National Football League

[on3m@n@rmy]

Re:

Packers are underrated. Thompson and Mccarthy deserve lots blame for how they came up with this receiver core and how they let them play but talent and depth in the defensive backfield, on the OLine and DLine is unmatched by any other team.

Their run defense in YPC is best ever atm.

Yep, YPC rushing an NFL best 2.0. Followed by the #2 ranked Jets & #3 Hawks at 3.0 and 3.3 YPC. Against GB's 4 opponents so far (Jax, Viks, Lions, Giants), they have held each to under 50 yards rushing. But those opponents YPA rushing is not so good (Jax ranks #28 @3.5 YPC, Viks rank #32 @2.5 YPC, Lions rank #20 @3.9 YPC, & Giants rank #23 @3.8 YPC). So, the high ranking of the GB rush defense is in part due to the poor rushing offense of the opposition.

The Packers defensive trouble is pass defense. They rank #25 in the NFL with 6.9 net yards per attempt. So you know where opponent's offenses are going to attack. But any team with a good rush offense is still going to try and slam it down their throat, based on those GB rushing stats vs opponents with crap for rushing. (http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2016/opp.htm)

In total defense (YPP) GB ranks #10 in the NFL.

 

[movingtarget]

Kaepernick and NFL Contracts

http://p.nytimes.com/email/re?location=4z5Q7LhI+KVBjmEgFdYACPLKh239P3pgOcuYOtZhXEoELvfSt53SSi5xdpx0QJbUj+yIPFTKg96LBDjXFv1sUUWwcQWb2rK1bSD9E3SVM1ECIAxPp7P7yqzl79HajcvQZUFWUWP9qBsagIQourNwnyFBDxgAx196O6g3qv+CIBXHzNoxvXALr261U3jbxL0T&campaign_id=129&instance_id=84632&segment_id=96616&user_id=12d98412e3bcc0522f6cfbf4c21c54e6&regi_id=42685115

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Good article there Movingtarget. I'd recommend anyone wanting to know a little more about contracts in the NFL and what guaranteed money is, read it.

I'm reminded a little of Russell Okung's self negotiated deal where he is taking all the risk, and has almost zero guaranteed money. And low and behold, he was injured this week and taken to a hospital.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2016/03/18/contract-breakdown-russell-okungs-5-year-deal-includes-no-guaranteed-money/38914/

Thoughts on key games later today.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

Good article there Movingtarget. I'd recommend anyone wanting to know a little more about contracts in the NFL and what guaranteed money is, read it.

I'm reminded a little of Russell Okung's self negotiated deal where he is taking all the risk, and has almost zero guaranteed money. And low and behold, he was injured this week and taken to a hospital.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2016/03/18/contract-breakdown-russell-okungs-5-year-deal-includes-no-guaranteed-money/38914/

Thoughts on key games later today.

I wonder what the NBA and Baseball League would make of Okung's contract ? You would think that if four years is the average career in the NFL there would be more concern for the players especially post NFL. It's also hard to believe that Okung actually knew what he was signing on for and he did so without a representative who never would have agreed to such a contract. This reeks of manipulation to me. Was the missing commission fee as he has no agent worth it when a contract like this is the result ? I wonder what the Players Union makes of contracts like Okung's ?

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Here are some thoughts on key games this week:

49ers @ Bills - The Bills are playing well, especially on defense, how will Kap do?
Phi @ Wash - This is a fight for first place, maybe. But more important, which team really is on the up and for real, and which is still pretending.
Car @ NO - The Panthers cannot afford to lose this game, though neither can the Saints, but no one expects them to win with that defense.
LA @ Det - Both teams are playing well, better than one might expect.
Cincy @ NE - If the Bengals drop this, they fall to 2-4, in a tough division.
KC @ Oak - Raiders 4-1 for the first time in ages. But hearing about a new stadium in Vegas may not sit well with fans.
ATL @ Sea - The game to watch. Is Atlanta for real? They started 6-1 last year, and faltered after that. Is this year different?
Dal @ GB - The most talked about game maybe, and I like Dallas OL doing enough to win. GB has Rodgers on offense, and...a lot of problems.
Indy @ Hou - Both teams struggling, but playing well in spurts. Indy more under-performing.

