This 20-20 tie left a bitter-sweet taste in my mouth. Washington left a lot of points on the field and allowed this game to slip away. Sure, the refs missed a bunch of calls, and Joey Slye missing a field goal hurt us. But in the end, we didn’t get it done, and we blew a significant opportunity to separate from the rest of the playoff-hunting pack.
Defensively, we had a hard time containing Daniel Jones on run plays, leaving tons of space open for him to run and gain solid yards. Clearly, mobile Quarterbacks are still our kryptonite. However, one of the positives was that Christian Holmes played pretty well, replacing Benjamin St Jude.
Offensively, Taylor Heinicke had a good but not great game. He managed to spread the ball around but had difficulty putting together scoring drives. On the other hand, Johan Dotson showed precisely why he was our number 1 pick; excited to see Dotson and McLaurin pairing up for years to come. Also, Curtis Samuel is becoming a dynamic weapon and should be utilized more consistently.
The running game was efficient but not dominant. Brian Robinson carried the ball 21 times for 96 yards and no scores. Antonio Gibson had the ball 9 times for 39 measly yards. We need more robust production from our running backs.
All in all, this was a disappointing result; Washington is a far superior and more talented team than the Giants.
WASH 20 — NY GIANTS 20
Next up, Washington has a bye week, and then on week 15, we host the NY Giants again. The week off will be helpful to rest up and recover from injuries.
Cosmi and Tyler Larsen are banged up. Montez Sweat is in concussion protocol; I hope he clears on time for week 15. Plus, we have to get Chase Young back on the field. He is now medically cleared to return to play.
Additionally, I expect Carson Wentz to be officially designated as the number 2 QB. As a result, the leash will be shorter for Heinicke; if, during a game, Taylor struggles or something goes extremely bad, then I expect Wentz to be brought in.
This upcoming game against the Giants is massive for our playoff hopes. It’s a must-win. Advantage, Washington Commanders.
And for the rest of the league,
DALLAS 54 — COLTS 19
The final score of this game is not indicative of how close this game was for 3 quarters. At the start of the 4th quarter, the game was 19-21, and the Colts seemed to have a shot. But then Dallas got a few lucky breaks and scored 35 unanswered points in the 4th quarter alone. Next, Dallas visits Houston. Advantage, Dallas Cowboys (but I am rooting for Houston).
The Colts imploded in the 4th quarter and got annihilated by Dallas. The good thing is that rookie WR Alec Pierce is slowly emerging as a legit number-one receiving threat. Jeff Saturday is now 1 -3 as Head Coach, and these last few weeks of the NFL schedule will be a tough test, as this team is still fighting for a playoff spot. Next, Indianapolis visits Minnesota. Advantage, Minnesota Vikings.
EAGLES 35 — TITANS 10
The Eagles completely dominated Tennessee in all aspects of the game. Jalen Hurts had an excellent game, throwing for over 300 yards with 3 TDs and zero picks. At 11-1, Philadelphia is running away with the NFC East. Next, Philadelphia visits the NY Giants. Advantage, Philadelphia Eagles.
The formula to beat Philadelphia is running the ball and keeping Jalen Hurts on the sideline. However, for some strange reason, Tennessee abandoned the run game, only feeding Derrick Henry 11 times for barely 30 yards. It is insane to think that a powerful runner like Henry was limited to only 11 carries. Next, Tennessee hosts Jacksonville. Advantage, Tennessee Titans.
49ERS 33 — DOLPHINS 17
Jimmy G left the game early with what appeared to be a season-ending injury and was replaced by Brock Purdy (Mr. Irrelevant). The good news is that this injury might only keep Jimmy G out for 7 to 8 weeks. Surprisingly, Brock Purdy handled the pressure well and produced a few scoring drives. After that, the San Francisco 49ers must find an experienced backup and figure out who will lead them toward the playoffs. Next, San Francisco hosts Tampa Bay. Advantage, San Francisco 49ers.
The Dolphins were going toe to toe with San Francisco, trailing 17-23 early in the 4th quarter. But a fumble recovery for a score killed any chance they had to win or take this game into OT. Next, Miami visits the LA Chargers. Advantage, Miami Dolphins.
BENGALS 27 — CHIEFS 24
Joe Burrow is now 3-0 against Patrick Mahomes, and they seem to have Kansas City’s number. The Bengals are getting hot at the right time to make a late-season run, just like they did last year. Next, Cincinnati hosts Cleveland. Advantage, Cincinnati Bengals.
Patrick Mahomes was kept in check for most of the game, throwing for 223 yards and just 1 lonely TD. The silver lining is that Isiah Pacheco is emerging as a legit rushing threat for Kansas City. Next, Kansas City visits Denver. Advantage, Kansas City Chiefs.
BILLS 24 — PATRIOTS 10
The Bills have won 3 games in a row, and at 9-3, they are holding firm on top of the AFC East. Nevertheless, the NY Jets and Miami are keeping pace right behind them. Unfortunately, Von Miller underwent season-ending ACL surgery. So we will see how Buffalo adjusts without him. Next, Buffalo hosts the NY Jets. Advantage, Buffalo Bills.
The Matt Patricia role running the offense doesn’t make sense to anybody; watching Mac Jones yelling and cussing at Patricia on the sideline was indicative of the mess in New England. Next, New England visits Arizona. Advantage, Arizona Cardinals.
