker might have a good claim, but it is hard to argue with Rodgers’ success in Chicago. He moved to 22-5 all-time as the starter at Soldier Field, capping off the game with a touchdown scramble. While Rodgers made headlines, the defense did the dirty work. Green Bay sacked Justin Fields four times and held the Bears to just 14 points. It actually wasn’t the best day we’ve seen from the Packers offense either. Going two-for-eight on third-down conversions is definitely a red flag. It is clear Matt LaFleur is still working out the kinks with this team.

8. Cincinnati Bengals: 4-2 (Last Week: 10)
Won 34-11 at Detroit
Is it possible that the Bengals are a legitimate playoff contender? You don’t usually earn that status against the winless Lions, but looking at the team’s full body of work, it is hard not to be impressed. With two losses by a combined six points and four wins, it is clear that Cincinnati has made some major strides from 2020. Performances like this against Detroit go a long way in that as well. Two weeks ago, the Bengals squeaked by the Jaguars on a last-second field goal. Avoiding another close game against an inferior team is a really good sign.

9. Los Angeles Chargers: 4-2 (Last Week: 5)
Lost 34-6 at Baltimore
Talk about laying an egg. In what was billed as the game of the week, the Chargers came out flat and never recovered. The defense spent way too much time on the field as the offense sputtered and failed. Los Angeles finished with just 208 yards and could not run the football at all. Justin Herbert was the team’s leading rusher with 12 yards. It is clear we need to cool the Super Bowl hype on this team, but the Chargers are still in good shape, leading the AFC West.

10. Kansas City Chiefs: 3-3 (Last Week: 12)
Won 31-13 at Washington
This was a crucial win for the Chiefs. It does not change the clear number of issues that still exist with how they are playing. Kansas City leads the league in turnovers, as Patrick Mahomes threw two more interceptions and Mecole Hardman coughed one up. That needs to stop immediately. The Chiefs defense looked much better on Sunday, but putting them into sudden change situations frequently is a recipe for disaster. They face a Titans team fresh off a big win in Week 7.

11. Cleveland Browns 3-3 (Last Week: 7)
Lost 37-14 vs. Arizona
Injuries are mounting in Cleveland as hopes of a title challenge are quickly fading. Baker Mayfield could be facing some time on the sidelines. Kareem Hunt almost certainly will miss time. Odell Beckham Jr. exited early with a shoulder injury. Both of the Browns starting offensive tackles were already out along with Nick Chubb. On top of all of that, the defense did not show up to play. After a fairly strong start, Cleveland has now given up 84 points over the past two weeks. They need to step up big time with the offense in taters.

12. New Orleans Saints: 3-2 (Last Week: 11)
Bye Week
A week off for the Saints allows them to regroup after an up and down start to the season. Jameis Winston has been serviceable while the defense is quietly having a really good season. New Orleans currently ranks third in points allowed per game. With a number of key players hopefully returning soon from injury, this bye came at a great time. If Michael Thomas, Terron Armstead, Erik McCoy, Marcus Davenport and Kwon Alexander can get back on the field, this will look like a much different team.

13. Las Vegas Raiders: 4-2 (Last Week: 15)
Won 34-24 at Denver
Las Vegas looked like it had a weight lifted off its shoulders. With Jon Gruden gone, the email scandal was on the back burner as the Raiders were allowed to focus on football again. It seemed to work out well, as the team rewarded Rich Bisaccia with a win to start his tenure. Derek Carr bounced back with a really impressive performance as the defense came up big. Three interceptions and five sacks of Teddy Bridgewater gave Las Vegas a clear edge. At 4-2, a division title is very much in play.

14. Tennessee Titans: 4-2 (Last Week: 17)
Won 34-31 vs. Buffalo
It is hard to believe this is the same team that lost to the Jets two weeks ago. Derrick Henry proved once again that he is the best pure runner in the NFL. It has been a while since we have seen a player with his blend of power, speed and stamina. Mike Vrabel’s defense still has a lot of room for improvement, but holding Buffalo to 3.6 yards per carry and two-for-five in the red zone are huge victories that he can build off of going forward.

15. Minnesota Vikings: 3-3 (Last Week: 18)
Won 34-28 at Carolina
Kirk Cousins regained his electric form, racking up 373 yards and three touchdowns to lead Minnesota to an overtime win. Dalvin Cook did his part as well with 140 yards and a score on the ground. While earning a road win is always good, it came at a cost. Patrick Peterson hit the injured reserve with a hamstring injury and the cracks are starting to show elsewhere in the secondary. This game could have gone very differently if pretty much every Panthers receiver managed to catch passes. Robby Anderson, D.J. Moore and Chuba Hubbard all struggled to haul in Sam Darnold’s throws, which certainly helped the Vikings out. A bye week to work on defensive improvements should be very welcome.

