• A superb recreation for Bryce Younger: The Panthers quarterback was instrumental in opposition to the Cardinals, and made three big-time throws in his group’s time beyond regulation win.
• The Dolphins‘ fast passing recreation is essential: Tua Tagovailoa caught to his weapons, getting the ball out rapidly in a clear pocket to set the Dolphins on their method.
• Unlock your edge with a PFF+ subscription: Get full entry to all our in-season fantasy instruments, together with weekly rankings, WR/CB matchup charts, weekly projections, the Begin-Sit Optimizer and extra. Join now!
Estimated Studying Time: 13 minutes
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Los Angeles Chargers 34, Denver Broncos 27
Why the Chargers received: Justin Herbert delivered for the Chargers simply after they wanted him to. He was underneath stress on 20 of his 37 dropbacks, and apart from throwing a first-half interception, he dealt with that stress extremely. Herbert accomplished 81.3% of his go makes an attempt when pressured for 171 yards, a landing and an interception, incomes a 78.0 PFF general grade and including two big-time throws. His second-half efficiency led the way in which for a powerful Chargers comeback.
Why the Broncos misplaced: After a quick begin, the Broncos fell away within the second half, scoring simply six factors. The conservatism within the passing recreation, largely an unwillingness to throw the ball downfield, congested the Broncos’ offense, and the shortage of a deep ball made gaining yards on chunk performs tougher. Bo Nix tried 40 passes within the loss, and solely 15% of these throws went greater than 10 air yards.
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Kansas Metropolis Chiefs 27, Houston Texans 19
Why the Chiefs received: Kansas Metropolis hasn’t been nice in go safety in 2024, and whereas Patrick Mahomes was pressured on 37% of his dropbacks on Saturday, he was dialed in when stored clear. Mahomes accomplished 19 of his 28 go makes an attempt from a clear pocket for 185 yards and a landing, incomes a 90.3 PFF general grade. His common time to throw was simply 2 seconds, because the Chiefs have been intent on getting the ball out quick, which meant Mahomes was allowed to be at his greatest and decide away on the protection.
Why the Texans misplaced: C.J. Stroud earned an 83.9 PFF general grade in opposition to the Chiefs, however his efficiency worsened when the Chiefs’ relentless go rush obtained house. The Chiefs pressured Stroud 25 occasions in whole, and on 48.8% of his dropbacks. Stroud accomplished simply 7 of his 19 go makes an attempt when pressured for 112 yards, a landing, and an interception, and he was sacked twice. The specter of fixed stress and the shortage of a constant passing recreation in these moments slowed the Texans.
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Baltimore Ravens 34, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
Why the Ravens received: Lamar Jackson was wonderful once more, however Derrick Henry spearheaded the Ravens’ offense for almost all of the sport and took over in opposition to a robust Steelers protection. Henry carried the ball 24 occasions for 162 yards, averaging 6.8 yards per try and incomes a 71.9 PFF speeding grade. The Steelers’ protection confronted a nightmare making an attempt to deliver Henry down as the sport went on, and the Ravens working again pressured 5 missed tackles within the recreation and broke off seven explosive runs. An inevitable efficiency from an all-time nice.
Why the Steelers misplaced: Russell Wilson was pressured on 36.8% of his dropbacks, and the distinction between the moments the place he was stored clear and was pressured was a significant factor within the recreation. Wilson accomplished 81.8% of his go makes an attempt for 195 yards and two touchdowns when stored clear, incomes a 92.7 PFF passing grade. Nonetheless, when pressured, Wilson’s grade dropped to 37.1, as he accomplished 4 of his 11 makes an attempt for 22 yards and an interception. And the interception was returned for a pick-six. His yards per try dropped from 8.9 to 2.0, as nicely.
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Cincinnati Bengals 24, Cleveland Browns 6
Why the Bengals received: Joe Burrow has been taking part in the perfect soccer of his profession in 2024 and was in type in opposition to the Browns as soon as extra. Cleveland obtained after Burrow, and he was stored clear on simply 58.3% of his dropbacks, however he was wonderful when his offensive line mitigated stress. Burrow earned an 85.4 PFF general grade, finishing 85.7% of his passes for 206 yards and a landing whereas including two big-time throws and averaging 9.8 yards per try.
Why the Browns misplaced: Dorian Thompson-Robinson‘s first begin of 2024 was tough, and the Browns’ propensity for turning the ball over value them. Cleveland dedicated three turnovers, with Thompson-Robinson throwing two interceptions and the group shedding one in every of two fumbles. The offense struggled to maneuver the ball all day, however turnovers proved pricey for the Browns.
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Atlanta Falcons 34, New York Giants 7
Why the Falcons received: The offense was environment friendly in Michael Penix Jr.’s first begin for the Falcons, they usually have been capable of lean on the wonderful speeding prowess of Bijan Robinson. Robinson carried the load for the offense, touting the rock 22 occasions for 94 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per carry and incomes a 66.5 PFF speeding grade. He additionally pressured three missed tackles and broke off three rushes of 10-plus yards. Robinson was the tone-setter.
