There are few weeks in the NFL as magical as Thanksgiving week. Because there really is something special about being able to gather around the tube to watch football before and after enjoying a magnificent meal, and it really is just a wonderful American tradition when all is said and done. But despite the fact that we will enjoy the wonder of watching our favorite sport while the turkey slowly puts us to sleep, there are still important matchups to be had during this week’s slate of games, the kind that will decide playoff fortunes or end a season. So, with that in mind, let’s not waste any more time today and dive right into all the top storylines and incredible games that await us in Week 13 in the NFL.
 
Can the Dallas Cowboys regain their footing against Buffalo this weekend?
Make no mistake about it, the Dallas Cowboys are in desperation mode. For their season has been mired with heartbreaking losses and now their head coach is on the hot seat since owner Jerry Jones made it clear he’s not happy in the slightest. But with everything on the line, can the Cowboys step it up and beat the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving Day? I think the answer is no. Because Dallas is just awful right now, and they cannot execute in the slightest, and well… Buffalo is just a better team. For their young quarterback is playing far better than Prescott and their D is stout. So, expect ‘Dem Boyz’ to extend their losing streak to two.
 
Will Dwayne Haskins lead the Redskins to another victory?
You always love to see a young and dynamic quarterback do wonders under center and that’s why Dwayne Haskins’ win over Detroit was so wonderful to watch because he truly handled the offense in masterful fashion. But the big question looming over this week’s game is whether or not he can do that again and honestly, I think he can. Because we learned in the New Orleans game this week that if you are physical with the Carolina defense, you can wear them down and strike when it matters most. Which is why I expect to see Haskins and the offense work within the framework of a run heavy, short pass style of play, in order to shut the Panthers down and give the team the win, and give #7 the chance to snap a selfie with another lucky fan.
 
Will Tom Brady play better against the Texans?
We can celebrate New England’s 10-1 record all we want, but let’s be honest, it’s a team effort that’s brought them to this point. Because something is up with their star quarterback, and it is now cause for concern, especially when one looks at Brady’s stat line from Sunday’s game against Dallas. I mean come on, when is the last time you can recall Tom Brady only completing 46% of his passes and throwing for a single touchdown? And bad weather be damned as an excuse, because we’ve seen him play far better than that in rain and snow. Which brings us to the big question of the week, in that, will he play better against the Texans and the answer to that question is… maybe. Because if the Texans are physical with both Brady and his receivers he may falter again and if we see another poor performance from him akin to Sunday’s, then the discussion needs to begin as to whether or not #12 is in decline.
 
Bonus Question: will the Bengals finally win their first game of 2019 this weekend?
No. 

Well if there was a game that needed to be coined as the Game of the Week, this is it. Because two of the best teams in the NFL take the field in this one and I fully expect this one to be one hell of a match up. Because the 49ers are playing with an incredible chip on their shoulders right now and they bring a powerful defense and dynamic offense to the table and they are about to face their toughest challenge to date. For the Ravens are playing incredible football right now, with a defense that is equally as fearsome, and they feature an offense that no one can figure out. So, if San Fran finds a way to stall the RPO that Baltimore runs, then they’ll come out the victors in this game. But if Lamar Jackson can figure out how to carve up and confuse that Niners D, expect the Ravens to get a big dub at home.

If you would have told me a few weeks ago that the Tennessee Titans would be in the playoff hunt late in the season, I would have chuckled heartily. But something special is happening in the music city, and their sudden surge comes courtesy of a brilliant quarterbacking change. Because Ryan Tannehill has sparked this offense like never before and it’s kept them in the hunt, but they do have a tough challenge ahead of them when they take on Indy. For the Colts are a scrappy squad, one that fights for every single yard, and they never give up during a game, which means I expect this particular game to be a knock down drag it out affair that will quite frankly come down to mistakes. So whichever team plays a button up game is the one that secures the victory and keeps their playoffs hopes alive. 

​The NFC really is the hottest conference in football, since so many teams in this conference are playing incredible football right now, to the point where the playoff picture is muddled at best. But Monday Night Football may help to clear up that picture since two juggernauts will duke it out for a shot at a high tier seed, and this one, might be an instant classic. Because both of these teams play with determination and neither of them are willing to back down in the slightest, which means this game could go one of two ways. It could in fact, be quite the defensive struggle, where both Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson fight for every last yard. Or… this one could turn out to be a good old-fashioned shootout as these two squads do their best to get a critical win. Either way, the fans are the real winner in this one, because this game is going to be an absolute treat. 

