{"id":1022,"date":"2013-09-10T21:45:28","date_gmt":"2013-09-11T01:45:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=1022"},"modified":"2013-09-10T22:04:41","modified_gmt":"2013-09-11T02:04:41","slug":"tuesday-teabag-september-10-2013-nfl-week-1-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bigredsportsmachine.com\/?p=1022","title":{"rendered":"Tuesday Teabag, September 10, 2013 – NFL Week 1 Recap"},"content":{"rendered":"

OMFG, The Machine has just recovered from an epic Week 1.\u00a0 So many great games and storylines.\u00a0 Chip Kelly\u2019s high-octane offense was a success (for now), AP takes his first run to the house, the Bills remind us that, even with a new coach and QB, they didn\u2019t forget how to lose at the last second, and Peyton Manning reminds us all that he\u2019s still a boss.<\/p>\n

Likewise, there was an abundance of teabags to go around.\u00a0 They say football is the ultimate team sport (we\u2019d argue beerpong too) but there are times when one individual can completely screw it up for everyone.\u00a0 Here\u2019s a look at 3 players who made horrible decisions on the field, and cost their teams greatly.\u00a0 We\u2019ll go in order of least offensive to most egregious.<\/p>\n

Clay Mathews, LB \u2013 Green Bay<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Juuuust<\/a>

Juuuust a bit outside.<\/p><\/div>\n

There was so much hype and drama leading up to this game, you knew someone was going to do something stupid (and costly).\u00a0 Clay was one of the biggest pre-game talkers, going on and on about wanting to hurt C-Kap and make up for that playoff beat down.\u00a0 Well, he made up for it alright.<\/p>\n

With the game tied at 7-7, 3rd<\/sup>\u00a0and 10 at the Green Bay 10 yard line, C-Kap\u00a0scrambles and is clearly on his way out-of-bounds, short of a first down\u2026until Johnny Meathead\u00a0dives at Colin, wraps an arm around his neck, and takes him down, all of which occurred out-of-bounds.\u00a0 Clay then gets in a kerfuffle with Joe Staley (more on that in a bit) and they both get off-setting personal fouls.\u00a0 They replay the down.\u00a0 This time, C-Kaps\u00a0throws a dart to Anquan\u00a0Boldin\u00a0for a touchdown, putting the Niners up 14-7, instead of 10-7.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

When is hitting someone with a helmet on ever a good idea?\u00a0 Afterwards, perpetually-pissed\u00a0off Coach Jim Harbaugh added more fuel to the fire<\/a>, saying \u201cI think [Clay] works very hard on being a tough guy.\u00a0 He\u2019ll have some repairing to do to his image after the slap.\u201d\u00a0 Come on Jim, you\u2019re the coach, you have to act like a parent (not their friend) and let your players to the talking.\u00a0 Speaking of which, C-Kap chimed in with \u201cIf intimidation is your game plan, I hope you have a better one.\u201d\u00a0 Now that\u2019s more like it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If for nothing else, those extra 4 points helped San Fran cover the spread (thanks, dick).<\/p>\n

Ray Maualuga, LB \u2013 Cincinnati<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Tough<\/a>

Tough guy stare + headband = super badass<\/p><\/div>\n

Ray\u2019s used to making bad decisions off the field<\/a>, but this time he brought that same level of poor judgment and life skills on the field.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With Cincy\u00a0down 3 late in the game, the Bengals D comes up with a big stop on third down.\u00a0 Chicago would be forced\u00a0to punt and give Cincy\u00a0a chance to win (or tie) the game\u2026except Ray steps in and gets a personal foul for fighting after the play.\u00a0 First down Chicago, Cutler takes a knee to end the game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sure, it\u2019s no guarantee that Cincy would score if it got the ball back, but at least they\u2019d have a chance.\u00a0 Unfortunately, Ray\u2019s reckless temper cost them that chance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Lavonte David, LB \u2013 Tampa Bay<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"What?<\/a>

What? Did I do something wrong? Didn’t think so.<\/p><\/div>\n

Now we get to the cr\u00e8me de la cr\u00e8me of idiotic linebackers.\u00a0 Tampa was on its way to eking\u00a0out a 2 point victory in New York, after Rian\u00a0Lindell nailed a 37 yard field goal with 34 seconds left to go up 15-17.\u00a0 All the Bucs needed to do was kick off, play some prevent D, and not do anything stupid.\u00a0 This time, 2 out of 3 is bad.<\/p>\n

On the Jets ensuing drive, Geno\u00a0Smith (the only undefeated QB in NY) was running out-of-bounds\u00a0(with\u00a07 seconds left) when Lavonte\u00a0hits him and gets flagged for a personal foul.\u00a0 Had Lavonte\u00a0not hit him, there would\u2019ve been\u00a07 seconds left, Jets with the ball at the 45, and they\u2019d be forced to throw a hail mary.\u00a0 Instead, Jets get the ball at the 30, and Nick Folk drills a 47 yarder.\u00a0 Game over.\u00a0 Don\u2019t believe me, here\u2019s the video proof:<\/p>\n

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