NFL 100: A Spotlight
When it comes to players throughout the 100 years of the NFL, no other player has had a better career under the circumstances of the situation he was in. That and his post-playing career is marred by one thing "Did he murder his wife?" and a lot of people have animosity towards him because of that. You cannot deny that his legacy to the game of football is that of greatness. I am of course talking about O.J. Simpson.
He did well in high school football, and when he went to the University of Southern California in 1967, he displayed his greatness there. Although he only played for two seasons with USC he rushed for 1,543 yards in 1967 and 1,880 yards in 1968. He was that good. Good as in when the 1968 Philadelphia Eagles attempted to tank to get him, even though the Eagles would eventually win two of their last three games to finish with a record of 2-12. The Buffalo Bills would ultimately have the #1 pick in the 1969 Draft.
OJ Simpson would play for 11 seasons in the NFL and while his career didn't get going in the first few years due to decisions from his head coaches. Decisions like using him as a blocker or a receiver instead of him as a running back. He would only average 622 yards per season. In 1972, the Bills hired Lou Saban. Saban would make Simpson a central figure in the Bills offense. Simpson would rush for 1,251 yards for six touchdowns. His greatness was just the beginning.
In 1973, OJ Simpson would have one of the greatest seasons for running backs in NFL history. He rushed for 2,003 yards in a 14-game schedule. He is the only player to reach that mark in a 14-game season. His yards per game total was at 143.1, an NFL record that still stands. He was named NFL MVP for 1973.
The playoffs had eluded him due to ineptitude of the Bills during the 1970's. His quarterback often changed throughout his time at Buffalo. In 1974, the Bills reached the playoffs with 1,125 yards rushing from Simpson. In the AFC Divisional playoff between the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was held to 49 yards on 15 carries. He would not sniff a playoff berth for the rest of his career.
While he almost reached for 2,000 yards in 1975, he finished with 1,817 with a career best 16 touchdowns. One of his last great moments in greatness was on Thanksgiving 1976 when he ran the ball for 273 yards (at that time an NFL record) in a game against the Detroit Lions. The Bills would lose the game 27-14.
He was traded to hometown San Francisco to play for the 49ers in 1978. His last two seasons for the 49ers was marred by injuries and he wouldn't quite get back to his 1,000+ rushing yard mark that he had earlier in his career. He would retire shortly after the 1979 season. Imagine him playing in the West Coast Offense under Bill Walsh, if only his body could last that long.
Even though he played on a bad team in the Buffalo Bills, his stats definitely lift his greatness. If he had those numbers behind an offensive line like the Miami Dolphins or the Oakland Raiders, he probably would have a few Super Bowls in his resume. Essentially, OJ Simpson was the offense for the Buffalo Bills, he has to be the greatest running back in the 1970's.
Week 6 Picks
The sixth week of the National Football League regular season starts in Foxboro, Massachusetts and finishes in Green Bay, Wisconsin. There will be 14 games played. The week includes a Thursday night game, one early morning game, six early games, four late games, a Sunday night game, and a Monday night game. The Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders, and Indianapolis Colts have bye weeks this week. CBS will have the double-header and FOX will have the single, regional game. Here come the picks!
NY Giants (2-3) @ New England (5-0) (FOX/NFL Network): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
The Giants lost to the Vikings and the Patriots beat the Redskins last week. These two teams certainly have a history in playing in big games. Tom Brady's two of his three Super Bowl losses were in the hands of the Giants in Super Bowl XLII and XLVI. Unfortunately the Giants are banged up and Tom Brady is still upright. I feel the best chance for Brady and company to stick it to the Giants for those losses has to be this game.
Carolina (3-2) @ Tampa Bay (2-3) (NFL Network): TW: Panthers; CV: Panthers
The Panthers beat the Jaguars and the Buccaneers lost to the Saints. If you have NFL Network and are willing to wake up early in the morning, this game will be on for you to enjoy. It will be in London for the second consecutive week. Tough game to call but I feel the Panthers will win it close with Christian McCaffrey having a great game with Kyle Allen at quarterback.
New Orleans (4-1) @ Jacksonville (2-3) (CBS): TW: Saints; CV: Saints
The Saints beat the Buccaneers and the Jaguars lost to the Panthers. Minshewmania lost last week and might've taken some thunder from me picking them this week. I'm going with the more experienced quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater in this game. Another close game to call. Could backfire on me.
Philadelphia (3-2) @ Minnesota (3-2) (FOX): TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
Both teams got a win last week as the Eagles beat the Jets and the Vikings beat the Giants. Kirk Cousins will need to take advantage of a meager Eagles pass defense as the Eagles rush defense is #1 this season. The Vikings defense will keep this game close and the place will be loud. I'll take the Vikes. Big games usually mean bad things for Kirk Cousins.
