I’m happy to say my marriage is still going strong.

Watching NFL games with your spouse can be a fun and rewarding experience. You can share a beverage or two, eat something delicious, complain about your fantasy teams and laugh at Eli Manning’s facial expressions.

However, things can get dicey when your teams are facing off. We’re an NFC West household, but I’m a complete fraud Rams fan and my wonderful wife and Washington native conveniently became a Seahawks fan when they reached their first Super Bowl with Mike Holmgren and Matt Hasselbeck.

I was a complete jerk when my boys went up to CenturyLink last season and smacked the birdies out of the sky, 42-7. Cheering loudly, rubbing it in, the whole douchebag combo plate. And to her credit, she took it with class.

My arrogance carried over into Sunday as I expected another romp that would effectively be over by halftime. Needless to say, that didn’t happen. She sat on the couch with a slight grin on her face while I whined like a child with every 8-yard run by Chris Carson on first down. She never called out my hypocrisy when I said the Seahawks’ touchdown celebrations were lame and poorly conceived.

In fact, she never had a bad thing to say about the Rams at all. Her one comment was to say that Sean McVay looked like a model. And that he truly has red hair.

How about when the Rams somehow ended up with the win? She didn’t complain or cry or act out. She just shrugged and finished getting ready for a wedding we had to attend that evening (there was no alcohol, don’t ask).

It was right then that the truth hit me like a truck. My wife is a good person and I’m a complete tool. What she sees in me, I’ll never understand.

But man, I love when my team wins.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

NFL’S TOP 10

1) Rams – For three quarters, it seemed the Seahawks did whatever they wanted offensively. They were gashing the Rams’ defensive front for big gains and Russell Wilson was burning the secondary deep. But, just like the week before, when it was time to get a stop, they did. This doesn’t seem sustainable going forward, but for now, their defensive foibles haven’t knocked them off the top spot.

2) Chiefs – Yes, they got four interceptions off Blake Bortles. But good lord, come on. One of those picks came when Bortles threw the ball off his own offensive lineman’s head. And he still managed to throw for more than 400 yards. That stuff won’t fly this weekend.

3) Saints – This team is the big mover. That Monday night win was impressive as the team welcomed RB Mark Ingram into the fold fresh off his suspension and he didn’t disappoint, scoring two touchdowns. And don’t get me started on Drew Brees … because it would be a short conversation. The man’s awesome, what more do you want?

4) Patriots – They’re back. And it seems like everything is coming together. We’ve seen this movie before, haven’t we? This is gonna suck!

5) Vikings – Kirk Cousins wasn’t this team’s best offensive acquisition. It was snagging offensive coordinator John DeFilippo from the Eagles. Cousins has been scintillating to start the season, throwing for 1,688 yards with 11 TD passes and 2 picks and a 105.1 QB rating. But the plays are so well-designed that Cousins is frequently hitting receivers who are wide open. Good stuff. Three of their next four games are very winnable so look for the Vikings to go on a run.

6) Chargers – They’ve lost two games, but both came at the hands of the NFL’s only unbeaten teams. And the games were closer than the final scores indicated. I still think this team has the best talent in the AFC.

7) Panthers – Everyone expected new offensive coordinator Norv Turner to come in and revamp Cam Newton’s game. And he has to a degree, as Cam’s has shown improvement in completion percentage and quarterback rating. However, Turner has also committed the Panthers to running the ball as they lead the NFL with 154 rushing yards per game. It’s that balance that will keep this team consistent, which has been a common complaint over the past couple years.

8) Eagles – I’m giving them respect despite their 2-3 record because they are indeed the defending champions, but good lord. Time to get it together, boys.

9) Bengals – It’s hard to be 4-1, even though most of those wins were very close. Forget about their multiple playoff failures, as of right now, they’re playing well enough to win and that’s enough in the NFL.