​It was truly wonderful to settle in and enjoy some football games that weren’t mired in embarrassing moments and great debates, but that doesn’t mean the weekend was without controversy. For once again, there are questions about officiating hanging over some of the games and once more, we have to worry about the quality of the primetime matchups since two of the three were blowouts. Yet while those stories are big enough in their own right, there are still plenty more tales from the field to discuss today. So, let’s dive right in and recap what we learned from Week 12 in the NFL.
 
The New Orleans Saints are a tough team through and through.
Make no mistake about it, the Panthers/Saints game was an instant classic thanks to the incredible Moxy that Carolina displayed in this matchup. For Kyle Allen responded well to his embarrassing outing against the Falcons with a determined performance for the ages. But try as he might to will his team to a win, trying to one up and outwit Drew Brees and his boys is quite the monumental task. Because this team has seen it all and done it all, and they’re fearless when they take the field and watch carefully for the right opportunity to drop into their laps and that’s precisely what they did in this game and it paid off in spades. Because they got the win and they’re still in the hunt for a cushy playoff spot and really the lesson here, is to never count the Saints out because they’re as tough as they come and they’ll give as good as they get.
 
The Denver Broncos need to turn to rookie Drew Lock at quarterback.
There is no positive way to spin Brandon Allen’s performance against Buffalo on Sunday. He simply could not read the defense, nor could he throw the ball properly and well, that kind of terrible performance lets a fan base and a coaching staff know, that this is simply not the guy to lead your offense. So, with Denver’s season crumbling and really little to play for in 2019, it’s high time the Broncos activate Drew Lock from Injured Reserve and let him take a few on the field lessons. Because the team really does need to see what they have in this kid so they can figure out who to draft in 2020 and now seems as good a time as any to let him start and take his lumps and who knows… the kid might catch on quick and give Broncos Country a little hope for tomorrow.
 
The Dallas Cowboys blew a golden opportunity.
There have been a lot of question marks surrounding the Cowboys this year because no one can tell if this team is any good or not, and they had a golden opportunity to silence the doubters and the haters by coming into Foxboro and smacking the New England Patriots around. But instead, ‘Dem Boyz’ did what they do best and folded under pressure, and well, the end result was downright embarrassing to say the least. But what makes this truly painful for football fans in general, is that the Cowboys could have beat the Pats no problem at all. For Brady looked awful in this game and the defense did do a solid job of slowing him down. But instead, they went the safe route and didn’t execute and they proved to the football world that they are not a very good team at all and hopefully some big changes come to this squad in the offseason because it’s clear they need a fresh start in a lot of places.
​
The San Francisco 49ers are the team to beat in the NFC.
Speaking of teams that needed to make a statement, the Niners definitely silenced their doubters on Sunday night. Because for a couple of weeks now, people have been curious as to whether or not other teams have figured San Francisco out, since they’ve endured a defeat and seen teams score upon that vaunted defense. But rather than let that talk persist, they came out and stunned the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium, with a decisive blowout win. Which means at this point, it’s obvious now that they are genuinely the team to beat in the NFC, because they continue to find ways to pull out a victory and win big in games that matter, which means the road to Super Bowl LIV will likely have to go through the city by the bay. Unless of course, the Seahawks find a way to stun them once again…
 
Can anybody slow down the Ravens RPO offense?
Usually this time of year, teams have plenty of film to watch on their opponent and can start to figure out how to beat teams and players that seem unstoppable. But apparently Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens offense are going to be the exception to that rule this year. Because no one can figure out the RPO offense this team brings to the table every single week and the simple things they’re doing are leaving teams in awe and for proof, look no further than Monday Night Football. Because the Rams D, one led by a defensive mastermind in Wade Philips, collapsed under the attack that Lamar Jackson sent their way and at this point, I simply don’t know how you stop it. For the best defenses in this league have been shredded by it and really, the first team to figure it out will be the heroes of the day, but at this point in the season, I’m not sure anyone can pull off that particular feat. 

