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Ben Solak
The conclusion of Week 9 in the 2025 NFL season has brought a number of unexpected outcomes. The Panthers caused the Packers to incur their second defeat this season, while the Steelers also triumphed over the Colts. The latter’s performance is noted in this week’s Next Ben Stats segment, but the focus of the primary discussion is the Packers – how do they continue to experience such shocking losses?
Each Tuesday, I will reflect on the prior week’s NFL events, analyzing the implications of key narratives and forecasting what lies ahead. Our objective is to provide balanced responses to common overreactions, to shine a light on overlooked moments, and to bring in statistical analysis. Expect insights backed by film and data.
Let’s dive into the analysis of the Packers.
Jump to a section:
The Main Story: Understanding the Packers’ Struggles
Trade Watch: Engaging in deadline speculation
Second Take: Issues with J.J. McCarthy’s performance
Mailbag: Fielding your queries
Next Ben Stats: Notable stats from Week 9
Monday Night Mystery: Jones and the pending trade
The Main Story: Where has the Expected Dominance of the Packers Gone?
Each week, this section will spotlight an important game, player, or trend from the recent NFL slate and assess its future significance. This week, we reflect on the Packers, who have faced two surprising defeats.
The loss sustained by the Packers at the hands of the Panthers was notably detrimental.
That said, it doesn’t truly qualify as their worst defeat in franchise history. However, according to Vegas predictions, it ranks among the most stunning defeats since the merger in 1970, as Green Bay was a 13.5-point favorite against Carolina.
The Packers are on track to become the biggest favorites to suffer a loss outright since the Titans executed a similar upset at +14.5 against the Dolphins in Week 14 of the 2023 season. Remarkably, the Packers are the sole team in the NFL this year to lose two games where they were favored by more than a touchdown, the first being a 7.5-point favorite loss to the Browns earlier this season. Micah Parsons had just been acquired, and Jayden Reed was on the sidelines with a collarbone injury. The Browns employed a formidable defense ranked in the top five in all metrics. Ultimately, the Packers lost due to a late interception by Jordan Love and a blocked field goal attempt by Brandon McManus.
Conversely, the Panthers came equipped with an average offense and defense entering Week 9 but faced a challenging situation with missing multiple starting offensive linemen. Quarterback Bryce Young, historically, has a 2-15 record on the road as a starter. Nevertheless, the Packers found themselves trailing for much of the second half and only managed to tie the game with 2:32 left before conceding the game-ending field goal drive.
The reality of the Packers dropping two incredibly disappointing losses reflects not just on their performance, but also on the heightened expectations surrounding them. When they traded for Parsons on August 28, they believed they had become Super Bowl contenders by adding a transformative defensive player. The odds shifted from 20-1 to 14-1 following the trade and further improved to 11-1 before Week 1, culminating at 8-1 after their win against the Lions in the opener.
After the latest loss, the odds still sit at 9-1 for the Packers to win the Super Bowl. However, what was initially ambiguous post-Browns’ defeat has amplified into significant concerns after a series of ties and narrow wins, leading to questions about the expected transformation following the Parsons acquisition. It raises a crucial question: Why has the anticipated dominance not materialized yet?
The results against the Panthers, while alarming, could be seen as anomalies. The Packers only managed seven drives throughout the game, as Carolina effectively controlled the pace of play with a conservative approach, snapping the ball with minimal time left in each play (averaging 42.5 seconds of game clock per play) and working their way downfield primarily through rushing plays and successful fourth-down conversions.
The optimal strategy against an explosive offense like the Packers is to limit their time on the field. Carolina executed this brilliantly, playing zone coverage on approximately 89.5% of snaps against Green Bay.
Among the seven drives, six successfully advanced past the Panthers’ 25-yard line, yet the Packers could only manage 13 points. Within the last decade, only 11 teams have managed even fewer points with such drive efficiency. Various factors contributed to this lackluster offensive output: a critical fumble by Savion Williams, a missed field goal due to windy conditions, and a detrimental tackle-for-loss turning a fourth down into a missed opportunity. Replaying the game 100 times would likely see the Packers exceed 13 points almost every time.
