The NFC’s numbers 1 & 2 seeds collide in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for a sure to be action packed game. The 10-2 49ers take on the 10-2 Saints to clinch the number 1 seed. Fans predicted this would be the game of the year . . . and they were right. Both teams came out firing in the first half totaling 55 points together ( 49ers – 28, Saints – 27). The game was a nail biter and was decided by a Robbie Gould field goal taking the Niners to an 11-2 record after a 48-46 final score. The Saints dropped to 10-3 and are still in the playoff picture. Niners’ quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was 26/35 for 349 yards and 4 touchdowns. Saints’ veteran quarterback Drew Brees was 29/40 for 349 yards and 5 touchdowns. This nail biter might win game of the year, but it certainly makes it harder for the Seahawks to overtake the Niners now. Next week the Saints meet the Colts in a must win to clinch a first round bye from the Packers. The Niners head to face the Falcons in what will most likely be an easily winnable game. However, the Falcons have surprised us before, like beating the Saints 27-3.

The 4-8 Broncos travelled to Texas to take on the 8-4 Houston Texans. This all seems like a recipe for success, right? Home-field advantage, better record, MVP candidate quarterback, straight off of a win against the Patriots. You’d think that Texans would DESTROY the Broncos. Utterly Embarrass. Shutout. Whatever terminology you want to use. But you’d be wrong. In the first half alone, the Broncos scored 31 points to the Texans’ 3. The second half had a shift with the Broncos scoring 7 and the Texans scoring 21, but that wasn’t enough. The Broncos won 38-24 to improve to 5-8. The Texans on the other hand drop to 8-5 and might be overtaken by the Titans for division title. Texans’ quarterback Deshaun Watson was 28/50 for 292 yards and 1 touchdown, while Denver’s Drew Lock was 22/27 for 309 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Texans are the projected 4th seed, but may be knocked out if the Titans win out. Next week, the Texans play their division rivals in what will end up being a very important game to clinch the AFC South title. The Broncos also play a division game against the leaders, the Kansas City Chiefs, led by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes could easily rip through the Broncos defense, so I wouldn’t bet on the Broncos next week.

The 3-9 Washington Redskins went to Lombardi Field in Wisconsin to take on the 9-3 Green Bay Packers. The Redskins’ season is pretty much over, but with the way the NFC East has been playing, it’s not crazy to say they have a chance. With that being said, the Green Bay Packers led by veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers are atop the NFC North, narrowly ahead of the Minnesota Vikings. This game was surprisingly close, considering everyone expected the Packers to blow the Redskins out of the water. The Packers won by one possession with a 20-15 win. Aaron Rodgers was 18/28 for 195 yards and 1 touchdown, while Redskins rookie Dwayne Haskins was 16/27 for 170 yards and a touchdown. The Packers improve to 10-3, while the Redskins fall to 3-10. The Packers, with the loss of the Saints, claim the 2nd seed in the NFC, and might get a Week 1 bye. Next week the Packers face the Chicago Bears in a must win game to retain their division spot. The Redskins face the Eagles in a possible win. The Eagles have one of the worst pass defenses and came off of a loss to the Miami Dolphins last week. The Redskins have a better chance of bringing the Eagles down, than moving up.

The flailing 3-8-1 Lions travelled to face the 8-4 Vikings in a battle of the NFC North. The Vikings were looking to make dent in the lead for the NFC North, trying to bring down the division leaders, the 10-3 Packers. The Lions were trying to end a miserable drought of losses since Week 8. The Lions, who had injured Matthew Stafford and Jeff Driskel, turned to their third string, undrafted, rookie out of Purdue, David Blough. This was his 2nd NFL start. The Vikings dominated the ball during the entirety of the game coming out on top with a 20-7 victory. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins was 24/30 for 242 yards and 1 touchdown, while rookie David Blough was 24/40 for 205 yards and 1 touchdown. The Vikings improved to 9-4, maintaining 2nd place, while the Lions sank to 3-9-1, still at 4th place. Next week, the Lions face the stingy Buccaneers run defense, but porous pass defense. The Lions defense will face turnover prone Jameis Winston and try to take advantage. The Vikings will play the Los Angeles Chargers and try to pull a win to take the top spot in the NFC North. They are currently the 6th seed, so this win is necessary. Sports Illustrated Magazine has confirmed that Lions head coach Matt Patricia will return next season.

The AFC’s number 1 seed, Baltimore Ravens (10-2), travelled to cold New Era Field (coincidentally the nickname of Lamar Jackson) to face the 9-3 Buffalo Bills. After the game, Ravens star quarterback and leading MVP candidate Lamar Jackson was just 22 yards away from breaking the single season rushing yard record by a quarterback, held by Michael Vick in 2006. Although playing in icy Buffalo, Lamar Jackson took command and led the Ravens to their 9th straight win this season. With a final score of 24-17, the Ravens have clinched a spot in the playoffs and remain the number one seed (even if the Patriots win because of head to head matchup). The Bills drop to 9-4 and are the 5th seed, and will most likely play in the wild card matchups. Lamar Jackson was 16/25 for 145 yards and 3 touchdowns, while Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen was 17/39 for 146 yards and a touchdown. Lamar has solidified his MVP case and will have another opportunity to do so next week against a rocky New York Jets team. The Bills play the Steelers next week, who have a flawing offense, but a tremendously good defense. This will be a good matchup and could decide playoff chances for Buffalo.

The 6-6 Indianapolis Colts went to Tampa Bay to face the 5-7 Buccaneers this afternoon. The Colts sat at 3rd in the AFC South, while the Bucs were tied for 2nd with the Panthers in the NFC South. It was a close game and the Buccaneers barely squeezed by with a 35-38 victory. The Colts, now 6-7, still sit at 3rd place, while thanks to the Panthers’ loss, the Buccaneers are now at 2nd place in the NFC South. Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett was 19/36 for 251 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Bucs’ quarterback Jameis Winston was 33/45 for 456 yards and 4 touchdowns. Although they pulled this win out of their hats, it is nearly impossible for the Buccaneers to make the playoffs at this rate. Same story for the Colts as both teams are at 6-7. The Bucs’ will look to keep up the win streak against a porous Lions defense next week. The Colts play the number 1 NFC seed, the New Orleans Saints, so not such an easy matchup next week.

I’m starting this blog a little late, so this game has already happened. But nevertheless, I will review it. The 6-6 Dallas Cowboys travelled to Soldier Field on Thursday to play the 6-6 Chicago Bears. The Cowboys, although maintaining the same record as the Bears, lead the NFC East, which is undoubtedly the most disappointing division in the NFL. I say this because every team in that division has a losing record. After touchdowns on touchdowns, the game ended in a 31-24 win for Chicago, barely keeping their playoff hopes alive. The Cowboys, even with that loss, stay atop the NFC East just a game ahead of the 5-7 Eagles. The Cowboys have confirmed that head coach Jason Garrett will finish out the 2019 season, and hinting he’ll be back next season too, although the Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, has yet to confirm it. The Bears, even with this win, remain in the toughest division in the NFL, the NFC North. With the 9-3 Packers and the 8-4 Vikings ahead by a couple games, it doesn’t look like the Bears will be going to playoffs.

I’ve been into football all of my life, and I have a passion for it. I play it, watch it, and even play it on video games. Everyone loves football. America’s sport, right? But there are still people who don’t understand whats so fascinating about throwing and running with a ball down a 100 yard field in 10 yard intervals. We’ve all been at a super bowl party, and heard the constant heckling.”This is boring”. Some of you are annoyed to no end by these people. Some of you are those people that are clueless. Well I’m here for both of you.