First Down
The NFL, like everyone else in the world, is dealing with a pandemic. It’s popped up a few times this year and even caused some rescheduling issues but week 12 was or should be, the breaking point. The obvious team(s) affected are the Ravens and Steelers but more on them later.
Let’s focus on what happened in Denver.
Sunday, against the Saints, the Broncos had zero quarterbacks availalbe.
Denver pulled the ultimate rabbit out of the hat by elevating Kendall Hinton. A practice squad WR that played QB in college.
The Broncos lost 31-3 and Hinton went 1/9 for 13 yards and 2 interceptions but if it’s worth anything the Saints also played without a QB so it is possible.
The situation in Denver is only the tip of the iceberg compared to what’s happening in Baltimore. Currently, the Ravens have 21 players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list which include Lamar Jackson, Matthew Judon, and Mark Andrews.
The Steelers and Ravens were orginally supposed to play Thanksgiving night then the game was pushed to Monday. Now it’s Wednesday afternoon.
As it stands JK Dobbins and Mark Ingram will be eligible to play; they were placed on the COVID-19 list on 11/23.
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The Ravens outbreak started because a strength coach didn’t take COVID seriously.
Both situations are different but the Steelers and Broncos have every right to be angry right now. The Steelers have now been indirectly affected by team outbreaks twice this year. Once against the Titans and now the Ravens. They have to pay the price for other teams innability to stop the spread of cornavirus.
Reports like this also don’t help the optics.
The Broncos found out Saturday they had to play an NFL game without a quarterback. The game wasn’t postponed and the Broncos had to adjust. For that, they should be angry at the NFL for appearing to bend over backwards for the Ravens.
The NFL, overall, hasn’t done a really good job this season navigating the pandemic. No league, outside of the NBA and WNBA, has done a good job if we’re being honest.
What separates the Associations from the others?
That’s right, a bubble.
Earlier this year we spoke about how it’d be almost impossible to create a bubble for all 32 teams but we’re about to start week 13 and have a solid idea of teams that can make the playoffs and teams that are looking forward to the draft. It’s more feasible now to pause the season for two weeks while the bubble is created then invite teams that are currently in.
That is, if the NFL has been doing their homework on a possible bubble(s) but lol of course they haven’t.
The NFL can have a play-in game between the 8th and 9th seed in each conference and go from there. It’ll create a better product for fans and it’s the responsible thing to do.
You see, you wouldn’t have to do this if a bubble existed.
Now I understand that I’m taking a very complicated problem and giving a very simple solution but the NFL really needs to find an alternative way to finish the season. Right now they’re just kicking the can and one day soon it’s going to cost them.
Second Down
A good chunk of America sat down Monday night to a football game and a good chunk of America were disgusted by the awful contest that was unfolding on the field.
The Seahawks won 23-17 but the game wasn’t as close as the score indicated. Seattle dominiated Philadelphia all night and the Eagles lucked into a late touchdown and two point conversion. Carson Wentz played poorly, again and the Eagles’ offense is atrocious.
There’s been a growing roar for the Eagles to bench Carson in favor of Jalen Hurts and you won’t get any pushback from me but it should be noted that the team placed around Carson isn’t doing him any favors. Coaching and the front office are a big issue but right now we’re going to focus on the tools at Caron’s disposal.
Let’s start up front. Right now Carson leads the league in categories that aren’t at the cool kids table.
Some of this is because of injury but a lot is an example of the poor roster development thanks to GM Howie Roseman. The Eagles have a bad habit of relying on old players that will most likely be gone in 2021 instead of playing younger guys to see what they have. There’s no reason on earth why a 38-year-old Jason Peters should see the field over 23-year-old Jordan Mailata or 22-year-old Nate Herbig. And it’s not like Peters is playing well; he’s been beaten like a drum weekly.
Seriously, his first half against the Browns was ATROCIOUS!
The Eagles seem to have wised up Monday and put Peters at guard; the position he was originally supposed to play at the start of the season because of the Brandon Brooks injury.
Guess what? HE’S STILL BAD!
There are reports that Peters is playing on a broken, dislocated toe that will require surgery.
Take the surgery bro and call it a career. See you in Canton.
It doesn’t stop there; the wide receivers have also been terrible and suffers from the same disease as the offensive line.
Travis Fulgham was on a tear earlier this year and it appeared that Carson finally had a receiver he trusted. Instead of giving Fulgham more burn the Eagles have decided it’s best that he split reps with 30-year-old Alshon Jeffery coming off a foot injury that sidelined him for almost a year.
Let’s get this straight; you’re taking a young player off the field that Carson is building a rapport with for a receiver that’s alleged to have trashed Carson to the media TWICE?! Make it make sense, someone.
In no universe should Alshon be anywhere close to Fulgham in snaps. Get him off the field immediately and don’t let him play another snap in midnight green. This organization’s love for older veterans has been its downfall the past three years and there’s no end in sight.
Oh yeah, they can’t catch.
This still doesn’t absolve Carson, he’s playing like complete garbage.
Benjamin Solak gives an excellent breakdown of what happens when all of those problems manifest.
Carson should be benched for accountability reasons alone. The organization needs to send the message that bad play is the quickest way to the pine. Just note that Hurts isn’t going to cover up all of these holes. If that’s your expectation then you’ll be shouting for Nate Sudfeld by week 16.
Third Down
After being a terrible coach for what feels like forever Matt Patricia has been let go of his duties in Detroit.
Listen, a man lost his job and that’s never good but when current and former players celebrate in this manner you know it’s bad.
It’s easy to see, though, how he rubbed people the wrong way.
If you’re going to sass someone like that you better be good at your job.
Patricia was not.
Fourth Down
PICK TIME
Last week ya boy went 9-6 (the Ravens/Steelers have yet to be decided) and that brings the season total to 107-55-1.
Picks are in red.
Sunday Games
New Orleans @ Atlanta
Cleveland @ Tennessee
Detroit @ Chicago
Cincinnatti @ Miami
Jacksonville @ Minnesota
Indianapolis @ Houston
Las Vegas @ New York Jets
New York Giants @ Seattle
Los Angeles Rams @ Arizona
New England @ Los Angeles Chargers
Philadelphia @ Green Bay
Sunday Night Football
Denver @ Kansas City
Monday Games
Washington @ Pittsburgh
Buffalo @ San Francisco
Tuesday Night Football
Dallas @ Baltimore
Extra Points
Someone get Slay some help, please.
Siri, define “lost all confidence in my quarterback.”
Paying homage to an OG and being disrespectful at the same time>>>>>>>
BIG MAN TOUCHDOWN!!!!
Another post from the Aaron Donald fan club.
34 has to retire. Them the rules.
Tweet of the week.
A friendly reminder that the NFL is blackballing Colin Kaepernick for protesting police brutality and racial injustice.
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@ me madads14
As always, thanks for reading
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