Week 8 saw the NFC West, possibly the best division in football, continue to grow more confusing. Arizona can’t lose, Seattle sneaked by the worst team in football and St. Louis stole a win in San Francisco. The NFC South, possibly the worst division in football, finally has a team on track to take it after a New Orleans win in Carolina. Fans as always are unhappy with performances from specific players. Here’s why those guys are hated this week.
Culprit: TE John Carlson
Why he’s hated: Cardinals pass catchers as a whole dropped five passes against the Cowboys on Sunday, and Carlson was responsible for three. The tight end dropped more balls than he caught (two) in six targets, but one of those catches was Arizona’s first touchdown. The 7-1 Cardinals won’t complain too much.
Hate sample: “can carlson drop anymore passes? this guy blows” - @thomefan251
Culprit: CB Lardarius Webb
Why he’s hated: Webb is supposed to help a struggling Ravens secondary now that he’s healthy. Instead, Webb allowed seven catches for 105 yards, missed three tackles and was called for two penalties against the Steelers on Sunday night. He only allowed one touchdown, though — Big Ben was nice enough to distribute his six touchdowns on six different Ravens.
Hate sample: “Lardarius Webb should just retire. On tonight’s evidence, holy s—, his career is OVER.” - @agripsh
Culprit: QB Cam Newton
Why he’s hated: Newton’s rough stat line (10-for-28, 151 yards and a pick) isn’t the main reason the Panthers lost to the Saints on Thursday night — he didn’t have much help, anyway, as his receivers dropped four passes and Kelvin Benjamin hauled in just two of 10 targets. It’s the quarterback’s second-quarter fumble, one that gave New Orleans all the momentum and two touchdowns in less than three minutes before halftime, that ultimately cost Carolina the game.
Hate sample: “Cam Newton learn how to throw homie, you played like s—….Sincerely, a true Panthers fan” - @lakota_lee
Culprit: QB Andy Dalton
Why he’s hated: It’s the second time in two weeks Dalton almost gave the game away with an inexplicable fourth-quarter turnover. This one was a confusing interception off his own lineman’s back, right after a Jacksonville touchdown, that led to another Jaguars score and a three-point game with about eight minutes to play. Jeremy Hill bailed the QB out this time with a 60-yard, game-sealing touchdown on the first play of the next series.
Hate sample: “Andy Dalton you trying to throw this game for us? Step it the f— up, Protect the football.” - @Scrubalicious_
Culprit: RB Ben Tate
Why he’s hated: Granted, the Browns might as well not even try to run the ball behind backup center Nick McDonald, but only three of Tate’s 10 carries went to a one hole. The starter managed just 3 yards on those 10 carries against the Jags, including one big 3-yard burst. That’s … bad.
Hate sample: “Ben Tate is s—y as f— I hate this dude” - @dominic__pena
Culprit: Team owner Jerry Jones
Why he’s hated: Dallas’ second loss in two weeks proved no Tony Romo means no success for the Cowboys. Brandon Weeden’s 7.5 QBR Sunday is a good indication that Jones’ squad may be talented but still isn’t deep enough.
Hate sample: “Two weeks ago Jerry Jones was happier than a pig in s—. Then his duct-taped QB got broken again. And here they are. Flailing about.” - @aggie_hood
Culprit: Punt coverage
Why (it) is hated: The Patriots won this game with a second-quarter scoring surge, and the biggest momentum boom was an 84-yard punt return by Julian Edelman. Broncos punter Britton Colquitt dropped the snap, allowing the coverage even more time to run upfield. But they were nowhere to be found when Edelman sprinted down the sideline untouched.
Hate sample: “PUNT RETURN TD PATRIOTS….WOW WOW WOW!!! SMH!! BRONCOS GET YOUR S— TOGETHER!!! #DENvsNE
Culprit: CB Andre Hal
Why he’s hated: Houston has a problem when Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson are out of the lineup. Hal played a terrible game. The rookie allowed two early touchdowns, the second of which gave Eagles backup QB Mark Sanchez needed confidence, and gave up a total of 142 yards. He also dropped an easy, would-be pick six.
