Week 5 of the NFL had a surprising amount of excitement. For other squads, it was a season-ending disaster on the field, prompting fans and talking heads alike to speculate on their potential for the remainder of 2023. So when the Philadelphia Eagles crashed to an embarrassing 34-17 loss against the New York Giants, it was a very big deal. On the flip side, the Tennessee Titans took a step back, losing 20-10 to the Las Vegas Raiders. New York Jets Quarterback Justin Fields had his worst fantasy game of the year. Given this dubious performance, there should be alarm bells ringing, particularly with $10 million in salary guarantees due to him next year.
The other team to completely abandon the run was the Miami Dolphins, who registered just 19 rushing yards against the Carolina Panthers. The Los Angeles Rams’ kicker, Karty, was put under the microscope after missing two pivotal kicks in a row. It’s an impressive feat for any player, but as a consequence, he found himself spotlighted in multiple Monday columns. This article examines these changes and what they mean for the teams at stake.
Eagles’ Defensive Woes Exposed
Looking ahead to their NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles, Monday night’s game against the New York Giants exposed some vulnerabilities on defense. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, they only gave up 3 receptions for 69 yards. This occurred with their nearest defenders in man coverage. This inability to provide effective coverage has led to fears of their defensive schemes and troops.
The Eagles have become the draft class gold standard in following years. As far as prioritizing talented defenders from the Georgia Bulldogs, they’re batting 1,000 so far. Howie Roseman’s strategy has included five Georgia defenders in the last two drafts, which has proven to be a profitable investment. If these recent defensive meltdowns are any indication, talent alone can’t win them victory late in the season.
“Obviously, you guys are going to ask me about the field goal,” – McVay
These coaching decisions chip in as Eagles’ ownership and management decides how best to fix these things moving forward. The coaching staff will need to address both defensive formations and player performances to improve their standing in the league.
Titans Continue to Struggle
The Tennessee Titans’ troubles deepened with a 20-10 loss to the Raiders, marking their fifth consecutive defeat and dropping them to a dismal 1-5 record this season. Their quarterback play has been abysmal—most recently the unfortunate Malik Willis against the Denver Broncos. He finished the day with only 45 yards, completing just 9 of 17 passes while being sacked a whopping nine times.
Despite all of this lack of offensive production, I still wonder about the team’s overall strategy and execution. The Titans have flashed their upside but can’t seem to find a complete 60 minutes of football. Their current path suggests big changes will be needed if they want to save their season.
“I thought the protection was good, [but] we have to make the kick,” – Titans quarterback
With the season’s end now in view, coaches and staff are under scrutiny for all player performances and decisions made when managing each game.
Jets’ Quarterback Dilemmas
The New York Jets are facing their own quarterback conundrum while Justin Fields can’t seem to get out of his own way. In doing so, he set his floor for the worst fantasy performance of the season. That’s a massive black eye on his ability to lead this team going forward. To date, Fields has already lined up $10 million in guarantees for next year. This is the other half of the $30 million deal he orchestrated with the Jets.
His performance has crossed over into the life-or-death critical phase as fans scour every moment for signs of progress. The third variable, the backup quarterback situation, only complicates matters further. Career backup Tyrod Taylor, 36, is waiting in the wings if Fields slips further.
Fields has to show growth, maturity, and consistency in his gameplay. So now analysts wonder if he can change things fast enough to right the ship on a career that is quickly approaching its sell by date.
“you can split out wide and let him run the route tree, because he can run it like a receiver,” – unspecified source
As the Jets navigate these challenges, they must consider their long-term plans for the quarterback position as they aim for a competitive future.
Dolphins’ Struggles on Offense
In yet another lackluster performance during Week 5, the Miami Dolphins recorded just 19 rushing yards against the Carolina Panthers. This was a new low for an offense that has been otherwise impressive so far this year.
Tua Tagovailoa remains under pressure as he averages just 2.7 seconds before his pass attempts, ranking him 11th fastest in the league. This rapid release can pose significant challenge. This too is indicative of a distrust in the offensive line to protect.
The Dolphins previously made headlines when they traded for Jalen Ramsey, making him the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, indicating their commitment to improving their defense while struggling with offensive consistency.
“didn’t play to my standard entirely,” Ringo admitted after the game.
As Miami continues to reassess its offensive strategies, adjustments will be crucial in building momentum toward future games.
Leave a Reply