Ravens vs. Colts: Final score tracker and instant analysis for Week 9

The Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts square off in Week 9 to not only determine the winner this week but alter the playoff landscape.

The Baltimore Ravens take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9. It’s a game that not only means a lot for this week but for the potential future as well, making it a must-win game for both teams.

Both the Ravens and Colts enter this week at 5-2 and right next to each other in the AFC playoff picture. A win over this week’s opponent will not only push one team to 6-2, it’ll also sinch up a tiebreaker possibility that could have pretty massive playoff implications come January. A win today would also do wonders for either team in answering some lingering questions.

Keep it tuned here for instant analysis of each scoring drive as they happen so you know what went down off the scoreboard too.

Instant analysis of Chiefs’ Week 8 win over Jets

Lightning-fast analysis of the Kansas City Chiefs Week 8 game against the New York Jets

Everyone expected the Kansas City Chiefs to wallop the winless New York Jets in Week 8. They came out and did just that, with a dominant showing on offense, special teams and defense. The team put their backup offense into the game late into the fourth quarter, marking Chad Henne’s second consecutive game seeing playing time. In the end, the Chiefs notched their seventh win of the season, 35-9 over the Jets.

Instant analysis: Packers and Vikings battle at blustery Lambeau Field

Instant analysis of the Packers and Vikings showdown at Lambeau Field, with reactions and observations from the Week 8 battle.

The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings are battling at a blustery Lambeau Field on Sunday.

Managing editor Zach Kruse and contributor Jack Wepfer provide thoughts, reactions and analysis from the NFC North showdown:

Jack: Well, Zach, we’re about to get started here. In my pre-game prediction, I thought the Packers would pass all over this depleted Vikings’ secondary. However, the winds look to have different plans. It could be nasty, which at a minimum will limit the downfield passing game. I think the underneath stuff, crossers, mesh, etc., will be a bit tougher as the Harrison Smith-Anthony Harris safety duo the Vikings feature will have less to worry about over the top. Even so, I think the Packers take care of business, but it might just take a more workmanlike effort.

Score update: Packers 7, Vikings 0

Zach: Impressive first drive. Got the run game going with Jamaal Williams, and everything the Packers do on offense is based off of the run. Matt LaFleur got Aaron Rodgers on the move and created short but easy throws. Good to see LaFleur getting aggressive on fourth down in this wind, too. Rodgers didn’t have much trouble get the ball where he wanted it in this wind. Davante really cooked Jeff Gladney to finish it off.

Jack: Well that was encouraging. The Packers moved the ball methodically. The Vikings are not at all interested in pressing the Packers’ wide receivers, and it’s made for a couple of easy pitch-and-catch receptions for Davante Adams. As far as I can tell, LaFleur wants to win between the tackles; I’m guessing he feels good about the interior matchups along the offensive line.

Score update: Packers 7, Vikings 7

Jack: Vikings’ game plan on offense is to feed Dalvin Cook, which shouldn’t come as much surprise. So far, the Packers’ defense hasn’t been able to stop him. He converted a big third-and-eight on a dump-off pass, and then he immediately runs untouched for a touchdown.

Zach: Will Redmond has to make that third-down tackle in space. It really was a four-point miss. Packers look a little soft up front early. Cook produced 57 yards on seven touches on that first drive. Maybe the wind isn’t going to be much of a factor.

Jack: Knee-jerk hyperbolic reaction on that touchdown: the Packers’ defense struggling to stop the run in a cold-weather game at home sort of encapsulates who they are and who they’ve been. I’m not sure this is a mentally tough unit. We’ll see how they react the rest of the way, but we have see this sort of passiveness in big games when adversity hits.

Zach: Very scary injury for Vikings cornerback Cameron Danztler. Reminds me a little bit of Nick Collins’ neck injury.

Zach: Certainly an interesting first quarter. Essentially one drive a piece. I think the Packers have a good plan on offense, and it sure looks like A.J. Dillon is going to get some run here to start the second quarter.

End of the first quarter: Packers 7, Vikings 7

Jack: A note on Dillon: last year LaFleur hammered the running backs on “hitting their landmarks.” On the 2nd-and-20 on the second drive, Dillon had an easy gain of eight, but I think he gets more if he hits his landmark before cutting in order to stretch the second and level defenders. These are the little details that I think he can easily fix as the season goes on.

Zach: I do like Dillon coming back after dropping his first target and producing a nice little catch-and-run. He definitely looks like a back that needs volume to get comfortable. Impacting the game as a receiver sure looks like a prerequisite for running backs in this offense. Nice sign for Dillon.

