The Shenoa Report
October 8, 2020
Regular Season Week 5
Where do I even start? Crucial Catch? Covid? Injuries? NFC East? Records? Fantasy?
Week four was a doozy to say the least. As you know the Titans / Steelers game was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Titans organization. 20 positives came out of the organization in just one week which put up red flags and raised the question of, are teams taking things seriously? The Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots also had positive tests Saturday with Chiefs practice squad quarterback Jordan Ta'amu and Patriots starting quarterback Cam Newton. The game scheduled to take place Sunday was immediately postponed so that contact tracing and more tests could be administered on Sunday and Monday. In other Covid news, 10 Raiders were fined for not wearing masks at a charity event.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell warned the league's 32 teams Monday of penalties including potential forfeits of games for violations of COVID-19 protocols that force changes in the schedule.
These are the COVID-19 protocols for returning to play following a positive test;
If Asymptomatic, cannot return until: 10 days after first positive test OR 5 days after first positive test and 2 negative PCR tests 24 hours apart.
If Symptomatic, cannot return until: at least 10 days after first symptoms, at least 72 hours since symptoms ended, local regulations/requirements are satisfied.
Those players who do test positive regardless of symptomatic or asymptomatic are placed on the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list.
We can all agree that COVID-19 sucks, but you know what else sucks? Cancer sucks. We have all been personally affected by that horrible word. In the month of October, while watching the NFL you’ll see some rainbow colors on uniforms, as well as some gaudy tie-dye throwback to the 80’s hats. This is to show support, awareness, and bring attention to the fight for cancer, research, those lost, and survivors. Since 2009, the first year of the NFL's Crucial Catch campaign, the NFL’s work has raised more than $22 million for the American Cancer Society, and has supported over 370,000 cancer screenings. When you buy anything with the Crucial Catch logo on it from the NFL shop proceeds go towards cancer research. The NFL does not retain any profits generated by royalties received due to the sale of Crucial Catch products. All dollars are donated to the American Cancer Society. Cancer sucks. Please, get yourself checked out, early detection saves lives.
In other NFL news, Texans fire head coach and general manager Bill O’Brian after an 0-4 start to the season, the earliest firing of a head coach in NFL history, not a good record to have.
I’ll talk about injuries and records in the recap, as for the NFC East we should probably refer to them as the NFC LEAST. With a combined record of 3-12-1 the NFC East is an embarrassment to the League. Philly is on top of the division with a record of 1-2-1… Good news is that the Giants are just 1.5 games out…
I went 10-5 in my picks and won again in fantasy. Here’s the recap of week 4.
Broncos @ Jets 37-28
The fact that the Jets led any of this game was a little disconcerting, and went to show that the Broncos aren’t much better. The Broncos and my fantasy team suffered a blow when Noah Fant went out of the game with an ankle injury and didn’t return. He isn’t expected to play next week, which is a bummer but it doesn’t seem to be a season ending injury, which is really good .
Colts @ Bears 19-11
Nick Foles was awful in his first start as a Bear. Now Chicago doesn’t know what to do about the quarterback position. Will they bring back Jay Cutler? Too soon? The Colts defense really shut down Foles and Phillip Rivers struck early for the offense.
Jaguars @ Bengals 25-33
“Winning is fun” is all that Joe Burrow had to say after he brought his team to victory for the first time in his NFL career. It was Joe Mixon who was the MVP of the game though, with 151 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on the day.
Browns @ Cowboys 49-38
Last week I said, “I’d love to see the Browns wallop the Cowboys”. I think the Browns read my report!!!! OBJ has FINALLY had a good game, with 3 touchdowns!!!! The bad news for the Browns, and my fantasy team, is Nick Chubb left the game with a knee injury and will not be returning to the field for at least 6 weeks. He has an MCL sprain which will keep him sidelined, but hopefully he will be able to play again this season. The Cowboys looked horrible and tried to rally late in the game, but because they are horrible, they lost.
Saints @ Lions 35-29
The Saints scored 5 touchdowns in this game, 2 of them were only two minutes and 19 seconds apart. That doesn’t say much for the Lions offense, or defense.
Seahawks @ Dolphins 31-23
Russell Wilson actually threw a pick during this game. It was shocking to see, as we don’t see that often. He quickly rebounded though, having another stellar game with 360 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a win. Ryan Fitzpatrick had no magic with 2 interceptions, though he did have a rushing touchdown.
Chargers @ Buccaneers 31-38
There were 22 years in between starting quarterbacks Tom Brady and Justin Herbert, the biggest gap in NFL history. The old man (Brady) had a very good day throwing 5 touchdowns to 5 different receivers. Herbert also had a good day with 3 touchdowns, but easy math will tell you that 5 is better than 3 when it comes to winning. Both QBs had an interception.
Ravens @ Washington 31-17
The Ravens were able to bounce back from last week's loss and beat the Football Team handily. I’m beginning to think Washington’s first win was just a fluke. Lamar Jackson ran for a 50 yard touchdown and threw for another 2, and the Football Team couldn’t stop him.
Cardinals @ Panthers 21-31
The Cardinals have let me down 2 weeks in a row. I think I might stop picking them to win. The Panthers, who allowed fans in the stands for the first time this season, had a great game. Teddy Bridgewater had three total touchdowns, 1 rushing and 2 passing to lead the Panthers to victory.
Vikings @ Texans 31-23
The Texans are HORRIBLE. They are also going on the list of teams I’m going to stop picking to win until they actually have a win. It was after this loss that their head coach/general manager was fired. The Vikings didn’t even look that good in their win over the Texans, so I really have nothing else to report on this game.
