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Monday Morning NFL Recap - Week 5 Surprises, Busts & Laughers

Listen, man, I'm just straight-up done.  I am one hundred percent over this, and after this most recent presidential debate, I was inspired to say something.  Not about the election  - God no, that debate was a hot mess.  But it did make me feel like yelling incoherently for theatrical effect at something that made me mildly angry, so here goes.

I can't support the NFL's absurd standards of player conduct anymore.  It was bad when they fined Brandon Marshall for wearing green cleats for mental health awareness instead of pink ones for marketing to women breast cancer awareness.  Roger Goodell has roughly the same status in Boston as the New York Yankees and the letter R.  Some lady got the vapors when her daughter saw Cam Newton dance in the endzone and made a national case about it.  Now we're here, where the NFL is throwing out taunting penalties like Halloween candy and the league's brightest stars spend half their games on the knife's edge of ejection because the NFL feels they need to shut down "sexually suggestive" celebrations in their telecasts (brought to you by Viagra, Cialis, and that uncomfortable quasi-nauseated feeling you get watching 80-year-olds give each other bedroom eyes in a loving, lingering shot that lasts for approximately 5 minutes).

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It's Monday Morning... What Just Happened

So in the spirit of the NFL's draconian celebration rules, today's Stars and Duds will rank various players' celebrations by the magnitude of the fine I predict the NFL will give to them and why.  Let's put on our best "out of touch insufferable trust fund baby" hats and pretend like we make decisions in the NFL.  It can't be any worse than what we've currently got.
 

The Duds:

These celebrations will be ranked in an ascending order, from lowest monetary amount to the highest amount.  If you disagree with the fine issued, just remember that I'm pretending to be the NFL so I literally don't care about you at all unless you are currently giving me money.  This goes double if you're one of those strange wo-man creatures we've been hearing so much about recently.

6. Nickell Robey-Coleman: The Quasi-Pump

The fine: $3,000

Now, Robey-Coleman didn't do much after his utterly unsurprising pick-six of Case Keenum, but there was the barest hint of a pump after the touchdown.  Since we're following the "three pump" precedent famously set in the case of McCringleberry v. Peele, he was not flagged nor fined heavily, but since there was at least an implied pump, we have found definitively that Robey-Coleman was not in compliance with the NFL's policy of stringently avoiding sexually suggestive material.  At least until the next Carl's Jr. commercial.

5. Ezekiel Elliott: Feeding the Beast (Multiple Times)

The fine: $6,666

Regardless of Elliott's magnificent 133 yard, 2-touchdown performance, his "feed the Beast" celebration is one that we feel could possibly be construed as Satanic, especially if you capitalize the word "beast" to land the joke, so we in the NFL want to make it perfectly clear that we abhor the worship of Satan and set ourselves against the Adversary in all of his wickedness and destructive ways.

Just to be clear, though, this isn't a position we take on moral grounds, because we're pretty sure even rebellious teenagers have favorite teams, but mostly because we spent 3 hours last week in the presence of some asshole who wouldn't shut the hell up about LaVey's Satanic Bible and we are one hundred percent sick of "baby's first pissing off Mom & Dad" religion.  Elliott gets the fine of the Beast and we hope he finds Jesus.

4. Joey Bosa: Sackmaster Flex

The fine: $7,500

First off, Dean Spanos has been whining at us ever since we awarded the Inglewood proposal to Stan Kroenke and it's getting really annoying, so when the first-round pick that he aggressively tried to screw over had the gall to celebrate laying his hands on a quarterback, it really set Dean off and that's just a sight and sound no one wants to see or hear.  It's astounding the sounds you can make when you're a spineless yes-man but you've dedicated yourself so wholly to screwing over your team's city financially that your skin is pure flint.

Anyway, we at the NFL want to make sure that it's understood by everybody that we in no way condone when a player lays his hands on another person.  "Person" is of course a word which here means "quarterback, because they make us the money."  I'm sorry, what?  Wo-man?  That's that weird word again.  You mean those weird beings that buy our pink shit in October?  You're saying that's a people?  You're just not making any sense, we're moving on.

