Playoff Picture: Week 14
We will start with the NFC:
1st seed: New Orleans Saints (10-2) (clinched NFC South)
2nd seed: Seattle Seahawks (10-2)
3rd seed: Green Bay Packers (9-3)
4th seed: Dallas Cowboys (6-6)
5th seed: San Francisco 49ers (10-2)
6th seed: Minnesota Vikings (8-4)
In the hunt:
LA Rams (7-5), Chicago (6-6), Tampa Bay (5-7), Philadelphia (5-7), Carolina (5-7), Washington (3-9)
Eliminated:
Detroit (3-8-1), Arizona (3-8-1), Atlanta (3-9), NY Giants (2-10)
Seattle can clinch a playoff berth with a win or tie. San Francisco can clinch a playoff berth with a win or Rams loss. The NFC east is so terrible this year that the Redskins at 3-9 can clinch a playoff spot (granted its a long shot assuming the Redskins win out and Dallas loses out). Overall still a lot of football to be played in the NFC.
To the AFC:
1st seed: Baltimore Ravens (10-2)
2nd seed: New England Patriots (10-2)
3rd seed: Houston Texans (8-4)
4th seed: Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)
5th seed: Buffalo Bills (9-3)
6th seed: Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)
In the hunt:
Tennessee Titans (7-5), Oakland Raiders (6-6), Indianapolis Colts (6-6), Cleveland Browns (5-7), Jacksonville (4-8), Denver Broncos (4-8), LA Chargers (4-8), NY Jets (4-8)
Eliminated:
Miami Dolphins (3-9), Cincinnati Bengals (1-11)
Baltimore can clinch the AFC North with a win and a Steelers loss. New England can clinch a playoff berth with a win. Kansas City can clinch the AFC West with a win and Raiders loss. Will be interesting how the 6th seed will play out for the rest of the season.
NFL 100: A Spotlight
Through the first 40 years of their existence, the New England Patriots were the least elite team in the NFL. I mean, when you thought of the NFL's greatest teams before 2000 you thought Steelers, Dolphins, Cowboys, or Packers. All that would change when two men joined the team and the NFL would never be the same again.
Bill Belichek had been a defensive genius under the tutelage of Bill Parcells during the 1980's New York Giants teams and eventually earned a head coaching gig with the Cleveland Browns. When the Browns left in 1995-1996, he didn't join the team to their new gigs at Baltimore. For the next 4 years he would retain his position of defensive coordinator with Bill Parcells during Parcell's stints with the New England Patriots and New York Jets. After the 1999 season, Parcells resigned and Belicheck took on the reigns. It wouldn't last. Belichek would resign as soon as he agreed to be the Jets head coach and bolted to the pastures of New England.
Tom Brady was somewhat of a talented player in college. In four seasons at Michigan he posted 4,773 yards with 30 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He would lead the Wolverines in back-to-back bowl wins in the 1999 Citrus Bowl and the 2000 Orange Bowl. Most scouts didn't look highly at the quarterback to do much in the NFL. His combine stats were even more evident. In the 2000 NFL draft, the Patriots took him with the 199th overall pick in the sixth round. The arrival of Brady and Belichek wouldn't have an immediate impact.
The 2000 season, the first season under Belichek, would see the Patriots finish with a 5-11 record. Partially the reason for the failed season was that many players were out of shape by training camp and Belichek expected players to be in shape for the upcoming season. As of 2019, it would be Patriots last losing season in the Brady-Belichek era.
The 2001 season was a unique one. Their quarterbacks coach died, their starting quarterback got injured in the 2nd week of the season, and the 9/11 attacks. The injury to Drew Bledsoe would lead to a quarterback change. Eventually, the Patriots became the surprise story in 2001 with Brady at the helm finishing with a 11-5 record. They would beat the Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers en route to their 3rd super bowl in franchise history. They would shock and upset the favored St. Louis Rams to win their 1st championship.
The following season was a letdown as the team finished with a 9-7 record, good enough for 2nd place in the division but the New York Jets held the tiebreaker and would win the division. The season would also be the last to have less than 10 wins in a regular season in the Brady-Belichek era.
The 2003 Patriots returned with a focus to do better than the previous season. An opening day loss to the Buffalo Bills with the score of 31-0 would be the biggest loss in the era. Not also to mention that Drew Bledsoe and Lawyer Milloy were on that Bills team (they had been part of the 2001 Patriots championship). With a 2-2 record staring in front of them, the Patriots would enjoy their longest winning streak in the era, and in NFL history. They wouldn't lose another game after going 2-2 until Week 8 of the 2004 season. The team accumulated a 14-2 record with playoff wins against the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts and beat the Carolina Panthers to win their 2nd championship.
