Hello again, football fans and welcome back to another edition of the NFL Roundup, one that has a unique set of stories to examine today. Because the league is still reeling from the revelations of the Jon Gruden incident, and no one quite knows who the league leaders are anymore since the order of the past few years has been flipped upon its head. But that kind of uncertainty just makes life fun for fans, since it means the weekend that awaits us will be unpredictable in nature. So, before TNF gets underway… let’s take a moment and discuss the new look NFL and the games that are going to be worth our while in Week 6.
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Are the Chiefs done?
It really is quite amazing how quickly fortunes change in the league. Because earlier this year, despite losing Super Bowl LV to the Bucs, the Kansas City Chiefs seemed poised for another championship run. For they had most of their core returning, they were still the champions of Super Bowl LIV, and the AFC didn’t pose that much of a challenge. But alas, here we are, with the Chiefs dropping games in succession and looking downright awful at times. Which begs some questions. In that, is this it? Are the Kansas City Chiefs done and soon to be forgotten? And the answer to those questions is a firm maybe. Because if they can’t get that secondary shored up, it’s over and the season is done, and this weekend’s game will be a fine indicator of whether or not those questions become a resounding yes.
 
Will Geno Smith save the Seahawks season?
You never want to see your starting QB go down with injury, since they are your best shot at winning, but it can and does happen and that’s why it is important to have a quality backup in place and well… that does leave one to wonder, if Geno Smith is indeed that caliber of QB. Because the future of the season is in his hands now, whether he likes it or not and honestly, it is safe to say that no one has a clue if he can salvage Seattle’s season. Because Geno hasn’t seen a ton of playing time since his days as the Jets’ starter and we really don’t know if he’s learned from his mistakes there. So, if Geno comes out and offers up solid reads and great throws, then there’s a chance that Seattle can plan for the playoffs, but if the Geno of old shows up, it’s better luck next year.
 
Can the Bears extend their streak?
The Chicago Bears have been quite the unexpected surprise over the past couple of weeks. Since they are finally playing some quality football on both sides of the ball and that’s allowed for them to assemble a two-game winning streak and well, that does leave everyone wondering if by chance they can extend that to three by beating the Packers at home and honestly, I’m not so sure they will. Because while the D is solid and Fields is starting to figure things out, the Packers are playing better football. To the point where Aaron Rodgers is just dissecting defenses with his passes, no matter the quality of the defense he’s facing. So, while I think Chicago will indeed put up a fight, in the end it’s 3-3 for them because the Packers are simply that much better of a team.

​Let’s be honest, this game is of note for one reason and one reason alone… because it looks to be a shootout. For neither Los Angeles nor Baltimore are very good on defense. In fact, they’re mediocre at best and that’s allowed for opponents of either team to hang with them every single game this season. But also, both teams boast big arm quarterbacks that can beat you by land or by air and they are very good at getting their respective offenses in the end zone. So, expect this one to be a high scoring affair, the kind that features some epic touchdown passes and, in the end, the winner will be the team that finally decides to tighten up on defense and put a stop to the bleeding.

​Normally a Raiders/Broncos game is worthy of our attention, simply because it’s a Las Vegas/Denver game and these teams always bring the heat. But recent events have given this game deeper meaning. For the Raiders, they must prove they can move beyond the specter of Jon Gruden and all the trouble he’s caused and that’s no easy task since that kind of surprise and fallout hangs with players, especially after how the franchise handled Gruden and what was said. Whereas for the Broncos, the coaches are fighting for their lives since Vic Fangio’s ability to outwit coaches and Pat Shurmur’s ability to call a balanced offense or one that utilizes his player’s skills… are heavily in doubt. So, it will be interesting to see how these teams respond their newfound challenges, and as to who wins, that’s anyone’s guess since both squads are a mess right now.

​This is another one that features some polarizing and interesting storylines. For the Cleveland Browns are fighting for their future in what is quickly becoming a crowded playoff picture in the AFC, and they need a big win to right the ship and keep pace with the Ravens. Whereas the Cards… are simply looking to continue to dominate the league as the top team. Which means both squads are going to bring their A game to the table and really, that just means the fans win. Because a hard fought, fun game is all that fans can ask for, and we should absolutely get that here, regardless of who wins. But my guess is, it will be Arizona that will emerge as the victor, because they have momentum and confidence on their side.  

Welcome back, football fans, to another edition of the NFL Roundup and man… do we have some incredible storylines to discuss today. Because not only are we seeing some changing of the guard in the AFC and seeing more teams basically tap out with their lackluster play, but we also saw some stunning accountability take place over the last twenty-four hours. So, with that in mind… the time has come to dive into all of those stories and all of the lessons that Week 5 in the NFL sent our way!
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The league and the Raiders sent an important message this week.
By now, you’ve heard the news about Jon Gruden and all the horrible things he said via email, so we won’t rehash any of that here. No instead, we are simply going to offer up a round of applause to the NFL and to the Raiders for doing the right thing by asking him to step down. Because let’s be honest, we all know this kind of behavior is a long-standing norm in the league, and we all know that guys like Gruden tend to get away with it more often than not because their football IQ is praised over anything else. So, to see the league put the squeeze on and to see Mark Davis have the hard talk, means that the league is finally working toward impactful change in how its coaches do business and really, their actions here make it clear… this stuff won’t fly going forward and that everyone needs to do better and that’s a wonderful thing. 
 
