With most of the Week 9 NFL schedule in the books, it is time to take a look at some of the biggest losers from around the NFL.
Jerry Jones, owner, Dallas Cowboys
As long as Jones wants to have full control over building the team and answer weekly questions like he is coaching it, he has to be at the top of the blame list for his team’s 3-5 start. It is not just that the Cowboys lost in Atlanta on Sunday that makes him this week’s loser. It’s that running back Ezekiel Elliott did not even make the trip due to disciplinary reasons, while the running back that Jones passed over in free agency — Derrick Henry -—continues to put up huge numbers in Baltimore. This season has been a gigantic failure for the Cowboys so far, and nobody has to own that more than the actual owner of the team.
Jameis Winston, quarterback, Cleveland Browns
Whatever positive vibes the Browns had after Winston’s first start a week ago quickly disappeared with an emphatic 27-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, with Winston throwing three interceptions. It is pretty clear that the quarterback is not the only issue in Cleveland, but quarterback remains at the top of the list no matter which one is starting.
Gardner Minshew, quarterback, Las Vegas Raiders
For the second time this season, Minshew found himself benched. He has now been replaced by two different backups, with Desmond Ridder being the most recent quarterback to take his spot. The Raiders went to Aidan O’Connell earlier this season before O’Connell was injured, sending Minshew back into the starting lineup. Minshew completed just 10-of-17 passes for 124 yards and zero touchdowns before being replaced.
Jerod Mayo, head coach, New England Patriots
Mayo has been handed a pretty thin roster with a rookie quarterback so expectations should be extremely low. That does not mean he should avoid criticism. His rookie quarterback, Drake Maye, gave him a chance to beat the Tennessee Titans on Sunday with an incredible touchdown pass on the final play of regulation. Presented with the choice of going for two and the win or kicking the extra point, Mayo chose the extra point and overtime. It did not work out as the Titans kicked a field goal on their opening drive and then Maye was intercepted to end the game. You were 2-6 at that point. Go for the win.
Derek Carr, quarterback, New Orleans Saints
Carr might not have been the only reason the Saints lost their seventh consecutive game on Sunday, but he earns a spot in the loser column simply because he has now lost a game to 31 different NFL teams, the first player in NFL history to ever earn that distinction. He has a chance to make it to all 32 teams later in the season when the Saints play his former team, the Las Vegas Raiders. After starting 2-0, the Saints are 2-7, and losing to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday is their ugliest defeat of them all.
Matt Eberflus, head coach, Chicago Bears
After letting their Week 8 game against the Washington Commanders slip away, the Chicago Bears came out on Sunday and were completely embarrassed by the Arizona Cardinals. Eberflus’ team did not look prepared, and even worse, he left his rookie quarterback, Caleb Williams, in the game late in the blowout loss and watched as he tweaked his ankle. Williams seems to be okay, but nothing about that game should have been seen as acceptable to Bears ownership. His seat should only be getting hotter. While it may not have been as bad as the Washington Hail Mary, this touchdown surrendered at the end of the first half is a terrible look for the coaching staff.
