Tag: bears

32 Teams in 32 Days: Chicago Bears

The Bears are once again riding a slew of offseason hype — despite having the single biggest disaster of a 2024 season imaginable — thanks to a shiny new head coach and some offensive firepower.

Cover photo taken from PFF.

Welcome to 32 Teams in 32 Days, a daily series leading up to kickoff of the 2025 NFL season where I preview every team in the league as decided by a wheel spin and project what their season will look like. You can keep up with everything right here.

We’re back in the NFC North with its most polarizing team as the Bears are once again riding a slew of offseason hype despite having the single biggest disaster of a 2024 season imaginable thanks to a shiny new head coach and some offensive firepower.

I couldn’t tell you why. Chicago was horrendous last year. After being billed as the greatest QB prospect of the century who was entering the greatest situation a No. 1 pick has ever been in, Caleb Williams was abysmal. They lost 10 games in a row — the worst mark in franchise history — after losing on a Hail Mary debacle in Washington. They fired their head coach and offensive coordinator in the middle of the season and finished the year with their passing game coordinator as their HC. They had four games where they didn’t score an offensive touchdown.

Don’t mind me, just putting this here. (h/t NBC News)

And yet, here we are. Another preseason of the media insisting that this is the year for Chicago because of X, Y and Z. Sure thing, y’all. I’ll believe it when I see it.

I suppose it’s not for no reason. The big move was hiring Lions OC Ben Johnson to be the new head coach, bringing his supposed offensive genius to Chicago and mold Caleb into the quarterback most people think he can be. I am personally completely out on Johnson for a number of reasons, including his strange falling out with the Commanders’ brass last offseason and his seemingly gigantic ego. This is the guy who was calling trick plays down double digits in a home playoff game, trusting a WR to make a big throw for some reason. This screams Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas to me. I do think Johnson is a good offensive mind, but I also know that he thinks very highly of himself. So I just don’t see it.

Combine that with Caleb, and I think this could go very poorly very quickly. We know the talent that the former Heisman winner has; he was the easy pick at No. 1 and obviously has one of the wildest athletic profiles we’ve ever seen from a college quarterback. But this guy was 27th in EPA+CPOE, 30th in success rate, 28th in QBR and took a league-leading 68 sacks a year ago. Everyone will blame the coaching or playcalling or offensive line or anything else under the sun. But, this offensive line was 15th in pass block win rate. And all I heard last summer was that former OC Shane Waldron was a great playcaller. And Hard Knocks told me to expect massive things out of Williams and the offense. Well, that offense finished 26th in EPA/play, 30th in success rate and 28th in scoring. So don’t give me that revisionist history.

This was an all-too familiar sight in 2024. (h/t AP Photo)

The reality is that Williams was clearly overwhelmed by the speed of the pros, often hanging onto the ball forever and running around in the backfield like he was still playing San Jose State. He was consistently inconsistent, following up great throws with zip and accuracy with floaters that’d land in the stands. The 68-sack number has more to do with his lack of a feel for the pocket and less to do with that offensive line, although I do recognize that it wasn’t ideal. But, neither was a guy like Drake Maye’s, and I felt better about his feel for it than Caleb’s.

Johnson took this job because of Williams. If these two can’t make it work together, I don’t know who the fans and media are going to blame. Because all I hear right now is how nothing is Caleb’s fault.

The good news is that Johnson is clearly going to implement the things that made his Lions offenses so effective. The Bears beefed up the interior by making moves for Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson to create one of the better guard-center-guard combos in the league. I do still worry about the tackles, which isn’t great news for Caleb, but that interior is legit — they also drafted Ozzy Trapilo in the second round for some depth at RT. They added to an already solid corps of pass-catchers by drafting TE Colston Loveland and WR Luther Burden III with their first two picks, with Johnson looking to turn the former into another Sam LaPorta. Rome Odunze and DJ Moore are already solid, so this offense won’t be lacking for weapons. But, that was the case last year, too.

In any case, this defense will still be a strongsuit. They have talent everywhere and finished 13th in EPA/play and 15th in success rate last year. The real strength is the secondary, considering they were 10th in dropback EPA vs. 26th in rush EPA in 2024. And I don’t think they did enough to get better against the run this offseason, though signing Grady Jarrett and drafting Shemar Turner out of Texas A&M should help. The defensive line as a whole simply needs to be better — this unit was 24th in pass rush win rate and 29th in run stop win rate. The secondary will do their job thanks to guys like Kyler Gordon, Jaylon Johnson and Jaquan Brisker, but the front seven needs to button up if they want to lend the offense a hand. New defensive coordinator Dennis Allen should be able to do just that.

X-Factor: QB Caleb Williams
If not now, when? (h/t PFF)

It’s weird to say this for a No. 1 pick in year two, but this feels like a make-or-break year for Caleb. The pressure and expectations on him feel pretty tremendous. I feel bad, because I don’t think they should! He’s just in year two and he clearly has a ton of work to do. But I truly think that if this year looks like last year, this team might make a move off him. Like I said earlier, you can’t blame the coaching staff or offensive line anymore, right? This is now a second straight year of everyone saying that the situation around Caleb is a great one. So if he’s bad again, it’s solely on him.

We know he has the talent, but I really worry about the character. Laying on the ground or bench after sacks, bad body language after picks and incompletions, the weird media fiasco this summer where it seemed like he tried to avoid being drafted by Chicago and so much more. From the neck down, he has everything it takes to be a franchise QB. But from the neck up, I’m just not sure.

If he takes to coaching and learns how to be a pocket passer, use his mobility more effectively, find his accuracy and timing and rhythm and just show some more maturity, then the Bears are in business. But at this point, it feels like a big ask.

Team MVP: N/A

I don’t know. I just don’t know. I wanted to give it to the secondary or the defense at large, but they had their weak points last year and they don’t feel better this year, though I expect improvements under Dennis Allen. I wanted to give it to an individual DB like Jaylon Johnson, but it just didn’t feel right. Someone’s gotta prove to me that they deserve this spot.

Breakout Candidate: TE Colston Loveland

As I said earlier, Loveland was drafted No. 10 overall for a reason. The tight ends are a big part of Ben Johnson’s offenses, and Loveland has been brought to Chicago to fill that role, despite the Bears already having a solid option in Cole Kmet. He was a monster at Michigan thanks to his over-the-top athleticism for a guy with a 6-foot-6, 241-pound frame. He can go up and grab any ball and has some pretty underrated quickness after the catch. I expect him to make an immediate impact as not just a security blanket for Caleb, but a focal point of the passing game — again, very similar to LaPorta in Detroit. I’m not saying he’s going to be Brock Bowers from last year, but he’ll put up some pretty good numbers.

Record Prediction: 4-13

By the overwhelmingly negative tone of this preview, you could probably tell that I don’t have high hopes for the Bears. I don’t like Ben Johnson, I don’t like what I’ve seen from Caleb Williams, and I don’t understand why so many people are falling for this again. Their schedule is ridiculously hard: their division was already a gauntlet littered with elite defenses before Micah Parsons entered the equation, and they have to play the NFC East, AFC North and the 49ers. Seems like a step up from the AFC South and NFC West last season. I don’t know how this gameplan will play out for GM Ryan Poles, but I just think this season is going to be a turbulent one. And there will be some uncomfortable questions to answer come January.

Next up: Green Bay Packers

My 2023 Mock Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is upon us with a plethora of remarkably talented players ready to hear their names called. Here’s my one and only Mock Draft.

Cover photo taken from NBC Sports.

The NFL offseason’s Christmas is finally upon us. Tonight, 31 young men will have their dreams come true as their names are called and they become professional football players. The first round of the NFL Draft is truly a magical night that everyone in football lives for. One of the best parts of the Draft is how unpredictable it is, yet we spend all offseason debating mock drafts and prospect rankings. So, for the second consecutive year, I am throwing out my own mock. This will be wildly wrong (which is part of the fun), but this is how I think each and every team picking tonight will go about their selections.

1 – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

The Panthers have been fixated on Bryce Young since they traded up to the #1 spot back on March 10th. This is clearly the guy they made the move for, and I don’t blame them whatsoever. I think Young is the best player in this class, and it might not be particularly close. While I understand the concerns about his size, his play speaks for itself. He had an unbelievable two year run at Alabama, and anything he lacks in his physical appearance is made up for by his immense poise and playmaking ability. Some of the things he did in Tuscaloosa made my eyeballs fall out of my head. While C.J. Stroud might be the better all around QB prospect on paper, Bryce Young is certainly the better talent, and I have been buying into his hype for a very long time. Clearly Carolina has as well. They may have lost their WR1, but they get the star QB that they’ve desired for years and continue their rebuild with one of the most exciting prospects in recent memory.

2 – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech

It is becoming increasingly obvious that the Texans are going to pass on a QB (likely C.J. Stroud) with this pick and opt to go with an edge rusher. While I understand the principle of that with DeMeco Ryans looking for a star pass rusher to build around, I think it’s a pretty ludicrous move. Houston has a golden opportunity to pair Stroud with a top WR prospect with the 12th overall selection, including but not limited to his college teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba. I would go that route 100 times out of 100. But the Texans are not going to. Still, they’re getting a fantastic prospect in Tyree Wilson, who has risen up draft boards all offseason long, and for good reason. He’s a physical freak of nature coming off the edge with all of the tools to be a premier pass rusher in this league. His athleticism and physical tools speak for themselves, and I think he can flourish under the tutelage of someone like DeMeco Ryans in this system. Again, it’s not the pick I’d make, but it appears that this is all but written in stone.

3 – Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama

Will Anderson is this year’s Kayvon Thibodeaux. Both of them were the consensus top overall player in their class for a while, then got reduced to being the top edge rusher in their class before being supplanted by an “athletic freak” who gets taken before them. Tyree Wilson is getting all the hype in the world, and for good reason, but please don’t forget about this guy. Anderson was the top edge rusher in college football for two years in a row and had people seriously considering giving him the Heisman. In fact, I think he should have won the award back in 2021. That’s how dominant he is off the edge. He just might be the best player in this class, so the Cardinals should consider this as highway robbery at 3. They have a lot of holes to fill, and with Kyler Murray’s injury likely sidelining him for the season, I think they will be picking first overall next year. Locking up a franchise pass rusher is a great way to start a rebuild, and it doesn’t get much better than this.

4 – C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

The Colts should be thanking their lucky stars that the Texans are seemingly passing on a quarterback. To have C.J. Stroud fall to them without having to make any trades or lose any additional assets is by far the best-case scenario. This is a team that has been trying to find its franchise QB since Andrew Luck retired, and they get to snag arguably the best overall QB prospect in the draft. Stroud has everything he needs to be a great signal caller in the NFL; his size, arm, poise, pocket awareness, and playmaking ability took a massive leap last year, and I think that he’ll only get better as he continues to develop as a pro. The Colts also have some solid weapons to surround him, which is more than Houston can say. This is probably the best fit for C.J., and I hope for his sake that this is where he ends up going.

5 – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

The Seahawks could go a lot of different ways with this pick, including trading down, which I would not be opposed to. But, it makes perfect sense to stay put and grab a top prospect, especially to help bolster a defense that had some very bad moments last year. I think snagging perhaps the top corner in the draft is a great move to pair him alongside Tariq Woolen and help build a potential Legion of Boom 2.0. Witherspoon is a physical ballhawk that has shot up the drat boards, and for good reason. He is very physical and versatile in the defensive backfield, and I think he can be a great fit in Seattle with the style of defense that they play.

6 – Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

For a solid portion of this draft process, many people held the belief that Jalen Carter was the best player in this class. Some extraneous factors have seemingly hurt his stock, but there is no denying that he is one of the best prospects on the board that any team should feel delighted to add to their roster. In this case, the Lions, who desperately need help across the board on defense, but especially on the interior, scoop him up courtesy of their pick from the Rams in the Matthew Stafford trade to instantly create one of the best young defensive fronts in the NFL. The unit will still need some more help, but this is the best-case scenario at 6 for Detroit.

7 – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

There are two facts to keep in mind here. The first is that the Raiders need a QB after letting go of Derek Carr. The second is that the Raiders are arguably the single worst drafting organization in the entire league. So it feels almost inevitable that they take a massive gamble on a QB prospect with a ton of questions that half of evaluators see as a total bust. I personally have zero faith in Will Levis. I would love to be proven wrong, but I have seen him play way too poorly at Kentucky to fall for any “physical traits” or “intangibles”. I believe what my eyes tell me, and my eyes do not like him at all. Placing Levis in an offense with Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams could bring out the best in him, but it’s just not the right move for the Raiders. Which is why I can 100% see them making it.

8 – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

I really, REALLY do not think the Falcons should take a QB at 8. This team has so many holes that they could trigger someone’s trypophobia, and taking a QB won’t fix any of them. If they’re smart, they’ll take a tackle or an edge rusher to be the anchor of their rebuild and wait for 2024, where they could be picking first overall, to take their QB of the future. But the Falcons are the antithesis of smart, especially when it comes to drafting, so I say they are going to pick a QB, and it’s the biggest boom-or-bust prospect in the entire draft. Anthony Richardson has been one of the more polarizing prospects in recent memory with several people being enthralled by his raw talent and several others seeing him as a total bust. I’ve been toeing the line for a while, and I can’t say that I love him as a prospect. I think it’s a massive gamble for any team to pick him, especially if that team has absolutely nothing going for them like the Falcons. But if he pans out, then they can say that they proved everyone wrong while snagging their franchise QB.

9 – Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

I loved the Bears moving down to 9. They got plenty of extra draft capital and finally have their WR1 in D.J. Moore from Carolina. At 9, they sit in a golden position to grab a franchise left tackle to protect Justin Fields, who got absolutely hammered all year by pass rushers in 2022. I think Skoronski and Paris Johnson Jr. are pretty much tied atop the board at their position, but I can see Chicago opting to pick the hometown kid who is used to playing in their conditions. Skoronski is an absolute unit at 6’4″ 315 and will protect Fields for years to come.

