The house groups feasted on Thanksgiving whereas the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs spent Black Friday rebuffing one other Las Vegas Raiders try at a highway upset.
So, consequently, the vacations depart Sunday’s schedule for Week 13 lighter than normal, however actually not missing. Our writers Mike Sando, Zak Keefer and Jeff Howe dish on Trevor Lawrence’s return, Aaron Rodgers’ future, a doable leap for second-year quarterbacks, a possible Tremendous Bowl LIX preview in Philadelphia Eagles–Baltimore Ravens and extra on this week’s roundtable.
The Panthers, who almost beat the Chiefs in Week 12, host the Bucs on Sunday. The Titans, who knocked off the Texans, are on the highway towards the Commanders. Do you are feeling second-year quarterbacks Bryce Younger and Will Levis have turned a nook or do it’s essential to see extra?
Sando: Younger appears to have stabilized to the purpose the place the Panthers can depart him within the lineup and hope he develops. I’d not mistake his progress for a sky-high ceiling, nevertheless. We nonetheless aren’t certain whether or not he will be greater than a mid-tier starter. He does seem viable, nevertheless, and that’s a constructive reflection on him and coach Dave Canales. In Tennessee, Levis simply turned the third participant since 1960 to win a begin whereas taking not less than eight sacks and throwing a pick-six interception. That’s not a successful system. It was additionally the second time this season he had not less than eight sacks and a pick-six in the identical sport. Undoubtedly have to see extra.
Howe: They’ve undoubtedly turned a nook, however they haven’t left the neighborhood. Younger is enjoying effectively, so the time on the bench appeared to function reset for the No. 1 decide. I feel it’s honest to be optimistic that Canales has helped Younger elevate his sport, contemplating his monitor file with previous quarterbacks. However till there’s extra assist round Younger, it’s too quickly to know the place his potential lies. Levis is enjoying higher, too, although I had him ranked because the worst starter within the league for a few weeks earlier than this turnaround so there was clear room for development. Levis nonetheless has to remove the essential errors earlier than he will be seen as a long-term starter within the league.
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Keefer: Younger deserves a ton of credit score — not often has a high decide who flailed so badly early in his profession, then was benched, bounced again in a extra spectacular manner with the identical staff. I nonetheless consider the Panthers see him as a part of the group’s future, and that wasn’t a assure just some weeks in the past. As for Levis, Jeff is true — his game-breaking errors stay a severe flaw. I feel the Titans look lengthy and laborious at including a brand new beginning quarterback within the offseason.
Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) is attempting to come back again from damage and is predicted to play this week towards the Texans for the last-place Jaguars. Is it price it? Ought to he be shut down for the season?
Sando: If Lawrence is wholesome, he ought to play. I feel that’s the final normal for gamers and wouldn’t maintain him out of video games in any other case.
Howe: It’s completely price it. Lawrence’s job is safe due to his contract, however loads of different jobs within the group are on the road and he owes it to them to be on the sector. He additionally has to attempt to create optimism for 2025. If Lawrence performs effectively beneath the damage circumstances, it would carry weight within the locker room. That will be actually necessary amid a misplaced season.
Keefer: Once you signal a $275 million contract that pays you want among the finest quarterbacks within the league, there are particular expectations that include it. For one, in case you’re wholesome, you swimsuit up. Interval. Lawrence can also be watching his fourth totally different head coach subsequent season if Doug Pederson is finally let go — together with interims — which tells you the way chaotic his tenure in Jacksonville has been. I nonetheless suppose the Jaguars have sufficient to drag an upset one among these weeks, and it’s not just like the Texans are enjoying effectively in the mean time.
The Jets host the Seahawks with an opportunity to play spoiler, however the dialog round New York today is about Aaron Rodgers, whose future is now in query. What’s greatest for the Jets at quarterback? What do you suppose will occur at this level?
