NFL Weekly Review/Preview: Greg Hardy

Arguably the biggest headliner out of the NFL recently has been Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy. Hardy was arrested last year, while he was on the Panthers, for assaulting and threatening his then-girlfriend Nicole Holder. He allegedly threw her against a bathroom wall, threw her on a pile of assault rifles, and threatened to kill her. Hardy was convicted of domestic violence, but the conviction was eventually removed from his record after he requested it be. He was suspended 10 games and placed on the commissioner's exempt list in September of last year, but he appealed and the suspension was reduced to four games. He signed with the Cowboys in the offseason, and since then, although he's been a force on the field, he has made abrasive comments and gotten into an altercation with a coach (on the sideline during a game) off of it. Despite that, Jerry Jones, who likes to take risks and draw attention to himself, backed him, calling him a leader and saying they wanted to sign him to an extension. Then, last week, photos from the night of Hardy's domestic violence incident were released, showing a badly bruised and battered Nicole Holder. Hardy tweeted regret for past mistakes later, but then changed his Twitter bio to proclaim his innocence briefly before changing it again. I don't have very strong feelings about this situation (and I'm not usually a very opinionated person), but I do have opinions on it. Although photos shouldn't change people's perceptions, they did when Ray Rice punched his then-fiancee (and current wife) in an elevator and knocked her out. Before that, Rice had only been suspended two games, but after it, he was released by the Ravens and is currently not on a team. But Rice is much different from Hardy. Rice made one really idiotic choice in a moment where he got out of control emotionally. I'm not trying to say what Rice did wasn't serious or very wrong, but he paid the consequences, and now he wants to help raise awareness for domestic violence. Hardy continues to do dumb things, and doesn't seem very remorseful. Hardy is still playing football because he is more of a help on the field than Rice at this point. Although I don't think Hardy should be suspended by the NFL (they already suspended him, albeit lightly, for the domestic violence incident), Jerry Jones and the Cowboys should consider letting him go. Right now he seems like a cancerous personality in the locker room, and he needs time to fix it. But the NFL should fix its discipline. Players are getting fined for what they wear (including clothing honoring a deceased family member or our country) when the NFL and Roger Goodell should focus on more serious offenses. It just doesn't make sense how something like smoking pot or deflating footballs can be disciplined similar to something like domestic violence.


Week 9 Review

Top Games

Titans 34, Saints 28 OT
Marcus Mariota came back from injury and outdeuled Drew Brees, throwing for 371 yards and four touchdowns. Tennessee blocked a field goal with a minute left in the fourth quarter, and after they went three and out, the game went into overtime. The Titans got the ball, and Mariota led a nine-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a five-yard touchdown pass from Mariota to tight end Anthony Fasano.

Rams 18, Vikings 21 OT 
Despite losing quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to a concussion in the fourth quarter, the Vikings were still able to get an overtime win thanks to 125 yards and a touchdown from Adrian Peterson and a game-winning field goal from The Blair Walsh Project Blair Walsh. Greg the Leg Greg Zurlein hit four field goals to help the Rams take Minnesota into overtime, including a career-long 61-yarder, but he also missed a 48-yarder.

Eagles 33, Cowboys 27 OT
Guess what the Sunday Night Football game was this week? Yep, it was this one. Philadelphia beat the Matt Cassel-led Cowboys thanks to ex-Cowboy DeMarco Murray (161 total yards, 1 TD) and fellow running back Ryan Mathews (67 yards, 1 TD), as well as cornerback Jordan Hicks, who had a pick-six, and Sam Bradford and Jordan Matthews, who connected on the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime.


Top Performances

Steelers RB DeAngelo Williams vs. Oakland (W 38-35): 27 carries, 170 yards, 2 TD
Williams thrived in his first game as Le'Veon Bell's replacement (well, technically third game, since he filled in during Bell's suspension), running all over Oakland and helping the Steelers squeak out a victory.

Bills WR Sammy Watkins vs. Miami (W 33-17): 8 catches, 168 yards, TD
Watkins returned with a bang after being out a few weeks with an injury, starring in a big win over Miami.

Titans QB Marcus Mariota @ New Orleans (W 34-28): 28-39, 387 yards, 4 TD
Another big returner from injury, Mariota thrived in his first game with Mike Mularkey as interim head coach.


Play of the Week

This was a great play by Bears tight end Zack Miller, who hadn't scored a touchdown since 2011. He put a hand up and was able to corral the ball with both hands and score the game-winning touchdown.


Play of the Weak

This week, this section goes to everything the Broncos did on the last drive against the Colts. The Colts were able to keep the ball and run out the clock thanks to Aqib Talib poking Dwayne Allen in the eye and a holding penalty against Denver on a Colts field goal (why would the defense need to hold on a field goal!?)




Week 10 Preview

Quick Picks (home team listed last)

Last Week: 4-9
Overall: 74-47

Byes: Falcons, Colts, Chargers, 49ers

Bills 31, Jets 27 (Thursday, 8:25 PM, NFL Network)
Browns 17, Steelers 24 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, CBS)
Lions 26, Packers 35 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, FOX)
Cowboys 28, Buccaneers 32 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, FOX)
Panthers 26, Titans 21 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, FOX)
Bears 22, Rams 24 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, FOX)
Saints 42, Redskins 28 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, FOX)
Dolphins 32, Eagles 38 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, CBS)
Jaguars 27, Ravens 24 (Sunday, 1:00 PM, CBS)
Vikings 30, Raiders 34 (Sunday, 4:05 PM, FOX)
Patriots 35, Giants 38 (Sunday, 4:25 PM, CBS)
Chiefs 13, Broncos 24 (Sunday, 4:25 PM, CBS)
Cardinals 28, Seahawks 24 (Sunday, 8:30 PM, NBC)
Texans 23, Bengals 38 (Monday, 8:30 PM, ESPN)


Start 'em

Steelers RB DeAngelo Williams vs. Cleveland
Hmmm. Coming off a 170-yard game and playing the Cleveland rush defense? Count me in.

Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater @ Oakland
Teddy is expected to play Sunday, and he gets to face the worst pass defense in the NFL (by yards allowed per game).

Packers RB James Starks vs. Detroit
Earlier this week, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy announced that Starks will be the starting running back over Eddie Lacy this week. Starks is also involved in the passing game, and he plays Detroit's subpar defense.


Sit 'em

Any Steelers QB vs. Cleveland 
I know they're playing the Browns, but I am not currently sure who's starting for Pittsburgh this week. Will Big Ben be able to go? Will Landry Jones fill in? What about Mike Vick? If you have inside information and are confident in one of these guys, go right ahead. But there are better options.

Bills QB Tyrod Taylor @ NY Jets
I really like Tyrod Taylor, especially as an underrated fantasy quarterback. However, the Jets defense is really good, so Taylor probably isn't the best choice this week, especially in a Thursday night game.

Cardinals RB Chris Johnson and Broncos RB Ronnie Hillman
Both Arizona and Denver have elite defenses, and neither team leans extremely heavily on the run game.