Ah, Week 9 in the NFL, that all-important time of year when we begin to focus upon one thing and one thing alone, the playoffs. Because from this point on, it’s all about that race to the finish line and who will reach the postseason. Which means fans and commentators will zero in on the winning teams and the teams on the bubble as we try to determine which twelve teams will compete for the Lombardi Trophy. But despite the buzz that’s building for the postseason, there are still some compelling stories to be found all over the league and with that in mind, let’s look at some of those storylines and which games are going to be worth our while as Week 9 gets underway.
 
Will benching Andy Dalton make a difference for the Bengals?
Look, I get it. Sometimes you need to shake things up in order to get a win in this league, when things aren’t going so well but make the right decision when you’re trying to send a message. Because the Bengals benching of Andy Dalton makes no sense. He’s playing at the same level he always does, which is mediocre at best, but he’s not the reason that this team is losing games. Their big problem is the defense, which lets everything through. So, benching Dalton probably won’t do much to change their fortunes, but this team is a mess right now and they’re desperate to make it seem as though they’re trying to get back on the right track, and here’s to hoping they figure out that bigger changes are needed on the other side of the ball if they want a chance at success.
 
Will Brandon Allen give the Broncos the spark they need on offense?
Speaking of quarterbacking changes in the NFL, Brandon Allen is going to get his first start on Sunday in place of the injured Joe Flacco and well, I think it is safe to say that everyone is curious as to whether or not a QB change might ignite Denver’s anemic offense. And the answer to that question is, maybe? Because Allen has never taken a regular season snap, so we don’t know what to expect from this kid. He could wow the world and become the savior of the Broncos, or… he could fold and embarrass the organization. But on the bright side, the Broncos have nowhere to go but up at this point, and if he can complete some passes and help Denver convert some third downs, he’ll be an instant upgrade over Flacco.
 
Is this the week the Dolphins finally win a game?
The Dolphins have shown flashes of brilliance from time to time, but despite some quality pushes to win, they simply cannot seal the deal. But as the math goes, eventually a bad team has to have a little light shine down upon them and this might be the week that Miami finally pulls out of its endless slump. Because they’re facing off against the equally awful New York Jets, which means that if Miami can put some points on the board, and their shaky defense can finally come together and harass Sam ‘Ghostbuster’ Darnold, then maybe, just maybe they can savor the flavor of their first victory in the Brian Flores era. But also, don’t be surprised if things go south and they lose yet again.

This is a game that instantly caught my attention when looking at the schedule, simply because of its potential to be an outright exciting matchup. Because both of these teams are trying to prove themselves as playoff worthy and a divisional win always helps pad that particular part of the column. Not to mention, both of the quarterbacks in this one are dynamic and fun to watch, meaning there’s a good chance we will see some big time plays in the air as these bitter rivals duke it out. Plus, you can never go wrong with seeing football on the international stage and because they’re in the spotlight both of these teams might put on a little bit of a bigger show for the folks across the pond and well, there’s nothing with that. Because fans everywhere really do deserve a fun game and I really do think this one is going to entertain when all is said and done.

​This is another game that has the potential to be quite the wild matchup, for several reasons. First and foremost, because the Vikings are finally playing some great football on both sides of the ball. Kirk Cousins seems to have found his groove and that D is doing a fine job of shutting their opponents down when they take the field. But they’re facing off against a scrappy Chiefs squad, one that is shoring their up issues on defense and their offense is chugging along without Patrick Mahomes at the helm. Which means there might be more back and forth in this game than expected, and if the Chiefs come out swinging like did against Green Bay, they’ve got a shot at the win. But in the end, I expect Minnesota to walk away with the victory here, simply because it takes a special QB to beat that Vikings D and Matt Moore doesn’t meet that particular qualification. 

Now this particular game has me excited, simply because it has the makings of an instant classic. For you’ve got the Patriots, who are clicking in every phase of the game, heading into hostile territory to square off against a dynamic young quarterback who isn’t afraid of any defense that he faces. Which means that I expect Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense to give the New England D a run for their money since they haven’t faced an RPO team all year. And while the Baltimore defense is stout, they do have to contend with Tom Brady, who will pick apart any weakness they present and that kind of back and forth is the stuff football fans crave. But while there is a chance that Baltimore’s ‘nothing to lose’ attitude will serve them well in this game, I still expect the Pats come out on top. Because they’re just a well-oiled machine right now, and I’m honestly not sure who will be able to stop them. 

It really was quite the fascinating weekend of NFL Football, wasn’t it? Because this slate of games reinforced the fact that Week 8 really is the time of year, where we truly understand where our favorite teams are at in the season, and how far they have to go in order to compete for a championship. After all, the bad and mediocre teams exposed exactly what they need to address in the offseason, and the elite gave us an idea of how far they might go in the playoffs. If anything, while this information was sobering for some fans, it taught us plenty and with that in mind, let’s settle in and discuss everything of note that we learned from Week 8 in the NFL.
 
The league really needs to do more to improve the quality of Thursday Night Football.
We love prime-time football for one reason and one reason alone, because it provides the fans with the best possible games that the NFL has to offer. Or at least, that’s how it is supposed to work. Because Thursday Night Football continues to offer up stinker after stinker matchup wise and last week’s game meets that criteria as well. Which means, the league needs to do something and fast when it comes to this particular game because NFL fans expect better from prime-time games. But what is scary is that I’m not sure the league can make that work without creating some kind of flex schedule for these matchups, which will not go well with the players. So, in the meantime, I suppose we are going to have to suffer through some awful games while the league works to figure this out. At least, I hope they’re trying to figure this out.
 