NY Giants @ Rams 9-17
For the first 3 weeks of the season I was super frustrated that we didn’t get the Giants broadcast on our local tv stations. We’d get stupid games like the Eagles or the Cowboys, or the Jets or Bills. This Sunday we actually got the game but it was so bad that I, who always watches the game till the bitter end because I’m a glutton for punishment, decided to clean the bathroom complete with scrubbing the tub and sweeping and vacuuming the downstairs instead of watching the game. It was a much more enjoyable way to spend my afternoon. The Giants are the worst I’ve ever seen them, and I’ve been watching them for close to 40 years. I can’t believe we have 12 more weeks of this nonsense.
Bills @ Raiders 30-23
Josh Allen had two passing touchdowns and one rushing and the Bills are 4-0 after defeating the Raiders in Las Vegas. Hopefully for Bills fans, what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas, except for Allen’s little banged up shoulder, that can stay in Vegas.
Eagles @ 49ers 25-20
The Eagles didn’t “win” this game, it was the 49ers who lost it. Both teams looked abysmal.
Patriots @ Chiefs 10-26
The Chiefs didn’t have a particularly good night on offense, but the Patriots back up quarterbacks had a much worse time. With Cam Newton out of the game after testing positive the weight of the team fell on Brian Hoyer and when he was benched for lack of good performance, it was left to Jarrett Stidham. Neither QB did well and the Chiefs defense made sure of it.
Falcons @ Packers 16-30
The Falcons really didn’t have a chance against the Packers. I mean, Todd Gurley had 2 touchdowns for them but that’s about it. Aaron Rodgers had four touchdowns while Matt Ryan had none.
WEEK 5
With a positive case in New England, Las Vegas, and positives again in Tennessee as of Thursday morning there might be more game postponements, and the Bills / Titans game is in jeopardy. The Titans held workouts off premises, when in person gatherings had been banned, and might be the reason for the spread of the virus. The Titans should just forfeit the game due to their stupidity; at least I’d get one pick correct.
Thursday, October 8th
Buccaneers (3-1) @ Bears (3-1) (8:20pm FOX/NFL Network)
When the game kicks off tonight, Tom Brady and Nick Foles will become the first quarterbacks to face off as starters in a Super Bowl and then later in their careers while each starting for a different team. I’m picking the Bucs to win this game.
Sunday, October 11th
Panthers (2-2) @ Falcons (0-4) (1pm FOX)
I’m picking the Panthers to win this game. At least the Giants won’t be the only team 0-5…
Raiders (2-2) @ Chiefs (4-0) (1pm CBS)
With a positive case in the Raiders locker room and the Chiefs potentially exposed during the game against the Patriots, as Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore tested positive, this is another game that might be postponed. I really hope that isn’t the case for so many reasons. If it is played I am picking the Chiefs to win this game.
Cardinals (2-2) @ Jets (0-4) (1pm FOX)
Joe Flacco will start for the Jets with Sam Darnold out. I said that I wasn’t going to pick the Cardinals to win, but because they are playing the Jets, I am going back on my word and picking Arizona for the win.
Eagles (1-2-1) @ Steelers (3-0) (1pm FOX)
I’m picking the Steelers to win and I don’t think it’s going to be a close game.
Rams (3-1) @ Washington (1-3) (1pm FOX)
Dwayne Haskins has been benched and Kyle Allen will start for the Football Team. With that said, I’m picking the Rams to win this game.
Bengals (1-2-1) @ Ravens (3-1) (1pm CBS)
It’s a good thing that Joe Burrow got a win last week because I don’t think he’s going to win this week. I’m picking the Ravens to win this game.
Jaguars (1-3) @ Texans (0-4) (1pm CBS)
Both teams are horrible, but with the Texans firing their head coach maybe the interim head coach will be able to coach the team into their first win. I’m going to pick the Texans to win one last time…
Dolphins (1-3) @ 49ers (2-2) (4:05pm FOX)
I’m picking the 49ers to win this game. I don’t have a good reason for this, I just am.
Colts (3-1) @ Browns (3-1) (4:25pm CBS)
I’m going with the Browns to win this game. The Colts have a good defense but, dare I say, the Browns have a better offense, even with Chubb out. We’ll see.
NY Giants (0-4) @ Cowboys (1-3) (4:25pm CBS )
If the Giants were ever going to win a game this season it would be this game. Jason Garrett, Giants offensive coordinator, will be facing his former team where he was the head coach for 13 years. That being said, I’m picking the Cowboys to win. I hope I’m wrong. GO GMEN!
Vikings (1-3) @ Seahawks (4-0) (8:20pm NBC)
I’m going with the Seahawks for the win. No question.
Monday, October 12th
Chargers (1-3) @ Saints (2-2) (8:15pm ESPN)
This game might be moved to Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium because Hurricane Delta is due to hit New Orleans this weekend. Justin Herbert was named the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season, sorry Tyrod. Even though the Saints won’t have home field advantage I think they’ll win this game.
Tuesday, October 13th
Bills (4-0) @ Titans? (3-0) (7pm CBS)
Yes, that's right. This game is slotted for Tuesday for the same reason that the Broncos Patriots game was also moved. As of Friday morning, there were no new positives in the Titans organization... Fast forward to Sunday morning, there was another positive test. This game is also, once again, in jeopardy. Who knows if this game will even be played. If it does happen I’m picking the Bills to win, but I’m not going to hold my breath.
BYE
Lions, Packers,
Broncos, Patriots forced bye week due to positive test Sunday morning.
GO GMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the edit Eric!
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