The battle between two of the NFL’s most hapless franchises lived up to its lack of hype on Sunday. In fact, in terms of excitement, he lived more. But the field product was a special fun-bad.
Titans 26, Colts 20. This is Tennessee’s first win of the year, and an amazing one at that. The Titans trailed 13-0 at halftime and looked completely lifeless. Bench Cam Ward? throw in the towel? It was visible on the cliff.
And then the Colts, being the generous team that they are, literally gave away the next four possessions:
- Jonathan Taylor fumbled on the first play of the second half. The Titans converted it into a field goal.
- On the next drive, with the Colts in field goal range, Daniel Jones threw a wild interception. The Titans made it another field goal.
- The Colts then went three and gave up a 58-yard Chimere Dike return, setting up the Titans for their lone touchdown of the day.
- On the next drive, Julius Chestnut blocked a punt and Oluwafemi Oladejo recovered the fumble for a touchdown.
Up 13-0 to 20-13 about 18 minutes into the game. Terrible things. The Colts actually tied the game on a Taylor touchdown, only for the defense to throw a terrible pass interception to set up a Titans field goal. Tennessee scored another.
Collapse in all three stages? Against a winless team? For an organization already skating on thin ice? Check, check, check. Which makes me say…
Shane Steichen will not continue the season and Chris Ballard and Daniel Jones will be gone between now and Week 1 of 2027
Overreaction or reality: Reality
There have been 16 coaching changes since 2020. Shane Steichen will either be next, or at least join that list.
It was an unacceptable collapse. The Titans are completely inept offensively. The only way they can everything The Colts blew it and the Colts blew it over and over again. I’ve generally been a fan of Steichen as a good offensive mind, but as a head coach, you have to be more than that. You’re in charge of everything, and Indianapolis isn’t nearly good enough when it comes to that.
Steichen can’t play the game, so we turn to the players … and the person who picked them. Chris Ballard is in his 10th season as Colts GM. The team has one playoff win in that span, and that was in 2018, the second straight year. He was completely unable to find a defender and his last attempt failed like the others.
Remember, Ballard had Andrew Luck early in his tenure. Andrew Luck retired before the 2019 season. It happened that long. unforgivable. He tried a half measure with the veterans. He tried to draft one (Anthony Richardson). He has failed by every measure. Defense remains tenuous at best even after a blockbuster (and misjudged in retrospect) Sauce Gardner trade.
But really, it all comes back to Jones: He was 22-42 for 269 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He took six bags. He is tied for the NFL lead in turnovers. On Sunday, he simply didn’t put an NFL-caliber product on the field.
Remember, the Colts signed him to a two-year, $88 million contract, even though they didn’t offer anyone. There’s a $35 million exit after this year, but sticking with it would be even more punitive for a franchise long overdue for a reset.
Known for Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon stands outside and record keeping. Need his only notes from Sunday? It’s time to clean the house.
The Rams won’t even play in the playoffs
Overreaction or reality: Reality
It’s just a team that isn’t in the playoffs right now. Amazing numbers from the amazingness of the Rams 18-16 loss to the cardinals:
- Matthew Stafford, the 13.5-point favorite, suffered the biggest loss of his career. It’s also tied for the biggest upset in the NFL in five years.
- The Rams had zero plays of 20+ yards through their first nine possessions on Sunday.
- Stafford averaged 4.8 yards downfield, the fourth-lowest of his Rams career and the lowest since 2024. For reference, the lowest passing yards per attempt this year is Bo Nix’s 4.9.
- The Rams didn’t sack Jacoby Brissett and tied for the third fewest sacks in the NFL this season.
- The Rams are the fifth preseason Super Bowl favorite in the last 50 years to be under .500 through six games.
- The Rams have won the turnover battle once in six games this season. And they lost that game — the Bills last week — anyway.
Sean McVay summed it up right: “I have nothing positive to say about today.”
Outside of the occasional great game by Puka Nacua or Davante Adams, the offense has very little juice. It really feels stagnant; Stafford used play action on 37% of his throws last year and averaged 8.4 yards per pass on those throws. This year, it dropped to 25% and 7.2, respectively. And when the team lacks juice, there is little room for error. But Rams make mistakes: penalties, turnovers, missed assignments, etc.
Meanwhile, the defense just doesn’t cause much fuss. And the problems of special groups remain. Rookie forward Blake Grupe was injured in the first quarter, forcing the Rams to adjust quickly.
