How Falcons shocked Eagles, plus chaos in Prisco's Energy Rankings and why Bryce Younger obtained benched

Welcome to the Tuesday version of the Choose Six publication! 

And I would prefer to particularly welcome everybody from the Kirk Cousins fan membership. The Falcons pulled off a stunner on Monday night time with a 22-21 win over the Eagles and it was all due to Cousins. For many of his profession, Cousins was identified for wilting below the Monday night time lights, however not this time. The Falcons QB engineered a wild comeback, and we’ll be protecting that immediately. 

We’ll even be breaking the down the Panthers’ surprising determination to bench Bryce Younger, and naturally, because it’s Tuesday, we’ll even have Pete Prisco’s Energy Rankings, which underwent some wild modifications this week. 

As at all times, this is your each day reminder to inform all your pals and neighbors to join the publication. To get them signed up, all you need to do is click here. 

1. Bryce Younger benched: Particulars on Carolina’s stunning determination to bench the previous No. 1 total decide

The Carolina Panthers made a surprising determination on Monday after they determined to tug the plug on Bryce Younger. Though Younger hasn’t regarded good to date in his quick profession, it was a surprising determination since you hardly ever see NFL groups surrender on a first-round quarterback this rapidly, and positively not a QB who was taken with the primary total decide. 

With Younger on the bench, the Panthers will likely be turning to Andy Dalton in hopes that he can jumpstart an offense that has scored simply 13 factors by way of two weeks. 

This is what you should know: 

• Why Younger was benched. New Panthers coach Dave Canales, who was simply employed in January, stated that benching Younger is a transfer that provides his crew the perfect probability to win video games proper now. “Finally, this comes on me, and my No. 1 duty is to assist the Panthers win,” Canales told the media. “And so this transfer, I consider, places us in the perfect probability to try this this week.” The Panthers’ subsequent sport will come on Sunday in Las Vegas in opposition to the Raiders. 
• Younger was apparently blindsided by the transfer. Regardless of getting off to an unsightly begin this yr, Younger had no concept he was about to be benched. In accordance to ESPN.com, Younger “did not see” the choice coming. In two video games this season, Younger was averaging simply 122.5 passing yards per sport whereas throwing three interceptions in comparison with zero touchdowns. 
• Younger was traditionally dangerous. In 18 begins with the Panthers, Younger went 2-16. Since 1950, that is the third-worst file for any QB with a minimum of 15 begins. Solely DeShone Kizer (0-15) and Chris Weinke (2-18) have been worse. 
• Panthers make an unprecedented determination. Benching the No. 1 total decide throughout simply his second yr is just about exceptional within the NFL. JaMarcus Russell, who was one of many greatest draft busts of all time, obtained benched throughout his third season with the Raiders. Jameis Winston additionally was benched early in his profession. After being taken with the primary total decide in 2015, the Buccaneers ended up benching him in 2018. If you wish to see the complete record of No. 1 picks who’ve been benched, you may check that out here. 
• Dalton set to go on revenge tour. If Andy Dalton finally ends up beginning the remainder of the season, it is going to be fairly the revenge tour for him: Carolina will likely be going through ALL of Dalton’s former groups this season with video games in opposition to the Bengals (Week 4), Bears (Week 5), Saints (Week 9) and Cowboys (Week 15). 

You’ll be able to test out our full story on Young’s benching here. If you wish to learn much more, our native North Carolina resident, Will Brinson, broke down why the Panthers are literally making the correct determination by benching Younger, and also you can check that out here. 

2. Recapping the Falcons’ surprising win over the Eagles: Six issues to know

The ultimate sport of Week 2 was a wild one. The Eagles appeared to have issues in hand within the fourth quarter, however Kirk Cousins engineered a comeback over the ultimate 100 seconds to present Atlanta a surprising 22-21 win over Philadelphia. 

