@Karensman 

Nick Chubb is a month shy of his 29th birthday. That's old relative to RBs, and Chubb is a very old 29. Last season's leg injury was vomit-inducing, and he had an equally gross leg injury in college.

Chubb is the heart and soul of the team - so his return has some short-term "good vibes" value - but he just doesn't look the same. Given his age/mileage, I think it would be a miracle if he ever will.

As for Stafford - yeah, everyone in the NFL is playing hurt to some degree, but not all injuries are equal. From what I've gathered, Stafford's main issue is his back - and back issues are often career-killers. Stafford is approaching 37. He's still a high-level QB, but It just feels like he's on borrowed time.

@Mr. Bitter & Baird : I haven't been watching the Browns games close enough to see how Chubb is playing. If I remember correctly didn't he suffer a catastrophic knee injury last year. The original projection was that they hoped that he would be able to play sometime this year ? What they didn't mention was what level of performance he would reach. Serious injuries take a long recovery time just to be able to play, usually at much less than maximum performance as well as the speed, maneuverability, and recovery period from a physical game all becoming factors. One of the toughest parts of handicapping football injuries is trying to determine whether a player is fully recovered. Most players come back early and are shot up with pain pills that masks the pain but doesn't enhance performance. I'm also leaning towards the Bears but refuse to bet them because I'm a lifelong fan. [ I also hate being at a huge coaching disadvantage ] 

   Also as far as injuries : you always keep in mind that Stafford may be more injured than we think. Doesn't that go for a lot of QB's ? I know Stafford was really brutalized when he played behind a horrible OL in Detroit all those years. When he got a chance to play behind a quality line in LA he won the Super Bowl but hasn't seemed to reach that level of his first year in LA [ mostly because of O-Line ] . 

@carettirichard 

Once Doug Pederson is fired, I'm guessing JAX will sell the fan base on the idea that Pederson's awful coaching, a bad O-line and injuries are what have been holding Lawrence back. Pretty sure he gets a fresh start in '25. He just turned 25.

I don't think JAX is a long ways from being competitive. (Especially in the AFC South.) They have some talented young building blocks at important positions (WR1, EDGE1 and 2, CB1). With better coaching and some O-line and DT upgrades they could rebound in '25.

@Baird 

The rain/wind should be advantageous for PIT. It only strengthens the Boswell>Hopkins angle.

I think Nick Chubb may be cooked; if Winston has to throw it around, the TOs could easily pile up for CLE. Harris/Warren were biting off chunks vs. BAL, so running on CLE should be no problem.

I'm liking CHI as a home dog. Very often, mid-season coordinator firings are just a case of somebody taking the fall for organization-wide problems, but in the case of Shane Waldron, I think he really was the problem. The Bears should improve going forward, and I don't trust Sam Darnold in this spot.

@Karensman - I can see that happening. I do think the BAL game was CLE's big one but this definitely has a playoff feel for them, at home & prime time. Plus letdown for PIT on a short week. A little help for the refs may be all they need.

I'm keeping an eye on the weather; it should be windy, maybe rain.