USA TODAY US Edition

Too early to give up on Cowboys, Kizer

With two games against Eagles, Dallas has time

- Lorenzo Reyes @LorenzoGRe­yes USA TODAY Sports It’s over for Kizer in Cleveland

Week 5 in the NFL brought a devastatin­g series of injuries but also a little clarity to the pecking order for many divisions. Though the sample size of games is growing, there’s still a tendency to overreact from one week to the next. Here are five such cases that we’re pushing back against.

THE COWBOYS ARE ALREADY IN TOO DEEP

Dallas has serious defensive concerns after Aaron Rodgers again snatched away a victory in the final minutes at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys are 2-3, two games back of the Eagles in the NFC East. It’s an early hole, to be sure, but Dallas has two games left against Philly (Weeks 11 and 17). There’s plenty of time to make up ground.

To do that, the Cowboys need to shore up a defense that hasn’t forced a turnover in its last three games. Though Dallas has the NFL sack leader in Demarcus Lawrence (81⁄ 2), coordinato­r Rod Marinelli’s unit has struggled to force opposing offenses off the field. The Cowboys have allowed opponents to convert 44.62% of third-down attempts, ranking 27th in the league.

Dallas is off this week, but the schedule doesn’t ease up. From Weeks 8-11, the Cowboys face Washington, Kansas City, Atlanta and the Eagles — all in the top 10 in total offense in the NFL. That’s the stretch that likely determines whether the Cowboys reach the playoffs again.

It’s never good for a young quarterbac­k to be benched midway through a game. But Browns coach Hue Jackson’s decision to pull DeShone Kizer in favor of Kevin Hogan in a 17-14 loss to the Jets might allow for important reflection.

Through five games, Kizer has thrown nine intercepti­ons and lost two fumbles. Rookies tend to have turnover issues, but 11 through 18 quarters of play is far too many. Kizer’s proclivity for committing them in the red zone makes matters worse.

Kizer also has lacked decisivene­ss. He often held on to the ball for far too long, and it eventually led to those intercepti­ons. That’s exactly what happened when Kiz- er telegraphe­d a red-zone pass that was intercepte­d by Jets safety Marcus Maye in the second quarter.

That said, this was just Game 5 of Kizer’s rookie season. This hardly closes the book on him being a competent quarterbac­k. But for him to get to that point, Kizer needs to overcome his slow start and show he can consistent­ly protect the ball.

NFC WEST POWER STRUCTURE NOW SET

The Rams are still — even with their disappoint­ing 16-10 loss to the Seahawks — one of the top surprises in the NFL this season. But L.A. and Seattle are tied at 3-2.

Arizona has been inconsiste­nt but remains just one game back.

The Rams came into the game with the league’s top scoring offense but faced their toughest foe yet in a stingy Seahawks defense that forced five turnovers.

Seattle establishe­d that it is still dangerous, but one concern was reinforced: How did it only end up with 16 points despite the takeaways? The offensive line keeps putting quarterbac­k Russell Wilson in tough spots and has not consistent­ly opened holes in the run game.

Granted, the Seahawks historical­ly play their best late in the year. But even though the Rams are only five games into rookie coach Sean McVay’s career, he has shown an ability to gameplan well and compete with some of the NFC’s best.

THE CHIEFS HAVE AN OPEN RUNWAY TO CLAIM THE AFC

It’s important to note that Kansas City, the lone unbeaten through five weeks, is the best team in football. The Chiefs hung 42 points on the talented Texans. The Chiefs offense leads the league in scoring (32.8 points per game). Quarterbac­k Alex Smith and running back Kareem Hunt are MVP candidates. And their speed makes them arguably the most explosive team in the NFL.

But it’s the second week of October. Things can change in the NFL, and rather quickly. Look at the 2015 Chiefs, who won their season opener but dropped their next five ... and then claimed their last 10 regular-season games to make it into the postseason.

Kansas City, right now, should be considered a legitimate Super Bowl contender. But it would be wise to wait a little while longer before making any bets.

THE JETS ARE HURTING THEMSELVES BY WINNING

The Jets’ unexpected 3-2 start might be bitterswee­t for fans who wanted their team to tank in order to end up with the top selection in the NFL draft.

But it’s the second week of October, and Gang Green is on a three-game winning streak and in a three-way tie for first in the AFC East after beating the Browns.

The reality is that this upcoming draft class is expected to be loaded with plenty of franchisec­aliber quarterbac­ks including Southern California’s Sam Darnold, UCLA’s Josh Rosen and Wyoming’s Josh Allen. The season is young, and there’s a chance the Jets could end up with a pick that would allow them to take a cornerston­e passer.

But what’s even more important is that this is an extremely young roster. What coach Todd Bowles has done in getting this group to play competitiv­ely bodes well for winning down the road, if the team’s rebuild is successful. The Jets are still several few pieces away from making a real run, but there’s little doubt this team is in better shape than it once appeared to be.

 ?? MATTHEW EMMONS, USA TODAY SPORTS ?? Quarterbac­k Dak Prescott had a hand in four Cowboys touchdowns in the loss Sunday.
MATTHEW EMMONS, USA TODAY SPORTS Quarterbac­k Dak Prescott had a hand in four Cowboys touchdowns in the loss Sunday.

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