This week may have one of the best schedule of games ever (1 Viewer)

[gianmarco]

There are some weeks in the NFL where I look at the schedule and just shake my head as there's virtually nothing of interest. Usually, there's a couple must-see games that make a week exciting. This week, so late in the year, I don't think I've ever seen a lineup of games with so much excitement and meaning to them. Let's get started:

SF (5-8) @ SD (7-6) : The playoff hopes of both of these teams rests on this game. Both teams have really improved their play as of late and this looks to be a great matchup. While SD is favored to win, I wouldn't put it past SF to make this incredibly exciting.

NO (10-3) @ Balt (9-4) : Anything else need to be said about this? This game is huge for NO trying for the top seed in the NFC. Baltimore can't afford to lose if trying to win the division. Which leads me to the next game....

NYJ (9-4) @ Pitt (10-3) : These 2 games are most definitely tied together. This is NYJ chance to right the ship. Two defensive minded, cold weather, heavy running teams battling it out late in the year.

GB (8-5) @ NE (11-2) : GB's last chance for a shot at the WC with the way things going. Is Rodgers going to be back? Playing the hottest team in the NFL right now. Should be fantastic.

Chicago (9-4) @ Min (5-8) : Fierce rivalry with big playoff implications for Chicago playing on the road. While Chicago SHOULD win, when these 2 teams meet, you never know what might happen.

Jax (8-5) @ Indy (7-6) : Can't be any more obvious. This is HUGE to win the division and likely means playoffs or not for either team. These teams always play each other closely as well. Should be fantastic.

Philly (9-4) @ NYG (9-4) : Again, anything else need to be said? This should be the game of the week with the way these 2 teams are playing.

KC (8-5) @ StL (6-7) : This game is HUGE for both of these teams. Both are clinging to a division lead. This should be an exciting game to watch, esp with Cassel coming back most likely.

Remaining games:

Atl @ Sea : Atlanta should win this but this is not a gimme game on the road. A loss with a NO win would be terrible for them

Det @ TB: If TB has any shot, they need to and should win this.

Hou @ Tenn : Unfortunate these 2 teams couldn't be slightly closer although I don't think either is completely eliminated yet.

Den @ Oak: Oakland still with an outside shot, esp with a KC and SD loss and the H2H advantage (forgot to add them to start)

Buff @ Mia: Always a fun rivalry. Not much else.

Wash @ Dallas : See above.

Clev @ Cincy: See above.

Ari @ Car : This is one that most wouldn't care if it wasn't played.

There are 8 FANTASTIC matchups. Man, I can't wait for this week!!!

 

[fasteddie_21]

 

[gethugefast1]

Jax (8-5) @ Indy (7-6) : Can't be any more obvious. This is HUGE to win the division and likely means playoffs or not for either team. These teams always play each other closely as well. Should be fantastic.

Live in Orlando. Going to drive up to Jax (about an 1 hour to 1 1/2) and see what scalpers have.

 

[Shutout]

Yup, great slate of games with lost of ramifications. Good posting.

I know the NFL changed their scheduling some to prevent the "shut it down" situations like we sometimes see where teams rest all their starters the last week or two.

Whether its coincidence or a byproduct of this late season emphasis to get divisional games at the end of the season, it certainly appears to be working this year.

 

[HULLOBUDMAN]

ALmost makes me wish I was going to stay home and watch the NFL package. Too bad I have to go to the dome and watch Chiefs/Rams.

 

[renesauz]

ARRRGH. Thanks for the reminder. My artsy-fartsy Aunt in law decided to have her annual family Christmas shin-dig on Sunday (it's normally Saturday) and I can't figure out how to get out of it.

Won every playoff game I had last week (5) and every toilet bowl game, so have a TON to root for!

 

[gethugefast1]

ARRRGH. Thanks for the reminder. My artsy-fartsy Aunt in law decided to have her annual family Christmas shin-dig on Sunday (it's normally Saturday) and I can't figure out how to get out of it.

