Final week, the Jets and Payments had a fantastic and snowy matchup on their palms and New England’s comeback in opposition to Arizona regardless of its offensive struggles was its personal kinda of particular.
Tampa Bay should’ve introduced an older, non-updated model of Tom Brady to San Francisco within the 35-7 defeat, Tua Tagovailoa disappeared in opposition to the Chargers and, within the chosen Recreation of the Week, Philadelphia trounced the Giants.
This week, San Francisco and Seattle put a brand new spin on their rivalry with two quarterbacks who have been thought of backups months in the past. Detroit and the Jets are related (someway) and will probably be defined.
Cincinnati will want hazmat fits when getting wherever close to the poisonous sludge of the NFC South. Perhaps this time round, the Giants and Commanders will not tie issues up. Lastly, within the Recreation of the Week, Miami travels to Buffalo to attempt to struggle for first place within the division as one among three video games within the NFL’s first Saturday slate of video games all season.
Welcome to Week 15 of the NFL season. Listed here are the Dailymail.com picks for video games to control…
After getting the second tie of the NFL season, Washington and New York battle as soon as once more
Recreation 1: San Francisco 49ers (9-4) @ Seattle Seahawks (7-6)
- Thursday @ 8:15pm ET (Amazon Prime Video) / Lumen Area, Seattle, WA
Again when he performed in faculty at Iowa State, Brock Purdy turned identified for being significantly dominant within the month of October – going 12-2 and placing up 3,775 passing yards, 36 TDs and averaging 37 factors a sport within the tenth month of the 12 months, in response to The Athletic.
So now that he is within the NFL, the Athletic wondered if ‘Brocktober’ (as followers in Ames referred to as it) might give method to ‘Purdycember’ within the Bay Space.
When Tom Brady made his first NFL begin in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts in September of 2001, he accomplished 13 passes for 168 yards and no TDs or INTs in a 44-13 dismantling.
When Brock Purdy made his first NFL begin in opposition to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, he accomplished 16 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-7 dismantling.
There could be no higher time for a wave of momentum to be carrying the 49ers than proper earlier than a visit to Seattle to tackle the rival Seahawks.
Seattle hasn’t crashed greater than they’ve began to expire of gasoline. Since beginning the season 6-3, they’ve since gone 1-3 with poor losses to the Buccaneers, Raiders, and Panthers.
After sitting in a playoff spot, Geno Smith and Co. have slunk out of the playoffs and beneath the Giants and Commanders whose one tie is an affront to all issues NFL associated.
If they need any hope of attending to the postseason this 12 months, they should win now. Again-to-back video games in opposition to the Chiefs and Jets earlier than ending with the Rams is not one of the best last-four video games to have on the schedule.
After beating one of the best QB of all time final week, Purdy faces his first highway journey as a starter
Recreation 2: Detroit Lions (6-7) @ New York Jets (7-6)
- Sunday @ 1:00pm ET (CBS) / MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
In the beginning of this season, it might’ve been arduous to foretell that we would be speaking about both of those groups. But, right here we’re.
Trying on the guests first, the Detroit Lions started this season 1-6 by way of their first seven video games – ending October as one of many worst groups within the league.
For the reason that begin of November, they’ve miraculously gone 5-1, with their sole loss approaching Thanksgiving in opposition to the Payments – who kicked a final second discipline aim to clinch the win.
So, what’s received them right here? In brief: offense. Numerous offense.
Jared Goff is in his finest season since leaving Los Angeles and the Jets fly excessive with Mike White
The Lions sit fourth in whole offense within the league and fifth in scoring offense. QB Jared Goff has began to look competent for the primary time since he left the Rams. His main goal has been second-year huge receiver and half time God of the Solar Amon-Ra St. Brown, who’s high 10 within the league in receiving yards. Past them, they’ve two speeding threats in RB’s D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams.
The place they have been severely let down is their protection, which is shocking contemplating head coach Dan Campbell was a defensive coordinator earlier than taking this job.
Detroit has the second worst whole protection and scoring protection, in addition to the third worst move protection. They’ve managed a +3 turnover margin they usually’re high 10 within the league for whole takeaways.
