The 49ers played McCaffrey in the snow game against the Bills because they believed his quick stepping ability through holes would be advantageous in the snowy conditions, despite his recent injury concerns.
Josh Allen is considered a strong MVP candidate due to his consistent performance, leading the Bills to a strong record, and his ability to touch the ball on every snap, providing more opportunities to produce numbers and impact games significantly.
The Packers felt optimistic about their chances against the Lions because the Lions' defense had multiple injuries, making them vulnerable, and the Packers had key players returning, such as Jair Alexander and Romeo Dobbs, which could bolster their performance.
Bryce Young is considered for a comeback player of the year award because he showed significant improvement after a rough start to the season, looking more confident and effective in leading the Panthers' offense, which was a stark contrast to his earlier struggles.
The NFC West division is considered weird and more annoying because of the unpredictable outcomes and the underperformance of teams like the Rams and Cardinals, who have shown flashes of potential but have been inconsistent and often disappointing.
The Jets struggled significantly this season with Aaron Rodgers due to his declining performance and inability to lead the team to wins, despite being a high-profile acquisition, resulting in a disappointing 3-9 record and questions about his future with the team.
Russell Wilson is considered a strong comeback player of the year candidate because he rejuvenated his career after a disastrous season with the Broncos, leading the team to a respectable record and showing significant improvement in his performance.
The Ravens struggled in their game against the Eagles due to multiple factors, including missed field goals by their kicker, Tucker, ineffective offensive play-calling, and defensive lapses that allowed the Eagles to capitalize on their opportunities.
The Bengals underperformed this season due to a combination of defensive inefficiencies, allowing high yardage and points, and an inability to capitalize on their offensive potential, despite having a talented quarterback in Joe Burrow.
The Jets became the first team to be favored by nine and end up 3-9 or worse due to a combination of poor quarterback play, defensive struggles, and an overall lack of consistency and execution throughout the season.
The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss Josh Allen's mounting MVP case, and the continuation of the 49ers' season from hell after falling to the Bills (2:16). Then, they talk Ravens-Eagles, Bengals-Steelers, Falcons-Chargers, and the Snakebitten Jets (20:30). They wonder who is the NFL's new worst head coach, discuss Trevor Lawrence taking a scary hit vs. the Texans, the Bryce Young renaissance, Cardinals-Vikings, and the still confounding NFC West (46:57). Finally, they guess the lines for NFL Week 14, and close the show with Parent Corner (1:04:21).
Host: Bill Simmons
Guest: Cousin Sal
Producer: Kyle Crichton
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices)