And like that, we're into December. Hope your Thanksgiving's were more entertaining than the football games the NFL gave us for it, couple of duds for our holiday. But storylines nonetheless!
Let's talk turkey:
Nonexistent Clock Management
Man, if the Bears didn't fire Matt Eberflus after that debacle of a final 30 seconds. A horrible Caleb Williams sack then just idly standing by while 23 seconds run off before the ball gets snapped. At the Lions 41 and down by just three... To not get a field goal attempt from that was absolute coaching negligence, at it's finest. Don't let the door hit ya Matty!
Odd Box Score
Sam LaPorta doing his best Jerome Bettis impersonation on Thanksgiving, finding pay dirt twice on his three catches-- for just six yards. Probably won't be able to replicate that stat line.
Rico Dowdle
I've talked some shit on Dowdle earlier in the year, but now's the time to redact it. He doesn't just have one of the cooler names in the league, but he's managed to put together a nice statistical season for this cesspool of a Cowboys' offense, currently sitting at 600 yards at 4.5 a pop after topping the century mark for the first time in his career. He's firmly entrenched himself as the RB1 for this squad and could touch 1k with a strong finish.
Drew Lock: Not the Guy
Maybe there was a reason Tommy DeVito got the nod over Drew Lock. The latter made a few plays with his legs on Thanksgiving, but was otherwise did not provide the spark the G-Men were hoping he would. This team's pathetic.
Soft and Sorry
The Dolphins. Got handily beat up in the cold while their hipster coach shivered away on the sideline. Tua, you did not change the narrative.
Third Place in Your Division at 9-3
What a strange spot to find oneself in. Green Bay's six games above .500, yet currently in the 6th seed for the NFC playoffs. The Packers have a huge game Thursday against Detroit that'll have massive implications on if we see playoff football in Lambeau this year. Make sure not to miss that one.
Brock Bowers Rookie of the Year Petition
It's probably not going to happen because this award always goes to a quarterback, but it's a little disrespectful not to acknowledge how quickly Bowers has taken the league by storm. The rookie is #1 in receptions and fourth overall in receiving yards-- with the likes of Garnder Minshew and Aidan O'Connell throwing him the ball, no other weapons around him and a negative running game. Remarkable first go-round from the former Georgia Bulldog.
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| Photo: Raiders.com |
How Long Can This Keep Happening?
The Chiefs don't win games easy. Period. Just two out of their eleven victories have come by more than one score, implying some ongoing balance of luck and discipline. They're not picking these wins up by accident, but it's certainly looked like it more often than not this season.
Time for Michael Penix Jr.?
Just one month ago, the Atlanta Falcons were 6-3 with a death grip on the NFC South. Since then, they've gone 0-3, allowing Tampa Bay to tie them record-wise atop the division. A key component of that collapse has been Kirk Cousins' play, with the 36-year-old QB throwing for six interceptions and no touchdowns during that stretch. The weapons are there, Bijan has been productive and Cousins has just been mucking it all up. Wonder if Penix Jr. could be the spark they need to find the postseason?
Blah
After a 34-point outburst versus Cincy, it appeared that this Chargers offense had found it's rhythm. Turns out, the Bengals just suck at defense. The Dobbins injury doesn't help matters, but it's clear Justin Herbert doesn't trust any pass catcher not named Ladd McConkey-- and rightfully so with some of the drops we've seen from his guys. This was just their second win over a team with a record of .500 or better, really making you question how high their ceiling is.
Historically Polarized
What a frustrating season for Bengals fans. Their offense is averaging just under 28 a game, good for fifth in the NFL. Joe Burrow's thrown for 3,337 yards, 30 touchdowns (both league leading) and just 5 interceptions. That defense though...giving up 369 yards and over 28 points per game. Atrocious; and completely wasting an MVP-caliber season from Mr. Shiesty.
Looking Dangeruss
Pundits have questioned the legitimacy of the Steelers' hot start all season, but after topping Cincy in an uncharacteristic shootout, maybe time to give them some respect. Russell Wilson was particularly sharp on the afternoon, completing 76% of his passes for 414 yards and 3 touchdowns. Compared to the Russ we saw last year in Denver, the turnaround has been incredible. And the Steelers are legit because of it.
Trey McBride
Let's throw a little more tight end love around! Arizona's Trey McBride is one of the most under-the-radar stars in the NFL, racking up 73 catches for 781 yards. Even with Marvin Harrison Jr. in the picture, McBride is clearly the most trusted target of Kyler Murray-- though he's miraculously managed to not score this season.
2's
Odd little anomaly in the rushing department of the Vikings box score, with Aaron Jones, Cam Akers and Sam Darnold all finishing with 22 yards. Jones added 2 fumbles, while Ty Chandler had 2 carries for 2 yards. This means nothing, outside of the fact that Jones has some ball control issues, but certainly something 2 note.
Stones
With the season quite possibly on the line, Shane Steichen showed his balls with 13 seconds left on Sunday, opting to go for two after the Colts drew within one late. Anthony Richardson was the catalyst for the 19-play, 80-yard game winning drive, helping cash three fourth down plays before emphatically punching in the go-ahead two-point conversion. It's not perfect in Indy, but they're still out here fighting.
