What a massive and crucial win for Washington. This game was beyond emotional for what it meant for Ron Rivera and his coaching staff that followed him here from Carolina.
The legend of Taylor Heinicke continues to grow from week to week. He was electric in this game, throwing for over 200 yards with 3 TDs, zero picks, and rushing for 29 yards. Pretty remarkable, to say the least.
The defense, without Chase Young and Montez Sweat, is actually playing at a high level. They pressured Cam Newton consistently throughout the game and kept McCaffrey mostly contained. Collectively, they are getting it done. It was a terrific all-around performance.
We are now on a two-game winning streak and poised to make a run at a possible wildcard spot — if we win out, of course. Nevertheless, we will need Dallas to continue to self-destruct — and we need to win all of our 5 remaining divisional games.
This is not an insanely difficult task. It is all well within the realm of possibility. Next week, we play Seattle at home on Monday Night Football. The Seahawks are struggling, and Russell Wilson is not 100%. However, our recent history on Monday Night has not been great. But many variables are playing in Washington’s favor, including the return of key players like Logan Thomas and possibly Curtis Samuel. Advantage, Da Washington Football Team.
WFT 27 — PANTHERS 21
and for the rest of the league……
NY GIANTS 10 — BUCCANEERS 30
The Buccaneers ended their two-game losing streak. Tom Brady connected with all of his offensive weapons often and effectively. It was good seeing Rob Gronkowski back on the field. Next up, Tampa Bay visits Indianapolis and needs to find a way to neutralize Jonathan Taylor. Advantage, Indianapolis Colts.
Well, Jason Garrett has been fired as the Offensive Coordinator for NY. However, he was not the main issue plaguing NY — more urgent changes need to be made for the Giants to return to glory. First thing, Dave Gettleman needs to be fired, followed by getting rid of Joe Judge and finding a more experienced head coach. Then, Daniel Jones needs to go — and then, the NY Giants should press the reset button and start over. Next up, NY hosts divisional rival Philly. Advantage, Philadelphia Eagles.
EAGLES 40 — SAINTS 29
Jalen Hurts coming into his own as a dual-threat QB and showing Philly that the key to their future is to build around him. Philly is now 5-6 and making things interesting in the NFC EAST. Next week, Philadelphia visits division rival NY Giants. Advantage, Philadelphia Eagles.
The Saints have now lost 3 straight games, and their season is sliding away. New Orleans needs to put together some wins ASAP to keep their playoff hopes alive. Next week, New Orleans hosts a wounded Buffalo team on Thanksgiving day. Advantage, Buffalo Bills.
COWBOYS 9 — CHIEFS 19
Hold off on writing off Kansas City just yet. The Chiefs’ defense had another strong showing, keeping Dallas to field goals. Kansas City has won four-straight games, and by the look of their schedule, they should win out the rest of the season — of course, if their defense continues to complement their offense as well as they have these last four weeks. Next up, Kansas City has their bye week.
As I predicted, and right on cue, the overrated Cowboys are starting to unravel. Zeke and Tony Pollard combined for a pathetic 16 carries for 82 yards and zero TDs, and Dak was beyond ineffective. Next up, Dallas hosts a Thanksgiving game against the Raiders. Advantage, Las Vegas Raiders.
49ERS 30 — JAGUARS 10
I’m not surprised with San Francisco’s two-game winning streak. They are making a late-season push, making things interesting in the NFC WEST at 5-5. Next week, San Francisco Hosts another 5-5 Minnesota team. Advantage, San Francisco 49ers.
Well, the silver lining here is that Trevor Lawrence did not throw any picks in this game. Jacksonville has 3 winnable games left in the 2021 schedule. Next week, Jacksonville hosts 4-6 Atlanta. Advantage, Atlanta Falcons.
CARDINALS 23 — SEAHAWKS 13
Colt McCoy had a bounce-back game, throwing for over 300 yards with 2 TDs and zero picks. Zach Ertz had his most productive game this season with 8 catches for 88 yards and 2 TDs. The Cardinals are 8-2 for the season, and they will be okay with McCoy until Kyler Murray is ready to return. Next up, Arizona visits 3-7 Chicago. Advantage, Arizona Cardinals.
The Seahawks are nose-diving out of playoff contention, and Russell Wilson might just be playing out his last few games as a Seahawk. Next up, Seattle visits Washington on Monday Night. Advantage, Washington.
VIKINGS 34 — PACKERS 31
The Vikings won a massive game here, giving themselves a fighting chance to make the playoffs. Kirk Cousins had another impressive game, throwing for over 300 yards with 3 TDs and zero picks. Justin Jefferson had a monster game with 8 catches for 169 yards and 2 TDs. Next week, Minnesota visits San Francisco. Advantage, San Francisco 49ers.
Outstanding performance by anti-vaxxer Aaron Rodgers, throwing for 385 yards with 4 TDs and zero picks. But it wasn’t enough to contain a resurgent Minnesota team. Next week, Green Bay hosts 7-3 LA Rams, fresh off their bye week. Advantage, La Rams.
