Steve Brownlee

When the TV figureheads were talking about various teams, I got to thinking about players said to look like they’re loafing or not really caring during games.

I find that hard to believe that’s what they’re actually doing.

When it comes to that supposed behavior, me thinks, these are guys who, not figuratively but literally, leave it all out on the field, especially at the pro ranks.

You’re not going to make it as far as they have without a single-minded purpose of pushing yourself as hard as you possibly can both physically and mentally.

Otherwise, prospective pros would’ve been forcibly “retired” long ago by teams at either the college level or pro level by not giving them a chance to be on their teams.

Yet, we see these players who stop or give what looks like half-hearted efforts or simply don’t go all out to the max all the time.

Why is that?

My theory is it’s more about confusion, possibly frustration. This isn’t golf, or my favorite participation sport, bowling, where you’re playing against a usually fixed task of hitting the ball in a hole or knocking over 10 pins.

The opposition is innately interested in making your favorite players or favorite team fail, as that’s the only way they’re going to win.

And at high professional levels, that usually involves creating confusion, or at least doubt, in what you’re going to do, whether that involves offense or defense.

And it’s that confusion or doubt that makes you hesitate, slow down, not react correctly or at least quickly enough to what’s going on.

Voila (not “viola” as my spell checker wants to make it), you have players languishing, stopping, looking around instead of reacting.

I have no studies to back this up, but hey, next time you see a player, especially a football player, let up, think about if that may be why.

Now onto this week’s picks, with a full half-dozen teams, including the Lions, on the bye:

Today, 8:15 p.m.

Minnesota at Los Angeles Chargers — I haven’t heard enough about the Chargers getting any real significant players of theirs back, and considering this L.A. team’s 14-point loss to a good Indy team on Sunday, I’ll have to go with the Vikings, 23-19.

Sunday, 1 p.m.

Buffalo at Carolina — Potentially a quite interesting game, as these teams could be like two elevators passing each other at the same floor, except one is on its way up, Carolina, and the other on the way down, the Bills. Each has four wins currently.

I’m not so sure how far down Buffalo’s really headed, plus they’re coming off the bye. Bills, 27-23.

Chicago at Baltimore — Same case as the last game, the Bears heading up and Baltimore taking an unexpected dive down. Here, though, Chicago has three more wins than Baltimore and doesn’t have questions at quarterback, where the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson didn’t practice Monday due to his hamstring injury, though he did make it back to the field on Wednesday after his team’s bye week. Gotta take the Bears, 33-26.

Cleveland at New England — Coach Mike Vrabel has New England humming on all cylinders, which you can say about the Browns’ defense — but certainly not its offense. Patriots, 24-16.

Miami at Atlanta — The only surprise is that the coaching staff is still intact in Miami, so they’ll be twisting in the wind for another week. Falcons, 40-24.

New York Giants at Philadelphia — I would hope the memories of the Giants beating Philly two weeks ago are still fresh in the Eagles’ minds. Plus how will the G-Men react to last Sunday’s debacle, shutting out Denver for three quarters before giving up 33 points in the fourth quarter to lose 33-32? Eagles, 26-20.

New York Jets at Cincinnati — You know when you hear about those whales that wash up on the ocean shore, then rot on the beach? That’s the Jets. Bengals, 29-16.

San Francisco at Houston — The Texans showed how anemic their offense was in Monday night’s late-game loss to Seattle. 49ers, 21-12.

Sunday, 4 p.m.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans — The Saints are another beached whale in the NFL. Buccaneers, 24-17.

Dallas at Denver — Being a mile high, I would hope last week’s poor performance for three quarters wakes up Denver, whether or not the crisp fall air does. Broncos, 34-31.

Tennessee at Indianapolis — The Titans didn’t even get a bounce from a new head coach last week, so it looks tough against possibly the best up-and-comer. Colts, 27-10.

Sunday, 8:20 p.m.

Green Bay at Pittsburgh — They’ve been talking about how Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers (doesn’t that sound odd?) has something to show the Packers. But doesn’t Green Bay, and certainly Jordan Love, have something to show him? Packers, 30-24.

Monday, 8:15 p.m.

Washington at Kansas City — The Commanders are wounded while KC is just rounding into form. Chiefs, 37-23.

Last week — 9-6, 60 percent. Season — 60-47, 56 percent.

Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.