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NFL Week 2 Recap 2015

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September 23, 2015

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FULL NFL RECAP

Broncos 31 Chiefs 24

Eli Manning looked awful at times but found the end zone when his team needed it most.

KC got a big game from their best player Jamaal Charles, but he also cost them with a last minute fumble. Bradley Roby scooped it up to score with just nine seconds left in the game.

Eye popping stat of the game: Three lost fumbles by KC.

Turning point: Charles’ costly fumble with overtime looming.

Fantasy league carnage: If you had Manning, Emmanuel Sanders, and the Denver defense then you could not lose your fantasy matchup this week.

Falcons 24 Giant 20

Full Falcons recap link.

Eye popping stat of the game: Julio Jones 13 catches / targets. #Feeddabeast

Turning point: Falcons strip of Eli in the third.

Fantasy league carnage: OK Beckham outdid my guy Julio in most fantasy leagues, they were about even on DraftKings with the PPR.

Packers 27 Seahawks 17

Aaron Rodgers looked like the best QB in the NFL early. Russell Wilson looked like he could bring his team back from anything once again as the Seahawks scored 14 points in the third quarter to make it interesting.

The Pack answered with a Rodgers TD pass to TE Richard Rogers along with a two point conversion to make it 24-17. Wilson was picked in the fourth and GB added a late FG to win by 10 at home.

Eye popping stat of the game: Wilson averaged nearly eight yards per run. How do you deal with that as a defense?

Turning point: Eddie Lacy leaving the game hurt the Pack, but they have a competent guy in James Starks to take over. He finished with 95 yards on 20 carries.

Fantasy league carnage: Rodgers was the man once again in the fantasy world. He protects the football and is efficient as hell. 2 TDs no INTs

Saints 19 Bucs 26

Did Jameis Winston figure the NFL out in just two weeks? Not likely. More probable is New Orleans having one of the worst secondaries in the NFL. Even so, one would have to think Brees would have outpaced Winston in a passing duel. After all, Mariota made the Bucs defense look like they were hungover in his NFL debut.

The Saints have lost the last six home games for those keeping count. Perhaps a Rob Ryan haircut would remove whatever hex is on the Saints in their own building.

Mark Ingram’s late fumble was costly, but the offense as a whole just did not perform at a level to win the game. Brees is not in his prime anymore and his weapons cache isn’t what it once was with Jimmy Graham gone and Marques Colston now 88 years old.

Eye popping stat of the game: Five fumbles for New Orleans. They recovered two, but you can’t put the ball on the ground like that regardless

Turning point: Hit on Brees that tweaked his shoulder could have affected him the rest of the game.

Fantasy league carnage: You know how many people had Brees versus the Bucs shakey secondary this week? Counting me, about 23 million fantasy players.

Cardinals 48 Bears 23

What’s the most likely scenario in which Jay Cutler would be injured? That’s right, trying his hand at tackling a defender that has just snatched his pass out of thin air. Cutler left the game and Jimmy Clausen was the Bears backup choice. His QBR was 3.2 at game’s end.

Carson Palmer continued his excellent play in 2015, tossing four TDs, one on a flea flicker play for the hell of it. Even “old man” Fitzgerald showed he isn’t ready to be put out to pasture. #11 hauled in three touchdown passes and was a top wide out in fantasy play this week

Eye popping stat of the game: Larry Fitzgerald’s eight catches that turned into three TDs.

Turning point: Cutler’s injury.

Fantasy league carnage: Fitzgerald was at the top in standard leagues, beating out the young bucks.

Steelers 43 49ers 18

Hope Frisco fans enjoyed week one’s win. Pittsburgh brought the Niners back down to the real world with a beat down that involved a couple of early two point conversions.

The only flaw in the Steelers’ game this week was their kicker, Josh Scobee who missed an extra point and could be on unemployment very soon. He missed two FGs in the opener last week.

Big Ben had his way in the air as he was free to operate with no pressure.

Eye popping stat of the game: 0 hits on Big Ben.

Fantasy league carnage: Ben Roethlisberger is leading all fantasy players as MNF unfolds in a low scoring affair so he should end the week at the top.

Redskins 24 Rams 10

If any team knows how to have a week to week let down, it is the Rams. Beating Seattle was great so they needed a downer I guess. Losing to Washington certainly provides the flip side to beating a quality opponent.

The Redskins rolled over the Rams via Matt Jones. The rookie running back rambled for 123 yards on just 19 carries.

Eye popping stat of the game: Zero interceptions for Kirk Cousins. He can be a quality NFL starter if he can keep from turning the ball over week to week. He has too many ups and downs to trust him usually.

Turning point: Jones’ second score that capped a six plus minute drive in the fourth to put the Rams to sleep for good.

Fantasy league carnage: If you had Matt Jones on your team then you’re smarter than me (not saying much). He was second in standard league points at the RB slot.

Jaguars 23 Dolphins 20

Both these Florida teams now stand at 1-1 after two weeks. It took a late drive by Blake Bortles to set up the game winning field goal.

Bortles played well early, but was quiet until his final march that put the Jags ahead to stay. As for Miami, they could not get their rushing game going and Ryan Tannehill led them with just 17 yards on the ground.

Eye popping stat of the game: Allen Robinson of Jacksonville ended up with six catches for 155 yards and two scores.

Turning point: Jason Myers 58 yard field goal right before the half.

Fantasy league carnage: Tannehill had a top 10 day in QB fantasy play.

Eagles 10 Dallas 20

The Cowboys lost in every way except on the scoreboard. They handled the Eagles easily, but lost Tony Romo with a broken collarbone. They are now without their two best players for what could be about 10 weeks.

The Eagles had no run game as DeMarco Murray was mugged each time he touched the ball due to the absolutely pathetic O-line play. Sam Bradford didn’t look much better as he was uncomfortable most of the game with Dallas getting pressure on the former Ram.

Eye popping stat of the game: Seven total rushing yards for the Eagles as a team.

Fantasy league carnage: Dallas’ defense produced fantasy 20 points.

Bills 32 Patriots 40

Tom Brady and his receiving corp are in total sync just two games in so far in 2015. The Bills talked a good game this week, but got smacked from the jump in this game. Buffalo did open up with an impressive score, but it was downhill afterward.

