Week 15 NFL storylines: Do Saints have Brady’s number?

Week 15 has arrived successful the NFL and erstwhile again COVID-19 has taken halfway stage.

From Los Angeles to Cleveland to Washington D.C., players are landing connected the COVID-19 database astatine an alarming rate. That has meant 3 games being rescheduled for aboriginal this week.

And that means a clump of things to support an oculus on.

Here are 4 storylines to follow:

Rams’ uphill climb

The Rams’ decisive triumph implicit the Arizona Cardinals mightiness beryllium excessively little, excessively precocious to pursuit down Arizona for the NFC West crown. But the Rams did beryllium they tin spell to an opposing gathering and bushed a bully squad successful a large game.

For a nine that was teetering determination for a small while, that is simply a large woody and mightiness service them good successful the playoffs.

But conscionable erstwhile they got backmost connected way — and pulled to wrong a crippled of the Cardinals — they were ambushed by COVID-19. By Friday, 25 Rams players were connected the COVID-19 list.

The 9-4 Rams big the 5-8 Seahawks connected Tuesday successful a crippled moved from Sunday arsenic a effect of COVID-19. While they are present successful presumption to support gait with the Cardinals, expect their roster to stay successful flux.

A Jaguars restart

Under mean circumstances, determination would beryllium nary crushed for anyone to person immoderate involvement successful the 2-11 Texans gathering the arsenic inept 2-11 Jaguars. But successful his case, determination is astatine slightest a small spot of intrigue. Certainly immoderate curiosity.

The monolithic nonaccomplishment of Urban Meyer successful Jacksonville led to his incredibly rapid autumn from grace. Meyer ne'er rather grasped nonrecreational sports, and however a caput manager is conscionable arsenic overmuch a co-worker to players arsenic helium is their manager. His nonaccomplishment to recognize that basal constituent led to his demise, 1 galore saw coming from the infinitesimal helium was hired

It volition beryllium absorbing to spot however the Jaguars play nether the highly respected Darrell Bevell, who replaced Meyer connected an interim basis.

Ravens reeling

The 8-5 Ravens stay successful archetypal spot successful the AFC North, but their clasp is increasing little and little unafraid aft losing 2 consecutive games. And with backmost Lamar Jackson sitting retired signifier this week with an ankle injury, they’re successful a spot of a pickle arsenic they invited successful the 10-3 Packers connected Sunday.

Jackson’s presumption volition apt travel down to a game-time decision. If helium can’t go, that puts the Ravens successful the hands of Tyler Huntley. His task? Putting Baltimore successful presumption to bushed nary different than Aaron Rodgers, who is putting the Packers connected way to gain the apical effect successful the NFL playoffs and the bye week that comes with it.

That would unit the remainder of the NFC to travel done Lambeau Field successful precocious January to get to the Super Bowl.

Saints are Brady’s kryptonite

The Saints person taken Tom Brady’s ageless heroics and raised him a large ol’ who cares. In the process, they person beaten him and the Buccaneers successful 3 consecutive regular-season meetings.

The 10-3 Buccaneers big the 6-7 Saints, and if you are wondering the past clip Brady has mislaid 4 consecutive regular-season games to an opponent, the reply would beryllium never.

There are a full batch of reasons wherefore Brady wants to support that streak intact, not the slightest of which is making definite his squad keeps gait with the Packers and Cardinals atop the NFC.

Chances are that happens. There are nary logical reasons to expect the Buccaneers to suffer to New Orleans. But then, nary 1 ever expected Brady to suffer 3 consecutive to the Saints, either.

Contact Vincent Bonsignore astatine vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore connected Twitter.