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We are at the de facto quarter pole of the NFL season. And just like every NFL season, there have been standouts, surprises, slumps and everything in between (it’s why it’s the best). On this week’s Football 301 Playbook, I wanted to highlight the winners and surprises of this maturing 2024 season.
Running backs!
Specifically teams that have real deal stars at the position who can, preferably, handle every snap if need be. The Eagles and Ravens got Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry, respectively, and have so far reaped the benefits.
It’s evident in:
The eye test of seeing Henry and Barkley stampede for long touchdowns, which is sure hard to forget
Box score stats that show they are both in the top three in individual rushing yards
Advanced stats that show both teams are tied for first in rushing yards over expected per carry on running back runs at 2.1 yards per carry. That’s an improvement from the Ravens’ marks of 0.6 and the Eagles’ -0.2 in 2023.
Josh Jacobs helped the Packers’ foray with Malik Willis be a fun footnote for the season, with those games even influencing Green Bay’s attack going forward as I saw some Swing-T action against the Vikings with Jacobs and wide receiver Jayden Reed, who is emerging as a difference-making player with the ball in his hands. He’s very, very good.
Jonathan Taylor and Bijan Robinson look great as the primary drivers of their offenses. Aaron Jones has added a new element to the Vikings. Brian Robinson looks big and at times like the fastest player on the field in the Commanders’ up-tempo attack.
Then there’s Alvin Kamara, the duo in Detroit, Jordan Mason holding the fort in Santa Clara, the Bills’ run game, the crisp technique that Kyren Williams runs the ball with.
Hiding tendencies is as important as ever in the NFL with coaches having more access than ever to data when scouting opponents. A running back who can impact the game as a runner, receiver and blocker, and thus stay on the field, has an impact for game planning…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/football-301-playbook-4-weeks-into-season-here-are-nfls-top-standouts-welcome-back-running-backs-and-slumps-cmon-browns-045328747.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-10-03 04:53:28
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