Brady was unstoppable with 466 yards passing and three touchdowns. He had 59 attempts and the Pats’ uptempo style kept the Bills off balance the entire game.

To Buffalo’s credit they did mount a comeback when they could have just laid down.Tyrod Taylor was sacked eight times in this one. “T-Mobile” had a rough day, getting sacked repeatedly and picked off on three occasions.

Eye popping stat of the game: Eight sacks by the Patriots.

Turning point: Malcolm Butler’s interception that set up New England’s third TD to go up 21-7.

Fantasy league carnage: Brady was in the top two in standard league play.

Raiders 37 Ravens 33

Carr was the story of the game in this barn burner, while Joe Flacco searched for a weapon not named Steve Smith.

This game will provide some confidence for Oakland after a nasty loss in week one. Carr found Seth Roberts with just 26 seconds left in the game to get the win over Baltimore. Carr had a career day to get his team to 1-1 on the season.

Eye popping stat of the game: Amari Cooper’s 68 yard TD catch.

Fantasy league carnage: Derek Carr had a top five day at QB.

Vikings 26 Lions 16

Minnesota got a big day out of Adrian Peterson who bounced back after a poor week one showing. Teddy Bridgewater benefited with a healthy run game and turned in a steady performance that got the win for his Vikes.

Peterson had 192 total yards, but did fumble twice.

The Lions fall to 0-2 with three very hard games ahead. They aren’t going to win many games with Matthew Stafford as their top rusher.

Eye popping stat of the game: 38 rushing yards for the Lions.

Fantasy league carnage: Ameer Abdullah was a ghost after a great week one fantasy showing.

Panthers 24 Texans 17

Cam Newton is good enough to win some games on his own and it helps when the opposing QB is Ryan Mallett. Carolina finds themselves 2-0 while Houston is struggling at 0-2.

As Houston tried to come back in the fourth it was apparent that Ryan Mallett is a bottom five starter in the NFL. His throws were so off the mark it looked like he just arrived in the League yesterday.

Eye popping stat of the game: 4.2 yards per pass attempt by Mallett.

Fantasy league carnage: Drop Houston if they are your primanry defense. JJ Watt can’t do it all.

Bengals 24 Chargers 19

Andy Dalton could be headed for a career year. He torched San Diego for three TDs on just 26 attempts. The Bengals got a lot of help from Giovani Bernard with 123 yards. Tyler Eifert added a TD catch along with AJ Green finding the end zone erly.

The Chargers were the same old team, up and down. Week one saw them come back for a big win only to falter the very next week. Melvin Gordon did provide a spark at running back with 88 yards on just 16 runs.

Despite the loss, Philip Rivers did pass Dan Fouts for franchise touchdown throws.

Eye popping stat of the game: Three different Bengals receivers found the end zone.

Fantasy league carnage: Keenan Allen went off in week one but was in the negative fantasy column this week.

Browns 28 Titans 14

Marcus Mariota had a rough outing, as Cleveland sacked the rookie seven times and pressured him constantly.

Johnny Manziel fared much better than last week as he heaved two long TD passes to Travis Benjamin. Manziel was impressive enough to make McCown sweat a bit as he plans his return after week one’s concussion.

Eye popping stat of the game: Seven sacks on Mariota.

Fantasy league carnage: Travis Benjamin tallied 29 points.

Jets 20 Colts 7

Not hard to figure out the difference in this game. NY had five takeaways, with Darrelle Revis ripping three of those from the Colts. Andrew Luck or no, a team can’t overcome that turnover factor.

Luck struggled for the second straight week and was kept out of the end zone for three quarters of this game. The Colts’ leader had three interceptions to boot.

The Jets offense did their job with Ryan Fitzpatrick having a solid outing along with Marshall and Decker at receiver. Decker did leave the game with a knee injury however and an MRI is scheduled for Tuesday.

Eye popping stat of the game: Five turnovers for the Colts.

Turning point: Too many to count, turnovers 1-5 and a missed FG are good starting points though.

Fantasy league carnage: Brandon Marshall wrapped up the fantasy week with a decent standard league game and a big total on DraftKings.

THE VISIT Review: Better Than M. Night Shyamalan’s Usual Fare

The Curvy Girl Diva

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September 23, 2015

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THE VISIT Review: Better Than M. Night Shyamalan’s Usual Fare

The Visit is M. Night Shyamalan’s second movie in the past two and a half years. And since After Earth was pretty much panned (although it made well over $244 million) some people consider this his return to the big screen with a movie that a lot of people actually like. The director who was lauded for the Sixth Sense has yet to really recaptured the brilliance of that 1999 blockbuster. While people rave that The Visit is his return to glory, I beg to differ.

Don’t get me wrong it was a good effort and to me has all the makings of being a true “comeback” for the Indian director, but it just doesn’t deliver.

The premise of the movie, without giving away too many pertinent details, is creepy and there is an air of “suspense” throughout the whole movie but it doesn’t completely commit to being a real horror film. Brother and sister Tyler and Becca go to visit their grandparents, whom they have never met, in a country hometown in Pennsylvania where their mother grew up. She sends them away on a train to her parents (whom she has not spoken to in 16 years) as she and her boyfriend go on a cruise. Popo and Nana are there waiting for them and welcomes the two youngsters with open arms and homemade cookies. It’s those cookies that are the source of the first sign that something is not right at the elderly couples house later on that night.

We all know that going to an unknown place meeting people that you’ve never met before can be a little weird but when you leave your room to grab more of those delicious cookies your mom’s mom made, you don’t expect to be met with a vomiting Nana that doesn’t even know you are watching.

Aside from this grossed out moment (I can’t stand vomit) it is clear that the things going on at this house are out of place as there is an air of suspicion that continues to grow with each and every confusing incident.

As far as the story and the overall tone of the movie, there are definitely some jumping moments. When they play under the house and unbeknownst to Becca and Tyler, Nana joins in on the ”fun” by chasing them, you get the feeling that this woman is either crazy or just a really good sport. Other than those kinds of moments that make you say “huh” the telling of the story moves just a little too slow. If it had more real scary moments within the unfolding of the plot, it would have sufficed for the pace, but they just aren’t there.

The thing that I will give Shyamalan is the twist you don’t see coming. I won’t give it away here, but let’s just say the reason for Nana and Popo’s strange and frightening behavior is indeed a disgusting mystery.

