The four teams with 3-0 series and another rookie QB are making their debuts

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The athlete's Power Rankings were the inspiration for today's check-in, but let's start with the big Saints news:

What Dianna hears: It's Rattler in New Orleans

With Derek Carr expected to miss several weeks with an oblique tear, the New Orleans Saints turn to third-string rookie Spencer Rattler.

Due to Rattler's outstanding performance in the preseason, they chose Rattler over Jake Haener. In three games, he was 20-for-38 passing for 202 yards and a touchdown.

New Orleans has two games in the next eight days (the Bucs on Sunday and the Broncos next Thursday night), and head coach Dennis Allen is confident Rattler will play loosely and maintain his composure as the Saints look for one after three straight losses Looking for sparks.

Back to you, Jacob.

Spencer Rattler: Day two talent, fifth round pick

Two things to know before Rattler's debut:

History is not on his side. Of the 32 quarterbacks drafted in the fifth round since 2004, none became long-term starters. Sam Howell's recent one-year stint in Washington could be the limit.

However, this isn't a typical fifth-round pick. Rattler has talent — he has worked with a private quarterbacks coach since he was 10 — and initially started ahead of Caleb Williams at Oklahoma, where Rattler was the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy in 2021. In this year's edition of “The Beast” by Dane Brugler, Rattler had a third-round grade.

Change fates: While some competitors are struggling…

Earlier today I looked at the 2025 Super Bowl odds on BetMGM and that was what I assumed some Changed to reflect recent losses to the 2-3 49ers, 3-2 Bills and 2-2 Eagles. A quick look at their opening odds – from February – showed me that the regular season has meant little so far for these perennial favorites, who are combined at .500:

• 49ers: Opened +500 (second). Currently +750 (in second place).
• Bills: Opened +1200 (tied for fourth place). Currently +1100 (in fifth place).
• eagle: Opened +1600 (tied for seventh). Currently +1500 (eighth).

Believe in 1-4 Bengal (dropped from sixth to 13th place) and 2-3 Dolphins (from ninth to 22nd place) has almost disappeared. Rightly so.

With the negative out of the way, some contrast:

Four teams have 3-0 winning streaks…

5-0 Chiefs: It's all about Chris Jones, Steve Spagnuolo and their defense. They suffocate opponents on the ground, allowing just 88.4 rushing yards per game, along with the fifth-fewest points. Encouragingly, despite the four-month loss to Rashee Rice, their offense is trending upward after putting together their best performance of the season in Week 5 against a stout Saints defense.

• Opened +750 (first).
• Currently +500 (first).

5-0 Vikings: Here too it starts with defense. Brian Flores' unit ranks first in DVOA despite facing Brock Purdy, CJ Stroud, Jordan Love and Aaron Rodgers. That masks Sam Darnold's up-and-down season, which Alec Lewis said was also helped “immensely by an efficient running game, solid pass protection, receivers who can separate, and a play-caller who can adjust on the fly.”

• +4000 opened (tied for 15th).
• Currently: +1200 (seventh).

4-1 Commanders: Spirits are high in Washington, where Jayden Daniels is leading the first rookie quarterback team since 1970 to reach 150 points in the first five games. Meanwhile, Dan Quinn quietly continues to improve his defense. If they beat Baltimore this week, you can expect these odds to increase again:

• Open: +15000 (same place on 27th).
• Currently: +3500 (tied for 13th place).

3-2 Broncos: Once again, it's defense. Patrick Surtain II makes a strong case for DPOY. They rank second in points allowed (14.6) and third in defensive success rate (64.6 percent) and sack rate (10.8). The current winning streak is fueled by this defense and the return to form of Javonte Williams as well as limited turnovers – Bo Nix hasn't thrown an interception since his loss in Week 2.

• Open: +10000 (26th).
• Currently: +10000 (tied for 22nd).

The hot seat: Which coach is next?

After the Jets stunned the NFL by firing Robert Saleh, The athlete's Mike Jones took a deep dive into six coaches in the hot seat while Mike Sando showed why it's all about the owners.

Both mention three coaches from the always entertaining NFC East:

Nick Sirianni: The Eagles have an abysmal 3-8 record since their 10-1 start last season. Despite new coordinators on both sides, both of whom are realistic interim candidates, Sirianni is not producing results. Jones: “If GM Howie Roseman and owner Jeffrey Lurie fired Doug Pederson just three seasons after his Super Bowl victory, how much wiggle room is there for Sirianni?”

Brian Daboll: In his first year, the Giants coach went 9-7-1 and made the playoffs – before collapsing to 6-11 last season due to injury. While those struggles have continued into this season, as Sando writes, “Jones' improved play of late and solid contributions from the Giants' rookie draft class have helped the team win two of its last three, which may not have the best was “Saleh.”

Mike McCarthy: Despite Dallas' 3-2 record, the coach is expected to stay in the contract year until 2025 – Jerry Jones won't fire a coach mid-season – but how microphone Jones writes, “If Dallas can't survive the tough stretch ahead against Detroit, San Francisco, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Houston and Washington, the temperature in McCarthy's seat is sure to rise.”

For the full list of trainers on the Hot Seat, click here.

Surprising statistic: interceptors

Levis, Richardson and…Mahomes?

This is the list of quarterbacks with the top six interceptions in the league. Even though Mahomes played an extra game, it's still shocking that he tops the same category as Levis (who has a QBR of 27.3, second-worst among starters) and Richardson (who completed 50.6 percent of his passes). lowest value in the league).

Around the NFL

Colts WR Michael Pittman could be out for several weeks due to a back injury. He is a candidate for IR.

Raiders WR (and trade candidate) Davante Adams is expected to miss their Week 6 game against Pittsburgh, a game in which Aidan O'Connell will start.

Giants pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux will be out for the “foreseeable future” after wrist surgery. A typical period for his injury is four to six weeks.

Most clicked yesterday: Relapse! Dianna and Zack Rosenblatt's January bombshell on why “New York is just such a mess.”

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(Photo: Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)