 |
But that is why they play the games.
So on to Week 15 and there are three Saturday games on the slate (as well as a game on Thursday night between two teams that are a disaster this season) before the Sunday games and just one Monday night game. The bye weeks for all 32 teams are complete and the final four weeks of the season will have a full schedule of 16 games.
In the Saturday games, the Minnesota Vikings (7-6) face the Bengals (7-6) in Cincinnati, the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) are at the Indianapolis Colts (7-6) and the night game will be in Detroit between the Lions (9-4) and the Denver Broncos (7-6) with all three games having playoff implications between contending teams.
The Bengals have been a surprise with reserve quarterback Jake Browning leading them to a 2-1 mark since taking over for the injured Joe Burrow (wrist surgery) and will face a Vikings team turning to journeyman QB Nick Mullens in place of the slumping Joshua Dobbs. The Vikings won 3-0 last week while the Bengals throttled the Colts, 34-14 to spring back into the AFC playoff picture.
The game with Pittsburgh and Indy should be an interesting one as both teams are currently in the final two wild card spots in the AFC playoff race. The Steelers offense has been anemic in recent weeks and they might have to go with Mitch Trubisky at quarterback again if Kenny Pickett (ankle) cannot start. Meanwhile, the Colts have been one of the surprise teams this season and QB Gardner Minshew has been doing an admirable job in place of injured starter Anthony Richardson. This game should be close as the Pittsburgh defense is still pretty solid and the Colts less than stellar defense could help to keep the Steelers (offense) in this one.
The Detroit Lions have been slumping in recent weeks and were manhandled by the Chicago Bears last week while the Denver Broncos continue their surprising resurgence (six wins in seven games) with consistent offense (led by QB Russell Wilson) and a solid defense that has turned it around after a terrible start this season. This game will likely be a close one and if the Lions want to be considered serious contenders in the NFC playoff race, this is a game they need to win on their home field.
In the Sunday games, the two that stand out are the games including the Dallas Cowboys (10-3) at Buffalo Bills (7-6) and the "prime time" night game between the Baltimore Ravens (10-3) and Jaguars (8-5) in Jacksonville.
The Cowboys have won five straight games and demolished the Philadelphia Eagles (in Dallas) last Sunday night. The Bills survived in Kansas City (Chiefs penalty took a late game TD off the board) by a 20-17 final score and they will need another solid effort like that to beat the Cowboys. The key will be for Bills QB Josh Allen and company to have sustained offensive drives and avoid turnovers. The Bills can win this one and if they want to get into the playoffs, this would be a great win, especially coming off their road victory in Kansas City last week.
The night game in Jacksonville should be a good one and could very well come down to the final minutes. The Ravens play close games (seven one-score games this season) and will likely be in another one this week against a Jaguars team that needs to win. The Jags have lost two in a row and lead the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts (both 7-6) by just one game in the AFC South. A late field goal could decide this contest.
The rest of the action around the NFL for Week 15 is featured in the capsule style previews and the Heftyinfo picks follow up.
Los Angeles Chargers (5-8) at Las Vegas Raiders (5-8) - Two teams in this one just playing out the remaining schedule for the 2023 season. The Chargers lost starting QB Justin Herbert for the season following surgery on his throwing hand. Toss up in this game.
New York Giants (5-8) at New Orleans Saints (6-7) - The Giants have won three straight and would like to play spoiler to the Saints playoff hopes in this game. Which Saints team will show up this week?
New York Jets (5-8) at Miami Dolphins (9-4) - The Dolphins really let one get away on Monday night and must rebound quickly in this game against a solid Jets defense. Meanwhile, the Jets snapped a five game losing streak last week in impressive fashion and actually scored 30 points.
Houston Texans (7-6) at Tennessee Titans (5-8) - Beware the Titans, who shocked the Miami Dolphins on the road. The Texans were rocked by the Jets last Sunday and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud suffered a concussion in that game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7) at Green Bay Packers (6-7) - The loser of this game could be out of the NFC playoff picture. Toss up.
Atlanta Falcons (6-7) at Carolina Panthers (1-12) - The Falcons should get the win in this one, but in this year's topsy turvy NFL, anything is possible.
Chicago Bears (5-8) at Cleveland Browns (8-5) - The Bears have shown some life in their last two games (both wins against playoff contenders) and now face a Browns team led by the ageless wonder known as Joe Flacco at quarterback. This game could be a good one with the Browns rating the edge at home.
Kansas City Chiefs (8-5) at New England Patriots (3-10) - One upon a time, this was the premier matchup in the NFL, but this one got bumped off Monday Night Football. Take the Chiefs.
San Francisco 49ers (10-3) at Arizona Cardinals (3-10) - The 49ers are rolling full speed ahead while the Cardinals are coming off their bye week. This is a divisional game, so it could be closer than many might think, but the 'Niners will likely get the victory.
Washington Commanders (4-9) at Los Angeles Rams (6-7) - The Commanders are coming off their bye week, but have dropped four in a row and six of seven heading into this one. Meanwhile, the Rams saw their three game winning streak snapped last Sunday, so expect for them to get back on the winning track in this one.
Philadelphia Eagles (10-3) at Seattle Seahawks (6-7) - This one in Seattle was "flexed" to Monday night and both of these teams need to win. The Eagles have been smoked in their last two games (outscored by a combined 75-32) while the Seahawks have dropped four in a row and are fading out of the NFC playoff picture.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Fifteen . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Las Vegas over L.A. Chargers
Cincinnati over Minnesota
Indianapolis over Pittsburgh
Detroit over Denver
New Orleans over N.Y. Giants
Miami over N.Y. Jets
Tennessee over Houston
Green Bay over Tampa Bay
Atlanta over Carolina
Cleveland over Chicago
KANSAS CITY over New England
San Francisco over Arizona
L.A. Rams over Washington
Buffalo over Dallas
Baltimore over Jacksonville
Seattle over Philadelphia
Last Week's Record - 7-8
SEASON RECORD - 131-77
Lock of the Week Record - 11-3
No comments:
Post a Comment