National Football League

[Alpe d'Huez]

It is a cool stadium concept and great venue from what can be seen from TV. The team will come around....eventually and maybe with a new owner.

Already have one. Didn't you hear? And I'm actually convinced in a matter of years this guy is going to be the controlling owner, even owning less than 10% of the team. Richie Incognito says he's already starting to take over all major ownership decisions.

Max Duggan played for the Chargers. Not a bad comparison with Cam Miller. Max played well in the UFL, and was "cut" because the UFL basically only signs guys to 1-year deals. He could end up there again this coming season. CFL pays a little better though.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Agree we've reached a point of attrition. Like I posted last week, the Rams have one of the most healthy rosters in the league right now, and it's showing.

Some games:

PIT@CHI - This is an interesting matchup, because the Bears have been eeking out games, but Pittsburgh has played noticeably better, at times. And worse, at times.
NE@CIN - Pats win they go 10-2. Unreal.
MIN@GB - Both teams have really underperformed at times. One team could "steal" this game.
IND@KC - We're going to find out of Indy is for real, and if KC is sunk.
CLE@LV - Shedeur couldn't be more lucky. His first NFL start against a mess of a team. Final core could be 6-5.
PHI@DAL - Could be high scoring. Both teams likely to score more than the entire score of the previous game!
ATL@NO - What does Cousins have left? Saints showing life.
TB@LAR - Some think the Rams are the best team in the NFL.

CAR@SF - If Panthers win, and Tampa loses, Carolina moves into first!

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Another choke job by Daniel Jones and the Colts. They are this year's Vikings. I'm calling it now, one and done in the playoffs.

Bears squeaked by another win. I don't see them getting far in the playoffs either. But when you win, you win.

Packers finally starting to look like the team some expected.

This Ravens team can't make a deep playoff run. Barely beat the Jets.

Gritty late win by the Lions. Gybbs 264 total yards of offense, and 219 on the ground in just 15 carries! Loved seeing St. Brown do the Cruz salsa in NY.

 

[Oldman]

Seahawks looked really good until they turned on the "prevent defense". Hopefully they know it will not work going forward.

 

[Nomad]

Chiefs finally win a one-score game! (0-5 going into this game). With their backs against the wall in a must win situation, they prevail in a hard fought battle. Spags' D stuffs the Colts run game limiting Taylor to a mere 58 yds! (averaging 114 yds going into this game), while the Chiefs run game finally gets going with Hunt carrying 30 times for 104 & a score. Mahomes much better performance throwing for 352 with a bunch of grabs by Rice. Mahomes clutch in the game winning scoring drive in OT. Chiefs outgain the Colts in total O 494-255. Chiefs at 6-5 are in the thick of the WC hunt. With the Colts loss, the Broncos now have the #1 seed (they hold the tie breaker over NE with a better conference record).

Ugly win by the Jags where Lawrence had 4 turnovers (3 picks & 1 fumble). Hard to believe the Jags are 7-4 only one game behind the Colts (and two games still remaining against the Colts). How they're winning with Lawrence performing so badly is beyond me.

Rodgers didn't play with the wrist injury & Rudolph couldn't get the win. With the resurgence of the Ravens, I think the Steelers are in trouble. The two upcoming games with the Ravens will be huge & probably determine their fate.

Huge win for the Browns over the Raiders! LOL. Sanders' debut, IMO, wasn't all that bad. He did have a pick but also threw for a score finishing with a 87 Rtg. However, we need see how he does against some better teams. I know the Raiders are trying to get the #1 pick, but you have to wonder if they don't win another game - will Carroll even be around next year to make that pick?

 

[Nomad]

Another choke job by Daniel Jones and the Colts. They are this year's Vikings. I'm calling it now, one and done in the playoffs.

IMO, I don't think they're one & done just because they lost to a fired-up Chiefs team at Arrowhead where the Chiefs are 5-1. You know Arrowhead is a tough place win at. And the Colts were in the game all the way to the end of OT. Had the Colts been blow away in this game, you might have a point.

The story line is the Chiefs shut down the #1 rusher in the league Taylor which limited the Colts' offensive firepower. Granted, Jones didn't do enough passing to overcome the neutralization of their running game. So, he needs to perform better in these big games where Taylor is shut down. But this was a fired-up & determined Chiefs team that came out swinging.

 

[SHAD0W93]

I didn’t get to watch any game since I worked last night and tonight. Looking at the scores a lot of overtime games.

Chiefs with a big comeback and win over the Colts. This could be the game to get them out of their mistake funk.

Eagles with big meltdown to the Cowboys. Boys vs Chiefs will be interesting. Funny how basically two 5-5 teams beat the 8-2 team with comebacks.

Beats continuing to use their Pope magic.

Bucs got absolutely destroyed and I heard Baker got injured so that’s bad for them.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Eagles meltdown definitely topped the Colts meltdown! Up 21-0 and blew it all away. Unreal.

