Instant Hippo Thoughts – Week 2, 2025 Season

Some games/weeks are harder to summarize than others.  Gesticulates wildly at Week 2, hides under bed.

OK, I just turned the TV off (tablet still on Donks/Humps FULL, because I hate myself) after seeing Dallas win The Personhood Derby, 40-37 (OT).  The lead changed hands eleventy-billion times in Q4.  It seemed final when Russ moonballed an amazing catch and even more surreal catch by Nabers, to lead 37-34 with 25 seconds to play.  But one completion and a 3-yard draw were enough to kick a placement from 64 yards to die, and the dillweed made it.

In OT, with the new stupid rules, it’s poison to have the ball first.  And the N-GCp punted, setting up Charmslinger to finish off a career day (he had over 450 yards passing),  On 2nd and 3, he decided to pull back a throw, and lateraled the ball -14 yards, which sk8rboi at least knocked out of bounds.  Russ would…not redeem himself, and the Cowpersons got the ball, needing only 15 or so yards to kick the winner.

They went backwards, and then oddly punted on 4th and 5.  Neither defense so much as served as a speed bump for all of Q4, and now with Sudden Death these chucklefucks are playing FOAR field position.

Shit, the Vertically Enhanced Persons even ran the punt back almost to the 35.  On 2nd down, Wilson throws the ball up aimlessly for grabs, Dallas picks it off easily.  They hit ONE LOUSY PASS, one lousy “Parting of the Red Sea” draw, and kicked a FG from 46 yards away to win.  Five motherficking possessions in Extra Time of a 37-37 game.  WHAT MADNESS IS THIS?

And of course, the most prolific quartered backing day in VEP history (I am guessing), and Wilson ends up the goat anyway.  Only Russell Wilson and only the VEP could manage to pull this off.  Jaxson Dart will start next week (Hippo prediction, and y’all know Hippo is always RITE), and find a new, scothnaut-infuriating way to lose.

But let me make this clear – these are two TERRIBLE football squadrons, that deserve your full and unadulterated scorn.  While it was A+++++ in watchability (for the neutral), the quality would suck for Tuesday night MAC-tion.  I turned the TV off so as not to see ghoulish Jerral Jones happy, like he does a good (in terms of leadership).  He’s MOAR full of shit than even Herr Fuhrer in DC, and this is just Darkest Timeline side hustle.

Cincinnati and London also played a crazy one, featuring a Joe Burrow toe ouchie, Prison Girlfriend throwing shhhhhaaaaaaddddde at his coach (before BTJ dropped a 4th down conversion pass that would have sealed a Jaguras victory), followed by a 1-yard ball stretch TD (on 3rd down) by poetess Elizabeth Barrett Browning.  WKRP holds on for a fairly lucky 31-27 win, now holds its breath for X-ray time (after Mike Brown gets a signed letter of pre-approval from his budget insurance carrier).  So, maybe Wednesday?  STAY TUNED.

The bronze medal of craziness?  That goes to New England at Miami.  The P*ts scored TDs on their first two drives, and it looked for the world like Fuck You, LOLfin had lied down and quit.  Missed both extra points, though.  That kind of day.  Miami would actually take a lead in Q3, and then go back in front midway through Q4, on a punt return TD.  Outkicking ones coverage?  This was Exhibit A, an absolute bomb of a punt that backfired.

Then New England took the kickoff down the right, untouched (to my memory) for 7 in return.  They’d add a post-turnover FG for 33-27, which would be the final score after a shaky defensive stand.  Poor Tua, that kid’s done.  As I said live, good thing he can immediately wipe those memory banks!  As much as I hate to say this about a U*NC alumnus…Rebecca Malone has that “little something” that franchise QBs have.  Not saying he will be a Hall of Famer – but he’ll be good to very good, likely for a long while.

I also can’t help grudgingly respecting The Bay Area Legend of White Mac, in terms of salvaging what looked like a car crash of a career.  Much like Bollo del Verdad, he’s transitioned from “first round bust” to “premium NFL backup that you are comfortable playing for multiple weeks (and maybe even on a multi-year deal).”  He started piss-poor, but hung in and outdueled a surprisingly effective Spencer Rattler, 26-21 in N’Awlins.  I mean, good on each kid.  My prediction of a disaster season for Santa Clara?  Not Great, Bob!

