In a golden season for kickers, one boot stands out above the rest. The cleat of power attached to the instep of Younghoe Koo is delivering an exceptional performance for the Falcons. After four games, Koo is perfect, hitting all nine of his field-goal attempts and all six of his extra-points. Meanwhile, Washington’s Austin Siebert, despite being perfect, has played one game fewer and is yet to make a field goal from 50 yards or beyond, while Koo has nailed three, including the game-winning 58-yarder against the Saints on Sunday. This remarkable rise comes after Koo’s struggles with the Chargers led to his departure from the NFL, making his current success even sweeter. Long live the King.
After a tough loss to the Buccaneers in the season opener, Washington fans might have feared another disappointing year. However, three consecutive wins and stellar performances from rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels have turned things around. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is building a formidable attack around Daniels’ running skills, gradually opening up the passing game. After several seasons of mediocrity, the Commanders are emerging as a dominant force in the NFC East. Kingsbury’s approach to running the ball, distributing the load among four impressive rushers, has resulted in the league’s highest-scoring unit with 10 touchdowns. This strategy is a significant improvement for a team that mishandled their postseason in 2012 by forcing their quarterback, Robert Griffin III, to play through injuries.
Fred Warner was on a mission on Sunday, leading a fiery pregame meeting to reset with a win over the Patriots. His 45-yard pick-six was a crucial reminder of the 49ers’ dominance. However, Warner’s ankle injury and Jordan Elliott’s knee injury are concerning. The offense remains hampered by Christian McCaffrey’s absence and Brandon Aiyuk’s attitude issues. The 49ers need stars like Aiyuk to step up, especially with a challenging schedule ahead.
Veteran defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has had a successful career, but the Eagles’ defense remains toothless. Fangio’s predictable playcalling allowed Baker Mayfield to exploit their soft coverage. Reviving the Eagles’ defense is a tough task for Fangio.
Trevor Lawrence’s losing streak continues, and the Jaguars’ playcalling is questionable. A significant shake-up is needed to avoid the worst record in the NFL this season.
