NFL – 2024 WEEK 9 – STATS THAT STICK OUT

PASSING – GENO SMITH (QB, SEAHAWKS) SEA 20 at LAR 26 OT

Despite throwing for 363 yards and 3 TDs, Geno Smith also gave up 3 interceptions while enduring 7 sacks in the Hawks’ overtime loss to the Rams in Week 9.  This kind of up/down performance has become a theme for Seattle’s offense since dropping 5 of their last 6 games.  While Smith is the league’s passing leader (2560 yards) and has the most passing attempts (342) so far this season, the 34-year-old is also tied for the most interceptions (10) to just 11 passing TDs.  These problems stem from a poor offensive line failing to protect their QB and a diminished rushing game as a result.  Only 4 other QBs in the league have been pressured at a higher rate.  However, when Smith has had a “clean pocket”, the data suggests that “few QBs have been better this season (78% CMP, ranked 2nd in big time throws (11), 7th in yards per attempt (8.4) and 10th in passer rating on 233 clean drop backs.”  Also, Smith’s low “turnover worthy play percentage” (2.3%), indicates that he is not directly responsible for most of his interceptions, but rather the constant duress he’s under and faulty pass protection have been the main culprits.  Of course, the veteran QB does bear some responsibility for decisions made on the field and a basic understanding of the limitations he’s been handed.  But patience is wearing thin from Seattle’s fanbase, some of whom are crying out for him to be benched.  Meanwhile, Smith’s reaction on Sunday was indicative that he understood how his play is impacting the Seahawks.  He said, “First of all, I want to start off by apologizing to my teammates, really, and to the city, to the organization… They put a lot of trust in me with my decision-making, and when they put the ball in my hands, when my teammates play the way they played today and to give us a shot to win the game, I’ve got to make sure we do. The things I did today, mistakes that I made, they affected us negatively and really cost us the game today. Me knowing myself, I know how much this is going to hurt. I’m going to step it up, though. That’s how I feel about it. I’m going to step it up.”  Sure, Smith will be working hard over the next week while the Seahawks have their bye during Week 10.  But hopefully for fans, his O-Line will also do some soul-searching during the much-needed time off.

RUSHING – SAQUON BARKLEY (RB, EAGLES) JAX 23 at PHI 28

One of the most memorable plays this season was the incredible backwards hurdle of Eagles RB Saquon Barkley over a defender after catching a pass during Philadelphia’s Week 9 victory over Jacksonville at home. According to Barkley, it was an impromptu move that shouldn’t be repeated.   “I ain’t trying to do that again, to be honest with you. It’s not a safe play,” Barkley said.  But that doesn’t mean the talented bell cow RB won’t try hard to circumvent defenders with other crafty moves in future games.  Barkley is having a standout season so far in the first year with his new team.  He’s rushed for 925 yards (ranked second only behind Derrick Henry), has the fourth most attempts (157), the sixth most rushing first downs (35) and the seventh most rushing TDs (6).  He also has 1,071 scrimmage yards and 8 total TDs.  The only other players in NFL history with those numbers through 8 games are Jim Brown (1958, 1963) and Adrian Peterson (2007). But Week 9 was one of Barkley’s best games of the year when he rushed for 159 yards on 27 carries (5.9 AVG), had a rushing TD and 3 receptions for 40 yards and a receiving TD (199 total scrimmage yards).  For his amazing dual-threat performance, he was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week, for the third time in 2024… Unlike other teams who have struggled with their offensive lines (like Seattle as mentioned above), Philadelphia’s O-Line has overcome tough injuries and thrived, especially after their Week 5 bye.  The reason?  Three of the team’s offensive linemen (Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata and Landon Dickerson) teamed up during the bye and “lobbied” HC Nick Sirianni for some changes.  In particular, they suggested adding more dimension to the offense and taking some heat off the pass rush by involving Saquon Barkley more.  The tactic has worked.  Since Week 6, Philly has averaged 195.8 rushing yards per game and scored 8 rushing TDs, both best leaguewide.  They’ve also won 4 straight and look poised to challenge Washington as leader of the NFC East Division.  In the meantime, offensive coordinator Kellen Moore likes the direction the offense is going with the new adjustments.  He said, “By game plan and by situation, there’s certainly some really good value to it. The run game and the potential of action game as we go… There has been some good stuff in the run game that has allowed us to get downhill the last couple weeks.  We’ll see where it takes us.”

