NFL GAME DAY DISCUSSION Christmas Day Games: Dallas@Wash, Lions@Minn, Denver@KC

[jmt57]

Today's games range from 'who cares', to 'may be competitive and interesting, but probably not', to 'important to Pats fans, but the team we need to win doesn't have a chance'. All road teams are heavily favored. Four of the six teams have been eliminated, one team has about a 2% chance of making the playoffs, and one needs a win against a team that is giving a third-string QB his first NFL start.


1:00 ET: 6-8-1 Dallas (-8½) at 4-11 Washington
Netflix. Announcers: Ian Eagle, Nate Burleson, Matt Ryan; sideline: Sara Walsh, Melanie Collins

The Commandos have lost nine of their last ten games, and the Cowboys have lost three straight. The only people paying close attention will be fantasy football owners who have either Dak Prescott, George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb or Javonte Williams on their fantasy football team, or have a wager on one of them on DraftKings.


4:30 ET: 8-7 Detroit (-7½) at 7-8 Minnesota
Netflix. Announcers: Noah Eagle, Drew Brees; sideline: AJ Ross, Dianna Russini

In order to make the playoffs the Lions need four things: (1) beat the Vikings today, (2) win at Chicago next week, (3) have Green Bay lose Saturday, and (4) have the Packers lose at Minnesota next week.
Minnesota is turning to Max Brosmer - who in his only start earlier this year was sacked four times, threw four picks, and went 19-30 for 126 yards and a 32.8 rating - to replace injured JJ McCarthy. Brosmer put up much better numbers coming off the bench in relief last week, but that was against the incompetent Giants.


8:15 ET: 12-3 Denver (-13½) at 6-9 Kansas City
Amazon Prime. Announcers: Noah Eagle, Drew Brees; sideline: AJ Ross, Dianna Russini

This will be worth watching only to get a better feel for what the Broncos are like. But how much can we glean when the opponent is a team that has given up on the season after losing six of their last seven games, and has a third-string QB making his first NFL start?

 

[sb1]

If the Chiefs somehow pull off an upset with their third string quarterback then….. tourch?

 

[jmt57]

If the Chiefs somehow pull off an upset with their third string quarterback then….. tourch?

How difficult will it be for Patriot Nation to swallow that vomit in their mouth, and root for the Chiefs tonight?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

If the Chiefs somehow pull off an upset with their third string quarterback then….. tourch?

??????

 

[jdlboot14]

Chiefs are clearly tanking now. And the only good thing about that is Reid will stay further from passing BB in wins.
I can't see Reid lasting more than 2 more years anyway though. He's aging fast, and this rebuild is likely going to result in the organization modernizing with a young coach who can put up with Kermit's failed goat status - when he realizes he won't sniff anything close to Brady's 2nd half.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

How difficult will it be for Patriot Nation to swallow that vomit in their mouth, and root for the Chiefs tonight?

You can always root against the Donkeys.

 

[jdlboot14]

How difficult will it be for Patriot Nation to swallow that vomit in their mouth, and root for the Chiefs tonight?

I'm fine rooting for a miraculous upset now that Frogger isn't QB - and they're absolutely emasculated as a team. It would be even more salt in the wound if some no-name QB3 beats Denver with half their team on IR.

 

[The Gr8est]

I'm fine rooting for a miraculous upset now that Frogger isn't QB - and they're absolutely emasculated as a team. It would be even more salt in the wound if some no-name QB3 beats Denver with half their team on IR.

Was this “no name” QB drafted in the 6th round?

I am really scrambling for some hope here.

 

[Brotherblues]

Today's games range from 'who cares', to 'may be competitive and interesting, but probably not', to 'important to Pats fans, but the team we need to win doesn't have a chance'. All road teams are heavily favored. Four of the six teams have been eliminated, one team has about a 2% chance of making the playoffs, and one needs a win against a team that is giving a third-string QB his first NFL start.


1:00 ET: 6-8-1 Dallas (-8½) at 4-11 Washington
Netflix. Announcers: Ian Eagle, Nate Burleson, Matt Ryan; sideline: Sara Walsh, Melanie Collins

The Commandos have lost nine of their last ten games, and the Cowboys have lost three straight. The only people paying close attention will be fantasy football owners who have either Dak Prescott, George Pickens, CeeDee Lamb or Javonte Williams on their fantasy football team, or have a wager on one of them on DraftKings.


