Steve Brownlee

Ah, jeez, my age is showing again — last week, I saw myself going soft about touchdown celebrations.

This time, it might be about an NFL player committing a cardinal sin — not wanting to participate in a game when called upon.

Well, I still pretty much condemn what De’Vondre Campbell of the San Francisco 49ers did when he refused to enter last Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.

He apparently was unhappy after he had played nearly all the snaps in games before last week’s, then had to sit when the original starter at his position had finally recovered from a season-long injury and could play.

I guess what came to my mind — because of other incidents that seem similar to this — was what the state of mind of Campbell was. Like, did he have some mental condition that was causing this? Or had he simply become some sort of NFL diva?

Even if it’s the case that a mental condition was out of his control, how he handled this was so far off base.

I started thinking that Campbell in all likelihood knew when he came out on the field before the game that he wasn’t going to be playing and he would refuse to go into the game if asked to. Maybe I’m wrong about that, maybe it was a spur-of-the-moment thing.

But from what teammates have said, he was already agitated in the locker room before the game. What probably would have been a better-case scenario — I’m not sure what could’ve been a “best”-case scenario — is Campbell refusing to take the field from the start, saving himself and the 49ers the embarrassment of not leaving the sidelines for the field during the game and instead walking off the field with a towel over his head.

That still probably wouldn’t have sat well with his coaches and teammates, but they would’ve been able to prepare at least a little bit for his absence.

And I doubt this whole incident would have blown up like it has.

Now, though, the 49ers have suspended Campbell for the final three games of the season, and considering the publicity of this case, likely ended the career of this past Green Bay Packer.

I don’t remember him there — though I’m not a Packers fan — but it was said he was a past Pro Bowler before his level of play sharply declined over the past couple of years, prompting his release in the last offseason.

The whole situation seems pretty sad, regardless of its cause.

Now onto a full slate of games this week:

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Today, 8:15 p.m.

Denver at Los Angeles Chargers — This is the first time I remember a game being flexed into the Thursday, as this time slot was originally scheduled between nonplayoff teams Cleveland and Cincinnati.

The Chargers have been struggling lately but they and their fellow AFC West brethren Denver are in the final two playoff spots in their conference. But while this L.A. team had a pretty wide margin of giving up the fewest points in the entire league about a month ago, now they and the Broncos have given up exactly the same number — 247 — and join Philadelphia as the best points-allowed totals in the entire league.

With Denver’s offense producing at a much better pace, I’ll take the Broncos, 21-17.

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Saturday, 1 p.m.

Houston at Kansas City — One difference in the schedule this week is that there’s two Saturday games. This particular one is between division leaders in the AFC.

This all comes down to the ability — and motivation — of KC wanting to play all-everything quarterback Patrick Mahomes after he suffered a high ankle sprain on a play that looked like it could’ve been a lot worse than that vs. the Browns on Sunday.

I’m thinking even if Mahomes does play, it may not be the whole game and Mahomes may be a bit gimpy, not good against Houston’s solid pass rush. Texans, 24-20.

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Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Baltimore — This one may decide the winner of the AFC North, though I’m not sure about tiebreakers if the Ravens win and even up their records.

Pittsburgh has Baltimore’s number, winning I believe it’s eight of their last nine meetings, and normally I would lean toward the Ravens for just that fact — revenge factor and all that jazz.

But Baltimore’s defense has let this team down time after time this season, and the Ravens don’t get a pass just because they “only” gave up 14 to the worst-in-the-league New York Giants on Sunday. A good “D” might’ve posted a shutout in that game. Steelers, 29-26.

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Sunday, 1 p.m.

New York Giants at Atlanta — Speaking of the Giants, they get a break with the Falcons starting rookie Michael Penix for the first time. So far this season, Penix is 3 of 5 passing for 38 yards, according to ESPN’s stats on the team.

But these are the Giants, who themselves are on probably their fourth-string QB. And Atlanta is within a game of Tampa Bay for the top of the NFC South. Falcons, 23-19.

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New England at Buffalo — If Buffalo wants to give away everything it accomplished by outscoring the Lions on Sunday, go ahead and lose this game. I dare you. Bills, 33-24.

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Arizona at Carolina — Arizona has a pretty solid defense, enough to get past a team still in the hunt for the overall No. 1 draft pick — assuming the Panthers didn’t trade it away in the last couple of years. Cardinals, 22-15.

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Detroit at Chicago — Sure, Detroit is reeling with something like 23 players on injured reserve. But this is the Bears, who PLAY most of the time like they only have nine or 10 players on the field. Lions, 34-30.

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Tennessee at Indianapolis — Two disappointments from the AFC South, Indy maybe the bigger one even as the Colts have twice as many wins as the Titans. Between those wins and home field in the RCA Dome, or I guess it’s Lucas Oil Stadium, give me the Colts, 27-22.

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Los Angeles Rams at New York Jets — The Rams have played much better lately, and again, they have twice as many wins as the Jets. Good enough for me. Rams, 31-24.

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Philadelphia at Washington — Philly seemingly has solved its problem of whiny receivers. Eagles, 26-19.

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Cleveland at Cincinnati — Now that Jameis Winston has been benched after his struggles, there’s officially no reason to watch the Browns anymore this season. Bengals, 34-29.

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Sunday, 4 p.m.

Minnesota at Seattle — Minnesota just sneakily hangs around at the top of the NFC, now tied with the Lions and Philly for the best record in the conference at 12-2, while Seattle hung onto a share of the top spot in the NFC West at 8-6 even after losing to the Packers on Sunday night.

Quarterbacking held back the Seahawks vs. Green Bay, with Geno Smith struggling and then getting hurt before Sam Howell also struggled. Makes me want to take the Vikings, 30-26.

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Jacksonville at Las Vegas — These are the kinds of teams where the injury situation really affects teams not named the Lions — neither has its original QB, or even in the Raiders’ case, their second QB after Aidan O’Connell had replaced Gardner Minshew. Jacksonville at least has Mac Jones still around to replace Trevor Lawrence. Jaguars, 17-13.

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San Francisco at Miami — Two 6-8 teams hanging on the very edges of the playoff race, so give me the home team. Dolphins, 27-23.

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Sunday, 8:20 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Dallas — Well, I found out the number for the Cowboys’ win total at “JerryDome” this season is one. Why make it two? Buccaneers, 23-21.

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Monday, 8:15 p.m.

New Orleans at Green Bay — Spencer Rattler is the leader in the clubhouse to start at QB for New Orleans. Uuuh! But I’m hearing that Teddy Bridgewater would be willing to come back late in the season now that the Florida high school team he was coaching has won its state title. Seriously! This against a professional football team like Green Bay. Packers, 33-20.

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Last week — 12-4, 75 percent. Season — 151-73, 67 percent.

Steve Brownlee can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 552. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.