2021-2 NFL Pro Football (pls, no other sports!)
- Thread starter Lethe200
- Start date
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Lawrence00
Member
Final 2 minutes had me concerned.
Irwin
Well-known Member
- Location
- Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
Teddy Bridgewater left the game at half-time with a concussion and Drew Lock had to step in. At that point, the Broncos didn't have a chance. We turned the game off halfway through the 3rd quarter.
fmdog44
Well-known Member
- Location
- Houston, Texas
Why is it called "football"? maybe one percent of the game is kicking.
AnnieA
Well-known Member
- Location
- Down South
Scared to say it, but getting very hopeful. Dak told Brady after the first game loss: "We'll see y'all again." That would be arrogant coming from someone who doesn't work as hard as Brady ...but Dak does.
Nosy Bee-54
Senior Member
I have no idea why the American game is called football. The rest of the world calls their game FOOTBALL. Which it truly is. The main way (about 97%) to move the ball in WORLD football is by foot. Limited headers and only the goalie can touch it.
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
"Football" actually refers to several different sports:
Games played by kicking, hitting, throwing or carrying a ball have been around for thousands of years, but in the mid-to-late-19th century many sports—such as baseball, soccer, and American football—codified their rulebooks into the forms we recognize today. Modern soccer was born in 1863, when representatives from several English schools and clubs got together to standardize a single set of rules for their matches. They dubbed their new organization the Football Association, and their version of the game became known as “Association Football.” The word association was used to distinguish their specific sport from other popular games of the day such as “rugby football.”
The word soccer comes from a slang abbreviation of the word association, which British players of the 1800’s adapted as “assoc,” “assoccer” and eventually soccer or soccer football. (The habit of adding –er to nicknames in British vernacular is frequently attributed to Oxford students of that period, and can be found in other sporting slang such as “rugger” for rugby.)
The parallel names soccer and football (or the combined soccer football) were used more or less interchangeably to refer to association football until well into the 20th century, at which point football emerged as the dominant name in most parts of the world. However, in countries where another football variety was already popular—such as America and Australia—the name soccer stuck around.
– A&E History.com
======
The NFL before the forward pass
In the early 1900s, college football had become a major sport in the United States. By 1905, college gridiron was even outdrawing professional baseball. At this point, professional teams existed but the NFL was a few years away, and pro teams had limited fanbases compared to college teams.
At the time, gridiron football was very much like the original game of rugby, from which it developed. Teams lined up with the ball being passed hand to hand to the quarterback from the center. The ball was moved down the field via running plays with no aerial passes being attempted, made, or allowed.
In 1906, the forward pass was legalized, but it wasn’t until a year later that it was embraced by one man. Glenn Scobey (Pop) Warner was the head football coach at Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. He took the forward and turned it into a tool that would change the game.
Warner had turned Carlisle Indian Industrial School’s football team into a strong contender each year thanks to his creativity. Warner was not afraid to add trick plays to deceive opposing teams. The Carlisle Indian Industrial School quickly began to showcase just how important the forward pass could be. It also demonstrated how deadly a pass could be to defenses who didn’t know how to defend against it or predict where the ball was going.
The NFL adopts the forward pass
Imagine watching an NFL game from over 100 years ago and seeing nearly every play look the same. The quarterback hands the ball off to a running back and they attempt to elude tacklers. Teams lineup once more and do it all over again.
On October 27, 1906, the first forward pass completion in a professional football game occurred. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the first pass completion occurred when Masillon’s George Parratt connected with Dan Riley.
Gambling and financial problems with pro football led to the formation of the NFL on August 20, 1920. Eight teams started that first season; but only four completed it due to financial and personnel issues. The league would grow from there with the forward pass to eventually play a big part.
Pass plays still remained rare in the NFL, as the power run remained the go-to play for teams. However, in 1933, the NFL decided to experiment with the forward pass and to separate itself further from the college ("gridiron football") game and rugby. In addition, the league wanted to add some more excitement as run play after run play wasn’t the best spectator sport to watch.
From that point, quarterbacks, or any other players, could make a forward pass from any point behind the line of scrimmage. The change opened up the game allowing offenses to quickly move downfield. It inspired quarterbacks to not only be good runners, but good passers too.
Changes in the shape and size of the actual football also helped. The quality of footballs became more standard. Footballs in the early 1900s were shaped more like a watermelon than like the balls seen in the NFL today. When the forward pass was first introduced, these balls were difficult to throw. Footballs of the day resembled rugby balls still rather than the ones thrown by Patrick Mahomes in 2019.
How different is the NFL with the forward pass?
The forward pass changed the NFL completely. Had the forward pass not been adopted and used extensively, the NFL may have not lasted. Modern football is all about passing and the average NFL quarterback throws for over a hundred yards in a game.
In 1932, eight teams contested the NFL season. Green Bay Packers quarterback Arnie Herber led the NFL in passing yards with 639. Herber attempted just 101 passes throwing nine touchdowns. The inaccuracies of the day can be shown in his interceptions which stood at nine and pass completion rate which was 36.6%.
The 2018 NFL season showed just how far the league has come with the forward pass. Ben Roethlisberger led the league with 452 pass completions on 675 attempts. He also led the NFL in passing yards with 5,129. Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes threw 50 touchdown passes, the most in the NFL during the season.
Herber and the quarterbacks of 1932 would be shocked at the dependency on the pass in modern football and the feats of modern signal callers.
– Adapted from “The History of the Forward Pass”, bustedcoverage.com blogpost by Dennis, September 26, 2019
Games played by kicking, hitting, throwing or carrying a ball have been around for thousands of years, but in the mid-to-late-19th century many sports—such as baseball, soccer, and American football—codified their rulebooks into the forms we recognize today. Modern soccer was born in 1863, when representatives from several English schools and clubs got together to standardize a single set of rules for their matches. They dubbed their new organization the Football Association, and their version of the game became known as “Association Football.” The word association was used to distinguish their specific sport from other popular games of the day such as “rugby football.”
The word soccer comes from a slang abbreviation of the word association, which British players of the 1800’s adapted as “assoc,” “assoccer” and eventually soccer or soccer football. (The habit of adding –er to nicknames in British vernacular is frequently attributed to Oxford students of that period, and can be found in other sporting slang such as “rugger” for rugby.)
The parallel names soccer and football (or the combined soccer football) were used more or less interchangeably to refer to association football until well into the 20th century, at which point football emerged as the dominant name in most parts of the world. However, in countries where another football variety was already popular—such as America and Australia—the name soccer stuck around.
– A&E History.com
======
The NFL before the forward pass
In the early 1900s, college football had become a major sport in the United States. By 1905, college gridiron was even outdrawing professional baseball. At this point, professional teams existed but the NFL was a few years away, and pro teams had limited fanbases compared to college teams.
At the time, gridiron football was very much like the original game of rugby, from which it developed. Teams lined up with the ball being passed hand to hand to the quarterback from the center. The ball was moved down the field via running plays with no aerial passes being attempted, made, or allowed.
In 1906, the forward pass was legalized, but it wasn’t until a year later that it was embraced by one man. Glenn Scobey (Pop) Warner was the head football coach at Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. He took the forward and turned it into a tool that would change the game.
Warner had turned Carlisle Indian Industrial School’s football team into a strong contender each year thanks to his creativity. Warner was not afraid to add trick plays to deceive opposing teams. The Carlisle Indian Industrial School quickly began to showcase just how important the forward pass could be. It also demonstrated how deadly a pass could be to defenses who didn’t know how to defend against it or predict where the ball was going.
The NFL adopts the forward pass
Imagine watching an NFL game from over 100 years ago and seeing nearly every play look the same. The quarterback hands the ball off to a running back and they attempt to elude tacklers. Teams lineup once more and do it all over again.
On October 27, 1906, the first forward pass completion in a professional football game occurred. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the first pass completion occurred when Masillon’s George Parratt connected with Dan Riley.
Gambling and financial problems with pro football led to the formation of the NFL on August 20, 1920. Eight teams started that first season; but only four completed it due to financial and personnel issues. The league would grow from there with the forward pass to eventually play a big part.
Pass plays still remained rare in the NFL, as the power run remained the go-to play for teams. However, in 1933, the NFL decided to experiment with the forward pass and to separate itself further from the college ("gridiron football") game and rugby. In addition, the league wanted to add some more excitement as run play after run play wasn’t the best spectator sport to watch.
From that point, quarterbacks, or any other players, could make a forward pass from any point behind the line of scrimmage. The change opened up the game allowing offenses to quickly move downfield. It inspired quarterbacks to not only be good runners, but good passers too.
Changes in the shape and size of the actual football also helped. The quality of footballs became more standard. Footballs in the early 1900s were shaped more like a watermelon than like the balls seen in the NFL today. When the forward pass was first introduced, these balls were difficult to throw. Footballs of the day resembled rugby balls still rather than the ones thrown by Patrick Mahomes in 2019.
How different is the NFL with the forward pass?
The forward pass changed the NFL completely. Had the forward pass not been adopted and used extensively, the NFL may have not lasted. Modern football is all about passing and the average NFL quarterback throws for over a hundred yards in a game.
In 1932, eight teams contested the NFL season. Green Bay Packers quarterback Arnie Herber led the NFL in passing yards with 639. Herber attempted just 101 passes throwing nine touchdowns. The inaccuracies of the day can be shown in his interceptions which stood at nine and pass completion rate which was 36.6%.
The 2018 NFL season showed just how far the league has come with the forward pass. Ben Roethlisberger led the league with 452 pass completions on 675 attempts. He also led the NFL in passing yards with 5,129. Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes threw 50 touchdown passes, the most in the NFL during the season.
Herber and the quarterbacks of 1932 would be shocked at the dependency on the pass in modern football and the feats of modern signal callers.
– Adapted from “The History of the Forward Pass”, bustedcoverage.com blogpost by Dennis, September 26, 2019
JustBonee
SF VIP
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
What We Learned From Week 4 of the NFL Season Pt 1 of 2
NY Times/Assoc.Press/local media/SB Nation Oct. 3, 2021
The Carolina Panthers saw their first loss by the Dallas Cowboys, and the Denver Broncos fell to 3-1 against the Baltimore Ravens. Three teams got their first wins, including the NY Giants and Jets - who both needed OTs to do it - and the Indianapolis Colts. But the Detroit Lions joined the Jacksonville Jaguars at 0-4.
Buccaneers 19, Patriots 17:
This was Brady Day in NE. Fans cheered him back (okay, there were a few boos) and the Bucs did win, as expected. But Pat fans saw their past and future on Sunday night. Brady didn’t throw a single TD, going 22-for-43 in a game in which the Patriots defense kept limiting TBay to FGs. By Q4 a new subplot had emerged: the rise of Brady’s heir as Patriots QB, Mac Jones.
Jones legitimately outplayed Brady, who also became the NFL’s all-time passing leader. Jones went 31-for-40 with two TDs while picking up 275 passing yds, edging out Brady’s 269. But there was more to Jones’s performance than just statistics. His quick release, accuracy and cool head were reminiscent of Brady at his best. Jones has a long ways to go yet, of course, but he was good enough to be a missed FG away from leading NE to an upset over the reigning Super Bowl champions. Nick Folk’s 56-yard effort doinked off the upright in the final minute.
Nobody knows Tom Brady’s game better than Bill Belichick, whose defense kept Brady guessing all night. Brady came away with a win in a sloppy, penalty-filled game in a driving rain, but Pats fans have reason to be hopeful for the future.
Cardinals 37, Rams 20:
It’s time to stop sleeping on the Cardinals, who smacked around a team that was looking borderline invincible. Despite playing three of their first four games on the road, at 4-0 it’s their longest unbeaten start since 2012. Can Coach Kliff Kingsbury avoid a slide similar to last season, when Arizona started 5-2 but was 3-6 the rest of the way?
DC Vance Joseph’s defense held the Rams to their lowest point total with Matthew Stafford at QB. Some of the Cardinals’ victories have been unconvincing, but Arizona looked like the real thing Sunday. Kyler Murray didn’t turn the ball over and passed for 268 yds and two TDs. He also ran for 39 yds in a virtuoso performance. Two TDs came from early takeaways. Arizona rushed for 216 yds and is currently in control of the NFC West. The Cards lit up the Rams’ vaunted defense for 465 total yds.
