The good guys are sitting at 5-3 at the halfway point, their best mid season record since 2007. They achieved this with an eventful 23-7 win over the Bengals, that featured a deactivation of RB Leonard Fournette, who wound up being deactivated because he missed some rehab and a team picture.  It also featured a fight between Jaguars' CB Jalen Ramsey and Bengals' WR A.J. Green.  I have to think Ramsey's success against Green had something to do with the fracas.  I can't imagine he is the only CB who has talked trash to him, or even pushed him before the whistle stopped.  But I have enough respect for AJ Green to know not too many guys have held him to 1 catch for 6 yards in one half of play.  If Ramsey wasn't doing well against him, I don't think anything he said would have mattered.  If anything, Green, et al would have beat him and laughed.  But the fact the Jaguars played without two of their better players and still won handily speaks to where this team is headed.  They are tied with the tacks record wise, who eked out a win over the Ravens.  The Colts and Texans, decimated by bad drafting and injuries respectively, are taking up the rear, each two games back.

L.A. Chargers (3-5) at Jaguars (5-3)-Historically, Phillip Rivers has dominated the Jaguars.  He has a 6-1 record against the Jaguars, and something like a 19-4 TD-INT ratio all time.  He is also helped by two good pass rushers in Ingram and Bosa.  However, even though he makes me nervous, I get the sense this Jaguars team is much better equipped to face him now.  This Jaguars team can rush the passer and, until last week, was on pace to break the single season team sack record held by the '84 Bears.  Furthermore, this Jaguars team covers better than any other Jaguars team in franchise history, with rising NFL Villain/superstar CB Jalen Ramsey and less notorious but nearly as effective A.J. Bouye.  Finally, with the return of a presumably well rested Leonard Fournette going against the 31st ranked rush defense, the Jaguars offense is capable of playing keep away and keeping Rivers off the field.  I think this game will be closer than the Bengals game, and I will be sitting on pins and needles until this game is over, but I think the Jaguars pull it off 24-13.

Steelers (6-2) at Colts (3-6)-The Colts won last week against a Texans team reeling from the mid week, mid season, non contact ACL injury to rookie QB DeShaun Watson and the mid season trade of LT Duane Brown.  They should have no such benefits this week, and no chance to win.  Steelers 31-Colts 14.

Bengals (3-5) at tacks (5-3) Bengals CB Adam Jones (formerly known as Pac Man), openly questioned the team's desire to win after the loss to the Jaguars.  If they haven't quit, they are capable of making it interesting against the tacks.  It is unlikely A.J. Green will get ejected from the game two weeks in a row, and the tacks can't rush the passer or cover as well as the Jaguars.  But at the end of the day, I think the tacks are too much for the Bengals.  tacks 27-Bengals 20.

Texans (3-5) at L.A. Rams (6-2) This is looking like a special year for the Rams.  As depleted as the Texans are, I don't see how they stand a chance in this game.  They can't rush the passer, can't pass protect and can't score without Watson.  A bad combination against an offense scoring a bunch of points.  Rams 34-Texans 17.

Last week:  2-1
Overall:  According to KodiakJag..."You're missing a game, Bullseye.  I think you're 14-13. "  I'll go with that.  That sounds about right.

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