Army Beats Navy, 3rd Loyal Reader Rewarded, and...the Week 15 NFL Cheat Sheet
This past week has been a little crazy.
I started last weekend out in a suite at a Capitals game, rolled right into Army/Navy day, and then spent some time celebrating our third A Hoosier on the Potomac Loyal Reader awardee -- Matt Edmond. With all that craziness, I had to punt on the Wednesday edition of the blog this week. I apologize -- I know you all were disappointed.
Let's get back on track. We need to cover Army/Navy, our latest awardee, and the cheat sheet.
Army wins their second straight Army/Navy tilt, 14-13
Army won again -- yes! See Dan Head's blog for tactical details. I am much too emotional about this game to have "covered" it for a written report.
We went to watch the game with some very good Army friends -- Ryan and Erin McCormack -- in Arlington, Virginia. My connection to Ryan, and our connection to the McCormack family, is actually NOT from sports, but service together in the 7th Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. McCormack was actually a Division 1 athlete (Army lax), so I would have no business competing with him on the fields of friendly strife. [We did get in some serious whiffle ball games on the mean streets of DuPont, Washington, though.]
I spent most of my time during the game at the McCormack's: (1) maintaining communication with friends on various text strings, (2) eating the finest meats and cheeses, and (3) attempting not to curse in front of children. Oh, and I probably said, "Come on," "right here," "let's go," and [expletive] hundreds of times each, while pacing around the Christmas tree.
I am just so dog gone happy the Army Team won. I admit -- I wish this game didn't mean that much too me, but it does. Way to go, Army.
As I mentioned last week, the Army/Navy game is equal parts Super Bowl, Thanksgiving, and Mardi Gras. We feel very fortunate that we got to hang out with some long-time friends around the football hearth again this year. Eat, Drink and BEAT NAVY!
(Left) Pre-game hanging with former Army Lax player, Lt. Col. Ryan McCormack ('97) and family at their home in northern Virginia for Army/Navy 2017. (Right) Post-game euphoria, notice the sign on the wall..."Eat, Drink and BEAT NAVY!"
Ran across an old photo while putting this blog together -- (Left) Junior Black Knight football in Shea Stadium at West Point, 2009 (Right) Army/Navy 2017.
Sunday at Crystal City Sports Pub
I had to save a little energy during the Army/Navy festivities, because I had my West Point classmate, and West Point Marathon teammate Matt Edmond coming to AHOTP headquarters the next day to accept the third ever Loyal Reader award. Not only were Matt I connected through our time along the Hudson, but we served together at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While at Bragg, we started a little pick 'em league that still exists today.
Before heading out to the Crystal City Sports Pub in Arlington, Pat Lewis from Richmond, Virginia joined up with us. Pat served in the same unit as Matt while at Fort Bragg, and got into our pick 'em league somewhere along the way. I have been in the same room with Pat less than five times before this past weekend, but we have more than a decade of virtual friendship based primarily on...yeah, you guessed it, talking about sports.
The AHOTP staff really treated those two well. I drove them to and from the sports bar for the early games (they paid for everything), and then we served them some of the finest sausage and peppers before Pat had to head back to Richmond. Fellas -- thanks for coming to see us and spend the day; we love rewarding loyal readers!
Now let's get back to what my relationship with Matt and Pat is based upon...picking some football games.
(Left) I am not sure why I am looking like such a donkey in this pre-NFL game day photo with Matt Edmond (Broncos) and Pat Lewis (Bills); (Right) Clearly I am feeling better as the Colts have improved their draft position in the Buffalo snow.
The Fall of 1995 in New Orleans for a Colts game. Matt and I ended up parking right next to the Saints End Zoners club tailgate. The End Zoners fan club was the original Saints fan club and they treated us like long-lost relatives.
As we move into the cheat sheet, realize the first two games will be played on Saturday. Check your local listings.