While I am disappointed that the hype of the movie doesn’t deliver on its actual quality, there are some comical moments in the movie that work. It is always risky to include comedy in thrillers because they may no go over very well. For instance with the first installment of Insidious, which scared the hell out of me, while there was comical relief that added to some thematic moments, it became distracting. In The Visit, Tyler’s love for rap music and his cultural appropriation, which some people may be offended by, is funny. It makes the character more real. Also with Becca, the character quirks Shaymalan gives her also makes her relatable. I mean, how many of us with a dream to work in film have considered ourselves the next Martin Scorsese and have gone around filming everybody and everything for our future award winning documentary? Probably the thing that makes Becca and Tyler’s idiosyncrasies work is that they play into, for the most part, furthering the plot of the story.

As for the rest of the movie, there are some plot points that I just don’t understand and that to me is the reason why this movie doesn’t live up to its expectations. Yes, it is probably better than most of Shaymalan’s recent movies (although I didn’t think Devil was that bad of a movie) but it still misses the mark. I give it a B-.

Film Review: ‘The Visit’

Reviewed at Arclight Cinemas, Hollywood, Sept. 8, 2015. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 94 MIN.

PRODUCTION: A Universal release of a Blinding Edge Pictures and Blumhouse production. Produced by Jason Blum, Marc Bienstock, M. Night Shyamalan. Executive producers, Steven Schneider, Ashwin Rajan.

CREW: Directed, written by M. Night Shyamalan. Camera (color, HD), Maryse Alberti; editor, Luke Ciarrocchi; music supervisor, Susan Jacobs; production designer, Naaman Marshall; art director, Scott Anderson; set decorator, Christine Wick; costume designer, Amy Westcott; sound (Dolby Digital), David J. Schwartz; supervising sound editor/re-recording mixer, Skip Lievsay; visual effects supervisor, Ruben Rodas; visual effects, Dive VFX; stunt coordinator, Manny Siverio; casting, Douglas Aibel.

WITH: Olivia DeJonge, Ed Oxenbould, Deanna Dunagan, Peter McRobbie, Kathryn Hahn, Celia Keenan-Bolger.

The Visit Movie Trailer

EMPIRE Finale Recap Season 2 Prep

The Curvy Girl Diva

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September 23, 2015

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It’s already time for Season 2 of FOX‘s crazy breakout hit “Empire,” so for those that need a little refresh before the premiere hits, here’s where things left off. Episode 1 kicks off three months after Lucious is incarcerated so you know he’s primed and ready for some Cookie.

On the season finale of Empire, there is a lot going on. Lucious realizes his time is drawing to an end. While trying to figure out a way to write an epic song for his last concert, he can’t concentrate with everything going on around him and calls for Cookie who is nowhere to be found. Why? Because she is getting in some “me” time with her new boo Malcolm.

They steal away to a quant cottage in the mountains and share an intimate weekend together. They finally ‘do the do’ and remember, it is her first time being with a man other than Lucious. I hear you Cookie but from the looks of it, um… you can’t tell. Do you boo!

At a press conference/performance for Empire’s IPO, Hakeem openly disses his dad. Hakeem walks out but that doesn’t stop luscious from showing him who’s the boss. Daddy Lu punches his son right in the face. In the next scene we see Hakeem telling Jamal he is leaving Empire because Lu thinks he owns him.

Andre still deals with his mental instability. He can’t go back to work and so finds Jennifer Hudson’s character at her church where he says that “nothing fits anymore.”

He then pays a visit to his dad and tells him to find a new CFO. Dre tells him that the void he has filled with darkness he is now filling with a higher power- God. And Lucious says, “What higher power is there than making music.” Wow sound more like Lucifer the fallen angel of music.

So Portia spills the beans to Lucious that Cookie is in the Berkshires with Malcolm. Why the hell did she open her mouth? Lucious then kicks Cookie out of everything Empire giving her 15 minutes to get her shit and leave. Malcolm shows up and says he wants to take her with him to Washington DC. She says she can’t go because she’s worked too hard for what she has.

Lucious turns to his gay son for help (can you believe it). They share a moment in their old house and we see flashbacks from their younger years. In this scene, they actually work together and make a song that is pretty good. Lucious promises his son that he will get Empire if he is able to get his masters from Berretti.

Next scene, we find out that Jamal is headed to Berretti’s to “make a move on him.” Here he shows his toughassness and literally threatens to drop Berretti over the balcony of his own spot. Hakeem is also there getting it on with Anika, and Lucious is the one who catches them.

Later, Lucious finds out he doesn’t even have ALS but MG better known as Myasthenia Gravis. This causes him to have a new lease on life.

Meanwhile, the new meds he’s given for MG have him hallucinating and Cookie sees and hears firsthand as he talks in his sleep. Here too, we see Cookie attempt to smother her ex-husband with a pillow.

Part II

In the opening, Lucious tells his sons, who all sit at his table, that he doesn’t have ALS. He presents each with a gift and actually apologizes to each son. His gift represents something personal to each one and in a shocking turn of events, Jamal is chosen as the new head of Empire. He even gives Cookie a gift and it is a… are you ready for this…pillow.

Andre and Hakeem are salty as hell. Jamal asks his brothers for his support and they are hesitant. So Lucious pulls a quick one on Cookie and reveals that she tried to kill him (it was catch on security video) which really doesn’t sit well with Jamal. She is kicked out of the building (again) and picked right up on the streets by her FBI handlers. They tell her they are building a case against Lucious and need her help. This chick is one loyal girl because even in the face of him doing what he did to her, she doesn’t snitch.

Anika is back in the picture and pumping all kinds of stuff into Hakeem’s mind bringing up the idea of a hostile takeover. Patti Labelle and others make an appearance at Empire’s press conference and Black Rambo, an artist, calls out Jamal being gay and says he won’t perform for Empire because of him.

Rhonda leaves Andre because he left her for his gospel singing therapist. This situation prompts him to join forces with Hakeem. They meet, along with Anika and Cookie, and it finally goes down. The chicks fight and while boo, boo kitty holds her own, Cookie whoops her ass. In the end, they all agree to work together to defeat a man they hate.

They partner with a guy well versed in hostile takeovers who tells them what they need to do to overthrow Lucious and Jamal. They put a plan in place and work to follow through with it.

