Tag: titans

Week 12 Picks

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

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

Lions 20-17 Bears

Thursday, 12:30 PM EST, FOX

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

Cowboys 27-16 Raiders

Thursday, 4:30 PM EST, CBS

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

Saints 24-23 Bills

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

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

Bengals 23-20 Steelers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

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

Colts 27-21 Buccaneers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

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

Dolphins 24-21 Panthers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

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

Patriots 21-13 Titans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

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

Eagles 29-15 Giants

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

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

Falcons 27-24 Jaguars

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

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

Texans 20-14 Jets

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

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

Chargers 28-24 Broncos

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

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

Packers 27-20 Rams

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

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

49ers 29-26 Vikings

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

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

Ravens 24-19 Browns

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

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

Washington 26-17 Seahawks

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

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

All stats taken from ESPN.

Post-Week 11 Power Rankings

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

1 – Cardinals (9-2) 1

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

2 – Packers (8-3) 1

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

3 – Buccaneers (7-3) 4

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

4 – Patriots (7-4) 4

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

5 – Chiefs (7-4) 5

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

6 – Rams (7-3)

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

7 – Colts (6-5) 4

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

8 – Cowboys (7-3) 4

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

9 – Titans (8-3) 6

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

10 – Chargers (6-4) 2

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

11 – Ravens (7-3) 2

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

12 – Bills (6-4) 7

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

13 – Bengals (6-4)

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

14 – Vikings (5-5) 3

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

15 – Steelers (5-4-1) 1

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

16 – 49ers (5-5) 2

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

17 – Eagles (5-6) 2

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

18 – Saints (5-5) 3

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

19 – Browns (6-5) 3

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

20 – Broncos (5-5) 2

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

21 – Washington (4-6) 5

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

22 – Panthers (5-6) 1

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

23 – Raiders (5-5) 3

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

24 – Bears (3-7) 1

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

25 – Dolphins (4-7) 3

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

26 – Seahawks (3-7) 3

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

27 – Falcons (4-6) 3

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

28 – Giants (3-7) 1

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

29 – Jaguars (2-8)

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

30 – Texans (2-8) 2

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

31 – Jets (2-8)

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

32 – Lions (0-9-1) 2

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

All stats taken from ESPN.

Week 11 Picks

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

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

Patriots 27-17 Falcons

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, FOX

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

Bills 23-21 Colts

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

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

Ravens 24-16 Bears

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

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

Browns 29-17 Lions

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

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

Titans 28-10 Texans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

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

Packers 27-16 Vikings

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

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

Dolphins 19-14 Jets

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

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

Eagles 23-20 Saints

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

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

Panthers 24-20 Washington

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

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

49ers 30-14 Jaguars

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

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

Bengals 31-21 Raiders

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

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

Cowboys 30-27 Chiefs

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

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

Cardinals 28-17 Seahawks

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

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

Chargers 23-17 Steelers

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

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

Buccaneers 27-20 Giants

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

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

All stats taken from ESPN.

Post-Week 10 Power Rankings

The New England Patriots have been playing like one of the NFL’s elite teams on their 4-game win streak, and aren’t showing any signs of slowing down. (h/t Greg M. Cooper, AP)

1 – Packers (8-2) 1

The Packers are back on top, and for good reason. They didn’t have their flashiest game offensively against a bad Seahawks defense, but this team has shown us time and time again that they don’t need to do all that on offense to win. That’s thanks to having what I believe is the NFL’s best defense. Even without Jaire Alexander and ZaDarius Smith, this defense has been sensational in every facet. Their corners have been lockdown, their front seven has been ferocious, they don’t let you move the ball, and they rip it away from you whenever they please. The story of this team is not Aaron Rodgers or Davante Adams. It is that defense that Aaron has longed for for so long now, and if they keep up this level of play with reinforcements on the way, I don’t know if any team can slow them down.

2 – Cardinals (8-2) 1

I admittedly have no idea what to do with this team. They looked terrible on Sunday. Do I give them a pass since they were rolling out the B team? Or do I punish them because I saw that same B team dominate a capable 49ers team just last week? I just don’t know. I’m choosing the former because that was the first time the Cardinals didn’t look like themselves. As the season gets closer to Thanksgiving, we’re seeing so many great teams lay some duds. Everyone is allowed to do it. Especially if your backups are playing. I know that when this team is fully healthy, they’re arguably the best in football. They just need to hope and pray that they get there fast.

3 – Titans (8-2) 1

For the millionth straight week, I watched the Titans win and scratched my head as to how they did it. Once again, they were outgained and seemingly outplayed. But all this team does is win. Their defense stepped up when necessary, and although it was very close late, they got the stop they needed on the 2-point conversion to come away with a win. I don’t know how much longer they can keep this up for, but as long as they do it, they are firmly in the driver’s seat in the AFC.

4 – Cowboys (7-2) 3

I told you guys not to overreact. Now look at where we are. That being said, I don’t want to overreact in a different way after watching this team blow out the Falcons of all teams, but beating any team that badly is impressive. The offense clearly woke up after last week’s beatdown from the Broncos, and they looked like the Cowboys again. Moreover, their defense came to play and put together what might’ve been their best performance yet. Even the special teams got in on the action. I would love to see the Cowboys do this more consistently against better opposition, but alas. It was just a perfect game from a team that needed it badly, and now seems primed for a second half push at a potential 1 seed.

5 – Bills (6-3) 3

Like the team above them, the Bills woke up in a huge way this week. I understand that they were playing the Jets, but again, any win that huge is impressive. I was concerned with this offense, and they came out and looked like the Bills of October, and even the Bills of 2020. As I’ve said time and time again, Buffalo needs to take advantage of their cupcake schedule and show us that they’re a real contender. If they string together more performances like the one we saw on Sunday, they’ll quickly erase any doubt that may have risen in recent weeks.

6 – Rams (7-3) 1

I don’t know man. I really don’t. I think I have this team a bit high considering their last 2 performances, but I’m still giving them the benefit of the doubt. But man, they need to figure this out. Once again, they were absolutely dominated on both sides of the ball by a team that was simply more physical than they were. San Francisco absolutely bullied this team all game long, and the Rams didn’t look like they wanted to be there. Moreover, Matt Stafford has seemingly lost his touch and can’t stop making bad throws and spoon-feeding turnovers to opposing defenses. I think this week’s bye will help the Rams tremendously as they try to get these moving parts gelled together, and they better hope they get it done. This won’t continue to fly for very long.

7 – Buccaneers (6-3) 4

Something is fundamentally wrong with the Buccaneers right now, and what that is is fairly obvious. They just aren’t playing the guys they want to play. With Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown still out with injury, Tom Brady is clearly uncomfortable, as those guys are really his safety blankets. Granted, I don’t think you should be struggling when you’re throwing to the likes of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but we know the way Brady operates. When he doesn’t have his guys, he struggles. The defense is also still a mess and a conglomerate of moving parts that just aren’t working. There might be too many injuries on that side of the ball to overcome in such a short period of time. In any case, this team just looked flat out bad coming off a bye, and there are only so many excuses you can make for that. Will they turn it around? Probably. Was this a terrible look? Absolutely.

8 – Patriots (6-4) 2

There is no doubt in my mind that the Patriots are the hottest team in the AFC. Hell, they might be the best team in the AFC. Two games down the stretch against the Bills will answer that question for us. When New England isn’t playing their fellow blue team in the division, they are suffocating opponents with their awesome defense and picking them apart with their efficient but deadly offense. Mac Jones is still getting better by the week, and this offense has found itself with a plethora of playmakers that aren’t the flashiest, but simply get the job done. The “Patriot Way” is truly back with this team, and it’s pretty cool to watch. If they can keep this up down the stretch, this team genuinely has a chance at making a real run to the Super Bowl. Just when we thought we got rid of them.

9 – Ravens (6-3) 3

I truly can’t explain what happened to this team on Thursday night. Their defense wasn’t the problem for once. It was the offense that couldn’t get a single thing going from start to finish. That happens to everyone, but against the Dolphins? This is a team that couldn’t stop the Jaguars. What gives? I just don’t know. I trust Lamar Jackson and this offense enough to predict that we won’t see a performance that poor again, but I am officially concerned. This team needs to clean up its act in a hyper-competitive division and conference that can only send 7 teams to the playoffs.

10 – Chiefs (6-4) 7

This is a huge jump for a team that I’ve been very low on for a while now, so let me clear something up. This has less to do with what I think about the Chiefs and more to do with how the teams in this range have performed in the last week or so. That being said, I was still wildly impressed with KC on Sunday. Patrick Mahomes put together his first real Mahomes performance in a brilliant 406 yard 5 touchdown game. This offense was back to its old ways, getting everyone involved all over the field, and it was awesome to watch. Perhaps more impressive was their defense, which actually played defense for once. The Raiders are dealing with a lot right now, and did just lose to the Giants, but they have plenty of weapons, and they were all shut down against this defense. I don’t know if they can string together more performances like this, but I hope they can. I don’t want to be premature, but the Chiefs might be back.

11 – Colts (5-5) 3

It’s no secret that I really like the way this team plays. I love Jonathan Taylor and this defense, but I still have some concerns. The main one is Carson Wentz, who is starting to get a little more careless with the ball as the season progresses. The other one is the inability to close out games. This team plays bad teams close too much for my liking, but that might just be natural when you’re turning your season around. In any case, the Colts are back to .500 and have everything in front of them to make a potential playoff push. This week’s contest with the Bills will tell us a lot about whether this team is a playoff contender or pretender.

12 – Chargers (5-4) 3

It is getting really hard to keep any faith in this team. Seemingly every other week, they just lay down and die. Their offense completely disappears and their defense turns into Swiss cheese. This was the case on Sunday against a reeling Vikings team. I thought the game would be close, not a no-contest. Yes, the Chargers kept it close on the scoreboard, but anyone who watched the game knows they were never truly in it. They just never felt in it. They were outgained by 132 yards as Justin Herbert failed to reach 200 yards against a defense that Cooper Rush dotted up. The run game was also nonexistent once again. Meanwhile the defense got gashed all over the field for the millionth time this season. It’s just getting tiring watching this team be so inconsistent. Lord knows if they’ll find their groove at all in the back half of the season.

13 – Bengals (5-4)

I hope the Bengals made good use of their bye week. They have a lot to figure out, and they need to do it quickly in the AFC, especially if they can’t jump back to the top of their division. I know this team has what it takes. I just need to see it.

14 – Steelers (5-3-1) 3

Yes, tying with the winless Lions is extremely embarrassing. But, I will try to be nice to the Steelers. It’s very hard to win games in the NFL against anyone if your starting QB is Mason Rudolph. There is no way the Steelers would have lost that game had Ben Roethlisberger been playing. And at least they can say they didn’t lose to the Lions. The rest of the team did their job outside of a couple ugly turnovers, but it was an ugly game. What did you expect? This team will be fine once they get back healthy, but they need that to happen ASAP in what might be the NFL’s most competitive division.

15 – Saints (5-4)

I feel bad for the Saints. Once a week, one or two teams in the NFL fall victim to disgusting refereeing that undoubtedly changes the outcome of the game. This week, that team was the Saints. Extremely poor defensive penalties ruined any chance this team had of coming back and pulling off the upset of the Titans. Even after all that, they still were a 2-point conversion away from a late tie, but a false start put a fork in their odds. This team is already dealing with injuries out the you-know-what, and it’s not getting better by any means. In many ways, the Saints are the Titans of the NFC. They just don’t have a lot of luck on their side.

16 – Browns (5-5) 4

Is it… is it over with the Browns? This team that I had so much hope for, that looked so good just one week ago. There’s just so much bad to talk about with Cleveland that I almost don’t want to. Is this how it ends? A 38-point loss at the hands of Mac Jones and Rhamondre Stevenson? If so, then this is truly a tragedy. Maybe OBJ wasn’t the problem after all.

