Time to have fun. Play it safe and soon it will be 2019.
Author: thependulumswings staff
It’s a Holiday Weekend.
Better to Beware Bettor.
After Santa Claus has come and gone comes the final regular season weekend in the NFL. Santa comes to town the 25th of every December. You can bank on it. The last week of the NFL regular season occurs right afterwards. You can bank on it. What you cannot bank on, however, is predicting the outcome of NFL games.
And, week 17 is toughest of all. Why, you might ask? That can be answered with one easy question. Who cares? That is the question. How can you tell which team cares enough in week 17 to actually give it their all.
Reasons for indifference about winning this Sunday abound. If you are in the playoffs do you rest some or all of your starters? If so, do you rest some or all for some or all of the game? If you need to win to get into the playoffs, do your chances vaporize prior to your kickoff based on results from earlier games that day? If you are out of the playoffs, do you play for pride(an overused battle cry)? Or, do you mail it in? Do you play for your favorite coaches job? Do you play for your own job? Does the franchise tank the game to improve their draft position? Is it time to give that backup quarterback his chance? Questions far outweigh answers.
All of those legit questions aside, let’s examine a few games and be dumb brave enough to take a stab at their outcomes. If you bet real money and take advice from the guesses below, we suggest that you stop betting real money. Or, at least tread very lightly in week 17.
Miami at Buffalo(-3.5) – Here is the classic two teams playing for pride (read as “nothing”) game. Miami fired their GM yesterday. Does that mean their coach’s job is safe? Oh, and why is Buffalo favored? We guess it’s because they’re at their home stadium. Home is also a place where they can get cozy by the fireplace to watch the playoffs. For no good reason at all, take Miami plus the points.
Detroit at Green Bay(-8.0) – Detroit annually disappoints. 
This team lived down to its expectations. They’ve been mentally out for months and statistically eliminated for weeks. Green Bay is in the unfamiliar position of playing out the string. Are they playing to help Joe Philbin get the vacant HC job? Doubtful. Are they the better team? No doubt. When in doubt take more than a touchdown in any NFL game, anytime. Except this week. We’ll take GB to win the game and cover late somehow.
Jacksonville at Houston(-6.5) – Jacksonville imploded weeks ago. However, they rose from the ashes last weekend. Houston has a division championship on the line and playoff seeding(possibly) implications at stake. Best of all Houston lost on the road in a close one last week. This seems like one of the few games this week that is a good betting spot. We’ll take Houston to win on the money line though it’s expensive at 3-1. And we’ll take Houston to cover the 6.5 a well.
Carolina at New Orleans(-9.0) – New Orleans has already secured a bye week and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Carolina shut down weeks ago in the midst of a six game losing streak. As a result, they shut down Cam Newton two weeks ago due to an ailing wing. His backup is now hurt. Enter third stringer Kyle Allen for his NFL debut. Brees and most of his ailing offensive line might not play at all. Enter Teddy Bridgewater for his Saints debut. You get the picture? Take Carolina plus nine in what will look like a final preseason game though we expect the Saints to win a fairly close one. Call it 24-18 for grins.
Cincinnatti at Pittsburgh(-14.0) – This one is tricky. Baltimore hosts the suddenly angry Cleveland Browns at the same time. If Baltimore wins Pittsburgh is eliminated from the playoff chase. Pittsburgh might be angry too after a hard fought, close loss to New Orleans last weekend. Meanwhile we expect Cleveland to keep it close v. Baltimore with the Ravens winning on a late FG. Pittsburgh never mails it in. We expect them to score early and often and do a bit of scoreboard watching along the way. It’s hard to spot 14 points in any NFL game. We will. Take Pittsburgh minus.
Good luck wagering in week 17. You might be better off putting your money at risk in the stock market. Sorry, too soon?
What’s in a Name? Part 2.
Today we continue our trip across the United States to uncover five more towns with funky names. Sometimes the “how” of how they got these names is crazier than the name themselves.
Let’s start with a name of a fellow who has earned a day or two off. Our trip crosses the US. 
His went around the globe in 24 hours just 48 hours ago. And while he would like to pack lightly, he cannot.
Santa Claus, Indiana
Originally called Santa Fe, the town’s name changed in 1856 when town officials learned that there was already a Santa Fe, Indiana. However, the town has certainly made the most of the second-choice name. It’s Santa Claus, IN, and it fully embraces its “Christmas-y” moniker. Touted as a place “where it’s Christmas all year round,” Santa Claus features attractions like Holiday World, Lake Rudolph Campground, and Frosty’s Fun Center. Now do you believe in Santa Claus?
