Monday Night Observations
Annoying
That game was annoying, but before I get to it, I have to vent about a self-inflicted catastrophe I discovered when checking the standings in the Primetime this morning:
This team I had more or less left for dead because I lost Malik Nabers (1st round), Garrett Wilson (3rd) and Cam Skattebo. Of course I was still setting my lineup and making free agent moves, but emotionally/psychologically I had let it go.
You can see the team is 8-5, and it would have been 9-4 but for two last second changes I made:
I lost by half a point, and I put in Kayshon Boutte (13.5) for Darius Slayton (14.1) and also the Eagles defense (5) for the 49ers (11). Leaving alone either slot would have resulted in a win.
Now go back to the standings. The team I played went to 10-3, but would have been 9-4 like me. I would have been tied for the best record with one week to go. Instead I am truly drawing dead.
Now this is the Primetime where even second place pays like $3200. I had made those moves thoughtlessly because I was like this is a mediocre team, who cares, just set the lineup and move on. Huge error — that and assuming the Bears were bad, so the Eagles would crush them. Most of my worst decisions are when I have a thesis I hold onto for too long. Conviction should only be reserved for first-principles-based understanding, not things like which NFL team is bad or good.
In any event, let’s get the horrible game last night.
I had the Giants +7.5 in Circa, and that game was closer than the score. The Giants failed to attempt a makeable FG when the Younghoe slipped, costing them three. And they gave up a punt return TD, costing them seven. Moreover, why did the helmet to helmet hit that concussed Gunner Olszewski into the next dimension and caused him to fumble not result in a penalty? Instead the fumble counted, and the Pats got another FG. Turnovers are automatically reviewed, so how does that stand?
The Giants offensive line played well too. They are not overmatched by good teams anymore whether it’s Jaxson Dart or Jameis Winston out there. That’s a big improvement over recent years.
Dart played okay though he took a couple more big hits. I shouldn’t even write that because it’s annoying af hearing the pussified booth constantly harping on him avoiding getting hit. It’s the NFL, just let the guy play and STFU. To quote the great philosopher Ivan Drago, “If he dies, he dies.”
Devin Singletary quietly had a big game, going 12-68-1 and three catches for 34 yards too. Tyrone Tracy had 10 carries, but Singletary was the more effective player. Behind that line, either can succeed now.
Slayton caught the long TD, but most of the targets were just short throws to Wan’Dale Robinson and Theo Johnson.
Drake Maye was sharp as usual under pressure — three sacks, plenty of escapes and a perfect 33-yard TD throw to Kyle Williams.
The Patriots spread the ball around almost as much as the Broncos, so it’s hard to count on their pass catchers. They seem to like Boutte in the red zone. Who doesn’t, let’s be honest. (Don’t even know what that means but it *sounds* like it means something.)
TreVeyon Henderson was more efficient than Rhamondre Stevenson, but Stevenson did more in the passing game. This is a 50/50 split and a little disappointing for both given the matchup.