Sunday, February 13th, 2022

SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA

SB LVI

Winner in Bold:


Los Angeles Rams (V) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (H)

For the second year in a row, and after it never happening in the Super Bowl era prior to last year, a team is playing for the Lombardi Trophy in its home stadium. For official purposes, due to the conference champions alternating as Super Bowl home team, Cincinnati is considered the home team. As much as I can tell, the only "advantage" afforded a home team in a neutral-site game is choice of uniform colour.

It comes as no surprise to me that the Bengals have chosen to wear dark jerseys.

LA is supposed to be in this game. They've been designed for it. They made the big game a few years ago, but the team didn't have the right players to execute Sean McVay's genius vision (just ask him). This season, the team went all-in to make a run at the title, beginning with the offseason trade of Jared Goff to Detroit for Matthew Stafford. During the season, LA was able to acquire Odell Beckham as a free agent, and Von Miller via trade.

LA is the team with the big names. Besides Stafford, Beckham, and Miller, they have multi-DPOY winner Aaron Donald, elite CB Jalen Ramsay, 2021 OPOY winner Cooper Kupp, and S Eric Weddle, who the team coaxed out of retirement after they were hit with multiple late-season injuries.

They've mortgaged their future, some say. They traded two first round picks for Ramsay, and two more for Stafford. They haven't had a first round pick since 2016, and they won't have another until at least 2024. They are a team built to win NOW.

Cincinnati isn't supposed to be here. Just don't tell them that. They won't believe you.

The Bengals have a slew of great players, but their players don't have the name recognition that the LA stars have. Joe Burrow was the number one pick in 2020, but he had his knee blown out during his rookie campaign, and was sidelined while Bolts' first rounder Justin Herbert stole the rookie spotlight.

In the 2021 draft, Cincy once again had a high pick. Most experts opined that they should take an offensive lineman, yet the Bengals opted for WR Ja'Marr Chase, Burrow's college teammate. Many experts thought that this was a mistake, though I doubt that any would say so now. Chase is a phenomenal talent, and he and Burrow have excellent chemistry.

Preseason predictions had Cincy finishing last in its division. They won it anyway, sweeping their nemeses Pittsburgh and Baltimore, and beating defending AFC champs KC along the way.

Before this season, Cincinnati hadn't won a playoff game since 1991. This Bengals team has won three playoff games, beating Las Vegas, top-seeded Tennessee, and KC again.

The Cincinnati Bengals are a team that no one thought would make the playoffs. They are four point underdogs. They are playing a "home" game in their opponent's home stadium.

The Cincinnati Bengals are not supposed to win this game.

Just don't tell them that. They won't believe you anyway.

So, last week’s column got around a bit, thanks in large part to my dear friend Chad. Reaction to the article was generally positive, judging by the comments I saw. A lot of people are fed up with the attitude that the league and teams have with regards to good players who behave badly. Many people simply aren’t aware of the extent that KC has gone to in order to have the players they want on the field.
 
The reaction wasn’t all positive, however. Whenever I write something like this, I’m fascinated by how fans of the team I’m criticizing will twist themselves into logical knots trying to justify the team’s actions, and/or their personal fandom.
 
One commenter, who agreed that Frank Clark, Willie Gay, and Tyreek Hill shouldn’t be playing, and that the chanting etc. was bad, nonetheless was upset at my “overgeneralization” of KC fans. I assume that he was reacting to my calling KC fans racist. In his profile picture, he is wearing a mask (good) with a racist KC logo (bad). There might be hope for this one.
 
More disturbing were some of the responses to Gay’s arrest. One commenter opined that he (Gay) “… broke a vacuum and hit a wall.. gimme a break.” When challenged by another commenter, the guy fell back on weak, tired arguments around the ideas of innocent until proven guilty, and how much good the team does for the community. This person is an idiot.
 
Worse, another commenter was appalled by my criticism of Gay’s actions, saying that Gay had, in fact, done “the right thing” by merely damaging property instead of hitting his child’s mother. Anyone who thinks this way should be put on an island somewhere with other men of his ilk.
 
This should go without saying, but here I go anyway…
 
Any man (particularly if they are 6’1” and 240+ pounds) who goes to a woman’s home uninvited, verbally abuses her, and smashes her property, has not done “the right thing.” Any of these actions is abusive, violent, and threatening. Just because he hasn’t hit her doesn’t mean he hasn’t harmed her. And as for predicting the future, far too many women know this story by heart, and they know how it usually ends.
 
Anyway, I know for a fact that the only reason the team keeps Gay and Clark around is because the team, particularly Andy Reid, thinks they can help the team win.
 
How do I know this?
 
