Week 12 Recap

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Kansas City Chiefs @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (27-24 Chiefs)
Mike The Ace @TheAceWriter

Two of the better teams in the NFL clashed on Sunday afternoon. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs lined up against Tom Brady’s Buccaneers. This game can be used as a blueprint for whom the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs are at their best, while also showing their biggest weakness.

The headliner of the game was star wide receiver, Tyreek Hill. Hill broke the game open early with big plays down the field, and the Bucs were fighting to keep up the rest of the way. With about 7 minutes left in the first quarter, Patrick Mahomes found Tyreek Hill deep down the right sideline for a 75-yard touchdown. The Chiefs would get the ball back on their following drive, and get the ball moving again. Mahomes would find Hill for another touchdown, this one from 44 yards out. Tyreek Hill finished the first quarter with a total of 203 yards.

With a strong first half from Hill, and a good showing from the Chiefs’ defense, this game really should have been a blowout. Patrick Mahomes had a costly red zone fumble in the 2nd quarter but the Chiefs appeared to be headed towards a 20 or 30-point win, regardless. While their high-octane passing attack is what separates the Chiefs from other teams in the league, their biggest flaw reared its ugly head as well.

With a 20-10 lead, the Chiefs were able to maneuver another solid drive that ended with another Tyreek Hill touchdown. Hill would end the game with 13 catches, 269 yards, and 3 total touchdowns. With a 27-10 lead, and 7:00 left in the 3rd quarter, Kansas City would not find the end zone again. The Buccaneers were able to stifle the Chiefs’ running game, while grabbing two interceptions off of Patrick Mahomes in the last quarter and a half. I want to give credit to the Bucs’ defense, as they made the necessary adjustments to give themselves a chance in this game.

I really wanted to see the Chiefs turn to their running backs to generate offense. LeVeon Bell & Clyde Edwards-Helaire are good at both running and receiving the football, but they didn’t get involved the way I expected them to. Andy Reid is usually a mastermind at getting the ball to his running backs, but they struggled to do so in the 2nd half of this game. 

The Chiefs have consistently had a problem with extending leads this season, and this game was another example of that. Long drives that end in points are the ideal way to seal a victory once you have the lead. Touches to the running backs generally eat up more clock, and allow the defense to get some rest. Kansas City will need to prioritize this element of their offense, or they could end up blowing a lead in the playoffs.

Tom Brady and his crew were almost able to complete the comeback, but the Chiefs offense did just enough to stay alive. It wasn’t pretty, but the defending champions moved to 10-1 on the season.

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Carolina Panthers @ Minnesota Vikings (27-28 Vikings)
DK @ayeyoo_biggs

In one of the craziest games of the year, the Vikings were able to get a game winning touchdown from an unlikely hero at the last minute. This win keeps the Vikings alive in the playoff race. This game was a thriller down to the last minute, with both teams having a chance to come out victorious. 

Kirk Cousins went 34 for 45, with 407 yards, and 3 TDs. He had a good game, overall. Kirk Cousins did have a fumble in this game though, which led to a Panthers touchdown. Dalvin Cook also had a fumble as well, which led to another Panthers’ touchdown. This helped to get  them in an early 21-10 hole. The Vikings’ defense was able to hold in the second half, making way for a comeback. 

Minnesota was about to get the ball back, down 3, with a little under two minutes left. The Panthers punted the ball back to the Vikings, but the return was fumbled by Chad Beebe. Following the recovered fumble, the Panthers had a chance to close the game out, but the Vikings’ defense held them to a field goal. 

Down 21-27, Kirk cousins drove the Vikings down the field, which led to the Chad Beebe redemption story. After working the ball down the field, Cousins found the guy who fumbled earlier, Chad Beebe, in the back of the endzone for a touchdown. The Panthers did get the ball back with time, and got a chance to win the game. The Panthers’ offense drove down the field, but the kicker missed a 54 yard field goal. 