Same category?  My enthusiasm for the Strawberry Fields Jest.  They went down to Brokeback and the visiting Bills Mafia, 30-3 before a Meadowlands turf-induced concussion knocked Fields out.  Brokeback looked like he took a nasty, possibly broken nose injury early, but only missed one series.  That’s one tough doofus.  30-10 was the final, because Buffalo didn’t need to leave 2nd gear.

Feeling a little better about dooming Q-aron’s Yinzburgh, after a shittastic 31-17 home loss to Seattle.  Touch of Downs made reams of first half mistakes, and PIT got lots of dumb luck early on, en route to a 14-7 HT lead.  But then the wheels came off, in each and every phase of the game (save placements).

#ThePauls were fairly frisky in Week 1.  Week 2?  They were back to weapons-grade #ThePauls.  You know, as one expects.  Ratbirds get well off SNF disaster, and win a 41-17 laugher.

Tennessee looked for a bit like they’d cause RRRRRRRRRRRRRAM IT!! some trouble, but faded in Q4 for a 33-19 home opener loss.  Cam Ward had some excellent moments, but nothing consistent.  Motherfucker needs some help, though I could still foresee a 6 or 7-win season.  Matt Stafford remains a fatty.

We all wondered whether a “get well” performance was in store for Baby Buster and his Fuck Liouns.  YES on both accounts, and the Bearistocrats! remain…what they have been for some time now.  Detroit won 52-21, and it easily could have been worse than that.

That leaves the late window, which left me cold.  I really didn’t care about the “Full National” Superb Owl re-match, and its various assorted analingus.  Iggles ended up winning, 20-17.  I watched none of it.

Arizona got a sack/fumble TD of Wee Bryce very early, and floated downstream the rest of the way.  I last paid attention at 27-3, hoping Qards D/ST wouldn’t give up too much garbage time production.  Because I suck, the Black Panthers got 3 TDs worth of garbage time, 27-22.

I very much appreciated Bo Nix’ much improved Week 2 performance.  Defense didn’t make the trip to the Gravy Boat, though.  Some concerns allayed, but new ones take their place.  Circle of life.  Because football is life.  Still, Denver had it won except for (i) shitty placement kicking; then (ii) an absolutely moronic leaping call, granting Indy a second, much easier try for the 29-28.  SIXTY YARD FGs ARE FUCKING HARD, MAKE THEM EXECUTE WITHOUT STUPID DESPERATION ANTICS.

I don’t really feel like watching Vikes/Sherman’s Ashes.  Sorry, y’all.  Male menopause HAWT flashes are a bitch and a half.  PLUS ALL TEH ANGER.

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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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Redshirt
Last edited 2 months ago by Redshirt
ArmedandHammered

Back from vacation in Sister Bay, WI and Chicago and boy has this small town boy faced with many new things. The Oregon Ducks football team being smaller than I thought they would be and second was the Adnerwilde (not real name) Bar Mitzvah held in the ballrooms and lobby of the hotel we were staying at, I just bemusedly watched.

The best part, went outside to take a hit or 9 and while I am vaping this group come out to the smoking area. A very distinguished older gentleman, silver hair, black suit appeared to be an authority figure. The other three were one young man and two young women in their early 20s all dressed in what is probably their finest. I stood there doing my best George Peppard smoking a cigar impression, and the older gentleman pulls out a big old fat pre-roll, fires that fatty up, and they start passing it around. I had no idea pot was kosher! Or are there strains that are considered kosher?

Had brunch at Max’s Deli, so I should have asked the two elderly Jewish ladies who were kevetching at each other. I wonder what their thoughts would have been.

Doktor Zymm

I am nawt a specialist in this area, but pretty sure the Torah is silent on the topic of marijuana

Gatoraids

maybe misinterpreting “Never roll on shabbos”

ArmedandHammered

It is natural, and of course they would approve of God’s creation. Hearing the two old ladies compaining about what the young women were wearing to synagogue was hilarious. “I tells you, I am seeing a lot more than anyone ever should.”

Gatoraids
ArmedandHammered

Really is an Amish Paradise now:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOfZLb33uCg

Horatio Cornblower

The Mennonites don’t miss a trick when it comes to making a buck. God bless ’em.

BeefReeferLives

From what I understand, it varys from person to person of course, but the chosen people are generally ok with weed usage.

Back before it was mostly legal, some of the best hash I ever had was kibbutzer hash. Had a big star of david & hebrew writing stamped on the bricks.

Horatio Cornblower

That whole region could do with a great big stonerfest.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly
Redshirt

JJ McCarthy is out for next week. Bengals @ Vikings is going to be a backup battle!