Damon Arnette, a CB with a troubled history, and who KC signed on January 20th, was arrested on Friday for assault with a weapon. KC immediately released him. Arnette has not been tried or convicted of anything, merely arrested. He’s also barely played in the NFL, and no one could argue that he is essential to KC’s success. In other words, expendable.
 
Gay, as you will remember, was arrested just last week. He also played last week against Buffalo, after his arrest. Gay is useful, and therefore deserving of a chance to have his case heard.
 
Clark’s case is, in some ways, more curious. He was arrested twice last year for the same felony weapons offense, yet he has not been disciplined by the team. Recently, I was reading an article about some of the worst contracts in the league, in terms of how much the player was earning compared to their production. Clark’s contract was deemed one of the worst. Though Clark is a productive player, he is being paid the salary of a much better player. Based on Clark’s arrests, plus his well-documented past bad behaviour, it would not be hard to imagine that KC could terminate Clark’s contract for cause, thereby ridding the team of both an onerous contract, and a bad citizen. And yet, Clark remains with the team. Why? Because Reid believes Clark’s presence gives the team a better chance to win.
 
At any rate, I can’t stop anyone from rooting for KC or any other team or player in the NFL. What I write is my opinion, backed up with facts and well-reasoned arguments. If you’re going to come for me, don’t bring your weak-ass arguments with you. Better you should admit that winning a football game means more to you than being a racist, misogynist, waste of oxygen.
 
 
 

​Championship Sunday
 
Winners in Bold
 
 
 
Cincinnati at KC
 
Simply put, I love this Cincy team, and I hope they win it all. They’re exciting and fun to watch. They’re the only remaining team to have never won the big one. They beat KC already this season, coming back to do so. They have the tools, the talent, and the attitude to do it again.
 
For now, though, I just need them to beat KC.
 
Help me Cincinnati. You’re my only hope.
 
 
 
San Francisco at LAR
 
Another matchup in which the visiting underdog has already beaten the favourite this season, only in this case, San Fran did it twice. With that fearsome defensive front four, the ‘niners should be able to keep the game close. Then, it will be up to the offense to grind out another win, with guys like Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Kyle “ZZ Top” Juszczyk making big contributions, and Jimmy Garoppolo doing enough good things while avoiding the bad things.

​I can’t believe I have to do this AGAIN, but here we are.
 
KC linebacker Willie Gay was arrested this past Wednesday. Much of the media coverage of this has been misleading, with many headlines emphasizing the charge, which officially is “Criminal Damage of less than $1000.” I’ve even seen some headlines that said something along the lines of, “Willie Gay arrested for breaking a vacuum cleaner.”
 
If you’re willing to read the articles, or watch the news reports, you might eventually discover that this incident is considered “domestic violence-related,” that the incident took place at the home of his child’s mother, and that Gay damaged a vacuum, a wall, and a door frame.
 
I did find one report that detailed the victim’s report of the incident. According to the victim, Gay came over to her home after being asked not to, refused to leave, verbally abused her, shoved her, took her phone and hung up on the 911 dispatcher after she had called for help, threw her phone against the wall, and smashed her vacuum, then left before police arrived.
 
The victim has applied for a protective order, citing this incident, as well as alleging past incidences of physical and verbal abuse and threats.
 
Gay has a history of violence. In college, he was kicked out of games for it and suspended. He assaulted a teammate, causing serious injury.
 
Despite the team being aware of all of this, Gay will play today. Not that I’m surprised.
 
There are a lot of terrible franchises in the NFL. Competition for the worst would be stiff. KC would absolutely be in the running, even if you only considered the past nine years.
 
In the early hours of December 1, 2012, KC linebacker Jovan Belcher murdered his partner, shooting her with a legally-owned handgun nine times, in the home he shared with her and their infant daughter, in front of his mother. Belcher then drove to KC’s practice facility, where, despite the pleas of GM Scott Pioli, coaches Romeo Crennel and Gary Gibbs, and owner Clark Hunt, Belcher killed himself via a single shot to the head from a different, legally-owned handgun.
 
Prior to the team’s game the day after the deaths, the team held a moment of silence for “…victims of domestic violence and their families,” though the incidents themselves were never mentioned.
 
On December 31st, with the trauma no doubt still fresh in his thoughts, Crennel was fired. Pioli was fired five days later, on January 4th of the new year. The team, after all, had gone 2-14.
 
On that same January 4th day, KC hired Andy Reid. He would be the team’s Head Coach, and he would have a large degree of input regarding personnel matters.
 
The team became winners during Reid’s tenure.
 
At what cost?
 
The team drafted Tyreek Hill in 2016. Hill had been arrested for assaulting his pregnant girlfriend in December of 2014, eventually pleading guilty to choking her. Hill had been kicked off his college team following the charges, was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, and was projected to go undrafted, having been removed entirely from some team’s draft boards.
 
