2018 – Week 15
Welcome to the Week in Review. Offer void in Idaho.
Did you know the Chargers' only losses this season have been to the Chiefs and Rams? It's a fact that's annoying as it is wrong (They lost to the Broncos in Week 11). Didn't stop a frenzied sports media - anticipating another chapter in this year's bumper crop of good TNF games - from repeating it ad nauseum. Or, at least going "Two of their three losses are to..."
But the game came and it lived up to the hype, as Phillip Rivers and the Chargers scored two TDs in the final five minutes. Then, as if to add to the drama¹, went for two and the win, rather than kick for OT.
A thrilling comeback that I completely missed, due to tapping out at 28-14 Chiefs, thinking the game was in hand. My bad, San Diego L.A.
It should be noted that the game was as close as it was due mostly to Marmalard throwing two INTs: One that KC turned into the first score of the game and another that killed a potential scoring drive for the Chargers. But they also did this without Melvin Gordon and Keenan Allen, their leading rusher and receiver, respectively.
The win clinches a playoff spot for L.A. - their first since 2013. In a complete reversal of previous Charger history, the win leaves them at 6-1 in games decided by one score.
The Chiefs, on the other hand, proved themselves mortal if their offense isn't absolutely hitting on all cylinders. Patrick Mahomes had a pedestrian (for him) 243 yards passing with two TDs. The team had 60 yards rushing on 17 total carries. As has been beaten to death in the media (but is no less true for it): The KC defense is not good enough, consistently, to take up the slack if the offense isn't overwhelming, especially in the playoffs.
Plus, you know, the Andy Reid factor just waiting to blow things in the endgame.
The AFC South leading Texans - a team no one has any confidence in come the playoffs - went into MetLife Stadium and showed exactly why they're already being written off as a one-and-done. Having to fight to teh wire to take down the lowly Jets.
One of the reasons people sleep on Houston: DeShaun Watson ate six sacks, bringing the Texans' league-worst sack total to 52. Such is the curse of the running QB: For as many sacks as they can avoid with their legs, they'll run right into to just as many, via happy feet and leaving the pocket too soon.
Eh... They'll get their chance to prove me wrong.
Just two more games, Jets Nation and you can start to rebuild. Again.
In what may prove to be the final nail of the coffin for Vance Joseph's tenure as Denver HC, the Browns came in and won a rock fight vs. a Broncos team that seems to have shot its last load two weeks ago, at the end of their three game win streak.
The aforementioned Dead Coach Walking Joseph seems to know the end is nigh and seems to be coaching just to minimize the damage. See his decision to kick a field goal deep in the 4th, rather than go for it. The score was 17-13, Browns. About four and a half minutes left. Fourth and 1 on the Browns 6. He sent out the kicker. The crowd booed like he'd insulted John Elway's mom.
"I wanted points there. [...] Had about 4:35 to go in the game. We had one timeout and the two-minute warning. I trust our defense to get a stop there, OK. If we don't get points there, a touchdown has to win it. It was my decision -- take points.''
You trust your defense. Fine. They're pretty good. Why did you trust your offense?
Good luck being someone's LB coach, next year.
And congrats to Von Miller on becoming the Bronco's all-time sack leader.
And with that sixth win, the Browns will lose less than ten games for only the fifth time since the Browns re-entered the league in 1999. If they can win out (Bengals, @Ravens), it'll be their first winning season since going 10-6 in 2007. Not bad for a team that won four games total, in the previous three seasons.
The Black Tebow era continues to move towards permanence. His passing numbers continue to be at emergency QB levels (14/23 for 131 yds, 1 TD), but pairing that with 95 rushing yards on 18 carries seems to get the job done. It does make me wonder if this is a Dak Prescott scenario, in that if he had a legit #1 to lean on, his numbers would improve.¹
Jamarcus Winston putting up similar numbers to Jackson's? (13/25 for 157, 1 INT) Not so much with the "acceptable." The loss clinches a losing season for the Bucs and I'd be stunned if that's not the last straw for Dirk Koetter's employment.
At least someone is taking Bombing For Bosa© seriously
Well... We all knew the streak wouldn't last forever. But I don't think any of us in Cowboy Nation thought it come to such an embarrassing crashing halt.
