The NFL has reached the final quarter of the 2024 season and there are teams knowing they have no chance of making the playoffs and other teams that are on the bubble. Then there are the teams with outstanding records vying for seeded positions entering the post season.
In week 13’s games, the AFC North two games were shootouts both involving Ohio teams. The Bengals could not outscore the Steelers losing 44-38 and Cleveland and the Broncos took turns lighting up the scoreboard with both teams finishing the game having scored 73 points together. The Browns ended up with the short end of the stick sending them to a 3-9 season record. But for Denver they are in advantageous position for a wild card spot at 8-5 and are certainly a surprise contender this season.
On a personal basis I had a rather good week missing just three games, but many were easily predictable. The Washington Commanders were bound to snap their losing streak facing the Titans and they did it in impressive fashion. The Carolina Panthers, who were last year’s worst team, have improved and nearly toppled Tampa Bay. The Philadelphia Eagles just kept on winning and did Pittsburgh a favor by taking out the Ravens as Justin Tucker’s kicking issues continue to plague one of the best place kickers in history.
The Houston Texans victory over Jacksonville was marred by a hit to the helmet on Trevor Lawrence that was ugly and resulted in a three-game suspension of Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair. Lawrence suffered a concussion as his body went stiff following the hit, a very scary scene. Al-Shaair is no stranger to fines with this being his third of the season for blatant activity.
As we approach week 14 of the season, there are more key games to be played and some classic matchups that should be great games to watch. Some will be difficult to predict but I’m going to give it my best shot!
Green Bay at Detroit: Just wow! This should be a fantastic game to watch with Green Bay getting a chance to come within one game of the NFC North leading Lions who have simply been manhandling opponents and a loser of just one game all season that to the Buccaneers early in the season 20-16. Since then, Detroit has won 10 in a row to make their record 11-1 and that streak has included several games where they scored over 50. The word in the motor city is that it’s Super Bowl or bust in 2024. While the Packers are a solid team, with this game in Detroit, I can’t say they’ll win. Lions 34 / Packers 24
Jacksonville at Tennessee: Both teams are in a down year, and I can’t see Trevor Lawrence being ready for this one. The key to this game is to see who stays out of the basement in the AFC South. Right now, it’s the Jags in last one game behind the Titans. If Lawrence can’t go it’s Mac Jones again. Will Levis returned as the starter lately, but does it really matter? Both teams are just trying to reach the finish line. Titans 23 / Jaguars 17
New York Jets at Miami: What a horror show in New York. Aaron Rodgers is being held primarily responsible for the pitiful season the Green and White have endured and now he is headed with his teammates for yet another loss. This will put the Jets at 3-10 on the season and who ever imagined that? Miami still has an outside shot at the playoffs, but it will probably take winning out and that probably won’t happen. You have to wonder if Tyrod Taylor replaces Rodgers before the season ends? Dolphins 37 / Jets 21
Atlanta at Minnesota: Crucial game for both teams. Probably more so for the Falcons. The Vikings are one game behind Detroit with two losses, but head-to-head, the Vikings are not a better team than the Lions. Minnesota should be making the playoffs however unlike the Falcons who are treading on thin ice. With the Raiders playing in Tampa and a Falcons loss here would severely damage their division title hopes. The Bucs are playing much better football and Kirk Cousins is at risk of losing his job to rookie Michael Penix. Vikings 28 / Falcons 17
New Orleans at New York Giants: I’ve lived in New York city, and I know how passionate they are about their sports teams. With that said, I’m sure Giants fans are pulling their hair by now not just because their team is 2-10 but they failed to keep Saquon Barkley around who is now vying for an M.V.P. award in Philadelphia. The Saints have doubled New York’s win total, but something here tells me the Giants find a way to win. Giants 23 / Saints 17
