Our Week 9 Thoughts, Reactions and Recap

8 Nov, 2022

Our Week 9 Thoughts, Reactions and Recap

Has Justin Fields Finally Become a Good Quarterback?

It has been 2 years since the Bears scored 29 or more in 3 straight games. Before that, you’d have to go all the way back to the 2013 season to find such a Bears streak. So, what has changed over the last 3 weeks to get Chicago on this scoring stretch? For starters, Justin Fields is running like a mad man out there. He rushed for 178 yards on Sunday, breaking the single game NFL record previously held by Michael Vick. In the first 6 games of the year, Fields was averaging 5.26 YPC. Now in the last 3 games, that number has skyrocketed to 8.41. Chicago is finally taking advantage of Fields’ legs and it’s paying off in a big way. 

Just like the rushing yards, the lack of turnovers by Fields has been a big help to Chicago as well. In this 3-game offensive explosion, Fields has 1 turnover. He was averaging 1 per game through the first 6 weeks of the season. Justin needs to keep progressing throughout this year and into next if he wants to get into the top 10-12 quarterback in the league conversation, but after what we have seen from him the last 3 games, we can safely say he is on his way. 

The Jets Beat the Bills in a Major Upset

I don’t know who is to blame for the Bills after that ugly loss. The Jets’ defense is good, but I can’t give it credit for the horrible throws Josh Allen made. The Bills were about to score the first touchdown of the game and Allen threw a “head scratcher” of a pass directly to a Jets player. At least Allen knows he played poorly, saying after the game “it is tough to win when your quarterback plays like s***”. Props to the Jets though for seeing this opportunity to steal one from Buffalo and taking it. I still can’t and won’t respect this Jets team. Not until Wilson can put some consistently good games together against good opponents. He didn’t turn it over today, which was a plus, but he also only threw for 152 yards. Somehow, I don’t think a performance like that will get it done in January in today’s NFL. 

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are Dead

I wanted so badly to believe Rodgers would get the job done in Detroit this week. It seemed like the perfect spot for Green Bay to get back on track and into the playoff hunt. After the loss they sit at 3-6 and will more than likely have to go 6-2 the remainder of the season to have a chance at the playoffs. With games still left against Dallas, Tennessee, Philadelphia, Miami and Minnesota, the likelihood they go 3-5 is much higher. Aaron Rodgers will miss the playoffs for the first time in his career where he plays every game. What a sad time in Green Bay and a worst-case scenario season for the Packers. 

The Raiders Blew Another Big Lead

Las Vegas has lost 4 games where they had a 17+ point lead this year. I picked Las Vegas -2.5 this week and felt pretty good until the collapse happened. They were able to close out and win one score games last year but have apparently lost that ability now in 2022. I hate to say it as I like the guy as a player, but Carr might be the problem. Seemingly every time I watch Las Vegas fail to score late in a game it is because Carr is force feeding certain receivers. The last few years it was Darren Waller, now it is Davante Adams. There is no reason for Davante Adams to have 17 targets and no other Raider receiver to have more than 5. Inexcusable. They have been a massive disappointment, especially with all the hype around them in the offseason. 

Tom Brady was Back

Who knows if Tampa Bay will be able to build on this win. They play a very good Seattle team next week, so the streak could stop at 1. However, for one Sunday in November he was back. We saw vintage Brady out there in the last few minutes of that game. It was a mix of luck and skill, the perfect “Brady” cocktail and a fun ending to watch. 

On the other side of that amazing comeback was the atrocious defense by Los Angeles. Raheem Morris needs to be fired after a showing like that. The Rams left the middle wide open for a monster gain to start the drive and then left the sidelines just as open for Brady to carve them up 10 yards at a time. It was one of the worst last-second defensive performances I have ever seen. 

Ehlinger Sacked 9 Times

The Patriots-Colts game was boring by all accounts. It ended 26-3 but was barely ever on RedZone. The real loser in this game was the Colts’ offensive line. Their line was supposed to be one of their strongest units going into the year. Even if the quarterback play was average, at least they had a good offensive line to provide running lanes and time in the pocket. Nothing has been farther from the truth through 9 weeks. Indianapolis is allowing 3.9 sacks per game, good for last in the NFL. It doesn’t matter how good a young, rookie quarterback is. If he gets sacked 9 times, the team is losing. In fact, teams that give up 9 sacks in a game are 8-146-3. Not a statistic you want to be associated with.  

Other Notes:

  • Geno Smith and the Seahawks keep winning. Now 6-3 on the year and no sign of slowing down. This team might win the NFC West if they aren’t careful. 
  • Tyreek Hill continues to put up insane numbers for the Dolphins. He’s now on pace for 2,085 receiving yards. 
  • Heinicke fails to spoil Cousins’ return to Washington. The Commanders had the Vikings on the ropes, but an ill-timed interception by Heinicke cost them the win. 
  • The Chargers beat the Falcons in a nail biter. They just need to hold out a little while longer before they can get some of their better players back.
  • The Titans made Kansas City work for it, but ultimately no passing attack is what did them in. Derrick Henry can only get a team so far, they need to be able to pass as well. 
  • Joe Mixon had 5 total touchdowns on the day, leading Cincinnati to a blowout win over Carolina. His fantasy owners finally had something to celebrate as he had arguably been a bust through 8 weeks.

Gambling Recap

We went 2-3 Sunday and broke our streak of winning weeks. Once again, a player prop we took saw that player get injured during the game. This is now the 4th time out of 12 player prop bets we’ve made where said player became injured. Andy Reid killed us as well on our 1st quarter over bet. Instead of punching it in at the end of the 1st quarter, he let the clock run down and Mecole Hardman scored to open the 2nd quarter. We still have a winning record but can’t quite seem to break through the glass ceiling and get into the “green” territory. Hopefully we get some better luck next week.