17 – Vikings (4-5) 3

The Vikings finally put together a complete performance on Sunday, and I am very pleased about it. I’ve been waiting for this for the entire season, and now that we finally got it, I can be happy with this team for once. Kirk Cousins played a great game, as did Dalvin Cook, and their defense locked down a (sometimes) potent Chargers offense. Can they replicate this more times down the stretch to put themselves in the playoff picture? Probably not. But this is a good step forward for a team that needed it badly.

18 – 49ers (4-5) 5

Like the Vikings, the 49ers put together the performance that I’ve been waiting to see from them all season long this week, and it was beautiful to watch. In primetime against their division rival with all their shiny new toys, the Niners smacked the Rams in the mouth from start to finish, and they did it by sticking to their brand of football. They ran the ball incredibly effectively, were efficient in the passing game, let their playmakers make plays, and their defense slammed the door shut on a reeling LA offense. Jimmy Garoppolo, Deebo Samuel, and even George Kittle all put together masterclasses offensively, and the defense had Matt Stafford looking dazed and confused. The 49ers needed a game like this desperately, as their season depended on it. Now, they find themselves in a position to potentially make a playoff push. Let’s see if they can pull it off.

19 – Eagles (4-6) 2

Once again, I am really impressed with the Philadelphia Eagles. This is honestly one of the most fun young teams to watch in the NFL. For several weeks now, they just make plays on both sides of the ball that you can’t take your eyes off of. Jalen Hurts is turning into a real QB right before our eyes, and Devonta Smith is getting more involved, which is doing wonders for the offense. The defense is also vastly improving as the season progresses, forcing turnovers and making plays left and right. This might not be a playoff team, but they have plenty to feel good about right now. I enjoy watching them every Sunday.

20 – Raiders (5-4) 4

It is very much over for this team. I’ve been ready to stick a fork in them for a minute now, and I’m just going to go ahead and do it. Between the never-ending off-the-field issues and the terrible on-the-field product, there’s just nothing to feel good about with the Raiders. Absolutely nothing. They have looked lifeless in back to back weeks, and I don’t see them finding their pulse anytime soon. They are cooked.

21 – Panthers (5-5) 5

Who would’ve thought that the key to saving the Panthers’ season would be to bring back Cam Newton? Ok, maybe saving is a bit hyperbolic, but the return of Cam clearly did something to this team to help them get things back track. This team played with life that I haven’t seen out of them all season. Cam didn’t even play most of the game, but his presence seemingly did enough to light a fire under this team that has been missing for 9 weeks. My only question is, what happens now? Cam will be the starter moving forward, but will his energy be enough to overcome his potential rust or shortcomings? This is a guy that hasn’t played NFL football in a while and lost his job to a rookie QB. Only time will tell.

22 – Broncos (5-5) 3

The Broncos of this week looked more like the Broncos we’ve seen for so long now. A lifeless team that head-scratchingly has no offense with a defense behind them that is flimsier than a book fair eraser. I wasn’t surprised with what I saw out of this team against Philly. If anything, I was surprised that they were truly that bad. If anything, this team is good at home. Coming to Denver and winning is never easy, but the Eagles made it look seamless. I think that tells us all we need to know about these Denver Broncos.

23 – Seahawks (3-6) 5

Oh, man. That was… oh, man. I don’t know if it was Russell Wilson rushing back from injury, Pete Carroll being a senile old man, or all of the above, but this team is just dreadful. Their defense wasn’t even that big of a problem on Sunday. It was their offense that was abysmal from start to finish to the tune of a whopping 0 points on the scoreboard. It was just embarrassing. Russ played a very poor game in his return from injury, and nobody else on the team picked up the slack. D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are turning invisible right before our eyes, and this defense is still a joke. That’s all this team is. A really bad joke.

24 – Falcons (4-5) 2

The Falcons put on one of the worst performances of the season, but it shouldn’t come as any surprise. This wasn’t even the first time this team didn’t show up to a game this season. However, considering the way they’ve been playing recently, this did come as a shock. I never bought into this team, but I was still surprised to see them play that poorly. They were dominated from start to finish in all 3 phases of the game, and it was never competitive. I would say I don’t expect to see such a lifeless performance again from this team, but these are the Falcons. This is practically the norm.

25 – Bears (3-6) 1

The Bears had Week 10 off, which probably felt nice after last Monday’s heartbreaker. Next up is a very tough matchup with the Ravens, but considering that team’s recent form, perhaps Chicago can find themselves a consolation W.

26 – Washington (3-6) 2

I promise you, nobody on Earth is more surprised with Sunday’s win than I am. I still can’t describe it. To see this team go out and flat out dominate the defending champs from start to finish was something I never would’ve predicted in a million years. The offense was efficient and immaculate in the 4th quarter, and the defense was lockdown all game long, finally looking like their 2020 selves. And while I still don’t think that’s who this team is, I absolutely loved watching it, and I’m hoping they can channel that into something moving forward. This team has lacked a pulse for over a month, so if they can find it and actually look like a team in the back half of the season, I’m all for it.

27 – Giants (3-6) 2

The Giants had a much needed bye week as they continue to get back healthy on offense. Even when that happens, this team won’t amount to much, but at the very least, they should have Saquon Barkley and Kadarius Toney healthy moving forward.

28 – Dolphins (3-7) 2

For the first time all year long, the Dolphins looked like the team we saw at the end of last season. Their offense wasn’t great, but their defense finally stepped up, suffocating the Ravens offense from start to finish in a physical fashion. Their front seven got after the ball, and their secondary made play after play in the fourth quarter to seal the deal. For their sake, I hope Miami can take the momentum from Thursday night and roll with it, because I know this team is far more talented than the way they’ve been playing in 2021.

29 – Jaguars (2-7) 2

The Jags actually managed to keep things close with the Colts, but they simply couldn’t get out of their own way late in the game. It seems like that’s going to be the story of this team moving forward. It’s a solid bunch, and they’ll certainly be competitive. But I just don’t think they have what it takes to win those close games. We can only hope that they’ll get there somewhere down the road.

30 – Lions (0-8-1) 1

Can you believe the Lions haven’t lost in back to back weeks? It’s a miracle! A lot of people thought this team would beat the Steelers, but I think even they’ll tell you that they’ll settle for a tie. You take everything you can get when you’re in a position like the Lions are in. It was an ugly, rainy game that nobody wanted to win. At least this team can say they didn’t lose.

31 – Jets (2-7) 2

Joe Flacco is starting for this team on Sunday. Nothing more needs to be said.

32 – Texans (1-8)

Congrats to the Texans for having a bye week! I’m sure their fans relished in that.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Week 10 Picks

Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson both return to the field on Sunday as the Packers take on the Seahawks in a marquee NFC matchup. (h/t NFL.com)

The 2021 NFL season is officially halfway done. 9 weeks are behind us with 9 more in front of us. Things are starting to amp up across football, as division races and playoff pushes get crazier and continue to heat up. This is where the fun begins. I had another mediocre performance last week, going 7-7 to bring my season total to 83-52. I will do better! That being said, let’s get into this week’s picks:

Ravens 30-17 Dolphins

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, FOX

This game really has no excuse being close whatsoever. The Ravens have been playing well recently thanks to some clutch heroics from Lamar Jackson, and the Dolphins are one of the worst teams in football. The only reason I think this won’t be a complete blowout is Baltimore’s defense. It’s a unit that has struggled mightily this season, especially in the secondary. Maybe Miami has a chunk play or two in them down the field to put up some points. In any case, the outcome of this game is not in doubt whatsoever.

Cowboys 31-20 Falcons

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The Cowboys should be back to form this week, but this is a potentially treacherous situation for them. They laid a complete dud last week, whereas the Falcons went on the road and pulled off a huge upset of their rivals in New Orleans. But I just can’t pick the Falcons to win this game. I don’t think they’re as good as they might seem, and I think Dallas is still a great team despite their performance last week. It was the only game of the season that they didn’t show up. It shouldn’t happen again. As long as Dak Prescott is healthier, this offense should have no trouble mowing down a weak Atlanta defense.

Titans 24-23 Saints

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This is a very intriguing matchup. Both of these teams have seemingly exceeded expectations this season, with the Saints just 1 game out of first place and the Titans holding the AFC’s 1 seed. Tennessee is coming off one of the best wins of the season, while New Orleans suffered a tough loss at the hands of the Falcons. I think these teams match up well with one another, especially defensively, so I see this one being close throughout. I do think the Saints have a better defense, but after seeing what the Titans did to the Rams offense last week, I have to roll with them. Even without Derrick Henry, this team finds ways to win, and I think they’ll get the job done over a Saints team that lacks an offensive identity.

Colts 26-20 Jaguars

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

If last week is any indication, the Jaguars are going to be a competitive team in the back half of the season. If this team can beat the Bills, who knows what else they can do? That being said, I think this week will bring the Jags back down to Earth. The Colts have been playing great football recently, and are coming off extended rest after playing on TNF last week. Their young stars Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr. are winning people fantasy games left and right, and as long as Carson Wentz plays with his head on his shoulders, this shouldn’t be too much trouble for Indy. We saw what Josh Allen did against this Jacksonville team last week, so maybe they can force Wentz into some mistakes to make this a bit interesting.

Patriots 20-17 Browns

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

In my opinion, this is the best game of the week. These are two bright, young teams that are getting in a groove as we head into the back half of the season. I can’t wait to watch this one. These teams match up extremely well with one another, as they have similar formulas, especially with their run-first offenses. So, I think the deciding factor in this game is going to be the defenses. And New England’s defense is definitely better than Cleveland’s. The Browns have a good defense, that was on display all game long last week in Cincinnati. But this Patriots unit is just too good all across the board, whereas the Browns secondary has been struggling all year long. I think the Pats can do enough to stifle Baker Mayfield to put their offense in a position to win the game. We all know the story by now with Bill Belichick and young QBs. I think the Browns have the offensive talent to pull this off, but you know I love defense, so I’ll roll with the Patriots.

Bills 23-13 Jets

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Last week was another reminder to never pick huge blowouts, especially if the Bills are involved. While this is a situation that permits picking a massive win, I simply will not do it. I have learned my lesson. Still, there’s no way the Bills lose this game. The Jets are cute, but not nearly as good as Buffalo, and I just don’t see how a team as talented as the Bills lays down and dies for a second straight week. The defense won’t be an issue, but Josh Allen better button up and start playing like his old self again if this team wants to return to its winning ways.

Steelers 28-10 Lions

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

If I felt like the Steelers were capable of putting up huge offensive numbers, I’d pick a much bigger win than this. But, that’s not the case (and I’m also done picking huge blowouts). Still, Pittsburgh is vastly better than Detroit, which needs no explanation. The only interesting thing in this game is seeing how dominant the Steelers defense will be against an offense as anemic as the Lions’. I’m sure people who have that unit in fantasy are licking their chops this week.

Buccaneers 45-17 Washington

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Ok. I’m a hypocrite. But I promise this one will not be close. Nobody knows that more than I do. Let’s just be practical here and use our common sense. The Buccaneers have one of the most star-studded and prolific passing offenses in football. Washington has the worst passing offense in the NFL, statistically speaking. Do you catch my drift? Moreover, this Bucs team is coming off a bye, which means Tom Brady will be well-rested coming off a tough loss 2 weeks ago to the Saints. Washington is a football team (no pun intended) without a pulse, and this will be an absolute stomping that they deserve every bit of. I’m honestly excited to watch us get blown out. At least I have Tom Brady in fantasy.

Cardinals 30-14 Panthers

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, FOX

What exactly are the Panthers doing? They weren’t in the worst position with P.J. Walker under center while Sam Darnold recovers from injury. But now, Cam Newton is back in town. And I can’t wrap my head around it. I’m not sure who’s getting the start on Sunday (probably Walker), but no matter it is, this should be easy for Arizona. Kyler Murray’s status for this game is still in question, as is DeAndre Hopkins’, but if last week taught us anything, it’s that this team will be just fine if either or both of them can’t go. The Cardinals’ depth does wonders for them, and against one of the league’s most lifeless teams, they shouldn’t have a problem.