I think the old saying, that there is nowhere to go but up, is quite applicable for Week 12 in the NFL. Because despite featuring some exciting games, Week 11 was an embarrassment, all thanks to that nightmarish Thursday night game featuring the Browns and the Steelers. But that is now thankfully behind us and we can get back to the playoff race and some passionate football from teams that are still on the bubble. Which means there are plenty of fascinating storylines waiting for us this weekend, so let’s dive right in and discuss every last one of them and take a look at the games that we should all be paying attention to.
 
Will the Texans be able to rebound from their shocking loss to Baltimore?
Make no mistake about it, there is no one in Houston that is happy with how that quarterbacking ‘duel’ went last week against the Ravens. Which means the Texans are itching to avenge that loss and they would love to stick it to the Colts to make that happen. But there’s just one problem when it comes to that; Indianapolis is no slouch. In fact, this is team filled to the brim with scrappy warriors who welcome a big-time challenge. So, expect the Colts to give the Texans an outright run for their money and in all honesty, if Houston starts to make mistakes or back down when Indy punches them in the mouth, expect them to lose another critical game in the AFC playoff race.
 
Can the Atlanta Falcons make it three in a row?
Slowly but surely, the Falcons are starting to climb out of the utter mess that is their season, by way of some big wins and I’m sure they’re expecting to snag their third win in a row when they take the field on Sunday against the Bucs. But the question looming over this game is whether or not they can pull off another impressive victory and honestly, I think they can. Because Tampa Bay is a terrible team, one that features a sub-par quarterback at the helm. So, if the Atlanta defense can force Winston to make some foolish mistakes, and the offense can do what it’s been doing for the past two weeks, they’ve got a solid shot at sealing up another important win.
 
We are going to learn a lot about QB Kyle Allen this weekend.
I think it is safe to say that overcoming adversity is in essence, the mantra of the NFL. For every play and every down feature challenges for players to face. But how our favorite players respond to incredible tests, is what truly garners our attention in this sport and Carolina Panthers QB Kyle Allen has quite the task ahead of him in New Orleans this weekend. For he is coming off of an embarrassing 4 interception performance and how he handles his game this week will tell everyone plenty about his mental fortitude. Because if he comes out and plays without an ounce of regret or hesitation, we’ll know he’s got the chops to play QB in this league. But if he falters again and is hesitant to make certain throws, that will let everyone know he can be rattled when the pressure is on and that he hangs onto his mistakes, and it should be interesting to see where Allen’s head is at, come Sunday. 

This particular game has my attention simply because there’s an air of desperation surrounding it. Which sounds weird with both teams enjoying a winning record. But doubt surrounds the Dallas Cowboys since fans aren’t quite sure they’re as elite as they might like to think and beating a team as elite as the Patriots would go far in proving that they are in fact, a top tier football team. As for the Patriots, well recently their own QB said they can be better at this point in time, which is scary when one considers the fact, they’re a dominant 9-1. Which means they too will be bringing their A game in this particular matchup and having two hungry teams take the field should make this one worth everyone’s while. As for who wins this game however, my guess is it will be the Patriots. Because they really are the better team.

​After weeks of up and down prime time matchups, the playoff race is finally delivering unto us some epic games when the sun goes down and this one should reinforce that fact. Because two of the top teams in the NFC take the field in this one and they both feature scrappy squads that will fight for every yard and every point. But what truly has me excited to watch this one, is the sheer fact that the 49ers have a giant target on their back after their loss to Seattle a few weeks back, and every team that faces them is going the extra mile to try and beat them. Which means I expect this game to be a good old-fashioned brawl, the kind that features big time plays and stunning moments. But the big question on everyone’s mind is who is going to win this one, and I honestly think the Niners will come out on top once again, because they just don’t quit, and I don’t see that changing in this game. 

​Speaking of another potentially epic prime time matchup, you can’t go wrong with a game that features the defending NFC Champion and an AFC playoff hopeful. For the Rams are working hard to collect as many wins as possible in order to defend their title, and while they haven’t been as dominant as they were in 2018, that hasn’t stopped them from playing solid defense and trying new things on offense. But they’re going to have their hands full on Monday night. Because the Baltimore Ravens are fearless right now when they play their game and QB Lamar Jackson is finding every single weakness in the defenses he faces. Which means, I think the Ravens are going to collect another win in this game, because they’re  a dynamic team that shocks whomever they face and I fully expect them to put up a lot of points against a Rams defense that simply isn’t ready for what Baltimore brings to the table. 