RECEIVING – JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA (WR, SEAHAWKS) SEA 20 at LAR 26 OT

No teams like to see injuries to their starting players.  But sometimes being short-handed gives young players a chance to prove themselves and possibly, to shine.  This happened in Week 9’s game between Seattle and Los Angeles when Seahawks star WR DK Metcalf was out due to injury and second-year WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba stepped up in his place.  The former Buckeye had the best game of his career and one of the best by a receiver in franchise history with 7 receptions for 180 yards (25.7 AVG) and 2 TDs, including a TD in the final minutes which helped to force overtime.  Prior to Week 9’s game, Smith-Njigba was not targeted downfield much but in Sunday’s loss to the Rams, he accounted for almost 70% of the Seahawks’ “team air yards”, the highest share in a game by a Seahawks receiver since 2022, according to Seahawks.com.  It’s likely that Smith-Njigba will not see the same kind of airtime when Metcalf returns, but the promising young WR is the future of the team and learning from great players like Metcalf and Tyler Lockett while developing his craft might be the best path forward for the 22-year-old…  QB Geno Smith had fine praise for the sophomore WR after the game.  He said, “I thought he was lights out… He was all over the place. He played with extreme fire, man. He was just doing his thing. That’s who he is, and we’ve got to continue to build on that. He’s a guy who’s only going to get better and [I] really appreciate playing with him.”

DEFENSE – TREY HENDRICKSON (DE, BENGALS) LV 24 at CIN 41

If you asked most enthusiastic NFL fans who the top pass rushers are in the league, I’m guessing Trey Hendrickson won’t immediately come to mind.  They’d most likely say TJ Watt (Steelers), Myles Garrett (Browns), Micah Parsons (Cowboys) or Nick Bosa (49ers).  But, most fans probably don’t realize the player with the third most sacks over the past 4 years (behind Watt & Garrett) is indeed, Trey Hendrickson.  This eight-year veteran has been quietly putting together a Pro Bowl career. And the best part: he seems to be getting better, even at the age of 29.  In fact, 2024 has become his best career season as he leads the league in sacks (11) and Tackles for a Loss (12) through the first 9 weeks of 2024.  In case you missed it, Hendrickson’s talents were on full display this past Sunday when the Bengals trounced the Raiders at home.  The Florida Atlantic alum had 4 tackles in the game, along with a career high 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 pass deflection.  For this performance, Hendrickson became the fourth player in Bengals history to record 4 or more sacks in a game, and the first since 2009 (Antwan Odom).  The game also marked Hendrickson’s first FF of the season and his 10th since joining the Bengals prior to the 2021 season, which are tied for the second-most in the NFL in that span.  Finally, Hendrickson became the AFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 9, for the second time in his career (2022)… Speaking of NFL fans, there is one who is well aware of the young defensive end’s talents and that person is his father, Collie Hendrickson.  A former college defensive end and tight end in his own right, Collie was able to recognize similar football talents in his son at an early age.  It wasn’t just due to Trey’s size.  Beyond weighing in at 10 pounds at birth and developing into a 6-foot-4, 266-pound high schooler, Collie has said that Trey was inspired by his football stories of the past and had an intensity to match his passion both on and off the field.  According to Bengals rookie DT Kris Jenkins Jr., Hendrickson continues to maintain his fervor for the sport and desire to improve each day.  He said on Sunday, “[Hendrickson is] a hell of a player. He approaches each day and every practice like that… The passion he has for perfecting his craft. Even after games like this, he’s still looking to get better. That’s why he’s one of the best players there is.”

