by Anthony Fernandez, December 13th, 2014
Welcome to Part 2 of the PRIMETIME schedule evaluation. We have SO many good games on the back half of the year, and I'm actually a little more equipped to wax poetic on them considering a game has been played. As you know if you read the last article, I'm a simple man who needs to make sure
QB Mike Glennon becomes a star so my Madden friends will stop bullying me. He had an excellent Week 1 game, so I'm fully prepared for the 0TD and 3INT week 2 performance heading into the BYE week where we question everything. I've been working the phones hard to try and order in some help at pass catcher (even though our two youngsters did very well last week, but those numbers were inflated in garbage time). Either way, Mike Glennon fresh off setting the Dallas Cowboys record for most passing yards in a game (448) and tying the record for most TDs in a Cowboys game (5), is going to get a new contract his week with my AP. The next batch of AP will be his +1THP and +1THA. I'm still on the fence about the THA, as I wonder if there is something better to invest it in that might help him more (maybe more SPD/ACC for TE Sims, who catches the balls from Glennon). THA can actually be boosted with progression, so thinking out loud here, maybe we do wait on that. On the bright side, 25k isn't THAT much, so maybe it's worth it? Either way, lots of games in this one, hope you enjoy!
WEEK 10
Sunday Night Football
Chicago Bears @
New York Giants 
Two teams that took some unfortunate injury news Week 1 that MAY shape these two seasons a bit. Both of these teams are more than talented enough to hang in there and overcome, but I do wonder if a safe bet would be that ONE of these teams (who we were pretty sure are going to make the playoffs) will now slide out of the playoff race? It will be interesting to see, and I'm sure the schedule makers are hoping both of these teams are still competitive by Week 10, because this should be a fire Sunday Night Football matchup.
Monday Night Football
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @
Carolina Panthers 
FATHER-SON PART TWO! That's right, part one of this featured the early season matchup, but the schedule makers thought Bryan vs. Phil would be a prime Monday Night Football matchup midway through the season. I tend to agree, but it digitately does feel like these two teams may be heading a LITTLE bit in opposite directions. I recently did a deep dive on the Bucs roster, and while the team is without a doubt talented, it does lack SOME of the characteristics I'd expect of a Madden team built by a guy with three rings. I almost wonder if this year goes in the shitter if Elder Mellon might be ready to enter the transfer portal? I also found it very sweet while Bryan was broadcasting my game this week that his computer background was his son Phil. As a father of two boys, that warmed my heart, and I wonder if the Bucs continue to get bad luck this year if they won't be happy to lay down for his son here, ala Kevin Nash-Hulk Hogan finger poke of doom.
AF's Most Exciting Game of Week 10
San Diego Chargers @
Cincinnati Bengals 
Here we go! What a week of games. The Bengals were certainly one of my pics to compete for a Super Bowl this year, but I've warmed on that prediction a bit. I also thought Will and his Chargers was a good pic this year (and last), but again, the Week 1 letdown has me shook. I think both of these teams will make the playoffs... but I'm going to go out on a limb and say whoever LOSES this game will have to enter the tournament as a Wild Card. The winner will win their division. As for my pick, give me Will in a close one. The Bengals as a Wild Card eliminate the AFC North Champion Ravens in the 1st round of the playoffs.
WEEK 11
Sunday Night Football
Minnesota Vikings @
Miami Dolphins 
Tyler Wilson, everyone! Maybe I was wrong about the kid... or maybe Glennon and Wilson just got extraordinarily lucky in week one and will slowly start to have their flaws exposed as the year progresses. That said, I believe the Vikings are a legit threat in the NFC, and my current favorite to win the NFC North. That said, the Dolphins are awesome. They have been to two Super Bowls in a row for a reason, so give me Miami in this one.
Monday Night Football
New York Giants @
Jacksonville Jaguars 
Embarrassing start to the year for the Jags, who have been much more competitive the last few years. Dallas is not a team that anyone is taking seriously, and rightfully so, as we'll probably finish in 3rd or 4th in the NFC Eas
y again. This will be a huge spot for the Jags, as you're not going to compete with the Colts and Titans by dropping too many teams to a trash division like the NFC
LEast.
AF's Most Exciting Game of Week 11
Indianapolis Colts @
Dallas Cowboys 
I know the Cowboys have been on here a ton already, so I hate to take them for the most exciting game of the week, but how could I pass up a matchup with BRECK!? A living legend in these leagues, I can't remember the last time I played against Breck (if even) and what the outcome was. Considering how infrequently the AFC and NFC play each other, this might be one of the last time in our entire Madden careers going head to head. Breck has the better team, and will probably win easily, but I look forward to the challenge!
