Tag: nfl-draft

NFL Week Seven Winners and Losers

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As we near the end of October, more teams separate from being playoff contenders to having high draft picks. Coaching plays a part in which team advances or goes home. It’s time to break down the weekends winners and losers.

Winners: Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia hasn’t lost three straight games in over two years. That streak remains after a dominant Sunday win.

The Eagles played one of their best, complete games of the season. Quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 19 of 23 passes for 326 yards, three touchdowns and the perfect 158.3 passer rating. Hurts overcame his lull by utilizing the best players around him and made sure to put both his star receivers in position to constantly beat the Vikings secondary.

Philadelphia’s defense had a good game too. Linebacker Jalyx Hunt intercepted Minnesota quarterback Carson Wentz and returned the ball 42 yards for a touchdown. Hunt’s score gave the Eagles their first double digit lead of the afternoon and forced the Vikings to play aggressive and take more risks early. The defense also sacked Wentz twice and forced two fumbles.

Philadelphia’s day got better when Washington and New York (more on them later) lost later in the afternoon. The Eagles are easily the best team in the NFC East and should remain atop the division at least another month.

Quinshon Judkins

Cleveland’s offense has been anemic the first half of this season, but one bright spot has been rookie runningback Quinshon Judkins. Whenever the second round pick has played major minutes, opposing defenses have had to second guess how to defend against the Browns offense.

Miami is last in the NFL against the run, and Cleveland made sure to establish the ground game early. The Browns also didn’t have to throw the ball much because of how the Dolphins offense kept turning the ball over, so Judkins almost single-handedly put the game away before the fourth quarter. His three rushing touchdowns was the first for any Cleveland runningback since 2000.

The Browns desperately needed offensive sparks to both give their elite defense a rest and to put pressure on opposing defenses to stop blitzing the quarterback each possession. While rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel gets more time to develop, read the field and build trust with his receivers, Quinshon Judkins should be the main player in the Browns offense and continue building off a solid rookie season.

Chicago Bears defense

It’s simple for any viewer to look at a sports team and say they’re easy to beat when those people never played a professional sport. When the team mentioned is thought to be one of the worst, it still takes effort to both play and win against them. This is why several teams have struggled against the 2025 New Orleans Saints. Anyone who follows the NFL knows they lack a lot of talent, but it doesn’t always show because of how hard they play. The Bears were not the team that overlooked New Orleans.

While the Saints defense kept the score close most of Sunday afternoon, Chicago’s defense was the most dominant unit all game. They had three interceptions off New Orleans starting quarterback Spencer Rattler. The Bears defense also forced Rattler to fumble the ball on the Saints first drive of the game. Chicago recovered it and got the games first points after six plays.

Turnovers weren’t the only issue for Spencer Rattler and New Orleans’ offense. The Bears defense sacked him four times and forced a turnover on downs situation. Chicago’s defense has improved the last few weeks, and this was a game more analysts should seriously re-watch given how many playoff contending teams haven’t taken their less talented opponents seriously.

Jim Bob Cooter

It’s a matter of time before both casual NFL viewers and serious analysts start to throw out offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter as a 2026 head coaching candidate. Cooter has led what many believe to be the league’s best offense the first-half of 2025 and the most efficient offense by points per drive this century. This is the same offense many believed was filled with underwhelming talent before the season started.

Sunday was another buzzsaw performance by Indianapolis. The Chargers defense didn’t know who to stop in Cooter’s Daniel Jones-led offense. The Colts had one of the best balanced attacks that showed on the stat-sheet and scoreboard. If Jones didn’t complete well-thrown passes to his easily open receivers, then running back Jonathan Taylor gashed Los Angeles’ front seven for a touchdown. The Chargers defense has multiple All-Pro and Pro Bowl players who cause chaos for almost any team they play. Indianapolis broke them down each possession no matter how long they were off the field.

Jim Bob Cooter has done something no other NFL coach could do: get Daniel Jones to play better each week behind center and get every Colts offensive player to improve and continue development each week. Many don’t know or believe Indianapolis can keep this up near or in 2026, but there’s a lot to like with how Cooter’s coaching has improved and how he’s learned valuable lessons over the years with different offenses.

