This is it football fans, we are now in the twilight of the NFL season and while we should feel melancholy about it, let’s be honest… we don’t. Because there are still a lot of great games for us to enjoy this weekend and a lot of playoff spots to still be clinched. Which means we should be in for some epic football this weekend, complete with upsets and big moments and well, with that in mind, let’s not waste any time and dive right in… and preview all the wonder that Week 16 in the NFL is going to send our way.
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Will Tampa Bay be able to beat the Cardinals?
Normally, that’s a question I wouldn’t even ask. Because the Cardinals are oft terrible, this year included and the Bucs have Tom Brady, who uh… is normally awesome, save for this year. And it is his disgusting play and inability to drive his offense at the moment, that begs that question. Because the Cardinals are hungry for a win and eager to enjoy one over the GOAT and there is a very good chance that might happen. Because something is very wrong in Tampa Bay, and they continue to pay the price for their lack of cohesion and leadership.
 
Can the Detroit Lions win four in a row?
It really is quite amazing where the Lions are at right now. Because everyone, this writer included, forgot about them and left them in our memories as the season rolled along. But they have really come together as a team, and they are firing on all cylinders and are even in the playoff mix. Of course, a win this weekend will go a long way in potentially furthering their postseason chances, and honestly, I think they can pull it off. Because they’re facing the lowly Panthers on Saturday. A team that just can’t get out of their own way and there’s a good chance this team will school the Panthers on their way to a potential playoff berth, as they continue to prove everyone wrong when it comes to their abilities on the field.  
 
Will benching Matt Ryan help the Colts?
Earlier this week, the Colts decided it was best to bench the quarterback responsible for some unfortunate NFL records, in the hopes of jump starting their team and keeping their longshot, but active playoff hopes alive and well, will such a move make a difference? Honestly, I don’t think so. Because while Nick Foles is indeed a talented QB that has a Super Bowl ring, it’s the coaching that is as much to blame here. Because Jeff Saturday is awful and did little to solidfy what was a victory last week. So, expect more ugly offense from Indy, and maybe it’s for the best. So, we can move onto teams that have a shot at a Super Bowl and so the Colts can quietly go find a qualified coach and end this awful experiment.

Week in and week out, the New York Football Giants continue to surprise. Because despite their record and their mistakes, this team refuses to quit, and they continue to hang with teams they have no business hanging with. And this week, they are taking on a team that took a right cross from a very bad Colts team before striking back and that… means we should be in for quite the game. One that could go poorly for the Vikings if they Giants decide to give it their all, and this is one that could be a shootout since the Giants can score. As to who wins, that’s hard to say, but I think the edge goes to the Vikings. But don’t be surprised if the Giants surprise them, as they have done with the rest of the league, all season long.

​This is a game of note, simply because there is a lot riding on wins here. For both of these teams aren’t quite in the playoffs yet and have had to battle hard to even be in the mix. That means we should be in for quite the intense battle, one that will see Cincy and the Pats score a plenty since neither team really has an elite defense and they’re of course, desperate to get into the tournament and know a win here will bring them one step closer to that. But in the end, I’d wager that Cincinnati will be the winner here. Simply because they have better offensive coaching and better weapons and while it might be close, the Bengals should walk out of this one with the victory they so desperately need to try and defend their standing as the AFC Champion.

​This game is without a doubt, the biggest that Week 16 has to offer. Because this one, is a battle for the NFC East, one that oddly… could go the underdog’s way… maybe. For Jalen Hurts is out with a shoulder injury and he’s been playing amazing football this year and his absence could help the Cowboys lock up a huge win. However, at the same time, Gardner Minshew is starting in his stead and he… is no slouch. Because time and time again, he’s taken the field and impressed mightily with his nothing to lose approach to football and if he gets hot, well things might not go so well for Dallas. But even then, there’s still a chance that the Cowboys can win, which means the winner of this game is up in the air, but the good news is… the fans should be treated to one epic Divisional showdown, one that will help shape the playoff picture in the NFC.

