Windy City Gridiron
1. Imagine being Jake Moody—left for dead after an inconsistent start to his career as a former 49ers third-round pick, getting a practice squad elevation for this week in place of Cairo Santos, having a critical kick blocked at the start of the 4th quarter, then nailing the game-winner as time expires to steal a road win for the Bears. Life comes at you fast in the NFL. Hopefully, this earns him another shot somewhere else.
2. I was already well on the “Justin Fields is destined to be a career backup” train before Sunday’s stinker in London. But after watching that, I legit think he might need to give up quarterbacking for good. Because that brother sadly cannot play the position. At least Tyrod Taylor is a level of mediocrity you can accept. -10 net passing yards is so bad no other team but the Giants have ever managed it. Also, you just know when certain guys who might be very good coaches simply aren’t meant to be head coaches in the NFL. I watched Jerod Mayo struggle up close last season and lose his job when it became clear the Patriots could do better. Aaron Glenn is feeling like that guy this year. That Jets stretch to close out the first half, where the offense played so scared they spit on a chance to maybe earn three points that could’ve won them the game, was embarrassing. But at least he gave us a Dan Campbell-esque fake punt!
3. Brian Callahan is Exhibit No. 291312 of “If you know you’re drafting a QB No.1 overall and don’t think your coach is good, FIRE HIM BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS.” I am sick of teams clinging onto ineffective head coaches longer than they need to and screwing with their young quarterbacks’ development. It’s not always a death knell (see, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye), but these guys are too important to screw around with. Always prioritize the potential franchise QB over the coach.
4. The Patriots fortunately won this game against the Saints and scored a touchdown on this drive, so it didn’t end up mattering. But what in the actual [bleep] were these refs thinking calling offensive pass interference on Stefon Diggs to wipe out this insane Drake Maye TD pass to Demario Douglas? “Rule of Cool” must be instituted immediately. Add the Rome Odunze TD catch that was nullified due to…whatever they called to this ledger. Oh, by the way…the Patriots are back to leading the AFC East after Buffalo’s second straight loss (including one to New England), and Maye’s ascendancy has me feeling like we’re back in the mid-2010s again.
5. I really like Brian Branch as a player, and I personally don’t think him not wanting to shake Patrick Mahomes’ hand at the end of the Chiefs-Lions game is the worst thing in the world (even if it is technically crappy sportsmanship). But hitting Ju-Ju Smith-Schuster in the face and touching off a brawl was monstrously lame....
