This may end up being the weirdest week of the NFL season. With players out sick, without being sick, games have changed quickly. Add that to games being played on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, and we’ve got the table set for a shit show.
All of the madness aside, let’s see how Concret3Cowboy and I did in Week 14.
Week 14 Results:
Blind Owl: 11-3
Concret3Cowboy: 10-4
Wow. We are both getting pretty good at this. The Cowboy had one of his best weeks after having one of his worst in Week 13. But it was to no avail. In typical Blind Owl fashion, I don’t adjust, I dominate. The best way to counter a big shot, is to punch back even harder. I picked up one more win to add to my lead over the Cowboy. That one win could be the difference. Let’s see how this big week impacted the totals.
Totals:
Blind Owl: 117-89-2
Concret3Cowboy: 89-117-2
Well, that one win could be a difference, but I think the 27 others might have more to do with it. That’s right folks, I’m 28 games up on the season. Our records are also exactly opposite each other. Looked weird at first when I looked at it. But I checked the math (thrice) and it is all good. I would love to get my lead up into the 30s before the end of the year. Just like I’m sure the Cowboy would like to chip away at this gap between us. So let’s see what happens in the whacky Week 14:
KC @ LAC: KC -3
Blind Owl: Well, I’m writing this one after the game. I saw a potentially close game in the cards. Not only that, but I am a big Justin Herbert fan. As a Broncos fan, I was really hoping for both of these teams to lose somehow. Of course that wasn’t possible, so I took the points and the Chargers. I also falsely assumed the Cowboy would take the Chargers because of his hatred of the Chiefs. Why the heck do teams keep scoring TDs in OT? Just kick field goals people. It would’ve helped me here. I start with a loss on the scoreboard.
Concret3Cowboy: Another week, another time I’m writing this after the game actually took place. I took KC mostly because the Broncos needed the Chargers to get knocked down a peg for Denver’s playoff chances. Teams like scoring touchdowns in overtime this year.
NE @ IND: IND -2.5
Blind Owl: I went into this week expecting a big Saturday full of football. Turns out there’s only one Saturday game today. Thankfully it was the better of the two options. This one is going to be the game of the week in my opinion. The Colts seem to be one of the most complete teams in football right now. Unfortunately for them, they are playing the other team that is one of the most complete in the league. This matchup brings me back to the days of Manning/Brady. I think the Colts have a chance to win this one, but I know it is going to be close. So I have to take the Patriots with the points. Add both teams coming off bye weeks, and this one should be fantastic.
Concret3Cowboy: Kind of surprising that Indy is favored here. I know their home, but they really haven’t been too impressive on the scoreboards throughout the season. With both teams coming off the bye, I would give the edge to Billy. Plus the Broncos get more out of an Indy loss than a victory.
LV @ CLE: LV -3.5
Blind Owl: This game was supposed to be on Saturday. It got moved to Monday night for a dinner time matchup. Not only that, this spread did a major flip after I sent the spreads to the Cowboy. It was originally the Browns -3. He told me to let his pick ride so whatever. I was going to pick the Raiders anyway here. Regardless of the spread. I just can’t put any faith in the Browns to do anything. Now that everyone on the Browns seems to be in the “sick but not sick” category, it makes my Raider pick much easier to defend.
Concret3Cowboy: Have you noticed I’m just picking in favor of the best chances for the Broncos to make the playoffs? With one of their poorer games coming against both the Raiders and Browns, they do get another shot at Vegas. Browns dropping here and then the Broncos knocking off the Raiders next week would be ideal.
CIN @ DEN: DEN -1.5
Blind Owl: If you can’t tell by the last few weeks, I’m very down on the Bengals. Everybody and the brother thought they were the next big thing. But look what happens when they play a few good teams. That being said, I’m also not too high on my Broncos. The running game has made things a little better, but Teddy Bridgewater is just so bad. I’m picking with heart and my head because I know the Cowboy will pick Denver.
Concret3Cowboy: Both these teams have played really well, and then really awful. The Broncos created the blueprint to beat the Cowboys, and the Bengals were the #1 seed in the AFC for a whole week. Teddy had a good start to the season, but has returned to that form that everyone knew what he was (I’m so tired of seeing 2 yard flat passes on 3rd and 7.
CAR @ BUF: BUF -10
Blind Owl: Buffalo HUGE. Cam Newton sucks.
Concret3Cowboy: The Bills have dropped 3 of their last 4 games, not usually a strong way to go into the playoffs. The last time, as you have heard by now, they played at home a team beat them by throwing 3 passes. This is just about as ridiculous as sitting in a room by yourself and laughing at your own farts. On the other hand, Carolina stinks.
HOU @ JAX: JAX -3.5
Blind Owl: I’m going to have to betray one of my main rules here. I am going to have to take one of these bad teams. As you know, Houston is ATROCIOUS. But if you hadn’t heard, Jacksonville just fired Urban Meyer and is trying not to pay him his contract. More on that here: https://www.blindowlblogs.com/post/no-more-desire-for-meyer You know what? I’ll go with the Jags. They’ll prove that Urban Meyer was the problem.
Concret3Cowboy: No one is more disappointed that Urban got canned more than me. I was really enjoying the weekly drama that really just seemed totally insane that the NFL coach was even able to make it this far. Darrell Bevell is now the interim head coach. A rule of thumb I’ve always used is, don’t trust someone who’s first name rhymes with their last name. I don’t know how much he likes being behind, but I’m sure the players are going to be on a mission to win this week to highlight, “Hey Urban was fucking awful.”