The Cincinnati Bengals might be a contender.
Now, there is a sentence that I never expected to type, but here we are. Because the Bengals are playing lights out football right now, the kind that is allowing for them to handily beat teams and hang with the big boys, as evidenced by their play against the Packers on Sunday. Because they had an answer for everything Green Bay threw at them, and they even made it to a tense overtime fight that came down to the kickers to decide, and while they did indeed lose… this team really needs to reflect upon what they accomplished in this game. In that, they stood tall when facing an NFC Playoff Contender and they’re 3-2 and if they can remember that, and keep this level of play going… they might be a contender this year and they might make it deep into the playoffs.
 
The Buffalo Bills are the best team in the AFC right now.
The past five years have seen the Kansas City Chiefs dominate the AFC. But nothing lasts forever in this league and well, now that everyone has figured out how to beat Patrick Mahomes and his mighty offense, teams are challenging them left and right and Buffalo is the latest squad to teach the Chiefs a lesson. But what matters more about their grand victory over KC is how dominant it turned out to be. Because the Bills were simply magnificent in all three phases of the game and there was little that KC could do to stop them and well, when you beat the defending champs in that manner, it’s obvious you’re the best in the conference and that’s precisely what Buffalo is, the best, and if they keep this up, the road to the Super Bowl will head through New York.
 
Stick a fork in the Detroit Lions, they’re done.
Five weeks, that’s all it took to write off our second team for the NFL season and this one should come as no surprise. Because the Detroit Lions have simply been awful in every phase of the game. To the point where they are basically confirming that Jared Goff is a bust and that they might be the first team to go 0-17 in league history. Which means, outside of hitting 0-17, we won’t be talking or thinking about the Lions at all going forward and all we can do at this point is hope that things get better for Detroit fans. Because they deserve better than this. They deserve better play on the field and better coaching, and my only ask for management out there in the Motor City, is that they go out and get those things for the fans that stand by this awful team year after year.
 
The time has come for Daniel Snyder to sell the Washington Football Team.
One cannot talk about the Gruden incident without examining how we came to this point. Which revolves around the workplace investigation that the league conducted on the Washington Football Team and that investigation is important. For it uncovered some unsavory behavior from the WFT, the kind that led to all kinds of accountability and fines. But alas, the fact that more ugly news keeps coming out of this investigation and that a pair of trainers are now suspended because they’re being investigated by the DEA… it might be time for Daniel Snyder to take a good long look in the mirror and realize, it is time for him to sell the team. Because all of this happened under his watch, and that’s unacceptable for an owner in the NFL and not to mention, the team stinks and he’s done nothing to improve them. So, its best he simply moves on and lets someone interested in restoring glory to one of the league’s oldest franchises take over and run the thing. That way, these embarrassments can end, and this team can get back to playing some quality football for its fans.

Well, hello again, football fans and welcome to our Week 5 edition of the NFL Roundup, and boy howdy… do we have some delicious topics to discuss today. Since this weekend’s slate of games sees another rookie quarterback rise to the starting ranks, and of course… we definitely have to talk about some of the elite teams from 2020 that are starting to falter in 2021. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and examine the top storylines from the field and preview the most exciting games to watch in Week 5 of the NFL.
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Will Justin Fields finally lead the Bears to glory?
After weeks of crying out at Soldier Field to have Justin Fields start permanently for the Chicago Bears, the fans are finally being heard. For yesterday, Head Coach Matt Nagy announced that Fields will be the man going forward and well, does that mean Chicago’s fortunes will change and wins will come in bunches? Probably not. For Fields has looked rough in his first starts, and his completion rate and TD/INT ratio outright stinks. Because he is a rookie and he needs time to learn the game and that means, it won’t be long before Chicago fans struggle with their wish. For this rookie will need some time to learn and grow and that means a lot of losses are in store for the Bears while #1 takes his lumps.
 
Will the Tennessee Titans of old return to the NFL this weekend?
A year ago, we were all applauding the Tennessee Titans for finally figuring it all out and becoming a contender. Because their stellar run game and a revitalized Ryan Tannehill, and their stout defense allowed for them to impress the league and make it into the playoffs. But something has changed this year and the Titans are simply not as good as they were last year. Their defense is porous, the offense is stagnant, and Henry is having an up and down year. Which does leave one to wonder if this is the week, they finally find some confidence and show us the powerhouse team from last year and honestly, I think they will. Because they’re playing the absolutely awful Jaguars, who can’t figure out how to stop teams on defense or finish a drive on offense. So, expect the Titans to roll over the Jags on their way to 3-2.
 
Will the Rams rebound from their tough loss tonight?
The Rams have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2021 season, since they played great football right out of the gate, to the tune of a 3-0 record. But then they ran into the Cardinals and things went south with a rough loss and well, can they rebound from that, with a win against the Seahawks in Seattle? I think the answer to that question, is a resounding yes. Because Seattle just isn’t playing top-tier football right now and they make a lot of missteps on both sides of the ball and L.A. is just going to feast on that. So, expect Matthew Stafford to just carve the ‘Hawks defense up, as the Rams easily find their groove back again, tonight.

