Five Wide: 2025 Week Thirteen

By Thomas Willoughby

December, man. It’s snuck up, hasn’t it? Just yesterday, we all had hopes and dreams of watching our teams playing meaningful football over the winter months. Smash cut to today, and a lot of us are watching in disgust as our team manages to get beat by one of the worst teams I’ve ever seen. It’s disgraceful.

This is it, now. If you’re hoping for teams to drop multiple games in order to make your way into the playoffs, it’s too late. The general picture is set, as far as I’m concerned. Time to get a jump on scouting the college class of 2026. And maybe get together a list of potential head coaches, while you’re at it.

Before we get into the football proper, however, please indulge me as I stretch the very meaning of this series to its limits…

Hello Operator

One of the quirks of the Thanksgiving slate is that each game has a halftime show. There’s an International Series air to them, in that regard. For Dallas vs. Kansas City, Post Malone came out and did some of his country music (I swear he was a rapper?). For Baltimore vs. Cincinnati, the famously Atlantan Big Boi, of Outkast fame, belted a few of his numbers. In the early kickoff, however, Detroit vs. Green Bay treated us to the best of the bunch. Ladies and Gentlemen: Mr Jack White.

Not since My Chemical Romance before the 2010 Wembley Game has the NFL given me an act I actually care about. I got into The White Stripes literally weeks before they split up, but have been heavily invested in Jack’s solo career since then. Blunderbuss is good, but Lazaretto is legitimately one of my favourite albums ever. His most recent effort, No Name, is also very good. I saw him for the first time in ages earlier this year, and he’s still got the juice, man. So, naturally, I was extremely glad to hear he was playing a game this year.

Bringing his fellow Detroiter, Eminem, out was a good move for getting the masses on board, but, for me, this was all about Jack. I desperately wished for him to get more than the 7 or 8 minutes he did, because I’ve a list as long as your arm I’d have liked to have heard. But we’ll take what we got. And when Seven Nation Army kicked in, the volume went up. Give me more of what I love, NFL, and I will sing your praises.

Kevin Sabitus-Getty Images

Max Embarrassment

Commiserations to Max Brosmer, who made one of the worst debuts any rookie could hope to have on Sunday. He lined up as the Vikings starting QB against a Seattle defense that’s been very good this season. Talking about easing him in. I don’t know what his career in the NFL will hold, but he, at least, managed to create a highlight moment. And what commentary to accompany it, too!

Not great, Max. He ended the day 19/30, had 126 passing yards, and threw 4 interceptions in a 26-0 defeat. Rough. I do feel like he’d been thrown to the wolves a bit, there. That’s a tough team to start against, and a tough environment to start in. He won’t want to watch the tape back any time soon. And I suspect he wouldn’t mind JJ McCarthy being back sooner rather than later. For the Vikings, they did just sign Desmond Ridder to their practice squad. He might actually be the best QB on their roster right now. How far they’ve fallen.

Kitwatch 2025: Part IX

Last week, we asked why the Dallas Cowboys wear white as their primary uniforms. Apparently they lost loads in their blue uniforms once and decided they were cursed. Anyway, this Thursday they wore their blue throwback unis. Rubbish. The logos on the shoulders are too big, the white and navy on the jersey are too blocky; all just feels extremely stock. The sort of thing a generic team would wear on a Disney+ show that couldn’t get the rights to real life time. The Arlington Stars. Bin.

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Detroit threw it back, too, in the earlier window, with more success. Silver helmets, pants, and numbering, honolulu blue jerseys. Nice and clean, the lack of detailing on those jerseys is what makes it, for me. Their proper home uniforms have a bit more going on, almost to its detriment. These are a fine combination. Very pleasing.

Getty Images

The Ravens gave us their “Purple Rising” helmet for the first time this season, paired with their color rush uniforms which, amazingly, remain in rotation. I quite like the ensemble. All purple, gold numbering, the alternate logo on the helmet isn’t overbearing; it’s a good look. Far better than the performance accompanying it.

Patrick Smith-Getty Images

The Philadelphia Eagles blacked out, both in the dressing room and on the field, by pulling out their all-black alternate uniforms for the first time this season. I think they’re pretty nice! Prefer their Kelly Green option, but this is a nice option to have. The darker green detailing is quite cool, too. Works nicely, for me.

Jose F. Moreno-The Philadelphia Inquirer

There was no Kitwatch in week three (I checked, soz), so we missed it last time around. The New England Patriots’ chose to wear their throwbacks for the second time this season. They wore their “Patriot Pat” uniforms; white helmet, red jersey, white pants, old time-y logo. They’re not bad, you know. I don’t mind them. Not overly fond of the shoulder details, but it’s consistent with their other three uniforms. Decent work!

Charles Krupa-AP Photo

Congratulations again to the Los Angeles Chargers on their all-navy uniforms, and the Seattle Seahawks on their throwbacks. We appreciate them a lot here at Five Wide towers, and hope to see them again soon.

The Man from Mayobridge

The capital of the NFL this past Sunday could be found in Mayobridge, County Down. One of their sons, Charlie Smyth, was making his NFL debut, as the New Orleans Saints looked to get something from the kicker position, both now and long term. And, I think it’s safe to say, the audition was successful. He was asked to do 2 things: kick a 56 yard field goal (he did), and convert an onside kick (he did). And the scenes back home were class.

Smyth’s been on the Saints books since the start of last year, developing under the International Player Pathway Program. Blake Grupe’s disastrous showing against the Falcons cut his time in New Orleans short, and started a kicking contest between Smyth and Cade York that Smyth won. He’ll go back onto the Saints’ practice squad, and is allowed to make 2 more starts before the Saints have to decide whether to keep him on the roster full time. As an overseas fan, I want him to succeed. As a Falcons fan, I hope he succeeds somewhere else. Get out of the division, Charlie!

A Sad Decline

There was a time, not long ago, when Younghoe Koo was the best player in the NFL. I don’t make the rules, I simply report on them. Since being handed that crown, Koo’s decline has been one of the saddest I’ve witnessed from any player. His career peaked last season, hitting a game winning 58 yarder. It’s been a sharp decline from there.

His time in Atlanta came to an end after week 2 of this season. A game-losing field goal miss in week 1 saw the Falcons’ patience with one of the highest paid kickers in the league dissipate. He would end his stint in Atlanta with one of the lost field goal percentages across a years worth of games in the league. He landed in New York, where injury to Graham Gano opened up a starting gig that Koo has made his own over the past few weeks. After Monday night, however, that role might well be up for grabs once again.

In the aftermath of his final game in Atlanta, Koo stated he’d hit the ground, which led to him making adjustments. Clearly the same thing happened against the Patriots, leading to quite possibly the lowest point in his career to date. The veteran kicker’s future may well have been resolved by the time this is published, but it’s difficult to see how the Giants move forward with Younghoe after this.

At one point in his Atlanta career, Koo became the most accurate kicker in NFL history. On a personal level, he’s one of a handful of players I’ve spoken to one on one, and I actually own a Falcons jersey with his name printed on it. It’s tough seeing him in this spot, and I do hope New York gives him the opportunity to work through where he is right now. For everyone else, however, they’ve got a new meme to enjoy, so that’s something.

Features Image Credit: Lynne Sladky-AP Photo

Thomas Willoughby

NFL ANALYST

THOMAS IS A WRITER, AND REGULAR GUEST ON THE TOUCHDOWN REVIEW SHOW PODCAST, FOR THE TOUCHDOWN. YOU CAN FIND HIM @WILLO290592 ON TWITTER

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Rated 5 out of 5