GKJ
Global Moderator
- Feb 27, 2002
- 193,229
- 43,629
We had some great national games on Sunday, but the New York teams just couldn't help themselves, and have to keep making news. The Giants benching Daniel Jones, and the Jets releasing Joe Douglas from the vise grips he had on his nuts. Luckily, the Jets are on a bye, and we do not need to hear from them for another 2 weeks. That's the nature of the reality show that is the NFL, and as the season goes on, and injuries build up, some of the action on the field isn't always as compelling as you will see CBS is going to find out this week. Jim Nantz and Tony Romo are taking this week off instead of taking the Sunday after Thanksgiving off, which as I remember, they have always done regardless of whether or not they had the double header over Thanksgiving. But it's a single this week for CBS, and as we'll see with their lineup, is with good reason. And then we only have 3 late window games again, so plan accordingly what you're willing to endure.
Thursday Night, Amazon Prime:
PIT @ CLE - The Steelers got a huge win - their second one this season where they only get 6 field goals on the scoreboard - over the Ravens, who they have quietly owned considering the standard of their rivalry. They're now 8-2, but following that up with a division road game can be tricky regardless of who the opponent is, especially on a Thursday. And a trip to Cleveland on a Thursday is something the Steelers have never figured out in their history - they are 0-3 all time in Cleveland on Thursdays, 2009, 2019, and 2022.
MAPS
KC @ CAR - The Chiefs finally got bit in the ass last week in Buffalo. They conveniently get a get-right game in Carolina to follow that - they're 11.5-point road favorites. And they get the top spot in the CBS single.
TB @ NYG - Daniel Jones is benched, and so is his injury guarantee. Looks like his time in Big Blue is finally over. I'd say New York, but you never know what can happen with the Jets. Would guess that some more bodies in that building follow. Tampa Bay is all of a sudden looking behind them in the standings, as a loss would put them in a second place tie with the Saints. At 4-7.
NE @ MIA - The Dolphins have won their last two, as they try and climb back into the playoffs, but it could be in a look-ahead scenario with a game Thanksgiving night in Green Bay.
TEN @ HOU - The Texans took care of business in Dallas on Monday, and they should do the same with the Titans. It looks like they will have to win days by running with Joe Mixon, a fortunate off-season move that's working out.
DEN @ LV - Bo Nix now has more touchdown passes than Jayden Daniels, and has entered the chat for rookie of the year. A long way up from where things started. But this is why you get rookies on the field. The Broncos ran over the Falcons last week, 38-6, but at 6-5 they can't get too into their own heads because they're still in the last wild card.
DAL @ WSH - I would bet that Jayden Daniels playing the Cowboys for the first time would have some more appeal to it. They had the half bye after losing Thursday. They could definitely use a game like this to add some fire back to their offense, which hasn't functioned at the level it did early in the season now that some coordinators got some looks at it.
MIN @ CHI - The Bears have had some brutal losses - 4 in a row now. Whether it be poor performances against Arizona or New England, or absurdly mystifying like the Hail Mary in Washington, or the blocked field goal vs Green Bay last week. Some loose lips coming out of Chicago talking about Tyson Bagent - don't think that's happening. It's a second consecutive division home game hosting the 8-2 Vikings, who have managed to do what they've needed to do winning 3 in a row against AFC South teams.
DET @ IND - The Lions have posted the two highest scores this season - scoring 52 twice, and have the highest point differential in the NFL by 53 points at +159 (Bills are the only other team +100). Probably not who Anthony Richardson wants to see, but they play the games for real reasons.
SF @ GB - Game of the week for Fox has the 49ers and Packers in a playoff rematch, which only seems to happen like every f***ing year. The 49ers had a bad home loss to Seattle last week, and are 1-3 in the division and 3-4 in the NFC. They're definitely the team nobody else wants to see make the playoffs, but we're still waiting for them - they're currently in 10th in the NFC. As usual, unless you have a god-level QB, the year after losing the Super Bowl is a bitch. Now it's a road game against a blood rival who has won 5 of 6, despite Jordan Love being in and out of the lineup.
AZ @ SEA - The Seahawks had an absolutely huge, surprise win in San Francisco last week, a place that's been a house of horrors. They've earned a chance to take the division lead if they can beat a hot Cardinals at home, depending on other games.
Sunday Night, NBC
PHI @ LAR - I wouldn't say the Eagles have become a wagon since their bye, but they've won 6 in a row, and Saquon Barkley is now part of the MVP conversation - who we all knows goes to a player whose team gets the bye. They're the 2 seed by way of their win against WFT last Thursday, and having 2 fewer losses. With a Rams win, all 4 NFC West teams could be 6-5 by the end of the night. The Rams key seems to be whether or not Matthew Stafford looks old or not. Good win last week for them even though it was against the Patriots, having to make the trip on the short week.
