Hello again, football fans and welcome back to another edition of the NFL Roundup. One that is going to spotlight a sense of normalcy in the NFL. Because at long last, a playoff picture is coming into shape, elite teams are starting to emerge and of course, some coaches are finally making it clear that earlier success this year was nothing more than a fluke and they deserve to be on the hot seat. So, without further ado, let’s look back at the NFL’s most normal week to date (which is saying something with Covid running rampant again) and all the stories it sent our way.
 
Congratulations are in order for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite having one heck of a scary start to the year, thanks to their suspect secondary, the Kansas City Chiefs shored up their swiss cheese pass defense and figured out how to get their offense rolling again and for their efforts… they’re AFC West Division Champions… for the sixth year in a row and well, congratulations are in order. Simply because that’s not an easy feat and the Chiefs had to earn it the hard way and now, they get another shot at the postseason and the Lombardi Trophy, and it will be interesting to see how far they will go in the playoffs in a season where the unexpected is the outright norm.
 
The Denver Broncos MUST make some coaching changes in the offseason.
There really is a sense now, that Denver Broncos Head Coach Vic Fangio is going to stick around another year, and there is logic behind that belief. After all, ownership is in flux and the defense in Denver has performed quite well. But while that will likely be enough to give Vic another shot in Denver… the fact of the matter is, the team badly needs to make some coaching changes in the offseason, period. Because Special Teams Coordinator Tom McMahon is in over his head and Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur is doing a terrible job making use of the incredible tools at his offense’s disposal. So, hopefully General Manager George Paton can help Vic find a better ST and O Coordinator in the offseason… or Fangio might not make it to midseason with a new and eager owner in place.
 
The NFC Playoff Picture is finally coming into focus.
It took a lot longer than usual, but at last… we finally have an idea of what the NFC Playoff Picture is going to look like. Because Dallas, the Rams, Tampa Bay and Arizona finally clinched spots in the tournament this past weekend, leaving two more Wild Card slots to be decided in the final two weeks and thank heavens this finally happened. Because it was simply exhausting seeing good teams keep giving lesser teams a shot at the postseason and hopefully this long and drawn-out process will serve as a lesson to the top five teams… to stop taking their opponents for granted and to give it their all or the NFC Playoffs will be just as wild as the regular season.
 
The Miami Dolphins have turned their season around.
It wasn’t that long ago, that it appeared as though Miami was a team in crisis. After all, they were riding a losing streak, the front office was talking about executing a trade to be rid of Tua Tagovailoa, a man they selected at #5 in the 2020 draft. But something happened shortly after the trade deadline. In that, this team, seemingly woke up and started working on their fundamentals and the next play ahead of them and wouldn’t you know it? This renewed focus paid off in spades. Because they have just won seven games in a row and are close to locking up a playoff spot and that’s just incredible. Because this team was all but forgotten a few weeks ago and it just speaks to the power of execution and moxie, and it will be interesting to see how far this team will go if they make it to the postseason.
 
Expect the Saints to be aggressive players in this offseason’s quarterback carousel.
These days, the offseason is quite the wild place for quarterbacks, since this is when so many of them get shuffled around the league and 2022 will likely be no different and it will undoubtedly feature an aggressive new player in the mix via New Orleans. Because every QB they made use of this year has either dealt with excessive injuries or just plain stinks and that is likely going to cost them a seat at the table in the postseason. Which is why it makes sense that they will chase any and all quality free agents at QB or be involved in trade discussions. Because this team understands the importance of quality quarterback play and that without it… it will be a long time before they play in another Super Bowl.  

Hello again, football fans and welcome back to another edition of the NFL Roundup. One that is going to be a little different format wise today. Because this week, we’re going to condense our preview of Week 16 with a quick recap of Week 15, something necessitated by the up and down nature of last week’s wild schedule. So, with that in mind, let’s not waste any time and get down to looking at the week that was… and the week ahead.

