NFL: Week 14 – Upsets Aplenty

Any Given Sunday reigned supreme in Week 14. Even teams that were terrible for weeks jumped up for wins.

Week 14 Recap

• Jets Explode in 2nd Half – Where was this Zach Wilson all season? After the game was tied 0-0 at the half, Wilson led to points on almost every drive in the 2nd half: TD, TD, Fumble, TD, FG, FG, FG for a resounding 30-6 win over a team fighting for the playoffs. Give him credit and the D played very well, 301 yards, 2 TDs. A little too late.
• Bears Roar Over Lions – Admittedly, I was in attendance for this one, and after a good 2nd Quarter by the Lions who trailed 10-0 at the quarter took a 13-10 lead at the half. In the 2nd half, the Bears dominated the Lions. Now, Coach Dan Campbell helped going for 4th down multiple times which led to CHI FGs, but the Lions D could not stop QB Justin Fields (233 yards passing, 58 yards rushing, 2 TDs) and the Bears O, 28-13.
• Bengals Get 2 In A Row – I have to admit I’m surprised the Bengals haven’t folded up their tents on the season with Burrow out. QB Jake Browning has been good (275 yards passing, 2 TDs, 1 INT), and Zac Taylor has been calling fun plays that gets all the weapons involved. CIN won going away and actually have a real shot at the playoffs now at 7-6, as they beat the Colts (who was also in the mix for a playoff spot), 34-14.
• Browns Outlast Jags – JAC Trevor Lawrence did play in this one, but he threw 3 INTs and QB Joe Flacco (311 yards passing, 3 TDs, 1 INT) played well hitting wide open CLE receivers all day, as the Browns win this one, 31-27. Explain to me why JAC’s HC Doug Pederson went for 2 down 4 with 1:33 to play? Well, who knows.
• SF Rolls Again – The 49ers are healthy and a machine. Yes, Purdy wasn’t perfect, but he had WR Deebo killing it again with 150 total yards and 2 TDs, and RB Christian McCaffrey (16 carries for 145 yards rushing) getting it done for the 28-16 win.
• Bills Have Life – Maybe this team plays better with their backs against the wall, as they have to almost win out to make the playoffs. QB Josh Allen continued to play at an MVP level, 233 yards passing, 32 yards rushing and 2 TDs. He made a throw fading to his left on the sideline with 2 defenders in his face for a crazy completion for a 1st down that I’m not sure even Mahomes could have made. KC had their chance to win, but a very unpopular Offensive Offsides penalty (the right call) negated a TD late, which both Mahomes and HC Andy Reid will get fined over complaining after the game. Bills move to 7-6 with the 20-17 win.
• The Boys Are Rolling – We expected a showdown in Jerry’s World as PHI came to town, but this game wasn’t really close. The DAL D did not allow a TD in the game, and QB Dak Prescott (274 yards passing, 2 TDs, 0 INTs) is now the odds on MVP with yet another great game. DAL moves to the 2 Seed in the NFC, but they will need to earn it in the next 2 weeks with the 33-13 win moving to 10-3.
• Tommy Cutlets – QB Tommy DeVito has been quite a story. A practice squad rookie QB who lives with his mom in NY with his crazy agent and dad in the stands. Well, Tommy Cutlets (158 yards passing, 71 yards rushing, 1 TD, 0 TOs) has won 3 straight games for the Giants. He played well against a playoff contending Packers team. It was fun to see. In their 24-22 win, DeVito led a game winning FG drive in the last 2 minutes to get the win.
• Remember the Titans – Trailing 27-13 with 4:34 to play in the game, the Titans previously winless on the road this season somehow mustered back to back TD drives (going for 2 on the first one) and winning the game 27-27. Rookie QB Will Levis got it done throwing for 327 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT.

Predictions: S/U: 3-1, ATS 2-2, Totals: 3-1 – Best week overall so far, finally!

