The NFL's Sunday pre-Christmas schedule is in the books, and what a football game it was.
There is still some question as to whether the RedZone channel will remain commercial-free for the rest of the season, but there is no doubt that the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Arizona Cardinals will all return home at the end of the regular season. do not have. They were each eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday.
That was just some of the craziness thrown at us this week. You all hopefully watched everything and didn't get any last minute presents (I can't tell if that's the case). If you've really made it (maybe even wrapped up?!), we're going to tell you the most important things you need to know when you meet Aunt Sue this week.
this is skinny post And we are Michael Peterson and RJ Ochoa.
We absolutely need to see this Bengals team in the playoffs
RJ:
The Bengals won their third straight game on Sunday, but more importantly, Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase continued their quest for a combined 1 million yards this season.
I'm a big believer in teams digging their own holes, so I don't think the Bengals are any kind of victim here. They are 4-8 before winning their last three games and have only themselves to blame for the fact that they are unlikely to make it to the postseason tournament.
But if we're just talking out loud… Wouldn't you rather see Burrow and Chase fight for everything than what's going on with the Miami Dolphins right now? Isn't that a better choice than anyone else?
Let's find a way to bring in the Bengals. they deserve it.
Michael:
When it comes to this year's “fun” teams, I believe the Bengals are firmly in the top spot just because of the play of Burrow and Chase. Everyone loves the NFL's high-flying duo, and these two are arguably building one of the best cases to become the next legendary “QB-WR duo” in league history. Masu.
I'd further argue that if their defense can take a few steps forward over the next two weeks, they deserve to be in, but the remaining schedules are very contrasting for Cincy and Miami.
The Dolphins take on the Browns and Jets, who are a combined 7-23 this year. The Bengals have acquired the Broncos and Steelers, both currently scheduled to make the playoffs, with a combined record of 19-11. After the initial hype of the past few seasons, the Dolphins look like they're really…”screaming”…
And we still can't forget about the Colts. The Giants (2-13) and Jaguars (3-12) remain to finish the year, and the Dolphins could easily finish 9-8. They beat the Dolphins 16-10 earlier this year, so they're the tiebreaker, but to be honest, I'd rather see Anthony Richardson in the playoffs than Miami.
Who is fumbling through this season the hardest and why is it the Arizona Cardinals?
Michael:
Not every team that has success through most of the season is able to finish the year on the same note. Some teams enter Week 14 or 15 with playoffs in their sights, only to drop their last few games and end up in the postseason with another team that didn't look like they had a chance until a few weeks ago. will be deprived of the right to participate.
The team that comes to mind in this scenario is the Cardinals. With four consecutive wins from October 21st to November 19th, he had 6 wins and 4 losses. Since then, they have fallen from 1-4 to 7-8 and are currently in third place in the division behind the Seahawks and Rams.
This team played very solid ball behind a strong run game led by James Conner. Unfortunately, they were suddenly robbed of all momentum and now seem to be floating in a strange purgatory of another meaningless season.
Has any other team fumbled their way through a seemingly meaningful season this season as much as the Cardinals?
RJ:
I'm going to zig where everyone is zigging right now and go with the Las Vegas Raiders.
I understand that tanking is prohibited among NFL teams, players, and coaches. We can all consider that and continue this conversation.
That being said…Sunday's win was very costly for them. They are all but guaranteed that the Giants will have the rights to the top QB in the draft, not just from Travis Hunter territory, but themselves to where they would have to spend money to acquire a second QB. is taking out. Everything is possible.
Sometimes this works (see: Houston Texans and CJ Stroud), but if you're a Raiders fan, you've been crawling through this morass and what are you here for now? The cost of a terrible season. Not even. Antonio Pierce ruined everything.
Who is the least chalky Super Bowl winner you can predict right now?
RJ:
In my mind, the current “chalk” winners are the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and Detroit Lions. You can arrange them in any order you like. Add in the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.
As we close the books in December…I think the team with the fewest chalk winners is probably the Minnesota Vikings. But they themselves are kind of chalky. That means they have a chance of clinching the No. 1 seed in the NFC for crying out loud.
Looking at things a little wider, I think the Los Angeles Rams may be a very dangerous team right now. I realize Sunday wasn't their best game, but the team that threw a shot at Buffalo is still in there. Sean McVay is one of the best play callers going into the playoffs.
Give me the Rams. Are you okay.
Michael:
That game against the Bills was really crazy. This Rams team looks like one of the best offenses in the NFL whenever the quarterback, receiver duo, and running backs are all together and healthy at the same time. Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are arguably two of the best and most reliable pass catchers in the league, and having a veteran gunslinger like Stafford under center opens up the offense. That's all.
The thing is, we've been waiting for the Vikings to finally show that they're in the midst of a volatile season where they keep getting lucky in close games every week. However, as of Week 16, the Vikings have only lost two games this year. Maybe I'm stupid to hold on to this feeling any longer, but what will the 2022 playoffs look like? After a similar regular season, when they lost to the Giants? I can't get that game out of my head.
I'm going to go with the Vikings here, but I'm not feeling too good about it.
It's Christmas time. I can't end this column without getting into the Christmas spirit a lot. Name your favorites: Christmas movies, Christmas songs, Christmas treats. go!
Michael:
Ah, that's right. I love Christmas time. Let's try it!
Favorite Christmas movie: Klaus. This is a Netflix original movie and I can't express enough how much I love it. I truly think it deserves to be a holiday staple for years to come. This is the incredible origin story of the concept of Santa Claus and how he started the annual tradition of delivering presents to children. J.K. Simmons plays the titular “Klaus,” and the rest of the cast includes Rashida Jones (“Parks and Rec”) and the late, great Norm Macdonald.
Favorite Christmas song: Right now I'm really excited about “Merry Christmas” by Ed Sheeran and Elton John. Although new, their collaboration was definitely a success. It's cheerful, friendly, and contains just about everything that makes Christmas wonderful.
Favorite Christmas Feast: As much as I am a fan of baked goods, I am a big fan of seasonal drinks. I choose the peppermint hot chocolate with whipped cream and shaved peppermint on top. Well, it may sound super exaggerated, but that's my favorite way to spend Christmas.
RJ:
i love this.
Favorite Christmas movie: I'm going to suggest the classic one home alone. It's highly quotable, recognisable, and has a lot of questions that anyone who watched it as a child would naturally wonder about now as an adult. How did Mr. McAllister's brother cover his expenses? whole Traveling to Paris with his family and owning that crazy house?! I know it was the 90s, but what did this guy do for a living?
Favorite Christmas song: There's only one correct answer here: “Miss Deseos/Feliz Navidad” from Michael Bublé's Christmas album. It's a fun and bouncy song, perfect for a TV special where it's all performed. Check all the boxes.
Favorite Christmas treat: This is like a winter treat for me, and it's not just for the Christmas holidays, but feed your dog puppy food (aka Muddy Buddy) throughout the day. I don't have any intention of writing anymore. Now that I remember that I have it, I'm leaving.
