What a week in the NFL once again. A new team has emerged as one of the favourites, another has come out of the basement, and I think we finally know who the really good teams are, and who the really bad teams are. Here are my 5 Takeaways from Week 6:
1. The Cleveland Browns Are The Real Deal
The Browns, AFC North Champions? It's very possible. After a dominating 31-10 performance against the Steelers on Sunday, Cleveland showed that they definitely belong in the conversation. The Bengals have come off a loss, and a rare tie, and currently sit at 3-1-1 and lead the division. The Ravens are 4-2, and are in a close second, but right behind them are the Browns, sitting at a very promising 3-2 with their Bye week behind them.
What is bringing the success in Cleveland? It's really coming from every area of the football team, right from the top with Coach Pettine. This is his first NFL Head Coaching gig, and he's showing early why the Browns brass chose him for the job. All three phases of the football team has been working extremely hard week in and week out on Sundays, and with leadership from QB Brian Hoyer, the offense is improving every week. They have 3 very capable running backs, with Ben Tate leading the way in the blowout. Their receivers could be better, but Josh Gordon will be back in just a few weeks, how perfect. The defense is once again solid through and through, and is one of the stronger ones in the AFC. Their Centre Alex Mack is now considered out for the year with a broken fibula, so we'll see how that massive loss effects their offense going forward.
2. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Are Terrible
You have to be able to compete with each team on a regular basis in any pro sports league, but that's especially true in the NFL with such a short schedule. Lovie Smith's team has not done the job this season on a consistent basis. After getting down early in two of the past four games, and Bucs were down four touchdowns after just the first quarter, and down six scores at half-time, with Joe Flacco throwing 5 touchdown passes for Baltimore in the process. Tampa Bay had a whopping 0 points at half. That's not going to get the job done.
I'm pointing my finger at the defense, obviously, as 38 points allowed at half-time is atrocious. The worst part of this whole defense ordeal, is that they have big name players on that side of the ball, and Lovie Smith is a defensive minded coach who was brought in to preach his system to a defensive core who was awful last season. Overall, the Bucs allowed 48 points and almost 500 yards of offense in a blowout loss to the Ravens. Hopefully with the team heading into their Bye week, they can work on absolutely everything.
3. The Dallas Cowboys Are The Best Team In The NFC
It's actually true, it's not a misprint. After this past weekend's big upset win over the Seahawks though, in Seattle, that's pretty clear. Everyone knows how good the 'Hawks are in their own stadium, so for the Cowboys to come out of there with a win is a major accomplishment. Even though Dallas had to come from behind in this one, it was clear they were the better team on Sunday. They outgained Seattle by 200 yards, and held the ball for 15 minutes longer.
With the Cowboys sitting at 5-1, they have to be taken seriously in the NFC. It's the team's best start since 2007, and they're doing it in all aspects, extremely well. DeMarco Murray has been an unreal, and is currently on pace to break Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record. Tony Romo isn't making his typical mistakes to blow games late, or early ones for that matter. And most importantly in my opinion; their defense has improved vastly from last season. Last year, they were historically bad in every category, and set the record for basically the worst defense of all time. This year? They are top five in the NFL, and have completely turned it around, even with the loss of some big named players. Winners of five in a row; the Cowboys are huge contenders heading into Week 7.
4. Ties Are The Worst
A tie? Seriously? Panthers' Rookie Kelvin Benjamin had no idea that was possible in the NFL, and in my opinion, it shouldn't be. Mind you I don't think the NFL should have ridiculous Overtime rules similar to College Football, but what would more time hurt? The final score in the Bengals/Panthers tie on Sunday was 37-37, and both teams scored Field Goals in OT, so who's to say one of the teams wouldn't score 2-5 minutes into a second Overtime? Ties are boring, and nobody is satisfied. Carolina's Coach Ron Rivera wasn't even sure what to say to his players after the game. Cam Newton said he's never tied a football game in his life. Although a tie is better than a loss in the standings, there's nothing else they are good for. Dear NFL; get rid of ties.
5. Derek Carr Belongs
I know what you're saying; "the Raiders are 0-5" or, "he threw a late 4th quarter interception against San Diego", but his overall performance throughout the season since replacing Matt Schaub, has grown drastically each game, and against the Chargers this past Sunday he was very good. The Rookie was 18/34 for 282 yards, 4 touchdowns, and just that one late interception. He did all this with a new Head Coach on the sidelines, and against one of the top defense's in the NFL. For the facts that Oakland hasn't had an above average quarterback since Rich Gannon in 2003, and that the former Fresno State standout has progressed remarkably through the first quarter of his first pro season, Raiders' fans should be ecstatic for the future at the QB position.
New York Jets at New England
Line: Seahawks -7.0
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