Welcome to our weekly column where we look at all things NFL from our regular NFL tipster and Rugby League raconteur Nick Tedeschi. He will look at the good, the bad and the ugly of the NFL, holding back no punches.
Dan Quinn Has Crippled The Commanders
Dan Quinn did a tremendous job in getting the Commanders back to the playoffs but his decision to keep Jayden Daniels in a game that was long gone and resulted in the QB dislocating his elbow is going to have long-ranging ramifications for the Washington franchise. Daniels will miss the rest of the season and who knows how he will return from a dangerous injury that should never have occurred. It was complete malpractice to keep Daniels in the game with the score blown out so much. Quinn’s leash should be shortened significantly after such utter recklessness that has ruined one and possibly two seasons for the Commanders.
Top Eight Shortest Tenured Head Coaches
There have been just 536 head coaches in NFL history. It is the dream for many and attained by so few. Yet there have been some incredibly short runs.
- Bill Belichick (NY Jets – 1 day): Belichick was named to replace Pete Carroll or the 2000 season but left a day after being announced to join the Pats and go on the greatest run in coaching history.
- George Allen (LA Rams – 2 preseason games): Allen returned for a second stint at the Rams after a successful run with the Redskins but his autocratic style did not sit well with his experienced and talented playing group and after two bad losses Allen was fired.
- Pete McCulley (San Francisco – 9 games): McCulley won just one of nine games before the Niners, who were trigger happy in the late 1970s, sacked him.
- Frank Reich (Carolina – 11 games): Reich had built a reputation as a quality coach at the Colts but opened 1-10 before being fired by trigge happy owner David Tepper.
- Lou Holtz (NY Jets – 13 games): Holtz’s success at Notre Dame did not translate to the pros with Holtz resigning after a 3-10 start in 1976.
- Bobby Petrino (Atlanta – 13 games): See Lou Holtz. Former college coach who could not cut it in the pros. Left notes in players’ lockers when he quit after a 3-10 start.
- Urban Meyer (Jacksonville – 13 games): See Holtz and Petrino. College football icon who disgraced himself and the Jags during his disastrous stint.
- Nathaniel Hackett (Denver – 15 games): Hackett was signed by Denver as they tried to lure Aaron Rodgers. After a 4-11 run marked by bad playcalling and awful time management he was sacked.
All Hail Joe Alt
Second-year offensive tackle for the LA Chargers Joe Alt is quickly emerging as one of the most important offensive linemen in the NFL. Justin Herbert’s stats with and without the sophomore tell the story. This year the Chargers are 4-0 with Alt and 2-3 without him. Pressures are up 50% when he is out. Hebert’s passer rating drops 20 points in his absence. Taking the Chargers on at the line is the play in Alt’s absence.
Little By Name Big By Nature
Cam Little is the new owner of the NFL’s field goal record when he booted a 68-yard field goal against Las Vegas. It was a monster kick. The Arkansas product has never been regarded as having a super long boot but that changed in preseason when he kicked a 70-yard field goal and he now is the official NFL all-time leader.
Week 9 Bad Beat Power Rankings
No sport lends itself to cruel beats more than American football. Here are the worst for Week 9:
3. Las Vegas H2H: Those on the Raiders endured a tough ride when they had to watch their bet swing on a two-point attempt at the backend of overtime. It missed.
2. Atlanta H2H: The Falcons clawed their way back from a 10-point deficit and would have levelled the scores with 4:40 but for Parker Romo missing the extra point and consigning the Falcons to a one-point loss.
1. Cincinnati +2.5: The Bengals delivered maximum heartache for the second straight week. Cincy looked dead when the Bears went to a seeming 47-28 lead with a few minutes to play on a long pick six but that was called back, the Bears punted, the Bengals scored with 1:43 left and then recovered an onside kick in the most ridiculous way, scoring with 54 seconds remaining to take a 42-41 lead to record a magnificent win – until the Bears scored with 15 seconds left on a busted coverage that featured some of the most abhorrent tackling you will ever see.
Punter Stat of the Week
Only two punters have been drafted in the first round of the NFL draft in history – Ray Guy in 1973, who went to the Hall of Fame, and Russell Erxleben in 1979, who served two seven-year stints in prison for financial fraud.
Fun Fact #1
Chicago is the biggest city in the United States not to host a Super Bowl followed by Philadelphia.
Fun Fact #2
Tee Higgins became the third player in the Super Bowl era to score a touchdown in nine straight home games.
Fun Fact #3
Former Colts coach Tony Dungy is the last player to throw an interception and catch an interception in the same game.
Read It
Conrad Dobler, a guard who played for the Cardinals, Bills and Saints, was dubbed the game’s “dirtiest player” by Sports Illustrated in 1977. Dobler became known for using every dirty trick in the book to win. Here is that great story.
Watch It
Peyton Manning is one of the greatest showmen in NFL history. His appearance as a Saturday Night Live host was iconic. Here is an iconic skit from his SNL run. Watch it here.