Tuesday Takeaways: NFL Week 6 NFL Reactions

Another weekend of football has passed, which means it is time for another weekend recap! Comment below some things that stood out to you when watching week 6 of the NFL!

1. Reason for Hesitation in Buffalo?

It has been consensus thinking that Buffalo remains among the elite teams in the NFL. Following back to back losses there are some quiet questions being asked. It is not necessarily the losses itself that are causing me to pause, but also who they have won against. Once again their defense will most likely be their biggest weak spot when it comes playoff time. They are league average against the pass and a bottom three run defense six weeks into the season. The offense is still productive but they have looked slightly discombobulated the last few weeks. They are turning it over at a higher rate than last season and they are allowing a high amount of sacks when comparing to pressure being allowed. Both of those things can be fixed and you do not have concerns that Buffalo will miss the playoffs. You still think that they are one of the better teams in the league. But...as we have a clearer picture of what the league looks like, the Bills wins are less impressive. In their four wins they have beaten the 1-5 Ravens, the 0-6 Jets, the 1-5 Dolphins, and the 1-5 Saints. Following back to back primetime losses against the only teams that are above .500 they have played, maybe it is fair to watch closely to evaluate how good this version of the Bills truly is.

2. Proof Production is Undervalued

I have two examples for this section. The first is the electrifying rookie running back, Cam Skattebo. This past year at Arizona State, Skattebo was a 1st Team AP All-American and finished 5th in Heisman voting, while setting school records and finishing with statistics comparable to when Christian McCaffrey was at Stanford. Despite this, Skattebo was the 8th running back to hear their name called on draft night as he fell to the fourth round. Skattebo fell because he does not have the measurables. He does not have the craziest 40 time or the biggest frame or the quickest cuts. Often that matters. Some times it does not. It does not matter with Skattebo. When you watch him you realize he is a beast. You saw it in college and it has carried right over to the NFL. Along with rookie QB Jaxson Dart, Skattebo has rejuvenated a New York Giants franchise that desperately needed some life. Skattebo is averaging over 4 yards per carry and has 5 touchdowns, has added a threat in the receiving game, and is a great pass protector. Skattebo is a fantastic example of how sometimes we overthink prospects, and good players simply are good.

Another running back who is showing that production translates is Rico Dowdle. Dowdle has been a sensation the past two weeks. It has been shocking to NFL fans but, honestly, we should have seen this coming. But we didn't. NFL teams missed it. Heck even the Panthers missed it. The Cowboys let him walk this offseason and the Panthers signed him to be the backup. It took an injury to Chuba Hubbard for Dowdle to get his chance. In two games as the primary back in Carolina, Dowdle has been the best back in the league. Last week he had 206 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown, and 28 receiving yards. This past Sunday he had 183 rushing yards and 56 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown against his former team. His 473 total scrimmage yards over just two games is astronomical production, but should it be THIS surprising? Last year, in the seven games where he was the primary running back for the Dallas Cowboys, Dowdle averaged 97 yards per game. He was highly productive. Yet, no team really wanted him in free agency. He only signed a one-year deal with Carolina. Like Skattebo, Dowdle is proving that sometimes the reason a player produces at a high level is because that player is a high level player.

3. Tua's Time is Ticking

We have talked quite a bit about the turbulent times down in Miami. It seems inevitable that there is about to be a lot of shake up following this season. Miami is 1-5, is allowing the third most yards per game, 4th most points per game, and have a bottom 10 offense in the league. Miami is going to be picking in the top 10 of the draft once again. Tyreek Hill will be gone after this season. I would bet this is Mike McDaniel's final season at the helm of the franchise. Now I am not so sure Tua Tagovailoa has much time left as the quarterback of the Miami Dolphins, despite the huge contract they have given him. Tua has not been good. He can't push the ball down the field and he has thrown the third most interceptions in the league. Following the loss this weekend Tua had some comments calling out his teammates and throwing them under the bus. This is not the first time Tua has seemingly pointed fingers at teammates. Some might defend this as him being a leader of a struggling team, but I view it differently. To me it comes across as cocky and arrogant, and a deflection of criticism. As someone who is being paid like an elite quarterback and franchise player, Tua is not playing up to that standard and is not accepting responsibility for his poor play. Tua is paid too much to play this poorly. He has shown me nothing that would inspire hope for the future of the position if I was a Dolphins fans and I would be upset by his comments. Tua has talent, but I am not sure how much time he actually has in Vice City.