Since joining KC, Hill has become a dynamic player. He’s also been investigated for child abuse, and though a DA concluded that a crime had been committed, there was not enough evidence for charges. During the investigation, a recording of Hill threatening his partner was made public. Hill has not been disciplined by the team or the league.
 
 
Prior to the 2019 season, KC acquired Frank Clark via trade. Clark has an extensive criminal history including some reprehensible behaviour towards women. He was suspended during his freshman year in college following a home invasion and theft. In November of 2014, he was arrested for domestic violence and dismissed from the team, eventually pleading guilty to disorderly conduct.
 
While with Seattle, Clark made disparaging remarks to a female journalist who wrote about his domestic violence arrest.
 
Since joining KC, Clark has played well enough to be rewarded with a big contract. On June 20th of this year, Clark was arrested for felony weapons possession (an Uzi!), and when this was reported, it was revealed that he had been arrested just three months earlier for the same crime. Despite his history, and these felonies being punishable by up the three years in prison, Clark has not been disciplined by the team or the league.
 
The team also employed Britt Reid, Andy’s son, for several years as a coach, despite an extensive history of violent crimes and drug convictions. This past February, Britt, who suffers from substance addiction, crashed his truck into two stopped vehicles while speeding. Reid was drunk, and also had the drug Adderall in his system. One of the occupants of the struck vehicles, a five-year-old girl, suffered permanent brain damage. The team did not renew Reid’s contract, and he remains free pending trial.
 
Their fans are racist, gleefully participating in mass demonstrations of cultural theft and insensitivity, actions encouraged by the team. The team’s very name and logo are examples of cultural appropriation of indigenous iconography.
 
Sports media ignores all of this, afraid of alienating the players, the team, and the league, at the risk of losing access. I’ve been railing against this stuff for years, to the point that I’m sick and tired of screaming into the void.
 
Willie Gay should not be playing today. Is he going to have to put her in the hospital before he’s held accountable? Does he have to kill her?
 
KC is one of the few teams I actively root against.
 
Actually, now that I think about it, I CAN believe I have to do this again.
 
Here we are.
 
 
 
 
Divisional Round
 
Winners in Bold
 
 
Sunday
 
 
 
Los Angeles at Tampa
 
Both teams have injury problems along their offensive lines, with LA missing Andrew Whitworth, and Tampa without Tristin Wirfs, plus Ryan Jensen’s being hobbled. With both teams having strong pass rushes, this one will likely be decided by which team can run the ball effectively, and which QB handles the pressure better.
 
 
 
Buffalo at KC
 
Buffalo didn’t just slay the New England dragon; they toyed with it, beat it senseless, choked the life out of it, and BBQed it over a pile of flaming tables. They look like they’re Super Bowl-bound to me.

​

No time for a fancy intro today, so I'll just get to the games.


Divisional Round
 
Winners in Bold
 
 
 
Saturday
 
 
 
Cincinnati at Tennessee

I am really looking forward to this game.

In Cincinnati, you've got a young team with an explosive offense loaded with playmaking talent. Tennessee is a win-in-the-trenches type of team, very physical up front on both offense and defense.

Cincy's receivers will have to win battles early, so that Joe Burrow doesn't have to hold onto the ball for too long. Joe Mixon will be integral, because if Tennessee doesn't have to respect the run game, then Burrow could be in trouble.

Much has been made of the return of Derrick Henry, and if he can even approach the level of play he was at pre-injury, his presence will be huge. Tennessee doesn't necessarily need Henry in order to win, however. In Henry's absence, the run game performed very well. The team is rested, thanks to a first-round bye, which is a tremendous advantage for a team that employs such a physical style. Those factors, plus the availability of AJ Brown and Julio Jones should be a boon to Ryan Tannehill.

Ultimately, I think that rest, and the presence of AJ Brown, will be the deciding factors in this one.
 
 
 
San Francisco at Green Bay

Since Green Bay won it all as a Wild Card in the 2010 season, Aaron Rodgers has QBed his team to nine playoff berths in 11 seasons. Of those nine berths, Green Bay has had a first round bye five times, including this season. They've lost four NFC Championship games, including the previous two seasons (after securing a first round bye).

These are just facts. They don't necessarily mean anything.

San Francisco began the season highly-touted, but struggled throughout much of the season due to injuries. Towards the end of the season, the team got healthier, and as result, were able to put on a push that got them into the playoffs via a win over the West Division winners the LA Rams in their season's final game. The 'niners followed that up with a win over Dallas in the Wild Card round that was not as close as the score would indicate.

When these two teams met in September, their lineups were basically the same as they are now. The main difference was that San Francisco's emerging star Deebo Samuel wasn't being used much in the run game. Since then, Samuel has become one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in the entire league.