Stomach virus always works...just fake it with a few frequent bathroom visits late Saturday night & Sunday morning. Then get rest.

 

[Daniel Shirley]

ALmost makes me wish I was going to stay home and watch the NFL package. Too bad I have to go to the dome and watch Chiefs/Rams.

you can call it Arrowhead East this week!I know KC fans will be tailgating in the lot adjacent to Morgan St Brewery if you're looking for a place to post up pregame. And FYI if you live in STL and want to step away from the nfl package, a bunch of us watch the KC games at Weber's Front Row in Webster Grove, Chiefs games get top billing there...

 

[JaxBill]

Jax (8-5) @ Indy (7-6) : Can't be any more obvious. This is HUGE to win the division and likely means playoffs or not for either team. These teams always play each other closely as well. Should be fantastic.

Live in Orlando. Going to drive up to Jax (about an 1 hour to 1 1/2) and see what scalpers have.

umm, the game is in Indy.

But this is basically an early playoff game.

Jags win and they wrap up the division, lose and they need help to get into the playoffs.

For the Colts, if they win (and win the following two weeks), they'd win the division, regardless of the Jags due to common opponents .

 

[39407]

ARRRGH. Thanks for the reminder. My artsy-fartsy Aunt in law decided to have her annual family Christmas shin-dig on Sunday (it's normally Saturday) and I can't figure out how to get out of it. Won every playoff game I had last week (5) and every toilet bowl game, so have a TON to root for!

Alert the FFA, we have a situation.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

ARRRGH. Thanks for the reminder. My artsy-fartsy Aunt in law decided to have her annual family Christmas shin-dig on Sunday (it's normally Saturday) and I can't figure out how to get out of it.

Won every playoff game I had last week (5) and every toilet bowl game, so have a TON to root for!

The best thing to do is break a bottle over your head and claim you were mugged. Then you say you have to stay home because you need to recover from the trauma.Always works.

 

[TheWheel]

A few of those games looked good a couple of weeks ago but for the most part are gonna be blow outs. Pats are going to crush the Packers. The Steelers should destroy the Jets--it is not going to be a ground pound game. Jets can't run. Minnesota is dead. And if the Ravens have trouble beating the Texans, they aren't going even touch the Saints. They don't have the secondary.

 

[HULLOBUDMAN]

ALmost makes me wish I was going to stay home and watch the NFL package. Too bad I have to go to the dome and watch Chiefs/Rams.

you can call it Arrowhead East this week!I know KC fans will be tailgating in the lot adjacent to Morgan St Brewery if you're looking for a place to post up pregame. And FYI if you live in STL and want to step away from the nfl package, a bunch of us watch the KC games at Weber's Front Row in Webster Grove, Chiefs games get top billing there...

I actually live in WEbster Groves. I had no clue there was a Chiefs contingent close to home. My office is in Kenrick Plaza so if I do step out I usually go to Sportszone. I doubt I will even tailgate Sunday, I think we are going to 6th and Lucas across from the stadium for a warm up. The Rams tailgate situation has to be the worstin the league and almost makes me cry compared to Arrowhead. I really hope Cassel plays this week. I am not sre I can sit through another week of Croyle.

Thanks for the info.

 

[VaTerp]

True indeed. Nice write up by the OP.

Another reason that I am SO NOT looking forward to going to the Skins-Cowboys game in Dallas on Sunday. I would much ratherfind a sports bar during my stay in Texas and watch the season's best slate of games. Instead I will be watching two bad teams play and my team will find some new way to lose what will probably be a mistake filled display of at best mediocre football.

My father-in-law got the tickets so there is really no way out of going. I was really hoping they would move the Eagle-Giant game to 4:15pm so I could watch that since it has many FF playoff implications for me. Unfortunatley, I will miss that and most of the other good games. Another reason I hate the fact that I am a life long Skins fan right now.

