2020 NFL Week 15 saw some of the basement dwellers of the NFL win. Some of the better teams took huge steps back this week. After a week of shuffling within the standings, there was shuffling of the Four Up and Four Down Power Rankings this week.
Kansas City Chiefs Keep Finding Ways to Win
Kansas City managed to beat the New Orleans Saints 32-29 on Sunday. Patrick Mahomes was making more crazy touchdown throws. The Chiefs are simply finding ways to win. However, there are minor flaws with this team that could become major if one team finds a way to expose them. The Chiefs look nearly unbeatable, which it feels like they are. Nonetheless, if a team finds something, they can expose the Chiefs on, they might not have such an easy path to the Super Bowl.
2. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen and the Bills played nearly perfect in their 48-19 demolition of the Denver Broncos. The score could have been worse if the Bills offense did not stall in the red zone on three separate second half drives. Allen will not win MVP, but he should be considered. Also, the defense got a touchdown for the second week in a row. If the Bills get complementary play from their defense like they have the past two weeks, they will be hard to beat.
3. Green Bay Packers
The Packers coasted to a 24-16 win against the Carolina Panthers. The offense scored 21 points in the first half and looked like they were firing on all cylinders. However, they only scored three points in the second half. While talking on The Pat McAfee Show, Aaron Rodgers attributed this to the Panthers showing a lot of dime looks. Nonetheless, the Packers got a December win, and are primed to get the number one seed in the NFC. Teams will not want to go up to cold Lambeau Field and play, which is a huge advantage for the Packers.
4. Cleveland Browns
Cleveland beat the New York Giants 20-6 on Sunday night. The game was a snoozer compared to their game against the Ravens in 2020 NFL Week 14. However, having unexciting wins may be a good thing for a Browns franchise that knows how tough wins are to come by in the NFL. They are drama-free. However, after playing the Jets this week, we will see if the Browns will have any say on division supremacy against the Steelers.
Four Down: Bengals, Jets Both Capture Surprising Wins In 2020 NFL Week 15
29. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons let yet another big lead slip away from them in their 31-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At this point, it must be psychological with this team. Atlanta carries the moniker of “choking” games away. Whoever Atlanta hires as their new head coach will have to find a way to shed the team’s label. Did anyone actually think Atlanta was going to win even when they were up 17-0 on Sunday?
30. Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati’s 27-17 upset win against the Steelers was shocking. Ryan Finley was able to use his legs to confuse the Steelers’ defense and the defense was able to hold their own against Pittsburgh’s offense. Also, this win did not affect the Bengals’ draft position (unlike a team below), so why not win a game against one of your most bitter rivals?
A Word on The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Three-Game Losing Streak: I do not understand why Pittsburgh is trying to use a quick passing game offense so much. Their receivers can get separation, and quick passes lead to drops, which the Steelers lead the league in. Since they switched to this offense against the Ravens, their record is 1-3. When the Steelers were 11-0, Juju Smith-Schuster’s TikTok dances were not necessarily garnering national attention. Now at 11-3, he has put a stop to his videos after they have created a huge team distraction. Opponents want to beat the Steelers in part because of Smith-Schuster’s antics. The Steelers now have two weeks to figure things out before the playoffs.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars lost 40-14 to the Ravens and slid into the number-one slot in the 2021 NFL Draft. Jacksonville may end up winning the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes. Jacksonville has talented players. If they can get leadership that is competent and modern in how they run a football franchise, they will have a chance to succeed with Lawrence. However, if they keep to what they are doing it will not be successful for them. Also, with how 2020 NFL Week 15 went, it should not surprise anyone if the Jaguars find a way to get out of this position.
32. New York Jets
Adam Gase will not be the third coach to oversee a 0-16 season. However, this win for the Jets against a probable NFC playoff team in the Rams just shows how incompetent of an operation the New York Jets are. They were in prime position to get Trevor Lawrence. That is why they will stay at number 32. Many Jets fans were not happy about the victory. Nonetheless, Gase should get credit for keeping his players engaged because winning this game shows he has not entirely lost the locker room. The players and coaches are still being professional. But beating the Rams will not save Gase his job, or it should not anyway.
Do you agree with Four Up and Four Down after 2020 NFL Week 15. Tweet us, @unafraidshow, with your thoughts.
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