By Calvin Chesler
The first quarter of the NFL is in the books and we have learned a lot. There have been lots of surprises and drama. Here’s some takeaways from the month of September:
Take 1: We have Six Super Bowl Contenders.
As of right now there are six teams firmly in Super Bowl contention. Currently, everyone other teams are just pretenders. Most notably a third AFC candidate has emerged. The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens have competition.
The Buffalo Bills have played amazing football through the first month of the season. QB Josh Allen has shown MASSIVE improvement in year three. The offense is dynamic. It is built around Allen’s mobility and cannon arm. These factors have turned Buffalo’s offense into an exciting and deadly unit. The Bills defense is Super Bowl caliber. It has been since HC Sean McDermott got to Buffalo.
Don’t get me wrong, Kansas City is still my favorite to come out of the AFC. The Chiefs might be experiencing a Super Bowl hangover of sorts. They haven’t yet played a complete game of football yet. That’s ok. They are still 4-0.
Baltimore has looked pretty good in September even though they lost their Monday Night matchup with the Chiefs. I do have concerns about Lamar Jackson in big games and the Ravens ability to play in close games.
Looking at the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are clearly the cream of the crop.
The Seahawks have looked fantastic. That is due to Russell Wilson being given free reign in the offense. Unleashing Wilson has payed massive dividends.
Similarly Aaron Rodgers and the Packers have looked great. Rodgers looks vintage in year 2 of Matt LaFleur’s system. The Packers haven’t played a lot of tough competition but the offense looks more dynamic thus far.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the class of the NFC in my opinion. The Bucs are improving every week even despite injuries. Tom Brady’s leadership and experience have guided this team. The defense is so much to watch. Tampa Bay is the most complete team making them my current Super Bowl favorite in the NFC.
Take 2: Rookie QB’s are Having a Big Impact
Justin Herbert is not just the future of the LA Chargers, he is the present.
You really feel for veteran journeyman Tyrod Taylor, who is in a familiar situation. Four years ago, he guided the Buffalo Bills to the playoffs. The Bills drafted Josh Allen in the draft and Taylor was on to Cleveland. He was handed the starting job there with Baker Mayfield waiting in the wings. An injury in Week 4 gave Mayfield the keys to the car.
This situation with the Chargers might be the worst one. Taylor needed a painkiller shot for cracked ribs, and the shot punctured a lung. Enter Herbert.
Since taking over, Herbert has brought a unique energy to the offense and the team. His arm and physicality are oozing reminders of Cam Newton and Josh Allen.
Through 3 starts, Herbert has thrown for 930 yds, completed 72% of his passes and thrown five touchdowns. It has not translated to wins yet but he has kept the Chargers in tough games against the Chiefs, Buccaneers, and Panthers.
Similarly, the Cincinnati Bengals rookie QB Joe Burrow has looked equally impressive. Burrow’s impact has made the dismal Bengals into a team worth watching every Sunday.
Burrow is currently running for his life but making plays left and right. This Bengals team needs to improve its offensive line. I would be really excited to see what Burrow can do with a little protection.
Burrow started the season as Cincinnati’s starter. With the emergence of Herbert in Los Angeles, it feels like only a matter of time before we see Tua Tagovailoa in Miami. The Dolphins have struggled to win games and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has been a major reason why. We may be one week away from Tua Time.
Take 3: COVID-19’s Impact Has Been Felt
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Covid-19 has made its presence felt all over the league. From the death of preseason games to expanded practice squad rosters, the NFL has taken measures to account for the global pandemic. What is clear is that the league will endure and the show will go on.
The league experienced its first outbreaks in Week 4 with the Tennessee Titans having it spread through the locker room. The team outbreak forced the NFL to move their game with the Pittsburgh Steelers to Week 8. Both teams had bye weeks in Week 4.
The most notable players to be diagnosed were Patriots QB Cam Newton and Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore. New England’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs was pushed to Monday Night to ensure an outbreak didn’t occur in the Patriots locker room. Cam Newton didn’t play in Week 4 and will likely miss Week 5. But the game was played.
They upgraded COVID protocols after the Titans outbreak. Testing has ramped up across the league. Fines for not wearing a mask have been dished out accordingly.
