The NFL has formally reached the midway level of the 2020 season.
It’s clear that it will go down as an immensely memorable 12 months due partially to the challenges that COVID-19 has offered. Nevertheless, the on-field motion has been fairly compelling.
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The defending Tremendous Bowl champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs could be even higher this 12 months. The Tremendous Bowl runner-up San Francisco 49ers, in the meantime, have been ravaged by harm.
The NFC West appears like the perfect division in soccer, with three playoff-caliber squads, whereas the NFC East is traditionally unhealthy.
Two long-time head coaches (Invoice O’Brien and Dan Quinn) have been fired. Two second-year coaches (Brian Flores and Kliff Kingsbury) have their groups in rivalry.
Huge-name stars like Nick Bosa, Odell Beckham Jr., Saquon Barkley and Dak Prescott all suffered season-ending accidents are all misplaced for the 12 months to harm.
Right here’s a have a look at a number of the greatest surprises and largest disappointments of the primary half of the season.
Shock: Buffalo’s leap – The Buffalo Payments appeared prime for enchancment in 2020, however their 7-2 begin has impressed. Not is that this a mediocre offense carried by a powerful protection. Buffalo ranks amongst probably the most well-rounded squads up to now.
Quarterback Josh Allen, who has made fairly a soar in 12 months 3, ranks third in passing yards (2,587) whereas bettering his completion fee from 58.8% in 2019 to 67.1% this season. Getting into the 12 months, Allen had but to notch a 300-yard passing day. This 12 months, he has 5, together with two 400-yard outings. Already, he has thrown for 19 touchdowns a 12 months after notching 20. His passer score additionally has jumped from 85.3 to 107.2.
The Payments’ two losses have come towards the Tremendous Bowl champion Chiefs and AFC runner-up Tennessee Titans. Nevertheless, Buffalo owns a 4-0 report within the AFC East and boasts assertion wins towards the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks.
Disappointment: New England’s collapse – We knew life with out Tom Brady could be attention-grabbing, however Invoice Belichick’s groups are all the time well-coached, and Cam Newton’s arrival sparked hope that the New England Patriots would exceed expectations. However Newton has struggled mightily, recording solely two landing passes and 7 interceptions, and New England enters Monday with a 2-4 report after experiencing its first three-game dropping streak since 2002.
Now, greater than ever, Brady’s departure appears like a genius transfer. The cabinet in New England could have been much more naked than anybody realized. The Patriots’ offensive playmakers are lacking in motion, and younger defensive gamers counted on to fill voids left by free agent departures and COVID-19 opt-outs have underperformed. Belichick’s Pats seem headed for his or her first dropping report since 2000, his first season with the squad.
Shock: Russell Wilson’s TD tempo – Fairly presumably one of many recreation’s most underrated stars, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson entered this season having by no means obtained an MVP vote. He seems decided to vary that this season. Gone is the conservative offensive strategy that the Seahawks have historically utilized. They’re letting Russ cook dinner, and he’s responding authoritatively, delivering a league-high 28 landing passes, placing him inside attain of Peyton Manning’s single-season report (55), whereas rating second in passer score at 117.1. In the meantime, Seattle’s offense leads the NFL in factors per recreation whereas the workforce is tied the perfect report (6-2) within the convention.
Disappointment: Seattle’s protection – The Seahawks very properly may very well be undefeated if they might play a lick of protection. As an alternative, they provide up extra yards (455.8 per recreation) than any workforce within the league whereas permitting 30.4 factors per recreation. They will’t cease the run, can’t cease the go and may’t get after the quarterback. This places manner an excessive amount of stress on Wilson and the offense to be excellent. The absence of Jamal Adams damage, however the All-Professional security made his return Sunday. The Seahawks are hoping {that a} wholesome Adams and final week’s commerce for Carlos Dunlap offers a spark within the second half of the season. However will that be sufficient?
Shock: Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert – They have not been excellent, however the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow (the No. 1 general decide) and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert (the No. 6 decide) have proven they’ll sling it with the perfect of them. Each rank among the many high 10 in passing yards per recreation. Herbert is averaging 306.6 yards whereas finishing 67.3% of his passes with 17 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Burrow is averaging 284 yards and finishing 67% of his passes with 11 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Each have displayed outstanding poise and really feel for the sport. Their groups nonetheless must encompass these younger passers with extra expertise, however the future is certainly brilliant in Cincinnati and L.A.
A 3rd rookie quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa (the No. 5 decide), simply took the reins for his workforce final week, however is 2-0 now for the 5-3 Miami Dolphins. He very properly may be a part of Burrow and Herbert on the listing of spectacular rookie passers by season’s finish.
Disappointment: Jones’ and Haskins’ struggles – The New York Giants and Washington Soccer Group every wanted their second-year quarterbacks to take large steps ahead this season, however Daniel Jones and Dwayne Haskins haven’t in any respect delivered in a manner that their coaches have hoped. Jones, the No. 6 general decide of the 2019 draft, has solely eight landing passes to go along with 9 interceptions for the 2-7 Giants. And Haskins, taken 9 picks later, was benched after 4 video games for 2-6 Washington. Jones can thank his fortunate stars for Washington. He owns a 4-0 report towards the NFC East rival and a 1-17 report towards the remainder of the NFL. Haskins has been ready for his second likelihood since Week 4, however with Kyle Allen now injured, he simply would possibly get one other shot.
MORE:32 issues we discovered from Week 9 of the 2020 NFL season
Shock: Pittsburgh’s rebound – The Pittsburgh Steelers did an admirable job going 8-8 with Ben Roethlisberger misplaced to harm the majority of final season, and his wholesome return was anticipated to make the group extra aggressive. However few in or exterior of the group would have predicted that Pittsburgh would personal an 8-0 report midway by the season. But right here they’re. Powered by an aggressive, younger protection, gifted rising offensive weapons, a wily quarterback and an unflinching, tone-setting head coach, the Steelers are the one unbeaten workforce within the league. They haven’t been excellent. Their video games principally are nail-biters. However they do possess a particular resilience, and that has made all of the distinction.
Disappointment: Dallas’ dismal begin – Mike McCarthy was alleged to take the perpetually underperforming Dallas Cowboys and make them contenders. However to this point, the previous Tremendous Bowl-winning head coach has gave the impression to be in over his head. Even earlier than Prescott’s season-ending harm, Dallas did not dwell as much as expectations with its 2-3 begin. Since then, issues have gone from unhealthy to worse. The Cowboys have misplaced 4 straight. They will’t cease anybody. They will’t transfer the ball or rating constantly, and now they’re on their fourth quarterback. Dallas (2-7) is lucky it performs within the putrid NFC East, however the workforce’s likelihood of a turnaround seems shot.
Observe USA TODAY Sports activities’ Mike Jones on Twitter @ByMikeJones and take heed to the Soccer Jones podcast on iTunes.
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