Zach: The Packers are really doing a nice job of manufacturing offense. Pushing the ball down the field might not be possible today. Steady gains are working here. Oh, and the Packers should challenge this fourth-down spot.

Jack: Jamaal Williams doesn’t get the first down near the end zone in the second quarter, but the effort to fight for that extra foot is commendable. Whereas Jones is slippery, Williams is feisty.

Score update: Packers 14, Vikings 7

Jack: Oh look, another easy touchdown for Davante Adams!

Zach: A couple of things: Matt LaFleur is cooking up great stuff down inside the 5-yard line recently. This is clearly something he emphasized after some early struggles to start 2020. He’s using all kinds of misdirection to free up his best players. Also, the Packers are managing the wind wonderfully. Rodgers has completed 11 passes for 78 yards and two scores. They’ve rushed for 73 yards. Long touchdown drives (13 plays, 15 plays). Three third-down conversions, two on fourth down. The wind is a factor but the Packers have found the right counters to the elements.

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Ravens vs. Steelers: Final score tracker and instant analysis for Week 8

Keep it tuned here to see the latest score and instant analysis of each scoring drive between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers

The Baltimore Ravens sit at 5-1, which is good for second place within the AFC North. Atop the division are the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens and Steelers will clash today, which will determine not only the top of the AFC North, but potentially the top of the entire conference.

We’ll find out a lot about both teams in this game. Neither the Ravens nor Steelers have had the toughest schedule to date but have each had some sloppy play and difficulties despite their winning records. With few games more important than this one on the schedule for Baltimore and Pittsburgh, we should see the best from both teams. Can either squad overcome their previous issues and can anyone take a firm lead over the other? These are the questions and answers for Sunday’s game.

Keep it tuned here for the up-to-the-date score and instant analysis of each scoring drive as they happen so you know what went down beyond the scoreboard.

Instant analysis of Ronnie Stanley’s extension with Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens made a wise investment in their current and future, inking left tackle Ronnie Stanley to a massive contract extension.

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The Baltimore Ravens continue to keep their best players, signing left tackle Ronnie Stanley to a five-year contract extension. While the cost is certainly high, paying him $98.75 million in new money over five years, it’s money well spent.

Stanley had a spectacular 2019 season that put him on par with Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Ravens tackle Jonathan Ogden. Stanley allowed no sacks in the regular season and only six quarterback pressures, the fewest Pro Football Focus had recorded, beating Ogden’s impressive stat line from 2006. It wasn’t just a one-year fluke either. Stanley has cemented his status as one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL with outstanding play yet again this season. According to PFF, Stanley has allowed no sacks in 2020 and has an overall grade of 81.5, which ranks ninth in the league currently.

But Stanley means more to the Ravens than just what he’s done on the field. With the loss of right guard Marshal Yanda this offseason, Stanley has taken on the role of being the de facto leader of the offensive line and even the offense itself at times. While quiet in demeanor, Stanley helps set the tone for Baltimore — a role he was excited to take on this season following Yanda’s retirement.

Though it cost the Ravens a pretty penny to keep Stanley, it’s a wise investment that means more than just one player. At some point, Baltimore is going to have to pay quarterback Lamar Jackson — likely a record-setting contract or at least close to one. Protecting that investment in Jackson by keeping him upright and healthy is a necessity if the Ravens want to get back to another Super Bowl and there’s no better protection than Stanley manning the left edge of the offensive line.

While it’s easy to say Baltimore didn’t really have much of a choice here, the Ravens weren’t careless with their money either. It would have been easy for Baltimore to hand Stanley a record-breaking contract of his own this offseason to potentially lower his 2020 salary-cap hit and ensure he stuck around. But the Ravens’ patience clearly paid off with Stanley’s deal falling below the average value the Houston Texans paid left tackle Laremy Tunsil.

Despite being a better tackle than Tunsil, Stanley is getting paid quite a bit less. Tunsil currently has the top deal, earning an average of $22 million per year with Stanley’s $19.75 million per year value falling well short. Even the guaranteed money is better, with Tunsil getting $40 million of his $66 million deal guaranteed ($13.3 million per year average) while Stanley has $58 million of his $98.75 million contract guaranteed ($11.6 million per year average).

