The Shenoa Report
January 7, 2023
Regular Season Week 18
Happy New Year!!!! The first week of 2023 was loaded with emotion and uncertainty in the NFL family. Players, coaches, announcers, commentators, medical staff, and fans alike felt like they were in an episode of the twilight zone. This can’t be real life. This can’t be happening.
It all started Monday night during the Bills/Bengals game.
The game started later than usual because the Rose Bowl, where Penn State wallopped Utah, was on ESPN and didn’t conclude until after 8:30pm. When the game finally kicked off the Bengals marched down the field and scored a touchdown on their first possession. The Bills answered back with a field goal on their next drive. On Cincinnati's next drive Tee Higgens caught the ball near the 50 yard line and was immediately tackled by safety Damar Hamlin. Hamlin jumped up after the tackle and then collapsed. I gasped, as I’m sure everyone else did who was watching. Within 10 seconds medical personnel were on the field and the game went into a commercial break. When the broadcast came back from the break the scene on the field was down right scary. Both teams seemed to be huddled around Damar so that the camera’s couldn’t get a good look into what was going on. There was another commercial break. Joe Buck and Troy Aikmin were calling the game and I remember the tone of their voices when they brought the ambulance on the field. When Buck said that they were administering CPR I knew this wasn’t good, or normal. Another commercial break. The players' faces were heartbreaking. Grown men openly weeping, hugging, and praying. The game was suspended at roughly 9:16 p.m. with 5:58 remaining in the first quarter. Damar was transported by ambulance to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center at roughly 9:23 p.m. After Hamlin was removed from the field, it was reported that play would resume and teams would be given a warm up period for five minutes. That did not happen, and of course, the NFL denied the reports that the game would resume that evening. Both teams went into their respective locker rooms and waited for any news. The broadcast went to in-studio with Suzy Kolber, Adam Schefter, and Booger McFarland. Booger said it best, “cancel this game now and figure out what that means later.” The game was ultimately postponed for the night shortly after 10 p.m. while Damar was reported to be in critical condition and was intubated. Later that night at 1:48 a.m. local time, the Bills reported that Hamlin had initially suffered cardiac arrest and his heartbeat was restored on-field. No other update was given that night. Tuesday morning there was still no update. Damar remained in critical condition, sedated, on a ventilator. The NFL announced that the game would not be resumed that week.
In 2020 Damar has started a GoFundMe Charity Campaign for a toy drive in his local community. His goal was to raise $2,500. By Tuesday morning his campaign had already raised over a million.
There were no significant updates on Wednesday, only that the doctors had flipped Damar onto his stomach to take stress off of his lungs.
On Thursday the NFL decided to cancel the Bills/Bengals game entirely and not reschedule it. Damar also woke up! When he did, he was able to follow commands and had full control and feeling in his extremities. He also started to communicate by writing on paper or by nodding and shaking his head because he still had a breathing tube. One of the first things he asked was, “Did we win?” The answer the doctor gave, “Yes, Damar, you won. You won the game of life.”
On January 6, Hamlin was able to breathe on his own, at which point his breathing tube was removed, allowing him to speak. Later that day, he FaceTimed into the Bills team meeting, which I’m sure made everyone’s day.
Thankfully, the NFL had the right protocols in place for this emergency situation. I learned this week that the NFL has an Emergency Action Plan. There is one lead person at every game that is in charge to delegate and to make sure everything that needs to happen, happens. There is an airway management physician on site, an ambulance at each stadium, and a Level 1 trauma center in each city. All medical personnel and game officials also meet an hour before kickoff to coordinate and review the plan.
There has been an outpouring of love, prayer, and support for Hamlin and the Bills community. You’ll see it displayed before every game this weekend.
Damar continues to move in the right direction. I’m hoping and praying that Damar makes a full recovery. Oh, and as of yesterday, his GoFundMe has raised over 8 million dollars.
I went 13-2 in picks last week.
Here are the recaps of the rest of the games in week 17
Cowboys @ Titans 27-13
The Cowboys didn’t look too good doing it, but they got the win. It helped that Tennessee didn’t start most of their players including Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry. It also helped that it was a meaningless game for the Titans. But the Titans did manage to keep the game fairly close picking off Dak Prescott twice in the first half.
