<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports: NFL Football]]></title><description><![CDATA[Honorable Mention's home for ]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/s/nfl-football</link><image><url>https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!sr_s!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc75e9fa4-7943-4ea4-b5dd-9ad19df58aab_1280x1280.png</url><title>Honorable Mention Sports: NFL Football</title><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/s/nfl-football</link></image><generator>Substack</generator><lastBuildDate>Sat, 11 Apr 2026 07:28:29 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.honorablementionsports.com/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><copyright><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><webMaster><![CDATA[honorablementionsports@substack.com]]></webMaster><itunes:owner><itunes:email><![CDATA[honorablementionsports@substack.com]]></itunes:email><itunes:name><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></itunes:name></itunes:owner><itunes:author><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></itunes:author><googleplay:owner><![CDATA[honorablementionsports@substack.com]]></googleplay:owner><googleplay:email><![CDATA[honorablementionsports@substack.com]]></googleplay:email><googleplay:author><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></googleplay:author><itunes:block><![CDATA[Yes]]></itunes:block><item><title><![CDATA[Super Bowl Prop Bet Shenanigans: From Swiftie Proposals to Gatorade Showers]]></title><description><![CDATA[Ah, the Super Bowl &#8211; where the real game is less about the pigskin and more about the pocket change you can lose on the most ridiculous bets known to mankind.]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/super-bowl-prop-bet-shenanigans-from</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/super-bowl-prop-bet-shenanigans-from</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 06 Feb 2025 16:09:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rMk5!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F00e58830-045d-4c54-8805-2674ae8a1821_1024x768.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rMk5!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F00e58830-045d-4c54-8805-2674ae8a1821_1024x768.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rMk5!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F00e58830-045d-4c54-8805-2674ae8a1821_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rMk5!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F00e58830-045d-4c54-8805-2674ae8a1821_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rMk5!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F00e58830-045d-4c54-8805-2674ae8a1821_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rMk5!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F00e58830-045d-4c54-8805-2674ae8a1821_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rMk5!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F00e58830-045d-4c54-8805-2674ae8a1821_1024x768.jpeg" width="1024" height="768" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/00e58830-045d-4c54-8805-2674ae8a1821_1024x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:768,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:272423,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rMk5!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F00e58830-045d-4c54-8805-2674ae8a1821_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rMk5!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F00e58830-045d-4c54-8805-2674ae8a1821_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rMk5!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F00e58830-045d-4c54-8805-2674ae8a1821_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!rMk5!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F00e58830-045d-4c54-8805-2674ae8a1821_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" 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y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Ah, the Super Bowl &#8211; where the real game is less about the pigskin and more about the pocket change you can lose on the most ridiculous bets known to mankind. This year, the betting world has taken a wild leap into the realm of the absurd, and I've got the scoop on what's making the bookies chuckle and the fans bewildered.</p><p>Let's start with the big one:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Will Travis Kelce propose to Taylor Swift?</strong> (Yes +5000, No -10000) Yes, you heard that right. The Super Bowl isn't just about touchdowns anymore; it's about whether or not Travis Kelce will pop the question to Ms. Swift right there on the field, in front of millions, with confetti still falling from the sky. Will it be a Super Bowl ring or an engagement ring? The Swifties are betting on both, but let's be real, if he proposes on the field, does that count as excessive celebration? I mean, the poor guy might get a flag for celebrating too hard, or worse, a fine for not sticking to football.</p></li></ul><p>Speaking of celebrations:</p><ul><li><p><strong>What color will the Gatorade be that showers the winning coach?</strong> (Orange +300, Yellow/Green +350, Blue +400, Purple +200, Red +450, Clear/Water +1000) Every year, some genius decides it's worth betting on what color the Gatorade will be when the winning coach gets drenched. This year, it's a toss-up between 'Swift's Favorite Red' or 'Last Year's Purple Surprise'. But let's be honest, if you're betting on Gatorade color, you might as well bet on what shade of blue the sky will be at halftime because, at this point, it's all just a colorful guess.</p></li></ul><p>But wait, there's more!</p><ul><li><p><strong>Will a coach cry during the National Anthem?</strong> (Yes +1500, No -5000) Yes, the emotional rollercoaster of the Super Bowl can lead to some tearful moments, and you can bet on who will be the first to lose it. Will it be the coach who's been dreaming of this moment since he was a kid, or the one who's just realized his team's defense has the consistency of Swiss cheese?</p></li></ul><p>And for the real gamblers:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Will the MVP thank God or Jesus first in their speech?</strong> (God +120, Jesus +300, Neither +500) Because, apparently, placing bets on divine gratitude is now a thing.</p></li><li><p><strong>Will Peyton Manning appear in a Super Bowl commercial?</strong> (Yes -200, No +150) Sure, why not? He's practically the unofficial mascot of the Super Bowl at this point. If you're picking Manning, you're betting on nostalgia, and if nostalgia doesn't win, well, at least you've got good memories of the Manning era.</p></li></ul><p>So, as you sit back with your wings, nachos, and a beer, remember that the real entertainment might not be on the field but in the sheer audacity of these prop bets. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just there for the halftime show, these bets are your ticket to a whole new level of Super Bowl madness. So, what's your wild prediction? Will we see a field proposal, a Gatorade rainbow, or perhaps the first ever "MVP Thanks Twitter"? Only the Super Bowl can answer that, and remember, if you bet on it, you might just end up with more laughs than losses.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[From Coordinator to Head Coach: The NFL's Version of 'Promoted to Fail']]></title><description><![CDATA[Ah, the NFL.]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/from-coordinator-to-head-coach-the</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/from-coordinator-to-head-coach-the</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 22 Jan 2025 20:54:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!B2fA!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7acb1464-9579-4a86-a4d0-f82373215505_1024x768.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!B2fA!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7acb1464-9579-4a86-a4d0-f82373215505_1024x768.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!B2fA!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7acb1464-9579-4a86-a4d0-f82373215505_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!B2fA!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7acb1464-9579-4a86-a4d0-f82373215505_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!B2fA!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7acb1464-9579-4a86-a4d0-f82373215505_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!B2fA!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7acb1464-9579-4a86-a4d0-f82373215505_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!B2fA!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7acb1464-9579-4a86-a4d0-f82373215505_1024x768.jpeg" width="1024" height="768" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/7acb1464-9579-4a86-a4d0-f82373215505_1024x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:768,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:154381,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!B2fA!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7acb1464-9579-4a86-a4d0-f82373215505_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!B2fA!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7acb1464-9579-4a86-a4d0-f82373215505_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!B2fA!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7acb1464-9579-4a86-a4d0-f82373215505_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!B2fA!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7acb1464-9579-4a86-a4d0-f82373215505_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" 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y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Ah, the NFL. A league where dreams are made, hearts are broken, and coordinators are promoted to head coaching jobs only to realize they&#8217;ve been handed a ticking time bomb. It&#8217;s like getting a promotion from assistant to the regional manager to regional manager&#8212;except instead of paper sales, you&#8217;re dealing with grown men who bench press small cars and cry when they drop a football. So, how many NFL coordinators have actually succeeded as head coaches? Let&#8217;s dive into the chaos.</p><h3><strong>Offensive Coordinators: The Golden Children</strong></h3><p>Offensive coordinators (OCs) are the NFL&#8217;s equivalent of the teacher&#8217;s pet. They&#8217;re the ones drawing up plays that make fans go, &#8220;Wow, that was cool!&#8221; and owners go, &#8220;Wow, that&#8217;ll sell tickets!&#8221; <strong>Over the past five years, former OCs have a collective winning percentage of .542</strong>, which is basically the NFL&#8217;s way of saying, &#8220;Eh, they&#8217;re doing okay.&#8221;</p><p>Take Sean McVay, for example. The man went from calling plays for the Redskins (sorry, *Commanders*) to leading the Rams to a Super Bowl win. He&#8217;s basically the NFL&#8217;s version of a Silicon Valley prodigy&#8212;young, innovative, and somehow still has hair. Then there&#8217;s Doug Pederson, who won a Super Bowl with the Eagles by calling a trick play so audacious it made everyone forget he was once a backup quarterback. (Seriously, look it up.)</p><p>But not every OC is a McVay or Pederson. Some are more like Nathaniel Hackett, who lasted less than a season with the Broncos before being fired faster than you can say, &#8220;Why did we hire the guy who rode Aaron Rodgers&#8217; coattails?&#8221;</p><h3><strong>Defensive Coordinators: The Red-Headed Stepchildren</strong></h3><p>If OCs are the golden children, defensive coordinators (DCs) are the ones who get stuck with the hand-me-downs. <strong>Their collective winning percentage as head coaches is a dismal .415, which is basically the NFL&#8217;s way of saying, &#8220;Bless their hearts.&#8221;</strong></p><p>DeMeco Ryans of the Texans is the exception, not the rule. He&#8217;s the one DC who&#8217;s actually winning games, which is like being the only person at a party who knows how to dance. Meanwhile, guys like Robert Saleh (Jets) and Dan Quinn (Falcons, Cowboys) have had moments of brilliance&#8212;Quinn even made it to a Super Bowl&#8212;but ultimately, their tenures feel like a rollercoaster that ends with everyone throwing up.</p><blockquote><p><strong>Their collective winning percentage as head coaches is a dismal .415, which is basically the NFL&#8217;s way of saying, &#8220;Bless their hearts.&#8221;</strong></p></blockquote><p>The problem with DCs is that they&#8217;re used to dealing with defense, which is all about stopping fun. But as a head coach, you have to manage the whole team, including the offense, which is where the fun happens. It&#8217;s like asking a bouncer to run a nightclub&#8212;sure, he can keep the troublemakers out, but can he pick the DJ?</p><h3>The Coordinator Curse: Why So Many Fail</h3><p>Here&#8217;s the thing: being a coordinator is like being the sous chef at a fancy restaurant. You&#8217;re great at making the sauce, but can you run the whole kitchen? Spoiler alert: probably not.</p><p>Coordinators often struggle with the broader responsibilities of being a head coach. Game management? Player development? Media pressure? It&#8217;s a lot. Imagine going from being the guy who designs the playbook to the guy who has to explain to the owner why your star quarterback just threw four interceptions in a single game. (Looking at you, Matt Nagy.)</p><p>And let&#8217;s not forget the organizational support&#8212;or lack thereof. Some coordinators get promoted to head coach only to realize they&#8217;ve been handed a roster held together by duct tape and prayers. It&#8217;s like being given the keys to a Ferrari, only to find out it&#8217;s out of gas and the brakes don&#8217;t work.</p><h3>The Big Five&#8217;s Shadow</h3><p>Only two coordinators under the &#8220;Big Five&#8221; head coaches (Belichick, Reid, Tomlin, Harbaugh, Carroll) have won a Super Bowl as head coaches: Doug Pederson and Bruce Arians. That&#8217;s like being the only two students from your high school to make it big in Hollywood. The rest? Well, let&#8217;s just say they&#8217;re still waiting for their big break.</p><p>The problem is that working under a legendary coach doesn&#8217;t always prepare you for the hot seat. It&#8217;s like being an intern for Gordon Ramsay&#8212;you might learn how to cook, but that doesn&#8217;t mean you can handle a kitchen full of screaming chefs and picky customers.</p><h3>The Future: Offense Wins, Defense&#8230; Tries</h3><p>The NFL is an offensive league now, which means OCs are in high demand. Teams want the next McVay or Kyle Shanahan, not the next defensive guru who&#8217;s going to bore everyone to death with a 17-14 final score. (Sorry, Bill Belichick.)</p><p>But here&#8217;s the thing: being a successful head coach isn&#8217;t just about Xs and Os. It&#8217;s about leadership, communication, and the ability to keep your cool when your star player tweets something controversial at 2 a.m. So, while OCs might have the edge right now, the real key to success is being the kind of coach players want to run through a wall for&#8212;or at least not roll their eyes at during team meetings.</p><h3>The NFL&#8217;s Ultimate Gamble</h3><p>Promoting a coordinator to head coach is like buying a lottery ticket. Sometimes you hit the jackpot (McVay, Pederson), and sometimes you end up with a crumpled piece of paper that says, &#8220;Better luck next time.&#8221; But hey, that&#8217;s the NFL for you&#8212;a league where the only thing more unpredictable than the games is the coaching carousel.</p><p>So, to all the coordinators out there dreaming of becoming head coaches: good luck. You&#8217;re gonna need it. And maybe a few more trick plays.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Jayden Daniels Enters the Matrix: Commanders’ Rookie QB Takes Virtual Reality to a Whole New Level ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Move over, Keanu Reeves.]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/jayden-daniels-enters-the-matrix</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/jayden-daniels-enters-the-matrix</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jan 2025 20:21:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Rwm1!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92aad08e-9cbb-484f-976e-25d1c8a91948_1024x768.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Rwm1!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92aad08e-9cbb-484f-976e-25d1c8a91948_1024x768.