As I sit here, typing this on the last day of 2023, I am forced to think about BO Blogs and where it is and what it has become. These weekly picks have been the crux of the site for the majority of time. We’ve been a lot less prolific than we’ve been in the past. I am here to say that in 2024 we have some ideas, and as the great WWE play by play announcer JR would say, “Business is about to pick up” around here in the Owl’s Nest. Stay tuned…
Enough of my lamenting over the inactivity of my website, we only have 2 weeks left in the NFL season. The playoff race is starting to shake itself out and each week is critical when it comes to the race for the Blind Owl Cup. We are all locked into a battle that could change at the drop of a hat. WIth that said, let’s see how we did in Week 16.
Week 16 Records
Blind Owl: 5-9-2
Concret3Cowboy: 6-8-2
BrendawnoftheDead: 6-8-2
Needless to say, this was not an opportune time to come in last. I had a slim lead going into the week and coming in last is not a way to keep that. The Cowboy took some chances that paid off for him, but he is still stagnant. Brendawn just keeps plugging along, keeping pace and even gaining a game. If I keep doing things like this, all he needs to do is not kill himself. Let’s see how this rough week translates into the overall standings.
Total Records
Blind Owl: 119-106-15
Concret3Cowboy: 113-112-15
BrendawnoftheDead: 115-110-15
Not going to lie, my butt hole is puckering a little bit. The lead is slipping away, and I am starting to feel it. But if anyone knows their beep ball lore, I have a habit of not pooping myself in big spots. Ask Bayou City about 2019. Metal toughness will push me through. Can Brendawn continue the death by a thousand cuts? Can I hold on or pull ahead? Could the Cowboy shock the world and go on a miracle run? We’ll find out NOW. It’s Week 17 in the NFL.
Thursday
NYJ @ CLE: CLE -7.5
Blind Owl: it feels wrong to pick the Browns with a big spread. It’s like going against the universe. But, they’re going against the Jets. It’s like the irresistible force of ineptitude meeting the immovable object of mediocrity. I suppose I’ll ride with the Flacc attack. He at least had success at one point in his life. Go Browns.
Concret3Cowboy: Battle of defenses. Browns would be my superbowl favorite representative from the AFC if they didn’t share the division with the Ravens. With this spread though? Give me the Jets, a man has to try.
BrendawnoftheDead: you can't pick a team that can't score points…browns win by enough
Saturday
DET @ DAL: DAL -5.5
Blind Owl: I think the Cowboys are a good team but this reeks of a late season let down. They’ll win, but not by 5.5. Give me Detroit.
Concret3Cowboy: I want to go Lions but I have to give X(Twitter) a reason to call me a Cowboys fan.
BrendawnoftheDead: I get why Dallas is favored, they're at home and they need this game more than Detroit who has already clinched a spot in the dance. I don't get why it's 5.5 when Dallas cannot stop the run and see Detroit has a legitimate shot at having two 1,000 yard rushers this season. Offensive line is king. Their defense kind of stinks though. Dallas’s defense has been on the struggle bus and their offense is complete Jekyll and Hyde depending if they are home or away. Given that they are home, expect a shoot out. I'm not saying Dallas loses this game, I just don't think they cover.
Sunday
NE @ BUF: BUF -14
Blind Owl: The last time these two teams played, the Mac Jones lead Patriots beat the Bills. That’s not happening again. The Bills are going to win, but it’ll be closer than it should be. Josh Allen will throw a bone head pick that’ll keep it close. Buffalo will win by 12 or something and the Pats will cover.
Concret3Cowboy: I really don’t like the 14 points.. Pats should cover but I have ground to make up and it’s not crazy to take the Bills here. Vegas knows what they’re doing with spreads.
BrendawnoftheDead: To the detriment of their long term future, the Patriots are undeniably playing better. Zappe has provided a spark and unlike Mac, does not have the yips. The Bills almost found a way to lose to the Chargers last week, it's not like they're world beaters. The Patriots ultimately lose but they keep it interesting and cover.
