NFL Under Duress List - Week 8

As we approach the midpoint of the season, it's worth reflecting on the intriguing journey this NFL season has been so far.

Before we delve into the standout performances from the 'duress list' of Week 7, let's take a moment to assess how the individuals featured on that list fared.

Jalen Hurts orchestrated a commendable turnaround, guiding his team to a 31-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins. He delivered two crucial touchdown passes and showcased his talent with a 109.5 passer rating.

On the flip side, the Detroit Lions experienced a tough outing, getting soundly defeated by the Baltimore Ravens with a lopsided score of 38-6. By halftime, it was already a daunting 28-0, and by the fourth quarter, the gap had widened to 35-0. The Ravens demonstrated why they're poised to be a significant force in the AFC, leaving the Lions with a stark reminder that they have more to learn on their path to improvement.

Finally, the Chargers faced another setback in their matchup against the formidable Kansas City Chiefs. While there's no shame in losing to the Chiefs, it's worth noting that in their previous two encounters with the Chiefs, just before their recent loss, the Chargers had been narrowly defeated by only three points in both instances. This latest loss places them in a fierce battle for a playoff spot.

With these reflections in mind, let's now redirect our attention to the 'duress list' for Week 8…

Brock Purdy

In Week 6, the San Francisco 49ers' quarterback narrowly avoided criticism following their loss to the Browns. I cut him some slack, considering that the Browns boast a top-three defence, and he had lost key players like Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey during the game. In the fourth quarter, he even led a promising drive down the field, but rookie kicker Jake Moody's missed 41-yard field goal with just six seconds left cost them the game.

However, in Week 7's matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, Purdy threw a pair of interceptions on the 49ers' final two drives. Upon closer examination of his performances, his numbers are less impressive, especially when the 49ers fall behind.

This season, when the 49ers are leading or tied, Purdy boasts a 70% pass completion rate, ten touchdowns, just one interception, and a stellar passer rating of 116.4. However, when they're behind, his completion rate drops to 58.5%, with only one touchdown compared to two interceptions, and a passer rating of 72.8. It's evident that he struggles to handle the pressure of mounting a comeback.

In the last two games, both resulting in losses, Purdy's fourth-quarter performances have been dismal. He's managed just a 39.1% completion rate, two interceptions, no touchdowns, and a woeful passer rating of 18.4. In contrast, in games where they weren't trailing, his fourth-quarter passer rating was an impressive 135.9, with a 73.7% pass completion rate.

Despite his recent struggles, this weekend presents a make-or-break opportunity for him as a quarterback. He did win two playoff games last season, and some even considered him a dark horse MVP candidate when he started 5-0 with ten touchdowns and no interceptions, drawing comparisons to the likes of 49ers great Joe Montana.

This upcoming game is crucial for the Iowa State alum as he faces off against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, who are gaining momentum after a 3-3 start. Can Purdy return to his winning ways and rekindle the MVP discussion, or will it mark a third consecutive defeat, further raising doubts about his status as the very last pick in the 2022 NFL draft and a potential replacement by Sam Darnold?

Next Game: Cincinnati Bengals at Levi’s Stadium

Brandon Staley

It feels like we've been discussing Staley's Chargers almost weekly, yet the results remain far from satisfactory. With each passing week, more questions arise about his coaching.

When Brandon Staley joined the Chargers in 2020, he was hailed as a defensive genius. However, the true test in the AFC West is facing the Kansas City Chiefs, and his record of 2-5 against Kansas City leaves much to be desired. In the six games where Mahomes confronted Staley's defences, he’s torched them for 1,960 yards and 17 touchdowns.

This season, Staley's Chargers are allowing over 310 passing yards per game, potentially on track to set a new NFL record for defensive futility. As Chris Broussard pointed out on First Things First, it seems like everyone is putting up Hall of Fame numbers against them; Tua threw for 466 yards, Mahomes for 424 yards, even rookie QB Aidan O’Connell threw for 238 yards, and Ryan Tannehill managed nearly 246 yards. It's as if even the average quarterbacks are having a field day.

As for Justin Herbert, his performance in their loss to Kansas City was less than stellar, with a scoreless second half and two interceptions. This continues to validate the concerns I raised last week about his poise in fourth quarters when the game is on the line. Furthermore, it's worth noting that no active quarterback has more losses than Justin Herbert (28) since he was drafted in 2020.

I've mentioned it before, and it's becoming increasingly evident: head coach Brandon Staley has been on the hot seat for quite some time, dating back to their Wild Card loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, where they infamously blew a 27-0 lead.

Now, it's safe to say that Staley should be in a scalding seat, considering the Chargers' dwindling playoff chances, currently estimated at just 13% by Pro Football Focus. This is despite having one of the highest payrolls in the league and a star quarterback. While promoting offensive coordinator Kellen Moore after parting ways with Staley might be a reasonable first step, it's apparent that there are deeper-rooted issues plaguing the team.

With the Chicago Bears now in form, following a notable victory against the Raiders, a loss to the Bears on Monday Night Football at SoFi Stadium could potentially turn up the heat on Staley's seat to its maximum. In fact, I'd venture to say that it's a must-win game for him.

Next Game: Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium

Derek Carr

This season, Carr has struggled, and he's one of the main reasons the Saints have a lacklustre record, despite their strong defence. The Saints currently boast the fourth-best total defence in the league, allowing only an average of about 285 yards per game. To put that into perspective, the LA Chargers, in passing yards alone, average 310 yards per game. The Saints have a talented receiving corps, but Carr is having one of the worst seasons of his career, with just six touchdowns and four interceptions in seven games.

Their inefficiency in the red zone is a major issue, ranking 28th in red zone efficiency, and a significant part of the problem can be attributed to Carr. For instance, in the game against Jacksonville, they struggled to convert opportunities into touchdowns and had to settle for field goals.

If Carr can return to the form he displayed with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Saints could be a competitive team in the NFC, their robust defence and an impressive array of skill-position talent, including players like Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, and Rashid Shaheed, not to mention the 2x All-Pro and 5x Pro Bowler Alvin Kamara. However, Carr is failing to deliver this season, with his passer rating at its lowest since his rookie year and his yards per game also at a career low and the offensive struggles are evident.

Carr's frustration has, at times, spilled over into lashing out at his teammates. One of the most memorable instances of Carr's emotional outbursts occurred in the early stages of the fourth quarter when the Saints were trailing by seven. Chris Olave unexpectedly halted his route, causing Carr's pass to sail out of bounds. Prime Video cameras captured Carr's passionate question, "What are you doing?" as he approached the sideline, eventually leading to a discussion with the receiver.

Acknowledging the need to temper his emotional reactions and hold himself accountable, Carr's public outbursts are not isolated incidents. In a Week 6 game against the Houston Texans, during a frustrating 20-13 loss, he engaged in a heated exchange on the sideline with his offensive coordinator, Pete Carmichael.

Despite their 3-4 record, the Saints remain in contention in the highly competitive NFC South, a division that's up for grabs this season. This week, they face the Indianapolis Colts, who recently surrendered 39 points to a backup quarterback, PJ Walker. With this opportunity, Derek Carr should be motivated to make a strong comeback.

Next Game: Indianapolis Colts at The Lucas Oil Stadium