NFL Week 16 -- The Legend of the Christmas Raven

I think the Ravens-49ers game is the first in the regular season since December of 2008 in which both teams will bring 11 or more wins to the table.

 

Yes, but you have to pay extra for that.

 

The L.A. Chargers' A-V kids are still bringing it:

 

I see the Twitter problem is back.

 

Steelers WR George Pickens on not blocking on run play Saturday: 'I didn't want to get injured'

Does anybody want a wide receiver with a star's talent and a toddler's maturity and selfishness?

I don't even blame George Pickens at this point. Mike Tomlin has been putting up with this crap from him from day one. He refuses to hold him accountable. For those who didn't notice, when Trubisky threw an interception Saturday, Pickens ran the other way, away from the defender with the ball. Also, on a run by Jaylen Warren toward Pickens, the receiver just stood there, allowing the corner in front of him to get a big hit on his teammate. Even worse, he admitted he wouldn't hold a block for a teammate for fear of getting hurt. I liked Warren's response, stating that if the situations were reversed, he would block for Pickens.

I get that the Steelers' playoff hopes are on life support, but they aren't getting in. This is the perfect opportunity for Tomlin to show that there is accountability on the team by sitting Pickens for at least a game, but he won't do it. It ties in with the history of lack of discipline on his team. Sloppy play has been a huge part of the three-game losing streak that ruined the Steelers' season.

Maybe the Bears want to deal a second-round pick for another receiver.

 

That’s every wide receiver.

 

It really isn't, though there do seem to be quite a few of them. I don't ever remember hearing one admit they chose not to block for their teammate he could protect himself, which is what Pickens admitted.

“I was just trying to prevent the Tank Dell situation, the same thing that happened to (him),” Pickens said, referencing the Houston Texans rookie receiver who fractured his fibula while blocking earlier this month. “I didn’t want to get an injury. When you stay on the block too long, you can get ran up on very easily.”

That quote is from Mark Kaboly's editorial about the situation on The Athletic. It is a great explanation of why Tomlin refusing to take strong action is a big problem. He doesn't call for Tomlin to be fired, but points out how he seems to have lost his willingness to discipline players when they step out of line.

 

Week 16 and only four NFC teams with winning records.

Who wants to watch teams with losing records in the playoffs?

 

I see Rams and 49ers wrs blocking all the time. Kyren Williams' success is predicated on wr blocking, and Rams wrs do it well.

 

The Steelers used to stress it. Hines Ward was as good at it as any receiver I've seen. JuJu Smith-Schuster is a strong blocker. Hell, even Antonio Brown would block. I've seen Pickens light guys up when he wants to, but man, that effort and comment combined for a very bad look.