ZZYZX, California
No, we didn’t fall asleep with our fingers accidentally pushing down on the keyboard. We promise.
Curtis Springer was a radio evangelist who tried to convince people he was a doctor by selling fake medicines on his radio show. He set up health spas around the country but never paid taxes on them. He established the Zzyzx Mineral Springs and Health Spa in 1944 at the spot, which was federal land, after filing mining claims for 12,000 acres surrounding the springs. He used the springs to bottle his water and provide drinks for travelers through the hot desert. He named the area Zzyzx so it would be “the last word in health.” Eventually, the Feds caught up with his financial schemes and threw Springer in jail—for 49 days.
Burnt Store, Florida
According to local legend, the town gets its name from a trading house on the Peace River that was burned down in 1849. At that time, manager George Payne had recently held meetings with Seminole Indians, and he died in a Seminole attack shortly before the store burned. Though this account is questioned by several historians as a hurricane is thought to have demolished the first store while another account states that the trading post was abandoned long prior to its demise. Regardless, Burnt Store remains today while its origin was somehow lost long ago.
Kickapoo, Kansas
Alliteration is always appreciated. Yet, this town name has a pretty simple origin. It’s the name of a Native American and Indigenous Mexican tribe still living in the area. A large,150,000 acre Indian reservation sits within the city limits. According to legend, the name means “wanderer.” That sounds better than the alternative to us.
Hippo, Kentucky
No, there are no actual hippopotamuses living in or around Hippo, Kentucky. The name of this town comes from one of its twentieth-century residents, Bee Madison “Hippo” Craft. His nickname has nothing to do with hippopotamuses either. The townspeople called him “hippo” as a rather insensitive shortening of the word they used to describe him. That word was “hypochondriac.” We’re sure that in today’s politically correct world there would be some opposition to how this name originated. Hopefully his statue (if there is one) is safe.
Santa Claus covers a lot of ground in a short period of time. Our guess is that he stopped, be it ever so briefly, in Zzyzx, Burnt Store, Kickapoo, and Hippo just like he did in New York, Los Angeles ,Chicago,Houston, and so on.
Ten Piece Nuggets-NFL
Yummy. The holiday food and sweets are all around. Gaining weight(more) unfortunately has never been so easy. Another food group heats up around Christmas and the New Year as well. The NFL treats us to some wonderful nuggets as the regular season barrels to the finish. Enjoy them one at a time below. And when you are done, please pass the pecan pie.
- The NFL’s oldest head coach, Pete Carroll, is 67. He’ll be three years older and still leading the Seahawks in 2021 as he agreed to a three-year contract extension yesterday. This comes a day after his team secured a wild card playoff berth last evening. Carroll’s Seahawks have made the playoffs for the seventh time in his nine years at the helm.
- The New Orleans Saints secured the NFC home field advantage throughout the playoffs in a well contested, entertaining scrap with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Superdome. Significant? Very. The Saints haven’t lost a playoff game in their Superdome home with Drew Brees executing what Sean Payton cooks up. Ever.
In 2009, as the no. 1 seed they held serve at home, beat Indy in Miami, and hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. - Pittsburgh fought valiantly for 60 minutes and came up just short. They went from being the leader in their division to currently being on the outside looking in at the playoffs. This weekend they have to beat Cincinnati and hope that either a) Cleveland beats Baltimore, or b) Indianapolis and Tennessee somehow play to a tie. Pitt is a tough team with a very good coach. It’s hard to believe that they may be home for good after the holidays.
- Raise your hand if you thought Cleveland might be playing in a meaningful game in late December. The Browns are 7-7-1. A win would give them their first winning season since 2007. It would also possibly give Pitt postseason life. And last but not least, it would give Gregg Williams a nice page or two to add to his PowerPoint presentation as he tries to get the word interim removed from his current title of interim head coach of the Cleveland Browns.
- The Houston Texans lost to Philadelphia 32-30. They also lost their hold on the no. 2 AFC playoff seed and with it a first round bye as a byproduct. They actually even lost a chance to clinch the AFC South Division as surging Indy lurks oh so closely. But, rest assured the Texans won when they drafted DeShaun Watson. His brilliance almost took the Eagles down in their nest. Watson dazzled the hard to please Philly crowd with 29-40 passing for 339 yards and two touchdowns. He ran into the end zone for two more. How he amassed those lofty stats was more impressive than those lofty stats themselves. That Mahomes is getting national run is elementary. But, Houston’s dear Watson isn’t far behind.
