And that is why we watch NFL football. That was a fabulous game Monday night in Nashville. Two big dog teams. Beautiful night in Nashville. Great stadium. Great crowd. Seven lead changes. Indescribable tension at the end. A goal line stand to win it.
I thought Bills’ Coach Sean McDermott made the right decision in going for it on fourth and one at the Titans’ two, down by three at 34-31 with 22 seconds left. Sure, you can kick the chip-shot FG to get to OT, but you’re on the road and injuries are piling up. Your defense has been helpless in the second half. You’re in complete control of the clock. You have a marvelously tough and athletic quarterback in Josh Allen. You’re not going to get a better chance to win the game in overtime than you do right there.
Good decision. And I’m ok with the QB sneak play call, too. Unfortunately for Buffalo, Allen slipped as he took the snap and tried to plow forward. Snuffed, mostly by Tennessee defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, who destroyed his would-be blocker. Game over.
The Bills’ defense just couldn’t get a stop in the second half, when the Titans scored on all three possessions. Ryan Tannehill was a perfect 9-9 for 103 yards in the fourth quarter, and the beastly Derrick Henry had another huge game with 143 rushing yards and three TDs.
As they say, these two AFC heavyweights could “see each other again” in January. No football fan would turn that down.
Monday Night Football will never again be the sizzling spectacle that it was in the 70s and 80s. That was just a different time. But I’m very much enjoying the current MNF announce crew of Steve Levy, Brian Griese and Louis Riddick. Nice work, always, and presented in just the right key and tone for MNF. That trio is a good watch and listen.
And then there is the cold side of the NFL. Houston to cut Whitney Mercilus? That guy is pure, and has been as dependable and faithful as anyone in Texans history. Merciless.
Lions rookie head coach Dan Campbell, engaging as he is, ought to know better than to pick a public beef with his quarterback, Jared Goff. No upside whatsoever. C’mon, Man!
The 0-6 Lions will visit Goff’s old team, the 5-1 Rams on Sunday. That will be…awkward.
My reaction to the firing of Washington State head football coach Nick Rolovich and four assistants for failing to comply with the state’s vaccine mandate? Bye. Your first job is always to protect your players. You failed. Bye.
Astros? Yeesh. They have to have it tonight. Let’s go, Greinke.
