By Brandon Simmons
Steelers and Ravens in a Struggle-off?
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are locked in a division battle that is probably the most unglamorous of anything these two teams have battled over. Both teams were tied for first place at 6-6 heading into Sunday’s matchup. Now, it’s the Steelers at 7-6 leading the division for now, as the 6-7 Ravens are looking to stay above water until their rematch in Week 16.
For some reason, this feels like an underwhelming fight between these two teams, that have historically brought intense competitive energy towards each other’s way. Perhaps it’s the toils of the season that have affected both teams. The Ravens dealt with a rough start to the year, which could have been contributed to numerous injuries. The Steelers are coming off a demoralizing loss while also experiencing defensive struggles and rumors of their head coach getting canned. Each of these have been beat up so bad that when they face each other, they’re emotionally drained. The Steelers/Ravens rivalry has a long history of their games involving the giants of the conference but that is the total opposite this year. Rather, both teams look like a shell of their former selves racing to end the season rather than a division title.
What Does Daniel Jones-less Colts look like?
The Indianapolis Colts season has run its course now that Daniel Jones is out. Sunday, the Colts QB suffered a torn achilles in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, in what appeared to be a non contact injury. Coming into the game he was already diagnosed with a broken fibula. Unfortunate news for Jones and also the Colts, who were considered a heavy favorite to win the AFC South before getting derailed by a 2 game win streak. Indy has a strong team on both sides of the ball but deficiencies in their QB room is going to hurt them. QB Anthony Richardson – their former first round pick – is currently on injured reserve. Their 5th round pick from this year, Riley Leonard, was listed as the team’s backup but is dealing with a knee injury, which now forces them to look around the league at different practice squads.
There is a narrative that this year’s Super Bowl champion could come from a team with a stout defense and average QB play; that is not the case here. Jones wasn’t the Colts best player, because that designation goes to running back Johnathan Taylor, but he has been slowed down the past few games. Once defenses stop JT, it’s over for Indy’s offense. Right now, the Colts have chosen to use the services of former Los Angels Chargers and on-time Colts QB, Philip Rivers. Rivers played his final year of football with the Colts back in 2020 and has been a high school coach ever since. He might need a little more rust kicked off , but does have the experience for the job. Either choice sounds good, but neither will take the Colts where they want to go. As hard as this team has played all year, the reality is that they might not be able to cash in on that success, through nobody’s fault – because injuries happen, especially this time of year – but the task is too tall for them at the moment.
Wrap up the Chiefs Playoffs?
IT’s time for the Kansas City Chiefs to take a break from the postseason. Sunday, the Chiefs lost to the Houston Texans at home 20-10, ending their chances of winning a division title, which they have done previously for n 9 straight years. Their road to the postseason is still possible but so much more difficult, with so many losses to fall into place. This year’s Chiefs team has probably been the worst in the Mahomes era, mainly due to injuries. They need to.focus on retooling, defensively and, to an extent, offensively. The offensive line and running backs should be areas of improvement. Defensively, they could stand to help defensive tackle Chris Jones and add to that defensive line. A consistent n pass rush will put them back where they need to be. As of right now, this is not the same Chiefs team that people fear and it’s a must they change that.
Shoutouts/Shutouts
Shout out to Shedeur Sanders for making more history. Sunday, in a loss against the Tennessee Titans, the Browns rookie QB became the first rookie QB this to throw for 300 yards this season and become the first rookie QB to throw for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns in a game since 1950. This feat also garnered him the starting spot for the rest of the year.
Shut out to the Commanders for being shut out. Washington welcomed back QB Jayden Daniels after he missed a few games due to injury but were shut out by the Minnesota Vikings 31-0.
Week 15 is now here and as teams are getting dropped from the playoff picture, the ones that are still in it are going to have a tough fight for positioning. The Buffalo Bills will visit the New England Patriots in a game that could decide the AFC East champ by that afternoon. Patriots won the first matchup in Buffalo so the Bills are going to want to get their revenge. However, this Patriots team is no pushover and might have their sights on homefield advantage in the postseason, so wrapping up this division race could be top priority. But until then…I’ll holla.
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