Week 14 Recap
With the Cowboys and Raiders losing in Week 14, the two longest winning streaks in the league were snapped. Dallas was unable to secure a first round bye, but they still hold the top seed in the NFC. Oakland’s loss could prove to be far more detrimental. The Raiders dropped from the top seed to the fifth seed after losing in Kansas City on Thursday. After sweeping the season series over Oakland, the Chiefs control the rights to a first-round bye.
Up to six teams can clinch at least a playoff berth in Week 15 and as many as five division titles can be locked up, if things break just right.
Week 15 Prime Time Games
Thursday Night Football – Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks
Saturday Night Football – Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets
Sunday Night Football – Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Dallas Cowboys
Monday Night Football – Carolina Panthers @ Washington Redskins
What to Watch for in Week 15
Lock of the Week – Washington Redskins cover (-4.5) vs Carolina Panthers
The quarterback matchup should tell the entire story in this game. Over the last six weeks, Kirk Cousins has been one of the most efficient passers in the league. Completing over 68% of his passes and posting a 13-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He’ll be facing a Panthers defense that ranks 31st in pass defense this season.
On the other side of the ball, Cam Newton has gone four straight games with a completion percentage under 50%, the first time a quarter has done so since 2012.
Matchup of the Week – New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos
This game could prove to have massive playoff implications as the Patriots still have to fight off Kansas City and Oakland for the top seed in the AFC, while Denver is just hoping to make it into the playoffs. New England’s passing game has been nearly unstoppable since Tom Brady’s return, but the Broncos boast the top pass defense in the league. Denver has no chance to keep pace with the Patriots in a shootout, so this game will depend heavily on whether or not the Broncos defense can keep it close until the end.
Player to Watch – LeSean McCoy (Running Back, Buffalo Bills) vs Cleveland Browns
Buffalo is the most run-heavy team in the league and this week they will face a Browns defense that ranks 31st against the rush, allowing almost 130 yards per game on the ground to opposing backs. Favored by double digits, Shady McCoy should post his sixth 100-yard game of the year as the Bills are expected to run the ball early and often.
TJ Hernandez is an editor at 4for4.com and the founder of RosterCoach.com. You can follow him on twitter @TJHernandez.
*The blog is for entertainment purposes only and in no way should be used in making wagers of any kind.