​Well, this is a fascinating game for one reason and one reason alone… the Cincinnati Bengals. Because a year ago, this team was a mess and searching for direction. But this year, they’re 3-1 and injecting hope into their fans and really, why this game is of note, is because it is a litmus test for this team. Because much like the Broncos, they’ve played some genuinely awful teams and well, they now face a playoff contender in the Green Bay Packers, who buckled down after their week one loss and well… how they play here will teach us a lot about this team. Because if they hang with the Pack, and/or defeat them, then clearly something special is happening in Cincy. But if they get trounced, we’ll know they’re improving but aren’t quite ready yet for prime time and sadly, I think the latter is going to be the case. Because they’re still a young team that is working hard to jell together, but they’re no match for the seasoned and hungry Packers.

​This is another game that is of attention because of the home team, but our interest relates to different reasons this time around. Because the Arizona Cardinals are playing their best football in years. In fact, they’re the last undefeated team in the league and that means they can expect quite the test on Sunday. For the Niners want to improve and get back to the Super Bowl and they’ll need divisional wins to make that happen, meaning that they will bring their A game to this matchup. But truth be told, I think the Cardinals are better than we give them credit and they’ll be able to handle the Niners to the tune of a 5-0 record. Because their defense knows when to flex up to stop an opposing offense and Kyler Murray has all the weapons he needs, so this should be a big win for the Cards. One that will help them begin to solidify their grip on the NFC West.

​Normally, this a game that wouldn’t be worth spotlighting because the Chiefs would handily win thanks to Patrick Mahomes and his magic arm. But the times have changed for certain and now, this one deserves our attention. Simply because, a Kansas City win on the arm of #15 is no longer a guarantee, thanks to the fact that the KC secondary is in full meltdown mode and costing the team wins with their trash play and that’s a big problem. Because Buffalo is playing lights out football on offense and they are undoubtedly eager to seize upon that weakness and rack up some big points as revenge for losing last year’s AFC Championship game and honestly, I think they’re going to feast upon that awful secondary and walk out of Arrowhead with a huge victory. The kind that might hopefully force KC to think long and hard about upgrading a critical position in a pass happy league. 

Well, hello again football fans and welcome back to another edition of the NFL Roundup, and boy oh boy… do we have some incredible moments to recap and discuss today. Because Week 4 in the NFL was filled to the brim with some big-time surprises and epic moments, to the point where there is only one undefeated team left standing and it just so happens that a record fell as well. So, with that in mind… it is probably best that we get right down to it and examine those juicy storylines and everything else we learned from Week 4 in the NFL.
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It is official, Jared Goff is a bust.
When a player is chosen as the first overall pick, the expectation is that they are pro ready and will have a fine career because of that. For they can shoulder the burdens the league will send their way and for a time, it seemed that this was going to be the case for Jared Goff. Because after taking his lumps as a rookie, as rookies often do, he took charge of the Rams and led them to a Super Bowl in his third year with the team and well… sadly, it’s all been downhill from there. For he was inconsistent after a Super Bowl loss, to the point where he was traded to Detroit this offseason and he looks even worse now under center in the Motor City and sadly… that can only mean one thing… the dude is a draft bust. He simply doesn’t have what it takes to play at a high level in this league and it won’t be long before he finds himself at a crossroads in his career when Detroit dumps him for a younger and better prospect.
 
The Denver Broncos might not be as good as advertised.
For weeks now, every football fan has been wondering, if the Denver Broncos have indeed turned around their fortunes and have become a solid football team once again. But alas, it turns out that might not be the case. For Sunday’s game against the Ravens exposed a great deal about the Broncos. In that, they have little depth on this squad, especially on the offensive line and that brought about trouble and… the heavily praised Teddy Bridgewater might not be as cool and collect as we were led to believe. Because he was rattled by pressure from the Ravens and what’s worse is that Drew Lock looks worse than he did last year, since he came in to run the offense when #5 went down injured, and well… if the Broncos can’t get their second teamers ready to play and get two-gloves Teddy back to his steady ways, then it is going to be another long season in the Mile High City.
 
The Cardinals might be the real deal this year.
It seems like only yesterday, that NFL fans everywhere regarded the Cardinals’ chances in any given season, with a nose laugh. But the heavy revamp that this team has undergone has paid off in spades and well, there is a chance now that they might be a playoff or Super Bowl contender. Because they are playing inspired football right now. Thanks to the fact that Kyler Murray has found his groove and the offense is humming nicely because of it and they’re also looking great, because their bend but don’t break defense… knows exactly when not to break. But most important of all, they’re 4-0 and they knocked off the Rams on Sunday and at this point, they are the masters of their destiny, and it will be quite exciting to watch this team dominate as 2021 continues along.
 
Congratulations to Tom Brady, the new all-time passing yardage leader in the league.
A funny thing happened on Sunday night in Foxboro. In that, Tom Brady, the man who brought six titles to Beantown and found himself as a visitor in the house he built… broke a major milestone in low-key fashion. For there was no video message from the former record holder. Nor was there a ceremony for that matter either, just more football, and that’s quite wild. Because on this night, #12 passed for the most yards in league history and you’d think he’d want to celebrate that, because it is a huge accomplishment. But clearly, Brady wanted this to be low-key, as did the Pats, since that might mean too emotion on a night where it already ran high. But either way, the GOAT padded his resume on this night, and we tip our cap to him. Because low-key celebration or not… he got the record, and that’s no small feat.
 
