NFL Week 15, What We Learned...

Trials of the undefeated

Both the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints entered week 15 with perfect records, 13-0. The Colts escaped the claws of the Jaguars, winning 35-31 on the road in Jacksonville. The Saints weren’t so lucky. The Dallas Cowboys marched their way into New Orleans and almost certainly secured their playoff spot, defeating the Saints 24-17, in a game where the Cowboys dominated for a full 3 quarters.

No team in the ACF wants a wild card spot

Having the opportunity to be in control of their playoff destiny with wins on Sunday, the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, and Jacksonville Jaguars all lost, making the AFC playoff picture a fight to the finish. No team has secured a playoff berth, with two games left each team needs help from the other to solidify in a playoff spot.

The Arizona Cardinals are unpredictable

The Super Bowl runner ups have still yet to find an identity. After being defeated 24-9 by the San Francisco 49ers last week, the (9-5) Cardinals struggled with the (2-12) Detroit Lions, winning by only 7points, 31-24. Winning teams don’t only beat inferior teams, they beat inferior teams handedly.  Only time will tell how far the Arizona Cardinals will go will go in the playoffs.

Rookie Mistakes

The (7-7) New York Jets were done in by rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez and his inability to make plays. Despite a 65-yard strike to Braylon Edwards in the first quarter, Sanchez was unable to complete easy passes over the middle and threw 3 interceptions, his last one was with 1:13 to play in the fourth quarter. The play of the Jets special teams was as equally disappointing, unable to convert on 3 field goal attempts, the Jets lost 10-7 to Atlanta. The loss to Atlanta all but ends New York’s playoff hopes.

The Eagles Are Flying High

The Philadelphia Eagles trounced the San Francisco 49ers 27-13, in a home game that raised their record to 10-4, and put Philly in reach of the number 2 seed in the NFC if the Vikings were to lose again. The Eagles are the most complete team in the NFC.

Brett Favre is not Brett Favre

After being manhandled by the Carolina Panthers, 26-7, and dropping two of their last three overall, one has to wonder if the demands of a 16 game schedule has gotten to the 40 year old Favre. The Vikings are currently 11-3 and have the red-hot Philadelphia Eagles on their tail for the number 2 seed in the NFC. Brett Favre looks as he did last season during his time with the New York Jets, tired and old. 40 years old is still 40 years old. Don’t look for the Vikings to go beyond one game in the playoffs.

Big Blue is still alive

After their 45-12 thrashing of the Washington Redskins on Monday night, the New York Giants stand at 8-5, and are waiting for either the (9-5) Dallas Cowboys or the (9-5) Green Bay Packers to falter so they can gain playoff positioning in the NFC. The Giants are not dead just yet.

 

The final two weeks of the NFL season will be a sight to see. All teams in the playoff race need help by other teams to get in, playoff positioning will likely be decided on the last week of the season.