Seahawks 28, 49ers 21:
You cannot keep Russell Wilson down while giving him time to throw. SF’s D was huge in the first half, pressuring and sacking Wilson. But SF’s offense kept short-circuiting, to bury Seattle early. It was 7-7 at halftime, but Garoppolo took himself out with a calf injury. SF’s O sputtered under rookie Trey Lance, although Lance steadied enough to show off his strong arm and elusive running skills (neither of which Jimmy G has). It wasn’t enough as Seattle’s O finally woke up with power running and Wilson’s energetic scrambling. He scored 14 of the Seahawks’ 21 second-half points, improving his personal record at the Niners’ Levi Stadium to 7 wins vs only 1 loss.
Trey Lance is considered the future QB for the Niners, who traded up to get him at #3 despite his serious lack of college experience. He did okay – 9-for-18, threw two TDs without a pick, and collected 157 yds in what was an unplanned relief appearance. Not a bad start, but team injuries are accumulating again. The Niners seem destined for the basement of the NFC West, instead of being a viable Super Bowl contender. Finger pointing is beginning to happen in SF.
Packers 27, Steelers 17:
Everything for Pittsburgh turned on an offsides penalty before the half. Officials ruled that CB Joe Haden jumped before the snap, negating a blocked FG-attempt that Minkah Fitzpatrick returned for a TD that would have given the Steelers a 17-14 lead. Alas, Ben Roethlisberger was forced to play from behind. As we’ve learned thus far in 2021, that’s not a pretty sight. Pittsburgh (1-3) has lost three straight, failing to top 17 points in each game, since a surprising season-opening win at Buffalo.
Aaron Rodgers connected with Randall Cobb for two TDs and ran for another score, looking like the Rodgers we expect. The first TD pass was a shortie, the 420th TD pass of Rodgers’ career, tying Dan Marino for sixth all-time. AR went 20 of 36 for 248 yds.
Ravens 23, Broncos 7:
Facing the best defense he’s seen this season, Lamar Jackson finished with 316 yds and a TD through the air and ran the ball only seven times to hand Denver its first loss of the season. The Broncos struggled after QB Bridgewater went out with a concussion and the O had to rely on Drew Lock, which didn’t go so well.
Washington 34, Falcons 30:
One of the biggest shocks of this season is how bad the Washington Football Team’s defense has performed. But it didn’t matter against an equally porous Falcons defense. RB J.D. McKissic supplied the heroics by going airborne at the goal line with 33 seconds left.
Bills 40, Texans 0:
One day, there will be a “30 for 30” documentary written solely on how the 2021 Texans managed to win a football game. Not this week, though. They remain winless. Bills LB Tremaine Edmunds had the first of Buffalo’s four interceptions, and teammates Micah Hyde, Tyler Matakevich and Jaquan Johnson, in his first career start, each had one. Cam Lewis forced a fumble as Buffalo overwhelmed rookie QB Davis Mills in his second career start. The Bills suffocated the offensively inept Houston Texans.
NY Times/Assoc.Press/local media/SB Nation Oct. 3, 2021
The Carolina Panthers saw their first loss by the Dallas Cowboys, and the Denver Broncos fell to 3-1 against the Baltimore Ravens. Three teams got their first wins, including the NY Giants and Jets - who both needed OTs to do it - and the Indianapolis Colts. But the Detroit Lions joined the Jacksonville Jaguars at 0-4.
Buccaneers 19, Patriots 17:
This was Brady Day in NE. Fans cheered him back (okay, there were a few boos) and the Bucs did win, as expected. But Pat fans saw their past and future on Sunday night. Brady didn’t throw a single TD, going 22-for-43 in a game in which the Patriots defense kept limiting TBay to FGs. By Q4 a new subplot had emerged: the rise of Brady’s heir as Patriots QB, Mac Jones.
Jones legitimately outplayed Brady, who also became the NFL’s all-time passing leader. Jones went 31-for-40 with two TDs while picking up 275 passing yds, edging out Brady’s 269. But there was more to Jones’s performance than just statistics. His quick release, accuracy and cool head were reminiscent of Brady at his best. Jones has a long ways to go yet, of course, but he was good enough to be a missed FG away from leading NE to an upset over the reigning Super Bowl champions. Nick Folk’s 56-yard effort doinked off the upright in the final minute.
Nobody knows Tom Brady’s game better than Bill Belichick, whose defense kept Brady guessing all night. Brady came away with a win in a sloppy, penalty-filled game in a driving rain, but Pats fans have reason to be hopeful for the future.
Cardinals 37, Rams 20:
It’s time to stop sleeping on the Cardinals, who smacked around a team that was looking borderline invincible. Despite playing three of their first four games on the road, at 4-0 it’s their longest unbeaten start since 2012. Can Coach Kliff Kingsbury avoid a slide similar to last season, when Arizona started 5-2 but was 3-6 the rest of the way?
DC Vance Joseph’s defense held the Rams to their lowest point total with Matthew Stafford at QB. Some of the Cardinals’ victories have been unconvincing, but Arizona looked like the real thing Sunday. Kyler Murray didn’t turn the ball over and passed for 268 yds and two TDs. He also ran for 39 yds in a virtuoso performance. Two TDs came from early takeaways. Arizona rushed for 216 yds and is currently in control of the NFC West. The Cards lit up the Rams’ vaunted defense for 465 total yds.
Seahawks 28, 49ers 21:
You cannot keep Russell Wilson down while giving him time to throw. SF’s D was huge in the first half, pressuring and sacking Wilson. But SF’s offense kept short-circuiting, to bury Seattle early. It was 7-7 at halftime, but Garoppolo took himself out with a calf injury. SF’s O sputtered under rookie Trey Lance, although Lance steadied enough to show off his strong arm and elusive running skills (neither of which Jimmy G has). It wasn’t enough as Seattle’s O finally woke up with power running and Wilson’s energetic scrambling. He scored 14 of the Seahawks’ 21 second-half points, improving his personal record at the Niners’ Levi Stadium to 7 wins vs only 1 loss.
Trey Lance is considered the future QB for the Niners, who traded up to get him at #3 despite his serious lack of college experience. He did okay – 9-for-18, threw two TDs without a pick, and collected 157 yds in what was an unplanned relief appearance. Not a bad start, but team injuries are accumulating again. The Niners seem destined for the basement of the NFC West, instead of being a viable Super Bowl contender. Finger pointing is beginning to happen in SF.
Packers 27, Steelers 17:
Everything for Pittsburgh turned on an offsides penalty before the half. Officials ruled that CB Joe Haden jumped before the snap, negating a blocked FG-attempt that Minkah Fitzpatrick returned for a TD that would have given the Steelers a 17-14 lead. Alas, Ben Roethlisberger was forced to play from behind. As we’ve learned thus far in 2021, that’s not a pretty sight. Pittsburgh (1-3) has lost three straight, failing to top 17 points in each game, since a surprising season-opening win at Buffalo.
Aaron Rodgers connected with Randall Cobb for two TDs and ran for another score, looking like the Rodgers we expect. The first TD pass was a shortie, the 420th TD pass of Rodgers’ career, tying Dan Marino for sixth all-time. AR went 20 of 36 for 248 yds.
Ravens 23, Broncos 7:
Facing the best defense he’s seen this season, Lamar Jackson finished with 316 yds and a TD through the air and ran the ball only seven times to hand Denver its first loss of the season. The Broncos struggled after QB Bridgewater went out with a concussion and the O had to rely on Drew Lock, which didn’t go so well.
Washington 34, Falcons 30:
One of the biggest shocks of this season is how bad the Washington Football Team’s defense has performed. But it didn’t matter against an equally porous Falcons defense. RB J.D. McKissic supplied the heroics by going airborne at the goal line with 33 seconds left.
Bills 40, Texans 0:
One day, there will be a “30 for 30” documentary written solely on how the 2021 Texans managed to win a football game. Not this week, though. They remain winless. Bills LB Tremaine Edmunds had the first of Buffalo’s four interceptions, and teammates Micah Hyde, Tyler Matakevich and Jaquan Johnson, in his first career start, each had one. Cam Lewis forced a fumble as Buffalo overwhelmed rookie QB Davis Mills in his second career start. The Bills suffocated the offensively inept Houston Texans.
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
What We Learned From Week 4 of the NFL Season Pt 2 of 2
NY Times/Assoc.Press/local media/SB Nation Oct. 3, 2021
Bears 24, Lions 14:
Whenever hysteria reaches its fever pitch at Halas Hall, it seems like the Bears (2-2) always have a get-right game on the schedule. The rebuilding Lions were the perfect medicine, and RB David Montgomery (106 yds, two TDs) continues to bludgeon linebackers as one of the best players never talked about. Bears rookie QB Justin Fields looked solid after a shaky start, although next Sunday he’ll be facing the Raiders and their formidable DE Maxx Crosby. He might be hoping the Chargers’ explosive offense wears down LVegas on what is a short week for the Raiders, who lost on Monday Night Football.
The Lions wasted no time to provide us with Sunday’s most amusing moment. In what was yet another dreadful day for Detroit football – they remain winless – fans had to watch a snap bounce off, well, an unfortunate piece of Jared Goff’s anatomy for an easy Bears fumble recovery. (Watch the second video, not the first one: https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2021/1...mble-snap-jared-goff-bears-groin-turnover-nfl)
Colts 27, Dolphins 17:
The Colts got their first win by topping the sputtering Miami Dolphins. Jonathan Taylor was a force on the ground (103 yds, TD), Carson Wentz was efficient enough on those two bad ankles (24-of-32 passing with two TDs) for Indianapolis to get a much-needed win after three exhausting losses. The Colts D spent most of the day frustrating former Indianapolis QB Jacoby Brissett, who completed 20 of 30 passes but threw for 123 of his 199 yds in the final quarter.
Giants 27, Saints 21 (OT):
Lost in the Giants madness this season is the fact that Daniel Jones has taken an obvious step forward. He’s not committing the backbreaking mistakes of 2020. On Sunday, he started taking more shots downfield, finishing with 402 yds and two TDs. Saints fall to 2-2, squandering what could have been a solid victory.
Chiefs 42, Eagles 30:
Andy Reid surely knows he needs to clean up his rickety defense, which gave up 461 yrds.. KC again gave up points in chunks. But as long as Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill exist, this Chiefs offense can outscore any team in the league. On 12 targets, Hill caught 11 passes for 186 yds and three TDs. Mahomes was Quarterback of the Week, totaling 5 TDs thrown Mahomes-like ways: overhand, underhand, and even shoveled, for 278 yds passing. His interception was the only possession the Chiefs didn’t score a TD. He was 80% efficient for the game, an unreal number.
Jets 27, Titans 24 (OT):
With Titans receivers Julio Jones and A.J. Brown both sidelined. Jets Coach Robert Saleh still got his first NFL win behind a defense that hit Ryan Tannehill 14 times. Rookie QB Zach Wilson finally played with the swagger the team has been missing, passing for 297 yds and two TDs.
Cowboys 36, Panthers 28:
Dak Prescott looked like the Super Bowl-caliber QB that owner Jerry Jones doubted he ever would be. After using the franchise tag on Prescott in 2020, Jones finally gave the QB a long-term deal this year. Against a suffocating 2021 defense - #1 in sacks, #1 in QB hits, #2 in points allowed - Dak completed 14 of 22 passes for 188 yds with four TDs, no interceptions and a 130.3 passer rating.
Dallas DC Dan Quinn has retooled what was a historically bad 2020 defense. Trevon Diggs - who intercepted his league-leading fifth pass Sunday – has become one of the NFL’s top CBs. The Cowboys’ offense and defense units are working in sync, with RBs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard helping out. Elliott finished with 143 yds and a TD on 20 carries, as the Cowboys (3-1) rolled up 245 yds on the ground after the Panthers allowed just 135 total in the first three games. Jerry Jones might get that Lombardi Trophy again after all.
