Top 10 Best TV Shows Of 2020

Hulu Netflix shows

2020 will be remembered as the year of the pandemic. Right behind the pandemic should be television and how it captivated my life for 365 days. This past year, I’ve never watched more television in my life. Every week, a new TV show grabbed my attention and dominated my discussion within my social circles.

This is the first year where my list for top 10 TV shows was harder to make than my top 10 movies. That speaks volumes for me personally. As a result of the pandemic, I haven’t gone to a theater since February 2020, which is depressing. However, television filled my void admirably. I was willing to try more new shows because of my abundance of free time. There were so many tv shows to watch that I even missed out on notable programs like I May Destroy You and The Boys.

Below is my list for the top 10 best TV shows of 2020.

10. Devs (Hulu)

Devs FX on Hulu
Devs FX on Hulu

Can man play God? That’s one of the questions behind the sci-fi mystery, Devs. Set in San Francisco, a young software engineer (Sonoya Mizuno) named Lily works at the tech-giant, Amaya. When her boyfriend dies on the job, Lily investigates the company’s CEO, Forrest (Nick Offerman), which leads her down a dangerous but compelling path. Framed as a murder mystery, Devs dives deeper into themes of free will, determinism, and quantum computing. Many will be turned off by the show, but if you enjoy the work of Alex Garland (Ex Machina and Annihilation), Devs is a weird sci-fi thriller with a satisfying conclusion. Plus, it’s beautiful to watch.

9. PEN15 (Hulu)

https://youtu.be/oFAHiU0g0xQ

My favorite premise on television belongs to PEN15. Co-creators Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle play 13-year-old versions of themselves in the year 2000 while being surrounded by actual teenagers. The show sounds silly and childish, but it’s a stroke of genius. The gag never loses its charm, and the show hilariously dives into themes of adolescence in their own charming way. I cringe for all of the right reasons. Don’t forget to set your away message on AIM before watching.

8. ZeroZeroZero (Amazon Prime)

Zerozerozero Season 1, Episode 7 Andrea Riseborough and Dane DeHaan CR: Stefania Rosini/Amazon Studios

Remember March? That feels like five years ago. Right before the world went to shit, ZeroZeroZero hit Amazon Prime video. The story centers around the cocaine trade and involves three groups: the Mexican cartel, the American brokers, and the Italian mafia. The story tracks how cocaine is shipped from Mexico to Italy. It’s a fascinating look into a corrupt world and how power is worth more than gold. Standouts from the show include Harold Torres as Manuel Contreras, a rising soldier in the Mexican army, and Dane DeHaan as Chris Lynwood, one of the cocaine brokers who battles Huntington’s disease.

7. Unorthodox (Netflix)

https://youtu.be/-zVhRId0BTw

If Normal People did not air in 2020, then Unorthodox would be the show that moved me the most. Unorthodox plugs viewers into the ultra-Orthodox community in Brooklyn, NY. It’s here we meet Esty Shapiro (Shira Haas), an unhappily married teenager who decides to escape to Berlin and find her estranged mother. It’s a beautiful and delicate look into a world that at times, feels like a foreign country, not a neighborhood in Brooklyn. The brilliant Shira Haas is a star, and her captivating and emotionally-gripping performance is one of 2020’s best.

6. Dave (FXX/Hulu)

Hi, I’m Dave. The surprise of the year belongs to Dave, the fictionalized tale of Lil Dicky and his quest to become the best rapper in the world. Dave is borderline ridiculous at times with milk boards and shitty hikes. However, Dave is more than just dick jokes. It has subtle nuance and tackles real problems in a caring way, highlighted by the standout episode dedicated to GaTa’s bipolar disorder. The show really hit its stride towards the end with “Ally’s Toast,” and ended with one of my favorite scenes of the year. At the end of the day, Dave makes me laugh more than any other show on TV.

https://youtu.be/5_lgiPMHcgA

5. The Queen’s Gambit

https://youtu.be/CDrieqwSdgI

The winner of the “show that came out of nowhere to captivate the nation” was The Queen’s Gambit. Somehow, a show about chess became the sexiest thing on television. The Queen’s Gambit chronicles the life of Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), an orphan chess prodigy that strives to become the world’s best player in the 1950s and 19660s. As an average chess player, I was so captivated by the show that I found myself researching The Sicilian Defense and Queen’s Gambit. It’s as entertaining of a binge-watch as you’ll find all year. Anya Taylor-Joy is a captivating performer. From her stylish outfits to her killer instinct, Taylor-Joy has a magnetic look in her eyes that reminds me of a young Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone. I just want to hang out Beth and drink a cocktail over a game of chess. Buy your Taylor-Joy stock now.

4. The Mandalorian

In my best Carl Weathers’s voice, “Mando!” Star Wars has reached new heights due to The Mandalorian. The bounty hunter tasked with returning Baby Yoda aka Grogu is an absolute blast. Even if you’re not a diehard Star Wars fan, this show is so fun and compelling that viewers can learn the ways of The Force without seeing any of the movies. Every episode is a fun adventure from start to finish. Season 2 continued to highlight where this show can go conceptually, and thanks to the recent Disney+ announcements, The Mandalorian will continue to open new doors in the Star Wars universe.

3. The Last Dance

The MVP of quarantine was The Last Dance. Spending two hours every Sunday night for five weeks with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls was one of the few highlights of 2020. From his rise in the 80s to his dominance in the 90s, The Last Dance brought fans on an emotional journey into the mindset of one of the most influential athletes of the last 100 years. When my mom and sister, who don’t play sports, are raving about a basketball documentary, then you know it’s fantastic. Jordan’s speech about winning and leadership is in my top ten scenes of the year.

https://twitter.com/ZekeHealy/status/1259884600769331205?s=20

2. Normal People

Normal People Hulu
Normal People / Hulu

The show that brought me to tears was Normal People, Hulu’s adaption of Sally Rooney’s novel about two young adults who fall in and out of love over the course of a few years. Normal People is one of the most heartbreaking and purest depictions of young love I’ve ever seen. It floored me both emotionally and mentally. The chemistry between Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones was undeniable. It’s the type of show that I will be thinking about for many years to come.

https://twitter.com/Danny_Giro/status/1256434483596865537?s=20

1. Better Call Saul

Better call saul
Rhea Seehorn and Bob Odenkirk in Better Call Saul / Greg Lewis/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

This was an easy decision. The best show TV show in 2020 was Better Call Saul. Most shows start off great and plateau in the middle seasons before declining towards the end. With Better Call Saul, it’s quite the opposite. Vince Gilligan’s prequel to Breaking Bad has gotten better every year, culminating with a perfect fifth season. Every episode is like watching a masterclass on acting, writing, and directing. The show is so strong that most fans care more about the status of the secondary lead, Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn), than the titular character, Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk). Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Jonathan Banks, and Tony Dalton all deserved Emmys for their performances. In particular, Seehorn can arguably make the claim that she’s giving the best performance on television today. She’s that damn good. Better Call Saul is no longer in the shadow of Breaking Bad. They are finally contemporaries.

