“Tales of The Week” Week 13 of the 2019 NFL Season (12-3-19)
By: Tyrone Montgomery Jr.
Headline Photo Courtesy:Michael Ainsworth- Dallas Cowboys/AP Images
The Mess of the NFC East
The NFC East may be the only division that will have a team with a losing record make the playoffs this season. After a hot 3-0 start to begin the year, the Dallas Cowboys have proved to be pretenders rather than contenders. They got Zeke back after missing a couple of games due to contract disputes. They finally decided to pay that man. They were however, unable to get a deal done with who many don’t consider their franchise QB, Dak Prescott. Dak has been pretty reliable over the years. He’s not exactly great and really not even considered a hall of fame talent, but he works hard and can win you some games. The Eagles on the other hand have been up and down all season long. It seems like they never found a rhythm this season. Sure, injuries are a part of the story. But that’s exactly what it is, just a part of it. Everyone has injuries. Coaching has been terrible and they can’t seem to get the offense fluent. Sometimes, having too much talent can hurt you. Running Backs being switched out too much can frustrate a back. Not to mention, when your playmakers are dropping passes that can cause a bit of frustration too. Whatever the case may be, I’m no prophet, but I can assure you the Super Bowl won’t be going to nobody in this division.
Nick Out, Again…
The Jaguars have been without newly signed QB Nick Foles for the majority of the season. Backup QB Gardner Minshew was terrific in his absence. Nick Foles hasn’t been the Nick we saw in Philly. However, this is a new team and a new offense so these things take time. The Jaguars decided to bench Foles for the rookie Minshew. This was a head scratching moment due to the simple fact that Foles should have never got the starting role back in the first place. If something is working for you in life, you stick with it. Have you ever heard of the saying, “Don’t fix it until it’s broken?” Gardner Minshew, a 6th round pick out of Washington State wasn’t expecting to start any games this season. He exceeded expectations and had success. With those current circumstances, you should continue to build upon that success. Even with a healthy Nick Foles, who you just gave a nice lump sum of money to, you are supposed to ride that hot hand and keep the keys to the car in your rookie’s hand. Why? Nick Foles is a filling a role in Jacksonville this season. He is simply keeping a seat warm. He’s 30 years old with a long list of injuries in his history. Gardner Minshew is clearly the future of this team. If he struggles, coaching is the one to blame here. After benching Nick Foles, you can’t expect him to have the most confidence if given the job back. This is a lost season for the Jaguars.
The Weather’s Changing in the AFC East
We’re winding down this NFL Season and playoff seeding is close to being set in stone. The only team to clinch their division thus far is the New Orleans Saints (NFC South). A lot of divisions in the league will come down to the wire but I think maybe the most interesting division race to watch is the AFC East. Okay, I know the New England Patriots have a bit of a dynasty going. But all stories come to an end. The story of Tom Brady may have reached its final chapter. Brady has been struggling over the last few weeks. In fact, the entire Patriots offense has seen better days. Now we can’t put the blame on Tom Brady. At the age of 42, he’s doing the best he can with what he has. There just isn’t enough playmakers here to support him. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills are being led by a QB that can make plays with his arm and his legs. He has a Hall of Famer RB, Frank Gore, in the backfield with him. His weapons are getting better each and every week and the line has protected him well this season. Their defense in Buffalo has also been stout as well. There is a real chance that the Bills could take this division when it’s all said and done this season. This is a preview of what’s in store for years to come. Once Terrific Tom calls it a career, the Bills will own the AFC East and it just may start this season for them too.
Titans Rolling, Without Their “Franchise QB”
If I told you Ryan Tannehill would be leading his team to the playoffs, would you believe me? Or what if I told you things just didn’t work out in the NFL for Marcus Mariota. Would you believe me then? Yes the grass has proved to be greener on the other side for Ryan Tannehill. Leaving the Dolphins, Tannehill took on a role that has proved to be perfect for him, the backup QB position. Not having any expectations are always good. The Titans weren’t really expected to be a threat with Marcus Mariota. That is why some change is good. Marcus Mariota has been on the bench for a few weeks now and things have changed in Tennessee tremendously. The Titans are on the verge of making the playoffs. Who knew that the Tennessee Titans would be in the playoff hunt? Kuddos to this team as they can turn nothing into something right before our very eyes and we all never even notice it. They’re a lot like the NBA team that’s in the same State, the Memphis Grizzlies. Both teams are scrappy teams that play hard every game. While they both don’t have the talent or even any players that are considered franchise changing, they both manage to win games. Marcus Mariota’s days starting for the Titans are over. Expect him to sign somewhere this offseason as a backup. If he can’t manage to get a backup role, the XFL is always an option. Time is ticking away for Mariota. On the other hand, the Ryan Tannehill led Titans seem like a playoff team behind a strong Derrick Henry running game.