Browns 14, Vikings 7:
Blame Kirk Cousins. Blame an anemic OL. Either way, the loss to the Browns was as demoralizing as it gets for an offense that could do no wrong in September. For three weeks, Cousins tore up three subpar secondaries without an interception. Statistically, he was playing as well as any QB in the NFL
But Cousins again turned back into a pumpkin. It’s been the rap over his entire career. Against poor defenses he throws for 300+ yds and three TDs. But add a stingy pass rush and higher stakes, and he sinks. Cousins was 7-35 lifetime against teams with a winning record. Unfortunately, this is who he’s been since entering the league nine years ago.
Monday Night Football
Chargers 28, Raiders 14
Chargers QB Justin Herbert threw for three TDs, Austin Ekeler rushed for a career-high 117 yards and scored twice. It’s now a three-way tie atop the AFC West with LAC, LVegas and Denver. The NFC West AZ Cardinals remain the NFL’s lone undefeated team after four weeks.
LAC had the ball for nearly 35 minutes with three of their four scoring drives going nine plays or more. Herbert, who completed 25 of 38 passes for 222 yds, accounted for all of his TDs in the first half as the Chargers built a 21-0 halftime lead. The Raiders scored on their first two possessions of the second half to draw within a TD, but LAC scored again to gain breathing room. QB Derek Carr was 21 of 34 for 196 yds with two TDs and an interception. The Raiders could manage only 48 yds rushing against a Chargers defense that was last in the league in run defense.
Herbert achieved a pair of milestones in the win. He completed his 500th pass in his 19th start, becoming the first QB in the Super Bowl era to reach that before his 20th start. He has accounted for 10 TDs in his first three prime time games, tying Patrick Mahomes and Dan Marino.
NY Times/Assoc.Press/local media/SB Nation Oct. 3, 2021
Bears 24, Lions 14:
Whenever hysteria reaches its fever pitch at Halas Hall, it seems like the Bears (2-2) always have a get-right game on the schedule. The rebuilding Lions were the perfect medicine, and RB David Montgomery (106 yds, two TDs) continues to bludgeon linebackers as one of the best players never talked about. Bears rookie QB Justin Fields looked solid after a shaky start, although next Sunday he’ll be facing the Raiders and their formidable DE Maxx Crosby. He might be hoping the Chargers’ explosive offense wears down LVegas on what is a short week for the Raiders, who lost on Monday Night Football.
The Lions wasted no time to provide us with Sunday’s most amusing moment. In what was yet another dreadful day for Detroit football – they remain winless – fans had to watch a snap bounce off, well, an unfortunate piece of Jared Goff’s anatomy for an easy Bears fumble recovery. (Watch the second video, not the first one: https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2021/1...mble-snap-jared-goff-bears-groin-turnover-nfl)
Colts 27, Dolphins 17:
The Colts got their first win by topping the sputtering Miami Dolphins. Jonathan Taylor was a force on the ground (103 yds, TD), Carson Wentz was efficient enough on those two bad ankles (24-of-32 passing with two TDs) for Indianapolis to get a much-needed win after three exhausting losses. The Colts D spent most of the day frustrating former Indianapolis QB Jacoby Brissett, who completed 20 of 30 passes but threw for 123 of his 199 yds in the final quarter.
Giants 27, Saints 21 (OT):
Lost in the Giants madness this season is the fact that Daniel Jones has taken an obvious step forward. He’s not committing the backbreaking mistakes of 2020. On Sunday, he started taking more shots downfield, finishing with 402 yds and two TDs. Saints fall to 2-2, squandering what could have been a solid victory.
Chiefs 42, Eagles 30:
Andy Reid surely knows he needs to clean up his rickety defense, which gave up 461 yrds.. KC again gave up points in chunks. But as long as Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill exist, this Chiefs offense can outscore any team in the league. On 12 targets, Hill caught 11 passes for 186 yds and three TDs. Mahomes was Quarterback of the Week, totaling 5 TDs thrown Mahomes-like ways: overhand, underhand, and even shoveled, for 278 yds passing. His interception was the only possession the Chiefs didn’t score a TD. He was 80% efficient for the game, an unreal number.
Jets 27, Titans 24 (OT):
With Titans receivers Julio Jones and A.J. Brown both sidelined. Jets Coach Robert Saleh still got his first NFL win behind a defense that hit Ryan Tannehill 14 times. Rookie QB Zach Wilson finally played with the swagger the team has been missing, passing for 297 yds and two TDs.
Cowboys 36, Panthers 28:
Dak Prescott looked like the Super Bowl-caliber QB that owner Jerry Jones doubted he ever would be. After using the franchise tag on Prescott in 2020, Jones finally gave the QB a long-term deal this year. Against a suffocating 2021 defense - #1 in sacks, #1 in QB hits, #2 in points allowed - Dak completed 14 of 22 passes for 188 yds with four TDs, no interceptions and a 130.3 passer rating.
Dallas DC Dan Quinn has retooled what was a historically bad 2020 defense. Trevon Diggs - who intercepted his league-leading fifth pass Sunday – has become one of the NFL’s top CBs. The Cowboys’ offense and defense units are working in sync, with RBs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard helping out. Elliott finished with 143 yds and a TD on 20 carries, as the Cowboys (3-1) rolled up 245 yds on the ground after the Panthers allowed just 135 total in the first three games. Jerry Jones might get that Lombardi Trophy again after all.
Browns 14, Vikings 7:
Blame Kirk Cousins. Blame an anemic OL. Either way, the loss to the Browns was as demoralizing as it gets for an offense that could do no wrong in September. For three weeks, Cousins tore up three subpar secondaries without an interception. Statistically, he was playing as well as any QB in the NFL
But Cousins again turned back into a pumpkin. It’s been the rap over his entire career. Against poor defenses he throws for 300+ yds and three TDs. But add a stingy pass rush and higher stakes, and he sinks. Cousins was 7-35 lifetime against teams with a winning record. Unfortunately, this is who he’s been since entering the league nine years ago.
Monday Night Football
Chargers 28, Raiders 14
Chargers QB Justin Herbert threw for three TDs, Austin Ekeler rushed for a career-high 117 yards and scored twice. It’s now a three-way tie atop the AFC West with LAC, LVegas and Denver. The NFC West AZ Cardinals remain the NFL’s lone undefeated team after four weeks.
LAC had the ball for nearly 35 minutes with three of their four scoring drives going nine plays or more. Herbert, who completed 25 of 38 passes for 222 yds, accounted for all of his TDs in the first half as the Chargers built a 21-0 halftime lead. The Raiders scored on their first two possessions of the second half to draw within a TD, but LAC scored again to gain breathing room. QB Derek Carr was 21 of 34 for 196 yds with two TDs and an interception. The Raiders could manage only 48 yds rushing against a Chargers defense that was last in the league in run defense.
Herbert achieved a pair of milestones in the win. He completed his 500th pass in his 19th start, becoming the first QB in the Super Bowl era to reach that before his 20th start. He has accounted for 10 TDs in his first three prime time games, tying Patrick Mahomes and Dan Marino.
senior chef
Senior Member
Exactly !!!!
Bit by bit, the head office of the NFL, is removing free Tv games.
I predict that ultimately we will have to pay to watch ANY AND EVERY game.
Greedy bastards , indeed !
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
NFL Week 5 Predictions: Pt 1 of 2
Oct. 7, 2021, NY Times/WashPost All times Eastern
Seahawks 17, Rams, 26 – Thursday Night Football, Week 5 result
It was an odd evening matching two of the league’s highest-rated passers and two of its lowest-ranked defenses, on which the teams combined for only 10 first-half points. Each quarterback threw a first-half interception. Each kicker had a gaffe: a missed FG for the Seahawks’ Jason Myers and a missed extra point for the Rams’ Matt Gay. And both first-string QBs whacked a finger on an opponent’s helmet. Unfortunately for Seattle, Russell Wilson’s injury was the more serious of the two.
Few NFL quarterbacks are more indispensable to their teams than Wilson is to the Seahawks. He has been a mainstay in their lineup since his 2012 rookie season, never missing a game while becoming a Super Bowl winner and seven-time Pro Bowl selection. He exited Thursday night’s game after the middle finger of his right hand got gnarled when it struck Rams star pass rusher Aaron Donald on a Q3 throw. Backup Geno Smith took over in Q4 and immediately led the Seahawks 98-yards to his first NFL touchdown pass since 2017, when he was with the NY Giants. Seattle wideout DK Metcalf had two touchdown catches, one from each Seahawks QB.
The Seahawks fought to 23-17 on a field goal by Myers with less than three minutes remaining. They got the ball back at their 16-yard line with 2:09 to play, needing a TD to take the lead. But Smith threw an interception on the first play to Rams safety Nick Scott, and the Rams added the FG cushion to seal the win.
The Rams’ Matthew Stafford played with the index finger on his right hand wrapped after being examined by the team’s medical staff following a first-half possession. Stafford stayed in the game and threw for 365 yards and a TD. The Rams rebounded from Sunday’s home loss to the Arizona Cardinals, improving to 4-1.
It will be difficult for the Seahawks (2-3) to remain a viable contender in such a rugged division without Wilson. It’s unclear if Wilson will play when Seattle faces the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Oct. 17.
Sunday’s best games
Buffalo Bills at KC, 8:20p, NBC
Pick: KC
Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen hysteria will fill the game’s broadcast, but in this rematch of last year’s AFC championship, pay attention to the Bills’ defense. It is #1 in yds allowed per game (216.8), takeaways (11) and has shut out two opponents. To win, the Bills (3-1) must limit KC receiver Tyreek Hill. The Chargers and the Ravens each limited Hill to less than 100 yds, a major factor in both of KC’s losses. After losing to KC (2-2) twice last season, Buffalo may have a blueprint for securing an upset.
Cleveland Browns at LA Chargers, 4:05p, CBS
Pick: Chargers
The Browns (3-1) lead the league in rushing yds per game (177) while the Chargers (3-1) allow the fourth-most rushing yds per game (139.5). Thanks to the pairing of Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney, Cleveland’s strong ground attack and a defense tied for second in sacks (14) may make it the most physical team in the NFL Chargers QB Justin Herbert has shown he can keep pace with any team, but this defensive front will be a challenge, especially if the Browns’ RBs chew clock and force him into predictable passing situations.
SF 49ers at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25p, Fox
Pick: Cardinals
SF’s task in this one will be to match the extraordinary offensive output of Arizona, which leads the NFL with 35 points per game and last week carved up the Rams’ defense. To keep up, HC Shanahan must lean on either rookie QB Trey Lance or a less-than-100% Garoppolo to go throw-for-throw with the NFL’s best offense. With how hot Arizona is right now, that’s a risky bet – especially with SF’s injured secondary and erratic OL.
GBay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals, 1p, Fox
Pick: Packers
If the Bengals (3-1) start slow like they did last week, there won’t be another second-half comeback. Aaron Rodgers’s nonchalant attitude after GBay’s Week 1 blowout defeat by the Saints has since yielded three straight wins. But Cincinnati’s defense has played well in the shadow of the Joe Burrow-led offense, allowing the seventh-fewest yds (1,292) in the league. But some of that total came from locking down the Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger and Jacksonville’s rookie QB Trevor Lawrence. Doing so against a streaking Rodgers is a different challenge.
Sunday’s Other Games
Giants at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25p, Fox
Pick: Cowboys
The historically bad Dallas 2020 defense has transformed under the first-year Dallas coordinator Dan Quinn. The passing defense is saved by CB Trevon Diggs’s league-leading five interceptions, and the unit ranked sixth in rushing yds allowed per game (81).
But Giants Saquon Barkley is the best runner the Dallas defense has seen so far. He returned to form last week in an OT win vs the Saints, when he accounted for 126 all-purpose yds and two TDs. Impressively, the Giants won without two of their top receivers, Sterling Shephard and Darius Slayton, who are still questionable with hamstring injuries.
Three of the last five matchups between these two divisional rivals have been decided by one score. Although Dallas is the better team, the Giants could make it competitive.
