Feast Mode Activated 🦃

Good morning. This is the Opening Drive, the weekly newsletter that brings you the best of the NFL so you’re always the smartest one at the water cooler.

Saquon rushed for 255, the Bears lost their fifth straight, the Bucs carved up ‘Tommy Cutlets’, Aaron Rodgers may be out in New York, Jared Goff keeps setting records, Rex Ryan wants to coach the Jets again, and we learned who the Hall of Fame Class of 2025 semifinalists are.

Let’s dive in.

QUICK HITS

• Saquon Barkley breaks franchise rushing record with 255 yards, Eagles win 37-20 over Rams (Yahoo Sports)

• Chiefs win at the buzzer again (ESPN)

• Josh Jacobs scores three TDs in Packers 38-10 rout of 49ers (PFT)

• Seibert misses an extra point late as the Commanders lose their 3rd in a row, 34-26 to the Cowboys (ESPN)

• Bucs embarrass the Giants, Tommy DeVito in 30-7 route (Yahoo Sports)

• Lions cruise past Colts, 24-6 for 9th straight win (Yahoo Sports)

• Broncos beat Raiders, run record to 7-5 (PFT)

• Seahawks grind out 16-6 win over Cardinals (PFT)

• Pats lose ugly, drop to 3-9 in loss to Dolphins (NBC Sports Boston)

• Bears force OT with 11 points in 22 seconds but still lose their 5th straight, 30-27 to Minnesota Vikings (Chicago Tribune)

• Levis throws 2 TD passes to help Titans outlast Texans 32-27 (ESPN)

• Lions' Jared Goff passes three Hall of Famers in NFL record books with performance against Colts (CBS Sports)

• Jets fire GM Joe Douglas six weeks after firing head coach (PFT)

• Aaron Rodgers' return to Jets for 2025 unclear with six games left in 2024 season (NFL.com)

• Report: “increasingly likely” that the Jets will place Aaron Rodgers on IR or bench him over the next few weeks (On3)

• Daniel Jones eyeing playoff contender after clearing waivers this week (ESPN)

• Rex Ryan gives his pitch to coach Jets a second time (SI.com)

• NFL continues tradition of honoring John Madden on Thanksgiving (PFT)

• 25 modern-era players named as semifinalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 (NFL.com)

• Patrick Mahomes fined more than $14,000 for 'violent gesture' during Buffalo Bills game (NBC)

WHO’S UP? WHO’S DOWN?

Who’s up?
The Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins are making waves in the AFC playoff race after notching their third consecutive victory, a 34-15 win over the New England Patriots. This resurgence has propelled the team from a 2-6 start to a more competitive 5-6 record, placing them firmly back in the wild-card conversation.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been instrumental in the team's turnaround, throwing seven touchdown passes without an interception in the last two games. His performance against the Patriots, which included four touchdown passes, has boosted team morale and set the stage for a crucial Thanksgiving night matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

The Dolphins' recent success, however, comes with caveats. Their three-game winning streak has been against teams with a combined 10-21 record. Miami's ability to defeat stronger opponents remains in question, as they hold a 1-8 record against teams with winning records dating back to last season.

The upcoming game in Green Bay presents multiple challenges for the Dolphins. Not only will they face a formidable Packers team that has won five of their last six games, but they will also confront the narrative of their struggles in cold-weather games. Tagovailoa has expressed enthusiasm about "killing narratives" and proving the team's mettle in adverse conditions.

With six games remaining in the regular season, the Dolphins face a challenging yet promising schedule. While catching the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East appears unlikely, Miami has positioned itself for a potential wild-card berth. The team's performance in Green Bay could be a pivotal moment in their playoff push and an opportunity to silence doubters.

Who’s down?
Daniel Jones. The New York Giants have officially released quarterback Daniel Jones, bringing an unceremonious end to a tumultuous chapter in the franchise's history. Selected 6th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, Jones' tenure with the Giants was marked by flashes of potential overshadowed by inconsistency and underwhelming performance.

After signing a four-year, $160 million extension in 2022, expectations were high for Jones to elevate his game. However, the quarterback struggled mightily, ranking near the bottom of the league in key statistical categories. His 2023 season was cut short by injury, and 2024 saw him benched in favor of Tommy DeVito after a string of crucial errors in close games.

The Giants' decision to move on from Jones highlights the unforgiving nature of the NFL. Despite his work ethic and professionalism, Jones ultimately failed to deliver the results expected of a franchise quarterback. The team now faces a rebuilding process, likely targeting a new signal-caller in the upcoming draft.

For Jones, this release represents a harsh reality check. At just 26 years old, he finds himself at a career crossroads, potentially facing a future as a backup or competing for a starting job on a struggling team.

As the Giants turn the page, Jones' departure serves as a stark reminder of the NFL's results-driven culture, where even the most promising prospects can quickly fall from grace.

BEST LOOK 🔥 

Some things are best left alone, like the Colts unis 🤮 

Chargers navy is🔥tho

A uniform with a proper pant stripe.

STAT OF THE WEEK 

Daniel Jones’ release had us wondering, how does Jones’ career earnings on a per TD thrown basis compare to the NFL’s passing TD leaders? 🤔 

Jones, who is 32nd in career earning by a quarterback, ranks 190th out of 252 qualifying players on the all time passing touchdown leaderboard. His $1.54 MILLION per passing touchdown price tag, is the second most in NFL history. The first? Jimmy Garoppolo, whose career earnings of $151,711,744 and 94 passing touchdowns, make him the most expensive quarterback on a per touchdown basis at $1.61 million.

MEMES OF THE WEEK

Rough week for NY football.

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