Losers: Pete Carroll

To show just how bad Las Vegas is this year, here’s a stat that should stun readers: in Pete Carroll’s 14 years with Seattle, the Seahawks weren’t shutout until a primetime game against Green Bay in 2021. It took 11 years to shut out a Pete Carroll coached team in his NFL return. Carroll was shutout in his seventh game with the Raiders.

Pete Carroll is known for his, “always compete” mindset. The philosophy has landed him four NFL jobs and changed the sport on how to critique certain styles, draft better players and what to look for in building a defense. Before Carroll went to both USC and Seattle, he had built solid, playoff rosters in both New York and New England before getting fired.

Sunday’s whooping in Kansas City may be the worst moment of his professional coaching career. Not only was this the first regular season shutout win in Andy Reid’s head coaching career, it was so lopsided that Las Vegas obviously quit early in the second half. According to ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt, the Chiefs became the second NFL team since 1950 to have as many first downs as opponents offensive plays run. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes II sat the entire fourth quarter and backup Gardner Minshew II downed the ball multiple times before the final two minute warning.

When Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider decided not to bring Pete Carroll back after the 2023-24 season, many thought the executive was unfair and the franchise didn’t appreciate what the elderly coach brought to the team. Every week it looks like Schneider was right and Carroll should have retired for good.

Washington Commanders

This site does a good job of reinforcing certain sports beliefs many people tend to gloss over. One is how losing teams in a conference finals can return the following season with either unrealistic or over bloated expectations. Washington is a great example of both this year.

The Commanders were throttled against their weaker division rivals in Dallas late Sunday afternoon. Every team has bad days and weekends, but this Washington loss worries analysts in numerous ways. They lost sophomore and former second overall pick Jayden Daniels to a hamstring injury in the second half of a blowout loss. The Cowboys offense did any and everything they wanted to with the Commanders defense. Head coach Dan Quinn was hired to shore up and solidify a rising defense that needed more pass-rush and secondary talent. Dallas torched Quinn’s tattered defense for over 400 yards and won by 22 points.

Sunday’s ugly loss bumps Washington to third place, and that might not last long with the Giants’ steady improvement since Jaxson Dart was named starting quarterback. It’s now time for the Commanders’ coaches to start second guessing everything.

Brian Daboll’s fourth quarter gameplan

After a few weeks of escaping the loser’s column, head coach Brian Daboll returns. Give him credit though, for getting better with holding a lead and getting his team to play better in the third quarter. However, the fourth quarter remains an obstacle.

New York gave up a whopping 33 points in a wild loss in Denver late Sunday afternoon. ESPN reported several times that teams trailing by 18+ points in the final six minutes had lost 1,605 straight games. According to NFL Network’s GameDay Highlights, the Broncos were the first team to score 30+ points in the fourth quarter after being shutout through the previous three. Denver made it a record surpassing the Atlanta Falcons 31 point week two performance at Green Bay in 1981. Those are the only times it has happened.

There are equal amounts of blame all around for the Giants in that debacle, but all the coaches are at the forefront because a team up 19-0 beginning the fourth quarter, and leading 26-8 with almost five and a half minutes remaining should close out the game with a comfortable lead.

Anyone who thinks the Atlanta Falcons will find consistency

Say what you want about Sunday night’s game, Atlanta continues to stump anyone who watches American football. One week the Falcons are unstoppable, the next they’re the worst team to take the field.

After pummeling conference and Super Bowl hopeful Buffalo, Atlanta played an unbelievably lousy game in San Francisco. The running game was non-existent and sophomore star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. took a beating against a 49ers defense missing their captains and best players. The Falcons defense held out a long time before San Francisco’s offense put a few scoring drives together and the game out of reach.

Head coach Raheem Morris must be frustrated like everyone else watching his team each week. Not only is Atlanta’s play inconsistent, if Penix Jr. suffered a serious leg injury, that could present a lot more problems the second half of this season.

2025 NFC Playoff Picks

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The future looks bright in the NFC. Philadelphia had a resounding Super Bowl win this past February against the AFC best Chiefs. At one point, they led 40-6 in the title game. The Eagles weren’t just the best team in the Super Bowl, they were the best team in a stacked, resurgent conference. Detroit had their franchise best record in 2024. The Commanders hype is real. Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, and Green Bay will be more dangerous this year. Playoff hopefuls Atlanta, Chicago, Arizona and Seattle have the talent and coaching to take on and beat some serious title contenders. Every division race will be a slugfest and have a lot of drama.

