The NFL has become all about Offense and Defenses to try to stop them, but on Sunday, the Special Teams units shined.

Week 3 Recap

One of Many Blocked FGs in Week 3
  • Bucs Pull One Out – What a game!! The Bucs were in control up 23-5 at the end of the 3rd Quarter, but the Jets showed their moxy with backup QB Tyrod Taylor. First a TD to Wilson, then after a TB FG, WR Alan Lazard had a great catch between his legs for another TD. Then, the Bucs attempted a 43 yard FG that was BLOCKED and returned for a TD giving the Jets the lead – and survivors sweating. Still QB Baker Mayfield took the Bucs into FG range yet again for a last second win, 29-27.
  • Browns Shocked Packers – The Pack controlled the game, but couldn’t pull away. After a CLE FG, QB Jordan Love threw an awful INT that led to the game tying TD by RB Quinshon Judkins, 10-10. GB drove for a 43 yard FG attempt with 27 seconds left, and CLE BLOCKED the FG. Then, with no timeouts, set up the game winning FG from 55 yards by K Andre Szmyt – GOOOODDD!! CLE won, 13-10 and several survivor entries fall.
  • Eagles Get A Miraculous Win – The Rams came into Philly for revenge from last year’s playoffs. They scored early in the 3rd Quarter to go out to a commanding 26-7 lead with 14:06 to play. Then, the Eagles woke up and through the air for once – QB Jalen Hurts hit TE Dallas Goedert for 1, WR AJ Brown for another, then WR Devonta Smith late in the 4th to go ahead, 27-26. The Rams drove into PHI territory for the game winning 44 yard FG, but PHI BLOCKED it and took it to the house for a walk off TD winning, 33-26 (and the cover….). In the Bucs-Jets, Packers-Browns and Rams-Eagles – the blocked kicks happened in the final 2 minutes or less.
  • Chargers Stay Undefeated – The Chargers had a chance to take a commanding lead in the AFC West with a win. DEN came in down 10-0, but scored 17 unanswered including a 52 yard bomb from QB Bo Nix to WR Cortland Sutton. DEN up 20-13 let QB Justin Herbert escape the pocket going to his left, and he threw a complete dime to WR Keenan Allen to tie the game with 2:37 remaining. Nix overthrew a wide open Sutton on 3rd down, and Herbert took the Chargers for a game winning FG from K Cameron Dicker for the win, 23-20. Now, 3-0 on the season and the Division will make them tough to beat.
  • SF Won, But Barely – An ugly game in Santa Clara, as the first TD wasn’t scored until the 4th Quarter. SF up 13-6, but QB Kyler Murray hit TE Trey McBride for a TD to tie. Then, AZ forced a holding call in the end zone for a safety to grab the lead, 15-13 with 3:26 remaining. SF was able to hold AZ to a quick punt after the free kick. Finally, QB Mac Jones drove the 49ers 62 yards in the last 2 minutes for a game winning FG from Eddy Pineiro for the win, 16-15 (no the cover….). Note DE Nick Bosa tore his ACL and is out for the season for SF.
  • Lions Destroyed Ravens – A lot of people including myself, thought the Ravens were the clear best team in the NFL, despite the loss in Week 1. Well, clearly, their D isn’t good enough. DET ran the ball right up the gut over and over again, plus used play action to eviscerate the Ravens D – 225 yards rushing (151 for RB David Montgomery) and 4 rushing TDs. The DET D was good enough and actually sacked QB Lamar Jackson 7 times. The Ravens made it interesting with an onsides kick at the end, but couldn’t get it – Lions won, 38-30.

On the day, there were 5 blocked kicks and several Special Teams and Defensive TDs. The NFL is completely unpredictable at times.

Predictions: S/U 2-2; ATS 0-4 (ugh); Totals 0-4 (ugh, ugh) – worst week in a long time. On to next week.

Fantasy Football – Waiver Wire

Benson Will Be Owned In All Leagues

Another week, another list of big injuries – this time the positional players: RB James Connor (Knee – out for the season), RB Najee Harris (Achilles – out for the season), WR Mike Evans (Hamstring – out a couple weeks), WR CeeDee Lamb (Ankle – Week to Week).