10 – Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia

It’s not often that a team makes the Super Bowl and picks in the top 10, but the Eagles are doing just that courtesy of a trade with the Saints last year. This roster is one of the best in the league with the only real “holes” being at running back and linebacker, but I don’t think the Birds are going to fill those holes with this pick. There are virtually no prospects at those positions that will go this high. It makes more sense to pick someone to bolster an already solid group in Philly, such as a receiver or a corner, considering how deep those positions are in this draft. But I think the Eagles are going to continue plucking players out of Athens and add an athletic freak to their developing front seven. Last year, they took Jordan Davis to fill the middle and Nakobe Dean to develop into a field general behind him. Adding their old teammate Nolan Smith to haunt QBs off the edge just feels right. Smith is one of the more dynamic defenders in the draft with crazy speed and athleticism for an edge rusher. If he and his old Georgia teammates develop into stars, Philadelphia could boast one of the best defensive cores that this league has seen in a long time.

11 – Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

Simply put, the Titans are a mess. No one knows what is going on in Tennessee. We have no idea who will be lining up under center in the fall and it feels like Derrick Henry won’t be behind whoever that may be. Maybe they use Henry in a trade to move up or down in the first round and continue to build draft capital or find their next star QB. I’m not entirely opposed to that idea, but I think it makes logical sense to stay put and grab a franchise left tackle to help rebuild an offensive line that was simply embarrassing last year. As I said before, Paris Johnson Jr. is right at the top of his position group in this draft, and will be an immediate impact guy for a team that desperately needs their Taylor Lewan replacement to protect Malik Willis/Ryan Tannehill and help out Derrick Henry… maybe.

12 – Jordan Addison, WR, USC

Houston is sitting pretty with two top 12 picks courtesy of the Browns being the incompetent organization they are. After securing their franchise edge rusher instead of grabbing a top QB, it makes sense for them to take a top offensive weapon to help out whichever signal caller they take in 2024. While I don’t think Jordan Addison is the top WR in this class, I can certainly see him being the first one off the board. A lot of folks have him as WR1 due to his lightning quick play and route-running. Moreover, Addison has a repertoire with USC QB Caleb Williams, who the Texans will surely be vying for in next year’s draft, so this feels like a forward-thinking move that prepares them for the future. Again, this isn’t the direction I’d go in, but I don’t hate it for Houston.

13 – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

I could talk about Jaxon Smith-Njigba for hours. Days even. Not only do I believe that he’s by far the best WR in this class, I think he might be the best player in the class. A hamstring injury suffered on just his second catch of the 2022 season (with me in attendance, of course) derailed what could have been a legendary campaign after an otherworldly year in 2021. Considering that we haven’t really seen JSN play since the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2022, a lot of people have forgotten about how truly special this kid is. Just to put this in perspective, every single player who shared the WR room with him at Ohio State said that he is the best receiver they’ve ever seen. That’s a room that includes guys like Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jameson Williams, and Marvin Harrison Jr. And they’re probably right in terms of WRs at the college level. JSN is an incredibly polished route runner with surefire hands and a catch radius that exceeds his build accompanied by a surprising burst after the catch. He will be any QB’s best friend, especially if that QB is entering a starting role and needs all the help he can get. And that makes the Packers the single best fit for him. Aaron Rodgers is finally gone and the Jordan Love era has officially begun. I have extremely high hopes for him, and this is a pick that not only helps him out, but bolsters the entire offense. All of a sudden, Green Bay will have one of the best young WR groups in the league with JSN alongside Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. I’m not exaggerating when I say that this pick could be the difference between the Packers making or missing the playoffs. Regardless of that, this is the only pick they can make, and if they pass on JSN, they should consider it to be a catastrophic failure.

14 – Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson

The Patriots can go a lot of different ways here. The roster badly needs help in a lot of different spots, especially on the offensive side. I don’t see Bill Belichick opting for a receiver with the top options off the board, and this feels too high for them to reach for a running back. So the most logical play is to snag a great edge rusher to help a front seven that needs a boost. Myles Murphy is an experienced player with the athleticism that is severely lacking in New England’s defensive line. I see this is a very good value pick for the Patriots to immediately fill a position of need.

15 – Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

The Jets finally acquired Aaron Rodgers and now sit in a position where they can go one of two ways. They can grab a pass-catcher to replace Elijah Moore and go alongside Garrett Wilson to help boost the offense. Or, they can add a key piece to a wonky offensive line that has had a lot of injury woes at the tackle position. With a 39 year old QB entering the fray and the top two WR prospects off the board, the latter makes a lot more sense. They need to protect Rodgers at all costs, and taking the pro-ready Wright is a great way to do that. His 6’5″ 330 frame makes him an absolute rock on the edge, and if Mekhi Becton figures it out, the Jets could have one of the best young tackle duos in the league protecting a veteran QB that desperately needs to stay upright.

16 – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

We are in a weird spot. When are we not in a weird spot? There has been speculation about trading back and acquiring some draft capital to prepare for the 2024 draft and potentially bringing Caleb Williams home to DC. While I don’t hate that idea, I think I would rather stay put and lock up a top prospect at one of two major positions of need: tackle or corner. At this spot with the board shaping up the way it is, I think corner is the right move, and I think Christian Gonzalez is a steal at 16. Many people have him as CB1, and it’s easy to see why. He’s incredibly long with fantastic playmaking ability and blazing speed. He will instantly fill a massive gap as an outside corner to help Kendall Fuller as he operates in the slot and help improve the secondary in a major way.

17 – Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

The Steelers like taking hometown kids. The Steelers like defense. The Steelers don’t have a much better option at 17 than Joey Porter Jr. Not only did his father play for Pittsburgh, but Porter Jr. is a Penn State prospect who will instantly fit in with the Steelers’ defensive philosophy of beating offenses up. He’s very long and has a ton of range and versatility with the playmaking ability that this secondary has lacked for years now. I wouldn’t hate seeing the Steelers invest in the offensive line, but this feels like the best value pick and by far the best fit.

18 – Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

As I said with their first pick, the Lions need all the help hey can get on defense. After shoring up the interior with Jalen Carter, they sit at 18 in a great spot to help the defensive backfield and replace the recently-traded Jeff Okudah. Deonte Banks is a great prospect that has very quickly risen up draft boards due to his size and speed. Adding him to a secondary that has been rebuilt with newcomers like Cam Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley, and C.J. Gardner Johnson instantly helps Detroit’s defense become a much stronger unit than they were a year ago, greatly improving their playoff chances.

19 – Brian Branch, S, Alabama

The Buccaneers have seemingly fallen off a cliff. After the departure of Tom Brady, the roster suddenly has tons of holes to address. They have a myriad of options in this spot, and I had a hard time deciding which direction to go in. I decided to have them just pick the best player available, since it addresses a position of need. Brian Branch is a fantastic player in the defensive backfield with the athleticism and smarts to make plays all over the field. He would be a tremendous complement to Antoine Winfield Jr. and help out a Tampa secondary that got gashed all season last year.

20 – O’Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida

After filling their first position of need at 5 with a corner, it makes sense for the Seahawks to help out their offensive interior and snag perhaps the best guard in the draft. Torrence is a huge, physical blocker at 6’5″ 330 with a ton of raw power that Seattle could use in a big way. Adding him to a ragtag offensive line will instantly help both the passing and running games.

21 – Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

This may feel like a very strange pick, but I think it’s a great one for the Chargers. A lot of people would like to see them take a WR, and I think that’s a very logical way to go with some solid options on the board. But adding the best pass-catching tight end in the draft instantly adds another foil to this very interesting offense. Kincaid catches everything that comes his way and has very good burst and route running for someone at his position. This is just as good as picking a WR and gives a potentially lethal weapon to Justin Herbert to go alongside Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, and Keenan Allen.

22 – Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa

Baltimore still has a lot of questions to answer this offseason, particularly regarding some guy named Lamar Jackson. They won’t have those questions answered by draft night, but they sit in an interesting spot to fill one of several needs. I can see them taking any number of players at several positions such as receiver, corner, or safety. With the recent acquisition of Odell Beckham Jr., I think their best route is actually to opt for a pass rusher. For all intents and purposes, this is a steal for the Ravens. Van Ness is one of the more intriguing edge rushers in the draft with his incredible technique and motor. In Baltimore, he can develop into a premiere pass-rusher and create a vaunted rushing group that features Odafe Oweh and Roquan Smith.

23 – Calijah Kancey, DT, Pitt

Like their fellow purple and gold team picking before them, the Vikings have a lot of options at 23. I’ve heard plenty of rumors about a potential move up involving Dalvin Cook with their sights on a corner, receiver, or even a QB. I wouldn’t be opposed to that whatsoever, but it’s difficult to project a trade of that magnitude. So, I’ll keep Minnesota at 23 and give them a fantastic talent to help their defensive interior and pass rush as a whole. Kancey is a remarkably athletic player with a relentless pass-rushing motor who will immediately boost a defensive line that severely lacks in that department. The Vikes will still have plenty of work to do to help out the rest of the defense, but this is a great place to start.

24 – Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State

The Jaguars seem to be leaning towards a defensive back in this spot. With most of the top offensive line prospects off the board by this point, I think that makes a ton of sense. But, with most of the best corners also off the board, it’s anyone’s guess as to who the Jags will scoop up. I think Emmanuel Forbes is a good fit for them with his long frame and innate playmaking ability. His size is definitely a concern at a mere 180 pounds, but he makes up for it with his ballhawking nature. I think he’d provide a nice presence to Jacksonville’s developing secondary.

25 – Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU

The Giants need a receiver worse than any other team in the league. With some of the top prospects off the board, they still have some interesting options at 25. I really like the fit of Quentin Johnston in their offense with his size and speed. There are plenty of concerns with his tape, which has led to his stock completely tanking since the end of the college football season, but his talent is undeniable. In New York, he won’t have to be a WR1 and can instead be a high-level threat on the outside as a foil to Darius Slayton. I can see him thriving in that role.

26 – Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina

The way I see it, the Cowboys can go three ways here. The first is making the flashy “Cowboys” pick, which is Bijan Robinson. The second is making the more solid “Cowboys” pick that we’ve come to expect in recent years, which would be an offensive or defensive lineman. The third is the seemingly logical pick, which would be a defensive back. I’m rocking with the third option, but that puts Dallas in a similar position as the Jaguars at 24. They have some options, but none of them are as good as they’d like. However, I think Cam Smith is a very good fit for this defense. He’s a tremendous playmaker with a great feel for anticipating throws coming his way, and pairing him with Trevon Diggs could make for perhaps the best ballhawking corner duo in the league.

27 – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

We all know that Bijan Robinson is a top ten talent in this class. He’s one of the best running back prospects in recent years with his otherworldly athleticism and speed. He’s like a stronger Saquon Barkley when he came out of Penn State. His athletic ability and physical gifts make him one of the most coveted prospects on the board. The problem is that he doesn’t seem to fit anywhere until we get to the late first round. Maybe a team like Atlanta, Philadelphia, or New England can scoop him up, but it just wouldn’t make sense to me. It certainly makes sense at 27 for the Bills. They would love to add a star RB to the fold to help out Josh Allen and prevent him from running around as much as he does. Creating a three-headed monster of Allen, Robinson, and Stefon Diggs could provide this offense with the boost they need to get over the hump that has held them back in the postseason for so many years now. It almost feels to good to be true with the 27th overall selection.

28 – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

This has felt telegraphed for a while now. It really feels like the only option here for Cincinnati. There aren’t any better offensive line or defensive back prospects on the board, and they get a huge lift at a position that really needs one. Mayer is a huge target that will eat up the middle of the field with his great hands while also clearing up outside lines as a fantastic run blocker on the edge. He is the best all-around tight end in this draft and seemingly a perfect fit in the Bengals offense, giving Joe Burrow another pass-catching threat while helping out the run game.

29 – Steve Avila, OG, TCU

The Saints entered this offseason with some of the worst draft capital in the league, but were able to snag a first from Denver (by way of Miami and San Francisco) when Sean Payton agreed to coach the Broncos. That works out great for them as they desperately need some help on the offensive interior to rebuild the line and protect their new QB Derek Carr. There are a lot of interesting guards in this draft, but I think Steve Avila is the best fit for New Orleans, as he can come in and be an impact starter on day one.

30 – Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

As I said above, the Eagles would like to leave this draft with a running back, but taking Bijan Robinson at 10 doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Instead, sitting back and waiting on Jahmyr Gibbs to fall to them at 30 is one of the best things they can ask for. Gibbs might not be the talent that Robinson is, but he is still incredibly dynamic with his lightning-quick speed and fantastic pass-catching ability. Pairing him up with Miles Sanders would make for a very intriguing RB duo in this already multi-faceted offense. He can act as a psuedo Alvin Kamara for the Birds on passing downs while providing a spark in the run game, which I think can make the offense even scarier. As if they need to be scarier than they already are.

31 – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

The Super Bowl champs are in a pretty good spot with their roster, but there are two positions that I think need some help: receiver and edge rusher. While it might make more sense to opt for the latter here, I think the Chiefs are going to put their faith in George Karlaftis, who they spent a first rounder on just last year. So, they opt to take the best WR on the board who far too many people are sleeping on. Zay Flowers is a slick and twitchy slot receiver who will instantly fill the void left behind by Juju Smith-Schuster’s departure. In fact, he’ll improve that position from last year. He’s undersized, but we’ve seen Kansas City make monsters out of smaller receivers before by utilizing their strengths, especially when it comes to speed. Flowers is certainly not lacking in that department.

Week 15 Picks

Jonathan Taylor and the Colts host Mac Jones and the Patriots in one of the biggest games of the season on Saturday night. (h/t NFL.com)

We have reached the home stretch. Byes are over, and we have 4 weeks left to determine the playoffs. It’s gonna be a blast, starting with this week, which has some incredible games on tap. I had a very good Week 14, going 11-3 to bring my 2021 total to 129-77-1. Let’s have another great one, and let’s get into this week’s picks:

Chiefs 27-24 Chargers

Thursday, 8:20 PM, FOX

Week 15 kicks off with an absolute banger on TNF. The first matchup between these two teams earlier this season was a thrilling matchup that came down to the wire, and I expect similar fireworks tonight. Not to mention that these teams have been on a tear, and the winner sits atop the division. In my opinion, this game comes down to a key matchup of strength: LA’s offense against Kansas City’s defense. If the Chiefs continue their stellar play on that side of the ball, they should win this game with ease. Justin Herbert is very good, but when he goes up against difficult defenses, he tends to struggle. I think the Chargers defense isn’t bad, but it remains to be seen how they’ll perform against someone like Patrick Mahomes. I think KC’s defense will do just enough to put Mahomes and the offense in a position to win, and that will be the key difference in the game.