TEN @ PIT: TEN -2
Blind Owl: I don’t know what either of these teams are. Both teams are fighting for something, but it seems the Steelers are playing for more. The Titans will get the distinct honor of being the last team to beat Urban Meyer in the NFL. That is something I guess. But, I’ll take Pittsburgh with the points.
Concret3Cowboy: Back to an empty room and laughing at your own farts, Big Ben is totally that guy. On the other side, Ryan Tannehill lost the starting QB job at Texas A&M twice. Now this dudes an NFL QB, after being ranked #4 at QB in his draft class. My question is, where the hell are these other guys? Your question is, what the hell does this have to do with this game? Nothing, Big Ben looks bad though and totally laughs at his own farts.
ARI @ DET: ARI -13.5
Blind Owl: Oh man. The Lions just can’t catch a break. They might get beat by 45 here.
Concret3Cowboy: Back in the Pacific Northwest, during the Manifest Destiny, Great Britain and the United States debated about who owned the San Juan Islands. But let me tell you, it’s American land nowadays so screw those Brits. Like the Americans believing that it was their god given right to have control of North America, the Lions are a god's gift to the NFL world and will one day have their own San Juan Islands.
NYJ @ MIA: MIA -8.5
Blind Owl: Miami is still one of the hottest teams in the league. If they can keep this up, they might squeak into the playoffs. And they have a chance to sweep the Patriots in the season series. They get an easy chance to keep it going against the bad Jets. They’ll do it.
Concret3Cowboy: Has Miami had like 4 bye weeks? They’ve totally fallen off my radar. Jets are trash can booty butt so why wouldn’t I go with the phins? Because The Owl is going to pick them! J-E-T-S.
DAL @ NYG: DAL -10.5
Blind Owl: The Giants are floundering, as usual. Dallas got a scary win against the Football Team and their backup QB. But, a win is a win. They won’t let that happen again in New York.
Concret3Cowboy: With Urban Meyer gone, the worst NFL coaches fall on Joe Judge or Matt Nagy. With only a few more weeks of running gassers for the Giant players I’m sure they’re counting the days to end another painful season for the G-Men. The Giants added Jaylon Smith to their practice squad, with expectations that he’ll be active for this game. Why? Who knows. He’s been signed and cut by almost half the league by now.
WFT @ PHI: PHI -4.5
Blind Owl: Now we enter TNF. Not Thursday Night Football, Tuesday Night Football. It’s bizarre, but I’ll take it because it just so happens to be my Christmas break from work. This one was made easier to pick when the entire QB room in DC got put on the “sick but not sick” list. Anyone with a brain has to pick Philly here.
Concret3Cowboy: Heinicke is hurt, but one hurt is better than multiple Hurts. But a covid outbreak has postponed this game. Which brings my mind to, why the hell did they make all the games to finish the season divisional games that are the most important? Oh, so teams wouldn’t rest guys in the first 17-game season. I hate how the season made the season longer, when it’s clearly just a greedy money grab. The NFL doesn’t care about safety, proof is that the NFL is in talks of changing Covid protocols… just because of the outbreaks that are happening, so they could keep playing games. Washington is now going to have to travel to Dallas on a short week, just bad situations all around.
ATL @ SF: SF -9
Blind Owl: The Falcons beat the Panthers last week, and the 49ers went to OT and beat the Bengals. Unfortunately for San Fran, they’re trying to keep pace with the Rams and the Cardinals. So they have to just keep winning. They’ll definitely do so here at home against Matty Ice.
Concret3Cowboy: Atlanta is traveling across the country to face a team still very much alive for the playoffs. I couldn’t tell you anything else about this game. Nor do I care to.
SEA @ LAR: LAR -7
Blind Owl: Here comes the other Tuesday Night game. The Rams got hammered by the “sick but not really sick” list. Some big pieces won’t be able to play. Seattle lost Tyler Lockett to the same thing. This one has big playoff implications for the NFC. My brain is telling me to pick Seattle because of all the people out, but my heart won’t let me pick the Seahawks too often. Give me the Rams.
Concret3Cowboy: Arizona did not play well coming out of their bye. The Rams were ready for that game, and Matt Stafford looked pretty darn good in a prime time game. All is going as planned for my NFC representative pick. Also, Seattle can lick my balls.
GB @ BAL: GB -5
Blind Owl: Lamar Jackson’s ankle is truly an issue. Just ask my fantasy team. That being said, Green Bay is peaking at the right time. Even if the Ravens have Jackson, I’ll take Aaron Rodgers and the Pack.
Concret3Cowboy: The NFL is better when the Ravens stink. Not that I have anything against Lamer. I just hate both of the Harbaughs. Could Aaron Rodgers win the MVP for a second season in a row? I think he should. Then he should go play QB in Denver.
NO @ TB: TB -11
Blind Owl: The Saints have no chance in this game. Tompa Bay is going to throttle them.
Concret3Cowboy: The Saints have the Brady/Bucs more figured out than any other franchise. If Hill could just not throw 4 picks, I don’t think they’ll win but they should be able to cover.
MIN @ CHI: MIN -3.5
Blind Owl: Finally we get to the “traditional” Monday Night game. If we are being honest, it’s going to be a bit of a stinker. The Bears are venturing into the same category as the Texans and the Jags. Justin Fields is an utter failure. Vikings big.
Concret3Cowboy: You like that?!?!