Mac Jones showed some serious potential on Sunday night.
Last week when we settled in to discuss Week 3 in the NFL, we talked a little bit about how the rookie QBs this year, were kind of icky. But I am a writer who has no problem correcting himself when he says something out of line, and I need to do that here. because I lumped Mac Jones into that bunch and that was a foolish thing for me to do. Because he looked great on Sunday night. His pocket presence was sound, his reads were delightful and his accuracy was great, and he did all that, facing the mighty Bucs defense and that shows off his potential as a QB and it also means… he might have been the best QB in the draft this year and if that’s the case… then the Pats just got a steal of a QB and can expect great success from him down the line, the kind that will make New England relevant again.

Well, hello again, football fans and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup and it really is quite the delight to be talking about NFL football once again. Because settling in with fans to discuss our favorite sport just energizes a person and boy, do we have some juicy topics to discuss this week. Because this is a weekend of games that features some new juggernauts duking it out, along with some of the old guard fighting for their playoff lives early in the season and with that in mind, it is best we get right down to it and break down those storylines and examine the most fascinating games to watch in Week 4 of the NFL.
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Will the Kansas City Chiefs rebound?
Make no mistake about it, the Chiefs are reeling from two tough, back-to-back losses. Which is something they aren’t used to these days and when one considers how competitive the NFL is right now, they need to rebound and quick and well… can they? And the answer to that question is, most likely. Because they’re playing the lowly Eagles and they should be quite beatable. However, the Chiefs’ secondary has proven itself to be a liability this season, to the point where the Ravens and Chargers feasted on their weaknesses. So, if the Eagles can take advantage of the terrible corners that Kansas City trots out onto the field, there is a chance they can pull off quite the upset and don’t be shocked if they do.
 
Will the Cowboys get a three-game win streak going?
Thus far the Dallas Cowboys have looked incredibly good come game time. Their offense is sound; the defense is rocking, and special teams has been robust, and that synergy explains why they are indeed 2-1. But of course, solid record or no, everyone wants a long win streak, since they build confidence and momentum, and this team is undoubtedly hoping to extend theirs to three against the Panthers this weekend and well… can they? Honestly, I think so. Because the defense should be able to keep Sam Darnold from unloading the deep ball and the offense will definitely put up points. Which means they will handle the Panthers no problem and in the end, it really is a wonderful thing to finally see Dallas playing top-tier football once again and realize their potential. Because this has been long overdue. 

Will the Raiders continue their hot streak this weekend?
Truly, one of the biggest surprises of the 2021 season is the Oakland Raiders. Because they have been playing some inspired football over the last few weeks, to the point where they’ve won some big games and now find themselves at the top of the AFC West with the Broncos and well, is it possible for the Raiders to keep this momentum going? Most likely, it is. Because the defense refuses to quit and Derek Carr is eager to make big plays and there's no reason for them to stop those behaviors now. Which means there is a solid chance they’ll walk out of Monday's game 4-0 and in control of their destiny and I really do think they will emerge victorious. Because they are hungry right now, and determination alone can take a team quite far.

It’s always a true joy when you get to settle in and watch a divisional matchup where the top two teams in the division take the field and that is precisely why this game is on our radar. Because the Cardinals and Rams have been the cream of the crop in the NFC West and now, they get to decide who is truly the best in the division, for the time being at least, and well… this is going to be a great game because of the quarterbacks involved. Because Kyler Murray and Matthew Stafford are just balling right now and that means we should see a lot of big passes and big touchdowns. Which means this game is likely going to be an old fashioned shootout, one that will be decided in the simplest of fashion. In that, whichever offense makes the least mistakes and is more efficient with the clock will walk away the winner and of course, they will also enjoy the bragging rights that accompany being the best in the west.

Let’s be honest, this is a game that everyone is curious about for one reason and one reason alone… the Denver Broncos. Because the Broncos have been another pleasant surprise this year, going 3-0 and looking great in the process. But they have faced teams that feature awful records and green and sub-par quarterbacks. Which means they have not been tested by a high caliber or playoff team and that’s precisely what they are getting in the Ravens. So, if Denver comes out swinging on offense and puts a lot of points on the board and the defense is able to shut Lamar Jackson down then at long last, we will know that Denver is a contender and if they don’t pull off a big dub… then at least we will finally have a solid idea of what kind of team they really are and what their 2021 campaign is going to look like. 

​This is another matchup that has everyone’s attention for a single reason and in this case, it’s all about Tom Brady. Because this is it, the grand homecoming for the golden QB that brought six titles to Beantown and well, everyone is wondering just how badly Brady is going to manhandle the Pats. For now, we know that his last few years with the franchise were miserable, and that Coach Belichick treated him badly and had little faith in Tom’s future past his thirties and well, that likely means, in my humble opinion… that Brady is just going to embarrass them in prime time. Because not only does he know their schemes and designs inside and out, but he wants to show Robert Kraft and Big Bill, that they made a horrible mistake in letting him go and the only way to do that, is to just blow up the scoreboard and walk out of Foxboro one more time, as a winner.

