#NFL2021 - Week 8
Welcome to the Week in Review and welcome to the Day of the Backup QB!
(TNF) Packers 24, Cardinals 21
This one was a rare marquee match up for Thursday Night. The Packers
came in at 5-1, the Cardinals 6-0. Both teams would be the strongest
each has faced so far. And the game lived up to the hype: It was a back and forth affair with Discount Double Check and Fun Size Mike Vick taking their best shots and their opposing defenses turning them away as often as not.
Thought it did that Rodgers a bit of time to get warmed up, as most of this regular receivers - save slot guy Randall Cobb and TE Robert Tonyan (who was lost for the second half) - were out for various reasons and who was left didn't' have as many receptions as Cobb alone. The Packers used their ground game to control the action (AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones combined for 137 and a score on 31 carries). And yet, in the end, both teams tried to put the game in the hands of their QBs on the goal line, when both teams had had success running the ball. The Pack could've (and should've ) run the ball at the goal line, kicked the a field goal and gone up by six. Instead they went for the kill shot on 4th and goal and missed a pass to Cobb. A move that both said to the world "I don't trust my defense to stop Kyler Murray" and that "We don't know what a 'jumbo package'¹ is."
Thought it did that Rodgers a bit of time to get warmed up, as most of this regular receivers - save slot guy Randall Cobb and TE Robert Tonyan (who was lost for the second half) - were out for various reasons and who was left didn't' have as many receptions as Cobb alone. The Packers used their ground game to control the action (AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones combined for 137 and a score on 31 carries). And yet, in the end, both teams tried to put the game in the hands of their QBs on the goal line, when both teams had had success running the ball. The Pack could've (and should've ) run the ball at the goal line, kicked the a field goal and gone up by six. Instead they went for the kill shot on 4th and goal and missed a pass to Cobb. A move that both said to the world "I don't trust my defense to stop Kyler Murray" and that "We don't know what a 'jumbo package'¹ is."
Of course, the then-still-undefeated Cards returned the favor on the very next possession: Murray and AJ Green were on different pages, missed the 2nd-and-5 pass and former Card Rasul Douglas made the game-saving INT. No more undefeated teams, champagne flows in Miami!
- Teams running plays out of the shotgun in goal line situations may be my least favorite trend in NFL football.
Panthers 19, Falcons 13
Thank God Calvin Ridley gave me something to talk about other than this puddle of sick.
After being a requested healthy scratch for the second time this year, Ridley has stated he's stepping away from football to "focus on his mental well being." While good for him, this leaves his team in a bit of a spot. Ridley and star rookie Kyle Pitts were supposed to form the backbone of the Falcons offense. With the unexpected breakthrough of Cordarrelle Patterson, this should've kept Atlanta respectable as their defense... Exists.
With Ridley gone for who-knows how long, it falls on guys like Tajae Sharpe, Mike Davis and Olamide Zaccheaus to take up the slack. They combined for 92 yards on 11 catches on Sunday.
Good luck to you all.
Good luck to you all.
As for the Panthers, even despite¹ losing Sam Darnold to concussion protocol, the return of Shaq Lawson and the Carolina debut of Stephon Gilmore (who pulled the game sealing INT) was enough to grab a needed win.
- Or "Because of?"
Dolphins 11, Bills 26
Buffalo played what is arguably their worst half of football this season.
And the Fish could only muster a 3-3 tie, before the Bills woke up after halftime and outscored them down the stretch 23-8.
Guys? Dolphins? If you don't want to ride with Tua and don't want the Watson smoke, Cam Newton is available and vaccinated. Just sayin'.
And the Fish could only muster a 3-3 tie, before the Bills woke up after halftime and outscored them down the stretch 23-8.
Guys? Dolphins? If you don't want to ride with Tua and don't want the Watson smoke, Cam Newton is available and vaccinated. Just sayin'.
Niners 33, Bears 22
Since 1940, the Bears have had two games where opponents had zero punts and zero turnovers. The other one was in 2014 (Week 4, Green Bay). Both were at home.
How come the NFL feels justified in yoinking owner's franchises for being shit people, but never for being shit actual owners?
How come the NFL feels justified in yoinking owner's franchises for being shit people, but never for being shit actual owners?
Steelers 15, Browns 10
Pittsburgh is currently on a three-game win streak, with this latest road win. Take note of how many Yinzers will take this as a sign that they're "back" and so is Big Ben.
And then watch how many of those same folks will wail and gnash with despair once whatever veterinary meds they've shot Rapelisberger up with wear off.
And then watch how many of those same folks will wail and gnash with despair once whatever veterinary meds they've shot Rapelisberger up with wear off.
