​There’s a special sense of anticipation that comes with NFL Football this time of year, one that is related to the sheer fact that the final stretch of the regular season has arrived, and the playoffs are just around the corner. Now every game has added weight as fans wonder what role their favorite team will play on Sunday, will they be the spoiler, or the spoiled? Either way, the intensity that comes with the playoff push makes for some fascinating storylines for certain, and here are the top ones we will be keeping an eye upon this weekend.
 
Expect the New York Giants to quickly regret their decision to bench QB Eli Manning.
You know, I rarely get hot under the collar over decisions that teams make because I tend to give them the benefit of the doubt since they have far greater knowledge when it comes to their team and their players. But once in a great while, you see a franchise do something so boneheaded and so stupid that it gives you pause and that’s where I am with the Giants benching Eli Manning. I mean come on, you’re not winning and you mean to tell me a quarterback that’s completed 62% of his passes, and has 14 touchdowns and 7 interceptions on the season is your glaring problem? This decision is an outright joke, and even more insulting to Eli by supplanting him with one of the league’s worst quarterbacks. You don’t need to see what you have in Geno Smith; the league was witness to his sub-par play for years. So, expect the Giants to regret this decision, and quickly, because it’s the dumbest one I’ve seen in years and if costs Ben McAdoo his job, oh well. That’s what you get for benching a two-time Super Bowl Champion and replacing him with a joke of a quarterback.
 
Will Brett Hundley find continued success, or was his last game just a fluke?
After weeks of causing Packers fans to groan in great pain, QB Brett Hundley finally delivered an incredible performance on Sunday Night Football and while the Packers ultimately lost, it was wonderful to see Hundley turn in that kind of performance, but is it something that he can repeat this weekend? Well, absolutely if he’s in the right mindset. Because on Sunday Night, Hundley looked cool and confident under center, and he trusted his receivers every time he tossed up the ball. So, if he can keep that kind of attitude when he’s on the field, and command the offense in similar fashion, there’s a fair chance the Packers will win another game and give Green Bay a sense of hope that maybe their season won’t end in utter heartbreak.
 
Will Buffalo play the spoiler this week against the Patriots?
On several occasions this season, Buffalo has found a way to destroy the pride of teams that on paper, were far better than them and one has to wonder if they’ll be able to surprise the New England Patriots and upset them on Sunday and honestly, I’d say their chances are fifty/fifty when it comes this. Because their defense hasn’t quite been the same since they sent DT Marcell Dareus packing and the offense is in flux since they can’t quite decide on who to start at quarterback. But…if they follow the basic formula that so many teams fail to execute against the Pats, which consists of pressuring Brady, pressing his receivers and scoring some points, then they can pull off the upset, and they’ve done it before, so really, all that stands in their way here is execution.
 
Will the Kansas City Chiefs get back on track this weekend?
At this point, the Chiefs are in free fall mode, having dropped their last three in a row and the Chargers are nipping at their heels for a shot at the AFC West title. Which means this team needs a big rebound win and will they be able to get just that against the New York Jets this weekend? Well, the answer to that question is a big fat maybe. Because the Chiefs just look lost right now, they’re playing poorly in all phases of the game and it almost seems as though their mounting losses are impacting them mentally and to complicate matters further for them, they’re squaring off against a plucky New York squad that doesn’t go down without a fight. So, if the Chiefs can clear their heads and focus on football fundamentals, they’ve got this, but if the mistakes start rolling in, expect the Jets to take full advantage of their follies.
 
The Carolina/New Orleans matchup is shaping up to be the best game of the week.
What do you get when you take two high powered and prideful offenses and let them play in the playoff race? Incredible football, that’s what and that’s what fans everywhere are going to be treated to when the Panthers and the Saints take the field on Sunday. Because these two teams love to score and score big and I think we can fully expect touchdown after touchdown in this one. As for which team is going to walk out of this game the victor? Well that should be the team that keeps their turnovers to a minimum, but either way, this one is going to be quite the treat to watch.

There is only one word that keeps coming to mind when I think about this past weekend of football, and that word is…wow. Because in between the unexpected upsets and unexpected unsportsmanlike conduct, this was a weekend filled to the brim with surprise after surprise. So, with this much to talk about, let’s not waste any more time today, and get right down discussing what we learned from Week 12 in the NFL.
 