WEEK 12
Thanksgiving Day Football (NOON)
Miami Dolphins @
Detroit Lions 
THURSDAY FOOTBALL IS BACK!! Per usual, we kick off the festivities in THE D, as the Detroit Lions will host the reigning AFC Champion Dolphins. This will be a great test for the Lions, who have actually NEVER won an NFC North title, and this may be their best chance. The Lions are also (2-5) in the last 7 Thanksgiving games... so it's not like they are GREAT in this spot. It's a game they really need, but the Dolphins are just SO good. Lions might need a Dolphins injury to steal a win here.
Thanksgiving Day Football (4PM)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @
Dallas Cowboys
Listen, if I could invite ANY SFL General Manager over to MY house for Thanksgiving dinner, it would easily be Bucs GM Bryan Mellon. Can you imagine the shenanigans he and I could get into at a few Thanksgiving dinners?!? Now that sounds like so much fun. But first... business! The Buccaneers started the year rough, but make no mistake they should be considered the favorites in this game. Unlike the Lions, who have struggled mightily on Thanksgiving, the Cowboys have enjoyed a modicum of success to the tune of winning 5 of the last last 7 games on Thanksgiving. That said, expect the Bucs to roll in this one and then steal the Turkey legs, too.
Thanksgiving Night Football
Denver Broncos @
Kansas City Chiefs 
My buddy Tom gets the Thanksgiving night spot, playing his nemesis Rodney and his Chiefs. It is certainly too early for bold statements, but I don't see a scenario where BOTH of these teams make the playoffs in the AFC after one week. I could be WAY off, but both starting (0-1) hurts. I could see one of these teams rallying back to compete with the Raiders, but not both. Give me the Chiefs at home here.
Sunday Night Football
Philadelphia Eagles @
Indianapolis Colts
The Eagles are back on primetime, but this time just to be blown out by the Colts. I don't know why, but the Eagles are just the team that scares me the least, which is crazy talk since they swept me last year. I see Breck figuring it out, and figuring AC out, too.
Monday Night Football
Green Bay Packers @
Seattle Seahawks 
GO PACK GO! The Seahawks are getting a HUGE shine on the primetime schedule this year, while the Packers might be the least featured. I've been pretty down on the Packers, but I like them in this spot. The Hawks will probably blow them out now, but I'm sticking with the Pack.
AF's Most Exciting Game of Week 12
San Francisco 49ers @
St. Louis Rams 
The Rams are here! The Rams want to be taken seriously, and after a nice Week 1 win... they have my attention. But if you're going to cut it in the NFC, you're going to have to win inside your division. Needless to say, the 49ers pose a big threat inside the NFC West, and if the Rams can't keep this close and/or win, then perhaps their meteoric rise will be shortlived. I'll take the Rams in this spot, as they're at home and will hopefully be able to shorten the game with that rushing attack and make a few big plays to steal it.
WEEK 13
Thursday Night Football
Baltimore Ravens @
Cincinnati Bengals
Thursday Night games are back for the rest of the year! They picked a good one to start, as the Bengals and Ravens likely are battling it out for the AFC North title at this point. Norbi and the Ravens are fantastic, from top to bottom, roster wise. The Bengals took some losses in Free Agency, but give me the home Bengals finding a way to pull it out.
Sunday Night Football
Atlanta Falcons @
Washington Football Team 
Bridgewater full go by this time in the season? Maybe! The Atlanta Falcons looked BAD last week. No way to sugarcoat it. But the Washington Football team may be in full rebuild mode at that point... or they may be competing for a division title. All possibilities are believable in the shitty NFC East. Ultimately though, on paper, it's gotta be the Falcons. Right?! It would be crazy to pick Washington over them.
Monday Night Football
Carolina Panthers @
Philadelphia Eagles
The Panthers are looking like a feel-good story after one week, but the Eagles are at home. The Eagles offense looked to have some serious trouble moving the ball, while the Panthers defense looks like they may be legit. Give me the Panthers in this one, but I could see the Eagles putting up a fight.
AF's Most Exciting Game of Week 13
Arizona Cardinals @
St. Louis Rams
RAMS ARE BACK! That's right, same reason as the 49ers. If you want to be considered a threat, you're going to have to compete in the NFC West. The Cardinals are THE team to beat, in the entire conference. I personally think the Rams are going to be overmatched, but there wasn't a single team last week that looked unbeatable. The Rams are going to need Booty to play better to be successful against teams this good, but I'm going with the Cardinals.
