Cold Open
Aaron Rodgers found a soft landing spot to tell his COVID-19 story by talking with his buddy Pat McAfee last Friday. It was a fascinating to hear him ramble about why he isn't vaccinated against the virus. The truth is, it's OK to both hammer him and understand some of the points that he made. Personally, I'm vaccinated and have been since May. I have no issue sharing that. But to dismiss this as not being an easy decision for somebody, just because it was an easy decision for you, doesn't sit right with me. We all know friends and family members who've debated vaccine mandates, and the fact that Rodgers may stand on the opposing view as you should allow for more conversation.
However, Rodgers' decision to ignore some of the league's health and safety protocols is indefensible. Rodgers can't just pick and choose which rules to follow -- such as wearing a mask on the sideline or during press conferences -- just because he doesn't want to answer questions about it. Rodgers spoke passionately about not wanting to be forced to get the vaccine. If you're so passionate about it, why did you run and hide back in August? Kirk Cousins, Lamar Jackson, and Carson Wentz answered questions on the same decision, and until this positive case from Rodgers many had moved on from that news. Rodgers was a coward, plain and simple. Believe in what you want to believe in. Fight for what you believe is worthy of fighting for. But don't just fight after you've been caught.
In the end, this'll come back to football. For the Packers, they once again trail the Cardinals by one game for the NFC's first-round bye because Jordan Love was inept. If the conference title game doesn't feature Kyler Murray freezing in Green Bay, we can remember Rodgers' decision again.
Ten-Yard Gain
No. 1: Jordan Love must've not known that the free tickets for his mother were in the last row at Arrowhead Stadium. That's the only explanation for the embarrassing image of how far a millionaire's mom had to sit during her son's first career start. Love can afford decent seats, he's getting crushed this week and I understand why. Perhaps he paid for flights, hotels, and simply said the team told me you will get your tickets. They may have picked them up at the gate, and by that time, Love had no idea. Otherwise, how does this make sense?
No. 2: Teams are allowed clunkers -- think about the movie "Any Given Sunday." However, the Cowboys laying an egg at home, with Dak Prescott back, against a Broncos team that just traded Von Miller, was inexplicable destruction. This, in essence, is why it's premature to label the Cowboys as Super Bowl contenders. As good as their defense has been, it's really lived off Trevon Diggs' turnovers. And if he doesn't get those, their record is vastly different. Mike McCarthy's preparation and in-game management still leaves so much to be desired. That ugly loss was more than a blip. That was a sign of what's to come in January.
No. 3: The Bills also shouldn't get a pass for scoring a ghastly six points in Jacksonville. Struggling while playing down two offensive linemen in this league is understandable. But against Urban Meyer's Jaguars? Six points? This should be a major wake up call for a franchise that hasn't accomplished anything yet. Time to stop approach games with cockiness.
No. 4: The Eagles registered zero sacks and zero quarterback hits against the Chargers at home on Sunday. Brandon Graham's absence will prove to be the most critical reason why Philadelphia won't survive the race for the NFC's last wild card spot. I still feel like they'll finish last in the NFL's worst division.
No. 5: Sam Darnold will now miss several weeks with a shoulder injury. I can't help but wonder if he ever starts another game for the Panthers. PJ Walker with Christian McCaffery will likely do enough to make sure that Darnold isn't immediately given the job back once healthy again.
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No. 6: Mac Jones now has a target on his back, with nobody to blame but himself. Grabbing and twisting Brian Burns' ankle was reckless, unnecessary, and flat-out dirty. Quarterbacks are protected enough from dirty plays in this league. Mac Jones has now declared himself fair game for even the officials to let a second go after a play is over.
No. 7: Cheers to the Titans. Boy, did they stick it to us fans who called them done without Derrick Henry. Matthew Stafford helped this problem, looking like Lions-on-Thanksgiving Stafford with a couple early picks. Tennessee has now responded against other championship contender, and they just might get Henry back before the season is over.
No. 8: How is Mike Mayock still employed at this point? Mayock's whole gimmick was being an elite mock drafter and studying film. He's now cost the Raiders by taking a garbage first-round pick in 2019, two first-round picks in 2020 that'll never play for the Raiders again, and reaching for a mediocre offensive lineman in the first round of 2021. Somehow, the Raiders remain contenders. However, it's impossible to stay competitive without nailing first-round picks.
No. 9: Have the real Bengals arrived? The loss to Mike White and the Jets was no mirage, apparently. They laid an egg against the Browns, which may have been the more motivated team, following the Odell Beckham Jr. drama. Cincy has now tumbled out of the AFC's top seven, and they once again need to prove they're worthy of a playoff spot.
