Jim Monos: Sam Darnold's flaw, Aaron Rodgers should retire, Shoughmania, a Bills dud
Our longtime NFL scout recaps all of the Week 17 NFL action inside for Go Long subscribers.
Editor’s Note: Handing the pen off to my friend Jim Monos again this Monday AM so I can chip away at a longer project this week. Love getting his scouting eye on all of the Week 17 action in the NFL. Monos, my co-host on “Real Football,” was the northeast scout for the Philadelphia Eagles (2000- ‘04), southeast scout for the New Orleans Saints (2005- ‘13) and director of personnel for the Buffalo Bills (2013- ‘17).
He also owns a Super Bowl ring from this years with the Saints.
Here are his fresh takes on everything that happened last weekend.
As a reminder, Go Long subscribers can access our podcast, “Real Football.”
By Jim Monos
Houston 20, L.A. Chargers 16
Love how Houston jumped out 14-0. That dictates the rest of the game for a Houston defense that ranks No. 2 in points per play. The Texans took advantage of a beat-up Chargers offensive line with five sacks. CJ Stroud still needs to be more consistent with his decision-making and accuracy. Two qualities the elites need week-in and week-out. Stroud is still too up and down. When he is up, the Texans are a legit contender to win the AFC. That is a lot of pressure on Stroud but that is the reality of being a franchise quarterback. Justin Herbert continues to be the greatest QB to never do anything. Playoff results are all that matter at this point for him. His talent has been discussed since Oregon, yet where are the postseason results? With a wide-open AFC, Herbert and the Chargers have their best opportunity to get to the Super Bowl. The playoffs is where the greats make their name. Nobody cares about the regular season.
Baltimore 41, Green Bay 24
Backup QB beauty. Tyler Huntley played like a true professional by not turning the ball over. Step one in the Backup QB Textbook? Do not turn the ball over. Step two is to hand the ball to future Hall of Fame inductee Derrick Henry — 36 carries. That is dominance needed at the biggest moment from the Ravens rushing attack. Embarrassing game for the Packers defense. Any time you get manhandled up front, it’s humbling. Packers backup Malik Willis looked the part before he left the game with an injury. Enter Clayton Tune. Nothing better than someone you’ve never heard of entering the game. Tune is a former fifth-round pick in ’23 by the Arizona Cardinals. The former first team All-AAC QB from Houston did what he could in a tough spot but his interception to Marlon Humphrey was too much for Green Bay to overcome. Packers defense was on blast without Micah Parsons. QB controversy in Baltimore?
Cleveland 13, Pittsburgh 6
Aaron Rodgers lost to Shedeur Sanders. No better way to know it’s time to move on if you’re Rodgers.