The league is more or less done with on field fighting.
Look I get it. The men that play this game are passionate and prideful and will defend their squad to the bitter end. But too many players this season have taken their passion too far and we’ve seen quite the rash of ejections because of it, and clearly the league has had enough. Because following the Talib/Crabtree fight on Sunday, the NFL handed down quite the nasty punishment for their altercation by suspending both of them for two games and when all is said and done, while the NFL may be imperfect when it comes its punishment system, this is one of the times where they’ve gotten it right. Talib and Crabtree conducted themselves in stupid fashion and are paying the proper price for their actions and hopefully, this finally sends the message to every player in the league that if you’re looking for revenge, settle the matter on the field and on the scoreboard.
 
Dak Prescott is hitting a sophomore slump after all.
It really seemed as though early on in this season that Dak was going to enter his second year in the league without missing a beat and I’m one of many who firmly believed that the sophomore slump was simply not going to happen for the young man, and lo and behold, I was totally wrong. He’s clearly regressed in his play, and for proof look no further than his last two games where he’s thrown five interceptions and seen his accuracy go all over the place and to top it off, he seems confused and frustrated on the field and all of this has spelled disaster for the Cowboys. Which means that if Dallas wants to finish their season on a high note, the coaches need to get him focused and fast, or this sophomore slump is going to end in further disaster.
 
The Atlanta Falcons appear to be getting their season back on track.
It’s been an ugly year for the Atlanta Falcons. They blew a 25-point lead in the Super Bowl, came out strong to start the season and then blew more games in embarrassing fashion. That kind of stuff wears on a team through and through but it would seem that the Falcons have finally pulled their heads out of the clouds in order to get their season back on track by winning three in a row and this win streak just goes to show that they have finally buried their fear for the time being and are focused on the next play and the execution of that play and if they can stay in that mindset there’s a chance they can head back to the playoffs and potentially wash away the ugly memories of Super Bowl LI.
 
The Los Angeles Rams rebounded in spectacular fashion.
You can always tell a lot about a team when it comes to how they respond to adversity and my goodness, did the Rams respond in epic fashion. Because after being beat down by the Minnesota Vikings on the road, the Rams responded by not letting that loss get under their skin in the slightest. In fact, they used that loss as fuel to propel their team to a hard-fought victory over the surging New Orleans Saints and well, this win was impressive to say the least. Because regardless of what the Saints threw their way, they hung in there and found a way to win and that’s the kind of stuff that takes a team far in the playoffs and I’m fairly certain the Rams will continue to exhibit this kind of grit as the postseason draws near.
 
Brett Hundley came to play on Sunday night.
Admittedly, I’ve been quite critical of Packers QB Brett Hundley, pointing out that he has been quite the disappointment over the past few weeks while filling in for Aaron Rodgers. But, I’m always happy to give credit where credit is due and on Sunday night, Hundley was damn impressive on the field. I don’t know what finally clicked for this young man, or what he did differently in practice, but whatever it was finally made a difference because not only did Hundley complete 65% of his passes and toss for three touchdowns, he commanded that offense, and while I fully understand that there are no moral victories in the NFL and a loss is a loss, there has to be some serious satisfaction when it comes to Packers fans and the Green Bay front office over the fact that Brett Hundley has finally arrived.

Sometimes in the midst of the playoff push in the NFL, we tend to forget about the other teams that are striving to finish their season with a sense of pride or honor, and that’s unfortunate because…that kind of drive and desire makes for a quality and interesting game as well. After all, these are the teams that play without fear, and make life hell for the elite when they show up to play and really, that’s what we are going to be looking at today; a healthy mix of games that feature the top dogs as they continue to work toward a playoff berth, and other matchups featuring teams that are ready to leave everything on the field, since they still have something to prove, or they’re just looking to say they gave it their all.

It seemed like only a few weeks ago, that both of these teams were the toast of the NFL. They were each scoring at will, enjoying the results that come with a robust defense and of course, a healthy win/loss record reflected their efforts. But if there was ever a finer example of the fact that this is a long NFL season, one where teams study you and study you hard, this would be it. Since both of these teams have been in free fall mode for weeks now, and it’s obvious that they are desperate to figure out how to adjust and get back to their winning ways with the playoffs inching closer and closer. So, if anything, expect this to be a fierce matchup, with both teams putting forth extra effort to gain the edge against their opponent and really the win here will come down to basics; whichever team makes the least amount of mistakes and doesn’t turn over the ball, earns a critical victory. 