Quick shoutouts to shows that just missed the cut and shows I didn’t get a chance to watch.

Honorable Mention: How To with John Wilson, Lovecraft Country, Ramy, Sex Education, Dash & Lily, The Real Bros of Simi Valley, Outer Banks

Did Not Watch: I May Destroy You (will 100% watch), The Boys, The Undoing, Ozark (Season 3), The Crown, Ted Lasso, Mrs. America, The Good Lord Bird

Editor’s Note: The Queen’s Gambit was originally at 4 and The Mandalorian was at 5. After a terrific Season 2 finale, The Mandalorian moved up to 4 while The Queen’s Gambit moved back to 5

What shows are on your top 10 lists? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

2020 NFL Week 14 Power Rankings: Four Up and Four Down

2020 NFL Week 14 provided an insane game in Cleveland and many other entertaining games. There were major shakeups on both ends of the Power Rankings this week, as the Steelers lost to the Bills. On the other end, the Eagles and Cowboys both won, paving the way for new teams in the NFL’s cellar. Without further ado, here is Four Up and Four Down for 2020 NFL Week 14.

Chiefs Maintain Top Spot in Power Rankings After 2020 NFL Week 14 Despite Turnovers

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs did not play their best football against the Dolphins. A win is a win though. Despite three interceptions, Mahomes still threw for 394 yards in the victory. They have so many ways of beating their opponents. Their defense has proven they can get the job done in the postseason. Kansas City has not played their best football in a few weeks, but they are simply winning games.

2. Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams are the most lethal quarterback-wide receiver combination in the league. No team has been able to stop them. Adams has caught a touchdown in his last eight games and has a total of 14 through 2020 NFL Week 14. The Packers’ running game is also decent with Aaron Jones. On defense, there is still something to be desired, as the Packers have let teams back into the game the past two weeks against the Eagles and Lions. However, it will be hard for a team to beat Green Bay if they cannot figure out how to stifle the Rodgers-Adams connection.

3. Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo defense stepped up against the Steelers on Sunday Night. A pick-six by Taron Johnson completely flipped the game in the Bills’ favor. If Josh Allen continues his great play, he could get some votes for MVP. He will not win it but has shown vast improvement this season. Allen also proved he can play well when the conditions may not be great. His play is helping the Bills as they are looking for their first AFC East title in 25 seasons.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh’s offense is very frustrating to watch. It makes no sense why they did not even try to establish the run Sunday night. They use all these short passes, and their receivers cannot even catch the football. When they were letting Ben Roethlisberger throw the ball downfield, they were winning. Now, they cannot. The Steelers need to find a way to incorporate running and downfield passes back into their offense, or their season will be over sooner than anyone expected. On top of that, they will be out of these power rankings.

Four Down: Texans and Bengals Hit New Lows In 2020 Season

29. Houston Texans

The Cowboys could have been in this spot, but their team did not have two contributing players get suspended this past week. The Texans were embarrassed 36-7 by a Bears team that had not won a game since Week 6. Deshaun Watson cannot win games all by himself. Hopefully, the new head coach finds a way to utilize the weapons they have since former head coach Bill O’Brien basically mortgaged this team’s future on the players they have now.

30. Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati was competitive for the first few games after Joe Burrow was injured. On Sunday, however, they were destroyed by the Dallas Cowboys and former quarterback Andy Dalton 30-7. At this point, the Bengals will not win another game this season. That means they will be able to take their choice of offensive lineman in the draft if they end up with the third pick.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars lost to the Titans 31-10. After a few weeks of being competitive, the Jaguars crashed back down to Earth. Gardner Minshew II got back into the game though, and he will be the Jaguars’ starter at quarterback this week against the Ravens. However, these last few weeks of the season will probably draw an end to Minshew Mania in Jacksonville.

32. New York Jets

There is not much to say about the Jets’ 40-3 loss to the Seahawks. A week after firing Gregg Williams, their defense did not find any answers against Russell Wilson and the Seattle offense. At least they have a loyal quarterback. Despite being 0-13 after 2020 NFL Week 14, Sam Darnold said he loved being a part of the Jets’ organization and still wants to be the quarterback. Teams should give Darnold a look in the offseason. If the Jets do indeed let him go, the team that signs him knows he will show up for work.

Do you agree with our Four Up and Four Down for 2020 NFL Week 14? Tweet us @unafraidshow with your thoughts.

2020 NFL Week 13 Power Rankings: Four Up and Four Down

2020 NFL Week 13 saw a change at the top of the leaderboard. The Steelers lost and the Chiefs won. The race for the AFC’s number-one seed is on.

Kansas City Chiefs Lead NFL After Week 13 of 2020

The Chiefs got plenty of plays between the 20s against the Denver Broncos this past Sunday night. However, they had a lot of trouble scoring touchdowns throughout the night. They finally broke through late in the third quarter after Patrick Mahomes found Travis Kelce for the Chiefs’ only touchdown of the game. Kansas City’s defense did its job against the Broncos’ offense, even though they had trouble against the run at times. If the Chiefs get consistent play from their defense, it will be extremely difficult for other good teams to beat the Chiefs in the postseason.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

I do not know if the Steelers have had a “Woe is Me” attitude about their games getting switched around, but Mike Tomlin was pretty accurate after he said the team “sucked” in their 23-17 loss to the Washington Football Team. The Steelers had their first loss of 2020 in Week 13, giving them an 11-1 record. This team has all the pieces. Once James Conner hopefully comes back from the COVID-19 list, the Steelers will have their run game back. They have an embarrassment of riches at wide receiver. Their defense is top notch. It is crazy that they lost to a team that they are simply better than. On paper, they may be better than their opponent this week, the Buffalo Bills. However, it will be interesting if the Steelers can bounce back against the Bills on Sunday night.

