What NFL Teams Got a Bye This Week?
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It’s week four of the NFL season and four teams have a bye this week. Who are they and why do they have a bye?
NFL Teams with a Bye This Week
The bye week is a welcome respite for NFL teams, a chance to rest and recharge before the final push of the season. This year, there are four teams with byes in Week 11: the Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, and Seattle Seahawks. Here’s a look at each team and what they’ve been up to during their bye week.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. The team plays its home games at M&T Bank Stadium and is headquartered in Owings Mills.
The Ravens were established in 1996, when Art Modell, who was then the owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced plans to relocate the franchise to Baltimore. As part of a settlement between Modell, the city of Cleveland, and the other NFL owners, Modell was required to leave the Browns’ history and records in Cleveland for a replacement team and replacement personnel that would take control in 1999. In return, he was allowed to take his own personnel and team to Baltimore, where such personnel would then form an expansion team. The Ravens have qualified for the NFL playoffs ten times since 2000, with two Super Bowl victories (Super Bowl XXXV in 2000 and Super Bowl XLVII in 2013), two AFC Championship appearances (2000 and 2012), 15 playoff victories, four AFC North division titles (2003, 2006, 2011, 2012), and are currently the only team in NFL history to hold a perfect record in multiple Super Bowl appearances.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are an American football team that competes in the National Football League (NFL). The Cowboys are one of the most successful teams in the NFL, with six Super Bowl wins. The team is based in Dallas, Texas, and plays its home games at AT&T Stadium.
This week, the Cowboys have a bye.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are one of the NFL teams that have a bye this week. The other teams with a bye this week are the New Orleans Saints, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are on a bye this week.
How NFL Teams with a Bye This Week Can Improve Their Record
The NFL bye week can be a great opportunity for teams to improve their record. If a team is struggling, the bye week can give them a chance to get back on track. It can also be a chance for teams to get healthy and rested. Here are some things that NFL teams with a bye this week can do to improve their record.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are coming off their bye week and will look to improve their 6-2 record. They have a tough matchup against the 7-1 Pittsburgh Steelers, but they will be looking to take advantage of some extra time to prepare. Here are three ways the Ravens can use their bye week to improve their chances of winning:
1. Get Healthy
One of the most important things a team can do during its bye week is to get healthy. The Ravens have been dealing with injuries to key players all season, and they will be looking to get as many guys back on the field as possible. Players like wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. and cornerback Jimmy Smith have been dealing with nagging injuries, and the extra week of rest will do them good.
2. Prepare for the Steelers
The Ravens know that they have a tough task ahead of them in Pittsburgh, and they will be using their bye week to prepare specifically for the Steelers. They will be looking to take advantage of any weakness they can find in the Pittsburgh defense, and they will be game-planning accordingly.
3. Focus on Fundamentals
Despite being one of the better teams in the NFL, there are still areas in which the Ravens need to improve. Their bye week is a perfect time to focus on fundamentals and make sure that they are doing everything they can to put themselves in position to win.
Improve their passing game
The NFL teams that have a bye this week can improve their record by making sure their passing game is on point. This can be done by working on the accuracy of the quarterback, as well as making sure the receivers are running the correct routes. The teams should also make sure that the offensive line is giving the quarterback enough time to make his throws.
Improve their run defense
The NFL is split into two conferences — the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). Each conference has four divisions, and each division has four teams. At the end of the regular season, six teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs. The four division winners are seeded first through fourth based on their records, and the two remaining teams are seeded fifth and sixth.
This year, the NFL has implemented a new playoff format that includes seven teams from each conference. The new format guarantees that at least one team with a losing record will make the playoffs. In addition, it gives teams a greater incentive to win their division, as division winners are automatically seeded in the playoffs.
The NFL regular season consists of 16 games, and is typically played from September to December. Each team plays a total of 16 games, with eight games at home and eight games on the road.
The bye week gives NFL teams a chance to rest and recover after a long season. It also gives teams an opportunity to improve their record if they are not already playoff contenders. Here are some ways that NFL teams with a bye week can improve their record:
1) Improve their run defense:
One of the biggest issues for NFL teams is stopping the run. If a team can find ways to stop opposing runners, they will give themselves a much better chance of winning games.
2) Improve their passing game:
NFL teams need to be able to execute on both offense and defense in order to win games. If a team can find ways to improve their passing game, they will open up opportunities for themselves on offense and be more difficult to beat on defense.
3) Find ways to score points:
Scoring points is always important in football, but it becomes even more important in the playoffs. If a team can find ways to score points consistently, they will give themselves a much better chance of winning close games and advancing in the playoffs
Improve their Special Teams play
If a team has a bye this week, they have an opportunity to improve their record by improving their special teams play. There are many aspects of special teams that can be improved, but some key areas are:
-Punt and kick coverage
-Kickoff and punt return
-Field goal kicking
Each of these areas is important in its own way, and improving any one of them can help a team win more games.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a much needed bye week. They currently have a 5-5 record and are tied for first place in the NFC East. Here are three things that the Cowboys need to do in order to improve their record and make a push for the playoffs.
