Lions and Murray … Kittle and Jefferson … how about them Chargers and Minshew … and the best comes last (Bills and Pats on MNF).
Lions read the press clippings. Detroit! Finally! The Lions get their much-needed win and avoided a winless season. After the 5th worst start in NFL history (but not the franchise’s worst), they got the job done. Jared Goff delivered a TD strike as time expired to complete the comeback drive and win it for Detroit. With five games left, and maybe only one of them realistically winnable, they aren’t likely to get another W.
Bills-Pats, MNF. The first of two showdowns is certain to be a good one. The Bills came into the year as the clear favorite to take the division and, perhaps, win a Super Bowl. But Mac Jones is playing like an MVP, and the pre-season narrative has changed. All eyes will be on ESPN Monday night for what will be a test to see which team has the upper hand.
The Texans have been eliminated from playoff contention. With the Chargers’ win and Texans’ loss, Houston is the first team eliminated from the playoffs. But that’s just the beginning of their problems. The Texans don’t have the stash of draft picks like the Jets and Giants, and I have no idea how they plan to turn things around. Here’s an idea: start with moving Watson (he still plays football, right?) in exchange for as many picks as possible.
Minshew Mania. Gardner Minshew saw the field again for the Eagles. He doesn’t have the team around him as Mac Jones does, but he made the Eagles look good. By throwing two TDs, Minshew is tied with Trevor Lawrence for TDs this season, and you know what that’s going to do in Jacksonville (hint–more Lawrence criticism).
Week 13 Power Rankings
Chargers. LAC took it to the Bengals this week by winning convincingly on the road, a win keeps them just one game back of the Chiefs, who handled their own business Sunday night. LA has the Chiefs one more time this year, and they will play four other winnable games. So don’t count out LAC. The Chargers could make a run for the division title.
Steelers. Pitt got the win over Baltimore thanks to a failed two-point conversion in the game’s closing moments. Big Ben and the Steelers rolled back the clock with three fourth-quarter scoring drives. Sure, they are still back in the pack of the AFC North, but they still got a big win on Sunday afternoon, just like they did in the old days.
Rams. Last week I called out the Rams for beating bad teams, but not many others. That trend continued this week with a beatdown of the Jags. Don’t get me wrong, a win is a win. But at some point, this team has to start beating +,500 teams consistently. Next week they’ll get a chance–facing the Cardinals on MNF.
Mount Rushmore Performances
George Kittle, 9 catches, 181 Yards, 2 TDs. Kittle popped off this week in a big game v. Seattle. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for them to get the win. Regardless, Kittle had more yards than the rest of his team combined, and he also caught both of Jimmy G’s touchdowns.
Justin Jefferson, 182 yards, 1 TD. Just like Kittle, Jefferson had a big game in a losing performance, with more receiving yards than the rest of his team combined. Jefferson has proven himself to be an elite WR.
Kyler Murray, 123 passing yards, 59 rushing yards, 4 TDs. Murray threw for two and ran for two more to help secure a win over the Bears. Murray made his return in grand style, taking his game to another level for the #1-seed Cards.
Amon-Ra St. Brown. Ten catches, 86 yards, 1 TD. St. Brown had himself a pretty good day. His TD catch gave the Lions their first win. ‘Nuff said.
