NFL Week 17 Games to Watch

Lots of great football to watch this week! Make sure you tune in. Photo credit: Adobe Stock

            Week 16 of the NFL season wasn’t quite as fun as Week 15 was, but it was great overall. The Cowboys are still alive in the NFC East race after knocking off the Eagles at home, while the Vikings pulled off another miraculous victory, connecting on a 61-yard field goal for the win. Don’t look now, but a few teams such as the Jaguars, Packers, & Steelers are making some impressive playoff pushes after being more or less left for dead by most analysts at midseason. These developments mean that we will discuss various contenders here in this space this week. Football fans will notice that there are plenty of good games to go around & watch this week, including all of the primetime games and at least a couple games in each and every time slot. Without further ado, let’s get to it & discuss all of this week’s hottest contests in this column.

Cowboys (11-4) at Titans (7-8) on Prime Video (Thursday Night Football)

            The Titans have lost five straight games in November & December to earn a 7-8 record. They’ve never been more desperate for a win as they look to stay competitive in the AFC South. On the flip side, the Cowboys are full of life after coming off an emotional win over the Eagles. Call me crazy, but I actually think this game could be competitive as both teams are similar stylistically in that they each love running the ball and backing that up with solid defensive play. Full disclosure: I could be dead wrong here as the Cowboys could steamroll this Titans squad. Regardless, what else are you really going to do besides watch football on a fun Thursday night?

Steelers (7-8) at Ravens (10-5) on NBC (Sunday Night Football)

            NFL schedulemakers did the right thing in flexing this game onto the primetime stage. This is an all-time rivalry that transcends time, space, and each of these team’s season records. These teams have lots to play for, including a playoff berth (Steelers) and division title (Ravens). For some reason, it always comes down to this game every single year for these divisional rivals. With that said, could QB Lamar Jackson make his long-awaited return from injury? “We’ll see.” Both teams are coming off of key wins against teams that they were supposed to beat “on paper.” Which of these rivals starts their New Year off right with their first victory on the 2023 calendar?

Bills (12-3) at Bengals (11-4) on ESPN (Monday Night Football)

            Oh my goodness, it’s a Monday Night matchup that’s actually worth watching for once! These types of good games have been hard to come by lately, as fans have been subjected to watching bad tilts such as Patriots-Cardinals, Packers-Rams, & Chargers-Colts in recent weeks. The football gods have given us a likely AFC playoff preview with key outcomes for both teams. While the Bills are still in contention with the Chiefs for the AFC’s No. 1 seed (and the bye week that comes with it), the Bengals are contending with the Ravens for the AFC North division title. Believe it or not, this is the first time that Josh Allen & Joe Burrow will battle against each other. Add all of these factors together, and it’s clear that this is a must-watch contest on Monday night.

Dolphins (8-7) at Patriots (7-8) on CBS (Sunday, 1:00 P.M. ET)

            Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa’s placement in the NFL’s concussion protocol earlier this week makes this contest much less exciting, but nonetheless important in the AFC’s playoff race. Basically, one of these teams is likely to find themselves on the outside of the picture looking in. That’s because there are just two playoff spots up for grabs with seven contenders still relevant. One of those spots will go to either the Jaguars or the Titans, winners of the AFC South division. So really, that leaves five teams competing for one spot, with two of the teams squaring off here. Will Teddy Bridgewater & company pull off the upset, or will the Patriots again reign supreme?

Panthers (6-9) at Buccaneers (7-8) on FOX (Sunday, 1:00 P.M. ET)

            The comically bad NFC South division race all comes down to this, as the Buccaneers square off against the Panthers in a de-facto “championship game” for both teams in Week 17.  Basically, the Bucs just need to win & they’re in the tournament; however, the Panthers could play spoiler if they manage to pull off the upset here & win next week’s game against the Saints. It’s been that kind of a season for these NFC South teams, who are wondering how they got here. Nobody wants to see Tom Brady in the playoffs again for the 75th time, so I’m hopeful for a tie. Wouldn’t that be hilarious for the NFC South race to come down to a “tie”breaker in Week 18? 

Jets (7-8) at Seahawks (7-8) on FOX (Sunday, 4:25 P.M. ET)

            Man, these teams are so frustratingly similar it actually hurts my brain writing about it. Obviously, these teams share the same record & are on the outside looking in the playoff race. Beyond that though, both teams started off hot out of the gate & have cooled down the stretch. Both of these teams have lost five out of their last seven games, with the Jets losing four straight. Realistically, it’s win or go home for the winner & loser of this contest, with the winner likely still in need of help (and some lucky breaks along the way) in order to clinch a playoff berth. Mike White’s return to action could not have happened at a better time for the Jets, while the Seahawks hold out hope that WR Tyler Lockett can make his return from injury in this game. Football junkies should sit on their couch, grab some popcorn, and enjoy this show on Sunday.

