The NFL Roundup 2018: Week 15 – What We Learned

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

​Just like that, there are only two weeks left in the 2018 NFL regular season and honestly, this past weekend’s slate of games have left me a tad melancholy that the season is coming to its end. Because once again, we were treated to some powerhouse games and big-time upsets and epic stories abound. So, it’s best we don’t waste any time today and get right down to discussing everything we learned from Week 15 in the NFL.
 
The Chargers were downright impressive on Thursday Night.
I had a feeling that the Thursday Night game was going to be a blast to watch and I was right, since this one turned out to be quite the back and forth affair. But what matters more here, is that the Los Angeles Chargers ended up looking incredibly impressive in primetime since they didn’t let the score or the clock get the better of them, and their patience paid off in spades since they upset the mighty Chiefs on their own home turf and really, the lesson here, is that it’s best fans don’t sleep on the Chargers. Because clearly, they can ball and hang with the best of them and if a good team gives them a grand opportunity, they will most certainly exploit it.
 
The Eagles are a different team with Nick Foles at the helm.
Let’s be honest, 2018 has not gone the way that Eagles fans would like, since the defending Super Bowl Champions have been lackluster at best. But Sunday night, with Nick Foles filling in for the injured Carson Wentz, this squad looked the Eagles of a year ago. They simply played inspired football, the kind that allowed for the defense to step up and neutralize Jared Goff and of course, allowed for the offense to click because they were firing on all cylinders and Foles, well he was simply Captain Cool under center and I hate to say it, with his contract expiring this offseason, Philly may be facing a quarterbacking conundrum since this team tends to play better with #9 running the offense.
 
The Chicago Bears are NFC North Champions.
Often times when I listen to sports radio in the morning, I hear a consistent debate as to which matters more, the players or the coaches, and of course I hear cases for one being more important than the other, often. But the fact of the matter is, both pieces have to be present for a team to have stunning success and for proof, look no further than the Chicago Bears. Because they were loaded with talent yet listless under John Fox. But with Matt Nagy at the helm, and the fine addition of Kahlil Mack to the roster, they’ve gone from worst to first in the NFC North since they clinched their first division title in ages and well, I tip my cap to this well-deserved accolade and look forward to seeing what the Bears can accomplish in the playoffs.
 
Lamar Jackson is a breath of fresh air in Baltimore.
Sometimes things get stale on a football team. The coach’s message may no longer be reaching the players, or certain players get comfortable with their status and position on the team and honestly, I think that’s what happened at quarterback in Baltimore. Because the offense under Joe Flacco for the past couple of years has been ho-hum, and without any excitement or substance. Enter Lamar Jackson. A first round rookie who has changed the narrative this year and put the Ravens in playoff contention for the first time in years and well, this kid really is a blast to watch. He can do it with his legs, he can…mostly do it with his arm and if he leads Baltimore to the postseason, expect the talk about Joe Flacco’s exit to only grow louder since this kid is doing everything you can ask for and more on the field, but most importantly, he’s leading this offense and energizing it.
 
The New England Patriots are a team in decline.
There was a time when a rough patch for the Patriots, meant they were trailing behind in a game and few would worry about it because Tom Brady would step it up and find a way to score however many points they needed to win. But in 2018, this team looks like a shell of their former selves because the defense is downright terrible, and this once prolific offense isn’t anything to write home about either. They simply look like they’re in a funk and in all honesty, I think this may be the beginning of the end of the New England dynasty. Because Brady does not seem like himself at this point in time, and his receivers are struggling with his wild inaccuracy and if this kind of play continues, expect a quick exit from the playoffs from a team that is clearly in decline.  

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