Chiefs vs Chargers: It is a narrative that has been played out over time. The Chargers cannot win the AFC West. Kansas City has always toyed with their little brothers but this year could be different. LA has already beaten the Chiefs at Arrowhead and now at SoFi this should be a done deal. Well the Chargers can’t make it easy on themselves. Their analytical system bit them in the leg against Baltimore and it’s doing so again. Going for it on 4th Down and failing is what has held them back in this game but the Chargers are still putting up a high amount of yards of total offense. Those kinds of calls killed them at the end of the 1st Half. Those missed points will not come back to haunt Brandon Staley. This game was so bizarre that LA turned the ball over 3 times at the Chiefs 5 yard line. Even leading by 8 it should be enough to win. BOOM! Kansas City would have other plans. For the 1st time in almost 2 months the Chiefs played up to their potential on offense, in particular Travis Kelce. Before you know it the game is going to OT and the Chiefs win the coin toss. We all know how this game is going to end. HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY! Ah yes the Legion of Zoom is back in business. Kansas City most likely locked up not only the AFC West but perhaps the #1 seed in the AFC. The NFL wants a State Farm Super Bowl at SoFi don’t they. Chargers you get this week’s honor of FOOTBALL FOLLIES and your playoff hopes are up for grabs. Shouda took those points.
Sidenote: COVID has taken a toll on this league hasn’t it. Games being postponed, massive outbreaks, and most likely players have been out at night or with their families if not both. Look at the games being moved because of this. Browns vs Raiders, Eagles vs Hogs, and Rams vs Seahawks. I wonder how those games are going to go, especially since those teams have playoff implications.
Patriots vs Colts: The Colts have not beaten the Patriots since the 4th and 2 game in 2009. Let’s end that narrative today. Mac Jones finally had his 1st rookie game, and oh boy did Indianapolis beat him up. Shutting him out in the 1st Half and causing him to make rookie mistake after rookie mistake. The Colts look like a complete team and I don’t understand why Carson Wentz gets so much criticism. It’s probably because he was supposed to do this in Philadelphia, or his play last year in the 2nd Half of the year. It also helps that he has Jonathan Taylor who is now one of the leading candidates for MVP. The Patriots no longer control the #1 seed, that honor belongs to Kansas City. Titans fans I would be careful about locking up the division. The Colts are right on your tails.
Titans vs Steelers: Speaking of the Titans they can overtake the Chiefs for the #1 seed by beating the Steelers at Heinz Field. Taking a 13-3 lead in the 1st Half is exactly what Vrabel was looking for. But here is the thing. Pittsburgh usually has REFBALL and the Football Gods in their favor whenever they are struggling. Case and point the Titans standing on the Steelers logo before the game. DID YOU NOT LEARN FROM BALTIMORE LAST YEAR! It’s at this realization that Pittsburgh unlocks their talents and abilities. The Titans went from being the #1 seed to possibly fighting for their playoff lives. 3 turnovers in the 2nd Half will do that. Not to mention they got stuffed deep in Steeler territory to end the game. All the false hope that was in YinzerLand after Week 13 has returned. But how will they fare against the Chiefs? (Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce have COVID) The NFL has money on them making the playoffs don’t they.
Cowboys vs Giants: HOW BOUT DEM COWBOYS! Looks like their defense is unconscious yet again. It helps when you have 2 generational talents making impacts this year and facing a Giants team all but finished this week. Dak Prescott still has been mediocre but it didn’t matter. Daniel Jones cannot have anything good today. He didn’t play so Mike Glennon started in his place. It went as well for him as we expected it to be. Getting smacked by Dem Boys reinforces why he shouldn’t have been paid 15 million a year in 2017. They could have run a Canadian offense and still would have lost badly. Dallas you get more closure. All you need is a loss by one of the Wild Card teams behind and you’ll be in the playoffs. Should be a given. (Giants fans getting free soft drinks, never change Mara Family)
Cardinals vs Lions: Cardinals can you explain what in the world that was supposed to be? Weren’t you supposed to be a sure fire pick to go deep in the playoffs. At the end of the day we were all fooled. I have one question for you, HOW DO YOU LOSE TO THE DETROIT LIONS!? This team has been punting the year since they gave up the 66 yard kick in Week 3. You allowed Jared Goff to return to 2018 form. That sounds very alarming and honestly it makes no sense. I have no clue what to think of Arizona. They looked unstoppable at the beginning of the year and they may not even win the division. This is why the NFL is a tale of 2 seasons. An Air Raid Offense barely succeeds after December 1st in this league unless you face terrible coaches in the playoffs. Kliff please get your boys acts together, for all of our sakes.