After blowing several opportunities in the first quarter (blocked FG, dropped TD pass by Jamize Olawale, several 4th down attempts getting snuffed and not even close), it looked for all the world that the Cowboys had the life drained from them. And as soon as that happened, all the fire and creativity shown in the win streak disappeared and was replaced with the same "Zeke up the middle, Zeke up the middle, incomplete pass, punt" play calling that got Clappy The Clown and his sidekick Running Game Scott on the hot seat six weeks ago.
People are wondering if this Charlie Foxtrot has put Clappy and Linehan back on the hot seat. I would say "yes", but I would've said yes if they won.
Not to take anything away from the Colts. They shut the Cowboys down, legit. And Andrew Luck & The Pips did what they wanted on offense. At 8-6, they're currently on the outside looking in on the playoffs. They basically have to win out (Giants, @Titans) and hope the Ravens (@Chargers, Browns) and/or Steelers (@Saints, Bengals) stumble down the stretch.
So how much of the Vikings' offensive rebound is due to new OC Kevin Stefanski dialing in on what makes the Vikings really tick (read: ran the damn ball) and how much is due to the Dolphins just not being very good? Either way, the Vikes climbed back into the playoff picture with the win. They control their destiny to hang on to a wild card spot. They should be able to take the lions and there's a chance the Bears will have nothing to play for.
Yet SOMEHOW the Dolphins are still alive for the playoffs. They also likely lost Frank "The other old, inexplicably effective RB" Gore for the rest of the season with an ankle injury. Have fund depending on Kenyan Drake, Dolphin Nation!
Coming into this game, the Giants had won four out of five and the buzz was Eli's above-average, much-improved-from-October-and-back play might be enough to bring him back for 2019.
In that context, this game was like the Football Gods stepping in and trying to save the G-Men from themselves.
The Giants were the second NFC East team to get blanked and humiliated by an AFC South team. Derrick Henry followed up the best game of his pro career with the second best (33-170, 2 TDs), The defense bottled up Captain Boom-or-Bust Saquon Barkley, holding him to 31 yards on 14 carries. And they slapped Eli back to September (21/44 for 229, 1 INT, sacked 3 times).
Maybe this humbling loss will be enough to get the Giants back on the path of making a fresh start in 2019, rather than take one more ride on the S.S. Minnow Manning. Maybe.
The biggest take from this game was that Josh Allen threw for far more yards (204) than he ran for (16)
And this loss officially eliminated Detroit from the playoffs. I can't imagine heads won't roll over this.
The Bears clinched the NFC North title and a playoff berth with a win over their oldest rivals* The Packers were eliminated from the playoffs at the same time as Discount Double Checks no-INT streak came to a halt.
The Bears are a game back of the Rams and Saints for a first-round bye, at a time where the both the latter teams are looking shaky and vulnerable. Imagine if the road to Atlanta goes through Chicago in January?
The Raiders suck. They are going to suck for years to come. Merry Christmas!
Fun fact: With this win, the Niners are 4-3 at Overpriced Jeans Stadium and 0-7 on the road. Meaning that them taking down the Legion of PFFFT isn't as anomalous as it seems.
Still does them no good, other than a bit of pride. It's like teams are looking at the 2019 rookie class and saying "Meh. We'll take whatever's there."
Here’s how spoiled the Pats have been With this lost, the Pats will have less than 12 wins for the first time since 2009 and for the seventh time in the Bill Belichick era¹ This is what counts as panic time for New England. Though, with the loss, New England drops the #2 seed and the bye to Houston. That might be worth a couple of muttered “Uh-Ohs”
ON the flip side, Steeler Nation is over the moon slaying the Brady Dragon, which is a different, but equally-potent flavor of Calm The Hell Down.
Both teams looked different flavors of shaky as well. The normally disciplined Pats had 14 penalties for 106 yards. Dreamboat and Gronk seem to be aging with every quarter. Rapelisberger seems to be aging even faster than Brady.
It wouldn’t surprise me if neither team advances past Wild Card Weekend.