Chicago Bears vs. (-5.0) Detroit Lions: At 7-6, Detroit is living on the edge -- they probably have to win out to make the playoffs. At 4-9, Chicago is playing for next year, but surprisingly smashed the Cincinnati Bengals 33-7 on the banks of the Ohio last week to show they are still interested in spoiling another team's playoff chances. Recent history says the Bears lose this one -- they haven't defeated an NFC North foe since Halloween of 2016, and they haven't beaten the Lions at Ford Field since Week 17 of 2012. -- LIONS
San Diego Chargers vs. (+1.0) Kansas City Chiefs: Woah, Nellie, this one is a dandy! Two AFC West rivals with equal records and sitting atop the division face off in a Saturday prime-time special. Too bad many of you will be at a holiday party trying to keep your neighbors' allergic six year old away from the table with peanut butter cookies and mini-fish tacos. I hate to pick against a veteran coach at home late in the season against a rookie coach, but I am. -- CHARGERS
New York Jets vs. (-16.0) New Orleans Saints: New York has been more competitive this year than most people would have predicted. But they lost starting QB Cade McCown to a broken hand last week against the Denver Broncos and immediately become non-competitive -- losing 23-0. New Orleans has had 10 days to prepare for this game, as well. -- SAINTS
Houston Texans vs. (-11.5) Jacksonville Jaguars: The Texans fortunes took a turn for the worse when they lost QB Deshaun Watson to a torn ACL at a practice in early-November -- they have gone 1-5 since. Houston will now go to third-string QB T.J. Yates, after QB Tom Savage got his brain absolutely "savaged" by Elvis Dumervil in a 26-16 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Not surprised that Houston's dunce head coach Bill O'Brien was totally unaware that Savage had a mini-seizure after the hit, and still sent him back out to win one for benevolent owner Bob McNair, who loves his players so much. -- JAGUARS
Philadelphia Eagles vs. (+10.0) New York Giants: You might have thought the Giants would have gotten a boost out of the Ben McAdoo firing Dec. 4, and come out ready to rock against the Dallas Cowboys last week under interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo. You would have been wrong -- New York lost 30-10. Expect more of the same this week, even with Philadelphia backup QB Nick Foles replacing MVP candidate Carson Wentz, who went down with a torn ACL last week in the Eagles 43-35 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. -- EAGLES
Miami Dolphins vs. (-3.0) Buffalo Bills: So what in the world happened in the Monday night game that saw the Dolphins beating the Patriots 27-20 in Miami? I certainly didn't stay up to watch what should have been an easy New England victory. Both teams are clinging to playoff hopes, and it seems like things are coming together for Miami QB Jay Cutler. Buffalo will most likely being going back to QB Tyrod Taylor, who sat out last week with a knee injury. -- DOLPHINS
Baltimore Ravens vs. (+7.0) Cleveland Browns: Check this out! The Browns have a higher rated offense (23rd) AND defense (12th) than the Ravens, who have the 27th rated offense and 14th ranked defense in the NFL. This is the last home game for Cleveland this year, but Baltimore is playing well since late-October (4-2, with those two losses by a total of four points). -- RAVENS
Cincinnati Bengals vs. (-10.5) Minnesota Vikings: Cincinnati got embarrassed last week losing 33-7 to the Bears, who have the worst offense in the NFL. From the social media reaction, it is clear Bengals fans saw two things: Cincy quit, and it is time for Marvin Lewis to join Chuck Pagano, John Fox, and some others on the short bus to NFL unemployment. Minnesota lost a close one to the Carolina Panthers last week, 31-24, but could still garner the number one playoff seed in the NFC. --VIKINGS
Arizona Cardinals vs. (-4.0) Washington Redskins: If the Redskins don't look like a team that has quit, they at least look like one that wants their coach to get fired. Washington's defensive captain said the team didn't prepare well enough at practice before their 30-13 loss tot the Chargers last week, according to Jacob Camenker of the RiggosRag. Jesse Reed of Sportsnaut highlighted CB Josh Norman expressing his frustration with his role and the direction of the team -- says he came to D.C. to win championships. Came to Washington to win championships? What? That's ridiculous. -- CARDINALS