No. 10: The Saints lied to us about Taysom Hill. At the end of Drew Brees' career, Sean Payton told fans and media how good a quarterback Hill actually was. Not only did he fail to beat out Jameis Winston, but now he can't start over Trevor Siemian? Woof.
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Five Games to Chew On
Chiefs at Raiders: The Raiders feel like they are teetering on the verge of collapse following their loss to the Giants, in which they were a measly 1 for 6 inside the red zone. Mike Mayock's drafts are now blowing up in his face. They come home to face a Chiefs offense that's completely broken. This game kind of feels like the show "Survivor" -- whose torch will be put out Sunday night?
Falcons at Cowboys: Question: Who currently owns the final playoff spot in the NFC? The answer is the Atlanta Falcons, at 4-4. The Cowboys, you would hope, have learned to no longer take inferior opponents lightly. Last season, the Falcons held a lead and collapsed in epic fashion against Dallas, before Prescott was lost for the year. Atlanta has a chance to prove they're actually worthy of making the playoffs and sending Dallas into panic mode.
Saints at Titans: The Saints' season feels very much in flux. Can they maintain a playoff position with what's left of their quarterback position? The Titans' defense has risen to the occasion -- they picked off Matthew Stafford twice last weekend. They'll have their hands full with Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram on the ground. Can the Titans' offense make enough plays through the air to win this game comfortably?
Browns at Patriots: A pair of 5-4 teams square off in a game that may have some playoff implications. It's also worth mentioning that neither of these teams have counted themselves out of a division title. The Browns must feel like they have a piano off their back with Beckham now gone. The Pats have defeated two legitimate teams in a row, proof they can do more than beat the Texans and Jets. Will Bill Belichick turn Baker Mayfield into a pumpkin?
Seahawks at Packers: Russell Wilson hasn't been limited in practice this week and looks good to return against the Packers. We'll know more about Rodgers' status on Saturday. This is shaping up to be a big motivational return for both quarterbacks, as the stretch run of the playoffs heats up. Plus, when these two teams get together, it's always must-see TV.
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My Picks
Two straight 1-2 weeks have dropped me to 17-10 on the year. For this week:
Bills (-12.5) at Jets: The Jets are allowing a league-worst 31.4 points per game. The Bills have averaged the fourth-most points per game, with 29.4. That number isn't higher thanks to their six-point dud in Jacksonville last Sunday. The Bills have been favored by 11-plus points three previous times this season and have covered just once. The bounceback is key for Buffalo here, and while the focus will be on Mike White and what he can do for the Jets, the truth is, the Bills got a wake-up call and are facing a defense that can't slow them down.
Titans (-3) vs. Saints: The Saints' offense is pure puke now with Siemian and Hill under center. Kamara will literally need to take over the game for the Saints to prevail. This line speaks to me, in that some still aren't buying the Titans, even after their win against the Rams. The Saints are 3-0 against the spread this year when at least 2.5-point underdogs. That trend breaks this week. The Titans have given me no reason to think they won't continue to ride their wave of momentum, and I can't see the Saints having any big offensive output with their current quarterback situation.
Lions (+8.5) at Steelers: The Steelers come in on a short week while the Lions come off a bye. I was totally burned by the Lions two weeks ago when they lost to the Eagles. I don't think they win this game, but the high number is too rich for me to bet Pittsburgh. The Steelers are 1-5 against the spread in their last six home games, including Monday night's win against the Bears. You probably get a refreshed, motivated Lions team that has another one of those moments -- hanging on until the bitter end and leaving in defeat.
Football Food of the Week
Chicken Parm Vodka Doughless Pizza. I hope you like pounding poultry, because you're going to need to get into it. You'll also need a non pre-sliced chicken breast, Italian bread crumbs, your favorite vodka sauce, and some mozzarella cheese. Pound down a piece of chicken with a meat tenderizer, working the chicken down into a thin, round shape as if it becomes a smaller version of a pizza pie. Dip the finished rounded breast into egg, then toss in breadcrumbs coating the entire piece. Put this in a frying pan, deep fryer, or air fryer. After crisping and cooking both sides, evenly coat one side with vodka sauce and top it off with mozzarella. Bake that in the oven for just five minutes or so. Enough to heat the sauce, melt the cheese, but not dry out the chicken. Cut the finished product into six-to-eight triangular pizza style slices and serve. You've turned chicken parm into a finger food, and made yourself a chicken pizza without the dough. Fun for the whole family!
Thanks for reading as always, and enjoy Week 10. You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @MrazCBS.