In the latest twist in the Kareem Hunt saga, the Chiefs released a statement via Twitter that they are releasing the young running back effective immediately. The team advised that during their initial investigation they spoke with Hunt who was not truthful in his statements to the team. Hunt will become available on waivers immediately, though a team is not likely to claim him anytime soon with a pending investigation and suspension looming.
Hunt later released an apology to ESPN apologizing for his actions and hoping to move on from the incident. His future in the league is a mystery, but he will have to serve his suspension and reform his image before any return to the league would be considered. Hunt will likely have to go through an anger management course and volunteer both time and money to a domestic violence organization to show he has learned his lesson and is truly remorseful for his actions. Only then would a team be willing to take the public relations hit that signing Hunt will likely bring. Otherwise his chances of returning will be grim.
Friday, November 30, 2018
Kareem Hunt to be placed on Commissioner's Exempt list
After the release of a video by TMZ on Friday of Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt shoving and kicking a woman in February, the NFL received massive condemnation from the public for their lack of any disciplinary action. The league quickly sought to rectify the situation on Friday.
According to the Associated Press, Hunt will be placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List for the foreseeable future. Hunt was dismissed from Chiefs practice on Friday.
Commissioner's Exempt List ensures that Hunt will not get to practice or play while the investigation is ongoing though he will still be paid. There is no timetable for a return this season if any or when Hunt would face any further discipline from the league.
According to the Associated Press, Hunt will be placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List for the foreseeable future. Hunt was dismissed from Chiefs practice on Friday.
Commissioner's Exempt List ensures that Hunt will not get to practice or play while the investigation is ongoing though he will still be paid. There is no timetable for a return this season if any or when Hunt would face any further discipline from the league.
TMZ releases video of Kareem Hunt assaulting a woman in February
As outrage and controversy continue to surround the Redskins for their decision to claim Reuben Foster after a domestic assault allegation, new video has surfaced of another NFL player assaulting a woman.
TMZ released a video on Friday of Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt shoving and kicking a woman back in February of this year. The troubling part isn't just the violent nature of the altercation, but the fact that neither the team nor the league suspended Hunt since the incident occurred.
Hunt has played in all 12 games so far this season and was not reprimanded for his actions. This flies in the face of the league's personal conduct policy. At minimum the incident warranted a thorough investigation to the extent that police were called to the hotel and their was video footage available to the league to view the full altercation. The league nor the team get the right to say they did not get a chance to view any evidence when their own policy states they will conduct a thorough investigation. The league had just as much of an opportunity to receive the video from the hotel and the police as did TMZ.
This incident is sadly and eerily similar to the Ray Rice incident in 2014. Only after TMZ released the video did the league indefinitely suspend Rice though questions arose as to why the news organization was able to obtain the video and the league was not.
Hunt was the league leader in rushing yards last season and is on pace to have another 1,000 yards rushing this season. What if anything the team or the league will do now that the video evidence has surfaced will remain to be seen, but the team and the league owe it to its fans to evenly apply their conduct policy across the board and a suspension seems both likely and imminent. If the league wants to restore trust to their fans that assaulting women will not be tolerated, swift action must be taken to rectify an already delayed process.
TMZ released a video on Friday of Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt shoving and kicking a woman back in February of this year. The troubling part isn't just the violent nature of the altercation, but the fact that neither the team nor the league suspended Hunt since the incident occurred.
Hunt has played in all 12 games so far this season and was not reprimanded for his actions. This flies in the face of the league's personal conduct policy. At minimum the incident warranted a thorough investigation to the extent that police were called to the hotel and their was video footage available to the league to view the full altercation. The league nor the team get the right to say they did not get a chance to view any evidence when their own policy states they will conduct a thorough investigation. The league had just as much of an opportunity to receive the video from the hotel and the police as did TMZ.
This incident is sadly and eerily similar to the Ray Rice incident in 2014. Only after TMZ released the video did the league indefinitely suspend Rice though questions arose as to why the news organization was able to obtain the video and the league was not.
Hunt was the league leader in rushing yards last season and is on pace to have another 1,000 yards rushing this season. What if anything the team or the league will do now that the video evidence has surfaced will remain to be seen, but the team and the league owe it to its fans to evenly apply their conduct policy across the board and a suspension seems both likely and imminent. If the league wants to restore trust to their fans that assaulting women will not be tolerated, swift action must be taken to rectify an already delayed process.
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Will Hackett's firing and Bortles benching turn the tide for the Jaguars?
This week after another atrocious loss on Sunday, the Jaguars made the decision to fire offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. While the team's offense has remained in the top five in total defense, the offense has continued to struggle throughout the season ranking in the bottom third in both passing and total offense. Besides terminating Hackett, the team made the decision to bench Blake Bortles. has a career completion percentage of 59.3 and has nearly as many career interceptions (74) as touchdowns (103).
Jaguars signed Bortles to a three-year contract extension this offseason guarantee the young talent would be in Jacksonville through 2020. His benching now signifies that the team may have grown weary of his lack of consistency and high turnover ratio. Whether or not the team will stick with Bortles after this season remains to be seen but in the meantime Cody Kessler will get an opportunity to try to lead this team back to winning, a feat they haven't achieved since Week 4.
