2019 NFL Week 15 Predictions

The weather may be colder, but the football is only heating up from here, with many teams on the cusp of elimination. These last few weeks are the most important in any given football season, with any game being make or break. Who is going to get knocked out this week, and who is going to stay alive? Let’s find out with my picks for this weekend’s games.

Playoff Scenarios

AFC Clinching Scenarios

Ravens Clinch AFC North: Win or Steelers loss/tie

Ravens Clinch First Round Bye: Win + Patriots loss/tie, or win + Chiefs loss/tie, or tie + Chiefs loss

Ravens Clinch Home-Field Advantage: Win + Patriots loss + Chiefs loss/tie

Bills Clinch Playoff Berth: Win

Patriots Clinch Playoff Berth: Win/tie

Clinched: Ravens, Chiefs

AFC Elimination Scenarios

Broncos Eliminated: loss, or Steelers win/tie, or Titans/Texans tie

Raiders Eliminated: loss + Steelers win/tie, loss + Texans/Titans tie, or tie + Colts loss + Titans clinch at least a tie in strength of victory

Colts Eliminated: loss, or tie + Steelers win/tie

Browns Eliminated: loss + Steelers win/tie, loss + Texans/Titans tie, or tie + Steelers win

Already Eliminated: Dolphins, Jets, Bengals, Chargers, Jaguars

NFC Clinching Scenarios

Packers Clinch Playoff Berth: Win + Rams loss/tie, or tie + Rams loss

Niners Clinch Playoff Berth: Win/tie, or Rams loss/tie, or Vikings loss + Packers loss

Seahawks Clinch Playoff Berth: Win + Rams loss/tie, or win + Vikings loss, or win + Packers loss + Vikings tie, or tie + Rams loss

Clinched: Saints

NFC Elimination Scenarios

Bears Eliminated: loss + Vikings win, or loss + Rams win

Already Eliminated: Giants, Falcons, Cardinals, Lions, Redskins, Buccaneers, Panthers
Last Week’s Score: 9-7

Overall Score: 130-78

Thursday Night Football: New York Jets (5-8) @ Baltimore Ravens (11-2)

Lamar Jackson has become the second quarterback in NFL History to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. If that doesn’t give him the MVP, I don’t know what will. They had a defensive battle against the Buffalo Bills, but in the end they came out on top and clinched a spot in the playoffs. Now they control their destiny to not only win the AFC North, but can nab the #1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a little bit of shenanigans. The Ravens are going to do their part and crush the New York Jets.

Prediction: Ravens

Philadelphia Eagles (6-7) @ Washington Redskins (3-10)

The Redskins have finally been eliminated from playoff contention. The Redskins got beaten down and have some key injuries to Ryan Kerrigan, Derrius Guice, and Dwayne Haskins. Respect to Dwayne for his toughness, but this game proved that Washington has learned nothing from the RGIII situation. Haskins shouldn’t have been playing on that bad ankle. The Eagles beat the New York Football Giants in overtime on Monday Night Football, putting themselves in position to overtake the Dallas Cowboys and first place in the NFC East. They’ll do just that, even with a bunch of practice squad receivers. The Redskins are going to do everything in their power to hand Philly the game. Let’s hope they don’t screw it up.

Prediction: Eagles by 20

Houston Texans (8-5) @ Tennessee Titans (8-5)

Man, the Texans got smacked last week. They let the Broncos put up 38 points. Even with that loss, they’re still technically in first place of the AFC South. Now, we’ll have to see if they can hold on to that lead because they got a pivotal matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans are riding a four game winning streak thanks to yet another lights-out performance from Ryan Tannehill. He completed 78% of his passes and threw for 391 yards. Honestly, he is the guy going forward in Tennessee, and if I were Mike Vrabel, I’d build the offense around him. I’m going to pick the Texans to rebound, win this game and be in position to clinch the division.

