Final Games Reveal Contenders

By Stephen Luckey ’15

Week 15 of the NFL season had some pretty remarkable outcomes. Top Super Bowl contenders the Patriots, Colts, and Cardinals clinched a spot in the playoffs with an eleventh win. The Green Bay Packers were supposed to get their spot as well with a win over the Bills, but Buffalo brought a fight and defeated the cheese heads 21-13. The Dallas Cowboys had their revenge with a 38-27 divisional win over the Philadelphia Eagles, after a depressing Thanksgiving loss to them at home. Wide Receiver Dez Bryant had a standout game, which included 114 yards receiving and three TDs. The New England Patriots also got some payback with a crushing victory over the Miami Dolphins 41-13. The Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski reeled in 3 receptions for a whopping 96 yards and a touchdown.

The playoff picture will be interesting for the AFC, as the AFC North has three out of four teams with nine wins. As the season approaches the end, it is undisputedly pivotal that the division leaders stay strong and win out. It’s also a time for the worst teams in the NFL to get pumped up and upset teams with playoff inspirations.

With two weeks to go in the regular season, the obvious teams are the ones to put the money on. I predict the NFC championship game will be between the Packers vs. Seahawks, as both teams have had tough losses but also high scoring games. Aaron Rodgers has a unique bond with his dynamic wide receiver Jordy Nelson, which is a huge threat to the secondaries of the National football League. The AFC is hard to predict, but I think it’s fair to say the Patriots will rematch the Broncos in the championship game. For the Super Bowl, I have to go with Packers vs. Patriots. Both conferences have dominant teams who can make big plays, so it will be intriguing to see who has a more effective style of play in the Super Bowl.