2015-16 NFL Week 10: Honor the Fallen - Kenneth Whisenhunt, District Redneck

[Bregor]

WHY HE WAS HIRED: Whisenhunt made a name for himself as the offensive coordinator at tail end of the Bill Cowher Steelers era. His first year running the offense, Pittsburgh went 15-1, and the next year they won Super Bowl XL. After Cowher got the axe, Arizona snatched him up and saw immediate improvement, going to Super Bowl XLIII in the Whiz's second year (and losing to those same Steelers). But after going 5-11 in 2012 and the failed Kevin Kolb experiment, Whisenhunt was kicked out of the desert. Mike McCoy tabbed him as his OC in San Diego for a year, but then Tennessee came calling for a quick fix. In the AFC South, you don't need much to contend, but Whisenhunt's lack of wins and offensive production sealed the deal on his fate.

TOTALLY LOOKS LIKE: 90s-era Woody Harrelson

MOMENT WHEN I KNEW HE SUCKED: As a follow-up to Kurt Warner v2.0 in Arizona, he ran through quarterbacks like Littlefinger runs through shitty accents. Derek Anderson, Max Hall, Kevin Kolb, John Skelton, and Ryan Lindley all had multiple starts, and even Hoyer the Destroyer got the call once. An offensive guru can have all the X's and O's in the world, but he needed to do a better job evaluating quarterback talent.

MOMENT WHEN EVERYONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN HE SUCKED: I remember there being a little kerfuffle earlier this year with playing Mariota hurt, so there's that. But honestly unless you were buying their week 1 dismantling of Tampa Bay, I'm not sure anyone expected anything else from Tennessee this season.

WAS IT HIS FAULT?: I really don't think so. It's hard to argue with a 3-20 record, but he took over a thoroughly flawed team in Nashville. And while he couldn't do much with it in the short term, it's hard to understand why he was on the hot seat so quickly. I mean, look at their roster. If the Titans were contracted today, who would you want your favorite team to sign outside of Mariota? Delanie Walker? Jurrell Casey? Brian Orakpo? There aren't a lot of household names to work with here.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR TENNESSEE: They turn to Mike Mularkey, who is basically another Whisenhunt. He's an offensive guy with previous head coaching experience, and he was actually the OC in Pittsburgh before Whisenhunt. His calling card was using guys like Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El in multiple formations and creative plays. He was head coach in Buffalo a million years ago (remember JP Losman?) and for one year in Jacksonville (GABBERT) so he has his own issues with shitty quarterbacks. One would think he could use Mariota's talents to better effect, and his first game calling the shots was last week's 34-28 overtime thriller over the Saints, so that's something. But Whisenhunt won his first game with Mariota, too.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE WHIZ: He'll be on everybody's short list for any OC job that opens up over the next three months. His second year in Arizona was the franchise's best (although Bruce Arians could change that this season) so it also wouldn't surprise me if he's given another HC job in the near future. Hey Ken, Cleveland could use some offense!


Last week:

M/L: 6-7
ATS: 5-8

Overall:

M/L: 83-49
ATS: 64-63-5



BYE WEEK: Atlanta, Indianapolis, San Diego, San Francisco



THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH

8:25pm EST, NFL Network

Buffalo at NY Jets (-2.5) - Rex Ryan is an entertaining coach. He does dumb shit like wearing a Clemson Tigers helmet to a press conference and naming the guy who broke Geno Smith's jaw as a captain for tomorrow night's game. What he should probably pay more attention to is his team's rate of penalties, which is on pace to break the 2011 Raiders' all-time mark of 163 total penalties on the season. The Jets had a weird win on Sunday, where they were out-gained by almost 150 yards against Jacksonville, but ended up winning thanks to a +4 turnover margin. Bortles had some success throwing the ball deep, but Tyrod Taylor isn't that kind of passer. I think New York's defense matches up really well here. Jets win and cover.


SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH

1:00pm EST, CBS

Chicago at St. Louis (-7) - Thanks to Cutty and a ridiculous catch from Zach Miller the Bears actually won on Monday night. The NFC is pretty bad, but sitting at 3-5 and looking at their schedule, I don't think a surprise playoff run is in the cards. Man, that loss in Detroit really stings the nostrils. The Rams signed walking hot brain Wes Welker, and I bet one of Gregg Williams's defensive hitmen gets confused in practice and knocks him out before their next game. Gurley against Chicago's defense will certainly be a thing. Still, covering a touchdown with that passing offense is dicey. Rams win, Bears with the points.