3. New Orleans Saints

The Saints did enough against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday en route to a 21-16 win. A five-point victory was a bit close for comfort, however. The Falcons drove deep into Saints territory late in the game, but the Saints defense was able to hold serve as they stopped the Falcons on fourth down. New Orleans has a decent, not great defense. Their defense is comparable to the Chiefs, but the Chiefs have a better offense than the Saints do. That is why just decent play on defense will win Saints games in the postseason. Their offense found more rhythm in the passing game against Atlanta, but they need to find more as they have a huge game against the Chiefs coming up in a few weeks.

4. Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen introduced himself to a national audience last Monday night. Sure, fans had seen him play before. Monday night, however, was the first time he showed his potential in front of a national audience. He passed for 375 yards and four touchdowns. Allen can spread the ball around, throwing to seven different receivers. He has his favorites though, as Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley had 10 and nine catches, respectively. The Bills may need to improve their run game, especially with the cold weather, but Allen is really starting to come into his own. Buffalo’s defense is up-and-down. If Josh Allen can put up the type of numbers he did last Monday night, the Bills will be a tough out for any team.

Four Down: Eagles and Jets Are Embarrassing Themselves

29. Philadelphia Eagles

Carson Wentz has officially been benched. The Eagles have butchered this season like no other team could have. Their receivers simply are not good enough and the offensive line cannot protect the quarterback. Doug Pederson calls plays like he has the best offensive line in the league. He simply does not. Carson Wentz got benched because he tried to play “Hero Ball” too much due to the Eagles’ deficiencies everywhere else on offense. The defense has tried to keep the team in games, but it has not been enough. Now, the Eagles will look for a spark as they start rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts against the Saints. Pederson is throwing Hurts into a horrible situation against a Saints defense that has given up one touchdown the past three weeks. Do not expect the Eagles to win this weekend.

30. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys missed three field goals last Tuesday night against the Ravens. They simply do not have it this season. Their defense could not stop Lamar Jackson. I wish I could say something about this Cowboys team other than it has been a lost season in Dallas. Mike McCarthy will have to start the process of finding answers for next season. You know the Cowboys are in really dire straits when they get flexed out of Sunday Night Football, an uncommon occurrence for “America’s Team”.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars

You have to commend Mike Glennon for stepping into a bad situation. He has helped keep the Jaguars competitive in games the past two weeks. Same goes for head coach Doug Marrone. Since the bye week, the Jaguars have gone 0-5, but four of those games have been one-possession losses. The players are still playing hard, and the Jaguars and other teams will notice this. Doug Marrone will probably be let go by Jacksonville after the season, but he has kept his team competitive when they have had every excuse to quit on him.

32. New York Jets

The Jets sent the tank at Derek Carr with ten seconds left in the game (pun definitely intended). Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III caught the ball and sprinted to the end zone, giving the Jets their 12th loss of the season. Adam Gase should have called timeout before the play, but Gregg Williams should have never called a blitz that late in the game with the lead. Because of it, he may never call another play on defense in the NFL again.

Agree with Four Up, Four Down after 2020 NFL Week 13? Tweet us, @unafraidshow, with your thoughts.

Pac-12 Football Seasons: 2020 Colorado Buffaloes Game 3

Sam Noyer Colorado Buffaloes 2020

Through their first two games of the 2020 college football season, the Colorado Buffaloes offense carried them. The Buffs bucked that trend, however, as they relied on a strong defensive performance. Because of this performance, they were able to win 20-10 victory against San Diego State on Saturday at Folsom Field.

Colorado Buffaloes Use Ball Control Offense to Take Lead

A few days ago, the Buffaloes were prepping for a huge Pac-12 South matchup against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Coliseum. USC could not play this week, as they are dealing with COVID-19 cases within their program. Despite the Buffaloes not being able to play Pac-12 competition for the second straight week, they were ready to play the Aztecs.

After SDSU went three-and-out on their first possession, the Buffaloes were able to use an effective run game on a 16-play march. Sophomore running back Jarek Broussard had two big runs of 19 and 16 yards to set the Buffs up for success on the drive. Colorado was able to use a good mix of running and passing to get into the red zone. Despite that, the Aztecs were able to force the Buffs into a 4th-and-goal at the one-yard line. On 4th-and goal, Sam Noyer was able to run the football in for a touchdown on a quarterback sweep. CU got the extra point and went up 7-0.

That first touchdown drive took the Buffaloes 6:05. Their second touchdown drive in the second quarter took 7:09. They showed that they can play a ball-control style of game and capitalize on opportunities. Shortening the game comes with its risks, but the Buffs were able to take advantage of their opportunities.

Bad Play Helped San Diego State Stay in the Game

However, one bad play can change the trajectory of the game when a team plays a ball-control style game. This bad play happened for the Buffaloes, as Sam Noyer threw his second interception of the season. San Diego State junior cornerback Darren Hall returned the interception 57 yards for a touchdown. The Buffs had dominated play, but only had a 14-7 lead.

The Buffaloes had to punt on their subsequent possession, giving the ball back to San Diego State. SDSU was able to drive down the field and kick a 48-yard field goal before halftime. The Buffaloes were the better team in the first half by far. Yet, they only had a four-point lead to show for it.

The defense came to play against the Aztecs. San Diego State had seven three-and-outs and turned the ball over on downs once. In total, the Buffaloes defense held SDSU to 155 total yards on offense.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1NSWvcLeVl9uHb8IGQN3oH?si=zIPgawwxSfO8zzQp7YPMXA
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Buffaloes Able To Make Field Goals In Second Half, Aztecs Do Not

After the teams traded three-and-outs to start the second half, the Buffs had their third 10+-play drive of the game. This time, they would only manage a field goal, however. With not having many days to prepare for the Aztecs, being able to control time of possession was huge for the Buffaloes. They let the game be in their hands. The Buffaloes played like the favorites, even though San Diego State was able to stay in it.

The only real chance the Aztecs had in the second half was due to an error by the Buffsf. Senior linebacker Akil Jones was flagged for roughing the passer, and San Diego State was in field goal range early in the fourth quarter. However, sophomore Mark Perry came up with a huge block of a 50-yard field goal by Aztec kicker Matt Araiza.

Following the field goal miss, the Buffaloes took the ball 44 yards in nine plays. Jarek Broussard’s 26-yard run on this drive was a huge step towards winning the game. Evan Price’s 41-yard field goal gave the Buffaloes the two-possession lead at 20-10.

