Thanksgiving week has its own vibe, especially when the local football team registers a significant win. This sentiment resonates with a large part of the NFL fan community currently.
We’re at a pivotal moment in the season where shifts in the playoff landscape are likely occurring. It’s fascinating to see how things are taking shape as we look toward January, but there’s no need to get too ahead of ourselves. Let’s just accept where we stand, for now.
Here at The Skinny Post, Michael Peterson and RJ Ochoa are here to guide you through it all.
What’s the level of concern in Philadelphia?
The Eagles surged to a commanding 21-0 lead against a team that had been generating a lot of buzz all week. Just picture it—school kids in Philadelphia were actually punching dummies made to look like Cowboys players. Yep, that happened.
Despite being 8-3, the Eagles’ offense seems to be struggling significantly right now. It’s tough not to draw comparisons to last year when everything fell apart midway through the season. I mean, this record is astonishing, but they have a tough matchup against the Bears coming up on Black Friday, and things could really spiral out of control.
Typically, when a strong team hits a rough patch, there’s little cause for alarm, as history shows they usually bounce back eventually. But this isn’t just one of those down games you could brush off; the Eagles had that initial lead against the Cowboys—known for their shaky defense—but failed to score another point for the last 41 minutes of the game, ultimately losing 24-21.
It’s important to remember that most of the team remains the same. Saquon Barkley had an incredible season last year, rushing for 2,000 yards. This year? He’s averaging less than half his output from 2024 (62.2 vs. 125.3).
The Eagles really need to analyze what went wrong in that game before they move on, or they risk repeating those mistakes in crucial games down the line.
Are the Colts on the brink of falling apart?
I wouldn’t say the Colts are poised to collapse just yet, but certainly, their vulnerabilities are becoming increasingly visible as the season unfolds. It’s clear defenses have caught on—they know this team relies heavily on their running back, Jonathan Taylor. If opponents can force the Colts’ hand, their chances of winning decline significantly.
While their defense appears to be improving, the offense seems to have lost steam, reminiscent of early season struggles. Taylor’s momentum won’t last forever, and it may be time for the Colts to redefine their identity if they hope to secure a solid postseason position.
It took a while for many to get behind the Colts, so I’m hesitant to jump ship just yet. They’ve earned a bit of trust, after all.
That said, the loss to Kansas City is hard to shake off, especially given how they let a lead slip away. When you’re trying to ascend in the ranks and can’t quite get over the elite teams, it begs the question: Can they truly contend? What happens if they can’t stand up against top competition?
It’ll be crucial for the Colts to forget last week’s game and focus on moving ahead.
How uneasy should the Vikings feel?
Currently, things are looking pretty grim for Minnesota. Their approach to the quarterback situation has been questionable at best, and right now, JJ McCarthy is probably one of the least effective starters in the league.
Of all the teams we’ve discussed, the Vikings seem to be struggling the most. There’s little help in sight, and everyone else in their division is improving as they flounder.
This team is definitely one to keep an eye on.
Despite being healthier than earlier in the season, it doesn’t seem to matter much. McCarthy has been in a funk since the Vikings managed a win against the Lions weeks ago, with eight interceptions and only six touchdown passes this season. His inability to connect with superstar Justin Jefferson is particularly worrying.
I’m also intrigued about the head coach, Kevin O’Connell. He hasn’t been able to work his magic with McCarthy, and the offense seems dull, often leaving McCarthy looking lost on the field.
I came across a stat recently that was staggering: McCarthy ranks 831st out of 832 quarterbacks in EPA per dropback since 2000. The only quarterback lower than him? JaMarcus Russell.
Yeah, that’s not good.
When people discuss the NFL’s top teams, they often come back to the Rams, who have quietly established themselves as arguably the best this season. Yet, they’ve been somewhat under the radar. They’re winning games thanks to a defense that leads in scoring and an offense capable of closing out games effectively. Davante Adams has also been shining inside the 5-yard line, leading the league with 12 touchdown catches this year, eight of which were from within five yards.
The Rams seem to have figured out that they don’t need to get fancy in the red zone—just give the ball to their best players, and it’s paying off. Their incredible defense adds another layer of strength.
You can’t win the Super Bowl in Thanksgiving week, but right now, facing the Rams feels like a tough challenge. LA looks strong, and honestly, I don’t feel this confident about any other team across either conference, each has their own set of weaknesses.
At this moment, everything appears to be clicking for Sean McVay, Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and the rest of the squad.
Michael and I once joked about whether anyone cared that the Rams won Super Bowl I, but I think quite a few would if they managed to do it again in the next few months.
