The first CFP rankings of the 2022 season were unveiled on Tuesday night, and I have some thoughts about the actions of the committee as we head into a massive weekend in college football.
Cover photo taken from Tennessee Athletics.
We’ve reached November, which means college football is entering its home stretch, and the College Football Rankings will be released every Tuesday from now until Selection Sunday. The first iteration brought some storylines, both expected and unexpected, as we head into the biggest weekend of the season thus far. Here are some of my thoughts on Tuesday night’s rankings.
Expected Top 3, Unexpected Order
We all know that Tennessee, Ohio State, and Georgia are the top three teams in the country. The order of those three has been debated for several weeks now. A lot of people love Ohio State’s offensive talent and improved defense and have them on top. CJ Stroud is playing like a Heisman favorite and Marvin Harrison Jr. has emerged as perhaps the best WR in the nation. Many continue to ride Georgia’s excellence despite some struggles. They have played the best defense of anyone in college football and deserve their flowers on both sides of the ball. And Tennessee has taken the world by storm with their top ranked offense led by Heisman favorite QB Hendon Hooker. I personally think the balance of the Buckeyes makes them the #1 team, but the committee went Vols, Bucks, Dawgs, and I honestly understand. I’m not upset at all; the Volunteers have been incredible all year long and boast the country’s best win in their 52-49 thriller over Alabama, who clocked in tonight at #6 in the rankings. Georgia being ranked 3rd was a bit surprising, but felt warranted thanks to some unnecessary tough wins against Missouri and Kent State. Most of the debate over this top 3 is pointless, seeing as though Tennessee travels to Athens to take on Georgia this Saturday (3:30 PM EST, CBS), and the winner of that game will likely be ranked #1 until the SEC Championship Game. I think the loser of that game will still rest in the top 5 or so (if Tennessee loses I don’t see how they fall below Alabama) unless it’s a complete blowout, which itself feels unlikely. Ohio State needs to win out and they’ll be just fine, although I feel like them being ranked #1 at any point feels unlikely for the reason I just mentioned. We all know the game that matters the most for them.
Clemson vs. Michigan vs. TCU
The other three unbeatens have had very interesting seasons up to this point. Clemson has put together a solid resume over wins against currently ranked teams like Wake Forest, NC State, and Syracuse. But, they’ve also had a ton of offensive struggles and have a weird situation going on at QB right now with DJ Uiagalelei and Cade Klubnik. The committee is valuing their resume apparently and slotting them in the 4 spot, and considering how awful their remaining schedule is, it’s hard to see them missing out on the Playoff. Michigan has looked the part after a CFP appearance last year, running all over opponents with Heisman candidate RB Blake Corum, but have an incredibly weak strength of schedule weighed down by one of the worst non-conference schedules you’ll ever see. However, the committee thinks they pass the eye test, which is fair. Their offense has been great and their defense is somehow better than last year. They only have two real tests left with a home matchup against Illinois and The Game. Both of those matchups will tell us what we need to know about the Wolverines. TCU has emerged out of the blue with their incredible offense led by QB Max Duggan and boast perhaps the best overall resume in the sport with 4 wins over then-ranked teams and the 3rd ranked strength of record in football. But, they was ranked 7th behind Alabama, who has a loss and has struggled mightily against vastly inferior competition. I do have TCU ranked 6th out of the 6 unbeatens in football, but if I were on this committee, I might have put them at 4. Their resume is too strong to be ignored, and they certainly should not be behind a team with a loss, even if that team is Alabama. Based on this precedent, it’s hard to say that the Horned Frogs control their own destiny, even if they go unbeaten and win the Big 12 at 13-0.