1. Get Healthy
The Cowboys have been battling injuries all season long. Starting quarterback Dak Prescott has been playing through a shoulder injury, and star wide receiver Amari Cooper has been dealing with a knee injury. Both players should benefit from the extra week of rest and should be 100% healthy when the Cowboys take on the Vikings in Week 11.
2. Fix the Turnovers
One of the biggest reasons for the Cowboys’ 5-5 record is their propensity for turning the ball over. They have turned the ball over a whopping 20 times this season, which is tied for second most in the NFL. If they want to win games, they need to take better care of the ball.
3. Win The Close ones
The Cowboys have lost four games this season by a total of 13 points. That means that if they had won just one of those games, they would be 6-4 right now and in first place in the NFC East. Obviously, winning close games is easier said than done, but it’s something that the Cowboys need to do if they want to improve their record and make a push for the playoffs.
Improve their run game
The NFL’s bye weeks are nearly over, but there are a few teams that still have yet to take their week off. Among those teams are the New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, and New England Patriots.
While all four of those teams have already clinched a playoff spot, they will be looking to improve their seeding over the final few weeks of the season.
The Saints and Rams are both sitting at 11-2 and are currently on track to be the top two seeds in the NFC. The Saints hold the tiebreaker over the Rams thanks to their head-to-head win earlier this season.
The Chiefs are 11-3 and sit atop the AFC West. They have a two-game lead over the Chargers and can clinch the division title with a win or tie in either of their final two games.
The Patriots are 10-4 and lead the AFC East by three games over the Dolphins. They can clinch the division title with a win or tie in either of their final two games.
Here are a few things that each of these four teams can do to improve their chances of winning a Super Bowl this season:
1) Improve their run game: All four of these teams rank in the bottom half of the league in rushing yards per game. The Saints (28th), Rams (22nd), Chiefs (21st), and Patriots (19th) are all averaging less than 100 rushing yards per game.
2) Get healthy: The Saints, Rams, and Chiefs all have key players that are nursing injuries right now. The Saints recently lost quarterback Drew Brees to a thumb injury and he is not expected to return until Week 15 at the earliest. The Rams lost running back Todd Gurley to an ankle injury last week and he is also not expected to return until Week 15. The Chiefs could be without star wide receiver Tyreek Hill for several weeks as he recovers from a collarbone injury. All three of these teams will need to get healthy if they want to make a deep run in the playoffs.
3) Win close games: All four of these teams have been involved in close games this season. In fact, each team has played in at least seven games that have been decided by seven points or less. The Saints (5-2), Rams (4-3), Chiefs (5-2), and Patriots (6-1) have all done a good job of winning close games this season, but they will need to continue to do so if they want to make it deep into January
Improve their passing defense
The Kansas City Chiefs are the only team in the NFL with a passing defense that’s allowing fewer than 200 yards per game. The New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Baltimore Ravens are all allowing opponents to complete passes at a rate of 60 percent or worse. Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield should be able to have some success against a Bengals passing defense that’s struggling.
Improve their Special Teams play
Special teams are often overlooked, but they can be the difference between winning and losing. NFL teams with a bye this week should use the extra time to work on improving their special teams play.
There are a number of ways to improve special teams play. One is to focus on the kicking game. This includes practicing field goals and extra points, as well as working on punting.
Another way to improve special teams play is to focus on the return game. This includes practicing kickoffs and punt returns. It is also important to work on blocking, so that returners have time to make a play.
Finally, it is also important to work on team unity and cohesion. This means that all members of the special teams unit need to be on the same page and working towards the same goal. This can be accomplished through practice and film study.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are one of the NFL teams that have a bye this week. They are currently 2-2 and are looking to improve their record. One way they can improve their record is by winning their next game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts have won their last two games against the Jaguars and will be looking to make it three in a row. Another way the Colts can improve their record is by losing fewer games than the teams around them in the standings. The Colts are currently tied with the Houston Texans for second place in the AFC South, but they have played one more game than the Texans. If the Colts can win their next game and the Texans lose, then the Colts will be in first place.
Improve their run game
While most fans and analysts think of the bye week as a chance for teams to rest and get healthy, it’s also an opportunity to start making tweaks and adjustments to the game plan. For teams that are currently sitting at 3-2 or 4-1, the goal is to use the extra time to correct any mistakes that have been made and ensure they are prepared for the tough games ahead. Here are a few areas that teams should focus on during their bye week:
1. Improve their run game: One of the biggest issues for NFL teams this season has been a lack of consistent run game. The league-wide average for rushing yards per game is just 100, which is down from 108 last season. A number of teams have been forced to rely too heavily on their passing game, and as a result, they haven’t been able to sustain drives or put points on the board. During their bye week, teams should focus on fixing any holes in their offensive line and coming up with creative ways to get their running backs more involved in the offense.