Washington (0-5) @ Miami (0-4) (FOX): TW: Dolphins; CV: Dolphins
The Redskins lost to the Patriots and the Dolphins were on a bye last week. It's the Toilet Bowl of all Toilet Bowls, the "Suck For Tua Bowl" and then some. The Dolphins are well rested and the Redskins have an interim head coach that will more than likely start Dwayne Haskins. Sorry Dolphins fans but I think your team will get a win this season.
Houston (3-2) @ Kansas City (4-1) (CBS): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
The Texans beat the Falcons and the Chiefs lost to the Colts last week. I feel that Patrick Mahomes will rebound after the offense had a timid game last week. Will certainly be a shootout as both offenses are good. I can't trust the Texans enough as they are somewhat inconsistent. First team to 30+ will get a dub. Hopefully Patrick Mahomes is alright.
Seattle (4-1) @ Cleveland (2-3) (FOX): TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
The Seahawks beat the Rams and the Browns lost to the 49ers last week. Baker Mayfield hasn't been the same quarterback this season for some reason and I feel that he's putting too much pressure on himself and not legislating the game to others. Seattle is pretty good in rush defense so it will be difficult for the Browns to get a run game going. Russell Wilson has been playing stellar as well so I'll take Seattle.
Cincinnati (0-5) @ Baltimore (2-3) (CBS): TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
The Bengals lost to the Cardinals and the Ravens beat the Steelers last week. Lamar Jackson didn't play his best last week but the Bengals are terrible on both sides of the ball, especially on the offensive line. I think the Ravens defense will have a field day against them. Could expect Mark Ingram to have a great day against the Bengals 31st ranked rush defense.
San Francisco (4-0) @ LA Rams (3-2) (FOX): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
The 49ers beat the Browns and the Rams lost to the Seahawks last week. San Francisco is coming into the game with a shorter week than the Rams. I think we'll learn a lot about how the Rams offense will handle itself after last week's loss. The pressure is definitely on San Francisco to prove themselves to be the best team in the conference. Could be a shootout.
Atlanta (1-4) @ Arizona (1-3-1) (FOX): TW: Falcons; CV: Falcons
The Falcons lost to the Texans and the Cardinals beat the Bengals. It will come down to which Falcons defense comes out against Arizona. I really don't trust the Falcons defense to come out and get it done but Arizona's defense is very suspect as well, including their pass defense. If David Johnson for the Cardinals doesn't play then I feel Atlanta will come away with a close win.
Dallas (3-2) @ NY Jets (0-4) (CBS): TW: Cowboys; CV: Cowboys
The Cowboys lost to the Packers and the Jets lost to the Eagles last week. Dallas has come out flat against the Saints and the Packers. Fortunately they play a terrible Jets team for the marquee game (yeah marquee game, smh CBS/NFL). Dallas gets back on track with a win. Unless Joe Namath, Matt Snell, and Don Maynard come out and play in their prime selves, then Dallas would be in trouble.
Tennessee (2-3) @ Denver (1-4) (CBS): TW: Broncos; CV: Broncos
The Titans lost to the Bills and the Broncos won against the Chargers. Philip Lindsey had a great game last week against the Chargers. He and the Broncos running backs will need to have another good week against a Titans team that is 14th in rush defense. Hopefully Von Miller can continue to have success rushing Marcus Mariota who has yet to throw an interception this season.
Pittsburgh (1-4) @ LA Chargers (2-3) (NBC): TW: Steelers; CV: Chargers
Both teams lost last week as the Steelers lost to the Ravens and the Chargers lost to the Broncos. One would assume that Mason Rudolph won't play based on the hit that he suffered last week. If he doesn't start then Devlin Hodges will get the nod. I don't know much from Hodges so I'll go on a whim and take the Steelers in this one. If the Steelers defense let Phillip Rivers have a good game then this will get ugly.
Detroit (2-1-1) @ Green Bay (4-1) (ESPN): TW: Packers; CV: Lions
The Lions were on a bye and the Packers beat the Cowboys last week. Detroit has surprised quite a few people this season. Matthew Stafford will have a huge test against an improved Packers defense. I don't see the Lions winning the game because of Aaron Rodgers and the offense doing their own thing and the Lions will have to play catch up all game. If Detroit's offense can keep the Packers defense on the field for a majority of the game, then the Lions have a shot.
Local TV Schedule (courtesy of 506sports.com, subject to change):
FOX Single:
Philadelphia @ Minnesota
Kenny Albert, Charles Davis
CBS Early:
Houston @ Kansas City
Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts
CBS Late:
Dallas @ NY Jets
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
For more information on which game is being played in your area, check out: NFL 2019: Week 6 Maps
The Records (By Week & Year):
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
Week 5: 9-6
Overall: 47-30-1
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
Week 5: 5-10
Overall: 46-31-1
See you guys on Monday night for the Week 6 Recap! Enjoy the games!
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