DaveA
Senior Member
- Location
- Coastal Massachusetts, USA
Sorry -attachment didn't post??
2020 Football (American, that is)
- Thread starter Lethe200
- Start date
Bonnie, i think your a Browns fan-
They have come out ripping and snorting, but that will come to a end when they meet the Cowboys.
Now, the Cowboys and the often repeated phrase 'On any given Sunday,' ,,, On most Sundays the Boy's search for a way to lose.`
Long time Cowboy fans are used to their losing ways, they will 'blub and dub,' in new and exciting ways.
We watch with arched eyebrows-waiting.
Their epitaph reads: 'We will lose, but we lose so well.'
They have come out ripping and snorting, but that will come to a end when they meet the Cowboys.
Now, the Cowboys and the often repeated phrase 'On any given Sunday,' ,,, On most Sundays the Boy's search for a way to lose.`
Long time Cowboy fans are used to their losing ways, they will 'blub and dub,' in new and exciting ways.
We watch with arched eyebrows-waiting.
Their epitaph reads: 'We will lose, but we lose so well.'
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
NFL Week 4 Predictions: Our Picks Against the Spread
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs face NE, the Bears try to continue their improbable start and Tennessee’s matchup with Pittsburgh has been delayed until Week 7 due to COVID.
NYTimes by Benjamin Hoffman, Oct. 1, 2020 (edited for length by Lethe200)
Thursday’s Matchup: Broncos 37, Jets 28
There was plenty of sloppy play on both sides, but the Broncos (1-3) found themselves clinging to a 2-point lead with just over two minutes to play. Their D did its part, forcing a turnover on downs with a huge sack from Bradley Chubb. Then their offense finished the job on the first play of the ensuing drive, with RB Melvin Gordon III bouncing off some contact in the backfield before breaking outside for a 43-yard TD run and an insurmountable lead.
The win capped a wild day for Brett Rypien (ex-Washington QB Mark’s nephew) in which the young QB, in his first career start, had some high and low points, but likely earned a lifetime’s supply of respect from his teammates by racing down the field to deliver a block that helped Gordon score.
NYT picked the Jets (0-4) assuming Denver’s injuries would be a larger issue, but after losing this eminently winnable game, it is questionable if Gang Green can beat anyone.
Sunday’s Best Games
NE Patriots at KC Chiefs, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Pick: Chiefs
No shortage of enthusiasm for the Chiefs (3-0) after KC brushed off mighty Ravens. The question is if Cam Newton/Patriots (2-1) are a big enough threat to bring out the best in KC or will the Chiefs will relax too much?
In many ways, NE appears to be set up as well as anyone to compete with KC. Its secondary is strong, where cornerback Stephon Gilmore might be able to reasonably contain KC WR Tyreek Hill. Its offense is heavily run-focused, which is a weak point for the Chiefs defense: one that Baltimore bizarrely couldn’t exploit enough last week.
But Mahomes has had some tough luck against teams led by Coach Bill Belichick in the past, and if the young QB wants to prove a point, he will.
LA Chargers at TBay Buccaneers, 1 p.m., CBS
Pick: Chargers
It’s good to be the Bucs (2-1). Tom Brady is settling in and the team’s D has proven a force. An injury to WR Chris Godwin takes away some offensive upside, but TBay seems like a playoff team: one that might struggle against the elites, but can handle middling teams just fine.
The Chargers (1-2) likely also view themselves as a playoff team, but while there will be plenty of focus on whether Tyrod Taylor or Justin Herbert will start at QB this week, the larger concern is on defense, where LA expects to be without DE Melvin Ingram, DT Justin Jones and CB Chris Harris Jr. That could lead to more time for Brady to throw, and more room for WR Mike Evans to get open. The potential is there for a TBay blowout, but a narrower win should be expected.
Indianapolis Colts at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m., CBS
Pick: Colts
The Colts (2-1) followed their embarrassing Week 1 loss to Jacksonville with a pair of convincing victories over fairly weak competition. That qualifies as a good start, and is more sustainable than the Bears perfect record (3-0). Rarely has a team seemed so unjustifiably undefeated, but Chicago has been bizarrely magical in Q4. Thanks to Khalil Mack, Tashaun Gipson and the Bears’ D, Chicago has outscored its opponents by 41-10 in Q4 this season.
Last week’s come-from-behind win over Atlanta convinced the Bears to put Nick Foles in at QB. But the Colts aren’t as likely to collapse like Detroit and Atlanta did.
Buffalo Bills at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Pick: Bills
What in the world is going on with the Bills’ (3-0) D? Almost all the stout 2019 crew returned, yet they’ve looked terrible despite the undefeated start. They’ve allowed 25.7 points and 380 yds per game, and those numbers don’t appear to be fluky, as Football Outsiders has them ranked 24th in their catchall DVOA metric.
Their success owes to the emergence of QB Josh Allen, who has thrown for at least 300 yds in each game and has an absurd passer rating of 124.8, now that he’s got a true target in Stefon Diggs. But if Buffalo is going to keep this strong start going and win a road game against the fairly decent Raiders (2-1) the D will have to figure things out.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs face NE, the Bears try to continue their improbable start and Tennessee’s matchup with Pittsburgh has been delayed until Week 7 due to COVID.
NYTimes by Benjamin Hoffman, Oct. 1, 2020 (edited for length by Lethe200)
Thursday’s Matchup: Broncos 37, Jets 28
There was plenty of sloppy play on both sides, but the Broncos (1-3) found themselves clinging to a 2-point lead with just over two minutes to play. Their D did its part, forcing a turnover on downs with a huge sack from Bradley Chubb. Then their offense finished the job on the first play of the ensuing drive, with RB Melvin Gordon III bouncing off some contact in the backfield before breaking outside for a 43-yard TD run and an insurmountable lead.
The win capped a wild day for Brett Rypien (ex-Washington QB Mark’s nephew) in which the young QB, in his first career start, had some high and low points, but likely earned a lifetime’s supply of respect from his teammates by racing down the field to deliver a block that helped Gordon score.
NYT picked the Jets (0-4) assuming Denver’s injuries would be a larger issue, but after losing this eminently winnable game, it is questionable if Gang Green can beat anyone.
Sunday’s Best Games
NE Patriots at KC Chiefs, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Pick: Chiefs
No shortage of enthusiasm for the Chiefs (3-0) after KC brushed off mighty Ravens. The question is if Cam Newton/Patriots (2-1) are a big enough threat to bring out the best in KC or will the Chiefs will relax too much?
In many ways, NE appears to be set up as well as anyone to compete with KC. Its secondary is strong, where cornerback Stephon Gilmore might be able to reasonably contain KC WR Tyreek Hill. Its offense is heavily run-focused, which is a weak point for the Chiefs defense: one that Baltimore bizarrely couldn’t exploit enough last week.
But Mahomes has had some tough luck against teams led by Coach Bill Belichick in the past, and if the young QB wants to prove a point, he will.
LA Chargers at TBay Buccaneers, 1 p.m., CBS
Pick: Chargers
It’s good to be the Bucs (2-1). Tom Brady is settling in and the team’s D has proven a force. An injury to WR Chris Godwin takes away some offensive upside, but TBay seems like a playoff team: one that might struggle against the elites, but can handle middling teams just fine.
