Sorry I haven’t done a Weekly Recap since Week 9. I get it you guys are desperate. I hear you. Finally I have a week where I don’t have endless schoolwork and I can focus on the NFL. Anyways, how crazy is this league getting?
Patriots vs Falcons: There is nothing more normal in the NFL than the New England Patriots being a Super Bowl Contender. It was weird not saying that last year but now after 5 straight wins including a shellacking of a pretend team in their own backyard. Mac Jones had his moments but he didn’t need to play at his best to win this game. The Patriots defense once again made Matt Ryan look like the QB that wets his pants when things start to tighten up. The Falcons didn’t gain 100 yards of offense until late in the 3rd. That doesn’t mention the fact that New England scored more than they gave up. The worst visions of Bills fans have come true, the Patriots now lead the AFC East again. I think it’s for good!
Hogs vs Panthers: Cam Newton is back in Carolina. The optimism is extreme and the Panthers have a legitimate shot at the playoffs. Early on Newton and CMC flashed their 2017 form as they jumped out to a 14-7 lead with the Hogs not knowing what hit them. But we also need to mention that Ron Rivera is also back at BOA Stadium. Taylor Heinicke was built to play spoiler of this homecoming celebration and so far it has worked. Washington has come back and now leads by 6 deep into the 4th Quarter. All they need is a defensive stop. Chase Young may be out for the year but at least you have a talented Front 7 overall. “Newton on 4th Down, he rolls right and is DROPPED!” Well it’s too bad, I wanted to see Cam win in his first game back in Charlotte but this is the NFL and there are no feel good stories for the most part. At least the Hogs are back in the hunt for the playoffs I guess.
Texans vs Titans: Titans can you explain what that was supposed to be? You are supposed to be fighting for the #1 seed and preventing your parents from the conference to gain ground not be frustrating at every turn. This is why you don’t recover from losing Derrick Henry. Because if he were healthy Ryan Tannehill wouldn’t have to win the game on his own. Even against a trash heap in the Texans, Tennessee could do nothing. Tannehill was picked off 4 times and was no match for the weather as well. Thank you David Culley, thank you for exposing these boys who thought they were runaway favorites for the Super Bowl. You may have just given your former team the #1 seed for Thanksgiving.
Dolphins vs Jets: Miami is licking its chops. Coming off a win against a potential Super Bowl Contender the week before on Thursday Night, they now get to beat up the punchline of their division in the Jets. To the surprise of many this game isn’t a tank bowl. Why? Because the Dolphins are still in playoff contention. You know how they beat up Lamar Jackson by running Sticky Sand? They did the same thing to the guy he replaced 3 years ago. Joe Flacco may be starting a game again but why does he deserve this punishment of being exposed every week because Jets. Tua rarely had to try yet he put up his best game of the season. If Miami can beat Carolina with their schedule coming up they could easily sneak up on the playoff race. I don’t want to face them again if they make it to January somehow.
Ravens vs Bears: (Charm City Beasts doc)
Colts vs Bills: Wow I didn’t expect this. The Buffalo Bills, a team coasting on an easy schedule and high end talent got spanked on their home soil by a Colts team ready to make a statement. Josh Allen and that offense may be generational but they have serious flaws. Frank Reich saw the film and said if we shut down that passing game, they are nothing. That was the case all day long. It wasn’t just the defense. Jonathan Taylor scored 5 touchdowns and was unstoppable all day long. He looks like a solid pick to win MVP but anything can happen in today’s NFL. Colts, you’re back! You’ve so far shed the bad memories of the collapse on Monday Night Football in Week 5 and look like a rock solid unit. I’m interested to see how they do against Tampa Bay? (Yes I hate the Irsay’s but this is a likable squad)
Lions vs Browns: Cleveland is in massive trouble. I get that they have talent all across the roster but this should have been an easy win. Playing against a Backup QB in Tim Boyle on home soil should have been Thanksgiving Day Dessert. What happened? The Browns played down to their competition. Even with an early 13 point lead, Baker Mayfield can’t make it easy for himself and his fans. CRACK! He suffered yet another injury. Let me be clear. If you went against any other team you would have lost, this team is literally getting carried by Nick Chubb and Myles Garrett. Next week they get to face an atmosphere that rivals the Whiteout at Penn State. The Blackout of Baltimore may consume them whole. (They are getting Kareem Hunt back so things could get easier for Baker) Detroit meanwhile becomes the first team eliminated this season.