Miami at Philadelphia (-6) - The shine is off Dan Campbell, as I thought it would be. Changing the tone in the locker room and motivating millionaires to salvage a lost season can only get you so far. Miami's defense have up touchdown plays of 48, 44, and 38 yards against Buffalo. That simply can't happen again, especially against Mr. Chip's Wild Ride. The Eagles needed overtime against Dallas, which is sad in and of itself. But they're only a half game back of the division lead, and I think they have the best chance at going on a second half tear. Eagles win and cover.

Cleveland at Pittsburgh (-4.5) - Large Ben is likely on the shelf for this one, and Mike Tomlin is turning once again to Landry Jones, he of the 60.8 passer rating and two picks in the loss to Kansas City. DeAngelo Williams is also nursing a foot injury, so who knows who will actually suit up for the black and gold. It could be Tommy Maddox and Jerome Bettis for all I care, Cleland doesn't win in Pittsburgh. In fact the last time they pulled the upset was October 5th, 2003 when the Butch Davis/Tim Couch Brownies turned the trick. But this has the makings of an Alabama-LSU 9-6 snoozer. Steelers win, Browns with the points.

Jacksonville at Baltimore (-5.5) - It's hard to imagine the Ravens giving up five and a hook against anyone these days, but they're coming off a win against San Diego and their bye week. With the injuries and roster turnover in Charm City, I'd like to think Harbaugh is immune this year and they have a great chance at coming into 2016 with a better team and a soft schedule (the AFC North draws the AFC East and NFC East next season). The Jags have looked pretty good their last two games but are still giving up too many yards and points. They beat the Bills with a +3 turnover margin, and lost to the Jets with -4. On the season they're allowing 29.4 points per game, 30th in the league. Gus Bradley, defensive guru, everyone. Ravens win, Jaguars with the points.

1:00pm EST, FOX

Detroit at Green Bay (-11.5) - Speaking of no defense, the Lions are worst in the league, allowing 30.6 points per game. Two weeks ago they were thrashed in London, and they fired GM Martin Mayhew. I guess the guy who went to Georgetown Law wasn't smart enough to save this shit franchise. Either Fatt Stafford and company go on a run, or Jim Caldwell and Teryl Austin need to get their résumés in order. We can only hope Jim Bob Cooter will be jettisoned to the nearest moonshine distillery with all the other people named Jim Bob. Green Bay is really good, but has played poorly the last two weeks. It's a blip, nothing more. Packers win and cover.

Dallas at Tampa Bay (-1.5) - Me, watching Cowboys/Eagles overtime:



Also, Greg Hardy is totally innocent, yo:

http://a1.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img...16-9.jpg&w=570

At 3-5, Tampa has already surpassed my projected win total for the season. This will be a really shitty football game. Buccaneers win and cover.

Carolina at Tennessee (+5) - Yeah baby 7-1 #KeepPounding #KeepSmiling #KeepRippingDownPosters. Tennessee is a hot mess, as chronicled above. The Cats aren't going 19-0, and this is the kind of game I think they fuck around and keep close. They're on the road, their opponent stinks, and they just came off a huge emotional win. Are the Titans good for the upset? Nah. Panthers win and cover.

New Orleans at Washington (+1) - Halfway through the season, how's that whole Kirk Cousins thing working out in DC? Among qualified players, he's 20th in QBR, 22nd in yards per game, 24th in passer rating, and 31st in yards per attempt (only Ryan Mallett is worse). You know, I bet a practice squad safety could do a better job than that! New Orleans is a streaky team and I hate betting on them, but Washington stinks. Saints win and cover.

4:05pm EST, FOX

Minnesota at Oakland (-3) - Ten wins so far between these two teams is pretty surprising. Minny's rattled off four straight thanks to Adrian Deterson's big day against St. Louis. Oakland went score for score with Pittsburgh but came up short in Heinz Field. With KC and SD being hot garbage and Peyton Manning about to explode into a fine mist, can Oakland be the 2016 favorite in the AFC West? Well, no, but they are much improved. This line will depend on Teddy Throwsevelt's health after this fucking dirty hit by, you guessed it, a Gregg Williams-led defense. If Shaun Hill starts, I'm taking the Raiders to win and cover.

4:25pm EST, CBS

New England at NY Giants (+7) -





GIANTS IN THE UPSE-hahaha no just kiddin'. Patriots win and cover.

