week 10: the recap
Welcome to the week we realize we’re more than halfway through football season. We also went into this week with one remaining undefeated team (not the patriots thank goodness) but regretfully even the 49ers have now fallen. They did give us the game of the season so far on Monday night, and also did some work to solidify being on my radar with the Rams struggling a bit. All the teams in California are the same anyways, right?
I would also like to inform all of you that I am giving the keys to the recap over to Ross for the next few weeks. I will be out of the country for two weeks and since I struggle with time differences of 1-2 hours there is no way I’ll be able to navigate 13 hours time difference. Pray for the Field of Bros team not 100% falling apart.
Bro Nation Power Rankings
Amari Cooper | Now. New to BroNation? Yes. Been on the radar since he got traded and dominated? Yes. Did he shine this sunday with his not one but three tip toe catches? 100%.
2. Robert Saleh | Oh. You thought I only put players on this list? Well turns out that I’m in a fast romance with the 49ers and even their defensive coordinate caught my eye. Maybe its because I’ve spent so many years with Wade Phillips as the defensive coordinator of the Broncos and now the Rams (I still think about the game he got taken off in a stretcher after getting hit) … that this beefcake hype man cheering Richard Sherman on is a breathe of fresh air:
3. Shaquill + Shaquem Griffin | Now. We all know my weakness for a good sports spotlight (Vander Esch making the power rankings a few weeks ago) but I stand by the manipulated feelings that I had during the 5th round of the draft last year when they had me captivated and cheering for a seahawk. Now cue Monday night with Shaquill (also HERE for the twins in the NFL on the same teams? love it.) dominated some plays and all those feelings from their documentary come rushing back. And don’t think Shaquem was left out - he released a new commercial that had me feeling inspired:
Going to be honest tho - this was the video that got them this spot:
4. George Kittle | Kittle is the BroNation member I never saw coming this year. I felt like he seemed like he’s either listening to heavy metal or christian rock - both of which might exclude your attendance at BroNation gatherings. But his level of hype and Jimmy G’s clear reliance of him to be dominant … he’s won be over. I feel like this is the level of enthusiasm is what I dream of having in my corner:
5. Colin Kaepernick | Guys. As one of the OG BroNation members and only quarterback I’ve committed to … this could be a big moment. He’s making the power rankings in case something goes terribly wrong and I’m not getting updates fast enough to know. BUT … the NFL has set up a workout for him in Atlanta and have an undisclosed list of teams coming to the event. Does this mean he’s coming back? I feel like it might be a tease because I’ve learned the NFL never gives you the right thing. Also isn’t this enough evidence - why do we need a workout?
Pre Gaming Bro Nation
Lamar Jackson | I know Lamar should be up in the power rankings, but my heart isn’t there yet. Yes - he’s breaking records and playing better than literally everyone. Yes, I’m here for his bromance with Hollywood Brown. But … no I’m not sold on BroNation status. It might just be that it takes a lot for quarterbacks to convince me they will dance and celebrate the way I need them to. If he continues to beat Tom Brady tho I could see some movement in the power rankings.
This looks SO CLOSE to a victory dance Lamar. So. Close.
Jamaal Williams | I think I missed a core value of BroNation when I left off solid interview content from the list. Jamaal is really putting in the effort in providing me all of the absurd commentary I didn’t know I needed. I wish I could throw this response out anytime someone asks too long of a question at work. Going to try it out and I’ll let you know if I can be as charming as he is:
Getting Bro Looks
Well. This is less of a specific person getting bro looks and more of me appreciating Nick Bosa and Jimmy Garropalo getting in on the fun of the Dak Dance that went viral after Dak’s hip warm up from Sunday night. I do have to say the clip of him dancing to anything was watched more than once … maybe it was the first time I pictured rooting for Dak. Just two examples - and then you should google it for all the memes:
And some people hopping on the bandwagon:
The Standings
As a mid-season check-in and pre-long hiatus I figured it was a good time to just do a status check for our rankings. I’m relying on ESPN to give me a few predictions because those are the factuals (RIP AB … maybe he can get a reality show so I can still get good one liners from him?):
Now … let’s all take a minute and recognize our “trending up” teams:
Trillionaire Club (Richie) 10-0 - WHO WILL BEAT RICHIE. I’d like to ask all of you to pull it together while I’m gone and someone hand Richie his first loss. McCaffrey has to have a bye week or an off week eventually right? Is Lamar Jackson enough to keep him undefeated? All I know is if McCaffrey keeps looking like this walking into games Richie is going to have BroNation on his hands:
Now. This is about 3 more layers than I ever want to see Kenny Stills wear - but we’ll let CMC find his swag.
2. Billionaire Club (Craig) 7-3 - I’m not entirely sure how Craig got here. I’m still convinced he hasn’t figured out the difference between rugby and football. I’m irritated that there are people on his team that I love so I’m inherently rooting for him to win. But the bigger question I had is who ISN’T rooting for Mark Ingram? He’s everything I want in a running back who just plows down the field, and everytime I mention “details” about anything I think about his catchphrase:
3. J Pugh What-It-Do (Jason) 6-4 - Now, Jason is technically tied for third with Kelly and Diane, and at the bottom of that pile with the fewest points. I think we should all accept that Mahomes is back and that means that Jason is back. Jason wouldn’t have been able to win this past week but he might have not been third of the thirds if he remembered that his golden child was making his return…
NOW … on to Week 11. Ross you don’t need to rank BroNation - but any style watches or celebrations are more than welcome for the people.