For me it’s a close race for the biggest surprise of Week 3. We had the Denver Broncos go into Tampa and totally take away Baker’s ability to pass the ball. Maybe, Tampa isn’t what we thought they were. Either way, they struggled and Denver’s pass D was suffocating. Tampa just couldn’t get anything going on both sides of the ball. We also had the Carolina Panthers with Andy Dalton totally dismantle the Oakland Raiders. This game showed me that it was more Bryce Young, then a bad team around him. He will need time to get back in the saddle, and that could be with another team by years end.

Those two were big surprises, but not as surprising as the Commanders beating the Bengals. This was Jayden Daniels coming out party, as he showed the world he’s the real deal. He showed poise in the pocket, and complete command of the offense. In addition, he’s smart with the ball and is not a guy who commits bad mistakes. For him to have this quality as a rookie is unheard of. The offensive line played their best game in awhile, giving Jayden ample time in the pocket. Give credit to the coaching staff who had a great game plan, and stayed aggressive going for it on a few 4th down calls. The Bengals have to go back to the drawing board and figure out how to dig out of the AFC North hole.

The post Biggest Surprises of Week 3 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

This coaching cycle was filled with big-time names and the candidate pool was large. There were some surprises along the way (see Ben Johnson) and some interesting hires. With that said, let’s break down each new coaching hire and offer grades for them.

Raheem Morris – Atlanta Falcons

It’s a full-circle moment for former Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris. Morris spent 5 years in Atlanta and filled in as head coach when Dan Quinn was fired in 2020. He spent the last three years in Los Angeles as the defensive coordinator for the Rams. Morris was part of the Rams Super Bowl winning season in 2022.

No matter where he has been one thing is certain, the players love Morris. Over the years he has had several endorsements from players including this year when cornerback Jalen Ramsey praised the hire. The offensive staff will be key for Morris in Atlanta and the Falcons recently hired Zac Robinson to fill that role. Robinson worked with Morris in LA and was the quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator.

For Morris to have success in Atlanta it will come down to the quarterback position. The Falcons will likely look at the draft to address this but it appears Desmond Ridder‘s time in Atlanta is over. This is a solid hire for the Falcons as Morris is already familiar with the organization and we already know he will get the best out of his players.

Grade: B

Dave Canales – Carolina Panthers

One of the first coaches to be hired this offseason was former Buccaneers OC Dave Canales. Although raw, Canales was excellent in his role coordinating the Bucs offense. He also helped resurrect the career of quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield is now likely to sign with the Tampa Bay long term thanks in large part to Canales.

In Carolina, Canales will look to do the same for former #1 pick Bryce Young. Young had a disappointing rookie season but due to the coaching turnover and turmoil, it’s tough to judge his on-field performances. Next year will be different for Young. Canales will work with his strengths and get the most out of his talent. If Young fails again then it won’t be on coaching more so his limitations.

For me, this is an underrated hire for the Panthers. They didn’t go after the big name but instead found the next great offensive mind. The only part I didn’t like about this hire was the 6-year contract. It’s likely that Panthers owner David Tepper needed to add the extra year to seal the deal.

Grade: B+

Antonio Pierce – Las Vegas Raiders

When Antonio Pierce took over for the fired Josh McDaniels he wasn’t given much of a chance to keep the job long-term. As the season went on though it became clear Pierce was an excellent leader and he led the Raiders to a 5-4 record down the stretch. That was good enough for 2nd in the AFC West and once the season ended it was up to ownership to make the move.

Like Raheem Morris, Pierce received several ringing endorsements for current Raiders players. None bigger than Maxx Crosby who essentially stated he would want to be traded if the Raiders didn’t bring on Pierce long term. Las Vegas ownership heard the chatter loud and clear and decided to bring on Pierce full-time.

This is another solid hire and I give credit to the Raiders leadership for listening to their players. Pierce is a natural leader and will get the most from his players. There are also indications that Las Vegas will bring in Kliff Kingsbury as their OC which is a smart move.