​I think the only word that comes to mind in regard to Week 11 in the NFL is, wow. Because this past weekend’s slate of games were stunning to say the least, since we saw more incredible wins and a shocking moment that still has the entire football world talking. So, it’s really best that I waste no time today on this little opening vignette about the week in question. Because we have so much to discuss, so let’s dive right in and chat about everything we learned from this wild week in the NFL.
 
The NFL went soft on the Browns.
On several occasions now, I’ve made mention of the fact that the Browns have been pushing the envelope when it comes to their aggressive style of play and that finally blew up in their faces on Thursday night. But I don’t want to re-hash what everyone has had to say about that ugly incident on the field because that’s been done ad nauseum. Instead, my concern days after this matter is that I personally feel the league was super soft on the Browns as a whole. I mean an indefinite suspension for Garrett is a good start. But the two players who used their helmets as weapons weren’t suspended and neither was Head Coach Freddie Kitchens and they quite frankly should have been. Because the league needs to make an example out of this mess to reinforce their commitment to player safety and letting Kitchens watch from home would also have made it clear that coaches are just as critical in keeping the game safe. If anything, the league only got this one, half right, and that’s disappointing.  
 
The Minnesota Vikings are a tough and resilient team.
Make no mistake about it, I fully expected this segment of this column to be about how the Broncos upset the Vikings in stunning fashion and how that made this team not as good as advertised. But a funny thing happened in the second half of this game, since the Vikings made major adjustments and exploited every opportunity that came their way and well, that’s the kind of sterner stuff that makes great teams successful and Minnesota is great. Because they are tough and resilient and patient when they take on an opponent and the entire football world needs to take them seriously from here on out. Because they are playing for keeps and they will strike without warning and I cannot wait to see what other miracles they pull off down the stretch.
 
Lamar Jackson is quickly becoming an elite quarterback.
I have to admit that I had little faith in Lamar Jackson late last year. I thought his mechanics were garbage and that all he knew how to do was run. But he’s proven me and so many others wrong time and time again this year and Sunday’s game only helped to reinforce the fact that he is quickly becoming an elite quarterback. I mean come on, the guy completed 71% of his passes against the Texans on Sunday and threw for four touchdown passes, alongside running for 86 yards that is just madness. Because he can beat you with his legs or his arms and his stunning play turned what should have been a shootout into a blowout, and really he could not have picked a better time to get hot because he is going to make the playoff race interesting and fun to watch and I expect big things out of this kid when the postseason gets underway.
The Bengals could potentially go 0-16.
As the old saying goes, and I paraphrase, on any given Sunday, you either win or lose. Unless you’re the Cincinnati Bengals, then you lose ten times in a row and at this point in time, we need to discuss and prepare for the possibility that the Bengals might be headed toward a winless season. Because even when they put up a fight, their mental mistakes and poor coaching puts them in a situation to hand over a game and honestly, I don’t have a lot of faith in this team to win anything this year. Because they haven’t addressed a single problem plaguing them this season and I don’t think they plan to. So, don’t be shocked if this team becomes the third in modern history to go 0-16. Nor should you should be surprised if they decide to clean house coaching wise for the second year in a row, when the season comes to a close.
 
The Atlanta Falcons have suddenly come alive.
Speaking of bad teams, we need to take a minute and talk about the Falcons and how they are the anthesis to what the Bengals are doing. Because this team has seen some serious misfortunes in 2019, the kind that saw them dealing with a 1-7 record before their bye week. But clearly Head Coach Dan Quinn wasn’t comfortable with just letting the season slip away and after making some coaching and game plan adjustments during said bye, the Falcons have suddenly come to life, beating two division rivals in epic fashion. And this last win against the Panthers was the quite the explanation point since they made Kyle Allen look like a rookie. But while it is nice to see a bad team adjust on the fly and show their desire to win, they’re still a bad football team and at this point all this wins are going to do is save some jobs and instill hope for 2020, and by no means is that a bad thing. 

