Friday Football Focus

What is going on everybody? I hope you all had a great holiday! I know I did. I was fortunate to watch a ton of games this past week, and in the words of Bart Scott, I "CAN'T WAIT" to see how the playoff picture ends up in the AFC and NFC this weekend

1. Jaguars v Titans: I wanted an opportunity to see Blake Bortles play and left not watching that game not all that impressed. I know he was dinged up a bit but I'd like to see more out of a top 3 pick. I guess that is why the Jags are always picking in the top 10. I thought my boy Touchdown Jesus aka Charlie Whitehurst was gonna come out of there with a victory. He was on point that first drive but that was it. I also gotta show some love to my guy Jordan Todman for that 62 yard touchdown run. He was great in college and I have been waiting for him to get an opportunity to get more touches. 
2. Eagles v Redskins: Another week, another letdown for the Birds. 12+ penalties, turnovers, and an inability to defend the deep ball continue to be there Achilles heal. When they lost to Dallas, I did not see them in the playoffs. After this past week, it is looking bleak. BUT, as a buddy of mine always says, "never say never" (FYI, my buddy is not Justin Bieber). 
3. My favorite game of the week was the Chargers v 49ers. Wow, I thought I was watching the 49ers of Christmas pasts. Frank Gore was bulldozing people en route to a 50+ yard touchdown run, Kaep housed one 91 yards, and Vernon Davis beasted a few defenders on his way to the endzone (later called back). I admit, I almost turned this one off. The Chargers faced a 21 point deficit but Philip Rivers brought them back...somehow. I love Rivers for reasons I can't always explain (he looked awful in the first half). A few weeks ago I watched him score in the last minute to beat the Ravens. And then this past week, he willed his team to victory once again. If they get in the playoffs, it is his play late in games that has given them a chance at a title. He is super aggressive, fiery, a great leader, and tough as nails. I love watching him play. 
4. Steelers v Chiefs: I am going to steal a line from Marlon Wayans in one of my favroite Wayans Brothers episodes, the Pittsburgh Steelers are "hotttaaahhh". They have won 7 of 9, Big Ben is playing well, and there is not a man in the NFL who can cover Antonio Brown this season. Add in the do it all back in LeVeon Bell and you have a recipe for success. I could not believe how often James Harrison dominated former #1 pick Eric Fisher. Fisher was overmatched over the evening as the Steelers put a lot of edge heat on the Chiefs. The Chiefs young offensive personnel intrigues me. We all know they have Smith, Charles & Bowe, but I would like to see more of DeAnthony Thomas, Albert Wilson and my favorite college quarterback in last years draft Aaron Murray. I wonder how he is developing with Andy Reid. He is coming off an ACL tear so I figured this season would be a wash, but I wonder if he fits into what the Chiefs want to do moving forward. Time will tell
5. Colts v Cowboys: I enjoy watching the Dallas Cowboys play. Murray is great, Dez Bryant cannot be covered (4 TD's the past two games), and Romo played flawless the other night. I do not think I ever witnessed a QB complete 16 straight passes in an NFL game and he did it against a playoff team. His stats for this season are impressed: 70% completions- 3400 yards passing- 32 touchdowns- 4:1 TD to Interception ratio. In addition to all that, he still has that escapability in the pocket. I am a big fan of his play this season. 
6. Seahawks v Cardinals: The whole Marshawn Lynch thing going on in Seattle is weird. This is the second game I watched of theirs where he has come out late for some (bogus) reason. This game turned into a route and the Cardinals do not have a quarterback. One thing that made me laugh was watching Michael Bennett line up offside on two consecutive snaps. I never saw that happen in a game at any level and I could only imagine what was going through Pete Carrolls head. 
7. Lastly, the Bengals. They are a tough team to figure out. One week they look like the Bungals of years past and the next they beat a contender. My best friend growing up is a huge fan so I am pulling for them this year, but I just don't know if Marvin and the Red Rocket can get it done!

Games to Watch this week:

1. Chargers v Chiefs: I want to see if Rivers can pull another rabbit out of his hat
2. Panthers v Falcons: A lot at stake here as someone has to win this division
3. Bengals v Steelers