Happy New Year! Welcome to 2025 and the final week of the NFL regular season. Unlike almost every team in the league, Football Cat is going to give a full 100% effort in Week 18. There will be no tanking nor relaxing at this address. Although I do find staring at a fish tank very relaxing.
Tanking sounds like fun!
SATURDAY DINNER TIME Browns at Ravens (-17.5) Scary Black Birds feast on stale Brownies
This better be a brownie
SATURDAY PROWL TIME Bengals (-1.5) at Steelers Stripey Cats get the W but not a spot in the ‘yoffs
SUNDAY LUNCH TIME Panthers at Falcons (-8.5) Black Cats smack down a flaccid Penix
Looks more like a pickle
Commanders (-4.5) at Cowboys Commies win and get in
Bears at Packers (-9) Hibernating Bears get ground up by Meat Men
I am not a bear!
Jaguars at Colts (-4.5) Spotty Cats trampled by Horsies
Bills (-2.5) at Patriots Patriots finish the season the same way it started with an idiotic Gatorade bath for Coach Mayo
He better hope that’s “victory” mayonnaise
Giants at Eagles (-3) G-men do more damage to their draft position
Saints at Buccaneers (-13) Bucs plow through New Orleans
Texans at Titans (-1) Tits hold firm against Texans backups
I meant to type “Got It”. (Avert your eyes!)
SUNDAY DINNER TIME 49ers at Cardinals (-4.5) Pretty Red Birds fly high into the off-season
Chiefs at Broncos (-11) Broncos win by default
Seahawks (-5.5) at Rams Fake Sea Birds romp over resting Rams
Chargers (-5.5) at Raiders Never forget that Kraft didn’t even bother to interview Brother Jim
Oy vey iz mir!
Dolphins (-1.5) at Jets The incoming Undersecretary for Health and Human Services closes out his NFL career with a win
SUNDAY PROWL TIME Vikings at Lions (-3) Jungle Kings nosh on Nordic knee caps
He’d rather be seeing ghosts
Football Cat lives in New Hampshire, enjoys watching football, and is a cat.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? The answer is a resounding “YES”! It’s best to leave the past in the past. Your New Year’s resolution should be to not dwell on lost loves and move forward. New year, new you. Don’t spend your nights listening to Spotify and crying yourself to sleep over what might have been with Olivia or Jackie or Brad. Lift a cup of kindness and throw it right in their face!
Happy Mew Year!
Or you could just resolve to stop drinking again.
SATURDAY LUNCH TIME Chargers (-4) at Patriots Patriots shock the Bolts like it’s 1985
In 2025 Coach Mayo resolves to be even more open with his good friends in the media.
SATURDAY DINNER TIME Broncos at Bengals (-3) Stripey Cats keep their playoff chances alive
SATURDAY PROWL TIME Cardinals at Rams (-6) Rams rout Red Birds
SUNDAY LUNCH TIME Colts (-7.5) at Giants Giant tank job continues
Now that’s a giant tank!
Jets at Bills (-10) McDermott’s men hijack Jets and send them crashing back to Earth
Never forget
Titans at Jaguars (-1) Spotty Cats can’t handle Tits
Raiders (-1.5) at Saints Raiders win again, they must really hate the idea of drafting Shedeur Sanders.
Panthers at Buccaneers (-8) Scary Black Cats sink Bucs
Tampa should have consulted “Unsinkable Sam”
Cowboys at Eagles (-9.5) American Birds keep the pressure on the Jungle Kings
SUNDAY DINNER TIME Dolphins at Browns (-6.5) Elves shelve Miami
Don’t eat the brown fish
Packers at Vikings (-1.5) Vikings mince Meat Men
I’d rather be plundered
SUNDAY PROWL TIME Falcons at Commanders (-4) Commies swamp Falcons
MONDAY PROWL TIME Lions (-3.5) at 49ers Jungle Kings poach Prospectors’ patellas
Football Cat lives in New Hampshire, enjoys watching football, and is a cat.
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style, in the air there’s a feeling of Christmas. And in the spirit of the holiday season, the animals of The 15, and animals adjacent to The 15, have pooled their meager resources and gifted Football Cat a well deserved week off.