Vikings (12-3) at Packers (7-8) on CBS (Sunday, 4:25 P.M. ET)

            There’s a lot at stake here for both teams, although neither can clinch anything this week. The Vikings have an outside shot at nabbing the No. 1 seed in the NFC should the Eagles falter. Meanwhile, the Packers are just trying to stay alive in the playoff picture & clinch a playoff spot. One more loss for them over the next couple of weeks and they’re out of contention altogether. Vikings fans have watched their team live on the edge all season long, as they set an NFL single season record last week with their 11th straight win in one-score games by defeating the Giants. Perhaps just as surprising, the Packers have won 15 straight games in the month of December. One of these streaks is surely to be put to the test as these division rivals square off this week. Make sure to tune in & start your New Year off right with this iconic NFC North showdown!

NFL Week 16 Games to Watch

This guy looks like he’s gearing up to watch the Jets vs. Jaguars game tonight. Photo credit: Adobe Stock

            Are you not entertained?! Last week was the most exciting one of the NFL season so far. Week 15 began with the Vikings leading the largest comeback in NFL history against the Colts. Next, the Dolphins & Bills faced off in an epic matchup that more or less decided the AFC East. Then, there were two overtime games as well as seven other games decided by one score or less. Seriously, how are plays like this one even possible? You should try this one on for size as well. Anyways, we’re done talking about last week. Let’s dive into a new edition of Games to Watch.

Seahawks at Chiefs on FOX (Saturday early afternoon)

            Last call for the Seahawks, who started off hot out of the gate but have fizzled out lately. They’re now on the outside looking in of the NFL’s playoff picture as the No. 8 seed in the NFC. Meanwhile, the Chiefs just barely escaped Texas with an overtime win against the lowly Texans. Despite this fact, they clinched the AFC West & have an opportunity to be the AFC’s No. 1 seed. I sense a shootout brewing here as two of the NFL’s loudest fanbases square off at Arrowhead.

Bengals at Patriots on CBS (Saturday early afternoon)

            Bill Belichick must be steaming mad right now after watching his team blow it last week. His team needs a miracle, much like the one they just gave up, in order to make it to the playoffs. Good luck to him in attempting to cool off a red-hot Joe Burrow & company this coming week. Just ask Tom Brady how that scenario played out for him, as Brady was 89-0 all-time in games where he was leading by 17 or more points until Joe Cool shattered that statistic last weekend. The Bengals have a lot riding on this game too, as they clinch a playoff berth with a win here. Add all of these factors together, and it’s clear that this profiles as an exciting Game to Watch.

Commanders at 49ers on CBS (Saturday late afternoon)

            Man, all of the drama from Week 15 makes the 49ers huge win over the Seahawks on Thursday Night Football last week feel like that boring matchup was played over an eternity ago.   Funny thing is, the 49ers could be playing the Commanders again in the NFC’s Wild Card round. The 49ers (currently the No. 3 seed) would play the No. 6 seed (currently the Giants) in January. Speaking of the Giants, the Commanders suffered a tragic loss against them this past weekend. Simply put, the team needs to rebound quickly or else risk losing out on the NFC’s No. 7 seed. Can they pull off the road upset against Brock Purdy & that loaded 49ers roster on Saturday?

Eagles at Cowboys on FOX (Saturday late afternoon)

            This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for, an epic battle for the NFC East division. The Eagles (11-1) just need one win of any kind to clinch the division title, while the Cowboys (10-4) certainly have their work cut out for them in their efforts to secure another division crown. That said, the Cowboys have a chance now that MVP candidate Jalen Hurts is out with an injury. Gardner Minshew is a reliable backup though, and he could certainly lead this offense to victory. Regardless, the Eagles will have plenty to play for this week as they’re in line for not only the NFC East division title, but also the No. 1 seed in the NFC (including a bye week) with a win. Which team wins the heated battle between division rivals on a Saturday afternoon in December?

NFL Week 15 Games to Watch

Football! Get your football here! Photo credit: Adobe Stock

            Week 14 of the NFL was boring, and although there were some interesting results (such as the Lions victory over the Vikings), most of these matchups were simply lacking in intrigue. Fortunately for football fans, Week 15 promises to be much better, with six stellar games on tap. It all starts on Thursday night with an epic NFC West divisional matchup with plenty on the line.  NFL junkies then receive a rare dose of Saturday football, ending with a great game that night. After that, there are several good matchups spread throughout the typical Sunday slate of games.  Finally, another divisional showdown (this time in the NFC East) awaits us in the primetime slot. For all that and more, you can follow along with me in my Week 15 edition of Games to Watch!

