Whereas the “Monday Evening Soccer’ doubleheader slate did not look promising, loads of storylines emerged. The New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals are spiraling, the Miami Dolphins could also be attempting to avoid wasting Mike McDaniels’ job and the Denver Broncos may really be method higher than their document suggests.
Even in victory, although, Miami has to surprise about Tyreek Hill’s future after he went down with a severe knee harm. In the meantime, the Jets might have taken the lead within the race for worst workforce within the NFL — not less than till the Joe Burrow-less Bengals made their case.
Let’s dive into the largest matters from Monday evening, deciding that are overreactions and that are actuality.
Tyreek Hill will not play an NFL down once more after knee harm
Overreaction or Actuality: Overreaction
There’s a probability Hill may return after his grotesque knee harm within the Dolphins’ win over the Jets, however the technique of getting again to this stage of play goes to be extraordinarily lengthy. Watching Hill on the bottom was troublesome, particularly for a participant who has been dominant catching the deep ball for over a decade.
Hill hasn’t been the identical participant for greater than a yr now, averaging simply 58.3 receiving yards per recreation over his final two seasons. In his first two years in Miami, he averaged 106.3 yards per recreation. The decline was already occurring earlier than this harm.
Does this imply Hill won’t ever see the sector once more? Tank Dell suffered an identical harm final season and nonetheless hasn’t returned.
Hill will not be the identical participant when he comes again, however it will likely be spectacular if he does.
Tyreek Hill harm: Dolphins star WR dislocates knee — what it means for his future and Miami’s season
Zachary Pereles
Joe Burrow is the one motive Zac Taylor has a job
Overreaction or Actuality: Actuality
Two video games with out Joe Burrow, and the Bengals offense is in full disarray. After a 2-0 begin, Burrow suffered turf toe and could also be sidelined for greater than three months. In his place, Jake Browning has struggled, and the Bengals have been downright terrible.
Cincinnati ranks final in offensive factors per recreation (6.5), whereas Browning has thrown for simply 265 yards with one landing and two interceptions (66.6 passer ranking). The Bengals have did not eclipse 175 complete yards in back-to-back video games for the primary time since 1971, they usually now have extra such video games (three) than the remainder of the league mixed.
With out Burrow, this franchise is simply an afterthought — a damning indictment of head coach Zac Taylor. We might lastly be seeing who Taylor actually is with out Burrow, though the Bengals have survived stretches with out him up to now. This can be the purpose of no return.
Broncos are the very best 2-2 workforce within the NFL
Overreaction or Actuality: Actuality
Of all of the 2-2 groups, the Broncos might have the strongest case as the very best of the bunch. Each of their losses got here on game-winning subject targets as time expired, and they’re the one workforce within the NFL that has not trailed within the fourth quarter with time on the clock this season.
One more reason Denver could make that declare? The protection has allowed fewer than 160 yards in two of its first 4 video games and presently boasts the league’s greatest purple zone protection (25.0%). The Broncos additionally rank third in opponents’ completion price at 57.5%.
If the Broncos can upset the Eagles, a run may very well be on the horizon. After Philadelphia, Denver performs 5 consecutive video games in opposition to groups beneath .500. This workforce is healthier than its document signifies.
Aaron Glenn can be a one-and-done coach
Overreaction or Actuality: Overreaction
This has been a tough begin for Glenn, who was thought-about one of many higher head-coaching hires of the offseason. The previous Jets cornerback returned to the franchise after a profitable stint with the Lions as their defensive coordinator, promising to wash up the errors which have haunted the franchise for many years.
As a substitute, the Jets look worse than ever. They’re sloppy and undisciplined, committing 13 penalties for 111 yards in Monday’s loss to the Dolphins. This is not a sensible soccer workforce both, and one has to surprise how lengthy Glenn’s accountability act will final if his workforce retains dropping.
Screaming and yelling can solely take a coach up to now, particularly with a roster this skinny on expertise. The Jets do not deal with the soccer, and they do not know tips on how to get off the sector.
Glenn may nonetheless flip it round — and it is value remembering he is solely 4 video games into his profession. However the Jets want to enhance quickly.
