Things are about to get crazy this week. Just ask the Hoff.....
Errrrr, sorry about that. To make up for putting David Hasselhoff in this column, I'll post Odell Beckham Jr's absolutely ridiculous catch from last night's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Is this the sickest catch you've ever seen in the NFL? THIS GUY IS JUST A ROOKIE PEOPLE!!!!
Kansas City - 20 (7-4) @ Oakland - 24 (1-10)
In case you didn't know, I've had a real problem with the NFL's Thursday Night Football games for awhile now (I'm just now speaking up about it because my favorite team was the latest victim of horrible scheduling decisions by the NFL). Why? Because they simply aren't fair to the teams involved (don't get me started on the London games....). Football is one of the most intense physical sports a person can play. In case you're reading this and you've never played football, let me give you an idea of how your body feels after a game. Most NFL players will tell you that their weekly pain schedule looks something like this:
Sunday - Game Day
Monday - Body is sore
Tuesday - Body is still sore
Wednesday - Body is STILL sore
Thursday - Body is starting to feel better
Friday - You're finally able to move around with little pain
Saturday - FEELIN GOOD (or as good as you can feel...)
Football is a game that puts a hell of a lot of stress on the players bodies. Rest and recovery is HUGE in the football world and that's a big reason why Thursday Night Football games need to go away from the NFL. It's not fair to ask a team like Kansas City to go play a tough physical game against the Seattle Seahawks and then on three-days rest, fly to Oakland and play a rival on a TNF game. You are not going to get the best of both teams on a short schedule like that and it really clouds people's thoughts on certain football teams. TNF games are a huge advantage for the home team and I honestly wouldn't mind seeing the NFL do away with them because they serve absolutely no good what-so-ever to the NFL. Going into this game, I knew the Chiefs would be upset (I bet money on Oakland to cover the 7.5 spread) because all the signs pointed that direction. Kansas City was coming off a tough emotional win against Seattle where they beat the Super Bowl champs by the skin of their teeth. They were also playing a rival team who was hungry for it's first-win of the season. The Raiders wanted it more than the Chiefs and I don't like giving myself credit for calling upsets (BIG TIME LIE), but this one was a given. Anyway, what can you do?
Hopefully the NFL listens and decides to do away with the Thursday Night games as they really serve no purpose at all. Or they could at least give teams that are playing in TNF games, a bye week the week before they play the game. That would be the fair thing to do, but when has this world we lived in ever really been fair?
Kansas City Offensive MVP: Jamaal Charles (19 carries, 80 rushing yards, 4 catches, 42 receiving yards, 1 TD)
Kansas City Defensive MVP: Justin Houston (4 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss)
Oakland Offensive MVP: Latavius Murray (4 carries, 112 yards, 2 TD's)
Oakland Defensive MVP: Sio Moore (12 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss, 1 really dumb celebration play that almost cost Oakland the game)
Up next for Kansas City: vs. Denver (8-3)
Up next for Oakland: vs. @ St. Louis (4-7)
Cleveland - 26 (7-4) @ Atlanta - 24 (4-7)
This was a game featuring two potential playoff teams. Yes, I'm not pulling your chain. The Cleveland Browns vs. the 4-6 Atlanta Falcons featured two teams that would more than likely be in the playoffs if the things started at this exact moment. Sometimes parity isn't always a good thing.
Anyway, Brian Hoyer did his best job to make sure that people will start calling for Johnny Manziel to start because we haven't crossed that road in a few weeks. Hoyer threw 3 garbage interceptions, but the Browns still won the game thanks to a good run game, the return of Josh Gordon, and the fact that they were playing a team from the NFC South. Still though, some people (cough ESPN cough) will be mentioning Hoyer's three interceptions and how it may be Johnny Football time in Cleveland.