It’s a deal that makes both sides happy. The Ravens get a bit of a value by inking Stanley to a long-term deal and a chance to structure the contract to be more cap-friendly where needed. Meanwhile, Stanley gets a ridiculous sum of money, including quite a lot up front, and a chance to get a second big contract early in his 30s. It’s great news and something Ravens fans should be pumped about.

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Instant analysis of Bears’ 20-19 win vs. the Bucs in Week 5

It was another ugly start, but the Bears outlasted the Bucs to improve to 4-1 on the season.

It started to look ugly for the Chicago Bears as they trailed 13-0 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first half. But all of a sudden, the Bears got hot and scored 14 unanswered points to end the first half. They carried that momentum over into the fourth quarter, where they were able to outlast the Bucs for a 20-19 win to improve to 4-1 on the season for the first time since 2012.

The first half looked like the Bears were feeling good, confident and had all the momentum, but to start the second half the Bears went three and out. The Buccaneers would capitalize and take a 16-14 lead. Heading into this matchup the Bears haven’t scored any points in the third quarter and it will stay that way for another week.

The Bears get most of their points in the fourth quarter and they opened that up with a 47-yard field goal from Cairos Santos to take a 17-16 lead. The Buccaneers would drive down the field on the next possession and settled for three points for a 19-17 lead.

Down by two, the Bears got the ball back with 4:49 remaining in the game, but couldn’t do anything as they punted the ball to Brady with 2:48 left. The Bears defense would stand tall and force a three and out.

The Bears would get the ball near midfield with 2:21 and the Bears have to be careful – you need three points to win, but you don’t want to give Brady the ball back with time on the lock.

The Buccaneers defense was able to force a third down, but the Bears were able to convert for a first down on a 10-yard reception from Darnell Mooney. The Bears would connect on a 38-yard field goal to take a 20-19 lead, but would leave 1:13 for Brady.

The future first ballot Hall-of-Famer got to work. On the first play Brady was able to connect with Mike Evans for the first down, but that was the only time the Bucs would be able to move the chains. The Bears defense held up and forced a turnover on downs as Brady seemed to be confused rather if it was third or fourth down.

It was a big day for Khalil Mack as he bullied the Buccaneers offensive line. Mack totaled three QB hits, three tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, and a pass deflection. The Bears defense caused frustration for Brady as he finished 25-for-41 for 253 yards and one touchdown.

Nick Foles was a bit better than Brady tonight as he finished 30-for-44 for 243 yards with one touchdown, one interception and the game winning drive. The Bears were able to score their first rushing touchdown of the year as David Montgomery found the end-zone in the second quarter.

After a tough loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the Bears bounce back and have a long break until they face the Carolina Panthers in Week 6.

Instant Analysis: How Aldon Smith fits Cowboys, what his role might be

Aldon Smith is now officially back. After being reinstated, as was clearly expected when Dallas signed him, he’s ready to go for the beginning of virtual OTAs. The question is how will it all work. We cover it all from the weight gain to the wait-and-see.

When Aldon Smith was first signed to the Dallas Cowboys, the initial reaction from most observers was one of shock, as he had completely fallen off the radar for most fans. Rotoworld listed 54 different edge rushers in their annual free agency tracker, and Smith was nowhere to be found for good reason. Smith hasn’t been part of a team since the 2018 and hasn’t appeared in a game since 2015, so it’s no wonder that most felt his career had gone the way of other self-destructive cases of similar nature.

Smith battled demons that included alcohol abuse and drugs, and dealt with a series of arrests and subsequent suspensions that saw what was once one of the most promising careers in the NFL spiral out of control. However on April 1, 2020, the Cowboys signed Smith to a one-year low-risk deal, as it was reported he had spent the last several years being rehabilitated. On May 9 it was revealed he had met with commissioner Roger Goodell to discuss his reinstatement and 11 days later it has become a reality; Smith is back.

So what does it all mean for the Cowboys? Here’s a look at several interest points to ponder about how Smith could impact the Cowboys and factors that will go into whether he becomes one himself.

Years Off From the Game

The time away from football is clearly going to be the biggest factor in what, if any at all, Smith can contribute to the 2020 Dallas Cowboys. Regardless of his being in a good mental space and renewed physical condition (more on that in a second), football is not normally a sport that is kind to men who get out of football shape, even for just one season. For four? That’s going to be a tall task for Smith.

That absence from the game is further amplified by the fact that he isn’t able to work directly with the Cowboys strength and conditioning team. In a normal year, Smith would right now be working directly with Markus Paul and his staff at The Star, trying to on a full diet of a football regiment. But with the stay-at-home orders in place around the country – even though they are lifted in Texas – players are not allowed back at the team facility.

Without the pandemic, Smith would certainly be working with top-flight trainers with NFL experience, but most players interviewed during the last few months have spoken about having to go out to Walmart and buy their own weight sets. With four years of inactivity and a truncated offseason, it has to be a concern whether or not Smith can be a contributing factor through the first phases of the 2020 season.

Continue…

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Instant Analysis: Falcons add depth by trading for DE Charles Harris

The Falcons now have two former first-round picks with a lot to prove competing for the job opposite Dante Folwer.

The Atlanta Falcons added another former first-round pick to their roster on Friday morning, trading a 2021 seventh-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for defensive end Charles Harris.

Harris, like current Falcons DE Takk McKinley, was selected in 2017 and hasn’t lived up to that first-round status as of yet. In three seasons with the Dolphins, Harris has only started eight games and recorded just 3.5 sacks.

Miami’s defense requires a little more technique from its ends, which Harris just hasn’t developed. While he thrived in Missouri’s attacking-style defense, it hasn’t came together during his three seasons with the Dolphins.

So why trade for Harris?

A seventh-round pick isn’t much to give up for a player that Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff was rumored to be interested in back in 2017. Harris is only 25 years old and coming to Atlanta means he’s not likely to have his fifth-year option picked up.

Knowing that, this essentially becomes a contract year for Harris. Unless he turns things around, there won’t be much free-agent interest in him in 2021. Money can he quite the motivator, though, and sometimes a change of scenery can be just what a frustrated, struggling player needs.

Harris is considered to be a better fit in the Falcons’ attacking-style defense. The Dolphins haven’t exactly been a model of NFL consistency over the past three seasons, either.

Without the expectations that Harris had as first-round pick in Miami, he can just go out there and play. In a rotational role likely backing up McKinley, Harris is a low-risk, high-reward acquisition.

The Falcons now have two fourth-year defensive ends with a lot to prove competing for the job opposite Dante Folwer. It could potentially bring out the best in both players and if not, the team can let both walk in free agency and try again next year.

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Instant Analysis: Falcons get punter Sterling Hofrichter

The Falcons drafted a punter named Sterling Hofrichter out of Syracuse instead of going with an actual football player in the seventh round.

The Falcons cut Sam Irwin-Hill the morning before the third day of the draft because they felt they could get the punter they coveted. It turns out that guy is Sterling Hofrichter out of Syracuse. He has a booming leg and gets a ton of hang time.

It’s a bit surprising Atlanta went with a punter over another position, but the team must feel confident in the roster competition that they have right now for those key roles. Since he’s a punter, he’ll likely also have to be the holder and will compete with Younghoe Koo for the kickoff specialist.

Why Sterling Hofrichter instead of RB Darius Anderson or WR Kalija Lipscomb?

This is the head scratching move for me. The Falcons had some need for depth at running back and wide receiver and decided to go with a punter. Darius Anderson could have been a good move for competition at running back while Kalija Lipscomb would have been a smart move for depth at wide receiver.

Maybe they are banking on getting talent at the same level of these two guys in undrafted free agency. But it’s always going to feel a bit odd to see a punter taken during the NFL draft—even in the 7th round.

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Instant analysis of Ravens drafting Iowa S Geno Stone in 7th round

The Ravens get a productive safety in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft in Iowa’s Geno Stone. He’ll be a depth player with some upside

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The Ravens waited until the seventh and final round of the 2020 NFL Draft to add a piece to their already deep secondary. They bring in Iowa safety Geno Stone with pick No. 219, who was the 2nd-team All-Big 10 in 2019.

Stone plays with incredible instincts and has a nose for the ball, as evidenced by his eight turnovers over his last two seasons. He also has the strength needed to cover receivers and tight ends over the middle and keep them from running a flawless route. Stone isn’t afraid to come up in run support, as he doesn’t wait to make a run to the ball carrier.

Stone lacks the speed and height to truly be a ball-hawking safety in the NFL, running a 4.62-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. His lateral quickness is a problem as well, showing up mostly when he gets beat in the red zone. His height and inability to adequately high point a jump ball means that he could get feasted on by the superb competition in the NFL if used in more direct coverage.

As a hybrid deep and box safety, Stone could be an intriguing depth option with some upside for Baltimore. The Ravens don’t need someone great at safety, but they do need depth behind Earl Thomas and Chuck Clark, which they get in Stone.

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