49ers at Seahawks on Prime Video (Thursday Night Football)

            Let’s begin by keeping things simple, the 49ers clinch the NFC West with a win tonight. Obviously, the Seahawks would rather not have that outcome happen to them in their own house. Who could’ve envisioned it would be these two teams duking it out for the division in Week 15? We all thought the Rams had a chance to repeat, and that the Seahawks would be cellar dwellers. Most of us expected the 49ers to be here, but not with unheralded rookie Brock Purdy as the QB. Their 35-7 win over Tom Brady’s Buccaneers last week was equal parts surprising and inspiring. Will the 49ers continue their dominance with a road win, or will the Seahawks pull off the upset?

Dolphins at Bills on NFL Network (Saturday Night Football)

            Much like the winner of the 49ers-Seahawks contest decides the NFC West division, the winner of this game could very well secure the AFC East division crown right here in Week 15. Basically, the Bills would secure a playoff berth with a win, but not the AFC East crown just yet. On the flip side, the Dolphins badly need this win to stay alive in the AFC East & playoff races. They’re currently in the driver’s seat for the AFC’s No. 6 seed, but a loss here would be detrimental as the 8-5 Dolphins are just ahead of three 7-6 teams (Patriots, Chargers, & Jets). The Bills made light work of the Jets last week, while the Dolphins lost badly to the Chargers. I’m thinking that the Bills win this one in what will likely be a cold & snowy divisional game.

Giants at Commanders on NBC (Sunday Night Football)

            These teams are just about as evenly matched as you will ever see in the NFL landscape. Both teams have 7-5-1 records after tying with each other in their overtime matchup two weeks ago, and they’re currently the No. 6 (WAS) & No. 7 (NYG) seeds in the NFC playoff picture. It’s hard to believe that they’re playing each other again so soon, but these are the NFL’s rules. The Giants got absolutely shelled by the Eagles at home last week, while the Commanders were able to rest up & enjoy their much needed bye week before this key home matchup in primetime. Will Danny Dimes lead his team to victory, or will it be Taylor Heinicke who comes out on top?

Titans at Chargers on CBS (Sunday late afternoon)

            The Titans are the 2nd-worst division leader in the NFL right now, behind only the Bucs. They’re on the verge of total collapse, but it might not matter if they take care of business here. Meanwhile, the Chargers are surging (see what I did there?) into the playoff hunt at the right time after their 23-17 dismantling of the AFC No. 6 seed Dolphins in primetime last weekend. Justin Herbert looks much better now that WRs Mike Williams & Keenan Allen have returned. I’m excited to watch this pair of 7-6 teams battle it out, and to see who emerges victorious here.

Lions at Jets on CBS (Sunday early afternoon)

            Don’t look now, but this is a surprisingly important game in terms of the playoff picture. Both teams currently hold the No. 9 seeds in their conferences, which makes this game crucial. It’s basically win or go home for these teams, and whoever wins still needs help to make it in. Jared Goff is playing some of the best football of his career, while Mike White gutted it out in last week’s tough loss to the Bills despite extenuating circumstances arising during the contest. I’m going to be flipping back & forth between this game and the next one on my list on Sunday.

Falcons at Saints on FOX (Sunday early afternoon)

            You can call me a homer, but I am excited to watch this game as a diehard Falcons fan. After all, we haven’t seen a rookie QB make his debut for the franchise since Matt Ryan in ’09. That was a long time ago, and I’m hoping that Desmond Ridder becomes better than Matt Ryan. He certainly can’t play much worse than Marcus Mariota has for the past few weekends, right? The state of the NFC South is so awful that the winner of this game is still in the playoff hunt. There’s finally a reason for me to watch Falcons football again, and I won’t miss it on Sunday.

NFL Week 14 Games to Watch

This chalk board is me trying to explain how this NFL season has gone so far. Photo credit: Adobe Stock

            Week 13 of the NFL was a mixed bag for football watchers, with several good games (Vikings-Jets, Bengals-Chiefs) mixed in with some total duds (Cowboys-Colts, Eagles-Titans). My feeling is that Week 14 will offer more of the same, with only four relevant games of note. I’m happy as a Falcons fan that my team can’t lose on our bye, and that I don’t have to watch. Anyways, let’s move on to discuss the games, as there are a select few of them worth watching. There are a lot of desperate teams facing off against heavy favorites this weekend, which should make for some solid football contests. Without further ado, it’s our Week 14 Games to Watch!

Dolphins at Chargers on NBC (Sunday Night Football)

            Last call for the Chargers, who at 6-6 are on the fringes of the playoff picture in the AFC. A win here against the Dolphins (currently the No. 6 seed) would go a long way for their hopes.  Meanwhile, the Dolphins need to get back up off the mat after their shellacking against the 49ers. Let’s not forget about Tua Tagovailoa facing off against Justin Herbert, as the destinies of these QBs will forever be linked together after they were picked back-to-back in the 2020 NFL Draft. Most analysts believed that the Chargers selection of Herbert was the better pick of these QBs; however, Tua has shown great progress in year three while silencing his haters in the process. Which of these two superstars puts the team on their back as they prepare for a playoff push?

