This week could determine whether or not a few teams start to sell and embrace the ‘tank.’
Week eight was fun (sucked for me as a Bears fan) with an insane Hail Mary by the Commanders to beat the Bears; Cardinals now have won back to back games with a game-winning field goal; and tight ends (TEs) went off for National TE Day (Oct. 27). For week nine we will be covering an AFC showdown; a battle of NFC North teams for the crown of not only the division but also the conference and a Super Bowl 55 rematch under the Monday Night lights.
Young QB faces off against two-time MVP QB in Baltimore
Two teams are coming off with very different outcomes last week. The Broncos blew out the Panthers, while the Ravens were upset by the Jameis Winston-led Browns. Let us talk about both of those games and why those teams won and lost.
The Broncos win was led by rookie quarterback (QB) Bo Nix, having his best game of the season as a passer at 284 yards, three touchdowns (TDs), a completion percentage of 75.7 and a passer rating of 124.2. He also added another four yards and a TD on the ground. While Nix has not had the most impressive season so far, he has played above expectations and the Broncos may be looking at their first home-grown franchise QB since Hall of Famer John Elway. In honor of National TE Day, the Broncos and Nix were able to pass two TDs to two different Broncos TEs, Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins. The Broncos offense should be looking to repeat this success against an awful Ravens pass defense.
It was not just the offense playing well though, the defense forced two interceptions by Panthers QB Bryce Young and got to him in the backfield two times. They also forced the Panthers to around 33 percent efficiency on third-down (five for 14) and only allowed one fourth-down conversion (one for four). The defense will have a much harder time this time around as the Ravens post one of the better offenses in the NFL and feature one maybe two MVP (most valuable player) candidates.
Well, that was an ugly game for the Ravens for the most part. First, QB Lamar Jackson got away with several bad decisions in a total of three drop interceptions. Second, why did running back (RB) Derrick Henry only get the ball eleven times? Third and final, how do you lose to Winston of all people? That is not a shot at Winston, but if you hope to be contending for a Super Bowl come January, you can not be losing these types of games. In hopes of fixing some of those offensive mistakes, the Ravens traded for star wide receiver (WR) Diontae Johnson from the Panthers.
Is it time to have the “Justin Tucker is washed” convo? He had his fourth game where he missed a field goal. For a guy who is considered the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) of kickers, he sure did not look like it. Look I know I am hating on the Ravens but all in all, I just believe this was a bad game (similar to the Raiders game in week two) more than a showing of one they truly are.
I expect the Ravens to bounce back and feast on this inexperienced Broncos offense.
Final Score: Broncos 17 – Ravens 30
Lions looking to keep winning as they take a visit to the tundra
The Lions are weird. I mean it is clear they are the best team in football but that was just a weird win over the Titans. To start things off, did you know the Titans outgained the Lions 416 yards to 225 yards? The Lions won 52 to 14.
This comes off the following Lions scoring plays: RB David Montgomery’s seven-yard rushing TD; RB Jahmyr Gibbs’ 70 yard rushing TD; TE Brock Wright’s eight-yard receiving TD; WR Amon-Ra St. Brown’s one yard receiving TD; TE Sam LaPorta’s three-yard receiving TD; WR Kalif Raymond’s 90 yard punt return TD and finally Raymond added another in a seven-yard receiving TD. Six different players scored a TD in that game. Insane stuff. On top of all of that QB Jared Goff only threw 85 yards.
The defense also got their fair share of fun in forcing four total turnovers (two forced fumbles and two INTs). On top of that, they forced a total of nine three-and-outs (forcing all three downs to be unsuccessful) and only allowed one fourth down conversion. They are doing all of this without their best defensive player.
Packers QB Jordan Love might just be Packers Hall of Fame QB Brett Favre reincarnated. He is tied for third in passing TDs but also tied for first in INTs thrown. Favre was infamous for being a very reckless gunslinger and the career staline shows that: 302 games, 508 passing TDs and 336 INTs (1.68 passing TDs and 1.11 INTs per game). On the backside of the Packers offense, RB Josh Jacobs is coming off his arguably best game of the season at 25 carries, 127 rushing yards and two rushing TDs. It is crazy how dynamic this Packers offense has been this season.
On the flip side, this secondary is playing at an insane level. This comes from three main defensive backs (DB): veteran safety (S) Xavier McKinney; rookie S Evan Williams and rookie slot DB Javon Bullard. A major weakness of this Packers defense has been the pass rush though. Their leading sack leader is third year defensive tackle (DT) Devonte Wyatt at three. He has not played in over a month. The Packers will need their “superstar” pass rusher Rashan Gary to get his numbers up if they want any chance of beating a very strong Lions team.
As it has been for the past two seasons in Green Bay, I have the Lions escaping the cheese-head city with a win.
Final Score: Lions 38 – Packers 20
Thrown INTs leaders face-off under Monday Night Lights
I am praying the Buccaneers beat the Chiefs this week to end their undefeated record on the year. Will it happen? I am not sure considering a few factors.
