N.Y. Jets: One Less Bell to Answer

From the desk of: WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

Statement from GM Joe Douglas pic.twitter.com/By9XevVXVv

— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 14, 2020

The Jets get into an imaginary bidding war against absolutely no one and land their man.  After holding out a full season Le'Veon Bell leaves Pittsburgh to sign with the Jets for $52 million over four years.  A seemingly healthy Bell last year plays 15 games and rushes for a career low 789 yards (in seasons which he played at least twelve games or more).  Except for an injury compromised 2015 season, Bell rushes the ball the fewest times since his rookie season.

Why is this?

Adam Gase never wanted him and stubbornly finds little use for him.

Who can't find use for one of the premiere backs in football over the past few years?

During training camp and early this season a strained hamstring comes into question.  Adam Gase is aware Bell is hurt but plays him anyway.

On Wednesday Bell is released .. not traded .. released.

It stands to reason if the Jets can eat Le'Veon Bell's remaining money, then they should be able to dine on the remainder of Gase's contract as well.  

Right?

Who signed Le'Veon Bell?

Mike Maccagnan.

Very shortly after signing Bell, Maccagnan is fired (we believe at the insistence of Adam Gase).  In turn Gase politics for the hiring of Joe Douglas as next general manager.

The Atlanta Falcons and Houston Texans have taken definitive actions insofar as rectifying their respective mess.  Here, Christopher Johnson lets Maccagnan run the draft and spend all his free agent money, then fires him.  Now with Jamaal Adams and Le'Veon Bell out of the way, Adam Gase is essentially given clearance to continue running this organization into the ground.

I'll say it again: If Joe Douglas is not allowed to fire Adam Gase then he should quit on the spot.

N.Y. Jets: Nothing But Problems

From the desk of: WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

GANG GASE OFF TO WORSE START THAN LAST SEASON

PROBLEM: Christopher Johnson hires Adam Gase, then fires general manager Maccagnan and replaces him with Joe Douglas after Gase's recommendation.  There's no chain command.  Both men report directly to Christopher Johnson.

PROBLEM: Adam Gase said he intensified practice yet still doesn't understand why the team in underperforming.  He is now contemplating handing play calling duties to offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains.

PROBLEM: Adam Gase let Le'Veon Bell play knowing he was hurt.  Adam Gase let Sam Darnold play knowing he was hurt.

PROBLEM: Players have been openly critical of Adam Gase since training camp. 

PROBLEM: Christopher Johnson calls Gase an offensive genius.

PROBLEM: This season's 0-5 start exceeds last year's 0-4 start.

PROBLEM: Le'Veon Bell is LIKEing tweets suggesting the Jets trade him.

PROBLEM: Adam Gase never wanted Bell in the first place and his play calling demonstrates that.

PROBLEM: Just when you thought is couldn't get worse, it does.

PROBLEM: Gase makes Todd Bowles seem like the good old days.  

PROBLEM: Any time Rich Kotite creeps back into the conversation you bet there's a problem.

N.Y. Jets: Terrible Is As Terrible Does

From the desk of: WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

The End Zone Might As Well Be Outer Space

WEEK THREE

Jets      7

Colts  36

FINAL

Three Times is Officially a Trend

Yes, that plane falling out of the sky has a Jets logo on it ..

Through three weeks the Jets are allowing more, more and more points, while scoring less, less and less.

• I - Bills 27; Jets 16
• II - 49ers 31; Jets 13 
• III - Colts 36; Jets 7

Without Le'Veon Bell, Jamison Crowder, Denzel Mims and Breshad Perriman, and playing behind a compromised offensive line, Sam Darnold is progressively getting worse, worse and worse.

• I - 215 passing yards; one INT
• II - 179 passing yards; 0 INT
• III - 168 passing yards; three INT; two pick-six

 

Take away Darnold's two INT's returned for touchdowns and the Jets are still nowhere near competitive.  In that case make it a 24-9 loss.  That's still more than two touchdowns.  The defense generated no sacks and just one QB hit.  When a 40-yard kick return is your best play of the day, something is very wrong.  Said another way, just about every facet of Adam Gase's operation is failing.  Once again they're increasingly becoming an embarrassment on the field.  No hint of polish exists anywhere on this team, even when healthy.  Now, mimicking last year's undercurrent, a growing number of players are complaining practices are not effective nor intense enough.  That speaks to a broader range of staff-wide responsibilities and shortcomings beyond just the head coach.  Yet, Christopher Johnson left off saying Gase is absolutely the right guy for the job.  That leaves general manager Joe Douglas stuck in the middle, which is a condition that has hampered the Jets going back to Woody Johnson.  If this keeps up the Jets are headed towards next year's NFL draft with the number one overall pick.  Can Joe Douglas really afford to have that selection playing under Adam Gase?  At some point the general manager will need to put his foot down on the matter and override everyone, namely Christopher.  Should Joe Douglas receive any resistance he should quit on the spot.