LAC @ DEN: DEN -3.5
Blind Owl: I am very hesitant to pick my Broncos after last week and Russell Wilson getting benched (Read that story here: https://www.blindowlblogs.com/post/russ-riding-the-pine) But I have confidence in Sean Payton. He made a ballsy choice, and picked a good week to do it. The Chargers are in shambles. Jarret Stidham has a chance to get his feet wet and isn’t being tossed into the fire. I think there will be a bit of a honeymoon period with the Broncos. Stidham will do fine, and the Broncos will win by a TD. I’m less optimistic about Stidham as weeks go on.
Concret3Cowboy: I’m real curious to what the locker room is thinking right now. Playoff hopes are basically dead, they just watched their cornball leader benched. Will they come out and play or roll over? The fact Denver is favored by 3.5 is kinda crazy, even with the Raiders boat racing this team. The Chargers did keep up with the Bills. Idk give me the Broncos.
BrendawnoftheDead: Battle of the backups! Stidham has more to work with so I'm going with him. Broncos take it outright.
MIA @ BAL: BAL -3.5
Blind Owl: This one is a big one. Miami and Baltimore are honestly the best two teams in the AFC, for better or worse. The Dolphins have the better offense, but the Ravens are a more complete team. This game will be a knockout to say the least…and that’s without Ray Rice being honored. That just adds a much needed punch of energy. In a situation like this, one has to pick with the home team, and the more complete team. Ravens fly.
Concret3Cowboy: Baltimore wins, by a good bit. I don’t think Miami is ready for this caliber of a game.
BrendawnoftheDead: Baltimore at home is a tough team to beat. Miami is a front runner of the highest order. Easy money, give me Baltimore.
ATL @ CHI: CHI -3
Blind Owl: You know what makes me laugh? Some Patriots fans think Justin Fields is the answer in New England. He’s a fine player, but no Ohio State QB can succeed in the NFL. Although, I think his squad wins this one. Even though the Falcons are trying to get into the playoffs. Da Bears win big.
Concret3Cowboy: Chicago is nowhere near as bad as they’ve been given credit for. Atlanta is also a pretty solid team. Atlanta has this game though. They took it to the hot Colts last week and are still fighting for the dance.
BrendawnoftheDead: Why do I think the bears take this? The Bears have some weapons and a pass rush, that's enough for me. No matter how you look at it, Atlanta has no quarterback. Da Bears win by 6.
LV @ IND: IND -3.5
Blind Owl: These teams are pretty evenly matched in my opinion. They both have over achieved at times and both have flopped at other times. I think the only thing giving the Colts the 3.5 points is that they’re at home. You know something? I’m feeling the Raiders here. Not sure what’s telling me to pick them, but here it goes. LV all day.
Concret3Cowboy: Raiders stink.
BrendawnoftheDead: call me crazy but I like Vegas, probably because Indy has played over their head all season but the wheels have finally come off. Minshew is an excellent spot starter but he isn't the long term and the colts defense has lost it.
CAR @ JAX: JAX -3.5
Blind Owl: Ooof Jacksonville. No Trevor Lawrence huh? CJ Beathart is in? The Jags should thank their lucky stars that they’re playing maybe the worst NFL team. This one is hard. Having a 3.5 point spread with a backup QB isn’t ideal. I could pick Carolina and try to pull ahead of Brendawn…I wouldn’t be dumb to try something like that. Or I could just pick the Jags and hold my spot. You know what? I’ll do that. Give me the Jags, but I don’t ilike it.
Concret3Cowboy: I’m feeling bold.
BrendawnoftheDead: it would be a bold move to take the Panthers….too bold. Can't do it, won't do it. Jacksonville even without a quarterback you've heard of.
TEN @ HOU: HOU -4
Blind Owl: Stroud is in? I’ll take Houston.
Concret3Cowboy: I like the Titans to cover. Why you ask? They did take the Texans into overtime just a few weeks ago. Yeah, I know there was no Stroud. And the Titans were home. But! A man can dream.
BrendawnoftheDead: someone has to win this trash-ass division and it's going to be Houston. Stroud is back and he has Nico Collins against a questionable secondary. As much as I love king Henry, the Titans have absolutely nothing else on offer.
LAR @ NYG: LAR -6
Blind Owl: Old habits die hard here. I’ll never pick the Giants again in 2023. The Rams have Kupp and Stafford finally back in mid season form. The Rams will open up a can of whoop ass on the Giants.