4:30 ET: 8-7 Detroit (-7½) at 7-8 Minnesota
Netflix. Announcers: Noah Eagle, Drew Brees; sideline: AJ Ross, Dianna Russini

In order to make the playoffs the Lions need four things: (1 )beat the Vikings today, (2) win at Chicago next week, (3) have Green Bay lose Saturday, and (4) have the Packers lose at Minnesota next week.
Minnesota is turning to Max Brosmer - who in his only start earlier this year was sacked four times, threw four picks, and went 19-30 for 126 yards and a 32.8 rating - to replace injured JJ McCarthy. Brosmer put up much better numbers coming off the bench in relief last week, but that was against the incompetent Giants.


8:15 ET: 12-3 Denver (-13½) at 6-9 Kansas City
Amazon Prime. Announcers: Noah Eagle, Drew Brees; sideline: AJ Ross, Dianna Russini

This will be worth watching only to get a better feel for what the Broncos are like. But how much can we glean when the opponent is a team that has given up on the season after losing six of their last seven games, and has a third-string QB making his first NFL start?

KC home fans could turn on the team for the recent news of their impending move over state lines. Compound that with their frustration over how this season has gone versus expectations and it could get ugly in Arrowhead. Especially if they fall behind early.

Only hope is for KC defense to ball out, shut down Nix despite everything, and close out a low scoring win. We can dream.

 

[FortressX]

What appeared to be 3 decent games for Christmas at the beginning of the season turns into 3 lumps of coal.


I remember The Raiders beating the Chiefs on Christmas a few years ago, so anything can happen, but I wont be watching.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

Glad I cancelled Netflix, these games are horrible.

 

[jmt57]

Week 17, Most Important AFC Games (Ratings)
190 -- 12-3 Broncos at 6-9 Chiefs - Thursday
188 -- 12-3 Patriots at 3-12 Jets
92 --- 11-4 Jaguars at 8-7 Colts
80 --- 10-5 Texans at 11-4 Chargers - Saturday
42 --- 11-4 Bills vs 10-5 Eagles
14 --- 9-6 Steelers at 3-12 Browns
11 --- 7-8 Ravens at 9-5-1 Packers - Saturday
1 ---- 6-9 Dolphins vs 7-8 Buccaneers
0 ---- 5-10 Bengals vs 3-12 Cardinals
0 ---- 3-12 Titans vs 5-10 Saints
0 ---- 2-13 Raiders vs 2-13 Giants - Toilet Bowl

AFC Most Important Games

The Most Important Games for the AFC are those games in the upcoming week whose outcome most changes the final playoff picture.

www.playoffstatus.com

Week 17, Most Important NFC Games (Ratings)
208 -- 11-4 Bears at 11-4 49ers - SNF
182 -- 12-3 Seahawks at 8-7 Panthers
95 --- 11-4 Rams at 6-9 Falcons - MNF
43 --- 7-8 Buccaneers at 6-9 Dolphins
19 --- 9-5-1 Packers vs 7-8 Ravens - Saturday
12 --- 10-5 Eagles at 11-4 Bills
4 ----- 8-7 Lions at 7-8 Vikings - Thursday
0 ----- 5-10 Saints at 3-12 Titans
0 ----- 6-8-1 Cowboys at 4-11 Commodores - TNF
0 ----- 3-12 Cardinals at 5-10 Bengals
0 ----- 2-13 Giants at 2-13 Raiders - Tank Bowl

NFC Most Important Games

The Most Important Games for the NFC are those games in the upcoming week whose outcome most changes the final playoff picture.

www.playoffstatus.com

 

[jdlboot14]

Was this “no name” QB drafted in the 6th round?

I am really scrambling for some hope here.

7th round actually, from S. Dakota State. So... not much hope

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

FWIW the referee crew today in the wash-Dal game is Brad Rogers crew, the crew that 'officiated' the Pats Ravens and willfully/negligently missed the Boutee tackle. Watch them call 15 DPIs today.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

dallas again??

 

[reflexblue]

RLKAG

 

[TheRainMaker]

The only time we root for the Chiefs.

 

[KCSVEN]

Washington really, really stinks. Dallas is nothing great either but Washington is terrible

 

[Uptown]

Dallas
Denver
Detroit

 

[Dexter]

How difficult will it be for Patriot Nation to swallow that vomit in their mouth, and root for the Chiefs tonight?

Pretty easy, our interest always comes first