Green Bay led throughout most of that game, with San Fran taking a late lead, before the Packers pulled out the victory via a last-minute 51-yard Mason Crosby field goal.

The Packers had a great season, securing the number one seed in the NFC. Rodgers had a great season as well, statistically. The team is rested, relatively healthy, and loaded with talent. They should probably win.

Aaron Rodgers has always cultivated an enigmatic image, saying little, keeping relatively private, making humorous remarks and commercials. The sycophantic media has, for the most part, portrayed him as a "cerebral athlete." This season, Rodgers took all that and chucked it out the window. With his words, his actions, and his associations, he has shown himself to be selfish, dishonest, and willfully ignorant. In other words, an idiot.

Rodgers also has a reputation as a clutch performer, with all the big-time stats, the MVPs, the comebacks, the "Hail Marys." Has he earned it, though? Look at his playoff record.

Just facts. Doesn't necessarily mean anything.

The remaining four Wild Card games feature three intriguing underdogs, and one reanimated rotting corpse. To score an upset, the key for each of these teams is to hang in, control the pace, and keep the score close. In a close game, the pressure is on the favourite.

Pressure makes diamonds. Pressure bursts pipes.

​We'll see what happens.




Wild Card Picks
 
Winners in Bold
 
 
 
 Sunday
 
 
 
Philadelphia at Tampa
 
You could say that the defending champs were lucky in which team they drew for their opening game in this year’s playoffs. On paper, this looks like a foregone conclusion. Tampa was second in scoring offense during the regular season, and their talented defense appears to be getting healthy at the right time. Philly might not be an easy out, however. Their physical running game wears out defenses. Jalen Hurts is dangerous with his legs, and though he didn’t put up spectacular passing numbers, he played efficiently, and with relatively few mistakes. Tampa is still quite vulnerable. Injuries (and assholery) have depleted their rushing and receiving options. Tom Brady will need huge contributions from Mike Evans, Cameron Brate, and Gronk. Falling behind Philly could result in an early exit for the Bucs.
 
 

San Francisco at Dallas
 
There have been stretches during this season when Dallas looked like a juggernaut. They scored more points than any other team, and their defense surprised, in large part due to the contributions of second-year CB Trevon Diggs (11 INTs), and rookie DE/LB Micah Parsons.
 
San Francisco struggled at times this season due to injuries. When they’re healthy, they’re a handful for any team on both sides of the ball. Their offense is efficient, creative, and versatile. TE George Kittle is a difference-maker on offense, both as a top-tier pass catcher and as a punishing blocker. Deebo Samuel is a game-breaking threat as both a receiver and a rusher.
 
From a talent standpoint, Dallas is the rightful favourite in this matchup. They will want to score quickly, and force San Fran to open up their offense. Dallas’s lack of playoff experience, plus the fact that they’re coached by Mike McCarthy, puts them at a definite disadvantage. If San Fran can slow the pace of the game, control the clock, and win the turnover battle, they could win a close one.
 
 

Pittsburgh at KC (no pick)
 
This is one of those “Bane Games.” By that I mean that the best outcome for me to root for would be for Bane to blow up the stadium during the game (like in “The Dark Knight Rises”), preferably while the fans are doing that racist chant. Hate KC. Hate their fans. Hate Tyreek Hill. Hate Frank Clark. Hate Pittsburgh. Hate Ben Roethlisberger. Hate JuJu. Hate the stupid Rooneys. Hate Roethlisberger some more. No way I’m watching this shit.

(Fun Fact: The kick returner in that scene is none other than former Steeler Hines Ward. My buddy Vince likes to joke that the most unrealistic thing about this scene is that Hines Ward could never run fast enough to avoid falling into the hole with the rest of the players.)




Monday
 
 
 
Arizona at Los Angeles R
 
This is possibly the hardest game to pick, as these teams match up well, and are familiar with each other. LA’s offense under Matthew Stafford is pass-heavy, with big plays, but also susceptible to turnovers due to Stafford’s maddening propensity to throw ugly, inexplicable INTs. The Kyler Murray-led Arizona attack is more balanced, with a better run game, and a QB in Murray who spreads the ball around, extends plays, and is always a threat to break a big run. I’m leaning towards Arizona, because I think that the pass rush will affect Stafford more than it will Murray. Should be a good game, regardless.

After a regular season that ended with an OT thriller that decided the fates of three teams on the very last play, this year's playoffs begin with a couple of potentially excellent Saturday contests. In the first, Las Vegas, the mercurial underdog, travels to Cincinnati to take on the supremely talented Bengals, surprise winners of the AFC North. In the other, Pre-season favourite Buffalo hosts their ultimate nemesis, as Bill Belichick brings his resurgent Pats to town.