It’s always wonderful to see a pair of powerhouse teams match up on Sunday afternoon and I get the funny feeling this one is going to feature some extra intensity when the Saints and Rams take the field. Because the Rams are reeling from a tough, tough loss to the Vikings, wherein their prolific offense was only able to muster seven points, so you know they’re looking to get their rhythm and poise back on track by scoring and scoring often against the Saints, and speaking of New Orleans…well, this is a team that is looking forward to doing what they do best and that’s winning games in epic fashion. Which means there is a fair chance that this game could become quite the shootout as Drew Brees and Jared Goff try to score their way to a win. Either way, this will be a hard-fought battle to say the least as both of these teams fight to earn a bye week in the NFL Playoffs. 

Normally, there would be little to discuss when it comes to two teams whose respective seasons are nearly over. But what makes this game so fascinating, is the sheer fact that both squads have in essence hit the reset button when it comes to their most glaring issues. Oakland fired Defensive Coordinator Ken Norton Jr. with his unit near the bottom of the league statistically and Denver jettisoned Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy because of that whole pesky, not scoring problem. All of these moves were made in the hopes of jump starting their teams and well, if Oakland plays great on defense, then promoting John Pagano was a step in the right direction and if Denver can finally get the ball into the end zone, then promoting Paxton Lynch to the starting role to run Bill Musgrave’s offense, was equally as genius. Either way, it should be interesting to see what these changes will do for these floundering squads and I think whichever team clicks first under their new arrangements, is the one that walks away with the win. 

​You never want to say that a particular game comes down to one particular player, because this is after all a team sport, but from time to time, one man is the focus in his respective matchup and for this one…all eyes will be upon Green Bay QB Brett Hundley come Sunday night. He’s studied under Aaron Rodgers for two years now, he’s shown flashes of brilliance from time to time when taking the field, but for the most part he’s been quite the disappointment and whether he likes it or not, this game will serve in many ways as a make or break game for him. Because he has to show the Green Bay brass that he can indeed play at a high level and execute this offense and if he once again folds and regresses, on the national stage no less, there’s a chance that the Packers may start looking into bringing in a Free Agent QB to either push or supplant the young man as the Packers work to end their season on a high note. 

Here we go ladies and gentlemen, there are only a few weeks left in the regular NFL season and if last weekend was any indicator of how much wins matter to the teams headed for the postseason and those on the bubble, then this weekend is likely going to be just as, if not more intense when it comes to the play we see on the field. Which means it is going to be a weekend filled to the brim with quality games and fascinating stories and here the top ones we will be keeping an eye upon in Week 12.
 
Can the Los Angeles Rams rebound against the Saints?
Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings had to sting and sting badly for the Los Angeles Rams simply because the Vikings were able to do the impossible and shut down that vaunted L.A. offense all day long and unfortunately for the Rams, the blueprint Minnesota laid out to make that happen is undoubtedly being studied carefully by the New Orleans Saints which begs the question…can the Rams rebound against the Saints? Honestly, that’s quite the challenge to put before them. After all, New Orleans was fearless and patient against the Redskins this past week and if they show the same resolve and mix in some of Minnesota’s defensive magic, expect the Rams to lose their second straight game in a row.
 
Will the new look offense for the Denver Broncos make a difference on Sunday?
The time has come for a fresh start in the Mile High City and come game time against the Raiders, the Broncos will debut a brand-new offense from the mind of Bill Musgrave, one that is to be executed by a new quarterback under center in Paxton Lynch. But, of course, everyone is wondering, will these changes matter when all is said and done? Well the answer to that question is a big, fat, maybe, simply because we really have no clue what Musgrave and Lynch will bring to the table. But if Lynch can lead the offense into the end zone and not throw interceptions left and right, then progress has at least come to Denver and if he can indeed provide the spark this team has been waiting for, then there’s a fair chance the Broncos will give the fans what they want and finally snap their six-game skid.
 
The Buffalo Bills need to settle their quarterback situation.
A couple of weeks ago, I gave the Bills serious credit for having the guts to make a quarterback change when they felt the team needed a spark and well, I clearly need to retract that statement. Not because Nathan Peterman was downright awful, but because they pulled him at halftime and put in Tyrod Taylor, a man they benched because they don’t believe he has what it takes to lead this team and well…that move was just downright idiotic. It’s one thing to take a few weeks to evaluate whether a QB is performing or not and then make another switch, but it’s downright ludicrous to go back to a guy that you don’t think can handle the starting position in the middle of a game. So, really, Buffalo just needs to make a decision at QB, stick with them for a bit and deal with whatever comes their way because of it, and if they can’t handle something as simple as that, then they don’t deserve a spot in the playoffs.
 