SPECIAL TEAMS – TYLER BASS (K, BILLS) MIA 27 at BUF 30

It’s hard to imagine being a place kicker in the NFL.  Yes, they make a lot of money for simply hurling a football through the air with their feet during games.  But, when things are on the line, sometimes in the final seconds, kickers are the ones that could tip the scale between the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.  So, when a kicker struggles all season long, you have to feel for them.  Of course, when there are lows, there will also be highs.  And maybe even be glorious highs…   Such was the case for Bills kicker Tyler Bass in Week 9.  After struggling in the 2023 regular-and-post-seasons and making just 80% of his field goals and 92.9% of his extra points entering this week, he not only helped his team win against division rival Miami in front of a sold-out home crowd in the final seconds of the game, but he also set a franchise record for longest field goal in Buffalo history (61 yards).  Bass also went 3-3 on field goals that day, added an extra point and accounted for 10 of Buffalo’s 30 points in the close game.  For his performance, he was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.  After the game, the five-year player got emotional when he was handed the game ball in the locker room by Bills head coach Sean McDermott.  Bass said to his teammates through tears, “Couldn’t have done it without you guys.  I’ve been through a lot.  And for me to go out and do that for you guys, man, it was nice...”  Indeed, Bass had missed a 3Q extra point and another PAT in the game, making his last-minute heroics all the more special.  Luckily for him, he remains dedicated to the craft and looks forward to how he can continue to help the Bills move forward.  In the post-game press conference he said, “Just reminding myself that I love this…I love this sport, this is what I’ve dreamed of. When I was out there, I honestly wasn’t thinking about anything. Just went through my process and trusted my preparation, and that was it.”

WHEN WILL THE TOM BRADY EFFECT TAKE EFFECT? – LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

In October, future Hall of Fame QB Tom Brady became part of the Las Vegas Raiders ownership group by purchasing a 5% stake in the team.  For right now, Brady is considered a “minority” owner and will only consult with and give counsel to the team in the offseason, but he will not get more involved at this time.  Brady is obligated to a five-year contract with FOX as a football analyst while NFL bylaws provide limitations for owners working for teams.  Technically speaking, it’s a tricky spot Brady currently finds himself in as a part owner of an NFL team while straddling his job as an NFL on-air TV analyst.  

However, according to Albert Breer at SI.com, Raiders principal owner Mark Davis foresees Brady eventually becoming more involved in the day-to-day operations of the team.  Apparently, it’s been something on Davis’s mind since 2020, the year Brady defected from the Patriots and went to play for Tampa Bay.  

There seems to be no set timetable for Brady’s further integration as a Raiders team owner. It could be in 1 year, 2 years, or 5 years depending on how things legally unfold with FOX.  

But, just knowing how competitive the 7-time Super Bowl Champ is, it’s hard to believe that Brady would be able to sit on the sidelines for 5 years while the Raiders struggle to simply play quality football.  Well, that was a nice way of putting it…

The reality is that Vegas is a bad football team right now and they haven’t been consistently good in over 20 years.  Going into Week 10 of the 2024 season, Las Vegas currently sits 2-7, and last in their division.  Obviously, there’s no pathway for them to make the playoffs this season without divine intervention.  And since 2002, the team has only made the playoffs twice, via a wild card game and they lost both.  The last Super Bowl the Raiders were in was 2002 and the last time they won a Super Bowl was in 1983.

Fast forward to when Tom Brady does get more involved with the Raiders (whenever that may be) … What will be the effect?  Obviously, anything would be an improvement, but it’s likely that Brady envisions himself holding a Lombardi trophy as a Raiders owner someday.  Anything less would probably not do.  And we wouldn’t expect anything less from the great Tom Brady.  

In the meantime, it will be interesting to monitor the progress of the Raiders while Tom Brady is simply consulting. Will that even have an effect? I think it probably will. Again, Vegas has no where to go but up right now.

The big question remains: Are there Super Bowls in the future for this organization now that the cavalry has arrived?

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