The Detroit Lions should fire Matt Patricia as their head coach immediately. Then I would move quickly like your life depends on it and hire recently fired X-Panther coach, Ron Rivera. Opportunities don’t come knocking on your door that often. Matt Patricia is not worth waiting to see if things get better. Waiting until his deal is done is just not worth the time either. Lions have a pretty good quarterback in place and he’s hitting his stride even though he is out with an injury. In 2019 Matthew Stafford was having his best season from his touchdown passes and interception rate. Which is 19 touchdown passes and only 5 picks for the veteran behind center. With the most important position in place, it is time to act now and make a change at head coach.
Matt Patricia comes from the Evil Empire tree of Bill Belichick and the Patriots. There he served as the defensive coordinator. History points out that all coaches from the Belichick have not done well away from the death star. Matt Patricia was hired as head coach as he comes in as a defensive minded coach. Lions defense has been one of the worst defensive units in the game in only his second year coaching this team. The Patriots defense has been exceptionally better these days since the fat bearded man left which includes a Superbowl title last season. Perhaps Matt Patricia is not good at installing the surveillance cameras to spy on the opponents practices. You have to believe also Matt Patricia had the title defensive coordinator in New England but how much say did he actually have? Bill Belicheck probably had his hand so far up Patricia’s rear end, he probably was just a puppet. Matt Patricia this season in almost every game his team had the lead at some point in the game. His coaching has no killer instinct because they have three wins and a freaking tie to show for it.
Chico Rivera aka Ron Rivera played the game back in the day. He played for the Chicago Bears for nine seasons. He played with one of the best defenses of all-time, the ’85 Bears. That magical year he chipped in with an interception. He even had a fumble recovery and found the end zone in 1985. We know the Bears won the Superbowl. Rivera falls on the Andy Reid coaching tree. You could say Lovie Smith as well who is a guy you soak up some defensive coaching from. Andy Reid is the important role model because of what he can get out of players and just the X’s and O’s of the game. Ron Rivera went up the coaching rankings. Started at the bottom and worked hard to get where he is. Started coaching with the Eagles for years under Andy Reid. Then moved on to the Bears and was defensive coordinator for the Bears when they went to the Superbowl in 2006. Then Ron Rivera took the same position in San Diego and improved the Chargers defense. At the time it was all about Phillip Rivers and the Chargers high-powered offense. Matt Patrica was just a storm trooper moving up the ranks in the death star. Before both of them even became head coach, Matt Patrica could not even hold Rivera’s jock strap.
Then Ron Rivera finally got his big chance and the Carolina Panthers hired him. Instantly the Carolina Panthers became a force on defense. Almost every year the Panthers had one of the best defenses in the league. Guys like Sean McDermott, head coach of Buffalo, came from Rivera’s staff. McDermott, another guy, came from Philadelphia. But a guy that has done well in Buffalo so far. Rivera gets good people as assistants. He got the best out of the Fig Newton quarterback, Cam Newton. A fantasy quarterback and a guy I would not want as my QB. A troubled guy who is all about himself, has had his moments of good, bad, and just ugly. Ron Rivera had Carolina to the playoffs 4 times in nine seasons. One trip led to the Superbowl versus the Broncos. If Cam Newton jumps on a fumble on a key drive at the end of the game, we could possibly be talking a Superbowl ring.
River Boat Ron Rivera was 13-19 after his first two seasons in Carolina. Matt Patricia right now is 9-19-1 in two seasons. Ron Rivera in his third year had the Panthers at 12-4. I do not see the Lions making that leap next season with Patrica still there. Rivera would instantly fix that defense in which Patricia turned into Swiss cheese. He would get the right people to find and establish a running game for Matt Stafford. Panthers ran a nice balanced attack which was run first because you don’t want Cam chucking the ball multiple times. Get Stafford a running game with the passing game and better defense, then things can look up fast in Detroit. Plus Ron Rivera commands respect and players respect him back. He’s a guy that players want to play for. With him you can get some talented players that will sign with Detroit because he is the head coach. To see Rivera with a guy like Stafford over Newton you think that right there would be a combination to win a lot more games in the motor city. With the NFC filled with power houses, you need somebody that can lead. You need someone that knows how to win the close games. You need someone that knows how to protect the lead. I’m not a Lions fan, but I know you hired a bum. Rather have Wayne Fontes than this waste of sperm.
Week 14 NFL power rankings we roll out Die Hard style.
#1.BALTIMORE RAVENS 10-2 (SAME) The Ravens come back down to earth from their match up versus the 49ers. Was it the high winds and rain that slowed the Ravens down? Was last Sunday a preview of the upcoming Superbowl between the Ravens and 49ers? Have we not been down that road before where the Harbaugh brothers coached the big game versus each other years ago. Where Joe Flacco got the big contract after the Ravens beat the Colin Kaepernick 49ers. Flacco never ever lived up to that contract ever since. Sunday had two young starters in the league with very impressive numbers as a starting quarterback in the league. Lamar Jackson came in with a 15-3 record versus Jimmy Garoppolo’s record of 18-3 as a starting quarterback. It was a very good game. It was a low scoring affair. Justin Tucker’s game ending field goal was the key from 49 yards out that gave the Ravens their 8th straight victory. Lamar Jackson’s ground game was for 101 yards with a touchdown. Ravens are 12-0 when Jackson runs for 70 yards or more.
#2.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 10-2 (SAME) The Seahawks locker room was invaded by the flu bug which had many feeling under the weather. Seattle managed to get their squad on the field with a coffee IV drip. Caffeine cures all in Seattle. Lace coffee with espresso and the Seahawks would be jumping off the walls. Seattle managed to win their 5th straight against a good Viking team at home. They even held off the Vikings’ late rally to win a high scoring affair. A few turnovers early set Seattle up as they built a nice 17 point lead. The two headed monster running game with Chris Carson and Rashard Penny was the key to this victory. Both of them had rushing touchdowns. With the win they take over first place in the NFC West as they have the tie breaker with the 49ers beating them early in the season.
#3.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 10-2 (SAME) On Thanksgiving, Saints won their division with the beating up of the dirty birds in Atlanta. The Saints sustained some injuries in that contest to their defense. A.J Klein and Kiko Alonso.
Alonso out with a thigh injury which should have him back before the playoffs. A.J Klein’s injury status is unknown. Saints in desperation at the linebacker position went out and signed former Saint Manti T’eo who has been a free agent the whole entire season.
He last played for the Saints last season and knows the Saints system on defense. The former Charger and Notre Dame alum will have fresh legs but has not seen live football action in awhile. Saints have a big game versus the 49ers this Sunday. Manti’s specialty is stopping the run in which the 49ers have a great running game. Will Manti T’eo bring his imaginary girlfriend?
Well he did go to a Catholic college. Catholic school gals are very naughty. So this is my image of his imaginary gal.
#4.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 10-2 (UP 1 SPOT) Even with a loss to the Ravens the 49ers played very well last Sunday. They brought the Ravens back down to earth. Ravens were destroying the competition for weeks until the 49ers gave them a gut check punch. Meanwhile 49ers are 1-1 in their three game stretch of tough games. They have one remaining with New Orleans this Sunday. First contest they destroyed the cheese heads and went to the very end versus the Ravens to lose by a kick in the last seconds. This is a good measuring stick for this 49er team who hopes to make some loud noise when the playoffs begin. However now they find themselves looking up at Seattle in the standings because they lost to them weeks ago. Seahawks have the same record but have the tie breaker with the win. A rematch will be coming in the next few weeks versus Seattle. Can’t look ahead have to take it one game at a time.
Just like Schneider taking one at a time. Speaking of that show One at a time, Valerie Bertinelli still looking fantastic.
Meanwhile the 49ers could have a top seed in this when regular season is set and done. They could get home field advantage as well. Or could find themselves in a wild card spot as it will be interesting down the stretch.
#5.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 10-2 (DOWN 1 SPOT)
A good evil dictator never blames his storm troopers as Darth Brady did last Sunday night. It’s like a good craftsman never blames his tools for not being open. Houston gave New England a problem in a big victory on Sunday night for them. It gives the Patriots a few issues & they might not have a tissue to cover them. The Ravens kicked your butt all over the field. Now the Patriots find themselves one game behind them with the loss. Ravens get the tie breaker so that is like two games. Buffalo is still breathing down your neck and playing much better. Patriots away from Foxboro is big trouble in little China when it comes to the playoffs.
#6.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 8-4 (UP 1 SPOT)
Andy Reid now is 18-3 in games after a bye week as head coach. His record even going back to his day in Philadelphia is 11-1 at home. Chiefs came off the bye week and routed their arch rival Oakland Raiders who have been struggling but hanging on to Chiefs like an unwanted dingleberry. With that win it gives Chiefs a leg up in the division. It also improves Andy Reid’s record versus the AFC West, the Chiefs division now for years, to 25-3 and this going back to 2015. Patrick Mahomes did not have those numbers that jump off the charts like he normally does. He threw a Touchdown and ran one in. It was all about the Chiefs defense in this rout. They forced turnovers. It took the Raiders all the way to the 4th quarter to finally get on the scoreboard. Can Mahomes bring down the Empire next week who are hurting right now with a loss to the Texans?
#7.HOUSTON TEXANS 8-4 (UP 1 SPOT) Houston defends their planet from the Empire invading on Sunday night. X coach Bill O’Brien has not faired too well versus his old employer the man under the hooded sweatshirt. He was 0-5 versus the Patriots. On Sunday night his game plan was finally a recipe worth keeping as Texans beat the Patriots. On a night Tom Brady’s emotions came out as he yelled at his receivers on the sidelines. Meanwhile the Texans built up a 21-3 lead. Deshaun Watson 1-2 now versus Tom Brady as he was brilliant. He threw for three touchdowns and actually caught one himself. Maybe the Philly Houston special they might call it now. Maybe a Tom Brady killer. Texans have a stronghold on their division however the resurgence of Tennessee is in the Texans rear view mirror.
#8.BUFFALO BILLS 9-3 (UP 1 SPOT) The Bills impressive victory in Dallas is still being talked about. The Cowboys woes continued on Thursday night as the Bears beat up on them too. Bills are in good position for a wild card spot. They even have a chance at the division with New England losing. The Bills have a rematch versus them.Bills now have their toughest part of their schedule as they will get a good measuring stick where they stand this Sunday at home versus the AFC best, Ravens. A team that was brought back down to earth last Sunday versus the 49ers. Ravens have been destroying anything in that path like the wrath of khan. After that game they play the Steelers who right now have the second wild card spot. Then the arch rival Patriots. Then conclude with the bipolar Jets. Will this make the Bills Mafia nervous? They might just need a few drinks added on to the few they already have because Bills and Playoffs don’t usually go together.
