C.J. Stroud refuses to remain buried

Few gamers had as lengthy of an offseason as Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Regardless of the Texans profitable a playoff sport for the third consecutive yr, it was the best way their quarterback performed within the postseason that had many suggesting that Houston ought to entertain buying and selling the previous No. 2 total decide. In two playoff video games to shut out the 2025 season, Stroud threw two touchdowns to 5 interceptions and fumbled 5 instances. His 4 interceptions in opposition to the New England Patriots proved to be self-inflicted wounds that couldn’t be patched up, and Houston was despatched house within the divisional spherical for the third consecutive yr.

What adopted was seven months of revisionist historical past. Stroud was talked about as if he was Landry Jones or Matt Barkley regardless of having a really strong 2025 season. Of all 45 quarterbacks to play 100 snaps, Stroud was tenth in EPA per play, per Sumer Sports activities – increased than Sam Darnold, Caleb Williams, and Lamar Jackson. He was eleventh in DVOA – increased than Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Regardless of lacking three video games, he nonetheless topped 3,000 yards, and was on tempo for practically 3,700 yards by the air, which might have put him above each Allen and Mahomes in that stat, as properly.

None of that is to say that Stroud is healthier than the consensus prime two quarterbacks in soccer, however it’s to say that those that have been portraying him as a replaceable-level man jumped the gun and allowed two very dangerous performances cloud what was a superb exhibiting from Stroud in 2025 as a complete.

Which brings us to 2026. A yr after the Texans began 0-3, they one-upped themselves and started the season 0-4. Regardless of that, their quarterback was enjoying terrific. Throughout that span, Stroud accomplished practically 70 p.c of his passes whereas rating sixth within the NFL in passing yards and throwing 5 touchdowns to zero interceptions. In losses to the Buffalo Payments and Dallas Cowboys, Stroud put Houston forward within the fourth quarter and scored 30+ factors in each video games – one thing that ought to have been greater than sufficient for a protection seen by most as the most effective within the NFL. Nonetheless, each Josh Allen and Dak Prescott dissected Houston’s secondary, with CeeDee Lamb going off for 17 receptions and a game-winning landing within the latter matchup.

The Texans lastly bought within the win column in Week 5 in opposition to the Tennessee Titans, which arrange a Week 6 matchup in London in opposition to the 4-1 division-leading Jacksonville Jaguars. As soon as once more, Stroud was nails, going 24-of-34 for 312 yards, three touchdowns and an interception – his first interception on the season. He would make up for the interception on the ultimate drive of the sport, main Houston into discipline purpose vary on seven performs to arrange a Ka’imi Fairbairn discipline purpose.

After burying themselves alive, the Texans have punched a hand by the filth. Though many foresaw this group being close to the highest of the NFL with their protection main the best way, it’s been their oft-ridiculed quarterback that has led the cost. Six weeks into the season, Stroud is tied with Mahomes with the seventh-highest EPA per play (min. 100 snaps) and his 20 influence performs are the second-most within the league, trailing solely Josh Allen and Jordan Love, who every have 21.

Too many individuals grew to become too comfy writing the obituary of Stroud in Houston. And after they themselves appeared to slam the lid on their very own coffin, it’s their so-called fraudulent quarterback that has given them an indication of life.

That was the chilly open – that is the Sizzling Learn.

Los Angeles Rams proceed to beat themselves

The Rams constructed a group filled with future Corridor of Famers on offense and protection, but they’re 2-4 and in final place within the NFC West by six weeks. Why? as a result of their particular groups unit is the worst within the NFL. They’ve solely tried 10 discipline objectives on the season, however missed 4 of them, together with a possible game-winner in opposition to the Buffalo Payments that was blocked. Even when Greg Rousseau didn’t block the kick, the trajectory seemed as if it was going to be vast left. The Rams then waived kicker Harrison Mevis for his poor efficiency and signed Blake Grupe, who instantly tore his ACL after his first discipline discipline purpose making an attempt to make a deal with on the following kickoff. This led to the Rams not kicking discipline objectives or additional factors till the ultimate drive the place they introduced out punter Ethan Evans to kick the go-ahead additional level. (He made it.) Evans then kicked the ball into the tip zone for a touchback, which gave the Cardinals the ball on the 35 yard-line. 5 performs and one pointless roughness penalty later, Chad Ryland was in place to kick the game-winning discipline purpose.