Grade: B+

Jim Harbaugh – Los Angeles Chargers

Perhaps the biggest name on the market this offseason was former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh had just won the National Championship and there were many indications that this was the year he would jump back to the NFL.

No matter where he’s been, Harbaugh has proven to be a winner. From Stanford to San Francisco and eventually at Michigan, Harbaugh has been successful at each stop. The former Chargers quarterback will now get a chance to coach one of the best young quarterbacks in the league Justin Herbert. Herbert still has untapped potential and Harbaugh will teach him how to be a winner.

To me, this is the best hire of this coaching cycle. Harbaugh and the Chargers are the perfect match and I expect them to compete for Super Bowls. The only downside is how long he will last in LA. Harbaugh has a tendency to not stick around long at any of his stops. If the Chargers can get a Super Bowl out of him it won’t matter in the end.

Grade: A

Jerod Mayo – New England Patriots

After it became clear Bill Belichick would not be back in New England owner Robert Kraft had a choice to make. He could either go out and find a fresh face in the coaching pool or stick with the Belichick tree and hire within. Kraft ultimately decided to hire within and promote Jerod Mayo to head coach.

Mayo spent the last 5 seasons in New England as the inside linebackers coach. Like Antonio Pierce, Mayo was praised by former Patriots players including Tom Brady who called him an excellent leader. At just 37, Mayo is still young and if he works out the Patriots will be set long term.

What’s interesting about the New England situation is that Mike Vrabel wasn’t considered. Vrabel seemed like the perfect successor to Belichick. For whatever reason the Patriots decided not to pursue him and it may come back to bite them. By all accounts, Mayo seems like a solid hire but I fear the Patriots will once again be looking for a new coach in just a of couple years.

Grade: C

Mike Macdonald – Seattle Seahawks

One of the hottest names of this coaching cycle was Ravens DC Mike Macdonald. He did wonders for Baltimore’s defense and shut down some of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL this year. Before his stop in Baltimore, Macdonald spent 1 year as defensive coordinator at Michigan.

Although only 36, Macdonald has also been praised for his leadership qualities. He will have big shoes to fill in Seattle taking over for Pete Carroll. The Seahawks have a bunch of young talented players on defense and solid pieces in place on offense. The question for Macdonald will be if he decides to keep Geno Smith.

In all, I am a fan of this hire for the Seahawks. Seattle targeted him early on and eventually got their man.

Grade: B+

Brian Callahan – Tennessee Titans

In Tennessee, it’s the end of the Vrabel era. This was perhaps the most surprising of the offseason firings. Although they had a down year the Titans were respectable with Vrabel at the helm. Former Bengals OC Brian Callahan will step in his place.

Callahan has been with Cincinnati since 2019 and helped to tutor quarterback Joe Burrow. He is somewhat of a quarterback whisperer as he was able to do wonders for Jake Browning who filled in for the injured Burrow this season. If the Titans decide to stick with Will Levis I expect to see a big improvement in his game.

I am somewhat neutral on this hire. It’s not flashy by any means but Callahan will come in and elevate the Titans offense. The big question is if he is a good leader as he will be replacing Vrabel who is known for his leadership.

Grade: B-

Dan Quinn – Washington Commanders

For Washington Commanders fans this offseason got off to a perfect start. The new ownership group led by Josh Harris was now fully in control and they took no time hiring new GM Adam Peters. Peters knows how to build NFL teams as he helped build the 49ers into a championship contender.

Many expected the next move for Peters and the Commanders was to hire Ben Johnson as their head coach. As we all know that didn’t happen as Johnson decided to stay in Detroit. We don’t really know what happened behind the scenes and perhaps Johnson was never their preferred choice but in the end, Washington decided to hire former Cowboys DC Dan Quinn.

Now Quinn was not the most popular candidate on the market but it’s hard to ignore what he has done for the Cowboys defense. Quinn completely turned around that side of the ball and will need to do the same for the Commanders. Like the other defensive coaches that were hired, Quinn will need to pick the right staff to run his offense. So the next few hires will be key.

By all accounts, Quinn seems like a great leader of men and should help change the culture in Washington. I am just not sure about the fit. I would’ve liked to see the Commanders go after a young offensive mind. Washington is going through a full rebuild and I think they should’ve gone outside of the box on this hire.