Jaguars signed Bortles to a three-year contract extension this offseason guarantee the young talent would be in Jacksonville through 2020. His benching now signifies that the team may have grown weary of his lack of consistency and high turnover ratio. Whether or not the team will stick with Bortles after this season remains to be seen but in the meantime Cody Kessler will get an opportunity to try to lead this team back to winning, a feat they haven't achieved since Week 4.
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Week 13 Predictions
New Orleans Saints (10-1) vs. Dallas Cowboys (6-5)
Saints come in off a win last week over the Falcons. Drew Brees completed 15/22 for 171 yards four touchdowns and one interception with one each to Dan Arnold and TommyLee Lewis. Alvin Kamara rushed for 89 yards on 14 carries. The defense scored six sacks and one interception and is ranked No. 15 in total defense but their high flying offense is ranked No. 5.
Cowboys come in off a win last week over the Redskins. Dak Prescott completed 22/31 for 289 two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. Ezekiel Elliott had 143 combined rushing and receiving yards and one rushing touchdown. Amari Cooper made eight receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns. The defense scored three sacks and three interceptions keeping them at No. 7 in total defense but their struggles on offense continue which leave them stuck at No.25 in total offense.
Cowboys lead the series 16-12 but the Saints will get the win at AT and T Stadium on Thursday.
Prediction: Saints
Baltimore Ravens (6-5) vs. Atlanta Falcons (4-7)
Ravens come in off a win last week over the Raiders. Lamar Jackson completed 14/25 for 178 passing yards 1 passing touchdown, 71 rushing yards one rushing touchdown and two interceptions with the lone passing touchdown going to Michael Crabtree. Gus Edwards rushed for 118 yards on 23 carries. The defense scored three sacks and is the top defense in the league. The offense is ranked No. 11 but is showing more promise under Lamar Jackson.
Falcons come in off a loss last week to the Saints. Matt Ryan completed 35/47 for 377 yards two touchdowns and one interception with one touchdown to Telvin Coleman. Calvin Ridley made eight receptions for 93 yards and one touchdown. Julio Jones made 11 receptions for 147 yards. The defense scored two sacks and one interception but is still ranked No. 28 in total defense which keeps them from being able to stop bleeding points to their opponents each week.
Ravens lead the series 3-2 and will get the win at Mercedes Benz Stadium on Sunday.
Prediction: Ravens
Denver Broncos (5-6) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (5-6)
Broncos come in off a win last week over the Steelers. Case Keenum completed 15/28 for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Phillip Lindsay rushed for 110 yards on 14 carries and one touchdown. Emmanuel Sanders made seven receptions for 86 yards and one touchdown. The defense managed two sacks and two interceptions but is still only ranked No. 25 for their lack of a consistent secondary.
Bengals come in off a loss last week to the Browns. Andy Dalton was lost for the season with a thumb injury and A.J. Green is still questionable for this game. Jeff Driskel completed 17/29 for 155 yards 1 passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown. Tyler Boyd made seven receptions for 85 yards and one touchdown. Joe Mixon rushed for 89 yards on 14 carries. The defense is ranked dead last and the offense isn't much better at No. 26 and will likely result in some massive changes this offseason.
Broncos lead the series 21-10 and will beat the Dalton-less Bengals on Sunday.
Prediction: Broncos
Los Angeles Rams (10-1) vs. Detroit Lions (4-7)
Rams come in off a bye last week. Jared Goff has completed 258/351 for 3,547 yards 26 touchdowns and six interceptions for a 113.5 percent passer rating. While their offense is ranked No. 2 in total offense it is their No. 20 defense that has kept their games closer than they should be each week.
Lions come in off a loss last week to the Bears. Matthew Stafford completed 28/38 for 236 yards zero touchdowns and two interceptions. LeGarrette Blount rushed for 88 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns. Kenny Golladay made five receptions for 90 yards. The defense scored four sacks and one interception and is ranked No. 13 but their No. 23 offense and their inconsistent run game has been a major factor all season.
Rams lead the series 43-41-1 and will get the win at Ford Field on Sunday.
Prediction: Rams
Arizona Cardinals (2-9) vs. Green Bay Packers (4-6-1)
Cardinals come in off a loss last week to the Chargers. Josh Rosen completed 12/19 for 105 yards one touchdown and one interception with the lone touchdown going to Larry Fitzgerald. David Johnson had 79 combined rushing and receiving yards. The defense scored four sacks and is ranked No. 19 but their lowly offense is ranked dead last.
Packers come in off a loss last week to the Vikings. Aaron Rodgers completed 17/28 for 198 yards and one touchdown. Aaron Jones rushed for 72 yards on 17 carries and one touchdown. Davante Adams made five receptions for 69 yards and one touchdown. The defense managed two sacks and is ranked No. 12 while their No. 10 offense will keep this team within striking distance of the playoffs.
Packers lead the series 45-25-4 and will get the win at home on Sunday.
