Analysis

10/3/22

6 min read

Franchise QB Cooper Rush, J.J. Watt's Big Heart, and a Ted Lasso Moment

By The 33rd Team

first and 10 graphic

1.    Opportunity in Dallas

Things are shaking up in Dallas. Is this Cooper Rush guy for real? With the win this week he became the first Cowboys quarterback in history to win each of his first four career starts. He has shown great timing on his throws and confidence in the pocket, but it also helps when your wide receivers run routes like this:

The bigger question would be what does this mean to Jerry Jones? Could he be tempted to trade Dak Prescott for a haul and stick with the less expensive Rush? Is Rush going to do what Prescott did to Romo? It might not be to that point yet, but it will be interesting to see what happens if Prescott struggles when he returns next week.

2.    All Heart

In a tweet before his game against Carolina, J.J. Watt revealed he would play despite suffering a heartbeat scare last week.

Truly cut from a different cloth, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year powered through and added another clutch performance to his resume. In the fourth quarter, Watt deflected a pass to an intercepting teammate on a play that proved key for the Cardinals in sealing the victory over the now-spiraling Panthers.

3.    Chants vs. Everybody

Known for their electric plays and top-notch videography team, Coastal Carolina turns in another moment to remember. Running Back CJ Beasley hurdles his defender in spectacular fashion to score the game-winning touchdown for Teal Nation. Two perfect camera angles captured the moment as the 2020 Sun Belt Champs notched their 27th win in 30 games.

4.    Ted Lasso Takeover

The NFL held the first London game of the season this week. The star of the show? None other than, you guessed it, Ted Lasso. Well, the cast of the show that is. They were seen turning up in the stands enjoying everything that American football has to offer.

With the Saints losing Alvin Kamara and Jameis Winston to injury and Vikings’ quarterback Kirk Cousins being Kirk Cousins, it looked like the game could be a low-scoring affair.

However, this ended up being one of the best London games to date, filled with plenty of scoring and action. Coming down to the wire, with two seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Vikings had a 28-25 lead. Saints kicker Wil Lutz had a 61-yard field goal to tie the game.

Ted Lasso’s team Twitter account also chimed in on the Saints' double-doink loss to the Vikings.

Changing a soccer pitch into a football field is no easy task. In one of the most satisfying videos of the week, this timelapse shows just how dramatic the transformation of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium really was.

5.    The Mossing of the Year

A catch you must see to believe. Jaivian Lofton made No. 1 on SportsCenter with this nasty grab.

6.    The Curse is Broken

A streak was snapped this weekend you might not know about. Thiel College broke the nation's longest losing streak of 41 games with a one-point win against the Bethany Bison.

The celebration spilled onto campus with students ringing the victory bell.

7.    DK Metcalf Frees Paul Pierce

Much can, and has, been said about Paul Pierce’s infamous ‘Wheelchair Game’ in the 2008 NBA Finals. Just last year, Pierce confirmed the rumors saying he “just had to go to a bathroom.” At that moment, who knew Pierce was inspiring a whole new generation? This week, DK Metcalf inexplicably was seen being carted off the field with just more than nine minutes left in the fourth quarter during their high-scoring bout with the Lions.

Rumors started flying that the only reason for his speedy escape was to use the bathroom. Metcalf returned shortly after to put the finishing touches on his seven-catch, 149-yard performance. Thank goodness we didn’t have to wait 13 years for an answer this time, as Metcalf took to Twitter shortly after and confirmed the accusations.

8.    More Mike Leach Please

Nicknamed “The Pirate” and arguably the best post-game interview in the business, Mississippi State’s coach Mike Leach turns in another classic sound bite. Coming on the heels of a 42-24 routing of Texas A&M, Leach shares his thoughts on the topic of weddings.

9.    What in the Montana?

Football in the mountains can present its own challenges. Play around the Elk!

 

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10.   Clayton’s Biggest Fan

Grove City College is in the small Christian town of Grove City, Pennsylvania. During their most recent game, their starting running back, Clayton Parrish, scored two touchdowns in a 14-13 win.

But the real star is his mom, Kim. She has never missed a game, and Clayton credits her support with getting him to where he is today.

Fantasy Football Recap

*Points vary depending on your league format*

Over Performers:

DET TE T.J. Hockenson – 39.90

LAC RB Austin Ekeler – 34.90

LV RB Josh Jacobs – 34.50

DET QB Jared Goff – 33.22

SEA QB Geno Smith – 31.70

MIN WR Justin Jefferson – 31.00

TB WR Mike Evans – 30.30 P

HL RB Miles Sanders – 29.60

SEA RB Rashaad Penny – 28.70

DEN QB Russell Wilson – 27.48

Under Performers:

BAL QB Lamar Jackson – 13.06

IND WR Michael Pittman – 6.10

BAL TE Mark Andrews – 3.50

JAX RB James Robinson – 2.90

CLE WR Amari Cooper – 1.90

Notable New Injuries to Track:

IND RB Jonathan Taylor, DEN RB Javonte Williams, NYG QB Daniel Jones, BUF WR Isaiah McKenzie, NYG WR Kenny Golladay

Tags: 1st & 10, Cooper Rush

The 33rd Team

The 33rd Team is a Football Think Tank created by Mike Tannenbaum and Joe Banner.

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