Well my friends, we have finally made it. After 18 weeks and enough words and bad opinions to fill a book, we have finally reached the final week of the NFL season. I’ll be by shortly to hand out tissues to wipe away the tears.
Yes, as 2024 begins, the NFL season approaches its end, leaving us to agonize over the months ahead that will feature no football. It’s a real shame that this is the case, but at least the end of the season usually produces some of the best games we get all year.
This past Sunday was a perfect example. Watching Red Zone all day long, the slate was fantastic, with highlight plays happening all over the place. Defenses were scoring touchdowns left and right, the deep balls were flying out of quarterbacks hands and the receivers were making plays. Most games came down to the final possession and some upsets even took place.
I don’t just say that because a lot of those highlights belong to players that helped me become a fantasy football champion. (A special thank you to CeeDee Lamb and Kyren Williams) Although, I will say that it certainly helped. As I mentioned last week, this was a massive season for me and I have proven to myself and the world that I do indeed know ball.
But to be honest, the win was a little bittersweet. The fantasy season is now over, the regular season is close behind and soon we will be waiting to renew the cycle once more. I will miss neurotically checking my lineup every week and the dopamine rush of the victories. But I can take solace in knowing the job is finished.
College football has also begun the process of saying goodbye, treating us to some great playoff matches on New Year’s Day. Sure the second one didn’t end until 1 a.m. and I can see why that’s a big problem, but the two playoff games we got were both fantastic and I’m already eager for the Michigan-Washington championship game on Monday. Could be one for the ages.
But before all that, my Missouri Tigers capped off a season for the ages with a win over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. It wasn’t the prettiest of wins, but you won’t catch me complaining. Getting a win on a stage that massive against one of the biggest brands in the sport to validate what has been one of my favorite football seasons ever was more than enough to bring tears to my eyes. M I Z.
It’s clear that we will be saying goodbye very soon, but it’s not over yet. We still have one more week with every team in the league playing and following that, we have what looks to be one of the most wide-open playoffs in recent memory. There’s still plenty to look forward to and I’ll be here picking every game we have left.
Moving on to this week’s quick hitters:
I didn’t mention it earlier, but the one problem I had with the Cotton Bowl was the delay-of-game penalty the Tigers suffered at the end of the first half, preventing Warsaw’s Harrison Mevis from attempting a 65-yard field goal that I’m certain he would have made. Oh well, he’ll be kicking on Sundays soon enough.
Four wins in five games, six out of the last eight, and now the No. 1 pick in this year’s NFL Draft secured, it’s safe to say the Bears are indeed BACK once again. All of that AND the chance to keep Green Bay out of the playoffs on Sunday? Incredible stuff.
January and February are usually the slower months at the movie theater, but there are still a few movies coming out soon that I’m looking forward to, specifically I.S.S in a few weeks. After an incredible 2023 for cinemas, I hope this year is able to follow suit.
I’m awfully close to securing a winning regular season, needing just three wins this week to clinch. I started off hot on Sunday, going 8-4 before the late afternoon slate before crashing down and finishing at 8-8. Week 18 is usually a nightmare with tons of guys sitting and non-playoff teams not playing for much. We will navigate these treacherous waters and come out on top.
Let’s do this.
SATURDAY SHOWDOWNS
Pittsburgh Steelers (-4) at Baltimore Ravens
After the Ravens absolutely destroyed the Dolphins last week to clinch the No. 1 overall seed in football, there’s a good chance that a lot of key players will be sitting out this game. That won’t be the case for Pittsburgh, as the Steelers need to win this one to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Steelers have been playing some of their best ball over the past few weeks, and could be dangerous if they make it into the dance. I know this is a rivalry game, but with Baltimore most likely sitting Lamar Jackson and others, I’ll take the team with something to play for.