Well, hello again football fans, and welcome back to another edition of the NFL Roundup and boy, do we have lots to talk about today. Because Week 3 was about as epic as they come. Since it was filled to the brim with stunning upsets and other surprises along the way. So, without further ado, let’s dive right into last weekend’s slate of games and talk about those surprises and everything else we learned from Week 3 in the NFL.
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Stick a fork in the Jacksonville Jaguars, they’re done.
There was a great deal of hope surrounding the Jacksonville Jaguars in the offseason. After all, they got the best prospect in the draft, they had a new head coach in place and well… that hope is all gone now. Because they’re 0-3, they look awful and their prize QB also looks awful, more on that in a moment. Which means, it is time for our first farewell blurb of the season. For the time has come to forget about Jacksonville going forward because that is it. Their season is done and there’s little left to celebrate regarding them in 2021. So, all we can do at this point is wish Jaguars fans the best and hope their team improves as the year rolls along and check back in with them in 2022.
 
The Kansas City Chiefs are officially in trouble.
We’ve talked at length over the past couple of weeks regarding the Kansas City Chiefs and with good reason. Because they have been stunned this season on more than one occasion, leaving one to wonder if their season is in jeopardy and well… it’s official, it is. Because their loss on Sunday makes it clear that teams have figured out their garbage secondary and how to take advantage of it. And since it’s the middle of September and the free agency market isn’t rife with top tier corners, mainly because Denver scooped them up… they either need to execute a major trade to improve that secondary or take their lumps and well, they certainly don’t seem inclined to improve it. So, buckle up Chiefs fans, because that secondary is about to get torched on a regular basis and that will undoubtedly change the fortunes in the AFC West this season.
 
The Denver Broncos might finally be a contender again.
Speaking the AFC West, we need to take a moment and talk about the Broncos. Because they look stunningly good right now and yes, I know, they’re faced three bad teams. But if they stunk, those games would have been A LOT closer, or they would have dropped one of those three. But instead, they’ve played inspired football through and through. The kind that has allowed for Von Miller and that stingy defense to thrive and has also opened up opportunities galore for Teddy Bridgewater and the offense and they might be contenders once again in this league. And really, we will know if that is the case, come next Sunday. For a win against Baltimore would go far in silencing any of Denver’s remaining doubters.
 
This year’s rookie quarterbacks, need to be benched.
Look I get it, everyone is hoping that the next young QB that takes over their team will be the next Tom Brady or Peyton Manning or Baker Mayfield. But the fact of the matter is, most of the rookie quarterbacks in this league will never be as elite as #12 or #18 and it will take some of them years to be decent or great. Which means, the time has come to bench all of these young guns if possible, so they can sit and learn for a hot minute. Which isn’t a popular take by any means but man, for proof that this is needed, just look at Sunday’s stats. Because every rookie QB was just awful through and through and showed their lack of poise and polish. So please, GMs of the NFL. Get them a veteran to learn from, and some bench time and film time, so your teams stand a chance and so the quality of play improves.
 
Congratulations to Justin Tucker for breaking a difficult NFL Record.
Something that every kicker in the NFL wants to accomplish, is to break the longest FG record. Because to do so means they have the strongest leg in the league and they are the most accurate and this is such a difficult and sought out goal that for many, many years… only a handful of men had accomplished the long-standing record of kicking a 63-yard field goal. In fact, it wasn’t until 2013 that Matt Prater broke that record by a yard but on Sunday… well one man has quite literally moved the goalposts on this record. For Justin Tucker of the Baltimore Ravens blasted a 66-yarder through the uprights and well, he deserves a tip of the cap and a round of applause. Because that is a record that will not fall for some time and truly… this is a feat that makes it one-hundred percent clear that Justin Tucker is indeed the finest kicker in the league.  

It is definitely safe to say, that the first two weeks of the NFL season have flown by. Because it seems like yesterday that we were celebrating Kickoff Weekend and the return of fans and everything in between. But alas, we’ve been so immersed in the wonder of the sport and the majesty of the great games taking place, that we’ve lost track of time and are now preparing to enjoy what Week 3 has to offer and boy, is this weekend’s slate of games shaping up to be something special. For there are juicy storylines everywhere to be found and big games on the horizon and with that in mind… let’s dive right in and spotlight those stories and the most fascinating games to watch in Week 3.

Will Justin Fields make waves in his rookie debut?
Out of all the rookie quarterbacks that were selected in the 2021 Draft, none seem to have more buzz surrounding them quite like Justin Fields does. For his dropping to #12 overall made waves in Denver and brought cheers in Chicago and everyone has been clamoring for him to start over Andy Dalton in the Windy City and well, on Sunday… Bears fans get their wish. For #1 gets his #1 start in the league and well, is he going to wow the football world when he takes the field? Honestly, likely not. He’s a rookie and outright needs time to learn what playing in the NFL is all about. So… expect Fields to just do okay and likely offer up some glimpse of what he will look like when he’s had a little more experience under center.
 
Is this the weekend that the Jaguars win their first game of the season?
We’ve talked a lot about Jacksonville over the past couple of weeks and rightfully so. Because the hype train surrounding this franchise has been loud and boisterous all postseason and preseason long and we simply expected better than this result and keep anxiously awaiting to see when Trevor Lawrence will finally put it together and when Urban Meyer will show everyone his X’s and O’s prowess and sadly, I don’t think we are going to get any of that this weekend. Because Arizona is legit and their offense is terrifying, but this game is of note simply because… it might help Urban, and Trevor gain a little confidence. For the Cardinals secondary is uh, meh… at best and if Trevor can take advantage of that, Jacksonville might be able to hang in this game and that would definitely be something worth celebrating for a team that has little to cheer about.

