Well, there's a week where the NFL got it's hands dirty.
At least five games WERE decided by the officiating, and at least one more is largely believed so.
And a sixth was decided by a deliberate laydown on the part of the Rams to rig the game only for the spread when there was still a (yes, small) chance to tie or win the game.
And a seventh appears to also (though with more sense) be attuned for Vegas on Monday night!
So, after this MNF doubleheader, it's time for the Political Rankings.
But I'm going to break a rule this week -- figuring I can do that this early in the season. Only the 2-0 teams will be looked at. Kansas City certainly would be an insert in here someplace, as would Buffalo in the AFC.
AFC:
The AFC actually has only two teams to consider at this time.
1) Miami
2) Baltimore
And they are both for the reasons that these teams have been wanted to have been pushed (Tua and Lamar, respectively). Both, however, are grave injury risks, and it's probably a fairly obvious situation this particular grouping could have Buffalo and KC, especially, be somewhere in equal consideration to these two.
I would warn of one very significant situation, however: Reports came out Sunday that there is SOME intention for Aaron Rodgers to attempt to return from his torn Achilles before or for the playoffs. Should this be the case... Hoo boy.
NFC:
There are seven teams currently 2-0. Three of them are clear leagues out in front of the rest of the conference, both the rest of the 2-0's, and, yes, everyone else. So this is a far more solid list than it's counterpart.
But I will do this one in reverse.
6 and 6A) Tampa Bay and New Orleans
Who had THIS on the bingo card? There were actually predictions before the season began that Tampa Bay would win precisely two games all season! And an NFL trope hit the table: Tampa Bay lineman Shaqil Bennett rumbled in a short pick-six to seal the victory over the Bears. Bennett dedicated the touchdown to his deceased 2-year-old daughter, who died drowning in the family pool in the offseason.
4 and 4A) Atlanta and Washington
These will effectively be a tie for 4th, because it's the same thing. Both teams got a fair degree of help on Sunday, but are fair leagues behind Philly, Dallas, and San Francisco. But the NFC South has to be propped up, and Washington did get rid of Dan Snyder -- so league orders for the Pack to lie down after the officiating wouldn't take root in the second quarter, and a blatant rig-job for Washington to win it's second of the year.
3) Philadelphia
2) San Francisco
1) Dallas
Dallas over the other two on ratings and merch. San Francisco over Philadelphia due to stronger performances. We'll see about the rest. Philly and Dallas play on Weeks 9 and 14. Philly plays San Francisco one week before the second Dallas game. Dallas and San Francisco play in Week 5. Until then, the margins appear razor-thin between the three, except for the fact that we know where the bread and butter lie, but I do have to think that, on a macro level, it will be the Eagles and 49ers once again, for -- once again -- the Cowboys can't get out of their own way off the field.
AFC DUD OF THE WEEK:
KAREEM JACKSON of the Denver Broncos
Who should (but won't) be suspended after the first ejection of the season. Jackson, if you will recall from the Week 1 Fine Blotter, was fined about $14,000 for a Defenseless Receiver hit which eliminated Jakobi Meyers of the Raiders from the game last week. He will almost certainly be fined double that amount, at the very least, for a headshot to Logan Thomas, for which he was also tossed. According to Adam Schefter Sunday night, a suspension WAS on the table. After a Monday review, Schefter reported it will probably go on the regular fine schedule on Saturday.
None of the team duds were really that surprising. Dallas is on a roll to start the season and the Jets may be playing Joe Namath at quarterback after they go through everybody after the defenses continue to go through their offensive line like a sieve. Las Vegas got served to Buffalo, though I still have The Damar Hamlin Question.
NFC DUD OF THE WEEK:
WHATEVER APPROXIMATED THAT PACKER "EFFORT" IN THE FOURTH QUARTER IN ATLANTA
Expose the business some more, why don't you? After a blatant DPI no-call took four points off the board for the Packers in the second quarter, I could've called this result.
But after going up 24-12 late in the third, an egg was completely laid, no first downs in the fourth quarter when they were needed the most, nor any defensive stops, and Atlanta gets the win handed to them (and by the one point, so the no-call was the diffrence) because... reasons.
Look, no one is confusing the Packers for a Super Bowl contender -- or at least no one outside the state of Wisconsin. But please try to do better as to masquerading taking a dive on league orders because the NFL needs to prop up the NFC South or whatever -- perhaps karma for the Packer fans who expressed joy at Aaron Rodgers' injury last week?
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