Tampa Bay needs to bench and move on from Jameis Winston.
I am all for giving players time to adjust to a new coach and/or find their way in this league since the NFL is a tough sport and definitely has a learning curve. But what I’m not for, is franchises continuing to give guys chances when it is inherently clear that they cannot play at a high level and that’s precisely what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to do with their ‘prize’ quarterback Jameis Winston. Because he’s yet to do anything special in this league, he turns over the ball constantly and he looked pretty awful at times in their loss to the Titans on Sunday. Which means, it’s time to be done with this bust of a draft pick, and Tampa Bay should bench him immediately and dump him in the offseason, rather than continuing to try and get blood from a stone.
 
The Colts are one scrappy team.
I think it is safe to say that we all expected this season to be rough for the Colts, simply because the loss of their franchise quarterback in preseason should have been devastating to the offense. But Jacoby Brissett has done a phenomenal job under center, and the team has rallied behind the notion that they are better than one man. And for their efforts, they’ve having a hell of a season, and they’re demonstrating week in and week out that they are a scrappy team that refuses to lose and for proof, just look at how things went against Denver this past Sunday. Because all signs pointed to the Denver D shutting this team down. But they rallied, forced mistakes and enjoyed another important win and that ‘can do’ attitude is going to serve them well down the line.
The Browns need to get it together on offense.
The thought process in Cleveland was, that promoting Freddie Kitchens to Head Coach and letting him handle play calling duties would do wonders for the Browns and Baker Mayfield. But alas, that has proven to not be the case. For Mayfield looks like he is regressing in year two since he’s making some dumb decisions on the field, and his mistakes are being compounded by some questionable play calling. Because I saw some outright goofy plays take place on Sunday, with the shovel pass/INT being the weirdest one of all and well at this point, it’s obvious the Browns need to take a moment and regroup on offense. Because at this point it’s all flash and dash and teams see right through that. So, here’s to hoping coach Kitchens starts game planning to exploit weaknesses in defenses instead of trying to impress the league, and if he cannot, well then, get ready for another coaching change in Cleveland.
 
Bill Belichick nabbed his 300th career win as a Head Coach on Sunday.
Not many coaches make it five years in this league, simply because the NFL is all about top-tier results. And even then, the long timers make it a decade or so before they’re pushed out for a younger and more dynamic coach that an owner believes will revolutionize the game and relate to the players better. So, to see Bill Belichick coach for as long as he has is quite the feat, and his resume is equally as impressive. But perhaps the biggest achievement in his illustrious career came Sunday, when he nabbed his 300th win in the NFL against the Browns and well, this is a pretty epic achievement for certain. For only three coaches, including Big Bill have achieved this incredible honor, so I tip my cap to Coach Belichick for accomplishing one heck of a career goal and whether or not you like or despise the guy, you have to admit, this is indeed one impressive accolade. 

Ah, Week 8 in the NFL, a time of year that serves as the unofficial midway point of the season and that’s critical for a lot of struggling teams. Because a loss at this point in the year, could make or break their playoff chances and the ones that have some fight left in them will give it their all this weekend to try and turn it around, and that’s really what we are going to focus on today; some of the underdogs featured in this weekend’s slate of games. Because failure here, means that we likely won’t be giving them much thought in the weeks to come as the playoff race begins. So, without further ado, let’s talk about those teams on the bubble and preview some of the incredible games that await us this weekend.   
 
Will the Chicago offense finally get into gear this weekend?
Make no mistake about it, the Chicago Bears stink on offense. They don’t run the ball; their quarterbacks are struggling under center and the end result has been a far more disappointing season than the Bears would like. But every week is a new opportunity to change things up in the NFL, which means there’s a distinct possibility that Chicago could wow us all with a solid offensive showing, but will they? Honestly, I don’t know. Because it’s likely that Mitch Trubisky is going to start and well, he’s struggling to read defenses right now and execute plays. So, if the kid can settle down and exercise a little patience under center, then the Bears have a chance. But if Mitch gets skittish, it’s going to be a long day for Chicago fans.
 
Did the rest of the Denver Broncos receive the message John Elway sent their way?
Make no mistake about it, the Emmanuel Sanders trade had deeper meaning beyond getting some value for a talented wide receiver in the midst of a lost season. This was in fact, a message from John Elway that he’s ready to move on from players that don’t produce or go hard and while that’s fine to send that particular message, the only question that remains, is whether or not the team received it loud and clear. And the only way to find that out, is to carefully watch how this team performs on Sunday against the Colts. Because if we see better execution on the field, or a win for that matter, then we will know that these guys understand that better is expected of them. But if this game is another unmitigated disaster for Denver, don’t be surprised to see Elway make another trade deadline deal, and clean house when the season comes to an end.
 
Will either of the winless teams secure their first victory of the season this weekend?
It’s been a rough year for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Miami Dolphins because, they’ve yet to win a game in 2019. But the odds dictate that they should win at least one game somewhere down the line this season, which begs the question, will that happen in Week 8? Well when it comes to the Bengals, probably not. Because their run defense is awful and they’re facing the Rams who have a solid run game and a magnificent offense in general. And as for the Dolphins, well they are a solid maybe. Because Pittsburgh is having its struggles too, and Miami did put up a bit of a fight against the Bills last week. So, if the Steelers aren’t well prepared this week, the Dolphins might finally enjoy their first victory of the season. But don’t be surprised if both teams flounder and let their winless streak continue because neither squad, is all that good.