WEEK 14
Thursday Night Football
Cleveland Browns @
Pittsburgh Steelers 
Steelers are back on primetime, as we've established the schedule makers love Gary Cohen and his crew. After week one, I have some initial worry about both of these teams. I think they are FAR from out of it, but I could easily see either of these teams shutting it down if the next few weeks don't go as planned. On paper, the Browns are the more talented team (right now), and you can also factor in they don't have a 1st Round Draft pick... so they are more incentivized to keep trying to win this year. So give me the Bengals in a close TNF game.
Sunday Night Football
Baltimore Ravens @
Kansas City Chiefs
The Ravens are the best team nobody talks about enough, and the Chiefs are a talented team that is somehow kind of flying under the radar. With two VERY good, yet VERY OLD WRs on the roster, the Chiefs could easily become sellers as the season progresses. Calvin Johnson and Matt Jones are well beyond their prime, but if they can't compete in the AFC West, they'd be smart to get a late 1st from a contender (later this year), or an early 2nd. Eli Manning is still on the squad though, and last year he got stronger as the year went on like Frank the Tank (Old School) as he continues to consume Miller Lights and go streaking through the quad to the gymnasium. Will Eli have the same effect this year? The Chiefs briefly floated HB Trent Richardson on the trade block last year, but opted to keep him. Week 1 results show that might have been the smart choice.
Monday Night Football
Chicago Bears @
St. Louis Rams
THREE WEEKS IN A ROW OF THE RAMS! The only "nationally televised game" for the team that had the worst record in SFL last year, but they had a really good Week 1 outcome and look like they may be trending in the right direction. The Bears are a formidable opponent though, so the Rams better be super prepared. I don't see Murray running wild on the Bears D like he did last week against the Broncos, to the tune of damn-near 300 yards. #1 draft pick Mike Evans had a quiet game, but look for him to pick that up as the Rams begin to trust John David Booty under center again.
AF's Most Exciting Game of Week 14
Tennessee Titans @
Houston Texans 
Lots of worthwhile potential matchups this week, as the playoff race really picks up. New York Giants at Carolina Panthers looks like it could carry some playoff implications. Brad and his Raiders heading to Cincy to play Brady and his Bengals could legit be an AFC Championship preview. Vikings at Lions is interesting for all the reasons I listed it as one in the first half... except this time around maybe there's a division on the line? Indy Colts at the Jacksonville Jaguars should have some playoff implications. Will Derek Carr and his Patriots still be on top of the AFC East when they go TO Miami to play the back-to-back AFC Champion Dolphins? Philly-Washington is of course very important to me, personally. Are the Seahawks for real and could they beat the defending Champion Cardinals? Will the Packers and 49ers battle it out in a classic late season game with playoff implications in the NFC? Will hilarious TOM upset his bitter division rival WILL COOK? So many good options to pick from. But ultimately, the Texans are about the least represented team in these articles, and I love Wade. So I think him hosting Apolo, one of my other favorites, will be a fun late-season clash. Apolo could very well be playing to get his 5th or 6th win in this game. He's already got ONE of the six he needs to keep his job. An injury to Big Ben (and others) is surely going to make the next few weeks tougher... and if they are fighting for their lives... could this game in Houston be their last GOOD chance to get a 6th win and save their job? If they lose this one, they host the Jaguars, then go TO Buffalo, and then host the Patriots. Could be a very tense final month of the season for my good buddy Apolo.
WEEK 15
Thursday Night Football
San Francisco 49ers @
Seattle Seahawks
The 49ers had some rough Week 1 injury news, but I doubt a team that talented lets it affect them. The Seahawks have been a team on the rise since Draft Night, and this Week 15 matchup has ALL the makings of a game that will have serious implications in the NFC West race. I personally think the Lions are a lot more talented than teams them credit for, so to see the Seahawks go INTO Detroit, not play particularly well, and still secure the win... I may be becoming a believer in the Hawks.
Saturday Night Football
Dallas Cowboys @
Atlanta Falcons
Saturday night football?? My Cowboys? A tough road game here in the ATL, but the upside is that if we find a way to win, we'd have 9 days to prepare for a MNF tilt at home with the Philadelphia Eagles. That is a game that could have NFC East implications, so the extra prep time will be nice. The Falcons were one of the most underwhelming teams of Week 1, but it's certainly not lost on me that this team is like 17 games removed from winning an SFL Super Bowl, so we will NOT be taking that game lightly at all.
