NFL Week 15 Review by Stuart Tomlin

‘Tis the season.

It’s Christmas week, and that means time with the family, a lot of food, presents and the like. And for those religious amongst you, the birth of Christ and all that. We won’t get into that here.

But for us NFL fans and everyone in the NFL means one thing.

Playoff season.

Well, that and Tank Bowl season.

The NFL regular season is coming to a close, with two weeks to go following the past weekend’s games, we know who’s good, who’s shite, who’s in the mix for the postseason, and who’s in the mix for the first overall.

Although do we really know who’s elite this year? It genuinely feels for like the first time since I’ve been watching the NFL, it’s anyone’s game. If you can get into the playoffs, you have a legitimate shot at the title. And honestly? I know that sounds obvious, but when was the last year we saw where there was no clear-cut number one contender for the title in either conference?

It’s gonna be a fun, fun playoffs.

Let’s get to it shall we?

Kansas City Chiefs v. Los Angeles Chargers:
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

It’ll never not amuse me that Kansas City is not in Kansas. 

The Dorothy of America.

Anyway, the final Thursday night game of the season and it was an absolute stormer to finish off Thursday Night Football for another year. And I know Thursday Night Football is the red-headed stepchild of the league (sorry Kyle) but is it just me, or has it been kinda fun this year? 

There’s been a lot of fun games on Thursday nights this season. 

MVP-elect Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs took on Phil Rivers and the Chargers in a battle that would have a lot to say about the future of the AFC West and the number one seed. And the Chiefs went Full Reid like it was January already. The Chiefs already in playoff form. They blew it.

Damien Williams got me loads of fantasy points which was good of him as I only picked him up a couple of days before the game. It was the highlight of my fantasy semi-final, which shortly went to complete shit. More on that later. 

Melvin Gordon being out of this game did not help my case here. The Chiefs had a two-touchdown lead with less than four minutes to go, and then, yup, went full Reid and blew the game. The Chargers scored two touchdowns to tie the game…except they didn’t tie the game, as in the NFL’s newest fashion of the season, went for two in order to win the game…and got it. Wow. It was a huge move and it paid off massively. Genius or insanity? Or both? It’s always better when it works…guess they got that one from Vrabel trying it in London? 

The Chiefs still control the number one seed despite the loss, but with the Seahawks away on Sunday Night Football this week coming up, they might be in trouble if the Chargers can beat the Ravens on Saturday. 

Please beat the Ravens on Saturday, Chargers.

Please.

Final Score: Chiefs 28, Chargers 29.

New York Jets v. Houston Texans
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Waiting all day for…Saturday Night?

Thursday Night Football: Saturday Edition had two games this week…are they still calling it that? *checks notes* 

Apparently it was just called “Football Special” or something like that. Anyways, one of my favourite parts of this time of year in the Enn Eff Ell is the fact we get Saturday games due to the college regular season being over and them being into Bowl Season, therefore the Shield can put on Saturday games. And to begin with, we’ve got the battle of the playoff bound Texans against…the…New York Jets. Yay?

To be fair to the Jets they were competitive here and if they’d shown this kind of fight more, earlier in the season, we might have been talking about them in the playo…okay, maybe not. Todd Bowles is an absolute disaster of a coach and the Jets management needs a complete clearout in the offseason. However, if they can fire Bowles and get a much better head coach (not McDaniels), if they can put some more weapons around Sam Darnold, allow Robby Anderson to play his natural role in the slot receiver position, and…you know, stop doing the Jetsy things that they are prone to do…they might have a shot at improving in 2019? Who the hell knows. Then again, it’s the Jets…so we’ll see? As far as this game goes though, they failed on their final drive to tie the game, and that was indeed that.

As for the Texans, they bounced back from their loss to the Colts…there’s a sentence I’ll never, ever tire of saying…to put themselves one foot in the playoffs and the AFC South Champions for 2018. Ughh. DeAndre Hopkins got my fantasy opponent loads of fantasy points and pretty much set the tone for the rest of my semi-final weekend. Maybe next year. Damn it, I hate the Texans sometimes.

Remember when their playoff run lasted 11 seconds?