This is it football fans, the home stretch. That leg of the season where hope springs eternal or sorrow reigns supreme. For ups and downs are what the playoff push is all about and we are going to be treated to some epic games and storylines this weekend. The kind that will leave us talking for days on end depending upon the outcome of certain critical games. Either way, this is an exciting time to be a football fan and with that in mind, let’s dive right in and preview Week 15 in the NFL and the majesty it is going to send our way. 
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Hopefully the NFL does a better job of spotting concussions this weekend.
This might not be a topic that anyone wants to pour over before another weekend of football, but look, it needs to be addressed. Because we’ve seen some scary moments when it comes to concussions and head injuries this season, one of which took place this past week when the league failed to spot a concussion to DaVante Parker. Which means all of these moments were/are avoidable if people just did a better job come game time and hopefully this weekend those critical employees do. So, we don’t have to bear witness to the horror of watching a pro football player struggle to stand straight because someone phoned it in.
 
Do the Bucs stand a chance at saving their season this weekend?
It is definitely safe to say that Tampa Bay is spiraling the drain right now. Because they look awful in every phase of the game, Tom Brady is not himself on the field and to make matters worse… they’re about to face off against the resurgent and fiery Cincinnati Bengals. Leaving all of us to wonder if this game is going to be another nail in the coffin for the Bucs and oddly enough… in the long term, this pending loss may bring them little harm. Just because the NFC South is a rotten division with no clear hero at the moment. So, they could lose this game, and still make the playoffs because of that strength of division. So, for the Bucs, it isn’t over until it is over, but don’t expect them to achieve anything special this weekend, because Cincy is a damn good team.
 
Expect Kansas City to lock up a playoff spot this weekend.
Thus far, only one team is in the tournament, since Philadelphia punched their ticket with a win last week, leaving all of us to wonder who will join them in the postseason as well, and one team that should easily pull off such a feat, is the Kansas City Chiefs. For all they have to do to clinch a berth in the postseason, is beat the Houston Texans. Which should be a fairly easy task to accomplish. Because the Texans are a mess and while they gave Dallas a scare, they’re not good enough to beat a top-tier team such as KC. So, expect the Chiefs to handily lock up a playoff spot this weekend and enjoy another AFC West Division Title in the process.

​Truly, late season divisional battles are just… some of the best football you see all year. Because both teams want the Division Title and the benefits that come with that, and this game is one that will feature a hard-fought battle for the NFC West. Since the Niners and the Seahawks are number one and number two in the NFC West respectively, and Seattle is chomping at the bit to gain traction in the division and a win here would help with that and of course… San Fran wants nothing more than to continue their wild hot streak, one where they have been utterly dominating their opponents with amazing play from their third starting quarterback this year. Of course, they too want the division, and they will likely win this game. Because the Niners really are a talented team and know how to win against difficult opponents.

​This is another divisional battle of note, simply because… there’s no guarantee the team with the better record will win here. Because over the past few weeks, the Bills have been an utter mess. Their vaunted pass rush has all but disappeared and the secondary is supremely porous. Not to mention, the offense is all over the place and that’s led to some ugly games for Buffalo, and that undoubtedly has Miami chomping at the bit to take the field for this game. Because they could feasibly win this one in epic fashion, since they have the drive and have surprised sloppy teams all season long. So don’t be shocked if this battle for the AFC East goes Miami’s way, because the Buffalo Bills are genuinely struggling right now.

​Normally, the Washington Commanders aren’t a team worth spotlighting. Because their poor play has made them an afterthought for some time now. But they’ve been hot at the right time, thanks in large part to quality play from Taylor Heinicke and they are taking on a Giants team that went from red hot to ice cold in a matter of weeks. But they’re still a squad of scrappers, regardless of their struggles to close out games. Which means, this should be a hard-fought Sunday night matchup, one that will either be a wild shootout or a defensive battle royale, and honestly… I am hard pressed to declare who will win this game. Because these teams are so evenly matched, but it will certainly be a lot of fun to watch them both fight hard for a shot at the playoffs.

