Steve Brownlee

All this business with newly injured quarterbacks got me thinking.

Watch out when I’m thinking; I’m dangerous, you know. Well not really, probably only to my accuracy in picking, which has been pretty mediocre for awhile.

So what I was thinking was how the Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills are going to get through these last four weeks of the regular season, and in all likelihood, some kind of run in the playoffs.

Let’s start with Aaron Rodgers. While it’s only a pinky toe, and it certainly doesn’t look like it hurts his performance, the longer any kind of injury lingers, the more chance it could become worse.

Whether that would be someone stepping on it, him just “stubbing” it (however you’d do that with the little toe) or it causing another injury by favoring that toe, foot or leg.

I sure would want to rest Rodgers against Detroit on the last day of the regular season, Jan. 9, which could turn into two weeks off if the Pack garners the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.

Even if the No. 1 spot isn’t sewn up, or if Green Bay has no shot at No. 1, it might be worth resting him then.

It’s interesting that the Packers play at Baltimore on Sunday, as they may just see what it’s like for a quality team to go without its own all-everything QB in Lamar Jackson.

And Buffalo is in a precarious position if Josh Allen can’t go or plays while hobbled.

If either of these run-often QBs had Rodgers’ pinky toe problem, it might put a real crimp in their running styles.

Lucky for you Packers fans, Rodgers’ legs are only about his third-best trait behind his brain and his arm. All formidable weapons, though.

Now onto this week’s picks:

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Today, 8:20 p.m.

Kansas City at Los Angeles Chargers — The Chiefs have a couple quality players on the COVID-19 list, but without receiver Josh Gordon on offense and tackle Chris Jones on defense, I think they can weather the storm. If any more players go out, all bets are off. Chiefs, 26-19.

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Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Las Vegas at Cleveland — The Raiders were awfully dumb last week, raising the ire of the Chiefs in KC by standing on their midfield logo pregame. What other numbskull moves do they have up their sleeves? It may not matter after the leadoff sentence about the Browns came across The Associated Press on Wednesday: “The Browns’ COVID-19 outbreak has widened and worsened.” Raiders, 26-17.

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Saturday, 8:20 p.m.

New England at Indianapolis — Neither team can look past this game with tough games next week — Buffalo for the Patriots and Arizona for the Colts. And why would they? I still like New England as the class of the AFC. Patriots, 24-20.

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Sunday, 1 p.m.

Carolina at Buffalo — I would hope the Bills haven’t fallen so far as to lose this game. Bills, 23-19.

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New York Jets at Miami — The Jets showed a glimmer of hope a few weeks back, then poof! It was snuffed out again. Dolphins, 31-17.

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Washington at Philadelphia — Two of the five teams tied for the final NFC playoff spot. With the way injuries and COVID are decimating just about everybody, last week’s bye had to be a godsend for Philly. Eagles, 28-20.

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Arizona at Detroit — Just what the Lions didn’t need, injuries and illness attacking both its talent and depth. Another thing they don’t need — the best road team in the NFL coming to Ford Field. Cardinals, 33-21.

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Houston at Jacksonville — Firing Urban Meyer would be addition by subtraction. But they won’t do it — at least not right away. On the other side, I’m seeing Houston has absolutely no running game. On a flyer, Jaguars, 17-13.

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Dallas at New York Giants — Being a divisional game is the only hope I give the Giants. But it ain’t much. Cowboys, 34-17.

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Tennessee at Pittsburgh — The Steelers seem to be in the more recent nosedive. Titans, 23-16.

Sunday, 4 p.m.

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Green Bay at Baltimore — This game got moved to the late-afternoon slot, but if the Ravens don’t have Jackson, it could be a dud. No problem, right Packers’ fans? Packers, 33-20.

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Cincinnati at Denver — The up-and-down Bengals have a perfect excuse this week — they can’t catch their breath in the mile-high air. Broncos, 16-12.

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Atlanta at San Francisco — Both had close calls last weekend, Atlanta is one of seven league teams under enhanced COVID-19 protocols. 49ers, 24-20.

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Seattle at Los Angeles Rams — Despite the short week and COVID-19 protocols, I would hope the Rams get comfy at home after the performance they put on Monday vs. Arizona. Rams, 31-24.

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Sunday, 8:20 p.m.

New Orleans at Tampa Bay — The Saints have had Tampa’s number since Tom Brady showed up in Florida. But that was with Drew Brees and even Jameis Winston at QB. Now who’s going to do it? Buccaneers, 27-24.

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Monday, 8:15 p.m.

Minnesota at Chicago — The Bears are pretty much done while the Vikings are another of the five teams tied for that last NFC playoff spot. They even out as far as COVID-19 goes as both are under the enhanced protocols. Vikings, 23-15.

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Last week — 9-5 (best week since mid-October!), 64 percent. Season — 127-80-1, 61 percent.

Steve Brownlee can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 252. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.