• The New Orleans Saints must prove they can win consistently on the road if they want to be taken seriously as a playoff contender.

    Saints must trudge through hell to glory

    The last time we checked in on the New Orleans Saints, they were 5-0 and hoping to stay undefeated against the New England Patriots. A lot has happened...

  • Exhibit B: How to not interfere while still being called for interference.

    Nailed It! Streak broken Week 14

    I guess my faith in the prognosticators was not enough to continue the streak of final score predictions. Oh, well, it was still amazing to see a correct...

  • Criticism of head coach Jim Schwartz is beginning to mount in Detroit as the Lions desperately try to avoid a late-season collapse with the NFC North division title well within their grasp.

    BBAO: Criticism beginning to mount

    Good morning, folks! Welcome to the Water Cooler Sports Black, Blue, and Ornery, your source for NFC North News on this Thursday, December 12th, 2013. Quote of the...

  • The Seattle Seahawks are gliding atop the Water Cooler Sports Power Rankings in Week 14.

    Power Rankings: Seahawks soar over league

    Proctologistics What a wild week in the NFL! Nasty weather, wild finishes, and some questionable officiating made for some interesting games. There were at least three records set...

  • Quarterback Josh McCown scrambled for a touchdown as the Chicago Bears wholloped the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field on Monday Night Football.

    Bears freeze 'Boys in their tracks

    Well, that was fun. After back-to-back frustrating road losses to the St. Louis Rams and Minnesota Vikings, the Chicago Bears returned home to the friendly confines of Soldier...

  • Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson received good news Monday confirming he will not need surgery to repair his injured foot.

    BBAO: Quarterback debate heats up

    Good morning, folks! Welcome to the Water Cooler Sports Black, Blue, and Ornery, your source for NFC North News on this Wednesday, December 11th, 2013. Quote of the...

  • The acrobatics of wide receiver Calvin Johnson weren't enough to spare the Detroit Lions from defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles in the snowy conditions of Lincoln Financial Field.

    Eagles snow Lions, 34-20

    Football should not be played in extreme inclement weather. I hope it snows like this in the Super Bowl in New York and ruins the game. That being...

  • Quarterback Josh McCown was spectacular in Week 14, leading the Chicago Bears to a decisive victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

    CQBR: McCown towers over league Week 14

    The NFL rebounded in Week 14 to post one of the most amazing weekends of quarterback play we’ve seen in recent memory. A sparkling total of eight quarterbacks posted Complete...

News

Criticism of head coach Jim Schwartz is beginning to mount in Detroit as the Lions desperately try to avoid a late-season collapse with the NFC North division title well within their grasp.

Black, Blue, and Ornery: Criticism beginning to mount

Good morning, folks! Welcome to the Water Cooler Sports Black, Blue, and Ornery, your source for NFC North News on this...

Analysis

The New Orleans Saints must prove they can win consistently on the road if they want to be taken seriously as a playoff contender.

New Orleans Saints must trudge through hell to playoff glory

The last time we checked in on the New Orleans Saints, they were 5-0 and hoping to stay undefeated against the...

Game Previews

With quarterback Jay Cutler sidelined again, backup Josh McCown will lead the Chicago Bears against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football.

Chicago Bears to fall below .500 against Dallas Cowboys

It’s do or die time for the Chicago Bears.  Head coach Marc Trestman says he has not yet given up on...

Game Wrap-ups

Quarterback Josh McCown scrambled for a touchdown as the Chicago Bears wholloped the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field on Monday Night Football.

Chicago Bears freeze Dallas Cowboys in their tracks

Well, that was fun. After back-to-back frustrating road losses to the St. Louis Rams and Minnesota Vikings, the Chicago Bears returned...

Quick Hits

Quarterback Josh McCown and the Chicago Bears offense were not stopped even once by the Dallas Cowboys.

Chicago Bears roll Dallas Cowboys on Mike Ditka Night

Recap The Chicago Bears went eight possessions without punting before kneeling the game out, rolled up 45 points, and demolished the...

Game Balls and Goats

Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk takes home the Week 6 Defensive Game Ball for an outstanding performance against the Baltimore Ravens.

Game Balls and Goats: A.J. Hawk sinks talons into Baltimore Ravens

And now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for! It’s time for the weekly NFC North and NFC South Game...

Power Rankings

The Seattle Seahawks are gliding atop the Water Cooler Sports Power Rankings in Week 14.

WCS Week 14 Power Rankings: Records fall like ball gowns

Proctologistics What a wild week in the NFL! Nasty weather, wild finishes, and some questionable officiating made for some interesting games....

Statistical Ratings

Quarterback Josh McCown was spectacular in Week 14, leading the Chicago Bears to a decisive victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

CQBR: Josh McCown towers over NFL in Week 14

The NFL rebounded in Week 14 to post one of the most amazing weekends of quarterback play we’ve seen in recent...

Weekly Picks

Conspiracy theorists are already whispering that the Atlanta Falcons are deliberately throwing their 2013 regular season -- and that team owner Arthur Blank is in on it.

Mad Chemist: Think Tank

As the fortunes of teams have faltered this year under the strain of bad coaching, bad quarterbacking and bad breaks, we...

Nailed It!

Exhibit B: How to not interfere while still being called for interference.

Nailed It! 2013: The streak is broken in Week 14

I guess my faith in the prognosticators was not enough to continue the streak of final score predictions. Oh, well, it...

Fantasy Football

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson keyed an excellent day for the NFC North in the Water Cooler Sports NFC North on South Fantasy Football Challenge.

Receivers and backs lift NFC North over NFC South

Week 13 of the Water Cooler Sports NFC North on South Fantasy Football Challenge saw some great wide receiver and running...

Opinion

NFL players are sending the message that bullying is acceptable -- until the victim forces the bully to stop.

Blaming Jonathan Martin speaks volumes about NFL culture

Playful hazing of rookies is a time-honored tradition in the NFL. Rookies are forced to carry veterans’ pads throughout training camp,...

Gameday Grub

If you're in the mood for something thick, rich, and hearty, Chef Aaron Bowers' spare rib sauerbraten will hit the spot.

Gameday Grub: Prepare thy Sauerbraten

If where you live is anything like where I live, it’s official: The chill in the air means it’s fall, which...

Announcements

How much impact has running back Eddie Lacy had on the Green Bay Packers in 2013? Tune in to the Overtime show with Jeff Thurn to find out.

Rourke Decker on Overtime Show with Jeff Thurn, 3:20 p.m. CT

We’re finally a quarter of the way through the NFL regular season in the NFC North and NFC South. It’s time...