A Not So Jolly Good Time
In 2007, the NFL decided to have a game outside of North America for the first time. The chosen site was Wembley Stadium, in London. The first game was held on October 28th, 2007 between the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins. The Giants would win the contest 13-10.
While I do believe it can bring in a new market for the league, in a market that is heavily into Association football (soccer), cricket, and rugby (a rougher version of American football), it's not quite a huge investment to venture into. There has been talking of a team (like the Jacksonville Jaguars) to play quite a number of games in London. The idea might look good on paper but it has its drawbacks. Here's why:
- There's a large time difference between the Eastern Standard/Daylight Time to London's time zone, British Standard Time. A five hour time difference. Depending on the time in the UK to the US, there's a possibility of people not even watching it.
- There's no guarantee that it will work. There was a thing called NFL Europe in the late 1990's to mid-2000's to help showcase the game. Why not just bring NFL Europe back if you're so desperate in bringing the game to another continent?
- The travel budget would be through the roof for not just the home team but the road team as well. Body clocks would be messed up. If you're so concerned with player safety, shouldn't your first priority be on the fact that if a player isn't mentally ready to play a game, how is he even ready physically to play it as well?
If you want to spread the game to other areas, do it in North America, it saves money on travel. Granted the NFL does a game in Mexico as a showcase, it would be good to bring it into Canada as well. You already have the Canadian Football League playing a different variation of the game. It's not like the Canadian market is devoid of football. Just seems silly to me. Thankfully I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Cool video of the week
When it comes to music I like to listen to a variety. Whatever sounds good to me, I like. The strange thing about music is that there is so much of it. So much that you never really hear it often because the radio never plays it, the song is chosen over for its singles, or artists that have more success tend to not put in their underrated work on their "greatest hits" albums. When it comes to these I listen to Spotify's "Sirius XM Deep Tracks" playlist or just search a random artist and listen to their "underrated" albums, often times their early work.
One such example of one song that I've been binging lately is an instrumental. The song is called "Summer Madness" by Kool & The Gang. The song was included on their 1974 album, Light Of Worlds, while not released as a single. The cool video of the week is an extended version of the song. Quite the song to chill out after a long day.
Week 7 of the NFL starts in Glendale, Arizona and ends in Atlanta, Georgia. Truly a sea to shining sea (in reverse) sort of week. On the slate is 14 games. There will be a Thursday night game, a Sunday morning game, seven early games, three late games, a Sunday night game, and a Monday night game. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, and Oakland Raiders will be on the bye week. FOX will have the single, regional game, while CBS will have the doubleheader. Let's get to work!
Denver (2-4) @ Arizona (1-5) (FOX/NFL Network): TW: Broncos, CV: Broncos
Both teams took losses last week as the Broncos lost to the Rams and the Cardinals to the Vikings. The week starts out with a sleeper. The game will come down to if the Broncos running game will have a good start against a 31st ranked rush defense in the Cardinals. The Cardinals offense needs to get back to basics and use David Johnson a lot with a few pass plays. Cardinals defense needs to step up as well because the Cardinals offense has struggled.
Tennessee (3-3) @ LA Chargers (4-2) (CBS): TW: Chargers, CV: Chargers
The Titans took a loss against the Ravens and the Chargers got a win against the Browns last week. The game will be on at 9:30 am Eastern time, televised nationally (which is somewhat of a nice thing if you're a morning person). The Chargers should get a win based on the fact that they have a proven quarterback in Philip Rivers and a balanced offensive attack with Melvin Gordon III helming the ground game. The Titans got a shellacking against the Ravens last week and I just don't feel haven't recovered from it. I'd be surprised if the Chargers lose this game.
Buffalo (2-4) @ Indianapolis (1-5) (CBS): TW: Colts, CV: Colts
Both teams ended up in the losing column last week as the Bills lost to the Texans and the Colts to the Jets. The two teams aren't that great. The Colts seem to be more built on offense than the Bills are. The Bills defense would have the edge in the game but you can't get much out of your defense if your own offense can't sustain a drive. I like the Colts with their offense.
Carolina (3-2) @ Philadelphia (3-3) (FOX): TW: Eagles, CV: Panthers
The Panthers lost to the Redskins and the Eagles got a win against the Giants last week respectively. The game really looks good on paper. The Eagles seem to be back to form after having a sluggish game against the Vikings a few weeks ago. The game feels like a shootout bound to happen as both offenses are roughly in the middle of the pack (Panthers are 22nd overall on offense, Eagles are 18th). I think the game will come down to whoever makes the most stops and can make the big play. The Eagles have a better defense overall (ranked 12th compared to the Panthers 14th). I'll take the Iggles.
Cleveland (2-3-1) @ Tampa Bay (2-3) (FOX): TW: Browns, CV: Buccaneers
The two teams took losses last week as the Browns lost to the Chargers and the Buccaneers lost to the Falcons. I know what you're thinking, why the Browns? Are you crazy! Yes and no. Yes, I am crazy, I have a bit of a lead overall on Cardinal Viking. I'm willing to take a risk. No, in that if the Browns take advantage of Buccaneers turnovers which Jameis Winston has a tendency to throw interceptions in games (already has 4 interceptions on the season), they can make life rough on Tampa. The Browns have a solid defense (okay 28th overall in defense). Maybe I am crazy.