In 2004, the Patriots continued what they started in 2003 and finished with a 14-2 record. They garnered playoff wins against the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers. They won their 3rd championship in four years beating the Philadelphia Eagles. They would be the 2nd team behind the Dallas Cowboys to win three championships in four years. Three out of four ain't bad. Continuing their championship success after it would be the hard part.
The next two seasons would see continued regular season success but would fail to win a championship. In 2005, they finished with a 10-6 record starting out 4-4 and finishing strong with a 6-2 finish. They beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wild card round but would lose to the Denver Broncos in the divisional playoff and ended their 10-game playoff win streak. The 2006 Patriots would have a better record at 12-4 and would get playoff wins against the New York Jets and San Diego Chargers. The Patriots would fail to get back to the Super Bowl when they lost a heartbreaker to the Indianpolis Colts in the AFC championship.
The 2007 Patriots would be one for the ages. The team would finish the regular season with a 16-0 record with a high powered offense with a defense to match. They would win playoff games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Diego Chargers to get them to 18 wins, with one game away to getting that elusive "perfect season" that had been set by the 1972 Miami Dolphins. The Patriots fell short of the accomplishment as Eli Manning hit Plaxico Burress with the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLII.
The following season would be without Tom Brady as he would be injured with an ACL tear against the Kansas City Chiefs on Opening Day. The loss of Brady and the rise of Matt Cassel would give the Patriots a 11-5 record but failed to make the postseason. It would be the last time the Patriots missed the playoffs in the era.
The last year of the decade would see the rise of Tom Brady. Brady would win the NFL Comeback Player of The Year award. The Patriots would finish the 2009 season with a 10-6 record in the regular season. In the Wild Card round of the playoffs, Tom Brady would play his worst game as the Patriots lost to the Baltimore Ravens 33-14, finishing the decade that had brought championships earlier in the decade.
It certainly is hard to compare which team of the decade is better: the 2000's Patriots or the 2010's Patriots. What both really have in common is that both utilized on the same strategy, win in various ways. This really holds true as Bill Belichek and the coaching staff are hard to predict in what they'll do. They might go with a running emphasis, or a pass-heavy concept. You literally can't tell what they'll do, thus they're hard to prepare for.
Week 14 Picks
Week 14 in the National Football League will start in Chicago, Illinois and finish in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. No teams are on a bye this week. There will be a Thursday night game, nine early games, four late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. CBS will have the double-header this week while FOX will have the single, regional game. Here are the picks:
Dallas (6-6) @ Chicago (6-6) (FOX/NFL Network): TW: Cowboys; CV: Cowboys
The Cowboys lost to the Bills and the Bears beat the Lions last week. Dallas needs to get this win as they're way more talented on paper to let this opportunity blow them by. Philadelphia has a weaker schedule than Dallas. I'll take Dallas based on their better offense.
Detroit (3-8-1) @ Minnesota (8-4) (FOX): TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
Both teams lost last week as the Lions lost to the Bears and the Vikings lost to the Seahawks. The game will be more than likely a 10+ point margin as I feel the Vikings defense will challenge Jeff Driskel/Matthew Stafford to throw the ball. The previous meeting in Detroit was a pretty resounding win for Minnesota so I'll take the Vikings on defense alone as well as offense.
Denver (4-8) @ Houston (8-4) (CBS): TW: Texans; CV: Texans
Both teams got wins last week as the Broncos beat the Chargers and the Texans beat the Patriots. Houston has a well-rounded offense with both pass and run. Denver has their work cut out for them as I don't know how they could possibly stop them. As much as I can't trust either team, the name of the game is who I think will win and I feel Houston will do it based on offensive performance.
Indianapolis (6-6) @ Tampa Bay (5-7) (CBS): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Colts
The Colts lost to the Titans and the Buccaneers beat the Jaguars last week. The game will depend on how well the Colts can get their running game going as they can't be one-dimensional against a well-balanced Bucs team at home. Maybe Jameis Winston will throw a few touchdowns and no interceptions.
San Francisco (10-2) @ New Orleans (10-2) (FOX): TW: Saints; CV: 49ers
The 49ers lost to the Ravens and the Saints beat the Falcons last week. The early slate of games have a really good match-up in this one. Both teams have great offenses and defenses. The key to the game is how the Saints can get the crowd noise up loud to affect the communications of the 49ers offense. The 49ers need to do do the opposite and take the crowd out of it.
Washington (3-9) @ Green Bay (9-3) (FOX): TW: Packers; CV: Packers
Both teams won last week as the Redskins beat the Panthers and the Packers beat the Giants. The game is somewhat intriguing as its a good test of how well the Packers defense will react to a rookie quarterback for the 2nd straight week. If the Packers defense can cause mayhem and provide balance on offense, they should get a solid win.
