2021-2 NFL Pro Football (pls, no other sports!)

Bonnie said:
Happy day for @jerry old !

The Browns - Ravens game got interesting.

And Tom is at it again for the Bucs ....
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Dunno if @jerry old thinks the same, but it's not a completely happy day. Great win, great defense, but what the HECK is wrong with Dak??? :( Speaking of defense, Trevon Diggs is an amazing player and displays wonderful sportsmanship. Don't see a lot of players play as cleanly aggressive as he does. He showed pure class when the Washington receiver (Sims) he covered got a reversal of an incomplete pass upon review that resulted in a touchdown. Went out of his way to run over and fist bump Sims after the call. Impressive guy all around.

 
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jerry old said:
Surprised that Raiders made such a poor showing against Chiefs; oh well, makes Don M happppppy

You Betcha!! I couldn't believe how lopsided this game was. The Chiefs had such a lead that the coach put the backup QB into the game in the 4th quarter. I've been a Chiefs fan for decades, and attended a few games when we still lived near KC. I just hope their luck holds out for the rest of the season.
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AnnieA said:
Dunno if @jerry old thinks the same, but it's not a completely happy day. Great win, great defense, but what the HECK is wrong with Dak??? :( Speaking of defense, Trevon Diggs is an amazing player and displays wonderful sportsmanship. Don't see a lot of players play as cleanly aggressive as he does. He showed pure class when the Washington receiver (Sims) he covered got a reversal of an incomplete pass upon review that resulted in a touchdown. Went out of his way to run over and fist bump Sims after the call. Impressive guy all around.

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Dak ruled the world his first season, as a rookie nothing was expected of him; therefore all his feats were 'gravy.'
Season two, the defense was ready for him.
He looks so shocked when he throws an interception😒.

Bonnie said: At Tom Brady's autopsy, a Every Ready Bunny hopped out and completed three passes.
 
jerry old said:
Dak ruled the world his first season, as a rookie nothing was expected of him; therefore all his feats were 'gravy.'
Season two, the defense was ready for him.
Click to expand...

He was stellar at the beginning of this year. But yesterday, even with a healthy OL and plenty of time, he struggled. In all my years watching him, I have never seen him look as off as he was yesterday with most key players available.
 
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What We Learned From Week 14 in the NFL Pt 1 of 3
NYT, WashPost, SB Nation, local media 15Dec2021

Buccaneers 33, Buffalo 27 OT
Bills Coach Sean McDermott, who is too often stuck in 1995, yet again, punted and kicked FGs far too often in a road loss to the Buccaneers. But if there’s a takeaway from the most dramatic game in Week 14, it’s that as long as Josh Allen is the Bills’ QB, they’ve got a shot.

Nothing went right for the sinking Bills early Sunday. The run defense was gashed and Tom Brady picked apart McDermott’s defense with ease, as the Buccaneers built a 24-3 halftime lead. McDermott, the defensive-minded coach, hovers his foot above the gas pedal but never stomping down, settled for a 2Q chip-shot FG and a 3Q punt when the Bills still trailed by two TDs.

Stymied by timidity and a porous run defense, and down, 27-10, Allen led scoring drives of 75, 46, and 70 yds in Q4 to force an OT Buffalo had no business being in. Allen threw for 308 yds and two TDs, and led the ground game with a rushing TD and 109 yds, more than double the team’s next closest runner. Buffalo didn’t hand the ball to an RB until Q3, becoming the first NFL team since 1991 to go an entire first half without once handing the ball to a RB.

Since storming out to a 6-3 record through mid-November, Buffalo’s flaws have become apparent. They’re not big and not overly physical, not ideal in a conference where teams carrying Derrick Henry and Jonathan Taylor are building postseason cases, and where the Patriots and Browns continue to brawl.

The Buccaneers came into the game with the NFL’s stingiest run defense, and several previous opponents have chosen to skew heavily in favor of the pass. The Bills scored the final 17 points in regulation to erase a 27-10 deficit in the Q4. QB Josh Allen threw for 308 yds and two TDs. He also ran for 109 yds and a TD. But that could not prevent the Bills from falling to 7-6.

The Buccaneers squandered a sizable Q4 lead but regrouped in OT. Of course, TBay pulled through in the end. Brady’s 58-yard TD pass to Breshad Perriman dropped the Bills to 7-6, two games behind the NE Patriots, who had a bye, in the AFC East. It was another day, another NFL record for Tom Brady: Brady surpassed retired Saints great Drew Brees for the most completions in NFL history with No. 7,143 in the first half against the Buffalo Bills. Against the Bills Brady had 363 yds and two TDs on 31-for-46 passing. The Bucs improved to 10-3.

