NFL Week 3: In Vinny We Trust

[Cosmo]

The two teams on which Vinny Testaverde spent the most time playing for square off this week. Make of that what you will.

Thursday night
Miami at Buffalo (-12.5/49.5), 815, PRIME

Sunday early
Las Vegas at Washington (-3.5/44.5), FOX
Green Bay (-7.5/42.5) at Cleveland, FOX
Indianapolis (-3.5/43.5) at Tennessee, CBS
Cincinnati at Minnesota (-2.5/42.5), CBS
Pittsburgh (-1.5/44.5) at New England, CBS
L.A. Rams at Philadelphia (-3.5/44.5), FOX
N.Y. Jets at Tampa Bay (-7.5/44.5), FOX
Atlanta (-5.5/43.5) at Carolina, FOX
Houston at Jacksonville (-1.5/44.5), CBS

Sunday late
Denver at L.A. Chargers (-2.5/45.5), CBS
New Orleans at Seattle (-7.5/41.5), CBS
Dallas (-1.5/49.5) at Chicago, FOX
Arizona at San Francisco (-1.5/44.5), FOX

Sunday night
Kansas City (-5.5/44.5) at N.Y. Giants, NBC

Monday night
Detroit at Baltimore (-4.5/51.5), ABC/ESPN

Quick thoughts:
* Washington-Vegas opened at -5.5 and has quickly dropped. Public must think Daniels is out. We'll know more tomorrow.
* McDaniel might not make it until the end of September in Miami, though the Thursday night division game is kind of a traditional sleepy spot for someone like Buffalo.
* Hard to call Week 3 a must win, but there's a world where Houston loses and Indy wins and the Texans are three games back in a division that probably only sends one team to the playoffs.
* Both backups starting in Minneapolis this week.
* The Chargers can get to 3-0 with wins in pocket over all three division foes this week. Significant, though it might be a Broncos home game at SoFi.
* Arizona's soft 2-0 gets a good road test this week.

 

[brn623cl]

After i read numerous articles how Uncle Al found his enthusiasm again in the Prime booth the game Thursday could cause a relapse from that mood.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Buffalo could quite plausibly put up 50+ on the Dolphins, whose defense is somewhere between atrocious and "playing two men short."

 

[dixiehack]

Buffalo could quite plausibly put up 50+ on the Dolphins, whose defense is somewhere between atrocious and "playing two men short."

Annie Agar is thinking 70.

 

[Jake from State Farm]

Mic drop after the final line

 

[DanOregon]

Dallas only 1.5 over Chicago?

 

[tapintoamerica]

Annie Agar is thinking 70.

The Philip Rivers line was tremendous.

 

[Brooklyn Bridge]

Mic drop after the final line

"He's a Michigan Man, they never cheat." Had me in tears.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

Dallas only 1.5 over Chicago?

Have you seen Dallas?

 

[dixiehack]

The Philip Rivers line was tremendous.

“What is a catch!”
“I’ve got this: Sydney Sweeney!”

 

[outofplace]

Do NFL TV production meetings give Tom Brady an advantage as a Raiders owner?

I know this isn't a new topic, but it has been discussed publicly more of late. Is Brady having some of a broadcaster's access and being a part-owner of the Raiders a conflict of interest? I think it is. Even if it's not, it looks like it is, which you would think would be a problem for the league.

 

[Cosmo]

Dallas only 1.5 over Chicago?

Russell Wilson nearly just threw for 500 yards against them.

 

[TigerVols]

Do NFL TV production meetings give Tom Brady an advantage as a Raiders owner?

I know this isn't a new topic, but it has been discussed publicly more of late. Is Brady having some of a broadcaster's access and being a part-owner of the Raiders a conflict of interest? I think it is. Even if it's not, it looks like it is, which you would think would be a problem for the league.

Seems to me one advantage it gives him as Raiders co-owner is insight into what a player’s team thinks about him, what vibe does he have in the locker room, what coaches think about him - insightful info when he hits the free agent or trade market.

 

[DanielSimpsonDay]

bending over backwards and making exceptions to accommodate the most aggressively middling color guy in the business keeping his day job

 

[outofplace]

Seems to me one advantage it gives him as Raiders co-owner is insight into what a player’s team thinks about him, what vibe does he have in the locker room, what coaches think about him - insightful info when he hits the free agent or trade market.

Agreed, and Brady is sharp enough to take advantage of something like that. I also think he will gain insights that the Raiders can use in the short term. I'm not sure what he might see that wouldn't be on film, but I am fairly certain Tom Brady sees things on a football field that most of us wouldn't notice.

 

[Cosmo]

Commanders brought Mariota out to speak to the press today, not Daniels. Can't be a great sign for Jayden's availability on Sunday.

 

[BurnsWhenIPee]

I look at the Brady issue from the other direction - it may or may not be an advantage for him when it comes to the Raiders side of it.

But I think it's definitely a detriment to his work on Fox. Can't go to the team facilities, and I'd believe opposing personnel are hesitant to be as forthcoming as they would normally be with him.

 

[TigerVols]

Commanders brought Mariota out to speak to the press today, not Daniels. Can't be a great sign for Jayden's availability on Sunday.

I've already benched him for Caleb on my fantasy team that no one cares about.

 

[Cosmo]

Ha, I have the same QB combo.

JD is the franchise. If there's any chance he's gimpy, you have to sit him. Quinn's smart enough to know that.

 

[tapintoamerica]

Ha, I have the same QB combo.

JD is the franchise. If there's any chance he's gimpy, you have to sit him. Quinn's smart enough to know that.

I just noticed that the Commanders play the Eagles in two of the final three games of the season. That's some wacky scheduling there.