NFL Week 15 overreactions, reality checks: Are Cowboys a product of schedule? Should Falcons axe Arthur Smith?

Week 15 in the NFL certainly focused on the playoff races. Six teams entered the weekend tied for the No. 6 playoff spot in the AFC while five teams were tied for the No. 7 spot in the NFC. Let’s not forget the three teams tied for first in the NFC South.

The Sunday slate of games certainly created some narratives as the league heads into Christmas week. Those logjams in the conference playoff races got a little clearer as well. 

With playoff races as hot as ever, there were plenty of overreactions to go around. Which Week 15 takeaways are actually overreactions and which are reality? Here’s a look.

Cowboys win streak was a product of their schedule

Overreaction or reality: Reality

That 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills was an indictment on how favorable the Cowboys schedule was over the previous five weeks, all wins for Dallas. The Cowboys played the New York Giants at home followed by the Carolina Panthers on the road, outscoring two teams with a combined record of 7-21 by an 82-27 margin. 

The Cowboys didn’t have to travel for 27 days, playing the Washington Commanders (4-10), Seattle Seahawks (6-7), and the Philadelphia Eagles (10-3) at home. The Eagles win was impressive, but Dallas also had 10 days rest to prepare for a Philadelphia team coming off four consecutive games against teams with winning records (a combined 38-18). 

The schedule certainly favored Dallas, even though it is a good team. The Cowboys are still just 1-3 against teams with winning records, having a point differential of -38 in those games and -58 on the road against such teams. The Cowboys face the Miami Dolphins and the Detroit Lions next, so they can still change the narrative. 

Bills are the most dangerous team in AFC

Overreaction or reality: Overreaction

The Bills have been very impressive over the past few weeks, dropping a close game against the Eagles on the road (they had a 10-point second half lead)…

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Author : Jeff Kerr

Publish date : 2023-12-18 01:09:27

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