What’s up everyone! Here’s my quick thoughts on the international games and Monday Night doubleheaders. On one hand, I’m ok with the international games because I sometimes get up early to do some adulting. Even if the game sucks, I have a reason to be up in the early AM out West. On the other hand, the Monday Night doubleheaders suck. Not everyone’s going to be up for the second game that starts between 5pmPT/8pm ET or 7pmPT/10pm ET when we all work on a Tuesday!!! So why is this a thing? I know…$$$. So that’s my gripe of the week (and decade).

Anyway, this weekend’s games…kinda dragged. I was driving back from Utah on Sunday, and I even felt how much of a drag some games were. After what was the most consistent set of great games and drama, turned into a morning and afternoon filled with blowouts and boring matchups. However, we had finishers and thrillers in three games. Philly held on against Minnesota with Jalen Hurts tearing down Minnesota’s pass defense. The Packers found their way back after Arizona quarterback Jacoby Brissett almost upset them. And then, there was the Broncos/Giants game that almost joined the list of boring ass games. The massive fourth quarter comeback of the ages brought them to the list of three that had great finishers. Oh, and the 49ers…which many (even some Niner fans) either wanted to close the book on their season after Fred Warner got hurt, won the damn game against the Falcons. They beat the Atlanta Falcons that put a hurting to Josh Allen’s Bills. Yeah! To anyone that wants to doubt the battered, beaten, and depleted roster that won FIVE games through SEVEN weeks this season, please doubt with caution. They’re still competing and they have Bob Saleh on the defensive calls.

lol Anyway, this weekend’s football wasn’t that good, but it’ll happen sometimes. Hope any Denver fans out there are breathing a sigh of relief…or are at least breathing better after an eventful game.

TEAMS CONSIDERED

15) CINCINNATI BENGALS (3-4)

14) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (5-2)

13) CHICAGO BEARS (4-2)

12) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-2)

11) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (4-3)

10) PITTSBURGH STEELERS (4-2)

It looked like Pittsburgh was going to run away with this game, but Cincinnati woke up and fought back thanks to Joe Flacco and Ja’Marr Chase. Defense did enough with turnovers and stops to stay alive against Pittsburgh. And with that, Pittsburgh finally has an issue. Pittsburgh competes in a shootout with almost any team, but their defense failing to stop anyone won’t matter if the offense gets stopped. Let’s see how that goes moving forward.

9) DENVER BRONCOS (5-2)

Denver not only looked completely dead in the water; it looked like their submerged body was turned to algae by the fourth quarter. But somehow, Denver looked different in the fourth quarter and played completely different football. If Sean Payton told you that this team would score 33 points in one quarter, you’d think he was crazy and played too much Madden. Thanks to the offense, defense, and a few lucky breaks, they pulled it off and did the unthinkable that not even Minnesota was able to do in one quarter when they mounted a massive comeback against Indianapolis. Denver fans that I know held their breaths for a long, LONG time!

8) BUFFALO BILLS (4-2)

BYE WEEK

7) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (5-2)

Drake Maye continues to shine brighter with each week played. He eclipsed the Patriots record breaking completion percentage, and Tom Brady couldn’t even do it. Speaking of that, Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye as a committed Coach/QB couple did what Brady and Belichick couldn’t do together: win three straight road games in one season. Is New England for real???

6) GREEN BAY PACKERS (4-1-1)

Green Bay survived against a seemingly motivated and renewed Cardinals with Jacoby Brissett leading the team. After a struggling start, the defense clamped down and beat up on Brissett to help lead a comeback late in the game. Green Bay has had difficult stretches after a 2-0 start, but they’re finding ways to win, including Micah Parsons netting his first career three-sack game.

5) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-2)

Tampa had some stuff going and nothing going at the same time. Mike Evans returned to only end up back out with a broken collarbone. That was one of the bigger blows to their receiving corp. Outside of one touchdown, they really couldn’t do much without Baker Mayfield being under pressure. Defense didn’t do much to help the situation and suffered much more.

4) LOS ANGELES RAMS (5-2)

The Rams absolutely dismantled the technically homefield Jaguars in London. No Puka Nacua, no problem. Matt Stafford found other means of success from Davante Adams, other experienced receivers, rookies, and the running backs. The stats showed that it was an ok offensive performance, but they were the better team overall. The Rams had no problem and go into a bye feeling really good.

3) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (5-2)

Like me who overcame nearly falling asleep to this very late NFL game, Seattle survived against Houston after losing the turnover battle. While things didn’t look as good for the offense, Seattle forced their share of turnovers with stops on fourth down to stave off Houston’s attempts at a comeback. Seattle’s defense took a positive step these past couple of weeks.

2) DETROIT LIONS (5-2)

Detroit thoroughly dominated the Bucs through the speed of Jahmyr Gibbs and the force of Amon-Ra St. Brown. The offensive line took some hits to begin with, but they woke up in the second half and did a little better. The secondary was decimated, but they somehow stayed strong and impacted the Bucs’ pass game really well. Those reserves and backups deserve MVP for their effort.

1) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-1)

Indianapolis torched the Chargers for most of the game and the defense worked against a depleted Chargers offensive line. Jonathan Taylor continues having a huge season and leading the league in rushing touchdowns. The defense also overcame a depleted secondary and helped force turnovers against Justin Herbert.