NFL Week 12 - Sunday, November 26, 2023

THE EARLY GAMES
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. (CBS)
New England Patriots at New York Giants, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Carolina Panthers at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. (FOX)

THE LATE GAMES
Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)
Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)
Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Buffalo Bills at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)

SNF
Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers, 8:20 p.m. (NBC and Peacock)


Monday, November 27, 2023

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)

Guy in one of my FF leagues had the audacity to post something in chat to the effect of having never experienced a bad QB as a Chiefs fan of only the last 10 years or so.

Lost my mind...I decided to regale him with what bad QB-ing is all about:

Started following LA in '77.

An old and decrepit Joe Namath that doesn't even finish the season. On to Pat Haden...all of Russell Wilson's size and stature with none of the arm talent or athleticism. Vince Ferragamo...had some good moments but was always good for a major brain fart at the exact wrong moment. To his credit, steered a team with a great defense to it's first SB and gave the defending champs all they wanted for 3 1/2 quarters. Lets see...who is next...ah yes...Retread 2.0 with Colts great Bert Jones who was so shot he couldn't move or throw. Literally.

Move into the mid-80s and the likes of Jeff Kemp and Dieter Brock, a guy that could over-throw a supersonic jet ffs. Then comes Jim Everett who looked like the real deal. Sadly he runs into the 49er dynasty and the team goes nowhere and he's washed after the Phantom Sack in the '89 NFCCG. From there, it's all down hill with the likes of TJ Rubley and Tony Banks who set an NFL record for most fumbles by a QB.

But then lightning strikes with the undrafted Kurt Warner and two SBs in three years with a Lombardi. He gets driven out of town by Mad Martz and mediocrity yet again ensues with the likes of Marc Bulger, Ryan Fitzpatrick way before he knew any Fitzmagic, Kyle Boller and Jamie Martin. Finally they get a franchise guy in Sam Bradford but with no talent and a bad offense he goes nowhere until he blows out his knee in consecutive years. But have no fear, Nick Foles is here! Until he's not.

Then along comes Goff and with a real coach in a real offense, success. But only to a degree.

Hiding his head during the winning chip shot field goal. Then instead of celebrating, he hides his head and daddy (presumably) walks him off the field.

Hard pass for me, I want a stud leading the team at QB not some little bitch afraid to watch. .

Anyone else watching them? Been enjoying the games meself. Got four games this weekend and this first one is live.

Lower level of ball I realize but very competitive.

Happy Thanksgiving,
If anyone's interested, our guys Vince and Jackie will be over at Jimmy E's Bar and Grill in Long Beach on Monday night for MNF. If you're interested in swinging by, we'll be there!
Thanks!
Mark

Just listened to the recent 11 Personnel Podcast… We rank 32 out of 32 in the NFL this year out of an Empty Set… We used to be really efficient at it in 2021. Why do we suck so bad at it and why do we continue to use it in crucial situations when there is a high chance it wont work at best and lead to a disastrous play at worst

This defense is better this year simply because of the play of the DBs. That is all Aubrey Pleasant's influence. The lack of pass rush is all on Morris and his idiotic mixed gap attack front. He's trying to play with a 0T NT but he doesn't have one. Brown is clearly a one gap NT. Forcing the others to play a gap and a half slows them down. That's why teams pass so much on early downs because they know their QB will have time. How stupid is it that Morris can't see that? Doesn't he chart the plays? Doesn't he do any film work? The obvious answer is NO.

Even a novice QB can tell what to expect from Morris' defense because there is little or no disguising of anything. The minute he sees Brown aligned in a 0T the center and QB know what the DL play will be and that he will have time to throw short and intermediate passes.

Morris has a front 7 built to play a one gap style. Young is a one gap edge, Donald is a one gap DT and Brown is a one gap NT. When Morris allows them to play one gap they can and do get pressure. So why doesn't he do it all the time? IMO Pleasant would play his front 7 the way he plays his DBs. He wants them to attack the route at the break.