The Arizona Cardinals are falling apart at the seams.
Last week, this writer declared the Cardinals to be a resilient team that knew how to stand tall against adversity. Well, it turns out I was wrong about that. Because they lost… to the Lions. The Lions. The WORST team in football, and what is more painful about this, they were blown out by Detroit. Which speaks to a team that is starting to let the pressure seep in and rattle their minds and if they cannot get their heads straight and get back to their fundamentals soon… this storybook season will come to a quick and embarrassing end.
 
The NFC Playoff Picture is now as messy as the AFC’s.
For a brief moment there, it seemed as though the NFC playoff picture was going to be crystal clear heading into Week 16. But then… the Cardinals lost and so did Tampa Bay, shaking the whole thing up and leaving all of us to wonder who might dominate the conference. Which it appears might be Green Bay, provided of course the bizarro nature of the NFL doesn’t find them either. But while it is wild to see so many good teams delay clinching a berth because of their messy play, the plus side is that this might lead to some intense games in Week 16 as these reeling teams work toward clinching a spot in the coveted postseason.

Will Covid interrupt the schedule again?
Make no mistake about it, last week was a strange flashback for footballs fans. Since Covid once again, forced the schedule into disarray and put several starters out while they recovered and that does leave one to wonder… if the schedule is going to get shaken up again this week courtesy of Covid and there is a real possibility that might happen. Since a great deal of players are heading to the Covid Reserve list and it will be quite interesting to see if more Tuesday Night Football matchups await us, or if the league can get a handle on a fresh surge.
 
Who will lock up a playoff spot this weekend?
Normally, I don’t like talking about the same topic twice in a single piece but let’s be honest, the playoffs are looming large over this season. Because we are three weeks out, only one team is in, and the seeding is all over the place. But worrying about the seeding is me getting ahead of myself, so in this instance let's ponder upon who might get in. For there are a bevy of scenarios at play here and hopefully we do get some teams to lock up a spot, so the playoff picture can finally come into shape and if I had to guess… it will likely be Kansas City, the Rams, Tampa Bay and Dallas getting in. Since they’re facing off against some subpar opponents.

December really is a special time of year. For not only is the thrilling chill of winter upon us, but holiday cheer is in the air and there are always two teams preparing to beat the living tar out of one another in the NFL because a division title is on the line and well, we definitely get the latter in this game. Because the Ravens and the Bengals are 8-6 and the North is up for grabs and that means we should be treated to an epic matchup, one that will undoubtedly help shape the playoff picture for the AFC. As to who wins this one, who knows? Because both of these teams are all over the place in 2021.

​Speaking of divisional battles, here is another epic one of note. Because Buffalo is eager to snag back-to-back divisional titles for the first time in forever and New England wants it back after letting it slip away last year. Which means that this should be a hard fought, ugly game, one where the players leave everything on the field and that’s honestly how it should be. Because that’s what good AFC East football looks like. But while effort and desire do make for an engaging game, only one team can walk away the winner in this one and more than likely it will be the Pats, because they’re on a tear right now and jelling at the right time.

​This is another divisional game of note, for different reasons than the other two. More so because this is a huge game for the Denver Broncos. For the heat is on for Vic Fangio and his entire coaching staff and they have to prove to General Manager George Paton they’re the right guys for this job since George has made it clear he’s willing to make the tough calls to improve the team. Plus, this is also a big game for Drew Lock, since this might be his last chance to show the brass he could be the guy the team drafted him to be. So, keep an eye on this one, because this will inform us of whether or not the 2022 Denver Broncos will resemble this year’s team or if a complete rebuild is on the way.

​Hello again, football fans and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup, one that is full of concern. Because we might see pure chaos in the NFL this week. Because Covid has returned to the league with a vengeance and that might lead to some incredibly wild games, the kind that end in an upset. Plus, with five teams vying for a playoff spot in the AFC, that too could lead to some epic upsets in a year where that seems to be the norm. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and look at all the critical games and incredible storylines that are waiting for us in Week 15 in the NFL.
 