The Pick: Steelers -4
Houston Texans (-1.5) at Indianapolis Colts
This is one of the biggest games of the week, as the winner of this contest not only will clinch a spot in the playoffs, they will also have a chance to win the division depending on what happens in the Jaguars game on Sunday. These types of games are some of the best the league has to offer, especially with it being two division rivals facing off. I really don’t know where to go here. I think the Texans are the bigger threat to make noise in the playoffs if they win here, but I like the Colts' chances to get this done at home. Indy just plays so well at Lucas Oil, and for that reason, they make it in.
The Pick: Colts +1.5
1 O’CLOCK SUNDAY
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (-3.5)
The Vikings confused everyone in the football world by starting Jaren Hall in a must-win game on Sunday night, while the Lions had a controversial ending cost them a chance at the No. 1 seed in the NFC on Saturday. The Vikings are limping to the finish line while Detroit still has the playoffs to look forward to as well as some different seeding possibilities, though it’s likely the Lions will stay at the three spot. Either way, one of the biggest games in franchise history is coming up for Detroit, and the team is gearing up for it. They win their final tune up before the test begins.
The Pick: Lions -3.5
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals (-7)
With Cleveland locked into the five seed as the playoffs approach, they’re another prime candidate to not start too many key players this week against Cincy. Regardless, the Bengals aren’t playing for anything either, having been eliminated by last week’s loss in Kansas City. While Cincinnati might have a chance to win this game, their offense hasn’t been one of the more dependable units over the last couple of weeks. I still like the Browns to get it done in this one, and if they don’t, I’m assuming they lose by one possession.
The Pick: Browns +7
New York Jets at New England Patriots (-1.5)
I’m not going to spend too much time here, as both teams have been eliminated from the playoffs for a few weeks now and are only playing for draft positioning. Both teams will have a lot of questions to answer this offseason, but one game remains before we get there. I know it’s probably in the Patriots’ best interest to lose here, but Bill Belichick doesn’t lose to the Jets. New England wins this game.
The Pick: Patriots -1.5
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (-3)
Just a few weeks ago, I wrote that I was pretty sure the Falcons would be the team to win the NFC South. Fast forward to now, the Falcons are pretty much dead but have a chance to spoil things for their rival Saints. Will they do so? Unlikely. This team has fallen off a cliff and now has some serious discussions looming in the offseason, as there is too much talent on this roster to have failed this spectacularly. On the other side, the Saints looked good in a win over the Bucs last week and have a chance to sneak into the playoffs this week. I’m not sure they will, but a win here would go a long way.
The Pick: Saints -3
Jacksonville Jaguars (-4.5) at Tennessee Titans
The Jags finally snapped their losing skid by beating the Panthers last week, though that’s not exactly a big win by any means. I actually really like the Titans in this game. It hasn’t been a good year in Nashville, but Tennessee has played its best football at home. It would be signature Mike Vrabel for his team to wake up for the final game of the season and keep a division rival out of the playoffs. Either way, I’m not sure Jacksonville wins this game by a touchdown if they do pull it off. We’ll have to see if Trevor Lawrence returns, but I would wager he does.
The Pick: Titans +4.5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-4.5) at Carolina Panthers
A quick shout out to the Carolina Panthers, who lost yet again to clinch the No. 1 overall pick for the Bears. Two years in a row! The Bucs dropped their last game to the Saints, but are still able to clinch the NFC South with a win here. I mean, I don’t know how they don’t get it. Carolina has been getting worse by the week and owner David Tepper is throwing drinks onto fans. It’s quite simply a disaster in Charlotte. Baker Mayfield has been one of the best stories in football this year and he continues it by getting into the postseason.
The Pick: Buccaneers -4.5
LATE AFTERNOON SLATE
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (-3)
If the Packers win this game at home against their NFC North division rival in Week 18, they will make the playoffs. Sound familiar? That’s right, almost a carbon copy of what happened last season. Can the Bears do what the Lions did last year and keep them out? I think so. Both of these teams are completely different from the sides that faced off in Week 1, but the more improved out of the two is definitely Chicago. The defense has been on fire, Justin Fields is looking fantastic and it’s very clear the Bears are building something. This game is my Super Bowl. Let’s ruin these cheeseheads week, month and year.