Last week the Buccaneers offense looked shaky even though it was expected with both of their top WRs out (Chris Godwin out for the year and Mike Evans expected to miss a few more weeks). Even without them though, QB Baker Mayfield threw for three TDs. On the flip side, he also threw two INTs. It has been an up and down last few weeks for Mayfield, but overall he has been playing at an MVP level with 21 passing TDs and nine INTs. He is playing against one of (if not) the best defenses in football this year led by Chiefs defensive coordinator (DC) Steve Spagnuolo.
Speaking of defenses, the Buccaneers’ defense has been pretty much the opposite of the Chiefs. They have been playing some awful football overall lately. Despite that, they do feature a few bright spots on the defense in rookie S Tykee Smith, S Antoine Winfield Jr. and CB Zyon McCollum. Weirdly enough they are in for a challenge but also not a challenge as Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has not been good at all this year.
Speaking of bad play, Chiefs TE Travis Kelce was playing badly up til this most recent game against the Raiders where he recorded 10 catches, 90 yards and one receiving TD. As said previously though, Kelce has not been good at all this year as well. Despite this, the Chiefs offense still poses a challenge and will give the Buccaneers a run for their money.
Not much else to say about this matchup as the Buccaneers are wildly a different team than they were when they last played the Chiefs and beat them in Super Bowl 55. In the end, I sadly have the Chiefs staying undefeated in a fun game.
Final Score: Buccaneers 25 – Chiefs 28
Remaining Games and Predictions:
TNF Texans at Jets: Jets fall to two wins and seven losses and starting questioning of Rodgers is the problem. Final Score: Texans 25 – Jets 13
Saints at Panthers: Bryce Young has a widely different game from the last time he played the Saints. Final Score: Saints 17 – Panthers 28
Commanders at Giants: Commanders complete the sweep over the Giants with a game winning field goal. Final Score: Commanders 23 – Giants 20
Dolphins at Bills: Bills dominate Dolphins for second straight time. Final Score: Dolphins 20 – Bills 44
Chargers at Browns: Herbert throws four TDs and starts to make a case for MVP in fifth win of the year. Final Score: Chargers 34 – Browns 15
Patriots at Titans: Patriots pick up second straight win in defensive game. Final Score: Patriots 19 – Titans 10
Cowboys at Falcons: Kirk “Thuggins” shows up again in 20 point win over Cowboys. Final Score: Cowboys 20 – Falcons 40
Raiders at Bengals: Bengals offense struggles in ugly win over bad Raiders team. Final Score: Raiders 13 – Bengals 16
Rams at Seahawks: Rams win third straight and move to .500 in chance of taking division. Final Score: Rams 28 – Seahawks 23
SNF Colts at Vikings: Joe Flacco leads the Colts to a massive win as Vikings drop third straight game. Final Score: Colts 31 – Vikings 20
Teams on Bye and Their next Opponents:
Steelers next at Commanders | 49ers next at Buccaneers
Standings:
AFC East
Bills 6-2 2-0 | Dolphins 2-5 1-1 | Patriots 2-6 1-2 | Jets 2-6 1-2
AFC West
Chiefs 7-0 2-0 | Broncos 5-3 1-1 | Chargers 4-3 2-1 | Raiders 2-6 0-3
AFC North
Steelers 6-2 0-0 | Ravens 5-3 1-1 | Bengals 3-5 1-1 | Browns 2-6 1-1
AFC South
Texans 6-2 3-0 | Colts 4-4 1-3 | Jaguars 2-6 1-1 | Titans 1-6 0-1
NFC East
Commanders 6-2 1-0 | Eagles 5-2 1-0 | Cowboys 3-4 1-0 | Giants 2-6 0-3
NFC West
Cardinals 4-4 2-0 | 49ers 4-4 1-2 | Seahawks 4-4 0-1 | Rams 3-4 1-1
NFC North
Lions 6-1 1-0 | Packers 6-2 0-1 | Vikings 5-2 1-1 | Bears 4-3 0-0
NFC South
Falcons 5-3 4-0 | Buccaneers 4-4 1-2 | Saints 2-6 1-2 | Panthers 1-7 0-2
Playoff Bracket:
AFC: Division Leaders
1 Chiefs | 2 Texans | 3 Steelers | 4 Bills
AFC: Wild Card Teams
5 Broncos | 6 Ravens | 7 Chargers
AFC: In the Hunt (within one game or less out of the playoffs)
Four win team: 8 Colts
Three win team: 9 Bengals
AFC: Outside the Hunt (within two games or more out of the playoffs)
Two win teams: 10 Dolphins | 11 Browns | 12 Raiders | 13 Jaguars | 14 Patriots | 15 Jets
One win team: 16 Titans
NFC: Division Leaders
1 Lions | 2 Commanders | 3 Falcons | 4 Cardinals
NFC: Wild Card Teams
5 Packers | 6 Vikings | 7 Eagles
NFC: In the Hunt
Four win teams: 8 Bears | 9 Buccaneers | 10 49ers | 11 Seahawks
NFC: Outside the Hunt
Three win teams: 12 Rams | 13 Cowboys
Two win teams: 14 Saints | 15 Giants
One win team: 16 Panthers