Cowboys 27, Washington 20
Coach Mike McCarthy guaranteed a Dallas win, which irritated Washington coach Ron Rivera no end. But McCarthy finally had his two top receivers, CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper, back on the field at the same time again. Dallas’s ascending defense was historically bad in 2020, but has played with tenacity this season behind rookie LB Micah Parsons, who had two sacks and a forced fumble on Sunday, and who may walk away with Defensive Rookie of the Year honors if he stays healthy.

Unlike pass rushers who predominantly line up at one position, Parsons, the 12th overall pick in this year’s draft, moves all over the field. Any extra attention given to blocking him creates opportunities for other pass rushers, like Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence, as it did on Sunday, when Lawrence lassoed Taylor Heinicke to the turf with one hand.

Chiefs 48, Raiders 9
The AFC has been a cluttered mess. Titans RB Derrick Henry was on a pace to set the career rushing record when he broke his foot in November. That was right when Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens, who had looked like contenders for the MVP Award, began to stammer against inferior opponents.

The KC Chiefs stumbled out of the gate. In four of its first five games, KC’s D surrendered 30 or more points. Teams shut down Mahomes’ running by posting two safeties, blocking up the edges. Pressing to score points and offset the leaky D, Mahomes threw more interceptions this year than he had thrown in total before.

But the team has changed – in one instance, going backwards – and with KC’s latest rout of the Raiders (6-7) they have won six straight games. KC now has the same 9-4 record as the NE Patriots and the Tennessee Titans.

On Sunday, KC forced five turnovers and hit Raiders QB Derek Carr 11 times. Now that the defense has given his offense breathing room, Mahomes has again looked like his normal, meteoric self, a sight no team wants to see in January. Mahomes was sharp, completing 20 of 24 passes for 258 yds with two TDs and no interceptions. The game wasn’t as close as the score; KC was up by 32 pts at halftime.

The Raiders started off on the wrong foot and to make sure things got worse, stuffed it in their collective mouths. The team spontaneously held its pre-game gathering standing on the Chiefs logo at mid-field, whooping and hollering.

Because you really want to have every Chiefs player, staff, and 76,000 fans absolutely enraged at you.

From Josh Jacobs’ opening-possession fumble, which resulted in a KC scoop-and-score, everything snowballed for LVegas. The team turned the ball over five times (four fumbles, all lost, and an interception) vs KC not giving up the ball once. It was 7-0 with the snap of a finger and then 14-0, 21-0, 28-0 and with 1:45 left in Q2, 35-0. Save for Daniel Carlson’s 26-yard FG, the Raiders would’ve been blanked by the Chiefs in the first half.

In the last three games, KC has allowed a total of 16 first-half points, confounding the Cowboys’ Dak Prescott (57.9 passer rating, five sacks), the Packers backup Jordan Love (15 incompletions, 69.5 passer rating) and Raiders Derek Carr in the process. Moved back to his natural position on the inside of the DL, tackle Chris Jones is again wrecking havoc on opponents. Steve Spagnuolo, the team’s DC, is stupefying opposing QBs with his endless scroll of blitzes.

Interestingly, although the Raiders are completely out of contention, they have the unique opportunity to play quadruple spoiler. Their last four games are against teams desperately seeking a playoff berth: Browns, Broncos, Colts and Chargers.
 
What We Learned From Week 14 in the NFL Pt 2 of 3
NYT, WashPost, SB Nation, local media 15Dec2021

Broncos 38, Lions 10
Denver likes to run the ball early and often, and some opponents – like the Lions – can’t stop that. Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams shredded the Detroit defense for 184 yds and three TDs on 39 attempts. The Broncos remain in the AFC playoff picture with a massively important game against the Bengals awaiting them next week.

Sunday’s game was the Broncos’ tribute to their former Pro Bowl WR, Demaryius Thomas, who was found dead Thursday in his Georgia home at age 33. Thomas played for Denver from 2010 to 2018 and helped the Broncos win a Super Bowl. A preliminary finding indicated the cause of death may have been a medical issue.

The Broncos honored Demaryius Thomas by starting the game with just 10 men on the field on offense. Denver then let the play clock run out and was flagged for delay of game as the crowd at Denver’s Empower Field at Mile High cheered. Detroit declined the penalty, at which point Broncos WR Courtland Sutton came onto the field to complete his team’s lineup. During that sequence, the scoreboard showed “88” ― Thomas’s number with the Broncos.

