This article is part of our NFL Observations series.
The Lions-Bucs was honestly one of the worst games of all time at any level in any sport. Why even play it out except for the fantasy implications?
- I had Marvin Jones going in one league, and when Matthew Stafford got hurt, he was toast. I don't see the point of Chase Daniel. Just run some wild cat and trick plays in that case.
- Tom Brady had a monster first half and looked like he might pull an Alvin Kamara of his own, but the Lions were so bad, the Bucs put in Blaine Gabbert at the start of the third quarter. Garbage time almost never comes that early.
- Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Rob Gronkowski got theirs at least, and even Antonio Brown scored a TD.
- The announcers in this game were beyond terrible, gushing over the Bucs' performance like they were facing the 2000 Ravens. Two half-wits talking to me like I'm a quarter wit.
- I laid the points with the Cardinals and knew immediately it was a mistake. The 49ers either show up and confound the opponent, or they don't, and it's usually apparent from the outset. Luckily I had Jeff Wilson (22-183-0, 2-1-21-1) going in a meaningful contest, and Budda Baker as an IDP. Wilson is going to win someone a title.
- George Kittle had a drop, but he looked healthy and spry. I'm looking forward to seeing him, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk on the field at the same time next year.
- Kyler Murray made some great scrambles, but the Cardinals offense didn't have much else. Kenyan Drake (18-45-1) had nowhere to go, and Murray averaged only 4.9 YPA against a decimated secondary.
- It's amazing the Raiders lost that game, though at least they covered. Consider it karmic justice after winning as improbably against the Jets.
- Henry Ruggs (2-0-0) is a big disappointment as the first receiver taken in the draft. Nelson Agholor (6-5-155-1) somehow is the team's No. 1 receiver, even though Ruggs, Bryan Edwards, Hunter Renfrow and Tyrell Williams were ahead of him this preseason.
- Darren Waller (6-5-112-0) is like DeAndre Hopkins, if Hopkins were 6-6, 255. Waller catches everything in his vicinity, whether or not he's open.
- Ryan Fitzpatrick is obviously better than Tua Tagovailoa right now. He gives the team some upside, while Tua is a game manager. Apparently Tua has been named the Week 17 starter already, though.
- Myles Gaskin (14-87-0, 5-5-82-2) is a player. He breaks tackles, has good vision and can catch. I don't know how many people started him, but what a monster game in the finals if you did.
- Josh Jacobs could have scored a TD on the penultimate drive, but wisely went down at the one to run clock (though on third down the Raiders should have tried to score rather than kneeling on it and settling for a short field goal.) Still I can't believe the Raiders blew a coverage AND committed a 15-yard face mask on the same play with the game all but over.
