There’s an intensity in the air when it comes to this weekend’s slate of games. Because it is do or die time in the NFL, and wins are paramount if a particular team wants to keep their playoff hopes alive and that hunger to make the playoffs will send some incredible games our way over the next few days. So, it’s best we just dive right in and discuss what to expect from Week 13 in the NFL and also preview some of the games that will undoubtedly wow us.
 
The Washington Redskins front office is an embarrassment to the league.
Well, I’ll keep this one brief, so I don’t go on too big of a rant. But when a team claims a player who clearly doesn’t get it when it comes to his precarious situation, they’re enabling bad behavior that the league is trying its damndest to remove from the spotlight and well, Washington’s move this week in claiming Reuben Foster is just about as stupid as it gets. It shows that Daniel Snyder and his front office don’t care about the sport, or the fans or anything for that matter and well, this is embarrassing to say the least and it just goes to show that Snyder is an idiot and the worst owner in the NFL and well, I’ll just leave it at that.
 
Can the Denver Broncos pull off their third win in a row this weekend?
Boy the Broncos are fun to watch right now, because they’re hungry and playing with a chip on their shoulder and honestly, I think they have a great shot at winning in Cincinnati this weekend. Because the Bengals are in a free fall right now, and they’re without their star quarterback. So, if the Denver offense can put together some sustained drives that end in touchdowns, and the defense can harass and rattle Jeff Driskel, then the Broncos will get a nice little win streak going and I’ll be shocked it they don’t walk out of Paul Brown Stadium with a win on Sunday.
 
There’s a good chance Chicago will lose on Sunday.
Make no mistake about it, Chicago was a different team without Mitch Trubisky under center, in fact…they were downright awful. Chase Daniel simply didn’t get it done and while the Bears are facing a sloppy team in the Giants this week, New York is hungry for a win and will challenge and wear down a defense with their power run game. Which means, there’s a very good chance Chicago will lose this game because #10 is out again with a shoulder injury. So, at this point the only way the Bears win this one is if #4 can figure out the offense and put some points on the board so his defense gets a breather. But if he sputters come Sunday, expect the Giants to pull off the upset. 

This game is fascinating for one reason and one reason alone, the Cowboys. Because this suddenly resurgent squad is taking on its greatest challenge of the season by hosting the best team in the league and I think we are all wondering as to whether or not Dallas can play the spoiler in this one and well…it is possible, provided a few things fall into place. First and foremost, the Cowboys have to figure out a way to shut down Drew Brees and his powerhouse offense and the Dallas O cannot make a single mistake and they have to wear down that vaunted defense and if they can accomplish that, then they’ve got a shot at the win. But in all honesty, New Orleans is a far better team and considering the opportunity they have in their hands right now, I’m not expecting them to give Dallas any mercy on their way to their eleventh win. 

Normally, this kind of matchup is one that I wouldn’t bother with. But this game goes outside the norm since both of these teams are fun to watch and while Houston is playing some seriously solid football right now, they cannot underestimate the Browns in the slightest. Because Cleveland is playing with a massive chip on their shoulder, and their nothing to lose attitude has served them well in the past few weeks since they’re putting together some impressive wins. So, there is a strong chance that if Cleveland lets Baker Mayfield do his thing and they complement his play with some stout defense and a punishing run game, they’ve got a real shot at winning this one. And while I do believe that Houston has a better shot at winning this game, don’t be surprised in the slightest if the Browns surprise us all with a big-time victory. 

​There’s nothing quite like a clash of the titans in prime-time football and well, that’s precisely what we can expect with this game. Because both of the teams in this matchup feature some high-powered offenses and talented quarterbacks which means this game has the potential to turn into quite the shootout. So, in reality, this game is going to come down to defense and the first D to figure out how to slow down their opponent’s run game and confuse the quarterback they’re facing, will secure the victory for their team. As for which team that’s going to be, I honestly haven’t a clue because these two squads are evenly matched, and it will be a blast to sit back and see which team wants it more with playoff seeding on the line. 

​Another week of football is in the books and my goodness, what a week it turned out to be. For we came to discover that there are some teams out there that simply will not give up without one hell of a fight and there are others that continue to dominate in everything they do and all of the twists and turns we saw this weekend made for some incredible stories. So, without further ado, let’s not waste any time today and dive right into all of those stories and everything we learned from Week 12 in the NFL.
 