Concret3Cowboy: The Rams have been on and off all season but have played far better than last year. I’d like to see them in the playoffs and this is a good tune up game for them.
BrendawnoftheDead: Don't look now but the Rams are in the driver's seat for a wildcard spot. Williams, nacua, Kupp, Stafford…you could do much worse like tyrod Taylor, Barkley, and…crickets. Rams win by a lot.
ARI @ PHI: PHI -12
Blind Owl: 12 is a big spread…The Eagles haven’t really impressed me as of late. But it’s the Cardinals. “The Covering Cardinals” at that…Screw it. I’ll take the Cardinals with the points. This may be dumb, but prevent defense prevents you from winning.
Concret3Cowboy: The Owl is wise to my cardinal rule… rules are rules.
BrendawnoftheDead: Philly still looks exhausted but Arizona is that bad. If Jalen hurts stops turning the ball over, this won't be close. Arizona doesn't have the playmakers to make this interesting.
NO @ TB: TB -2.5
Blind Owl: I hate to say it, but the Cowboy was onto something all year. I thought it was just the “Florida Man” stuck inside him from his time on the dreaded peninsula. THe Bucs have been good. Both offensively and defensively. I’ve got to finally ride with them and pick them to win big.
Concret3Cowboy: Derek Carr wasn’t it and never was. The Saints offense is bad. It’s all about the Baker Bus.
BrendawnoftheDead: I'm routing for Baker, I like how he plays and always have. I hate how the saints play, they've lost my second favorite team status since drew brees left because they are flat out boring. Sometimes boring gets it done but Mike Evans has been on a tear and screw boring. It's bad for RedZone.
SF @ WAS: SF -13.5
Blind Owl: Another big ol’ spread for the eventual NFC Champion 49ers. The Commanders aren’t even close to San Fran’s level. Brock Purdy rebounds here and they cruise to an easy 20 point victory.
Concret3Cowboy: Purdy had a bad week. It happens in the NFL. Washington is poop. They let Trevor Siemian put up 30 points (tbf he did throw 4 TDs against the Bengals as a Bronco).
BrendawnoftheDead: San Francisco got a harsh reality check last week and will take it out on the Commies. I expect carnage
PIT @ SEA: SEA -3.5
Blind Owl: The Steelers are toast. It was a good run for a while this year, but they just crumbled. I mean, the Browns made the playoffs this year. Things aren’t ok in the Steel City. The Seahawks will win this one by 8 points. Still close but the game won’t be as close as the score is.
Concret3Cowboy: Seattle easily.
BrendawnoftheDead: Yinzer bullshit, go away. Please win this Seattle, pretty please?
CIN @ KC: KC -6.5
Blind Owl: Am I really going to do this? No. I can’t. Can I? The Chiefs have looked rough. Mahomes isn’t in peak form and nobody can catch. Kelce seems to be thinking with the wrong head, and he really needs to shake that off. I think they do in what should’ve been a decent game if Joe Burrow wasn’t hurt (or didn’t stink). Give me the Chiefs. I’ll be safe here.
Concret3Cowboy: Bengals. Browning magic. The Chiefs don’t know how to handle real adversity and it’s been showing all season. They implode.. it’s nice to watch.
BrendawnoftheDead: Kansas City is learning a hard lesson. When you spend all your money on 2 players, you better have excellent draft skills. Offensively they have not had that and it shows. Bunch of jags aren't getting it done and mahomes is having the worst season of his career by far. With that being said, they only lose this game if they beat themselves and I don't think that's happening two weeks in a row, not to a a second backup quarterback anyway. KC by 7.
GB @ MIN: MIN -1
Blind Owl: Ah yes. A classic NFC North slugfest to end Week 17. This’ll be a close one. A smart person would pick the Packers with the point just as insurance. But, I’m feeling frisky. Give me the Vikes. Eli at work will be happy with my choice here. Die Wikinger werden gewinnen.
Concret3Cowboy: This one hurts. The Packers are frauds and the Vikings began to figure it all out just to lose Kirk. Now they’re spiraling out of it while still in it. Give me the Vikings.
BrendawnoftheDead: The Vikings need captain kirk in the worst way. It's easy to rag on the guy but he clearly was the guy holding this team together for years now. They're onto another starting quarterback and it won't end well. At Least the Packers have stability and here that will be enough.
