Monday Night Observations

Good

The NFL can schedule two Monday Night games if it likes, but that doesn’t mean I’m obligated to watch both of them, not even on the 40-minute edited version, especially because they show the score of the other one in progress, spoiling it for anyone catching it the next day.

You can probably guess which one I picked, and it was an enjoyable one, as I had Jahmyr Gibbs, Kenneth Walker and Jaxon Smith-Njigba on various teams. My only regret is not using the Lions -3.5 as I had planned in the Circa Millions.

• People were taking Tyreek Hill in the first half of the first round all summer, totally ignoring the added concussion risk to his QB. I mean any player’s QB can get hurt, I suppose, but Tua was one of the most fragile because a common injury that would cost anyone else one week might be career ending. Same with Jaylen Waddle who I drafted in one league too.

• De’Von Achane’s 10 carries for 15 yards really put a dent in his career YPC average. Talk about regression to the abyss™.

• The Titans offense doesn’t deserve much comment. Maybe Will Levis is hurt, but it’s hard to see how that impacts them.

• Jared Goff had the most efficient pass night in league history — 18-for-18, 16.2 YPA. Insanely accurate, and some of the throws were down the field too. He’s every bit as elite as Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, no matter what anyone says.

• The Lions as a whole were even more efficient as Amon-Ra St. Brown completed his only attempt too, for a TD to Goff. The broadcast kept saying Goff isn’t that slow, but what was underrated about that play is how he sold it, pretending not to be involved at first so they forgot about him, before jogging to the open space. Nice throw by ARSB too.

• Sam LaPorta caught all four of his targets for 53 yards and moved very well for a tight end. It’s been a slow start for him, but it’s coming.

• Gibbs and David Montgomery did their thing. Gibbs had a reception called back due to a penalty, but wasn’t involved in the passing game.

• The Jameson Williams TD was hilarious. One play, TD, off the field. So much for the Seahawks previous long drive.

• Geno Smith played a great game. He had only 7.1 YPA, but was under pressure all night and escaped time and again to deliver the ball. Most QBs would have wilted in that situation.

• The Seattle receivers didn’t make a lot of plays because Smith was under so much pressure. JSN caught eight short passes as there just wasn’t time to get the ball down the field.

• Kenneth Walker is the best runner in the league when healthy in my opinion. He has the quickness to match his speed, and at 5-9, 211, enough power. They also got him involved in the passing game too. The only thing keeping him from being a first-round-worthy pick is the lack of durability. Zach Charbonnet is okay, but he’s the clear backup.