The Cleveland Browns are truly starting to look downright impressive.
I’ve been very hard, no, extremely hard upon the Cleveland Browns in this column over the last few years because, well…they’ve been an awful football team for a very long time. But I am also someone who firmly believes in giving credit where it is due and well, I need to tip my cap to the Browns after their impressive ‘revenge win’ over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Because I honestly think this win went beyond just sticking it to their former head coach. This was the product of a pair of decent drafts and making the right moves at coach because Cleveland was a disciplined and efficient team on Sunday and well, they are starting to look like a future contender. Baker Mayfield is indeed the answer at QB they’ve been waiting for and that defense is scary when they’re clicking and well, I’m looking forward to seeing more dominating wins from this team as time goes on.
 
The Jacksonville Jaguars are falling to pieces.
For a brief, shining moment, it seemed as though Jacksonville had turned a corner. They made it to the AFC Championship Game, Blake Bortles looked like a serviceable quarterback and the sky was the limit for this team. But alas, they have come crashing down to earth in embarrassing fashion and while it is one thing to lose games and lose them often, it is quite another thing to see your players lose their cool on the field and on Sunday, well several players basically snapped. Jalen Ramsey couldn’t keep his mouth shut the entire game and Leonard Fournette decided to audition for the MMA shortly before being ejected from the game and well, this is sad and hopefully Doug Marrone will do something to pull his team together and quickly before problems such as these, get worse.
 
The Denver Broncos continue to surprise.
You know, I don’t know what changed in the Denver Broncos locker room, or what exactly snapped them out of their funk, but clearly good things are happening at Dove Valley because right now, the Broncos are an electric team to watch. They’re clicking on offense, the defense is making big plays and for their efforts, the Broncos have been rewarded with two incredible wins over teams that have played far better football all year and right now they’re shaping up to be the most pleasant surprise of the playoff push. Because they play like there’s nothing to lose, and if they continue to ball like this, they’ll knock off plenty more teams along the way and I honestly hope they do, for this team is indeed better than their record reflects.
 
The value of a backup quarterback was put on display this weekend.
The value of a franchise quarterback has been proven time and time again in this league. But something new that’s becoming apparent to NFL teams, is the need to invest in a quality backup at that position. Because injuries are a way of life in the NFL these days and with Alex Smith and Andy Dalton out for the season, and Mitch Trubisky nursing a shoulder injury, fans of those respective franchises need to worry about how the rest of their season is going to go because thus far, the backups for Washington, Chicago and Cincy…looked awful this weekend and they could cost their teams a shot at the playoffs. So, here’s to hoping these gentlemen figure it out quick with the playoffs on the line and if things go south, hopefully these three teams will invest some serious money in some quality #2’s come next year.
 
The time has come for the Green Bay Packers to make a coaching change.
The Mike Shanahan era in Denver, has always served as a fine reminder that sometimes, a change of scenery is a good thing for coaches in the NFL. Because their message can and will get stale and being comfortable in their job does engender complacency and well, I think it’s best for both the Packers and Mike McCarthy to part ways as soon as possible. For it’s clear at this point that the team isn’t responding to Mike anymore, and the quality of football this team is producing is sub-par at best, and they’re likely missing the playoffs this year. So, just put an end to this mess now, fire McCarthy and start the search early so the Packers can return to their winning ways.  

It’s incredible to know, that we are starting to close in on the end of the 2018 NFL Season. After all, there are only a handful of weeks left in the regular season and the playoff brackets are starting to take shape and if the effort we saw last week in the league is any indicator, teams are going to fight tooth and nail for their shot at the postseason. So, without further ado, let’s get right down to it and take a look at this weekend’s epic slate of games and the top stories hovering over Week 12 in the NFL.
 
Can the Washington Redskins keep their playoff hopes alive without QB Alex Smith?
Injuries are sadly, a way of life in the NFL, and while ‘next man up’ is a pretty standard mantra for the league when they happen, some stars are simply indispensable when it comes to their team, which is why I’m worried about the Redskins without Alex Smith in the lineup. For Smith is a quality quarterback, one that knows how to manage a game and execute on plays, something that I’m not sure Colt McCoy can do. But it is possible that this team can keep their playoff hopes alive, provided they alter their game plan to feature more of Adrian Peterson. Because this ageless wonder is having one hell of a season, and a run first mentality should help McCoy act more as a game manager than a hero and if they can score points with that formula, and keep playing solid defense, they may still be able to pull off a playoff run.
 