- The MNF Raiders’ game might have been the last one at the Oakland Coliseum. Viva Las Vegas. Speaking of Vegas every road underdog in the NFL either won straight up or covered the spread afforded them. Betting the NFL from week to week is crazier than having money in the stock market right now. Ouch, that hurt. That game versus the Broncos also brought down the curtain on yet another MNF season of broadcasts. The NFL wants all games this coming weekend to conclude by Sunday to level the playoff playing field. If only that would bring down the curtain on Jason Whiten’s announcing career. Ouch, that hurt.
- Quick quiz. In how many of the last 16 NFL seasons have the New England Patriots won ten or more regular season games? If you said 16 that would be correct. Impressive. Of course playing the Dolphins, Jets, and Bills a total of six times a year helps. Of course so does having Tom Brady. The next closest is Indy (thanks Peyton Manning) with 11.
- The Vegas Raiders and the Mistake by the Lake Browns have only one ten win season each in those same 16 years. The NFL structures their league to provide plenty of help to those that cannot help themselves. We detailed those thoughts recently. It’s hard to be that bad for that long in the NFL. These two teams have a lot in common over that time. They both have or had bad ownership, bad draft picks, bad cap management, and a revolving door at the quarterback position.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t far ahead or behind depending on your viewpoint. Sunday’s loss to America’s Team marked the seventh season in the last ten that the Bucs have lost ten or more. Jameis Winston’s rookie contract is up. Will TB offer the available one year extension to it? This decision about one year has ramifications for many. Perhaps a call to Nick Foles agent would help in the decision-making process.
- Baltimore was once 4-5 six games ago. Enter Lamar Jackson at QB. The Ravens are 5-1 since. The only loss in that span was in a very hostile Arrowhead Stadium. Saturday night the Ravens traveled three time zones to the left coast and held the hot Chargers to a stone cold 10 points, winning by 12. If you are looking for a dark horse, or a dark bird, to make a playoff run look no further than the Ravens. They run the ball very well and defend the run very well. That’s a winning January combination.
Is a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream on top of the pecan pie a bit over the top? Hmm.
Remember to Say Thank You!
Did you just get an other ugly sweater? Gift cards are so in, yet so thoughtless. Could the mashed potatoes be served any colder? Who invited him? Alexa, enough already.
Yep, ’tis the season. Perhaps some simple advice would serve us all well today. Say ‘thank you.’ That’s it. It’s simple. Just say ‘thank you,’ and tomorrow morning you can wake up and realize that you don’t need to go through this for another 364 days.
Need inspiration do you? Take a look at this 42 second video. In it Coach Orgeron shows us all how to be nice when choosing otherwise is foremost on our minds. Just say ‘thank you.’
Coach is so nice he says it twice!
Oh, and, Merry Christmas!
Boom Boom’s Life Lessons #11
One of the many gifts that Boom Boom gave us was the torrent of quips about how one leads one’s life. He could say so much by saying so little. A statement at just the right moment always resonated. How I interpreted or applied it was up to me. No more words were spoken because no more words were needed.
In Boom Boom’s later years he drove over to Houston to visit. After dinner we sat down to one of his very favorite pastimes-watching baseball. There were pots, pans, and dishes getting cleaned and clanging in the kitchen. An unnamed five-year old and a determined three-year old were full of energy and buzzing about. Through it all Boom Boom kept one eye on the Astros game.
When Jeff Bagwell stepped to the plate his interest heightened. Bagwell was in the middle of a ten-year run that led to his recent Hall of Fame induction. “Look at his stance, son.” I had seen it thousands of times before. “It’s unique son, no one would teach that today.” “No doubt Dad.” “He’s in the big leagues for one obvious reason son. He hits the ball hard every time.” “No doubt Dad.”
Bagwell hit a missile for a single to centerfield. He stood on first. Boom Boom wondered, “Can you imagine if you were his little league or high school coach and tried to change his stance or his swing son?” Before I could imagine he continued. “In life you should take what you do best and make it better.” “Everyone has weaknesses. Forget about them. If you are really good at one thing you’ll prosper.”