 

Sorry. I had to make myself feel better there.

They’re good though and they might even beat the Patriots to the bye. 

That’s something at least?

Remember the fact that the Houston Texans’ stadium has had two more Super Bowl appearances than the Houston Texans.

Okay, I’ll stop now.

Damn, I hope* they’re one and done.

*Unless they play the Pats in the Divisional

Final Score: Jets 22, Texans 29

Denver Broncos v. Cleveland Browns
Sports Direct Stadium at St James Par…uhh…Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

Still probably the dumbest name in stadiums this side of the Toni Macaroni Arena.

Or the Spaghettihad, to quote someone replying to Old Firm Facts the other day. (Well worth a follow if you follow Scottish fitba)

My God it’s almost Christmas and the Cleveland Browns are alive in the playoff race.

Okay, it’d take the biggest Christmas miracle since 34^th Street, but they still have a chance and considering the Browns were 0-16 last season, it’s a miracle in itself. Jimmy Stewart couldn’t star in a better Christmas movie than that.

A movie about the Cleveland Browns…imagine that.

The Browns are still in the fight after their close win over the Broncos on Saturday in a game where both teams seemed determined to throw the game away at the end. The Broncos went for it on fourth (and we normally advise that, but yeah here it wasn’t the best idea) and didn’t get it. The Browns marched up the field, went for it on fourth down…and got it to end the game with a neutral

l zone infraction.

Except they took a timeout. And that wiped out the neutral zone infraction.

Because, Browns.

They then proceeded to not get it on the next attempt.

It would’ve been peak Browns if they had then gone on to lose to a Broncos field goal…but the Broncos failed to march down the field enough to get into field goal range, and that was that.

Utter clownball on both sides.

Gregg Williams might get an interview for the Browns head coaching job on a permanent basis, even despite the timeout mistake. Vance Joseph is likely to be out in Denver.

Funny the difference when it goes for you and when it goes against you, huh?

The Browns welcome the Bengals Sunday and Hue Jackson comes back to Cleveland for the first time since his firing. What’s that about Christmas and reunions? Meanwhile the already eliminated Broncos face the Raiders in a Tank Bowl Monday Night Football game. Seriously, Monday night games have been awful since the Rams v Chiefs Pinballathon. (Still the best game of the season)

Fun fact: Phillip Lindsay comes from Denver and went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft.

I don’t think that’s been mentioned this season.

Final Score: Broncos 16, Browns 17.

Atlanta Falcons v. Arizona Cardinals
Mercedes Benz Stadium, Home of Super Bowl LIII and a closed Chic-A-Fila, Atlanta, Georgia

A battle of one team that were already dead in the playoff hunt, and another that were about to join them.

The ones about to join them though got a good moment on Sunday.

The Falcons will not be playing in their own stadium on Super Bowl Sunday this season, continuing the 53-year old tradition of host teams being either utterly brutal, having a barrel-load of injuries or getting utterly leathered in the AFC or NFC Playoffs (delete as applicable, year to year).

If nothing else though, this was a morale booster for them. Beating the worst team in football is not really anything major to brag about, but after five straight defeats, a long-suffering Falcons fanbase will happily take that. An all out defensive assault on Josh Rosen made the rookie’s afternoon miserable, and Tevin Coleman managed to open up the running game in what potentially might be his last home game for the Falcons. Despite the win, sweeping chances are needed in Atlanta for next season. If not the head coach or quarterback, but changes are needed none the less. What’s happened to Atlanta since 28-3?

Speaking of what’s happened…what the fuck has happened to the Cardinals in the last few years? Bruce Arians retiring has hurt them badly, and Steve Wilks honestly looks like a one-and-done head coach. Josh Rosen has taken an absolute battering and I’ve barely heard David Johnson mentioned this season. I’ve said this sentence many times this season…poor, poor Larry Fitzgerald. Finishing his career on this binfire of a team. That’s a sore one for a player who deserves so much more. 

See you in Canton?

The Falcons go to Carolina for a game that sees the 
positions reversed from the opening statement – the Falcons are out, the Panthers are likely to join them in heading to the sidelines this weekend. Meanwhile, the Cardinals continue their march to the first overall pick against the Rams.

