Blaze Review

1.) Detroit Lions (11-1)

The Detroit Lions entered week 13 with a 7 game losing streak on Thanksgiving. After one half of football, it looked like that streak would be ending, as Detroit had a 16-0 lead. Detroit was then outscored 20-7 in the second half, and if not for a historical late game collapse by The Bears (that cost Matt Eberflus his job), Detroit would’ve extended that streak to 8, but instead they enjoyed some Turkey after the game and extended their own win streak to 10.

2.) Buffalo Bills (10-2)

Buffalo looked every bit in their element on Sunday Night Football. With fans having to come and shovel snow out of the stands early in the afternoon, we knew it was going to be a snowy game. Buffalo was the only team that came ready to play, winning 35-10. It was quite the game for Josh Allen, scoring a touchdown by passing, rushing, and receiving. He storms ahead as the MVP favorite.

3.) Philadelphia Eagles (10-2)

In a matchup of birds, The Eagles were the more dominant against the home team Ravens. Continuing to ride Saquon Barkley and the run game, Philly were able to control the game after taking a second quarter lead. Its the second game this season where Philly was able to win with Jalen Hurts throwing less than 120 yards. Their dominance on the ground will benefit them greatly in the playoffs, and the way the D has been playing the past month, its right there with the best. The Eagles as a whole make a compelling case as the best team in football.

4.) Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)

Kansas City looked ready to get revenge over their loss at home to The Raiders the previous season, also on a holiday. KC had a 16-3 lead with three minutes left in the third quarter, but four offensive Raider plays later, The Raiders had a 17-16 lead. The Chiefs regained the lead, before some late game controversy resulted in an aborted snap being recovered by Kansas City’s defense. KC continues to win games, in different ways.

5.) Minnesota Vikings (10-2)

The Vikings are another team that often finds themselves in a close game during the late stages of the game. Trailing 19-6 late in the third quarter, Minnesota scored their first touchdown of the game to cut the lead to 6. In the fourth quarter, they buckled down, getting a turnover, and making a key stop to escape with a 23-22 win.

6.) Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)

It was quite remarkable how Russell Wilson was able to rebound after throwing a pick-six on his third pass of the afternoon. Going on to throw for 414 yards and 3 touchdowns after the interception. The Steelers needed every bit of it, as they won the game 44-38. Having this added dimension has firmly added Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl contender conversation for my money.

7.) Green Bay Packers (9-3)

Similar to the Sunday Night Football affair in Buffalo, the Thursday Night game on Thanksgiving had a similar feel. Only one of the two teams felt ready to play in the cold weather, and by the other team felt ready (it was The Dolphins) the game was out of reach. Green Bay went into the half with a 24-3 lead. They allowed the final score to look closer than the game was (30-17), but we can’t rule out the possibility Green Bay had some leftover Turkey in the locker room at halftime.

8.) Baltimore Ravens (8-5)

Baltimore scored a touchdown at the very end of the game to make the final score look closer, but in reality, that touchdown was the points left off the board by Justin Tucker. Going into the season, he was regarded as arguably the greatest kicker in NFL history (most accurate by %). But now, having missed a career high eight field goals, he is a liability to Baltimore. This is the second game in the last month or so, in which Tucker has inadvertently cost his team the game.

9.) Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)

One of the themes of the weekend seemed to be, the team who wins the game wasn’t necessarily the team who played the best. The Los Angeles Chargers game against the Atlanta Falcons was certainly in that category. Not trying to take credit away from The Chargers defense, but Kirk Cousins played one of the worst games of his career, allowing LA, who played a poor game as well offensively, to triumph.

10.) Denver Broncos (8-5)

Going into the Monday Night Football clash in Denver, I doubt anyone expected it to be as high scoring as it was. Denver put up 41, which was a season high. It shows that Denver can score with the rest of the AFC, when it appeared they were a defensive based team.

11.) Seattle Seahawks (7-5)

Geno Smith, and Leonard Williams got some revenge on The New York Jets over the weekend, beating the team that drafted them before kicking them to the curb. Seattle tried everything they could to lose the game, being down as much as two scores at one point. Leonard Williams really turned the game around with his pick-six. The play before, Rodgers missed Wilson on a wide open touchdown.

12.) Washington Commanders (8-5)

After losing three in a row, The Washington Commanders come out and put the beating on Tennessee. Getting out to a 28-0 lead early in the second quarter, Washington was able to coast along to a big win, a much needed one for that matter.

13.) Houston Texans (8-5)

An ugly scene erupted after Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaiir made a dirty tackle on a sliding Trevor Lawrence. A massive brawl broke out afterwards, with multiple players being ejected from the game. Houston was able to hold on late to their lead, despite almost allowing a 17 point comeback. Al-Shaiir has since been suspended three games.

14.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)

A late fumble in overtime really saved Tampa. The Carolina Panthers were driving on Tampa late in overtime, before the costly Hubbard fumble. On the bright side, the key divisional win put them level with Atlanta for the best record in the NFC South. They did lose both matchups to Atlanta this season, so they’ll need to keep winning to win the division for the fourth year in a row.

15.) Los Angeles Rams (6-6)

Sunday’s matchup with The Saints was the first time in Sean McVay’s coaching career he had been shut out in the first half of a regular season game. The only other time had been in Super Bowl LIII. Fortunately for the 2024 Rams, the result varied this time. Los Angeles scored 21 in the second half to get the road win, and keeping themselves in the hunt for the division.

