Week Thirteen Review: Smyth Shines as Play-Off Spaces Fill
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If you saw the scenes inside and outside of Croke Park in September, it would have been clear to you that the Irish LOVE football! The shouts of joy and euphoria were repeated again this week as Charlie Smyth, one of our own, started for the New Orleans Saints for the very first time. Despite the Saints’ loss to Miami, Charlie successfully converted a 56 yard Field Goal and an onside kick: and Saints fans were joyous on social media. Irish fans were thrilled by his performance! Away from the Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium, the Chicago Bears shocked defending champions Eagles, the Bills demolished the Steelers and the Cowboys continued their good vein of form with the win against the Chiefs.
Bears Shock Eagles
You don’t have to get your eyes tested, your eyes do not deceieve you … the Bears DO sit atop the NFC! This was not conceivable at the start of the season, but with the Rams losing to the Panthers. Their fifth win in a row sees Ben Johnson’s team take control with a 9-3 record. Caleb Williams had a quiet display here after his hot streak of three TDs against the Steelers last week. He threw for 154 yards, with one TD and an interception. The Bears’ defense went hunitng and had Jalen Hurts scrambling throughout the game. And tightfully so, the Bears’ D has has forced twenty-six turnovers so far this season: eight ahead of the second placed team. Hurts had to be oerfect, as the Bears have only conceded nine this season. He threw one interception and 2 TDs, but it wasn’t to be with the Bears winning the game with two TDs in the 4th quarter.
Bears (9-3) 24 Eagles (8-4) 15
Bills Hammer Steelers
This was a crushing defeat for myself and my fellow Steelers fans. It was an atrocious home performance that will again see pressure and criticism rise against Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff. The Bills offense recorded 249 rushing yards on the ground during this game in Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh. It was the most running yards allowed in a single game at home by the Steelers at home since 1975. Jared Allen, a QB the Steelers could only dream of, set ANOTHER record for rushing TDs: his 76th rushing. This is the Steelers’ fifth loss in seven, and fnas can see that extending. The Defense failed to pressure Allen consistently during this game: so much so the inspirational Renegade was openly booed. The offense again frustrated the home fans: just ten Of Rodgers’ passes were completed with 166 yards and 58 rushing. It’s ok, the Steelers ONLY face the Ravens next week!
Bills (8-4) 26 Steelers (6-6) 7
Cowboys are on a Roll
In the past two weeks, the Dallas Cowboys have beaten both teams that contested last year’s Superbowl: and have gone from 5-5-1 no hopers to return to the hunt for a play off spot. And with other teams struggling, who knows wat lies in store for Jerry Jones’ charges. The Cowboys look reborn with all phases looking most un-Dallas like, you know … competent! Cowboys QB Dak Prescott and newly signed Quinnen Williams were expected to lead the Cowboys offense and defense towards a bright future: most didn’t think it would be THIS season. Patrick Mahomes was terrific during this game: some of his scrambles to completions were some of the most watched clips on social media on Thanksgiving and into the busy weekend. He completed 261 passing yards and 4 TDs, but it wasn’t enough against a rejuvinated Cowboys. Post-game an irate Mahomes challenged his team-mates to win all five remaining games to keep the Chiefs’ play off aspirations alive
Cowboys (6-5-1) 31 Chiefs (6-6) 28
As we enter into the Christmas season, each game week becomes more important. Every incorrectly run route, every offside and every spilled pass may lead to heads rolling in the boardroom, front office, coaching and playing rosters! May the drama unravel as we proceed! And it is great to have Charlie Smyth flying the flag!