Rams roll on with another big divisional win
The Rams are eyeing off the NFC West crown after three straight W’s.
It’s been a good week for the Rams. After Arizona’s shock loss to the previously struggling Detroit Lions on Sunday, L.A. had the opportunity to jump into equal first in the NFC West — and they didn’t let themselves down.
After three straight losses Rams have bounced to three consecutive victories, defeating rivals Seattle 20-10 at SoFi Stadium on Tuesday night.
A dour first half was what the doctor ordered — not for the fans — for a Rams team criticised for its lack of physicality in recent losses. Aaron Donald and Von Miller stood tall recording two tackles-for-loss and a sack each. It was Miller’s first sack as a Ram, ending a seven-game drought, the longest of his illustrious career.
The second half started poorly from an L.A. perspective, as Seattle running back DeeJay Dallas ran in a 4-yard touchdown to secure a 10-7 advantage. From then on, the Rams’ — and potential NFL — MVP Cooper Kupp rose from the shadows.
Kupp, who finished the night with 136 receiving yards from nine catches, tied the game on a 6-yard reception with 6:31 left in the third. Simultaneously, the Eastern Washington product set a franchise record -- amassing 120 catches in a single season.
Early in the final quarter, Kupp pushed the Rams ahead 17-10 with a superb 29-yard touchdown to place a cherry on the top of an 88-yard drive.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing from thereon. Seattle had their opportunity to restore parity, and perhaps would have if Rams linebacker Ernest Jones was flagged for pass interference on a Russell Wilson pass intended for Dallas.
Controversially, the play came on fourth-and-six with just 3:27 remaining in the ball game. The no-call virtually ended Seattle’s hopes, with the only flag coming for Dallas’ unsportsmanlike conduct.
From a scoring perspective, pinpoint Rams kicker Matt Gay knocked in a 35-yard field goal to push the Rams to a 20-10 lead — the game’s final score.
Despite the tie, Los Angeles are currently seeded No. 5 in the NFC due to atheirhead-to-head record with Arizona. Up next are a tricky Minnesota team — the NFC’s current No. 7 seed — in what will be a fantastic spectacle for the neutral.
Seattle’s ninth loss of the season meanwhile, has earned Pete Carroll’s team their first losing season since 2011 — and the first of Russell Wilson’s career. They host the 4-10 Bears next week in a game for only the purists.
Seahawks sign Adrian Peterson to Practice Squad
AP could provide juice to what is seemingly a lifeless season in Seattle.
Seattle look like they want to provide a feel-good factor to their fans, adding legendary running back Adrian Peterson to the practice squad.
Peterson, 36, played three games for the TItans from Weeks 9-11, filling the void of stud running back Derrick Henry. Though Peterson was waived by Tennessee last week, opening the path for Pete Carroll to bring AP to the Pacific North-West.
Playoffs are out of the question for the ‘Hawks who fell to 3-8 after an uninspiring 17-15 loss to Washington on Monday Night Football. Yet, Carroll is still excited at the opportunity to have someone of Peterson’s stature in the building.
"I'm excited to see if he helps out and give us a little something," Carroll said. "He's a player that I know I've known forever, way back to his high school days, and I admired him tremendously over the years.
“Always disappointed we didn't get him back in the day [at USC], but like I just told him, we finally got him. So I'm looking forward to seeing how he does and see where he can fit it. He's an incredible competitor and a great guy, so I'm anxious to give him a chance to get on the field with our boys.
"He plays just as aggressive and tough as he ever has, so I'm anxious to see what he adds to the club, and he's fired up about it too."
The Oklahoma phenom ran for one touchdown and 82 yards with the Titans this season, and will be hoping to improve on those statistics in Seattle.
Peterson is the NFL’s fifth all-time rusher with 14,902 career yards. Seattle is now his seventh team after 15 years spent across the Vikings, Saints, Cardinals, Washington, Lions and Titans.
Russell Wilson’s sluggish return dooms Seahawks’ season
The All-Pro QB hasn’t looked like his old self, and now Seattle’s season is done.
Russell Wilson’s return from injury hasn’t panned out like anyone in Seattle had hoped. After a miraculous recovery from a finger injury, Wilson and the Seahawks are 0-3, losing to the Packers, Cardinals and Football Team — essentially ending all playoff hopes.
The Hawks’ most recent 17-15 loss in the Nation’s Capital was a crippling blow, particularly given Russell Wilson’s level of play.
Wilson had several opportunities to capitalize of open receivers but missed his chance too often. Perhaps the Wisconsin product isn’t fully healed from last month’s surgery. Though Seattle head coach Pete Carroll refused to be drawn on excuses after the loss.
“The film doesn’t lie, you know. We’re missing some stuff,” Carroll said postgame. “I don’t know what to make of it. Other than the fact we got to keep battling and keep trying to figure it out. I felt like there’s some guys open tonight with some chances and unfortunately didn’t pick it up.”
The Seahawks’ offense were inefficient all evening, going 4/12 on third down, unable to keep the ball and in turn, pouring pressure on their defense. Crucially, Seattle were destroyed in the time of possession battle, with Washington holding the ball for 41:40 of 60 minutes.
