One: Man, talk about some irony.
After taking JJ McCarthy tenth overall in 2024 and subsequently losing the quarterback to a season-ending injury in training camp, journeyman Sam Darnold rose to the occasion and put together the best season of his career. Darnold helped lead the Vikings to an incredible 14-3 record and a wild card appearance, reviving his own NFL prospects in the process.
Then, in the offseason, Minnesota controversially decided to go with the now healthy McCarthy, and Darnold walked in free agency to Seattle. On Sunday, those teams met for the first time since “the decision,” but one of them looked very, very different.
Not only was McCarthy out for this game with a concussion, their backup Carson Wentz was ruled out for the season weeks ago. So, it’s undrafted free agent Max Brosmer who gets the start against Darnold, the man the Vikings let slip away.
Two: On that note, I was really interested to see how Brosmer would do.
Any time someone so far down the depth chart gets into a game, especially at quarterback, I like to pay attention. Unfortunately for Brosmer, his debut did not go as well as he probably would have hoped.
He went 19-of-30 for 126 yards and a whopping four interceptions. He was sacked four times as well. But here’s his real lowlight of the game.
Close enough, welcome back Will Levis!
Given the turnovers Brosmer served up in this game, I’m actually a little surprised he was able to complete 19 passes. Perhaps crazy enough, however, is that this stat line has occurred one other time in NFL history, according to QBigami.
By the way, that’s a fun new account to follow if you’re insane and love intricate little details like that. No, this is not a promotion or anything like that, I just think it’s a very cool account.
Three: I’m still trying to figure out what happened with this extra point down over in Indianapolis.
After Houston scored a touchdown to take the lead, Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn went sent out for the extra point. But he missed it, didn’t he?
That kick surely looked wide, but the referees on the field called it good, giving the Texans the extra point. I’ll be honest, I’ve watched this kick at least 15 times, and in none of those re-watches can I convince my brain that Fairbairn’s kick went through the uprights.
The CBS broadcast was just as confused as we were, eventually bringing in Gene Steratore for a further explanation.
We saw something similar happen earlier in the year, when Baltimore’s Tyler Loop kicked a field goal in a September game. Just like Fairbairn’s kick, it wasn’t clear if the kick was actually on the correct side of the uprights as it sailed over the pipe.
Unfortunately, this kind of stuff is not reviewable. Perhaps that’s something to update in the rule book this offseason?
Four: Joe Burrow made his return last week, on Thanksgiving, against the Baltimore Ravens.
Suiting up for Cincinnati for the first time since September 14th, going 24-of-46 for 261 yards and a pair of touchdowns. I was a little surprised how often the Bengals had him throw as much as he did, but it worked as the Bengals pulled off the 32-14 upset win over the Ravens. Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase picked up right where they left off, with the receiver picking 110 yards on seven catches. He was targeted 14 times.
Even Cincy’s defense punched above their weight. They forced four turnovers, picking Lamar Jackson off once and forcing two fumbles from him en route to a four-turnover day.
It was that type of Bengals team that we expected to see a lot more of this season, before Burrow’s injury derailed it all. It’s a shame for them that it’s all happening a little too late…or is it?
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