Chargers 31-28 Vikings

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, FOX

This should be a fun one. These are practically the exact same teams in opposite conferences, from a historic standpoint. Two franchises that have always been solid but can’t get out of their own way, so they’ve never found any true success. What gives when these two clash on the field on Sunday? Well, I’m not sure. I think this is honestly a really even matchup. Both of these offenses are prolific and put up huge numbers, whereas both defenses have been porous. Therefore, I have to roll with the better offenses, and the Chargers have proven their ability to win games with their offense infinitely more than the Vikings have. Just look at last week’s games for both of these teams. That will tell you all you need to know. In any case, this should be a fun game the whole way through and will likely come down to who actually gets out of their own way late. Not even a coinflip can decide that.

Eagles 24-20 Broncos

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, CBS

I don’t really care about records here. In fact, I rarely do. I pick games based on what I’ve seen on the field from both teams. So, no, I don’t care that the Broncos are 5-4. I recognize that last week was a great performance from them against a great team, but I also recognize flukes in the NFL, and I believe that was one of them. Meanwhile, I look at a team like the Eagles, who have at least been consistent throughout most of this season, and certainly have the talent to win games against teams at their level. I think this is a great matchup for them, as Denver’s defense isn’t exactly a strength. Since the injury to Miles Sanders, more and more people are getting involved in the Philly offense, and they’ve been better off for it. You never know who the guy is going to be on any given Sunday, but someone will show up. No matter who that is this week, I think the Eagles will be able to pull this one out.

Packers 27-17 Seahawks

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, CBS

What an intriguing matchup on paper. Both Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson are returning to their respective teams to give their teams a much needed boost. The Seahawks have been unwatchable without Russ, and last week with Jordan Love wasn’t very pretty for the Packers. With the two star QBs back, I think this game will be entertaining if nothing else. But, the Seahawks still have a defense that allows the 2nd most yards in football, whereas the Packers defense continues to be lockdown week after week. That makes this pick an easy one. I expect a huge day for Rodgers in his return, and the entire offense should get back on track after last week’s disappointing performance.

Chiefs 30-27 Raiders

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

Sunday Night Football brings us one of the wackiest yet intriguing matchups that we’ll get on primetime this season. Both of these teams are in precarious positions, with the Chiefs winning very unimpressively while the Raiders are… the Raiders. This is a pivotal game in the AFC West, so I imagine both teams will play harder than they did last week, which isn’t the highest bar in the world. I have no idea what separates these teams, and that makes this pick extremely difficult. Both of these defenses have been poor, and thanks to some off-the-field problems for Vegas, both offenses are now sputtering. At the very least, we can say this is an even matchup. In a game like this, I usually take the better QB, which is certainly Patrick Mahomes, although he hasn’t been playing like it. I don’t have the most confidence in him or the Chiefs to get this done, but I have to pick a winner here, so what the hell.

Rams 31-17 49ers

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

If the 49ers decided to actually play like a real NFL team in recent weeks, this could have been a hell of a game. Instead, they have fallen apart, and now get a Rams team that should be furious coming off of a huge loss last week in primetime. LA should be ready to show the world that last week was a fluke, and they get a great opportunity to do so in another standalone game. I think this game will be close for a while, given the nature of primetime and division games, but the 49ers inspire little to no confidence to keep things close. The Rams potent offense should do more than enough to pull away late and get their season back on track.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Post-Week 9 Power Rankings

The Titans used a dominant defensive performance to pull off one of the season’s most impressive victories on Sunday night against the Rams in LA. (h/t AP Photo, Ashley Landis)

1 – Cardinals (8-1) 1

The Cardinals are back on top, dethroning the Packers by proving they have something that Green Bay apparently does not: depth. And the Cards have it in bunches. Without Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Green, and J.J. Watt, in addition to losing Chase Edmonds on the first drive of the game, all Arizona did was waltz into the Bay and throw the 49ers all over the place. It was domination from start to finish, even with the fossil that is Colt McCoy leading the way under center. The offense got another huge hand from James Conner, who now has 11 touchdowns from scrimmage (all in his last 7 games) to take the league lead in that category. The defense continues to be dominant as well, forcing 3 turnovers. This is quickly becoming the deepest and potentially best roster in football. They deserve to be back at #1.

2 – Packers (7-2) 1

If you think the Packers deserved to be dropped significantly for their performance on Sunday, you either didn’t watch the game or you just don’t get this league. The worst part about their game was Jordan Love, who was a major disappointment. But… he’s the backup QB. And the man he backs up is the defending MVP. I didn’t think he’d struggle that much, but it was the kid’s first start in lieu of all of the off-the-field drama surrounding the franchise’s COVID policies (or lack thereof). In my opinion, the story of the game was the Packers defense, which was extremely impressive once again. This is a unit filled with studs, and they have more coming once they all get healthy. In my opinion, this is still the team to beat in the NFL, and once Aaron Rodgers is back, you’ll forget this week even happened, from an on-the-field standpoint, at least.

3 – Buccaneers (6-2) 2

Tampa won their bye week by watching some teams above them collapse, but also by getting much healthier. Both Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski should be back this week, giving the offense a huge boost. Not like they’ll need that against Washington of all teams.

4 – Titans (7-2) 3

I don’t know how this team does it. Through anything and everything, all the Titans do is win, win, win. Without their best player, Derrick Henry, on the road, facing one of the best teams in football on Sunday Night Football, Tennessee slammed their fist on the table and put together one of the most impressive wins of the season. The story of the game was their defense, which is suddenly an elite unit. Remember how I’ve been knocking this team for 2 years now for not having a pass rush? Yeah, throw that out of the window. This defensive front had their way with the Rams offensive line, namely Jeffrey Simmons, who had 3 sacks of his own. The secondary also continues to be lockdown, as Kevin Byard had a pick six, which was the second of two consecutive interceptions for the defense. The offense struggled as much as I thought they would, but it didn’t matter. They did what they had to do to get the job done. It’s a winning formula that can clearly work against some of the league’s elite. Even without Henry, this is just a winning football team. It’s honestly incredible to watch.

5 – Rams (7-2) 2

I did not see that coming. This team got a very harsh reality check on Sunday night for the entire country to see. It wasn’t pretty. I’m not entirely sure what happened to this offense, but they got stifled every time they had an opportunity to get something going. The defense didn’t do a terrible job, in fact they had a great game, holding the Titans to under 200 yards of offense. But the early turnovers were simply too much to overcome. They were facing a good defense themselves, but I’m so used to seeing the Rams be so great offensively that this was a disappointment. I still have plenty of faith in this team, and there’s no shame in losing to another great team like Tennessee, but they better get buttoned up to old form quickly in the hyper-competitive NFC.

6 – Ravens (6-2) 3

The Ravens are a team that I don’t know what to make of, but I have to love the way they play. They just find ways to win, and it all comes back to Lamar Jackson. He’s putting together a serious MVP campaign, and his ability to lead this team to victory in so many different ways is truly something to behold. He continues to have a great season through the air and on the ground, but he has also been able to bring this team back time after time, and Sunday was another brilliant example of that. This is a resilient bunch led by one of the most resilient QBs we have in this league, and their next man up mentality is working like a charm so far this season. The defense is still a major issue, but as long as Lamar keeps bailing them out, this team will continue to win games. I’d love to see more balance across the board, but this is working, so I can’t complain too much.

7 – Cowboys (6-2) 3

Everyone is allowed to lay a complete dud. This was the first dud of the Cowboys’ season. I think the biggest problem for this team on Sunday was Dak Prescott, who, in hindsight, probably shouldn’t have played in this game. He was terrible, as was the rest of the offense, which had no reason to get shut down by a Broncos team that just traded way its best defender. Dallas’ defensive woes also caught up to them in this game, as they were picked apart by Teddy Bridgewater of all QBs, and were also gashed on the ground to the tune of almost 200 rushing yards given up. I doubt we’ll see the Cowboys look this bad again, especially because Dak will only get healthier, but I think their defense might be their achilles heel once again moving forward. I can only sit back and laugh at those who crowned Trevon Diggs as their DPOY through 6 weeks because he was a pick magnet.

8 – Bills (5-3) 2

I have no idea what is going on with this team. Something is wrong with this offense. If I’m being honest… I think it’s Josh Allen. In recent weeks, he has been nothing short of terrible. The Josh Allen we got on Sunday was the version of him we were used to seeing before last year. Between terrible reads, awful throws, bone-headed decisions, a plethora of bad QB traits that Allen once had are beginning to rear their ugly heads once again. Buffalo’s defense is just fine, but Allen can’t continue to hold back this offense. With the Patriots catching up in the division and the wild card race looking as tight as ever, this team can’t afford for Allen to regress into his old self.

9 – Chargers (5-3) 2

That was a really nice win for the Chargers. It was a bit closer than I would’ve liked, but they got back on track with a much-needed W. I think the story of this team thus far is that they’re eliminating a lot of Charger-isms. They’ve been going on game-winning drives, milking clock late in games, kicking game-winning field goals, etc. Even if it doesn’t translate into immense success this season, you can tell things are trending upwards in LA. It helps when Justin Herbert is your QB. Herbert had one of the best QB games of the season, and he continues to be a complete treat to watch. The defense still needs to tighten up if this team wants to pull away in a conference littered with 5-win teams.

10 – Patriots (5-4) 3

I’d argue that no team in football is trending up more than the Patriots. We knew this team was good; that was evident in their fight in so many close losses. But now, they’re turning those close losses into impressive wins. The defense is still playing spectacularly, forcing turnovers and even getting in the endzone themselves. But, the story continues to be Mac Jones and this offense getting better and better as the season progresses. You can tell it’s getting easier and easier for this offense to do its thing with each game, and I don’t think they’ve even scratched the surface of their potential yet. Their schedule is extremely tough, but this New England team is going to make things extremely interesting in the back half of the season. I am incredibly intrigued to watch it play out.

11 – Steelers (5-3) 3

Pittsburgh is yet another team that is looking very, very good as of late. Yes, Monday night’s win was a little too close for comfort, but they were in cruise control for most of that game. The Bears deserve some credit for fighting back. This offense is playing good, efficient football, and the two star rookies Najee Harris and Pat Friermuth are a big reason for that. This defense is also still incredible, despite some slip-ups late in that game. This is just a solid team all around, and they have a good, winning formula. As long as they follow it, they should find themselves playing football in January.

12 – Browns (5-4) 5

The Browns are back. Or so I hope. Sunday’s victory was everything I’ve been looking for out of this team in 2021. We knew OBJ was a problem, but man, I have never seen a team change so much in the absence of a single player. Everyone on this team was on fire in Cincy on both sides of the ball. It was a complete and utter clinic. Donovan Peoples-Jones is emerging as a bonafide WR1, Nick Chubb is still one of the best backs in football, and Baker Mayfield is back to his late 2020 ways. Seriously, there aren’t a lot of offenses more fun to watch than this one when they play the way they did on Sunday. If the Browns can continue to play like this in the back half of the season, they can make a serious push in this division. I think they have what it takes.

13 – Bengals (5-4) 5

Sigh. Everything was so good just a few weeks ago. Back-to-back bad losses for this team have them falling in the standings, as the once-first-seeded Bengals now sit in dead last in the AFC North. Still, I have a lot of faith in this team. Joe Burrow is as resilient as they come, and this upcoming bye week should help them refocus and get back on track in the second half. I am concerned with Cincy’s defense, which seems to be regressing into its old self. This is an explosive offense, but they cannot afford to be weighed down by a defense that gives up big play after big play. The second half schedule is absolutely killer. The Bengals need to figure it out this week if they want to remain afloat in this wild playoff race.

