Five general NFL thoughts on the New England Patriots’ bye week.
The New England Patriots’ bye week is finally here. This season the Patriots are one of six teams with the latest-possible bye week. With no matchup to preview, this week’s ‘5 Things’ will be some thoughts around the NFL that (mostly) don’t have to do with the Patriots.
Let’s start right there though, with bye weeks. This year the NFL back loaded its byes, with 12 teams having their off week either in Week 12 or Week 14. Each of those weeks had six teams off, while no others had more than four (some even had just two). Looking ahead, the NFL should be more consistent about the way it handles bye weeks – something that has been an issue for a few years now.
Bye weeks running into December is a big ask for those teams physically. While it’s understandable that the league doesn’t want to bunch up too many bye weeks at once from a viewership standpoint, it might lead to more competitive football to try to put them more in the middle of the season.
Take this year for instance. Again, 12 of 32 teams have their bye weeks late. Meanwhile, there were only two teams off in Weeks 7 and 9, with no bye weeks at all in Week 8. There was certainly room to maneuver things differently.
At the same time, that may be all for not. The addition of an 18th game to the schedule seems inevitable at this point, and it’s very possible that could come with the addition of two weeks to the league schedule adding a second bye week into the mix. (There’s also the question of how the 18th game will be scheduled, so allow me to re-propose my idea from when they added the 17th game).
For now, that’s enough opining on something as trivial as bye weeks on the bye week. Let’s get to something a little more exciting as we begin this look around the league…
WATCH: Paul Perillo on Felger & Mazz on the state of the Patriots’ offense
Don’t let the snow go
CLEVELAND, OHIO – NOVEMBER 21: The Pittsburgh Steelers line up against the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter in the game at Huntington Bank Field on November 21, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
The last few weeks we’ve been lucky enough to have not just one but two full-on snow games in primetime. Two weeks ago the Browns beat the Steelers in a close game on Thursday Night Football, then last week the Bills blew out the 49ers on Sunday Night Football.
Those games reignited the conversation about football games being played in the elements. More and more teams – especially teams up north – are building new stadiums that either limit or outright eliminate weather as a factor. The Bills’ new stadium will have a partial roof, while the Browns are reportedly working on building an outright dome.
It would be a shame to see snow football – and really all sorts of weather football – taken away. Those arguing in favor of indoor stadiums point to how rain, snow, wind, etc. add an external variable that prevents evaluators from seeing the true difference between two teams.
However, truly great teams are built to win any time, any place, in any conditions. It’s one thing to be able to light it up offensively in a dome – it’s a whole other level of impressive to do that one week then go out in the elements and win a 13-10 slog on a frozen field the next week.
On top of that, football is first and foremost an entertainment product – and the vast majority of fans seem to be entertained by games in the snow. There’s something different, engaging, and just fun about them. The same can be said (maybe to a lesser extent) for other weather games.
At the same time, not every game should have this element. For a game like the Super Bowl? Sure, control the variables. Don’t play in a cold-weather city (although it’s worth noting the league is more than willing to host the game at open-air stadiums in the south, they’ve just been lucky in recent years about rain not being a factor).
But that leads us to the last unique part of weather games – the home field advantage. If a team earns the right to have an opponent come into their building and play them in conditions they as the home team are more familiar with, they should have an advantage. And if they’re not built for it? That’s on them, they should know what to be prepared for.
This isn’t to say the NFL should ban indoor stadiums outright. In some places a retractable roof certainly makes sense. Whether that’s because it’s a rainy area, or somewhere in the south where it may get so hot early in the season the game actually becomes dangerous (although the Miami Dolphins have taken advantage of the heat and humidity at their building).
Instead, let’s hope that the cities where elements may come into play embrace their identity. Rather than building indoor stadiums to shut out the elements, they should look to build teams that embrace the elements they play in – whether they be snow, rain, wind, heat, or whatever else.
Second chances saving quarterbacks
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions looks on from the line of scrimmage during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field on November 28, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
If the game quality in the NFL is suffering right now, it’s due to a lack of overall quarterback play around the league. Some of that may just be due to the ebbs and flows of talent coming in and out of the league, but At the same time, teams aren’t exactly helping themselves. Over the past few years, it’s felt like organizations having patience at the position has been rare.
Quarterback development may be the toughest task for an NFL team. Yet there are teams giving up on highly-touted first round picks sometimes less than two years into their careers.
The result? A number of quarterbacks finding success after initially being deemed failures. In the NFC North alone there are two teams led by quarterbacks that are perfect examples of this – Jared Goff of the Lions and Sam Darnold of the Vikings. We’ve also seen Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith have similar success.
For some of those players, the surroundings have certainly helped. All four are paired with some of the top wide receivers in the league (Amon-Ra St. Brown, Justin Jefferson, Mike Evans, and D.K. Metcalf). Yet had their original teams had more patience and allowed themselves to put that kind of talent around the quarterback themselves, rather than give up when the quarterback couldn’t shoulder the entire load himself, they could have been the ones reaping the benefits.
That’s not to say a change of scenery is a guaranteed fix for a quarterback. It’s not like we saw a strong second act from guys like Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, Trey Lance, or other recent busts. Some players just don’t have what it takes. But the under-30 veteran starting quarterback market – something that didn’t really exist not too long ago – has had its hits in recent years.
That begs the question, are there any quarterbacks from the most recent class of quarterback outcasts who will join the group as ‘the next’ Goff or Darnold? With a weak quarterback class in this year’s draft and the 2026 class looking better but still not great (albeit very early on), teams are going to be looking elsewhere for answers at the most important position on the field.
Daniel Jones is the first name that comes to mind after getting cut by the Giants this year. He’ll look to find the right situation this offseason, hopefully boosted by his stint on the Vikings’ practice squad.
Some of the quarterbacks from the 2021 class certainly fit in this group as well. Trevor Lawrence is probably safe for now given his recent contract extension, but Mac Jones and Justin Fields both will hit free agency this offseason after getting reset opportunities as backups while still getting a chance to put some plays on film.
It’s not even too early to start looking at the 2023 draft class. While Anthony Richardson has returned to the starting role since being benched earlier this year, the track record of high draft picks being benched and staying to have long-term success with their team is slim. The Titans will also have to make a decision on Will Levis, who has been up-and-down during his time in Tennessee. Will they part ways, or take a more patient approach.
Slightly older quarterbacks could look to take advantage of this trend as well. Jameis Winston has injected life since taking over as the Browns’ starting quarterback. The team was 1-6 with Deshaun Watson, and now is 2-3 with him under center. He’s still erratic, but has made high-level plays as well. After starting just 10 games over the prior four years, he could be making his case for the Browns or any other team to give him another shot.
Positional surpluses and shortages
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 27: Ladd McConkey #15 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs after the catch in the third quarter of a game against the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
It’s not just the quarterback position that has teams scrambling. There are other key positions in the NFL right now facing a shortage of talent.
Think about it, what’s to guarantee there are 32 starting caliber players in the NFL at any given position at any given time? Then what are the odds all 32 are on 32 different teams? Or just enough capable players to fill out a depth for all 32 teams?
It’s a bit of an abstract thought but one that’s apparent throughout the history of the league – each position goes through periods of shortages, as well as surpluses. Looking at the landscape of the league in 2024 in a very general sense, which positions are on either list?
Surplus:
–Wide receiver
–Running back
–Cornerback
–Pass rusher
–Defensive tackleShortage:
–Quarterback
–Offensive tackle
–Tight end
–Free safety
–KickerOn the surplus side, the excess of receivers and running backs shouldn’t come as a surprise. Given the way youth football programs are now structured, especially with the emphasis on 7-on-7 flag football, that’s where most of the focus goes from a young age. Don’t expect either of those pipelines to dry up anytime soon.
