NFL 100: A Spotlight
Last week Jared Goff joined an exclusive club of quarterbacks in NFL history, the 500 club. He threw for 517 yards in a 55-40 loss against Tampa Bay. The Rams have quite a list of quarterbacks that have that 500 passing yards mark, including Vince Ferragamo's 509 yards in 1982 against the Bears. Both quarterbacks fall short to the franchise and NFL record quarterback, Norm Van Brocklin.
Brocklin's 554 passing yards is a record that has stood for near 70 years. He threw that many yards during an era where defenses were allowed to do much more to offenses than today. As well as it was a running back league and that the quarterback was seen less of than today. Like a second class citizen.
The game was played on September 28th, 1951. It was a Week 1 matchup between the Rams and the New York Yanks (an expansion team that was in operation from 1950 to 1951). The Rams had lost to the Cleveland Browns in the NFL Championship game that previous year. Certainly the Rams were looking forward to getting back to a championship and perhaps take some revenge on the Browns.
The Rams got started with a 41-yard pass from Brocklin to Elroy Hirsch, 7-0 Rams. Running back Dick Hoerner ran the ball for a 22-yard score, 14-0 Rams. Vitamin Smith would go for 67-yards from scrimmage on a pass play from Brocklin, 21-0 Rams. In the 2nd quarter, Brocklin would show off his running ability to get a rushing touchdown, 28-0 Rams. Elroy Hirsch would catch his 2nd touchdown pass from Brocklin on a 47-yard play, 35-0 Rams. The Yanks would get on the board with a 79-yard punt return from Buddy Young, 35-7 Rams. Elroy Hirsch would catch another pass from Brocklin, this time a 26-yard pass play, 42-7 Rams. The Yanks wouldn't go quietly with a 30-yard fumble return for a touchdown, 42-14 Rams. Elroy Hirsch would catch his 4th and final touchdown pass in the game from Brocklin, a 1-yard play, 48-14 Rams. Dan Towler would put the icing on the cake with a 1-yard rush for a touchdown, 54-14 Rams. The game was finally over.
Norm Van Brocklin would finish the day with 27 for 41 for 554 yards (20.5 yards per completion for you nerds out there) with five touchdowns and two interceptions. He had a passer rating of 128.3. John Rauch of the New York Yanks finished the game with 38 passing yards.
In the end, The Rams would finish the year with a 9-4 record and would meet the Cleveland Browns for the NFL title. The Rams would win the game 24-17 for their 2nd NFL championship (their last until 1999 with the St. Louis Rams). Norm Van Brocklin would finish the year with 1,725 passing yards.
Week 5 Picks
Week 5 of the National Football League regular season starts in Seattle, Washington and ends in Santa Clara, California. The Miami Dolphins and the Detroit Lions are on a bye week. There will be a Thursday night game, 10 early games, two late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. CBS will have the single, regional game and FOX will have the double-header.
LA Rams (3-1) @ Seattle (3-1) (FOX/NFL Network): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
The Rams lost to the Buccaneers and the Seahawks got a win against the Cardinals. A divisional game that means a lot to both teams. I still believe in the Rams to get back to a winning position. Can't rely on Jared Goff to carry the team for you, they need Todd Gurley to have a good game, otherwise this will be a rough game to be Jared Goff.
Chicago (3-1) @ Oakland (2-2) (FOX): TW: Bears; CV: Bears
Both teams got wins last week as the Bears beat the Vikings and the Raiders beat the Colts. I think we'll learn a lot more about Chase Daniel in this game and how well he can play in a starting position. If the Bears running game can have a good game, I think they'll win. Should be noted that this game is in London.
Buffalo (3-1) @ Tennesee (2-2) (CBS): TW: Titans; CV: Bills
The Bills lost to the Patriots and the Titans beat the Falcons last week. Josh Allen will not be playing in the game so it will be up to Matt Barkley to get Buffalo to a dub this week. I like to believe that the Titans will win based off of good quarterback play from Marcus Mariota, who has yet to throw an interception this season. Close game I feel.
Jacksonville (2-2) @ Carolina (2-2) (CBS): TW: Jaguars; CV: Panthers
Both teams got a win last week as the Jaguars beat the Broncos and the Panthers beat the Texans. A battle between two backup quarterbacks. I feel the game will come down to which running back can have a great day whether it'll be Leonard Fournette or Christian McCaffrey (both of whom are on my fantasy team). I'll go Jags due to the Panthers 24th ranked rush defense.