When you type in “Cardinals” in Google, you get the St. Louis Cardinals, and not the Arizona Cardinals.

I think that says it all about the kind of season it’s been in Arizona.

Final Score: Falcons 40, Cardinals 14.

Cincinnati Bengals v. Oakland Raiders
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Two teams that might have wanted a hell of a lot more from this season than what they got. Two teams with very, very uncertain futures.

The Cincinnati Bengals are an exercise in what happens when you keep a head coach past his expiry date. Marvin Lewis has gotten to the point where he’s not even getting the Bengals to their customary Wildcard exit, instead choosing to crash and burn long before that. There’s talk of him retiring and being replaced by Hue Jackson.

That’s getting you well into “With the first overall pick of the NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select…” territory for years to come.

To be fair, Andy Dalton got injured, AJ Green got injured, they’ll be back next season? That’s…something?

AJ Green’s a free agent, huh?

…welp, you’re fucked.

The Oakland Raiders meanwhile are an exercise in what happens when you just hand off power to one guy and he goes and utterly obliterates your team. Jon Gruden might be 10 years past his expiry date at this point in the league. Khalil Mack traded, Amari Cooper traded, Derek Carr a shadow of the Quarterback he was before he broke his leg in 2016…just an utter disaster of a year for the Raiders. And they might not even have a home next year. “And the wandering Oakland Raiders, may one day find a home.”

You’re…you’re just fucked.

At least you got Vegas?

Oh yeah, a game happened. The Bengals went up 17 early, the Raiders got them back to a touchdown game, the Bengals added a field goal. Raiders got them back within a touchdown. Then at 23-16 Alex Erickson had a hell of a punt return that set up a Joe Mixon touchdown for the dagger. It wasn’t terribly exciting, all being told.

Both teams are gubbed.

The Bengals head to the Browns in a game that is likely to have both teams eliminated by the time it kicks off. The Raiders face the Broncos on Monday night in a game that is confirmed to have both teams eliminated by the time it kicks off.

Just end their seasons, already.

Final Score: Bengals 30, Raiders 16.

Minnesota Vikings v. Miami Dolphins
US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

In a game both teams really needed to win to boost their middling playoff hopes, and a game chosen by Sky over Colts v Cowboys, the Minnesota Vikings took on the Miami Dolphins.

And it ended in a blowout.

Because of course it did.

The team giving out the battering was the Vikings. They went up 21-0 early, and despite an impressive Pick Six by Minkah Fitzpatrick, which pretty much got the Kirk Cousins is not elite bandwagon up and running again, despite the score being 21-7 at the time, the Vikings were never really in much danger. Honestly, I quite like Kirk Cousins but I think it’s always gonna be the case that you get some good quarterback play and some bone headed errors thrown in for good measure. Is he basically modern Tony Romo?

The Dolphins meanwhile picked a really, really bad time to lay an egg here. They’re one game back from the Ravens, Colts and Titans in the AFC Wildcard race, and might be facing the exit door if they don’t win next weekend. They can technically win the AFC East still (when was the last time we said that in mid-December!) but it would take a massive collapse from the Patriots in order to do it. But, considering how weird this season has been, there’s still a shot. Again, we’re getting into the Christmas Miracle section here.

An impressive win for the Vikings and they can seal their spot in the playoffs away to the Lions next week, albeit needing some help from losses for the Eagles and Washington. The Dolphins get a Florida Derby against the Jaguars to try and keep their playoff hopes alive.

Speaking of Google Searches by the way: “Vikings” Brings up the show Vikings. 

Huh.

Final Score: Vikings 41, Dolphins 17.

Indianapolis Colts v. Dallas Cowboys
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Personal story time.

Anyone who’s a long-time follower of Go For It On Fourth, or knows me personally, knows that I got into the NFL through my Dad and I watching the games. What I may not have mentioned is that I started watching the sport properly in 2009, and that was in part due to my friend Kris who I worked with at the Odeon in Dundee. Kris is a Dallas Cowboys fan, and we’ve always called the meeting of the Colts and the Cowboys the Odeon Bowl as a result. It became the Original Odeon Bowl after Lewis, another mate of ours, joined the work as he is an Eagles fan.