I will say, the Panthers did not play poorly, overall. They have been in every game this year and am thoroughly impressed with the way Teddy Bridgewater has played this season. He did have an interception, but that was at the end of the game. The star today for the Panthers was rookie Jeremy Chinn. He was able to score two defensive touchdowns in less than 10 seconds. The first was on a fumble recovery following the strip sack of quarterback Kirk Cousins. The next one was on the Vikings’ very next offensive play. Chinn stripped Dalvin Cook and returned *that* fumble for a touchdown. 

The Vikings are still on the right path to the playoffs. I don’t necessarily trust Kirk Cousins, but I love the rookie wideout Justin Jefferson. His play, along with the run game led by a healthy Dalvin Cook, will give Minnesota a chance. They may be able to make a late run for a wildcard spot. 

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Week 9 Recap

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New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (38 – 3 Saints)
Mike The Ace @TheAceWriter

For those of you who tune in to the podcast, you may remember the NFC South Offseason Review episode from this summer. Towards the end of this episode, Chris, D.K., and I had a discussion about which team would win the NFC South title.

Chris & D.K. threw their support behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while I picked the New Orleans Saints to win the division. After a second Saints-Bucs matchup, it looks like my take will be correct. The Saints completed the sweep in dominating fashion, pummeling the Buccaneers on the road. New Orleans imposed their will on this game, dominating on both sides of the football. 

Offensively, the Saints like to use multiple players to keep the defense guessing. Sean Payton is a fantastic play caller, and he gives his quarterback several options on any given play. Quarterback Drew Brees completed passes to NINE different targets in the first quarter alone. The Saints drove down the field with ease the entire quarter, jumping out to a 14 point lead. 

The Saints’ defense held it down as well, not allowing a first down until about the middle of the 2nd Quarter. After the Bucs’ earned their initial, first down, Tom Brady would go to throw an interception on the very next play. Brady had a terrible night, finishing the game 22 for 38, with 209 yards and 3 interceptions.

New Orleans played this game with an intensity that Tampa Bay simply could not match. This game was over at the half, with the Saints leading 31-0.

The two Saints vs Bucs matchups we have seen do not determine the division winner just yet. The Saints have a commanding 2-0 lead on the series, but there is still plenty of football left to be played. The Buccaneers are still in good standing, sitting at a 6-3 record. The Saints are a half game ahead (6-2), but I do think the Buccaneers should be very concerned.

This matchup seems like one that heavily favors the Saints. I’ll save the details for another podcast episode, but the Saints seem to have the Buccaneers’ number. The Saints’ offensive line did whatever they wanted to do Sunday Night, and they continue to prove to be one of the best units in all of football. The NFC has some powerhouses at the top of the division, and I don’t think you can keep the Saints out of that conversation.

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Seattle Seahawks @ Buffalo Bills (44-34 Bills)
DK @ayeyoo_biggs

In a battle of two playoff contenders, the Bills and quarterback Josh Allen, proved they are the real deal. Allen continued his MVP campaign through the ground and air and dissected the Seahawks secondary. 

Josh Allen went 31-38 with 415 yards and 3 TDs, also adding a touchdown on the ground. I was thoroughly impressed with Josh Allen, and the way he lit up the once vaunted Seahawks defense. I guess we have to put in a caveat that the Seahawks are currently the 24th best pass defense in football, but this was still a big game for Allen. He delivered. I enjoyed seeing him and Stefon Diggs attack Jamal Adams and the secondary. I was impressed by the steady Bills’ defense, and the way they got after Russell Wilson. They did give up a few points at the end, but that was not inductive to the complete game they played. They held the Seahawks to 57 yards rushing, something I thought I would never see from a Pete Carroll offense.

Russell Wilson has started to have up and down performances, after starting off read hot and becoming the MVP front runner. This game, he went 21-41 for 390 yards, 2 TDs and 2 interceptions. One of those interceptions were in the red zone on a 4th & 1.The other interception was in the middle of the 4th quarter, where he was just trying to make something happen. He didn’t get much help in the run game as, as I mentioned earlier, only getting 57 yards on 17 attempts. That same offensive line also allowed Wilson to get sacked 5 times, causing two fumbles. I know we truly all went to “Let Russ Cook” but moving forward they will need more balance in the run game to help take some pressure off Russ and the offensive line. DK Metcalf does continue to be a bright spot for them with 7 catches for 108 and a TD. 

