I hope you all had a wonderful holiday. I know I did. My family asked the usual questions this year.
”How’s your wife?”
”When can we expect grandkids?”
They did throw me off with a new one…
”Whose the favorite in the NFC this year?”
Listen. If it takes the attention off my wife and I for at least one holiday, i’ll take it.
Patriots at Bills
When the schedule makers were lining up the Thursday Night games, I can see why they chose this game. A playoff rematch from last year, the preseason favorites in the AFC North. It makes sense. Yet, pre season and reality are often distorted. The Patriots are not the powerhouse of seasons past. The Bills should over-power them at home, but some holes are starting to show. High end talent can bail them out, but for how long?
Bills
Packers at Bears
Ahh the infamous “I own you, I still own you” Bowl.
Good ol’ QAnonn Rodgers. The latest conspiracy nut controversy came out this week. Apparently he asked an old teammate if he “believed” in 9/11.
Weird flex, but ok.
Much like Rodgers lack of belief in seemingly accepted things, I refuse to believe that he will be healthy enough to play this week. He’s banged up, broken thumb and now ribs. The Packers might be smart to sit him and start Jordan Love, who looked…decent…in his fill in role on Sunday Night. This game will be decided by who makes the least mistakes. If Fields plays, I like Chi-town.
BEARS
Steelers at Falcons
The Steelers eeked out a win against lowly Indianapolis last week on Monday Night. Najee Harris has had a rough season, but I’m not ready to write him off as a dud just yet. The Steeler team is slowly learning to play together, but Matt Canada’s offensive play calling is rough, to say the least.
Mariota is a great stop-gap quarterback. The Falcons are not out of the race for the playoffs, but the entire division is under .500, so it’s hard for me to be excited about them making a push for the postseason.
Betting odds have this game even, so coin flip it is.
FALCONS
Jets at Vikings
The Vikings come into this week riding a high after getting hurt by the Cowboys a couple weeks back. The Jets have some mojo in the locker room now that Mike White is in charge at QB. Someday, there will be studies written about how quick Zach Wilson lost a starting job. In the conversation for biggest busts from the NFL draft this early, and it’s not all due to his play on the field.
VIKINGS
Jaguars at Lions
Someone should call this the “Eternal Promise” Bowl. Both teams show signs of BRILLIANCE. Jags last week against a very tough Ravens team. The Lions do not roll over easy. What will this week produce? Probably a stinker. Im selling it short obviously but I think both teams are a couple pieces away from being contenders.
LIONS
Titans at Eagles
Titans benefit from a weak division, but have one of the best run games in the league. The Eagles are 10-1 but have started to show a couple weaknesses, like the Bills. I think the Eagles win but it could be closer to an overtime thriller than a blowout. (Dooming myself now, I’m aware)
EAGLES
Browns at Texans
Deshaun Watson is back. Yay?
BROWNS
Commanders at Giants
Let the formerly great rivalry commence! These teams meet two times in the next 3 weeks. The Commanders and Giants both have a real chance at making the postseason. I’d like to see Saquon absolutely dominate. The Commanders have a team that is really likeable, with a front office that makes the former President seem like Buddha in comparison.
GIANTS
Broncos at Ravens
The latest episode of “Lets point and laugh at Russell Wilson.” His wife Ciara tried to invite the whole team to a birthday party for Russ.
Just about half showed.
This is just the latest in a franchise slowly surrounding the bottom of the toilet bowl. I fully expect the Ravens to dominate on Sunday.
RAVENS
Dolphins at 49ers
Game of the Week. Darth Vader vs. Obi Wan Kenobi. Master vs. Apprentice.
Kyle Shannahan vs. Mike McDaniel. I could write an entire essay on this one. Should be a great preview of these teams postseason acumen.
Here’s a fun game to play while this game is on. Take a drink everytime the mention Super Bowl 19! Enjoy the hangover.
Niners lose just because the injury bug is clamping down on the offense.
DOLPHINS
Seahawks at Rams
The Rams sold their soul to the devil for a ring. Congrats! Now back to the pit of misery. Dilly Dilly!
Seattle look to wash off the stench of that OT loss to Vegas last week.
SEAHAWKS
Chargers at Raiders
Raiders have won two in a row in Dramatic, OT walk offs. Momentum is good. Team is riding high.
The Chargers do their best Zeus impression and smite the team back to earth
CHARGERS
Chiefs at Bengals
An AFC Championship rematch . The Bengals look better but regressed from last season. This is an interesting trap game to me. The Bengals are going to have to be PERFECT in order to slow down the Chiefs this time around. Slowly becoming a decent rivalry in the AFC. Young QBs dueling. Sign me up for an annual meeting.
BENGALS
Colts at Cowboys
Colts…Hah. Tank for a quarterback, Please.
COWBOYS
Saints at Buccaneers
Both teams are under .500 and still competing for the Division lead. Such is the life of the rotating Tank Division. Im not going to bother watching. Enjoy the suck, Monday Night Viewers!
BUCS