It’s been a while since we have posted a written Four Downs, and that is for good reason, as Sean and I have had a tone of fun putting out some great podcasts each week. We hope you have enjoyed listening to them as much as we have enjoyed putting them together, but this week we’re off the air back on the keyboard, as its one of those weeks where life gets in the way. The NFL season is really settling into a groove, as the season is flying by us and the excitement of playoff races is making for a lot of fun. Heck even the games are actually getting good. There are so many stories going on, like the Bears firing their OC, and much more, but I want to focus on the games and the teams winning them right now. Let’s take the field!

First Down

Brick by Brick: The Detroit Lions are going to the Super Bowl. Yes, you read that right, I will call my shot on them winning the NFC now. They are by far the best team in the conference and maybe the league, but even they didn’t have their best game Sunday night in Houston. Jared Goff threw five interceptions, and their usually high-powered offense fell off a cliff. But then then in the second half a fire was lit under this group, and they pulled into within three points, cue Jake Bates, a former Houston area brick salesman. Bates drilled the game trying field goal from 58-yards and then turned around at the buzzer and hit a 52-yarder to win the game, barely sneaking it inside the uprights. At 8-1 the Lions are seeing the fruits of their rebuild, a team-built brick by brick, from a laughingstock to real contender and it’s a ton of fun to watch.

Second Down

LA on the Playoff Charge: The Lions being a real threat in the AFC isn’t a surprise at all, but perhaps the Chargers being 6-3 through the first nine games certainly feels like a surprise. Following changing up the roster, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, and hiring Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers were picked to be around the .500 mark and not much of a contender. But what Harbaugh has done for this group is bring stability and organization to a team that always possessed raw talent that would get outcoached. Justin Herbert isn’t quite his old high-flying self, but the run game is picking up the slack and LA is in sole possession of the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs off the back of their 27-17 win over the Titans. It feels like this team would be a tricky matchup in the postseason should they make it, as they would be well prepared and ready to play a physical contest on the road.

Third Down

Red Bird Revival: There is hot and then there is desert hot, like the Arizona Cardinals right as they ride their five-game winning streak to the NFC West Division lead. The Cards were a trendy “most improved team” pick in the preseason, but after starting 1-4, they were left for dead. But credit to Kyler Murray, who after years of earned criticism, has been leading from the front with MVP level play at the QB position. He is surrounded by good weapons like running back James Conner, rookie stand out receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and breakout star tight end Trey McBride. Meanwhile head coach Jonathan Gannon’s defense has rallied around the flag and is playing quite well, as seen in their 31-6 domination of the Jets last week. At 6-4 on the season, they hold a one game lead in the division over the 49ers, who they have already beaten once this season will host in the final game of the season.

Fourth Down

7th Heaven in the Steel City: I’m not sure many of us had this on our preseason bingo card. I am of course referring to 7-2, first place Pittsburgh Steelers. And if you did have that on your card, you definitely didn’t have Russell Wilson leading them to that mark over the last few weeks on the card. But here we are, the very well coached, defensive minded, “black and yellow” find themselves rounding into form on offense and looking a viable threat in the AFC. Russell Wilson has come off the bench and gotten the offense going by getting the ball out on time and being accurate enough to keep them on schedule. Their run game is improving, and their weapons are becoming awfully dangerous, as George Pickens is breaking out at the receiver position, and he is flanked by new acquisition and hero of their 28-27 win in Washington this past week, Mike Williams. Their schedule only gets harder from here, starting with a clash with the Ravens this weekend, but Mike Tomlin has this thing cooking.

Playoff Picture

You can find Mike @Mike_Sheerin, Tyler @TMon_19 and Sean @SeanMartinNFL. Subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. Check out our Instagram feed @thebroadwaybreakdownsports for special gameday and promotional content. Our podcasts are available on Spotify. Visit the Rangers Ed Shop by clicking the link on our homepage. Check out our mailbag page to join the conversation here on the site and on our partners show, The Rangers Ed Podcast! We’ll be back with more soon!