I feel like the Bills just wanted this game more. I loved the direction they’ve been going in for a while with head coach Doug McDermott, and the defense they have built. With Josh Allen and weapons like Stefon Diggs, and the emergence of running back Zach Moss, the offense continues to get better and more creative each week. 

For the Seahawks, the loss of Chris Carson is showing more and more each week. One of the former Miami Hurricanes, DJ Dallas or Travis Homer, need to step up and help out the offense and the quarterback. As for the pass defense, they are playing far below league average, and will not last long in the NFC West playoff picture if they don’t step it up. 

Week 6 Recap

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Green Bay Packers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (38-10 Buccaneers)
Mike The Ace @TheAceWriter

Through the first five weeks of the season, the Packers looked like one of the most complete teams in the NFL. Despite not having star receiver Devante Adams for most of the season, Aaron Rodgers had looked like an early MVP candidate. The Packers faced a formidable opponent this week, taking on Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Buccaneers came out very aggressively on the defensive side of the football. Bucs’ defensive coordinator Todd Bowles loves to dial up the blitz, and this week’s game plan was no different. The Green Bay offense responded well to the pressure at first, using short throws and misdirection plays to pick up good yardage.

Following a successful first quarter, the Packers seemed to be in complete control of this game. Green Bay held a 10-0 lead, and their defense was playing well. After another defensive stop, the Packers had the ball again, primed to put more pressure on Tom Brady and the Bucs’ offense. Everything changed after Rodgers was intercepted by Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean.

Dean read the route from receiver Devante Adams perfectly, making the interception along the sideline and returning it for a touchdown. Rodgers would go on to throw another pick on the following drive. The second turnover was secured by rookie safety Antoine Winfield Jr., who was able to run the ball back to the 2-yard line.

Rodgers and the Packers’ offense was never able to get back on track after the turnovers. The blitzing pressure from the Bucs defense overwhelmed the Packers’ offensive line. Rodgers was sacked 4 times and finished the game just 16 of 35, for 160 passing yards, and no passing touchdowns.

This game was all about the Tampa Bay defense. They dominated this football game, and kept a high octane offense in check. Both Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady struggled throwing the football, and the Buccaneers relied on their running game to seal the victory. The Packers offense will look to bounce back against a poor Houston Texans’ defense next week.

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Arizona Cardinals @ Dallas Cowboys (38-10 Cardinals)
DK @ayeyoo_biggs

In what was Kyler Murray’s homecoming in Jerry’s World, there were a few big highlights for Arizona.  In comparison to what was a sloppy game for their opponent, the Dallas Cowboys. 

When the season started, we touted Andy Dalton as one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league, but he didn’t have a good showing Monday. He went 34-54 with 266 yards, 1 TD, and 1 interception. The main issue though, was the play of running back Ezekiel Elliott. After both teams couldn’t really get anything going on offense, Zeke then had two fumbles on back to back drives. These turnovers put the Cardinals offense deep in Cowboys territory, and they punched in two touchdowns. This caused the Cowboys to try and use Tony Pollard to maybe switch it up, but that wasn’t much better. This was the reason Andy Dalton had to make 54 pass attempts, which you do not want from your backup quarterback. 

Kyler Murray went 9/24 with 188 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also added 74 rushing yards. He didn’t have a great passing game, outside of a few deep throws. The running game carried the team with 261 total yards, Kenyan Drake accounting for 164 yards rushing. The offense is still a work in progress, trying to work the run game into the air raid offense. I love to see Kliff Kingsbury lean on the rushing game, especially with the Cowboys having the 31st rank rush defense. 

I still like the Cardinals even though their offense isn’t clicking 100%. By that, I mean receivers DeAndre Hopkins, Kirk or Isabella having 80-90+ yard games receiving, with Drake having over 100 rushing yards. The Cardinals have a great young defense, so i feel like they will be able to win them games. Defense is especially important in that tough NFC West division. The Cowboys will need Zeke Elliott to step up in Dak’s absence. He can’t continue being the reason they are losing games.