Are You Ready For Some Football?!
… That started four weeks ago. What do you want from us, we’re busy. But boy do we love the NFL.
One of the great things about San Diego is that you can have a conversation with someone from every state. There’s a reason we all found ourselves here in beautiful La Jolla, so whether you’re a Redskins fan, a Bengals fan or a San Diego Los Angeles Chargers fan (hahahaha, that last part is a joke, nobody is a Chargers fan), gather round so we can discuss the 2018 NFL season.
Related: If you’re looking for a bar to watch your team, SanDiego.com has 32 ideas for you.
New Rules (thanks to ESPN.com):
15 yard penalty for lowering head to make contact with the helmet:
It is now a foul when a player lowers his head to ‘initiate and make contact’ with his helmet against an opponent. It will cost 15 yards and could lead to ejection.
Revised standard for a catch:
The requirement to ‘survive the ground’ has been eliminated. Now, a receiver must control the ball, establish himself in bounds and perform a football move. This definition applies to players who remain standing or are going to the ground. It will remain eligible for replay review.
Permanent touchback at 25-yard line:
The goal was to make the kickoff safer by reducing returns. The league hoped that returners would be incentivized to settle for a touchback, given the field position, rather than run it out of the end zone. Injury rates remain high on returns, however, and the league’s competition committee will consider elimination of kickoff altogether if that number doesn’t decrease soon.
Roughing the passer (not ESPN.com):
Ugh. This is football, right? SBnation.com has a great article on this new rule that has frustrated both defensive AND offensive players so far this season.
Week Four Power Rankings:
ESPN weighs in on the NFL’s 32 teams. Your week four top-5 NFL teams are:
- Los Angeles Rams (maintaining #1 spot from last week)
- Kansas City Chiefs (up one spot from #3)
- Philadelphia Eagles (reigning Super Bowl champs are up two spots from #5)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (down two spots from #2)
- New Orleans Saints (up big from last week’s #9 spot)
The San Diego Los Angeles Chargers, you ask? Middle of the pack at #16, down from #12 last week.
For the 2019 Super Bowl, La Jolla Sports Club Swamis Predict:
The Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs, with the Rams winning 27-18. Yes, you heard it at La Jolla Sports Club first: Congratulations to the 2019 Super Bowl champions, the Los Angeles Rams!
OK, that’s it for us today, check back in October for some scary workouts (like, you’ll be scared to pull them off)! Until then, be safe and enjoy that NFL football!
// Your friends at La Jolla Sports Club