Raiders 20-17 Browns

Saturday, 4:30 PM EST, NFL Network

This game is a mess on all fronts. COVID has run rampant on the Browns, leaving them without their first and second string QBs, as Nick Mullens is now in line to start this game. On the other hand, the Raiders are just a mess 24/7. So, expect a mess of a football game in Cleveland. I just don’t know how I’m supposed to pick the Browns with all of their COVID problems, but I also don’t know how I’m supposed to pick the Raiders in any given circumstance. I’m putting my faith in Vegas to win this game against a team as depleted as any, but I will not be remotely shocked if they manage to mess up this easiest of wins.

Patriots 21-17 Colts

Saturday, 8:15 PM EST, NFL Network

This is it. Arguably the biggest game of the season in the AFC, if not the entire NFL. It’s not just because of how important this game is in the grand scheme of things, but these two teams are both fantastic, and it should make for a great game on Saturday night. Both teams are coming off byes, so the playing field is as leveled as it can be. There isn’t a single matchup that stands out here because both teams are so good on both sides of the ball. So, what gives? Well, the Patriots still have what I consider as a top 2 defense in the league, and I think that makes the difference. Indy’s defense is also fantastic, but if Jonathan Taylor and that offense are stifled, they won’t have a chance. I trust Bill Belichick and that Pats defense to get the job done, and I also trust Mac Jones and the offense to put up enough points to win the game.

Bills 30-10 Panthers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This is the type of bounce-back game that the Bills need desperately. They not only need a win to get back into the playoff picture, but also just to feel good about themselves. They should get that on Sunday. The Panthers are just dreadful, and Sam Darnold coming back doesn’t change that. In fact, it might make things worse. If Josh Allen and the Bills lose this one, they’ll only have themselves to blame.

Cardinals 34-14 Lions

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Well, this is the team with the best record in the NFL going up against the team with the worst record in the NFL. Does any more need to be said? The loss of DeAndre Hopkins certainly hurts the Cardinals, but they’re talented enough to come back and still thrive offensively. This is a perfect opportunity for them to bounce back after Monday night, and they should do so with swiftness.

Dolphins 20-13 Jets

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Look here, another easy win for the Dolphins to keep their win streak alive. Coming off a bye and getting the Jets is quite the treat. I don’t even know why I think this game will be within a possession, but oh well. All I know is that Miami will win and inexplicably get to .500. What a league.

Cowboys 24-14 Giants

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

You know it’s a great week when the entire NFC East plays each other. This game isn’t exactly an intrigue, but I think we’ll learn a lot more about the Cowboys. If their defense thrives against Mike Glennon, then so be it. That’s to be expected. But their offense has been lethargic as of late, and the Giants defense isn’t terrible. They should win, but, if Dallas struggles in this game, then it’s even more cause for concern. And if they lose, just imagine the headlines.

Eagles 26-13 Washington

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

In a week where COVID has run through the NFL, no team has been hit harder than Washington. As of right now, 21 players will miss this game on the COVID list, and that number will likely rise by kickoff. Many of those are key contributors like Jonathan Allen, Kendall Fuller, Kam Curl, and more. So, you can just chalk this one up as a loss. I didn’t think Washington would win this game anyways, but it’s all but set in stone now. Coming off a bye, Jalen Hurts and this Eagles offense will have a field day against a ravaged WFT defense. And I will be miserable watching it.

Steelers 22-21 Titans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

What a strange matchup. It’s well-documented by now that I don’t feel very strongly about either of these teams. Neither have been very impressive as of late, and now they match up with one another. So, what gives? I honestly don’t know. I just don’t have the confidence to pick the Titans without Derrick Henry, even though we just saw the Steelers defense get carved up last Thursday. I’m still picking Pittsburgh because I thought they showed good fight in their comeback attempt last week, whereas the Titans didn’t look like world-beaters against the Jaguars. It’s just a weird game all around.

Texans 23-17 Jaguars

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Yet another entry in the series of games that nobody wants or deserves to watch. The Urban Meyer era is finally over in Jacksonville, and I usually like teams the week that they fire their coach. But, I don’t trust the Jaguars. Not anymore. Every time I pick them, they let me down, so I’m not doing it again. It’s as simple as that.

Broncos 24-23 Bengals

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

This is one of the most interesting matchups of the week, and I don’t think enough people are talking about it. This is a pivotal matchup in the AFC wild card race, as the loser could drop out entirely. The Broncos looked great last week whereas the Bengals came up just short in a potential comeback victory. Both of these teams have shown us so much at times and so little at others. I’m not sure what to expect in this game, but I have to pick the Broncos. I just like the brand of football they’ve been playing in the last few weeks, whereas the Bengals don’t look like themselves right now. Denver’s running game led by Javonte Williams has been deadly, and their defense is playing lights out. I think they’ll do enough to stifle Joe Burrow and Cincy’s offense and win this game.

49ers 28-23 Falcons

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

I’m not entirely sure what to make of this game. I think the Falcons can give the Niners a bit of a run on Sunday, but at the same time, it feels impossible to pick a close game. I just don’t have enough faith in Atlanta. But, I’ll pick it anyways because I can. I don’t think the Falcons will win this game, but they have the offensive talent to keep up with San Francisco’s slow burn of an offense. I like the 49ers defense a lot, but their secondary is ravaged and I saw them get carved up by the Seahawks, so anything is possible. San Francisco is the far better team and will win this game, but I just have this lingering feeling that it’s bound to be close.

Rams 30-20 Seahawks

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

The Seahawks are playing like a real football team as of late, so I don’t think this game will be a complete snoozer. But, it shouldn’t be close. The Rams have found their stride and aren’t showing any signs of slowing down, however, COVID has gone to work on their roster, and they’ll be short-handed in this game. But, so will Seattle. So, it’s still fairly even, and that still gives LA the advantage. I expect another huge day out of Matt Stafford and the Rams offense as they inch closer to potentially snatching away the division title.

Packers 27-16 Ravens

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

The main factor in play for this game is the status of Lamar Jackson. At the moment, it remains to be seen whether or not he will play. But, even if he does, I just don’t see how the Ravens win this game. The Packers are the best team in the NFL, and they match up very well with this Baltimore team. The defense should have another field day no matter which QB they face, and their offense will take apart a bad Ravens defense. This game has all the star power you can ask for, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be a good game. Sounds like something else I saw this weekend.

Buccaneers 26-20 Saints

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

The 8th wonder of the world is why Tom Brady struggles so much against the Saints. I don’t see the Bucs losing to New Orleans once again, but I know for a fact that this will be close. The Saints just have their number, and I can’t explain it. But, Tampa has been playing very good football in the last month or so, and they have vastly improved since the last time these teams played. It might not be the flashiest game in the world, but the Bucs don’t have to win with flash. They should be able to slug this one out in a close game that should be more fun than a lot of people expect.

Vikings 24-21 Bears

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

Every year, we can’t escape the Vikings-Bears primetime game in Chicago. Please stop doing this to us, NFL. While I’m not very excited for this game, I think there’s some potential for a fun one on MNF. The Bears showed some promise for abut 30 minutes last Sunday night, and the Vikings put on a fireworks show for nearly 3 quarters last Thursday. I’m not sure what we’ll see on Monday night, but I do think that the Vikings have no excuse to not win this game. They’re the better team with more talent and they’re playing better football right now. Not to mention they have infinitely more to play for as a win could put them into a playoff spot. This is typically a moment where a franchise like Minnesota folds, but I have to trust them to get this done.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Post-Week 14 Power Rankings

The Rams’ dominant Monday night win over the Cardinals has them rising in this week’s Power Rankings. (h/t Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

1 – Packers (10-3)

No surprises at the top. It was a wild week amongst the league’s elite, but the Packers still stand alone atop the NFL mountain. It was a wacky first half in Lambeau in which Green Bay’s defense and special teams gave the Bears a real chance, but a dominant second half put that to bed with swiftness. It was a fantastic game for the offense, namely Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. What else is new? This team will still only get better as they get healthier, and thanks to the Cardinals’ loss, they are now the #1 seed in the NFC. It’s hard to see that changing.

2 – Patriots (9-4) 1

Speaking of 1 seeds, the Patriots won their bye week by getting a little more cushion atop the AFC. The Chiefs and Titans are still right on their heels, but the Ravens loss gives them some more room for error. This week’s matchup with the Colts will be massive for both teams as they jockey for playoff positioning, and it should be a fun one.

3 – Buccaneers (10-3) 1

You know what Sunday’s game reminded me of? Last year’s Chiefs-Buccaneers regular season game. One team starts out blazing hot, allows the other team to come back, but still pulls it out in the end. I’m not saying the trajectory of these teams will be similar, but it felt very familiar. In any case, I was impressed with the Bucs outside of their near slip-up. The offense looked fantastic to start the game, and the defense was putting in work before they inexplicably started playing prevent late, allowing the Bills to come back. But, when it mattered most, they got the stops they needed, and the offense did the rest. This team is just too solid, and they always get the job done. This 4 game win streak of theirs has been fantastic, and it’s hard to see them slowing down in the next 4 weeks.

4 – Chiefs (9-4) 1

What exactly is it about playing the Raiders that brings this Chiefs offense to life? In their two games this season, KC outscored Vegas 89-23. That’s pretty good. This week’s thrashing was impressive on all fronts, as every single facet of this team was clicking on all cylinders. The defense did its usual work, and the offense looked alive again. It remains to be seen how the offense performs against the league’s elite defenses, but I will always trust Patrick Mahomes in the biggest moments.

5 – Rams (9-4) 2

Well, the Rams are back. And it is quite a scary sight. After their first great performance against a real team in weeks, this team has finally picked up steam and they are not showing any signs of slowing down. Monday night’s game was proof of just how dangerous this team can be when they’re clicking. Matt Stafford looked incredible throwing the football, Sony Michel provided a spark out of the backfield, Cooper Kupp did his usual thing, and Odell Beckham Jr. is becoming a real part of this offense. On the other side of the ball, LA’s defense made life hell for Kyler Murray, forcing turnovers, getting sacks, making stops, and asserting their dominance against their division rival. It’s a very tough final stretch for them, but when the Rams play like this, there might not be a single team that can stop them.

6 – Cardinals (10-3) 4

So, the Cardinals have now lost 3 of their last 6 games after starting the year 7-0. This team is still plenty good, but that’s a concern. The offense didn’t have its worst game by any means on Monday night, but turnovers in huge spots ruined their chances. By all means, they should be just fine. But, their defense was a definite concern. They couldn’t stop the run, got cut up on short and medium routes, and got burnt on deep shots all game long. In a conference with QBs like Aaron Rodgers, Matt Stafford, and Tom Brady, that cannot be happening if this team is to make a Super Bowl push.

7 – Colts (7-6) 1

It was a rather uneventful bye week for the Colts, which they should be thankful for considering the chaos around the NFL right now. They need all hands on deck for this Saturday’s blockbuster showdown with the Patriots. Any and all losses from here on out can seriously derail Indy’s chances in a conference littered with 7-6 and 6-7 teams.

8 – 49ers (7-6) 5

The assessment on the 49ers is very simple. When they play their brand of football and execute it well, they are a very, very difficult team to beat. If they slip up even a little, then it’s hard for them to recover. This team has now won 4 of 5 by playing their best ball, and Sunday’s game in Cincinnati was a perfect example of that. Their defense was dominant, especially up front. They ran the ball effectively, and threw it efficiently and brilliantly to a plethora of offensive weapons. Brandon Aiyuk has finally found himself again, and George Kittle is playing like one of the best and most unstoppable players in the league. Not to mention the ultimate weapon that is Deebo Samuel. Jimmy Garoppolo is playing very good football, and for as long as that’s the case, this team will win football games. They will only go as far as he does.

9 – Chargers (8-5) 2

For the first time since the beginning of the season, the Chargers have put together consecutive good weeks of football. I’m genuinely shocked. I won’t look too much into a blowout of a bad team starting a backup QB, but this team was pretty awesome to watch on Sunday. Justin Herbert played a fantastic game even without Keenan Allen, and the defense put together perhaps their best game of the season. I’ve always said that this is a very dangerous team when they play their best ball, but they just haven’t done that much lately. If they can continue stringing together performances like Sunday’s, then I like their chances. Their biggest test yet comes tomorrow against the Chiefs in a battle for first place. Lord knows which Chargers team we’ll get then.

10 – Cowboys (9-4) 2

It’s very rare that a team in this league goes out and wins a game, but feels like they lost. But, that’s what the Cowboys did on Sunday. They started out blazing thanks to their fantastic defensive front, led by Micah Parsons. But, after gaining their 18-0 lead, it feels like Dallas just… stopped trying. The offense only put together 3 scoring drives for the rest of the game, all resulting in field goals, with just 3 points in the second half. The defense let Washington back in the game, and the offense was nonexistent. Dak Prescott played a rather poor game, missing receivers, throwing right to defenders, and putting together the worst QBR of his career (9.9) and just a 58.8 passer rating. On top of that, the run game is essentially dead without Tony Pollard as Ezekiel Elliott has been running like he’s wearing bricks for shoes. I didn’t think we’d see a time where this team would only go as far as their defense takes them, but that’s where we’re at. The Cowboys can no longer rely on Dak and their offense to carry them. They’re in a perfect position to win a terrible division, but I don’t see much promise with this team after that.