Prediction: Packers
Cleveland Browns (4-6-1) vs. Houston Texans (7-3)
Browns come in off a win last week over the Bengals. Baker Mayfield completed 19/26 for 258 yards and four touchdowns. Nick Chubb had 128 combined rushing and receiving yards with one rushing and one receiving touchdown. David Njoku made five receptions for 63 yards and one touchdown. The defense managed one sack and one interception but is still ranked next to last. Their offense is ranked No. 18 but under new offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens the team has continued to improve each week.
Texans come in off a win last week over the Titans. Deshaun Watson completed 19/24 for 210 passing yards, 70 rushing yards, 2 passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown with both touchdowns going to Demaryius Thomas. Lamar Miller rushed for 162 yards on 12 carries and one touchdown. DeAndre Hopkins made five receptions for 74 yards. The defense scored six sacks and is ranked No. 8 and may have found a quality No. 2 wide receiver with the addition of Demaryius Thomas.
Texans lead the series 6-3 and will get the win at home on Sunday.
Prediction: Texans
Indianapolis Colts (6-5) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8)
Colts come in off a win last week over the Dolphins. Andrew Luck completed 30/37 for 343 yard three touchdowns and two interceptions. with two touchdowns going to Eric Ebron. T.Y. Hilton made seven receptions for 125 yards. Marlon Mack rushed for 85 yards on 15 carries. The team lost Jack Doyle for the season. The defense managed one sack and is ranked No. 17 but their No. 8 offense is why the team has remained competitive in their division.
Jaguars come in off a loss last week to the Bills. The team fired offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and benched quarterback Blake Bortles after the abysmal performance. The team also faces the one game suspension of Leonard Fournette this week. The defense is still ranked No. 5 but the offense is ranked No. 22 and hope Cody Kessler can help turn this team around over the last five weeks of the season.
Colts lead series 23-12 and will get the win at TIAA Bank Field on Sunday.
Prediction: Colts
Buffalo Bills (4-7) vs. Miami Dolphins (5-6)
Bills come in off a win last week over the Jaguars. Josh Allen completed 8/19 for 160 passing yards one passing touchdown, 99 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Robert Foster made two receptions for 94 yards and one touchdown. The defense made three sacks and two interceptions and is ranked No. 2 but their offense is extremely unreliable and stuck at No. 31.
Dolphins come in off a loss last week to the Colts. Ryan Tannehill completed 17/25 for 204 yards and two touchdowns with one to Leonte Carroo. Kenyan Drake had 96 combined yards one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown. The defense managed one sack and two interceptions but is still only ranked No. 29 and the offense isn't much better, ranked No. 28.
Dolphins lead the series 60-47-1 and will get the win at home on Sunday.
Prediction: Dolphins
Chicago Bears (8-3) vs. New York Giants (3-8)
Bears come in off a win last week over the Lions. Mitchell Trubisky is still questionable so Chase Daniel may get his second start this week. Daniel completed 27/37 for 230 yards and two touchdowns with Tarik Cohen and Taquan Mizzel each receiving one. The defense scored two sacks and two interceptions and is ranked No.4. Their No. 21 offense has been their only hangup but this team can easily win their division.
Giants come in off a loss last week to the Eagles. Eli Manning completed 26/37 for 297 yards one touchdown and one interception. Saquon Barkley had 142 combined rushing and receiving yards with one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown. Odell Beckham made five receptions for 85 yards. The defense managed three sacks but their No. 23 ranking and their No. 20 offense belies some of the tragic realities of this team.
Bears lead the series 33-23-2 and will get the win at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
Prediction: Bears
Carolina Panthers (6-5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)
Panthers come in off a loss last week to the Seahawks. Cam Newton completed 25/30 for 256 yards two touchdowns and one interception. Christian McCaffrey had 237 combine rushing and receiving yards with one rushing and one receiving touchdown. D.J. Moore made eight receptions for 91 yards. The defense scored two sacks in the game and is ranked No. 14 in total defense.
Buccaneers come in off a win last week over the 49ers. Jameis Winston completed 29/38 for 312 yards and two touchdowns with Adam Humphries and Cameron Brate each receiving one. Peyton Barber rushed for one touchdown. Mike Evans made six receptions for 116 yards. The defense scored four sacks and two interceptions but still struggles each week leaving them stuck at No. 27 while their high flying offense has climbed to No. 1 in total offense.
Panthers lead the series 23-13 and will get the win at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.
Prediction: Panthers
Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) vs. Oakland Raiders (2-9)
Chiefs come in off a bye last week. Patrick Mahomes has completed 264/391 for 3,628 yards 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for a 117.9 percent passer rating. The team's No. 30 ranked defense forces their No. 3 ranked offense to run up the score each week since they aren't able to stop their opponents from scoring.
Raiders come in off a loss last week to the Ravens. Derek Carr completed 16/34 for 194 yards and one touchdown to Jared Cook. Doug Martin rushed for one touchdown. The defense managed one sack and two interceptions and is ranked No. 26 while their offense is ranked No. 24. This team is terrible on both sides of the ball and can only hope for a high draft pick this offseason.
Chiefs lead the series 63-53-2 and will get the win at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on Sunday.