Cardinals @ Falcons 19-20
For not being great teams at least they were evenly matched as it was a very close game. It was a Koo field goal at the end of the game that gave the Falcons the win.
Bears @ Lions 10-41
The Lions are playing really good football as of late. Jared Goff hasn’t thrown an interception since October! The Bears have a great quarterback but are otherwise terrible. With this win the Lions still have a chance at the post season.
Jaguars @ Texans 31-3
The Jags definitely didn’t look past the Texans even though they are at the top of their division. The Jags are playing tough ball and want to continue to keep their playoff hopes alive, without having a winning record.
Broncos @ Chiefs 24-27
The Broncos kept this game entertaining and Russell Wilson now has more touchdowns this season than bathrooms in his house. What man needs 12 bathrooms in a house? The Chiefs need to tighten things up if they want to dominate in the postseason.
Dolphins @ Patriots 21-23
The Dolphins had a chance to clinch a postseason berth with a victory and loss by the New York Jets at Seattle. Instead, Miami lost its fifth straight game and gave the Patriots a chance at the postseason. With this win the Pats are still technically alive but have to beat the Bills next week.
Colts @ NY Giants 10-38
The NY Football Giants are in the playoffs!!!!!!!!! (for the first time since 2016) What a great game. An epic game. Brian Daboll for president! Or at least coach of the year. Danny Jones, had zero turnovers, threw two touchdown passes, and ran for two more. Landon Collins, one of two players from the '16 team, broke the game open late in the second quarter with a 52-yard pick-6. Rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux was all over Nick Foles, one of his knockdown sacks took Foles out of the game. Thibodeaux celebrated the sack making snow angels on the ground, little did he know that Foles was laying next to him in agony. We routed the Colts and now we are playoff bound!!!!! Side note boys, no boats this week! Stay sharp!
Saints @ Eagles 20-10
The one time I was legitimately rooting for the Eagles and they couldn’t get it done against the stupid Saints! Ugggg!!!! Despicable!
Panthers @ Buccaneers 24-30
The Bucs clinched a playoff spot with this win. It wasn’t pretty but they got it done. The Panthers, not so much. At least D.J. Moore had a decent game.
Browns @ Commanders 24-10
Fans booed Carson Wentz and chanted for Taylor Heinicke but Ron Rivera didn’t listen. Wentz threw three interceptions and in part lost the game for the Commanders. Rivera didn’t even know they could be eliminated after their loss. We learned this when he was asked in the post game conference. If you have time, look up the clip. It’s hilarious. I mean, if you aren’t a Commanders fan. If you are, it’s about as embarrassing as starting Carson Wentz, losing, and being eliminated from postseason play.
49ers @ Raiders 37-34 OT
This game shouldn’t have been that close but I am glad the 49ers got it done. Screw the Raiders organization and what they did to Derek Carr.
Jets @ Seahawks 6-23
The Seahawks keep their playoff hopes alive and eliminate the Jets from the post season with this win. Geno Smith also showed the Jets that he can be a winning quarterback, something he didn’t do very often when he played for NY.
Vikings @ Packers 17-41
Aaron Rodgers fully believes in the power of positive affirmations. He said after the win, “I do believe in the power of manifestation and I do believe in momentum and I believe very strongly in the force of the mind. And when you start to believe something strongly, some miraculous things can happen.” I’m gonna have to say, yeah the score says it all. With this win the Packers are still alive in hopes of reaching the playoffs. The Vikings are already in but aren’t looking too good right now.
Rams @ Chargers 10-31
Austin Ekeler rushed for 122 yards, scored two touchdowns and became the fifth running back with 100 receptions in a season and he helped the Chargers win the game. The Chargers are already in the playoffs and the Rams had already been eliminated so it was like, huh, let’s see what Ekeler can do.
Steelers @ Ravens 16-13
The Steelers needed the win and a lot of help to stay alive and those lucky sons of B’s got it! The Steelers won on a Kenny Pickett touchdown pass to Najee Harris with 56 seconds remaining in the game to give them the win. The Steelers also needed the Dolphins and Jets to lose and they did as well. Like I said, lucky sons of Bs!
