McCaffrey does all of it; Vikings are legit; Steelers are a large number: 3 up, 3 down

Geoff Schwartz

FOX Sports activities Betting Analyst

Week 8 of the NFL season is nearing closure, with solely Monday Evening Soccer left to be performed. After 13 video games on Sunday, whose inventory has moved up and down? I've my solutions.

Up

A.J. Brown — Philadelphia Eagles

I have been on the document in my perception {that a} single huge receiver has far much less of an impression on profitable and shedding than most soccer followers want to consider. For instance, the commerce of Tyreek Hill has not impacted the Chiefs' win-loss document. Davante Adams has not helped the Raiders win in any respect. However like all theories, it is by no means absolute — and on occasion a transaction for a large receiver can remodel an offense and/or the quarterback. That is what AJ Brown has completed for the Eagles offense.

The Eagles offense lacked a constant downfield passing assault final season. I strongly consider you may't win at an elite degree on this sport with out explosive passes. This kind of passing assault would loosen up a protection that might be geared as much as cease the excellent Eagles run recreation. Philadelphia traded for Brown to assist Jalen Hurts unlock a deep passing risk for the offense and it was on full show Sunday. Brown had three first-half touchdowns and completed the sport with six receptions for 156 yards. He has completely made an impression. Safeties must find Brown as a substitute of specializing in the run recreation, and the Eagles speeding assault will get extra favorable coverages to run the rock. This commerce has already borne fruit in Philadelphia.

Christian McCaffrey — San Francisco 49ers

In his second recreation since being traded to the 49ers, McCaffrey's numerous talents have been on full show. When the commerce for CMC was made, I assumed it solely made sense for the Niners if CMC was in a position to create explosive passing performs. They didn't want him to run between the tackles; they've that recreation already. They want him to make performs in house, and with out Deebo Samuel within the lineup Sunday, CMC was that man. McCaffrey had eight catches for 55 yards, together with an superior landing catch. He added 94 yards on the bottom. Plus he threw for a landing on a trick play.

I'll warning restraint over right now's efficiency by saying the Niners personal the Rams within the common season. No matter they do on offense appears to work towards Los Angeles. So whereas CMC was in a position to unlock extra yards and extra factors, their system all the time appears to work towards this workforce. I wish to see it towards different opponents earlier than rendering judgment on the impression of CMC on this offense.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings are 6-1 and have the second-best win share within the NFC. They've completely not gotten the respect they deserve for his or her quick begin this season. They've crushed a single workforce with a profitable document, and that was the Dolphins with out Tua as their quarterback. The Vikings are proper across the center of the pack in each offensive and defensive effectivity they usually lacked some massive performs within the passing recreation. That appeared to alter after their bye towards the Cardinals. Each Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen had explosive catches right now and Cousins averaged 6.4 yards per try. That quantity is low however it's larger than what we have seen from the Vikings. That could be a optimistic enchancment. The Vikings cross rush was in a position to hound Kyler Murray right now and make his life troublesome. The Vikings protection additionally stymied the Cardinals' conventional working recreation The Vikings are on observe to win the NFC North and whereas they won't get them the appreciation they deserve, their inventory is approach up.

Vikings defeat Cardinals 34-26 after two clutch sacks by Minnesota protection on final two performs of the sport

The Vikings' protection proved to be the heroes of their 34-26 victory over the Cardinals. Za'Darius Smith and Harrison Phillips got here up with the sacks.

Down

Los Angeles Rams

The place to start? The Rams are simply not good proper now, and it appears unlikely that modifications this season. GM Les Snead's mantra is "F*** them picks," and whereas it labored final 12 months, the shortage of depth on the roster is exhibiting now. Their offensive line is a wreck, they don't have any dependable working backs they usually don't have any cross rush exterior of Aaron Donald. Matthew Stafford's arm would not look as crisp and Allen Robinson hasn't helped a lot. To make issues worse, it seems Cooper Kupp sustained a doubtlessly severe harm on the finish of their loss to the 49ers. If he is out for any time frame the Rams offense will actually wrestle to attain.

Sadly, it is troublesome to see any path ahead exterior of including a number of items by the commerce deadline, one thing the Rams shouldn't do. The Rams have the Bucs, Chiefs, two video games with the Seahawks, Chargers and extra challenges forward. With the 49ers and Seahawks enjoying the way in which they're, it seems the Rams is not going to be a playoff workforce.

NFC South

The worst division in soccer might even see a workforce with a shedding document win the division. After the wildest recreation of the day, the place the Falcons ought to have misplaced a number of instances however received anyway, they're 4-4 and lead the division. However what do the Falcons do effectively? Run the ball? OK, certain. The Saints and Panthers are 3-5, and if the Saints can get wholesome, simply can be feisty. The Panthers are simply adequate to make video games shut however they will not be profitable greater than six video games this season. The most suitable choice for a workforce with a profitable document to take the division crowd is Tampa Bay. The Bucs seem fully damaged proper now. They can not do something accurately however they've Tom Brady. In addition they have a struggling offensive line, horrific play calling at instances and huge receivers with drop points. I simply make it a behavior to not rely out Tom Brady.

Atlanta pulls off a wild victory in additional time versus the Panthers

Carolina tied the sport with 12 seconds left within the recreation however due to an unsportsman-like conduct penalty after the Panthers' landing they have been pushed again and missed the PAT.

Pittsburgh Steelers

I performed in over 80 video games, and stood on the sidelines for an additional 40 or so. In these 120 video games, I can rely on my hand the variety of instances the workforce I used to be enjoying on, or enjoying towards, executed a whole line change with the substitutes. It is uncommon as a result of even in a blowout there's all the time a sense a comeback can occur. Additionally, guys have play time bonuses and different incentives to maintain enjoying. Nicely, the Eagles had an empty-the-bench recreation, with all of the gamers who dressed getting a chance to play as a result of there was no shot the Steelers might make a comeback. Eagles heart Jason Kelce was even noticed carrying a Halloween masks on the sidelines in the course of the fourth quarter.

That is a good distance of claiming the Steelers are unhealthy. They're uncompetitive towards any competent opponent. They misplaced to the Payments 38-3 and the Eagles 35-13. The offense was anticipated to wrestle as Kenny Pickett realized the place however the scheme is so terrible it would not assist the younger quarterback. The protection nonetheless flashes towards the worst offenses, however they're clearly lacking T.J. Watt. When he comes again, I am curious to see if the protection retains them in video games.

Geoff Schwartz performed eight seasons within the NFL for 5 totally different groups. He began at proper deal with for the College of Oregon for 3 seasons and was a second-team All-Pac-12 choice his senior 12 months. He's an NFL analyst for FOX Sports activities. Comply with him on Twitter @GeoffSchwartz.

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