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur addressed the Panthers’ defensive strategy during his postgame press conference. On Love’s deep interception, LaFleur noted, «I think we all — and I include myself in this — tend to chase the big play in games marked by steady execution. The Panthers kept it soft in coverage, forcing us to progressively advance and, unfortunately, we stumbled on nearly every drive.»
Here’s a play that LaFleur references: a designed deep throw with two tight ends, under-center play-action, aiming for Watson on the post route with Doubs trailing on the crossing route.
pic.twitter.com/fxH4UEcdUs
— Good Clips (@MeshSitWheel) November 3, 2025
The play in question wasn’t executed well. LaFleur seemed frustrated by the decision – why take a deep shot when easy completions were readily available? Did he lose patience in pursuit of a game-changing play?
Meanwhile, Love managed to find success with several downfield passes, completing 3 out of 5 throws that traveled over 20 yards, despite the Panthers’ defensive game plan. His deep-ball usage remains a vital component of both his playing style and LaFleur’s overall offensive strategy. Since 2023, 12.8% of Love’s attempts have gone at least 20 yards deep, ranking him fourth among this year’s quarterbacks, behind notable names like Will Levis, Anthony Richardson Sr., and Russell Wilson. Interestingly, both Love and LaFleur tend to play it safe when they are heavily favored.
Review the differences in Love’s aggressive downfield plays corresponding to the betting lines. Clearly, they are not tailoring their game plan around the spread, yet it’s evident that downfield aggression diminishes as the expectation of winning increases. This strategic shift, notably less frequent when Aaron Rodgers was the quarterback under LaFleur, is telling.
Jordan Love
(2016-2025)
Nonetheless, Love averaged 8.1 air yards per attempt on this occasion – illustrating a more downfield-oriented mindset than one might expect. After the match, LaFleur expressed a desire for a slightly more conservative aerial attack. «We consistently moved the ball across several lengthy drives. It’s evident there’s a tendency to push for a big play, but if it’s not there, we shouldn’t force it.»
This dilemma resonates with other teams facing a similar challenge. The Chiefs encountered this strategy shift in 2021 and 2022 when opponents typically deployed soft zone coverages against their downfield passing schemes, necessitating the Chiefs to complete longer, mistake-free drives. Last September, fans criticized the prevalence of two-high safety defenses and the subsequent dampening of offensive potency.
The Packers, however, appear ill-suited to adapt to this evolving trend. To date, there are only two players on their roster who have registered over 20 yards after the catch above expectation, as measured by Next Gen Stats: running back Josh Jacobs and the talented tight end Tucker Kraft, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury in this matchup. Kraft accounted for 109 yards after catch above expectation, while the remaining players collectively contributed just 111 yards.
Additionally, a more robust rushing attack would alleviate some pressure. The Packers have disappointed regarding expected rushing output. Jacobs has recorded 29 rushing yards below expectations, while backup Emanuel Wilson logged 16 yards less than expected, with gadget WR Williams also at 15 yards under. The Packers are losing the critical additional yards needed for maintaining a ball-control offense with limited possessions.
«We need to effectively run the football,» LaFleur commented. «This has been a recurring issue. If they play soft zone defense while we’re gaining only two yards on rushes – which doesn’t happen consistently, but it occurs at times – it puts us in difficult positions.»
LaFleur faces criticism from the fanbase for his dedication to the ground game, and the evidence supports this. The Packers rank fourth in rushing attempts above expectation against two-high safety looks pre-snap, but they average only 4.7 yards per carry in those scenarios versus the league average of 4.9.