If you say you saw this coming, you are a liar. Or an Iggles fan. A particularly loopy Iggles fan. Either way, Nick Foles did what Nick Foles does:
What was the clear NFC favorite just three weeks is not looking particularly strong in a two-game losing streak. A couple of garbage time scores took the loss range from “embarrassing” to nearly “bad.” One more loss and they can find themselves looking at the 4 seeed, rather than 2. Next week is at Arizona - legit the NFC’s worst team. They close out the season vs. a Niner team that seems not have not gotten the memo that they suck. In this crazy season, that game can’t be taken for granted.
Fun Fact: The Rams are 20-2 when Todd Gurley has 15 or more carries. They’re 2-5 otherwise. He had 12 carries for 48 yards.
The Eagles would have to win out and have the Cowboys lose to both Tampa and the Giants to make the playoffs. Not likely, but then, I would’ve dismissed the fact they’d still be alive at this point just a month ago.
And just like that, the Saints have morphed into the Cowboys.
The Saints took command of the NFC from the Rams with a defensive powered win over the death spiraling Panthers. Drew Brees threw for 203 yards and a pick. But they compensated with 155 rushing yards - led by Pro Bowl snub¹ Alvin Kamara’s 57 yards and a TD.
The Panthers’ lone offensive score came from a halfback pass from Christian McCaffrey to TE Chris Manhertz. With that pass, Christian Ibn Ed became the fourth player in NFL history to have 50 yards rushing, receiving and passing in the same game, and the second in the Common Era²
Despite their six-game losing streak, the Panthers are still in the playoff hunt, only a game and a half behind the Vikings for the last Wild Card. With Cam Newton looking more and more gimpy as the season goes on, I wouldn’t look for any miracle playoff runs.
Chargers 29, Chiefs 28
Did you know the Chargers' only losses this season have been to the Chiefs and Rams? It's a fact that's annoying as it is wrong (They lost to the Broncos in Week 11). Didn't stop a frenzied sports media - anticipating another chapter in this year's bumper crop of good TNF games - from repeating it ad nauseum. Or, at least going "Two of their three losses are to..."
But the game came and it lived up to the hype, as Phillip Rivers and the Chargers scored two TDs in the final five minutes. Then, as if to add to the drama¹, went for two and the win, rather than kick for OT.
A thrilling comeback that I completely missed, due to tapping out at 28-14 Chiefs, thinking the game was in hand. My bad, San Diego L.A.
It should be noted that the game was as close as it was due mostly to Marmalard throwing two INTs: One that KC turned into the first score of the game and another that killed a potential scoring drive for the Chargers. But they also did this without Melvin Gordon and Keenan Allen, their leading rusher and receiver, respectively.
The win clinches a playoff spot for L.A. - their first since 2013. In a complete reversal of previous Charger history, the win leaves them at 6-1 in games decided by one score.
The Chiefs, on the other hand, proved themselves mortal if their offense isn't absolutely hitting on all cylinders. Patrick Mahomes had a pedestrian (for him) 243 yards passing with two TDs. The team had 60 yards rushing on 17 total carries. As has been beaten to death in the media (but is no less true for it): The KC defense is not good enough, consistently, to take up the slack if the offense isn't overwhelming, especially in the playoffs.
Plus, you know, the Andy Reid factor just waiting to blow things in the endgame.
- More likely: Accurately figuring they wouldn't be able to stop KC again if they went to OT.
Texans 29, Jets 22
The AFC South leading Texans - a team no one has any confidence in come the playoffs - went into MetLife Stadium and showed exactly why they're already being written off as a one-and-done. Having to fight to teh wire to take down the lowly Jets.
One of the reasons people sleep on Houston: DeShaun Watson ate six sacks, bringing the Texans' league-worst sack total to 52. Such is the curse of the running QB: For as many sacks as they can avoid with their legs, they'll run right into to just as many, via happy feet and leaving the pocket too soon.
Eh... They'll get their chance to prove me wrong.
Just two more games, Jets Nation and you can start to rebuild. Again.
Browns 17, Broncos 16
In what may prove to be the final nail of the coffin for Vance Joseph's tenure as Denver HC, the Browns came in and won a rock fight vs. a Broncos team that seems to have shot its last load two weeks ago, at the end of their three game win streak.
