NFL 2025-26 Season

[SparzWizard]

Pats have had the easiest schedule, that is for sure.  But teams like IND and DEN, even BUF have had easier than average schedules.  There is no team, at least in the AFC, that appears to be a lock for a long run in the playoffs.  I don't know that BUFF, KC, and BAL, for example have done anything to establish themselves as a top team.  Neither have IND, DEN, LAC, or PIT.

There are plenty of reasons to doubt that Pats.  But there are plenty of reasons to doubt all the top teams.

There aren't a whole lot of good teams.

They just need to keep doing what they're doing and they can hang with anyone.

I think the Eagles and Rams are pretty solid contenders though, setting them apart from everyone else. Playoff teams in the AFC are all question marks, including the 'Big 3' of Chiefs, Ravens, and Bills.

[Redz]

Any fire to the Joe Burrow playing Sunday smoke?

[Donoghus]

Any fire to the Joe Burrow playing Sunday smoke?

I think so.  This is from this morning. I guess the question is Sunday or do you give him 4 more days rest and bring him back on Thanksgiving but sounds close.

When Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow returned to practice last week, he said ?Thanksgiving-ish? was his target for a return to game action.

The Bengals play on Thanksgiving, but Burrow may not wait until the turkey is in the oven to play for the first time since Week 2?s toe injury. Burrow was a full participant in Wednesday?s practice and head coach Zac Taylor left the door open to Burrow getting the start against the Patriots this Sunday during a Thursday morning radio appearance.

Taylor said on WLW that he is going to ?take in all the information? before making a call about starting Burrow or Joe Flacco against the AFC East leaders.

?Well, I?m not there yet,? Taylor said. ?We will use the time we have and come up with the best decision.?

Flacco did not practice Wednesday, which left plenty of 11-on-11 work for Burrow. Flacco is expected to throw on Thursday, but another full session for Burrow wouldn?t do anything to quiet thoughts that he will be running the offense in a few days./quote]

[Vermont Green]

So would it be Jake Browning if neither Burrow or Flacco can go?  CIN is going nowhere this season, they would be dumb to rush Burrow.  Maybe Burrow is fully healthy and back to full strength, in 100% game shape.  If so fine, but if anything less than that, why play him?