This insight further clarifies the disappointing result against the Browns. In that match, Love’s air yards averaged just 1.6 per throw, and the receivers collectively managed a mere 12 yards after the catch above expectations, despite achieving 134 total yards after catch. The Browns utilized split safety coverage 47% of the time during that game, marking one of the highest rates in the tenure of Jim Schwartz as Cleveland’s defensive coordinator.
1:17
Should managers be hesitant to start Jordan Love in fantasy?
Field Yates breaks down why Jordan Love isn’t a lock to start in fantasy this week.
The Packers remain a formidable team poised to make their mark on the NFC, even amidst injury challenges. However, a discord exists between strategy and execution that needs addressing as the playoffs approach. Currently, they lack the requisite players or proficiency to consistently orchestrate long scoring drives. While the potential is there — as evidenced by their 20 consecutive completions against the Steelers — the inconsistency raises doubts about why the expected dominance hasn’t been achieved this season. This variability in performance is the key issue.
On a positive note, solutions could emerge from various sources. If the offensive line can maintain health, their running game might see improved results. In Kraft’s absence, other players such as Luke Musgrave, Golden, or Williams could step up for necessary yards after catch. Reed, a pivotal player in previous seasons, may eventually return from his injuries. Love exhibits the potential for enhanced decision-making against soft defenses and should play with more pace and aggression. Avoiding penalties, turnovers, and missed kicks could also vastly improve their postseason run, possibly culminating in a championship lift.
The Packers resemble other top-tier offenses that have faced similar struggles in the past. Their ability to overcome these challenges will hinge on adjustments made over the final weeks of the season. The NFC remains wide open, so the journey continues.
Engaging in Trade Deadline Speculation
I’ve made a bingo card outlining potential outcomes for trade deadline day. Will we all win, or will it be a collective loss? Please note that the card will be live as of Tuesday at 6 a.m. ET. Check back later on Tuesday for my report on «winners and losers of the deadline,» where I’ll update how our predictions panned out. Until the 4 p.m. ET deadline, let’s have some fun!
There’s nothing quite as disheartening as a lackluster trade deadline. Let’s shake things up! For our bingo card, I’ve combined early reporting and my own hunches to fill out various squares (like the Patriots trading for a receiver) along with my favorite trade deadline traditions (like wild overpays). Acquiring a major player like Trey Hendrickson could easily allow for bingo on one diagonal. If the Eagles acquire Hendrickson, it could definitely make them appear all-in, giving us bingo in the left column.
We won’t count the early Eagles deal for Jaelan Phillips for the bingo square due to its timing. However, we can include the Dolphins trading Phillips as one of the two deals needed for the «two or more trades by Dolphins» square. These rules are freshly created — let’s see how it unfolds!
Second Take: Let’s Save J.J. McCarthy from the Spotlight this Week
ESPN’s «First Take» is known for its quick reactions. However, «Second Take» allows for a more considered approach, taking time to analyze before potentially offering a contrarian opinion.
The Vikings put on a remarkable show.
Let’s begin with their defensive performance. The Lions have played a total of 80 games (including playoffs) under Dan Campbell. According to offensive success rates, the Lions’ 24-27 loss to the Vikings ranks as their sixth-worst performance in that timeframe, with 45.5% of their drives (5 of 11) failing to convert a first down. Ironically, they had only one worse outing in that regard, coincidentally also against the Vikings in the previous season.
In contrast, the Vikings’ defense exchanged stops with crucial offensive plays on Sunday, managing only six explosive pass plays against them (two of which permitted the Lions their last drive when behind late in the game). Crucially, they did not concede any explosive runs — marking a significant achievement since the Lions haven’t been held without a big run since their 2023 wild-card playoff win against the Rams.
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This was the game the Vikings aimed for last offseason, as their investment in defensive tackle proved worthwhile. New free-agent acquisitions Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, complemented by returning players Jalen Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez, demonstrated a strong performance against Detroit’s revamped offensive line. Minnesota registered 11 total tackles for loss, including five sacks, which sets a new record for Campbell’s unit.
