How did Dallas lose its edge, and can it climb out of this? Ben Solak weighs in, plus preseason myths, the Colts' QB decision and key NFL trends to watch.
Ben Solak joined ESPN in 2024 as a national NFL analyst. He previously covered the NFL at The Ringer, Bleeding Green Nation and The Draft Network.I know the league's good teams at this point ... the Chiefs, Ravens, Vikings, Texans, Lions, Bills, maybe the Packers. We have a few teams on Plucky Watch, such as the Falcons, Buccaneers, Commanders and Bears. Otherwise, I've seen what I need to see. Let's skip to the Ravens-Lions Super Bowl.
The story on defense is one of a schematic change and accordingly misfit personnel -- nothing new in the NFL. The story on offense is a familiar one, too. Just plain old talent attrition., and they're all still on the 2024 team, too. But Elliott isn't what he used to be, and he serves as a microcosm for the decay of an offense over time. Everything around Dallas' stars -- Prescott, Lamb and Martin -- is worse than it once was., who is succeeding in a No.
Look no further than the quarterback. Prescott was a leading name in the MVP race for all of last season. Now? He looks like himself for five plays, six plays, maybe seven -- and then is suddenly scattershot and risky. These issues are particularly harrowing in the red zone, where he is dead last in success rate among 31 quarterbacks this season and third last in EPA per dropback. Before he gets to the 20-yard line, he's 18th in both metrics.
So perhaps Dallas will solve its running game over the bye week, and perhaps the offensive line shuffling will help. Tolbert has had some flashes as a complementary pass catcher, as has Dowdle as a three-down back with receiving chops. Perhaps the return of Bland, Parsons and Lawrence to the defensive lineup, as well as accrued time in the new Zimmer defense, will eventually return this unit to its former glory.
The smart teams pursue top-tier safeties when they can find them. The Ravens, Chiefs, Packers, Steelers and Patriots have all either drafted or signed top-flight guys in recent years. But for those teams who miss out on the elite class, there's no use overpaying to sign mid-tier safeties. "One aspect of the Bucs that I rarely see talked about is the job that Jason Licht has done in a decade or so running the team.
It's still true that the Patriots need better receivers and more offensive line help. But Maye didn't need to sit this season out. I think he's going to benefit from playing in a big way.claimed to be totally reimagining This is not Moore's offense ... not even close. This is Hurts' offense. It is a spread, gun offense with a complex running game that involves the quarterback. It wins with isolation routes and basic half-field concepts that take advantage of wide formations and the run threat via run-pass options. It is, in short, the same college offense the Eagles have been running for Hurts for years.
I don't know if Richardson is going to end up good. For every splash play, there's an easily avoidable mistake of youth and inexperience. And even if he irons out that inconsistency, he'll still need to stay on the field. His injury history is already worrisome. What I do know is that there has been so much promising play from Richardson that the entire thrust of the Colts organization should be, and rightfully is, dedicated to his development right now.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Irish In The NFL: Kyren Williams and Cole Kmet With Strong Performances in Week 3NFL's week 3 was a strong week for former Notre Dame players in the NFL
Read more »
Lions vs. Cowboys prediction: NFL Week 6 odds, picks, best betsTwo NFC titans riding winning streaks clash on Sunday when the Lions face the Cowboys in Dallas.
Read more »
Cowboys vs. Steelers Week 5 predictions: 'SNF' NFL odds, picks, best betsAfter suffering their first loss of the season, the Steelers return home to face Dallas on Sunday night.
Read more »
2024 NFL Week 4 odds: Giants 6-point underdogs vs. Cowboys on TNF, Jets heavy favoritesAs the NFL heads into Week 4, the Giants' and Jets' pecking order is finally taking its rightful place.
Read more »
NFL Week 6 Preview: Cowboys vs Lions, Bills vs Jets & MoreThe NFL season rolls with some intriguing Week 6 matchups. Geoff Schwartz kicks off the show talking about the New York Jets' decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh.
Read more »
NFL DFS Week 6 Optimal Lineup: Lions, Cowboys and Bucky Irving, oh my!Create the best lineup on DraftKings for Sunday’s NFL Main Slate of games and take home the million-dollar first prize
Read more »