Green Bay Packers vs. (-3.0) Carolina Panthers: Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers is returning from a broken collarbone that kept him out for eight weeks. The Packers have surrendered the third most sacks (43) in the NFL this year. Carolina has the 5th ranked defense and two defensive ends, Julius Peppers and Mario Addison, with 9.5 sacks each on the season, which has them both tied with the Chief's Justin Houston for tenth most in the league by an individual player. Rodgers may find himself injured again before Monday. -- PANTHERS
Los Angeles Rams vs. (-2.5) Seattle Seahawks: A win this game would give the Seahawks the lead in the NFC West by virtue of the head-to-head tie-breaker; Seattle beat Los Angeles in Week 6, 16-10. Both teams are coming off losses, and neither team has lost two straight all year -- something has to give here. The Seahawks have been a team you don't want to bet against in the Pete Carroll era after the calendar turns to November -- since 2012, his Hawks are 35-9 in regular season games played in November, December, and January. Check my math if you would like. -- SEAHAWKS
New England Patriots vs. (+3.0) Pittsburgh Steelers: I wouldn't bet against the Patriots versus Mike Tomlin. Tomlin is 2-6 against the Patriots, while Bill Belichick has 10-3 record versus the Steelers since coming to New England. I wouldn't bet against Tom Brady versus the Steelers, either. Brady is 7-2 when playing the Steelers in the regular season. -- PATRIOTS
Tennessee Titans vs. (-1.0) San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco has won two straight with QB Jimmy Garrapolo at the helm. Tennessee crapped out a clunker last week in a 12-7 loss to the Cardinals. Tennessee QB Marcus Mariota performed poorly last week throwing for an anemic 159 yards and two costly interceptions. According to Steve DelVechio of LarryBrownSports, Mariota is still dealing with issues from last year's ankle and leg injury, and his hamstring will need surgery in the offseason. -- 49ERS
Dallas Cowboys vs. (+3.0) Oakland Raiders: Tom Bowles of Athlon Sports reports Oakland is 4-3 when RB Marshawn Lynch runs for 100 or more yards, and 2-4 when he doesn't. Dallas has the 7th ranked rush defense in the league, allowing 107 rushing yards per game. It will be hard for Lynch to hit that yard mark against the Cowboys, and even when he does, the Raiders aren't THAT successful. Bowles also says the Raiders are sloppy with the ball with the third worst turnover margin at minus-10. -- COWBOYS
Atlanta Falcons vs. (+6.0) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: I like it when the Monday night game is a mismatch. It means the last game I am writing about is an easy capsule to put together, and I will get good sleep on Monday night. Atlanta is on pace to make the playoffs, and has won four of their last five. Tampa Bay has lost three straight and eight of their last 10 games. -- FALCONS
I started last weekend out in a suite at a Capitals game, rolled right into Army/Navy day, and then spent some time celebrating our third A Hoosier on the Potomac Loyal Reader awardee -- Matt Edmond. With all that craziness, I had to punt on the Wednesday edition of the blog this week. I apologize -- I know you all were disappointed.
Let's get back on track. We need to cover Army/Navy, our latest awardee, and the cheat sheet.
Army wins their second straight Army/Navy tilt, 14-13
Army won again -- yes! See Dan Head's blog for tactical details. I am much too emotional about this game to have "covered" it for a written report.
We went to watch the game with some very good Army friends -- Ryan and Erin McCormack -- in Arlington, Virginia. My connection to Ryan, and our connection to the McCormack family, is actually NOT from sports, but service together in the 7th Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. McCormack was actually a Division 1 athlete (Army lax), so I would have no business competing with him on the fields of friendly strife. [We did get in some serious whiffle ball games on the mean streets of DuPont, Washington, though.]
I spent most of my time during the game at the McCormack's: (1) maintaining communication with friends on various text strings, (2) eating the finest meats and cheeses, and (3) attempting not to curse in front of children. Oh, and I probably said, "Come on," "right here," "let's go," and [expletive] hundreds of times each, while pacing around the Christmas tree.
I am just so dog gone happy the Army Team won. I admit -- I wish this game didn't mean that much too me, but it does. Way to go, Army.
As I mentioned last week, the Army/Navy game is equal parts Super Bowl, Thanksgiving, and Mardi Gras. We feel very fortunate that we got to hang out with some long-time friends around the football hearth again this year. Eat, Drink and BEAT NAVY!