#9. TENNESSEE TITANS 7-5 (UP 2 SPOTS)
It was the Titans Special teams that made a difference in the game last week versus the Colts. A blocked field goal touchdown by the Titans in the second half changed the whole game. The game was close right before that play. After that the flood gates opened and Titans ran the Colts out of the building. They forced three more turnovers and go on to finally beat their school bully the Gooch, aka the Colts. Titans snapped a three game losing streak versus the Colts. Colts have won 14-16 games in the series and Colts eliminated the Titans last year in Nashville from making the playoffs. Titans now have jumped the Colts in the standings with that win. They are now eyeballing the Texans who hold a one game lead on them. Titans are one of the hottest teams in the league. That was also the third kick blocked in the last three weeks for the Titans special unit.
#10.GREEN BAY PACKERS 9-3 (SAME) The Packers winning in the snow on the road versus the Giants is nothing to get this team to move up in the power rankings. Aaron Rodgers seems like he was born in a snow storm. All the games he played in Green Bay in the snow, you might call him Jack Frost.
The Packers’ week got better when the Vikings lost on Monday night. Packers schedule gets better next week versus the Redskins. Packers do not have to play on the West coast which is very good news. Redskins did get that fluke victory versus the Panthers. Packers should still have the lead in the division after week 14 is over. Now if Aaron Rodgers could figure out which agent is racing in the same car with Danica when he goes on these road trip?
Does Danica Patrick lose points being with an Aaron Rodgers? I think it’s the State farm agent who has his hands all over the Rodgers cookie jar.
#11.MINNESOTA VIKINGS 8-4 (DOWN 5 SPOTS) I know Seattle is a tough place to win. I have lost faith in this Viking team. Vikings again dug themselves a hole early on . Another big game in the spotlight and they lost. That makes you think Kirk Cousins, in big games, can not get things done. A few weeks back Kirk Cousins won a big game in the spotlight versus Dallas. Seems like Dallas is not who we thought they were. They just look like a team that can only beat teams at the bottom of the barrel. Then the other week the Vikings played Denver and found themselves down 20-0. They overcame that in the second half and won a game they should have lost. The Vikings did come back versus Seattle but it was too late and came up short as time expired. If the Vikings want the division or to go deep into the playoffs, they better learn to show up in the first half.
#12.PITTSBURGH STEELERS 7-5 (UP 5 SPOTS) Steelers find vengeance versus the Cleveland Browns from that game a few weeks ago.The helmet to Rudolph’s head and the loss they took in Cleveland. This time around no helmets were used in any kind of assault in Steeltown. Mason Rudolph was not allowed to play in any more reindeer games since it is the Christmas season and he has to load up the sleigh .Instead of reindeer, the Steelers turn to the Duck.
Instead of the fish that saved Pittsburgh.
This go around to save Pittsburgh is Devlin”THE DUCK” Hodges. The Steelers have many of their top playmakers out with injuries. Obviously they lost Big Ben early in the season. Mason Rudolph is back at Santa’s workshop. The Duck is 2-0 behind center for the Steelers and right now if playoffs started today they would have the second wild card slot.
#13.CLEVELAND BROWNS 5-7 (DOWN 1 SPOT) When you google Cleveland Stupid, a picture of the Browns head coach shows up.
You can say all the penalties the Browns get each game. Especially penalties that shoot their ownselves in the foot. I chalk that up to bad coaching. Last Sunday they lost in the rematch versus the Steelers. This time no helmets were used as deadly weapons. Browns started off well but then sunk in the second quarter and could not do much versus the Steeler defense. The Steelers have many injuries as they have inexperienced players at most of their skill positions. The Duck Devlin Hodges another quarterback in the Steelers rotation went up and down the field with ease and ended the Browns resurgence and their three game winning streak. Many Steeler players commented on Freddie Kitchens shirt that he wore that said Pittsburgh started it was nice bulletin board material for the Steelers. Kitchens should be fired after one season. He’s worse than any coach who had the one good year, the one year wonder. No way he will even get that status of saying he’s even a a one year wonder like Vanilla Ice. This guy coaches like Ryan Leaf played quarterback. Does anybody have a coaches dud list? Kitchens is the number one bust on this list of head coaches in my book.
#14. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 6-6 (SAME) Colts have lost two in a row as this team right now is on life support. The Colts played the Titans well until a blocked field goal kick by the Titans led to the go ahead score. Then the wheels fell off the Colts bus as this team collapsed as the Titans opened a can of whup ass on them in the second half. Colts have lost 4 out of their last five games. In the last 4 games the Colts will have to be Road Warriors because they only have one home game remaining. Colts have had some injuries on the offense. Jacoby Brissett seems to be forcing throws that are leading to mistakes. Usually Brissett has been great at not giving the ball away to the other team. Is Adam Vinatieri on his last leg? The struggles for him are for real. He has missed now 14 kicks. Eight of them on field goals and the other six extra points.
#15.LA RAMS 7-5 (UP 5 SPOTS) Rams were embarrassed by the Ravens loss. They rebounded, came back and embarrassed the Cardinals. The offense puts up 549 yards in a blow out of the red birds. Looked like the Rams offense of 2018. After a miserable month of November, Jared Goff had one of his 2018 style of games. Slinging the ball for 424 yards versus one of the worst pass defenses in the league. Goff threw for two touchdown passes.
Robert Woods had a monster day with 13 catches and 172 yards. He does not score many touchdowns. He’s one of those receivers that can move the chains but does not find the end zone very often. Rams keep their playoff hopes alive.They need to pretty much win every game and hope for some help from other squads.
#16.CHICAGO BEARS 7-6 (UP 5 SPOTS) Bears are rolling along and making some noise. They have won three in a row. Mitch Trubisky has risen from the dead heap of the scrap yard where most thought they should have dumped him weeks ago. Bears have been feasting off garbage teams. Cowboys have lots of talent but are in a tailspin. You can only beat teams that are on your schedule. Trubisky made a mistake early throwing a interception early in the game. However he finished Thursday night with 244 yards and three touchdown passes. Ran for 63 yards on the ground. While finding the end zone himself as he ran one in for a score. The Bears defense played well. The Cowboys scored in garbage time to make the score close than it was.
#17.CAROLINA PANTHERS 5-7 (DOWN 4 SPOTS) I feel like head Coach Ron Rivera got a very raw deal with Carolina. They fired the guy who has a quarterback that is a cookie.
Did the owner watch the Superbowl the Panthers played in years ago? The play at the end of the game where his million dollar quarterback was afraid to get hurt diving on a loose football in the biggest game of the year. After that Superbowl what exactly has Cam Newton done? Bad with the press. Bad with people in general. Bad at the face of your franchise. Bad in general at the position he plays. He even was looking for a job this season while he was hurt. Telling how the Bears and him would be a good fit. Ron Rivera will find another job as a head coach. Carolina will be still hoping their fantasy quarterback will be the one to lead this team to the promised land. Expect more losing seasons to come if you’re a Panthers fan.
#18.OAKLAND RAIDERS 6-6 (DOWN 3 SPOTS) It was the Raiders resurrection after the first half of the season. Jon Gruden looked like a mad genius as all the draft picks the team stockpiled were jelling together. Chucky was seen at the end of the games high fiving all the Pagan bastards in the black hole crowd. It was the last season in a baseball stadium that was used for football. The last ride in Oakland and people were thinking playoffs. But the old slogan “Just win, baby” will now be “See you in Vegas, baby.” The Warriors moved closer to San Francisco. The Oakland community still has baseball. Plus the Mayans. So proud.
#19.DALLAS COWBOYS 6-7 (DOWN 3 SPOTS) All the freaking talent in the world and they keep talking about the Dallas Cowboys. America’s team. They keep putting their games, every week it seems, in front of the national audience. Once this team was the best offensive juggernaut in the league. However they have not beaten a winning team. The Bears on Thursday night had a 500 record and they could not beat them. The Cowboys have feasted off the very bottom of the league to get six wins. They have a losing record, of course any team that can tackle on defense. Defense these days is hard to find. We have to hear every week about the soap opera that takes place about the firing of Jason Garrett, the Cowboys head coach. Telling you all this, but with the crappy division they play in, the Cowboys still have a 90 percent chance of making the playoffs. You’d think the NFC East would just give the Redskins the division because they are the hottest team in the league. Perhaps give Eli Manning one more crack at it as he is filling in this Monday night with the Giants due to the injury of Jones.
#20.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 5-7 (UP 3 SPOTS) Extra extra read all about it. Jameis Winston actually had a game last Sunday where he did not throw an interception. Tampa Bay wins the Florida bowl versus the Jaguars. This has no Florida collegiate teams involved of course. Make the NFL squads look silly. Miami did not qualify. Buccaneers took advantage of mistakes by Nick Foles. Jaguars still having problems at the QB position. That’s what they deserve when they hire a part timer in Nick Foles. Week 15 is where Nick Foles is at his best. Ask any Eagle fan. Maybe Jameis Winston is auditioning to stay in Florida. Perhaps be a Jag Bag in Jacksonville when he becomes a free agent next season.. The name fits. Jacksonville has Gardner Minshew so Jameis could seek the asylum in Miami next year.
Regarding the next twelve teams in the power rankings, we got so depressed we could not go on and write details about them in week 14. They are dead to us.
OVERALL RECORD OF STRAIGHT PICK EM THROUGH 13 WEEKS
116-76
LAST WEEK RECORD:8-8 (CRYSTAL BALL WAS ON THE FRITZ)
THURSDAY RECORD:10-5
MONDAY NIGHT RECORD:10-3
THURSDAY NIGHT GAME
COWBOYS AT BEARS
Can’t see the Cowboys losing another game in the national spotlight. Plus versus the Bears in a team that does not have a winning record. Can’t see Mitch Trubisky continue his good play versus a better defense than he has faced in last few weeks.
OUR PICK:COWBOYS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
PANTHERS AT FALCONS
Like the Panthers in this one. Even though they fired their head coach in Ron Rivera. Losing to a bad Redskin team should give this team a wake up call. They will show some fight for at least one week and get a win over a Falcon team that has quickly back to their old ways.
