Maaaan, as a Dolphins fan, this week started out devasting for me with the Tua head injury. But hey, it’s still football season and there’s plenty of reason to crack open a cold one and enjoy the games. There was another week of good action, including those Bad Boys facing off against each other in Baltimore. Before we get started, I have a question. How long is “the Griddy” going to stay around? I’m so tired of seeing it. It’s been going on for at least 2 seasons in the NFL now. Can you guys come up with something more original, please?
Let’s take a quick look at the action and the view through one guys lens, me.
Buffalo vs Baltimore
Baltimore jumps out to a lead in the first half before Buffalo comes back to tie it at 20 all in the 4th quarter. Then, Lamar drives his team down the field and gets stopped on 3rd and goal with 4 minutes to go. Time to kick a FG right? NO! Harbaugh elects to go for a Touchdown on 4th down instead of taking a 3 point lead. The play failed! That has to be the most questionable decision I have seen by a veteran head coach in a long time. And then he says afterwards that it gave his team the best chance to win. What the Fudge?! I understand being aggressive but just take the points and go up by 3 right there. Don’t out think yourself coaches. I’m beyond baffled on that one. Buffalo wins, 23-20.
NY Jets vs Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh finally dumps the Mitch Trubisky experience and turns to their 1st round pick, Kenny Pickett. It paid immediate dividends with the offense looking a lot more capable than they have all year. I saw a couple of nice completed back shoulder throws.
I saw command at the line of scrimmage and I saw a rhythm to the offense. Although Pickett threw 3 ints, one of them late while the team was in scoring position, he looks like he is a big upgrade for the Steelers. Meanwhile over in NY, the Jets may have something here. I saw Zach Wilson shake off a little rust and began to make some nice on-target, on-time throws in the 3rd and 4th quarters. The kid has a strong arm and he is mobile enough to make plays out of the pocket. Very mobile. The Jets look to be trending in the right direction. Jets win, 24-20.
Jaguars vs Eagles
After being down 14-0 the Eagles storm back and win this game over a improving Jaguars team. Eagles win 29-21.
Seahawks vs Lions
Looked like Pac-12 teams playing in that game. Nobody could get a stop. And that seems like a recurring thing for the Lions. They can score but they can’t stop anybody. Geno Smith leads the Seahawks to a win, 48-45.
Commanders vs Cowboys
I have heard it before on the talk shows but I saw a little bit of it yesterday. Cooper Rush and CeeDee Lamb has a better connection than Dak and CeeDee. CeeDee has 21 receptions, 259 yards and 2 TDs since Rush has been in at QB. Can Rush keep winning? Will there actually be a QB controversy in big D, like Jerry Jones commented on a few weeks ago? Dallas wins, 25-10.
Bears vs Giants
I saw Saquon Barkley take direct snaps on two consecutive plays in the 2nd half with the Giants in Bears territory. For me, that tells me all I need to know about Daniel Jones. But little did I know, Jones got injured and was replaced by Tyrod Taylor, who also was concussed and had to leave the game. (This guys always gets injured when he has his chance. Maybe he should give it up.) So I will give Jones another pass. Giants win, 20-12.
Dolphins vs Bengals
Close game until Tua got slung down like a rag doll and had to be carted off the field. Can the Dolphins win with Teddy Bridgewater back there? And how long will Tua be out, a month? Will it be a year? Will that be the end of his career? I don’t know but he sure gives the Dolphins the best chance to be a respectable playoff team this year. Meanwhile, the Bengals still don’t look like a team ready to make a run in the AFC this year, yet. Bengals win, 27-15.
Chiefs vs Buccaneers
The Bucs fumbled the opening kickoff and the Chiefs took advantage and never looked back. Tampa’s vaunted defense couldn’t keep KC from scoring, drive after drive. Pat Mahomes is a bad boy no matter if Tyrek Hill is there or not. Chiefs win, 41-31.
In other action, the Raiders beat the Broncos, Arizona outlasts Carolina, the Packers barely beat the Patriots and their 3rd string QB, in OT. The Chargers take out the talentless Texans, the Titans beat the Colts, and the Falcons best the Browns. In the London game, the Vikings win by 3 pts on a missed 61 yard FG that double doinked off the goal posts.
That’s it for this week. We have the Rams vs the 49ers tonight. Should be interesting.