Daniel Jones | Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images Brian Daboll isn’t planning a change vs. Commanders The New York Giants will not be making a change at quarterback after just one week of the 2024 NFL season. Head coach Brian Daboll was clear on Monday that Jones, the embattled sixth-year quarterback, will remain the starter after Sunday’s 28-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Daboll simply said “yes” when asked if Jones was still the starter. Daboll also said that Jones will continue to get all the first-team reps as the Giants prepare for their Week 2 game Sunday against the Washington Commanders. Jones was 22 of 42 for 186 yards with two interceptions, including a pick 6. He had a 44.3 passer rating. He was sacked five times, with Pro Football Focus faulting him for three of those. “There were some good things,” Daboll said. “But there were certainly a lot of things we can improve on. We had some missed opportunities. “Decisions for the most part, people we were looking at, where we were throwing, were good. Obviously, there were some, whether it was inaccuracy because of a base or maybe there was pressure. There’s a variety of reasons for that. It takes all 11. We’ve got to clean it all up.” Daboll deflected when asked about Jones’ work managing the pocket on Sunday. “Offensively, defensively, kicking-game wise, none of it was where we needed it to be,” Daboll said. Is starting Jones in Week 2 the right decision? In my view, yes. For now. That is not because of a misguided belief that the quarterback, in his sixth season with a resume that includes more bad than good play, can suddenly morph into something he has never been. It is because this has been the organization’s plan since the day they knew they weren’t going to be able to trade up in the 2024 NFL Draft to get Drake Maye. All the work they have done has been centered around the idea that Jones would be the quarterback. He has taken every first-team rep since the beginning of training camp. In fact, the way the Giants structured both spring and summer practices was largely designed to give Jones, rehabbing from knee surgery, the best chance to succeed in 2024. It is a 17-game season. One awful week does not make it time to throw everything out and start over. I know some people will say it’s been six mostly bad seasons. I won’t disagree, but we are talking about this year. That is what Daboll and the Giants are considering, and are worried about now. The leash for Jones can’t be long. Sunday made it shorter, no doubt. He has to show them competent, or better than competent, quarterback play beginning Sunday against the Commanders. If he doesn’t the ‘how much longer is the leash?’ question will be worth re-visiting.
Daniel Jones will remain New York Giants starting quarterback
4 overreactions from Week 1’s loss to the Lions
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Why you need not be worried about Blake Corum or the Rams offensive line The Rams might be the only team in the NFL that can feel proud about how they lost in Week 1. Underdogs in Detroit on Sunday Night Football, the Rams fought back to take a fourth quarter lead and went to overtime despite a dogpile of injuries and pushed the Lions to the brink. Given a different outcome on the coin toss, the Rams could even be 1-0 right now. “Week 1 is king for overreactions across the NFL,” said JB Scott in the comments of his Monday morning article about Cooper Kupp’s NFL-leading 21 targets (nine more targets than any other player in the league). How are people maybe overreacting about how the Rams played in Week 1? Overreaction 1: Blake Corum is RB3 The Rams spent a third round pick on a running back—the third running back off of the board overall—and he didn’t play a snap on offense. Does it matter? No. Final Rams RB snaps: Kyren Williams – 67 (91%)Ronnie Rivers – 7Blake Corum – 0 — Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) September 9, 2024 Kyren Williams played over 90% of the snaps and likely will for as long as he can and Sean McVay needs him to. If the Rams were up 20 points in a game this season, we might see a lot of Corum. In a road primetime against the Lions in Corum’s NFL debut, maybe it’s not so necessary to give the ball to a rookie when L.A.’s only real goal is to give all the carries to their best running back. Ronnie Rivers got seven snaps and two carries (including one that went for 12 yards) because this is his third season, his third year with Sean McVay, and I’m sure that the team trusts him more because he’s had that much longer to prove himself to them. It’s amazing that in the year 2024 we still have to have discussions to explain that playing the running back position has a little bit more responsibility than “grab ball, run ball forward”. Obviously, looking back on the Cam Akers situation, McVay needs time to develop trust in a running back. Kyren Williams didn’t take over right away either. I understand that Rams fans might be a little gun shy after picks like Isaiah Pead, Tre Mason, Darrell Henderson, and Akers. It’s been one week of Corum’s career and I can guarantee you that the time will come this season when the Rams will need him to play, and probably need him to start. It wasn’t Week 1 in Detroit. Overreaction 2: The Rams OL is in shambles I’m not going to say that fans shouldn’t be worried about the offensive line—and it’s always fair to be worried about injuries especially—but there is some context here that I think should put your mind at a little bit of ease relative to where it was on Sunday night: If Steve Avila is out for a month with a sprained MCL, is it the worst thing in the world to have Beaux Limmer at center and Jonah Jackson at left guard? #Rams starting guard Steve Avila, who left last night’s game with a knee injury, is believed to have suffered an MCL sprain, sources say. He’ll have an MRI and further testing today to determine the full extent. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 9, 2024 I’m not sold that the Rams interior offensive line is noticeably worse with Limmer than it would be with Avila. That’s one potential overreaction. Also Joe Noteboom was injured at left tackle, another unfortunate situation. But Noteboom is also not a starter so when A.J. Jackson returns from suspension in Week 3, that should clear up the left tackle spot. Whether you like or dislike Jackson’s play at left tackle last season, he is still the player that McVay wanted out there all along for this season. And at right tackle, Rob Havenstein avoided PUP and IR, so the Rams might get him back in Week 2 or Week 3. As panicked as the situation looked during the game, a Week 3 offensive line of Jackson-Jackson-Limmer-Dotson-Havenstein isn’t far off from McVay’s ideal. Overreaction #3: Tyler Johnson, now HE’s the next Puka Nacua Tyler Johnson’s 63-yard catch and run was a stellar play and not to be discredited. And as the broadcast mentioned, also the longest play of his 5-year career and in fact would be tied for the second-most yards he had in a single game if that’s all he did. In addition, WR Tyler Johnson really stepped up in Puka Nacua’s absence: – 5 catches, 79 yards– 63-yard catch (longest of his career) that included 61 yards after the catch https://t.co/Mdsi8UxrkD — Wyatt Miller (@wymill07) September 9, 2024 Tyler Johnson played in one game last season, getting 36 snaps in L.A.’s “meaningless” Week 18 finale against the 49ers, catching two passes for eight yards and a touchdown. In 2022 with the Bucs, Johnson appeared in two games and was targeted zero times. You must go back to 2021 to find a season in which Tyler Johnson was a part of team’s plan either on offense or special teams. Ultra rare is the diamond in the rough receiver who was inactive for two whole seasons prior to his breakout. I wouldn’t say you could overreact to Puka Nacua’s injury—that is really bad news because Puka is a top-5 player on L.A.’s roster—but the losses can be mitigated because the Rams have Matthew Stafford, McVay, Cooper Kupp, and a collection of options to spread the ball around to like Demarcus Robinson and Colby Parkinson, both of whom are probably still ahead of Johnson on the pecking order. And then there’s Tutu Atwell, who only got six snaps on Sunday night. Maybe Tyler Johnson starts against the Cardinals next week and has another 80 yards. Just like last season, when Atwell had 119 yards
Ravens PFF grades: 7 best performers on defense in Week 1 loss to the Chiefs
Ravens PFF grades: 7 best performers on defense in Week 1 loss to the Chiefs glenn erby The Ravens are 0-1 and preparing for the Raiders after a disappointing but hard-fought 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday. Baltimore was solid on defense but couldn’t make enough plays to slow Patrick Mahomes, and Zach Orr’s unit fell victim to multiple explosive plays from rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy. The PFF grades are in, and we’re analyzing the seven highest-graded players on defense for Baltimore. 1 CB Ar’Darius Washington KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 05: Xavier Worthy #1 of the Kansas City Chiefs reaches for a pass that is broken up by Ar’Darius Washington #29 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 05, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) PFF grade vs. Chiefs: 86.5 2 LB Odafe Oweh BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 20: inebacker Odafe Oweh #99 of the Baltimore Ravens in action against the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) PFF grade vs. Chiefs: 85.4 3 CB Nate Wiggins GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 24: Nate Wiggins #2 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts to a play during a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 24, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Ravens 30-7. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) PFF grade vs. Chiefs: 76.0 4 CB Jalyn Armour-Davis OWINGS MILLS, MD – AUGUST 12: Jalyn Armour-Davis #5 of the Baltimore Ravens catches a pass during training camp at Under Armour Performance Center Baltimore Ravens on August 12, 2024 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) PFF grade vs. Chiefs: 68.9 5 DT Michael Pierce CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 01: Michael Pierce #58 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) PFF grade vs. Chiefs: 68.7 6 CB Marlon Humphrey Sep 5, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray (83) dives forward against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images PFF grade vs. Chiefs: 65.7 7 Nnamdi Madubuike Aug 9, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (92) walks the field before a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports PFF grade vs. Chiefs: 62.7
