WEEK 13 RECAP 2019

There’s this thing I call a Sweep Week: it’s a week where the Patriots lose, and all of my teams (Broncos, Seahawks, Saints, Packers) and my fantasy team all win. Here’s a brief history of those weeks since I started noticing them:

Week 13 2014
On Thanksgiving night, the Seahawks go into Candlestick park and hold Colin Kaepernick to 0TD 2INT in an intense rivalry game. Sunday morning Drew Brees throws 5 TDs in Pittsburgh and the Saints hold onto a narrow lead late, and Aaron Rodgers outduels Tom Brady because he is better than Brady always and forever. That night, the Broncos continued an impressive string of dominance against the Chiefs in a 29-16 victory. I rode Andrew Luck and Lesean McCoy to a 7th fantasy win that clinched a playoff spot in my first season in the auction league. Full sweep.

Week 4 2017
On Thursday night, the Packers tie their all-time record against Mike Glennon’s Bears. Sunday starts with the Saints blanking Miami in Florida in a game that will produce the infamous Jay Cutler Not Trying At All play. I watch the play by play on the Bleacher Report app from the Seattle Convention Center as Graham Gano kicks a buzzer-beater to off the Patriots in Massachusetts. The Trevor Siemian Broncos give me a heart attack intercepting Derek Carr in the red zone to preserve a 6 point win. On the drive home from Seattle I listen to the Seahawks blowing out the Colts. The combination of Matt Stafford, Zach Ertz, and Keenan Allen delivers me a victory to go 2-2 before I drop the next 4. Full Sweep.

Week 13 2019
The Saints get revenge on Thanksgiving by eliminating the Falcons and clinching the division. On Sunday the Packers blow out the Giants in the snow and Drew Lock’s first start ends in a game-winning field goal at Mile high. That night the Pats get shredded by Deshaun Watson. On Monday Night the Seahawks put away their wild card competition in the Vikings. My 239 points lead my fantasy league as I ride surprising performances from a few Dolphins to a 6-7 record. Full sweep.

Happy birthday(ish) to me.

RIP:
Bengals, Lions, Falcons, Giants, Cardinals, Dolphins

CLINCHED:
Saints

Bears over Lions
It looked early on like the Lions were going to Blough Chicago out of the water, but then Mitch Trubisky had one of his best games of the year, which is to say he was a little subpar. The Bears stave off total defeat for another week, and the Lions are eliminated, tying them with the Raiders and Browns for most times eliminated before the end of week 13 since the NFL came into its current alignment in 2002.

Bills over Cowboys
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Saints over Falcons
The Saints just are what they are now: More limited than one would hope, but hard to doubt their ability to leverage their several god-tier advantages into wins consistently.

Packers over Giants
The Giants toyed around with keeping the game close before catching up to themselves in the second half. The Packers looked far more comfortable playing in the snow than Daniel Jones did, for some reason. Glad the Packers got another easy opponent so I could pretend they’re contenders again.

Ravens over 49ers
Early in this game it looked like it would be a shootout, but then the defenses figured it out and held serve until Justin Tucker nailed the game winner. Seeing these two juggernauts come to an impasse was fascinating, and I am so glad it lived up to its billing, and that I was somehow right that Baltimore would win but San Francisco would beat the spread.

Steelers over Browns
Now that it’s happened it seems obvious to me that the Browns get too caught up in rivalry and the Steelers essentially knock them out of the playoff race. The Steelers step up to the moment, the Browns stub their toes on empty air.

Buccaneers over MINSHEWWWWWWWW!
Jameis Winston predictably had a good game (still had his 101st turnover) but was overshadowed by Big Paycheck Nick getting benched for Big Mustache Gardner. The hero we need right now. He still lost the game big time.

Dolphins over Eagles
Good god, the Eagles are really fighting hard with the Cowboys over who can cough this division up to Washington, huh?

Bengals finally beat a team!
Jesus fuck I was so confident that the Jets would blow out the Bengals. And the Dalton did okay and Darnold did NOT and here we are, no 0-16 for Coach Taylor.

Washington somehow over Panthers
The Panthers sprung out to a 14-0 lead and then just dove off a cliff. How does Washington, a team that barely even exists, suddenly have back to back wins??

Titans over Colts
These teams seemed very close in skill and yet it’s a surprise that the titans won the game because they had won only 1 of their previous 15 matchups. The Colts were lined up late for a go-ahead field goal, and then the Elephant in the Room that is Adam Vinnaiattierri’s [sp] rapidly evaporating ability to kick a ball reared its ugly head. His attempt was blocked (second of the day) recovered by the Titans (their first of 3 fourth quarter turnovers forced) and returned for a touchdown (again 1/3 for the 4th quarter.) That’s one way to win a game.

