Weekly WTF Moments – Week 2 of the 2017 NFL season
Sports fans, we had some fun moments last weekend. Like last week, Week 2 still has the feel of preseason football. Some teams win and we are like WTF? How did THEY beat THEM?
Then we have players that haven’t found their expected rhythm with their teams yet. (Yes fantasy football owners I will address your pain here in a moment.)
And then we have some moments that are not only cringe-worthy but more a hold-your-breath-and-hope-a-flag-isn’t-thrown-moment.
So let’s start with that.
The NFL has “relaxed” their stance on touchdown celebrations by teams, but some players have taken it to the choreographed extreme. The defensive players want in on it too, so we also saw some sack and tackle celebrations.
We mentioned the T.J. Watt butt wiggle after a sack a week ago, but this time Bud Dupree and Artie Burns celebrated their respective plays/stops with an ever inappropriate “twerk”.
Want to know how bizarre that was? Even Vince Williams tweeted out his displeasure of the “celebration”.
We were very lucky not to get 15-yard penalties on those celebrations, as Commissioner Roger Goodell has been clear that sexually suggestive acts won’t be tolerated. The celebrations were certainly borderline, and I was only able to exhale after the network cameras went to something else.
Whew!
But guys WTF? Knock that **** off! The choreographed dice games, the sleeping on the football in the end zone (we see you Chief’s RB Kareem Hunt) and then the ever-popular golf game and Lambeau leaps were all part of Sunday’s games.
How about a spontaneous celebration for a TD? Let’s be original. WTF?
Since many of us play fantasy football, I think there were more WTF moments with our fantasy games on the line. Ezekiel Elliott, the running back for the Cowboys, has managed to avoid suspension so far, but it is hard to tell. Last week he barely rushed for 20 yards, and in Week 2 he carried nine times for eight yards.
Ouch. WTF?
The best one fantasy WTF was in the same game, where Denver outplayed the Cowboys offensively and defensively. With 52 seconds left in the 4th quarter and Denver up 35-17, Dak Prescott throws an interception in the end zone… which Aquib Talib takes 103 yards for a touchdown.
Fantasy owners around the world were pounding sand… big time!
I also cringe when players are out there leap-frogging defenders to cross the goal line. I appreciate the 110% effort but that is the best way to tear out your knee. Just stop. Or save it for Madden.
Culprits in Week 2? Chargers RB Todd Gurley, Chiefs TE Travis Kelce, and Seahawks TE Luke Wilson.
Finally, my biggest WTF of Week 2 is the absence of James Harrison. He is listed on the Steelers depth chart at behind T.J. Watt but when Watt left the game with a hamstring injury on Sunday, Anthony Chickillo subbed in, and not #92.
That made no sense to a lot of us. James was our best pass rusher last season, and even at 39-years-old, he is in better physical condition than most of our guys.
It was a hot Fall day with a temp of 87 degrees but if you know anything about James’ workouts, he always has his sweats on. He can take the heat.
So WTF? It’s not like Coach Tomlin forgot about him. Let’s hope he sees some time against Chicago coming up. It’s time to get James some needed snaps to stay sharp.
Until next time…