Prediction: Texans

Miami Dolphins (3-10) @ New York Giants (2-11)

For the second week in a row, the Miami Dolphins are going back to the Meadowlands. They barely lost to the Jets, but they remembered they had to preserve the tank. Now they have a super tough test in store in terms of the New York Football Giants, who have lost their ninth straight game. Right now this game is all about draft position. The Giants have the second pick, and the Dolphins have the fourth pick. In this crapfest, I’m going to pick the Giants to continue to tank and secure the second pick in the draft.

Prediction: Dolphins

Chicago Bears (7-6) @ Green Bay Packers (10-3)

I’m surprised that the 200th meeting of the NFL’s oldest rivalry isn’t on primetime television. The Chicago Bears are in a dangerous position right now. They need to win out essentially to get in the playoffs. Mitchell Trubisky has played well over the past couple of weeks, throwing for 300+ yards and leading the Bears to crucial wins over the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys. Mitch needs to play the perfect game to upend A-Rod and the Packers at home, and for Khalil Mack to be the killing machine he’s supposed to be. I’m expecting this to be a close game, and I’m going to pick the Packers to come out on top.

Prediction: Packers

New England Patriots (10-3)  @ Cincinnati Bengals (1-12)

A lot of people are giving up on New England after they lost back to back games, although this one had a little bit of referee shenanigans. Now they’re in to Cincinnati, and they’re going to easily rebound. This is basically going to be like playing a game of Madden on rookie.

Prediction: Patriots

Seattle Seahawks (10-3) @ Carolina Panthers (5-8)

The Seahawks were upset last week on Sunday Night Football, but still have a playoff spot locked up. Now they play a rebuilding Carolina Panthers, whose interim head coach will be in for a bad time. The Seahawks are going to win and win big.

Prediction: Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7) @ Detroit Lions (3-9-1)

Jameis Winston is having the best season of his career. He is three touchdowns away from beating his career high, and already has hit his career highs in passing yards, interceptions, and sacks. Like my friend Brodie says, if they get a better defense and Jameis cuts down in his turnovers, the Bucs could be scary next year. Now they’re playing the fellow sadsack Lions, who have lost their sixth consecutive game, the second longest losing streak in the league behind the Giants. I just think that this is going to be the game where Jameis Winston looks like the franchise guy he’s supposed to be as the Bucs blow the Lions out of the water. As long as Jameis doesn’te decide to throw a b unch of picks.

Prediction: Buccaneers

Denver Broncos (5-8) @ Kansas City Chiefs (9-4)

Congratulations to the Chiefs for not only beating the Patriots, but clinching the AFC West. Everyone in the NFL rejoiced that day, and the Chiefs now have another shot at the big dance. Getting a first round bye though, will require a nice amount of shenanigans. But The Chiefs could have a tough challenge in the Denver Broncos, who have seemed to finally found their answer at quarterback in Drew Lock. If you guys remember back a couple of months ago, The Chiefs won in a close game thanks to the injury to Patrick Mahomes. Well, Pat’s healthy this time around, and I think that the wrath of Mahomes will be poured out on the Broncos. This game will not be pretty.

Prediction: Chiefs

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9) @ Oakland Raiders (6-7)

This is an important game in the history of the Oakland Raiders. The reason is that this week’s game is the soon to be Las Vegas Raiders’ final game in Oakland before the move next year. I’m sure that the Raider Nation is going to be very appreciative and not completely boo the Raiders off the field and destroy the place. Raider fans don’t have a violent reputation or anything, the Black Hole is a shadow of what it used to be. Last week Jacksonville was murdered by the Chargers, letting Rivers not only get out of his slump, throwing for 314 yards and three touchdowns without throwing a single pick. I’m going to pick the Raiders to end their time in Oakland on a high note with a win. I just hope they get out of there as fast as they can. The hatred and rioting will be legendary.

Prediction: Raiders

Cleveland Browns (6-7) @ Arizona Cardinals (3-9-1)

Two former Heisman Trophy winning teammates at Oklahoma are going to duke it out. These teams may still be in the rebuilding stage, but this should still be a pretty entertaining game to watch. The Browns continue to have problems, with Odell allegedly wanting out of Cleveland, and Freddie Kitchens losing the team. It’s obvious that he isn’t the right answer at head coach, and the Browns will once again be on the search. The Cardinals lost a close one to the Steelers. They played well, but at the end of the day they were outcoached by Mike Tomlin. The Cardinals have the potential to be an electrifying team, it just takes some time for a proper rebuild. I’m taking the Browns to win in a shootout.