OUR PICK:PANTHERS
COLTS AT BUCCANEERS
Colts have fallen on hard times losing 4 out of their last five. Colts find their mojo versus you never know what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will bring to the field. I suspect some mistakes by Jameis Winston will help Colts believe once again they are in the playoff hunt.
OUR PICK:COLTS
DOLPHINS AT JETS
Do the fans get their money back watching this product on the field? I think the Dolphins have been playing better than the Jets lately. Jets laid an egg as the Joker got away versus the winless Bengal team. Ryan Fitzpatrick has a big day.
OUR PICK:DOLPHINS
49ERS AT SAINTS
This should be another NFC thriller. Perhaps a preview of the NFC championship. Both teams are very talented all the way around. I give Drew Brees the edge over Jimmy Garoppolo behind center. I like Saints at home in the dome.
OUR PICK:SAINTS
LIONS AT VIKINGS
Vikings quickly rebound in this one. Vikings will strike early for a change and dispatch the Lions with ease to get back on track.
RAVENS AT BILLS
I’m going Bills. If I were you, I would go the opposite.
OUR PICK:BILLS
BRONCOS AT TEXANS
Even though Texans beat the Evil Empire last week. They still have the Titans breathing down their neck. Loved the way Drew Lock performed in his first start for the Broncos last week. Don’t think Lock can exchange scores all day with Deshaun Watson.
OUR PICK:TEXANS
BENGALS AT BROWNS
Love to see Andy Dalton and Bengals just destroy the Browns. Browns were playing well before last week. Even with all the stupid play that Browns do on the field they should easily put the Bengals on the fastest route to the number one draft pick.
OUR PICK:BROWNS
REDSKINS AT PACKERS
Not buying what the Redskins are doing. They have played better which resulted in a few wins. Beating the Packers in Green Bay with no night life for Aaron Rodgers is a very hard task.
OUR PICK:PACKERS
CHARGERS AT JAGUARS
Minshew mania is back strong. Phillip Rivers will continue throwing picks as him and Jameis Winston are just out-dueling each other in that stat every week. Gardner Minshew brings the Jaguars’ corpse off the slab.
OUR PICK:JAGUARS
STEELERS AT CARDINALS
For the Steelers it’s all about the duck dynasty. Devlin Duck Hodges can exploit Arizona’s weak defense. Kyler Murray can be contained by a pretty good Steeler defense. Steelers continue their strong hold on the second wild card spot.
OUR PICK:STEELERS
TITANS AT RAIDERS
Raiders will be screeching their tires when this season is finally over. Vegas will give them new inspiration and forget how bad they have performed in the second half of the season after doing well in the first half. Titans remain hot and puts the shush on the black hole faithful.
OUR PICK:TITANS
CHIEFS AT PATRIOTS
The Evil empire was stung last week. It’s a team that retreated back to Foxboro where they hope to rebound. A boxer on the ropes who is frustrated in the late round. Now the Chiefs come waltzing into town in a fun match up between these two teams. I know Patriots have won forever of some kind of crazy streak of games at home. I’m going crazy in week 14. If I write it will turn to truth and justice to the America ways that Chiefs upend the Patriots in their own building. I wish. I would love to see that happen. The beers will taste so much better as well.
OUR PICK:CHIEFS
SEAHAWKS AT RAMS
Seahawks are undefeated on the road. Rams are hanging on by a thread. Seahawks put the kabosh on the Rams playoff hopes for good.
OUR PICK:SEAHAWKS
GIANTS AT EAGLES
Both teams have been bitten by the injury bug. Eli Manning might be playing in this one. Eagles win this crappy match up and rebound from the Dolphin sting a week ago. Plus with the Cowboys on Skid row this team still can sneak themselves in the playoffs. Maybe both the Eagles and the Cowboys don’t want to make it to the playoffs. Redskins could represent the division as they are the hottest team in the NFC East. Maybe give Eli Manny one more stab at it. A Giants and Patriots match up in the Superbowl. ESPN would cream their panties with a Boston New York anything.
KEEP YOUR HELMET ON AS WE ROLL OUT PART TWO OF THE STEELERS AND BROWNS WITH THE WEEK 13 POWER RANKINGS.
#1.BALTIMORE RAVENS 9-2 (SAME)
In his first ever Monday Night Game, Lamar Jackson was electric. 15-120-169 yards and 5 TD passes. Ran for 95 yards. Ravens with another route this time, LA Rams were last year’s NFC representative in the Superbowl. Since beating upon the Patriots. The Ravens have scored in the 40’s three games in a row. Rams they scored 45, Texans 41, and the Bengals 49. Mark Ingram had a big day, 111 yards on the ground with a rushing TD and caught a pass for a score. The Ravens defense is forgotten a lot with the way Lamar Jackson has been playing. It was Marcus Peters’ revenge game versus the Rams. He was traded from the Rams to the Ravens earlier in the season. He had an interception in this one. He was trash talking with his former teammates. At the end of the game he had a heated exchange with Jalen Ramsey who arrived from the Jaguars two weeks after Peters was shipped off to the Ravens.
Don’t care about trash talking on either side. Jalen Ramsey wanted to trade out of Jacksonville. He got it to the Rams a playoff team last year. Just shut up, Rams are not going anywhere just like how your old team is right now. He may not have been the cause of the problems but he will kill your team as he is an infectious disease that will rot your locker room. Has to be in the center of everything. He should have stopped Lamar Jackson and company, then he can be heard from.
#2.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 9-2 (SAME) Seahawks stay perfect on the road with a win in Philadelphia and are 6-0 as road warriors. They played an Eagle team without three starting receivers, running back and one of their offensive lineman. Seattle held the Eagles to three field goals. This without Jadeveon Clowney who has not recovered from that big 49er win.
Then Jarran Reed left in the first half of the game last Sunday. These are two key defensive players the Seahawks will need for the remainder of the stretch and obviously playoffs. Back up running back Rashaad Penny had a 58 yard rushing touchdown as he had a big day with 129 yards on the ground. Russell Wilson becomes the first ever quarterback in NFL history to have a winning record in first 8 seasons in the league.
#3.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 10-2 (SAME) Saints followed up their Tampa Bay Buccaneer win with a tough one versus the Panthers. Panthers tied the game up late. Saints reacted and drove down the field and Saints Kicker Wil Lutz hits a 33 year yard field goal for the game winner with no time remaining. Then the Saints traveled to Atlanta to face another division foe on Thanksgiving. Thursday night was the Taysom Hill show.
New Orleans’ version of the Swiss army knife. On special teams Taysom hill blocked a punt. He scored two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving. After he blocked the blocked punt, he was the one who scored the touchdown on offense when Saints took over after the recovery. The Saints go 3-0 in the last three weeks off their own division and that is enough to clinch the NFC South as their first step is complete making it back to the playoffs. Now it has been three straight years that Saints have won their division.
#4.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 10-1 (SAME)
Foxborough is home of the Evil Empire Patriots and they are very hard to beat there. Cowboys came to visit and the Patriots defense held them without a touchdown for the first time this season. Cowboys come in as one of the best offenses in the game. That was the 18th straight regular season home win for the Patriots. Cowboys only managed three field goals. This season in New England it’s been all about their defense being able to take away their opponents best offensive weapons. Tom Brady had two receivers sidelined with injuries. Brady seems like a game manager more than anything. Patriots do a very nice job of running the ball. Many of the Greatest Patriot teams we’ve seen have been the total opposite. It was all about the Tom Brady.
#5.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 10-1 (SAME) San Francisco is playing the toughest part of their schedule in these next three meetings. The first one was the cheese heads. Green Bay, another California trip and they were absolutely grated by the 49er defense. Aaron Rodgers numbers in this one was very pathetic. Rodgers was 20-33-104 yards with an interception. This is 1.7 yards per pass play. Aaron Rodgers also fumbled the football. He failed 13 times on third down plays. On the end Jimmy Garoppolo was perfect. He went 14-20 for 252 yards and two touchdown passes. The 49ers passed their first test with flying colors. Next up is a very tough one versus the Ravens.
#6.MINNESOTA VIKINGS 8-3 (UP 1 SPOT) Viking were on their bye week with a chance to heal all their wounds. Recharge the batteries.
Stay focused on the prize. Plus the Vikings witnessed the Green Bay Packers getting creamed on Monday night in San Francisco. The rematch between Packers and Vikings might be for all of the marbles which will be coming up soon.
#7.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 7-4 (UP 1 SPOT) Not sure if the Chiefs thought anybody in their division was a threat.We know the Raiders have been making some noise. They were upended last Sunday by the Jets in an upset on the Chiefs’ bye week. Were the Raiders looking ahead? Chiefs facing the Raiders this Sunday could be the ticket to the division with a win. Chiefs find themselves a few games under the Ravens and Patriots for the top seeds. Right now the Texans and them would be fighting for the third seed. Andy Reid’s record coming off bye weeks is the best in the business. Chiefs’ biggest concern is that defense playing solid football every week. They have played a few good games so this unit is capable.
#8.HOUSTON TEXANS 7-4 (UP 1 SPOT) Right now Houston is in first place of their division. Deshaun Watson is still standing. They got wide receiver Will Fuller back last week from injury. They beat the Colts. However dark clouds are following the Texans.
This Sunday brings the arrival of the Evil Empire Patriots. A team that they have had problems with especially on the biggest stages. We remember what the other top AFC team did to the Texans not too long ago. The Ravens beat the snot out of a Texans team that felt pretty good coming in. Two questions for the Texans. Can they survive without JJ Watt being on the shelf once again for the whole season? Plus can that shaky offensive line keep Deshaun standing? Two things they need to get over or fix if they want to challenge and play with the big dogs.
#9.BUFFALO BILLS 9-3 (UP 1 SPOT) Last Sunday the Bills handled the Denver Broncos on their home field. Then they ventured off to Dallas and played on the grand stage on Thanksgiving Day of a short week. Buffalo made a statement as they dominated the Cowboys in a big statement game, showing that the Bills are not a slouch feasting off a easy schedule. They improved to 9-3 on the year. That is 5-1 on the road this season. You have to go back to 1966, the last time the road record was that good after six trips out of Buffalo. Through 12 games, nine wins is the most since that 1996 team, Jim Kelly’s final season in the NFL. Josh Allen was magnificent in this one. He mishandled a snap on 4th and short play. Was patient and did not panic as he scooped the ball up as everything was collapsing around him. Then he dived forward to get the first down. Josh Allen ran for a Touchdown. He had a good day passing. He was 19-24-231 passing yards with a touchdown pass. Cole Beasley former Cowboy and now Bill, had a big game versus his old team. He had six catches and 110 yards with a touchdown. The defense came to life after the Cowboys got on the board with an early touchdown. They shut down Ezekiel Elliot. Bills players even mocked Ezekiel after the game on his own thing he does about feeding him the football.