You always have to love when a particular game has the makings of an instant classic on paper and this one meets that criteria. Because the Carolina Panthers are playing incredible football right now with Kyle Allen in place in of Cam Newton and they’ll be squaring off against a Niners squad that is the best they’ve been in years, and they’re still working to get better, as evidenced by their trade for WR Emmanuel Sanders. Which means we can expect the Niners to take to the air and often now that Jimmy G has some serious weapons to play with. But the Panthers are no slouch on offense either, and if they’re not attacking the San Francisco secondary, they’ll offer up a heavy dose of the run game. So, expect some big plays and some lead changes in this one, along with an epic finish, the kind of captivating football that can indeed end up as a classic if everything goes right.

​Truth be told, I am a sucker for games that feature teams that are on the bubble, simply because they tend to fight harder when their season is in limbo and that’s precisely what this game features. For the Raiders could go either way at this point, and know they’re fighting for their playoff lives, so I expect them to bring their A-game to Houston to battle it out with another team that’s on the bubble. Because the Texans are also in that good, but not great position at 4-3, and they’re likely frustrated and furious over their loss to the Colts last week. Which means they too will bring their best to the field in this matchup and I fully expect this one to be a knockdown, drag it out battle between two teams who want to be viewed as world class. 

​Truthfully, I think I would be more excited for this game if we knew for certain that Patrick Mahomes might take the field in this one, but that’s still up in the air at the moment and that’s okay. Because while this game might not be a quarterbacking duel when all is said and done, it has the makings of a great game. Because the Kansas City defense finally came to life in Denver last week, and they’re going to try and build upon their successes there by coming after Aaron Rodgers, all in the hopes of slowing down his powerhouse offense. And let’s be honest, Rodgers doesn’t take kindly to defenses that attack him all night long, meaning he is going to unleash the deep ball when they blitz, and while I expect Green Bay to win this one, I don’t think Kansas City is going to go down without a fight and that’s going to be quite the treat for the fans when all is said and done. 

​I think what truly makes Week 7 in the NFL so valuable, is that this is when teams are more or less exposed for what they truly are. For the bad ones that have been flirting with success, regress to their losing ways, while the great ones… put on one hell of a show. And that’s something that was evident all weekend long and it helps to give us a little insight as to how much longer we will have to wait for our favorite teams to be ready to compete for a championship, or how far they might go in the playoffs and with that in mind, let’s dive in and discuss the highs and the lows of this weekend’s slate of games and what they taught us.
 
The Denver Broncos are devoid of leadership.
A lot of things went wrong for the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night, to the point where it became clear that they are nowhere near ready to contend for the Lombardi Trophy. But what truly caught me off guard in regard to the Broncos, was the sheer lack of leadership present during this game. Because at no point, did I see the veterans on this squad do anything to keep the minds of their teammates focused on this matchup. Especially on offense. Because Joe Flacco was just lethargic during this game and no one on the defense seemed inclined to push harder when the score piled up, and a team that has no drive or ambition is a scary prospect indeed, because they give up a whole lot quicker when things go south. So, here’s to hoping the players, and the coaches for that matter, try and light a fire under this squad, or the rest of their season will be filled with more ugly and apathetic losses like this one.
 
Ryan Tannehill actually managed to impress in his first start with the Titans.
I have to admit, that I was a tad harsh on Ryan Tannehill last week when I said we shouldn’t expect that much of him in Tennessee’s matchup with the Chargers, and well, #17 saw to it that I need to eat a little crow today. Because he was quite impressive in his first outing as the captain of the offense for the Titans since he completed 79% of his passes and threw for over 300 yards with a pair of touchdowns thrown in for good measure as well. In fact, his only glaring mistake was a lone INT, but almost completing 80% of his passes is no small feat and he drove the offense nicely and this, is precisely what Tennessee needs right now, a game manager who can make some big plays happen and if he continues to play like this in the weeks to come, then the Titans are going to have a wondrous second half of the season.
 
The Buffalo Bills are legit.
I won’t lie, it felt quite strange to type those words, but they are in fact, truth. Because the Buffalo Bills are playing some incredible football right now, in every phase of the game. For their defense is stifling, and if by chance a team figures out what they’re up to, they adjust accordingly and quickly, allowing for them to close out games in stellar fashion. Plus, that offense is equally as impressive, thanks to QB Josh Allen’s dynamic play and all of these elements have made this team fun to watch again, and they’re quite the force to be reckoned with on the field. Which means it would be wise for every football fan to keep an eye on this team, because they are going to do some impressive things down the stretch.
 
The NFL’s ejection problem continues to rear its ugly head.
You know, I totally understand the fact that this game is emotional and that sometimes tempers flare on the field. Because that’s just human and I don’t know of anyone that enjoys being pushed around when they are a professional that knows their biz. But once again, we are seeing a rash of excessive tempers flaring on the field since two ejections occurred on Sunday for fist fighting and honestly, I just don’t get what it is going to take to get these guys to quit throwing punches. Because at some point, one of these altercations is going to get someone hurt, and it’s not like we’re seeing the coaches get these guys under control. So maybe it’s time for suspensions for players who throw punches during a game? Or they owe the league their game checks for the ejection? Either way, something needs to be done about this since it’s happening more frequently, and the league needs to crack down on this quickly before it gets out of hand.
 