11 – Bills (7-6) 2

The Buffalo Bills in a single word: disappointment. That applies to the franchise’s entire history, and it definitely applies to the 2021 season. The Bills have now lost 3 in a row and are playing themselves out of the playoffs. Sunday’s comeback effort was a valiant one, but being down 24-3 in the first place isn’t exactly a good look. The offense got dominated in the first half, and the defense got gashed. This team still can’t run the ball, and they just can’t match up against truly elite teams in this league. They have the talent to make the playoffs, but even that seems unlikely at this point. It’s just disappointing.

12 – Ravens (8-5) 2

Back to back losses for the Ravens took this team from the 1 seed to nearly a wild card spot. Even after Lamar Jackson went down on Sunday, this team didn’t give up as Tyler Huntley played a solid game and nearly pulled off an improbable comeback. But, like the Bills, I’m not a fan of a team being down that much to begin with. This defense got torn apart by a Browns team that hadn’t gotten anything going on that side of the ball in weeks. Moreover, Cleveland’s defense completely shut down Lamar and the offense while he was in the game. I just don’t know how to feel about the Ravens right now, and it’ll only get worse as the Packers come to town on Sunday. They better hope for some more losses for division teams, or first place could be theirs to lose.

13 – Bengals (7-6) 1

I feel bad for the Bengals. Their comeback on Sunday was absolutely awesome to watch, as Joe Burrow and Jamarr Chase lit up the field in the fourth quarter to force OT. But, they just didn’t have enough in them to get the job done. This defense struggled yet again as the star power of the 49ers was simply too much to contain. I like Cincy’s chances against teams on their level or slightly worse, but I just don’t know if this team has it in them to knock off those above them. Their final four games are all very tough, so they better hope they prove me wrong, or they won’t be in the playoff hunt for much longer.

14 – Titans (9-4)

The Titans proved me wrong this week in the sense that they actually won on Sunday. But, I’m still just not impressed with this team without Derrick Henry, especially offensively. The defense is very good, and I won’t question that. But, as I’ve been saying for week, until Henry returns, this team doesn’t have my vote of confidence. It’s that simple.

15 – Broncos (7-6) 2

This is a good football team. That’s not news. Sunday’s inspiring win was one of the highlights of the season for me, as the Broncos won for the late Demaryius Thomas, who we lost too soon. Now, they are still right in the thick of the wild card race and can gain some real ground with a tough matchup this week against the Bengals. Denver’s winning formula is a very good one, centered around defense and running the football. Javonte Williams has been a revelation out of the backfield, and he adds another gear to this offense that was missing earlier in the season. I like the Broncos’ chances as we head into the final stretch of the season, but it will be tough. We’ll see if they can rise to the occasion.

16 – Eagles (6-7) 1

I hope the bye week treated the Eagles well. This week’s game against Washington is arguably the biggest of the season, as a win will vault them into playoff positioning in all likelihood. I think this team is plenty good enough to do that.

17 – Vikings (6-7) 1

Good lord this team is the most insane roller coaster on the planet. The Vikings looked genuinely incredible to start Thursday night’s game, getting out to a 29-0 lead thanks to great defense and Dalvin Cook running circles around the Steelers. What followed was simply the most Vikings thing I’ve ever seen. They were outscored 28-7 in the final 18 or so minutes, and if it wasn’t for a dropped touchdown on the game’s final play, they very well could have gone to OT and lost. After being up by twenty nine points. They won, and it was a good win, but would it hurt them to win normally for once? It was the tenth game decided by single digits for the Vikings this season, and just the fifth win in those games. They better hope they get some more in the next 4 weeks if they want to find themselves in the playoffs.

18 – Washington (6-7) 3

This is why I never got my hopes up. Sunday’s game wasn’t even a bad one. It just started out worse than I ever could have imagined. Anemic offense and nonexistent OL play put this team in an 18-0 hole in just 14 minutes. But, to their credit, the rest of the game was honestly not terrible. After going down 24-0, they were the far better team in the second half as the defense stepped up time and time again and the offense made a few plays here and there. But, if the offense was even slightly better, I truly think we would have won on Sunday. The blame there lies with Taylor Heinicke. The moment proved to be too big for him, and he folded. Now, he’s dealing with a knee injury ahead of another massive divisional game in Philly. Considering all the other problems with this team as COVID runs through the roster, I’m very ready to stick a fork in them. We’ll see if Sunday’s game gives me the green light.

19 – Browns (7-6) 2

The Browns put together their best game in several weeks on Sunday, and even then, they almost lost. Before nearly blowing it in tremendous fashion, Cleveland used their great defense and a solid offensive performance to stifle the Ravens for most of the game. I can’t explain the near-choke, but they won, and that’s what matters. Now, the Browns are right back in the playoff race when all hope seemed lost. I still think the key is the performance of Baker Mayfield, but if he does his job like he did on Sunday, then this team should be able to play their way into the postseason.

20 – Steelers (6-6-1)

Last week was… weird. The Steelers found themselves in an inexplicable 29-0 hole thanks to a nonexistent defense and an offensive performance that was straight out of October. But, they stormed back in the second half, and I really thought they had a great chance of pulling off the biggest comeback in regular season history. But, it was not to be. Still, the fight that Pittsburgh showed in their comeback inspires some confidence as they vie for a playoff spot. If they can just play sound on both sides of the ball, this team’s talent should be able to win them games. Unfortunately, their final four games are very difficult, and that formula might not be enough for them against such good opponents.

21 – Dolphins (6-7) 1

Miami’s bye has come and gone, and only question remains. Can this team keep up their winning ways and play their way into the playoffs? I don’t think it’s impossible. They get the Jets this week, so at they have at least one more win in them on this streak. After that? It’s anyone’s guess.

22 – Saints (6-7) 1

The return of Alvin Kamara did wonders for this team, as they could actually run the ball effectively. That in turn allowed Taysom Hill to do his thing, and it led to a generally dominant win. The defense also got back on track, which was fairly easy against Zach Wilson and the Jets. I don’t have much faith in this team to win many more games this season, but at least they know that they’re not nearly as bad as the last few weeks have suggested.

23 – Falcons (6-7) 1

The Falcons having 6 wins is just so funny to me. It’s just so hard to wrap your head around. Sunday was another nice win for Atlanta, but alas, it was against Cam Newton. So, while it looked good, are we sure it was that impressive? This is still a nice team that has a good future, but no matter how many wins they manage to pick up, I’m not buying any of their stock.

24 – Raiders (6-7) 5

No. Just… no.

25 – Seahawks (5-8) 1

Good on the Seahawks for getting their nonexistent wings back to flapping a little bit. Russell Wilson seems to have finally fully healed from his finger injury, and this offense is much better for it. Not to mention the emergence of Rashaad Penny out of the backfield. Blowing out the Texans isn’t impressive, but it’s clear that the Seahawks are figuring things out. Too bad it’s 3 months too late.

26 – Bears (4-9) 1

I genuinely have no idea where any of that came from on Sunday night. The Bears looked explosive for about 30 minutes, which is more than can be said about the last 13 weeks. That first half was genuinely awesome to watch, as Justin Field and his receivers were making play after play, especially Jakeem Grant, who added a 97 yard punt return TD. The defense was even getting to Aaron Rodgers consistently. But, the second half was more of the same old Bears. I still liked what I saw out of Justin Fields and David Montgomery, and it felt good to leave a Bears game with a non-sour taste.

27 – Panthers (5-8) 2

There are 0 positive happenings with the Carolina Panthers. The only thing with promise is the return of Sam Darnold this week. That’s how you know it’s bad.

28 – Giants (4-9)

The Giants continue reaching new lows, and it’s honestly nothing shocking. I thought they’d at least be competitive on Sunday, but they never showed up. There just aren’t any positives with this team right now, and it’s hard to find anything positive going into next year. It’s just a mess.

29 – Jets (3-10)

You know what, Jets. At least you have 2 first round picks this year. You can always sleep well at night knowing you fleeced the Seahawks. Other than that, there’s nothing about this team that allows you to sleep well. It’s a permanent nightmare.

30 – Lions (1-11-1) 1

You might be asking, why is this team getting bumped up after getting absolutely ran over? Well, you can thank the Jacksonville Jaguars for that.

31 – Texans (2-11) 1

See above.

32 – Jaguars (2-11) 2

I don’t know how this team keeps doing it. They just reach new lows that you never could have imagined. Urban Meyer is certainly on his way out of town after a turbulent few weeks involving chastising his coordinators, benching his star RB, and fighting his rookie QB about said benching. Oh, not to mention a 17-0 loss on Sunday to boot. It just can’t get any worse in Jacksonville… can it?

All stats taken from ESPN.

Week 14 Picks

The Rams head to Arizona for a pivotal primetime matchup with the Cardinals on Monday night. (h/t Sporting News)

The regular season is coming to a close as just one month remains in the schedule. Playoff races are heating up, and clinching scenarios are finally coming into the fray. Things are going to be wild from here on out, so buckle up for the ride. I went 9-5 last week, bringing my 2021 total to 118-74-1. Let’s get into this week’s picks:

Vikings 24-20 Steelers

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, FOX

This is essentially a must-win for both teams. If either of these teams want to keep their wild card hopes alive, they need to come away with a win here. Neither team has been very consistent, and last week was quite wacky with the Vikings losing to the Lions and the Steelers eeking out a win over Baltimore. Pittsburgh’s offense has looked better in recent weeks, and their defense speaks for itself. But, the Vikings can show up and show out on any given day, especially offensively. This is a pretty even matchup, but I still don’t know what I’m going to get from these teams on any given day. I’m taking the Vikings because I still think their offense is perfectly capable, especially with Dalvin Cook returning to the lineup. But, it’s primetime Kirk Cousins, so this is bound to fail.

Ravens 20-16 Browns

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

After watching these teams play two weeks ago on SNF, I have no intention of watching this game. That was one of the ugliest games I’ve ever had the displeasure of watching, and I don’t see this one being much better. The Browns are coming off a bye and that should benefit them, especially seeing as though the Ravens just had a very physical game with the Steelers. But, I truly believe the Ravens are the much better team, and even in a tough, road environment, I trust them to win this game. When it comes to picking between Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield, the choice becomes fairly simple.

Jaguars 24-23 Titans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Why not? The Titans are coming off a bye, yes, but they were playing dreadfully heading into it. The offense won’t be magically fixed for as long as Derrick Henry is out, and while their defense is plenty good, I’ve seen them struggle against bad teams like Houston. Jacksonville has what it takes to hang around, and they can definitely get some breaks to go their way. I really don’t know why I’m feeling the Jags so much this week, but I’m sticking with my gut and sticking with this upset.

Chiefs 26-14 Raiders

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Both of these division rivals are heading in different directions, but that’s not the only reason I don’t think this game will be close. For one, we just saw the Chiefs dismantle this Raiders team on SNF a few weeks ago. Moreover, the Chiefs defense is playing better by the week, while the Raiders can’t seem to figure themselves out offensively. They were on fire against Dallas, but fizzled out against Washington. The Chiefs offense hasn’t been itself, but as I keep saying, it doesn’t need to be. Their defense will do more than enough to win this game.

Saints 23-15 Jets

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

What an ugly, ugly game. I don’t want to watch a single snap. But, I still need to pick a winner, and God knows I’ll never pick the Jets. So, enjoy your free win, New Orleans. Don’t mess this up. Even with Taysom Hill at QB, losing to this Jets team would be an extreme low. Don’t make me look foolish.

Cowboys 26-23 Washington

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

An incredibly meaningful Washington-Dallas game in December. When was the last time this happened? It feels good to be here, but unfortunately, I have a bad feeling about this game. This team has played great football over the last month and then some, but I’ll always be a cynic in these situations. The Cowboys aren’t as formidable as they were earlier this season, but this is still a very good football team. Their offense is nothing to scoff at, despite the run game struggling in recent weeks. The biggest matchup is how Washington’s improving defense handles those Dallas playmakers. If they can keep things within range, then I truly believe Washington can take advantage of a poor Cowboys defense. I actually really like the matchup here. But I don’t have it in me to pick this team. This would be a great time for them to keep proving me wrong.

Falcons 24-17 Panthers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This game is a colossal snoozefest, but like I said above, I have to pick winners. So, why not the Falcons? They didn’t have their best showing last week, and the Panthers should be well-rested coming off a bye, but I simply do not trust Carolina without Christian McCaffrey. Even if their defense shows up, I know their offense won’t. At least I know I’ll get something out of Atlanta, and that’s enough for me to pick them.

Seahawks 22-13 Texans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Yeah, no. This is another game I want nothing to do with. At least the Seahawks looked like a real football team last week. That’s more than can be said about the Texans at any given point in time.

Broncos 21-17 Lions

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, FOX

The Lions are riding the high of finally capturing their first win last week, and I think that’s enough for this game to be close. The Broncos typically play to the level of their competition, and playing the Lions close isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I’ve seen Detroit lose enough close games to know that. This should be a close one, but Denver’s talent on both sides of the ball should be enough to carry them to a victory. It wouldn’t shock me much if Detroit found a way to win another game, but picking them is just a bit too difficult.

Chargers 20-19 Giants

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, FOX

Remember guys, I have the Chargers figured out. It genuinely took everything I had in me to pick them to win this game. The only reason I did is because it will likely be Mike Glennon starting at QB once again for the Giants, and I just can’t trust him to win a game. But, if there’s anything I do know, is that the Chargers will not be themselves on Sunday. Not only do they not have Keenan Allen or Mike Williams (barring improbable comebacks from the COVID list), but this is a week in their pattern that they’re bound to lay a dud. If Daniel Jones was healthy, I genuinely would’ve picked New York here. But, as it stands, I just can’t do that.

49ers 28-24 Bengals

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, CBS

This is honestly the Week 14 game I’m most excited for. I feel very strongly about these teams, and after they both lost last week, they both desperately need wins to stay afloat in the playoff race. It’s going to be a high-intensity football game between two very good teams that I can’t wait to watch. It’s almost a perfectly even matchup as well, with both teams having physical identities centered around running the football and good defense. I think the key to this game is the potential return of Deebo Samuel. As I always say, he is the ultimate weapon, and he makes this 49ers offense instantly better. As it stands, he’s on track to play, and that’s enough for me to pick San Francisco. If he doesn’t then I can easily see Cincy coming away with a win. It all comes down to their defense, which can’t afford to play nearly as poorly as they did last week.