Vernon and Jamal converse at his house and it turns into a brawl. Vernon is beating his ass when Rhonda comes in and hits him on the head which kills him and they scramble to figure out what to do. She also drops the bomb that she is pregnant.

At the IPO opening, they wait for Vernon, who obviously can’t show up. Lucious can’t wait any longer and pushes the green button making it official- Empire is a publicly traded company.

At Lucious’ concert it is epic but the excitement is short lived because the FBI come in and arrest him before he can perform. He tells Jamal to go out and do the song they wrote together. Hakeem and Andre look at their father as he is taken to jail and it is all clear to Lucious what happened.

It ends with Lucious behind bars… “Game time bitches!”

Kendall Jenner Talks Caitlyn & Ariel Winter Talks College

Ricki Reay

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September 23, 2015

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Kendall Jenner Talks Caitlyn & Ariel Winter Talks College

On Monday at Macy’s Estee Lauder Fragrance launch, Kendall Jenner opened up about her father’s transition. While the 19-year-old model has been notably more private about the whole ordeal than the rest of her sisters, she finally decided to open up and reveal what its been like for her going through it all in the public eye.

Kendall explained, “It would probably be different for someone who didn’t have to live it in the media. But it’s been a ride, for sure. It’s an adjustment. It’s something you have to get used to. But I’ve known since I was a kid. He never confirmed it to me, but I’ve known for a very long time. It’s the same person. My dad says it herself sometimes, it’s kind of like mourning the loss of someone, because it is. My dad is my dad, but he’s not there physically anymore. But she lets me call her dad – that’s the last little piece of dad I’ve got.”

Afterwards, Kendall went on to explain how she was raised by not only her parents, but also her sisters (Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian). Kendall said, “my sisters raised me along with my parents, and Kylie and I got to learn from their mistakes, for sure. We’d watch them to learn about it before we actually got on the ride. My little sister and I make our mistakes, but at least we’re aware of it, what you have to be careful of. And they taught me not to listen to what the media has to say about me. The tabloids write the worst, most unrealistic things you could think of, like I’m pregnant with my sister’s baby.”

Fortunately for Kendall, she seems to be the sister who stays out of the media and tabloids the most as she stays busy and focused on furthering her modelling career.

ariel winter modern family college 2015 gossip

As Ariel Winter approaches high school graduation, she is definitely taking extra precaution to make sure she has plenty of options for post-secondary.

At the Emmys, the 17-year-old Modern Family star revealed, “I’m 99 percent sure I’m going to go in California, but I wanted to apply [to lots of schools] anyways. I still want to do my work because I love my work, and be close to my family and the family I care about.” Ariel revealed that she has sent out applications to 15 different potential schools.

Earlier in the year, Ariel opened up to E! News saying that she was interested in business and law. Ariel said, “I would love to continue acting but it’s definitely important, I think, to go and do something else as well.”

Showing her level-headedness, Ariel also opened up about understanding the truth behind the entertainment business saying, “you never know if something’s not going to work out, if one-day acting is like, ‘No, we don’t like you anymore!’ You gotta have something else you can do.”

Although her show Modern Family didn’t take home an Emmy this year (which would have been a record-breaking 6 consecutive Emmy wins for the show), it continues to get critical praise, so it doesn’t seem like Ariel will be out of a job any time soon.

Modern Family’s new season starts Wednesday, September 23 at 9/8c.

Seattle Seahawks Upset over Kam Chancellor’s Holdout, Michael Bennett a Little Jealous UPDATED

Chris Maurice

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September 23, 2015

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Seattle Seahawks Upset over Kam Chancellor’s Holdout, Michael Bennett a Little Jealous UPDATED

We’re two weeks into the 2015 NFL season and the Seattle Seahawks have the 29^th ranked defense in the league.

Just let that sink in.

The Seahawks have been No. 1 overall each of the past three seasons, so needless to say Kam Chancellor’s holdout is really affecting the Legion of Boom. They look more like the Legion of Gloom right now, amiright?…I’m sorry, I’ll stop.

But back to the topic: Chancellor has been holding out since training camp for a new contract. Word is the Seahawks and Chancellor are a little less than $1 million apart in their talks. So far, the holdout has cost Chancellor over $2 million in lost earnings. I guess it’s more about making a point than the money itself.

The worst part is, Chancellor and the Seahawks have supposedly lost contact over the past week. After a 0-2 start and poor defensive performances, you’d think the Hawks would be begging him to come back. Or you’d think Chancellor would have the decency to come back and stop making his teammates suffer without him on the field.

Personally, I blame Chancellor. His teammates definitely aren’t happy with him either:

“At this moment, he’s not battling with us,” said safety Earl Thomas when asked about Chancellor’s absence on the field. “So I can’t really tell you what [it means]. It would be great if he comes back, but we’re gonna keep on truckin’…He’s handling his situations, [instead of] helping us. I try not to deal with that energy.”

Cliff Avril had similar words regarding Chancellor. The consensus is that they really want him back, but they also should be able to do better without him.

Michael Bennett had a slightly different reaction:

“My situation is different than his,” said the Seahawks’ defensive lineman. “I’ve got three kids. I’ve got a wife. My wife wouldn’t let me hold out, so I had to come to work.”

Guess he isn’t very happy with his contract either, but Mrs. Bennett isn’t having any of that.

Marshawn Lynch was also asked about the situation, to which he responded simply “Yeah.”

UPDATE:

Kam Chancellor is finally going to end his contract holdout and return to the Seahawks on Wednesday. After missing training camp along with the first two games of the 2015 NFL season in hopes of having his contract restructured, he realized he needed to get back on the field and let business take care of itself.

“Ima go help my teammates that are understanding of my position and the ones who aren’t,” Chancellor said in the text message. “God forgives all, why can’t i? Time to help us get back to the big dance. I can address business after the season. Me and Marshawn started a mission 2 years ago. I can’t let my Dawg down….Real talk.”

In holding out, he’s given up two game checks worth over $267K, and it hasn’t been resolved whether the Seahawks will waive his fines for skipping out on training camp. Chancellor is under contract through 2017.

