NFL WEEK 15
(DEC. 15TH, 2022)
“STOCK UP/STOCK DOWN” AND MORE REPORT FOR THE WEEK:
“STOCK UP” TEAM OF THE WEEK:
BALTIMORE RAVENS DEFENSE: Look folks the only way this Ravens team doesn’t implode and miss Playoffs again this season with the star QB Jackson (and now likely backup QB too) is if the Defense can miraculously “will” them to wins. Right now they are playing by far the best Defense in the entire NFL. Last week they allowed 329 total yards, 272 two weeks ago, 332 three weeks ago, 205 four weeks ago. You see where I am going here? This Defense does not miss a tackle. In fact they gang tackle on most plays. No longer is this secondary the “sisters of the poor”. On top of that they have been on the field only (208) total plays the past 4 games combined (by far the lowest amount of any Defense in the league). They allow only (81) total rushing yards per game (#2) and have (39) sacks in the NFL (#6) and they have (14) interceptions (#5) in the league. If the Ravens hold on and make the Playoffs it’s surely going to be likely all thanks to this “Lights Out” Defense.
(HONORABLE MENTION):
DETROIT LIONS: This one had to make this section even though they were last week’s Stock Up team of the week! The once whipping boy Lions now control their own destiny to the Playoffs with another nice win last week over the Vikings, making that 5 wins in their last 6 games and the one loss a heartbreaker by 3 to the mighty Bills on Turkey Day. The Offense, led by QB Goff, is now clicking on all cylinders and now added stud Rookie WR Williams, who will simply get better over time. Last week his speed was factor in being wide open for bomb TD pass. Expect to see more of that this final month.
“STOCK DOWN” TEAM OF THE WEEK:
NY GIANTS: Four weeks ago I told you all the Cinderella slipper for this team would soon fall off. Well it has going (0-3-1) the past 4 weeks and there are many reasons. Offensive Line was a huge problem entering the season but they somehow held their own for first 2 months. No longer that case as they can’t open even a tiny hole for stud RB Barkley, who now can’t seem to gain 50 yards, let alone over 150. Barkley has 28, 63, 39 and 22 rushing yards the past 4 games. Most of the teams rush yards now come on QB Jones scrambles or called bootleg runs. The OL has allowed Jones to get sacked (11) times the past 3 games while giving him zero time to pass the ball. Jones has passed for only (169, 200, 228) total passing yards the past 3 weeks. The Defense has allowed (96) total points the past 3 games combined. They have held ball on Offense for only 80 minutes the past 3 games combined while the tiring out Defense has been on the field 107 total combined minutes. They have been on field a whopping (227) total plays the past 3 games combined. OUCH! Look the reality is this team was never that good. They were hanging in games and winning lots of close ones. This team is in a world of hurt and they are NOT going to any Playoffs. Sorry G’iiints fans.
REPORT CARD – FAILING GRADES
1). CLEVELAND BROWNS QB D. WATSON: (F-)
Look normally I’d give a guy out all season (and last) some leeway but not to this punk. This clown organization took out a QB playing well and allowed this guy to come in and stink up the joint. Last week he had one of my lowest grades all time in 34 years on tape grading. He overthrew (11) wide open receivers. “ELEVEN” – MY GOODNESS! He looks slow in the pocket, and other than some gigantic openings on broken plays where he scrambled for half decent yards this guy has been HORRIFIC.
2). MIAMI DOLPHINS QB TUA TAGLIAOVA: (D)
Before two weeks ago my grade for him was (A+). The past two weeks he has struggled with too many high (overthrows) and often to open receivers. His OL has been brutal and I will give him credit last week for 3 scrambles when the team desperately needed first downs and he went in there right at the defenders full steam ahead (3R- 28 TOTAL RUSH YARDS). But he’s (28-61) the passing the ball the past two games. This is not going to get this team to the Playoffs with the Defense now struggling.