The way the Vegas deal got through the Nevada state legislature was something. If I were from anywhere in the state other than Vegas, I'd be quite pissed too. Greaet deal for Sheldon Adelson and some of the Sands casino and resort he owns.

http://www.rgj.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/08/22/view-block-las-vegas-raiders-stadium-deal/89101860/

 

[BullsFan22]

Re:

Here are some thoughts on key games this week:

49ers @ Bills - The Bills are playing well, especially on defense, how will Kap do?
Phi @ Wash - This is a fight for first place, maybe. But more important, which team really is on the up and for real, and which is still pretending.
Car @ NO - The Panthers cannot afford to lose this game, though neither can the Saints, but no one expects them to win with that defense.
LA @ Det - Both teams are playing well, better than one might expect.
Cincy @ NE - If the Bengals drop this, they fall to 2-4, in a tough division.
KC @ Oak - Raiders 4-1 for the first time in ages. But hearing about a new stadium in Vegas may not sit well with fans.
ATL @ Sea - The game to watch. Is Atlanta for real? They started 6-1 last year, and faltered after that. Is this year different?
Dal @ GB - The most talked about game maybe, and I like Dallas OL doing enough to win. GB has Rodgers on offense, and...a lot of problems.
Indy @ Hou - Both teams struggling, but playing well in spurts. Indy more under-performing.

The way the Vegas deal got through the Nevada state legislature was something. If I were from anywhere in the state other than Vegas, I'd be quite pissed too. Greaet deal for Sheldon Adelson and some of the Sands casino and resort he owns.

http://www.rgj.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/08/22/view-block-las-vegas-raiders-stadium-deal/89101860/

Some intriguing games, as you mentioned. Really looking forward to the Seahawks Falcons game. Arguably the best offense in the NFL up to this point vs the best defense of the past 4 seasons. Apparently it's supposed be quite wet (rain in Seattle?? no way!!!) and it'll be interesting to see what the Falcons will do. I think the edge will go to the Seahawks, but with a wet and slippery field, it will also test Wilson's mobility. If he has recovered from the injury he sustained weeks back, he should be fine. If he is still sore or feeling injured and/or simply nervous about re-agrevating the injury or overcompensating, then it could be a problem for him and the Seattle offense. Home game, raucous fans, a potentially healthy Russell Wilson and improving Jimmy Graham...I'll take Seahawks 27-10. That might be quite a surprise for people reading this, but I think the Seahawks really rise to these type of games.

The other games that I am also interested in is Cowboys and Packers. Will Prescott keep it up? Will the Packers' offense do...anything? Redskins Eagles-not sure about that one. It's a toss up for me. Panthers Saints-As you said, a must win for both teams. Whoever loses will not be making the playoffs, IMO. I think the Bengals could surprise the Patriots. The Raiders are playing really well and are at home, but don't sleep on the Chiefs.

As far as Vegas and the Raiders moving there....Damn. That will be an insult to the entire NFL, not just Oakland and the Bay Area. It would rival the Sonics moving to OKC and Browns move or attempt to move to Baltimore and prior to that Baltimore moving to Indianapolis. I don't know the timeline and all the details in the Raiders potential move, but it would be sad to see them move to Vegas, of all places. But as they say, 'follow the money...'

And while we are on the subject of moving franchises and alienating fans, what about the Chargers? Are they safe? I months ago I read about them moving as well. Though the ESPN articles I read mentioned that only one team would move. That's another franchise I don't want to see move.

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

Here are some thoughts on key games this week:

49ers @ Bills - The Bills are playing well, especially on defense, how will Kap do?
Phi @ Wash - This is a fight for first place, maybe. But more important, which team really is on the up and for real, and which is still pretending.
Car @ NO - The Panthers cannot afford to lose this game, though neither can the Saints, but no one expects them to win with that defense.
LA @ Det - Both teams are playing well, better than one might expect.
Cincy @ NE - If the Bengals drop this, they fall to 2-4, in a tough division.
KC @ Oak - Raiders 4-1 for the first time in ages. But hearing about a new stadium in Vegas may not sit well with fans.
ATL @ Sea - The game to watch. Is Atlanta for real? They started 6-1 last year, and faltered after that. Is this year different?
Dal @ GB - The most talked about game maybe, and I like Dallas OL doing enough to win. GB has Rodgers on offense, and...a lot of problems.
Indy @ Hou - Both teams struggling, but playing well in spurts. Indy more under-performing.

