NFL Week 12 thread -- As sweet as a Kolber kiss

The Ravens do not have their outbreak under control. Tight end Mark Andrews tested positive for COVID. Andrews has type 1 Diabetes, so he is at high risk. They also placed outside linebacker Matt Judon on the COVID list. I'm guessing that is for close contact, not a positive test, but Tuesday night is going to look like Week 4 of the preseason if the league goes ahead with it.

My first concern from all this is for Andrews. Hopefully, his case is mild.

Secondly, I wonder if the league is going to pull the plug. I know they are going ahead with the Broncos' debacle, but do they really want a farce on national television Tuesday night?

 

bring in scabs. There’s XFL players looking a job. Pick players off other teams practice squads. NFL and networks want the programming and revenue. People want to see the games. There’s no incentive to cancel a single game. Even if a player dies it’ll be written off as a contributing factor not a primary cause, without regard to facts or science.

the games will go on.

Bread and Circuses

 

On back-to-back plays at the start of the second half, Panthers DB Jeremy Chinn had two fumble return touchdowns. Panthers went from down 10-7 at halftime to up 21-10 a minute into the third quarter without running an offensive play.

 

The Broncos wanted their quality control coach to play quarterback this week, but the NFL said no. The Broncos also wanted to move the game to Monday or Tuesday and the NFL said no. As I noted earlier, that is some straight up bullshit considering the league has bent over backward to allow the Patriots and Ravens time to get their starting QBs off the COVID list.

Sources: Broncos' bid to start coach at QB nixed

 

I kind of wonder what the deal is there, too, with the uneven treatment. From that ESPN article, it seems like there was a violation of the league protocol - they were (allegedly) clustered together without wearing masks. Is that different than past weeks, and thus, the Broncos have to play today with a WR turned QB? The Broncos are 4-6, which isn't a great record, but it also isn't Jets-level, already eliminated from playoff contention either.

 

I'd rather stick red-hot knitting needles in my ears than listen to Chris Spielman for one more nano-second.

 

I'm sad the broncos aren't on TV where I live. Because damn it I want to see it

 

The Cardinals sure looked fraudulent today. Their 20-17 loss to the Patriots was a game were every single point was the result of an opposition fuckup.

 

Maybe if they’d followed league guidelines, they’d have gotten a break on that. As it is, they’re gonna get docked at least 1 draft pick, maybe 2.

 

RedZone

 

The Ravens had a violation of protocol, too. Of course, one big difference is the Ravens are still having players test positive. I believe Driskell is still the only positive test for the Broncos.

Of course, COVID's impact beyond football is far more important, but it is also having a huge impact on this weekend's games. For example, I didn't get to see Titans-Colts, but the score and Henry's big day jumped out at me. Then I realized the Colts were missing guys up front on defense, including Buckner, who is on the COVID list.

As of now, Ravens-Steelers is still on for Tuesday night despite both teams having COVID issues. That has the potential to be a mess. The Ravens have a decent option at quarterback with Robert Griffin III, but the absences elsewhere are far worse than what is happening with the Broncos. The Steelers also have five players on the COVID list, four from this week and one who was already on it. What isn't clear is how many guys tested positive. So far, James Conner is the only player with a confirmed positive test.

That will become a big factor next week, when both the Ravens and Steelers will have to play on a short rest. Oddly enough, only Baltimore is getting an extra day, with their game against the Cowboys moving to Monday, Dec. 7. That could still be a shit show with so many Ravens likely to still be in quarantine. Pittsburgh plays Washington Dec. 6. The Steelers returned to practice Sunday. The most important news in the link below was that they had no new positive tests Sunday. Not that this is the biggest concern, but I doubt they remain undefeated over the next two games.

Heyward: Steelers to keep rolling with virus woes