  • QB Carson Wentz, MIN (24% Owned) – Not sure why he is so low owned. He should get 2 more starts both abroad (Ireland then England). He didn’t have to do much, but 2 TDs with those weapons – he loved TE Hockenson, btw. Pick him up!
  • RB Trey Benson, AZ (81% Owned) – With Connor out, Benson will get all the work and have the chance to be a Top 10 back. Will be owned in all leagues by this time next week.
  • RB Ollie Gordon, MIA (56% Owned) – He is a good rookie, and of course Achane is better right now, but if the season goes downhill, then the Rook will get a lot of run.
  • RB Hassan Haskins, LAC (0% Owned) – Rookie Omarion Hampton will be the guy in LA, but it is a long season. In deeper leagues, Haskins should be added. Hampton will not get 100% of all the touches. The Chargers may also pick up an RB off the street, so pay attention to that.
  • WR Luther Burden, CHI (25% Owned) – He is playing the Jameson Williams role in the offense, and he had 2 huge plays. Definitely a boom or bust player, but if Caleb likes him, then he and Rome are the future of this team.
  • WR Tyquan Thornton, KC (9% Owned) – Thornton is the deep threat for KC. Yes, Worthy will come back soon, but Thornton is making plays and has value in this offense with the decline of Kelce.
  • WR Elic Ayomanor, TEN (38% Owned) – Two straight weeks with a TD. Cam Ward seems to trust him.

Week 4 Key Matchups

Can the Ravens Beat these Chiefs?
  • Seahawks at Cardinals (-1.5, 43.5 Total) – Thursday, 9/25 at 7:15 PM Central on Amazon – The NFC West is wide open at this point. SF may be 3-0, but the Bosa injury is going to be an issue. So, SEA and AZ at 2-1 will yield the winner right at the top of the leaderboard. Really tough game to call, but I still think that despite almost beating SF, against a solid D, AZ struggled to score. Now, if Marvin Harrison, Jr. can actually catch a pass, maybe they can be competitive. SEA is coming off a boatrace, which typically means a following week letdown. However, I do not like AZ enough to lay points, even if they are at home on the short week. So, SEA wins, SEA +1.5, Total Under 43.5.
  • Eagles at Bucs (+3.5, 43.5 Total) – Sunday, 9/28 at 12 Noon Central on FOX – A battle of two 3-0 teams who both probably should have lost multiple games so far. The Bucs are more beat up than the Eagles. I think the line is correct here. However, the Bucs have beaten the Eagles in their last 2 trips to Tampa. DT Vita Vea always plays well against the PHI running attack, so I expect the same here. TB will be without WR Mike Evans. I think that TB finally does not pull a game out of their ass this week. So, PHI wins, Covers +3.5, Total Over 43.5.
  • Colts at Rams (-3.5, 49.5 Total) – Sunday, 9/28 at 3:25 PM Central on FOX – The Colts are the NFL Darling (along with the Chargers). I, for one, like what they are doing with QB Daniel Jones and RB Jonathan Taylor are crushing it. That Rams loss in PHI may have a hangover effect, but I will have the Rams bouncing back with a win. That spread is not quite right. So, Rams win, IND +3.5, Total Over – both teams should be able to score a lot.
  • Ravens at Chiefs (+2.5, 48.5 Total) – Sunday, 9/28 at 3:25 PM Central on CBS – The Ravens have not been able to get past the Chiefs the last few years in the playoffs or even regular season. Still, BAL is the better team, and losing on MNF at home will be extra motivation. Sure, KC has Mahomes, and they may get WR Xavier Worthy back. I just don’t think they can keep up with the BAL O. If KC can stop the run and pressure Lamar like DET did, then they have a shot. They will need WRs Thornton or Worthy to make a couple of big plays, as the running attack has been putrid. I just don’t see it. KC got a win on SNF, but this one is a different animal. BAL wins, Covers -2.5, Total Under.

I’m sure more calamity will ensue. Enjoy.

Wegs

About the author

I'm a 49 year old, twice divorced guy with a 20 year old. The blog has morphed a bit lately. Not just sports or dating, social commentary and now some stories from my past experience.