Option 1, Week 9’s Burning Question: Can the Ravens’ offense get on track? After a 14-2 campaign and the NFL’s top record in 2019, Baltimore has struggled to find its unstoppable rhythm. Even when the Ravens doubled Pittsburgh’s offensive yardage output and tore the Steelers apart on the ground, Lamar Jackson racked up four turnovers … Continue reading Week 9 Read Option: Mack Hollins a Hero as Fins Slide By Kyler Murray
Option 1, Week 8’s Burning Question: How will Tua Tagovailoa perform against Los Angeles? A rookie quarterback relegated to the bench the first seven weeks of the season was primed to kick off his career in his debut and launch a Hall of Fame career. No, I’m not talking about Dallas third-stringer Ben DiNucci. It’s … Continue reading Week 8 Read Option: Steelers Stay Undefeated in Baltimore
Option 1, Week 7’s Burning Question: Are the Raiders for real? Las Vegas broke onto the scene with wins over the Saints in their Allegiant Stadium debut and the Chiefs on the road in Kansas City. A game against the Bucs, flexed out of the primetime slot at the last second, offered another chance for … Continue reading Week 7 Read Option: The Patriots tumble again!
Option 1, Week 6’s Burning Question: Will any undefeated teams crumble? Week 5 produced some shocking results and handed losses to a couple of undefeated teams, including the loud and proud Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and the resurgent Buffalo Bills. By the closing of Week Six, the fraternity of undefeated squads took another … Continue reading Week 6 Read Option: Derrick Henry takes down Texans
Option 1, Week 5’s Burning Question: Will the Cowboys break their slump? The good: the Cowboys did, in fact, break their two-game skid and now hold the NFC East lead at a paltry 2-3. Andy Dalton led a four-play, 52-second final drive to set kicker Greg Zuerlein up for the game-winning 34-yard field goal. The … Continue reading Week 5 Read Option: “Chucky” bests the Chiefs
Option 1, Week 4’s Burning Question: Can Tom Brady solve an elite defense? The Buccaneers entered Week 4 with a lead in the NFC South, but the surprising fact was more of an indictment on the rest of the division (2-7 combined) than the supposed superteam in Tampa Bay. I’ve been bullish on the Buccaneers, … Continue reading Week 4 Read Option: OBJ flexes on Dallas, again, and Lamar breaks free
Option 1, Week 3’s Burning Question: What gives in Ravens-Chiefs megaclash? I delayed the publication of this weekly column, typically on Mondays at 1 pm central, for the sole reason of the week’s Monday Night Football clash. Normally, I disregard MNF — I have plenty of stuff to do during the week anyways. But I’m … Continue reading Week 3 Read Option: Josh Allen Gets His Due
Welcome to the Read Option column, Week 2 edition! Prepare for plenty of Cowboys talk. Option 1, Week 2’s Burning Question: Which presumed contender will start 0-2? The 0-2 hole is dreaded in NFL circles, and for good reason — teams that have dropped their first two games have made it to the Big Game … Continue reading Week 2 Read Option: Prescott Shines in Wild Comeback
Option 1, Week 1’s Burning Question: How will Tom Brady look in Buccaneer red? Seeing Brady outside of New England and in Tampa Bay colors looked pretty spectacular after years of him beating up on AFC opponents in navy and red. His arm? Not so great. Brady threw two interceptions, one due to a miscommunication … Continue reading Week 1 Read Option: Brees Tops Brady in Opener
Hey guys! I’ve written a lot of series over the years, and their names have ranged the spectrum from cringy (Professor Sports) to clever (Varsity Letter) to fitting (Nostalgia Blast). Today, as I kick of the college era of Johnriker.com, I’m resurrecting one of my favorite formats/names, the Read Option. Quick history lesson -- my … Continue reading Read Option: On the ‘Cats, Cubs, Ravens and Cowboys
Riker's Block 