Injuries:

• Chargers: QB Justin Herbert, Broken Finger (Likely Out for rest of the season)
• Texans: QB CJ Stroud, Concussion (Questionable), WR Nico Collins, Calf (Questionable)
• Browns: OT Dawand Jones, Knee (Out)
• Cowboys: DT Johnathan Hankins, Ankle (Questionable)
• Chiefs: RB Isiah Pacheco, Shoulder (Questionable)
• Raiders: RB Josh Jacobs, Knee (Questionable)
• Vikings: WR Justin Jefferson, Chest (Questionable)
• Eagles: S Reed Blankenship, Concussion (Questionable)
• Steelers: OLB TJ Watt, Concussion (Questionable)

Wegs Index Through Week 14

1. Cowboys (10-3, 2.50 Index) – Don’t look now, but the Boys are on top of the Index after the big win over PHI – 1st in PPG, 1st in Point Differential.
2. 49ers (10-3, 2.67) – SF is still great, but maybe they were getting bored allowing Drew Lock to move the ball on them on Sunday.
3. Ravens (10-3, 4.50) – Ravens D didn’t look great, but Lamar is slinging the rock.
4. Bills (7-6, 7.67) – I had wrote the Bills off, and their schedule continues to be tough, but Josh Allen is willing this team to play great.
5. Dolphins (9-3, 9.67) – The Fins will eventually play better teams, but for now, they continue to crush bad opponents.
6. Chiefs (8-5, 10.00) – I’ve said it for weeks, the O isn’t good enough – 11th in Points Scored (22.5 PPG), plus -7 in TO Differential. They can’t win the Super Bowl like this.
7. Saints (6-7, 11.50) – NO is confounding, but 3rd in Points Allowed keeps them in the mix.
8. Lions (8-5, 13.00) – The Lions D falls to 25th in Points Against at 24.2 PPG. Not good enough.
9. Texans (7-6, 13.00) – HOU without Stroud and the weapons will fall quickly.
10. Vikings (7-6, 13.33) – HC Kevin O’Connell deserves COY votes. No Jefferson (who got hurt again) and Cousins, and this team is 7-6. DC Brian Flores is in a zone – 5th in Points Against (18.6 PPG).

Fantasy Playoffs Week 1

Simple – start your hottest players and blue chip guys. Don’t pick up some guy you heard about on the wire unless you absolutely need to – replacements for CJ Stroud or Josh Jacobs. Ride your studs. Don’t get cute.

Marquee Matchups in Week 15

• Broncos at Lions (-5, 47.5 Total) – Saturday, 12/16 at 7:15 PM Central on NFL Network – 2 teams going in opposite directions. Still, DET has to find a way to turn this around or the NFC North could slip through their fingers. DEN has played very well since the MIA beatdown. I still don’t believe in this team, but not sure the Lions are the team that can do it. How can DET lay -5 against a potential playoff team? DET should win the game, but I’ll take DEN +5. Total will be Over 47.5.
• Cowboys at Bills (-2.5, 50.5 Total) – Sunday, 12/17 at 3:25 PM Central on FOX – What a matchup!! DAL comes off the big win over PHI and BUF beating KC. So, potential letdown for both squads, yet BUF can’t sleep. Their playoffs began a few weeks ago. For that reason, I think they end the DAL win streak and Cover -2.5 (as much as I want DAL to win the NFC East for my future ticket). Total is Under 50.5, both Ds are playing at a level to hold this score. Plus, who knows what the weather will be in BUF.
• Ravens at Jags (+3.5, 43.5 Total) – Sunday, 12/17 at 7:20 PM Central on NBC – Another great matchup in prime time. The Jags did not look great at CLE, and they have struggled at home. Still, they really need this game, so I think they will play better than the past 2 weeks. Jags win this game, somehow and Cover +3.5. Total Over 43.5 – BAL D can be had, as can JAC.
• Eagles at Seahawks (+4, 48 Total) – Sunday, 12/17 at 7:15 PM Central on ABC – PHI is sucking wind right now. They now need to fly across the country and play again in prime time. SEA needs to stop the bleeding, too. I do think that Geno Smith needs to play for this handicap, but I think SEA will play well. I think this is more of a shootout. So, not as much value at +4, but I’ll take the home dog in this one to cover, but PHI gets the win. Total Over 48.

We are in the final stretch.

Wegs