Oct. 7, 2021, NY Times/WashPost All times Eastern
Seahawks 17, Rams, 26 – Thursday Night Football, Week 5 result
It was an odd evening matching two of the league’s highest-rated passers and two of its lowest-ranked defenses, on which the teams combined for only 10 first-half points. Each quarterback threw a first-half interception. Each kicker had a gaffe: a missed FG for the Seahawks’ Jason Myers and a missed extra point for the Rams’ Matt Gay. And both first-string QBs whacked a finger on an opponent’s helmet. Unfortunately for Seattle, Russell Wilson’s injury was the more serious of the two.
Few NFL quarterbacks are more indispensable to their teams than Wilson is to the Seahawks. He has been a mainstay in their lineup since his 2012 rookie season, never missing a game while becoming a Super Bowl winner and seven-time Pro Bowl selection. He exited Thursday night’s game after the middle finger of his right hand got gnarled when it struck Rams star pass rusher Aaron Donald on a Q3 throw. Backup Geno Smith took over in Q4 and immediately led the Seahawks 98-yards to his first NFL touchdown pass since 2017, when he was with the NY Giants. Seattle wideout DK Metcalf had two touchdown catches, one from each Seahawks QB.
The Seahawks fought to 23-17 on a field goal by Myers with less than three minutes remaining. They got the ball back at their 16-yard line with 2:09 to play, needing a TD to take the lead. But Smith threw an interception on the first play to Rams safety Nick Scott, and the Rams added the FG cushion to seal the win.
The Rams’ Matthew Stafford played with the index finger on his right hand wrapped after being examined by the team’s medical staff following a first-half possession. Stafford stayed in the game and threw for 365 yards and a TD. The Rams rebounded from Sunday’s home loss to the Arizona Cardinals, improving to 4-1.
It will be difficult for the Seahawks (2-3) to remain a viable contender in such a rugged division without Wilson. It’s unclear if Wilson will play when Seattle faces the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Oct. 17.
Sunday’s best games
Buffalo Bills at KC, 8:20p, NBC
Pick: KC
Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen hysteria will fill the game’s broadcast, but in this rematch of last year’s AFC championship, pay attention to the Bills’ defense. It is #1 in yds allowed per game (216.8), takeaways (11) and has shut out two opponents. To win, the Bills (3-1) must limit KC receiver Tyreek Hill. The Chargers and the Ravens each limited Hill to less than 100 yds, a major factor in both of KC’s losses. After losing to KC (2-2) twice last season, Buffalo may have a blueprint for securing an upset.
Cleveland Browns at LA Chargers, 4:05p, CBS
Pick: Chargers
The Browns (3-1) lead the league in rushing yds per game (177) while the Chargers (3-1) allow the fourth-most rushing yds per game (139.5). Thanks to the pairing of Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney, Cleveland’s strong ground attack and a defense tied for second in sacks (14) may make it the most physical team in the NFL Chargers QB Justin Herbert has shown he can keep pace with any team, but this defensive front will be a challenge, especially if the Browns’ RBs chew clock and force him into predictable passing situations.
SF 49ers at Arizona Cardinals, 4:25p, Fox
Pick: Cardinals
SF’s task in this one will be to match the extraordinary offensive output of Arizona, which leads the NFL with 35 points per game and last week carved up the Rams’ defense. To keep up, HC Shanahan must lean on either rookie QB Trey Lance or a less-than-100% Garoppolo to go throw-for-throw with the NFL’s best offense. With how hot Arizona is right now, that’s a risky bet – especially with SF’s injured secondary and erratic OL.
GBay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals, 1p, Fox
Pick: Packers
If the Bengals (3-1) start slow like they did last week, there won’t be another second-half comeback. Aaron Rodgers’s nonchalant attitude after GBay’s Week 1 blowout defeat by the Saints has since yielded three straight wins. But Cincinnati’s defense has played well in the shadow of the Joe Burrow-led offense, allowing the seventh-fewest yds (1,292) in the league. But some of that total came from locking down the Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger and Jacksonville’s rookie QB Trevor Lawrence. Doing so against a streaking Rodgers is a different challenge.
Sunday’s Other Games
Giants at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25p, Fox
Pick: Cowboys
The historically bad Dallas 2020 defense has transformed under the first-year Dallas coordinator Dan Quinn. The passing defense is saved by CB Trevon Diggs’s league-leading five interceptions, and the unit ranked sixth in rushing yds allowed per game (81).
But Giants Saquon Barkley is the best runner the Dallas defense has seen so far. He returned to form last week in an OT win vs the Saints, when he accounted for 126 all-purpose yds and two TDs. Impressively, the Giants won without two of their top receivers, Sterling Shephard and Darius Slayton, who are still questionable with hamstring injuries.
Three of the last five matchups between these two divisional rivals have been decided by one score. Although Dallas is the better team, the Giants could make it competitive.
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
NFL Week 5 Predictions: Pt 2 of 2
Oct. 7, 2021, NYTimes/WashPost All times Eastern
Jets at Atlanta Falcons, 9:30 a.m., NFL Network (game in London)
Pick: Falcons
This early meeting between two 1-3 teams is more important for draft position than anything else. Last week, the Jets narrowly won their first game against a handicapped Titans team in OT, fueled by the defense’s seven sacks. The unit could have another solid outing if it generates pressure on Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ pass-first attack. Jets’ rookie QB Zach Wilson still leads the league in interceptions (8), but took a major developmental step in last week’s win. If he continues to take care of the ball, connects on a deep throw or two, and the defense plays well again, the Jets could start a streak.
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings, 1p, Fox
Pick: Vikings
This should be a bounce-back for the Vikings (1-3), coming off another one-score loss to a playoff-caliber opponent. The Lions (0-4) were competitive in each game, but committed so many turnovers at key moments that they now seem inevitable. Kirk Cousins was battered in a loss to the Browns last week, sacked twice and hit 10 times. But the Lions do not have a Myles Garrett, and Detroit’s Jared Goff will probably fumble or throw an interception giving the Vikings an extra possession.
Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1p, Fox
Pick: Steelers
Teddy Bridgewater has cleared concussion protocol, meaning Denver (3-1) will not have to rely on Drew Lock’s inconsistent decision-making. The Steelers must rely on the aging Ben Roethlisberger, whose 11 passes of over 20 yds is tied for last in the league. Until Pittsburgh (1-3) can generate a legitimate deep threat, expect defenses to keep them in check.
Miami Dolphins at TBay Buccaneers, 1p, CBS
Pick: Bucs
The Bucs (3-1) get a visit from a Dolphins (1-3) team that produced just 203 yds of offense vs the Colts. Adding to Miami’s struggles, Coach Brian Flores said Monday that receiver Will Fuller would be unavailable Sunday after breaking his finger and going on IR.
TBay’s secondary is hurting. But the Dolphins’ pass rush isn’t strong enough to stop Brady from covering the spread.
New Orleans Saints at Washington Footballers, 1p, CBS
Pick: Saints
New Orleans is the NFL’ s biggest enigma, playing up or down to the competition while awaiting the return of starters like receiver Michael Thomas and DT David Onyemata. The Footballers’ (2-2) defense has also underperformed, even as Taylor Heinicke led two game-winning drives in their past three games. It’s the opposite of what was expected. While Washington waits for its D to reawaken, the Saints should keep this one close. With its flipped-flopped results each week, a New Orleans win fits the pattern.
Philadelphia Eagles at Carolina Panthers, 1p, Fox
Pick: Panthers
Carolina Coach Matt Rhule said RB Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) will practice this week, but the Panthers (3-1) may not need to rely on him to defeat the Eagles (1-3). Defensively, they traded with NE for CB Stephon Gilmore, a four-time Pro Bowl selection. QB Sam Darnold leads the NFL in rushing TDs (5) and receiver DJ Moore is fourth in receiving yds (398). That connection could exploit an Eagles defense that is tied for the sixth-most passing TDs allowed (9). With or without McCaffrey, the Panthers should win at home.
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1p, CBS
Pick: Titans
Urban Meyer’s embarrassing week gets worse if the Titans (2-2) extend Jacksonville’s (0-4) losing streak. Jag owner Shad Khan addressed the viral video of Meyer cavorting in an Ohio bar, saying the coach “must earn our trust and respect”. Reports suggest Meyer has also lost the locker room. With so much of the organization’s time spent on that matter, less focus probably went on repairing a defense allowing 312.3 passing yds per game, third-worst rate in the league, as well as last in sacks (5).
It’s still unclear whether Titans receivers Julio Jones and A.J. Brown will play on Sunday, but Ryan Tannehill still threw for 298 yds without them in an OT loss to the Jets. Unless Jacksonville wholly revamps its defensive ineffectiveness in the span of a week filled with distractions, expect the Titans to win.
NE Patriots at Houston Texans, 1p, CBS
Pick: Patriots
Mac Jones outperformed Tom Brady and the Patriots barely lost last week. His consolation prize will be bullying the Texans (1-3), who have lost three straight games. Through four weeks, Houston receiver Brandin Cooks has amassed 369 receiving yds while none of his teammates has more than 80. That colossal imbalance makes defending Houston’s attack easy.
Chicago Bears at LVegas Raiders, 4:05p, CBS
Pick: Raiders
Bears RB David Montgomery, the league’s fifth-leading rusher (309 yds), is expected to miss at least four weeks with an ankle sprain. Rookie Justin Fields will start although veteran Andy Dalton is now healthy. The Bears (2-2) will miss Montgomery as Fields tries to throw against a pass rush led by Maxx Crosby, who is tied for second in QB hits (13). The Raiders (3-1) should win, motivated after losing their undefeated record.
Monday’s Matchup
Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens, 8:15p, ESPN
Pick: Ravens
The Ravens are looking to break the NFL record for most consecutive games with 100 rushing yds. Lamar Jackson is still the Ravens’ leading rusher, but Latavius Murray has become a go-to option as Baltimore looks for its fifth straight game with 100+ rushing yds. They have won three straight (3-1) and Monday will be their third prime time game this season.
Baltimore’s defense came up with five sacks in a victory over the Broncos last week and looks to replicate the performance against Carson Wentz, who injured both of his ankles earlier in the season. Aside from some turnovers, Lamar Jackson has played consistently. His durability and explosiveness make him a safe bet to put away the Colts (1-3).
Oct. 7, 2021, NYTimes/WashPost All times Eastern
Jets at Atlanta Falcons, 9:30 a.m., NFL Network (game in London)
Pick: Falcons
This early meeting between two 1-3 teams is more important for draft position than anything else. Last week, the Jets narrowly won their first game against a handicapped Titans team in OT, fueled by the defense’s seven sacks. The unit could have another solid outing if it generates pressure on Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ pass-first attack. Jets’ rookie QB Zach Wilson still leads the league in interceptions (8), but took a major developmental step in last week’s win. If he continues to take care of the ball, connects on a deep throw or two, and the defense plays well again, the Jets could start a streak.
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings, 1p, Fox
Pick: Vikings
This should be a bounce-back for the Vikings (1-3), coming off another one-score loss to a playoff-caliber opponent. The Lions (0-4) were competitive in each game, but committed so many turnovers at key moments that they now seem inevitable. Kirk Cousins was battered in a loss to the Browns last week, sacked twice and hit 10 times. But the Lions do not have a Myles Garrett, and Detroit’s Jared Goff will probably fumble or throw an interception giving the Vikings an extra possession.
Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1p, Fox
Pick: Steelers
Teddy Bridgewater has cleared concussion protocol, meaning Denver (3-1) will not have to rely on Drew Lock’s inconsistent decision-making. The Steelers must rely on the aging Ben Roethlisberger, whose 11 passes of over 20 yds is tied for last in the league. Until Pittsburgh (1-3) can generate a legitimate deep threat, expect defenses to keep them in check.
Miami Dolphins at TBay Buccaneers, 1p, CBS
Pick: Bucs
The Bucs (3-1) get a visit from a Dolphins (1-3) team that produced just 203 yds of offense vs the Colts. Adding to Miami’s struggles, Coach Brian Flores said Monday that receiver Will Fuller would be unavailable Sunday after breaking his finger and going on IR.
