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Saturday 28 November 2020
Mahomes vs. Brady spices up Thanksgiving holiday week

By BARRY WILNER Denver, and awful Hous-
AP Pro Football Writer ton last week. They seem to
Andy Reid knows quarter- have little direction on of-
backs. So does Jon Gruden. fense, and the last time we
And Sean Payton. could say that was 20 years
For years, these elite NFL ago.
coaches have praised Arizona is right in the play-
the performances of Tom off mix in the NFC West and
Brady, Mr. Six Rings. And the conference, with two
they do the same now with games against the division-
Patrick Mahomes, the NFL's leading Rams remaining.
biggest playmaker. Cardinals quarterback Ky-
On Sunday, in a match- ler Murray has to know that
up that fits prime time but New England neutralized
wasn't one CBS was about the similar style of Lamar
to let get away from its af- Jackson two weeks ago.
ternoon lineup, Mahomes San Francisco (4-6) at Los
and the Chiefs visit Brady Angeles Rams (7-3)
and Tampa Bay. At least the 49ers had a
They come into the show- week off to get somewhat
down on different paths. healthier, but this is a shell
Mahomes was heroic — of the conference cham-
again — in bringing Kansas pionship squad. Its reward
City (9-1) back at Las Ve- Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) reacts as he leaves the field after throwing upon returning is perhaps
gas, avenging its only de- an intrception to Los Angeles Rams strong safety Jordan Fuller during the second half of an NFL the NFC's most balanced
feat this season. football game Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. squad. The Rams don't par-
Buccaneers coach Bruce Associated Press ticularly run the ball well,
Arians, who also knows but their dynamic passing
a few things about quar- first player in league history New York Giants (3-7) at Jets (0-10) attack makes up for that
terbacks, has called Ma- with multiple overtime rush- Cincinnati (2-7-1) Had the Dolphins not stum- — and more. They won at
homes' college workout at ing touchdowns in a single A huge break for the Gi- bled in Denver, this could Tampa Bay on Monday
Texas Tech "amazing." A season and leads the NFL ants, who actually are be considered a trap night even though Aaron
good word for Mahomes in with 1,079 yards. playing the best among the game. Instead, look for a Donald wasn't quite the
the pros, too. "That's just what they do," dregs of the NFC East. They determined bunch from force he usually is. Keep an
"The day I worked out Pat- Colts defensive coordina- won't have to face rookie Miami, which figures to shut eye on No. 99 in this one
rick, I think the wind was tor Matt Eberflus says of Ten- sensation Joe Burrow after down the inept Jets with its New Orleans (8-2) at Den-
blowing about 35-40 miles nessee's run game. "They the quarterback and top strong defense. ver (4-6)
per hour and it didn't affect are just going to stay com- overall draft choice tore New York, threatening to As Taysom Hill stepped in
his ball at all," he says. "It mitted to it, and we have knee ligaments in a loss at become the third franchise so admirably for the side-
was amazing down in Lub- to stay — we feel like we're Washington. to go 0-16 in a dozen years, lined Drew Brees, the Saints
bock that day." in good shape in terms of "I think when you look at hopes to get the oft-injured seized the top spot in the
Arians, whose Bucs (7-4) our perseverance, in terms this division, this is really the Sam Darnold back behind NFC. It's Hill's show for now,
have a bye next week (at of our discipline and we starting point for the divi- center. The Jets really need and the New Orleans de-
last), saw his team and will want to take that in the sion," Giants coach Joe to evaluate him over the fi- fense appears ready to
Brady struggle in a loss to game and being able to Judge says. "We're coming nal six weeks as they head keep things rolling. Consid-
the Rams on Monday night. finish." out of Thanksgiving after toward major decisions. ering the only remaining
"We've got to get ready to The Colts have won four this weekend, everyone is Los Angeles Chargers (3-7) opponent with a winning
play a great football team of their past five overall really on equal ground. The at Buffalo (7-3) record, albeit a formidable
coming up," Brady said. and four of the past five only thing that matters is No major QB decisions one, is Kansas City, the rest
"Nothing has been great in this series. QB Philip Riv- what we do from this point ahead for these teams. of the schedule could be,
to this point. We've had ers (right big toe) hopes to forward." Buffalo took Josh Allen four well, a Big Easy.
some good wins, had some make his 235th consecutive Cleveland (7-3) at Jack- spots after Darnold went Denver, as up and down
tough losses. Everything is start, which would break a sonville (1-9) in 2018 and has no reason as anyone, ran all over Mi-
about one week here in the tie with Eli Manning for the Like the Ravens and Ben- to regret it. The Chargers ami's tough D last week. So
NFL. We're going to have to 10th-most starts in league gals in their division, the grabbed Justin Herbert with the Broncos are no push-
go play really, really well history. Browns have had some the sixth overall spot in April over.
against a great football Chicago (5-5) at Green COVID-19 issues and will be and are thrilled with him. Las Vegas (6-4) at Atlanta
team next week." Bay (7-3) without their best player, The Chargers finally over- (3-7)
Yep. Neither side comes into this edge rusher Myles Garrett, came their late folds in Lack of defense could be
Tennessee (7-3) at India- renewal of the league's for the second consecutive beating the Jets last week, decisive here. The Raiders
napolis (7-3) longest rivalry playing their week. Cleveland has built while the Bills had a bye. have 11 sacks in the first
Both of these AFC South best. Indeed, Chicago has its record by beating who- Watch the performances 10 games, ranking 31st in
leaders won in overtime dropped four in a row as its ever it should, and certainly of outstanding wideouts the league. They allowed
with comebacks last week. offense has disappeared. the Jaguars, losers of nine Keenan Allen of LA and Kansas City to score touch-
The Colts already won at Green Bay is 3-3 after a 4-0 in a row, fit that category. Stefon Diggs of Buffalo. downs on two drives of at
Tennessee this month. start. Jacksonville will go with Arizona (6-4) at New Eng- last 90 yards last week after
Tennessee has its best re- The Packers have won their yet another QB, journey- land (4-6) giving up none in the first
cord after 10 games since past four home matchups man Mike Glennon, who It's been stunning to see the nine games. And they lost
going 10-0 in 2008, in part with the Bears. Green Bay steps in for Jake Luton, who Patriots flop against me- that game for just the third
because the Titans have a has gone 19-5 against Chi- stepped in when Gardner diocre or worse teams, with time in the past seven sea-
league-low five turnovers. cago when Aaron Rodgers Minshew was injured. losses to injury-wrecked sons when scoring at least
Derrick Henry became the is the starting quarterback. Miami (6-4) at New York San Francisco, inconsistent 30 points. q