Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Friday newsletter where I would like to start with some big news: For the first time in 18 years, the aren't going to win at least 10 games.As you've probably heard by now, the Patriots lost to the 24-3 last night, which means the best they can do this season is 9-7. The last time the Patriots didn't win at least 10 games came all the way back in 2002 and I'll be honest, the only thing I remember about 2002 is that I may or or may not have listened to N'Sync three hours per day for the entire year. OK, I actually did do that, I just didn't want to admit it right away, I wanted to feel you guys out first.As for the Patriots, their with at least 10 wins is an NFL record and I'm gue sing no one will ever catch them. The previous record was held by the , who had 16 straight seasons with double-digit wins (1983-1998). Other than that, no one has even had 10 straight seasons.Anyway, I'm going to stop talking about the Patriots because we're going to talk about them in the rundown, along with new house and a bunch of other fun things, so let's get to the newsletter. As always, if you want to share this newsletter with everyone you know, I will not be offended. Just. 1. Today's Show: Recapping Rams' big win over PatriotsThe Rams' win over the Patriots was so ugly on Thursday night that I couldn't muster any words to talk about it, so I decided to recuse myself from the podcast. With me out, Will Brinson and Ryan Wilson invited on noted Patriots homer Tyler Sullivan to take my place. Fun was had by all.Before we get to Derrick Thomas Jersey the meat of the podcast, let's go over a few highlights from the Rams' 24-3 win. steamrolled the Patriots defense.If the Rams had wanted to, they probably could have gone the entire game without throwing a single pa s and that's because Akers had his way with the Patriots defense. The running back had 41 YARDS on the Rams' opening drive and things only got uglier from there for New England. Overall, Akers ended up carrying the ball 29 times for 171 yards, which was the second-highest rushing total that any Rams player has had since 2006 ( rushed for 208 in 2018).Patriots red zone offense was ugly.The Patriots had four trips inside of the Rams' 20-yard line in this game and they came away with zero touchdowns. The first trip ended when threw a 79-yard pick-six to . Two other trips ended after the Patriots went for it on fourth down and failed. The other trip ended with a field goal from , so at least they got those points. As bad as this game was for New England, if they had shown any competence in the red zone, Creed Humphrey Jersey they might have been able to keep it close. Rams defense smothered Cam Newton.The Rams have one of the best pa s rushes in football and that pa s rush smothered Cam Newton. Every time Newton dropped back to pa s, he had a new defender in his face. Overall, Newton ended up getting sacked four times in the game and that number would have been higher, but he got benched in the fourth quarter for , who ended up getting sacked twice himself. In news that won't surprise you, led the Rams by recording 1.5 of their six sacks. After the lo s, two main topics that came up on the podcast were Cam Newton and the Patriots' playoff chances. Cam hasn't been great this season and he seems to be getting worse. As for New England's playoff chances, they're basically dead, which means we should all pour one out for the Patriots' playoff streak, which is about to end after 11 consecutive years.To listen to today's episode -- and subscribe to the podcast --. 2. Today's show Part II: Picking Week 14 gamesThe best part about Friday -- besides the fact that it's Friday -- is that you get two episodes of the podcast in your feed. After the recap of the Thursday game, Brinson had Wilson and Sullivan's internet disconnected so that they couldn't join him for the Week 14 picks podcast. With those two out of the picture, Brinson needed some other people to chat with, so be brought in Pete Prisco, R.J. White and Daniel Brown Jersey Kenny White for a discu sion about their best bets and picks for Week 14.The guys spent nearly 60 minutes going over the best bets for every single game being played in Week 14 and we're going to cover three from each guy below. Will Brinson (+1.5) to cover against the (-2.5) to cover against the at OVER 52.5Pete Prisco49ers (-3) to cover against Washington (-2.5) to cover against the at OVER 42R.J. White (+1) to cover against the (-3) to cover against the Steelers (+2.5) to cover against the BillsKenny White (-7.5) to cover against the (-7.5) to cover against the Vikings (+6.5) to cover against the BuccaneersTo hear what the rest of the best bets are for Week 14 -- and there are quite a few -- be sure to click here so you . 3. Steelers, Bills and Packers can all clinch a playoff berth this weekIf the Bills make the playoffs this year, it will mark the first time in more than 20 years that they'll have made the playoffs in consecutive seasons. That drought could end as soon as Sunday and that's because the Bills are one of three teams that could clinch a playoff berth this weekend.Let's take a quick look at a few of the clinching scenarios for each team. I'm not going to mention any of the scenarios that involve ties, but if you're . If you do click over, be sure to bring your TI-83 calculator, because things get complicated when you include clinching scenarios that involve ties.SteelersEasiest way to clinch:Beat Buffal
