NFL 100: A Spotlight
The 2010's started off for the New England Patriots with a Wild Card loss to the Baltimore Ravens. It was Tom Brady's first full season after injuring his ACL in the 2008 season opener. There had been doubts that the Patriots could return to their championship form that they had found in the early 2000's.
The 2010 Patriots would see them have their best season since 2007 as they finished with a 14-2 record. They had the best scoring offense in the league with 518 points scored. In one of their biggest playoff losses, the Patriots lost to their rival New York Jets at home 28-21 in the divisional round.
The 2011 team finished with a 13-3 record while scoring 513 points in offense. The problem that would doom the team would be their 15th ranked scoring defense. The team would make a great playoff run as they beat the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens en route to their first Super Bowl appearance since XLII. Their opponent would be an all to familiar one. Ultimately, the Patriots would lose to the New York Giants in a tightly contested game with a 21-17 score.
In 2012, the team would win one less game than the year before with a 12-4 record. They would make the playoffs with a win against the Houston Texans in the divisional round. The Baltimore Ravens would get their revenge from the year before and beat the Patriots 28-13, where the Ravens would ultimately win Super Bowl XLVII.
It would be the same story for the 2013 team that finished with a 12-4 record. They would get a divisonal round win against the Indianapolis Colts before losing to Peyton Manning's Denver Broncos in the AFC championship game. Not winning championships were dulling the Patriots luster, they needed to win in 2014 or be considered to be a team that ran its course.
The 2014 Patriots questioned themselves on if they could get a championship. After a 41-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football, experts stated the team was "finished." After the loss they would finish the season with a 10-2 record after the loss. The team would answer back against the Ravens and get a win in the divisional round while blowing out the Colts 45-7 in the AFC championship game. There was certainly controversy with Deflategate but the Patriots were back in the big game. In the previous two appearances the team had put the team on Brady's back but in Super Bowl XLIX, a Butler would save the day and get the team that elusive 4th championship. It had been 10 years since their previous championship win.
The next year, the Patriots got a 12-4 record. The team would get a playoff win against the Kansas City Chiefs but would lose to the Denver Broncos on the road in a tight 20-18 game. As of the 2018 season, this was the last time the Patriots lost in a AFC championship game. It was also the final Brady-Manning game.
The 2016 Patriots season was more of a revenge tour than a marathon. Tom Brady was suspended for four games due to his involvement in Deflategate. Backup quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett played in the quarterback's stead leading the team to a 3-1 record in Brady's absence. Brady would go out and play lights out and lead his team to a 14-2 record. The playoffs were barnstormers as the Patriots won against the Houston Texans and the Pittsburgh Steelers enroute to Super Bowl LI. It would be tough sledding against the Atlanta Falcons as the Patriots were down 28-3 with 8:31 left in the 3rd quarter. The Patriots would score 31 unanswered points to beat Atlanta in the first overtime game in the Super Bowl. It was the franchise's 5th championship.
The 2017 Patriots continued where they started. They finished with a 13-3 record and would beat the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars en route to another Super Bowl appearance. The Patriots would lose to the Philadelphia Eagles in a 41-33 offensive battle. Many questions surfaced as Malcolm Butler didn't play in the game due to a coach's decision.
The 2018 Patriots struggled. The team finished with a 11-5 record, their worst record in quite a long time since they had gone 10-6 in the 2009 season. They would lose two of their remaining four games. The team would still make the playoffs nonetheless and would get wins against the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs to get to their 3rd consecutive Super Bowl. The game was in direct contrast to the year before as the Patriots would ultimately win the game 13-3 in a defensive effort for the ages. The win would get the team to their 6th championship in 18 years in the Brady-Belichek era.
The 2019 team is yet to be determined if they can get another Super Bowl win. It's hard to say whether or not they'll get that 4th championship this decade. Win or lose, the 2010's have been sealed for the Patriots as being the team of the decade.
Week 14 Recap
Dallas 24, Chicago 31: TW: Cowboys; CV: Cowboys
The 'Boys lost again. Dak Prescott had a good game with 334 yards with a touchdown pass. Ezekiel Elliot would run the ball for 81 yards with two touchdowns, so certainly a better game for the running back. It was another great start for Mitchell Trubisky as he threw the ball for 244 yards with three touchdowns but also threw an interception in the game. Trubisky would get 63 yards rushing with a touchdown as well but Devin Montgomery was the leading rusher with 86 yards. Fortunately the NFC East is terrible and the Cowboys are currently in the driver's seat in that division.
All-time series: Cowboys lead 15-12
Next week: Dallas: vs LA Rams; Chicago: @ Green Bay
TW: 0-1; CV: 0-1
Detroit 7, Minnesota 20: TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
Minnesota's defense really shut down the Lions in this game. David Blough started for Detroit and would only throw for 205 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Bo Scarborough would get 63 yards rushing while not scoring a rushing touchdown. Kirk Cousins had another solid start as he threw for 242 yards with a touchdown. The Vikings running game had a touchdown from Dalvin Cook while running the ball for 62 yards. Danielle Hunter would get three of the five sacks from the vaunted Vikings defense.