​My how time flies. Because just like that, we have arrived at Week 11 in the NFL, meaning that the playoffs are quite literally right around the corner and the journey will soon come to an end for twenty teams and glory awaits those in the postseason and well, while this seems like a time to reflect and be wistful of every moment we’ve enjoyed, there is still a lot of football to play. For the teams in dire straits can still play the spoiler and wow their fans, and there are still squads on the bubble that are hoping to hit a hot streak, and of course, the elite want to solidify their standards. Which means we are in for another weekend of incredible games and well, it’s best we dive right in and examine the top stories from the field and which games should wow us as Week 11 gets underway.
 
Can the Dolphins make it three in a row?
Miami has suddenly come to life in the past couple of weeks by way of some impressive wins and well, one has to wonder, can these guys do it again and extend their winning string to three? The answer is… maybe. Simply because, while they did give Buffalo quite the challenge in their last meeting, Buffalo has gotten far better at how they play their game. Which means that while this game is likely going to be an AFC West brawl, the Bills really are the better team through and through and I fully expect them to win this game. But I also expected Miami to lose last week, and they proved me wrong there, so I won’t be shocked if this time around, they finish the job and stun the Bills.
 
How will the 49ers respond now that their perfect season has come to an end?
Make no mistake about it, the Niners loss on Monday night was a stunner to say the least, the kind that can rattle a team beyond belief. Which leaves all of us wondering exactly how this team is going to respond to said loss when they take the field against the Cardinals this week and honestly, I think San Francisco’s misfortune on Monday is going to be bad news for Arizona. Because this team has good leadership across the board, and they cannot be happy about said loss. Which means I expect them to outright whup up on the Cardinals and get their groove back. So, don’t be shocked if San Fran drops an unholy amount of touchdowns on Arizona as they work to make Monday Night Football’s stunner a distant memory.
 
Will the Chiefs rebound from their surprise loss to the Titans?
I know I’m not alone in saying that I fully expected Tennessee to lose to the Chiefs last week. But they didn’t. They figured Kansas City’s defense out real quick and exploited their weaknesses and the Titan defense shut down the powerhouse KC offense with little effort. And at this point I think we are all wondering if the Chiefs will be able to rebound from a loss like that because they are so rarely punched in the mouth in this fashion and honestly, I don’t know. Because that defense has been a liability before and will be again and now there’s film out there on how to beat Mahomes. And to make matters worse, KC is facing off against a divisional rival this week in Los Angeles and the Chargers are hungry to prove to the football world that they’re better than their record reflects. So, really, a rebound in this instance is up to the entire team and if they can’t get their act together and don’t take the Chargers seriously, expect this team to go 6-5. 

One of the big benefits of this time of year is that we start to see more powerhouse/juggernaut teams face off against one another in order to help sort out playoff seeding and that’s precisely what this game entails. Because both of these squads are looking to compete with New England and work toward that all-important first round bye. Which means I expect this game to be quite the contest, one where offense rules the day since these two dynamic quarterbacks will take to the skies to lock up that victory. As to which team pulls that off, well I’d venture to say that the first one who shores up their defense enjoys the win and I’m guessing that’s going to be Baltimore. Because they’re a damn good football team that knows how to adjust in order to win. 

Normally New England going up against a 5-4 team isn’t worth discussing, but this game is different and special. Because the Pats are licking their wounds after a stunning loss to Baltimore, and they’re hungry to get back on track with a win. But they’re also facing a scrappy Philadelphia team, one that doesn’t fear Tom Brady in the slightest since they beat him in a Super Bowl not that long ago, and they’re chomping at the bit to help New England drop to 8-2. So, expect this matchup to be quite the brawl, as for the winner of this one, well that’s all in Philadelphia’s hands. Because if the Eagles are able to disguise their defense and their blitz packages, they should be able to confuse #12 and get to him, and if they pull that off, they land the upset. But if they keep it soft, the Pats are back on track and one step closer to home field advantage in the playoffs. 

​I know what you’re thinking. Why on earth would I want to highlight two mediocre teams on Sunday night? And the answer to that question is simple, because both of these teams have a lot to prove, and that often leads to a great primetime game. The Chicago offense for instance, has to prove to their fans and the football world that it is indeed dynamic and tough, and the Rams are just looking to show everyone that their Super Bowl LIII appearance was more than a mere fluke. Which means I’m expecting this game to be far better than it appears on paper, complete with aggressive offensive play as both teams work to accomplish their goals. And as for who is going to win this one, well that’s going to come down to which offense gets in gear and I have a funny feeling that Los Angeles is the one that will put it all together and lock up an important win. 