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Rwm1!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92aad08e-9cbb-484f-976e-25d1c8a91948_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Rwm1!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92aad08e-9cbb-484f-976e-25d1c8a91948_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Rwm1!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92aad08e-9cbb-484f-976e-25d1c8a91948_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Rwm1!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92aad08e-9cbb-484f-976e-25d1c8a91948_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Rwm1!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92aad08e-9cbb-484f-976e-25d1c8a91948_1024x768.jpeg" width="1024" height="768" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/92aad08e-9cbb-484f-976e-25d1c8a91948_1024x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:768,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:188141,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Rwm1!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92aad08e-9cbb-484f-976e-25d1c8a91948_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Rwm1!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92aad08e-9cbb-484f-976e-25d1c8a91948_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Rwm1!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92aad08e-9cbb-484f-976e-25d1c8a91948_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Rwm1!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F92aad08e-9cbb-484f-976e-25d1c8a91948_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Move over, Keanu Reeves. There&#8217;s a new Neo in town, and he&#8217;s not dodging bullets&#8212;he&#8217;s dodging blitzes. Jayden Daniels, the Washington Commanders&#8217; rookie quarterback, has taken virtual reality to a whole new level, and frankly, we&#8217;re not sure if he&#8217;s preparing for the NFL or auditioning for the next *Avatar* movie.  </p><p>According to <em>The Athletic</em>, Daniels has been using a VR simulator to practice reading defenses, making throws, and presumably figuring out how to avoid getting sacked by a 300-pound defensive lineman who looks even scarier in 3D. The technology is so advanced that it&#8217;s basically like Madden on steroids, minus the rage-quitting when you throw a pick-six.  </p><p>Now, I don&#8217;t know about you, but when I think of virtual reality, I think of awkwardly waving my arms around in a headset, trying not to knock over my coffee table. But for Daniels, it&#8217;s serious business. He&#8217;s strapping on the goggles, stepping into the virtual pocket, and dissecting defenses like he&#8217;s Tom Brady with a side hustle in tech.  </p><p>The best part? Daniels isn&#8217;t just using this to practice. He&#8217;s apparently &#8220;loving&#8221; it. Imagine being so good at your job that you get to play video games as part of your training. Meanwhile, the rest of us are over here trying to convince our bosses that scrolling through TikTok counts as &#8220;market research.&#8221;  </p><p>But let&#8217;s not pretend this is all fun and games. The pressure on Daniels is real. The Commanders are banking on him to be their franchise savior, and if this VR thing works, he might just pull it off. Of course, if it doesn&#8217;t, we&#8217;ll all look back and say, &#8220;Remember that time Jayden Daniels spent more time in the metaverse than on the field?&#8221;  </p><p>Still, you have to admire the creativity. Football is a game of inches, and if Daniels can gain even a slight edge by practicing in a virtual world, why not? Plus, it&#8217;s a lot safer than getting flattened by Aaron Donald in real life. In the VR simulator, the worst that can happen is a glitchy graphics card. On the field? Well, let&#8217;s just say NFL stands for &#8220;Not For Long&#8221; if you&#8217;re not careful.  </p><p>And let&#8217;s not overlook the potential for hilarity. Imagine Daniels in the locker room, trying to explain to his teammates why he&#8217;s been spending so much time in a digital universe. &#8220;Bro, I&#8217;m not avoiding practice&#8212;I&#8217;m *evolving*!&#8221; Meanwhile, the offensive line is just hoping he doesn&#8217;t start seeing them as pixelated avatars.  </p><p>In the end, whether this VR experiment works or not, one thing is clear: Jayden Daniels is willing to try anything to get better. And if that means strapping on a headset and pretending he&#8217;s in *The Matrix*, so be it. Just don&#8217;t be surprised if he starts dodging tackles like he&#8217;s dodging Agent Smith.  </p><p>So here&#8217;s to Jayden Daniels, the NFL&#8217;s newest tech guru. May his virtual reality be as successful as his actual reality. And if all else fails, at least he&#8217;ll have a killer highlight reel for his gaming YouTube channel.</p><div id="youtube2-EW4l8qU8Z1s" class="youtube-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;EW4l8qU8Z1s&quot;,&quot;startTime&quot;:null,&quot;endTime&quot;:null}" data-component-name="Youtube2ToDOM"><div class="youtube-inner"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/EW4l8qU8Z1s?rel=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;enablejsapi=0" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" gesture="media" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowautoplay="true" allowfullscreen="true" width="728" height="409"></iframe></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[NFL Teams (like the Raiders) Clamor for Bill Belichick While He Tries to Enjoy College Life at North Carolina]]></title><description><![CDATA[Ah, Bill Belichick.]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/nfl-teams-like-the-raiders-clamor</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/nfl-teams-like-the-raiders-clamor</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 08 Jan 2025 18:26:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zVeP!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F76c37934-85fb-431c-8b97-6498a8965948_1024x768.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zVeP!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F76c37934-85fb-431c-8b97-6498a8965948_1024x768.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zVeP!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F76c37934-85fb-431c-8b97-6498a8965948_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zVeP!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F76c37934-85fb-431c-8b97-6498a8965948_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zVeP!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F76c37934-85fb-431c-8b97-6498a8965948_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zVeP!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F76c37934-85fb-431c-8b97-6498a8965948_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zVeP!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F76c37934-85fb-431c-8b97-6498a8965948_1024x768.jpeg" width="1024" height="768" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/76c37934-85fb-431c-8b97-6498a8965948_1024x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:768,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:55256,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zVeP!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F76c37934-85fb-431c-8b97-6498a8965948_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zVeP!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F76c37934-85fb-431c-8b97-6498a8965948_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zVeP!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F76c37934-85fb-431c-8b97-6498a8965948_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zVeP!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F76c37934-85fb-431c-8b97-6498a8965948_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Ah, Bill Belichick. The hoodie-wearing, scowl-mastermind of NFL coaching greatness. The guy who&#8217;d probably rather dissect game tape than smile at a press conference. Yet here he is, trying to settle into college life at the University of North Carolina, and&#8212;surprise!&#8212;NFL teams are already sliding into his metaphorical DMs. Because who needs a honeymoon phase when you&#8217;ve got desperate pro teams on speed dial?</p><h2>Bill Belichick: The College Coach (For Now)</h2><p>In a move that nobody really saw coming (and that some probably thought was a fever dream), Belichick signed on to coach the University of North Carolina football team. Yes, that UNC&#8212;home of basketball royalty and, well, a football program that could use some of that Belichickian magic. His contract? Oh, just a casual $10 million buyout clause if he bolts before June 1, 2025. A small price for the NFL to pay for The Hoodie, right?</p><h2>NFL Teams: "Hey, Big Head"</h2><p>Apparently, NFL teams aren&#8217;t shy about shooting their shot. Leading the pack of Belichick fans? The Las Vegas Raiders, of course, led by Tom Brady. Yes, <em>that</em> Tom Brady. The man who owes Belichick at least 50% of his GOAT status. Brady thinks a reunion in Sin City sounds like a solid plan. Who wouldn&#8217;t want to pair a freshly retired QB-turned-team-owner with his grumpy football soulmate?</p><h2>Raiders' Coaching Dumpster Fire</h2><p>The Raiders just canned Antonio Pierce after a stellar 4-13 season. Because why keep a guy around when you can dream big about a six-time Super Bowl champion swooping in to save your franchise? Brady, probably sipping avocado smoothies, is reportedly pitching Belichick like it&#8217;s Shark Tank.</p><h2>Other Teams: "Wait, We Want In Too!"</h2><p>It&#8217;s not just the Raiders thirsting for Belichick. The Jets, Saints, Bears, Jaguars, and Patriots are all casually eyeing him. Yep, even the Patriots&#8212;because apparently, the breakup wasn&#8217;t <em>that</em> bad. Or maybe they just miss him mumbling through press conferences.</p><h2>The Big, Awkward Question</h2><p>Here&#8217;s the thing: Why would Belichick ditch UNC before he&#8217;s even unpacked his boxes? Sure, the NFL is tempting, but he just committed to rebuilding a college program. Does he want to deal with booster meetings and NCAA rules, or does he miss the sweet chaos of the NFL?</p><p>Whether he stays in Chapel Hill or gets dragged back to the NFL, Belichick is clearly still the prom king of coaching. Will he stick with the Tar Heels and dominate the college scene, or will he ride off into the Vegas sunset with Brady? One thing&#8217;s for sure&#8212;his poker face isn&#8217;t giving anything away.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tennessee Titans Fire GM Ran Carthon: Coach Brian Callahan Gets to Keep His Seat (For Now)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Well, folks, it&#8217;s official: the Tennessee Titans have bid farewell to General Manager Ran Carthon, a move that has "shocked absolutely no one" after a glorious 3-14 season that earned them the No.]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/tennessee-titans-fire-gm-ran-carthon</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/tennessee-titans-fire-gm-ran-carthon</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 07 Jan 2025 18:45:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1643142314162-05268472e132?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0fHx0ZW5uZXNzZWUlMjBmb290YmFsbHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MzYyNzU0OTF8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1643142314162-05268472e132?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0fHx0ZW5uZXNzZWUlMjBmb290YmFsbHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MzYyNzU0OTF8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" 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data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1643142314162-05268472e132?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0fHx0ZW5uZXNzZWUlMjBmb290YmFsbHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MzYyNzU0OTF8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:4000,&quot;width&quot;:5081,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;a view of a stadium from across the water&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="a view of a stadium from across the water" title="a view of a stadium from across the water" srcset="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1643142314162-05268472e132?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0fHx0ZW5uZXNzZWUlMjBmb290YmFsbHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MzYyNzU0OTF8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 424w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1643142314162-05268472e132?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0fHx0ZW5uZXNzZWUlMjBmb290YmFsbHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MzYyNzU0OTF8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 848w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1643142314162-05268472e132?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0fHx0ZW5uZXNzZWUlMjBmb290YmFsbHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MzYyNzU0OTF8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1272w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1643142314162-05268472e132?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0fHx0ZW5uZXNzZWUlMjBmb290YmFsbHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3MzYyNzU0OTF8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Photo by <a href="true">Crosby Hinze</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure></div><p>Well, folks, it&#8217;s official: the Tennessee Titans have bid farewell to General Manager Ran Carthon, a move that has "shocked absolutely no one" after a glorious 3-14 season that earned them the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Head Coach Brian Callahan has managed to hang onto his job&#8212;because nothing says "bright future" like giving the guy with a three-win season another shot.</p><h2>Ran Carthon&#8217;s Two-Year Odyssey: A Masterclass in Underachievement</h2><p>Ran Carthon was brought in back in January 2023, hailed as the next great front-office mind after stints with the 49ers and Rams. Fast forward two years, and the Titans are a shining beacon of mediocrity, with a combined 9-25 record. Let&#8217;s not forget the highlight reel: drafting Will Levis, who turned out to be more &#8220;meh&#8221; than Mahomes, and big-ticket acquisitions like Calvin Ridley and Tony Pollard, who were about as impactful as a mild breeze.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a reader-supported publication. </p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p>When asked about the decision, owner Amy Adams Strunk didn&#8217;t mince words: &#8220;It&#8217;s impossible to ignore that our football team hasn&#8217;t improved.&#8221; Translation: &#8220;We were bad, stayed bad, and we&#8217;re tired of being bad.&#8221;</p><h2>The Search for a New GM: Let the Guessing Game Begin</h2><p>The hunt for Carthon&#8217;s replacement is already underway, led by Chad Brinker, who must be thrilled to be tasked with cleaning up this mess. Whoever steps into the GM role will have the dubious honor of trying to fix a team that&#8217;s been circling the drain for years. At least they&#8217;ll have the No. 1 draft pick to work with&#8212;assuming, of course, they don&#8217;t somehow botch that too.</p><h2>Brian Callahan: Survivor of the Year</h2><p>Now let&#8217;s talk about Brian Callahan, the lucky guy who gets to keep his job despite a season that can only be described as &#8220;painfully bad.&#8221; Callahan joined the Titans in 2024 after a respectable stint as the Bengals&#8217; offensive coordinator, but his rookie season as head coach felt more like a prolonged hazing ritual. Three wins? Stellar.</p><p>Still, Callahan seems to have convinced the powers-that-be that he deserves another shot. Maybe it&#8217;s his charm. Maybe it&#8217;s the fact that firing him would mean admitting they made a mistake hiring him in the first place. Either way, he&#8217;s still here&#8212;for now.</p><h2>The No. 1 Draft Pick: The Titans&#8217; Golden Ticket (or Another Paperweight?)</h2><p>Here&#8217;s the good news: the Titans have the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The bad news? It&#8217;s the Titans making the pick. Will they draft a franchise quarterback? Shore up their defense? Trade the pick for a bag of magic beans? Your guess is as good as ours.</p><p>Whoever the new GM is, this decision will define their tenure. No pressure or anything.