COLTS 41 — BILLS 15
Jonathan Taylor was unstoppable here, rushing 32 times for 185 yards with 4 TDs. The Colts need to ride Taylor into the playoffs and give Tennessee a run for the AFC SOUTH division tile. Next up, Indianapolis Host Tampa Bay. Advantage, Indianapolis Colts
Shocking loss for Buffalo — they looked beyond inept and could not figure out a way to stop Jonathan Taylor. And with New England making a late-season push, things might get a bit hairy for Buffalo. Next up, Buffalo visits struggling 5-5 New Orleans Saints. Advantage, Buffalo Bills.
TEXANS 22 — TITANS 13
Nobody saw this coming from Houston. The stats don’t really show much for Tyrod Taylor, but Taylor was deadly for Tennessee. Next week, Houston has a chance to get back-to-back wins visiting 2-8 NY Jets. Advantage, Houston Texans.
Maybe not having Derrick Henry is finally starting to show its ugly face for Tennessee. Ryan Tannehill threw 4 picks and struggled against a 1 win team. The Titans must forget about this embarrassing loss and stay focused on winning their AFC SOUTH division while holding off a late-season surge by Indianapolis. Next week, Tennessee visits New England. Advantage, Tennessee Titans.
DOLPHINS 24 — NY JETS 17
The Dolphins are on a three-game winning streak and could potentially throw a monkey wrench on the AFC EAST. Next up, Miami hosts 5-6 Carolina with an inspired Cam Newton as QB. Advantage, Miami Dolphins.
The NY Jets are a disaster. The need to pick up a few wins here and there to build some momentum going into the off-season. Next up, the Jets visits another 2-8 Houston team. Advantage Houston Texans.
LA CHARGERS 41 — STEELERS 37
The LA Chargers pulled off the win with a late-game TD and holding off Big Ben. As a result, the Chargers have essentially saved their season…for now. Next week, the LA Chargers visits Denver for a crucial divisional game. Advantage, LA Chargers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were trailing by 17 points in the 4th quarter but managed to make things tough for the Chargers. Big Ben, who is recovering from Covid, looked formidable after finding his rhythm late in the game. Next week, Pittsburgh has a massive divisional game visiting Cincinnati. Advantage, Cincinnati Bengals.
PATRIOTS 25 — FALCONS 0
New England has won 5 straight games and riding high after shutting out Atlanta. However, their winning streak might end against a Mike Vrabel team that always seems to have New England’s number. Next week, New England hosts Tennessee. Advantage, Tennessee Titans.
It was a disaster of a game for Atlanta; Mat Ryan was awful, Kyle Pitts was well-covered and kept from making a difference. The absence of Patterson affected the way Atlanta’s offense runs. Next week, Atlanta visits Jacksonville. Advantage, Atlanta Falcons
BENGALS 32 — RAIDERS 13
The Bengals ended their two-game losing streak and kept their playoff hopes alive. Joe Mixon rushed 30 times for 123 yards with 2 TDs, giving Joe Burrow another reliable offensive option. Next up, Cincinnati has the chance to climb up in the AFC North against division rival Pittsburgh. Advantage, Cincinnati Bengals.
The Raiders have lost 3 games straight, and their playoff hopes are slipping away rapidly. Derek Carr and Josh Jacobs are not as effective as they were early in the season. Next up, Las Vegas Raiders visits the overrated Cowboys on Thanksgiving day. Advantage, Las Vegas Raiders.
BROWNS 13 — LIONS 10
The Browns suffered to edge out winless Detroit. Baker Mayfield was horrible throwing for a sad 176 yards with 1 TD and 2 picks. Cleveland has all kinds of issues that went beyond OBJ, and if things don’t click soon, their playoff chances might slip away. Next week, Cleveland begins a two-game series with division foe Baltimore. Advantage, Baltimore Ravens.
Tim Boyle started as QB for injured Jared Goff and had a pretty decent game — and along with D’Andre Swift, kept Detroit within striking distance of winning this game. Swift had a powerful game, rushing 14 times for 136 yards and 1 TD. Next week, winless Detroit hosts an improving 3-7 Chicago team. Advantage, Chicago Bears.
RAVENS 16 — BEARS 13
Not having Lamar Jackson was a crutch for Baltimore. They struggle to score TDs, settling for field goals and trailing 13-9 until Devonta Freeman got loose for a 3-yard run to end this game with a handful of seconds left. Next up, Baltimore hosts a Cleveland team hot on their trail for their AFC NORTH division. Advantage, Baltimore Ravens.
Chicago blew a huge opportunity to get a crucial win and make things fun in the NFC NORTH. Losing Justin Fields to injury during this game was the difference-maker here. Next up, Chicago visits winless Detroit. Advantage, Chicago Bears.
Rod Rioja 