Week 2 Results My 2015 Fantasy Football Blueprint. Watch Me Turn $100 into $0

Shane Mclendon

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September 23, 2015

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Week 2 Results My 2015 Fantasy Football Blueprint. Watch Me Turn $100 into $0

Now we’re getting somewhere. Last week was a disaster in terms of showing you how to turn $100 into $0. Was nice to win, but I felt like I was letting you all down by actually doing well in the fantasy football leagues.

Lucky for you all, back to back wins on DraftKings was not even a possibility. In terms of my tiny bankroll I did terribly. In terms of showing you a blueprint of what not to do on DraftKings this week was a total success.

You can see I still have a Monday Night Football prayer with Brandon Marshall in a single lineup. Maybe he has the best game of his life and I actually win $2, who knows. I like to dream big.

It’s not hard to tell where I went wrong this week when drafting my lineup. It started out with a quarterback. I felt so good about the quarterback that I chose that I had him on almost every single line up.

How did that work out? Fuck Drew Brees.

How the hell did Marcus Mariota have his way with the Bucs defense and Drew Brees needed a fourth quarter comeback attempt to even register a decent score?

Okay, I’m getting upset over nothing. I’m here to help so Brees has actually done me a favor. I guess when you look at it that way, without him I may have actually won a couple of contests this week. That kind of success would have been hard to come back from. This fantasy football blueprint is about losing ultimately.

So congratulations Drew. Sure, you wrecked my lineups, but you provided some great insight for this week’s results. Week to week in the NFL it’s all about matchups. The same holds true for fantasy football. Just because Mariota sliced up the Bucs defense does not mean, let me repeat that, does not mean the next guy is going to the same thing.

Let this be a lesson to you all. Early in the NFL season it is very difficult to see patterns. For all we know the Bucs may have a top 10 defense by year’s end. After week one that certainly did not look like the case, but there’s a lot of factors that go into that.

It’s almost as if I had never played on DraftKings before and yet I’m a seasoned veteran, just like Drew Brees. By the way I could have taken over 20 different QBs that would have been a better option on Sunday.

The safest pick I made was my boy Julio Jones. He racked up 29.5 points in a big win against the Giants in New York. I was tempted to change him out when I realized this game was outdoors. Good thing I didn’t, I would have made a wall of shame somewhere along the halls of DraftKings’ headquarters had I not had Jones to boost my points.

See how many factors come into play in this fantasy football nightmare? I’ve got what I believe the best receiver in the League in Jones, and yet I am thinking of him playing outside instead of how dominant he is. It’s football! They should be able to play outside!

I did luck up and grab Julian Edelman on the cheap for $6700 in one lineup. That’s fantasy clearance rack level when you read his stat line that converted into 33.9 points. That’s the type value it takes to win consistently. You can draft high dollar players like Julio Jones and get nice totals, but his price tag at $8900 makes it mandatory that he produce big each week.

While I sling vulgarities at Brees for his lackluster day, I almost missed how he outscored my only other QB choice this week. Sam Bradford had just 10.86 points behind that invisible offensive line of the Eagles. I should have drafted DeMarco Murray while I was at it…..wait, damn it!

I did. There must be a glitch in the DK system though because they show Murray with over 10 fantasy points on a day when he ended the game with two yards rushing!

In an effort to display handcuffing to you all, I wasted $7000 on the Saints’ Brandin Cooks. I figured he would benefit from Brees’ big day against Tampa and I would have a shot in a big money tournament. In fairness to myself, lots of other guys thought Brees would destroy on Sunday also. So I’m not as stupid as it appears.

Maybe I am, but I have company.

As bad as this week went for my tiny bankroll (more like a bank-mini-muffin), I was pleased with a couple guys. Stevie Johnson only cost me $4200 and had 15.5 points.

Tyler Eifert of the Bengals had the same price at $4200, giving me nearly 15 points.

So I went with my gut two weeks in a row on DraftKings. Week one I did well, doubling my cash. Week two I will lose the entire $10 I put up for grabs, unless Marshall has a miracle Monday night.

What about the easy pickings season long league that I am using as a cushion once I lose my $100 DraftKings investment you say?

Well, I will win my matchup there….as long as Chris Ivory scores 38 points on MNF versus the Colts! Not likely since the highest point total for any running back during the first two weeks is 29 points.

And remember how I bragged about having the highest point total among the entire league last week? Right now I have the lowest score of anyone.

Next week’s DraftKings lineup is going to have to feature some help from the experts. I think I will go half gut, half expert opinions. The problem with expert opinions is that there are a ton of them out there.

Let me know how you’ve done this season so far on DraftKings unless your shame is too great. Pride left me long ago so that’s why I don’t mind sharing.

NFL Week 2 Winners and Losers 2015

Shane Mclendon

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September 22, 2015

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nfl winners losers week 2 tom brady images 2015 You know you’re tired when you fall asleep watching the high octane NFL Red Zone. Luckily I didn’t miss much since I got my normal nap interrupting phone call soon after I dozed off. I tried to lock in on the Atlanta Falcons game, but finally figured out I wasn’t going to miss much by waiting for that game to pop up on the RZ.

Plenty of winners this week with Tom Brady looking like he is just continuing last season’s march to immortality. A major loser in Dallas will make things rough for the Boys the next 10 weeks or so.

The Giants are making a habit of blowing leads, thankfully for my Falcons. The G-Men may be in the losing bracket regularly the rest of the way.

I was planning on Jameis Winston being on the losing side for a few weeks after his ugly debut, but that didn’t work out like I thought. Let’s see if there are any more surprise winners or losers.

NFL Grown Man of the Week: Rex Ryan is a man’s man and knows how to own up to his shortcomings. It must be tough to admit being outcoached by another coach, especially the Hoodie. The Bills could have gave up after getting way behind the Patriots, but to their credit they fought back to make it a decent score at the end/

“I have to get better. Belichick outcoached me, no question about it. That’s how it ended up,” Ryan said. “Can’t give up 500 yards and turn it over three times. We did a horses— job and it’s my responsibility.

NFL Child of the Week: Jerry Jones, with good reason. He took the news of Tony Romo’s broken clavicle pretty well on camera, but I would guess he sobbed like a baby later in private. I would have. Losing Dez Bryant was bad enough, now his franchise QB could miss most of the season. No DeMarco Murray to take up the slack either.

