We Have Football
Fangirl Nation, the NFL is back and the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs wasted no time showing their dominance. Patrick Mahomes and Co. picked up right where they left off, beating the Houston Texans, 34-20, on Thursday Night Football.
Mahomes was 24-of-32 for 211 yards and three touchdowns, with TD passes to Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins. Rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire made a spectacular NFL debut to the tune of 25 carries for 138 yards and a touchdown. The Chiefs’ defense brought the pressure to Houston QB Deshaun Watson, sacking him four times and intercepting him once. So, yeah, Kansas City is still as good as advertised.
Meanwhile, the Texans’ offense already misses WR DeAndre Hopkins, which is shocking to literally NO ONE (save maybe Bill O’Brien). Hopkins, who is now on the Arizona Cardinals due one of the most head-scratching trades ever, tweeted after the game, Grateful. Hopkins said the tweet referred to his appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. 🤷♀️
Grateful.
— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) September 11, 2020
Boos During Moment of Unity
Before last night’s game, the Houston Texans did not come onto the field for the National Anthem or “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” When the Texans came on the field, the stadium announcer said, “Please join us in a moment of silence dedicated to the ongoing fight for equality in our country,” as the Chiefs and Texans linked arms in a moment of unity.
Unfortunately, boos could be heard from several of the 17,000 socially-distanced fans in the stadium, though they did subside once the chain was formed among players and staff. The continued resistance to ending racism and inequality was disappointing and shows just how far we all have to go.
NBA Playoffs
Over in the bubble, the NBA Playoffs are heating up, literally. The Miami Heat are off to the Eastern Conference Finals, after beating the Milwaukee Bucks, 4-1. They will take on either the Boston Celtics or the Toronto Raptors, who are tied 3-3, with Game 7 happening tonight!
Meanwhile, in the battle of how the west will be won, the Battle for Tinseltown is still in play. However, both LA teams still have business to take care of. Today, the Clippers, who are up 3-1, face the Denver Nuggets for Game 5. The Clippers have never been to the Western Conference Finals, so Kawhi and friends are looking to make history.
LeBron and the Lakers are up 3-1 on the Houston Rockets. Anthony Davis, and his 29 point, 12 rebound Game 4 performance, will look to keep the momentum going and wrap this one up in tomorrow’s Game 5. The Rockets will continue to be without F Daniel House Jr, who has left the bubble after it was deemed that he had an unauthorized guest in his room.
Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott continues to show that he is a true leader, both off, and on, the field.
The Cowboys’ quarterback opened up about his struggles with anxiety and depression, saying “Before I can lead, I have to make sure my mind is in the right place to do that and lead people to where they want to be. I think that it’s important to be vulnerable, to be genuine and to be transparent. I think that goes a long way when you are a leader and your voice is being heard by so many and you can inspire.”
Prescott’s brother Jace committed suicide in April. Prescott says that he has shared his struggles with teammates, family and friends, while working with mental health conditioning consultant, Chad Bohling.
The young QB has faced backlash for coming forward, which is ludicrous. Mental health is so important, as is the ability to be able to talk and be transparent about it. Kudos to Dak for being a role model for so many in so many ways.
A QB Battle for the Ageless
Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading to New Orleans to take on Drew Brees and the Saints in a NFC South showdown. It will be the first game in NFL history where both starting quarterbacks are over 40, with Brady clocking in at 43 and Brees at 41. The two men rank first and second in all-time passing touchdowns and passing yards (Drew is #1, Tom is #2).
Brady and Brees first met in 1999 when Tom Brady’s Michigan Wolverines beat Brees and the Purdue Boilermakers. Fun fact: The Michigan Daily headline the next day was “Drew Who?” which was an ode to both Brees and backup Michigan QB Drew Henson. Anyway, I digress.
It will be Brady’s debut for TOMpa Bay and the return of Gronk as his tight end, while the Saints and their dominant offense will look to get past another heartbreaking playoff loss. Is it Sunday yet?