Buccaneers at 49ers on FOX (Sunday late afternoon)

            More late-game heroics from Tom Brady last week makes this game much more exciting. Add in the fact that Brady desperately wanted to join the 49ers after leaving the Patriots in 2020, & you’ll realize that football fans should be in for a real treat, an NFC playoff preview this week. The Buccaneers are now the clear front runners in the NFC South, but they must keep winning.

They’re likely looking at an early playoff exit as things currently stand, with Brady the X-factor. Meanwhile, the 49ers could be in the same boat after Jimmy Garoppolo broke his foot last week. I’ve heard that Chad Powers out of Penn State is available, perhaps the 49ers will give him a call.  Outside of QB, the 49ers have one of the best rosters in the NFL, but will that matter in January? Before answering that question, the 49ers must answer the bell this week in an epic NFC contest.

Jets at Bills on CBS (Sunday early afternoon)

            Last week was a great one for Bills fans, as their team currently sits atop the entire AFC. Things could change obviously, but their early season head-to-head win over the Chiefs was key. The Jets, meanwhile, are barely hanging on to the AFC’s No. 7 seed & 3rd place in the AFC East. A loss here all but assures that this team will be watching from the couch in January & February. On the flip side, a win for the Jets here would give them a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Bills. This time last month, the Jets shocked the Bills with a 20-17 upset for the ages in New Jersey. Will history repeat itself with the home team winning, or will the visiting Jets pull out the dub?

Eagles at Giants on FOX (Sunday early afternoon)

            There are zero NFL playoff clinching scenarios in either conference this week; however, an Eagles win here gives them a 12-1 record & probably guarantees their spot in the tournament. They looked pretty dominant against the Titans last week, with AJ Brown torching their defense. This win showed that the Eagles can play different styles of football with their passing game leading the way in this contest, which stands in contrast to their rushing controlling other games. If only we could say similar things of the Giants, but their offensive attack is stuck in the mud. The G-Men tied their division rival Commanders last weekend in a 20-20 overtime encounter. Things are less dire in the NFC than in the AFC, but the Giants are hanging on to the No. 6 seed. Who will win this epic December contest between these two hated division rivals this weekend?

NFL Week 13 Games to Watch

Here’s your weekly update on all of the latest happenings around the NFL! Photo credit: Adobe Stock

            Man, football fans will have a lot of GREAT football to watch this upcoming weekend! The slate is jam-packed with divisional games, as well as exciting matchups between contenders. Last weekend was an exciting one for the league, with eleven one-score games, two overtime thrillers, a few great Thanksgiving contests, and some surprisingly competitive primetime bouts. I’ll go ahead and say it now, don’t be surprised if this weekend tops last in terms of watchability. I’ve actually listed six games to watch this week for the first time in what feels like an eternity. Without further ado, let’s get to it and discuss all of the NFL drama set to take place in Week 13.

Bills at Patriots on Prime Video (Thursday Night Football)

            The schedulemakers absolutely nailed this one as two divisional foes will face off here. This is the first time in what feels like an eternity that there’s actually an exciting TNF matchup. Bill Belichick will try & rally his troops after last week’s depressing outing against the Vikings. Kirk Cousins completed 81.6% of his passes against the Patriots D, a mark not seen since 2008. Meanwhile, the Bills rallied against the Lions for a last-second game-winning 45-yard field goal. They completed their game winning drive with 23 seconds left in the game, which is impressive. What’s also impressive is that all four AFC East teams have a legitimate chance at the playoffs. When was the last time we could say that of this division, one typically owned by the Patriots?

Jets at Vikings on CBS (Sunday early afternoon)

            Believe it or not, we have our very first NFL playoff clinching scenario here in Week 13. Should the Vikings win this game, and the Lions lose their game against the Jaguars, then the Vikings would become NFC North champions & thus secure one of the NFC’s playoff berths. Talk about motivation for the Vikings to pull out the win against this cross-conference opponent. They’ll contend against newly anointed Jets starting QB Mike White, who was on fire last week. The Jets have a recipe for success going forward should White prove to be a stabilizing force for their offense, as their defense has proven that they are worthy of being part of a contending team. Will it be an NFC or AFC contender emerging from this battle of playoff contenders on Sunday?

Titans at Eagles on FOX (Sunday early afternoon)

            Speaking of playoff clinching scenarios, the Eagles also have one in this week’s game. Basically, they need to have a bunch of things go right for them to get in, but this could happen. Regardless, with the best record in the NFL, the Eagles are sure to get in sooner rather than later. What’s notable too is that this is a revenge game for AJ Brown, one that he’s looked forward to. Losing to the Bengals for the second year in a row surely hurts the Titans on an emotional level. They’re obvious favorites to win the AFC South, but their goals are far more ambitious than that. Will the Titans prevail against the NFC’s top bird team, or will they crumble under the pressure?

