Steve Brownlee

By STEVE BROWNLEE

Journal Sports Editor

The Detroit Lions might be keeping some pretty elite company — the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings.

For what? Aah, well … none of them might win another game this season.

With five weeks left in the regular season, those top-notch teams are heading in very obviously the wrong direction just as playoff races are really heating up.

There’s different reasons — the Lions are really banged up on the offensive line with new injuries just complicating matters, while the Eagles look like they’re in a horrendous funk with their offense.

The Colts, Steelers and Vikings have some major quarterback issues.

Of course, there’s some mitigating factors that might allow any or all of them to get back to winning. For instance, if one of them plays another in this “elite” group, well, someone has to win.

And I see Philly has a patsy schedule the rest of the way — the possibly Justin Herbert-less Chargers on Monday, with the Raiders, Bills and twice vs. the Commanders left.

Buffalo and the Chargers haven’t exactly looked like world beaters lately.

While the Lions have two of this group left to play, Pittsburgh and Minnesota, other games are against the Cowboys, Rams and Bears. Despite the Rams’ struggles last weekend, all three have been hotter than a pistol, as my Wild West cousins would say.

The Colts might have the roughest road ahead, having to play Jacksonville, Seattle, San Francisco, Jacksonville again and Houston to end their season.

They were a hot pick just a couple weeks ago for getting the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs, even as most also had trepidation about them getting to the Super Bowl because of a lack of playoff experience.

My how the mighty have fallen.

I doubt, though, things are that cut and dried, otherwise I might actually be getting more than 60% of my picks right this season. And that isn’t happening right now.

So onto another week of slogging through the mud piles known as the NFL, with the last four teams taking their bye this week:

Today, 8:15 p.m.

Dallas at Detroit — There’s probably some light at the end of the tunnel if the Lions can get to the playoffs. But can they get to the playoffs? Tonight won’t help. Cowboys, 34-24.

Sunday, 1 p.m.

Cincinnati at Buffalo — Though Cincy looked pretty impressive knocking off Baltimore on Thanksgiving night, do the Bengals have the rushing attack to take advantage of that part of Buffalo’s porous defense? Maybe just because they’re at home, Bills, 24-20.

Indianapolis at Jacksonville — Until the Colts can right their ship, which might not come until next September, I’ll pretty much pick against them all the time. Jaguars, 31-25.

Miami at New York Jets — The Dolphins have won three straight, their biggest margin of victory in the bunch was over Buffalo, not Washington or New Orleans. The Jets have only won three of five, but the two losses were to New England and Baltimore.

So in the same way that you’re supposed to take the home team in Miami when it’s roasting hot in September, you’re supposed to go with the Northern team at their place in December. Jets, 22-19.

New Orleans at Tampa Bay — Even my one bellwether in a storm, the Saints, screwed me up by beating Carolina almost a month ago. But otherwise, they’ve been pretty dependable — as a team that loses. Buccaneers, 30-24.

Pittsburgh at Baltimore — On the opposite end of the dependability spectrum is Baltimore, which began its rise out of mediocrity with a two-touchdown win over the Bears in late October. This team had won every game since — until they ran into the Bengals on Thanksgiving. What gives? On the hunch of a down Steelers squad, I’ll take the Ravens, 27-20.

Seattle at Atlanta — With their only stumble since early October being a two-point loss at the L.A. Rams, bet the house on the Seahawks, 37-21.

Tennessee at Cleveland — Sure, they’re going to give Shedeur Sanders lots of rope as Cleveland’s starting QB, but that doesn’t help their record in the meantime. However, if he’s not going to go oh-for-whatever time he has under center, he better win this one. Browns, 28-19.

Washington at Minnesota — Two teams going in the wrong direction, but it’s so bad in Minneapolis, everyone is relieved to see QB J.J. McCarthy back from a concussion despite his struggles. That’s how bad rookie Max Brosmer looked last week vs. Seattle with his four interceptions and no points put on the scoreboard. Vikings, 17-13.

Sunday, 4 p.m.

Denver at Las Vegas — The Raiders are so bad, I think the Steelers, Lions and Eagles could beat them with one hand tied behind their backs, considering that’s what it looks like Philly does with its offense most weeks. Broncos, 19-6.

Chicago at Green Bay — This, of course, is that game where you can throw the records out. Which might be an advantage for the Packers for the first time since Aaron Rodgers took “ownership” of his hated rival to the south. Both had extra time off from the holiday week, so in a real struggle, I’m going to take the Bears, 23-20.

Los Angeles Rams at Arizona — I’ll look at last week’s loss as a hiccup that the Rams are going to apply steroids, antibiotics and the Heimlich maneuver to get rid of. Rams, 35-21.

Sunday, 8:20 p.m.

Houston at Kansas City — I probably couldn’t even contemplate picking KC if I had picked them to win last week and they blew it once again. But figuring both the Chiefs and Dallas are much better at home led me to the Cowboys’ pick. Now I’ll take the home team again. Chiefs, 23-17.

Monday, 8:15 p.m.

Philadelphia at Los Angeles Chargers — Since it looks like Herbert is going to play despite surgery on his non-throwing hand earlier this week, and since I’ve completely jumped off the Eagles’ bandwagon, I’ll hold my breath and take the Chargers, 29-25.

Last week — 10-6, 63%. Season — 113-79, 59%.

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