Grade: C+

The post Grading the NFL Coaching Hires of 2024 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens -9.5 (4:30 PM EST on ABC/ESPN)

This Houston Texans team continues to impress led by C.J. Stroud. Stroud once again had a near perfect performance against the Cleveland Browns in a blowout win. Going into the game the Browns had the #1 ranked defense in the league but had no answers for the Texans offense. Up next will be a much tougher test in Baltimore with a fresh Ravens team looking to start its Super Bowl run.

The Ravens are stacked on both sides of the ball and quarterback Lamar Jackson is putting up MVP numbers this season. Lamar finally has some legit threats on the outside including stud rookie receiver Zay Flowers. Jackson and the Ravens offense will look to control the clock and keep the Texans offense off the field.

In the end, the Ravens will be too much to handle for Houston putting an end to its Cinderella run. The future is bright for the Texans who have a star head coach and a legit quarterback to build around.

Game Pick: Ravens 31 – Texans 17

Green Bay Packers @ San Francisco 49ers -9.5 (8:15 PM EST on FOX)

In the Saturday nightcap, the Packers will look for another upset against the best in the NFC. San Francisco has looked the part of a potential champion all year and show no signs of slowing down. The 49ers will be rested and mostly healthy except for Dre Greenlaw who is questionable for the game.

Green Bay was the most impressive team last weekend and it’s hard not to be in awe with what Jordan Love is doing. Love is running this offense to perfection with great accuracy and pocket movement. The Packers will need another big game from Aaron Jones as balance will be a key against this 49ers defense.

I see the Packers continuing their momentum and hanging with the 49ers for most of the game. San Francisco will pull away late but this will be closer than most expect.

Game Pick: 49ers 27 – Packers 20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions -6.5 (3:00 PM EST on NBC)

Another surprise result from Wild Card weekend was Tampa Bay dominating the Eagles. I did pick the Bucs to win but was impressed at how well they looked and how bad the Eagles played. The Eagles looked like they already checked out and had issues tackling all night long. Up next for Tampa Bay will be the Lions at home and don’t expect the same tackling issues for the Lions defense.

In Detroit, everything is coming together. Their offense is one of the best in the league led by OC Ben Johnson and on defense, they are night and day better than they were last season. The Lions will need a better 2nd half performance than last week as they barely held on to get by the Rams.

Baker Mayfield looks to have found a home in Tampa Bay and I expect him to sign a long-term deal with the Bucs this offseason. Mayfield and the Bucs will keep it close for the first 3 quarters but Detroit will be too much to handle at home.

Game Pick: Lions 28 – Bucs 17

Kansas City Chiefs @ Buffalo Bills -3 (6:30 PM EST on CBS)

The best game in the Divisional round will be in Buffalo. Josh Allen and the Bills will look to finally get past Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs and they get them at home. This will be Mahomes first road playoff game which just shows how dominant the Chiefs have been lately.

Buffalo has finally found its form and continued its run with a 31 – 17 win against the Steelers last weekend. The Bills have now won 6 straight games and are one of the hottest teams in the league. What has been the winning formula for Buffalo? The ground game. The Bills are relying more on James Cook and running the ball which is putting less on Josh Allen’s shoulders.

This has been a strange year for the Chiefs who for the first time are relying more on their defense. Kansas City’s offense is just not as explosive as years past and it’s clear they miss former OC Eric Bieniemy. The Chiefs will need to break out of their offensive funk to have a chance in Buffalo.

In the end, I see Buffalo moving on as they prove to be too much at home for the Chiefs. This game will be a huge confidence boost for the Bills as they look to continue their run.

Game Pick: Bills 27 – Chiefs 24

The post Divisional Round Playoff Picks appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Quarterbacks

Start ‘Em

Jared Goff (vs. Chi) – Jared Goff’s numbers haven’t been gaudy this season but he has been consistent at the quarterback position. Goff ranks 12th in total fantasy points for quarterbacks which includes his BYE week. He had an impressive showing in the week 10 win vs. the Chargers where he had 333 yards and 2 touchdowns. Up next Goff will face the Bears at home and this is setup for Goff to have his best performance of the season. I can see Goff throwing for 3 touchdowns in this one as the Lions cruise.