Commanders at Giants on FOX (Sunday early afternoon)

            This one’s for all the marbles, as these teams are fighting to stay alive in the NFC East. As a Falcons fan, I’m upset that the Commanders beat us last week on a great game-ending play. That said, they deserved to win as their defense was stout while their offense made stellar plays. Are the Giants starting to fall apart? Last week, we saw some chinks in the armor against Dallas. It’s blatantly obvious that they have no receivers, and that most of their offensive line is injured. The G-Men weren’t expected to be good this year, so this could be the end of their magical run. It’s a must win for both of these NFC East rivals as they do battle in a premier December contest.

Dolphins at 49ers on FOX (Sunday early afternoon)

            Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel makes his return to the Bay Area for the first time since last year as the former 49ers offensive coordinator joined the Dolphins in February 2022. Tyreek Hill also faces the 49ers for the first time since Super Bowl LIV, a game in which he shredded their defense on 9 receptions for 105 yards, including this crucial catch in the contest. Both teams took care of business last week in winning their games against inferior opponents. The Texans were no match for the Dolphins great offense, and the game was over by halftime. It’s weird to say that the 49ers struggled even though they won 13-0, but the matchup was close. There are plenty of playoff implications on the line here in this pivotal cross-conference contest.

Chiefs at Bengals on CBS (Sunday late afternoon)

            NFL schedulemakers could have (and should have) scheduled this matchup in primetime. A rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game overtime thriller between these two teams, would it really surprise anyone to see these teams again do battle in this year’s AFC title game? Regardless, we could be looking at a potential AFC playoff game preview this coming weekend. Bengals fans should be happy to note that this year’s team follows a similar script to last year’s. Both teams had 6-4 records through 10 games, and last year’s team clinched a Super Bowl berth. With Ja’Marr Chase set to return from injury, could the Bengals yet again make a playoff push? Meanwhile, it’s been business as usual for the Chiefs, who handled the Rams 26-10 last week. Which teams emerge victorious from this week’s slate, and declare themselves true contenders?

NFL Week 12 Games to Watch

Happy Thanksgiving to you all, and to all a good night! Photo credit: Adobe Stock

            Happy Thanksgiving to all of my loyal followers, readers, and sports junkies anonymous! There’s some great Thanksgiving Day football coming our way, as well as a couple more exciting matchups to look forward to as we recover from our food comas on Sunday afternoon. This is the first time in a while where all 32 teams will be playing during the same week of the season, as zero NFL teams claim their bye week this week, and so there are 16 games are on tap. Upsets could happen around the league this week/weekend, with several contending teams (Bills, Seahawks, Eagles) playing several inferior opponents “on paper” (Lions, Raiders, and Packers). That doesn’t always make for great football, but it is an interesting note to watch for this week. Let’s dive in and take a look at the hottest NFL games to watch during your Thanksgiving break!

Giants at Cowboys on FOX (Thanksgiving afternoon)

            You will probably have stuffed your third plate by this point in the day, but if you’re still awake by 4:30 PM East Coast time, there is clearly some great football to watch on your TV set. There are massive playoff implications on the line here, as both teams share identical 7-3 records and are tied for 2nd place in the NFC East, right behind the division-leading Eagles, who are 9-1. The Cowboys beat the Vikings so bad last week that CBS switched games during the broadcast! That’s certainly not unprecedented, but it’s a very rare occurrence in today’s parity-driven NFL. On the flip side, the Giants were embarrassed by the Lions at home, with a final score of 31-18. Prior to that disappointing effort, the G-Men were playing remarkably well, with their only two losses of the year coming against the Cowboys (23-16 at home) and Seahawks (27-13 in Seattle). Which of these two teams shows up big in an important divisional contest on Thanksgiving Day?

Patriots at Vikings on NBC (Thanksgiving evening)

            Kirk Cousins is dead to me, as he cost my fantasy team -4.80 points in last week’s game. Anyways, I’m cautiously optimistic that he’ll rebound against the Patriots because there’s nowhere else for him to go but up, right? Not quite, as this is another primetime game for Kirk. Historically speaking, Cousins struggles in these exact types of situations; however, the Vikings desperately need a legit bounce back effort from him on a short week after such a miserable loss.  Meanwhile, the Patriots didn’t need any offense in last week’s victory over the Jets, a game in which they converted a huge punt return touchdown to win in the final seconds of the contest.  Will the Vikings bounce back, or will the Patriots stretch their winning streak into December?

Bengals at Titans on CBS (Sunday early afternoon)

            Ah yes, a rematch of last year’s AFC Divisional Round matchup featuring these teams. Both teams are coming off of pivotal wins, as the Titans throttled the Packers in primetime last week while the Bengals squeaked out a victory over their division rival Steelers in Pittsburgh. Derrick Henry should make a huge difference for the Titans in the rematch, as he was out during last year’s contest with a foot injury. Ja’Marr Chase could make his return on the opposing sideline, as Joe Burrow expects him to play for the first time since injuring his hip in Week 7. Will football fans finally remember the Titans? Or will the legend of Joe Cool be remembered?