Lions ELIMINATED (YOU GET NOTHING YOU LOSE GOOD DAY SIR!): A tanking team with a coach that has been held back by bad luck. At least Campbell has those players for each other for their coach. I know they lack talent but if I were the Ford’s I wouldn’t get rid of him. Just avoid the goose egg and you’ll be fine.
49ers vs Jaguars: The 9er Gang has regained their old form from 2019 as it seems. Against a struggling franchise like the Jaguars they took full advantage of having the man advantage at the line of scrimmage. There has been one thing I have noticed about San Francisco. Once George Kittle has come back they have been effective in the run blocking department. That’s what made them great 2 years ago. The 49ers have gone from quicksand to being right in the playoff hunt with plenty of time left to go. Next week’s game against the Vikings will have huge implications for playoff seeding. I wonder who will prevail?
Saints vs Eagles: If you have been noticing recently the Philadelphia Eagles are becoming a dark horse candidate for a deep playoff run. Last week they went into Denver and beat a top-flight defense. Now they unleashed their fury on a Saints team that has been underachieving since their win over the Buccaneers. And it wasn’t because of Jalen Hurts throwing abilities and DeVonta Smith. It was because of the running game. New Orleans had no answers for Jordan Howard and Myles Sanders and it showed. Not to mention they made Hurts look like Lamar Jackson in the process. All I can say is this, Philly is getting arrogant because they are back in playoff contention and they think they are going places this season. I don’t blame them, but also can someone tell me why they invade other teams’ media chats? You don’t need to do that but this is Philadelphia and that’s who they are. COUNT ON IT BOYS!
Packers vs Vikings: Minnesota needs a statement game. They have come close against contenders like Baltimore, Dallas, and Arizona. Now they want to turn it around. What better target than the best team in the NFL which happens to be their older brother from Wisconsin. Early on Kirk Cousins was slinging the ball and Jaire Alexander was no match for Mr Orange Justice in Justin Jefferson. The Vikings had a 13 point lead in the 3rd Quarter with Rodgers and the Pack down for the count. BOOM! But yes Green Bay needs to prove who the boss of the NFC is. The Packers came back for 14 unanswered points as Davante Adams began to carve up the Skol Army. However this is no challenge for Mr Cousins. He is battle tested and with the help of his receivers Minnesota goes back up by 7 with 2 minutes left. But then Rodgers has to bail out the Packers for roughly the 58th time in his career. A 1 play touchdown to tie it up will do the trick. Vikings fans you have no need to panic, Why? Because your receiver core, especially Justin Jefferson, is elite. All they need to do is kick a field goal and get into the thick of the playoff hunt. “Joseph to win the game from 29 yards out is PERFECT!” Now that’s a great team win right there. This game said a lot about the Vikings. If they can close out games on a regular basis they could go far in the playoffs. Mike Zimmer is getting another 2 years of employment for this isn’t he. I will give him credit they have made adjustments since the Ravens game in Week 9, and they have been good.
Bengals vs Raiders: Cincinnati like Minnesota has been falling on hard times as of late. Since their win in Baltimore and climb into the Ravens Broadcast Booth it has been downhill. Fortunately they did get a team that was weaker than they were on paper. Bungles meet the Raiders. They may be a playoff contender but they have not been the same since Gruden and Ruggs were kicked out. It showed all day as JaMarr Chase went back to Week 7 mode and Joe Mixon ran roughshod on the Silver and Black to put this game on ice with his elite running skills. You talk about a collapse, Vegas gave up 19 straight points to end the game. This could be a hard pill to swallow because it could end their playoff hopes if they can’t survive their remaining schedule. Cincy, you needed this win, that schedule is only getting harder.
Cardinals vs Seahawks: Seattle is in massive trouble. They have been B-A-D since Russell Wilson Jr III was suffocated by the Football Gods against the Rams. Even if he has come back from this sooner than expected the Seahawks offense has been slow. This is the Cardinals and they have a rock solid defense however. But Seattle should have been able to beat an Arizona team without Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins. At 3-7 there is little that they can do. And here is the worst part. They, like the Bears, cannot tank either. Their 1st Round pick is in the hands of the New York Jets. The Jamal Adams trade looks like a mistake of a deal and it cost them their draft capital and depth. Its going to be one of those years for you Pete Carroll.
