Saturday, October 21, 2017

By The Pigskin Of Our Teeth, Week 4: Friendly Takeover




That should be at least a four-game suspension for Trevathan. But it won't be because Roger Goodell hasn't gotten a disciplinary decision right since... God, am I going back to Michael Vick, of all people? (Packers 35, Bears 14)

Signal Finder: NO vs. MIA, PIT @ BAL, PHI @ LAC, OAK @ DEN

Haven't these teams played each other in London before? Burkhardt isn't sure why Adrian Peterson's a Saint, either. The irony of his booth statement about Cutler is that Cutler was supposed to be his partner. Bad snap? Who wants it? Brees finally falls on it after losing about 12 yards. Then a delay of game penalty.


This may be the best the Saints have played defensively in about six years.
(Saints 20, Dolphins 0)



Reminder that Joe Flacco was terrible last week. Good first run by Alex Collins, who if you'll remember, was the kid who went to Arkansas against his mother's wishes, got drafted by the Seahawks but got lost in the shuffle up there. Flacco's insanely lucky that pass wasn't intercepted. Brandon Carr got a job? My God. You know who hasn't been great this season is Le'veon Bell. His new backup, James Conner, with a nice run. Steelers driving. There's Bell. This HAS been a long drive. At least they made the field goal. Antonio Brown's mad about something. Did Villanueva just headbutt a dude? How was that not blocked? Oh, he was offsides. THAT'S how. Why does Collins only have four carries when he's averaging 8 yards per? And as I think that, he fumbles. Steelers ball. This game feels really slow. That's not a touchdown. But this is. 13-0 Steelers. The Ravens can't do anything offensively. Martavis Bryant's finally back? Oh. Touchdown Smith-Schuster. They're going for two, which I'm surprised they didn't do last time. Nope. 19-0. Not quite sure what the Ravens are doing here. Speed up! Well, they've gotten Tucker a shot at this. Sixty-two? Why not. Nope. We gonna get a runback here? Joe Haden on the Steelers is weird.


Oh, they did call it an interception. The whistle shouldn't have blown, though. Ben throws into triple coverage for no apparent reason. Boswell... misses? That kick sliced hard at the last second. Alex Collins is the Ravens' best player (now that Marshal Yanda is out for the season.) I'M MIKE WALLACE. The Steelers should know better than to not cover him. Ravens going for two here? Interesting. They got it! Wait, they're reviewing this? Call OVERTURNED. Still 19-9. I'm not sure they got that one right. Crowd finally waking up. Flacco threw that right to Ryan Shazier, who plays for the Steelers. This offense still seems sluggish. But still better than the Ravens' as Flacco throws another interception on 4th and 12. This isn't a touchdown regardless. But this is. (Steelers 26, Ravens 9)

Wait, how was Powell not down? Did he trip over air? Big gain gets wiped out by a penalty. That's a good punt and a bad job of fielding it by Marquise Lee. Add a penalty and the Jags are at their own 3 with about 2:20 left. They gotta punt now. Somehow that penalty's on the Jaguars, and the Jets have the ball at the Jags' 25.


This kicker isn't the greatest. Remember Week 2 when the Cardinals had Phil Dawson?


Let's go. GOOD. Penalty? No penalty. Man, the Jets can't even tank correctly. (Jets 23, Jaguars 20, OT)

Why is Goodell here? To see this embarrassment in person?


