Cowboys vs Saints: The Cowboys are in need of a statement game. They know that the past few games have been unkind to the team. Today they finally got off the schneid. It comes with playing a collapsing team in the Saints but Dallas needed this game to maintain their lead in the NFC East. Unlike last week, the defense wasn’t burnt toast and was all over Taysom Hill. It may take a while for the full team to gel like in October but the Cowboys should be in cruise control. That and New Orleans is doomed. I think Sean Payton does get an excuse for not having a legit QB, or Michael Thomas. That tank could be getting stronger.
Cardinals vs Bears: Good news Cardinals fans! The wait for getting Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins back is over. They are back! However they weren’t the storyline, it was the Arizona defense. Picking off the Red Rifle 4 times and constantly pressuring him all day long. I know Bears fans are blaming Nagy but do you not realize that Chicago has had no Offensive Line since the 1980s. As long as the McCaskeys are there they will continue to draft skill players instead of lineman. I just hope when Justin Fields becomes the full time starter that he isn’t crushed behind that unit. Regardless of what I think about Da Bears, the Cardinals retain the #1 seed in the NFC for another week. If this team is near full strength without JJ Watt they will still be imposing to face.
Giants vs Dolphins: Leave it to the New York Giants to give their fans optimism only to rip it from them when it matters. This was their chance to save their season and Dave Gettleman’s job. Here is the problem. The G-Men are only running into the hottest team not named New England in the NFL. Miami has been playing excellent football since Tua was renamed the starter and it has shown each week. Plus the emergence of Miles Gaskin also helps with his development. Even without Daniel Jones, the Giants had no answers for Sticky Sand. Is it me or can no one with a bad O-Line block that 7-8 man blitz? I don’t know but it looks like Flores is channeling his inner Jerry Glanville. Now that the Dolphins are possibly a game back from the Wild Card things could be getting very interesting in the AFC. I don’t want to face them in January. (13 teams in the AFC have 6+ wins, THAT’S INSANE!)
Colts vs Texans: It appears that the Colts are looking for a boost despite their loss against the Buccaneers, and they know the target. That happens to be the Texans. Jonathan Taylor continued to make his case of potentially becoming the 1st RB to win MVP since 2012 with another strong performance. The defense was just as suffocating. They took advantage of playing a team with no Offensive Line, and a QB with no hope. Tyrod Taylor reverted back to his backup form with the Ravens. Unprepared, frantic, and being unable to stop the opposing blitz package. It also doesn’t help that David Culley has benched 2 of his better defensive players. All I’m going to say is why did Houston hire him in the first place? Probably because the McNair’s needed another hack as their head coach, anyways Indianapolis rolls to 6-6 and is now one game back of a Wild Card spot. If they are going to make the playoffs they can’t rely on tiebreakers because almost all of them are against them. You can manage right.
Buccaneers vs Falcons: Precious narratives. You know which ones I’m talking about. Tom Brady once again roasted the defense of the Atlanta Falcons. Even if the game was competitive for much of the 1st Half the Buccaneers will still dominate the game. Once halftime was over, Atlanta was over TB12 was back in Super Bowl LI form as Gronk and Chris Godwin were once again unguardable. Tampa Bay needs to keep pace with the #1 seed and they did so today. Falcons its not your fault that you got smacked, you were playing the defending champs. At least your schedule isn’t ridiculous to end the year I guess.
Chargers vs Bengals: Now here is a matchup that is very interesting to witness, the Bengals have their doubters but have played solid football over the past 2 weeks. The Chargers the impedimy of a mystery box, you don’t know who you’re going to get. Today’s version of LA features a deep ball offense taking advantage of a few miscues by the Cincinnati secondary and Joe Burrow starting out soft. But these are the new Bungles, they have a top flite offense that can score in bunches. Wouldn’t you know it, Cincy scored 22 unanswered points after being down 24-0 to cut the opposing lead to 2. Don’t tell me we are going to have a new leader in the AFC North. “They hand it off to Mixon and he FUMBLED! And the Chargers pick up! It’s going to be a scoop and score for the Bolts!” (Heart, DAGGER!) There’s the Bungles we know and love, I knew you still had the old tactics left from the Marvin Lewis years. Fortunately they still have the 6 seed thanks to other AFC Contenders struggling but they have a shot at the playoffs. That schedule of theirs is very interesting. Good luck Joey B.