2. Get healthy: Injuries have been a major problem for several NFL teams this season, particularly in the secondary. The New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Miami Dolphins all lost starting cornerbacks to season-ending injuries, while the Green Bay Packers are still without safety Morgan Burnett. Other key players like Jaguars receiver Allen Hurns and Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier have also missed significant time due to injuries. During their bye week, teams should take advantage of the extra time off to get healthy and get key players back on the field.
3. Work on special teams: Another area that has been a problem for NFL teams this season is special teams. There have been several high-profile blunders, including missed field goals, muffed punts, and costly penalties. While special teams might not get as much attention as offense or defense, it can still make a big difference in the outcome of games. During their bye week, teams should work on getting better production from their special teams units and avoiding costly mistakes in crucial situations
Improve their passing defense
One of the best ways an NFL team with a bye this week can improve their record is by improving their passing defense. There are a few ways to do this, but one of the most important is to make sure that the team’s defensive backs are in good positions to make plays on the ball.
Another way to improve a team’s passing defense is by getting pressure on the opposing quarterback. This can be done by using a variety of different schemes and formations, but it is typically most effective when the team has good edge rushers who can get to the quarterback quickly.
yet another way to improve a team’s passing defense is by having a good coverage scheme. This means that the team’s defensive backs need to be in good position to defend against the opposing team’s receivers. There are many different coverage schemes that teams can use, but some of the most popular ones are man-to-man coverage and zone coverage.
Improve their Special Teams play
The most important thing for an NFL team on a bye week is to not look past their next opponent. The goal for every team is to make the playoffs, and if a team with a bye this week can improve their record, they will be in a much better position to do so. Here are three things that NFL teams with a bye this week can do to improve their record:
1. Improve their Special Teams play:
Special teams play is always important, but it can be even more important for teams on a bye week. If a team can find ways to improve their kicking game or their coverage units, it can make a big difference in their record.
2. Get healthy:
Bye weeks are a great time for players to recover from injuries. If a team can get key players healthy during their bye week, it can make a big difference in their record.
3. Fix any deficiencies:
Every team has areas that they need to improve, and bye weeks are a great time to work on those areas. If a team can fix any deficiencies during their bye week, it can make a big difference in their record.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have a bye this week and will look to improve their record when they return to action. The Chargers have a 6-2 record and are currently in second place in the AFC West behind the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chargers have won four of their last five games and are coming off a 38-14 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
The Chargers have one of the best offenses in the NFL, averaging 30.6 points per game. Quarterback Philip Rivers is having an MVP-caliber season, completing 69.5 percent of his passes for 2, Compact and professional paragraph on team’s success this season3 yards with 21 touchdowns and six interceptions. Wide receiver Keenan Allen is also having a great season, catching 61 passes for 821 yards and four touchdowns.
The Chargers’ defense has been solid this season, allowing 20.9 points per game. The Chargers have a +39 point differential this season and will look to continue their success when they return from their bye week.
Improve their passing game
The number one reason that teams with a bye this week can improve their record is by improving their passing game. In the NFL, teams that can’t pass the ball well tend to lose more games than they win. If a team has a bye this week, it will have an extra week to work on its passing game. This extra week of practice could be the difference between winning and losing when the team comes back from its bye.
Improve their run defense
In order to improve their run defense, NFL teams need to focus on stopping the run first and foremost. This means that they need to put an emphasis on creating aStrong defensive line presence
in the middle of the field, as well as making sure that their linebackers and defensive backs are in good position to make plays against the run. Additionally, teams need to be sure that they are properly tackling opposing runners, as missed tackles can often lead to big gains on the ground.
Improve their Special Teams play
Quarterbacks and head coaches get most of the credit—and the blame—for their teams’ successes and failures, but the performance of a team’s special teams can be just as important to winning and losing.
A few key plays on special teams can make a big difference in the outcome of a game, and teams that are successful on special teams often find themselves in the playoffs.
Conversely, teams that struggle on special teams often find themselves with losing records.
Here are three ways NFL teams with a bye this week can improve their special teams:
1. Find a new kicker
If a team’s kicker is struggling, it may be time to find a new one. In today’s NFL, kickers are expected to make almost all of their field goal attempts, so if a team’s kicker is missing more than he or she is making, it could be costing the team games.
2. Improve punt and kick coverage
If opposing teams are consistently getting good field position after punts and kickoffs, it’s time for a change in strategy. Special teams coordinators need to find players who can run downfield and make tackles, as well as players who can block well.
3. Return kicks for touchdowns
One of the best ways to energize a team and get fans excited is to return kicks for touchdowns. It takes a combination of speed, vision, and blockers to do it well, but when it happens, it can turn a game around in an instant.