Pressure from the Vikings, coupled with innovative blitz designs by defensive coordinator Brian Flores, left Jared Goff rattled. Goff’s ability to deliver throws while on the move was severely impaired; he finished with a low 40% completion rate and only 4.7 yards per throw under pressure, compared to an impressive 86.4% with 9.7 yards per attempt when operating unpressured.
The Vikings sent heavy pressure up the middle, compelling RB Jahmyr Gibbs to stay in to block — not his strong suit. As Nate Tice from Yahoo pointed out, Gibbs surrendered more pressures than any running back in a game since 2018.
Detroit faces serious questions on the offensive side, having struggled with offensive efficiency against both the Browns and Buccaneers this season. However, last season, the Lions thrived against the Vikings regarding explosive passing plays. This performance illustrated considerable improvement for Flores’ defensive scheme, which reflects strategic enhancements made during the offseason.
A quick note regarding special teams: As per NFL Next Gen Stats, the Vikings gained plus-27% win probability through special teams efforts against Detroit, a top-tier performance across the season. Returner Myles Price, who has excelled this year, initiated a significant drive with a 61-yard kickoff return in the first quarter. Additionally, they blocked a Lions field goal attempt in the fourth quarter, returning it briefly to set up a vital final field goal that contributed to their overall victory.
Moving on to the Vikings’ offense, it was sufficiently productive for the win on Sunday. The running game stood out, achieving a rushing success rate of 54.2% – a remarkable feat against Detroit’s defensive integrity. In terms of expected points added per rush, it ranked 11th in the league.
Coach Kevin O’Connell appeared focused on managing Detroit’s extended Aidan Hutchinson, alternating between running strategies to counteract the pass rush. Minnesota proved to be much more adaptable in their running schemes under McCarthy than they had been in prior seasons with quarterbacks Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold, or Carson Wentz. The introduction of run-pass options and zone reads was evidently efficient.
pic.twitter.com/Bp5tJUbqir
— Good Clips (@MeshSitWheel) November 4, 2025
Let’s acknowledge the significance of the Vikings’ impressive win in Detroit. It showcased a cohesive team effort with contributions from every aspect, easing McCarthy’s pressure as a starting quarterback. This marked only his third career start. Coming off a significant injury and with his confidence shaken from previous games and criticism, the team’s support was crucial.
Yet, once McCarthy is under center, team victories easily become credited to the quarterback. In the ordinary flow of the game, McCarthy’s prior achievements in high school and college inevitably come into play — he is now 2-1 during his NFL starts, establishing a burgeoning winning record.
His most notable throws materialized during crucial moments. A key throw on third-and-5 to Jalen Nailor clinched the victory, highlighting his understanding against man coverage. He adeptly detected the receiver’s wheel route as the optimum choice against the safety’s positioning, displaying exemplary timing and precision to facilitate the completion.
pic.twitter.com/LCqAIQq86r
— Good Clips (@MeshSitWheel) November 3, 2025
Even though McCarthy has shown potential, he continues to struggle with throws requiring touch. His footwork under pressure has also affected his accuracy. He has shown hesitance when needing to deliver throws to the middle of the field, resulting in sacks and limiting O’Connell’s offensive strategy. This season, just 6% of his attempts have targeted the intermediate middle area, half the rate of Sam Darnold’s attempts in 2024.
While the middle remains a challenge, McCarthy showcases other promising abilities. His mobility against the Lions’ blitzing strategy proved valuable, most notably a third-and-8 touchdown scramble that emphasized his dual-threat capability. Nonetheless, the Vikings’ passing game remains sporadic under McCarthy’s leadership.
The performance metrics starkly illustrate the difference in efficiency when called upon for running plays versus passing. Comparing Minnesota’s performances against the Bears and Falcons illustrates a clear disparity. The Vikings recorded only 4.4 yards per offensive play, heavily leaning on penalties by the Lions to create their scoring opportunities.