Sadly, not all the teams mentioned above will make the playoffs since there are seven spots. It’s time to break down which seven teams in the conference have the best chance to reach the playoffs this season. There are a lot of quality teams, so expect a thrilling journey to the end of the season and some surprises based on this years draft and last years film.

East: Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders

Jalen Hurts is one of six current starting quarterbacks to have won the Super Bowl.

What a statement 2024-2025 season from Philadelphia. Serious analysts didn’t have the Eagles making the playoffs unless they were a lower seed after the late, 2023-2024 falloff. Owner Jeffrey Lurie, general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni responded with the franchise’s best season this century, adding a second Super Bowl trophy in a decisive win against Kansas City. Since the Eagles’ most important players are signed through the next few seasons and Roseman added more roster depth in the offseason, Philadelphia will remain the top name in their division, conference, and the league.

“Scary Terry” McLaurin was finally re-signed to a favorable three year, $96 million extension Monday. That’s bad news for opposing defenses facing the Commanders this year.

The Eagles won’t have it easy with the young, determined Commanders team behind them. Washington had a great chance to win the east last year but didn’t have the experience compared to the Super Bowl champions. Year two of sophomore quarterback Jayden Daniels, defensive captain Bobby Wagner and head coach Dan Quinn should close the gap with their division rivals. Both teams will have their share of struggles after making the conference championship last season, but Philadelphia has more depth to counter serious contenders. Washington did extend franchise receiver Terry McLaurin Monday, so the offensive production shouldn’t drop or disappoint…unlike some teams in this article.

South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Another year, another season Tampa Bay’s offense will overwhelm opposing defenses.

While Carolina should continue building off of late 2024’s progress, New Orleans will be one of the NFL’s worst teams this year. Just like last year’s prediction, the division will be a two team race between Atlanta and Tampa Bay.

There is a lot to love with the Falcons. Michael Penix Jr. was fantastic and Atlanta barely missed the division title last year. Head coach Raheem Morris has a lot more to work with and knows which players to push for better production.

However, Tampa Bay stays ahead top to bottom.

Head coach Todd Bowles finds ways to get the best out of every Buccaneers player. Tampa has the superior offense, defense and special teams. The Buccaneers do have the harder schedule all but one month of the regular season, but that’s expected for one of the NFC’s best veteran teams. There’s also more game film of Penix Jr., so teams will find weaknesses this year. Count on Tampa Bay’s Bowles to find some.

North: Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions

This will be the most important season of quarterback Jordan Love’s career.

Minnesota doesn’t inspire confidence with quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz behind center. Letting Sam Darnold walk in free agency was a big mistake. The Vikings could go from losing to two teams all of 2024, to a fall to the bottom of the north.

Chicago has a good case to sneak into the playoff discussion. The Bears could very well steal a playoff spot from a deserving contender like Atlanta or any of the west teams not in first place. Chicago’s first half of the season is more likely to be marred by mistakes, forcing them to play catch up and just miss out. Still, there should be a lot of optimism and good games for the Bears.

For the serious contenders, there are big expectations for Green Bay this year. Yes, wide receiver Christian Watson will be out most of the season with last year’s torn ACL, but it’s up to head coach Matt LaFleur and quarterback Jordan Love to show why they’re paid big money and get touted as offensive gurus and leaders. While the Packers have a brutal schedule, there are some weeks or months they could go on a hot run and leave the other three teams behind. If that happens, LaFleur and Love must stay determined and not hold back.

The biggest question for the NFC is how deadly Detroit’s offense will be without offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

Despite drawing the NFL’s hardest and worst schedule, Detroit is in the conversation for the 2026 playoffs. The Lions will have nine road games, and all but one will be against playoff favorites. Detroit went undefeated on the road last year, but no one believes it can happen again this season. The Lions also lost their top coordinators to head coaching jobs in the offseason. There will be an obvious drop in offensive production, but both general manager Brad Holmes’ bullseye drafting and nearly the whole defense returning from injured reserve will keep Detroit in the playoff conversation all year. Don’t be surprised if the Lions follow the old, Tom Coughlin-led New York Giants route and get hot the second half of the season. Should that happen, there might not be a team that could stop Detroit from going all the way.

West: Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks

It should be another great season for Rams running back Kyren Williams (23).

