The new "Rogue One" trailer dropped this week. And for all us "Star Wars" and Felicity Jones nerds out there it was heavenly delight. There was, of course, a Darth Vader sighting. That got me thinking as a New York Jets fan.
No, not the Emperor Palpatine-Bill Belichick comparisons, but the relationship between master and apprentice. The Star Wars universe has its share with the Master/Padawan dynamic like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker and Yoda and Count Dooku. And the NFL has its coaching trees with Bill Walsh and Marty Schottenheimer. On Sunday, Todd Bowles faces his mentor Bruce Arians when the Jets face the Arizona Cardinals. Bowles, the former defensive coordinator under Arians, has a team that's been struggling at 1-5. Arians and the Cardinals have also failed to play up to expectation at 2-3.Will the Bowles become the master or remain the learner? We'll find out Monday.
Let's get to this week's ratings...
Moving On Up
So here's a little "California Love" for Ezekiel. Dude is "untouchable like Elliott Ness." The Dallas Cowboys rookie running back is leading the league in rushing yards with 546. That's the more than 22 other teams combined. Against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 5 he ran for 134 yards and scored two touchdowns. He's obviously up two points to 83 OVR.
Keanu Neal, the Atlanta Falcons rookie safety, is covertly becoming one of the best at his position. Against the Denver Broncos he forced a fumble on Demaryius Thomas and only allowed 36 yards when targeted. He's one of only three safeties to not miss a single tackle all season. He's increased his OVR two points to 79.
Chicago hasn't seen a Jordan like this since Michael. Yes, a slight embellishment there, but Bears running back Jordan Howard leads the NFL with 5.8 yards a carry this season. Against the Indianapolis Colts he collected 163 scrimmage yards. Remember folks, he's is a fifth round pick from the 2016 NFL Draft. He's up a tick to 69 OVR. Underrated, Madden gods. Underrated.
Moving On Down
Ryan Tannehill has run out of Gase. The Miami Dolphins quarterback has thrown seven interceptions on the year. He's been sacked 17 times, second most in the league. Against the Tennessee Titans last week he threw two more picks resulting in a one point drop to 78 OVR.
He isn't Scott Norwood or Ray Finkle, but poor Roberto Aguayo has gotten more criticism than he deserves. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked Aguayo, one the best kickers in college football, in the second round. But the Florida State University product has struggled, missing four of his first seven field goals. His OVR dropped a point to 76, even though he nailed the game-winning kick against the Carolina Panthers in Week 5.
With the emergence of Marvin Jones, Golden Tate's number have fallen since his star-studded 2014 season when he caught 99 passes for 1,331 yards. In Week 5, he even ran the ball for six yards, but only caught three passes. A two point dip was expected. He's at 87 OVR.
MJD's Madden Hot Take
We have two this week.
Part 1:
Part 2:
Six bold predictions for Week 6
EA Sports
6. One of the great films of 1989 was "Best of the Best," featuring a group of ragtag American martial artists who must band together to fight a Korean team in a Tae Kwon Do tournament. It starred James Earl Jones, Christopher Penn and Eric Roberts, with hair that would make Clay Matthews blush. I bring this up because the Atlanta Falcons with the league's best offense faces the Seattle Seahawks with the league's best defense. The Falcons have won four of the last five meetings against the Seahawks and I expect more of the same. Watch the league's top wide receiver Julio Jones torch Richard Sherman for 150 yards and two touchdowns.
5. Colin Kaepernick has been named the starter for the San Francisco 49ers. Controversy aside, Kaepernick is going to put on a vintage performance against the Buffalo Bills that will make people remember how good he was a few seasons ago. Look for a two touchdowns and 200 yards passing.
4. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott are offering visions of Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith with their rookie year stats. Facing Green Bay this week, look for both of them to continue their dominance. Prescott and Elliot will both rush for touchdowns. Whether Dez Bryant plays or not, karma will be on the Cowboys side, especially since the Dez non-catch playoff game in 2014.
3. Andy Reid is 15-2 after a bye week, but the Oakland Raiders are having one of those years. And this is one of those games. The Raiders haven't been 4-1 since 2002, when they went to the Super Bowl. Derek Carr is going to throw for 300 yards and Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper will each score a touchdown. It's going to be close, but the Raiders edge this out.
2.Todd Gurley's is averaging a league low 2.7 yards a carry this season. Come Sunday that'll change. Look for Gurley to exploit the weak defense of the Detroit Lions for 100 yards on the ground and two scores.
1.Carson Wentz tasted the bitterness of losing for the first time last week against the Detroit Lions. Look for him to rebound against the Washington Redskins. Look for Wentz to throw 300 yards. DeSean Jackson will rack up 100 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Amar Shah is a Digital Features Editor for NFL.com. You can sell him your Jar Jar Binks merchandise on Twitter @amarshahism.