Can the Denver Broncos play the spoiler again?
It’s always a big deal when a lesser team beats a better team since that loss exposes every single weakness of the team that was supposed to win the game and Denver definitely exposed some glaring holes when it comes to the Chargers last week with their victory over them in Los Angeles and well, that kind of a victory definitely boots morale on a losing team and gives them something to play for and one has to wonder if Denver could potentially provide the football world with another upset this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers and honestly, it’s quite possible. Because if Denver’s defense plays lights out like they did in L.A. this past week, and if Case Keenum looks like he did in those final two minutes, then this team can shock the Steelers too and build upon their current momentum. But if the Steelers can sack and rattle Keenum and exploit Denver’s proclivity to run a soft defense, then it’s back to the drawing board for Denver once again.
 
Expect the Patriots to take out their frustrations on the New York Jets.
Speaking of possible upsets, this would normally be a good time to question as to whether or not the Jets could stun the Patriots come Sunday since the Pats are vulnerable right now. But this time around, I think it is best we temper our expectations when it comes to New York because…they’re not a good football team. Sam Darnold is looking like a rookie at last, and may not even play this Sunday and the defense is porous and there’s zero leadership on the field and…New England is angry. They don’t like losing or being questioned when it comes to their talent, so expect them to just unleash their fury upon the Jets this Sunday and score a lot of points in the process. 

This was a game that initially interested me because of the fact that the Lions have played the spoiler against good teams several times this year. But things just became all the more fascinating following the news that Bears QB Mitch Trubisky will sit tomorrow’s Turkey Day game out with a shoulder injury and Chase Daniel will start in his place. Because without a solid QB to lead the Bears, this is now anyone’s game to win and if Detroit’s offense can settle into a rhythm against Chicago’s D and score some points and their defense can harass and rattle Chase Daniel, then they’ve got a good shot at upsetting the Bears. But, if Khalil Mack and the defense dominate, expect Chicago to enjoy another important win in the North.      

Okay, I’ll be perfectly honest here, there’s one thing that fascinates me when it comes to this game, and it is the Saints. They’re simply mesmerizing to watch on both offense and defense right now and I’m quite curious as to how they’re going to look against the Falcons this weekend. Because hopefully, since the Falcons are falling behind in the playoff race, they’re going to try and bring their A game, to ensure they don’t get blown out in this one. But I fully expect New Orleans to win this one and win it big and it will simply be a blast to see if they can dominate yet another opponent as they continue to push to lock up the number one seed in the NFC.

​Normally, you don’t think much about a 5-5 team taking on a 7-3 juggernaut, but this game has the makings of something special. After all, Houston looks good this year on both sides of the ball and that alone is fun to watch. But the Titans are a team full of grit and desire and they play with a nothing to lose attitude and that makes them dangerous when all is said and done. Because if they surprise the Texans with some strong play in this one, they could easily steal the game away. But in all honestly, I do think Houston will win this one in the end, but I get the funny feeling the Titans won’t make it an easy task and that is going to make this game extremely fun to watch. 

​Sometimes, a weekend of NFL football finds a way to leave you in awe, and this past weekend’s slate of games meet that criteria. Because we were treated to some incredible moments and some awe-inspiring games, the kind that taught us all kinds of things about our favorite teams and well, let’s not waste any more time today and get right down to discussing, what we learned from Week 11 in the NFL.
 
Lamar Jackson is just what the Ravens need right now.
You know, it didn’t dawn on me just how badly the Baltimore Ravens needed a little jolt offensively, until I watched rookie Lamar Jackson take the field for his first start in the league. They’re just stale with Joe Flacco at the helm and Lamar gave them the spark they’ve so desperately needed this season. Granted, a lot of the magic he brought to the table came by way of the fact that he ran the ball 27 times, which isn’t exactly what you hope for with a new quarterback, but…you take what you get and while he isn’t ready to be a prolific passer just yet, he’s a winner at the moment and he’s giving hope to the fans and the team and you can’t ask for more than that right now.
 
The Denver Broncos still have something left in the tank.
Just when you’re ready to count the Denver Broncos out, they find a way to surprise us all and stay relevant in the football world. Because this team, played some damn fine football on Sunday, and they managed to stun the Chargers at home with a big time win and well, now I’m left wondering exactly what it is that makes this team so inconsistent. Because when they are on, they are on, and this game proved that since Case Keenum made some big time throws when he needed to and the defense was shockingly good against Philip Rivers and well, perhaps the Broncos just need more time to jell as a squad. Or, maybe the players are finally tuning out all the noise that the local press is sending their way. But, make no mistake about it, the Broncos still have some fight left in them, and they may play the spoiler again down the line.
 