 

[comfortably numb]

ARRRGH. Thanks for the reminder. My artsy-fartsy Aunt in law decided to have her annual family Christmas shin-dig on Sunday (it's normally Saturday) and I can't figure out how to get out of it. Won every playoff game I had last week (5) and every toilet bowl game, so have a TON to root for!

Ball cancer always lends a sympathetic ear

 

[CrossEyed]

Jax (8-5) @ Indy (7-6) : Can't be any more obvious. This is HUGE to win the division and likely means playoffs or not for either team. These teams always play each other closely as well. Should be fantastic.

Live in Orlando. Going to drive up to Jax (about an 1 hour to 1 1/2) and see what scalpers have.

umm, the game is in Indy.

You just cost a scalper some easy money.

 

[Fensalk]

SF (5-8) @ SD (7-6) : SD wins.

NO (10-3) @ Balt (9-4) : NO wins.

NYJ (9-4) @ Pitt (10-3) : PIT wins.

GB (8-5) @ NE (11-2) : NE wins.

Chicago (9-4) @ Min (5-8) : CHI wins.

Jax (8-5) @ Indy (7-6) : IND wins.

Philly (9-4) @ NYG (9-4) : PHI wins.

KC (8-5) @ StL (6-7) : KC wins.

 

[Mello]

A few of those games looked good a couple of weeks ago but for the most part are gonna be blow outs. Pats are going to crush the Packers. The Steelers should destroy the Jets--it is not going to be a ground pound game. Jets can't run. Minnesota is dead. And if the Ravens have trouble beating the Texans, they aren't going even touch the Saints. They don't have the secondary.

Yes, because the modern NFL is always so predictable.

 

[Masked Vigilante]

Jax (8-5) @ Indy (7-6) : Can't be any more obvious. This is HUGE to win the division and likely means playoffs or not for either team. These teams always play each other closely as well. Should be fantastic.

Live in Orlando. Going to drive up to Jax (about an 1 hour to 1 1/2) and see what scalpers have.

umm, the game is in Indy.

 

[Fensalk]

A few of those games looked good a couple of weeks ago but for the most part are gonna be blow outs. Pats are going to crush the Packers. The Steelers should destroy the Jets--it is not going to be a ground pound game. Jets can't run. Minnesota is dead. And if the Ravens have trouble beating the Texans, they aren't going even touch the Saints. They don't have the secondary.

Yes, because the modern NFL is always so predictable.

One very strong stat is winning teams are way over .500 in home games. Its not a lock, but by default, you'd flip through that slate and set every home team to win except MIN and STL. From that point, you ask yourself if there is any special reason why one of those winning teams are about to lose a home game? The most common reason seems to be either they are in a real funk or the visitor is on fire. So when I take a second pass I note that, even though BAL won on monday night, they aren't playing well, so I'll give NOR the win. I also picked the PHI over NYG because PHI owns NYG as of late. PHI has won the last 5 games in this series, including a playoff game.

 

[gianmarco]

A few of those games looked good a couple of weeks ago but for the most part are gonna be blow outs. Pats are going to crush the Packers. The Steelers should destroy the Jets--it is not going to be a ground pound game. Jets can't run. Minnesota is dead. And if the Ravens have trouble beating the Texans, they aren't going even touch the Saints. They don't have the secondary.

Yes, because the modern NFL is always so predictable.

And, even if blowouts, these games have major implications this late. This isn't usually the case this late in the year for this many teams. Also, there are some very good offensive teams here with the capabilities of putting up points in a hurry. What may look like a blowout to start could turn any moment (see Balt/Houston last night). At this point of the year, we're usually discussing whether or not Peyton is going to sit in week 16 or which NFC west teams are fighting for a top draft pick or how teams need to go through some impossible scenario of winning out and relying on other teams to lose to get in. There are about 16 teams that hold their own playoff fates in their hands THIS week. A win or loss by the majority of those teams listed could cost them either a playoff spot, HFA, or bye. That alone, even with blowouts, makes this exciting.

 

[BassNBrew]

Clev @ Cincy: See above.Ari @ Car : This is one that most wouldn't care if it wasn't played.