Safety Justin Simmons later added to the earlier demonstrations of love and respect. After intercepting a pass, Simmons ran off the field and placed the football on the No. 88 logo that was painted on the field on the sideline to honor Thomas.

QB Teddy Bridgewater threw two TD passes and tailback Melvin Gordon added two TD runs. The Broncos nudged their record above .500, at 7-6.

Packers 45, Bears 30
This one got wild in Q2, with the rivals both scoring more than 20 points in that single frame and the Packers heading into halftime down, 27-21. Justin Fields finished with 224 yds and two TD passes, though Chicago ran out of steam in the second half. Aaron Rodgers went 29 of 37 and threw four TD passes, two caught by Davante Adams, and GBay extended its NFC North lead to four games.

49ers 26, Bengals 23 (OT)
SF receiver Brandon Aiyuk had a banner rookie season in 2020 but a very quiet start to 2021. On Sunday, he delivered the game-winning TD catch, going airborne to cross the goal line in OT for a win the 49ers needed to win to keep their playoff dream alive. Despite all of its injuries and despite the occasional, maddening erratic play of its QB, SF is 7-6. The Niners are now sixth seed for Wild Card, but their secondary is too porous to go much further than one or two rounds, at most.

Cincinnati fumbled four punts, but did recover one of them. They were down 20-6 in Q4 when Burrow finally got to show what he could do with his arm. Ambry Thomas, rookie CB, had two "hands to the face" penalties that hurt the Niners, and with fellow rookie Talanoa Hufanaga at safety, both struggled as Joe Burrow threw for 348 yds and two TDs for the Bengals (7-6).

What took the Bengals OC so long to target the Niners’ secondary, is us mortals to guess. Even under pressure in Q4, Burrow connected well enough and often enough to tie the score and force OT. The Bengals won the toss but inexplicably, the coach ran three rushing plays in a row and was forced to punt. That was just enough for the Niners and Garoppolo, who plays his best in the 2-minute drill, to get his team downfield where Aiyuk’s heroic stretch forward got them the win.

SF’s multiple-pronged offense carried the team through a game where both teams seemed to be reverting to pre-season miscues. Before Aiyuk’s heroics, George Kittle carried the 49ers’ offense on his back. The Pro Bowl TE caught 13 passes for 151 yds and a TD, coming up huge in Jimmy Garoppolo’s 296-yds, two TD performance. His performance was so outstanding, Kittle was named Offensive Player of the Week, a rare honor for a TE.

Scoring a rushing TD in four straight games would be impressive for almost any NFL player, but it’s particularly rare for someone who isn’t an RB. By doing so Sunday, the SF 49ers’ Deebo Samuel became the first WR in the Super Bowl era to accomplish that feat (per Elias Sports via ESPN). Filling in as an RB for Elijah Mitchell (concussion protocol), Samuel got to the edge and outran Bengals defenders down the sideline for a 27-yard score that helped give the 49ers a 10-3 lead.

Samuel now has six rushing TDs on the season, just one shy of an NFL record for WRs set by the Baltimore Colts’ Lenny Moore in 1961 (per Statmuse). A third-year player out of South Carolina, Samuel came into Sunday’s game with 56 catches this season for 1,006 yds and five more scores.

Chargers 37, Giants 21
The Giants are speeding toward another rebuild. But the Chargers have to be thrilled with how Justin Herbert has rebounded from a brief midseason lull. LA has thrown the ball more than 30 times in every game this season. While setting a new mark for second-year NFL QBs Sunday, Justin Herbert very much looked like one of the league’s best talents. Herbert completed 23 of 31 passes for 275 yds, three TDs and a 133.1 rating, adding 19 yds on the ground.

His trio of scoring throws made him the first NFL QB with 30-plus TD passes in each of his first two seasons. He also joined former Miami Dolphins great Dan Marino as the only NFL QBs with at least 60 TD passes in their first two seasons (per ESPN).

Playing in place of injured starter Daniel Jones (neck) for the second straight week, Giants QB Mike Glennon threw for 191 yds and two TDs with an interception and a rushing TD. NY was down 37-7 before getting a pair of scores late in the Q4, including an 18-yard TD catch by RB Saquon Barkley.

Barkley had one of his best statistical games of an injury-marred season, gaining 64 yds on 16 carries and adding 31 yds on three receptions. The Giants fell to 4-9 while the Chargers improved to 8-5.
 
