by Ryan Mercier
Titans’ Luck Runs Out
Tennessee came into Week 7 undefeated mostly by the skin of its teeth. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski made one field goal of four all night against the lowly Denver Broncos in Week 1, the game-winner. A lucky tipped interception at the line of scrimmage saved the Titans from losing to Gardner Minshew and the Jags on the final drive (back when they had a pulse) in Week 2. The dreadful Minnesota Vikings handled the Titans in Week 3 when Gostkowski actually made two field goals to win by one point. Week 6 saw a ridiculous win in OT after trailing the 1-6 Texans. In between, they even escaped the perils of the worst Coronavirus outbreak in the NFL which blew up scheduling for the entire league.
On Sunday, even after a few more wild tipped interceptions, the universe balanced out as Tennessee lost for the first time in 2020 on a Gostkowski miss. All credit goes to the Super Bowl-contending Pittsburgh Steelers, albeit mostly for their dominant first half performance.
Hello, Arizona Cardinals
Picked here on this site to finish second in the NFC West, Kyler Murray and the Cardinals announced their presence in a big win on Sunday Night Football over the Seahawks in OT. It wasn’t the prettiest game from start to finish or a total domination of a powerhouse like Seattle, but that’s football. The Cardinals simply found a way to win.
Kliff Kingsbury almost doomed his own squad in Arizona by curiously deciding to go for a 41-yard field goal on second down to win in OT. However, the real story is how the Cards gave the ball back to Russell Wilson and lived to tell about it. How far can they go in an NFC filled with horrific defenses?
Tampa Bay Might be the Best Team in Football
The all-pirates clash between the Raiders and Bucs was much closer than the final 45-20 score indicates, but Tampa’s dominant fourth quarter cannot be denied. While the Packers and Seahawks are clearly contenders to make it to Raymond James Stadium for the Super Bowl, the Buccaneers might have the best chance ever to be the first team to play the big game on their home field.
It is not all Tom Brady and the offense, either, as the defense remains one of the best in the league. This makes Tampa Bay, along with Pittsburgh, the most complete team in the NFL. Still, there is plenty of season left to go. Adding a powder keg like Antonio Brown could change everything but right now they should be the favorite in the NFC.
Final Notes
- Thank you for an absolutely hilarious ending, Falcons and Lions
- Thursday Night Football between the Eagles and Giants might be my favorite game of the year. I don’t know if I’m kidding. It was so stupid and beautiful at the same time.
- 4th & 19 is beyond tough, but no way should Matt Rhule have attempted a 65-yard field goal to tie at the end of the game. Rookie move.
Struggling Actor Sports 