The Chargers (1-2) likely also view themselves as a playoff team, but while there will be plenty of focus on whether Tyrod Taylor or Justin Herbert will start at QB this week, the larger concern is on defense, where LA expects to be without DE Melvin Ingram, DT Justin Jones and CB Chris Harris Jr. That could lead to more time for Brady to throw, and more room for WR Mike Evans to get open. The potential is there for a TBay blowout, but a narrower win should be expected.
Indianapolis Colts at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m., CBS
Pick: Colts
The Colts (2-1) followed their embarrassing Week 1 loss to Jacksonville with a pair of convincing victories over fairly weak competition. That qualifies as a good start, and is more sustainable than the Bears perfect record (3-0). Rarely has a team seemed so unjustifiably undefeated, but Chicago has been bizarrely magical in Q4. Thanks to Khalil Mack, Tashaun Gipson and the Bears’ D, Chicago has outscored its opponents by 41-10 in Q4 this season.
Last week’s come-from-behind win over Atlanta convinced the Bears to put Nick Foles in at QB. But the Colts aren’t as likely to collapse like Detroit and Atlanta did.
Buffalo Bills at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Pick: Bills
What in the world is going on with the Bills’ (3-0) D? Almost all the stout 2019 crew returned, yet they’ve looked terrible despite the undefeated start. They’ve allowed 25.7 points and 380 yds per game, and those numbers don’t appear to be fluky, as Football Outsiders has them ranked 24th in their catchall DVOA metric.
Their success owes to the emergence of QB Josh Allen, who has thrown for at least 300 yds in each game and has an absurd passer rating of 124.8, now that he’s got a true target in Stefon Diggs. But if Buffalo is going to keep this strong start going and win a road game against the fairly decent Raiders (2-1) the D will have to figure things out.
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Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
Pt 2 of 2: NY Times, Sunday’s Other Games Week 4
Baltimore Ravens at Washington Football Team, 1 p.m., CBS
Pick: Ravens
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens (2-1) have lost a grand total of four regular-season games over the last three seasons. As three of those four losses came against Patrick Mahomes, who is unlikely to suit up for the Footballers (1-2), a Baltimore win seems fairly predictable. Will they justify the two-TD spread? It’s possible.
Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. Fox
Pick: Texans
A battle of two winless teams. The Vikes are at the bottom of the NFC North. Houston is at the bottom of the AFC South. The Texans have a chance to expunge their frustrations on one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Deshaun Watson averages 8.3 yds per pass attempt, ranking eighth in the NFL, with four TDs and three interceptions. The Texans need to stop the Vikes’ RB Cook and WR Jefferson.
Philadelphia Eagles at SF 49ers, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Pick: 49ers
The 49ers (2-1) are still The Walking Wounded. And the injury report added RB Jerick McKinnon (ribs) and CB Emmanuel Moseley (concussion). In SF’s favor, TE George Kittle and RB Deebo Samuel were activated. The Eagles (0-2-1) are playing so poorly they’ll likely lose to SF even with Nick Mullens and the Expendables on the field for a second consecutive week. But with SF starters Garoppolo, Mostert, McKinnon, Bosa, Ford, Sherman, and Moseley out, Philly might only lose by a FG or two.
Cleveland Browns at Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m., Fox
Pick: Browns
The Cowboys (1-2) have played three incredibly exciting games. But they’ve lost two of them, which looks bad for HC Mike McCarthy. Dak Prescott’s 1,188 passing yds are the fifth-most a player has ever had through three weeks. But Cowboys’ opponents are averaging 404.7 yds per game while scoring an average of 32.3 points per game.
The Browns (2-1) can get to 3-1 for the first time since 2001 with a big day from QB Baker Mayfield or RB Nick Chubb. Dallas should be favored, but this could come down to who has the ball last.
Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., Fox
Pick: Cardinals
Despite a surprising loss to Detroit last week, the Cardinals (2-1) have a serious offense. QB Kyler Murray is a budding star and the steal of WR DeAndre Hopkins looks better every day. Hopkins is leading the NFL with 32 catches for 356 yds. The Panthers (1-2) are hampered by the absence of RB Christian McCaffrey. While Carolina won on the road last week, that was the result of turnovers that the Cardinals are unlikely to give them.
Seattle Seahawks at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m., Fox
Pick: Dolphins
The Seahawks (3-0) are undefeated despite their D allowing almost 500 yds a game. QB Russell Wilson is outplaying even Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson so far. Wilson has an NFL-record 14 TD passes through three weeks and would have 15 had not DK Metcalf lost track of Dallas’ Trevon Diggs behind him just before the goal line.
The Dolphins (1-2) had a nice long break after their huge win over Jacksonville on Thursday Week 3. Ryan Fitzpatrick is unpredictable, prone to mistakes; but he is likely excited to test Seattle’s D. A shootout still favors the Seahawks, but the score could be close. One plus for Fitz: All-Pro safety Jamal Adams/Seattle is out with a groin injury.
New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m., Fox
Pick: Lions
Shock: both teams are 1-2. Another shock: Saints have allowed 31.3 points a game. The D is good against the run but has struggled against the pass. The Lions (1-2) come off an upset of AZ and might be a fight. With Saints WR Michael Thomas out, the Lions could be an upset.
Giants at LA Rams, 4:05 p.m., Fox
Pick: Rams
The Rams (2-1) are smarting from a wild ride last week: being blown out 28-3, then roaring back to take a Q4 lead, only to have Buffalo’s Josh Allen rip out their hearts in the final seconds. Crushing the spirit of the Giants (0-3) in retaliation is unlikely, as the Giants’ spirit may already be permanently depressed by a humiliating loss to the 49ers’ backups (and backups of the backups) last week. There’s no question that LAR could win this game by 12+ if they wanted to make a point, but expect a slightly narrower margin.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m., CBS
Pick: Bengals
At a glance, the Jaguars passing D (1-2) looks bad - they’re ranked 19th in total passing yds allowed - but if you delve in deeper things are much worse. They are allowing an NFL-worst 118.6 passer rating, have only three sacks over three games and according to Football Outsiders, are the least efficient unit by a country mile, making even the Jets seem competent by comparison.
Enter Joe Burrow of the Bengals (0-2-1) who nonetheless has 628 yds passing, five TDs and no interceptions over his last two starts. Rookies are unpredictable, and the Jaguars’ offense isn’t as bad as it looked last week, but Cincinnati is a rightful favorite.
Monday’s Matchup
Atlanta Falcons at GBay Packers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Pick: Packers
Rodgers has a reputation as a QB who rises to the biggest moments, and he’s had some memorable games in prime time. Surprisingly, his Monday career record is 9-8. He is actually strongest in the 4p Eastern time games on Sundays, when his career record is an incredible 32-11.
The Monday record will probably improve to 10-8. Rodgers looks comfortable in HC Matt LaFleur’s offense. The Packers have more points through three games (122) than any other team in GBay history. Put that offense up against the Falcons (0-3), who have looked terrible on D and have blown enormous leads in back-to-back weeks. But a game at home against a lowly opponent might lure the GBay offense to relax. A win should be expected, but maybe not a full blow-out.
