NFL Tales of the Week – Week 14 Edition (12-13-22)
By: Tyrone Montgomery Jr.
Headline Photo Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA Today
Teams that are slipping late in the season
The NFL Season is only worth 18 weeks now for the regular season. One additional week was recently added. We all say we need more football in the regular season and the football gods have delivered. We look at the schedule and say 17 games just isn’t enough. But in reality, the regular season is a grind and feels like a long year for the players and staff. The game of football is a game of ups and downs and the team that is the hottest once the playoffs start generally is the team that will represent their respective conference in the Super Bowl. The Titans started hot. They went on a nice winning streak this season. They are now beginning to cool off as they appear to need another playmaker. The Titans are currently on a three-game losing streak as they are searching for answers quickly in the AFC. The Washington Commanders and the New York Giants have had an impressive season this year. That entire division is tough. It was looking like all four of those teams were going to make the playoffs. However, any game resulting in a tie is never a good thing and the Giants and Commanders will be regretting that outcome as one of them will be on the outside looking in. The Seattle Seahawks looked good early on in the season. While Geno Smith will win the Comeback Player of the Year Award, this will simply be just a good story. You still have to tip your hat off to everyone on that team. But it appears they won’t be a playoff team after all. The New York Jets have had a roller-coaster type of a season this year. While they do everything well, they HAVE to address the QB position as well as beef up the offensive line. The future is very bright for the Jets. And lastly, the Miami Dolphins have had a beautiful season despite the many challenges they have endured. From a former HC suing the team, the Tua injury, trades, and chemistry issues being addressed, the Dolphins look promising. However, that promise won’t be fulfilled this season as they have recently slipped into a two-game losing streak. It was fun while it lasted for all of these teams. But they have an exciting offseason to look forward to.
The quietest kept secret in the NFL
One of the best feelings in the NFL is being under the radar. It’s especially good to be under the radar when the playoffs start. That brings to mind the New York Giants who won a Super Bowl after beating the undefeated New England Patriots a few years back as a wild-card team! Unlike the Philadelphia Eagles who have a target on their back, being under the radar can pay huge dividends in the end. The hottest team in the league right now is the San Francisco 49ers. They have now won six straight games with injuries all across the board. They may have the entire league’s attention now that they beat Tom Brady and company over the weekend with a third-string QB. Brock Purdy, also known as Mr. Irrelevant took down Tom Brady and the Buccaneers with ease after picking up his very first NFL victory. The 49ers have a ton of tools to win and be successful in the NFL. Their defense is elite despite the many injuries all season. The offense is sustainable with Purdy simply because they have Deebo Samuels and Christian McCaffrey now. McCaffrey may have been the best deal made because he carried them as Samuels went down with yet another injury. If this team can stay healthy, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys better tread lightly in the playoffs and bring their “A” Game.
