Can you believe it? It’s the last week of the 2023 Regular Season. Funnily enough, it occurs in 2024. I must begin with a thank you to all of our readers. WIthout all 16 of you, what will the Cowboy, Brendawn and I be doing with our time on Sunday mornings? Maybe something productive perhaps? Nobody wants that. We’d much rather shout our pointless football opinions into the void. I’m sure it’s better for all involved.
As I write this, it is currently snowing pretty well outside. This is the first time the Cowboy has experienced snow in a long time. Poor guy must be struggling trying to shovel his driveway. I’m sure Brendawn is too, but he didn’t spend years in Florida forgetting how it feels. Anyway, let’s see how we did in the second to last week of the year:
Week 17 Records
Blind Owl: 12-4
Concret3Cowboy: 4-12
BrendawnoftheDead: 12-4
It seems the only thing buried deeper than the Cowboy’s driveway is his chance to win this year. An 8 game drop in one week is quite a drop. But he didn’t have a choice. Meanwhile, Brendawn and I stay right where we were. Which is good for me. I held the fort down and protected the homefront for another week. It’s always easier to defend than attack. Before we dive into Week 18, let’s see what kind of work Brendanw has to do in order to claim the title.
Total Records
Blind Owl: 131-110-15
Concret3Cowboy: 117-124-15
BrendawnoftheDead: 127-114-15
Four games. That’s all he needs to make up. As editor, I could just let him pick and then just make all the same picks. Easily guaranteeing me the title. But that’s no fun. To make it interesting, I will be picking all the games first. I’ll let Brendawn try to catch up by picking against me. It’s just the kind of magnanimous person I am. But can he do it? There are some 50/50 matchups out there and some meaningless games that could cost me. Will that happen? Or will I finish things here? And you know what? The Cowboy isn’t mathematically eliminated…but it would take both Brendawn and I to pick 14 of the games the same. Not going to happen.
Here we go! The pressure is on and a champion will be named at night’s end!
Saturday
PIT @ BAL: PIT -3.5
Blind Owl: Every year a good team makes the bad choice to rest their starters for a whole game. The Ravens are going to ruin their momentum and probably have a let down in the playoffs. With that said, their backups are better than the Steelers. I’ll take the points too. Ravens.
Concret3Cowboy: Well, I’m not going to catch up so might as well try to finish strong before the playoffs. I’ll let it be known that I am not happy taking third. I like Mason Rudolph here. I do like the Ravens on offense, especially Huntley. I just see their defense actually holding down the improved Steeler offense, led by a guy with above average hands.
BrendawnoftheDead: I don't want to pick the Steelers but I will.
HOU @ IND: HOU -1.5
Blind Owl: The AFC South is on the line this weekend. Honestly anyone could win it. These are the kind of games that are potential killers for me. I’ll take Houston here. But I’m not really confident in it at all.
Concret3Cowboy: Ehh, Colts. I’ve been higher on them then I really should be but I can see them keeping it within 1 or even stealing the division. Them being at home definitely helps me feel better.
BrendawnoftheDead: Houston I guess?
Sunday
NYJ @ NE: NE -2
Blind Owl: The real story here isn’t the game. What happens on Monday morning will be more interesting. I think the idiot NE media people will be disappointed because I don’t think Bill is going anywhere. They’ll all have to walk back their “reporting” from the past month. I actually think the Pats win this game by a TD. Just to shove it in the face of Tom Curran and Greg “The Manatee” Bedard. Can’t wait to watch them squirm and try to twist their own words.
Concret3Cowboy: Umm, Pats?
BrendawnoftheDead: It would be better for the Patriots in the long run to lose, which is exactly why they won't. The Jets can't score points and have thrown in the towel. The Patriots defense has played their ass off all season and Zappe can occasionally move the ball, when he throws it to the right team. They'll find a way to win by 3 so Bill can screw this team over one last time.
DEN @ LV: LV -3
Blind Owl: Well, my Broncos are looking to end the year on a high note. The Raiders are trying to do the same. It’s the last game. I’ve got the lead. I’ll take the Raiders in a low scoring affair. Also want to make Brendawn pick Denver.
Concret3Cowboy: The Raiders have a 7 game streak on the Broncos. I need this to end. Also, fuck Maxx Crosby. That giant ginger is a tool. Raiders stink.
BrendawnoftheDead: Fine, I'll take Denver. AOC the quarterback is about as useful as AOC the politician. I'll take stidham to do almost nothing and win anyway.
TB @ CAR: TB -4
Blind Owl: This is Tampa’s division to lose. They get a soft landing spot with the Panthers. Carolina would love to play spoiler, but it ain’t gonna happen. Bucs take it.
Concret3Cowboy: “Raise the flag?” Or is it “seize the day”? Idk they change their motto every year. But I’m with it.
BrendawnoftheDead: nobody in the right mind would take Carolina here, so I won't. Tampa wins easy.
CLE @ CIN: CIN -7
Blind Owl: 7 points seems like a lot. But Cleveland is resting folks and that’s a momentum killer. Cincy wins easily. Browning is pretty good.
Concret3Cowboy: Browns. 7 points? Yeah.. Browns. The Browns have been playing their back ups all year.
BrendawnoftheDead: Resting guys rarely works out but maybe this can get browning an opportunity somewhere else next season. Cincy wins.
MIN @ DET: DET -4
Blind Owl: The Lions did some dumb things last week. But they’re being smart this week and trying to get in rhythm before the playoffs. If things start to go off the rails, they can yank the starters and peck it in. Don’t outsmart yourselves. For that reason I’ll pick them.
Concret3Cowboy: Lions, sadly.
BrendawnoftheDead: Detroit ride or die. Also the Vikings are on their 17th quarterback.