Related: Because both L.A. teams are on FOX but it's CBS's doubleheader week, this game is being shown in L.A. on its MyTV affiliate. LOLZ. Eagles getting plenty of pressure — that's two passes that Rivers has thrown away already. And the same pressure forces a fumble. That pass to Agholor was in the only place it could be. Touchdown Jeffrey. Crowd is WILD. Rivers way off target. FAKE END AROUND. That was beautiful. Elliott makes it 10-0. The Chargers finally get protection and Rivers finds Allen for a big first down. And how does a defensive end end up covering Allen? Smallwood having a good game so far. Another field goal. Rivers throws a bomb to Tyrell Williams, who outruns Mills for a touchdown. Delay of game on the extra point? That's a good play fake to freeze the linebackers. Tough throw by Wentz for Ertz, but he was covered well. Elliott from 52. Good. Wentz's run on 3rd down falls short. Eagles going for it? Maybe not. Time out and they'll punt after all. Another big downfield play to Allen, and Bradham runs him down. Rivers really angry that they didn't get a pass interference call there. Field goal is good. 16-10 Eagles at halftime. Big play to Ertz to get out of the hole. Clement gets stopped short on 3rd and 2, so expect the Eagles to go for it here. Sneak gets it. Some odd play calls on 3rd and long in this game. We haven't heard much from Gates today. Schlereth now noticing the odd crowd reactions. Crowd is booing this pass interference call... against the Eagles. Stockton with the jinx — talks about the Chargers' running woes, then they break off a 35-yard touchdown run. Blount! Did he stiff-arm the same guy twice? A penalty against the Chargers gives the Eagles first and goal again AND a massive pop from the crowd.


A toss? Smallwood finally punches it in.


That's a catch and touchdown. The Chargers have been looking for Gates's successor for years. Maybe this Hunter Henry's the guy. Four-minute offense? Try SIX-minute offense.


That was really well done. (Eagles 26, Chargers 24)

Jamaal Charles back. Mario Edwards Jr? What are the Raiders doing? I'm with Romo; they botched that sequence. So now they have to throw this away to end the half? I'm sorry, what? Romo: "This is gonna look weird." It sure did. Not sure what's supposed to solve this defense. Looking at these replays, this isn't a fumble. Yeah, still Broncos ball. Carr down. Romo thinks he got a knee in the back as he went down, and his body twisted. EJ Manuel's in Oakland? That's a news flash. That was wild — Siemian had a pass deflected, five Raiders were tracking it in the air, and somehow Sanders ends up with it. Bad job, Jared Cook. BAD job. That pass has to be caught. Wow! Great leap by dude to intercept that and seal this win. (Broncos 16, Raiders 10)



What is HAPPENING over there? (Buccaneers 25, Giants 23)

This is the Colts' backup center who's down. They're on their third center and third-string quarterback (who wasn't even THEIR third-string quarterback) and it's Week 4. Baldwin just worked Vontae Davis for a big gain. I'm 50 percent surprised the Seahawks didn't get a touchdown there. This is a very important point — Brissett changed teams at probably the worst possible time for a quarterback. Good pass to the backup tight end. Avril down? That's a good punt. Lacy just barely got out of the end zone, then Wilson just barely gets a pass off before he gets taken down. Or does he? Colts challenge, and they probably should. That's a safety, guys.
So an almost-sack leads to Luke Willson gaining about 15 yards with the ball.
THAT was fast. Dude jumps the rout and it's touchdown Seahawks. Earl Thomas dropped another interception on a ball that should never have been thrown. Collinsworth was all "Don't do this."
Pagano got the free spin!

Now Carroll's challenging. This one'll be close. Nope. First down Colts. Nice run by Brissett into the red zone. Touchdown Turbin. Yeah, he's in. Going for two. Denied. Wilson on the run because he'll die otherwise. Is that an interception? Yes! Colts ball. Hilton with the stretch. Let's see this spot. (This isn't a challenge so I can't say "Don't challenge spots.") Got it by a nose. Touchdown Moncrief! Somehow the Colts have the lead here.


Why did the Seahawks sign Blair Walsh? NO GOOD. Michele Tafoya's a damn prophet. Walsh was back out during halftime working? And still missing? This could be a problem later.


Lot of flags on this drive. That's Richardson's second big catch tonight. Collinsworth pointing out that the receiver there could have drawn pass interference if he'd tried. Wilson! There's nobody in the middle of the field. I... think this is a touchdown.


