1 Key Storyline for Each NFL Team After 3 Weeks
Edition #166
Intro:
If you didn't know, we’re almost a month through the season, but one month or one week, there are so many storylines in the NFL.
Here’s how this article is going to work. I’m going to write the storyline and then explain it in one or two sentences. Week 3 is going to be for the AFC and Week 4 is going to be for the NFC, unless I’m able to get the NFC out also. This did take me more than 4 hours, so probably not.
Bills: Is Keon Coleman a Bust?
Obviously, for all of you who have him in fantasy, you’ve suffered just like I have.
Keon Coleman was set to be one of the stars of this Buffalo Bills offense with receivers like Gabe Davis gone. Instead, he’s been trending in the wrong direction since week 1. When you search Keon Coleman's stats, his stats don’t even show up on Google. That’s how bad he’s done.
After his first-quarter benching, he then stepped his game and scored his first TD. Something that has never happened in history.
Keon has 5 receptions for 75 yards and one TD. Figure it out, before it’s too late.
Jets: Has Aaron Rodgers Returned?
After game 1, many Jets fans were throwing in the towel for the season, saying that they wouldn’t ever watch another game. But, the fans who didn’t say that said this. Tyrod Taylor should be the starting QB.
Now for the 10% of fans that said keep Rodgers, they’re right. In his last 2 games, he has 457 yards. His total yardage is more than 18 QBs combined.
The Jets are also 2-0 when Aaron Rodgers does this kinda stuff. Go figure.
Dolphins: Should the Dolphins Draft Another QB?
Tua Tagovailoa is facing another concussion problem, but for him, it doesn't matter. He wants to play.
The Dolphins haven’t necessarily been good with Tua either, even with the league’s top offense last year. To keep him safe, is it time for the Dolphins to move on from Tua?
I think so, but will the Dolphins? Probably not as it will incur a major cap hit. Thinking the aftermath of the 2023 season would be the end of all this concussion stuff, the Dolphins immediately extended him to a pretty hefty deal, so cutting him is not likely.
After his contract ends, expect the Dolphins to draft another QB. After all, Tyreek Hill is an amazing wideout that’s doing absolutely nothing.
Patriots: Will Drake Maye Start?
Just looking at Jacoby Brissett’s stats won’t tell you anything about what a boom he’s been to this Patriots offense, but with the latest 21-point loss to the New York Jets, you just have to wonder how long Jared Mayo will keep this up.
Reports have come out that Drake is impressing many teammates in practice (and Aaron Rodgers) and with the 4 completions he made in the game versus the Jets, he impressed everyone. He had completions in half of his 8 throws and had 12 yards on the ground.
Will Drake Maye start? I think he’ll be starting in Week 4.
Chiefs: Will Travis Kelce be Kelce?
Kelce shocked the world last year with his football play, but also with his outside personality by dating Taylor Swift.
The Chiefs aren’t in huge problem, especially because Patrick Mahomes’s receivers this year aren’t like Kadarius Toney, but when it becomes crunch time for the Chiefs and Patrick has to trust a guy, will it be Kelce? In past years, it has been, but with his play this year, will he be the guy?
He’ll come back to football eventually. For now, he’s just Taylor Swift’s boyfriend.
Chargers: Is Dobbins Really HIM?
J.K. Dobbins has been on another level this season.
He’s currently 3rd in yards this season with 310 of them, only 14 behind 2nd place (Jordan Mason) and 41 behind the leader (Saquon Barkley). Will this continue? Will the performance continue?
He’s already showing signs of slowing down, especially with his 15 carries, and 44-yard game versus the Steelers. Good defense or bad defense, it’s an NFL defense, meaning it’s one of the best of the best.
You never know. We just have to wait and see what happens, just like for Kelce and Coleman. For now, though, J.K. Dobbins is the 3rd best RB in the league.
Broncos: Can this team finish 3rd place?
With the Raiders losing right now, there is a huge chance that the Broncos may not finish 4th place like everyone expected them to, although this is probably a long shot.
No one’s talking about Bo Nix (article coming soon), but behind the scenes, this man is performing. Even if he had a 4-int start to his career (2 games), when he played a 2023 playoff team, he went off finishing with 216 yards. Plus with receivers like Josh Reynolds and Courtland Sutton who are performing, this is a team that can go place.
Don’t expect a playoff push as the AFC West is far too hard, but do expect a good season for Broncos Country, who may be getting the “Let’s Ride” part from Bo Nix instead of Russell Wilson.
Raiders: Is Aidan O’Connell Really the Solution?
This is the topic I wanted to cover which gave me the idea for this whole article. Everyone’s been talking about how Gardner Minshew is sucking and Las Vegas should put in AOC. Have you ever wondered why?