Sit ‘Em

Baker Mayfield (@ SF) – Mayfield has been solid for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this year. It is somewhat surprising as many including myself, thought he would be benched by this point of the season. With that said you will need to sit Mayfield this week as he is set to face the 49ers on the road. San Francisco bounced back last week in a 34-3 throttling at Jacksonville. More importantly, the defense looked like its old self constantly pressuring Trevor Lawrence. Mayfield will be under that same pressure all game long and the Bucs offense is in for a rough afternoon.

Running Backs

Start ‘Em

Ty Chandler (@ Den) – Chandler was a priority on the waiver wire this week for a reason. Fellow running back Alexander Mattison is likely to miss this matchup which paves the way for Chandler. He will get to face the Broncos defense which is allowing the most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. Fire up Chandler this week as he is in line for a big game.

Sit ‘Em

Joe Mixon (@ Bal) – Mixon and the Bengals are set to face an angry Ravens team on Thursday night. The Ravens had a surprising collapse against the Browns last week and will be looking to bounce back vs. their division rival. The last time they met Mixon was held in check vs. this Ravens defense. I expect more of the same tonight for Mixon and the Bengals ground game.

Wide Receivers

Start ‘Em

DeVonta Smith (@ KC) – The Super Bowl rematch is the game of the week and it should be another high-scoring affair. Kansas City will no doubt prioritize locking down A.J. Brown which will give more opportunities for Smith in the passing game. Keep in mind the Eagles also likely be without tight end Dallas Goedert who is dealing with a forearm injury. This means more of a target share for Smith who has a touchdown in back-to-back games.

Sit ‘Em

Amari Cooper (vs. Pit) – Amari Cooper is in for a frustrating game vs. the Steelers. Cooper has had a nice season thus far and is in the top 12 in receiving yards with 715. Unfortunately for him and the Browns offense, Deshaun Watson is set to miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. The loss of Watson will no doubt hurt the Browns passing attack as they will rely more than ever on their stellar defense.

Tight Ends

Start ‘Em

Cole Kmet (@ Det) – Cole Kmet owners will be happy to see starting quarterback Justin Fields back in action for the Bears this week. Backup quarterback Tyson Bagent filled in admirably for Chicago but this offense is more dynamic with Fields at the helm. Kmet should find success in the passing game as the Bears are likely to be playing from behind on the road vs. the Lions.

Sit ‘Em

Tyler Conklin (@ Buf) – Conklin had his best game of the season last week in the loss vs. the Raiders. He had 70 yards on 7 receptions including a 27-yard catch and run. Don’t expect that to continue this week when the Jets head to Buffalo. Conklin was held to just 2 yards on 1 reception when these teams met in week 1. The Bills are in desperate need of a win and they will get it this week.

Start of the Week

James Conner (@ Hou) – Conner had no issues taking on the full-time role for the Cardinals last week. In his return from the IR, Conner had 73 rushing yards on 16 carries. Conner certainly looked like his old self and I expect even better numbers this week vs. the Texans. This one has the makings of a shootout and you could see last week the impact of Kyler Murray returning had for the Cardinals. Lock in Conner this week as a must-start as he is set for a big day.

The post 2023-24 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 11 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Buffalo Bills: This is the Bills team we all know and love. Josh Allen to Stefon Diggs and a defense that makes enough stops to keep the other team at bay. Miami had a chance to make a statement but they just couldn’t stop Allen.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Is this Baker Mayfield‘s resurgence with an NFL team. He has proven that he wants to stay and has the Bucs at an impressive 3-1 record.

San Francisco 49ers: 49ers are arguably the best coached team and have the best defense in the league. They also have Christian McCaffrey who ran for three touchdowns on Sunday. They face a tough Dallas D this weekend.

Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys D has been very formidable this year only second to the 49ers. Once there offense starts clicking, which starts with Prescott, they will be tough to beat.