16.) Arizona Cardinals (6-6)

Arizona represented another team that played better than their opponent, but ultimately lost their game. Arizona was up 19-16 just over three minutes left. It was 4th and goal, from the four yard line, and Arizona kicked the field goal to go up by six. Had they tried to go for the touchdown, and got it, the game would’ve been out of reach. It’s easy to judge these decisions after the fact, but it feels like Arizona let one slip out of their hands. With their second matchup with Seattle in three weeks on the horizon, Arizona’s chances to win the division ride on their week 14 result.

17.) Atlanta Falcons (6-5)

The Atlanta Falcons have been spiraling for the last month. Kirk Cousins is in the midst of the worst stretch of his entire career. During the last three games, he’s thrown zero touchdowns and seven interceptions, including four on Sunday against the Chargers. They’ve dropped three in a row and it looks likely to be four with a road trip to Cousins old stomping grounds, Minnesota.

18.) Indianapolis Colts (6-7)

Since turning the keys to the franchise back to Anthony Richardson the results have been positive (sans playing the #1 in the rankings). Just like in the win over The Jets, Indy put the ball in Richardson’s hands when the game was on the line and he delivered.

19.) Miami Dolphins (5-7)

Miami’s troubles with cold weather continued on Thanksgiving night. Facing a 24-3 deficit coming out of the half, The Dolphins were essentially just trying to make the score look closer (30-17). Their playoff hopes are slipping, but with a matchup against the reeling Jets, they’ll look to keep themselves alive another week.

20.) San Fransisco 49ers (5-7)

Things go from bad to worse for San Fran. A growing list of injuries added Christian McCaffery again after suffering a PCL injury that put him on what’s likely a season ending IR trip. The Niners would have to run the table for any hopes at the playoffs. After years of playing deep into January, the additional wear and tear on the body is catching up.

21.) Dallas Cowboys (5-7)

Dallas enjoyed a Thanksgiving win against divisional rival, The New York Giants. Normally a marquee matchup, this was probably was the least juiciest showdown between these teams in over a decade. Cooper Rush vs Drew Lock on Thanksgiving wasn’t how the league drew it up. But a win is a win, and The Cowboys technically aren’t out of it.

22.) Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)

If Cincinnati had a middle of the pack defense this season, they’d be competing for the division with The Ravens and The Steelers, but instead, it’s one of the worst. They allowed Russell Wilson to have his first 400 yard passing game since he was a Seahawk, and that was after intercepting his third pass attempt for a touchdown. It’s really a downer too because Joe Burrow is in the midst of an MVP caliber season.

23.) Chicago Bears (4-8)

After what was arguably one of the worst clock management blunders in recent memory, if not all time, head coach Matt Eberflus was fired by The Chicago Bears. Interim offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, will now be Interim Head Coach. Getting an on the job audition for the job next season potentially.

24.) New Orleans Saints (4-8)

It looks like New Orleans will be without do it all player Taysom Hill for the remainder of the season after suffering a knee injury. Hill had been a spark for the team since Darren Rizzi took over as interim head coach. With several key offensive weapons out now, The Saints chances to compete for the division look all but lost.

25.) Carolina Panthers (3-9)

The Panthers have gone from zeroes to heroes in my eyes. Despite not winning on Sunday, it was arguably their most impressive showing this season. Taking Tampa to overtime, they were a Chuba Hubbard fumble away from potentially winning. Bryce Young looks like a completely different player than he was at the beginning of the season, and someone to build around for the future.

26.) Cleveland Browns (3-9)

The quality that makes Jameis Winston able to throw for 497 yards and 4 touchdowns is the same one that causes him to throw 3 interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. In a lost season, it definitely makes for more entertaining football, and we’re seeing the emergence of Jerry Jeudy as Cleveland’s new #1 receiver.

27.) New York Jets (3-9)

The Jets had the most Jets way of Jetting this game. Having a 21-7 lead in the second quarter, Aaron Rodgers narrowly missed Garrett Wilson in the endzone. The following play Rodgers threw a pick-six making the game 21-14. New York failed to score the rest of the game, losing 26-21.

28.) Tennessee Titans (3-9)

After having their most impressive win against divisional rival Houston, Tennessee fell flat on their faces. A 28-0 deficit in the second quarter all but finished it for Tennessee.

29.) New England Patriots (3-10)

If not for a 19 play, 80 yard drive with twelve seconds left for The Colts, New England would be the winners of this one. The Patriots couldn’t hold on, but fought till the end. In a rebuild year, I’d imagine that’s the perfect result (as a fan).

30.) Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)

Late game blunders led to Vegas blowing a prime opportunity to steal one from The Chiefs on Black Friday. A weird situation where the center snapped the ball prematurity, and nobody knew if it was a false start, or an illegal shift, it was the latter.

31.) Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)

Trevor Lawrence suffered a scary injury after sustaining a dirty hit on Sunday. He was carted off after a big brawl ensued. Mac Jones made an admirable attempt to lead Jacksonville to their third win of the season, but ultimately came up short.

32.) New York Giants (2-10)

The Giants had more life within them with Drew Lock in at quarterback this week. While Dallas was in control for a good chunk of the game, Big Blue put themselves in position to tie the game, or take a lead with the help of an onside kick. Staying competitive in the games will be crucial for Brian Daboll to keep his job.