If the Rams are the healthiest team in the league, the Buccaneers may be the most injured.

Ugly win by the Jags where Lawrence had 4 turnovers (3 picks & 1 fumble). Hard to believe the Jags are 7-4 only one game behind the Colts (and two games still remaining against the Colts). How they're winning with Lawrence performing so badly is beyond me.

I saw chunks of that game on RedZone. Between the bad throws, he also made some very impressive ones. Liam Coen must be pulling his hair out.

Rodgers didn't play with the wrist injury & Rudolph couldn't get the win. With the resurgence of the Ravens, I think the Steelers are in trouble. The two upcoming games with the Ravens will be huge & probably determine their fate.

Raven's didn't look so good though either. But you are right. Those two games will be big for that division.

I know the Raiders are trying to get the #1 pick, but you have to wonder if they don't win another game - will Carroll even be around next year to make that pick?

If he is around, he won't be making the primary decision, GM John Spytek will. I think Pete convinced a lot of people, including himself, that Geno Smith, and a few older Seahawks, still had something left in the tank, and Pete thought he could prove that in Vegas. He couldn't. Geno is washed. Most all the other Seahawks he brought over are washed. The Raiders aren't making the dumb mistakes they were last year, but the roster is maybe worse, and play calling worse, with the worst OL in the league. Chip Kelly is stuck in college also. Pete might be wise to just retire, because he won't be around when the Raiders rebuild starts to take shape.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Raiders fire OC Chip Kelly.

Reeling Raiders fire Kelly amid first year as OC

Chip Kelly is out as the offensive coordinator of the Raiders, a decision that came after the team's 24-10 loss to the Browns.

www.espn.com

 

[movingtarget]

Raiders fire OC Chip Kelly.

Reeling Raiders fire Kelly amid first year as OC

Chip Kelly is out as the offensive coordinator of the Raiders, a decision that came after the team's 24-10 loss to the Browns.

www.espn.com

That might be Kelly's last job in the NFL The previous one going 2-14 as head coach of the 49ers and not even getting a second season was bad enough albeit he had to deal with a sub par roster and an inept Baalke as the DC who got canned as well which then resulted in Shanahan's appearance on the scene. Carroll might see out another season if he's lucky.

Looks like the Patriots and the Rams might be heading to the one seeds in the playoffs as of now. Would not surprise me if the Rams go undefeated until the playoffs at least. The Chiefs look like they are on track for at least the 7 seed. I'm sure no one wants to meet them in the first round.

 

[SHAD0W93]

It’ll probably be a Colts vs Chiefs rematch if Chiefs are able to make the 7th, but this time it’s in Indy. They’ll have traveled the week before to Vegas and have to play every game like it’s a playoff game.

 

[Nomad]

I saw chunks of that game on RedZone. Between the bad throws, he also made some very impressive ones. Liam Coen must be pulling his hair out.

No way....you're kidding?...Lawrence made some "impressive" throws? If so, that should have been big ESPN highlight news: "Lawrence makes impressive throws in OT win over Cardinals." Didn't see Scott Van Pelt mentioned anything of such? Lol.

He is one of the worst performing QBs in the league - just a few notches ahead of Smith & some other bottom feeders. He's 27th in QBR, 2nd lowest 79 passer rating, 11 picks against only 14 TDs passes, etc. Compare his stats with those of the 37 yr old guy with a bad back. Lol

Trevor Lawrence 2025 Stats per Game - NFL - ESPN

The 2025 NFL season stats per game for Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars on ESPN. Includes full stats, per opponent, for regular and postseason.

www.espn.com

 

[Nomad]

Raiders fire OC Chip Kelly.

Wow, they wouldn't even let poor guy finish out the season. Well, at least he'll be home for the holidays. Lol. I bet Carroll is going to have anxiety now wondering if a target is on his back? (Imagine if Carroll is fired what that would do his ego).

I thought this was actually Chip when I first saw the video. Lol.

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/htcKCKNsJ-s?si=q3VNaqLRFmW6pZTt

 

[Nomad]

Brutal:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/3-z4Ye8dBcs?si=iFd1zDvSxa7u7sbQ

Mayfield may have dodged a bullet - the team thinks he has only a sprained AC joint pending an MRI.

 

[Unchained]

NY Giants had some meltdowns and fired the coach, get the new guy wearing the headset and the guy looks physically nervous. Chiefs would have really benefited from Pacheco. Still Kareem Hunt falls forward a bunch more than ..don't know what to think about Eagles. Baffling

 

[Sciatic]

Seahawks looked really good until they turned on the "prevent defense". Hopefully they know it will not work going forward.