Even if the Rams win, it’s nowhere near good enough. So did Sean McVey. If they lose in Week 7, it’s officially panic time.
We found an alien life form and his name is Josh Allen
Overreaction or reality: Reality
Needless to say.
Browns or Steelers will win the AFC North
Overreaction or reality: Overreaction
Well, well, well, if there’s not a three-way tie in the AFC North in six weeks?! The Browns, Steelers and Ravens are all 4-2, and the Bengals (with a bye this weekend) are not far behind at 3-2.
Cleveland technically leads the division thanks to Sunday’s 13-10 victory over Lamar Jackson-less Baltimore, and Pittsburgh is second because of its better record in the division.
Sorry, Browns and Steelers fans, but neither of you are winning the division. Cleveland’s biggest win this season is four points. Lost to the Jets last week. Deshaun Watson looked awful on Sunday. The Steelers looked equally awful, needing a late comeback to force overtime against the Baker Mayfield-less Buccaneers. As it turns out, playing against the bench players is very rewarding.
Both teams rank in the bottom half of the biggest offensive stats. Quarterback play simply isn’t good enough and won’t be good enough, especially when facing Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow instead of Tyler Huntley and Jalon Daniels.
The Patriots made a mistake in trading for AJ Brown
Overreaction or reality: Overreaction
AJ Brown’s spectacular return from IR was … not so spectacular. Three catches for 27 yards on 10 targets. Officially, he was charged with two counts. Unofficially, given his high standards, it was probably more. He even fumbled a Jets onside kick, but lucky for him, his teammate recovered to give the Patriots a 26-19 victory.
The debut is worth worrying about, but to say the trade was a failure or a mistake would be a drastic overreaction. Yes, it’s been a tough start with injury and a tough turnaround. But let’s not write it. He excelled at the routes New England brought him to win: quick in-breakers and deep balls. Drake Maye missed it on each one, and Brown failed to finish on other opportunities did there is It sounds like a silly thing to say, but if you cut the tape right before the ball arrives, Brown’s film looks promising.
Of course, he should shoot the performances there. Being open doesn’t win yards, points, or games. Brown will bounce back and he could still be a big push. He returned earlier than expected from a high ankle sprain. Let’s give him a week’s grace.
CJ Stroud will be a top five player this season … and deservedly so
Overreaction or reality: Reality
Another week, another outstanding performance for CJ Stroud. The fourth-year special threw for 312 yards, three touchdowns and an interception and led the game-winning drive in the Texans’ 34-31 victory over the Jaguars.
The numbers are one thing, but the movie is just as good, if not better. This is one of the best shots you’ll see all season.
And that’s it…
This is Stroud at his best: laser-like accuracy, a huge arm that can get into every part of the field. It’s been missed the past few years and the Texans should be thrilled to have it back. Not only that, it improves on the mitigation of negative plays. His interception on Sunday was really bad, but it was his first all year. He’s also taking fewer devastating sacks than last season. And he’s doing all of this while still not having much of a running game.
The Texans and Stroud failed to get an extension in the offseason. He was terrible in the playoffs, and while both sides said the right things, no deal was made.
He is on track to win an extension this offseason, though. This offseason is shaping up to be a big round for quarterback deals, with Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and Bo Nix from the class of 2024, Bryce Young and Lamar Jackson from Stroud’s class of 2023 all looking for new deals. Stroud’s contract will put him in the top five of the highest-paid players, and deservedly so.
Brad Idzik will be a hot candidate for the head coach in 2027
Overreaction or reality: Reality
The Panthers outshot the injury-plagued Eagles 25-14. Bryce Young threw a pair of touchdown passes and Chuba Hubbard ran for 120 yards and a score. Philadelphia was without Jalen Hurts, a top three running back, and many other players. Not a super remarkable result by any measure.
But Philadelphia still has a really good defense, and Brad Idzik had a great game, including two touchdown passes to Tommy Tremble.
I was also very impressed with Young’s work on the RPO shots, Idzik and Young worked very well in this offense.
Idzik took over the play calling from Dave Canales this offseason. It was a great promotion. Carolina has one of the most aggressive offenses in the NFL in terms of passing rates. It’s a really well-designed attack that boosts Young and highlights his strengths. In an NFL that loves young, innovative play-callers, Idzik is part of the next wave of hotshots.