All-time series: Vikings lead 76-39-2
Next week: Detroit: vs Tampa Bay; Minnesota: @ LA Chargers
TW: 1-1; CV: 1-1
Denver 38, Houston 24: TW: Texans; CV: Texans
Same old song and dance for the Texans. I pick them, they lose, I pick against them, they win. Drew Lock had one of his best starts of the season as he threw for 309 yards with three touchdowns but would throw an interception in the game. Philip Lindsay would run the ball for 51 yards with a touchdown run. Kareem Jackson would get an interception and get a fumble-six during the game as well. DeShaun Watson threw the ball for 292 yards with a touchdown with a couple of interceptions in the game. Watson would run the ball for 44 yards with two touchdowns. Carlos Hyde was the leading rusher in the game with 72 yards from the ground.
All-time series: Broncos lead 5-3
Next week: Denver: @ Kansas City; Houston: @ Tennessee
TW: 1-2; CV: 1-2
Indianapolis 35, Tampa Bay 38: TW: Buccaneers; CV: Colts
It's really another "What if Jameis Winston threw lesser interceptions?" game. Jacoby Brissett threw for 251 yards with two touchdowns. Marlon Mack would return after being out due to injury. Mack would run the ball for 38 yards with a touchdown. Jameis Winston threw the ball for 456 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. The Bucs running game didn't have a 100-yard day but Ronald Jones was the leading rusher for them with 36 yards. I mean I guess if the Bucs keep winning games you can throw interceptions left and right.
All-time series: Colts lead 8-6
Next week: Indianapolis: @ New Orleans; Tampa Bay: @ Detroit
TW: 2-2; CV: 1-3
San Francisco 48, New Orleans 46: TW: Saints; CV: 49ers
Both teams would score for a combined 10 passing touchdowns. Jimmy Garoppolo would throw the ball for 349 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. Emmanuel Sanders would get a passing touchdown on a 35-yard play in the game. Raheem Mostert ran the ball for 69 yards with a touchdown. Drew Brees threw the ball for 359 yards with five touchdowns in the game. Not a bad game for him if you own him on fantasy. Latavius Murray was the leading rusher for the Saints with 69 yards. Not a bad game for a potential NFC championship game preview.
All-time series: 49ers lead 49-26-2
Next week: San Francisco: vs Atlanta; New Orleans: vs Indianapolis
TW: 2-3; CV: 2-3
Washington 15, Green Bay 20: TW: Packers; CV: Packers
Aaron Jones had a season-high 134 yards in this game. Dwayne Haskins started for Washington and threw for 170 yards with a touchdown while throwing an interception. Adrian Peterson was back in good form with 76 yards from the ground with a touchdown. Aaron Rodgers threw for 195 yards with a touchdown. As stated before it was more of the great running game from Aaron Jones that got Green Bay the win as the Packers would score 14 points in the first quarter. It should raise some concern but a win is a win.
All-time series: Packers lead 21-16-1
Next week: Washington: vs Philadelphia; Green Bay: vs Chicago
TW: 3-3; CV: 3-3
Cincinnati 19, Cleveland 27: TW: Browns; CV: Browns
It was a valiant effort for Cincy but it wasn't enough. Andy Dalton threw for 262 yards while throwing an interception. Joe Mixon would score the only touchdown for the Bengals while running the ball for 146 yards. Baker Mayfield would throw the ball for 192 yards with two interceptions. Baker Mayfield and Kareem Hunt would get rushing touchdowns while compiling 13 and 28 yards rushing. Nick Chubb would be the Browns leading rusher with 106 yards.
All-time series: Bengals lead 50-42
Next week: Cincinatti: vs New England; Cleveland: @ Arizona
TW: 4-3; CV: 4-3
Miami 21, NY Jets 22: TW: Jets; CV: Jets
A different Sam would help the Jets to victory. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw the ball for 245 yards while throwing an interception. Fitzpatrick would be the leading rusher for Miami with 65 yards. Sam Darnold threw for 270 yards with two touchdowns while throwing an interception in the game. Bilal Powell was the leading rusher in the game with 74 yards. Sam Ficken would hit a 44-yard field goal to give them the win. Only three more games and your season is over Dolphins fans.
All-time series: Jets lead 55-53-1
Next week: Miami: @ NY Giants; NY Jets: @ Baltimore (Thursday night)
TW: 5-3; CV: 5-3
Carolina 20, Atlanta 40: TW: Panthers; CV: Panthers
No real answers for Carolina. I don't know what to say. Kyle Allen threw for 293 yards with a touchdown but threw for two interceptions. Allen would run it in for a score while getting 24 yards. Christian McCaffrey ran the ball for 53 yards while getting 82 yards receiving. Matt Ryan threw the ball for 313 yards with two touchdowns. Ryan would become the 10th quarterback with 50,000 career passing yards. Devonta Freeman and Brian Hill would get rushing touchdowns compiling 84 and 62 yards respectively. Start out awful and then play well late in the season, typical Falcons.