Detroit (2-3) @ Miami (4-2) (FOX): TW: Lions, CV: Lions
The Lions were on a bye and the Dolphins got a huge win against the Bears last week respectively. The Dolphins got a boost on offense with Brock Osweiler at quarterback last week and they could very well continue that trend with the Lions coming to Florida. The Lions are ranked 7th in pass defense on the season so if they can create turnovers and let the Lions offense do their thing then they can come out with a victory. Or the Lions could do Lions things and sleepwalk through the entire game. If Brock Osweiler does careful passes and plays well on defense they can get a win as well.
Houston (3-3) @ Jacksonville (3-3) (CBS): TW: Jaguars, CV: Jaguars
The Texans got a win against the Bills and the Jaguars lost to the Cowboys last week. The two teams are pretty similar in terms of rankings. The game will come down to who can dominate in pass defense as both teams have legit pass defenses, thus causing the opponent to be more one dimensional. The Jaguars have had a rough patch so far this season and I feel they'll get back to winning ways with this game.
Minnesota (3-2-1) @ NY Jets (3-3) (FOX): TW: Vikings, CV: Vikings
Both teams got a win last week as the Vikings beat the Cardinals and the Jets to the Colts. The two teams on offense are very different you have a good rushing offense in the Jets and a passing offense in the Vikings. The Vikings defense has been mediocre to what we've been accustomed to but still solid. The matchup I feel that will be a factor is the Vikings defense versus the Jets offense. Will the Vikings defense shut down Sam Darnold and the Jets? I feel it will be the case.
New England (4-2) @ Chicago (3-2) (CBS): TW: Patriots, CV: Patriots
The Patriots got a win against the Chiefs and the Bears lost to the Dolphins last week. The classic great offense vs great defense. The Bears had an off game against the Dolphins last week but should come back a bit better against the Patriots, since I mean you're playing against the GOAT. The game will come down to whichever team can control the line of scrimmage, which at the end of the day is the biggest factor of any football game. Can the Patriots get off to a good start? Or will the Bears hinder Tom Brady & company? I like the Patriots as they can do trickery against a defense and can play well enough on defense to give Brady enough time to win.
New Orleans (4-1) @ Baltimore (4-2) (FOX): TW: Ravens, CV: Saints
The Saints were on a bye and the Ravens got a win against the Titans last week. The game is another case of offense vs defense. The Saints have a great offense as is their custom, and the Ravens have a great defense. I feel it will be a matchup between the Ravens offense vs the Saints defense. Can the Saints defense stop the Ravens enough to give Drew Brees a chance to do his thing on offense? I like the Ravens as they are good on offense but better on defense (9th on offense and 1st on defense).
Dallas (3-3) @ Washington (3-2) (CBS): TW: Redskins, CV: Cowboys
The two teams got a win last week as the Cowboys beat the Jaguars and the Redskins beat the Panthers. Here is an interesting fact: The last time CBS showed a Cowboys/Redskins game was in Week 17 in 1993, and here's the crazy thing: Jim Nantz was the play-by-play commentator in both that game and this game. Illuminati aside, the game will come down to the matchup of the Cowboys wide receivers vs the Redskins defense. Will the Redskins secondary shut down the Cowboys passing attack and give Alex Smith a shot on offense to have the Cowboys defense on the field the longest. The Redskins have a solid running game and if they play balanced football on offense they should get a win.
LA Rams (6-0) @ San Francisco (1-5) (CBS): TW: Rams, CV: Rams
The Rams got a win against the Broncos and the 49ers lost to the Packers. Another all-NFC matchup on CBS. The Rams just look better on both offense and defense. The Niners had a good showcase against the Packers defense last week but its the Packers defense. I think the Rams will stay undefeated after this game but it will be a close game and it's a divisional rivalry game.
Cincinnati (4-2) @ Kansas City (5-1) (NBC): TW: Chiefs, CV: Chiefs
The two teams took losses last week as the Bengals lost to the Steelers and the Chiefs to the Patriots. The Chiefs offense has been stellar so far this season and they didn't let up against the Patriots. The Bengals on defense are ranked 29th overall, not a good sign against the 5th ranked offense in the Chiefs. I'll take the Chiefs as they have more offensive weapons than the Bengals but it will be a good showcase of offensive football. Which defense can make the most stops will be the key.
NY Giants (1-5) @ Atlanta (2-4) (ESPN): TW: Falcons, CV: Falcons
The Giants lost to the Eagles and the Falcons got a win against the Buccaneers last week. The week wraps up with a decent offensive matchup as both teams have great wide receivers but not quite great quarterbacks. The game will really come down to which defense for both teams will show up. The Giants are ranked 14th in overall defense but have given up 30+ points in the last two games and the Falcons defense are ranked 30th overall. I'll take the Falcons on a whim and a gut feeling.
Local TV schedule (via 506sports.com, subject to change):
FOX Single:
Minnesota @ NY Jets
Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis
CBS Early:
New England @ Chicago
Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts
CBS Late:
LA Rams @ San Francisco
Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon
For more info on which game is played in your area, check out: NFL 2018, Week 7 Maps
2018:
Week 1: 10-5-1
Week 2: 6-9-1
Week 3: 8-8
Week 4: 12-3
Week 5: 6-9
Week 6: 10-5
Overall: 52-39-2
Cardinal Viking
2018:
Week 1: 8-7-1
Week 2: 9-6-1
Week 3: 5-11
Week 4: 9-6
Week 5: 9-6
Week 6: 6-9
Overall: 46-45-2
Have a good rest of the week, enjoy the games, and I'll see you guys on Monday or Tuesday for the recap.
-Tom
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