NFL Recap – Week 5

NFL Recap - Week 5

With week 5 in the books and week 6 rapidly approaching, there are a few teams clearly emerging as Super Bowl contenders. This week’s article isn’t about them, though. This week I want to discuss some of the disappointing teams: the teams who have fans that should look past the remainder of this season and get excited about the 2019 draft.

 

Atlanta Falcons

As a fan, I made this article as an excuse to talk about my pitiful Falcons. It pains me to say, but this season is a complete wash. We came into the season with high hopes after reaching the Super Bowl two seasons ago and then making the NFC championship game last year. The offense has looked the same as always: Julio Jones making spectacular plays on every drive, only to be forgotten once we reach the red zone. Drafting Calvin Ridley doesn’t seem to be a bad decision, if you ignore the fact that our defense has been abysmal. Yes, the injury bug bit us REALLY hard this year, but allowing 30+ points to opposing teams in all five games this year is unacceptable. I think the Falcons should look forward to drafting a linebacker and a defensive back in the first few rounds of the upcoming draft.

 

New York Giants

No, I’m not going to rant on about Odell Beckham Jr. and how he’s got to mature and stop throwing visible hissy fits on the sideline. I won’t mention the interview he did with Lil Wayne where he spoke poorly of his team and quarterback. The fact of the matter is he and rookie runningback Saquon Barkley are the ONLY positive factors on the field. Eli Manning has been the worst quarterback we’ve seen since Johnny Manziel put on a uniform. He posted a QB rating of 7.8 through the first quarter in their previous game against the Eagles (in comparison to Carson Wentz QB rating of 120.7). It’s time for the Giants (and their fans) to look forward to drafting a QB in the upcoming draft.

 

Dallas Cowboys

Honestly, they need a receiver. Dak Prescott hasn’t been the most electrifying quarterback by any means, but he is very capable when it comes to winning games, IF you put some talent around him. I mean after getting rid of Dez Bryant, their all-time franchise leading receiver, they found NO ONE to replace him. Their most glaring need is obviously at this position.

 

Oakland Raiders

I can’t wait to discuss the Raiders, so let me get this right: they hire Jon Gruden. He coached for decades in the NFL in previous years, won one Super Bowl and posted a losing record for his tenure as a coach. However, Mark Davis (the Raiders owner) decided it would be a good idea to give this man 100 million dollars on a ten-year contract. They then turned around and told their star player, defensive end/linebacker Khalil Mack, that they didn’t have the money to give him the 85 million that he rightfully deserved so they traded him away for a couple of draft picks. After doing so, the Raiders played their first game and lost. Jon Gruden actually had the nerve to say in his first post-game interview, “We were missing something on the defensive side of the ball. We needed more of a pass rush.” HA! I mean, you traded away the reigning Defensive Player of the Year (and he’s probably going to win it again this year with the way he’s playing) and now you’re feeling the effects of it. Yeah, the Raiders fans should look forward to the upcoming draft, but you won’t find a Khalil Mack there. What they should really look forward to is the year 2028, which is when Jon Gruden’s contract expires.