Will Jared Goff finally lead the Lions to victory?
So far, the performance of Jared Goff in Detroit, has made Sean McVay look like an outright football mastermind. For his Rams are thriving with Matthew Stafford under center, and Stafford looks comfortable at quarterback and is making some incredible plays. Meanwhile… it’s basically the opposite in Detroit since Goff looks so uncomfortable and nervous when he takes the field. Which could be related to learning a new playbook and finding synergy with a new team, but also… if Stafford can quickly assimilate… why can’t Goff? Either way, the only way that all the questions surrounding Goff can be silenced or set aside is with a win on Sunday and sadly… me thinks the questions will persist. For the Lions are taking on Baltimore, who are playing aggressive and downright angry football right now and that likely means they will feast upon the Lions come Sunday.

​Normally this is a game that wouldn’t be worth spotlighting since Patrick Mahomes would make mincemeat of the Chargers without breaking a sweat. But after last week’s Sunday Night Football debacle, this game is suddenly of note. For the Ravens exposed to the world how vulnerable the Kansas City secondary is and of course, the Bucs showed the world how to beat Mahomes in the Super Bowl and you know damn well… Los Angeles studied all of that in the film room this week. Which means they are going to take to the sky on offense and play contain on defense to make the Chiefs pay and honestly, there is a fair chance the Chargers will win this game. Because if KC gets into another epic shootout, that secondary will cost them dearly.

This is another game that shouldn’t on our radar because of how lopsided it is, but believe it or not, this is a game that is worth spotlighting. Simply because… this is a huge litmus test for Zach Wilson. For he has been downright terrible in his first two weeks of the regular season and he and his teammates need to do something drastic to show the NFL world that the Jets aren’t a joke and that they made the right offseason decisions and the best way to do that, is to shock the Broncos at home. But truth be told, the rookie isn’t ready to start, he should be riding the bench behind a seasoned veteran and more than likely, the Denver defense is going to feast upon him, and the O will find holes to exploit. But if the kid prepares and the team does indeed put a little pride into this one, they might make it interesting, and that possibility is what makes this game worth watching.

​Thanks to a resurgent Green Bay Packers squad, this game should be a good one. Because Green Bay pulled together and bounced back last weekend, after letting the drama of the offseason stun them in ways no one thought possible in Week 1, and now that they seemingly have their heads clear, a great opponent awaits them. For the 49ers have come to play this season and have been stellar in all phases of the game. Which means that this one has the potential to be a shootout for certain, since Rodgers has found his mojo and Jimmy G is lighting up the sky with great throws as well, or it could be a battle of attrition, if the defenses decide to step up and make life difficult for each QB. Either way, it’s the fans that win here because this should be a delightful prime time game… one that will likely come down to the wire.

Normally, it takes a good three or four weeks for NFL teams to establish their identity when the new season gets underway. Because trial and error are key to helping every team understand what they’re all about, but 2021 is clearly going to be an exception to that rule. For every team out there is showing us their identity a mere two weeks into the season, something that can be attributed to the hard work that went into having a full offseason again and the poor personnel decisions some teams made and well, the end result of this surprise reveal is leading to some juicy storylines. The kind that have us buzzing the morning after Monday Night Football and well… with that in mind, let’s dive right in and discuss what these early lessons have taught us now that Week 2 has come to a close.

The Jacksonville Jaguars definitely hired the wrong head coach.
Sure, Urban Meyer has one hell of a resume. In fact, he could be up for debate as one of the finest coaches to ever coach college football. But time and time again, we’ve come to learn that a great college football mind doesn’t always translate to NFL success and Urban Meyer is once again proving that fact. Because he was supposed to come right in and transform the Jacksonville Jaguars into a powerhouse team. For he had draft picks galore, one that included top prospect Trevor Lawrence and owner Shad Khan has no problem spending money on quality free agents. But the end result of bringing Meyer here, has been a disaster two weeks in. For Lawrence looks like a rookie and isn’t making any progress just yet and the defense is porous, and the play calling is a joke and that falls on Meyer and that record and the quality of play makes it clear, Shad Khan and the rest of the front office got it wrong and it is only a matter of time before they decide to send Meyer packing and start over at head coach once again.
 
The Arizona Cardinals look shockingly good this year.
For a long, long time now… the Arizona Cardinals have been the butt of many NFL jokes. Because after their Super Bowl XLIII appearance, the team fell into disrepair and languished at the bottom of the NFC West for years on end. But the arrival of Kyler Murray and the craziest wide receiver trade ever, has changed their fortunes. For they have started to improve in all phases of the game and this year, they’re 2-0 and winning in a dominant and shocking manner and well, it just goes to show that when you get the right quarterback and build around him… wonders can and will happen and really at this point, if the Cards can figure out how to get their defense to play hard and aggressive, there’s a fair chance they’ll be in the playoffs for years to come. 
 
The Miami Dolphins need to think about making a change at quarterback.
Now that statement, is one that some Tua fans will undoubtedly disagree with. Because they will speak to how Tua just needs more time and more reps before he really unleashes his potential and well… they’re wrong. Because Tua has had a lot of reps and lots of time on the field and let’s be honest… he hasn’t improved and he has health concerns through and through and at this point, it’s time to move on from him. Simply because he’s either a bust or the wrong fit for Miami and when one considers that he was benched several times late last year so that the team had a shot at winning… it’s obvious the coaches know he’s not the guy as well. So, now is the time to contact say… the 49ers about potentially trading for Jimmy G, so their loaded roster can prosper and so Tua can take a moment and learn from a quality veteran before moving on, since he simply is not ready for prime time just yet.
 