Falcons at Commanders on FOX (Sunday early afternoon)

            This game has huge playoff implications for both teams as far as the NFC playoff picture. The Falcons badly need this win to keep pace with the Buccaneers atop the NFC South division, while the Commanders need this victory in order to stay relevant in the NFC Wild Card picture. Injuries could play a factor here, as the Falcons lost TE Kyle Pitts & DE Ta’Quon Graham to IR. Meanwhile, the Commanders could be set for the return of DE Chase Young from IR this week. Both teams have a slim shot to make it into the tournament as it is, but never tell them the odds. After all, each team took care of its business last week against awful opponents (Bears, Texans). Will the Falcons get revenge from last year’s meltdown against the then-named Football Team? Or could it be the Commanders who continue their winning ways with Taylor Heinicke as QB1?

Braves honored at BBWAA Awards Ceremony

Several Braves players (and Brian Snitker) received end of season MLB awards last week! Photo credit: Adobe Stock

            Every year, the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) hands out their end of season Major League Baseball awards during a weeklong ceremony live on MLB Network. Players and managers from both the National and American leagues are nominated, and the elite from these nominees are selected to receive various awards for individual and team performance. The highlights from this ceremony include the announcements of the NL & AL MVPs, the NL & AL Cy Youngs, & the NL & AL Managers of the Year awards, amongst a host of other great achievements, such as Gold Gloves & Silver Sluggers, being handed out throughout the league. It’s a time for celebration and these writers have an award for just about anything & everything. Let’s take a look and see how the Braves fared at this past week’s BBWAA awards ceremony.

Michael Harris II wins NL Rookie of the Year

            Listen, the only surprise here is that Harris didn’t share this award with fellow Braves rookie phenom Spencer Strider, as both guys were simply incredible for the Braves this season. Harris provided an instant spark for a Braves team that desperately needed it in late May of ’22. His ability to not only play Gold Glove-caliber CF defense (how was he not a GG finalist?), but also hit for both power and average immediately transformed this Braves team into a contender. The ROY hit .297/.339/.514 with 20 stolen bases and 19 home runs in just 114 games played. Defensive metrics for Harris (per Baseball Savant) were great, ranking him in the 95th percentile for Arm Strength, 95th percentile for Sprint Speed, and 92nd percentile for Outs Above Average. All of these metrics passed the eye test too, as Braves fans were enamored with his stellar play.

Dansby Swanson, Max Fried win Gold Gloves

            Dansby Swanson bet on himself heading into a contract year by rejecting all of the Braves low offers and boy did he ever win that bet big time as he’s a hot ticket free agent now. He’s coming off a career year on offense and defense, highlighted by his first career Gold Glove. His defense has always been phenomenal, so how this is his first ever GG is simply beyond me. Meanwhile, Max Fried continues piling up GG awards as the ace of the Braves pitching rotation. Fried’s pickoff move to first is simply lethal, and he’s always been great at fielding his position. It’s certainly not a shock to me that these guys were recognized for their defensive achievements.

Brian Snitker finalist for NL Manager of the Year

            Honestly, Snitker should’ve won this award in this writer’s humble, yet biased, opinion. Buck Showalter of the Mets won the award for the fourth time in his solid managerial career; however, his team blew a 10 ½ game lead to the Braves in the NL East division and got swept by our favorite team in the most important series of the year in Atlanta on September 30- October 2. I was at the October 1st game, and we dominated the Mets from start to finish despite my opinion that the Mets had the starting pitching advantage on their side (Kyle Wright vs. Max Scherzer). Enough about the Mets though, after all, we’re only here to discuss the Braves & Brian Snitker. Snit did very well this year despite navigating through some serious injuries to starting players that more or less cost them their entire seasons (Adam Duvall, Ozzie Albies, Luke Jackson, etc.) He also dealt with various in-season injuries to players such as Ronald Acuna, Jr., Tyler Matzek, and Eddie Rosario that cost those guys playing time & effectiveness over the course of the year. This is not to mention the admirable job he did in handling the ongoing Marcell Ozuna drama. Add all of this up, and it’s clear that Snit was very deserving of being a 2022 NL MOTY finalist.

Max Fried is the NL Cy Young runner-up

            Max Fried’s competitive spirit is second to none, famously pitching an absolute gem in Game 6 of the World Series after injuring his ankle on an awkward fielding play at first base. More recently, Braves fans found out that he pitched in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Phillies despite losing fifteen pounds (!) from battling through the flu a couple weeks prior to his outing. The Braves website lists Fried at 6’4” 190 lbs, and that’s likely when he’s weighed soaking wet. He’s a tall, lanky guy who can’t afford to lose more weight than he already does over the season. That said, Fried has established himself as the Braves true ace & the best left hander in the game. Sandy Alcántara won the award this year, but Fried’s time as the NL’s premier pitcher is coming.

