Tuesday Takeaways: NFL Week 9 Reactions

 We have officially made it past the halfway mark of the NFL season! Here are a few things that stood out to me from this past weekend. Comment below any thoughts or reactions you have had from the NFL season up until this point!

1. Look at what happens when you utilize your elite QB!

The Los Angeles Chargers are a team that I would not want to play come January. They play the tough, physical type of football that Jim Harbaugh is known for, but they also have a bonafide stud at the QB position. Herbert has often felt like a superstar not fully being allowed to play to his fullest potential. The last four weeks he has quietly played at an MVP caliber level. Over this four game stretch he has averaged over 286 yards per game, with 5 touchdowns and no picks. He has averaged 34 attempts per game compared to the 23 attempts he averaged during the first four games of the year. After back to back losses to the Steelers and Chiefs, it looks like the coaching staff used the bye week to scheme up how to better use their franchise quarterback. Pairing up elite play from Herbert with the Chargers elite defense, makes for a team capable of winning a playoff game or two.

2. Is Tua the most important player in the NFL?

I've been on record saying that Tua is a good-not-great quarterback. And I still will defend that. But it is crazy to me how much better the Dolphins offense looks when he is in the game. It opens up everything. Despite the loss to the Bills this week, the Dolphins looked like a playoff caliber team. In the four games that Tua has played he has averaged 237 passing yards. In non Tua snaps, Miami has averaged just 113 yards through the air. While Tua obviously opens up the game for his stud pass catchers, it also unleashes their explosive RB De'Von Achane. Achane has averaged 133 scrimmage yards in games with Tua and just 47 scrimmage yards in games with Thompson or Huntley. I am not saying Tua is even near the MVP award, but there might not be a person that is more vital to their team's success than Mr. Tagovailoa.

3. The NFC West is up for grabs.

It seems like the winner from this division may come down to the final week of the season. Every team has either 4 or 5 wins to their name. The Arizona Cardinals currently lead the division despite having perhaps the least amount of expectations heading into the year. The second place LA Rams are 4-4 and 2-1 in the division, but look like a different team now that Kupp and Puka are back in the mix. The 49ers were a preseason Super Bowl favorite that have failed to live up to expectations but are about to be adding CMC back into the mix. The Seahawks are 0-2 in the division, but have enough juice in their offense that it is not impossible to see them winning some games to finish the season. I am very much looking forward to see this race for the division title down the stretch.

4. The Broncos desperately need to get playmakers around Bo Nix.

Is it a good or bad thing that your rookie QB is the team's best thrower, runner, and maybe receiver (see his contested touchdown grab this past week)?! It is a very bad thing. Despite not having many weapons around him, Nix has improved week to week and looks like a very competent NFL quarterback. He is doing this with one of the worst overall skill position groups in the NFL. Outside of Courtland Sutton, I do not think the Broncos have a single WR that would even be a WR3 on most teams. Javonte Williams, Audric Estime, and Jaleel McLaughlin are all average running backs. There is no TE threat on the team. I doubt that the Broncos are active during today's trade deadline, but getting some talent around Bo Nix should be priority #1 for the Broncos this offseason.

5. Is the DROY locked up?

Jared Verse to me has had a very impressive start to his NFL career. He was my favorite edge rusher in this last draft, but has surprised me very much by his versatility in the run game as well. PFF has him graded as the #15 edge rusher in the league so far and the #6 edge rusher defending the run! He does not have eye popping stats on paper, but watching the film he consistently is applying pressure on the QB. As of right now he is my defensive rookie of the year.