The Thursday games this week start this week, update your fantasy teams and do your pick 'em and survival pools accordingly.
Thursday
OAK @ SD
Sunday early
NO @ ATL
TEN @ CAR
PIT @ CIN
STL @ CLE
BUF @ DAL
JAC @ IND
DEN @ KC
WAS @ MIA
ARI @ PHI
HOU @ TB
Sunday late
BAL @ SEA
DET @ CHI
NYG @ SF
SNF/MNF
NE @ NYJ
MIN @ GB
Weird scheduling this week. Not only do no teams have a bye even though 4 will next week, despite having all 16 games to work with they only scheduled 3 afternoon games.
Sadly, this week may be the most important Browns game of the season. Not that it matters if they get a win to go to 4-5, but (speculatively) it’s more important that St. Louis lose and stay in the race for the #1 overall pick, so that they can trade it to the Browns to get Luck.
It is indeed sad that I’m more worried about draft implications than actually winning games when my team could easily go 5-5, but they’re not going anywhere. The suck on offense is so epic that even if they manage to win the next two against St. Louis and Jacksonville, they stand little chance against the rest of their schedule, and 5-11 would be very possible. But besides, I’m not rooting for my team to lose for draft position, I’m just thinking that a win might actually be more important due to what it does to another team’s draft position. But that’s all pretty speculative anyway.
That’s not unusual, it’s by design. The “Game of the Week” is usually up against very little competition, typically a crappy west coast game and a regional matchup here and there. (Redskins or Ravens, Giants or Jets, 49ers or Raiders, since those teams don’t compete in the same timeslots.)
I didn’t notice this on the schedule until now, but it looks like the the new schedule rotation hits the Cardinals this week. In 2008, the Cardinals had to play at Philadelphia on Thanksgiving night after playing the New York Giants at home that Sunday. I remember that game very well as the Cardinals were spanked.
This year, the Eagles should be coming to Arizona, but instead Arizona has to play at Philly.
However, the Dallas Cowboys played at Arizona in 2008 and lost. The Cowboys come again to Arizona this year rather than Arizona going to Dallas.
The Raiders ran a fake punt, and the Chargers player interfered with the intended receiver of the pass. However, apparently you can’t have pass interference on a play started in a punt formation. I guess the rule is this way because the defensive player is normally blocking for a punt return in that situation.
It’s not shocking that so few late games are scheduled: the NFL exists ONLY in the eastern time zone. The game of the week is Giants at 49ers, so with two far coast teams playing today, better give late games as little mind as possible.
I’m not happy having to suffer through Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. I wonder if I can delay the radio feed.
The rule only applies to the end man on the line of scrimmage, the would be gunner. The implication was that you could interfere with a WR or RB lined up off the line or inside.
Jason Babin is complaining that he got blocked on a pass play last week when the Eagles played the Bears, basically saying “I know it’s legal, but they still shouldn’t have done it.” Seriously? Sounds like sour grapes to me.
I am really hoping that this incredibly deep Bengals defensive line can bring Ben down repeatedly and make him cry. Carlos Dunlap should have a field day if he isn’t suffering any ill effects from his hammy injury.
Players to look for: Jermaine Gresham, AJ Green (duh), Jerome Simpson, Brian Leonard, Dunlap, Geno Atkins, Michael Johnson, Reggie Nelson (who’s having damn near a pro bowl season) and Rey Maualuga.
Bengals offensive line is going to be decent in pass pro. They’ve only given up 12 sacks all season so far.
I wonder if I can delay the radio feed.