Prediction: Chiefs
New York Jets (3-8) vs. Tennessee Titans (5-5)
Jets come in off a loss last week to the Patriots. Sam Darnold is still questionable and so is Josh McCown who performed well last week completing 26/45 for 276 yards one touchdown and one interception. Jermaine Kearse made six receptions for 66 yards and one touchdown. The defense is ranked No. 21 in total defense while the offense is ranked No. 29 in total offense.
Titans come in off a loss last week to the Texans. Marcus Mariota completed 22/23 for 303 yards and two touchdowns. Corey Davis had 135 combined rushing and receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. Jonnu Smith made two receptions for 63 yards and one touchdown. The defense scored four sacks and is ranked No. 10 but it's their struggling offense that is holding them back from more wins this season.
Titans lead the series 24-19-1 and will get the win at home on Sunday.
Prediction: Titans
Minnesota Vikings (6-4-1) vs. New England Patriots (8-3)
Vikings come in off a win last week over the Packers. Kirk Cousins completed 29/38 for 342 yards and three touchdowns. Dalvin Cook had 76 combined rushing and receiving yards with one receiving touchdown. Adam Thielen made eight receptions for 125 yards and one touchdown. Stefon Diggs made eight receptions for 77 yards and one touchdown. The defense scored four sacks and is ranked No. 3 in total defense which will help them make a playoff push.
Patriots come in off a win last week over the Jets.Tom Brady completed 20/31 for 283 yards and two touchdowns. Sony Michel rushed for 133 yards on 21 carries and one touchdown. Julian Edelman made four receptions for 84 yards and one touchdown. The defense managed two sacks and one interception but is ranked No. 22 in total defense. It is their top 10 ranked offense that will easily let them win their division. .
Patriots lead the series 8-4 and will get the win at home on Sunday.
Prediction: Patriots
San Francisco 49ers (2-9) vs. Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
49ers come in off a loss last week to the Buccaneers. Nick Mullens completed 18/32 for 221 yards one touchdown and two interceptions. Dante Pettis made four receptions for 77 and one touchdown. Matt Breida rushed for 106 yards on 14 carries. The defense managed just one sack and is ranked No. 11 in total defense with their offense ranked No. 17 in total offense.
Seahawks come in off a win last week over the Panthers.Russell Wilson completed 22/31 for 339 yards and two touchdowns. Chris Carson rushed for 55 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown. Tyler Lockett made five receptions for 107 yards and one touchdown. David Moore made four receptions for 103 yards and one touchdown. The defense managed just one interception. The team is ranked No. 16 in both total offense and total defense.
Seahawks lead the series 24-15 and will get the win at home on Sunday.
Prediction: Seahawks
Los Angeles Chargers (8-3) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3-1)
Chargers come in off a win last week over the Cardinals. Philip Rivers completed 28/29 for 259 yards and three touchdown with two of them going to Mike Williams. Melvin Gordon rushed for 61 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns. Keenan Allen made seven receptions for 72 yards and one touchdown. The defense scored two sacks and one interception and is No. 9 in total defense. The offense is ranked No. 6 in total offense and only their kicking game has been an issue all season.
Steelers come in off a loss last week to the Broncos. Ben Roethlisberger completed 41/56 for 462 yards one touchdown and two interceptions. JuJu Smith-Schuster made 13 receptions for 189 yards and one touchdown. The defense managed two sacks and is ranked No. 6 in total defense and the offense is ranked No. 4 in total offense making them one of the better teams in the league.
Steelers lead the series 23-9 and will get the win at home on Sunday.
Prediction: Steelers
Washington Redskins (6-5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (5-6)
Redskins come in off a loss last week to the Cowboys. Colt McCoy completed 24/38 for 268 yards two touchdowns and three interceptions with one touchdown going to Trey Quinn. Vernon Davis made two receptions for 73 yards and one touchdown. Kapri Bibbs rushed for one touchdown. The defense scored four sacks and is ranked No. 18 in total defense. The offense is ranked No. 27 and will need to find new ways to win under Colt McCoy each week.
Eagles come in off a win last week over the Giants. Carson Wentz completed 20/28 for 236 yards and one touchdown. Josh Adams rushed for 84 yards on 22 carries and one touchdown. Zach Ertz made seven receptions for 91 yards and one touchdown. The defense scored two sacks and one interception and is ranked No. 24 in total defense. The offense is ranked No. 19 in total offense. This team has been plagued by injuries all season.
Redskins lead the series 86-75-5 and will get the win at Lincoln Financial Field on Monday.
Prediction: Redskins
Survivor Pool Pick of the Week: Dolphins
Saints come in off a win last week over the Falcons. Drew Brees completed 15/22 for 171 yards four touchdowns and one interception with one each to Dan Arnold and TommyLee Lewis. Alvin Kamara rushed for 89 yards on 14 carries. The defense scored six sacks and one interception and is ranked No. 15 in total defense but their high flying offense is ranked No. 5.
Prediction: Saints
Baltimore Ravens (6-5) vs. Atlanta Falcons (4-7)
Ravens come in off a win last week over the Raiders. Lamar Jackson completed 14/25 for 178 passing yards 1 passing touchdown, 71 rushing yards one rushing touchdown and two interceptions with the lone passing touchdown going to Michael Crabtree. Gus Edwards rushed for 118 yards on 23 carries. The defense scored three sacks and is the top defense in the league. The offense is ranked No. 11 but is showing more promise under Lamar Jackson.
