By William Frangules
Now that we’ve seen another great weekend of football it is time to look at some developing trends that the season is beginning to have. We have seen some teams take off and some starting to crash and burn, as well as some surprises both good and bad.
This week’s game of the week was an AFC championship rematch between the Patriots and the Jaguars. In the hottest game in a long time (High 90’s with humidity), the Jags dominated the Pats taking a 21-3 lead before halftime and winning the game 31-20. In what looked like a repeat of last year’s Super Bowl, the Patriots could not lay a finger on an average quarterback who then torched the defense. Blake Bortles threw for 377 yards and four touchdowns on 29 attempts. Keelan Cole caught seven passes for 116 yards and a TD. He also made an incredible one-handed grab across his body running a streak down the sideline.
The reason why Bortles had a clinic was that the Pats defense didn’t get a single sack during the game. This allowed Bortles to pass in the pocket all day. Brady was consequently sacked twice and went 24/35 for 234 yards two TDs. The Pats offense had a great chance in the fourth quarter down 11 after an interception and gave the ball right back to the Jags on a Brady sack and fumble. A tough road loss for the Patriots dynasty and a big victory for the Jags who will continue to be a Super Bowl contender if Bortles can still play at this level.
Another big game this week was the Packers-Vikings up in Lambeau, which started off with an early touchdown in which the Packers blocked a punt close to the end zone that was then caught for a touchdown. The game went back and forth throughout as Kirk Cousins (of the Vikings) threw for 425 yards, four touchdowns, and a pick, while Rodgers (of the Packers) threw for 281 yards and a TD.
However, with an eight-point lead and less than two minutes left, Clay Mathews put pressure on Cousins as he lofted a ball deep down the field that was then intercepted. Lambeau was shaking, but then there was a flag. In a controversial call, Mathews was called for roughing the passer. That then gave the ball back to the Vikings, who later went down the field, scored a TD, got a two-point conversion and tied the game which ended at 29-29.
Other games that were of great significance were the high flying Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Chiefs went to Pittsburgh and beat the Steelers 42-37. Second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes has now thrown an NFL-record 10 touchdowns in his first two games. With guys like Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins along with the mind of head coach Andy Reid, Kansas City could have a big year.
The Buccaneers defeated the former champion Philadelphia Eagles 27-21 at home with Ryan “Fitzmagic” going 27/33 for 402 yards and four TD’s, one of which came on the first play of the game going 75 yards to Desean Jackson. Fitzpatrick then borrowed Jackson’s outfit for his post-game press conference to become a look-alike Connor McGregor.
After last weekend, I’m glad I’m not an NFL kicker after Cleveland Browns rookie kicker Zane Gonzalez missed two extra points and two field goals costing his team eight points and losing to the New Orleans Saint’s by three. Minnesota’s kicker Daniel Carlson missed three field goals in the tying effort. He was replaced on Monday by new free agent veteran Dan Bailey, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys. Another move made this week was the New England Patriots trading a 5th round pick to the Cleveland Browns for the troubled Josh Gordon. While the top skill is there, Gordon has been suspended so often that he’s only played 11 games since the 2014 season. While the Patriots are weak in receiving core, one has to wonder if this move will pay off or fall flat on its face.
My current top five: 1. LA Rams 2. Minnesota Vikings 3. Jacksonville Jaguars 4. New England Patriots 5. Kansas City Chiefs.