I think we have seen enough of Pleasant's aggressive style to know if he was DC that front 7 would play in a completely different manner. This would be a much better defense with this same personnel. Morris is an idiot because he's got the best DT in the history of the NFL and he puts him on a leash. A better DC would simply unleash his best weapon on every snap he plays.

I think Morris is gone next year because otherwise there would be no need for Jimmy Lake. IMO he's the tell. Jimmy also carries the title of assist HC which is given to a coach that the team doesn't want poached. Aubrey in a promotion, with Morris becoming a consultant negates the Rooney Rule. Lake then becomes the DB coach and assistant DC. Aubrey plays his DBs much like Wade Phillips, mixing zone and man coverages with an aggressive style of play. With Aubrey as DC this defense will move into the top half of the rankings instead of being mired in the bottom half as they have been with Morris.

How do I know the problem is Morris? Because he had Donald, Wagner (both on their way to the HOF) and Ramsey all on the same defense at the same time. That defense sank to a new low of 20th in the NFL. Without Wagner and Ramsey they are ranked in the middle. So the argument Morris didn't have the players is BS. A good coach plays to the strength of his players. Something Morris is clueless about.

Friday November 24, 2023

Miami Dolphins at the New York Jets - 3 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video

RamsOnDemand Sportsbook:

Happy Thanksgiving everyone

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiSkjcl9yW4

Ethan Evans recently won special teams player of the week for the NFC. He has been a real weapon which sometimes is overlooked by NFL fans but not by coaches.

Thanksgiving Day - November 23, 2023

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

RamsOnDemand Sportsbook:

Thanksgiving Day - November 23, 2023

Washington Commodes at Dallas Cowboys: 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS

RamsOnDemand Sportsbook:

Thanksgiving Day - November 23, 2023

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions: 12:30 p.m. ET, Fox

RamsOnDemand Sportsbook:

I wonder what Kobe's scoring average would be in today's basketball.

When I consistently see teams scoring over 120 points a game, there is just no defense today due to the rules.

I am so glad we got this dude.... And "Steeeeeve!"

This team needed more Dawgs and we certainly got em in those 2 picks.

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cz9ihxzyiEq/?igshid=ODhhZWM5NmIwOQ==

I’ve been playing around with some Mock draft simulators and more often than not Bowers is the top name available when our current projected pick comes up. I’d love to see him in horns but could we afford to pull the trigger on a TE that early with all our other needs? It’s intriguing to say the least since this dude is a beast. What say ye?

VOTE FOR MY WIFE!! She'll win 40K, and most importantly a few days away from us! All you have to do is click on VOTE, verify by FB, and you can vote for FREE. Here's the link: https://votefab40.com/2023/michelle...3DvYt8ZqyEj3MzTM1rMur5PZHmfnN5m-oU4Lihhcv4FFc

*mods, if this breaks any rules, feel free to delete and accept my apology.

Looking at QB’s that franchises might be ready to give up on… a QB to plop behind Stafford next year, with potential to rebuild his career into a solid starter…

What about Mac Jones? He just turned 25.

New England sucks offensively, but there is Mac Jones with a 65% completion percentage. He’s got zero WR’s that get open. He looks like the fall guy on a team that has lots of issues on offense.

New England is likely rebooting the entire team this offseason… Could Mac Jones be acquired on the cheap?

He’d be an interesting guy behind Stafford if we do not draft a QB.

Thoughts?

NFL Thanksgiving Games: History, traditions and best moments​

Thanksgiving Day to sports fans is as much about football as it is about the traditional turkey dinner. From high school football in the morning to watching the afternoon game on TV as dinner starts, this tradition is as old as time. Well, almost as old as time.

The Detroit Lions have played at home on Thanksgiving every year since 1934 -- except when games were paused from 1939 to 1944 during World War II. The annual holiday tradition expanded to add a home game for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960s. These franchises -- and their fans -- only know football on Thanksgiving. In 2006, the NFL added a third game with no specific host team to the prime-time window.

The 2023 Thanksgiving Day schedule:

Green Bay Packers at Lions: 12:30 p.m. ET, Fox

Washington Commodes at Cowboys: 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

So why do the Lions and Cowboys always play at home on Thanksgiving? What does the day look like for the coaches, players, families and fans who put their holiday celebrations on pause to take part? And how many thousands of pounds of food is served at the stadium? We asked NFL Nation reporters Todd Archer and Eric Woodyard to explain the history.