Falcons come in off a loss last week to the Saints. Matt Ryan completed 35/47 for 377 yards two touchdowns and one interception with one touchdown to Telvin Coleman. Calvin Ridley made eight receptions for 93 yards and one touchdown. Julio Jones made 11 receptions for 147 yards. The defense scored two sacks and one interception but is still ranked No. 28 in total defense which keeps them from being able to stop bleeding points to their opponents each week.
Prediction: Ravens
Denver Broncos (5-6) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (5-6)
Broncos come in off a win last week over the Steelers. Case Keenum completed 15/28 for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Phillip Lindsay rushed for 110 yards on 14 carries and one touchdown. Emmanuel Sanders made seven receptions for 86 yards and one touchdown. The defense managed two sacks and two interceptions but is still only ranked No. 25 for their lack of a consistent secondary.
Broncos lead the series 21-10 and will beat the Dalton-less Bengals on Sunday.
Prediction: Broncos
Los Angeles Rams (10-1) vs. Detroit Lions (4-7)
Rams come in off a bye last week. Jared Goff has completed 258/351 for 3,547 yards 26 touchdowns and six interceptions for a 113.5 percent passer rating. While their offense is ranked No. 2 in total offense it is their No. 20 defense that has kept their games closer than they should be each week.
Lions come in off a loss last week to the Bears. Matthew Stafford completed 28/38 for 236 yards zero touchdowns and two interceptions. LeGarrette Blount rushed for 88 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns. Kenny Golladay made five receptions for 90 yards. The defense scored four sacks and one interception and is ranked No. 13 but their No. 23 offense and their inconsistent run game has been a major factor all season.
Rams lead the series 43-41-1 and will get the win at Ford Field on Sunday.
Prediction: Rams
Arizona Cardinals (2-9) vs. Green Bay Packers (4-6-1)
Cardinals come in off a loss last week to the Chargers. Josh Rosen completed 12/19 for 105 yards one touchdown and one interception with the lone touchdown going to Larry Fitzgerald. David Johnson had 79 combined rushing and receiving yards. The defense scored four sacks and is ranked No. 19 but their lowly offense is ranked dead last.
Prediction: Packers
Cleveland Browns (4-6-1) vs. Houston Texans (7-3)
Browns come in off a win last week over the Bengals. Baker Mayfield completed 19/26 for 258 yards and four touchdowns. Nick Chubb had 128 combined rushing and receiving yards with one rushing and one receiving touchdown. David Njoku made five receptions for 63 yards and one touchdown. The defense managed one sack and one interception but is still ranked next to last. Their offense is ranked No. 18 but under new offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens the team has continued to improve each week.
Texans lead the series 6-3 and will get the win at home on Sunday.
Prediction: Texans
Indianapolis Colts (6-5) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8)
Colts come in off a win last week over the Dolphins. Andrew Luck completed 30/37 for 343 yard three touchdowns and two interceptions. with two touchdowns going to Eric Ebron. T.Y. Hilton made seven receptions for 125 yards. Marlon Mack rushed for 85 yards on 15 carries. The team lost Jack Doyle for the season. The defense managed one sack and is ranked No. 17 but their No. 8 offense is why the team has remained competitive in their division.
Jaguars come in off a loss last week to the Bills. The team fired offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and benched quarterback Blake Bortles after the abysmal performance. The team also faces the one game suspension of Leonard Fournette this week. The defense is still ranked No. 5 but the offense is ranked No. 22 and hope Cody Kessler can help turn this team around over the last five weeks of the season.
Prediction: Colts
Buffalo Bills (4-7) vs. Miami Dolphins (5-6)
Bills come in off a win last week over the Jaguars. Josh Allen completed 8/19 for 160 passing yards one passing touchdown, 99 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Robert Foster made two receptions for 94 yards and one touchdown. The defense made three sacks and two interceptions and is ranked No. 2 but their offense is extremely unreliable and stuck at No. 31.
Prediction: Dolphins
Chicago Bears (8-3) vs. New York Giants (3-8)
Bears come in off a win last week over the Lions. Mitchell Trubisky is still questionable so Chase Daniel may get his second start this week. Daniel completed 27/37 for 230 yards and two touchdowns with Tarik Cohen and Taquan Mizzel each receiving one. The defense scored two sacks and two interceptions and is ranked No.4. Their No. 21 offense has been their only hangup but this team can easily win their division.
Giants come in off a loss last week to the Eagles. Eli Manning completed 26/37 for 297 yards one touchdown and one interception. Saquon Barkley had 142 combined rushing and receiving yards with one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown. Odell Beckham made five receptions for 85 yards. The defense managed three sacks but their No. 23 ranking and their No. 20 offense belies some of the tragic realities of this team.
