Cold Open
We need to stop acting as if stomping on logos is the same as committing armed robbery. This was a joke in the NBA, when Celtics fans treated their cartoon leprechaun like it was their own child as Kyrie Irving wiped his feet. This remained a bigger joke on Sunday, when the the Raiders' stomping on the Chiefs' arrowhead at midfield somehow motivated Kansas City to take a commanding 35-3 halftime lead.
If the Chiefs needed that fake anger to finally spark a struggling offense, they need to take a long, hard look in the mirror and understand how pathetic they are in 2021. My guess is, their lead and win really had more to do with the fact that Kansas City is peaking and the Raiders are once again experiencing their traditional December disaster. Players run up and down fields, running routes and making tackles on top of logos. But don't dare have a pregame huddle on that logo! Give me a break with the fake outrage.
Ten-Yard Gain
No. 1: The NFL reminded us this week that ESPN will get two "meaningful" Saturday games in Week 18. There've been seasons in which it felt like the "win and in" Sunday night game for NBC was hard to fin. How can the league guarantee two meaningful Saturday games and actually leave anything worth watching on the final Sunday of the season every year?
No. 2: The NFL's 75 positive COVID-19 cases by Wednesday morning was alarming on paper. But all of these cases are either asymptomatic or with mild cold symptoms. That's a good thing, as we learn to live with this virus. At what point, though, does testing need to matter less for some players, who three years ago would've played a game with a cold? Do we ever get there again?
No. 3: Giants owner John Mara reportedly wants head coach Joe Judge to return next season because he's convinced he's found his next Bill Parcells or Bill Belichick. That's a tough pill to swallow for fans, who've continued to support a team with the worst combined record over the last four seasons. The truth is, Judge may become a good head coach, if given proper support from ownership (which should've included firing GM Dave Gettleman before the hiring of Judge). Now forcing Judge on a new GM -- or only hiring a GM willing to work with Judge -- is the definition of toxic, backwards thinking that can keep the Giants buried. Mara has become a laughing stock.
No. 4: Odell Beckham Jr.'s career seems back on track. He threw Eli Manning under the bus with Lil' Wayne by his side, he pouted about Baker Mayfield to get out of Cleveland, and now with Rams veteran Matthew Stafford, he looks elite again. Beckham, frankly, deserved some bad luck, in the way he handled his business. However, he may've been right, and is now being rewarded with touchdowns and wins.
No. 5: Josh Allen's foot injury feels more serious than some of you may think, or the Bills may be leading on. Buffalo needs a healthy Allen to defeat the rival Patriots in two weeks. They can beat the Panthers with Mitch Trubisky, but it feels like they're at a crisis point. And perhaps losing two straight games will cost them in thinking wisely with Allen.
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No. 6: Lamar Jackson and Daniel Jones are injured and missing key games as quarterbacks who continue to play huge roles in their team's running offense. The game has evolved, and the days of quarterbacks starting in every game -- especially with an added game -- will be few and far between. However, the old argument people hate about running quarterbacks needs to be had. Is the dynamic ability worth it, if you end up with a higher chance of injury for crucial games down the stretch?
No. 7: The backlash Kevin James is receiving for playing Sean Payton in an upcoming Netflix movie is silly in its own right. However, I have to ask: who should be playing Payton in a comedy movie? Payton must be flattered by his looks and hidden guts for so many people to be this outraged. And as a fat guy, I would've found it offensive if James wasn't considered for this role.
No. 8: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is admitting it's "fair to say" Dak Prescott is in a slump. He also says this isn't injury related. Dak dealt with arm soreness in training camp, and it looks like he's played with a slight limp throughout the season. If his underwhelming play isn't injury related, this may be worse news for Dallas.
No. 9: Chase Claypool's antics against the Vikings last Thursday is everything that can be wrong with the modern athlete. Players love celebrating sacks when losing, and I've personally seen receivers dunk on goalposts when trailing by 20 points. Claypool's first-down point in crunchtime wasn't smart. The selfishness of some players is what rubs fans the wrong way and makes them turn in a hurry.
No. 10: The perfect remedy for righting your playoff ship remains playing the Lions. After looking hapless on the road against the Chiefs, the Broncos are back in the mix, thanks to an offensive outburst and blowout win over Detroit last Sunday. Teddy Bridgewater sneaking into the AFC playoffs would also be a bad look for Matt Rhule.
