NFL Week in Review: Week 15

While watching the Giants bury the Redskins during the Monday night laugher, I prepared to wrap up the 15th week of the NFL regular season.  In doing so, my thoughts had ventured towards naming this week as being unpredictable.  However, upon further review, this week was far more predictable (perhaps predictably predictable).

Colts/Jaguars:  The week started off with a reocurring theme:  Peyton Manning leads another comeback for the Colts.  I should have known.  I allowed myself to get sucked into the possibility of starting the week off with one of the unbeaten teams falling on their face.  Like I said, I should have known.  Jacksonville has a history of playing tough against the Colts and falling just short.  Five out of the last 6 games between these two teams have been decided by one touchdown or less, usually less.  Also, nearly every contest between these two teams in the past 5 years has ended up with Reggie Wayne having over 100 yards receiving.  At some point, Jacksonville may want to defend that man.  Regardless, the stat that makes the most difference in this game is the zero sacks on Manning.  The Jaguars couldn't get to Peyton, and he made them pay.  Colts win (35-31)

Cowboys/Saints:  This is the game I found predictable.  Did anybody else have a feeling midway through last week that the Cowboys were going to take out the Saints?  The Saints have had it coming and Dallas delivered.  Wade Phillips finally did what he should have done against the Chargers and he put the game in Tony Romo's hands.  Romo wasn't dominating, but he kept the defense honest enough to establish a running game.  This game, though, was sponsored by the number 2.  Demarcus Ware - 2 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.  Both of those fumbles were recovered by the Cowboys.  Hey, Demarcus, I think you'd look better in a red and white uniform!  Cowboys win (24-17)

Browns/Chiefs:  "Fighting For Our Jobs!"  That really is the only reason these teams are putting up a fight, to salvage a few jobs.  Still, I can't say enough aobut the skills of Joshua Cribbs.  You know he's a kickers nightmare and you know he's a legitimate threat to take one to the house every time he touches the ball.  Yet, still, he returns two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same game.  Maybe it's time to stop kicking to him, don't you think KC?  After all, I'm sure you remember teams stopping Dante Hall with that strategy.  Maybe it would have been smart to follow suit.  Regardless, the Chiefs also gave up 286 yards and 3 touchdowns to...Jerome Harrison?  Harrison was the 12th pick, in the fifth round, by Cleveland back in 2006.  He's seen little action since and hasn't done much with his touches.  In fact, in this game, Harrison amassed nearly one-third of his total career rushing yards (1,035 career rushing yards) and also tripled his career touchdown total (he had 1 prior to this game).  I'm not going to pick him up as a fantasy stud just yet, though.  I'd like to see how he fares against an NFL quality team.  Browns win (41-34)

Falcons/Jets:  This was a real snoozer.  I would say this was a defensive game, but I really don't think that's the case.  Granted, the Falcons intercepted Mark Sanchez three times and sacked him twice.  Still, I'm starting to think Sanchez is color blind as he passes to the other team equally as much as his own.  Sure, he completed a long touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards.  Still, the game was as fun as nap time until Matt Ryan completed a game winning touchdown pass to Tony Gonzales with 1:38 left to play.  Hooray.  Falcons win (10-7)

Dolphins/Titans:  Once again, Vince Young looked impressive.  More and more he's becoming a pocket passer.  I don't know if that is a good thing since it's the threat of him running that slows down the pass rush against him just enough for him to be successful.  Still, he's been successful and is proving me wrong when I said he didn't have the skills to be a quality pocket presence.  The Dolphins took yet another game down to the wire, but couldn't pull this one out.  Either way, they are one team I wouldn't want to face in the playoffs.  Titans win (27-24)

Patriots/Bills:  So, Randy Moss scores a touchdown in this game and that is supposed to be his answer to all of the criticism?  I think I'll wet my pants from the excitement.  He had 5 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown.  That's pretty far from a dominating performance.  Not to mention, it was against the Buffalo Bills!  So, congratulations Mr. Moss for doing what most of us do on a daily basis whether we like it or not--our jobs.  Patriots Win (17-10)

Texans/Rams:  Was this just the battle of Browns?  Texans kicker Kris Brown squared off against Rams kicker Josh Brown in the 'Battle of Boots.'  If you're the Houston Texans and you pass to Andre Johnson for 196 yards, how do you NOT get him into the endzone? I guess you didn't need it, though, with such a dominating kicker and all.  Texans win (16-13)

