21 Major takeaways from the 2020 NFL season so far
By Zach Cohen
21 major takeaways about the 2020 NFL season through 12 weeks of games.
The 2020 NFL season has been, in a word, indescribable. That made it a bit tougher to find 21 takeaways from this crazy, unforgettable season. From passers to catchers, to defenders and contenders, this unofficial guide is loaded with facts, opinions and pleas to quench any football fan’s thirst for, well, football.
It has everything from MVP favorites to head-coaching candidates, with some NFL Draft and fantasy football tidbits sprinkled in. And to top it all off, there’s a special message to those who reach takeaway No. 1.
So, in case you’ve been quarantining in a place with no Internet, here’s what you should know about the 2020 NFL season so far.
21. We are entering a golden age of quarterbacks
Football fans are a spoiled bunch these days. We get to sit back and watch players like Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers do God-like things on a weekly basis. Mix that in with superstars like Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, and it’s no wonder that the NFL has solidified its evolution into a passing league over the last decade. But the phone doesn’t stop with those four stars.
Younger guys like Kyler Murray and Josh Allen have flashed great potential in their young careers. Lamar Jackson won the MVP last season, and although he hasn’t repeated that success this year, he’s still a fun player to watch. And it’s only getting better, as this year’s rookie crop has looked especially promising.
Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa have all given their respective franchises hope for the future. The 2021 NFL Draft class looks to be loaded, too. There could be anywhere from 4-6 quarterbacks taken in the first round, headlined by Trevor Lawrence. He’ll have lofty expectations once he enters the league, though he’ll likely enhance the already fantastic group of passers in the league.
20. There’s hope in South Florida
Speaking of hope for the future, it’s something the Miami Dolphins have had very little of over the past couple of decades. The franchise hasn’t been the same since the legendary Dan Marino hung up his cleats. The team has since failed spectacularly in finding the heir to Marino’s throne. It speaks volumes when Chad Pennington is one of your best quarterbacks this century.
As I said, first-round pick Tua Tagovailoa has given Dolphins’ fans new reasons to smile. But the rebirth in Miami Gardens goes beyond the quarterback position. The real turnaround has been spearheaded by second-your coach Brian Flores, who will garner serious Coach of the Year consideration.
In year two of the Flores regime, Miami’s defense has held opponents to the second-fewest points per game. Xavien Howard and Christian Wilkins are stars on the defensive side, and veterans like Kyle Van Noy and Emmanuel Ogbah have looked four years younger and five times better. Even the special teams have made some noise throughout the NFL, as they’re tied for the third-most non-offensive touchdowns per game.
As a cherry on top, Miami hasn’t surrendered a defensive or special teams touchdown all season. For the first time in what seems like forever, the Dolphins have seemingly navigated through the murky waters of mediocrity. The sun has never shined brighter down in South Florida.
19. Ryan Tannehill is legit
Remember when I mentioned Chad Pennington? Statistically speaking, he was the second-best quarterback the Dolphins have had since Marino. The best? That’s Tannehill. The 32-year-old quarterback was freed from the cold, hard grip of Adam Gase and was gifted a perfect offense for his skillset. No one’s saying Tannehill is the next Kurt Warner or anything, but what he’s done in Tennessee shouldn’t be overlooked.
After helping beat the Titans to a surprising playoff run last season, Tannehill is back at the helm of a three-loss team that sits atop the AFC South. He’s a sixth-best quarterback rating this season is tied for seventh with the most touchdowns, while only tossing four picks. That’s the fifth-best touchdown-to-interception ratio this season among eligible quarterbacks.
Don’t get me wrong, this offense literally runs through Derrick Henry. But it wouldn’t be the same without Tannehill — and future head coach and current offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Tannehill looks like he’ll be a mainstay in Nashville for at least another 4-5 years.