Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
As September draws to a close, so does the first month of football. Some professional and college teams are ecstatic with their start. The 3-0 Pittsburgh Steelers have shocked the NFL with their early success. The same goes for the 4-0 Tennessee Volunteers of college football.
For others, the new season is quickly starting to crumble. Today, let’s assess several NFL teams and rate how nervous their fans should as we near the end of September.
Dallas Cowboys (1-2)
After a 12-5 season in 2023 but a surprising home playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Dallas Cowboys have now lost both of their home games to start the 2024 season.
Worse yet, the 1-2 Dallas Cowboys share the cellar of the NFC East today with their Thursday night opponent, the lowly New York Giants. The NFC East is led by 2-1 Philadelphia and 2-1 Washington.
Two weeks ago, the New Orleans Saints (2-1) came into Big D and scored the first six times they had the ball in a 44-19 thrashing of the Cowboys. The Saints ran the ball 39 times compared to only 16 passing attempts. The loss shocked both the Dallas football team and millions of its fans.
Alas, this problem has not been limited to just one bad game by the Dallas Cowboys.
Last Sunday afternoon in Dallas, the 1-2 Baltimore Ravens pounded the football on the ground and sat atop a 28-6 lead heading into the fourth quarter. As the Cowboys always seem to do, they found a way to rally late in this game to close the final score to 28-25.
The AFC’s Baltimore Ravens came into Sunday’s game 0-2 after a road loss to Kansas City and being upset at home by the Las Vegas Raiders. The Ravens were desperate for a win.
Following the blueprint of the Saints win the week before, Baltimore ran the ball early and often. The Ravens rushed 45 times for an amazing 274 yards as they built a large early lead. Much like the Saints, the Ravens passed the ball just 15 times against Dallas.
When the other team doesn’t need to pass the ball often, the Dallas Cowboys’ vaunted pass rush was neutralized. The last two opponents ran the football more than twice as often as attempting to pass.
This Thursday night, the 1-2 New York Giants will (if they are smart) try that same game plan to hand Dallas its third straight loss.
Dallas Cowboys players and fans are both frustrated.
The team recently awarded quarterback Dak Prescott with a $60 million annual contract and wide receiver Cee Dee Lamb with a new $34 million annual deal. If those two players are on the bench while the other team controls the football and the scoreboard, the Dallas Cowboys will continue to find themselves needing a late rally to salvage future wins.
On Monday, the team’s fans voted in a local television station poll and took out their frustration on a familiar person. Unsurprisingly, Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones was singled-out by 70% of the voters as the biggest reason for the team’s struggles.
On a Tuesday appearance on a local radio sports show, Jerry Jones accepted the frustrations of Dallas Cowboys fans.
“That’s very fair,” said JJ.
Sorry, Cowboy fans. This man won’t be selling his $10 billion football team anytime soon. You’re stuck with Jerry Jones until…well, you know.
The weaknesses of the Dallas Cowboys have been exposed for two straight weeks. If this trend continues, things will get even more interesting in the weeks to come.
Panic Meter (1-10): 9
Cincinnati Bengals (0-3)
Much like the Dallas Cowboys, the defensive problems for the AFC’s Cincinnati Bengals were exposed on national television Monday night in a 38-33 home loss to Washington.
This game featured LSU’s two recent Heisman Trophy winners (Cincy’s Joe Burrow and Washington’s Jayden Daniels) competing against each other for the first time. The Bengals defense was torched by Washington’s rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. He completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns. Daniels also led the team with 39 yards rushing and another touchdown.
Even though Joe Burrow had wide receiver Tee Higgins back on the field for the first time this season, the Bengals were playing from behind for much of the night.
Dallas Cowboys fans can feel your pain, Cincy.
The good news for the Bengals is that all three losses have been close games. The bad news for the Bengals is that they are still losing these close games and are now three games behind the 3-0 Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Central.
Panic Meter: 7
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3)
The Jacksonville Jaguars were expected to compete with the Houston Texans for the AFC South championship this year. Last night, the Jaguars were humiliated by the Buffalo Bills 47-10 in the other Monday Night Football game this week. At least the loss happened on the road in Buffalo.
The Jaguars’ offense has been consistently bad this year. The team has scored 17, 13, and 10 points in its first three games. The passing game has averaged about 190 yards per game (26th out of 32 teams) while the team’s total offense ranks #28 in the NFL. The offense in J-Ville is been surprisingly bad to start this season.
Coach Doug Pederson and quarterback Trevor Lawrence are feeling the heat this week in J-Ville.
Panic Meter: 8
Cleveland Browns (1-2)
Another team struggling on offense is Cleveland. The Browns’ offense has scored 17, 18 (in a road win at Jacksonville), and 15 points in its three games this month.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson continues to look like a very expensive ($230 million over 5 years) mistake. Averaging just 180 yards per game passing with only three touchdowns in three games, the former Houston Texans’ quarterback continues to look lost at times on the field.
The vaunted Cleveland Browns defense has only allowed 5 touchdowns in the first three games. When the offense fails to score 20 points in any game, it is hard to blame the Cleveland defense for this team’s lack of wins in 2024.
Panic Meter: 8
Miami Dolphins (1-2)
After losing starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to another concussion in Week #2, the fast fading Dolphins are desperately seeking help at the quarterback position. A preseason playoff pick by many, the Fins have scored 10 and 3 points in their last two games.
Rumors were flying this week that Miami was contemplating making a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers to bring 13-year veteran Russell Wilson to the Dolphins.
The Miami Dolphins have two of the best wide receivers in the NFL in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. To have a shot at the playoffs, someone has to throw them the ball! The Dolphins must make a deal at quarterback quickly.
Panic Meter: 9
Tennessee Titans (0-3)
Another team struggling to score points, the Tennessee Titans defense has also allowed 24 or more points in all three games this season. This team stinks on both sides of the ball.
After last season’s disappointing 6-11 last year, the Titans fired their coach (Mike Vrabel). Their top running back Derrick Henry signed with the Baltimore Ravens via free agency.
The contract of Tennessee’s 36-year old former starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill expired. As of today, he was still looking for a new job (hint – call Miami!).
The team formerly known as the Houston Oilers is 0-3 has rookies and grizzled veterans on the offense and a “Who Dat?” defense void of big name talent. This team should be looking forward to next spring’s NFL draft with a high pick.
Panic Meter: 8
San Francisco 49ers (1-2)
The NFC’s preseason Super Bowl favorite, the injury bug has started to cripple the 49ers early this season. Star running back Christian McCaffrey, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, and tight end George Kittle have missed games with serious injuries. Defensive standout Joey Bosa has been dealing with a rib injury, too.
To make matters worse, starting quarterback Brock Purdy is now considered “day-to-day” with a back injury suffered late in last Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
The 1-2 San Francisco 49ers have a deep team. However, the Niners could miss the title chase this year with so many injuries to their key players. It’s not quite time to panic in Frisco, but Brock Purdy’s injury might become the hardest one to overcome.
Panic Meter: 6