mav1234

You're right about our offense in general, but this game is actually the first time I think we saw the QB position executed as Wilks would want - although it is not as important as the physical run game, it becomes important to blow the top off defenses etc.

Probably his best game as a pro, or at least since his rookie year. He looked very different this game, both taking good scrambles but also finding deep targets. It is possible McAdoo is developing him, but he's ALWAYS been streaky. Even compared to his good games last year, he was much better this game, but remember that didn't last last year either. he'll need to be able to do this when our rushing game doesn't spot him 7.

If you put any faith in ESPN's QBR, this was one of Darnold's best performances of his career, with a 85.7, to go along with a 121.4 QB rating (his 2nd highest of his career). I don't think it is fair to say that he was carried entirely by our rushing attack - his passing game was a pretty big participant early in the game in generating the lead. On our second TD drive, he used both his arms and his legs to make the difference there - hard to really claim he was just being carried... Third TD drive started with huge gash plays from the passing game. He worked the clock beautifully to end the half... of course, Hubbard's massive run was a big reason we could get a FG there. But the TD that put the game out of reach in the 3rd was all DJ and Sam. Even compared to his good performances last year, he did a better job stretching the field this game. But its just one game... Need to see him keep that up.

I think that's partly the change in philosophy though.

Its also hard to make the comparison within the confines of the different offenses - I do think Goff played well, they just got so far behind so early...

I dunno man, Sam actually stepped up in the 2nd half and made the plays when we needed to in order to keep the Lions out of reach. I don't think he is some long term answer but he had a fine game today and I think it's okay to credit him for that. Regarding Goff, definitely he played better.

It isn't like Goff imploded or something, either. We just outmuscled them.

I don't know if using multiple backs really does in this circumstance - true Blackshear is very different from Hubbard/Foreman, but the other two mostly just seem to spell each other occasionally. I think we would have seen an adoption of a similar scheme regardless of if CMC was here or not. I do think he requested a trade though. I got the feeling he was actually one of the guy's in Rhule's corner.

With how the OL is playing, I'm not sure that would have been a problem. Until this game, we hadn't shown we could connect often enough over the top to sustain drives...

Yeah, he had a couple nice throws with players in his face.

something else happened right around that trade... can't seem to put my finger on exactly what it was...

Yup. He stepped up where he needed to. Tbh, we did see shades of that last week, but he just wasn't quite on target on a few throws. He really connected with DJ though in this game. If the two of them can keep that chemistry going, we'll be a threat to anyone IMO.

I do too. My animosity is purely about success in football.

Been impressed by Darnold, especially the last couple weeks, but it's been so long since we had even moderately good QB play (not since Darnold the first 4 weeks last year and a while before that), I wanted to take a look at how he has done compared to other QBs... Darnold over 4 games: 54/88, 759 yards, 6 total TDs, 0 INTs, 0 fumbles lost (both amazing) Darnold if he had played 16 games at this exact clip: 216/352, 3036 yards, 24 total TDs. Where this puts him relative to other QBs: Mid-to-low. The top 10 QBs all have at least 3500 yards and 23 *passing TDs*, with the top over 4000 yards and 30 TDs. He's looking like VERY solid backup material that, which is tremendous for him given how he'd looked his first few years. He was a big part of today's win, and had some absolutely clutch throws.

He really does. Definitely would like him back for the right price. He was a BIG part of the domination today. If he can be more than a backup, he'll get the chance to show it over the next 2+ weeks. At some point, we'll not be able to run for 200+ yards and we'll need him to be the driving force behind the offense... and honestly the second half of today gave me hope he and DJ could become that this year.

Have to be honest, he's making me wish we hadn't traded CMC, haha. But he's done well. 6 total TDs over 4 games, and the last 2 games his YPA has been way up (11 this game, 10 last game). He's only had one game below a 100 QB rating too, vs Seattle.

its getting more and more bullshit. I am all for protecting players but if you can't even wrap a QB up in a snap you actually promote more dangerous types of hits IMO

regardless of that the YGM thing was bullshit, he HAD to wrap him up and he didn't lead with his helmet, didnt even look like he contacted his head etc.

Its very rare for me to say this, but I hope Watson never succeeds in this league again. I'm so glad he saved us from ourselves.

The YGM foul was bullshit but I do get the Brown one.

Today was more than just game managing. He's been building up to this performance and hats off to him. Hopefully this is the version of Darnold we see from here on out!

Agreed - "smart decision" I referred to was to punt. I do trust our kicker, but pinning the Lions deep made more sense overall I think.

I do, but I think it was a smart decision overall anyway given the existing lead.

What'd we do to Shane Zylstra?

Honestly Goff has looked quite good overall