 

The Studs:

Now these are the celebrations that are just unacceptable by "Leave It To Beaver" standards, so God knows that it's our job to shut these hooligans down before they start having sock hops after 8 pm or kissing their girls before going steady.

3. Tom Brady: Albuquerque - 3000 mi

The Fine: I Don't Know, Whatever Four Game Checks Is For Him

Mostly just because screw this a**hole, man.  We can't stand the dude.

2. T.Y. Hilton: Semaphore Shuffle

The Fine: $25,374

We have no idea what this celebration means, honestly, and we just chose a number at random in case T.Y. Hilton was signaling extraterrestrial overlords that the planet is ripe for invasion and harvesting.

What, do you not have a fine for that?  What kind of clown league are you running that you don't have a fine structure set up in case of alien invasion?

1. Odell Beckham, Jr: Bygones be Bygones

The Fine: $1,000,000

This celebration is one that could set a dangerous precedent in our league and we want to make sure that no player ever does anything like this ever again.

If the players start displaying self-awareness, fans could become accustomed to it and then start expecting us to start showing self-awareness and we are totally, fully, and completely opposed to that in any way, shape, or form.  Now if you'll excuse us, we need to package all of these into a celebrations highlight DVD we can sell at $60 a pop.

 

Ugh, I always hate going into that "owners" frame of mind.  Jerry Jones leaves his exotic dancers residue in there, and I always come out with lingering thoughts about how successful Levi's Stadium is.  It's a dark place, completely disconnected from humanity, and the longer I stare into that abyss the more it whispers to me about how much money could be found if you moved the Packers to Milwaukee.  It's gross.  I'm gonna have to take like eight showers now, and hope I'll be clean by next week.

 

*None of the videos in this article were created by me.  All credit for the videos goes to their rightful creators.




REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jacob Gonzalez

is Heading to the Big Leagues
Munetaka Murakami

Exits with Hamstring Tightness
Mitchell Robinson

Plans to Play in Game 1 After Finger Surgery
Ajay Mitchell

Ruled Out for Game 7
Jalen Williams

Unavailable in Decisive Game 7
NBA

Magic Finalizing Hire of Sean Sweeney as Head Coach
Eury Pérez

Eury Perez is Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Alec Pierce

Dynasty Hype May Be Creating a Sell-High Opportunity
Drake London

Quarterback Uncertainty Creating a Buy-Low Window for Drake London?
Davante Adams

: Dynasty Sell-High Candidate Entering Age-34 Season
Rhamondre Stevenson

Dynasty Outlook Clouded by Crowded New England Backfield
Bo Nix

Is Bo Nix Currently Undervalued in Dynasty Formats?
Rico Dowdle

Dynasty Value Fading Ahead of First Season in Pittsburgh?
Deiveson Figueiredo

Set For UFC Macau Main Event
MMA

Yadong Song Returns At UFC Macau
Alonzo Menifield

An Underdog At UFC Macau
Zhang Mingyang

Set For UFC Macau Co-Main Event
Tallison Teixeira

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Sergei Pavlovich

A Favorite At UFC Macau
Cameron Smotherman

Looks To Bounce Back
Kai Asakura

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
CFB

Faizon Brandon In Position to Start Week 1
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Dane Weber Commits to Cal
CFB

Joey McGuire Attempts to Add Texas to Schedule
CFB

Mike Leach on 2027 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot
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Maryland, Baylor Schedule Home-and-Home
Cooper Kupp

Is Cooper Kupp Still Roster-Worthy in Dynasty Formats?
CFB

Taron Dickens Decommits From North Carolina
Christian McCaffrey

Should Dynasty Managers Be Looking to Sell High on Christian McCaffrey?
Braelon Allen

Does Braelon Allen Still Carry Dynasty Buy-Low Appeal Following Jets' Offseason Moves?
Kyler Murray

Offers Clear Dynasty Buy-Low Appeal After Offseason Change of Scenery
Rachaad White

: Prime Dynasty Buy-Low Candidate Ahead of Possible Bounce-Back Campaign
Jake Tonges

Is Jake Tonges Currently Undervalued in Dynasty Formats?
Chig Okonkwo

Can Chig Okonkwo Become a TE1 in Dynasty Leagues?
Aaron Jones Sr.