Each team features talented young QBs, and both games have a favoured division winner hosting a dangerous underdog. The key word is PRESSURE; who can handle it, who will succumb to it.


Let's get to it!



Wild Card Picks
 
Winners in Bold
 
 
 
Saturday
 
 
 
Las Vegas at Cincinnati
 
Realistically, Vegas shouldn’t even be here. Their season consisted of mostly close wins and some blowout losses (They and Pittsburgh are the only two playoff teams with a negative points differential). Their high-profile head coach had to leave the team after he was revealed to have won Bigot BINGO in a series of e-mails. Their best receiver killed someone in a drunken joyride (Aside: I sure do wish the media would stop characterizing this as a team hardship; an innocent woman and her dog were killed by an intoxicated athlete who was speeding in a luxury sports car.) The team endured numerous injuries to key personnel.
 
Which is precisely why they’re so dangerous.
 
Cincy should be able to beat Vegas handily. They’re absolutely loaded offensively, and can score quickly and abundantly. Plus, they have a solid defense. The key for Cincinnati is to execute, avoid turnovers, and (ESPECIALLY!) to not be overconfident. These Raiders are dangerous. Maxx Crosby has been a game-wrecking force as a pass-rusher, and the underrated Derek Carr is smart and talented enough to lead his offense to success against any foe.
 
Joe Burrow has looked phenomenal this season. He is already an elite QB in terms of skill, and he is confident. This Cincy team surprised a lot of people this year. As much of an underdog as Vegas is, Cincinnati has to keep that “no one believed in us” attitude, and just handle their business.  
 
 

New England at Buffalo
 
This is a very intriguing and hard to predict matchup, made all the more interesting due to the teams’ history and rivalry.
 
Buffalo entered the season with extremely high expectations after an AFC Championship game appearance last season. At times this season, they have looked like an unstoppable force. However, they have at times been inconsistent, turnover-prone, and unfocused. Offensively, they have relied too much on Josh Allen, and he has taken a beating as a result.

New England began the season cautiously optimistic. Their defense played well, and they brought Mac Jones along slowly. Gradually, they allowed the rookie QB to get more involved in the offense, and he responded with solid play, as the team went on a tear, even overtaking Buffalo for the division lead for a time. Injuries slowed the team somewhat towards the end of the season, but the Pats enter the playoffs as a serious threat.
 
Head-to-head, it’s tough to draw a bead on how these two teams will match up. Their first meeting was an odd affair, played in a howling wind storm. Their second meeting was a poorly-officiated contest, in which both teams performed well, belying the final score. Buffalo was dynamic on offense, and played solid defense. New England had success with their trademark grinding offense, producing a pair of 16-play TD drives that lasted over seven minutes apiece, and playing well from behind.
 
This should be Buffalo’s game to lose. However, the cold weather could favour New England’s run-heavy offense. TEs Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith will be key players in both the running and passing game. The Pats’ defense will have to play better than it did in the teams’ previous meeting, winning one-on-one battles in the secondary, and containing Josh Allen’s running.

Lots of pressure on Buffalo here. Losing in the first round would be a huge disappointment, to be sure, but losing to New England would really sting. If Buffalo can slay this dragon and emerge healthy from this game, I think they could roll over all comers in the AFC.

No matter the sport, every game counts, and you should always be trying to win. In the NFL, where there are significantly fewer games than in the other major professional sports leagues, each game is more meaningful.
 
That’s just math.
 
Even now, in the final week of the regular season, you expect the teams that have no chance at the playoffs to at least try to win. Pride is a factor, as is ending a bad season on a positive note. Being a “spoiler” by helping eliminate another team from contention, can lend a bad team an element of significance by having an effect on the playoffs even though they can not participate in them. Screwing over a hated division rival can provide extra motivation as well.
 
Then, there are the playoff races.
 
As we enter Week 18, all but three of the possible 14 playoff spots have been determined. The NFC is the more settled conference, with the top seed (Green Bay) clinched, and but two teams vying for the final berth (San Francisco, New Orleans). In the AFC, even though only two spots remain unclaimed, there is much more to decide. Four teams could still claim the coveted number one seed (Tennessee, KC, Cincinnati, New England), while a total of five teams are still eligible for one of those final slots (Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, Baltimore). As such, there aren’t many games in the AFC that don’t have at least some significance.
 
As a fan, what more could you ask for?
 
 
 
 
Week 18 Picks
 
Winners in Bold
 
 
 
Saturday
 
 
 
KC at Denver
 
Denver is out, and KC has clinched the AFC West. KC needs to win, and have Tennessee lose to claim the top seed.
 
 
Dallas at Philadelphia
 
Dallas has clinched the NFC East, and Philly is in the playoffs no matter what. Both teams are a bit banged-up and have nothing to play for, but this is a bitter rivalry.
 