Jimbo

All right , It’s Wentz time!

Doktor Zymm

Daniels also might sit, so potential Mariota sighting

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Woo hoo, Duck time!

/offer is past expiration date and not valid in Utah

Gatoraids

going to be a vicious battle on the waiver wire blowing out some FAAB budgets, Daniels questionable with a sprained knee from the MRI

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

It seems that they’re going after people who made Charlie Kirk jokes on Nazi Telegram, which me glad I abandoned that platform permanently as soon as Elon Musk reinstated Herr Fuhrer’s account.

Jimbo

Bunch of snowflakes.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

I’d bet my house that 95% (i.e. the Giants’ win probability after getting that late touchdown) of the people screeching for firings (and defunding!) were making the exact same kind of jokes when Paul Pelosi got attacked.

BallsofLacrosseAndMapleSyrup

weird

Unsurprised

I spent like two hours making gif macros last night only to find my postimages account got nuked. I guess it wasn’t anything clever, but I also deleted everything out of spite.

In other news, since things are going well on the caretaking side, I am looking for a L.A. area Commanders bar for next week.

Doktor Zymm

I think Joxer Daly’s in Culver City might be your best bet

Redshirt

Add these teams to the list:

IMG_1917
SonOfSpam

(they all won)

Unsurprised

It’s like good management includes having the goddamn sense to read the room.

Redshirt

It’s a good theory but that would include Mike Brown as good management who does the decent and honorable thing without having to be shamed by one of the paragons of your damn franchise.

https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/allbengals-insiders-plus/cincinnati-makes-sounds-change-to-legend-itinerary-for-ring-of-honor-games-01k56z10cs5b

Doktor Zymm

I wonder if someone told Mike Brown that the sound guys still get paid during a moment of silence

Unsurprised

Good point. Cheapness counts for something, for once.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

PR people for the week’s road teams are having celebratory cocktails at lunch today.

Horatio Cornblower

Like Mike Brown was putting someone up on the Jumbotron who hadn’t paid full price.

Doktor Zymm

The Niners could go 2-4 in their division and still make the playoffs, their out of division schedule is just that easy

Redshirt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTaSJqrErRc

Tom Grossi made a video. It’s official: Burrow is out three months.

Doktor Zymm

I think this is his third Bengals-induced surgery?

Horatio Cornblower

His co-pays must be through the roof!

Redshirt

Yup, the debate locally is will Burrow go the Carson Palmer route and retire or Andrew Luck route and be forced to retire.

Gumbygirl

Oof. Sorry, Redshirt.

Unsurprised

Oh, right. Ravens fans aren’t petty.

Redshirt

So begins to “Who Should the Bengals call” contest for Burrow replacements. My expert opinions (in order from least to most chance of occurring)

-Tom Brady. Just to piss off the Chiefs.

-Madden-level Trade Bullshit: Unless Mike Brown can convince Browns to start the rebuild early, Flacoo is stuck where he is. Same with Jones and the other placeholder starting QBs.

-Young QB: Little to no chance. Burrow may come back for the playoffs and Browning has shown to be capable, so Sanders, Gabriel and (shudders) Richardson are staying where they are. Plus to get them would get their contracts, which wouldn’t make sense.

-Falcons: Kirk Cousins would be a good option if they didn’t have a Plan B, but they do with Browning. If you could convince Atlanta to take most of his money, it would be a decent Plan B to have a solid backup.

-Trade Journeyman Backup: Assuming you can get them for relatively low draft picks, Garrapollo, DeVito and Winston would be decent options to have in case Browning falters and also to act as a sounding board to help Browning. Hell, I’d even give Carolina to call to see if Dalton wants to end his career in stripes. Shit, it worked for Esiason in ’97.

-Reserve Activation Clause: They know who they had with McCarron and Driskel. I would include Ridder, but he may have played himself out of an NFL career in Preseason Game 3.

-Free Agency: Browning has shown he can run the offense, but with only Brett Rypien as the other QB, it makes sense to sign another QB in case Browning does do poorly and gets hurt. Taylor Heinckie, Tyler Huntley and Mike White do come to mind.

This doesn’t end the Bengals season, but it does lower the ceiling. If Burrow can come back by December/January, all they need to do is play around .500, get to 10-7 and see what happens.

Don T

DeVito?!
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SonOfSpam

I like to think she executed that slap so well because she pictured Sonny on the receiving end.

SonOfSpam

Good anal

ysis!