This isn’t as easy as it looked
SATURDAY LUNCH TIME Texans at Chiefs (-2.5) Marv thinks that, while the Chiefs may appear harmless, KC will suddenly snap and go for the Texans jugular.
Hi Marv!
SATURDAY DINNER TIME Steelers at Ravens (-6.5) Jocko isn’t a fan of the Black Birds, he takes the Steelers.
SUNDAY LUNCH TIME Cardinals (-4.5) at Panthers Jocko also isn’t a fan of the Black Cats, he takes the Cardinals.
Jocko puts up with a lot
Giants at Falcons (-9) Rams (-3) at Jets Spuckie the rat loves both New York teams to at least cover.
Spuckie loved going on long walks with his owner LJ Sandwich (OOTGs)
Lions (-6.5) at Bears Gus takes Detroit in a huge bounce back game in chilly Chicago after a loss against Buffalo.
Gus is a much gooder friend than Mac
Titans at Colts (-3.5) Millie says to lay it all on the Tits
Pay attention to Millie!
Eagles (-3.5) at Commanders Remi takes the Eagles over the Commanders.
Drinks?
Browns at Bengals (-7.5) The Cleveland Pig digs the Browns (and truffles).
I love that pig
SUNDAY DINNER TIME Vikings (-3) at Seahawks Loki wishes he could fly like a real non-existent Seahawk.
One day that will be me up there
Jaguars at Raiders (-1) And Jocko really doesn’t like the Black Hole!
49ers at Dolphins (-1) Jasper would prefer backing a team from Virginia Beach, but Miami Beach is a close second.
Poor Jasper
Patriots at Bills (-14) Bo has unwavering faith in the Coach Quick Slants.
I live with a talking potato
SUNDAY PROWL TIME Buccaneers (-4) at Cowboys Dooze loves the Cowboys especially when they play with their roof open.
Did you hear about the dog park on the moon?
MONDAY PROWL TIME Saints at Packers (-13.5) Paco backs the Meat Men, preferably with a nice coating of Rub Smoke Love BEEF CAKE premium all-natural beef rub and seasoning.
All the best food seasonings are sold at True Value
Football Cat lives in New Hampshire, enjoys watching football, and is a cat.
Interns beware! It’s that festive time of year again, tonight is the “The 15’s Annual Office Holiday Party”. ( It used to be the “The 15’s Annual Office Christmas Party”, but Carl did 23andMe this past year and, oy gevalt, he’s suddenly kosher.) But have no fear! Whether you spin the dreidel, or your savior was born in a stable, all you have to do is follow Football Cat’s 7 simple tips for a funtastic Office Holiday Party…
Spot the total number HR violations in this picture! Whoever comes closest will win a bonus day off* (*unpaid)
Show Up: You do not want to be labeled as a party pooper. Get your ass to the party, they’ll be free drinks (see Tip #2).
Drink: Drink! There’s nothing people like more than talking about the person who had too much to drink at the office party. You’re just providing a public service.
Eat: If you don’t eat, you’ll get drunk too fast (see Tip #2). It’s science.
Dance: On the floor, on the table (see Tip #2) , whatever it takes.
Talk to the Big Boss: Make sure you’ve had a couple of drinks first (see Tip #2) . And make it quick. Get in, get out. Don’t linger.
Play Your Transportation By Ear: You’re going to drink (see Tip #2) so don’t drive, but don’t plan ahead either. There’s definitely someone in the office with Clara Barton Syndrome, or maybe it’s Clara Nightingale Syndrome – whichever the nice one was. It doesn’t really matter, just don’t puke in Clara’s car.
Be Prepared: Bring an extra pair of underwear, your toothbrush and your passport. You never know what will happen (see Tip #2).
Good luck and have fun (see Tip #2)!
SUNDAY LUNCH TIME Chiefs (-4.5) at Browns Chiefs scalp the Elves
Payback is a bitch
Bengals (-5) at Titans Stripey Cats pancake Tits
Tigers and pancakes? Someone’s getting cancelled.
Commanders (-7) at Saints Godless Commies decanonize Saints
Ravens (-14.5) at Giants Scary Black Birds jar Giants
Cowboys at Panthers (-2.5) Scary Black Cats spook America’s Team
I’m dreaming of a Black Sunday
Jets (-3.5) at Jags My Good Friend Mac finally owns!
