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[Henry]

It'll be interesting to see how the Bills handle the four-day turnaround as they'll be playing in Detroit for the second game in a row. Has it ever happened before, where one team plays consecutive games in the same stadium as both the home and visiting sides? (New York and L.A. don't count.)

[thspfc]

It'll be interesting to see how the Bills handle the four-day turnaround as they'll be playing in Detroit for the second game in a row. Has it ever happened before, where one team plays consecutive games in the same stadium as both the home and visiting sides? (New York and L.A. don't count.)

Not sure about the NFL, but last year Oklahoma played “at” Tulane then home against some FCS cupcake, with both those games being at Oklahoma due to Hurricane Whichever-one-it-was-that-year.

[webny99]

The Bills actually used the visitors sideline and locker room against the Browns even though they were the "home" team.

There was some goodwill between the two teams on Twitter as the Bills sent a $20k donation to the Lions foundation as a thank you, but I'm sure that will end at 12:30 tomorrow. 

[NWI_Irish96]

Did the Bills even fly back to Buffalo or did they just stay in Detroit?

[webny99]

Did the Bills even fly back to Buffalo or did they just stay in Detroit?

They did fly back, probably because it's such a short flight, only about 40 minutes.

[JayhawkCO]

Vikings over Patriots
Bills over Lions
Cowboys over Giants
Ravens over Jaguars
Bucs over Browns
Titans over Bengals
Dolphins over Texans
Jets over Bears
Falcons over Commies
Broncos over Panthers
Chargers over Cardinals
Seahawks over Raiders
Chiefs over Rams
49ers over Saints
Packers over Eagles
Colts over Steelers

[jlam]

I went 10-4 last week. As I started late, I won't post my record

Bills 29, Lions 24
Giants 21, Cowboys 31
Patriots 21, Vikings 28
Bears 13, Jets 21
Bengals 23, Titans 27
Falcons 24, Commanders 27
Broncos 16, Panthers 13
Texans 19, Dolphins 35
Buccaneers 30, Browns 23
Ravens 26, Jaguars 21
Raiders 22, Seahawks 26
Chargers 28, Cardinals 20
Rams 14, Chiefs 33
Saints 17, 49ers 26
Packers 24, Eagles 26
Steelers 19, Colts 21

[NWI_Irish96]

Only 7-7 last week.

Bills
Cowboys
Vikings
Broncos
Bucs
Ravens
Dolphins
Jets
Bengals
Commanders
Chargers
Seahawks
Chiefs
Niners
Eagles
Colts

[thspfc]

Can't say the first half wasn't frustrating, but the quality difference between the teams really showed in the second. Dallas winning despite 11 penalties and being -2 in turnovers kind of encapsulates the two teams: the Cowboys are far more talented but more mistake prone, while the Giants are less talented but more disciplined.

If 538 is to be believed, the Cowboys are now just a hair behind the Chiefs in "elo" and Super Bowl chances, while the Giants have dropped below 50/50 to make the playoffs.

One thing I really didn't like was the Cowboys decision to go for it on 4th and 2 at their own 40 on their first drive of the game. I don't care about analytics on that one: don't give an inferior team a golden chance to take the lead with a short field. Especially when all you stand to gain is a first down in minus territory in the first quarter.

[epzik8]

I was waiting for the Bills to blow another one, but they got the penalties and clock mismanagement they needed.

[TheHighwayMan394]

Just glad the Vikings got a win to flush that horrific performance on Sunday. 10 days of quiet now.

[webny99]

I haven't caught up yet on the end of Pats-Vikings but was pleasantly surprised with the result.

There's an interesting round-robin going on between Thanksgiving teams, as the Giants/Lions and Cowboys/Vikings each played last week, while the Bills and Pats play next Thursday.

[thspfc]

The Raiders' 576 yards of offense today is the most in a game since the Buccaneers' 588 against the Lions in 2020. I correctly predicted the upset, but who knew it would be that high-scoring. My Chargers/Cardinals prediction was only a point off.

On the other hand, there's the Broncos, who flat stink. There's 0 reason that Hackett should not be fired tomorrow. I'll start thinking about that paragraph 

I've been following 538's page each week just to get a sense of the playoff picture. They have the Browns at an elo of 1540, 11th-highest in the league, above the Patriots, Commanders, Seahawks, Chargers, Jets, and Giants. That, uh, raises some questions. It's probably accounting for how Watson is now their starting QB, but still.

[webny99]

On the other hand, there's the Broncos, who flat stink. There's 0 reason that Hackett should not be fired tomorrow. I'll start thinking about that paragraph 

Brutal. Losing by 13 to the Panthers who have been a get-right opponent for literally everyone outside their division is a new low. Their average of 14 points per game is on pace to be the lowest by any team this century.

I've been following 538's page each week just to get a sense of the playoff picture. They have the Browns at an elo of 1540, 11th-highest in the league, above the Patriots, Commanders, Seahawks, Chargers, Jets, and Giants. That, uh, raises some questions. It's probably accounting for how Watson is now their starting QB, but still.

It may be accounting for Watson now, but it wasn't while Brissett was the starter. In desktop view, there's a column called "Current QB Adj" where you can see how many points are being adjusted for an injured or temporary starter. Right now, the Commanders, Rams, and Bears are the only 3 teams with an adjustment, so my guess is it's already been updated for Watson's return.

The Browns have been competitive in all but two games this season and have some brutal close losses. We don't need to go down the path of "they could have won games X, Y, and Z", but suffice to say that they are better than their record, especially on offense (although the defense has been brutal at times), and Brissett has been good enough that I'm not assuming Watson will be an immediate massive upgrade. Even so, with 7 losses they'd have to win out to make the playoffs.