Actually these two games will be the ones I watch the closest.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

I find it stange that you omit from your entire list an epic Hatfields vs McCoy grudgematch of Denver at Oakland. Oakland still is hanging on thin playoff hopes. The Broncos will want to exact revenge for the beatdown the Raiders gave to them earlier. This is one of the best games this weekend.

C'mon, no mention? Not even as "other games"?

 

[gianmarco]

I find it stange that you omit from your entire list an epic Hatfields vs McCoy grudgematch of Denver at Oakland. Oakland still is hanging on thin playoff hopes. The Broncos will want to exact revenge for the beatdown the Raiders gave to them earlier. This is one of the best games this weekend.C'mon, no mention? Not even as "other games"?

I missed 1 set of games when I quickly posted this earlier this morning before heading out. Do you think I intentionally left it out when I put in Cincy/Clev or Ari/Car? It was a mistake.That said, it's already been corrected prior to your posting. So you might wanna check again

 

[Captain Hook]

Clev @ Cincy: See above.Ari @ Car : This is one that most wouldn't care if it wasn't played.

Actually these two games will be the ones I watch the closest.

LOL afraid your Panthers are going to blow their number one pick?

 

[TheWheel]

Implications are one thing. Good football action is another. It's just like the Pats vs Half their schedule were supposed to be good games. Jets-Pats rematch was supposed to be game of the year...dud. Same vs bears.

Let's see you start Flynn or Tavarias in your fantasy playoffs if they are going to do something special to win their games. Let's see you start the Ravens D. And I'll guarantee the Jets running game is a question mark for anybody with LT or SG.

There is no denying these games will be interesting to see and there is doubt the league is unpredictable for 90% of the league. When it comes to NO, NE or PIT it really isn't unpredictable. The only way they lose is if they don't show up. SB winning coaches don't have that happen to much. To be honest, the only unpredictable parts are injuries.

 

[The_Man]

And if the Ravens have trouble beating the Texans, they aren't going even touch the Saints. They don't have the secondary.

Ravens are 14-1 in their last 15 home games vs. the NFC. How's the Saints' road record in cold weather games?

 

[JaxBill]

Vic Ketchman on jaguars.com about the importance of Sunday's game

Kevin from JacksonvilleWe're a better team today than we were when we played them last.Vic: Yeah, the Jags are a much better team now than they were when they played the Colts on Oct. 3, but will they be a better team on Sunday than they were on Oct. 3? It’s about one day now. What kind of team are you on that one day? That’s what I love about December football. You reach a point that it’s no longer about development, it’s about now. It doesn’t matter what you did yesterday or you’re going to do tomorrow. Today is all that matters. We will reach that point in the season on Sunday.

 

[HULLOBUDMAN]

Implications are one thing. Good football action is another. It's just like the Pats vs Half their schedule were supposed to be good games. Jets-Pats rematch was supposed to be game of the year...dud. Same vs bears.

Let's see you start Flynn or Tavarias in your fantasy playoffs if they are going to do something special to win their games. Let's see you start the Ravens D. And I'll guarantee the Jets running game is a question mark for anybody with LT or SG.

There is no denying these games will be interesting to see and there is doubt the league is unpredictable for 90% of the league. When it comes to NO, NE or PIT it really isn't unpredictable. The only way they lose is if they don't show up. SB winning coaches don't have that happen to much. To be honest, the only unpredictable parts are injuries.

Yep great point. That's why the Pitt, NO and NE games shouldn't even be played. It's not like the Saints could lose to a team like the CArdinals or the Pats to the Browns.

 

[BassNBrew]

Clev @ Cincy: See above.Ari @ Car : This is one that most wouldn't care if it wasn't played.

Actually these two games will be the ones I watch the closest.

LOL afraid your Panthers are going to blow their number one pick?

yup. Clausen is playing for his job this weekend.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue

Awesome thread Gian

 

[psychobillies]

And if the Ravens have trouble beating the Texans, they aren't going even touch the Saints. They don't have the secondary.