Don’t be surprised if the Chargers beat the Cowboys this weekend.
The Denver Broncos and the Philadelphia Eagles. Those are the two teams in the NFL that completely and utterly exposed every single flaw that the Dallas Cowboys have to offer and those weaknesses are something I fully expect the Chargers to go after this weekend. Because the Chargers want this season to end on a high note and the more wins they gather up, the closer they get to that, and since Dallas has proven time and time again that they are not a mentally tough team, and considering the fact that they are riding a two-game losing streak, expect Los Angeles to come out of the gate swinging and don’t be shocked if they too make Dak look like a second-string quarterback and torch the Dallas defense on their way to a big-time victory.
 
Can the New York Giants pull off another win?
A win is a win in this league, regardless of how ugly it turns out to be so you know the Giants are celebrating their victory over Kansas City regardless of the score and you also know, they’re looking to add another triumph to the win column and the big question of the hour is, can they achieve such a feat against the Redskins? Well the answer to that is, absolutely. While Washington has shown flashes of brilliance this season, they’ve let leads slip away and made grave mistakes at the wrong time, so if the Giants can stay as patient as the Saints, and force a few blunders along the way, expect them to leave FedEx Field with a victory in hand.

We’re only a mere day removed from Week 11 in the NFL, and I’m still in awe of what I saw go down this weekend. Because a vast majority of the matchups from this week’s slate of games were ultra-competitive and I really cannot remember the last time I saw this many teams put forth that kind of effort on the field and really, there’s just so much to discuss when it comes to Week 11, let’s not waste any more time and get down to discussing what we learned about our favorite teams.
 
The New York Giants are a team filled with pride.
Any way you slice it, the 2017 season for the New York Giants is over, but apparently, they didn’t get that message on Sunday. Because when the boys in blue took the field to do battle with the Kansas City Chiefs, they showed us a tough team, filled to the brim with pride, that was done with being pushed around. Granted, they didn’t light up the scoreboard in this matchup, but they did just enough to frustrate the Chiefs on every side of the ball and the end result for their efforts was a hard-fought victory that made quite the statement. As to whether or not this newfound attitude will translate to more wins has yet to be seen, but for Giants fans, this win has to provide some sense of comfort that this team is finally headed back in the right direction.
 
The New Orleans Saints are a tough and patient team.
Normally when you see a team down by fifteen points late in a game, it’s a foregone conclusion that the team with the lead will likely secure the win. But the New Orleans Saints don’t subscribe to that logic and despite trailing the Redskins for a better part of the game on Sunday, they never once panicked or lost their way. They maintained their focus, worried about execution and the next play and they were able to come back from the deficit and secure the win. That kind of victory speaks to how tough a team the Saints have become this year and that kind of strength will serve them well as the season comes to a close because close games won’t spook them and their fearless nature may rattle their opponents and force them to make a critical mistake. 
 
The Denver Broncos made the right decision in firing Mike McCoy.
The general consensus in the Mile High City is that the Broncos should have cleaned house coaching wise yesterday, and that’s an idea I staunchly disagree with. Vance Joseph is a first-year coach, and is still learning the ropes and while the team has seen some sub-par performances across the board, the fact of the matter is that when GM John Elway called the team out, the Defense and Special Teams responded with far better play on Sunday. The only unit that failed to rally? The Offense. It was the same old boring O that cost McCoy his job and it was the right call to make and hopefully the change to interim OC Bill Musgrave allows for the Broncos to start putting some points on the board once again and who knows, maybe they’ll win a game or two as well.
 
The Philadelphia Eagles love to dominate their opponents.
There are some coaches in the NFL that firmly believe that once you’ve established a healthy lead and most likely the win that their team should back off of heavy scoring, but that’s something the Philadelphia Eagles clearly disagree with. When this team smells blood in the water, they strike and strike hard and often times embarrass their opponent and honestly, I think that kind of cutthroat mentality is a good thing. A team that refuses to stop scoring is a team that shatters the psyche of their opponent and utterly dominates them in the process and it’s an attribute I think the NFL has lost over the years. So, here’s to hoping the Eagles continue to strike fear in the hearts of men and remind everyone that you better bring your A game and the same level of intensity if you want to remotely hang with them.
 