Broncos/Raiders:  I wouldn't exactly call this a great performance by Russell, who replaced the poor performing Charlie Frye, but he did enough to pull out a win.  As far as I'm concerned, he led the offense down the field and executed a game winning touchdown drive.  That deserves a pat on the back in my book.  Oh! Hey! Remember when you held out on the Raiders because you were this hot-shot quarterback that deserved millions?  You were going to turn around the Raiders?  Right.  Just checking.  Raiders win (20-19)

Bengals/Chargers:  This was a great, emotional game.  The Bengals came out strong against a Chargers team that has been absolutely on fire.  For the Bengals, this game was about more than a victory or a playoff spot.  This game was about honoring a fallen friend.  Personally, I think the Bengals played their hearts out and honored Chris Henry in doing so.  Chad Ochocinco executed, in my opinion, his most memorable touchdown celebration when he took a knee and gave tribute to Henry.  Unfortunately, the Chargers were able to gain just enough yards to allow Nate Kaeding to boot a 52 yard field goal as time expired, sealing the victory for the Chargers.  It doesn't matter.  The Bengals can hold their heads high after this game.  Chargers win (27-24)

Bears/Ravens:  Four words I never thought I'd say:  Joe Flacco performed brilliantly.  The Bears never showed up for this game and Flacco tossed the ball around for 4 touchdowns.  The Ravens laughed the Bears right off the field with a lopsided victory.  Ravens win (31-7)

49ers/Eagles:  The score to this game was much closer than the actual game itself.  Watching this game, it never seemed as though the Eagles lost control but rather that they were cruising to victory the entire time.  The game was littered with interceptions on both sides but, thankfully, the Eagles made the most of their opportunities.  In a rare game where I root for the Eagles, I was glad to see the Niners fall flat which sealed a second straight NFC West Division Championship for the Cardinals.  Eagles win (27-13)

Steelers/Packers:  This was the finish of the week and I loved it! I typically do not enjoy a Steeler victory, especially after last season.  However, with the Packers coming up at least once in the next few weeks, I want to see them beaten and bruised by the time they make it to Arizona.  Now, they weren't exactly beaten into submission during this game.  Both Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers played magnificently throwing for 3 touchdowns each.  Also, while everyone debates the intelligence of Mike Tomlin kicking an onside kick after scoring so late in the game, I have another perspective.  Truth or not, why would you admit to the media that you had no faith in your defense?  Maybe this isn't such a bad thing if you were eliminated from the playoffs, but that isn't the case.  How does the defense go back onto the field now whilst knowing their coach has no faith in their ability to stop a drive?  Big Ben and the Steelers may have won the game with that astonishing final drive, but it was the Steelers defense that was the big loser on this day.  Steelers win (37-36)

Buccaneers/Seahawks:  Did anybody even watch this game?  The only even remotely interesting thing to say about this game is that Matt Hasselbeck is done.  He had 5 turnovers in this game against a less than impressive Bucs defense.  He is far from effective, far from efficient, and the Seahawks are going to look to head in a different direction at quarterback.  I'm sure there is a commentator position open somewhere, Matt.  Time to start looking.  Bucs win (24-7)

Panthers/Vikings:  The man from Valencia, CA did me proud this week!  Matt Moore, the little known and undrafted quarterback out of Oregon State, unleashed hell on the Vikings!   He passed up and down the field against a Vikings defense that many had crowned as dominant against the pass.  I really don't care about the deteriorating relationship between Brett Favre and Brad Childress.  What I DO care about is the fact that Favre seems to be unraveling at a rapid pace while heading into the playoffs.  If we can get two more poor performances from Brett, the Cardinals may end up with a first round bye heading into January.  Panthers win (26-7)

Giants/Redskins:  This game really isn't even worth writing about as it wasn't even a game.  The Redskins didn't care to play and they didn't even try.  I've seen proud Washington teams from the past that never fail to play a divisional opponent down to the wire.  I don't know what the issue is with this team, though I'm sure there's plenty, but they have given up completely and didn't even deserve to be on the same field as the Giants.  Giants win (45-12)

Cardinals/Lions:  The Cardinals came out ready to play in this game!  Unfortunately, that was the first half.  The second half, they came out ready to go home.  Still, after starting off 17-0 and then letting the Lions tie up the game during the 3rd quarter, the Cardinals managed to put together enough offense to pull out a victory.  I think we all had a feeling going into this game that the Lions were not going to play Redskin and just roll over and die.  They didn't.  They fought hard and the Cardinals pulled out an victory.  Beanie Wells broke one hundred yards rushing with yet another impressive game.  With the exception of one or two players, the Cardinals are surprisingly healthy and injury free heading towards the playoffs.  This, alone, gives them a great advantage and I'm excited for the rest of the season!  Cardinals win (31-24)