Almost Historic
In another bold move, Jerod Mayo trotted kicker Joey Slye out for what would've been an NFL record 68-yard field goal. It felt stupid and unrealistic, but Slye was only a few feet short of the crossbar in what would've been a miraculous conclusion to a surprisingly fun game. Instead, it's just a missed kick in the ole stat books.
Revenge
It probably felt awesome for Leonard Williams running back that 92-yard pick six against the Jets, kickstarting the Seahawks comeback against his former team. New York was going into the end zone with a 21-7 lead before the massive play, priming themselves for their fourth victory of the season. Instead, Seattle ran off 19 unanswered in final 22 minutes to win 26-21. Life comes at you fast sometimes.
What Are We Doing?
Asking the Jets. Aaron Rodgers is beyond cooked, the defense has substantially regressed and morale probably couldn't get lower. The media ping-pong about who'll be QB next season, will Davante demand a trade, blah, blah, blah. One of the most complete and thorough meltdowns of an entire franchise in recent memory.
Needed That!
What a way to burst out of a dismal three game losing streak. The Commanders throttled Tennessee, scoring on their first 4 possessions while nearly doubling their opponents' yardage. The most encouraging part of the dominant display was Jayden Daniels resembling the versatile and efficient quarterback he looked to be during the first two months of the season. If DC's going to make any postseason noise, they've got to keep this style of play up.
Touchdown Machine
20 catches on the year, 8 touchdowns. 40% of a WR2's catches going for scores. Unheard of scoring production from Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who's found pay dirt in 7 of the last 8 weeks.
That's Fucked Up...
That Azeez Al-Shaair hit on Trevor Lawrence was some scary stuff, concussing the former #1 pick and sending him off the field on a cart. Making matters worse was Demeco Ryans quite literally blaming Lawrence for the hit. Horrible optics from a franchise that's losing public opinion rapidly. Al-Shaair was issued a three game suspension for his action.
Parker Washington Love
The kid's a baller! Jacksonville's sixth round pick from 2023 nearly matched his rookie totals on Sunday, racking up 6 catches for 103 yards and a score. With only Brian Thomas Jr. ahead of him on the depth chart, Washington has an opportunity to establish himself as a reliable pass catcher for any team moving forward. Go get that second contract!
Good Backs, Bad Game
Kyren Williams took 15 carries for 104 yards and a score while Alvin Kamara added 112 of his own on the ground. Probably the only things worth highlighting from a lackluster showdown between the Saints and Rams.
Couldn't Be Perfect
Chuba Hubbard's had a season to remember, setting career highs in rush yards and touchdowns with five games still to go and receiving a well-deserved extension last month. Despite all the accolades, Hubbard finished Sunday with a nasty taste in his mouth, losing a fumble in overtime with his team in field goal range. Tampa promptly went down the field to set up a game-winning field goal of their own, celebrating into the locker room while Hubbard was the last player on the field. This dude's got pride, making it clear to everyone why Carolina was so eager to keep him around.
A Star is Born
Speaking of phenomenal running backs, Bucky Irving was incredible once again this week, racking up 185 total yards on 28 touches. Rachaad White is still plenty involved in this offense, but it's clear that the rookie from Oregon has taken the lead. An underrated tandem, no doubt.
Spike
Cooper DeJean spiking Derrick Henry to the ground in the open field on a swing pass...what a play by the slot corner. Eagles fans are going to remember that hit for a long time to come.
No Longer Royalty
It was an elite run for Justin Tucker, but it's pretty clear now that his better days are behind him. His failure to convert kicks has accounted for 22 missed points in the Ravens five losses-- which were ironically by a combined 22 points. Time to lay off commercials and focus on saving your career.
Catcher and Thrower?
Josh Allen made history Sunday night, becoming the first player to ever rush for, throw and receive a touchdown in the same game. Strangely enough, he actually threw his receiving touchdown to Amari Cooper, who lateralled it to Allen for a diving score. Electric performance in the lake snow.
Heal Up CMC
Christian McCaffery managed to overcome tendonitis in both Achilles', but it's a PCL sprain that's going to officially end his season. CMC haplessly fell to the ground without being contacted early in the second quarter, in what initially looked much more dire than the diagnosis. Here's to hoping he's back at 100% for 2025. Stick a fork in Niners.
More Revenge!
Jerry Jeudy went absolutely HAM against his former team Monday, racking up multiple chunk gains en route to a 9/235/1 line. Most of his damage was not against Patrick Surtain II, so no need to go crazy overinflating this performance, but a monstrous output from a receiver Denver wrote off.
Pick Six Party
The vaunted Broncos secondary wasn't great Monday, giving up nearly 500 passing yards to Jameis Winston and the Browns. Despite that, two pick-sixes helped seal deal for Denver, capping a dramatic game in snowy conditions. They won't have many worse days than this one statistically, but the big plays they made proved critical in a huge, prime time victory.
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@Choppinglines
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