Apologies for the absence of Week 15 information. Just to get caught up (and account for the fact few will be online to read anything this week), in Week 15, the Browns beat the Ravens, the Bengals beat the snot out of the Buccaneers, and the Steelers squeaked by the Panthers.
This week was a little different.
Saints 17, Browns 10
In a weekend termed “absolutely brutal” from a weather perspective in much of the USA, this game certainly fit the proverbial bill. The sub-freezing temperatures and unceasing gusts of frigid wind combined to ruin the passing attacks of both teams (177 combined passing yards), so both employed their rushing attacks to compensate. The Saints proceeded to gain 152 yards via the ground attack, including 76 yards and a TD from all-purpose RB Alvin Kamara. The Browns wrangled 92 tough yards out of RB Nick Chubb, who managed to provide some measure of reliability in a game that fostered little of it. Neither defense made much of a show, proving again that Mother Nature remains the best defender the game has ever seen.
Bengals 22, Patriots 18
…and let’s reverse the script. In Foxborough, it was so cold, neither team could muster a running game of any consequence. After posting a 22-0 halftime lead, Cincinnati didn’t play much second-half defense, allowing the Patriots to come within four points and a game-winning drive from stealing a victory. Bengals QB Joe Burrow played an uneven game, tossing three TD passes alongside two INTs among his 52 (!) attempts; it’s become clear that the Bengals need a more consistent rushing attack to counterweight their offense if they’re going to go far in the playoffs. LB Logan Wilson was the Bengals’ best defender, with nine tackles, a sack, and numerous QB hurries to his credit.
Falcons 9, Ravens 17
The Ravens relied on an old, pre-QB Lamar Jackson-era game plan to dispatch the Falcons, employing their suddenly-good defense (14 points or less given up in six of their last seven games) and their improving running game to provide the bulk of the offense. RBs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins combined for 158 rushing yards while QB Tyler Huntley managed 115 through the air, with no receiver pulling in more than three catches. The Ravens secured a playoff berth with this win, and credit has to be extended to the acquisition of LB Roquan Smith, whose 15 tackles easily led the way for the defense.
Raiders 10, Steelers 13
Historically a Steelers tormentor, this season’s Raiders have been a marked disappointment after securing a playoff berth and lots of controversial headlines in 2021. To secure the winning points, Steelers rookie QB Kenny Pickett threw a TD to WR George Pickens with just 44 seconds remaining, keeping the Steelers mathematically alive in the playoff chase with two games remaining. TE Pat Freiermuth contributed seven catches for 66 yards to lead all receivers, while LB Robert Spillane added 12 tackles to lead the defense. DE Cam Heyward continued his Pro Bowl-earning ways with seven tackles and two sacks.
Stay warm and safe this New Year’s Eve.
