2020 #NFL Week in Review – Week 6
Welcome to the Week in Review. Screaming internally.
Drew Lock is back!
And he played like crap (10/24 for 189, 2 picks)
The Broncos won anyway, mostly because the also returning Cam Newton was worse passing (17/25 for 157, 2 INTs)
Good defense or bad offense? I take the side that allows for the most jokes. So: Bad offense.
Newton had 76 yards and a TD on 10 carries, also adding a 16 yard reception from Julian Edelman. The Pats could probably use a lot more of that, but the other way around.
First of all, apologies for not commenting on Derrick Henry’s soul-stealing stiff arm in last week’s WIR.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBrTsnwQamE
Ritual flogging will commence at the end of this recap.
But the story of this game is Romeo Crenell’s decision to go for two after a late TD put the Texans up by seven. I understand the desire to make a statement. To go for the gusto. To show your team you believe in them by going for the win there and then.
But kick the PAT, man. Force the Titans to make the conversion rather than risking it yourself. At worst, they make it and you end up in OT anyway. They don’t, you win.
Also, going for it tells your defense “I don’t believe in you.” He may have been right to do so, but play the odds, Romeo.
And in two games against division big bros, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, the Browns have lost 76-13.
We in the biz call that “not ready for prime time.”
Imagine what the Eagles could do if they could even get halfway healthy?
There’s a growing rumble to bench Carson Wentz for Jalen Hurts. But these are largely the same type of people who want Drew Brees benched for Taysom Hill.¹
The Ravens didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory, either. Letting the Eagles erase a 17-0 lead and continuously keeping them in the game with bad penalties. (12 penalties for 132 yards). Outside of a few big RB7 runs, the Ravens’ offense was largely MIA.
This game was ugly with a capital “UGH.”
Coach Rivera? Ron, buddy?
This Kyle Allen thing? Ain’t working. Not sure why you thought it would. It’s not like he set the world on fire with a better supporting cast in Carolina. Unless tanking is the point, either put Dwane Haskins back in and let him try and redeem himself (or show himself off for trade partners) or go with the feel good story and let Alex Smith go until he can’t.
Oh, and the Giants get their first win. Yay, I guess.
Not sure what the stronger tonic was for the Dirty Birds: No Dan Quinn or playing the Vikings. But the Falcons defense played their best game of the year (arguably since 2018)., including a goal line stand from the 2 yard line. Matty Ice had his best game of the season (371 and 4). Ironically, Todd Gurley had his worst as a Falcon (20-47).
Maybe it’s time Mike Zimmer got the same scrutiny as Matt Patricia and Adam Gase?
Yeah, it’s a big win. But it’s also the Jags.
It’s also El Mustachio Magnifico playing his way out of consideration for 2021. Frankly I wouldn’t be shocked to learn Shad Khan offered him some under-the-table money to tank it, justifying #TankForTrevor. The problem with that take is that the Jets are worse and the Fucksnyders, Vikings, Giants, Bengals, Texans and Chargers are just as bad. This is a year where one win could net you the #8 pick.
2020: The year the bottom fell out.
Fun Fact: D’Andre Swift is the only the second 100 yard rusher the Lions have had since 2014¹. He’s the first Lions rookie to do it with two TDs since some guy named Barry.
So which do you think is the more likely scenario:
A) Phillip Rivers got his act together and this is the start of a big comeback run for him.
B) The Bengals are so bad, even 2020 Phillip Rivers looks like a world beater against them.
I know what I’d put my money on.
I honestly don’t know what to make of the Bears. They’re obviously successful. They’re obviously on a roll right now. But if you look at them, watch their games, read the stats closely... It’s hard to tell if they’re actually good or they’ve just had a string of opponents who threw a rod at just the right/wrong moment.
I mean, I watched the Panthers and I saw a team that kept shooting themselves in the foot. I suppose three turnovers can be credited to the defense (as fans of DA BEARS will no doubt do), but I saw a team playing sloppy. That kept settling for field goals.