The Carolina Panthers made the right move trading for Sam Darnold.
It wasn’t that long ago that top-tier draft pick Sam Darnold found himself at quite the crossroads. For he was struggling in Gotham, to the point where everyone thought he might be a bust, including the New York Jets… since they were eager to trade him as soon as 2020 came to an end. But sometimes being run out of town can be the best thing possible for a quarterback, since it gives them a fresh start through and through and clearly, Sam Darnold is making the most of his second chance and the Panthers made the right call in giving him one. Because he is finally finding his potential in Carolina and is making all the big throws that he is capable of. Plus, his accuracy is wonderful and hey, he’s the proud owner of a 2-0 record and if he can continue to command the offense in this manner, expect the Panthers to enjoy some serious success this year. 
 
The Kansas City Chiefs once again, must fix their defense.
It has often been said in football, that winning cures everything, and well… perhaps the time has come to update that phrase. Because winning doesn’t cure everything, in fact… it can make a team ignorant to its needs and its flaws and for proof, then look no further than the Kansas City Chiefs. Because despite going to the last two Super Bowls and winning one of them, they have yet to address their worst position on the roster… the secondary. Which is problematic, since they continually get burned through the sky by quarterbacks of every skill set out there. But since Patrick Mahomes is so darn good and can generate points, they don’t think all that much about fixing it. But after Sunday night’s shootout in Baltimore wherein the secondary helped to cost this team a critical victory, long after it cost them a Super Bowl… maybe now the Chiefs will think about doing something to shore up their corners, because if they don’t… there will be no Kansas City dynasty, just heartbreak and strife.

Hello again, football fans and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup. One that comes bearing good news. For Week 2 is mere hours away from kickoff and well, it is safe to say each and every one of us are eager to see what wonders the league has in store for us this week. Will there be more drama in Green Bay? Will the Cowboys finally win a game? Who knows! But what we can expect, are some quality games through and through and of course, some juicy storylines that will keep us talking for days on end and well, that means it is time to get down to the nit and grit of this blog and examine those very storylines and spotlight the most fascinating games to watch this weekend. 

Will Green Bay put aside the drama and play some good football this weekend?
Yes, I know. I just mentioned this a moment ago in passing but let’s be honest… this is a VERY valid question. Because drama cost the Packers the first game of the season since they were all focused on that over anything else and if they don’t shed it soon, they’ll be 0-2 and, on the outside, looking in and honestly, I’m not sure they can set that drama aside. Because Rodgers is clearly unhappy in Green Bay, in every way imaginable, and his play is reflecting that, and I don’t see his disdain wearing off in the slightest. So, my guess is that things are going to be ugly this weekend and the Packers will lose badly… all because the front office and a franchise legend are at an utter impasse in regard to the direction of the team.
 
Will the Jaguars finally put it together this weekend?
Make no mistake about it, the Jacksonville Jaguars looked like a bad pop warner team last Sunday. Because their defense played without an ounce of heart and organization, the run game was nonexistent and their star QB played like the rookie he is. Which leaves one to wonder if the team can pull themselves together and play a solid game against the Broncos and honestly, I don’t think they will. Because Urban Meyer is still figuring out how to coach in the NFL and is struggling with more advanced concepts outside of ‘huck it and chuck it’ and poor #16 has to deal with a lethal defense. So, I would imagine that Jacksonville is going to lose this game and, in the process, raise more questions about whether or not Urban Meyer was the right choice for this job.
 
Will Washington rebound from their tough loss to Los Angeles?
It is definitely safe to say, that one of the most devastating losses last week, happened at FedExField. Because the Washington Football Team put up one hell of a fight against the Chargers, despite losing the always steady Ryan Fitzpatrick and that kind of loss, that early in the season, can rattle a team badly. But honestly, I think it actually did them more good than harm. Because clearly, this team has fight in them and QB Taylor Heinicke continues to show great promise under center. Which means they are likely going to come out swinging against the lowly Giants on Thursday Night Football and win big and turn their season around early.

​This is one of those games that normally wouldn’t be on anyone’s radar because of the teams involved. But when one considers that the Cleveland Browns are playoff worthy now and that the Houston Texans trounced the Jaguars last weekend in a strong and dynamic manner, this game takes on a whole new life. Because this one has the potential to become an outright shootout since Tyrod Taylor dropped lots of bombs last weekend and of course, Cleveland’s offense is no slouch and can hang with the best of them and their offense is likely why this game will eventually tip in Cleveland’s favor. But then again, the underdog winning was a big theme last weekend so it is still possible that Houston might surprise if Cleveland takes them for granted. Either way, the X factor hanging over this game, is precisely why this matchup is of note.

Truly, there is no better game on a Sunday than when both teams have something to prove, and this matchup features just that. Because the Tennessee Titans were outright embarrassed by the Arizona Cardinals last week, since the Cards shut down the Titans in all three phases of the game before blowing them out and they are undoubtedly eager to return to form and show everyone that they are still the same powerhouse team that made the playoffs last year. On the other hand, the Seahawks are looking to prove that the dysfunction and strife that was rumored to be infecting their clubhouse in the offseason is behind them or never existed and the more dominant wins they rack up, the less chatter they will hear about it. As to who wins this game however, well that will be determined by which Titans squad shows up. Because if it is the same guys from last week, then Titans fans are going to be in for a long day but if the Titans of old drop by, this should be one hell of a game, one that Tennessee should win because of their run game.

