KarateKen

Everything fell the Broncos way on Sunday which means they have a chance to lock up the #1 spot in the AFC this weekend. If the Broncos win and the Chargers lose, Broncos win the west, if the Patriots and Bills also lose, Broncos will clinch the #1 position. Patriots and Bills are both at over 99% chance of making the playoffs, Jaguars 96%, Texans 94%, Chargers 92%, Steelers 62%, Ravens 39%, Colts 19%. Everyone else in the AFC is eliminated. The Patriots will clinch a playoff spot if they win against the Ravens on Sunday. In the fight for that #1 seed, Broncos have a 69% chance, Patriots 11% Jags 9% and Bills 6% NFC odds break down like this with the Rams being the only team already in. Eagles and Seahawks 99%, 49ers 98% Packers 87% Bucs 77%, Bears 71% Lions 44% Panthers 23% and Cowboys 1%. Rams have a 51% chance of getting the top seed, Seahawks are 31% 49ers are 14%, Bears 3% and Eagles 1%. Some big matchups' this weekend for seeding like Thursday night between the Rams and Seahawks. Also, the Panthers/Bucs, Patriots/Ravens on Sunday night, Jags/Broncos, Steelers/Lions, and 49ers/Colts on Monday night.

Some schools will do this. There will be a trail class or two and the sensei will evaluate the student and put them at rank based on their skill, not their knowledge of the testing material at that school.

Looks like Pete Carroll could be one and done in Las Vegas. Rumors swirling about the Raiders planning an exit strategy after the season. At 2-12 the Raiders are one of the worst teams in the league and are having one of their worst seasons in franchise history. They lost on Sunday 31-0 (the second time this year they lost by that score) and only had 75 yards of offense, the lowest yards total by any offense so far this season. Carroll believes that his job is not on the line and he hopes to return next season saying that the rebuild was necessary but also expected the season to go better than it has. After Sunday's loss some reporters had impaled that the team quit on Carroll, who was quick to deny and disagree with that.

This was my first though. I think the rest of your points are well stated.

Chargers defeated the Chiefs on Sunday and Mahomes suffered a knee injury. With KC now eliminated from the playoffs Mahomes might sit the rest of the season, though we do not know the extent of the injury at the time I am writing his. KC drops to 6-8 and will miss the playoffs for the first time in Mahomes career. The Bills will remain the only team to play in the Super Bowl four years in a row. It just was not the Chiefs year from the start. They began 0-2, then 2-3, and were trying to play catch up all season. The run of three Super Bowls in a row and five of the last six likely took a physical toll on many of the key players who have been there. They basically have played seven seasons over the last six years because of all the playoff games. KC might need to do some rebuilding in the offseason. Kelcie is in the final year of his contract and will likely retire. They still have an elite coach/QB combo, so I expect they will bounce back next year. Rivers started the game for the Colts and threw a TD pass for the first time in five years! Unfortunately for the Colts it was not enough as they lost to Seattle 18-16. Some other teams that lost on Sunday were the Jets, Giants, Browns, Raiders, Panthers, Lions, Cardinals, Bengals, Titans, and Patriots. The Broncos Packers game is in the 4th; Denver has 34-26 lead. Edit: The Broncos beat the Packers and with that win the Broncos are now in the playoffs. Rams also clinched a playoff spot when they beat the Lions. In the Sunday Night game, the Vikings beat the Cowboys 34-26, making the Cowboys playoff chances very slim.

Problem is that KC does not control their own destiny. Even if they run the table, that would not be enough, they need some other things to fall into place.

Todd Bowles had an f-bomb explosive post-game press conference after Tampa's loss to Atlanta on Thursday. The Bucs started 6-2 but have fallen to 7-7, going only 1-5 since their bye week and the loss on Thursday set off the head coach. Despite having a franchise record 19 penalties the Falcons still won the game 29-28. The Bucs blew a 14-point 4th quarter lead. The Falcons had previously been 0-104-1 in their past 105 games when they had trailed by 14 or more in the 4th quarter. It was the first time the Falcons won a game when down by 14 or more in the 4th since 1993. It is not all bad for Tampa, they still have a 53% chance of making the playoffs. Two of their final three games will be against the Panthers which will decide who wins the division. Dec. 21 in Carolina and Jan. 4 in Tampa.

Rivers has been singed to the Colts practice squad. He was a 2026 Hall of Fame semifinalist but if he joins the active roster, I guess that means he has to wait another five years before being HOF eligible again. Wild. Their game in Seattle on Sunday is big for both teams; it would be crazy if he were to play. Several other games this week that are big for both teams including Lions/Rams, Packers/Broncos, Chargers/Chiefs, and Dolphins/Steelers. Dolphins and Chiefs need to win, or they will be eliminated. Dolphins at a 1% chance of making the playoffs, Chiefs at 11%. Other teams just hanging on are the Cowboys at 10% Bengals at 3% and the Vikings at 1%. The following teams are eliminated: Browns, Titans, Raiders, Jets, Cardinals, Commanders, Giants, Saints, and Falcons. Tis the season.

The Colts are going to work out.... wait for it.... keep waiting.... little longer.... Phillip Rivers!! Yes, after Daniel Jones had a season ending injury on Sunday, the Colts have decided to bring in the retired, 44-year-old Rivers for a workout. Rivers last played in the 2020 season, that was also for the Colts, and he could be their starting QB on Sunday when they host the Seahawks. After an 8-2 start the Colts have lost three in a row and their chances of winning the division now have dropped down to only 7%. Could the former Colts QB who has not played in almost five years be their saving grace?? Just when you think you have seen it all, the crazy side of the NFL strikes again!!

I've had it with Dan Campbell and this stupid 4th down garbage. Kick the field goal.

Turkey Day football kicks off in less than 24 hours. Here are the matchups for this year. Green Bay at Detroit - 1pm eastern on FOX Kansas City at Dallas -4:30pm eastern on CBS and Paramount + Baltimore at Cincinnati - 5:20pm eastern on NBC Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble Gobble

Tuesdays with Morrie was a short read, did it in two sittings. What to read next....

Raiders fired OC Chip Kelly on Monday following yet another lackluster performance on Sunday when they lost to the Browns. Pete Carroll said "I think we can do better," while Max Crosby said "it was time for a change." Raiders are on a five-game losing streak and are 2-9. They have a chance to get a win on Sunday when the visit the Chargers. I know it is unlikely, but how unlikely was it for the Cowboys to beat the Eagles?

Josh Allen was sacked eight times in the Bills loss to the Texans on Thursday. The team looked frustrated as they have a losing road record (2-3) including losses to the Falcons and dreadful Dolphins. If the Patriots beat the struggling Bengals on Sunday, it would put them 2 1/2 games up on the Bills after 12 weeks. Who would have predicted that back in September?

Some winners from Tuesday were the Jets, Lightning, Sabers, Ducks, Red Wings, and Hurricanes with several games going on right now. Knights, Blackhawks, Islanders, and Sharks all have the lead.