​It is always a wonderful thing when something that you hope for comes to fruition and Week 10 in the NFL gave me that particular gift. Because I wanted nothing more than to enjoy some epic football games this past weekend and boy did I ever. For there were some knockdown, drag it out fights that thrilled fans everywhere and there were plenty of surprises to be found as well when teams took the field. Which means that powerful storylines came to pass as did some important lessons about some of the teams fighting for their playoff lives and without further ado, let’s dive right into the top storylines from this weekend’s slate of games and discuss what lessons they provided us with.
 
Everything in Miami is starting to come together.
I have been, notoriously hard on Head Coach Brian Flores. Because up until the past couple of weeks, his team has been incompetent on the field in embarrassing fashion, leaving one to wonder if he is the right guy for the job. Granted that still has yet to be seen, but there is hope in Miami at last. Because they’ve now put together two big wins in a row, and suddenly the offense looks functional on the field and the defense is starting to play with passion and ferocity and that means that finally, the players are buying into what Coach Flores is selling and the future might not be mired in constant losses and heartbreak. Granted, the rest of 2019 will likely be a disappointment for this squad either way. But it is nice to know that the plan is coming together and that this storied franchise is slowly getting back on track.
 
Adam Vinatieri needs to call it a career.
Make no mistake about it, watching a great player walk away from the game is always tough for fans and the player as well. Because that means an incredible journey filled with wonder has come to an end and no one likes to say goodbye to superstars in this league. But you know what’s worse than bidding farewell to a legend? Watching their skill set slip into oblivion because their body has finally had enough and seeing the player in question refuse to step away because they still believe they can play and sadly, that’s what happening with Adam Vinatieri right now. His leg is simply done, and neither he nor his coaching staff will accept that, which is leading to some embarrassing misses that are costing the Colts games. Which means, it is time for #4 to say goodbye and enjoy the accolades that he will receive in retirement because the man is hurting his legacy by staying on well past his prime.
 
The Tennessee Titans are turning out to be quite the pleasant surprise.
My expectations for Sunday’s Titans/Chiefs matchup were simple in that; Tennessee was going to lose that game. Because they were facing Patrick Freakin’ Mahomes and a resurgent Chiefs defense and that should spell doom for any team. But something special is happening in Nashville, they’re starting to believe that they can be more as a team and accomplish wonders and that led to a stunning upset of the Chiefs. In fact, I have to admit that I was quite impressed with Ryan Tannehill’s play under center and the ferocity of that Titan defense and they have quickly become a great surprise in the 2019 NFL season and at this point, the sky is the limit. Because it is clear that when this team buckles down and plays some fundamental football, they can do anything, so don’t be surprised if they stun another team down the line.
 
It might be time for Cincinnati to consider making a head coaching change.
I’m all about continuity and giving new coaches every single chance to succeed, but sometimes owners make a bad hire in the NFL and I think Paul Brown did that by elevating Zac Taylor to head coach. Because this team has taken a step back in every single phase of the game since Zac took over. Their defense is weak, the offense is anemic, and a quarterbacking change did little to inspire hope during their blowout loss to the Ravens. So perhaps it is time for Cincy to just cut their losses and move on, because there is nothing wrong with admitting that a mistake was made in this instance and that starting over would be far more beneficial because Coach Taylor is in over his head and I don’t see him getting above water anytime soon.
 
The Seahawks pulled off an incredible upset on Monday night.
It really seemed as though that no one was going to be able to stop the San Francisco 49ers this season. For their powerhouse defense and dynamic offense had an answer for everything that teams threw their way. But the Seattle Seahawks finally figured out a way to defeat the juggernaut Niners and it would seem that the key to shutting them down, is to wear them out. Because Monday night’s matchup was one of the most physical games that I’ve seen in recent years, thanks to long and sustained drives and while it wasn’t a dominant victory on Seattle’s part, a win is a win, and this was a huge one for certain and don’t be surprised to see other teams use the blueprint the Seahawks put forth to try and change their fortunes, when they face the 49ers in the weeks to come. 

