Gimmicks don’t always draw crowds, even in the NFL.
The Week 14 Monday night NFL game will remain Bengals / Cowboys, courtesy of the Simpsons.
The NFL has informed us that due to the extensive production of their alternate Simpsons broadcast and work performed already, the game is excluded from being (mercifully) flexed to a 1:00 pm Sunday time slot. The Simpsons version will be based in fictional Springfield’s stadium, with major characters providing voice work throughout.
Dare I say…whoo hoo!
Ravens 16, Steelers 18
In another typical installment, the Ravens narrowly lost to the Steelers.
Leaving aside the Ravens’ extensive self-inflicted wounds, the Steelers did what most teams haven’t been able to do – keep the Ravens offense off the field, holding possession of the ball for 36:22. Ultimately, the Ravens had a chance to tie the game in the last few minutes of the fourth quarter via a two-point conversion, but instead ran a thoroughly broken play from the outset. Fans clamoring for the use of mammoth RB Derrick Henry in that situation haven’t accounted for the ineptitude of play – and play calls – throughout the game, and certainly in that instance.
Henry managed 13 carries for 65 yards and a TD, but most glaring was his fumble on the game’s opening drive, which ultimately led to a lead the Steelers held for the remainder of the afternoon. QB Lamar Jackson suffered through his worst outing of the season (16-33, 207 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 4 carries, 46 yards) and again failed to produce a win against his biggest nemesis. TE Isaiah Likely led the team with 4 catches for 75 yards.
The Steelers weren’t much better, but K Chris Boswell (6-6 FG attempts, long of 57 yards) managed to save the day for an offense that routinely failed inside the red zone, unlike counterpart Justin Tucker (1-3, long of 54) , whose notable decline is obviously affecting the team’s output.
Steelers QB Russell Wilson (23-36, 205 yards, 1 INT) moved the team well enough between red zones, but will need to be more effective against better secondaries, which most of the NFL possesses. RB Najee Harris (18 carries, 63 yards, 4 catches, 30 yards) was the Steelers leading rusher, and WR George Pickens (8 catches, 89 yards) again led the team in receptions and receiving yards.
Ravens edge rusher Odafe Oweh quietly enjoyed his finest afternoon as a pro, recording 2.5 sacks and creating general havoc in the Steelers backfield, and MLB Roquan Smith logged 13 tackles. Steelers standouts on defense include ILB Patrick Queen (10 tackles, 1 FF) and OLB T.J. Watt recorded a sack and two tackles for loss, often baiting the Ravens’ offensive line into false starts and positioning errors.
Next for Ravens: Ravens @ Chargers, Monday, 11/25, 8:15 pm, ESPN
Next for Steelers: Steelers @ Browns, Thursday, 11/21, 8:15 pm, Prime Video
Browns 14, Saints 35
In a somewhat bizarre outing, Saints multi-purpose QB Taysom Hill rushed for 138 yards on only 7 carries. Despite two early turnovers, Hill scored three TDs in the process and essentially beat the Browns by himself.
The Browns actually generated some offense, with QB Jameis Winston (30-46, 395 yards, 2 TD) connecting with WR Jerry Jeudy for 6 catches for 142 yards and a TD. RB Nick Chubb added 50 yards on 11 carries, and TE David Njoku had 9 catches for 81 yards.
Defensively, the Browns struggled much of the day. In addition to Hill’s rushing prowess, he caught 8 passes for 50 yards. S Grant Delpit (9 tackles) and LB Devin Bush (8 tackles) provided most of the stopping effort for the Browns, who clearly have more work to do.
Next: Steelers @ Browns, Thursday, 11/21, 8:15 pm, Prime Video
Bengals 27, Chargers 34
The Chargers nearly fell victim to the same sort of losing effort the Bengals have experienced repeatedly this season – a loss in the waning moments of the fourth quarter after holding a substantial lead – but were rescued by a 29-yard scoring run by RB J.K. Dobbins with 18 seconds remaining.
The Bengals offense, long the strength of this team, certainly held their own. QB Joe Burrow (28-50, 356 yards, 3 TDs) continued his MVP-in-a-vacuum season, connecting with WRs Tee Higgins (9 catches, 148 yards, 1 TD) and Ja’Marr Chase (7 catches, 75 yards, 2 TDs) often. RB Chase Brown added 22 carries for 86 yards.
In an otherwise disappointing day, S Geno Stone led the Bengals with 9 tackles, and LBs Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson pitched in with 8 tackles each. Also notable was normally-reliable K Evan McPherson (2-4, long 27 yards) missing half his attempts on the day.
Next: Bye
Next week…
