SBK Edge Rush: Week 15 could prove the downfall of New York while Cincy thrive

Week 15 in the NFL is so often critical for teams with playoff ambitions, and that is no different this season. A lot could get sorted this weekend: tilts will become untenable and new-found winning streaks will empower deep-water playoff buzz. 

Take New York as an example, where the gallant but fading efforts from both the Giants and the Jets could run out of gas. The latter host a resurgent Detroit Lions, everyone’s second team right now. They are scrapping, freewheeling and outshooting their way into improbable post-season contention. Who cares if they’re conceding the second most points per game (26.7) in the league, when they’re in the top five scorers (26.8 ppg). 

The Dan Campbell express is high on emotion, features a Jared Goff reboot (surely, he’s their quarterback going into next season?) and should continue to gain momentum this weekend. Conversely, the Jets have brilliant defence that is regularly let down by a banged-up and meandering offence. They will drop to .500 with a loss, and appear unlikely to have enough in the tank to snag a Wild Card spot. 

A crucial divisional match-up awaits the Giants as they tackle the Commanders, who come into this game fresh off a bye week with a ferocious front seven that is ready to wreak havoc on Daniel Jones. Jones’ slim pickings offensively have magnified with the regression of Saquon Barkley – he was never going to be able to carry the entire offence on his shoulders for an 18-week clip. 

He has posted the same number of rushing yards (152) in his last four games as he had in the one game against Houston immediately before that. Barkley has had a brilliant season, but he will most likely fall short to Geno Smith in the Comeback Player of the Year award. Talking of falling short, the Giants could follow suit: close but no cigar, Washington reprising the Geno role in the NFC Wild Card race. 

From the good to the great

The Cincinnati Bengals are the hottest team in the AFC right now and they can throw more petrol on the hype flames if they come out on top in a very winnable game against a lost Tampa Bay Buccaneers side. 

Will Brady come out swinging and firm up the NFC South as a result? His cause is strengthened by the absence of Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, which will weaken their chances of wreaking havoc on the fragile offensive line in Tampa, which again misses standout tackle Tristan Wirfs. I expect a higher scoring affair than the over/under line suggests - and the outcome is pivotal.

Joe Burrow: is finally getting some protection from his O-line in Cincinnati

If Brady loses, I think Carolina may catch them to take the South. If they win and consequently cement a home playoff game, then see themselves matched with an erratic Dallas side in the Wild Card round, TB12 could find himself two wins from the Super Bowl. 

As for the Bengals, Lou Anarumo has the defence delivering at the same high level he achieved with them last year. And, with Joey Burrow finally given the right protection and a faltering Ravens lining up the North for them, this is far from a Super Bowl hangover. Right now they sit as my pick to win the whole thing. 

Just don’t tell Prop-O over on the SBK Edge Rush podcast. He’s a Cincy lifer and will see that as the kiss of death to their chances!

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