A Flawed Logic
The committee has LSU ranked at #10, one spot above #11 Ole Miss, who they thrashed at home two weeks ago. I think ranking the Tigers above the Rebels is totally fair and believed AP voters should have done the same, but #10 feels a bit high. However, that is not my concern. My concern is that the committee is once again picking and choosing when and where to apply their alleged value for head-to-head wins. If you’re going to put 2-loss LSU above 1-loss Ole Miss because of how that game went, then why is 2-loss Utah five spots below 1-loss USC? Why is 2-loss Kansas State six spots ahead of 1-loss Tulane? That last one is a bit more acceptable, seeing as though the Wildcats have looked sensational since that game. But the other one, not so much. USC is vastly overrated in my opinion, which brings me to my next point.
Benefit Of The Doubt
USC is getting the benefit of the doubt from the committee simply because they’re USC. This is a great team, don’t get me wrong, but they do not belong in the top 10. They were in dogfights against Oregon State and Arizona and lost to Utah, who is inexplicably five spots below them. They have a great offense, but a very subpar defense who got gashed by the Utes and most recently the Wildcats in Tuscon. UCLA has certainly looked like the better team, but they’re ranked all the way down at #13. The only reason I can think of for that is the logo on the helmet. This also applies to Alabama, who has no business being ranked in the top six. If there are six unbeaten teams, each with solid resumes, then what is a 1-loss team doing in the top six? I know they’re the Crimson Tide and have two of the best players in the sport in Bryce Young and Will Anderson. But they lost to Tennessee fair and square and honestly should have lost to both Texas and Texas A&M. They realistically control their own destiny to get to the CFP, but that doesn’t mean they should be slotted so high right now. The other teams need to get their respect for what they’ve done (namely TCU). Saturday’s mammoth clash against #10 LSU (7:00 PM EST, ESPN) will show us just how deserving the Tide are of their ranking.
Big Brand Tax
Finally, we have to stop favoring the big brands simply because of who they are. I said it above with the likes of Alabama and USC being ranked above TCU, UCLA, Utah, and others, but it’s also apparent on the backend of the rankings. Are we sure Penn State should be above Illinois? And are we absolutely positively sure that Texas deserves to be ranked at all? The Longhorns have three close losses, but two of them are against okay to bad teams in Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. Meanwhile, Florida State is on the outside looking in despite their three close losses all coming against ranked opponents and having a win against a top 10 team in LSU. Feels a bit strange, don’t you think?
My Top 10
1 – Ohio State
2 – Georgia
3 – Tennessee
4 – Michigan
5 – Clemson
6 – TCU
7 – Alabama
8 – Oregon
9 – UCLA
10 – Utah
I update this every week as the season progresses. Georgia and Tennessee are so close in my mind, I just trust UGA’s defense infinitely more than the Vols’. I’ve advocated for TCU, and I think they could feasibly be above Clemson, but I’d love to see them play more complete games in the next couple of weeks. Oregon is a team to look out for as they continue to play like one of the best teams in the country after their Week 1 thrashing at the hands of Georgia. UCLA and Utah are being vastly underrated and undervalued by the committee and AP voters, and I would love to understand why.
It’s safe to say this weekend is going to bring about a lot of turmoil in next Tuesday’s rankings. I’ll be right back here to break that all down when they are unveiled. Until then.
Super Bowl LVI is finally upon us with one of the more intriguing matchups in recent memory. Here’s my in-depth preview of the big game and my personal pick to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Cover photo taken from Coley Cleary, USA TODAY Sports Media Group illustration
We made it. Welcome to Super Bowl Sunday. Finally. After the longest season in NFL history, a whopping 22 weeks of football, 157 days, one of the wildest seasons to date filled with unbelievable stories, amazing games, and historic performances, and an unforgettable postseason, all eyes will finally turn to Hollywood for the final game of the year. And it’s one that seems like it couldn’t have been scripted any better by the writers of that town. Tonight, the Los Angeles Rams take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles, California.
There are storylines galore in this game, many of which have worn themselves out by now. But they’re here, and they’re worth repeating. The Rams are the definition of a team built for Hollywood, with stars all over the field and weekly performances that look like they belong on the big screen. On the other hand, the Bengals are the ultimate underdog, as they have been all season long. They’re the “people’s team”, just a group of guys from Ohio who love playing football, led by one of the most likeable athletes on the planet. Against all odds, that has gotten them to the Super Bowl. Before getting into the game itself, let’s take a deeper look into both teams’ roads to get here.