Why the Giants misplaced: In case your quarterback throws two pick-sixes, chances are high you’re in all probability not going to win the sport. The Giants turned the ball over thrice in opposition to the Falcons, with Drew Lock throwing two pick-sixes and shedding a fumble. Lock earned a 38.6 PFF general grade within the loss, finishing simply 56.4% of his go makes an attempt, and his three turnovers set the Falcons on their method.
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Carolina Panthers 36, Arizona Cardinals 30
Why the Panthers received: Bryce Younger has discovered his toes within the NFL since his return to the beginning lineup, and he was wonderful in a protected pocket in opposition to the Cardinals. Younger was stored clear on 63.6% of his dropbacks and accomplished 73.7% of his go makes an attempt for 113 yards and a landing whereas incomes a 94.5 PFF general grade and being credited with three big-time throws. Younger is reminding everybody why he was the No. 1 decide in 2023.
Why the Cardinals misplaced: The Panthers’ speeding assault carved up the Cardinals, who allowed 243 yards and three touchdowns on 6.8 yards per carry. It was a tough efficiency in opposition to the run for Arizona, which surrendered six rushes of 10 yards or extra and missed six tackles in run protection. The Cardinals’ loss eradicated them from playoff rivalry, and it was a tricky method to exit.
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Detroit Lions 34, Chicago Bears 17
Why the Lions received: The Lions have been wonderful in using play motion in opposition to the Bears, because the constant menace of Jahmyr Gibbs within the working recreation sucked the linebackers nearer to the road of scrimmage, opening up deeper throwing strains. Jared Goff accomplished 14 of his 16 play-action passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns, incomes a 93.2 PFF general grade. Nearly half of Goff’s go makes an attempt have been off play motion, and his yards per try determine in these eventualities was 10 yards greater than in common dropback eventualities.
Why the Bears misplaced: Outdoors of an encouraging efficiency from Caleb Williams, the Bears’ offense was nowhere to be seen. The speeding recreation was a non-factor, averaging 3.1 yards per try, with Williams main the group with 28 yards on the bottom. D’Andre Swift dealt with the majority of the carries, with 20 yards on 9 carries for simply 2.2 yards per try.
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Los Angeles Rams 19, New York Jets 9
Why the Rams received: Kyren Williams was a constant supply of yards for the Rams as they took ahold of the NFC West. Williams carried the ball 23 occasions for 122 yards and a landing, incomes an 84.1 PFF general grade and averaging 5.3 yards per try. The Rams tried solely 19 passes within the recreation, so Williams was the load-bearer in a key win.
Why the Jets misplaced: The Jets’ protection has taken a step again since Robert Saleh was fired, and the go rush figured to be a non-factor in opposition to the Rams. New York notched simply 5 pressures within the recreation, pressuring Matthew Stafford on 21.1% of his dropbacks and failing to register a single sack.
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Indianapolis Colts 38, Tennessee Titans 30
Why the Colts received: The Colts tried solely 11 passes however generated 335 yards of offense on the bottom. Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson mixed for 288 of these yards and added 4 speeding touchdowns. Indianapolis’ offensive line did the soiled work up entrance, and Taylor pressured six missed tackles and averaged 7.5 yards per try, breaking off two enormous landing runs.
Why the Titans misplaced: Simply because the Colts received the sport on the bottom, that’s the place the Titans misplaced it. They allowed a whopping 7.4 yards per play and 6.7 yards per try on the bottom. The protection missed seven tackles in opposition to the run and surrendered two enormous landing runs and constant 6-yard positive factors.
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Washington Commanders 36, Philadelphia Eagles 33
Why the Commanders received: The Commanders turned the ball over 5 occasions however nonetheless snuck away with a giant win over the Eagles. That was right down to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels tossing 5 landing passes. Daniels earned a 74.8 PFF general grade after throwing for 258 yards and speeding for 81 yards. He was at his greatest after the turnovers, and the Commanders leaned on him to create yards within the passing and speeding recreation.
Why the Eagles misplaced: Kenny Pickett stepped in for Jalen Hurts after the latter suffered a concussion, and Pickett struggled when pressured by the Commanders’ go rush. He was pressured on 43.3% of his dropbacks, finishing simply 33.3% of his go makes an attempt for 26 yards, averaging 2.9 yards per try and incomes a 60.4 PFF general grade. He was additionally sacked thrice.
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Minnesota Vikings 27, Seattle Seahawks 24
Why the Vikings received: The Vikings have a weapon not like another within the league. Justin Jefferson is the perfect vast receiver within the NFL and was the important thing to Minnesota’s win. He caught 10 of his 12 targets for 144 yards and two touchdowns, incomes an 83.3 PFF general grade and averaging 14.4 yards per reception. Jefferson’s second landing of the sport was the massive second, too, because it gave the Vikings the lead within the ultimate jiffy.