The Chicago Bears have a quarterback conundrum on their hands.
Last year, it seemed as though the quarterbacking woes that the Bears had suffered through, had finally come to an end. For Jay Cutler was gone, a bright and shining new rookie had arrived and his first year under center ended with a playoff appearance. But something has clearly changed in Chi-town and the honeymoon with Mitch Trubisky is over because things are bad under center again in the Windy City. For #10 is struggling to produce this season and he’s having health issues and those behind him aren’t faring much better either. Which means a full-blown quarterback quagmire is on the franchise’s hands and honestly, I’m not sure how they fix it. Because Trubisky has regressed, so perhaps it is time to tinker with the playbook and cater an offense to Mitch’s skill set or the playoffs hopes that this team has right now, might fade away.   

It really has been quite the dynamic start to the year for the NFL. For we’ve already seen a major coaching change take place, some blockbuster trades and franchise quarterbacks take the bench, and we aren’t even at the halfway point of the season just yet. Which means Week 7 should provide us with plenty more incredible stories as teams seemingly work harder than ever to find success and well, we won’t be wasting any time today reflecting upon the feelings that football evokes. Because there are a lot of storylines brewing for this weekend’s slate of games, so let’s get right down to it and preview what matchups and stories are worth keeping an eye upon in Week 7 in the NFL.
 
Is Jalen Ramsey going to transform the Rams secondary into an elite unit?
I have to admit, I’m quite impressed with the Rams right now. Because the king’s ransom they gave up for cornerback Jalen Ramsey speaks volumes to the fact that they want to win and win big and they’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen and keep their defense as elite as possible. But while Ramsey is indeed a solid corner, is he going to outright transform the Rams defense into a vaunted unit that quarterbacks fear? I honestly don’t know. Because I’m not sure the secondary is the only reason for the drop off in quality for the Rams D since the pass rush is sloppy too. Plus, Ramsey has now proven that if he doesn’t get his way or feel like a superstar his performance won’t be that great either. So, it’s a high risk and high reward move that the Rams made here and if Ramsey can indeed provide a spark for this ailing defense, then expect the Rams to improve as they push to defend their title.
 
Will Ryan Tannehill provide the Titans offensive woes?
First and foremost, kudos to Titans head coach Mike Vrabel for doing what needed to be done by benching Marcus Mariota in Denver last week. Because #8 has received more than his fair share of chances to get this team rolling and simply hasn’t gotten it done. But while the move is a good thing for the franchise, is Mariota’s understudy going to finally get this offense into the end zone? And honestly, this is another ‘I dunno’. Because Ryan Tannehill didn’t exactly wow the football world during his time in Miami, and while he was an upgrade against Denver last week, he was still as mediocre as can be. So, it’s really up to Tannehill to make some magic happen on the field this week, but don’t hold your breath, because the man has had many years in this league to develop into something more than a high-quality backup.
 
Will the Bengals finally win a game this weekend?
It’s tough for any team to have a losing season, because they had such high hopes in the offseason that this would be their year. But it has to be extra tough to start off the new season without a win, especially heading into Week 7 and I cannot imagine the mood in the Bengals locker room right now. But every game presents new opportunities to win and one has to wonder if Cincy can finally put together a victory against the Jaguars this week and honestly, it’s possible, provided they do one key thing. Because the Cincinnati defense is terrible against the run, and if they can shore up the line against Leonard Fournette, they’ve got a chance. But in all honestly, I don’t have a lot of faith in them this weekend, because this is a bad football team at every level right now and I fully expect Fournette to run wild when these two squads take the field. 

​Two weeks ago, this is a game that would have been irrelevant because the Broncos looked like trash and the Chiefs looked like heroes. But what a difference a couple of weeks can make, because Denver is suddenly playing incredible on defense, and they’re serviceable on offense and the Chiefs, well their defense is in free fall right now since they couldn’t stop a sloth from getting into the end zone. Which means this game might be quite interesting, since the Denver D is hungry to prove itself as elite once again and will be attacking Patrick Mahomes with impunity and the anemic Broncos offense, will be chomping at the bit to score points on the incompetent KC defense. So, don’t be shocked in the Broncos pull off the upset in this one, because Kansas City is not as good as advertised. 

You really cannot go wrong with watching a pair of scrappy teams go at it on a Sunday afternoon and that’s precisely what this game features. Because both of these teams consistently fight hard when they’re challenged and that means we are in for a knockdown, drag it out brawl on the field and I couldn’t be happier. But while both of these teams feature solid and dynamic defenses, it’s the quarterbacks that will be receiving all of the attention in this one. After all, Lamar Jackson is doing a phenomenal job of improvising on the field when it comes to RPO concepts, which is making life hell for opposing defenses and Russell Wilson, well, the man is simply elite and can drop a surprise on a defense on a moment’s notice. As to who will this game, well I haven’t a clue, but what matters more is that this one is going to be a lot of fun to watch.

I’m always down to watch an NFC East divisional matchup, since they’re always brutal and intense. But let’s be honest, it’s the Cowboys that are the focus of this particular game. Because they’re a team that is loaded with talent, and they simply cannot get it done. They stumble often, blow leads and make dumb coaching decisions in game and that means this matchup is a big deal for ‘Dem Boys’. For they need to get their season on track and quick, and honestly, I’m not sure if they can do it. After all, any team that’s challenged them or pushed back has been able to walk away with the win and you know Philly is ready to turn up the heat since they’re still upset about last week’s loss in Minnesota. So, if Dallas can put it all together and keep a level head, expect them to win. But in all honesty, I expect Philly to come out swinging in this one and that means, another loss is probably in the cards for a team that is all about hype over substance.

