NFC Hierarchy/Obituary: Week 8 edition

Last week: 13

10) Saints (3-4): During the Saints' loss to the Jaguars on Thursday night, Derek Carr launched a deep ball down the field to Chris Olave that landed way out of bounds and had no chance of being completed. Carr then screamed at Olave, who didn't sprint all the way through his route.

That play became a debated topic in the ensuing days, and Michael Thomas publicly clarified that Olave is not even in the progression and under no circumstances is the ball supposed to go his way.

To translate that, Thomas is saying that Carr's first look is to Taysom Hill (7) on the out route. If that's not there, his next progression is to Rashid Shaheed (22) on the quick in route from the back side. If that's not there, the next progression is to Thomas on the back side 15-yard dig route. He is also saying that Carr only looked at Hill, did not go to his next progression, and then just ripped a throw out of bounds down the field. He also acknowledges that Olave should be busting it down the sideline to clear out more space for Hill to get open on his out route.

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To begin, how is Olave not part of the progression at all? Like, what if he has a corner pressed up on him with inadequate safety help over the top, and he shakes his man at the line of scrimmage gets wide open down the field? The quarterback can't decide, "Oh well hey I'll just take the deep shot to my best receiver?" Like... what? That's garbage play design, in my opinion.

But more importantly, the Saints now have a respected veteran wide receiver who has been in the league for eight years who is publicly saying that his quarterback is not properly going through his progressions.

So that's how the Saints' season is going.

Last week: 8

9) Rams (3-4): If the Rams lose Week 8 in Dallas and some contending team loses a quarterback to injury, the Rams should deal Matthew Stafford before the trade deadline while he still has value. Aaron Donald would fetch a big return, too. Do it now, not during the offseason when you'll get a lesser return for either guy.

Last week: 7

8) Buccaneers (3-3): The Bucs have some talent in the passing game, and Baker Mayfield has actually played fine, but their rushing attack is non-existent:

It's amazing that there are 5 teams with 1 or fewer rushing TDs this season. 

Last week: 6

7) Falcons (4-3): Division leaders, and their point differentials:

1. 49ers, NFC West: +92
2. Ravens, AFC North: +74
3. Chiefs, AFC West: +73
4. Dolphins, AFC East: +53
5. Eagles, NFC East: +45
6. Jaguars, AFC South: +27
7. Lions, NFC North: +23
8. Falcons, NFC South: -18

The Falcons feel like a way worse version of the 2022 Vikings.

Last week: 8

6) Vikings (3-4): A lot of folks like to goof on Kirk Cousins (self included 🙋‍♂️), but he was legitimately awesome Monday night against the 49ers. He was under pressure for most of the night, and he still completed 35 of 45 passes for 378 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, and somehow he wasn't sacked. A lot of those throw were strikes down the field with pass rushers in his face, and none of them were to Justin Jefferson, who is out with a hamstring injury.

The hard part of the Vikings' schedule is over, as they have already played the Eagles, Chargers, Chiefs, and 49ers. Here are their next six games:

1. At Packers
2. At Falcons
3. Saints
4. At Broncos
5. Bears
6. At Raiders

Four of those games are on the road, but those are all below average teams. If they had lost to the 49ers, they might've been trade deadline sellers at 2-5. Now? Likely not.

Last week: 12