Anyway, Brian Hoyer did his best job to make sure that people will start calling for Johnny Manziel to start because we haven't crossed that road in a few weeks. Hoyer threw 3 garbage interceptions, but the Browns still won the game thanks to a good run game, the return of Josh Gordon, and the fact that they were playing a team from the NFC South. Still though, some people (cough ESPN cough) will be mentioning Hoyer's three interceptions and how it may be Johnny Football time in Cleveland.
Johnny 3:16 say's I just wasted your draft pick
Cleveland Offensive MVP: Isaiah Crowell (12 carries, 88 yards, 2 TD's)
Cleveland Defensive MVP: Joe Haden (5 tackles, 1 interception)
Atlanta Offensive MVP: Matt Ryan (27 of 43 for 273 yards, 2 TD's, 1 INT, 86.7 QB rating)
Atlanta Defensive MVP: Kemal Ishmael (11 tackles, 1 interception)
Up next for Cleveland: vs. @ Buffalo (5-5)
Up next for Atlanta: vs. Arizona (9-2)
Tennessee - 24 (2-9) @ Philadelphia - 43 (8-3)
The Tennessee Titans are not a good football team. The Philadelphia Eagles are a good football team. The outcome of this game shouldn't surprise anyone. What's more interesting to me is, these are the two teams that I feel are the favorites to land Marcus Mariota in the next year's NFL Draft (here we go again....). The Titans are the one team who could really use a talent like Mariota and will be in prime position to take him somewhere in the top five should they choose to. The Eagles are my wild card team though. Chip Kelly is very familiar with Mariota and there are people who are close to Chip that have said that Kelly is very interested in potentially trading for the ideal QB to run his system. It would likely cost the Eagles a fortune to move up to get Mariota, and it really depends on how Philly finishes the season out, but I still think it would be wise for everyone to pay close attention to this situation as the draft gets closer in the spring. The Eagles are playing good football right now though and they look like a team that could get to the NFC Title game or perhaps even the Super Bowl, so maybe I'm just getting a little ahead of myself?
Tennessee Offensive MVP: Delanie Walker (5 catches, 155 yards)
Tennessee Defensive MVP: Derrick Morgan (10 tackles, 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss)
Philadelphia Offensive MVP: LeSean McCoy (21 carries, 130 yards, 1 TD)
Philadelphia Defensive MVP: Trent Cole (4 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss)
Up next for Tennessee: vs. @ Houston (5-6)
Up next for Philadelphia: vs. @ Dallas (8-3)
Detroit - 9 (7-4) @ New England - 34 (9-2)
The New England Patriots are the best team right now in the AFC, and perhap even in the NFL. Ever since that ass-whooping from the Kansas City Chiefs, the Patriots have been playing ball as if their lives depend on it. I'm not mad though because I picked the Patriots to make the Super Bowl out of the AFC, so if they continue to play football like they are, I will once again have shown the world how stupidly lucky I can be when it comes to picking Super Bowl teams. The Tom Brady-era in New England will be nearing an end over the course of the next few seasons, so I wouldn't hate to see Brady win another ring in a Patriots jersey. I'm not saying I want to see it happen, I'm just saying it's not something that would make my stomach ache (like the Washington Huskies winning the National Championship in college for example). As for the Lions, they need to get this ship fixed quickly because the arrow is pointing significantly down with this team over the last few weeks. The Lions once looked like they could be contenders in the NFC, but they got flat-out smashed by the Patriots this week. Well, you know what they say.....
Detroit Offensive MVP: Golden Tate (4 catches, 97 yards)
Detroit Defensive MVP: James Ihedigbo (9 tackles, 1 interception, 2 pass deflections)
New England Offensive MVP: Tom Brady (38 of 53 for 349 yards, 2 TD's, 1 INT, 94.0 QB rating)
New England Defensive MVP: Dont'a Hightower (8 tackles, 1 QB hit)
Up next for Detroit: vs. Chicago (5-6)
Up next for New England: vs. @ Green Bay (8-3)
Green Bay - 24 (8-3) @ Minnesota - 21 (4-7)
Seriously. He's got this.