Hate sample: “@ShocherBob7 Andre Hal can’t stop an egg timer.” - @venramamurthy
Culprit: Third down
Why (it) is hated: Andrew Luck, despite tying his season-best 4-0 TD-INT ratio, had his worst completion percentage of the year (54.3) against the Giants on Monday night. He and the Colts struggled with third-down conversions, 5-of-15 — pretty much the only thing to complain about following the big win.
Hate sample: “I wish Andrew would stop locking in on Reg on third down. Bradshaw had TD on the wheel route. Obvious. #Colts” - @pwilson24
Culprit: LB Telvin Smith
Why he’s hated: The rookie got beat like he stole something in punt protection, and that allowed Taylor Mays an easy path for a late second-quarter blocked punt and a safety. That was all the momentum the favored Bengals needed at home against the Jags. Smith, the starting middle linebacker, missed a couple tackles and was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct in the loss, too.
Hate sample: “Telvin Smith, now with a 15yd penalty, would someone please give him a personal flight back to Florida during halftime” - @LifeofGrahams
Culprit: Wide receivers
Why (they) are hated: Chiefs wideouts somehow still have caught zero touchdowns through eight games, and that includes matchups against bad secondaries (Titans, Jets, exc.). Sunday against Gang Green seemed like the perfect time, but it didn’t happen. The complaints won’t grow too loud if Kansas City keeps winning.
Hate sample: “Chiefs receiving core is garbage. They have to get an impact receiver, Bowe isn’t a 1 or a 2 on most teams.” - @AJGft573
Culprit: Injury scare
Why (it) is hated: All is well in Miami after the Dolphins’ blowout win over the Chargers … except Lamar Miller. The starting running back went down with a shoulder injury in the third quarter, giving Miami fans an uneasy feeling. He’s fine, for now, but the Dolphins can’t go without Miller after losing Knowshon Moreno.
Hate sample: “Lamar Miller is hurt like wtf honestly I hate this” - @JeffreyImbrogno
Culprit: WR Cordarrelle Patterson
Why he’s hated: Just a bad game: He dropped the same amount of passes as he caught (one) in seven targets against Washington. Teddy Bridgewater was a little off on a few throws, but Minnesota’s top playmaker can’t be MIA moving forward.
Hate sample: “Holy s— Cordarrelle Patterson, because Teddy Bridgewater really needs more working against him, my god” - @johnjf125
Culprit: CB Brandon Browner
Why he’s hated: Browner’s interception was a right-place-at-the-right-time moment, so we’re ignoring that. Peyton Manning tested Browner all night, and the corner allowed six catches for 105 yards, including 49 after the catch. He was also flagged a team-high three times, which is becoming a trend.
Hate sample: “I absolutely hate Brandon Browner. What a joke” - @_Frosty22
Culprit: First-quarter turnovers
Why (they) are hated: They’re the only reason the outmatched Panthers had a chance Thursday night. A Drew Brees red-zone pass on the Saints’ first drive clanked off Kenny Stills’ pads for a pick, and Brees fumbled while getting sacked on their second drive. Carolina wasn’t able to capitalize, and the early New Orleans derps proved harmless.
Hate sample: “All these damn turnovers pissing me off, come on Saints” - @Kid_S3
Culprit: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Why he’s hated: This game ended early in the third quarter when T.Y. Hilton ripped a sure interception away from Rodgers-Cromartie in the end zone for a score and a 20-point Colts advantage. A pick there shifts the momentum in the Giants’ favor.
Hate sample: “C’mon Rodgers Cromartie you f—ing wit us? @ochocinco u see this s—? Child please!” - @CyClan
Culprit: RB Chris Ivory
Why he’s hated: An uncharacteristically bad game from the starter made for more Chris Johnson touches. Ivory managed just 22 yards on eight carries, his second lowest output of the season. The Jets can’t afford to get behind the sticks when their first-down back can’t produce. Regardless, a rusty Ivory is still better than Johnson these days.
Hate sample: “The Jets are favoring Chris Johnson over Ivory today because it’s the Jets and the inmates run the asylum.” - @bingelistening
Culprit: RB Darren McFadden
Why he’s hated: Another week, more mediocrity on the ground for the Raiders. Oakland managed to hang with Seattle despite 37 team rushing yards, including 20 on 13 carries from McFadden. With no confidence in its rushing attack, Oakland had to go to the air on the goal line for both offensive touchdowns.
