The NFL Roundup - Week 15

​Written by John Edward Betancourt

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One of the biggest reasons that football fans everywhere are so passionate and invested in this sport, is the sheer fact that fans can truly share in the emotional experience of the game. Players often wear their hearts on their sleeves and with 70,000 plus people surrounding them, their passion, or their heartbreak somehow spreads throughout the stadium…or through the television set and well…as we approach the final three games of the season, you can already feel the intensity that comes with this final push toward the playoffs. We know our boys are hungry to win, and desperate to prove to everyone that they’re the best and because we feel what they do, we know they are going to give us their absolute best when they take the field as we join them on a rollercoaster ride of thrills and emotion that will give us plenty to talk about long after these games have come to an end, because football is an experience, a living story if you will and here are the top stories that we will be keeping an eye on this weekend.
 
Can the Denver Broncos win what could be their biggest game of the year?
The Broncos have undoubtedly spent the last week doing some soul searching after their devastating loss to the Tennessee Titans and well…hopefully something good comes out of all that reflection. Because on Sunday, they take on their greatest challenge to date this year, the New England Patriots and if they want to have any shot at making the playoffs, they have to beat them, but the question is...can they? Truth be told the odds don’t seem to be leaning in their favor. While their defense is strong and will harass Tom Brady all day long, the offense is an absolute mess. They can’t run the ball. The offensive line is akin to Swiss cheese and they love to turn over the ball. The only way they stand a chance is to correct those mistakes, the same issues they had when they faced the Patriots in the playoffs last year…so yes it is possible. But considering the lack of leadership on this team and the players inability to come together to play as a unit, there’s a fair chance the Patriots leave Denver with the win.
 
Will the coaching change in Los Angeles provide the team with a spark?
The Los Angeles Rams will take the field with a new head coach on Sunday since Jeff Fisher was relieved on his duties earlier this week and you know that every single fan of this team is hoping that this coaching change will finally give the Rams the spark they so desperately need, however…those same fans shouldn’t get their hopes too high about something magical coming out of this. Unfortunately, this late in the year, bad habits have settled in when it comes to this team, to the point where it’s a fundamental to them so a lot of the ugly play we’ve been accustomed to when it comes to L.A. will continue, but it’s not all bad news. A new coach means a fresh set of eyes and new ideas to bring to the gameplan so we can definitely expect this team to try some new things and possibly see some points come out of it, but until they get a permanent head coach and a new scheme and start fresh in the offseason…these last three games are going to be rough.
 
Will the Kansas City Chiefs tighten their grip on the AFC West?
Kansas City has defeated both the Broncos and the Raiders to claim the coveted number one spot in the AFC West, but seeing as to how the lead in this division has changed hands several times, can they maintain their status as king of the mountain? The answer is absolutely. They are going up against a mediocre Tennessee pass defense, so the gameplan will most likely involve a heavy dose of Travis Kelce and any other receiver that finds themselves open, with a side of punishing defense since you know Eric Berry and the bunch will do their best to shut down the Titans run game. Sure the Titans will get in a few good plays here and there but in the end, the Chiefs are the better team and they will walk away from this one with a decisive win.
 
Will the San Diego Chargers play spoiler again?
There is nothing that the Chargers enjoy doing more this time of year than surprising elite teams with painful losses because hey…why not? If they can’t enjoy the playoffs, then why should anyone else? It’s that ‘we don’t give a damn’ mentality that makes them dangerous late in the season and they face off against a strong Raiders team, but one that is also licking their wounds after that ugly loss to Kansas City. So you know that Philip Rivers is chomping at the bit to throw some touchdowns and make Oakland rue the day. Unfortunately, I don’t think San Diego will win this game since they have been devastated by injuries this year, but they will make a game of it and probably keep the score close and who knows, I could be wrong and they’ll overcome the injuries and deliver another loss to the Raiders.
 
Will the Dallas Cowboys rebound from their loss to the Giants?
Dallas is a darn good football team and I have to say I was quite surprised to see the ‘sky is falling’ mentality pour out from the fans over the fact that New York figured out how to beat this incredible team and well, the good news is, Dallas gets the opportunity to quiet any doubters by beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, that may not be an easy feat since Tampa Bay is playing some lights out football right now and they will no doubt follow the playbook that the Giants did in order to improve their own playoff standing. Which means that there’s a good chance this game is going to be a hard fought battle for sixty minutes, one that I think the Cowboys will come out of as the victor.

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