The Arizona Cardinals gave Kyler Murray almost a quarter of a billion dollars, but they don’t trust him enough to study film on his own time. George Wrighster points out how ridiculous Michael Bidwill is for locking up a QB that he clearly doesn’t trust.
Max Kellerman has had a rough week on First Take. Not only did he inexplicably try and say that Kawhi Leonard is better under pressure than the legendary Kobe Bryant, he also threw in that Larry Fitzgerald “might” make the NFL Hall of Fame solely due to acquiring statistics over the course of a long career.
Not only was Max Kellerman embarrassingly wrong, but he’d also have been less crazy to make the assertion that Larry Fitzgerald is the greatest wide receiver to ever put on pads.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not in the “Larry Fitzgerald is the G.O.A.T” camp. Not yet, anyway.
The best wide receiver I’ve ever seen play the in the NFL was Jerry Rice. The most talented, by a mile, was Randy Moss. It’s fun to debate who had the more dominant season, Jerry Rice in 1995 with his 122 catches and 1,848 yards, or Randy Moss in 2007 with his eight multi-touchdown games en route to an undefeated regular season. The overall edge goes to Rice, however, because no receiver in history has dominated three different Super Bowls.
After Rice and Moss, it gets a little murky. On my personal list, I have Larry Fitzgerald entrenched just ahead of Terrell Owens, Cris Carter, and Tim Brown.
Could you make the argument that Larry Fitzgerald is the best receiver of all time? Absolutely. Let’s go through his credentials:
Jerry Rice had the benefit of playing with Joe Montana and Steve Young and had the most seasons in NFL history of any WR paired with a Pro Bowl QB, at 14.
Reggie Wayne spent 12 of his seasons with a Pro Bowl QB. Terrell Owens and Marvin Harrison had nine seasons apiece with a Pro Bowl QB. Randy Moss, Michael Irvin, Cris Carter, Torry Holt, and Andre Reed all had six seasons with a Pro Bowl QB. Isaac Bruce, Antonio Brown and Rod Smith had five. Tim Brown had four. Only Hines Ward and Andre Johnson can claim that they reached 1,000 career receptions with as few Pro Bowl seasons out of their quarterbacks as Larry Fitzgerald.
Knowing that Larry Fitzgerald already has more catches than Jerry Rice did at this point in his career, what do we think Larry would have accomplished by this point if you inserted him onto the 1980s and 90’s San Francisco 49ers in place of Rice? In my mind, there’s no doubt Larry Fitzgerald’s name would be synonymous with Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps, and Serena Williams, as one of the most dominant athletes, regardless of sport, in the history of planet earth.
As it stands now, an argument can be made that Larry Fitzgerald is the best ever, especially considering that he amassed his statistics and accolades despite quarterbacks not named Kurt Warner or Carson Palmer throwing for a total of 121 touchdowns and 160 interceptions in an Arizona Cardinals uniform since he entered the league.
If you need a quarterback, trade for the former first round pick immediately. It’s amazing just how fast things can change in the NFL. At this time last April, Josh Rosen was in the running to be the number one pick. Rosen ended up going to the Arizona Cardinals at #10. Now, Rosen might be […]
Continue reading
Throughout the week, NFL personnel–including head coaches–have been in Arizona discussing and voting on rules chat could change the course of this upcoming season, and taking care of other pre-Draft business. But despite important discussions that were occurring, one seemed to dominate the headlines on Wednesday.
First-year Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury announced on Tuesday that he plans to implement a cell phone policy that is commonly used among the college football ranks. “They’re itching to get to those things,” Kingsbury said. “You start to see kind of hands twitching and legs shaking, and you know they need to get that social media fix, so we’ll let them hop over there and then get back in the meeting and refocus.”
This shouldn’t come as a shock.
According to Statista, there are over 4.9 billion mobile phone users in the world. What’s more, the average cell phone user will check their phones up to 47 times per day, with 2,617 likes, taps, or swipes; and 22 percent of those surveyed ages 18-29 check their phones every few minutes. While the data supports obsessive and addictive traits, fans have to realize that it’s not a coaches’ job to mitigate these issues. For Kingsbury to understand these habits is a testament to his attention to detail, and considering the lucrative contracts these players hold, Kingsbury would rather give them a few minutes in between activities to center their focus and hopefully see a greater return on their investments as a result.
Throughout the day, fans were calling Kliff Kingsbury and the Cardinals out for supporting a “millennial culture,” but it’s hypocritical, considering every cell phone holds personal data patterns, and the negative responses were likely coming from people who weren’t paying attention to the tasks or people in front of them in order to craft their opinions.
The average age of an NFL player is much closer to the ages of the guys Kingsbury coached at Texas Tech. Moreover, Kingsbury, himself, is a former college and NFL player so he understands players on a deeper level than his cohorts. Cell phone breaks are even facilitated at the Ivy League level, so this isn’t groundbreaking or distracting, and shouldn’t be viewed as anything other than leadership understanding how to get the maximum output from their personnel.
From continued activism for benefits to former players, to concussion and CTE issues; domestic violence and drug incidents, to in-game protocol and reviews, the NFL has significantly larger issues to deal with than devolving to high school levels in terms of cell phone and attention management issues.
When Kliff Kingsbury was hired as Texas Tech’s head coach in 2013, he was coming off an exciting year. Kingsbury, then 32, had just coached the youngest Heisman winner in the award’s history in Johnny Manziel. As offensive coordinator at Texas A&M, the national spotlight was focused on a coach with a penchant for details, who proved his high powered offense could be successful in the SEC; which was viewed as the gateway to the NFL.
Fast forward to Texas Tech’s loss vs. Baylor on November 24, 2018, where Kingsbury’s head coaching record hit 35-40 (.467).
In Tech’s 24-35 loss in Dallas, it was pretty much guaranteed that he would not be returning to Lubbock in 2019. Days later, Kingsbury’s termination was confirmed, but just as the news came in, Kliff Kingsbury’s name escalated to the top of every offensive coordinator vacancy position available. Just as Red Raiders began embracing “The King’s” new destination in Los Angeles as the Trojans’ OC, USC allowed him to interview for the Arizona Cardinals’ head coaching position. While the idea of a coach with a losing record seemed insane at first, the Cardinals’ decision was on-trend with the NFL’s sudden shift to the very offensive installation that Kliff Kingsbury had become notorious for throughout his entire playing and coaching career.