On prime of their kicking sport being brutal to observe, they rank thirty first within the NFL in common internet yards per punt, and they’re permitting the fourth-most yards per kick return. Main 16-0 within the third quarter, Evans booted a punt to the Broncos’ 30 yard-line, which was then returned practically 30 yards to the Rams 42 yard-line – a internet of simply 29 yards. Denver took benefit of the brief discipline and scored their first factors of the sport. On prime of the sector purpose kicking woes in opposition to the Payments, Ray Davis practically housed the opening kickoff and arrange simple factors for the Payments to start the sport.

This isn’t something new, both. They misplaced on a blocked discipline purpose final season to the Philadelphia Eagles, and a punt return by Rashid Shaheed in opposition to the Seahawks final season kick-started Seattle’s 16-point come from behind win, which finally gave them the No. 1 seed within the convention.

This isn’t to say that particular groups is the only real purpose for the Rams’ struggles – the offense has moist the mattress in massive moments. Even with the poor punt protection in opposition to the Broncos, a pick-six thrown by Stafford and the protection instantly turning into unable to cease Bo Nix finally value them a win. Sure, the cross interference known as on what seemed to be the game-sealing interception was bogus, and the NFL admitted as a lot, however they shouldn’t have been in that place to start with. In opposition to the Payments in additional time, the Rams had marched down the sector all night time. But on Third-and-5, Sean McVay known as a run that gained zero yards after a swing cross was sniffed out for a brief achieve of 5, which then led to the aforementioned Mevis miss. In opposition to Arizona, dialing up a display screen cross on Third-and-8 was the offense in a nutshell. The Cardinals are the NFL’s worst protection by way of factors allowed, and a loaded Rams offense was solely capable of put up 16 factors. And, oh by the best way, they are going to now be with out Davante Adams for 6-10 weeks as a result of a hamstring damage. Sure, they’ll get Myles Garrett again, which shall be an enormous enhance, however the points with this group can’t simply be chalked as much as “figuring issues out” early within the season anymore. We’re practically two months in, and the warts are nonetheless there relating to closing out video games and making sensible play-calls in massive moments. In case your head coach can’t execute in clutch moments to place his group in advantageous conditions, it doesn’t matter how good the gamers on the sector are, which places McVay underneath a really giant microscope for the remainder of the season.

NFL commerce targets to observe

The NFL commerce deadline is Tuesday, November 10. And now that we largely know which groups have separated from the pack, and which of them by no means left the beginning line, there shall be names that come up in commerce discussions.

For starters, let’s take a look at the Colts and working again Jonathan Taylor. Indianapolis simply fired basic supervisor Chris Ballard after a 2-4 begin and a loss to the winless Tennessee Titans. Certain, the AFC South continues to be considerably inside attain, as they’re simply two video games behind the Jaguars for first place, however their rapid schedule might see them proceed to slip. They’ll journey to Minnesota in Week 7 to face the undefeated Vikings, after which go on the highway once more to face the Jaguars in Week 8. If they’re 2-6 at that time, they need to actually entertain calls on Taylor. The Broncos would make quite a lot of sense, as they want one thing on offense to lean on, They actually can’t grasp their hat on their passing sport, in the event you may even name an aDOT of lower than six yards “passing,” so buying Taylor and leaning into being bullies on the bottom might give Denver an identification.

In that very same ilk, Colts defensive deal with DeForest Buckner is somebody I’d watch intently. He was very outspoken following the loss to Tennessee, and is among the higher defensive linemen within the NFL. A contending group who desires so as to add a star on its line of defense ought to name and see what it could value to accumulate the previous All-Professional.