[webny99]

... speaking of the playoff picture, here's the 5 teams with odds of 1% or less right now:
-Cardinals
-Broncos
-Steelers
-Bears
-Texans

A somewhat surprising list, with the defending champs not far behind at 3% and the Jaguars at 4%, and the remaining 25 teams are all above 5%.


As for locks, I'd put five teams in each conference: the current division leaders (of which the Bucs are the most tenuous), plus the Bills and Cowboys. For the remaining two AFC wild cards, the Bengals are in decent position, but they will likely have to win 3 of 6 against a brutal schedule. The Chargers, Jets, and Patriots are the main contenders for the final spot, and 2 of those 3 could make it if the Bengals or someone else stumbles. For the remaining two NFC wild cards, the entire NFC East is now in playoff position with the Giants and Commanders holding those spots right now, and the Seahawks are right there if one of those teams slips.

That leaves the Colts (who could benefit from a tie scenario like the one that cost them last year), Raiders, and Browns as long shots in the AFC, and the Lions and Packers as long shots in the NFC, plus the rest of the NFC South as a long shot to win the division.

[thspfc]

the entire NFC East is now in playoff position

What hurts the chances of the entire division making it is that the Giants and Commies, the bottom two, still have to play each other twice. If one team sweeps those games it pretty much guarantees that the loser will miss out.

It's been interesting to watch the Commies slowly catch up to the Giants over the last month or so. I think their matchups next week and three weeks from now will have massive long-term consequences in terms of how those teams approach the draft and free agency. 11-6 and in the playoffs compared to 9-8 and out of them is a huge difference to players, coaches, GMs, fans, and owners.

Next week's slate of games looks awesome. Bills/Patriots, Jets/Vikings, Titans/Eagles, Commanders/Giants, Dolphins/49ers, Chargers/Raiders, Chiefs/Bengals, and Saints/Buccaneers.

[Roadgeekteen]

Aaron Rodgers could be done in the NFL after injury?

[jgb191]

... speaking of the playoff picture, here's the 5 teams with odds of 1% or less right now:
-Cardinals
-Broncos
-Steelers
-Bears
-Texans

I believe my Texans have already been mathematically eliminated from the playoff picture; they can still win another game or two but we have the highest chance of getting the top pick for the first time in eight years.  Lovie Smith was a bad hire for a head coach; he was better off as a DC.  David Culley had the ship steered in a better direction last year.

[epzik8]

Broncos, Texans, Rams and Packers are done. Bengals, Browns and Commanders suddenly have reason for hope. And Buccaneers, Ravens and Titans fans are losing faith in their teams again.

[gr8daynegb]

Aaron Rodgers could be done in the NFL after injury?

Rodgers believes he can play in next game.  Will say Love by having a couple decent series vs Eagles has made the discussion for should they be sitting Rodgers, to get him healthy, a lot more interesting now.  With the ribs injury added on it makes in almost certain IMHO when Packers are mathematically eliminated that Love win be starting rest of games for the season.

[jlam]

I think every team still has a shot to make the playoffs. If everything plays out perfectly, of course.

[NWI_Irish96]

Aaron Rodgers could be done in the NFL after injury?

Rodgers believes he can play in next game.  Will say Love by having a couple decent series vs Eagles has made the discussion for should they be sitting Rodgers, to get him healthy, a lot more interesting now.  With the ribs injury added on it makes in almost certain IMHO when Packers are mathematically eliminated that Love win be starting rest of games for the season.

Rodgers has a contract through 2026. I'm not a salary cap expert, so I don't know if him retiring saves them more cap space compared to releasing him.

If retirement saves more cap space, then maybe throw him out there the rest of the season with backup offensive linemen to perhaps encourage him to choose retirement.

[1995hoo]

the entire NFC East is now in playoff position

What hurts the chances of the entire division making it is that the Giants and Commies, the bottom two, still have to play each other twice. If one team sweeps those games it pretty much guarantees that the loser will miss out.

....

The scheduling is interesting in that respect. Washington's next two games are both against the Giants (road game this coming Sunday, home game two weeks later, with the bye week in between), while the Giants have already had their bye week and have a home game against Philadelphia sandwiched in between. The Giants' schedule makes the prospect of a Washington sweep that much more interesting in terms of playoff ramifications.

That schedule prompts me to wonder, BTW, how often in the modern era (let's say since 1960) an NFL team has played the same opponent two games in a row in the regular season, even recognizing that the bye week arguably distinguishes it slightly.

[thspfc]

Playoff hopes are gone for the Packers. Why not start Love, even if Rodgers is healthy enough? They already need to decide whether to pick up his 5th year option this offseason. He needs to play, continuing to sit offers little benefit.

[thspfc]

the entire NFC East is now in playoff position

What hurts the chances of the entire division making it is that the Giants and Commies, the bottom two, still have to play each other twice. If one team sweeps those games it pretty much guarantees that the loser will miss out.

....

The scheduling is interesting in that respect. Washington's next two games are both against the Giants (road game this coming Sunday, home game two weeks later, with the bye week in between), while the Giants have already had their bye week and have a home game against Philadelphia sandwiched in between. The Giants' schedule makes the prospect of a Washington sweep that much more interesting in terms of playoff ramifications.

That schedule prompts me to wonder, BTW, how often in the modern era (let's say since 1960) an NFL team has played the same opponent two games in a row in the regular season, even recognizing that the bye week arguably distinguishes it slightly.

Ravens and Browns last year. FWIW, they split those games one each.