JO_75
Hall of Famer
Trying to explain the NFL ten weeks into the season would be like trying to hack into the league's emails to release the 650,000 emails. The AFC just seems to be trying to outdo one another in losing games. The Titans lost to the Jets, the Bengals lost to the Jets, Josh Allen of Jacksonville beat Josh Allen of Buffalo and the Ravens lost to the Dolphins. Then the Dallas Cowboys got nearly shutout at home against the Broncos, the Tom Brady Bucs lost to Trevor Siemien and the Saints, the Titans stunned the Rams at home in a Super Bowl preview, parity at it's finest. What will the rest of the season bring?
Falcons @ Cowboys: In a rematch from last season that saw another classic Falcons loss, the Falcons head back to Dallas to take on the 6-2 Dallas Cowboys. Dallas was stunned last week as the Broncos came into Dallas and pulled off a major upset to keep their playoff hopes alive. This week the Falcons look to stay in the NFC playoff picture by doing the same. Both teams have got major contributions from their first round picks Kyle Pitts and Micah Parsons, which should create an interesting matchup on Sunday.
Saints @ Titans: After stunning the Rams last Sunday Night, the Titans head back home sitting atop the AFC and host Trevor Siemien and the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are coming off a loss after blowing a lead to the Falcons, boy this is some strange season. Tennessee showed last week they can still win without Derrick Henry and should win here as without Winston, the Saints season may very well be on it's last legs.
Jaguars @ Colts: The Jacksonville Jaguars stunned the Buffalo Bills last week scoring their second win of the season under Urban Meyer. Now Jacksonville heads to Indy to take on Carson Wentz and the Colts who are getting healthy despite the absence of Corner Xavier Rhodes. TY Hilton is expected back while Wentz gets some protection with the return of Braden Smith. Can the Colts keep their momentum going in a crowded AFC wild card picture or is Jacksonville ready to pull off another upset?
Lions @ Steelers: At the going rate of this season, we should fully expect the Steelers to give the Lions their first win of the season on Sunday. Despite obvious ref ball, the Steelers got the win over the Bears and are in position to take first place in the AFC North with a win over the Lions. With JuJu already out for the season, not having Chase Claypool available is going to hurt the passing game meaning we should see a lot of rookie Najee Harris. Detroit has been competitive this season but have come up short. Is this the week the Lions follow suit and stun a major playoff contender?
Bills @ Jets: Well Buffalo, you had a chance to stay in front of the AFC East but like most AFC top teams, you blew it against a lesser opponent. Now the Bills find themselves needing a win over the Jets to stay in front of the Patriots. The Jets have already upset the Titans and Bengals, now they are coming for Buffalo as the Jets look for the trifecta of upsets. Can Buffalo bounce back here or will the Jets find a way to win and potentially give the Patriots their place back atop the AFC East?
Browns @ Patriots: After a down year in 2020, the Empire Strikes Back with new life as The Hoody returns for vengeance. Mac Jones is getting better every week and soon enough we are going to regret letting him drop to the Patriots in the Draft and potentially create another dynasty. Perhaps the Rams will find out soon enough, but the Browns offense is much better without OBJ and that's going to be a concern for New England. Nick Chubb has been ruled out thanks to COVID, meaning D'Ernest Johnson will once again start at running back. Playoff implications on the line for both teams, which team will want it more?
Bucs @ Washington: The Tampa Bay Bucs travel to Washington for a playoff rematch as the Bucs look to remain atop the NFC and keep their home field aspirations alive. Both Antonio Brown & Rob Gronkowski have been ruled out against Washington, and the Bucs leaky secondary loses Rashard Robinson. Meanwhile Curtis Samuel, Benjamin St-Juste and Montez Sweat have been ruled out for Washington. Tampa needs to avoid the trap game here to keep pace with the rest of the NFC.
