Around the AFC
So long, Josh. Congratulations to those who had Josh McDaniels as the first NFL coach fired this fall. No doubt the news produced a few snickers in Broncos Country, where the Bill Belichick protégé also crashed and burned back in 2010. We’re not sure what’s more surprising: That McDaniels’ 25-game tenure as Raiders head coach was three games shorter than his time leading the Broncos (28); or that he managed to be even worse in Las Vegas (9-16, .360) than he was in Denver (11-17, .393). Raiders owner Mark Davis, who also fired general manager Dave Ziegler this week, expressed dismay that his team “regressed” in Year 2 under McDaniel. To which we reply: That’s what you get for signing off on Jimmy Garoppolo as your David Carr replacement at quarterback.
Will the Thrill. Should the Tennessee Titans run full bore into the Will Levis era? The answer here would’ve been an emphatic “Yes!” had this question been posed immediately after the rookie quarterback’s four-touchdown masterpiece (130.5 passer rating) vs. Atlanta last Sunday. Then the Kentucky product submitted a true-blue stink bomb against the Steelers on Thursday night (262 yards, one pick with a 66.4 rating), and we’re a little less enthused. Of course, Levis isn’t the first guy to struggle in the Steel City. And it’s not like Ryan Tannehill (71.9 passer rating over six games) is lighting the world on fire — unless “the world” is an oversized dumpster. So, yeah, it’s Levis Time.
Missing Swift. We can’t be the only ones who feel burned by Taylor Swift’s no-show at Empower Field. How did the Mile High City not get a spot on the popstar’s NFL stadium tour with the Kansas City Chiefs this fall? Tight end Travis Kelce remains steadfast in not confirming whether he and Swift are an item. And we don’t blame him if he doesn’t want to make his private life public (outside of, you know, starring in a reality show tied to his bachelordom). But we do shake our fist at both of them for not giving us another bite at a Swift double entendre headline last Sunday.
Around the NFC
Buying in Chicago? Can someone explain what the Chicago Bears are doing? A year after trading away a second-round draft pick for wide receiver Chase Claypool in a move that proved to be a disaster, the Bears sent away another second-rounder for Washington defensive end Montez Sweat. While it’s unlikely Sweat will last less than two seasons in Chicago like Claypool did, that doesn’t take away from the fact that the Bears were buyers at the trade deadline when they should be hoarding draft capital like the 2-6 team that they are. If there’s one thing recent NFL history has taught us, it’s that the best way to build a consistent winner is by amassing young, cost-controlled talent up and down the roster. Throw in the fact that the pick is likely to be near the top of the second round, and we’re left scratching our heads.
In Command. Speaking of Washington … what a week for the Commanders! First, they go toe-to-toe with the Eagles in a 38-31 shootout loss that provided more evidence they have the right guy at quarterback (Sam Howell threw for 397 yards and four touchdowns). Then they unload their top two edge rushers (Sweat and 2020 first-round pick Chase Young) for second- and third-round picks just hours after falling to 3-5. Sending away the perpetually unhappy Young was deemed addition by subtraction by some around the franchise. Dealing Sweat for what should be a high second-rounder was a clear indication Washington is looking to rebuild under new ownership. The Commanders now have five picks in the 2024 draft’s first three rounds, providing a fantastic opportunity to add talent around Howell.
Giant haul. The Commanders weren’t the only ones making moves this week. The New York Giants got a fantastic haul of their own in trading away defensive lineman Leonard Williams for a 2024 second-round pick and 2025 fifth-round selection from Seattle. The Giants are clearly going nowhere at 2-6 and recent losers to a not-great New York Jets team. Getting that sort of return for a player set to hit free agency in 2024 is a move the Giants should make 10 times out of 10.
Game of the Week
Miami vs. Kansas City
The best matchup of the weekend kicks off at 7:30 a.m. Mountain Time in Frankfurt, Germany. Thankfully, daylight saving time ends Sunday, so maybe it won’t feel quite as bad stumbling to your couch to tune in for this one. Both teams sit at 6-2, with the Chiefs installed as 1.5-point favorites. If we’re going strictly off comparative results against the Broncos, this one goes to the Dolphins in a runaway.
Dolphins 27, Chiefs 24
Lock of the Week
Dallas at Philadelphia
The Eagles defense looked awfully shaky in last week’s down-to-the-wire 38-31 win at Washington. One would think that might be a reason to take Dallas and the points (+3). Except the last time the Cowboys were on this kind of big game stage they got absolutely throttled by the 49ers on Thursday Night Football. Hard to un-see that.
Eagles 34, Cowboys 24
Upset of the Week
Minnesota at Atlanta
Yes, Kirk Cousins is done for the season. Yes, the Vikings will miss him dearly. And, no, we’re not huge believers in rookie QB Jaren Hall (formerly of BYU). But don’t be surprised if the Vikings (3.5-point dogs) respond with an inspired performance the week after losing their franchise QB. Even with the switch to Taylor Heinicke at quarterback, the Falcons offense fizzles.
Vikings 17, Falcons 16
Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.