How the Bengals Got Here
Let’s reword that into a question. How did the Bengals get here? It’s a question I’ve been asking myself for the last two weeks. It just makes no sense to me. The Cincinnati Bengals, a franchise that epitomizes losing, overcoming every obstacle and turning into a winning machine en route to an AFC title. Makes you scratch your head a bit. When analyzing how Cincy got to this point, I think we have to go back. Way back.
I remember where I was on November 22, 2020. I was in the basement of my house watching the then-named Washington Football Team, as I have been on so many Sundays. We were playing the Bengals in one of the worst matchups on paper any football fan could ever put themselves through. It wasn’t a good game at all, and it became one of those games where you remember an event more than the game itself. In the third quarter, the pocket was collapsing, and after firing an incomplete pass, Joe Burrow’s leg was folded up and his ACL and MCL were both torn. It was one of the more gruesome injuries that I’ve seen, but more than that, it was truly heartbreaking. Burrow was just a rookie in his tenth career game after being drafted #1 overall. He has always been a generally loved player and personality, and we all felt that this injury would stick with him for a while. There were doubts that he’d even be ready for the start of this season. It’s now safe to say that any and all doubts about Joe Burrow have been swiftly put to bed.
Because of that injury, and the majority of football-watchers having functional eyes, we all knew that the Bengals needed a better offensive line. Everyone implored Cincy to upgrade through the draft, but even Joe Burrow himself knew that there was a WR talent available with the #5 pick that was too good to pass up: Burrow’s former LSU teammate, WR Jamarr Chase. And all he did was griddy all over the league en route to the greatest rookie season for a WR in NFL history, tallying 81 catches, 1,455 yards (3rd in the NFL), and 13 touchdown grabs, along with winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. The Burrow-to-Chase connection lost no steam after the duo won a National Championship two years ago, and it has added another level to a Bengals offense that already had plenty of playmakers. Now, with a clear star WR1, they boast one of the best WR corps in the league, with Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd being some of the best complementaries in all of football. And with one of the best all-purpose RBs in football in Joe Mixon coming out of the backfield, the Cincinnati offense turned into one of the best in the NFL. It’s as balanced of an attack as they come, and they execute it to perfection.
The Bengals offense boasts a plethora of weapons that can do it all. (h/t Albert Cesare, The Enquirer)
It’s not all on the fantastic offensive weapons in Cincy. The defense has turned itself around, and it has been the key in getting the Bengals to the Super Bowl. Star pass-rushers like Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard have wreaked havoc on opposing offenses and making tackles look silly in the process. The secondary was formerly one of the most suspect units in football, but they have quickly become the most opportunistic group of DBs I have ever seen. Corners like Eli Apple and Mike Hilton stick to WRs and break up passes, while safeties like Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell swoop in to take the ball away. It’s a vastly underrated unit that has made their name known in this postseason, forcing turnovers at the best of times against all three opponents to get to the big game.
But let’s make no mistake. The #1 reason that the Bengals are in their first Super Bowl in 33 years is the man with more swag and more confidence than any other player in sports. Joe Burrow, just a year removed from the aforementioned injury, came back in 2021 and took this league over. Week in and week out, Burrow was lighting up defenses thanks to his high-flying offense, and in these playoffs, he has emerged as one of the most clutch QBs in recent memory. As the Bengals play-by-play announcer once famously said, “When other QBs start sweating bullets, Joe Burrow starts throwing bullets.” His poise and collectiveness, even in crumbling pockets and other QB crises, is well beyond his years, and he has proven himself as Joe Cool 2.0. This is the biggest stage of his life, but I have no doubts that he is more than ready for the task at hand.
