NFL Takeaways: Week 15
Photo by Todd Rosenberg from Getty Images
The college football season is finally over (outside of bowl games and the playoff), which means the NFL can once again play on Saturday.
Did I forget that they play on Saturday and miss some of the games? Yes!
But hey, let’s get to it.
Raiders defeat Chargers 63-21
Scorigami!
Also, Brandon Staley is now gone from Los Angeles, and the Chargers are widely considered the best opening in the NFL right now.
I get the sentiment. They have the QB position locked up with Justin Herbert which makes things easier.
But ownership is cheap, every game is an away game for the Chargers, and the franchise in general just seems cursed.
I’m not so sure this is a great opening.
Colts defeat Steelers 30-13
Gardner Minshew has the Colts tied for first in the AFC South.
Unreal.
Bengals defeat Vikings 27-24
Jake Browning is proving what I’ve said for years.
NFL quarterbacks will be successful if they have the right system to succeed in.
Jake Browning has done an absolutely amazing job, and the Bengals are legitimate playoff threats.
Lions defeat Broncos 42-17
The blueprint for the Broncos is pretty obvious now, right?
If the defense doesn’t play well, they pretty much have no chance of winning.
Russell Wilson has been fine this year, but that’s not a great formula before his giant contract kicks in next season.
Browns defeat Bears 20-17
The Browns just need stable QB play.
Flacco wasn’t giving it to them, and they were in danger of a tough loss at home.
Once he started into a grove again, they came back and won.
It’s a shame Flacco is on the older side. If only they had a younger guy to do that for them.
Buccaneers defeat Packers 34-20
Hm.
Maybe Baker Mayfield would be a good fit in Cleveland.
After all, Mayfield did become the first ever away QB to have a perfect passer rating at Lambeau Field.
Ah well.
I guess we’ll never know.
Texans defeat Titans 19-16
The Texans, a team everyone assumed would be terrible and missing both top weapons and C.J. Stroud, are tied for first in the AFC South.
Unreal.
Dolphins defeat Jets 30-0
It’s almost like the Dolphins had a couple bad minutes against the Titans was a fluke and the Dolphins are still a really good football team.
NFL fans overreacting? Weird.
Chiefs defeat Patriots 27-17
The Chiefs still just look off to me.
But hey, I’m sure they’re fine with people doubting them.
Saints defeat Giants 24-6
The Giants just aren’t very good.
That’s ok.
It happens.
Panthers defeat Falcons 9-7
Uh.
Yeah.
This game was on.
Rams defeat Commanders 28-20
I know they lost, but how many chances does Jacoby Brissett need before people realize he’s actually pretty good.
He’s done it in New England. Did it in Indy. Cleveland. Now Washington.
He’s pretty good!
49ers defeat Cardinals 45-29
Winning a Super Bowl is hard.
I usually don’t bemoan a top team not winning one.
It’s hard!
But, if the Niners don’t win the Super Bowl this year, it is a failure.
They are stacked. Everywhere.
Bills defeat Cowboys 31-10
The Bills might be one of the most dangerous teams in the AFC playoffs if they can sneak in.
Now that they have a running game, they’re hard to beat.
They might surprise a lot of people.
Ravens defeat Jaguars 23-7
The Jaguars, despite 3rd year of Trevor Lawrence, adding Calvin Ridley, and a young and improving defense, are tied for first in the AFC South despite the Colts and Texans struggles.
Unreal…
Seahawks defeat Eagles 20-17
Good for Drew Lock, but this game was won by D.K. Metcalf.
Metcalf has at times been criticized for not making contested catches, and on the final drive he had a diving catch, a circus catch, and a catch while taking a hit on 3rd down to help aid the game winning touchdown drive.
And this was all after doing almost nothing for the entire game.
He deserves his plaudits.
