NFL Injuries!
NFL players had a rough week 8. Players were dropping like flies in the gridiron. For starters, Matt Forte suffered an MCL injury that’s gonna put him out for a couple games, but thankfully not for the season. Le’Veon Bell had no such luck, who badly tore his MCL, putting him out for the season. The Steelers had a fully healthy team with Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell for about half a game. Good luck clinching a playoff spot now Steelers fans. Ravens fans, I’m sorry to say this, but Steve Smith is out for the season with a torn achilles tendon. The Ravens just lost their chance at a 500 record (8-8), if they even had any chance, with the loss of their best player on the team. This is the second big loss for the Ravens, after Terrell Suggs went out with a torn bicep.
In other injury news, running back Reggie Bush on the San Francisco 49ers tore his ACL. Bush, once one of the most dynamic back in the league, is now facing a season ending injury. Ricardo Lockette, Seattle wide receiver, suffered a concussion and torn ligaments in his neck. Thankfully, he has full control of all of his limbs but he will be out for the rest of the season.
These injuries are just some of the many season ending injuries that occurred, and they all raise an important question: Does the NFL need to make the game safer? This week was one of the worst weeks for NFL players of all time, but Roger Goodell needs to address this issue before this situation gets out of hand
In other injury news, running back Reggie Bush on the San Francisco 49ers tore his ACL. Bush, once one of the most dynamic back in the league, is now facing a season ending injury. Ricardo Lockette, Seattle wide receiver, suffered a concussion and torn ligaments in his neck. Thankfully, he has full control of all of his limbs but he will be out for the rest of the season.
These injuries are just some of the many season ending injuries that occurred, and they all raise an important question: Does the NFL need to make the game safer? This week was one of the worst weeks for NFL players of all time, but Roger Goodell needs to address this issue before this situation gets out of hand
The Shaan Report
By: Shaan Goel
Football has taken many twists and turns entering week seven, including finding the star in many rookies. One of the biggest fantasy upsets is Dez Bryant, who broke his foot in the Cowboys win against the Giants week one, 27-26. Dez is supposed to return by week 8 at the latest. Also Buccaneer coaches are debating whether they drafted the right QB or not in Jameis Winston, who has thrown two pick sixes this year, seven interceptions in total, and has only put up six touchdowns. Running Back Le’Veon Bell put up monster numbers after his two week suspension, rushing for 129 yards, receiving for 21 yards, and scoring a touchdown in week four against the Ravens. As of now, the Ravens have gotten off to a disappointing start with a record of 1-5, no team has ever reached the Super-bowl after losing their first three games, let alone five of their first six. Don’t expect a playoff run from the Ravens this year. As for the Redskins… they weren’t off to a bad start, but now they fall to 2-4. As a Ravens fan, I would much rather have the Redskins record, who still do have a bid for a wildcard spot, but that’s how the cookie crumbles.
If you play fantasy football, prepare for a long road ahead. Surprise players that no one has ever heard of before have taken some of the top ranks in fantasy football, such as Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, who has the number one power ranking among all running backs, rushing for three touchdowns in two consecutive games. Look out for those second or third string players to shine this year. Also, if you like local players, Justin Forsett went from average in the beginning of the season to a force to be reckoned with. As told by ESPN, Forsett got back on track in his last game, rushing for more against the Pittsburgh Steelers (150 yards) than he did in his first three games (124 yards).
Wide receivers have stayed remotely the same as last season, Julio Jones leading the charge and Antonio Brown starting strong, but is average now. However, Larry Fitzgerald has had the best start to this season then he has had his entire career, which is a 12 year span. Antonio Brown has been tanking after the loss of Ben Roethlisberger, because let’s face it Steelers fans, Mike Vick can’t throw the ball for his life. Vick relies too much on his running game and he usually throw short passes rather than decent passes for an instant 15-20 yard gain. Also, Vick relies on his receivers to make plays, such as when Martavis Bryant zig-zagged through players for an 88 yard touchdown after a short pass. Hold on to Brown, however, because when Big Ben gets back, the Antonio Brown that everyone was expecting this season will be back. If you’re looking for a solid defense, the Broncos and Jets are your go-to guys. They both pack a punch on their defensive line and their secondary is a “no fly zone”.
START OR SIT: Expect the unexpected coming into week seven, but some players are just not working. For starters, Antonio Brown, fantasy king last year, is not producing with Vick at the helm. I would still start him because of his explosiveness when he gets the ball, but at most he will be a FLEX on my team. Dion Lewis, running back for the Patriots, is losing his starting job to LeGarrette Blount, only putting up 21 rushing yards against the Colts. For me, he is a sit. Finally, the ever popular Andrew Luck. He was sucking drastically before his injury, but after a strong performance against the rugged Patriots defense, putting up 312 passing yards with three touchdowns, I am looking to start him in coming weeks. Maybe his shoulder injury fixed his arm, like in the movie Little Big League. Anyways, Luck is ready to play this season.
