The homestretch of the 2018 NFL season has begun and playoff seeding has yet to be decided. Three teams have clinched thus far (Saints, Chiefs, Rams) with 22 teams still in playoff contention. Many of those teams faced off last week.
The Cleveland Browns were the kryptonite to Cam Newton's Superman alter ego as the former MVP threw an interception and totaled zero touchdowns. The Colts and Texans battled it out in a fight for the AFC North. Andrew Luck led the charge for Indianapolis by throwing for nearly 400 yards and two touchdowns, putting an end to the Texans nine-game win streak.
The Bears and Rams let the defenses take the lead for once this season, as Chicago brutalized Los Angeles in 26-degree weather. It was a slobberknocker with both teams combining for 21 points, including only five from Los Angeles. Jared Goff and Todd Gurley looked lost in frigid Soldier Field as Goff threw four interceptions and Gurley was to 58 total yards.
The most watched game of the NFL season according to sportsmediawatch.com was the back and forth contest between the NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys and defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
A neck and neck game all the way until the fourth quarter is in the running for game of the year. Both defenses were clicking early by only allowing 15 total going into the third quarter. Once the fourth quarter clock started ticking, the offenses exploded.
The Cowboys and Eagles combined for 31 points in the fourth quarter which lead to an exciting overtime finish. Cowboys' wideout Amari Coopers totaled two of his three touchdowns in the fourth quarter both for yards 25 yards. Just like the fourth quarter ended overtimes began-with an Amari Cooper game-winning touchdown.
The Cowboys and Eagles faced off in a clash for NFC East supremacy in week 14. This Thursday, the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs dual with heavy playoff implications.
LA CHARGERS VS. KC CHIEFS
The Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs enter Thursday with the two best records in the AFC. The Chiefs lead the division with an 11-2 record while the Chargers' 10-2 efforts have placed them in the first Wild Card slot.
While the two teams sit one game apart for AFC dominance, both have key players likely to miss their final matchup of the regular season.
Kansas City listed star receiver Tyreek Hill as "questionable" with a foot injury although team officials have stated it is "not serious", according to Adam Schefter. The Chiefs will also be without receiver Sammy Watkins after he suffered a setback due to a foot injury during practice.
Key offensive weapons miss this week for the Chiefs could allow the Chargers to overtake them in the division as the two are separated by a game.
A piece of good news came Kansas City's way on Wednesday as former all-pro safety Eric Berry is set to return this Thursday. Berry, who was recovering from a torn Achilles, will play his first game since week one of the 2017 season. Berry will bring his 14 interceptions to a Chiefs defense that has totaled just 11 this season.
The Chargers will be without their own star player as running back Melvin Gordon is still dealing with a right knee injury that has kept him out for the last two weeks. Gordon, the largest contributor on the Los Angeles offense, has a total of 13 touchdowns this season. His replacement Austin Ekeler is also listed as "doubtful".
Los Angeles and Kansas City will be put the test this Thursday with a reduction in star power on either side. Without their pivotal offensive players, the Chargers and Chiefs may be limited but can still pack a punch.
MVP leading candidate Patrick Mahomes leads the number one ranked Chiefs offense against the seventh-ranked passing defense of the Chargers.
This season Mahomes has been nearly unstoppable averaging 330 yards per game and leading the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns. Mahomes has picked apart defenses, sometimes even without looking. Mahomes has been nothing short of phenomenal as he is the most proficient quarterback in the NFL.
Averaging 8.9 yards a throw, Mahomes has marched the Kansas City offense up and down the field at will. The second-year quarterback also dominates the with the deep ball, throwing 66 passes of 20 yards and 13 over 40 yards. On the other end of those throws has been "questionable" wideout Tyreek Hill.
Hill has started every game Mahomes has played in and without Hill, the likelihood of Mahomes stats dropping against Los Angeles are high. Mahomes' Los Angeles counterpart will have the majority of his weapons on Thursday.
Playing without Melvin Gordon, Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers will still have a plethora of options to throw to. Leading receiver Keenan Allen will control the outside of Los Angeles. Allen and Rivers have hooked up 88 times this year for 1,074 yards and six receiving touchdowns. A commanding force on the outside, Allen has cemented himself as a top receiver in the league.
Rivers having Allen on the outside will take the pressure of not having Gordon in the backfield. Throwing the deep ball, Rivers has the 6-foot 3-inch wideout Mike Williams and Tyrell Williams to target. Both Williams' have combined for 12 touchdown passes, tops on Los Angeles.
Verdict:
The Chiefs have won the last nine games against the Chargers by an average of 12 points. This season the Chiefs have the league's most explosive offense. Mahomes playing without Tyreek Hill has never been seeing leaving a possible unknown factor heading into Thursday.
Without Hill, Mahomes will be forced to look to pro bowl tight Travis Kelce to pick up the slack. Kelce is fully capable of holding his own considering he ranks second in receptions and touchdown for a tight end.
A depleted running game could come back to haunt Kansas City and key injuries to Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins could be their downfall. Even with the injuries, betting against Patrick Mahomes is a risky move.
Philip Rivers and the Chargers play historically bad at Arrowhead Stadium totaling a 6-8 record since Rivers' rookie season. The consistency of Los Angeles is a major factor in Thursday's game as the point differential is only when playing away compared to home.
Los Angeles' defense also outperforms Kansas City on every level making pivotal for Tyreek Hill to play. If Hill plays, the Chiefs have a significant edge. If he does not, the Chargers will leave Arrowhead with a win. As of now, the signs are doubtful Hill plays giving Los Angeles a leg up on Kansas City
FINAL SCORE: Chargers 32, Chiefs 31
Week 15 Predictions:
Texans vs. Jets: Texans 33, Jets 16
(Saturday Night)
Browns vs. Broncos: Broncos 26,
Browns 23 (Saturday Night)
Cardinals vs. Falcons: Falcons 26, Cardinals 17
Raiders vs. Bengals: Raiders 27, Bengals 17
Vikings vs. Dolphins: Dolphins 26, Vikings 24
Cowboys vs. Colts: Cowboys 27, Colts 26
Buccaneers vs. Ravens: Ravens 27, Bucs 23
Lions vs. Bills: Lions 23, Bills 16
Packers vs. Bears: Packers 27, Bears 26
Redskins vs. Jaguars: Jaguars 23, Redskins 10
Titans vs. Giants: Giants 26, Titans 23
Seahawks vs. 49ers: Seahawks 34, 49ers 23
Patriots vs. Steelers: Steelers 30, Patriots 28
Eagles vs. Rams: Rams 34, Eagles 26 (Sunday Night Football)
Saints vs. Panthers: Saints 36, Panthers 24 (Monday Night Football)
Current Record: 129-76-2
*preview photo credited to Football Maven
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