Interestingly, whenever McCarthy faces scrutiny for performance, fans often rally behind his reputation as a “clutch” player. He exhibited composed and decisive play during the initial scripted drives, but as the contest progressed and the Lions put more pressure on him, his composure began to decline. He absorbed five sacks, made questionable decisions during several run plays, and fumbled a snap, leading to oscillating production levels. The Vikings’ scoring drives in the second half both started within the Lions’ 35 and 26-yard lines, showcasing caution in game management.
Evaluating McCarthy’s early career thus far presents challenges due to mixed indicators. The significant victory against the Bears generated overblown enthusiasm surrounding his potential. Conversely, the quarterback’s recovery from an ankle injury has sparked discussion about potential benching — opinions seem to fluctuate based on fleeting performances. It’s important to remember this is merely his third start – definitive conclusions about his trajectory will require more extensive observation.
This game serves as a reminder to transcend the quarterback-centric narrative and focus on the collective team effort. The Vikings coaching staff was a significant factor in this victory, demonstrating superior decision-making amidst challenging circumstances. Elevating McCarthy as the game’s focal point diminishes the contributions of the entire team — a view I cannot endorse.
Responses from Readers
The most rewarding aspect of writing this column is receiving feedback from readers. Feel free to reach out on X (@BenjaminSolak) or email me (benjamin.solak@espn.com) anytime, particularly on Mondays, to ask questions that might get answered here.
From Horse: As someone who initially opposed starting Daniel Jones but found myself proven wrong due to his impressive start, how concerned should I be after witnessing him struggle in Pittsburgh?
There’s no need for alarm. The Colts experienced a total of six turnovers that game. It’s just the nature of football; implosions can happen to anyone.
While it is true that Jones might show signs of regression (which he has begun to), the overall quality of play among the Colts’ offensive roster, along with exceptional coaching from Shane Steichen, is unlikely to dissipate entirely. The Colts may not maintain their initial pace as the season progresses, but they should still perform effectively.
However, help is certainly needed on the defensive end.
1:09
Was the Colts’ loss a bad game or a bad sign?
Domonique Foxworth, Rex Ryan and Adam Schefter debate if the Colts’ level of concern after getting beat by the Steelers.
From John: Which team looks best positioned to improve on one side of the ball with greater health and experience during the latter part of the season?
The Buccaneers’ offense certainly holds promise. Though Mike Evans will not return, Jalen McMillan, Bucky Irving, and Emeka Egbuka will all contribute. Right tackle Luke Goedeke, whom I consider the most underrated player in football, has been activated from IR, and Tristan Wirfs is back but yet to regain his former dominance. Tampa’s underlying offensive performance metrics leave something to be desired, but their success over the first half of the season — sitting at a 6-2 record — leaves room for an offensive surge moving forward.
Other contenders include the Ravens’ defense (which is already showing some improvement), the Panthers’ offense (potentially finding success with new pass-catching options and a healthy Bryce Young), and the 49ers’ offense, which speaks for itself.
From Collector: If you could select any player to be your WR #1 with the only goal of securing a Super Bowl victory this year, regardless of contracts, how many receivers would you choose over Jaxon Smith-Njigba?
This question is decidedly complex. Typically, I’m cautious about evaluating single-season outputs, preferring to endorse players with a longer track record of elite performance before categorizing them as elite. However, one could argue that Smith-Njigba’s stellar play began mid-last season. Not to mention, his current performance is exceptionally impressive and defies conventional evaluations.
All things considered, I’d take Ja’Marr Chase, Puka Nacua, and Justin Jefferson over Smith-Njigba. Their sustained defensive excellence provides a significant advantage. While Smith-Njigba has bested them this season, prior performance carries significant weight — plus, Nacua provides blocking strength that Smith-Njigba lacks, as does Chase after the catch.
That’s all. Just the three. I wouldn’t rank him above Jefferson, unfortunately.
(Though I desperately want to.)