​Sometimes the NFL serves those that write about it a little slice of humble pie, and mine was delivered to me on a silver platter, simply due to the fact that I called Week 6 ‘routine’. Because there was nothing routine at all about this past weekend’s set of games since this slate featured all kinds of surprises and controversies and well, I was happy to eat that slice and I’ll never use that word again because anything and everything can and will happen when teams take the field. But what was it about these games that prompted me to enjoy a taste of humility? Well I’m glad you asked, because clearly it is time to break down all things football and discuss what we learned from Week 6 in the NFL.
 
Tom Brady looks… off.
Yeah, I know the Pats are 6-0 and putting up points left and right. But while folks in Massachusetts are celebrating another strong start to the Patriots season, I can’t be the only one who noticed that Tom Brady didn’t look quite right on Thursday Night. Some of his throws just didn’t have any mustard, or they were off target completely and that’s just not like him. And while the Giants did indeed harass him and a bit and get some sacks in this game, dropping 35 points on New York doesn’t exactly make it sound like the G-men were heroes in this one. But the bottom line is that #12 doesn’t quite look like himself and that could spell trouble for the Pats down the line. But in the here and the now, they are killing it and running away with the AFC and until they lose, few will say anything about Tom’s errant throws.
 
The Chiefs defense is their own worst enemy.
Make no mistake about it, the Chiefs have been a fun to team to watch week in and week out, since Patrick Mahomes is doing some incredible things under center, with an injury. But the excitement surrounding that offense will mean nothing in the weeks to come if the KC Defense can’t get its act together. Because they are simply terrible right now, and they flat out are starting to cost Kansas City games that they should be winning. Which means it is up to head coach Andy Reid to figure out how to shore up the mess that is his secondary is right now, and if he can’t get these guys to perform, or put the right players on the field, it’s going to be a long season in Kansas City as the fans watch their once vaunted defense, ruin a potentially magical season.
 
The San Francisco 49ers are legit.
For quite some time now, the 49ers have been a forgotten team in the NFL and with good reason. Because they’ve been perennial losers, and they’ve changed coaches and executives as often as people change socks and even for the past couple of years, with a promising new coach and GM in place, they’ve still seen sorrow on the field. But this year, something has truly changed, and all the hard work that John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan have been putting in is finally paying off. Because this team is dynamic to say the least, with a stout defense and electric offense and for their troubles, they’re the only other undefeated team in the NFL and well, at this point I’m not sure who can beat them because this team is sound in every phase of the game and it is just a wonderful thing to see this storied franchise back at the top of the NFC, once again.  
The Dallas Cowboys are imploding.
This was supposed to be a big year for the Dallas Cowboys. After all, they locked up a bunch of stars in the offseason, added some depth to their roster and started the season off in impressive fashion. But something has gone horribly wrong, and this once dynamic team has dropped three straight, with their latest loss coming at the hands of the lowly New York Jets and well, this is a team that is flat out falling to pieces. And while I’d like to blame the talent on this roster, I cannot, because they do have some solid players. Meaning that this losing streak falls upon head coach Jason Garrett since it’s his job to prepare the players for game day. Which means he needs to do something quick to refocus this team and get them back on track. Otherwise a continued implosion will result in some big changes on this team, starting with its head coach.
 
The NFL needs to make all of its officials, full time.
I’ve said time and time again, that referees do not decide games in the NFL, the score does, and I’ll stand by that. But that doesn’t mean that NFL officials are above criticism or concern because we expect a lot of out of the refs and right now, a great many of them are a grand disappointment. Because we are seeing some stupid calls on the field, the kind that are indeed leaving fans scratching their head and well, it’s time for the league to do something drastic in order to solve this sloppy officiating in that; they need to make all the refs, full time. Because these guys and gal don’t live and breathe their job and they need to, so that they don’t loosely interpret a violation of the on-field rules. So please, Mister Goodell, I beg you, stop messing around with this and make the refs full time, so that this already great game, only gets better.

I always hate to use the word ‘routine’ when it comes to the NFL, since the sport is so exciting in its own right. But this particular time of year, where fans and players alike realize that there’s a lot of football waiting for us down the line, is where routine comes into play. For the fans are content with settling in to watch the games on Sunday as though it’s an everyday thing and the players and their teams tend to settle into a routine as well. For the bad squads tend to stay bad this time of year, the great ones keep finding ways to win and the mediocre ones keep fighting with all their might.
 
But while everything seems comfy this time of year, I’ve always found that some kind of incredible story or stunning game awaits us in a schedule that seems uneventful and already there a few games that have caught my eye because of their outright potential to drop our jaws. So, without further ado, let’s dive right into Week 6 in the NFL and examine the storylines that should fascinate us and also take a look at which games should be anything but routine.
 
Where do the Washington Redskins go from here?
There is a prevailing thought in the NFL that firing a coach in the middle of the season often provides the spark necessary to get a team moving in the right direction and there is some truth to that. Because if a team is loaded to the brim with talent and the coach just can’t get it done, a fresh voice might be what the team needs. But when it comes to the Washington Redskins, I’m not sure Jay Gruden’s firing will matter all that much. For this is a team devoid of talent, and the stars they do have are either holding out or are at their lowest point morale wise and really, what the heck do the Redskins do now, since their season is in essence, done? In all honestly, I expect them to just keep on losing simply because this is a directionless team, one without hope or leadership and honestly, it’s just a shame to see this once proud franchise be reduced to the laughingstock of the NFL.
 
