There was so much stupid over kickoff weekend in the NFL that the law of averages indicated we'd have a lot less stupid in Week No. 2. That indeed was the case, but we still dug up some stupidity for ya'll. Enjoy.
The stupidest penalty
The San Francisco 49ers probably weren't going to make a comeback and beat the Seattle Seahawks anyway, but Aldon Smith put that far-fetched chance to bed with a silly personal foul on a third-and-28 for the Seattle offense at the end of the third quarter.
That gave the Seahawks new life and an automatic first down. Three plays later, they were in the end zone, extending their lead to 19-3. Game over.
The stupidest pass interference penalty
We didn't get a good replay angle, but I have no idea why Luke Kuechly would grab Stevie Johnson late on this route in the final seconds against Buffalo:
There were two deep safeties there, waiting to break up the pass. One of those safeties actually intercepted it, but that was negated by Kuechly's unnecessary penalty, giving Buffalo a fresh set of downs. Two plays later, they'd score the game-winning touchdown.
The stupidest performance
Geno Smith's three-interception fourth quarter against the Patriots. You kidding me, man? And don't you dare blame the rain. Terrible decisions.
The stupidest coaching decision, personnel edition
Whoever decided Redskins rookie cornerback David Amerson was ready to be activated for a game, let alone take 51 snaps, screwed up. Amerson's performance against James Jones, Jordy Nelson and the Packers Sunday was magnificently terrible.
The stupidest coaching decision, in-game edition
With hindsight on their side, some critics are wondering why Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano attempted a 47-yard field goal instead of punting with a one-point lead late in the fourth quarter Sunday. Tampa was on the New Orleans 29-yard line with just over a minute to play in a low-scoring game. It was either punt to gain somewhere between nine and 28 yards for the defense, attempt the 47-yarder to force the Saints to need a touchdown to win or run a play on fourth-and-three.
Punting instead of kicking a 47-yard field goal makes no sense, especially when you consider that kicker Rian Lindell had made 11 of his last 13 attempts from 40-49 yards. But what about going for it? Converting in that situation is about a 50/50 proposition, which might be slightly lower than a field goal conversion, but the field goal wouldn't have ended the game anyway. The punt and the field goal guarantee the Saints will get a shot, and all three scenarios contain the possibility that the Saints will only need a field goal to win on their next drive. But I think you consider that Doug Martin has 144 yards on 29 touches and you find the play in your playbook you're most confident in and you run a play there to try to clinch the victory.
Schiano went the field goal route, Lindell missed, and Drew Brees easily got the Saints into field goal range to set up a walk-off kick. Again, this wasn't an easy call, but Schiano should have been more aggressive.
