https://theringer.com/nfl-week-7-andrew-luck-geno-smith-winners-losers-b765614af718#.yopk4arr2
Loser: England
Sherman: The game between the Giants and Rams in Twickenham Stadium wasn’t a bad game. It was evenly contested! Both teams had identical records and played each other pretty evenly. Compelling! There was even a meaningful last-minute drive, as the Rams drove all the way to the red zone in hopes of tying the game. Exciting, technically!
But it was only interesting if you are aroused by mediocrity. By saying “identical records,” I mean “both teams were 3–3.”
The Giants’ offense was dismal. Eli Manning couldn’t do anything exciting even with Odell Beckham on his team, and they ran for only 36 yards.
Luckily, Case Keenum was there in New York’s time of need. He threw four picks, including one on each of the Rams’ final three drives. One was returned for a TD, one set the Giants up in great field position to score their other TD, and his last was the decisive play of the game. He threw the ball up to a receiver who wasn’t there:
A fun thing to remember while watching Keenum toss pick after pick is that the Rams drafted Jared Goff and aren’t playing him. Perhaps Goff is too good and Jeff Fisher knows that the hex a voodoo shaman placed on him means he will die if the Rams don’t finish with a 7–9 record.
Somebody at the NFL clearly believes its product is so brilliant that even the most farty, punty games can fool foreign nations into falling in love. The score was close and there were important plays, so people will think it’s thrilling, right? But I think that’s an insult to the foreign fans who do love football.
Chelsea–Manchester United was on at the same time. If any Englishmen did choose to watch Giants-Rams instead of that, I doubt they’ll come back for more.