Stock Down

New York Giants: Brian Daboll might be on the hot seat already. After a very good 2022 season where he took them to the playoffs, they look the complete opposite this year. Daniel Jones is struggling and not having Barkley in the backfield definitely hurts.

New England Patriots: What is wrong with the Patriots? Mac Jones is struggling and their defense is doing much better. This is Bill Belichick’s biggest challenge so far. Right now there is no way they make the playoffs.

Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals were favored to go to the Super Bowl if not win it this year. Something is wrong and it starts with Joe Burrow. There offense has been non-extinct. They also are not a playoff team with the Bills and Chiefs surging ahead. If the Bengals don’t turn it around with a W this weekend, it could be a long season.

Chicago Bears: Matt Eberflus is clearly not the answer at coach. He had some questionable calls on Sunday. Justin Fields hasn’t looked himself which is why I have them trending down.

The post NFL Stock Up/Down Week 4 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Quarterbacks

Justin Herbert – $7000

My number one quarterback on the main slate is going to be Justin Herbert. The Titans possess one of the best defenses in the league against the run, and Austin Ekeler is out this week, therefore we are going to watch Herbert cook. The Titans do not have a great secondary as we just watched Derek Car go for over 300 yards last week. I fully expect Herbert to get over 300 yards with at least 2 TDs.

Patrick Mahomes – $8300

In what could end up as the biggest shootout of the week, projected total 51 points, Mahomes is looking to rebound from a week 1 loss that saw him somewhat underperform. There won’t be many games that Mahomes throws the ball 40 times and him not get you 30 fantasy points. Last week Anthony Richardson had over 250 total yards and 2 TDs against this defense. Great stack opportunities with a lot of cheap chiefs pass catchers.

Baker Mayfield – $5100

Yes, that Baker Mayfield. I mentioned him last week that he had a great chance at throwing 2 TDs, and we are going right back to it. Great weapons on the outside, and a running game that isn’t getting off the ground, Baker is in another great position against the Bears. We just saw Jordan Love throw for 245 and 3 TDs, so it’s not unreal to see Baker eclipse 20 points this week. If you want to play the studs at RB and WR, this is your QB.

Running Backs

Derrick Henry – $7400

Every year we find a game that Derrick Henry is incredibly underpriced. This is that game. The King goes against a defense in the Chargers that historically struggles to stop the run, 31st in yards allowed last year. Ryan Tannehill does not look great, so you have to imagine the game script is going to involve a lot of Derrick Henry. I expect the King to return top 3 RB numbers today.

Saquon Barkley – $8000

Essentially removed from the game script last week before halftime, there are huge bounce back opportunity in a game where the Giants should control the game. The Arizona Cardinals showed last week that they can rush the QB, and Daniel Jones did not look very good against a pass rush. I expect Barkley to touch the ball 25+ times in this game, and we chase opportunity in fantasy more than anything. Barkley will have the best opportunity than any RB on the slate today top the leaderboard today.

AJ Dillon – $5900

Aaron Jones is not expected to play giving Dillon an excellent chance today to really showcase himself as a bell cow back. Jones had 127 total yards last week as the RB is a vital tool in the success of this offense. Dillon should see most of the work in the passing game as well as 20+ rushing attempts, putting him in a great position for 18+ fantasy points today.

Zack Moss – $4700

Moss is coming back from a fractured forearm in the preseason and will get the start for the Colts today against the Texans. Last week Deon Jackson looked incapable averaging 1.1 yards per carry. Zach Moss will have all the chances to own this backfield in the interim of Jonathan Taylor’s hiatus, and it starts today against a Texans defense that allowed over 100 and 3 TDs against the Ravens last week. If Moss gets in the end zone, he will return a great score on his $4700 price.

Wide Receivers

Keenan Allen – $7100

If you are playing Justin Herbert, you are stacking him with Keenan Allen today. With Austin Ekeler out, Allen could see 15 targets against a Swiss cheese Titans secondary. Last week he had 6 catches for 76 yards on 9 targets, and we realistically could double all those numbers with a score today. Throw in a touchdown and Allen could return 25 points today. Mike Williams ($5700) is another great stack play as the three of them could put you in a great spot in tournaments.

