NFL Week 15 reaction: Top 5 storylines
With a wild weekend of football behind us, lets give our NFL Week 15 reaction and project the top five storylines for Monday morning.
5. AFC North is a battle like none other
Most divisions are decided by this point. In fact, the Green Bay Packers were the first team to clinch a playoff berth this year, taking the NFC North crown. But in the AFC North, the first and last-place teams are separated by less than a game. All four squads are saddled with six losses, and there are still a host of games to be played between the quartet. The winner is going to be decided with the next three weeks. There’s a chance the losers all miss the postseason.
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4. Buccaneers lose, and might have lost more with injuries
It was a tough Sunday night for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With a 9-0 defeat to the New Orleans Saints, the Buccaneers fell to 10-4 on the campaign. While they’re still going to win the NFC South, the possibility of falling out of the top two NFC seeds come playoff time is real. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, Tampa Bay saw receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, along with linebacker Lavonte David and running back Leonard Fournette all leave with injuries.
3. Jaguars now in line for No. 1 overall pick in 2022 NFL Draft
After the Detroit Lions shocked the NFL world and smoked the Arizona Cardinals, the Jacksonville Jaguars moved into the top slot for the 2022 Draft. Jacksonville finished off being swept by the Houston Texans, putting it only two losses away from having the top overall pick for the second straight year. The Jaguars have a chance to win this upcoming week, though, with the New York Jets being across the field.
Read: NFL Week 15 Reaction – Notes And Observations
2. Bills-Patriots play for AFC East title on Sunday
This weekend shifted the situation in the AFC East. The New England Patriots entered with a two-game lead but lost to the Indianapolis Colts, while the Buffalo Bills handled the Carolina Panthers to halve the advantage. With the teams playing in Week 16 at Foxboro, the Patriots can essentially clinch the division with a win. Conversely, the Bills move into the top spot with a win, and have a very easy remaining schedule.
1. Chiefs, Packers control their destinies in playoff pictures
This one is short but sweet. The Kansas City Chiefs are all alone atop the AFC at 10-4, riding a seven-game winning streak. If they win out over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos, it’s over. Meanwhile, the Packers are 11-3 and only need to win twice against a slate of the Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings and Lions.
