Why is the entire AFC East off this week? I remember when they first started doing byes, that's the way they did it. But now they're so random and arbitrary that seeing an entire division sitting the week out is just odd. The 49ers and Browns are off this week, too, giving their fans a chance to enjoy their Thanksgivings and be thankful that they're getting a week off from watching terrible football.
Anyway, Thanksgiving is the traditional start of the stretch run. This is when we're gonna start seeing playoff standings graphics on every game, and the Rams even had a chance to clinch the NFC West this week before the Seahawks won on Thursday night (which completely destroyed Green Bay's postseason chances). We'll see how much that playoff picture changes (for everyone except the AFC East) come Monday night.
Thursday Night: Seattle (Win)
Cowboys (4-5) at Falcons (4-5): Dallas-Dallas might've salvaged its entire season last Sunday night in Philadelphia. Now they find themselves in another game where the loser might effectively be out. I'd say Atlanta needs it a little bit more, seeing as they share a division with the Saints and Panthers. But when the Cowboys are desperate, they tend to play their best. It's a short week for both of them, and they both play first-place archrivals on Thanksgiving, amping up the pressure even more in this one.
Panthers (6-3) at Lions (3-6): Carolina-It's been 10 days since that massacre in Pittsburgh, which has to be considered rock bottom for the Panthers this season. It also knocked them two games behind the Saints. They don't meet New Orleans until Week 15, though, so they still have a chance in the NFC South. A loss to the Lions certainly won't help them in that cause, though. Especially a reeling Detroit team that hasn't won since Week 7.
Titans (5-4) at Colts (4-5): Tennessee-Well, the Titans sure found a way to make things interesting, didn't they? New England's three losses this season are to Jacksonville, Detroit and Tennessee. I'm not entirely sure what that says, but Tennessee's win last week sure muddled up the AFC playoff picture. They're right back in the thick of it, and they'll actually take over first place if they win and the Texans lose. Meanwhile, if they lose, they fall out of playoff position into third place in the division. Huge game for the Titans.
Buccaneers (3-6) at Giants (2-7): Giants-Is it possible the Giants might actually win two games in a row? After resembling an NFL football team in San Francisco on Monday night, they've got another softer opponent this week in Tampa Bay. Jason Pierre-Paul is amped up for his return to New York. Are the rest of the Bucs, though? It sure seems like a long time ago when Tampa Bay was 2-0 and putting up video game numbers on offense. Call me crazy, but I've got a feeling the team that hasn't won consecutive games since 2016 just might do it.
Texans (6-3) at Redskins (6-3): Washington-Two surprise first-place teams that both feel like they have something to prove. Neither one has actually played a who's who of the NFL so far this season, but, as they say, you play who's on your schedule. And this is a real test for both of them. Houston has come a long way since starting 0-3 (and losing to the Giants). They've won six in a row and are one of the hottest teams in the league. I think that stops here, though.
Steelers (6-2-1) at Jaguars (3-6): Pittsburgh-This was originally supposed to be the Sunday night game, but they flexed it out because Jacksonville has gone back to being Jacksonville after last year's random run to the AFC Championship Game. A run that included a victory over Pittsburgh in that Divisional round shootout. Oh, how times have changed! The Steelers are back to being the Steelers after that rocky start, as evidence by that absolute butt-kicking they gave a good Panthers team last week. They should get some measure of revenge this week and improve their playoff standing in the process.
Bengals (5-4) at Ravens (4-5): Cincinnati-Both of these teams are getting desperate. The Bengals are clinging to the one available wild card spot, but that grip is becoming more and more perilous. And last week's humiliation at the hands of the Saints cost their defensive coordinator his job. Both of these coaching staffs may be looking for new jobs at the end of the season. Frankly, they both need it. As for who wins this week, the Bengals are still the better team. And all of their losses over the last month have been against playoff teams, which is something to keep in mind.
Raiders (1-8) at Cardinals (2-7): Arizona-Arizona is undefeated against the 49ers and winless against the rest of the NFL. And the 49ers are actually the "good" team in the Bay Area. Describing the Raiders as "bad" is generous, too. They're the worst team in the league. This is one of the few remaining games on their schedule that looks winnable. Problem is the Cardinals are thinking the exact same thing. Arizona stays undefeated against the Bay Area. Unfortunately, they don't have any games against Bay Area opponents after this.
Broncos (3-6) at Chargers (7-2): Chargers-At this point, all the Chargers can do is keep winning and hope the Chiefs drop one along the way (perhaps against the Rams on Monday night). Worst case, they know that'll assure them of at least a wild card. The Broncos will be out to spoil the party, and I think would have a good shot at doing so if this game were in Denver. But, since it's in SoCal, a place the Chargers haven't been since Week 5, I like Phillip Rivers and Co. to keep rolling.
Eagles (4-5) at Saints (8-1): New Orleans-A number of NFL Power Rankings have the Saints at No. 1. Either way, I think the winner of Monday night's showdown takes over that No. 1 spot after this week is all said and done, but that game obviously has some big implications for the Saints, who currently hold the top spot in the NFC. They haven't lost since Week 1, mind you. As for the defending champs, if they don't win this one, they might as well start looking towards 2019. Problem is Drew Brees has a receiver now, even if it is Brandon Marshall. The New Orleans offense will continue to put points on the board and prove way too much for the Eagles to handle, as they become the third team to reach nine wins this season.
Vikings (5-3-1) at Bears (6-3): Minnesota-They flexed this battle for first place in the NFC North into Sunday night. It's the start of a tough stretch for the Vikings, who have Green Bay, at New England, at Seattle as their next three games after this one. We also finally get to see how the Bears stack up against a good team. Chicago's 6-3 and in first place, but hasn't beaten a team that currently has a winning record. The Vikings are currently in a wild card position, but can flip the division standings with a win. This is the type of game Minnesota has proven it can win over the past few seasons. Let's see if the Bears are up to the task heading into their Thanksgiving matchup in Detroit.
Chiefs (9-1) at Rams (9-1): Rams-The NFL's Game of the Year wasn't even going to take place in this country at first. But the field at Azteca is unplayable and, instead of holding off on a decision until later in the week, they made the call to relocate the game from Mexico City to the LA Coliseum shortly after the players first brought up their concerns on Tuesday. Which is a huge advantage for the Rams, and not just for the obvious reason. The Chiefs play in Denver every year, so they're used to playing at altitude, which the Rams aren't. There's only so much practicing you can do to simulate those type of conditions. So I thought the Chiefs clearly had the advantage in Mexico. In LA, though, give me the home team.
This Week: 1-0
Last Week: 9-5
Overall: 96-51-2
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