2:31
Schefter to McAfee: Seahawks a team to watch ahead of trade deadline
Adam Schefter explains to Pat McAfee why the Seahawks are an intriguing team to watch ahead of the NFL trade deadline.
Next Ben Stats
NFL Next Gen Stats present unique insights gleaned from sophisticated tracking and vast databases. Conversely, «Next Ben Stats» are often hypothetical figures I devise. Here’s a look at both categories below.
44.1%: This was Patrick Mahomes’ completion rate against the Bills on Sunday, marking the lowest in his professional history (142 games).
The essence of this performance stemmed from defensive pressure. Mahomes completed only 3 out of 16 passes when pressured in this match, resulting in a meager 18.8% completion rate. Opting for a more aggressive downfield approach, promising significant throws, he averaged 17.9 air yards per attempt while pressured — the second-highest figure of his entire career.
While it’s tough to critique Mahomes’ strategy in this case, as he found open targets downfield while facing tighter coverage underneath, one glaring issue needs emphasis prior to a potential playoff rematch with Buffalo — out of 18 pressured dropbacks, he did not scramble once.
plus-60: This figure represents the Broncos’ point differential in the fourth quarter this season, leading the league. The next highest teams are only at plus-37 (Panthers, Jets).
With regards to the first nine weeks of play, this is the fifth-best fourth-quarter point differential recorded in the past two decades. The Broncos trail behind historical performances from the Texans and Saints, as well as other Broncos seasons (2012 and 2016). The Saints’ 2009 championship season is particularly notable since Sean Payton was their coach. That team began strong at 9-0 and later claimed the Super Bowl title.
However, I’m skeptical about the 2025 Broncos’ ability to sustain this winning form due to their performance in the other three quarters. While Payton is finding offensive solutions in the final quarter, which help mitigate early-game struggles, this trend is often indicative of short-term success metrics that we expect to normalize as the season progresses.
minus-0.81: This reflects Daniel Jones’ expected points added per dropback when facing pressure across the last two weeks — the second-worst figure among all quarterbacks. He previously maintained a mark of 0.15 — the highest among all quarterbacks — from Weeks 1-7.
In the face of the Steelers, Jones managed an EPA of minus-1.03 per pressurized dropback — a calamitous outing. He faced pressure on just 32% of his dropbacks yet managed just 6 of 13 passes, resulting in 2 interceptions and 5 sacks. The tackles on either side struggled against the Steelers’ speed rusher capabilities, resulting in 10 immediate pressures (meaning those occurring in under 2.5 seconds) — the highest tally dealt to Jones this season.
Reflect on the hold a quarterback has under pressure. It’s consistently volatile; disastrous plays, like sacks, result directly from this, but great plays, such as significant downfield completions, can also occur if a blitz is successfully neutralized. Jones had been unsustainably impressive in these scenarios early in the season, but it’s improbable he will continue to see the abysmal numbers he produced against Pittsburgh.
Pressure rates also have a sticky nature concerning the rate at which quarterbacks let pressure turn into sacks. Some quarterbacks escape easily (e.g., Josh Allen) or throw the ball away efficiently (like Bo Nix). Others tend to hold onto the ball too long, leading to sacks (Drake Maye and Justin Fields). In the preceding six seasons, Jones maintained a pressure-to-sack ratio of 23.27%, slightly above league average. Yet from Weeks 1-7, that dropped sharply to 8.57%; however, it has surged back to 30.8% over the previous two weeks.
The Steelers game doesn’t negate Jones’ competent performances from the earlier part of this season; still, it serves as a reminder about the challenges a quarterback faces in a supercharged offensive context with a robust running game and elite teammates: typically, he becomes the weak link, even while his statistics may appear favorable. If and when the Colts’ season takes a downturn, Jones may emerge as the focal point of that decline — until he can prove otherwise.
52%: This reflects the Bills’ run rate during their victory over the Chiefs. In their six prior contests against Kansas City, their run rate hovered around 38%.