The way the Vegas deal got through the Nevada state legislature was something. If I were from anywhere in the state other than Vegas, I'd be quite pissed too. Greaet deal for Sheldon Adelson and some of the Sands casino and resort he owns.

http://www.rgj.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/08/22/view-block-las-vegas-raiders-stadium-deal/89101860/

The Raiders should stay put. They will have novelty value at Las Vegas more than anything else and how full would the stadium be ? Football ticket and a floor show ? Maybe a few free gambling vouchers and drinks vouchers thrown in as well ? The Bay area can support two teams. The 49ers move to Santa Clara pizzed a lot of fans off I'm sure. Very dumb moving out of SF but I'm sure there were good financial reasons for doing so for the Yorks.

This week I think the Redskins will beat the Eagles in a close one.
Bills over the 49ers. Not convinced that Kaep will change the result.
Panthers in a tight one over the Saints.
LA's defense should be too much for Detroit.
NE over Bengals.
Raiders over Chiefs.
Seattle over Falcons.
Dallas over the Packers.
Colts in a close one over Texans.

 

[movingtarget]

Former NRL Player Killed In Accident


http://p.nytimes.com/email/re?location=4z5Q7LhI+KVBjmEgFdYACPLKh239P3pgOcuYOtZhXErCon5CY8bRDC5xdpx0QJbUk/BEYyPZIhPKBOHkbOQ7h8cUSACzn+7icSU5ml6jDBD+UkknS5UBbP13V9i8crQr5dh/8i8Sg9dCc4UxMKraDxSf128Tk2MWKqAbv+piQ9o=&campaign_id=129&instance_id=84654&segment_id=96636&user_id=12d98412e3bcc0522f6cfbf4c21c54e6&regi_id=42685115

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Re: Re:

Apparently it's supposed be quite wet (rain in Seattle?? no way!!!)

Believe it or not, there have been very few really wet games there. In fact, the first several seasons there, it never rained during game time. I went to a game against Detroit that was forecast for heavy rain. It was steady rain before the game, then let up for the game, then about a half hour after the game just poured!

 

[Amsterhammer]

SF@BUF
PHI@WSH
CLE@TEN
BAL@NYG
CAR@NO
JAX@CHI
LA@DET
PIT@MIA
CIN@NE
KC@OAK
ATL@SEA
DAL@GB
IND@HOU
NYJ@ARI

 

[movingtarget]

Cowboys keep winning. What is wrong with Aaron Rodgers ? Panthers and 49ers hole has gotten a little deeper. Not surprised by either result but was surprised by the Dolphins win. Chiefs had a much needed win. Seattle win another close one. They seem to have a habit of doing that. The Eagles continue to drop off after a promising start to the season. Even though Odell Beckham Jnr is a pain in the gluteus maximus he is exciting to watch until he opens his mouth of course. At almost the halfway point of the season it is a close competition so far. If I was coaching the Vikings or Cowboys I would be happy at this point. The Panthers coach not so happy.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

That last non-PI call that went against Atlanta was good reason for Dan Quinn to be as upset as he was, but the fact is in the last 4 minutes of that game the Seahawks showed why they are at the elite level of the sport, and the Falcons, despite some real talent and motivation, are not. The right team won that game, if barely.

The flip side to this is the way the Panthers scored 21 points in the 4th quarter, but couldn't hold or close out the Saints.

Raiders completely laid an egg at home. No muster at all. 4-0 on the road, 0-2 at home. Consistent play by the Chiefs.

I too was impressed by the Cowboys, but as I said, it's really their OL that deserves to be on a Wheaties box. Prescott is playing well, and I'd have a hard time pulling him no matter when Romo comes back, but we'll see.

How on earth did the Ravens not once, but twice blow coverage on Beckham? Granted, he made some great football moves too, but in such crucial situations to allow him to be isolated like that was mind blowing.

