Sometimes (always) in the NFL (and life in general) you have to look past the prevailing narratives (propaganda) about a newsworthy topic, and reassess the situation for yourself through the framework of your own ethical alignment (caring about people more than money), because god knows most of the media (especially in sports) is not going to do that for you, especially when so much of sports news comes directly from the horse’s (billionaire owner/GM [Actual Horse John Elway]) mouth.
Let’s talk about trade deadline moves. They are WAY more of a thing in other sports, but they’re becoming more prevalent in the NFL. This week we’re talking about two particular moves that represent the main focus of the trade deadline: Emmanuel Sanders to the 49ers and Mohammed Sanu to the Patriots. In both instances, a player nearing the end of their ability to contribute and also nearing the end of their contract was given to a team that needs that talent in the near-term in exchange for draft capital that will, in theory, give the trading team more ability to build long-term talent.
From a competition perspective, I don’t like it. I get the delayed gratification aspect and how it works logically, but there’s something about a solid indicator that this year’s games are just for show that makes me very uncomfortable. Like, obviously not every team can be competitive each year, and for a handful of them it is clear by week 8 that they are not going anywhere, but the NFL is so steeped in hyper masculinity that admitting defeat on a season and still asking fans — and more importantly players — to stay engaged is cognitively dissonant. Elway can send a man who tangibly contributed to a super bowl win to a different city and on the same day the Broncos media apparatus will publish a listicle of 19 reasons we can still beat the Colts and 13 ways we can still make the playoffs. Fans don’t get a refund, monetarily or emotionally, when GMs have to make a move that compromises the immediate success of the team.
And then there’s the labor aspect. I don’t think Sanders or Sanu are complaining about leaving dysfunctional losing teams to play for undefeated contenders, but that’s not always how it plays out. The trade deadline is rife with opportunity for the NFL’s problem of objectifying players by using them as salary cap pawns. It’s just another reminder that the players are still very much subject to the whims of the owners, and it’s an ugly dynamic. I’m certainly not saying no player should ever be traded, but the amount of say that they don’t necessarily have is pretty upsetting. That’s why as much as I detest Antonio Brown, I’m glad for what he and Leveon Bell did to the Steelers.
It’s probably not healthy to deny institutionally that a season is functionally over, and I can’t say that I blame teams for looking for ways to set themselves up for success, but I’ve not often seen this happen on my team, and I gotta tell you, I would rather keep players that I like and that contribute on the team than strip it to bare bones in exchange for 19 more draft picks for Elway to fuck up and never get fired for because he’s the God of Colorado and he doesn’t have a boss. I’m fine with Sanders leaving and I would be happy to get rid of Derek Wolf but if we sent off Chris Harris or god forbid Von Miller, I would be legitimately angry. There’s a tendency in the NFL to criticize fair-weather fans, but I think there’s a difference between that and finding that when owners treat players as disposable, liquidatable assets rather than people, it’s harder to feel attached to the team. Oh god, this is what fans of generationally bad teams feel like all the time, isn’t it?
Chiefs over Broncos
Losing to the Chiefs was kind of expected (even though I picked the Broncos). But I you told me that the Broncos would have the ball down by 7 in the second quarter with Patrick Mahomes out for the game, and that they would be outscored from that point 17-0, that would be distressing. It’s time for Drew Lock as soon as he’s healthy enough, and I hope Vic Fangio knows it. And I’m glad he said he understands the booing, because as much as I hate seeing my team booed at home, at this point nobody but Von Miller and Chris Harris and probably Justin Simmons have earned the unquestioning respect of fans.
Packers over Raiders
Such a fun game! I feel like my prediction was still a good one, because the Raiders were gonna be up 17-14 going into halftime if Derek Carr doesn’t do the fumble-touchback reaching for the goalline for the second time in his career. Next time he saw the ball the Raiders were down by 18 points halfway through the 3rd. Aaron Rodgers officially enters the MVP race.
49ers over Potatoes
I love me a good Mud Game, but the conditions at the stadium in Washington have taken players out before and that is just gross. So was Jimmy Garoppolo, but it didn’t matter because there was never any chance that the Potatoes were gonna score.
Cardinals over Giants
I don’t really have much to say except “I told you so.”
Bills over Dolphins
This is what Josh Allen does: just enough to usually overcome his own mistakes. And this is what Ryan Fitzpatrick does: Just enough to make you feel like the Dolphins are trying.
Jaguars over Bengals
The Jags have played slightly better than their record, so I guess good for them for actually getting a win? But the Bengals barely count. Has there ever been more of a lame duck QB than Andy Dalton?
Rams over Falcons
Usually I don’t give style points but the Rams seemed to exorcise some demons this week. They need Todd Gurley to be the guy he was in Atlanta for the rest of the season. Meanwhile Matt Ryan was seen in a walking boot after the game, so if it’s Matt Schaub time we can pen in the Falcons for some losses they were already pencilled into.
Colts over Texans
Damn me for underestimating the Colts defense again, and damn Will Fuller for getting injured and tanking my fantasy season.
Vikings over Lions
Poor Lions. Not sure what more they could have been expected to do over this first half of the season. They are by far the best team that is already functionally eliminated. Poor, poor Lions… Except Matt Patricia, I will gladly pee on that man’s grave.
Titans over Chargers
No. Nope. I refuse to analyze this. Go watch the “highlights.”
Ravens over Seahawks
Deadlocked late into the 3rd quarter after Marcus Peters pick-6’d Russell Wilson’s first INT of the year, becoming the first player on record to have an INT for two different teams in back to back weeks. Then Lamar Jackson said yes when Harbaugh asked if he wanted to go for a 4th down, Jackson ran in 8 yards into he end zone and the rest is history. Not that worried for the Seahawks, more impressed by the Ravens. Now do it again against Bill Belichick.
Saints over Bears
The Saints broke the Bears. Even with an early kickoff return TD and the season’s first two onside kick recoveries, Chicago couldn’t pretend to hang in a game where they were favored and playing a backup QB.
Cowboys over Eagles
Can we just stop having this division, please?
Patriots over Jets
Stop making a big deal of the “seeing ghosts” thing. Every QB feels that way sometimes (Brady at Mile High) this just was when it was caught on tape being said by a young guy during a shutout loss.
Underdogs: 2-4 (12-16)
Locks: 3-1 (23-8-1)
Survivor: 5-2 BAL, NE, GB, LAC, KC, CAR, SEA,
Don Shula Award Candidates: NE, SF
Matt Millen Sashi Brown Award Candidates: CIN, MIA
Title Belt: NE defended from NYJ (8 week reign)
Dangersquirrel vs the NFL 