14 – Colts (4-5) 1

I won’t go crazy over the Colts blowing out Josh Johnson and the Jets, but I was still impressed with what I saw on Thursday night. The story continues to be Jonathan Taylor and his awesome play as he continues quickly emerging into one of the NFL’s best backs. This defense also found themselves getting back on track, but again, it was Josh Johnson. I still think this is a very solid team all around, and as long as Carson Wentz is playing with his head on his shoulders, they will find themselves winning games. They can only hope that he doesn’t throw the season away.

15 – Saints (5-3) 3

Ok, I am being a bit harsh to the Saints. They showed a ton of fight and resilience to be able to come back and take a late lead on Sunday. But, I have two problems with what I saw in that game. For one, they should never have even been in that position against a team like the Falcons. Secondly, they should not have given up that game-winning drive. You guys know how much I love this defense. Where were they on Sunday? They stifled the run game to just 23 yards, but Matt Ryan threw for 343 yards and had his way with the secondary all game long. I know that’s the weaker link of the defense, but come on now. I do think this team will be fine, but it’s still so hard to get a read on them.

16 – Raiders (5-3) 6

The Raiders are like Groundhog Day. It’s just the same thing over and over and over again with this team. It’s unbelievably tiring, and I’m not even a fan of this team. They started out the season red hot? Oh, that just means they’ll fall off and return to mediocrity. Their former first rounders are emerging into stars? Nope, they have off the field issues and are no longer on the team. Derek Carr is playing like an MVP candidate? Nah, he’ll flutter against the Giants. It happens every single season. This is a 9 win team at best and that’s all I can say about them. I refuse to continue to be fooled. I’m done taking the Raiders seriously.

17 – Chiefs (5-4) 1

Was I supposed to be impressed with the Chiefs’ win on Sunday? For the second straight week, KC put together an uninspiring win that makes us feel worse about the team. Only scoring 13 points with all of that offensive talent is just inexcusable, even against a defense as good as Green Bay’s. I will say that I was impressed with Kansas City’s own defensive performance, but they were facing Jordan Love, not Aaron Rodgers. Had Rodgers been playing, this game would have been a wash. This team is still bad and has no redeeming qualities, and I will not be fooled by a couple of unimpressive wins.

18 – Seahawks (3-5) 3

Seattle is another team that won their bye week by likely getting Russell Wilson back from injury ahead of a pivotal matchup against the Packers. With Russ back, perhaps the Seahawks can turn their season around. I doubt it’ll happen, but at least we don’t have to watch Geno Smith play anymore.

19 – Broncos (5-4) 3

I genuinely have no idea where any of that game from. None. For the first time since Week 3, the Broncos looked impressive. Their defense was spectacular against a seemingly unstoppable Cowboys offense, and their own offense had their way in both the passing and running game all day long. They were severely underestimated by everyone, which was for a good reason, but came out and proved us all wrong. I’m not expecting to see Denver do this again this season, but good for them to shut us all up for a week.

20 – Vikings (3-5) 1

Ok. This is getting really tiring. I still believe this team is better than their record, but I’m waving the white flag with them. If they were truly better than their record, perhaps they’d actually be winning all of these games that they manage to lose. Good teams don’t fumble games away, miss game-winning kicks, lose to Cooper Rush, or throw away double digit leads. It’s as simple as that. This team just isn’t good enough to get over the hill that they have constructed in front of themselves. There are plenty of people to blame, and pointing fingers is a waste of time. Sometimes, you just gotta look inward.

21 – Eagles (3-6) 2

I’d say the Eagles are in the midst of a best case scenario season. They’re showing flashes and their young pieces are playing well, yet they’re still losing and heading towards multiple top draft selections. Great success! I like what I’m seeing from this team on both sides of the ball, and I think this rebuild is going well. That’s more than can be said about some of their division counterparts. This is honestly a decent team that can give anyone a fight and win games on any given Sunday.

22 – Falcons (4-4) 2

Yes, the Falcons picked up a very nice division win on Sunday. No, I don’t really care. I still have plenty of problems with this team, and a couple of wins isn’t going to magically erase them. This isn’t a playoff team despite currently being in the playoff picture. That’s why theres 9 more games left to be played. I will admit that the Falcons are playing a lot better than I though they would be, but I still don’t see it with this team, despite being at .500. Beat a bonafide good team at full strength and then we’ll talk.

23 – 49ers (3-5) 5

Like their once-fellow Bay Area residents, I am done with this team. How do you get blown out at home by the Cardinals B team offense? Yes, that is still a solid B team, but there’s no excuse for the 49ers to have played as poorly as they did on Sunday. Just none. Both sides of the ball are falling apart and this season is going nowhere fast. Even when Trey Lance is ready to play, it won’t magically solve all the other issues with this team. It’s just going to be another lost season in the Bay. They better hope Lance is as good as they think.

24 – Bears (3-6) 2

Like the Eagles, the Bears are in a good spot right now. They clearly have their franchise QB in Justin Fields, who played what was easily his best game as a pro on Monday night. He delivered throw after throw with extreme accuracy, took several hits and got back up, and led a clutch go-ahead drive that their defense subsequently threw away. But, as long as Fields continues to grow and impress and this team continues to lose, I’d say they’re doing well. I’m not some sort of tanking advocate, but I do recognize when losing has its advantages. Good losses are perhaps the best thing a team like the Bears can ask for.

25 – Giants (3-6)

I’ll admit, I was impressed with the Giants this week. I knew they’d play the Raiders close, but to beat them outright was something I didn’t see coming. It was largely thanks to another great defensive performance, as that side of the ball continues to prove its worth. The offense doesn’t have anything going for it, but the other side of the ball is playing extremely well. Good for them. They should look into fixing the offense, though. Just a suggestion.

26 – Panthers (4-5) 6

I could be overreacting here, but things are definitely cooked in Carolina. Remember that great defense they had a month ago? They’re still falling apart each and every week? Remember the 3 weeks that Sam Darnold was good? Now he’s playing like the worst starting QB in football. And to make matters worse, he’ll miss at least a month with a shoulder issue. So, even with Christian McCaffrey back, this offense is doomed. P.J. Walker is a solid backup, but he can’t salvage this absolute mess. I don’t know if anyone can.

27 – Jaguars (2-6) 2

How can you not feel good for this team? That was an awesome win for a franchise that needs as many as they can come by. You can tell this team has an energy that so many other bottom-of-the-barrel teams don’t, and Urban Meyer might just be proving that he can really do this in the NFL. I’m happy for him and the rest of this team. I enjoy watching them all succeed. Just don’t throw away a top 5 pick.

28 – Washington (2-6) 1

Last week was my favorite in the season because I didn’t have to subject myself to the torture of watching this team play. Unfortunately, they return to action this Sunday for an inevitable blowout at the hands of Tom Brady. At least it’ll be fun to watch him play.

29 – Jets (2-6) 1

Life’s too short to kick the Jets while they’re down. I have relished in that a lot over the years, but I won’t do that this week. Getting stomped by a good team after your starting QB gets hurt is nothing to be ashamed of. I hope Mike White gets healthy soon, because he actually makes this team somewhat watchable.

30 – Dolphins (2-7)

Congrats to the Dolphins on winning the worst game of the season on paper. Maybe if they had left any sort of impression on the field other than the fact that they’re still terrible, they’d get moved up a bit this week. But that’s not happening. A 17-9 win over the Texans is disgusting. At least they can say that they won.

31 – Lions (0-8)

For the first week this season, the Lions didn’t lose a game! Good for them. We’ll see how many similar weeks they have in 2021.

32 – Texans (1-8)

No.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Week 9 Picks

Former Packers 1st round pick Jordan Love is being thrown into the fire in his first career start on Sunday, taking on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. (h/t Getty Images)

We are officially at the midway point of the season. With 18 weeks, Week 9 is a definitive median, and with almost half the season behind us, there’s still plenty of questions that need to answer themselves. This season is only getting wilder and more confusing, and the second half should be a ton of fun. I had my worst week ever last week, going 6-9; I can’t remember ever having a week with a losing record (thanks, backup QBs). My season total now sits at 76-45. Hopefully this week brings better results. Let’s get into the picks:

Colts 30-20 Jets

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, FOX

This isn’t exactly the best primetime game ever, but if the Jets play like they did last week, then this could be fun. Mike White looked awesome as the starting QB, throwing for over 400 yards, and he’ll get another chance to prove himself on national TV. Unfortunately, I don’t see him replicating that performance. The Colts have been solid lately, and although they lost a heartbreaker last week, I think they’ll be fired up to get back on track. Carson Wentz, despite last week’s mistakes, has been very good, and this defense isn’t going to play that poorly again, especially against an anemic offense like New York has.

Bengals 24-20 Browns

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

The Browns are back to being one of the biggest messes in the NFL thanks to some off the field drama involving Odell Beckham Jr. (and his dad apparently). The former star WR didn’t get traded before the deadline, but it surely looks like his time in Cleveland is up. Moreover, this team looked like a mess on the field last week, and I’m not sure what it’ll take to get them back on track. The Bengals are hoping to avoid losing back to back games and fall further back in the division race, and I think that fire under them will push them over the top in a game like this. I just don’t see the Browns fixing their problems before Sunday.

Cowboys 28-13 Broncos

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

No matter who starts at QB for Dallas on Sunday (it will likely be Dak Prescott), it should be smooth sailing all game long. The Broncos have been terrible on both sides of the ball since the calendar flipped to September. Meanwhile, the Cowboys have been playing like one of the NFL’s best teams, even when Cooper Rush is under center. There’s no need to overthink this one. If Dak plays, then this one could get really ugly. I expect to see another huge day out of the Dallas offense, and their defense should make some more big plays as well.

Dolphins 17-10 Texans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Is this going to be the worst game of the year? It certainly has the potential. These are arguably the two worst teams in football, but someone has to win. I’ll take the less horrible team, which has to be the Dolphins. They may be terrible, but they haven’t looked as lifeless as the Texans have. They’re certainly capable of winning a game like this simply because they have talent on the field, which is more than Houston can say. All I know about this one is that I have no interest in watching a single second of it.

Saints 26-17 Falcons

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

This could be fun. The Saints are 5-2 and on fire coming off 3 straight wins including last week’s upset of the Buccaneers. Even after losing Jameis Winston to an ACL tear, I have confidence in this team to win with backup QB Trevor Siemian. The Saints have shown us time and time again that they can win plenty of games with backup QBs. This will be much less of a challenge than last week for him. The Falcons looked like they were picking up some sort of steam, but they laid one of their biggest duds of the season last week against Carolina. While I don’t think they’ll look that lifeless again this week against their biggest rival, I certainly don’t trust them a whole lot against a defense as great as New Orleans’ is. As long as Siemian remains efficient and this offense does its job, this should be smooth sailing for the Saints.

Raiders 28-19 Giants

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

The Raiders continue to deal with more insanity off the field than any other team on Earth, but I don’t think that will affect them too much in a game this easy. The Giants have been a scrappy team this season, but they never seem to be able to actually pull any upsets (barring their Week 4 win in NOLA). The Raiders are coming off a bye and even without Henry Ruggs III, their offense should be able to do just fine against this stout New York defense. Even if they’re stifled a bit, we all know the Giants offense isn’t good enough to win them any games.

Patriots 24-14 Panthers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

These two teams couldn’t be heading in more different directions. The Patriots are playing some great football lately and finally figuring themselves out offensively, leading to some efficient performances backed by a great defense. The Panthers meanwhile, are falling apart at the seams on both sides of the ball. They don’t have a pulse offensively without Christian McCaffrey, who might be coming back this week, but even if he does, I don’t think they have what it takes to beat a defense this solid. New England is shutting down the likes of Justin Herbert. I don’t think they’ll have many problems with Sam Darnold.

