"The Stack" 9-28-20

The Stack is back on this Monday and we are in for a treat tonight with MNF. Chiefs at Ravens. Hall-of-famer Patrick Mahomes against Lamar Jackson. It should be great. We’ll get to that game later on. Sunday saw another day of epic games and performances and another Atlanta Falcons collapse. Time to react and recap what went down in week 3 in the NFL in “the stack” for today, Monday, September 28th:

Steelers 28 Texans 21

The Houston Texans were looking good early on. Deshaun Watson and the offense jumped out on the Steelers racing out to a 14-3 lead, but the Steelers battled back. The second half, particularly the fourth quarter was especially brutal for the Texans. They had the ball just for over three minutes in the fourth quarter. Watson threw a bad pick across his body and the Steelers wound up winning. Tough start to the season for the Texans.

Bengals 23 Eagles 23

If the Cincinnati Bengals want quarterback Joe Burrow to last a full season, they need to protect him better. Eight sacks is unacceptable. The Bengals had multiple chances to put this game away, but failed to score touchdowns on a couple of occasions in the red zone. That allowed Carson Wentz, who had another bad game, to help lead the Eagles on a game-tying touchdown drive in which he ran in from seven yards out to force overtime. This is where all of Philadelphia has to be up in arms as it appeared that the Eagles weren’t trying to win the game. They had to settle for a long 59-yard field goal for Jake Elliott with 19 seconds left, but a false start pushed it back to 64 yards. Rather than try it, head coach Doug Pederson punted it and the game would end in a tie. These two teams tied in 2008. The Eagles look embarrassing thus far.

49ers 36 Giants 9

Speaking of embarrassing, that describes the New York Giants on Sunday. Playing the wounded 49ers, quarterback Daniel Jones and the Giants turned the ball over and couldn’t stay on the field while the 49ers had their way with them behind a balanced attack. The Giants looked like crap without Saquon Barkley or Sterling Shepherd. Barkley is done for the year so they better try and figure things out without him and in a hurry.

Patriots 36 Raiders 20

The New England Patriots dedicated this game to running back James White who once again did not play following the tragic car crash last week that claimed his father’s life (I have not heard how his mother is doing or if she passed away). The way they ran the ball on Sunday it sure showed. They ran for over 200 yards against the Raiders. Rex Burkhead had two rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdowns as the Patriots handed the Raiders their first loss of the season.

Titans 31 Vikings 30

So those early season struggles for Tennessee Titans kicker Stephen Gostkowski appear to be over. Gostkowski went 6-for-6 on field goals on Sunday including three of them from over 50 yards including the game winner from 55 yards out. Minnesota looked good for much of the game, but once again their defense failed them as did Kirk Cousins and specifically the offensive line when they needed them the most. And they wasted a fantastic outing by running back Dalvin Cook (181 yards rushing) and a “welcome to the NFL” game by rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson who had 7 catches for 175 yards and a touchdown. The Vikings made history by becoming the first team in NFL history to have a running back and wide receiver each have 175 yards or more in the same game. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to get the W. #TankForTrevor #LoseForLawrence #FailForFields #TryForTrey

Browns 34 Washington 20

For the first time in 90 weeks, the Cleveland Browns are over .500. Behind a big game by running back Nick Chubb (over 100 yards and two touchdowns) and a couple of big defensive plays in the fourth quarter after they saw Washington take the lead, the Browns are showing some promise…maybe.

Bills 35 Rams 32

What an absolutely bananas game this was. Buffalo was rolling over the L.A. Rams, up 28-3 early in the third quarter thanks in large part to quarterback Josh Allen. But then the Bills got sloppy and started to take their foot off the gas. Aaron Donald was a beast sacking Allen multiple times and Jared Goff started hooking up with Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. Darrell Henderson also ran well for the Rams who eventually had the lead. But on the Bills final drive, they converted a 3rd and 22 deep in their own territory and got a pass interference penalty (questionable to some) on fourth down that gave them first and goal with seconds to go. Allen found tight end Tyler Kroft and the Bills would win the game to stay undefeated and hand the Rams their first loss of the season. What a crazy game!