Record-breaking numbers and fast-paced offenses are becoming the identity of the Big 12. Now it’s also trickling into the SEC and specifically Alabama with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. For years the Crimson Tide’s identity was in its defensive fortitude, but Tua’s arm strength and cerebral talents prove that to outmaneuver opponents means you have to outsmart them. This can be attributed to why Rams’ head coach Sean McVay has seen the success he has in Los Angeles. Just as defenses understand what “Halle Berry” means, quarterback Jared Goff catches them off guard with another audible. “Obama Obama. Ric Flair Ric Flair.” Score. It’s poetry.
It’s easy to understand why NFL purists who believe the offensive philosophies and avant-garde schemes in college should stay in their lane, but the NFL has to source talent from somewhere. And with two of the top producing conferences in college football transitioning, it’s the perfect timing for a Kliff Kingsbury-type coach.
Kingsbury might be young by NFL standards, but his playing resume spans from New Braunfels, Texas to Europe, so he’s cultured in a way that he understands his players. His coaching career started on a roll of the dice, and he’s been on a G6 ever since. Sure, there’s been turbulence, but like most successful people, adversity and struggles haven’t taken him off course. He’s learned from every role and opportunity he’s been given, and his work ethic combined with his detail-oriented mentality is why he’s now one of 32 NFL head football coaches.
But with the man responsible for coaching up six current NFL quarterbacks–including the frontrunner for the NFL’s MVP Award in Patrick Mahomes–suddenly in charge of a team worth $2.5B, questions have been raised, and rightfully so.
Thankfully, Kingsbury was kind enough to sit down with me to clear the air on some of those concerns.
Q: What was the most transformative event in your time as head coach at Texas Tech that let you know you were ready for this step?
KK: “I’m not sure you ever know that you’re ready, but having been fortunate to coach guys that have played at this level and seen the success they’ve had in similar offensive trends going on in the NFL, I’m just excited for this opportunity, and I’ll try to take what we’ve done at the college level into the NFL.”
Q: If you could break the internet with one unknown fact about you, what would it be?
KK: “I’m straight forward. What you see is what you get.”
Q: You’re one of the coolest and most composed guys on the sideline at every level. So, schematics aside, who influenced that aspect of your coaching philosophy?
KK: “I try to only show positive reactions. I think that when I was with New England watching Coach Belichick, he was the one where ‘great play or bad play’ [he was composed]. And I always thought that was good for the pulse of the team. You never really knew what he was thinking either way, but he never showed panic or any sort of overreaction, and I think that’s just a good mentality for a coach to show to his team.”
Q: Thoughts on angry coaches coming from a former players’ perspective?
KK: “Players respond differently. For me, I was just never a guy who fed off the coach losing it. I was more like, ‘Hey, let’s figure this out, keep our heads together,’ and come up with the best solution to whatever the issue was at the time.”
Q: You coached Pat [Mahomes] and were with him the night he was drafted, and you were drafted by the Pats and played with Tom Brady. How are you feeling about the AFC Championship game?
KK: “I’m pulling for both offenses, so… a high scoring affair. Hopefully, they tie! No… it’s tough because obviously, I have a lot of respect for the head coaches and the teams and Tom and Pat, so I just want them both to play really well, and I’m sure it will be a heckuva a game.”
Q: So you have no rooting interest?
KK: “I don’t. I’m just trying to stay neutral and hope everyone plays well and stays healthy.”
Q: What was the biggest challenge in your first few years as head coach at Texas Tech? Did you face any issues or setbacks that might have throttled Tech’s progression, and ultimately your win-loss record?
KK: “I’m sure there were specifics, but just as a young coach, I think I was probably a little too ambitious on some things. Instead of just really trying to build it from the ground up, I thought we could make some quick fixes here and there. It probably set us back, and I think it’s just something that you learn as you go. There isn’t anything that can prepare you for that, but I think that probably pushed us back a little bit in the beginning.”
Q: Did you think your limited time in the coaching profession had an impact on your coaching tree?
KK: “No…I’m not sure. Obviously, I hadn’t been a coach for very long when I was given that opportunity and probably had some limited connections as opposed to others. I think that’s something that moving forward, I’ve really tried to be thorough in the hiring process, and making sure that we’re always getting the best candidates possible. I’ve been fortunate to coach with a bunch of coaches who have done a tremendous job for us, but that’s one of the biggest things I took from [that job]; you have to get the right tools for that program at that time, regardless of your relationship with people. It’s just about getting the right people.”
Q: What’s your favorite quote?
KK: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, and live the life you’ve imagined.” — Henry David Thoreau
Q: You haven’t announced an OC yet, but noted that whoever you hire will help you mesh some traditional looks into your system. With how much the NFL is changing offensively, is it important to bring in traditional coaches to transition veteran players into new schemes more efficiently?
KK: “The experience factor in this league is [what’s] important for me, to be able to learn from everyone that has been here before and dealt with an NFL schedule, game planning, and break downs. There are just different aspects that will be new to me, so the more experience you can rely on, the more ideas you can get from people who have done it at a high level from different organizations, the better off we’ll be.”
Kliff Kingsbury is an anomaly–especially to the coaching world. He’s a charismatic guy with Texas swagger but places a great deal of emphasis on intelligence. From his custom suits to one of his favorite books, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, the details he pays attention to are a nod to old school elements of the game; it’s his system that provides an upgrade. And with another NFL team getting on board, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if the ‘Year in Football’ in 2019 includes an increase of “system experimentation.”
Want More? Check Out: Preseason Polls are Worthless and Mess Up the College Football Playoff
Five Up Five Down The 5 Best and 5 Worst NFL teams week 13 is where we rank the five best and five worst teams in the NFL. Anybody can list the best teams. It takes real skill to sort through the mess that is the bottom of the league. Week 13 has already kicked off with the Cowboys getting a huge win over the Saints! What did we learn from Week 12? We missed the Chiefs and Rams in action, Vikings gots a must win over the Packers, Colts are good but do we believe in them just yet and the Texans keep winning! Do you like that? Does your team sadly qualify for worst teams for Week 13?