The Jacksonville Jaguars might win a game now that Urban Meyer is gone.
You don’t normally have a lot of hope that a 2-11 team is going to win a game this late in the season, but that hope has returned to the city of Jacksonville. For Urban Meyer was unceremoniously and rightly fired yesterday, freeing this team of his ego and his special brand of narcissism and that hope everyone is feeling in Jacksonville, is justified. Because now Meyer’s boring and conservative playbook can be tossed out and Trevor Lawrence can be turned loose against the Texans. So don’t be shocked if the Jags win and win big, because their biggest liability is gone forever.
 
The return of Covid might shake up the playoff landscape.
Truth be told, this reporter lost count of how many tweets and updates hit his phone regarding players that were put on the Covid 19/Reserve List this week, because there have just been so many and that’s going to make this weekend’s games quite interesting. Because there might be third string quarterbacks starting in Week 15 and teams that had their playoffs hopes riding on their upcoming Week 15 games, might see them dashed all because of the league’s relaxed standing on Covid Protocols. So, here’s to hoping this weekend doesn’t end up being a total disaster in regard to team suffering from major outbreaks, and let’s also hope… the NFL goes back to testing players on a daily basis on every team, so that outbreaks can be contained, quickly.
 
Will the Cardinals rebound from their tough loss last week?
I’ve said before and I’ll say it again, great teams overcome adversity and figure out how to put bad losses behind them and thus far, the Cardinals have done that to a tee and sadly, they have to attempt to do that once again, since their devastating loss against the Rams was a tough one to swallow and honestly, I think they’ll rebound nicely. Because they’re in Detroit to play the lowly Lions this week and that team is such a mess through and through in every phase of the game, that the Cardinals should easily put them away. An outcome that will remind them of the fact, that they are still one of the best teams in the NFL right now.

It’s been a long time since someone has genuinely challenged the Chiefs in the AFC West, and it would seem the Chargers are up to that task. For they have been balling all season long and tonight they have a shot to take down the kings of the AFC West, and this has the makings of an incredible game. Because it features two great quarterbacks, it is in prime time and there is a lot on the line. Since the Chiefs want their sixth straight division title and the Chargers want a shot at the postseason. So, this one could be a shootout and that’s not a bad thing by any means. Because AFC West games are at their best when the quarterbacks get hot and give it their all to lead their team to victory and honestly, I’m not sure who will win this one… since the Chiefs defense is suspect, and the Chargers sometimes struggle to close out games. But I can say, the fans win here, because this is gonna be a good one.

​You always have to love a game where everything is on the line and that’s precisely what we are going to get here. Because both the Broncos and the Bengals have endured an up and down year, one filled with epic wins and heartbreaking losses and uncertainty regarding the playoffs. But they can easily put all those problems to bed with a big win here since that would put a streak together for the Broncos and help the Bengals feel as though they’re on track again and most important of all, it would bring the winner closer to the playoffs. Which means this will be a hard-fought and fun game, one that I honestly think the Broncos will win. Because they’re starting to jell and understand what it means to win and that desire to finally emerge from the darkness should push them to put the Bengals away.

​Surprisingly, our interest in this game goes well beyond the fact that it is two great teams taking the field. No instead, what makes this game so fascinating, is the sheer fact that there is an air of desperation surrounding it. Because the Packers are coming off of an unexpected loss and the Ravens haven’t been playing good ball as of late and with so many teams nipping at the heels of the Packers and the Ravens for a playoff spot or better seeding, both teams know they have to bring their A game to the table here and I think they will. Because both squads have been to the playoffs often and understand the importance of getting in. But of course, only one team can win and if I had to call which one, I’d go with Green Bay. Just because they have the better squad all around.