Big Ben out for weeks with a torn meniscus. That's going to hurt, but I think the Steelers were playing a little under potential lately anyway. Landry Jones will have to step up.

From what I saw Kaep didn't play terrible, no worse than Gabbert. But it looks like the 49ers defense caved, late at least.

While the Eagles have dropped two straight now, let's credit Washington with a really nice win. They look like a solid team across the board.

I went to sleep with just under 4 minutes to go and the Colts leading the Texans by 14, only to wake up and find out they lost in OT.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

It looks like Geno Smith will get the start for the Jets who host the Ravens. Smith hasn't played very well his entire career, but he did seem to show some poise recently. After the Jets signed Fitzpatrick for $12m, but only for one year (ignore talk of a 2-year deal, way too many options to make that so). But cutting him would be a hit this year, and $5m dead money next. Geno Smith is also a free agent after this season.

Jon Gruden brought something up on Monday night. With the way the CBA is written, there are too few players on the practice squad or scout teams, or who can suit up for games. As such, the Jets have both Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg in street clothes each week. Both are raw, though Petty looked okay in the preseason, but still needs work. But if one of these guys is going to start for the team in 2017, or make a real attempt at starting, you'd think the Jets would find a way to at least get them suited up for practice, if not play games just yet. I believe Petty is "officially" hurt, and Hackenberg with the scout team. Do the Jets as an organization really want to spend next summer time negotiating with Fitzpatrick and Smith? Or worse, draft another QB?

As to the Packers, they play tomorrow night against the Bears, who aren't as bad as their 1-5 record indicates, but it still should be just the meal Rodgers and the Packer offense needs to eat. If he can't get in sync with his receivers, and his OL can't give him enough time this game, then there really is something wrong. Though it is a short week.

If the Patriots are going to lose another game this season, it's likely to come in the next three weeks, maybe. @Pittsburgh, @Buffalo, Seahawks at home. After that, it's the 49ers, Jets, Rams, Ravens, Broncos, Jets, Dolphins. Granted, Denver still has an excellent defense, and Baltimore won some tough games. But New England feasibly could go 15-1.

 

[movingtarget]

Mike Zimmer : interesting article

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000723629/article/mike-zimmers-resiliency-defines-undefeated-vikings

 

[movingtarget]

Latest QB Rankings

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000723917/article/qb-index-matthew-stafford-up-aaron-rodgers-down

 

[movingtarget]

Re:

It looks like Geno Smith will get the start for the Jets who host the Ravens. Smith hasn't played very well his entire career, but he did seem to show some poise recently. After the Jets signed Fitzpatrick for $12m, but only for one year (ignore talk of a 2-year deal, way too many options to make that so). But cutting him would be a hit this year, and $5m dead money next. Geno Smith is also a free agent after this season.

Jon Gruden brought something up on Monday night. With the way the CBA is written, there are too few players on the practice squad or scout teams, or who can suit up for games. As such, the Jets have both Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg in street clothes each week. Both are raw, though Petty looked okay in the preseason, but still needs work. But if one of these guys is going to start for the team in 2017, or make a real attempt at starting, you'd think the Jets would find a way to at least get them suited up for practice, if not play games just yet. I believe Petty is "officially" hurt, and Hackenberg with the scout team. Do the Jets as an organization really want to spend next summer time negotiating with Fitzpatrick and Smith? Or worse, draft another QB?

As to the Packers, they play tomorrow night against the Bears, who aren't as bad as their 1-5 record indicates, but it still should be just the meal Rodgers and the Packer offense needs to eat. If he can't get in sync with his receivers, and his OL can't give him enough time this game, then there really is something wrong. Though it is a short week.

If the Patriots are going to lose another game this season, it's likely to come in the next three weeks, maybe. @Pittsburgh, @Buffalo, Seahawks at home. After that, it's the 49ers, Jets, Rams, Ravens, Broncos, Jets, Dolphins. Granted, Denver still has an excellent defense, and Baltimore won some tough games. But New England feasibly could go 15-1.