TBay’s secondary is hurting. But the Dolphins’ pass rush isn’t strong enough to stop Brady from covering the spread.
New Orleans Saints at Washington Footballers, 1p, CBS
Pick: Saints
New Orleans is the NFL’ s biggest enigma, playing up or down to the competition while awaiting the return of starters like receiver Michael Thomas and DT David Onyemata. The Footballers’ (2-2) defense has also underperformed, even as Taylor Heinicke led two game-winning drives in their past three games. It’s the opposite of what was expected. While Washington waits for its D to reawaken, the Saints should keep this one close. With its flipped-flopped results each week, a New Orleans win fits the pattern.
Philadelphia Eagles at Carolina Panthers, 1p, Fox
Pick: Panthers
Carolina Coach Matt Rhule said RB Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) will practice this week, but the Panthers (3-1) may not need to rely on him to defeat the Eagles (1-3). Defensively, they traded with NE for CB Stephon Gilmore, a four-time Pro Bowl selection. QB Sam Darnold leads the NFL in rushing TDs (5) and receiver DJ Moore is fourth in receiving yds (398). That connection could exploit an Eagles defense that is tied for the sixth-most passing TDs allowed (9). With or without McCaffrey, the Panthers should win at home.
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1p, CBS
Pick: Titans
Urban Meyer’s embarrassing week gets worse if the Titans (2-2) extend Jacksonville’s (0-4) losing streak. Jag owner Shad Khan addressed the viral video of Meyer cavorting in an Ohio bar, saying the coach “must earn our trust and respect”. Reports suggest Meyer has also lost the locker room. With so much of the organization’s time spent on that matter, less focus probably went on repairing a defense allowing 312.3 passing yds per game, third-worst rate in the league, as well as last in sacks (5).
It’s still unclear whether Titans receivers Julio Jones and A.J. Brown will play on Sunday, but Ryan Tannehill still threw for 298 yds without them in an OT loss to the Jets. Unless Jacksonville wholly revamps its defensive ineffectiveness in the span of a week filled with distractions, expect the Titans to win.
NE Patriots at Houston Texans, 1p, CBS
Pick: Patriots
Mac Jones outperformed Tom Brady and the Patriots barely lost last week. His consolation prize will be bullying the Texans (1-3), who have lost three straight games. Through four weeks, Houston receiver Brandin Cooks has amassed 369 receiving yds while none of his teammates has more than 80. That colossal imbalance makes defending Houston’s attack easy.
Chicago Bears at LVegas Raiders, 4:05p, CBS
Pick: Raiders
Bears RB David Montgomery, the league’s fifth-leading rusher (309 yds), is expected to miss at least four weeks with an ankle sprain. Rookie Justin Fields will start although veteran Andy Dalton is now healthy. The Bears (2-2) will miss Montgomery as Fields tries to throw against a pass rush led by Maxx Crosby, who is tied for second in QB hits (13). The Raiders (3-1) should win, motivated after losing their undefeated record.
Monday’s Matchup
Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens, 8:15p, ESPN
Pick: Ravens
The Ravens are looking to break the NFL record for most consecutive games with 100 rushing yds. Lamar Jackson is still the Ravens’ leading rusher, but Latavius Murray has become a go-to option as Baltimore looks for its fifth straight game with 100+ rushing yds. They have won three straight (3-1) and Monday will be their third prime time game this season.
Baltimore’s defense came up with five sacks in a victory over the Broncos last week and looks to replicate the performance against Carson Wentz, who injured both of his ankles earlier in the season. Aside from some turnovers, Lamar Jackson has played consistently. His durability and explosiveness make him a safe bet to put away the Colts (1-3).
AnnieA
Well-known Member
- Location
- Down South
Cowboys- 44 Giants - 20
Dak worried me with his roughest start I can remember in a long time, but soon pulled it together. Zeke's first half looked like his amazing 2016 rookie year again and he also looks like a fully sprouted Chia Pet. Pollard isn't missing a beat when Zeke's out. LVE looks sharper...think the Jaylon Smith trade woke him up. Love seeing a much stronger defense even with a few glitches.
Hate to see all the Giants injuries and that Kadarius Toney marred an amazing game by getting ejected for throwing a punch. "Joey" ...Joe Judge --good friend of my BIL--needs to remember that it's easy for viewers to read potty mouth lips.
Dak worried me with his roughest start I can remember in a long time, but soon pulled it together. Zeke's first half looked like his amazing 2016 rookie year again and he also looks like a fully sprouted Chia Pet. Pollard isn't missing a beat when Zeke's out. LVE looks sharper...think the Jaylon Smith trade woke him up. Love seeing a much stronger defense even with a few glitches.
Hate to see all the Giants injuries and that Kadarius Toney marred an amazing game by getting ejected for throwing a punch. "Joey" ...Joe Judge --good friend of my BIL--needs to remember that it's easy for viewers to read potty mouth lips.
Last edited:
Lawrence00
Member
Chargers Brown's must have been a fun game.
Can go to sleep happy that Bucs won.
Can go to sleep happy that Bucs won.
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
Update on Seattle's QB Russell Wilson: he tore a tendon in his finger on his throwing hand, so is out for at least 4 games. Major damage to Seattle's hopes, which now lie with Geno Smith (remember him from the Jets?).
The NFC West, once looking like the strongest division, now looks stratified into Top Tier 2 teams and Bottom Tier 2 teams: LARams and AZ Cards on top, with Seattle and SF fighting to stay out of last place.
Much as I am a Niners fan, I expect they will end up in last place again. HC Kyle Shanahan is no Bill Walsh, and his mishandling of young QBs, inexplicable playcalling (too vanilla at times vs too cute but ineffectual), and lack of attention to critical team units (the secondary and special teams are just not units he cares about, and the hodge-podge of second- and third-rate players has remained a weakness for all 5 yrs of KS's reign as HC), will end up wasting what is a great defensive unit with a future Hall of Famer in Nick Bosa, Joey's little brother.
One thing I respect about Bill Belichick - he's the one coach who clearly takes Bill Walsh's encyclopedic football tome to heart. Look at how he's handled his rookie QB, compared to how almost every other coach has mishandled theirs.
Talents like Mahomes and Herbert, who can step onto the field as rookies, have always been rare and always will be. Most need to be coached well and study hard to achieve the potential their initial talent promises, but few are.
The NFC West, once looking like the strongest division, now looks stratified into Top Tier 2 teams and Bottom Tier 2 teams: LARams and AZ Cards on top, with Seattle and SF fighting to stay out of last place.
Much as I am a Niners fan, I expect they will end up in last place again. HC Kyle Shanahan is no Bill Walsh, and his mishandling of young QBs, inexplicable playcalling (too vanilla at times vs too cute but ineffectual), and lack of attention to critical team units (the secondary and special teams are just not units he cares about, and the hodge-podge of second- and third-rate players has remained a weakness for all 5 yrs of KS's reign as HC), will end up wasting what is a great defensive unit with a future Hall of Famer in Nick Bosa, Joey's little brother.
One thing I respect about Bill Belichick - he's the one coach who clearly takes Bill Walsh's encyclopedic football tome to heart. Look at how he's handled his rookie QB, compared to how almost every other coach has mishandled theirs.
Talents like Mahomes and Herbert, who can step onto the field as rookies, have always been rare and always will be. Most need to be coached well and study hard to achieve the potential their initial talent promises, but few are.
Don M.
SF VIP
- Location
- central Missouri
I've been watching the KC/Buffalo game, but a severe storm just started blowing through KC, so the game is delayed, and the fans are scrambling for cover. Buffalo is winning thru the first half, and KC seems to be struggling.
Lawrence00
Member
Rooting for the Bills
Furryanimal
Y gath o Gymru
- Location
- Wales
Field goal gate
Aaron Jones wasn't going to give Mason Crosby a pep talk.
With Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals hanging in the balance, the Packers' Pro Bowl running back knew the team's all-time leading scorer had his own process in place to prepare for the biggest kick of the season.
But after Crosby previously missed two tries at a potential game-winning field goal – plus a go-ahead kick late in the fourth quarter and a point-after much earlier – Jones wanted to say something, anything, to let his kicker know he had his back.
So, before Crosby strolled out on the field to attempt a 49-yard field goal with two minutes left in overtime, Jones spoke from the heart, if ever so briefly.
"I went up to him and just told him I loved him. That was it," Jones said. "He told me he loved me, gave me a little head nod and went out there."
With Jones and the rest of the team behind him, Crosby turned what had the makings of a nightmarish afternoon at Paul Brown Stadium into one of the most emotionally uplifting victories of the Matt LaFleur era, as his 49-yard attempt sailed through the uprights to seal a 25-22 Packers win.
It ended a topsy-turvy game in which Crosby and Cincinnati kicker Evan McPherson combined to miss five potential go-ahead or walk-off field goals in the fourth quarter and overtime. According to Elias, that's the first time that's happened since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970.
Packers.com
Phew!
Aaron Jones wasn't going to give Mason Crosby a pep talk.
With Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals hanging in the balance, the Packers' Pro Bowl running back knew the team's all-time leading scorer had his own process in place to prepare for the biggest kick of the season.
But after Crosby previously missed two tries at a potential game-winning field goal – plus a go-ahead kick late in the fourth quarter and a point-after much earlier – Jones wanted to say something, anything, to let his kicker know he had his back.
So, before Crosby strolled out on the field to attempt a 49-yard field goal with two minutes left in overtime, Jones spoke from the heart, if ever so briefly.
"I went up to him and just told him I loved him. That was it," Jones said. "He told me he loved me, gave me a little head nod and went out there."
With Jones and the rest of the team behind him, Crosby turned what had the makings of a nightmarish afternoon at Paul Brown Stadium into one of the most emotionally uplifting victories of the Matt LaFleur era, as his 49-yard attempt sailed through the uprights to seal a 25-22 Packers win.
It ended a topsy-turvy game in which Crosby and Cincinnati kicker Evan McPherson combined to miss five potential go-ahead or walk-off field goals in the fourth quarter and overtime. According to Elias, that's the first time that's happened since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970.
Packers.com
Phew!
KC? Sputter. sputter. huh-assume Mahomes can't be a world shaker every game, but he can't take time off either.
Damn Packers, field goals should not determine the winner and loser.
I 'm not ready to jump aboard Cowboys bandwagon, but i don't see any team (right now) that can stay with them.
Wish they had their engine running when they played the Pats.
Looks like three losses in within their grasp.
And Then, Then the playoffs. their not seasoned enough to make it to the Big One.
Damn Packers, field goals should not determine the winner and loser.
I 'm not ready to jump aboard Cowboys bandwagon, but i don't see any team (right now) that can stay with them.
Wish they had their engine running when they played the Pats.
Looks like three losses in within their grasp.
And Then, Then the playoffs. their not seasoned enough to make it to the Big One.
AnnieA
Well-known Member
- Location
- Down South
There's a lot of season left in which to season...
...provided they stay healthy.They're playing with the most team oriented mindset I've seen in awhile. That's a must for the Big One.
Irwin
Well-known Member
- Location
- Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.
I'm jumping on the Bills bandwagon. They looked great last night against KC! (F*** the Broncos)
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
What We Learned From NFL Week 5 – Pt 1 of 2
Twelve active coaches have been to the Super Bowl. Over a quarter through 2021, half of them – Bill Belichick, Mike Tomlin, Pete Carroll, Andy Reid, Ron Rivera and Kyle Shanahan – are under .500.
Oct. 11, 2021, NY Times/WashPost/SB Nation/local media
Packers 25, Bengals 22
GBay Packers’ kicker Mason Crosby had a very bad day flip into very good in the final 2 minutes of OT. After missing three attempts to win the game, he finally connected from 49 yds out. Bengals kicker Evan McPherson’ day remained bad, after missed two in a row, both of which would have won the game for the Bengals. There were no freak winds on the field, so why two good kickers missed six kicks – five in the final 10 minutes of Q4/OT – must be chalked up to Just One Of Those Days.
RB Aaron Jones rushed for 103 yds. Davante Adams caught a 59-yd beauty from Rodgers, finishing with 11 receptions for 206 yds and a TD. GBay is now 4-1 despite a struggle with a feisty Cincinnati team.
