Now did I really get every single one of these predictions wrong?
Yikes!
Well, in my defense, there were some stunners here. I still saw the Chiefs as more or less the same team that we have grown used to seeing in recent years, although perhaps it is time to reassess that. Also, my assumption was that the Lions under Campbell would be a bit tougher. And who could possibly predict the Bengals absolutely dominating the Ravens in Baltimore?
Let's review the games from Thanksgiving and Black Friday:
Thanksgiving Day Games:
Green Bay 31, Detroit 24 - This was a close game between tough divisional opponents. Admittedly, I assumed that the Lions would be the tougher team, especially with home field advantage. But they seemed to have slipped significantly from where they were last season. The Packers looked explosive and calm, collected, by earning a road win in the Motor City, completing the season sweep. It feels like now it will be either Chicago or Green Bay winning the NFC North, because it would take a bit of a miracle now for the Lions to come back from this kind of a deficit. My pick: Inaccurate
Dallas 31, Kansas City 28 - Clearly, I simultaneously underestimated Big D while overestimating the KC Chiefs. It's just that when you get used to seeing a team more or less dominate the way that Kansas City has in recent years, you come to expect that the team will continue, unless there is some blatantly obvious reason against it. But KC does not look like the same team. Meanwhile, I remember scoffing at people who, just a couple of weeks or so ago, were claiming that the season was already over for Dallas. It felt very premature, and now, it is obvious why. First, they overcome a 21-point deficit to beat the Eagles, tying the franchise record for largest margin overcome. Then, they defeat the Chiefs in a tough and tricky game. That means that they beat both of last season's Super Bowl participants in just a matter of five days! Very impressive! My pick: Inaccurate
Cincinnati 32, Baltimore 14 - This game I watched from work, and I was telling the guy that I have never seen a team that looked so different with one player as the Bengals with Joe Burrow. When he is out of their lineup, they are literally one of the worst teams in the league. But when he is there, they are a serious playoff contender, even seemingly knocking on the door of the Super Bowl. This game was a case in point. It seemed that Burrow's mere presence elevated this entire Bengals team, as they seemed to dominate in every facet of this game. They snap their long losing streak, while also snapping Baltimore's serious winning streak in the process. By so doing, they keep their admittedly flickering playoff hopes alive. The Ravens blew a huge opportunity to stay ahead in the AFC North, as well as to take out a possible crucial division rival if they managed to defeat the Bengals. My pick: Inaccurate
Black Friday Game:
Chicago 24, Philadelphia 15 - Uh oh! The Eagles might be in trouble here. Remember how they looked like an elite team two seasons ago, racing off to a dynamic 10-1 start that had people talking about them as Super Bowl favorites? Then, they faced the 49ers, and after a quick start, they got pummeled. That loss seemed to completely derail their season, shook their confidence. Maybe this is premature, but that is what the two most recent losses feel like to me. The Eagles were coasting, seemingly, at 8-2. Tied for the best record in the NFC, and with many people picking them to repeat as Super Bowl champs. But two consecutive losses, including the late collapse at Dallas, giving up a 21-0 lead, now coupled with this loss to the Chicago Bears, makes them feel like anything but a sure pick. There are serious concerns now regarding the birds. As for Da Bears, this was their best win of the season, on the road against a quality opponent. Very impressive. My pick: Inaccurate
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