THE DAILY DIVE on NFL FOOTBALL: November 2023

Welcome back!

It's been a while, eh? Given the situation where we left off in 2020. We all had time to reflect.

Anyway, let's get down to business. My Blog entries will be here and there. I don't have lots of time as I used to but here, we go.

I'm going to talk about the rash of injuries in the NFL 2023/2024 season.

I think with the sudden rise in NFL player individual salaries I think it's impossible to have a dominant offensive line like the Hogs, Great wall of Dallas etc. Hence why so many QB's have season ending injuries. If you must shell out 150 million with 95 guaranteed to certain players across your team, how on earth can you pay for 5 GREAT offensive linemen? Maybe out of those 5 you'll get one and if you're lucky maybe two. I've been watching the 49ers and Eagles very closely and I think they both have the best offensive linemen in the NFL. I've seen open holes that you and I can run through. The controversial play, Tush Push the Eagles deploy both brilliant and irritatingly unstoppable.

If I was a GM and building a team in today’s NFL, I'd start with the Oline, RB, defense then QB. I know, that's easier said than done especially when drafting. I've seen so many misses with can't miss prospects that's it's darn near impossible to find a HOF Lineman, doesn't matter what position. With so much emphasis on a Franchise QB nobody cares about offensive linemen, it’s not a sexy thing to start with. But if you don't start with that, you have so many great, young QBs going down and robbing us of their brilliant play on the field.

Well, there you have it. That's my two cents on Linemen. In the NFL injuries happen a lot and some seasons they do, but this year has been so exciting because I don't think there's one team that's a hey, they're going to win it all. There are 5 top teams and any given Sunday, anyone can win it all.

Here is a list of starting Quarterbacks who are currently dealing with some sort of injury. I know injuries are part of the deal but to this seems a lot more than other years.

Bills Josh Allen (shoulder), Steelers Kenny Pickett (ribs, knee), Ravens Lamar Jackson (ankle injury), Jaguars Trevor Lawrence (knee injury), Chargers Justin Herbert (broken middle finger on non-throwing hand), Chiefs Patrick Mahomes (hand), Cowboys Dak Prescott (finger injury), Buccaneers Baker Mayfield (shoulder, knee), and 49ers Brock Purdy (concussion), Titans Ryan Tannehill (ankle), Saints Derek Carr (concussion, shoulder), Seahawks Geno Smith (knee).

Best to worst Offensive Lines in the NFL.