Bills 40-6 Jaguars

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

I know, I know. Every time I predict one of these massive blowouts it always comes back to bite me. But I am so sure of this one. I promise you guys. The Jaguars couldn’t even move the ball on the Seahawks. The Seahawks! Why should I even have them scoring points against the best statistical defense in football? I’ve never been more confident in a blowout in my life. In fact, I genuinely believe this will be a shutout. I just don’t have the cajones to pick it.

Ravens 28-27 Vikings

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

I honestly think this will be the most fun game of the week. I don’t want to keep propping up the Vikings, but against a Ravens defense this bad, I have to. I don’t think the bye week magically fixed this porous Baltimore secondary, so the Vikes’ offensive weapons should be able to put up their usual numbers in this one. However, I don’t think it’ll be enough to overcome Lamar Jackson on the other side of the football. I think the Ravens realize how important every game is becoming with the Ravens and Bengals right on their heels in the division, and I don’t think they’ll drop this one. Their offense should do enough to carry them to victory. If their defense plays even a smidge above their usual par, then this shouldn’t be too much trouble.

Chargers 26-19 Eagles

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

The Chargers have no business playing a team like the Eagles close. That’s exactly why I think this will be a close game. LA has been fairly disappointing in recent weeks, and against a Philly team coming off a blowout win, albeit against the Lions, I think this one could be tight. Even if it isn’t close throughout the course of the game, you know the Eagles will do enough late to make thins interesting. I don’t see any way the Chargers end up losing this game, sheerly based off their superior talent on both sides of the ball, but they better hope that talent plays like they were earlier this season. They need to pick things up ASAP, and this should be a great opportunity for them to do so.

Packers 27-24 Chiefs

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

Man. We’re really never getting a State Farm Bowl are we? Once again, the Packers and Chiefs are playing each other, but Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes are not. Rodgers, thanks to either lying about his vaccination status or just sheer bad luck, will miss this game with COVID-19, so it’ll be the former first rounder Jordan Love under center for his first start and meaningful snaps of his professional career. And still, the Packers will win this game. I’m taking two factors into account here. The first one is that the Chiefs aren’t very good. They’re not good at all to be honest. Their defense has been arguably the worst in football, which is well documented at this point, and their offense is a fraction of what it once was. The second is that this seems to be the year of the backup QB. The Packers drafted Love in the first round for a reason. He surely has what it takes to play in this league, right? And in a year that backup QBs have looked like world beaters, what’s to stop him from tearing up a terrible defense? Unlike last week, Green Bay will have all of their offensive weapons at their disposal. So, all Love has to do is feed Davante Adams and Aaron Jones, and the defense should do the rest, shutting down a sorry KC offense.

Cardinals 23-20 49ers

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

The first time these teams met, it was Trey Lance’s first start for the 49ers, and it was honestly a lot closer than I expected. With Jimmy Garoppolo under center, I think it’ll be even closer. Sometimes in these division matchups, teams just play you really close and you can’t explain it. That’s what San Francisco does to Arizona, apparently. That being said, I see the same outcome as last time. The Cardinals are just the better team, and I don’t think they’ll be too keen on dropping back-to-back games after starting the season 7-0. Kyler and company should do enough to get the job done against a solid Niners team.

Rams 31-20 Titans

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

This game had so much promise. Up until this past Monday, I was looking forward to this one more than almost any other game this season. But, without Derrick Henry on the field for the Titans, I don’t see it being very close. The Rams are arguably the best team in the league, and they just got better with the acquisition of Von Miller. A Titans team without their best player (by a longshot) shouldn’t be too much of a challenge. Their defense still isn’t all that, so it should be another field day for Matt Stafford and the Rams offense. I think this game will teach us a lot about what the Titans are going to be without Henry. It’s going to be their toughest test of the season, so how will they overcome? I think Mike Vrabel is a great coach that has what it takes to keep his team on a winning path, but only time will tell how the next couple of months go in Tennessee.

Steelers 24-10 Bears

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

This looks like another Monday night snoozefest on paper, and to be fair, it probably will be. But, I don’t think it’ll be completely unwatchable. The Steelers are playing some good football as of late, and this Bears team shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for them. I’m honestly dreading seeing this Chicago offensive line deal with the Pittsburgh defensive front for 60 minutes. It’s going to be another ugly showing for Justin Fields and the Bears offense simply because the Steelers defense is going to be all over them. So, Big Ben and the offense won’t have to do too much to get what should be a seamless win in primetime.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Post-Week 8 Power Rankings

The Packers upset the Cardinals in a Thursday Night classic to leapfrog all the way to the #1 spot in this week’s Power Rankings. (h/t Christian Petersen, Getty Images)

1 – Packers (7-1) 6

Against all odds, the Packers pulled off the impossible last Thursday. Going on the road to take on the only undefeated team in football without their top 3 WRs, their LT, their star CB and pass rusher, or even a defensive coordinator, they out-played the Cardinals from start to finish en route to the biggest win of the season in the NFL thus far. It wasn’t flashy, it wasn’t electric, but it was incredible team football to pull off a feat that nobody thought they could. It was more than enough to put them at #1. Aaron Rodgers is playing like he’s in his prime, making something out of nothing, and this defense has been extremely physical and continues to make play after play despite being riddled by injuries. They ran the ball all over a good defense and looked like the best team in football. In my opinion, that’s just what they are.

2 – Cardinals (7-1) 1

I’m not going to punish the Cardinals too hard for losing. They were the 32nd team in the league to do so. They played well enough to be within a single play of beating the Packers, and that was with DeAndre Hopkins missing most of the game. I was a bit concerned with Kyler Murray, as he struggled for the majority of the game and seemed to be hurt once it was over. Hopefully he’s alright. I was also concerned with the defensive performance out of Arizona, as they were ran all over and had a hard time stopping the Packers’ practice squad WR core. But, it was a big game against a fantastic team, and in the NFL, these things happen. This team is still great and a very close loss to the best team in football doesn’t discount 7 weeks worth of top tier play.

3 – Rams (7-1) 1

The Rams are playing a lot better than it might seem by putting them at 3, but you have to keep things in perspective. Since their lone loss to the Cardinals, they have played a Seahawks team that lost Russell Wilson mid-game, the Giants, Lions, and Texans. So, yes, they look fantastic. I honestly think they look like the best team in the league. But their opponents have been dreadful, and they still lost a game to a team above them. I don’t always give teams the advantage just because of a head-to-head matchup, but I think this is an exception. Still, I love watching this team play, and they’re only getting better. The acquisition of Von Miller from Denver solidifies their pass rush as one of the best in football to go along with a star-studded secondary, and their offense needs no introduction at this point. As it stands, from a roster perspective, this is probably the best overall team in the league.

4 – Cowboys (6-1) 1

I don’t know what it is with this team, but they have something. That ever-enticing it factor that they talk about is very apparent in Dallas. Going on the road in a primetime game against a good Vikings team was going to be hard enough, but Dak Prescott was ruled out just before the game due to his calf issues. With backup QB Cooper Rush getting the start, I certainly had no faith in the Cowboys to win. So, naturally, he threw for 325 yards and 2 TDs including the game-winner in the final minute. Oh, and their defense shut down a star-studded Minnesota offense all game long to the tune of 278 total yards and a staggering 1-for-13 on 3rd down conversions. No matter what the circumstance or who the opponent, all this Cowboys team does is persevere and win. They have playmakers everywhere on offense to make up for any lack at any position, and their defense is seemingly getting better by the week. In a dreadful division and an already weak schedule, it’s hard to foresee this team losing many more games this season. We’re all doomed.

5 – Buccaneers (6-2) 2

Can we all pump the brakes for a second? Let’s be adults about this. Did the Bucs lose on Sunday? Yes. Was it bad? Kind of. Losing to a backup QB who hasn’t played in this league in several years is never a good thing. But, there are some facts that need to be taken into account. For starters, like I said above with Arizona, a close loss to a good team doesn’t discount half a season’s worth of excellent football. Moreover, Tampa was without two key offensive pieces in Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski in addition to their never-ending defensive injury list. Oh, and the Saints have had the Bucs’ number in a huge way since Brady got there, as he’s now 0-3 against them in the regular season. This is just how the NFL works. I’m trying to be rational here and I’m giving the Bucs a pass because I know they’re still one of the NFL’s best teams and I believe in Tom Brady. But let’s not lose to any more backups, ok?

6 – Bills (5-2) 2

I’m not very fond of good teams playing bad teams close. If I expect it to happen, then sure. But you guys know how I feel about the Miami Dolphins. A team this good should not be struggling with a team that bad for that long. I know I always say division games are close, but the Bills have a history of destroying the Dolphins in recent years. In any case, they pulled away late and got the job done (and covered, thank you very much). Even if I didn’t like this one game for the Bills, it doesn’t change the fact that I’ve loved how they’ve looked otherwise. This is still one of the best offenses in football, and is the best statistical defense in the league by a large margin. They’ll be just fine, especially with their cupcake schedule.

7 – Titans (6-2) 1

Tennessee pulling through in overtime and picking up a win to cement their spot atop the AFC South on Sunday was absolutely massive. It would have been huge anyways, but the news that they’ll be without Derrick Henry for 6-10 weeks with a foot injury makes it that much bigger. This team runs through their star RB, and without him, I have no idea how they’re going to look. Luckily, they have a cushion to figure things out, now 3 games up in the division. I like Ryan Tannehill, but this offense doesn’t necessarily have a plethora of weapons. I have a bad feeling that without Henry, this team will fall apart. But, Mike Vrabel is a good head coach, and this team just finds ways to win. It’s just such a shame to lose one of the NFL’s best and most beloved players. I hope that they keep it together.

8 – Bengals (5-3) 2

There is nothing that irks me more than great teams losing to terrible teams. Remember how I treated the Titans for losing to the Jets? So, you might be wondering why I’m not putting the Bengals in timeout this week. Well, it’s fairly simple to be honest. They were absolutely jobbed. Cincy stopped the Jets on a crucial 3rd down deep in their own territory, but the refs called an inexplicable unnecessary roughness call on the Bengals for a helmet-to-helmet collision in which the New York player lowered his head way down and into the collision itself. Thus, the Jets were gifted a first down and ended up driving to cut the lead. After an unlucky tipped INT and another touchdown, it was upset city. It’s not the Bengals’ fault. Granted, you shouldn’t really be in that situation against a team as bad as the Jets in the first place, but Mike White came out and played an incredible game that none of us could have seen coming. For all these reasons, and the fact that they’ve been one of the best teams in the NFL thus far, I’m cutting the Bengals some slack this week.

9 – Ravens (5-2)

The Ravens had a much-needed bye in Week 8 ahead of a tough matchup this week with the Vikings. Hopefully they took the time during the off week to figure out their defensive issues, because we all know that if they don’t tighten up that side of the ball, there will be more losses to come.

10 – Raiders (5-2) 1

One normal week is all I ask for with the Raiders. Just one. Only a franchise like this can lose to their bye week. You guys know the story with Henry Ruggs III by now, so I won’t get into it. Only time will tell how that affects this team moving forward.

11 – Chargers (4-3) 1

I’m not entirely sure what happened to this team. The Chargers defense has taken a complete nosedive, as even after a bye week, they were torn apart by a average to above average Patriots offense. The other side of the ball hasn’t been pretty either, as Justin Herbert and company have struggled mightily in back to back games. All of a sudden, the young star QB has a turnover problem, and the once potent weapons around him have disappeared. I haven’t heard Mike Williams’ name called since the Browns game. You would think that a team this talented and well-coached would look significantly better coming off a bye, but that wasn’t the case. The schedule isn’t terrible moving forward, so hopefully this team buttons itself up in the next few weeks, otherwise they could get lost very quickly in a wild AFC playoff race.

