NFL Bandwagon Report: A solution for questionable roughing the passer calls

There are the teams you’re born rooting for, for better or worse, and then there are the bandwagon clubs – the franchises and star players that pique your interest, draw you in and drop you off. Each week of the 2022 campaign, we’re recapping some of the most encouraging and discouraging developments from around the NFL and deciding whose bandwagon to hop on or off – even if only for a week.

Week 5 taught us that New York football is actually fun, the Eagles are in fact still really good, the Seahawks are one of the most exciting teams to watch, and that sometimes the best way to preserve your football fandom is to simply change the channel (yes, we're talking about the Colts-Broncos nightmare).

As we look ahead to Week 6, here's a look back on some of the best and worst of the week that was.

Hop on: Patriots being happy with Zappe

Could the New England Patriots be in decent shape starting a third-string rookie quarterback? Bailey Zappe showed some upside when he was forced into action Week 4 and picked up a dominant victory in his first career start in Sunday’s Week 5 win over Detroit. Zappe completed 17 of 21 pass attempts for 188 yards, one TD, one interception as the Patriots blanked the Lions 29-0. Zappe was the first rookie since Daniel Jones in 2019 to win his first start and do so with a QB rating of at least 100.0. It could be a non-story, but Bill Belichick did not rule out sticking with Zappe after Mac Jones is healthy enough to return.(MJ)

Hop off: This version of the Tomlin-era Steelers

Unlike Zappe, Kenny Pickett didn’t win his first NFL start. Three of the four AFC North teams are below .500 after Week 5 but the Steelers are easily the most concerning team in the division. Sure, they were facing the juggernaut Bills in Buffalo, but Pittsburgh looked like a hot mess in a 38-3 loss. The 35-point defeat was the biggest Steelers loss of the Mike Tomlin era. Rookies Pickett and George Pickens seem to have decent chemistry capable of blooming but with T.J. Watt done for the year and the offence sputtering this season has become a full-blown rebuild, one in which management should consider trading certain players for future assets and begin looking for Tomlin’s replacement. (MJ)

Hop On: A solution for questionable 'roughing the passer' calls

A pair of perplexing roughing the passer calls in Week 5 has put officiating back in the spotlight and reignited a referendum of sorts on what exactly is and is not allowed when tackling a QB. The calls in question -- Atlanta's Grady Jarrett on Tom Brady Sunday afternoon and Chris Jones on Derek Carr Monday night -- came on what appeared to be textbook tackles.

While a heightened focus on player safety is good, and expected considering the scary scene that unfolded with Miami's Tua Tagovailoa in Weeks 3 and 4, these calls clearly went too far, leading to deafening boos, a lot of confusion, and renewed calls for change. 

Interestingly, as NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero pointed out, roughing the passer calls have actually been down so far this year:

What we don't need is more outrage and a pendulum swing in the opposite direction that only brings more confusion. What we do need is a clear solution that takes into account the human element and holds everyone involved accountable, and able to recognize and rethink when the wrong call is made. Post-game Monday night, Jones broke down what change he believes needs to happen: 

When these calls have the potential to so drastically change the outcome of a game, this feels like the right route. (ES)

Hop Off: Rams' one-dimensional offence

Last year, Cooper Kupp was the guy in L.A. 

This year, he's the only guy. And back-to-back losses that yielded just 19 combined points and a single Rams touchdown between them shows this offence is in dire need of some support. 

While weapons are certainly an issue -- Kupp can only do so much -- it also comes down to the Rams' offensive line, which right now is giving up the most sacks in the league (21 -- tied with the Colts). 

Are these numbers a bit exaggerated considering those two losses came against the league's top defences in the 49ers and Cowboys? Sure. But things aren't going to get any easier -- they should be able to rebound against Carolina, but then face San Francisco again followed by Tampa Bay. Sean McVay's going to need some reinforcements, STAT, or risk the dreaded Super Bowl hangover staying awhile.

Hop on: Streaking Titans entering their bye week

Tennessee began the season by blowing a late lead against the Giants and getting blown out 41-7 by the Bills, yet after five weeks the Titans find themselves back atop the AFC South. Mike Vrabel’s team has rebounded with three consecutive wins. The team has leaned on Derrick Henry’s 422 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns during the team’s winning streak. Tennessee enters its bye week on a high and it’ll return rested in Week 7 against a rival Colts team it's beaten in four straight and five of the past six. (MJ)

Hop off: Commanders coach Rivera for flaming Wentz

It’s easy for fans to nonchalantly throw Carson Wentz under the bus for Washington’s 21-17 loss to Tennessee. After all, Wentz threw an interception on the final play of the game and the team’s record is 1-4 with him behind centre – the problem is that’s exactly what Commanders head coach Ron Rivera did to Wentz. He absolutely steamrolled his starting QB in front of the media.

Ron, you’re a defensive-minded coach whose defence is among the worst units in the NFL. Wentz had a passer rating of 102.9 and was among Washington’s best players on the field against the Titans despite his latest costly turnover. Rivera, who’s 15-23 with Washington and has only finished above .500 thrice in 12 years as an NFL head coach, said it and he meant it. Chalking that up to a “mea culpa moment” is poor leadership. I’d rather have Carson Wentz as my QB than Ron Rivera as my coach after those comments. (MJ)

Hop on: The Browns out-Brownsing the Chargers' Chargers-ing

You just knew that Sunday afternoon's showdown between the Browns and Chargers, two teams who have historically proven themselves to excel in finding creative ways to lose games, would bring some element of head-scratching. And it delivered!

L.A. head coach Brandon Staley's bold call to go for it on fourth down in their own territory should've backfired immensely -- he basically handed Cleveland the keys to victory, as all they needed was a field goal to walk off with the win. But Browns rookie Cade York missed and, well, you know the rest. 

It was chaos, and it was fun, and neither team’s fanbase walked away with any kind of satisfaction. As a bandwagoner, it was kind of glorious. (ES)

Hop Off: Broncos in prime time

Please. Make it stop. 

Obviously the schedule-makers weren't the only ones with grand expectations for Russell Wilson's Broncos -- the hype was real, and it felt warranted. But now we all have to live with it. 

Thursday night's horror show between the Colts and Broncos was an embarrassment to the sport, and next up is a Monday nighter for Denver against the Chargers. Plan accordingly. (ES)