Rams over Cardinals
Sometimes in sports predictions you’re just really, really, really wrong and there’s nothing to hide behind. The Cardinals were completely dominated on both sides of the ball, and this was just Sean McVay letting loose and having fun at Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler’s expense.

Broncos catch a break for the first time since Super Bowl 50
If the Broncos could compress all their first halves into half their games and all their second halves into the other half they would finish 8-8. The Broncos in quarters 1 and 2 could beat the Patriots, and the Broncos in quarters 3 and 4 would certainly be blown out by Ohio State. It is maddening. But Drew Lock has upside, so there’s that to look forward to seeing squandered and ruined over the next two years.

Chiefs over Raiders
The Raiders don’t score anymore so it’s kinda hard to win games like that. I. would know, I’m a Broncos fan.

Texans DEFEAT THE EVIL SCOURGE
It never gets old seeing the Patriots lose, but every time it happens there is that part of my brain that can’t help but wonder how they’ll punish later us for enjoying their pain now.

Seahawks over Vikings
I got too cute predicting that Russell Wilson would lose a Monday Night game and Kirk Cousins would win one. Lesson learned. (You know now that I’ve learned it Russ will suddenly stop being clutch and Cousins will go on a primetime winning streak.)

Underdogs: 2-2 (19-28)
Locks: 4-4 (49-20-1) 
Survivor: 9-4 BAL, NE, GB, LAC, KC, CAR, SEA, LAR, DAL, NO, OAK, CLE, NYJ
Matt Millen/Sashi Brown Award Winner: CIN (1-11)
Title Belt: BAL defended from SF (5 week reign)

WEEK 13 PREVIEW 2019

Oooooooh, we are getting into the part of the year where teams start clinching spots in or being eliminated from the playoffs! They say the NFL season doesn’t truly start until Thanksgiving. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the Broncos being out of the race by this time but there is still something exciting about it.
Until I remember the christmas commercials.

Survivor: NYJ
Locks: CHI, NO, GB, PHI, NYJ, CAR, KC, NE
Underdogs: CHI, TB, ARI, MIN

Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose!

Q3 PLAYOFFS CHECK-IN 2019

Game by game breakdown here

For the love of god, someone keep the Patriots out of the super bowl.

AWARDS
Most Valuable Player rankings: 
1. Lamar Jackson
2. Russell Wilson

Offensive Player of the Year: Russell Wilson

Defensive Player of the Year: Stephon Gilmore

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Kyler Murray

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Nick Bosa

Coach of the Year: John Harbaugh

Comeback Player of the Year: Dalvin Cook

AFC WEST Q3 CHECK-IN 2019

Game by game breakdown here

Kansas City Chiefs (7-4) 
Preseason prediction: 12-4 #3
Q1 Prediction: 12-4 #2
Q2 Prediction: 10-6 #4
Q3 Prediction: 12-4 #2
Most important game left: wk 14 @ NE – We’ve seen Andy Reid kick ass at Foxborough before, so now he just has to do it in December with a playoff bye on the line.

Oakland Raiders (6-5)
Preseason prediction: 7-9
Q1 Prediction: 5-11
Q2 Prediction: 8-8
Q3 Prediction: 8-8
Most important game left: wk13 @ KC – As things stand, the Raiders are just a couple games out of the division lead. If they can beat KC in KC, not only is the wild card a likelihood, they could even steal a home game for Oakland in January.

Los Angeles Chargers (4-7)
Preseason prediction: 10-6
Q1 Prediction: 8-8
Q2 Prediction: 4-12
Q3 Prediction: 6-10
Most important game left: All of them, because they’ll have to run the table to win the 6 seed.

Denver Broncos (3-8)
Preseason prediction: 8-8
Q1 Prediction: 4-12
Q2 Prediction: 5-11
Q3 Prediction: 5-11
Most important game left: Which ever one is Drew Lock’s first start (and all the ones he plays in after that.)

NFC WEST Q3 CHECK-IN 2019

Game by game breakdown here

San Francisco 49ers (10-1)
Preseason prediction: 5-11
Q1 Prediction: 10-6
Q2 Prediction: 13-3 #2
Q3 Prediction: 13-3 #2
Most important game left: The next two games against the best teams (other than the Niners) in each conference.

Seattle Seahawks (9-2)
Preseason prediction: 7-9
Q1 Prediction: 12-4 #2
Q2 Prediction: 12-4 #6
Q3 Prediction: 12-4 #5
Most important game left: The entire rest of the schedule is a minefield.