N.Y. Jets: Coach Gase Rewards Owner's Confidence With Another Loss

From the desk of: WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

WEEK TWO

Niners    31

Jets        13

FINAL

Adam Gase : Christopher Johnson :: Rich Kotite : Leon Hess

Back to the hangar ...

Just days after Christopher Johnson reiterates his full endorsement of Adam Gase, the Jets come apart on the tarmac.  But according to Christopher Johnson, Gase is the right man to pick up the pieces and assemble them back together again.  In any other organization an owner's reassurance so early in the season is usually a kiss of death.  But with regards to the Jets, Christopher Johnson actually believes this and thus remains the poster child for novice superintendence at the highest order.  The situation is fast approaching the Rich Kotite and Leon Hess levels of incompetence - if Gase and CJ haven't surpassed it already.

If nothing else, the Jets offense is proving consistently inept.  The Jets had eleven drive opportunities against the Bills in which they generate 254 total yards on 53 total plays.  Le'Veon Bell and Jamison Crowder were both out of Sunday's game.  Therefore, Sam Darnold's top weapons were Frank Gore and Chris Hogan.  The Jets again have eleven drive opportunities against the Niners and similarly generate 277 total yards on 62 total plays.  Through two games Jets opponents have gained 763 total yards and scored 58 points.  The Jets have managed just 531 yards and 30 points. 

What do you suppose awaits the Jets when they touch down in Indianapolis on Sunday?

As Adam Gase's play calling goes, so goes Sam Darnold.  We learned after Sunday's game that Sam was not allowed to audible out of a particular fourth down play.  That's what I call development!  Why not just duct tape the third year quarterback to a chair ...

Sam Darnold through Week Two

• vs. BUFF - 21/35 for 215 yards, one TD, one INT.
• vs. S.F. - 21/32 for 179 yards, one TD, no INT.  

At least Joe Douglas' reconstructed offensive line had a better game.  Against Buffalo the Jets rush 14 times for just 46 yards and allow three sacks.  On Sunday they rush 27 times for 97 yards and allow one sack.  Good back up effort from Frank Gore who rushed 21 times for 63 yards.  Through two games he has rushed 27 times for 87 yards.

The Jets can claim some progress.

Or not ...

New York Jets Get Buffaloed in Season Opener

From the desk of: WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

WEEK ONE

Jets    17

Bills    27

FINAL

All Systems Fail ...

Note to Joe Douglas: once is an event; twice is a coincidence; three times is a trend.

Adam Gase and Le'Veon Bell previously miscommunicate during camp regarding the issue of his strained hamstring.  First game of the season and they again fail to communicate.  Bell re-aggravates his hamstring in the second quarter.  A little stubbornness on his part and a lack of conviction on the coach's part wrongly keeps Le'Veon in the game and gives the Jets their first controversy of the regular season, not to mention a questionable back field heading into game two.

That's not to say Bell's presence would have made a difference.  Before exiting the game Bell rushes six times for fourteen yards and makes two receptions for 32-yards, for a grand total of eight touches and forty-six yards.  Subbing for Le'veon Bell, Frank Gore rushes six times for 24-yards.  The Jets close out the first quarter with a ten play, 75-yard drive in which they settle for three.  However, they go into halftime down nineteen points.  In the third quarter Sam Darnold connects on a short pass with Jamison Crowder who breaks away from the field for a 68-yard touchdown.  The Jets second and last sustained scoring drive comes too late, eleven plays for 86-yards, punched in from the two by Josh Adams.

Last year the Jets finish the regular season with a 7-9 record.  They get off to a 1-7 start then finish well with a 6-2 record.  However, they finished dead last in offense.  One game into 2020 and the Jets appear nowhere near improved.

Both Buffalo and the Jets have the ball for eleven drives, but the Jets only hold the ball for 18:44 minutes and 53 plays.  They generate half as many first downs as Buffalo and gain just 254 total yards versus 404 net yards for the Bills who hold the ball for 41:16 minutes and 81 plays.

Sam Darnold is 21/35 for 215-yards, with one interception and one touchdown.  Take away Crowder's catch and Darnold is 20/34 (58%) for 147-yards with an INT.

The secondary yields its first 300-yard game of the season.  On the ground the Jets hold Devin Singletary and Zack Moss to 41-yards on 18 attempts.  But they have no answer for Josh Allen who scrambles 14 times for 57-yards and a touchdown.

Last season's second half surge proved too little too late.  Just like Sunday's fourteen second-half points against Buffalo again proved too little too late.  Sam Darnold is now in year three.  He indeed has a lot to learn.  But if Sam does not demonstrate marked improvement this season what's the sense in keeping Adam Gase around?

If I'm Joe Douglas I'm already searching for his replacement.  It's the proactive thing to do.  And it would get the Jets away from this vicious cycle of hiring alternating general managers and head coaches.  Best thing Joe Douglas can do is make this team his.  No coaching changes this season, but make sure it's Adam Gase's last with the Jets before he gets him fired too.