The Pick: Bears +3
Dallas Cowboys (-13.5) at Washington Commanders
After an up and down season, Dallas has the chance to win the NFC East with a win over the Commanders, who have entered full tank mode and have climbed all the way up to the No. 2 pick in the draft. Washington is a team due for a complete overhaul in the offseason, and picking as high as possible is the best way to jumpstart that. The Commies haven’t been competitive in weeks while Dallas is playing for the chance to host some playoff games. This is a no brainer for me, even with the lopsided spread.
The Pick: Cowboys -13.5
Seattle Seahawks (-2.5) at Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals beat the Eagles last week but it could have taken them out of the top three in the draft. The Seahawks are still fighting to make the playoffs, but looked off in a loss at home to the Steelers on Sunday. This is an interesting one, as the team that should be trying to lose is playing pretty well, while the team that needs a win to make the playoffs is falling apart at the wrong time. At the end of the day, I think Arizona picked up their upset win last week. I’m not so sure they can make it two in a row.
The Pick: Seahawks -2.5
Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5)
This line is how I found out that Patrick Mahomes is not playing this week. It will be former Missouri Tiger Blaine Gabbert making the start. The Chargers are not good, and even without Patrick Mahomes and probably a few others, I just don’t think Los Angeles wants to win this game either. The Chargers are another team that needs to reset a lot of things this summer, and getting the best pick possible will help with that. Kansas City gets a big win here and begins to right the ship as the playoffs loom.
The Pick: Chiefs +3.5
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers (-4)
Both starting quarterbacks will be sitting out of this one, meaning it will be Carson Wentz against Sam Darnold. The Niners have clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC while the Rams will either be the sixth or seventh seed. Not much will change with the result of this one, but with Christian McCaffrey also sitting out, San Fran will be without their top weapon. Give me the Rams to pull it off and clinch the six spot.
The Pick: Rams +4
Philadelphia Eagles (-5.5) at New York Giants
The Eagles still technically have a chance to win the NFC East if they can pull off a win here, but the team would also need Dallas to lose to a Commanders team that has been tanking for weeks. It’s unlikely. On the other side, the Giants have looked much improved since switching back to Tyrod Taylor a week and a half ago, but the G-Men aren’t playing for anything in this one. That being said, why are the Eagles still favorites every week? I understand that New York is objectively the worse team this year, but over the past month, are they really that much worse than the Eagles? Not really. But because I think all of this, this is the spot where Philly pulls it together.
The Pick: Eagles -5.5
Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders (-2.5)
This is another game between two teams that will not be playing again next week. The Raiders will have to decide whether or not Antonia Pierce will remove the interim tag from his head coaching position, while Denver will have to figure out what to do with Russell Wilson. Before all that, they will play on Sunday. Final home game of the year, guys love Pierce and want him to stay, what better way to prove it than with a win here? The Raiders get it done and make the case to keep their guy.
The Pick: Raiders -2.5
WAITIN’ ALL DAY FOR A SUNDAY NIGHT
Buffalo Bills (-3) at Miami Dolphins
Think about this for a second: depending on how the rest of the weekend goes, the Bills could be playing on Sunday Night Football for the No. 2 seed in the AFC with a win or to miss the playoffs entirely with a loss. Considering what that team has been through this season, it’s perfect. The Dolphins played another top team last weekend and got crushed by the Ravens. I don’t know if they get crushed here, but the team lost Bradley Chubb and Xavian Howard to injury, two of their top defensive players. Buffalo is getting hot at the right time and they find a way to win the division here.
The Pick: Bills -3
Well, there we have it. Eighteen weeks of games have been picked, and now we wait for the playoffs. I for one am extremely excited. I’ll see you all in the postseason.
Cheers.
Last Week’s Record: 8-8
Season Record: 131-117-8