Los Angeles Rams (6-5)
Preseason prediction: 11-5 #2
Q1 Prediction: 10-6
Q2 Prediction: 11-5
Q3 Prediction: 7-9
Most important game left: wk15 @ DAL – Seems doubtful that the Rams will overtake the Niners or Seahawks in the division, so their best bet is beating out Dallas and hoping for the Vikings to implode.

Arizona Cardinals (3-7-1)
Preseason prediction: 5-11
Q1 Prediction: 3-12-1
Q2 Prediction: 4-11-1
Q3 Prediction: 4-11-1
Most important game left: wks 14 and 16 vs PIT and SEA – When you’re a young upstart team that got in too big a hole at the beginning of the season, the best way to close it out is play spoiler to some playoff hopefuls.

NFC EAST Q3 CHECK-IN 2019

Game by game breakdown here

Dallas Cowboys (6-5)
Preseason prediction: 7-9
Q1 Prediction: 10-6 #6
Q2 Prediction: 10-6 #4
Q3 Prediction: 10-6 #4
Most important game left: wk16 @ PHI – The de facto NFC East Championship if they drop any of the three games leading up to it, which they shouldn’t but probably will.

Philadelphia Eagles (5-6)
Preseason prediction: 12-4
Q1 Prediction: 11-5 #3
Q2 Prediction: 10-6
Q3 Prediction: 9-7
Most important game left: wk16 vs DAL – The Cowboys might serve this opportunity to steal the division to the Eagles on a silver platter.

New York Giants (2-9)
Preseason prediction: 4-12
Q1 Prediction: 8-8
Q2 Prediction: 5-11
Q3 Prediction: 4-12
Most important game left: wk16 @ WSH – The Giants have to throw this game for draft position. You know what’s a great way to throw a game? Start Eli Manning.

Washington Potatoes (2-9)
Preseason prediction: 3-13
Q1 Prediction: 3-13
Q2 Prediction: 1-15
Q3 Prediction: 3-13
Most important game left: The Washington Team has not played an important game since Super Bowl XXII.

NFC SOUTH Q3 CHECK-IN 2019

Game by game breakdown here

New Orleans Saints (9-2)
Preseason prediction: 11-5 #5
Q1 Prediction: 12-4 #1
Q2 Prediction: 13-3 #1
Q3 Prediction: 13-3 #1
Most important game left: The Super Bowl, baby! (No but really the Saints can clinch a playoff spot on Thanksgiving, then they play the Niners for the 1 seed, then close the season with the Panthers.)

Carolina Panthers (5-6)
Preseason prediction: 11-5 #4
Q1 Prediction: 7-9
Q2 Prediction: 8-8
Q3 Prediction: 9-7
Most important game left: wk15 vs SEA – The Seahawks are beatable, and are directly in the way of the Panthers getting a playoff spot.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)
Preseason prediction: 6-10
Q1 Prediction: 7-9
Q2 Prediction: 4-12
Q3 Prediction: 7-9
Most important game left: wk13 @ JAX – The battle for northern Florida is the closest thing to important football the Buccs have going.

Atlanta Falcons (3-8)
Preseason prediction: 11-5 #6
Q1 Prediction: 6-10
Q2 Prediction: 3-13
Q3 Prediction: 4-12
Most important game left: Nothing really matters anymore.

NFC NORTH Q3 CHECK-IN 2019

Game by game breakdown here

Green Bay Packers (8-3)
Preseason prediction: 10-6
Q1 Prediction: 11-5 #4
Q2 Prediction: 13-3 #3
Q3 Prediction: 12-4 #3
Most important game left: wk 16 @ MIN – The de facto NFC North championship.

Minnesota Vikings (8-3)
Preseason prediction: 8-8
Q1 Prediction: 8-8
Q2 Prediction: 13-3 #5
Q3 Prediction: 12-4 #6
Most important game left: wk 16 vs GB – But also this week at Seattle, which is possibly the difference between the #5 or #6 seed.

Chicago Bears (5-6)
Preseason prediction: 11-5 #3
Q1 Prediction: 10-6 #5
Q2 Prediction: 6-10
Q3 Prediction: 6-10
Most important game left: wk 14 vs DAL – Just because it would be funny to see Dallas lose to Mitch and Nagy.

Detroit Lions (3-7-1)
Preseason prediction: 6-10
Q1 Prediction: 8-7-1
Q2 Prediction: 8-7-1
Q3 Prediction: 3-12-1
Most important game left: wk16 @ DEN – I bet you this will be a snow game. And the Broncos’ best shot at getting to 4 wins.