16. Chicago Bears: 3-3 (Last Week: 14)
Lost 24-14 vs. Green Bay
The offense struggled once again as Matt Nagy is running out of time to prove he is the right coach to develop Justin Fields. The rookie quarterback has flashes of brilliance, but clearly has a ways to go to capitalize on his immense potential. On the bright side, Khalil Herbert stepped into the lead back role well, racking up 112 yards of offense. Unfortunately, Fields was sacked four times and the passing game never got into a rhythm. The offense needs to start showing progress soon. Tampa Bay awaits, which will be another big test for Chicago.

17. San Francisco 49ers: 2-3 (Last Week: 16)
Bye Week
The week off came at a great time for San Francisco. Trey Lance still remains a doubt to play heading into Week 7, but Jimmy Garoppolo could be in line for a return. K’Waun Williams is back at practice as well. A chance to get healthy is crucial in the midst of a three-game losing streak. The 49ers face the Colts in Week 7.

18. Carolina Panthers: 3-3 (Last Week: 13)
Lost 34-28 vs. Minnesota
Sam Darnold had another rough day, but he got absolutely no help from his receivers against Minnesota. Robby Anderson, D.J. Moore and Chuba Hubbard all dropped a couple of catchable balls. Carolina got a huge spark from its special team with a blocked punt that was recovered for a touchdown. Darnold also led a game-tying drive in the closing minutes to force overtime. There were definitely some positives, but a week where Darnold completed 17 of his 41 passes and Christian McCaffrey hit the injured reserve cannot be considered a good one.

19. Pittsburgh Steelers: 3-3 (Last Week: 19)
Won 23-20 vs. Seattle
Pittsburgh ground out another win which was maybe a bit closer than it should have been. Ben Roethlisberger had a lackluster game and the Steelers continued to struggle running the ball efficiently. Thankfully, the defense is one in the best of the league. Pittsburgh sacked Geno Smith five times, recorded 10 tackles for loss and T.J. Watt came up with the play of the game on his strip sack of Smith in overtime to set up the game-winning field goal. It was far from a convincing victory, but winning ugly is much better than losing close.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: 2-4 (Last Week: 21)
Lost 28-22 vs. Tampa Bay
Another rough week passing the ball cost the Eagles a chance at a major upset. The Buccaneers came into the game with one of the worst pass defenses in the league, and while they put together a better performance, finishing with 113 yards passing is disappointing. Philly also seemed to shy away from running the ball despite finding a decent amount of success. Miles Sanders had 6.2 yards per attempt, but only had nine carries in the game, including one in the first half. Jalen Hurts was the only other player to record a rushing attempt. Nick Sirianni clearly has to tweak his offensive approach.

21. Denver Broncos: 3-3 (Last Week: 20)
Lost 34-24 vs. Las Vegas
Remember when the Broncos were 3-0? Yeah, it has been a really rough month of October. We all knew Denver’s record was inflated having faced the Jaguars, Jets and Giants in September, but this has been a disappointing run. Derek Carr posted an absurd 12.6 yards per attempt as the secondary got shredded. Vic Fangio desperately needs to get his defense back on track. He won’t get much time to solve those issues as a trip to Cleveland on Thursday is on the horizon.

22. Indianapolis Colts: 2-4 (Last Week: 24)
Won 31-3 vs. Houston
Any frustrations from Week 5’s collapse against the Ravens were clearly resolved by battering the Texans. Indy bent, but never broke defensively and cashed in a few big plays in the passing game. Carson Wentz completed two passes for at least 50 yards, including a touchdown to Paris Campbell. That wasn’t even the biggest play of the game, as Jonathan Taylor ripped off an 83-yard run. The score line was definitely a bit exaggerated, but with a plus-three in the turnover battle allowed the Colts to pull away.

23. New England Patriots: 2-4 (Last Week: 23)
Lost 35-29 vs. Dallas
Apparently, the Patriots can only play close games. This was their third straight contest decided by one possession. Unfortunately, they have only won one of them. New England came up with some huge plays to get off the field in key moments defensively. Stuffing Ezekiel Elliott on fourth down and punching the ball out of Dak Prescott’s hands on the goal line kept things close in the first half, but the Patriots didn’t really build off it. Mac Jones tossed a pick-six, but followed it up with a 75-yard touchdown pass. New England is clearly close to breaking through, but they need to capitalize on their opponents’ mistakes more and limit their own.