Prediction: Browns

Minnesota Vikings (9-4) @ Los Angeles Chargers (5-8)

The Chargers have been eliminated from playoff contention, and Rivers has gotten out of his slump, with back to back games with a QBR of over 100. I wish that the Chargers won a game or two more, because they’re way too talented to have this kind of record. The Vikings easily dispatched of the Detroit Lions, remaining one game behind the Packers. I’m going to pick the Vikings to beat the Chargers on the road, and get ready for a very pivotal NFC North matchup against the Packers on the night before Christmas Eve.

Prediction: Vikings

Atlanta Falcons (4-9) @ San Francisco 49ers (11-2)

The Niners and the Saints had the game of the year last week, with the Niners proving that they’re the top team in the NFC. All the Niners have to do is win this week and they’ve officially locked up a playoff berth. If the Niners beat the Rams next week, then not only have they locked up the NFC West, but they’ll all but guaranteed to have the top seed in the NFC. Atlanta beat down the Panthers and their new head coach Perry Fewell. This game isn’t going to be like the Niners-Saints game last week, but more of a complete and utter beatdown. I’m going with San Fran.

Prediction: Niners

Los Angeles Rams (8-5) @ Dallas Cowboys (6-7)

Don’t worry Cowgirl fans, Garrett will be fired after y’all lose in the divisional round. That is, if y’all even make it to the playoffs. The Dallas Cowboys have lost three games in a row, and now four of their last five games. Now they squandered what should’ve been an easy runaway division lead. The Eagles are in the driver’s seat now. Next week is pivotal because the winner of that game wins the dumpster fire that is the NFC East. The LA Rams had a statement win last week against the Seahawks, potentially ruining their chances of winning the NFC West. For both of these clubs, winning is the name of the game if they want to get to the big dance. I’m going with the LA Rams to keep up their momentum, and potentially bury the Cowboys.

Prediction: Rams

Sunday Night Football: Buffalo Bills (9-4) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5)

Last week was a minor setback for the Bills, but all they have to do now is win and they’re in for the second time this millennium, and the second time in three years. This is the best Buffalo has looked in years, and with a mountain of shenanigans, The Bills could win the AFC East and get a first round bye in the playoffs. They have a tough test in a battered but still valiant Pittsburgh Steelers squad with their third string QB, Devlin ‘Duck’ Hodges. Hodges. Honestly, my pick for coach of the year this year is Mike Tomlin. Why? Because he’s lost his megastar running back and receiver in the off-season, his starting and backup quarterbacks, and James Connor, yet still has the Steelers in the thick of the playoff hunt. This game is going to be a tight defensive battle, but I’m going to pick the Bills to lock up a playoff spot.

Prediction: Bills

Monday Night Football: Indianapolis Colts (6-7)  New Orleans Saints (10-3)

The Saints came up short in a game for the ages. More than 130 first downs, 900 combined yards, and 93 combined points. Wow. What a game. They still have a chance at possibly getting a first round bye, but still don’t have much to worry about in the playoff scope since they’ve already clinched the NFC South. Now they play the Colts, who are in ‘win now mode,’ because the next game they lose, they are done. They lost to the Buccaneers in a shootout last week, even with Jameis’ attempt at giving them the game. I’m going to go with the New Orleans Saints to eliminate the Colts, and try to get the second seed in the NFC.

Prediction: Saints

The Life & Legacy of Roger Staubach

There have been many great players to have worn the legendary star in Dallas. Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, Troy Aikman, Emmett Smith, Bob Hayes, etc., but perhaps there hasn’t been a greater player during the Tom Landry Era than Roger Staubach. He was the living embodiment of the Cowboys during the America’s Team era, and was fittingly nicknamed Captain America. Even after decades since he last took a snap, Roger the Dodger is still a beloved icon in the hearts of the Dallas Cowboys faithful. Here’s a look back at the life & legacy of Captain Comeback, the Hail Mary originator, Roger Staubach.