Bills were a defense that bent, but did not break on Thursday. They made Dak Prescott uncomfortable. They harassed him all afternoon and forced him to make mistakes. If you’re a Buffalo fan, this game goes down as one those special memories that being a fan of this team, we have not seen in a long time.
#10.GREEN BAY PACKERS 8-3 (DOWN 4 SPOTS) Anybody for some nacho cheese?
Packers were absolutely turned into nacho cheese versus the 49ers last Sunday. What is with the Packers and the west coast trips this season? They lost to a bad Chargers team because they were hung over. Then San Francisco grated the cheese heads. Aaron Rodgers was a complete disaster. He passed for only 104 yards. That’s 1.7 a yard per pass play he averaged on Sunday night.
Senator Bluto from Animal house had 0.0. He was drunk. What is Aaron Rodgers’ excuse?
#11.TENNESSEE TITANS 6-5 (UP 4 SPOTS) The Titans come off their bye week and beat up on the Jaguars. The Titans are on the rise. They are close to the second wild card spot. However the division is in reach as well. Ryan Tannehill now is 4-1 since this team made that quarterback switch. He had a fine day passing for two touchdowns as he threw for 259 yards with no mistakes made. Then the Jaguars nightmare. Derrick Henry who unleashed stiff armed a few Jaguar defenders all the way down the sideline for a 74 yard rushing touchdown. He finished with 159 yards on the ground. He scored two touchdowns in a 20 second span. Last year he had a monster game versus the Jaguars as well.
#12.CLEVELAND BROWNS 5-6 (UP 4 SPOTS) Cleveland Browns are climbing up and are making a run at the second wild card spot. Browns steamrolled the Dolphins as they have been one of the hottest teams in the league. Jarvis Landry got revenge versus his former team with 10 catches, 148 yards receiving, and two touchdowns. It was a game during which Kareem Hunt found the end zone for the Browns. His first touchdown in a Browns uniform and his first since his Kansas City days. Joe Schobert another two picks. This is guy that could be in the running for defensive player of the year. He’s having some monster games.
Freddie Kitchens is not the brightest bulb in the box.Wearing a shirt that says Pittsburgh started it in Browns colors. Will this give Steelers bulletin board material? Part two of Steelers and Browns this Sunday. Will helmets fly?
#13.CAROLINA PANTHERS 5-6 (DOWN 1 SPOT) Panthers have been on the slide and have found no way to get off it. They came back versus the Saints and tied the game late in that one. Then to see the Saints march down the field and kick a winning field goal as time expired. That might be the nail in this Panther team. As it is a full house of winning teams seeking playoff spots. Plus teams like the Bears have jumped in front of the Panthers in the wild card race. Panthers should get back on track this week facing the red hot Redskin team who have a one game winning streak going.
#14.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 6-5 (DOWN 1 SPOT) Colts looked like a team that were going to hold on to the division, and make that their road to the playoffs. They have now fallen off the map. Head coach Frank Reich has to get his team to get mad and angry like in the movie Fallen down.
If they don’t they will be home for the playoffs. This Sunday is a huge match up with a redhot Titan team.
#15.OAKLAND RAIDERS 6-5 (DOWN 4 SPOTS) When you lose to the Jets, when your team is on the verge of making a playoff run, it’s time to call it a year. The Raiders will follow up this loss with another loss versus their division nemesis the Chiefs. We give the Raiders that comeback team of the year. Which will be a participation ribbon. These are the days where everyone needs a hug. Raiders have some rookies that should be getting awarded for their play. It was a nice story while it lasted. See you in Vegas.
#16.DALLAS COWBOYS 6-6 (DOWN 2 SPOTS) Can the Cowboys beat teams with a 500 record like themselves? We know they can beat teams with losing records. Buffalo embarrassed them on Thanksgiving, so we know they still have not beaten a winning team. Cowboys despite not winning of late still have a great chance to make the playoffs in such a bad division. Plus an Eagle team that has been plagued by injuries. They won the first match up. They play them again.
#17.PITTSBURGH STEELERS 6-5 (UP TWO SPOTS) Steelers right now have the number two wild card spot if playoffs were today. The Steelers last week had to replace Mason Rudolph who struggled against the bottom of the league Bengal team. Steelers offense is not that good these days. Can their defense keep them a float? If they lose this weekend to the Browns in part two of the helmet to head conflict, I say season over. This is a game where Steelers should activate Mean Joe Green. This is game that if they win, it will push them over the finish line.
#18. ARIZONA CARDINALS 3-8-1 (UP 2 SPOTS) Cardinals probably should have won last week. Another close one versus the 49ers where they saw their lead evaporate in the last minute of the game. I think the Cardinals will take down the Rams this week and end their playoff dreams. Which put the Rams on that hangover list of team losers in the Superbowl. I think Cardinals will play spoiler and get a few wins before the regular season is over.
#19.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 5-6 (DOWN 2 SPOTS)
I don’t think Rock or the Eagles are getting up again for this season. Too many injuries to key positions on offense. They have gotten up before. However Nick Foles is not in the building any more. The season might be done as the liberty bell has a bigger crack in it these days
#20. LA RAMS 6-5 (DOWN 2 SPOTS) I think the Rams traded away the wrong player in Marcus Peters. He comes back with the Ravens and burns them on Monday Night. Then the Rams made the wrong trade and acquiring Jalen Ramsey, is a cancer which poisoned this team and the Jaguars where he came from. They gave up too much for Ramsey as well. Rams absolutely mauled by the Ravens on Monday night. Rams won the week before in a sloppy game. This team in my mind will not make the playoffs. They should have never made the Superbowl last season. This has been a team that did very well in player personnel before and during 2018. Every move this season seems to have not worked out. Either in trades or letting your own walk out the door as free agents. The hangover is real. Anybody for Rams head soup? In New Orleans they call it Rajun Cajun Rams head stew.
#21.CHICAGO BEARS 6-6 (UP 3 SPOTS) Watch out world, the Chicago Bears are in the playoff hunt. The Bears suddenly have won three games in a row. They are now even with their record at 6-6. Mitch Trubisky was going to be hung in the town square and ridden out of town being dragged down Michigan Ave by the bumper of Mike Ditka’s car. Bears have turned things around versus some garbage bottom-of-the league teams. They beat the Lions without Matthew Stafford. Then the Giants. Then again the Lions, this time a rookie quarterback in for Stafford that almost beat them. A guy that made his first start. Mitch Trubisky has played better. I’m not buying what they are selling. Lions game one and the Giants in both games, they had chances to win at the end. You could say the same thing on Thanksgiving. The Bears took the lead. Then almost lost it on the last drive with the Lions driving. The final four games they need to win them all for any chance. Next Thursday they play a desperate Cowboy team. Then Packers, Chiefs and conclude this nightmare season with the Vikings. No way they win 3 of those games.
#22.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 4-7 (DOWN 1 SPOT) Jacksonville were absolutely destroyed by the Tennessee Titans. That is three straight losses for the Jaguars in a row. All to their own division opponents. Plus Nick Foles still has not won a game behind center for this team. Jaguars did manage to get 20 points most of that was in garbage time when the game was well in hand for the Titans.
Put Doug Marone on my Black Monday list.You could put his name at the top of the list. He left his press conference furious last Sunday after the loss. Taking his cue from Cam Newton on ways to handle the press. The Jaguars whole team needs huge make over.
Call Dr.Phil. Maybe Jerry Springer. Get Jenny Jones back and help this Jacksonville franchise makeover this ugly team.
#23.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 4-7 (UP 2 SPOTS) The Falcons welcomed their third division foe in three weeks. The Falcons beat up on the Saints and Panthers. You’d think the resurgence of the Falcons would easily complete the hat trick on the Buccaneers. Jameis Winston despite throwing two more picks, overcame his mistakes and upended the hot dirty bird who laid a stink on their own field. Winston now has 20 interceptions for the season. He threw for three touchdown and passed for 300 yards. Wide receiver Chris Godwin had a big day with 7 catches 184 yards and two Touchdowns. It was a day Chris Godwin and Mike Evans made it into the 1,000 yard club for the year in receiving yards. Plus Jameis Winston threw a touchdown pass to the defensive tackle that did not hurt his stats. Vita Vea came in at the goal line and grabbed a 1 yard pass for a touchdown to make his day and a nice win for the Buccaneers.
#24.ATLANTA FALCONS 3-9 (DOWN 2 SPOTS) Jesus,Mary and Julio no Jones on Thanksgiving. The Falcons rose from the dead and gave two beat downs to the Saints and Panthers. They they get slapped in the face by the Buccaneers, and the Saints get revenge on them on Turkey day.
I guess the Falcon defense shows up when they want to. The Falcons’ rickity offensive line is eventually going to send Matt Ryan into an early retirement. Coach Dan Quinn is back on the Black Monday list. Bright spot is the Falcons kicker.
The onside kick in the NFL is extinct like the dinosaurs. It’s very hard to kick a successful one. Kicker Younghoe Koo had two successful onside kicks late in that game on Thanksgiving. The former San Diego Charger kicker and A.A.F kicker who played for the Atlanta Legends in that league.
#25.NEW YORK JETS 4-7 (UP 3 SPOTS) The Jets with a big upset last Sunday at home. Apparently they do not like the Black Hole fans invading their stadium. For lots of reasons.
New York stadium workers might have to spray the seats the Raiders fans occupied. You don’t know what they are carrying from their hole in Oakland.
Don’t want Sam Darnold catching the clap. Darnold had a huge game 20-29 315 yards his 4th career 300 yard game. He threw two touchdown passes and ran one in as Jets destroyed the Raiders. It got so bad for the Raiders they pulled Derek Carr for Mike Glennon. Yikes that’s a really bad day at the office. It’s the Jets’ first three game winning streak in over two years. Plus they hurt the Raiders playoff chances and broke their three game winning streak.