</p><p>The Titans firing Ran Carthon is like replacing a flat tire on a car with no engine: a step in the right direction, but still a long way from the finish line. With Brian Callahan sticking around and the team staring down a pivotal offseason, fans can only hope that 2025 will bring something&#8212;anything&#8212;better than what they&#8217;ve been enduring.</p><p>Until then, let&#8217;s all enjoy the drama, because if the Titans can&#8217;t entertain us on the field, at least they&#8217;re keeping it spicy off of it.</p><div id="youtube2-WZsHdR-YGUY" class="youtube-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;WZsHdR-YGUY&quot;,&quot;startTime&quot;:null,&quot;endTime&quot;:null}" data-component-name="Youtube2ToDOM"><div class="youtube-inner"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/WZsHdR-YGUY?rel=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;enablejsapi=0" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" gesture="media" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowautoplay="true" allowfullscreen="true" width="728" height="409"></iframe></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[What is wrong with the Tennessee Titans?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Are the Tennessee Titans falling short of expectations this season?]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/what-is-wrong-with-the-tennessee</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/what-is-wrong-with-the-tennessee</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 16 Oct 2024 15:19:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/150311190/0abc656ee9c354f204aa90801f88da99.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Are the Tennessee Titans falling short of expectations this season? In this video, we dive deep into what might be holding them back. From coaching decisions to roster changes, offensive struggles, and defensive weaknesses, we break down all the factors contributing to their recent setbacks. Is it the play-calling, key injuries, or the performance of their star players? Join us as we analyze the Titans&#8217; game tape, stats, and more to understand what&#8217;s gone wrong and what it will take to turn their season around. Don&#8217;t miss it &#8211; Titans fans and NFL enthusiasts, this one&#8217;s for you!</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Monday Night Madness: Saints vs. Chiefs - What Could Possibly Go Wrong?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Ah, the Monday Night Football showdown: a weekly spectacle of clashing titans, roaring fans, and at least one mysterious &#8220;fanatic&#8221; shirtless in sub-zero temps.]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/monday-night-madness-saints-vs-chiefs</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/monday-night-madness-saints-vs-chiefs</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 07 Oct 2024 22:48:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1644291833042-1361b57de761?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxuZmx8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzI4MjY5NDMzfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1644291833042-1361b57de761?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxuZmx8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzI4MjY5NDMzfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1644291833042-1361b57de761?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxuZmx8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzI4MjY5NDMzfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 424w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1644291833042-1361b57de761?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxuZmx8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzI4MjY5NDMzfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 848w, 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class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Photo by <a href="true">London Bridges</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure></div><p>Ah, the Monday Night Football showdown: a weekly spectacle of clashing titans, roaring fans, and at least one mysterious &#8220;fanatic&#8221; shirtless in sub-zero temps. This Monday, we have the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the New Orleans Saints. You know, the 4-0 Chiefs, who look like they&#8217;re fueled by a Mahomes-approved energy drink, and the 2-2 Saints, whose recent stumbles have fans wondering if they&#8217;ve accidentally tuned in to a re-run from 2008. So let&#8217;s break down what could very well be a football game &#8212; or a plot twist-filled reality show where no one quite knows the script.</p><p><strong>The Scene: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium</strong></p><p>The stage is set in Kansas City, where Chiefs fans will remind you 1,327 times that they&#8217;re the loudest in the NFL. Kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN, just in time for you to secure your favorite nacho dip and put the dog in his game-day jersey. Chiefs are favored by 5.5 points, which, in layman&#8217;s terms, means Vegas has slightly more faith in the Chiefs&#8217; ability to outscore the Saints than they do in your average superhero movie sequel.</p><p><strong>Chiefs: More than Mahomes?</strong></p><p>Kansas City&#8217;s golden child, Patrick Mahomes, is back, but not in full superstar mode. Through four games, he&#8217;s thrown six touchdowns&#8230;and five interceptions. Not ideal for a guy the city treats like a deity. He&#8217;s also without Rashee Rice for a while, so expect a lot of passes to random third cousins on the depth chart. To add insult to injury, Mahomes&#8217; famous arm seems to have become acquainted with &#8220;Checkdown Central.&#8221; His average pass? About 5.6 air yards &#8212; 32nd out of 33 quarterbacks. He&#8217;s practically tossing marshmallows, but hey, if it works&#8230;</p><p>Mahomes&#8217; favorite statistician notes that if anyone can dethrone Brady from GOAT status, it&#8217;s him. But Patrick, listen up: the greats had targets, <em>open</em> targets. For now, Mahomes will be relying on yardage after the catch, aka praying his receivers can run.</p><p><strong>Saints: The Carr Conundrum</strong></p><p>Across the field, we have Derek Carr. After lighting up the first two games like he was at Mardi Gras, he&#8217;s since quieted down, throwing one touchdown and two interceptions over the past two weeks. Carr&#8217;s looking a little less like the early MVP contender he wanted to be and more like the guy who keeps throwing away your fantasy league matchup.</p><p>But don&#8217;t count him out &#8212; he has one secret weapon: Alvin Kamara. With 7 touchdowns in four games, Kamara&#8217;s been carrying this offense on his back, which explains why Carr always looks so relaxed. Problem is, Kamara&#8217;s practically a one-man show, and every defensive coordinator in the NFL is now on to him. If the Saints want a shot, they&#8217;ll need Kamara to dance around the Chiefs&#8217; defense like it&#8217;s the Fourth of July.</p><p><strong>Can Anyone Actually Score?</strong></p><p>The over/under for this game is set at 43 points, but it feels a bit like wishful thinking. Why? Because both teams seem to have forgotten how to light up the scoreboard. The Chiefs only managed 17 points against the Chargers, and the Saints squeaked out a mere 24 in a loss to the Falcons. At this rate, we may get more points from field goals than actual touchdowns. If you love gritty defense and accidental touchdowns, this game&#8217;s for you.</p><p>But let&#8217;s talk stats. Mahomes&#8217; offense is slogging along with short passes and minimal deep shots, while the Saints&#8217; defense has been holding up like a vault, ranking second overall and first in passer rating allowed. Saints fans, there&#8217;s hope! But they may need a bit more than Carr&#8217;s 46% completion rate under pressure &#8212; a good offensive line and possibly a protective talisman.</p><p><strong>Monday Night Prediction: Bringing the Drama</strong></p><p>Let&#8217;s be real. Chiefs fans have already bought out every &#8220;W&#8221; in the alphabet section of Kansas City. But don&#8217;t underestimate the Saints! New Orleans is coming off a tough couple of losses, and if there&#8217;s anything more dangerous than a Saint on a bad day, it&#8217;s a Saint on <em>two</em> bad days.</p><p>For my official pick, I&#8217;m taking the <em>under</em> on this game. Because as much as Mahomes and Carr might want a shootout, the way their offenses have been playing, I&#8217;m betting on about 42 points max &#8212; and most of that from field goals. If you&#8217;re looking for life-altering stakes, though, bet the house on how many &#8220;Cajun&#8221; puns the announcers will drop.</p><p><strong>Final Thoughts: Is It Even Football?</strong></p><p>So, Saints vs. Chiefs on Monday night. Both teams have everything to lose and little to prove. Chiefs fans, brace yourselves for another game of short passes and &#8220;just good enough&#8221; defense. Saints fans, get ready for Kamara to work overtime, and Carr to maybe, just maybe, complete a deep pass. And for the rest of us? Let&#8217;s just pray for touchdowns &#8212; because field goals are only fun if your team <em>isn&#8217;t</em> kicking them.</p><p>Grab your popcorn, sit back, and prepare for what will probably be the weirdest game of Week 5. Or, at the very least, a potential cure for Monday&#8217;s insomnia.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[TNF: Falcons vs. Buccaneers: The Battle of the Birds and the Boat]]></title><description><![CDATA[Ah, Thursday night football&#8212;the one night of the week where you can pretend that a mediocre matchup between a team named after pirates and another named after a bird that doesn&#8217;t even fly is must-see television.]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/tnf-falcons-vs-buccaneers-the-battle</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/tnf-falcons-vs-buccaneers-the-battle</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 03 Oct 2024 14:54:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fkpL!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90548693-61f9-47b2-8a72-da00b2354c9f_900x506.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fkpL!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90548693-61f9-47b2-8a72-da00b2354c9f_900x506.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fkpL!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90548693-61f9-47b2-8a72-da00b2354c9f_900x506.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fkpL!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90548693-61f9-47b2-8a72-da00b2354c9f_900x506.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fkpL!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90548693-61f9-47b2-8a72-da00b2354c9f_900x506.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fkpL!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90548693-61f9-47b2-8a72-da00b2354c9f_900x506.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fkpL!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90548693-61f9-47b2-8a72-da00b2354c9f_900x506.jpeg" width="900" height="506" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/90548693-61f9-47b2-8a72-da00b2354c9f_900x506.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:506,&quot;width&quot;:900,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:70766,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fkpL!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90548693-61f9-47b2-8a72-da00b2354c9f_900x506.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fkpL!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90548693-61f9-47b2-8a72-da00b2354c9f_900x506.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fkpL!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90548693-61f9-47b2-8a72-da00b2354c9f_900x506.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fkpL!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F90548693-61f9-47b2-8a72-da00b2354c9f_900x506.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Ah, Thursday night football&#8212;the one night of the week where you can pretend that a mediocre matchup between a team named after pirates and another named after a bird that doesn&#8217;t even fly is must-see television. This week, the Atlanta Falcons (2-2) are squaring off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1), and if that doesn&#8217;t get your blood pumping, well, maybe try caffeine.</p><p>Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which might be the fanciest name for a place where grown men tackle each other, throw a ball, and occasionally look lost, wondering why they signed up for this level of violence. You can catch all the action on Prime Video, which means if the game is dull, at least you&#8217;re a click away from binge-watching &#8220;The Boys.&#8221;</p><p><strong>Falcons vs. Buccaneers Odds: The Math No One Understands</strong></p><p>Now, I know what you&#8217;re thinking: <em>Why are the Falcons favored by 1.5 points?</em> Well, friend, the oddsmakers are clearly using some sort of advanced calculus or maybe a dartboard, because it&#8217;s a mystery to the rest of us. The spread originally opened at Falcons -3, but then some brave souls remembered that Baker Mayfield has been playing like a quarterback who&#8217;s trying to prove his doubters wrong (and maybe impress a few Hollywood casting agents while he&#8217;s at it). So now, Falcons -1.5 it is!</p><p>For the over/under, we&#8217;ve got a cozy 44 points. This number started at 44.5, but after watching the Falcons offense, someone kindly gave us half a point back. You know, for safety.</p><p><strong>The Teams: One Bounced Back, One is Still Bouncing Around</strong></p><p>The Buccaneers are coming off a much-needed 33-16 bounce-back win against the Eagles. Baker Mayfield, bless his heart, has thrown for 984 yards and 8 touchdowns. He&#8217;s only been intercepted twice, which in Mayfield terms, is basically a standing ovation. Then there&#8217;s Bucky Irving, who&#8217;s running the ball like he&#8217;s late for a dinner reservation, averaging 5.8 yards per carry with 203 rushing yards so far.</p><p>Meanwhile, the Falcons&#8212;despite their Week 4 win over the Saints&#8212;are kind of like that friend who shows up late to every party but insists they&#8217;ve got it all together. They squeaked by with a 26-24 win last week, but Kirk Cousins has thrown 4 touchdowns <em>and</em> 4 interceptions, which suggests he&#8217;s operating on some sort of &#8220;one for you, one for me&#8221; system. Bijan Robinson is doing his part, averaging 56 rushing yards per game, but let&#8217;s just say the Falcons&#8217; offense isn&#8217;t setting any records unless we&#8217;re counting <em>least exciting ways to spend a Sunday afternoon.</em></p><p><strong>My Wildly Unqualified Predictions</strong></p><p>Look, I&#8217;m not a betting guru, but here&#8217;s what I&#8217;ve got for you. First, I like the <em>under</em> 44 points. Why? Because the Buccaneers are playing football like they&#8217;ve got a curfew. Mayfield&#8217;s passing attack is more conservative than your uncle at Thanksgiving, and the Falcons defense loves to stop plays before they get fun (also known as yards after the catch). And Cousins? He&#8217;s allergic to blitzes and thrives under no pressure&#8212;kind of like your friend who refuses to study but aces every test.</p><p>But wait, there&#8217;s more! Referee Ron Tolbert is officiating this game, and with a 43-26 record for unders since 2020, he&#8217;s basically the under&#8217;s guardian angel. I mean, who knew zebras could play defense?</p><p><strong>The Player Prop to Make You Sound Smart</strong></p><p>Here&#8217;s a sneaky one for you: YaYa Diaby over 0.25 sacks (+200). Diaby has only managed one sack this season, but don&#8217;t let that fool you. He&#8217;s been pressuring quarterbacks like they owe him money, generating 16 pressures, 8 of which came in less than three seconds. Cousins, though generally pretty good at avoiding sacks, may not be able to dodge Diaby&#8217;s lightning-fast pressure. At +200, this feels like the kind of bet that makes you look like a genius at the end of the night (or at least gives you something to brag about).</p><p><strong>Final Pick: Under 44 Points</strong></p><p>There you have it, folks. Will this be the most exciting game of the year? Probably not. But will you watch it anyway because you&#8217;re a football fan and it&#8217;s a Thursday night in October? Absolutely. Grab your snacks, settle in, and let&#8217;s hope for some entertaining moments between commercial breaks!