Bears lead the series 33-23-2 and will get the win at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
Prediction: Bears
Carolina Panthers (6-5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)
Panthers come in off a loss last week to the Seahawks. Cam Newton completed 25/30 for 256 yards two touchdowns and one interception. Christian McCaffrey had 237 combine rushing and receiving yards with one rushing and one receiving touchdown. D.J. Moore made eight receptions for 91 yards. The defense scored two sacks in the game and is ranked No. 14 in total defense.
Buccaneers come in off a win last week over the 49ers. Jameis Winston completed 29/38 for 312 yards and two touchdowns with Adam Humphries and Cameron Brate each receiving one. Peyton Barber rushed for one touchdown. Mike Evans made six receptions for 116 yards. The defense scored four sacks and two interceptions but still struggles each week leaving them stuck at No. 27 while their high flying offense has climbed to No. 1 in total offense.
Prediction: Panthers
Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) vs. Oakland Raiders (2-9)
Chiefs come in off a bye last week. Patrick Mahomes has completed 264/391 for 3,628 yards 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for a 117.9 percent passer rating. The team's No. 30 ranked defense forces their No. 3 ranked offense to run up the score each week since they aren't able to stop their opponents from scoring.
Raiders come in off a loss last week to the Ravens. Derek Carr completed 16/34 for 194 yards and one touchdown to Jared Cook. Doug Martin rushed for one touchdown. The defense managed one sack and two interceptions and is ranked No. 26 while their offense is ranked No. 24. This team is terrible on both sides of the ball and can only hope for a high draft pick this offseason.
Prediction: Chiefs
New York Jets (3-8) vs. Tennessee Titans (5-5)
Jets come in off a loss last week to the Patriots. Sam Darnold is still questionable and so is Josh McCown who performed well last week completing 26/45 for 276 yards one touchdown and one interception. Jermaine Kearse made six receptions for 66 yards and one touchdown. The defense is ranked No. 21 in total defense while the offense is ranked No. 29 in total offense.
Titans come in off a loss last week to the Texans. Marcus Mariota completed 22/23 for 303 yards and two touchdowns. Corey Davis had 135 combined rushing and receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. Jonnu Smith made two receptions for 63 yards and one touchdown. The defense scored four sacks and is ranked No. 10 but it's their struggling offense that is holding them back from more wins this season.
Titans lead the series 24-19-1 and will get the win at home on Sunday.
Prediction: Titans
Minnesota Vikings (6-4-1) vs. New England Patriots (8-3)
Vikings come in off a win last week over the Packers. Kirk Cousins completed 29/38 for 342 yards and three touchdowns. Dalvin Cook had 76 combined rushing and receiving yards with one receiving touchdown. Adam Thielen made eight receptions for 125 yards and one touchdown. Stefon Diggs made eight receptions for 77 yards and one touchdown. The defense scored four sacks and is ranked No. 3 in total defense which will help them make a playoff push.
Prediction: Patriots
San Francisco 49ers (2-9) vs. Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
49ers come in off a loss last week to the Buccaneers. Nick Mullens completed 18/32 for 221 yards one touchdown and two interceptions. Dante Pettis made four receptions for 77 and one touchdown. Matt Breida rushed for 106 yards on 14 carries. The defense managed just one sack and is ranked No. 11 in total defense with their offense ranked No. 17 in total offense.
Seahawks come in off a win last week over the Panthers.Russell Wilson completed 22/31 for 339 yards and two touchdowns. Chris Carson rushed for 55 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown. Tyler Lockett made five receptions for 107 yards and one touchdown. David Moore made four receptions for 103 yards and one touchdown. The defense managed just one interception. The team is ranked No. 16 in both total offense and total defense.
Seahawks lead the series 24-15 and will get the win at home on Sunday.
Prediction: Seahawks
Los Angeles Chargers (8-3) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3-1)
Chargers come in off a win last week over the Cardinals. Philip Rivers completed 28/29 for 259 yards and three touchdown with two of them going to Mike Williams. Melvin Gordon rushed for 61 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns. Keenan Allen made seven receptions for 72 yards and one touchdown. The defense scored two sacks and one interception and is No. 9 in total defense. The offense is ranked No. 6 in total offense and only their kicking game has been an issue all season.
Steelers come in off a loss last week to the Broncos. Ben Roethlisberger completed 41/56 for 462 yards one touchdown and two interceptions. JuJu Smith-Schuster made 13 receptions for 189 yards and one touchdown. The defense managed two sacks and is ranked No. 6 in total defense and the offense is ranked No. 4 in total offense making them one of the better teams in the league.
Steelers lead the series 23-9 and will get the win at home on Sunday.
Prediction: Steelers
Washington Redskins (6-5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (5-6)
Redskins come in off a loss last week to the Cowboys. Colt McCoy completed 24/38 for 268 yards two touchdowns and three interceptions with one touchdown going to Trey Quinn. Vernon Davis made two receptions for 73 yards and one touchdown. Kapri Bibbs rushed for one touchdown. The defense scored four sacks and is ranked No. 18 in total defense. The offense is ranked No. 27 and will need to find new ways to win under Colt McCoy each week.
Eagles come in off a win last week over the Giants. Carson Wentz completed 20/28 for 236 yards and one touchdown. Josh Adams rushed for 84 yards on 22 carries and one touchdown. Zach Ertz made seven receptions for 91 yards and one touchdown. The defense scored two sacks and one interception and is ranked No. 24 in total defense. The offense is ranked No. 19 in total offense. This team has been plagued by injuries all season.