Seattle had just 49 offensive plays last week against Arizona and outdid themselves on Monday Night Football, reaching a new season-low of 45.
Wilson too, has struggled, completing just 56.1% of his passes since his return in Week 10. The Seahawks have scored a total of 28 points over the last three games — an average of just over 9 points per game.
“He needs to make his plays when he gets his chances,” Carroll said. of Wilson “I can’t imagine that he won’t. I can’t imagine that he won’t get it done.”
Russ may well improve on his current showings — it’s almost inevitable. Though it does seem too little, too late with the Hawks sitting two games outside the NFC’s final wildcard spot. Startlingly, the Detroit Lions are the only squad with a worse record than Pete Carroll’s side.
Russell Wilson: Hawks ready to be #1 offense in football
After an offseason where nothing seemed certain — not even the long-term whereabouts of Russell Wilson himself — the Seahawks are gearing up for a phenomenal offense showing this season, if their fearless leader is to be believed.
After an offseason where nothing seemed certain — not even the long-term whereabouts of Russell Wilson himself — the Seahawks are gearing up for a phenomenal offense showing this season, if their fearless leader is to be believed.
“I think we can be the number one offense in football,” Wilson told Seattle reporters over the weekend.
“I don’t see why not. We’re up for it, we’re ready, we were really good last year, had a lot of great things, but we can be even better. We’ve been watching the maturation of DK [Metcalf] and the continual growth of Tyler Lockett who has been one of the best receivers in football for the past several years,” he said.
“Then adding Gerald [Everett], a true playmaker in the sense, and [Will] Dissly is feeling really confident right now. I’m really excited for his season, what he’s got in store. Colby [Parkinson] too as well, he’s had a really great training camp. You guys have seen him all over the field in practice and he’s doing a great job.
“Our running backs, obviously Chris Carson, what he can do. I believe he’s the best in the game, so I think for us we need to find different ways of getting him the football. I think the thing for us is executing all of the details, being aggressive, and that means every opportunity whether it’s the run or pass game. Having that aggressive mentality, every time we touch the ball, we’re scoring. I think that sense, that tempo, and that aggression going after the defense is really key.”
In more exciting news for Seahawks nation, Russ is now likely to have greater control over the offense — more than he ever has before.
“I’ve always been able to change the play for the most part,” he said. “Along my career, [former offensive coordinator Brian Schotenheimer] allowed me to call the plays and stuff like that at the line of scrimmage when we needed to. I think the emphasis of being able to do it all the time, all throughout the game is the key. I think it’s a little bit different in that sense. I have freedom for sure. The fun part is there’s so much we can do and so many reasonings and so many why’s to it. It’s been really exceptional. Really transferring that to making our plays and putting our guys in the best position to be successful.”
Under new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, Wilson hinted there will be more audibles at the line of scrimmage and greater flexibility to use the smarts he’s amassed throughout his wildly successful career.
He added that the new offense puts greater emphasis on changing the play at the line of scrimmage.
“I think what we’re really focused on is my literally being on the line and doing that and calling it when we need to,” Wilson said. “Just playing fast, that’s what we did the whole first drive if you’ve noticed. It was really at the line of scrimmage. I think the second drive too and later on as well. The thing for us is just, for me, to be able to use what I know, my smarts and understand what we’re trying to do and how we’re trying to get to it.
“Also, Shane and I being on the wavelength and being at the line of scrimmage and checking the play if we need to. Sometimes just trust the play and going with it as well. That really puts the defense on their heels.”
Russ cooked early last season before the Hawks ran out of steam late in the season when it mattered most. All involved in the Pacific North West will be hoping Russ and Waldron can keep the foot on the gas in the ultra competitive NFC West.
Seahawks sign former college basketball star
The Seahawks have taken an unorthodox approach in search of a new piece for Russell Wilson under new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.
The Seahawks have taken an unorthodox approach in search of a new piece for Russell Wilson under new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.
After trying out two college basketball players this week, Seattle opted to sign Michael Jacobson — a former Nebraska and Iowa State product, who hasn’t played a down of football since high school.
Not that this is imperative for pro football success, though. Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham and Julias Thomas are just a few who never played collegiate football.
Jacobson played forward during his time on the hardwood and had an offer from Harvard alongside a football scholarship to Iowa State, both of which he turned down before committing to Nebraska. After his sophomore year, Jacobson transferred from the Huskers to the Cyclones, though he never stepped foot on the gridiron.
Since his college career, the 24-year-old has played professional basketball in Ukraine with Kyiv-Basket.
Jacobson stands at 6’7”, 244 pounds, making it easy to see why Seattle was drawn to the athletic big man. For now, the former Iowa State man is on the Hawks’ 90-man roster. Whether he will get close to the final 53-man roster is yet to be seen, however his first chance to show out may come as early as August 14, when Seattle travels down to face the Raiders in Las Vegas.
NFL announces Preseason TV schedule
An enormous 23 games will be shown on the league’s broadcast channel…this includes to quadruple-headers in Weeks 1 and 2 before two doses of triple-headers in Week 3.