</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a fan-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[NFL Predictions for Monday Night Football Doubleheader]]></title><description><![CDATA[Alright, NFL fanatics, buckle up your seatbelts (or football helmets, whatever you&#8217;re into) because we&#8217;ve got TWO Monday Night Football games to close out Week 3.]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/nfl-predictions-for-monday-night</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/nfl-predictions-for-monday-night</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 30 Sep 2024 16:05:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1598397846890-d4b5f0da255f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0MXx8bmZsfGVufDB8fHx8MTcyNzcxMjI1OXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1598397846890-d4b5f0da255f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0MXx8bmZsfGVufDB8fHx8MTcyNzcxMjI1OXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1598397846890-d4b5f0da255f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0MXx8bmZsfGVufDB8fHx8MTcyNzcxMjI1OXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 424w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1598397846890-d4b5f0da255f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0MXx8bmZsfGVufDB8fHx8MTcyNzcxMjI1OXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 848w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1598397846890-d4b5f0da255f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0MXx8bmZsfGVufDB8fHx8MTcyNzcxMjI1OXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1272w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1598397846890-d4b5f0da255f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0MXx8bmZsfGVufDB8fHx8MTcyNzcxMjI1OXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1598397846890-d4b5f0da255f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0MXx8bmZsfGVufDB8fHx8MTcyNzcxMjI1OXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" width="5760" height="2354" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1598397846890-d4b5f0da255f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0MXx8bmZsfGVufDB8fHx8MTcyNzcxMjI1OXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:2354,&quot;width&quot;:5760,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;white and blue stadium under blue sky during daytime&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="white and blue stadium under blue sky during daytime" title="white and blue stadium under blue sky during daytime" srcset="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1598397846890-d4b5f0da255f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0MXx8bmZsfGVufDB8fHx8MTcyNzcxMjI1OXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 424w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1598397846890-d4b5f0da255f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0MXx8bmZsfGVufDB8fHx8MTcyNzcxMjI1OXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 848w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1598397846890-d4b5f0da255f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0MXx8bmZsfGVufDB8fHx8MTcyNzcxMjI1OXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1272w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1598397846890-d4b5f0da255f?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw0MXx8bmZsfGVufDB8fHx8MTcyNzcxMjI1OXww&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Photo by <a href="true">Rafik Wahba</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure></div><p>Alright, NFL fanatics, buckle up your seatbelts (or football helmets, whatever you&#8217;re into) because we&#8217;ve got <strong>TWO</strong> Monday Night Football games to close out Week 3. That's right, it's a double-dose of pigskin action, so cancel all other plans. Did your significant other want a nice dinner? Tell them you&#8217;ve got better plans with a bunch of sweaty athletes on TV.</p><p>We&#8217;ve got you covered with NFL predictions that will make you feel like a betting wizard, Harry! Whether you&#8217;re betting on spreads, totals, or just curious if Tyreek Hill&#8217;s gonna turn on his jets again, we've got the goods. Let&#8217;s dive into these matchups like you&#8217;re leaping into a pile of nachos at halftime!</p><h3>Game 1: Tennessee Titans (0-3) vs. Miami Dolphins (1-2)</h3><p><strong>Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET</strong><br><strong>Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami</strong><br><strong>On: ESPN</strong><br>Here&#8217;s your first helping of football, and it smells like tension and desperation! The Titans have a record as disappointing as the Wi-Fi at grandma&#8217;s house (0-3), while the Dolphins, at 1-2, are like that one friend who insists they're &#8220;fine&#8221; while their life&#8217;s falling apart.</p><p>In one corner, we have Will Levis, who's committed more turnovers than your local bakery. He&#8217;s gonna try to <em>not</em> give the ball away this time, which is always a solid game plan. In the other corner, Tyler Huntley is making his Dolphins debut, probably wondering if anyone has tips for learning the playbook overnight. This should be fun, right?</p><h3>Game 2: Seattle Seahawks (3-0) vs. Detroit Lions (2-1)</h3><p><strong>Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET</strong><br><strong>Where: Ford Field, Detroit</strong><br><strong>On: ABC</strong><br>In the second helping of football madness, we've got Geno Smith and Jared Goff, two QBs who are playing so well, this could be a potential playoff preview. But we&#8217;re also living in Week 3 delusion, so let&#8217;s not get ahead of ourselves.</p><p>Geno&#8217;s been cooking (figuratively, not literally like Russell Wilson), and Goff? Well, he's slinging the pigskin like it's his last day on Earth. Get your popcorn ready because this game might actually deliver some fireworks.</p><h3>NFL Predictions for Monday Night Football</h3><p>If your gut&#8217;s telling you to place some bets tonight, listen to it (unless your gut usually leads you astray&#8212;then maybe don&#8217;t). We&#8217;ve got picks against the spread, total game predictions, and even player props that will make you the expert at your next watercooler chat. Let&#8217;s jump into it!</p><div><hr></div><h2>NFL Picks: <strong>Titans vs. Dolphins</strong></h2><h3><strong>Spread Pick:</strong> Titans +2.5</h3><p><br>Alright, here&#8217;s the deal: These two teams are about as bad at scoring points as I am at keeping houseplants alive. Both rank at the very bottom of the NFL for points per possession. You might think, &#8220;Hey, new QB Tyler Huntley will boost the Dolphins!&#8221; Spoiler alert: It&#8217;s not that simple, buddy. Huntley got signed <em>after</em> the preseason, so he&#8217;s probably still figuring out which jersey to wear.</p><p>Will Levis is like that friend who always brings chaos wherever he goes, so I get it if you're nervous. But I'm rolling with the Titans and their much better defense. They&#8217;re like that sturdy friend who you know will always help you move heavy furniture. Miami, meanwhile, is letting running backs slice through their defense like butter&#8212;giving up just 3.7 yards per carry and ranking sixth in the league.</p><p>Prediction: Titans +2.5 because their defense could probably score more than their offense at this point.</p><h3><strong>Total Pick:</strong> Under 37.5</h3><p><br>Let&#8217;s be honest&#8212;this game is the reason they gave us TWO matchups tonight. You might end up focusing more on your nachos than the game. This total started at 47 (yes, you read that right), but like a bad TikTok trend, it plummeted all the way to 37.5.</p><p>Why? Because <em>nobody</em> trusts these teams to score. Since totals this low tend to hit at a mind-blowing rate, I&#8217;m sticking with history here. This game is like a slow dance at prom&#8212;awkward, uninspiring, and over before you know it.</p><h3><strong>Player Prop:</strong> Tyreek Hill Over 4.5 Receptions</h3><p><br>It&#8217;s bananas that we&#8217;re even talking about a Tyreek Hill reception prop this low, but here we are in this bizarre football reality. The Dolphins were a disaster last week, but I believe in Tyler Huntley more than Skylar Thompson. And more importantly, I believe in Mike McDaniel&#8212;he knows how to get the ball in Tyreek&#8217;s hands. <em>Buy the dip</em>, people!</p><div><hr></div><h2>NFL Picks: <strong>Seahawks vs. Lions</strong></h2><h3><strong>Spread Pick:</strong> Lions -4</h3><p><br>Detroit is 2-1 and has a point differential of +9, despite facing some solid teams (Rams, Bucs, and Cardinals). They&#8217;ve covered the spread in both their wins, but here&#8217;s the kicker: they&#8217;ve been terrible in the red zone. The Lions only score a touchdown 38% of the time in the red zone, which is about as disappointing as a surprise Zoom call.</p><p>The Seahawks may be 3-0, but let&#8217;s not pretend they&#8217;ve been beating Super Bowl contenders. They barely survived the Patriots and Broncos&#8212;two teams that have all the firepower of a wet match. If Detroit can figure out how to score more efficiently, this could turn into a Lions party real quick.</p><h3><strong>Total Pick:</strong> Under 47</h3><p><br>Seattle has quietly put together the best defense in the NFL in terms of yards allowed per drive. Their pass rush has been relentless&#8212;pressuring quarterbacks 44% of the time. Combine that with the fact that Detroit is missing their star center, Frank Ragnow, and you&#8217;ve got yourself a recipe for a <em>primetime under</em>.</p><p>Night games have gone under 62.4% of the time since 2022, and both QBs have a knack for delivering in the under department. This feels like a classic grind-it-out game where fans will wish it was over before halftime.</p><h3><strong>Player Prop:</strong> Sam LaPorta Over 38.5 Receiving Yards</h3><p><br>With the Seahawks locking down opposing wide receivers like it&#8217;s their day job, this is LaPorta&#8217;s time to shine. The Seahawks haven&#8217;t faced a top-tier tight end yet, and while they&#8217;ve done well against WRs, they&#8217;ve been less impressive against TEs. <em>Buy in now</em> before LaPorta&#8217;s price goes up&#8212;he's about to get a lot of looks.</p><div><hr></div><p>Alright, football fans, there you have it! Now go place those bets, yell at the TV, and remember&#8212;Monday nights are for <em>football</em> (and maybe pizza).</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[NFL Player Prop Picks Week 4: Touchdowns, Overs, and Everything You Want to Root For!]]></title><description><![CDATA[NFL Prop bets are my favorite so let&#8217;s take a dive into the waters this week for a full slate of games.]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/nfl-player-prop-picks-week-4-touchdowns</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/nfl-player-prop-picks-week-4-touchdowns</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 29 Sep 2024 13:31:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1629298011291-9ca0ba51b4b3?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw1fHxuZmx8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzI3NjE2NjI4fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1629298011291-9ca0ba51b4b3?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw1fHxuZmx8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzI3NjE2NjI4fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" 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field&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="aerial view of green field" title="aerial view of green field" srcset="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1629298011291-9ca0ba51b4b3?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw1fHxuZmx8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzI3NjE2NjI4fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 424w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1629298011291-9ca0ba51b4b3?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw1fHxuZmx8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzI3NjE2NjI4fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 848w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1629298011291-9ca0ba51b4b3?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw1fHxuZmx8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzI3NjE2NjI4fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1272w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1629298011291-9ca0ba51b4b3?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw1fHxuZmx8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzI3NjE2NjI4fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.0.3&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 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href="https://unsplash.com">Unsplas</a>h</figcaption></figure></div><p>NFL Prop bets are my favorite so let&#8217;s take a dive into the waters this week for a full slate of games.</p><p>We&#8217;re talking touchdowns, rushing yards, and betting overs galore! Because let&#8217;s be honest, no one enjoys cheering for a kicker to nail a field goal from 50 yards out when we could be screaming for Braelon Allen to bust out a 60-yard run instead. Our NFL experts have assembled a buffet of tantalizing prop bets, covering seven games and featuring some of the most talked-about players in the betting and fantasy world. If you've been following the NFL this season, you'll recognize the names we're betting on: Kyren Williams, Aaron Jones, and Braelon Allen to name a few. But there's one name we&#8217;re fading hard&#8212;Anthony Richardson. Sorry, rook, but you&#8217;re facing the NFL&#8217;s top defense. Let's get into it.</p><h3>Kyren Williams, the Rams' TD Machine &#127944;&#128165;</h3><p>Kyren Williams is the Rams&#8217; answer to, &#8220;What happens when we lose our top receivers?&#8221; In case you&#8217;ve been living under a rock, Kyren Williams has taken the Rams' offense by storm, scoring 20 touchdowns in just 15 games. Yes, you read that right&#8212;20 touchdowns! It&#8217;s like he&#8217;s allergic to not scoring.</p><p>This week, the Rams face the Chicago Bears' defense, which has the consistency of wet paper. Sure, it might seem like a tough matchup, but when you&#8217;re Kyren Williams, tough defenses are just speed bumps on your way to the end zone. With Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp out, Williams is the Rams' go-to guy. I mean, who else is gonna do it? Sean McVay?</p><p>Odds of him scoring are set at -110, and frankly, this bet feels like finding money under your couch cushions. He&#8217;s got a 65% chance of scoring, so you do the math. (Actually, let&#8217;s skip the math and just cash in.)</p><p><strong>Pick:</strong> Kyren Williams Anytime TD Scorer (-110)</p><h3>Braelon Allen&#8212;Jets&#8217; Secret Weapon &#9992;&#65039;</h3><p>Everyone loves talking about Aaron Rodgers and Breece Hall, but let&#8217;s not forget about rookie Braelon Allen. This guy&#8217;s been quietly putting in work, and by work, I mean averaging 5.1 yards per carry. In his last game, he logged 55 yards on just 11 carries. Not bad for a guy still figuring out which way to run.</p><p>With Hall as the 1A, Allen&#8217;s the 1B, which is fancy talk for "he's getting the ball more." The Jets are set to face the Broncos, who have a defense that's been about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. With Allen&#8217;s rushing total sitting at a modest 33.5 yards, you&#8217;d be crazy not to hammer the over.</p><p><strong>Pick:</strong> Braelon Allen Over 33.5 Rushing Yards (-120)</p><h3>Aaron Jones&#8212;Back for Revenge &#128548;</h3><p>Revenge is a dish best served cold, and Aaron Jones is ready to serve it up in the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. After being ousted for Josh Jacobs, Jones has been tearing it up for the Vikings, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He&#8217;s rushed for over 90 yards in two of his last three games and tacked on 97 receiving yards because why not?</p><p>The Packers&#8217; defense? They&#8217;ve been trampled on by running backs like it&#8217;s a Black Friday sale. Saquon Barkley and Jonathan Taylor both put up over 100 yards against them, and now it&#8217;s Jones&#8217; turn. Add in the fact that this is a revenge game, and you&#8217;ve got a recipe for fantasy and betting glory.</p><p><strong>Pick:</strong> Aaron Jones Over 82.