There really is a special feeling in the air when Week 10 in the NFL rolls around. Because this particular week signals the beginning of the playoff push since every single win helps a team’s standing for the postseason. Which means we are treated to some magnificent games at this time of year, as teams work to secure their spot in the playoffs, while some of less fortunate squads work to spoil their fortunes and prove to themselves that they do have what it takes to make a splash come next year. Either way, we are in for quite the treat this weekend since all of these games will feature fascinating storylines and breathtaking moments and with that in mind let’s take a moment and preview all the wonder that Week 10 is going to offer.
 
Can the Miami Dolphins pull together a second straight win?
It’s always a wonderful thing when a winless team finally claims their first victory. For the anguish of being a perennial loser is off of their backs, and the guys are motivated to go out and snag another win and I suppose the big question when it comes to the Miami Dolphins, is whether or not they can string together another win against the Colts this weekend. And sadly, I think the answer to that question, is probably not. They’re just not that good of a team and the Colts are far superior talent wise and even without Jacoby Brissett under center, they can still do wonders on offense. So, while it was nice to see Miami finally win one, I don’t see them putting together a streak anytime soon.
 
Will the Cleveland Browns finally focus on football this weekend?
The more I look at the 2019 Browns, the more they befuddle me. Because this is a team loaded with big name talent and week in and week out, they look like a group of bumbling rookies, and to make matters worse they’re undisciplined and doing weird things on the field. I mean come on, two of their guys had to change cleats at halftime in Denver last week, and Baker Mayfield was more concerned with facial hair grooming than making plays and well, it’s obvious at this point that this team is just not focused on football. Which explains a lot as to why they continue to lose, and well, I think we’re all wondering at this point, as to whether or not this team can maybe focus on football this week and get some better results in doing so and honestly, I’m not sure they can. Because it’s clear that head coach Freddie Kitchens is letting this team do whatever the hell it wants and until he puts his foot down and acts like the boss, expect more stupid shenanigans to take place and for the losses to pile up.
 
Will a loss this weekend put Head Coach Adam Gase on the hot seat?
There was a prevailing line of thought in the offseason, in that, Adam Gase got a bit of a raw deal when he was the head coach in Miami. Because he never quite received the top-tier offensive talent he needed with the Dolphins and the organizational changes made to the franchise didn’t do him any favors either. Which is why the Jets brought him on post-haste, because he had the chance to revitalize this ailing franchise and he had the tools and the talent to make that happen. But let’s be honest, Gase’s time in New York has been an unmitigated disaster, and the talent he was supposed to improve is taking a step back. So, does this mean that if the Jets lose to the Giants on Sunday, that Mister Gase will find himself on the hot seat once again? Honestly, I think so. Because after that miracle 10-6 season, his teams just keep trending down and this not what the executive brass wanted from a guy who is supposed to be a dynamic head coach. So, here’s to hoping that Adam is fully aware of the pressure surrounding his situation and he uses it to respond positively by coaching up his team. Because if they take another step back, ownership might be thinking about another new regime in 2020.

Truth be told, if Cam Newton was still under center for Carolina, this game wouldn’t be worth anyone’s time, since Cam was playing so badly. But with Kyle Allen at the helm, this game just became quite interesting since the Panthers are playing some phenomenal football as of late, and their balanced pass/run attack should give the Green Bay defense fits when they take the field on Sunday. But while it will be a blast to see Christian McCaffrey and his QB do their thing, one cannot forget about the Green Bay offense since Aaron Rodgers is no slouch and he’s been lighting up the league this year with his quality play, and he will likely make life difficult for the Panthers D. Which means I expect this one to be a high scoring affair, one that Green Bay will win since they are quite frankly, the better team. 

It’s been quite the back and forth year for the Dallas Cowboys. For they started out the season on quite the hot streak, one that had everyone wondering if they had finally put it all together. But a few tough teams brought ‘Dem Boys’ right back down to earth and while they’ve done their best to try and appear as though they are an elite football team, their biggest test awaits them on Sunday night. For the Vikings are a juggernaut on all sides of the ball right now, and they’re filled with confidence and they are going to make life difficult for the Cowboys in this game. Which means Zeke and Dak need to bring their A game if they want to enjoy a big victory over a quality opponent and if they stick to fundamentals and execution, they can lock up the win. But if the Cowboys that thrive on hype take the field on Sunday, expect Minnesota to enjoy a blowout victory.