It really is quite amazing to know, that only a handful of weeks remain in the NFL regular season. For it feels like yesterday that the season was getting underway, and hope was present for every team’s fanbase in the league. But alas, this is it, the home stretch is upon us and that means we are in for a weekend of critical games. Some that will inform some teams what their future plans need to look like in the off season, while others will come to discover what they are made of as the mad dash toward the playoffs, continues. With that in mind, let’s dive right in and explore what the less fortunate teams and the juggernauts are hoping for as Week 14 in the NFL gets underway.
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Will Cleveland get a better performance out of their ridiculous investment in Watson this weekend?
Make no mistake about it, Deshaun Watson’s return to the NFL was a joke. Because not only did he remind us of what a poor decision it was to trade for him since fans made it clear what they think of the NFL’s decision to let him play with so many accusations hanging over his head, but his on the field performance stunk too. The result of being away from football for years on end. So, will he improve this weekend? Eh, it’s 50/50. Because two years removed, combined with external pressures mentally, whilst facing a resurgent Bengals squad is a recipe for disaster and if that’s the case, oh well. For the Browns need to reap what they have sown, and Watson needs to be humbled.
 
Can Pittsburgh pull off an epic upset against the Ravens?
On paper, the Ravens appear to be ready to conquer the Steelers on Sunday. But in reality, that might not be the case. Because their star QB is injured and might not play, and the lowly Broncos informed everyone that this team is beatable if you offer up the right kind of defensive structure against them. One that involves some heavy blitzing and press coverage and that is something that Pittsburgh can do with their dynamic defense. The only question is if they can keep their offense in gear since it can be suspect at times. But if they can put up some points and if that defense can hold, then a massive upset might be in the cards.
 
Can the Bucs beat the Niners?
One would think that being down to your third string quarterback, would be a death sentence for your season. But the Niners continue to defy the odds regarding that. Because Brock ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ Purdy was dynamic under center on Sunday, and he is facing a Tampa Bay defense that actually… he might be able to beat. For they are beat up and suffering through injuries and Brock has nothing to lose by going out and balling. So don’t be shocked if come Sunday, the Niners manhandle Tom Brady and his boys. Because their defense is solid, and they keep rolling on offense, despite their injury woes at the most important position in the game. 

​Normally, I would expect the Bills to run roughshod over the Jets on their way to an AFC East title. But uh… the Bills are struggling right now. Because their defense is so bad at the moment that it would struggle to stop a tortoise on its way to the end zone and Josh Allen isn’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard either. Not to mention, the Jets beat the Bills last time they met this season, giving them confidence and a chip on their shoulder. So, this game is of note because it might be an upset game, one that will rattle the power structure of the AFC East if the Jets pull this one off, and they truly might. Because Buffalo just isn’t quite as good as advertised.

​This is another game that might surprise fans expecting an easy win for the Philadelphia Eagles. Because the Giants have proven themselves to be a scrappy team this year. One that doesn’t go quietly into the night and will quite literally hang with their opponent until the clock hits zero, and that’s something that the Eagles haven’t faced often enough this season. So, there’s a chance that this one could be a knockdown, drag it out brawl. One that might end in an upset, or a close score, and that’s never a bad thing. Since the fans will benefit greatly from a good ol’ fashioned NFC East Battle Royale, one that in the end, I think, the Eagles will win. Just because they really are eager to lock up the NFC East and they seem to have learned their lesson regarding underestimating their opponent.

​This is another matchup that appears to be lopsided in nature since the Dolphins are 8-4. But that 8-4 record isn’t quite as solid as one might hope. Since the Miami defense has struggled often this season to close out games and it really has fallen upon Tua to make magic happen on the field. And they are in fact, facing a strong Los Angeles squad, on offense at least. Since their defense has had its struggles as well. That means, this is a game that could be an outright shoot out. One that seemingly will either come down to a single play or a single mistake. But in my opinion, it is going to come down to which defense steps up and makes those critical stops. Because that’s what’s held these teams back from true glory all season long and in my opinion, it will be Miami that pulls that off. Since they do have a slight edge talent wise on the defensive side of the ball.