Colts’ Monday Morning Awards: Week 1 vs. Texans
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images Disappointing debut once again for the Colts, but there are plenty of positives to take away from the game MVP of the Game: Anthony Richardson If you are not excited about the game played by the Colts franchise quarterback yesterday, then I don’t know what to tell you. Sure, the lack of accurracy is still an issue and there were several missed throws, but his deep ball placement and mobility make him just way too dangerous. Look at the good plays, the deep balls, the pocket mobility, the scramble on 4th down taking down a defender into the endzone when the game was on the line. If the Colts can support him with a consistent running game, which was lacking yesterday (JT just 3 yards per carry), and with more and more game experience I believe Richardson will only get better. Keep in mind that this is still technically just a rookie, and a rookie with not much starting experience in college. I also wanted to point out the accountability and leadership from him at just 22-years old, taking the blame for the defense’s struggles because he (and the offense) did not give them much time to rest. Dud of the Game: Zaire Franklin / E.J. Speed In case you did not know this, Franklin and Speed started a podcast in the offseason, and one of the biggest talking points was the rivarly with C.J. Stroud, and how he “disrespected” the city of Indy. Yesterday’s tackling and run defending display was a much worse lack of respect than anything Stroud could have said. The Texans finished the game with 40 carries for 213 yards, a whooping 5.3 yards per carry, the icing on the cake being the 3rd and 3 run late in the game where Speed completely whiffed on Mixon and sealed the game. If you are going to do all that talking, and then play so terribly bad, then it is probably best to shut down the podcast and start focusing on run fits. Play of the Game: Richardson’s 60-yard TD bomb to Alec Pierce ANTHONY RICHARDSON 60-YARD DIME TO ALEC PIERCE. : #HOUvsIND on CBS/Paramount+ : https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/p0xddm5Kl1 — NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024 Talk about a big time player making big time plays. Yes, AR is still raw and he makes his fair share of mistakes, but when it hits, it just leaves you with the jaw on the floor. I also could have gone with the 3-yard touchdown run on 4th down as that was also really clutch, and on the most important play of the game, but this was one was simply beautiful. Best position group: Vacant I was tempted to go with the defensive line on this one because of how they harassed C.J. Stroud in the passing game, but a big part of the blame for the Texans’ 200 yards on the ground is definitely on them. The offensive line was okay but left much to be desired in the running game, the linebackers were terrible, the wide receivers or tight ends did not see much action, and the secondary struggled. Rookie of the Week: Anthony Gould This is more of a lack of production from the other rookies than merit on Gould, who still had a solid debut returning the kickoffs under the new rule. Of course given it was just his debut he will get better as the season moves on, and I think it is just a matter of time before he breaks one out for a touchdown. Unsung Hero: Tyquan Lewis / Alec Pierce Two overlooked pieces on the Colts’ roster showed up on the debut. Of course Pierce took all the flashes, as he is the biggest beneficiary from having a quarterback that is a deep ball specialist, finishing the game with 3 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown. Tyquan Lewis is one of my favourite players on the roster, and I believe he is severely underrated. He finished yesterday’s game with 4 solo tackles and a sack on 52 snaps.
Raiders poll: Bring back Yannick Ngakoue?
Yannick Ngakoue | Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images The Raiders may be need of a veteran pass-rusher The pass-rush position was supposed to be a major strength for the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2024 season. However, things became challenging when the team was forced to put starting pass-rusher Malcolm Koonce on the injured reserve after he suffered a knee injury in practice Thursday. He is out to be out for an extended period of time. Yes, the Raiders still have superstar pass-rusher Maxx Crosby, but Koonce was a big piece of the puzzle. He was expected to have a big 2024 season after he posted eight sacks in the final nine games last season. The Raiders have inexperienced pass-rushers Janarius Robinson, Tyree Wilson and Charles Snowden on the roster along with Crosby at the position. But Wilson injured his knee Sunday. That means they may need to add a veteran. The free-agent class at pass-rusher is not strong. The top available player is Yannick Ngakoue. He was with the Raiders in 2021 and had 10 sacks and was a god tandem with Crosby. He had four sacks with the Bears last year and many scouts think he is slipping at the age of 29. Should the Raiders give Ngakoue a call?
