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Midseason Bumper

 


I hope that you voted on Tuesday, or the day before that, or the week before that, or made sure your mailed-in ballot was counted for. I want to shed some love and light on your timeline today ... and what better way to do that than to talk some football? I know, many of Bad Ash's blog posts talk NFL football so consider yourself learning a fun fact about me.  

We are heading into Week 9 of the NFL season and there have been some games postponed/rescheduled, but the season seems to be going smooth given the pandemic circumstances. We are fortunate enough to be watching games every week and that is a good sign. 

Hopefully you all remember when I discussed the sad reality of no more postgame jersey swaps for the 2020 season. The latest on that is there is a new and improved (if you will) way to jersey swap. After much rebuttal, rightfully so, from players the NFL met halfway and came up with a way for players to carry on this beloved tradition. Jersey swaps are now completed through team equipment managers. No, the equipment mangers are not making the physical contact either ... the players who are wanting to swap, their jerseys are washed and shipped. 

Las Vegas Raiders (still weird to say) running back Josh Jacobs professed, "It's honestly like a trophy when you get their jersey. When it arrives, it's presented to you in a box. It's like Christmas almost." 

The jersey swap is the ultimate token of respect, an acknowledgement of greatness. I know that seems random for me to bring up, but I thought to put together an appreciable update on the 2020 NFL season. What better way to kick this off (pun intended) than to let you know that jersey swaps are in fact still a thing. 

We all know the headlines. Too many injuries have occurred, Russell Wilson is the MVP (it's not too early, right?), the Pittsburgh Steelers are undefeated (you all thought I was going to put that one first didn't you), Atlanta is being Atlanta, Patrick Mahomes is being Patrick Mahomes, Nick Foles is back where he should be (starting), and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked up Antonio Brown (casual).

With all of that being said, it is still too early to make a Super Bowl prediction. One of my predictions does seem to be coming true ... San Francisco, being in one of the toughest divisions, may miss out on the playoffs this year. Arizona is having to play their hearts out for a potential Wild Card. It is unfortunate that battling injuries has been a part of the playbook this year for the 49ers, but they are not alone. 

Joe Burrow is making a statement, but his team is not. We all knew it was going to be rough for Burrow to begin the rebuild in Cincinnati and it certainly does not help that he is within one of the toughest divisions in the league. If Cincinnati works to give him an offensive line then we might see more from the LSU legend. He's trying, and he is working on his sliding.

I personally think that the Green Bay Packers are doing a great job of flying under the radar. At 5-2, Aaron Rodgers is doing what he does best. He already has 1,948 yards on the year, 20 touchdowns and only two interceptions. His QBR is currently at 83.5. You know, just the norm for A-Rod. In that same division, Nick Foles is not Aaron Rodgers ... but he's also no Mitch Trubisky and that is what matters. At 5-3 they are putting up a good fight for the crown of the NFC North.

I could give you an update on the NFC East, but I don't want to waste your time ... or mine. Let me just say that the leader of this division has a record of 3-4.

With the most unbiased approach ... I have zero tolerance for Mike Tomlin slander. Tomlin just got his 140th victory, surpassing Tony Dungy for most wins by an African American Head Coach in NFL history. He is an inspiration. Currently the only undefeated team in the league, Mike Tomlin has also never had a losing season in Pittsburgh. Steelers defensive captain Cameron Heyward said "It's one thing to be the all-time winningest Black head coach, but this dude deserves more ... credit. To never have a losing season, to get the most out of his players, it's not just first-rounders who end up playing great here. He's had fifth- and sixth-round and undrafted guys doing well." Go ahead and give that man his gold jacket.


Tom Brady now has Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Rob Gronkowski, and Antonio Brown to throw to. I mean ... come on. Some things just are not fair, but every team did have their fair share to take a chance on AB, but they let TB12 get him. Reunited and I bet it will feels so good. Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones II have combined for over 700 rushing yards and six touchdowns, with no turnovers. I am not saying that one AFC team has an easy path to the Super Bowl by any means, but the NFC playoff picture is going to be a battleground. 

Oh, and I do not see Tua Tagovailoa heading back to the bench any time soon. Sorry, Fitzmagic. 

Did this blog post seem to include a little bit of everything, randomly? Good. That was my purpose. Random NFL tidbits always make my day a little brighter and I hope I have had that impact on you and your timeline today.
Here we come, Week 9!
Oh, good luck in Fantasy this week (unless we're playing each other).



Black Lives Still Matter. They always have mattered and they always will matter. Let us continue to push this fight and change for JUSTICE & EQUALITY ... and push to  ARREST THE COPS THAT KILLED BREONNA TAYLOR. 











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