Cincinnati (1-11) @ Cleveland (5-7) (CBS): TW: Browns; CV: Browns
The Bengals got a win against the Jets and the Browns lost to the Steelers. Despite having a down season, Cleveland still has a chance to get into the playoffs and if they want to do it, they have a good shot to get a win as the Bengals aren't that great on either side of the ball. I'll take Cleveland based on the things that got them to five wins: balanced attack and solid defense.
Miami (3-9) @ NY Jets (4-8) (CBS): TW: Jets; CV: Jets
The Dolphins got a win against the Eagles and the Jets lost to the Bengals. Only real reason why I'm taking the Jets is that the Dolphins are essentially trying to tank, yet they somehow keep on winning. If the Dolphins win I'll be happy for them, same for the Jets. I tend to like the Jets defense in favor against the Dolphins offense.
Carolina (5-7) @ Atlanta (3-9) (FOX): TW: Panthers; CV: Panthers
Both teams lost last week as the Panthers lost to the Redskins and the Falcons lost to the Saints. The previous meeting didn't go in the Panthers favor. I feel this game will be in favor for Carolina as they have a great player in Christian McCaffrey and they need to get him involved in the game The defense of Carolina needs to stop Atlanta as well.
Baltimore (10-2) @ Buffalo (9-3) (CBS): TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
Both teams got wins last week as the Ravens beat the 49ers and the Bills beat the Cowboys. Buffalo has had a nice season and they will have another test to prove how good they are. The match-up I feel is more in favor for Baltimore as Lamar Jackson's ability to run and pass the ball are legit. Ultimately I feel the game will be close but I feel the Ravens will get a win.
LA Chargers (4-8) @ Jacksonville (4-8) (FOX): TW: Jaguars; CV: Chargers
Both teams lost last week as the Chargers lost to the Broncos and the Jaguars lost to the Buccaneers. This game could be an interesting one if you enjoy offenses as both have good running backs. Last week proves that the Chargers will find ways to lose. The Jaguars just might lose this game but I can't keep giving the Chargers the pick every week if they do that to me. It breaks my poor heart.
Kansas City (8-4) @ New England (10-2) (CBS): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
The Chiefs beat the Raiders and the Patriots lost to the Texans last week. The marquee game features last year's AFC Championship Game. New England needs to get off to a fast start in this one as they were down early last week. The game will also be a huge test to stop Patrick Mahomes for the Patriots defense. Ultimately I'll take New England based on their record at home. It's pretty good.
Pittsburgh (7-5) @ Arizona (3-8-1) (CBS): TW: Steelers; CV: Steelers
The Steelers beat the Browns and the Cardinals lost to the Rams last week. The game seems to be in favor for Pittsburgh as both sides of the ball are really good, especially on defense. I'll take the Steelers. Devlin Hodges will have limited weapons but I feel he can get the job done.
Tennessee (7-5) @ Oakland (6-6) (CBS): TW: Raiders; CV: Raiders
The Titans got a win against the Colts and the Raiders lost to the Chiefs. Oakland ran into a buzzsaw against the Chiefs. They have a chance to have a rebound game against the hot Titans at home. Derek Carr needs to play better in making smart throws. Josh Jacobs will have a solid day. Oakland needs to slow down Derrick Henry as well. Tough task for Oakland but I'll take them.
Seattle (10-2) @ LA Rams (7-5) (NBC): TW: Rams; CV: Seahawks
Both teams got wins last week as the Seahawks beat the Vikings and the Rams beat the Cardinals. The game will depend on how well on offense the Rams can get on to. Rams defense will have their hands full in this one as they will have to deal with the balanced attack of Russell Wilson and Chris Carson.
NY Giants (2-10) @ Philadelphia (5-7) (ESPN): TW: Eagles; CV: Eagles
Both teams lost last week as the Giants lost to the Packers and the Eagles lost to the Dolphins. The week finishes up with an intriguing match-up. Can the Giants upset the Eagles and kill their playoff chances? Can the Eagles stay focused and stay in the hunt? I tend to go with the latter as the Eagles offense has been solid. The real question is how well the defense can play against the Giants offense. I'll play it safe and take the home team in this game.
The Records (By Week & Year):
Cardinal Viking:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 11-4-1
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 10-6
Week 4: 7-8
Week 5: 9-6
Week 6: 7-7
Week 7: 10-4
Week 8: 11-4
Week 9: 8-6
Week 10: 2-11
Week 11: 12-2
Week 12: 9-5
Week 13: 8-8
Overall: 116-77-1
My record:
2012: 164-90-2
2013: 162-92-1
2014: 172-83-1
2017: 164-92
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 12-3-1
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 11-5
Week 4: 8-7
Week 5: 5-10
Week 6: 9-5
Week 7: 7-7
Week 8: 14-1
Week 9: 8-6
Week 10: 5-8
Week 11: 10-4
Week 12: 10-4
Week 13: 10-6
Overall: 119-72-1
See you guys after the Monday night game for the Week 14 recap. Enjoy the games!
-Tom
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