On Football delves into the key discussions surrounding the NFL each week. Here’s an overview of some hot topics from the latest matchups.
In a surprising twist, Jameis Winston managed to accomplish what Deshaun Watson could not for the Cleveland Browns. With Watson sidelined, the Browns found renewed success in their passing game, leading to a thrilling 29-24 comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Winston recorded an impressive 334 passing yards and three touchdowns, including the decisive score just 59 seconds before the final whistle.
Watson’s performance has been less than stellar; throughout his 19 starts with the Browns, he has yet to throw for over 300 yards in a single game. In fact, this season, he couldn’t even reach 200 yards before a torn Achilles cut his season short. Comparatively, Joe Flacco, who temporarily took the helm last year, surpassed 300 yards in five out of six starts, including playoff appearances.
As the Browns sit at a disappointing 2-6 record, they face a challenging decision regarding Watson, especially considering the high-profile trade made in 2022. The hefty price paid to acquire Watson, along with his fully guaranteed $230 million contract over five years, raises serious questions about the value of this move. Under Watson’s leadership, the team has a mixed record of 9-10, while coach Kevin Stefanski boasts a 30-26 overall record without him—evidencing his ability to succeed without Watson’s participation. With nine games still on the schedule, Winston has a crucial opportunity to showcase his talents under Stefanski’s guidance.
Watson’s financial obligations loom large, with $46 million due for each of the next two years. The likelihood of trading him appears slim, compelling the Browns to consider placing him on the bench or releasing him instead. However, severing ties would lead to a staggering $99.8 million in dead cap space, making it improbable for the team to part ways with him easily. Even if they explored a post-June 1 cut, a hefty $46 million loss would remain on the table. Unless Watson’s camp agrees to negotiate a restructuring of his deal—an unlikely scenario—it seems the Browns are stuck hoping he can reclaim his Pro Bowl form seen in Houston before his off-field issues.
Meanwhile, the New York Jets have seen a sharp decline in performance since parting ways with head coach Robert Saleh. Under his guidance, the team allowed an average of just 17 points per game for the first five weeks. However, since Saleh’s dismissal, the defense has struggled tremendously, conceding an average of 28.3 points over the next three games.
The Jets faced a particularly dismal outcome in their latest matchup, allowing the New England Patriots—who have struggled offensively—to drive 70 yards for a game-winning touchdown with only three minutes left on the clock. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich acknowledged the team needs to improve, stating, “That’s on coaching, first of all, and then second, we’ve got to execute.” Despite claiming to be better than their current form, they have yet to prove otherwise.
Lastly, the Dallas Cowboys are grappling with struggles in both running the football and defending against the run. Their latest game against the San Francisco 49ers saw them yield an alarming 223 rushing yards, leaving them with the worst rushing defense in the league alongside Carolina, allowing 154.6 yards on average per game.
On the offensive side, the Cowboys rank last in the league for rushing yards, managing only 74.1 per game. This past weekend, Dalvin Cook made his season debut but fell flat with only 12 yards on six carries, while Ezekiel Elliott averaged a mere 3.1 yards per carry. Compounding the issue, Rico Dowdle—their leading rusher—was unavailable due to illness.
Owner Jerry Jones has publicly backed the decision not to chase Derrick Henry, who expressed interest in joining the Cowboys and is currently excelling with Baltimore. Dallas’ inability to effectively run the ball has placed additional strain on quarterback Dak Prescott, leading to a rise in interceptions as he attempts to carry the offensive burden himself, often forcing throws under pressure.
