One: I have to wonder if the end is near for Russell Wilson in New York.
Wilson didn’t have a great night Sunday night in New York’s loss to Kansas City. He went 18-of-32 for 160 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. New York’s only touchdown of the game came courtesy of running back Cam Skattebo.
All whole Jaxson Dart (mostly) watched from the sidelines. Dart took three snaps, all on plays that were runs. Fans would cheer as soon as Dart came into the game. And they would boo every time he was swapped back out for Wilson.
I get it. He’s the shiny new toy and the fun first rounder who can do no wrong…because he has done no wrong. He has yet to throw a pass in the NFL and represents an exciting, albeit unknown, future at the position.
The NBC broadcast spent a decent chunk of the fourth quarter talking about Wilson and Dart, and the frustration of an anxious fan base eager to see Dart take over. It’s a matter of when, not if, and it’s a tough situation if you’re Wilson. However, he also didn’t help himself much last night.
Shortly after that conversation, in a goal-to-go situation, Wilson threw the ball away three times, including one that garnered an intentional grounding penalty and once on fourth down. Three uncompetitive throws killed the last chance of New York coming back in that game.
It was one of the weirdest, and probably worse sequences I’ve seen in quite some time.
Honestly, the packages designed for Dart feel like Daboll being desperate to get Dart into the game. It doesn’t seem like the choice to hand over the keys to Dart is entirely his choice. Maybe it’s not his at all. I know Wilson had a great Week 2, but with each loss that piles up, the calls for Dart will only get stronger.
The Giants also have far from a favorable schedule for a rookie quarterback, as the broadcast pointed out. Next week is against the LA Chargers…eh, probably not. Then they go on the road to New Orleans.
Ok, there’s a point where you could start him! There’s just one small problem.
Two of their next three games after that are against Philadelphia. That’s a tough matchup for anyone, the rookie Dart included. I certainly don’t envy their position right now.
UPDATE: Dart is in fact taking over as the starter in New York. I still don’t envy the position that the Giants are in, but I am excited to see what he can do. The original thought remains unedited.
Two: Special teams is mattering more and more in the NFL. But it’t not just because of the new dynamic kickoff and the seemingly never-changing kickoff rules over the last few years.
In case you needed a reminder of how much special teams can impact a game, Week 3 was the perfect reminder.
In Philadelphia, in the dying seconds of the fourth quarter between the Rams and Eagles, Philly blocked the go-ahead field goal and ran it all the way back for a touchdown, ending the game 33-26 for the Eagles.
In Cleveland, the Browns blocked a field goal late in the fourth quarter in a tied game. That block gave the Browns just enough time to set up a 55-yard field goal try that redeemed Andre Szmyt, giving Cleveland the 13-10 upset win over Green Bay.
And in Tampa Bay, the visiting Jets blocked a field goal attempt and ran it back for a touchdown, which at the time gave them the lead with less than two minutes to go. Unfortunately for the Jets, the Buccaneers would eventually kick a successful field goal to win the game, 29-27.
For the teams that are great on special teams, this week is a vindication of the work that they put in. For the teams that aren’t as good at it, they better catch on…and quick.
Three: I feel terrible for Najee Harris.
On Sunday, Harris suffered a season-ending Achilles injury after collapsing to the ground on a non-contact play. He was carted off the field. The team was initially hopeful that it was not as bad as it looked, but later testing confirmed that his injury his in fact season-ending.
Of all the Steelers from last year that I was interested in keeping an eye on in their new markets, Harris was probably at the top of the list. The former first round pick by Pittsburgh had his fifth-year option declined by the team, and was ultimately not re-signed after his rookie contract expired.
He racked up four straight seasons of 1,000+ yards rushing, and led the NFL in touches in his rookie year. In his four years as a Steeler, he never missed a game, starting a perfect 68 for 68. One of, if not his most prized traits in Pittsburgh was his durability. Even if he very rarely put together an explosive run on the field, the Steelers could always count on him to be ready to go.
Now, in just his third game as an LA Charger, his season ends on, of all things, a non-contact injury. Just, such a bummer.
The Chargers will be alright; Harris was backing up first round roolie Omarion Hampton this season anyways. But I was hoping to see him out there in LA.
It was a tough week for ex-Steeler running backs altogether; James Conner also suffered a horrid ankle injury that also required him to be carted off the field. His injury, like Harris, was labeled season-ending. I’m wishing a speedy recovery for both of them.
Fifth Avenue Sports 
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