12 – Saints (5-2) 4

I will finally give the Saints the credit that they very much deserve, but I still have some concerns moving forward with this team. The obvious one is that Jameis Winston will miss the remainder of the season with an ACL injury in what was an unfortunate situation on a high tackle on Sunday. Trevor Siemian was effective in relief and got the win against a great Bucs team, but I don’t know how I feel about him as a full-time starter moving forward. What I do know is that this team just finds ways to win. It has been the case for years now. Whenever Drew Brees went down with injury, the backup was ready to go and this team didn’t lose a beat. Who’s to say that won’t be the case with Siemian under center? This defense is spectacular and the offense gets the job done. With a favorable schedule and a great team from top to bottom, this can easily be a playoff team. We just have to see if Siemian is built for it.

13 – Patriots (4-4) 4

The evil empire is inevitable. The Patriots are back after some huge wins and find themselves right in the thick of the AFC wild card race. Honestly, I think this team is a heck of a lot better than a lot of other teams in the conference that are just treading water right now. This defense is finally playing up to their talent, and the offense has seemingly figured itself out. It wasn’t going to be instantly effective with Mac Jones under center, but the rookie seems to have found his groove, and this offense looks extremely efficient because of that. It’s a perfect formula to win games, and this team has proven that they can play up to some elite competition. Now that they can get over the hump and beat those great teams, I don’t see how this team doesn’t find their way into the playoffs.

14 – Steelers (4-3) 5

Well, well, well. We meet again, Pittsburgh. I dreaded this happening, but alas, I saw it coming from a mile away. After 3 straight good-looking wins, the Steelers appear to be back. Their defense has been spectacular, and their offense is doing just enough to put up more points than the opposing team. The offensive line is playing better, and the passing attack has been surprisingly effective throughout this win streak. But it’s no secret that this team’s forte is their defense. As long as they continue suffocating opponents all game long, especially on the ground, then this team will have what it takes to make the playoffs. What they’ll do once they get there is yet to be seen, but the Steelers are back to playing their brand of football, and they’re looking good doing it.

15 – Colts (3-5) 2

Yikes. That was just… yikes. I’ll give the Colts credit for a couple of things. For starters, they jumped out to a double digit lead early on Sunday and looked unstoppable. That is, until they started getting stopped. That all culminated in perhaps the worst play I’ve ever seen from a QB at any level of football, as Carson Wentz “threw” a beyond inexplicable pick six while being tackled in his own endzone to almost lose the game with less than 2 minutes left in the game. But, Wentz and Indy bounced back and went down to tie the game and force OT, which is another thing I want to give them credit for. A team can easily be derailed by such a poor sequence of events, but they overcame that adversity. Overtime, however, brought more unfortunate happenings. Another poor Wentz pick set up the game-winning FG for the Titans to bury this team 3 games behind Tennessee in the standings. This was so winnable for the Colts, but they got the Carson Wentz of old, and that’s what ruined them. I still think Wentz has been very good this season, as has the rest of the team, but it’s a huge uphill battle from here. Do they have what it takes to climb that hill?

16 – Chiefs (4-4) 1

What do you want me to say about the Chiefs? You are all seeing the same product I am. This team didn’t look great in recent weeks, that’s no secret. But it’s time to call them what they are right now: bad. Their offense is invisible. When they do get things going, they become a turnover factory. They can’t run the football, and their pass protection has been dreadful. Travis Kelce has become a non-factor. And the defensive woes need no introduction. Not even Patrick Mahomes can right a ship sinking this fast. It’s ugly, it’s unfortunate, and it hurts to see. But, this is what the Chiefs are right now. I don’t know what it will take to save them.

17 – Browns (4-4) 3

Alright Cleveland, what’s your excuse? Whatever it is, I don’t want to hear it. The Browns are finally healthy on offense, so it’s only right that they put together their worst offensive performance in their biggest game of the season thus far. Even with Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, and Jarvis Landry back, this team refused to move the ball on Sunday against an albeit excellent Steelers defense. Odell Beckham Jr. is as invisible as ever and probably won’t even be on this team by this time next week. The defense hasn’t been bad, but their offense hasn’t been able to do enough to show for anything, which is not something I was expecting to type out this season. Baker is still a problem, but not having a run game to make up for that will set this team back. I don’t expect them to have that problem against most teams, but when it happens, the Browns are hopeless.

18 – 49ers (3-4)

The Niners’ win in Chicago on Sunday was pretty nice. There’s not much I can say about it. It’s what I expected out of this team, and I’m glad they proved me wrong. I will say that I was impressed with their offensive performance, as Jimmy Garoppolo looked very good and the run game was dominant led by Elijah Mitchell. The defense didn’t play as well as I thought they would, but when you win by double digits, you can’t complain too much. If the 49ers can channel this into more good performances against good teams, then they can definitely turn this season around. Unfortunately, I just don’t see that being the case.

19 – Vikings (3-4) 7

I am being extremely harsh to the Vikings this week, but it’s what they deserve. I’ve had such high hopes for them, and time and time again, they fail to deliver on that promise. They couldn’t even beat a backup QB at home on Sunday. The Cowboys are a great team, but come on now. With the offense at full strength, you have to put together more than just 16 points, even against a good defense. This team was inexplicably 1/13 on 3rd down. Their defense played well enough to win the game, but the offense refused to do anything all game long. I don’t know who to blame, and I don’t to waste any time or energy thinking of an answer. I will simply take this team off the pedestal that I’ve had them on for so many weeks.

20 – Panthers (4-4) 3

Good on this team for avoiding the embarrassment of losing to the Falcons. I didn’t think they had it in them, but apparently they do. It doesn’t mean very much to me, however. It was still an extremely poor offensive showing, and that was to be expected. Once again, Sam Darnold left the game, this time after getting popped by a defender. Even when he was in the game, this offense was invisible. At least Christian McCaffrey is coming back soon. Or so they hope.

21 – Seahawks (3-5) 1

Unlike what I predicted, the Seahawks saved themselves from the embarrassment of losing to the Jaguars. Good for them. Behind a strong performance by Geno Smith and both star WRs, alongside a cosmically-rare good defensive performance, the outcome on Sunday was never in doubt. I still don’t have much faith in this team with Geno under center, but the good news is that Russell Wilson seems to be progressing fast in his recovery and should be back in the coming weeks. Once he’s back, things could get back on track, but I still think this defense holds the Seahawks back too much for them to be in the playoff picture.

22 – Broncos (4-4) 2

On Sunday, the Broncos won perhaps the worst professional football game I’ve ever watched. They weren’t impressive in doing so. In fact, they almost fumbled the game away at the end (literally). But, they proved to be the lesser of two terribles and came away with the flimsiest win you’ll ever see. There’s nothing more I can say about that. On the topic of Von Miller, however, I think the trade benefits Denver greatly. Yes, Miller is a franchise legend, but he was set to be a free agent this offseason and he surely wasn’t coming back. Now, they get a 2nd and a 3rd, as well as some money off the books. Great value.

23 – Eagles (3-5) 1

The Eagles put together perhaps the most confusing blowout I have ever seen on Sunday in Detroit. I knew they’d beat the Lions, but I didn’t think it would be that bad. Moreover, I still can’t explain how they put up the numbers they did. Jalen Hurts barely did anything all game, nor did their pass-catching threats. The entire offense ran through 2 backup RBs in Boston Scott and Jordan Howard, who is somehow still in the league. In any case, it was a good win for a team that needed it and is now sitting alone in 2nd place in the NFC East. Unfortunately, blowing out the Lions means next to nothing.

24 – Falcons (3-4) 3

There’s nothing I can say about this team. The most notable thing that happened to a Falcons player this week was Matt Ryan’s hand getting stepped on. The offense laid a complete dud and while the defense wasn’t bad, it wasn’t enough. It’s not very often that we can say that about the Falcons. It’s ok Atlanta. At least the Braves just won the World Series.

25 – Giants (2-6)

Credit to the Giants for sticking around all game long on Monday night. Nobody gave them a chance, but they were in it till the very end. They went out with a whimper, but we are all about moral victories here in the NFC East. The loss was like so many others for the Giants this season. The defense did its thing, but the offense couldn’t find a pulse and it ended up being their downfall. There are plenty of problems on that side of the ball, so I don’t know who to blame, but I’m not trying to point fingers anyways.

26 – Bears (3-5)

I was honestly impressed with the Bears on Sunday. At least, from an offensive perspective. Justin Fields looked solid, making some good looking throws and having one of the best runs of the season for a touchdown. But, the defense was a complete mess from start to finish, and their offense couldn’t do enough to overcome that. But, if their offense continues to get better, than perhaps this team will find themselves winning games again this season.

27 – Washington (2-6)

No, I won’t talk about this team. I refuse to. It is a waste of time, and I am sick of it. You couldn’t pay me to care about these sorry losers right now. They have broken me.

28 – Jets (2-5) 3

Honestly, good for the Jets. They didn’t deserve to win on Sunday, but they did more than enough to do so anyways. Mike White looked absolutely awesome and he 100% deserves to be this team’s starting QB moving forward. I saw more from him in one game than I have ever seen from Zach Wilson. He’ll get another chance to prove himself on national TV on Thursday night in Indy, and while I don’t think he’ll have another 400-yard day, I’m not ruling out the possibility of him putting together a nice game. In any case, he needs to be the starter, even when Wilson returns from injury.

29 – Jaguars (1-6) 1

Remind me to never put my faith in the Jaguars again. Thank you very much.

30 – Dolphins (1-7)

Credit to the Dolphins for somehow hanging around with the Bills for most of the game on Sunday. That might be the highlight of their season for all of 2021.

31 – Lions (0-8) 2

Uh… yeah. The story of this team used to be scrappy losses. Now it’s getting 40-pieced by the Eagles. It’s just bad. They’ll surely win a game eventually, but it’s getting harder and harder to envision that happening.

32 – Texans (1-7)

The Houston Texans are a football team. Honestly, they’re barely that anymore. That is literally all that can be said about this team.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Week 8 Picks

Kyler Murray’s Cardinals take on Aaron Rodgers’ Packers in a Thursday night matchup for the ages in Week 8. (h/t Heavy & Getty Images)

Another stacked weekend of NFL football is upon us, and as we head to the midpoint of the season, we’re still just getting started. I went 9-4 in Week 7, bringing my season total to 70-36. I’m pleased with my performance, but I think I’ll do a lot better this week. Let’s get into the picks:

Cardinals 34-17 Packers

Thursday, 8:20 PM EST, FOX

Thursday Night Football this week was supposed to be legendary. The 7-0 Cardinals hosting the 6-1 Packers, Kyler Murray vs. Aaron Rodgers, two franchises who always produce classics, the list goes on and on. But, we’ve been robbed. Star WR Davante Adams tested positive for COVID, so he’ll be out for this game. That means the Packers offense will be derailed greatly. With Adams, they’re as lethal as anyone. But he’s their only real threat, so I don’t see much offensive production out of Green Bay in this game. Moreover, the Cardinals defense has been playing spectacularly as of late, so against a hobbled offense, they should be able to keep things in check. And with Kyler Murray and all those weapons on the other side, I think the Cards will breeze by in this one. It’s just a shame, because this had the potential to be one of the games of the season. Maybe you should be smarter after over 18 months of a global pandemic.

Falcons 26-23 Panthers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

These two teams are trending in very different directions. The Falcons are genuinely the better team right now, and they definitely have it in them to continue this mini win streak. The Panthers are simply lost as their defense has fallen from grace and Sam Darnold is back to seeing ghosts. I don’t think this team can win a game for as long as Christian McCaffrey is out. I expect to see another big game from the Falcons offense, and I’m excited to see if Kyle Pitts continues playing like a monster.

Bills 31-13 Dolphins

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

No need to overthink this. Not only is this one of the NFL’s best teams against one of its worst, but it’s one of the biggest mismatches in recent memory. Josh Allen has never lost to the Dolphins, and every time they play, he and the rest of the Bills all go crazy. They don’t even play the Dolphins remotely close. And coming off a bye? With a rough loss the week before? Buffalo is going to go nuts in this game. The margin of victory will likely be bigger than what I’ve predicted, but I’m trying to be nice here. Just take the Bills ATS and enjoy your free money.

