Each week, FOX Sports activities NFL reporter Peter Schrager opens his pocket book and opines on three of the largest storylines across the league.
1. Vance Joseph’s Resurgence
The very best story that is not gotten sufficient press this 12 months is what the Denver Broncos are doing on protection. And the person on the helm has a narrative to inform, himself. Vance Joseph, who has now been teaching within the NFL for 20 years, lastly acquired his head teaching alternative with the Broncos in 2017. However the outcomes had been combined — the Denver fan base by no means took to him and all of it was over in 24 brief months. Joseph was out. Fired. He resurfaced as Kliff Kingsbury’s defensive coordinator in Arizona, however when Kliff misplaced his job, too, a chance got here in Denver when Sean Payton took the head-coaching gig with the Broncos. Payton met with Rex Ryan and others for the DC place, however Vance Joseph was a reputation that saved developing in conversations. However may Joseph return to the place the place he was fired as a head coach and return in an assistant function? It takes somebody devoid of ego and somebody who simply loves the career to take action. When the job was provided, he accepted the gig. The fan response was combined. And after giving up 70 factors to the Dolphins in Week 3 final 12 months, it seemed prefer it was a mistake on all fronts.
However one thing occurred. Just a few weeks later, they held Patrick Mahomes in verify in a uncommon Broncos win over Kansas Metropolis (Mahomes’ first–ever loss to Denver). Over the second half of the 2023 season, Denver’s D confirmed nice enchancment.
And this 12 months, Denver ranks each third within the NFL in complete protection (256.5 yards/sport) and scoring protection (13.8 PPG). As rookie quarterback Bo Nix will get acclimated and comfy, Joseph’s protection is main the best way. Payton’s acquired his palms full with the younger offense, and Joseph’s unit is the gasoline behind the staff’s three-game win streak.
What a cool story in Denver this 12 months. And whereas Nix and Payton dominate the headlines, there’s lots to be mentioned for the story getting much less press: the Vance Joseph redemption story. And simply watch — if issues preserve going this manner, you higher imagine the person who waited his entire profession for a shot at a head teaching gig goes to be thought-about for an additional one.
Vance Joseph has the Broncos’ protection performing as a top-3 unit within the NFL. (Photograph by Justin Edmonds/Getty Photos)
2. Buffalo’s Huge Gamble
Monday’s Payments–Jets matchup has pressure and actual stakes. First place within the division may hold within the stability, but additionally mass hysteria with a loss. The Jets, effectively, that is regular fare. The Payments? Their final two losses have raised eyebrows across the league. The blowout in opposition to the Ravens was a harsh wake-up name and Sunday’s loss in Houston was doubtlessly worse, given the squandered lead and head–scratching play-calling.
Watching from SoFi Stadium earlier than the Packers-Rams sport on Sunday, I used to be confused and assumed there was one thing happening in a sport that I wasn’t monitoring intently sufficient. However, no. The Payments’ throwing the ball thrice whereas tied and again up of their finish zone late within the fourth quarter was nothing greater than what all of us noticed on our tablets, telephones and NFL RedZone. Buffalo turned the one staff within the final 45 years to be tied or main within the remaining minute of a sport whereas inside their very own 5-yard line, to throw three straight passes.
My concern? It is whether or not they have the playmakers. Buffalo led the league in scoring by way of three weeks. That story is finished. And as Stefon Diggs brushes by Josh Allen within the postgame, mid-field scrum, you possibly can’t assist however marvel if the shortage of a Diggs or perhaps a Gabe Davis, on this roster will come to hang-out Buffalo this season. The commerce deadline is quickly approaching. With Khalil Shakir out and Davis and Diggs elsewhere, is there a veteran broad receiver Buffalo may purchase earlier than the deadline? Nobody’s panicking in Buffalo proper now and there is no sense of desperation. However a loss to the Jets on Monday may ring some alarms in Western New York.
Buffalo common supervisor Brandon Beane famously mentioned he wasn’t seeking to be the Los Angeles Rams from just a few years again. However they may wish to think about a “F them picks” method over the following few weeks if issues go bitter within the coming weeks.
Josh Allen and the Payments made some head-scratching choices late within the sport in opposition to the Texans. (Photograph by Tim Warner/Getty Photos)
3. Jayden vs. Lamar
The Commanders-Ravens tilt on Sunday is my favourite sport of the season to this point, and no person in one million years may have imagined such a must-see matchup in Baltimore in Week 6 when the schedule was launched. Whereas Baltimore followers have a look at the Steelers, Bengals, Browns and even the Colts as way more bitter rivals — the geographical proximity and comparatively small historical past between the Commanders (or what they had been named on the time of a majority of their earlier matchups) makes this considerably testy franchise-wise.
However that is simply the backdrop to Jayden Daniels versus Lamar Jackson, which is as tantalizing a quarterback matchup as you will discover. Lamar’s enjoying the most effective soccer of his season proper now, coming off two dazzling performances the previous two weeks, and Daniels is having arguably the best begin to a rookie quarterback’s profession…ever. Even C.J. Stroud, who ran away with the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Yr Award final 12 months, did not tear it up in any single five-game span like Daniels simply did in his first 5 video games out of the gate.
With the Beltway serving because the backdrop, two of the league’s greatest quarterbacks — with their very own fashion and distinctive talents — are squaring off. As somebody who’s alternated between giving Daniels and Lamar his weekly “Participant of the Week” award the final 4 weeks, it is actually a pleasure to have the ability to sit again and see how this performs out. Commanders vs. Ravens as essentially the most anticipated sport of the season to this point? It is why you like the NFL.
Jayden Daniels heads right into a extremely anticipated showdown in opposition to Lamar Jackson. (Photograph by Patrick Smith/Getty Photos)
Bonus Stat of the Week
Washington is the primary staff since 1970 to attain 150-plus factors of their first 5 video games whereas beginning a rookie QB.
Peter Schrager is an NFL Insider for FOX Sports activities and a number of “Good Morning Soccer” on NFL Community. You may observe him on Twitter at @PSchrags.
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