Trending Down in Dynasty Leagues
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Offers Dynasty Upside Even as the No. 2 Receiver
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Dynasty Managers Have to be Patient with Pat Bryant
Isiah Pacheco

Will a Change of Scenery Re-Ignite Isiah Pacheco's Dynasty Value?
Rashid Shaheed

an Underpriced Dynasty Buy Heading into First Full Season with Seattle
Najee Harris

Is Najee Harris the Top Free Agent Back Left on the Market?
Jimmy Horn Jr.

A Dynasty Non-Factor After Quiet Rookie Season
Nick Chubb

Former Pro Bowler Nick Chubb No Longer a Player Worth Holding in Dynasty Leagues
Jalen Williams

Limited in Game 6 Return
Jared McCain

Provides Bench Spark in Game 6 Loss
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Posts Lowest-Scoring Night of His MVP Season
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Struggles From the Field Thursday
Stephon Castle

Controls the Spurs Offense in Game 6 Win
Dylan Harper

Finds His Rhythm Thursday
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Drops 28 to Force a Winner-Take-All Game 7
Jalen Williams

is Active for Game 6
Thomas Sorber

is Optimistic About Playing in Summer League
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Terry Rozier Gets Hit with New Charges
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NBA Approves New Anti-Tanking Rules
Mitchell Robinson

Suffers Broken Pinky, Remains Without a Timetable
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MLB Proposes Hard Salary Cap as Part of Next CBA
Kenley Jansen

Tigers Place Kenley Jansen on Injured List With Pelvic Inflammation
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Heading to Injured List With Hamstring Strain
Cedric Coward

Aims to Improve Ball-Handling Ability
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Attracting Interest From Europe
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Celtics Reportedly Not Interested in Giannis Antetokounmpo
LeBron James

Reportedly Waiting for Lakers Approach
MON

Lane Hutson Struggles in Game 4 Loss
CAR

Logan Stankoven Nets Eighth Postseason Goal
CAR

Sebastian Aho Pots Game-Winner on Power Play
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Tallies Two Helpers in Impressive Road Win
CAR

Shayne Gostisbehere Records Two Assists in Game 4 Win
CAR

Frederik Andersen Establishes Hurricanes New Postseason Shutout Record
Yordan Alvarez

Continues Homer Barrage With Two More Long Balls on Wednesday
Cristopher Sánchez

Cristopher Sanchez Makes History With Seven More Shutout Innings Against Padres
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Lifted From Wednesday's Game Early With Hamstring Strain
Kenley Jansen

Exits Relief Appearance on Wednesday With Groin Injury
Mason Plumlee

NBA Upgrades Mason Plumlee's Foul to a Flagrant 1
Eury Pérez

Eury Perez Pulled Early on Wednesday With Hamstring Issue
CFB

Drew Mestemaker a Top Big 12 Quarterback Right Away?
PGA

Sungjae Im Remains Boom-or-Bust at Colonial
PGA

Michael Thorbjornsen Trending in Wrong Direction Entering Colonial
Russell Henley

