Tonight we get what "should" be a good Thursday Night Football game for a change, Tampa Bay at Buffalo. I say should because anyone who actually watches football knows both of these teams are capable of putting up a shit show just as easy as putting up a classic. This is the Big Lights test for Baker 2.0 the Tampa edition...Has he really taken a step forward, or is he still another Number 1 who will never live up to his potential? I'm going to go with he is somewhere in the middle of the two , and combine that with this being as close to a must-win turning point in the Bills season as you can get at this point, and I'm seeing a 28-17 Buffalo victory here tonight. For my Player Props fans...Josh Allen over 1.5 Pass TD's.
Another Week , More Bad Officiating
Just when you think NFL officiating can't get any worse, another week starts and they say "Hold My Beer". Week 7 really had some of, if not the worst, calls of the 2023 season (so far). Nobody is ever going to be perfect, but the fact that so many games are being determined by these bad calls is a serious issue. I personally feel that all plays inside 2 minutes of each half should be reviewable. It's the best solution to keep these bad calls from determining the outcome of these games.
For anyone that even questions this point just look at the ending of the Rams-Steelers game this past Sunday. Kenny Pickett was at least half 1/2 a yard short, Stevie Wonder could have made that call. Yes Sean McVay could have challenged the spot if he had any timeouts left, doesn't excuse the fact the ref blatantly missing yet another call.
Human error is part of life, always has been and always will be. But it does not excuse the fact the NFL needs to demand better from their officials. Just like our employers would not stand for constant mistakes from us in our business transactions. They need to be better, Bottom Line!!
Can Jaylen Waddle stay out of the Blue Tent?
There is absolutely no question Jaylen Waddle is one of the top talents at the WR position in all the NFL. The problem is that statement is usually followed by "When he's on the field". With the amount of time Waddle spends in the blue injury evaluation tent I feel like they should name it after him. Week 7 against the Eagles it was a back injury that sent him to his second home. He did eventually return to the game, but you can't help but wonder could him being on the field the whole game have helped changed the outcome for his Dolphins team.
Some people (my partner for sure) will disagree with me here and that's ok. This is not Anti-Waddle, I happen to like and enjoy watching him play a lot. But if you don't see reason for concern with the injuries mounting up you are just turning a blind eye. The objectors to this will point to his stats and that he played 17 games last year, yeah but answer me how many times he's in and out for big periods of time. It's hard to rely on someone like that, even when you have an absolute beast in Tyreek Hill on the other side of the field dominating. Remember the greatest ability will always be availability and Waddle's is something to watch for a Dolphins team looking to take that next step in this NFL landscape.
Enjoy TNF & all of Week 8 of NFL action!!!
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