NFL Outlook Article #8

Zachary Kontenakos, Staff Writer

The final three weeks of the regular season are upon us, and the final push for the playoffs is here.

Rodgers is back! Aaron Rodgers will be returning to the field this week after finally being medically cleared to play from his collarbone injury. The Packer’s star quarterback has been out since week 6 when Viking’s Linebacker Anthony Barr drilled Rodgers into the ground after an incomplete pass, and Rodgers had to leave the game. Since his injury, the Packers have gone 3-5, beating teams with losing records in the Bears, Bucs, and Browns. It took the Packers everything they had to beat the 0-14 Browns, including a touchdown pass to Devonte Adams in Overtime. The good news for the Packers is that they still have a chance to make the playoffs and even win the division. They will win the NFC North if they win out and the division-leading Vikings lose out. The Packers can also make the 6th seed if some of the teams ahead of them (Panthers, Falcons, Saints) lose a few games, since all of those teams will play each other before the season is over. If the Packers make the playoffs, we all know that Aaron Rodgers is a “baaaaad man” and can carry a team to a Superbowl title.

Snow Bowl! Every few years there is a game in the north where the field is covered in over a foot of snow. It is one of the most enjoyable things to watch, because of the players sliding into the snow, and the old fashioned, pound the rock football. With such a focus on the run game, the Bills running back, McCoy, ran for 156 yards on 32 attempts with a touchdown. The Colts running back also had a great game on the ground with 130 yards on 36 attempts. The low scoring affair, which ended with the Bills winning with a score of 13-7, had some memorable moments in the special teams plays. One was the incredible punt by the colts that stuck in the snow at the two-yard line, not moving an inch after impact, which set up the Bills offense with a 98 yard field. Also, Adam Vinatieri the ageless wonder and greatest kicker of all time who won two Super Bowls in clutch time for the Patriots, hit a crazy extra point that seemed to warp from 10 yards wide of the goal post to just barley making it between the crossbars in the harsh wind and snow. Those plays combined with the snow inspired touchdown celebrations, made for a great game of American football. Checkout the highlights of the game on youtube if you haven’t already.

Here are the Week 15 predictions! Nate is starting to make a comeback with the score now 4-2-1 with three weeks to go.