The Countdown Begins: NFL Teams Gear Up for Cut Day
As the NFL approaches Cut Day, teams are under pressure to reduce their active rosters from 90 to 53 players by next Tuesday. This crucial period sees franchises making tough decisions to fine-tune their lineups ahead of the regular season.
Quarterback Rankings: Brady and Manning Have Their Say
Two of the most iconic quarterbacks in NFL history, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, provided their insights into the league's top quarterbacks at Fanatics Fest. Both legends unanimously placed Kansas City Chiefs’ superstar Patrick Mahomes at the pinnacle of their rankings.
Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow, Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, and Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen also featured prominently in their lists. Manning's preferences saw him include Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert, while Brady spotlighted veteran Aaron Rodgers, now spearheading the New York Jets' offense.
Preseason Standouts and Struggles
The preseason games have already showcased a mixture of outstanding performances and disappointing outings. Buffalo Bills' defensive end Greg Rousseau achieved an impressive 2.5 sacks over just 11 snaps in a match against the Pittsburgh Steelers, highlighting his defensive prowess.
On the offensive side, Kansas City receiver Xavier Worthy made notable contributions by catching three of six targets for 62 yards and scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions. Conversely, New York Giants' Daniel Jones had a challenging game against the Houston Texans, completing 11 of 18 passes for 138 yards but throwing two interceptions.
San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy also faced a tough time, completing only two of six passes for 11 yards and suffering a sack against the New Orleans Saints.
In a game against the Miami Dolphins where the Washington Commanders fell 13-6, Jayden Daniels' performance earned him the role of the Commanders' starting quarterback.
Another highlight was Malik Nabers, who made notable receptions for the Giants in their game against the Texans, while Minnesota Vikings’ Dallas Turner saw limited productivity despite 13 snaps in their win over the Cleveland Browns.
Player Movements and Returns
In recent news, Matthew Judon opted to be traded to the Atlanta Falcons instead of moving to the Chicago Bears. Los Angeles Chargers' Justin Herbert made his return to practice after dealing with plantar fascia in his right foot since July 31.
Seattle Seahawks' Geno Smith secured a substantial three-year, $75 million extension, which includes $40 million in guaranteed money, solidifying his position with the team.
Analyst Predictions: MVP Contenders
Sports analyst Will Brinson has made bold predictions regarding this season’s MVP race. He has backed Buffalo's Josh Allen as his top MVP bet with +850 odds. Additionally, Brinson views Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford as a strong mid-tier contender, with 30-to-1 odds on securing the MVP title.
Tagovailoa's Mental Fortitude
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa shared his experiences dealing with criticism and doubt, offering a glimpse into the mental challenges faced by top athletes. "To put it in the simplest terms, if you woke up every morning and I told you that you suck at what you did, that you don't belong doing what you do, that you shouldn't be here, that this guy should be here, that you haven't earned this," Tagovailoa revealed, reflecting on the incessant negativity.
He further elaborated, "You hear it and you hear it — regardless of what it is, the good or the bad — and you hear it more and more and you start to actually believe that... it's basically been two years of training that out."
O'Connell on Flores
Minnesota Vikings’ head coach Kevin O'Connell commented on Brian Flores' relationships within the team, stating, "I don't particularly have a comment on something that took place with another team or I don't like to comment on comments of other players on other teams, but I can just tell you I know that the players Flo works with, he's got great relationships here."
As the cut-down date looms and teams finalize their rosters, the upcoming NFL season promises to be filled with anticipation, excitement, and intense competition.