NFL Week 11- A Couple of Big Games to Watch

Thursday Night Football Recap

The GB Packers shot out to a 14-3 early lead, first benefitting from a first play Chris Carson fumble turned into an Aaron Jones 8 yard TD run a minute into the game. Then after Janikowski knocked in a FG, Rodgers hit Robert Tonyan for his first NFL catch and TD to make it 14-3 at the quarter. Good enough, right? Russell Wilson guided his team to two 2^nd quarter TDs, a TD pass to Doug Baldwin then a 1-yard plunge by Carson to go up 17-14. The see-saw half ended with Rodgers hitting Jones for a 24 yard TD pass just before the half ended, 21-17 GB.

After a scoreless 3^rd quarter, the teams traded FGs and with 5 minutes to go, Wilson led a drive and threw to Ed Dickson for the winning TD. The Packers failed miserably trying to get first downs and a TD in the second half. Penalties, aided by some very questionable illegal blocking calls enabled the Seahawks to prevail an even their record at 5-5.

Rodgers statistically had a quality game (332 yards) but after Coach McCarthy decided to punt, down by three with 4 minutes to go, on 4th and 2, the Pack could not hold Seattle’s running game and the clock ran out on GB for the game and probably the season. GB dropped to 0-5 away from Lambeau this year.

This should be Mike McCarthy’s final season in GB (4-5-1) after presumably missing the playoffs again.

Pete Carroll, after a shaky 0-2 start is again in a position to knock on the playoff door. Awaiting Seattle are two games with SF and one with AZ.

The final score of 27-24 was a push as Vegas had the line nailed.

Two Big Games

In the opinion of the Head Bozo, there are two games of significance this weekend, Monday night’s game between the Chiefs and the Rams and the matchup in the NFC Norris division to decide first place.

The Sunday night game, the Vikings (5-3-1) visit the Bears (6-3) in Soldier Field is a game between two long-time division rivals with first place on the line. The Bears are favored by 2 ½ in the first of the teams two meetings this season.

This is a much different Bears team than the one we’ve been used to seeing in November. Coach Matt Nagy, Khalil Mack, Tarik Cohen, Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller have opened up Chicago’s offense and strengthened the Defense, much to the delight of their improved 2^nd year QB Mitch Trubisky. The bears rand 4^th in total defense. The Vikes rank 5^th.

Minnesota struggled early in the year, winning only one game in the first four, losing at home to the Bills in the process, but have since won 4 of 5 coming into this game. Last week, the Purple Gang put a hurting on the Lions, sacking Matt Stafford a record 10 times in a decisive 24-9 victory. Two weeks ago, in a competitive game, they lost at home to the 9-1 Saints.

Bears fans will be loud and primed for their first meaningful game this late in the season since 2012. Minnesota has not been all that dominant and Kirk Cousins cannot be fully trusted in maybe his biggest game in his career so far. The Bozos are going to take the home team at night and give the nod to the Bears laying less than a FG.

Monday night

In a game the NFL had to move from Mexico City back to LA on Monday night, the 9-1 Chiefs visit the Coliseum to take on the 9-1 Rams. Soccer games and a Shakira concert ruined the field at Estadio Azteca and the NFL, with an amazingly bold and proper decision, moved the game back to the good ol’ USA.

Mexico City stands to lose up to $50 Million and of course it screws many fans who had made travel plans, but again, props to the league for putting the safety of the players first.

KC, whose only loss came on the road by three points to the Pats are riding high on rookie Patrick Mahomes unbelievable freshman season. They are dominating opposing defenses. Their secondary is somewhat suspect but creditably have improved of late and held their last four opponents to 68 total points.

LA’s only defeat came in New Orleans, no shame as the Saints are also 8-1. They have struggled somewhat in their wins against Denver, GB, and Seattle twice. Their much heralded defense featuring Aaron Donald has given up 103 points in their last 3 games. Their offense, like KC’s is a juggernaut averaging 34 points a game, just a point lower than KC. LA runs Gurley, KC runs Hunt. Rams have Goff to wing it to Cook and Woods, KC has the explosive Tyreek Hill settling under Mahomes bombs.

The over/ under is an astounding 63 points and the home Rams are favored by 3 ½ points. The Bozos think Mahomes and Hill will be too much for the LA secondary, and even on the road, we like the Chiefs with the points. Love the hook!

Enjoy the games!

-HB