Calvin Ridley – $7200

Last week Ridley brought in 8 of 11 targets for 101 yards as it looked like Trevor Lawrence was enjoying having Ridley on the field. The clear number one option in a game where the Jaguars will be looking to keep up with Mahomes and company, Ridley could be in line for another huge game.

Chris Godwin – $6200

Chris Godwin operates out of the slot for the Buccaneers and the Bears starting slot corner will be out for this game. That sounds like a recipe for disaster for the Bears. 5 catches 51 yards on 6 targets last week and we could be looking at double those numbers with a TD. I love a Mayfield Evans Godwin stack today.

Gabriel Davis – $5800

Last week Stefon Diggs went off against a much better Jets defense, so why would you play Gabe Davis? Many are expecting a bounce back performance from Josh Allen, and the Raiders defense can be had. They will be game planning to stop Diggs and Davis should have a lot of territory to work on Sunday. Some of the best Josh Allen performances are when Gabe Davis booms, we could be looking at one of those coming here.

Tight Ends

Darren Waller – $5500

Waller is third highest priced TE on the slate today, but still priced well below Kelce $7600. I mentioned earlier that Jones did not look great against the pass rush last week, therefore the Giants should be looking to get the ball out of his hands quickly. The Giants should be able to get into the red zone, unlike last week giving Waller great opportunity to score. The Giants love throwing to the TE in the red zone, and they haven’t had a weapon like Waller at TE in a long time.

Sam LaPorta – $3900

Last week LaPorta saw 5 targets against the Chiefs and looked like a very capable playmaker hauling in all 5. The Seahawks did not look like a solid defense last week and I believe the Lions will put up some points. Jared Goff loves to go to the TE historically in the red zone and I could see LaPorta scoring today which would give a great return at a low price.

Logan Thomas – $3100

This one is pretty simple, young QBs love them some TEs. Thomas saw 8 targets last week, and if that continues, you can’t ignore that target share at that price.

Defense/Special Teams

Dallas Cowboys – $4000

Do we expect a repeat performance of last weeks Earth shattering 37 point game? Of course not, but could we actually see it? We all know what Zach Wilson is and we could see another game with a lot of sacks and turnover potential. I don’t expect this defense to disappoint at this price.

New York Jets – $2700

While the Dallas defense made the Giants defense unplayable last week, I can’t imagine a repeat performance happening. The Jets defense just made Josh Allen look like Dak Prescott, what do you think they are going to make Dak look like? The potential is Nathan Peterman. We honestly could see the Jets do to the Cowboys, what the Cowboys did to the Giants last week.

Atlanta Falcons – $2900

Call it a hunch, I think Jordan Love comes back to Earth a bit and turns the ball over against the Falcons. Atlanta can run the ball and control the clock putting Love in position to have to make plays and potentially make mistakes. I think Atlanta is a sneaky play to be a top defense this week.

The post DFS Plays for Week 2 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Now comes the hard part, finding the next quarterback to lead the team. Can Tampa Bay be successful in the post-Brady era? Let’s break that down further and offer a record prediction for the 2023-2024 season.

The Good

The strength of this Buccaneers team going forward will be at the wide receiver position. Veterans Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have been an excellent 1-2 punch when they are both healthy. Health is always a key but especially for these two as the depth behind them is not great. Evans is coming off another 1,000+ receiving yards season where had hauled in 6 touchdowns. Regardless of who the quarterback is they know they can rely on Evans when needed. The 6-5 Evans is still one of the best in the NFL at contested catches and had a 95.1 PFF grade on go-routes. He can still get down the field despite his age.

The Bad

As of now, it looks as though Baker Mayfield will get the starting quarterback duties for the Buccaneers. At this point in his career, we know what Mayfield is. He’s a serviceable QB who struggles with turnovers and is no longer as mobile as he used to be.

