Playoffs are just a couple weeks away, and things are getting very interesting. At least for the teams with playoff aspirations. The other teams can spend a bit of time evaluating team needs, and maybe get a longer look at the younger players on the roster.
In other news, Pro Bowl Results are out. Jarvis Landry (Julian Edelman and Courtland Sutton were more deserving), Aaron Rodgers (Kirk Cousins), and Laremy Tunsil (Mitchell Schwartz) got in mostly on reputation rather than play this year. But it was nice to see Danielle Hunter, Tre’Davious White, and Chris Jones getting some love despite not getting many headlines. 12 Ravens is way too many though, and please, please, please don’t make me listen to yet another NFL commentators saying Dak Prescott deserved a spot. His stats against very shitty teams was great, but his play against good teams showed it was just that … stat padding.
And more “pay attention to me!” antics from OBJ and Jerry Jones this week. As usual.
Here’s your games:
Saturday, December 21
1 p.m. Houston Texans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFLN) HOU -3 51
4:30 p.m. Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (NFLN) NE -6.5 39
8:15 p.m. Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers (NFLN) SF -6 45
Sunday, December 22
1 p.m. Jacksonville Jaguars at Atlanta Falcons (FOX) ATL -7.5 46
1 p.m. New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans (FOX) NO -1 51
1 p.m. New York Giants at Washington Redskins (FOX) WAS -2.5 42
1 p.m. Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets (CBS) PIT -3 39
1 p.m. Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins (CBS) MIA -1 47
1 p.m. Carolina Panthers at Indianapolis Colts (FOX) IND -7 47
1 p.m. Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns (CBS) BAL -10 49
4:05 p.m. Oakland Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers (CBS) LAC -5.5 46
4:05 p.m. Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos (CBS) DEN -6.5 38
4:25 p.m. Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (FOX) DAL -2.5 46
4:25 p.m. Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks (FOX) SEA -9.5 50
8:20 p.m. Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears (NBC) KC -5.5 45
Monday, December 23
8:15 p.m. Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (ESPN) MIN -4.5 46
Saturday’s games have a couple really interesting games, with the Overrated, then underrated, now currently rated Bills going against the Patriots. While I like the Bills this year, I actually expect this to be a game where Bellicheck reminds everyone why he’s the best coach in the NFL. The Rams v. Niners should be more interesting, but it all depends on which Rams’ team shows up. The one that put the lid on the Seahawks or the one that made Dallas look like a deserving playoff team. Talk about inconsistent.
Of Sunday’s early games, the Saints/Titans is about the only one I’d check out. Two pretty good teams trying to help their playoff chances/seeding. I haven’t seen more than a couple plays of Ryan Tannehill, but it’s a nice story that he’s getting a career revival in Tennessee. Probably just smoke and mirrors, but he’s more proof that throwing resource after resource at an average (or better than average) NFL QB may not be the best way.
Sunday’s late games don’t grab me at all. I suppose if I gave a crap about the NFC East, Dallas v. Philly would be interesting, and it may be. But it’s hard to care.
I love the Mahomes v. Trubisky story from Sunday night’s game. Makes me smile. Give the Bears credit, though, they’ve had every reason to pack it in, but that defense continues to impress and they continue to fight. It will be interesting to see how the Chiefs gameplan.
Finally, Monday night is the game of the week. It not only involves my beloved Packers, but they’re playing a very good team for playoff positioning. The Vikings new stadium is a tough place to play, their defense is for real, and Cousins is having a great season (and not getting much respect for it). The injury to Dalvin Cook is a concern, so it will be intriguing to see if he plays. Should be a great game.
Go Pack Go.