NFL Week 11 Games to Watch

What’s the latest from around the NFL? Check out my weekly column to find out! Photo credit: Adobe Stock

            Week 10 of the NFL slate was incredible, as it featured one Game of the Year candidate (seriously, go watch the highlights here), eight one-score games, and two overtime comebacks. This is the point in the NFL calendar where we finally see who these teams really are, as every team in the league has played nine-plus games so far, including the teams with early bye weeks. With that said, this is also the time of year where the most dramatic football games are being played out amongst contenders, as evidenced by what we all witnessed over this past weekend. I’ve got four games here that football fans are not going to want to miss as Thanksgiving nears. Check out all of that and so much more in the latest edition of my NFL Games to Watch column.

Titans at Packers on Prime Video (Thursday Night Football)

            All of the sudden, this game has gotten so much more interesting after the Packers comeback win over the Cowboys & the Titans narrow victory over the Broncos last weekend. Call me crazy, but I actually believe this will be a good matchup of non-conference opponents. Aaron Rodgers has suddenly developed some chemistry with rookie WR Christian Watson, who exploded out of nowhere for three touchdowns (including one to tie the game) against the ‘Boys. Meanwhile, Ryan Tannehill made his return from injury for the Titans & made an immediate impact, throwing for 255 yards & 2 TDs despite Derrick Henry being bottled up on the ground. There are no other football games to watch on Thursday, so you should tune in to watch this one.

Chiefs at Chargers on NBC (Sunday Night Football)

            Patrick Mahomes & the Chiefs are on a roll, winning four out of their last five games. Justin Herbert and the Chargers have hit the skids after losing WRs Keenan Allen & Mike Williams due to injuries the past few weeks, losing two out of their last five games played. There’s good news and bad news for the Chargers this week, as Allen & Williams are both expected to practice; however, two of their defensive linemen are out indefinitely with injuries. So it goes for the Chargers, who now have to contend with the Chiefs for control of the division. Will Justin Herbert get his offensive weapons back in time to face the Chief’s offensive attack? Time will tell, but NFL fans will surely enjoy watching this battle for the division in primetime.

Jets at Patriots on CBS (Sunday early afternoon)

            Every divisional game in the AFC East takes on some added importance these days, considering that all four teams are in contention for wild card spots and/or the division title. Depending on how things go, the Jets could be in a three-way tie for first in the division if they win this game and if the Bills win against the Browns while the Dolphins enjoy their bye week. Similarly, the Patriots could be in a three-way tie for second if they win this game and if the Bills lose to the Browns this week. Now do you understand the importance of this divisional matchup? Both of these teams should feel fresh & well rested coming out of their midseason bye weeks. These teams played each other in Week 8, with the Patriots securing a 22-17 win over the Jets. This writer would expect more of the same in Week 11, but football is not played out on paper.

Cowboys at Vikings on CBS (Sunday late afternoon)

            The Vikings sent shockwaves through the NFL landscape with their stunning overtime win over the Bills on the road in what was clearly a Game of the Year type of matchup last week. Can they keep their composure & focus in on their next opponent after such an uplifting victory? Speaking of overtime, the Cowboys lost in OT last week after blowing a big lead to the Packers. On the flip side, can they bounce back after such an embarrassing defeat on the road last week? There’s a lot at stake here for both teams as the NFC playoff race begins to tighten & take shape. Tune in & watch this epic conference matchup between two NFC playoff contenders on Sunday.

NFL Week 10 Games to Watch

What’s shakin’, bacon? Check out the latest edition of my Games to Watch column!

            Four games from last week’s slate ended with final scores of 20-17, underscoring the intense parity around the NFL. There were eight one-score games last week too, which is insane. We’re in for a treat this week as there are several great games upcoming on the Week 10 docket. Remember the Falcons OT win over the Panthers a couple weeks ago? There’s a rematch on tap. Did you know that the Bucs & Seahawks will make history as the first NFL teams to ever play in Germany? Finally, the Vikings & Bills will meet in a rare cross-conference matchup with massive playoff implications. Follow all of the drama in this week’s edition of Games to Watch!

Falcons at Panthers on Prime Video (Thursday Night Football)

            Time is a flat circle, as football fans will once again watch these division rivals face off. Just under two weeks ago, these two teams exchanged several leads in an epic overtime thriller. Both teams are coming off losses to solid AFC teams, with the Panthers getting dominated by the Bengals (42-21) and the Falcons losing a close one at home to the visiting Chargers (20-17). Cordarrelle Patterson made his return from injury last week, and he could prove to be a huge difference maker for the Dirty Birds in this rematch, as he was inactive for the first contest. Meanwhile, how long of a leash does PJ Walker have in Carolina? He was benched near halftime of last week’s blowout loss despite nearly leading the key game winning drive against Atlanta. Sam Darnold recently returned from injury, and Baker Mayfield is waiting in the wings there. Simply put, there’s plenty of storylines to watch here as these divisional foes battle in primetime.