That didn't take long. Touchdown Seahawks. So this is interesting: The Colts got called for an illegal formation on the PAT. The Seahawks accepted, the ball gets moved to the 1, and now they're gonna go for two. Someone forgot to cover Baldwin. I think that's the first time we've actually seen Jimmy Graham tonight. And now Wilson throws a bad interception. Field goal ties it. Don't worry, Al, I thought it was Lacy too until I realized it was a little too small to be Lacy. I mean, long dreads, 2 on the back of the jersey — it's an honest mistake.


Wait, what? Another touchdown? That's former Eagles bust Marcus Smith applying pressure. Wagner looked like Barry Sanders on that runback. Yeah, that's a fumble. Someone forgot to cover Luke Willson. Touchdown Seahawks. There's still nine minutes left? Who's this McKissick kid?


The following has never happened before:


This was actually the second one of these today. Texans 57, Titans 14 was the other one. (Seahawks 46, Colts 18)


RANKINGS
TOP 4:
1. Kansas City (4-0) — Doing everything right
2. Atlanta (3-1) — Though Sunday's hiccup was weird
3. Philadelphia (3-1) — We've been here before
4. Buffalo (3-1) — Well, here's a team I never expected I'd be putting here

BOTTOM 4:
29. Chicago (1-3) — It's well past time for Trubisky
30. Cleveland (0-4) — This is going to take a LONG time
31. N.Y. Giants (0-4) — Basically the opposite of the Bills
32. San Francisco (0-4) —

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Thursday, October 12, 2017

By The Pigskin Of Our Teeth, Week 3: One-Point Stance




Then this game happened. I'm not sure I'd call it "good", necessarily. But it was far more entertaining -- especially from the Niners' side -- that it had any right to be. (Rams 41, 49ers 39)

So my friend Rob pointed this out:

"No matter where one stands on anthem protests (and I always stand for the anthem myself) it is terrifying to me how many people, including apparently our POTUS, have no idea that the Supreme Court decision Barnette v West Virginia exists or that it is illegal to compel someone to participate in the anthem (and therefore, illegal to fire someone for refusing to participate)."

Colin Kaepernick hasn't hurt anyone with his protest. (Except himself, and then only financially.) Colin Kaepernick never said he didn't love this country. Colin Kaepernick never said he was protesting the military. Nobody even noticed he was sitting last year until after the second preseason game, and the only reason it came up then is because a reporter asked him about it and he made his case. So when our garbage fire of a president calls kneeling players sons of bitches, he's not just insulting Kaepernick -- he's insulting the idea that these guys are capable of caring about something other than themselves, and are actually willing to risk something to prompt discussion about it. What you're seeing today is NFL players banding together and saying, "No. We don't stand with you."


To deny the actual point of Kaepernick's protest is simply to deny reality. That's why those who oppose him twisted it into "disrespecting the flag" and "disrespecting the military"; to pit more people against him while ignoring the real issue he expressed concern about. Colin Kaepernick has (or, had) a platform. He had something he cared about. He used that platform in the best way he could think of to draw attention to that cause. Protests don't work if nobody can see them. Protests don't work if they don't make you uncomfortable. But at the same time, unless you're a racist cop who gets off on the idea of harassing, assaulting, or shooting innocent black people, this protest... isn't about you.


And since we've all decided to post up in each other's feelings about all this, I am wondering one thing: Has anyone asked the flag how it feels?

Let's stop making symbols more important than the things they (are supposed to) represent.

Anyway, on to England.