​If there is a particular game this weekend that I have to say is an absolute must watch, this is it. Because both of the teams featured in this matchup are about as elite as they come and the quality play from both of these teams might make for an instant classic. For they both feature elite quarterbacks, the kind that feast upon weaknesses in defenses, and ironically enough, they both boast amazing defenders as well; the kind that make quarterbacks regret taking the field. So, when you have two teams that are this evenly matched, who on earth do you call to win it? The one that minimizes their mistakes and the one that generates turnovers, and if I had to guess, I’m betting the 49ers will pull off that particular feat. Because they are hungry to keep their incredible win streak alive and they’ll stop at nothing to maintain their status as the only undefeated team in the league. 

I love how the NFL always finds new ways to surprise me, since Week 9 in the NFL only kinda, sorta went by the book. For some of the powerhouse teams out there found themselves stunned and surprised by teams they were supposed to beat, while those that were left for dead found new life. Which means that once again, this weekend’s slate of games taught us some incredible lessons about our favorite franchises and with so many incredible stories still hanging over the weekend, it’s best we dive right in and discuss exactly what we learned from another magnificent week of football.
 
The Miami Dolphins finally won a game.
You can call it an early Christmas miracle, or just the law of attrition, but at long last, the Miami Dolphins finally won a game in impressive fashion. For they outright dominated the New York Jets on Sunday and it was nice to see this team finally jell together and make the seemingly impossible, possible. But while it is nice to celebrate the fact that they won’t be going 0-16 this season, make no mistake about it, the Dolphins have a long way to go before they can remotely call themselves elite. But for now, they can celebrate this magnificent win and hopefully build upon this victory as their massive rebuild continues along.
 
The Jets and the Bears need to be concerned about their quarterbacks.
While it’s usually not fair to call young players busts until about their third or fourth year in the NFL, I think it is safe to assume that word is in the back of our minds when it comes to Sam Darnold and Mitch Trubisky. Because both of these young QBs were supposed to be the saviors of their respective franchises, yet they’re regressing when it comes to their play right now and that’s scary. Because Chicago gave up the farm for #10 and the Jets are building a team around a kid who makes some dumb decisions and you have to imagine that executive leadership is concerned about their prized franchise quarterbacks right now. Because they have to do better, and both of these teams need to invest in whatever it takes to get them back on track, otherwise they’ll be looking at starting over fresh at this position for the umpteenth time.
 
Let’s talk about the Denver Broncos offense.
Make no mistake about it, the Denver Broncos did some amazing things on offense for a change, which is quite the welcome surprise. Because this offense has underwhelmed all season long, so it was nice to see them succeed, especially when one considers that Sunday’s performance offers up some explanation as to why it hasn’t been all that successful to begin with. For this proves that Offensive Coordinator Rich Scangarello needs to be aggressive in his play calling from here on out since a little push went a long way and it also proves that the coaches need to be quicker when it comes to tweaking the offense, personnel wise. Because clearly a change at QB did wonders for this squad and if someone isn’t getting the job done, they need to bench them immediately, rather than wait for an injury. But either way, it’s nice to see the Broncos O back in action and here’s to hoping they keep up this level of play in the weeks to come.
 
The Ravens did the impossible on Sunday Night.
For weeks now, it seemed as though the New England Patriots were on a collision course with another 16-0 season. Because this team has been unstoppable on offense and defense, but the Ravens changed that this week by handing New England their first loss of the season. And they were nice enough to remind everyone that the key to stopping #12 is to play aggressive man-to-man coverage and blitz heavy as well. But what matters more, is that Baltimore gave the league a solid blueprint on how to beat this vaunted defense, since a disguised RPO confused this defense like never before. So, expect to see teams using disguises and misdirection on both sides of the ball against the Pats in the weeks to come.
 
The Cleveland Browns did the right thing in releasing Jermaine Whitehead.
While I fully understand the fact that people make mistakes and sometimes say tough things in the heat of the moment, there’s never a good reason to threaten someone’s life when you’re having an argument. It’s just dumb and immature and it was stunning to see Jermaine Whitehead do just that on Twitter following Cleveland’s loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday. I won’t try to figure out what motivated him to go that far, so instead, I’ll just take a moment to praise the Browns for letting him go. Because this was just unacceptable behavior, plain and simple, and while Cleveland has other discipline problems to worry about, at least they know which lines should not be crossed. So, good on them for cutting him loose and hopefully Mister Whitehead learned a valuable lesson, because he may never play another down in the NFL.