The Pittsburgh Steelers are one tough team.
I have said it before, and I will say it again, the best teams out there, are the ones that simply never quit and the Steelers performance on Sunday, proved that saying once again. Because for a better part of that game, the Jaguars had Big Ben’s number, making him look like a sub-par quarterback while the offense did its thing. But a fourth quarter rally from the offense, sealed the deal for the Steelers and well, it was just downright impressive to watch them fight for every yard and every point and that kind of moxie and resolve is precisely what you want from a playoff team and I’m sure this big time, tough win from the Steelers will be a moment they call upon in the future when they need a little inspiration to stand up against another opponent.
 
The New Orleans Saints continue to impress.
There comes a point in the season where some teams just leave you in awe when it comes to their performance and well, that moment arrived for the Saints on Sunday. Because once again, their offense left an opponent in the dust since they dropped 48 points on the defending Super Bowl Champions and well, at this point, this team simply seems unstoppable. Their defense is playing lights out football, something I wasn’t sure they were capable of earlier on this season and Drew Brees is having an outright career year, and it seems as though it doesn’t matter what a defense throws at him, he can read it clear as day and as long as this team stays healthy and keeps this momentum rolling, the sky will be the limit for the Saints as they roll over more opponents on their way to the playoffs.
 
Monday Night’s Chiefs/Rams game was one for the ages.
Sometimes you get a feeling in your bones about a particular game, and something told me the Monday night game between Kansas City and Los Angeles was going to be an epic matchup. But I was ill prepared for how epic it was going to be. I mean come on, it made NFL History since this is the first time ever that both teams were able to score fifty plus points in a game and well, while I know the mantra in the NFL is that there are no moral victories, let’s be honest, the fact that the Chiefs could hang with the Rams like this is a huge deal and well, when all is said and done, I would venture to say that this game will go down as one of the finest prime time matchups to ever be played in league history and it will also serve as the moment when both of these offenses arrived and considering how young Mahomes and Goff are, I think we can expect to see more prolific play from these two gunslingers for years to come.  

Well football fans, this is it. The Playoff Push is upon us at last and that means we can expect greater effort and a tougher fight from every single team that is in the playoff hunt. So, with so many great games awaiting us in Week 11, let’s not waste any time today and get right down to discussing the top stories we will be keeping an eye upon, along with the most fascinating games to watch this weekend.
 
Will the Green Bay Packers be able to maintain their playoff push?
It’s been a tough year for Green Bay, since their normally dominate play has been replaced with mediocrity in 2018. But they are still in the playoff hunt, and if they can continue working together and executing plays, they have a chance at going 5-4-1 on the year and staying in postseason contention. But it won’t be a cake walk to get there this weekend, for the Seattle Seahawks are a stout team and they have made life difficult for their opponents as of late. So really, the answer to the question I posed is yes, provided that Green Bay doesn’t turn over the ball on offense, and they do their best to contain Russell Wilson when he’s on the field, and if they can pull that off, then they’ve still got a shot at making the postseason.
 
Can the Falcons keep their postseason hopes alive?
If there’s one team whose record has turned out to be a bit of a surprise this year, it’s the Atlanta Falcons. Because this is a talented squad that has dropped some embarrassing games this year. But, despite their follies, they are still in the hunt right now and they need a win over Dallas to keep those playoffs hopes alive and well, I think that’s an attainable goal for the Falcons, they just have to fluster the Cowboys on both offense and defense. So, if Matt Ryan can exploit the Dallas secondary with some quick passes and the defense can contain Elliott and force Prescott to win the game with this arm, then they’ll be in a more comfortable place come Monday. But, if the same Falcons team that lost to Cleveland last week shows up, well, you know how the story will end.
 
Can the Philadelphia Eagles pull off an upset this weekend?
We are all well aware of the old ‘any given Sunday’ saying simply because it is so true, and considering how the mighty Patriots fell last week, one has to wonder if the Saints are now ripe for a surprise loss as well and in all honesty it is possible. Because New Orleans’ only weakness at this point is their secondary. So, if the Eagles can keep the ball moving with a quick passing game, they have a shot at dueling with Drew Brees and potentially pulling away with the win. But in all honestly, I think that’s a long shot, and that the Saints will do their thing and win this game handily. But Philly does stand a chance based on the ‘any given Sunday’ rule, and I do hope they put up a better fight against the Saints than the Bengals did.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s strange the difference a year makes in the NFL. Because these teams weren’t even in the playoff discussion last year. But here we are, with both of them fighting to be at the top of their respective divisions and that fight is exactly why this game has my attention because both of these teams want the crown to ensure a spot in the playoffs and well, I cannot wait to watch what may be quite the shootout when all is said and done. Because both of these defenses tend to be a touch on the porous side, and both teams’ quarterbacks are talented. So, don’t be shocked if both Watson and Smith find the end zone again and again in a game that honestly, I think Houston will win, simply because their defense is a little more stout than Washington’s. 