N.Y. Jets: Gang Green Overwhelms Lethargic Raiders

From the desk of: WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

Week Twelve

Raiders   3

Jets       34

FINAL

After their Sept. 15 game against Kansas City, the Oakland Riders bid the Black Hole adieu.  They spend the next six weeks on the road including an overseas visit across the Pond, broken up only with a week six bye.  Nearly fifty days later on Nov. 3, they finally return home to play Detroit.  But there's no rest for the weary as the Raiders are obliged to host the Chargers a mere four days later.  That's one of the more punishing schedules I can recall, travel or otherwise.  The Raiders then enter week eleven against the Bengals with an only somewhat surprising 5-4 record.  All appears well; Derek Carr throws for 292 yards and a touchdown; the Raiders rush for 113 yards.  Were it not for two turnovers perhaps Oakland defeats Cincinnati more decisively.  But there's little time for dwelling over such minutia as the Raiders must board yet another cross-country flight to New York City.

Then Sunday happens ...

That schedule at some point was bound to catch up with Oakland, regardless of opponent.  There's something to be said about the negative affects of flying insofar as dehydration, etc.  The old plane routine is certainly an easy way to explain away Oakland's exceedingly poor play.  But let's be honest, they looked lethargic, managing just 208 total yards and only ten first downs.  The Jets meanwhile  nearly double Oakland's offensive output with 401 total yards and 21 first downs en route to 31:30 minutes of possession.  Simply put, I do not believe the Raiders are as bad, nor do I think the Jets are as good as the final score may suggest.

Sam Darnold appears fully recovered from his early season bout with mononucleosis, as he passes for 300+ yards for only the second time this season, and the first time since week two against the Cowboys.  In fact Sam was 20/29 (69%) for 315 yards, with two TD's, no INT's, and a rushing touchdown to boot.  He is sacked just once.  But for everything that went right for the Jets, the running game still lags behind.  Le'Veon Bell gains 49 yards on just 12 carries.  Together with Bilal Powell they rush 17 times for 64 yards.

N.Y. Jets: Adam Gase Adds Balance to the Force

From the desk of: WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

BILAL POWELL FAN CLUB

WEEK ELEVEN

N.Y. Jets     34

D.C. Hogs  17

FINAL

Don't look now, but the Jets are winners of two in a row.

However before you go pitching a tent along the canyon of heroes, let's first give this game some context.  The Jets defeated Washington.  As badly as both teams have played this season, this particular victory was expected from the Jets.  Then again, the same was expected against the Dolphins as well.

That being said Sam Darnold needed to get some naysayers off his back, and did just that with his finest performance of the season.  Sam I am was 19/30 (63%) for 293 yards with four TD's and one INT.  He connected with his tight end Ryan Griffin five times for 109 yards and a touchdown.

The much beleaguered offensive line only yielded two sacks and finally created appreciable daylight.  As such the backfield rushed for upwards of 100 yards for the first time this season.  Le'Veon Bell gained 59 yards on 18 rushes, and Bilal Powell rushed seven times for 42 yards.  The two joined forces for 101 yards on 25 rushes.  The Jets are still nowhere near maximizing Le'Veon Bell's abilities (kind of feel sorry for the guy).  Powell has now rushed 20 times for 84 yards over the last four games.  In fact, Adam Gase called for 33 rushes and 30 pass attempts.  Finally ... a local head coach whom exhibited some balance!

Leonard Williams who?  The defense sacked Dwayne Haskins six times and hit him another ten times.  Angry Jamal Adams accounted for three sacks and four other QB hits.  Meanwhile the Jets front limited Adrian Peterson to just 25 yards on nine rushes.

All that being said outside of yet another kicking snafu, the Jets played an effective well rounded
game.

N.Y. Jets: Gang Gase Makes Good Against Giants

From the desk of: WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

That's One Small Step for Adam Gase;

One Huge Leap at the Giants Expense for Jetskind

With the Giants missing three starting offensive linemen, the Jets dialed up six sacks and another ten QB hits.  They also completely bottled up the Giants running game, limiting Saquon Barkley and Wayne Gallman to a mere three yards on 14 carries.  Meanwhile angry Jamal Adams was a one man gauntlet of green.  He had two sacks, two other QB hits, a team high nine tackles, and quite literally stripped potential victory out from the hands of Daniel Jones and the Giants with a forced fumble recovery and a touchdown.  Daniel Jones did however carve up the Jets secondary with a pair of touchdown passes each to Darius Slayton and Golden Tate.

For the beleaguered Adam Gase, Sunday's victory is a measure of redemption and at the very least a chance to exhale.  Sunday's victory also gives the Jets a break insofar as getting the local media spotlight placed back on the Giants.  After all, Gase did a better job coaching his team than Pat Shurmur did his.

Gase increased Bilal Powell's touches to seven.  Added to Le'Veon Bell's 18 rushes, that equals 25 rushing attempts.  Their 49 yards gained is a secondary issue.  It's the balance running the ball poses which will further help advance Sam Darnold's development.  Sam the Sophomore was 19/30 (63%) for 230-yards, with one touchdown via the air to Jamison Crowder, and one rushing, and no INT's.

