Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)
at
Los Angeles Rams (9-1)
"The Monday Night Football "Clash of the Titans" Part Two: 2018 Edition
Historically speaking, some Monday Night Football games stand out more than others. Some have had truly strange or exciting ends or moments of greatness. And some are hugely anticipated, because of the success and reputation of the two teams involved. Perhaps the most famous Monday Night Football clash came in 1985, when the 12-0 Chicago Bears visited the 9-3 Miami Dolphins. Remember, that the only in NFL history to complete an undefeated season was the 1972 Miami Dolphins, so there was a feel that the Fins were trying to hold serve. The Bears had that legendary 46 defense, and were playing at a level of dominance that few teams have ever reached. The Dolphins had an explosive offense, led by quarterback Dan Marino. So, it was a huge game. In the end, the Dolphins would win, handing the mighty Bears the only defeat that they would suffer in that otherwise unblemished 1985 season, and Chicago would go on to win the Super Bowl in what was then the most lopsided manner ever seen.
That was arguably the most hotly anticipated Monday Night Football game in history, although there have been some others. There is one such game this weekend on Monday, as the 9-1 Kansas City Chiefs visit the 9-1 Los Angeles Rams. Both teams sport the best records in their respective conferences, and both teams have offenses that some feel are at almost historical levels of production and success. KC is averaging slightly more than 35 points per game, while the Rams are averaging more than 33 points per game. The Rams offense, however, moves the ball slightly more efficiently that the Chiefs have to this point. Neither team has an elite defense, although both defenses seem to do more than enough to allow the incredible offensive production to be more than enough for the wins. So, expect some fireworks on this night!
This epic clash reminds me of two other huge games between really successful teams.
The first one would be from the 1990 season, when the Giants and 49ers met on the first Monday Night Football game in December. Both teams had raced off to a 10-0 start, and everyone expected a clash of unbeaten teams. Yet, both teams lost the week prior, so it was actually a battle of two 10-1 teams, but it was still huge. The 49ers won that one, 7-3, in what was the lowest scoring game of the 1990 season. In the rematch later in the postseason, the Giants would get revenge, beating the 49ers, 15-13, before edging out the Bills to win Super Bowl XXV. Then, the second game that this reminds me of happened in 2007, when the 8-0 New England Patriots met the 7-0 Indianapolis Colts. That was the latest in any season that I personally ever saw a clash of two unbeaten teams, and it was a very memorable game. The Colts seemed to be well on their way to victory, leading 20-10 in the fourth quarter, when the Patriots suddenly got hot and scored two quick touchdowns to complete an unlikely comeback. New England went to 9-0, and would become the first team in NFL history to complete an undefeated 16-game season, although they infamously would go on to get shocked by the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.
That said, neither the Chiefs nor the Rams are undefeated, although they both sport excellent records, powered particularly by their offenses. This could be a memorable "Clash of the Titans" for the ages. Or, it could wind up being a disappointment, with one team winning it decisively, even running away with it.
But there are other games this week. Some are actually quite interesting themselves, so let's take a closer look:
But there are other games this week. Some are actually quite interesting themselves, so let's take a closer look:
Tampa Bay at N.Y. Giants - The Giants finally showed that they can still win a game every now and then. I am not kidding, because as a fan, I was seriously wondering if they were going to manage to even win one more game this season. But it was a solid win under tough circumstances in San Francisco and the G-Men now get to host another winnable game. Tampa Bay's offense can still be dangerous, and they are capable of winning this game. However, I liked the sense of urgency that the Giants suddenly played with last week, and believe that some of that should carry over into this next game, where it should be enough to push Big Blue past the Bucs. My pick: N.Y. Giants
Houston at Washington - This is actually a pretty big game, as well. It might not receive quite the headlines of the Monday Night Football game, but both of these teams are playing extremely well, and are in first place. Both defenses are tough. Washington can allow some yards, but they toughen up quite a bit when it comes to giving up points. Houston's defense is tough, generally speaking. On offense, the Texans definitely have the better, more consistent offense, although home field advantage could go quite a distance to bridging that gap. Both teams enter this game with matching 6-3 records, and Houston is 3-2 on road games, while Washington is 3-2 at home this season. Very tough, tight game, which makes it difficult to predict. But I will go with the hottest of the teams, as Houston is sporting a six-game winning streak right now, and are in a tighter race than is Washington. My pick: Houston
Pittsburgh at Jacksonville - One of the hottest teams in the league takes on one of the coldest teams in the league. The Steelers are enjoying a major winning streak that has catapulted them from more or less the bottom of the AFC North, after a bad start, to easily the top team in that division, and they appear to be pulling away. Meanwhile, the Jaguars are on the opposite end of the spectrum now. They started off the season hot, but now have a losing streak that has seen them going from the top team, having beaten the elite Patriots, to now, the cellar dweller in the AFC South. Of course, on any given Sunday, anything can happen. But heading into this game, there appears little reason to believe that the Jaguars can actually pull off what would amount to a huge upset here. My pick: Pittsburgh
Carolina at Detroit - The Panthers just got embarrassed in their last game, having allowed over 50 points at Pittsburgh. But that shook them out of what had been a pleasant winning streak, where they were trying to keep on the heels of New Orleans. Now, Carolina simply needs to start winning again, and this game at Detroit is their first step. The Lions appear to be imploding, as everything suddenly seems to be going wrong. Their current losing streak has dropped them from serious contention in the NFC North, and they may be on the verge of reaching that point where all hope for this season is lost. Right on time for the Panthers, a tough team that should be able to win this road game and return to winning ways. My pick: Carolina