There are some matchups that are simply a must see, and NFC North Divisional battles are one of them. These games just get so incredibly chippy since no one in the North gets along and while I’m expecting some rough moments and a lot of trash talking on the field in this one, I’m also expecting a down home defensive struggle to present itself as well. Because both of these teams feature fantastic defenses and that’s going to make life difficult for Kirk Cousins and Mitch Trubisky so really, the key to this one, will come down to a quarterback’s I.Q. since the man that figures out the weakness of the respective defense he’s facing will exploit it to the fullest and don’t be shocked in the slightest if this one goes to overtime or ends up being a low scoring affair because defense is something that these two teams are known for. 

​I suppose if I had to pick a ‘Nerds That Geek Game of the Week’, this would be the one because this…well this is going to be one hell of a matchup. I mean come on, the top team in the AFC, facing off against one of the best in the NFC on prime-time Monday Night Football? You can’t ask for a better way to end Week 11 and this, well this game could go all kinds of ways. One team could dominate, or this could be a shootout, but regardless of which way this one goes, the fans are in for quite the treat and honestly, I haven’t a clue who might win this one because both teams are just so incredibly good. So rather than try and call this one, I’m just going to sit back and enjoy the fireworks because this game, is going to be downright magical. 

​You can always tell this time of year, which teams are taking their season seriously by how they handle their business come game time and judging from this weekend’s slate of games, there are some serious contenders getting the last of their kinks worked out before the playoffs. It’s why we saw some serious surprises over the past few days of football and really, it’s best we get right down to discussing all of those twists and turns, so without further ado, let’s reflect upon what we learned from Week 10 in the NFL.
 
The Carolina Panthers once again proved, they are not a tough team, mentally.
A year ago, I spoke a lot to the fact that the Panthers didn’t play well when a team stood up to them and socked them in the mouth and honestly, I thought it was something they got over in 2018 since they were looking so much better in tougher games. But what do you know? The same whiny and fussy Panthers are still there, they just needed an embarrassing first quarter against the Steelers to bring out the worst in them. Because once the score was getting out of hand, Carolina got a little chippy with the Steelers, and they looked lost and confused and afraid to execute on plays and they even made the game a little dirty with that nasty hit to Big Ben and well, this is just a shame. Because until this team grows up and learns how to handle adversity, more embarrassing moments like this will happen and I hope they keep happening so the Panthers can wise up and snap out of it.
 
The New England Patriots are a shell of their former selves.
Normally when you think about the Patriots, domination is the word that comes to mind. You know they’re going to put up points in a game and tick a lot of people off by winning big, but 2018 has provided us with a wildly different New England team. Gone is the air of domination, thanks to a thin and sloppy receiving corps and their defense is nothing special either and well, teams are starting to take advantage of their mediocrity since the Titans were the one to dominate the Pats on Sunday by getting to Brady and shutting down his routes and if New England can’t find a way to scheme a little better when it comes to their deficiencies, expect more losses to come their way as the season winds down.
 
The New Orleans Saints are scary good right now.
I honestly thought that Sunday’s Saints/Bengals game was going to be a solid and modest scoring fiesta between a pair of gunslingers. However, I was horribly wrong about that, because the Saints just straight up unleashed their special brand of fury on the Bengals, dropping fifty points in their laps without even breaking a sweat and well, it’s a little scary, when it comes to how good New Orleans is right now, at least for the NFC. Because at this point in time, they seem downright unstoppable, and their win over the Rams sent their confidence into the stratosphere and I won’t be shocked in the slightest if they continue to play at a high level like this as they work to secure the number one seed in the NFC.
 
There may be hope for the Cleveland Browns after all.
At this point, it’s obvious that barring some kind of football miracle, the 2018 season has more or less come to an end for the Cleveland Browns, and we should be focusing on the teams that will be playing in the postseason. But who doesn’t love a feel-good story and well, Sunday’s Cleveland/Atlanta game qualifies as that since the Browns actually looked good on Sunday. The defense was solid, Mayfield was on fire and they locked up a solid win over the Falcons and well, that definitely should give Cleveland fans hope for the future. Because if John Dorsey selects the right coach, one that can bring about more performances similar to this one, then the Browns may be a contender sooner than anyone expected.
 