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards (-110)</p><h3>Andy Dalton&#8212;The Red Rifle Reloads &#127919;</h3><p>Andy Dalton is back, baby! The Red Rifle came out slinging last week, racking up 319 yards, three touchdowns, and a passer rating so high you&#8217;d think he was playing Madden on rookie mode. Bryce Young who?</p><p>Dalton completed 26 passes last week, and he&#8217;s got a solid chance to do it again this week. Why? His offensive line is basically a brick wall&#8212;they allowed just four pressures last game. If Dalton has time to make a sandwich in the pocket, he&#8217;s definitely got time to throw a bunch of completions. Lock in the over on this one and watch Dalton dink and dunk his way to victory.</p><p><strong>Pick:</strong> Andy Dalton Over 21.5 Completions (+100)</p><h3>Anthony Richardson&#8212;The Fade of the Week &#128721;</h3><p>Cue the sad trombone. Anthony Richardson&#8217;s rookie season has been&#8230; let&#8217;s just say it&#8217;s not great. He&#8217;s completing less than 50% of his passes, has thrown six interceptions, and is going up against a Steelers defense that makes quarterbacks break out in a cold sweat.</p><p>With Pittsburgh already snatching four picks this season, I&#8217;m betting they&#8217;ll add another one this week. Richardson is under constant pressure, and the Steelers' defense is probably already circling his name in their playbooks. Bet on Richardson to throw an INT and don&#8217;t look back.</p><p><strong>Pick:</strong> Anthony Richardson To Throw an INT (-135)</p><h3>Rashee Rice&#8212;The Mahomes Connection &#129309;</h3><p>Rashee Rice might just be the unsung hero of Kansas City&#8217;s offense. With a massive 29 targets this season, Rice is becoming one of Patrick Mahomes' favorite weapons, especially with the Chiefs' running game looking more like a leisurely stroll. Oh, and did I mention he&#8217;s scored in the last two games?</p><p>This week, the Chiefs face the Chargers, who are missing their star safety, Derwin James. Without him, their defense is about as effective as a pizza box in the rain. Rice is primed for another touchdown, and at +160 odds, this one&#8217;s worth a sprinkle.</p><p><strong>Pick:</strong> Rashee Rice Anytime TD Scorer (+160)</p><h3>Josh Jacobs&#8212;Mr. Consistency &#9889;</h3><p>While the Vikings' defense has been formidable, Josh Jacobs has been the epitome of volume and consistency this season. He&#8217;s cleared 84 rushing yards in two of his first three games, and the Packers&#8217; run defense isn&#8217;t exactly a steel curtain.</p><p>Sure, Minnesota&#8217;s defense has been stingy, but Jacobs should see plenty of touches. And if there&#8217;s one thing you can count on in betting, it&#8217;s that volume trumps all. Take the over on Jacobs&#8217; rushing yards and don&#8217;t sweat the matchup.</p><p><strong>Pick:</strong> Josh Jacobs Over 57.5 Rushing Yards (-110)</p><h3>Conclusion: Root for the Touchdowns and Overs! &#127881;</h3><p>Touchdowns? Check. Rushing overs? Double check. This week&#8217;s NFL player prop picks have something for every type of bettor. From Kyren Williams' touchdown machine antics to Braelon Allen&#8217;s breakout potential, there&#8217;s plenty to get excited about. Whether you&#8217;re riding the Aaron Jones revenge train or fading Anthony Richardson&#8217;s inevitable struggles, we&#8217;ve got the picks that&#8217;ll keep you glued to the action. So buckle up, place your bets, and get ready for another wild NFL Sunday!</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Thursday Night Throwdown: Can the Cowboys Corral the Giants in Prime Time?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Welcome to NFL Week 4, where the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants are set to rumble on Thursday Night Football!]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/thursday-night-throwdown-can-the</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/thursday-night-throwdown-can-the</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 26 Sep 2024 22:07:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i_LQ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ce219b6-154c-4d92-b3d7-e40e3356c523_900x506.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i_LQ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ce219b6-154c-4d92-b3d7-e40e3356c523_900x506.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i_LQ!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ce219b6-154c-4d92-b3d7-e40e3356c523_900x506.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i_LQ!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ce219b6-154c-4d92-b3d7-e40e3356c523_900x506.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i_LQ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ce219b6-154c-4d92-b3d7-e40e3356c523_900x506.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i_LQ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ce219b6-154c-4d92-b3d7-e40e3356c523_900x506.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i_LQ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ce219b6-154c-4d92-b3d7-e40e3356c523_900x506.jpeg" width="900" height="506" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/0ce219b6-154c-4d92-b3d7-e40e3356c523_900x506.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:506,&quot;width&quot;:900,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:70766,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i_LQ!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ce219b6-154c-4d92-b3d7-e40e3356c523_900x506.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i_LQ!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ce219b6-154c-4d92-b3d7-e40e3356c523_900x506.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i_LQ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ce219b6-154c-4d92-b3d7-e40e3356c523_900x506.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!i_LQ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ce219b6-154c-4d92-b3d7-e40e3356c523_900x506.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Welcome to NFL Week 4, where the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants are set to rumble on Thursday Night Football! Grab your popcorn, fire up Prime Video, and get ready for a battle of 1-2 teams fighting for a glimmer of hope in the early stages of the season. Kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. ET from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., and we can expect a lot of drama, a little chaos, and maybe even some football.</p><p><strong>A Tale of Two Teams... Or Maybe One Team, Twice?</strong></p><p>Let&#8217;s break it down. Both the Cowboys and Giants are sitting at 1-2, which, if we&#8217;re being honest, is like wearing mismatched socks&#8212;awkward, but not disastrous (yet). The Cowboys opened as 4-point favorites, but the line has since ballooned to -5.5, meaning that Vegas must really believe in the power of that star on the helmet. For the bold bettors, the Giants are +200 on the moneyline, just in case you believe Big Blue can pull off the kind of upset that will have Cowboys fans yelling at their TVs.</p><p><strong>Dallas: The Good, The Bad, and The &#8220;Is This Really Happening?&#8221;</strong></p><p>Dallas is favored, but let's not get carried away. The Cowboys are coming off two straight home losses (yes, you read that right) to the Saints and Ravens. It&#8217;s like they&#8217;ve been hosting parties, but forgot to invite victory. Yet, hope remains! Dak Prescott, the one and only, slung the ball for 379 yards and 2 touchdowns without a single interception against a tough Ravens defense. He&#8217;s showing flashes of brilliance, just a little too late to save the Cowboys in that game. So, Cowboys fans, you might be seeing the glass half full. Or you might just need a stronger drink.</p><p>Their defense, though? That&#8217;s another story. With their performance resembling a sieve more than a steel curtain, there&#8217;s a bit of worry in Cowboy country. Can they actually stop Daniel Jones and the Giants? Speaking of which&#8230;</p><p><strong>Giants: Winners, At Least for a Week</strong></p><p>The New York Giants, on the other hand, are feeling a little lighter this week. Why? Because they&#8217;ve got their first win! Cue the confetti! Daniel Jones was no slouch in their victory over the Browns, tossing for 236 yards and 2 touchdowns. But let&#8217;s be honest, the real star of the show was Malik Nabers. This guy went off with 8 catches for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns, turning into Daniel Jones&#8217; favorite target faster than you can say "Who needs a No. 1 receiver?"</p><p>However, the Giants' offense has been about as reliable as a Wi-Fi signal in the woods. They&#8217;ve shown flashes, but can they do it again under the lights against a team as talented as the Cowboys? Or will they fold like a bad poker hand?</p><p><strong>Prediction: A Prime-Time Showdown</strong></p><p>So what do we expect Thursday night? Well, according to the oddsmakers, the Cowboys are poised to get back on track, with a game total set at 45 points. But here&#8217;s the fun part&#8212;neither of these teams is exactly predictable. Dallas is as likely to score 30 points as they are to let the Giants march down the field with impunity.</p><p>If you&#8217;re hoping for fireworks, expect Dak Prescott to light it up again, but also keep an eye on Malik Nabers, who could be the under-the-radar hero the Giants need to keep this close. Will it be a barn burner or a slogfest? Either way, Thursday night promises a spectacle only the NFL can deliver, where every dropped pass and blown coverage is just another opportunity to meme your way through the evening.</p><p>So buckle up, Prime Video is about to bring us the showdown of 1-2 juggernauts, and in this season of surprises, anything is possible.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why Jaden Daniels of the Washington Commanders is the NFL Rookie of the Year After Just 3 Games (and Yes, We’re Serious)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Source: Jaden Daniels Instagram]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/why-jaden-daniels-of-the-washington</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/why-jaden-daniels-of-the-washington</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 24 Sep 2024 15:33:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IqDh!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feaf49d8c-2ed0-45cc-b129-70ef41096056_1080x1350.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IqDh!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feaf49d8c-2ed0-45cc-b129-70ef41096056_1080x1350.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IqDh!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feaf49d8c-2ed0-45cc-b129-70ef41096056_1080x1350.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IqDh!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feaf49d8c-2ed0-45cc-b129-70ef41096056_1080x1350.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IqDh!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feaf49d8c-2ed0-45cc-b129-70ef41096056_1080x1350.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IqDh!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feaf49d8c-2ed0-45cc-b129-70ef41096056_1080x1350.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IqDh!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feaf49d8c-2ed0-45cc-b129-70ef41096056_1080x1350.jpeg" width="1080" height="1350" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/eaf49d8c-2ed0-45cc-b129-70ef41096056_1080x1350.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1350,&quot;width&quot;:1080,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:190435,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IqDh!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feaf49d8c-2ed0-45cc-b129-70ef41096056_1080x1350.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IqDh!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feaf49d8c-2ed0-45cc-b129-70ef41096056_1080x1350.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IqDh!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feaf49d8c-2ed0-45cc-b129-70ef41096056_1080x1350.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IqDh!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feaf49d8c-2ed0-45cc-b129-70ef41096056_1080x1350.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Source: Jaden Daniels Instagram</p><div><hr></div><p>Ladies and gentlemen, football fanatics, and anyone who&#8217;s still trying to remember where the Washington Commanders came from (yes, they're real), let me introduce you to the <em>definitive</em> NFL Rookie of the Year&#8212;after just three games. Drumroll, please&#8230; it&#8217;s none other than Jaden Daniels!</p><p>Now, I know what you&#8217;re thinking: &#8220;Wait, isn&#8217;t this a bit premature?&#8221; To which I reply: <em>Premature?</em> This is destiny unfolding right in front of your eyes, and Daniels is the main character in this football fairytale. I mean, if we&#8217;re going to crown a Rookie of the Year, why not get it over with in September? Let&#8217;s dive into the airtight, logic-defying, reasons why Daniels already deserves that honor.</p><h3>1. <strong>He&#8217;s Got More Swagger Than Your Favorite Quarterback</strong></h3><p>You know those NFL rookies who come in looking scared, like they just wandered into the wrong movie? Not Daniels. This guy walked into the league like he&#8217;s been owning it since the day he was born. He&#8217;s got more swagger than an offensive coordinator with a six-figure playbook. His end zone celebrations are already Hall of Fame-worthy&#8212;heck, I wouldn&#8217;t be surprised if he starts his own signature dance by Week 5. You ever see Tom Brady do the "Daniels Dance"? No, you haven&#8217;t. Case closed.</p><h3>2. <strong>Rookie of the Year Vibes Are Contagious</strong></h3><p>There&#8217;s something special about a player who radiates potential from the moment they step on the field. Think about it: in just three games, Jaden Daniels has already inspired more hope in Washington than a political candidate promising free pizza on Fridays. You can <em>feel</em> the city of D.C. vibrating with excitement, even the monuments are flexing a little harder after his performances.</p><p>It&#8217;s almost like he stepped onto the field, and the Commanders collectively thought, &#8220;Wait, we might not stink this year. Is this&#8230; hope? Is this what it feels like?&#8221; Daniels is a walking, talking, football-throwing revolution. The moment he puts on that helmet, the air smells crisper, the skies are bluer, and the referees mysteriously start calling more favorable penalties.</p><h3>3. <strong>Numbers Don&#8217;t Lie, and Neither Does Twitter</strong></h3><p>In the age of the internet, we don&#8217;t need to wait for the season&#8217;s end to declare greatness&#8212;we have <em>Twitter</em>. Daniels has been trending for all the right reasons, and isn&#8217;t that more important than waiting for the "official" stats to come in? Who cares about passer rating when you&#8217;ve got memes and GIFs of Daniels outrunning linebackers at the speed of internet outrage?</p><p>Just look at the QB rating from last night&#8217;s Bengals game:</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!7OkN!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e0b4eb-6e86-4d60-84ea-eeada9f39397_448x141.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!7OkN!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e0b4eb-6e86-4d60-84ea-eeada9f39397_448x141.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!7OkN!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e0b4eb-6e86-4d60-84ea-eeada9f39397_448x141.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!7OkN!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e0b4eb-6e86-4d60-84ea-eeada9f39397_448x141.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!7OkN!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e0b4eb-6e86-4d60-84ea-eeada9f39397_448x141.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!7OkN!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e0b4eb-6e86-4d60-84ea-eeada9f39397_448x141.png" width="448" height="141" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a6e0b4eb-6e86-4d60-84ea-eeada9f39397_448x141.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:141,&quot;width&quot;:448,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:19634,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!7OkN!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e0b4eb-6e86-4d60-84ea-eeada9f39397_448x141.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!7OkN!