Baltimore Ravens at Washington Football Team, 1 p.m., CBS
Pick: Ravens
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens (2-1) have lost a grand total of four regular-season games over the last three seasons. As three of those four losses came against Patrick Mahomes, who is unlikely to suit up for the Footballers (1-2), a Baltimore win seems fairly predictable. Will they justify the two-TD spread? It’s possible.
Minnesota Vikings at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. Fox
Pick: Texans
A battle of two winless teams. The Vikes are at the bottom of the NFC North. Houston is at the bottom of the AFC South. The Texans have a chance to expunge their frustrations on one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Deshaun Watson averages 8.3 yds per pass attempt, ranking eighth in the NFL, with four TDs and three interceptions. The Texans need to stop the Vikes’ RB Cook and WR Jefferson.
Philadelphia Eagles at SF 49ers, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Pick: 49ers
The 49ers (2-1) are still The Walking Wounded. And the injury report added RB Jerick McKinnon (ribs) and CB Emmanuel Moseley (concussion). In SF’s favor, TE George Kittle and RB Deebo Samuel were activated. The Eagles (0-2-1) are playing so poorly they’ll likely lose to SF even with Nick Mullens and the Expendables on the field for a second consecutive week. But with SF starters Garoppolo, Mostert, McKinnon, Bosa, Ford, Sherman, and Moseley out, Philly might only lose by a FG or two.
Cleveland Browns at Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m., Fox
Pick: Browns
The Cowboys (1-2) have played three incredibly exciting games. But they’ve lost two of them, which looks bad for HC Mike McCarthy. Dak Prescott’s 1,188 passing yds are the fifth-most a player has ever had through three weeks. But Cowboys’ opponents are averaging 404.7 yds per game while scoring an average of 32.3 points per game.
The Browns (2-1) can get to 3-1 for the first time since 2001 with a big day from QB Baker Mayfield or RB Nick Chubb. Dallas should be favored, but this could come down to who has the ball last.
Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., Fox
Pick: Cardinals
Despite a surprising loss to Detroit last week, the Cardinals (2-1) have a serious offense. QB Kyler Murray is a budding star and the steal of WR DeAndre Hopkins looks better every day. Hopkins is leading the NFL with 32 catches for 356 yds. The Panthers (1-2) are hampered by the absence of RB Christian McCaffrey. While Carolina won on the road last week, that was the result of turnovers that the Cardinals are unlikely to give them.
Seattle Seahawks at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m., Fox
Pick: Dolphins
The Seahawks (3-0) are undefeated despite their D allowing almost 500 yds a game. QB Russell Wilson is outplaying even Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson so far. Wilson has an NFL-record 14 TD passes through three weeks and would have 15 had not DK Metcalf lost track of Dallas’ Trevon Diggs behind him just before the goal line.
The Dolphins (1-2) had a nice long break after their huge win over Jacksonville on Thursday Week 3. Ryan Fitzpatrick is unpredictable, prone to mistakes; but he is likely excited to test Seattle’s D. A shootout still favors the Seahawks, but the score could be close. One plus for Fitz: All-Pro safety Jamal Adams/Seattle is out with a groin injury.
New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m., Fox
Pick: Lions
Shock: both teams are 1-2. Another shock: Saints have allowed 31.3 points a game. The D is good against the run but has struggled against the pass. The Lions (1-2) come off an upset of AZ and might be a fight. With Saints WR Michael Thomas out, the Lions could be an upset.
Giants at LA Rams, 4:05 p.m., Fox
Pick: Rams
The Rams (2-1) are smarting from a wild ride last week: being blown out 28-3, then roaring back to take a Q4 lead, only to have Buffalo’s Josh Allen rip out their hearts in the final seconds. Crushing the spirit of the Giants (0-3) in retaliation is unlikely, as the Giants’ spirit may already be permanently depressed by a humiliating loss to the 49ers’ backups (and backups of the backups) last week. There’s no question that LAR could win this game by 12+ if they wanted to make a point, but expect a slightly narrower margin.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m., CBS
Pick: Bengals
At a glance, the Jaguars passing D (1-2) looks bad - they’re ranked 19th in total passing yds allowed - but if you delve in deeper things are much worse. They are allowing an NFL-worst 118.6 passer rating, have only three sacks over three games and according to Football Outsiders, are the least efficient unit by a country mile, making even the Jets seem competent by comparison.
Enter Joe Burrow of the Bengals (0-2-1) who nonetheless has 628 yds passing, five TDs and no interceptions over his last two starts. Rookies are unpredictable, and the Jaguars’ offense isn’t as bad as it looked last week, but Cincinnati is a rightful favorite.
Monday’s Matchup
Atlanta Falcons at GBay Packers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Pick: Packers
Rodgers has a reputation as a QB who rises to the biggest moments, and he’s had some memorable games in prime time. Surprisingly, his Monday career record is 9-8. He is actually strongest in the 4p Eastern time games on Sundays, when his career record is an incredible 32-11.
The Monday record will probably improve to 10-8. Rodgers looks comfortable in HC Matt LaFleur’s offense. The Packers have more points through three games (122) than any other team in GBay history. Put that offense up against the Falcons (0-3), who have looked terrible on D and have blown enormous leads in back-to-back weeks. But a game at home against a lowly opponent might lure the GBay offense to relax. A win should be expected, but maybe not a full blow-out.
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DaveA
Senior Member
- Location
- Coastal Massachusetts, USA
Report on TV says that cam Newton tested positive for Covid and will be out for (at least) this week's game. Looks like a blow-out for the Chiefs and may spell the end of New England's streak of winning seasons.
And Titans seem to have several players with it now. Covid is creeping across the NFL.
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
Update: Chiefs-Patriots game postponed after members on both teams test positive for COVID-19, NFL announcement 03Oct2020:
Patriots-Chiefs postponed after multiple positive COVID-19 tests
Patriots-Chiefs postponed after multiple positive COVID-19 tests
This baseball season was a farce due to the plague
We have the college games, any though of postponing the season fell by the wayside.
The football factories wouldn't have it!
There more exciting than the pros, but we've become so used to our
Sunday afternoons with our pro ball, we would really miss it.
I really think all team sports should have been canceled for the good of the nation; I wouldn't like it, but think it should be done.
The owners will open their stadiums to more and more capacity and we will go- plague or no plague!
We have the college games, any though of postponing the season fell by the wayside.
The football factories wouldn't have it!
There more exciting than the pros, but we've become so used to our
Sunday afternoons with our pro ball, we would really miss it.
I really think all team sports should have been canceled for the good of the nation; I wouldn't like it, but think it should be done.
The owners will open their stadiums to more and more capacity and we will go- plague or no plague!
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Boy's are working on how to give the ball to their opponents, practiced last week, continue with Browns today-did good...
The Dallas Cowboy's Circus continues, complete with pratfalls, big flobby shoes...
NFC East is pitiful
Eagles-pitiful
Redskins-pitiful
Giants-pitiful
The forth team is unmentionable-the clowns
The Dallas Cowboy's Circus continues, complete with pratfalls, big flobby shoes...
