Week 9 went out with an absolute thriller between the Chiefs and the BuccaneersΒ to close out the action, and we now sit at (roughly) the midway point of the season. As we turned the calendar to November, we saw some encouraging chemistry between quarterbacks and wide receivers, some unlikely standouts continuing their strong play and a feel-good moment for a player and team that needed one.
On the other hand, wheels are coming off elsewhere, with injuries, firings and other issues showing things can get late early. Here’s what we liked and didn’t like in Week 9.Β
Five things we liked
1. The Chiefs deploy DeAndre Hopkins perfectly
The Chiefs brought in DeAndre Hopkins as a guy who could simply win one-on-one. He doesn’t have to be explosive — just reliable. That vision came to life in Week 9; he caught eight of his nine targets for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Only one of his eight grabs came on a pass more than a dozen yards downfield.
Of course, the one long throw he did catch was a beauty.
The Chiefs got a wide receiver who can do both.
2. Lamar Jackson deep between the numbers
On Sunday, Lamar Jackson registered his fourth career game with a perfect passer rating, passing Ben Roethlisberger for most such games in NFL history.Β
Jackson continues to evolve as a passer in several aspects. He’s become worlds better when facing the blitz. He’s become more accurate overall. Even as a two-time MVP, he is growing leaps and bounds, and his second year in Todd Monken’s system has really helped.
Against the Broncos‘ terrific defense, Jackson took advantage of Denver’s only notable weakness — the linebackers — and attacked the middle of the field: 7 for 7 for 151 yards and a touchdown. And these were big boy throws: Jackson’s 10.4 yards downfield per throw on passes between the numbers represented his highest mark this season. The first and fourth clips below, where he threads needles over linebackers and under safeties, are simply awesome.
This season, Jackson has a 142.7 passer rating on throws between the numbers at least 10 yards downfield, tops in the NFL. He’s completing 73% of said throws, third in the NFL. It’s really impressive from the perspective of his already-amazing career.
Jackson on throws between numbers, 10+ yards downfield | 2018-23 | 2024 |
---|---|---|
Completion percentage | 59.5% | 72.9% |
Completions per game | 2.3 | 3.9 |
Passer rating | 116.2 | 147.2 |
Interception rate | 3.2% | 0% |
What a player.
When the Falcons added Darnell Mooney this offseason, we figured he was the deep threat to add to Drake London’s more possession-based game.
Instead, Mooney has become a mid-range maven, running precise routes and showing impressive chemistry with Kirk Cousins. Over 73% of Mooney’s receptions are going for a first down or touchdown, sixth among over 60 players with at least 30 receptions this season and a career high by nearly 9%. It’s not just those numbers, but how they’re coming. Look at where Mooney is relative to his defender when Cousins throws on the following plays, all completions.
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Author: Zachary Pereles
November 5, 2024 | 12:05 pm