Texans vs Jaguars: Tank Bowl, sure looks like it. (Roundball Rock playing) Whoever wins this game has a clear path towards the #1 pick in the draft. Houston is looking for their franchise savior since Deshawn Watson is likely gone this spring. The Jags are looking to leave the Urban Meyer era in the past. Even if Jacksonville finally played the players that Urban sent to the doghouse they still got smoked by the Texans. Even funnier is that there were fans in the endzone after one of their TD’s. (“Fans are prohibited from trespassing on the field” -Former Orioles PA Announcer Ryan Wagner) Who cares if that happened, this game was over right from when Houston scored their 1st touchdown. Now Jacksonville has a clear shot to the top pick in the draft. They may end up getting a generational talent in Aiden Hutchinson. Just don’t ruin his career.
Panthers vs Bills: The Bills need a bounceback game to keep their hopes alive. After losing in heartbreaking fashion against their one time nemesis they need a soft team to beat up. That happens to be the Carolina Panthers, a team coasting on reputation, and overrated talent. Not to mention the Panthers had no kicker either and playing in Buffalo is a death sentence if your kicker can’t play. It showed all day long. Cam Newton is cooked, the receivers can’t gain separation, and what in the world happened to Matt Rhule? He went from promising coach to being overmatched in one year. (Are you Dick Macpherson or what, Matt) I won’t go any further on this story for Carolina. Because there is an elimination for them to deal with.
Panthers ELIMINATED (YOU GET NOTHING YOU LOSE GOOD DAY SIR!): You had one game against Arizona’s backups where you thought you were going back to 2015 only for reality to hit you. I have no idea what they do here. You better have a QB drafted in the 1st Round or just punting another season. Tepper please don’t turn this into a habit.
Jets vs Dolphins: What is going on, Miami you are much better than this. The Jets are a pile of uninspiring mediocrity but how are you guys down 10-0. Here eat a Snickers, you’re much better when you’re hungry. It’s at this exaggeration where the Dolphins unleash their Sticky Sand Defense and Tua flashing his talents on offense. This game is the epitome of the Jets franchise, hoping for great success only to troll their fans by means of beautiful mistakes. (Thanks for the reference Maroon 5) Miami has now won 6 straight and are a game back of a Wild Card spot. If they make the playoffs and the Ravens don’t, my family will be struck by the Miami Curse AGAIN! (Bartman, Bubble, Week 15 of 2007, etc)
Packers vs Ravens: Ugh, why is Harbaugh such an analytical nerd. Yes Eric DeCosta has come up with that system and has allowed them to be a forward thinking team, but it’s costing them games, this is no different. It needs its own doc. Why does Tyler Huntley’s great game have nothing to show for?
Falcons vs 49ers: If you were to tell me at the beginning of this year that this would be a game with playoff implications, I would give you a weird look. The Falcons, a team that has been in mediocrity and getting bailed out by their talent on offense, is looking to make it back to the playoffs. Too bad this was the game where Arthur Smith got his Welcome to Head Coaching moment. San Francisco took the lead early in the game and didn’t look back. The 9ers have been a different team since Kittle has returned. They have regained their identity of punching teams in the mouth in the run and passing game. A hot matchup against Tennessee will prove if they have enough to go far again. I will say Jimmy G looks good again. Why did they trade for Trey Lance, they could have gotten Ja’Marr Chase or DeVonta Smith but I won’t argue the pick.
Bengals vs Broncos: THE BUNGLES! Suddenly they know the AFC North is right there for the taking. This franchise has been known to trip over themselves at key moments and this is no different. In a key matchup against a Broncos team that has plenty of doubters out there too Cincinnati how can I say this was a bit sloppy. The offense hasn’t been the same since early in the season except for a few big plays in the 3rd Quarter. In this game Denver literally handed victory to the Bengals. Why? Fumbling twice in the red zone, missed field goals, and snakebit moments. CRACK! That includes Teddy Bridgewater suffering a serious injury. Not even Drew Lock can carry the Broncos to victory. This may have been the death sentence to their playoff hopes, playing Kansas City, Vegas, and the Bolts to end the season will be tough. As for Joe Burrow and his squad, they now lead the AFC North for the moment, let’s just hope Cleveland continues to struggle so the New Frontier doesn’t happen. Sorry guys, the Salty Marylander won’t stop being a Ravens homer. Marylander: “THAT’S RIGHT, THE RAVENS ARE WINNING THE DIVISION WHO CARES IF WE LOST TO GREEN BAY!”