This lead was plenty for a defense who did not allow SDSU to score a touchdown all game. Colorado’s defense did not break as they forced SDSU into another field goal attempt. This time, Matt Araiza’s 44-yard kick went wide right.

The offense struggled to keep the football the rest of the game, but the defense stepped up. They forced SDSU to turn the football over on downs. On the last Aztec drive, the defense finally forced a turnover as junior safety Curtis Appleton II picked off SDSU quarterback Jordan Brookshire. The Buffaloes added another game into the win column as they have started out 3-0.

2020 Colorado Buffaloes Attain Bowl Eligibility

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker beat a top-10 team on Saturday in the Spartans’ victory against Northwestern. He did not accomplish that feat in Boulder. Additionally, Colorado head coach Karl Dorrell has officially led the Buffs to bowl eligibility in his first year on the job. Tucker was unable to accomplish that feat during his time in Boulder in 2019.

Colorado Buffaloes fans should be ecstatic that despite the challenges that Dorrell has faced in 2020, he was able to lead this team to bowl eligibility. The Buffaloes still have plenty of work to do, and Dorrell talked about that in his postgame comments. In his introductory press conference in March, Dorrell talked about how he was going to be in Boulder “for the long haul”. He is taking that approach to the season also. There is still work to be done.

A Word on Targeting in College Football

Early in the game, there was a targeting call on Buffaloes cornerback Mekhi Blackmon that could have resulted in him being ejected from the game. Luckily, the referees overturned the call. However, the fact that a player can be ejected after their first unnecessary roughness hit is ridiculous. These plays are usually “bang-bang” or accidental. College players have limited opportunities to play in a college football game. It is ridiculous to punish them after they commit one accidental hit. The fact that Blackmon could have been ejected for a play where he was not leading with his head deliberately is very frustrating. It takes away from the game. The NCAA needs to do something about this rule because it is unfair to the players. It makes sense to eject players for repeated offenses, but they only get so many opportunities to put on a college uniform.

At 3-0, the Colorado Buffaloes take on the 0-3 Arizona Wildcats next week in Tucson in their fourth game of 2020. Colorado should be favored in this game. It is important for the Buffaloes to play a sound game and take care of business in a game they should win. They have a legitimate shot at making the Pac-12 championship game if they beat Arizona and Utah. Nonetheless, Buffaloes fans should be in a celebratory mood that the team has achieved bowl eligibility,

Were Kevin’s Parents Worse In Home Alone Or Home Alone 2?

Home Alone parents

It may be the Christmas season for some of you, but it’s Home Alone season for all of us. Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York should air at least ten times each during the month of December. It’s an entertaining and fun movie that five-year-olds and fifty-five-year-olds will both enjoy.

Last year, I wrote about which film is better, Home Alone or Home Alone 2. (Home Alone 2 is slightly better than the original.) In the article, I discussed the poor parenting shown by Kevin’s parents, Peter and Kate McCallister. This year, I wanted to expand on their parenting technique and rank every bad decision they made in each film.

I will be grading the McCallister’s actions on the Bad Parenting Scale, 1-10, with 1 representing a great parent and 10 being the absolute worst parent. Were Kevin’s parents worse in Home Alone or Home Alone 2?

Home Alone

Blaming Kevin For The Pizza Debacle

https://youtu.be/9p0ZChSYIzk

As a middle child (Out of six children in my family, I’m third in the pecking order), I’ve experienced what it’s like to be the younger sibling and the older sibling. If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that blame will fall on the older sibling nine times out of ten. It doesn’t matter what the younger sibling does. If an older sibling is involved, the blame will predominantly fall on their shoulders because they’re supposed to be “mature” and “responsible.”

Peter and Kate throw conventional wisdom out the door in the opening scene. Buzz, who is probably eight to ten years older than Kevin, antagonizes Kevin with his disgusting eating habits. As a man who despises olives, Kevin has every right to be upset that Buzz ate his cheese pizza. Kevin retaliates by tackling Buzz in the stomach, causing a chain reaction that leads to spilled milk and soda all over the family and their flight tickets.

Does Mr. or Mrs. McCallister question Buzz as to why Kevin would tackle him in the stomach? No. They let the entire family stare him down, forcing him to apologize for his actions. Then, Mrs. McCallister drags Kevin out of the room by his arm like a ragdoll. Kevin is not innocent, but his parents never gave him a chance to explain.

Bad Parenting Scale: 7.8

Allowing Uncle Frank To Call Kevin A “Little Jerk”

How did the McCallister parents let this slide? Uncle Frank is an asshole, and yet, Peter and Kate let him berate their child in front of the entire family. Stick up for your son!

Bad Parenting Scale: 8.5

Oversleeping

As the parents of the family, Peter and Kate are in charge of the wake-up. That’s their responsibility. To rely solely on an alarm clock the night before an international trip is foolish. I’m setting multiple alarm clocks including one that has batteries just in case the power goes out. Side note, not one person woke up early? Not one person went to the bathroom and noticed the power went out? Oversleeping is not a huge crime, but blood is still on the parents’ hands.

Bad Parenting Scale: 7.3

Forgetting Kevin At Home

Before I destroy the parents, Heather needs to take a lot of the blame for how she counted the children. She taps Mitch Murphy on the head, thinking it’s Kevin. How do you not ask the kid to turn around and face forward? Awful job by Heather.

Now, do I have any sympathy for Peter and Kate? Not one ounce. This is an egregious mistake. The duo banished their youngest son to the attic the night before and did not realize they forgot him until they were sitting in their first-class seats. Not only did they entrust a teenager with attendance, but failed to double-check for themselves to see if everyone made the trip. All Peter and Kate cared about were sipping orange juice out of a champagne glass.

Bad Parenting Scale: 9.8

Calling The Police And Only The Police To Check On Kevin

https://youtu.be/VZdjWTeh9eE

I don’t have a child so take this criticism with a grain of salt. If I was Kate McCallister, my first call would not be to the police. My first call would be to a family member in the area. From there, then I would try a friend, a neighbor, or a babysitter. If all else fails, then I would call the police. Clearly, the police were not interested in babysitting children in 1990s Chicago. While I don’t fault Kate for calling the police, I do criticize her for only making one call to the police. I find it hard to believe that the other children and Leslie could not get in touch with anyone. I refuse to believe it.