Bills @ Bengals 3-7 Canceled
WEEK 18
NFL owners approved a resolution Friday during a Special League Meeting to potentially adjust the AFC postseason, including possibly playing a conference championship game at a neutral site, the league announced on Friday.
Friday's resolution consists of two main elements:
1) The AFC Championship Game will be played at a neutral site if:
Buffalo (12-3) and Kansas City (13-3) both win or tie in Week 18 + both teams advance to the AFC title game.
Buffalo (12-3) and Kansas City (13-3) both lose + Cincinnati (11-4) also loses or ties in Week 18 + Buffalo and Kansas City advance to the AFC title game.
Buffalo (12-3) and Kansas City (13-3) both lose + Cincinnati (11-4) wins + the AFC title game is either Bills-Chiefs or Bengals-Chiefs.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will determine the neutral site of the title game, if one is required.
2) If the Ravens (10-6) defeat Cincinnati in Week 18 and the Chargers (10-6) beat the Denver Broncos, and if Baltimore and Cincinnati are scheduled to play a wild-card game against one another, the site for that game would be determined by a coin toss. If Cincinnati wins the Week 18 game or if Baltimore and Cincinnati are not scheduled to play one another in the wild-card round, the game sites would be determined by the regular scheduling procedures.
Taken from: https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-owners-approve-resolution-to-adjust-afc-postseason-including-potential-neutr
It’s a good article and a good read if you are interested.
Saturday, January 7th
Chiefs (13-3) @ Raiders (6-10) (4:30pm ABC/ESPN/ESPN+)
The Chiefs control their own destiny. With a win they are the number one seed in the AFC. I’m picking the Chiefs to win this game.
Titans (7-9) @ Jaguars (8-8) (8:15pm ABC/ESPN/ESPN+)
The Jags are in first place in the AFC South and would win the division for the first time since 2017 with a win over the Titans. The Titans have dropped six straight but could still clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Jags. The Jags are highly favored in this game but they don’t have Derrick Henry. Against better judgment I am going to pick the Titans to win this game.
Sunday, January 8th
Buccaneers (8-8) @ Falcons (6-10) (1pm FOX)
Tampa Bay already has everything locked up and can’t advance or drop in the playoff rankings. The Falcons are out of the playoff and should probably win this game as the Bucs should rest their starters in anticipation for the playoffs. I’m picking the Falcons to win this game.
Patriots (8-8) @ Bills (12-3) (1pm CBS)
The Patriots need this win to keep their playoff hopes alive. They aren’t going to get it. I’m picking the Bills to win. The Bills are dedicating this game to and playing for #3 Damar Hamlin and they will get the win. I am sure it’ll be one hell of emotional exclamation point to end the scariest week for all the Bills.
Vikings (12-4) @ Bears (3-13) (1pm FOX)
The Vikings are already in the playoffs but lost the second seed last week. They could regain it but only if they win and the 49ers lose. Yeah, that won’t happen. The Bears are not going to play Justin Fields so I think that the Vikings will win this game, at least that’s who I’m picking to win.
Ravens (10-6) @ Bengals (11-4) (1pm CBS)
See the above scenarios from NFL.com if the Ravens win. I don’t think they are going to. The Bengals also had a hell of a week and will most likely play for Damar and I am picking them to win this game.
Texans (2-13-1) @ Colts (4-11-1) (1pm CBS)
Both teams are just playing for draft position. I have lost all respect for Jeff Saturday after he called Thibodeaux trash. I hope the Colts lose just because of Saturday. I’m picking the Texans for the win.
Jets (7-9) @ Dolphins (8-8) (1pm FOX)
The Dolphins need to win this game, and Buffalo will need to beat New England, to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2016. But, I can’t name the Dolphins quarterback because both Tua and Bridgwater will most likely be out. I’m picking the Jets to win and end the Dolphins hopes at the post season.
