WTF happened in the NFL during Week 8
Week 8 in the NFL means we have met the halfway point of the Steelers 2017 season; and a good time for them to head into a bye. We have some “usual bumps and bruises associated with playing the game of football” to coin a phrase from Coach Tomlin, so the guys are ready for the break.
Looking at our WTF moments of Week 8 in the NFL, and in staying true to our Halloween theme from this week’s WTF podcast, there were some tricks, treats and scary moments that were more than entertaining.
First, let’s start with the last Thursday’s game featuring the Ravens against the Dolphins. The game itself was just so sad, as Baltimore just beat up on Miami, who had to play backup to the backup quarterback Matt Moore. Moore, who had just come off a huge come from behind win the week before, only had a few days to prepare for the blowout loss.
The real WTF moment in this game had to be when Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco tried to make a run for a first down, then realizing he was not going to get there, slid late and was hammered by Kiko Alonso.
Alonso knocked Flacco out. His helmet came off, his ear was cut (which we later learned he had stitched up without anesthesia) and he is still, as of this date, in the concussion protocol.
WTF for sure.
The Colts almost beat the Bengals in a shootout that ended in a pick-six by Cincinnati LB Carlos Dunlap, for a 24-23 win. WTF?
Next, we head to Detroit, where the Steelers traveled to face the Lions in the first of many primetime games coming up on their schedule. The game gave Steelers fans a heart attack each time the clock ticked. First, Eli Rogers dropped a perfect throw by Ben Roethlisberger in the end zone. The five-and-a-half minute drive ended in a field goal.
Another WTF from that game was Le’Veon Bell‘s third-ever career fumble; instead of the Steelers getting at least three points (they were in field goal range) the Lions would get a field goal, for a six-point swing.
Big Ben also threw a pick, leaving more points off of the board, and appeared to be a little bit off, missing a wide-open Darrius Heyward-Bey in the end zone, then missing Jesse James down the middle of the field, right before laying a perfect pass to the newest here in the city of Pittsburgh, JuJu Smith-Schuster. JuJu became the first player in the NFL to reach four touchdowns before his 21st birthday and set a franchise record with his 97-yard touchdown reception.
WTF will the Steelers do with Martavis Bryant now? Or will he add more to this offense?!
In conclusion, the biggest WTF, in my opinion, occurred at the end of the game when Roethlisberger went to take a knee in the Steelers victory formation. Detroit defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson bull-rushed the Steelers line, during a moment where 99% of the football world knows the game is over and there’s no need for the extracurricular activity. Maurkice Pouncey and Ramon Foster were none too, please. Pouncey threw a palm strike at Robinson, who retaliated with multiple punches. He was ejected soon after, with less than a minute remaining in the game.
WTF?
