NFL: Five Week 7 Thoughts

 Guys, I really battled with what to write today. Great week in the NFL as usual, but today is also the opening night for the NBA, a night I am overwhelmingly excited about. I figured I'd better stick with my NFL reaction for this one because I'll have more to say after the games tonight. Ok lets lock in, we're approaching the mid point of the season and injuries are starting to build up for a lot of teams. This happens every year in the NFL, a true battle of attrition. We've got a pretty good picture now too of who's got it and who doesn't, lets get into it: 

Shout Out to San Francisco Hospitals

 Oh man the poor 49ers! This season has been an absolute season from hell from an injury perspective. Christian McCaffery hasn't played a single snap all season to start the injury woes, but one injury is something any NFL team should be able to stomach. Then came this week, Deebo Samuel was hospitalized with pneumonia, Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL and George Kittle is dealing with a foot sprain. I really feel for Brock Purdy, last season the narrative was that he was surrounded by weapons so is he really that good? This year, especially yesterday, all of those weapons disappeared and the results haven't been pretty. It's not entirely on him, someone pointed out to me that Purdy's healthiest receiver now is someone who just came back from being shot in the chest in the off season. The 49ers lost to the Chiefs in a lackluster Superbowl rematch and now sit just 3-4 on the season. Luckily all is not lost in SF as they sit only a game back in their division with tons of season left to play. It will be interesting going forward to see how Brock Purdy steps up with all the injuries. Unfortunate and disastrous start for the reigning NFC champions. 

What Were the Buccaneers Thinking?

Speaking of injuries, the Buccaneers suffered 2 massive blows on Monday night in what I can only describe as mind boggling decisions. To start the game, Mike Evans was limping around on what was a clearly injured hamstring. They talked on the broadcast about only using him in the red zone and as a decoy to try and keep him as healthy as possible. Early in the second quarter, Baker aired out a pass to Evans in the end zone, Evans took a regular hit to his lower body while attempting to make the grab and immediately writhed in pain clutching his hamstring. I am no doctor, nor do I pretend to be, but I've seen a lot of sports and generally I've noticed that hamstring injuries don't just get better by sprinting and jumping like a wide receiver needs to do in football. Why risk your season for this one game, especially on a Bucks team that has other weapons to use. 

The disaster didn't stop there, with 2 minutes left in the game and Baltimore leading by multiple possessions, the Buccaneers kept pushing with all of their starters out there. Chris Godwin took a hit to his lower body which saw his lower leg bend the other way. I get that you should play hard to the final whistle regardless of score, and that guys can get hurt in the NFL at any point in the game, but after already losing Evans this really has to hurt. Godwin announced today that he has opted for surgery on what they're calling a high ankle sprain. I wish the best for both of these talented receivers, but Tampa is in trouble now. Baker has put up a fantastic season so far, it will be a real test to see how he performs with his best two weapons out. 

Derrick Henry 

You know what's really annoying? Every time the Steelers look awesome, like they did on Sunday, the Ravens seem to look even better in their game. It's like a big brother one upping you every time you accomplish something. I hate it. I do not however, hate Derrick Henry, no matter how hard I've tried. It is absolutely disgusting that Henry looks like he did in his prime. This adds so much to the Ravens offense, which was already an elite running offense. Late in the game last night the broadcast mas talking about how Henry hadn't been utilized very much stating "that could change in a hurry." Literally the next play Henry busted off an 81 yard carry, the first of multiple big carries in the late 3rd-4th quarter to put the game away. Having a great running back who only improves as the game goes on feels unfair. If the Ravens can build a lead early, they now have the best closer in football to put the game away. It was demoralizing watching the Bucks try and get a stop to get the game back under control only to have Henry bruise and batter their defense all the way down the field. I have to say too, even though he wears a disgusting shade of purple and black, Henry is extremely fun to watch. The way he picks up speed in the open field at his massive size makes him look like a dump truck going at 100mph. I don't think you could pay me any amount of money to stand in front of Derrick Henry with a head of steam. As a Steelers fan, you only hope his age slows him down as the season goes on, otherwise the Ravens are looking scary. 

The Detroit Lions are Contenders

I was joking with a friend of mine who's a Lions fan about how the Lions finally got good just in time for the rest of the NFC North to be good as well. If you take a look at first place though, you'll see the Detroit Lions. The Lions and Vikings had a great battle on Sunday with Detroit narrowly avoiding a Minnesota comeback to secure the victory, and first place for now. Despite a devastating blow to their defense losing Aiden Hutchinson to a season ending injury, the Lions keep on rolling. On offense, the Lions are starting to look like the cream of the crop. I'm a huge fan of their two headed snake at running back in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, who both seem to have great games every single week. Amon-Ra St. Brown has emerged as one of the best slot receivers in all of football and Jared Goff continues to do exactly what is asked of him. A fun stat I saw the other day is that in the last 4 games, the Lions have scored more touchdowns (18) than Jarred Goff has thrown incompletions (15). I haven't met anyone, outside of maybe other NFC North fans, who wouldn't be happy with the Lions making a run this year. On both sides of the ball they look polished and talented, in an NFC that's as wide open as ever, they may have emerged as the team to beat. 

Famous Jameis Time?

I don't want to talk about Deshaun Watson, if you want good reaction to his season ending injury go literally anywhere else on line where the fans are absolutely rejoicing, rightfully so. As my fifth thought I wanted to just openly hope that Jameis Winston gets the start next week for the Browns. Jameis has always been one of my favorite QBs, for everything he does well he does something stupid to negate it. It might not be winning football, but goodness gracious is it fun to watch. I will never forget his 30 TD, 30 interception season that ended with Jameis throwing a pick six in overtime on the final week of the season, absolutely poetic. Jameis is one of the funniest guys in the NFL, he loves the game and his teammates everywhere have always gotten along with him. With how bad Watson had been for his entire tenure in Cleveland, I think it's time to give the fans some fun. In my opinion, nobody fits the definition of fun better than Jameis Winston. 

That's that! With the NBA season starting today I sense I am about to become overwhelmed with stuff I want to write about. The Raptors play a ton, so I am not sure how many Raptors reactions I will be writing but then again the more fun or frustrating games will definitely call upon me. My girlfriend has already called time of death on ever seeing me again with all the sports coming back now, I am sorry Puneet the Raptors are simply too compelling! On to week 8, go Steelers!