What We Learned From Week 14 in the NFL Pt 3 of 3
NYT, WashPost, SB Nation, local media 15Dec2021

Saints 30, Jets 9
Navigating the post-Drew Brees era hasn’t been pretty for New Orleans. After beating the defending champion Buccaneers in Week 8, the Saints lost five straight. The team’s slide ended Sunday with the return of Alvin Kamara from a knee injury. He punished the Jets with 120 yds and one TD on 27 rushing attempts.

Seahawks 33, Texans 13
Too little, too late in Seattle. There’s a good chance this is Russell Wilson’s final season with the Seahawks, so plays like his 55-yard moon ball to Tyler Lockett only tease what could have been in 2021.

Falcons 29, Panthers 21
Atlanta linebacker Mykal Walker stepped in front of a Cam Newton pass and returned it 66 yds for a TD, reaching a top speed of 21.05 miles per hour — the fastest speed recorded by a linebacker with the ball in his hands in the last five years. Newton was benched in the second quarter for his backup, P.J. Walker, who then returned to the pine after throwing a pick on his second pass attempt.

The Atlanta Falcons kept up in the playoff race by improving to 6-7, the Panthers dropping to 5-8. Meanwhile, the Falcons were able to take advantage of three Panthers turnovers to steadily play their way to a key win in their division and conference. Matt Ryan threw for 190 yds and a TD, and Cordarrelle Patterson included an end zone trip in his 16 carries for 58 yds.

Newton, making his third start since his return to the Panthers, did have a rushing TD earlier in the game. This was the Panthers’ first game since the firing of offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Things are not improving much so far with Jeff Nixon serving as the offensive play-caller.

Browns 24, Ravens 22
Baltimore lost Lamar Jackson to an ankle injury in the second quarter, the one injury the team cannot afford in a season that has been rife with them. The bye week helped Cleveland’s battered QB, Baker Mayfield, who threw for 190 yds and a pair of scores.

Lamar Jackson was carted off the field and Huntley came in to complete 27 of 38 passes for 270 yds and a TD for the 8-5 Ravens. He also had six carries for 45 yds.

Baker Mayfield completed 22 of 32 passes for 190 yds and two TDs, with one interception. Nick Chubb had 17 carries for 59 yds and Donovan Peoples-Jones caught five passes for 90 yds. Jarvis Landry caught five passes as well for 41 yds and had a TD, too. The Browns are now 7-6.

Titans 20, Jaguars 0
The Titans have gone 3-2 without star RB Derrick Henry, who could return as soon as Week 18 from surgery on his fractured foot. The team has a two-game divisional lead over the Indianapolis Colts, who are on bye this week. They had no trouble with Jacksonville, picking off rookie QB Trevor Lawrence four times and cruising to victory. Ryan Tannehill threw for 191 yds and ran for a TD as Tennessee improved to 9-4 and moved closer to the AFC South crown.

Things have gotten ugly in Jacksonville, where Coach Urban Meyer threatened to fire whichever of his assistant coaches leaked that he had called them “losers” last week. The desultory loss capped a tumultuous week for Jacksonville, including questions from reporters ― and indirect criticism from Lawrence ― about Jaguars Coach Urban Meyer’s halting usage of starting RB James Robinson. On Saturday, the league’s official media arm, NFL.com, published a story containing allegations that Meyer’s “hard-charging and sometimes condescending approach” has alienated players and coaching staff members.

Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft who had been considered a prospect of rare promise, continued his season-long struggles Sunday. He averaged just 5.5 yds on his 40 pass attempts, took three sacks and finished with a 35.5 passer rating. Some of the fault could be placed on a Jaguars OL that was dominated by its Titans counterparts, and he got no help from Robinson and fellow RB Carlos Hyde, who combined for six yds on seven carries. Jacksonville lost its fifth straight game and fell to 2-11.

Monday Night Football: Rams 30, Cardinals 23
Cardinals (10-3) still hold the division lead over Rams (9-4), but that may be cold comfort considering they couldn’t match the Rams despite LAR being understrength and missing Jalen Ramsey, one of the NFL’s best CBs. The Cardinals will have to wait at least one more week before clinching their first playoff spot since 2015. Kyler Murray threw two interceptions that led to Rams’ TDs. The Cardinals had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds after recovering an onside kick. But a holding call wiped out a long Murray run on the first play of the drive and Arizona couldn’t produce a last-second miracle.

