Studies show that it takes the average person three hours to solve a rubik’s cube. The three dimensional puzzle is not easy to figure out in getting each side of the cube to have the same colour. The NFL season so far can be compared to solving the cube. It feels as week after week the patterns are emerging and slowly taking shape but the process is arduous. A few contenders narrowly escaped with wins and the surprise teams took a fall by reverting to their former ways. For instance, the Jacksonville Jaguars were awful while the Bears showed why most doubted their chances to win the division after four weeks of football. However, there are more storylines from another fascinating week of football.
1. A Pair of Collapses- it is interesting that the two biggest collapses this week involved two former teammates-Aaron Rodgers and Devante Adams. The Packers were in London for their first international game and was cruising through the game leading it 17-3. However, the Giants mounted a furious comeback led by top weapon Saquon Barkley who had 19 touches for 106 yards and 1 touchdown. It still left a chance for Rodgers to win the game in the red zone with little time left in the fourth quarter, but the Giants defense stood stout with two batted balls to grab the victory. On Monday Night, Adams, and the Raiders shocked Arrowhead Stadium by attacking the Chiefs early in the game and grabbing 17-0 lead. However, Patrick Mahomes mounted a memorable comeback to take a narrow one-point lead. The Raiders have no one to blame but themselves after having a penalty that negated a missed field goal, dropping passes and failing to execute. Adams was frustrated after the game slamming his helmet and pushing a cemerman despite his 3 catches and 124 yards in the loss. Rodgers looked frustrated after his loss at the podium and maybe these two guys miss each other after all.
2. Battered Veteran Quarterbacks- Russell Wilson, Matt Ryan and Matthew Stafford were once top tier nemesis in the NFC. However, in 2022 both quarterbacks have struggled for their teams due to different circumstances. Wilson struggled mightily in a 12-9 loss to the Colts on Thursday Night Football completing 21 of 39 passes for 274 yards and 2 interceptions. Subsequently, it was revealed that Wilson is suffering from a partially torn lateral near his throwing shoulder and had receives injection to deal with pain. Wilson has been struggling even prior to the injury and now his critics are wondering whether Seahawks were right in letting him go and turning to Geno Smith who has enjoyed a better season. Matt Ryan won the game, but he was not impressive completing 26 of 41 passes for 251 yards and two interceptions. Ryan leads the league in sacks taken (21), interceptions (7) and fumbles (11). Stafford is equally struggling because he is tied with Ryan in interceptions and sacks. The Rams offense was terrible against the Dallas Cowboys in week 5 with Stafford sacked five times and throwing an interception. Stafford has the bigger excuse bigger of the injured offensive line and his lack of weapons outside of Cooper Kupp. However, it will be interesting to see which veteran can find form and quickly before their season’s demise.
3. Phantom Roughing the Passer Calls- the Tampa Bay Buccaneers barely held on to their 21-point lead as they beat the Falcons 21-15 in week 5. The win moved Tom Brady to 10-0 against the Falcons and now three are certain life-death, taxes and number 12 beating the Dirty Birds. However, the game had a big controversy when Gary Jarrett was called a roughing the passer call on Tom Brady during a key 3rd and 5 late in the 4th quarter. Jarrett did his job beating the lineman and getting to the quarterback for the sack, but the referees felt that he threw Brady down too hard. I am not too sure what else Jarrett could have done in that situation. On Monday Night, Chris Jones completed the hat trick by sacking Derek Carr, forcing a fumble and in one motion recovering the hall while falling on the quarterback. Unfortunately, Jones was penalized for roughing the passer in what can only be considered a disastrous call. The only solution is what Jones later suggested which is to have roughing the passer reviewable where a team can challenge the ruling on the field. It is now a big storyline going forward in a wild season.