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We finally had some solid games on the Gridiron that kept the noise meter high across 4 quarters of football. After a lackluster trio of games on Thanksgiving (except for Packers fans), the noise was amped up on Sunday. Bills versus Eagles was a slobber-knocker; Jaguars versus Texans delivered major noise; and a battle atop the NFC South rung off noise in The A. All in all, a much better Sunday of comp'.
Now, the officiating across the league this week was HORRIBLE. Luckily, the action on the field made up for it. I noticed two big things: the comp' being amped up, as well as the noise in the stands be amped up. Particularly, we had some 'chises feel home-field advantage for the first time in awhile. Which is huge for football.
Record doesn't mean anything to fans when their team is right in the playoff hunt. Colts; Falcons; Broncos; and Texans all had their home crowds roaring in WK12. Houston may have been the only team of the four to lose, but their crowd was the loudest of 'em all. We haven't heard that kind of roar from the Texans' faithful in some years. It's good to have it back. Texans' fans can feel the tides of the franchise turn to the better behind their rookie stud quarterback.
Colts' and Broncos' fans had their chimes too, elevating their respected teams on the field to secure big wins to move deeper into the AFC playoff picture. Both fan-bases made noise on third downs and in big moments of the game. The players reflected off it. Colts move to the 7-spot (tie breaker over Denver), and the Broncos sit in the 9-spot after their home dubs- both squads are right behind the Steelers and Browns for the Wild Card. Denver have won 4 straight at Mile High; they are disappointed to have to hear the Houston crowd next week instead of their crowd in what is a HUGE game in the playoff picture.
Falcons' faithful may have rung the most noise as they blew the roof off Mercedes-Benz Stadium to help motivate their birds to a major win over the Saints- tying Atlanta for the top spot atop the NFC South. The roof blew off after Jessie Bates III's LOUD pick-six:
video via NFL//X
A big time pop, the crowd was electric all game as we saw highlight plays and a close nail bitter on the scoreboard. Eliminating poor QB play. It's good to see The A rockin' the way it was. It has been a rollercoaster year for the Falcons, but they are atop the NFC South and are currently a playoff team. Falcons fans are known to bring the noise when the team is in the playoff hunt. It's good for football; all electric atmospheres are good for football. We have our powerhouses of Philly; KC; Seattle; and Detroit, but the list doesn't run full. It's time it does.
The atmospheres can't be electric if the play/product isn't. Finally, we got a slate of great games to watch in Week-12. Nail biters. Highlight plays. Epic game-tying field-goals. You name it, and we got it. The games were so great in fact, the action was pure camouflage to awful NFL officiating. Bills versus Eagles was an absolute thriller & a favorite for game of the year; Texans versus Jaguars was utter noise and came down to a thunderous finish; and the NFC South delivered a banger in Atlanta.
The showdown between the Bills and the Eagles in the Linc was a great watch. Inclement weather on a cold wet afternoon in Philly, hard-hitting, chirpy, and a gritty comeback by the home soldiers. Eagles out-scored the Bills 24-14 in the second half after trailing at halftime to win in OT remaining unbeaten at home. Philly rode defensive stops; a clutch James Bradberry route jumpin' interception; and a LEGENDARY game-tying boot in one of the more beautiful NFL kicker moments... Jake Elliot went full out Vinni mode in some nasty rain:
video via NFL//X
Elliot has gone "Vinatieri" on a handful of occasions in his career. The cat is made for the moment, and comes through again. What a big time kick in what was a big time game. The boot and another defensive stop (held to FG) in OT set up Jalen Hurts to have a big moment with a stellar game-winning drive to push the Birds to 10-1 on the campaign. The game saw some horrendous officiating, but the action on the gridiron kind of made up for it. The officiating never determined the outcome of the game, fortunately. Eagles sure like to make things interesting en route to 10-1- something that has made their games fun to watch... outside of their fans. Bills may be 6-6, but they too have delivered some good watches... also outside of their fans. This was a needed game.