Carolina at Philadelphia: Sure, the Panthers are playing better but to go into Philly and try to topple the Eagles who have won eight straight? This might be a good win for the Eagles and Steelers fans as they meet up next week only because Philadelphia is due to lose a game at some point and maybe beating Carolina will set up Philadelphia for that next loss. But in this game, all Eagles. Eagles 41 / Panthers 9
Cleveland at Pittsburgh: It’s a fun time to be a Steelers fan. After slugging it out with the Cincinnati Bengals it’s time for a rematch of a game played two weeks ago when in the snow, the Browns ousted the Steelers in Cleveland. Pittsburgh got off to a slow start and then the defense could not contain Myles Garrett who spent the entire game disrupting Pittsburgh’s offense. But with the win over the Bengals Pittsburgh is at an unexpected 9-3, two losses better than the second place Baltimore Ravens. A win at home versus the Browns would make it a full two game lead over Baltimore. There has been plenty of media buzz about the Steelers now being a serious Super Bowl contender and Russell Wilson is as comfortable now as he has been in the six games he has started. Where Justin Fields was 4-2 in his six starts, Wilson is 5-1. T.J. Watt was essentially shut out the last time these two played so get prepared for him to have a big game in this one. Playing at home before what should be a very fired up crowd, the Steelers could win this game going away. Steelers 34 / Cleveland 17
Las Vegas at Tampa Bay: Baker Mayfield and the Bucs are licking their chops looking at this game. Tied with Atlanta for the division lead at 6-6, on paper this is an easy one for Tampa. Watch for a huge game from Mayfield. Buccaneers 44 / Raiders 13
Seattle at Arizona: The NFC South and West are probably the two worst divisions in the NFL. The South has a first-place team with a record of 6-6. The West leaders are these Seattle Seahawks who have won just seven of 12 games. Arizona is hot on their heals with a record of 6-6 matching the Rams record. Arizona has been up and down all season but in this one I believe they will be up. Cardinals 24 / Seahawks 21
Buffalo at Los Angeles Rams: This could easily be a trap game for the red-hot Bills. The Rams are fighting for first place in their division while Buffalo is cruising to a division title. The Bills are playing for the chance to be the top seed in the AFC, so it is not like they have nothing to play for. My brain says a Bills win but my gut says Rams. Rams 30 / Bills 27
Chicago at San Francisco: The Bears are a difficult team to figure out. Just when there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel, they take a step backwards. San Francisco fans must be disappointed with this season’s results following the success of 2023. They have something to prove to their fans and should show up strong in this one. 49ers 34 / Bears 20
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City: It seems the Chiefs have been vulnerable all season, yet they have lost just once despite some close games they would have easily lost. It’s hard to pick against them when they are on their field, but the Chargers are no joke. Los Angeles is in an advantageous position for a wild card and can’t afford to lose many more games to get there. Chargers 28 / Chiefs 27
Cincinnati at Dallas: The Cowboys seem to have woken up out of a slumber even without Dak Prescott. With two wins in a row and the Bengals’ defense a disaster make that three. Cowboys 33 / Bengals 28
On a final note, I heard today about Aaron Rodgers’ NetFlix documentary coming up called “Enigma.” If you had to name one player in the history of the National Football League that was completely full of himself, it would have to be Rodgers. This guy is downright obnoxious. Not only is he so self-centered that he thought he could be the savior of the New York Jets by dictating who he would be playing with, he never seems to admit that he was their downfall this season. He might very well be the most disliked player in the league this season and most people just want to see him go away. He is also behind this documentary. Who in the hell creates a documentary about himself and is a primary contributor to it? Ridiculous.
Not playing this week with their byes are: Denver, Indianapolis, New, England, Washington, Baltimore, and Houston.
Running Pick Record from Week to Week
Week 1: 12/15
Week 2: 8/16
Week 3: 8/16
Week 4: 11/16
Week 5: 7/14
Week 6: 9/14
Week 7: 9/15
Week 8: 11/16
Week 9: 10/15
Week 10: 5/14
Week 11: 11/14
Week 12: 7/13
Week 13: 13/16
Week 14: TBD