And more to the point, I saw a Bears team that seemed bound and determined to give back every advantage they had over the Panthers: Matt Nagy with questionable play calls, like throwing late in the game, rather than running and forcing Carolina to burn time outs¹ and Nick Foles playing “spray and play” with his passes.
5-1 is 5-1, but does anyone feel like Chicago is one of the NFC elites, as their record SHOULD indicate?
The story of this game should be the Bucs defense spotting Discount Double Check 10 points, then slapping the clown shoes on him from the second quarter onward. But since Tom Terriffic threw two TDs, including his first to Gronk in a TB uniform... OMG TOM BRADY WILL SAVE US ALL!!!
Seriously, it’s like at this stage in his career, Rogers turns into the petulant “None of this is my fault” whiners his critics have always claimed he is, whenever a team gets a couple of good shots in on him. After that second INT, it’s like Rogers checked out mentally. Not a good look.
Every day Adam Gase and Gregg Williams are still employed by the New York Jets is an insult to the Jets players, the fans and the league itself. Period.
Even more shameful is the fact that both men will be on sidelines in some capacity next season, if they want to be. But Eric Bienemy can’t get interviews for HC positions and Jim Caldwell’s stint with the Lions marked him as a failure, even though his record is better than his predecessor and successor.
I wonder what the difference between those pairs of men is?
But hey, Tua Tangyvanilla made his pro debut!
The Rams continued their tradition of playing down to their competition, losing to a Niner team the looked to be coming apart at the seams. Jimmy G snapped back to form, throwing for 288 and 3 scores. Jared Goff was not so good, throwing 198 and two, with a back-breaking red zone INT.
After that INT, the Rams seemed to abandon a running game the seemed to be the only consistent part of their offence (Darrell Henderson had 88 yards on 14 carries). It seems like even though Henderson has done a complete 180 from the non-factor he was last year, Sean McVey still doesn’t trust him (or the o-line) enough to put the offensive load on him. Ironically, a bit more run in the run/pass equation would probably help Goff a bunch.
Both teams limp in off their first loss of the season, and one could limp away with a two-game losing streak.¹
The Chefs went old school on Monday Afternoon, relying on defense and the run game to carry the day. Clyde “Le’Veon Who?” Edwards-Helair ran for 161 and the defense stymied Josh Allen and the Bills offense at every turn. Freed from the burden of having to be Superman, Patrick Mahomes was free to add 225 and 2 to the party.
Oh, the Jets are, as the Brits say, going to get a right seeing to, next week.
Even with two (more) Zeke Elliot fumbles, we in Cowboys Nation still had some faith in the Red Rifle to generate some offense. He ain’t Dak, but he wasn’t signed to be.
Then Zack Martin left the game under the concussion protocols and he seemed to take the offense with him.
Granted, the Cowboys had some bad luck (Michael Gallop doing his best Jackie Smith impression and CeeDe Lamb getting mugged on Dalton’s first INT), but this was, without a doubt, the worst game the Cowboys have played this season.
I mean, how do get Vander Esch back and the defense plays WORSE? How do you get mollywhopped like that when Kyler Murray only throws for 188 yards? He didn’t have a short field THAT often?
Yeah, that’ll do it...
Offensively, you want to cut Mike McCarthy some slack: Six games in and he’s lost his starting QB, the entire starting o-line and his nominal starting TE, Zeke won’t stop putting the ball on the ground, and the defense (a question mark coming in) has been trash, save for Travon Diggs and Aldon Smith (both newcomers).
But then he pulls shit like calling for a 58-yard field goal WHILE DOWN BY 25.
And somehow we’re STILL ON TOP OF THE NFC EAST?
At this point, I think 6-10 could take the division.
Oh, and “GG Cards”, I suppose...
[Bye Week: Chargers, Raiders, Seahawks, Saints]
Broncos 18, Patriots 12
Drew Lock is back!
And he played like crap (10/24 for 189, 2 picks)
The Broncos won anyway, mostly because the also returning Cam Newton was worse passing (17/25 for 157, 2 INTs)
Good defense or bad offense? I take the side that allows for the most jokes. So: Bad offense.