Packers and Bears should be a decent game. I am looking forward to the Cardinals and Seahawks game. Probably game of the week. Vikings should win again. Martin is out for the Bucs against 49ers but the 49ers run defense has been appalling against everyone except the Rams where they managed to contain Gurley pretty well. The Bucs have beaten the Panthers which is no big deal this year but they also beat the Falcons. It could be a decent contest. Jimmy Ward is back for the 49ers but it looks like Carlos Hyde is out which is a blow. Rumors doing the rounds already that Chip Kelly will head back to College football at the end of the season ! Seems like there are tasty coaching jobs becoming vacant soon.

 

[movingtarget]

NFL Double Standards

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/22/sports/football/nfl-domestic-violence-josh-brown-new-york-giants.html

 

[movingtarget]

NFL Stadium In Las Vegas And Dodgy Number Crunching

http://p.nytimes.com/email/re?location=4z5Q7LhI+KVBjmEgFdYACPLKh239P3pgJXz8s1hudfk9VJZlrQ7XIC5xdpx0QJbUoMT0xt9HslKUEOE+d+9bkHoHD5s+oSLiKhitsi+0WA9s14tVVPcWYpe11zlmx7oqzwS99G9NIqZGVypokOY2BvTGHwEEMnWLr59bZpTXqeY=&campaign_id=129&instance_id=85044&segment_id=96995&user_id=12d98412e3bcc0522f6cfbf4c21c54e6&regi_id=42685115

Well it is Las Vegas !

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

These are the key games I'm looking forward to this week:

Oak @ Jax - Raiders 4-0 on the road. Jags underperforming.
TB @ SF - curious how the QBs play
Wash @ Det - both teams playing better than many realize.
NO @ KC - matchup intrigues me.
Hou @ Den - Broncos d say they want to kill Osweiller (for leaving).
NE@ Pitt - No Ben takes something away, but this should still be good
SD @ Atl - Cgargers better than record. Can Falcons rebound from loss to Seattle?
SEA @ Ari - last week Seakawks showed why they are the elite, can Cards step up?
Minn @ Philly - two weeks ago this looked like they could both be unbeaten. Two excellent defenses.

 

[BullsFan22]

Re:

These are the key games I'm looking forward to this week:

Oak @ Jax - Raiders 4-0 on the road. Jags underperforming.
TB @ SF - curious how the QBs play
Wash @ Det - both teams playing better than many realize.
NO @ KC - matchup intrigues me.
Hou @ Den - Broncos d say they want to kill Osweiller (for leaving).
NE@ Pitt - No Ben takes something away, but this should still be good
SD @ Atl - Cgargers better than record. Can Falcons rebound from loss to Seattle?
SEA @ Ari - last week Seakawks showed why they are the elite, can Cards step up?
Minn @ Philly - two weeks ago this looked like they could both be unbeaten. Two excellent defenses.

Some very intriguing match ups, again. A lot of people are suggesting that if the Seahawks beat the Cardinals this week, it's all but sown up for them in terms of the division. That might not be far fetched. Should they win, they'll be 5-1, Cards would be 3-4, Rams lost earlier today to the Giants in London, so they are already 3-4, and it would take a miracle of seismic proportions for the 49ers to climb up the ladder and challenge for the division.

Interested to see if the Vikes keep it going.

Bummer for the Steelers that Ben isn't playing, but as you said, it's still going to be a good game. I think the Steelers find a way to upset the Patriots.

 

[movingtarget]

Was surprised to see the Bills, Vikings and Redskins go down. The Eagles really got after Bradford. Not so surprised about the Chargers winning. 49ers continue to shorten as favourites for the number one draft pick along with the Browns. Can the Panthers pull themselves out of their slump ? Two out of the past three weeks the 49ers led 14-0 and collapsed in the second half not to mention the late collapse against the Bills. They are breaking records for the most yards conceded against the run. Kaep had a mediocre game. I wonder if Chip will cry "enough" at some point and give the ball to Ponder for maybe the last five games or so ? Not that that would solve their problems which are many. Gabbert is a free agent soon. Ponder might be kept as a back up but the other two will probably be gone. The Cardinals and Seahawks was a crazy game.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Games that caught my attention this weekend.