WATCH: Bills’ Sean McDermott locker room speech post-Cardinals win
Sean breaks down the win: WATCH: Bills’ Sean McDermott locker room speech post-Cardinals win Nick Wojton It was tough sledding at times, but the Buffalo Bills got the job done. The Bills (1-0) topped the Arizona Cardinals (0-1) in their season opener in a 34-28 final. Trailing 17-3 at one point, Buffalo came back against Arizona for the victory. Those efforts were reflected in Sean McDermott’s post-game speech in the team’s locker room. In addition, the head coach pointed out and gave a shout out to one player in particular: cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram. McDermott’s full locker room address can be found below:
The Average Fan’s Reaction: Vikings Beat Giants in Week 1, 28-6
Chances are, if you’ve ever read anything I’ve written, it was about baseball. I’ve been working behind the scenes at Daily Norseman for a couple of months now, and am ready to start writing a little bit more than just the open thread every few days. But I realize my limitations. Football is my second love, and it’s not like I’m completely without knowledge of the game. In fact, I wrote the game notes for Fox’s coverage of the game. So what I deduced could be fun is observations from the average fan. I might not be able to diagnose a Cover 2 as well as Arif Hasan or break down film like Luke Braun, but like Luke I think I can learn as the season goes from our community. So let’s go! Here are my observations from Week 1. Let’s start with the blatantly obvious: Sam Darnold was ballin’ To the outside observer, 200 passing yards might not seem like much. But for some context, 18 passers threw for 200-plus yards in Week 1 last season. So far this season — albeit with Monday Night Football left — only 14 have done so. That might not seem like much of a, but it’s a reduction of 22.2 percent as is, and it could stay there with neither the Jets nor the 49ers a huge high-volume passing offense (the 49ers more so, but the Jets are a tough defense to roll up yards on, anyway). The Vikings kept Darnold upright for much of the day, and he rewarded them greatly. He showed tremendous touch all day long with good velocity on his throws besides, and nicely manipulated the defense on his 44-yard completion to Justin Jefferson early in the second quarter. That wasn’t his only great throw to Jefferson on the drive, either, as they capped it with a fourth-down touchdown on a quick slant from three yards out. Let’s not forget he completed the first 12 passes of his day, and his interception was on a play that was less about poor decision-making and more about being hit as he was thrown. That’s not to try absolve him of any blame, but watching some other quarterbacks in Week 1 — like, you know, the guy who just left here — makes one feel a bit better about how the ball came out of Darnold’s hand against the Giants. With one game remaining in Week 1, Darnold was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded quarterback with an 88.1 — just ahead of Patrick Mahomes (87.9) — and the second-highest graded passer (86.2) behind Derek Carr. We’ve seen plenty of one-week wonders — especially at quarterback, especially with the Vikings — but there’s plenty to dream on here. Darnold felt like the kind of guy someone’s going to sign for four years and $160 million in the offseason — and hopefully not regret it. Andrew Van Ginkel was everywhere AVG was anything but average in Week 1, and as of this writing ranks 10th in PFF grade among defenders (90.6, just ahead of teammate Harrison Smith who was at 90.4 and 11th). But this is also simple box-score watching. AVG had a pick-six, a sack, four total tackles, one pass defensed and a pair of quarterback hits. Any guesses on the last Vikings player with a sack and a pick-six in the same game? That’s right — you have to go back a full decade (10 years plus one day) when a fresh-faced Harrison Smith had one of each against the Rams in Week 1 of 2014 (Sept. 7). Since 2000, only four Vikings have done so: Van Ginkel – Week 1, 2024 Smith – Week 1, 2014 Kevin Williams – Week 1, 2007 Lance Johnstone – Week 7, 2003 Feels like it might be a Week 1 thing? Harrison Smith is ageless See above for his 90.4 grade, but no wonder he’s not ready to say this is his last year. Sheesh. Daniel Jones is #not #good There was plenty of bad quarterback play from well-compensated passers on Sunday, and right near the top of the list was Jones — who is/was just six games into his mega deal with the Giants. He was rendered completely ineffective by Brian Flores’ defense and well, himself, on the way to a 22-for-42 day with 186 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. He was also sacked five times — which is not an encouraging start when considering Giants passers were sacked 20 more times than any other team last season. Jones averaged just 4.4 yards per attempt on Sunday, a mark salvaged by the fact that four passers attempted at least 20 passes and