Buccaneers 27-20 Bills

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, CBS

When the schedule was first revealed, this was one of the most anticipated games of the year. Now, I’m just not feeling it. The Bills just aren’t a very fun team to watch, especially when they play teams worth a damn. At least I enjoy watching Tom Brady and the Bucs, who should have themselves a day. Buffalo’s defense hasn’t played like its usual self lately, and considering the emergence of Tampa’s run game with Leonard Fournette, they should have their way on that side of the ball. The Bucs defense is still a question mark, but seeing as though they’re slowly getting healthier and the Bills are as one-dimensional as they come on offense, I don’t think they’ll have a hard time slowing down Josh Allen. I’ll take the defending champs with supreme confidence.

Packers 31-10 Bears

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

Death. Taxes. The Packers blowing out the Bears on Sunday Night Football. It’s just a yearly tradition at this point. Might as well put it on Thanksgiving! This game will not be close. The Packers aren’t just the better team, but the Bears are genuinely awful. Even with Justin Fields back, their offense will be anemic in the Frozen Tundra, no matter who suits up or doesn’t for Green Bay defensively. And as Aaron Rodgers would tell you himself, he owns Chicago.

Cardinals 30-20 Rams

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

This is a lot easier than you might imagine. The Rams are a team that have run wild on inferior opponents, but anytime they play a real team, they fold in on themselves. That will surely be the case on Monday night. The Cardinals having Kyler Murray back is enough for me to pick them against anybody, but I know how the Rams work by now. I fully expect Matt Stafford to throw a couple more bad picks and for LA’s defense to fall apart. I’d be genuinely shocked at anything else.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Post-Week 13 Power Rankings

The Patriots used a strong run game and resilient defense to knock off the Bills and leap to the AFC’s #1 seed. (h/t Associated Press)

1 – Packers (9-3)

The Packers had their very late bye this week, and they’re taking full advantage of it, as some key contributors are returning to the fray this week. Jaire Alexander, Za’Darius Smith, and David Bakhtiari could all come back this week. The team has been fine without them, and they don’t necessarily need all hands on deck to beat the Bears, but it will only make them more dangerous and continue solidifying their case as the best team in football.

2 – Cardinals (10-2)

Speaking of beating the Bears, the Cardinals looked mighty impressive in doing so this Sunday. The return of Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins lifted the offense in more ways than one, and the defense played a solid game to help put things to bed early. Kyler’s use of his arm and his legs has been his forte all year long, and even in his first game back from a nagging ankle injury, he looked like his old self once again. I expect to see more of the same from him as the season winds down, and he’ll need to be on his A game this week as the Rams come into town.

3 – Patriots (9-4)

I think we can all agree that the Patriots offense wasn’t exactly the most fun to watch on Monday night. Amidst the wind and bone-chilling cold, Mac Jones played handoff simulator for 3 hours to the tune of just 3 passes thrown with 2 completed for a whopping 19 yards. But, all three Pats backs did their jobs, with Damien Harris being the star of the show. The defense also continued its stellar level of play, bending at times but never breaking when the Bills entered the redzone. It was the resilience of that unit that won the game for New England, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. This has been their identity, and I doubt we’ll see a situation where Mac only throws the ball 3 times again.

4 – Buccaneers (9-3)

The Bucs are back in rhythm and really strutting their stuff. There’s not a lot I can say about them that I haven’t said for the last few weeks, but there is one thing I want to mention. The emergence of Leonard Fournette in both the run game and the passing game has added another level to this offense that I never expected to see. It’s allowing them to open up the playbook and spread the field more than they had in the past, and I think it makes them that much more dangerous offensively. Tom Brady continues to stuff the statsheet on his way to another MVP, and the defense is clearly improving by the week as they continue getting healthier. This week’s contest against the Bills will be a tough one, but at their current pace, I like Tampa’s chances.

5 – Chiefs (8-4)

The Chiefs at home are one of the NFL’s weirdest anomalies. Something about playing in Arrowhead sucks all of Patrick Mahomes’ and his offense’s powers away. I can’t explain it, but at this point, it doesn’t matter. KC’s defense is playing like a truly elite unit, which is something I never saw coming 2 months ago. Between getting stops, forcing turnovers, and playing stout in the redzone, the Chiefs have become a team that simply doesn’t let you score. On their now 5-game win streak, they haven’t allowed a single team to score over 17 points. The last time they gave up 20 or more was on October 24th. Once again, the offense doesn’t have to be its usual firework show. The defense will get the job done.

6 – Colts (7-6)

After all the wackiness of the last month or so, I think the Colts truly relished in the proverbial tune-up against the Texans this week. They simply went out there, played their brand of football, and walked away with a clean shutout victory. What more can you ask for? Now, they head into their bye week with some great momentum as they continue pushing for a potential division title. Considering their final stretch of games, they need this week off to get themselves together and continue playing their best ball moving forward.

7 – Rams (8-4) 4

I really don’t know what to make of this team. They’re getting bumped up this high simply because other teams decided to slip up this week. Blowing out the Jaguars isn’t the most impressive thing in the world, but the Rams certainly needed that after a tumultuous last month. It was nice to see them seemingly come to fruition on both sides of the ball, but again, I won’t overreact. This is a team that has made light work of their poor schedule all year long and subsequently folded against any teams with a pulse. This can get them to the playoffs, but I don’t consider this to be an elite team at all.

8 – Cowboys (8-4) 4

I’ll be honest. I wasn’t very impressed with the Cowboys last Thursday. Like the Rams, they’re being bumped up this much because of the actions of teams above them. The offense was clearly rejuvenated by the return of Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb, but I still thought they didn’t play their best game on that side of the ball. The defense had themselves a day, but that’s easy to do when Taysom Hill is the opposing “quarterback”. I think this week’s game against a red hot Washington team will be a better indication of where the Cowboys stand on both sides of the ball. We’ll just have to wait and see.

9 – Bills (7-5)

Realistically speaking, the Bills only have themselves to blame for Monday night’s loss. If you know that the other team is going to run the same play for the entire game and you still let it beat you over and over, you deserve to lose. If you get into the redzone time and time again and don’t get any points out of it, you deserve to lose. If you can’t run the football at all in run-centric conditions, you deserve to lose. If you take bad sacks and make bad throws, then guess what? You deserve to lose. This is a good team that just can’t get out of their own way. None of their problems will fly against truly elite competition. It will hurt them in the playoffs, assuming they even get there at this point.

10 – Ravens (8-4) 2

I knew that Sunday’s game would be close. I thought the Ravens could lose, but I didn’t see it actually happening. And while any loss is concerning, this one almost felt natural. This team is still clearly struggling to find itself offensively, and a good Steelers defense ripped them apart. Meanwhile, the defensive woes reared their ugly head once again. Now, the Ravens are no longer the 1 seed in the AFC, and they only have themselves to blame. If they can’t figure out these issues soon, then it’ll be a quick one-and-done for them in January.

11 – Chargers (7-5) 3

This is an extremely bold proclamation, but I truly believe that it’s true. I think I have finally figured the Chargers out. Like I said last week, this team flip-flops every single Sunday. Last week it was a stinker against Denver, this week was a firework show against Cincinnati. I didn’t pick them to win, but I did say that it wouldn’t shock me if they did. This team has a pattern and they follow it to a T. I’m not saying they’ll lose to the Giants next week, but do not be shocked if it happens.

12 – Bengals (7-5) 5

Just when things looked like they were back on track in Cincinnati, they quite literally fumbled everything away. Despite starting the game down 24-0, the Bengals truly could have and arguably should have won on Sunday, but two key plays ruined their day. A poor Jamarr Chase drop on a perfect throw that should’ve resulted in a TD and an inopportune Joe Mixon fumble when the team was driving to take the lead that was returned for a touchdown killed any hopes of an improbable comeback win. It also didn’t help that the defense forgot how to play football for a while. I still like what this team has going on, but that was a truly poor showing from a group that knows it’s better than this. Next up is a very tough game against the team one spot below them, and a loss could truly derail what was once a promising year for this young team.

13 – 49ers (6-6) 3

I just hate good teams losing to bad teams. I hate it even more when the good team should actually have won the game. The 49ers only have themselves to blame for Sunday’s loss. Between a poor safety taken and not being able to punch the ball in with the game on the line, there can be no excuses made for this team. While they still hold a playoff spot, things can go very south very quickly with a difficult schedule ahead of them. I think they’ll be fine once Deebo Samuel comes back, but they better hope that’s ASAP. They need him badly.

14 – Titans (8-4) 1

Even after a bye, I have no idea what to make of the Titans. Without Derrick Henry, their offense is still going to be an eye sore. They better hope their defense can carry them to victory in these next few weeks.

15 – Washington (6-6) 2

I really have no idea how we got here. But we did, and it’s fun. Out of nowhere, the WFT has the longest winning streak in the conference and the 3rd longest in the league, and the team now sits in the 6 seed in the NFC. Simply put, this team finds ways to win. They play hard-nosed football and they go out and earn it every Sunday. The defense is still playing fantastic ball, the run game has found itself once again, and Taylor Heinicke is a rollercoaster, but he’s tougher than a $2 steak when it matters most. Now, the season comes down to 5 straight games against NFC East opponents, starting with the Cowboys this Sunday. As I said last week, everything is directly in front of this team to take. The playoffs essentially start now. I’m hoping and praying that they don’t let me down.

16 – Eagles (6-7) 3

You know what really impresses me in this league? Winning with backup QBs. It says a lot about a team when you can do that. Even against a lowly opponent like the Jets, Gardner Minshew and the Eagles’ performance on Sunday left a good impression. Jalen Hurts should be back after this bye week, and this team is trending in a very good direction. I have no doubt that they’ll be in the playoff mix for the next month.

17 – Broncos (6-6) 1

The Broncos played a weird game on Sunday night. Their defense was excellent from start to finish thanks to some lucky breaks. They were able to get the ball downfield, especially with the run game thanks to a huge night from Javonte Williams, but they simply refused to score. Between missed kicks, turnovers, or just bad breaks, this team couldn’t get out of their own way. It’s unfortunate, but it happens to everyone. This is still a solid team that is right in the thick of the wild card race, and I really think they have what it takes to sneak into the playoffs. But they have to stop beating themselves first.

18 – Vikings (5-7) 3

Let’s be honest. We all should have seen that coming. Even after this team battled back to take a late lead, we should have known what would happen next. A loss on a touchdown at the buzzer to the Lions to give them their lone win is a perfect microcosm of what this team is in 2021. And that’s all I’ll say about the Minnesota Vikings.

19 – Raiders (6-6) 1

The Raiders didn’t play their worst game by any stretch on Sunday. They were simply stifled enough offensively to have their defense lose the game late. It could’ve gone either way. It was the 4th loss in 5 games for this team that continues to fall apart from a record perspective, but I still think this is a solid team. Maybe not a playoff team, but they can give anyone a game on their best day. Sunday was simply not their best day.

20 – Steelers (6-5-1) 1

I knew the Steelers wouldn’t lay down and die again on Sunday, and I will say that I was very impressed with their ability to actually win the game. They showcased an energy on both sides of the ball that I hadn’t seen from them in a while. The return of T.J. Watt was truly a catalyst for that defense, as he had 3.5 sacks himself and the rest of the unit did enough to win the game late. The offense also had a pulse, which is always a shock. It was an emotional game against their biggest rival, so these things make sense. But, I still doubt this team’s ability to replicate this in the future.

21 – Browns (6-6) 1

Thankfully for my eyes, I didn’t have to watch the Browns this week. They return from their bye with a tough game against the Ravens, who they just lost to last week. After seeing how that game played out, I don’t see why this week should go any differently.

22 – Dolphins (6-7) 1

The second longest winning streak in the NFL resides in South Beach. The Dolphins have won five in a row. And guess what? I don’t care. Those wins have come against the Texans, Jets, Ravens, Panthers, and Giants. All teams who are either straight up bad or struggling right now. But, wins are wins, and this team has played their way into the playoff mix. Their defense has looked very good, and their offense is playing efficient football that wins them games. It’s a solid formula, but I just don’t think it will work against truly great teams. Luckily for the Dolphins, they don’t have any of those left on their schedule outside of a Week 18 game against New England. So, believe it or not, this team could somehow make the playoffs.

23 – Saints (5-7) 1

I just have one thing to say to the Saints. Please stop doing this Taysom Hill thing. He’s a solid player and a true gadget guy, but he’s not an NFL QB. Not even close. He can win games when the team around him is elite, but that’s not the case with this Saints team. And thus, it will only fail miserably. I don’t know why Sean Payton is so in love with Taysom Hill, and I never will. But I do know that this is ugly. Just start Trevor Siemian. Unless you’re actively trying to lose games.

24 – Falcons (5-7)

The Falcons essentially played exactly how I predicted they would on Sunday. After a while, it’s pretty easy to get a read on this team. There’s nothing I can say right now that hasn’t been the case for so many weeks at this point. There’s still hope that they can end the year strong, but other than that, there’s not a lot of hope in Atlanta.

25 – Panthers (5-7)

I enjoy weeks where I don’t have to watch Cam Newton play football. Those are some pretty good weeks. Hopefully that doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy this week. But I know that I won’t enjoy watching this team play.

26 – Seahawks (4-8) 2

Against all odds, the Seahawks won a football game. And they didn’t look awful doing it. They easily could have lost on Sunday, but they did what they had to do to pull off a pretty nice win. Good for them. I still think this team is awful, but I’ll respect them this week because Tyler Lockett put up some nice numbers for my fantasy team. Thanks, guys.

27 – Bears (4-8) 1

This is a very bad football team. There’s not much more that can be said. Justin Fields returning to the lineup this week provides a bit of an offensive spark, but we’ve seen enough of this offense to know that sparks die very quickly. And against the Packers, they might not even light that spark.