Leave a comment, share, and email us: ImMad@UnafraidShow.com.
The Saints lost a close one to the Cowboys 13-10 in Dallas. Drew Brees had a bad game, and the offense was put to sleep by an inspired Cowboys defense. I am going to leave New Orleans in the first position for two reasons. One, they beat the Rams and two the defense continues to get better every week. This is what puts them ahead of the Rams and Chiefs no matter if they have two loses. I have said this all along of New Orleans starts playing defense like they did last year then the rest of the league is in trouble. New Orleans gets a nice bounce-back team in the Bucs next week in Tampa. Call me out all you want the Saints are a better football team then the Chiefs and Rams because the defense is starting to put it together.
The high powered Rams are back in action after enjoying a week off. The Rams were fun to watch in a 54-51 win over the Chiefs, but that defense is still a concern. Good news for the Rams they will get veteran CB Aquib Talib back which should help the porous secondary out immensely. Jared Goff (3,547 yards 26 TD’s) and Todd Gurley (1,043 Yards 13 TDs) are the kingpins of what has become an unstoppable machine. The Rams will face the struggling Detroit Lions (4-7) in the Motor City and lead the all-time history between the two teams, 43-41-1. LA is a strong 10 point favorite versus the Detroit but this could be one of those trap games we shall see.
The Chiefs created history! First team to lose a game scoring over 50 points. It was a fun game to watch but also a reminder that the defense still is swiss cheese. Patrick Mahomes II had six touchdown passes and over 400 yards passing, but it was those three costly interceptions that cost them the most. He will learn from it and is on his way to being the league’s MVP. The Chiefs barely lost to the Patriots and Rams on the road, which makes them a trendy choice to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. It’s sort of sad that they won’t be playing this Sunday enjoying the Bye Week. This week Kansas City will be in Oakland (2-9) and should exploit the Raiders horrible defense. The Chiefs are 14.5 point favorites and have an all-time advantage between the two AFC West rivals, 63-53-2.
Chase Daniels will get his 2nd straight start this week as the Bears are in New York to battle the mystery that is the Giants (3-8). This team has yet to be behind at halftime all year. The defense ranked 4th overall is superior creating points on turnovers which they would like to do for the 3rd straight week. Khalil Mack should get serious consideration for defensive player of the year. Jordan Howard (536 yards rushing) could have his first big week against a Giants team struggling to stop the run. Bears are 3.5 favorites to get another road win over the New York Giants. Chicago has a huge advantage between the two teams in head to head, 33-23-2.
Eight straight wins! Remember when we all had Bill O’Brien on the firing block? Now the Texans have taken advantage of a weak schedule, but the play of Deshaun Watson (2,807 Yards 20 TD’s 101.8 QB Rating) has people excited and worthy of this team in the #5 spot. Lamar Miller has put up two straight stellar weekends which had added to the weapons the Texans have offensively. The defense is getting better now ranked #7 overall in the league. This could be a very dangerous team with all the high priced talent moving in the right direction. The Texans will look to make it nine straight as the Cleveland Browns (4-6-1) come to H-town. Texans lead the all-time series (6-3) and are 5.5 point favorites to beat Baker Mayfield and the Browns (Last played last year a 33-17 win by the Texans with Watson throwing 3 TD passes).
New England Patriots (8-3), LA Chargers (8-3), Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3-1)
What a disaster! This was my Super Bowl pick in the AFC and the season has gone straight in the garbage can with seven straight loses. Blake Bortles has proven he is not a franchise QB and why the team did not go out and get an Eli Manning or someone at the trading deadline is inexcusable. Hey Jalen Ramsey what are you saying right now? This is not the defenses fault, ranked 5th overall but the offense has been brutal since the loss of OT Cam Robinson (Torn ACL) and losing Marqise Lee before the season really has shown. The Jags will look to avoid an 8th straight loss in a row vs. the red-hot Colts (6-5) at home with Cody Kessler as the starter. Vegas likes the Colts on the road as 4 point favorites. Indy will be after the clean sweep this year after winning the first affair 29-26 and have a 23-12 lead in the series between the two AFC South teams.
The season started with promise, and now we can hear the clock ticking on Todd Bowles and his coaching life. Sam Darnold looks like he will play against the Tennessee Titans this Sunday but why put him in harm’s way. He has shown enough now the franchise needs to build around him with a new Head Coach. Not everything has been horrible for gang green, as the play of Jamal Adams has stood out. The Jets will be in Tennessee this Sunday to battle the Titans (5-6). Currently, Vegas has the Titans as eight-point favorites and Tennessee leads the all-time series 24-19-1.
Its been a lost season for San Francisco. Coach Shanahan has done an excellent job of keeping this team fighting. Unfortunately for the 49ers, they play in Seattle this week a place of horrors for them 4-13 at Century Link Field. The fun part of the week has been Richard Sherman taking shots at Russell Wilson all week. This game could get ugly in a must win for Seattle (6-5). The Seahawks are 10 point favorites and are 24-15 all-time versus San Francisco which includes a nine-game winning streak between the NFC West combatants. The 49ers last beat Seattle in 2013 (19-17) and have won only once in the last 12 match-ups (1-11). The best thing for the 49ers is to keep losing and get the first pick in the NFL Draft.
One of the worst seasons in Oakland Raiders history continues to roll on in its shambolic state. All the excitement of Jon Gruden being back working with Derek Carr. Before the season kicked off, Khalil Mack was moved and from that moment on, the year spiraled out control. They lost to a rookie QB Lamar Jackson in an uninspired effort. This week the Raiders woeful 25th ranked defense will have to figure out how to stop the 3rd ranked offense and leading MVP Candidate Patrick Mahomes. I am guessing a brutal double-digit loss and the Chiefs could score 50 points on the Silver Black sieve-like defense.
