3 & Out - Ravens Soar by the Steelers, Texans handle the Chargers, Coaching carousel
Jan 12, 2025
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Lamar Jackson leads the Ravens to a decisive win over the Steelers, raising questions about Mike Tomlin's future in Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, the Texans shock the Chargers, showcasing the impressive growth of C.J. Stroud. Discussions heat up around the ongoing coaching carousel, with rumors linking Mike Vrabel to the Patriots and uncertainties surrounding the Jets and Dolphins. Overall, the competitive landscape of the AFC is shifting, highlighting the need for strategic changes and fresh leadership in struggling franchises.
The Baltimore Ravens showcased their dominance over the Pittsburgh Steelers, highlighting the need for the team to consider a coaching change as they struggle under Mike Tomlin's leadership.
The Houston Texans' strong defensive performance and effective play from C.J. Stroud demonstrate the importance of smart coaching hires in achieving team success.
Deep dives
Texas Triumphs Over Chargers
The Houston Texans exhibited remarkable performance against the Los Angeles Chargers, showcasing their strong defensive capabilities and impressive play-making. C.J. Stroud significantly improved his game, leading to a strong second half where he made crucial plays to secure victory. Meanwhile, Justin Herbert struggled, throwing multiple interceptions, including a pivotal pick-six, which highlighted the contrast between the two quarterbacks. The Texans' impressive pass rush, powered by players like Will Anderson and Danell Hunter, effectively pressured the Chargers, contributing to their decisive win.
Ravens Dominate Steelers Rivalry
The Baltimore Ravens asserted their dominance over the Pittsburgh Steelers in a one-sided matchup, showcasing a powerful rushing attack that ran for nearly 300 yards. This performance highlighted the decline of the Steelers under Mike Tomlin, who faces criticism for failing to adapt to the team's evolving challenges, particularly in defensive strategies. The Ravens consistently overpowered the Steelers' line, leaving the game feeling more lopsided than the final score suggests. The rivalry, once regarded as one of the fiercest in sports, seems to be fading as the Ravens continue to excel while the Steelers struggle.
Coaching Changes Spark NFL Speculation
The potential hiring of Mike Vrabel by the New England Patriots has created buzz in the NFL, particularly following the dismissal of Gerard Mayo. Vrabel’s deep-rooted connections to the Patriots organization and his successful coaching tenure with the Tennessee Titans make him a prime candidate. His hiring would not only bring stability back to the Patriots but also pose challenges for rival teams in the AFC East, as they seek to navigate a division increasingly focused on competitive coaching. The imminent coaching shakeups at the Jets and Dolphins, alongside Vrabel's possible return, signal a significant shift in the landscape of the division.
The Importance of Coaching and Player Development
In the current NFL environment, the significance of effective coaching cannot be overstated, as evidenced by the contrasting trajectories of various teams. As franchises like the Texans shine with smart hires like D’Amico Ryans, others like the Chargers struggle to find consistent success despite having talented players. The success of the Ravens is a testament to their strong coaching and player development systems, which allow them to maximize talent and maintain their competitive edge. This evolving narrative around the necessity of capable coaching emphasizes the importance of strategic leadership in achieving lasting success on the field.
John dives into another loaded NFL Saturday slate capped by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry leading the Baltimore Ravens to a dominant 28-14 victory over Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers. Middlekauff starts off by going in on the Steelers and their veteran head coach after another early playoff exit, and suggests that it’s time to move on from Mike Tomlin in the Steel City. John proceeds to say the Steelers need to take action now and move on from Tomlin in favor of a fresh face on the NFL coaching carousel, suggesting that they could trade the veteran head coach to maximize his value. John then tips his cap to an impressive Baltimore Ravens squad, led by an EVEN BETTER reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, and goes on to wonder how legit their Super Bowl chances really are. Next, Middlekauff dives into Jim Harbaugh, Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers unraveling against a locked-in Houston Texans defense, and explains why he was wrong about the Bolts going into this playoff tilt. John tips his cap to Demeco Ryans, CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans, anchored by star pass rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, as the preseason-AFC darling advances past the first round of the postseason yet again. After, Middlekauff gives thoughts on the NFL’s coaching carousel including rumors of a far-along deal between Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots, the question marks surrounding the New York Jets litany of interviews and what’s going on with the Miami Dolphins.
3:50 - Ravens beat down the Steelers
24:36 - Texans take down the Chargers
33:20 - NFL’s coaching carousel
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