NFC East is pitiful
Eagles-pitiful
Redskins-pitiful
Giants-pitiful
The forth team is unmentionable-the clowns
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Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
Re Chiefs vs Patriots game:
Since Cam didn't play, back-up Brian Hoyer was QB for the Patriots. He certainly showed why he isn't a first string QB any longer. Started off okay, but couldn't close the deal in the red zone on multiple occasions.
And the interceptions! They were almost as painful as the ones Niners backup QB Nick Mullens was throwing on Sunday. Total drive killers.
Made you want to ask those guys, "Okay, who did you THINK you were throwing the ball to?"
Since Cam didn't play, back-up Brian Hoyer was QB for the Patriots. He certainly showed why he isn't a first string QB any longer. Started off okay, but couldn't close the deal in the red zone on multiple occasions.
And the interceptions! They were almost as painful as the ones Niners backup QB Nick Mullens was throwing on Sunday. Total drive killers.
Made you want to ask those guys, "Okay, who did you THINK you were throwing the ball to?"
Don M.
SF VIP
- Location
- central Missouri
I've become a pretty avid Chiefs fan since Mahomes became the quarterback....he is really entertaining. I'm hoping the Chiefs can have a season as good as last year, and make it to the Superbowl again.
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
Bill O’Brien Wasn’t the Only Coach Presiding Over a Bad Start
Houston fired O’Brien, its HC and general manager, on Monday after four straight losses. Three N.F.C. teams also have to turn their seasons around.
NY Times by Ben Shpigel Oct. 6, 2020
There was once a home in Houston. It teemed with amenities, and on the outside it shimmered. But inside, termites gnawed at the floors, a sewage pipe neared bursting and structural issues diminished its value.
The Texans are that home. And the caretaker - and architect - was Bill O’Brien, who was fired on Monday for letting it lapse into disrepair. The projects O’Brien favored over the past 16 months turned the Texans from the envy of their neighborhood into a fixer-upper blighted by weeds in the yard.
As a leading voice in personnel matters and the team’s GM, O’Brien flipped premium draft picks in several deals. He dealt one of the NFL’s best receivers, DeAndre Hopkins, to Arizona for a pittance. As the Texans’ coach, O’Brien guided them to four AFC South titles in his first six years but a winless start to this season through four games.
The final indignity came Sunday, when the Texans lost, 31-23, at home to Minnesota after defeats to the conference behemoths KC, Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Only the Jets and Giants, who were expected to be dreadful this season (and are), have worse scoring differentials than the Texans’ minus-46.
At their apex, the Texans boasted Hopkins, defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney and J.J. Watt, safety Tyrann Mathieu and the cornerstone QB Deshaun Watson - stars who positioned them for potential glory. The Texans are left with only Watt and Watson, who have watched the team’s depth and quality erode around them, especially since blowing a 24-point lead to KC in the playoffs after the 2019 season.
The front office mortgaged the future by compromising draft capital. Houston didn’t make a first-round pick in 2020 and doesn’t have a first- or second-rounder in 2021. It subsequently depleted the roster of young talent on team-friendly contracts. Trading Hopkins and a 2020 fourth-round pick, for RB David Johnson, a 2020 second-round pick and a 2021 fourth-rounder, left Watson without a dominant No. 1 receiver in a league that prioritizes passing. Collectively, the moves ratchet up the difficulty for O’Brien’s successor as general manager, who must figure out a way to maximize Watson’s prime while gaining more financial flexibility.
Even if the timing of O’Brien’s dismissal is peculiar - ownership empowered him to expend precious draft picks, award over-market extensions and contracts and also deal Hopkins, but then fired him just four losses into this pandemic-afflicted season in which a seventh team from each conference now makes the playoffs - the Texans, at least, have a head start on vetting possible replacements.
The associate HC Romeo Crennel, a former HC with Cleveland and KC, will coach the Texans for the remainder of the season. In a league where about three-quarters of the players are people of color but most coaches and executives are white, Crennel, who is Black, raises the number of nonwhite HCs to five.
Around the NFL, owners of struggling teams must decide whether to follow Houston’s example or trust their coaches to accomplish what O’Brien could not do well enough this season: spackle the holes. Here are three other places where the season has turned ugly already:
Atlanta (0-4)
The play that inspired a thousand memes - the staring contest as the Cowboys’ onside kick in Week 2 just rolled on by - encapsulates the scope of Atlanta’s despair. It is hard to win in the NFL, but the Falcons make it needlessly so. Their defensive collapses reflect poorly on their defensive-minded coach, Dan Quinn, who, heading into Monday night’s game at GBay (a 30-16 loss), had presided over six of the 15 worst blown leads in franchise history. Two came in consecutive weeks - 20 points at Dallas, 16 against Chicago - while the other came in some big game, a Super Bowl or something, a few years back. The Falcons’ owner, Arthur Blank, is a patient man, but his tolerance for infuriating performances has to be waning.
Detroit (1-3)
The Lions are the NFC North version of the Falcons, just cloaked in Honolulu blue and without the Super Bowl calamity. The coach, Matt Patricia, took over a nine-win team after the 2017 season, and under his stewardship the Lions, 10-25-1 in his tenure, have gotten worse every year. They lost by 6 points to New Orleans on Sunday, which wouldn’t seem so terrible except they led by 14 in the first quarter and then went on to trail by 14 at halftime. Do you know how mind-bendingly difficult that is to do? According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that’s happened only three other times in league history.
The Lions tend to traffic in the absurd. They lost to Chicago in Week 1 after both blowing a 17-point fourth-quarter lead and dropping the potential game-winning TD in the end zone with six seconds left - and considering the sorry state of their defense, they’re unlikely to morph into situational masters anytime soon. If they do, Patricia might not be around to witness it.
Dallas (1-3)
Another autumn tradition is unfurling in North Texas, just with a different coach: the Cowboys under Mike McCarthy are proving their whole is less than the sum of their parts. The Cowboys have (by far) the most talented roster in a gruesome NFC East, as they often did under Jason Garrett, But despite a QB on pace to throw for roughly eleventy billion yds and the league’s best receiving corps, they are a successful watermelon kick away from being 0-4, having surrendered a league-high 146 points.
They miss their best linebacker, Leighton Vander Esch, who is injured. Another linebacker, Jaylon Smith, has struggled. Their secondary, weakened by the off-season departure of cornerback Byron Jones, has allowed 12 TD passes, second only to Atlanta. On Sunday, in a 49-38 loss to Cleveland, the Cowboys ceded their most rushing yds (307) in franchise history. That is a staggering statistic. So is this: Dak Prescott has thrown for 1,690 yds. At this rate he’ll surpass the single-season record of 5,477, set in 2013 by Peyton Manning, in Week 14 – but with three games left.
Will it happen? Probably not. Can it? If the Cowboys’ defense continues to crater (and it very well will unless McCarthy and the defensive coordinator Mike Nolan can resolve the unit’s deficiencies), forcing Prescott to engage in Big 12-esque aerial displays merely to keep up; then sure, absolutely, chaos is fun.
Houston fired O’Brien, its HC and general manager, on Monday after four straight losses. Three N.F.C. teams also have to turn their seasons around.
NY Times by Ben Shpigel Oct. 6, 2020
There was once a home in Houston. It teemed with amenities, and on the outside it shimmered. But inside, termites gnawed at the floors, a sewage pipe neared bursting and structural issues diminished its value.
