Image: Torsten Bolten
During the 2019 preseason, when he was a Giants rookie, fans started calling rookie QB Daniel Jones "Danny Dimes" because, as Bill Heyen explained, a dime is a "perfect pass," and Jones was throwing them frequently in preseason games, which have meaningless results. As it turns out, Jones's first three seasons weren't great for him or the team, and the nickname became ironic.
In his fourth year, however, the Giants went 9-6-1 and won a playoff game. Jones parlayed that into a 4-year, $160 million contract, which seemed high for a quarterback who, even that year, was good but not great. Hence, "Danny Dollars." The Giants couldn't afford to keep star RB Saquon Barkley, whom many thought was the real reason for the 2022 success, because of Jones's contract.
The Giants returned to their losing ways, and they released Jones in late 2024. Hence, "Danny Done." But in the 2025 preseason Jones beat out Anthony Richardson to become the starting Indianapolis Colts quarterback. As in Indianapolis, Indiana.
If Jones returns the Colts to consistent greatness as they had with Peyton Manning, or that period of pretty-goodness with Andrew Luck, then "Indiana Jones" would be a fitting nickname, as Colts fans would have a new QB hero.
And so far, so good. The Colts are 2-0. Jones started the season by leading the Colts to score on their first ten possessions, and the Colts have yet to punt. Jones heads the list of only four players who had great games in both of their team's wins.
Leaders in the hunt for the NFL MVP. (Methodology explained here):
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS
Eliminations
I'm eliminating nine teams from the college football playoffs each week. Entering Conference Championship week, there will be 19 teams remaining who have not yet been eliminated. Then we'll see which 12 the Selection Committee will select and which 12 I hadn't eliminated.
Four proud major (or once-major) schools, Virginia Tech, UCLA, Washington State, and Oregon State, are gone. The changing football landscape has certainly not helped the three former Pac-12 schools. Virginia Tech's gone downhill little by little since coach Frank Beamer retired after the 2015 season.
This week, we can say with confidence that we won't be seeing them in mid-December.
Virginia Tech: 0-3; fired coach
UCLA: 0-3; fired coach
Central Michigan: Lost by 60 to Michigan
Washington State: Lost by 49 to North Texas (NORTH TEXAS!)
Louisiana: Lost by 42 to Missouri
Temple: Lost by 39 to Oklahoma
Western Michigan: 0-3; lost by 38 to Illinois
New Mexico State: Lost by 35 to Louisiana Tech
Oregon State 0-3: lost by 31 to Texas Tech
Preliminary list of playoff contenders.
NC State is 3-0, and all its opponents so far were FBS teams. Those teams are a combined 6-0 in their other games. NC State's "rating" is therefore 6, because that's the number of wins its FBS opponents have had.
Here are the leaders based on that methodology, which I believe is crucial to considering who belongs in the Playoffs.
NC State 6
Ole Miss St 5
Arizona 4
Iowa St 4
LSU 4
Miss St 4
Oklahoma 4
USC 4
Auburn 3
Alabama 3
Georgia 3
Houston 3
Kansas 3
Indiana 3
Kentucky 3
Michigan 3
Missouri 3
Ohio State 3
Penn St 3
Texas A&M 3
Tulane 3
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Contact James Leroy Wilson for writing, editing, research, and other work at jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com. Visit JL Cells for my non-sports writing.
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