In the two previous Odeon Bowls, the Colts have lost both games.

This time though, Odeon Bowl III, has a different result.

It was an absolutely magnificent performance from the Indianapolis Colts, who have won seven games out of eight, utterly ruining the Dallas Cowboys 23-0. Pitching a shutout was absolutely fantastic. Darius Leonard, potential Rookie of the Year on the defensive side of the ball, was utterly immense in this game, as per usual. Marlon Mack was sensational sitting on my fantasy bench, a decision I really, really regret, but no matter, as he was superb for the real life Colts and that’s what matters more. Luck didn’t even throw a touchdown in this game which sounds surreal. It’s weird saying that he didn’t have to do much and we still won by 23 points, but here you go. That’s the 2018 Colts. 

We can beat you in a number of ways.

How about that. Happy days in Indianapolis.

The Cowboys meanwhile couldn’t get much going. Ezekiel Elliott was stuffed and kept to under 100 yards. Leighton Vander Esch, Leonard’s main rival in the DROY race along with Derwin James, was pretty much anonymous for most of the afternoon. The Colts offensive line kept the likes of Vander Esch, DeMarcus Lawrence (a player I’d love to see in Colts blue next season) and Sean Lee away from Luck. The Hot Boyz, to give the Cowboys defence their name, couldn’t get anything going bar one fumble on Marlon Mack, the only blip on his day.

They’ll still probably make the playoffs, but a very alarming day for Dallas.

We take on the Giants in the Go For It On Fourth Bowl next weekend, as my team meet Kyle’s. The Cowboys take on the Buccaneers in their bid to try and win the NFC East.

Thanks Kris, for getting me into this wonderful sport mate.

Final Score: Colts 23, Cowboys 0.

Baltimore Ravens v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

This is a game that was closer than I thought it would be, considering one team are fighting for the playoffs, and one is all but eliminated – and would be at the end of this game.

But I guess, playing spoiler is the alternative to the Tank Bowl.

The Buccaneers made a game of this and kept the score close and low for most of this game. Then the class of Lamar Jackson and the Ravens showed, with the Ravens running the ball efficiently to be able to see this game out. Even despite the supreme bit of clownball by Evans on a kickoff return, letting the ball bounce, touching the ball and the Buccaneers being able to recover it. However, the Buccaneers couldn’t truly capitalise and were forced to settle for a field goal which pretty much sealed their fate in this game. And then Famous Jameis went classic Winston and threw a turnover which sealed the win for the Ravens.

The Ravens are in the weird position where they could equally win the AFC North or miss the postseason entirely and I wouldn’t be surprised at either outcome. It’s a strange one. Lamar Jackson is very much the future of this team and he seems to have a bright future in this league, but I dunno. A massively tough game against the Chargers is in their immediate future, and if they lose that, they could be on the outside looking in. If they win it, they could be looking at an AFC North title with the Steelers against the Saints this weekend.

The Buccaneers have a tough decision coming up in the offseason, as they need to decide whether to hit the reset button on their Quarterback position. They’ve gone through about four or five Ryan Fitzpatrick Cycles this season ALONE, and Jameis Winston has his fifth-year option coming up for about nineteen million dollars. They need to decide whether to extend him, lame-duck him on his fifth-year option or cut him loose and pick up a new QB in the Draft or Free Agency. I don’t think he’s the long-term answer in Tampa, and they should be high enough that enough teams above them in the Draft probably don’t need a Quarterback this year.

In the meantime, the Buccaneers take on a Cowboys trying to rebound from being shutout by the Colts. Never gonna get sick of that sentence, by the way.

Ironically, the Buccaneers might get their answer in the Quarterback position in their opponents’ backup QB, Joe Flacco.

Remember when the conversation was about him being elite?

…remember when he won the Super Bowl?

Yikes.

Final Score: Ravens 20, Buccaneers 12.

Buffalo Bills v. Detroit Lions
Ralph Wilson Stadium, nope, not calling it New Era Field, Buffalo, New York

We’re surely due a Snow Bowl game in Buffalo soon, right?

Shame it didn’t come here. It would’ve livened up the game anyway.

