The numbers were horrific this weekend. The PFF model let us down in a bad way, and much like the Cowboys and Eagles, things need to be addressed. As the owner of the blog, I need to look at myself in the mirror and hold ourselves to a higher standard. Never in a million years will a Mason Rudolph-led football team be deemed a “hammer play”, and if a team backs into the playoffs and looks like they hate their coach *cough, Eagles, cough*, then this needs to be taken into consideration. Let’s watch the tape and see what went wrong.
Friday
You can’t replicate the cold. The Dolphins have no way of practicing for frigid temperatures living in paradise on earth. The numbers loved the Dolphins’ passing attack, but we forgot to factor in shrinkage. No not that shrinkage; I’m talking about how some are saying Tua shrinks in big moments. Others might point out that he won a national championship at Bama, but some are saying he hasn’t done anything in the NFL to prove he’s a top tier quarterback. This Dolphins team needs some physicality. Mike McDaniel is trying to run the 49ers scheme, but Shanahan has built a progrum over there where receivers actually block for each other. There’s also a power run game instead of all this inside/outside zone bologna in Miami. Give me some down blocks/pulling guards for Pete sake Mike! You guys should’ve road graded this KC front.
Saturday
I’m just as happy as the next guy for the Lions, but I’m not going to sing their praises like the rest of the national media is today. They let the Rams hang around for wayyyy too long in this game and took their foot off the gas as soon as they went up 24-17. Los Angeles drove right down the field, took 6 minutes off the clock, and owned the line of scrimmage. Credit to the defense for holding them to a field goal, but the offense came out after getting a first down on the first play and ran the ball twice, got sacked and punted. After another long ass drive where the Rams shoved the ball down the Lions’ throat; the Lions went 3 and out to give the Rams an opportunity to win the game. Luckily, Sean McVay had shit for brains and punted the ball back to the Lions with only 1 timeout, so all the Lions needed was a first down to salt the game away, but the offense shit the bed when it mattered most. Again, credit to the defense for bending and not breaking, but they got bullied the last 3 drives of the game.
Sunday
Not even Mike Tomlin and a 10 point spread could save us from Mason Rudolph. Credit the Bills for playing a perfect ball control game. It was the type of game the Steelers needed to play in order to win with 368 yards of offense, no turnovers and winning the time of possession. If they play like this every week, they’ll win the whole damn thing.
I’m convinced Philly’s Superbowl hangover just took 11 weeks to kick in. They woke up week 1 of the NFL season, proceeded to down a few wounded soldiers like the Commanders, then the hangover kicked in. They puked down on themselves down the stretch and now they have some pieces to replace.
As you can tell, I am a beaten and battered man, please, no questions at this time. Thank you.
The Morning Flush 