Prediction: Redskins
Survivor Pool Pick of the Week: Dolphins
Redskins show the ugly side of football by signing Reuben Foster
This past weekend the 49ers made the decision to part ways with troubled young star Reuben Foster. The decision was seen as an effort by the team to save their image after Foster once again let the team down with his off field actions. As I stated in my previous blog, Foster's propensity towards violence should steer teams clear of him. However, just as predicted, a team took a chance and claimed the troubled player off waivers. The Redskins quickly took to Twitter to defend their decision with a hasty message claiming the team would let the legal process play out and any potential suspension from the league before he would get a chance to play for the team. Despite this claim many people were angered by the team's decision to give Foster a second chance.
Redskins are a team that recently lost their starting quarterback for the season and bypassed signing a Super Bowl contending quarterback in Colin Kaepernick to sign Mark Sanchez who has a career completion percentage of 56.7. Kaepernick's only "crime" was kneeling to protest systemic racism and social injustice. Foster has had repeated run ins with the law and a previous suspension from the league for his personal conduct. This is not a story of redemption for a player who has learned his lesson from a troubled past, this is a player who has been given more than one opportunity to correct his actions and has not done so. Giving him another pass does not help to teach him anything nor convey to him the seriousness of his actions. A team that once praised Goodell for his suspension of Ray Rice for his domestic violence altercation now seems hypocritical for their decision to claim Foster. This is a team who has been praised for starting the breast cancer awareness campaign in the league and now they show that women do not trump a player with questionable morals but great talent. Is this the message this team or the league wants to convey to their female fans and viewers?
Foster isn't the first player to be given another opportunity in the league. In 1996 Lawrence Phillips was drafted No. 6 by the St. Louis Rams after a violent history in college at Nebraska. Despite his propensity towards violence, the team was willing to take a chance on him. He was released after one season for his off field antics. The Dolphins were the next team to claim him but released him after just two games for assaulting a woman. After several more stops in professional football and more violent altercations, Phillips was out of football by 2003 (though his violent tendencies would continue long after his playing days were finished). In 2014, Greg Hardy was arrested for assaulting an ex-girlfriend. The Panthers did not release Hardy, but he never played another down for the team and was not re-signed in the offseason. Hardy would be handed down a 10 game suspension for his off field issues which was later reduced to just four games and made way for the Cowboys to sign him to a one-year deal in 2015. During this time Hardy sat down for an interview with ESPN's Adam Schecter and denied the domestic violence allegations despite evidence to the contrary. It was Hardy's lack of production and frequent issues with head coach Jason Garrett that lead to the team deciding not to re-sign him the following offseason not his violent history nor his denial of it.
As of now there is no telling that Foster is headed in the same direction as Phillips or Hardy, but given the fact this is a repeat offender, shouldn't a team take more than one day to vet a player and do their due diligence to make sure a player has the ability to control their anger and violent tendencies? Doesn't the team owe it to its fans to bring in players who exemplify the best qualities on and off the field? Don't female supporters deserve to know that the league does not support abusers over women? This league that was once prominent for its "No More" campaign against domestic violence is slipping into a dangerous territory of alienating half it's fan base if it continues to not take a hard stance against abusers. The Redskins are just one more example of this sad fact.
Redskins are a team that recently lost their starting quarterback for the season and bypassed signing a Super Bowl contending quarterback in Colin Kaepernick to sign Mark Sanchez who has a career completion percentage of 56.7. Kaepernick's only "crime" was kneeling to protest systemic racism and social injustice. Foster has had repeated run ins with the law and a previous suspension from the league for his personal conduct. This is not a story of redemption for a player who has learned his lesson from a troubled past, this is a player who has been given more than one opportunity to correct his actions and has not done so. Giving him another pass does not help to teach him anything nor convey to him the seriousness of his actions. A team that once praised Goodell for his suspension of Ray Rice for his domestic violence altercation now seems hypocritical for their decision to claim Foster. This is a team who has been praised for starting the breast cancer awareness campaign in the league and now they show that women do not trump a player with questionable morals but great talent. Is this the message this team or the league wants to convey to their female fans and viewers?
Foster isn't the first player to be given another opportunity in the league. In 1996 Lawrence Phillips was drafted No. 6 by the St. Louis Rams after a violent history in college at Nebraska. Despite his propensity towards violence, the team was willing to take a chance on him. He was released after one season for his off field antics. The Dolphins were the next team to claim him but released him after just two games for assaulting a woman. After several more stops in professional football and more violent altercations, Phillips was out of football by 2003 (though his violent tendencies would continue long after his playing days were finished). In 2014, Greg Hardy was arrested for assaulting an ex-girlfriend. The Panthers did not release Hardy, but he never played another down for the team and was not re-signed in the offseason. Hardy would be handed down a 10 game suspension for his off field issues which was later reduced to just four games and made way for the Cowboys to sign him to a one-year deal in 2015. During this time Hardy sat down for an interview with ESPN's Adam Schecter and denied the domestic violence allegations despite evidence to the contrary. It was Hardy's lack of production and frequent issues with head coach Jason Garrett that lead to the team deciding not to re-sign him the following offseason not his violent history nor his denial of it.