#26.DETROIT LIONS 3-8-1 (DOWN 3 SPOTS)
Lions lost to the Redskins in an ugly game last Sunday. Then on Thanksgiving the Bears carved them up like a turkey. Lions continue to look like jive turkeys as they blew another lead. The Lions have had the lead in all of their games this season at some point during the game. Lions have lost 5 in a row. Without Matthew Stafford. Their second stringer Jeff Driskel had a hamstring problem and was the back up on Thursday. The Lions turned to 24 year David Blough. His first pass goes for a 75 yard bomb TD pass to Kenny Golladay. Blough did well and finished 22-38 280 yards with one TD and an interception at the end of the game. He could not strike back at the end after the Bears took the lead on them.
I have been like running back Bo Scarbrough for the Lions. The way he’s been playing. A power runner who had 83 yards on the ground versus the Bears defense. The way he breaks tackles and fights for extra yards. A very scrappy player. Lions have been without a good running back since Barry Sanders retired.
#27.LA CHARGERS 4-7 (SAME) Chargers are on their bye week. No stupid play or interceptions to be talked about. We do have a question. Does Phillip Rivers have more kids than interceptions thrown in the red zone this season? Is this the last season for Phillip Rivers? Should they try to see what Tyrod Taylor could do the rest of the season? Or do you know what you get from him? Giants pull the plug on Eli Manning this season.
I think this season will be the last for Phillip Rivers in the Chargers uniform as they will pull the plug and find someone from the draft.
#28.WASHINGTON REDSKINS 2-9 (UP 2 SPOTS) Redskins get a rare win last Sunday versus the Lions and there was no team bus crash involved. Dwayne Haskins wins his first game as a starting quarterback. Haskins numbers were not impressive as his stat line was 13-29, 156 yards and threw an interception. It was not a pretty game. Dwayne Haskins did drive his team down the field at the end of the game for the winning score. He was so excited about the win he forgot to go back on the field to kneel down in victory formation. He was busy taking a selfie with a fan. Hope it was not with Donald Trump. Case Keenum took the knee. The big money they pay Keenum the one year wonder, he should be mopping the floors at the stadium after the game to earn his scratch.
#29.DENVER BRONCOS 3-8 (DOWN 3 SPOTS) Broncos second half collapse versus the Vikings continued in Buffalo. The team could get nothing going as they were pretty much grounded by the Buffalo defense all day long. The Broncos will go in another direction as Brandon Allen is out and Drew Lock will get the start for the Broncos versus the Chargers this Sunday. Brandon Allen knew he was on a short leash while Drew Lock was dealing with an injury. Brandon Allen went 1-2 in his three starts.Kind of raw deal because he should of been 2-1 with that second half melt down versus the Vikings. He threw three TD’S, 2 interceptions for 515 yards. He only completed about 46% of his passes. Will that be enough for him to get a number two job on depth chart with a team?
Bronco fans hope to forget about the lemon Joe Flacco. Plus all the other crappy QB’S that came in after Peyton Manning. They hope this is a new era for this team. Drew Lock who they drafted in the second round from Missouri gets the keys to the car. John Elway, the mastermind behind the Broncos, needs this pick to work. Elway a hall of fame quarterback has been having the hardest time trying to find the Broncos a franchise quarterback. Around the league young quarterbacks have been doing well which if Drew Lock does not pan out, well… Broncos fans, don’t blame them if they get the torches and pitch forks to charge the Broncos HQ.
#30.MIAMI DOLPHINS 2-9 (DOWN 1 SPOT) Ryan Fitzpatrick celebrated his 37th birthday versus Cleveland Last Sunday. Dolphins lost in a rout. Ryan Fitzpatrick had 2 TD passes and the usual 2 interceptions. Do they have some kind of meeting at the local community center for Quarterbacks to talk about their problem? Maybe perhaps a 12 step program. “Hi I’m Jay Cutler and I throw pick sixes”. Phillip Rivers and Jameis Winston could sit in on this class right next door to the problem gamblers. The ones that bet on games where these quarterbacks blew it for them. Taught by Vinny Testaverde.
Vinny has an excuse, he was color blind. Good news is Dolphins are still hunting a top pick. Plus Ryan Fitzpatrick did not get assaulted by his own helmet versus the Browns.
#31.NEW YORK GIANTS 2-9 (SAME) Giants came off the bye week and had the halftime lead on the Chicago Bears in the Windy City. Giants defense made a struggling Mitch Trubisky look relevant again as Bears came back and claimed the lead for good. Giants made it closer in the 4th quarter with another score. They lost 19-14 and Giants missed two field goals which is six points as they lost by 5 points. The Giants have so many holes on this roster. Then you question is head coach Pat Shurmur the right guy to lead them out of this Gigantic hole they have fallen into?
Pat Shurmur now is 7-20 as head coach with the G-MEN. They have lost seven in a row. They clinched their third losing season with the loss to the Bears. Put Pat Shurmur named as a candidate for the black Monday list after the season.
#32.CINCINNATI BENGALS 0-11 (SAME) If the Bengals go perfect this season 0-16, then the state of Ohio will have two NFL teams that went perfect going the wrong way in the last few years. Can Cincinnati and Cleveland adopt Ohio State University as their NFL representatives? They are perfect going in the opposite direction of the Bumbles. Ohio State probably could beat the Bumbles. Would the Bengals parade of their perfect season be better than the Browns parade they had a few seasons ago?
Bengals think ten points is the score to get to win a game. They have played in two tough games in the last two weeks only scoring ten points but losing by one score. Mason Rudolph played poorly for the Steelers and he was benched. The other guy who helped the Steelers prevail, Devlin Hodges, was third on the Steeler depth chart and probably helped save Pittsburgh’s season. Bengals once again Plaxico Burressed themselves in the foot with costly turnovers to seal the deal for the Steelers.
OVERALL RECORD IN STRAIGHT PICK-EM THROUGHOUT THE SEASON
108-68
LAST WEEK: 10-4
THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD:7-5
MONDAY NIGHT RECORD:10-2
THE TURKEY BOWL GAMES
BEARS AT LIONS
No Matthew Stafford. A bad Lions defense. Mitch Trubisky does well versus the Lions. One team he can beat.
OUR PICK:LIONS
BILLS AT COWBOYS
Something has to give in this one. Cowboys have not beaten a team with a winning record. Bills have been feasting on bottom of the league parasites. Bills show up in a big way in front of the whole world.
OUR PICK:BILLS
SAINTS AT FALCONS
Falcons shocked the Saints a few weeks ago. Falcons came back to earth last week versus the Buccaneers. Saints’ revenge is cutting the head off their Thanksgiving bird, a Falcon.
OUR PICK: SAINTS
WEEK 13 SUNDAY SLATE
TITANS AT COLTS
Titans are firing on all cylinders. Colts have been clawing and fighting in every game but not finishing. No worries, Titans put the finishing touches on the Colts season.
OUR PICK:TITANS
JETS AT BENGALS
No scary ghosts or goblins like in the good ole days for the Bengals. Sam Darnold will not be scared. Bengals will continue their perfection of a season.
OUR PICK: JETS
REDSKINS AT PANTHERS
Panthers finally get back in the win column in a game they must have. Redskins won last week, but they will go back to their regular ways this week.
OUR PICK:PANTHERS
49ERS AT RAVENS
Ravens have been demolishing everyone in their path. Until someone beats them I’m sticking with Lamar Jackson and company. I ain’t no dummy.
OUR PICK:RAVENS
BUCCANEERS AT JAGUARS
The battle of Florida. Winner gets these beach girls.
OUR PICK:JAGUARS
BROWNS AT STEELERS
In part two of this match up between these two teams, it will be played helmet free. Helmets will be checked in before the players go on the field. Just like weapons in a court house. I would say this game would be the Steelers’ revenge. That offense the Steelers have is not doing well these days. Browns have caught fire and they sweep the Steelers for the first time in decades.
OUR PICK:BROWNS
PACKERS AT GIANTS
Bears scored 19 off the Giants’ bad defense last week. Just imagine what the Packers could score off the Giants defense after coming off a beatdown from the 49ers.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
EAGLES AT DOLPHINS
Eagles come back to life and win a game they must win. They have to keep up with the Cowboys. That second match up between them and the boys would be the key to the gate master, the playoffs, and the division title.
Carson Wentz looks horrible without his coffee in the morning.
OUR PICK: EAGLES
RAMS AT CARDINALS
Rams will not rebound from the mugging that took place with the team on Monday night. Kyle Murray will prevail and put the final shot of bourbon on the Rams’ hangover season from playing in the Superbowl. The Rams will fall off their stool and their season for the playoffs will be over.
OUR PICK:CARDINALS
CHARGERS AT BRONCOS
Phillip Rivers will throw a few interceptions in key situations. Chargers in general will shoot themselves as the Broncos will sweep up all the pieces and dump them on a plane for where ever their home is these days.
OUR PICK: BRONCOS
RAIDERS AT CHIEFS
I just do not see the Raiders getting over that Jets lost. Raiders did not look great in the Bengal win. Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs will give thanks that they killed the Raiders playoff hopes. Raiders still wasted our time thinking they actually had a chance.
OUR PICK: CHIEFS
PATRIOTS AT TEXANS
Patriots’ record versus old coaches of the Evil Empire is scary. Bill Belichick has pictures of Bill O’Brien with farm animals that are unkind. Patriots win at Houston.
OUR PICK: PATRIOTS
MONDAY NIGHT GAME
VIKINGS AT SEAHAWKS
I like the Vikings in this one. Seahawks losses have come from their home turf. Which is usually not the case. Vikings pull out a win.
The Chicago Blackhawks are starting to heat up as they are playing their best hockey by far this season. Out of the gate the Blackhawks started off slowly. In the last ten contests, Blackhawks have upped the ante and are 6-2-2. This includes a shutout yesterday by Cory Crawford against the Dallas Stars. It’s the Blackhawks’ first shut out of the season. In the last ten games it’s been some great goal-tending by the tandem of net-minders the Blackhawks have on their roster. Everyone knows Cory Crawford as he has helped bring a few cups to the Windy City. The off-season move the Blackhawks made in signing goalie Robin Lehner is paying off. The last 15 games, the Blackhawks’ tandem net-minders have had a .939 save percentage. Robin Lehner has a .938 save percentage that is tops in the league.
