NFL 100: A Spotlight
I talked about defense last Sunday and I talked about offense on Wednesday, and for this spotlight. I thought I'd look at the 3rd and underrated portion of football, special teams. Yes, it is underrated. It is the decider in field position, kicking game, punting game, and returns. A punt ends up inside the 20 yard line can make the difference than a punt spotted on the 35-yard line. Blocking kicks/punts and returning them for touchdowns can help give your team a boost when they're not playing their best. There have been a few notable teams throughout the history of the NFL where special teams was key to winning, the 1986 Kansas City Chiefs were one of them.
The Chiefs hadn't made it back to the playoffs since 1971. In 1986, the Chiefs would see a resurgence. They were lead by Todd Blackledge who threw for 1,200 yards for 10 touchdowns and six interceptions as well as Bill Kenney who threw for 1,922 yards for 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Their running game was below average with Mike Pruitt running the ball for 448 yards, as a fullback. They finished the season with 358 total points for a 22.4 points/game, giving them 11th best in the NFL.
The defense for the team was lead by Albert Lewis and Kevin Ross with eight interceptions combined. They forced 15+ fumbles and recovered them. In 1986, they held opponents to 326 points, or 20.4 points/game.
Special teams for the Chiefs that year were so dominant, they gave all the scoring the Chiefs would need to win. In the last week of the regular season the Chiefs traveled to Pittsburgh, in need of a playoff berth. Deron Cherry would get things started with a special teams fumble recovery in the end zone Nick Lowery would kick a 47-yard field goal. Boyce Green would get a touchdown on a 97-yard kick return. Gary Anderson of the Steelers would have a field goal blocked by Lloyd Burress for a 78-yard touchdown. The Chiefs would ultimately win the game, giving the Chiefs a 10-6 record on the season, their best season since 1971, as well as a playoff berth. They would lose to the New York Jets 35-15.
Week 4 Recap
Philadelphia 34, Green Bay 27: TW: Packers; CV: Eagles
Both teams really had a chance to win it. Carson Wentz proved some doubters wrong with his play, throwing the ball for 160 yards for three touchdowns. Jordan Howard got 87 yards rushing for two touchdowns. It was an old-fashioned performance for Aaron Rodgers, throwing the ball for 422 yards for two touchdowns and an interception. Aaron Jones could only muster 21 yards rushing, Aaron Rodgers would be the leading rusher for 46 yards. Cardinal Viking finally gets a pick right after failing the past three times.
All-time series: Packers lead series 27-17
Next week: Philadelphia: vs NY Jets; Green Bay: @ Dallas
TW: 0-1; CV: 1-0
New England 16, Buffalo 10: TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
It wasn't a pretty game for Brady & Company but fortunately their defense and special teams gave them the help they needed. Tom Brady threw the ball for 150 yards for an interception. Brandon Bolden would give the Patriots the only offensive touchdown on the day from a 4-yard rush play. Sony Michel ran the ball for 17 carries for 63 yards. Buffalo couldn't get a lot from Josh Allen who threw the ball for 153 yards for three interceptions. Allen would score the only offensive touchdown for the Bills on a run play. Frank Gore had a good day running the ball for 109 yards. I think the game proved that the Bills defense is legit and that Josh Allen is still a man trying to learn how to play the game.
All-time series: Patriots lead series: 75-43-1
Next week: Patriots: @ Washington; Buffalo: @ Tennessee
TW: 1-1; CV: 2-0
LA Chargers 30, Miami 10: TW: Chargers; CV: Chargers
It would be the Chargers first win in Miami since the "Epic In Miami" in January 1982. Philip Rivers wasn't even born at that time. Rivers threw the ball for 310 yards and two touchdowns in the game. Melvin Gordon wasn't starting but Austin Ekeler would get the start, running the ball for 60 yards and a touchdown. Josh Rosen gave the Dolphins fans something to cheer for with 180 passing yards and a touchdown, while throwing an interception. Kenyon Drake ran the ball for 44 yards.