The NFL announced this week there will be a record number of preseason games will be shown on NFL Network.
Let’s hope we’ll see more of this!
Importantly, all preseason games will be shown on NFL GamePass, which is fantastic news for international and American fans alike.
An enormous 23 games will be shown on the league’s broadcast channel will show eight games through Weeks 1-2 before a final seven during the third and final week of preseason.
This includes to quadruple-headers in Weeks 1 and 2 before two doses of triple-headers in Week 3.
The Football Team kick off NFL Network’s coverage on August 12 at New England, where we should get our first official look at Mac Jones in a Patriots uniform.
Trevor Lawrence is likely to hit your screens on August 14 as Urban Meyer and the Jags host AFC rivals, Cleveland.
Media and fans alike will be hoping to get a glimpse of Jordan Love too, which may come as early as Week 2 (August 21) at home to Zac Wilson and Gang Green.
Below is a full list of the games to air on NFL Network across the preseason:
Week 1
Thursday, August 12
7:30 PM ET – Washington Football Team vs. New England Patriots
Friday, August 13
7:00 PM ET – Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions
10:00 PM ET – Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals
Saturday, August 14
1:00 PM ET – Miami Dolphins vs. Chicago Bears
4:00 PM ET – Denver Broncos vs. Minnesota Vikings
7:00 PM ET – Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
10:00 PM ET – Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, August 15
1:00 PM ET – Carolina Panthers vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 2
Thursday, August 19
7:30 PM ET – New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Friday, August 20
8:00 PM ET – Cincinnati Bengals vs. Washington Football Team
Saturday, August 21
1:00 PM ET – Buffalo Bills vs. Chicago Bears
4:25 PM ET – New York Jets vs. Green Bay Packers
7:30 PM ET – Detroit Lions vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
10:00 PM ET – Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, August 22
1:00 PM ET – New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns
7:30 PM ET – San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 3
Friday, August 27
8:00 PM ET – Minnesota Vikings vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Saturday, August 28
1:00 PM ET – Green Bay Packers vs. Buffalo Bills
7:00 PM ET – Chicago Bears vs. Tennessee Titans
10:00 PM ET – Los Angeles Chargers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Sunday, August 29
1:00 PM ET – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Dallas Cowboys
4:00 PM ET – Las Vegas Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers
6:00 PM ET – New England Patriots vs. New York Giants
For American fans — NFL Network will blackout live games shown concurrently in local markets.
NFL announces joint practices - Who your team is playing and why
After practicing against your own same players throughout OTAs and training camp, it is a great opportunity to move through different plays, schemes against foreign opponents.
Not all 32 teams are participating in joint practices though. Only 21 teams are will involve themselves with another organization.
Joint practices aren’t a new phenomenon in the NFL. They essentially act as an opportunity for teams and players to go through scrimmages against different personnel.
After practicing against your own same players throughout OTAs and training camp, it is a great opportunity to move through different plays, schemes against foreign opponents.
Not all 32 teams are participating in joint practices though. Only 21 teams are will involve themselves with another organization.
New Orleans and Jacksonville were set to meet in Louisiana on August 20, but since the release of the schedule both teams have confirmed otherwise.
Teams NOT involved in joint practices this offseason:
Arizona Cardinals
Buffalo Bills
Cincinnati Bengals
Detroit Lions
Houston Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs
New Orleans Saints
Pittsburgh Steelers
Seattle Seahawks
Washington Football Team
Some teams will engage in two bouts of joint practices; the Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, and both the New York clubs (Jets and Giants).
Arguably, the most famous joint practice moment of recent memory involved then-Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins and Washington’s DeAngelo Hall getting into it. Things got interesting, real quick…
Thankfully for DB’s everywhere their ankles won’t be tested by D-Hop until preseason at the earliest.
Full list of this year’s joint practices:
Courtesy of NFL Communications
Richard Sherman apologizes following arrest
Former Seahawks and 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman has apologized following his arrest for drinking under the influence and attempting to break-and-enter his father-in-law’s home on Tuesday night.
Sherman issued a statement this morning; “I am deeply remorseful for my actions on Tuesday night. I behaved in a manner I am not proud of,” he wrote.
“I have been dealing with some personal challenges over the last several months, but that is not an excuse for how I acted. The importance of mental and emotional health is extremely real and I vow to get the help I need.
“I appreciate all of the people who have reached out in support of me and my family, including our community here in Seattle. I am grateful to have such an amazing wife, family and support system to lean on during this time.”
Video of Sherman attempting to force his way into his wife’s father’s residence was leaked, along with a disturbing 9-1-1 call, prompting many of Sherm’s NFL brethren to offer their support and prayers.
The Stanford grad was released without bail on Thursday with the Washington judge citing his previously unblemished record and work within his community.
The 5x Pro Bowl, Super Bowl winning corner is still an unrestricted free agent. Regardless of whether Sherman and his flowing dreadlocks return to NFL Sundays, everyone at The Worldwide Quarterback wishes him a speedy recovery and continued happiness.