 
 
Sunday
 
 
 
Green Bay at Detroit
 
Aaron Rodgers gets to rest his sore toe this week. If only he’d rest his big mouth.
 
 
Indianapolis at Jacksonville
 
Indy has a simple path to the playoffs; win, and they’re in. They could lose and still get in, but they’d need a LOT of help.
 
 
Washington at New York Geez (They’re Terrible!)
 
Nothing to play for here. Both teams have a boatload of injured players. I don’t even know who’s starting at QB for New York, nor do I care.
 
 
Chicago at Minnesota
 
Nothing to play for here. Chicago has its two best defensive linemen Out.
 
 
Tennessee at Houston
 
If Tennessee wins, they clinch the top seed, and with all the injuries they’ve had this season, that first round bye is a HUGE motivator.
 
 
Pittsburgh at Baltimore
 
Pittsburgh’s path to the playoffs requires an Indianapolis loss, while Baltimore’s requires losses by the Bolts, Colts, AND ‘Phins. These teams always play each other tough. Added note: TJ Watt has a chance to break the single season Sack record, currently held illegitimately by Michael Strahan, who achieved the feat when Brett Favre took a dive for him.
 
 
Cincinnati at Cleveland
 
Though Cincy still has a chance at the top seed, their path is a convoluted one, requiring help from three other teams. As such, they are wisely resting Joe Burrow.
 
 
San Francisco at Los Angeles R
 
LA wins the NFC West with a win or an Arizona loss. San Fran makes the playoffs with a win or a NO loss.
 
 
Carolina at Tampa
 
Tampa is the NFC South champ, and need to get healthy, so they’d like to rest as many guys as possible.
 
 
Seattle at Arizona
 
Arizona needs the Rams to lose in order to claim the NFC West title.
 
 
New England at Miami
 
New England needs Buffalo to lose in order to claim the AFC East title, but need Tennessee AND KC to lose as well to claim the top seed.
 
 
NO at Atlanta
 
For NO, it’s simple; they need to win, and for San Fran to lose.
 
 
New York Jeez (They’re Awful) at Buffalo
 
Buffalo will be motivated by not wanting to allow the Pats to reclaim top spot in the AFC East.
 
 
 
Sunday Night
 
 
Los Angeles Bolts at Las Vegas
 
In the final game of the regular season, the winner makes the playoffs. The Bolts NEED to win, PERIOD. Vegas could lose and still get in if BOTH Indy and Pittsburgh lose.

This week, as North America (and dozens of countries on other continents) is awash with the new virulent variant of COVID known as Omicron, the NFL has been dealing with its own outbreak, as they average somewhere in the neighbourhood of 30 positive tests per day.

As of this writing, three games have been postponed, as they each involve a team (Cleveland, LA Rams, Washington) that has at least 20 players on the COVID list. The second scheduled Saturday game of the season is now the first, there are four games scheduled AFTER Sunday, and a week that began on Thursday will last AT LEAST until Tuesday.

Welcome to Week Fifteen!

Whoever you are, wherever you are, I hope you are vaxxed and safe. Myself, I don't need my government or anyone else to tell me to lock down, as I have been doing the same things and taking the same precautions for almost two years now.

If you go out, wear a mask, and be careful. If you feel sick, get tested. Don't listen to Fox News, Joe Rogan, Aaron Rodgers, or any other idiots out there. Neither they, nor you, are an expert, nor are you invincible. You are not a horse, and you're not special.

COVID DOESN'T CARE!

Oh, and if you live in Los Angeles, it's not because you're cold, no matter what that moron Joe Buck says.

​

​Week Fifteen Picks
 
Winners in Bold:
 
 
 
Saturday
 
 
New England at Indianapolis
 
Well, at least we get to kick off the weekend with a game between two well-matched opponents, with playoff implications for both, and with only one COVID scratch between them. New England is at a slight disadvantage due to RB Damien Harris being ruled Out with a hammy, but rookie Rhamondre Stevenson is a beast, and the Pats have depth at the position. Indy has their own star RB, Johnathan Taylor, who will be the first priority of the Pats defense. This game will likely come down to which QB performs more efficiently and mistake-free. This has all the makings of a good game.
 
 
 
 
Sunday
 
 
Dallas at New York G
 
Even with Dallas’s offense struggling somewhat, Mike Glennon vs. Dallas’s defense is too much of a mismatch.
 
 
Houston at Jacksonville
 
A game between a couple of losers, in which winner loses draft position. That’s fitting, somehow. I’m leaning towards Jacksonville, because I suspect that the players and coaches are feeling pretty good since Urban Meyer got canned.
 
