Instant Hippo Thoughts – Week 5, 2022 Season

So, what did everyone think?  Seems like the day really peaked early (apparently Q-aaron had a bitchy little fit in the locker room, even), then quickly ran out of steam.  Or maybe my hellscape nightmares are just beating me down.  Who fucking knows?

That said, nobody remains winless (seems early for that), not even the teams that don’t exist.  Perhaps our DUUUUUUVVVVVVAAAALLLLL enthusiasm was a bit overdone?  Or do the 500s just really have their number?  Really, it’s a 9-game winning streak.  Absurd.  Prison Girlfriend had an absolute mare, and Boris was right to warn of fearing “Chalk James Robinson.”  At 1-3-1, Houston is seriously back into the Surly Duff division race.  13-6 was your final.

Because Hippo is stupid, Hippo worried about starting a team defense against the high-scoring No-Fuck LioUns.  As that sentence hints, the “No-Fuck” is back, as the throwback uniformed P*ts got the 29-nil clean sheet, complete with defensive TD.  The Lost Zappa Brother completed 17 of 21 passes, which is basically a Grumbelord wet dream.  Especially if his mom is hot.  Baby Buster’s balloon bursts.  Yeesh.  They will need that upcoming bye week.

Why didn’t I lead with the London fixture?  Fuck if I know.  Bay of Green was rolling like a Burning Man attendee.  20-10 at the half, and it seemed like it could/should/would be worse than that.  Sure, Saquon made a few nice runs, but it was Dimebag and a bunch of practice squadders in the passing game.  If I told you Saquon would get banged up in the second half, you’d likely turn off the TV (if it wasn’t MANDATORY).

Los Gigantes won the second half, 17-2.  That lone Packers score came after a late defensive stand and a game/clock management masterclass by Daboll.  He did NOT risk handoffs, or having the ball stripped.  Shit, most coaches in the League don’t get that risk factoUr, even when they can bleed the clock completely dry.  Instead, three “mini-delayed” kneeldowns, and we have 15 seconds left, from the 3.  My favoUrite aspect then became the intentional safety, where they INTENTIONALLY got a holding penalty, buying the safety taker another second or two.  You don’t take any advantage for granted, however small.  I loved it.

But wait, now a TD beats you?  Who fucking cares.  Chaos is your enemy.  A forced fumble, a blocked punt.  After the free kick, the Packers had 7 seconds to work with.  From their own 40 (which got worse once they false started).  Absolute BEST case scenario is a quick slant to around midfield, an a Hail Mary attempt.  Instead, GB tried a 65-yard Hail Mary (yeah, Rodgers has one of those in his career, but you are talking a 1 in 1000 chance).  A world of difference from giving the Packers the ball back down 7, but with the ball on the plud side of the 50 and time for an additional play or two.

Most coaches don’t even THINK of that maths/game theory.  Daboll does and acted on it.  He is the coach of the most fraudulent 4-1 team in quite some time, which bodes very well for the future (when he has some talent to work with).  27-22, Gigantes.  Well fookin’ done!

The post-Charmslinger SeaTruthers aren’t much good, but you can’t say they are boring.  Another week, another shootout, another “Geno for MVP” meme tweeted (one assumes).  Alas, backup/gadget QB Taysom “Magic Undies” Hill ran for three scores, and threw for another.  HOLY SHIT.  10.7 YPA from Geno, still won’t overcome that.  39-32, Saints.

Karma for the attempted murder on Tua?  League grudgingly tightens the concussion protocols as a result, and the first “victim” is….Teddy Ballgame.  He had a scary head owie last season in Denver, I really worry about him (he’s a really good dude, by all accounts).  Anyway, K State rookie “I Fucked Ted” had to come in cold, and despite having a chance to take the lead (missed FG at 17-19) – the wheels came off the jalopy in Q4.  Jest 40, LOLfins 17.  Joisey B improves to 3-2, somehow.  Actually, maybe we do know how – Breece Hall is a monster, even if Michael Carter vultures him repeatedly.

As to the protocols, there is a simple way to alleviate the moronic pressure to keep injured players in the game – expand the damned rosters, already.

Fuck whiny bitchass MRSA Dreamboat, and fuck the officiating crew working that 21-15 “win.”  I shall mention them no further.

Was there a sense of wonder in Yinzburgh, with Uncle Jack (committing to the bit my wearing what looked like “Mickey Mouse hands” gloves) taking the reins.  Kid’s first start is in WNY, poor bastard.  Brokeback accounted for 4 TDs and about 2,000 yards in the first half, coasting to a 38-3 Bills Mafia win.  Only two fights made the 2nd half notable in any way.

Captain Dingleberry started the game 16 for 16, staking the Vikings to a 21-3 lead.  Over a team that doesn’t believe in the forward pass.  At home.  But lo, Dingleberry and Pals are who they are, and somehow Chi**** took a 22-21 lead in the 4th.  But Cousins actually made a few tough plays with his legs, and completed enough passes to get the decisive 8 points at the end.  I am never gonna be able to trust the Vikes, even at 4-1 with Justin Jefferson in full beast mode.