We have also laid out the Thanksgiving stats and numbers you should know and even took a journey back in time to explore the biggest and best moments on the turkey day stage. (Note: This article was originally posted in November 2021 and has been updated for 2023.)

READ MORE:

2024 NFL Free Agency Primer: Top 10 free agents at every position​

2RWP2PB Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) reacts after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

By Brad Spielberger
Nov 21, 2023

• It's a good year to need offensive line help: The interior positions, in particular, feature a surplus of talent.

• Minnesota's QB tandem is set to hit the open market: Kirk Cousins and Josh Dobbs are both pending free agents, leading the way at the quarterback position.

• Draft and trade for yourself: Try PFF's Mock Draft Simulator — trade picks and players and mock for your favorite NFL team.

Estimated Reading Time: 5 mins

While some of the annual NFL free agency disclaimers are necessary — namely, that franchise tags, early extensions and late-season injuries can always shrink these lists — the 2024 free agent class looks to be quite strong at several positions.

The defensive side of the ball offers high-end starting caliber players at every position, with a good mix of talented players who fit varying schemes and have different traits and skill sets that could help any team interested in an upgrade. A loaded 2019 first round produced many defensive linemen who were extended this past offseason, but edge defenders Josh Allen and Brian Burns, as well as interior defender Christian Wilkins, boast difference-making ability if they find their way to unrestricted free agency.

On offense, marquee wide receivers both young and old, headlined by Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman Jr. and Marquise Brown Jr., could provide a boost to plenty of offenses in need of more reliable pass-catchers. While the 2024 draft class is not viewed as strong at interior offensive line, the free agent class is quite the opposite, with centers and guards aplenty.

All in all, as of this writing, the free agent class looks impressive in comparison to the typical class, with plenty of veteran depth and rotational contributors to go along with the flashier names.

Offense​

QUARTERBACK​

1. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
2. Josh Dobbs, Minnesota Vikings
3. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans
4. Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints
5. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6. Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts
7. Tyler Huntley, Baltimore Ravens
8. Sam Darnold, San Francisco 49ers
9. Teddy Bridgewater, Detroit Lions
10. Tyrod Taylor, New York Giants

---

RUNNING BACK​

1. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
2. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
3. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
4. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
5. Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
6. D’Andre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles
7. J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens
8. Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts
9. Ezekiel Elliott, New England Patriots
10. Devin Singletary, Houston Texans

Next up: Kareem Hunt (CLE), D’Onta Foreman (CHI)

---

CENTER​

1. Connor Williams, Miami Dolphins
2. Andre James, Las Vegas Raiders
3. Lloyd Cushenberry, Denver Broncos
4. Tyler Biadasz, Dallas Cowboys
5. Coleman Shelton, Los Angeles Rams
6. Evan Brown, Seattle Seahawks
7. Connor McGovern, New York Jets
8. Trystan Colon, Arizona Cardinals
9. Sam Mustipher, Baltimore Ravens
10. Ryan Jensen, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

---

GUARD​

1. Kevin Zeitler, Baltimore Ravens
2. Robert Hunt, Miami Dolphins
3. Jon Runyan Jr., Green Bay Packers
4. Kevin Dotson, Los Angeles Rams
5. Aaron Brewer, Tennessee Titans
6. Dalton Risner, Minnesota Vikings
7. John Simpson, Baltimore Ravens
8. Jonah Jackson, Detroit Lions
9. Damien Lewis, Seattle Seahawks
10. Phil Haynes, Seattle Seahawks

Next up: Ezra Cleveland (JAX), Isaiah Wynn (MIA)

---

OFFENSIVE TACKLE​

1. Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys
2. Trent Brown, New England Patriots
3. Michael Onwenu, New England Patriots
4. Mekhi Becton, New York Jets
5. Jonah Williams, Cincinnati Bengals
6. Austin Jackson, Miami Dolphins
7. Donovan Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
8. Jermaine Eluemunor, Las Vegas Raiders
9. George Fant, Houston Texans
10. Josh Jones, Houston Texans