The Texans/Jaguars game was also a noisy contest, with a LOUD fourth quarter. Stroud versus Lawrence should be an exciting QB duel for years to come in the AFC South. This game proved that. Both guys had some good moments, and bad moments, but they each showed poise in aspects of the game. T-Law sure wasn't perfect. He couldn't muster a 4th-quarter tuddy after turnover downs and good field possession & he led the team to a punt to give Stroud and the Texans a shot to win the game late. Lawrence did pass for his 2nd most passing yards in a game in his career with 364 yards & had a solid first half. Stroud played stellar, but failed to cash in on a golden opportunity for a potential game-winning drive forcing head coach DeMeco Ryans to rush a decision, settlin' for a long 58 yard field-goal to tie the game that K Matt Ammendola missed.
That QB duel was fun to watch, and will be fun for years to come. The game was tight and competetive. The crowd was loud and raucous. Just the perfect type of noise we would come to expect from the NFL. The Bengals/Browns game wasn't terrible considering the injuries, Kenny Pickett, and newly appointed Steelers OC Eddie Faulkner. The Raiders/Chiefs game had some noise too with a loud Josh Jacobs house-call and offensive nukes from both squads. Much better action this week... that's more like it!
Now we get a gift from the football gods with a Sunday afternoon slobber-knocker on FOX between the Eagles and 49ers. A rematch of the NFC Championship last season, that has seen chirp and sh** talk carry on all the way to the now. A beauty on paper. That game should be utter noise and I for one, cannot WAIT for it. Let there be war! Real quick before the power rankings, enjoy this 99 yard pick-six at the halftime horn by Dolphins' S Jevon Holland on Black Friday:
video via NFL//X
Power Rankings:
Previous game: W 37-34 vs BUF (OT)
Streak: W5
Eagles just keep finding ways to win. We can find many flaws or things to point out on the negative, but at the end of the day this team is gritty and can find many avenues to victory. They don't give in to the pressure; hype; and injuries, now they sit at 10-1 atop the NFL standings. Philly has beaten the Dolphins; Cowboys; Chiefs; and Bills in 4 of their last 5 games. Now the big one... if they beat San Fran next week, they enter a tier of their own and with some seperation.
Next game: Sunday vs San Francisco (4:25 pm)
Previous game: W 31-13 @ SEA
Streak: W3
49ers cruise past the Seahawks on Thanksgiving night to get back on winning terms after facing a three-game losing streak. San Francisco has won three in a row with two road gems against Seattle and a thumping of the Jaguars in Jacksonville. Those two dubs and gettin' back on track has helped the 49ers climb back up the power rankings and into the top 2 with a battle lined up with the number 1 spotted Eagles in WK13.
Next game: Sunday @ Philadelphia (4:25 pm)
Previous game: W 20-10 @ LAC
Streak: W2
Ravens are back to building a winning streak & have won 6 of their last 7 games to soar atop the AFC. The defense is gettin' back on the right page and in the right timing with Jacksonville and San Fran waiting for war in the distance. Baltimore has a chance to secure the one seed in the AFC with success in their upcoming slate; as well as a chance to roll into the playoffs as a solidifed Super Bowl threat. They hit the bye week to prep for war. That could be good or bad... we shall see.
Next game: Sunday DEC 10th vs Los Angeles Rams (1:00 pm)
Previous game: W 31-17@ LV
Streak: W1
Kansas City is 2-2 in their last 4 after havin' a 6-game winnin' streak, but responded from a loss with a solid dub last week against the Raiders. The defending champs currently hold the 2-seed in the AFC as they await a light slate of comp to wrap the season. Outside of the Bills game on the 10th of December. Chiefs hold their own fate in seed placement to be frank. If they win out, they easily could have the one seed, considering the tough Ravens' schedj. First, they need to conquer Lambeau in primetime.
