Playoff Picture: Week 15
Let's look at the NFC:
1st seed: San Francisco 49ers (11-2)
2nd seed: Green Bay Packers (10-3)
3rd seed: New Orleans Saints (10-3) (Clinched NFC South)
4th seed: Dallas Cowboys (6-7)
5th seed: Seattle Seahawks (10-3)
6th seed: Minnesota Vikings (9-4)
Wild card:
Minnesota @ New Orleans
Seattle @ Dallas
Still alive:
Los Angeles Rams (8-5), Chicago (7-6), Philadelphia (6-7)
Eliminated:
Tampa Bay (6-7), Carolina (5-8), Atlanta (4-9), Detroit (3-9-1), Arizona (3-9-1), Washington (3-10), NY Giants (2-11)
San Francisco can get a playoff berth with a win or tie, Rams loss or tie, or Vikings + Packers loss. Green Bay can clinch a playoff berth with a Packers win and Rams loss or Packers tie and Rams loss.
AFC:
1st seed: Baltimore Ravens (11-2) (Clinched playoff berth)
2nd seed: New England Patriots 10-3)
3rd seed: Kansas City Chiefs (9-4) (Clinched AFC West)
4th seed: Houston Texans (8-5)
5th seed: Buffalo Bills (9-4)
6th seed: Pittsburgh Steelers
Wild card:
Pittsburgh @ Kansas City
Buffalo @ Houston
Still alive:
Tennessee Titans (8-5), Cleveland Browns (6-7), Oakland Raiders (6-7), Indianapolis Colts (6-7), Denver Broncos (5-8)
Eliminated: Los Angeles Chargers (5-8), NY Jets (5-8), Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9), Miami Dolphins (3-10), Cincinnati Bengals (1-12)
The Ravens can clinch the AFC North with a win or tie or Steelers loss. Buffalo can clinch a playoff berth with a win. The Bills-Steelers game will have a lot of teams watching especially the Titans who are on the cusp of entering into the playoff picture.
NFL 100: A Spotlight
For the first 50 years of the 20th Century, baseball and boxing dominated the American sports conscious. The sport of football was secondary. At that time college football was more popular than professional football. However, one game in December 1958 would alter the course of the NFL forever.
The game was held in Yankee Stadium where a crowd of 64,185 spectators braved the cold to watch the New York Giants host the Baltimore Colts for the rights to the NFL championship. The game was televised on NBC where 45 million people across the country (the New York City area was blacked out) watched the game.
The Colts were entering their 6th season in existence after making their return to the NFL in 1953. A previous incarnation of the Baltimore Colts was existed from 1946 to 1950. The Colts finished 1958 with a 9-3 record. One of their three losses came against the same Giants team in Yankee Stadium on November 9th by the score of 24-21. The team was coached by Weeb Ewbank. Baltimore had such stars like Johnny Unitas, Raymond Berry, Alan Ameche, and Gino Marchetti.
The Giants were in their 2nd championship game in 3 seasons after dismantling the Chicago Bears in the 1956 game in a 47-7 thrashing. The Giants also finished 1958 with a 9-3 record with their only losses coming against the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Chicago Cardinals. The Giants would have to play a division playoff game against the Cleveland Browns as the Browns had the same record. The Giants would win 10-0. The team was coached by Jim Lee Howell. New York had such stars like Frank Gifford, Emlen Tunnell, and Sam Huff. The team was also coached by Offensive Coordinator Vince Lombardi and Defensive Coordinator Tom Landry.
The scoring got started in the first quarter as Pat Summerall (yeah that Pat Summerall) hit a 36-yard field goal to give the Giants a 3-0 lead. The Colts would get their offense going in the 2nd quarter with an Alan Ameche 2-yard rush for his first of two touchdowns in the game. Raymond Berry would catch a 15-yard pass from Johnny Unitas to give the Colts a 14-3 lead going into halftime.
The scoring in the 3rd quarter would be only highlighted by a Mel Triplett 1-yard rush for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 14-10. The Giants would regain the lead in the 4th quarter with a 15-yard Charlie Conerly pass to Frank Gifford for a touchdown to give the Giants a 17-14 lead, along with a Summeral point after of course.
With time running out and the Colts needing a score, Johnny Unitas would drive down the field to get into field goal range for Colts kicker Steve Myhra. Myhra would hit a 20-yard field goal to force the game into overtime. The drive was probably the first iteration of the phrase "2-minute drill." It would be the first NFL championship game to go into overtime (the 2nd would be Super Bowl LI).
The Giants would get first crack in the overtime but wouldn't do much with it. During that kickoff, it was returned by Don Maynard who also muffed it (Maynard would later play for Weeb Ewbank with the New York Jets to beat the Colts in Super Bowl III). The Colts would get a turn to score.