Will the Dallas Cowboys rebound this weekend?
It wasn’t that long ago that so many of us, myself included, were celebrating the hot start the Cowboys got off to this year. But then they just so happened to face some quality teams, the kind that punched them in the mouth and just like that, they folded, and one has to wonder as to whether or not they’ll rebound with a win this week since they’re facing the mediocre Jets. And honestly, I’m not so sure this matchup will be a gimmie for ‘Dem Boys’ simply because New York has their starting quarterback back in the lineup. So, if the Jets push back against the Cowboys’ game plan this Sunday expect it to be a tough go for them since their sense of entitlement tends to get in their way. But if the Jets collapse quickly, then it will be another win for a team that only seems to excel when facing inferior opponents.
 
Can the Broncos string together a second win this weekend?
Last week’s game in Los Angeles was in essence a Mile High Miracle since the Denver Broncos finally won their first game of the year and while Broncos Country was able to bask in the wonder of a decisive win for the first time in a long time, one has to wonder, can Denver pull off another win against the Titans at home on Sunday? The answer to that question is yes, provided a few key things happen. First and foremost, the offense needs to put together four quarters of quality play and cannot disappear down the stretch and the defense, has to keep the pressure on, since Tennessee’s O-line isn’t all that great. If anything, it should be interesting to see which Broncos team shows up on Sunday and my hope is that the strong one takes the field because this team is better than their record reflects, and they are so close to putting it all together. 

Everyone out there loves a good old-fashioned shootout, and that’s precisely why I’m excited to watch this game. Because Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes love to throw the ball and it is a thing of beauty when they do. And when one considers the fact that both of the defenses featured in this game are mediocre at best, there’s a good chance that fans everywhere are going to be in for quite the treat. Because both quarterbacks will be taking deep shots for the endzone as often as possible, and they’ll likely find it no problem. Which means this game is going to come down to which defense makes the least number of mistakes and the one that limits those and makes the big stops at the right time, is the one that will secure a victory for their team. 

​I’ve come to find over the years that teams that are 3-2 are oft forgotten by fans and writers and commentators everywhere. Because they’re more or less teams that are considered to be mediocre at best, when in fact, they can wow on Sunday just as well as an undefeated team. But what makes this particular game worth our while, is the sheer fact that we don’t know how this one is going to play out. It could be a defensive struggle since we’ve seen both of these defenses hold the line and refuse to budge. Or it could turn into quite the shootout since both quarterbacks featured here can turn it loose when necessary. But the bottom line is that this game should be a lot of fun since it plays into the unknown, and you really can never go wrong with watching a matchup that finds a way to surprise you.

There are a lot of reasons to be excited about this game. For starters it’s an NFC Divisional matchup and those types of games are always a blast to watch, and it also features a pair of dynamic quarterbacks as well. But what truly has me excited for this game is the sheer fact that both teams have something to prove. For the Rams are looking to get back on track after suffering back to back losses this season, meaning their defense and offense will come out swinging when they take the field. And the Niners, well they’re riding one heck of a hot streak and are looking to continue to wow the football world with another decisive victory. Which means this game has the potential to become an instant classic when all is said and done, and it should be a genuine treat to watch these two teams duke it out as they work to prove who is the king of the NFC West.

I’m starting to notice that as the weeks roll on, the NFL regular season is getting wilder and wilder. It just seems like some kind of big story pops up every single week now, and that’s fascinating simply because we suddenly have to more to talk about than just the games. And it just so happens that this week was no exception to this newly unspoken rule, for some big stuff happened on and off the field this week and because of that, it’s best we waste zero time today and get right down to discussing all the top stories from the field and what we learned from Week 5 in the NFL.
 
Something is amiss with the Rams vaunted defense.
Normally a Wade Philips coached defense is an outright terror for offenses to face week in and week out. Because Wade does an amazing job of disguising his coverages and his linemen always find a way to get to the opposing quarterback, but something is amiss with the Rams D right now. Because they’re suddenly letting everything through, and the players are out of position often and that’s just odd. After all, Wade expects better of his players and I guess this is on my mind today simply because I’m quite curious as to whether or not teams have simply figured out what the Rams are up to, or if there is some dissent within the locker room. Either way, they need to get these strange issues fixed and quickly and how they perform next week will give us an idea as to whether or not it’s a foundational problem, or something more.
 
The NFL needs to do a better job with enforcing player safety.
While I fully understand that the NFL is trying to do a much better job with player safety as a whole, especially when it comes to helmet to helmet hits, I have concerns with how the league is enforcing penalties when it comes to those particular hits. Because anyone who was watching Sunday’s Steelers/Ravens game was treated to the horrifying image of QB Mason Rudolph falling to the ground, unconscious, thanks to a helmet to helmet hit. And while he is fine and in concussion protocol right now, someone please explain to me why Earl Thomas wasn’t ejected from the game? Because he had time to stop, he chose not to, and that kind of ugly and nasty play deserved an ejection since it was beyond unnecessary and well, the league has to handle this better, plain and simple. They can’t toss one player and then not toss another for these kinds of hits, so really, at this point, if a player knocks a player out of the game because of a hit like that, just eject them and fine them. Because that’s how you send the message that this style of play isn’t acceptable.
 
The Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos finally won a game.
It’s been a tough start to the season for football fans in Phoenix, AZ and Denver, CO as well. Because both fanbases had high hopes for a big season from their respective teams and well, we know how that story starts out. But wouldn’t you know it? Sunday was a special day for both teams. Because Denver and Arizona each picked up a decisive win, the kind that helped other fans understand why these fanbases were so hopeful to begin with. So, congratulations to both the Broncos and the Cardinals for finally getting that proverbial monster off of their backs, and here’s hoping they have more success down the line because they are two franchises loaded with potential and it should be interesting to see if they build off of these victories in Week 6.
 
It turns out that the Cleveland Brown aren’t that good, after all.
There was a lot of hype surrounding the Cleveland Browns when the 2019 season kicked off, and a lot of us, myself included, bought right into it and with good reason. After all, they had a dynamic young quarterback under center, they made some epic trades in the offseason and had a solid draft and got rid of the worst coach in franchise history. But clearly those moves were all gloss and shine because this team is simply not as good as advertised and if you need fresh proof of that, look no further than Monday night’s game. Because the Browns were a mess on the field, to the point where seasoned veterans were making rookie mistakes and well, they may have bought into the hype as well. So really, now is a good time for this team to settle down and work on fundamentals first, otherwise it’s going to be another long year in Cleveland.
 
The Washington Redskins fired the wrong person.
Look, I get it. The coach is ultimately responsible for the team’s performance and Jay Gruden’s teams didn’t exactly wow the football world. But at the same time, it takes collaboration to build a good team and when the GM and the Coach are in sync and bring in great talent, wonders happen. Which brings us to why Washington got this firing wrong. Because Bruce Allen is an awful general manager, and he provided this team with second rate talent through and through and well, it should have been him leaving the building on Monday, not Jay. And this is just another embarrassing moment for the Redskins since it’s their billionth head coach of the Dan Snyder era, and I’m not honestly not sure who would want to take this job since there’s zero support from upper management. So, until Snyder wakes up and puts a competent GM in charge, or even better, steps down as owner; it’s back to the business of losing in Washington, and sadly, business is good. 

​Week 5 in the NFL is another important milestone within the framework of the regular season, simply because we’re now a quarter of the way through, and we have an idea of who is potentially going to complete in the playoffs, and those are the teams we keep a close eye upon. Because the ones that are close to seeing everything come together, work a little harder to get the kinks out in month number two of the season, and the ones that know how to wow us already, only continue to impress. Which means this is the week where some truly impressive football games are played, and some powerful moments happen on the field, the kind that keep us talking for days and with that in mind, it’s best we take a moment to preview some of the incredible games that are headed our way this weekend, along with a quick look at which storylines will likely keep us talking.
 
Will Kirk Cousins finally put it together this weekend?  
While I fully understand the fact that there’s an adjustment period for any player that joins a new team, one would think that the player in question would be comfortable and thriving in their second year with said team. Which is why I am so concerned with QB Kirk Cousins and his performance with the Minnesota Vikings. Because the Vikings paid him top dollar to be their new signal caller, and surrounded him with talent and offensive minds that most quarterbacks would kill for, so why on earth is #8 playing so badly? Obviously, there’s no one direct answer to that question, but something is clearly holding Cousins back and whatever it is, he needs to let go of it because it’s obvious that his teammates are losing faith in him. Which means that he needs to have a big game this weekend and light up the scoreboard with touchdowns. But honestly, I don’t think he will, I think we’ve seen his peak and now we’re watching his decline, so expect this weekend’s matchup with the Giants to be an ugly one since Kirk Cousins can’t get out of his own way.
 
Will the Rams rebound against the Seahawks?
Make no mistake about it, the Los Angeles Rams lost in ugly, ugly fashion last week, and I’m sure they’re still smarting from having Tampa Bay drop 55 points on the vaunted Wade Philips defense. Which means that the only way to wipe away those bad memories is to take it out on their next opponent and whip them good, but there’s only one problem when it comes to that, they’re next game has them headed to Seattle to play the Seahawks. And right now, the ‘Hawks are playing some lights out football, complete with some stout defense. Which means Los Angeles has to bring their A game and keep a level head for all four quarters. Because Seattle is fully aware of the fact that the Rams can be beaten and will make every effort to drop them and honestly, if the Rams look stunned once again this weekend, when the Seahawks punch them in the mouth, expect them to endure their second straight loss of the season.
 
Will the Cardinals finally win a game this weekend?
It’s rare to see a team adopt the mantra ‘close, but no cigar’, but that is precisely the motto of the 2019 Arizona Cardinals. Because over the course of the first four weeks, this is a team that keeps flirting with winning, and sometimes they get quite close, only to stumble in the final minutes of the game or they let their opponent set the tone for the game and that’s led to four weeks of heartbreak for Cards fans. But they’re playing the outright awful Bengals this weekend, meaning there’s a chance they can finally secure a win. But when one considers their up and down track record this season, can they actually pull a victory off? The answer to that question is yes, provided of course they do one key thing; they need to set the tempo for the game. Because this team can no longer afford to play reactionary football, they have to get out there and control every facet of this matchup, and if they can do just that, and not back down when the Bengals push back, they’ve got their first win of the season, in the bag. 

If this game was two weeks ago, I wouldn’t have paid it any mind and expected the Saints to just roll over the Bucs no problem. But the impressive win that that Tampa Bay put up over the Rams last week adds new depth to this game. Because the Bucs are likely fired up and confident heading into this one, which means they are probably going to give the Saints a run for their money, and that’s a win for the fans. Because we might be treated to a good old fashioned shootout in this game, the kind that might come down to the wire when all is said and done and while I do expect New Orleans to win this one in the end because they are a solid team, I really get the feeling this one is going to be a ton of fun. 