On the other side: The Browns hit the Steeler side of the 50 five times. They scored 10 points. That ain't gonna cut it, chief.
...
You thought I wasn't going to mention that horrific fake field goal, didn't you Steeler Nation?
Boswell got knocked out of the TV screen 😳 pic.twitter.com/hY1FrXh5rx
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) October 31, 2021
Just...
Eagles 44, Lions 6
Now normally, when a talking head goes into "Back In My Day" mode, that makes me hand out the Tall Glasses of STFU. But in this case? Michael Strahan is absolutely right.
“You are on the field in the end zone, a whole group of players, and they’re swapping jerseys and taking pictures. I was not happy to lose. Who is happy to lose? I don’t care, you should never[...] Bo it at the bus. Do it away. Don’t do it on the field where you just got beat 44-6 and I’m in the locker room as a coach waiting on my players to get in there to address the team, and I’m waiting for you to exchange jerseys with another guy on the team that just whipped you?”
I know a lot of older guys aren't down with the selfie swapping and jersey trading and anything that isn't "YOU ARE THE ENEMY AND I WANT TO MURDER YOU!" But he's right. You just got embarrassed, and you're out there kee-kee-ing it up with the folks that embarrassed you? Cuts, fines, benchings... Heads need to roll on this one.
0-17 looks more certain by the day with this bunch.¹
0-17 looks more certain by the day with this bunch.¹
- Checks to see if Dan Campbell was one of the 0-16 Lions.²
- Confirmed. He only saw the field for one game, in his last season as a player, but he was there.
Rams 38, Texans 22
If you only read the final score, it looks like the Texans held their own vs. the NFC West-leading Rams.
If you looked at ANYTHING else - from the box score to the YouTube highlights - you'll see they got dominated. The Rams were up 38-0 midway through the fourth. The Texans did have a couple of goal line stands in the first (one of which was negated by a D. Holding call), but that was it for highlights until garbage time. The texans nabbed a couple of onside kicks en route to a 22-pt fourth, but it was clear L.A. was on cruise control by then.
If you looked at ANYTHING else - from the box score to the YouTube highlights - you'll see they got dominated. The Rams were up 38-0 midway through the fourth. The Texans did have a couple of goal line stands in the first (one of which was negated by a D. Holding call), but that was it for highlights until garbage time. The texans nabbed a couple of onside kicks en route to a 22-pt fourth, but it was clear L.A. was on cruise control by then.
Davis Mills, in what is likely going to be his last start, went 29 for 38 for 310 yards, with 2 TDs and 1 INT (sacked 5 times). But, again, most of that was racked up in garbage time.
Titans 34, Colts 31 (OT)
And...
Thia is why the Eagles were willing to go with Great Value RGIII over him.
This might have been a Pyrrhic victory for Tennessee:
The concern on Titans’ RB Derrick Henry is a jones fracture that would require surgery and end his season, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2021
There are reports that Henry might be able return for the end of the season. But he's going to miss two months, at least. I don't know how many games this team wins without King Henry...
Oh, and they've already reportedly put out feelers to Adrian Peterson. Because at this point, why not?
Oh, and they've already reportedly put out feelers to Adrian Peterson. Because at this point, why not?
Bengals 31, Jets 34
The charitable take on this game is that the Bengals took the Jets lightly and got got. Not nearly the first time this has happened to an elite team and it won't be the last.
The less charitable take is "YOU GOT LIT UP BY MIKE 'Got beat out by Cooper Rush AND Ben Dinucci" WHITE."
Pats 27, Chargers 24
So all of the AFC front runners (Besides Buffalo) are just gonna take it in the neck this week, huh?
Or is this a case of Darth Hoodie getting his ship righted and Mac Jones finding his sea legs? #NauticalMetaphors
Or is it just a case of Chargers Gonna Charge?
Jaguars 7, Seahawks 31
At this point, I have to believe the question "Will Urban Meyer survive this season" is a literal one.
WFT 10, Broncos 17
Welp... I'm guessing Washington's love affair with Taylor Heinicke (24/39, 270yds, 1TD, 2 INTS, 5 sacks) is well and truly over.And is trading Von Miller waving the white flag on the season? If so (and I'm on the side of "yes"), wouldn't surprise me to see Teddy Ballgame benched and Drew Lock given one more run. You know what you're getting with Teddy (someone who's as good as his supporting cast). Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if Brett Rypien got some run down the line.
Bucs 27, Saints 36
Sometimes, one team just has another's number.With Trevor "Oh, that's where he was" Siemian filling in for the likely-gone-for-the-season Rapey McCrablegs, the Saints completed the season sweep of the defending champs. Winston went down on a horse collar tackle by Devin White. I'll be curious to see what (if any) punishment comes for White. Because I know for damn sure that if that were Marcus Lattimore knocking Dreamboat out for the rest of the year, he'd be looking at two games, minimum (likely four, which is the max he could get for such a transgression).