I agree that they should mostly try to upgrade the QB2 situation for now. Browning is fine, but Rypien would be bad news. Of all the QBs you mentioned, I can’t see them getting Jeanine Garofalo, because Fatty Stafford is still fragile. Heinicke seems like a potential Bengals guy.

Redshirt

Yeah, that’s what I’m known for. That why they call me…oh, analysis. Uh, thank you.

Doktor Zymm

Did Wentz ever sign somewhere?

Or maybe Dart has a stellar game and the VEPs ditch Russ

Horatio Cornblower

Wentz?

Jesus, Dok, you want me to hold the poor kid down while you kick him?

Redshirt

I’m entertaining a Red Rifle Reunion. Im already dead inside. More dead inside.

Doktor Zymm

Can Cam Newton still walk? Maybe he’ll come out of retirement and he’s the same draft class as Dalton

ArmedandHammered

Colin Kapernick, face pressed against window staring in from the rain, “Why does no one remember me?”

Doktor Zymm

Upon 20 seconds of further research it looks like he’s the Vikes #2 right now so he’s nawt going anywhere right now anyway

Doktor Zymm

And another 20 seconds on the internet tell me Wentz will actually start week 3 since JJ McCarthy apparently sprained his ankle last night

Horatio Cornblower

I saw that while I was the gym earlier and had a nice chuckle to myself.

BallsofLacrosseAndMapleSyrup

more thought and analysis going on here then on any football show, like, ever

Redshirt

Bengals fans are more knowledgeable than you’d think. Honestly, we learned it by doing the opposite of what the Bengals do, but the knowledge is retained.

Doktor Zymm

So kinda like how I know when a car’s transmission or suspension is close to failing, or all the different reasons a car won’t start

blaxabbath

Given that Duke Tobin has just one shot to target this move right, the other person I’d trust with a steady hand to aim this .308 stamped with LOL BUNGLES would be Tyler Robinson.

Don T

Cam Ward’s late 1st half heroics and TEN’s special teams competence+ are nourishing. DC Dennard Wilson is solid. A big problem might be BOTH Callahans, a post-Week 1 hypothesis geting a lot of data support.
Mood: sober, agreeable.

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

THIS TURF TOE INJURY TO JOE BURROW I CALL IT CHARLIE KIRK’S ASSASSINATION BECAUSE IT WAS KINDA PREDICTABLE BUT IT’S CRUEL TO LAUGH ABOUT IT WHILE ANY OHIO RESIDENTS ARE PRESENT BECAUSE HE WAS A HERO TO MANY OF THEM.

/but seriously we should do a wellness check on Redshirt

Redshirt

Уничтожим предателей в Киеве! 只有強者才能生存! Heghlu’meH QaQ jajvam!

LemonJello

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Gumbygirl

Ruh-roh.

ArmedandHammered

All good, no Cthonic Script of the Old Ones detected.

Sharkbait

That’s an insult to turds. At least they can be used for gardens.

Gumbygirl

I was wondering about that one. I thought, maybe he has really good hair?

SonOfSpam

I hope someone got fired for that mistake.

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Horatio Cornblower

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Brick Meathook

Here’s a photo I took a long time ago in a place far away:

https://ibb.co/hFWxvqZQ

blaxabbath

“Thank goodness I will never look like that!”

– Charlie Kirk, (Gun Statistic Veteran)

Brick Meathook

Let’s see your Army boot camp photo, the one they send to your mother.

BugEyedBoo

I still have mine somewhere in our pile ‘o pictures. It’s awful.

Brocky

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BugEyedBoo

I looked like Droopy, only sadder.

blaxabbath

100% sure if I got KIA, they would have fucked up and told my mom I returned home safely.

LemonJello

Marine Boot Camp photo of a young LemonJello:

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ArmedandHammered

Man, for me that pic was 100 lbs ago. Now I only have a single chin!

Sharkbait

I also can’t help grudgingly respecting The Bay Area Legend of White Mac, in terms of salvaging what looked like a car crash of a career

I’ll always blame the Patriots for ruining him. Who knew that 3 OCs in 3 different seasons (one of which was always a defensive coordinator) would stunt and ruin a player’s development.

blaxabbath

I love the positive attitude/language around FA QB wash-up signings lately — but never forget these dudes are washups for a reason. Mac best the Saints. The Saints suck.

Also I appreciate your reasonable expectation that Jones is a good backup QB.

Doktor Zymm

Yeah, this is why I’m still not sold on the Colts improvement. No way they were able to improve Dimes that much after what they did with Richardson. Something’s fishy there.