a Top Option at Colonial
Harry Hall

Hoping Putter Carries Him at Colonial
Rickie Fowler

Looks to Regain Momentum at Colonial
Pierceson Coody

Looking to Stay Hot at Colonial
Martin Necas

Collects an Assist in Game 4 Loss to Golden Knights
Gabriel Landeskog

Scores Only Avalanche Goal in Season-Ending Loss
Carter Hart

Finishes Series-Clincher With 20 Saves
Dylan Coghlan

Continues Unlikely Success Story
Cole Smith

Scores Series-Clincher Tuesday Night
Mark Stone

Nets Another Goal as Golden Knights Finish Off Avalanche
Ludvig Aberg

Looking to Exchange Momentum for a Victory in Fort Worth
Stephan Jaeger

Trending Upward as PGA Heads to Fort Worth
Max Homa

Comes Off Awful Putting Performance at PGA Championship
Tony Finau

Faces Different Test at the Colonial
Robert MacIntyre

Seeks Better Beginning in Fort Worth
Tom Hoge

Ups and Downs Could Continue at Colonial
Brian Harman

Not Having the Best Golf Season in 2026
Austin Eckroat

Struggling Too Often Heading to Charles Schwab Challenge
Zach Bauchou

Tries to Keep Momentum Rolling at Colonial
Keegan Bradley

Looking to Rebound at Colonial
Claude Giroux

Planning to Return for 20th NHL Campaign
Carter Hart

Aiming for Sixth Consecutive Win Tuesday
Evgeni Malkin

Inks New One-Year Deal With Penguins
Mackenzie Blackwood

in Net for Game 4 Against Golden Knights
Valeri Nichushkin

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Nathan MacKinnon

Will Suit Up Tuesday
Ben Griffin

Looking to Repeat This Week at Colonial
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Player to Avoid at Charles Schwab Challenge
Hideki Matsuyama

Needs Solid Driving Week at Charles Schwab Challenge
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Trending Well Ahead of Charles Schwab Challenge
Akshay Bhatia

Lacking Driving Prowess Needed at Colonial Country Club
CFB

DJ Lagway Looking to Rebound at Baylor
CFB

Josh Hoover Tasked With Leading Indiana Back to the Playoffs
CFB

Braylon Staley the Next 1,000-Yard Tennessee Receiver?
CFB

Ahmad Hardy's Return Timeline Remains Unclear
Ivan Demidov

Contributes an Assist in Losing Effort
Lane Hutson

Records Power-Play Goal in Game 3 Loss
Frederik Andersen

Enjoys Another Easy Night at the Office in Game 3
Gage Jump

Athletics to Promote Top Pitching Prospect Gage Jump to Major Leagues
Tatsuya Imai

Two Relievers Combine to No-Hit the Rangers on Monday
Dylan Cease

Heading to Injured List With Hamstring Injury
Daniel Suarez

Wins at Charlotte in Rain-Shortened Coca-Cola 600
Christopher Bell

Finishes as the Runner-Up in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte
Denny Hamlin

Falls Short of Winning and Places Third at Charlotte
Tyler Reddick

Places Fourth After Leading Laps at Charlotte
Kyle Larson

Strong and Consistent Day Ends in Fifth at Charlotte
Dylan Cease

Removed From Sunday's Start With Hamstring Discomfort
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Exits Sunday's Game Early with Elbow Contusion
MLB

Reds-Cardinals Game Postponed on Sunday
Edward Cabrera

Cubs Place Edward Cabrera on the 15-Day Injured List
Denny Hamlin

the Favorite to Win at Charlotte
Tyler Reddick

on Pole for Coca-Cola 600
Christopher Bell

Could Break Out of Slump
Kyle Larson

May have A Solid Day at Charlotte
Ryan Blaney

Is A DFS Risk for Charlotte Lineups
William Byron

Could have A Great DFS Performance at Charlotte
Chase Briscoe

Is A Solid Tournament Option for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Ty Gibbs

May not be Worth his Salary for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Chris Buescher

May be a Sneaky Tournament Option for Charlotte Lineups
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Has Favorable Upside for Charlotte DFS Lineups
Ross Chastain

Is A Strong Addition for DFS Lineups at Charlotte
Austin Dillon

Should Fantasy Managers Roster Austin Dillon for Charlotte DFS Lineups?
Chase Elliott

Should Be Strong at Charlotte
Carson Hocevar

Confident for Coca-Cola 600
Corey Heim

a Chalk DFS Pick at Charlotte
Michael McDowell

Is Michael McDowell A Tournament Option for Charlotte Lineups?
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