When the Lions aren’t going by way of the air, they depend on operating backs like Jamaal Williams
Protection hasn’t been a problem for the group they play subsequent week – with the Jets sitting third in whole protection, fourth in move protection, and sixth in scoring protection.
The one query mark surrounds the quarterback place after Mike White received butchered and bruised final week in Buffalo. He ended up going to the hospital after the sport to get checks executed on his ribs, however he was cleared and flew residence that evening.
Jets coach Robert Saleh says he is presently ‘day-to-day’, so if he isn’t capable of go he’ll have a troublesome choice on his palms. He brought about fairly a stir benching Zach Wilson for White, so it begs the query if he’ll flip again to Wilson or have a look at third-stringer and veteran Joe Flacco.
Both manner, these are two of probably the most shocking groups within the NFL this season and this sport needs to be enjoyable to observe when it’s essential to loosen up after the World Cup Ultimate.
Jets coach Robert Saleh has executed a fantastic job this season – can he flip that right into a playoff run?
Recreation 3: Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)
- Sunday at 4:25 ET (CBS) / Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
We’re persevering with to place the Bucs right here. Not due to Tom Brady, not as a result of we actually love throwing 6-7 groups in your face – however as a result of we’re at some extent the place each sport issues.
For some purpose, somebody from the NFC South – an energetic fallout zone of radioactive sludge and harmful chemical compounds within the type of 4 toxically dangerous NFL groups – will get to go to the playoffs, despite the fact that it looks as if no one desires to.
A few of that toxicity leaked out of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after they received completely demolished by the San Francisco 49ers within the first NFL begin for his or her third-string QB Brock Purdy.
The Buccaneers had 11 drives. So as, they went as such: Missed discipline aim, punt, punt, punt, turnover on downs, kneel to finish first half, interception, interception, landing, turnover on downs, fumble.
Tom Brady struggled final weekend in opposition to the Niners whereas Joe Burrow received win No. 9 Sunday
And sure, in case you have been questioning, the Buccaneers certainly ARE main the NFC South regardless of this monstrosity.
In the meantime, throughout the nation, Bengals QB Joe Burrow was busy getting his first win over the Cleveland Browns. They’d misplaced the final 5 straight going into this matchup.
Burrow racked up 239 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception whereas finishing solely 54 % of his passes. Returning receiver Ja’Marr Chase grabbed most of these yards with 10 catches for 119 yards and a TD.
Offensively, Cincy has the fifth most whole yards – with passing a giant a part of that. The Buccaneers protection has the sixth finest passing protection within the league. It’s going to be loads of enjoyable to observe when these two items sq. off on the sphere in opposition to one another.
Burrow lastly received his first win over the Browns, and now he can deal with besting Brady
Recreation 4: New York Giants (7-5-1) @ Washington Commanders (7-5-1)
- Sunday @ 8:20pm ET (NBC) / FedEx Area, Landover, MD
It was solely two weeks in the past that we featured this actual matchup as one among our 5 finest video games to observe they usually repaid us by committing one of many worst atrocities you could possibly think about in American soccer: tying.
Giants kicker Graham Gano hasn’t had one of the best fame of taking last-second, essential discipline aim makes an attempt, and this time was no exception. With seconds left in extra time and the possibility to win on his foot, the ball landed simply quick ending the sport at 20-20.
The Giants then went on to lose their subsequent sport in opposition to the Eagles by getting blown out at residence. The Commanders had their bye and ready for this week so they might take New York on as soon as once more.
Not a lot has modified for both group since that sport, with each groups having a variety of gamers listed as questionable – however no starters being declared out to date.
After tying of their matchup two weeks in the past, can both group give you a win this Sunday?
So you could be questioning why we’re protecting this sport once more. The reply is comparatively easy: the tie final outing has main implications for the playoff race.
As of now, each groups are in. At the moment, the tie locks out the Seahawks and different groups knocking on the door like Detroit. That tie might show to be a lifeline for whichever group finally ends up dropping this sport. Whichever group loses must do one of the best they presumably can to ice out a type of different groups.