Easily the hardest division to decide which teams make the playoffs, the west could have just one team (the division winner) or three teams play in the postseason. All but one made necessary roster changes and all coaches have evolved in their schemes. It also helps the west that all four teams have some of, if not the easiest schedules this season. It will be disappointing if somehow only one of the four teams makes the playoffs.

San Francisco is probably the weakest due to their roster turnover, lack of offensive talent and lack of depth on the defensive line. Arizona could have success, but questions remain about the offense and head coach Jonathan Gannon’s coaching after two inconsistent seasons.

While Los Angeles has some similar issues as the Cardinals, the differences are at head coach, quarterback and offensive line. The trio of Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garoppolo and Stetson Bennett IV gives the Rams more room to adapt to any offensive system. General manager Les Snead again delivered in the draft and coach Sean McVay is a former Super Bowl champion who still finds ways to get the most out of unexpected and underrated players. The division race will be close, but Los Angeles gets the nod because they have better coaching and a more veteran roster than do the other three teams.

There’s irony in Sam Darnold going to Seattle after franchise star cornerback Devon Witherspoon spooked him last year.

Seattle can make it a close race all season. Mike MacDonald’s defense will be a top five unit in the league with star-studded names and depth on the defensive line and secondary. Offensive improvement starts with the offensive line. It appears general manager John Schneider doubled down on that in the draft, and with MacDonald’s philosophy of running the football to establish dominance and time of possession advantages, the Seahawks are poised to be a pain for more than just their division rivals.

Total 2024-2025 regular and postseason NFC picks: 8-5

2025 AFC Playoff Picks

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Let us briefly look at the American Football Conference and a complex 2024. From close division winning races to Kansas City’s continued conference championship domination, the biggest takeaway was the continued west division arms race. Meanwhile, the other three divisions could have any team come out on top and no wild card team make the playoffs. The remaining three teams that don’t win a division title could be in the west.

As the Chiefs go for another title run in a conference that again improved at every position, at least two other teams outside the AFC west are favored to challenge the reigning conference champions and make the Super Bowl. Time to break down which seven teams in the AFC have the best chance of reaching the playoffs for 2026.

East: Buffalo Bills

Reigning MVP Josh Allen (17) should again lead one of the NFL’s best offenses to another division title.

Reminiscent of the old AFC east days, this year’s division should have a clear winner and three duds. New York looks like a hot mess and Miami has all the signs of a continued downward spiral. New England is a nice wild-card choice for those optimistic in both new head coach Mike Vrabel and sophomore quarterback Drake Maye’s progression. Yet, the Patriots don’t have the talent to last a whole season in the playoff conversation. This leaves the Bills as the lone, easy choice.

Buffalo’s defense will be the big question mark for how far they go in the postseason. For now, the Bills are experienced and good enough to punch their playoff ticket.

South: Houston Texans

Derek Stingley Jr. is confident he and the rest of Houston’s secondary will silence every offense on their schedule.

As in the east, the south unfortunately has at least two teams easily eliminated before the regular season begins. Tennessee will be undermanned and overpowered almost every week and Indianapolis has no answer at quarterback. Jacksonville may surprise many with offensive growth and improved play, but the real team to watch is Houston.

The Texans went all-in on re-tooling the offense and defense after a disappointing 2024-25 regular season. Although Houston played well in the postseason, injuries and lack of depth at receiver, linebacker and secondary were concerns in the offseason. Receivers Christian Kirk and Braxton Berrios provide the needed receiver depth. Nick Niemann, Darrell Taylor and E.J. Speed beef up an anemic linebacker core. Finally, the Texan secondary will be one of the best and deepest in the NFL with their additions of C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Jalen Mills. Both join a stacked cornerback and safety group that includes Derek Stingley Jr., Ronald Darby, Jaylen Reed, Jimmie Ward, Jalen Pitre, Calen Bullock and Kamari Lassiter.

North: Baltimore Ravens

Another season for (left to right) Lamar Jackson, Isaiah Likely and Zay Flowers means more growth and a better chance of getting to a Super Bowl.

There’s a theme here. Cleveland does not inspire confidence with their quarterback situation. Cincinnati’s porous defense weighs down any chances of success. Pittsburgh’s investment in a 41 year old quarterback to lead a further depleted offense is a case of wishful thinking and a probable recipe for disaster. Baltimore easily stands out from the other three.