 
Tennessee at Pittsburgh
 
Two more teams that have been only mildly afflicted by the recent COVID outbreak (didn’t all the Tennessee players get COVID last season?). Tennessee is still far-removed from fielding their optimum offense, but Pittsburgh’s defense isn’t really all that frightening. I think Tennessee wins a low-scoring slog.
 
 
New York J at Miami
 
With three players on the COVID list, including breakout rookie WR Jaylen Waddle, I’d be worried about Miami’s chances this week if they were playing almost any other team. New York is terrible, banged-up on the OL, and has five players of their own on the COVID list.
 
 
Arizona at Detroit
 
Arizona is dealing with a lot of injuries right now, but they’re playing Detroit, and they’re both bad and loaded with injuries as well.
 
 
Carolina at Buffalo
 
Buffalo can’t afford to take anything for granted at this point. Fortunately for them, Carolina’s offense is so terrible that this game should be a horrible mismatch.
 
 
Cincinnati at Denver
 
Cincy lost a heartbreaker last week in OT, due in no small part to some gutless/nutless coaching. They’re pretty banged-up this week, but so is Denver. I like Joe Burrow more than Teddy Bridgewater in a shootout, which is what this game has the potential to turn into.
 
 
Atlanta at San Francisco
 
The hardest part about picking San Fran games is that I can never be sure about George Kittle’s availability. Healthy, Kittle is the absolute, bar-none, best TE in the league, and the combination of him being the team’s best receiver AND a punishing blocker in the run game makes him utterly indispensable to San Fran’s offensive identity. Right now, he’s healthy.
 
 
Green Bay at Baltimore
 
Everyone seems to be talking about how good Green Bay is right now. Baltimore’s success hinges almost entirely on having a unique, game-wrecking QB (when he’s healthy), and the game’s best kicker (by a country mile). Green Bay should win easily, right? Let’s see.
 
 
 
Sunday Night
 
 
New Orleans at Tampa
 
If they remain focused, there is absolutely no way Tampa should lose to a team QBed by Taysom Hill. No way.
 
 
 
Monday
 
 
Las Vegas at Cleveland
 
I, and I’m sure many others, have no idea what to make of this game. Vegas looks done. Cleveland, on the other hand, has something like 20 players on the COVID list, including both Baker Mayfield AND Case Keenum, plus several other key players. On top of that, Kareem Hunt is Out with an ankle injury.
 
 
Minnesota at Chicago
 
In case I was tempted to pick Chicago in an upset (I wasn’t), the slew of players Chicago has on the COVID list would have definitely knocked some sense into me.
 
 
 
Tuesday
 
 
Seattle at Los Angeles R
 
Another difficult pick. Postponed until Tuesday; Seattle loaded with injuries and Tyler Lockett on the COVID list; LA with a whopping 23 on the COVID list. If it’s up to the QBs to win this with little help, I don’t know how you pick against Russell Wilson.
 
 
Washington at Philadelphia
 
Another game postponed until Tuesday. Philly’s frisky rushing attack vs. Washington’s 23 players on the COVID list seems like a no-brainer to me.

Thursday, December 16th

KC FT at Los Angeles Bolts


Omicron has entered the chat.

It's a shame that such an important game, between division rivals no less, is taking place on a Thursday Night, with most of the players playing on short rest, and after already playing thirteen gruelling games in fourteen weeks. Add in another COVID outbreak (the league recorded over 100 positive tests over a three-day period), and you're looking at a game that is severely compromised from a quality and talent standpoint.

Key players from both teams will not be available for tonight's game due to COVID, while others will be limited by injuries. The Bolts will be without starting LT Rashawn Slater, while their most important defensive player, S Derwin James, is hampered by a hamstring injury. RB Austin Ekeler (ankle) and CB Asante Samuel, Jr. (concussion), are also nicked-up. On the other side, a KC defense which has keyed the club's current six-game win streak will be without three starters; DL Chris Jones and LB Willie Gay, both due to COVID, and CB LaJarius Sneed, due to the recent murder of his brother.

Much of the media coverage surrounding this game is about the matchup between ultra-talented QBs Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. Both have strong supporting casts. In the case of the Bolts, COVID has provided a gift, as WR Keenan Allen will play tonight, making him the most-rested star in the game after missing Sunday's game due to COVID.

One of the keys to KC's defensive resurgence has been its ability to win the battle at the line of scrimmage. Without Jones, their most disruptive player, Justin Herbert will likely have an easier time going through his progressions in order to make good choices. KC will need a strong effort from its offense, something they haven't been able to rely on consistently.

Regardless of who's playing, how hurt they are, and how tired, this is still an important game. In a game with these challenges, it's up to the coaches and players to adjust to what's not available, and make due with the rest.

