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The Saints are on their BYE this week after enjoying back-to-back wins. Interim Head Coach Darren Rizzi has had the team playing hard and playing better since he took over. In fact, he is the 1st Saints Interim Head Coach to win his 1st two games and only the 2nd Saints Coach to win his 1st 2 games, the other being Sean Payton. CSP is the only Saints HC to win his 1st 3 games. Rizzi could join Payton in that number with a win next Sunday against the Rams. More importantly, a win next Sunday would not only keep the dim playoff chances alive for the Saints, it would also be the 1st time since week 17 of the 2022 season that the Saints won 3 games in a row. The Saints haven't won 4 games in a row since week 13 of the 2021 season. Not to get to far ahead of ourselves but no coach in Saints History has won their 1st 4 games, whether Interim Head Coach or plain old Head Coach. Right now Rizz has got the Fizz and the Jizz.
With the Saints off this week, it puts a damper on the NFL weekend but there's always something to keep an eye on. Some folks will tune out entirely this weekend and most will watch with a lot less interest while looking forward to Turkey week ahead. Hopefully the Saints will get a chance to heal up and freshen up during their time of rest. Meanwhile, there are some games of interest to keep an eye on and some good matchups this weekend.
Week 12 BYE: Saints, Clowns, Bengals, Bills, Jags, Jets
Thursday Night Football
Pitt @ CLE - I'm late to the party with the thread this week but this game delivered. I doubt anyone gave the Browns much of a chance outside of their building other than their rabid fans that showed up and stayed until the very end during a snow blizzard. Nobody can ever call Browns Fans Fair Weather Fans. And the team delivered them a deserved win. It wasn't always pretty but it was a very exciting 4th quarter with the Steelers coming from 2 scores behind to take the lead only to have the Browns win it at the end. Throw the records out the window. This was an AFC North division game for the ages. The battery popping out of Jaboos helmet and dangling in front of his eye was something to see.
Sunday Noon Games
TB (4-6) @ NYG (2-8) - Saints fans can only hope the G-Men pull the home upset in this one. The men in blue will be rallying around a new starting quarterback this week in Tommy DeVito. Hopefully he's a fresh as a sub at Jersey Mikes!
KC (9-1) @ CAR (3-7) - Rarely will you hear me say I'd prefer a division foe win a game. Those are rare exceptions. These are strange times. I'd just as soon see them embarrass the Big Chiefs while falling back further in the draft order.
DAL (3-7) @ WAS (7-4) - You won't find me rooting for Jerrys Boyz but I'd prefer to see the Commandos take a loss in this one. Improves the Saints draft picks in the Latt trade while moving the Cowgirls further away from a top pick.
MIN (8-2) @ CHI (4-6) - You'll rarely find me rooting for the Queens and won't in this one. I'd rather see the Bears gain a bit of confidence and keep their coach and fall back in the draft order. Can't have them drafting high every year.
TEN (2-8) @ HOU (7-4) - An AFC South matchup. It's hard not to like what the Texans have put together in just a few short years. Someone has to have the top picks in the draft. Let it be AFC teams. Go Texans!
DET (9-1) @ IND (5-6) - I like Dan Campbell and the Lions. Somebody has to win the NFC North. I'd prefer it to be the Motor City Mad Men than the Cheese Crackers or the Purple Barney Rubbles. Go Lions!
NE (3-8) @ MIA (4-6) - The Fins are no doubt the most talented. I'd rather see them win and drop in the draft order while keeping the Patriots near the top. The Beach Boys don't need any more talent on that team. Go Patriots!
Sunday Afternoon Games
DEN (6-5) @ LV (2-8) - I'm at a point that I'd rather see the worst AFC teams stay that way and stay at the top of the 2025 NFL draft board. Most of them need a lot more help than a few high picks. Speaking of Mile High. Buckem'
SF (5-5) @ GB (7-3) - An NFC matchup with huge implications for both teams. The Whiners are hanging on to hopes of both winning the division are making the playoffs as a wildcard. A win in this one would boost those chances tremendously. I'd prefer to see them take a fall in this one. The NFC North most likely will place 3 teams in the playoffs this year. If one of them falls out I'd rather see the Queens fall out of the race. 9ers too. Eat the Cheese!
ARZ (6-4) @ SEA (5-5) - An NFL West matchup with the winner in this one taking the division lead. The Red Birds have been a surprise bunch this year. Maybe it's in the Cards. I'd prefer to see them win the west this year.
Sunday Night Football
PHI (8-2) @ LAR (5-5) - This is one of the biggest matchups of the week. The Iggles need to win to hold stay out in front of the Commandos. The Lambs need a win to stay in the hunt for their division and possibly a wildcard. I prefer to see the Birds drop one on those Horny Guys from LaLa Land. That would either take the wind out of their sails or make them desperate when the come to the Dome next week. So what. We'll deal with that next week. WiPhi!