First, Atlanta's loss to San Diego had to hurt. They dominated most of the game, then in overtime turned the ball over on downs. It wasn't going for it that I questioned, it was the fact that Ryan had played well all game, as had Julio Jones. On 3rd and 1, they tried a sneak, that didn't work. So on 4th and 1, they tried a power run, which didn't work. This baffled me. I can somewhat see running the ball, but why not from a spread, or some sort of option that allowed Ryan to read the coverage. They had just been stuffed on one run, what old school thinking made them think they could change that?

The other game was Arizona and Seattle tying. Arizona was the better team almost all game. They should have won by a score of about 16-3. In overtime they drove down the field, and Johnson may have actually crossed the plane, but no review was made. So on 3rd down from the 1 inch line, they decide to...kick a field goal? No attempt to get in on 3rd down when they had just driven the ball down Seattle's throat? Furthermore, in the 2nd quarter they had witnessed Bobby Wagner leaping over the center to block a kick and they had to know he'd try it again. But instead of having a guard take a step back and into the center line if he saw Wagner, which would have resulted in a penalty on Seattle (and Wagner possibly getting hurt, and thinking twice about it), or changing the snap count to alter the timing of the play, they did neither, and an edgy Catazano missed the chip shot. I don't blame Catazano here, I blame special teams coach Amos Jones.

Raiders move to 5-2, and 4-0 on the road.

Jay Ajayi just accomplished something we may never see again. Back to back 200 yard rushing games. Only Earl Campbell, OJ Simpson and Ricky Williams have done that.

New England looks like the most elite team in the NFL. Solid across the board. Landry Jones played well for Pittsburgh, but the Patriots just won the game in almost every aspect.

Really nice win for the Eagles, their defense was stellar. Granted, the Vikings have offense issues, but credit Philly's defense here. Too many turnovers in that game though. It didn't look wet though, so maybe the balls were overinflated or something.

 

[movingtarget]

Some good match ups this week. Lions V Texans,. Cowboys V Eagles, Bills V Patriots. Hard to see the Cardinals being beaten by the Panthers at this stage. If the Panthers lose and go 1-6 their playoff chances will require a run of consecutive wins which at the moment seems unlikely.Goff is supposed to be ready to go if he is needed. From what I have seen of the Rams he is definitely needed. Rumors circulating that the 49ers are trying to trade Joe Staley and Torrey Smith. Smith is the more believable one but of course the team management have denied it.Odds have also shortened about Chip Kelly being sacked although most people seem to think it won't happen and he is also denying that he wants to return to College football.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Aldon Smith has applied for reinstatement to the NFL. The Raiders could use him, as their defense has been inconsistent so far this year, especially against the pass, which is his strength.

It looks like CJ Anderson is out for the season for Denver.

Jags and the Titans play tonight. If you haven't seen either team, you might enjoy the game. I'm big on Marcus Mariota, and if you see the game, maybe you'll see why.

Here are the other games that have my interest, and why:

WAS vs. CIN - In London. Both teams are coming off tough losses, and need a win.

GB @ ATL - A key game, and after two tough losses, I actually think this Falcons team will bounce back. But if GB can get any consistent offense, and the Falcon defense struggles late, this could be a killer loss.

NYJ@CLE - It looks like Geno Smith is done, Fitzpatrick has the job, and McCown is back for Cleveland. If Fitz plays like he did the first 5 games of the season, the Browns could finally win one.

ARI @ CAR - This really is a must-win for Carolina. Talent wise the teams are about even, I just think the Cards have more on offense.

PHI @ DAL - Here's where we find out who's for real, and who really wants to be in first place, and if Prescott can handle a top defense. I think they can. But if Prescott plays really well, do the Cowboys bring Romo back?

 

[movingtarget]

Panthers had a much needed win. Once again Newton uses a press conference to complain about the way he is treated. Maybe Palmer had more cause after being sacked eight times. Cowboys and Eagles was an entertaining game and I really thought the Eagles had it won after they skipped to a ten point lead as the Cowboys offense was getting bogged down at that point. Prescott did not have a great game but for a rookie he is still looking the goods career wise and the Eagles defended well until the game winning TD which was just a mix up.Wentz also played well but with mainly short throws he was not taking the same risks as Prescott but it worked for him. The Raiders won again and think how much better they would be without conceding so many penalties week after week . Sherman was very critical of the officials in the Hawks loss to the Saints. That result surprised me more than most of the other games.