It it always surprises me how hard it is for NFL teams to close out games where they have big early leads. (See Eagles yesterday as well). Probably because in today’s NFL even good running teams can’t do much once a defense knows it’s likely a running play. Thirty years ago 3rd and 3 was maybe run/ maybe pass, and 3rd and 2 was definite run. Now, all but the best running teams will often pass on 3rd and 1. So it’s very difficult for a team with a big lead at halftime to run the ball more in the 2nd half the way college team might.

 

[SHAD0W93]

It it always surprises me how hard it is for NFL teams to close out games where they have big early leads. (See Eagles yesterday as well). Probably because in today’s NFL even good running teams can’t do much once a defense knows it’s likely a running play. Thirty years ago 3rd and 3 was maybe run/ maybe pass, and 3rd and 2 was definite run. Now, all but the best running teams will often pass on 3rd and 1. So it’s very difficult for a team with a big lead at halftime to run the ball more in the 2nd half the way college team might.

That’s why they still need to mix up the run and pass plays. Defenses can be ran on in the second half, they just need to be worn down. If you keep having short drives they’re going to be fresher and ready to go.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

In the Colts case they were up 21-9 with just 11 minutes left. After that, their offense just froze. Jones wasn't seeing open receivers. It was alarming to see how bad they choked the game away. Credit to Mahomes and the Chiefs. When they absolutely had to win, they did.

It is ironic how similar it was late in last night's game that the Eagles could no longer move the ball the later the game went.

 

[Nomad]

Looks like the Patriots and the Rams might be heading to the one seeds in the playoffs as of now.

Before yesterday's games, the Broncos & Patriots were tied at 9-2 with the Broncos holding the tiebreaker with a better conference record (6-2 vs 5-2). However, the Broncos were on their bye week yesterday while the Patriots beat a conference opponent going 10-2 & 6-2. So, I guess technically the Patriots hold the tie breaker? They go on their bye in 2 weeks & then both teams will have a balanced record (unfortunately, the Broncos & Pats don't play each other this year).

Pats have some trouble as their two super rookies at LG & LT were knocked out of the game with knee & ankle injuries. Vrabel said it could be 1-2 weeks or several weeks depending on rehab:

Here's Patriots' Offensive Line Outlook After Injuries To Rookies

The New England Patriots' depth will be tested following injuries to rookie offensive linemen Jared Wilson and Will Campbell.

nesn.com

 

[Sciatic]

That’s why they still need to mix up the run and pass plays. Defenses can be ran on in the second half, they just need to be worn down. If you keep having short drives they’re going to be fresher and ready to go.

For sure! Always frustrating when a good offensive doesn't play with the same aggressiveness (whether with the run or pass) with a big 2nd-half lead. I can understand why there's a tendency to do that, but it's no fun as a fan to see an offense go flat.

 

[Nomad]

Tee Higgins knock unconscious upon impact with the turf - in concussion protocol.

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/x7PpQUdWBkw?si=0QY_oi84fjucRyS8

This is becoming the National Concussion League.

 

[Sciatic]

In the Colts case they were up 21-9 with just 11 minutes left. After that, their offense just froze. Jones wasn't seeing open receivers. It was alarming to see how bad they choked the game away. Credit to Mahomes and the Chiefs. When they absolutely had to win, they did.

It is ironic how similar it was late in last night's game that the Eagles could no longer move the ball the later the game went.

I also see the Colts as having a very soft schedule thus far aside from beating the Bills. They have back-to-back games against the Bills and Ravens next month that will go far toward deciding where they sit in the playoff picture.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Colts take on Texans twice, the Jags twice, and Seahawks and 49ers. They really only have two impressive wins so far. Chargers and Broncos. And a good win over Pitt. They did look impressive at other times, but their schedule has been soft indeed. This is why I can see them going 11-6, and maybe even losing the division if the Jags can keep things together and Lawrence doesn't implode. But I wasn't kidding when I said in the Cards game for every horrible throw he made, he'd also make one that was on the money. Must be maddening to coach.

 

[Nomad]

In the Colts case they were up 21-9 with just 11 minutes left. After that, their offense just froze. Jones wasn't seeing open receivers. It was alarming to see how bad they choked the game away. Credit to Mahomes and the Chiefs. When they absolutely had to win, they did.

Not good if he's missing open receivers in big games at this stage of the season. Because the Chiefs stuffed their run game, Steichen called passing plays 70% of the time in the 2nd half. Jones' 181 passing yds is his season low so far. And they got the ball first in OT & couldn't even get a FG.

Interestingly, in their two previous losses to the Rams & Steelers, where Taylor was also held to under 100 yds, he threw for a lot more yardage (262 & 342, respectively) but also more picks (2 & 3, respectively).

So, since teams have demonstrated the ability to stop the Colts run game - I guess Jones needs to step it up a level & throw more effectively in those situations.

 

[SHAD0W93]

The Colts so far in games usually pass more or mixed and then run more once they have the lead. Chiefs are just a hard team to run against, especially if your quarterback is missing plays.