Sticking within the AFC South, Jacksonville Jaguars vast receiver Brian Thomas Jr. didn’t play a snap within the second half in opposition to the Texans, and has zero catches over his final two video games. It’s evident that he has misplaced favor with Liam Coen, as Travis Hunter was given extra appears to be like offensively, and Josh Cameron has seemingly turn out to be the WR3 within the offense behind Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers. Thomas was a Professional Bowler who put up practically 1,300 yards as a rookie. Accidents noticed his numbers decline in 2025, and an inflow of different expertise has seen him go down the pecking order. A recent begin with a group in want of weapons, i.e. the Steelers, Ravens, Payments, Chiefs, or 49ers, would make quite a lot of sense, particularly San Francisco who seemingly are all the time in want of receiver assist as a result of accidents.

In the identical boat of receivers, Stefon Diggs needs to be a reputation to observe. The Commanders are 1-4-1 and Dan Quinn’s seat is so scorching that he could also be sitting on the bottom because of the chair utterly burning. I’d say those self same groups that would name about Thomas would additionally give Adam Peters a name about Diggs.

The NFL’s ever-competitive North divisions

How concerning the NFC and AFC North? All eight groups throughout the 2 divisions have a file north of .500. The shock Vikings are one among three groups that stay unbeaten at 5-0, whereas the Packers have overcome an embarrassing house opening loss to the Falcons to get to 4-2. In the meantime, the Bears went 2-1 with out Caleb Williams, and the previous No. 1 total decide returned with a 300-yard efficiency to get the Bears to a 4-2 file, as properly. And at last, there are the Lions to spherical out the NFC North at 3-2, who are actually coming off their bye week following a 45-point outing in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals.

On the AFC facet, sure, that does say the Cleveland Browns are in first place at 4-2, with two of their 4 wins coming in opposition to divisional opponents. The Steelers additionally sit at 4-2 following a 13-point comeback win over the Buccaneers, and Aaron Rodgers is quietly second within the NFL in landing passes whereas the protection has allowed simply two touchdowns over its final two video games. The Ravens are the third 4-2 group within the division and are coming off a loss to these first-place Browns of their second sport with out Lamar Jackson, who’s recovering from a sprained ankle. The Bengals sit on the backside of the division, however at 3-2 are only a half-game behind their three foes, and Joe Burrow is off to a scorching begin with 11 landing passes in 5 video games.

It’s virtually assured that at the least two of those groups received’t be capable of maintain what they’re doing proper now, and it very properly could also be each division leaders. The Vikings and Browns discipline two of the NFL’s greatest defenses, but additionally the 2 worst offenses of the eight groups. It’s becoming that each of their offenses sport the very same EPA per play (-0.14) and their success charges are just about similar as properly, with Minnesota simply 0.2 p.c higher in that class than Cleveland. Since Week 2, each groups have defenses that rank within the prime three in defensive success charge, and each are additionally prime 5 in defensive EPA per play. And whereas each the Browns and Vikings have been the surprises of their respective divisions, it’s exhausting to make the case that they will maintain wins when their offenses simply aren’t doing what’s required to make this final over a 17-game season.

One play that modified all the pieces for the Pittsburgh Steelers

There have been a number of performs within the fourth quarter and additional time that you possibly can level to for the Pittsburgh Steelers that led to their largest fourth-quarter comeback since 1992. Jamel Dean selecting off Jalon Daniels resulting in a go-ahead discipline purpose or Jalen Ramsey’s game-sealing sack might each be performs we spotlight, nevertheless it’s a Third-and-long completion that stands above all.

The Steelers misplaced the additional time coin toss and the Buccaneers deferred, that means if the Steelers failed to attain, the Bucs would simply want a discipline purpose to win. It seemed as if Tampa Bay was going to make fast work of the Steelers’ offense, forcing them right into a Third-and-13. Nonetheless, whereas going through stress, Aaron Rodgers uncorked a cross to DK Metcalf over the center of the sector. Metcalf fought by an oncoming defender to haul within the catch to choose up 16 yards and the primary down. Metcalf would catch two extra passes on the drive earlier than Germie Bernard caught the game-winning rating because the Steelers got here again from trailing 16-3 to win 26-19.