Bad Parenting Scale: 8.4

Home Alone 2

Punishing Kevin For The School Concert Fiasco

https://youtu.be/IT7-T-pqCCs

Beat that you little trout sniffer. Kevin sabotaging the concert is more egregious than spilling milk over the plane tickets. Public embarrassment is a hell of a lot worse than private embarrassment. Kevin’s hands are not clean, that’s for sure. However, how can Kate and Peter be so naive when it comes to Buzz and his antics? Buzz humiliated Kevin in front of the entire audience. His punishment? Apologize to the entire family. That’s it. Clearly, Buzz can get away with murder. Everyone can see through Buzz’s bullshit except Kate and Peter. To punish Kevin and only Kevin is bad, but not a sin.

Bad Parenting Scale: 7.5

Kate Taunting Kevin In The Attic

https://youtu.be/ki04Fub1Apc?t=160

“You got your wish last year. Maybe you’ll get it again this year.” Excuse me, but is Kate the mother or a middle school bully? Why would you taunt your kid after FORGETTING HIM AT HOME THE YEAR PRIOR? Immature behavior from Mrs. McCallister.

Bad Parenting Scale: 8.9

Losing Kevin At The Airport

I don’t want to cut Peter and Kate any slack, but I think that’s about to happen. I will cut them the smallest slice of slack, similar to the size of Squidward’s first bite of a Krabby Patty.

Unlike the previous year, Kevin makes it to the airport. Kevin hangs with Peter until he made the costly mistake of switching the batteries in his recorder. That mistake is on Kevin. Running after the wrong man in the brown coat is on Kevin. Not confirming the face of the man with the brown jacket on the plane is on Kevin.

In spite of this, Kevin is a 10-year-old kid. The parents need to act like adults and take some responsibility. Kate did not double-check on her kids at the airport and Peter ran the 40-yard dash in the terminal of hanging behind with Kevin. Bad parenting to lose Kevin, but not as bad as the first film.

Bad Parenting Scale: 9.1

Realizing Kevin Was Missing At The Miami Airport

https://youtu.be/lPqTZkg_RAI

Even if the flight attendants assured Kate they would make sure everyone got on the flight, Kate should have stood her ground and counted the kids herself. Peter also outran Kevin in the terminal and never turned around to check on him. Just turn your head to the door once you get on the plane to make sure your family boards. Stop flying first class and start sitting with your family.

Bad Parenting Scale: 9.0

Poking Fun At The McCallister Family Travel Tradition

If you constantly spill coffee on your shit, it’s ok to poke fun of yourself. When you lose your child in an airport, I wouldn’t be laughing at my mistake. If I was the cop, I would’ve thrown Kate and Peter right out of the office. This behavior is more infuriating than forgetting Kevin at the airport.

Bad Parenting Scale: 9.4

Final Score On The Bad Parenting Scale (Average Of 5 Scores)

Home Alone – 8.4

Home Alone 2: Lost In New York – 8.8

Peter and Kate were worse parents in Home Alone 2: Lost In New York. Despite reuniting with their son in both movies, they won’t be winning any “Parent of the Year” awards anytime soon.

Were Kevin’s parents worse in Home Alone or Home Alone 2? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

NBA Free Agency: Five Major Questions Heading Into The Season

Montrezl Harrell nba free agency

NBA Free Agency is like the wild west. Teams sign and trade players with reckless abandon. For teams like the Lakers, the rich get richer. For struggling teams like the Pistons, it’s a field day for NBA Twitter. After the dust has settled on the first week, here are the five biggest questions heading into the season.

To Win The NBA Championship, Would You Take The Lakers Or The Field?

Heading into the 2020-2021 season, the Los Angeles Lakers were the favorite to repeat as champions because they still had LeBron James and Anthony Davis. (Anthony Davis is a free agent, but will resign with the Lakers. It’s only a matter of time.) After one week of free agency, the Lakers are now the heavy favorite to repeat as NBA champions.

The Lakers not only restocked players, but upgraded at certain positions. Here’s how the Lakers improved in free agency.

  • Traded for Dennis Schröder, who led the league in points off the bench with 18.9 points per game.
  • Signed Montrezl Harrell, the Sixth Man of the Year last season and second in points off the bench behind Schröder with 18.6 points per game.
  • Signed Wesley Matthews, who shot 36% from behind the arc a season ago.
  • Signed Marc Gasol, a former Defensive Player of the Year and one of the best defensive players in the league.
  • Resigned Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Markieff Morris.

The Lakers did lose Rajon Rondo, Danny Green, Dwight Howard, and JaVale McGee through free agency and trades. However, Schröder, Harrell, Matthews, and Gasol is a stronger foursome.

A lot of contenders in the West like the Nuggets and Clippers lost key players from their lineups. The Lakers significantly upgraded, which means barring injuries, the Lakers will be the clear-cut favorite to win the title. Right now, counting on the Lakers to repeat is a better bet than the field.

Did The Bucks Do Enough To Convince Giannis To Stay?

The biggest question of free agency has still yet to be answered. The landscape of the entire NBA rests in the hands of the Greek Freak. Will Giannis Antetokounmpo sign the supermax with the Bucks? Milwaukee knew they had to bring in new players to try and entice Giannis to stay. Enter Jrue Holiday, one of the best two-way guards in the NBA.

The Bucks traded a lot for Jrue Holiday, but if Giannis resigns, it’s all worth it. Had the Bucks completed the sign and trade for Bogdan Bogdanovic, I would have said the Bucks did their part to sway Giannis. However, the Milwaukee front office royally screwed up, leading to Bogdan singing with the Hawks.

If I had to put a percentage on Giannis resigning, I’d go with 80%. The longer Giannis waits, the less confident I will become.

Are The Pistons Drunk Or Wasted?

Respectfully, can anyone explain to me what the Pistons are doing? New GM Troy Weaver has a plan, but I’m confused as to what that plan is. Here are the notable moves from Weaver.

  • Signed Jerami Grant for three years, $60 million
  • Signed Mason Plumlee for three years, $25 million
  • Signed Jahlil Okafor for two years, $3.85 million
  • Signed Josh Jackson
  • Traded Luke Kennard and Christian Wood
  • Drafted Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart, Saddiq Bey and Saben Lee.

I’m at a loss for words. Are they creating a stable of big men? The Plumlee signing and Wood trade are baffling. It’s important to remember that Blake Griffin is still on the team. If the Pistons can’t flip Griffin for a guard like John Wall, then who brings the ball up? Good luck, Detroit.

Who Is The Second Best Team In The West?