As of now there is no telling that Foster is headed in the same direction as Phillips or Hardy, but given the fact this is a repeat offender, shouldn't a team take more than one day to vet a player and do their due diligence to make sure a player has the ability to control their anger and violent tendencies? Doesn't the team owe it to its fans to bring in players who exemplify the best qualities on and off the field? Don't female supporters deserve to know that the league does not support abusers over women? This league that was once prominent for its "No More" campaign against domestic violence is slipping into a dangerous territory of alienating half it's fan base if it continues to not take a hard stance against abusers. The Redskins are just one more example of this sad fact.
Monday, November 26, 2018
Reuben Foster should be a cautionary tale to the NFL
Coming out of Alabama in 2017, Reuben Foster was a highly touted and sought after recruit. He was fast, ferocious and hard hitting. He was an All-American, All-SEC, Butkus Award winning inside linebacker who had the skills and speed to be the next Luke Kuechly or Bobby Wagner. When the 49ers drafted him along with defensive end Solomon Thomas, it was thought that the team had finally found the answers to their defensive woes. While Thomas has yet to live up to the high expectations for him, Foster has found himself on a downward spiral that may have finally ended his NFL career after just one season.
Foster's story is a a tragic and frustrating one; a young talent with so much potential unable to control his anger and violent nature off the field. From the beginning there were questions about his hotheadedness. Foster was sent home from the 2017 combine after getting into an altercation with a hospital worker and failed a drug test. Despite this he was still selected with the No. 31 overall pick.
In January 2018 Foster was arrested in Alabama for marijuana possession. Charges were later dismissed after he completed a diversion program. Foster was arrested a month later for domestic violence and weapon possession charges. The domestic violence charges were dismissed after the victim recanted her story and the weapons charge was reduced. Despite this the league suspended Foster for two games at the start of the 2018 season for violating the league's conduct policy.
This past weekend Foster was again arrested for domestic violence. This comes just one month after a domestic disturbance call against Foster and his girlfriend in Santa Clara. Finally tired of the ongoing legal troubles with Foster, the 49ers released the young linebacker.
Foster's troubling start at the 2017 Combine should have been enough of a deterrent to keep teams from taking a chance on him. Sadly teams are willing to take a chance on players with checkered histories if they show a modicum of talent. Foster will bear the brunt of his ultimate demise, but the 49ers have some level of culpability in not more carefully vetting Foster when early red flags were raised about his character. The league is quicker to condemn players for drug use than domestic violence or assaults against women. When players can be suspended an entire season for failed drug tests but a mere three games for an assault on a woman it shows a deep level of hypocrisy. Is the NFL more concerned about the product on the field than the moral character of the players that represent it?
The sad part is this may not be the end of Foster's career. There is still a chance that another team will be willing to take a chance on him. This would not be the first time a team has given a player with domestic violence issues a second chance in the league. While ultimately Greg Hardy's comeback story failed, the fact he was even given a second chance does not speak well of the priorities of the league. If this league wants to continue to grow its female viewership they need to do a better job of keeping players and personnel with a history of violence against women out of the league.
Foster's story is a a tragic and frustrating one; a young talent with so much potential unable to control his anger and violent nature off the field. From the beginning there were questions about his hotheadedness. Foster was sent home from the 2017 combine after getting into an altercation with a hospital worker and failed a drug test. Despite this he was still selected with the No. 31 overall pick.
In January 2018 Foster was arrested in Alabama for marijuana possession. Charges were later dismissed after he completed a diversion program. Foster was arrested a month later for domestic violence and weapon possession charges. The domestic violence charges were dismissed after the victim recanted her story and the weapons charge was reduced. Despite this the league suspended Foster for two games at the start of the 2018 season for violating the league's conduct policy.
This past weekend Foster was again arrested for domestic violence. This comes just one month after a domestic disturbance call against Foster and his girlfriend in Santa Clara. Finally tired of the ongoing legal troubles with Foster, the 49ers released the young linebacker.
Foster's troubling start at the 2017 Combine should have been enough of a deterrent to keep teams from taking a chance on him. Sadly teams are willing to take a chance on players with checkered histories if they show a modicum of talent. Foster will bear the brunt of his ultimate demise, but the 49ers have some level of culpability in not more carefully vetting Foster when early red flags were raised about his character. The league is quicker to condemn players for drug use than domestic violence or assaults against women. When players can be suspended an entire season for failed drug tests but a mere three games for an assault on a woman it shows a deep level of hypocrisy. Is the NFL more concerned about the product on the field than the moral character of the players that represent it?
The sad part is this may not be the end of Foster's career. There is still a chance that another team will be willing to take a chance on him. This would not be the first time a team has given a player with domestic violence issues a second chance in the league. While ultimately Greg Hardy's comeback story failed, the fact he was even given a second chance does not speak well of the priorities of the league. If this league wants to continue to grow its female viewership they need to do a better job of keeping players and personnel with a history of violence against women out of the league.
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