NFL Stock Watch: Bills win battle of AFC Beasts; Bears’ draft outlook rises-ZoomTech News

The high-flying Dolphins offense met its match, the Bears ended up successful by shedding a sport (See: Caleb Williams), whereas Mac Jones and the Patriots had a tough exhibiting in Dallas throughout an eventful Week 4.

Right here is my refill and down report after a enjoyable weekend of soccer.

STOCK UP

Buffalo Payments

The Buffalo Payments got here to the stadium immediately ready to knock out the Miami Dolphins in an early-season pivotal AFC East matchup. The Payments rolled to a 48-20 victory over Miami, only a week after the Dolphins hung 70 factors on the Denver Broncos. Sean McDermott’s squad performed quicker, bodily and extra assured than the Dolphins on Sunday. Each groups traded touchdowns for the primary 5 possessions earlier than the Payments protection pressured back-to-back punts, a fumble, one other punt, an interception and completed with three straight Miami drives ending after a failed fourth-down conversion. The Payments protection ended with 5 sacks, six tackles for a loss and loads of strain on Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. 

The Payments offense was incredible in their very own proper, gaining 24 first downs, averaging 7.4 yards per play and changing on 50 % of third downs. We noticed the very best of Josh Allen on Sunday. He performed composed and made the a lot of the alternatives on the sector. This model of Josh Allen is a Tremendous Bowl-winning caliber quarterback. Payments followers must be pumped with the offensive output within the final three video games — 38, 36 and 48 factors is an indication of an offense on a roll

Chicago Bears‘ Draft Outlook

Sure, the Bears’ inventory rose regardless of blowing a 28-7 lead towards the Broncos earlier than shedding 31-28, an embarrassing late–sport collapse to a Denver crew that was 0-3 and never taking part in good soccer getting into Sunday. With the loss the Bears at the moment personal the primary choose AND the second choose within the 2024 NFL draft, a product of buying and selling out of this yr’s first general choose in a commerce with the Panthers (who chosen Bryce Younger). So whereas Sunday’s loss will get the employees nearer to being fired, and Justin Fields nearer to free company, it does give hope to the way forward for the Bears.

The primary choose on this upcoming draft is probably the most coveted draft choose for the reason that Andrew Luck draft. USC’s Caleb Williams, the reigning Heisman winner, is pretty much as good as marketed. He is a particular expertise that can instantly change the fortunes of an NFL franchise. If the Bears do win the Williams sweepstakes, they’ll commerce out of the second choose to a crew that wishes fellow touted quarterback, Drake Maye. Buying and selling that choose will web extra draft picks, which a talent-deprived Bears crew desperately wants. There’s an argument the present entrance workplace won’t be those making these picks however that is for one more day. We do know the Bears will doubtless have a brand new coach, and hopefully, that is somebody who’s able to take Caleb Williams to the moon. 

Brock Purdy

It is time to admit that Brock Purdy is best than we predict. Is Brock Purdy a naturally expert thrower of the soccer like a handful of the highest passers within the NFL? No … however all he does is run the San Francisco 49ers offense precisely like head coach and play-caller Kyle Shanahan has drawn up, which on the finish of the day, is his job. Purdy has began 9 regular-season video games because the Niners quarterback and his crew is 9-0 in these begins, together with Sunday’s 20 of 21 for 283 yards and a TD efficiency towards the Arizona Cardinals. Purdy simply does what’s required of him on this offense. He finds the open receiver and throws an correct move. Purdy is ready to learn coverages and perceive strain schemes, so he can discover house on the sector for his receivers to catch the ball. He additionally does not flip the ball over which helps the unbeaten 49ers offense keep on monitor. 

STOCK DOWN

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are in a nasty place proper now after shedding 27-3 to the Tennessee Titans. The loss dropped their file to 1-3 after the primary month of the season. Groups have began 1-3 and had profitable seasons, however the Bengals offense is taking part in worse than their file. The Bengals have managed simply three offensive touchdowns of their 4 video games. Their offensive woes are explainable with quarterback Joe Burrow being unable to play like himself with a bum calf on his proper leg. Burrow injured the calf in coaching camp and returned to play in Week 1. He tweaked it once more in every week later and has been attempting to outlive on the market with out the power to maneuver or drive off his leg for energy into throws. 

Quarterbacks taking part in with decrease leg accidents that hamper their mobility within the pocket occur yearly, so Burrow just isn’t doing or taking part in by way of something no different participant has achieved earlier than. The issue is not a lot Burrow not with the ability to transfer, however is that the Bengals haven’t modified their offense in any respect to assist him play as finest as doable. It is the identical offense with predictable formations for operating the soccer. Add in an offensive line that has not pass-protected all that effectively at moments and the offense is totally stalled out. The Bengals both want to take a seat Burrow the following two weeks towards the Cardinals and Seahawks earlier than the bye week or they should repair the offense to match the constraints of Burrow proper now. If not, their season shall be over shortly. After the bye, the Bengals get the 49ers and Payments, adopted by a visit to Baltimore a number of weeks later. Powerful sledding.

Mac Jones

He is simply common at finest. And that is OK. I used to be hopeful Mac Jones into his third season and with an precise offensive coordinator might enhance his play from final season. It appears more and more doubtless that his rookie season, the place he accomplished almost 68 % of passes for 3,800 yards shall be his finest season as knowledgeable. He is finishing 63.7 % of passes this season with 5 touchdowns to 4 interceptions, after throwing the ball twice to Cowboys defenders on Sunday. Sure, it is truthful to say his receiving choices aren’t preferrred and his offensive line struggles to run the ball, but it surely’s arduous to have a look at Jones play and suppose franchise quarterback traits are simply ready to be unlocked someday. 

One stat sums up the place Jones is at after 35 begins is his Patriots are 0-11 as underdogs in video games he has began. Jones doesn’t elevate his play towards higher groups. He doesn’t will them to victory. If the Patriots protection is not wonderful in a sport, the Patriots offense just isn’t going to select up the slack. 

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are actually 0-4, one in all two groups with a winless file after a month of soccer. The Panthers have been aggressive for elements of all 4 video games however by the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to the beforehand winless Minnesota Vikings, it was clear they don’t seem to be a superb soccer crew proper now. The Panthers traded up for quarterback Bryce Younger and gave him the keys to the franchise. Whereas it is unfair to grade or evaluate him to others after simply three begins (he missed Week 3 with an damage), it is noticeable how effectively fellow rookie C.J. Stroud of the Texans, who was drafted one slot after Younger, is taking part in after one month of soccer. Sure, the Panthers do not have the very best of receiving choices and their O-line is shaky, but it surely’s not like Stroud is taking part in with a fascinating offensive depth chart. 

The Panthers must see a few of their youthful gamers, particularly on the offensive line, proceed to develop right into a unit that is reliable. The Panthers don’t personal their first-round choose subsequent yr, plus different future picks due to the commerce for Younger, so they are going to be extra restricted in including expertise round Younger within the subsequent few drafts. 

Geoff Schwartz is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports activities. He performed eight seasons within the NFL for 5 totally different groups. He began at proper sort out for the College of Oregon for 3 seasons and was a second-team All-Pac-12 choice his senior yr. Comply with him on Twitter @GeoffSchwartz.

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