Expectations are a funny thing in sports. Sometimes, those expectations are correct, like this one: the Cleveland Browns are cursed. Other times, those expectations are somewhat off, like this one: the New Orleans Saints are the best team in the NFC. But whether we’re talking about the Browns capturing our hearts or the Browns ruining everything by losing anyway, it’s important to know when we’re wrong. Or at the very least, when we might have been a little premature. Here’s what we’ll admit to misjudging so far in the early weeks of the 2018 NFL season. In the same vein as the “Blake Bortles: good at football?” question, Tannehill has always been a little tough to define. He’s got a franchise quarterback contract, but isn’t exactly one to inspire us with his play. And coming off his second ACL injury, we didn’t have for Tannehill, or the Dolphins, this season. But credit where credit is due. Tannehill has led the Dolphins … [Read more...] about 7 things we’ve been wrong about so far in the new NFL season
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‘This isn’t how I pictured retiring from the NFL’: Bills cornerback calls it a career at halftime
How’s THAT for a halftime adjustment? While the rest of the Buffalo Bills jogged into the locker room at halftime of their game against the Los Angeles Chargers, cornerback Vontae Davis jogged in, then just kept on going. He quit at halftime — a jaw-dropping decision that left his teammates and coaches shaking their heads. “Pulled himself out of the game. He communicated to us that he was done,” coach Sean McDermott said after the Bills fell 31-20. Later, Davis posted on Twitter that he was, in fact, calling it a career. “This isn’t how I pictured retiring from the NFL,” he wrote. “But today on the field, reality hit me fast and hard. I shouldn’t be out there anymore.” And so, he left. In case you missed it, here were other hot topics after the second Sunday of the NFL season: 80 TOUCHDOWNS: Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs is on pace to throw 80 touchdown passes this season. Last season’s first-round draft pick threw six … [Read more...] about ‘This isn’t how I pictured retiring from the NFL’: Bills cornerback calls it a career at halftime
NFL snap judgements, week two: Shock upsets, kicking woes and Fitzmagic goes full Conor McGregor
Week two in the NFL is traditionally when everyone's hot takes get ripped up into tiny little pieces and scattered to the wind. This season, they were ripped up, put in a blender, set on fire and dumped in a skip which was promptly shot into the sun. That's a long-winded way of saying it was a week of surprises. We got our second tie in two weeks - the same number as the last two seasons combined - and there were at least six shock results which served to remind us that judging teams after just 60 minutes of football is rarely an embarrassment-free exercise. With the Buccaneers, Bengals and Dolphins among the teams to start 2-0, it's time to toss aside those scripts. Here's everything we learnt in week two. The only way you can understand the value of a good kicker... is by having a terrible one If upsets were one theme of week two, the other was definitely horrible, horrible kicking displays. Once again, the Browns were denied a first win since December 2016 by the boot. Zane Gonzalez … [Read more...] about NFL snap judgements, week two: Shock upsets, kicking woes and Fitzmagic goes full Conor McGregor
Sunday’s top NFL game: Vikings and Packers kick themselves, settle for tie
Genaro C. Armas Associated Press Published 5:37 AM EDT Sep 17, 2018 Green Bay, Wis. — Wide right, times two. Daniel Carlson missed two field goals in overtime, including one from 35 yards as time expired, and the Minnesota Vikings had to settle for a 29-29 tie with the Green Bay Packers after rallying from a late 13-point deficit on Sunday. The rookie’s final attempt went to the right of the uprights, just like his kick from 49 earlier in overtime. Carlson also missed from 48 in the second quarter. Packers kicker Mason Crosby matched a career high with five field goals, but his potential game-winner from 52 went wide left as time expired in regulation. “It’s disappointing when you’ve got an opportunity to win the football game there at the end and you come up with a tie. It’s better than a loss,” Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said. It was the second straight week with a tie in the NFL after the Steelers and Browns played to a draw in their … [Read more...] about Sunday’s top NFL game: Vikings and Packers kick themselves, settle for tie
Buffalo Bills cornerback Vontae Davis retires from the NFL halfway through game
Buffalo Bills cornerback Vontae Davis pulled himself from the team's game against the San Diego Chargers, telling coach Sean McDermott "he was done." McDermott spoke with reporters Sunday after Buffalo's 31-20 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and explained that the 30-year-old Davis voluntarily left the game in the first half and did not return. "He pulled himself from the game. He told us he was done," McDermott said, per the Buffalo News. "When I get back there [to the locker room], we'll continue to communicate and get things figured out. I wish I had a better answer." McDermott had no further insight on why Davis decided to stop playing. The 10-year veteran was not injured, according to the Bills' head coach. Davis was a surprise inactive for the Bills' season-opening 47-3 loss at Baltimore last week, despite his coach calling him a healthy scratch at the time. He was the planned starter Sunday against the Chargers, but at some point in the opening half Davis took himself out of … [Read more...] about Buffalo Bills cornerback Vontae Davis retires from the NFL halfway through game