Joe Burrow is equal parts confident and cool, and his legend is only growing in his second season. (h/t Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
Cincinnati ended the season scorching hot, winning their first AFC North title since 2015, and they did not slow down in the playoffs. The Cardiac Cats won all three games at the death, the last two thanks to their rookie kicker with D’Angelo Russell levels of ice in his veins, Evan McPherson. They are not only one of the more likable teams to get to this point in recent memory, but they are no longer the underdogs that we have all perceived them to be for this whole time. They are for real, and they have a real shot at this thing. They’ll tell you themselves, this most unlikely of playoff runs doesn’t mean a thing without that ring. But one more team stands in their path.
How the Rams Got Here
You ever seen Casino Royale (2006)? If you have, then I know you remember that iconic scene towards the end of the film where James Bond goes all in and defeats Le Chiffre with a legendary straight flush. This hand of all hands comes shortly after Bond goes all in and loses to the Frenchman, but after being re-staked in the game, he learns his lesson and gets revenge. Why am I bringing this up, you ask? Well, for one, I love making movie references. But, more importantly, in my eyes, this is the story of the 2021 Los Angeles Rams.
January 30, 2021 was a fateful day for the city of Los Angeles. Their team was coming off another disappointing playoff loss, and they knew that if they were to fully reach their potential, they’d have to get the QB to get them there. Jared Goff was serviceable, but this league needs a lot more than that to win titles. And thus, Goff was shipped off to Detroit, along with a whopping three first-round picks, and the Rams got their guy. Someone who had shown all the talent in the world and put up the numbers to go alongside it, but never got over the hump of success in the NFL. His name is Matthew Stafford. And well, the rest is history. Stafford’s first season playing for an actual organization has brought out the absolute best in him, and things have played out exactly as intended for the Rams, if not better. Stafford threw for a whopping 4,886 yards (2nd in the NFL) to go along with 41 touchdowns (3rd in the NFL). LA has gotten every ounce of potential out of Stafford, who won his first playoff game just four weeks ago. Now, he gets a shot at a title, something that will surely cement his legacy despite all those years wasting away in Detroit. But, the story of the Rams is not just the story of Matt Stafford. And it’s certainly not when they stopped pushing chips to the center of the table.
Matthew Stafford went from one of football’s most underrated QBs to a bonafide star after being traded out west. (h/t ESPN)
Los Angeles’ defense is a vaunted one. Of course it is. They have one of the greatest players in NFL history right in the middle of it in DT Aaron Donald, the best DB in football in Jalen Ramsey, and a plethora of talent to fill out the rest of the defense. They didn’t necessarily need to get better, but they felt like doing so. On November 1, they traded a second and third-round pick to the Denver Broncos in exchange for DE Von Miller, a former Super Bowl MVP and one of the best defensive players of this generation. Miller was showing signs of slowing down in Denver, but upon going to the City of Angels, he turned into his old self. It took him a short while to get going, but he recorded 5 sacks in the last 4 games of the regular season, along with 2 more in the playoffs. He has added another level to this already vaunted front seven, and considering what he did the last time he played in a Super Bowl, we’ll all be keeping an eye out for him. And still, this is not the last of the Bond-like moves from the Rams.
Ever since the Rams reemerged as one of the consistently-elite teams in this league, they’ve had all the offensive firepower in he world. A consistent theme in those offenses was elite WR play. And a rock of those WR corps was always Robert Woods. And on November 13, he tore his ACL in practice. The magnitude of that loss is hard to quantify, and the Rams knew that it would be a serious detriment to them. Luckily for them, less than 24 hours prior, they made another bold move. They took a chance on a former star WR that now, nobody wanted to touch. Could it be because his level of play fell off when he was on his old team? Or maybe the way he forced himself off of that team? In any case, the Rams did what no other contender wanted to do. They signed Odell Beckham Jr. I remember how much I hated the move. I repeated to everyone that it made the team worse. Now, I’m still not even close to finishing all of this crow that I have to eat. OBJ has been a revelation in Los Angeles, finding his old self and turning back into the star receiver he was in New York. He snagged 5 touchdowns in the regular season, and in the playoffs, he has become un-guardable to the tune of 19 catches, 236 yards, and a TD (9/113 in the NFC Championship). Safe to say this was another very ballsy move that worked out.