The Giants managed just two sacks, none of which were recorded by former Jet Leonard Williams, although the new Giants defensive lineman was credited with four QB touches.

N.Y. Jets: Gang Green Airing Their Grievances

From the desk of: WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

WEEK NINE

New York Jets

vs.

Miami Dolphins

FROM

Humidity Stadium

Jets -3 DOLPHINS

Man, is it going to stink at Miami where the NFL's two most offensively inept teams will go head-to-head in a Toilet Bowl of gastronomical proportions.  The Sea Mammals are averaging a league low 11-points per game.  The Jets come in at 11.1 points per game.  How compelling!  But whereas the Jets are actually trying to wins games and failing miserably, the Sea Mammals are trying to lose and doing a damn good job.  Miami is yielding upwards of 34-points a game.  But make no mistake, the Sea Mammals can't wait to inflict damage against their former coach.  I still give Sam Darnold and Gang Spleen the benefit of the doubt.  Jamal Adams will be playing angry.  That may work for or against him.  And expect a heavy, heavy dose of Le'Veon Bell.  Should Adam Gase and the Jets lose, we all know the local media will descend upon them like flies on a steaming cow patty in July.

An Unhappy Maladjusted Gang Green Airs Their Grievances

If nothing else, of this I'm sure: Christopher Johnson is even worse than his brother.  These highly dysfunctional dynasties just don't get it.  Look at the Wilpons; look at James and Daddy Dolan; then look at the Brothers Johnson.  All fail to implement a firm chain of command.

I always thought Woody Johnson was a terrible front office participant.  But Christopher takes the cake.  Instead of entertaining Jamal Adams' meltdown, Christopher Johnson should have been directing his employee down the hall to see the president of football of operations, or worse, the general manager himself.  Having an open door policy is one thing; undermining you're entire operation is another.  You can not have disgruntled coaches, general managers, and players, all bum rushing the owner's office every time they're unhappy with their life situation.

You would have to rewind back 13 years to Eric Mangini/Rex Ryan under Terry Bradway/Mike Tannenbaum for the Jets last state of complimentary front office competence.  Everything thereafter has been and remains today completely disjointed and dysfunctional.  Clearly hiring Todd Bowles and Mike Maccagnan out of order (again) taught the Brothers Johnson nothing.  Lest we forget after spending over $100 million dollars on free agents general manager Mike Maccagnan hires Adam Gase, who in turn convinces Christopher Johnson his general manager sucks and needs to be fired.  Johnson then empowers Gase with the authority to hire the next general manager.  Outside of perhaps, Daniel Snyder, who does that?

Trick or Treat!

This week Adam Gase will be disguised as the guy pissing off Le'Veon Bell, who's first seven games as a member of the New York Jets can be summed up with two words: rock bottom.  Bell and Gase apparently talked it out.  Unlike the jilted Jamal Adams who is no longer on speaking terms with his general manager nor his head coach.

N.Y. Jets: The Bell Tolling for Le'Veon

From the desk of: WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

WEEK EIGHT

Jets         15

Jaguars  29

FINAL

In a 2015 regular season compromised by suspension and injury Le'Veon Bell rushes 113 times for  556 yards, averaging a career high 4.9 yards per rush with three touchdowns.  He also makes 24 receptions for 136 yards for a grand total 692 yards from scrimmage.  It's his lowest output as a member of the Steelers.  But in his return to full time duty the following season Bell accounts for 1,884 total yards from scrimmage with nine touchdowns, and in 2017 amasses 1,946 total yards with eleven touchdowns.

In a sport and league wherein career expectancy is astonishingly low to begin with, Le'Veon Bell takes a very calculated risk in electing to sit out the entirety of what would have been his sixth NFL season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.  But while his former team has since been faced with more problems than a math book, there's no way Le'Veon upon signing a four year pact with the New York Jets could have anticipated stepping into this extreme level of organizational ineptness.

Through seven games to date as a member of the Jets Le'Veon has rushed 109 times for just 349 yards, while averaging 3.2 yards per rush with one touchdown.  He also has 32 receptions for 187 yards giving him a grand total of 536 yards from scrimmage.  Said another way the man is in the midst of the least productive season of his career.  One could argue he is being carefully managed back into NFL action after sitting out a season.  Bell averaged 18.5 rushes through his first three seasons, and 21.5 rushes through his final two seasons with Pittsburgh.  This season his averaging 15.5 rushes per game.

That's fine and well except that Bell's career low 3.2 yards per rush is largely because the Jets are among football's worst teams.  Look no further than an utterly ineffective offensive line which Coach Gase is continually having to shield from scrutiny.  Coach is so far play calling 60% passes and 40% run.  It's a fair ratio (but Gase needs a separate narrative).  However, the Jets rank second to last in the NFL in both total rushing yards and average rushing yards per game.  Only the moribund Miami Dolphins runs for less.  Secondly, the Jets have so far yielded 34 quarterback sacks which obviously is untenable.

I'd remiss not to mention what an outstanding team mate Le'Veon Bell has been throughout the Jets lugubrious 1-6 start.

