2) The Cincinnati Bengals are the most disappointing 0-3 crew.
Having Joe Burrow wholesome for a full coaching camp steered the Bengals may eschew the early season struggles which have plagued them underneath Zac Taylor. Not so. Whether it was Tee Higgins' damage, Ja'Marr Chase's post-hold-in sluggish begin, or the adjustments on protection, Cincinnati as soon as once more crawled out of the gate.
If you wish to think about the Super Bowl-contending Bengals the most disappointing crew to open the season, you will have a terrific case. But for me, this assertion is fiction.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are off to the most discouraging begin. It's not simply that Doug Pederson's squad has gotten off to an anemic starting. It's how they've carried out that's genuinely a priority.
The Jags are getting destroyed in the trenches on each side of the ball. Pressure has been in Trevor Lawrence's face incessantly — Monday night time in Buffalo, 11 totally different Bills gamers generated not less than one stress, with 5 incomes two or extra — and the defensive position has been blown off the ball. The crew's 24.8% QB stress charge via three weeks ranks thirty first, and its 5 fast pressures rank lifeless final, per Next Gen Stats.
If, as the saying goes, NFL video games are gained in the trenches, it is no marvel the Jags are epically failing.
Even when he is not getting destroyed in the pocket, Lawrence has accomplished simply 52.8% of his passes, the second-lowest mark in the league amongst QBs with not less than 50 makes an attempt this season. Lawrence's troubles connecting along with his targets in the quick sport have a cascading impact. The Jags cannot maintain drives and lavatory down in the pink zone. Disaster ensues.
The Jags are a multitude in a season in which their proprietor, Shad Khan, declared that he expects to win now. The Jags shelled out money this offseason, not simply with Lawrence's new contract, however with the fourth-highest spending in the league in 2024. So far, it is purchased them zilch.
Given the excessive expectations from possession on down, the early season rest room swirl makes the Jags the most disappointing membership in my ebook.
3) Jayden Daniels is the 2024 model of 2023 C.J. Stroud.
Is it truthful to check a rookie quarterback after three begins to considered one of the most epic rookie seasons we have ever seen? No. Not notably. Yet, right here we're.
If we will go there, let's go there. For me, it is a truth.
It's not simply that Daniels has proven a Stroud-like capability to boost the play of everybody round him, together with a still-questionable offensive line. It's not that he drops dimes and avoids turnovers like Stroud. It's the calmness. In the largest moments, there is no such thing as a flinching. Ice, meet veins. It's an unteachable high quality.
Whether it was the game-winning drive in the last seconds of a Week 2 victory over the Giants or the beautiful deep shot to Terry McLaurin in Week 3, Daniels has elevated his sport in the crucible of the huge moments, the place many rookies crumble. Reminder: Stroud's membership misplaced his first two begins earlier than galloping to a playoff spot. Daniels is already forward of that tempo.
I'm not going to get into the comparability with the remainder of the 2024 draft class, not after three weeks. Each man performs his personal sport. Daniels shining has nothing to do with one other's struggles.
Over the final two weeks, Daniels' Commanders did not punt a single time. They completed each single drive with a rating or a kneel. Think about all the punt-offs we witness every week. Then think about a rookie main his crew to 14 consecutive scoring drives, not together with the kneel-downs. It's madness.
The consistency with which the Commanders have moved the ball speaks to a stellar job from offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, and Daniels' capability to make the proper resolution. Over three video games, he is already proven improvement. In Week 1, he ran a bit an excessive amount of, even for his coach's liking. In Week 2, he discovered his outlet extra usually. In Week 3, he splashed deep photographs. It's the kind of weekly enchancment we noticed from Stroud final season.
Perhaps a quarterback shining off the bat when he had 55 school begins underneath his belt should not be shocking. But for a corporation that has cycled via so many quarterbacks over the years, let's hope Daniels — who takes his share of huge hits — stays wholesome.
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