Tua Tagovailoa struggled with his body language, often turning his body which allows defenders to jump routes. He is also known for being injury-prone and having difficulty performing in cold weather. His performance was so bad that the game was stopped for 20 minutes after he threw a pass that led his teammate into a dangerous situation, resulting in three interceptions.
Mac Jones has consistently shown poor decision-making and has not improved since his rookie year when he made the playoffs and played in the Pro Bowl. His recent performances, including a game where he stepped out of bounds for no reason on fourth down, indicate that he is not a reliable starter. He is now considered a game manager who can only succeed in ideal conditions.
The Titans-Bengals game in Week 15 had 10 turnovers and 20 plus penalties, the first such occurrence since 2006. Will Levis had three interceptions, including a pick-six, contributing significantly to the turnover count. The game highlighted the Titans' and Levis' struggles, especially under pressure.
Philadelphia has demonstrated a strong offensive capability, especially with AJ Brown and Jalen Hurts. They have been able to move the ball consistently and convert third downs effectively. Despite a few defensive issues, their overall performance and recent wins make them a formidable team in the NFC.
The Jets decided to score a touchdown instead of kneeling or kicking a field goal when they were up by seven against Washington, which seemed unnecessary and risky. This decision put the game back in play and contributed to Washington's comeback, highlighting poor game management by the Jets' coaching staff.
The Buffalo Bills have a high-scoring offense, led by Josh Allen, who has shown significant improvement in decision-making and turnover prevention. Despite their defense being a weakness, they can score enough points to make up for it. However, their lack of defensive stops remains a concern for their Super Bowl prospects.
Lamar Jackson has a history of making significant contributions in crucial games, especially when his team needs him the most. Despite the Ravens' struggles, Jackson's ability to run the ball and throw effectively when needed could help them secure wins in their remaining schedule, particularly against weaker opponents.
The Patriots' coaching staff made several questionable decisions, such as not using a QB sneak on third and fourth down and calling a dangerous double pass reverse play. These mistakes highlight a lack of adaptability and poor strategic choices, contributing to the team's continued struggles and unimpressive performance.
The Washington Commanders have not played consistently well and have several losses that could have been avoided. They have shown a tendency to make dumb penalties, fumbles, and other critical errors that have cost them games. Their recent form and defensive issues make them a less reliable team compared to their record suggests.
The Chargers' loss to the Buccaneers was surprising because Justin Herbert, though back from injury, did not look good and was unable to throw with force. The Buccaneers, led by Tom Brady, outscoreemd them 40-30, donstrating a more effective offensive strategy and execution. This loss highlights Herbert's current struggles and the Chargers' vulnerability in key games.
The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss a wonky day in the NFL, including the Week 15 Bad QB Draft, featuring Tua Tagovailoa, Anthony Richardson, Will Levis, Mac Jones, Jameis Winston, and many more (2:24). Then they discuss Jaguars-Jets, what we learned from Lions-Bills and Steelers-Eagles, the Buccaneers hanging 40 on the Chargers, another poor coaching display from the Patriots, more NFC West mystique, the current playoff picture, and more (22:43). Then they guess the lines for NFL Week 16 (56:31) and close the show with Parent Corner (01:13:14).
Host: Bill Simmons
Guest: Cousin Sal
Producers: Kyle Crichton and John Richter
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