Week 3 Roundup

I fall one more game back this week in my picks. Good thing I’m not in Vegas… yet.

This week: 8-9 This season: 12-14

It seems every week I get more and more outraged at the poor officiating in the NFL. Jon and Drew can attest to how much I’ve always despised Ed “Guns” Hochuli, so I was originally happy that everyone else could no longer deny that he’s fucking terrible. Except that’s not what happened… everyone and their mother this last week has said how tragic it is because he is one of the best the NFL has to offer. First of all, everyone knows the robot who pretends to be a black guy is the best ref in the NFL. Secondly, Ed Hochuli sucks and has always sucked. See? Indisputable.


That's not holding; he's simulating what it's like to be on the receiving end of his blown calls.

Speaking of that terribly blown call in Denver, everyone is now praising Mike Shanahan for his gutsy call. What a coach! Let’s consider a couple things. It is statistically more probable to convert 2 than to win in overtime (55% to 50%... I didn’t even need to look up that second number, ask me how I did it!). So he made the mathematically correct decision. That isn’t gutsy but it certainly shows more brains than most “punt on 4th and 1” coaches. But just like it wasn’t a gutsy call he also wasn’t playing those odds. He knew there was no chance he could win in overtime. The Ed Hochuli makeup call was coming and he had to end the game before it struck. If he didn’t go for two he would’ve lost that game in OT after a mysterious pass interference call put the Bolts in field goal range. So my praise still goes to Shanahan but not because he’s got the balls of steel everyone thinks he does; he gets my praise because he had a better realization for the position he was in than anyone gives him credit for.

Romeo Crennel Pussy Call of the Week Award: Ken Wisenhunt punts on 4th and 4 from near midfield with two minutes left in the game. Redskins nation thanks you for giving up, pansy.

Time for picks…
Buffalo (-8) over St. Louis
Atlanta (+7) at Carolina
Philly (-3) at Chicago
Cincinnati (-3.5) over Cleveland
Washington (+11.5) at Dallas
Denver (-9) at Kansas City
Jacksonville (-7.5) over Houston
San Francisco (+6.5) at New Orleans
Arizona (+2.5) at NY Jets
San Diego (-7.5) at Oakland
Green Bay (-1) at Tampa Bay
Tennessee (-3) over Minnesota
Baltimore (+5.5) at Pittsburg