Cardinals 17, Niners 10
The Niners D rediscovered their pass rush and put AZ QB Kyler Murray to the test. Unfortunately, Niners rookie QB Trey Lance managed an acceptable but not exceptional job under equal pressures. The Niners offense marched up and down the field without ever accomplishing much. They were a wimpy 3 of 11 on third downs. Lance is a very raw talent, having not thrown more than a couple of passes before being drafted. But he’s a quick learner, and needs to be since he lacked the instincts to slide instead of smashing helmets with defenders that outweigh him by 30 lbs.
Playcalling by HC Shanahan is coming in for plenty of post-game criticism, as the Niners tried five times on fourth down but only succeeded once. The most critical failure was fourth-and-goal from the 1 near the close of the first half. The Cards’ D stuffed Lance hard, when he tried to run it in. That kind of physical punishment has left the Niners at the mercy of third-string QB Nate Sudfeld if Lance doesn’t recover quickly from the sprained knee he suffered this week. The injury-riddled Niners have a Bye in Week 6, and it’s badly needed.
Cards’ safety Budda Baker had an interception, DE J.J. Watt had three QB hits and Arizona produced the kind of grimy win that’s necessary to compete in the cutthroat NFC West and beyond. The Cardinals are now 5-0 heading into Week 6 against the Browns in Cleveland.
Buccaneers 45, Dolphins 17
Expectations are low for the Miami Dolphins, who started the backup Jacoby Brissett against Tom Brady and the Bucs’ tremendous pass rush. This loss to the reigning champion TBay Buccaneers was no shocker. Jacoby Brissett was 27 of 39 passing for 279 yds, but was sacked three times.
But team owner Stephen M. Ross should be asking himself why his Dolphins have not built their own Florida powerhouse. Miami tanked in 2019, traded away as many assets as possible to get draft positioning and remain a hamster on a spinning wheel.
After the 2019 season, TBay wooed Brady, signed a slew of veterans and are now the toast of the NFL. Miami Coach Brian Flores and GM Chris Grier chose QB Tua Tagovailoa, fifth pick in the 2020 draft, over Justin Herbert, who has lit up the AFC West in his first two years as a Charger. Sunday’s loss at TBay was a troubling revelation that Flores, who made his bones as a defensive assistant with the Patriots, hasn’t been able to build a defensive power in Miami.
If anyone should know how to stop a Tom Brady attack, it’s Flores. In Year 3, Flores’s defense should be humming. Instead, it’s floundering. One week after a tough win over Belichick’s Pats, Brady was back to his terminator ways, completing 30 of 41 passes for 411 yds with five TDs. The Bucs finished with 33 first downs and 558 total yds, going 8 of 11 on third down, and never turned the ball over.
The Dolphins’ potential trade for Deshaun Watson will hang over the team until the Nov. 2 trade deadline. Watson faces a possible suspension as part of the investigation of 22 sexual misconduct lawsuits against him.
So where do the Dolphins go from here? Likely toward another massive roster reconstruction and a change at general manager and coach, too. Unless, of course, the Dolphins can woo their own future Hall of Famer via trade.
Chargers 47, Browns 42
Just another 398-yard, four-TD passing outing from Chargers Justin Herbert (see Miami; above). He also scored a rushing TD, dominating a Browns defense that has embarrassed other opposing QBs. The Chargers scored all four TDs in Q4 to ruin Cleveland’s Sunday. LAC coach Brandon Staley is the most aggressive NFL coach in going on fourth down, and it’s been paying off. These are two smart, excellent teams that could meet again in January.
Twelve active coaches have been to the Super Bowl. Over a quarter through 2021, half of them – Bill Belichick, Mike Tomlin, Pete Carroll, Andy Reid, Ron Rivera and Kyle Shanahan – are under .500.
Oct. 11, 2021, NY Times/WashPost/SB Nation/local media
Packers 25, Bengals 22
GBay Packers’ kicker Mason Crosby had a very bad day flip into very good in the final 2 minutes of OT. After missing three attempts to win the game, he finally connected from 49 yds out. Bengals kicker Evan McPherson’ day remained bad, after missed two in a row, both of which would have won the game for the Bengals. There were no freak winds on the field, so why two good kickers missed six kicks – five in the final 10 minutes of Q4/OT – must be chalked up to Just One Of Those Days.
RB Aaron Jones rushed for 103 yds. Davante Adams caught a 59-yd beauty from Rodgers, finishing with 11 receptions for 206 yds and a TD. GBay is now 4-1 despite a struggle with a feisty Cincinnati team.
Cardinals 17, Niners 10
The Niners D rediscovered their pass rush and put AZ QB Kyler Murray to the test. Unfortunately, Niners rookie QB Trey Lance managed an acceptable but not exceptional job under equal pressures. The Niners offense marched up and down the field without ever accomplishing much. They were a wimpy 3 of 11 on third downs. Lance is a very raw talent, having not thrown more than a couple of passes before being drafted. But he’s a quick learner, and needs to be since he lacked the instincts to slide instead of smashing helmets with defenders that outweigh him by 30 lbs.
Playcalling by HC Shanahan is coming in for plenty of post-game criticism, as the Niners tried five times on fourth down but only succeeded once. The most critical failure was fourth-and-goal from the 1 near the close of the first half. The Cards’ D stuffed Lance hard, when he tried to run it in. That kind of physical punishment has left the Niners at the mercy of third-string QB Nate Sudfeld if Lance doesn’t recover quickly from the sprained knee he suffered this week. The injury-riddled Niners have a Bye in Week 6, and it’s badly needed.
Cards’ safety Budda Baker had an interception, DE J.J. Watt had three QB hits and Arizona produced the kind of grimy win that’s necessary to compete in the cutthroat NFC West and beyond. The Cardinals are now 5-0 heading into Week 6 against the Browns in Cleveland.
Buccaneers 45, Dolphins 17
Expectations are low for the Miami Dolphins, who started the backup Jacoby Brissett against Tom Brady and the Bucs’ tremendous pass rush. This loss to the reigning champion TBay Buccaneers was no shocker. Jacoby Brissett was 27 of 39 passing for 279 yds, but was sacked three times.
But team owner Stephen M. Ross should be asking himself why his Dolphins have not built their own Florida powerhouse. Miami tanked in 2019, traded away as many assets as possible to get draft positioning and remain a hamster on a spinning wheel.
After the 2019 season, TBay wooed Brady, signed a slew of veterans and are now the toast of the NFL. Miami Coach Brian Flores and GM Chris Grier chose QB Tua Tagovailoa, fifth pick in the 2020 draft, over Justin Herbert, who has lit up the AFC West in his first two years as a Charger. Sunday’s loss at TBay was a troubling revelation that Flores, who made his bones as a defensive assistant with the Patriots, hasn’t been able to build a defensive power in Miami.
If anyone should know how to stop a Tom Brady attack, it’s Flores. In Year 3, Flores’s defense should be humming. Instead, it’s floundering. One week after a tough win over Belichick’s Pats, Brady was back to his terminator ways, completing 30 of 41 passes for 411 yds with five TDs. The Bucs finished with 33 first downs and 558 total yds, going 8 of 11 on third down, and never turned the ball over.
The Dolphins’ potential trade for Deshaun Watson will hang over the team until the Nov. 2 trade deadline. Watson faces a possible suspension as part of the investigation of 22 sexual misconduct lawsuits against him.
So where do the Dolphins go from here? Likely toward another massive roster reconstruction and a change at general manager and coach, too. Unless, of course, the Dolphins can woo their own future Hall of Famer via trade.
Chargers 47, Browns 42
Just another 398-yard, four-TD passing outing from Chargers Justin Herbert (see Miami; above). He also scored a rushing TD, dominating a Browns defense that has embarrassed other opposing QBs. The Chargers scored all four TDs in Q4 to ruin Cleveland’s Sunday. LAC coach Brandon Staley is the most aggressive NFL coach in going on fourth down, and it’s been paying off. These are two smart, excellent teams that could meet again in January.
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
What We Learned From NFL Week 5 – Pt 2 of 2
Oct. 11, 2021, NY Times/WashPost/SB Nation/local media
Bills 38, Chiefs 20
Leaping tacklers and averaging 21 yds per completion, Bills QB Josh Allen was a force against a KC defense that has completely lost its way. It’s unreal to see the KC Chiefs (2-3) at the bottom of the AFC West, but that’s how 2021 has gone. KC’s pass rush has faltered and the once-solid receiving corps has struggled with fumbles. It’s never been a Top Ten in rushing D, but lately it’s become 4th worst in the NFL in passing D as well. That’s putting too much pressure on the offense.
Opponents have not figured out how to stop the Chiefs’ offense, but they have figured out how to slow it down. Defenses play two deep safeties and rarely blitz. Mahomes is sometimes disciplined enough to move the ball downfield slowly, but the key to the Chiefs’ success, especially their patented comebacks, has been how fast everything happens. What they’re now seeing from opponents does not make the Chiefs worse, but it makes them less special. And with their shoddy defense, that’s a problem.
The Chiefs are now tied for the league lead with 11 turnovers. Mahomes already has as many interceptions - six - as he had all of 2020. It won’t help that RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire is banged up and out for a couple of weeks, either. Mahomes is on a level of his own, but he can’t throw the ball and defend against it at the same time. On the good side, the Chiefs go face Washington next week.
Cowboys 44, Giants 20
Credit to Dallas Coach Mike McCarthy and OC Kellen Moore, who mixed in the run as much as possible, gashing the Giants for 201 yds on the ground, including 110 from Ezekiel Elliot. The Cowboys throttled the injury-ravaged New York Giants and took complete control of the NFC East. In the first half, Giants Saquon Barkley was lost to an ugly ankle injury, and QB Daniel Jones to a possible concussion after a vicious hit on the goal line. One good sign for NYG: rookie WR Kadarius Toney caught 10 passes for 189 yards and showed his elite running ability after the catch (he was also ejected for throwing a punch.)
Bears 20, Raiders 9
Raiders HC Jon Gruden’s e-mail troubles culminated in an ugly post-game resignation. The controversy probably didn’t help the Raiders, whose offense was a mess at home. Both teams are now 3-2, but the Bears and rookie QB Justin Fields are looking good, while the Raiders look to be heading in reverse after going 3-0 to start.
Steelers 27, Broncos 19
For the first time since Week 1, the Steelers looked like a playoff contender. They finally took the ball out of Ben Roethlisberger’s hands. Big Ben attempted 14 passes versus 17 RB Najee Harris carries in the first half, and that was the difference. Harris’s talent was on full display against an excellent Denver defense. Denver QB Teddy Bridgewater was cleared to play but struggled against a fierce pass rush. The Broncos were terrible in third down conversions (two for twelve) and will need to improve when they meet their division rivals, the Raiders, in LVegas next week.
Patriots 25, Texans 22
Bill Belichick and the Patriots were on the ropes after an unexpected 312-yard, three-TD day from the Texans rookie Davis Mills. NE came up with a 15-play, 84-yard field-goal drive in Q4 to win. But they had to perform a 13-point comeback against the woeful Texans, and there’s no evidence they are better than average, with an 11-16 record since Nov 2019.
Titans 37, Jaguars 19
As expected, Titans RB Derrick Henry (130 yds on 29 carries, three TDs) ground out this win over Urban Meyer’s beleaguered team. Trevor Lawrence has been good for one or two true “wow” moments a game, but the Jaguars’ game plan continues to perplex everyone. Receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. - Jacksonville’s best playmaker last week - was targeted only three times Sunday.
Saints 33, Washington Football Team 22
Jameis Winston finally delivered some big plays, with a 72-yard TD pass to Deonte Harris and a 49-yard Hail Mary score to Marquez Callaway. Winston hasn’t resembled the turnover machine he was at TBay; Coach Sean Payton has held him back from unleashing one of the strongest arms in the league.