The Green Bay Packers have a quarterback conundrum on their hands.
The most successful teams tend to draft and develop their future players over the course of several years, and one critical position where that kind of development is paramount is at Quarterback. It’s why you see so many young signal callers sit on the bench and learn from a veteran and often times, that process pays off dividends. It worked for Aaron Rodgers who learned from Brett Favre and showed a command of the offense when he finally took over for the legend but alas, lightening has not struck twice in Green Bay because Brett Hundley has been a disaster under center. He’s struggling to read defenses or execute plays and after a 3 INT performance on Sunday, who knows where the Packers go from here. There’s been little discussion of benching Hundley and the free agent market at QB is thin, so either the Packers get Hundley’s head on straight, or make a change, or watch their season sail away and regroup for 2018… 

It didn’t take long for football fans everywhere to get an idea of just how much the playoff push means to teams that are in the hunt, because the Steelers made it inherently clear by trouncing the Titans in epic fashion and I have the sneaking suspicion that was merely a taste of things to come. Because there are plenty more teams that want a shot at the tournament and that’s precisely what we are going to focus on today, games that feature teams that are one hundred percent ready to seize their destiny. 

Really, if there is a ‘must watch’ game to see this weekend, this is the one. Because this matchup features a pair of powerhouse teams on both offense and defense and both of them have something to prove. The Rams want everyone to know that they are for real this year and the Vikings are looking to wash away the memories of last season and when these two teams take the field, expect one hell of a game. This one could be a shootout if these two offenses get going, or it could end up being quite the defensive struggle, but one way or another, this game is going to be incredibly entertaining to watch as these two teams battle it out in the hopes of securing the #2 seed. 

On paper, this game looks fairly lopsided since the Saints have been riding a seven-game win streak in dominant fashion. But while the Redskins aren’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard week in and week out, they are quite the scrappy little squad when their backs are against the wall and if properly motivated, they will find a way to defeat a better team and while I don’t expect Washington to upset New Orleans, because how does any team stop a red-hot Drew Brees? (Spoiler alert: they don’t.) But don’t be surprised to see the Redskins hold their own and make a game out of it as they try their best to change their playoff fortunes and play the spoiler once again. 

Anytime one gets to enjoy an NFC East matchup, you already know you’re in for quite the knockdown, drag it out brawl, but this time around, there’s plenty more on the line for the two teams featured in this game than just bragging rights. After all, the Eagles are the best team in the NFC, and they would like to keep it that away, and a decisive victory over the Cowboys would help propel them forward in that quest. But Dallas knows that they are a team that is far better than their record reflects and they would love nothing more than to topple the best team in their Conference, without their star running back. Which means that this game is going to feature an intensity unlike any other and while I do believe the Cowboys will put up a good fight, I expect Philadelphia to keep their streak alive when all is said and done.

​This matchup is fascinating simply because it features a pair of teams that have only flirted with greatness this season. While the Seattle Seahawks are enjoying a solid 6-3 record, they’ve yet to truly dominate any of their opponents this year and their vaunted Legion of Boom is down two members and they host an Atlanta team that is desperate to find their identity and return to their own dominant ways and with the playoffs on the line for both of these teams, they will need to dig deep and give it their all to secure the win. As to which squad accomplishes that, well whichever team keeps a level head, limits their turnovers and wears down their opponent is the one that will walk away the victor and it should be interesting to see which team is mentally stronger when this game kicks off on Monday Night.

​There’s a strange calm that comes with Week 11 in the NFL, only because it seems that fans and franchises alike, are beginning to settle in as they better understand their fate. Some teams are now looking toward 2018 with their playoff hopes dashed this year, while other squads are comfortable with their talent and success and know that they will be able to handle whatever adversity comes their way in the next few weeks, and as for those teams on the bubble? Well, they’re ready to fight and give it their all for a chance to reach the playoffs. All of these elements make for some fascinating stories to say the least and without further ado, here are the top stories we will be keeping an eye upon this weekend.
 
Can the Dallas Cowboys with without Zeke?
Regardless of your opinion and thoughts on Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension, I think that there is one thing we can all agree upon, that his absence last week had a profound impact on the outcome of the game. The Cowboys were simply unable to run the ball against Atlanta and the end result of that little problem was a meager 7 points on the board and a loss and well, one has to wonder if they can win without Zeke and honestly, I’m not sure they can. The Dallas offense is designed to be a one two punch when it comes to the run and pass game and without the run element, it becomes quite difficult for the Cowboys to put up points, and considering the fact that they’re going up against the league’s best team on Sunday, if they cannot generate any yards on the ground without their star back…then expect the game to end with another loss for Dallas.
 