Green Bay Offensive MVP: Aaron Rodgers (19 of 29 for 209 yards, 2 TD's, 6 carries, 34 rushing yards, 109.7 QB rating)
Green Bay Defensive MVP: Micah Hyde (4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception)
Minnesota Offensive MVP: Teddy Bridgewater (21 of 37 for 210 yards, 2 TD's, 1 INT, 5 carries, 32 rushing yards, 79.8 QB rating)
Minnesota Defensive MVP: Harrison Smith (10 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass deflection)
Up next for Green Bay: vs. New England (9-2)
Up next for Minnesota: vs. Carolina (3-7-1)
Jacksonville - 3 (1-10) @ Indianapolis - 23 (7-4)
At first, it looked like the Jacksonville Jaguars had solved the "Andrew Luck" problem. Then, Andrew Luck remembered he was Andrew Luck and Andrew Luck'ed the shit all over this game. In all seriousness, the Jaguars are just awful, especially offensively so the result of this game shouldn't be shocking to anyone. The Colts have been a much better football team than Jacksonville has for years now and unfortunately for Jaguars fans, they shouldn't expect much different as long as Andrew Luck is wearing Indianapolis blue. Them's the facts. Deal with it.
Jacksonville Offensive MVP: Denard Robinson (14 carries, 25 rushing yards, 4 catches, 47 receiving yards)
Jacksonville Defensive MVP: Telvin Smith (13 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 fumble recoveries)
Indianapolis Offensive MVP: T.Y. Hilton (4 catches, 122 yards, 1 TD)
Indianapolis Defensive MVP: D'Qwell Jackson (13 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery)
Up next for Jacksonville: vs. New York Giants (3-8)
Up next for Indianapolis: vs. Washington (3-8)
Cincinnati - 22 (7-3-1) @ Houston - 13 (5-6)
This was a "must-win" game for the Cincinnati Bengals in order for them to stay ahead of the pack in the crowded AFC North. I was a little worried that Andy Dalton would channel his inner-Andy Dalton and give this game to Houston, but he played well enough to give the Bengals the win. As for the Texans, they continue to show the world that they are a good quarterback away from being a solid NFL team. It wouldn't shock me to see Jameis Winston as the QB of the Texans at the start of the next football season. Ryan Mallett gets a lot of hype for someone who just isn't very good. There's a reason he sat on the bench for so long people.....
Cincinnati Offensive MVP: A.J. Green (12 catches, 121 yards)
Cincinnati Defensive MVP: Rey Maualuga (6 tackles, 1 interception)
Houston Offensive MVP: Alfred Blue (16 carries, 46 rushing yards, 3 catches, 20 receiving yards)
Houston Defensive MVP: Darryl Morris (10 tackles, 3 pass deflections)
Up next for Cincinnati: vs. @ Tampa Bay (2-9)
Up next for Houston: vs. Tennessee (2-9)
Tampa Bay - 13 (2-9) @ Chicago - 21 (5-6)
Tampa Bay Offensive MVP: Vincent Jackson (5 catches, 117 yards)
Tampa Bay Defensive MVP: Mason Foster (8 tackles, 1 pass deflection)
Chicago Offensive MVP: Matt Forte (23 carries, 89 rushing yards, 5 catches, 23 receiving yards, 2 TD's)
Chicago Defensive MVP: Ryan Mundy (8 tackles, 1 interception)
Up next for Tampa Bay: vs. Cincinnati (7-3-1)
Up next for Chicago: vs. @ Detroit (7-4)
Arizona - 3 (9-2) @ Seattle - 19 (7-4)
This game right here was the perfect example of why I never took the Arizona Cardinals seriously as "the best team in the NFL". They had the best record in the NFL, sure....but there were still tons of questions surrounding this team. They have legitimate concerns at the quarterback position. Say whatever you want to say, but I find it hard to fathom that a team with Drew Stanton as their QB is capable of winning a Super Bowl. I dare you to prove me wrong Arizona. You didn't pass your first test against the reigning Super Bowl champions so my concerns are legit. The team plays good defense, but defense can only do so much, especially when the offense does absolutely nothing, much like Arizona's did against Seattle. The Cardinals better hope and pray that they don't end up having to play the Seahawks in Seattle come playoff time. As for the Seahawks, they showed the rest of the NFC that even though they've had some speed bumps during this season, they are still the team to beat in the NFC and they will only get better as the games start to mean more. The Cardinals will get a chance for redemption in a little less than a month, so I'm excited to see how they will respond to this game. The really good teams learn from their losses. Are the Cardinals a really good team?