Hello again, football fans and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup, one that is going to be filled to the brim with feels today. Because this was an emotional week in the NFL, courtesy of some big games and the loss of a class act and of course, this week’s game also taught us some sour realities about some of our favorite teams. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and break down all the stories that Week 14 sent our way.
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The league needs to figure out a flex option for Thursday Night Football.
While it is incredibly wonderful to enjoy NFL football three times a week, courtesy of the Thursday Night game… there are still some big issues hanging over TNF. Specifically, the quality of the games tends to leave something to be desired. Since Thursday’s matchups are often host to a pair of awful teams or it features some sloppy play, as was the case this past week, and that uh, that needs to change. Because we expect better from prime-time football, and the best way to improve this game is to figure out a flex option so better matchups can slide into the Thursday slot and hopefully the league takes a good long look at that before the games switch to streaming. Because if that same slop hits the web, fans won’t tune in and that will put a potentially epic prime-time game in peril.
 
The Buffalo Bills are not as good as advertised.
It took fourteen weeks of football, but we finally know what the Buffalo Bills are all about and uh, it’s not good news. Because this team is not as good as advertised. Their defense is far softer than they were in 2020 and they really are struggling to close out games and drives right now and the offense has taken a step back as well. Since they cannot put up points or finish games like they used to. Which means it is time to temper expectations for this team and prepare for the possibility that they will not win it all. Because the Bills just aren’t ready to play in a Super Bowl and hopefully this season’s follies will push them to play better and to stack the roster with upgraded talent in 2022.
 
The Rams finally put it all together at the right time.
It is definitely safe to say that football fans have been worried about the Rams for a hot minute and rightfully so. They’ve been struggling mightily the past few weeks and have yet to jell as a squad with their new additions, leaving lots of us to wonder if that chemistry would ever take hold and wouldn’t you know it? It finally did on Monday Night Football. For the Rams put together a decisive win over their chief NFC West opponent in the Cardinals and that kind of a big win can go a long way down the stretch and it will be quite interesting to see what the Rams do with this momentum and how much better they will become as a unified team in the weeks to come.
 
The playoff picture in the AFC is finally coming together.
A few weeks ago, it was pure bedlam in the AFC when it comes to the playoffs. For multiple teams were vying for a playoff spot and division titles, making it seem as though the final few weeks would be bedlam through and through. But thanks to the fact that the NFL is finally seeing some semblance of normalcy, the playoff picture in the AFC is becoming clearer. For now, the division leaders are pulling away and cementing their playoff seeding and there are only a handful of squads fighting for the final Wild Card spots. Which means the next few weeks should solidify who is going to the postseason in this wild and wacky conference and it will be quite interesting to see who sneaks into the Wild Card slots when the dust in the wild, wild, AFC… settles.
 
Demaryius Thomas was taken from this world too soon.
You know, we don’t talk about players that have passed away in this article all that often and maybe we should. I suppose that’s something to ponder upon for the future. But today, we definitely need to take a moment and reflect upon the life of Wide Receiver Demaryius Thomas who left this earth last Thursday at the ridiculously young age of 33 and his life needs to be spoken to for several reasons. In part because he was a prolific player that cemented his legacy in the game with some epic plays in some epic games. But more so, because he was a fine human being that was kind and generous and impacted the lives of so many in a positive manner, and that’s just something we don’t celebrate enough these days and it was wonderful to see fans and the league come together and do just that on Sunday and it is wonderful to know that he touched so many lives, and hopefully his legacy will inspire others to make kindness a priority in life, since the world could definitely use more of the goodwill DT sent our way.  

Hello again, football fans and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup. One that is once again filled to the brim with anticipation. Simply because, no one has a clue what to expect from this weekend’s slate of games. For this might be another week full of wild upsets or it might be the week where the supposed elite finally put it all together. Either way, it’s the fans that win this week since so many teams are in the hunt and are gunning for a shot in the playoffs and with that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the critical, playoff related games on tap this weekend, and all the juicy storylines that are hanging over Week 14 in the NFL.
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Can the Broncos actually beat the Lions?
In any other year, this would be a question that no one in the city of Denver would ask. But in 2021, the Broncos are an outright mess and struggle to compete at times, thanks to garbage play calling and poor coaching and because of that… one does have to wonder if Detroit could pull off a shocking upset in Denver this weekend and honestly, there’s a chance they will. Because the Broncos just can’t get it together and if the same shell-shocked and nervous team that took on the Chiefs shows up on Sunday, they’ll hand the Lions a win and if they do… that might finally seal Vic Fangio’s fate in Denver and give George Paton a legitimate reason to start the coaching search early this year, and it will be quite interesting to see how this game plays out.
 
