NFL Week 15 Results
The Colts winning streak continues while the Saints get knocked off by the Cowboys. How did your team perform?
Indianapolis Colts 35, Jacksonville Jaguars 31 (predicted: Indianapolis Colts 20, Jacksonville Jaguars 27)
I thought the Colts would be resting starters by now, I guess Jim Caldwell had other ideas. The Colts played their starters the entire game, avoided major injuries, and severely dampened the Jaguars’ playoff hopes.
Dallas Cowboys 24, New Orleans Saints 17 (predicted: Dallas Cowboys 21, New Orleans Saints 28)
The Saints fail miserably at home against the Cowboys. Apparently Sean Payton forgot that he actually does have a running game, and called 45 pass plays compared to 13 rushes. Not the worst idea with Drew Brees and co., but it made the Saints predictable.
Cleveland Browns 41, Kansas City Chiefs 34 (predicted: Cleveland Browns 17, Kansas City Chiefs 13)
Why is it that sometimes the most meaningless games turn out to be some of the most entertaining? Browns running back Jerome Harrison set a team record with 286 rushing yards, moving him into third place on the all-time game-highs for rushing behind Adrian Peterson and Jamal Lewis. Joshua Cribbs set a record with two 100+ yard kickoff return touchdowns as the Browns get their third win of the season.
Houston Texans 16, St. Louis Rams 13 (predicted: Houston Texans 38, St. Louis Rams 10)
St. Louis did an admirable job limiting Houston’s once-potent offense to just 16 points. One can’t help but wonder if Steve Spagnuolo is really just after the first pick in the draft so he can work with Ndamukong Suh.
New England Patriots 17, Buffalo Bills 10 (predicted: New England Patriots 24, Buffalo Bills 17)
The Patriots are a win away from clinching the AFC East, but this team is full of gaping holes. For an offense that set records in 2007 and went 11-5 in 2008 with an unknown backup starting 15 games, 17 points against one of the worst teams in the league would seemingly translate to a one-and-done in the playoffs.
Miami Dolphins 24, Tennessee Titans 27 (predicted: Miami Dolphins 14, Tennessee Titans 20)
Once again Chad Henne is showing that he’s a viable starter, leading the Dolphins back from a big deficit to force overtime. Unfortunately, Chad Henne also reminded us that he’s not elite yet, throwing an interception on the first possession that allowed the Titans to kick the golden field goal.
San Francisco 49ers 13, Philadelphia Eagles 27 (predicted: San Francisco 49ers 23, Philadelphia Eagles 44)
The Eagles earned a spot in the playoffs again, this time as the NFC East division winner. They probably won’t be able to catch the Vikings to earn a first-round bye, unless Brett Favre collapses late in the season again.
Arizona Cardinals 31, Detroit Lions 24 (predicted: Arizona Cardinals 28, Detroit Lions 10)
One of those games that was a lot closer than it should have been, the Lions put up a fight and made the Cardinals earn the AFC West title in Detroit.
Chicago Bears 7, Baltimore Ravens 31 (predicted: Chicago Bears 18, Baltimore Ravens 31)
After the snow delay the Bears probably wished the game was either cancelled or they could have forfeited instead of suffering through the 31-7 embarrassment in Baltimore. The good news for the NFC North and Chicago’s 2010 opponents is that they’ll be fielding the same team next year due to lack of draft picks!
Atlanta Falcons 10, New York Jets 7 (predicted: Atlanta Falcons 21, New York Jets 23)
The Jets lost the second-most boring game of the season to the Falcons at home, all but eliminating the tearful Rex Ryan from the postseason. What I don’t really understand is why everyone expects the Jets to be good in the first place. Mark Sanchez sucks.
Oakland Raiders 20, Denver Broncos 19 (predicted: Oakland Raiders 13, Denver Broncos 42)
Perhaps most embarrassing for the Broncos (and agonizing for the Raiders organization) is that JaMarcus Russell was the one who orchestrated the winning touchdown drive, capped off with a 10-yard pass to Chaz Schillens.
Cincinnati Bengals 24, San Diego Chargers 27 (predicted: Cincinnati Bengals 13, San Diego Chargers 35)
Cincinnati played well, but couldn’t put the game away for a Charger team undefeated in December in the Philip Rivers era. The Chargers clinch the AFC West.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24, Seattle Seahawks 7 (predicted: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21, Seattle Seahawks 17)
I don’t know why the Bucs victory has everyone thinking Raheem Morris deserves another year in Tampa Bay because he clearly does not. Every aspect of the Bucs on both sides of the ball (with the possible exception of quarterback) is a huge mess, in large part due to Morris’ offseason bumbling.
Green Bay Packers 36, Pittsburgh Steelers 37 (predicted: Green Bay Packers 28, Pittsburgh Steelers 24)
Pittsburgh hangs on by a thread beating Green Bay on a tightly threaded touchdown pass to Mike Wallace.
Minnesota Vikings 7, Carolina Panthers 26 (predicted: Minnesota Vikings 34, Carolina Panthers 16)
Apparently Brad Childress tried to pull Brett Favre when the Vikings were up 7-6. Does this sound like a coach who’s confident in his quarterback situation?
New York Giants 45, Washington Redskins 12 (predicted: New York Giants 24, Washington Redskins 21)
I hope Redskins GM Bruce Allen enjoyed watching his new team get bludgeoned by Eli Manning at home. It’s almost as if the Redskins didn’t even bother. Oh wait… that’s nearly every game for them.
10-6 this week, 152-72 total.