All-time series: Falcons lead 32-18
Next week: Carolina: vs Seattle; Atlanta: @ San Francisco
TW: 5-4; CV: 5-4
Baltimore 24, Buffalo 17: TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
They didn't get the division but they're in the dance. Lamar Jackson didn't put up quite the large stats in the last few weeks but he did put up 145 yards passing with three touchdowns while throwing a pick. Jackson also ran for 40 yards. Mark Ingram would get 50 yards from the ground. Josh Allen had similar yards passing with 146 yards but could only muster one passing touchdown. Devin Singletary racked up 89 yards from the ground.
All-time series: Ravens lead 6-3
Next week: Baltimore: vs NY Jets (Thursday night); Buffalo: @ Pittsburgh
TW: 6-4; CV: 6-4
LA Chargers 45, Jacksonville 10: TW: Jaguars; CV: Chargers
Well I guess Philip Rivers figured it out. Rivers would finish the game with 314 yards passing with three touchdowns while throwing an interception. Veteran Tyrod Taylor would get in the action with 26 yards passing with a touchdown of his own. Austin Ekeler was the leading rusher in the game with 101 yards but Melvin Gordon and Derek Watt would get touchdowns while getting 55 and 4 yards respectively. Gardner Minshew started for the Jaguars and didn't do a lot on offense with 162 yards passing with a touchdown. Leonard Fournette couldn't get much on the ground as he mustered 50 yards.
All-time series: Chargers lead 8-3
Next week: LA Chargers: vs Minnesota; Jacksonville: @ Oakland
TW: 6-5; CV: 7-4
Kansas City 23, New England 16: TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
The game wasn't the best officiated game but nonetheless, the Patriots didn't make enough plays to win. Patrick Mahomes threw the ball for 283 yards with a touchdown with an interception. LeSean McCoy was the leading rusher in the game with 39 yards. Tom Brady threw the ball for 169 yards with a touchdown with an interception. The Patriots running game was quiet as James White could only put up 33 yards from six carries. New England still in the driver's seat for the #2 seed in the playoffs though.
All-time series: Chiefs lead 19-16-3
Next week: Kansas City: vs Denver; New England: @ Cincinnati
TW: 6-6; CV: 7-5
Pittsburgh 23, Arizona 17: TW: Steelers; CV: Steelers
The Cardinals certainly kept it interesting for the most part. Devlin Hodges threw the ball for 152 yards with a touchdown while throwing no interceptions. Kerrith Whyte and Benny Snell would get 41 yards together. Kyler Murray threw the ball for 194 yards with two touchdowns but would get troubled from the Steelers defense with three interceptions. The running game of Kenyan Drake would only get 37 yards on the ground.
All-time series: Steelers lead 35-23-3
Next week: Pittsburgh: vs Buffalo; Arizona: vs Cleveland
TW: 7-6; CV: 8-5
Tennessee 42, Oakland 21: TW: Raiders; CV: Raiders
The game might've been competitive in the first half but without Josh Jacobs, due to an injury, the Raiders couldn't quite get anything going to take a lead. Ryan Tannehill threw the ball for 391 yards with three touchdowns while throwing a pick in the game. Derrick Henry had a good day with 103 yards rushing while going into the endzone for two times. Derek Carr played better with his 263 yards with two passing touchdowns. Deandre Washington would get the start for Oakland with Jacobs out. Washington would put up 53 yards with a touchdown. The Raiders defense is just... blegh.
All-time series: Raiders lead 30-21
Next week: Tennessee: vs Houston; Oakland: vs Jacksonville (last game at the Coliseum)
TW: 7-7; CV: 8-6
Seattle 12, LA Rams 28: TW: Rams; CV: Seahawks
The Rams gave the 49ers a chance to stay in the division race. Russell Wilson threw the ball for 245 yards but wouldn't yards but wouldn't get a touchdown pass in the game. He would also throw an interception in the game while getting 28 yards on the ground. Chris Carson did fine with the ground game with 76 yards but wouldn't score a touchdown. Quandre Diggs would get the only touchdown for Seattle on a pick-six. Jared Goff would get 293 yards passing with two touchdowns while two interceptions. Todd Gurley had a good game with 79 yards rushing with a touchdown. Malcolm Brown would get a rushing touchdown as well with 21 yards.
All-time series: Seahawks lead 24-20
Next week: Seattle: @ Carolina; LA Rams: @ Dallas
TW: 8-7; CV: 8-7
NY Giants 17, Philadelphia 23 (F/OT): TW: Eagles; CV: Eagles
The game was fairly interesting. In what might've been Eli Manning's last game, the quarterback finished the game with 203 yards passing with two touchdown passes. Saquon Barkley would muster 66 yards from the ground. Carson Wentz had a similar game but more passing yards with 325 yards and had two touchdowns. Boston Scott got 59 yards rushing with a rushing touchdown. The Eagles are still alive but they will still need a lot of help if they want to get that division crown.
All-time series: Eagles lead 86-85-2
Next week: NY Giants: vs Miami; Philadelphia: @ Washington
TW: 9-7; CV: 9-7
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
Week 14: 9-7
Overall: 125-84-1
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
Week 14: 9-7
Overall: 128-79-1
See you guys on Wednesday for the Week 15 Picks post!
-Tom
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