They got schooled by the Chargers, and the worst offense in the NFL has no hope of getting better this year. Josh Rosen will continue to take his lumps, and this week it will be in Green Bay (4-6-1) to take on the Packers. One has to wonder what the Cardinals are going to do this off-season with the front office and coaching staff. Packers lead the all-time series 45-25-4 and are 14 point favorites to knock off Arizona with an angry Aaron Rodgers. One of the best games between the two franchises was in 2016, the NFC Divisional Playoffs which the Cards won in OT 26-20.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7), Detroit Lions (4-7), N.Y. Giants 3-8
Come back next Thursday for Five Up Five Down: The five best NFL Teams and the five worst NFL Teams for Week 14.
Five Up Five Down The 5 Best and 5 Worst NFL teams week 12 is where we rank the five best and five worst teams in the NFL. Anybody can list the best teams. It takes real skill to sort through the mess that is the bottom of the league. Week 12 has already kicked off with the Bears, Cowboys, and Saints all enjoying Thanksgiving with big wins! What did we learn from Week 11? The Steelers are serious contenders in the AFC even without a franchise RB, Colts are better then we think, and the Chiefs and Rams are the most exciting teams in football! Do you like that? Does your team sadly qualify for worst teams for Week 12?
Leave a comment, share, and email us: ImMad@UnafraidShow.com.
Drew Brees, is not going to win the MVP but he should. The Saints destroyed the Falcons yesterday and continue to roll past everyone they face. Drew Brees put up big numbers again in what has been a perfect season (3,135 Yards 29 TDs 2 int 127.3 Rating). What is more disturbing for those is the Saints are starting to play excellent defense. If they continue to play like they have the past two weeks, then all other teams are in trouble. The Saints are like the perfect deep fried Cajun Turkey. It melts in your mouth, and you always want seconds on Thanksgiving.
Coach McVay is the most exciting play caller in the game. The Rams were fun to watch in a 54-51 win over the Chiefs, but that defense is still a concern. Jared Goff (3,547 yards 26 TD’s) and Todd Gurley (1,043 Yards 13 TDs) are the kingpins of what has become an unstoppable machine. The only thing slowing down this team is the Bye Week on the schedule. These Rams are those amazing sweet potatoes that a Thanksgiving Dinner cannot be without.
The Chiefs created history! First team to lose a game scoring over 50 points. It was a fun game to watch but also a reminder that the defense still is swiss cheese. Patrick Mahomes II had six touchdown passes and over 400 yards passing, but it was those three costly interceptions that cost them the most. He will learn from it and is on his way to being the league’s MVP. The Chiefs barely lost to the Patriots and Rams on the road, which makes them a trendy choice to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. It’s sort of sad that they won’t be playing this Sunday enjoying the Bye Week. Oh! The Chiefs are that amazing gravy that makes everything pop and is a fan favorite.
It’s time to stand-up and recognize the Chicago Bears. A 23-16 day victory in Detroit for Thanksgiving with Chase Daniel at QB is impressive. This team has yet to be behind at halftime all year. The defense is just superior creating points on turnovers and won the game with an INT returned for a score the second straight game they have done that. They are the mashed potatoes that are always a strong choice to be the 2nd best item on your Thanksgiving plate.
The Steelers are in Denver this week after one of the most impressive comebacks in team history overcoming the Jaguars on the road. Big Ben was awful in the first half of that game, but he came on and led the team to what he described as the best comeback of his career. The Steelers will be on the road challenging the Denver Broncos (4-6) who are coming off a big win over the LA Chargers. Pittsburgh is like that consistent Pumpkin Pie you want to devour on Thanksgiving Day with extra whipped cream!
New England Patriots (7-3), Houston Texans (7-3), LA Chargers (7-3).
I kind of look at Buffalo as the cranberry sauce on a Thanksgiving Day table. You look at it but have no interest in it. The Bills will be looking for two in a row with Matt Barkley at the helm. As bad as the offense has been most of the year, the defense is a respectable two overall allowing just 302 yards a game. The Bills will host Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7) who are trying to recover from a devastating loss against the Steelers.
Tampa is that dessert that your Aunt brought over for Thanksgiving that looks good but tastes awful. The Bucs are hopeless trying to defend the field of play. They rank 27th in the league in yards given up. Combine that with the uncertainty at the QB position with Fitzpatrick and Winston back again throwing brutal interceptions its a recipe for disaster. I will be shocked if Head Coach Dirk Koetter survives this season. The Bucs have so many offensive weapons but will be lucky to win 1 or 2 more games. Tampa will host the (2-8) San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers, due to injuries, are the stuffing that is ok, but you avoid putting on your plate during Thanksgiving. This team will put up a fight but most likely will come up short due to a lack of healthy players. The 49ers will play the (3-7) Buccaneers in Tampa
Well, the Raiders are peas you never eat on Thanksgiving. It’s been a gross season though they pulled out a win in Arizona that saw Jon Gruden and Derek Carr get into it often. Oakland is probably better off losing every game from here on in, but they won’t even do that right. The Raiders will be in Baltimore to battle the Ravens (5-5).
Brussel Sprouts! The Cardinals are the worst team in the NFL right now and the last thing you would pick to eat on Thanksgiving. It’s hard to watch this team from the coaching and the hopelessness of the offense which is ranked dead last in the National Football league. This season cannot end fast enough as the Cardinals will travel to LA to battle the (7-3) Chargers.
N.Y. Jets (3-7), Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7), Detroit Lions (3-7).
Come back next Thursday for Five Up Five Down: The five best NFL Teams and the five worst NFL Teams for Week 13. Be blessed and safe during this Holiday Season.
Five Up Five Down The 5 Best and 5 Worst NFL teams week 11 is where we rank the five best and five worst teams in the NFL. Anybody can list the best teams. It takes real skill to sort through the mess that is the bottom of the league. Week 11 is hours away from kicking off in Pittsburgh on this crunchy groove Thursday. What did we learn from Week 10? The Saints offense is insane in the membrane. Chiefs and Rams continue to roll, which makes this weeks match-up must-watch TV. The Raiders are horrible, and the Jets should really be embarrassed! Does your team sadly qualify for worst teams for Week 11?
Leave a comment, share, and email us: ImMad@UnafraidShow.com.
