My favorite players of the week are…

Brock Purdy ‘49ers quarterback.

There really isn’t much to say here beyond the statistics. Purdy was 21 for 25 passing (84%) for 333 yards, 3 touchdowns, & no turnovers.  You can’t ask for much more. In fact, according to the passer rating system, he had a 158.3 rating, which is “perfect.”  I think the ratings can be misleading sometimes, but it is hard to argue with them here.  That was a great day.  His 76-yard TD to Brandon Aiyuk particularly stands out.  The ball went roughly 45 yards in the air & dropped in just over Tampa Bay cornerback Jamel Deal, who had decent position on the ball.  Aiyuk basically trotted into the endzone.

Tyreek Hill Dolphins wide receiver

Hill caught 10 of the 11 balls thrown to him for 146 yards.  His 38-yard score was impressive!  I think most receivers would have managed a few yards after the catch, but Hill turned on the burners & ran away from the defense in a way you don’t often see in the NFL where everyone is strong & fast.  This looked more like a high school or college game where one player is clearly much better than everyone else on the field.  Apparently, Hill was running 21 miles per hour after the catch.

Courtland Sutton Broncos wide receiver

Sutton didn’t have the kind of stats that Hill had yesterday.  He was only targeted 5 times, but he caught 4 of them for 66 yards & a touchdown.  What stood out for me was how clutch he was.  He caught a crucial 4^th down pass one handed.  I think replays of that catch were showing every time I looked at NFL Network today.  Then he caught the winning touchdown on a leaping catch in the back corner of the end zone.  He came up huge when they needed him.

Micah Parsons Cowboys edge rusher.

After a couple of quiet games, Parsons had 3 sacks & 6 quarterback hurries.  I know it was against the Panthers, but that’s still impressive.

DaRon Bland Cowboys cornerback.

Again, it was the Panthers, but Bland continued his historic play yesterday.  He had a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown.  He has 6 interceptions this year, with 4 of them run back for touchdowns. That ties him for the most pick 6s in a season in NFL history! 

Isaiah Simmons

With 2 minutes & 16 seconds left to play, the Commanders were driving the field down 19 to 24.  If they could reach the endzone & take enough time off the clock, they would likely win the game.  Instead, Simmons intercepted Commanders quarterback Sam Howell & ran the ball back 58 yards for a touchdown to clinch the game.  He also had 4 solo tackles, but the lasting memory will be him icing the game for the Giants in a season where they haven’t had much to celebrate.

Wine of the week Quinta Do Noval 2018 vintage Port $110

Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Cão, Sousão and Tinta Roriz (field blend) 19.5% ABV

2018 wasn’t a universally declared vintage year for Port, but Quinta Do Noval made the right call in my opinion.  This is one of the most aromatic vintage Ports I have tried.  It showed floral & herbal aromas along with the classic brown sugar notes you expect. This wine has complex flavors of red & black fruit with a distinct almost perfumed herbal note (likely from the Touriga Franca).  There is intensity to the depth of flavor.  As the wine opens up it reveals layers of flavor.

It is well structured & balanced with tannins & fruit that are strong enough to balance the 19.5% ABV without it seeming hot (although definitely give it a little time to breathe first).

The wine has a complex & long finish with the herbal notes lingering.

This wine shows complexity already, but still tastes youthful.  This is a wine that will improve over the next 20+ years in bottle.