This time for sure!
Dolphins at Texans (-3.5) Texans barbecue Dolphins
SUNDAY DINNER TIME Colts at Broncos (-4) Big Broncos corral lil’ Colts
Go Horse(s)!
Bills at Lions (-2.5) Hairy Cows trample Jungle Kings
Steelers at Eagles (-5) Yinzers take the Keystone State Cup
Patriots at Cardinals (-6) Pretty Red Birds fly past Mayo’s men
Stay strong Drake-A-Maniacs!
Buccaneers at Chargers (-3) Brother Jim Hawkins’ gang zaps swashbucklers
SUNDAY PROWL TIME Packers (-3) at Seahawks Fake Sea Birds aren’t in the mood for Love.
MONDAY EARLY PROWL TIME Bears at Vikings (-7) Vikings plunder hibernating Bears
Sounds like a Pixar movie
MONDAY PROWL TIME Falcons (-5) at Raiders Too bad Jerry Glanville isn’t alive to see his Falcons take down the Elvis impersonators #RIP
Wait… what?
Football Cat lives in New Hampshire, enjoys watching football, and is a cat.
Have no fear! Even though the local gridironers are enjoying a weekend away, getting tanned and rested, there’s no bye week for Football Cat!
Don’t we have interns to cover for me for one week?
And remember, it’s not just the bye week, it’s also the BUYweek at the official the 15 net store! If you don’t shop during the big holiday sale, you’re just wasting money. It’s basic math people.
SUNDAY LUNCH TIME Jaguars at Titans (-4) Tits motorboat Spotty Cats
My good friend Mac in happier times
Jets at Dolphins (-6) Tua melts Jets
I prefer a little dolphin in my tuna
Falcons at Vikings (-5.5) Vikings rape Raptors
Saints (-4.5) at Giants David takes down Goliath
You don’t want to get on Davey’s bad side
Panthers at Eagles (-12) Scary Black Cats spook American Birds
Browns at Steelers (-6.5) Yinzers flush Browns
If it’s brown flush it down!
Raiders at Buccaneers (-6.5) Bucs win the biggest pirate fight since the Battle of Cape Lopez
What do you call a pirate with a cat on his shoulder? A purr-ate.
SUNDAY DINNER TIME Seahawks at Cardinals (-2.5) Pretty Red Birds pluck Fake Sea Birds
Bills (-5) at Rams Horny Sheep win the Bovidae Battle
Me so horny!
Bears at 49ers (-4.5) Prospectors wake the sleepy Bears, get mauled.
SUNDAY PROWL TIME Chargers at Chiefs (-3.5) Native Americans short circuit Plugs
Trail of Tears? Sounds like my prom night!
MONDAY PROWL TIME Bengals (-5) at Cowboys Stripey Cats do Dallas
Football Cat lives in New Hampshire, enjoys watching football, and is a cat.
Don’t worry, a deranged pilot is not going to fly a blimp into an NFL stadium near you. It means it’s your chance to save SAVE SAVE!
Just visit the the official “The 15” store, and with a few clicks (and a valid credit card) you can take care of all your holiday shopping and enjoy all the football.
Them ore you spend the more you SAVE! (It’s simple mathematics)
Shop early and often, and remember to tell them that Football Cat sent you.
SUNDAY LUNCH TIME Chargers (-1) at Falcons Plugs zap Raptors
Steelers at Bengals (-3) Men of Steel cage Stripey Cats
Roar!
Texans (-4) at Jaguars Spotty Cats claw their way to victory
Cardinals at Vikings (-3.5) Pretty Red Birds should never have flown north.
Frozen Red Bird patties are good eating
Colts (-2.5) at Patriots To all the little Drake-a-Maye-niacs, say your prayers, take your vitamins, and enjoy the win heading into the bye week.
You may not like it… but accept it!
Seahawks (-2) at Jets Fake Sea Birds ground Jets
Titans at Commanders (-5.5) Commies blast all over Tits
Hey, my eyes are up here.. WTF!