New England (4-0) @ Washington (0-4) (CBS): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
The Patriots got a win against the Bills and the Redskins lost to the Giants last week. In terms of who starts for the Redskins, I don't think it will matter too much. The Patriots are well built on both sides of the ball. Quite possibly a blowout.
Arizona (0-3-1) @ Cincinnati (0-4) (FOX): TW: Bengals; CV: Cardinals
Both teams lost last week as the Cardinals lost to the Seahawks and the Bengals lost to the Steelers. Oh boy, this game is definitely worthy of the "Toilet Bowl" status. Both teams are terrible, especially on the offensive line. The game could possibly end in a tie for all we know. I don't see it happening but I feel the Bengals have to be better than the Cardinals... right?
Minnesota (2-2) @ NY Giants (2-2) (FOX): TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
The Vikings lost to the Bears and the Giants beat the Redskins. We will learn how well Daniel Jones handles a good defense in Minnesota. I feel the Vikings offense will get back on track with Dalvin Cook's legs and Kirk Cousin's arm. The Giants defense is suspect for sure.
Baltimore (2-2) @ Pittsburgh (1-3) (CBS): TW: Steelers; CV: Steelers
The Ravens lost to the Browns and the Steelers beat the Bengals. Baltimore's defense hasn't done well in terms of stopping people. I feel the home crowd will be loud, a divisional game, Pittsburgh needs to win the game if they want to get back into the playoff talk. The Ravens could possibly win but their defense needs to put up a showing.
Atlanta (1-3) @ Houston (2-2) (FOX): TW: Texans; CV: Texans
The Falcons lost to the Titans and the Texans lost to the Panthers. Atlanta seems a bit off this season, for some reason. Their offense should be back to form but Matt Ryan has six interceptions so far this season. The defense is not that great so I'll give the Texans the pick in this one.
Tampa Bay (2-2) @ New Orleans (3-1) (FOX): TW: Saints; CV: Buccaneers
Both teams got wins last week as the Buccaneers beat the Rams and the Saints beat the Cowboys. The Saints defense has played well the past two games, and we will learn a lot about their defense in a huge test against the Bucs offense. Can Teddy Bridgewater take advantage of the 32nd ranked Bucs pass defense, we shall see but this could come down to less than a field goal.
NY Jets (0-3) @ Philadelphia (2-2) (CBS): TW: Eagles; CV: Eagles
The Jets were on a bye and the Eagles beat the Packers last week. Philly found a good winning formula with running the football with some passes. I like the Jets in terms of their running back but other than that the Eagles should get a win in the game.
Denver (0-4) @ LA Chargers (2-2) (CBS): TW: Chargers; CV: Broncos
The Broncos lost to the Jaguars and the Chargers beat the Dolphins last week. Bradley Chubb not being in the lineup due to injury spells certain doom for a Denver team that hasn't forced a turnover yet this season. The Chargers should win this game on a good balance on offense. I can't trust Joe Flacco to give the Broncos offense more than 30 points.
Green Bay (3-1) @ Dallas (3-1) (FOX): TW: Cowboys; CV: Cowboys
Both teams lost last week as the Packers lost to the Eagles and the Cowboys lost to the Saints. It's a nationally televised game on FOX as one of the classic rivalries gets renewed. The Packers defense got somewhat exposed against the Eagles while the Cowboys on offense certainly got exposed as well. I feel the Cowboys have more talent than the Packers. If Green Bay wins then I'll be happy either way.
Indianapolis (2-2) @ Kansas City (4-0) (NBC): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
The Colts lost to the Raiders and the Chiefs won against the Lions. A rematch of the AFC Divisional playoff game back in January. The Colts kept that game interesting but the Colts had Andrew Luck at quarterback. I feel the Colts defense will have its hands full in this one.
Cleveland (2-2) @ San Francisco (3-0) (ESPN): TW: Browns; CV: 49ers
The Browns beat the Ravens and the 49ers were on a bye last week. Week 5 finishes up with a decent matchup on Monday night. Both teams look pretty good on paper. The Browns have done well on the road and I'll go on a whim and take the Browns. Real toss-up of a game.
Local TV Schedule (courtesy of 506sports.com, subject to change):
CBS Single:
NY Jets @ Philadelphia
Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon
FOX Early:
Minnesota @ NY Giants
Sam Rosen, Charles Davis
FOX Late:
Green Bay @ Dallas
Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
For more information on which game is being played in your area, check out: NFL 2019: Week 5 Maps
See you guys on Monday night after the game for the Week 5 Recap. Enjoy the games!
-Tom
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