Arizona Offensive MVP: John Brown (3 catches, 61 yards)
Arizona Defensive MVP: Calais Campbell (6 tackles, 3 sacks)
Seattle Offensive MVP: Russell Wilson (17 of 22 for 211 yards, 1 TD, 10 carries, 73 rushing yards, 121.6 QB rating)
Seattle Defensive MVP: Kam Chancellor (8 tackles)
Up next for Arizona: vs. @ Atlanta (4-7)
Up next for Seattle: vs. @ San Francisco (7-4)
St. Louis - 24 (4-7) @ San Diego - 27 (7-4)
This was a good game between two teams that I like probably a little more than your average hardcore NFL fan does. San Diego is a good football team, but they are highly inconsistent. St. Louis is kind of in the same boat. The Rams are a young football team and much like the Chargers, they are extremely inconsistent on the football field. St. Louis is a franchise QB away from being dangerous though people. They have playmakers all over the field and they showed last week that they are capable of beating any team in the NFL when they took down the Denver Broncos. Next year's NFL Draft has a few potential franchise QB's waiting in the wings and the Rams could do a lot worse than to do their best to try and grab one of those guys. The Chargers meanwhile stay afloat in the extremely tight AFC playoff race.
San Diego always wins when Rivers has his spinach
St. Louis Offensive MVP: Stedman Bailey (7 catches, 89 yards, 1 TD)
St. Louis Defensive MVP: Janoris Jenkins (4 tackles, 1 interception, 1 TD)
San Diego Offensive MVP: Philip Rivers (29 of 35 for 291 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 98.9 QB rating)
San Diego Defensive MVP: Marcus Gilchrist (7 tackles, 1 interception)
Up next for St. Louis: vs. Oakland (1-10)
Up next for San Diego: vs. @ Baltimore (6-4)
Miami - 36 (6-5) @ Denver - 39 (8-3)
The Dolphins put up a hell of a fight against the Broncos in Denver, but Peyton's going to do what Peyton's going to do. This was a "must win" game for both teams. Miami needed this win in order to keep pace in the wildcard race. The Broncos meanwhile needed this win in order to stay ahead of the Chiefs and the Chargers who are nipping at their heels in the division race. The win gives the Broncos a one-game lead over KC and San Diego in the AFC West with a game remaining against both teams. Things are going to get interesting in that division in the next month. As for the Dolphins, they no longer control their own destiny and will likely need a lot of different dominoes to fall into place if they expect to be playing football in January.
Miami Offensive MVP: Ryan Tannehill (26 of 36 for 228 yards, 4 TD's, 1 INT, 4 carries, 15 rushing yards, 104.9 QB rating)
Miami Defensive MVP: Jelani Jenkins (11 tackles, 1 sack)
Denver Offensive MVP: Peyton Manning (28 of 35 for 257 yards, 4 TD's, 135.4 QB rating)
Denver Defensive MVP: T.J. Ward (3 tackles, 1 interception)
Up next for Miami: vs. @ New York Jets (2-8)
Up next for Denver: vs. @ Kansas City (7-4)
Washington Offensive MVP: Alfred Morris (21 carries, 125 yards, 1 TD)
Washington - 13 (3-8) @ San Francisco - 17 (7-4)
The Redskins put up a hell of a good fight against the 49ers in San Francisco (I feel like I've said a variation of that before), but they couldn't get the job done when it mattered most. After all the drama that transpired in Washington the past week, this was probably a moral victory for them. The Niners stay alive in the playoff race and we managed to make it a whole week without any real juicy "Jim Harbaugh is going to coach blah blah blah next year" rumors so that's a moral victory for us. Anyway, moving on....
