I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. Seasonable depression is one of the most serious ailments people deal with. Especially being from the Northeast, the days get shorter and colder. And unless you are a skier, you are probably like me and hate the snow.
And for all the excitement of “The Holidays”, looking forward to Thanksgiving and then whatever you celebrate in December (Christmas for so many of us)…there is the corresponding hustle and bustle and underlying stress of shopping and getting ready for the meals, and of course, family.
And when it comes to football, it is the one solace, where our couches in our mancaves are often a fortress of solitude. But it’s just so amazing how quickly these weeks fly off the calendar, and we blink and are all of a sudden into wk.10. The season is now more than half over, and we’re in the middle of November when it seemed like Labor Day and wk.1 was just a couple weeks ago…when almost every survivor pool was destroyed with the Patriots win in Cincinnati.
Time definitely marches on, and at this point, it seems to be marching towards a Chiefs-Lions Superbowl. It would be one of the most anticipated games of all time. The Lions have never been there, while the Chiefs are seemingly always there. And the Chiefs would be going for history, trying to three-pete. But invariably, the dream matchups often don’t materialize…and I still think HC Dan Campbell will cost the Lions at some point.
One of the teams that could derail that matchup is the Baltimore Ravens. Lamar Jackson did it again on Thursday. In a thrilling 35-34 victory over the Bengals, Jackson went 25-33, 290 yards and four TDs. The Ravens are now 7-3 and still only a wildcard team, but by season’s end, they will overtake the Steelers. They are among the few teams who can derail the Chiefs this season. Realistically, the two teams will be facing off in the AFC Championship.
So you’re saying there’s a chance: The Bengals put up another exciting performance but unfortunately found themselves on the losing side. They are now 4-6 with only a 33% chance of making the playoffs. That’s better odds than I thought they’d have to be in this position, but when you have Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, you are never out of it.
On Thursday, Burrow completed 34 out of 56 passes for 428 yards and four TDs. His main target was, of course, Chase. Chase caught 11 of Burrow’s 34 completions for 264 yards and three TDs. This team does have the talent to win six games the rest of the way or even run the table, ending the year with 10 or 11 wins.
Does it even matter? Will Levis is returning this week for the Titans, recovering from a shoulder injury. But does it even matter? Other than trying to figure out if he’s there long term solution, there is not any appreciable difference between him and Mason Rudolph…the bottom line is at 2-6, they aren’t going anywhere this season with either man at the helm. They’ve already put up the white flag and are giving up on the year by trading WR Deandre Hopkins to the undefeated Chiefs.
Does it even matter, pt.2: The Cowboys are now 3-5 on the season, and Dak Prescott has landed on the IR with a hamstring issue. The question is, does it matter? Realistically, this offense has been sputtering most of the season, even with Dak at the helm. They have no running game, and Prescott can not do it all himself when defenses can load up trying to Stop the passing game. Losing RB Tony Pollard was a huge loss to the team, and if Jerry Jones were smart, he would have traded to get him back.
It’s a lost season for America’s Team, and it will be interesting to see how the team looks in 2025. One thing is certain: It won’t be with HC Mike McCarthy on the sideline.
Does it even matter, pt.3: Jacksonville QB and No. 1 overall draft pick Trevor Lawrence is most likely out with a shoulder injury this week. Mac Jones, a fellow first-round pick in that draft, is most likely starting this week at home against the Vikings.
It is a lost year for the Jaguars, sitting at 2-7 and tied with six other teams sharing that league-worst record. They are smack dab in the mix for the No. 1 pick at next year’s draft. If Jones sees any significant time, could this be an audition for 2025? It’s hard to imagine the Jaguars parting ways with Lawrence, but it is a league of meritocracy, and if Jones shows promise, the Jaguars could very well say goodbye to the former no.1 pick…there will be a team willing to trade for the underperforming QB.
Guess who’s back: Finally, the prayers of 49er fans have been answered. It looks like RB Christian McCaffrey is making his return this week. He’ll be playing his first game, which he will miss all season with Achilles tendonitis. It will be interesting to see how much HC Kyle Shanahan uses him and how many snaps he’ll play. The game plan will probably limit his time, but the natural instinct will be to use him as much as needed. Shanahan has had his Ferrari in the garage all year; he’s going to want to go full throttle as soon as he has the chance.
The injuries keep piling up: Now that over half the season is gone, the injuries keep coming. Here are a few of the most significant to their teams and possibly your fantasy teams.
- NO WR Chris Olave: Olave is on the IR in concussion protocol.
- BUF WR Keon Coleman: The rookie WR is out with a wrist injury.
- BUF WR Amari Cooper: Cooper is listed as questionable with a wrist injury.
- HOU WR Tank Dell: Dell is questionable with a back issue.
- HOU WR Nico Collins: Collins is out with a hamstring issue.
- HOU RB Dameon Pierce: Pierce is out with a groin injury, depleting the Texans’ offense in the running and passing games.
- TB WR Mike Evans: Evans is still out with his hamstring strain.
- ATL WR Drake London: London has been listed as questionable with a hip injury.
- IND WR Michael Pittman: Pittman is out nursing his knee.
