We
are already a quarter of the way through the season and we can begin to see
just what teams are made of. Pretenders and contenders are emerging. The NFL
draft scene is beginning to take shape. And of course, we have some awesome
drama to discuss. Let's get to it.
- - Let’s start off with the Odell Beckham drama. I am not a fan of
how he is acting. There is a clear difference between being a diva receiver and
being a baby, and right now he is acting like a baby. The temper tantrums, the
lack of sportsmanship, and his recent statement that he isn’t having fun playing football anymore.
He needs to realize that teams are targeting him in the sense that they know
they can get inside of his head pretty easily. He has to learn to not let the
mental aspect of the game affect his play on the field.
- - All that being said, the NFL isn’t being fair about the situation
at all. The system of flagging the second person for unsportsman-like conduct
is ridiculous. The NFL needs to implement some sort of instigator penalty and
start going after guys who purposefully target Beckham. He was absolutely hit
out-of-bounds Monday night, yet he was flagged for getting in the defender’s
face. It’s a broken system and Beckham is paying for it.
- - Last week I asked what is going on with the Cardinals and I want
to ask it again: What the hell is going on with the Cardinals? A team with
serious Super Bowl expectations is now 1-3 on the year and looks closer to 8-8
at best than the 12-4 record I gave them this offseason.
Now their star quarterback Carson Palmer is out at least this week against the
49ers with a concussion. The 49ers have been a tough match up this year and
being at home could spell trouble for a struggling Cardinals team. This game is
a must win and should they lose, their shot at the post-season is doubtful at
best.
- - Tom Brady is returning this week from suspension against the
Browns and oh man is he about to light them up. Brady, serving a four game
suspension for Deflate Gate, is more than ready (and probably super pissed off)
to get back to his dominant ways. With him at the helm, the Patriots could have
a legitimate shot to go undefeated the rest of the season and maybe win their
fifth Super Bowl in franchise history.
- - Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott have been great, even better than
advertised, for the Cowboys. Prescott has set the record for most pass attempts
without an interception for a rookie (131) and is fast approaching Tom Brady’s
record for consecutive pass attempts without an interception (162). Meanwhile,
Zeke currently leads the NFL in rushing yards (412). The two are both serious
OROY favorites and could lead them to the playoffs in a weak NFC East. The Eagles
are definitely a big surprise this season and will challenge them for the NFC
East crown.
- - The Ravens parted ways with Justin Forsett this week with many
thinking it is due to a young, talented back in Kenneth Dixon returning from
injury. Here is another factor playing into Dixon’s favor, despite fellow
running back Terrance West’s impressive stat line against the Raiders (21
carries for 113 yards and a touchdown), the Ravens have said they will not commit to anyone in the backfield.
This can mean one of two things. One, the Ravens will go with the hot-hand on a
week-to-week basis. Or two, the Ravens want to give Dixon plenty of
opportunities and not limit him. If I were John Harbaugh, I would roll with the
hot hand. However, as a huge Kenneth Dixon fan (he was my number two running
back behind Ezekiel Elliott), I would love love LOVE to see him become the
featured back in Baltimore.
- - Hanging around the AFC North here, the Steelers and Ravens are
looking like serious contenders with the Browns looking towards the number one
pick in 2017 and Cincinnati trailing for now. The ravens and Steelers are set
to renew their rivalry in week eight in Baltimore and this will give us an
excellent look at who should take the division title. The unstoppable Steelers
offense will meet the immovable Ravens defense. Got to love it…
- - Speaking of the Steelers, Le’Veon Bell is back from suspension and
is looking like his dominant self once again. Against the Chiefs, Bell put up an
18 for 144 yards plus dive receptions on six targets for 34 yards stat line. For
all you math geeks, he averaged a whopping eight yards per carry. Bell’s return
will help to put the Steelers right at the top of the standings for best
offense in the league. Bell joins Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown to
become the league’s best triplets.
- - A report came out today that Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett has
a partially torn ACL and is now being ruled out for the rest of the season. This is a huge loss for
the Chargers, as Verrett’s aggressive play style has been largely underrated in
the Chargers’ secondary.
- - Bengals’ Tyler Eifert has a new setback added to his return from
his broken ankle, this time it’s his back. Eifert has yet to see the field this
season and with all the injuries going against him, he may not play at all this
season. This is very unfortunate news for the Bengals who are sorely missing
Eifert in the red-zone.
- - Bears wide receiver Kevin White has hit injured reserve with a
fractured fibula and high ankle sprain. This is so sad, as he missed his entire
rookie season with a stress fracture in his shin. White played the first four
games of the season, recording a 19 receptions on 36 targets for 187 yards stat
line.
Richard Bradshaw is
available to follow on Twitter @RichieBradz36. Thank you for the read.
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