Suddenly I didn’t hear the background noise. Lee Trevino popped into my mind as another example. Self taught he was. And, he took that banana slice swing and practiced it till he was more accurate than almost anyone else on tour.
I never watched Bagwell in the batter’s box again and didn’t think about that moment. Because “in life you should take what you do best and make it better.”
Don’t Let the Long Holiday Weekend Become a Drag.
Enjoy! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
Please be extra safe if you are traveling.
Thank you very much for making boomboomsroom.com a part of your day.
Black Monday Shopping Starts Soon-part 4 of 4.
There are just four shopping days left till Christmas including the madhouse that you will find out there this weekend. However, if you are in the marketfor a new head coach in the NFL, Black Monday is fast approaching as well. It’s a madhouse too. Black Monday is the day several coaches will get their pink slips. This year it falls on New Year’s Eve. What a way to end this year and ring in next.
Parts one, two, and three predicted which franchises thought their coach was naughty and which were nice on 24 teams. Personnel decisions are always part art and part science.
Today we examine the last eight teams of the 32 in our four-part series. We begin with the team that will call Vegas its new home one day soon. 
As Chris Berman refers to them, “da Radas!”
Oakland Raiders, Jon Gruden– Want to know who is calling the shots here? It’s the guy with the ten-year guaranteed contract that traded off his best assets to garner future draft picks. You need a hint? It’s not GM Reggie McKenzie who was fired last week. It’s the guy with the bad haircut. No, it’s not the owner, Mark Davis. It’s Jon Gruden, aka Chuckie. Chuckie’s contract makes him one of the safest bets in our feature. And you were told there was no such thing as a safe bet in Vegas.
Philadelphia Eagles, Doug Pedersen– One year removed from a fine Super Bowl season Pedersen has his team playing well of late. Injuries early and a strong Super Bowl hangover contributed to a slow start. Pedersen is but one good Nick Folks start away from a bona-fide QB controversy. But, there are worse problems. You could coach Buffalo for example. Pedersen is good for a few years to come.
Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Tomlin– The Steelers are the definition of stability. Tomlin is only the fourth head coach for the franchise since 1969. That’s four in basically 50 years. Compare that to the Cleveland Browns from the same AFC North Division. Not counting four interim head men, they have burned through 15 head coaches in that span. If they navigate the last two games they will head to the playoffs for the ninth time in his twelve strong years.
San Francisco 49ers, Kyle Shanahan– Shanahan is considered one of the new wave, new offense, bright minds of the game. However, you don’t win consistently in the NFL if you don’t have a franchise type QB. Whether Jimmy Garappolo is or is not one of those remains to be seen. But, until he is healthy the performance of the young head coach is a bit of an unknown. A few NFL teams make the jump from bad to good each year. It would not be too hard to build a case for them being one of those in 2019 under his guidance.
Seattle Seahawks, Pete Carroll– He may not look it, but Pete Carroll will celebrate birthday number 68 on 9/15/19. You get the feeling that he still enjoys what he is doing and certainly shows no drop off in his approach. He’s a good fit in the great northwest to boot. A change here driven by a decision from either side would surprise.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dirk Koetter– Coach K is 19-27 cumulatively in year three with two meaningless games to go. Dirk is coach number four since Chuckie bolted from the bay area ten years ago. The results over that decade have been below average. Koetter is averaging 6 and 1/2 wins a year. His winning first season in 2016 seems so long ago. Tampa Bay has QB issues. Tampa Bay actually has bigtime QB issues. We think Dirk Koetter gets shown the door after the Bucs close down another forgettable season. We also think if he was named Kirk Doetter no one would notice.
Tennessee Titans, Mike Vrabel– Coach Vrabel has gone through some growing pains in year one. His team has some talent. They play hard. They are relatively young and inexperienced. So is Vrabel as the leading man. You could see them all growing up together relatively soon. Marcus Mariotta needs to take the next step next year as well. They play in the suddenly tough AFC South. Vrabel once was a tough linebacker. He’ll have the chance to infuse that in his team for the coming years.
Washington Redskins, Jay Gruden– Jon Gruden’s brother has a tough job. The Redskins have a meddlesome owner who knows little about big boy football. This group incessantly over values free agents. Value wins. Do they have a plan? Have they ever had a plan? If you toss out his first 4-12 year, Jay has coached the Skins to as many wins as losses for the next four. He’s done that without QB stability especially this year as broken legs are plentiful in the nation’s capital. That’s not too bad. Will he return next year? Only Daniel Snyder knows for sure. Our hunch is that a change takes place. Why do we think this way? We flipped a coin.