The aforementioned Dead Coach Walking Joseph seems to know the end is nigh and seems to be coaching just to minimize the damage. See his decision to kick a field goal deep in the 4th, rather than go for it. The score was 17-13, Browns. About four and a half minutes left. Fourth and 1 on the Browns 6. He sent out the kicker. The crowd booed like he'd insulted John Elway's mom.
"I wanted points there. [...] Had about 4:35 to go in the game. We had one timeout and the two-minute warning. I trust our defense to get a stop there, OK. If we don't get points there, a touchdown has to win it. It was my decision -- take points.''
You trust your defense. Fine. They're pretty good. Why did you trust your offense?
Good luck being someone's LB coach, next year.
And congrats to Von Miller on becoming the Bronco's all-time sack leader.
And with that sixth win, the Browns will lose less than ten games for only the fifth time since the Browns re-entered the league in 1999. If they can win out (Bengals, @Ravens), it'll be their first winning season since going 10-6 in 2007. Not bad for a team that won four games total, in the previous three seasons.
Bucs 12, Ravens 20
The Black Tebow era continues to move towards permanence. His passing numbers continue to be at emergency QB levels (14/23 for 131 yds, 1 TD), but pairing that with 95 rushing yards on 18 carries seems to get the job done. It does make me wonder if this is a Dak Prescott scenario, in that if he had a legit #1 to lean on, his numbers would improve.¹
Jamarcus Winston putting up similar numbers to Jackson's? (13/25 for 157, 1 INT) Not so much with the "acceptable." The loss clinches a losing season for the Bucs and I'd be stunned if that's not the last straw for Dirk Koetter's employment.
- This week notwithstanding. More on that later.
Cardinals 14, Falcons 40
At least someone is taking Bombing For Bosa© seriously
Cowboys 0, Colts 23
Well... We all knew the streak wouldn't last forever. But I don't think any of us in Cowboy Nation thought it come to such an embarrassing crashing halt.
After blowing several opportunities in the first quarter (blocked FG, dropped TD pass by Jamize Olawale, several 4th down attempts getting snuffed and not even close), it looked for all the world that the Cowboys had the life drained from them. And as soon as that happened, all the fire and creativity shown in the win streak disappeared and was replaced with the same "Zeke up the middle, Zeke up the middle, incomplete pass, punt" play calling that got Clappy The Clown and his sidekick Running Game Scott on the hot seat six weeks ago.
People are wondering if this Charlie Foxtrot has put Clappy and Linehan back on the hot seat. I would say "yes", but I would've said yes if they won.
Not to take anything away from the Colts. They shut the Cowboys down, legit. And Andrew Luck & The Pips did what they wanted on offense. At 8-6, they're currently on the outside looking in on the playoffs. They basically have to win out (Giants, @Titans) and hope the Ravens (@Chargers, Browns) and/or Steelers (@Saints, Bengals) stumble down the stretch.
Miami 17, Vikings 41
So how much of the Vikings' offensive rebound is due to new OC Kevin Stefanski dialing in on what makes the Vikings really tick (read: ran the damn ball) and how much is due to the Dolphins just not being very good? Either way, the Vikes climbed back into the playoff picture with the win. They control their destiny to hang on to a wild card spot. They should be able to take the lions and there's a chance the Bears will have nothing to play for.
Yet SOMEHOW the Dolphins are still alive for the playoffs. They also likely lost Frank "The other old, inexplicably effective RB" Gore for the rest of the season with an ankle injury. Have fund depending on Kenyan Drake, Dolphin Nation!
Titans 17, Giants 0
Coming into this game, the Giants had won four out of five and the buzz was Eli's above-average, much-improved-from-October-and-back play might be enough to bring him back for 2019.
In that context, this game was like the Football Gods stepping in and trying to save the G-Men from themselves.
The Giants were the second NFC East team to get blanked and humiliated by an AFC South team. Derrick Henry followed up the best game of his pro career with the second best (33-170, 2 TDs), The defense bottled up Captain Boom-or-Bust Saquon Barkley, holding him to 31 yards on 14 carries. And they slapped Eli back to September (21/44 for 229, 1 INT, sacked 3 times).