The Rams (9-4) won their second straight and pulled within one game of the Cardinals in the NFC West. They looked brisk and efficient, like a team who has finally integrated all those star players into a cohesive group. Matthew Stafford had plenty of protection and time to throw most of the night. He dissected a Cardinals defense that had been among the best against the pass in the NFL this season.

Stafford threw for 287 yds and three TDs. Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr each caught a TD pass. Kupp had 13 catches for 123 yds, the eighth 100-yard game this season for the NFL’s receiving leader. Beckham’s catch of Stafford’s short pass was his third TD since joining the Rams last month. He did not have a TD in six games with Cleveland this season. It was also the first time he’s scored TDs in three straight games since 2015.

The Cardinals (10-3) still lead the NFC West, but they relinquished the conference’s No. 1 seed. And as the playoffs approach, the result escalated the race for the division.
 
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Lethe200 says Derek Carr was hit 11 times Sunday.
I've often wondered about that-this, Carr is (maybe) a franchise player why chance a severe injury.

(Coach Jimmy Johnson (Dallas( let his qb Troy Aikman ,a rookie take 11 brutal hits from the Eagles in a meaningless game.
I thought-the kid is good Aikman), get rid of the coach.)

Also, flag, far too many flags which have a bearing on the game.
Pass interference, no one knows what it means. depends on how the ref felt today.
Field goals should not decide a game
 
Bonnie said:
Today there is news all over the league of Covid causing many changes to the games this weekend ... many teams/players involved.
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I don't understand it.
The players contract is allocated to so much per game, if their suspended for drugs...no pay.
Well, what-about covid 19 those that failed to their vaccinations., is their pay suspended as they miss games?
if they are fully vaccinated i don't see how the clubs could doc their wages.
This is unclear, perhaps the clubs want it to be??
 
Hi Jerry,
In answer to your question, I believe that since it is a mandate from the NFL, not just a team-by-team mandate, to be vaccinated, if a player does not get vaccinated the fine is $14,650, which of course is peanuts to the bigger stars like Aaron Rodgers. However, in AR's case, the league also fined the Packers organization $300K for not following COVID 19-protocols, which are also mandatory.

I have not heard whether fines will be assessed for those who do not get the now-mandatory booster shots, but I would think they probably will be.
 
UPDATE: The NFL has announced that due to COVID, 3 games will be delayed for an extra two-three days: Las Vegas and Cleveland, Washington and Philadelphia, and Seattle and the LA Rams. New broadcast days/times have been updated, below.

Week 15 Predictions Pt 1 of 3
KC and the LA Chargers will trade deep shots, Covid-19-depleted teams will do battle for playoff spots and the Patriots and Colts’ throwback matchup should deliver.

All times are Eastern

Week 15 kicks off with Thursday night’s AFC West battle between KC, winner of six straight games, and the LA Chargers, a game behind in the division. The Indianapolis Colts and NE Patriots should provide an old-school, ground-based game Sat night. The Covid-19-depleted Cleveland Browns need to win against the LVegas Raiders to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Thursday Night Football
Chiefs 34, Chargers 28 (OT)
The two-time defending AFC champions KC Chiefs are peaking at the right time for another playoff push. The Chiefs were 3-4 at the end of October, but have won seven straight to improve to 10-4 and go up by two games in the AFC West.

Travis Kelce had a career-high 191 receiving yards and caught a tying seven-yard touchdown pass with 1:16 left in the fourth quarter. Then he scored on a 34-yard pass from Mahomes in OT for the comeback win. Kelce had been held to six total receptions the past two games, but he broke out in a big way. He had five of his 10 catches for 142 yards in the fourth quarter and overtime. He also had a 69-yard reception that led to Tyreek Hill’s one-yard touchdown and a two-point conversion that tied it at 21.

Mahomes completed 31 of 47 for a season-high 410 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Mahomes bounced back after a costly fourth-quarter interception led to Austin Ekeler‘s touchdown and gave the Chargers a 21-13 advantage. He was 10 of 16 for 197 yards and three TDs after the turnover.

Justin Herbert gave the Chargers a 28-21 lead with 2:19 remaining on an eight-yard TD pass to Keenan Allen, but the D couldn’t make it hold up. It is the second straight season the Chiefs have come to the Chargers’ Hollywood Park home and won in overtime.

LAC’s defeat came after a terrifying injury to TE Donald Parham. The 24-year-old appeared to lose consciousness after slamming his head on the turf in the first quarter. He was helped off on a stretcher and taken to a hospital, where the team said he is in stable condition.

