By David Thatcher, Clarion Sports Co-Editor
New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears Coaching Changes
The New Orleans Saints have decided to part ways with Dennis Allen relieving him of his head coaching duties November 4, 2024. The Saints replaced their head coaching void by elevating special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Darren Rizzi as interim head coach.
Rizzi’s tenure as interim head coach has so far been off to a decent start as the Rizzi led Saints have primarily found themselves in the win column in his first four games as interim head coach. Their first win came over the Atlanta Falcons (Nov. 10th) winning 20-17 against their division rivals. Rizzi’s second win was over the Cleveland Browns (Nov. 17th) where the New Orleans Saints won in dominating fashion with a 35-14 victory. Rizzi’s Saints did lose their matchup against the Los Angeles Rams (Dec. 1) with a score of 21-14 marking his first loss as interim head coach. Most recently, the Saints have won their matchup against the New York Giants (Dec. 8) with a score of 14-11.
Chicago has also made numerous coaching changes with firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron (Nov. 12) and promoting passing game coordinator Thomas Brown as their interim offensive coordinator. However, following Chicago’s loss against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving that featured poor late game management that prevented the Chicago Bears from tying the game and going into overtime. Following the game, the Bears announced that they would be relieving head coach Matt Eberflus of his duties (Nov. 29) and promoting Thomas Brown as their interim head coach.
Eberflus ended his three year tenure as head coach with the Chicago Bears with a total record of 14-32 and left the team with a record of 4-8.
Thomas Brown has been a noteworthy story as his ascent started when he was hired earlier this year to be Chicago’s passing game coordinator but was elevated to interim offensive coordinator following the firing of Shane Waldron, then was elevated to interim head coach following Eberflus’ firing after being interim coordinator for several weeks.
Brown’s first game as interim head coach was disappointing as the Bears would lose to the San Francisco 49ers (Dec. 8) with a score of 38-13.
New York Jets Organization Up in Flames
The Jets season continues to be a never-ending nightmare. After firing head coach Robert Saleh earlier this season the characteristic stout Jets defense has seen a significant regression. Under Saleh, the Jets defense allowed 17 points per game and 255.8 yards per game, since then, the Jets have allowed 26.8 points per game and 338.8 yards per game along with a 1-7 record under interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich’s tenure.
Despite the offensive talent that the Jets have, offensive struggles continue. According to ESPN, the Jets offense ranks 19th in passing yards per game, 30th in rushing yards per game, and 25th in points per game. With an offense that on paper looked very promising has proven to be highly disappointing this season, and has been a significant source to the Jets lack of success this season and their prior seasons.
Owner Woody Johnson also made the decision to fire general manager Joe Douglas (Nov. 19) furthering the organizational issues within the Jets. Connor Hughes would later report that multiple Jets players were “ready for the season to be over” and have “checked out.”
Johnson has also been receiving criticism due to his recent management decisions of the New York Jets organization.
The recent player personnel decisions from the Jets management has not worked out well recently. Receiver Mike Williams had limited impact for the Jets and is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, offensive tackle Tyron Smith is currently on the Jets injured reserve, the Jets reportedly from The Athletic refused to negotiate Hassan Reddick’s contract extension demands, and in the same report owner Woody Johnson reportedly refused an extension to a key defensive impact player Bryce Huff who is currently on the Philadelphia Eagles.
In the Jets front office, The Athletic has reported that owner Woody Johnson reportedly fired Robert Saleh without consulting anybody else in the organization, fired assistant general manager Rex Hogan, and that Johnson’s micromanaging of the team had escalated following the firing of Hogan.
Quarterback Carousel in Indianapolis
Second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson, who started the season as the Indianapolis Colts’ starter was announced that he would be benched in favor of veteran quarterback Joe Flacco following the Colts 23-20 week 8 loss to the Houston Texans (Oct. 27).
However, the Indianapolis Colts and head coach Shane Steichen after two weeks of Flacco being the starter decided that they would start Anthony Richardson again after Flacco went 0-2 in his two starts for a combined 42/62 completions (67.7%), 451 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, four interceptions, and a combined seven sacks for a loss of 52 yards.
Richardson in his three starts returning from the bench has gone 2-1 posting a combined 43/82 completions (52.4%), 553 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, two interceptions, two sacks for a loss of 31 yards, 29 carries, 141 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns.
Indianapolis have now seemingly settled on rolling the rest of the season with Richardson at the helm. The Indianapolis Colts currently sit as the eighth seed in the AFC with a record of 6-7 putting them in the hunt for the playoffs.
Rookie Quarterbacks
Jayden Daniels, the number two overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has continued to impress and has led the Washington Commanders to an 8-5 record currently positioning them at the seventh seed in the NFC. Daniels through 13 games has posted a combined 252/362 completed passes (69.6%) for 2,819 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, six interceptions, and 29 sacks taken. Daniels has also continued to utilize his rushing ability through those games posting 108 carries for 590 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Daniels’ performance throughout the season currently has him as the favorite to win Rookie of the Year.