The Saints offense seemed to look a lot more... Saints-like, once Siemian took over. Or maybe it was the return of old friend Mark Ingram, freshly returned from Hell Houston. It will be interesting to see what comes next, as Taysom Hill will be coming back from concussion protocol soon, and Sean Payton will have a decision to make.
Just as interesting is what happens to Winston. It was unlikely the Saints were going to retain him, so he looks to be one to the bigger names on the Free Agent market in 2022. His results in The Big Easy were... Mixed. He cut WAY down on the turnovers, but was still prone to baffling decisions in the pocket. And Payton didn't seem to be willing to tailor his playcalling to Winston's actual strengths (few rollouts, no RPOs or called runs, few deep shots). Though that latter seems to be more a product of NO's dud receiver corps¹.
Just as interesting is what happens to Winston. It was unlikely the Saints were going to retain him, so he looks to be one to the bigger names on the Free Agent market in 2022. His results in The Big Easy were... Mixed. He cut WAY down on the turnovers, but was still prone to baffling decisions in the pocket. And Payton didn't seem to be willing to tailor his playcalling to Winston's actual strengths (few rollouts, no RPOs or called runs, few deep shots). Though that latter seems to be more a product of NO's dud receiver corps¹.
But, yeah, the Bucs will be fine. Especially since they won't have to face the Saints again, barring an unlikely playoff run.
(SNF) Cowboys 20, Vikings 16
The Day of The Backup concludes with the Cowboys and Cooper "The consolation prize for losing Andy Dalton" Rush overcoming a rough start, a hostile road crowd, and some egregious late Ref Ball to take the win.Rush finished with 325 and 2 in his first start. He spent the first half looking like Dallas kept the wrong backup QB (shoutout to Mike White). But then he hit Cedric Wilson on a 73-yard catch-and-run to start the third and from then on he looked like a vet. Zeke Elliot and Tony Pollard provided just enough ground attack to keep the Viking defense honest. The Dallas D did the rest, keeping Dalvin Cook in check and harassing and confusing YOULIKETHAT all night (Only sacked him once, but Randy Gregory was in his grill constantly). They marched right down the field on their first possession (scoring a 20-yard Cousins-to-Theilen connection), but were limited to three field goals for the rest of the game.
Trayvon Diggs' INT streak came to an end at 7 games, but if that's all Dallas lost Sunday Night, we'll take it.
Trayvon Diggs' INT streak came to an end at 7 games, but if that's all Dallas lost Sunday Night, we'll take it.
(MNF) Giants 17, Chiefs 20
A win's a win, but it's a good thing the NFL doesn't give out style points. the Chiefs went back to BASIC basics, making greater use of their ground game than they have in weeks. At least since Clyde Edwards-Helaire went down. Darrel Williams and Derrek Gore combined for 98 yards on 24 carries.
The Chiefs seemed to treat this as a reset game. A chance to get right and restart in a positive direction. I'm not sure if taking this no-nonsense approach with the two-win Giants is respect or disrespect.
The Giants had a chance to take the game to OT or win, getting the ball back with just over a minute left. The result of that drive was "incomplete," "sack," "incomplete," "sack." Daniel Jones has to be horrifically frustrating for the Giants to get a handle on. He'll show flashes of ability, only to be followed immediately by bafflingly bad decisions or simply bad execution. And how much of it is him and how much is his lack of reliable help is equally iffy. Saquon Barkley can't stay healthy, Sterling Sheppard is a glorified WR2, Evan Engram is as erratic as Jones himself and the O-line is kind of trash.
And the Jason Garrett suck factor cannot be ignored.
The Chiefs seemed to treat this as a reset game. A chance to get right and restart in a positive direction. I'm not sure if taking this no-nonsense approach with the two-win Giants is respect or disrespect.
The Giants had a chance to take the game to OT or win, getting the ball back with just over a minute left. The result of that drive was "incomplete," "sack," "incomplete," "sack." Daniel Jones has to be horrifically frustrating for the Giants to get a handle on. He'll show flashes of ability, only to be followed immediately by bafflingly bad decisions or simply bad execution. And how much of it is him and how much is his lack of reliable help is equally iffy. Saquon Barkley can't stay healthy, Sterling Sheppard is a glorified WR2, Evan Engram is as erratic as Jones himself and the O-line is kind of trash.
And the Jason Garrett suck factor cannot be ignored.
Good luck going foward, Big Blue.
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