No division within the historical past of the NFL has despatched all 4 groups to the playoffs. The final time the NFC East despatched three groups to the postseason was 2007. They’d be a part of uncommon firm if they might do it once more this time round, however they’d be in a league of their very own if the Giants and Commanders handle to remain alive.
Recreation of the Week: Miami Dolphins (8-5) @ Buffalo Payments (10-3)
- Saturday @ 8:15pm ET (NFL Community) / Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
The final time these two groups confronted off was Week 3 and it seems like all of the occasions of that sport occurred years in the past.
That was the sport that Tua Tagovailoa went down with an obvious head harm, only for him to come back again and end the sport. Thomas Morstead dedicated the ‘butt punt’. Josh Allen could not face up to the Miami warmth and the Payments fell for the primary time this season.
Now, Payments followers suppose the climate might be on their facet as Miami has to journey to Orchard Park – the place forecasts say it’s going to be a excessive of 31°F with 15mph winds and a 58 % likelihood of snow. Ahh, the magic of upstate New York.
Payments followers suppose the climate might be on their facet as Miami has to journey to Orchard Park
After that win, the Dolphins promptly misplaced the following three video games after Tua went down with a concussion the next week. Then they received 5 in a row. Now, they’re going through back-to-back losses.
Following their bye, the Dolphins beat the Texans, however misplaced to a Niners group fielding a third-string QB and a Chargers group that is been injured all 12 months. In each video games, Tagovailoa accomplished beneath 55 % of his passes and solely tossed for 145 yards and a landing in final week’s loss to the Chargers.
This group actually lives and dies by its offense, with the protection nonetheless giving up a median of 24 factors and over 350 yards per sport. Accidents to gamers like Byron Jones, Emmanuel Ogbah, Brandon Jones, Nik Needham, and Trill Williams have handicapped the protection’s reserves and starters alike.
The addition of edge rusher and linebacker Bradley Chubb has not been nearly as good as marketed. In his first 5 video games with the Dolphins, he is managed solely 2.5 sacks and 4 solo tackles. His first 5 video games of the season with the Broncos netted him 5.5 sacks and 10 whole tackles.
As a complete, the protection has not been doing properly. Their final 5 video games have netted solely eleven sacks (solely 2.2 per sport) and solely 5 takeaways. In the meantime, the Dolphins gave the ball away 5 instances in that very same span – together with 4 in opposition to the Niners.
Dolphins LB Bradley Chubb hasn’t been as environment friendly since his commerce to Miami from Denver
The Payments depend on each offense and protection, however the latter group has been slacking as of late. In 4 of their final 5 video games, Buffalo gave up at the least 300 yards of offense, with two of these video games seeing the opposition earn over 350 yards.
Buffalo’s offense remains to be constant sufficient that they need not fear in regards to the protection as a lot as Miami ought to. Most of that’s due to their secondary, even with out security Micah Hyde. CB Jordan Poyer is tied for fourth for interceptions. Exterior the secondary, the Payments are hurting. DT’s Ed Oliver and Jordan Phillips are questionable for this week. LB Von Miller is finished for the season.
On offense, the Payments nonetheless depend on QB Josh Allen and his mobility and arm. We have not talked about him particularly shortly as a result of it might be extremely tiring to speak about his excellence week in and week out. However we have began to see his numbers slipping from a manufacturing standpoint.
Allen’s first three video games of the season noticed him move for 297 yards, 317 yards, and 400 yards. His three most up-to-date video games noticed him throw for 253 yards, 223 yards, and final weekend, he solely managed 147 yards. Positive, there was snow, however the wind was lighter than regular for this time of 12 months and basically, the offense was sluggish. The final time Allen threw for this few yards was at residence in a chilly, windy sport in opposition to the Falcons in Week 17 of final season.
For a group that boasts about its offensive firepower as a lot because the Payments, final week did not show to be as fruitful as marketed. With climate situations set to be related this weekend, will the Payments discover a method to get totally different outcomes?
Payments QB Josh Allen has began to see a regression in passing statistics – can he bounce again?