This team got a terrific defensive performance that held the Bengals to 14 points on the road. The Saints still give up 23.6 a game and 376.2 yards a game, which still needs improvement and ranks 20th, but last Sunday is something to build on. Drew Brees and Michael Thomas did it yet again as the Saints electrifying offense put up 51 points against Cincinnati. New Orleans has the highest scoring offense in the game averaging 36.7 and 6th overall in the NFL. The Big Bayou will welcome the Philadelphia Eagles to town. Saints are heavy nine-point favorites. In the 30 previous meetings between the two franchises, Eagles have a 17-13 lead with the most recent match-up coming in 2015 (Eagles win 39-14).
They didn’t destroy the Cardinals, which I thought was going to happen, but the Chiefs still put up 26 points in an impressive win. Patrick Mahomes II kept it going but was mortal with only 249 yards which snapped his 300-yard streak. The Chiefs still rank 31st in total team defense which is a major concern especially this week against the Rams. Kansas City has the #1 point differential in the NFL with +113 points. The Chiefs travel to LA to battle the (9-1) Rams in a Monday night contest that was slated to play in Mexico City. The two teams combined are 18-2. Rams are 3.5 favorites, and in the 11 meetings between the two sides, Chiefs have a 7-4 record with the last meeting being in 2014.
The Rams scored 36 points but barely beat Seattle once again. LA has the #1 offense in the NFL averaging 448 yards a game and the 3rd most points at 33.5. Jared Goff and Todd Gurley both had huge days which is nothing new for them. The defense is still a concern ranked 23rd in the NFL. In a weather break, the Rams get a home game in LA (fires withstanding) due to field issues (rain destroyed the field in Mexico City) on Monday night. This could be a preview of SB 53 in Atlanta. Rams could clinch a playoff spot with a win.
The Chargers have won 6 straight games, and the defense keeps getting better and better. Here is the good news. Joey Bosa practiced this week for the first time since week 1. The trifecta on offense of Philip Rivers (2,459 yards 21 TD 4 Int 67% 115 QB rating), Melvin Gordon (672 Yards 5.38 AVG. 7 TD’s), and Keenan Allen(53 Catches 687 yards 2 TD’s) are producing big numbers. I have said this all along this team could be the most complete in the NFL ranking 11th in Offense and 12th on defense. The Chargers will welcome the Denver Broncos (3-6) to town. Broncos lead the all-time series 65-51-1 with both teams splitting last year. The Chargers will be 7 points favorites this Sunday.
Well, prosperity did not last long for the Patriots who looked like a banged-up team in Tennessee and lost 38-24. Fortunately for the Pats, they get a bye week perfectly placed to allow Gronk, Julian Edelman, Sony Michel, and many more to heal-up. New England might have an issue with an offensive line that looked overmatched for the first time since early in the year. New England will return on the 25th, with the perfect get well card, a battle versus the (3-7) N.Y. Jets.
Closing in on the top 5 this week:
Houston Texans (6-3), Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2-1), Chicago Bears (6-3), Washington (6-3)
What a great week the Bills had. They throttled the Jets on the road and cut Nathan Peterman. It was like Christmas came early for Bill fans! The Bills will enjoy a week off and have turkey and the carryover of the team’s 3rd win of the year. Somehow Matt Barkley looked like Jim Kelly but then again the QB play was so bad that anyone would have looked competent over Derek Anderson and Nathan Peterman. Buffalo ranks 31st in offense but an NFL respectable 7th overall on defense. The Bills will have a chance at another win as the sinking Jaguars come to Buffalo on the 25th of November.
For what its worth, the Giants got a gutsy win on the road on a game-winning drive late. Eli had 3 TD passes with no turnovers, and OBJ had a big night. The defense is still 25th in the NFL, and it just doesn’t seem like Pat Shurmur is Head Coach material. The dysfunction on this team is still evident. Whether Giants fans want them to tank or not, New York has another winnable game this Sunday against the defensively inept Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-6) at home. Giants will be 1.5 point favorites and have won 14 of the 21 contests between the two franchises (Tampa won last year 25-23).
If only they could play the 49ers for 16 games, a perfect season would be in store! The Cardinals were respectable in Kansas City. It’s quite apparent they will be offensively challenged all year long, ranking dead last in the NFL. David Johnson did have a good game by his standards (98 yards on the ground and 85 through the air), but Josh Rosen throwing 2 more interceptions looks every bit as an unpolished rookie can look. The Cardinals have a very winnable game at home against the worst team on our list, the 1-8 Oakland Raiders. The Cards are 4 point favorites, and in nine meetings between the two franchises, the Raiders have won 5 and the Cardinals 4. This is my nomination for the early Turkey Bowl (3-15) record between the two squads.
They played another solid game but came up short against the Giants. Nick Mullens had 2 big interceptions which offset a terrific performance from Matt Breida who had over 100 yards on the ground. Say what you will about the record, this team comes to play no matter who is healthy or who is not which is a credit to Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers will enjoy an off week and return on the 25th playing the Buccaneers in Tampa.
When your QB throws the ball away on 4th down, you realize what a train wreck this season has been. The one positive is all the first round picks they have stockpiled. That’s it. Is Jon Gruden the man you want leading this franchise forward? The team ranks 23rd on offense and 24th on defense which actually is better than I thought. How happy is Khalil Mack in Chicago and Amari Cooper in Dallas? A commitment to chaos seems to be the Raiders way. Vegas are you ready for this trash?
Teams that are knocking on futilities door:
N.Y. Jets (3-7), Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6), Detroit Lions (3-6)
Come back next Thursday for Five Up Five Down: The five best NFL Teams and the five worst NFL Teams for Week 12.
Five Up Five Down: The 5 Best and 5 Worst NFL teams week 10 is where we rank the five best and five worst teams in the NFL. Anybody can list the best teams. It takes real skill to sort through the mess that is the bottom of the league. Week 10 is hours away from kicking off in Pittsburgh on this crunchy groove Thursday. What did we learn from Week 9? The Saints offense with Drew Brees and Michael Thomas is unstoppable, Patriots, with major injuries and mediocre three-quarters of play, can still beat you by 14 points, The Oakland Raiders are the laughingstock of the league, and Jason Garrett might actually be on borrowed time. Does your team sadly qualify for worst teams for Week 10?
