We entered the final stretch of the regular calendar. Four weeks from now on that will be very, very entertaining, with 28 of the 32 teams in contention for a playoff berth.
There are 24 franchises that have at least six wins, the highest in NFL history going into Week 15.
Yet no team has made the postseason, just the third time that has happened since 1990.
At this point in the season, he relies more on defenses that accept the fewest points and teams that run the ball the best.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Kansas City (-3) en Los Angeles Chargers
After starting the season 4-4, the Chiefs have won six in a row and again look like not just a contender, but the rival to beat in the AFC.
And no, it’s not thanks to Patrick mahomes.
The Kansas City defense has been on an intractable plan in the winning streak, allowing 10.8 points per game and sparking 16 turnovers, the highest in the NFL since Week 8, including five in Sunday’s beating of the Raiders.
In that span, the Chiefs are with a +10 differential in terms of turnovers and we already know the importance of ball exchanges in this league.
The offense, however, cannot boast that progress. And let no one be confused with the 48-9 over Las Vegas. 54.6% of the points scored by Kansas City since Week 8 have been against the Raiders.
Against Las Vegas they averaged 44.5 points; In the other four games? 18.5.
Defense of Steve Spagnuolo He has an interesting challenge on Thursday night, when the Chiefs (9-4) visit SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Chargers (8-5), who have won two in a row and in those triumphs scored 41 and 37 points.
Justin Herbert he has begun to show the level that earned him being named Offensive Rookie of the Year. In the last four, the young Chargers gunman averages 319.2 passing yards per game, with 11 touchdowns and four interceptions.
In Week 3, Herbert smashed the Kansas City defense with four hits to the end zone. Repeating the dose this Thursday will not be so easy.
Herbert (8,158) needs 39 yards to break his NFL record. Andrew Luck (8,196) of the most yards for a quarterback in his first two seasons. With 178 yards he will equal Jameis Winston as the only ones with 4,000 in each of his first two seasons as a professional.
The Chiefs are going to miss up front Chris Jones, team leader with seven quarterback sacks. Jones has tested positive for COVID-19 and is unlikely to play this crucial divisional matchup in the AFC West.
Without Jones in the equation, coach “Spags” will resort to more blitzes to force Herbert to pitch earlier than desired or – if the plan works perfectly – to make mistakes.
Mahomes is looking for his third game in a row against the Chargers with at least 250 yards and two touchdowns. The Kansas City quarterback typically has solid performances on Thursday nights, with six passes to the end zone, zero interceptions and a 119.5 rating in three outings at TNF.
El pick: If there’s anyone who can stop Kansas City’s winning streak, it’s the Chargers, but the Chiefs defense will have Herbert better studied and won’t make the same mistakes as in Week 3. Chiefs 23-20 Chargers
REMINDER:
EVERY SEASON SINCE 1996, at least 1 team that played on Championship Sunday, missed the playoffs the following year.
Current status of those teams:
Packers 10-3 (No. 1 seed)
Bucs 10-3 (No. 2 seed)
Chiefs 9-4 (No. 3 seed)
Bills 7-6 (No. 7 seed) pic.twitter.com/oVWDxn4K9b— NFL on CBS ???? (@NFLonCBS) December 15, 2021
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SURE PICK
Carolina at Buffalo (-10.5)
Losses to Bill Belichick and Tom Brady surely taught coach Sean McDermott’s team many lessons. Bills 31-19 Panthers
UPSET
New England and Indianapolis (-2.5)
A tough test for New England’s defense (115.8 rushing yards per game in the most recent seven) to contain Jonathan Taylor, who is averaging 140 yards in the last five. Patriots 23-20 Colts
TWO MINUTE DRIVE
Las Vegas at Cleveland (-3)
The COVID-19 outbreak in the Browns is almost as big as the Raiders’ troubles. Cleveland 33-20 Las Vegas
Arizona (-13.5) in Detroit
Losing to the Rams derailed the train for the Cardinals, who now don’t look like Super Bowl material. Arizona 34-19 Detroit
Houston en Jacksonville (-3.5)
At what age did you realize that Urban Meyer is a fiasco? Texans 27-20 Jaguars
New York Jets in Miami (-9.5)
The Dolphins last won six games in a row in 2016. That year they finished 10-6 and made the Playoffs. Miami 27-19 NY Jets
Dallas (-10.5) en New York Giants
Yes, something is wrong with Dak Prescott, but the Cowboys quarterback is 8-0 in the most recent eight against the Giants. Dallas 28-18 THE Giants
Washington en Philadelphia (-4.5)
Can Washington’s defense contain Jalen Hurts? Eagles 24-14 WFT
Tennessee (-2) en Pittsburgh
D’onta Foreman and Dontrell Hilliard have done a good job covering Derrick Henry’s absence. Titans 27-20 Steelers
Cincinnati en Denver (-1.5)
Denver’s defense lacks the spotlight, but it is second-best in points allowed per game, at 17.5. Broncos 24-17 Bengals
Atlanta at San Francisco (-9)
Coach Kyle Shanahan has done a terrific job in the second half of the season and his team is 5-2 in the most recent seven. 49ers 33-23 Falcons
Green Bay (-5) en Baltimore
Even if he plays, Lamar Jackson (ankle) won’t be 100% against one of the best defenders in the league. Packers 27-19 Ravens
Seattle en Los Angeles Rams (-7)
Mark the Rams as one of the teams that has started to play better when it matters most. Los Angeles 30-20 Seattle
New Orleans and Tampa Bay (-11.5)
The Saints have won six in a row regular season in this rivalry, including three to Tom Brady. No more. Tampa Bay 31-17 New Orleans
Minnesota (-3.5) en Chicago
The Vikings dream of the Playoffs; the Bears dream of a new coach. Minnesota 28-17 Chicago
OVER/OVER
Chiefs vs. Chargers UNDER 52.5
Patriots vs. Colts UNDER 45.5
Broncos vs. Bengals UNDER 44
In the past week: 10-4
In the season: 126-83
Ariel: 133-77
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