Did “quadmester” get your attention? It is a word (much like semester and trimester) or it isn’t, but I used it to signify that, for the most part, one-quarter of the NFL season is now completed. I know that the Bucs and Dolphins did not play in Week 1 due to Irma, but, come on; there have been enough games to begin to fool around with what we currently know. Here are ten ramblings about the season so far (in no particular order):
- The Browns and 49ers are not good now and will not be good in the next trimester (notice the theme this week) either.
- Don’t gamble on the NFL for awhile. There have been numerous upsets the past two weeks (Panthers over New England, Jets over anybody, the Rams over the Cowboys, the Bills over the Falcons – need I go on?). I would assume there are quite a few who are already out of their survivor pool. Don’t start a new one. It might be that kind of year.
- The Rams are in first place and Seattle is not in the NFC West. The Jets are tied with the Patriots in the AFC East, but the Bills are in first place. The Eagles are in first place!
- The Buffalo Bills have given up an average of 13.5 points a game – in the NFL!
- The Dolphins were supposed to be good, but have lost to the Jets and the Saints with one total touchdown the last two weeks (and that came on the last play of the game against the Jets). They’re not so good.
- What’s wrong with the Patriots? Their defense! How long will Bill Belichick stand for these results before heads begin to roll?
- If I said a New York team might be the worst team in football, you and I would think I was talking about the Jets. But the New York Jets are 2-2 and the New York Giants are 0-4.
- Why is anyone a Cleveland Browns fan? They, too, are 0-4.
- On a positive note, the Los Angeles Rams are the most surprising team so far with their 3-1 start, especially after their 4-12 season a year ago in St. Louis. Is head coach Sean McVay that much better than Jeff Fisher? The next 13 weeks will tell.
- Go Eagles! So far, they have really been fun to watch and, did I mention, they are currently in first place in the NFC East. WITH ONLY A TRIMESTER TO GO!
ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS)
- Penn State ids 5-0 for the first time since 2008 and find themselves #4 in the nation. Saquon Barkley right now is the Vegas favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. He leads the nation in all-purpose yardage. This past weekend he ran the opening kickoff back for a TD and actually threw a pass for a TD. Amazing!!
- The Rams moved from St. Louis to Los Angeles this year, but their uniform jerseys remained the same and do not match their helmets or their pants. The NFL due to a “uniform alteration” timing rule would not allow it. Their helmets and pants are blue with white stripes and the jersey is blue with gold numbers.
- The Eagles are 3-1 – oh, my!! They are in first place in the NFC East. And, how about Jake Elliot? After winning the game the week before against the Giants with a 61-yard field goal, he made four more of 40+ yards this week (with a 53-yarder). The Eagles, also, can run the ball, a huge asset in the NFL. The Eagles next take on the Arizona Cardinals in Philadelphia.
- The Lafayette Leopards put up plenty of firsts this past Saturday in Worcester, Mass. By beating Holy Cross on the last play of the game, they attained their first win of the season; achieved a Patriot League victory in the first league game; took over first place in the PL; and gave Coach John Garrett his first-ever win as a college football coach.
- Bethlehem Catholic travels to Parkland this Friday in a battle of two unbeaten teams. You can watch the match-up LIVE on RCN at 7:00pm. Whitehall and Freedom follow at 9:30. Lafayette tries to win their second Patriot League game on Saturday at 3:30pm. Northampton plays Liberty Saturday night on RCN at 7:00pm.
Gary’s Guesses: NFL Picks – (LAST WEEK – 10-7; OVERALL – 39-23 – 63%)
Week Five
PITTSBURGH
RAIDERS
NEW ENGLAND
PHILADELPHIA
SAN FRANCISCO
BUFFALO
GIANTS
RAMS
MIAMI
JETS
CHICAGO
HOUSTON
DETROIT
DALLAS