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Five Games to Chew On
Falcons at 49ers: The 49ers held on in overtime to beat the Bengals last week, leaving them in control of the NFC's sixth playoff spot. However, losing to the Falcons, which are part of the muddled mess chasing the postseason, would pull San Francisco right back into that pack. Kyle Shanahan's revenge game needs to prevail in order to keep the 49ers on easy street.
Titans at Steelers: The Steelers missed a golden opportunity on Thursday to get two wins against potential playoff teams in a span of five days. It feels like Pittsburgh is going to be that one-game-short of the playoffs all year long. They do find themselves in an interesting spot, facing a Titans team that rose back up over the Jags last week and has encouraging Derrick Henry news on the horizon. This game can be a Steelers' statement win... or the Big Ben era continues to fizzle to a miserable ending.
Raiders at Browns: The Browns have dealt with names on the COVID list all week long. Doesn't help that they're playing on Saturday. The Raiders teased us and roped us back in when they beat Dallas on Thanksgiving. But they're back to being a hot, steaming, pile of trash. Last year, their playoff hopes died with a Saturday loss to the Dolphins in December. Can they take advantage of a COVID-ravaged Browns team?
Patriots at Colts: Belichick wants no part of being on HBO's 'Hard Knocks,' but admits he has scouts watching the show to get some intel on the Colts. Indianapolis comes off its bye, hoping to run Jonathon Taylor right through the Patriots' defense. In an indoor game, will Belichick dare let Mac Jones try to air it out? A New England loss puts the Bills right back in the AFC East mix.
Packers at Ravens: Aaron Rodgers' toe is still an issue, yet the Packers scored 45 points against the rival Bears on Sunday night. The Ravens' depth at cornerback is depleted, which means it'll all be on Baltimore's offense and ground game to keep control of the clock. Will Lamar Jackson be healthy enough to run and contribute? Green Bay has its eye on the NFC's top seed, while the Ravens are trying to stay ahead in a tight AFC North race.
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My Picks
Another 2-1 record last week, so I'm at 26-16 on the year. Let's keep cooking:
Steelers (+1.5) vs. Titans: Tennessee's offense hasn't scored two-plus touchdowns in a game since Week 9. They took advantage of Jacksonville last week, and we cashed in by laying the 8.5 points. Pittsburgh is coming off extended rest, and hopes to have T.J. Watt back, disrupting Ryan Tannehill all afternoon. The Steelers need to find rhythm in their short passing game, and I expect Claypool and others to be on high alert for mistakes and penalties in this must-win game. I'll probably be in on the Steelers' moneyline play, too.
Packers (-4.5) at Ravens: Jackson's ankle injury concerns me much more than Rodgers' toe injury. Baltimore will need to be dynamic on the ground and limit the Packers' time of possession. This game could pose major problems for the Ravens' secondary, as their injuries at cornerback have mounted. The Packers got off to a slow start against the Bears, but erupted in the second half. There's more potential in this game for a late explosion. Rodgers has an opportunity to feast through the air, and asking Green Bay to win this game by a touchdown isn't asking for much. Especially now, with the NFC's first-round bye in sight.
Saints (+11) at Buccaneers: New Orleans has won six of their last seven games straight up against the Bucs. In their last 10 meetings against Tampa, they're 7-3 against the spread. Alvin Kamara was a true horse for the Saints last week against the Jets, catching passes and running well. He gives that Bucs defense fits. Tampa is due for some good luck in beating Sean Payton outright, but this is way too big a number to lay against a team that might be in its own head.
Football Food of the Week
Pulled Peking Duck Sliders. Desperate times call for desperate measures. We've reached a crisis point with the Football Food of the Week. No longer will consumers accept the fact dips aren't spreads and spreads aren't dips. You're sick of buffalo chicken. DA is sick of cheese-based items. So, we turn to Bobby Flay for fancier inspiration. You've challenged me, I'm challenging you. This'll need over five hours of total time between prep and roasting, so plan accordingly. Quack, quack, the recipe is here: Caja China-Roasted "Peking" "Pekin" Pulled Duck Sliders with BBQ Creme Fraiche and Pickled Grilled Green Onions Recipe | Bobby Flay | Food Network
Thanks for reading as always, and enjoy Week 15. You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @MrazCBS.