Los Angeles at Minnesota is full of playoff implications.
I think at this point, it’s a forgone conclusion that we will see both the Rams and the Vikings in the playoffs and with the two of them facing off on Sunday, this game has a lot more riding on it than just a win. Because at this point, both of these teams, and the Saints, are a game behind the Eagles in the NFC, which means the winner of this one, could help their playoff position when the tournament arrives. Which means the outcome of this game will simply come down to who wants it more. So, expect this game to be one heck of an epic battle as both of these teams do their best to try and secure the number two seed in the NFC.  
 
Will Nathan Peterman provide the Bills with the spark they need?
It wasn’t that long ago that Buffalo was the talk of the town thanks to their hard-nosed style of play and surprising run of upsets. But the NFL season is a long one indeed and after losing two games in a row and seeing their once prolific offense sputter, the Bills made a change at QB and have handed the reins to Rookie signal caller, Nathan Peterman, and I think everyone is wondering, can he lead the Bills back to glory? Sadly, the only way to answer that question is with an enthusiastic shrug because no one ever quite knows what you get in a rookie when they take the field. He could come out and light up the scoreboard and be anointed as the second coming of Jim Kelly. Or, he could look like a rookie. Either way, it should be fascinating to see what this kid can do, and kudos to the Bills for making a change regardless to send a message to their team that subpar play will not be tolerated.
 
Will the Oakland Raiders play the spoiler this weekend?
Speaking of teams that started out hot before sputtering out, the Oakland Raiders are another team looking to change their season’s fortunes with a big win against the Patriots, and you know they would love nothing more than to be the team to topple the defending champions, but the question is…can they? Well, I’m honestly skeptical when it comes to their ability to make that happen. They’ve been a disorganized squad on the field and the Patriots love to feast upon teams that make mistakes. So, if the Raiders play some lights out football like they did earlier on this season, there’s a fair chance they can pull off the win. But if they show any signs of confusion or weakness, expect the Pats to go 8-2.
 
Do the Atlanta Falcons have their mojo back?
I’ve made it no secret that I firmly believe that the Atlanta Falcons are not a mentally tough team and that they let their mistakes and past issues haunt them at just about every turn. But they deserve some serious credit for getting their heads back into the game when it comes to their victory over Dallas last week and now I’m left wondering as to whether or not this team has found the proverbial mojo that made them so successful last year and that question, will be answered come Sunday. Because if Atlanta is able to maintain a high level of play against the always scrappy Seahawks, then we’ll know they’ve finally worked through their issues at last. But if Seattle gets them to regress, because you know they’re not going to back down in the slightest to this team, then we’ll know that last week was merely a fluke and this team will need to spend their off season doing a little soul searching. 

​While Week 10 in the NFL often provides a special level of excitement, thanks to the fact that the playoff race is underway, it unfortunately comes to an end in bittersweet fashion. After all, there are some teams who see their season slip away further or end altogether and for some fans, it’s tough to get over the fact that a season that started with hope has gone south. But others of course, rejoice in the fact that their squad is likely headed to the playoffs and how these players and coaches respond to the weekend’s results, teaches us a lot about who they are and how they will finish out the season. So, without any further delay, let’s discuss what we learned from all the wins and the losses from this weekend’s slate of games.
 
San Francisco, finally won its first game of the year.
It has to be demoralizing for a team when they come so close to a win only to have it snatched away by a poor decision or a mistake and I’m honestly not sure how the Niners have endured this long with having that happen to them on a regular basis. But the patience their coaching staff has preached, and the work they’ve put in practice wise finally paid off since the 49ers secured their first win of the season over the Giants on Sunday. Sure, they’re still 1-9, and sure, they have a lot of work to accomplish before winning is a culture there. But with new a front office and coaching staff in place, this is a big deal to this struggling franchise and hopefully getting this monkey off of their back leads to more wins down the road.
 
The NFL needs stricter penalties in place for its Concussion Protocol.
By now you’ve already heard about the mistakes made by the Seattle Seahawks when it comes to Russell Wilson and his early exit from Concussion Protocol and whether or not the league finds any wrong doing on the matter, I think it is high time the NFL puts forth stricter penalties on both the players and the teams when it comes to violations of said protocol to prevent something like this from happening again. After all, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a player run back out onto the field when they’re in the protocol and if the players don’t care and the teams aren’t going to sit them down, then let stiffer fines and suspensions perhaps put an end to that kind of problem so that the league demonstrates that they are truly committed to keeping their players safe.
 
