Welcome to the thread recently voted “most boring ramblings of the day” by yelp.
NFL Covid: Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett of the Giants tested positive for Covid, but reported no high risk/close contacts that would take any players or other coaches out for Sunday’s game too. Playcalling duties will be done by none other than Freddie Kitchens, whom I’m sure our Brown’s fans have a lot of positive things to say about him. The Ravens continue to struggle with the virus, now putting Marquise Brown and a couple other Wrs on their Covid list because of close contacts, but, if they continue to test negative, they’ll be eligible to play of Sunday. Ronald Jones of the Bucs also entered the Covid list. And Henry Ruggs will miss tonights game thanks to being listed on the Covid list.
In non-covid news, it’s pretty quiet. The NFL is having discussions about possibility introducing a bubble scenario ala the NBA for teams making the playoffs. They’re also negotiating the next round of broadcasting rights, which may make them up to $100 billion dollars. And the NFL is trying to figure out where they are in line and how they’ll be handling the Covid vaccine. Finally, Saturday games are a thing now, so WOOT! More football to watch! Speaking of, here’s your games this week:
Thursday, Dec. 17, 7:20 CST
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders (-3, 54.5)
Saturday, Dec. 19
3:30 p.m. CST
Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos (+5.5)
7:15 p.m. CST
Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers (-8.5, 51)
Sunday, Dec. 20
Early
Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts (-7, 52.5)
Detroit Lions vs. Tennessee Titans (-8.5)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons (+5.5, 51)
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (-2, 41.5)
Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Football Team (+5, 43.5)
Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings (-3, 46)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Baltimore Ravens (-13)
San Francisco 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys (+2.5, 45.5)
Late
New York Jets vs. Los Angeles Rams (-17, 44.5)
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals (-6, 48.5)
Kansas City Chiefs vs. New Orleans Saints (+3.5, 51.5)
Night
Cleveland Browns vs. New York Giants (+3.5)
Monday, Dec. 21, 7:20 p.m.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals (+13)
Quick Aside: While typing these out, I misspelled the Raiders as the Radiers. I now really, really want that to be their actual name. So, rather than the pirate/pillaging motif, they become the most Rad team in the NFL. Instead of the pirate logo, they have trendy Fedoras and lattes. Instead of the Black Hole, they have the local Starbucks with laptops. They’d be the most Rad team in the NFL. Although, on second thought, maybe being more Rad would require a skateboar/grunge theme. I’m old, I’ll leave those kinds of decisions to you younger Radiers’ fans. Plus, fuck them for moving to Vegas.
On that note, I’ll be watching tonight’s game for two reasons, to see Justin Herbert and to see the Raiders lose. After a very impressive blistering start, Herbert’s slowed down a bit the last few games (although playing the Falcons and Jets can help a ton). But the Radiers (yes, now I’m doing it on purpose) have a crappy defense. Remember, they took Clelin Farrell (6.5 sacks so far) with the 4th overall picks, passing on guys like Devin White (who has 7.5 sacks from a non-pass rushing position), Ed Oliver (7 sacks from an interior DT position), and Brian Burns (an actual DE with 13.5 sacks). Heh. Still, it should be a pretty good game, and fun to watch.
Saturday’s games, of course the Packers are a must watch, but I don’t expect much of a game. I’m a fan of Teddy Bridgwater, and he’s a middlin’ starting QB, but Rodgers is hellbent on another MVP, and they’re at home (which doesn’t mean much this year). I also want to watch the continued development of Rashan Gary [who also has more sacks than Clelin Farrell], whose pick in the first round I was very critical of when it happened. If he can continue to develop and outplay a struggling Preston Smith, it could prove me wrong, which I would be more than good with. Bills/Broncos holds no interest for me.
Bears/Vikings is the game for me of the early Sunday games. NFC North rivals, playing for a potential playoff spot, and a resurgent Mitchell Trubisky under center for the Bears. Personally, I’m rooting for the Vikings, but it should be a close, interesting game to watch. I may take a peek at the Dolphins/Pats game, but only because I think the line (Dolphins giving 2.5) really underestimates the Dolphins. Although Bellicheck does have a penchant for making rookie QB’s struggle, I think Tua will play a perfectly average game and do enough to get a win for the Dolphins.
I was super excited for the Chiefs/Saints game until Brees went down and now the Taysom Hill circus took over. Should be an interesting game because it might actually fall on Hill’s shoulders to carry his team, which isn’t something I expect he’s capable of. But who knows. That Saints defense is pretty darn good. I should be (emphasis on SHOULD) more interested in the Browns Giants game, but I’m not. Maybe I’m just fatigued by both teams. It could be a great game, but maybe I’ll watch The Old Guard on Netflix instead. And Monday night’s game is dogshit, so I’ll skip that one too.
Your guys’ turn. Any Radiers fans? Thoughts on the games this week? Let’s hear from you!