Eagles vs Jets: “Well looks like the false hope is back in Philly. That’s right baby. (The boys talking about this game are 2 of my friends from Penn State that are Eagles fans) Our defense struggled in the 1st Half but the Jets couldn’t block Fletcher Cox in the 2nd Half. Yeah they had no answers for him and our D-Line. All I can say is we better not have a QB controversy after how well Gardner Minshew played in this game. If Hurts struggles in the future I don’t want Lorie and Roseman to convince Sirrianni that he needs to make a change at QB. Hopefully Hurts is the future. Thank god we have a soft schedule coming up and we better not lose to the Giants and Washington again. Go Birds!” Gentlemen thank you for your analysis but I will give you guys for doing one thing. “What is that?” You sent the Jets into the elimination room. “Ok we’ll take it.”
Jets ELIMINATED (YOU GET NOTHING YOU LOSE GOOD DAY SIR!): I have no idea on how to judge Robert Saleh as an NFL Head Coach. It’s too soon to tell with Zach Wilson either but if they don’t have an O-Line or run game it could be another ruined product. Woody Johnson please let Joe Douglas and Saleh do their thing. For all of our sakes.
Vikings vs Lions: Am I not surprised that the Vikings are struggling with the Lions. Yes Detroit may have lost to them earlier in the year in heartbreaking but they want a win. So far the Lions are looking right in that direction. A 20-6 lead in the 3rd Quarter with no signs of slowing down. BOOM! But then Minnesota has to flash their talents. The Vikes come back in a hurry as all of a sudden Jared Goff is giving them a golden opportunity at a playoff berth with a crucial interception. Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson take advantage of a prime situation and take the lead with 1 minute to go. But this is where we realize that yes Jared Goff was once considered a Top 10 QB. He takes control on the final drive as Minnesota’s secondary is overcooked as Detroit gets in position for the kill. Can the miracle happen? “Here we go, 4th and 2, Goff going for the endzone and it’s CAUGHT! THE LIONS HAVE WON!” We are witnessing history being made! DETROIT YOU’VE DONE IT! YOU’VE WON A GAME! YAY!!! Well it’s about time that Detroit can taste the win column. Yes you could consider this Classic Vikings but that was the Lions moment in the sun. Now just imagine if they could close out all of those games early in the year, if they managed to do that they could be in contention for a playoff spot. Anyways great win Dan Campbell! You deserve it! Sidenote: Not to mention them and Michigan Football played with heavy hearts this weekend following the Oxford High School shootings. Those 2 wins were in honor of that school and the kids who lost their lives, and those that are still there. #OxfordStrong.
Hogs vs Raiders: 2 teams fighting for their lives in the playoff hunt. The Hogs have won 3 straight against quality opponents and Taylor Heinicke looks like a better version of Kirk Cousins already. The Raiders are coming off a statement win in Dallas and have all of the momentum. Early on, Washington was flexing their might, showing no mercy on both sides. It may only be 14-6 but for the moment this game shouldn’t be close. Vegas has been outplayed and the only reason they are even in this game is because YOU GUESSED IT! REFBALL! False starts were killing the Hogs as the Raiders cut the lead to 2. Then Heinicke threw a costly interception as the Raiders had a chance to win the game. But they couldn’t run out the clock and settled for 3. This is of no concern for Heins and his receivers. Washington gets into field goal range and goes for the KO. “Johnson’s kick is on its way and it is GOOD!” Wow Ron Rivera and the Hogs! They went from Tank Bowl to playoff contenders in a month. They, like last year, are very interesting going into the final 5 weeks. How will they fare against Dallas and Philadelphia?