10) Bears – They’re coming off a bye week and I’m still blown away that Mitch Trubisky threw 6 TD passes in a game. Seriously, how did THAT guy do that? I blame millennials.

WHAT’S THE CHATTER?

Cowboy conundrum: Dallas WR Allen Hurns insists he wasn’t throwing Dak Prescott under the bus when he commented (when asked) on his quarterback’s ugly interception against the Texans. I actually believe him. However, if Prescott doesn’t pick up his play a little, those sharp questions are going to keep coming and at some point, he’s going to get called out.

Pulled Flowers: Back in 2015, the Giants selected OT Ereck Flowers with a first-round pick. On Tuesday, Big Blue gave up and put him on waivers. It’s been a long time coming. Flowers may be an outstanding individual, but he should find another line of work.

Again?: Falcons RB Devonta Freeman missed three games with a knee injury. He returned in Week 5 and did absolutely nothing (fantasy owner here) and is now missing practice with a foot injury. Why does anyone play fantasy again?

Two men down: The Rams squeaked out a win in Seattle after losing receivers Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp to concussions. Head coach Sean McVay says he hopes both can clear the concussion protocol in time to play in Denver, but I would be cautious here. The Rams have enough talent to beat the Broncos without those two, so might as well give them another week to make sure everything is OK.

A Star is Born: No, I’m not going to see that movie. No matter how groundbreaking it is or how handsome Bradley Cooper might be. And how groundbreaking could it be? This is like the fifth time it’s been remade.

Oh, it’s the sleeve: Bears QB Mitch Trubisky wore a compression sleeve on his right arm in Week 4. Then he went out and threw 6 TD passes. He’s decided he’s going to keep wearing it, as it “gives me a little more swag or whatever.” Whatever works, dude.

Come on, man: Broncos CB Bradley Roby got burned for two touchdowns against the Jets last week. He followed that stinkbomb by failing to attend team meetings on Monday. Swear to god, there’s one of those guys in every workplace.

Sounds bad: Redskins CB Josh Norman had a rough night against the Saints on Monday, getting benched in the second half and then getting into a Twitter beef with New Orleans wideout Michael Thomas after the game. Norman told the Washington Post that he “went to that Kanye West sunken place.” I want no part of that place.

 WHAT WATCH IN WEEK 6

Eagles at Giants: I must admit, if the Eagles dropped to 2-4 because they lost on Thursday night to the Giants, I’d have to laugh. Cruelly laugh. While pointing. And eating a cheesesteak. Mmmmm, cheesesteaks …

Buccaneers at Falcons: Jameis Winston is back! And I’m pretty sure that’s not a good thing! In more ways than one! The Falcons, meanwhile, will try to avoid becoming the NFL’s best 1-5 team.

Steelers at Bengals: Funny how one performance can’t change minds. The Black and Gold looked like a completely different team against the Falcons. Now we’ll see if they’re actually back in their last game before Le’Veon Bell supposedly returns.

Chargers at Browns: The Bolts can justify my ranking them so high if they take care of business. On the other side, Baker Mayfield alone makes this game appointment television.

Rams at Broncos: Something tells me the L.A. defense will be huffing and puffing in that thin air. This has the makings of a trap game.

Jaguars at Cowboys: Late Sunday afternoon game. If Dak Prescott turns the ball over a couple times, expect the grumbling in Dallas to get even louder.

Chiefs at Patriots: Obviously the game of the week. Based on past experience, this is where the Chiefs’ feel-good run ends. The Patriots have made a living out of bring flash-in-the-pan teams back down to earth.

Sid Saraf
Sid Saraf

NFL Analyst

Currently a Mobile Editor at Yahoo, Saraf spent 5.5 years (Oct. 2010 – Feb. 2016) working for FOX Sports as an NFL Editor and Writer. Prior to that, Saraf worked for CBS Interactive for 4.5 years (May 2006 – Oct. 2010) as a Staff Editor.

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