Tag: Week 15

2024 Saints game previews: Week 15 vs. Washington Commanders

New Orleans Saints game previews: Week 15 vs. Washington Commanders

We’re on to Week 15 in our New Orleans Saints game previews, when the Washington Commanders will be  making a visit to the Caesars Superdome. This is another game the Saints are early favorites to win, but there might not be a team more difficult to project than Washington in 2024.

There are very few commonalities between the current Commanders team and the squad that went 4-13 last season. Washington hired a new coaching staff led by former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn and drafted a new quarterback in Jayden Daniels. They were top spenders in free agency, targeting players like linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu, center Tyler Biadasz, running back Austin Ekeler, and defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr., among many others. They also drafted rookies like Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton, Michigan cornerback Mike Sainristil, and Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott.

So it’s tough to get a bead on them. Washington might benefit from a weak schedule and an influx of talent and win 10 games. Or they could suffer from unfamiliarity with too many new pieces trying to work together and show only modest improvements.

It’s been a few years since they last crossed paths with the Saints; Jameis Winston led the team to a win on the road in 2021, by a margin of 33-22, but Washington still leads the all-time series with a 17-11 record against New Orleans. If it’s any consolation, the Saints have won three in a row to cut into that lead. They beat Washington inside the Caesars Superdome in 2018 with a staggering 43-19 blowout, but that followed a memorable fourth-quarter comeback in 2017 that the Saints won in overtime, 34-31. What will the final score be this time?

  • Game information: New Orleans Saints vs. Washington Commanders
  • Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, La.
  • Date: Dec. 15
  • Time: Noon CT / 1 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: FOX

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PFF: Chiefs DB L’Jarius Sneed has allowed just 10 catches, 87 yards since Week 15

According to Pro Football Focus, #Chiefs DB L’Jarius Sneed has been supremely stingy in coverage since Week 15

The Kansas City Chiefs have relied on exceptional play from their defensive backs to keep opposing offenses in check this season, and L’Jarius Sneed has been a key part of the team’s game plans against star wide receivers.

His dominance this season is well documented, but the experts at Pro Football Focus shined a spotlight on Sneed’s recent tear of superb performances ahead of Kansas City’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills this weekend.

According to PFF, Sneed has allowed just 10 receptions and 87 yards since Week 15 and still hasn’t allowed a touchdown this season.

While the veteran defensive back wasn’t part of the Associated Press All-Pro roster or a Pro Bowl selection, Sneed’s tenacity has helped keep the Chiefs afloat in a season where Kansas City needed its defensive stars to step up as its offense plateaued.

Expect Sneed’s matchups against Bill receiver Stefon Diggs to steal the spotlight in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs this weekend.

WATCH: Chiefs DL Charles Omenihu mic’d up vs. Patriots

Watch #Chiefs DL Charles Omenihu’s mic’d up performance against the #Patriots in Week 15.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive line has been a force to be reckoned with all season and made their presence felt against the New England Patriots in Week 15.

Veteran pass rusher Charles Omenihu was mic’d up for the matchup against Bill Belichick’s Patriots squad and could be heard having fun with teammates during the game in a video that the Chiefs posted to social media platforms this week.

Check out Omenihu’s larger-than-life personality:

While the win that Kansas City secured over New England in Week 15 kept the Chiefs in the mix atop the AFC playoff standings, the team’s work is far from over.

Their Christmas day matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, December 25 will be yet another crucial game that may have huge implications on their ability to earn the conference’s top playoff seed.

Expect Omenihu, Chris Jones, and George Karlaftis to continue bringing the heat against rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell as they seek to improve their sack numbers before the regular season ends in January.

 

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes was perfect against blitz vs. Patriots

#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes posted a perfect passer rating against the #Patriots when New England blitzed in Week 15.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is known for his ability to shred opposing defenses, especially when they blitz. Though he has struggled against the pass rush at times in 2023, Mahomes got back on track in Week 15, posting a perfect passer rating when the New England Patriots sent the blitz against him, according to Pro Football Focus.

While he did throw two interceptions in the matchup, Mahomes managed to do enough to secure Kansas City its ninth win of the season heading into a stretch of games where the Chiefs will be prohibitive favorites against opponents who have backup quarterbacks under center.

If he can build on his performance against New England in the coming weeks, Mahomes may be able to lift Kansas City to one of the AFC’s top playoff seeds in January.

Expect the reigning MVP to put on a show against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 16 to clinch the Chiefs a playoff berth on Christmas day.

WATCH: Chiefs dub Clyde Edwards-Helaire ‘Minitron’ after impressive TD catch vs. Patriots

#Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire earned the nickname “Minitron” after his impressive touchdown catch against the #Patriots in Week 15.

The Kansas City Chiefs got help from one of their most underrated offensive assets in Week 15 against the New England Patriots when Clyde Edwards-Helaire managed to put together one of the best games of his career at Gillette Stadium.