28 – Giants (4-8) 1

I can’t fault this team for losing with a backup QB. I told you guys how bad they’d play with Mike Glennon at QB, and that’s exactly what happened. Can’t expect too much out of an already bad team starting a bad QB. At least this team is on pace for two top 10 picks. But, knowing the Giants, they’ll probably find some way to mess them up.

29 – Jets (3-9)

Getting steamrolled by Gardner Minshew isn’t a very good look. But then again, this is the New York Jets. They haven’t known what a good look is in 50 years.

30 – Jaguars (2-10)

I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times. The Jaguars have been the exact same team for almost this entire season. But it’s not like there’s anything wrong with that. This is who we expect the Jaguars to be every week. This is how rebuilds work.

31 – Lions (1-10-1) 1

They did it. The Lions finally captured that elusive first win, and it took a touchdown at the buzzer to do it. I’m genuinely happy for them. You could see how much it meant to Jared Goff, Dan Campbell, the rest of the team, and especially the fans. I can imagine it’s quite a feeling. Good for them. I told you guys this team wouldn’t go winless. And when am I ever wrong?

32 – Texans (2-10) 1

Somehow, the Texans have returned to the #32 spot. They just can’t escape this. And if you wan’t answers, go look at the box score of Sunday’s game. That should tell the story just fine.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Week 13 Picks

Mac Jones and the Patriots head to Buffalo to take on Josh Allen and the Bills in a pivotal AFC matchup on Monday Night Football.

December is here, meaning only one month remains in the regular season. It’s do or die time for playoff contenders across football, of which there seem to be more than ever before. This week promises to not only be pivotal for the playoff race, but also very fun to watch in the process. I went a measly 8-7 last week, bringing my season total to 109-69-1. Can’t afford another mediocre performance. Let’s get into this week’s picks:

Cowboys 24-23 Saints

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, FOX

Two teams that got embarrassed on Thanksgiving at home trying to make up for it a week later to start December. What a storyline. I was very close to picking the Saints in this game based on how the Cowboys have been playing lately and the fact that New Orleans is starting Taysom Hill in this game, who for some reason fires up this team more than anyone. But, Alvin Kamara is still out, and that makes it impossible for me to trust that offense. Plus, the Cowboys are getting some reinforcements with Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb returning to the lineup to help out the offense. While I don’t think Dallas will necessarily look prolific, they’ll do enough against a struggling Saints defense to win a tough game on the road.

Buccaneers 31-14 Falcons

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Tampa Bay seems to have found their rhythm again after back-to-back good looking wins. Atlanta isn’t exactly much of a threat to throw that rhythm off. I think the biggest thing about last week’s win for the Bucs was the emergence of their run game. If they can take the load off of Tom Brady’s shoulders, this offense somehow becomes more dangerous. Plus, the return of Rob Gronkowski appears to have helped Brady a ton. So, I expect to see another big offensive day from Tampa against a Falcons team that doesn’t show up against teams with a pulse.

Cardinals 30-13 Bears

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Could this be the week the Cardinals get Kyler Murray back? Even if they don’t, this should be an easy win for them. The Bears haven’t exactly looked like the greatest offensive team in the world in recent weeks, and if Kyler does come back, then their defense is also in for a rude awakening. The Cards using their bye week to get healthy should terrify the rest of the NFC. Chicago will be the first team to feel that wrath.

Bengals 27-24 Chargers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

I would be so much more excited for this game if the Chargers weren’t, you know, the Chargers. However, if their pattern is any indication, then they should show up to play this week. The idea of Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert facing off for the first time is enough to get me to watch, but this game means so much more in the bigger picture. The Bengals need to keep winning games if they want to get closer to a potential division title, and the Chargers can’t afford to lose many more games in pursuit of their own playoff spot. Both of these teams will be playing with urgency, and the Bengals have proven that they are the far better team when faced with that circumstance. Their last 2 games have been complete clinics, whereas the Chargers are a complete coinflip from week to week. One team gives you an indication that they’ll show up, the other has no idea. I’ll roll with the more consistent team.

Vikings 26-17 Lions

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

I really don’t want to say this will be easy for the Vikings considering how their first matchup with Detroit went this year. But, I feel like they’ll be playing with a lot more urgency in this game. The loss of Dalvin Cook undoubtedly hurts, but Alexander Mattison has proven himself as a worthwhile backup that will be very productive. Moreover, the Lions will be without DeAndre Swift, so I just don’t see them getting anything going offensively. This could be close for a bit, but if the Vikings don’t win, it won’t only be a shock, but a disgrace. And somehow, it would still make so much sense.

Dolphins 23-13 Giants

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The Dolphins are hilarious. This stretch of their schedule has been so easy, and they are just tearing through it. Now, they get a Giants team with a backup QB in Mike Glennon, and seemingly another easy W. The Giants already had no offense with Daniel Jones under center. Do you really expect anything more with Glennon? I don’t. Especially not against a Miami defense that has played very well as of late. Plus, their offense has found a groove as well. This should be a breeze for the Dolphins to extend their winning streak to a whopping 5 games.

Eagles 28-17 Jets

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

The Eagles squandered a perfect opportunity to establish themselves as a true playoff contender in the NFC last week against the Giants. Luckily for them, they get the other New York team here. The Jets did just win, but that was the Texans. The Eagles are a real football team. Or at least they’ve looked like one in the last month or so. If they screw this up, then there will be nobody to blame but themselves. I just don’t see that happening.

Colts 30-10 Texans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

The Colts have returned to their old ways of not being able to hold onto leads. It’s really a shame to see. Luckily for them, they get a team that isn’t really capable of coming back this week. The Texans are definitely at their best with Tyrod Taylor, but their best is nothing close to that of a team as talented as Indy. This is a great opportunity for them to bounce back and potentially find themselves just 1.5 games back of Tennessee for first place.

Raiders 24-20 Washington

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, FOX

This is a tough one. Both of these teams looked pretty good last week. Washington has looked much better over the last few weeks, but the Raiders still have the talent to win any game. I’m picking them for a few reasons. For one, they played last Thursday, whereas the WFT played on Monday night. Another is that it’s a long road trip for Washington. But to put it plainly, I simply don’t trust us to win a game this important after so many good-looking wins. It’s just not in our DNA. Even without Darren Waller, I can already see Derek Carr carving up this defense that has been so stout for over a month now. I’ve been a fan of this team for too long to not foresee these types of collapses.

Rams 29-14 Jaguars

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, FOX

If the Rams lay another dud against a team as poor as Jacksonville, we will need to start having some very serious conversations. LA has run through the terrible teams on their schedule all season long, so this shouldn’t be too different. But, nothing would shock me at this point. The Jags have proven that they can play up to their competition. Perhaps this will be closer than I predict.

Ravens 20-17 Steelers

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, CBS

Nothing better than a Ravens-Steelers game on a cold December evening. Neither of these teams has looked very good in recent weeks, but the Ravens have undoubtedly looked better. The Steelers continue to fall apart more and more with every passing week, and last week was the culmination of all that. At least Baltimore is finding ways to win games. Their defense was the star of the show on Sunday night, and they should do a good job of containing a lifeless Steelers offense. At that point, it’ll just be up to Lamar to play a mistake-free game and win it. I’m not sure how much I trust him to do that right now, but like I said, they always seem to find a way to pull it out.

49ers 23-16 Seahawks

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, CBS

The loss of Deebo Samuel hurts this 49ers team tremendously. There is no doubt about that. I think they’ll struggle a bit offensively as they figure out a way to get both the ground and air games going without their ultimate weapon. But, their talent and coaching should be enough to overcome that against a team as bad as Seattle. The Seahawks have no offense or defense right now, and any team with a pulse should beat them without any hitches. They needed terrible refereeing and all the luck in the world to even come close to beating Washington last week. The 49ers are a much better team than that.

Chiefs 27-20 Broncos

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

It may not seem like it, but this is actually a hell of a game. The Broncos are somehow just a game back of the Chiefs, and a win here puts them in first place against all odds. These teams have both had very strange seasons up to this point, and in a primetime divisional game, anything is possible. I just find it too hard to pick against the Chiefs coming off a bye, especially considering how hot they were beforehand. Their offense was doing enough, and their defense was rising to the occasion. Riding a 4-game win streak into a bye as the best team in football off byes is a pretty good place to be. The Broncos are a solid team that will hang around, but I just don’t see how they come out of KC with their biggest win in years.

Patriots 26-23 Bills

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

This might just be the biggest game of the 2021 season thus far. Not only is this game for first place in the division, but if the cards unfold in the right way, it could be for the 1 seed in the AFC. Not to mention both of these teams playing on fire coming into this game. The Bills have slipped up a bit in the last month, but their blowout win on Thanksgiving has them trending in the right direction. Meanwhile, the Patriots are riding the NFL’s best win streak of 6 games coming into MNF. Everything is lined up for this game to be a great one. It’s those aforementioned slip-ups from Buffalo that makes it too difficult to pick them. New England has been so consistent on both sides of the ball, and their level of play has been better than almost any team in football. Their defense has been absolutely suffocating, and considering Josh Allen’s tendency to struggle sometimes (not to mention the complete lack of a run game behind him), it just feels like the Patriots can’t lose this game. I think the Bills will do enough to keep this close, but the better team will come out on top.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Week 12 Picks

The stars will be out and about all day long on Thanksgiving, the premier football holiday of the season. (h/t NFL.com)

Happy Thanksgiving! This fantastic holiday of food, family, and football is finally upon us, and it should be a blast. This promises to be a great weekend of celebration, but of football as well. I hope you enjoy. I went 10-5 in Week 11, bringing my season total to 101-62-1. Looks like I’m getting back on track. Let’s get into this week’s picks:

Lions 20-17 Bears

Thursday, 12:30 PM EST, FOX

I’m feeling the holiday spirit here. Why not pick the Lions to win their first game on their annual Thanksgiving afternoon with America? There’s no better time for them to get that elusive first W. It helps that Tim Boyle won’t be their QB in this game. Meanwhile, the Bears will be starting their backup QB in Andy Dalton, and while I think he’s plenty capable of leading this team to victory, I’m feeling generous today. This Detroit team is long overdue for a win, and it just feels right to get it on a day like today.

Cowboys 27-16 Raiders

Thursday, 4:30 PM EST, CBS

This game looked a lot better a few weeks ago, but there is still a bit of hope that the football gods finally give us a good Cowboys thanksgiving game. However, I’m not hoping too hard. The wheels have completely come off the Raiders, and the Cowboys have been struggling in recent weeks. But, Dallas is still a far better team as of right now, and they should be able to win this game with ease. They need a game like this against a lifeless opponent to help them get back on track after being stifled last week. They’ll still be without some offensive pieces, but Vegas doesn’t pose much of a threat anyways. This game is your perfect opportunity to take that nap before eating. Or after. I don’t judge.

Saints 24-23 Bills

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

The Thanksgiving nightcap is a battle of two teams that are really lost right now. The Saints have an excuse, at least. The Bills, on the other hand, have no excuse to be playing this poorly. Coming off another very tough loss, it’s just hard to put any faith in them. I think the Saints still have the will and the fight to win games, but it will be hard without Alvin Kamara once again. I don’t really know why I’m picking the Saints here, but it feels like the right pick. Being at home in front of those fans on Thanksgiving night, I just feel like them winning makes too much sense. My only hope is that this game can make up for whatever conversations we all have around the dinner table.

Bengals 23-20 Steelers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This is as pivotal as it gets, not just in the AFC North, but in the conference as a whole. Both of these teams cannot afford a loss at this point in the season, and the winner will be sitting a lot more comfortably in the playoff picture. The first meeting between these teams wasn’t very close, but I think the Steelers are playing much better now than they were then. I also think the Bengals aren’t playing with the same level of offensive explosiveness as that early season game. This will be a much closer game, but I still think Cincy has what it takes to pull this one out. I like the way their defense has been playing, and with Pittsburgh still dealing with a plethora of defensive injuries, I think Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense will do just enough to pull out a massive victory.

Colts 27-21 Buccaneers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

As far as inter-conference matchups go, this is about as interesting as it gets. In my opinion, these are two of the best teams in football, and if last week’s games were any indication, both of these teams are playing extremely well and finding their stride. Not a lot separates these teams on paper, as both use a killer offense and suffocating defense to win their games. But, the Colts have one aspect to them that nobody else has. And his name is Jonathan Taylor. JT has been playing like an MVP candidate, and while the Bucs are usually stout against RBs, they haven’t seen this guy yet. Even if they slow him down, I truly think Carson Wentz has what it takes to win this game with his arm considering all of Tampa’s injuries in the secondary. I always have a hard time picking against Tom Brady, but the inconsistencies of the Bucs makes it hard to pick them against a team that has been much more consistent as of late.

Dolphins 24-21 Panthers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This is the kind of game where you throw your hands in the air and say “what the heck” when you pick it. The Dolphins have been playing very well this month, winning 3 straight games, albeit against rather weak opposition (and the Ravens). The highlight of that win streak has been their resurgent defense, which makes it a bit easier to pick them to upset a Panthers team that is clearly still figuring themselves out offensively. Carolina puts up their numbers on that side of the ball, but it still feels like there’s too many moving parts, and their offensive line has been a struggle bus all year long. I don’t have much faith in Miami’s offense, but with the way the team has been playing lately, I can easily see them picking up another win against a Panthers team that is simply treading water right now.

Patriots 21-13 Titans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

A lot of people would tell you that these are probably the two best teams in the AFC. So, why am I not feeling it with this game? Oh yeah, that’s right, it’s because the Titans are an unwatchable mess without Derrick Henry. Still, this game has plenty of intrigue across the board. Belichick vs. Vrabel and both of their great defenses facing off is enough to get me to watch this one. In a defensive battle, you either take the better defense or the better offense on the other side to win. Luckily for me, both reside with the Patriots. Their offense is easily better with the Titans lacking the best RB in football, and their defense has been playing like the best in football over the last month or so. I just don’t see Tennessee getting anything going offensively in this game, and that’ll be more than enough for the Patriots to get the job done.