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e0b4eb-6e86-4d60-84ea-eeada9f39397_448x141.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!7OkN!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e0b4eb-6e86-4d60-84ea-eeada9f39397_448x141.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!7OkN!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa6e0b4eb-6e86-4d60-84ea-eeada9f39397_448x141.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div></div></div></a></figure></div><p></p><h3>4. <strong>He Plays for Washington, He Deserves This</strong></h3><p>Let&#8217;s be real. The Washington Commanders have gone through more transformations than a superhero reboot. If anyone needs a win, it&#8217;s this franchise. And what better way to give them that than by crowning their rookie quarterback as the <em>official</em> Rookie of the Year after a handful of games? Let&#8217;s give them this victory, people. If not for football&#8217;s sake, then for our collective sanity.</p><p>Plus, if you can perform under the pressure of playing for Washington&#8212;a team that&#8217;s had more names than they&#8217;ve had playoff wins recently&#8212;you&#8217;re already on another level. Daniels deserves recognition just for surviving that press conference gauntlet and not accidentally calling them the &#8220;Washington Football Team&#8221; out of habit.</p><h3>5. <strong>Did We Mention the Swagger?</strong></h3><p>Yes, I know I&#8217;ve already covered this, but it deserves a second mention. His swagger level? Off the charts. Just imagine the marketing opportunities. &#8220;Rookie of the Year&#8221; with a side of &#8220;swagger.&#8221; Who wouldn&#8217;t buy that jersey?</p><div><hr></div><p>So there you have it. Jaden Daniels: Rookie of the Year, after just three games. It&#8217;s bold, it&#8217;s a little outrageous, but then again, so is the NFL. Whether you believe this claim or not, one thing is for certain: Washington&#8217;s football future suddenly looks a lot more exciting. And isn&#8217;t that the real victory here?</p><p>Now, let&#8217;s just sit back and wait for the official announcement. Because after reading this, even <em>the NFL</em> has to agree: Daniels is the future, and the future is now.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Double Trouble: Monday Night Football Madness with Two Games and Twice the Betting Action!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Football fans, brace yourselves!]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/double-trouble-monday-night-football</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/double-trouble-monday-night-football</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 23 Sep 2024 18:40:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OMEO!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4892c3cd-86e2-42f0-b2de-96645c4dea6d_1024x1024.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OMEO!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4892c3cd-86e2-42f0-b2de-96645c4dea6d_1024x1024.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OMEO!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4892c3cd-86e2-42f0-b2de-96645c4dea6d_1024x1024.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OMEO!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4892c3cd-86e2-42f0-b2de-96645c4dea6d_1024x1024.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OMEO!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4892c3cd-86e2-42f0-b2de-96645c4dea6d_1024x1024.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OMEO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4892c3cd-86e2-42f0-b2de-96645c4dea6d_1024x1024.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OMEO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4892c3cd-86e2-42f0-b2de-96645c4dea6d_1024x1024.png" width="1024" height="1024" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/4892c3cd-86e2-42f0-b2de-96645c4dea6d_1024x1024.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1024,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:2416712,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OMEO!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4892c3cd-86e2-42f0-b2de-96645c4dea6d_1024x1024.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OMEO!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4892c3cd-86e2-42f0-b2de-96645c4dea6d_1024x1024.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OMEO!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4892c3cd-86e2-42f0-b2de-96645c4dea6d_1024x1024.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OMEO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4892c3cd-86e2-42f0-b2de-96645c4dea6d_1024x1024.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p></p><p>Football fans, brace yourselves! NFL Week 3 is wrapping up with not just one, but two high-octane Monday Night Football matchups. It&#8217;s like Christmas in September for football fanatics and bettors alike! We&#8217;ve got predictions, betting insights, and a sprinkle of humor to keep things spicy. So, grab your snacks, settle into your favorite spot on the couch, and let's dive into the doubleheader.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><h3>Game 1: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills &#8211; 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN</h3><p>First up, we have the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) trying to claw their way out of a winless rut against the Buffalo Bills (2-0) at Highmark Stadium. The Bills, led by the unstoppable Josh Allen, are looking to extend their perfect start to the season. Meanwhile, the Jaguars are desperately hoping not to hit the dreaded 0-3, a record that&#8217;s almost synonymous with "see you next year" for playoff hopes.</p><h4><strong>Betting Breakdown</strong></h4><ul><li><p><strong>Spread:</strong> Jaguars +5.5 (-110) | Bills -5.5 (-110)</p></li><li><p><strong>Total Points:</strong> 45.5 (-110 over/under)</p></li><li><p><strong>Moneyline:</strong> Jaguars +200 | Bills -250</p></li></ul><p><strong>Pick Against the Spread:</strong> The Bills are notorious for keeping their foot on the gas. They don&#8217;t just win, they obliterate. With a spread of -5.5, you&#8217;re practically being invited to join the Bills Mafia. They&#8217;ve covered larger spreads against tougher teams. Remember last week&#8217;s smackdown against the Dolphins? A comfortable 31-10 win. Expect more of the same as they face a Jaguars team that&#8217;s been about as reliable as a paper umbrella in a hurricane. <strong>Pick: Bills -5.5.</strong></p><p><strong>Over/Under:</strong> Trevor Lawrence has been chucking the ball downfield like he&#8217;s trying to audition for the next Top Gun movie. With new weapons like Gabe Davis and rookie Brian Thomas Jr., the Jags are bound to find the end zone a couple of times. But let&#8217;s be real, Josh Allen is going to have a field day against Jacksonville&#8217;s aggressive, blitz-happy defense. Points will rain like confetti at a parade. <strong>Pick: Over 45.5.</strong></p><p><strong>Player Prop:</strong> Brian Thomas Jr. is the guy to watch here. He&#8217;s been a standout, racking up yardage like a Black Friday shopper racks up deals. Our data guru, Sean Koerner, projects Thomas for 52 yards tonight. If you got in early at 40.5, you&#8217;re already winning. Still, up to 44.5 yards is a solid play. <strong>Pick: Brian Thomas Jr. Over 41.5 Receiving Yards.</strong></p><h3>Game 2: Washington Commanders vs. Cincinnati Bengals &#8211; 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC</h3><p>Next, we travel to Paycor Stadium, where the Washington Commanders (1-1) take on the Cincinnati Bengals (0-2). Joe Burrow and the Bengals are still searching for their first win, and the Commanders are just hoping to avoid embarrassment on national television. Jayden Daniels, fresh off a promising performance, will be looking to keep Washington&#8217;s offense moving, but it won&#8217;t be easy against a Bengals defense that&#8217;s stingy with the big plays.</p><h4><strong>Betting Breakdown</strong></h4><ul><li><p><strong>Spread:</strong> Commanders +7.5 (-110) | Bengals -7.5 (-110)</p></li><li><p><strong>Total Points:</strong> 47 (-110 over/under)</p></li><li><p><strong>Moneyline:</strong> Commanders +280 | Bengals -375</p></li></ul><p><strong>Pick Against the Spread:</strong> Joe Burrow is like a man possessed after a loss&#8212;he&#8217;s covered the spread in 71% of games following a defeat. The Commanders&#8217; defense is practically waving a white flag, ranked dead last in several key categories. With Tee Higgins back in action, expect Burrow and company to run up the score like they&#8217;re at a carnival shooting gallery. <strong>Pick: Bengals -7.5.</strong></p><p><strong>Over/Under:</strong> Both defenses have more holes than Swiss cheese, and Burrow seems to have found his rhythm. Expect Cincinnati to come out firing, exploiting Washington&#8217;s Swiss cheese defense with precision. Meanwhile, the Commanders should find some success on the ground, but will eventually have to air it out to keep pace. <strong>Pick: Over 47.5.</strong></p><p><strong>Player Prop:</strong> Joe Burrow&#8217;s wrist has been under the microscope more than a science experiment. The Bengals are throwing more than expected, but short passes seem to be the safe haven. Washington&#8217;s defense is softer than a marshmallow against short passes, so expect Burrow to dink and dunk his way to victory. Less deep bombs, more clock control. <strong>Pick: Joe Burrow Under 34.5 Pass Attempts.</strong></p><h3>Double Your Fun, Double Your Bets!</h3><p>With two games on tap, the betting opportunities are endless. Whether you&#8217;re a fan of spreads, totals, or player props, there&#8217;s something for everyone on this Monday night. And hey, if your bets go south, at least you&#8217;ve got twice the action to keep you entertained. Remember, responsible betting is always in style&#8212;even if your picks aren&#8217;t.</p><p>So, who&#8217;s ready for some football? Happy betting, and may the odds be ever in your favor!</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Week 3 NFL Recap: Aaron’s Renaissance, Bo’s Brilliance, and Lamar’s Houdini Act]]></title><description><![CDATA[Another wild week in the NFL has come and gone, leaving us with dramatic victories, heartbreaking defeats, and more quarterback drama than a telenovela.]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/week-3-nfl-recap-aarons-renaissance</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/week-3-nfl-recap-aarons-renaissance</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 23 Sep 2024 14:03:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!I96s!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a780cb2-453c-4b66-a549-0f8ad409ea3f_1024x768.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!I96s!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a780cb2-453c-4b66-a549-0f8ad409ea3f_1024x768.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!I96s!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a780cb2-453c-4b66-a549-0f8ad409ea3f_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!I96s!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a780cb2-453c-4b66-a549-0f8ad409ea3f_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!I96s!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a780cb2-453c-4b66-a549-0f8ad409ea3f_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!I96s!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a780cb2-453c-4b66-a549-0f8ad409ea3f_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!I96s!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a780cb2-453c-4b66-a549-0f8ad409ea3f_1024x768.jpeg" width="1024" height="768" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/5a780cb2-453c-4b66-a549-0f8ad409ea3f_1024x768.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:768,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:379492,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!I96s!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a780cb2-453c-4b66-a549-0f8ad409ea3f_1024x768.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!I96s!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a780cb2-453c-4b66-a549-0f8ad409ea3f_1024x768.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!I96s!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a780cb2-453c-4b66-a549-0f8ad409ea3f_1024x768.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!I96s!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5a780cb2-453c-4b66-a549-0f8ad409ea3f_1024x768.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Another wild week in the NFL has come and gone, leaving us with dramatic victories, heartbreaking defeats, and more quarterback drama than a telenovela. From Aaron Rodgers pulling a Lazarus and roasting the Patriots, to Bo Nix leading a Broncos stampede, Week 3 had it all. Let&#8217;s break it down, play-by-play, with a side of sass.</p><h3><strong>Aaron Rodgers: The Comeback Kid</strong></h3><p>Just when you thought Aaron Rodgers was about to start hosting a wellness retreat in the Catskills, he dusts off his jersey and leads the Jets to a cathartic win over the New England Patriots. It was a performance reminiscent of his prime Green Bay days&#8212;sharp, poised, and deadly accurate. Rodgers didn't just play; he glided across the field, delivering precision passes and cool-headed decision-making. He might have limped off last season, but he&#8217;s back, and it seems like he&#8217;s got a bone to pick with anyone who doubted his recovery. And what about the Patriots? Well, they&#8217;re left wondering if Drake Maybe or Jacoby Brissett can really be their guys or if it&#8217;s time to start scouring the waiver wire for the next Cinderella story.</p><h3><strong>Bo Nix: Broncos' Bright New Star</strong></h3><p>Over in the Mile-High City, Bo Nix decided he wasn&#8217;t going to let Aaron have all the fun. In a game that looked like it was scripted by Hollywood, the rookie sensation led the Denver Broncos to a stunning victory over the previously undefeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nix&#8217;s ability to keep calm under pressure and deliver clutch plays had even the most jaded Denver fans chanting his name. It wasn&#8217;t just about the stats&#8212;although those were pretty sweet&#8212;it was about Nix&#8217;s swagger, the kind of cool confidence that makes you forget he&#8217;s still new to the NFL spotlight. Looks like the Broncos might have found their franchise QB, and the rest of the league is officially on notice.</p><h3><strong>Lamar Jackson: Houdini in Cleats</strong></h3><p>Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson was busy doing what he does best: making the impossible look routine. The Ravens narrowly avoided an 0-3 start, thanks to Jackson&#8217;s magical playmaking against the Dallas Cowboys. Despite the Ravens&#8217; defense acting more like a sieve than a steel curtain, Lamar spun, sprinted, and side-stepped his way to a much-needed win. Every time the Cowboys thought they had him cornered, Jackson would pull a move straight out of "Madden" and leave them grasping at air. Baltimore&#8217;s season might still be hanging in the balance, but with Lamar at the helm, they&#8217;re never truly out of any game.</p><h3><strong>Patriots and Texans: Quarterback Quandaries</strong></h3><p>And then there are the teams struggling like a Wi-Fi signal in a concrete basement. The New England Patriots and Houston Texans both need to figure out their quarterback situations before their seasons turn into complete write-offs. Jacoby Brissett has been inconsistent, and Houston&#8217;s sophomore QB, C.J. Stroud, is getting a baptism by fire. With shaky offensive lines and even shakier coaching decisions, these teams are looking like prime candidates for some early in-season soul-searching.</p><h3><strong>Vikings on a Rampage, Chargers Limping Along</strong></h3><p>The Minnesota Vikings, on the other hand, are having no such problems. They steamrolled the Houston Texans, putting on an offensive clinic that had the Texans&#8217; defense searching for an exit strategy. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, the Chargers are praying that Justin Herbert&#8217;s injury isn&#8217;t serious enough to sideline him for long. Without him, they&#8217;re looking as lost as a GPS with no signal.</p><h3><strong>Chiefs&#8217; Passing Problems</strong></h3><p>Finally, the Kansas City Chiefs managed to scrape past the Atlanta Falcons, but it wasn&#8217;t pretty. Their passing game, normally the envy of the league, was about as effective as a screen door on a submarine. Mahomes and company will need to find their groove fast, or they&#8217;ll be in for some sleepless nights.