Bears 30 Falcons 26

Oh Atlanta. Once again, the Falcons had a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter (16 this week) only to fall flat on their faces once again (at least there was no onside kick this week). The offense couldn’t move the ball and the defense fell apart thanks in part to the Chicago Bears switching QBs. Nick Foles came in for Trubisky and led the Bears to the comeback win. It appears the Bears have a quarterback controversy on their hands. Expect Foles to start this week. Falcons fans, you doing okay? Atlanta, what are you doing?

Panthers 21 Chargers 16

Well this was a bit of a surprise. Given that Carolina didn’t have running back Christian McCaffrey, you would have thought that their offense wouldn’t have gotten much going against a good Chargers defense. Wrong. The Panthers played pretty well against the L.A. Chargers and Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert didn’t play nearly as well as he did against the Chiefs the week before. They had a chance to win at the end, but couldn’t quite complete the comeback. That’s a very difficult loss for the Chargers and good win for the Panthers who get their first win in the Matt Rhule era.

Colts 36 Jets 7

The J-E-T-S STINK, STINK STINK! They are beyond stinky at this point. To give you an idea how bad it was on Sunday, the Colts defense outscored the Jets 16-7 (two pick sixes and a safety). That’s beyond terrible. And the Jets play this week on TNF. Oh boy!

Seahawks 38 Cowboys 31

What an entertaining game this was. Seattle wide receiver DK Metcalf could have been the goat in this game because he didn’t hustle into the endzone in the first quarter on what would have been a touchdown. Oh and Russell Wilson is very good. Another four touchdowns yesterday. Dak Prescott was also good. He threw for 472 yards and the Cowboys came back from another double-digit deficit to take the lead. Unfortunately for them, they couldn’t hang on and the Seahawks emerged victorious.

Buccaneers 28 Broncos 10

So when you go against a depleted Denver team in the Mile High City, apparently Tom Brady is pretty good. He got Gronk involved and Brady threw three touchdowns in the easy victory. The Buccaneers defense was especially good, but again, given the injuries that the Broncos have, it was going to be difficult. They are looking like a really difficult team to play.

Lions 26 Cardinals 23

Um, so what was that Arizona? Kyler Murray threw three interceptions and the team did not look like the team we saw the first two weeks. Credit the Lions for not folding, but if the Cardinals end up missing the playoffs or the division by a game, they can look at this one and all of the missed opportunities and poor play as the reason why.

Packers 37 Saints 30

No Davante Adams? No problem for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Allen Lazard had six catches for 146 yards and a touchdown and the Packers enjoyed playing in a nearly empty Superdome. Like with week one at U.S. Bank Stadium, Rodgers didn’t have to worry about the crowd noise and that helped in picking apart the Saints defense. Alvin Kamara did his best to help lead the Saints to victory, but ultimately came up short. A fumble by Taysom Hill in the fourth quarter with the game tied really turned the tide in the Packers favor. That’s a play he would like to have back.

2-0Kansas City Chiefs @ 2-0 Baltimore Ravens 8:15 PM ET ESPN MNF

This is the game of the year so far. Patrick Mahomes against Lamar Jackson. Two of the highest scoring offenses in the league. It ultimately could come down to defense and the Ravens have the better defense. I really need a big day from Clyde Edwards-Helaire fantasy wise and the Chiefs are going to need a big game from him against that great run defense of the Ravens. It’s hopefully going to be a back-and-forth close game. Jackson is not going to lose to the Chiefs for a third time in his short career, at least not tonight.

Prediction: Ravens 34 Chiefs 27

*BONUS PICK*

Stanley Cup Final (Game 6)

Dallas Stars VS Tampa Bay Lightning 8 PM ET NBC (Lightning lead series 3-2)

The Stars beat the Lightning in double overtime on Saturday. The two teams have played in back-to-back overtime games so it will be interesting to see how each team’s legs are. It’s a shame that this has to go against the great MNF game tonight. Definitely a night flip back and forth on. I see the Lightning emerging victorious and lifting Lord Stanley’s Cup.

Predicted winner: Lightning 4-2

Coming up Tuesday: MNF reaction, Stanley Cup Final reaction, college football reaction and the first part of our baseball playoff preview