Monday Night, ABC/ESPN
BAL @ LAC - Simulcast once again on ABC for Harbaugh Bowl 3. John is 2-0 against brother Jim, which includes a Super Bowl, but this is the first time Jim gets to be at home, as he left the 49ers before the Ravens could make the trip out there. And it's a huge game within the AFC, the teams hold spots 5 and 6 in the seedings. The Ravens are coming off their 18-16 loss in Pittsburgh - a tough one, while the Chargers found a way after blowing a 24-6 lead to the Bengals, winning 34-27 after the Bengals blew two field goals.
Thursday Night, Amazon Prime:
PIT @ CLE - The Steelers got a huge win - their second one this season where they only get 6 field goals on the scoreboard - over the Ravens, who they have quietly owned considering the standard of their rivalry. They're now 8-2, but following that up with a division road game can be tricky regardless of who the opponent is, especially on a Thursday. And a trip to Cleveland on a Thursday is something the Steelers have never figured out in their history - they are 0-3 all time in Cleveland on Thursdays, 2009, 2019, and 2022.
MAPS
KC @ CAR - The Chiefs finally got bit in the ass last week in Buffalo. They conveniently get a get-right game in Carolina to follow that - they're 11.5-point road favorites. And they get the top spot in the CBS single.
TB @ NYG - Daniel Jones is benched, and so is his injury guarantee. Looks like his time in Big Blue is finally over. I'd say New York, but you never know what can happen with the Jets. Would guess that some more bodies in that building follow. Tampa Bay is all of a sudden looking behind them in the standings, as a loss would put them in a second place tie with the Saints. At 4-7.
NE @ MIA - The Dolphins have won their last two, as they try and climb back into the playoffs, but it could be in a look-ahead scenario with a game Thanksgiving night in Green Bay.
TEN @ HOU - The Texans took care of business in Dallas on Monday, and they should do the same with the Titans. It looks like they will have to win days by running with Joe Mixon, a fortunate off-season move that's working out.
DEN @ LV - Bo Nix now has more touchdown passes than Jayden Daniels, and has entered the chat for rookie of the year. A long way up from where things started. But this is why you get rookies on the field. The Broncos ran over the Falcons last week, 38-6, but at 6-5 they can't get too into their own heads because they're still in the last wild card.
DAL @ WSH - I would bet that Jayden Daniels playing the Cowboys for the first time would have some more appeal to it. They had the half bye after losing Thursday. They could definitely use a game like this to add some fire back to their offense, which hasn't functioned at the level it did early in the season now that some coordinators got some looks at it.
MIN @ CHI - The Bears have had some brutal losses - 4 in a row now. Whether it be poor performances against Arizona or New England, or absurdly mystifying like the Hail Mary in Washington, or the blocked field goal vs Green Bay last week. Some loose lips coming out of Chicago talking about Tyson Bagent - don't think that's happening. It's a second consecutive division home game hosting the 8-2 Vikings, who have managed to do what they've needed to do winning 3 in a row against AFC South teams.
DET @ IND - The Lions have posted the two highest scores this season - scoring 52 twice, and have the highest point differential in the NFL by 53 points at +159 (Bills are the only other team +100). Probably not who Anthony Richardson wants to see, but they play the games for real reasons.
SF @ GB - Game of the week for Fox has the 49ers and Packers in a playoff rematch, which only seems to happen like every f***ing year. The 49ers had a bad home loss to Seattle last week, and are 1-3 in the division and 3-4 in the NFC. They're definitely the team nobody else wants to see make the playoffs, but we're still waiting for them - they're currently in 10th in the NFC. As usual, unless you have a god-level QB, the year after losing the Super Bowl is a bitch. Now it's a road game against a blood rival who has won 5 of 6, despite Jordan Love being in and out of the lineup.
AZ @ SEA - The Seahawks had an absolutely huge, surprise win in San Francisco last week, a place that's been a house of horrors. They've earned a chance to take the division lead if they can beat a hot Cardinals at home, depending on other games.
Sunday Night, NBC
PHI @ LAR - I wouldn't say the Eagles have become a wagon since their bye, but they've won 6 in a row, and Saquon Barkley is now part of the MVP conversation - who we all knows goes to a player whose team gets the bye. They're the 2 seed by way of their win against WFT last Thursday, and having 2 fewer losses. With a Rams win, all 4 NFC West teams could be 6-5 by the end of the night. The Rams key seems to be whether or not Matthew Stafford looks old or not. Good win last week for them even though it was against the Patriots, having to make the trip on the short week.
Monday Night, ABC/ESPN
BAL @ LAC - Simulcast once again on ABC for Harbaugh Bowl 3. John is 2-0 against brother Jim, which includes a Super Bowl, but this is the first time Jim gets to be at home, as he left the 49ers before the Ravens could make the trip out there. And it's a huge game within the AFC, the teams hold spots 5 and 6 in the seedings. The Ravens are coming off their 18-16 loss in Pittsburgh - a tough one, while the Chargers found a way after blowing a 24-6 lead to the Bengals, winning 34-27 after the Bengals blew two field goals.