Robin Lehner is a veteran guy and has played in the league for many years. He started his career with the Senators. Then bounced around in New York with the Sabres and last season with the Islanders. In his lone season with the Islanders, he had a career year. He won some awards last year where he went 25-13-5 in 46 games with a .930 save percentage. He’s 28 years old, and he’s a big guy at 6’4″ weighing in at 240. For a big man, he is very agile. With an aging veteran defensemen with no trade clauses. With a starting goalie being haunted by concussions, the Blackhawks needed another goalie. To land another starter in Robin Lehner could be the savvy move to help this team get back into the playoffs.
Cory Crawford is a legend in Chicago for what he has done so far in his career wearing the Indian head. He probably never has to buy a drink again in Chicago. Over the last few seasons we have seen less and less of Cory Crawford due to concussions. The Blackhawks never had a quality back up goalie to do well in long stretches when Crawford was sidelined. During those stretches the team would go into a funk. They would dig a hole on the ice so big it freezes up and they could not get themselves out. It meant MIA in the playoffs each season. In 2012-13 Corey Crawford and the late Ray Emery teamed up behind the net and it was a great year for the Blackhawks. Ray Emery backing up Cory started off 10-0 in first ten starts. Then in 2014-15, Cory again had a solid back up in Lemont native, Scott Darling. That year the Blackhawks played poorly in the start of the playoffs and Scott Darling came to the rescue to save them in a big playoff series with a few key starts where he absolutely shut down the opponent.
Imagine the Blackhawks were thinking if Cory Crawford suffers more concussions this season then the team would have a starter to replace a starter was the big key in signing Robin Lehner. What if Cory Crawford stays healthy all season? If Cory Crawford stays healthy all year, this signing will pay off more. With two good goalies both playing well, you can keep them fresh. If one gets hotter than the other, you can ride the hotter hand. It’s been pretty much even with playing time so far. Cory Crawford has gone 5-5-2 in the net. While Robin Lehner has gone 5-4-1 so far. The Blackhawks need good goal tending because the defense has aged and they are waiting on some of these young guys to step. Mistakes will happen. Good goal keeping can erase many of them.
We know the Blackhawks can score goals. That will help as both goalies don’t feel like they have shut out the opponent. Plus not just throw in the towel on a bad night because the team might come back in that game. This tandem should be the X-factor in getting this back in the playoffs. From there they might just need one of them to be the hotter hand. Look at St.Louis last year, they rode their rookie goalie all the way to the cup. If they are both hot, then rotate them every other game. Play the numbers battle on what each goalie did versus that opponent during the season. Either way the gatemaster better be expecting the Blackhawks when the playoffs begin.
DON’T FALL APART YET. WEEK 12 POWER RANKINGS ARE NOW.
If Myles Garrett lived during the Crusades, would he pick up someone’s arm and beat them over the head with it?
#1.BALTIMORE RAVENS 8-2 (SAME) The Ravens remain the hottest team in the whole entire football world. They have won six games in a row, causing the dismantling of a very good team in the Houston Texans. Texans came into Baltimore winning 4 out of their last 5 games. The Ravens defense made Deshaun Watson look like a regular middle of the road quarterback in the NFL. He had nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. Ravens defense smothered him for 7 sacks and forced him to throw an interception. He was held under 200 yards passing. Lamar Jackson did the same thing he always does. Broke six tackles in a 39 yard scamper. He threw for 4 touchdowns, no other Raven did that twice in one season. What AFC team is going to stop them?
#2. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 7-2 (SAME) Seattle had a bye week last Sunday after the big victory versus the 49ers.
Looks like Pete Carol has some kind of animal skin on his head in the team picture above. Seattle in week 12 are back on the road. They have been road warriors this season as they are perfect 5-0. Seattle went 6-2 in 2013 on the road the year they won the Superbowl.
Is this what coffee does to the babes out in Seattle? Very dedicated fan with her hair dyed in one version of the Seahawks team colors. Think Petey knows her?
#3.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 8-2 (UP 2 SPOTS) Saints took the bad loss to the Falcons very personal. They rebounded very quickly versus the Buccaneers. Building up a 20 point lead early. During that span, they out-gained the Buccaneers, 195 yards to 11. Drew Brees had three TD passes in which he had none the week versus the Falcons. He did not get sacked as the line played well. The defense was on top of their game as well, even had a pick six score to conclude the beating up on the Buccanners.
After the game many Buccaneers did not want to be a pirate no longer. Terrible year on the seas. Meanwhile wide receiver Michael Thomas has a record. He is the first player ever in the NFL to have 90 plus catches after ten games of regular season.
#4.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 9-1 (DOWN 1 SPOT) It was a rematch of the Superbowl between the Patriots and the Eagles. It was not the high scoring affair in that game. Much low scoring as Patriots found themselves down 10-0. It was not a pretty game for the Patriots especially coming out of a bye week. Have to give New England defense a lot of credit, they sacked Carson Wentz five times and forced a turn over. However the Eagles hung in with the Evil Empire without their top running back and two of their top receivers. That’s three play makers. On offense it was Julian Edelman who threw a touchdown pass in this game on trick play. Tom Brady had no TD passes. Patriots won the Superbowl rematch in a very sluggish game.
#5.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 9-1 (DOWN 1 SPOT) It looked like the 49ers were going to be shot down in flames for the second week in a row. It was a rematch with the Cardinals. The last time these two teams played, it went down to the wire. 49ers just squeaked by. Part two it was the same type of game, same outcome. Jimmy Garoppolo threw for over 400 yards in this game. He had four TD passes.
He did throw two costly interceptions that put his team in a hole. Jimmy redeems himself and hits Jeff Wilson Jr. for a 25 yard strike with 31 seconds left in the game. That is the strike that ends the Cardinals for another day and 49ers sweep the series. This is very encouraging to see your starting quarterback come back in a game like this. You don’t want to go down this road every week. However the 49ers feel if they are down, they can come back. This will help in the playoffs.
#6.GREEN BAY PACKERS 8-2 (SAME) Packers were on their bye week.
Aaron Rodgers and his entourage went on a cheese expedition. Hitting all the cheese huts and gay porn,
all the way up and down the highways. The new modern truffle some call it.
#7.MINNESOTA VIKINGS 8-3 (SAME) The Vikings had a scare last Sunday. They found themselves down by 20 points to the Broncos at halftime. The Vikings were getting blanked as well. This off the big Sunday night game where Kirk Cousins actually thrived beating a pretty good Cowboy team. Vikings come back in the second half when after the first half, the sky was pretty much falling. Kirk Cousins had three touchdown passes. On one of them he rolled out and threw a laser beam right at Stefon Diggs in stride for a big 54 TD strike. The defense of the Vikings did just enough to stop Brandon Allen and the Broncos drive in the last seconds of the game defending the goal line and preventing a Bronco come back of their own. It’s been five years and over 100 games since the last time a team won trailing by 20 at half time. The Evil Empire marched back in the second half versus the Falcons in the Superbowl.
#8.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 7-4 (UP 1 SPOT) Chiefs get back in the win column. It took a trip to Mexico City to accomplish this. The Chiefs scored 24 points and only had 310 yards of offense for the night. Was it the turf on the field in Mexico or the Chargers defense? Patrick Mahomes only passed for 182 yards on night. Gets his first win back from his injury. But not really a Mahomes style of night with under 200 passing and only 1 TD pass with an interception. You could say the defense stepped up in this one for the Chiefs. They picked off Phillip Rivers 4 times. Well, you can say that is Phillip Rivers. It’s hard to get excited about this win due to too many moving parts. However with the Raiders on the Chiefs’ rear end, its a victory that keeps them ahead of them and breaks a losing streak.
#9.HOUSTON TEXANS 7-4 (DOWN 1 SPOT) The Texans were absolutely destroyed last Sunday in Baltimore by the Ravens. Before you could say, “Houston we have a major problem.” The Texans quickly rebounded on Thursday night versus their division nemesis the Colts, who took the first game out of the two game series a few weeks back. Deshaun Watson got one of his weapons back in wide receiver, Will Fuller. The Texans offense looked better as they win the close game which was fought all the way to the end. All the Colts and Texans games have been like that. I am still worried about the protection on offense in the long haul. Teams are getting through and pressuring Deshaun Watson and he’s taking some hits the last few weeks. Can the defense survive without their star JJ Watt? You can say the Texans just had a bad game versus the Ravens. Seems like every team is saying that. They will need to get better to make noise in the playoffs.
#10.BUFFALO BILLS 7-3 (UP 1 SPOT) Sean McDermott said his team had the eye of the tiger rebounding from a game they should have had in Cleveland. Best way to get back on track is beat up on the Dolphins and that’s what the Bills did. They improve their record to 7-3 and you have to go back to 1999 when the team started 7-3 that year. The Bills broke Miami’s two game winning streak. They scored the most points in one game with 37. The defense put a halt to the Dolphins ground game holding them to 23 yards. Plus they sacked Fitzpatrick 7 times. Josh Allen threw three TD passes with 256 passing yards and no mistakes. John Brown had a monster game hauling in 9 catches for 137 yards with two touchdowns. This team plays Denver who they must beat at their place this Sunday. That would be huge being 8-3 invading Dallas on Thanksgiving. The Bills Mafia will like this.
#11.OAKLAND RAIDERS 6-4 (UP 1 SPOT) Raiders had kind of a scare at home facing the hapless Bumbles at home. Bengals, very desperate for a win, gave the Raiders a game in the black hole. Raiders offense made some mistakes as the Bengals forced some turnovers. Raiders defense saved the day. Especially a guy we talked about last week on the power rankings.
Mad Maxx Crosby had the best game of his career, the rookie defense lineman was in Ryan Finley’s grill all day. He had 4 sacks and a forced fumble. The four sacks in one game is a new Raider record by a rookie. It was the most sacks in a single game since Kahlil Mack wore silver and black in 2015. The Raiders survive the apocalypse in Oakland and are on the rise.
#12.CAROLINA PANTHERS 5-5 (DOWN 2 SPOTS) Panthers have hit a tailspin as they fall victim to the resurgent Falcon team that is on the rise. The Panthers were held to only a field goal. The Falcons defense made Kyle Allen look human after all, picking him off four times in this contest. That is 9 interceptions in the last four games for Kyle. Christian McCaffrey did have 191 yards from the scrimmage but did not find the end zone. Panthers have now fallen behind in the wild card race. Now they will be looking to get back on track in a must win next week as their season is on the brink.