Jaguars vs Rams: The Rams need a bounce back game after losing 3 straight after a 7-1 start, they know the target. #SACKSONVILLE! It wasn’t even close the Jags were blown out right from the word go. Yes I get that Urban Meyer has been benching players because of fumbles but why do that when your depth is terrible. Is this Petrino and Holtz again Khan? LA took full advantage of this matchup and any doubts surrounding Pokemon McVay have been put to bed for at least a week. Next week they get the Cardinals if they lose that game their chances at the NFC West are dead. I would say prepare for that game as effectively as you can. Good luck! (Being down 3 games with 4 to play if they lose will be brutal)
49ers vs Seahawks: The Seahawks have to start turning things around. They know that they can’t tank because their 1st Round pick belongs to the ButtFumble, and they now face a white hot 49ers team at home. Beginning with a fake punt for a TD Seattle looked like they would cost them an easy win. But San Francisco must fight for their playoff lives by any means necessary. 17 straight points is a perfect metaphor for Jimmy GQ. All the narratives about how he isn’t the future of this organization shall be put to bed. But the problem he has is that Russell Wilson is on the other side. And he has narratives to crush as well. Before you know it the 9ers lead was cut to 23-21, that was until Seattle got a safety to tie the game. I think we all know what’s going to happen? HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY! Told you DangRuss is back and he is now trying to save his future and Pete Carroll’s job. Now leading by 7 the Seahawks need one more stop to win, but the 49ers won’t make it easy. They are now deep in enemy territory, don’t tell me Seattle is getting heartbroken. “Garoppolo fires to the right and its knocked up in the air and Incomplete!”) Wow the Seahawks may be a little too far back in the hunt but they may have saved their season. San Fran at least you control your own destiny with the Vikings and Saints losses.
Ravens vs Steelers: This is one of the few times where I can say I wasn’t angry after a Ravens loss to the Steelers. Because this game said more about Pittsburgh as it did about B-More. Tomlin and Big Ben are fighters, they never give up, and that team is built to overcome adversity. The rest of the info on this game is too long for this doc and needs to be separated. I’ll let the Steelers have their moment.
Broncos vs Chiefs: Its a storyline unlike any other in the AFC West. The Broncos cannot beat the Chiefs. The everlasting hype between dark horse and AFC favorite is going to be insane. Like most weeks, Kansas City’s offense was ok, they aren’t world beaters like the last 3 years, but they can be trusted according to the talking heads because YOU KNOW WHO! That happens to be Patrick Mahomes. The real story with the Chiefs is that they have quietly developed a undoubtedly good defense. It feels like Derrick Thomas and a few of their other great defenders from that era are still playing doesn’t it. Though how much of it is due to their talent or the fact that Denver’s offense can’t scheme against legit talent? I don’t know. As a result the Chiefs maintain 1st place in the AFC West. You know what’s insane? Despite all of their flaws Nick Wright still has them as the undisputed favorites to win the Super Bowl. That’s Homerism and you know it! (His bias towards the Chiefs makes Gerry Sandusky look humble in comparison, let that sink in!)
Patriots vs Bills: CLASSIC BELICHICK! Convincing his team into adopting his weekly game plan no matter who disagrees with it. Their game plan this week, RUN THE BALL! A phrase that would make Bo Schembechler himself proud. With 50 MPH winds swirling in Buffalo it’s obviously a smart move. Remember how everyone thought the Bills would dominate the AFC East for years to come. THOSE NARRATIVES ARE BASICALLY DEAD! The Patriots need to prove who the real boss of their division is. Watching New England was like watching Navy Football. A team with a run heavy scheme and if you disagree with it YOU ARE GOING TO BE BENCHED! You know how effective it was? Mac Jones only threw the ball 3 times. Even then it might not be enough. Buffalo is driving deep into Patriot territory. All the Pats need to do is shut down Josh Allen one more time. “Allen looks over the middle and it’s broken up (GAME OVER YEAH!) and the Patriots most likely will hold on!” Life is feeling normal again. Full capacity crowds, endless talking heads on TV and Radio, and the New England Patriots controlling the AFC. It’s like Tom Brady never left at all. EXECUTE ORDER 66!
FOLLIES: Ah yes the Football Follies have returned. The winner this week is the College Football rule makers. Their newest rule that in some people’s minds that makes no sense is when a QB starts to slide, no matter if he stays on his feet or not is ruled down. According to most College Football fans it’s called the Kenny Pickett rule. Because Pickett scored a touchdown in the ACC Championship game on a run like this. Don’t hate the player, hate the game or the rules they create. That’s all it is.
Bragging Rights Sports 