My three least-favorite NFL teams are: 1) Patriots 2) Steelers 3) Raiders. Therefore, hating AB comes naturally. Brown hit the trifecta. But, now, AB will be setting records in the CFL, palling around with Johnny Manziel, another guy with first-round talent and a 7th-round brain. Or maybe he'll play in the XFL.

Remember when we had Jaelen Strong whom I assured everyone would be a great NFL receiver? He made a few outstanding plays but he basically bonged himself out of the NFL. One thing these NFL draft profiles never tell you is which players are as stupid as wearing a hot pink hoodie to commit an armed robbery.

That's true, if you stiff your workers you are an unmitigated piece of shit.

Another thing that I forgot to mention that everybody knows - the Jags are a terrible team. The Chargers are most definitely not a terrible team.

Early numbers have the Texans as a 4 pt home favorite over Carolina next week. Panthers may have something going with Kyle Allen replacing Cam Newton at QB. Allen was 19/26, 261 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs vs. Arizona today....

Texans will make it out of September with at least a .500 record - something that wasn't assured a few months ago. Last year, they lost 3 straight to start the season then got the OT victory over the Colts.

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I watched a lot of the Colts game today because I had an "interest". They are pretty danged good. Though they only won by 3 pts, I thought they were the much better team despite Matt Ryan being on fire in the 2nd half. They (the Colts) made smart decisions and had good calls from the head coach (Reich) at critical moments. Brissett did well (he looks "chunkier". Maybe it's the rib padding...). They are going to be a formidable opponent this year.

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This weeks version of the OL seemed to do better as the game progressed. In the 1st quarter, they were under assault but seemed to come around later in the game. At some point, OB has to stop tweaking and let these guys get comfortable.....

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Great to see the TE's being used. The radio guys were calling Akins + Fells the "two-headed Gronk". Eheh. They were a combined 8 catches, 122 yards, 3 TD's, very Gronk-like numbers.

Firstly, this was at least the second game in a row where a key strip sack by Whitney Mercilus was a difference maker. The early returns on his 2019 season are being overshadowed somewhat by the play of Deshaun Watson, but Mercilus has started an All-Pro campaign. Which is both somewhat amazing and somewhat obvious in the aftermath of the departure of Jadeveon Clowney: the first thought is that losing Clowney would put even more attention onto the Mercilus making it more difficult for him to perform. But the second is that Clowney's loss allows the Texans to deploy Mercilus more appropriately in the scheme.

Secondly, when I heard of the OL changes (Tytus to RT and Scharping to LG), I immediately thought it was to emphasize the run game. The Chargers maybe thought this too and were able to prioritize their run defense. Fortunately Watson adapted as the game progressed. Three (3!) touchdowns to tight ends. And Kenny Stills has been a find. Of course, it seems Coutee has become a forgotten man, and Fuller seems to be needed less... or maybe Stills is simply keeping Coutee and Fuller fresh and injury free for the long season ahead.

A road win in conference against a playoff quality opponent... and now a home game against their second backup QB in three games. Perhaps good teams make their luck. And perhaps a healthy Watson make the lucky Texans good.

Cam Newton is ruled out for this Sunday vs. Texans but not sure if that is good news or bad news given the way the backup played.

I wonder if the TE use in the Chargers win was because the Chargers decided to concentrate on the wideouts and ignore the TEs. That or their safeties just aren't as good as they used to be. Nobody covered Fells on his TD and Akins was w i d e open on his long TD catch-and-run. That would indicate the TEs were allowed to roam free without anyone covering them on the assumption the Texans would not send them far from the LOS.

The Chargers' safeties are terrible and their corners are good. For some reason the Texans recognized that and exploited the shit out of it by throwing to the TEs to more than a little success.

I wonder if they're going to throw the ball to Johnson more and try to get him in space. I can't tell whether he is criminally underutilized or if he just sucks. Hyde has been an incredibly pleasant surprise. The team's bringing in other backs to look at suggests that they have decided that Johnson isn't going to give them what they need.

But the thing I'm still marveling at from Sunday is the pass protection. If those guys give Deshaun any sort of time he will terrorize the league. I get tingly thinking about an above average offensive line.

Hey, Buford, where are you watching the games?

From my bedroom, mostly. My ride back from church seems to only make it back by halftime of the early game then I can watch Red Zone and one game broadcast thru VPN on my phone and PC. I have yet to learn if there is any place in town that is carrying the NFL. I'm afraid to walk in and see futbol on every screen. ("Football? Si, tenemos futbol!")

There are full game and condensed replays thru YouTube a few days later if one can be patient.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP4...R9-Ddfq7FK0x3g

also 10-15 minute official highlights maybe an hour after the game ends.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDV...m3S2dlz7P1GBDg

Great arguments for excellent internet and heathenism.

The Broncos are already 0-3. How much worse can it get? :p

But, seriously, for this season I'm reduced to bumming rides to-from church and I'm enjoying the after-service brunches at various eating places and learning more and more about various businesses in town.

Next spring, I will find an apartment in town and will be able to walk to-from wherever I want to go and then I can start a new strategy for MLB/NFL/NCAA watching.

I think Watson just doesn't look at the RBs. He is a pure downfield guy. Even his completions to the TEs were mostly deep up the seam. If Johnson broke off his route on a scramble and went deep he'd probably get the ball. The only time Watson throws short is when it's a predetermined 1 read play.

Either way spending a 3rd round pick for a receiving back that your QB won't use was idiotic from the front office. Not Clowney idiotic, but still under the radar awful.

Yeah, well, blame it on the GM.

How does the owner watch last month's front office incompetence and come away thinking that we should keep things exactly like they are? How do you watch BOB butcher trade after trade and keep him in control? Brutal.

It does seem as if the only time Watson throws to a RB is when it is a called play, not as a check down. IMO, that's a coaching failure. Granted, it's refreshing since so many offenses default to the checkdown too soon just to save the play but, ultimately, you kill drives if you can't convert third downs and checkdowns exist to bail out your QB and preserve the drive.