Football Contest: Week 15

Just three games left for each team and there are still 11 playoff slots left.  I'm sure a couple of spots will be locked up this week.

This week features a pretty random assortment of packs:

3 x 2010 Classics (5),
3 x 2011 Adrenalyn XL (6),
1 x 2010 R&S (10),
4 x 2012 Score (7),
1 x 2010 Topps Platinum (4)

In total, there are 75 cards in the pot this week.

As expected, each score pack produced a glossy parallel:

The Chargers, who are in need of continuing their win streak, picked up a Glossy Hokie.Also in the score packs were these sweet In The Zone cards:

Sorry Play at the Plate, that Cowboy is actually a Jaguar. 

The Adrenalyn packs produced two special cards.  Literally...they say "special" on them and are shiny-foily.

Already the Giants look to be in good shape this week.

Let's look at some games:

CINCINNATI BENGALS 4, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 3
>>> The Eagles had the McCoy Special above, but the Bengals had two base cards in addition to their insert:

NEW YORK GIANTS 6, ATLANTA FALCONS 3
>>> The story of this was told up top as the Giants had two inserts while the Falcons had the one glossy Score.

DENVER BRONCOS 4, BALTIMORE RAVENS 1
>>> The Broncos show the Ravens who's boss in the AFC with the help of this nice GoldZone card:

GREEN BAY PACKERS 1, CHICAGO BEARS 1
>>> This matchup saw one base card apiece.  I saw both Greg Jennings (Western Michigan) and Devin Hester (Miami) play at Virginia Tech.  Hester was ok, but not special.  Jennings put up 65 rec. yds. against us, which is impressive since WM is not exactly a powerhouse.  Tie goes to the Packers,
who, in consecutive weeks, have defeated all three of their division foes.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS 5, CLEVELAND BROWNS 3
>>> The Redskins finally get a solid win, but it's likely too little too late.  Credit to Hokie DeAngelo Hall for this one:

HOUSTON TEXANS 5, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 1
>>> This one wasn't close, with the Texans landing the best card this week.  This is an Arian Foster Extra Signature (printed):

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 7, MIAMI DOLPHINS 1
>>> This is just the kind of game the Jags wanted.  A win over a fellow Wild Card hopeful is always nice this late in the season. The Glossy Score RC and In The Zone up top were the big contributors here.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 3, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 2
>>> The Bucs didn't need a bad loss, but they certainly didn't bring their Sunday Best:

MINNESOTA VIKINGS 2, ST. LOUIS RAMS 1
>>> After a 10-2 start, the Rams have dropped two straight.  At least they scored a point this week.

ARIZONA CARDINALS 2, DETROIT LIONS 1
>>> This Cardinals win puts both of these teams at 8-6.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 5, BUFFALO BILLS 4
>>> The Bills have actually put up good numbers this year, but seem to hit teams at just the wrong time.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 4, CAROLINA PANTHERS 1
>>> The Chargers have now won 3 straight to get to 7-7.  Their remaining schedule: Jets and Raiders...

PITTSBURGH STEELERS 8, DALLAS COWBOYS 6
>>> The Steelers pulled a week high 7 total cards for this win.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 2, OAKLAND RAIDERS 2
>>> 2 base cards each, but the Chiefs get the win because Darrius Heyward-Bey was an awful draft pick.  There were 6 WR in the first round of the 2009 Draft.   Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin, Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks, and Kenny Britt have all put up better numbers.  Other Notable 2009 Draft WR Mike Wallace and Johnny Knox have made the Pro Bowl.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS  2, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 1
>>> This is one of those matchups that should have been way better.

NEW YORK JETS 3, TENNESSEE TITANS 2
>>> This is one of those matchups that sucked like it should have.

Let's look at the standings:

The Giants and Rams both clinched their divisions, while the Patriots grabbed a playoff guarantee.  It's amazing how many teams are sitting in that 8-6, 7-7, 6-8 pocket. 

The playoff picture didn't change much this week.  The Jags swapped Wild Card spots with the Dolphins and the Giants and Rams swapped 1-2 seeds.

Look for the Playoff Predictions update later this week.