May daylight come his way.

N.Y. Jets: Gang Spleen Finally Takes Flight

From the desk of: WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

Cowboys  22

Jets           24

FINAL

Sam, I am, and despite my ponderous mononucleosis I am the man..!

Darnold leads the Jets to their first victory of the season with a heart matching the size of his swollen spleen.  He doesn't just beat the Dallas Cowboys, he befuddles them, eluding the rush and completing rather miraculous passes.  Darnold finds Jamison Crowder and Robby Anderson eleven times for 233 yards and a 92-yard touchdown play.  He connects with Ryan Griffin for another.  In all he targets six different receivers not named Le'Veon Bell.  Sure he threw an INT, but who cares!  Sam completes 23/32 (72%) attempts for 338 yards in his first game back.  He even makes the offensive line look good.  Behind them, Bell rushes 14 times for just 50 yards.  But Sam is only sacked twice (by Robert Quinn), and sustains just two other hits.  The extra time allows Sam to generate almost as much total yardage as Dallas in 21 fewer plays from scrimmage.

• PROBLEM: Just 56 yards on the ground, and 2/12 on third down conversions.
• QUESTION: Why isn't Bilal Powell being utilized more?

Much to my surprise coach Gregg Williams undermanned defense turns back the NFL's top offense.  They generate just one sack, but get in eight QB hits.  They yield 105 yards on 28 rushes by Ezekiel Elliott.  But with Amari Cooper hurt, the Jets coverage is blanket.  Tavon Austin leads all Dallas receivers with five receptions and 64 yards.  Dak Prescott throws no touchdowns.  And of course, there is Gang Green's decisive goal line stand.

It's not often teams get to defeat the Cowboys on Jerry Jones' birthday.

A job well done ...

Next Up: the New England Patriots.

PIGSKIN 2019: Week Six

PIGSKIN

FOOTBALL SUNDAY

Week Six

RESULTS

Week One

Week Two
Week Three

Week Four
Week Five

SCOREBOARD
Week Five Record: 7-6
Overall Record:  30-38
Schmear of the Week: 3-2
Bagels in the Basket:  -5

1st and Ten

• Don't look now, but the Patriots are 6-0, and have allowed just 48 points.
• Can the Niners stay undefeated?
• Race for Number One (draft pick): Jets, Dolphins, Bengals, Snyders.

2nd and Long

• New York's Real Team: the second place Buffalo Bills are 4-1; undefeated (3-0) on the road.
• The Jets better second-guess this whole special pads plan for their franchise quarterback.  Starting Sam Darnold is a really, really, bad idea!
• The Gronk begins his second career on FOX.

No Gain

• Pass Interference!
• Falcons easily biggest disappointment in NFL, not necessarily the worst team (eh hem ... Dolphins).
• More parity on tap for London.

PUNT!

• The Legion of Loon: If Richard Sherman says he didn't shake hands, then he didn't shake hands, video evidence be damned.
• Jay Gruden fired as head coach of the D.C. Snyders.

WEEK SIX
Friday Line NYDN

Cowboys -7 1/2 JETS
Jerry's Kids are desperate to halt a two game skid.  What better opponent than the Jets with which to get back on track.  The Cowboys are working with far more offensive weapons than the Jets defenders are presently staffed to handle.
Loss; 24-22 Jets

From the desk of: WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE 

GASE HASTE MAKES WASTE

Gang Spleen are still looking for their first victory of the season.  They've only scored two offensive touchdowns through four games.  Meanwhile Le'Veon Bell is working harder than ever with nothing really to show for his efforts.  This week will be no different.  I do not anticipate the Jets rushing through Dallas with the same effectiveness demonstrated last week by Green Bay.  In fact, I expect the Cowboys defensive front to again overwhelm the Jets beleaguered offensive line and wreak havoc throughout Sam Darnold's ill advised return under center.  I'm no doctor, but starting Darnold after missing four weeks strikes me as a risky proposition.  I understand with the return of Darnold there will be expectations for Adam Gase to elevate his play calling.  But if I'm Christopher Johnson I'm telling my head coach do not force anything out of desperation.

Panthers -2 Bucs  *London
The Panthers leave me no choice but to finally lean their way.  I thought for sure Ron Rivera was on the hot seat.  He's quickly changed the narrative at Carolina.
WIN; 37-26 Panthers

Bengals +11 1/2 RAVENS
This is more about not trusting the Ravens to cover nearly twelve points.
WIN; 23-17 Ravens

Seahawks -1 1/2 BROWNS
Consistency and maturity vs inconsistency and immaturity.
WIN; 32-28 Seahawks

CHIEFS -5 Texans
I believe the Texans can control the clock via the run, and thereby minimize Pat Mahomes' time on the field.  Just don't have the guts to follow through.
Loss; 31-24 Texans

Saints +1 JAGUARS
I'll take the Saints and their underrated defense getting a point any day.
WIN; 13-6 Saints