As long as Lamar Jackson is healthy and under center, none of the other three teams have a chance at winning the north. While the Ravens didn’t lose or gain much talent in the offseason, the offensive line, Jackson and receivers like Isaiah Likely, Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews and Rashod Bateman have another full season to play together. Baltimore has to win more than just one playoff game with this core group.

West: All of them/Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders

Until a team de-thrones them, Kansas City remains the favorite to win their division and conference.

The AFC West will be the toughest division in either conference this season. The other three divisions don’t boast many challenges outside of last year’s division winners. This leaves a rare, unique, and plausible opportunity for all four western teams to clinch a playoff spot.

Two easy picks are the AFC’s top team Kansas City Chiefs and the rising Denver Broncos. As long as Kansas City’s head coach Andy Reid has defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, face of the franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes II and edge rusher Chris Jones, the Chiefs remain the favorite to clinch another division title.

Yet they cannot underestimate Denver head coach Sean Payton, sophomore quarterback Bo Nix, reigning defensive player of the year Pat Surtain II and receivers Marvin Mims Jr. and Courtland Sutton. The Broncos will be one of the few teams that can go blow-for-blow on all sides of the ball with the Chiefs. Both regular season rivalry games will be must-watch T.V. because they could determine which team takes the west.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert won’t be asked to do too much again this season with a deeper running game.

As Kansas City and Denver strive to surpass last year’s results, Los Angeles will try and keep their early playoff hopes alive. Preseason injuries on the offensive line are already a red flag. Rashawn Slater is out until next autumn and Mekhi Becton already dealing with an undisclosed injury shows the Chargers have to lean more on the running game. Luckily for them, head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman have emphasized the running game remains a priority heading into week one. Re-signing receiver Keenan Allen and adding defensive depth with cornerback Donte Jackson will matter deeper into the season.

Finally, the last team serious analysts consider a valid wild-card contender and division factor will be the Las Vegas Raiders. The first head coach hired in Tom Brady’s co-ownership tenure was Pete Carroll. Carroll and general manager John Spytek traded for Seattle quarterback Geno Smith, signed runningback Raheem Mostert and safety Jeremy Chinn in free agency, and drafted Boise State phenom runningback and one of last season’s Heisman Trophy candidates Ashton Jeanty in the first round. The defense lost a number of players in the offseason, but Carroll’s coaching expertise with linebackers and the secondary will improve a unit that got better last year despite a lackluster offense giving up some wins. The offense has more long-term talent at every position. That should make the defense more fun to watch.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby has a laugh with new head coach Pete Carroll. Both expect more growth on defense this year.

Total 2024-2025 regular and postseason AFC picks: 8-5

Steve Hutchinson helped convince Seahawks to pick Christian Haynes

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Kole Musgrove
May 10, 2024 11:30 am PT

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Here is story that is a pleasant little blast from the past, of sorts.

The Seattle Seahawks focused their draft almost exclusively on building up both their offensive and defensive fronts. Their first pick was defensive tackle Byron Murphy, and essentially their second round pick was Leonard Williams. When it came time for their third round pick, they decided to beef up their interior offensive line.

Seattle managed to get one of the best guards available in Christian Haynes, but it was a bit of a process. Having such a long wait between picks can be an eternity in the NFL. It takes patience and a little bit of luck, but it also takes some consulting.

When it came to Haynes, general manager John Schneider got some key advice from an old friend in the form of Steve Hutchinson, per John Boyle at Seahawks.com:

“The Cowboys take Kansas State’s Cooper Beebe with the 73rd pick, one of the two interior linemen still high on Seattle’s board, meaning it’s going to be a long, nervous wait to see if the Seahawks are going to get Christian Haynes. In the back of the room, Hall of Fame guard Steve Hutchinson, who works for the team as a football consultant, a role that consists largely of helping evaluate offensive linemen, quietly chats with Schneider. In particular, Schneider wants Hutch’s opinion on Haynes. I think he’s going to be a really good (expletive) player,” Hutchinson tells Schneider…”

Hutchinson was originally a first round draft choice by the Seahawks all the way back in 2001, and was a stalwart along their offensive line for years. Paired with Walter Jones, Hutchinson helped create the best offensive line Seattle has ever seen, and it paved the way for Shaun Alexander’s 2005 MVP campaign.

Hutchinson would go on to play with the Minnesota Vikings and the Tennessee Titans, before retiring in 2013 and eventually being elevated to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Now, he is back in the fold with the Seahawks.