i'm sitting over here on parchman farm
WC!
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared January 10, 2025, as Mike Evans Day across the state to honor the Buccaneers receiver, who recently tied Jerry Rice’s record of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
Evans, who started playing football as a high school junior, was initially a standout basketball player with NBA ambitions.
Another NFL player with a day in their honor is Chad Greenway.
The former Vikings linebacker was recognized on October 17, 2016, in his home state of South Dakota for his on-field achievements and charitable work.
Greenway grew up on a farm in Mount Vernon, South Dakota, where he balanced chores like milking cows with his rise to become a two-time All-American at the University of Iowa.
At CES this week, John Deere showcased its new autonomous farming equipment, including self-driving tractors with 16 cameras and advanced processing capabilities.
They also introduced an automated mining truck that can haul 92,000 pounds, all part of their push for fully autonomous farming systems by 2030.
George Toma, nicknamed “The Sodfather,” prepared the fields for all 57 Super Bowls up to Super Bowl LVII. His career ended amid controversy after poor field conditions in that game.
Toma blamed NFL field director Ed Mangan for overwatering and improper sanding, which caused widespread complaints from players.
Toma, celebrated for his work, received the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Ralph Hay Pioneer Award in 2001 and was inducted into the MLB Groundskeepers Hall of Fame in 2012.
Ralph Hay, the namesake of Toma’s award, played a pivotal role in NFL history. In 1920, Hay hosted a meeting at his Hupmobile dealership in Canton, Ohio, to discuss the formation of the American Professional Football Association, later renamed the NFL in 1922.
The Hupmobile itself was a trailblazer in automotive innovation, introducing an all-steel body in 1925 and gaining attention through a 132-day global endurance drive in 1910.
The Hupmobile introduced the all-steel body in 1925, a major innovation at a time when most cars used wood framing in their construction.
Wide receiver Kevin Johnson began this NFL season with a new venture, acquiring a Ford dealership in Burlington, New Jersey.
Johnson’s football career included a switch from quarterback to receiver at Syracuse after losing a competition to Donovan McNabb.
In the nine seasons Andy Reid coached between Donovan McNabb and Patrick Mahomes, his teams recorded one playoff win and missed the playoffs three times. That lone playoff victory came against the Brian Hoyer-led Texans.
This highlights how challenging it can be to win in the NFL without elite quarterback play, a point worth considering in discussions about coaches like Mike Tomlin.
Criticism of Tomlin often centers around his lack of playoff success in recent years—he hasn’t won a playoff game in seven seasons—but it’s important to consider the quarterbacks he’s had during that period.
By comparison, even with Alex Smith—a solid quarterback during his time in Kansas City—Reid struggled in the postseason and experienced several high-profile collapses. Yet, calls for Reid’s dismissal were relatively rare.
Although back-ups played last week, 38-0 is the 2nd worst loss margin in Andy Reid's career as a Head Coach. It was also the first time the Chiefs have been shutout in Andy Reid's tenure.
Andy Reid is 21-4 coming off a bye week, best in NFL history.
Numbers with Bet Openly
5: The Steelers have lost 5 straight playoff games with their opponents scoring an average of 40.4 PPG
777: The Cardinals are sending two of the team’s 777 planes to Los Angeles this afternoon, picking up the Rams team, its staff, their families, six dogs and two cats — yes, six dogs and two cats, per an official — and bringing them to Arizona tonight.
66: Since 2016, the Steelers have been outscored 66-0 in the first quarter of their playoff games
8 [TRIVIA]: Lamar Jackson is the 8th QB in Super Bowl era to be named a first-team All-Pro at least 3 times, joining WHO? [Hint: there are 7 others
Quotes
“If we win the Super Bowl I’m going to No. 1…I want to retire No. 8 and No. 1, I want to do that here at the Ravens. I want to win a Super Bowl with No. 8 on then come back and do the same thing with 1 on.”
Lamar Jackson’s number-changing quest returns
“I’ll see you in two weeks.”
There’s a printed screen shot in the Rams locker room above a door of Dan Campbell telling Kevin O’Connell
“Don't pay October's rent, all right? As soon as I can replace him, I'm going to replace him. I'm not f--king around."
Per ESPN's Jordan Raanan, the Giants asked Nick McCloud to take a pay cut before the game with general manager Joe Schoen at one point suggesting he'd release the cornerback outright.
“I heard great."
Dianna Russini regarding Ben Johnson's interview with the Patriots yeterday morning
Picks
Saturday, 12/11 at 4:30pm
Chargers (-2.5) at Texans U41.5
Texans Offense
Struggles & Strategy:
Texans’ offense has been inefficient; a run-heavy approach might be likely.
C.J. Stroud's main weapons are RB Joe Mixon and WR Nico Collins, limiting big-play potential.
Pass vs. Run:
Houston leans too pass-heavy on early downs despite O-line pressure issues.
Chargers defense struggles more against the run, making a ground game effective for time of possession.
Nico Collins: Less explosive without Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, averaging under 10 yards per reception.
Nico Collins had three 100+ yard games in the first four week. (His O/U this week is 87.5 yards.)
Injuries to Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell have made him the sole focus of defenses.
Collins has stayed under this total in 4 of his last 5 games, averaging 59 yards.
Facing the Chargers’ 2nd-ranked pass defense, he’s likely to stay under again
Chargers Defense
Coverage Style:
Focus on preventing big plays, aligning with Houston’s limitations.
Run Defense:
Vulnerable to the run, providing Houston an opportunity to control the clock.
Texans Defense
Safety Absences:
Missing Jimmie Ward and Jalen Pitre, crucial for defensive flexibility.
Strength Against Play Action:
Ranked 1st in success rate against play action, a key part of the Chargers’ offense.
Non-Blitz Pressure:
Generates pressure without blitzing (27.3%, 7th in NFL), countering Justin Herbert’s efficiency against blitzes.
Run Defense:
Top-tier unit, limiting the Chargers' strength in the running game.
Saturday, 12/11 at 8pm
Steelers at Ravens (-9.5) U43.5
Season Matchups:
Steelers won the first game without scoring a touchdown.
Ravens won the second, 34-17.
Playoff matchup leans toward low scoring.
Ravens Offense:
Zay Flowers (Lamar Jackson’s top target) is out, reducing explosiveness.
Steelers' pass rush (T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward) can pressure Jackson effectively.
Steelers Offense:
Lacks consistency; George Pickens has been ineffective since injury.
Scored only 17 points with 193 total yards against a weak Bengals defense.
Struggles against Ravens' improved single-high-safety defense.
Ravens Defense:
Trending up with Kyle Hamilton’s stability at safety.
Record
ATS: 42-52-4 (-13.78 u)
O/U: 49-39-2 (+5.59 u)
Highlights
A side by side comparison of Lane Johnson vs. Penei Sewell, hung right next to Johnson’s locker. Sewell got the nod as first team All Pro.
Bucs OT Tristan Wirfs is the first player in NFL history to be first-team All-Pro at RT and LT. This surprise reveal is pretty cool.