Sunday Night Football
Pittsburgh Steelers @
Carolina Panthers
GUESS WHO IS BACK ON PRIMETIME? The Steelers! Surprised? Isn't there a limit to how often a team can be on? Maybe they're under the 5 or 6 the NFL usually allows, but I feel like I'm constantly writing about the Steelers! One thing is for certain, win or lose, their fans travel WELL. So I fully expect to see a good portion of black and gold in Bank of America Stadium, just a quick 9 hour drive south from the Steel City. The Panthers were one of the big winners of Week 1. Can they keep it going, or are they tricking us? I'm excited to see!
Monday Night Football
Cincinnatti Bengals @
Indianapolis Colts
AFC Championship preview? Maybe not after some recent injury news, but I have no doubt Breck will figure out the Colts, and Brady will have the Bengals winning games much more often than losing. The question then becomes who is in a better position to steal this crucial MNF game? I hate, hate, hate picking against Breck... especially at home. So I'm not going to. Give me the Colts in a close game. That said - there is a lyric in a new Taylor Swift song, "Anti-Hero", that reminds me a lot of Breck's Colts. "It's me. Hi. I'm the problem it's me. At tea time, everyone agrees. I'll stare directly at the sun, but never in the mirror. It must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero." Now that might READ pretty harsh, but it's such a catchy jingle. And when I look over the assets and brilliance of the moves Breck makes early in an offseason, I have been puzzled with the end result. I think they had like 4-5 first round picks this offseason? But then he gets stubborn about value, and passes up opportunities I'm sure he has to know he'd be happy with. There is no excuse for Derek Carr not being a Colt! We were robbed. For two off-seasons I've seen him move up and down the draft board, including into the Top 10, and then it always seems like he is completely moved out of the first by draft night. This offseason he traded WR Meachem, then traded BACK for him, and then spent a good hour going back and forth with me last night about trading him away once again... only before finding out he's suffered a season ending injury. I am speaking from a place of love, but I think Breck (who is easily one of the most prepared guys in the league, have you seen his QB starting projections?) might be a BIT of an overthinker. Hopefully this constructive criticism finds him well, and he doesn't beat me up at the next league gathering.
AF's Most Exciting Game of Week 15
New York Jets @
Minnesota Vikings
What an absolute BANGER week of games. And while all the primetime games are legit, and I can see the justification, you bet your sweet ass I'm not overlooking the rare opportunity to watch two maestros go head to head in Kevin Mullendore and Neal Wintermute. When I was considering coming back to Madden, after Will Cook approached me out of the blue, after YEARS out of the game, seeing that those two were still doing this was one of the first things that got my attention. They have not disappointed, as being here for two off-seasons you rarely see either lose a trade, you rarely see them miss on a draft pick, and you have to admire how their teams are always overachieving and maximizing potential. Truly two guys I look up to, and now they'll be in the interesting predicament that they'll be playing each other... late in a season... potentially with playoffs position on the line for each in their respective conferences. I don't even know how I'd begin to pick a winner, but I will say that Neal had balls of steal rolling with Tyler Wilson last week and it paid off. Kevin bailed out of our trio of 2013 Rookie QBs, so perhaps he's better positioned for success this year... but give me Neal in a close game.
WEEK 16
Thursday Night Football
Minnesota Vikings @
Green Bay Packers
The Pack! Green Bay is in contention for the LEAST featured in primetime, and maybe that's the schedule makers understanding nobody wants to watch this team, even the GENERAL MANAGER! That's right, GM Hickman actually tried to swap teams this offseason, but the Packers were the only one available and he got sent right back to Antarctica. Tough luck. Speaking of luck... will Ryan stay healthy? Probably not, so I'm taking the future NFC North Champion Vikings in a big win here.
Saturday Night Football
Kansas City Chiefs @
Oakland Raiders 
Have I just drastically overlooked the Raiders? From going back and re-reading that first part of the schedule, I think I did. I saw some stupid stat that the Raiders have won the division 8 of the last 9 years?!? Insane. Brad is locked in, too, refusing to trade anybody that could help him win a Super Bowl. I shot him an offer for Julio, who I think was being flexed this offseason for a 1st, but not even a 1/3 can pull him now (smartly). The Chiefs, who haven't won the division since 2003, will need to come to play in this one.
Sunday Night Football
San Diego Chargers @
Seattle Seahawks
Seahawks officially catching up to the Steelers for most featured team. The Chargers aren't far behind tough. Considering these SNF game start around 8:30 EST, this one will be past my bedtime, but since they're both west coast teams this may technically not be a "night" game. I think I'm on the record as a big fan of the Chargers, so I'm going to stick with that here and pick them to win in Seattle.
