One of the popular terms being floated around this time of year is the ‘Monday morning quarterback.’ Everyone likes to think themselves an expert on their favorite sport. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in professional football.
To be honest, football isn’t all that complicated once you’ve watched a few games. That’s why it’s the most popular sport in America: it’s something pretty much everyone can wrap their heads around.
So it was pretty incredible to hear Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton make the remarks he did towards a female reporter on Wednesday.
When Jourdan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer brought up some strategy with Newton at a press conference, Newton remarked that it was “funny” to hear a woman talk about such things.
Newton has come off as a clown more than once — take his post-Super Bowl tantrum for instance — and these latest remarks certainly don’t help his image.
As if it was impossible for a woman to understand the deep mysteries of the game of football. Understanding football is not the same as performing brain surgery or astrophysics. You don’t need a four-year degree to understand what’s happening on the field.
Whether you’re male or female, whether you’ve played 10 years in the NFL or have never thrown a spiral, no one needs to be questioned when it comes to their football intelligence. Least of all a woman who happens to cover the game for a living.
Holding off on the bandwagon
It’s an exciting time if you happen to be a Buffalo Bills fan. The Sean McDermott-led squad is off to a 3-1 start, and folks in Western New York and beyond already have their sights set on the playoffs.
To that I would simply say: hold your horses.
The Bills have gotten off to good starts more than once in the past few years only to crumble down the stretch. I can say from personal experience how painful it is to get your hopes up after so many years of misery only to be disappointed yet again.
It’s still very early in the season. Give it a few more weeks.
(Though I will say the Bills’ past hot starts haven’t included beating the defending NFC champions on the road).
On to the picks:
Buffalo at Cincinnati
Trap game. Not a term you’d associate with the moribund Bills, but this certainly has the opportunity to be just that. The Bengals have been playing better after a dreadful start. But this is still a game the Bills should win.
Nick’s pick: BILLS
Jacksonville at Pittsburgh
The Steelers seem to be flying under the radar a bit. Even at 3-1, Pittsburgh hasn’t yet played its best football. With Jacksonville, you just don’t know what you’re going to be getting week to week with Blake Bortles.
Nick’s pick: STEELERS
N.Y. Jets at Cleveland
New York’s better play of late makes this game a bit more palatable. But not that much. Cleveland doesn’t seem to be making any progress. Even against the Jets, the Browns don’t seem like they have enough going for them to pull this one out.
Nick’s pick: JETS
Carolina at Detroit
The Lions are one controversial call away from starting the season 4-0. Matthew Stafford has been solid, and the defense is playing better than expected. The Panthers are coming off a huge win against New England, though that might be more the result of the Patriots’ porous ‘D’.
Nick’s pick: LIONS
San Francisco at Indianapolis
Two teams that don’t seem to have much hope for this season. The 49ers, for as bad as they are now, at least look like they have a plan for the future. Rookie DeForest Buckner has been a terror on the defensive line. He should give Jacoby Brissett fits.
Nick’s pick: 49ERS
Tennessee at Miami
It seems like the Jay Cutler experience isn’t panning out too well in Miami. The Dolphins have nearly been shut out in back-to-back weeks. Even with Marcus Mariota banged up, the Titans should have no trouble putting up enough points against the hapless Fins.
Nick’s pick: TITANS
L.A. Chargers at N.Y. Giants
Could this be the last meeting between Philip Rivers and Eli Manning, members of the famed 2004 QB draft class? Who would’ve thought it would be with both teams sitting at 0-4? I want to pick the Chargers, but they simply don’t seem to know how to win.
Nick’s pick: GIANTS
Arizona at Philadelphia
I don’t think either of these teams is as good or bad as their current record indicates. Arizona has been playing well considering it’s without star RB David Johnson. Philadelphia, meanwhile, hasn’t played the best football despite being 3-1. At home, Philly gets the slight edge.
Nick’s pick: EAGLES
Baltimore at Oakland
The Ravens catch a break with Oakland QB Derek Carr out of action. That’s good news for them, because Joe Flacco has been one of the worst passers in the league this year. Baltimore’s defense should be strong enough to win a low-scoring affair.
Nick’s pick: RAVENS
Seattle at L.A. Rams
A surprising candidate for best matchup of the week. The Rams boast the league’s hottest offense, while Seattle is its usual stingy self on defense. L.A.’s Aaron Donald could be the key. If he has a big day against Seattle’s poor O-line, the Rams could pull off the upset.
Nick’s pick: SEAHAWKS
Green Bay at Dallas
This game should go a long way towards deciding which of these two teams is a true contender in the NFC. The Cowboys don’t look as good as they did last year, but the Packers are battling a slew of injuries. That being said, Aaron Rodgers has been on fire so far. That should continue.
Nick’s pick: PACKERS
Kansas City at Houston
Rookie QB Deshaun Watson faces his sternest test yet when the Texans host the undefeated Chiefs. Watson has proved so far that he belongs in the NFL, but it might be asking a bit too much to take down a team playing as well as Kansas City, even at home.
Nick’s pick: CHIEFS
Minnesota at Chicago
Chicago fans will get to see what all the fuss is about when rookie Mitchell Trubisky makes his first start on national TV. It might be tough sledding against Minnesota’s stout defense, though. On the other side, Case Keenum has performed admirably as Sam Bradford’s replacement.
Nick’s pick: VIKINGS
Last week: 6-9
Overall: 27-18