Where do the Denver Broncos go from here?
Five straight losses. A defense that has lost its swagger. An offense that cannot score and a special teams unit that is anything but. Those are really the best ways to describe the 2017 Denver Broncos and after the disaster that was Sunday Night Football…it’s obvious that from this point on, this team has to make some serious changes on every side of the ball. As to what those changes are exactly, well we won’t cover them today, because that’s a five-thousand-word essay/blog in its own right. But at the very least, it’s high time Head Coach Vance Joseph elicits a little more fire and accountability from his team since they’ve developed some lazy and bad habits and if he cannot get this team to dig deep and play with some pride, then expect an unhappy and impatient John Elway to step in and make some serious changes to get this football team back on track.  
 
The Giants need to make a decision on the future of Head Coach Ben McAdoo sooner rather than later.
It’s been quite the up and down week for New York Giants Head Coach Ben McAdoo, who weathered all kinds of rumors surrounding his dismissal only to get a pseudo vote of confidence shortly after an ugly loss to the 49ers and really at this point, the Giants need to make a decision now as to what they want to do with their embroiled coach. Because if the Giants lose again, and they will, the fan base will continue to call and call loudly for his head. So, they either need to can him now, and move on, or flat out commit to him for the length of his contract and put the matter to bed because they either think he’s the guy or not, and while it is commendable for the Giants to try and handle this in low key fashion and push it off to the end of the season, they also run a business and there’s nothing wrong with making a business decision one way or the other.
 
The Cleveland Browns might go 0-16 this year.
Make no mistake about it, the Cleveland Browns are a bad football team. They’re so bad in fact, it would require another five-thousand-word essay/blog to discuss their flaws on every side of the ball, and when a team is this awful, one has to wonder what their final record will be at the end of the season and I hate to say it, but I think the Browns could go 0-16. They can barely get anything going on offense, and if they do establish a lead they manage to blow it and that defense gets run over week after week and when you have a team without leadership, and top tier talent for that matter, you lose games in embarrassing fashion and I just don’t see where or how the Browns could win a game this year, so don’t be shocked if they pull off a winless season as they maintain their status as the worst team in the NFL.   

​There are really three specific occasions in the NFL season where everything is a touch more exciting than football fans are normally used to. The first one is Kickoff Weekend, the second is the beginning of the Playoffs because…it’s the playoffs and really, the third is Week 10 because that’s when the Playoff race gets underway. Suddenly the games are a whole lot more exciting as teams do their best to secure a berth in the tournament and really, that’s what we are going to be focusing on today. Games that are going to feature some serious competition as teams do their best to reach the postseason. 

​Okay, I know what you’re thinking. There’s no way a game featuring a below .500 team can in any way be exciting or playoff related. However, nothing in the AFC is set in stone right now, and the Chargers are damn good at spoiling seasons and defeating quality teams when they least expect it and they still have a chance at reaching the postseason and honestly, I think the feisty attitude that Los Angeles brings to the field is going to make for a far more exciting game than one might expect. Because I really get the funny feeling that the Chargers are going to keep this game close as they their do their best to play the spoiler. So, if anything, I’m expecting this one to be a high scoring affair, and please don’t be shocked if Los Angeles pulls off quite the upset in Jacksonville. 

​Now this game looks interesting simply because it could become quite the competitive battle when all is said and done. After all, the Minnesota Vikings are enjoying a wonderful 6-2 record right now and have demonstrated that they know how to win big games on a regular basis and they are facing off against a resurgent Washington squad that is just now figuring out how to win as a team, something that helped them secure a big win against Seattle. Which means, that since both of these teams are filled to the brim with confidence right now, they’re going to play with some incredible passion and really, I think whichever team keeps their turnovers to a minimum and finds a way to wear down their opponent walks away from this one with the win. 

​It’s always a fascinating storyline when two teams that should be enjoying a better season than their records reflect square off on the football field simply because the fans get a chance to see what those teams are truly made of, and in this instance, we’re looking at two teams that simply aren’t mentally tough. They both buy into their own hype machine far too often, and they tend to fold when real adversity presents itself in game situations. Which means, this is a grand opportunity for both of these squads to put those concerns to bed by coming out and playing some quality football and it should be interesting to see which one of these two teams figures out how to properly handle a challenge, and shows us some mental toughness as well and the first team to put their fear aside is the one that leaves this game with a victory under their belt. 