Surreal to think the Bills were in the postseason last year. This game officially ended the Lions’ postseason hopes, which were probably over a long time before this game.

I swear, every week when it comes to writing about the Lions, my mind goes blank.

After an uneventful first three quarters, the Bills took the lead mid-way through the fourth with a beautiful Josh Allen pass to Foster, and Foster fell into the endzone in a hilarious fashion.

Honestly, that’s about all I got. The Lions missed a field goal that would’ve given them the lead late in the fourth quarter, then the Bills saw it out with a first down to ice the game.

They’re both out of the playoff hunt.

Honestly, I probably need to ask someone to write about the Lions each week, because my mind just goes blank every time.

They welcome the Vikings next weekend, while the Bills head to the Death Star to take on the Patriots.

Google search gives you actual Lions if you type in “Lions”. “The Lions” gives you the British and Irish Lions.

Fucking hell Detroit, you just can’t catch a break can you?

Final Score: Bills 14, Lions 13.

Chicago Bears v. Green Bay Packers
Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

In week 1, Aaron Rodgers led yet another miracle recovery against the Bears at Lambeau Field on Sunday Night Football to lead the Packers to victory.

Same old story for the Bears this year, right?

…not quite.

The Chicago Bears secured the playoffs by winning the NFC North and knocking the Packers out at the same time. That’s gotta be the best experience possible for a Bears fan short of winning the Super Bowl or the NFC Championship.

That Khalil Mack trade’s looking pretty good right now, isn’t it?

Bears fans spent the other night trolling the derogatory replies to a prediction of them being a contender on that Twitter dot com, and it was utterly glorious to watch.

Meanwhile, what exactly has happened to the Packers? 

Pretty sure just relying on the Quarterback to do cool shit to bail you out week to week didn’t work for the Colts eventually, (fuck off Grigson) and it’s not been working for the Packers for a while. They need to reboot from the ground up. I mean, if Rodgers comes back to his best, and he most likely will, he will be fine. You’ve got a lot of work to do in the offseason, though. Gotta get that Head Coaching pick right, first of all. God help you if you hire Josh McDaniels. Just…just don’t.

The NFC North Champion Chicago Bears (imagine saying THAT at the start of the year!) go to the 49ers next weekend, while the already eliminated Green Bay Packers (again, imagine saying THAT at the start of the year with a healthy Aaron Rodgers) go to the Jets.

This Bears team is going to be terrifyingly good in the playoffs. Good luck to whomever falls into the sixth seed in the NFC. You’re going to need it.

Final Score: Bears 24, Packers 17.

Jacksonville Jaguars v. Washington D.C. Fitba Team
Everbank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

The Hashtag Sacksonville Jaguars have been an utter binfire this season.

Massively, massively pleasing.

The Jacksonville return to absolute irrelevance has been swift, brutal, and quite frankly hilarious. They had one good year, thought they were on the way to the Super Bowl, and then remembered they had Blake fucking Bortles at Quarterback.

It…it has not ended well.

I mean, you lost to a guy who hadn’t played an NFL snap since 2012 before last week! This was Josh Johnson’s first career victory! I mean, Bortles has been bad but is he worse than Cody Kessler? You’ve scored one offensive touchdown in the last few weeks. One. You’ve won one game, because our Colts offence got lost on the way to Jacksonville a couple of weeks ago. We’re still not talking about this. Please just beat the Dolphins and/or Texans next two weeks, ok?

As for Washington, they’re somehow still alive in the playoff hunt despite the Quarterbacks falling like flies. First of all, Alex Smith had a nasty leg break injury that might end his career. Then Colt McCoy broke HIS leg. Then they tried starting Mark Sanchez. He didn’t get injured. He was just Mark Sanchez. So now, Josh Johnson is the man to lead you to the playoffs? Really?

Whatever. Just beat the Titans next week, ok?

I should probably talk about this game but it was kinda pish. Both teams got a touchdown, Washington came from behind to win the game, and it was won on a final second field goal. That’s all you really need to know here.

Washington take on the Titans on Saturday while the Jaguars take on the Dolphins on Sunday.

I need both teams to win.