The aforementioned Lakers are the best team in the West. Who is the second best team?

A few weeks ago, the Warriors would have been my selection as the second-best team in the West. Unfortunately, Klay tragically tore his Achilles and will miss the entire season once again. James Wiseman will help in the frontcourt and Steph will do his thing, but the biggest question mark is Andrew Wiggins. Can he become a 20 point scorer again?

Conventional wisdom would say the Clippers will look to challenge the Lakers. After a disappointing exit, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will be on a mission to prove that their pairing can lead to a title. Losing Harrell was a huge loss, but the addition of Serge Ibaka may have been an upgrade down low.

The Nuggets will only take the next step if and only if Michael Porter Jr. becomes a true third option. The Blazers have a loaded bench, but their stars must remain healthy in order to advance in the playoffs.

Gun to my head, I’ll pick the Clippers to challenge the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

Can Chris Paul Lead The Suns To The Playoffs?

Time to take an “L.” I did not think Chris Paul had this much left in the tank. Not only did he prove me wrong, but he proved the entire league wrong when he led the rebuilding Thunder to the playoffs.

Now, Paul will have another chance to expedite a rebuild in Phoenix. The Suns will look to build off the momentum gained inside the bubble, where they went a perfect 8-0. Devon Booker will be a popular pick to make an All-NBA and Deandre Ayton is finally showing his true potential. Add Paul and Jae Crowder to the lineup and Phoenix will try to make the playoffs in over a decade.

The Suns are not a contender, but they should take a huge step in the right direction.

What is your biggest NBA free agency storyline? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

2020 NFL Week 11 Power Rankings: Four Up and Four Down

The margin for error in the 2020 NFL Season for teams is becoming thinner. This has been illustrated by the crazy finishes and close games that fans saw in 2020 NFL Week 11. Here are the top four teams so far this season.

Pittsburgh Steelers, at 10-0, Team To Beat After 2020 NFL Week 11

The Steelers made easy business of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday with a 27-3 victory. Ben Roethlisberger and his receivers look 1000 percent on the same page. They play the Ravens this week, but that game may not take place due to COVID-19 concerns within the Ravens’ organization. If they do end up playing, expect the Steelers to win. The Ravens have proven that they cannot win the close games, and they will not be able to build a lead against the Steelers’ defense. However, the Buffalo Bills await Pittsburgh in Week 14. Going up to Buffalo and winning is not an easy feat, even for the undefeated Steelers.

2. Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes did Patrick Mahomes things on the last drive in their 35-31 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. He found Travis Kelce on an all-to-easy touchdown to seal the deal. The Chiefs, usually a big-play offense, used ball control to beat the Raiders. Kansas City have found another scary way they can beat their opponents. The Chiefs should be favored, even though they will be tested in Tampa Bay this Sunday. Other than that, they have a huge Week 15 showdown with the New Orleans Saints, who also found another scary way to win on Sunday.

3. New Orleans Saints

Taysom Hill proved he can win a game as a starting quarterback in the NFL on Sunday. Even though the Saints went down early to the Atlanta Falcons, Hill was able to play efficiently for the Saints. He would account for two rushing touchdowns on the day, and show that the Saints have many dimensions to their offense. Their defense looks like it can do the job needed to help the Saints win games. Expect New Orleans to beat Denver, Atlanta, and Philadelphia to be 11-2 going into their Week 15 showdown with the Chiefs. Drew Brees may be healthy for that one, but will Taysom Hill still be starting at that point?

4. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts managed to win 34-31 in overtime against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, providing Philip Rivers with his second signature win in a row. Indianapolis seized control of the division with their win over the Titans in Week 10, and beat the Packers to take the fourth spot in Four Up for 2020 NFL Week 11. Their defense played very opportunistic and forced uncharacteristic turnovers from Green Bay. They play the Titans again this week, and the winner will have the upper hand in the AFC South the rest of the way.

The fourth spot in this week’s rankings could have gone to either the Colts or the Los Angeles Rams. However, quarterback Jared Goff still makes mistakes where one may think he is holding that team back. He played decent against the Buccaneers despite two interceptions, but his defense showed up. If defense wins championships, expect to see the Rams in a top four spot in no time. If Goff turns the football over, the Rams will have trouble passing the eye test for many.

Four Down: Joe Burrow’s Injury Completely Derails Bengals’ Season

29. Philadelphia Eagles

Doug Pederson’s offensive play calls look worse and worse every week. Carson Wentz looks nothing like he did in the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning season in 2017. The Eagles are winning the NFC East, but they are the only NFC East team on this list right now for a reason. Their brand of football looks uninspiring, and they look discombobulated on offense all the time. They need to find a way, as Russell Wilson and the Seahawks come into town on Monday.

30. Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow’s season-ending torn ACL and MCL was not fun news to hear. He was keeping the Bengals competitive in games they had no business being in. Burrow beat a Titans team who just beat the Ravens. Now, the Bengals need to tank to bolster the offensive line around him.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars

Another loss for the Jaguars against the Steelers. There is not much more to say. They are going to get either Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields in the NFL Draft.

32. New York Jets

It’s the same situation for the Jets as it is for the Jaguars. These two teams are on a collision course to have the top two picks in the NFL Draft. Both will probably have new coaches also.

Do you agree with Four Up, Four Down for 2020 NFL Week 11? Tweet us @unafraidshow with your thoughts.

Thanksgiving Dishes Ranked: What Should Be On Your Plate?

thanksgiving meals

It’s a great day. Today, Americans get to sit around the couch, watch football, and eat their faces off. No, it’s not a football Sunday. Today is Thanksgiving, the only day where no one can get mad at you for sitting around the television and stuffing your face with food.

Football might be the appetizer, but food is the star of the day. Everyone loves the idea of Thanksgiving dinner, but deciding what food will go on your plate is the bigger issue. Not every Thanksgiving dish is created equal, which is why I decided to rank the following foods.

Thanksgiving Dishes (in no particular order)

  • Turkey
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Stuffing or Dressing
  • String Beans
  • Cranberry Sauce
  • Mac and Cheese
  • Sweet Potato/Candied Yams Casserole
  • Pumpkin Pie
  • Dinner Rolls
  • Corn

Note: I’m not counting gravy as its own dish. Many rankings will consider gravy its own dish. However, I believe it’s a universal condiment, not its own meal. Even if you don’t like gravy, the odds are high that you’ll dabble with some on your plate to wash down the turkey, potatoes, and stuffing.