If you happen to missed the sport or simply need a refresher, this is a fast breakdown of what occurred: 

1. Kirk Cousins comes up clutch within the second half. Cousins did not look nice within the first half, however he caught fireplace within the second half. Over the ultimate two quarters, Cousins accomplished 13 of 16 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns. His most spectacular drive got here late within the fourth quarter. With the Falcons trailing 21-15 and simply 1:39 remaining, Cousins engineered a 70-yard scoring drive by going 5 of 6 for 70 yards. The Falcons QB received the sport with a seven-yard TD go to Drake London with simply 34 seconds left (You can see every pass from the drive here). Cousins used to have a historical past of choking in Monday video games, however he is now 4-1 in his previous 5 Monday video games after opening his profession 0-9. 
2. Bijan Robinson carried the Falcons offense for an excellent chunk of the sport. The Falcons offense regarded like a jumbled mess in Week 1, nevertheless it took an enormous step ahead this week, and that was thanks principally to Robinson. The working again totaled 97 yards on the bottom whereas additionally including 25 receiving yards. With Robinson working the ball so effectively, that took some stress off Kirk Cousins, who appeared to get extra comfy as the sport went on (Cousins was simply 7 of 13 for 75 yards within the first half). 
3. Barkley’s blunder prices the Eagles. There are a variety of causes the Eagles misplaced, however the greatest one is due to a dropped go by Saquon Barkley. On a third-and-3 play with just below two minutes left, Jalen Hurts rolled out and threw an ideal ball to Barkley. If he had caught it and gotten the primary down, the Eagles may have merely taken a knee and ran out the clock, however he ended up dropping the go (You can see it here). The drop stopped the clock for the Falcons, who have been out of timeouts. The drop additionally overshadowed a powerful sport by Barkley, who totaled 116 yards (95 rush and 21 receiving). Based on CBS Sports activities analysis, Barkley now has 19 drops for the reason that begin of the 2021 season, which is probably the most amongst working backs. 
4. Jalen Hurts additionally makes an enormous mistake. After Atlanta took a 22-21 lead with simply 34 seconds left, the Eagles nonetheless had an opportunity to win. After getting the ball at their very own 30, they simply wanted to get in area aim vary and so they had two timeouts to assist make that occur. The Eagles solely wanted about 28 yards to present Jake Elliott an opportunity, and it regarded like they have been going to get there after gaining 13 yards on their first play. Nevertheless, Elliott by no means obtained an opportunity to strive the sector aim as a result of Hurts was picked off by Atlanta’s Jessie Bates III on Philly’s closing offensive play of the sport. The decide sealed the loss for Philadelphia and overshadowed an in any other case strong sport from Hurts, who threw for 170 yards and a TD whereas additionally speeding for 85 yards and a TD. 
5. Sirianni goes to be second-guessed. Barkley’s drop on the finish of the sport would not have occurred if the Eagles merely would have run the ball. Peyton Manning was shocked to see Philly throw a go in that scenario, and this is why: The Falcons have been out of timeouts. If the Eagles had run the ball, they might have burned one other 40 seconds off the clock. In that scenario, the Falcons would have gotten the ball again with out about 55 seconds left whereas trailing 21-15. As a substitute, they obtained it again with 1:39 left. Sirianni additionally made a questionable determination to go for it on fourth-and-4 from Atlanta’s 9-yard line within the first quarter. The Eagles may have taken a simple area aim, however as a substitute, they went for it and obtained stopped. Sirianni confronted nearly the EXACT identical scenario TWICE within the second half, and each instances, he ended up kicking the sector aim (One got here on a fourth-and-3 from Atlanta’s 6-yard line, the opposite got here on a fourth-and-3 from Atlanta’s 10). Sirianni made some fascinating choices which might be undoubtedly going to be second-guessed. 
6. Eagles maintain collapsing. The Eagles’ loss to the Falcons marked the fourth time for the reason that begin of the 2023 season that they’ve blown a lead within the closing two minutes, which is the highest number in the NFL. The Eagles’ late-season collapse could be beginning early this season. 

Anyway, if you wish to try extra of our takeaways from the sport, be sure to click here. If you wish to see what variety grades the Falcons and Eagles earned, you can see that here. 

3. Prisco’s Week 3 Energy Rankings: Saints and Vikings make big jumps

The Energy Rankings underwent certainly one of its greatest shakeups ever this week with FOUR totally different groups shifting up a minimum of 13 spots and 9 totally different groups shifting down a minimum of six spots. I have been studying Prisco’s Energy Rankings for greater than a decade now, and I’ve NEVER seen something like this.