Winner: Julio Jones is straight killing defenses so far this year. Dude had 13 catches on 15 targets versus the Giants. He had one touchdown that was reversed as he was down on about the one yard line. Not only is Jones killing it on the field but he is getting nice in the fantasy world. He is on pace to have the type of season that would make him the best wide out in the NFL. And for all the Odell Beckham Jr. fans, Jones was the best receiver on the field on Sunday.

Loser: Dallas. This club seems to be jinxed. I don’t know if Jerry Jones kills baby seals on the weekends or what. From last year’s awful call in the playoffs that cost them the game against Green Bay, to this year with Dez Bryant going down and now Tony Romo is out with an injury as well. Dallas fans better buckle in for a rocky next few weeks.

Winner: Jameis Winston. I hate giving Winston any credit at all but I have no choice this week. He made a major comeback from his first week’s debacle of a debut. I won’t be buying a Winston jersey anytime soon but this was a nice win for the Bucs and Winston.

Loser: Houston’s defense. I just dropped the Texans defense in my fantasy league if that tells you anything. Two games in and I’m convinced they are mediocre as a group even though they have the NFL’s best defender in JJ Watt. They got beat by a weaponless Panthers team. Having Ryan Mallett at QB is no help, but he wouldn’t have to throw it 58 times if the defense was doing their job.

Winner: Carson Palmer is lighting up the scoreboard so far in 2015. He got four more touchdown passes notched on his belt yesterday against the Bears. Three went to Larry Fitzgerald. Palmer was one of the few fantasy brightspots in my league.

Loser: DeMarco Murray. I’m not sure Philadelphia’s line is interested in playing professional football. Murray was repeatedly tackled for a loss yesterday against Dallas. The Eagles fans were booing most of the game and the O-line is to blame for most of those offensive embarrassments. Murray had 2 yards on 13 carries…not a typo!

Winner: Tom Brady. The Golden Boy is taking up just where he left off last year. He blasted the Bills with 466 yards passing, three TDs and zero INTs.

Loser: Jamaal Charles had a great game last Thursday night, but cost his team the game with his fumble in the waning minutes. That turnover let Peyton off the hook as he and the Denver offense capitalized after the Denver quarterback’s up and down game.

Winner: Justin Houston deserves the big check he gets each week from Kansas City. He added two more sacks against Denver on TNF. I barely remember this guy’s college playing career at UGA, but he has done what is necessary to excel in the pros.

Loser: Even though Brandon Weeden doesn’t even need to warm up when a QB emergency hits, he is going to be a loser over the next few weeks. The backup quarterback usually has a sweet gig standing on the sidelines. Now everyone who watches football will know just how incapable Weeden is as he tries to fill in for Tony Romo, especially without Dez to help him out. I hope I’m wrong and we get a feel good story as Weeden leads his team to a decent record in the time his services are needed.

Winner: Ben Roethlisberger. His three TDs helped bring San Francisco back to reality after their impressive opener last week

Loser: Chip Kelly is looking more like a buffoon than a genius these days. Get that college resume ready coach.

Winner: Derek Carr led his Raiders to a comeback win in a shootout with Baltimore. This kid could actually help turn this desperate franchise around sooner rather than later.

Loser: Bills fans who were trying to set a record for loudest crowd noise. It felt like the team was trying to help Tom Brady set the record for most yards against an allegedly stout defense.

Loser: Me. See my week two fantasy results and you will understand.

Heroes & Zeros: Viola Davis & Nancy Lee Grahn

The Curvy Girl Diva

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September 22, 2015

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Heroes & Zeros: Viola Davis & Nancy Lee Grahn

This week’s Heroes & Zeros are two women who both share one common factor- they have been highly respected actresses in their fields. But oh how the tables turn when award shows are involved.

Hero: Viola Davis

This woman has been on fire for a while now. She has been acting for decades on Broadway and on the big screen and is finally experiencing the kind of appreciation and attention that she deserves. From staring in powerful roles to being the title character of one of the hottest new Shondaland shows on ABC, this How To Get Away With Murder (HTGAWM) leading lady is on cloud nine for sure.

She made history at this year’s Emmy’s by becoming the first black woman to ever win the award in the category of Outstanding Leading Actress in a Drama Series for her work on HTGAWM. She plays the hell out of Annalise Keating so it was only fitting that she win.

Viola celebrated her historic moment by giving a moving and inspiring speech about the importance of black women in Hollywood and that the only way we can be a part of the industry is by having roles for us.

“The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is simply opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there.”

Her words ring so true for her generation, my generation and a generation to come and she is truly the hero of the week for sharing her moment with all women of color.

Zero: Nancy Lee Grahn

The actress has been a long time fixture in the soap opera circuit and is not that bad of an actress (you know soap stars get bad reps) but her complaining, hate filled twitter rant about Viola’s win makes her a huge zero. And what really seals it is that she didn’t see how her comments were going to backfire on her

It always baffles me when non-women of color tote “girl power” but as soon as a black woman says something about being proud to accomplish something and be acknowledged for it, that same “girl power” goes out the window.

The thing about Grahn’s tirade is that it was offensive, it was hateful and it was full of white privilege.

“I wish I loved #ViolaDavis Speech, but I thought she should have let @shondarhimes write it. #Emmys.”

“I think she’s the bee’s knees but she’s elite of TV performers. Brilliant as she is. She has never been discriminated against… Try being any woman in TV. Wish she’d brought every woman in the picture. I wish I’d opportunity to play roles she has get”

“I’m a fucking actress for 40 yrs. None of us get respect or opportunity we deserve. Emmys not venue 4 racial opportunity. ALL women belittled.”

She of course turned around to apologize for her words, but it was too late. The outrage that people felt and still feel about her comments have done a lot of damage, no doubt to her own personal image. Especially with her feeling the need to give two separate apologies.

“I apologize for my earlier tweets and now realize I need to check my own privilege… My intention was not to take this historic and important moment from Viola Davis or other women of color but I realize that my intention doesn’t matter here because that is what I ended up doing. I learned a lot tonight and I admit that there are still some things I don’t understand but I am trying to and will let this be a learning experience for me.”

If I am really being honest here, having interned at General Hospital in college and being around her, this kind of outburst, divaesque “where’s my attention” attitude is not that much out of character for her, in my opinion.

