NFL Week 14 Bozo Analysis

Derrick Henry goes wild!

On Thursday night, Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry sure put on a show! In prime time beast-mode he bowled over and stiff-armed several would be tacklers on his way to a NFL record tying (TD Tony Dorsett in 1983) 99-yard TD run, one of his four scores in a 30-9 trouncing of their division rival Jacksonville Jaguars. Henry was unstoppable as he ran for a Titans record 238 yards in 16 carries. The Jags disappointing season continued as they fell to (4-9) while the Titans (7-6) remained alive for the last spot in the AFC wild card race.

Games with Playoff Implications:

Baltimore, at 7-5, currently holds the last AFC slot as Lamar Jackson brings the Ravens into KC to face the 10-2 Chiefs. The game will pit the #1 Chiefs offense vs. the #1 Ravens defense. Patrick Mahomes, with 41 TDs will hit the 4,000 yard passing mark early in this game, and although KC has lost Kareem ‘the abuser” Hunt, Mahomes still has plenty of weapons. I don’t see this game as the usual KC shootout. I think Baltimore will “slow the game down” as Parcells used to say and use their run game to burn the clock and keep mighty Patrick off the field. KC is fighting for one of the top spots in the AFC to get the bye week against other division leaders, Houston and NE (9-3). But they better be wary of the Chargers, only a game behind KC at 9-3 in the West. The line has moved from 9 down to 6 ½ and I’m wagering the Ravens play inspired defensive football and run all over the Chiefs and get the road upset. I’ll take the 6 ½ just in case. The Chargers host the “packed it in for the season” Bungles as 14 point favorites and could tie KC with a win if KC loses.
The Texans, at 9-3 can clinch the division if they win against the 6-6 Colts in Houston Sunday. The Texans are, like KC and NE fighting for the all-important home field advantage in the playoffs. Indy was shut out against the Jags last week and Houston is playing inspired defense so look for them to wrap up the South this weekend.

The Saints (10-2) are coming off a bad loss to the Cowboys last Thursday and should rebound against their division rivals. NO is primed to avenge the opening day loss to the Bucs and secure a top seed in the playoffs.
The Pats usually struggle in Miami and will need this game to keep pace with Houston, KC and the Chargers. The Fins should keep this game close as 7 ½ point home dogs as they are also fighting for a playoff berth at 6-6.

Denver and Carolina, both at (6-6) need to win against SF and Cleveland respectively to remain alive. Both should.
Philly at 6-6 vs. Dallas (7-5) in Big D is a must game for the Eagles (+3 ½). Dallas will certainly be odds-on to take the NFC Least with a home win. The reigning Super Bowl Champs are looking at this like a playoff game. The Cowboys, winners of 4 straight, are defensively strong while Wentz is seemingly getting back to last season form with two wins in the last two weeks over the Redskins and Giants. The Streets of Philadelphia will not be overrun with fires and upside down cars this year! No Rocky story this year as the Eagles go up in flames.
The Skins (6-6), with Mark “Dirty” Sanchez at the helm host the G-Men who are coming off their best game in recent weeks with an upset win against the Norris division leading Bears. Injuries have completely ruined the season for Washington and the Giants, well, we know what a mess they were early this year. They will take their role as a spoiler seriously going down the stretch. Sad to say, but this is all they have going for them.

The aforementioned Bears (8-4) still have hopes of a bye but only if they can handle the current NFC leader, the Rams (11-1) at home this weekend. In windy Chicago, the warm-weather Rams could struggle against a brutal Bears defense. Don’t expect to see Jared Goff slinging the ball all over the place Sunday night. Look for a battle between Gurley and Mack and Co. Mitchy the kid is back behind center for Nagy’s Bears and as a home dog (+3 ½) playing at night in the cold, we’ll look for Chicago’s defense to keep them in this one, if not winning outright.
Gotta take a look at the under here as well (51 ½). Chicago’s offense is no juggernaut and Aaron Donald and LA still will be a lot for the Bears offensive line to handle.

The Vikings (6-5-1) travel to Seattle (7-5) to battle the Seahawks and the 12th Man to stay alive for a wild card. Stick a fork in Minnesota if Kirk Cousins can’t lead them to a Monday night victory. Seattle has been playing surprisingly well, using a strong ground game to eat up yards and minutes in their last 3 victories. The Seahawks however, have been vulnerable to the pass of late, giving up 400 yards to Moon Mullins and SF. The prior week the Camster went 14-14 against Seattle’s revamped defense. The Viking receivers Thielen and Diggs are both tops in the league in catches and yards so we’re going to bank on them getting loose in the secondary. Bozos will take the 3 points on the road with Minnesota and expect the Purple gang to keep their slim hopes alive for another week.

-HB