DonT’s Tits perked up a little more this week, overcoming their own offensive derpitude and some really bullshit officiating.  Despite having first and bullshit goal from the 2, Dakota Jeebus would not accept the gift.  A 3rd down, hideous pickerception seals a 21-17 loss for the Commies.  I dearly love lose/lose trades like the Humps/Commies QB shuffle.  Also, someone in your league will pick up Dynami Brown off waivers.  He won’t catch another pass all season.  El Tractorcito?  He tractored.  DUH.

Words fail to describe the stupid chaos in Believeland.  Ultimately, it was #ThePauls who Pauled last/best, losing at home 30-28.  First, Jacoby Brissett forced a bad red zone INT – when a FG takes the lead.  Sure, you try for more, but you have to be smart with it.  Brissett wasn’t.  But trying to run the clock out, Clippers du Merde faced 4th and 2 from their own side of the 50, with like 1:14 left.

Yeah, sure.  Your defense had given up 28 on the day, and your QB is your best player.  But it’s 2 YARDS, not feet or inches.  And CLE was out of timeouts, and much more comfortable running the ball.  You give them the ball inside their 20, with 65-70 seconds?  That’s got to be at least 80-85% odds of winning.  4th and 2 is basically a coin flip.  And the pass fell incomplete.

But instead of getting 7-10 more yards and spiking the ball, #ThePauls tried a deep shot on 2nd down.  Which really fucked them over, as they could no longer run a play in the middle of the field, short of the marker.  You won’t even get the FG try off.  So, they basically throw the ball away on 3rd and 11, and settle for a 54-yard kick.  Which sailed wide right.  Which would have been good from closer in.  Some fucking dumb shit, or anti-Daboll, there.

Late window was hilarious, with away support at least a strong pluarilty in LA (Cowpersons), CLT (Tomsulas), and AZ (Iggles).  I get the latter two, but FFS – RRRRRRRRRRRAM IT!! just won a fucking Superb Owl?  What MOAR does Los Angeles want?  Were the Doyers playing or sommet?

Baker, Baker, the Turnover Maker.  Oy.  Will somebody please put Matt Rhule out of his misery?  This is just cruel now.  Deebo finally went to the touchdown place in Q3, which my poorly-managed fantasy side (Dave Gahan’s Collapsed Veins) appreciated.  Black Panthers defense really is at least competent, but this team is doomed and needs blowing up.  Just nothing works, offensively.  37-15 is your final, with PJ Harvey mopping up.

I still can’t believe the post-Week One evolution of the N-GCp.  A team that I thought looked doomed, even before ol’ Ham Head broke his thumb.  They’ve run off four on the spin, with impressive road victories against the Giants and now the defending Owl champions.  Aside from WAS, everyone in the Special Needs Division looks like a contender.  22-10, comfortable ‘Persons win from start to finish.

Speaking of contenders, take a bow, Philly.  5-0 will keep you in sole position of first place, even if not by a comfortable margin.  Some lousy/soft defense allowed Kooky Koach Kliff and his Quirky Qards to get back into it, tied at 17 with 9-ish minutes to play.  You like Old School FITBAW?  Watch that soul-killing Philly drive.  They faltered inside the 10, settling for 3 – but thanks to Wee Kyler not understanding the rules (sliding a yard short of the first, then spiking it to set up 4th and 1, forcing a missed placement attempt with 0:22 and a timeout still in their pocket), 3 would suffice.  20-17, yet another roller coaster ride in Glendale.  Looking for tarnishes on Philly?  Hurts rushing 15 times is very not sustainable.  But I suspect management understands this, and will adjust accordingly.

Last but not least, the battle for 3 wins and AFC North (temporary) supremacy.  Tis a Clubhouse Derby, with our beloved/angry Italian in one corner, and sage, reformed Republican magical pony in the other.  Don’t ask me to choose!  Cincy didn’t start playing until the back half of Q2, and after that we mostly got a slugfest.  Pretty good game, at least in the even quarters.  Neither team could get a stop late, with Balmer winning on a placement kick, 19-17.

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King Hippo
Reclusive, vulgar Broncos fan. Also a proud fookin' Evertonian. Likely dropped on my head repeatedly as a small child. [Insert George Carlin quote followed by thoughtful nod.]
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scotchnaut

There’s another post up regarding the Giants. I apologize.

Horatio Cornblower

Don’t apologize. After all these years in the wilderness you deserve to wallow in it.

scotchnaut

Apologizing is in my (cut-off) jeans, don’t cha know.

Gumbygirl

Instant Hippo Thoughts- better than the games!

scotchnaut

But you still have to watch the games for context.

Horatio Cornblower

Some of us were excused from class

comment image?resize=570%2C380

scotchnaut

AMC is currently showing a very wonky Italian sci-fi movie from 1967 called The Wild, Wild Planet. It’s truly unique. (so far)

Horatio Cornblower

Odd way to celebrate Italian-America Heritage Day, but why not.