Monday Night Football
BAL (7-4) @ LAC (7-3) - The schedule makers get a few right now and then. The Ravens need a win keep pace with the Steelers while the Chargers need a win to stay close to the Chiefs and ahead of the Broncos. Chargers for me.
With the Saints off this week, it puts a damper on the NFL weekend but there's always something to keep an eye on. Some folks will tune out entirely this weekend and most will watch with a lot less interest while looking forward to Turkey week ahead. Hopefully the Saints will get a chance to heal up and freshen up during their time of rest. Meanwhile, there are some games of interest to keep an eye on and some good matchups this weekend.
Week 12 BYE: Saints, Clowns, Bengals, Bills, Jags, Jets
Thursday Night Football
Pitt @ CLE - I'm late to the party with the thread this week but this game delivered. I doubt anyone gave the Browns much of a chance outside of their building other than their rabid fans that showed up and stayed until the very end during a snow blizzard. Nobody can ever call Browns Fans Fair Weather Fans. And the team delivered them a deserved win. It wasn't always pretty but it was a very exciting 4th quarter with the Steelers coming from 2 scores behind to take the lead only to have the Browns win it at the end. Throw the records out the window. This was an AFC North division game for the ages. The battery popping out of Jaboos helmet and dangling in front of his eye was something to see.
Sunday Noon Games
TB (4-6) @ NYG (2-8) - Saints fans can only hope the G-Men pull the home upset in this one. The men in blue will be rallying around a new starting quarterback this week in Tommy DeVito. Hopefully he's a fresh as a sub at Jersey Mikes!
KC (9-1) @ CAR (3-7) - Rarely will you hear me say I'd prefer a division foe win a game. Those are rare exceptions. These are strange times. I'd just as soon see them embarrass the Big Chiefs while falling back further in the draft order.
DAL (3-7) @ WAS (7-4) - You won't find me rooting for Jerrys Boyz but I'd prefer to see the Commandos take a loss in this one. Improves the Saints draft picks in the Latt trade while moving the Cowgirls further away from a top pick.
MIN (8-2) @ CHI (4-6) - You'll rarely find me rooting for the Queens and won't in this one. I'd rather see the Bears gain a bit of confidence and keep their coach and fall back in the draft order. Can't have them drafting high every year.
TEN (2-8) @ HOU (7-4) - An AFC South matchup. It's hard not to like what the Texans have put together in just a few short years. Someone has to have the top picks in the draft. Let it be AFC teams. Go Texans!
DET (9-1) @ IND (5-6) - I like Dan Campbell and the Lions. Somebody has to win the NFC North. I'd prefer it to be the Motor City Mad Men than the Cheese Crackers or the Purple Barney Rubbles. Go Lions!
NE (3-8) @ MIA (4-6) - The Fins are no doubt the most talented. I'd rather see them win and drop in the draft order while keeping the Patriots near the top. The Beach Boys don't need any more talent on that team. Go Patriots!
Sunday Afternoon Games
DEN (6-5) @ LV (2-8) - I'm at a point that I'd rather see the worst AFC teams stay that way and stay at the top of the 2025 NFL draft board. Most of them need a lot more help than a few high picks. Speaking of Mile High. Buckem'
SF (5-5) @ GB (7-3) - An NFC matchup with huge implications for both teams. The Whiners are hanging on to hopes of both winning the division are making the playoffs as a wildcard. A win in this one would boost those chances tremendously. I'd prefer to see them take a fall in this one. The NFC North most likely will place 3 teams in the playoffs this year. If one of them falls out I'd rather see the Queens fall out of the race. 9ers too. Eat the Cheese!
ARZ (6-4) @ SEA (5-5) - An NFL West matchup with the winner in this one taking the division lead. The Red Birds have been a surprise bunch this year. Maybe it's in the Cards. I'd prefer to see them win the west this year.
Sunday Night Football
PHI (8-2) @ LAR (5-5) - This is one of the biggest matchups of the week. The Iggles need to win to hold stay out in front of the Commandos. The Lambs need a win to stay in the hunt for their division and possibly a wildcard. I prefer to see the Birds drop one on those Horny Guys from LaLa Land. That would either take the wind out of their sails or make them desperate when the come to the Dome next week. So what. We'll deal with that next week. WiPhi!
Monday Night Football
BAL (7-4) @ LAC (7-3) - The schedule makers get a few right now and then. The Ravens need a win keep pace with the Steelers while the Chargers need a win to stay close to the Chiefs and ahead of the Broncos. Chargers for me.
