Four Down Territory: Week 10

Wow.

After weeks of below average football we were finally graced with entertainment. Games this week were interesting, nail biting, and fun to watch. Great teams went head-to-head and none of them disappointed. This is what football is supposed to be, not the boring slop we’ve been getting all year. With that, let’s start the drive.

1st Down: Somehow, someway, the Kansas City Chiefs keep finding ways to win. Alex Smith goes down? No problem, Nick Foles (yes, that Nick Foles) comes and wins a game. Starting offense can’t score? No problem, Eric Berry hears their cry for help. The Chiefs offense ranks 22nd in passing and 20th in rushing. In other words, nothing special. Even with obvious flaws the Chiefs, over the past 20 regular season games, are 17-3. Whatever formula Andy Reid uses is working. The only problem is that formula hasn’t carried over to the playoffs. If the Chiefs want to make some noise this year then their offense is going to have to take advantage of opportunities. They’ll have plenty of chances, their defense leads the league in interceptions.

2nd Down: Once upon a time Mike McCarthy’s offense was feared. The Packers were overwhelming and there was nothing that could stop the Aaron Rodgers attack. In today’s NFL McCarthy’s name is starting to ring hollow. That high powered offense has started to slow down and people aren’t as afraid of the Pack as they once were. The defensive flaws that have been present for years are starting to show and the Packers are losing, more than usual. At 4-5 Green Bay sits in third place of the NFC North and out of the playoff picture. McCarthy’s seat is getting hotter each week. Rodgers isn’t getting any younger and the Packers need to cash in why he’s still one of the best quarterbacks in the game. Earlier this week Mike said that he’s, “a highly successful NFL coach.” That’s true but it sounds like he knows the end is near.

3rd Down: Sunday Mike Evans sat during the national anthem. Protesting during the anthem has been a story this season and Evans’ reasoning is in line with Kaepernick’s and others. His explanation for sitting was to protest the President-Elect Donald Trump. Per usual, it was met with the vanilla, “have respect for our country” and, “if you don’t like America than leave,” retorts. Even Sage Steel got in on the heckling. The main one, which is a personal favorite, is, “stick to sports.” Here’s the thing, if you don’t chastise Tom Brady and Bill Belichick when they talk politics then you shouldn’t tell Malcolm Jenkins, Mike Evans, Colin Kaepernick, and others to stick to sports. The irony? Those berating athletes for taking a knee/sitting are the main people screaming about protecting first amendment rights.

lol.

4th Down: Eagles fans must be angry right now. Inherently, they’re usually angry but watching DeMarco Murray flourish in Tennessee isn’t sitting well. For those who need a refresher; last year Murray signed with the Eagles after Dallas refused to resign him. DeMarco went on to have a disappointing season that was filled with drama. A whole lotta drama. Earlier this offseason the Eagles swapped fourth round picks to send Murray to the Titans. This year DeMarco is second in the league in rushing. Which is head and shoulders over last year, when he ranked 27th. Luckily, for Murray, he won’t be returning to Philadelphia anytime soon. The Eagles play the Titans in 2018 but the game is in Tennessee. Count your blessings, Murray.

Extra Tidbits: We see you, Jaboo. One time for Zeke. Another one for Odell.  It’s. About. Time. Jeff Fisher.

Tweet Me: @mattgarrett41

As always, thanks for reading.

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