Early Life, Collegiate Career & Military Service

Roger Thomas Staubach was born on February 5, 1942 in Cincinnati, Ohio and grew up in Silverton, a nearby suburb. He was a picture perfect All-American kid, being in the Boy Scouts and went to St. John’s Evangelical Catholic School. He graduated from Purcell High School (now called Purcell Marian High School) in 1960, the year the Dallas Cowboys were founded. After a year at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, Roger went to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and played as the Midshipmen’s quarterback. As a third-class Midshipman (or a sophomore), he got his first opportunity to play QB against Minnesota, going 0 for 2, and getting sacked twice in a 21-0 loss. Roger played relief the next week against Cornell, helping lead six touchdown drives, throwing for 99 yards and two scores, while running or 88 yards and another score. A few weeks later, Roger started in the famous Army-Navy game, scoring three total touchdowns in a 34-14 win. In his junior season, Roger won the heisman trophy, throwing for 1,702 yards, seven touchdowns, seven picks, along with 168 yards and nine touchdowns. Roger also won the Maxwell award & Walter Camp trophy while leading the Midshipmen to a 9-1 record and a ranking of #2 in the country. Earlier on in that season, Navy defeated their rivals Notre Dame. They wouldn’t beat Notre Dame again until 2007. Staubach was also on the cover of Time Magazine the week after the assassination of president John F. Kennedy. Navy lost to the #1 ranked Texas Longhorns to close out the season. In 1964, Navy had a bad season, finishing with a 3-6-1 record. Roger’s career totals at Navy are 313 of 494, 3,799 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions. On the ground, Roger had 357 carries, 635 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also had 1 catch for -16 yards. The Academy retired his #12 jersey, and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981. Due to his color-blindness, Roger was sent to the Supply Corps while he was a junior. After his graduation, he was given the rank of Lieutenant. Declining an assignment in the U.S., Roger had a one year tour in Vietnam. He was a Supply Corps officer at the Chu Lai base, which was a secondary air base providing relief for the Da Nang Air Base until 1967.

Captain America

Roger Staubach was selected as a tenth round future pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1964 NFL Draft. He was also selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFL Draft. In 1968, Roger was at Dallas Cowboys Training Camp, using up most of his annual military leave. He wouldn’t properly suit up for the Cowboys until 1969 due to his military service. He spent 1969 on the bench, only coming in on relief, throwing for 421 yards. In 1970, he stayed on the bench behind Craig Morton. That year, the Cowboys lost to the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V. He started three games, throwing for 582 yards, two touchdowns and eight interceptions. Although Craig Morton started the 1971 season as the starter, Roger took the job after a loss to the Saints. There was a famous game against the Chicago Bears, where Staubach and Morton were rotated after each play. He remained the starter for the rest of the year, throwing for 1,882 yards, 15 touchdowns, along with 343 yards and two scores on the ground. Roger led the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl win, in a 24-3 beatdown against the Miami Dolphins at Super Bowl VI, where he was named Super Bowl MVP. He missed most of the next season thanks to a separated shoulder, but would play in a couple of playoff games. In 1973, Roger threw for a league high 23 touchdowns. He continued to excel in Dallas, leading the Cowboys back to Super Bowl X in a losing effort against Chuck Noll’s Steelers. That season featured Roger’s famous Hail Mary pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs. As Dallas began to become ‘America’s Team,’ of course Roger Staubach earned one of his many nicknames, Captain America. In 1977, Roger led the Cowboys back to the Super Bowl, defeating the Denver Broncos and his former teammate Craig Morton. Roger led Dallas to the Super Bowl one last time in 1978, coming up short once again against the Steelers. In his final season, Roger had career highs in completions, yards, and  touchdowns. During the season, Roger suffered two concussions, and was warned by doctors that another one could have life altering consequences. He gave a tearful retirement address in 1980, and was succeeded at quarterback by Danny White. His final statistics are 1,685 of 2,958 attempts, 22,700 yards, 153 touchdowns, and 109 interceptions. He also had 410 carries, 2,263 yards, and 33 rushing touchdowns.