The idea of controlling the clock against the Chiefs through running plays is hardly new. However, the Bills committed to a proactive and effective ground game in this match, creating genuine rushing opportunities not reliant on Allen’s scrambles or keepers. Running back James Cook III carried the ball 27 times for 114 yards — the first 100-yard performance against the Chiefs defense since his former teammate Zamir White accomplished it in 2023.
However, the central narrative here is the offensive line play. Cook amassed 55 yards before encountering any contact, the highest recorded against the Chiefs since the 2020 season, and faced a mere 18.5% of his carries with defensive pressure before being touched behind the line. It’s a collaborative success; fullback Reggie Gilliam made significant contributions throughout the game, and Ngannou, the Bills’ top blocking receiver, received a season-high snap count.
The Bills contain an MVP-caliber QB but have recognized the value of a consistently sound run game that doesn’t depend heavily on Allen’s mobility. It’s essential to nurture this run-first approach while deploying Allen mainly when the defense is drawn to respect the ground threat.
1:36
Stephen A.: The Bills aren’t the best team in the AFC
Stephen A. Smith remarks that he’s not overly impressed by the Bills’ victory over the Chiefs in the regular season.
100%: This indicates my certainty that Brandon Aubrey would make that 68-yard field goal attempt on Monday.
It marked Aubrey’s first miss from beyond 60 yards this season (he had previously succeeded from 61 and 64) and was notable for being his first miss from 50+ yards at AT&T Stadium, after a flawless 18-of-18 record previous to this attempt. The only one happier about his miss is Jaguars kicker Cam Little, who set a new record for a 68-yarder against the Raiders at the end of the first half. Little’s name will be remembered in history — at least for this week.
Monday Night Mystery: Jerry Jones and the Upcoming Trade
Editor’s note: The Cowboys secured a trade for Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson on Tuesday morning after this content went live.
Here’s what we do know.
At around 2 p.m. ET on Monday, Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones appeared on «The Stephen A. Smith Show» on Sirius XM, announcing that the Cowboys … had completed a trade? Were negotiating multiple trades?
It’s hard to discern specifics.
«There’s a lot of trading activity happening right now,» Jones stated ahead of the Monday night matchup. «We’ve certainly made one deal, and more might follow. We finalized one trade yet might secure two others before tomorrow’s deadline. Wait and see.»
This raises questions about whether “the one” refers to the Micah Parsons trade, which officially transpired prior to this year’s deadline, or a new transaction still pending. If so, what does he mean by potentially securing two further trades? How active will the Cowboys be?
Post-game commentary from Jones was predictably obscure. When questioned about whether a trade is still possible for tomorrow, Jones affirmed, «That’s certainly still an option.» It implies there’s an offer ready for acceptance, and Jones indicates an intention to proceed. When queried if the upcoming trade hinges on Monday’s game result, Jones ambiguously remarked: «Again, we’re considering all options. Today was all about planning for tomorrow.»
I find this hard to interpret.
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Going back to the known facts: the Cowboys are currently 3-5-1 following a disappointing home loss to the now 3-5 Cardinals. The offense generated a mere three points until the fourth quarter, when a late touchdown benefitted from lackluster defensive play from the Cardinals. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett recorded his best passer rating (115.1) of the season against this defense.
While it’s crucial not to underestimate Jones — a figure known to execute bold trades, as seen with the Parsons deal — imagining a trade that might effectively mend the defensive issues requires utmost creativity; the defense needs several reinforcements, particularly in terms of linebackers and cornerbacks. There’s a pressing need for a run-stuffing defensive lineman as well. Such an extensive overhaul midseason is virtually impossible.
Meanwhile, the offense, despite a lackluster performance against Arizona, remains a unit capable of playoff contention. In contrast, the defense presents serious challenges that could hinder any aspirations for postseason success this year. Therefore, one must question Jones’ rationale behind pursuing meaningful trades at the deadline in hope of salvaging the season.
What are Jones’ strategic plans this time around? We’ll soon find out!