One thing that we can all agree upon, is that this has been… a supremely weird football season. One where parity has brought forth some shocking moments, and where a lot of drama has taken place. Simply because we’ve seen legends go full diva this year and we’ve watched some teams outright implode and embarrass themselves along the way and well, it would seem the drama is only going to continue this weekend. Amid the playoff push no less, thanks to the return of one controversial player and well… let’s take a moment and discuss all that drama and spotlight some important games as well before Week 13 in the NFL gets underway.
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The Cleveland Browns most embarrassing mistake to date (which is saying a lot) takes the field on Sunday.
We haven’t spoken much about the whole Deshaun Watson debacle in this weekly article and with good reason. Because Watson has been suspended and working to get his way back to the field. But Sunday will mark his return to the league after facing some hideous allegations and settling them behind the scenes and well, this is of note because… this is going to bring forth a lot of ugliness this Sunday and rightfully so. Since many if not all of Watson’s accusers will be in the stands to remind him that there are a lot of unanswered questions surround him and of course… this is going to serve as a fine reminder that the league continues to handle such matters in a terrible fashion. Because once again, a man that has abuse allegations surrounding him, has been rewarded. This time with a new team, and a new contract and this is just embarrassing and hopefully some lessons come out of this. In that, the league has to stop putting profits over people and properly punish those that break the league’s rules and laws, and above all… stop rewarding this bad behavior with mountains of money and silence.
 
Will a loss at Baltimore finally bring about change in Denver?
Let’s be honest, the Broncos aren’t walking out of M&T Bank Stadium with a win. They stink on offense; their defense is overworked. So, barring a miracle, they’ll go 3-9 on Sunday and continue to wound Broncos Country in the process. Which then begs the question. Will this be the last straw at Dove Valley and finally prompt GM George Paton and CEO Greg Penner to make a coaching change and end the Nathaniel Hackett experiment? Honestly… who knows? Because at this point, we’ve heard little from Paton or Penner on the matter outside of votes of confidence in London. Which is troubling, because we simply don’t know what the new ownership group stands for, and their actions determine that, and thus far, there’s been no action. So most likely, it will be more wait and see from Denver, as the football world tries to figure out if the new ownership group is committed to excellence, or the same mediocrity that the Bowlen Trust stood for.
 
With Aaron Rodgers banged up, will the Bears finally beat the Packers?
Aaron Rodgers has stated before that he owns the Chicago Bears and well, there’s some truth to that. Because he is 23-5 against the team and always finds a way to make their life hell when they play. But he’s pretty beat up this weekend, and suffering from a bevy of rough injuries, which does lead one to wonder if by chance the Bears might sneak out a big win here against a battered and bruised #12 and the answer is… not likely. Because this is hands down, a better team than the Bears, and when a rivalry game is on the line, you know the defense and the offense are going to rally behind their beat up QB to help him to the win. So, expect this one to be ugly for the Bears as the Packers renew their ownership of the Chicago Bears.

This is a game of note, simply because the Pats have a chance at winning this one. Which is something I don’t think anyone would have believed possible earlier in the season. But the year is long, and things change as it continues along… as evidenced by where Buffalo is at. Because despite having a record that teams would give draft picks up for, there’s a lot wrong with the Bills. Their defense is porous and unable to generate a pass rush at the moment, and the offense is shaky at best and that’s led to some close games and ugly losses. So, if the Pats can exploit the Bills’ weaknesses, they’ll walk out of this game with a big win. One that will keep them alive in the playoff race.

​Truly one of the biggest surprises of the season, has been the Washington Commanders. Because this team was forgotten and left for dead not that long ago. But a quarterback change and some downright effort has made them a potential playoff contender and they are facing… a similar team. For no one thought much of the Giants this year either and they too, have pleasantly surprised with a wonderful turnaround season. Which means that this is going to be one hell of a game. Since both squads are closely matched and play hard. As to which team wins this one, I think it will be the Giants. Because they are on a mission right now and do boast a slightly better roster than the Commanders.

​One would think that the Kansas City Chiefs have the edge in this game. Because they’ve only lost twice this year, they have a roaring offense and the Bengals have had to fight for every win this season after a rough start. But this is in fact, a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game, which the Bengals won in overtime, and they are coming into this game hungry and motivated and ready to win. That means, we are going to be in for an intense matchup. One that could be another shootout between these two teams as two top-tier quarterbacks sling for the win and honestly… it’s up in the air in my mind as to who is the clear winner in this one. Because both of these teams are hungry for a victory. So really, in the end, it’s the fans that win here. Since they get to be treated to a quality game.