2018-19 NFL (Week 5)

Games I watched (some of):
Colts 24-38 Pats
Hmmm, seems like the right score but actually this game had a stretch of weird turnovers that left this match kinda misshapen. The Colts came in on a Thursday night with a slew of injuries after playing an OT game three days before, so the fact that they even came kinda close is a bit of a success for them. But they weren't really in this game, the Pats controlled the ball throughout. Luck looks good but until the rest of that squad comes together, they'll just be a hanging-around kinda team.

Dolphins 17-27 Bengals

A tale of two halves: the Dolphins dominated the Bengals with an offense that looked efficient and daring. Then the Bengals D showed up, Tannehill threw two (two!) of the goofiest looking pick-6's I've ever seen and the Bengals easily stomped the Dolphins from there. The Bengals, I think, are the better team but the Dolphins are one of those teams that is actually not bad...when they're not doing stupid stuff. I like the Bengals to win their division, the Dolphins should hang around the playoff race (but I wouldn't make them a favorite to snag a wild card spot). 

Cowboys 16-19 (OT) Texans

Man, when Deshaun Watson just does his thing, he looks good out there and the Texan offense seems okay; but, kid, you've got to quit trying to make the big play at the goal line. The Texans had a chance to put this game away but bungled their chance to put points on the board before halftime (1st down inside the 1 yard line and they go with a shotgun and a spread set? Wh...wh...why?) and then threw a quick interception to start the 2nd half--oof!  Had their chance to blow out their in-state rivals, instead they let it go to OT.  The pass rush looked good and I think Watson continues to get well but the play calling seems poorly designed and they just don't have any identity in general. As for the Cowboys, the defense looks okay but the offense is still so bland, I just don't see them winning half their games. Frustrating game for the fans of both teams, no?

Other results (surprising):
Packers 23-31 Lions
Seems like the Lions controlled this game and did what they needed to do to finish the W. But when you consider that K Crosby missed 4 FG's and an extra point, always seems like the Packers did what they needed to do to win the game (well, except for scoring points). So what's the take away here? Are the Lions ready to compete in that division or did the Packers just have a bad day? Honestly, I'm not sure. The Packers have Aaron Rodgers, so I like their chances but they don't have much else which puts them in a precarious position.

Broncos 16-34 Jets

Not surprised by the result, but, damn, where did NYJ get 34 points from? The Broncos are a so-so road team (especially going East) but I would've thought that pass rush could've contained a rookie QB (a Jets rookie QB!) from going nuts on them. Just one of those days, I guess.

Cards 28-18 Niners

The Cards are pretty terrible and while I'm not surprised they took it to a divisional foe that's having injury problems, I'm kinda shocked they rung up 28 on the road.  Impressive, even against the faltering Niners. As for the Niners, without Jimmy G they're gonna struggle, indeed I've been kinda impressed with their effort without him so far. They're well coached, they're still moving in the right direction so I expect them to play hard and getting a coupla W's (but not a lot). 

Other results (not so surprising):
Titans 12-13  Bills
Yeah, the Titans should be better than Buffalo but the Titans play to the level of their opponent and especially on the road that is a dangerous way to go. The Bills are a proud team, they're gonna play hard and when they come up against a team that doesn't really have a proper game plan, then the Bills will have a shot.

Ravens 9-12 (OT) Browns

Yeah, this is about right. Two division foes that struggle all over the field, coming down to an FG. Seems like the Ravens should handle their business but, I mean, they never have so why would they now? Good win for the Browns.

Jags 14-30 Chiefs
Yeah, the Chiefs offense is the shit and the Jags offense is not good enough to hang. No surprise here.

Falcons 17-41 Steelers
I thought the Falcons would be able to move the ball against the declining Steelers D but the Falcons are struggling so badly on defense that it's crushing the whole team (and they suck outdoors on grass anyway). The Steelers offense will have its moments, they can run up points every now and again and the Falcons are the kind of depleted squad the Steelers can feast on.

Giants 31-33 Panthers
The Giants are in turmoil, everything is falling apart, so you know its time for Eli to have a good game (do you see how this works? When NYG sucks, Eli is great; so when Eli is great, that's how you know they suck). And the Panthers look to have all their ducks in a row finally, so they struggled against one of the crappier teams in the league and only won because of a record-tying FG at the buzzer. The Panthers have a knack for waiting til the last minute to finish what should've been easy for them.

Raiders 10-26 Chargers
Yeah, the Chargers gleefully ran up the score on a crappy Raider defense.

Vikings 23-21 Eagles
(Why didn't I watch this game? Was I watching baseball?) I thought at the beginning of the year that the Eagles would be up and down all year long--so don't expect the Eagles to 'find themselves' and then go nuts, I don't think that's gonna happen. They're still on track to win their division and I think they will and be dangerous in the playoffs but I thought they'd be an up and down team and that's what they are. I thought the Vikings would be better than this but they've had some weird breaks so far, but this is a good W and I expect them to start rolling from here.

Rams 33-31 Seahawks
The Rams are crushing everyone, the Seahawks are going in the wrong direction, this game shouldn't have been close, right? Division games, man, anything can happen when two rivals that play each other all the time get together. The Rams pulled it out because they're really good, this game could've gotten away from them and they kept that from happening because they're well-coached. Looks like a sloppy lucky win--no! This is a comitted coaching staff doing what needs to be done to pull out a win. Great win for the Rams, tough loss for the Seahawks.

Redskins 19-43 Saints
Yeah, Saints at home? Fuhgetaboutit.