Winner: Los Angeles

​Week Fourteen Picks
 
Winners in Bold
 
 
 
Dallas at Washington
 
Before the season began, Ron Rivera, in an effort to educate his players and assuage any concerns they might have regarding the COVID vaccine, brought in renowned immunologist Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett to speak with the team and answer any questions they might have. Rivera, a players’ coach, wanted what was best for the team. He was also likely motivated by the fact that he is a cancer survivor.
 
Despite Rivera’s and Dr. Corbett’s efforts, DE Montez Sweat decided not to get the vaccine. At the time, he stated, among other inanities, “I probably won’t get vaccinated until I get more facts and that stuff.”
 
What the actual fuck?!?
 
I guess a highly respected immunologist couldn’t provide enough “facts and stuff.” No, this is nothing but pure, childish, oppositional selfishness. He’s essentially saying, “I don’t want to, and you can’t make me.”
 
Washington stumbled to a 2-6 start while struggling through injuries and inconsistent play. Since their bye, they’ve won four straight, improving to 6-6, and placing themselves in the thick of the playoff hunt. Sweat, a talented defender, hasn’t played since Week 8, after suffering a broken jaw. The team was looking forward to getting him back on the field for this week’s huge matchup against bitter rival Dallas.
 
Of course, that won’t be happening. Montez Sweat has COVID.
 
Well, they’ve won four straight without him, so maybe they’re better off if the selfish asshole stays home.
 
 
Jacksonville at Tennessee
 
It’s been a strange season for Tennessee. Their powerhouse offense never materialized due to injuries. They’ve beaten the likes of Buffalo, the Rams, and KC, but have lost to the Jets and Houston. And yet, there they sit at 8-4, about to square off with the dreadful Jags. Because of Indianapolis’s brutal remaining schedule, Tennessee is probably going to hang on and win the division, after which, I expect that they’ll be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
 
 
Seattle at Houston
 
Russell Wilson looked much better in his previous start. Houston is Houston.
 
 
Las Vegas at KC
 
I’m sorely tempted to pick Vegas here, but Darren Waller is Out, and KC has some guys who can get pressure on Derek Carr.
 
 
NO at New York J
 
NO still has some injury issues on the OL, and Taysom Hill isn’t really a good option as a starting QB. Alvin Kamara is expected to play, and it will be interesting to see how he looks after being out for a while. New York might be able to keep this one close, and an upset wouldn’t surprise me.
 
 
Atlanta at Carolina
 
My Matt Ryan watch continues, as I hope that this will be his last season in Atlanta. It’s hard to know what to expect out of Carolina’s offense, but their defense can rush the passer, and that spells trouble for Ryan.
 
 
Baltimore at Cleveland
 
Last time these teams played each other, I picked Cleveland, thinking that their running game would batter the banged-up Baltimoreans into submission. In that game, Cleveland’s offense, particularly Baker Mayfield, laid an egg. This time around, Cleveland is at home, Baltimore is even more banged-up, and damn it all to hell, I feel the same way as I did last time.
 
 
New York G at Los Angeles Bolts
 
With Keenan Allen Out due to COVID, I’d be tempted to pick the G-Men. Except that the G-Men are starting a G-Man at QB, Mike Glennon. Glennon, I’m told, has a pulse.
 
 
Detroit at Denver
 
Detroit finally notched a W last week, so they must be feeling pretty good about themselves. They should try and hold on to that feeling.
 
 
San Francisco at Cincinnati
 
Last I checked, San Fran were slight favourites in this game, which is just unbelievably disrespectful to Cincy.
 
 
Buffalo at Tampa
 
A mere ten months ago, Buffalo played in the AFC Championship game, and looked poised to rule the AFC East for years with a young star QB, a stacked team, and the Pats’ dynasty seemingly over. This week, they face their old nemesis Tom Brady and the defending champs, in a game that could end with Buffalo sitting two games behind New England in the AFC East with only four games to play.
 
What happened?
 
Before the season began, Sean McDermott expressed frustration that some of his players, most notably Cole Beasley, were refusing to get vaccinated against COVID. McDermott, Stefon Diggs, and others tried to convince Beasley, but “Hillbilly Edelman” wouldn’t budge.
 
All season, Buffalo has been inconsistent, undisciplined, sloppy. Josh Allen has regressed back to his wild beginnings. McDermott is at his wits’ end.
 
If you ask me, I say Beasley has divided the team. They came close last season, and the expectation was that they would go harder in order to complete their mission this season. Beasley’s stubborn, selfish stupidity has been the catalyst of an undercurrent of disunity within the team.
 
 
 
Sunday Night
 
 
Chicago at Green Bay
 
Even a banged-up Green Bay squad should have little difficulty beating Chicago.
 
 
 
Monday Night
 
 
Los Angeles R at Arizona
 
Arizona won the first matchup between these two division rivals. Arizona looks like the real deal. LA looks suspect to me.