Matthew Ross
We definitely separated the pretenders from the contenders in Week 13. With only a quarter of the schedule remaining we can almost predict which teams are going to be in the playoffs right now. I can tell you one thing, never did I think a month ago we’d be talking about the Chiefs missing the big dance. Crazy. Here’s what else we learned:
2017 NFL Week 13 Betting Recap
-Washington will forever be known as a mediocre team. They had a chance to take a step towards playoff contention and put Dallas in the rear view mirror and they failed miserably. As for Dallas, hmm, it’s hard to really peg them. I still don’t see them knocking off a contender on the road.
-The only thing we learned from Miami vs Denver was that Vance Joseph needs to be fired.
-The Vikings D is for real, folks. Wow, now that was an impressive win against a hot Falcons team. I have no words to describe how shocked I am with this result.
-Ho hum, the Pats embarrass the Bills again. Gronk’s stupid unnecessary hit aside, New England is on a roll and Buffalo is another team destined to remain mediocre.
-A nice story for Garoppolo to win with a late comeback against his childhood team. But all the Niners did here was cost themselves potentially a top three pick. Do fans really want them winning now?
-Gutsy win by the Pack. They have the Browns next and then possibly Aaron Rodgers back. Hmm….
-The Titans win another less than impressive game. But at 8-4, should we finally believe that they could pull off a playoff upset on the road? Nahh…
-So the Chiefs have issues on the offense and can’t beat cover 2 defenses. Then they finally break out with 31 points and the defense fails them? Wow, I don’t like their chances moving forward. They are sinking fast.
-The Jags win with strong D and a good Bortles performance. But can we really expect this from Blake on a regular basis? That’s really the whole key to this team.
-Baltimore’s D looks dangerous. Really dangerous. If Flacco can be decent the the Ravens are for real. As for the Lions? Well, if Stafford is hurt then so too are their chances of winning a game.
-The Chargers are playing hard and well on both sides of the ball. At 6-6 after an 0-4 start, does anyone really think they can’t win the division? Not me. Bet on them to keep this up. They are deep.
-New Orleans embarrassed a really good Panthers team. They’re 9-1 since starting 0-2. Kamara is incredible. The defensive secondary is making big plays. I think the Saints are every bit as good as the top NFC teams right now.
-The Rams are picking it up again after a bit of a lull. I really don’t think they’re as good as Minny or Philly, but they could win a playoff game and that would be a strong season for Goff & Co.
-Marshawn and the Raiders are right back in it at 6-6. Hmm, can the Oakland defense stop better teams than the Geno Smith (ew) led Giants? I’m not so sure. But we’ll find out down the stretch.
-The Seahawks came through in the clutch. It’s what they do. Philly receivers were pressed hard and couldn’t make plays for Wentz. Now people are saying the Eagles have had a soft schedule. Look, they have, but they’re also deep on both sides of the ball. I believe that they are still the top team in the NFL right now.
Matthew Ross is a sports commentator and a radio host on TSN 690 Radio in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Follow him @MatthewWords.
