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Explosive runs have continued to plague the New York Giants’ defense
Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen searching for answers
“The explosive runs is an area we’ve got to improve. And it’s three to four runs a game. And then you’ve got another 20, 22 that you feel pretty good about,” Bowen said on Thursday. “So we’ve got to do a good job finding ways to eliminate those.
“Making sure we’re tackling. Making sure we’re fitting things appropriately. Playing with fundamentals. Being where we’re supposed to be. Getting off blocks.”
The Giants are last in the NFL, allowing 5.3 yards per rushing attempt. They have also given up the most 20+ yard runs (15) and 40+ yard runs (4), per NFL.com.
Bleeding Green Nation
Eagles Injury Report: DeVonta Smith misses practice again
The Eagles listed two players under DID NOT PARTICIPATE: DeVonta Smith and Bryce Huff.
Smith sat out again on Thursday. Two missed practices typically don’t bode well for a player’s chances of playing. If DeVonta can’t suit up, the Eagles will roll with the following wide receivers: A.J. Brown, Jahan Dotson, Britain Covey (assuming he’s activated from injured reserve), Johnny Wilson, and Ainias Smith.
Huff had wrist surgery on Thursday. One would think he’s headed for a stint on injured reserve.
Pro Football Focus
2024 NFL offensive line rankings ahead of Week 12
3. Philadelphia Eagles (Up 5)
Projected Week 12 starters:
- LT Jordan Mailata
- LG Landon Dickerson
- C Cam Jurgens
- RG Mekhi Becton
- RT Lane Johnson
Philadelphia’s offensive line was back at its best and played the best game of its season in Week 11 against Washington. The unit did not allow a single sack or quarterback hit and surrendered just three hurries in a win over the Commanders. As a result, their 95.6 FPF pass-blocking efficiency rating led the NFL this week.
Left tackle Jordan Mailata returned to the lineup following his injury and played at a very high level. Mailata did not allow a single pressure against Washington, and his 89.5 PFF overall grade led all offensive tackles in Week 11.
Best player: Lane Johnson
Johnson has allowed pressure on 1.5% of pass plays this season, the best rate of his career.
5. Washington Commanders (Down 2)
Projected Week 12 starters:
- LT Brandon Coleman
- LG Nick Allegretti
- C Tyler Biadasz
- RG Sam Cosmi
- RT Andrew Wylie
Washington’s offensive line put forth an uncharacteristic game in Week 11’s loss to the Eagles. The unit surrendered 14 pressures — including two sacks — on 39 pass plays, leading to a 79.5 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating that ranked fifth worst in the NFL this week.
The main culprit was rookie left tackle Brandon Coleman, who allowed seven pressures — tied for the most among offensive linemen in Week 11. He let up pressure on 16.7% of pass plays, which was the worst rate by any offensive lineman this week.
Best player: Sam Cosmi
Cosmi earned a 35.5 PFF pass-blocking grade in the loss to the Eagles, his lowest grade this season.
24. Dallas Cowboys (Down 2)
Projected Week 12 starters:
- LT Tyler Guyton
- LG Tyler Smith
- C Cooper Beebe
- RG Zack Martin
- RT Terence Steele
The Dallas offensive line allowed five sacks against Houston, which was tied for the most in the NFL in Week 11.
The main culprit was right tackle Terence Steele, who gave up five pressures — including two sacks — and earned a 57.7 PFF pass-blocking grade.
Best player: Tyler Smith
Smith’s 78.2 PFF overall grade led all Cowboys offensive linemen against the Texans.
28. New York Giants (Down 3)
Projected Week 12 starters:
The New York Giants were on a bye in Week 11.
The team’s offensive line has allowed 122 pressures — including 16 sacks — on 396 plays this season, leading to an 82.6 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating that ranks 27th in the NFL.
Best player: Greg Van Roten
Van Roten’s 69.0 PFF overall grade ranks 29th among guards this season.
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Pro Football Focus
2024 NFL quarterback rankings ahead of Week 12
In this quarterback rankings breakdown, we’ve evaluated the top performers based on PFF passing grades. Using insights from Premium Stats, we’ll also present a variety of key grades beyond passing grade, including grades under pressure, from a clean pocket, against the blitz and more.
Pro Football Focus
Grading all 32 first-round picks ahead of Week 12 of the 2024 NFL season
Pick No. 1: Chicago Bears: QB Caleb Williams
- Overall Rookie Grade: 65.0 (Rank: 4/5)
- Principal Opponent: N/A
- Week 11 Snaps: 72
- Week 11 Grade: 85.2
Williams bounced back in his first game under new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown. His 80.4 PFF passing grade was his second-best mark of the season, and he nearly led the Bears to an upset victory over Green Bay. Williams was particularly effective against the blitz, completing eight of his 10 passes while earning a 92.0 PFF passing grade when the Packers sent extra pressure.