49ers 21-17 Bears

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

These two historic franchises could not be more down bad heading into this game. Neither of these teams are doing anything right at the moment, and it’s honestly sad to see. The Bears are one of the most embarrassing teams in football with a pathetic offense and a defense that’s falling off a cliff. Meanwhile, the 49ers offense can’t find its pulse, and their secondary might as well stay on the sideline. So, what gives in a matchup like this? To me, it comes down to a single matchup: the Niners front 7 vs. the Bears offensive line. Chicago’s OL is the worst in football by a very good margin, and San Francisco’s defensive line is still plenty talented, and I think they’ll disrupt Justin Fields enough to separate themselves for a win. You still can’t help but feel bad for the rookie.

Browns 24-20 Steelers

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This is interesting. The Browns are treading water right now with all of their injuries, although they should be getting Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb back for this game. Both teams are coming off extended rest, as the Browns played last Thursday, and the Steelers had a bye week. I think both squads match up really well with one another, especially with Pittsburgh’s recent offensive developments. They’re slowly but surely figuring out that side of the ball, and their defense is still lockdown. But I’m sticking with Cleveland because of how dominant their run game is. We saw it on full display last week against Denver with a 3rd string RB, so with Chubb back, it should be all that and more. I think the Steelers offense can do big things against a weak Browns secondary, but I just don’t know if it’ll be enough to win. It should be a fun, physical, classic AFC North battle, and I’ll take what I think is the better team.

Eagles 27-17 Lions

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The Lions are the kings of playing up to their competition, so what happens in a game against another terrible team? Well, maybe not a close game. The Eagles are the kings of the statpad, but against a very bad Lions defense, I think their offense can put in good work all game long. The loss of Miles Sanders shouldn’t hurt too much, as Kenneth Gainwell has proven himself as an effective runner and pass-catcher out of the backfield. Moreover, Detroit’s defense is just terrible, and I think a mobile QB like Jalen Hurts will be too much to handle. This could be close for a bit, but the Eagles are definitely the better team and should be able to pull away late.

Colts 28-24 Titans

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This should be a fun one. This is an imperative AFC South matchup, and while it doesn’t feel like it, it’s also the 2nd game between these teams this season. The Titans easily dispatched of the Colts in their first meeting, but this is a different Indianapolis team now. They’ve figured themselves out, and they’re playing their best football. Tennessee isn’t showing any signs of slowing down either, after back-to-back wins against AFC giants. This is a very even matchup, and it’s almost impossible to pick. I’m rocking with the Colts for a few reasons. For starters, they are at home, and that can’t be understated, even if home teams have a losing record this season in the NFL. They’re also getting better QB play, as Carson Wentz has elevated this offense whereas Ryan Tannehill’s only job is to hand the ball off to Derrick Henry. Indy’s ability to beat you with both the run and the pass is simply too lethal, and while Tennessee’s defense is seemingly improving, I’m picking the more balanced team.

Bengals 31-10 Jets

Sunday, 1:00 PM EST, CBS

This is going to be ugly. One of the NFL’s best teams against arguably its worst. A bit of a mismatch here. The Jets are not only terrible, but they’ll also be starting their backup QB Mike White in this game. If a 1980s offense like the Patriots can put up 54 against this team, then the explosive Bengals offense might break records in this game. Just bet it and forget it.

Rams 30-6 Texans

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, FOX

This is going to be ugly. One of the NFL’s best teams against arguably its worst. A bit of a mismatch here. Woah, deja vu anyone? Yes, the Rams played the Lions close a week ago, but they seemingly do that against garbage teams every year for some reason. Now that they got that relative dud out of the way, they’re well on their way to a romp of a disgracefully bad Texans team. I genuinely doubt Houston reaches double digits in this game. That’d be the shock of the week.

Chargers 27-24 Patriots

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

This is honestly one of the more under-the-radar games of the week, and maybe even the season. This is a really enticing matchup to me. The Chargers are obviously one of the league’s best teams, and their balance has won them so many games. But, the last time we saw them, their defense was carved up by the Browns. Now, they get a Patriots team that just dropped a 50 burger, albeit against the Jets. New England is slowly figuring out their offensive rhythm, and their defense is still very solid. This is a very even matchup, but I think the Chargers simply have too much talent to lose this game. When it comes down to it, I trust Justin Herbert a lot more than Mac Jones to lead his team to victory, but that says more about Justin than Mac. This should be a fun QB matchup, and a great game in general.

Jaguars 24-16 Seahawks

Sunday, 4:05 PM EST, CBS

This game can go one of only two ways. It will either be the most unwatchable game of the season, or the most hilarious dumpster fire that you can’t take your eyes off of. Either way, the quality of football in Seattle on Sunday afternoon won’t be very good. The last time we saw the Jags, they picked up their first win, and honestly played pretty good football in doing so. Coming off a bye, why can’t they do it again? It is another very long road trip, but they’re luckily playing one of the most lifeless teams in football. The Seahawks aren’t worth a damn without Russell Wilson, and neither side of the ball has a pulse. I think the Jaguars have enough fight in them to pull off the road “upset”. I’d genuinely be more shocked if Geno Smith leads his team to victory than if Jacksonville were to win this game.

Washington 26-24 Broncos

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

I’d like to clarify something. Picking Washington to win this game isn’t a vote of confidence. It’s me trying to be realistic. I don’t have faith in this team to do anything correctly, but they really should be able to pull this off. Denver has been falling apart over the last month or so, and neither side of the ball can get anything going. Their offense has been extremely lethargic as of late under Teddy Bridgewater, and their defense has been porous. The latter will only get worse with Von Miller’s injury. Washington clearly has enough in them offensively to put up stats, so if they can translate that into points in this game, it should be enough to win. The defense will remain a problem, but if they can’t stop an offense this bad, then they absolutely deserve to lose.

Buccaneers 28-17 Saints

Sunday, 4:25 PM EST, FOX

The Saints are the only team that has had the answers against the Buccaneers since Tom Brady has gotten there (in the regular season, that is). New Orleans beat Tampa Bay convincingly in both regular season games last year before being shut down by them in the playoffs. Now, Tampa is playing the hottest football on earth, and they will not be slowed down. The Saints still have a ton of defensive strength, but their offense won’t be able to keep up with the firepower that the Bucs have. Moreover, Tampa’s defense is only getting better, and the Saints could barely score on a very, very bad Seahawks defense a week ago. This could be close for a short while, simply because this is a divisional game, but I’d be shocked if it ends close. The Bucs are the kings of pulling away late.

Cowboys 31-28 Vikings

Sunday, 8:20 PM EST, NBC

I cannot wait to watch this game. You guys know by now how high I am on both of these teams, so the fact that they get to duke it out on Sunday Night Football is a dream come true for me. Both of these offenses are so high powered, and both defenses have been playing much better than expected. I honestly think this is a very even matchup on paper, but I have to pick the Cowboys. They’ve simply shown more offensively, boasting a balanced attack that gets more impressive by the week. Dak Prescott is dealing with a calf injury coming into this game, but I think the team around him is plenty talented to make up for it if it does end up affecting him. Their defense has also been their closer all season long, and I don’t see why that has to change. The Vikings have plenty of talent of their own on both sides of the ball to stick around from start to finish, but I don’t think they have what it takes to be the better team in the clutch. Seemingly all of their games come down to the wire, and whether or not they come out on top is essentially a coinflip. I won’t leave my pick to chance on this one.

Chiefs 27-16 Giants

Monday, 8:15 PM EST, ESPN

The Chiefs need this bounce-back game like oxygen. It couldn’t be coming at a better time for them. Yes, the Giants are coming off of a dominant win, but that was against the Panthers, who have a significantly worse offense than this Kansas City team. While the Chiefs struggled on that side of the ball last week, I don’t see that happening in back to back weeks. I do think New York’s defense is nice and more than capable of making enough plays to make this game interesting, but their offense doesn’t seem to keep up with the Chiefs. It won’t necessarily be a blowout, but the better team will emerge victorious when it matters most. At least, the Chiefs better hope they do. Imagine the headlines if they lose this game.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Post-Week 7 Power Rankings

The Bengals, behind their young stars Joe Burrow and Jamarr Chase, have been the surprise team of the season and currently sit atop the AFC. (h/t Robb Carr, Getty Images)

1 – Cardinals (7-0)

No surprises here. I was considering shuffling around the top a bit, but it just didn’t feel right moving the Cardinals down for covering a 20-point spread. It wasn’t the flashiest of victories on Sunday, but it didn’t need to be. Both sides of the ball still did their thing, and they won extremely convincingly. This week will be arguably their toughest test yet, getting a hobbling Packers team on Thursday night, but I have no doubt they’ll do their thing yet again.

2 – Rams (6-1)

I don’t really care that the Rams were in a dogfight with the Lions on Sunday because it’s exactly what I predicted would happen. Detroit pulled out all the stops and still lost by multiple possessions, and it’s because this team is just that good. Matt Stafford continues to spread the ball around all over the place, and the passing game was the highlight of the game for the Rams. Stafford had 334 yards and 3 touchdowns, Cooper Kupp continued his sensational play with 156 yards and 2 TDs on 10 catches, and the defense slammed the door on the Lions to secure the win. It may not have been what people wanted to see, but it was a vintage Rams win, and it was precisely what I expected out of them.

3 – Buccaneers (6-1)

Tampa absolutely bullied the Bears for 60 minutes on Sunday. It was a thrashing on both sides of the ball. I thought Chicago’s defense would at least slow down this potent offense, but that simply wasn’t the case. Touchdown drive after touchdown drive combined with a dominant defensive performance had this game over before it even started. Tom Brady was sensational once again, throwing for 211 yards and 4 more touchdowns, including his 600th career regular season TD pass, to increase his league lead in both categories. Leonard Fournette is continuing to dominate out of the backfield, and you simply can’t guard every pass-catching weapon that the Bucs have. The defense made Justin Fields’ life a living hell, forcing 5 turnovers. If it wasn’t for a few redzone miscues, the score would have looked even uglier. Regardless, it was an awesome performance from Tampa, and I’m not sure if any team in the NFL is currently capable of stopping them.

4 – Bills (4-2)

The Bills had the week off, but luckily get to stay in place for now. I’m sure the bye was helpful for them to figure out their defensive woes, but I don’t think it’ll matter. Their upcoming schedule is remarkably easy, and I don’t see them struggling much until playoff time.

5 – Cowboys (5-1)

Dallas was on a much-needed bye last week as Dak Prescott gets healthier for a huge primetime clash with the Vikings on Sunday night. All signs are pointing towards him being good to go, and they’ll need him. I’m excited to see how they perform in primetime.

6 – Bengals (5-2) 3

The surprise team of 2021 just keeps on surprising. I picked the Bengals to beat the Ravens, but blowing them out is something I never could have foreseen. That was a close game for a while, but they simply blew it open in incredible fashion in the second half, and it’s thanks to more amazing play from Joe Burrow and Jamarr Chase. Their spectacular 82-yard touchdown connection in the 3rd quarter is what opened the floodgates, and they did not look back. Burrow finished with a whopping 416 yards and 3 touchdowns, with Chase catching 8 passes for an incredible 201 yards and the aforementioned score. Moreover, their defense is continuing to do big things, as they barely let the Ravens move the ball on them while the game was still close. It was simply a dominant, seemingly demon-exorcising game on both sides of the ball, and now, this team is the #1 seed in the AFC. I know it’s early, but I have no doubts that this is a playoff team. They are just so much fun to watch, and I can’t wait to see what else they have in store for us this season.