Hate sample: “@RAIDERS We Played Very Well Though. Again We Gotta Ditch That Piece Of S— McFadden. Zero Run Game For The Last 8 Years. Go Raiders!” - @Owens8120
Culprit: The injury bug
Why (it) is hated: Sunday’s win in Houston came at a cost on offense and defense. Starting QB Nick Foles, although not playing great this season, went down with a broken collarbone. Linebacker DeMeco Ryans, on a ridiculous play in which he fumbled away his own interception, tore his Achilles’ tendon. Mark Sanchez can be a decent replacement for Foles, but Philly has nobody to replace its defensive captain.
Hate sample: “I am so pissed about DeMeco Ryans being done for the year. F— you @HoustonTexans and your piece of s— field so many players get hurt on” - @2klightyrsaway
Culprit: CB Brice McCain
Why he’s hated: It seemed as though Ravens QB Joe Flacco just wanted to throw to whichever receiver McCain was guarding downfield Sunday night. The corner allowed a catch each of the seven times he was thrown at — 95 yards and a touchdown was the damage.
Hate sample: “Brice McCain > John McCain in everything except pass coverage.” - @CynicalSteve412
Culprit: QB Austin Davis
Why he’s hated: St. Louis beat San Francisco in spite of quarterback play. Davis was bad again — 13-of-24, 105 yards, an interception and a 13.7 QBR — and the first of his two second-quarter interceptions led to the 49ers’ only touchdown.
Hate sample: “I hate to say it but Austin Davis is simply not a good NFL Quarterback” - @ncacc_3
Culprit: LB Donald Butler
Why he’s hated: Butler wasn’t the worst player on the field during Sunday’s beatdown in Miami, but he did epitomize San Diego’s struggles. He was bad in coverage, allowing a touchdown and four receptions on four targets (Ryan Tannehill had a career day through the air), and he missed a couple tackles (the Chargers missed 14 as a team).
Hate sample: “Charles Clay catches the ball**Camera cuts to Donald Butler taking a nap with a half-eaten slice of pizza lying on his chest” - @Damarisnk04
Culprit: QB Colin Kaepernick
Why he’s hated: Forget the botched QB-center exchange. Whether or not Kaepernick crossed the plane to score a touchdown on the game’s final play, he needs to hold on to the football. Officials couldn’t tell whether Kap scored, and the Niners took a bad, bad division loss at home against the Rams. It was the QB’s second lost fumble of the day. He was sacked a ridiculous eight times and finished with a 13.4 QBR.
Hate sample: “I f—ing HATE and I mean HATE Colin Kaepernick! I 100% seriously hope he gets hurt, I cannot stand that f— anymore!” - @yankeefan209
Culprit: LB Brock Coyle
Why he’s hated: Uncle Mo is a crazy fellow, isn’t he? Second-half momentum was the reason Oakland had a legitimate chance at the season’s biggest upset in Seattle, and the catalyst was a blocked punt for a touchdown after the Seahawks’ first drive of the third quarter. That falls on Coyle, who decided not to block Denico Autry.
Hate sample: “To be fair, his name is Brock Coyle, not Block Coyle.” - @30AcreFortress
Culprit: RB Mike James
Why he’s hated: James managed just nine yards on four carries on offense, but his special-teams blunder ended up costing Tampa the game. He picked up the wrong man in punt protection. Then, when he saw Craig Robertson burst through, James committed a holding penalty on his missed assignment. Robertson blocked the punt anyway, and the Browns scored the game-winning touchdown two plays later.
Hate sample: “Twist got Mike James. Damn.” - @LedgeronBucs
Culprit: Drama
Why (it) is hated: Quarterbacks are shuffling, coaches are mad at reporters, brass is mad at coaches, buses are crashing — it’s the last thing Washington needs.
Hate sample: “don’t get me wrong RG3 give the redskins the best chance to win, but dude is a drama queen. He’s always so slow to get up. too much man” - @BillyKnarr6
Falcons, Bills, Bears, Lions, Packers, Titans