Odell Beckham Jr. found his old self after being released from the shackles that are the Cleveland Browns. (h/t Gary A. Vasquez, USA Today)
I feel guilty for waiting this long to mention the MVP of this team, and arguably the MVP of the entire league. Better late than never. WR Cooper Kupp is the straw that stirs this entire drink, and if you’ve watched even one Rams game this year, you know that goes without saying. In case you haven’t, I’ll let the numbers do the talking. 145 catches, 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdowns, all of which led the league to secure just the fourth ever “Triple Crown” in history. Kupp took home the award for Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday, and nobody was more deserving. Whether he helped you win your fantasy championship (or personally violated your fantasy football team), tore apart your defense, or lit up the football field for all 60 minutes, Kupp put together one of the most impressive seasons in NFL history. Simply put, the Rams go as Cooper Kupp goes.
Cooper Kupp, the Offensive Player of the Year, has become the NFL’s deadliest offensive weapon. (h/t Jae C. Hong, AP)
LA’s season was, like any Hollywood story, told in three acts. The first act featured a blazing start, led by Stafford’s incredible arm and Kupp’s emergence as one of the NFL’s best offensive weapons. The second act featured some shake-ups with the acquisition of Miller and Beckham, along with the loss of Woods. They lost some games in brutal fashion, and I started to lose hope in them to do anything worthwhile in the playoffs. But, the third act was truly something to behold. All of the pieces started clicking en route to a division title. After a heart-pounding trio of postseason games, including their only ever 10+ point 4th quarter comeback under HC Sean McVay in the NFC Championship, they earned the right to play for a title in their luxurious home of SoFi Stadium. Do these Hollywood comparisons never cease?
The Rams were already big spenders. They had more chips than anyone else at the table. They could’ve held onto them or cashed them and been satisfied with that. Everyone thought they should do so. Instead, they pushed them all to the center of the table. And now, they are one win away from a title.
Key Matchups
To me, there are two key matchups in Super Bowl LVI. And they are both a major strength vs. a major weakness. Let’s start with the obvious one: Cincinnati’s offensive line vs. Los Angeles’ front seven. Many believe that the Rams boast the best defensive front on football, with names like Donald, Miller, Leonard Floyd, and more. That argument certainly has some merit to it. But regardless of whether or not you think they’re the best, the key to this matchup comes on the other side. As I said before, anyone with eyes can tell you how rough this Bengals OL is. Just look at their Divisional Round performance, when they allowed a playoff record 9 sacks against the Titans. Joe Burrow’s heroics two weeks ago in Kansas City involved overcoming his porous offensive line, but the wheels might be coming off soon. This is the best front that Cincy has faced in this postseason, and if they crumble on the biggest stage, it will be the team’s downfall. All they have to do is give Joe Burrow a few seconds to breathe, and they’ll have a shot. Just a few seconds.
The other key matchup involves yet another Rams strong suit, with their WRs going up against the Bengals secondary. Those Cincinnati DBs have certainly stepped up in these playoffs, but they are prone to make mistakes throughout the course of the game. And this is not a group of WRs that you want to make mistakes against. Cooper Kupp, OBJ, and Van Jefferson against Eli Apple, Mike Hilton, and Chidobe Awuzie is a complete mismatch on paper, but that shouldn’t faze the Bengals. Their aforementioned opportunistic nature is their bread and butter. They don’t care how many yards they give up if they make plays at the right time and give the ball back to their offense. If the Bengals secondary can force Matt Stafford into making mistakes and limiting big plays, or even just forcing field goals instead of allowing touchdowns, then Cincy’s offense will be in a perfect position to win. But, if they rear their ugly head of porous play, then they’ll bring out the Lombardi by halftime for the Rams.