Cincinnati at Baltimore - The Bengals won the first meeting, but it seems fair to suggest that neither team is quite the same as they were for the earlier meeting, when both seemed red hot. Now, both have cooled off considerably. The Bengals are still in the playoff hunt, at least for now, although after getting embarrassed at home by the Saints last weekend, you have to wonder how long their fragile playoff contention status can last. But then again, the Ravens are teetering on the brink themselves, having dropped three straight games, and gone to a losing record. Frankly, it is all too easy to see either team losing, and perhaps even unraveling, during the course of this game. But somebody has to win, right? It could go either way, but my guess will be that the Bengals will find just enough in the tank to get past the Ravens and remain in the playoff hunt. My pick: Cincinnati
Tennessee at Indianapolis - Another game with some playoff implications for both teams. The host Colts got off to a horrific 1-5 start, but they have since won three straight, and gotten themselves more or less back in the playoff hunt. Tennessee, meanwhile, stopped the bleeding of a losing streak themselves, and have now won two straight, including a huge win last week to end New England's six game winning streak, and are very much in the thick of the playoff race, and only one game out from first place Houston, who are playing a tough game this week. So, yes, this is a big game. The Colts have the better offense, while the Titans enjoy having one of the best defenses in the league. Home advantage feels important in this one, yet I still have to go with the better defense, which should contain Indy's offense on this day. My pick: Tennessee
Dallas at Atlanta - What an intriguing game! This has some playoff ramifications, as both teams are fighting to keep their heads above water. The Cowboys just earned a potentially season saving win at their division rivals, and defending champs, in Philly. Meanwhile, Atlanta seemed to be getting hot, but then fell victim to a major upset in Cleveland. So, both teams will be playing with urgency, and really need to win. The 'Boys were not all that great on the road, although that road win last week was impressive. Atlanta is a tough place to play, and they have to be feeling the urgency especially, having allowed that game last weekend to get away. My guess is that the Falcons find their rhythm enough of offense to pull off the win here. My pick: Atlanta
Denver at L.A. Chargers - The Broncos have very little margin for error left. They just have not played very well, really, since they won the Super Bowl a few seasons back. They still can be tough on defense, but just have too many problems on the offense end. Meanwhile, the Chargers have rather quietly positioned themselves as potential elites in the AFC, and even in the league, thus far. They are riding a six-game winning streak, and that is tied with Houston for second longest active winning streak behind New Orleans (with seven). That, plus home field advantage, should help to decide this in their favor, as the Broncos edge closer to outright elimination. My pick: L.A. Chargers
Oakland at Arizona - Despite Gruden's promise that this team is building towards a championship title, the Raiders are really, really bad this year. With the Giants having won (barely) in San Fran, Oakland now remains as the only team in the league with only one win under their belts this season. And they do not look good, having just gotten utterly crushed and embarrassed against the 49ers. Not the Cardinals are some superior team, either. They have their own fair share of problems, clearly, which is why the Raiders could conceivably win this one. However, the Cardinals, with home field advantage, should be able to hold serve and take this one. My pick: Arizona
Philadelphia at New Orleans - Another big game with playoff implications, although for the Eagles, this might be the big game that they need, because they are starting to have very little room to make mistakes. But the Big Easy is a very tough place to play, and the Saints are simply the hottest team in the league right now. They have the veteran leadership of Drew Brees orchestrating an offense that can get hot at any time, and they also have a surprisingly tough defense. Meanwhile, the Eagles also have a solid defense, but they are also learning firsthand how tough it is to be the defending champions. My expectations are that the Saints will down Philly yet again to stay hot and remain in position to do what helped the Eagles so much in last year's playoffs, and that is to win home field advantage outright. My pick: New Orleans
Sunday Night Football
Minnesota at Chicago - What a game! The top two teams in the NFC North meet. The Vikings have failed to establish themselves as the clear front runners that many expected them to be after their 13-3 season last year. However, the Bears have not beaten division rivals with any kind of consistency, even though they are currently in first place. But they do have home field advantage in this one, and this could provide them, finally, with some cushion for a division lead that many people - myself included - call into question and expect to be eclipsed at some point. A win here would begin to silence doubters and make believers out of skeptics, so this is a wonderful opportunity for them. But it is also a great chance for Minnesota to finally pull ahead in this division, and to do it on the road against a division rival would be extra sweet. I think it could be either team's game, but my guess is that the Vikings are still the better team, and should find a way here. My pick: Minnesota
Monday Night Football
Kansas City (9-1) at L.A. Rams (9-1) - This is the really big one! The two teams with the best records in the league so far meet, although this game was moved from it's original scheduled venue in Mexico City, because of the apparently poor conditions of the field at that stadium. Personally, I feel it is a shame that this game is not being held in Mexico City, because that would have added an unpredictable element to it. However, I guess the game must go on. So the Chiefs have the hottest, most explosive offense in the league, having scored more points than anybody else. But if there is any offense that can keep up with them, it would likely be the new incarnation of the 'Greatest Show on Turf" here with these Rams. Somehow, I suspect that this will not be a defensive masterpiece or stalemate. Expect a lot of points, but in the end, my guess is that home field advantage counts for something. It should help to lift the Rams to victory in this big Monday Night clash. My pick: L.A. Rams
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