BeefReeferLives

Hey, anyone in the Phoenix area want to make a few bucks? They even throw in a free brown shirt!!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FesKDRCWQAASVw9?format=jpg

https://twitter.com/simoneetreat/status/1579367147884908545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Last edited 1 year ago by BeefReeferLives
Gumbygirl

Hahahahaha, like anyone’s getting paid!

Last edited 1 year ago by Gumbygirl
blaxabbath

The Cardinals now have the longest home losing streak in franchise history.

Perhaps Mike Bidwill can go find a new home to lose in.

SonOfSpam

And Carolina finally took Rhule to a nice farm in the country.

blaxabbath

Matt Rhule right now…

comment image

Last edited 1 year ago by blaxabbath
blaxabbath

Carolina needs to go get Kliff Kingsbury!!

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

That would be kwite the katch!

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

[hits “delete” on the “Cider House Rhules” post he was working on] – me

SonOfSpam

Goodnight, you kings of cuck, you princes of pathetic

borisnow

spent $50 million and 10 draft picks to NOT find a QB

BrettFavresColonoscopy

I watched more of the London tilt than any other game yesterday. That was accidentally a decent decision.

Game Time Decision

Same. Saw most of the 3rd and 4th of the Lo don game and then about 5 minutes of the early afternoon games and then nothing.
Thanks for getting me caught up Hippo

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

I took a nap during the afternoon games.

Redshirt

(stumbles into Clubhouse half asleep)

Stupid Taylor.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

I still can’t believe the Chargers didn’t punt in that situation.

yeah right

Worst game management decision in a long time.

Worst game awareness moment? Taking a spike on 3rd down after coming up short on a slide. Which was fucking hilarious. Take a knee, I mean bow, Wee Man Kyler.

Last edited 1 year ago by yeah right
Game Time Decision

If he wasn’t fun size that would have been a first down slide

Gumbygirl

Maybe if he was doing his HOMEWORK instead of playing VIDEO GAMES all the damn time, sheesh!

ballsofsteelandfury

I’ve been TRYING to explain to you that Los Angeles doesn’t care about football teams. LA cares about winning and that’s it.

The Rams are 2-3. Get ready for more home games that feel like away games. Remember that most Angelenos are from somewhere else.

2Pack

Interesting observation, and true I think. You would know. Does that extend to the Lakers? Of all the LA teams it looks to me like they are the only ones that have a true fan base.

2Pack

Well the Dodgers too perhaps?

ballsofsteelandfury

If the Dodgers aren’t good, the only reason to go to Dodger Stadium is for the cool giveaways. And to play with beach balls for the 4th, 5th, and 6th innings before you go home to beat traffic. Because you got there in the 3rd because of traffic.

2Pack

You gotta like ’em when they suck too. Celibrating 4-12 seasons is certainly resilience building.

blaxabbath

I looked at a map and suggested meeting an LA friend someplace in town. Looked like 20-40min drive, I thought I conservatively estimated. “OK but that’s like an hour and a half from the airport,” she informed me.

No wonder you all take helicopters so much.

ballsofsteelandfury

The Lakers are the only team that LA truly embraces. However, if the Lakers aren’t winning, the arena is empty. No one cares about the NBA enough to buy tickets if the Lakers aren’t good.

You’ll get people to come out for the Knicks or Celtics or even the Nets, but that’s just because people from NY and Boston care about basketball.

Brick Meathook

Remember, L.A. didn’t even have an NFL team for twenty years and I don’t think it really mattered.

L.A. is college football town. It may have a brand new 70,000-seat pro stadium, but there are two other stadiums that hold 90,000 each, the Rose Bowl and the Coliseum, and they sell out no matter how the teams are doing. But it’s also a big basketball town, with the Lakers and UCLA having long glory runs – they were winning, like Balls said

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

and they sell out no matter how the teams are doing.

I haven’t found that to be true for UCLA games.

ballsofsteelandfury

UCLA football is like pro football in LA. If the team is good, people will go. If not, there are literally hundreds of other things to do on a Saturday.

SC fans are more into the game experience and will still show up. However, they make their voices heard through donations (or lack thereof if the team sucks) instead of game attendance.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

All the signs are pointing to the UCLA/USC game being a very big deal this year.

Last edited 1 year ago by Rikki-Tikki-Deadly
2Pack

I find that a bit sad. I guess as a very transient city that is to be expected. But the community misses a potential point to rally, a small piece of identity. Many teams have bases that transend generations and distance. That is true community, for what it’s worth.

yeah right

The biggest takeaway is people will show up for a big show or an “Event” but getting anywhere in this town is such a colossal pain in the ass that it better be worth it.

blaxabbath

Plus Pelosi gives your house to the illegal who fentanyled your infant daughter if you let your land out of eye sight.

Or at least that what Kari Lake thinks as I tour private schools in town.

2Pack

Side splitting run down as usual Sir. Lots of teams with lots of questions.

Horatio Cornblower

The main question being, as always, “what the hell is Hippo talking about?”