Panthers (6-10) @ Saints (7-9) (1pm FOX)
Both teams are playing for pride because they have both been eliminated. I’m picking the Saints to win this game only because they have home field advantage.
Browns (7-9) @ Steelers (8-8) (1pm CBS)
The Steelers can make it to the playoffs with a win plus a Dolphins loss plus a Pats loss. Those lucky sons of B’s might just do it again. But remember the Browns are the Steelers kryptonite. I picked the Steelers to win last time and I was wrong, but I am going to do it again.
NY Giants (9-6-1) @ Eagles (13-3) (4:25pm CBS)
The Giants have already clinched a spot in the playoffs and, like the Bucs, can’t move up or down in the rankings. They are expected to rest key starters including, Leonard Williams, Azeez Ojulari, Saquon Barkley, Daniel Jones, Dexter Lawrence, Julian Love, Andrew Thomas, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Tyrod Taylor is expected to play most, if not all, of the game. This is totally fine because Kenny Golladay only needs one of the following to get his $750,000 bonus this weekend: 76 catches, 10 touchdowns, or 1,149 yards. In Tyrod and Golladay we trust.
On the other hand, the Eagles are playing for a first round bye in the playoffs. Jalen Hurts is expected to play along with all the other dynomite starters. I am picking the Eagles to win this game but obviously I am still rooting for an upset, and it would indeed be an upset. I’ve already planned what I’m baking when the game becomes unwatchable. GO G-MEN!
Cowboys (12-4) @ Commanders (7-8-1) (4:25pm FOX)
Dallas is now playing for home field advantage and the Commanders are playing for a divisional upset after they were eliminated last week. “We could be eliminated?” Have you watched the clip yet? Anyway, the Cowboys would need help from the Giants and the Cardinals to get that home field advantage in the playoffs and I’m pretty sure neither team is going to be any help. Dallas can clinch home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a Win + PHI loss + SF loss. (Yeah, that’s not going to happen)
They could get the NFC East title with a Win + PHI loss as well. (That’s not going to happen either) I am picking the Cowboys to win but that’s where it ends.
Chargers (10-6) @ Broncos (4-12) (4:25pm CBS)
The Chargers control their own destiny for the most part. They just need to focus on beating the Broncos. Other scenarios include: If the Ravens lose to the Bengals on Sunday during the early games, the Chargers would lock in the No. 5 seed in the AFC. But if the Ravens beat the Bengals, the Chargers will need to defeat the Broncos in order to secure the AFC's top wild card spot. The Broncos are playing for dignity at this point, not even having a chance at the postseason. I think the best hope for the Chargers is to become Bengals fans and root for Cincinnati. I have more confidence in the Bengals winning than the Chargers winning. Long story short, I’m picking the Broncos to win this game so they avoid losing 13 games this season, which would be a franchise low for Denver.
Cardinals (4-12) @ 49ers (12-4) (4:25pm FOX)
This will be J.J. Watt’s last NFL game. He is retiring from football. The Cardinals were not good this year and that might have helped Watt’s decision. The 49ers are playing for home field advantage but they need help from the Giants to lock that in. First they need to win and they need to have the Giants beat the Eagles. Sorry 49ers, I’m a huge Giants fan and I’m not even delusional enough to think that the Giants can beat the Eagles this week. I’m picking the 49ers to win this game.
Rams (5-11) @ Seahawks (8-8) (4:25pm FOX)
The Seahawks must win and hope for a loss or tie by Green Bay against Detroit to reach the postseason. So you’re telling me there’s a chance? I think the Seahawks will win this game but I honestly don’t know if they’ll get that last wild card spot.
Lions (8-8) @ Packers (8-8) (8:20pm NBC)
To get in the playoffs, all the Packers have to do is beat the Lions. If the Packers lose, the Seahawks would get in if they beat the Rams. If the Seahawks lose, then the Lions would get in with a win over the Packers. That seems like a lot. In this scenario I am rooting for the Lions to get into the playoffs. I know this is the most unlikely of all. My heart says to pick the Lions but my head says to pick the Packers. I’m picking the Packers to win this game, but know that I’m rooting for you Detroit!
GO G-MEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the edit Eric!
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