Crowe: The 2023 Season Week #8 - Can Pats Squish the Fish?

Crowe: The 2023 Season Week #8 - Can Pats Squish the Fish?

It was a long time coming, but Patriots quarterback Mac Jones finally has his signature win. After rallying New England to a 29-25 victory over the Bills with a last-second touchdown pass to Mike Gesicki, Jones and crew look to make it two in a row over the beasts of the Easts in Miami Sunday. If they do, life might still be left in this 2023 NFL season.

"Really just want to build off the momentum and continue to do it, do it over and over again," Jones said to the assembled media Wednesday, according to the team’s website. "Stick to the process, have expectations for yourself, and don't pay attention to the other expectations. That's going to be big for me and really starts in practice, right?

In the Pats' week two 24-17 loss to Miami, Jones threw for just 231 yards and a touchdown, going 31-42. A little more balance (88 yards rushing) and a bit better start (down 17-3 at the half) would also be welcomed.

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With an easier schedule ahead, this one is a key cog in getting the season back on track. After a trip to South Beach, New England hosts the Commanders at home before taking on the Colts in Frankfurt, Germany. Both are winnable contests followed by games against the Giants, Chargers, and Steelers. There’s still time to make some hay before the Chiefs come calling on Monday Night Football in mid-December.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. A win is just a win and a streak isn’t a streak until you start to put back-to-back-to-back victories together. The mission for winning number two in a row starts Sunday in Miami.

And oh, by the way, that report of a three-year contract extension for head coach Bill Belichick leaked out Sunday. Don’t doubt for a second that was a way to squash those looking to usher Bill out of town anytime soon. It works for both coach and ownership to keep the heat away for another day.

So, while visions of grandeur of a possible spot in a future power ranking remain, let’s see who’s in our top 10 for week eight.

 

10. Dallas Cowboys (4-2, Last week ranked 6th)

A bye in week 7 gave Dallas some time to get healthy and ready for the Rams this Sunday.

 

9. Cleveland Browns (4-2, Last week ranked 10th)

The Browns have been one of the fun stories of the season so far. Backup quarterback PJ Walker followed the upset of the 49ers with a come-from-behind victory over Indianapolis. How’s this for a cool stat: kicker Dustin Hopkins is 7-for-7 from beyond 50 yards and 16-18 overall. With the league’s top-scoring defense, you can’t count them out of any game.

 

8. Seattle Seahawks (4-2, Last week not ranked)

Seattle hasn’t made things easy on themselves, but they’ve won four of five after doubling up Arizona 20-10 last Sunday. With the 49ers two losses of late, the Seahawks are poised to make a move if they can capitalize on head-to-head matchups coming up in weeks 12 and 14.

 

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2, Last week ranked 8th)

Are we really talking about a Jacksonville team that’s matured and is ready to take the next step? The Jaguars roll into Pittsburgh on Sunday with a four-game winning streak and a bye on the other side of this one.

 

6. Miami Dolphins (5-2, Last week ranked 4th)

Twice this season, Miami has faced a team with a winning record. Twice this season, the Dolphins have been slowed down offensively and lost (Buffalo, Philadelphia). So, are they as good as the team that went 5-0 against teams with a 5-24 record or as bad as the team that lost to winning teams?  In their defense, three of their starting offensive linemen went down to injuries against the Eagles, including former Patriot Isaiah Wynn, who’s now on injured reserve with a quad injury.

 

5. Detroit Lions (5-2, Last week ranked 2nd)

Before the Lions looked up Sunday, they were already down 28-0 to Baltimore before losing 38-6. Giving up 503 total yards, including 146 on the ground, was not what head coach Dan Campbell had in mind for the league’s top rushing defense. Things should get a little easier back at home Monday night against Las Vegas.

 

4. Baltimore Ravens (5-2, Last week ranked 9th)

The week’s biggest movers are the Ravens after their dominating 38-6 victory over Detroit. Lamar Jackson threw for three scores and added another on the ground as Baltimore finally found its offensive flow. The same can be said for the defense who’s letting up a league-low 13.9 points/game. A trap game at Arizona awaits before hosting Seattle in week 9.

 

3. San Francisco 49ers (5-2, Last week ranked 1st)

Suddenly, San Francisco is facing a two-game losing streak after back-to-back road losses at Cleveland and Minnesota. Three turnovers, two coming from Brock Purdy interceptions, are showing the 49ers aren’t as invincible as we once thought. Cincinnati comes calling off the bye this Sunday in a Super Bowl rematch where San Fran could certainly use some home cooking. They may be without Purdy, who’s in the concussion protocol.

 

2. Kansas City Eagles (6-1, Last week ranked 3rd)

The only downside for the Chiefs in a rather easy win over the Chargers was the end of a consecutive completion streak between quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. That ended at 29. This week, they’ll see the Broncos for the second time in three weeks.

 

1. Philadelphia Eagles (6-1, Last week ranked 5th)

The Eagles rebounded from a week six loss to the Jets by holding the NFL’s best defense in the Dolphins to a season-low 244 yards and 10 points. Jalen Hurts and AJ Brown have combined for 701 yards and 3 touchdowns over the last five games.

 

Five games to watch for week 8
Patriots at Dolphins (Sunday 1 pm on CBS)
Jaguars at Steelers (Sunday 1 pm on CBS)
Rams at Cowboys (Sunday 1 pm on FOX)
Jets at Giants (Sunday 1 pm on CBS)
Bengals at 49ers (Sunday 4:25 pm on CBS)

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, we know that Dolphins are not fish!