Newton had 76 yards and a TD on 10 carries, also adding a 16 yard reception from Julian Edelman. The Pats could probably use a lot more of that, but the other way around.
Texans 36, Titans 42 (OT)
First of all, apologies for not commenting on Derrick Henry’s soul-stealing stiff arm in last week’s WIR.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBrTsnwQamE
Ritual flogging will commence at the end of this recap.
But the story of this game is Romeo Crenell’s decision to go for two after a late TD put the Texans up by seven. I understand the desire to make a statement. To go for the gusto. To show your team you believe in them by going for the win there and then.
But kick the PAT, man. Force the Titans to make the conversion rather than risking it yourself. At worst, they make it and you end up in OT anyway. They don’t, you win.
Also, going for it tells your defense “I don’t believe in you.” He may have been right to do so, but play the odds, Romeo.
Browns 7, Steelers 38
And in two games against division big bros, Baltimore and Pittsburgh, the Browns have lost 76-13.
We in the biz call that “not ready for prime time.”
Ravens 30, Eagles 28
Imagine what the Eagles could do if they could even get halfway healthy?
There’s a growing rumble to bench Carson Wentz for Jalen Hurts. But these are largely the same type of people who want Drew Brees benched for Taysom Hill.¹
The Ravens didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory, either. Letting the Eagles erase a 17-0 lead and continuously keeping them in the game with bad penalties. (12 penalties for 132 yards). Outside of a few big RB7 runs, the Ravens’ offense was largely MIA.
This game was ugly with a capital “UGH.”
Read: Dummies.
No Names 19, Giants 20
Coach Rivera? Ron, buddy?
This Kyle Allen thing? Ain’t working. Not sure why you thought it would. It’s not like he set the world on fire with a better supporting cast in Carolina. Unless tanking is the point, either put Dwane Haskins back in and let him try and redeem himself (or show himself off for trade partners) or go with the feel good story and let Alex Smith go until he can’t.
Oh, and the Giants get their first win. Yay, I guess.
Falcons 40, Vikings 23
Not sure what the stronger tonic was for the Dirty Birds: No Dan Quinn or playing the Vikings. But the Falcons defense played their best game of the year (arguably since 2018)., including a goal line stand from the 2 yard line. Matty Ice had his best game of the season (371 and 4). Ironically, Todd Gurley had his worst as a Falcon (20-47).
Maybe it’s time Mike Zimmer got the same scrutiny as Matt Patricia and Adam Gase?
Lions 34, Jaguars 16
Yeah, it’s a big win. But it’s also the Jags.
It’s also El Mustachio Magnifico playing his way out of consideration for 2021. Frankly I wouldn’t be shocked to learn Shad Khan offered him some under-the-table money to tank it, justifying #TankForTrevor. The problem with that take is that the Jets are worse and the Fucksnyders, Vikings, Giants, Bengals, Texans and Chargers are just as bad. This is a year where one win could net you the #8 pick.
2020: The year the bottom fell out.
Fun Fact: D’Andre Swift is the only the second 100 yard rusher the Lions have had since 2014¹. He’s the first Lions rookie to do it with two TDs since some guy named Barry.
Kerryon Johnson had 2 such games in 2018 and one in 2019.
Bengals 27, Colts 31
So which do you think is the more likely scenario:
A) Phillip Rivers got his act together and this is the start of a big comeback run for him.
B) The Bengals are so bad, even 2020 Phillip Rivers looks like a world beater against them.
I know what I’d put my money on.
Bears 23, Panthers 16
I honestly don’t know what to make of the Bears. They’re obviously successful. They’re obviously on a roll right now. But if you look at them, watch their games, read the stats closely... It’s hard to tell if they’re actually good or they’ve just had a string of opponents who threw a rod at just the right/wrong moment.
I mean, I watched the Panthers and I saw a team that kept shooting themselves in the foot. I suppose three turnovers can be credited to the defense (as fans of DA BEARS will no doubt do), but I saw a team playing sloppy. That kept settling for field goals.
