Welcome to the second edition of Alex’s Six: A NFL Column! Before you enjoy Monday Night Football give this a read for some analysis on the biggest topics from NFL Sunday.

Another week of NFL football in the books with some great memorable moments! I don’t know if it’s just me, but this year seems to be flying fast, and wish it could slow down. Week 5 saw heartbreak, roller coaster games, and teams being exposed in front of millions watching. Let’s get into the action but first as always, the meme of the week.

Kicker slump

Ever since the PAT was moved to the 15-yard line instead of the 2, it’s been more common for us to see missed extra points. Field goals remain one of the hardest aspects of the game even though it may look super simple on TV. Being able to stay calm in game-winning situations, adjusting to the weather, and having the accuracy to kick it between the post consistently is something hard to do and why Justin Tucker is the greatest kicker of all time.

Halloween came early for kickers this past Sunday for both PAT’s and field goals. There were a combined 17 missed extra points and field goals on Sunday across 15 games. It was just one of those days for kickers but at the time of writing this, none have lost their job. It’s rough being a kicker knowing that a couple of misses one day can end your job.

The Packers-Bengals game was the epiphany of kickers being unable to close out the game. Rookie kicker Evan McPherson and veteran Mason Crosby each had 2 opportunities to win the game for their respective team but missed both. McPherson thought his overtime kick had won the game for the Bengals, but it hit the flag on the outside and it was a shock to the rookie mid celebration with his blockers. Crosby would trot out for one last chance to win it and it went straight through the middle giving the packers the victory over Cincinnati. Hopefully, you were lucky not to have a missed kick ruin your fantasy team as it did to me.

Bengals Mcpherson really thought he made it 😂 pic.twitter.com/PVe0g1GtTX
— 🤘🏽Astros🤘🏽 (@ChristianTragon) October 10, 2021

Lions’ heartbreak continues

One of the kicks that went in this weekend was Greg Joseph’s game-winner over the Vikings in the final seconds of regulation. The Lions had gotten a takeaway in the final minutes to give them a shot at tying the game. The Lion’s offense got the touchdown and two-point conversion to give them a lead with less than 40 seconds to play. All that was needed was for the Lions’ defense to prevent a field goal attempt. Unfortunately, Kirk Cousins was able to drive down the field for kicker Greg Joseph and he did not miss.

For a second time this season, the Lion’s secondary gets carved up in the final minute and they are a kick away from getting their first win of this season. You can blame these games as luck not on their side but how does this team expect to win close games but your secondary gets exposed in the final minute of the game. Nonetheless, it was an emotional game for the lions as the emotions of hope and despair were up and down all game long. Lion’s head coach Dan Campbell surprisingly broke down in emotion the press conference after the game.

An emotional Dan Campbell after another heartbreaking #Lions loss: pic.twitter.com/sbJfEs7NhE
— FOX 2 Sports (@FOX2Sports) October 10, 2021

kyle Pitts Breakout

Being called a “once in generation type talent” and “a unicorn at your position” come with some expectations to put up some number immediately but that wasn’t the case for rookie Tight End Kyle Pitts. After the departure of Julio Jones, it looked like receptions would be going his way. Some average QB and bad ball placement by his QB, Matt Ryan, made it hard for him to get the numbers a talent like him could put up.

London was set to watch the Jets and Falcons square off in a game between two struggling franchises. (Still payback for no taxation without representation) This game saw Kyle Pitts show his elite talent and athleticism for the first time this season. He put up 119 yards on 9 receptions while also scoring his first NFL touchdown.

The Falcons have a talented player and need to utilize him to not only get the best production from Pitts but also give the aging Matt Ryan a reliable target in the passing game. Atlanta is stuck in a weird “we are not rebuilding but we want to compete”. All I can say is keeping feeding the man who can elevate your offense to the next level.

Kansas City Chiefs: is it time to panic?

The Bills got their revenge from the AFC Championship last year tearing apart the Kansas City Chiefs on both sides of the ball. Josh Allen with a great performance throwing and running. Tight End Dawson Knox put up 117 yards on 3 receptions which is very impressive. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looked out of it during the game and even after the game was delayed at halftime due to weather.

Mahomes has 6 interceptions this year which is already more than his total last year and the defense has taken a step back, way back which poses the question; Have the Chiefs been figured out?

For me, it’s way too early to say they are done as some people say or that their dynasty will never happen. It’s not like they lost to the Dolphins or Jaguars, teams who can’t produce consistent offense and have poor defensive outings. Their 3 losses this year come the Ravens, Chargers, and Bills. All three of those teams looked poised to make the postseason and have some great play for their elite QB’s.

Their next two games against the Washington Football Team and Tennessee Titans will be key in them trying to gain momentum halfway through the season. Don’t count this team out even if their record saying they aren’t the best team in the AFC. It’s time for Andy Reid to make some adjustments to turn the team around, great coaches always find a way to win.

Bears turn around in the works

Justin Fields being named the starter for the rest of the season and head coach Matt Nagy giving up playcalling to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor may have salvaged hope for this year. Lazor was the play-caller in the final stretch of the Bears season in 2020 and led to offense to better production under Mitch Trubisky. They made the playoffs due to that stretch and it saved Matt Nagy’s job.

This year Nagy took back the play-calling duties from Lazor and Bears fans saw an offense that lacked creativity and play design. It all culminated in Justin Fields taking nine sacks and barely getting the offense to move. It was a disaster that was talked about nationally all over the sports media world.

After a win against the Lions in week 4 and a surprise upset over the Raider this Sunday, Bill Lazor has seemed to find a groove for an offense that was struggling to start the year. The Bears also had their defense playing stellar ball as they sacked Derek Carr three times, picked him off once, and kept the Raiders offense from rushing over 100 yards on the day. Las Vegas was held to nine points and looked like the team from 2020, hot and cold.

Don’t be surprised to see the Bears go on a run with Bill Lazor leading this offense to its full potential, something Matt Nagy could not do.

Performer of the Week: Kedarious Toney

(Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

I talked about Kyle Pitts breaking out earlier but the biggest rookie breakout was New York Giants receiver, Kedarious Toney. His stat line against the Dallas Cowboys was 10 receptions for 189 yards with 1 punch was pretty impressive. Toney lost his cool in the late stages of the game and punched a player’s helmet which led to him getting ejected out of the game.

Toney’s RAC threat and shifty moves make him such a threat when he has the ball. He struggled to get targets early in the year but has flourished with the ball in his hands. His speed to get past defensive backs reminds me so much of Tyreek Hill. Keep an eye on his production for this year. He may be a hot pick in fantasy football next year