Also, don’t shoot the messenger if your family’s special side is not on my list. Google “popular Thanksgiving dishes” and those 10 are going to come up the most.

I broke down my rankings into tiers.

Won’t Be Touched Tier

10. Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Pie doesn’t do it for me. If I eat it, I need to drown out the pumpkin flavor with ice cream or whipped cream. From the chewy consistency to the earthy flavor, I will be walking past the pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. Give me apple pie all day.

Might Dabble, But Probably Won’t Tier

9. Sweet Potato/Candied Yams Casserole

I like sweet potatoes and yams. I like marshmallows. I don’t like marshmallows on top of sweet potatoes. Why do we add marshmallows to this casserole? Who OK’ed this? It’s something I will never understand. If the sweet potato casserole excludes marshmallows, then I’d move them up the list.

8. Corn

Who wants to eat yellow pellets that will end up in the toilet after dinner? As gross as that sounds, corn is a decent vegetable. However, I prefer it on the cob during the summertime. It’s the perfect side dish to pair with your cheeseburger and beer at your Uncle Brian’s house in July. I won’t be happy or upset if it’s on my plate this Thursday.

Can’t Have One Without The Other Tier

7-6. Dinner Rolls and Cranberry Sauce

Dinner rolls and cranberry sauce go hand in hand. Bread is a staple that should be consumed at least once per day unless you’re training for a Marvel movie. More importantly, if you’re eating cranberry sauce, it must be from a can. Screw the fancy stuff. If there are still lines from the can in your sauce, then you’re doing it right. Mashing up the sauce out of the can is also acceptable.

One Small Scoop On The Plate Tier

5. String Beans

It’s time to add some greens to the plate. If it’s just plain string beans, then I won’t be amped about it, but I’ll eat it anyway. However, if it’s a string bean casserole with some caramelized onions and/or bacon, then you’re sitting pretty. By the way, string beans, green beans, or the long green things are all acceptable names.

4. Stuffing or Dressing

First of all, I call this dish “stuffing” even though my family never stuffs it in the turkey. Therefore, I technically eat dressing. However, I call it stuffing and will always call it stuffing.

Food & Wine

I like stuffing. It’s an above-average Thanksgiving side. If it’s not properly cooked, it will come out super dry, which means it needs a lot of gravy to make it edible. That’s not a bad thing! Stuffing is hit or miss for me. If it’s good, it’s an elite side. If it’s below average, it can ruin the meal, which is why it’s outside of the top three.

Going Back For Seconds Tier

3. Turkey

“Turkey is actually overrated.”

The statement above used to be a hot take, but now it’s a cold take because people decided it’s cool to insult the star of Thanksgiving. The sides are better than turkey, but it’s insane to degrade the turkey. We don’t come together each year and sit around a table of stuffing and string beans (unless you’re a vegan or vegetarian, which is fine!). The turkey is still the star of the meal and yes, it’s still good! Without the turkey, there are no leftover turkey sandwiches. Put some respect on the turkey’s name.

2. Mac and Cheese

Out of all my rankings, mac and cheese will be the most controversial. I can picture the biggest argument against mac and cheese will be it’s origins at Thanksgiving. Is mac and cheese considered a Thanksgiving staple? For me, mac and cheese belongs at the Thanksgiving table. It’s warm, creamy, and a necessary injection of cheese to your plate.

Undisputed Champion Tier

1.Mashed Potatoes

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the reigning, defending, and undisputed champion of the world, mashed potatoes. What’s not to love about mashed potatoes? Whether you like them chunky or my personal favorite, velvety smooth, mashed potatoes are the star of the meal. What makes mashed potatoes so great (besides the taste) is their versatility on the fork. You can’t combine turkey with pumpkin pie on your fork. Cranberry sauce and string beans don’t go together. Mashed potatoes can be combined with anything on your plate and it will still taste delicious. When I sit down for my meal, mashed potatoes will be the star of my dish.

What are your rankings? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

New York Knicks: Solid Draft Night Leads To Unpredictable Offseason

Obi Toppin of Dayton / New York Knicks

As a fan of the New York Knicks, there are a few things that I’ve grown accustomed to when it comes to this organization. First and foremost, the Knicks will always make the wrong move, and it will surprise no one. Hiring Isaiah Thomas, trading for Eddy Curry, hiring Derek Fisher, drafting Jordan Hill, and empowering Phil Jackson only represent a small percentage of a laundry list of poor offseason moves in the last 20 years.

Since the 21st century, the Knicks are Murphy’s Law. Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. Besides a brief stint from 2010-2013 that included Melo, Amare, and Linsanity, it’s been a dark time as a Knicks fan, which is why what I’m about to say is foreign territory for most of us.

The Knicks had a solid draft night.

In other words, they didn’t mess up, which is the next best thing.

With the 8th pick, the Knicks selected Obi Toppin, the National Player of the Year out of Dayton. Toppin had a stellar season for the Flyers, averaging 20 PPG and 7.5 RPG. Toppin is a 6’9″, 220 pound highlight reel with a great motor and spectacular ability to finish at the rim.

The Knicks are desperate for a playmaker at guard, which is why many believed the team would select Tyrese Haliburton with the 8th pick. I would’ve picked either guy, but it appears Tom Thibodeau and Leon Rose wanted Toppin all the way.

I understand fans who wanted a guard, but I’m at a loss for words with the Toppin slander. His defense and footwork must improve or he will become a liability on the defensive side. However, Toppin is a high-character, hardworking player that went from a 6’1″ high school prospect to a 6’9″ lottery pick. Work ethic will not be a problem. I’m tired of seeing players shy away from the bright lights of MSG. Toppin is a New York native who WANTS to be a Knick. You can’t put a price on that passion. This kid is going to shine as soon as he steps foot into the building.

After the Toppin selection, the Knicks then made a few head-scratching decisions. They traded up to pick 23 but then traded back to get pick 25 and pick 33. At 25, the Knicks selected Immanuel Quickley. The sharpshooter won SEC Player of the Year and will look to light it up behind the arc. However, the Knicks need a distributor, and Quickley only averaged 1.9 APG last season. Quickley does support the theory that the Knicks are becoming the “Kentucky Pipeline.”

I would’ve loved to take a chance on RJ Hampton at pick 23 and I’m disappointed it didn’t happen. I can defend the Quickley pick, but I’m speechless with the Daniel Oturu trade. I thought Oturu, a walking double-double in college, was a good value pick, which is why trading him for a 2023 second round pick makes no sense.