ther ways:Raiders lose to Colts OR lose to OR Titans lose to Jaguars.There's a good chance the Steelers will have already clinched a playoff berth before they even take the field on Sunday night and that's because they just need one of three teams to lose. For instance, if the Chiefs beat the Dolphins, then Pittsburgh is in, and I'll be honest, I think the Chiefs are going to beat the Dolphins. The Steelers can also clinch the AFC North title in Week 14, but that will only happen if they win AND the Browns lose to Baltimore. BillsEasiest way to clinch:Beat Steelers AND Ravens lose AND Dolphins lose AND Raiders lose AND Patriots loseThere's only one way the Bills can clinch a spot in Week 14 and it involves five things going their way. Although that seems highly unlikely, the Patriots have already lost, which means the Bills only need four more things to happen. With the Dolphins playing the Chiefs and the Raiders playing the Colts, it won't be surprising at all if we get to Buffalo's Sunday night game and the Bills still have a chance to clinch a berth.PackersEasiest way to clinch:Beat Lions AND beat the . Other ways: Beat Lions AND Cardinals lose to GiantsAll the Packers have to do to clinch a playoff Harrison Butker Jersey spot is beat the Lions and then hope that the Seahawks can take care of busine s against the Jets. Usually, I'd say that's simple enough, but with the Seahawks right now, who knows if they can beat anyone? The Packers could also clinch the NFC North title with a win combined with a Vikings lo s or tie to the Buccaneers.Divisional notesAFC West: The Chiefs can win the AFC West on Sunday with a win over the Dolphins. If they somehow lose, they could also win the division if the Raiders lose to the Colts.NFC South: The could win the NFC South on Sunday with just a win over the . New Orleans could also clinch if the Buccaneers lose to the Vikings. 4. might come out of retirement?Like most of you, I go to Conan O'Brien for all of my breaking NFL news and if you were watching on Wednesday night, Conan definitely delivered. During an interview with Marshawn Lynch, O'Brien asked Beast Mode if there's any chance he might come out of retirement to play this season and let's just say that Marshawn didn't rule out the idea. "If the situation is right, then I ," Lynch said. "I've been asked the question by a couple teams here recently. Like, 'Are you ready?' I'm ready if you all are Super Bowl ready. That's what it would take me to come out, to come and play again. It would have to be a guaranteed Super Bowl game for me."The most interesting thing here is that Lynch has apparently already talked to a couple of teams and as you can tell by his comments, he pretty much only has one stipulation for any team that wants to sign him: They have to be a Super Bowl contender. So I think that rules out the Jets. As for every other team, if Lynch is Tyrann Mathieu Jersey truly only willing to sign with a team that has a great shot of getting to the Super Bowl, then his short list of teams would likely include the Chiefs, Saints, Packers, Steelers and Rams. Of those five teams, the Steelers are probably the most in need of some help a
ther ways:Raiders lose to Colts OR lose to OR Titans lose to Jaguars.There's a good chance the Steelers will have already clinched a playoff berth before they even take the field on Sunday night and that's because they just need one of three teams to lose. For instance, if the Chiefs beat the Dolphins, then Pittsburgh is in, and I'll be honest, I think the Chiefs are going to beat the Dolphins. The Steelers can also clinch the AFC North title in Week 14, but that will only happen if they win AND the Browns lose to Baltimore. BillsEasiest way to clinch:Beat Steelers AND Ravens lose AND Dolphins lose AND Raiders lose AND Patriots loseThere's only one way the Bills can clinch a spot in Week 14 and it involves five things going their way. Although that seems highly unlikely, the Patriots have already lost, which means the Bills only need four more things to happen. With the Dolphins playing the Chiefs and the Raiders playing the Colts, it won't be surprising at all if we get to Buffalo's Sunday night game and the Bills still have a chance to clinch a berth.PackersEasiest way to clinch:Beat Lions AND beat the . Other ways: Beat Lions AND Cardinals lose to GiantsAll the Packers have to do to clinch a playoff Harrison Butker Jersey spot is beat the Lions and then hope that the Seahawks can take care of busine s against the Jets. Usually, I'd say that's simple enough, but with the Seahawks right now, who knows if they can beat anyone? The Packers could also clinch the NFC North title with a win combined with a Vikings lo s or tie to the Buccaneers.Divisional notesAFC West: The Chiefs can win the AFC West on Sunday with a win over the Dolphins. If they somehow lose, they could also win the division if the Raiders lose to the Colts.NFC South: The could win the NFC South on Sunday with just a win over the . New Orleans could also clinch if the Buccaneers lose to the Vikings. 4. might come out of retirement?Like most of you, I go to Conan O'Brien for all of my breaking NFL news and if you were watching on Wednesday night, Conan definitely delivered. During an interview with Marshawn Lynch, O'Brien asked Beast Mode if there's any chance he might come out of retirement to play this season and let's just say that Marshawn didn't rule out the idea. "If the situation is right, then I ," Lynch said. "I've been asked the question by a couple teams here recently. Like, 'Are you ready?' I'm ready if you all are Super Bowl ready. That's what it would take me to come out, to come and play again. It would have to be a guaranteed Super Bowl game for me."The most interesting thing here is that Lynch has apparently already talked to a couple of teams and as you can tell by his comments, he pretty much only has one stipulation for any team that wants to sign him: They have to be a Super Bowl contender. So I think that rules out the Jets. As for every other team, if Lynch is Tyrann Mathieu Jersey truly only willing to sign with a team that has a great shot of getting to the Super Bowl, then his short list of teams would likely include the Chiefs, Saints, Packers, Steelers and Rams. Of those five teams, the Steelers are probably the most in need of some help a