24. Seattle Seahawks: 2-4 (Last Week: 22)
Lost 23-20 at Pittsburgh
The limitations that come with having Geno Smith at quarterback are clear, but it would be unfair to solely blame him for this loss. He was far from perfect, but the offensive line did not play well, allowing five sacks. Seattle had the ball with a chance to win the game in overtime, which is about as good as you could ask for given the situation. It is hard to believe that the Seahawks are now sending out Smith to hand the ball off to Alex Collins. Hopefully another week of preparation will produce some better results in the passing game.

25. Washington: 2-4 (Last Week: 25)
Lost 31-13 vs. Kansas City
It turns out Washington is simply a team that finished last year with a losing record and did not make much progress during the offseason. Taylor Henickie had a game to forget, Antonio Gibson exited with an injury and the defense fell apart in the second half. This team needs to turn things around quickly if they have any hope of challenging for the wild card. Things don’t get much easier with a trip to Green Bay up next.

26. Atlanta Falcons: 2-3 (Last Week: 26)
Bye Week
It is hard to tell which direction Atlanta is headed in. Their two wins this season came against the two teams from New York, who have a combined two wins. Arthur Smith has definitely reintroduced some potency to the offense, but the defense remains a train wreck. Only Washington has allowed more points per game this season. They will get a chance to prove themselves with the Dolphins, Panthers and Saints in their next three games.

27. New York Giants: 1-5 (Last Week: 27)
Lost 38-11 vs. Los Angeles
OK, now we can be harder on the Giants. Even with all the injuries, this was a dismal showing by all involved. The coaching staff mishandled several key situations. Daniel Jones tossed three interceptions and got very little help from anyone else on the offense. After a strong start to the game defensively, New York looked powerless to stop Matthew Stafford. The offense turning it over four times likely didn’t help, but this was one of the games where you should probably just burn the film and move on.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars: 1-5 (Last Week: 32)
Won 23-20 vs. Miami
All it took was a trip to London to finally snap the 20-game losing streak. The offense did just enough and the defense did just enough to beat what is clearly a Dolphins team in free fall. Now, the Jaguars get a bye week to reassess and see if maybe Urban Meyer can help gear his team up for the rest of the year. It has been a really rocky start to his tenure, but if he can avoid off-the-field distractions and start winning a couple games, our outlook of this team will shift dramatically.

29. New York Jets: 1-4 (Last Week: 31)
Bye Week
The Jets move up two spots, but being 29 might actually be too high for them at this stage. New York is yet to score in the first quarter of a game this season. Zach Wilson has shown flashes, but is really struggling to avoid turnovers and find some rhythm in the offense. The defense has been solid, roughly around league average when it comes to yards and points allowed. If the offense can step it up and sustain a few drives, that defense will look even better.

30. Houston Texans: 1-5 (Last Week: 29)
Lost 31-3 at Indianapolis
Perhaps this is just the existence of a team without much talent being led by a very unproven rookie quarterback. One week after nearly knocking off the Patriots, the Texans looked overmatched. Davis Mills struggled with two more interceptions and the defense gave up too many big plays. Houston has shown flashes, but this was also their fourth loss by double digits. This team needs to cut down on the turnovers to have any hope of competing.

31. Miami Dolphins: 1-5 (Last Week: 28)
Lost 23-20 at Jacksonville
That win over the Patriots feels like a lifetime ago. Even with Tua Tagovailoa back, the Dolphins offense was a bit underwhelming. They moved the ball just fine, as Tagovailoa threw for 329 yards. Managing 20 points against the Jaguars is not going to cut it though. It is hard to know where Miami goes from here. Brian Flores needs to recreate the identity of this team during the upcoming bye week.

32. Detroit Lions: 0-6 (Last Week: 30)
Lost 34-11 vs. Cincinnati
As the lone winless team in the NFL, the Lions belong in the NFL basement. Following a noncompetitive loss against Cincinnati, Detroit has now lost 10 straight games. Jared Goff did not play well and the team continues to struggle running the football. There isn’t a ton to like about what the defense did either. To make matters worse, the Lions have to go visit Matthew Stafford and the Rams in Week 7. If Goff looked bad against the Bengals, I can only imagine how his return to L.A. will go.

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The Aftermath

When sporting news breaks, we cover the fallout.

Year: 2021

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