The kicking game continues to be a nightmare in the NFL.
Earlier this year, I made mention of the fact that kicking was suddenly a sloppy venture in the NFL since PAT’s and Field Goals were being missed left and right and well, I thought eventually, as kickers got into a rhythm as the season rolled on, that things would get better when it comes to this aspect of the game. Oh, how wrong I was. Because this weekend, I watched Cody Parkey, the kicker for the Chicago Bears, miss…everything and Chandler Catanzaro (Tampa Bay’s kicker) missed a pair of Field Goals as well and honestly. I just don’t get it. I don’t want to call the position easy, because it is not, but man, I expected better from the kickers this year and at this point, I haven’t a clue how this gets fixed but I do hope the league figures out how to get kickers back in line because this is just ugly to watch at the pro level.  

Just like that, the middle of the NFL season is behind us, which means it’s time to turn our attention to the postseason as teams in the hunt make their push for an opportunity to hoist the Lombardi Trophy and really, that’s what we are going to spend a lot of time looking at today and down the line, the teams that are going to thrill us in the NFL Playoffs. So, without further ado, let’s get right down to it and preview some of the most fascinating games to watch this weekend, and the top stories to keep an eye upon in Week 10 in the NFL.
 
Will the Rams rebound from their stunning loss to New Orleans?
You know, I’ll go ahead and answer this question right away with a resounding yes, because the Rams are a top tier football team. They’ve mastered all three phases of the game, and they know full well that Seattle is coming into their house with a chip on their shoulder and hope in their hearts and unfortunately for the Seahawks, I have the funny feeling that the Rams are going to unleash utter fury upon them as they get back to their winning ways. So really, it’s not a question of whether or not Los Angeles will win this weekend, it’s a matter of how many points they’re going to put up as they secure a victory. So, don’t be shocked if this one ends in a blowout as the Rams work to wipe that bad memory of a loss away.
 
Will the Tennessee Titans surprise the Patriots this weekend?
The Titans are quite the enigma this year. Because when they topple their opponents with ease, they look like a top-tier football team. But often times, they are just a mess and well, you never quite know which version of this team is going to show up on game day, which is why I posed that particular question. Because if the good Titans team shows up, the same one that stunned Dallas with some stout defense and scrappy offense, there’s a strong chance they could upset the Patriots and enjoy one hell of a win. But if the other one shows up, well, you know how that will go. Which means we will have to wait until game time to answer this particular question, but I do hope the good team shows up, because that would make for one hell of a game and one incredible victory if the Titans manage to stun New England.
 
Expect the Chargers to keep pace in the AFC playoff race.
I know that no one should ever declare a particular game as a ‘gimmie’ for any particular team. But let’s be honest, the Chargers are squaring off against a downright awful Raiders squad this weekend, and the chances of them losing this game to Jon Gruden’s boys are slim to none. So, expect Los Angeles to wrap up this win with minimal effort, which is important for this resurgent team because you know the Chargers want a piece of the Wild Card pie and a divisional win will go a long way in helping them with that that. I just feel bad for the Raiders and their fans this weekend since L.A. is likely going to slap them around something awful. 

It wasn’t that long ago that football fans everywhere more or less forgot about the Panthers and the Steelers because they were playing terrible football. But clearly, something happened in both of these locker rooms to motivate both teams to play to their potential and here we are looking at quite the matchup when all is said and done. Because this game features a pair of quarterbacks that are enjoying a hot hand right now, complimented by a running game on both sides that is punishing and well, this game has the potential to become a shoot-out if Newton and Big Ben find some holes to work with in the secondary. Which means this game will likely come down to defense, and whichever squad tightens up and shuts down the opposing offense will help their team walk away with the win. 

What I find fascinating about this game, is that it actually has the makings of a true quarterback duel when all is said and done. After all, Drew Brees is having an outright incredible year as he carves up defense after defense, to the point where the Saints were able to deliver the first loss of the year to the Rams. But don’t count the Bengals out in this one. Andy Dalton just so happens to be lightning it up this year as well, and on several occasions, he’s kept his team in some close games with some magnificent throws. So, don’t be shocked if this ends up being quite the high scoring game as both Brees and Dalton find the end zone with ease and while I like the Saints in this one, if Andy can keep a level head and not turn the ball over, the Bengals have a slim chance at winning this one. 