Are... are we sure Joe Flacco's still good? Also, the Jaguars should move to London. They actually win there. (Jaguars 44, Ravens 6)

Signal Finder: NYG @ PHI, PIT @ CHI (end), CIN @ GB

The Giants and Eagles on their respective sidelines, arms locked, while the NFL violates the hell out of the U.S. Flag Code. Corey Clement active and returning the kickoff. Eagles blew that punt by crowding Grugier-Hill and pushing him into the end zone. No McLeod, either? Did they challenge this? That was dumb. So was that Bradham face mask. That's a bad call on Robinson. So far Warmack's not an upgrade on Semualo at left guard. Giants go three-wide on third and 1, call a toss, and Jenkins blows it up. Buck also not sure about that play call. Eagles run on first down and the crowd cheers. Then he goes for 17 and gets a massive cheer. And again! See, Coach? See how this works? Fourth and 1 and the Eagles go for it from their 48. Sproles in, oddly. Wentz sneak! First down. GREAT blitz pickup by Smallwood, which saved Wentz and allowed him to find Agholor for a first down. Uh-oh, Sproles down. He walks off, thankfully. Wentz scrambling. Good catch by Burton on a high throw. Touchdown Blount. Or not, as he was down within a half-yard or so. NOW touchdown.




The Giants have wisely called a lot of quick throws for Eli, who won't survive behind this line. Interception! Man, Brandon Marshall's done nothing this year. Douglas had that all the way.




Clement gets a carry. Smallwood doing things. Fourth and 8? This one I'm less sure about, even though they're in Giants territory. The Giants call time out because they're not sure what's happening, either. They're doing this? Wentz misses Blount and gets sacked. Giants getting ahead of themselves. No one covered Shepard. Touchdown Giants and that's on Pederson and Wentz. Actually, I'm not sure this is a touchdown, either. Call reversed. Buck and Aikman think this is four-down territory and they're probably right. How the hell is THAT not a touchdown? These fucking rules, man. Buck lighting up McAdoo's play calling here. Darkwa STUFFED! And the Eagles defense bails Pederson out. This may be too much to ask of a rookie.


Tip? Interception! Ertz and Wentz combine to pull the Eagles out of a 3rd and 10 hole. That's interference. Wentz put a little too much on that for Ertz, who still had a shot to catch it, as Aikman said. Got THAT one, though. The way the Giants are playing, that might be ball game. Aikman criticizing the Giants' draft strategy, as they still have a bad O-line and still can't run the ball.


Fourth and 2 from the 12 and the Eagles stop them again. Giants almost forcing the ball to Marshall now, but it's working. That's great footwork by Beckham and that's a touchdown.




This is getting weird. Buck: "These officials now basically have to be dance judges." Then Collins forces a fumble by Ertz and the Giants get the ball right back. By the way, Cox and Hicks won't be back today for the Eagles, either. Another circus catch by Beckham and we're somehow tied. Not sure the Eagles should be relying on Clement in this situation. That was weird. Whistle blows right as Harris catches the punt but no one stops? Oh wow. That throw by Eli just blew up the Eagles defense. They're not catching Shepard. This is getting weird. That's the first time the Giants have had the lead this season and we're halfway through the fourth quarter of Game 3. Some decent grabs by Torrey Smith, then he draws a big pass interference penalty. Clement... Touchdown! Welcome home, kid. I thought they might get Beckham for that one, actually. Then they get Jenkins for one that's pretty easy. And Beckham's down? Cramp, maybe? Eli's 11 for his last 11? Wild. Wait, WHAT? They called the Giants' right guard for grabbing one of the Eagles so he can't get off the field? That's insane! (It's weird, y'all. And you know what that means.) Even Aikman can't believe it. Who's the Giants' kicker? Field goal is good. Eagles, with all three time outs, go back to the ground. Smallwood with some nice gains. Terrible face mask penalty by Jeffery. Elliott's kick is good and we're tied again. The Giants have to punt here. Torrey Smith back to receive it? That's interesting. Not a great punt. Jeffery picks one between two defenders and gets out of bounds with one second left. They're gonna try this, and why not. Sixty-one yards.

...

...

...

...

...

IT'S GOOD!!!!!