SUNDAY DINNER TIME Buccaneers (-5.5) at Panthers Black Beards sink Black Cats
The impending cannibalism makes it funny
Rams (-2.5) at Saints The Lord’s shepherds sheer the hairy sheep
Eagles at Ravens (-3) Scary Black Birds rule the roost
Honk if you remember Marlin Perkins
SUNDAY PROWL TIME 49ers at Bills (-7) Prospectors get snowed under in Buffalo
MONDAY PROWL TIME Browns at Broncos (-5.5) Elves can’t handle the elevation
It really messes with his GI tract.
Football Cat lives in New Hampshire, enjoys watching football, and is a cat.
Jaylen is so ripped watching him guard fatty Harden makes it look like he’s guarding Shukri Wright.
The Red Sox were in on Snell. Okay.
If you were one of those folks who took it upon themselves to put a bunch of campaign signs all over the place, I genuinely appreciate your dedication to democracy, no matter whom you backed. But it’s been a week. Go clean up your deal.
If Bill was still working for the Krafts there’s no way he’d be allowed to print in color.
Good showing, RIFC. Get ’em next time.
He’s actually a great guy, great dad, great coach. I’ve watched him break up potential fights before they happened. So instead of 2 dads spend the weekend in prison, Greg controlled the situation. He is a very nice man and a pillar of the community, he volunteers his time.
When my mom knows the Patriots’ personnel better than the offensive coordinator something is very wrong (Granted, she’s also a diehard who rocks a Hannah jersey, but still…)
You can tell that Civian hates all the unwanted attention she gets, because she continually seeks the unwanted attention.
Cakes are cooking for Kathryn Bigelow, Curtis Armstrong, Bill Nye*, William Fichtner, Caroline Kennedy, Mike Scioscia, Steve Oedekerk, Charlie Benante, Mike Bordin, Fisher Stevens, Robin Givens, Fiachna O’Braonáin, Garry Valk, Nick Van Exel, Jon Runyan, Martin Gramatica, Chad Kilger, Jaleel White, Jimmy Rollins, Ricky Carmichael, Alison Pill, Lashana Lynch, and Omar Jimenez.
Yams and sweet potatoes are interchangeable and don’t let anybody tell you different.
Right-hand catching goalies always look like they’re playing with borrowed equipment haha. But Askarov having nice debut for SJ.
I know this is simple math, but doesn’t Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium follow from expansion of the generating function (p*x + q*y)^2? Allele frequency remaining constant follows from renormalization, as expected number of x alleles is 2p and y alleles is 2q.
If you consider the old Browns and the Ravens to be the same franchise, then all 32 NFL franchises have spent at least one week in last place of DVOA since 1979.
Blue Line Update: Normal service has resumed between Wonderland and Orient Heights.
Is Sacco up to the awesome responsibility of coaching the Centennial Game?
Kadlick/Kyles is the new Paxton/Pullman.
Is Frosty Bias on Bluesky? I need assurances that I’ll be reminded daily that Reggie Lewis and Len Bias are dead.
Hey gang of amphibious Spaniards! This week’s Phrase that Pays is, “I would tongue that ass til I tasted Fall River.”
I am not a Christmas girlie, but having siblings with kids makes it way more fun.
News Item: Bertucci’s is debuting a brand new concept, and its first location will be in Boston.
How am I the least chill guy on Twitter?!
Man, it seems like the Lions and the Cowboys play EVERY Thanksgiving!
After all the jacks are in their boxes And the clowns have all gone to bed You can hear happiness Staggering on down the street Footprints dressed in red And the wind whispers “Mary.”
All the suckers getting to the airport early means you can get there 55 minutes before your flight leaves.
Honk if you think Ted Williams should have won the 1941and 1947 AL MVP Award.
Sam Kennedy would like you to know that the Sox are just so darn disappointed Snell decided to go with another offer but that coming this spring to America’s favorite ballpark you can get a Guy Fieri smash burger and a cup of New England’s favorite Legal Seafood chowder for only $89!
ESPN putting out playoff rankings every week that are 100% meaningless and using that as an excuse to do a segment where Paul Finebaum yells about it is terrorism.
Does the Herald still run ‘Clip’ Callahan’s HS football article every Thanksgiving?
Bit of a stumble out of the gates for UConn MBB.
Is Bill James okay?