Washington Offensive MVP: Alfred Morris (21 carries, 125 yards, 1 TD)
Washington Defensive MVP: Keenan Robinson (8 tackles)
San Francisco Offensive MVP: Anquan Boldin (9 catches, 137 yards, 1 TD)
San Francisco Defensive MVP: Aldon Smith (3 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 QB hits)
Up next for Washington: vs. @ Indianapolis (7-4)
Up next for San Francisco: vs. Seattle (7-4)
PLAYOFF RACE
NFC:
NFC South Division Leader: New Orleans Saints (4-6)
NFC North Division Leader: Green Bay Packers (8-3)
NFC East Division Leader: Philadelphia Eagles (8-3)
NFC West Division Leader: Arizona Cardinals (9-2)
NFC Wildcard Spot #1: Dallas Cowboys (8-3)
NFC Wildcard Spot #2: Detroit Lions (7-4)
In The Hunt: Seattle Seahawks (7-4), San Francisco 49ers (7-4), Chicago Bears (5-6), Atlanta Falcons (4-7)
AFC:
AFC South Division Leader: Indianapolis Colts (7-4)
AFC North Division Leader: Cincinnati Bengals (7-3-1)
AFC East Division Leader: New England Patriots (9-2)
AFC West Division Leader: Denver Broncos (8-3)
AFC Wildcard Spot #1: Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4)
AFC Wildcard Spot #2: Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)
In The Hunt: Cleveland Browns (7-4), San Diego Chargers (7-4), Baltimore Ravens (6-4), Miami Dolphins (6-5), Buffalo Bills (5-5), Houston Texans (5-6)
Current Top 20 NFL Draft Prospects
It's time for the crappy NFL teams to start thinking about improving next season. Here are my top 20 college prospects as of this moment who are the favorites to be the top picks in next Spring's NFL Draft.
1. Marcus Mariota - QB (Oregon Ducks)
2. Leonard Williams - DT (USC Trojans)
3. Randy Gregory - DE (Nebraska Cornhuskers)
4. Amari Cooper - WR (Alabama Crimson Tide)
5. Shane Ray - DE (Missouri Tigers)
6. Jameis Winston - QB (Florida State Seminoles)
7. Cedric Ogbuehi - OT (Texas A&M Aggies)
8. Brandon Scherff - OT (Iowa Hawkeyes)
9. DeVante Parker - WR (Louisville Cardinals)
10. Landon Collins - S (Alabama Crimson Tide)
11. Danny Shelton - DT (Washington Huskies)
12. Leonard Floyd - LB (Georgia Bulldogs)
13. Dante Fowler - DE (Florida Gators)
14. Kevin White - WR (West Virginia Mountaineers)
15. Melvin Gordon - RB (Wisconsin Badgers)
16. La'el Collins - OT (LSU Tigers)
17. Andrus Peat - OT (Stanford Cardinal)
18. Vic Beasley - LB (Clemson Tigers)
19. Shaq Thompson - LB (Washington Huskies)
20. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu - CB (Oregon Ducks)
Current Top 20 NFL Draft Order
(If the NFL Draft was held today, here's the order in which the NFL teams would pick.)
1, Oakland Raiders
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4. Tennessee Titans
5. New York Jets
6. Washington Redskins
7. New York Giants
8. Carolina Panthers
9. St. Louis Rams
10. Atlanta Falcons
11. Minnesota Vikings
12. New Orleans Saints
13. Chicago Bears
14. Houston Texans
15. Buffalo Bills
16. Miami Dolphins
17. Baltimore Ravens
18. San Diego Chargers
19. San Francisco 49ers
20. Seattle Seahawks
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