And more to the point, I saw a Bears team that seemed bound and determined to give back every advantage they had over the Panthers: Matt Nagy with questionable play calls, like throwing late in the game, rather than running and forcing Carolina to burn time outs¹ and Nick Foles playing “spray and play” with his passes.
5-1 is 5-1, but does anyone feel like Chicago is one of the NFC elites, as their record SHOULD indicate?
Which, to be fair, seemed to be more about an utter lack of confidence in his ground game than any sort of dedication to his own cleverness
Packers 10, Bucs 38
The story of this game should be the Bucs defense spotting Discount Double Check 10 points, then slapping the clown shoes on him from the second quarter onward. But since Tom Terriffic threw two TDs, including his first to Gronk in a TB uniform... OMG TOM BRADY WILL SAVE US ALL!!!
Seriously, it’s like at this stage in his career, Rogers turns into the petulant “None of this is my fault” whiners his critics have always claimed he is, whenever a team gets a couple of good shots in on him. After that second INT, it’s like Rogers checked out mentally. Not a good look.
Jets 0, Dolphins 24
Every day Adam Gase and Gregg Williams are still employed by the New York Jets is an insult to the Jets players, the fans and the league itself. Period.
Even more shameful is the fact that both men will be on sidelines in some capacity next season, if they want to be. But Eric Bienemy can’t get interviews for HC positions and Jim Caldwell’s stint with the Lions marked him as a failure, even though his record is better than his predecessor and successor.
I wonder what the difference between those pairs of men is?
But hey, Tua Tangyvanilla made his pro debut!
(SNF) Rams 16, Niners 24
The Rams continued their tradition of playing down to their competition, losing to a Niner team the looked to be coming apart at the seams. Jimmy G snapped back to form, throwing for 288 and 3 scores. Jared Goff was not so good, throwing 198 and two, with a back-breaking red zone INT.
After that INT, the Rams seemed to abandon a running game the seemed to be the only consistent part of their offence (Darrell Henderson had 88 yards on 14 carries). It seems like even though Henderson has done a complete 180 from the non-factor he was last year, Sean McVey still doesn’t trust him (or the o-line) enough to put the offensive load on him. Ironically, a bit more run in the run/pass equation would probably help Goff a bunch.
(MNF: Opening Act) Chiefs 26, Bills 17
Both teams limp in off their first loss of the season, and one could limp away with a two-game losing streak.¹
The Chefs went old school on Monday Afternoon, relying on defense and the run game to carry the day. Clyde “Le’Veon Who?” Edwards-Helair ran for 161 and the defense stymied Josh Allen and the Bills offense at every turn. Freed from the burden of having to be Superman, Patrick Mahomes was free to add 225 and 2 to the party.
Oh, the Jets are, as the Brits say, going to get a right seeing to, next week.
Barring a tie, of course.
(MNF) Cardinals 38, Cowboys 10
Even with two (more) Zeke Elliot fumbles, we in Cowboys Nation still had some faith in the Red Rifle to generate some offense. He ain’t Dak, but he wasn’t signed to be.
Then Zack Martin left the game under the concussion protocols and he seemed to take the offense with him.
Granted, the Cowboys had some bad luck (Michael Gallop doing his best Jackie Smith impression and CeeDe Lamb getting mugged on Dalton’s first INT), but this was, without a doubt, the worst game the Cowboys have played this season.
I mean, how do get Vander Esch back and the defense plays WORSE? How do you get mollywhopped like that when Kyler Murray only throws for 188 yards? He didn’t have a short field THAT often?
Yeah, that’ll do it...
Offensively, you want to cut Mike McCarthy some slack: Six games in and he’s lost his starting QB, the entire starting o-line and his nominal starting TE, Zeke won’t stop putting the ball on the ground, and the defense (a question mark coming in) has been trash, save for Travon Diggs and Aldon Smith (both newcomers).
But then he pulls shit like calling for a 58-yard field goal WHILE DOWN BY 25.
And somehow we’re STILL ON TOP OF THE NFC EAST?
At this point, I think 6-10 could take the division.
Oh, and “GG Cards”, I suppose...
Comments
Post a Comment