You see, Gardner Minshew hasn’t been under a good coach yet (and please don’t say Nick Sirianni is a good coach). Since he hasn’t been under a good coach, you can’t expect him to just be good. Even the best of the best players need coaching and guidance.
What’s the problem for the Raiders here? Luke Getsy isn’t a very good offensive coordinator. Just like Kirk Cousins, Minshew is a guy who moves in the pocket a lot and if you’re going to limit him from doing that, you’re limiting the team from a win. Now, Minshew does make a few mistakes like not targeting Brock Bowers, the star rookie tight end. But, factoring in all the good things he does, and the fact that Bowers doesn’t care, he still has a plus rating.
Antonio Pierce is a good coach, but he’s a rookie coach. He isn’t experienced. The Raiders need Bill Belichick.
Steelers: Can Justin Fields Continue His Dominance?
In context, Russell Wilson was supposed to be the starting QB for this team. But, because of an injury, Fields was given a shot, and he’s absolutely killed it. Although, it’s not only him but the defense that’s also taking a heavy load.
So, will the Steelers keep him as the starter? At this point, probably. The Steelers want another winning season, something Mike Tomlin is amazing at doing, but they also want to get to the playoffs. If Fields can accomplish this, then obviously it’s Justin for the near future.
With the way things are trending, I do think that Justin Fields will continue his dominance and finally settle as the starting QB for the Steelers.
Ravens: Can the Ravens be the Ravens?
The Ravens trended in the wrong direction after the first two weeks losing to the Chiefs and the Raiders, but after a bit of a reset, edged out the Cowboys by 3.
The main problem was, that Derrick Henry wasn't being Henry and neither was Lamar Jackson. If they can get them to be themselves, I’m sorry, but this team’s going way more than 10-7.
Browns: Will the Defense Get Going?
The defense for the Browns has been horrendous this year. The defense which has always ranked #1 in the NFL for the last number of seasons, has been one of the worst this season, allowing 67 points, and their opponents haven’t been the best either. The Giants scored 21, the Cowboys scored 33, and the Jaguars scored 13.
I think once the Browns get a non-injured Myles Garrett back, this defense will go back to normal. For now, though, the offense really needs to do some good.
Bengals: Will the Bengals Make the Playoffs?
At this point, the Bengals are in a tough situation. So, are the Eagles. The Eagles are in a tough situation because they just always have something wrong, but for some reason, they find a way to win. On the other hand, the Bengals have something wrong, but can never find a way to win the game.
With a game against the Panthers in Week 4, if they don’t win this game, just throw the season. No need to win a game.
Texans: Can CJ Perform Against Good Teams?
I think this is one thing, not many people are talking about. It is basically looking at CJ Stroud. So far this season, it’s pretty evident that against good defenses, Stroud struggles. That’s normal because this guy is literally only a 2nd year QB.
But, he has receivers like Diggs, Dell, and Collins. If he can’t be doing good with these people, I don’t know who he would be good with. What a receiver core he has.
Colts: Can Jonathan Taylor keep this performance up?
Jonathan Taylor has been one of the league’s best (and fantasy’s best) RBs in the last 2 years. This year, he’s already competing to be one of the league’s best runningbacks. Can he keep it up? That’s the real question.
Nope.
Anthony Richardson is looking like an absolute bust. Jonathan Taylor is the only one keeping the Colts season afloat. If it all depends on one person, then I’m not sure what to say. Taylor is great, but he can’t keep it up forever. Shane Steichen should get back to just being an offensive coordinator.
Titans: Can Levis Be Normal?
Will Levis is better than you think. He’s just making a few mistakes, and it’s coming at the wrong time. Take a look at week 1 against the Bears. Final score? 24-17 loss because of a pick-6. Against the Jets, an interception at the wrong time. Against the Packers? 2 interceptions.
But, if you diverge from those stats and bring it back to his yardage and stuff, Levis is actually doing pretty well. He has 579 yards and 4 TDs. Like I get the panic, but the Titans are in a rebuild anyway, so why?
I believe that Levis will come back to being normal and will be one of the best QB stories seen. Whether that’s in Tennesee or someplace else.
Jaguars: Doug Pederson is on the Hotseat
It doesn't matter about if the running back, quarterback, D-line, and O-line are good because it just doesn't matter.
What does matter though is who’s leading the pack. In this case, that would be Doug Pederson, the Super Bowl-winning coach for the Philadelphia Eagles.
I was listening to the Between The Hashmarks, the podcast by
and yesterday, and they were talking about how the Jaguars HC Doug Pederson is definitely on the hot seat.I don’t have to write anything about this one. Watch/Listen to it yourselves.
(I was trying to clip it, but wasn’t able to…)
Conclusion:
And that’s it for this one. Thanks for reading this one. This took me a lot of time to write, so please please please support me by leaving a like on this article. Do you have any opinions you would like to state? DM me here on Substack, comment down below, or reach me in any way possible.
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