---

TIGHT END​

1. Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans
2. Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks
3. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
4. Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers
5. Adam Trautman, Denver Broncos
6. Austin Hooper, Las Vegas Raiders
7. Mike Gesicki, New England Patriots
8. Colby Parkinson, Seattle Seahawks
9. Pharaoh Brown, New England Patriots
10. Harrison Bryant, Cleveland Browns

---

WIDE RECEIVER​

1. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
2. Michael Pittman, Indianapolis Colts
3. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4. Marquise Brown, Arizona Cardinals
5. Calvin Ridley, Jacksonville Jaguars
6. Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
7. Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals
8. Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills
9. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
10. D.J. Chark, Carolina Panthers

Next up: Odell Beckham Jr. (BAL), Josh Reynolds (DET), Noah Brown (HOU), Curtis Samuel (WSH), Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (TEN), K.J. Osborn (MIN)

Defense​

INTERIOR DEFENDER​

1. Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs
2. Christian Wilkins, Miami Dolphins
3. Leonard Williams, Seattle Seahawks
4. Justin Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens
5. Grover Stewart, Indianapolis Colts
6. D.J. Reader, Cincinnati Bengals
7. Sheldon Rankins, Houston Texans
8. Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Eagles
9. Michael Pierce, Baltimore Ravens
10. Teair Tart, Tennessee Titans

Next up: Maurice Hurst (CLE), A’Shawn Robinson (NYG), Shelby Harris (CLE), Javon Kinlaw (SF), Raekwon Davis (MIA), Quinton Jefferson (NYJ), Calais Campbell (ATL), DaQuan Jones (BUF), Poona Ford (BUF)

---

EDGE DEFENDER​

1. Josh Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars
2. Brian Burns, Carolina Panthers
3. Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings
4. Chase Young, San Francisco 49ers
5. Bryce Huff, New York Jets
6. Jonathan Greenard, Houston Texans
7. Za’Darius Smith, Cleveland Browns
8. Leonard Floyd, Buffalo Bills
9. Jadeveon Clowney, Baltimore Ravens
10. Josh Uche, New England Patriots

Next up: Andrew Van Ginkel (MIA), Carl Lawson (NYJ), Brandon Graham (PHI), Denico Autry (TEN), Dorance Armstrong (DAL), Mario Edwards Jr. (SEA), Marcus Davenport (MIN)

---

LINEBACKER​

1. Frankie Luvu, Carolina Panthers
2. Lavonte David, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. Jordyn Brooks, Seattle Seahawks
4. Azeez Al-Shaair, Tennessee Titans
5. Devin White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6. Patrick Queen, Baltimore Ravens
7. Anthony Walker Jr., Cleveland Browns
8. Blake Cashman, Houston Texans
9. Oren Burks, San Francisco 49ers
10. Drue Tranquill, Kansas City Chiefs

Next up: Jordan Hicks (MIN)

---

CORNERBACK​

1. Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears
2. L’Jarius Sneed, Kansas City Chiefs
3. Kendall Fuller, Washington Commodes
4. Chidobe Awuzie, Cincinnati Bengals
5. Kenny Moore II, Indianapolis Colts
6. Stephon Gilmore, Dallas Cowboys
7. Steven Nelson, Houston Texans
8. Adoree’ Jackson, New York Giants
9. Sean Murphy-Bunting, Tennessee Titans
10. Tavierre Thomas, Houston Texans

---

SAFETY​

1. Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Kyle Dugger, New England Patriots
3. Kamren Curl, Washington Commodes
4. Julian Blackmon, Indianapolis Colts
5. Grant Delpit, Cleveland Browns
6. Xavier McKinney, New York Giants
7. Jordan Whitehead, New York Jets
8. Jordan Fuller, Los Angeles Rams
9. Geno Stone, Baltimore Ravens
10. DeShon Elliott, Miami Dolphins

rock on Sunday.. smash em early and often and let them know whats up! get this win on Sunday!

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2odW8Cza2uo


Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mleCgcoDab4