Bo Nix, the sixth quarterback taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft has played exceptionally well since September and has put him in Rookie of the Year conversations alongside fellow rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels as well as leading the Denver Broncos to an 8-5 record and currently holding the seventh seed in the AFC. Nix in his 13 games has posted 277/434 completions (63.8%) for 2,842 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, eight interceptions, and 19 sacks taken. Nix has also utilized his legs producing 304 rushing yards on 67 carries and scoring four rushing touchdowns. Currently, Nix sits as the second favorite to win Rookie of the Year.
Caleb Williams, the first overall pick of the NFL 2024 Draft, has met some struggles in his rookie season. The Chicago Bears now have a 4-9 record and in Chicago’s seven straight losses Williams had no passing or rushing touchdowns in four straight games of those seven losses. Williams stats so far are 270/434 completions (62.2%) for 16 touchdowns, five interceptions, and 56 sacks taken. Williams with his legs has produced 405 rushing yards on 63 carries, no rushing touchdowns, and one lost fumble.
Williams’ has had some highs and lows this season which isn’t uncommon for a rookie, but the Chicago Bears coaching personnel may have some part to play in Williams’ inconsistency as Chicago have fired their offensive coordinator and head coach during the season which undoubtedly makes things more complicated for a rookie quarterback. Considering the current instability of the coaching personnel and the season success it is likely that Chicago’s focus is more towards prioritizing potential moves they can make come the offseason regarding their player personnel and coaching staff.
Drake Maye, the third overall pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, has started nine games so far and has displayed promise for New England fans that they may have found their quarterback as well. Maye in his nine starts has thrown 172/256 completions (67.2%) for 11 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and has taken 25 sacks. Maye has also shown he is a threat on the ground as well running for 345 yards on 38 carries and for one rushing touchdown. Considering New England’s 3-10 record and being officially eliminated from the playoffs their focus is towards continuing developing their young quarterback and in the coming offseasons building a good team around their potential franchise quarterback.
So far the 2024 NFL Draft quarterback class has performed well in their rookie seasons and have shown promise for their respective franchises that they may be their quarterback for years to come. While the strength of this quarterback class is yet to be determined as the careers of these players have only just begun along with other first round rookies such as Michael Penix Jr. and JJ McCarthy are yet to be seen in a starting role, the 2024 quarterback class may become one of the stronger classes in recent memory.
Playoff Landscape
After being a little over two thirds of the way through the 2024-2025 NFL season playoffs are in sight. A handful of teams have already secured a playoff spot, but the vast majority are fighting their way into the playoffs through winning their divisions or by securing a wildcard spot. Below is an overview of what teams have secured a spot, what teams are leading their division, who holds the wildcard spots, what teams still have a chance to make the playoffs, and who has been eliminated from playoff contention.
AFC Teams who have secured a playoff spot: Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills.
AFC Teams currently leading their division: Kansas City Chiefs (Clinched), Buffalo Bills (Clinched), Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans.
AFC Teams currently holding a wildcard spot: Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos.
AFC Teams in the hunt: Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals.
AFC Teams eliminated from playoff contention: Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders.
NFC Teams who have secured a playoff spot: Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles.
NFC Teams currently leading their division: Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
NFC Teams currently holding a wildcard spot: Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Washington Commanders.
NFC Teams in the hunt: Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers. NFC Teams eliminated from playoff contention: New York Giants.
AFC and NFC Standings
X - Playoff Berth Clinched
Y - Clinched Division Title
E - Eliminated from Playoffs
NFC | WINS - LOSS | AFC | WINS - LOSS |
1. Detroit Lions (X) | 12 - 1 | 1. Kansas City Chiefs (Y) | 12 - 1 |
2. Philadelphia Eagles (X) | 11 - 2 | 2. Buffalo Bills (Y) | 10 - 3 |
3. Seattle Seahawks | 8 - 5 | 3. Pittsburgh Steelers | 10 - 3 |
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7 - 6 | 4. Houston Texans | 8 - 5 |
5. Minnesota Vikings | 11 - 2 | 5. Baltimore Ravens | 8 - 5 |
6. Green Bay Packers | 9 - 4 | 6. Denver Broncos | 8 - 5 |
7. Washington Commanders | 8 - 5 | 7. Los Angeles Chargers | 8 - 5 |
8. Los Angeles Rams | 8 - 6 | 8. Indianapolis Colts | 6 - 7 |
9. Atlanta Falcons | 6 - 7 | 9. Miami Dolphins | 6 - 7 |
10. Arizona Cardinals | 6 - 7 | 10. Cincinnati Bengals | 5 - 8 |
11. San Francisco 49ers | 6 - 8 | 11. Cleveland Browns (E) | 3 - 10 |
12. Dallas Cowboys | 5 - 8 | 12. Jacksonville Jaguars (E) | 3 - 10 |
13. New Orleans Saints | 5 - 8 | 13. New York Jets (E) | 3 - 10 |
14. Chicago Bears | 4 - 9 | 14. Tennessee Titans (E) | 3 - 10 |
15. Carolina Panthers | 3 - 10 | 15. New England Patriots (E) | 3 - 10 |
16. New York Giants (E) | 2 - 11 | 16. Las Vegas Raiders (E) | 2 - 11 |
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