Week 13 Thoughts
The object in the Ravens' mirror is closer than it appears.
Brother and I would like to extend our gratitude to Joey Ice and Drake “Drake Maye” Maye.
Just like last week, the winner’s arrogance immediately blew up in their face. Thankfully this time it is Mother’s pride shattered and on the floor.
Although it would be disingenuous to suggest this was easy. Despite a horrendous start for Mother, it came down to Monday Night Football.
Either we got a second three way tie or…
A WIN FOR THE DOWNTRODDEN BABYYYY!!
To the games.
Packers 31 Lions 24. This is the best the Big Pack has looked since week 1. Something about playing the Lions seems to get them going and they went. Just the four touchdowns and no turnovers for Jordan Love and Green Bay went 3/3 on fourth down attempts. The Lions weren’t bad in this game, but Detroit losing on Thanksgiving is a tradition like no other. The win means the Packers are now half a game behind the Bears in the NFC North and they’re playing twice in three weeks. That should be very fun. The Lions meanwhile could very well miss the playoffs because right now the seventh seeded Niners have nine wins.
Chiefs 28 Cowboys 31. I will admit I was shocked the Cowboys won this game. There’s nothing they love more than not showing up on a big stage. Also it’s such a Chiefs thing to bury their next opponent after a tough win. So when Dak Prescott threw a pick on the Cowboy’s opening drive, it looked like that was exactly what was going to happen. Patrick Mahomes did his darndest, throwing four TDs, but the Chiefs defense could not get out of its own way. To be fair, trying to cover CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens does not look fun. After clowning people for saying the Cowboys looked good when they beat the Raiders… I have to say the Cowboys look good. The Chiefs meanwhile are staring longingly at the Playoff ship as it gets further and further away.
Bengals 32 Ravens 14. Speaking of teams who seemingly love to melt down in big moments the Ravens turned the ball over five times. It’s the first time the Bengals defense has forced that many turn overs since 2018. The worst part for Baltimore is while they seem to shrivel in big games the guy returning for the Bengals on Thanksgiving night does NOT. Joe Burrow is BACK and Brother, Dad and I are fired up. So much so, my brother and I have thoroughly discussed what it would take for Burrow to get Cincinnati to the playoffs. Baltimore is still favourite to win this division but if his defense continues to play like Thursday night, watch out for Burrow and Crew. I don’t want to see them in the January because number 9 terrifies me.
Bears 24 Eagles 15. This shocked me more than the Cowboys win until I saw the Bears post game celebration. When I saw the result I was very annoyed I would have to get rid of my Bears agenda. However I cannot deny a win over the Eagles in their building, with Philly coming off an embarrassing divisional loss on Sunday. All that being said Ben Johnson ripping his shirt off has swayed me. I am reconsidering every Bears take I’ve had this year. Except when they play the Packers this weekend and then weekend after next. Big Pack Believer Baby. Meanwhile could the Eagles be collapsing again? à la 2023/24? Or is it just they win four then lose two?
I will tell you fine folk, after these first four games someone in the group was 0/4. I won’t tell you who, only it was very funny for the other two. There was even the question of the first 0/16 ever occurring. Disappointingly that didn’t happen.
Saints 17 Dolphins 21. The Dolphins love trying to lose games but clearly the Saints love actually losing them. I’m sorry if you watched this.
Texans 20 Colts 16. This Texans defense is horrifying. A big no thank you from me to the question of who do you want to play in the playoffs. Houston lost the turnover battle, took more penalties and allowed more sacks. They still kept Jonathan Taylor under 90 yards and the Colts to only 16 points. They are going to make a real run at the AFC South title. I think Indy could be in real trouble. The Jags and the Texans are hunting them down and their schedule is brutal.