Even the highest 5 was impacted with two new groups this week:

1. Chiefs (Identical as final week)
2. Payments (Up one spot from final week)
3. Texans (Up two from final week)
4. Buccaneers (Up 5 from final week)
5. Vikings (Up 13 from final week)

I am not going to spoil the remainder of the Energy Rankings right here, however I’m going to present you just a few nuggets. This is what has modified since Prisco’s final Energy Rankings: 

• The most important soar this week went to the New Orleans Saints. After watching the Saints blow out the Cowboys on Sunday, Prisco is lastly able to admit that New Orleans could be for actual. Prisco moved them up 19 spots this week, from twenty fifth to sixth. I am not the official file keeper of the Energy Rankings, however I consider that could be the largest single-week soar within the historical past of Prisco’s rankings. 
• The most important soar within the AFC went to the Raiders, who obtained rewarded for pulling off an enormous upset in opposition to the Ravens on Sunday. Due to that win, Prisco moved them up 16 spots from thirtieth to 14th. 
• The most important drop within the rankings went to the Miami Dolphins. With Tua Tagovailoa out, it was a on condition that the Dolphins have been going to fall and Prisco ended up dropping them 13 spots from tenth all the way down to twenty third. 
• The most important drop within the NFC went to the Eagles. After getting shocked by the Falcons on Monday night time, Prisco dropped them 10 spots from eighth to 18th. 
• Now, let’s speak concerning the worst crew within the NFL, and there is not any drama right here. The Panthers have been ranked lifeless final for the reason that finish of final yr and so they’re nonetheless in that spot heading into Week 3. The Panthers are clearly turning to Andy Dalton in hopes that he can pull them out of the underside of the rankings. 

If you wish to know the place your favourite crew ended up in Prisco’s Week 3 Energy Rankings, be sure to click here. If you wish to argue with Prisco over his rankings, you can do that on Twitter by clicking here. I argue with him on a regular basis about all the things. 

4. Rating the highest rookies of Week 2: Marvin Harrison Jr. steals the present

After a quiet debut the place he caught precisely zero passes, Marvin Harrison Jr. exploded onto the scene in Week 2 with an enormous sport throughout Arizona’s 41-10 win over the Rams.

Josh Edwards ranked the perfect rookie performances this week and Harrison was on the high of his record. Let’s check out his high 5: 

1. Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. “Some had concern about Harrison’s future based mostly on the way it performed out in Week 1, however that’s commonplace irrational microwave scorching takes. …. Harrison completed with 4 receptions for 130 yards and people two touchdowns.”

2. Giants WR Malik Nabers. “Nabers ran 27 routes on Sunday, in accordance with TruMedia. He was focused 18 instances (10 receptions for 127 yards, 1 TD), which implies he was focused on 66.7% of routes ran. Nabers was snapping off routes and creating separation for a Giants offense that desperately wants it.”

3. Steelers RT Troy Fautanu. “Fautanu nearly threw an ideal sport on Sunday in opposition to a Broncos go rush that had some success in opposition to the Seahawks in Week 1. There might have been some confusion on one stunt, however in any other case he held Denver in test all sport.”

4. Chargers LT Joe Alt. “Alt does a extremely good job taking part in with stability and sealing run lanes. He’s at all times calm and in management working by way of his go arc. When Los Angeles requested him to work to the second degree, he was comfy doing that as effectively.”

5. Saints LT Taliese Fuaga. “The Saints have been the shock of the season. They made some schematic changes to present the rookie left deal with a little bit of assist, however he did a powerful job in opposition to a Cowboys go rush that gave the Browns some bother in Week 1.”

Edwards ranked a complete of 10 rookies, and also you can see his full list by clicking here. 

5. Breech’s Week 3 NFL picks: Ravens fall to 0-3, Eagles lose one other sport

If it is Tuesday, that may solely imply one factor round these components: It is time for my weekly picks.  

If you happen to ignore all of my picks this week, I’ll perceive. As a matter of reality, I would ignore my very own picks after seeing how badly I did final week. It was so dangerous that I’ve repressed it from my reminiscence and I’ll by no means be speaking about it once more. I went 4-12 straight-up and eight of these 12 losses got here in a sport the place the crew I picked misplaced by six factors or much less. Mainly, EVERY ONE-SCORE GAME WENT AGAINST ME. HOW IS THAT EVEN STATISTICALLY POSSIBLE?

