2022 NFL Week 3 Political Rankings: Shots Across The Bow

I'll probably do a separate thoughts post tomorrow, because there's a lot to digest here.

If you need to know what the NFL is pushing, I am reminded of the opening to this week's Red Zone coverage (no, I am not beneath pirating that for research purposes -- and it paid dividends this week):  "WHAT HAPPENS NEXT???"

I would need to do a fair bit of research on this one, but SEVEN Last Chance Misses is either a record or close, and it's clear the NFL wants you riveted to that seat before the offensive coordinator tears out the tablet and tries to smash it when his team can't clock it for a winning field goal!

In contrast, there were only nine in the first three weeks last year.

But here's the fun part:  The Bills, Bucs, and Chiefs all lost this week.  And all three have a thing in common.

The Bills had the preseason Matt Araiza situation.  The Chiefs lost Willie Gay for four weeks.  And the Bucs lost Mike Evans -- a move that ESPN's Rex Ryan said was the moment they lost the Packer game, and, hence, a very important tiebreaker threshold.

If you don't think the NFL got in the ear of some of these top contenders and told them to knuckle the line, this week should have given the indication they did.  For the Chiefs, I think this is a Last Warning.  Slightly less so for the Bills and Bucs, but we will see.  Keep in mind:  One of the Chiefs and Bucs is 2-2 after next week!

So, with a nod to chaos:

AFC:

1) Miami and Tua

I really blanch at this because of the ownership foul from the offseason, but the early push for Tua and the Dolphins can no longer be denied.  Obviously, Buffalo gets another crack at them at their stadium December 18th.  That said, as much as this has some question marks, let's remember even $Cam got a Super Bowl.  (Clearly as job-boy, but he got there!)  There is a synergy between the NFL and the rigging of college football.  The only 3-0 in the AFC.

(Which makes the Butt Punt a funnier moment in retrospect.  Here's the thing:  A safety was probably the best play!)

2) Baltimore

He's not only got the highest passer rating through three weeks, but Lamar Jackson is third in the league in rushing!

3) Cleveland

And don't look now, but the Dark DeRapist Rapist move for later in the year has taken some fruit.  This team SHOULD be 3-0 (the loss was inexcusable), but they have one easier game left before the schedule steepens SIGNIFICANTLY in the next few weeks after.

AFC DUD OF THE WEEK:

You know what?  CO-WINNERS!  I got three for ya, and they all deserve the honors.

THE LOS ANGELES CHARGERS, AND WHATEVER THE FUCK THAT WAS AT SOFI ON SUNDAY.  Thirty-eight to ten to the JAGUARS??!?!?!?!?  I was thinking of giving some mercy, but the fact is that you really cannot walk away from the fact that was one of the more embarrassing outcomes -- and now Justin Herbert is hurt.  Probably was in too long, but didn't wanna quit on his team.  Oof.

THE 0-3 LAS VEGAS RAIDERS, the only 0-3 team in the NFL.  (Houston is 0-2-1, everyone else has won at least one game.)  But it's far worse than that:  Even though their average margin of loss is less than five, the three opponents have lost all six other games this year, and by an average of over 16 points!  I do REALLY begin to wonder if the NFL wants to reevaluate the league's future in Las Vegas.  Hell, I would not be surprised in 5-10 years if the league simply has the Vegas stadium, etc., for "event games" and no longer has a week-to-week team there!

AND ANDY REID, WILLIE GAY, AND CHRIS JONES.  Once again, the Kansas City Chiefs show their ass and the complete lack of leadership ability in the franchise.  First, Willie Gay gets dinged four games for a pseudo-domestic incident back in January.  Then, with about five minutes to go in the fourth quarter up 17-13 and a 3rd and six, Jones sacks the Indianapolis quarterback.

Then he taunts him.

The 15 yard penalty aids in a TOUCHDOWN which is the final score of the game.  Now, there's a lot more to this game as well which might make one also wonder if Jones actually acted under league orders.  (Which see the upcoming Further Review post.)  The fact is, that Indianapolis win over Kansas City was not only another sterling example of the complete lack of leadership in the KC franchise, but this week's Rigged Game of the Week. 

NFC:

1)  Philadelphia

Kinda have to do it with them being the conference's only 3-0 team.  Not really sure WHY.  Maybe it's their turn with some of the other stuff going on.

2) Dallas

Percolate them back up the line a bit here with the win over the Giants.

And then there's just a bunch of same-same here.  No fewer than seven teams are 2-1 at this point.

NFC DUD OF THE WEEK:

Nominee:

Jimmy Garropollo.  Would you like to give up two points or six?  Late in the game against Denver, he steps out the back of the endzone, somewhat akin to Dan Orlovsky of the Lions years back.  The problem is, had he not, he threw a clear pick-six on the play.

But a winner, a carryover from last week:  MIKE EVANS.

You can't take yourself out of a game the level of the Packer game if you're in Tampa, kid.  Especially on that level of a repeat offense.  Especially if the Tom Bradys are still trying to find their offense.