Will the Vikings recover from their devastating loss to Detroit?
Ironically, our second storyline of the day… also revolves around the Lions, specifically the team that handed them their first win of the year, the Minnesota Vikings. Because they were awful against Detroit and should have won that game, but instead… they’re on the ropes, playoff wise, and desperate for a win and that leaves all of us wondering if they can beat the Steelers and keep hope alive and honestly, I don’t know if they can. Because they simply cannot get out of their own way and make awful mistakes at the wrong time and that’s something a team cannot do against the Pittsburgh defense. So, don’t be shocked if Minnesota falls to Big Ben and the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight, because they’re just not good enough, and if you don’t believe me… never forget they lost to the Lions. The. Lions.
 
Will Aaron Rodgers boisterous words come back to haunt him?
If there is one thing that NFL coaches will make clear to their players, it is to never say or do anything that will outright inspire their opponent to beat them. Because time and time again, we’ve seen a little smack talking backfire and a few weeks ago, Aaron Rodgers said something that could be seen as fuel for a vengeful fire. Since the Bears would love to ‘own’ Rodgers instead on Sunday. But honestly, I don’t think they will. They’re a mess at quarterback, Matt Nagy is losing control of this team and that defense is ho-hum at best. So, if anything, I expect Aaron Rodgers to continue to own the Chicago Bears once again on their way to a 10-3 record.

​This is a game of note, simply because of the quarterbacks involved. Because this one, features a pair of quarterbacks that are desperate to be elite and haven’t achieved that particular status. For Baker Mayfield appears to have regressed a bit in his fourth year and hasn’t been making the big plays that he did last year, and as for Lamar Jackson… well, there is still a lot of doubt as to whether or not he is an effective quarterback. Because he misses easy throws and struggles with simple routes and the best way for both men to put those thoughts to rest, is to come out and ball in this game. So, expect some big passes and some bold choices to take place in this game as both QBs do their best to regain their flailing confidence.

It is definitely safe to say, that the Buffalo Bills have turned out to be quite a disappointment this year. Because a team that was feared in 2020, is back to its mediocre and goofy ways and while they are 7-5, they’re in danger of not making the playoffs if they cannot regain their swagger, and they have a chance to do that in Tampa Bay on Sunday. Because everyone knows how to beat Tom Brady and the TB defense is struggling to stop teams right now. So, if the Bills can put that age-old anti-Brady plan in motion and put up some points, they can clear their heads of doubt and get ready for a heck of a playoff run. But don’t be surprised if the opposite happens, because Tampa Bay is 9-3 for a reason and they’re eager to repeat as champions, and they might not take kindly to a team trying to push them around in their own house.

​Every team out there knows that the quickest way to the playoffs is to win their division and that is why divisional games this late in the season are as epic as they come and this one should meet that expectation as well. Since the Cardinals and the Rams are vying for complete and utter control of the NFC West. Which means that everyone involved in this matchup is going to bring their best to the field and well, since both teams want this win so bad, there is a chance we might be treated to a shootout as well, which is never a bad thing. But while this game will be a lot of fun to watch, make no mistake about it…. someone has to win this game and my guess is that the Cardinals will end up the victor here. Because they are the better team, and they clearly want it more.  

​Hello again, football fans and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup, one that is definitely going to be full of frustration today. Because this weekend’s slate of games featured some downright embarrassing football. The kind that featured some goofy play calling and disgusting play from the league’s so called ‘elite’ and well, that means we should get right down to recapping Week 13 in the NFL, and all the ugly moments it sent our way. So, we can purge this awful week from our minds and look toward a better one, hopefully.
 