Kansas City at Denver (-6) - Before the season I picked Kansas City to be one of the best teams in the AFC. They started 1-3 but those losses were to great teams. Then they lost to Chicago (ugh) and Minnesota (I guess they're really good) before beating Pittsburgh and Detroit. Off a bye, I wonder which version of the Chiefs shows up, but the bottom line is their defense is much worse than I thought. Peyton Manning, not Andrew Luck, threw two picks in the Denver-Indy showdown last week. 35 rushing yards and a defense that let Indy convert 12-of-20 3rd downs didn't help Manning much either. In their first meeting, KC had Jamaal Charles and they lost by 7 points. This will be uglier. Broncos win and cover.

8:30pm EST, NBC

Arizona at Seattle (-3) - The NFC West powers are both coming off their bye week and ready for an actual good prime time game. Arizona has the best offense in the NFC and is no slouch on defense either. Seattle has looked great defensively since the Legion of Boom reunited, but a lackluster offense is worrisome. The Seachickens squeaked by Dallas two weeks ago as their retooled offensive line kept things interesting. This is the turning point for both teams, the chance for Bruce Arians to dethrone Swaggy Pete as the most valuable coach this side of Belichick. I think he pulls it off. Cardinals in the upset.


MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH

8:30pm EST, ESPN

Houston at Cincinnati (-10.5) -



AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Bengals win, Texans with the points.

[Cail]

I was worried there was no Dalton in your intro, after last weeks intro/title, but I wasnt disappointed

[Rhyis.]

Fuck you Bregs.

[Bregor]

Fuck you Bregs.

What'd I do now? Make another shitty thread? That's old news, pal

[BerenTebogo]

Don't believe in the superbowl-bound Jags, that's what.

[Churchill]

Wisenhunts best year in AZ was with a team similar to the current one and a QB he couldn't ruin.

Mariota got lucky he wasn't under Wisenhunt for very long, too bad he didn't get lucky and is on the Titans and has to start as a rookie.

[Boyiee]

Fuck you Eddie Lacy

[Aelfinn]

Fuck you Eddie Lacy

yup.

[Cail]

Fuck you Eddie Lacy

James Starks named the starter/#1 RB

[Aelfinn]

James Starks named the starter/#1 RB

Lacy out or getting demoted due to sucking/fat?

[Wulfgang]

Buffalo at NY Jets (-2.5) - Rex Ryan is an entertaining coach. He does dumb shit like wearing a Clemson Tigers helmet to a press conference and naming the guy who broke Geno Smith's jaw as a captain for tomorrow night's game. What he should probably pay more attention to is his team's rate of penalties, which is on pace to break the 2011 Raiders' all-time mark of 163 total penalties on the season. The Jets had a weird win on Sunday, where they were out-gained by almost 150 yards against Jacksonville, but ended up winning thanks to a +4 turnover margin. Bortles had some success throwing the ball deep, but Tyrod Taylor isn't that kind of passer. I think New York's defense matches up really well here. Jets win and cover.

You shut your whore mouth sir!

[archibaldcrane]

I love how I picked up my two best fantasy backs in free agency - Run DMC and Starks.

[Tyche]

Coughlin 5-1 against Bill. Bregs don't know what the fucks up.

[Bregor]

Coughlin 5-1 against Bill. Bregs don't know what the fucks up.

That's evident from all my picks

[archibaldcrane]

Remember, despite playing in Wisconsin every season, the Lions haven't won there since Dec. 15th, 1991 - the season before Favre came to the team. 24 straight home wins for the Packers.

[Rhyis.]

What'd I do now? Make another shitty thread? That's old news, pal

Just a salty boys fan.

Don't believe in the superbowl-bound Jags, that's what.

Always believe.

[Roranora]

Remember, despite playing in Wisconsin every season, the Lions haven't won there since Dec. 15th, 1991 - the season before Favre came to the team. 24 straight home wins for the Packers.

Remember when Flynn threw for 480 and 6 to keep that alive and then fleece the Seahawks of 9mil guaranteed? Good times

[archibaldcrane]

Remember when Flynn threw for 480 and 6 to keep that alive and then fleece the Seahawks of 9mil guaranteed? Good times

The Packers even got a 5th rounder compensatory pick for him leaving (which they used to take DT Josh Boyd, who is still under contract but on IR this season)

[Byrd]

Remember when Flynn threw for 480 and 6 to keep that alive and then fleece the Seahawks of 9mil guaranteed? Good times

Considering how hard the Seahawks whiffed with both Flynn and Percy Harvin in a two year stretch, that makes their three year run of success that much more impressive; we'll see if the Jimmy Graham experiment is the one to finally tip the applecart. Although he's already been more successful than either of those two on an individual basis, the degredation of the offensive line due to the trade of Unger (for Graham) and loss of quality blocking TE is hard to ignore.

[Mertron]

can someone tell me what greg hardy means by different categories of people

he's saying it's because he's black, isn't he