As always, after the jump, this week’s TMQ…
The first 668 words of this week’s TMQ are devoted to an explanation of how and why the NFL shifted from run-based offense to pass-based offense. We’ll just go ahead and say it: TMQ’s analysis is actually kind of interesting (though it also reads like an excerpt from his new book, which, by the way, he gets in a plug for).
You know, TMQ hasn’t brought up his anti-gambling/pro-nudity stance recently. Perhaps there is something to be said for the NYT.
Stats. Mixed: Minnesota – Seattle.
The robot. From “The Black Hole”. Perhaps we were wrong about the NYT.
Sweet: Pittsburgh – Cincinnati. Chicken-(salad) kicking: Cincinnati.
The 500 Club. More chicken-(salad) kicking: Clemson.
We think it would be nice if everyone in the United States (including the children) had enough to eat, and hunger didn’t exist. All of these thoughts lead to the same question: how do we get there from here?
So Green Bay’s offense played poorly in the first half, and well in the second half. Washington’s offense played well in the first half, and poorly in the second half. But why? What accounts for the difference? Halftime motivational speeches?
“Sweet Play of the Kansas City at Houston Game.” TMQ was able to pick one out of that game? Well, we guess they were all sweet for Kansas City. (And of course it involved a tight end.)
“Sour Plays of the Kansas City at Houston Game.” Again, just one? (And it involved J.J. Watt, another one of those people who seems to have aroused TMQ’s ire.)
“Untouched Touchdown of the Playoffs.” Okay. Now TMQ’s just rubbing it in.
The Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks are overstaffed. TMQ’s been banging on this drum for years now, but he hasn’t provided any evidence of a correlation between staffing levels and NFL success.
We’re grammar snobs, too, but we think TMQ’s complaint about “freezing temperatures” is off base. As we see it, “freezing temperatures” is legitimate shorthand for “temperatures are going to be at or below the level at which water freezes and ice forms”. If Easterbrook wants to complain about something, how about the abuse of “decimate”?
“Chiefs Record First Postseason Victory Since Warren Christopher Was Secretary of State.” That would be during the first Clinton administration. You’re welcome.
“Adventures in Officiating”: was Markus Wheaton defenseless? Giovani Bernard wasn’t; but TMQ’s commenters point out that Ryan Shazier hit him helmet to helmet.
The league’s decision to suspend Burfict for just three games suggests it’s all talk.
Really? Because a three game suspension seems pretty steep to us. And we agree with TMQ: there shouldn’t be a celebration foul, unless the celebration causes a substantial delay in the game.
And believe it or not, we also kind of agree with TMQ on the scapegoating of Blair Walsh. Yes, you pay kickers to kick successfully, and sometimes win games. But good teams try to stay out of positions where the outcome depends on a single kick. It wasn’t just Blair Walsh that failed the Vikings; it was a team wide failure.
And that’s it for this week, folks. Join us next week as we slog toward that thing with the V in Santa Clara. We’re sure TMQ will be constantly reminding us of the Santa Clara part.