​A year ago, this is a matchup that no one would have given any thought to, since the Lions were a mediocre team at best and the Bears were a laughing stock. But, a year later, here we are, with both of these teams in the playoff hunt and this, is shaping up to be quite the matchup after all. For the Bears are playing some solid football right now, especially on defense and whether or not Khalil Mack plays is irrelevant because that pass rush is making mincemeat of offensive lines and the Lions D is no laughing matter either. They too can tighten up and play stout and while their record isn’t exactly stellar, they’re quickly showing the league that they are better than that record reflects and the key to this game, are the quarterbacks. Because they’re both going to be facing some tough looks when they take the field and the first one to figure out a weakness, will likely exploit it and lead their squad to victory. 

​Week in and week out, the NFL is delivering some fine games and some fine stories, and this past weekend’s slate of games were no exception to that rule. So, once again, it would be silly to waste any time discussing anything else, so let’s dig right in and discuss what we learned from Week 9 in the NFL. 
​
 
Stick a fork in the Buffalo Bills, they’re done.
You know, I feel bad for Bills fans right now. After all, the franchise went out and snagged their guy at QB by drafting Josh Allen, bringing hope to every fan in northern New York because maybe, just maybe, their team would start to improve and win again and well, here we are, with another disastrous season on their hands, wherein Nathan Peterman is under center instead of the brand new franchise QB because their O-Line can’t keep anybody healthy. The Bills are simply a bad team this year and any way you slice it, their season is over. Which means I do hope some of the young guys get some playing time so that the franchise can start evaluating their future and I also hope they invest in a better offensive line when the offseason arrives.
 
The Rams finally lost a game, and it’s a good thing.
I made mention of the fact in my Week 9 preview that the Rams were going to lose at least one game this year, and the Saints are the ones that made that happen and well, I think it is a good thing that Los Angeles dropped a game in the middle of the season, and no, that’s not an insult in the slightest. Because it has to be a terrible feeling for those players to lose a game and see their streak end and by having that happen now, they can use it as motivation to never feel that way again, and they can regroup, fix their mistakes and play harder. So, expect this team to rebound in scary fashion because they are humbled now and they know they are better than that loss, and they will be happy to prove that to any team that wants to challenge them further.
 
Aaron Rodgers is in dire need of a supporting cast.
Sunday night’s game should have been a shoot-out for the ages between Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, but instead it ended up being quite the blowout since the Pats ran away with this game in the fourth quarter and really, this matchup revealed the fact that Rodgers is in dire need of some better players around him. Because a top tier quarterback can only will his team to win for so long, and a lack of quality receivers and a porous defense doesn’t help your franchise QB win games. So, here’s to hoping that come this offseason, Green Bay takes the time to find #12 a solid running back, some wide receivers and a secondary on the defensive side of the ball so the Packers can get back to their winning ways in 2019.
 
Somehow, Vance Joseph keeps holding on to his job.
Where I come from, poor decisions and giant mistakes will cost you your job. But in the football world, it apparently allows for executive management to ‘stay the course’ because Vance Joseph is going to be the head coach of the Denver Broncos for the foreseeable future and well, this is a terrible decision. Joseph simply isn’t ready to sit in the big chair at Dove Valley and while the Broncos are more competitive on the field this year, they’re still losing, and they’re losing games they should have won. So, until John Elway finally sees that Vance isn’t the guy, the sad clouds hanging over all of Broncos Country will continue to hover and hopefully Elway and CEO Joe Ellis open their eyes to the fact that they need a dynamic leader at the helm to get this team back to its winning ways.
 
The Dallas Cowboys are a mess right now.
Everyone was wondering, prior to last night’s game, as to whether or not the addition of Amari Cooper would be exactly what the Cowboys needed to get their offense back on track and well, it turns out that he was not. Because once again, Dallas embarrassed themselves in prime time by losing to the Tennessee Titans in tough fashion and well, make no bones about it, the Cowboys are a bad football team right now. They stink on offense, they stink on defense and special teams aren’t much to write home about either and well, a lot of this comes down to coaching and the time has come for a change there in my opinion. But Jerry Jones has declared (for the moment) that there will be no in season coaching changes, so this train wreck will continue to chug along until Jerry comes to realize that it is time for someone else to helm his franchise on the field.

I find the back half of the NFL season to be quite a re-energizing time of year. Because at this point in time, teams have a pretty solid understanding of where they’re headed and the focus upon the playoffs gives us some incredible games to the say least. But this is also a season of renewal, since some players are on new teams and some squads have new coaches in place, giving those franchises and players an all-important second chance. Which means it is high time we examine those moves alongside the games that have piqued our interest, as we preview Week 9 in the NFL.
 