Leave a comment, share, and email us: ImMad@UnafraidShow.com.
As the legendary Boston band Aerosmith would sing, the train kept a rolling all night long in Week #9 win versus the Packers. It seems like an eternity since that embarrassing loss in Detroit, and they are now winners of 6 straight. I figure I’ll get some heat and be very unpopular that I put New England in the number one spot with two losses, deal with it. They are better than anyone right now. It wasn’t pretty versus the Packers, but they beat them by 14 when the clock struck 00:00. Tom Brady (2,494 Yards 17 TDs 7 Int 97.6 QB Rating) is still the best at getting everyone involved, and his comfort level with Josh Gordon ( 5 catches 130 Yards TD) is growing. Cordarelle Patterson (11 carries for 61 Yards 1 TD) was converted into a “Big RB” and looked like a playmaker a typical Patriots move that works. Julian Edelman is the best do everything guy in the NFL.
The Patriots defense made Aaron Rodgers look mortal, which is another reason for all other teams in the NFL to be concerned. Defensive end Trey Flowers caused constant pressure vs. a beleaguered Packers offensive line. Bill Belichick is the master at getting it right. He sculpts whatever the talent he has into a cohesive, reliable defensive unit. Alex Cora brought the World Series trophy to Gillette Field. Will it be any surprise if Bill Belichick brings the Lombardi Trophy to Fenway in April? No! The Patriots travel to Tennessee to take on the feisty Titans (4-4) and former teammate Malcolm Butler. Mike Vrabel a former longtime Super Bowl-winning (2 TD catches in SB) Patriots LB is the Tennessee Titans Head Coach. The Pats will be 7 point favorites and hold a 26-15-1 record against the Titans/Oilers franchise.
Oh, the Saints went marching into the end zone a lot this past Sunday afternoon in the marquee match-up of the day. They hung the first loss on the Rams ledger by outscoring LA, 45-35. Drew Brees and Michael Thomas might be the most lethal combo in the league. With Mark Ingram back healthy with the combination of Alvin Kamara, it’s just not fair to try and stop that running duo. The offensive line does a fantastic job of creating time and space for Brees and the running backs. New Orleans just signed WR Dez Bryant to add to an embarrassment of riches.
The defense is still the teams Achilles heel. Only nine teams have given up more points. The Saints D ranks 28th in the red zone. The good news for the Saints is the Chiefs and Rams are equally as inept at stopping opposing teams. In fairness to the Saints, they have suffered some injuries but if they want to be favorites to win the SB in Atlanta that D has to shore up some gaping holes in the secondary that Eli Apple will not cure. Sean Payton’s crew has now beat the Ravens, Vikings, and Rams in consecutive weeks. It’s the simple reason why I leapfrogged them over KC. This week is another tough test going to Cincinnati to take on the (5-3) Bengals. The Saints are 4.5 favorites over the Bengals, but Cincy leads the series 7-6.
Chiefs fans might be unhappy with me. Hey, you still have the best barbecue in the nation and time to move up our Unafraid rankings. Sure the Chiefs are 8-1 and just blew out the Cleveland Browns, and they get moved from two to three in my weekly rankings? What the heck am I thinking? I’m just more impressed with the Patriots and Saints. Chiefs have big wins (Steelers, Chargers, Jags, Bengals) but they still have major defensive concerns giving up 226 points. Good news for the defense, safety Daniel Sorensen was activated from the IR.
The offense is just playing Madden 19 on the easy level with a league-leading 101 point differential. Patrick Mahomes II is just insane with what he is doing (2,901 yards, 29 TD’s 7 INTs 116.7 QB Rating) though his consecutive 4 TD passes streak ended he has now thrown for 300 yards in 8 straight games. He is that good. Travis Kelce has been a stud all year long (51 catches 741 yards 6 TDs). Kareem Hunt has also been playing at an All-Pro level and torched the Browns (17 Att 91 yards 2 TD’s 5.4 AVG). The Chiefs have the (2-6) Arizona Cardinals coming to town which should be another blowout win. The Chiefs are 18.5 point favorites (the Biggest spread of the year), and KC has won 8 out of the 12 contests with one ending in a tie between the two squads.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen! From first to fourth in a brutal knockdown. I have preached all year long that the defense will be the downfall for Los Angeles. They skirted defeats to Minnesota, Denver, Seattle, and Green Bay with below average defensive display. Is Aaron Donald one of the best defensive players in the league? Yes, he is, and you could argue the best, but the LB core Dante Fowler or no Dante Fowler and that secondary is a sieve. Will Talib’s return help? It should, but what the heck has happened to Marcus Peters? Wade Phillips has to improve the defense if the Rams want to get back to the top spot in our rankings.
The offense once again put up some big numbers. Jared Goff led a massive comeback with a tremendous performance (391 Yards 3 TDs 70% and a 115.7 QB Rating). Todd Gurley was shut down and held to 68 yards vs. the Saints, but Brandin Cooks was a monster with 114 yards and TD. Why is Brandin Cooks on his third team in three years? What a player! The roadblock to Atlanta and SB 53 for LA could be the play of the defense. Rams will be home to Seattle (4-4) this week. The first meeting between the two teams was close; a 33-31 Rams NFC West win in October. Los Angeles are heavy favorites at 11.5 points, but Seattle has a 23-18 advantage in the all-time series.
The Chargers went up to Seattle, and they balled. LA both defensively and offensively did what they needed to win in a 25-17 victory over the red-hot Seahawks. Melvin Gordon was special and ran for 113 yards. Keenan Allen looked like a top 10 Wide Reciever hauling in 6 catches for 124 yards. This offense led by Philip Rivers has so many weapons and will get better when Tight End Hunter Henry returns in December. Sure they are not seeing a lot of people show up at the StubHub Center, but this offense should be drawing more fans into those empty seats!