#13.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 6-5(SAME) Last Sunday the Colts welcomed back Jacoby Brissett. That helped jump start the team as they broke a losing streak and got back on track beating up on the Jaguars. Then on Thursday, they were right back at it with another division foe, the Houston Texans. That game did not go their way. As it was a well fought game to the very end, but Colts split the series with the Texans losing only by three points. Colts still alive for a wild card. They will need to string some games together late in the season. Plus the Titans, another division foe, are on the rise looking for a wild card spot. That will be another battle coming up.
#14.DALLAS COWBOYS 6-4 (UP 1 SPOT) Dak Prescott had all the time in the world last Sunday versus a woeful Lions defense. He could have read War and Peace in the pocket as he threw for 444 yards with three touchdowns. Cowboys hold off the Lions in a shootout. Cowboys are up and down all year. Lions back up quarterback gave the Cowboys a game. Thought the Cowboys defense was better than how they performed. The Cowboys will need to beat the Eagles again to win the division. The Redskins and Giants will also help with their season win totals.
#15.TENNESSEE TITANS 5-5 (UP 1 SPOT) Titans went on their bye week after they beat the Chiefs in a shootout. They evened their record at 5-5. They have turned things around with their change at quarterback. Ryan Tannehill has been very impressive. The Titans are enjoying the bye week with country gals and moonshine.
God bless America building these country gals down south like that. No wonder they lost the civil war. Who would want to fight with country gals and moonshine?
#16.CLEVELAND BROWNS 4-6 (UP 1 SPOT) The Browns have won two games in a row. Can this team survive without their top defensive player Myles Garrett? He has been suspended the rest of the season. Browns finally playing well after a whole season of misery. Will the incident with Myles Garrett help this team move forward or will that be the sinking of the Browns season? Browns will have to run the table if they even want to sniff a wild card spot. Last year they played very well in the second half of the season. However bad starts make it nearly impossible to get in the playoffs. When Nick Foles takes over late in the seasons, his team is in the thick of things. Not tinkering on the edge of mathematically out.
#17.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 5-5 (DOWN 3 SPOTS) Facing the Evil Empire is no easy task. Eagles gave Tom Brady and company a pretty good game last Sunday. The Eagles have too many injuries. They had to get former Eagles from the streets to address the lack of playmakers they had dressed versus the Patriots. The Eagles and Cowboys have been wishy washy all season. Only one will make it to the playoffs. The Eagles versus the Cowboys, the next match up, will be the deciding factor. Both teams will hover at the same record and then face each other. Cowboys won the first game as they destroyed the Eagles. Maybe the Eagles can make a last minute trade and get Nick Foles back in the fold. That damn trade deadline has passed. Eagles might be home for Christmas after all.
#18.LA RAMS 6-4 (UP 1 SPOT) Rams stayed alive with a win over the Bears on Sunday night. Bears and the Rams, two playoff teams from a year ago. Two great teams of the NFC last year. Rams made it to the Superbowl. They played each other in 2018 and it was a game that was like two gladiators in the ring. One year later these teams look like two junior varsity teams on homecoming night. Both teams will need to address their issues in the off season. Rams keep their playoff hopes alive winning the sloppy game on Sunday night. For how long will they stay afloat is the question as the boat they are sailing with has big holes and is taking on lots of water.
#19.PITTSBURGH STEELERS 5-5 (DOWN 1 SPOT) The Steelers have been hit hard in the head. Besides Mason Rudolf getting whacked by his own helmet. Some of their playmakers took a beating by the Browns ten days ago. Steelers came into the Browns game winning four in a row. It was basically the defense that came up big in that 4 game winning streak. The offense has been struggling. Mason Rudolf has not looked sharp. Can the quarterback rebound from that brawl that happened with the Browns? Not sure if they have the talent even to get a wild card spot in the last six games with the injuries and not being so deep on offensive side of the ball in depth. They might use the Cleveland loss as their own personal vendetta and get on a run these last six games. Or they might stay curled up in a corner sucking their thumbs.
#20.ARIZONA CARDINALS 3-7-1 (UP 1 SPOT) Kyle Murray and the Arizona Cardinals had the 49ers on the brink last Sunday. Another epic game versus the 49ers. Two key plays that doomed the Cardinals and the key drive at the end of the game looked like the 49ers came up short on third down. Review said they got the first down and they had a new set of downs. Then a fumble late did not help the Cardinals cause.
When the opponent is wobbling and on the ropes, the Cardinals will eventually learn how to finish their opponent. If Jimmy Garoppolo can maintain his health the rest of his years in a 49ers uniform, this match up with him versus Kyle Murray will continue to be must see TV.
.#21.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 4-6 (DOWN 1 SPOT) The Jacksonville Jaguars is always Johnny come late to things. For years the defense was great. They did not do anything to the quarterback position. Cough, cough, Blake Bortles. Then now they have a quarterback controversy. Did they think when Nick Foles came back, they’d just insert him in and they should win? Defense could not stop the colts.. running game was out too lunch. Nick Foles did pretty good. What do you expect? People will cry for Gardner Minshew. Whoever is in charge, if it’s Tom Coughlin, your brain cells are just a bowl of mushy split pea soup. Get rid of Doug Marone, he is a bad head coach. Fire yourself while you’re at it.
#22.ATLANTA FALCONS 3-7 (UP 5 SPOTS) Has head coach Dan Quinn saved his job? Most of 2019 looked like the Falcons had the bird flu. Last two weeks they have knocked off two division teams. Two pretty good teams in the Saints and Panthers. Suddenly they fixed their walking dead defense that gave up more scores than a whore house.
Matt Ryan coming back from his injury has been awesome. He threw for 300 yards and one touchdown pass. But the defense picked off Kyle Allen four times. The Falcons defense only had two interceptions the whole season before these 4 last week. Last one in week two. Falcons have been putting the pressure on the quarterback and forcing them to make mistakes. Never would have thought of that concept. Will the league and half of these sorry defenses follow this strategy that’s been around forever?
#23.DETROIT LIONS 3-6-1 (SAME) Lions played the Cowboys very well last Sunday. Where is the Lions defense?
Lions defense… not sure we can figure out that mystery. The beef Matt Patricia devoured, we know that. The team is without their starting quarterback, Matthew Stafford. Back up Quarterback Jeff Driskel played very well. He threw for 200 yards with a touchdown pass. He ran one in as well. Made no mistakes. If the head coach for the Lions had a brain the season could be much different with even a decent defensive unit in place.
#24.CHICAGO BEARS 4-6 (DOWN 2 SPOTS) The Bears defense got gashed by Todd Gurley-man last Sunday. However they held the Rams to only 17 points. Is that good enough? Are they on the field too long? The Bears ran 22 more offensive plays than the Rams. When your offense is averaging 3.6 yards a play, it explains a lot. Mitch Trubisky was benched in this contest very late in the game. Fact is the last Bears drive, Chase Daniels came in. Some will say Mitch was not hurt.
Is Matt Nagy whispering sweet nothings into Mitchell’s ear? Did the naked pictures of Mitch and the farm animal come in and Nagy finally convinced him, you’re injured and he has enough of the former number one draft pick? Either way it was very strange. Mitch Trubisky has played poorly. How about the kicking game? Two more misses for Eddie Pineiro. If he make them it’s 17-13. If he makes them it would change the field position for the Rams. Plus it could have raised the confidence level of the whole team. Patriots find a pretty good kicker in Nick Folk to replace their second kicker who replaced the Patriots’ number one guy, Steven Gostkowski. Dont tell me Bill Belichick is the only guy that can read the names on the waiver wire.
#25.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 3-7 (UP 1 SPOT) With so many teams playing so poorly, I moved the Buccaneers up one spot. Perhaps because they won the Sunday before. Last Sunday they met a Saints team that were angry. Not Myles Garrett angry, but a good anger to restore their mission. Good news is Mike Evans is closing on his sixth 1000 yard receiving season. Bad news is Jameis Winston is competing with Phillip Rivers for the most INT’S thrown this season. Do they get a participation ribbon for that stat? Jay Cutler would have beaten the both. The Buccaneers became the voodoo doll last Sunday as Winston was running for his life back there. Sacked twice. The running game was grounded all game.
#26.DENVER BRONCOS 3-7 (DOWN 1 SPOT) The Broncos lack the killer instinct. Another second half collapse for the Broncos as this is a common thing. It’s six games in a row now that Denver has not scored a touchdown. The Broncos play scared in the second half. Reminds me of that Geico commercial where the group is in a horror movie instead of going for the car that is running, they hide in the barn of chain saws.
It’s a shame because the young quarterback, Brandon Allen played pretty well in his second start of his career. He even converted some big key third down plays in the last minute and drove the team down the field all the way to the goal line. The Broncos could not punch it in and find themselves blowing another lead in this 2019 season.
#27.LA CHARGERS 4-7 (DOWN 3 SPOTS) The LA Chargers are playing like the opposite of George Costanza, opposite. Instead of playing like last year, going with the opposite of everything you thought, they are going with what they thought originally. This is causing the Chargers problems this season.
The Chargers have some kind of hex on them. Maybe they pissed off too many people in one of their moves. Phillip Rivers, another 4 interceptions. He’s washed up. The best comparison with Phillip Rivers will be NBA star Karl Malone, guys that played a very long time and never won. At least Malone made it to the final round in his sport. Phillip Rivers can’t get past the windmill on the putt putt in the 18th hole. The head coach should be fired. Chargers are another team that plays stupid. A new owner would solve this franchise’s problems. I think Tampa Bay Rays have more fans than the Chargers.
#28.NEW YORK JETS 3-7 (UP 2 SPOTS) Boyd Crowder wins the moonshine wars versus the Redskins.
Sorry, wrong Crowder. Jamison Crowder helps beats his former team by hauling 5 balls with 76 yards receiving and a touchdown. In a game, pretty much the entire nation did not care about it. Sam Darnold had a big game with his arm tossing 4 TD passes with 293 yards in the air. Everyone wants to win. But the winner loses in the draft standings, especially late in the season. Even though after the first coin flip in week one, both of these teams were not going anywhere.
#29.MIAMI DOLPHINS 2-8 (SAME) The Miami Dolphins’ two game winning streak is over. They can go back to their original plan and tank the rest of the season. Ryan Fitzpatrick, aka Fitzmagic, did throw for over 300 yards and made no mistakes, but the Dolphins got manhandled by the front line of the Buffalo defense. The running game nonexistent. Speaking of manhandling, Dolphins running back, “Waste of Sperm” Mark Walton was arrested for beating up his pregnant girlfriend. The Dolphins quickly gave Walton his walking papers. He has a rap sheet very long as he originally cut by the Bengals and picked up in May by the Dolphins. At one point, the Bengals loved collection convicts. What was Walton thinking that Miami Dolphins are Miami University?
