Welcome to Glass Slipper! Julian Sayin vs. Arch Manning is eight months away; please enjoy the show.

- Jacob Rhee

Here are my 10 biggest takeaways from Week 14 of the NFL season.

1. Green Bay’s missed opportunity.

That was it. That was the chance to put real pressure on Detroit in the race for home-field advantage. Can you imagine Josh Jacobs running through anything that moves with the wind chill touching -35 in the playoffs? With those Cheeseheads swaying the momentum? I probably would’ve taken the Packers to beat the Lions in a hypothetical NFC championship game if it was in Lambeau. Now, I’d be fairly surprised if Detroit isn’t playing for a Super Bowl in February.

2. A begrudging nod.

Alright, Mr. McDaniel. If I’m going to criticize, I must also be willing to offer some praise. You went down three with 56 seconds to play and the season on the line, and managed to find a way. Well done.

By the way, Tua Tagovailoa is very quietly torching folks since his return from the concussion. 15 touchdowns, one interception. I could absolutely see Denver stumbling late and allowing the Dolphins to steal that last wild-card spot.

3. Cam Ward in the Big Apple.

The ‘Canes quarterback is headed up there for the Heisman ceremony, and he might as well get comfortable in the city. I think he’s going to play his pro ball there, for whichever New York team has the higher pick.

Ward is a dream fit for a big-market franchise. Daniel Jones failed because he wasn’t talented enough. Zach Wilson and Aaron Rodgers were obnoxiously arrogant, and took no accountability. Sam Darnold got rattled by the demanding media, and was constantly pressing. None of those will be issues for Cam. He’s a cool, composed, gifted dude that belongs on a big stage.

4. A third run?

Let’s dive into a hypothetical. It’s December of 2025, and Alabama has just missed the playoff again (possible). Meanwhile, the Falcons are floundering and decide to cut ties with both Kirk Cousins and Raheem Morris (also possible). If you’re Atlanta, isn’t Kalen DeBoer your first call?

Michael Penix was with DeBoer for a year at Indiana, and liked him so much that he transferred to Washington for a reunion. Penix then threw for 9,544 yards and tallied 74 total touchdowns in two magical seasons in Seattle, and completed his transformation from a three-star recruit to a top-ten pick. These two men made each other ridiculous amounts of money; I think they’d welcome an opportunity to get together again.

5. Mac Jones is the worst quarterback from the 2021 draft class.

Not just the first round. The whole draft. I said it. Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields, Kyle Trask, Kellen Mond, Davis Mills, Ian Book, and Sam Ehlinger. They’re all better than Mac.

He looked okay as a rookie, when an offensive coordinator with six Super Bowl rings was holding his hand. Ever since? 26 passing touchdowns, 33 turnovers.

6. The Jaxon Smith-Njigba leap.

This is the most improved weapon in the NFL.

Jaxon is currently at 75 receptions, 911 receiving yards, and five receiving touchdowns. Here is a full list of every wideout in the league that has him beat in all three categories.

• Ja’Marr Chase

List over.

7. What is Chicago’s biggest need?

Players that care. Just get players that care. Please. This is embarrassing.

8. A horrible wardrobe decision.

The Chargers just went on the road - with straight faces - and tried to convince us that they were going to take down the back-to-back champs on national television while donning white helmets, white jerseys, and yellow pants. Whoever approved of that combination needs a stern lecture.

9. Create chaos.

There are no team goals to speak of, so I’m now rooting for Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase to post numbers so gaudy that they confuse the next generation of football fans. Burrow threw for 48 touchdowns in 2024 and lost 11 games? Chase had 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns, and finished fifth in the Offensive Player of the Year voting? Wait, what?

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t grinning ear to ear watching those two franchise cornerstones shove donuts in each other’s faces.

I still want Cincinnati to tank, but those guys deserve to have some fun.

10. Time to peek ahead.

An unbelievable slate is around the corner. First, Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit have a massive Rams-Niners game. Two days later, we get six(!!) more matchups with big playoff implications for both teams.

• Dolphins at Texans

• Colts at Broncos

• Bills at Lions

• Bucs at Chargers

• Steelers at Eagles

• Packers at Seahawks

The postseason race will look a lot different a week from now.

Pressroom

Spin It

“Glory Days” by Bruce Springsteen. Time to power through another week.