Graphics: Mali
Analysis 1-16 Fallen
Analysis 17-32 Arod
Raiders (5-0): Matigy and his Raiders are coming off a bye week and they are hosting the Denver Broncos this week. The Raiders are PML’s last undefeated team and I think they have a strong chance to stay that way until their week 10 matchup against the Bengals. I have them favored over the Bengals, but Cammy and Joe Burrow have the firepower to pull the upset, but until then lets see how far Matigy can take his team.
Ravens (5-1): Kingke got his revenge this week in upsetting the former undefeated Cleveland Browns. Lamar Jackson has returned to form and is having an MVP like season, but Braelon Allen, Jackson, and Bryce Hall averaged about 60 rushing yards a piece and it helped put the nail in the coffin when Baltimore was able to score 18 points in the fourth quarter and ultimately get the one point victory.
Bears (4-1): The Chicago Bears are another team off to a hot start that got a bye week early in the season, coincidentally enough, they too face off against a division rival in week 7 where they will travel to Minnesota. Despite Minnesota’s streak of victories, I think the Bears are going to be able to move the ball with ease against Minnesota’s 23rd ranked defense. The real test for the Bears starts in week 8 through week 11 where they take on the Rams, Bengals, Cowboys, and Ravens. If the Bears can manage to go 3-1 in this string of games, I believe they will ultimately win the division this season.
Colts (5-1): Just how clutch is JC and his Colts? They were down 17 points against the New York Jets this week and did he panic? No. Despite a few egregious passes by Quinn Ewers, JC trusted his quarterback down the stretch and on 4th and 2, Ewers floated a beauty over two Jet defenders that set the offense up on the one yard line with 16 seconds left in the game. Ewers found Brock Browers in the endzone the very next play and the Colts continued their impressive streak of four games. It doesn’t get easier for the Colts though, they face off against Seattle then Baltimore in back to back weeks.
Rams (4-2): Who’s Tyler Buchner and why did this week’s game end up being 34-31. A win is a win, but you have to think that the Rams expected a blowout with Kyler Murray being out of the game. Regardless, the Rams clutched the victory out and if they aren’t careful, they could find themselves in a close game next week against a Falcon’s team that is starting to regain all of its pieces after suffering several injuries to start the season.
Browns (5-1): I really believe that the King of the North was the Cleveland Browns, but I have some doubt in me. The Browns 9th ranked rushing defense allowed over 180 yards on the ground and despite their 37 points a game, they are ranked 31st in passing yards. The Browns have a few gimmie games in the Cardinals and Vikings before their bye week in week 9, so I expect their offense to be able to find some rhythm the next couple weeks.
Cowboys (5-1): Undefeated* and the Cowboys should be 6-0 and are still technically undefeated in user versus user games this season. The Dallas defense ranks in the top ten for all statistical categories thus far and the most points that they’ve given up came at the hands of that computer game. Their ability to hold Josh Allen to 200 yards and 0 touchdowns this week was impressive and it’s smooth sailing in week’s 8 and 9 against the Panthers and Chiefs respectively for the Cowboys.
Giants (3-3): Danny DIMES! Daniel Jones rocking the 158.3 QBR this week against a very very good Packer’s defense. He completed 78% of his passes and connected 4 of his receivers. The Giant’s defense was even more impressive, forcing three interceptions and holding the Packers to just 17 points. The Giants have the Eagles, Commanders, and Cowboys on the schedule the next three weeks and this could shape off how they finish in the division down the stretch.
Bucs (4-2): 32nd ranked passing offense but the 1st ranked rushing offense, there’s got to be more of a balance, right? No, not when you’re seeing positive results. Jacurri Brown is doing just enough through the air to keep the Buccs on top, but heading into their bye week next week, it’s possible that the Buccs may want to implement a better passing approach before other teams catch wind of their impressive rushing attack.
Packers (4-2): A struggling Giants team versus a Packer’s team that had won four in a row, I definitely expected more this week. The Packers will have to regroup during their bye week and try to figure out why a team with two 90+ overall corners have the 27th ranked passing defense. If the Packers want to keep in stride with the Bears, they are going to have to come out in week 8 swinging against the Seahawks.
49ers (4-2): This would have been a devastating loss for the 49ers if the streak continued, but they were able to force 5 interceptions despite Trey Lance throwing three of his own. It was the defense that won this game against the Titans, but on paper, the 49ers are the 32nd ranked defense in total yards and passing yards given up. But, who cares how many yards you’re giving up, if those yards don’t equate to points against you. The 49ers will seek to keep the dream alive next week against the Jaguars.
Seahawks (3-3):CJ Stroud with an impressive 158.3 QBR this week against the Arizona Cardinals. We have seen Stroud throw up ducks, miss passes, and just outright throw to the other team at times, but his shortcomings do not surpass his potential and it was displayed this week. He completed 84% of his passes and made it very easy on his defense, who had an impressive shutout of their own.
Bengals (3-3):It was getting very scary for the Bengals during the first month of the season, but they have strung together back to back victories and head into their bye week with some confidence. Joe Burrow’s is near the top in passing yards this season and that’s even more impressive considering his favorite target has been injured the past couple games.
Vikings (3-3): The Vikings have a three game winning streak going on and that have eclipsed half of their total wins last season and it’s only week 6, albeit two of those victories came against the Steelers and the Lions. It’s time for them to prove the can hang in the division and give the Chicago Bears a run for their money in week 7. Is CEO back, we’re going to find out.