4PM Late Game Window
Panthers @ Cardinals: While we may have to wait a week for the reunion between Cam Newton and the Panthers, it may be another week for Arizona without Kyler Murray who is going to be a gametime decision. If Murray can't play, Colt McCoy would get the start for Arizona once again. With the Rams breathing down their neck, the Cardinals need a win here to keep pace with the all in Rams and a Seahawks team getting Russell Wilson back.
Vikings @ Chargers: Every Division Leader in the AFC has lost to a under .500 team this season, and the Chargers just so happen to come across a Vikings team under .500. While Kirk Cousins has been having a good season, it seems the Vikings just can't close the deal when it comes to winning games, meaning Mike Zimmer's hot seat is getting hotter with every loss. As I said above, the Chargers are in a trap game and need to avoid the same fate as their fellow division leaders or lose ground in a wild AFC West that is all tied up at 5 wins a piece.
Eagles @ Broncos: Just like the Vikings, the Eagles find themselves in a situation that can cause havoc in the AFC West if they are able to beat Denver. At 3-6, the Eagles season hasn't gone to plan under first year head coach Nick Sirianni and questions are emerging on whether Jalen Hurts is the guy going forward. The Broncos are reaping the benefits of the Teddy Bridgewater trade and find themselves in the playoff hunt following their stunning upset over Dallas last week. It's anybody's division in the AFC West and every win or loss matters.
Seahawks @ Packers: The Packers defense played well against the Chiefs but mishaps on offense in Jordan Love's first ever start cost them the win last week. With Aaron Rodgers returning to face a ready to go Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks, the Packers find themselves needing a win to bounce back this week.
Sunday Night Football
Chiefs @ Raiders: A crazy week for the Raiders ended with a loss to the Giants costing them in the AFC playoff picture while the Chiefs were able to build momentum with back to back wins. In what will be a division deciding game, both teams come into this looking to find some advantage in a division that anybody can win. KC's offense has looked off this season while the Raiders find themselves in trouble off the field. Which team will get a slight edge in the race for the AFC West?
Monday Night Football
Rams @ 49ers: The 49ers find themselves dealing with a ton of injury issues this season, it was injuries that derailed 2018 and it's looking to be that way in 2021 with a tough matchup against the LA Rams on Monday Night. The newly acquired OBJ joins an offense that stumbled last week in the loss to the Titans. Is OBJ the missing piece to the Rams offense that will take them to next level? Can these big name acquistions finally pay off for the Rams?
Falcons @ Cowboys: In a rematch from last season that saw another classic Falcons loss, the Falcons head back to Dallas to take on the 6-2 Dallas Cowboys. Dallas was stunned last week as the Broncos came into Dallas and pulled off a major upset to keep their playoff hopes alive. This week the Falcons look to stay in the NFC playoff picture by doing the same. Both teams have got major contributions from their first round picks Kyle Pitts and Micah Parsons, which should create an interesting matchup on Sunday.
Saints @ Titans: After stunning the Rams last Sunday Night, the Titans head back home sitting atop the AFC and host Trevor Siemien and the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are coming off a loss after blowing a lead to the Falcons, boy this is some strange season. Tennessee showed last week they can still win without Derrick Henry and should win here as without Winston, the Saints season may very well be on it's last legs.
Jaguars @ Colts: The Jacksonville Jaguars stunned the Buffalo Bills last week scoring their second win of the season under Urban Meyer. Now Jacksonville heads to Indy to take on Carson Wentz and the Colts who are getting healthy despite the absence of Corner Xavier Rhodes. TY Hilton is expected back while Wentz gets some protection with the return of Braden Smith. Can the Colts keep their momentum going in a crowded AFC wild card picture or is Jacksonville ready to pull off another upset?
Lions @ Steelers: At the going rate of this season, we should fully expect the Steelers to give the Lions their first win of the season on Sunday. Despite obvious ref ball, the Steelers got the win over the Bears and are in position to take first place in the AFC North with a win over the Lions. With JuJu already out for the season, not having Chase Claypool available is going to hurt the passing game meaning we should see a lot of rookie Najee Harris. Detroit has been competitive this season but have come up short. Is this the week the Lions follow suit and stun a major playoff contender?