Overall, the Knicks drafted two guys that should play right away. Now, the attention turns to free agency. Cue up the theme song from Jaws because Leon Rose is set to make a move.

First, he cleaned house. Rose created $40 million in cap space by waiving and declining a number of guys like Wayne Ellington and Bobby Portis.

Rose was not done.

The Knicks have roughly $35 million in cap space. “Leon, the Launderer” is accumulating ammo for his next move. How big will it be? It appears he has his eyes on a few targets.

If I’m being honest, I’m not crazy about trading for Westbrook. The 40m+ cap hit over the next 3 years is unappetizing. I wouldn’t overpay for Hayward, who’s been a shell of himself since the major injury. I’m not convinced Fred VanVleet can be “the guy.” I like Malik Beasley and would try to make that trade work.

Despite all of my doubts, am I really in a place where I can be picky? Have you watched the Knicks since 2013? Maybe it’s time to say, “Fuck it,” throw it all on red, and let it ride.

Trading for Westbrook and signing Hayward to a long deal may be foolish, but what is the alternative? Every Knicks fan is quick to say what the team shouldn’t do but slow to offer a viable solution. They won’t accumulate picks like Sam Presti. They don’t draft well like Bob Myers. Masai Ujiri is not walking through the door.

I’m tired of watching the Knicks tank and strike out in the offseason. Is a starting lineup of Russ, RJ, Hayward, Obi, and Mitch a bad thing? That could be a potential playoff team. I’d kill to watch basketball that matters. Maybe I’m delusional. Maybe I’m just tired of the same old shit. Perhaps I should embrace the idea of taking chances on expensive players.

There’s no right answer, but for the first time since 2016, the Knicks have my full and undivided attention.

What should the Knicks do in the offseason? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

2020 NFL Week 10 Power Rankings: Four Up and Four Down

2020 NFL Week 10 produced some stunning finishes (i.e. DeAndre Hopkins). The top teams managed to win games, even if they were ugly wins. On the reverse side of the coin, the bottom teams showed why they have that label on them. There are too many decent teams to count this season. Without further ado, here is Four Up and Four Down for 2020 NFL Week 10.

Steelers Lead the Way After 2020 NFL Week 10 With Drubbing of Bengals

After escaping with a 24-19 victory against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9, the Steelers got a great performance from Ben Roethlisberger and company in a 36-10 drubbing of the Cincinnati Bengals. This performance was after Roethlisberger only was able to get practice reps in a walkthrough on Saturday. He was on the Reserve/COVID-19 List throughout the week. Despite the limited reps, he threw for 333 yards and four touchdowns. He got all his receivers involved also. The Steelers can beat teams with their offense and defense. Their defense is only allowing 19 points a game. Expect the Steelers to get to 10-0, as they play the Jacksonville Jaguars next week.

2. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs had a bye week this past week at 8-1. However, they play the Las Vegas Raiders this week. The Raiders are the only team that has beat the Chiefs the season. Expect the Chiefs to have an extra dose of motivation this week, as apparently the Raiders took a few extra bus rides around Arrowhead Stadium after their Week 5 victory. With the Broncos and Chargers being non-factors in this division, a Chiefs victory will all but assure a 5th consecutive AFC West crown. However, it will be a tight race to the finish line if the Raiders can take the season sweep.

3. New Orleans Saints

Despite the Saints beating the San Francisco 49ers, an all-to-familiar storyline from last season has popped up once again. Drew Brees will be sidelined for an extended period, this time because of cracked ribs and a collapsed lung. I wish a speedy recovery for Drew Brees. The quarterback is in the midst of a season where he may have his last real shot at leading the Saints to the Super Bowl. At least for the next few weeks, the reins will be given to either Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill.

Even though Sean Payton is being coy on who he will name as his starter for this week’s game against the Falcons, expect Winston to get the call. The reason Teddy Bridgewater was successful for the Saints last season when Drew Brees was injured last season was that he did not turn the football over. This task proved to be a major challenge for Winston during his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and now he will have to overcome it to help the Saints keep pace with the Green Bay Packers for the number-one seed in the conference.

4. Green Bay Packers

The Packers came out flat for the second time in three weeks. However, this time they were able to squeak out a 24-20 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This game saw the Packers’ star quarterback and wide receiver duo of Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams give the ball away. However, they connected on the Packers’ go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Spots three and four interchangeable with the Buccaneers, Bills, Colts, Cardinals, or Rams. Any of these teams would probably four or five out of ten times if they played the Saints on a neutral field. However, the Saints and Packers have each showed a better propensity for finding ways to win games. The margin is very miniscule.

Four Down: Texans and Jaguars Once Again Show Inability to Win Games

29. Houston Texans

The Texans were without David Johnson on Sunday, but they still put out a talented offense with Deshaun Watson, Will Fuller V, Brandin Cooks, and Randall Cobb. Yet, they only put up seven points against the Cleveland Browns in a 10-7 loss. JJ Watt is the leader of the defense that held the Browns in check on the scoreboard despite giving up 231 rushing yards. This team is simply too talented to be raking up losses week in and week out. 2020 has been a lost season for the Texans. They need to hit the reset button, because they are not far off from becoming good again with the talent they have.

30. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys were on bye this week. It looks like Andy Dalton will return against the Vikings. Based on Dalton’s past performances, it is hard to encourage Cowboys fans about Dalton being the leader of this team. Garrett Gilbert was respectable in their loss to the Steelers. However, Mike McCarthy is probably using the logic of playing the veteran since they are only one game back in the win column from the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants in the NFC (L)East.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars came close to pulling off what would have been the biggest upset of the NFL Season against the Green Bay Packers. They have talent on their team, but the talent is not consistent enough. For example, wide receiver Keelan Cole got a receiving and a return touchdown against the Packers. However, one does not hear his name every week. There is no denying that he is one of many talented players on the Jaguars, but they simply have never been able to find that consistency.

32. New York Jets

Good news for the Jets this week. They were on bye, so that means they did not lose. It is hard to see this team winning a game though. The Jets have veteran leadership with Joe Flacco starting, and they almost beat a New England Patriots team that upset the Baltimore Ravens in 2020 NFL Week 10. Arguably their best chance to win comes this Sunday as they travel to Los Angeles to play the Chargers.

Do you agree with Four Up and Four Down for 2020 NFL Week 10? Tweet us, @unafraidshow, with your thoughts.