Each week, Hall of Fame wide receiver and Westwood One Sunday Night Football analyst James Lofton tells you about the teams, players and trends that are on the way out and those that are on the way up around the NFL.
UP! The cost of winning. Last week we had four 400-yard passers and only one was a winner – and he had to go over 500! Big Ben was Big Time with 522 yards passing and six touchdowns. Andrew Luck, Nick Foles and Aaron Rodgers all posted great fantasy numbers, but the Colts, Eagles and Packers all fell short in the only stat that matters: wins.
OUT (AND IN): No A.J. Green? No problem! Who knew Sanu! Mohamed Sanu posted Green-type numbers, with five catches for 125 yards. With the win over Baltimore, however fortunate, the Bengals are back in the race for the AFC North.
COMEBACK: Sure seemed like Jimmy Graham was gone for a long time. After just three targets and no catches two weeks ago, Graham came to life on Sunday night in the second half against the Packers with five catches and a touchdown. It was all part of a 44-point explosion for the Saints, which is enough to bring the boogie back on Bourbon Street. The question now: can they keep it going tomorrow night in Carolina and get their first road of the season?
OUT: Out of fuel. It’s easy to pile on the Jets right now – so here goes! Second-year quarterback Geno Smith has been grounded and for good reason. With just two completions and three interceptions before being benched against Buffalo, it’s clear Smith needs some instructional flight time.
UP! Old-fashioned rushing TDs. Andy Reid’s not afraid to call running plays inside the 10-yard line. Jamaal Charles had a one-yard plunge (and one from 36 yards out) and Knile Davis got one from the three-yard line (and a 99-yard kickoff return TD). Alex Smith had no touchdowns as the Chiefs walloped the Rams, but that was the only thing wrong with a near-perfect performance: 24-28 for 226 yards and no interceptions as the Chiefs got to 4-3 on the year.
PICK/RUB: A rub or pick play is used against the defense to run one defender into another as they look silly trying to cover a bunch formation or crossing routes. Cardinals corner Antonio Cromartie turned the tables on the Eagles with two big picks of the defensive variety in Arizona’s 24-20 win over Philadelphia. Maybe these 6-1 Cardinals aren’t just a mirage in the desert. We’ll see.
– James Lofton
Pro Football Hall of Famer James Lofton is the analyst for Westwood One’s coverage of Sunday Night Football. This weekend you’ll find James in the Steel City, as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens. Coverage begins with NFL Sunday at 7:30 PM Eastern.