My Pick
Before I get into my pick for the game, I think it’s worth noting that I have not picked a Super Bowl correctly in six years. The last team to not let me down was the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50. It has been downhill ever since. But I still feel very confident in my pick for this game, as I always do. I’ve been thinking about it for two weeks, crunching the numbers, micro-analyzing every matchup at the most granular levels, reading into superstitions. But after all that, I’m sticking with what my gut has told me since the Championship Games went final on January 30th.
Bengals 27-24 Rams
Sunday, 6:30 PM EST, NBC
It just makes sense. Although, it doesn’t. Not really. On paper, the Rams are clearly the better team in this game. If you ran it in a simulation 100 times, they’d win 90+ times. They have the better offense, the better defense, and maybe even the better special teams. They have all the star power in the world. They’re even playing in their home stadium for crying out loud! But after all this, I simply refer to one thing: destiny.
Sports are a funny thing. At its core, sports come down to heart. The best athletes in the world compete for all this time, but games are not won by the strength of players. Games are won by heart. It’s the heart that leads teams of destiny from rags to riches. From the pits of hell, filled with injuries and losing and heartbreak, to titles and glory. You can’t show me a team with more heart on a Super Bowl stage than this Cincinnati Bengals team. If you don’t believe this is a team of destiny by now, then you’re simply not paying attention.
It’s more than just the mushy stuff, though. I can’t rely on that alone for a Super Bowl pick. The Bengals have simply proven me wrong more than any team I can remember. Their offense is leaps and bounds above what I ever could have imagined, and we’re all running out of things to say about Joe Burrow. Their defense steps up when it matters most, and even their kicker, who they once “inexplicably” drafted with a 5th-round pick, has become a national hero. This team puts up numbers and then smacks you in the mouth when you try to retaliate. They can blow you out, they can grind you down, and they will always emerge victorious when things are toughest. I truly believe that the offensive line will give Joe Burrow that extra second to throw, the secondary will force the turnovers, and I know for a fact that Joe Burrow will be his usual self and pull one last clutch rabbit out of his hat. Evan McPherson kicks another game-winner at the buzzer, and Burrow takes home a Super Bowl MVP to go along with every other accolade and achievement in the book.
I know that the Rams have all the stars and the future Hall of Famers and the “genius” head coach and all of the above. I simply do not care. Because you can measure all you want in stats, contracts, trade details, stadium costs, and everything else. But there is one thing you cannot measure. Heart.
In any case, I hope this game is as great as it promises to be. We deserve it as fans. I think it’s going to be a blast, even if the commercials and halftime shows in between the game action aren’t all that. I can’t wait for Super Bowl LVI, and I hope you all enjoy it, no matter what unfolds on the field.
Lastly, I just want to thank you all for another fantastic NFL season. If you read, clicked, or shared any of the posts from this season, I appreciate you tremendously. This was an even better year than 2020-21, with more posts, interactions, and growth than ever before. I am truly grateful all of the support. And I promise you, things aren’t slowing down anytime soon. I’ll be back soon enough. I’ll see you all then.
One of the NFL’s longest playoff win droughts will be broken when the Raiders and Bengals square off in an intriguing matchup to kick off Wild Card weekend. (h/t Las Vegas Raiders)
Note: I’m back! Sorry for the lack of content over the last few weeks. I was traveling and on break for a while, so I wasn’t able to get as many articles out as I would have liked. But, I’m now back and ready to deliver for the playoffs. Enjoy!
