Four Down Territory: NFL Week 9

November 6, 2018
277

First Down

80 combined points

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970 yards of total offense

1 Joe Horn tribute.

The Rams/Saints game had everything a football fan could ask for. Two elite teams in a matchup that we’ll probably see again in January (the NFC Title game for those who aren’t getting the drift.) The Saints went into the locker room up 35-17 but the genius known as Sean McVay came out after half and his Rams stormed back to tie the game 35 all. The Saints kicked a field goal and Michael Thomas scored the go ahead touchdown putting the Saints up 45-35, which would ultimately be the final score.

Back to the Joe Horn tribute.

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For the younger readers do yourself and Youtube the original. You won’t be disappointed. Also, shoutout to Thomas for investing in this celebration. He had to buy two flip phones for each endzone because no one is out here sprinting 100 yards for a TD celebration.

It’s been no secret that the Saints are impossible to beat at home and this just adds to the legend. If the NFC has to go through the Superdome then you might as well put New Orleans in the Super Bowl. No team is coming out of that building with a victory.

The Rams, however, are indeed human. The lost is the first of the season but they shouldn’t be too discouraged. Scoring 35 points will win almost any NFL game, except when you’re in The Big Easy. Their main focus should be getting the number one seed so that the next time they’re in New Orleans it’s to celebrate, and not face Drew Brees.

Second Down 

The latest chapter in the book known as, WTF, GRUDEN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!, The Raiders cut defensive captain Bruce Irvin. The former Seahawk will probably clear waivers and would be free to sign with any team he wishes.

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The writing on the wall may have come when he only played nine snaps against the 49ers on Thursday Night Football. San Francisco throttled Oakland 34-3, by the way, further questioning Gruden’s coaching ability and his “genius.” Vic Tafur from The Athletic got an interesting comment from Gruden when asked about Irvin’s playing time.

Translation: He’s a one trick pony but since my “dynamic” offense can’t score any points then why even play him?

That’s not really what he’s saying but it might as well be, right?

Since the beginning of the season Khalil Mack, Amari Cooper, and now Irvin have been jettisoned from the Raiders. The organization has backed Derek Carr but at this point those words have to ring hollow. The last move in Gruden’s tank is getting rid of the cornerstone. Las Vegas stadium, the new home for the Raiders when they move to Vegas, will open in 2020. That gives the coaching staff two years to build a competitive team and you can guarantee there’s pressure from the league to do so. The last thing Roger Goodell wants is to open a brand new stadium in a brand new city only for the team to not be a winner. Vegas has too many options for this team not to work.

Speaking of the Raiders, check out this gem.

LMAO THIS IS THE GREATEST STORY OF THE YEAR AND NOTHING WILL TOP IT! LONG LIVE JAMARCUS RUSSELL.

Third Down

Before their face off on Sunday night there was a lot of GOAT talk about Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. The Patriots won, easily, 31-17. For many that ends the debate and Brady is the greatest ever. It’s easy to debate because Brady has more rings and usually comes up gold in the big moments but the numbers also favor TB12 as well.

Brady has played a lot longer than Rodgers so it’s easy to look at the overall picture and point to Tom so let’s just look at their best 5 seasons throughout their careers.

RodgersBrady
2011: MVP, First Team All-Pro, 45 TDs, 6 INTs, 4,643 YDS, 84.5 QBR, 1 Game Winning Drive.2007: MVP, First Team All-Pro, 50 TDs, 8 INTs, 4,806 YDS, 88.5 QBR, 4 Game Winning Drives.
2012: Second Team All-Pro, 39 TDs, 8 INTs, 4,295 YDS, 71.2 QBR, 3 Game Winning Drives. 2010: MVP, First Team All-Pro, 36 TDs, 4 INTs, 3,900 YDS, 78.3 QBR, 3 Game Winning Drives.
2014: MVP, First Team All-Pro, 38 TDs, 5 INTs, 4,381 YDS, 78.3 QBR, 2 Game Winning Drives. 2017: MVP, First Team All-Pro, 32 TDs, 8 INTs, 4,577 YDS, 73.2 QBR, 3 Game Winning Drives.
2009: 30 TDS, 7 INTs, 4,434 YDS, 70.7 QBR, 2 Game Winning Drives. 2016: Second Team All-Pro, 28 TDs, 2 INTs, 3,554 YDS, 79.1 QBR, 2 Game Winning Drives. All of those stats came after his suspension.
2016: 40 TDs, 7 INTs, 4,428 YDS, 73.8 QBR, 3 Game Winning Drives. 2012: 34 TDs, 8 INTs, 4,827 YDS, 76.1 QBR, 2 Game Winning Drives.
Totals: 1 MVP, 1 First Team All-Pro, 1 Second Team All-Pro, 192 TDs, 31 INTs, 22,181 YDS, 75.7 QBR (Average), and 11 Game Winning Drives Totals: 3 MVPs, 3 First Team All-Pros, 1 Second Team All-Pro, 182 TDs, 30 INTs, 21,667 YDS, 79.0 QBR (Average), and 14 Game Winning Drives

The gap between them really isn’t that big.

Brady’s biggest advantage is that he has the best coach in NFL history in his corner. Belichick is the master and there aren’t many coaches (except NFC East coaches) that have gotten the best out of him, especially when the lights shine the brightest.

The biggest knock to Brady’s greatness, though, is the fact that the Patriots organization has tasted success while he’s been out with injury. Anyone recall Matt Cassel? How about Jimmy G? Belichick can make any combination of players work and it’s still baffling that Cleveland turned him down all those years ago.

So what’s Rodgers case?

Outside of the comebacks and miraculous throws the biggest support beam to the Rodgers case is Green Bay’s record when he isn’t playing. The Packers are 4-11-1 without Rodgers and it’s clear that he’s the biggest difference maker in the league. With him the Packers can do anything and without him they are doomed.

The only way to put is that Brady has had more success but Rodgers is the better quarterback. Both can be true.

Fourth Down

Let’s take a moment to honor the legend known as Sam Bradford.

https://twitter.com/jtylerconway/status/1058815638054027269

Forget Joe Montana, Warren Moon, Dan Marino, Brett Favre, and any other great quarterback you can think of. I wanna be like Sam Bradford.

Extra Points

Is Michael Irvin trying to convince us or himself that the Cowboys are actually good? Asking for a fan.

https://twitter.com/spottingboard/status/1059507174953627648

The Cowboys lost, btw.

Any fan of 4DT knows that a good TD celebration makes us feel warm and fuzzy. Do your thing, Seattle and Tennessee.

I still can’t believe Jamarcus was out here lying about watching blank tapes. LMAO AND THE RAIDERS ACTUALLY PAID HIM $39 MILLION TO DO IT!

@me: madads14

As always, thanks for reading.

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November 6, 2018
277