Maybe this humbling loss will be enough to get the Giants back on the path of making a fresh start in 2019, rather than take one more ride on the S.S. Minnow Manning. Maybe.
Lions 13, Bills 14
The biggest take from this game was that Josh Allen threw for far more yards (204) than he ran for (16)
And this loss officially eliminated Detroit from the playoffs. I can't imagine heads won't roll over this.
Packers 17, Bears 24
The Bears clinched the NFC North title and a playoff berth with a win over their oldest rivals* The Packers were eliminated from the playoffs at the same time as Discount Double Checks no-INT streak came to a halt.
The Bears are a game back of the Rams and Saints for a first-round bye, at a time where the both the latter teams are looking shaky and vulnerable. Imagine if the road to Atlanta goes through Chicago in January?
- Depending on who you ask and how finely you want to parse when the Lions actually existed.
Raiders 16, Bengals 30
The Raiders suck. They are going to suck for years to come. Merry Christmas!
Seahawks 22, Niners 26 (OT)
Fun fact: With this win, the Niners are 4-3 at Overpriced Jeans Stadium and 0-7 on the road. Meaning that them taking down the Legion of PFFFT isn't as anomalous as it seems.
Still does them no good, other than a bit of pride. It's like teams are looking at the 2019 rookie class and saying "Meh. We'll take whatever's there."
Patriots 10, Steelers 17
Here’s how spoiled the Pats have been With this lost, the Pats will have less than 12 wins for the first time since 2009 and for the seventh time in the Bill Belichick era¹ This is what counts as panic time for New England. Though, with the loss, New England drops the #2 seed and the bye to Houston. That might be worth a couple of muttered “Uh-Ohs”
ON the flip side, Steeler Nation is over the moon slaying the Brady Dragon, which is a different, but equally-potent flavor of Calm The Hell Down.
Both teams looked different flavors of shaky as well. The normally disciplined Pats had 14 penalties for 106 yards. Dreamboat and Gronk seem to be aging with every quarter. Rapelisberger seems to be aging even faster than Brady.
It wouldn’t surprise me if neither team advances past Wild Card Weekend.
- And five of those seasons were still 10+ win seasons.
Eagles 30, Rams 23
If you say you saw this coming, you are a liar. Or an Iggles fan. A particularly loopy Iggles fan. Either way, Nick Foles did what Nick Foles does:
What was the clear NFC favorite just three weeks is not looking particularly strong in a two-game losing streak. A couple of garbage time scores took the loss range from “embarrassing” to nearly “bad.” One more loss and they can find themselves looking at the 4 seeed, rather than 2. Next week is at Arizona - legit the NFC’s worst team. They close out the season vs. a Niner team that seems not have not gotten the memo that they suck. In this crazy season, that game can’t be taken for granted.
Fun Fact: The Rams are 20-2 when Todd Gurley has 15 or more carries. They’re 2-5 otherwise. He had 12 carries for 48 yards.
The Eagles would have to win out and have the Cowboys lose to both Tampa and the Giants to make the playoffs. Not likely, but then, I would’ve dismissed the fact they’d still be alive at this point just a month ago.
Saints 12, Panthers 9
And just like that, the Saints have morphed into the Cowboys.
The Saints took command of the NFC from the Rams with a defensive powered win over the death spiraling Panthers. Drew Brees threw for 203 yards and a pick. But they compensated with 155 rushing yards - led by Pro Bowl snub¹ Alvin Kamara’s 57 yards and a TD.
The Panthers’ lone offensive score came from a halfback pass from Christian McCaffrey to TE Chris Manhertz. With that pass, Christian Ibn Ed became the fourth player in NFL history to have 50 yards rushing, receiving and passing in the same game, and the second in the Common Era²
Despite their six-game losing streak, the Panthers are still in the playoff hunt, only a game and a half behind the Vikings for the last Wild Card. With Cam Newton looking more and more gimpy as the season goes on, I wouldn’t look for any miracle playoff runs.
- Oh, yeah. They announced the Pro Bowl rosters.
- Joining Sweetness himself, Walter Payton (1985), Tom Tracy of the 1960 Steelers and Billy Ray Barnes for the 1958 Eagles.
Comments
Post a Comment