Next game: Sunday @ Green Bay (8:20 pm)
Previous game: W 24-21@ HOU
Streak: W2
The rough loss to the 49ers had hurt the Jaguars bad in my power rankings, but now they claw back in the top 5 with a solid two game winnin' streak that includes a major revenge dub in Houston's backyard in WK-12. The defense is rockin' as Josh Allen remains one of the most dangerous pursuers on the defensive. Allen sits 5th in the NFL with 12.0 sacks on the campaign. The defense had some big stops to calm the noise from the Texans' faithful last week. Jags remain atop the AFC South and hold the 3-seed as they run the gauntlet of AFC North defenses comin' on the schedj. It's a fist fight atop the AFC standings and the Jaguars are right there throwin' with claws.
Next game: Monday vs Cincinnati (8:15 pm)
Previous game: L 22-29 vs GB
Streak: L1
Lions feel the same type of drop in the PRs that the 49ers and Jaguars felt after they lost their SEVENTH Thanksgiving Day game in a row & to the hands of their arch-rival Packers of all teams. The defense got punched in the face as they still can't find a way to get to the QB, and Jared Goff and co. folded to the Packers early with a combo of turnovers. Just as you begin to rave about this squad, they go and have a rough L. Don't be fooled; they are still very dangerous- just need some cleaning up to do before the playoffs. Lions need to fight for the highest seed possible, so they can try and get a home playoff game. More light comp ahead... don't sh** the bed!
Next game: Sunday @ New Orleans (1:00 pm)
Previous game: W 34-13 @ NYJ
Streak: W2
Dolphins bounce back from the Chiefs loss with two dubs in a row. Nothing too appealing, as they are over the Jets and Raiders. Nonetheless, back on the winnin' page as they battle light comp before a final gauntlet test before the start of the playoffs. They should have the AFC East in the bag, now it's a matter of beating good teams. They need to handle quick business before they welcome the Cowboys in the deep waters.
Next game: Sunday @ Washington (1:00 pm)
Previous game: W 45-10 vs WAS
Streak: W3
Cowboys have proved the loss to the Eagles to be just a small bump in the road as they have won three in a row in response. Those three dubs are against basement squads though. Sittin' at 8-3, they belong in the top ten; no doubt, and at times have played like a top 3, key words there... AT TIMES. The real business starts now for the 'Boys. The smoke is THICK: Seahawks; Eagles; Bills; Dolphins; and Lions ALL want the smoke, baby. So Cowboys, who are you? What tier do you want to be in? No hidin', now they will tell.
Next game: Thursday vs Seattle (8:15 pm)
Previous game: W 16-10 @ CIN
Streak: W1
Pitt jumps back in the PRs' top ten after a powerful defensive performance helped secure a dub in Cincinnati. Steelers currently claim hold to the 5th seed and top Wild Card spot in the AFC. They hold the tie-breaker over the Browns despite the loss in Cleveland in WK-11. Despite the defensive prowess, Matt Canada's replacement at OC, Eddie Faulkner, has to get some things going on offense and with QB Kenny Pickett if the Steelers wish to secure a Wild Card berth. Circle the matchup with the Colts on December 17th. That should have major AFC Wild Card implications. First, Pitt needs to avoid a slip up against the basement Cards and Patriots.
Next game: Sunday vs Arizona (1:00 pm)
Previous game: L 21-24 vs JAX
Streak: L1
Texans' three-game losing streak came to an end after a heartbreak loss to the Jaguars at home, but that L doesn't hurt them too much in my book. Not in the Power Rankings, that is. That loss is in the past, time to move on. The only mindset Houston should have. C.J. Stroud continues to be stellar and the defense had some big time stops late in the second half to give the Texans a shot at winning or tying the game. Texans are still right in the playoff mix, this loss shouldn't discourage them. They have a huge rebound opportunity this week with a bout against the Broncos that has major Wild Card implications. Don't count the Texans out just yet.
Next game: Sunday vs Denver (1:00 pm)
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