Crowe: The 2023 Season Week #15 - Patriots Christmas and Playoff Scramble

Crowe: The 2023 Season Week #15 - Patriots Christmas and Playoff Scramble

On the first day of the off-season, the Patriots gave to me…

Well, that’s exactly the million-dollar question going around Foxboro and the NFL these days surrounding the Patriots, head coach Bill Belichick, and his future. Usually, that first day after the regular season ends is billed as “Black Monday” where traditionally, NFL coaches begin getting let go. Belichick has never quite been in the position of hearing his name be called on that day, but now in his 24th season in New England, that might be the case.

Some reports, like those from Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston, have said the decision could’ve been made back in November after back-to-back losses to the Commanders and Colts. But, since no one is going on record just yet, nobody knows quite for sure whether that is true or not. The only clear thing is that owner Robert Kraft said before the season that he expected the 2023 team to make the playoffs and it has fallen well short of that goal.

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When asked Wednesday about those rumors of his demise, Belichick uttered a familiar line of “I’m getting ready for Kansas City,” according to NFL.com. The 3-10 Patriots, fresh off a win in Pittsburgh, host the Chiefs in a game that was historically moved off Monday night to a 1 pm Sunday kickoff due to the lack of New England’s success.

If that first day does give the Pats a new path to the future, the road ahead would then be led with an unknown of a new coach, a possible new quarterback after the failures of first-round pick Mac Jones, and a rare high draft pick, currently the second in the upcoming NFL Draft. If I was playing Santa, I would have Jerod Mayo run the show with a completely new offensive staff.

Either way, it would be nice if that off-season could include two new tackles, a few dazzling weapons on offense, and a playmaker or two on defense.

 

NFL Week 15 Power Rankings:

 

10. Buffalo Bills / Denver Broncos (7-6, Last week not ranked)

Denver may be playing some of the best football in the NFL at the moment, winning four of its last five games after starting 0-3 including that memorable 70-point mess in Miami. As for the Bills, they survived a final second victory in Kansas City after Kadarius Toney’s offsides penalty wiped out a go-ahead touchdown with under two minutes left. Right now, both teams are on the outside looking in, but that could change with this week’s games against the Lions and Cowboys, respectively.

 

9. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5, Last week ranked 8th)

Trevor Lawrence is tough, there’s no doubt after he played through a high ankle sprain against Cleveland last Sunday. Unfortunately, he also threw three interceptions with his three touchdown passes. The Jags AFC South lead is down to one over the Colts and Texans after losses to backup QBs for the Bengals and Browns.

 

8. Cleveland Browns (8-5, Last week not ranked)

Please give it up for 14-year veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. Flacco led the Browns on four touchdown drives in a home upset of AFC South-leading Jacksonville, which has Cleveland in the thick of the playoff hunt. With the Bears, Texans, Jets, and Bengals left on the schedule, the playoffs are within range.

 

7. Detroit Lions (9-4, Last week ranked 6th)

What’s wrong with Dan Campbell’s team? They’re 1-2 in their last three games and have given up 26 or more points in five straight contests. Detroit is definitely trending in the wrong direction at the moment.

 

6. Kansas City Chiefs (8-5, Last week ranked 7th)

Frustration and vulnerability are starting to show for Kansas City after back-to-back losses to the Packers and Bills. The Chiefs are now only one game ahead of the surging Broncos and could find themselves in a spot they’ve never been before with Patrick Mahomes: on the road for part of the postseason. A trip to Foxboro against the 3-10 Patriots should make them feel better.

 

5. Miami Dolphins (9-4, Last week ranked 4th)

If you went to bed early last Monday night, you probably thought the Dolphins beat the Titans. Yet up 14 with three minutes left, Miami blew the lead and lost 28-27. The bigger concern is the health of wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who missed time during the game with an ankle injury. The loss did keep the Dolphins one game behind the Ravens for the top seed in the AFC.

 

4. Philadelphia Eagles (10-3, Last week ranked 2nd)

Oh, how quickly the mighty have fallen. Just two weeks ago, the Eagles were our top team with just one loss. Now, after defeats to the Niners and Cowboys, their biggest rivals in the NFC, Philly is looking at a wild-card berth and a trip on the road in the playoffs. They no longer control their own destiny and could use a get-well game in Seattle on Monday night.

 

3. Baltimore Ravens (10-3, Last week ranked 3rd)

Here’s a sign of a really good team. The Ravens gave up 31 points, didn’t look great offensively but scored 31 points, and beat the Rams in overtime on a punt return. Lamar Jackson threw for three touchdowns in a rare, pass-dominated attack for Baltimore. A trip to Jacksonville in primetime Sunday awaits this week, followed by games with the 49ers, Dolphins, and Steelers, all current playoff teams.

 

2. Dallas Cowboys (10-3, Last week ranked 5th)

Can the Cowboys win away from AT&T Stadium? That will be the question if they don’t get the NFC’s #1 seed. They’ve won 15 straight at home after last Sunday night’s 33-13 rout of the Eagles that ties them atop the NFC East. But the next two games are at Buffalo and Miami. Dak Prescott is in MVP mode with 15 TDs and 1 interceptions in his last five games, all wins for Dallas.

 

1. San Francisco 49ers (10-3, Last week ranked 1st)

With a month left in the season, the 49ers are looking as strong as ever. They’re the only team to have clinched a playoff spot and a division title. Now it’s just a matter of whether they can hold off Dallas and Philadelphia, both of whom they’ve already beaten this season, for the NFC’s top seed in the upcoming playoffs.

 

Five games to watch in week 15
Vikings at Bengals (Saturday 1 pm on NFL Network)
Broncos at Lions (Saturday 8:15 pm on NFL Network)
Chiefs at Patriots (Sunday 1 pm on FOX)
Cowboys at Bills (Sunday 4:25 pm on FOX)
Ravens at Jaguars (Sunday 8:20 pm on NBC)