somehow posted worse numbers. Two of them were in their NFL debuts — Bo Nix (3.3) and Caleb Williams (3.2) — one was a sophomore who still has a lot to prove (Will Levis, 4.0) and the other was human trash bag Deshaun Watson (3.8). Jones’ legs didn’t help him much, either, as he rushed for just 15 yards on six totes (2.5 average). Surely, there was pressure on Sunday. The Vikings graded out second (again, so far) in pass defense with an 82.9 PFF grade, but it wasn’t necessarily due to pass rush (59.8 grade, 22nd). Instead, it was just way too much of this: The calls for Drew Lock have begun. Normally, I’d preach caution. I’m not prone to overreaction — but this might not be overreacting. It’s bad. Aaron Jones appears to have some juice left This is just more simple box-score watching, as the Vikings exhibited nice pass-run balance (24 pass attempts, 26 rush attempts) and gave Jones 14 carries for 94 yards (6.7 average) with a touchdown. I know many of us would still like to see what Ty Chandler is capable of, but he didn’t make much of his eight rushes (17 yards), though he did provide help in the pass game with three catches for 25 yards. That may be a nice balance
Opening Odds: Lions open as big favorites over Bucs in Week 2
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images The opening betting lines have the Detroit Lions as big favorites over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 2. In Week 1 of the 2024 NFL regular season, the Detroit Lions took on the Los Angeles Rams, and while it took overtime, they were able to secure the victory, just like they did last January in the Playoffs. In Week 2, another former Playoff foe is coming back to Ford Field, as the Lions prepare to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, hoping to once again repeat what they accomplished in last year’s playoffs. Despite the Bucs’ convincing 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders in the season opener, the good folks over at Fan Duel Sportsbook, have set the opening betting line with a heavy lean toward Detroit, as the Lions open Week 2 as 6.5-point favorites. While the Lions’ defense struggled to defend the Rams’ fast-paced death-by-a-thousand-cuts offense, the Bucs run a more traditional scheme, which Detroit should match up better against. That being said, the Bucs are flush with offensive talent. Baker Mayfield returns to quarterback the offense and with receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and third-round rookie Jalen McMillan at his disposal—all three caught touchdown passes against the Commanders—they can put points on the scoreboard. The Bucs defense is equally as talented but they are also dealing with some injuries to key players. Starting defensive linemen Calijah Kancey and Logan Hall missed the game, starting safety Antoine Winfield was spotted in a walking boot after the game, and the Bucs lost three of their four corners to injury during the game, forcing them to rely on safeties to play out of position at outside corner. While it’s a bit of a surprisingly large opening betting line, the Lions did beat a tougher opponent in Week 1, are healthy overall, and it appears they will also finally see DJ Reader return to the field. The Lions are also a much more physical team than Washington and could give the Bucs problems like they did last season—when they beat the Bucs twice.
Lions News: Best reactions to the Lions big win over Rams
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Giants injury news: Gunner Olszewski, Carter Coughlin out long-term
Gunner Olszewski | Photo by Mike Lawrence/Getty Images The New York Giants not only came out of Sunday’s 28-6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings beaten up on the scoreboard, but they also now have some injury issues to deal with that will result in roster shuffling. Linebacker/special teamer Carter Coughlin, who left the game with a pectoral injury will be “out for months” per head coach Brian Daboll. That sounds like season-ending IR for Coughlin, who had been elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. Punt returner Gunner Olszewski, who suffered a groin injury during pre-game warm-ups, will be out for “weeks,” per Daboll. The coach said the Giants were holding a workout on Monday to find another return man. Olszewski had originally injured his groin in the second preseason game and had not played since. Another groin injury would lead one to question whether or not Olszewski was healthy entering Sunday. Daboll believed he was. “Yeah,” said Daboll when asked if Olszewski was fully healthy before Sunday. “That’s why he was out there.” Cornerback Nick McCloud is day-to-day and maybe week-to-week, per Daboll. He suffered a knee injury Sunday. Wide receiver Darius Slayton is in concussion protocol. The Giants had only 51 players on their 53-man active roster prior to Sunday’s game. This should be a busy week with roster moves as the Giants prepare to face the Washington Commanders.