VIKINGS -3 Eagles
Eagles will not be sacking Kirk Cousins ten times like the did against Luke Falk and the Jets.  They're also not as good offensively as their 28-points per game might indicate.  I believe the Vikings defense will prove me right.
WIN; 38-20 Vikings

D.C. Synders -3 1/2 DOLPHINS
Hold your nose for Sunday's Toilet Bowl.  The Sea Mammals are trying to lose.  The Snyders are actually trying to win.  There's the difference.
Loss; 17-16 Snyders

49ers +3 1/2 RAMS
The second best thing the Rams do best is give up points.  If it weren't for the Patriots, the Niners defense would be a lead story.
WIN; 20-7 Niners

CARDINALS +2 1/2 Falcons
Emotions will be running high with the passing away of owner Bill Bidwell.  Falcons do not seem able to get out of their own way.  Their defense allows Arizona to stay in this game.  Head coach Dan Quinn might soon be joining Jay Gruden on the unemployment line.
WIN; 34-33 Cardinals

BRONCOS -2 1/2 Titans
The Titans have over extended their credit.  I have no more patience for them.
WIN; 16-0 Broncos

Steelers +7 CHARGERS
No Big Ben; AB; or Le'Veon Bell; yet the Steelers are arguably still better than the Bolts.  With no fans and no home field advantage to speak of, I have no love for the Chargers this week.
WIN; 24-17 Steelers


Schmear of the Week: (3-2)
D.C. Snyders -3 1/2
LOSS

Good luck, and have a great Football Sunday, everyone!

Post Game
Week Six Record: 9-3
Overall Record: 39-41
Schmear of the Week: 3-3
Bagels in the Basket:  -2

N.Y. Jets: Offensive Line Puts Futility on Full Display

From the desk of: WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

!MAY-DAY !! MAY-DAY!

.   .   .   -   -   -   .   .   . 

WEEK FIVE

Eagles   31

Jets         6

FINAL

I don't know who I feel more sorry for, Luke Falk or Le'Veon Bell. 

Philadelphia brought the pain against Falk, sacking him ten times but essentially hitting and harassing him all game long largely without utilizing the blitz.  Poor guy was lucky to complete 15 of 26 attempts for 120 yards, with two INT, and two fumbles, and still live to tell about it.  Jets quarterbacks have now been sacked 23 times, and hit another 43 times this season.  The offensive line allows 13 sacks against their first three opponents, therefore Sunday's performance is no aberration. 

The same offensive line tasked with protecting Falk is also yet to create any detectable daylight for Le'Veon Bell.  Through four games the Jets have rushed 83 times for 264 yards.  That averages to 21 attempts and 66 yards per game.  Le'Veon Bell has rushed 71 times for 206 yards, and has caught 20 passes for 121 yards.  That averages out to 18 rushes for 51 yards, and five receptions for 30 yards.  All told he is averaging 23 touches for 81 yards per game.  These are hardly Le'Veon Bell numbers.  Coming off a bye week their performance is made even more ponderous. 

But Adam Gase would have us believe everything instantly changes once Sam Darnold returns under center.  The problem I have with quarterback gurus is they're just that: quarterback specialists.  Put them in charge of a whole team, and they become a little short for answers.  In the meantime Gase completely blundered an entire week of practice giving Sam Darnold the majority of practice reps knowing he'd be out for Sunday's game.

There seems to come a point in every Jets season where we ask ourselves: can it get any worse?

We are there ...

N.Y. Jets: Gase Gets Obligatory Ugly Loss at Foxboro Out of the Way

From the desk of: WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

It Just Got Worse

WEEK THREE

New York Jets               14

New England Patriots  30

FINAL

GAME THREE REACTION

Mayday!  Mayday!!

First a tip of the cap to the defense and special teams for generating a touchdown each and making this a somewhat more digestible 16-point game.  At least they covered the spread, right?

Otherwise the Jets allow four touchdowns, and the Patriots run the ball far more effectively than their 68 rushing yards may lead people to believe.  The Jets manage just one sack and only four other QB hits during an unfavorable 34:14 minutes of field time.

As for the other side of the ball, you can be aghast at what you saw Sunday but by no means should you be taken aback.

Who didn't see this coming?

Third string Luke Falk is under duress all day.  He goes 12/22 for 98 yards, with one INT.  New England sacks him five times, and get in another ten QB hits.  The Patriots also limit Le'Veon Bell to a mere 35 yards rushing on 18 carries, while Braxton Berrios leads the Jets with only 29 yards receiving.  The Jets generate an inconsequential 105 total yards and average an amateurish 2.2 yards per play.  They achieve six first downs all game, and are 0-12 on third down conversions.

Adam Gase's bruised, beaten, and embattled Jets begin the season with three straight losses.

On to the City of Brotherly Love ...

