When it comes to information tales, the NFL tends to gravitate towards the intense. A workforce asserts itself with an unparalleled first half run just like the Philadelphia Eagles. Or takes a sudden fall just like the Inexperienced Bay Packers or Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But right here stand the 49ers at .500 close to the halfway level of the season (the NFL can longer be divided into halves with the arrival of the 17-game schedule) at 4-4, having two of probably the most fascinating tales within the league as they relaxation up throughout their bye.
First, the 49ers, getting no takers for a post-surgery Jimmy Garoppolo because the transitioned to Trey Lance, held on to him till such a time when Garoppolo noticed it was in his greatest pursuits to return as a backup at diminished worth.
Then Lance broke his ankle in Week 2 and Garoppolo was again within the saddle on a workforce with an excellent supporting forged and a prime stage protection.
Transfer No. 2 was getting a soar on the NFL’s commerce deadline and sending 4 draft picks — none of them a first-rounder — to get Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers. After a powerful debut in opposition to Kansas Metropolis with no apply time, McCaffrey was every thing the 49ers might have hoped for and extra in opposition to the Rams with 94 yards speeding, 55 yards receiving and a 34-yard landing move to Brandon Aiyuk.
Each strikes generated vital buzz, and due to these transactions the 49ers are thought of one of many second half’s most harmful groups regardless of their 4 losses. McCaffrey will make Garoppolo higher by his presence. And searching on the contact Garoppolo had on swings and flares to McCaffrey on the useless run out of the backfield, it really works each methods.
Different observations because the NFL (kind of) concludes its first half of play:
Eagles take flight with Jalen Hurts
It’s been a clinic on learn how to put a workforce collectively, placing a system in place that performs to the strengths of quarterback Jalen Hurts and buying A.J. Brown as a receiver to open issues up.
Most essential, Philadelphia has a plus-15 turnover margin in simply eight video games. No different workforce is healthier than plus-6. The Eagles are the primary workforce for the reason that 1972 Pittsburgh Steelers to have a plus turnover margin in all eight video games to begin a season.
The rise of Geno Smith
Simply what everybody figured. Seattle would commerce away Russell Wilson, exchange him with Geno Smith and get higher.
The rationale Smith shouldn’t be a viable candidate for NFL Comeback Participant of the 12 months is he hasn’t come again from something. The award goes to somebody who was excellent, then dropped off due to accidents, supporting forged or private circumstance, after which rises once more.
Smith has by no means been this good. He hasn’t been an unquestioned starter since 2013-14 with the New York Jets, at which era he threw 25 landing passes and 34 interceptions. He’s a sudden star at age 32 and the Seahawks are a sport up on the 49ers with a 5-3 file within the NFC West.
The story of Tua Tagovaiola
Good to see Miami quarterback Tua Tagovaiola trying wholesome and throwing landing passes once more after trying unsteady following successful on Sept. 29, clearing concussion protocol after which returning to play on a Thursday night time to endure a extreme blow to the pinnacle.
It was black eye for the NFL and led to a “gross motor instability” clause within the concussion protocol to forestall re-entry right into a sport for a participant who appears to be like woozy following a attainable blow to the pinnacle.
Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers fall to earth
Tom Brady got here near main Tampa Bay to an NFC title sport with one in every of his greatest statistical seasons. Aaron Rodgers received his second straight MVP and fourth total for Inexperienced Bay.
The 2 confirmed winners are every 3-5 and unaccustomed to dropping. Brady is airing out teammates on the sidelines (he did it throughout successful years as effectively) and Rodgers is doing it throughout press conferences.
Enterprise as traditional for Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes
If Brady and Rodgers have taken a step again, Allen and Mahomes have stepped up. That they had a memorable time beyond regulation playoff battle final 12 months received by Mahomes, with Allen successful an in depth regular-season matchup this 12 months.
One is the very best quarterback within the NFL, the opposite is No. 2. Or possibly they’re tied.
The disappointing Raiders
The Raiders went from 10-7 and a wild card berth to 2-5 and are coming off a 24-0 loss to New Orleans. You need bitterness, try Raiders Twitter because it pertains to teach Josh McDaniels. And it’s onerous in charge a fan base that has taken so many punches to the jaw courting again to the mid-Nineteen Nineties.
Derek Carr has regressed. So has Hunter Renfrow. Free agent signing Davante Adams has been so-so. Darren Waller can’t keep wholesome. Josh Jacobs has had his moments when the Raiders stick to the run. The O-line was ignored and is ineffective.
The protection has been terrible, as traditional, with solely Maxx Crosby standing out as something particular.
Finally Mark Davis has a WNBA title with the Aces, as a result of he’s not getting a Tremendous Bowl ring any time quickly with this crew.
Midseason awards
MVP–Josh Allen, Buffalo. Needs to be the MVQ (as in Most Beneficial Quarterback) since no different place has received the award since Adrian Peterson in 2012. Allen has the Payments at 6-1 as a dominant runner/passer and beat Mahomes face to face. Others: Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia, Geno Smith, Seattle.
Offensive participant of the 12 months–WR Tyreek Hill, Miami. As explosive for Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel as he was for Andy Reid in Kansas Metropolis. Already has 961 receiving yards — that’s Calvin Johnson, Jerry Rice and Randy Moss stuff. Others: RB Nick Chubb, Cleveland RB Saquon Barkley, N.Y. Giants, Derrick Henry, Tennessee.
Defensive participant of the 12 months–DE Nick Bosa, 49ers. With 8 1/2 sacks regardless of lacking one sport, going to stay with my preseason decide. Others: DE Micah Parsons, Dallas, DE Myles Garrett, Cleveland, DE Za’Darius Smith, Minnesota.
Offensive rookie of the 12 months–RB Dameon Pierce, Houston. There have been 106 gamers chosen within the NFL Draft earlier than the Texans took Pierce within the fourth spherical out of Florida. He’s the NFL’s fourth-leading rusher with 678 yards on 148 carries. Others: WR Chris Olave, New Orleans, RB Kenneth Walker III, Seattle.
Defensive rookie of the 12 months–CB Tariq Woolen, Seattle. At 6-foot-4, 205 kilos, Woolen appears nearly too tall for the place. He lasted till the fifth spherical however has 4 interceptions and has been a standout for the shocking Seahawks. Others: CB Sauce Gardner, N.Y. Jets, LB Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville
Coach of the 12 months–Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia. Sirianni’s identify drew numerous shrugs when the Eagles named him to exchange Doug Pederson earlier than the 2021 season. Eagles improved from 4-11-1 to 9-8 and at the moment are 8-0 for the primary time in franchise historical past. Others: Brian Daboll, N.Y. Giants, Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota, Pete Carroll, Seattle, Mike McDaniel, Miami, Sean McDermott, Buffalo
Comeback participant of the 12 months–Saquon Barkley, N.Y. Giants. With 779 yards, 5 touchdowns and a 4.8 yards per carry common, Barkley is all the way in which again from an ACL tear in 2020. He performed simply two video games that season and averaged 3.7 per carry a 12 months in the past. Others: Christian McCaffrey, 49ers.