Joining the discussion is Joe Person, a writer for The Athletic known for his insightful analysis of NFL teams. He dives into the implications of Bryce Young's benching and what it means for the Panthers. The hosts assign panic ratings to the 0-2 teams, revealing the pressures faced by struggling franchises. They explore the dynamics of leadership and the challenges rookie head coaches encounter. 🎤 Insights on the Rams, Bengals, and other winless teams highlight their chances for recovery amidst the chaos of the season.
The upcoming Patriots-Jets game is critical for both teams as they navigate challenging seasons and strive to avoid early playoff elimination.
The benching of Bryce Young in favor of Andy Dalton reflects the Carolina Panthers' urgent attempt to stabilize team morale amid fan dissatisfaction.
The 'P scale' assessment of 0-2 teams illustrates varying panic levels across franchises, highlighting the risk of long-term psychological impacts from losses.
Deep dives
NFL Teams in Crisis
The episode discusses the challenges faced by NFL teams that are currently struggling, particularly those at risk of starting the season 0-3. Starting the season poorly sets a difficult trajectory for the playoffs due to the NFL's competitive nature, which leaves little room for error. The conversation highlights the urgency for teams to address organizational issues before falling deeper into crisis mode. The hosts analyze the implications of poor records and how the league's parity means that losses can quickly become playoff dreams dashed.
Thursday Night Football Preview
The upcoming Thursday Night Football game features the New England Patriots visiting the New York Jets, a matchup filled with emotional significance for Jets fans. Despite past disappointments against the Patriots, the Jets may have a chance to turn the rivalry around given the current circumstances, although uncertainty remains surrounding both teams' performance. The hosts analyze critical aspects such as each team's running game and offensive strategies, pointing to how New England's strengths could challenge the Jets. This game is seen as pivotal for both teams as they navigate their challenging seasons.
Panthers' Quarterback Change
A significant development is the Carolina Panthers’ decision to bench rookie quarterback Bryce Young in favor of veteran Andy Dalton after a disappointing start. This change is aimed at revitalizing the team and preventing further discord among players, especially following the fans' frustrations during games. The discussion reveals insights into the locker room dynamics and the implications of the shift on team morale and performance. The hosts stress the precarious position of the franchise and the need for effective leadership as they navigate this transitional period.
Evaluating Team Confidence
The conversation shifts towards evaluating the confidence levels of various NFL teams currently holding an 0-2 record using a 'P scale' to determine the state of panic around these franchises. The scale indicates varying degrees of urgency and concern, with some teams structurally capable of bouncing back, while others appear to be in disarray. Special attention is given to the New York Giants and their struggles to maintain composure, along with the challenges faced by the Los Angeles Rams and their injury-riddled roster. The hosts express concerns over the psychological impact of potential long losing streaks as the season progresses.
Impacts of Coaching Changes
The hosts analyze the implications of coaching changes and their ripple effects on team performance, focusing particularly on organizations like the Rams and Jaguars. The discussion points out how instability at the coaching level can often lead to a cascade of issues impacting player performance and overall team success. Additionally, the conversations highlight how new coaching strategies can take time to implement effectively, with potential long-term consequences for teams that cannot adapt quickly. The ongoing dialogue underscores the necessity for effective coaching and stable management in the pursuit of success within the league.
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/HTC.
Dan Hanzus, Marc Sessler & Conor Orr are turning the page to Week 3! First up is the Thursday Night Football preview with the Patriots making the short trip to East Rutherford to take on the Jets (5:45). Then, The Athletic's Joe Person joins to dive deeper into the benching of Bryce Young (16:36) to kick off our main segment: PEE SCALE for the 0-2 teams, assigning a panic number from 0.0 to 10.0 based on how worried we are about each of the 9 winless teams (29:55). First up is the Panthers (30:34), followed by the Giants (34:17), Rams (39:30), Ravens (43:36), Bengals (46:51), Colts (51:48), Jaguars (56:08), Titans (1:00:58), and finally, the Broncos (1:08:20).
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