Vikings 19, Lions 17
The Detroit Lions found a new way to lose, and they have lost more ways than most. Pity the Lions. If not for 110 yards of field goals in two of the past three weeks, the team would be 2-3. They are instead 0-5, even after they took the lead with 37 seconds left in the fourth quarter with a touchdown and a two-point conversion. But Vikings QB Kirk Cousins set up a 54-yard field goal for Greg Joseph, who booted it through for the Vikes’ win.
Falcons 27, Jets 20
TE Kyle Pitts finally became the dominant force Atlanta hoped he would be when it drafted him as the fourth overall pick in April. The Jets had no answer for Pitts, who caught nine balls for 119 yds with a TD score.
Eagles 21, Panthers 18
One moment, the Panthers are an undefeated 3-0. The next, they’re without their star RB Christian McCaffrey, riding a two-game losing streak. Jalen Hurts ran in two TD scores in the second half for Philadelphia, rallying his team from a 12-point deficit to beat Carolina.
Oct. 11, 2021, NY Times/WashPost/SB Nation/local media
Bills 38, Chiefs 20
Leaping tacklers and averaging 21 yds per completion, Bills QB Josh Allen was a force against a KC defense that has completely lost its way. It’s unreal to see the KC Chiefs (2-3) at the bottom of the AFC West, but that’s how 2021 has gone. KC’s pass rush has faltered and the once-solid receiving corps has struggled with fumbles. It’s never been a Top Ten in rushing D, but lately it’s become 4th worst in the NFL in passing D as well. That’s putting too much pressure on the offense.
Opponents have not figured out how to stop the Chiefs’ offense, but they have figured out how to slow it down. Defenses play two deep safeties and rarely blitz. Mahomes is sometimes disciplined enough to move the ball downfield slowly, but the key to the Chiefs’ success, especially their patented comebacks, has been how fast everything happens. What they’re now seeing from opponents does not make the Chiefs worse, but it makes them less special. And with their shoddy defense, that’s a problem.
The Chiefs are now tied for the league lead with 11 turnovers. Mahomes already has as many interceptions - six - as he had all of 2020. It won’t help that RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire is banged up and out for a couple of weeks, either. Mahomes is on a level of his own, but he can’t throw the ball and defend against it at the same time. On the good side, the Chiefs go face Washington next week.
Cowboys 44, Giants 20
Credit to Dallas Coach Mike McCarthy and OC Kellen Moore, who mixed in the run as much as possible, gashing the Giants for 201 yds on the ground, including 110 from Ezekiel Elliot. The Cowboys throttled the injury-ravaged New York Giants and took complete control of the NFC East. In the first half, Giants Saquon Barkley was lost to an ugly ankle injury, and QB Daniel Jones to a possible concussion after a vicious hit on the goal line. One good sign for NYG: rookie WR Kadarius Toney caught 10 passes for 189 yards and showed his elite running ability after the catch (he was also ejected for throwing a punch.)
Bears 20, Raiders 9
Raiders HC Jon Gruden’s e-mail troubles culminated in an ugly post-game resignation. The controversy probably didn’t help the Raiders, whose offense was a mess at home. Both teams are now 3-2, but the Bears and rookie QB Justin Fields are looking good, while the Raiders look to be heading in reverse after going 3-0 to start.
Steelers 27, Broncos 19
For the first time since Week 1, the Steelers looked like a playoff contender. They finally took the ball out of Ben Roethlisberger’s hands. Big Ben attempted 14 passes versus 17 RB Najee Harris carries in the first half, and that was the difference. Harris’s talent was on full display against an excellent Denver defense. Denver QB Teddy Bridgewater was cleared to play but struggled against a fierce pass rush. The Broncos were terrible in third down conversions (two for twelve) and will need to improve when they meet their division rivals, the Raiders, in LVegas next week.
Patriots 25, Texans 22
Bill Belichick and the Patriots were on the ropes after an unexpected 312-yard, three-TD day from the Texans rookie Davis Mills. NE came up with a 15-play, 84-yard field-goal drive in Q4 to win. But they had to perform a 13-point comeback against the woeful Texans, and there’s no evidence they are better than average, with an 11-16 record since Nov 2019.
Titans 37, Jaguars 19
As expected, Titans RB Derrick Henry (130 yds on 29 carries, three TDs) ground out this win over Urban Meyer’s beleaguered team. Trevor Lawrence has been good for one or two true “wow” moments a game, but the Jaguars’ game plan continues to perplex everyone. Receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. - Jacksonville’s best playmaker last week - was targeted only three times Sunday.
Saints 33, Washington Football Team 22
Jameis Winston finally delivered some big plays, with a 72-yard TD pass to Deonte Harris and a 49-yard Hail Mary score to Marquez Callaway. Winston hasn’t resembled the turnover machine he was at TBay; Coach Sean Payton has held him back from unleashing one of the strongest arms in the league.
Vikings 19, Lions 17
The Detroit Lions found a new way to lose, and they have lost more ways than most. Pity the Lions. If not for 110 yards of field goals in two of the past three weeks, the team would be 2-3. They are instead 0-5, even after they took the lead with 37 seconds left in the fourth quarter with a touchdown and a two-point conversion. But Vikings QB Kirk Cousins set up a 54-yard field goal for Greg Joseph, who booted it through for the Vikes’ win.
Falcons 27, Jets 20
TE Kyle Pitts finally became the dominant force Atlanta hoped he would be when it drafted him as the fourth overall pick in April. The Jets had no answer for Pitts, who caught nine balls for 119 yds with a TD score.
Eagles 21, Panthers 18
One moment, the Panthers are an undefeated 3-0. The next, they’re without their star RB Christian McCaffrey, riding a two-game losing streak. Jalen Hurts ran in two TD scores in the second half for Philadelphia, rallying his team from a 12-point deficit to beat Carolina.
Lethe200
Senior Member
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area
QB power rankings: Familiar face is back on top, but where does 49ers’ Lance land?
Bay Area News Group: October 12, 2021
The greatest of all time is back on top. Monster performances by Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens has vaulted them into the top two spots in this week’s quarterback power rankings. Let’s get to it:
1. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay (at Philadelphia) Last week: 5
Brady passed for 411 yards and five touchdowns in a 45-17 win over Miami. It’s the first time he’s passed for more than 400 yards and had five TD passes in one game in his career. At age 44. It’s beyond ridiculous at this point.
2. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore (vs. L.A. Chargers) Last week: 9
Guess we can put those “can Jackson win with his arm” questions to rest. Led his team to a 31-25 win over Indianapolis after trailing 25-9. Was 37 of 43 for 442 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions before a national Monday night audience. Oh, and he rushed for 62 yards on 14 carries. That’s 504 yards of total offense.
3. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay (at Chicago) Last week: 2
Completed 27 of 39 passes for 344 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in a 25-22 overtime win against Cincinnati but wasn’t one of his better games. Relying too much on field goal attempts by Mason Crosby almost cost the Packers.
4. Justin Herbert, LA Chargers (at Baltimore) Last week: 7
What’s new with Herbert? Just produced 26 points in the fourth quarter in a 47-42 win over Cleveland. Was 26 of 43 for 398 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions. Those of you who reached out to say Herbert had been ranked too low? You were right.
5. Josh Allen, Buffalo (at Tennessee) Last week: 6
Had his big night in out-playing Patrick Mahomes by a considerable margin, comleting 15 of 26 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns and running 11 times for 59 yards and another score. Had completions of 61, 53 and 35 yards. The Bills are rolling at 4-1.
6. Kyler Murray, Arizona (at Cleveland) Last week: 1
Murray has his team at 5-0, but he looked mortal against the 49ers (22 of 31, 239 yards), produced just 17 points, and seemed to have an issue with his right arm in the second half.
7. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City (at Washington) Last week: 3
Mahomes has been throwing many more careless passes of late, and it showed in completing 33 of 54 passes for 272 yards, two touchdowns and two picks in a 38-20 loss to Buffalo. Ran eight times for 61 yards. That was never the plan.
8. Dak Prescott, Dallas (at New England) Last week: 4
As ridiculous as it sounds, the Cowboys left a lot of yardage and points on the field in a 44-20 win over the NY Giants. Prescott was 22 of 32 for three touchdowns and a pick. Dallas ran the ball 39 times for 201 yards, making his life much easier.
9. Matt Stafford, LA Rams (at N.Y. Giants) Last week: 10
One attempted throwaway that was picked off by Quandre Diggs against Seattle,but Stafford rebounded well from big loss to Arizona. He was 27 of 35 for 365 yards and a touchdown. Robert Woods, Cooper Cupp, DeSean Jackson all doing damage as receivers.
10. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland (vs. Arizona) Last week: 13
Hard to have a problem with a quarterback who was 23 of 32 for 305 yards, two touchdowns and no picks. Problem was he was on the same field as Herbert in a 47-42 loss. And he’s playing with a bad left shoulder. Don’t kid yourself, that matters in terms of driving the ball downfield.
11. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh (vs. Seattle) Last week: 24
Well, what do you know. Najee Harris runs for 122 yards on 23 carries, the Steelers ran it more than the passed it 35 rushes, 25 passes, and suddenly Big Ben is effective again. Was 15 of 25 for 253 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
12. Jameis Winston, New Orleans (at Washington) Last week: 19
Coach Sean Payton is proving he carried Drew Brees as much as Brees carried him. Winston was just 15 of 30 but for 279 yards and four touchdowns in a 33-22 win over Washington. New Orleans is 3-2 with Payton having dealt with a major transition at quarterback.
13. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati (at Detroit) Last week: 15
Battled Green Bay on Aaron Rodgers on relatively even terms, completing 26 of 38 passes for 281 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in 25-22 overtime loss. But his overtime pick was a killer, setting up the winning points for the Packers.
14. Derek Carr, Las Vegas (at Denver) Last week: 11
Feeling the effects of a shaky offensive line and no running game in a big way, Carr looks nothing like the guy who had the Raiders at 3-0. Was 22 of 35 for 206 yards and an interception in 20-9 loss to Bears. Sacked three times, faced pressure throughout. And now the man who taught him most everything he knows about playing quarterback has resigned.
15. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee (vs. Buffalo) Last week: 14
It’s usually a good day for Tannehill when he hands the ball off to Derrick Henry (29 carries for 130 yards, 3 TDs), more than he passes it (14 of 22, 197 yards, 1 TD). Titans beat Jacksonville 37-19.
16. Matt Ryan, Atlanta (bye) Last week: 16
Completed 33 of 45 passes for 342 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in win over the Jets. That’s impressive no matter the competition.
17. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota (at Carolina) Last week: 17
Another solid, workman-like game (25 of 34, 275 yards, 1 TD, 1 pick) that wasn’t explosively productive but got the job done in 19-17 win over Detroit. His 19-yard pass to Adam Theilen set up Greg Joseph’s game-winning 53-yard field goal with three seconds left.
18. Carson Wentz, Indianapolis (vs. Houston) Last week: 26
The Colts are crushed to be 1-4 after blowing a 25-9 lead against Baltimore, but they’ve got to feel a lot better about Wentz. For the first time he resembled the guy who was considered a future star in Philadelphia, completing 25 of 35 passes for 402 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions against the Ravens.
19. Sam Darnold, Carolina (vs. Minnesota) Last week: 12
A big step back for Darnold with three interceptions and passing for just 177 yards on 21 of 37 completions in 21-18 loss to Eagles. One of his interceptions brought back Jets flashbacks.
20. Teddy Bridgewater, Denver (vs. Raiders) Last week: 18
As the schedule has gotten tougher, Bridgewater has lost some of his luster. Was 24 of 38 for 288 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in 27-19 loss in Pittsburgh but Broncos didn’t reach the end zone until the fourth quarter until it was too late.
21. Mac Jones, New England (vs. Dallas) Last week: 20
Slow and steady wins the race. That’s how the Patriots have played it with Jones and it worked in a 25-22 win over Houston. Last drive (15 plays, 84 yards) led to Nick Folk’s game-winning field goal. Was 23 of 31 for 231 yards, one TD and one pick.
22. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia (vs. Tampa Bay) Last week: 21
Not a hugely productive day as a passer (22 of 37, 198 yards, one interception) but his 6-yard run on a short-field drive (27 yards) with 2:38 left gave the Eagles a 21-18 win over Carolina.