The Colts would drive 80 yards on 13 plays. When the Colts were on the Giants 8-yard line, a spectator (who was actually an NBC employee) caused a distraction because of NBC's live feed had gone down. Ultimately the feed would return to show the game on television. Alan Ameche's name was called on the final play as he would score a 1-yard rushing touchdown to give the Colts their first NFL championship.
For the Giants, they would return to the NFL championship game in 1959 (to lose to the Colts again), 1961, 1962 (both years to the Packers), and 1963 (to the Bears). The Giants wouldn't win another playoff game until 1981 when the Giants beat the Eagles in the Wild card playoffs. They wouldn't win another championship until the Giants beat the Broncos in Super Bowl XXI in 1986.
For Baltimore, they would win another championship in 1959. They would get back into the championship game in 1964 but would lose to the Browns. Baltimore would lose in the 1965 playoffs to the Packers. The Colts would win another NFL championship in 1968 but would fail to win the Super Bowl against the New York Jets. They finally became Super Bowl champions when they beat the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V. The Colts last playoff win in Baltimore would come against the Browns in the 1971 season. After the 1983 season, the Colts would move to Indianapolis.
The 1958 championship would change the NFL forever. There's certainly a number of reasons for this I feel. The television was in its infancy in the 1950's as more and more American's owned a set. The marriage of football and television would revolutionize both industries for decades to come. Another reason I feel is that more Americans were moving out of the big cities and into the West coast or Midwestern cities. There was no need to go to a game when you could watch the game yourself in your warm home. Finally, the reason was that the past four NFL championship games were blowouts (1954: Browns 56, Lions 10; 1955: Browns 38, Rams 14; 1956: Giants 47, Bears 7; 1957: Lions 59, Browns 14) and most people would rather see a competitive game.
Week 15 Picks
Week 15 in the NFL regular season will start in Baltimore, Maryland and finish in New Orleans, Louisiana. There will be 16 games on the slate as no teams are on a bye week. The week includes: A Thursday night game, eight early games, five late games, a Sunday night game and a Monday night game. FOX will have the double-header and CBS will have the single, regional game. Let's get to the picks!
NY Jets (5-8) @ Baltimore (11-2) (FOX/NFL Network): TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
Both teams won last week as the Jets beat the Dolphins and the Ravens beat the Bills. The week starts off with somewhat of a lopsided match-up record wise. I like the Ravens to get another week in this one as I don't know how the Jets could possibly slow down Lamar Jackson. I like the Ravens defense more than the Jets defense as well.
Miami (3-10) @ NY Giants (2-11) (CBS): TW: Giants; CV: Dolphins
Both teams lost last week as the Dolphins lost to the Jets and the Giants lost to the Eagles. The game really isn't a sexy matchup on either paper or in fantasy. I tend to lean more towards the home team as the Dolphins record on the road is abysmal. No one really gets anything of value if they win as both teams look to be picking high in next year's draft. I'll take the G-men.
Houston (8-5) @ Tennessee (8-5) (CBS): TW: Titans; CV: Titans
The Texans lost to the Broncos and the Titans beat the Raiders. AFC South is pretty much up for grabs in this one. The Texans just keep letting me down when I pick them. I kind of want Tennessee to win because of that. I like Derrick Henry in this match-up as he is easily one of the best running backs in the game today. Ryan Tannehill has been stellar for the Titans as well. This will bite me in the ass again but I can't trust Houston.
New England (10-3) @ Cincinnati (1-12) (CBS): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
Both teams lost last week as the Patriots lost to the Chiefs and the Bengals lost to the Browns. For the Patriots, they have to be angry to lose last week. They'll take out their anger on the hapless Bengals who are terrible this season. The Pats rarely lose back-to-back games so that doesn't bode well for the Bengals. Sorry Cincy.
Seattle (10-3) @ Carolina (5-8) (FOX): TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks
Both teams lost last week as the Seahawks lost to the Rams and the Panthers lost to the Falcons. The game features two potential MVP's in Russell Wilson for Seattle and Christian McCaffrey for Carolina. I feel the Panthers will lose based on their defense and while their passing game and running attack will do fine, I tend to think the Seahawks have a better overall running game with Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny.
Tampa Bay (6-7) @ Detroit (3-9-1) (FOX): TW: Buccaneers; CV: Buccaneers
The Buccaneers beat the Colts and the Lions lost to the Vikings last week. Jameis Winston will still throw interceptions but I feel he will throw just as many touchdowns in the game as the Lions defense is just not that solid on defending the pass, let alone the run. The game could be an offensive showcase for both teams but I don't trust David Blough to keep up with Winston in terms of touchdowns.