Neither will probably win.

Sounds about right.

Final Score: Washingtons 16, Jaguars 13.

New York Giants v. Tennessee Titans
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

You know what I was saying about teams playing spoiler?

Yeaaaaaaaahhhh…that did not happen here.

The Giants got shutout on their homefield by the Tennessee Titans. This has been another disaster of a year in New York, and like Steve Wilks in Arizona, this might even end up being a one-and-done year for Pat Shurmur and the the Giants. Well, maybe that might be too soon. He might get at least another year.

Oddly, they were the ones handing out a beating to the Washington D.C. Fitba Team a few weeks ago, where the Washington fans were leaving at HALFTIME. After a few weeks of beginning to look like a real team again, the Giants did…this. They’re officially out of the playoffs once again. I’m just at the point where I’m starting to feel gutted for Kyle with this. Hopefully they can recover and get back to the playoffs next year, but the Giants need a hell of a lot of work. They need to sort out that offensive line…again…and Eli Manning looks like he’s done. They need to get the future of this franchise in NOW. Unfortunately, their last few wins might have played themselves out of the playoff spot.

As for the (Ten Fucking) Titans, they might make it into the playoffs for the second consecutive year, as Derrick Henry seems to have entered God-tier levels at the right time. After running for all of the yards and all of the touchdowns against the Jaguars a couple of weeks ago, he’s been on fire. Marcus Mariota has been…ok, I guess this year? But he can still be got to and still be shut down, so that might put paid to the Titans’ hopes of going far in the playoffs, if they get there.

Both teams meet the Colts in the next two weeks, in games that will very much decide ours and the Titans’ playoff position. Interesting times indeed.

The Titans take on the Washington D.C. Fitba Team next, while the Giants take on the Colts in the Go For It On Fourth Bowl.

I’ll be watching that one with Kyle.

It’ll be an interesting Sunday.

Final Score: Giants 0, Titans 17.

San Francisco 49ers v. Seattle Seahawks
Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California

Oh boy, this should be an easy win for the Seahawks…on paper.

And that’s why football is not played on paper.

Well, that and it wouldn’t be a really sufficient surface for players to play on. They’d keep slipping.

…Dad jokes aside, I mean, it is Christmas, the 49ers seem determined to play themselves out of the First Overall Pick for some reason. Nick Mullens is probably gonna earn a trade and a chance to win the starting job for a franchise who don’t have an efficient starting QB right now. (Hello, Jaguars, Giants, etc etc). Matt Breida has been very good in the running back position, and George Kittle has been fantastic. He’ll be some weapon for a returning Jimmy G next season. And he rushed out of a press conference so he could go to WWE Tables, Ladders and Chairs.

I like him more and more the more I learn about him.

This was a bit of a setback for the Seahawks, an overtime loss with a Niners field goal, hurting their chances of getting the fifth seed, although they will probably be playing postseason football regardless. All things being said, it probably won’t hurt them *too* badly, but it’s still a bit of a stinger.

The 49ers welcome the Bears next weekend, while the Seahawks take on the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football. That game’s gonna be huge for both teams.

Pittsburgh Steelers v. New England Patriots
Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Death, taxes and the Steelers bottling it to the Patriots.

*checks notes* wait, you mean they DIDN’T?

What?

The Steelers won?

What?

The one time I need the Patriots to actually beat the Steelers, they lose. Because of course they do. I swear to Jebus, the Patriots would go 0-16 if they knew it could screw over the Colts. I have no idea what circumstances would require that, but the Patriots would find a way to do it if it was possible. Tom Brady looks ageing and the dynasty looks like it’s on its way out. Although how many times have we said this now? Every single time the Patriots get ruled as “finished”, they find their way back. It’s taking them slightly longer this time, though.

Regardless, this was a huge win for the Steelers and they have seemingly stopped the rot for now. After the losses to the Chargers and the Raiders of all teams, they needed a big statement win. This was very much it. This was the win they needed to keep them going in the playoff race. They need to keep winning as the Ravens, Colts, and Titans are very much in the rear-view mirror. Who they got next? *checks notes again* The…Saints. The Number One Seed in the NFC.

Welp.

