PMT DB
PMT DB
NFL Week 12: Rams Frauds, Big Ben Euthanized, and the Dolphins are Back
Week 12 of the NFL season was absolute chaos, and we started things off with a Sunday night game between the Ravens and Browns that was completely drunk. Between fake punts being called back for being too fast and the Browns having 12 men on the field twice in a row, it was a mess. Lamar Jackson spent the night throwing four interceptions and playing Madden-style offense where he just runs backwards until he figures something out five seconds later. But the real story in Baltimore remains the man with the golden leg.
Big CatJustin Tucker would be a first-round draft pick today
If Justin Tucker was in the draft tomorrow, he has to be first rounder. And I know that sounds crazy. Someone has to, some stat nerd has to do like a deep dive on just the amount of points that the Ravens get in terms of edge wise. The fact that they're the minute they get past the 50 yard line, it's like, alright. As long as we don't turn the ball over, it's an automatic three points.
PFT took the Justin Tucker hype a step further, suggesting the Ravens should lean into the chaos of their current identity.
PFT CommenterThe Ravens should run a triple option offense with Justin Tucker kicking everything inside 70 yards
They should set up the nastiest offensive line possible have maybe two really good running backs and then just run wild cat down the field and then kick field goals with Justin Tucker. ... just let [Tucker] kick inside 70 yards every time until he misses one.
The AFC Mess and the Colts' Collapse
The Colts are officially the most frustrating team in football. They looked like world-beaters in the first half against the Bucs, with Carson Wentz throwing three touchdowns, only to spend the second half fumbling, muffing kicks, and throwing interceptions. They have all the pieces to be a contender, but they find the most creative ways to shoot themselves in the foot.
Big CatThe Colts are the 'AFC Vikings'
The Colts are just the AFC Vikings at this point where every single game you watch it. And you're like, this team is good. They can beat anyone, but they will eventually find a way to fuck up at the worst possible time.
Despite the Colts' ability to blow games, Big Cat still thinks they might be the class of the middle-tier teams fighting for that final playoff spot.
Big CatThe Colts are the best team in the muddled AFC seven-seed race
The seven seed just muddles everything because there are like five teams, six teams that you throw in that pile that are either six and five or six and six. ... I'd actually say the [Colts] are probably the best of that group.
On the other side of that game, the Buccaneers proved why they’re the defending champs. Even with Leonard Fournette scoring four touchdowns—much to the delight of Rob Gronkowski once he finally understood the pun—the guys agreed that Gronk's health is the real barometer for this team.
PFT CommenterRob Gronkowski is the most important player on the Buccaneers' offense
I think this puts to rest the conversation of who's the most important player on that Bucs offense. I think it's Gronk. Because they can do this without AB. They still looked not great in that first half.
Belichick’s Spandex and the Steelers’ Funeral
The Patriots are absolutely rolling, and Bill Belichick showed up to the Titans game looking like he just rolled out of bed to get a breakfast sandwich. He was rocking an unzipped jacket over a tight spandex Under Armour shirt, proving that when he stops caring about his wardrobe, the rest of the league should be terrified.
Big CatThe less Bill Belichick cares about his attire, the more dangerous the Patriots are
The less [Belichick] cares about his, his dress, the better, the Patriot's dangerous. The more confident he is. And he's clearly very confident in the Patriots because they're rolling right now.
PFT CommenterThe Patriots officially win the Brady-Belichick divorce if Mac Jones wins a Super Bowl as a rookie
I think we can officially declare that the Patriots won the Tom Brady bill Belichick divorce [if Mac Jones wins a Superbowl as a rookie]. Again getting a super bowl. Incredibly non COVID year.
Meanwhile, in Cincinnati, the Bengals didn't just beat the Steelers; they ended an era. Joe Mixon ran all over Pittsburgh, and Joe Burrow looked deceptively fast while juking out All-Pros. Big Ben, on the other hand, looked like a horse with a broken leg trying to run a race. It was sad, it was ugly, and it felt very final.
Big CatBen Roethlisberger is definitively washed
This felt like a torch game, not for big Ben passing anything to Joe burrow, but more just the Steelers torch, getting snuffed out. this iteration of the Steelers, big Ben just, just kill them on the field. Just euthanize them. It was so sad to watch. He looked like a horse with a broken leg, trying to run down the stretch.
Quick Hits Around the League
The Dolphins are officially no longer a bad team. They’ve won four straight, the defense is playing lights out, and Tua is being efficient enough to keep the train on the tracks. With a favorable schedule coming up, the postseason isn't just a pipe dream anymore.
Big CatThe Dolphins could realistically finish the season 9-8 or 10-7
[The Dolphins] have the giants, the jets, and at the saints and their next three games. ... they could absolutely finish nine and eight, 10, and seven.
Cam Newton’s "I'm back" tour hit a massive wall in Miami. After a week of hype, he turned in a 5-for-21 performance that made Joey Harrington’s career look like a Hall of Fame run.
Big CatCam Newton is no longer an NFL-caliber quarterback
We thought that maybe he was back, even though we had an entire year plus of cam Newton to watch and be like, this guy isn't really a quarterback anymore. today, he had five completions. He was five for 21 for 92 yards and two picks.
The 49ers have their groove back by simply deciding to never let the other team touch the ball. They held the rock for 37 minutes against the Vikings, using Deebo Samuel as a human bowling ball. While PFT still has his Kirk Cousins reservations, he’s starting to fear the Niners.
PFT CommenterThe 49ers are the 'don't look now' team in the NFC
The Niners though, I, they are the team, I would say right now in the NFC, like if you're, if you're discounting the top three teams. they're my 'don't look now' team. Don't look now, but the 49ers, a certain play real football.
Are the Rams Frauds?
We wrapped up the recap with the Packers handling the Rams at Lambeau. The Rams won their "Super Bowl" in Week 3 against the Bucs and have essentially done nothing against good teams since. Matthew Stafford's stats against winning teams are starting to look suspicious, and Sean McVay might be too enamored with his new quarterback's arm to run his actual offense.
Big CatThe Rams are frauds and Matt Stafford is struggling against winning teams
Last game, Packers, Rams. Rams stink. they won the week three Superbowl against the Bucs. And then every team that they've played, that's good. Since then, they've lost. Like, that's just a fact. Matt Stafford is eight and 67 all time when playing against the team that finished above 500.
Big CatSean McVay has fallen too much in love with Matthew Stafford's arm
Sean McVay, first four years, he was first and play action this year. He's 23rd and play action. ... maybe Sean McVay has fallen too much in love with Matthew Stafford.
Big Cat is officially at the point where there are only two teams in the entire NFC he actually trusts to show up every single week.
Big CatThe Packers and Cardinals are the only two teams in the NFC I truly trust right now
I think the Packers are probably ... the only team in the NFC. Well maybe the Cardinals, the Packers and the Cardinals are the two teams. The NFC that I would say, I, I really trust right now.
Michigan finally beat Ohio State, the playoff machine is humming, and we’ve got a brand new song with Benny the Butcher. It’s a ball team.
