“Cracking The Code!”- Codes’ Storylines of The Week
Stroud gets XF: The best QB race seemed to be between Stroud, Love, and Jacurri after Danny Dimes stepped out. All 3 QBs desperate for a cycle changing dev upgrade… but then Stroud gets a XF breakout game against the Titans. Stroud is already one of the best QBs in the league statistically, now he’s XF. Yes I understand he got pretty bad abilities, but he still has a chance at a few solid ones when he unlocks 90 overall.
Lamar not looking right: Lamar in S1 finished with 3.8k passing yards, 41 passing TDs, 26 INTs, 1.1k rushing yards, and 17 rushing TDs. S2 he took a step back on the ground, but was pass happy with 4.7K passing yards and 42 TDs. S3 once again not dominant on the ground with less than 200 rushing yards, but was able to pass for 3.6 k yards and 39 TDs. Before this season we were promised S1 Lamar. This season he has 800 yards rushing and 7 TDs on the ground which is looking like year 1 Lamar, but the passing attack he has 2.6k passing yards, 20 TDs, and 26 INTs. We have never seen Lamar even come close to having a negative TD-INT ratio, but now he’s -6. Hopefully he finishes these last few weeks strong. Prime Lamar is good for the league.
Codes’ Unknown Heroes of the Week
Noah Cain (25 rushes, 112 yards, 1 TD): I have no idea where the Vikings are consistently finding these random players who have a career game each week, yet here we are watching Noah Cain who had 194 rushing yards all of last season rush for 112 in just one game. Can’t wait to see which mailman CEO brings out next week.
EJ Jenkins (3 catches, 134 yards, 2 TDs): EJ stepped up big for the Niners in the win vs the Rams. Was a crucial game for both teams, and I am sure EJ was not a focus in the film room when the Rams were preparing for their game. I’m sure next time they’ll watch for him.
“Fallen From Grace”- Fallen’s Takeaways
The Streak is Alive (Cue Undertaker Music) – The Cincinnati Bengals impressive 27-14 defeat over the Cleveland Browns extends their winning streak to 8 games. Joe Burrow had a 12-7 touchdown to interception ratio the first four weeks of the season when the Bengals went 1-3, but since the streak started in week 5, Joey B has a 21-6 ratio. Burrow has the ultimate combination of abilities in Fearless, Set Feet Lead, and Pocket Deadeye, but you have to give Cammy all the credit in the world for not folding and reverting back to previous cycles of his former self.
Rags to Riches (Da Bears on Top) – SPdot wanted to see his Chicago Bears atop the power rankings and he put in the effort to make that happen. Jordan is feeling the love of his offense. The Bears find ways to spread the ball around on offense with five receivers having over 400 yards through the air and two halfbacks having over 70 carries a piece. I like that Chicago’s offense isn’t centered around gimmicky plays, but aside from a shutout early on in the season, all of Chicago’s division games have been won within one score. It’s a testament to Dot’s ability to recognize how his division rivals are going to play him and so far he’s clutched up when it has mattered most.
2 for the Money (Tank Season)– The Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, and the Arizona Cardinals all are tied with just two wins on the season, but which of these teams will take the next step in season 5? One of Arizona’s two wins was against the Saints, however, The New Orleans Saints have the roster to bring the heat, but could this season have turned out any different, I think so. 5 of the Saints 10 losses are within one score and with a few slight adjustments in those games, the Saints could be sitting at 7-5 tied for the division lead and in full control of their playoff hopes. You’ve seen Burn criticizing all of the interceptions that have been thrown this season by X-factor quarterbacks, but you can’t forget that Bryce Young could have been built to an X-factor if it wasn’t for a miss on dev regression. CJ Stroud over in Seattle has been developed into an X-factor quarterback, it’s a curious thought as to if the draft has a do over, if he’d select Young over Stroud.
Division Rankings
Division Rankings are based on averages between each team in each separate division. We’ll have a separate post moving forward but enjoy this weeks rankings.
