Giardi: Mike's Musings on a McDaniels' hot streak, a perplexing problem and more

I am back for another edition of Mike's Musings. Last week, I couldn't decide if this was a good Patriots team or just benefiting from a schedule that, according to Aaron Schatz at FTN, is the easiest since 1978. I kept thinking, 'could they do this against so-and-so, or in this spot?' I'm not doing that anymore. The Pats are good. They are doing exactly what they should be doing now, beating bad teams and beating them by a lot. They won at Buffalo, survived a potential letdown spot in New Orleans, and are now stomping bad teams like my grandfather stomped grapes (true story. He did do that). After multiple years of bad football, poor roster management, and egos run amok, this organization is out of the depths of hell and back on solid ground.

THUMBS UP

Love, love, love that opening series of the third quarter from Josh McDaniels. In particular, how the Pats' offensive coordinator tied the final two plays of the drive together. The first was the jet sweep to Pop Douglas. Nothing crazy about that. Everybody does it. But it's what came next - a fake jet to Stefon Diggs. He was in motion at the snap, Maye faked to Rhamondre Stevenson, then quickly rolled to his right. The Browns' defense was totally flat-footed - Myles Garrett got suckered inside - and Hunter Henry scooted out into the right flat all alone. A simple Y-delay that couldn't have been drawn up any better. That made it 16-7, and it was goodnight, Irene. 

Hey Zak Kuhr, you're doing a helluva job, except early in games. For the sixth time in eight weeks (seven with Kuhr as interim DC), the Pats gave up points on the opening drive. And in this case, they allowed three explosives en route to a touchdown and an early deficit. Clean it up. However, Kuhr and his defense did after that opening series. In fact, the Browns ran a similar concept as they did on the 19-yarder to Harold Fannin Jr. that helped set up Cleveland's first TD. So Dillon Gabriel expected man coverage, like on the TD. Instead, the Pats were in zone, and with the running back staying in to block, linebacker Robert Spillane stuck with the tight end and secured his second interception of the season, taking it back to the Cleveland 6-yard line. The Pats scored three plays later.

I wrestled with putting Christian Gonzalez on this list, but shoot, the Browns tried him and got jack diddly squat out of it. Jerry Jeudy and Gonzalez were jawing all afternoon, and Jeudy's frustration was palpable. He's not a number one by any stretch of the imagination, but this was Gonzalez's best game so far. Not only that, but the cornerback made a couple of nice tackles in run support. He's getting those game legs back.

Also considered Mack Hollins, who led the team in receiving, but none were particularly challenging, Kayshon Boutte for his once-a-week long TD, TreVeyon Henderson, who finally looked like the guy we saw this summer (the late fumble wasn't great), and tackling-machine Robert Spillane (14). Christian Barmore was also impactful, but I'm going to keep an eye on that situation. The big fella has been surly all season.

THUMBS DOWN

There was nothing special about the special teams. 3 penalties (Brenden Scooler facemask, Marte Mapu illegal formation, and Richie Grant hold), a shanked punt (which set up the JV Browns offense for their second TD), and they allowed the rare onside kick to be completed against them. What is it that you do here, fellas?

Yes, the Pats put up 422 yards of total offense, but their offensive line play was subpar (11 negative plays). Even with one of the sacks of Maye on Maye, six total is way too high, especially considering how the QB continues to fight in those spots (when he tried to stiff-arm Garrett on the 2nd series of the 2nd half, the Big Boy and I were like 'Dude'). Will Campbell was in the spotlight, but Morgan Moses and Jared Wilson had their issues, too. Who knows which Atlanta team will show up on Sunday — the Falcons haven't traveled well — but they've got some speed off the edge, and their season might be at a crossroads.

Stefon Diggs was a non-factor on a day when I thought he would be impactful. Yes, I know he had the touchdown. Credit that to McDaniels and Mack Hollins, who set a hell of a moving screen. Not a lot of juice in Diggs' legs. Vrabel spoke about wanting to be mindful of some of the vets, and sure felt like he was talking about Diggs and Moses in particular. Maybe Harold Landry, too.

POWER RANKINGS (*no longer forgetting the Chiefs version)

1. Philadelphia (6-2): I keep reminding myself they have the best roster in the league, and while A.J. Brown keeps being a diva, and Jalen Hurts isn't on the elite's level, he - and they - are still excellent.

2. Kansas City (5-3): Patrick Mahomes is awesome, and that offense has turned back the clock in recent weeks. They are real and, right now, spectacular.

3. Indianapolis (7-1): I keep waiting for Daniel Jones' deal with the devil to expire, but Shane Steichen and a great group of talent around him have put Jones in his happy place. Btw, Jonathan Taylor has been fantastic.

4. Detroit (5-2): They have been awfully good since losing in week one. I say it damn near every week, but Dan Campbell is a hell of a coach, and his team follows their leader.

5. Tampa Bay (6-2): Down to down, Baker Mayfield hasn't been as great as the hype machine would have you believe. However, he's still been damn good, especially when the money is on the line.

6. LA Rams (5-2): They will be there in late January. February is a possibility if Stafford, Nacua, and Adams are in one piece.

7. Green Bay (5-1-1): A deep run may come down to the series-to-series consistency of Jordan Love. When he got cooking Sunday night in Pittsburgh, it was a sight to behold. But he doesn't always play to that level.

8. Denver (6-2): They've played a more demanding schedule than the team I have them one slot ahead of, beating Philly in Philly, and losing by one to Indy after that ridiculous leveraging call was made by a ref on a field goal attempt.

9 New England (6-2): I write about 'em every day. You know.

10(t). Seattle (5-2): That defense might end up being the best in the league. Sam Darnold is playing great. JSN has had as good a year as any wideout. Fun team.

10(t). Buffalo (5-2): Good answer at Carolina after coming off the bye, but they desperately need an upgrade at wideout (a man-beater), CB, and safety. And if Ed Oliver (bicep) is going to be out a long time, maybe DT too.

BOTTOM FIVE 

28. Las Vegas (2-5): Geno Smith has been a disaster after his week one performance. Chip Kelly is the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the league. The Raiders had the bye. If it doesn't look better this weekend...

29. Cleveland (2-6): A junior varsity QB/offense.

30. New Orleans (1-7): Looks like the Spencer Rattler era is already over. 

31. NY Jets (1-7): Justin Fields had himself a day. Good for him, with all the noise swirling around him.

32. Tennessee (1-7): Good thing they fired Brian Callahan and put Mike McCoy in as the interim. It took him less than two games to draw the ire of Cam Ward. I'd fire McCoy, too.