​The teams featured in this one are more than enough to make this game fascinating since they always provide us with a thrilling matchup, but there is more to this one than just adding another chapter to the rivalry, both of these teams have a lot to prove. The Patriots have really only enjoyed a couple of decisive wins this season, since most of their victories have come about by way of stupid mistakes from their opponents and they really haven’t faced a top-notch defense for that matter either. But with the Broncos reeling from three straight losses, and a prideful defense looking to rebound, Denver’s D could make life hell for Tom Brady. But really, this game will more or less be decided by the Broncos offense, and if the lackluster one we’ve unfortunately grown accustomed to shows up on Sunday Night, expect the Patriots to win and win big.

Well here we are ladies and gents, Week 10 in the NFL. It’s the home stretch at this point, because this more or less signals the beginning of the playoff race. Which means teams that are on the bubble, need to find a way to win on a regular basis to have a shot at the postseason, and the best of the best? Well they just need to keep on doing what they’re doing. Either way, it means we are in for some seriously competitive games and some fascinating stories for that matter as well, and here are the top ones we will be keeping an eye upon this weekend.
 
The Packers win streak against the Bears might come to an end.
Division rivalries are always a joy to watch since they’re usually a knock down drag it out battle royale, and for proof of how exciting and competitive they can be, look no further than the Bears/Packers rivalry since these teams love to leave it all on the field and as of late, Green Bay has had the upper hand, winning three straight against the boys in blue. But, they had the mighty Aaron Rodgers under center during those victories and well, Green Bay has looked pretty darn lackluster without him at the helm, so…can they keep the streak alive without him? Honestly, I’m not so sure. Because Chicago does have quite the powerful defense and if that D makes life difficult for Brett Hundley, there’s a fair chance the streak will come to an end.
 
The Denver Broncos made some important changes this week, but will they matter at all?
It’s inherently clear that everyone at Dove Valley is finally taking the poor performance of the Denver Broncos seriously. Head Coach Vance Joseph has been talking all week about how the team has to change its approach to practice and play calling and everything in between. Plus, the team even performed a slight shuffling of the dismal offensive line by placing Menelik Watson on IR before signing OT Cyrus Kouandijo to the roster, and while it’s good to see the roster getting tweaked and hear that a sense of urgency is there, will any of this matter come Sunday? The answer is yes, provided that the team actually executes everything they’re addressing. If the players keep their minds focused on doing their job, and if the coaching staff actually bothers to make adjustments to their game plan…there’s chance they can beat the Patriots, but honestly…I’m not holding my breath.
 
Will the Los Angeles Chargers play the spoiler again?
The Chargers have definitely suffered through some tough seasons in the past couple of years, but if there is one thing that they are always good at…it is defeating winning teams when they least expect it and considering the fact that they are taking on another team in the playoff hunt this weekend in the Jaguars, can they play the spoiler once again? Well I think the answer to that question is…absolutely! Los Angeles seems to approach every single game with a ‘nothing to lose’ mentality, allowing for them to take risks and try new things and I honestly don’t see why that will change in the slightest come Sunday. So really, don’t be shocked if the Chargers stun Jacksonville with a big time win as they continue their time-honored tradition of surprising quality teams.
 
Is this the week where the San Francisco 49ers finally win a game?
You really do have to feel a slight sense of pity when it comes to the 49ers, because on so many occasions this season, they’ve been so close to that all important first win of the season, only to shoot themselves in the foot and hand the victory to their opponent. But, considering the fact that they are hosting the awful New York Giants, this might be the game they have been waiting for. Because the Giants love to turn the ball over, and their defense is lackluster at best. So, if the Niners play solid football on defense and the offense can put some points on the board, there’s a fair chance San Francisco can secure their first victory of 2017 and I, for one, certainly hope that they do in order to shake off the awful feeling that comes with losing this many games in a row.  
 
Will the Atlanta Falcons rebound this week?
Another week, another tough test for the Atlanta Falcons. Because coming off of their rough and heartbreaking loss to the Panthers, they host the Dallas Cowboys, a team that is suddenly playing with a chip on their shoulder and well, that might be bad news for the Falcons, who seem lost when they take the field these days. So, is there a chance that Atlanta can rebound and stun the Cowboys? There is, but it’s going to require the Falcons to dig deep for a change and play tough both mentally and physically. They cannot fold when the Cowboys stand up to them and if they can finally let their fear go when they take the field, expect a rebound and if they do fold, well then hey, it’s business as usual.