Dolphins (3-3): The Patriots on the schedule in week 6 is just what the doctor ordered for the Miami Dolphins. Despite suffering a three game losing streak, they were able to bounce back with a three point win against the Patriots. However, with all of the talking that was featured in pre-game, I expected this game to be a blow out in favour of the Dolphins, so hats off to the Patriots for giving them a close game.
Bills (3-3): The Bills had the ability to run away with the division, but they’re keeping it close for their division mates. The Bills have take back to back losses, but fortunate for them, their division mates will also have to face off against the Browns and the Cowboys, so dropping those two games isn’t as bad as it seems. The biggest question for the Bills is Josh Allen. He has 7 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season, it is very unlike him. Tbandit is going to have to do a better job with his X-factor quarterback if he wants to win the division down the stretch.
Patriots (3-3): Within an eyelid of a 4-2 start as they fall to the Dolphins 43-40 in a game that not only had 1st place on the line, but pride and bragging rights. The narrative last year was Nef’s inability to win the close ones, hopefully history doesn’t repeat itself in season 4.
Jaguars (2-4): Justin Fields returned to the field and proved why he is the most valuable player on the roster. A near perfect day saw the Jaguars cruise at home versus HD and the Chargers as they broke it open in the 2nd half. Can we talk about Brian Branch and his 4 interceptions he had this past week- more receptions than any other Charger not named Toney.
Chiefs (3-3): Things got ugly fast in Denver. Trevor Lawrence threw 5 interceptions and the defense had no answer for rookie halfback Branson Robinson. The Chiefs shouldn’t dwell on this one as they look ahead to an important game versus the Texans. The ground has been the recipe for success for Mali this season, and I expect a ground and pound game week 7 as they take the pressure back off Lawrence.
Texans (2-4): Believe it or not, Drama played a lot closer of a game than many thought against the Rams. Drama has done a great job distributing the ball to the entire receiving core, and the return of Kyler Murray should provide a boost for the offense.
Broncos (2-4): Broncos got a little confidence boost with a divisional win against the Rams this week. Simpson took the week off throwing only 10 passes as the Broncos closed the door early, but then opened it a bit, and then closed it again. I’m not counting out the Broncos just yet as I think they have some fight left in the tank for a mid season run.
Chargers (3-3): The roller coaster ride continues for HD and the Chargers. We might as well keep his graphic on the clipboard for risers and fallers because that seems to be the theme for HD this season. One week hot, next week cold. Herbert continues to protect the ball and his rapport with Kadarius Toney has created one of the most dangerous combinations in the PML this cycle.
Titans (3-3): Their win streak is snapped at 3 in a game most thought would propel the Titans into the divisional race conversation this season. Malik Willis was nothing short of awful throwing 5 interceptions in the losing effort. The good news is Bijan Robinson is playing RB again and regained all his skills.
Eagles (3-3): The Eagles sit at .500 and are fighting their way out of the NFC East basement. Could a wildcard push be on the horizon for CB and the Eagles?
Saints (2-3): I mean the only L the Saints took this week on their bye was the Buccaneers winning and moving a little bit more ahead. Can we talk about the play of Christian Harris on the defensive side of the ball? The man is a dev-story away from becoming an absolute nightmare in PML.
Jets (2-4): So as I said before, Patrick Mahomes was supposed to be the difference maker vs teams like the Colts. Losing by 1 point is no moral victory at this point when you have this man on your roster. Fallen has to get it going, and has to get it going fast or he won’t be participating in the annual late season AFC east playoff race.
Commanders (1-5): Season may be getting out of reach for Wimmy as he went down to the CPU Eagles. Not too often have we seen this from someone who is normally a top tier user. He will need a lot to fall into place for a late season wildcard run.
Falcons (1-4): So they come out the bye week with the Rams on the schedule. Not exactly where I want to be right now if I am Greeny. I will say, I’ve seen crazier things happen. Rocky beat Drago right? Look for the Falcons to control the clock with a high dosage of JT this week.
Cardinals (2-4): The Cardinals lay a good egg just vs the Seahawks this past week. A 0 spot vs a divisional opponent in season 4 is never a good look. Zach Wilson is showing why he hasn’t found a home yet in PML this cycle. Between him and Lawrence, the 1st and 2nd pick of the 2021 have combined to play for 7 teams this cycle.
Panthers (1-5): Panthers look destined for another top 5 draft selection this season as the injury to Richardson seems too much to overcome. Will JT look at the defensive side of the ball this draft?
Lions (1-5): With Dak Prescott and Baker Mayfield on the roster, 1st year pro Max Williams seems to be the bright spot under center. Will the Lions hand him the keys moving forward? Will be interesting to see with so much cap space tied up into the 2 veteran quarterbacks.
Steelers (0-6): There comes a point where you need to take the old dog behind the shed and just shoot him, right? Arod just cannot get the job done this season. David Montgomery has more fumbles than touchdowns during his stint with the Steelers which is kind of crazy. The Steelers had 8 men on the injured list this past game. How bad did it get? RB David Montgomery was playing linebacker in the first half in the 3-4 packages, until he ultimately joined his friends on the injured list. Maybe all these guys aren’t really injured. Maybe they just don’t want to play. What a circus.