ATL @ NO: NO -3
Blind Owl: I liked the Falcons a while back. Not no more. Go Saints.
Concret3Cowboy: I like the Falcons to keep it close. It’s Derek Carr ffs, he’s ruined my over hype of the Saints.
BrendawnoftheDead: The Saints have burned me many times this year so it's fitting that they end up being one of those pickem games. Screw them, falcons are winning this game outright. This is only because Owl and I are flip flopping random teams we support.
JAX @ TEN: JAX -5
Blind Owl: As I write this, we don’t know if Trevor Lawrence is going to play. It’s a “game time decision.” I don’t think the Jags will lose if Lawrence plays, but if he doesn’t, that’s a different story. I’ll hesitantly take the Jags…
Concret3Cowboy: Tannepick < anything the Jags put on the field.
BrendawnoftheDead: Can't and won't pick Ryan tannehill. Jags no matter what.
SEA @ ARI: SEA -3
Blind Owl: Seattle is fighting for the elusive playoff spot. The Cardinals are trying to spoil things for the Hawks. Unfortunately for the “Covering” Cardinals, it won’t be happening. Seattle is going to dominate this one and win by at least 2 scores.
Concret3Cowboy: Rules are rules. I don’t believe in it wholeheartedly here but this rule has gotten me last in the standings so why not die on that hill.
BrendawnoftheDead: 3 is too small of a spread for the cards here but this is the hand I have been dealt. They scored at will on philly last week, who says they can't do the same? This is my own fault, this is what I get for having a week where I picked zero games correctly.
CHI @ GB: GB -3
Blind Owl: The Bears have been on a roll lately. They’ve won some games, and looked halfway decent doing it. Somehow, the Packers have moved their way into the playoff picture. If you told me that 10 weeks ago, I would’ve laughed at you. The Bears have 2 top picks in the draft and have a lot to be excited about. But honestly, losing this game would be better for them. This old rivalry won’t let that happen. The Bears play hard here but do end losing by a TD. Gimme the Pack.
Concret3Cowboy: Packers are frauds. Bears are actually undervalued.
BrendawnoftheDead: I'm sure the readers can sense a pattern here, I'm going for chaos. Chicago has no reason to tank this game, they already own the number one pick from the Panthers. The Bears defense has played reasonably well the second half of the year and while not consistent, their offense has some explosion. DJ Moore has been awesome this season and he'll be the reason Chicago wins today.
KC @ LAC: LAC -3.5
Blind Owl: Mahomes is the only thing making the Chiefs any good on offense. Resting him is a great way to spoil their chances in the playoffs. I mean they haven’t looked good on offense in weeks, and now they are going to ruin what little rhythm they had. The Chargers are a dumpster fire to say the least. Some serious reevaluation is coming. This one is tough. I guess the Chiefs defense is a lot better, depending on who plays. I’ll take the Chiefs with the points and just hope it’s a close defensive game.
Concret3Cowboy: I actually like Stick from the Chargers. Not as much as Browning in Cincy. But I like him.. especially more than Gabbert.
BrendawnoftheDead: Chargers have no chance and nothing to play for. The chiefs have seeding on the line. Picking the obvious here, Chiefs win.
PHI @ NYG: PHI -4.5
Blind Owl: Philly better win. Or they’re dicked in the playoffs.
Concret3Cowboy: G men.. I’d like the Eagles a lot more if they didn’t have that bum ass coach.
BrendawnoftheDead: Philly is out of gas. They can't stop anybody, Jalen hurts hasn't been good, and now devonta Smith is injured. chaos it is, tyrod Taylor is good enough to only lose by 4.
LAR @ SF: SF -4
Blind Owl: Both of these teams will be playing cautiously. No Purdy or McCaffrey for the 9ers. No Kupp, Stafford or Kyren Williams for the Rams. This will be a boring almost JV level NFL game. I have to go with the better team overall and take San Fran by a score like 17-13 or 20-10.
Concret3Cowboy: I wonder how Begas got this line. I mean, it would make sense that the “most complete team” in the NFL would have more depth.. but trust me and my below .500 record this year and take the Rams.
BrendawnoftheDead: I'm going with the 49ers. I have no idea who has better backups and who cares?
DAL @ WAS: DAL -13
Blind Owl: Oh this has classic Dallas choke written all over it. A somewhat easy opponent, in questionable weather and with a division title on the line. But, I think the Dallas choke is coming next week when there is no tomorrow. Dallas will cover here with a late TD.
Concret3Cowboy: I expect the Commanders to roll over and die and thus get their coach fired.
BrendawnoftheDead: Dallas needs this one and Washington has nothing to play for. Easy choice
BUF @ MIA: BUF -3
Blind Owl: For once, Buffalo gets a big game at home. If they win this one, they won’t have to deal with the Chiefs in KC for once. The Bills have only the other AFC West teams to blame for that. The Dolphins are absolutely decimated by injuries. That doesn’t help their morale. The bills have been rolling for some time now. Not to mention the game being in sunny Florida instead of dreary Buffalo. Miami is going to be exposed as boom or bust frauds, just like they were when these two squared off the first time. A big Buffalo win will cap the division and give me the victory for the entire year!! This will lock it up because I know Brendawn doesn’t want to pick the Phins, but he has to. It’ll pain him to do it and see it all slip away in the 2nd quarter.
Concret3Cowboy: Bills, Dolphins aren’t ready for a push and they’ve been showing it every week.
BrendawnoftheDead: I don't trust buffalo but I don't have to here, Miami is broken. Waddle is out, the defense is starting JV guys, and tua isn't good without his full arsenal. And I do not have to thank you very much, I picked differently elsewhere…