In 2022, Mayfield had a QBR of 24.5 the lowest of his career along with a sack rate of 9.7% the highest of his career. If I were the Bucs I would’ve started Kyle Trask to at least see what they have in him. Regardless of who they roll out there, it’s tough to see Tampa Bay being successful until they upgrade the quarterback position.

The Prediction

This will be a tough season for the Buccaneers despite the NFC South being one of the weakest divisions in the NFL. Tampa Bay still has talent on both sides of the ball that will keep them in games. Ultimately it won’t be good enough and I wouldn’t be surprised if they trade some of their stars.

2023 Record: (5-12 4th in the Division)

The post Tampa Bay Buccaneers Record Prediction for 2023 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Atlanta Falcons: RB Tyler Allgeier [ADP: 100.1]

Tyler Allgeier had a low-key amazing rookie season when he ran for 1035 yards and three TDs. In the last four games of the season, he ran for 431 yards and two TDs. You’d suspect that he’d be called the starter for the upcoming season, but Bijan Robinson says hello. The reps will go down as he’ll have to split with Bijan. The talent, however, is there and he’ll still get his reps. In his position, he’s worth a look at your flex position or stock up on depth as RBs run out very fast.

Carolina Panthers: RB Miles Sanders [ADP: 83.3]

Miles Sanders is in a new home when he got a four-year contract to play for the Carolina Panthers. The former Eagles RB had a career year when he ran for 1269 yards and 11 TDs. He’ll be the focal point in the Panthers’ offense as Bryce Young will slowly be eased in as QB. He doesn’t have to worry about reps also as he’ll receive the majority of the reps in the backfield. Miles Sanders at 83.3 is a steal.

New Orleans Saints: WR Michael Thomas [ADP: 125.6]

Is it time to trust Michael Thomas again? He was remarkable in the first three games of the season when he got at least five receptions and three TDs. The difficult part is that he never played after Week 3 due to injury. At 125.6, he’s worth a gamble with all his upside and he’ll have Derek Carr as his QB. Be wary of his injury history as you should have backup WRs in mind.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Baker Mayfield [ADP 161.4]

Now, things may change as Kyle Trask might be the QB when the season starts. For now, we will rely on Baker’s experience as the current starter for Tampa Bay. People will be making fun of Baker’s missed throws in practice, but he’ll be enjoying once he gets more time with so many weapons such as Mike Evans and Chris Goodwin. He might be a sneaky backup option if you’re looking for a QB in the late part of the draft. Baker will also be motivated as this might be his last chance to be a starter.

The post NFC South: Biggest Fantasy Sleepers appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Atlanta Falcons: How Will The Young Offensive Core Do?

The Atlanta Falcons have a sneaky young offensive core that could be one of the NFL’s best sooner rather than later. Kyle Pitts, the super TE, had a rough sophomore season where he barely got passes and got hurt. Drake London had a solid rookie season where he got 72 catches for 866 yards and four TDs. The Falcons started their draft with RB Bijan Robinson, the best RB prospect in a while. All of these while having Desmond Ridder as your QB. Now, the Falcons have put their faith in Desmond this season, but he’s not the QB you would have as your starter. Hopefully, the OC can help lessen the load by giving simple plays to Ridder and let the three do the work. In case it doesn’t work out, there are big names in the upcoming draft who can be the final piece in the core.

Carolina Panthers: Will Bryce Young Get The Start Right Away?

Bryce Young and the Panthers have started camp and there have been some action shots of him taking reps. Currently, Andy Dalton is the starter in name. He is a solid QB but he’s not worth sitting the future for the entire season. The Panthers reloaded this offseason with the additions of Adam Thielen and Hayden Hurst. They did a good job putting in a roster that can lessen the workload of the QB. Now, the million-dollar question is if it’s Bryce Young time by Week 1. Personally, I don’t mind Dalton being the starter of Week 1, but if times are telling, you have to give the keys to Bryce as soon as possible to see if he’s worth the hype.

New Orleans Saints: Can Derek Carr Lead The Saints To The Best Record In The Division?