Monday Night Football (DOUBLE HEADER)
Philadelphia Eagles @
Dallas Cowboys
New York Jets @
Miami Dolphins
Last Monday Night action of the year means DOUBLE HEADER!! And what a doozy. AC and his Eagles head to Dallas to play my Cowboys. The Eagles are actually the only team in the division that I haven't defeated, as last year AC beat the brakes off of me twice. I'm hoping we can flip that narrative this year, but I won't be surprised to see the Eagles fly. As for the late game, the Jets appear to be doing some kind of re-tooling, but I haven't quite figured out what the end goal is. I personally think they'll stack some wins here soon and get back their mojo and confidence, and this clash with the back-to-back AFC Champion Dolphins will be very consequential. Give me Kevin and his Jets in a big upset on South Beach.
AF's Most Exciting Game of Week 16
Chicago Bears @
Detroit Lions
I know we're only one week in, but I'm all in on Tyler Wilson and the Minnesota Vikings as a playoff team. So that leaves the Packers... and these two teams... duking it out for the other NFC North playoff spot. The Packers had a great week 1, but I've gotta SEE IT from Matt Ryan before I believe he'll play 16 games. So I'm gonna hedge and say it's one of these two teams, and perhaps the team who wins THIS game. I'm not sure if I have a favorite one way or the other... something tells me the Bears will struggle early, but rally at the end of the year. What remains to be seen is if the Lions will ALSO be a team here looking for footing, or if they'll be the team the Bears are trying to catch. I'd usually lean home team, but that didn't help the Lions this week, either. Give me the Bears moving ahead, and the Lions needing to beat the Cowboys Week 17 to even have a shot.
WEEK 17
Saturday Night Football
New York Giants @
Washington Football Team
NFC East playoff football?!? These two seem to be the betting favorites in the NFC Least, and one of these teams will probably be playing for their 9th win and a division crown here. Washington appears to be grooming Bridgewater already (fuck waiting, amirite?!), so I tend to lean NYG. We'll see how Romeo overcomes the loss of a 1000+ yard RB right out the gate, but thankfully RB is one position the league is not short on. He can pick someone up off the street and get similar production.
Sunday Night Football
Seattle Seahawks @
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
These are two teams that we've talked about to great extents, but there is no debating it should be a very fun primetime game. The Buccaneers were early NFC favorites, but struggled out the gate. They'll probably get it together here soon, so I expect this to be a very good game, that the Bucs win en route to a lengthy playoff run.
AF's Most Exciting Game of Week 17
Detroit Lions @
Dallas Cowboys
I know the Cowboys have been heavily featured already (because the NFL loves Dallas on primetime and they seem to have put that in the madden code), but this one was too good to pass up. The Lions and Cowboys will clash to close out my 2nd season, and it will be the final exclamation point on the controversial Drew Brees/Braylon Edwards trade that netted the Cowboys enough draft capital to spark and fuel this entire rebuild. The Lions REALLY need a playoff trip, especially after losing Brees and Braylon this offseason to Free Agency. The Cowboys seem to be trending in the right direction, but they've made some bold Free Agent moves that teams who aren't legit Super Bowl contenders don't usually make. We'll see if those come back to bite me... but this would be a good opportunity for GM Herr to "stick it to" the Cowboys, in their building, as the Cowboys get ready for the offseason. I'm pretty sure the Lions spanked us last year, so while the Cowboys may have won the "Monday Morning QB" of the trade, if the Lions sweep the Cowboys in two chances, maybe the trades weren't as lopsided as we thought in the moment. But the Lions REALLY need to be a playoff team at the end of this season to make that argument. IF the Cowboys (BIG IF) are somehow the team of these two playing for the playoff spot in this one, that would be a very tough pill to swallow for Lions fans.
That's all he wrote! Yep, the entire PRIMETIME schedule covered, and it was fun. I'm about to dismiss my students for the day, but will give this a read over during dismissal to check for errors and hope it makes sense. Hopefully this pushes me a little closer to the Glennon shopping I need to do! Then I need to probably start writing some more to save up for future cap-free transactions (c'mon, those Free Agent contracts could start hurting as early as next year), and as many attribute boosts as I can get my hands on for this young roster... especially the first one (25k ain't too bad)! Hope you guys enjoy! Glad football is back! Need a distraction from the NFL Buccaneers.
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