While the running back’s work on the ground was admirable, it was his performance as a receiver out of the backfield that garnered attention from the media and teammates during the matchup. His leaping touchdown catch against New England was one of the most impressive highlights of the game and earned Edwards-Helaire the nickname “Minitron” in a video posted to social media this week.

The effort Edwards-Helaire showed against the Patriots was outstanding, and in a season where the Chiefs offense needs as much help as it can get, his performance may be a good omen for the team moving forward.

Expect the former first-round pick to be more involved in Andy Reid’s game plans in the coming weeks as Kansas City gears up for the playoffs.

How former Alabama players performed in Week 15 of NFL season

Roll Tide Wire takes a close look at how former Alabama players performed in Week 15 of the NFL season.

Alabama is one of the top programs in the country when it comes to producing NFL talent. The Crimson Tide are well-represented on both sides of the ball and at just about every position on the football field.

Week 15 of the 2023 season kicked off on last Thursday night and concluded on Monday night, which means there were a lot of former Alabama players suiting up for their respective professional teams.

Believe it or not, 26 of the 32 teams in the NFL have at least one Alabama player on its roster. There are not many college programs that can say the same.

Roll Tide Wire breaks down how former Alabama players performed in their Week 15 matchups.

Where the Saints stand in the NFL playoff picture after Week 15

The Saints have the divisional title and a wild card within their reach after the outcomes of Week 15. How close are they to each scenario?

The New Orleans Saints have moved up the NFC playoff picture. There’s a strange chance the NFC South could have a wild card team. No one thought there was a chance of that a month ago. We’ll see how the cards play out to see if that becomes a reality.

Right now, the Buccaneers lead the division and are the only divisional team in the playoffs. The Saints are in a better spot than they were last week in the division and the conference. Where exactly do they fall?

Twitter reacts to Skyy Moore’s placement on Chiefs’ injured reserve list

Fans took to Twitter to express their feelings about #Chiefs WR Skyy Moore’s placement on Kansas City’s injured reserve list.

Skyy Moore has had a rocky start to his NFL career after being selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft. The modest production he has managed hasn’t impressed many fans who had hoped Moore could blossom into one of Patrick Mahomes’ top targets in 2023.

The former Western Michigan Bronco was placed on Kansas City’s injured reserve list on Monday after the Chiefs’ Week 15 victory over the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusets. Moore only saw the field in 25 percent of Kansas City’s offensive snaps against the Patriots and wasn’t targeted by Mahomes in the game.

Fans on social media made their voices heard regarding Moore’s placement on the Chiefs’ injured reserve list and didn’t hold back in expressing their thoughts about the mercurial second-year receiver’s contributions to the team this season.

Check out some of Twitter’s top reactions to Kansas City’s latest roster move below:

Chiefs stock watch: Which players impressed during Week 15 vs. Patriots?

Here’s a look at the stock trends for some #Chiefs players after the Week 15 victory over the #Patriots. | from: @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs secured a much-needed win over the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Week 15. The victory ended their two-game losing streak and kept them in contention for the top seed in the AFC and the important bye week in the postseason.

Mahomes handled every defensive scheme thrown at him since he’s expected to go against a Bil Belicheck-coached team and execute efficiently. The two interceptions he threw were beyond his control as they were taken out of the hands of tight-end Blake Bell and bobbled by Kadarius Toney.

He connected often with star rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice and veteran running backs Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Harrison Butker missed his first field goal since last season but still connected later in the game from 54 yards.

Kansas City’s defense stifled the Patriots’ offense, especially in the second half, with takeaways and short possessions. Four sacks by the unit, along with an impressive first-half interception from Willie Gay Jr., Chris Jones, L’Jarius Sneed, and Drue Tranquill, all made significant plays to help clinch the road victory.

The Chiefs gained a full game in the AFC West with the victory, as the Denver Broncos loss pushes their division lead to two with three games left in the regular season.

Here’s a look at how the stock is trending for some players after the Week 15 victory at Gillette Stadium:

NFC South standings: Falcons drop to 3rd place after loss to Panthers

NFC South standings: Falcons drop to 3rd place following Sunday’s loss to the Panthers

With three games left in the season, the NFC South is still up for grabs, however, the Atlanta Falcons‘ chances of winning the division took a slight hit in Week 15. Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Carolina Panthers dropped the Falcons to third place in the NFC South standings.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saints took out the New York Giants on Sunday. The Buccaneers and Saints are now tied atop the division at 7-7.

Check out the updated NFC South standings entering Week 16 below.

W L T Pct. PF PA Home Away
Bucs 7 7 .500 296 290 3-3 4-4
Saints 7 7 .500 309 267 4-3 3-4
Falcons 6 8 .429 258 278 3-3 3-4
Panthers 2 12 .143 206 348 2-4 0-8