Later Years

In 1977, Roger started up a real estate business, the Staubach Company, which was a partner with Robert Holloway, Jr. His company became successful, and had major investors including Ross Perot. He would be the CEO of the multi-billion dollar company until he resigned in 2007. In 2008, the Staubach Company was sold to Jones Lang LaSalle for $613 Million. He was also briefly a commentator for NBC, and supported John McCain’s 2008 presidential election campaign. Fun fact: his daughter, Jennifer Staubach Gates won a City Council seat in 2013. Last November, Roger was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Legacy

Roger Staubach was part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 1985 alongside Frank Gatski, Joe Namath, recently freed OJ Simpson, and former commissioner Pete Rozelle. Of the many great players who have worn the star on their helmets, Roger Staubach seems to be in a class of his own. When people think of the Tom Landry Era of Dallas Cowboys history, Roger throwing the hail mary, or dodging out defenders is what usually comes to mind. Romo may have more records and Aikman may have more rings, but even after almost forty years, Roger is still considered by many Cowboys fans to be the greatest quarterback in Cowboys history. Back in 2010, Roger was named the greatest Dallas Cowboy of all time in a poll from the Dallas Morning News. For the Cowboys fans I know, do y’all consider Roger Staubach to be the greatest signal caller in the long history of the Cowboys? Let me know in the comments.

The Life & Legacy of Tom Landry

Tom Landry is one of the most iconic coaches in NFL History, and has the longest tenure of any head coach with one team. In fact, Landry was the team’s head coach for more than half of the team’s existence. He’s had one of the most prominent tenures any coach could have, and has coached many Hall of Famers including Bob Lilly, Tony Dorsett, Drew Pearson, Randy White, and Roger Staubach. Although he had a controversial firing, he is still beloved and respected not just in Dallas, but throughout the NFL. Here is a look at the life & legacy of the ‘Man in the Funny Hat,’ Tom Landry.

Early Life & Military Service

Thomas Wade Landry was born on September 11, 1924 in Mission, Texas. He had three siblings, Robert, Ruthie and Jack. Tom played quarterback for the Mission High School Eagles, and led them to a 12-0 record his senior year. He went to the University of Texas at Austin as an industrial engineering major, but left after a semester to serve in the United States Army Air Corps. He was inspired to do so after his brother Robert’s plane was shot down close to Iceland. He did his basic training at Sheppard Field near Wichita Falls, Texas, which is now Sheppard Air Force Base. Landry did his preflight training at what is now Kelly Field Annex in San Antonio, Texas. At 19 years old, Landry was sent to Sioux Falls, Iowa, where he was training to be a B-17 copilot. He was assigned to the eighth Air Force, 493rd squadron in Ipswich, England. He later earned his wings and the rank of 2nd Lieutenant at the Lubbock Army Air Field, and was assigned to the 493rd Bombardier Group at RAF Debach, England as a copilot for a B-17 Flying Fortress in the 860th Bombardier Squadron. From November 1944 to April 1945, Landry was on 30 combat missions, and survived a crash landing in Belgium after his plane ran out of fuel. After the war, he went back to the University of Texas and played fullback & defensive back for the Longhorns. While at UT, he was part of the now banned Texas Cowboys, and in the Omega Chapter of the Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. He graduated from UT in 1949, then went back and got his master’s degree in Industrial Engineering.

Playing Career

In 1949, Landry was drafted by the New York Yankees in the AAFC, then got sent across town to the New York Giants in 1950. Landry was drafted in the seventh round as a ‘futures pick,’ which meant that NFL teams could draft underclassmen, then hold their rights after they graduated. He was offered $6500 by the Yankees, which he used to pay for his wedding to his college sweetheart, Alicia. He got his first action after the Yankees’ starting punter went down. He was the backup running back and his first start would come against the Cleveland Browns juggernaut led by Otto Graham while playing corner. He got burned, as the receiver he covered set the AAFC record for yards in a game. After the game, Landry celebrated the birth of his son. After the AAFC folded, Landry went to the New York Giants, where he would continue to punt for the next few years before retiring in 1955. In his career, he had 32 interceptions, recovered seven defensive fumbles and had five touchdowns. As a punter, he had 389 punts for 15,900 yards and averaged 40.9 yards per punt.

