When turkey is the preferred meat for Thanksgiving, you know how folks gripe?
Indeed, those folks are holiday sourpussies. We can cope with some mild poultry, which isn’t even the main course, if we can force-feed the cowboys. Gravy is entitled to that honorific.
These days, the NFL has a lot of quarterbacks. If that sounds like the signal-caller for YOUR favorite club, don’t worry. Just make sure to match him with an offensive coordinator who is as smart as the NFL’s gravy.
Who s more valuable to his team s success?
To go over the hump and win a Super Bowl, Andy Reid undoubtedly needed Patrick Mahomes, but who can claim that Mahomes would have achieved the kind of success he has without Reid? Before you respond, think about Matthew Stafford both before and after he dated Sean McVay.
With the playoffs waiting on the other side, something to think about this Christmas season. In the meantime, let’s make the most of the remaining six weeks of the regular season! These plays from the teams on each side of the Keystone State are my favorites.
Pittsburgh vs. Cincinnati (-3)
Consider me shaken up by the Steelers’ loss to Jameis and the Browns last Thursday night in the snow, even while I caution others not to overreact to the latest evidence presented in the lengthy tale that is an NFL season.
Even though the weather was a factor, Pittsburgh’s defense—which is said to be the reason Coach Tomlin’s team has a chance to make it to the postseason—blew a late lead against the largely ineffective Cleveland offense.
The Steelers now face a rematch with the Browns in addition to a run of games (CIN 2x; at PHI; KC; at BAL), so dismiss it at your own risk.
Should 4-7 Cincy be included in that set of difficult games? Perhaps it’s a reach, but Joe Burrow and his receiving core are always a threat and have consistently lit up the PIT D in the last few games (with a healthy Joe Cool behind center).
Best bets:
Forecast: Bengals 29–23
Philadelphia vs. Baltimore (-3)
My co-host on Shek Shows, Kevin Hench, stated this week that the Eagles-Ravens game is like the alternate reality of the approaching Super Bowl.
I would be shocked if it wasn’t some combination of Buffalo, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Detroit, or Kansas City. That group of teams also includes players on the MVP shortlist, and Sunday’s matchup in Charm City is probably going to seriously hurt Lamar Jackson’s or Saquon Barkley’s prospects.
I predict Barkley will win this year because I believe a sizable portion of voters want to buck the persistent tendency to mistake it for a quarterback-only honor. Indeed, the quarterback is the most crucial player in all sports, not just football. But also take into account how much Saquon has improved Philadelphia this season. Is Lamar the reason why the Ravens offense is different this year than it was last? Is it Derrick Henry instead?
Regardless of your response, Baltimore’s lack of improvement in pass defense—which ought to make the difference in this one—is the larger problem. The Eagles are winning because of their improving callow defense and a running back who can jump over opponents and go backwards; give Philly a shootout victory (and Barkley for MVP at +475).
Best bets:
Forecast: Eagles 34–31
Elsewhere
Lastly, below are my picks for a few of the other major games in Week 13:
Arizona vs. Minnesota
Vikings, 24-19, prediction
San Francisco vs. Buffalo
Forecast: Bills, 24-23
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Atlanta
Chargers, prediction: 23–20
Indianapolis vs. New England
Forecast: Colts, 19–14
Cleveland vs. Denver
Broncos prediction: 23-16
Savor the leftovers and the games! Unless they’re playing my team, I hope yours wins.
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