Saints vs Buccaneers: Is it me or are the Saints turning into the NFC version of the Ray Lewis led Ravens when it comes to playing Tom Brady. The difference here is that New Orleans doesn’t have a player that rivals Lewis and Ed Reed. But their scheming against the Bucs offense is outstanding. Yes Tampa Bay was injured all game including a season ending injury to Chris Godwin (Anytime I see a Penn State player be out for the year it’s brutal) but the Saints just mauled the Buccaneers in their own stadium. This was supposed to be the celebration of the Bucs 1st division championship since 2007. However it will probably be delayed for another week. Saints you get Miami next week, that game will go a long way to deciding their playoff hopes. Fun fact this is the 1st time Brady has been shut out since 2006. That game he had 78 yards passing against a Nick Saban coached Dolphins team. Tough luck.
Raiders vs Browns: The Browns have to be snakebitten. In a year that should have taken them over the top, they have suffered the Cleveland stereotype of not living up to the hype. (Or as I call them the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NFL) Against the Raiders even without Baker Mayfield and Jarvis Landry (Plus Stefanski), Cleveland still has a fair shot. Vegas took a 10-0 lead early in the game, as Nick Mullens was getting cooked by the Raiders Front 7. (Maxx Crosby is a beast isn’t he) But yes even then, the Silver and Black can’t make it easy on themselves. All the Browns have is Nick Chubb and its showing. Wouldn’t you know it, Cleveland takes the lead in the 4th Quarter. Fortunately for those Salty Marylanders, Derek Carr proved why he shouldn’t be traded anytime soon. Even with no timeouts the Raiders get into field goal range. Yes REFBALL prevented the 1st field goal being legal, but let’s try this again. “Carlson for the win, the Raiders survive and win on the road!” That just saved the Raiders season, from no optimism to being alive and well. This game screams vintage Browns. A chance to take over the AFC North going into the Holidays only to fall flat on their faces into dead last. Plus they get the Packers at Lambeau on Christmas, death sentence? Probably.
Vikings vs Bears: This game personifies why Bears fans want Matt Nagy chucked into Lake Michigan. Horrible decisions with play calling, no offensive line, or consistent playmaking. Every Time they had a chance to make a key play in this game they failed miserably. Justin Fields was the least of their issues. He was the only reason why Chicago was in this game. They got Grittied all over their home stadium by a Vikings squad looking to begin a serious playoff run. Kirk Cousins was ok but he didn’t need to do much. The defense returned to being the Purple People Eaters. Taking no prisoners, outclassing their opponents, and having fun doing so. Bears you have hit rock bottom. Not only because of their elimination last week, but because they are probably going to have a Top 5 pick guaranteed in the hands of the New York Giants. Bear Necessities eh.
Hogs vs Eagles: Jalen Hurts has returned from injury and now seeks a possible playoff berth with little time to spare. Luckily for him the Eagles get to face a COVID wrecked team in the Hogs. Washington may have taken a double digit lead early but Jalen needs to prove that the Eagles don’t need Gardiner Minshew in his place. He was effective mostly on the ground but had said some key throws too. All optimism in DC was put on hold as Philadelphia saved their playoff hopes and with the Giants and Hogs again coming up they could make it to the playoffs. That Dallas game in Week 18 looks very intriguing. (Even as a Ravens fan, if they are eliminated I want to see what happens in this game) COUNT ON THIS STATEMENT BOYS! DEAL WITH IT!
Seahawks vs Rams: Like the Browns, Hogs, and a few other teams the Rams have a massive COVID outbreak that delayed their game. But unlike those teams they benefited off their game being pushed back. The Seahawks have struggled this year but they still have playoff hopes, let’s end that today. Here is the perfect weapon. Cooper Kupp. He is putting up a season that would make Marvin Harrison and Michael Thomas proud. He was unstoppable and there was no one on the Seattle defense that could contain him. The other side of this game was effective as well. The Rams D punished the Seahawks offense for much of the game, Russell Wilson was contained by the LA Pass Rush and it showed. With this win the Rams now control their own fate in the NFC West. The Seahawks experience something that they haven’t had in the Wilson era. A losing season. Even worse, playoff dreams, dead!
Seahawks ELIMINATED (YOU GET NOTHING YOU LOSE GOOD DAY SIR!): It’s unfair judgement since Wilson missed time this year to say that this team is done. They remind me of the 2017 Packers. One man goes down and it sinks an entire franchise. Hopefully they can be better prepared for this situation in the future if it happens again. I wouldn’t fire Pete Carroll because this year isn’t even his fault but they need a real close look at their coaching staff. Ken Norton Jr is not the man for the defense. Hopefully I’m wrong about him.
Bragging Rights Sports 