Eagles 29-15 Giants

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The trope is that divisional games are usually close. That will not be the case in this game. These two teams couldn’t be going in any more different directions. The Eagles are starting to piece things together and are playing their best football in a very long time, whereas the Giants can’t find a semblance of an offensive identity and are a constant eyesore. Assuming these trends continue, I don’t see this game being very close. There’s always the chance that the Giants decide to show up for once, and considering the way this season has gone, it wouldn’t surprise me. I just can’t predict it.

Falcons 27-24 Jaguars

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

No. Just… no. I don’t want to watch this game. You don’t want to watch this game. I don’t even want to talk about it. I was honestly very close to picking the Jags here considering the Falcons haven’t scored a point in 7 quarters, but I’m just saying screw it and picking Atlanta for no rhyme or reason. They’re the better team, and they should win. It would not shock me at all if that doesn’t end up being the case.

Texans 20-14 Jets

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Well folks, here you have it. This is likely the worst matchup of the entire 2021 NFL season. Bask in its glory. At least we’re getting this out of the way. Better late than never. The Texans have shown significantly more fight with Tyrod Taylor as their QB this season, and I don’t even know who’ll be starting at QB for the Jets. So, this is an easy pick for me. And that’s the last thing I ever want to say about this game.

Chargers 28-24 Broncos

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

Now this is a divisional game that could both be close and rather entertaining. The Broncos are coming off a bye and should come into this game very well-rested and well-prepared. Meanwhile, the Chargers are coming off a huge, high-octane win over the Steelers on primetime last week. This is a very even matchup that could very easily go either way. I’d love to pick the Broncos here, as playing at Mile High is never easy for a road team, but the Chargers just appear to be too solid to lose a game this important for them. I think they know what’s on the line, and they’ll find a way to pull this off. It wouldn’t shock me if their trend of laying duds after huge wins continues here. I’m just hoping it doesn’t.

Packers 27-20 Rams

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

This could very well be the biggest game of the NFL season, not just on paper, but in terms of impact on the league as well. The playoff picture, division races, MVP race; everything is in the balance in Green Bay on Sunday. A game of this magnitude should feel harder to pick, but I have absolutely no reservations whatsoever in picking the Packers. This is a team that is playing better than almost anyone else in football, even despite last week’s loss. The Rams are coming off a bye, and their performance in this game is the story I can’t wait to watch. The last time we saw them, they were getting pushed around by the Titans and 49ers. How do they fare against another physical team in the Packers? I think it will be more of the same. They should be able to keep this closer, sheerly based on rest and preparation, but I have no doubt that the better team will come out on top in this massive NFC showdown.

49ers 29-26 Vikings

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

This is yet another remarkably intriguing matchup to me. These are two teams that have essentially had the exact same seasons. They both refused to realize their potential, but now, they’re starting to figure things out, and both teams are primed to make second half playoff pushes. Not a lot differentiates these teams, but I’m rocking with the 49ers for a couple reasons. The biggest one is the resurgence of their defense, which has allowed just 10 points in back to back games. But, their offensive identity of running the ball physically and passing it efficiently seems like a very solid winning formula for any home games that they know they can control. If they can keep Kirk Cousins and the Vikings offense on the sideline, then the 49ers shouldn’t have too much trouble in this game. We’ll see what version of their offense we get.

Ravens 24-19 Browns

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

This game looked a whole lot better just a few weeks ago, but there is still some promise here. These AFC North games are always fun, and the Ravens are getting Lamar Jackson back, so they won’t be unwatchable like last week. The Browns, on the other hand, have been quite unwatchable over the last 2 weeks, as neither side of the ball has any sort of life or momentum. It’s hard to pick them in a game this big in a situation like that. At least I know what I’m going to get out of the Ravens, especially offensively. The Browns give me no confidence, and that makes it impossible to pick them here.

Washington 26-17 Seahawks

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

This is the ultimate Raza trap pick here. Monday Night Football against the Seahawks when we’re playing well and they’re playing horribly? You already know Seattle is going to win this game simply based on the parameters. Still, I will have faith in my team to continue this win streak and finally break, or at least start to break the MNF curse. I know we’re going to lose, but it won’t stop me from picking them. This team has inspired a level of confidence in me that I didn’t think they had in them over the last 2 weeks through extremely resilient play that honestly inspires me. A combination of that and the lifeless, flopping around nature of the Seahawks make this pick seemingly easy. But, again, a loss here makes all the sense in the world. I am praying to the football gods that, for once, they are on our side.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Post-Week 11 Power Rankings

The Chiefs are back in business, using a resurgent defense and solid enough offense to fuel their 4-game win streak. (h/t Denny Medley, USA Today Sports)

1 – Cardinals (9-2) 1

The never-ending flip-flop of 1 and 2 continues this week with the Cardinals jumping back up to the top after a very nice win with their backups once again taking center stage. Colt McCoy, James Conner, and the rest of the offense had their way with the porous Seattle defense all game long to the tune of over 400 yards of offense. Once again, this team proved their depth and was very impressive in doing so. The questions with Kyler Murray’s health still remain, and he better come back soon if the Cards want to lock up a 1 seed as the season winds down.

2 – Packers (8-3) 1

The Packers defense played a poor game. That’s no secret. But, this team has played so well as of late with all of their injuries that a game like this was bound to happen. I’m not going to be harsh on them for very nearly winning despite all of their defensive shortcomings. If Green Bay had won on Sunday, everyone would agree they’d be the best team in the league. I don’t think putting them at 2 after losing at the buzzer is a big deal. Just look at the rest of the league falling apart at the top. This offense is still great, as was on display on Sunday, and the defense will be just fine, especially after getting all of their stars back. Pump the brakes, don’t overreact.

3 – Buccaneers (7-3) 4

I’m not too keen on putting the Bucs this high, but considering the way so many teams above them fared this week, it’s deserved. Tampa finally showed up and did their job in a dominant showing on Monday night, highlighted by one of their better defensive performances of the season. The offense looked nice as well, but that’s almost always the case. This team is dominant at home, now sitting at 6-0, so you can always count on them to show up when they’re comfortable. I still need this team to prove themselves to me when they’re uncomfortable.

4 – Patriots (7-4) 4

It seems to be a well known fact now that nobody in football is playing better than the Patriots in the last month or so. Let’s just put some numbers on display. This team is outscoring its opponents 94-13 in its last 3 games, including a 63-0 run in the last 7 quarters. They also haven’t allowed more than 7 points in a game since Halloween. Seems pretty good, doesn’t it? This defense is playing like it’s the best in football, and this offense is one of the more well-oiled machines in all of football. They found their winning formula, and now, they have found their stride. It’s as simple as that.

5 – Chiefs (7-4) 5

Well, well, well. Look who decided to show back up to the party. Now, even I will acknowledge that this might be a little high for the team I told you guys not to overreact to just a few weeks ago. But, in the time since then, I believe they have proven themselves, and proven me wrong in the process. Like the Patriots, this team has found its winning formula, and it somehow doesn’t revolve around Patrick Mahomes and the offense. It’s actually the defense, which looked nonexistent in the first half of the season, which has turned itself around and become the focal point of the team. They have been shutting down offenses left and right, and all Mahomes and company need to do is put up enough points. It’s a formula that doesn’t feel familiar with the Chiefs, but it’s working like a charm. We’ll see how it works down the stretch.

6 – Rams (7-3)

The Rams had a much-needed bye last week, and now it’s do or die time for them. It’s time for them to show us if they are truly a contender with stars everywhere, or a misalignment of elite talent that simply doesn’t have what it takes to get the job done. Which shall it be?

7 – Colts (6-5) 4

Please do yourself a favor and throw the 6-5 record out of the window when analyzing this team. Because once you do that, you’ll realize that they’re one of the best in football, just as I have. What isn’t there to like here? Jonathan Taylor is now playing at an MVP rate after an incredible 5 touchdown day, Carson Wentz is playing very well, and this defense is nothing short of elite. They can beat you in so many different ways, and rest assured, they will beat you. This team has figured themselves out, and it’s a scary sight. The back end of their schedule is very tough, so those difficult early losses could come back to bite. But the way this team is playing right now, I have full confidence in them to fight and fight and keep their playoff hopes alive.

8 – Cowboys (7-3) 4

Twice in three weeks, I have seen this Cowboys offense get dismantled by a defense that we would otherwise scoff at. Seems to be a bit of a problem. I do want to cut these guys some slack, though. Amari Cooper and Tyron Smith both didn’t play on Sunday, and CeeDee Lamb left the game at halftime. That being said, there’s never really an excuse to not find the endzone a single time against your opponent. We know the Chiefs are playing better defense than they did to start the season, but this is supposed to be a truly elite offense in Dallas. Even without Cooper, they still had Lamb for a half, not to mention Zeke and Tony Pollard out of the backfield with quite the capable QB in Dak Prescott. Why have they been so quiet (outside of a virtual bye week against Atlanta)? This offense better wake itself up soon, or the rest of the NFC will pass the Cowboys by like they’re a minivan on the interstate.

9 – Titans (8-3) 6

It is impossible to wrap your head around this team. Go ahead, try it. 7-0 against 2020 playoff teams. Beating teams with under 200 yards of offense and without Derrick Henry. Elite defense one week, terrible defense the next. Losses to the Jets and now the Texans. This team has shown me everything this season. Now, I don’t know what to do with them. It was abundantly clear that this was a completely different team without their star RB; a team that completely lacked an offensive identity. But at least they were winning games. Now, Henry’s absence has caught up to them. 4 picks from Ryan Tannehill was a performance we should have seen coming. I know what their record says, but without Henry, I just don’t see this team doing all that, and it’s finally catching up to them.

10 – Chargers (6-4) 2

To all 34 Charger fans out there, how do you guys do this? I mean, seriously. I don’t think I could handle a week of this. And I’m a DC sports fan. This team played such a good game on Sunday night, only to nearly Charger it several times in the 4th. Thank God for Justin Herbert, right? Once again, this team seems to be winning all of the games they typically lose. The only problem is that in between those wins they lay so many duds. Who knows what next week will bring with this team?

11 – Ravens (7-3) 2

Moving the Ravens down 2 spots isn’t an indictment on them. Hell, they just won with Tyler Huntley at QB leading a game-winning drive. I know they’ll be fine when Lamar stops getting sick every week. I was pleasantly surprised with their defense as well as the depth that they continue to show on offense. This is a team that feels primed for a strong second half surge. I just need to see it with Lamar.

12 – Bills (6-4) 7

So, something is fundamentally wrong with this team. Does anyone know what it is? Because I sure as hell don’t. Their offense is now nonexistent as Josh Allen has regressed to his old ways. And that once elite defense? Yeah, they might as well be the Panthers considering how much they statpadded against weaker competition. To put it plainly, this team tricked us badly. I’m done giving into those tricks. Once again, they were exposed, and this time it was by a real AFC contender. They’re not even the best team in their division anymore. I’m not burying this team, but they are tempting me. Unless they magically return to the Bills of September and October, I just don’t see this team doing anything substantial.

13 – Bengals (6-4)

The Bengals essentially did exactly what I thought they were going to do on Sunday. They went out, did their thing, and showed their stripes after a much-needed bye. They looked how I thought they would on both sides of the ball, and I think such a strong performance will help them get their mojo back as they try to pull away in this wild divisional and conference playoff race. As I’ve said before, I truly think this team has what it takes, and Sunday’s win in the desert was a huge step in the right direction.

14 – Vikings (5-5) 3

What do we have here? The Vikings are actually winning big games? I’m genuinely shocked. But in the best way possible. I’m happy that this team is starting to realize its potential, but still upset that it didn’t happen sooner. This team has always been better than their record, and it looks like the rest of the league is finally going to start to notice that. The defense didn’t play its best game against the Packers, but the offense was dazzling from start to finish. Kirk Cousins is having perhaps his best season yet, and he’ll need to keep it up if this team wants to make the playoff push that I know they can. The only question is whether or not they will.

15 – Steelers (5-4-1) 1

I was honestly impressed with the Steelers on Sunday night. They showed a ton of fight, never backed down, and even looked pretty good offensively. The biggest hole was their defense, which was to be expected with all of their injuries on that side of the ball. I have no doubt in my mind that Sunday’s game goes differently with T.J. Watt in the lineup. Alas, here the Steelers are, simply treading water in this tight division race. I think once they get healthy, they’ll figure it out. I’m not ready to stick a fork in this team at all. They’ve proven themselves to me offensively, and once their defense is at full strength once again, I think they’ll make the playoffs with ease.

16 – 49ers (5-5) 2

Like the Vikings, the 49ers are finally starting to figure it out and realize their potential. It makes me very happy. This team has returned to its roots and original identity of physical, run-first football, but the passing game has also emerged as a very solid and effective way of putting up points. The committee of RBs has done its job, Jimmy Garoppollo has looked great in recent weeks, and Deebo Samuel is simply the ultimate weapon in football. Run him out of the backfield, throw him a screen, send him downfield, it doesn’t matter. When he gets involved offensively, good things happen. Oh, and this defense is looking like itself again, especially in the secondary. Watch out for this team as a potential wild card dark horse. As long as they play like this, they can pull any upset on that first weekend of playoff football.

17 – Eagles (5-6) 2

The Birds just keep on doing it. There aren’t many more teams in the league I’ve enjoyed watching as of late than the Eagles, which is well documented at this point. This team is just so much fun. Jalen Hurts is figuring it out right before our very eyes, and even this defense is stepping up and making all sorts of plays. I think it’s time to not only dub the Eagles as one of the best young teams in the NFL, but a potential playoff team. With an unbelievably easy finish to their schedule, it’s entirely possible that this team could sneak into a wild card spot in the upcoming weeks. If they continue this level of play, I don’t see what’s stopping them.

18 – Saints (5-5) 3

It appears as though all of the Saints’ injuries are finally catching up to them. The absence of Alvin Kamara has left a major hole in their offense; a hole that isn’t easily filled by the likes of Trevor Siemian. My biggest question with this team is their defense, which has seemingly disappeared in recent weeks. It was their strong suit and their backbone for so many wins, and without it, this team is all but hopeless. With Kamara expected to miss even more time, things could get uglier even quicker. New Orleans might not enjoy their Thanksgiving night as much as they’d like to tomorrow.