Purchase: Three coaches shall be fired earlier than commerce deadline

Proper now, I’d say Dan Quinn, Todd Bowles, and Shane Steichen will all be let go earlier than Week 10. As we already mentioned, Quinn could also be packing up his workplace as we communicate, and Steichen might not be far behind after the loss to Tennessee. The Bucs ought to have moved on from Bowles after the huge collapse we noticed final season. It was totally clear they reached the ceiling with him in cost. As an alternative, they scapegoated and fired nearly each offensive coach on the workers and stored Bowles. At 1-5, I’d anticipate him to be gone ahead of later. When it comes to which job of these three is probably the most enticing, it’s most likely Tampa. They’ve a franchise quarterback in Baker Mayfield and a few younger items on each side to be inspired about. Washington has actual questions on if Jayden Daniels is the man, and it appears to be like as in the event that they’ll want a brand new platoon of pass-catchers with Terry McLaurin struggling one more critical damage. Even so, the Washington job is healthier than the Colts job, as Indy doesn’t have a first-round decide or a long-term reply at quarterback.

Promote: The Broncos as Tremendous Bowl contenders

All of us watched no matter that was from the Broncos offense this previous Thursday. I’d name it a soccer sport, however what Bo Nix does isn’t soccer. Certain, by dictionary definition, he’s a quarterback. He takes the snap, the ball leaves his hand, and finally ends up with one other participant on the sector, however he doesn’t play quarterback. Instantly throwing the ball 4 yards behind the road of scrimmage isn’t enjoying quarterback, it’s a training workers enjoying scared as a result of they know they don’t have a superb quarterback. I don’t care how nice the protection is – and it’s nice – as a result of the quarterback is the worst starter within the NFL. You may’t win a championship with that.

Purchase: Josh Allen’s flip cross is among the greatest highlights in NFL historical past

I simply wanted an excuse to speak about this. Josh Allen has made sufficient performs to fill a ebook that we learn to our grandkids someday. And when he’s studying his speech in Canton, two performs we are able to assure that shall be proven are the Lake Impact Lateral agains the 49ers within the snow, and this one in opposition to the Raiders on Sunday. Allen prevented stress from a number of Raiders defenders, together with Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce whereas trying like he was about to scramble. As an alternative, because the Raiders protection closed in on him, he merely backhand shuffle-passed the ball into the tip zone to an open Keon Coleman for a landing, very remnant of the Brett Favre flip landing cross in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks. When you needed to point out who Josh Allen is as a participant, that is the play you’d present.

Promote: The Seahawks are Tremendous Bowl contenders

I stated within the preseason that the Seahawks could be this yr’s Lions – a group that misplaced a stud offensive coordinator and could be worse off due to it. By means of six video games, they’re 3-3. Sam Darnold is second within the NFL in interceptions, twenty ninth in EPA per play (min. 100 snaps), and he’s barely finishing 60 p.c of his passes. Seattle’s offense as a complete is twenty fifth in EPA per play, and so they can not run the ball in any respect (thirtieth in EPA per rush). It’s important to consider John Schneider is taking a look at what Kenneth Walker is doing proper now in Kansas Metropolis and kicking himself for not paying the Tremendous Bowl MVP. Much like Denver, the Seahawks’ protection is terrific, as they rank second within the league in defensive EPA per play and are permitting the fewest passing yards per try within the league. When your offense constantly turns the ball over and may’t rating, although, your ceiling turns into very low.

I stated Love would have 321 yards and three touchdowns, and if Matthew Golden and Christian Watson might maintain onto balls that hit them immediately within the palms, Love would have had 4 scores. Regardless, I’ll take the win as we get to a present file of 2-2-1 in our predictions.

The NFL continues to be sending the Saints and Steelers to Paris for some purpose, seemingly not fearful concerning the civil unrest happening within the metropolis. So I’ll predict a fan/protestor will run onto the sector throughout the first ever sport to happen in Paris with some type of political message. Whether or not it’s painted on them or on an indication, that’s my prediction for Week 6.