The NFL Roundup 2021: Week 15 Preview

Written by John Edward Betancourt

​Hello again, football fans and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup, one that is full of concern. Because we might see pure chaos in the NFL this week. Because Covid has returned to the league with a vengeance and that might lead to some incredibly wild games, the kind that end in an upset. Plus, with five teams vying for a playoff spot in the AFC, that too could lead to some epic upsets in a year where that seems to be the norm. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and look at all the critical games and incredible storylines that are waiting for us in Week 15 in the NFL.
 
The Jacksonville Jaguars might win a game now that Urban Meyer is gone.
You don’t normally have a lot of hope that a 2-11 team is going to win a game this late in the season, but that hope has returned to the city of Jacksonville. For Urban Meyer was unceremoniously and rightly fired yesterday, freeing this team of his ego and his special brand of narcissism and that hope everyone is feeling in Jacksonville, is justified. Because now Meyer’s boring and conservative playbook can be tossed out and Trevor Lawrence can be turned loose against the Texans. So don’t be shocked if the Jags win and win big, because their biggest liability is gone forever.
 
The return of Covid might shake up the playoff landscape.
Truth be told, this reporter lost count of how many tweets and updates hit his phone regarding players that were put on the Covid 19/Reserve List this week, because there have just been so many and that’s going to make this weekend’s games quite interesting. Because there might be third string quarterbacks starting in Week 15 and teams that had their playoffs hopes riding on their upcoming Week 15 games, might see them dashed all because of the league’s relaxed standing on Covid Protocols. So, here’s to hoping this weekend doesn’t end up being a total disaster in regard to team suffering from major outbreaks, and let’s also hope… the NFL goes back to testing players on a daily basis on every team, so that outbreaks can be contained, quickly.
 
Will the Cardinals rebound from their tough loss last week?
I’ve said before and I’ll say it again, great teams overcome adversity and figure out how to put bad losses behind them and thus far, the Cardinals have done that to a tee and sadly, they have to attempt to do that once again, since their devastating loss against the Rams was a tough one to swallow and honestly, I think they’ll rebound nicely. Because they’re in Detroit to play the lowly Lions this week and that team is such a mess through and through in every phase of the game, that the Cardinals should easily put them away. An outcome that will remind them of the fact, that they are still one of the best teams in the NFL right now.

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The Most Fascinating Games to Watch This Weekend

Thursday Night Football
Kansas City Chiefs (9-4) at Los Angeles Chargers (8-5)
SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, California
8:20 p.m. EST – FOX/NFL Network

It’s been a long time since someone has genuinely challenged the Chiefs in the AFC West, and it would seem the Chargers are up to that task. For they have been balling all season long and tonight they have a shot to take down the kings of the AFC West, and this has the makings of an incredible game. Because it features two great quarterbacks, it is in prime time and there is a lot on the line. Since the Chiefs want their sixth straight division title and the Chargers want a shot at the postseason. So, this one could be a shootout and that’s not a bad thing by any means. Because AFC West games are at their best when the quarterbacks get hot and give it their all to lead their team to victory and honestly, I’m not sure who will win this one… since the Chiefs defense is suspect, and the Chargers sometimes struggle to close out games. But I can say, the fans win here, because this is gonna be a good one.

Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) at Denver Broncos (7-6)
Empower Field at Mile High – Denver, Colorado
Sunday, December 19, 2021 – 4:05 p.m. EST – CBS

​You always have to love a game where everything is on the line and that’s precisely what we are going to get here. Because both the Broncos and the Bengals have endured an up and down year, one filled with epic wins and heartbreaking losses and uncertainty regarding the playoffs. But they can easily put all those problems to bed with a big win here since that would put a streak together for the Broncos and help the Bengals feel as though they’re on track again and most important of all, it would bring the winner closer to the playoffs. Which means this will be a hard-fought and fun game, one that I honestly think the Broncos will win. Because they’re starting to jell and understand what it means to win and that desire to finally emerge from the darkness should push them to put the Bengals away.

Green Bay Packers (10-3) at Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
M&T Bank Stadium – Baltimore, Maryland
Sunday, December 19, 2021 – 4:25 p.m. EST – FOX

​Surprisingly, our interest in this game goes well beyond the fact that it is two great teams taking the field. No instead, what makes this game so fascinating, is the sheer fact that there is an air of desperation surrounding it. Because the Packers are coming off of an unexpected loss and the Ravens haven’t been playing good ball as of late and with so many teams nipping at the heels of the Packers and the Ravens for a playoff spot or better seeding, both teams know they have to bring their A game to the table here and I think they will. Because both squads have been to the playoffs often and understand the importance of getting in. But of course, only one team can win and if I had to call which one, I’d go with Green Bay. Just because they have the better squad all around.