Even with her apologizing, which felt a lot like spinning, the question still remains, why did she go off the handle the way she did in the first place? In my experience, with people in general, when they blow up seemingly out of nowhere, it is because there has been some things brewing for a while and a final straw triggers diarrhea of the mouth and behaviors.

Viola is further a hero for how she handled the situation, even still maintaining her composure. Grahn is a zero for not only making her comments that are offensive to all black women but for not using her years of wisdom and knowledge to demonstrate better judgment.

Viola David Emmy Acceptance Speach

Philadelphia Eagles Start 0-2 & Offensive Backfield DeMarco Murray a Joke

Chris Maurice

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September 22, 2015

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Philadelphia Eagles Start 0-2 & Offensive Backfield DeMarco Murray a Joke

After a 20-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, the preseason Super Bowl contender Philadelphia Eagles are now 0-2. So what’s wrong with them? When the Green Bay Packers started 0-2, Aaron Rodgers told everyone to “R-E-L-A-X. Relax,” and they still made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game. The Eagles can still do it, right?

Well, we just witness the Jags, Browns, Bucs, Raiders, and Redskins all win on the same day, so I’m not going to rule out anything as possible. But, to answer the question, it’s not looking good at all.

The Eagles offense looks like something Chip Kelly has nightmares about—especially the offensive line.

The Eagles’ running back trio had absolutely no where to go against the Cowboys. Dark blue jerseys lived in the Eagles’ backfield, and the running game was nonexistent as a result. Philly finished with 7 rushing yards on 17 carries. That’s not even enough for a first down.

“Offensively, we weren’t in sync,” said running back DeMarco Murray. “We just couldn’t get anything going. Individually, collectively, we’ve got to make it work. You’ve got to look yourself in the mirror, watch the film tomorrow and go from there.”

Murray should have the longest stare in the mirror. I guess no one told him that players are supposed to do better against their old teams. Murray finished with 2 rushing yard. Two. On 13 carries.

Sure, it’s hard to put all the blame on him. There was a series of three carries over which Murray lost 16 total yards. That pretty obviously shows that there was basically nothing stopping the defense from getting deep into the backfield almost as soon as the ball was snapped. Darren Sproles and Ryan Matthews had similar problems combining for -4 yards on their two total touches.

“We couldn’t get anything started,” said Kelly. “I don’t think the running backs even really had time to assess if there was a hole. Too much penetration up front. Too many guys in the backfield. We just didn’t block them…They ran four down linemen, three linebackers. They didn’t have extra guys in the box. We just couldn’t block the defensive line tonight.”

Let’s no forget who Murray is though. The league’s leading rusher in 2014 with 1,845 yards is on pace to have about 170 yards this season, and he certainly isn’t doing his career yards per carry average any favors so far.

Murray has 11 yards this season on 21 carries. That’s the worst start a running back has ever had. That’s barely a foot and a half per carry…even Peyton Manning has almost two yards per attempt over the course of his career, and he probably runs an 8.2 in the 40-yard dash.

So what’s his issue? Is Dallas’ offensive line really that much better?…Well, yeah, it is. But does that mean we can’t blame Murray at all?

I’m still going to. Murray had 285 yards through his first two games last season. He has 11 this season. If you want to put that 274 yard difference on the Eagles’ o-line, then you have to give the Cowboys line credit for everything Murray did last season. Neither of those sound fair.

At the end of the day, DeMarco Murray was brought to Philadelphia to replace LeSean McCoy—well, really he was brought in to make fans forget about McCoy completely. He didn’t come cheap either: $40 million is a lot to pay for a couple of yards a game (literally).

The Eagles generated a lot of buzz this preseason, but at the end of the day, Kelly has not been able to make it work out so far. If he can’t find a way to fix things soon, he may be heading back to Oregon come December.

On a small up-note for the Eagles, they did break Tony Romo’s collarbone. So at least they have Brandon Weeden to help keep them in the hunt for the division for a few weeks.

Matt Damon’s D For Diversity

The Curvy Girl Diva

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September 22, 2015

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Hollywood is a cutthroat industry. Even people who aren’t in it or who don’t aspire to be know this to be true. It is especially hard for women and equally (some argue more so) for people of color. Because the lack of diversity is such a touchy subject mainly for a certain group of non-minorities in the field, the sting is all the more hurtful when those who are the perpetrators of the inadequacies try to explain how they don’t exist.

We saw this on display recently when Matt Damon, beloved Matt Damon, rudely and without regard, interrupted producer Effie Brown during her speaking on the need for more diversity during the season premiere of HBO’s Project Greenlight. She was trying to urge people to understand the importance to have a director in place for movies like an upcoming film in which one of the characters named Harmony, is a black prostitute and the only person of color in the film, because diversity includes important roles like are seen as well. Matt Damon however, didn’t agree.

“When we’re talking about diversity, you do it in the casting of the film not in the casting of the show.”

Of course this caused a slew of outrage from black and white people alike. Damon apologized in an effort to ease the bite of his words.

“I am sorry that they offended some people, but, at the very least, I am happy that they started a conversation about diversity in Hollywood. That is an ongoing conversation that we all should be having.”

His apology didn’t sit well with some folks still because seriously Matt Damon, you think your dissention “started a conversation about diversity in Hollywood?” It is that kind of mindset (his feeling that somehow he has brought to the table something that has been a topic of discussion since the beginning of the cinema) that caused him to make his comments in the first place.

But I want to offer, as a black woman who is a writer and follower of the cinema, a perspective that perhaps explains part of the origin of his argument. First let me say that we as black people are very quick to immediately go on the defensive when white people makes these kinds of statements and sometimes, it is not totally justified. With that, Damon more than likely, feels that the real importance in the casting of diversity is not in the ethnicity of the director, or the other “players” because we don’t see them. It is in what we can see which is the casting of the actors where diversity is most important because the visual is what makes the impact.

Again this is just offering a different viewpoint and while that viewpoint is feasible, it is still incomplete. Diversity is not just for looks or to say, “see, this film is diverse” so that people can feel better about going to see a movie of believe that the world is truly changing. Diversity in the cinema is about creators (behind the scenes and in front of the camera) from all backgrounds, walks of life and ethnicities having the opportunity to use their talent and resources to create. In that sense, yes, Brown is right, the director of the film is just as important as the actors because they say where the film is going and give direction to actors in the roles. Why do you think people quit movies over creative differences? The director is that important.