The Minnesota Vikings need to make some serious changes in the offseason.
On paper, the Minnesota Vikings appear as though they are super close to competing for a playoff spot and maybe need one or two key players to make them an outright contender for a Super Bowl. But in reality… this team is a mess and in need of an overhaul. Why you ask? Because they lost to the freakin’ Lions. THE LIONS. The worst team in football right now and this embarrassing L is squarely on the shoulders of their coaching staff and their joke of a quarterback. Because the play calling was awful and kept the Lions in the game and Kirk Cousins yet again, couldn’t make big plays when the game was on the line and well, that’s it folks, the Vikings need a coaching and offensive overhaul in the offseason so they can finally give the fans something more than mediocrity.
 
The New Orleans Saints are in dire need of a quarterback.
One must appreciate the loyalty that Saints Head Coach Sean Payton has for his quarterbacks. Because he has stood by everyone last one of them and put his faith in their abilities and sadly, there has been zero return on that investment. Because sadly, Payton put all of his faith in QBs that were either unproven or awful and because he put loyalty over honesty, the Saints are suffering now, and there’s no free agency options available to fix this mess. Unless they go big and sign Colin Kaepernick, which they sadly won’t. Which means the Saints are likely going to just ride this crop of quarterbacks to a sour offseason, wherein hopefully the Saints invest in a top-tier backup or starter to compete with or sit behind Jameis Winston… so this kind of ugly play under center doesn’t happen again.
 
The Buffalo Bills need to get back to fundamentals.
Earlier this season, the Buffalo Bills were a wonderful team to watch. Because they were a well-oiled machine in every phase of the game. But somewhere along the line, they got into their own heads and now they play panicked football and if you don’t believe me, look at last night’s game. Because all they had to do to stop the Pats, was stop the run, since Big Bill Belichick wasn’t keen on throwing in that wind. But they panicked and they let the Pats win and that’s embarrassing. But not all hope is lost, because if this team can take a minute and calm themselves down and get back to the fundamentals that made them successful earlier this season, they can back to their winning ways and it will be quite interesting to see if they do indeed hit the reset button after this game, or let their frustrations continue to guide their performance.
 
The time has come for Lamar Jackson to prove to the league he’s a capable QB.
Make no mistake about it, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is a thrilling player for certain. For he is a master of the RPO offense and knows how to hold or break a defense with his legs. But there is just one problem when it comes Lamar, in that, four years into his career… we still don’t know if he can handle throwing the ball and for proof… look at Sunday’s game against the Steelers. Because that last throw of the game was just terrible and not indicative of what a franchise QB should accomplish on the field. Which means this is it, he needs to prove to the Ravens and the league that he can lead a team with his arm, and if he cannot… then the Ravens need to skip inking him to a big deal and find themselves a QB that can handle a simple throw like the one he missed.
 
The Broncos need to make some serious offensive changes, right now.
The Denver Broncos have been a different team on defense since the Von Miller trade, because everyone on that side of the ball got the hint, that it was play better or play elsewhere, and their wonderful play reflects that, and the defense should be commended for stepping up. But the Broncos offense, is a whole different story. For the play calling still stinks and the QB play is sub-par at best and George Paton needs to send a message to the offense as well and the best way to do that… is to step in and fire offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and bench Teddy Bridgewater. Because neither have shown the team they have much to offer. So why not let a new coordinator give it a go and turn Drew Lock loose? And while some might say that’s a bad idea when they’re 6-6 and ‘in the mix’, this offense cannot hang with decent or quality teams… so just make the change now and see what happens because there’s nowhere to go but up.  

Hello again, football fans and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup. One that is filled with anticipation. Because we are a mere five weeks away from the end of the regular season and the playoff picture is murky at best. To the point where it is anyone’s guess as to who will make the postseason since titans have fallen often this season and squads that should be out of contention are still in play. So, with that in mind, let’s dive right in and look at some of the incredible storylines hovering over this week’s matchups and the most fascinating games to watch this weekend when Week 13 in the NFL gets underway.
 
