I don’t even want to talk about it, but I’m going to have to talk about it. I can’t believe the Patriots lost like that. I was in the car at the time, streaming the game on my phone, and while Rhamondre Stevenson was running up the field my stream froze. Eventually when it resumed it cut to the whole Raiders team celebrating in the end zone. I didn’t even have time to be upset because I was so confused on what happened. Then I saw the twitter clip of Jakobi Meyers launching it to Chandler Jones and I was absolutely stunned. What a way to lose man. This isn’t my Patriots therapy session though, this is five things to take from week 15. Let’s get into it.
1. George Kittle is still an elite tight end
He hasn’t been targeted a lot this year, so he won’t look “elite” statistically, but he showed on Thursday night that he can still get it done. The former Iowa Hawkeye caught four passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns as his San Francisco 49ers clinched the NFC West. A lot of teams on their third quarterback of the year would absolutely crumble, but this Niners team is showing that their “next man up” mentality will take them far. Without Jimmy G and Deebo Samuel, this offense is still chugging along. We already talked about Brock Purdy on here last week, but he went out and played his butt off on Thursday Night Football. Seventh-round quarterback playing like a seasoned veteran, you love to see it. They were one game away from the Super Bowl last year, can they find themselves at the big game this year? Only time will tell.
2. How did this happen???
The largest comeback in NFL history… led by Kirk Cousins. YOU LIKE THAT????
Trailing 33-0 at halftime, Kirk Cousins and the Vikings looked absolutely dead in the water. I was getting ready to slander Kirk about losing this badly at home, but this L.L. Bean dad did it. He went and threw his season-high in both passing yards (460) and touchdowns (4), leading his team to a victory and a NFC North title. Now the Indianapolis Colts are in the absolute mud. Another year of a failed quarterback experiment has came and went. What do they do now? They had an elite defense last year but lost their playoff chances in the last game of the season in Jacksonville. If Carson Wentz wins that game he is still a Colt right now. It’s so crazy how the domino effect works in sports.
3. Jalen Hurts doing what Jalen Hurts does
35 total touchdowns and only five interceptions.
His Philadelphia Eagles are currently sitting at 13-1 and looking to clinch the #1 seed in the NFC. I like the Eagles chances to go far in the playoffs this year. It’s looking like Hurts is going to miss some time with a shoulder injury, but I think Minshew will be serviceable enough to get them at least two out of three wins for these upcoming games.
4. The Jags???
After being down 27-10 late in the third quarter, the Jacksonville Jaguars came back to beat the Dallas Cowboys 40-34 in overtime. Rayshawn Jenkins ended the game with a walk-off interception (his second of the day) to give Doug Pederson & Co. a chance at a playoff berth. Jenkins also became the first player in NFL history to record 18 tackles and two interceptions in a single game. Jenkins might have been the star on the defensive end, but former first overall pick Trevor Lawrence definitely left his mark on the game too. Lawrence, who has been playing out of his mind recently, threw for 318 yards and four touchdowns. A great day for the former Clemson superstar. The Jaguars are currently 6-8, with their remaining games being the New York Jets, Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans. The AFC South title could potentially be decided in that week 18 matchup against the Titans in Jacksonville.
5. *long sigh of disappointment*
Fire Matt Patricia. Cut or trade Mac Jones. We need to have a fresh start. It’s been horrible to watch this year. And to see my former Patriot star Chandler Jones do that to us… my heart couldn’t take it. Cam Newton would’ve won 11 games with this team and I’m going to stand on that.
I don’t even have enough energy to properly close this article. Just let me suffer in peace. This is YSN, until next time, signing out.