Falcons 24 Jets 27. The Falcons determination to be crowned Most Unserious Team in a league including the Raiders and Titans is truly commendable. I was so sure we’d all picked the Falcons, I declared the downtrodden victorious before the 4 o’clock games kicked off. Only for Brother to point out not only had Mother picked the Jets. THEY WON. Good for them I guess. There goes the number one pick, so I leave the final word to my coworker, “But at what cost…”
49ers 26 Browns 8. How the Niners have nine wins I still don’t know. More insanely is their nine wins are only good enough for the seventh seed in the NFC. Imagine being 9-4 and being the last wildcard team. Jeez the NFC West is brutal. I don’t have any thoughts on the Browns. I know they have one less win than the Bengals who I said can win the division but the Browns don’t have Joe Burrow. I can’t imagine what he would give to have their defense.
Rams 28 Panthers 31. When someone picked the Rams I joked they would lose because that person had only picked losses at that point. Didn’t think it was actually going to happen. Any given Sunday they say. Having broken Tom Brady’s record for most passing touchdowns since his last interception, Matt Stafford immediately threw two, including a pick 6. Brother reported, disgustedly might I add, the Rams couldn’t stop the run to the tune of 164 Panthers rushing yards, and another team I’ve been disrespecting is making me do a lot of thinking. They very well could win the NFC South while Rams Seahawks in three weeks could decide the one seed. I can’t wait.
Jags 25 Titans 3. A game between a playoff contender and the worst team in the league. The Jags are in a great place to fight Houston and Indianapolis for the AFC South.
Cardinals 17 Buccaneers 20. A win the Bucs needed badly. Remember, they started 6-2 and I thought them quite the serious outfit. They hadn’t won since their bye. To be fair they’d played the Patriots, Bills and Rams but all the while they were losing the Panthers were sneaking up behind them. Over in Arizona, it’s gotta be so tough looking up at the Niners, Seahawks and Rams all sitting at nine wins when you have nine losses.
Seahawks 26 Vikings 0. Re Jags Titans. A game between a Superbowl contender and a bad team. Jaxon Smith-Njigba only had 23 yards and the Vikings still got blown out. That’s what happens when your third string quarterback throws four interceptions. They would kill for competent play at that position right now.
Bills 26 Steelers 7. While I may be reconsidering my Bears and Panthers take I am NOT reconsidering my Steelers takes. This is a fraudulent team and they have been all year. They scored first in this game then game up 26 unanswered points. This is not a playoff team. I am really looking forward to Bills Bengals this weekend. The loser is going to be in a dogfight for their playoff life. They both might already be.
Raiders 14 Chargers 31. A game between the Raiders and an NFL team not in week 1 or named the Titans. The bad news for the Chargers is the Justin Herbert’s hand injury and their schedule is not a fun one given all the injuries they already have. Some ugly pass rushes to be facing with a banged up offensive line and a broken hand.
Broncos 27 Commanders 26. A great game to watch as a neutral. The fourth quarter and overtime was completely nuts. The game winning play from the Broncos is a perfect example of the tiny margins that dictate winning and losing in the NFL. If Nik Bonitto doesn’t get his hand to the ball the Commanders’ player would’ve walked into the endzone untouched and ended the Broncos now nine game winning streak. Denver strengthened it’s grasp on the AFC West title and joined the Patriots as the only other team with double digit wins so far this season. It really is 2015 all over again.
Giants 15 Patriots 33. Speaking of those Pesky Pats I said last week I was nervous about this game given the Giants propensity to fight. I should’ve known when someone picked the Giants all would be well. The Patriots ensured I didn’t stress about the result of this game at all. They blitzed New York in the first half to the tune of 30-7. Oh how good it feels to have New England destroying bad teams again in primetime. That’s 10 straight wins for the Pats as they head into their bye. If they win their next game versus the Bills they win the AFC East. I fear reports of our demise were greatly exaggerated.
I must say full credit to Mother for still being in the running for the tie on Monday night. To start 0/4 yet pull within one by picking the Jets is truly remarkable stuff.
This weeks Chiefs Texans game is going to put her in quite an uncomfortable situation for as much as she’s a Chiefs fan through and through, she’s quite fond of Houston. And I can assure you the Texans do not share those sentiments regarding the Chiefs O-Line.
Meanwhile, Brother and I have made a pact. We’re picking the Bengals to win out. In Joe Cool we trust.