It’s always a wonderful thing when two powerhouse NFC teams take the field for a contest since it often ends in a thrilling game, and this one goes above and beyond that criteria since both of these teams have had a wonderful start to the year. But the key reason that this matchup is on my radar is simply due to the fact that both of these teams suffered some tough losses in Week 4. Which means that both of these squads have something to prove and firmly believe they need to right some wrongs, and what better way to do that, than by beating a conference opponent, one that you might see in the playoffs? So, I’m definitely expecting both Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott to take some deep shots early in this game to try and set the tone, and I also expect them to engender a couple of revenge drives when the other team scores and really, the bottom line; is that this game is one that cannot be missed. 

​A couple of years ago, a prime-time game featuring these two teams could be easily missed because both squads were lurking in the NFL’s basement, talent wise. But my how the times have changed. For the Browns are loaded to the brim with stars on offense for a change, and the 49ers are finally seeing several years of chess involving trades and the draft and free agency pay off in spades, since this is their best start to a season in forever. Which means that when these two teams take the field on Monday Night, we can expect one entertaining game, one where both Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo will do their best to show to the football world that they are indeed the answer for their respective squad and honestly, I think this game will come down to mistakes and it should be interesting to see which team can play flawless football for four quarters. 

​Week 4 in the NFL is an important time in the league, simply because, it allows for us to get a solid perspective on where every team is at in the season and where they are likely going to end up when the season comes to a close. For this weekend’s games confirmed how much more work the bad teams are going to have to put in if they hope to compete this year, and it also reminded us that the good teams are going to be a delight to watch as they grind it out toward the playoffs. Plus, these matchups also reminded of us an important NFL lesson in that, you never take your opponent for granted since a team or two were shocked and stunned and well, if that makes it sound like we have a lot to reflect upon from this weekend’s slate of games, you’re absolutely right. So, without further ado, let’s dive right into what we learned from Week 4 of the 2019 season.
 
The Chicago Bears defense is legit.
As the old saying goes, defense wins championships and right now, the Chicago D is playing like a championship squad. For they outright manhandled the Vikings offense on Sunday, generating six sacks on their way to a 16-6 win over Minnesota and really, I cannot find a single flaw in their performance on Sunday. Because not only did they harass Kirk Cousins all day long, they also made life impossible for him passing wise. For they blanketed his receivers and disrupted just about every single route and if they continue to play like this in the weeks to come, and I think they will, they’re going to guide to the Bears to a wondrous season, regardless of who is under center. Because this defense is for real and opposing teams are going to have to game plan carefully if they hope to have a shot at beating them.
 
Patrick Mahomes is an incredible quarterback.
There’s really one thing that separates a superstar quarterback from the rest of the pack, and that’s their ability to will their team to a win when it seems that the odds are against them and that’s precisely what Patrick Mahomes did on Sunday. Because the Lions showed up to play, and they made life difficult for Kansas City on both sides of the ball. But late in the game, Mahomes simply made magic happen at every turn and refused to quit and that, made his teammates want this as badly as he did and for his efforts, Kansas City remains undefeated and well, this kid is just electrifying to watch and I fully expect to see more heroics from him in the weeks to come. Because it is clear he’s hungry for a win and a chance at the title and I don’t think he’ll stop playing hard until he achieves his goals.
 
Stick a fork in the Denver Broncos, they’re done.
It really was an offseason full of hope in the Mile High City. For a no-nonsense coach took the reins of the team and the franchise picked up some great free agents and some quality players in the draft. But something has gone terribly wrong at Dove Valley because the Broncos are now 0-4 and they look like a bad football team on the field. Because they couldn’t handle something as simple as tackling on Sunday and they blew a solid lead against the Jaguars and well, I think that’s it for them in 2019. Because this season is unraveling quick and with Bradley Chubb now out for the remainder of the year with a partially torn ACL, an already bad defense is only going to get worse. So sadly, buckle up Broncos fans, because it is going to be a long and ugly season filled with heartbreak as Denver quietly regroups to figure out 2020.
 
Tampa Bay still has a little fight left in them.
If you would have told me on Sunday that the Buccaneers were going to beat the defending NFC Champion, I would have rolled my eyes. And if you took that statement one step further by saying that Tampa Bay was not only going to win but was going to do so by hanging with the Rams in a shootout and drop 55 points in the process, I would have outright laughed in your face. But here we are, and this is a big deal simply because I didn’t think Tampa Bay had this kind of fight in them. If anything, this win is a testament to Bruce Arians’ brilliant work as a head coach and this kind of big win rallies a team like the Bucs, so don’t be shocked if we see more upsets and epic victories from a team that suddenly believes in their abilities.
 
The NFL got it wrong with Vontaze Burfict.
Look I get it, a 12-game suspension is a big deal for a guy who likes to play dirty. But frankly, I don’t think that was a harsh enough penalty for Vontaze Burfict’s latest ‘mistake’. Because I saw how #55 responded to his ejection, and seeing a guy run into the tunnel with a smile on his face while he blew kisses at the fans in attendance at Lucas Oil Field, speaks volumes to a guy that just doesn’t care about what he does on the field or the penalties he faces for his actions. Which means I think it’s time to just straight up ban Burfict from the league. Because player safety is never top of mind for this guy and his past history indicates he will just do this again come 2020. So just be done with him, get him out of the league so that someone who actually respects the game and the players he takes the field with, can get a chance to play in the NFL.