All-time series: Dolphins lead series 18-16
Next week: LA Chargers: vs Denver; Miami: Bye week
TW: 2-1; CV: 3-0
Tennessee 24, Atlanta 10: TW: Falcons; CV: Falcons
Marcus Mariota had a good game as the inconsistent Titans win. Mariota had 227 yards passing for three touchdowns. Derrick Henry reached the century mark with 100 yards rushing. Matt Ryan threw the ball for 397 yards with zero touchdowns. The Falcons running game couldn't get much going with Devonta Freeman getting 28 yards rushing for the game. Missed opportunity for the Falcons in a weak NFC South.
All-time series: Titans lead series 8-7
Next week: Tennesee: vs Buffalo; Atlanta: @ Houston
TW: 2-2; CV: 3-1
Washington 3, NY Giants 24: TW: Giants; CV: Giants
The Dwayne Haskins era began prematurely when he was put in at quarterback for Case Keenum in the 2nd quarter. Both quarterbacks would finish with 137 yards and four interceptions combined. Daniel Jones had some growing pains in the game with 225 yards passing for a touchdown and two interceptions. Wayne Gallman stepped up at running back for Saquon Barkley, running the ball for 63 yards and a touchdown.
All-time series: Giants lead series 102-69-4
Next week: Washington: vs New England; NY Giants: vs Minnesota
TW: 3-2; CV: 4-1
Kansas City 34, Detroit 30: TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
In the 4th time in his career, Patrick Mahomes would throw for zero touchdowns in a game. Mahomes would throw the ball for 315 yards with zero interceptions. The Chiefs running game brought the scoring with LeSean McCoy getting 56 yards with a touchdown and Darrel Williams getting 13 yards with two rushing touchdowns. Matthew Stafford had a good day with 291 yards passing for three touchdowns. Kerryon Johnson ran the ball for 125 yards. The Chiefs would score on a strange play with a Lions fumble that was recovered by Baushaud Breeland. It was strange because there was no whistle blown and you're supposed to keep playing until the whistle blows. Poor Lions.
All-time series: Chiefs lead 9-5
Next week: Kansas City: vs Indianapolis; Detroit: Bye week
TW: 4-2; CV: 5-1
Cleveland 40, Baltimore 25: TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
The pressure was on for Baker Mayfield but it would be his running back that would give his quarterback some help. Mayfield threw the ball for 342 yards for a touchdown and an interception. Nick Chubb would answer the call running the ball for 165 yards for three touchdown, his longest was for 88 yards. Lamar Jackson threw the ball for 247 yards for three touchdowns and two interceptions. Mark Ingram, who had been quite dependable for Baltimore, would get some solid yardage finishing the game with 71 yards on 12 carries.
All-time series: Ravens lead series 30-11
Next week: Cleveland: @ San Francisco (Monday night); Baltimore: @ Pittsburgh
TW: 4-3; CV: 5-2
Carolina 16, Houston 10: TW: Panthers; CV: Texans
The Texans couldn't quite get much going against a back-up quarterback and a running back who's probably an underrated favorite for MVP right now. Kyle Allen threw the ball for 232 yards for zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. Christian McCaffrey ran the ball for 93 yards for the Panthers only touchdown, as well as 86 yards receiving. DeShaun Watson threw the ball for 160 yards passing while running the ball for 12 yards and a touchdown (the Texans only touchdown on the day). Very quiet game, not a lot of scoring.
All-time series: Panthers lead 3-2
Next week: Carolina: vs Jacksonville; Houston: vs Indianapolis
TW: 5-3; CV: 5-3
Tampa Bay 55, LA Rams 40: TW: Rams; CV: Rams
It was the most points given up by a Rams team since 1956 and Jared Goff threw the ball for 68 times. Goff threw the ball for a career high 517 yards for two touchdowns and three interceptions. Todd Gurley got 16 yards rushing for two touchdowns. Jameis Winston had a good day with 381 yards passing for four touchdowns and an interception. Rashaad Jones ran the ball well for the Bucs with 70 yards and a touchdown.
All-time series: Rams lead series 16-9
Next week: Tampa Bay: @ New Orleans; LA Rams: @ Seattle (Thursday night)
TW: 5-4; CV: 5-4
Seattle 27, Arizona 10: TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
Arizona wouldn't get a lot of things right in the game. Russell Wilson threw the ball for 240 yards with a touchdown. Chris Carson ran the ball for 104 yards on 22 carries. New addition Jadaveon Clowney got a pick-six in the game as well. Kyler Murray threw the ball for 241 yards and an interception. Murray would run the ball for 27 yards and a touchdown, the only one for the Cards. David Johnson was the leading rusher for the Cardinals with 40 yards.