The Texans are that home. And the caretaker - and architect - was Bill O’Brien, who was fired on Monday for letting it lapse into disrepair. The projects O’Brien favored over the past 16 months turned the Texans from the envy of their neighborhood into a fixer-upper blighted by weeds in the yard.
As a leading voice in personnel matters and the team’s GM, O’Brien flipped premium draft picks in several deals. He dealt one of the NFL’s best receivers, DeAndre Hopkins, to Arizona for a pittance. As the Texans’ coach, O’Brien guided them to four AFC South titles in his first six years but a winless start to this season through four games.
The final indignity came Sunday, when the Texans lost, 31-23, at home to Minnesota after defeats to the conference behemoths KC, Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Only the Jets and Giants, who were expected to be dreadful this season (and are), have worse scoring differentials than the Texans’ minus-46.
At their apex, the Texans boasted Hopkins, defensive ends Jadeveon Clowney and J.J. Watt, safety Tyrann Mathieu and the cornerstone QB Deshaun Watson - stars who positioned them for potential glory. The Texans are left with only Watt and Watson, who have watched the team’s depth and quality erode around them, especially since blowing a 24-point lead to KC in the playoffs after the 2019 season.
The front office mortgaged the future by compromising draft capital. Houston didn’t make a first-round pick in 2020 and doesn’t have a first- or second-rounder in 2021. It subsequently depleted the roster of young talent on team-friendly contracts. Trading Hopkins and a 2020 fourth-round pick, for RB David Johnson, a 2020 second-round pick and a 2021 fourth-rounder, left Watson without a dominant No. 1 receiver in a league that prioritizes passing. Collectively, the moves ratchet up the difficulty for O’Brien’s successor as general manager, who must figure out a way to maximize Watson’s prime while gaining more financial flexibility.
Even if the timing of O’Brien’s dismissal is peculiar - ownership empowered him to expend precious draft picks, award over-market extensions and contracts and also deal Hopkins, but then fired him just four losses into this pandemic-afflicted season in which a seventh team from each conference now makes the playoffs - the Texans, at least, have a head start on vetting possible replacements.
The associate HC Romeo Crennel, a former HC with Cleveland and KC, will coach the Texans for the remainder of the season. In a league where about three-quarters of the players are people of color but most coaches and executives are white, Crennel, who is Black, raises the number of nonwhite HCs to five.
Around the NFL, owners of struggling teams must decide whether to follow Houston’s example or trust their coaches to accomplish what O’Brien could not do well enough this season: spackle the holes. Here are three other places where the season has turned ugly already:
Atlanta (0-4)
The play that inspired a thousand memes - the staring contest as the Cowboys’ onside kick in Week 2 just rolled on by - encapsulates the scope of Atlanta’s despair. It is hard to win in the NFL, but the Falcons make it needlessly so. Their defensive collapses reflect poorly on their defensive-minded coach, Dan Quinn, who, heading into Monday night’s game at GBay (a 30-16 loss), had presided over six of the 15 worst blown leads in franchise history. Two came in consecutive weeks - 20 points at Dallas, 16 against Chicago - while the other came in some big game, a Super Bowl or something, a few years back. The Falcons’ owner, Arthur Blank, is a patient man, but his tolerance for infuriating performances has to be waning.
Detroit (1-3)
The Lions are the NFC North version of the Falcons, just cloaked in Honolulu blue and without the Super Bowl calamity. The coach, Matt Patricia, took over a nine-win team after the 2017 season, and under his stewardship the Lions, 10-25-1 in his tenure, have gotten worse every year. They lost by 6 points to New Orleans on Sunday, which wouldn’t seem so terrible except they led by 14 in the first quarter and then went on to trail by 14 at halftime. Do you know how mind-bendingly difficult that is to do? According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that’s happened only three other times in league history.
The Lions tend to traffic in the absurd. They lost to Chicago in Week 1 after both blowing a 17-point fourth-quarter lead and dropping the potential game-winning TD in the end zone with six seconds left - and considering the sorry state of their defense, they’re unlikely to morph into situational masters anytime soon. If they do, Patricia might not be around to witness it.
Dallas (1-3)
Another autumn tradition is unfurling in North Texas, just with a different coach: the Cowboys under Mike McCarthy are proving their whole is less than the sum of their parts. The Cowboys have (by far) the most talented roster in a gruesome NFC East, as they often did under Jason Garrett, But despite a QB on pace to throw for roughly eleventy billion yds and the league’s best receiving corps, they are a successful watermelon kick away from being 0-4, having surrendered a league-high 146 points.
They miss their best linebacker, Leighton Vander Esch, who is injured. Another linebacker, Jaylon Smith, has struggled. Their secondary, weakened by the off-season departure of cornerback Byron Jones, has allowed 12 TD passes, second only to Atlanta. On Sunday, in a 49-38 loss to Cleveland, the Cowboys ceded their most rushing yds (307) in franchise history. That is a staggering statistic. So is this: Dak Prescott has thrown for 1,690 yds. At this rate he’ll surpass the single-season record of 5,477, set in 2013 by Peyton Manning, in Week 14 – but with three games left.
Will it happen? Probably not. Can it? If the Cowboys’ defense continues to crater (and it very well will unless McCarthy and the defensive coordinator Mike Nolan can resolve the unit’s deficiencies), forcing Prescott to engage in Big 12-esque aerial displays merely to keep up; then sure, absolutely, chaos is fun.
There is and has been something wrong in Dallas for many years.
We can blame Jerry Jones, but there is plenty of blame left over.
As a fan, you watch your team week -after- week, same old inefficiencies, same old problems.
The coaches have to be smarter than us-Right?
(Dallas is not the only team with perpetual problems.)
We can blame Jerry Jones, but there is plenty of blame left over.
As a fan, you watch your team week -after- week, same old inefficiencies, same old problems.
The coaches have to be smarter than us-Right?
(Dallas is not the only team with perpetual problems.)
New England Fans:
They've been on top too long. I like to see a team of excellence, a delight to watch, but it is time for other teams to contest for the throne.
Brady: We will see just how much difference a QB makes. Buc's in playoff, yes, NFC division champs, errrr no.
Super Bowl-not a chance.
They've been on top too long. I like to see a team of excellence, a delight to watch, but it is time for other teams to contest for the throne.
Brady: We will see just how much difference a QB makes. Buc's in playoff, yes, NFC division champs, errrr no.
Super Bowl-not a chance.
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
Due to COVID positives, here's the scheduling changes for Week 5 (as of Fri 10/9):
- The Denver Broncos at New England Patriots game will be played on Monday, Oct. 12 at 5 p.m.
- The Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans game will be played on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.
- Should the Buffalo-Tennessee game be played on Tuesday night, the Week 6 Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills game scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 15 will be moved to later in the weekend.
Bill O'Brien has been over his head since his beginning in Houston 7 years ago. But I really blame ownership for all the dismal failure of the team. McNair's were/are clueless on hiring personnel.
And the biggest problem, it will now take YEARS to correct things; all the talent wasted or traded.