</p><p>So, there you have it. Week 3 gave us plenty to talk about&#8212;comebacks, collapses, and QB controversies galore. Buckle up, folks, because if this week was any indication, we&#8217;re in for one heck of a season!</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Thursday Night Football: A Run-Heavy Rivalry and a Punting Party]]></title><description><![CDATA[Patriots and Jets match up on Prime Video]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/thursday-night-football-a-run-heavy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/thursday-night-football-a-run-heavy</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 19 Sep 2024 18:29:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!t0jR!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1085475a-8f9e-45a9-8566-257c9beaf22e_900x506.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!t0jR!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1085475a-8f9e-45a9-8566-257c9beaf22e_900x506.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!t0jR!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1085475a-8f9e-45a9-8566-257c9beaf22e_900x506.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!t0jR!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1085475a-8f9e-45a9-8566-257c9beaf22e_900x506.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!t0jR!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1085475a-8f9e-45a9-8566-257c9beaf22e_900x506.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!t0jR!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1085475a-8f9e-45a9-8566-257c9beaf22e_900x506.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!t0jR!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1085475a-8f9e-45a9-8566-257c9beaf22e_900x506.jpeg" width="900" height="506" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/1085475a-8f9e-45a9-8566-257c9beaf22e_900x506.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:506,&quot;width&quot;:900,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:70766,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!t0jR!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1085475a-8f9e-45a9-8566-257c9beaf22e_900x506.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!t0jR!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1085475a-8f9e-45a9-8566-257c9beaf22e_900x506.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!t0jR!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1085475a-8f9e-45a9-8566-257c9beaf22e_900x506.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!t0jR!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1085475a-8f9e-45a9-8566-257c9beaf22e_900x506.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p></p><p>Get your popcorn and a good pillow ready, because the New England Patriots (1-1) and New York Jets (1-1) are facing off on Thursday Night Football to kick off NFL Week 3. It&#8217;s bound to be an exhilarating display of... well, punting. The Jets are favored by six points, and the over/under is set at a thrilling 38.5, so brace yourself for a defensive struggle that could double as a yoga class for anyone hoping to stay awake.</p><h3>Ground and Pound or Just Grounded?</h3><p>The Patriots have embraced a run-heavy approach this season under new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. With a Pass Rate Over Expected (PROE) ranking of 25th in the league, it&#8217;s clear New England&#8217;s playbook reads more like a recipe for ground beef than a strategic NFL offense. Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to shoulder the load as the Patriots rely on a six-lineman formation so often it&#8217;s starting to look like they&#8217;re prepping for a sumo wrestling match.</p><p>Meanwhile, quarterback Jacoby Brissett is being treated more like a Christmas ornament&#8212;just there to look nice and avoid getting broken. With 44% of his dropbacks under pressure and an injury-riddled offensive line, it&#8217;s no wonder the Patriots would rather keep the ball on the ground. Left tackle Vederian Lowe and left guard Sidy Sow are out, leaving rookies Caeden Wallace and Michael Jordan (no, not that one) to hold down the fort. And by &#8220;hold down the fort,&#8221; I mean hold their breath and hope Brissett isn&#8217;t squashed like a pancake by the Jets&#8217; pass rush.</p><h3>Jets Soar High, but Grounded in Reality</h3><p>For the Jets, Aaron Rodgers looks to have a more leisurely evening. He&#8217;s faced pressure on just 25% of his dropbacks, meaning he&#8217;s had plenty of time to decide whether to pass or reminisce about the good old days in Green Bay. Unfortunately, it seems he&#8217;s been more interested in the latter, as his completion percentage is 9% lower than expected. That Achilles injury from last season might still be on his mind&#8212;or maybe he's just daydreaming about those comfy retiree shoes.</p><p>Despite their pass-protection prowess, the Jets will likely keep things conservative, leaning on Breece Hall and rookie Braelon Allen. It&#8217;s as if Rodgers is allergic to deep throws&#8212;his average intended air yards are the third-lowest in the league. Expect a lot of short passes, quick handoffs, and plenty of time to think about what you could be doing instead of watching this game.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p></p><h3>The Pick: Underwhelming and Under 38.5</h3><p>Both teams seem to love punting almost as much as they love not scoring. The Patriots and Jets rank in the top 10 in punt rate per drive, so expect to see a lot of New England&#8217;s Bryce Baringer and New York&#8217;s Thomas Morstead exchanging pleasantries from opposite sidelines. Baringer&#8217;s been booming it this season, averaging 53.8 yards per punt and pinning teams inside their own 20-yard line on 64% of his punts. Maybe he should get some MVP votes?</p><p>With both teams content to trade field position and avoid taking risks, this game is shaping up to be a low-scoring affair. My prediction: the under 38.5 is worth considering, but don&#8217;t expect a fireworks show. Instead, settle in for a slow, methodical game where the most exciting action might just be a 67-yard punt. After all, sometimes the safest bet is on boredom.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[NFL Week 2: Where Saints Dance, Bills Pass, and Chargers Hold the Panthers on a Tight Leash]]></title><description><![CDATA[If NFL Week 2 taught us anything, it&#8217;s that the league is like a soap opera&#8212;full of drama, surprising twists, and moments that make you question your life choices.]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/nfl-week-2-where-saints-dance-bills</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/nfl-week-2-where-saints-dance-bills</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 16 Sep 2024 15:05:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZxwE!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff743c4d8-e36d-4ad4-94a8-dccb8e0fef81_1152x640.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZxwE!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff743c4d8-e36d-4ad4-94a8-dccb8e0fef81_1152x640.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZxwE!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff743c4d8-e36d-4ad4-94a8-dccb8e0fef81_1152x640.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZxwE!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff743c4d8-e36d-4ad4-94a8-dccb8e0fef81_1152x640.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZxwE!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff743c4d8-e36d-4ad4-94a8-dccb8e0fef81_1152x640.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZxwE!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff743c4d8-e36d-4ad4-94a8-dccb8e0fef81_1152x640.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZxwE!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff743c4d8-e36d-4ad4-94a8-dccb8e0fef81_1152x640.jpeg" width="1152" height="640" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/f743c4d8-e36d-4ad4-94a8-dccb8e0fef81_1152x640.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:&quot;normal&quot;,&quot;height&quot;:640,&quot;width&quot;:1152,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:null,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZxwE!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff743c4d8-e36d-4ad4-94a8-dccb8e0fef81_1152x640.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZxwE!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff743c4d8-e36d-4ad4-94a8-dccb8e0fef81_1152x640.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZxwE!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff743c4d8-e36d-4ad4-94a8-dccb8e0fef81_1152x640.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ZxwE!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff743c4d8-e36d-4ad4-94a8-dccb8e0fef81_1152x640.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Saints vs. Cowboys - Hilariously done by AI</figcaption></figure></div><p>If NFL Week 2 taught us anything, it&#8217;s that the league is like a soap opera&#8212;full of drama, surprising twists, and moments that make you question your life choices. This week, the New Orleans Saints performed such a dominating act against the Dallas Cowboys that it felt less like a football game and more like a high-stakes poker game where the Saints were playing with the Cowboys&#8217; chips. The Saints cruised to a 44-19 victory, and it looked less like a game and more like an episode of &#8220;How to Make Your Opponent Look Totally Overmatched.&#8221;</p><h3>The Saints and Cowboys: A Tale of Two Teams</h3><p>The Cowboys came into this game with hopes as high as their quarterback&#8217;s salary, but by the end, they were left with nothing but questions and a large deficit. The Saints scored so many points that even their scoreboard looked exhausted. Meanwhile, the Cowboys&#8217; defense seemed to be on a coffee break, not realizing that their job was actually to stop the Saints, not watch them score at will.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><h3>Bills: A Passing Fancy</h3><p>Up north, the Buffalo Bills were throwing around the football like it was a hot potato, and they tossed the Miami Dolphins aside with a 31-10 victory. The Bills' passing game was so effective it looked like they were playing against a team made of Swiss cheese&#8212;lots of holes and no defense. It was a reminder that sometimes, the best way to keep a dolphin from swimming is to throw a lot of passes and not let them catch their breath.</p><h3>Chargers and Panthers: A Defensive Masterclass</h3><p>The Los Angeles Chargers were out to prove that they could play defense as well as they could score. They held the Carolina Panthers to just three points in their 26-3 win. It was like putting a toddler in a wrestling match with a sumo wrestler&#8212;except in this case, the toddler was the Panthers and the sumo wrestler was the Chargers&#8217; defense. If you&#8217;re keeping score at home, yes, that&#8217;s the lowest score ever for a Panthers team. The Chargers&#8217; defense was practically a brick wall.</p><h3>Chiefs and Bengals: A Heart-Stopping Showdown</h3><p>The Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals provided a heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat finish with the Chiefs narrowly escaping with a 26-25 win. It was like watching a high-stakes poker game where every hand was an all-in bet. The game was so tight that you could use it as a new definition for &#8220;nail-biting.&#8221; Both teams showed resilience, but in the end, the Chiefs held on just long enough to make their fans wonder if their hearts could handle another week like this.</p><h3>Cardinals and Rams: Arizona&#8217;s Hot Streak</h3><p>In a less subtle display of dominance, the Arizona Cardinals steamrolled over the Los Angeles Rams with a 41-10 victory. If the Rams were hoping for a close game, they were sorely mistaken. The Cardinals played like they were trying out for a role in &#8220;The Fast and the Furious,&#8221; and the Rams were left in the dust. It was a game so one-sided that it almost made you wonder if the Rams had brought a water polo team instead of a football team.</p><h3>Steelers and Broncos: Low Score, High Drama</h3><p>Finally, the Pittsburgh Steelers managed to beat the Denver Broncos 13-6, proving that you don&#8217;t need a lot of points to win&#8212;just enough to keep the other team from scoring. The game was like a chess match where both teams were playing defense, but the Steelers managed to checkmate the Broncos with just enough points to take home the win.</p><p>So, there you have it. NFL Week 2 was a wild ride, full of impressive performances, surprising outcomes, and enough drama to keep us all tuning in next week. Just remember, in the NFL, anything can happen&#8212;except, apparently, the Cowboys stopping the Saints.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[NFL Sunday - 3 Key Games To Watch]]></title><description><![CDATA[Game 1: Minnesota Vikings vs.]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/nfl-sunday-3-key-games-to-watch</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/nfl-sunday-3-key-games-to-watch</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 15 Sep 2024 15:27:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!e90L!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3663e8f1-4226-4325-bbc5-12b9c1ba0b1e_1920x1080.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!e90L!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3663e8f1-4226-4325-bbc5-12b9c1ba0b1e_1920x1080.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!e90L!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3663e8f1-4226-4325-bbc5-12b9c1ba0b1e_1920x1080.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!e90L!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3663e8f1-4226-4325-bbc5-12b9c1ba0b1e_1920x1080.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!e90L!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3663e8f1-4226-4325-bbc5-12b9c1ba0b1e_1920x1080.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!e90L!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3663e8f1-4226-4325-bbc5-12b9c1ba0b1e_1920x1080.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!e90L!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3663e8f1-4226-4325-bbc5-12b9c1ba0b1e_1920x1080.png" width="1456" height="819" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/3663e8f1-4226-4325-bbc5-12b9c1ba0b1e_1920x1080.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:819,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:1758832,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!e90L!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3663e8f1-4226-4325-bbc5-12b9c1ba0b1e_1920x1080.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!e90L!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3663e8f1-4226-4325-bbc5-12b9c1ba0b1e_1920x1080.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!e90L!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3663e8f1-4226-4325-bbc5-12b9c1ba0b1e_1920x1080.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!e90L!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3663e8f1-4226-4325-bbc5-12b9c1ba0b1e_1920x1080.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h3><strong>Game 1: Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers</strong></h3><p><strong>Location:</strong> U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis<br><strong>Time:</strong> 1:00 PM EST<br><strong>TV:</strong> CBS</p><p><strong>Preview:</strong> The Vikings are hosting the 49ers in what promises to be a clash of the titans&#8212;or at least a clash of people who really like wearing purple and gold. The Vikings, known for their ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, will be looking to change their luck against the 49ers, who are still trying to figure out if their quarterback is a real person or just a hologram.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p><strong>Key Players to Watch (or not watch):</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Christian McCaffrey (49ers):</strong> Out today with an achilles injury</p></li></ul><p><strong>Witty Prediction:</strong> The Vikings will start strong, but the 49ers will pull ahead in the fourth quarter. Expect a lot of dramatic sighs from Vikings fans and a few &#8220;I told you so&#8221; moments from 49ers supporters.