It’s been a typically slow start for Burrow and the Bengals
in 2024, but with a few “get right” defenses on the
horizon, this offense should bounce back. The Commanders have
surrendered a league high 6 touchdown passes, as well as the highest
passer rating in the NFL. The young Bengal receivers are developing,
and Tee Higgins COULD be back. Burrow slots in as a strong QB1.
Mayfield worked his magic last week against the Lions, keeping
drives alive with a combination of fleet feet, and old school
moxie. Denver’s pass defense has been solid, but isn’t
a “shy away” matchup. With one of the league's best
receiver duos, and a weak running game, look for the Bucs offense
to continue to flow through Mayfield.
Murray was light’s out against the overmatched Rams last
week, looking like his old pre-ACL self. He’ll pose an absolute
nightmare to a solid, but beatable Detroit defense that lacks
the athleticism in the front-7 to run around with Murray. He’s
back to being a locked in QB1.
I almost feel bad for Stafford. The offensive line is mostly
2nd and 3rd stringers and, both of his elite receivers are out
until Halloween. He’s as tough as they come, but this just
might be too much. San Fran is coming off a beating from the Vikings
and need to rebound in an important divisional game. Sean McVay
is the best game planner in the NFL, but even he will find it
hard pressed to conjure magic this week.
Strip away the jerseys, and Lawrence’s numbers look a
lot like the much-maligned quarterback of the Giants. Not a good
look for a player being paid in the top-3 at his position. The
shine is long gone from this Jaguar offense, as their 2023 spiral
has continued into 2024. A road date in Upstate New York against
a rested Bills team won’t be the fixing elixir this offense
desperately needs.
When the best thing people can say about you is “hey at
least he’s not turning the ball over”, it’s
not exactly a compliment. Sure, Fields is 2-0 and completing almost
70% of his passes, but he’s got only 273 yards in two games,
and isn’t the freewheeling runner he was in Chicago. This
game has an implied point total of only 36, so fireworks are extremely
unlikely.