All-time series: Seahawks lead series 21-19-1
Next week: Seattle: vs LA Rams (Thursday night); Arizona: @ Cincinnati
TW: 6-4; CV: 6-4
Jacksonville 26, Denver 24: TW: Jaguars; CV: Broncos
The Legend of Minshew continues to grow but it was his running back that took over the game for the Jags. Gardner Minshew threw the ball for 213 yards for two touchdowns. Leonard Fournette had the game of his life on the ground with 225 yards rushing even though he didn't score a touchdown. Joe Flacco threw the ball for 303 yards and three touchdowns and one interception. The Broncos running tandem of Philip Lindsey and Royce Freeman as they both totaled for 69 yards. At least Von Miller got a sack in the game.
All-time series: Jaguars lead 7-6
Next week: Jacksonville: @ Carolina; Denver: @ LA Chargers
TW: 7-4; CV: 6-5
Minnesota 6, Chicago 16: TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
It was a defensive battle where Kirk Cousins didn't play well and the Bears got the win from a backup quarterback. Cousins threw the ball for 233 yards for zero touchdowns. Dalvin Cook didn't get much from the ground as the Bears stuffed him quite easy, running the ball for 35 yards and a touchdown. Mitchell Trubisky would start the game but went down with an injury. Chase Daniel gave the Vikings defense some fits as the quarterback threw for 195 yards and a touchdown. David Montgomery ran the ball for 53 yards for the Bears.
All-time series: Vikings lead series 60-55-2
Next week: Minnesota: @ NY Giants; Chicago: vs Oakland (London)
TW: 7-5; CV: 6-6
Oakland 31, Indianapolis 24: TW: Colts; CV: Colts
The bigger shocker of the afternoon was this game. Ultimately the difference was the Jacoby Brissett interception. Derek Carr threw the ball for 189 yards for two touchdowns. Josh Jacobs and Trevor Davis combined for 153 yards and a touchdown (by Davis). Jacoby Brissett did fine with 265 yards and three touchdowns and an interception. Rare road victory from Oakland.
All-time series: Raiders lead series 10-8
Next week: @ Chicago (London); Indianapolis: @ Kansas City
TW: 7-6; CV: 6-7
Dallas 10, New Orleans 12: TW: Cowboys; CV: Cowboys
The NFL is a weird thing. The Saints rush defense wasn't playing well but yet they hold Ezekiel Elliot to 35 yards and a touchdown. Dak Prescott threw the ball for 223 yards and zero touchdowns. Teddy Bridgewater wasn't too flashy in the game with 193 yards and an interception. Alvin Kamara ran the ball for 69 yards and zero touchdowns.
All-time series: Dallas leads series 17-13
Next week: Dallas: vs Green Bay; New Orleans: vs Tampa Bay
TW: 7-7; CV: 6-8
Cincinnati 3, Pittsburgh 27: TW: Steelers; CV: Steelers
The Bengals couldn't find a whole lot of things right in the game. Andy Dalton was sacked eight times while throwing the ball for 171 yards and an interception. Joe Mixon ran the ball for 62 yards for zero touchdowns. Mason Rudolph got his 2nd start in this game, throwing the ball for 229 yards and two touchdowns. Jaylen Samuels got a rushing touchdown while James Conner was the leading rusher with 42 yards. Pittsburgh finally got a win!
All-time series: Steelers lead series 65-35
Next week: Cincinnati: vs Arizona; Pittsburgh: vs Baltimore
TW: 8-7; CV: 7-8
Cardinal Viking:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 11-4-1
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 10-6
Week 4: 7-8
Overall: 38-24-1
My record:
2012: 164-90-2
2013: 162-92-1
2014: 172-83-1
2017: 164-92
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 12-3-1
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 11-5
Week 4: 8-7
Overall: 41-21-1
See you guys on Wednesday for the Week 5 picks post!
-Tom
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