GOOD WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS: The waiver wire is packed with opportunity entering week seven. For starters, Gary Barnidge, the TE on the Browns, has had a spectacular season, scoring in four consecutive games. Barnidge is a solid TE or FLEX for your teams. Also, running back LeGarrette Blount is slowly overtaking Dion Lewis’s starting job, scoring four times in the past three games after a one game suspension in the beginning of the season. He is looking like a sure RB2 or FLEX entering week seven, if you choose to pick him up. Another good RB is Todd Gurley, who rushed for over 140 yards in two consecutive games against the tough Arizona and Green Bay defenses. Coming off a bye, Gurley is set to explode against the shaky Browns defense. Be sure to put your bid in for Gurley, putting him in at RB1 or RB2 in coming weeks.
That’s all from me today, so until next time, try not to embarrass yourself.
If you play fantasy football, prepare for a long road ahead. Surprise players that no one has ever heard of before have taken some of the top ranks in fantasy football, such as Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, who has the number one power ranking among all running backs, rushing for three touchdowns in two consecutive games. Look out for those second or third string players to shine this year. Also, if you like local players, Justin Forsett went from average in the beginning of the season to a force to be reckoned with. As told by ESPN, Forsett got back on track in his last game, rushing for more against the Pittsburgh Steelers (150 yards) than he did in his first three games (124 yards).
Wide receivers have stayed remotely the same as last season, Julio Jones leading the charge and Antonio Brown starting strong, but is average now. However, Larry Fitzgerald has had the best start to this season then he has had his entire career, which is a 12 year span. Antonio Brown has been tanking after the loss of Ben Roethlisberger, because let’s face it Steelers fans, Mike Vick can’t throw the ball for his life. Vick relies too much on his running game and he usually throw short passes rather than decent passes for an instant 15-20 yard gain. Also, Vick relies on his receivers to make plays, such as when Martavis Bryant zig-zagged through players for an 88 yard touchdown after a short pass. Hold on to Brown, however, because when Big Ben gets back, the Antonio Brown that everyone was expecting this season will be back. If you’re looking for a solid defense, the Broncos and Jets are your go-to guys. They both pack a punch on their defensive line and their secondary is a “no fly zone”.
START OR SIT: Expect the unexpected coming into week seven, but some players are just not working. For starters, Antonio Brown, fantasy king last year, is not producing with Vick at the helm. I would still start him because of his explosiveness when he gets the ball, but at most he will be a FLEX on my team. Dion Lewis, running back for the Patriots, is losing his starting job to LeGarrette Blount, only putting up 21 rushing yards against the Colts. For me, he is a sit. Finally, the ever popular Andrew Luck. He was sucking drastically before his injury, but after a strong performance against the rugged Patriots defense, putting up 312 passing yards with three touchdowns, I am looking to start him in coming weeks. Maybe his shoulder injury fixed his arm, like in the movie Little Big League. Anyways, Luck is ready to play this season.
GOOD WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS: The waiver wire is packed with opportunity entering week seven. For starters, Gary Barnidge, the TE on the Browns, has had a spectacular season, scoring in four consecutive games. Barnidge is a solid TE or FLEX for your teams. Also, running back LeGarrette Blount is slowly overtaking Dion Lewis’s starting job, scoring four times in the past three games after a one game suspension in the beginning of the season. He is looking like a sure RB2 or FLEX entering week seven, if you choose to pick him up. Another good RB is Todd Gurley, who rushed for over 140 yards in two consecutive games against the tough Arizona and Green Bay defenses. Coming off a bye, Gurley is set to explode against the shaky Browns defense. Be sure to put your bid in for Gurley, putting him in at RB1 or RB2 in coming weeks.
That’s all from me today, so until next time, try not to embarrass yourself.
Players outside of Football
Shaan Goel
When you think of JJ Watt, you probably think of his bone crunching tackles, huge frame, forced fumbles, and not to mention how good of a tight end he is. Even on video games he has high stats, as a defensive end and tight end, although he was only a tight end for one snap. As great as he is on the field, the beast known as JJ Watt is surprisingly better off of the field.
JJ Watt, formerly known as Justin James Watt, has two younger brothers, both pursuing football in college, and they all grew up in Waukesha, Wisconsin. They came from a great family with working parents, but once he stepped onto the football field, his life got even better. In his first season, JJ racked up five and a half sacks and fifty six tackles, one interception, and one touchdown. He is only twenty five years old and is one of the best defensive ends in NFL history.
Off the field, JJ set up the Justin James Watt Foundation to provide after school programs for kids to become more athletic and build character while staying safe and having fun. He also raises money in enjoyable ways, like a home run derby, to help pay for kids to get active with sports.
The next time you think about JJ Watt, remember that even though he may be crushing your favorite player, he is also helping kids outside of football to stay healthy with sports.
JJ Watt, formerly known as Justin James Watt, has two younger brothers, both pursuing football in college, and they all grew up in Waukesha, Wisconsin. They came from a great family with working parents, but once he stepped onto the football field, his life got even better. In his first season, JJ racked up five and a half sacks and fifty six tackles, one interception, and one touchdown. He is only twenty five years old and is one of the best defensive ends in NFL history.
Off the field, JJ set up the Justin James Watt Foundation to provide after school programs for kids to become more athletic and build character while staying safe and having fun. He also raises money in enjoyable ways, like a home run derby, to help pay for kids to get active with sports.
The next time you think about JJ Watt, remember that even though he may be crushing your favorite player, he is also helping kids outside of football to stay healthy with sports.