Herbert threw two touchdowns and ran for another score, but the Chargers (8-6) came up empty on three red-zone drives. Herbert completed 22 of 38 passes for 236 yards and an interception.

Red zone woes affected both teams. The Chargers turned the ball over twice after failing on two fourth down situations where they opted to go for it rather than kick FGs. Early in Q4, LAC had second-and-goal, but Ben Niemann recovered Joshua Kelley‘s fumble at the two.

The Chiefs also were not immune to red-zone failures. They were down 14-13 and had fourth-and-goal at the two when Mahomes’ pass to Mecole Hardman was incomplete.

Both teams had key players out because of Covid-19.

Saturday’s Matchup
NE Patriots at Indianapolis Colts, 8:15p NFL Network and NE/Indianapolis local stations ONLY
Pick: Patriots
This game should be good, and, to be honest, the close spread is a surprise. The Colts (7-6) are ascending thanks to Jonathan Taylor, the league’s leading rusher. The Patriots (9-4), though, hold the AFC’s top seed thanks to efficient, risk-averse play by rookie QB Mac Jones, a strong running game and a stout defense.

NE is mediocre against the run, allowing an average of 136 yds over the last three games. But against the Colts, Coach Bill Belichick needs only to focus his game plan to combat Taylor (hint: make Carson Wentz win it.) Opposing defenses have yet to stop the Patriots’ offense, and until someone offers a blueprint, it’s safer to bet with the Patriots.

LVegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns, RE-SCHEDULED 5p Monday 12/20, NFL Network and LV/Cleveland local stations ONLY
Pick: Browns
The Browns (7-6) placed eight players on the Covid-19 list Tuesday, including two of their best offensive weapons, receiver Jarvis Landry and TE Austin Hooper, followed by positive tests from their QB, Baker Mayfield, and HC Kevin Stefanski, on Wednesday. It is nearly impossible to forecast who will be available as the team deals with an outbreak, but Cleveland should still beat the Raiders (6-7), which has lost five of their last six games.

The Browns’ postseason hinge on this one - Cleveland’s playoff odds increase to 56% with a win - while LVegas is playing its most embarrassing football of the year, plagued by offensive sloppiness, turnovers and defensive inefficiencies.
 
UPDATE: The NFL has announced that due to COVID, 3 games will be delayed for an extra two-three days: Las Vegas and Cleveland, Washington and Philadelphia, and Seattle and the LA Rams. New broadcast days/times have been updated, below.

Week 15 Predictions Pt 2 of 3
Sunday’s Best Games

GBay Packers at Baltimore Ravens, 4:25p, Fox
Pick: Packers
Having vaulted into the NFC’s top seed this week, the Packers (10-3) can put distance between themselves and the Buccaneers and Cardinals, who are also 10-3, with a win against the Ravens (8-5), who have been one of the most injured teams in the league this season.

Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson sprained an ankle last week, but Coach John Harbaugh expects him to play. Baltimore is missing its top two CBs, Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey, and so it needs Jackson to control the clock and cut down his turnovers to keep the ball away from Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense. That predicament that seems nearly impossible since Jackson is also the team’s most reliable rusher. GBay can definitely exploit the Ravens’ absences better than other teams have.

Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1p, CBS
Pick: Titans
The spread on this one should probably be larger. Yes, the Titans (9-4) are without RB Derrick Henry (foot) and receiver A.J. Brown (chest), but they have shown that they can still move the ball well on offense - as long as they don’t commit turnovers.

The Steelers (6-6-1), conversely, are inept at stopping the run. They’ve allowed an average of 182 rushing yds over the last three games - and the OL must want Roethlisberger to retire even before the season ends. He has taken eight sacks over the last three games. Those issues, along with Chase Claypool’s drama over celebrating a first down last week, have the Steelers sprinting toward a rebuild. This game should add another loss to Pittsburgh’s record.

New Orleans Saints at TBay Buccaneers, 8:20p, NBC
Pick: Buccaneers
Alvin Kamara’s return last week against the Jets lifted the Saints (6-7), who desperately needed their best offensive weapon after he missed four games with a knee injury. But Kamara will likely find little room to run against the Buccaneers (10-3), who allow the third-fewest rushing yds per game (91.2). The Bucs have won four straight games and are hitting their stride heading into the final leg of the regular season.