The Patriots get the Bills and will probably whomp them 45-0 to secure the AFC East.

Yaaaay.

Final Score: Steelers 17, Patriots 10.

Los Angeles Rams v. Philadelphia Eagles
LA Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

Here we go guys. Big Dick Nick is back in town.

After Carson Wentz suffered a probable season-ending injury for the second season in a row, Nick Foles has come to right the ship this year. Last year it was a matter of carrying them on to their legendary Super Bowl Championship run. This year, it’s a matter of getting the reigning Champions back into the playoffs. Which, in the binfire of the NFC East, is very, very possible.

I swear, I’ve changed my mind about the destination of the NFC East title about 20 times this season.

Someone said to me that they think the Eagles are a better team overall with Nick Foles at Quarterback than Carson Wentz. And honestly, I’m not 100% sure I’d argue that point right now. Carson Wentz has been a bit off for a lot of this year. Maybe they rushed him back too quickly? I don’t see him coming back this season. If Foles leads the Eagles to ANOTHER Super Bowl title, and the Super Bowl MVP for two years in a row? I don’t want to say Quarterback controversy, but…

As far the Rams, my God they are fading fast. After the Monday Night Pinballathon when they and the Chiefs scored all of the points physically fucking possible, they’ve not been great. Jared Goff and Todd Gurley still did enough to knock me out of the fantasy playoffs (ffs) but apart from that, the Rams have been a bit shaky lately, and December is NOT the time you want to be shaky. Being shaky in December usually leads to an early exit in January. Be careful, Rams. You’ll get the bye week but you’ve gotta right this ship before it sinks you.

The Rams get the chance to right said ship by facing the worst team in football in the Arizona Cardinals next weekend. The Eagles try to keep their playoff hopes alive against the AFC South leading Texans.

Nick Foles, Super Bowl MVP…again?

…you never know.

As I say, if you can get into the tournament this year, it’s anyone’s game.

Final Score: Rams 23, Eagles 30.

Carolina Panthers v. New Orleans Saints
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

I have very little good to say about this game, to be honest.

I sat and watched it on Monday night past there and very little happened.

Both defences were good for the most part.

Both offences were horrendous for the entire game.

Towards the end of the game, the Saints scored a touchdown, then threw a pick two, allowing the Panthers to get within a field goal. The Saints then marched back down the field, only to fumble the ball into the endzone, meaning a touchback for the Panthers. The best/worst rule in football, depending on which way it goes for you.

The Panthers have a chance to march down the field and at least take this game to overtime, or even get the win with the touchdown…

…what the fuck are you doing, Carolina?

What the hell is this last drive?

Yep, you’ve failed on a fourth and five. Game over. You didn’t even get close.

Carolina’s season has just been an absolute collapse at this point. 6-2 to 6-8, six straight losses, and Cam Newton hasn’t looked right most of the season. Getting utterly wrecked by the Steelers on Thursday Night Football has just destroyed the Panthers. They’ve never recovered. Cam Newton is going on IR for the rest of the year for his shoulder, but no surgery is in his immediate future…uhh..are you sure, Carolina? I’d probably look into that before it costs him next season. I speak from experience as a Colts fan. Get him right, whatever it takes. And don’t rush him back this time.

As for the Saints, a shaky performance over the last two weeks but they have a chance to wrap up the number one seed this weekend. I’d love for them to beat the Steelers to secure it. Get it done, New Orleans. Brees might not win the MVP over Patrick Mahomes, but we’ll see. In the meantime, get that number one seed wrapped up. The fact I need you to beat the Steelers might have a lot to do with my encouragement here, but still. Win that number one seed, please.

The Saints take on the Steelers on Sunday, while the Panthers, without Cam Newton, will face off against the Falcons.

These two will take each other on in a game in Week 17 that might end up being meaningless.

Yay, NFL scheduling!

Final Score: Panthers 9, Saints 12.

And that will do it for this week’s review!

With two weeks to go, this is the time of year where you cannot afford to fuck it up. You’ve gotta get the wins for your playoff hopes, your first seed byes, or the losses for your tank.

Huge weekend upcoming.

But in the meantime, as always,

Go Colts.