Anyway, as at all times, this text will function three of my picks, after which for those who really feel like studying the remainder of them, you can click through here and check them out. 

With that in thoughts, listed here are three of my most important picks for the week, beginning with the Thursday night time sport in Miami:  

• Patriots (+6) at Jets: This would be the Jets’ third sport in 10 days, so I will not be stunned in any respect if the Jets look sluggish. As a result of that reality, I feel the Patriots can maintain this shut, however I do not assume they will have sufficient juice to tug off the upset. PICK: Jets 20-17 over Patriots.
• Eagles at Saints (-1.5): By two weeks, the Eagles protection is surrendering a mean of 399.5 yards per sport, which is the fourth most within the NFL. When you’ve gotten one of many worst defenses within the NFL, the Saints are the final crew you need to be taking part in. PICK: Saints 34-24 over Eagles.
• Ravens at Cowboys (+1): If the Ravens lose this sport, they will fall to 0-3, and a loss would possibly truly occur. By two weeks, the Ravens have given up the MOST passing yards within the NFL and I really feel like Dak Prescott goes to have the ability to benefit from that. PICK: Cowboys 30-27 over Ravens. 

As soon as once more, to take a look at the remainder of my picks for Week 3, be sure to click here.   

6. Additional factors: 49ers star to overlook a number of weeks

It was a busy 24 hours within the NFL, and because it’s almost inconceivable to maintain monitor of all the things that occurred, I went forward and put collectively a roundup for you.

• Deebo Samuel will miss a while with an harm. The 49ers have already misplaced Christian McCaffrey to harm, and now Deebo Samuel can be going to overlook a while. Kyle Shanahan stated that Deebo will miss a “couple of weeks” due to a calf strain that he suffered in opposition to the Vikings, which makes it sound like Samuel will miss a minimum of two video games, if no more. 
• Cooper Kupp to overlook a number of weeks. The Rams have already misplaced Puka Nacua to harm, and now, Kupp can be going to overlook a while. Sean McVay stated that Kupp will miss an “an prolonged time period” after spraining his ankle in opposition to the Cardinals. The Rams have already been decimated by accidents, and now, not solely are they including Kupp to the injured record, however guard Jonah Jackson and security John Johnson III are additionally anticipated to overlook a while. 
• A.J. Brown might be out a number of weeks. The Eagles star missed Monday’s loss with a hamstring harm, and apparently he may find yourself lacking extra video games. Brown told ESPN that he “expects to overlook a pair weeks.” Nevertheless, Nick Sirianni disputed that timeline after the sport, so it stays to be seen how lengthy Brown will likely be out. 
• Steelers sticking with Justin Fields in Week 3. It seems like Russell Wilson will likely be spending one other week on the bench. Mike Tomlin introduced on Tuesday that Justin Fields will likely be getting the beginning on Sunday when the Steelers host the Chargers. The Steelers are 2-0 in two begins with Fields, however they solely have one offensive landing.
• Dolphins have not made an IR determination on Tua. The Dolphins nonetheless have not decided about whether or not they will put Tua on injured reserve. In the event that they make the transfer, then Tua should miss a minimum of 4 video games, however proper now, coach Mike McDaniel says that crew would not have “sufficient data.” If Tua goes on IR, he’d truly be out for 5 weeks for the reason that Dolphins have a bye in Week 6, which implies he would not be capable of return till Week 8 (Oct. 27). If the Dolphins really feel he can play sooner, they might let him return after the bye, which might imply solely lacking three video games. Returning after the bye would give him 5 weeks to heal from his concussion. 
• Pacheco out 6-8 weeks. We talked about on Monday that Isiah Pacheco was going to be positioned on IR, and now, we have now a greater concept concerning the timeline of his return. The Chiefs working again is expected to miss six to eight weeks, which implies he’ll be sidelined till November. 
• Jets lose defensive starter for the season. Jermaine Johnson will miss the rest of the 2024 season after tearing his Achilles throughout New York’s Week 2 win over the Titans. With the defensive finish now out, this might push the Jets to try to get a deal carried out with Haason Reddick in an effort to finish his holdout.