There is never a good way to get knocked out. However, some are more brutal than others. The Carolina Panthers provided one of those painful exits in Week 13. Against weak Washington, Ron Rivera’s now-former team rolled to a 14-0 lead and then allowed 29 straight points. Doomed, right? No, Carolina had to inflict more pain. It scored a TD to draw within eight points and somehow recovered a squib kick before driving to a first-and-goal at the 1. A score and two-point conversion and the miracle tie forced OT. Only Kyle Allen and his offense couldn’t crack the goal line and, poof, you were counted out.
Don’t think about it
The inconsistent Dallas Cowboys face the Chicago Bears on Thursday. How many shots of Jerry Jones will the broadcast offer? This is one to run from as far as possible. You are seriously going to consider the Colts or Buccaneers? It is easier to predict the weather than how each of these teams will play. The Niners visit the Saints as the rough stretch of their schedule continues. This is big for both when it comes to playoff seeding. A perfect game to sit back, watch and enjoy. Same goes with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs against the Patriots. Anything can happen in this one. The Chargers find ways to lose every week and the Jaguars are going nowhere. Boring game and it should not attract knockout-pool interest. The Panthers play the Falcons in Atlanta. Yuck.
Tempting fate
The Seahawks looked incredible and the Rams have looked iffy. Still, Los Angeles has to have this game if it has any playoff hopes. Not worth going with the strong Seahawks on a short week. The Dolphins beat the Jets in the first meeting. Gang Green seeks revenge? Don’t be fooled by the first win. Miami is playing far better and the Jets are coming off a horrible effort in Cincinnati. Coin toss that is not worth it. The Raiders have been abysmal over the last two weeks. Tennessee is playing excellent football with Ryan Tannehill as the starting QB. So, it would only go to figure the Titans will march into Oakland and leave with another victory. Problem is there is no way to figure the Raiders out.
Let the bettor beware
The Ravens have been unstoppable and surge into Buffalo to meet the Bills. Buffalo has extra rest and is coming off a big win at Dallas. Could it be a letdown for the AFC East team battling for a Wild-Card spot? Possible but it also could be a tense game against Lamar Jackson and Baltimore. As tempting as the Ravens look, don’t do it. The Giants have been awful, losing eight in a row. This would seem to be the perfect spot for the Eagles to get it together if they want to menace Dallas in the awful NFC East. The Bird should feast on the Giants. Then again, they should have mopped up Miami in Week 13. Be careful. The Steelers have been wonderful since the slow start and Mike Tomlin has been magnificent. How many times can he have a third-string QB start and win? Kyler Murray and the Cardinals are stuck on three wins. Can they take advantage of Devlin Hodges? The Texans look like a nice play against Denver. However, these struggling teams that find a way to win one week seem to discover ways to win two in a row. Look at Washington, for instance. Speaking of bad teams finding a way to win two in a row, would anyone be stunned if Andy Dalton and the Bengals upended the Browns?
Go for it
Supposed to play week-to-week and not doing this proved fatal to many in pools. Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay at home against Dwayne Haskins and Washington this week was so alluring it made passing on the Packers’ great against Daniel Jones and the woeful Giants an option. Boom. Ouch. Well, if you are still rolling, the Packers should wallop Washington. Do not be fooled by the NFC East team’s two-game winning streak. If you need another option, expect the Vikings to come back strong after their loss to the Seahawks and pounce all over the Lions.
