Dr. Midnight’s Musings

Ravens 19 Lions 17 No words. Just watch the kick: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6F-GrjyFGKA Unbelievable. (All credit goes to the NFL and CBS.)

 Ravens 36 Chiefs 35 We did it!  We finally beat the Chiefs! I was so pessimistic all day long and for nearly all of the game.  For the past three years, Patrick Mahomes has undeniably been the NFL’s premier quarterback, winning MVP honors before leading his once-forlorn franchise to a Super Bowl victory as well as another appearance.  And in each of his first three years, he owned Lamar Jackson and the Ravens.  The Ravens looked on in envy as the Chiefs wound up the Super Bowl, while the Ravens looked on in envy. Entering this game, the Ravens were badly banged-up, with 15 players on injured reserve.  The game started off hellishly for us.  Lamar overthrew Hollywood Brown on what should have been an easy touchdown, then threw a pick-six to Tyrann Mathieu.  But then the two teams swap scores, and Kansas City leads 21-17 at halftime. The Chiefs get the ball to open the second half, and score without resistance.  28-17.  But then then Lama...

 Raiders 33 Ravens 27 OT Pain.  That’s all I have to say. Even with all the injuries the Ravens suffered, I still expected the Ravens to beat the mediocre-at-best Raiders.  At the outset, the Ravens were largely bottling up Derek Carr and the Raider offense.   Running back Ty’Son Williams, in his first game at running back, scored a touchdown on 4th and 1, and Lamar threw a touchdown to Marquise Brown.  14-0.  But then the Raiders put up 10 straight points to make it 14-10 at halftime.  The Raven defense continued to play well in the second half, even snuffing out a 4th and 1 run. The score is 17-10 going into the 4th quarter.  The Ravens have the ball, looking to pad their lead, but then Lamar fumbles on a scramble and Vegas scores the tying touchdown with no resistance.  17-17, but then Lamar redeems himself with a deep ball to Sammy Watkins, followed by a Latavius Murray touchdown run. 24-17, and I was ecstatic, but then the Raiders march ...

 At long last, the NFL will soon be upon us!  After a season’s worth of uncertainty last year, this season should feel more like normal, with fans returning to stadiums.  Furthermore, a 17th game has been added to the schedule.  Last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by Tom Brady, shredded Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, becoming the first team to play and win a Super Bowl on home soil.  Although there is much hype over a Chiefs-Bucs rematch in Super Bowl LVI, there are many other strong contenders, especially in the AFC. National Football Conference EAST: 1. Dallas Cowboys (10-7) Overrated as usual, but still the best team in this putrid division. 2. Washington Football Team (7-10) Last year, the Team with No Name won a surprising division title at 7-9.  Their defense may still be good again, but don’t expect another playoff berth. 3. Philadelphia Eagles (6-11) Jalen Hurts gives this team some hope. 4. New York Giants (4-13) Too many question marks on ...