E-E NFL breakdown: Bartlesville grad No. 1 on depth chart; key games dot weekend slate
Going into October, A.J. Parker finished off his first full month on the Detroit Lions practice squad.
But, the Bartlesville high graduate is now back on the 53-man active roster and listed on the Detroit Lions’ website in the starting lineup (nickelback).
Parker and his Lion teammates eye their biggest season test Sunday when they mix it up with the Dallas Cowboys (4-2) at Jerry’s house.
Starting time is set for noon for the nationally-televised game.
Detroit (1-4) has actually put up more points than Dallas — a lot more. But, the Lions have struggled on defense, one of the factors that probably brought Parker back to the roster.
Parker is in his second year in the NFL. He spent the entire 2021 season with the Lions, other than four games on the injured list.
A starter in seven games, Parker put up some solid numbers and made several big plays including seven pass break-ups.
But, following a spirited competition in last summer’s team camp, Parker was waived by the Lions and then re-signed to their practice squad.
Two weeks ago, the Lions brought him back to the active roster. He played on several snaps two Sundays ago in a 29-0 loss to New England, the third time the Lions had held an opponent to fewer than 30 points.
Parker played his college ball at Kansas State and signed in May 2021 as an undrafted free agent with the Lions.
He graduated in 2016 from Bartlesville High
NEED FOR QUICK TURNAROUND
There are a handful of weather-vane games — which will either set a new direction or keep them on the same trajectory — this weekend.
Perhaps leading the list is the Green Bay Packers (3-3), who are on a two-game losing streak. The Packers take on Washington (2-4) on Sunday.
Green Bay’s scoring offense has struggled — 17.3 ppg, compared to 17.0 for Washington.
Green Bay is already two games behind the Minnesota Vikings (5-1) in the NFC North.
If the Packers can’t stop the slide this weekend, they could be scrambling to make the playoffs, or at least secure a decent seed.
The Miami Dolphins (3-3) will be looking to end a three-game losing skein when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4).
After blitzing to a 3-0 mark out of the gate, Miami seemed destined for a break-out campaign. But, injuries have taken their toll. It appears that Miami will welcome back starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this week, which could be the catalyst to get the Dolphins back on a winning track and postseason contention. A loss would be a devastating blow, especially while trying to remain in contention in the brutal AFC East (Buffalo Bills, 5-1; New York Jets, 4-2; and New England (3-3).
On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Steelers are only one game out of first place in the AFC North and scrambling to gain winning traction.
Denver (2-4) certainly has been one of the league’s surprises — and not in a positive way.
The consensus seemed to be thumbs-up for the Broncos after they signed quarterback Russell Wilson.
But, Denver has looked average a good deal of the time and already is two games out of first in the AFC West.
Denver has a tough game Sunday to try to reverse course. The Broncos will play host to the New York Jets, who have won three in a row with quarterback Zack Wilson helping them find a way to win.
Denver, meanwhile, will try to avoid losing four in a row.
A loss could sink the Broncos into playoff longshots.
Really, it should be a heck of a game.
ABSENCE OF BIG’UNS
Three of the NFL’s hottest teams — Philadelphia (6-0), Buffalo (5-1) and Minnesota (5-1) — will be in civvies this week on a bye week. Their absence takes some “oomph!” out of the schedule.
In addition, the struggling defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams (3-3) also are on siesta.
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Bartlesville grad is No. 1 on Lions' depth chart, other NFL news