Sunday at Crystal City Sports Pub
I had to save a little energy during the Army/Navy festivities, because I had my West Point classmate, and West Point Marathon teammate Matt Edmond coming to AHOTP headquarters the next day to accept the third ever Loyal Reader award. Not only were Matt I connected through our time along the Hudson, but we served together at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While at Bragg, we started a little pick 'em league that still exists today.
Before heading out to the Crystal City Sports Pub in Arlington, Pat Lewis from Richmond, Virginia joined up with us. Pat served in the same unit as Matt while at Fort Bragg, and got into our pick 'em league somewhere along the way. I have been in the same room with Pat less than five times before this past weekend, but we have more than a decade of virtual friendship based primarily on...yeah, you guessed it, talking about sports.
The AHOTP staff really treated those two well. I drove them to and from the sports bar for the early games (they paid for everything), and then we served them some of the finest sausage and peppers before Pat had to head back to Richmond. Fellas -- thanks for coming to see us and spend the day; we love rewarding loyal readers!
Now let's get back to what my relationship with Matt and Pat is based upon...picking some football games.
As we move into the cheat sheet, realize the first two games will be played on Saturday. Check your local listings.
Chicago Bears vs. (-5.0) Detroit Lions: At 7-6, Detroit is living on the edge -- they probably have to win out to make the playoffs. At 4-9, Chicago is playing for next year, but surprisingly smashed the Cincinnati Bengals 33-7 on the banks of the Ohio last week to show they are still interested in spoiling another team's playoff chances. Recent history says the Bears lose this one -- they haven't defeated an NFC North foe since Halloween of 2016, and they haven't beaten the Lions at Ford Field since Week 17 of 2012. -- LIONS
San Diego Chargers vs. (+1.0) Kansas City Chiefs: Woah, Nellie, this one is a dandy! Two AFC West rivals with equal records and sitting atop the division face off in a Saturday prime-time special. Too bad many of you will be at a holiday party trying to keep your neighbors' allergic six year old away from the table with peanut butter cookies and mini-fish tacos. I hate to pick against a veteran coach at home late in the season against a rookie coach, but I am. -- CHARGERS
New York Jets vs. (-16.0) New Orleans Saints: New York has been more competitive this year than most people would have predicted. But they lost starting QB Cade McCown to a broken hand last week against the Denver Broncos and immediately become non-competitive -- losing 23-0. New Orleans has had 10 days to prepare for this game, as well. -- SAINTS
Houston Texans vs. (-11.5) Jacksonville Jaguars: The Texans fortunes took a turn for the worse when they lost QB Deshaun Watson to a torn ACL at a practice in early-November -- they have gone 1-5 since. Houston will now go to third-string QB T.J. Yates, after QB Tom Savage got his brain absolutely "savaged" by Elvis Dumervil in a 26-16 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Not surprised that Houston's dunce head coach Bill O'Brien was totally unaware that Savage had a mini-seizure after the hit, and still sent him back out to win one for benevolent owner Bob McNair, who loves his players so much. -- JAGUARS
Philadelphia Eagles vs. (+10.0) New York Giants: You might have thought the Giants would have gotten a boost out of the Ben McAdoo firing Dec. 4, and come out ready to rock against the Dallas Cowboys last week under interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo. You would have been wrong -- New York lost 30-10. Expect more of the same this week, even with Philadelphia backup QB Nick Foles replacing MVP candidate Carson Wentz, who went down with a torn ACL last week in the Eagles 43-35 victory over the Los Angeles Rams. -- EAGLES
Miami Dolphins vs. (-3.0) Buffalo Bills: So what in the world happened in the Monday night game that saw the Dolphins beating the Patriots 27-20 in Miami? I certainly didn't stay up to watch what should have been an easy New England victory. Both teams are clinging to playoff hopes, and it seems like things are coming together for Miami QB Jay Cutler. Buffalo will most likely being going back to QB Tyrod Taylor, who sat out last week with a knee injury. -- DOLPHINS
