NFL
I am not a superstitious person at all, but there were a lot of lucky and unlucky signs for NFL teams in week 13.
5 Things we learned about week 13 in the NFL.
5) Are the Pack back?
Green Bay won a thrilling overtime game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 26-20. Running back, Jamaal Williams carried the ball 21 times for 113 yards and 1 touchdown. Brett Hundley continues to struggle at the quarterback position, he only passed for 84 yards on the day, but the Packers found a way to win. They are now 6-6 and will play the Browns on Sunday. If they can beat Cleveland and get Aaron Rodgers back, they will control their own destiny. The play all NFC opponents for the rest of the year. @Carolina, home against Minnesota and @ Detroit.
4) Vance Joseph in Denver was a huge mistake:
Two years ago, the Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers, 24-10 in the Super Bowl. Their defense was so dominant it was called “The No Fly Zone.” On Sunday, the Broncos gave up 35 points to a Dolphins team that hasn’t scored 30 points since week 7 against the Jets. The Broncos are 31st in the NFL, giving up 26.3 points per game. This team has quit on rookie coach Joseph. They have lost 8 straight games and have given up 51, 41, and 35 points over the last 5 weeks. John Elway made a mistake with this hire. He must fire Joseph or next season will be a total loss as well.
3) Kansas City is out of the playoffs.
The Chiefs have lost 6 out of 7 games, mathematically they aren’t out of the playoffs but… when was the last time a team that lost 6 out of 7 games made the post-season? The Chiefs offense and defense has been sporadic at best during the past 6 weeks. They are ranked 30th in yards allowed (382.2) and 28th against the pass and 30th against the rush. They play 4 AFC teams, 3 are battling the playoffs over the next four weeks. Home vs the Raiders, Chargers, Miami, and at Denver. The only easy game is the Broncos. If the Chiefs don’t make the playoffs, Andy Reid and Alex Smith could be with different teams or out of a job next year.
2) The NFL needs to step in with the Steelers and Bengals:
I am all for rivalries, I all for teams competing at the highest level and giving their all. What I am not for is teams celebrating when a player from the opposing team is injured or cheap shots that can ruin a player’s season or career. The Steelers defeated the Bengals 23-20 with a game winning field goal by Chris Boswell with time running out. Cincinnati has lost 6 straight games to their division rivals. These games have gotten out of control. Both teams are crossing the line and playing dirty. Every time these two teams play lately, it is like the walking wounded in the locker room after the game. Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict was carted off the field in the 4th quarter after JuJU Smith -Schuster leveled him with a high hit. Schuster taunted him as Burfict was laid out. This is not one-sided, Burfict has been one of the players who has given his fair share of cheap shots as well. The NFL must get involved, not only suspend and fine Schuster but fine both owners as well. Top to bottom, both teams are at fault. This is not the way football should be played.
1) Are the Seahawks the best team in the NFC?
Seattle dominated the 10-2 Philadelphia Eagles Sunday night, 24-10. Russell Wilson ( who should be getting MVP consideration) was 20-31, threw three touchdowns and rushed for 31 yards. The former 3rd round pick is doing it all for this team. Seattle is now 8-4 and will play at Jacksonville, at home against the LA Rams, at Dallas and at home against Arizona to end the season. Would anyone be shocked if they finish the year 12-4? Pete Carroll’s team gets better as the season goes on, that is not my opinion that is fact.
Since 2012, here is Carroll and the Seahawks record by month.
September: 12-8…(.600)… NFL Rank… 13th.
October: 15-8-1…(.646)… NFL Rank… 6th .
November: 17-6…(.739)… NFL Rank…2nd.
December/January: 19-5… (792)… NFL Rank… T-1st.
This game may have been a preview of the NFC Championship.
Bonus Coverage:
The 2-10 Giants fired head coach, Ben McAdoo and Jerry Reese and it was about damn time. The team quit on their coach weeks ago. Memo to the Jets, no matter what happens to Eli Manning in the off-season… DO NOT SIGN HIM AS YOUR QUARTERBACK. Draft a franchise QB.
The Titans are 8-4 with one of the worst offensive coordinators in the history of the NFL. The play calling is predictable, boring and sophomoric at best.
The Saints are 9-3. A big part of their success has been the duel threat at running back, Alvina Kamara. The Former Tennessee Vols player has been sensational. On Sunday, he became the 4th rookie running back to rush for over 600 yards and accumulate over 600 receiving yards. The other three to do it,
Washington Redskins, Charlie Taylor… 1966.
Detroit Lions, Billy Sims… 1980.
Dallas Cowboys, Herschel Walker…1986
Game of the Week on Sunday will be a look into the future. Two young coaches and two young quarterbacks will battle on the gridiron. 10-2 Philadelphia Eagles at the 9-3 LA Rams.
The Sports Whisperer’s Top 7 Power Rankings.
#7) New Orleans, 9-3.
#6) LA Rams, 9-3.
#5) Minnesota Vikings, 10-2.
#4) Seattle Seahawks, 8-4.
#3) Philadelphia Eagles, 10-2.
#2) Pittsburgh Steelers, 10-2.
#1) New England Patriots, 10-2
Follow
The Sports Whisperer
on Twitter: MonteAP23
And listen to The Full Monte Football Show every Sunday at 11 Am Eastern Time.