PIGSKIN 2019: Week Three

PIGSKIN

FOOTBALL SUNDAY

Week Three

RESULTS

Week One

Week Two

SCOREBOARD
Week Two Record:  10-5
Overall Record:  14-14
Schmear of the Week:  1-1
Bagels in the Basket:  flat

Familiarize yourself with how PIGSKIN works - HERE

1st and Ten

• Antonio Brown remains the NFL's lead story for a third straight week.  Happy 100th anniversary.
• Look what NFL officiating did to the New Orleans Saints, again!
• Oh yeah, Drew Brees out six weeks or more; thumb surgery.
• Odell torches Gregg Williams Jets in front of a national audience on Monday night.
• Big Ben out for season; elbow surgery.
• Drew Brees out at least six weeks; thumb surgery.

2nd and Long

• No excuse for Antonio Brown playing in week two.  There already existed ample available information to prevent him from stepping onto the field.  This is a league atrocity matter that  should have never been left in New England's hands.
• Buffalo Bills - New York State's only real team - win back to back games against teams from New Jersey.
• Atlanta Falcons redeem themselves in week two.
• Ron Rivera is losing it; his team keeps losing games; senses job may be in jeopardy; ya think?

No Gain

• Patriots pick up Antonio Brown and release him just over a week later; BTW thanks for the touchdown.  There's no accountability on behalf of New England.  They get to walk away from situation without having to answer for Bill Belichick themselves.
• Jets are spiraling out of control down to their third string quarterback; Giants turning to their new first string.
• Cam Newton is either really hurt, done as a viable QB, or just out of his damn mind, or maybe all three, sometimes at the same time.
• Titans take huge step backwards against Jags on Thursday.
• Contract negotiations between Jerry Jones and Dak Prescott
• Taco Charlton cut by Dallas!  What now?

PUNT!

• Antonio Brown text messages are where the NFL draws the line.  Everything else is copacetic.
• Miami Dolphins 102 points allowed in two weeks.
• Giants pull the rug from under Eli Manning's feet after completely ruining second half of his career.

WEEK THREE
Friday LINE NYDN

PATRIOTS -22 1/2 Jets
The Jets defense clearly likes playing for coordinator Gregg Williams.  Last week's 23-3 final score overshadows an otherwise aggressively Green effort (sans Odell Beckham).  Everyone knows if teams generate QB pressure up the middle, Brady's game takes a big hit.  Moreover New England enters the game with two compromised offensive linemen.  Adam Gase's best bet would be to let Jamal Adams play as angry as he wants to be.  However, with or without C.J. Mosley, the Jets defense will ultimately tire.  The Jets enter week three against the New England Patriots with third string quarterback Luke Falk.  I can't envision Gase conjuring a plan that would ensure ball possession for the requisite 38:00 minutes it will take to keep Brady and company off the field.  Props to Le'Veon Bell for carrying the offense after back-up quarterback Trevor Siemian leaves last week's game with a broken foot.  Adam Gase on the other hand is leaving much to be desired.  I wonder where Christopher Johnson's profound respect for his wonder coach now stands after watching his team lose its first two games of the season via a second half collapse against the Bills, and an offensively ponderous sixty minute effort against the Browns.  The Patriots have limited their first two opponents to just three total points while scoring 76 points for themselves.  Good luck with that.
Loss; 30-14 Patriots

BUCS -6 1/2 Giants

• Big Blue Brass Pull Plug on Eli Manning's Swan Song
• Coach Shurmur Fails to Pay the Bills

This has less to do with Daniel Jones' starting debut and everything to do with the Giants defense.  Jameis Winston doesn't necessarily profile as a hall of fame quarterback but even he should be able to shred the Giants novice secondary.  Until Bad Blue is able to cover receivers in excess of "ten seconds" they have no real chance of winning.  Now ... if the Giants finally decide to go smash mouth with Saquon Barkley and the Hog Mollies, the complexion of this game changes.
Loss; 32-31 Giants

PACKERS -7 1/2 Broncos
Ehhh ... Broncos lose a close game at home against the Bears, then lose by eight points at Oakland.  That screams inconsistency.  Despite Aaron Rogers continued sniveling the Packers win their first two games predicated on defense.  This week will be no different, although I'm not too comfy with this spread.
WIN; 27-16 Packers

EAGLES -6 1/2 Lions
Not sure what to make of the Lions yet.  But the Eagles are certainly worth a gamble playing at home, laying less than a touchdown.
Loss; 27-24 Lions

CHIEFS -6 1/2 Ravens
This spread is an anomaly.  If the Ravens were home I just might have taken the bait.  Baltimore is coming off parity wins over the on-strike Miami Sea Mammals and the Cardinals.  Meanwhile Chiefs are playing like they haven't skipped a beat.  They'll give up points, but lay the points at home anyway.
Loss; 33-28 Chiefs

BILLS -6 Bengals
Enjoy yourselves, Buffalo, you're about to start the season with a 3-0 record.  Just don't burn anything down.
Loss; 21-17 Bills

Falcons +1 1/2 COLTS
Both teams coming off big wins in week two.  I'm going with the more polished Matt Ryan and the Falcons over the Colts, their second string quarterback Jacoby Brissett, and their banged up defense.
Loss; 27-24 Colts

Raiders +8 VIKINGS
Two teams I still cant figure out.  Eight points is a nice cushion, though.
Loss; 34-14 Vikings