Baltimore Ravens vs. (+7.0) Cleveland Browns: Check this out! The Browns have a higher rated offense (23rd) AND defense (12th) than the Ravens, who have the 27th rated offense and 14th ranked defense in the NFL. This is the last home game for Cleveland this year, but Baltimore is playing well since late-October (4-2, with those two losses by a total of four points). -- RAVENS
Cincinnati Bengals vs. (-10.5) Minnesota Vikings: Cincinnati got embarrassed last week losing 33-7 to the Bears, who have the worst offense in the NFL. From the social media reaction, it is clear Bengals fans saw two things: Cincy quit, and it is time for Marvin Lewis to join Chuck Pagano, John Fox, and some others on the short bus to NFL unemployment. Minnesota lost a close one to the Carolina Panthers last week, 31-24, but could still garner the number one playoff seed in the NFC. --VIKINGS
Arizona Cardinals vs. (-4.0) Washington Redskins: If the Redskins don't look like a team that has quit, they at least look like one that wants their coach to get fired. Washington's defensive captain said the team didn't prepare well enough at practice before their 30-13 loss tot the Chargers last week, according to Jacob Camenker of the RiggosRag. Jesse Reed of Sportsnaut highlighted CB Josh Norman expressing his frustration with his role and the direction of the team -- says he came to D.C. to win championships. Came to Washington to win championships? What? That's ridiculous. -- CARDINALS
Green Bay Packers vs. (-3.0) Carolina Panthers: Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers is returning from a broken collarbone that kept him out for eight weeks. The Packers have surrendered the third most sacks (43) in the NFL this year. Carolina has the 5th ranked defense and two defensive ends, Julius Peppers and Mario Addison, with 9.5 sacks each on the season, which has them both tied with the Chief's Justin Houston for tenth most in the league by an individual player. Rodgers may find himself injured again before Monday. -- PANTHERS
Los Angeles Rams vs. (-2.5) Seattle Seahawks: A win this game would give the Seahawks the lead in the NFC West by virtue of the head-to-head tie-breaker; Seattle beat Los Angeles in Week 6, 16-10. Both teams are coming off losses, and neither team has lost two straight all year -- something has to give here. The Seahawks have been a team you don't want to bet against in the Pete Carroll era after the calendar turns to November -- since 2012, his Hawks are 35-9 in regular season games played in November, December, and January. Check my math if you would like. -- SEAHAWKS
New England Patriots vs. (+3.0) Pittsburgh Steelers: I wouldn't bet against the Patriots versus Mike Tomlin. Tomlin is 2-6 against the Patriots, while Bill Belichick has 10-3 record versus the Steelers since coming to New England. I wouldn't bet against Tom Brady versus the Steelers, either. Brady is 7-2 when playing the Steelers in the regular season. -- PATRIOTS
Tennessee Titans vs. (-1.0) San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco has won two straight with QB Jimmy Garrapolo at the helm. Tennessee crapped out a clunker last week in a 12-7 loss to the Cardinals. Tennessee QB Marcus Mariota performed poorly last week throwing for an anemic 159 yards and two costly interceptions. According to Steve DelVechio of LarryBrownSports, Mariota is still dealing with issues from last year's ankle and leg injury, and his hamstring will need surgery in the offseason. -- 49ERS
Dallas Cowboys vs. (+3.0) Oakland Raiders: Tom Bowles of Athlon Sports reports Oakland is 4-3 when RB Marshawn Lynch runs for 100 or more yards, and 2-4 when he doesn't. Dallas has the 7th ranked rush defense in the league, allowing 107 rushing yards per game. It will be hard for Lynch to hit that yard mark against the Cowboys, and even when he does, the Raiders aren't THAT successful. Bowles also says the Raiders are sloppy with the ball with the third worst turnover margin at minus-10. -- COWBOYS
Atlanta Falcons vs. (+6.0) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: I like it when the Monday night game is a mismatch. It means the last game I am writing about is an easy capsule to put together, and I will get good sleep on Monday night. Atlanta is on pace to make the playoffs, and has won four of their last five. Tampa Bay has lost three straight and eight of their last 10 games. -- FALCONS
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