NFL “STOCK UP” & “STOCK DOWN” TEAMS OF THE WEEK (Heading into Week 8)
By Gary Greene (10-26-22)
NFL “STOCK UP” TEAM OF WEEK
1). SEATTLE SEAHAWKS OFFENSE: I would’ve never imagined saying the Offense so far thru 7 games with most first half points is Seattle (113 points scored). But the story of the year thus far is the play of journeyman QB Geno Smith. He has the 3rd best QB rating of all QB’s and the Offense is ranked a not too shabby (12th). This Offense lost solid RB Penny but in stepped the Rookie stud from Michigan State Kenneth Walker and the Offense didn’t miss a beat. This Offense in offseason looked to be maybe worst in NFL after losing QB Russell Wilson. The total opposite happened as they are actually one of best in NFL right now. I wanted to give this Offense their due as they totally deserve it. One down side is it looks like stud WR Metcalf (likely out this week) and the other stud (and most under rated WR in the NFL) Lockett also may miss this game vs. surprising NY Giants team. Check closely to see if either or both play or worst scenario both are out…..no way it’s same Offense if these two studs are out. But again my hat is off to Geno Smith as he has really looked poised and has totally exceeded everyone’s expectations. The OL is like many teams – BAD – but that hasn’t slowed Smith from performing at a high level. Only 1 Interception the past 4 games shows he’s learned from forcing passes. Look folks this Offense will still have a chance (if healthy and that is HUGE “IF”) as they only face one top half of league Defense (TB-#7) in next 4 games (others: Giants-#19, Arizona-#22, Vegas-#24). No matter what happens ahead it look’s pretty certain they will end up higher than former QB Russell Wilson’s new team – Denver. So laugh isn’t on them…they won trade by a landslide so far.
NFL “STOCK DOWN” TEAM OF WEEK
1). TIE (TAMPA BAY OFFENSE & GREEN BAY OFFENSE)
Please raise your hand if you said thru 7 games the Bucs and Packers would both have losing (3-4) records? I really hope not one person raised your hand. LOL It’s hard to digest Tampa Offense is ranked #21 and Green Bay’s Offense is ranked #20. OUCH! The Packers QB Rodgers has been sacked 15x so far and Brady has been sacked 10x. I watch game tapes closely Monday nights and Tues nights and these numbers should be double. Both Offensive Lines are just terrible right now. It proves they are both still elite QB’s by simple fact Brady has only thrown (1) interception all season (even under duress it seems like every play) and Rodgersa only has thrown (3) interceptions all year.
The crazy thing is I preach Offensive Line vs. Defensive Line matchups every week for 33 years now. Last year the Bucs had the overall Best Offensive Line and they not only protected Brady well but they opened holes for the run game. This year losing 3 starters to the OL the Bucs are now dead last in rushing the ball (only a paltry 64 rush yards per game). Poor OL play for the Packers (along with WR’s who can’t catch) has now dropped Rodgers into the lower half of all QB’s passing the ball (#21 and only passing for 221 pass yards per game). I had to put both Offenses in “STOCK DOWN” category this week as really neither has had even one fantastic Offensive showing all season. The Bucs Offense has scored over 21 points just once all season. The 3 points last week vs. a downtrodden Panthers team shows now “rock bottom” has been hit. Only one rushing game for the Bucs all season over 100 yards (week 1). They better get well Thursday vs. a weak Ravens Defense (#23) as the Rams (#5) Defense lurks next week. Tampa Bay is in a world of hurt if it loses a third straight game Thursday night on Prime Time (as that would be three losses in a row and to three Defenses ranked in bottom half of league (Caro-18, Pitt-28, Atlanta-30).
The Packers truly miss superstar WR D. Adams as the young kids simply have struggled catching perfect passes. That and poor OL play and what we have thru 7 games is something I would’ve bet my house would’ve never, ever happened and that is 7 games and Rodgers has ZEROOOOOO games with (300+) passing yards in a game. His season high so far is actually under 250 total (with 248 his high mark so far). Add to these woes is the team is now a fumble monster machine fumbling at least once in every game so far but one. I would be stunned if all of a sudden they fix all these issues this week vs. Bills (#1) Defense. The tough Cowboys and Rams Defenses are on deck in next month so I am not sure the Packers Offense gets out of bottom half of the NFL Offenses before December.