I’m sure some penitentiary in the XFL will sign Mark Walton.
#30.WASHINGTON REDSKINS 1-9 (DOWN 2 SPOTS) At least the bad play of Redskins, nobody mentions the name change. Bill Callahan is now 1-4 as interim coach since taken over for Jay Gruden. Not sure why they keep handing the ball off to Adrian Peterson. Redskins are all about the future. They finally broke a 16 quarter streak of not scoring a touchdown during that span. It took a 45 yard screen pass to break that streak in the 4th quarter of the game. Derrius Guice, the young back out of LSU scored the touchdown. Since Dwayne Haskins is starting all the games, then Derrius Guice should get the bulk of the carries. The Skins defense looked good for a few weeks, but to let the worse offense in the league the Jets score 34 points off you, times are bad in DC. Whatever happened to the offensive line the Redskins used to have, called the hogs.
Even the fans got into and dressed in hogs. Before Trump, DC people ate food.
That was a long time ago, as everyone knows what they do to hogs.
Redskin bacon for breakfast.
#31.NEW YORK GIANTS 2-8 (SAME) Giants maybe need some football motivation on their bye week.
Perhaps bring in Laurence Taylor aka L.T to give the team a motivational speech and get some venom pumped into the G-MEN blood. Giants have lost six in a row. They won their first two starts for Daniel Jones, and since then have been stuck in a season long free fall. Where’s Odell Beckhams Jr.’s boat where they could use it on their week off. No football is getting done there.
#32.CINCINNATI BENGALS 0-10 (SAME) The Bengals match their worst start in franchise history going back to 1993 losing their first ten games. That was the year they won their first game versus the Raiders. No dice in week 11. Joe Mixon scored the Bengals’ first rushing touchdown from the running back position in week 11 versus the Raiders. He had a pretty good game running for 86 yards and the TD. Bengals played a pretty good game which has not been seen in a long time.
DO YOU REMEMBER SAM WYCHE, HEAD COACH OF THE BENGALS?
He told his fans to stop throwing snowballs during the game and said this is not Cleveland, it’s Cincinnati. They say you can teach an old DAWG pound new tricks. Could you recycle Sam Wyche’s speech in the future and have someone say to the Cleveland players, stop ripping off the quarterback’s helmet?
The Chicago Bears have now fallen to 4-6 for the season. With six games left, they would probably have to win all of them and run the table to make the playoffs. Not sure that would even do the trick. I can’t see them winning the division as Green Bay and Minnesota are light years ahead of them. Bears might think they have a possibility of a run at the wild card. That’s some potent kool-aid they are drinking. Proof stronger than the moonshine. Mitch Trubisky regressed and it might be time to pull the plug on him for the season. Plus he might be done due to an injury. It is time for the Bears to see who they have going forward? Because the 2019 season is over so wave the white flag. Fat lady has sung. It’s back to the drawing board. Six games left and now you can see what you have on your bench.
Starting with quarterback. Do we care to see Chase Daniels run the team the rest of the way? Is Chase Daniels even going to be on this team next year? The Bears pay him basically to be a coach to Mitch Trubisky. They pay him six million dollars a year as a back up. How is that working out? Have you seen Mitch take the next step we hoped he would. Chase is that type of back up quarterback that can come in and may win you a game or two. For the long run you need to pray the other team has a bus crash to get the forfeit and move on. The Bears need to see what they’ve got in their third string quarterback, Tyler Bray. He’s 27 years old and has only one passing attempt in his NFL career. Denver threw in Brandon Allen and in two games he has done pretty good. Same with another Allen in Carolina. Kyle Allen had a very bad game last week. But he has shown the Panthers something in the dozen or so games he played in. Tyler Bray might not be the savior. Perhaps he can be a number two next year. Let’s find out and if not, he can move on. Bears historically have major problems finding a quarterback. No matter what, they should draft one every year.
Then the running back position. Even though Matt Nagy drives me crazy not running the ball enough. Not sure his play calling scheme even has running plays that would work often. The rookie from Iowa state, David Montgomery, has finally gotten the ball in the last few weeks. In the beginning of the season he was MIA. Known for breaking tackles throughout his college career, this is the guy you drafted because he was going to be the main guy. That’s why you traded Jordan Howard to the Eagles. He should be getting the bulk of the load. Bears signed Mike Davis as a free agent from Carolina in the off season. How’s that move working out? They cut him and now he is with the 49ers. Probably just too rusty doing nothing in Nagy’s offense. Tarik Cohen should be the third down back. Stop running him North and South. With six games let’s run the ball more, especially in the cold months. Let’s see what your man that you activated off the practice squad can do. Ryan Nall undrafted out of Oregon State. Has played two games this season on special teams. In preseason this kid busted out a 69 yard run. He had a 32 yard touchdown. Had 223 yards in preseason. See if this kid can play. He might be the next great white hope. Look at Christian McCaffrey on Carolina.
Then the Bears have some receivers that just can’t find the field. Javon Wims who has been on this team for a few years. He is a big target. He’s a guy that can jump up and snatch the ball out of the air. Like when Jay Cutler threw the jump ball, Alshon Jeffery or Mr.Happy Brandon Marshall. Especially having quarterbacks that are not on target most of the time. He has 7 catches for only 81 yards this season in a limited role. This is the type of guy that would find a new home at another team and with the right coaching he’d do well. Then you have Riley Ridley, a rookie drafted out of a big program at Georgia University. Riley, whose brother plays for the Atlanta Falcons and is very good. Calvin Ridley is playing along side Julio Jones and will get lots of targets. Riley is another kid now who should find the field and see what he has. If he is close to what his brother’s talent is, he might be the second best receiver we’ve got and we don’t even know we have. I will say Allen Robinson is the best and to everyone else I raise my hands up in the air and make a face.
It may shock the Bears system seeing these guys perform well in a game. I wish you could get coaches from the practice squad. Somebody that can call a better game than Matt Nagy aka Inspector Gadget and his bag of trick plays that the league has caught up to you. Call a balance attack to see what you’ve got at all the skill positions. Perhaps cross some things off the list before the draft and next year’s free agency begins. Enough of the six million dollar coach. Enough with the broken Trubisky. I want Ryan Nall running that ball 65 yards down for a score. I want Riley Ridley on a crossing pattern for a 50 yard score. Then Javon Weems reaching in the sky and bringing down a score in the red zone. Fly the damn white flag and let’s see what we already have that has not even been opened yet. Maybe a diamond in the ruff.
OVERALL RECORD IN STRAIGHT PICK-EM THROUGHOUT TEN WEEKS
87-61
LAST WEEK:6-7
THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD:6-4
MONDAY NIGHT RECORD:8-2
WEEK 11
THURSDAY NIGHT GAME
STEELERS AT BROWNS
Baker Mayfield versus Mason Rudolf. In college, Baker never lost to him. It continues in the pro game.
OUR PICK:BROWNS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
ATLANTA AT CAROLINA
I just can’t see Atlanta repeating their performance from last week in New Orleans. Carolina played well last week and were close to sending that game into OT on the road in Green Bay.
Christian McCaffrey even has a bigger game.
OUR PICK:PANTHERS
COWBOYS AT LIONS
No Matthew Stafford. A terrible Lions defense. Should be an easy win for the boys.
OUR PICK:COWBOYS
JAGUARS AT COLTS
Both teams welcome back their Kotter behind center. Colts’ Jacoby Brissett and Jaguars’ Nick Foles. Both teams desperate for a win to stay in the playoff race. Even though this is the time for Nick Foles to shine as the best late reliever in the game. Best part time quarterback in the league. I like Colts at home in a close one.
OUR PICK: COLTS
BILLS AT DOLPHINS
Bills do not win this game this week and don’t show up next week. Run Forest Run, the football is what they need to do. If Bills lose this game the title of their 2019 season will be the tale of two halves. Plenty of wings will still be had in January watching other teams in the playoffs.
OUR PICK: BILLS
TEXANS AT RAVENS
This should be the game of the week. Ravens are red hot. Texans are on a winning streak and refreshed from a bye week. Jackson versus Watson sounds like a pop singer versus Sherlock’s side kick. This could be an early playoff preview between these two teams in the AFC. Lots at stake as well as home field advantage. The smart pick should be the Ravens. My hunch in my gut is going with an upset even though I don’t know who is favored. Texans pull it off on the road.
OUR PICK: TEXANS
BRONCOS AT VIKINGS
Vikings take care of business at home.
OUR PICK:VIKINGS
JETS AT REDSKINS
Dwayne Haskins is not afraid of no ghosts. Even though something strange is in the neighborhood. That’s just Donald Trump. Washington’s defense smothers the Jets offense while Adrian Peterson has a big game to help Haskins and the Redskins win their second game of the year. First win for Haskins as a starter.
OUR PICK:REDSKINS
SAINTS AT BUCCANEERS
Saints will recover from what Atlanta did to them last week. Jameis Winston will be forced into some mistakes as the Saints defense will come up big, just like they have most of this season.
OUR PICK:SAINTS
CARDINALS AT 49ERS
This will not be close like the last time these two teams met on Thursday night. I expect the 49ers to rebound all the way around with a good running game and the defense limits Kyle Murray from making the big play.
OUR PICK:49ERS
BENGALS AT RAIDERS
The Bengals have Johnny Fever at quarterback.
The Bengals forgot to load the turkeys for their trip to Cincinnati as they thought they would fly.
Without the Bengals being able to bombard the Oakland field with the Turkey dropping from the sky, Raiders win big.
OUR PICK: RAIDERS
PATRIOTS AT EAGLES
When Bill Belichick has time to plot to destroy your world in the Death Star on a bye weekm it will not be a take it easy day in Philadelphia for the Eagles.
OUR PICK: PATRIOTS
BEARS AT RAMS
Was turning off the televisions at Halas hall the recipe that suddenly made Mitch Trubisky look good again? I’d bet money it was the Lions’ defense that made this happen. Bears have too many problems. Just can’t see them being able to overcome them on the road in LA.
The Bears are no snake and will not escape LA with a victory.
OUR PICK:RAMS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
CHIEFS AT CHARGERS
Phillip Rivers tosses a few interceptions. Patrick Mahomes lights up the score board and get his first win back from his injury as the man behind center.
The Wild shamrock 