Ravens are 14-1 in their last 15 home games vs. the NFC. How's the Saints' road record in cold weather games?

1-0

 

[The_Man]

And if the Ravens have trouble beating the Texans, they aren't going even touch the Saints. They don't have the secondary.

Ravens are 14-1 in their last 15 home games vs. the NFC. How's the Saints' road record in cold weather games?

1-0

Right - that was that dominating win at Cincy, right? Hey, I like the Saints -- I was just responding to the post that said since the Ravens got torched on the road last night, that somehow means "they aren't going even touch" the Saints. I don't believe that's true, just like I don't believe that just because the Saints had trouble beating the Bengals, it means they'll struggle vs. the Ravens.Should be a great game.

 

[Nemesis]

And here's the TV coverage map: http://the506.com/sports/?tag=2010-week-15

CBS early game: Looks like most of the country gets the JAX@INDY game or the KC@STL game

CBS late game: Looks like most of the country gets the JETS@PITT game with the rest getting the DEN@OAK game

(I feel sorry for you guys in Washington state)

FOX game: Mixed bag, but most get the PHILLY@NYG game.

EDIT to add that everyone is getting:

THURS: SF @ SD game (if you have NFLN)

SNF: GB @ NE

MNF: CHI @ MIN

 

[JaxBill]

And here's the TV coverage map: http://the506.com/sports/?tag=2010-week-15

CBS early game: Looks like most of the country gets the JAX@INDY game or the KC@STL game

CBS late game: Looks like most of the country gets the JETS@PITT game with the rest getting the DEN@OAK game

(I feel sorry for you guys in Washington state)

FOX game: Mixed bag, but most get the PHILLY@NYG game.

EDIT to add that everyone is getting:

THURS: SF @ SD game (if you have NFLN)

SNF: GB @ NE

MNF: CHI @ MIN

Ugh

Philadelphia @ NY Giants – Joe Buck, Troy Aikman

Double Ugh

Jacksonville @ Indianapolis – Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf

 

[bonesman]

ARRRGH. Thanks for the reminder. My artsy-fartsy Aunt in law decided to have her annual family Christmas shin-dig on Sunday (it's normally Saturday) and I can't figure out how to get out of it. :(

Stomach virus always works...just fake it with a few frequent bathroom visits late Saturday night & Sunday morning. Then get rest.

swine(skin)flu

 

[QuizGuy66]

Clev @ Cincy: See above.Ari @ Car : This is one that most wouldn't care if it wasn't played.

Actually these two games will be the ones I watch the closest.

-QG

 

[gianmarco]

There is no denying these games will be interesting to see and there is doubt the league is unpredictable for 90% of the league. When it comes to NO, NE or PIT it really isn't unpredictable. The only way they lose is if they don't show up. SB winning coaches don't have that happen to much. To be honest, the only unpredictable parts are injuries.

 

[The_Man]

A few of those games looked good a couple of weeks ago but for the most part are gonna be blow outs. Pats are going to crush the Packers. The Steelers should destroy the Jets--it is not going to be a ground pound game. Jets can't run. Minnesota is dead. And if the Ravens have trouble beating the Texans, they aren't going even touch the Saints. They don't have the secondary.

Looks like it's time to bet the house on the Vikings.

 

[gianmarco]

A few of those games looked good a couple of weeks ago but for the most part are gonna be blow outs. Pats are going to crush the Packers. The Steelers should destroy the Jets--it is not going to be a ground pound game. Jets can't run. Minnesota is dead. And if the Ravens have trouble beating the Texans, they aren't going even touch the Saints. They don't have the secondary.

Looks like it's time to bet the house on the Vikings.

Yep.All that aside, this week certainly didn't disappoint as there were some great games. NO/Balt was an entertaining game (even though the wrong team won)NE/GB was MUCH closer than people thought and fun to watchNYJ/Pitt was closeJax/Indy also closeAnd obviously NYG/Philly was epic