#177: NFL 2019 Week 9 Preview with Hal Bent

1. Week 8 Takeaways

Me: 

-As Herm Edwards famously said “You play to win the game.” And it’s a MAJOR disappointment that many teams, in this new, uber-aggressive, offensive centric NFL still don’t get the point. Matt Nagy, WHY did you take a knee with 43 seconds left and one timeout left rather than gain more yards to make the game winning FG attempt easier. Broncos OC Rich Scangarello, WHY run a predictable draw on 3rd-and-5 rather than go for the kill to get the first down to ice the game? And Andy Reid, on a night when your defense struggled to contain Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Jones, AND when Matt Moore played very efficient football in place of Patrick Mahomes, WHY DID YOU PUNT on 4th and 3 near midfield with three minutes left in the game??

Hal: Welcome back Drew Brees! Cooper Kupp is on fire!

2. Midseason Awards

Honor David Hal

MVP Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers

Offensive POY Dalvin Cook Russell Wilson

Defensive POY Stephon Gilmore Shaq Barrett

Offensive ROY Gardner Minshew Josh Jacobs

Defensive ROY Nick Bosa Nick Bosa

Comeback POY Cooper Kupp Cooper Kupp

Coach Of The Year Frank Reich Bill Belichick

Assistant Coach Of The Year Robert Saleh (49ers DC) Robert Saleh (49ers DC)

3. Truth/Exaggeration

-If the Bears continue to implode, both Ryan Pace AND Matt Nagy should be fired

-The relationship between Jamal Adams and the Jets has suffered irreparable harm

-In the offseason, the Bengals should try to trade Andy Dalton for a second or third-round pick before they release him

-The new pass interference challenge rule is worthless and will be scrapped before next season

-The Titans should re-sign Ryan Tannehill regardless of what their 2020 draft plans are at QB

-The Broncos should release Joe Flacco after this season and make 2020 mainly about helping Drew Lock become successful and “building the nest” so to speak around him

 

4. GAME OF THE WEEK: Patriots at Ravens

-With Nick Chubb running for 121 yards against the Pats last week, how ominous of a sign is it for the Patriots defense going up against the electric Lamar Jackson and that run-centric Ravens offense? Is the Ravens offense the biggest challenge for this Patriots defense so far this season? 

-Bill Belichick always makes offenses beat him with their weakest link, so you can expect the Patriots to stack the box early and often to take away the run. That said, that could leave an opening for the Ravens to exploit in the middle of the field with their stud second-year TE Mark Andrews. And as we saw last week, the Patriots LB’s still struggle to cover TE’s so they may have their hands full with Andrews as well, no?

-Game-deciding matchups: Stephon Gilmore vs. Mark Andrews, Ravens OL vs. Patriots DL

-Game Predictions

5. Waiver Wire: Gem or Garbage?

-Kenyan Drake

-Mark Walton

-Darius Slayton

-Chris Conley

-Jonnu Smith

6. Game Predictions

-49ers at Cardinals

-Texans at Jaguars (London, 9:30 AM ET)

-Redskins at Bills

-Vikings at Chiefs

-Jets at Dolphins

-Bears at Eagles

-Colts at Steelers

-Titans at Panthers

-Lions at Raiders

-Buccaneers at Seahawks

-Browns at Broncos

-Packers at Chargers

-Cowboys at Giants

7. BOLD PREDICTIONS

ME: Deshaun Watson throws for 350+ yards and 3 TD, but Gardner Minshew outduels him, throwing for 400+ yards and 4 TD

HAL: Ravens are going to become the first team to score 20+ points against the Patriots this season, and Lamar Jackson throws three TD’s!!!