Leonard Fournette has rushed for 100 yds in two of the last three games and asserted himself as a strong complement to the Tom Brady-led passing attack. Richard Sherman has also returned for the first time since October and recorded an interception last week.

Washington Football Team vs. Philadelphia Eagles, RE-SCHEDULED 7p Tuesday 12/21, Fox
Pick: Eagles
Washington’s (6-7) loss to Dallas last week essentially locked up the NFC East for the Cowboys, and now the Footballers and Eagles (6-7) can scrap for a potential wild-card spot. Washington QB Taylor Heinicke (knee) is expected to play, but Terry McLaurin (concussion), the team’s leading receiver and best offensive player, potentially could not. That would be a brutal blow, with Washington also contending with a Covid-19 outbreak. The Eagles had an extra week of rest after a bye and should outpace Washington.

Seattle Seahawks at LA Rams, RE-SCHEDULED 5p Tuesday 12/21, Fox
Pick: Rams
The Rams (9-4) added nine players, including WR Odell Beckham Jr., to the Covid-19 list Tuesday after already placing five on the list Monday. With the team in enhanced mitigation protocols, most work is being done remotely, potentially hampering the team's momentum coming off a big Monday night win against the Cardinals.

The Seahawks (5-8), have reported only one positive coronavirus test this season and have won their last two games, including a game in which they allowed over 300 passing yds to the lowly Texans. Doing so against a Sean McVay offense won’t produce the same result, though. Even with coronavirus disruptions, the Rams should win.

Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills, 1p, Fox
Pick: Bills
A slow start doomed them against the Buccaneers last week, but the Bills (7-6) could spot the Panthers (5-8) a TD and Carolina would likely still lose this one. No matter who their QB is - P.J. Walker and Cam Newton have shared snaps since Sam Darnold went down with an injury - the Panthers’ offense has underwhelmed, averaging only 19.8 points per game. Newton has completed only 58.7 percent of his passes since returning as the starter (yuck).

Josh Allen sprained his left foot and is listed as day-to-day, but even if he doesn’t play Sunday, the Bills’ offense is more trustworthy, especially at home in near-freezing temperatures.

Jets at Miami Dolphins, 1p, CBS
Pick: Dolphins
Don’t count the Dolphins (6-7) out of the hunt in the wild AFC Their postseason chances are currently teetering at 8%, according to the playoff predictor, but if they win out and other teams collapse, there’s still a possibility. A resurgence of the Dolphins’ aggressive, blitz-happy defense and efficient play from QB Tua Tagovailoa has Miami on a five-game win streak.

The Jets (3-10) have not been as successful without their top two receivers, Elijah Moore (quad) and Corey Davis (core), giving QB Zach Wilson few options in the passing game. Three of Miami’s RBs and safety Jevon Holland were placed on the Covid-19 list, but the Dolphins are still a safer bet to cover.
 
UPDATE: The NFL has announced that due to COVID, 3 games will be delayed for an extra two-three days: Las Vegas and Cleveland, Washington and Philadelphia, and Seattle and the LA Rams. New broadcast days/times have been updated, below.

Week 15 Predictions Pt 3 of 3

Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions, 1p, Fox
Pick: Cardinals
Inaccurate passes, turnovers, poor clock management. That sounds like a description for a Lions (1-11-1) game, but those aspects defined how the Cardinals (10-3) lost to the Rams in Week 14.

Arizona is still on top of the N.FC. West, but slid to the No. 3 seed in the conference. The team will reportedly rest DeAndre Hopkins (knee) for the rest of the regular season ahead of a playoff push. But QB Kyler Murray and the Cardinals should still bounce back Sunday. The Lions rank second-to-last in the league in sacks (20), and worked remotely this week while dealing with a Covid-19 outbreak. Even at 100%, Detroit would’ve been an underdog, but those challenges should make this a rout.

Dallas Cowboys at Giants, 1p, Fox
Pick: Cowboys
In a shocking reversal, the Cowboys’ (9-4) offense is now underwhelming while their defense is excelling. Dak Prescott has thrown eight TDs and six interceptions in the last six games, a trend that even the team owner Jerry Jones said is “fair” to characterize as a slump. OL Tyron Smith is out with an ankle injury and RB Ezekiel Elliot is still playing through a knee injury.

Still, Dallas should easily beat the Giants, who will likely be without QB Daniel Jones (neck) for a third consecutive game. That should excite Micah Parsons, the versatile linebacker who could add more sacks (he’s got 12) to his Defensive Rookie of the Year application.