BTW ... It took JJ Watt (DE) getting into a shouting match with O'Brien to get him fired!! ... Thank you J.J. Watt
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
Is it just me or is the year flying by, LOL? Anyway, here we go:
NFL Week 5 Predictions: IF the NFL plays through coronavirus setbacks (Pt 1 of 2, all times EDT)
More positives for COVID. More stars out with major injuries. With an acknowledgment that things could change even more based on new developments, here is a look at Week 5.
NYTimes by Benjamin Hoffman Oct. 8, 2020 / edited for length by lethe200
Sunday’s Best Games
Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks, 8:20 pm, NBC
Pick: Seahawks
Odds are this is the week’s highest scoring game. Vikings (1-3) have a multipronged offensive attack led by Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson, average 26.5 points a game - topping 30 points in three of their four outings. Seahawks (4-0) are enjoying an MVP season from Russell Wilson, with Seattle averaging 35.5 points a game.
Add in the fact that both teams’ defenses have at best been marked “present” in every game this season, and that Seattle potentially will be without safety Jamal Adams, cornerback Quinton Dunbar and linebacker Jordyn Brooks. The winner might be the first team who scores 50.
Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Browns, 4:25 pm, CBS
Pick: Browns
After allowing 27 points against Jacksonville in Week 1, the Colts (3-1) have since allowed only 29 points total. They have their offense right where they want it, with a heavy focus on running the ball. Philip Rivers has been a nice addition at QB. That run of good fortune may go on hiatus this week against the Browns (3-1), who are underdogs at home despite coming off three consecutive wins in which their offense has generated an average of 39.3 points. The Colts certainly have the defensive personnel to slow any team down, but even with RB Nick Chubb out for several weeks with a knee injury, Cleveland should still have a great chance of improving to 4-1 for the first time since 1994.
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens, 1 pm, CBS
Pick: Ravens
The Ravens (3-1) are again two-TD favorites.Their average margin of victory in their three wins is 21 points. Baltimore’s D has dominated every team they’ve played except KC, and its offense continues to thrive thanks to its enviable collection of running options and a passing game that is higher in quality than in quantity. The Bengals (1-2-1) are a poor match, as their D is particularly susceptible to the run. But QB Joe Burrow has looked terrific over his first four games, and the combination of him and RB Joe Mixon - if Mixon can channel some of last week’s magic - could be enough to give Cincinnati a narrow loss, rather than a blowout.
Sunday’s Other Games
Las Vegas Raiders at KC Chiefs, 1 pm, CBS
Pick: Chiefs
The Chiefs (4-0) are a team capable of beating the best teams with ease, but also one that loses urgency playing against lesser teams. Needing OT to beat the Chargers was bad enough, but playing three quarters of uninspired football against the decimated Patriots in Week 4 - the score was 6-3 at halftime, and 13-3 after three quarters - was worse. The offense did finally wake up, cruising to a 26-10 win. But the Chiefs shouldn’t be careless. The Raiders (2-2), who run and pass the ball fairly well, could give their RB Josh Jacobs full rein versus KC’s defense. KC is a two-TD favorite, but they need to show up for at least three of the four quarters.
Philadelphia Eagles at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 pm, Fox
Pick: Steelers
The Steelers (3-0) are playing at home with an extra week of rest (as a result of their Week 4 game against Tennessee being delayed) against the Eagles (1-2-1), who despite being the nominal division leaders in the NFC East are beat up and wildly inconsistent. Despite everything, Philadelphia’s defense has played above average football and the team shouldn’t get blown out too often. But their reign as a division leader should be short-lived.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons, 1 pm, Fox
Pick: Panthers
If the Falcons (0-4) have a desperation gear, this is the time to engage it. HC Dan Quinn has to be on the hot seat after a winless start and multiple dramatic collapses. Playing the Panthers (2-2) is a challenge even at home. Carolina has played well recently, beating the Chargers and the Cardinals.
Giants at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 pm, CBS
Pick: Cowboys
In his last three games, Dak Prescott of the Cowboys (1-3) has thrown for 450, 472 and 502 yds passing. It’s an unprecedented run of 450-yard games, and the only thing stopping him from getting to four is the likelihood that Dallas will get off to a big lead against the Giants (0-4) and will not need to keep throwing the ball. The Giants played the Rams much closer than was predicted, but Prescott might want to prove a point against a division rival.
LA Rams at Washington Football Team, 1 pm, Fox
Pick: Rams
Coach Ron Rivera believes the Footballers (1-3) have a shot at the playoffs thanks to their presence in the putrid NFC Least. He plans to start Kyle Allen at QB rather than Dwayne Haskins when facing the Rams (3-1), a team that is more than capable of hanging 30-plus points on Washington’s D. Maybe Alex Smith will see the field?
Miami Dolphins at SF 49ers, 4:05 pm, Fox
Pick: 49ers
Back-up QB Nick Mullens looked great in a Wk 3 win vs Giants (who wouldn’t?) but terrible in Wk 4’s shocking loss to the Eagles, getting benched in favor of back-up CJ Beathard. Neither was the answer to Jimmy Garoppolo, with Mullens throwing 2 interceptions and Beathard giving up 1. Jimmy G is active this week so we’ll see if his high ankle sprain can rescue the Niners’ season. If not – the Niners should still win at home vs Miami, but those OL and secondary holes must be giving Niners GM Lynch and HC Shanahan grey hairs.
NFL Week 5 Predictions: IF the NFL plays through coronavirus setbacks (Pt 1 of 2, all times EDT)
More positives for COVID. More stars out with major injuries. With an acknowledgment that things could change even more based on new developments, here is a look at Week 5.
NYTimes by Benjamin Hoffman Oct. 8, 2020 / edited for length by lethe200
Sunday’s Best Games
Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks, 8:20 pm, NBC
Pick: Seahawks
Odds are this is the week’s highest scoring game. Vikings (1-3) have a multipronged offensive attack led by Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson, average 26.5 points a game - topping 30 points in three of their four outings. Seahawks (4-0) are enjoying an MVP season from Russell Wilson, with Seattle averaging 35.5 points a game.
Add in the fact that both teams’ defenses have at best been marked “present” in every game this season, and that Seattle potentially will be without safety Jamal Adams, cornerback Quinton Dunbar and linebacker Jordyn Brooks. The winner might be the first team who scores 50.
Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Browns, 4:25 pm, CBS
Pick: Browns
After allowing 27 points against Jacksonville in Week 1, the Colts (3-1) have since allowed only 29 points total. They have their offense right where they want it, with a heavy focus on running the ball. Philip Rivers has been a nice addition at QB. That run of good fortune may go on hiatus this week against the Browns (3-1), who are underdogs at home despite coming off three consecutive wins in which their offense has generated an average of 39.3 points. The Colts certainly have the defensive personnel to slow any team down, but even with RB Nick Chubb out for several weeks with a knee injury, Cleveland should still have a great chance of improving to 4-1 for the first time since 1994.
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens, 1 pm, CBS
Pick: Ravens
The Ravens (3-1) are again two-TD favorites.Their average margin of victory in their three wins is 21 points. Baltimore’s D has dominated every team they’ve played except KC, and its offense continues to thrive thanks to its enviable collection of running options and a passing game that is higher in quality than in quantity. The Bengals (1-2-1) are a poor match, as their D is particularly susceptible to the run. But QB Joe Burrow has looked terrific over his first four games, and the combination of him and RB Joe Mixon - if Mixon can channel some of last week’s magic - could be enough to give Cincinnati a narrow loss, rather than a blowout.