The odds according to Vegas have slotted the Saints to be the division winner for the NFC South. The Saints were filled with injuries and uncertainties last season as multiple QBs had looks during the season. Currently, Derek Carr is more stable than anyone they had last season. Personally, he’s also the best QB they had since Drew Brees. He’ll have a core of weapons with Kamara, Olave and MT if healthy. With almost every team having a young and inexperienced QB, Carr just needs to be solid enough for the Saints to have home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Tampa Bay Buccanneers: Can Baker Mayfield Keep The Critics Quiet?

The Tom Brady era in Tampa Bay has finished as he officially retired again. His impact in Tampa Bay will be missed but it’s time to look forward. Baker Mayfield has signed with Tampa Bay after stints in Carolina and the Rams last season. It’s been a rocky past few years for the former top pick of the draft. Going to Tampa Bay is a fresh start for him as he looks to regain his footing in the NFL world as a starting-caliber quarterback. There’s still a lot of talent on offense and defense and the division is still very open. Baker can change the narrative about himself and potentially save his career by being a solid starter in Tampa Bay. However, a bad season means Tampa Bay getting a high pick to draft their QB of the future and potentially Baker losing his starter status permanently.

The post NFC South: Biggest Question to be Answered Per Team appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

Analytics involves the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data in order to make informed decisions. In the NFL, this data can come from a variety of sources, including player statistics, game film, and player tracking technology. By analyzing this data, teams can gain a deeper understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of their opponents.

The Benefits of Analytics in the NFL

Analytics can provide teams with a more comprehensive view of a player’s abilities and limitations. This can help teams to make more informed decisions when it comes to player scouting, drafting, and roster construction. For example, the Cleveland Browns used analytics to identify quarterback Baker Mayfield as a strong prospect in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Browns analytics team analyzed Mayfield’s college statistics and game film to determine that he had the arm talent, accuracy, and leadership qualities necessary to succeed in the NFL. Clearly in the long run this did not pan out for the Browns but they are still the leaders in the clubhouse when it comes to the use of analytics.

Another way teams can use analytics is to gain a deeper understanding of their opponents tendencies and strategies. This information can be used to develop game plans that take into account the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing team. The New England Patriots, for instance, are known for their meticulous game preparation. They are the best at this in the modern game today but do they use analytics in that process? Head Coach Bill Belichick has spoken out in the past about the use of analytics and that he prefers the old school approach. However the Patriots are known to use analytics in their scouting department when it comes to the draft and seem to be warming up to the trend.

By using analytics to identify areas for improvement, teams can more effectively allocate resources and make changes to their operations. This can lead to increased efficiency and a better overall performance. The Dallas Cowboys, use analytics to optimize their practice schedule and reduce the risk of player injury. By analyzing player workload and injury data, the Cowboys were able to make changes to their practice schedule that reduced the number of soft-tissue injuries suffered by players.

The world of NFL analytics is constantly evolving and teams should make use of the latest technology. Player tracking systems to collect data and gain a deeper understanding of the game have become commonplace. This data can be used to inform decisions and improve performance on the field. Most teams by now use the Zebra Sports player tracking system to collect data on player speed, acceleration, and other metrics. This information is used to inform game planning and player development decisions.

How Teams Can Use Analytics to Reach the Super Bowl

Analytics can provide teams with the information they need to make informed decisions on and off the field. This can range from player personnel decisions to play calling during games. The Los Angeles Rams used analytics to inform their play-calling during their Super Bowl run in 2018. The Rams analytics team along with the coaches identify the most effective plays and formations to use in different game situations. Head Coach Sean McVay admitted that analytics play an important role but to know the flow of the game and when to push buttons is just as important.

When it comes to the Kansas City Chiefs they also use analytics to inform their play-calling and game strategy. Like McVay, head coach Andy Reid still believes in the human element of the game and he has the ability to make the final call on the play in any situation. Still though these two teams have arguably been the most successful NFL teams recently and the fact that they embrace analytics is no surprise.

By now almost every NFL team has an analytics department in charge of using many data points to guide their football decisions. With the use of technology, analytics can be a very powerful tool to help propel teams to the Super Bowl. Those that fully accept analytics will have the upper hand on gameday and beyond.

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