23. Jared Goff, Detroit (vs. Cincinnati) Last week: 22
Season has all the earmarks of being a caretaker for whoever the Lions eventually decide is their quarterback of the future. Completed 21 of 35 passes for 203 yards and an interceptions, was in position for win until last-second field goal against the Vikings.
24. Daniel Jones, NY Giants (vs. LA Rams) Last week: 23
Lost to a concussion in 44-20 loss to Dallas after completing 5 of 13 passes for 98 yards. Mike Glennon finished up and was 16 of 25 for 196 yards with a touchdown but two interceptions.
25. Justin Fields, Chicago (vs. Green Bay) Last week: 29
Want to see how to properly manage a rookie quarterback if game circumstance allows? Look no further than Matt Nagy and the Bears. Fields was 12 of 20 for 111 yards, a touchdown and no gain longer than 18 yards. So what? Bears ran the ball 37 times and never trailed against the Raiders.
26. Trey Lance, 49ERS (bye) Last week: 27
Passed the eye test for sure, but not the productivity test. Impressive as a runner-passer but 49ers produced just a touchdown and a field goal in nine possessions. Interesting to see what the bye week brings.
27. Zach Wilson, NY Jets (at Atlanta) Last week: 28
Couldn’t replicate magic of previous week against Tennessee. Was 19 of 32 for 192 yards, no touchdowns and a pick against Atlanta. Not helped by the fact that no Jets runner had a gain more than nine yards and they averaged 3.6 as a team.
28. Taylor Heineke, Washington (vs. Kansas City) Last week: 25
Proving at this point he’ll be a good backup for someone else should Washington recalibrate and look for a franchise quarterback. Heineke was 20 of 48 for 248 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in 33-22 loss to New Orleans.
29. Davis Mills, Houston (at Indianapolis) Last week: 32
Statistically deserved better than a loss (21 of 29, 312 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions) but on their last five possessions the Texans had three punts, a missed field goal and a lost fumble in 25-22 loss to Patriots.
30. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville (vs. Miami) Last week: 30
Continues to show progress despite another defeat, completing 23 of 33 passes for 273 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Had an 8-yard scramble for a touchdown. The good news? Sacked only eight times in five games for a poor team.
31. Geno Smith, Seattle (at Pittsburgh) Last week: 8 (Wilson)
Smith was better than expected after Russell Wilson fractured a finger that will keep him out anywhere from a month to eight weeks. But make no mistake, if it’s eight weeks, Seattle’s playoff hopes are nil.
32. Jacoby Brissett, Miami (at Jacksonville) Last week: 31
Destined to be a caretaker or a backup at this point. Was 27 of 39 for 275 yards, one touchdown and one interception in blowout loss to New England. Won’t get much of a chance to succeed in Miami, which appears headed for a fall after winning 10 games last season.
Bay Area News Group: October 12, 2021
The greatest of all time is back on top. Monster performances by Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens has vaulted them into the top two spots in this week’s quarterback power rankings. Let’s get to it:
1. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay (at Philadelphia) Last week: 5
Brady passed for 411 yards and five touchdowns in a 45-17 win over Miami. It’s the first time he’s passed for more than 400 yards and had five TD passes in one game in his career. At age 44. It’s beyond ridiculous at this point.
2. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore (vs. L.A. Chargers) Last week: 9
Guess we can put those “can Jackson win with his arm” questions to rest. Led his team to a 31-25 win over Indianapolis after trailing 25-9. Was 37 of 43 for 442 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions before a national Monday night audience. Oh, and he rushed for 62 yards on 14 carries. That’s 504 yards of total offense.
3. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay (at Chicago) Last week: 2
Completed 27 of 39 passes for 344 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in a 25-22 overtime win against Cincinnati but wasn’t one of his better games. Relying too much on field goal attempts by Mason Crosby almost cost the Packers.
4. Justin Herbert, LA Chargers (at Baltimore) Last week: 7
What’s new with Herbert? Just produced 26 points in the fourth quarter in a 47-42 win over Cleveland. Was 26 of 43 for 398 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions. Those of you who reached out to say Herbert had been ranked too low? You were right.
5. Josh Allen, Buffalo (at Tennessee) Last week: 6
Had his big night in out-playing Patrick Mahomes by a considerable margin, comleting 15 of 26 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns and running 11 times for 59 yards and another score. Had completions of 61, 53 and 35 yards. The Bills are rolling at 4-1.
6. Kyler Murray, Arizona (at Cleveland) Last week: 1
Murray has his team at 5-0, but he looked mortal against the 49ers (22 of 31, 239 yards), produced just 17 points, and seemed to have an issue with his right arm in the second half.
7. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City (at Washington) Last week: 3
Mahomes has been throwing many more careless passes of late, and it showed in completing 33 of 54 passes for 272 yards, two touchdowns and two picks in a 38-20 loss to Buffalo. Ran eight times for 61 yards. That was never the plan.
8. Dak Prescott, Dallas (at New England) Last week: 4
As ridiculous as it sounds, the Cowboys left a lot of yardage and points on the field in a 44-20 win over the NY Giants. Prescott was 22 of 32 for three touchdowns and a pick. Dallas ran the ball 39 times for 201 yards, making his life much easier.
9. Matt Stafford, LA Rams (at N.Y. Giants) Last week: 10
One attempted throwaway that was picked off by Quandre Diggs against Seattle,but Stafford rebounded well from big loss to Arizona. He was 27 of 35 for 365 yards and a touchdown. Robert Woods, Cooper Cupp, DeSean Jackson all doing damage as receivers.
10. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland (vs. Arizona) Last week: 13
Hard to have a problem with a quarterback who was 23 of 32 for 305 yards, two touchdowns and no picks. Problem was he was on the same field as Herbert in a 47-42 loss. And he’s playing with a bad left shoulder. Don’t kid yourself, that matters in terms of driving the ball downfield.
11. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh (vs. Seattle) Last week: 24
Well, what do you know. Najee Harris runs for 122 yards on 23 carries, the Steelers ran it more than the passed it 35 rushes, 25 passes, and suddenly Big Ben is effective again. Was 15 of 25 for 253 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
12. Jameis Winston, New Orleans (at Washington) Last week: 19
Coach Sean Payton is proving he carried Drew Brees as much as Brees carried him. Winston was just 15 of 30 but for 279 yards and four touchdowns in a 33-22 win over Washington. New Orleans is 3-2 with Payton having dealt with a major transition at quarterback.
13. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati (at Detroit) Last week: 15
Battled Green Bay on Aaron Rodgers on relatively even terms, completing 26 of 38 passes for 281 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in 25-22 overtime loss. But his overtime pick was a killer, setting up the winning points for the Packers.
14. Derek Carr, Las Vegas (at Denver) Last week: 11
Feeling the effects of a shaky offensive line and no running game in a big way, Carr looks nothing like the guy who had the Raiders at 3-0. Was 22 of 35 for 206 yards and an interception in 20-9 loss to Bears. Sacked three times, faced pressure throughout. And now the man who taught him most everything he knows about playing quarterback has resigned.
15. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee (vs. Buffalo) Last week: 14
It’s usually a good day for Tannehill when he hands the ball off to Derrick Henry (29 carries for 130 yards, 3 TDs), more than he passes it (14 of 22, 197 yards, 1 TD). Titans beat Jacksonville 37-19.
16. Matt Ryan, Atlanta (bye) Last week: 16
Completed 33 of 45 passes for 342 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in win over the Jets. That’s impressive no matter the competition.
17. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota (at Carolina) Last week: 17
Another solid, workman-like game (25 of 34, 275 yards, 1 TD, 1 pick) that wasn’t explosively productive but got the job done in 19-17 win over Detroit. His 19-yard pass to Adam Theilen set up Greg Joseph’s game-winning 53-yard field goal with three seconds left.
18. Carson Wentz, Indianapolis (vs. Houston) Last week: 26
The Colts are crushed to be 1-4 after blowing a 25-9 lead against Baltimore, but they’ve got to feel a lot better about Wentz. For the first time he resembled the guy who was considered a future star in Philadelphia, completing 25 of 35 passes for 402 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions against the Ravens.
19. Sam Darnold, Carolina (vs. Minnesota) Last week: 12
A big step back for Darnold with three interceptions and passing for just 177 yards on 21 of 37 completions in 21-18 loss to Eagles. One of his interceptions brought back Jets flashbacks.
20. Teddy Bridgewater, Denver (vs. Raiders) Last week: 18
As the schedule has gotten tougher, Bridgewater has lost some of his luster. Was 24 of 38 for 288 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in 27-19 loss in Pittsburgh but Broncos didn’t reach the end zone until the fourth quarter until it was too late.
21. Mac Jones, New England (vs. Dallas) Last week: 20
Slow and steady wins the race. That’s how the Patriots have played it with Jones and it worked in a 25-22 win over Houston. Last drive (15 plays, 84 yards) led to Nick Folk’s game-winning field goal. Was 23 of 31 for 231 yards, one TD and one pick.
22. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia (vs. Tampa Bay) Last week: 21
Not a hugely productive day as a passer (22 of 37, 198 yards, one interception) but his 6-yard run on a short-field drive (27 yards) with 2:38 left gave the Eagles a 21-18 win over Carolina.
23. Jared Goff, Detroit (vs. Cincinnati) Last week: 22
Season has all the earmarks of being a caretaker for whoever the Lions eventually decide is their quarterback of the future. Completed 21 of 35 passes for 203 yards and an interceptions, was in position for win until last-second field goal against the Vikings.
24. Daniel Jones, NY Giants (vs. LA Rams) Last week: 23
Lost to a concussion in 44-20 loss to Dallas after completing 5 of 13 passes for 98 yards. Mike Glennon finished up and was 16 of 25 for 196 yards with a touchdown but two interceptions.
25. Justin Fields, Chicago (vs. Green Bay) Last week: 29
Want to see how to properly manage a rookie quarterback if game circumstance allows? Look no further than Matt Nagy and the Bears. Fields was 12 of 20 for 111 yards, a touchdown and no gain longer than 18 yards. So what? Bears ran the ball 37 times and never trailed against the Raiders.
26. Trey Lance, 49ERS (bye) Last week: 27
Passed the eye test for sure, but not the productivity test. Impressive as a runner-passer but 49ers produced just a touchdown and a field goal in nine possessions. Interesting to see what the bye week brings.
27. Zach Wilson, NY Jets (at Atlanta) Last week: 28
Couldn’t replicate magic of previous week against Tennessee. Was 19 of 32 for 192 yards, no touchdowns and a pick against Atlanta. Not helped by the fact that no Jets runner had a gain more than nine yards and they averaged 3.6 as a team.
28. Taylor Heineke, Washington (vs. Kansas City) Last week: 25
Proving at this point he’ll be a good backup for someone else should Washington recalibrate and look for a franchise quarterback. Heineke was 20 of 48 for 248 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in 33-22 loss to New Orleans.
29. Davis Mills, Houston (at Indianapolis) Last week: 32
Statistically deserved better than a loss (21 of 29, 312 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions) but on their last five possessions the Texans had three punts, a missed field goal and a lost fumble in 25-22 loss to Patriots.
30. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville (vs. Miami) Last week: 30
Continues to show progress despite another defeat, completing 23 of 33 passes for 273 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Had an 8-yard scramble for a touchdown. The good news? Sacked only eight times in five games for a poor team.
31. Geno Smith, Seattle (at Pittsburgh) Last week: 8 (Wilson)
Smith was better than expected after Russell Wilson fractured a finger that will keep him out anywhere from a month to eight weeks. But make no mistake, if it’s eight weeks, Seattle’s playoff hopes are nil.
32. Jacoby Brissett, Miami (at Jacksonville) Last week: 31
Destined to be a caretaker or a backup at this point. Was 27 of 39 for 275 yards, one touchdown and one interception in blowout loss to New England. Won’t get much of a chance to succeed in Miami, which appears headed for a fall after winning 10 games last season.