NFL Notebook Week 8: Midseason awards, Trade Deadline dud and more
By Zach Cohen
![SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Nick Bosa #97 and Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers react after sacking Kyle Allen #7 of the Carolina Panthers (not pictured) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Nick Bosa #97 and Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers react after sacking Kyle Allen #7 of the Carolina Panthers (not pictured) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/fc7d9877e98052f1d51c4d847047fb550bd66f18a13cb22aa51570b0be05346a.jpg)
Awards
Uniform of the Week: Los Angeles Rams
What a week for aesthetics. The Vikings, Bears, 49ers, Falcons, Dolphins and Steelers all rocked gorgeous threads. Also, the Chargers and Saints looked clean as ever in their normal uniforms. Unfortunately for all of them, the Rams’ throwbacks/home alternatives take the cake, again. For the sake of not being repetitive, I ranked the other uniforms I mentioned:
- 49ers
- Vikings
- Dolphins
- Steelers
- Bears
- Chargers
- Saints
- Falcons
On a side note, if you’re as big a uniform fanatic as I am, you’ll love The Gridiron Uniform Database.
Hands of the Week: Juju Smith-Schuster
I wasn’t overly impressed with the hands work this week. Nonetheless, Smith-Schuster showed great concentration and focus on this leaping grab over Chris Lammons.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1189005153950584832?s=20
Trick or Treat Award: Baker Mayfield
Mayfield didn’t have any candy left, so instead he gifted Lawrence Guy an interception.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1188562587434139648?s=20
Trick or Treat Award, Part 2: Arizona Cardinals
Is it just me, or were there more than usual of these flea-flicker-like plays this weekend? Either way, this was a beautiful trick play that led to a massive 49-yard treat.
Cardinals hit Saints with a whammy on that first drive to set up their field goal.
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) October 27, 2019
Kyler Murray ➡️ Christian Kirk ➡️ Kyler Murray ➡️ Charles Clay for 49 yards
No Saints defenders within the same area code as the No. 1 overall pick as he slung that one.pic.twitter.com/zSWAOLdUXV
Spider-Man Award: Brian Burns
This facemask is just glorious. That’s all I have to say.
https://twitter.com/brgridiron/status/1187840165433102336?s=20
Troll Award: Jacksonville Jaguars
Sam Darnold should’ve seen this coming when ESPN aired his ghost comments last week…
https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1188510590211366913?s=20
https://twitter.com/FanSided/status/1188551319864233984?s=20
Pirate Award: Deshaun Watson
Who needs two eyes? Watson didn’t on this spectacular touchdown. Another week, another unbelievable play by the MVP candidate.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1188593606723960832?s=20
Articles of the Week
Drew Brees’ triumphant return to the field meant more than just another win for the Saints.
I’ll admit, I had the Steelers making the playoffs this season. Russell S. Baxter wonders if it can still happen.
With the Bears’ struggles this season, Carlos Nazario says it’s time for Chicago to move on from their former second-overall pick.