Denver (5-8) @ Kansas City (9-4) (CBS): TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs
Both teams got wins last week as the Broncos beat the Texans and the Chiefs beat the Patriots. If you're a Chiefs fan, you have to feel good about beating the class in your conference in the Patriots last week. Just let Patrick Mahomes do his thing and and play solid lockdown defense. Essentially what you did against New England.
Philadelphia (6-7) @ Washington (3-10) (FOX): TW: Eagles; CV: Eagles
The Eagles got a win against the Giants and the Redskins lost to the Packers. If the Eagles want to possibly get a division crown, they can't expect the Cowboys to lose to the Rams. They need to go out and do their business on the road and win. Fortunately, they play a terrible Redskins team that would like to play spoiler. It could happen but I feel Wentz and company will get a win.
Chicago (7-6) @ Green Bay (10-3) (FOX): TW: Packers; CV: Packers
Both teams got wins last week as the Bears beat the Cowboys and the Packers beat the Redskins. The two teams have changed a lot since their Week 1 meeting. Green Bay's offense went back to hibernation last week but it was effective enough to beat Washington. If they want to beat the Bears and the reinvigorated Mitchell Trubisky, they need to score more than 20 points in this one. I can't trust the Packers defense to get it done alone.
Jacksonville (4-9) @ Oakland (6-7) (CBS): TW: Raiders; CV: Raiders
Both teams lost last week as the Jaguars lost to the Chargers and the Raiders lost to the Titans. It's the last game at the Oakland Coliseum. Oakland maybe out of the playoffs but they should at least give their fans in Oakland one final showcase of great. With all their history in the stadium they should at least give the old stadium one last win. Do it for Ken Stabler!
Cleveland (6-7) @ Arizona (3-9-1) (CBS): TW: Browns; CV: Browns
The Browns beat the Bengals and the Cardinals lost to the Steelers last week. Cleveland has had a rough season but are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, but a slim chance. Arizona could still play the spoiler in the game but with their defense and inconsistent running game, I feel the game will be not as close as I feel. I feel the running tandem of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt will eat some yards in this one.
Minnesota (9-4) @ LA Chargers (5-8) (CBS): TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
Both teams got wins as the Vikings beat the Lions and the Chargers beat the Jaguars. The two teams have similar offenses in terms of talent. Vikings have an edge with Cousins throwing for more touchdowns but lesser yards and Dalvin Cook has done well this year in the running game. Ultimately, I feel the Vikings defense will challenge Phillip Rivers to throw it as they have a great defense. I'll go with the safe bet with Minnesota.
Atlanta (4-9) @ San Francisco (11-2) (FOX): TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
Both teams got wins last week as the Falcons beat the Panthers and the 49ers beat the Saints. Atlanta could play the upset card in this one but in a stacked NFC, do the 49ers really want to lose to a lowly Falcons team. The game could be a shootout but I don't know how the Falcons could possibly score more than 20 in this one with the 49ers defense.
LA Rams (8-5) @ Dallas (6-7) (FOX): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
The Rams beat the Seahawks and the Cowboys lost to the Bears. Dallas has quite a bit of rest on their shoulders. The Eagles breathing down their neck and against a talented but weakened Rams team doesn't make their situation any easier. Los Angeles has a legit running game and if their offense can take time off the clock and keep the Dallas defense in check, I like their chances.
Buffalo (9-4) @ Pittsburgh (8-5) (NBC): TW: Steelers; CV: Bills
The Bills lost to the Ravens and the Steelers beat the Cardinals last week. Classic AFC match-up on NBC (at least for those who still remember NBC being the AFC package carrier). First time that Buffalo will be on Sunday Night Football since 2007. James Conner and Ju Ju Smith-Schuster could make a return after missing quite a few games due to injury. Momentum is certainly on Pittsburgh's side on this one as they're currently in the drivers seat in the playoffs. If the Steelers win they'd take that #5 spot from Buffalo. I'll take Pittsburgh due to their stifling defense.
Indianapolis (6-7) @ New Orleans (10-3) (ESPN): TW: Saints; CV: Saints
Both teams lost as the Colts lost to the Buccaneers and the Saints lost to the 49ers. The week finishes up with an okay match-up. Obviously I'll take the Saints since they really have better talent on both sides of the ball. In general, I feel it will be a blowout but that's if Marlon Mack is out of the lineup. Geux Saints!
Local TV Schedule (courtesy of 506sports.com; games subject to change):
CBS Single:
Minnesota @ LA Chargers
Greg Gumbel, Trent Green
FOX Early:
Chicago @ Green Bay
Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis
FOX Late:
LA Rams @ Dallas
Joe Buck Troy Aikman
For more information on which game is being shown in your area check out: NFL 2019: Week 15 Maps
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 after the Monday night game for the Week 15 Recap post!
-Tom
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