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It’s been a while since I delved into the NFL for what I want to cover in my introduction, but this week’s topic has been bugging me for a few weeks now. With a fantastic World Series behind us and the College Football Playoff still a month away, now feels like the right time to discuss the league that I pick five games from each week.
To begin this discussion, I’d like to pose a question:
If you had to rate the enjoyment you’ve gotten watching NFL football this season, strictly enjoyment from the games themselves and not the results, what would you rate it out of 10?
I ask this question because this season, my number is not that high. As of this moment, I would say a five, maybe a six. Over the past few years, I’ve begun to feel this way. Watching less and less games every week, following along, but not as closely as I had in years past.
On paper, that doesn’t make any sense at all. I put an article in our print edition earlier this week detailing that midway through the league’s regular season, it’s still wide open. There is not one dominant team that has separated itself from the rest, and it doesn’t seem like we’ll be getting one of those down the line.
As a fan, you can’t ask for much more than that. A parity level that high means that anybody can win on any given week, and theoretically, anybody can take home the Lombardi Trophy in February. For the record, I’m all for that. Even if it feels like the same few teams are contending every year, there is constant turnover when it comes to playoff spots and division champions. This year, it appears we’re experiencing an elevated level of that.
And there’s another side to that coin.
While it is true that having no dominant teams leads to a league where anybody can win any week, is there a chance that it also can lead to a league where nobody is very good?
Now, that is an overexaggeration. Clearly, there are teams that currently find themselves in better spots than others, but when you watch the games each week, how can you really tell? For each crazy, instant-classic type game like the Bears and Bengals last week or the Giants-Cowboys game from earlier this season, there are about 10 blowouts or low-scoring stinkers.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that the NFL is currently dealing with a watchability problem.
The closer you look, the easier it is to realize that a large chunk of the reasons that parity is at such a high level in the league right now are because of ineptitude. Quarterback play is down across the board. Players are suffering season-ending injuries at what feels like higher rates every year.
I don’t think I’m the only one who thinks this. There have been more than a few primetime games this season where someone in my fantasy football group chat has felt the need to ask what the heck he was watching. Personally, I’ve skipped out on quite a few Thursday and Monday nights, and not just for work. A lot of the time, it’s pretty easy to tell ahead of time what kind of game you’re getting.
I don’t mean to be such a downer. You all know I love football, and I just want what’s best for it. The NFL is facing some serious issues right now, and they aren’t ones a new rule change can fix. I’d offer solutions if I had any, but my only course of action is to just keep going with the flow. Maybe it’ll get better. Maybe it won’t. Kind of like the rest of the world. All we can do is wait and see.
But in the meantime, we can continue to pick five football games each week. I cruised to the tune of an 80% week on the last go around, so let’s stay hot.
FAVORITE FAVORITE
Baltimore Ravens (-4.5) at Minnesota Vikings
Lamar Jackson is back for Baltimore and they look like they are well on their way to getting back into the playoff hunt. This will be a big game for the Ravens, as after this one, they will play quite a few teams that are contending more for the top pick in the draft than a playoff spot. A win in this game will catapult them right back into the mix, and I think they get it. Still not sold on J.J. McCarthy. Not sure I ever will be.
The Pick: Ravens -4.5
BIG DAWG GOTTA EAT
Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers (-2.5)
I promise I am not making this pick because I am biased. We’ve all watched the same Jordan Love play football this year, right? He has an incredible roster around him and he has failed to play up to it. The Eagles will be coming off a bye and will have rest and an extra week to prepare for this game. This should probably be a candidate for the game of the week, but there are really not many underdogs I like here. I have to go with the Birds.
The Pick: Eagles +2.5
BEAR DOWN
New York Giants at Chicago Bears (-3.5)
I briefly mentioned it in the introduction, but that Bears-Bengals game on Sunday had me feeling my entire range of emotions in the span of mere minutes. I wish more things made me feel so alive. I truly thought Chicago was on its way to blowing another game in obscene fashion, tanking the rest of the season in the process. But then, Colston Loveland happened. Instead, I think this could be a game that could springboard the team to the next level. The defense has its issues, but the offense is starting to really click. On the other side, the Giants are headed in the opposite direction. Give me my boys in blue and orange.
The Pick: Bears -3.5
THIS IS OUR COLTS
Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts (-6.5)
The Colts were handed a bit of a reality check last week, as the one team in the NFL that had previously looked unstoppable turned the ball over six times and were dealt with by the Steelers with relative ease. I like them to bounce back in this spot. The Falcons are a team that has all the talent in the world, yet some weeks look like they’ve never played football. I trust this Colts team a whole lot more, even coming off of the loss. They get back into the win column here.
The Pick: Colts -6.5
GAME OF THE WEEK
New England Patriots at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5)
Like I said earlier, I think that Philly-Green Bay probably belongs here, but I need the Eagles for that underdog pick. Rams-Niners is a good choice too, but this matchup is intriguing to me. Two division leaders from opposite conferences facing off. A real test for Drake Maye and the Pats, who have mostly beat up on bad teams to this point. With the Bucs coming off a bye, I like Tampa Bay to scheme its depleted receiving corp open and for Baker Mayfield to bounce back. The Patriots have played their best ball against pushovers, and this Tampa team is not that.
The Pick: Buccaneers -2.5
That’s a wrap on things for this week. As of last night, I’m around Kosciusko County covering basketball games. If you see me, feel free to say hi.
Cheers.
Last Week’s Record: 4-1
Season Record: 26-19