Seahawks at Buccaneers on NFL Network (in Munich)

            Believe it or not, this contest will be the first game to ever be played over in Germany. Diehard football fans should set your alarms, as this game starts at 9:30 A.M. east coast time. Are the Bucs back after Tom Brady led yet another clutch game winning drive over the Rams? That’s the type of victory that can spark a playoff run, despite this team’s many offensive woes. Meanwhile, the Seahawks took care of business in just squeaking by the Cardinals last weekend. The NFC is wide open, so the winner of this game will certainly make hey within the conference.

Chargers at 49ers on NBC (Sunday Night Football)

            California-based teams will square off in a rare cross-conference matchup in primetime. There’s a lot of star power in this one as Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, and Khalil Mack will battle against Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and Fred Warner over on the opposing side. The Chargers will once again play without WRs Mike Williams & Keenan Allen due to injury. They’re managing to stay afloat despite not having those guys, but how long will that continue? Meanwhile, the 49ers looked amazing in their Week 8 dismantling of their division rival Rams. Christian McCaffrey made NFL history in that contest as the first running back since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2005 to have a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown within the same game. A similar performance would be welcome news in a heavyweight fight between two contenders.

Vikings at Bills on FOX (Sunday early afternoon)

            Will Josh Allen play in this game after injuring his elbow in last week’s loss to the Jets? The Bills, along with football fans, certainly hope so as Allen makes this game more watchable. Are the Vikings for real? Feasting on an easy schedule & securing a 7-1 record (2nd best in the NFC), this serves as a great opportunity for these guys to show the world what they’re made of. They could also get boat-raced out of the game, as Kirk Cousins routinely struggles in big spots. One way or another, the football world will find out which of these two teams is legit on Sunday.

NFL Week 9 Games to Watch

             Week 8 of the NFL season was an exciting one, featuring six one-score games & plenty of offensive firepower from teams around the league. Transitioning into Week 9 of the calendar will be difficult for most football fans, as there simply aren’t a lot of interesting games to watch. There are myriad reasons for this, starting with the fact that six teams are on a bye this weekend. Nonetheless, there are some good games to watch, and it’s my job to tell you all about them here. Let’s get right to it in this short, sweet, and to the point version of my Games to Watch column!

Titans at Chiefs on NBC (Sunday Night Football)

            Two AFC juggernauts face off in primetime as they battle on for conference supremacy. This game features plenty of star players, like Patrick Mahomes, Derrick Henry, & Travis Kelce. Both teams have 5-2 records & are leading their respective divisions as we approach midseason. The Titans looked very impressive last week as they rode “King” Derrick Henry to victory in a masterful performance: 32 carries for 219 rushing yards (6.8 yards per rush) and 2 touchdowns. Trying to tackle Henry can be such a chore, and so the Chiefs bye week came at the right time. Fresh off their bye week, the team will be tasked with slowing down the “King” on the ground. Regardless of whether or not Ryan Tannehill (ankle) suits up, expect the Titans to feature the run as they try to keep Patrick Mahomes off the field while featuring their best offensive playmaker.

Rams at Buccaneers on CBS (Sunday late afternoon)

            A matchup of NFC “pretenders” awaits football fans as these struggling teams square off. Flashback to a little less than a year ago at this time, and these two teams were facing off in an epic NFC Divisional round game in which Tom Brady almost led another comeback for the ages. Flash forward to now, and these teams are just fighting to stay NFC-playoff relevant at this point. Simply put, both of these teams needed help that they did not receive along their offensive lines. Tom Brady & Matt Stafford are in danger after their teams failed to make trade deadline moves. Which of these three-win teams has what it takes to overcome their issues & win this key game?

Chargers at Falcons on FOX (Sunday early afternoon)

            Have you ever seen the Spider-Man meme of the two Spider-Men pointing at each other? That’s exactly what it’s like watching the Falcons square off against the Chargers, as these teams are so similar in so many ways. Both teams are known for blowing huge leads in games, and the last time these two teams played each other in 2020 it was truly a spectacle in the fourth quarter. I will say that both of these teams have changed a lot since 2020, but some things stay the same. Somehow, the Falcons managed to hold off the Panthers last week for a riveting divisional win. They’re now alone in first place in the NFC South, and hold a division lead against Tom Brady. The Chargers are coming off their bye week, staring up at the Chiefs in the AFC West division. Will the Falcons snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, or will the Chargers out-choke them instead? Tune in to find out which one of these fraudulent teams emerges victorious on Sunday.