When this season ends, someone should go team by team and talk about the quarterback position. Maybe that someone is me? It just feels like almost every team has had something to deal with, whether it’s been: injuries, poor play, inconsistency, or growing pains.
Every week it’s something new and it’s hard to keep up.
Arizona Cardinals (4-9)
On the third play of the game, Kyler Murray went down with a non-contact injury, which was later confirmed to be a torn ACL. Everything has gone wrong for the Cardinals this season.
Atlanta Falcons (5-8)
The push to not win the NFC South continues.
Buffalo Bills (10-3)
SATURDAY NIGHT SNOW GAME!
Baltimore Ravens (9-4)
Lamar Jackson won’t play once again this week, but I think their defence is good enough to get them the win against the Browns.
Carolina Panthers (5-8)
The push to not win the NFC South continues.
Chicago Bears (3-10)
The easy storyline for their game against the Eagles is the duel between Justin Fields and Jalen Hurts. Do they both rush for 100 yards? Somewhere, Michael Vick smiling.
Cincinatti Bengals (9-4)
The Bengals have won five in a row, and seven of their last eight. They face the Buccaneers, who are very good in two-minute drills, but not much else right now.
Cleveland Browns (5-8)
They have an AFC North matchup against the Ravens, so it’ll be a fight.
Dallas Cowboys (10-3)
Fun fact: the Cowboys have only ever played one game in Jacksonville and they lost it.
Detroit Lions (6-7)
Sure, the Lions are going against a good Jets defence. However, they’re also going up against a Zach Wilson-led offence, which wasn’t good at all the last time he was their quarterback. This game will end with a score of: 6-3 or 28-6. Nothing else.
Denver Broncos (3-10)
I read an article that offered up the following what if: what if the Broncos selected Justin Fields in the 2021 NFL Draft, instead of Patrick Surtain II? The Russell Wilson trade never happens and they wouldn’t have so much money committed to one player.
Green Bay Packers (5-8)
Before the season, I bet ESPN thought a Packers/Rams matchup on Monday Night Football in Week 15 would be a potential NFC Championship preview.
Houston Texans (1-11-1)
All those ones in their record mean they’ll get the first overall pick in the draft.
Indianapolis Colts (4-8-1)
Matt Ryan and the Colts receivers should feast on the Vikings secondary. Bring your own fork.
Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8)
Don’t look now, but are the Jaguars within shouting distance?? of possibly winning?? their division?? A scenario exists where they play the Titans in the final game of the season, whereby if the Jaguars win, they’re in.
Kansas City Chiefs (10-3)
I expect the Chiefs to put the Texans away after three quarters and send their backups in for the fourth quarter.
Las Vegas Raiders (5-8)
Just when we thought the Raiders were going to be 6-7, and in the playoff race, they allow Baker Mayfield to go 98 yards for the winning touchdown.
Los Angeles Rams (4-9)
Like I said, Baker Mayfield went 98 yards to win in his debut with the Rams. If it were a movie, it would be deemed too unrealistic. I don’t know if Mayfield will still be in LA after this season – it depends if he wants to be a backup to Stafford, who just signed a 4-year extension in March – so every game he plays down the stretch is an audition.
Los Angeles Chargers (7-6)
If the Chargers beat the Titans in Week 15, I think they can run the table and end the season with an 11-6 record. It looks like their defence may be coming around, too.
Miami Dolphins (8-5)
Way too much has been made this week about, “Can the Dolphins win in cold weather?” when they head to Buffalo. Well, can the Bills win in cold weather? I remember the Patriots making them look silly around this time last year – Mac Jones only threw three passes and won!
Minnesota Vikings (10-3)
If you’re a member of the Vikings offence, how do you feel knowing the train is coming down the tracks and there’s, seemingly, nothing you can do to avoid it? The proverbial train I speak of is a playoff loss in which the defence gives up 35+ points.
New England Patriots (7-6)
Bill Belichick faces his old Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels this week, so the Patriots defence should have just about every scheme and play sniffed out ahead of time.
New Orleans Saints (4-9)
The push to not win the NFC South continues.
New York Giants (7-5-1)
The Giants haven’t won a game since November 13 against Houston. Before that, their last win came on October 23 against the Jaguars. The alarm bells should be ringing with this team.
New York Jets (7-6)
Mike White is not medically cleared for Week 15, so the Jets are going back to Zach Wilson. All right, time to write your redemption story, Zach.
Philadelphia Eagles (12-1)
The Eagles are averaging 41 points over their last three games. Soooo, the Bears might want to find a way to sneak an extra defender onto the field. Maybe they wear an invisibility cloak?
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-8)
With Kenny Pickett doubtful for Week 15, the Steelers will be starting Mitch Trubisky at quarterback.
San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
At this point, I’ll be disappointed if it’s not the Eagles and 49ers in the NFC Championship game. I want to see that matchup and how each team navigates the other.
Seattle Seahawks (7-6)
Geno Smith’s contract is up after this season. I’ll be interested in seeing if they sign him long term (3 years or more), or if they give him a shorter deal and draft a quarterback with the Top 5 pick the Broncos are sending them.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)
The push to not win the NFC South continues.
Tennessee Titans (7-6)
The Titans have lost three in a row and I don’t like their chances against the Chargers this week.
Washington Commanders (7-5-1)
The loser of the Commanders/Giants game will still be in the hunt for the final playoff spot in the NFC, but it’ll make them most susceptible to being eaten (passed in the standings) by the Lions.
The Captain's Speech 
Miami put in a solid showing. Now they have to go home and take care of the Pack next week.
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Miami looked like they were back to their usual selves against Buffalo. I was impressed. I wonder if Green Bay loses tonight, if they make Jordan Love the starter next week.
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I’m thankful the Pack won because I want to see Rodgers in there against Miami. If they can’t beat Green Bay, they don’t deserve to play in January.
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My Lions are looking pretty good (relatively)
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They’re keeping things interesting that’s for sure.
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Love it Pauley. I enjoy reading these columns AFTER the games as much as before they are played. I have so many thoughts. #1 You’re funny. #2 You’re smart. #3 The NFL is wacky. #4 I too would enjoy Eagles/49ers or possibly Cowboys/49ers a little bit more. Any combination of those 3 teams would be excellent. #5 That Vikings game! #6 You might be right about the Chargers #7 That Raiders ending! #8 Baker Mayfield… so interested in his situation. Maybe he stays with the Rams and Stafford retires much earlier than we all thought? Maybe he enjoys working with McVay enough that he stays as backup to Stafford anyway? Maybe he retires and starts his probable acting career?
PS I think our Fantasy league has the Burns’s facing each other in one semifinal and Becky vs myself, the “Bolt Cutters”, in the other. Sorry that you lost but hey, it’s only fantasy.
Great job. Love these columns, Reid
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Glad you enjoy these, they’ve been fun to do!
I’m with you, the Cowboys would also be fun to see in the championship game. I had that thought too that maybe Stafford retires sooner than everyone thinks. I don’t know if he’d forfeit all that money though.
I could see Baker moving on to a place where he’s guaranteed to be the starter. Dare I say the New York Giants? So many moving pieces at QB this offseason, it should be fun.
I’ll be writing a post about my fantasy football loss. So gut-wrenching, but that’s the name of the game.
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