Each week I’m going to try and do this column. This will be just some random observations that I noticed during the current week of the glorious 2018 NFL football season. There will be 6 observations and an extra point. So you’re essentially getting a touchdown’s worth of football hot takes from me. Enjoy.
1. If the Bears had taken Patrick Mahomes in the draft instead of Mitch Trubisky then they’re going to overtime today
Folks, they say that hindsight is always 20/20 but the Bears made a huge mistake taking Mitch(ell) Trubisky over Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft. Not only is it now obvious that Patrick Mahomes is a better quarterback than Trubisky but his arm strength is far superior.
Patrick Mahomes could make that throw into the end zone with his eyes closed. If the Bears had him, they’re maybe 4-2 instead of 3-3 right now. That could be the difference in making or missing the playoffs in a very competitive NFC or worse, it could be the difference between the Patriots getting a first round bye or not. Thanks, Ryan Pace.
2. I really hope that the Blake Bortles era isn’t over in Jacksonville
In case you live under a rock and didn’t hear, Blake Bortles was benched today. I for one am very sad to hear this because I’ve been a Blake Bortles fan for pretty much his entire career.
I was there when he got drafted and everyone said he was gonna suck and I said “not so fast.”
I was there when my roommate in college was a Jags fan and they were horrible for three straight years to start his career.
Last season, I watched this man become the BOAT when he led his team despite missing his #1 WR to a division title.
I was also in the stands during his first playoff win when he had 88 yards rushing compared to only 87 yards throwing and it was the most majestic thing I’ve ever seen in my life.
I was there when he cried because the referees didn’t realize that Myles Jack wasn’t down and it ultimately gifted the New England Patriots yet another Super Bowl berth.
When Blake cries, the world cries. He deserves better. #StartBortles2k18
3. 9:30 am games suck; also Mike Vrabel made a horrible decision to go for 2 today
You may have missed this if you were sleeping and most of you probably were. The NFL decided that it would be a good idea to do yet another game in London at 9:30 am ET. If you’re keeping track, that’s 8:30 am in Nashville where the Titans play and and 6:30 am in San Diego Los Angeles where the Chargers play.
The Chargers barely have any fans as it is. Their stadium that only fits 30,000 people is overrun by opposing fans week in and week out. Do you think any fairweather Chargers fan (AKA every LA Sports fan in the history of the world) is going to wake up at 6:30 am to watch them play? Hell no. Especially when the hottest thing in town to do last night was to watch LeBron’s home debut with the Lakers where he basically told all of his teammates that he likes Chris Paul more than them.
Oh yeah and Mike Vrabel going for 2 after scoring a touchdown with 30 seconds left instead of kicking the extra point to go into overtime is ludacris. His quarterback is Marcus Mariota, who sucks. I know I write that every week but it’s 100% true. You’re playing the game at a soccer stadium, have some damn respect and play for the tie.
4. When is Lamar Jackson gonna play wide receiver?
Congratulations to Lamar Jackson for scoring his first career touchdown today!
One thing you may notice is that Joe Flacco lined up at wide receiver on this play which is total bullshit! Everyone knows that Joe Flacco isn’t actually going to run any routes. Lamar Jackson would be an electric wide receiver and I’m pissed at the Ravens for only giving him a measly one target through seven weeks.
5. It’s time that we admit that Adam Thielen is a top 5 wide receiver in the NFL
So Adam Thielen has started the season with seven straight 100 yard games. That’s absolutely unreal. He also has 67 catches through 7 games which is filthy as well as 822 yards.
There’s not a doubt in my mind that Adam Thielen has become a top 5 NFL receiver along with Odell Beckham, Antonio Brown, Michael Thomas, and DeAndre Hopkins (no particular order).
What if this man has over 100 yards in every game this season? I doubt that would happen but it would be amazing if it did.
6. The Rams are going to go undefeated
This Rams team is an absolute WAGON! No one is stopping them. In my Week 5 column I said that they could go undefeated. I’m here to say now that they WILL go undefeated. Who’s beating this team?
They have home games left against the Packers, Seahawks, Eagles, and 49ers. They have road games left against New Orleans, Detroit, Chicago, and Arizona. They also have a game in Mexico against the Chiefs.
I really don’t see them losing any of those games. The toughest ones on the schedule are probably the ones at the Saints and at the Bears. I think they’ll win those. I think this team goes 16-0.
Extra Point: The NFL is on a record pace for overtime games in a season and the Cleveland Browns are leading the charge
This week I read a cool CBS article that said that the 2018 NFL season could have the most overtimes in it of any season in NFL history. The record is 25 and it happened way back in 2003.
This season is on pace to break that. The Browns alone have played in 4 overtime games and they have 1 tie. Odds are there will be at least another tie at some point this season in the NFL. The Browns are on pace for over half of their games to go into overtime as it is. I doubt they’ll play 8 overtime games but with how their season has gone you never know.
I think it’s hilarious when these games end in ties. Plus, who doesn’t love extra football? Come late February and March we’ll cherish the extra minutes of football we got during overtime.