Welcome to the playoffs. After the longest season in NFL history, we have 14 teams and 13 games to decide this year’s Super Bowl Champion. It’s a very different field than we’ve seen in years past, which makes this so much more exciting. To get here was a roller coaster, and we’re not even close to getting off. This week features plenty of interesting matchups, with several rematches of games from earlier this season. It should be a blast. With that, let’s get into my picks for this weekend’s Wild Card games:
Bengals 28-24 Raiders
Saturday, 4:30 PM EST, NBC
Wild Card Weekend kicks off with one of the more interesting playoff matchups I’ve seen in some time. The Bengals and Raiders have two of the longest playoff droughts in the sport when it comes to winning. The Bengals haven’t won a postseason game since 1991, while the Raiders haven’t since 2005. One of these droughts will be snapped in Cincinnati on Saturday evening. When these two teams met in the regular season, the Bengals had their way all day long to the tune of a blowout victory. But, this is the playoffs, and it’s hard to blow a team out twice in a single season. The Raiders fought their tails off to get to the postseason, and they will not go down without a fight. That being said, I still like Cincy to come out on top in this game. Not only do I think they’re the better team, but they rested many of their starters in Week 18 to be fresh for this game. Meanwhile, Vegas played a full OT game on Sunday night against the Chargers. Combine that with the expectedly raucous home crowd of Cincinnati fans waiting to see their first playoff win of the century, and you’ve got a tough matchup for the Raiders. I don’t know if their secondary is up to the task against such a potent passing attack, and they got gashed on the ground in their Week 11 matchup. I expect to see a big day out of the exciting young Bengals offense en route to a long-awaited playoff victory.
Patriots 16-13 Bills
Saturday, 8:15 PM EST, CBS
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this game. These two teams have proven themselves as incredibly inconsistent as the regular season came to a close, and their two regular season matchups didn’t provide a ton of evidence to work with when it comes to a third matchup. But, seeing as though the conditions in this game are similar, if not worse than the first between New England and Buffalo, it’s hard to foresee this game going any differently than that one. We all remember the Patriots winning despite only attempting 3 passes in the frigid upstate New York cold. Who’s to say they don’t do the exact same thing on Saturday night? It worked the first time, so I don’t see why it wouldn’t work a second time. Moreover, Josh Allen has folded time and time again with his arm in such conditions. Considering it’s going to be in the single digits throughout the course of the game, I simply cannot trust him to step up and make the plays necessary to defeat a team like the Patriots, which already has his number. I think Buffalo’s win condition is their defense, which was the deciding factor in a similar playoff game last year against the Ravens. If they can step up and make enough plays against the Patriots offense, it will surely be enough to put them over the top in what is sure to be a low scoring affair. But, if New England and their offense control this game, then it’ll be too difficult for the Bills to overcome. Considering their matchup earlier this season and the postseason prowess of Bill Belichick and the Patriots, it’s just too hard to pick against them.
Buccaneers 27-17 Eagles
Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX
For a second consecutive year, Tom Brady and the Bucs begin their Super Bowl quest against an NFC East team that really shouldn’t be in the playoffs. The Eagles had a very nice second half of their season, but down the stretch, they looked very unconvincing against a bunch of bad teams with bad QBs, especially within the NFC East. Maybe a month ago I would have liked Philly’s chances in this game, but they just don’t move me the way they once did. The Buccaneers also don’t move me like they once did, as their final few weeks was as unconvincing as it gets for any team that considers themselves to be a “contender”. Things are just so messy in Tampa, with the whole Antonio Brown drama clouding poor play and a roster that is still as injured as any in the playoff field. They still have enough sheer talent, and the greatest QB of all time on their side, to be able to beat what is likely the weakest team in the NFC playoffs, but it wouldn’t shock me if this game is close for a while. It’s just a matter of whoever gets their head out of their you-know-where first, and in the playoffs, how can I not pick Tom Brady? I picked against him 3 straight times last year in the postseason and he burned me every single time. I won’t make that mistake this week, but I can’t make any promises for the next.