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1p, CBS
Pick: Texans
Both the Jaguars (2-11) and the Texans (2-11) are jostling for draft positioning at this point, and players on those teams who are on expiring contracts are just hoping to put out good tape for potential suitors this off-season. On paper, they may seem evenly matched: Davis Mills, the Texans’ rookie QB, snatched back the starting job by merely not being Tyrod Taylor and the Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence is tied for the league lead in interceptions (14).

But Houston is poised for an “upset” given the disarray in Jacksonville, where first-year NFL coach Urban Meyer was fired early Thursday morning. The Jaguars’ players will be there, technically speaking, but don’t expect them to show up.

Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos, 4:05p, CBS
Pick: Broncos
At this point, we know the Broncos (7-6) are unbearably average and will beat up on bad teams and lose to good ones. The Bengals (7-6) have shown some up-and-down spurts, too, but have displayed more flashes of talent from their young stars as they continue to grow. Cincinnati pushed the 49ers to OT last week and nearly won, and that momentum should carry over. The Broncos have not put back-to-back wins together since the start of November, and they are due for another potential loss this week.

Atlanta Falcons at SF 49ers, 4:05p, CBS
Pick: 49ers
The formula is out on beating the Falcons (6-7): Cover Kyle Pitts, contain Cordarrelle Patterson, and when Matt Ryan hangs onto the ball trying to find an option, sack him.

Limiting Patterson is hard, though, as the Falcons continue to force feed their breakout playmaker with so many touches that he’s tied for the sixth-most TDs from scrimmage. The 49ers (7-6) have their own version of Patterson - Deebo Samuel - and he’s better. Samuel is tied for fifth in TDs from scrimmage (11) and is fifth in total yardage (1,268). He should have fun against Atlanta’s meager defense.

Despite the continuing absence of the speedy RB Elijah Mitchell, SF doesn’t lack for offensive weapons. Brandon Aiyuk won last week’s OT game vs the Cards with his Great Leap Forward, and even a banged-up George Kittle at TE is dangerous. And that’s not counting Jeff Wilson or Kyle Juszczyk.

Although much depends, of course, on which version of QB Jimmy Garoppolo shows up this week.

Monday’s Matchup

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears, 8:15p, ESPN
Pick: Vikings
The Bears (4-9) no longer deserve prime time games, yet – here we are. The offense is horrible, scoring only 17.8 points per game. Justin Fields’s development has been, well, what you’d expect from a rookie in a bad situation. He’s shown strong glimpses, as in the first-half scoring outburst against the Packers last week, but is completing less than 60 percent of his passes.

The Vikings’ offense is on an upswing in a roller coaster season. Dalvin Cook rushed for over 200 yds last week and Justin Jefferson has caught at least one TD in three of the last four weeks. Minnesota (6-7) has struggled with one-score games and allowed inferior opponents to stay competitive, but this should be a good statement game ahead of a playoff push.
 
Lethe200 said:
Hi Jerry,
In answer to your question, I believe that since it is a mandate from the NFL, not just a team-by-team mandate, to be vaccinated, if a player does not get vaccinated the fine is $14,650, which of course is peanuts to the bigger stars like Aaron Rodgers. However, in AR's case, the league also fined the Packers organization $300K for not following COVID 19-protocols, which are also mandatory.

I have not heard whether fines will be assessed for those who do not get the now-mandatory booster shots, but I would think they probably will be.
Click to expand...

thanks, figured the professor would know



Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1p, CBS
Pick: Texans
Both the Jaguars (2-11) and the Texans (2-11) are jostling for draft positioning at this point, and players on those teams who are on expiring contracts are just hoping to put out good tape for potential suitors this off-season. On paper, they may seem evenly matched: Davis Mills, the Texans’ rookie QB, snatched back the starting job by merely not being Tyrod Taylor and the Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence is tied for the league lead in interceptions (14).

would this be a blood letting for great clubs:rolleyes:...
'by not being Tyrod Taylor🤭
Trevor Lawrence may be all world Qb in the future, not even close this season
 
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Well, whatever happens from here on out to the end, IF we get there
...... there will be an asterisk (*) beside the Super Bowl Winner.

Over 100 NFL players out this week
 
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Did I hear that right? Carson Wentz completed five passes for 57 yards in Coltls win of Pats? :rolleyes:

Packers vs Ravens: wish they were the Ravens of old,= putting Mr. Arron Rodgers hinny on the ground

Texans vs jaguars battle for # 1 pick of draft., seeking new and inventive ways to lose🧐
 
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