What the Hell Was That? NFL Week 7

A Class Act and a Sad Day.

Each week in the National Football League odd, crazy, horrible and amazing things happen. In this column I will talk about the weekend that just was in the NFL. I'll detail the absurd, attack the stupid and rejoice in the great.

The Fifth Horseman Strikes Again
So last week I railed against the Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse who is named Injury. Who could have known that Week 6 was just an appetizer for this abominable rider. While last week featured a bevy of injuries, few outside of the season ending one to Jerod Mayo figure to alter the fate of a franchise.

Then came Week 7 and these season ending injuries.

• Reggie Wayne - WR: Indianapolis Colts - Torn ACL - Out for Season
• Sam Bradford -  QB: St. Louis Rams - Torn ACL - Out for Season
• Doug Martin - RB: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Torn Labrum - Out for Season

Other Key Injuries.

• Jay Cutler - QB: Chicago Bears - Groin Injury - Timetable Unkown
• Jermichael Finley - TE: Green Bay Packer - Neck Injury - Taken to ICU - Timetable Unknown
• Nick Foles - QB: Philadelphia Eagles - Head Injury - Timetable Unknown 
• Arian Foster - RB:Houston Texans - Hamstring - Timetable Unknown

More than any other factor, injuries can make or break a teams season.  Unlike some Houston Texans fans, most NFL fans do not cheer injuries even when you just traded Doug Martin for Giovani Bernard and Justin Blackmon. Ouch, sorry Brandon.

The All New Tuck Rule: The Bum Rush Rule?
The New England Patriots were the victim of a little known and confusing rule that altered the fate of

Tuck This Rule.

the game. I'll call it the Bum Rush rule. If you watched the game you were probably confused or enraged. You weren't alone.

So was Chris Jones, the rookie DT who committed the offense. So was Coach Billichick, the entire viewing crowd, the officials of the New Orleans/New England game who didn't call a penalty on a similar play the previous week and even NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino who explained the new rule in a video. Explained it differently than the later revised rule posted on NFL.com.

So, a new rule. No big deal right? Well it wouldn't be if those who made it understood it. Within two hours of the end of the Jets/Patriots game the above video was removed and the rule online was reworded. Some may argue that both wordings suggest that Jones actions deserved to be penalized, but the confusion it generates is fully on the NFL. They should man up and apologize.

As for Pats fans. Move on. I have. Any Given Sunday, anything can happen. This week we got bit by a poorly worded rule. We can cry conspiracy, but it will just make us the 2013 version of the forever bitter Raiders fans. Instead we should cry stupidity and make the rest of the season our statement. The NFL messed up, knew it and has yet to admit it. Let it be their shame, not ours.

Chris Long Vs. Zima
Carolina receiver Steve Smith is often closely associated with controversy. This week his TD celebration earned him a punch to the helmet courtesy of Chris Long. Long was ejected, exchanged middle finger extensions with Panther's fans and got bonked on the head by a can of Zima.

"Thanks Carolina fans 4 the flipped birds+few bottles to the head. Sticks n stones may break my bones but aluminum zimas will never hurt me." - Chris Long via Twitter.

So what are we to take from this? Fans in Carolina like to flip people off? Chris Long hasn't figured out punching a helmet hurts him more than Steve Smith? They still make Zima AND people still drink it???? I thought Carolinians were supposed to be tough Southerners? Good news Zima cans to the head don't penetrate helmets anymore than beefy lineman's fists.

No Name Studs of the Week: Jordan Reed,Harry Douglas and Jarret Boykin
These guys all stepped into a primary role for their teams due to injuries and slayed it. If you used these guys as low cost options this week and spent your savings on Calvin Johnson, AJ Green and the like you may just have won some money. Just remember I told ya so.

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Photos Courtesy of ESPN.com

Chris Carney lives an avid fantasy life with "imaginary" friends named Brees, Peterson and Megatron. He writes about (and thoroughly enjoys) fantasy sports, Las Vegas and beer.

He's been published in Las Vegas Magazine, Inside Orlando Magazine, Nevada Magazine, About.com, AOL Travel, and Hard Rock Magazine.

 He is here to share his adventures, give advice and  tips and help you maximize your fun and profit on daily fantasy sites. 


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