</p><p><strong>Score Prediction:</strong> 49ers 28, Vikings 24</p><div><hr></div><h3><strong>Game 2: Detroit Lions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers</strong></h3><p><strong>Location:</strong> Ford Field, Detroit<br><strong>Time:</strong> 1:00 PM EST<br><strong>TV:</strong> FOX</p><p><strong>Preview:</strong> The Lions are roaring into this game with high hopes and a fan base that&#8217;s perpetually optimistic despite years of heartbreak. The Buccaneers, on the other hand, are trying to prove that they can still be relevant without Tom Brady.  Baker Mayfield continues to impress so the Bucs are a team to watch.</p><p><strong>Key Players to Watch:</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Jared Goff (Lions):</strong> Can he finally live up to the hype, or will he continue to be the NFL&#8217;s version of a lukewarm cup of coffee?</p></li></ul><ul><li><p><strong>Mike Evans (Buccaneers):</strong> He&#8217;s got hands like glue, but will he get the ball enough to make a difference?</p></li></ul><p><strong>Witty Prediction:</strong> The Lions will dominate early, but the Buccaneers will make a late-game push. In the end, Detroit&#8217;s defense will hold strong, and the Lions will finally give their fans something to cheer about.</p><p><strong>Score Prediction:</strong> Lions 31, Buccaneers 17</p><div><hr></div><h3><strong>Game 3: Tennessee Titans vs. New York Jets</strong></h3><p><strong>Location:</strong> Nissan Stadium, Nashville<br><strong>Time:</strong> 1:00 PM EST<br><strong>TV:</strong> CBS</p><p><strong>Preview:</strong> The Titans are squaring off against the Jets in a game that&#8217;s sure to be filled with more drama than a reality TV show. The Titans are hoping to ride Derrick Henry to victory, while the Jets are just hoping to avoid another butt fumble.</p><p><strong>Key Players to Watch:</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Will Levis (Titans):</strong> Will we see good Will Levis hunting or Bad Little Elvis?</p></li></ul><ul><li><p><strong>Aaron Rodgers (Jets):</strong> The veteran QB is looking to prove he&#8217;s still got it. Will he be the Jets&#8217; savior or just another chapter in their long history of disappointment?</p></li></ul><p><strong>Witty Prediction:</strong> The score will be close for much of the match but the Jets, on Aaron Rodgers back, will pull away late.</p><p><strong>Score Prediction:</strong> Jets 27, Titans 21</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tua Tagovailoa Concussion: What Happened?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Credit: Tua Tagovailoa Instagram]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/tua-tagovailoa-concussion-what-happened</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/tua-tagovailoa-concussion-what-happened</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 13 Sep 2024 15:06:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6-m0!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2b78c3ca-a1c7-4a95-a512-4923447bb1fc_1920x1080.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6-m0!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2b78c3ca-a1c7-4a95-a512-4923447bb1fc_1920x1080.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6-m0!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2b78c3ca-a1c7-4a95-a512-4923447bb1fc_1920x1080.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6-m0!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2b78c3ca-a1c7-4a95-a512-4923447bb1fc_1920x1080.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6-m0!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2b78c3ca-a1c7-4a95-a512-4923447bb1fc_1920x1080.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6-m0!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2b78c3ca-a1c7-4a95-a512-4923447bb1fc_1920x1080.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6-m0!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2b78c3ca-a1c7-4a95-a512-4923447bb1fc_1920x1080.png" width="1456" height="819" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/2b78c3ca-a1c7-4a95-a512-4923447bb1fc_1920x1080.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:819,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:1895323,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6-m0!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2b78c3ca-a1c7-4a95-a512-4923447bb1fc_1920x1080.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6-m0!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2b78c3ca-a1c7-4a95-a512-4923447bb1fc_1920x1080.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6-m0!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2b78c3ca-a1c7-4a95-a512-4923447bb1fc_1920x1080.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6-m0!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2b78c3ca-a1c7-4a95-a512-4923447bb1fc_1920x1080.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Credit: Tua Tagovailoa Instagram</p><p>In a game that had more twists and turns than a soap opera, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa took center stage for an unexpected and rather unfortunate evening. During a 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Tua decided to channel his inner action hero, running for a first down and bravely lowering his shoulder to take on Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Unfortunately, this heroic move ended with Tua&#8217;s helmet making a not-so-friendly acquaintance with Hamlin&#8217;s body, resulting in Tua&#8217;s third diagnosed concussion of his NFL career.</p><div class="native-video-embed" data-component-name="VideoPlaceholder" data-attrs="{&quot;mediaUploadId&quot;:&quot;87e9b441-2c25-469f-856f-e0de013a8557&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:null}"></div><p>As Tua lay on the field, his arms went into what experts call a &#8220;fencing response,&#8221; which sounds like something out of a medieval jousting match but is actually a serious sign of head trauma. Dolphins medical trainers rushed to his side, while players knelt around him, probably praying for his speedy recovery and maybe also for a miracle win.</p><div class="poll-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;id&quot;:212932}" data-component-name="PollToDOM"></div><p>Despite the dramatic scene, Tua managed to walk off the field and into the locker room under his own power, proving once again that he&#8217;s tougher than a two-dollar steak. With 10 days until their next game against the Seattle Seahawks, the Dolphins are playing it safe. Coach Mike McDaniel emphasized that the priority is Tua&#8217;s health, not the game timeline. &#8220;Right now, it&#8217;s all about getting a proper evaluation and taking it one day at a time,&#8221; McDaniel said, sounding like a wise sage from a sports movie.</p><p>So, while Tua recovers, let&#8217;s send him all the good vibes and maybe a helmet made of bubble wrap. After all, we want one of our favorite quarterbacks back on the field, but only when he&#8217;s 100% ready and healthy. Get well soon, Tua! &#127944;&#128170;</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[TNF Preview: Bills vs. Dolphins in Miami]]></title><description><![CDATA[Game Details]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/tnf-preview-bills-vs-dolphins-in</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/tnf-preview-bills-vs-dolphins-in</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 12 Sep 2024 17:03:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MNI5!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1bb4d912-04c2-4442-b125-ed77227e1070_754x432.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MNI5!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1bb4d912-04c2-4442-b125-ed77227e1070_754x432.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MNI5!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1bb4d912-04c2-4442-b125-ed77227e1070_754x432.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MNI5!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1bb4d912-04c2-4442-b125-ed77227e1070_754x432.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MNI5!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1bb4d912-04c2-4442-b125-ed77227e1070_754x432.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MNI5!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1bb4d912-04c2-4442-b125-ed77227e1070_754x432.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MNI5!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1bb4d912-04c2-4442-b125-ed77227e1070_754x432.jpeg" width="754" height="432" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/1bb4d912-04c2-4442-b125-ed77227e1070_754x432.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:432,&quot;width&quot;:754,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:80371,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MNI5!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1bb4d912-04c2-4442-b125-ed77227e1070_754x432.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MNI5!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1bb4d912-04c2-4442-b125-ed77227e1070_754x432.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MNI5!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1bb4d912-04c2-4442-b125-ed77227e1070_754x432.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MNI5!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F1bb4d912-04c2-4442-b125-ed77227e1070_754x432.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h2>Game Details</h2><p>The Buffalo Bills will be taking on the Miami Dolphins in Week 2 of Thursday Night Football, which you can watch live on Prime Video. The Dolphins are currently favored by 2.5 points over the Bills, with the game total set at 48.5 according to bet365. It's going to be a showdown between division rivals in primetime!</p><h2>Key Matchup</h2><p>The Bills, led by quarterback Josh Allen, are coming off a thrilling comeback win against the Cardinals in Week 1. They were down 17-3 at one point but managed to rally back and secure the victory. Josh Allen played a huge role in the win, rushing for 39 yards and scoring two touchdowns.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><h2>What to Watch For</h2><p>The matchup between the Bills and the Dolphins is expected to be a close one, with the Bills potentially offering some value on the moneyline. Keep an eye on the weather, as rain and showers could impact scoring opportunities and the over/under.</p><h2>Team Updates</h2><p>In Week 1, the Bills had some struggles on both offense and defense but managed to pull through in the end. On the other hand, the Dolphins had a slow start to the season, losing key players and adjusting to a new defensive coordinator. It will be interesting to see how both teams perform in Week 2!</p><p>Remember to tune in to see all the action unfold between the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins in this exciting Week 2 matchup!</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Aaron Rodgers’ New Mantra: From “R-E-L-A-X” to “Bolero Bliss”]]></title><description><![CDATA[Ten years ago, Aaron Rodgers, the zen master of the gridiron, famously told a jittery Green Bay Packers fan base to &#8220;R-E-L-A-X&#8221; after a rocky 1-2 start.]]></description><link>https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/aaron-rodgers-new-mantra-from-r-e</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.honorablementionsports.com/p/aaron-rodgers-new-mantra-from-r-e</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Honorable Mention Sports]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 11 Sep 2024 23:22:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6iIg!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5856b338-3fd5-4ecf-a5d2-b03c75760a95_1920x1080.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6iIg!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5856b338-3fd5-4ecf-a5d2-b03c75760a95_1920x1080.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!6iIg!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5856b338-3fd5-4ecf-a5d2-b03c75760a95_1920x1080.png 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y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Ten years ago, Aaron Rodgers, the zen master of the gridiron, famously told a jittery Green Bay Packers fan base to &#8220;R-E-L-A-X&#8221; after a rocky 1-2 start. Fast forward to today, and Rodgers, now donning the green and white of the New York Jets, has dusted off his old mantra, giving it a fresh twist for the modern era.</p><p>After the Jets&#8217; less-than-stellar 32-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, Rodgers decided it was time to calm the stormy seas of fan anxiety. On Wednesday, he delivered a revised version of his classic advice, aimed at both fans and teammates who might be feeling a bit edgy about the team&#8217;s current plight.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p>&#8220;I think we always have to stay relaxed,&#8221; Rodgers said, channeling his inner yoga instructor. &#8220;It&#8217;s a long season. I think, at times, people think the season is like you&#8217;re out in the prairie or the desert and you&#8217;re moving around trying to find water, but it&#8217;s more like a nice, slow Bolero, where we&#8217;re just swaying with the music and reacting to whatever comes to us and through us, just trying to not get too high with the highs or too low with the lows.&#8221;</p><p>Yes, you heard that right. Rodgers has gone from spelling out &#8220;relax&#8221; to comparing the NFL season to a slow, sensual dance. One can only imagine the Jets&#8217; locker room, with players swaying gently to the rhythm of a Bolero, trying to find their inner peace while the world around them panics.</p><p>Perhaps fittingly, the Jets will head to Music City in search of their first win, facing the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at Nissan Stadium. It&#8217;s almost poetic, really. The Jets, fresh off a loss that fueled fan panic, now looking to find their groove in a city known for its musical heritage.</p><p>&#8220;The league is a lot different than when I said &#8216;relax&#8217; years ago in that there&#8217;s just so much more coverage [and] there&#8217;s so much more opportunity for overreaction,&#8221; Rodgers said. &#8220;So I get it. We want to win, the fans want to win, the organization wants to win, but the process has to be the same.&#8221;</p><p>Rodgers&#8217; original &#8220;R-E-L-A-X&#8221; comment worked wonders for the Packers, who went on to win four straight games, finish 12-4, and reach the NFC Championship Game. Now, he&#8217;s hoping his new mantra will have a similar effect on the Jets. After all, if it worked once, why not try it again?</p><p>Reflecting on the past year, Rodgers shared that he received an early morning text reminding him of the anniversary of his Achilles injury. &#8220;There was a lot of emotion, a lot of perspective and gratitude. So a lot has changed in the year and I&#8217;m glad to still be playing and feel healthy,&#8221; he said, clearly focused on the future and the next opponent.</p><p>Against the 49ers, Rodgers completed 13 of 21 attempts for 167 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Not bad for a guy who spent the last year recovering from a major injury. &#8220;I feel good about what I did out there,&#8221; he said. &#8220;For the most part, I felt like my feet were good, the perfunctory signals were good [and] subtle adjustments. There are some things I can clean up, for sure, but it was good to get back out there and feel like I was in the flow at least.&#8221;</p><p>Tight end Tyler Conklin echoed the sentiment, praising Rodgers&#8217; performance. &#8220;He looked awesome. Some of the throws that he made out there, obviously he didn&#8217;t lose his arm talent, right? That was his first time playing football in a year, so I can only imagine how he&#8217;s going to be feeling after we get rolling.&#8221;</p><p>As the Jets prepare to face the Titans, they&#8217;ll need to tighten up their defense, which gave up eight straight scoring drives on Monday night. But with Rodgers&#8217; new mantra of &#8220;Bolero Bliss,&#8221; perhaps they&#8217;ll find the rhythm they need to turn things around.</p><p>So, Jets fans, take a deep breath, sway to the music, and remember: it&#8217;s a long season. And if all else fails, just &#8220;R-E-L-A-X.&#8221;</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.honorablementionsports.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Honorable Mention Sports is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>