[ad_1]
Happy Thanksgiving, and welcome to the end of your day. Hope you’re as lucky as I was and made it to that third slice of pie (this year I went for pumpkin pie -> pumpkin roll -> apple pie, in that order).
There were some football matches during all that feast, and we’re here to catch up on what happened.
We’ll start with the Cowboys, who took down a gritty opponent in Dallas during the 4 p.m. (ET) window. The Giants scored with eight seconds to play, which put the game within a touchdown and two-point conversion, so it was a little closer to the score indicated.
This is what we learned:
• This may be the beginning of the end for the giants, and there is no shame in saying that. There are two games each against the Eagles and Commanders, a game with the Vikings and the tilt against the remaining Colts. The Giants currently stand at 7-4, and according to the FiveThirtyEight They fell below 50% playoff chance for the first time this season. Head coach Brian Dabol and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka are among the best coaches in the NFL at creating larger, significant plays from larger formations and in tighter windows. We saw it again on Thursday, and despite not being heavily armed, they managed to stick with Dallas all afternoon.
• Why hasn’t anyone made a great introduction to Darius Slayton at the trade deadline? Since Halloween, he’s been an important part of the team’s passing game. After his rookie season, we forgot he could play.
• Many teams have tried to harness the power of the elite back-lines this season. Nick Chubb and Karim Hunt with Brown. Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon from Green Bay. Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon of the Broncos. Travis Etienne in Jacksonville and James Robinson. But it will be the Cowboys, along with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, who end up seeing this roster-building pay off. There is a lot of efficiency in their ground game with (basically) an even split between Elliott and Pollard. And it might just be me (I don’t just watch cowboys, after all) but this spin seems to have brought out the best in Elliot. He’s back to the upside, Mjolnir-wielding power every run.
This is what we also saw on Thanksgiving Day
• Von Miller suffered a sprained knee Thursday, according to an NFL Network report. Considering the alternatives for a 33-year-old who makes a living out of speed and finesse, that’s something the Bills should be thankful for. Lions quarterback Frank Ragno ended up resting on Miller’s leg as it was outstretched in a supine position. Given their varying weight, this could have been disastrous. I think we all assumed the Bills would continue to face adversity through the latter half of the season, but we’re regrouping in time for the playoffs. Without Miller, I don’t think this is possible. It’s an essential part of helping them finish matches against elite squad players.
• I loved the way the Lions would sometimes play Josh Allen, trying to destroy the pocket, then when he had to scramble and spy a faster defensive style; Someone who has some heft. One of the reasons Allen has been able to miss most of the NFL this season is because he has the extra Cam Newton effect. He intimidates defenses with his mass and speed (and with his arm talent much more so than Newton did). But since Allen has had some issues late in the season, teams may find ways to get him to pay out of pocket.
• I’m not ruling out 9-8 for the Lions this year. The rest of their schedule, if they play the way they did Thursday, will help save Dan Campbell. If I were in an ownership position, I’d give Campbell a third year with a heavier word on defensive coordinator selection. I think this Lions team is very close to turning around.
• Yes, Kirk Cousins did a football fumble after the Vikings had to call a timeout, so we’re not saying the fumble displays are unique. However, Mac Jones donning his helmet after the time ran out seemed to pop up some genuine frustration. This was an unbelievable game. Heavy penalties, mental fouls, shortfalls in coverage, and the opposing team’s elite wide receiver hitting nine catches and 139 yards. The Patriots’ offense down the stretch was, basically, Rhamundry Stevenson on inspections. Oddly enough, this offense still feels pedestrian one night when Jones throws for 400 yards.
• Has anyone heard Jason Garrett disagree with Bill Belichick’s decision not to immediately use his time out on the Vikings’ final offensive possession, and then, after the strategy has worked brilliantly, say, “Well, of course, that’s why he did it.” Garrett knelt properly to Belichick accepted the criticism, but there’s a reason one coach is in the booth and the other is still on the sidelines.
• Watching Justin Jefferson draw, what is, basically, a triple coverage was quite a moment on Adam Thillen’s landing. And I’m not sure that this is a “bust” either. With a little depth from Jalen Mills on that play, he was hit from the back of the end zone. Regardless, it shows the respect players have for Jefferson when the veteran players decide to leave Adam Thielen on his own to prevent something worse from happening.
More NFL coverage:
[ad_2]
Source link