Will the Broncos offense improve by giving Courtland Sutton more playing time?
While it would seem that Broncos Country is split when it comes to the move to trade Demariyus Thomas to the Houston Texans, it’s inherently clear that General Manager John Elway made such a move in order to light a fire under his anemic offense and this decision also serves as a powerful message that more changes are coming if they don’t improve and well, the big question of the hour is, will they get that message? And honestly, I don’t know. This offense simply doesn’t click when it comes to the passing game right now, and while I am excited to see what Courtland Sutton can really do with more playing time, if Case Keenun continues to struggle with his accuracy, nothing special will come out of this trade. So really, it’s up to Keenum to figure out how to get the ball to the rookie and if he can and some big plays come out of it, awesome, then the changes were worth it. But if Keenum continues to struggle, well then, the team traded away a talented receiver and mentor, to maintain the status quo of mediocrity.
 
Will Gregg Williams provide the spark the Cleveland Browns need?
Any way you slice it, the Browns are and have been a team devoid of leadership and once again, they find themselves in flux when it comes to the head coach and while that stinks, interim coach Gregg Williams does have the tools to turn this mess around. After all, they are loaded to the brim with some serious talent and if he can work to create a game plan that caters to his stars’ strengths, then we might be in for one incredible turnaround. In fact, I’m hoping that Coach Williams just turns this team loose since they really have nothing to lose at this point with their season slipping away, and that kind of mentality may be just what this team needs. But really, we won’t know what difference he will make with this team until game time and if this squad plays fearlessly when they take the field, we’ll know he’s reached them, but if the mistakes persist then it’s inherently obvious that Coach Williams will just be keeping the seat warm for the next guy.
 
Is Amari Cooper just what the Dallas offense needs?
It’s a well-known fact, that the Dallas offense is incredibly anemic right now and everyone seems to believe that the issue at hand is that Dak Prescott doesn’t have anybody worth throwing to. Well, that all changed with a blockbuster trade two weeks ago and now Amari Cooper is on this roster and ready to make a difference but honestly, I’m not sure he’s the answer. The problem that I’ve seen with the Cowboys on offense is the play calling and the coaching quite frankly because Dak has regressed and is making some silly throws. So, don’t be shocked if Cooper doesn’t catch a lot of balls on Monday Night Football, because I truly think the real answer to this team’s problems would be a coaching change on offense, but who knows? I could be wrong and Cooper and Dak will light it up in prime time, but something tells me, that simply won’t be the case. 

​This game has my attention due to one reason and one reason alone, the quarterback quandary that Tampa Bay is currently dealing with right now. Because Jameis Winston has been just awful since his return from suspension and Ryan Fitzpatrick has shown flashes of brilliance at times, but remains inconsistent and well, I’m quite curious to see if Fitzmagic will play the entire game, or if Head Coach Dirk Koetter will turn to his number one overall pick if the beard struggles under center. Either way, the QB situation really is a mess for the Bucs, and they need someone to step up and lead this team and well, if Fitzy comes out and makes some big plays, then Tampa Bay is in business, but don’t be shocked if another change is made for this team at halftime, or if Carolina wins this one big by feasting upon quarterbacking mistakes…

At this point, the Rams have quite the target on their back, since they’re undefeated, and while they always find a way to win, teams have come close to ending the streak and this game fascinates me, simply due to the fact that the Rams are going up against what might be their toughest opponent to date. Because the Saints are red hot right now, and Drew Brees is able to dissect whatever a defense throws at him and well, there is a strong chance New Orleans can put an end to the Rams win streak if the Saints defense steps up and surprises Jared Goff. But never count L.A. out since they are fearless when facing diversity and honestly, I haven’t clue who will this game since they are both outstanding. So, if anything, it’s the fans that win here since they are going to be treated to one incredible matchup, one that may in fact, be a preview of the NFC Championship Game. 

​Make no mistake about it, the Packers are staring down the end of their season and they cannot be happy about that, and all of the chatter surrounding the belief that they’re throwing in the towel on 2018 by trading away players right at the deadline. Which means, they need to come out in this game and play with one heck of a chip on their shoulder because what better way to prove you’re not done fighting than by taking on the New England Patriots and beating them in their own house? But while it sounds like an incredible David and Goliath story is brewing here, the Packers have to play as one if they want to win and if that defense begins to falter as it has all season long, then the season really is at its end for the Packers and I hate to say it, but I think the Patriots will help make that happen since they are on quite the hot streak right now.