steve brownlee
Maybe this election cycle will last just five days, or maybe it will last a long time if the strange events of 2020 happen again, but we are all on one side. On the one hand, you might be too sensitive, and on the other hand, you might be too excited.
As I watched national sports television earlier this week, their anger and disbelief seemed to be on another level, but I think that last word is the right one. This is especially relevant to the NFL.
A failure on defense against the Chicago Bears’ Hail Mary pass play that ended a game against Washington, and Indianapolis quarterback Anthony Richardson tapping out due to fatigue and leaving midway through another game. Even when I asked for it, they couldn’t recover.
Not to mention the continuing failures of the Dallas Cowboys and the new failures of the Baltimore Ravens.
In fact, I, who had been paying close attention to putting together Monday’s sports section for almost the entirety of Sunday’s games, didn’t hear anything that happened in those games, other than the final score, until the next morning. .
In the Chicago-Washington game, rather than dwell on the Bears’ mistakes, they had to applaud the managers for what they accomplished. Because when you look at all the Hail Marys, it looks like there’s a chance for a team that’s going to pull it off. That is, unless the player is not in the right place at the right moment to do so.
I hate to forgive Chicago cornerback Tyrik Stevenson for celebrating midway through a play, but I just shake my head at him thinking the game was over when it clearly wasn’t.
The bigger problem is that the ball carrier heads into the end zone when no one is nearby and tries to time the ball to drop right before it reaches the goal line. Often they lose fumbles too early, giving their team certain scores.
This is totally a hot dog and only for its own benefit and to draw attention to itself.
Stevenson should be taught lessons in playing along with whistles and jazz.
Anyway, my rant isn’t about the play itself, but about the national media (which I’ve decided is really just New York media masquerading as national media), which is so over-the-top in this emotionally exaggerated situation. It’s about having a reaction. The domestic situation is difficult ahead of next week’s elections.
I just pray that it will subside quickly after Tuesday.
Well, this week’s pick. San Francisco and Pittsburgh enjoy near-perfectly timed byes at the midway point of the season. After Week 9 ends this week, there are nine more weeks until Week 18 concludes the regular season.
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Today, 8:15 p.m.
Houston vs. New York Jets — This looks like a pretty good game. Now that it was essentially too late to make a difference, the Jets took themselves off the mat. And Houston has stumbled in some ways, sometimes playing well and sometimes not so well. Still, give it to the Texans 27-23.
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Sunday, 1 p.m.
Dallas at Atlanta — To me, the Cowboys “Prove it to me.” Maude — Until they show some vitality, I’ll slam them against everyone but Carolina. And Atlanta isn’t even close to the Carolinas. Falcons, 30 wins, 19 losses.
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Denver at Baltimore — This game tests my abilities “Reverse force” That’s because the Ravens were unceremoniously beaten by division rival (but still underplayed) Cleveland last week.
Baltimore should be angry, they should be worried, and perhaps most importantly, they should be focused on the task at hand: coming home and getting back into the AFC North race. Ravens, 35 wins, 24 losses.
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Miami vs. Buffalo — Sure, the Dolphins would be better with Tua Tagovailoa at QB, but Buffalo has become a real buzzsaw, and I imagine even more so at home. Bills, 31-26.
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New Orleans vs. Carolina — As bad as New Orleans has been lately, this is Carolina on the other side of the ball. Saints, 23-17.
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Las Vegas at Cincinnati — If Las Vegas was playing a mediocre team in the NFC, I would consider taking them. But come East and play another AFC team looking to get their act together, so beat the Bengals 27-24.
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Los Angeles Chargers vs. Cleveland — I don’t trust Browns backup QB Jameis Winston against Jim Harbaugh’s defense. Charger, 20-13.
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Washington vs. New York Giants — Remember that in the run-up before QB Jaeden Daniels threw a Hail Mary to give Washington the win, his playing status was questionable to questionable due to a rib injury. Are you there?
I couldn’t find anything online about his ribs after the Hail Mary, so I’ll just read that as it healed as miraculously as his pass was miraculous. Commander, 29-20.
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New England at Tennessee — Now, the Lions only needed 225 yards of offense to score 52 points, so can you imagine what would happen if they played a normal offense? These predictions trouble me.
Instead, after continuing to react here and there to what happened one week completely impacting the next week, what I’m thinking is that Tennessee won’t let the same thing happen again. And the Patriots are the perfect team to try it out. Titans, 27 wins, 23 losses.
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Sunday, 4 p.m.
Chicago, Arizona — Bears, poor Bears. Yeah, except they’re in the NFC North, and it’s always good for them to lose like this, purely for the benefit of us Lions and Packers fans.
Usually, I think “The other way around too.” Give Chicago some momentum, but there seems to be some truth to Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. He often doesn’t dot the “I’s” or cross the “T’s.” So the Fail Hail Mary can be long. Cardinals, 24 wins, 19 losses.
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Detroit at Green Bay — Did you have to read this far to find out what I think about this game? Arguably the two best teams in the NFC scheduled for a late Sunday afternoon slot? , it happens.
Both teams have continued to play pretty well despite serious injuries or, in the case of Detroit receiver Jameson Williams, suspensions.
But an injury to the QB added to the Green Bay side. Yes, Malik Willis looked good, but he did it against the remnants of the AFC South, and past Houston there are plenty of teams like that around.
But there is no such person in the NFC North.
Will it be 100% if Jordan Love plays? It has to go to the Lions, 33-28.
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Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle — The Rams showed how good their offense is when QB Matthew Stafford and receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nukua play at their best. But I don’t like playing Seattle at home, Rams, 39-34 because their defense looked pretty shaky for a few weeks.
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Jaguars vs. Philadelphia — This game was rescheduled from Sunday night, which was a good thing with the barely competitive Jaguars heading on the road. “road” London doesn’t count for Jacksonville because Jacksonville has been playing well there, but hey, this week’s road trip is where the Declaration of Independence was signed to take on the British. Eagles, 36-23.
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Sunday, 8:20 p.m.
Indianapolis vs. Minnesota — So are they going to replace their Sunday night game with this matchup? I think Indy presents an interesting story with them “rookie” QB Richardson — played less than a season’s worth of games due to injury — was benched after the game. “tired” Comments after Sunday’s game.
Minnesota is taking a breather after losing two in five days over the past two weeks. Vikings, 42-27.
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Monday, 8:15 p.m.
TAMPA BAY AT KANSAS CITY — Bucs QB Baker Mayfield is a heartwarming story of underdogs who persevere in the face of adversity. But what do you see when you actually stand him next to the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes? Oh, and by the time KC’s defense is complete with a Bucs offense lacking almost all decent receivers, there’s nothing pretty about it. Chiefs, 24 wins, 13 losses.
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Last week — 11-5, 69 percent. Season — 76 wins, 47 losses, 62 percent.
Steve Brownlee can be reached at 906-228-2500, extension 600. 552. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.