Breaking: Daniel Jones to sign with Vikings’ practice squad after release from Giants, per sources.
Best bet for the weekend: Open Newbury: Holiday Stroll! Join us for car-free shopping and holiday fun on Sunday, December 1, and Sunday, December 8. Fun!
Anyone who false starts is a Patriots offensive lineman. Anyone that commits holding is a well-disciplined Patriots offensive lineman.
Material from interviews, wire services, Twitter, Meta, other writers, league and team sources, BSMW‘s Lazslo Panaflex, and the members of #the15 were used in this column. You want it all, but you can’t have it (yeah, yeah, yeah) It’s in your face, but you can’t grab it (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Jeanne Crane and friend wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.
In honor of the big (BIG!) PRE INFRA-BLACK FRIDAY sale at the official the 15 store, Football Cat is generously giving out free money – in the form of bonus Thanksgiving picks. What better way to thank your host or hostess than with a high quality “It’s Called #Owning” coffee mug or the ever popular Jonathon t-shirt?
Shop early and often, and remember to tell them that Football Cat sent you.
EARLY EATERS TIME Bears at Lions (-10.5) Jungle Kings feast on roasted ursine knee caps
All shirts are available in men’s sizes from Medium all the way up to 3XL.
LATE EATERS TIME Giants at Cowboys (-3) Pokes pop Pituitaries
A Hall of Fame owner with Hall of Fame fashion sense
SECOND DINNER TIME Dolphins at Packers (-3.5) Meat men pack Dolphins into a Tua casserole
Coach Drip gets it
BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL Raiders at Chiefs (-12.5) The Black Hole boys get black eyes on Black Friday
He tells his barber “Give me the Jonathan”
Football Cat lives in New Hampshire, enjoys watching football, and is a cat.
For first-time hosts, or even experienced cooks, the Thanksgiving turkey can be a nerve-wracking dish to prepare once a year. Football Cat has some tips to reduce any anxiety over cooking your turkey this year.
Thawing Turkey Safely There are two safe ways to thaw a turkey: in the refrigerator or in cold water. Thawing a frozen turkey on the kitchen counter, in hot water, or in the garage is not safe. Even though the center of the package may still be frozen, the outer layer of the food is in the Danger Zone between 40 and 140 degrees F — a temperature range where food-borne bacteria multiply rapidly. No matter which method you use, thawing a turkey takes time.
Cooking Turkey Safely Regardless of how your turkey is cooked, insert a food thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the wing and the innermost part of the thigh to check that its internal temperature at all three spots is at 165 degrees F.
Need more information about Thanksgiving food safety? Call Football Cat’s Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854). Football Cat’s Meat and Poultry Hotline will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST.
Operators are standing by
SUNDAY LUNCH TIME Chiefs (-11) at Panthers Scary black cats catch the Chiefs licking their wounds
It’s not what you think!
Vikings (-3.5) at Bears Da’ Bears are da’ done
Titans at Texans (-7.5) Oilers learn you can’t go home again
Flipping the Nixon to the fine folks in Houston
Lions (-8) at Colts Colts get caught looking ahead to their Week 13 bye week
Patriots at Dolphins (-7) Tua smears Mayo
It has the Patriots’ beat writers seal of approval!
Buccaneers (-5) at Giants Tommy Cutlets is back, ba da bing! Giants still lose.
The Giants aren’t winning this game! I don’t care how many dago guinea wop greaseball goombahs come out of the woodwork!
Cowboys at Commanders (-10) Commies kick the ever living shit out of the Cowboys.
SUNDAY DINNER TIME Broncos at Raiders (-5) Bo Nix is YOUR Rookie of Year!
I hope his grandchildren can make it to the ceremony.
49ers at Packers (-2) Packers pulverize Prospectors
Cardinals (-1) at Seahawks Pretty Red Birds roast the Fake Sea Birds
SUNDAY PROWL TIME Eagles (-3) at Rams American Birds soar high in the City of Angels
A belated Happy 40th Anniversary to Sam the Olympic Eagle
MONDAY PROWL TIME Ravens (-3) at Chargers Scary Black Birds get shocked
Football Cat lives in New Hampshire, enjoys watching football, and is a cat.
The 15 