This week, our panel tackles Minnesota’s great start, Tom Brady’s triumphant return, a mess in Miami, as well as a preview of what to except during Week Six in the National Football League.
As always, toss on your jersey and get inside The Huddle!
Kickoff Questions:
1. Is it safe to assume the Vikings are a legit contender?
2. What can Brady do for an encore?
3. What were your Week Five upsets and/or disappointments?
Roger Morrissette:
1. Yes they are legit. Great defense and an offense that plays it safe. They’ll need more out of the offense to go all the way, but are pretty much a lock for the postseason with that D.
2. More of the same. He’s well-rested and a great QB who is playing with a chip on his shoulder. Cincy is in trouble.
3. Baltimore was predictably disappointing. Same with the Rams. For positive surprises, I think you have to start in Dallas. Not a shock they won, but definitely eye-opening the way they won.
J Arsenio D’Amato:
The Vikings are the real deal. Dominating defense, no turnovers and great coaching. They should address their kicking situation before it burns them again in the playoffs, though. Robbie Gould was a great kicker for years in Chicago, so maybe he has something left in the tank to replace Blair Walsh.
New England and Tom Brady are focusing on their fifth Lombardi (trophy) and nothing else; no surprises there.
Both NY teams are playing dreadful football. The coaching inexperience is glaring from a first-year coach (Giants’ Ben McAdoo) and second-year coach (Jets’ Todd Bowles). Both coaches made horrible decisions to challenge, burning crucial timeouts in the fourth quarter. When your team is trailing in the fourth quarter, those timeouts are beyond critical to have any hope of coming back.
Brian Cullinane:
1. Yes, that defense is good enough to win games for (Minnesota). And Bradford has (had) some okay (showings) too, as they are easily one of the top teams in the league.
2. Brady’s encore is to get another Super Bowl ring. He didn’t miss a beat against Cleveland, but let’s see how he does against better competition.
3. The biggest disappointment has to be how pathetic Brock Osweiler looked. He is looking like the worst free agent signing in years. Missing wide open guys all game long with questionable decision-making skills.
Roger Morrissette:
Let’s talk about the Dolphins. What a train wreck! I know Gase put his full faith behind Tannehill, but at what point do you pull the plug? It’s actually a pretty loaded roster, and they have been arguably the worst team in the league thus far.
JT Rozzero:
There was a good piece of info on Twitter earlier (this week) about how Tannehill is under pressure on 43% of snaps, first in the league by a wide margin. His passer rating is 31.1 under pressure.
Also from Evan Silva: “Dolphins are last in NFL in time of possession by nearly 2 minutes & have allowed most run plays in NFL. Just getting dominated every week.”
J Arsenio D’Amato:
Giving Suh that huge contract dictated the fate of that team. A supreme talent, but not a leader or winning player, although he has curtailed his undisciplined penalties. It looks like they will cut the cord with Tannehill after this year and look for that elusive franchise QB. Maybe J.T. Barrett will be their savior.
Roger Morrissette:
They have some real studs. Landry is the best slot WR in the league. Parker has talent. Rashad Jones is a monster. They have some big names on both lines. I feel they’ve never really come back from the Jonathan Martin stuff. Just a total mess of an organization, where the sum is less than the parts.
Brian Cullinane:
Tannehill is a disaster and you cannot have him start and expect to compete in the NFL.
Roger Morrissette:
Game of the week for me is the Falcons in Seattle. I’m done doubting these guys. I say Matty Ice and the boys get the W. What are your thoughts?
Brian Cullinane:
I’ll go with Dallas versus Green Bay. Dallas on the road against the Green Bay is a huge test for Prescott. If they win and Prescott does well, I don’t see how Romo can reclaim his job.
Roger Morrissette:
Another great game. I would pick Dallas in Jerry World, but in (Lambeau), I have to go with Rodgers. I’ll take the Packers by three in a game Rodgers wins more than Dak loses. The controversy lives on.
JT Rozzero:
Buffalo vs SF is an interesting one too… It seems like a Rex (Ryan) trap game, so we may find out if the Bills are legit and can take care of business in a winnable game. It also marks the return of Kaepernick.
Roger Morrissette:
A loss here is a total face plant for the Bills. I give it a 50% chance of happening. Torrey Smith gets loose for a deep one with Kaep back at the helm. I just don’t know if the Niners can do anything with McCoy without Bowman.
J Arsenio D’Amato:
Seattle is coming of a bye week and should be healed up. If Atlanta beats them on the road following the Denver victory, they are going to get Super Bowl fever in the ATL.
That wraps up this week, Place to Be Nation. Enjoy the games and join us again next week!