19 – Browns (6-5) 3

Oh man. I know they say the rich get richer, but do the poor get poorer as well? Because it appears that’s happening to the Browns. I don’t care that they won. They were in a complete struggle with the Lions from wire to wire, and it’s largely because of Baker Mayfield’s QB ability, or complete lack thereof. This offense has been a complete dumpster fire since the Bengals game, and I can’t understand why. Critics don’t even have OBJ to scapegoat anymore, so the clear problem is Baker. He is continuing to hold this team back. Yes, Cleveland’s run game is more than enough to put this team in positions to win games, but that’s just not a winning formula in 2021. I don’t want to bury my pick to win the AFC this early, but it’s getting really close to happening. With Baker playing the way he is, this team is on the thinnest ice in the world.

20 – Broncos (5-5) 2

The Broncos won their bye week by having so many teams in the same tier as them forget how to play football for a weekend. Good for them. Who knows what the back stretch of the year holds for this team? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

21 – Washington (4-6) 5

Is this team back? No, I told myself I wouldn’t get my hopes up. It’s hard not to do that after two massive wins filled with exciting plays and pure winning football. Once again, this team fought and fought all game long, making every play necessary on both sides of the ball to ensure a victory. Taylor Heinicke is showing more resilience than prime Tony Romo, and this defense has somehow returned to form, giving up plays here and there but stepping up when they’re called upon. I think this team has what it takes to win games this way, and it can clearly work against any team from Tampa to Carolina. The final stretch of the schedule is a rather interesting one, and the next couple of games will tell us how sustainable this formula truly is.

22 – Panthers (5-6) 1

There is no doubt that the return of Cam has done wonders for this team. Their offense is alive once again. That is, until they aren’t. In crunch time against Washington, this team folded on both sides of the ball, but especially offensively. When the going got tough, Cam was lost and confused. Part of that was the play of Washington’s defense, but these players have to shoulder some blame as well. I will say that this team has played better than I thought they would, and I think they have a nice thing going. Perhaps they’ve found some momentum to carry into next season.

23 – Raiders (5-5) 3

I’m not wasting my time here. I’m simply not going to talk about this team. You can’t make me do anything.

24 – Bears (3-7) 1

I’m not sure how to feel about the Bears after Sunday’s game. Losing your starting QB to injury and fighting through it to nearly win the game with an incredible 4th down play is very admirable, but choking the way they did is a bit less admirable. This is just the same old Bears team to me. With Fields at the helm, it felt like they would put themselves in positions to win. But, with him out, I fear that won’t be the case much longer.

25 – Dolphins (4-7) 3

I won’t go crazy over the Dolphins beating yet another bottom feeder, but this team has still looked plenty nice in recent weeks. Nothing stands out or jumps off the screen other than their defense, which is finally realizing its potential. But, until I see it more consistently, and hopefully against better opposition, this is where they remain.

26 – Seahawks (3-7) 3

I mean, come on. This team is the epitome of a joke. Every time we think it can’t get any worse, it does. It just gets worse and worse. Going from getting shut out to losing to a backup QB at home? What’s next? Losing a Monday Night Football game to a team that is literally allergic to winning on MNF? God I hope so.

27 – Falcons (4-6) 3

All I’ll say about the Falcons is that it’s funny that 28 – 3 = 25. Life is just poetic sometimes.

28 – Giants (3-7) 1

The Giants are truly one of the hardest watches in football. Their offensive identity is simply nonexistent. You know it’s bad when your tackle has more touchdowns than your first-round or $72 million WR. I still don’t know what it will take to solve this team’s plethora of issues. I’m done trying to figure it out.

29 – Jaguars (2-8)

There’s not a lot I can say about the Jags that I haven’t been saying for weeks now. It’s the same story every single Sunday with this team, and that’s fine. I give them a pass as a rebuilding team with arguably the worst roster in football. It just gets tiring after a while, you know?

30 – Texans (2-8) 2

I cannot express to you guys how shocked I am that the Texans won on Sunday. I still can’t really wrap my head around it. But, they did it, and I’m happy for them. It was clear that this team was significantly better with Tyrod Taylor at QB, and he showed that yet again on Sunday. I’m not sure how many more wins this team has in them before the season is all said and done, but with him under center, I know they’ll never back down from a fight.

31 – Jets (2-8)

There are honestly positives here with the Jets. For one, I love that they’re finally getting Elijah Moore involved offensively. There’s no point in getting a draft steal if you don’t use him effectively, and they’re finally figuring out ways to do so. Other than that… yeah, I got nothing.

32 – Lions (0-9-1) 2

It’s a miracle that it took this long, but the winless Lions are finally at the bottom of the Power Rankings. It’s about time. I still think they’re a solid, competitive bunch, and they came very close to winning once again on Sunday. But, nobody is going to win with Tim Boyle at QB. I know this team’s first win is just around the corner, but I’m also confident that it won’t be with that guy at QB. It’s safe to say I won’t be spending my Thanksgiving afternoon with this team.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Week 11 Picks

The Cowboys head to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs in one of the most anticipated and star-studded matchups of the season this Sunday. (h/t dallascowboys.com)

The 2021 season continues to roll on at a lightning-fast pace. It’s hard to believe we’re over halfway done already. There’s still plenty of ball left to be played, and this week promises to be a good one. I had a solid Week 10, going 8-5-1, which brings my season total to 91-57-1. Having a tie in there is so strange. Let’s get into this week’s picks:

Patriots 27-17 Falcons

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, FOX

Week 11 kicks off with a rematch of one of the best Super Bowls of the century, but the outlook of this game is obviously a lot different. What isn’t different is the fact that the Patriots are still good, as they enter this game as arguably the best team in the AFC. I’ve seen a lot of overreactions to the Pats lately, but I think it’s fair to overreact given how they’ve played. This shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for them. The Falcons just got bulldozed by the Cowboys, and while teams usually bounce back after blowouts, I don’t see their offense doing much against this air-tight New England defense. Mac Jones and the offense should do more than enough against a bad Atlanta defense to get the job done fairly easily.

Bills 23-21 Colts

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This 2020 playoff rematch is one of the more intriguing matchups of the week. These are two of the hottest teams in the AFC, but neither team feels very hot. They’ve both stumbled as of late, but on their best days, they can both beat anyone else in football. So, what gives in a matchup like this? Honestly? I don’t know. This is a really, really even matchup. Both of these teams have great offenses and are backed by equally great defenses. Part of me wants to lean towards the Colts because they can actually run the football. But, the Bills being at home, and also having Josh Allen at QB, are just enough for me to pick them in a very close, defensive battle. If there’s anything I know, it’s that this will be a close one, and a very fun one to watch.

Ravens 24-16 Bears

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Both of these teams aren’t playing the most ideal football in the world as it stands, but I know they’re both itching to get back on track. Both teams also come in fairly well-rested, as Chicago had a bye last week and Baltimore played on Thursday. To put it plainly, I just don’t see a team as talented as the Ravens dropping back to back games against bad teams. Last week probably lit a fire under them, and I think they’ll bring that fire to the field on Sunday and do just enough to stop a pesky Bears team. It might not be the biggest margin of victory, but this team is simply too good to lay down and die for a second consecutive time. But, I won’t be surprised in the slightest if/when Justin Fields and company make things interesting in the fourth.

Browns 29-17 Lions

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Surely the Browns don’t lose this game, right? The Lions might be starting Tim Boyle in this game for crying out loud. There’s just no way Cleveland loses. Especially after last week’s embarrassment. This is a team that wants to show the league that they’re still capable. Beating up on the winless Lions is a perfect opportunity to do so. If they can’t do that, then it might be time to stick a fork in them.

Titans 28-10 Texans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Oh look, it’s the best team in the AFC against the worst team in the AFC! Does anything else really need to be said? Whatever the spread is, take Tennessee and forget it. You’re welcome in advance for the free money.

Packers 27-16 Vikings

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

You guys know how I feel about the Vikings. I really like this team, especially offensively, and I think they have what it takes to compete with anyone. But, this might be too tall of a task for them. Not only does Aaron Rodgers historically own this franchise, but the Packers defense is easily the best in football right now, and I can see Kirk Cousins having his monthly stinker in a matchup this tough. I think this is going to be a long day at the office for Minnesota on both sides of the ball, and another great win for the best team in football.

Dolphins 19-14 Jets

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Yuck. Don’t want anything to do with this game. At least the Dolphins have shown in 3 straight weeks now that they’re a team capable of winning games. The Jets have shown that a few times, but with Joe Flacco starting at QB, I just don’t see that being the case this week. Miami’s defense is riding a high after last week, and it won’t take much to shut down this New York offense. As long as their offense does its job, this shouldn’t be too difficult for the Fins. Unfortunately, they almost never do.

Eagles 23-20 Saints

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

I know it sounds weird, but this is honestly my most anticipated game of the week. These are two teams that I feel very strange about for different reasons, and I think this game will answer a ton of questions about both of them. I feel like the Eagles are a lot better than they seem, and they’ve certainly been playing like it. Meanwhile, the Saints are treading water despite all of their injury woes, and have been arguably the unluckiest team in football. I just don’t know how to feel about either team. I’m rolling with the Birds because I like the way they’ve been playing, and momentum is on their side. Not to mention it’s the dome-playing Saints on the road in frigid Philly. It will be a very tough test for Jalen Hurts and his offense against a very stout Saints defense, but I see the Eagles making more plays down the stretch than the Trevor Siemian-led Saints offense to pull this one out in a very, very close game.

Panthers 24-20 Washington

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Storylines are everywhere. The biggest one is Cam Newton vs. Ron Rivera, which isn’t something that I was expecting to happen this season. Cam’s return to Carolina has been well-documented by now, and while this isn’t some sort of Brady-Belichick-like rubber match, it’s still intriguing. Both of these teams need wins to keep their season afloat, so this should be a hard-fought, close game throughout. I have to take the better team, which has to be the Panthers. They’re getting healthy offensively, and while I have no idea what I’m going to see out of Cam on Sunday, he seems to bring the energy with him wherever he goes, and I think it’s going to lift this offense enough to overcome a Washington defense that looks like it’s returning to form. Moreover, the Panthers defense is riding a high after last week’s shutdown of the Cardinals, and I think they’ll force Taylor Heinicke and the WFT offense into enough mistakes to put this game away late.

49ers 30-14 Jaguars

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The 49ers appear to be back, although just one game isn’t going to tell us this team’s trajectory for the rest of the season. What I do know is that the Jaguars shouldn’t be too much of a problem for them. They’re not much of a problem for anyone. They’ve been pesky in recent weeks, but I just don’t see that being the case in this game, at least not for its entirety. The Niners offense is playing efficient and physical football, and their defense is making plenty of plays. Against a rookie QB and bad roster, they should have a field day.

Bengals 31-21 Raiders

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

I can definitely see this game being a blowout, but I am done picking blowouts. Never again. The Bengals are coming off a much-needed bye, while the Raiders are sinking in the world’s fastest quicksand. This one doesn’t feel like it’s going to be competitive. It feels like Vegas has nothing to play for, despite being in the thick of the AFC playoff race. And while the Bengals are treading water in the AFC North, I think they know that they can beat anyone if they play their best ball. This will be an inspired bunch looking to make up for back to back embarrassing losses, and I expect them to put it to a reeling Raiders team that is simply lacking any signs of life.

Cowboys 30-27 Chiefs

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

Well, this is it. Perhaps the most anticipated game of the season with more stars on the field than you can count. It’s going to be fun, no doubt, but our expectations need to be tempered. Everyone is riding the wave of the Chiefs after last week’s mightily impressive win in the desert, but this is still a team that has struggled all season long. The Cowboys, however, have barely struggled at all in 2021, and if last week was any indication, they took their one week of struggle very seriously. While I don’t think Dallas is going to roll in this game, I feel like they’re going to be comfortable for most of it. Patrick Mahomes seemingly has his mojo back, so perhaps he can pull off some magic to make things interesting late in the 4th quarter. But, the Cowboys have shown that they can win in the clutch as well. The better team will win this game.

Cardinals 28-17 Seahawks

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

The health of Kyler Murray is the NFL’s biggest mystery, and nobody knows when he’ll be back. Could it be this week? Next week? Next month? We don’t have a clue. I put my faith in Arizona’s B-team last week, but they let me down in a big way. However, I believe in second chances. This is a pick that will remain whether Kyler can go or not. The Seahawks are playing absolutely abysmal football with no signs of life on either side of the football. At least I know what the Cardinals are capable of, whether they’re playing starters or backups. This isn’t a team that’s going to drop back to back games to bad teams.

Chargers 23-17 Steelers

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

Sunday Night Football is full of questions and COVID issues. There are a plethora of Steelers players that are either out or in doubt for this game. Moreover, both of these teams are in a very weird spot right now. They both need a win desperately, and a loss will set them back in a huge way in this wild AFC playoff race. This is an easy pick for now, only because it’s likely that Mason Rudolph will start at QB once again for the Steelers. Last week inspired little-to-no confidence in Rudolph, so it’s easy to pick a Justin Herbert-led team to beat him. The Chargers haven’t inspired much confidence either, but surely they won’t lose to Mason Rudolph… right?

Buccaneers 27-20 Giants

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

One of the wonders of the world is why the Giants always cause Tom Brady so much trouble. This exact same matchup was on MNF last season, and New York very well could have won that game. Now, the Bucs are coming in off a poor loss to Washington, whereas the Giants are coming off a bye. All the makings are here for another upset. However, it’s just too hard to pick against Tom Brady. The status of both Gronk and AB are still in question, but even if they don’t play, it’s hard to imagine that he’ll have another poor performance. The Giants’ defense isn’t to be trifled with, but with Tampa being back home on primetime, it just feels impossible to pick against them. It’ll be close, but I just don’t see the Giants pulling off this upset.

All stats taken from ESPN.