Why I think the Chargers could be the most complete team in our top 5 and my darkhorse SB entrant is because of the defense. They have only allowed 180 points this year. Joey Bosa is closing in on a return which led to an ESPN analyst to take an ill-advised swing at him. This unit is loaded with playmakers and a stout secondary. If you haven’t recognized Desmond King and what he is doing at the CB position check this out! The Chargers get to travel North with a divisional showdown against the woeful Oakland Raiders (1-7). LA is a strong 10 point favorite and beat Oakland 26-10 earlier this year. The Silver and Black do lead the all-time series 63-53-2.
Closing in on the top 5 this week:
Carolina Panthers (6-2), Houston Texans (6-3), Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2-1)
Arizona did not move down or up our rankings due to enjoying a Bye Week. The Cardinals have two wins both against the equally inept San Francisco 49ers. Sam Bradford was released, which makes you wonder why he was even signed in the first place. 2018 has been a complete failure. You have to wonder if the Coach and GM won’t be getting a pink slip at the end of the year. One must feel for the future HOFer Larry Fitzgerald. You were hoping for a better year, but the Cardinals are falling apart at the seems. Do you miss Bruce Arians yet?
When you talk Worst teams NFL week 10, Arizona must be brought up. Cardinals rank 32nd in offense, and the defense is not far behind in being woeful. Josh Rosen continues to learn (1,072 yards 10 TDs 12 INTS). as well as be more accurate. The Cardinals after the Bye Week have to figure out a way to slow down the most prolific offense in Kansas City (8-1) as Patrick Mahomes II looks to make it 9 straight games throwing for over 300 yards. I see a colossal blowout in the making.
Well, for a team completely devastated by major injuries everywhere, how refreshing was Nick Mullins last Thursday evening. He put up a brilliant performance against the Oakland Raiders in a 34-3 win the 49ers second of the year. One must wonder if the team should tank it yet could Mullins change that philosophy? Let’s temper the appearance with the fact the Raiders have the 2nd worst defense in the NFL. One guy who always shows up is Greg Kittle another gigantic performance (4 catches 108 yards with a TD).
The defense was impressive as well against the Raiders. They collected eight sacks and were constantly disrupting the running game. It was the best performance of the year from the defense that was spearheaded by Cassius Marsh and Deforest Buckner. San Francisco will get a chance to build on its successful performance on Monday Night against a struggling N.Y. Giants (1-7) team at home. The 49ers are 3 point favorites at home, and the series is dead even at 20 games apiece.
Oh, Nathan Peterman strikes again! If you can select a fantasy defense off of the waiver wire going up against Peterman, do it. Let’s now role the interceptions reel. What’s really crazy is Peterman has 11 INTs in his last 95 passes, whereas Aaron Rodgers has 11 interceptions in his last 993 pass attempts. It’s simply ugly. The Bears thrashed Buffalo 41-9. It was a forgettable game in what is turning into a forgettable season. It’s surprising that the Bills have two wins this year (Tennessee and Minnesota should be ashamed) and I think that Buffalo should just go all out tank mode. Why put Josh Allen back in behind an offensive line that is simply horrendous? He could get seriously hurt and has been sacked 21 times even with his mobility.
Buffalo has a short road trip to New Jersey as they take on the (3-6) N.Y. Jets. The Jets are favored by 7.5 points, but the Bills lead the all-time series against there AFC East rivals 61-54.
Good news, the Giants didn’t lose or fall to 32nd in the rankings. Though the Cowboys are gaining ground in whacked out franchise mode N.Y. Giants are still #1 in dysfunction. It’s such a messed up situation, I don’t know where to start! I thought with all the moves this team made in the offseason they were going to compete in the NFC East and be a playoff team. Lord was I wrong! Pat Shurmur looks lost, Eli looks like he should be in a retirement home, OBJ should be frustrated, and that offensive line with the high priced addition of Nate Soldier is a pile of dog crap. The Raiders at least realized it needed to tear it down. The Giants didn’t do anything at the trade deadline, which was a big mistake.
The off-season for this franchise is going to be critical and the teams most important. When watching a Giants game, other than Barkley, you wonder why a total rebuild has not already begun. The Giants will face the 49ers on Monday Night. Eli will start versus the 49ers, which just makes you wonder does this organization get it. The combined record of these two proud franchises is (3-14). Shouldn’t the league be able to flex this turkey bowl?
Laughingstock, unwatchable, miserable. Add a derogatory word, and it works describing the Silver and Black’s 2018-19 season. This is the worst team in the NFL. How happy is Khalil Mack in Chicago to be out of this mess? Jon Gruden, are we tanking yet? Well, they should. Actually, the Raiders really need to tank next year as well to get Tua. I don’t even know where to begin when you lose 34-3 to a (1-7) 49ers team its ugly. Derek Carr was sacked eight times, and nothing about the Oakland Raiders looked competitive last Thursday night.
The franchise should start prepping draft needs and continue unloading players in the off-season and be in full rebuild mode. Oakland will face the red-hot Los Angeles Chargers (6-2) at home this Sunday. Expect the team to be dealing with its eighth loss of the year. The Silver and Black are the leaders of the worst teams NFL week 10.
Teams that are knocking on futilities door:
Cleveland Browns (2-6-1), N.Y. Jets (3-6), Dallas Cowboys (3-5)
Come back next Thursday for Five Up Five Down: The five best NFL Teams and the five worst NFL Teams for Week 11.
Five Up Five Down: The 5 Best and 5 Worst NFL Teams Week nine is where we rank the five best and five worst teams in the NFL. Anybody can list the best teams. It takes real skill to sort through the mess that is the bottom of the league. Week nine is hours away from kicking off in Santa Clara. What did we learn from Week 8? The Rams can win the close games. Saints are better than we all think, Jameis Winston is not long for the NFL, and the Seahawks are better than we thought they would be. Does your team sadly qualify for worst teams for Week 9? Give us your take who should be on the list and who shouldn’t.
The Rams proved that they even need luck once in awhile beating a very game, Green Bay Packers team at home. A Field Goal followed by a late fumble kept the perfect season alive. Jared Goff threw for 3 TD’s, and Todd Gurley ran for 114 yards and 81 yards. (800 yards 11 TD’s 4.7 Avg.) The Rams will need to tighten up the defense on the road against the New Orleans Saints (6-1). The Saints are the biggest threat and best opponent that LA has faced this year. The Saints are currently favored by one point, but the Rams lead the all-time series, 41-33.