At the same time, if there’s going to be more offensive weapons there are going to be just as many players trying to stop them. Hence the cornerbacks. As for the defensive tackles? That just seems to be happening on its own.
As for the shortages, quarterback and kicker are simple. There’s really never been enough players at either position to keep the full league stocked. The quarterback position is probably doing better than it was two or three years ago, but still falls in that shortage category.
The tackle shortage has been going on for quite a while now. Practice restrictions, especially during training camp, have hindered player development on the offensive line more than any other positions. Because of that the position is more reliant on natural talent and athletic ability, meaning project players aren’t working out as often.
Tight end and free safety shortages are a product of the current state of the college game. On offense fewer teams feature tight ends in significant passing roles, meaning more of the development has to come at the NFL level against tougher competition. Meanwhile with so much zone played at the college level it’s rare to find experienced single-high safeties, and many players at the position either play more in the box and/or with split assignments.
The most underrated coach in the NFL?
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 01: Head coach Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the first quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
When talking about the top young offensive-minded head coaches in the league, it’s always the same group that gets brought up. Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur, and Mike McDaniel tend to highlight that list.
Not included in that conversation enough? Minnesota Vikings head coach (and former Patriots quarterback) Kevin O’Connell.
O’Connell has the Vikings at 10-2 heading into the final month of the season. He’s done that despite losing his planned starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy for the season back in the summer, and playing in one of the toughest divisions in football.
In his first year in 2022 O’Connell inherited a team that went 8-9 the year before and led them to a 13-4 record and division win. That was followed by a step back last year after Kirk Cousins got hurt. The Vikings then lost Cousins, seemingly halting any momentum O’Connell had built that first year. That was followed by the injury to McCarthy this summer.
Yet here the Vikings are, right back in the mix. O’Connell himself is in contention for Coach of the Year, and that plus a playoff win or two should help his current standing in the league.
The College Football Playoff and the NFL Draft
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 10: The 2022 CFP National Championship logo is seen on the field before the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
We are just a few weeks away from the start of the first ever expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. The implications on the college game are obviously massive, but the NFL should see an impact as well.
The biggest such impact will come in the draft evaluation process. These playoff games represent more chances for prospects to face elite competition.
Take Michael Penix last year. After a solid regular season he was projected by most as a mid-first-round pick. Following his breakout game against Texas in the CFP semifinal he entered the top five discussion, before a lesser performance against Michigan in the Championship cooled that conversation off.
Ultimately Penix ended up going eighth overall to the Atlanta Falcons, likely boosted by that Semifinal performance. Now, players will have more chances to improve or hurt their draft stock with up to four playoff games for each team.
That’s especially true for smaller school players, who will now have more film against Power Four programs. With one playoff spot reserved for the top Group of Five conference champion, we’ll be getting at least one such school every year.
With conference championship games this week, we won’t have the full college football playoff bracket until next week. We’ll do a full breakout of prospects to watch then, but here are some names to know for Patriots fans from the top teams still in contention…
No. 1 Oregon: OT Josh Conerly*
No. 2 Texas: OT Kelvin Banks*
No. 3 Penn State: DE Abdul Carter*
No. 4 Notre Dame: TE Mitchell Evans
No. 5 Georgia: C Jared Wilson*
No. 6. Ohio State: DE Jack Sawyer
No. 7 Tennessee: OLB James Pearce
No. 8 SMU: TE R.J. Maryland*
No. 9 Indiana: WR Elijah Sarratt
No. 10 Boise State: K Jonah Dalmas*
No. 11 Alabama: LB Jihaad Campbell
No. 15 Arizona State: RB Cam Skattebo*
No. 16 Iowa State: CB Darien Porter*
No. 17 Clemson: LB Barrett Carter*
No. 20 UNLV: WR Ricky White**Team is playing in a conference championship game this weekend
