Thanksgiving games were odd, but good. The oddest of the four was Chicago’s final play of the drive. And that by itself was what led to coach Matt Eberflus’s firing. Deserved I guess, but what a bad way to end his career with Chicago. I also thought the Raiders got screwed out of an opportunity to beat Kansas City. The refs indeed will be in for a lot of questioning on that mishap. Elsewhere, the Bills and Chiefs clinched a playoff spot, the Lions, Eagles, and Vikings aren’t far from it, Justin Tucker has an issue, the Panthers likely have an answer for the future, the NFC South as a whole is a complete joke, and I believe the 49ers are done, but it’s taking a while for them to be completely finished in this hilarious NFC West standings. The NFL has been good to watch despite NFL Redzone cutting me off from watching the Bucs/Panthers overtime, but this upcoming weekend’s football will have more excitement, including a certain quarterback who returns to face his former team. That should be interesting.

10) BRONCOS

Bo Nix and Denver were in an uphill battle with Jameis Winston and the Browns. While Bo Nix and Jaleel McLaughlin went to work on Cleveland’s defense, Jameis Winston went scorched earth on Denver’s. When it looked like Jameis had his chance to end it, Ja’Quan McMillian said see ya later with a game-winning Pick 6. Denver enters the bye with an 8-5 record and a slight chance for a playoff spot if things go their way.

9) BALTIMORE RAVENS

There were assumptions that the 49ers and Chiefs were the only teams with a problem. Baltimore’s on that boat too. First, it was the offensive line early in the season before it worked out. Then, it was failing to finish the fourth quarter at times. Now, it’s Justin Tucker’s missed kicks, basically costing the team a winning opportunity. Baltimore enters the bye needing a solution and whether or not they need another kicker to pressure Tucker.

8) LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

The Bolts escaped Atlanta with their lives. They had better movement on Atlanta, and their defense, especially rookie cornerback Tarheeb Still, did a great job shaking down Kirko Chainz. Still had picked off Cousins twice and made a few stops along the way. Speaking of rookies, receiver “The Ladd” McConkey had a huge day with nine receptions and 117 yards. With how well the Chargers played under Jim Harbaugh, they could vie for a wild card spot.

7) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Russell Wilson had a huge day with 414 yards and three touchdowns. Steelers defense came up with a few huge plays to keep the Bengals down just enough. The team outpaced the Bengals to win their ninth game to close in on a playoff spot while holding atop the AFC North for the moment.

6) GREEN BAY PACKERS🦃

Packers defense did a great job cooling down a hot Dolphins team. Yards were allowed, but points weren’t, keeping Miami under 20…like the temperature at Green Bay. Josh Jacobs was bullish on Miami’s defense and Jordan Love made plenty of plays across the field for Green Bay to control the game throughout.

5) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Things looked ugly for Minnesota, and Aaron Jones didn’t play well at the beginning. Once they were down 19-6, the team turned it on and fought back, including Aaron Jones catching a crucial touchdown pass to give Minnesota the lead. The Vikings win their 10th game, guaranteeing them a playoff spot for sure.

4) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Chiefs/Raiders was anything but perfect. Kansas City had the early break and things looked over at some point. After the Raiders two-score rally, Kansas City did pull through with a field goal and thought they ended it on their last possession. The Raiders had the biggest opportunity of ending Kansas City on a second straight holiday weekend, but a very controversial call on a pre-snap mishap gave Kansas City the win. The Chiefs clinched a playoff spot, but problems and complacency still remain.

3) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Philly feasted on opportunities that Baltimore failed to capitalize. They won the turnover battle and ran with Saquon Barkley once again. Baltimore’s defense was unable to stop him, and each missed field goal dampened their confidence in the eyes of the Eagles. The overall seed in the NFC is now up for grabs between them, Detroit, and Minnesota.

2) BUFFALO BILLS

Buffalo handled the limited 49ers on a cold, snowy night with ease. Despite allowing multiple redzone opportunities, self-inflicted wounds by San Fran gave the Bills every chance to take control the game at home. Josh Allen and James Cook had a great night running and throwing all over them, including a play where Allen passed the ball to only get the ball back for a reception touchdown. Buffalo’s still playing like the best AFC team up to this point while also clinching the division too.

1) DETROIT LIONS🦃

Detroit played bully ball against Chicago, but Caleb Williams and Chicago’s defense had enough and fought back in the second half. It came down to the final drive, but Chicago had major malfunction on time management with about 30 SECONDS and a TIMEOUT and lost the game on that one and only last play. Detroit wins to control the NFC, but defense suffered a few more casualties today. Hopefully, it doesn’t bite them in the butt in the long run.

TEAMS CONSIDERED

11. SEAHAWKS

12. CARDINALS

13. COMMANDERS

14. BUCCANEERS