RAIDERS 27 — LA CHARGERS 20
The Raiders needed this win urgently to keep pace in the AFC wildcard hunt. Josh Jacobs had another monster day, rushing for 144 yards and 1 TD. In addition, the connection between Derek Carr and Davante Adams is starting to get going; Adams ended up with 177 yards and 2 TDs. Next, Las Vegas visit the LA Rams. Advantage, Las Vegas Raiders.
The LA Chargers not having a consistent running game should be a cause for concern. Austin Ekeler having only 10 carries for 35 yards is insane — LA has to figure out a way to balance their Offensive attack better. Next, the LA Chargers host Miami. Advantage, Miami Dolphins.
SEAHAWKS 27 — LA RAMS 23
Seattle ended their 2-game losing streak and got right back into the NFC playoff hunt. However, the Seahawks have a tough road ahead to win and land a playoff spot. Next, Seattle hosts Carolina. Advantage, Seattle Seahawks.
The LA Rams are floundering, and at 3-9, they picked up Baker Mayfield off waivers. This is a bold move for a team trying to finish the season honorably. Next, the LA Rams host Las Vegas. Advantage, Las Vegas Raiders.
RAVENS 10 — BRONCOS 9
Lamar Jackson had to leave the game in the 1st quarter with an injury. Baltimore struggle offensively with backup QB Tyler Huntley. But in the final few minutes of the 4th quarter, Huntley managed to put together an impressive drive to score on a 2-yard run and beat out Denver. We’ll see how long Lamar has to be out of action. Next, Baltimore visits Pittsburgh. Advantage, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Russell Wilson was pathetic again, throwing for 189 yards and zero scores. The Broncos are 3-9 and with no signs of improvement. Next, Denver host Kansas City. Advantage, Kansas City Chiefs.
VIKINGS 27 — NY JETS 22
The Vikings seem to have shaken off the humbling loss to Dallas. At 10-2, Minnesota has the 2nd best record in the NFC. However, their wins come down to the wire and usually by one score — this is a hard team to trust down the stretch. Next, Minnesota visits Detroit, Advantage, Detroit Lions.
Greg Zuerlein was the star of this show for the Jets. He kept them in the game with 5 field goals and 16 points. Mike White continues to provides an Offensive spark for NY, throwing for over 300 yards and running for a score late in the 4th quarter. But ended up with 2 picks. The Jets are 7-5 and are in the mix for an AFC wildcard spot. Next, the NY Jets visit Buffalo. Advantage, Buffalo Bills.
PACKERS 28 — BEARS 19
The Packers were losing 10-19 at the start of the 4th quarter but managed to put together 18 unanswered points to put away Justin Fields and this up-and-coming Chicago Bears team. Next, Green Bay has a week off.
Justin Fields continues to make impressive plays, and it is clear that Chicago has found their QB for the next decade. Nevertheless, this 2022 season is only a showcase for what is ahead for Chicago — Fields has to clean up his mistakes, and head-scratching picks to rise above the NFC North in 2023. Next, Chicago has their bye week.
LIONS 40 — JAGUARS 14
The Lions are playing at a high level and getting hot at the right time. At 5-7, Detroit could put together some more wins and make a run at a wildcard spot; it is mathematically possible but improbable. Next, Detroit hosts Minnesota. Advantage, Detroit Lions.
The Jaguars got routed by Detroit. Trevor Lawrence struggled to get things moving, and their running game was neutralized. No reason to panic. Jacksonville is heading in the right direction under Doug Pederson. Next, Jacksonville visits Tennessee. Advantage, Tennessee Titans.
BROWNS 27 — TEXANS 14
Deshaun Watson made his NFL return, and it was a rough but expected display of inefficiency by the very rusty Watson. The Browns need to be patient with Watson and lean on their running game as he gets back into football form. Next, Cleveland visits Cincinnati. Advantage, Cincinnati Bengals.
Kyle Allen could not provide the spark Houston needed, throwing for 201 yards, 1 Td, and 2 picks. The Texans announced that they would return to Davis Mills for week 14. Next, Houston visits Dallas. Advantage, Dallas Cowboys (but I am rooting for the upset).
STEELERS 19 — FALCONS 16
The Steelers have won 2 games in a row and are quietly showing signs of life after a dismal 2022 campaign. Next, Pittsburg host Baltimore. Advantage, Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Falcons have lost 2 games in a row and are starting to lose ground to Tampa bay in the NFC South race. Atlanta has to win out in the next few weeks and hope for Tampa Bay to slip. Next, Atlanta visits New Orleans. Advantage, Atlanta Falcons.
BUCCANEERS 17— SAINTS 16
The Bucs were losing 16-3 in the 4th quarter, and with about 3 minutes left in the game, Tom Brady scored twice to edge out New Orleans. The Buccaneers are still on top of the NFC South. Next, Tampa Bay visits San Francisco. Advantage, San Francisco 49ers.
The Saints had this game in the bag, but costly mistakes gave Tom Brady the perfect opening to put away New Orleans. However, Andy Dalton had a solid game and should remain the starting QB. Next. New Orleans host Atlanta. Advantage, Atlanta Falcons.
Rod Rioja 