Now for the record, I do not think that Matt Damon meant any harm in what he said or that he is a racist or doesn’t like black people. I do think, however, that his viewpoint comes from a place of superiority and from a true lack of understanding of what it feels like to be in Brown’s (and people like her) position, which is hard for someone like Damon comprehend. I believe that when people make these kinds of statements it is either because they don’t care to admit the truth because then that makes them look bad or because they genuinely don’t get it.

As for his apology, he tried and it was a solid effort but still lacks the necessary cognition to speak on this subject… at all.

I give him a D for Damon not diversity.

Jennifer Lawrence Amy Schumer Friendship & Ariana Grande Goes Natural

Ricki Reay

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September 22, 2015

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Jennifer Lawrence Amy Schumer Friendship & Ariana Grande Goes Natural

As much as the Internet wants Amy Schumer and Jennifer Lawrence to be the very best of friends, sadly it just isn’t so.

The internet went crazy when pictures of Jennifer and Amy surfaced earlier this summer, showing the two funny women vacationing on a yacht and jet skiing. Since then, the two have been working on developing a script for a comedy together.

However, although the two are undoubtedly friends, while at the Emmys Amy explained how their friendship may have been made out to be something its not. Amy said, “[Jennifer and I] really like each other, but I think the media blew it up. We’re not BFF. We’re just Fs, but we’re really good Fs.”

Amy goes on to say, “I have BFFs since I was 8 years old so it’ll be tough to uproot them.”

Afterwards, Schumer gave an update about the movie she is writing with Jennifer, saying that they are hoping to start shooting in February 2017.

Amy Schumer, Instagram post:

Jlaw #maniac

A post shared by @amyschumer on Jul 30, 2015 at 7:30am PDT

But then word comes that Lawrence really stepped it up by shocking Schumer with a very nice surprise.

Schumer took home her first Emmy Award on Sunday, and her Oscar winning friend wasted no time in celebrating the milestone by flooding her hotel room full of congratulatory balloons.

“Never tell Jennifer L your room number,” Schumer captioned her Instagram photo of her standing in the middle of her room surrounded by a colorful and large array of balloons – with a much-coveted Emmy in hand.

Never tell Jennifer L your room number

A post shared by @amyschumer on Sep 21, 2015 at 3:20pm PDT

On Sunday, 22-year-old pop star Ariana Grande decided it was time to show off her real locks. In an Instagram collage, Arianna displayed her natural, curly hair with a caption reading, “Peekaboo healthy curls, Long time no see.”

Ariana Grande, Instagram post:

peekaboo healthy curls ? long time no see ???

A post shared by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande) on Sep 20, 2015 at 12:53pm PDT

This was a surprise as the young singer is known for her high sleek ponytail. After people began criticizing Ariana for never changing her hairstyle, the singer explained the true reason she never changes her hair-do.

Arianna explained that playing Cat on Victorious and Sam & Cat meant that she was dying her hair a vibrant red color for over four years and this left her locks “completely destroyed.”

She went on to say, “I had to bleach my hair and dye it red every other week for the first four years of playing Cat. I wear extensions but I wear it in a ponytail because my hair is so broken that it looks absolutely ratchet and absurd when I let it down.”

Adding, “I tried wigs, they look RIDICULOUS, tried a weave…and literally want to rip my scalp off.”

Ariana continued to defend her high ponytail saying, “So as annoying as it is for y’all to have to look at the same hairstyle all the time, it’s all that works for now (and I’m comfortable for the first time in years) and trust me, it’s even more difficult for me to have to wait forever for my natural hair to grow back and to have to wear more fake hair than every drag queen on earth combined. So PLEASE gimme a break about the hair (or just don’t look at me lol). IT’S JUST HAIR AFTER ALL.”

Now that the singer has shown off her natural curls, it looks like the days of the high ponytail may be soon behind her.

Drew Brees Injury & 0-2 Saints Making it Hard for New Orleans to Celebrate

Chris Maurice

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September 22, 2015

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Drew Brees Injury & 0-2 Saints Making it Hard for New Orleans to Celebrate

After a pathetic loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome of all places, the New Orleans Saints fell to 0-2. It doesn’t get much worse than your favorite team looking like the newest edition of the Jacksonville Jaguars (who are 1-1, by the way), right?

Wrong. Word on the streets now is that Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees could miss “several” weeks with a bruised rotator cuff. Even New Orleans can’t party its way out of this reality check.

At this point though, how much worse can Luke McCown do? It’s not necessarily Brees’ fault, but the Saints offense looks absolutely atrocious. Sure, you could tell Drew wasn’t the same after that big hit in the second quarter, but that doesn’t excuse the early punts and offensive struggles against a Bucs’ defense which gave up 35 first half points in Tampa to rookie Marcus Mariota (who went on to lose to the Browns).

So now—assuming Brees is actually injured—the Saints will be starting the spokesman for Verizon’s backup generators. At least the backup was good enough to get as a sponsorship, right?

McCown doesn’t come in to the best situation, however. The defense sucks, the offense is relying on the defense, and their beloved homefield advantage which was worth 8 wins a season at one point has turned into a six-game home losing streak.

There’s still hope though. Very little, yet some. The Saints are already two games behind the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers for the NFC South division title, but a win this week against the Panthers would bring them right back into it. The week after that, the Saints play the banged up Dallas Cowboys after Tony Romo suffered a broken collarbone.

If they lose these next two, you’ll see a lot of brown paper bags in New Orleans this season…over their faces I mean. But I’m sure they’ll be drinking a lot too.

FULL NFL RECAP

Broncos 31 Chiefs 24

Falcons 24 Giant 20

Packers 27 Seahawks 17

Saints 19 Bucs 26

Cardinals 48 Bears 23

Steelers 43 49ers 18

Redskins 24 Rams 10

Jaguars 23 Dolphins 20

Eagles 10 Dallas 20

Bills 32 Patriots 40

Raiders 37 Ravens 33

Vikings 26 Lions 16

Panthers 24 Texans 17

Bengals 24 Chargers 19

Browns 28 Titans 14

Jets 20 Colts 7

Hero: Viola Davis

Zero: Nancy Lee Grahn

Viola David Emmy Acceptance Speach

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