Why the Seahawks misplaced: The Seahawks’ offensive line allowed only one sack, however the fixed stress on Geno Smith was a fault of their division. The offensive line let up 22 pressures and 4 quarterback hits, and Smith was pressured on 47.8% of his dropbacks. The Seahawks quarterback threw two interceptions when pressured.
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Buffalo Payments 24, New England Patriots 21
Why the Payments received: The Payments averted a scare in opposition to the Patriots, regardless of a less-than-perfect passing efficiency from Josh Allen, due to the ability of their working recreation. James Prepare dinner led the way in which, carrying the ball 11 occasions for 100 yards and a landing. He averaged 9.1 yards per try, and Allen and Ty Johnson every carried the ball six occasions for 30 yards. As a group, the Payments pressured 11 missed tackles in opposition to the run.
Why the Patriots misplaced: The Payments’ protection dialed up the blitz in opposition to Drake Maye, forcing the rookie quarterback to battle in opposition to 5 or extra rushers whereas muddying the appears in protection. Maye was blitzed on 41.9% of his dropbacks, finishing eight of his 17 go makes an attempt for 98 yards, a landing and an interception. His yards per try when blitzed was 5.8 yards per try, whereas it was a wholesome and aggressive 8.6 yards per try when not blitzed.
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Las Vegas Raiders 19, Jacksonville Jaguars 14
Why the Raiders received: The Raiders have a star in Brock Bowers. The rookie tight finish has been the fulcrum of their missing offense in 2024, and he was the difference-maker in opposition to the Jaguars because the Raiders halted a 10-game shedding streak. Bowers caught 11-of-13 targets for 99 yards, and 6 of these catches went for first downs. Bowers retains discovering methods to get open and generate yards for a struggling offense.
Why the Jaguars misplaced: Because the cliche goes, if you happen to lose the turnover battle, you’ll in all probability lose the sport. That’s precisely what occurred to the Jaguars. Tank Bigsby and Brenton Unusual each misplaced fumbles at key moments throughout the recreation. Unusual’s got here within the ultimate few moments of the primary half whereas the Jaguars have been driving into field-goal vary, whereas Bigsby’s additionally got here whereas the Jaguars have been looking for factors of their opponent’s half. Errors are pricey, and Jacksonville had two, in comparison with the Raiders who performed a turnover-free recreation.
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Miami Dolphins 29, San Francisco 49ers 17
Why the Dolphins received: Tua Tagovailoa delivered a superb and environment friendly recreation from the pocket, doing his greatest work when the Dolphins’ offensive line stored him clear. The Dolphins quarterback accomplished 21 of his 29 go makes an attempt for 213 yards and a landing in a clear pocket, incomes an 80.2 PFF general grade and averaging 7.3 yards per try. Tagovailoa did what works greatest for him, too, getting the ball out at a median of two.09 seconds when stored clear. That paved the way in which for achievement within the passing recreation.
Why the 49ers misplaced: With Tagovailoa getting the ball out so quick, a median of two.16 seconds per throw, the 49ers’ defensive linemen had only a few alternatives to pin their ears again and rush the passer. On 36 dropbacks, the 49ers pressured Tagovailoa at a low 13.9% price and have been rendered a non-factor for many of the recreation.
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Dallas Cowboys 26, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24
Why the Cowboys received: The Cowboys’ offensive line constructed a wall in entrance of Cooper Rush and did nicely to guard the Cowboys’ backup quarterback for many of the recreation. The offensive line allowed simply two sacks and 6 pressures within the recreation, with Rush being pressured on 19.4% of his dropbacks. 4 of the Cowboys’ beginning linemen earned PFF pass-blocking grades of 70.0 or greater, too, with Tyler Smith incomes an 83.5 mark and permitting zero pressures.
Why the Buccaneers misplaced: The Buccaneers struggled to defend the center of the sphere in opposition to the Cowboys, with Cooper Rush finishing 21 of his 24 go makes an attempt between the numbers for 192 yards. The vast majority of Rush’s go makes an attempt have been behind the road of scrimmage or between 1-10 yards, however the Buccaneers nonetheless struggled to cease the quick passing recreation and felt the ramifications.
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Inexperienced Bay Packers 34, New Orleans Saints 0
Why the Packers received: The Packers trounced the Saints on Monday evening, they usually leaned on the ability of the working recreation to get the job performed. Josh Jacobs and the offense carried the ball 39 occasions for 188 yards and three touchdowns, with Jacobs main the cost with 69 yards and a rating. The Packers had contributors throughout, with Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks additionally punching in touchdowns.
Why the Saints misplaced: A rookie quarterback being pressured on greater than half of his dropbacks is a recipe for catastrophe, and that is precisely what occurred to Spencer Rattler versus the Packers. Rattler was pressured on 52.6% of his dropbacks and accomplished seven of his 14 go makes an attempt on these performs for 82 yards, incomes a 55.1 PFF passing grade. His passing grade versus stress was higher than when stored clear, however that is no method to reside. Rattler was additionally sacked thrice.
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