Sunday Scaries: Colts Hit Rock Bottom, Saquon Surges & More!

Source: Luke Hales / Getty

My final post of 2024 is fittingly the latest edition of Sunday Scaries. The penultimate Sunday of the NFL regular season saw the schedule spread out over five days thanks to the league’s takeover of Christmas Day, which left the Sunday selections thinner than usual. Despite only nine games on Sunday, there was still plenty to choose from.

Let’s dive in.

Bad Scary: The Colts Get “Lock”-ed Out of the Playoffs…Again

I mean…come on. The most pathetic effort of the NFL season took place on Sunday at MetLife Stadium and shockingly it wasn’t courtesy of the resident Jets or Giants. No, this piss poor effort was courtesy of the Indianapolis Colts, who had everything to play for to keep their thin playoff hopes alive only to get absolutely torched and embarrassed by Giants backup QB Drew Lock, who totaled five touchdowns. The Colts defense was horrendous. Missing tackles, getting burned by Malik Nabers on multiple occasions and allowing the Giants to score FORTY-FIVE POINTS, the most they’ve scored in nine seasons. It was a perfect ending for the Colts, who had no business being in the playoffs to begin with. The loss SHOULD mean change in the organization, whether it’s the firing of GM Chris Ballard, defensive coordinator Gus Bradley or if the whole organization needs a factory reset. Things need to change.

Source: Icon Sportswire / Getty

Good Scary: Run, Saquon, Run

Saquon Barkley has found his footing (and then some) in Philadelphia. The 27-year-old running back was already having a career-high season but he amped it to another level on Sunday as he surpassed 2,000 yards rushing. He’s averaging a career-best 5.8 yards per rush and his 13 touchdowns is also a career-high. He’s been a godsend to the Eagles, who have one of the most explosive offenses in the league, and while he won’t win MVP, he definitely deserves a vote or two.

Source: Icon Sportswire / Getty

Good Scary: Baker Mayfield, The Bucs’ Hidden Treasure

There’s so much football happening on a week in and week out basis. Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson are chasing the MVP, Joe Burrow SHOULD be in the consideration if the Bengals were a bit better, Saquon hit 2K rushing, Sam Darnold and the Vikings are the best story of the NFL, the Chiefs are trying to threepeat, etc., etc. There are so many storylines to keep tabs on at any given time that one is going quietly under the radar and that’s the impressive season Baker Mayfield has racked up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mayfield is having an unbelievable season. He’s posted career-highs in total touchdowns (42), passing yards (4,279), completion percentage (71.9), QB rating (107.6) and he’s averaging eight yards per pass completion. After bouncing around from the Browns, Panthers and Rams, Mayfield has found a landing spot in Tampa. He followed the GOAT when Tom Brady retired, and the Bucs haven’t missed a beat. They’re potentially about to clinch the NFC South for a fourth straight season and Mayfield has been a big reason why. He’s lived up to the $100-million extension he signed with the team in the off-season and the Bucs are a sneaky team to watch come playoff time.