COWBOYS -21 1/2 Dolphins
I got Patriots/Dolphins wrong, so naturally this week I'm going the other way.  Why not ... everyone else is.  The Miami Sea Mammals have decided to tank the season and rather just sun bathe along Collins Avenue.  Josh Rosen starting at Big Dallas spells h-u-g-e-t-r-o-u-b-l-e.
WIN; 31-6 Cowboys

CARDINALS +4 1/2 Panthers
One failed goal line stand and everyone is souring on the Panthers.  Count me in.  Panthers rushed the ball just 17 times for a mere 39 yards last week against Tampa in a game that was never out of control, so to say.  Meanwhile the Bucs scored touchdowns via both air and ground.  Crazy Cam (Newton) is out this week, and perhaps for another week to come.  Cardinals put up 17 points in week one versus Jacksonville and last week tied Detroit with 27 points.  Larry Fitzgerald and the Cards will find a way towards their first win.
Loss; 38-20 Panthers

SEAHAWKS -3 Saints
We're gonna find out what the Saints can do without Drew Brees.  Even though the Seahawks have been winning by the hair of their chinny-chin-chins, traveling Teddy Bridgewater versus the Seattle crowd is a tough assignment.
Loss; 33-27 Saints

Texans +3 CHARGERS
Neither team jumps out at me.  Vegas doesn't seem too impressed either.  Chargers yielded four sacks last week.  I'm hoping JJ Watt can get a hold of Philip Rivers, early, often, and late.  Houston split very close games against the Saints and Jags.  Chargers week one loss to Detroit is my seed of doubt.
WIN; 27-20 Texans

49ERS -6 1/2 Steelers
Steelers have more problems than a math book.  At last check, Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le'Veon Bell never played a down on defense.  Steelers have allowed 61 points through two games.  Were it not for the snoozing Sea Mammals they'd be last in the AFC in point diff.  Let's see what they can do in the absence of Big Ben, or not.
Loss; 24-20 Niners

Rams -3 BROWNS
Vegas showing no respect for the Browns at home.  Nor should they.  Their secondary is shot after Monday night's game.  Jared Goff is not Trevor Seimian and the Rams are just a tad bit better than the Jets.
WIN; 20-13 Rams


Schmear of the Week (1-1)
Falcons +1 1/2
LOSS


Good luck, and have a great Football Sunday, everyone.

Post Game:
Week Three Record: 4-10
Overall Record:  18-24
Schmear of the Week: 1-2
Bagels in the Basket: -9

N.Y. Jets: All Systems Are Not Go

From the desk of: WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

WEEK ONE

Buffalo Bills      17

New York Jets   16

FINAL

JETS BREAKDOWN ON TARMAC

GAME ONE REACTION

There's no doubt Le'Veon Bell is a unique talent.  He brings an uncommon dynamic that will undoubtedly elevate Sam Darnold's play in the weeks and months to come.  Otherwise everything else which transpires during Sunday's home loss against Buffalo is ponderous, to say the least.

Sam goes 28/41 (68%) but for only 175 yards, and a touchdown.  He averages just 3.4 yards per pass.  That's on Adam Gase (the offensive minded coach).  Sam is also sacked four times and is hit another nine times.  That's on the offensive line.  But how can the Jets be beneficiaries of four turnovers and still lose the battle of possession by nearly four full minutes?  You can point to rushing just 21 times for 68 yards, and only managing 223 total yards all game.  Heck, the Jets need a defensive touchdown just to keep the final score as close is it is.

• In his New York Jets debut Le'Veon Bell makes 23 touches, rushing for 60 yards, and receiving for another 32 yards with a touchdown.

Is Buffalo's defense that good or did Adam Gase and the offensive line perform that badly?

Speaking of performing badly, Gregg Williams' defense yields 17 unanswered second-half points in the absence of C.J. Mosley.  That's a sturdy crutch to lean on, but they also allow 128 yards on the ground, and generate just one sack.

Rounding out the three phases of football, the Jets miss both an extra point and field goal attempt in the first quarter alone.  They would later attempt a two-point conversion in the third so as to prevent kicker Kaare Vedvik from stepping on the field.

• NEWS ALERT: Jets sign kicker SAM FICKEN!!

Back to the maintenance bay ...

This time Adam Gase might wanna read the pilots manual first.

Exhibition PIGSKIN 2019: Big Blue Defeats Gang Green

From the desks of:  

DO IT FOR THE DUKE  and  WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

THURSDAY

New York Jets       22

New York Giants   31

FINAL

Here's my biggest takeaway from Thursday's exhibition opener: I don't care!  I'm too busy with the Mets sudden surge up the standings.  Get back to me in a few weeks.  I'll be ready by Labor Day.

Rookie vs. Sophomore

• Daniel Jones: 5/5 for 67 yards, one touchdown.
• Sam Darnold: 4/5 for 68 yards, one touchdown.

Back vs. Back

• Saquon Barkley - DNP
• Le'Veon Bell - DNP

PUNT..!