The NFL trade deadline came and went, rosters got shaken up, and your girls at Girlfriends + Football have thoughts. Dezi, Beth, and Laura kicked off this week’s episode with Bavarian Coffee in hand (perfect timing, with the Lions and Patriots heading to Munich this Sunday), and dove deep into everything from the playoff picture to Super Bowl predictions.
Oh, and happy Veterans Day to all our veterans. Dezi was wearing her Marine mom t-shirt and the whole crew sent big love to everyone who serves.
Thirsty for Football: Bavarian Coffee
In honor of the Lions and Patriots international game in Munich, Laura brought out the Bavarian Coffee. Hot coffee, coffee liqueur, peppermint schnapps, topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint or shaved chocolate. Pro tip: skip crushing your own candy canes and grab those McCormick sugar toppers (not a paid advertisement). It’s a perfect pick-me-up for a 9:30 a.m. kickoff. Mocktail version swaps the liqueurs for peppermint and chocolate syrups, same gorgeous toppings.
Laura at the Roaring Riot
Before getting into the football, Laura shared highlights from her Charlotte weekend at the Roaring Riot tailgate. She set up a table, talked football with Panthers fans, gave out Girlfriends + Football swag and cocktail cards, and oh yes, the headliner was none other than Bubba Sparxxx. Dezi’s reaction said it all. The Roaring Riot has been going strong for years and raises money for local charities with every event. If you’re in Charlotte, they put on a fantastic time for a great cause.
The Playoff Picture
Halfway through the season, the girls broke down what the playoff race is looking like right now.
On the AFC side, all three agreed the Bills are the team to beat for that number one seed, though Jacksonville is playing smart, smart football and nobody is writing off Kansas City. The AFC West with the Broncos at 7-2 and the Chiefs at 6-2 is the division to watch, and the AFC North could get spicy with Rogers-led Pittsburgh on top while Joe Burrow is putting together MVP-caliber numbers for the Bengals.
The NFC is a different story entirely. The NFC North is essentially its own little playoff bracket: all four teams are in contention, the Lions hold the tiebreaker having beaten their division rivals, and there is still Thanksgiving football against the Bears on the horizon. Meanwhile, the NFC South is living up to its “trash can division” reputation, with nobody above .500 and the whole thing rotating week to week. Dezi is keeping a close eye on the NFC East after the Giants, with John Harbaugh working magic, and the Cowboys somehow sitting at 4-5 when by all logic they belong in the NFC South conversation.
For the NFC number one seed, Laura thinks the Bears have a real shot, with the 49ers right there alongside them. Dezi is riding with her Niners. Beth suggested the Vikings, led by that elite Brian Flores defense, could be a sleeper with Kirk Cousins back in purple.
Trade Deadline Winners
The crew graded out some of the biggest moves:
The Chicago Bears added Jeffrey Simmons, a fierce interior defensive lineman from Tennessee, giving up two first-round picks. That defensive line just got a whole lot scarier.
Jacksonville went all-in, picking up Jordan Davis from Philadelphia, Jesse Bates from Atlanta, and Devon Godchaux from New Orleans. The Jaguars are clearly saying this is their window.
The 49ers made two big splashes: DeForest Buckner returning home and Keenan Allen added at wide receiver, addressing their two biggest needs after appearing on the most-games-missed-to-injury list twice. The Dezi fun fact: there used to be some Twitter beef between Keenan Allen and Mike Evans, and now they’re teammates. Hoping everyone is older and wiser.
The Bills were essentially flat broke against the cap, but managed to bring in Imani Hooker from Tennessee as a safety upgrade after releasing C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
The Lions added Andre Cisco from the Jets at safety, a solid move even if some armchair analysts wanted more.
Kirk Cousins made his way back to Minnesota, leaving Las Vegas. The crew had plenty to say about whether he’s the answer for a Vikings team with the number one defense in football. The verdict: they just need him to be a game manager, not throw the ball away, and let Justin Jefferson do his thing. And yes, he is currently being paid by three NFL teams. Dezi wants to meet his agent.
Super Bowl Predictions
Laura has been saying it for years: Lions vs. Bills. It would be great for ratings, great for the rust belt narrative, and great for Girlfriends + Football. Beth put her prediction simply as a G+F Super Bowl, meaning she’s playing one of her co-hosts no matter who comes out of the NFC. Dezi is going Niners to Bills. It’s on the record now. We’ll see.
Week 10 Games to Watch
Laura is hosting a German-style brunch with her neighbors for the Munich game, complete with brats, spaetzle, and sauerkraut. She’s picking the Lions to win, though she admits it could be a toss-up.
Beth is locked in on Steelers vs. Bengals, a divisional game between two of the most fascinating quarterbacks in the league right now.
Dezi is watching Vikings vs. Packers, Kirk Cousins’ debut back in purple, and the Niners vs. Cowboys in Dallas, a game she will be attending in person. Classic rivalry, and she is very ready for it.
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