Aside from the Eagles- Giants game, which we wrote about this morning, here is a break-down of week 15 in the NFL...
Note: Atlanta plays a Tampa Bay tonight.The Falcons need the game badly to hang with New Orleans and Carolina in NFC South and stay in the hunt for a wild card spot. For the Bucs, it's a meaningless game. They will finish in the top ten of the NFL Draft next spring.
* Broncos over Colts-
Now Denver comes alive, way too late. Of course they beat the worse team in football ( aside from the Browns). At 5-9 the Broncos have had a terrible season, in last place of the very average AFC West. Denver goes to Washington this weekend. Indianapolis is having a really bad season, still without QB Andrew Luck. They will probably end up with the No. 2 or 3 overall pick in the next draft. Indy travels to Baltimore next.
* Lions over Bears-
Detroit kept their faint playoff hopes alive by beating arch-rival Chicago. The Lions,m at 8-6, had their chance a a key Thanksgiving game against Minnesota. The Bears are playing out the string. Detroit goes to Cincinnati this weekend, then has Green Bay at home. Things have to break the right way for the Lions to get into the post-season, even at 10-6. Chicago plays their final 2017 home game against Cleveland. If the browns are ever to win a game this season, it would be this one.
* Chiefs over Chargers-
Kansas City stepped up to win it's last two games, both at Arrowhead Stadium, and both against AFC West rivals, to go 8-6 and take control of the division. KC will have a home playoff game vs a wild card team, but then the Chiefs will probably hit the road if they do make the playoffs. LA had a great run, after starting the year 0-4, until losing to KC. At 7-7 the Chargers need help, even for a wild card berth. The Chiefs play their last home game in the regular season against Miami, while the Chargers go to the Meadowlands to play the Jets, before finishing at home against the Raiders.
* Bills over Dolphins-
Buffalo continues to surprise. They won't win the AFC East- the Patriots have already wrapped up their 9th straight division title- but at 8-6, the Bills have a shot at a wild card. Sadly, they play in New England this weekend, so they will have to earn it. The Dolphins continue their uneven season and travel to Kansas City next.
* Panthers over Packers-
Carolina kept their division and playoff hopes alive, beating Aaron Rodgers in his return to green Bay's line-up. The Pack are dead for this season. The Panthers finish their three-game home stand with a game against Tampa Bay, while the Packers finish at home vs playoff-bound Minnesota. Green bay could do the Eagles a favor by upsetting the Vikings.
* Ravens over Browns-
Baltimore will make the playoffs as a wild card entree, while Cleveland rolls closer to an 0-16 season. The Ravens return home to finish the season with games against the Colts and Bengals. Cleveland goes to Chicago then to Pittsburgh.
* Patriots over Steelers-
In an epic game, the Pats proved why they are world champs, holding off the Steelers at Heinz Field.It's a shame as Pittsburgh had victory snatched from their grasp in the final seconds. First, a touchdown catch that wasn't a catch ( The NFL really needs to clarify and make simple what is a catch and what is not a catch, then an errant Ben Roethesberger pass was intercepted in the end zone to seal the New England win. The Pats will have home field advantage thru-out the playoffs- again- if they win out..A cold and snowy New England is not a place to be during the playoffs for an opposing team. The Pats go home this weekend to face Buffalo; Pittsburgh takes to the road and will take out its' frustrations in Houston.
* Jaguars over Texans-
The Jags are really good, especially their defense. Winning 10 games, they are two games up on Tennessee in AFC South with two games to play. They will be a tough out in the playoffs. The Texans are playing out the string, as the face an angry Pittsburgh this week. Jacksonville plays its final two games on the road, first at San Francisco, then at Tennessee.
* Vikings over Bengals-
Minnesota crushed Cincy, staying a game behind the Eagles for best record in the NFC at 11-3. The Bengals are hopeless. The state of pro football in Ohio sucks, with the Bengals and Browns.The Vikes go to Lambeau Field in Green Bay this week, as Cincinnati hosts the Lions.
* Saints over Jets-
The Saints kept pace with the contenders in the NFC by demolishing the Jets.New York started off OK, but are struggling now, and will join the Giants with a top ten pick in next spring's draft. The Saints have a huge game at home this week, playing host to the Falcons. Atlanta beat New Orleans several weeks ago. The Jets play the Chargers at home before ending the season in New England.
* Redskins over Cardinals-
Washington is average, merely mediocre, and they beat a scrappy Cardinal team at home. Arizona's hopes faded big-time after Carson Palmer got hurt.The "Skins stay in Washington to face Denver, while the Cards return to the desert to face the Giants.
* Rams over Seahawks-
LA had a surprisingly easy time with the Seahawks in Seattle, in a must-win game for the explosive Rams. Seattle goes to Dallas this weekend, and they better win just to get a wild card spot now.The Rams will win the NFC West . They can clsoe out strong by defeating the Titans on the road and the 49'ers in LA.
* 49'ers over Titans-
San Francisco has played much better lately. They will still get a high pick in the next draft. I'm surprised at the nose-dive that Tennessee has taken. Even so, they can win their last two games- both at home- and get into the playoffs.The Titans have the Rams this week then a big one against Jacksonville.
* Cowboys over Raiders-
Dallas saved their season with a last-second win in Oakland. They get RB Zeke Elliot back from suspension, and return home to face Seattle. The Raiders visit the Eagles on Christmas night with nothing to play for now.
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