7 – Packers (6-2)

The Packers weren’t very impressive on Sunday, but they didn’t need to be. Washington shot themselves in the foot all game long, and Green Bay did what they needed to do early to put the game to bed. They were outgained and honestly outplayed offensively, but their defense made the necessary plays to make sure Washington never got back in it. There was nothing flashy about the win, but again, flash wasn’t necessary. This week will be a tough one, as they head to Arizona on a short week to take on the 7-0 Cardinals. To make matters worse, they’ll be without Davante Adams after a positive COVID test. I didn’t think they’d win that game anyways, but without him, it might not be close.

8 – Titans (5-2) 7

Ok, fine. I’ll put some respect on the Titans. I recognize that beating the Chiefs doesn’t mean what it once did, but to beat any team the way they did on Sunday would be impressive. It was absolute domination from start to finish. Their offense had a field day against KC’s terrible defense, and their own defense, which you know I don’t like, absolutely shut down what is one of the best statistical offenses in football. Patrick Mahomes was in hell, and it never felt like the Chiefs had a chance. A 27-0 halftime lead will demoralize any team. The Titans have proven me wrong in recent weeks since losing to the Jets, and if their defense can keep up this level of play, then they could be a real contender in the AFC. I just need to see it more consistently before buying more stock. But, I’ve bought just enough to finally put them in the top 10.

9 – Ravens (5-2) 3

So uh, what the hell happened? For the most part, this team was absolutely stifled on Sunday. They were outplayed, outcoached, and outclassed by a team that they have dominated for so many years. It almost didn’t feel real. The Ravens didn’t have the worst statistical day, but those stats are empty when you lose by 24 points at home. The biggest issue with this team continues to be the defense, which was torn apart to the tune of 520 yards allowed. The secondary is a mess that can’t cover a traffic cone, and they aren’t generating enough pressure to influence the pass game. As long as that’s the case, I don’t see this team contending in the AFC. I wouldn’t be surprised if they make a move for a DB at the deadline. They need it badly.

10 – Chargers (4-2) 2

LA had a bye this week, so there’s nothing to report on here. The upcoming schedule has some challenging games, so I’m excited to see how the Chargers perform in the next few weeks. I hope they don’t let me down.

11 – Raiders (5-2) 1

The Raiders did exactly what I thought they’d do on Sunday. They easily dispatched of a scrappy Eagles team, and Derek Carr was brilliant once again. The Vegas QB had 323 yards and 2 touchdowns on a wild 91% completion (31/34). The defense continues to look improved in the absence of Jon Gruden, outside of some garbage time statpadding from Philly. This team now sits atop the AFC West, and I honestly think they can keep that going. I do think the Chargers are better than them, and they showed that by beating them, but I like the football I’m seeing in Vegas right now. The only thing that can slow them down is themselves, but they seem to overcome adversity pretty well.

12 – Vikings (3-3) 1

Minnesota had a bye this week, and now get their toughest test in a primetime showdown with the Cowboys this Sunday night. I’m excited to see how they perform in that game, and I think it will be a solid benchmark for how real this team is. I’ve been buying their stock all year long, and I hope they don’t let me down.

13 – Colts (3-4) 8

The Colts are officially here. I loved what I had seen from this team in recent weeks, and now it’s all coming to fruition. They are winning games and looking awesome doing it. The defense is back to form, and the offense is seemingly unstoppable. Carson Wentz is looking like his former self, Jonathan Taylor is still unstoppable out of the backfield, and Michael Pittman Jr. is looking like one of the more lethal young WR threats in the NFL. They head into a bye as a team a lot better than their record suggests, and I think they have what it takes to make a real playoff push. They were very unlucky to start this season, but now that they’re starting to win games, I have a lot of faith in the Colts.

14 – Browns (4-3)

I was honestly impressed with the Browns on Thursday night. I really didn’t think they’d win without Baker Mayfield, but Case Keenum stepped in and did his thing. The real star of the show was D’Ernest Johnson, a 3rd string RB filling in for the injured Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Johnson had an impressive 146 yards and a touchdown on just 22 carries. The offensive line is getting back healthy and proving that they are still one of the best in the league. I think I could run for 100 behind those guys. The defense also did its thing against a lethargic Broncos offense. I still don’t know how I feel about this team, especially as their injuries linger. The next few weeks will dictate how Cleveland’s season is going to go.

15 – Chiefs (3-4) 5

Oh brother. Where do you even begin with the Chiefs? This team is falling apart. This is genuinely a bad football team right now. The offense is still putting up stats, but the stats are extremely empty. Just look at them only scoring 3 points and turning the ball over 3 times against a bad defense. Patrick Mahomes continues to be a turnover machine, and the previously explosive offensive weapons are now nowhere to be seen. The biggest problem continues to be the defense, which might as well not take the field at all. There’s just nothing going right in Kansas City, and while I previously trusted Mahomes to make sense of all this madness, he’s proved that he’s incapable of doing so. The Chiefs better hope they find some answers, or this season could be over in a blink.

16 – Saints (4-2)

Is this the worst 4-2 team ever? Probably not. But they’re not a great team by any stretch. The truth about the Saints is there are only 2 things that are good about them. The first is Alvin Kamara, who is still one of the most unstoppable players in football. On Monday night, he had 179 total yards, including 128 receiving yards on 10 catches. The second bright spot in New Orleans is the defense, which has been great for the most part all year long. They shut down an albeit nonexistent Seahawks offense all game long outside of a single long TD pass, and it was very impressive to watch. I just don’t think it’s a formula that will translate into enough wins to put this team in the playoffs, especially with a tough schedule.

17 – Patriots (3-4)

The Patriots had some kind of hostility they were clearly letting out on the Jets on Sunday. 551 yards of offense and 54 points, with 20 coming in the 4th quarter, is a sign of a team that was trying to prove a point. I’m not going to go crazy over a blowout of the Jets, but I was still impressed with the Pats. Mac Jones continues to be efficient and sharp, the run game is back to putting up good numbers, and the defense is back to showing up. I think this team has the ingredients to make the playoffs, but they’re clearly still figuring out a lot of moving parts.

18 – 49ers (2-4) 7

I’m done making excuses for this team. They looked good for a while on Sunday night, but after that, they turtled and played scared football. They 100% deserved to lose. And they deserve the slander. This roster is way too talented to play such conservative football, and I trace it back to Kyle Shanahan. His playcalling and coaching style just aren’t going to work in today’s NFL, yet he refuses to adapt or change anything. The Niners were dominating with the run and, subsequently, the play action, but they refused to use it to their advantage. Jimmy Garoppolo isn’t exactly a QB that can beat you with his arm. The secondary is also very bad, and it hurts the defense tremendously. I just don’t like what I’m seeing out of this team, and I don’t know what it’ll take for them to get back track.

19 – Steelers (3-3) 1

The Steelers had a bye ahead of a huge matchup with the Browns this week. If they can pull a win out, then their season can turn around in a massive way, and based on how they played going into the bye week, it might not be too far-fetched. More on that tomorrow.

20 – Broncos (3-4) 1

This team is just bad. That’s what they have devolved into. The offense is nonexistent, and the once-strong defense can’t even slow down 3rd string RBs. Now, Von Miller is hurt once again, and the defense will get even worse because of it. There’s just nothing to like in Denver. It’s turning into a big, big shame. Hopefully they figure out the QB position this offseason.

21 – Falcons (3-3) 5

Somehow, the Falcons are sitting at .500 through 6 games. Actually, I’ll tell you how. The schedule has been dreadful. Granted, I don’t want to keep them too low, because they are playing better football than the teams currently below them. But I’m not buying any of this team’s stock. Once the schedule actually gets real, there won’t be many positives left to talk about. But, as it stands, this is a decent team with a fun offense, and Kyle Pitts is turning into a legitimate threat. Good for him.

22 – Seahawks (2-5)

Talking about this team is a colossal waste of time. As long as Russell Wilson is out, they won’t be worth a damn. Geno Smith has been dreadful as the starter, and the defense is just as bad as ever. Yawn. Next!

23 – Panthers (3-4) 3

Remember when everyone was crowning this team after starting 3-0? Remember when you all said Sam Darnold was back because he beat the Jets and the Texans? Yeah, those were the days. There’s a reason I never believed in this team. They don’t have what it takes, and it starts with Darnold. The only thing keeping this team together was Christian McCaffrey, and they are now 0-4 without him. Darnold can’t do a thing on his own, and he deserved to be benched long before he actually was on Sunday. Getting crushed by the Giants in 2021 is an absolute disgrace. Deshaun Watson is the only thing that can save this team, and the chances of him coming here is next to none. So, this is a hopeless football team.

24 – Eagles (2-5)

I’ll give the Eagles credit for one thing. They are the premier statpadders in the NFL. Nobody does it better than the Birds. They go down 30 and turn it on in every single 4th quarter. It’s honestly impressive. Unfortunately for Philly, the first 3 quarters also matter, and they aren’t very good in those. It’s just more of the same every week with this team. I am confident in their pieces moving forward, but this is all they’re going to be in 2021.

25 – Giants (2-5) 4

The Giants decide to show up about once a month, and last week’s thrashing of the Panthers filled that quota for October. This still isn’t a very good team, and they still lack a general direction, but good on them for picking up a nice win. Now, they get to be the team that the Chiefs inevitably bounce back against on national television. A very nice prize indeed.

26 – Bears (3-4) 3

This team is a disgrace. There are a lot of other words that can be used to describe the Bears, but I think that’s the most fitting one. They refuse to do anything to improve in areas that are lacking more than any other team in football. Throwing out your first round rookie QB against an elite defensive front with that abysmal offensive line is obviously never going to work. Fields had 5 ugly turnovers as the defensive line got to him time after time and he refused to pick up blitzes or feel the pressure in the pocket. It was everyone’s fault. On the other side of the ball, the defense got absolutely terrorized. How do you explain giving up 35 points in the first half? You don’t. The coaching, decision making, and play of this team is just an absolute joke. That’s that.

27 – Washington (2-5) 2

What do you want me to say about this team? Sunday’s loss was just more of the same garbage we’ve seen all season long. I will give the team credit for putting up a good offensive performance and a relatively good defensive game, in the sense that they looked like an actual NFL defense at times. That doesn’t change the fact that they got carved up whenever the Packers decided to do so. It was a strange game for the offense, as they outgained Green Bay by 127 yards and never punted the ball, yet only put up 10 points. It was a day of questionable decisions and redzone woes. Taylor Heinicke is quickly playing his way out of the starting QB job, and he can’t leave soon enough. I’m not saying he’s the root of all the problems with this team, but I’m ready to never see him play for my team again.

28 – Jaguars (1-5) 1

Thankfully for my eyes, the Jags had a bye last week. They are trending in the right direction, but that doesn’t mean I want to watch them play. Does anyone?

29 – Lions (0-7) 1

The Lions pulled out all the stops, and I mean all the stops on Sunday in LA, and honestly executed them pretty well, but it just wasn’t enough. I guess you can’t win a game in the NFL with fake punts and onside kicks. This is still a good team with plenty of nice pieces that does not deserve to be 0-7. Jared Goff is still terrible, but this team will be in prime position to draft a top QB this year, and I think that will do wonders for them.

30 – Dolphins (1-6) 2

I’ve thought this is arguably the NFL’s worst team for a few weeks now, and they continue to provide merit to that argument. Yes, they had a late comeback and could have won on Sunday, but why are you even down by multiple scores to the Falcons in the first place? Oh right, it’s because Tua Tagovailoa isn’t an NFL QB. Just trade for Deshaun Watson and get it over with.

31 – Jets (1-5)

How do you come off a bye and give up 54 points while only scoring 13? By being the Jets, of course! Oh, and now Zach Wilson has a knee injury that will keep him on the sideline for a bit. Only this team. They will never get it right.

32 – Texans (1-6)

Nothing to see here. Just another blowout loss in which the Texans didn’t even look like an NFL team. Just another Sunday in this league.

All stats taken from ESPN.