Sando: Turning the web page can be greatest for the Jets given Rodgers’ age and all that comes together with having him on the staff. Buying him was definitely worth the danger as a result of the upside was excessive and the staff appeared able to win, however his Achilles damage and the general state of the staff makes a reset extra interesting. I’d think about this might be it for Rodgers and the Jets.
Howe: I requested three high-ranking executives who might be GM candidates how they’d deal with the Rodgers state of affairs in the event that they ran the Jets. All three stated they might launch him with the post-June 1 designation, and I agree with them. Barring a big turnaround in efficiency, this shouldn’t be a troublesome resolution, particularly for a brand new regime that received’t want to be anchored by the contract.
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Keefer: It’s time to maneuver on. This gamble has been a bust from the beginning, and in typical Jets trend, not one of the immense hype — hype this staff welcomed — translated into any actual success. The Jets want to seek out new management and a brand new quarterback for 2025.
The Chargers and Falcons meet Sunday. Los Angeles is attempting to hold on within the AFC wild-card hunt. Atlanta is attempting to hold on within the NFC South race. Each groups have been uncovered considerably within the final week. What’s your present confidence in them?
Sando: I’ve acquired extra confidence within the Chargers than I’ve within the Falcons. There’s no disgrace in dropping to Baltimore, because the Chargers did to finish a four-game successful streak. Atlanta misplaced to New Orleans after which acquired blown out by Denver, main coach Raheem Morris to query the staff’s effort. That’s far more regarding that the Chargers’ slipup Monday evening.
Howe: Nonetheless inconsistent the Ravens have been at occasions, the Chargers ran right into a buzzsaw this week. I feel they’re in a great place to make the playoffs as a result of Justin Herbert is enjoying effectively and the protection ought to maintain regular, however I don’t view them as a menace to make a run in January. The Falcons have too many sporadic performances. There are weeks when the protection appears to be like fairly good and others when it may possibly’t make a cease, and the offense has handled comparable inconsistencies. They earned the tiebreaker by sweeping the Bucs, which is important with a one-game lead within the NFC South, however it’s going to be a nervous trip to the end line.
Keefer: I nonetheless don’t see the Chargers as a fantastic staff — actually not on the extent of Kansas Metropolis, Buffalo and even perhaps Pittsburgh within the AFC — however they continue to be a strong playoff contender. All 4 losses this season have come towards a staff within the thick of the postseason race. The Falcons? They continue to be extra of a thriller — adequate to beat the Eagles early within the yr and dangerous sufficient to get blown out by the Broncos the final time they performed. Give me Los Angeles on this one because the NFC South race continues to get muddier.
Operating again Saquon Barkley (26) has been a lift for the Philadelphia Eagles’ Tremendous Bowl hopes this season. (Alex Gallardo / Imagn Photos)
Eagles-Ravens feels prefer it could possibly be a Tremendous Bowl preview and one storyline is what Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry have achieved for his or her respective groups this season. Has their play achieved sufficient to revitalize the working again market?
Sando: Operating again salaries on the high of the market already rebounded some after declining. I feel these salaries on the high ought to proceed to rebound partly due to the success these gamers have loved. The working sport basically has made a comeback and that may seemingly profit working backs available in the market.
Howe: No, they’re seen as exceptions as a result of they’re elite abilities who joined robust organizations with strong rosters. It might be simply as straightforward to have a look at Christian McCaffrey and level out how shortly a working again might go from the very best within the league to somebody with doubtlessly career-altering damage points. That’s why groups are so reluctant to go all in on a working again. Final offseason helped to stabilize the second and third tiers of the working again market, however it’ll be uncommon to see groups break the financial institution on the place.
Keefer: Not likely. The working again market as an entire received’t shift all that a lot, however what Barkley and Henry are doing this season is reminding personnel execs how a lot an elite one really issues. There’s just one or two in the marketplace every year, however the game-changers at working again nonetheless matter. Think about the place the Eagles can be with out Barkley this season? His three-year, $37.8 million contract was a steal.
(High photograph of Trevor Lawrence: Jorge Lemus / NurPhoto by way of Getty Photos)
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