49ers 26-23 Cowboys
Sunday, 4:30 PM EST, CBS
In my opinion, this is the game of the weekend. How can it not be? The brands, the logos, the history, the old rivalry, the new star power, and storylines galore. It should be a fun few hours on Sunday evening in Arlington. The Cowboys are another team that didn’t move me whatsoever down the stretch of their season. They used some blowouts of remarkably inferior competition to mask a team that still has plenty of problems and isn’t nearly as formidable as they seemed in the first half of the regular season. Their run game has disappeared, Dak Prescott has struggled against real teams, and while their front seven is plenty good, their secondary is anything but. This makes the matchup with San Francisco very, very difficult. The 49ers willed their way into the dance with an incredible comeback OT win last week against the Rams, and I’m glad they did. This is a team that played like a playoff team down the stretch and undoubtedly deserved to be here. Now, they get a fairly favorable matchup, especially offensively. San Francisco prides itself on being able to run the ball with any of their weapons offensively, whether it be Elijah Mitchell or Deebo Samuel or any of their other gadget guys. Once that gets going, Jimmy Garoppolo can play efficient ball and lead plenty of scoring drives to put points on the board. The recent emergence of WR Jauan Jennings and season-long production of Deebo Samuel makes this offense a lot more deadly than it might seem. Moreover, the defense has stepped up in a huge way to get this team into the playoffs, and against a Dallas team that simply doesn’t have the offensive firepower as earlier in the season, I think they’ll do enough to let their offense go out and win the game. I expect this one to be close throughout, and it wouldn’t shock me if it ends up going into overtime. But, I have a ton of faith in the Niners to get the job done and keep their season alive.
Chiefs 30-14 Steelers
Sunday, 8:15 PM EST, NBC
Ben Roethlisberger said it best himself. The Steelers don’t stand a chance in this game. You can make the argument that Pittsburgh doesn’t even deserve to be here, and you’d have a pretty solid one. It took until the final play of the regular season for this team to get into the playoffs, and if it wasn’t for the incompetence of the Chargers, they might not even have been here. But, they are, and now they get to play arguably the best team playing this weekend. The Chiefs had a blazing hot second half of their season, and while it ended somewhat unceremoniously with a loss to Cincinnati and a close win over Denver, they still were very close to getting a 1 seed. Thanks to a complete 180 from their defense and very good, efficient play from their offense, Kansas City is primed for another potential Super Bowl run. This team may not be as flashy or incredible to watch as the last two AFC Championship-winning teams, but they are still pretty damn good. If anything, they are much better than this Steelers team. And if you need any evidence for that, I suggest looking at their matchup just 3 weeks ago. The Chiefs routed Pittsburgh by nearly 30 points in a game that was over before it even started. In a nearly identical circumstance, it’s hard to see this game going any differently. I think the Steelers will put up a fight, but this is simply too big of a mountain for them to climb.
Rams 23-20 Cardinals
Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN
The Rams and Cardinals will be making history on Monday night in the first ever playoff game on a Monday in NFL history. I still don’t know how I feel about that, but alas, it’s how things are now. This third matchup between these two division rivals promises to be a good one. The first two games this season were very accurate reflections of where these teams were at the time. The first game early in the season was all Arizona, as they were off to an incredibly hot start in September and October. The second game belonged to the Rams thanks to a complete performance with all of their new acquisitions making an impact. It was the first time the Rams truly looked like the team they had the potential to be, and it kickstarted a blazing hot finish to their season that saw them taking Arizona over in the standings and winning the NFC West. So, what does this matchup have in store for us? If I had to guess, it’d be closer to the second game than the first. The Rams have simply been a much better team over the last couple of months, with their pieces finally gelling and the team finally living up to their potential, as I stated before. Meanwhile, the Cardinals had a fledgling finish to 2021, losing the division race and losing more games than they won. They simply aren’t the same explosive, fun team that they were in the first half of the season. Moreover, their quality of play has dropped substantially, especially defensively. Based on what they’ve shown me in recent weeks, I don’t have enough confidence to pick them to pull off this upset. Los Angeles has simply been the much better team, and if they play up to their potential, there are very few teams in this league that can slow them down. Now is the time to push for a title, and it has to start here.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How the Bengals Got Here/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ZDGGIIXI5REKLI75ARID5H7UIQ.jpg)
How the Rams Got Here
Patriots 16-13 Bills 
Buccaneers 27-17 Eagles 
49ers 26-23 Cowboys 
Chiefs 30-14 Steelers 
Dolphins 20-13 Jets 
Texans 23-17 Jaguars 
Broncos 24-23 Bengals 
Packers 27-16 Ravens 
Vikings 24-21 Bears 
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