Highest-Graded Rookie Quarterbacks Through Week 11
Pick No. 2: Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels
- Overall Rookie Grade: 85.8 (Rank: 1/5)
- Principal Opponent: N/A
- Week 11 Snaps: 66
- Week 11 Grade: 63.9
Daniels struggled to find any rhythm against an improving Eagles defense. His 65.4 PFF passing grade was his lowest in a full game since Week 2, while his 3.8-yard average depth of target was his lowest of the season. The latter figure exemplifies Washington’s struggles to get anything working downfield against Vic Fangio’s zone-heavy defense. Those difficulties combined with Philadelphia’s trench dominance created a tough environment for Daniels.
Pick No. 3: New England Patriots: QB Drake Maye
- Overall Rookie Grade: 71.5 (Rank: 2/5)
- Principal Opponent: N/A
- Week 11 Snaps: 76
- Week 11 Grade: 79.4
Maye turned in a positive performance in New England’s narrow loss to the Rams. He finished the game as the team’s highest-graded offensive player and excelled when his offensive line afforded him the proper protection. He completed 84% of his passes from a clean pocket, picking up 12 first downs and an excellent 85.0 PFF passing grade in the process. It’s reasonable to think Maye is already the Patriots’ best offensive player.
Pick No. 12: Denver Broncos: QB Bo Nix
- Overall Rookie Grade: 71.0 (Rank: 3/5)
- Principal Opponent: N/A
- Week 11 Snaps: 59
- Week 11 Grade: 83.3
Nix’s run of clean execution continued in Week 11. He avoided any turnover-worthy plays for the fourth consecutive game and excelled within the plethora of clean pockets provided by his offensive line. Since Week 5, Nix’s 91.0 clean-pocket passing grade trails only Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson for the NFL lead. Nix’s production is a primary reason that Denver is in playoff contention.
Pro Football Focus
Ranking the best NFL rookies after Week 11
1. TE Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
PFF Grade: 88.3
Bowers added to his remarkable rookie campaign on Sunday, hauling in 13 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown on 16 targets. Through 11 weeks, Bowers has earned an impressive 90.0 PFF receiving grade while averaging 2.23 yards per route run.
2. EDGE Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams
PFF Grade: 86.5
Verse delivered another strong performance in the Rams’ win over the Patriots on Sunday. The rookie edge rusher has put up an impressive 82.0 PFF pass-rush grade this season and has recorded at least four pressures in all but two games.
3. QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
PFF Grade: 85.8
Daniels earned his second-lowest PFF grade of the season in the Thursday Night Football loss to the Eagles. Despite the setback, he remains the highest-graded rookie quarterback in the NFL. Daniels has excelled at limiting mistakes, posting an elite turnover-worthy play rate of just 1.5%.
Pro Football Talk
Rex Ryan makes case to return to the Jets
During his weekly appearance on ESPN New York’s Bart & Hahn, Ryan brought up his desire to coach the team again without a question on the topic. Instead, Ryan was talking about Dan Campbell’s impact on the Lions as the face of the franchise, in cooperation with the rest of the front office, when he pivoted to his not-so-secret ambitions.
“I had a vision for the team and we weren’t gonna take any shit,” Ryan said. “And that’s exactly how Dan Campbell is. And that’s what I think, the other thing is, too, get a guy that connects with the fan base and all that. That’s why I want to be the next coach of the Jets.”
Ryan added that he hasn’t spoken to Johnson about the returning, that Johnson won’t commence the search until after the season ends.
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Pro Football Talk
Thursday night’s game should end all talk of a dome in Cleveland (and elsewhere)
Thursday night’s snow-globe game was a gift for sports fans everywhere, cosmic compensation for anyone who suffered through last Friday’s boxing debacle. Everyone who loves football loved that game.
Given that the NFL has shifted its business model dramatically from in-person sporting event to television spectacle, it’s in the league’s best interests to have places like Cleveland and Pittsburgh and Chicago and Buffalo and Green Bay and Cincinnati and Denver and D.C. and New York and Philadelphia and New England retain open-air football factories.
The Vikings and Lions surrendered their home-field advantages when they went indoors decades ago. They shouldn’t have done it then, and these other teams shouldn’t do it now.
Especially not the Browns. Especially not in Cleveland.
It’s too late to undo what’s been done for the Vikings and Lions. There’s time to take a stand as to other potential domes in places where the cold should be embraced. And the current hot spot is Cleveland.
Here’s hoping that fans, governmental officials, media, the league office, and other owners push the Haslams hard to give up their quest to prevent games like last night’s from ever happening again in Northeast Ohio.