Our guess is that two coaches of the eight above hit the bricks. That brings the total tally to ten gone and 22 returning in our estimation. By historical standards this isn’t out of line. Surely there will be a surprise retention or two as well as a surprise firing or retiring or two.
In the NFL either you are getting better or you’re getting replaced.
Black Monday Shopping Starts Soon-part 3
There are just five shopping days left till Christmas. However, if you are in the market, or soon will be, for a new head coach in the NFL Black Monday is fast approaching as well. Black Monday is the day several coaches will get their pink slips. This year it falls on New Year’s Eve. What a way to end this year and ring in next it is.
Parts one and two predicted which franchises thought their coach was naughty and which were nice. Time will tell.
Today we examine teams 17-24 alphabetically on our way to all 32 in our four-part series.
Los Angeles Chargers, Anthony Lynn– Put Lynn on the very short list of coach of the year candidates. In year two he’s convinced 53 men to forget that no one in LA gives a rip about them and to just ball out in spite of that. And ball out they have. This balanced team has the talent and attitude to run deep in the playoffs. If they weren’t so good we’d call them a dark horse for the Super Bowl. It says here that the AFC is there for the taking. Lynn is in.
Los Angeles Rams, Sean McVay– At least a few fickle LA fans give a rip about the Rams. Oh, and the Rams ball out. Last year was year one for the youngest coach in the league. How did he do? He was named coach of the year! In year he two has followed through nicely. The Rams are currently the second seed for the NFC playoffs. McVay’s star shines bright.
Miami Dolphins, Adam Gase– Want to know the definition of average? In almost three complete years Gase has guided the Dolphins to a 23-23 won/loss record. They have one playoff berth and one playoff blowout loss to show for it. It’s an average record for a team with below average talent playing in a below average division. Their QB situation doesn’t help either. We think that makes his performance slightly above average. Gase should be safe.
Minnesota Vikings, Mike Zimmer– As year five of his Viking stint rolls on so does Mike Zimmer. His win percentage of 60% (averages out to 9.6 wins per year) is impressive. The Vikings assure themselves of a wild card spot this year if they win out. He has two NFC North division winners on his resume’ as well. All of this has been accomplished while Minnesota has played musical chairs at the QB spot. Zimmer thinks D first and that has served him well. His undisclosed contract extension, signed in late 2016, was a wise move by the Vikings ownership.
New England Patriots, Bill Belicheck– Let’s move on to the New Orleans Saints. Shall we?
New Orleans Saints, Sean Payton– Let’s move on to the New York Giants. Shall we?
New York Giants, Pat Shurmur– Whew. Welcome to the Big Apple Pat. During Shurmur’s NFL coaching career he has been a part of eight playoff teams, winning six division crowns, and appearing in one Super Bowl. His Uncle Fritz Shurmur coached in the NFL for 24 years too. Pat will need to channel all of those positive experiences and learnings to change the culture in NY if he is to be successful. Questions abound. When do you part ways with Eli Manning? What do you do with “me first” OBJ? How do you fix an offensive line that is so bad that you cut two starters by mid-season? Well, there is Saquan. That’s one position that’s in fine shape of the 22. Shurmur heads to year two with many questions. He needs to provide answers and soon. A New York minute isn’t too long.
New York Jets, Todd Bowles– Les Miles once said that Death Valley, Tiger Stadium “is where opponents dreams come to die.” The Jets organization is where coaches’ dreams come to die. The Jets have bad ownership, bad execs, bad scouting, and a bad team. And Bowles has not pulled any rabbits out of any Jet’s knit hats. 
Throw in an angry fan base and you have a dumpster fire. On December 29, 2017 the Jets organization announced that Bowles had been retained for the 2018 season, and signed an extension to continue as coach through 2020. Do you assume that makes him safe for one more year? Bowles has learned from some of the best and has been successful in several previous positions in the NFL. So, he will be fine long-term. Does he stay or does he go? We say he goes.
We have seven of the above eight retaining their jobs. That makes our predictions stand at eight gone and 16 back for 2019 and counting. We complete our thoughts about the comings and goings at the HC level tomorrow in part four.
Tell us what you think.