​Speaking of teams with something to prove, this is another game that features a team with that mighty need. But it most certainly isn’t the Kansas City Chiefs. After all, they’ve been the AFC representative in the Super Bowl for the past two years and hoisted the Lombardi in one of those matchups. Which means this game is all about the Ravens proving to the NFL world that they are indeed a juggernaut and well, best of luck to them in showing everyone that. Because the Raiders exposed the Baltimore defense on Monday Night Football, and they also reminded everyone that Lamar Jackson struggles in crunch time with turnovers and well, going up against the defending AFC Champion, one that beat the tar out of the Browns, will make their efforts no easy task and well… I hate to say it, but I think the Chiefs are going to outright embarrass the Ravens on the national stage. Because they are downright elite and the Ravens are struggling to find their identity.

Well, football fans, just like that… Week 1 of the new season has come and gone and wow, what a Kickoff Weekend this turned out to be. Because it was filled to the brim with thrilling matchups and harrowing shootouts and plenty of drama to whet one’s whistle as well, and it is that drama that we are going to discussing in great detail today. Because some big storylines took place over the course of the weekend, the kind that might alter the fortunes of the season for some teams and build hope for others. So, without further ado, let’s dig right into the weekend that was and examine what we learned from Week 1 in the NFL.

It would seem things are bad in Green Bay.
The hope of every team that finds itself going through a touch of strife, is that the players can put that aside and only worry about football. So that the fans don't get nervous about the future of their team and the franchise can project a sense of normalcy while they work their internal issues out. But sadly… that is not going to be the case for the Green Bay Packers. For the rift between Aaron Rodgers and management has impacted the play of the star quarterback and his teammates, for they are lost and confused on the field because their minds are on the drama and what comes next because of it and sadly… if Sunday is any indicator, what awaits this squad is more strife and a losing season. Because #12 is clearly not happy playing for the Packers anymore and that kind of disdain is downright infectious and things are only going to get worse from here.
 
The Denver Broncos have finally found a proficient quarterback.
At this point, the Denver Broncos have been through so many quarterbacks since their Super Bowl 50 victory, that trying to recap them here would make for a series of novels that would rival Tolkien’s work. So, it’s best we focus on the good news in the Mile High City. In that, at long last… the Broncos have finally found a quarterback that can play with efficiency. Because Teddy Bridgewater did a phenomenal job under center on Sunday and moved the ball in manner that hasn’t been seen in ages in Denver and thanks to his fine work… the Broncos finally put up more than 25 points in a game. Which in turn allowed for the defense to play light out and help to secure the first September win for the team under Vic Fangio and well, now that Denver finally has a quarterback that put points on the board, the Broncos might have a better season than anyone initially anticipated.
 
The Jacksonville Jaguars appear to have a rough season ahead.
It wasn’t that long ago that fans around the league, genuinely believed that new Jaguars Head Coach Urban Meyer and college QB sensation Trevor Lawrence, would quickly turn around Jacksonville’s misfortunes in the NFL. But Sunday’s game is definitely cause for concern regarding how this season is going to go… because uh, Jacksonville looked rough. For #16 was inconsistent on the field despite tossing three touchdowns and three hundred yards through the air and Coach Meyer, executed an awful game plan. One that featured a minimal run game and where the defense played soft. Which means 2021 is likely going to be a rough season for the fans of this storied franchise and anyone else who tunes in. Because their star QB isn’t ready for prime time yet and sadly… neither is their head coach and hopefully things will finally improve for the Jags in 2022.
 
There is hope in Dallas at last.
I will be the first to admit, that I have been supremely critical of the Dallas Cowboys over the past couple of years. Simply because this team has talent, and that talent is never utilized via the coaching staff. But I am also someone that knows it is important to give credit where it is due and that’s precisely why the Cowboys deserve a little recognition today. Because they actually played great on Thursday night and used their talent accordingly and while they didn’t win in Tampa, the played their hearts out and they hung with a top 5 defense no problem and that’s a huge deal. Because it means this team is finally putting it all together after years of dealing with ugly injuries and languishing through incompetent coaching and that also means… that hope has returned to Dallas at last and if Dem Boyz can keep this up, there’s a good chance they will have one hell of a season, one that might finally take them deep into the playoffs.
 
It would seem Sean McVay was right to trade Jared Goff away.
Anytime a blockbuster trade happens in the league, fans immediately want to know who got the better end of the deal and well, when it comes to this off-season’s blockbuster quarterback swap between the Los Angeles Rams and the Detroit Lions… it would seem the Rams won that trade. Because Matthew Stafford played some lights out football in Los Angeles, the kind that featured incredible accuracy and deep bombs. Whereas Jared Goff did uh… he did okay. I mean, his numbers are average, but his decision making on the field and some of his throws left plenty to be desired. Which means Sean McVay likely made the right call in making such a blockbuster trade and if Stafford can keep up this incredible level of play, and the defense can do its job… there is no reason why we can’t see the Rams back in the playoffs later this year, or potentially back in the Super Bowl.