Saquon Barkley and Le’Veon Bell, New York’s best RBs, are among those NFL players who have failed to perform in 2019.
The NFL is heading into the 11th week of its season. Some players have delivered in a big way, while others who were expected to perform at a certain level have not. Ranking a dozen players who have not reached the levels hoped.
12. Adam Vinatieri
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Adam Vinatieri is on his way to a spot in Canton. However, his 2019 season will not be a fond memory unless he regains his kicking stroke. The venerable Vinatieri has missed five field goals in 19 attempts and six PATs. The Colts are sticking with him, which may be more of an indicator of what else is out there.
Myles Garrett of the Browns hit the Steelers Mason Rudolph in the head with a helmet in an awful scene Thursday.
The rivalry between the Pittsburgh and Cleveland turned beyond ugly and brutal in the fourth quarter Thursday when Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett swung and hit Mason Rudolph in the head with the quarterback’s helmet in the final seconds.
AP Photo/David Richard
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield was forceful in his comments about the melee with Erin Andrews after the game.
Let’s take a look at 14 cities that might one day become a slam-dunk option for a new NBA franchise.
And now, introducing the starting lineup for your…
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
To have that electrifying pregame announcement capped off with a new NBA franchise’s name is a dream many fans would like to see one day come true. The youngest of the three core leagues—NBA, MLB, NFL—the NBA’s innovative thinking has steadily increased popularity and revenues, with each team now worth over $1 billion. The athletes, who are as much of the brand as the logo itself, add an element of fan connection that other sports—mainly the NFL, which is hidden behind a face mask, can’t provide.
With this popularity, of course, also comes the topic of expansion. In the past few years, there have been several locations that have gone from whispers to actual headlines. And although NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has stated the NBA isn’t engaging in expanding to 32 teams (or beyond), that doesn’t mean it’s a closed case.
So, understanding that even a one-percent chance is still a chance, let’s take a look at 14 cities that might one day become NBA footholds—franchises the current owners would gladly split the revenue pie with because it’s a slam-dunk option!
Look for the Saints to rebound and the Falcons to pick up their second straight NFC South victory.
Time to match up 11 bold predictions for Week 11 on the NFL schedule.
Rivers and Mahomes to provide air show
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The Chargers and Chiefs get together in Mexico City. Last year’s scheduled game for Mexico had to be moved to the LA Coliseum and the Chiefs and Rams put on a classic. Don’t expect 100-plus points this year in the thin air. However, do expect Philip Rivers and Patrick Mahomes to pass the night away. Look for 675 yards between them and at least five passing scores.
The Niners and Raiders are double-digit favorites in the same week for the first time since 1987. Does that make them safe picks?
The Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons combined to send many knockout pools to the finish line in Week 10. However, if you rolled the dice and went with the Bears against the Matthew Stafford-less Lions as a late audible, you were rewarded … barely. On to Week 11 as the drama builds and tension heightens.
Don’t think about it
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The New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles get together for the first time since Super Bowl LII. This figures to be a great game to watch and if you somehow have either team available, keep them in the bank. The Rams and Bears get together again. Last year saw Chicago on top. Another game that is worth enjoying and not getting anywhere near. Would have to say the Steelers and Browns fall into this category. Pittsburgh is playing well and Cleveland is coming off a good win against Buffalo. It’s Thursday night and not worth ruining your weekend. The Texans and Ravens get together in what should be a showcase of two of the best QBs in the game, Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson. This could come down to who has the ball last and that is not the memory you want to take away from being eliminated from a knockout pool. Not going to try and figure out what Colts team shows up to face the Jaguars. If Brian Hoyer plays again, stay far away from Indy. And, in the Monday night matchup, San Diego plays host to Kansas City in Mexico City. This could provide plenty of offensive fireworks and is a great way to finish NFL Week 11 by enjoying it and not having to choose sides.
The Rams, Chargers, Bears and Browns are among the biggest disappointments.
What teams have failed to deliver in the biggest manners in 2019? The expectations for each of these 11 were not the same. Still, they have all come up short in different ways.
11. Cincinnati Bengals
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Zac Taylor has taken a team that went 6-10 in 2018 and turned it into a laughingstock that is 0-9. Sure, there is no A.J. Green and that is an enormous loss. However, it feels more like a blessing for the talented wideout. Also, don’t think about throwing the loss of John Ross into the equation. He was trending as a bust and had a few good games before being injured, again. Benching Andy Dalton on his birthday was a gift as much as an insult. And throwing Ryan Finley to the Ravens was almost criminal. Could they go winless? It feels more probable than impossible.
The Bengals appear to hold all the cards after Week 10 of the NFL season when it comes to the 2020 draft.
The Miami Dolphins are playing themselves out of the running for the top pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Forget tanking, Miami has won two in a row and could find itself vying for a top-five spot if this continues. The top 10 in reverse order as the NFL finishes Week 10.
10. Arizona Cardinals
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The Cardinals have three victories over awful teams. The rest of the schedule is difficult, and the only game they appear to have a shot at winning is against Cleveland in the desert Dec. 15. Don’t be surprised if they wind up with a higher pick.
Lamar Jackson was a human highlight reel to top the elite in Week 10 of the NFL season.
Lamar Jackson continues to stun, Ezekiel Elliott and Saquon Barkley failed to deliver and the Seahawks edged the Niners to complete Week 10.
Arizona Cardinals
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Christian Kirk had a huge game in the loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was going to take time for Kyler Murray and the young Cardinals’ receiving corps — exempting Larry Fitzgerald — to gel. Murray and Kirk were on the same page Sunday as they connected six times for 138 yards and three TDs. Kirk outdid his fellow Texas A&M WR, Mike Evans, on the other side as the Bucs’ star WR had four grabs for 82 yards in the win.
