It seems like fifteen minutes ago that the Arizona Cardinals were cruising along at 10-2 and clearly appeared to be the best team in the NFL.
OK, actually it was three weeks ago. Since then, the Cards have dropped three straight, the last two in alarming fashion. They got blown out by the Lions last week, and then yesterday played like an Acme Mistake Machine in losing at home to the Colts 22-16.
That’s 10-5. Arizona has games remaining against the Cowboys and the Seahawks. They could lose both of them. Alarming, for a team that started the season 7-0.
It’s going to be very difficult for the Cowboys, Bucs or Rams to overtake the Packers for the top seed (and only bye) in the NFC. For all of his preseason melodrama, and through his COVID-Gate scandal (for which he should have been suspended), Aaron Rodgers is the best quarterback in football, and is the only 2021 QB who has avoided a slump. Rodgers threw three TDs in Saturday’s 24-22 win over the Browns to blow by Brett Favre on the Pack’s all-time touchdown pass list.
All three of those TDs were set up by first half interceptions thrown by Browns starter Baker Mayfield, who later tossed a fourth pick to seal the Packers’ win. Mayfield’s career is at a crossroads. Your guess is as good as mine.
Today looked like it was going to be another big opportunity for Ravens back-up QB Tyler Huntley, who looked so impressive in almost knocking off the Packers last week. Huntley was set to once again start in place of the injured Lamar Jackson in today’s crucial AFC North game against the Bengals. But Huntley is now on the COVID list, and the Ravens will turn to Josh Johnson, who was last seen toiling on the Jets practice squad two weeks ago and hasn’t started a game in three years.
As we complete Week 16, COVID is the most dominant force in the NFL.
Sunday Soothsayer
Lions 24 Falcons 21
Bengals 27 Ravens 17
Rams 31 Vikings 20
Bills 27 Patriots 24
Jets 3 Jaguars 2
Bucs 28 Panthers 20
Chargers 31 Texans 17
Seahawks 27 Bears 21
Chiefs 34 Steelers 24
Raiders 24 Broncos 17
Cowboys 34 WFT 21