Kansas City keeps rolling along, and Patrick Mahomes II keeps making big plays. Mahomes II threw for 4 TDs and 300 yards (2,526 Yards 26 TD’s 6 INT 115.3 Rating) in another big division win over the Denver Broncos. The defense is never going to be top 10 worthy, but they make key stops on 3rd down. Kansas City should have more success this Sunday when they challenge the Cleveland Browns (2-5-1). The Chiefs are 8.5 favorites and hold a slight lead in the head to head matchups 12-11-2.
Call it revenge but the Saints exorcized the Minnesota Vikings Miracle with a big 30-20 win on the road. The score could have been higher if a few players caught passes instead of bad drops. This team is rolling through its toughest stretch. I still have concerns with that defense, but like the Chiefs, that high octane offense covers a lot of pimples. No rest for Drew Brees and crew the next challenge will be the unbeaten Los Angeles Rams (8-0) at home. Sean Payton talks about this matchup and a chance for the Saints to claim the top spot in the NFC.
Who’s the hottest team right now? Might be the Patriots. As the leaves fully turn and the winter weather rolls in the Patriots are getting closer to taking their spot as the best team in the NFL. With the Red Sox winning the World Series it’s now up to the Patriots to add to the City of Champions. Sony Michel will be back, and the defense only allowed 6 points last week. Tom Brady does what he does best, beating Buffalo. Now we get the showdown that we have all been waiting for, Aaron Rodgers vs. Tom Brady. It’s an opportunity for Tom to let everyone know, who is still the best QB in the NFL. Aaron already has said who he thinks the best Quarterback in the NFL is. Patriots are 6 point favorites over Green Bay (3-3-1) at home. Packers lead the all-time series 6-5.
The Chargers enjoyed a Bye Week after a dramatic win in London. They will have a huge test coming up this Sunday against Seattle. Philip Rivers is playing at a high level (2,008 Yards, 17 TDs 3 INT 117.8 RTG). Head Coach Anthony Lynn thinks better days are ahead, “We definitely have a lot of improvement and things we can focus on and get better at,” Lynn said. “Seven games, we’re not there yet. But I do feel like the guys are moving in the right direction.” That’s a very dangerous thought since this team has Super Bowl talent at every position.
Joey Bosa and Melvin Gordon, the team’s two best players might be back. This is my team to watch as the 2nd half of the NFL season takes place. The LA Chargers will travel to the Emerald City to battle the red-hot Seahawks (4-3) and will be 1.5 point underdogs. Seattle leads the all-time series 26-24.
Closing in on the top 5 this week:
Washington Redskins (5-2), Carolina Panthers (5-2), Seattle Seahawks (4-3)
The Cardinals got a reprieve and doubled up against the 49ers. They have two wins both against San Francisco who unfortunately can’t play every week. 2018 has so been a complete failure. One must feel for the future HOFer Larry Fitzgerald. You were hoping for a better year, but the Cardinals are falling apart at the seems. Do you miss Bruce Arians yet? Cardinals rank 32nd in offense, and the defense is not far behind in being woeful. Josh Rosen continues to learn (1,072 yards 10 TDs 12 INTS). as well as be more accurate. The Cardinals can’t lose this week they are on a Bye week so they might be safe from sinking in the rankings for now.
It was nice to see Thurman Thomas get his due at halftime during the Pats vs. Bills game on Monday Night. What was utterly unpleasing to the eyes was watching Derek Anderson trying to play QB with an Offensive Line that is the worst in football. First of all, Derek should be golfing somewhere enjoying retired time and now Bills fans you will get Nathan Peterman. Peterman! What does that guarantee? A chance to finish the season as the worst team in the NFL.
Enjoy the Buffalo wings and the commissioner in April saying, “With the first pick the NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select! Great move Buffalo getting rid of Tyrod Taylor. Buffalo will most likely lose to the Chicago Bears (4-3) at home this Sunday. Chicago will be 10 points road favorites and have won 7 of the 12 contests between these two teams.
The Raiders should be in full tank mode sorry Jon Gruden your commitment to excellence is in question. On a positive note, the team realized it needed to tear it down. Derek Carr played better on Sunday (244 yards 3 TD’s), but it was not enough to combat what is a horrible defense that yielded 461 yards in a brutal 42-28 loss to the Colts at home. Let’s face it Khalil Mack will not walk back through those doors but all picks acquired from getting him better be used on defense. Oakland will have a chance to win tonight as they battle the 49ers in Santa Clara. The Raiders are 2.5 underdogs, but they do lead the all-time series 7-6.
They might not be ranked 32nd in our rankings yet, but they are #1 in dysfunction. It’s such a messed up situation I don’t know where to start. I thought with all the moves this team made in the offseason they were going to compete in the NFC East and be a playoff team. Lord was I wrong. Pat Shurmur looks lost, Eli looks like he should be in a retirement home, OBJ should be frustrated, and that Offensive Line with the high priced addition of Nate Soldier is a pile of dog crap. The Raiders at least realized it needed to tear it down, what the Giants did was sit pat.
The off-season for this franchise is going to be critical and the teams most important. When watching a Giants game other than Barkley, you wonder why a total rebuild has not already begun. The Giants are mercifully off this week.
As much as I wanted to put the Giants here and those in New York wanted me to do so, the 49ers on paper and in results are the worse team in Football. It wouldn’t have been the case, but when you lose so many players to injuries, it was bound to happen. They should tank and get the top pick in the draft. With Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch, and a healthy Jimmy G this organization will be on the verge of big things soon. 49ers get a chance to climb out of the 32nd ranking tonight by beating the Raiders at home. They will be hoping to move out of the label of being the worst team in the NFL for week nine.
Teams that are knocking on futilities door:
Indianapolis Colts (3-5), Cleveland Browns (2-5), N.Y. Jets (3-5)
Come back next Thursday for Five Up Five Down: The five best NFL Teams and the five worst NFL Teams for Week 10.
