My Washington Football Team had a much needed week off to rest up and prepare for what essentially will be the second half of the season. At this point in the 2020 NFL season, everybody in the NFC EAST is mathematically alive. And although it is a terrible division, the storyline is fascinating.
We play the NY Giants this coming Sunday for what could be a make or break game for both these two teams. We already lost to NY once this season by 1 point on a failed two-point conversion. I still think it was the wrong decision from Rivera. We have to avoid getting swept by Daniel Jones and company; our team is way better than NY, and we should win this game.
Bring on NY Giants!!
And for the rest of the league…..
EAGLES 23 — COWBOYS 9:
It is such a delight to be witnessing Dallas fall apart, and they are imploding right before our eyes. The Eagles struggled to put this terrible Dallas team away. Carson Wentz threw 2 TDs and 2 interceptions against a subpar Dallas defense. Philadelphia is 3-4-1, and now they find themselves temporarily on top of the NFC EAST. Washington will have a chance to take the lead in the next few weeks.
BUCCANEERS 25 — NY GIANTS 23:
Tom Brady struggled to put this game away early; it took a 4th quarter TD and a field goal to secure the win. This NY Giants team is playing much better than their record suggests.
VIKINGS 28 — PACKERS 22:
Dalvin Cook torched Green Bay with 163 yards rushing and 63 receiving with a total of 4 TDs for the day. This was a HUGE win for Minnesota, and they have another make or break divisional game next week against Detroit. Aaron Rodgers could not bring Green Bay back for another last-minute 4th quarter comeback. Tough loss for the Packers, at least, for now, they are still on top of the NFC NORTH at 5-2.
RAIDERS 16 — BROWNS 6:
The weather made things difficult for both of these offenses, limiting both teams to only field goals. Derek Carr finally threw his first and only TD in the 4th quarter, and Baker Mayfield had nothing to show for. The Raiders are now 4-3 and in second place next to Kansas City in the AFC WEST.
BILLS 24 — PATRIOTS 21:
Sports media crowned Belicheater as “the greatest coach” of all time. Nonsense and this season is proof that Tom Brady was the reason New England was a contender every year. Cam Newton seems a little off when throwing the ball; maybe lingering effects from Covid has something to do with it. Buffalo is on top of the AFC EAST at 6-2, and New England is no longer the team to beat in the AFC.
CHIEFS 35 — NY JETS 9:
Patrick Mahomes had himself another killer game, throwing for over 400 yards with 5 TDs. The NY Jets are a disaster, seating at 0-8 and making a case for the #1 overall draft pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
SAINTS 26 — BEARS 23:
This game went into overtime, and it took a field goal with about a minute left in overtime to put this game away. Nick Foles played a decent game but seems to be missing a piece or two on offense to become a legitimate contender. The Saints have a box office game coming up against Tom Brady and Tampa Bay, which would most likely define the NFC SOUTH division leader and eventual champion.
FALCONS 25 — PANTHERS 17:
Atlanta has now won 2 games, and as insane as it sounds, the Falcons are still not out of it. Carolina is also still alive, but they have a tough road ahead. Christian McCaffrey should be back by next Sunday.
BENGALS 31 — TITANS 20:
Joe Burrow and the Bengals shocked the NFL world by beating one of the league’s best defenses. Tennessee has lost two games in a row, and maybe we were all too quick to crown them as the super Bowl favorites from the AFC.
SEAHAWKS 37 — 49ERS 27:
San Francisco has been ravaged by injuries this season, and despite losing this game, they still find themselves alive in the NFC WEST at 4-4. Russell Wilson redeemed himself from the Arizona game by not throwing any picks against the 49ers. DK Metcalf was unstoppable with 12 receptions for 161 yards and 2 TDs. Seattle has a challenging game coming up next against Josh Allen and the Bills.
COLTS 41 — LIONS 21:
Phillip Rivers had a productive game with 3 TDs and zero picks. Now, the Colts find themselves tied in first place with the Titans, but they need to win some divisional games to overtake Tennessee. The Lions have an intriguing divisional game against Minnesota coming up Sunday. The Vikings will try to make things interesting in the NFC NORTH by winning back to back games. Meanwhile, a Detroit win will keep the Lions relevant in the division.
STEELERS 28 — RAVENS 24:
Pittsburgh is now 7-0, and they have quietly become Super Bowl contenders, although sports media talking heads don’t seem too impressed with their record. Lamar Jackson continues to make costly mistakes and struggles when facing good teams. The Steelers are 2-0 against their division and looks to be running away with the AFC NORTH.
DOLPHINS 28 — RAMS 17:
Tua made his debut, but besides throwing for one TD, he did virtually nothing else. Miami is surprisingly in second place at 4-3 and no longer a bottom feeder of the AFC EAST. The Dolphins defense made things difficult for Jared Goff, who threw 2 interceptions and 1 TD; the Rams are 5-3 and in third place in the highly competitive NFC WEST.
BRONCOS 31 — CHARGERS 30:
Another game that the Chargers let slip away. The only silver lining for LA is that QB Justin Herbert continues to impress and their future at the QB position is secure. The Chargers’ defense cannot stop anybody, and they will continue to lose close games like this one until they make vast defensive improvements and upgrades. Surprisingly, Denver is 3-4 and one game behind second-place Raiders in the AFC WEST. I guess it is not far fetched to imagine Denver making a wildcard spot run. Although highly unlikely, still possible.
Rod Rioja 