Sunday’s Other Games
Las Vegas Raiders at KC Chiefs, 1 pm, CBS
Pick: Chiefs
The Chiefs (4-0) are a team capable of beating the best teams with ease, but also one that loses urgency playing against lesser teams. Needing OT to beat the Chargers was bad enough, but playing three quarters of uninspired football against the decimated Patriots in Week 4 - the score was 6-3 at halftime, and 13-3 after three quarters - was worse. The offense did finally wake up, cruising to a 26-10 win. But the Chiefs shouldn’t be careless. The Raiders (2-2), who run and pass the ball fairly well, could give their RB Josh Jacobs full rein versus KC’s defense. KC is a two-TD favorite, but they need to show up for at least three of the four quarters.
Philadelphia Eagles at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 pm, Fox
Pick: Steelers
The Steelers (3-0) are playing at home with an extra week of rest (as a result of their Week 4 game against Tennessee being delayed) against the Eagles (1-2-1), who despite being the nominal division leaders in the NFC East are beat up and wildly inconsistent. Despite everything, Philadelphia’s defense has played above average football and the team shouldn’t get blown out too often. But their reign as a division leader should be short-lived.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons, 1 pm, Fox
Pick: Panthers
If the Falcons (0-4) have a desperation gear, this is the time to engage it. HC Dan Quinn has to be on the hot seat after a winless start and multiple dramatic collapses. Playing the Panthers (2-2) is a challenge even at home. Carolina has played well recently, beating the Chargers and the Cardinals.
Giants at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 pm, CBS
Pick: Cowboys
In his last three games, Dak Prescott of the Cowboys (1-3) has thrown for 450, 472 and 502 yds passing. It’s an unprecedented run of 450-yard games, and the only thing stopping him from getting to four is the likelihood that Dallas will get off to a big lead against the Giants (0-4) and will not need to keep throwing the ball. The Giants played the Rams much closer than was predicted, but Prescott might want to prove a point against a division rival.
LA Rams at Washington Football Team, 1 pm, Fox
Pick: Rams
Coach Ron Rivera believes the Footballers (1-3) have a shot at the playoffs thanks to their presence in the putrid NFC Least. He plans to start Kyle Allen at QB rather than Dwayne Haskins when facing the Rams (3-1), a team that is more than capable of hanging 30-plus points on Washington’s D. Maybe Alex Smith will see the field?
Miami Dolphins at SF 49ers, 4:05 pm, Fox
Pick: 49ers
Back-up QB Nick Mullens looked great in a Wk 3 win vs Giants (who wouldn’t?) but terrible in Wk 4’s shocking loss to the Eagles, getting benched in favor of back-up CJ Beathard. Neither was the answer to Jimmy Garoppolo, with Mullens throwing 2 interceptions and Beathard giving up 1. Jimmy G is active this week so we’ll see if his high ankle sprain can rescue the Niners’ season. If not – the Niners should still win at home vs Miami, but those OL and secondary holes must be giving Niners GM Lynch and HC Shanahan grey hairs.
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
NFL Week 5 Predictions by NY Times, Pt 2 of 2
All times EDT
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans, 1 pm, CBS
Pick: Texans
On Oct. 4, it was reported that Bill O’Brien, the coach and general manager of the Texans (0-4) would add play-calling to his duties. On Oct. 5, it was announced that O’Brien would no longer have any duties at all. It seems as if the team finally noticed that QB Deshaun Watson’s prime years were being entirely wasted, though that realization didn’t happen until after O’Brien, in his GM role, had largely gutted the team. The good news for Romeo Crennel, who will take over the team on an interim basis, is that his team has an excellent chance to start off a new era with a win thanks to the visiting Jaguars (1-3) being the type of team that Watson should absolutely shred.
Arizona Cardinals at Jets, 1 pm, Fox
Pick: Cardinals
The Cardinals (2-2) are suddenly reeling, having followed up a 2-0 start with consecutive losses, the second of which involved QB Kyler Murray averaging a meager 4.3 yds per passing attempt - a statistic that was likely caused by an ankle injury to WR DeAndre Hopkins. It isn’t where Coach Kliff Kingsbury wants the Cardinals to be, but the Jets (0-4) have done an excellent job making other teams feel good about themselves this season.
On top of being winless, the Jets had a player test positive for COVID and had to send the team home as a precaution, so this game joins the list of ones that are in doubt for the week.
Monday’s Matchups
LA Chargers at New Orleans Saints, 8:15 pm, ESPN (note: game will NOT be moved)
Pick: Saints
The NFL’s string of scheduling issues continues, with this game potentially being moved to Indianapolis as a result of Hurricane Delta bearing down on New Orleans. The Saints (2-2) would still be the home team even if the game is moved, and RB Alvin Kamara is justifying his huge new contract by leading the NFL in yds from scrimmage and TDs. But there is no question that the Saints’ D has disappointed thus far, and if they give the rookie QB Justin Herbert some room to make plays, the Chargers (1-3) could turn this into a game.
Denver Broncos at New England Patriots, 5 pm, ESPN
Pick: Patriots
Moving this game to Monday increases the chances for a Broncos QB Lock vs Patriots QB Newton match-up. However, it’s been announced Brett Rypien will start for Denver. If Newton can pass two tests and have them come back as a negative result, he will be able to return to the field. Considering he tested positive late Friday night, giving him another day only boosts his chances of being cleared to play in Week 5.
Newton returning for Josh McDaniels’ offense in New England would be a game-changer, no doubt. He’s the definition of a dual-threat quarterback, and even at age 31, he’s excelling with the Pats this year. In three games, he’s completing 68.1 percent of passes for 714 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. He also has rushed for 149 yards, with a 4.3 yard per carry average, and four scores.
The Patriots’ best defensive player, Stephon Gilmore, just tested positive so is out for Game 5. More positive tests could delay this game again, but if they are able to play it’s a tossup, with the advantage going to the home team with the better coach.
Tuesday’s Matchup (Maybe – TBD)
Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans, 7 pm, CBS
Pick: Bills
Will this game be played? The Titans (3-0) have 21 players/staff testing positive, so it remains TBD. Whenever this game it played, it should be a good one. The Bills (4-0) have been absolutely dominant on offense, and would have a field day against Tennessee’s shoddy D. The Titans, provided they don’t come in with too much rust from a long layoff, could, in turn, be expected to score against Buffalo’s struggling defense. The Bills should be favored if there is a game, but that is a big if.
Thursday’s Game: Bears 20, Buccaneers 19
We expected the Buccaneers (3-2) to be something less than their best thanks to numerous injuries on offense, but still picked TBay on the basis that their D had everything it needed to slow down Nick Foles and the Bears (4-1). In the end, Foles looked ordinary, but he came out on top in an unorthodox rematch of Super Bowl LII. It was an NFL first, where two QBs that started against each other in a Super Bowl faced off again as starters with other teams. The Bears still seem like a deeply flawed team, but 4-1 is 4-1.
