Welcome to Five Hot Takes From Week Nine, a feature on five hot takes from each week of the NFL season before countering them with an opinion of my own. The season is halfway over and we look forward to a second half filled with good football and fiery takes.
Five Hot Takes From Week Nine
1. Richard Sherman Should Have Been Penalized on the Last Play
The combination of Richard Sherman and something going awry on the final play is not something that’s going to please anyone outside of Seattle, but here we are. While the hit was there, Tyrod Taylor was outside the pocket before the hit happened, making the receiver a blocker and the hit legal.
We can go on about how horrible the officiating was on the field goal try at the end of the first half, and probably should, but the amount of people claiming the Bills should have gotten new life on the play need to look again.
2. Eli Manning Nearly Gave the Giants’ Victory Away
This is not quite true. While Eli Manning did have two fourth quarter picks, neither of them were on him. The first one was an accurate pass stripped out of Odell Beckham‘s hands, while the second one was tipped at the line of scrimmage, never having a chance to meet it’s intended target.
Manning was fantastic in Week Nine, throwing with consistent precision and making plenty of tough throws. It’s a great stepping stone in a season where he has largely struggled.
3. The Raiders Are Super Bowl Contenders
If the NFL was played without actual defenses (I mean literally, of course), then yes, the Oakland Raiders would be Super Bowl contenders. I’ve already raved about how loaded the offense is and how Jalen Richard is one of my favorite rookies, so I’ll save you guys the trouble there.
But the fact of the matter is the defense is still a question mark. Khalil Mack aside, the team gave up a few huge plays, and nearly gave up a critical one when Emmanuel Sanders dropped a touchdown pass in the second half. Derek Carr nearly committed a costly turnover before the interception was ruled incomplete.
The Raiders are a good football team, but the other side of the ball needs to be improved before they are ever considered great.
4. Chip Kelly Needs to Be Fired
What’s the basis? The San Francisco 49ers are 1-7 and sure, Chip Kelly would be fired if the team were located in Philadelphia, but that’s not the case. The team lacks talent on most of the key positions, simple as that.
Giving Kelly the Jim Tomsula treatment is not going to help a team looking to rebuild find consistency or chemistry any time soon. Kelly needs more time as the head coach.
5. Todd Gurley is Not Living Up to Expectations
It’s hard for me to say this when Todd Gurley plays for the Los Angeles Rams. This is a team with one of the worst run blocking schemes in the league, offering little room for Gurley and almost zero space to work with. When offered space, Gurley is one of the best backs in the league, as shown during his rookie season last year.
To say Gurley is not living up to expectations is looking at it from a fantasy standpoint. The running back is fine; the coaching is screwing up.
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