Cowboys vs Chiefs: The Chiefs have to be the luckiest team in football right now. No I’m serious, this is not a joke. Patrick Mahomes has played better but they still have serious flaws and aren’t the same offense that they were in the first 2 weeks of the season. Their defense though definitely improved since getting Melvin Ingram. But I do have an asterisk. Who have they beaten during their 4 game win streak? The Giants without Saquan, the Packers without Aaron Rodgers, a Raiders team in turmoil, and the Cowboys without their 2 top receivers and pass rushers. Although that hasn’t stopped the bandwagon fanbase of theirs from coming out of their cages. This was a solid win overall but I still have doubts. I need to come back to this once they play a healthy contender.
Steelers vs Chargers: Ah yes, nothing screams trying to win the Fight for LA than SoFi Stadium being taken over by Yinzers and Renegade playing during pre game introductions. Early in this game those opposing fans invading the Chargers home base were quiet early on. Austin Ekeler played up to his Fantasy Back potential by torching Pittsburgh early on. Most of it is due to TJ Watt, and Minkah Fitzpatrick being inactive but either way you have to account for Justin Herbert both in the air and on the ground. At the end of the 3rd Quarter, the Bolts held a 17 point lead and were all over the Leader of Men. This should be over, right? BOOM! Chargers, do you now understand what I had to go through during my childhood with Big Ben. You can never count this guy out. With the help of special teams the Steelers get 10 straight points and cut the hole to 7. Even though both teams trade TD’s over the next 4 minutes I don’t know if it’s enough for the Steelers to come back. “Herbert throws it left, it’s tipped in the air and INTERCEPTED!” Yep, LA is going to mess this up, the San Diego Curse is in full effect as Roethlisberger along with Najee Harris, and Pat Freiermuth help the Yinzers tie the game. They even took the lead at one point because Brandon Staley got burned by going for it on another 4th and Short in his own end. The Chargers just blew their chance at the AFC West didn’t they. No need for worries Dean Spanos, look at your offensive talent. HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY! Congrats Chargers you held off a 4th Quarter comeback and may have just saved your chances of overtaking the Chiefs in your division. Although it does come with the asterisk of Pittsburgh being injured. The Steelers meanwhile have a brutal finish coming up. They need to avoid being the bottom team in the AFC North in every form there is. (Bengals, Ravens X2, Browns, Chiefs, Vikings, Titans. YIKES!)
Giants vs Buccaneers: It’s no surprise that the Buccaneers got back on track by beating a pretend team. What is surprising is that the weaknesses that Tampa Bay has had early in the season weren’t shown at all. Why? Because the Giants are overcooked to being a hockey puck. Jason Garrett has been exposed and now you understand why they fired him. (He looks like a good candidate to become the next SMU Head Coach) He has not learned from his mistakes in Dallas. I will say how much of it is his fault, or the fact that New York has no Offensive Line. You can go with either answer. I wonder who is going to be their new OC? FREDDIE KITCHENS! The guy that almost ruined the Cleveland Browns after being the most hyped team in NFL History after the OBJ trade? It looks like you are punting the season away, Gettlemen. This is probably going to get you fired at the end of the year. As for the Bucs they at least gain ground in the NFC Power Rankings I guess.
FOLLIES: I already know who is winning this week’s title of FOOTBALL FOLLIES! And there is controversy surrounding it. The fans of the Cleveland Browns. They booed Baker Mayfield and the offense so badly at halftime that Baker stormed off the field as fast as he could. Mayfield then said that this is the same crowd that is quiet when we are on offense. I agree with him, but this is the NFL. If you disagree with your own fans there is a good chance the media roasts you. And they did. Bart Scott claimed on GetUp this week that Baker cannot be trusted and is holding the Browns back from their potential. I do agree with analysis but Cleveland issues are coaching and inconsistency. They have 2 games against their boogeymen coming if they don’t win both games there will be criticism big time. It doesn’t help when you have to face the greatest primetime atmosphere in all of the NFL in one of those games. Not liking their chances.
Bragging Rights Sports 