Black Monday Shopping Starts Soon- part 2
Hurry, there are only six shopping days left till Christmas. If you are in the market, or soon will be, for a new head coach in the NFL Black Monday is fast approaching as well. Black Monday is the day several coaches will get their pink slips. This year it falls on New Year’s Eve. What a way to end this year and ring in next.
Part one of our commentary and predictions on which franchises thought their coach was naughty and which were nice posted yesterday. Today we examine eight more teams on our way to all 32 in our four-part series. And, we lead off with none other than America’s team.
Dallas Cowboys, Jason Garrett– How bout dem Cowboys? To answer that question, we have a question. Which Cowboy’s team are you asking about? After a slow start Dallas used an efficient offense and a stingy defense to rip off five wins in a row including a convincing Thursday night win over the N.O. Saints two weeks back. This past Sunday they scored exactly zero and allowed Indy’s run game to resemble a startled colt in an open field. This season is a microcosm of the Jason Garrett tenure as their HC. Up, down, up…. Normally impatient Jerry Jones has been patient for eight years with Garrett. If they fall shy of a playoff berth this year his patience may have run its course. A playoff berth and a “one and done” might not be enough either. Who really knows? It’s Jerry’s World. We think a change is possible and borders on probable. Kliff Kingsbury anyone?
Denver Broncos,Vance Joseph– Saturday’s home loss to Cleveland extinguished any playoff hopes that the now 6-8 Broncos had. It likely extinguished the undistinguished two-year run that Vance Joseph has had at the helm. The Broncos need better players and they need a better coach. Vance Joseph, he of two first names, will add his name to the unemployed.
Detroit Lions, Matt Patricia– The pencil behind his ear makes him look a bit like one William Belicheck on the sidelines.
The beard and his team’s performance make him look like anything but Patriot Billy. It’s year one for him. If you are a Ford and your maiden name is Firestone, as the principal owner’s is, you must give Matt more time on the assembly line to improve on a 5-9 and counting first year record. The winter always seems longer in Detroit right about now.
Green Bay Packers, Joe Philbin– Philbin took over for Mike McCarthy two weeks ago. McCarthy had a long and successful run in Cheese Land. But, as stated above, sometimes it’s just time. This time the departure was hastened by the discord that festered between McCarthy and wonder boy Aaron Rodgers. If you cannot get along with Aaron you cannot get along with anyone. Um, well, that is true unless you are his family, his ex GF, or his ex coach of course. Danica Patrick beware. Philbin is (ph)illing in for two more weeks. The winter suddenly seems longer in Wisconsin right about now. The new coach will benefit from multiple 2019 draft picks and a franchise QB. It’s a good spot.
Houston Texans, Bill O’Brien– Media and fans alike chuckled at the five-year, $25 million fat contract extension O’Brien got this past offseason prior to owner Bob McNair’s passing. Who’s laughing now? An 0-3 start has turned all the way around to a #2 seed if the playoffs began today. Mr. McNair is smiling from above. Bill and his smug attitude are in H Town for a while.
Indianapolis Colts, Frank Reich– Year one for Coach Reich has had a bit of everything. He’s made a few questionable strategic moves at crunch time. But, after a slow start, he has the team playing as one and in the hunt down the stretch. A healthy Andrew Luck has helped. Reich’s time in Indy is just beginning.
Jacksonville Jaguars, Doug Marrone– Well, well. This is an enigma wrapped in a conundrum. Marrone and his stingy D had Jacksonville one bad fourth quarter AFC Championship game away from a Super Bowl berth last year. One year later and player outbursts, concentration penalties, a bad Blake Bortles extension, and several mail it in efforts define the lost year that 2018 is for them. This is a tough call in only his second year. He was fired once as a HC already as Buffalo shuffled him out. Is it him or is it his players? This franchise continually lacks continuity. It would surprise no one if he was fired. Our guess is that his success last year earned him one more try next year.
Kansas City Chiefs, Andy Reid– Reid is one of the five best coaches in the NFL. Period. 
His resume’ speaks loudly. What’s the high side? Reid and Mahomes could go on a run like Belicheck and Brady if they field a legit D. If they don’t they could go on a run like Payton and Brees. Regardless, they will go on nice run even if Andy doesn’t look like a guy who enjoys running. Reid, Mahomes, and KC BBQ is a nice combo platter.
The tally on our call on the above teams is three more out and five in. That brings us to halftime with seven out and nine in.
The series rolls on tomorrow with part three. Let us know what you think.