Coaching with the Giants

In 1954, Tom Landry was the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants, and their offensive coordinator was the legendary Vince Lombardi until 1959. They went to three NFL Championship games, winning in 1956, infamously losing during the ‘Greatest Game Ever Played,’ and lost again in 1959. While serving as the defensive coordinator, Landry innovated the 4-3 defense to center around Sam Huff, and he would coach in New York until 1959.

Starting in Dallas

Tom Landry was hired to be the head coach for the expansion Dallas Cowboys in 1960. The first season had a bad start, going 0-11-1 and with 5 or less wins in the next four years. Despite that, Landry was given a 10 year extension by Cowboys owner Clint Murchison, Jr. The Cowboys improved to a 7-7 record in 1965. Tom Landry wouldn’t have another losing season until 1986.  Over the next two years, he went up against his former coaching colleague in Vince Lombardi in the NFL Championship including the famous Ice Bowl game. In 1969, Roger Staubach finished his Navy tour and suited up to play in Dallas, forming the heart & soul of the Cowboys.

America’s Team

The Cowboys made their Super Bowl debut against Don McCafferty’s Baltimore Colts. The Cowboys lost the game 16-13, but Dallas rebounded the next year and won their first Super Bowl against the Miami Dolphins. Although they would continue to be in the divisional or NFC title game, Dallas would make their next Super Bowl in 1975, losing to fellow coaching juggernaut Chuck Noll’s Steel Curtain. Two years later, Tom Landry won his second Super Bowl, crushing the Denver Broncos thanks to the might of Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett, Randy White, and the Doomsday Defense. They would come up short to the Steelers at Super Bowl XIII thanks to a dropped pass by Tight End Jackie Smith. After their run of dominance in the 70’s, Roger retired and Dallas began to crumble. Landry would go to the NFC Championship three more times, and would have his first losing season in 1986, going 7-9. In 1987, Dallas went 7-8 and 3-13 in 1988. Shortly after Jerry Jones bought the franchise, Tom Landry was fired. He met with his players with tears in his eyes, and the team gave him a standing ovation. He was replaced by Jimmy Johson, Jerry Jones’ former teammate at the University of Arkansas. Bum Bright, the previous owner before Jones said he wanted to fire Landry back in 1987, but there wasn’t a suitable replacement. His record in his 29 seasons as coach is 250-162-6. His Dallas Cowboys have been to the NFC Championship ten times, and if you include the NFL Championships, it is a dozen times. In 1990, Tom Landry was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame alongside Bob Griese, Jack Lambert, Ted Hendricks and Franco Harris.

Final Years

After getting fired, he spent his last years quietly before passing away on February 12, 2000 after struggling with leukemia. His funeral was at the Highland Park Methodist Church and is buried at Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.

Legacy

Tom Landry was a true innovator of the modern game, with his largest contributions being the shotgun offense and the 4-3 defense. Landry also innovated the use of keys to help a defense determine what an offense might do. He also brought the shotgun offense and preshifts to the NFL, although he didn’t invent it. Landry had an astonishing 20 consecutive winning seasons, and is widely regarded to be one of the greatest coaches of all time. He has the second most playoff wins of any coach in NFL history, and his 20 consecutive winning seasons are an NFL record. The closest person is Bill Belichick, who if the Patriots have a winning record this season, will have had 19 consecutive winning seasons. Although the Cowboys won three Super Bowls after Landry was fired, they’ve been struggling to be consistent for almost twenty five years. None of them, not even Bill Parcells has consistently righted the ship after coach Jimmy Johnson left, although there is the foundation and talent to do so. There won’t be another head coach who comes close to Tom Landry in Dallas, regardless of their record or championships because he helped define the Dallas Cowboys for almost thirty years.