Bills @ Jets: Well Buffalo, you had a chance to stay in front of the AFC East but like most AFC top teams, you blew it against a lesser opponent. Now the Bills find themselves needing a win over the Jets to stay in front of the Patriots. The Jets have already upset the Titans and Bengals, now they are coming for Buffalo as the Jets look for the trifecta of upsets. Can Buffalo bounce back here or will the Jets find a way to win and potentially give the Patriots their place back atop the AFC East?
Browns @ Patriots: After a down year in 2020, the Empire Strikes Back with new life as The Hoody returns for vengeance. Mac Jones is getting better every week and soon enough we are going to regret letting him drop to the Patriots in the Draft and potentially create another dynasty. Perhaps the Rams will find out soon enough, but the Browns offense is much better without OBJ and that's going to be a concern for New England. Nick Chubb has been ruled out thanks to COVID, meaning D'Ernest Johnson will once again start at running back. Playoff implications on the line for both teams, which team will want it more?
Bucs @ Washington: The Tampa Bay Bucs travel to Washington for a playoff rematch as the Bucs look to remain atop the NFC and keep their home field aspirations alive. Both Antonio Brown & Rob Gronkowski have been ruled out against Washington, and the Bucs leaky secondary loses Rashard Robinson. Meanwhile Curtis Samuel, Benjamin St-Juste and Montez Sweat have been ruled out for Washington. Tampa needs to avoid the trap game here to keep pace with the rest of the NFC.
4PM Late Game Window
Panthers @ Cardinals: While we may have to wait a week for the reunion between Cam Newton and the Panthers, it may be another week for Arizona without Kyler Murray who is going to be a gametime decision. If Murray can't play, Colt McCoy would get the start for Arizona once again. With the Rams breathing down their neck, the Cardinals need a win here to keep pace with the all in Rams and a Seahawks team getting Russell Wilson back.
Vikings @ Chargers: Every Division Leader in the AFC has lost to a under .500 team this season, and the Chargers just so happen to come across a Vikings team under .500. While Kirk Cousins has been having a good season, it seems the Vikings just can't close the deal when it comes to winning games, meaning Mike Zimmer's hot seat is getting hotter with every loss. As I said above, the Chargers are in a trap game and need to avoid the same fate as their fellow division leaders or lose ground in a wild AFC West that is all tied up at 5 wins a piece.
Eagles @ Broncos: Just like the Vikings, the Eagles find themselves in a situation that can cause havoc in the AFC West if they are able to beat Denver. At 3-6, the Eagles season hasn't gone to plan under first year head coach Nick Sirianni and questions are emerging on whether Jalen Hurts is the guy going forward. The Broncos are reaping the benefits of the Teddy Bridgewater trade and find themselves in the playoff hunt following their stunning upset over Dallas last week. It's anybody's division in the AFC West and every win or loss matters.
Seahawks @ Packers: The Packers defense played well against the Chiefs but mishaps on offense in Jordan Love's first ever start cost them the win last week. With Aaron Rodgers returning to face a ready to go Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks, the Packers find themselves needing a win to bounce back this week.
Sunday Night Football
Chiefs @ Raiders: A crazy week for the Raiders ended with a loss to the Giants costing them in the AFC playoff picture while the Chiefs were able to build momentum with back to back wins. In what will be a division deciding game, both teams come into this looking to find some advantage in a division that anybody can win. KC's offense has looked off this season while the Raiders find themselves in trouble off the field. Which team will get a slight edge in the race for the AFC West?
Monday Night Football
Rams @ 49ers: The 49ers find themselves dealing with a ton of injury issues this season, it was injuries that derailed 2018 and it's looking to be that way in 2021 with a tough matchup against the LA Rams on Monday Night. The newly acquired OBJ joins an offense that stumbled last week in the loss to the Titans. Is OBJ the missing piece to the Rams offense that will take them to next level? Can these big name acquistions finally pay off for the Rams?