Is this the week when the Titans figure out their offensive woes?
Make no mistake about, the Titans defense is sound. They play great in the secondary, the rush is solid, and the linebackers do a great job with zone coverage. But they are also human, and they get tired, and they need help from their offense. Because the lack/reliance of a run game is keeping this D on the field too long and costing this proud team games and they need to adjust their offense to compensate for the fact that Derrick Henry isn’t coming back this season and well, is this the week when that happens? Honestly, I don’t know. Because this team basically wrote a thick playbook that truly centers around #22 and his skill set and changing that now, is no easy task. But it has to be done if they want to make the postseason. So, if this team comes out and figures out how to move the ball without a reliance on a heavy ISO run formation, then eureka, and if not… well… we know how that story ends.
 
Can the Rams finally get a win with their new look offense and defense?
It is definitely safe to say that the Rams have looked embarrassing since they traded for Von Miller and signed Odell Beckham Jr. Which begs the question… can they use a flailing Jaguars team to boost confidence and find a rhythm on offense and defense at last? Well… on paper, yes. Because Jacksonville stinks. But in reality… it’s hard to say. Because the Rams are playing pretty sloppy right now and the underdog continues to surprise on any given Sunday. So, it’s 50/50 that the Rams walk out of this one the winner, but my guess is they will indeed find a grove with Miller and Beckham at last. Because the Jaguars are just the worst.
 
Will the Tampa Bay defense rebound from last week?
Regardless of the fact that the NFL is all about that offense these days, defense still wins championships and some of the best teams in the league have reaffirmed that fact, including the Buccaneers. Since their masterful defense figured out how to beat Patrick Mahomes and his dynamic offense to earn another Super Bowl title for the city of Tampa Bay. But alas, that defense is not playing at the same high level right now and that nearly cost this team a big game last week. Which begs the question, can they rebound and have a hell of a game this week? And the answer to that question, is yes. Because they’re playing the lowly Falcons, and this is a great opportunity to reset and play their fundamentals. Which means if they can establish a fierce pass rush and contain receivers, they can dominate again and find their groove well before the playoffs begin. 

​This is a game that is worth watching, simply because it features a pair of teams that are this side shy of desperation. For the Saints are eager to prove they can win with the quarterbacks they have and that they don’t need to rebuild the scheme and the Cowboys are eager to command the respect of the league and the fans after being a long-standing embarrassment. And of course, the best way to accomplish that is with a big fat win here and well, that means the fans are going to be in for a treat. Because each team is going to bring their A-game and outright fury to the field when they take it tonight and that should lead to an intense matchup, one that I expect Dallas will win in the end, simply because they have the more complete roster, and a franchise QB that knows what he is doing.

This is a matchup that a few weeks ago, would have been a complete and utter waste of time. Because the Chiefs have won eleven straight against the Broncos, and rightfully so. For Denver has been shockingly bad since Peyton Manning retired, in every phase of the game, and there was little chance of them turning that around in this game. But my how things have changed. For the Broncos are suddenly full of fire and desire to win and the once invincible Chiefs outright stink on defense. Which means this matchup is far more even than anyone ever expected, and it really could go either way and honestly, there is a solid chance that Denver wins here, if they follow the Tampa Bay format to beating the Chiefs and well… regardless of who walks away the victor, this should be a fun game to watch for certain.

​This is another one of those matchups that wouldn’t have mattered all that long ago. Since the Pats were basically crowned AFC East Champions by Week 5 with Tom Brady at the helm, making this game a formality of sorts. But with Tom gone and the power shifting about in this division, this is a matchup that has some potential to be an instant classic. For now, you have two young guns under center that are looking to make a name for themselves, and legends are indeed build on Monday Night in divisional battles. Which means we should expect some fine performances from Mac Jones and Josh Allen, the kind that might make this game an outright shootout. As to who wins, well that’s anyone guess, since these squads are indeed equally matched, but that still doesn’t make this one any less compelling to watch, since this one should give us a touch of insight as to which team is going to be the new Alpha in the AFC East.