TBay’s undoing was a series of costly offensive penalties, many of which were the result of the Buccaneers’ OL doing anything it could to try to slow down OL Khalil Mack and the Chicago pass rush. As a sign of how shaken up Tom Brady was by the end of the game, he turned the ball over on downs with an incompletion, effectively ending the game, but stayed on the field signaling for the ball, believing the previous play had been a third down.
All times EDT
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans, 1 pm, CBS
Pick: Texans
On Oct. 4, it was reported that Bill O’Brien, the coach and general manager of the Texans (0-4) would add play-calling to his duties. On Oct. 5, it was announced that O’Brien would no longer have any duties at all. It seems as if the team finally noticed that QB Deshaun Watson’s prime years were being entirely wasted, though that realization didn’t happen until after O’Brien, in his GM role, had largely gutted the team. The good news for Romeo Crennel, who will take over the team on an interim basis, is that his team has an excellent chance to start off a new era with a win thanks to the visiting Jaguars (1-3) being the type of team that Watson should absolutely shred.
Arizona Cardinals at Jets, 1 pm, Fox
Pick: Cardinals
The Cardinals (2-2) are suddenly reeling, having followed up a 2-0 start with consecutive losses, the second of which involved QB Kyler Murray averaging a meager 4.3 yds per passing attempt - a statistic that was likely caused by an ankle injury to WR DeAndre Hopkins. It isn’t where Coach Kliff Kingsbury wants the Cardinals to be, but the Jets (0-4) have done an excellent job making other teams feel good about themselves this season.
On top of being winless, the Jets had a player test positive for COVID and had to send the team home as a precaution, so this game joins the list of ones that are in doubt for the week.
Monday’s Matchups
LA Chargers at New Orleans Saints, 8:15 pm, ESPN (note: game will NOT be moved)
Pick: Saints
The NFL’s string of scheduling issues continues, with this game potentially being moved to Indianapolis as a result of Hurricane Delta bearing down on New Orleans. The Saints (2-2) would still be the home team even if the game is moved, and RB Alvin Kamara is justifying his huge new contract by leading the NFL in yds from scrimmage and TDs. But there is no question that the Saints’ D has disappointed thus far, and if they give the rookie QB Justin Herbert some room to make plays, the Chargers (1-3) could turn this into a game.
Denver Broncos at New England Patriots, 5 pm, ESPN
Pick: Patriots
Moving this game to Monday increases the chances for a Broncos QB Lock vs Patriots QB Newton match-up. However, it’s been announced Brett Rypien will start for Denver. If Newton can pass two tests and have them come back as a negative result, he will be able to return to the field. Considering he tested positive late Friday night, giving him another day only boosts his chances of being cleared to play in Week 5.
Newton returning for Josh McDaniels’ offense in New England would be a game-changer, no doubt. He’s the definition of a dual-threat quarterback, and even at age 31, he’s excelling with the Pats this year. In three games, he’s completing 68.1 percent of passes for 714 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. He also has rushed for 149 yards, with a 4.3 yard per carry average, and four scores.
The Patriots’ best defensive player, Stephon Gilmore, just tested positive so is out for Game 5. More positive tests could delay this game again, but if they are able to play it’s a tossup, with the advantage going to the home team with the better coach.
Tuesday’s Matchup (Maybe – TBD)
Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans, 7 pm, CBS
Pick: Bills
Will this game be played? The Titans (3-0) have 21 players/staff testing positive, so it remains TBD. Whenever this game it played, it should be a good one. The Bills (4-0) have been absolutely dominant on offense, and would have a field day against Tennessee’s shoddy D. The Titans, provided they don’t come in with too much rust from a long layoff, could, in turn, be expected to score against Buffalo’s struggling defense. The Bills should be favored if there is a game, but that is a big if.
Thursday’s Game: Bears 20, Buccaneers 19
We expected the Buccaneers (3-2) to be something less than their best thanks to numerous injuries on offense, but still picked TBay on the basis that their D had everything it needed to slow down Nick Foles and the Bears (4-1). In the end, Foles looked ordinary, but he came out on top in an unorthodox rematch of Super Bowl LII. It was an NFL first, where two QBs that started against each other in a Super Bowl faced off again as starters with other teams. The Bears still seem like a deeply flawed team, but 4-1 is 4-1.
TBay’s undoing was a series of costly offensive penalties, many of which were the result of the Buccaneers’ OL doing anything it could to try to slow down OL Khalil Mack and the Chicago pass rush. As a sign of how shaken up Tom Brady was by the end of the game, he turned the ball over on downs with an incompletion, effectively ending the game, but stayed on the field signaling for the ball, believing the previous play had been a third down.
Ravens vs Bengals Would like to see an upset, donl't think it can happen
Texasvs Oklahoma, annual shotout today, lots ofhard hitting.
Oklahoma has 46 Texans on theiri roster,
Texas has one Okie on their rooster
Jags and Hoston-we will see just how far a team (Houston) can fall
Texasvs Oklahoma, annual shotout today, lots ofhard hitting.
Oklahoma has 46 Texans on theiri roster,
Texas has one Okie on their roosterJags and Hoston-we will see just how far a team (Houston) can fall
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
Latest changes to NFL schedule as of 10a PDT 11Oct2020:
- The New England Patriots’ facility was shut down Sunday morning after another positive test, and their Monday night game against Denver in Foxborough, Mass., has been postponed and will be rescheduled a second time, increasing the possibility of a Week 18 being added to the schedule.
- The Titans had reopened their facility Saturday after it was closed for 11 days, but a staff member tested positive Sunday. Tennessee is slated to play a rescheduled game against Buffalo on Tuesday night but this is now TBD.
It seems to me that if we get to the end of the season, and there is a Super Bowl, there will be a big * after the winners name.
So much confusion with players health, and and a scrambled schedule keeps everyone off kilter ...
Whatever happens, the feeling of unfairness will be there at the end
So much confusion with players health, and and a scrambled schedule keeps everyone off kilter ...
Whatever happens, the feeling of unfairness will be there at the end
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
Yup, hard to keep track of things with so many changes, injuries, etc. etc.
Write off the Cowboys for 2020. Dak Prescott just suffered a HORRENDOUS broken ankle. He was in tears on the cart. If it's similar to the one I had - and it looked as bad or worse - it's a compound fracture with considerable nerve damage. Gruesome photo/video.
Monday 10/12 game: LA Chargers vs New Orleans Saints. 5:15 PDT gametime.
Tuesday 10/13 game: Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans. 4p PDT gametime.
Write off the Cowboys for 2020. Dak Prescott just suffered a HORRENDOUS broken ankle. He was in tears on the cart. If it's similar to the one I had - and it looked as bad or worse - it's a compound fracture with considerable nerve damage. Gruesome photo/video.
Monday 10/12 game: LA Chargers vs New Orleans Saints. 5:15 PDT gametime.
Tuesday 10/13 game: Buffalo Bills vs Tennessee Titans. 4p PDT gametime.
DaveA
Senior Member
- Location
- Coastal Massachusetts, USA
Watched the Seahawks - Vikings game last evening. Thought the Vikings had it (surprisingly) in the bag but a last minute miracle by Russel Wilson trashed the Vikings dream. Vikings running game was "top shelf" even when Cooke went out in the second half with a cramped up leg. He returned later for only one play.