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Ricky’s Round-Up: NFL Week 14’s five key talking points

Buckle in folks, this week was an absolute corker, just as I predicted in last week’s edition. A NFL Monday Night Football double header that really set the bar as the season continues to heat up towards the playoffs.  Let’s delve into the action!

#1- Dolphins drown by their own volition in clash with the Tennessee Titans

Three minutes left on the clock. Up by 14 points thanks to two fumbles by the Titans gifting them two back-to-back touchdowns. It was surely inconceivable to think that this Titans offence could pull off a miracle in Miami.

That is exactly what they did. Rookie QB Will Levis showed he has that clutch gene in him, one that could see him remain in Tennessee for a long time. But the Dolphins, I am speechless. You’re vying for the number one seed in the AFC and your star-studded defence crumbles like that?

The Dolphins are the first team ever in NFL history to lose a game in regulation in the manner they did. I did mention the defence may be their downfall last week. However, I did not think that it would be the Titans proving my theory right…

#2- Patrick Mahomes, what are you whining about Chief?

It sure is nice to see Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills back within a shout of the playoffs, and beating the Kansas City Chiefs of all teams to do so. Plenty of controversy around officiating came to light, with Mahomes throwing his toys out the pram after the game.

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It’s hard to describe, but Mahomes was incredibly upset over an offside flag on WR Kadarius Toney that ruled out a last-minute game winning touchdown. To say Toney was offside would be egregious in itself. He was so far offside the referee could not see the ball at the line of scrimmage.

I have a lot of admiration for Mahomes, but this was not pretty to see. The Chiefs are being humbled after a remarkable four losses in a row, and frustration is clearly boiling over.

#3- Dazzling Dallas Cowboys go Eagle(s) hunting

It seems like these predictions of mine are not too bad. In the first edition, I said the Cowboys should be able to make a statement against the Philadelphia Eagles if they stick to their fundamentals, and they certainly did just that. Head coach Mike McCarthy had a burst appendix only three days ago, but that didn’t stop him guiding his team to a fantastic victory.

The defence did not concede a single touchdown against a very potent Eagles offence, who before this week had scored a touchdown in every single game of the season. With two forced fumbles, and a really smooth cohesion across all three areas of the defence, they were able to smother the Eagles with ease.

Philly, you are not going on my FraudWatch today. One more performance like that however, and they may just find themselves on the hotseat.

#4- FraudWatch victim number three: Houston Texans

This pains me to write because QB C.J Stroud and the Texans have been magnificent to watch this season. But losing to the New York Jets by 24 points has my head spinning slightly. The Jets have rotated their starting quarterback all season as if it were a carousel at the fair.

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Jets QB Zach Wilson putting up 30 points on this remarkably astute defence just doesn’t make sense. I understand the Texans’ offensive struggles, losing star rookie WR Tank Dell last week, and now another emerging star WR in Nico Collins this week. To add to their woes, C.J Stroud is now in concussion protocol. When it rains, it pours.

Nevertheless, it had all the FraudWatch bells ringing. I do hope they can turn it around, but with such key losses at this time of the season, for me their playoff chances have all but gone.

#5- Rams left reeling after Ravens dramatic overtime win

Lamar Jackson and Matthew Stafford. Two quarterbacks with contrasting styles, yet such joys to watch. The Los Angeles Rams will feel hard done by after a top performance on all sides of the ball, and really making the number one AFC seed Baltimore Ravens sweat.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh will consistently talk of the importance of special teams. The Ravens special teams showed exactly why he does so with the game winning touchdown in overtime. Tylan Wallace almost didn’t make the 53-man roster at the start of the season. He is now the hero, as the Ravens sit alone atop the AFC with a 10-3 record.

For the Rams, it is not all doom and gloom. With the Packers losing on Monday night, and the Vikings looking very much questionable, they still have a very good chance to get into the playoffs.

Ricky’s NFL wrap of the Week (15)

That is another wrap of Ricky’s Round-Up. As we head into week 15, two games to keep an eye on: Jacksonville Jaguars vs Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills vs Dallas Cowboys. Top tier spectacles on display once again.  I hope you enjoyed and see you next week!

Author

  • Ricky Westaby

    Ricky Westaby is the American Football editor for the Sports Gazette. Originally inspired by the Blind Side’s ‘true story’ to get into American Football, learning its dark truths was a crushing reality. However, the passion was already instilled. A QPR fan born and raised in West London, his other main areas of focus will include football and rugby union. @RWestaby_SG

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