Real kickers do real things. (Eagles 27, Giants 24)




Oh. Oh, wow. I... I think that was a touchdown. Then this happened:



(Falcons 30, Lions 26)


This dude just ran through the Steelers like a hot knife through butter. Wait, they said he stepped out of bounds? I... don't think he did. Call stands. Then Jordan Howard takes care of the rest. This game didn't make sense. (Bears 23, Steelers 17, OT)

Wait, Case Keenum tore up the Bucs? CASE KEENUM? REALLY? (Vikings 34, Buccaneers 17)

TOUCHDOWN BENGALS!! Yes, that deserves exclamation points It's their first one this season.
If Adams didn't fumble this ball, he's lucky. And I'm surprised he's not injured because that landing was awkward as hell. Call REVERSED. Nice coverage, Bengals.


We're tied at 7. OK, this is my first time hearing Romo for an extended period. Two things: 1. I had no idea that's what his voice sounds like; 2. This analysis of the Bengals' new offensive coordinator having to simplify things for himself is something I'm not sure I've heard before. I think I'm in.
Nice coverage, Packers. Their defense is still bad, apparently. Flea-flicker! PICK-SIX FROM RODGERS. (Not on the flea-flicker.) Dude jumped the route and took off.


Ty Montgomery's still a running back. Wears 88 because he grew up a Michael Irvin (who wore 47 in college) fan. Rodgers outran a D-lineman who was chasing him down and got the first down. But he didn't outrun those guys. This Murphy kid is getting used and abused. Did the Bengals just hand the Packers three points with that muffed punt? Oh, it's halftime. Never mind. You CANNOT give Rodgers that much time. I'd blitz these two replacement tackles every damn snap. The Packers got Ahmad Brooks? Huh. This Jones kid on the Packers has been wreaking havoc all game.




Did Marvin really use a challenge on a "12 men on the field" call? Did that happen? Nelson CAUGHT that? And it WASN'T intercepted? That's nuts. Tie game.


OT coming. Rodgers is 0-7 lifetime in overtime games?


A timeout before the first play of overtime? That's so Bengals. GERONIMO! Well, that's two things crossed off the list. (Packers 27, Bengals 24, OT)

Wait, JPP's in the SNF opening in 2017? R's standing, some kneeling, arms locked. Snyder with them, which is shocking. Raiders sitting, arms locked. You knew the Raiders would do something, while I can't believe the R's did. Carr goes deep and gets intercepted. Oh, they're saying he's down? OK. Chris Thompson might be their best running back. Touchdown. Another interception. The Raiders need corners. Touchdown Vernon Davis, who's still around. That's a... generous spot. Booth review coming, because that was some home cooking there. Yeah, they moved it back. Fourth and inches. I don't understand why teams don't just snap the ball if the hard count doesn't work. 14-0 at halftime.


Thompson gets free again. Wait, wasn't he down? Raiders are challenging and they should (and do) win this. Holy hell, Josh Doctson just worked that dude. Touchdown.


Collinsworth is surprised, as I am, that the Raiders offense has done nothing tonight. On cue, Swearinger stuffs Lynch and Carr gets sacked again. Big punt return by Crowder. Too bad Hopkins missed. (It's not really that bad. ;) ) Now it's Kerrigan's turn to stuff Lynch. Crowder muffs the punt and the Raiders get it. Jared Cook gets free and scores. Three touchdowns off of turnovers tonight. OK. Chris Thompson might be their best PLAYER. Goodness. Raiders lucky to only give up three. Crabtree takes a shot and drops a third-down ball. FUMBLE! Raiders ball again. Carr almost just threw a third interception, and that dude would still be running. Why not run it once? Who was THAT to? Raiders forced to settle for three here as there's still time left. Washington counters with another field goal. Raiders now looking at 4th and 23. That ended predictably. This "effects of the protests" discussion went absolutely nowhere. Do they even have a backup quarterback? Now a brief Vegas interlude which basically amounts to "If you build it, they will come."


(Redskins 27, Raiders 10)

And to put an exclamation point on the overriding issue:






It never was. It. Never. Was. (Cowboys 28, Cardinals 17)

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