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- Bets Dressed - Week 15 - Saturday Special Edition
Bets Dressed - Week 15 - Saturday Special Edition
Welcome to the first ever Saturday Special Edition of the Bets Dressed Newsletter. With three games on this Week 15Saturday, we couldn't let this opportunity go to waste. The 49ers already took care of business for us and are looking like one of the toughest outs on the Road to Glendale. Speaking of tough outs, four of the six teams in today's matchups will be playing meaningful football in January.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Saturday Bowls!
A quick note on methodology.
As always, I’m analyzing every NFL uniform matchup and picking a winner against the spread based on who dresses best. And just because a team’s wardrobe is ranked higher in the Power Rankings doesn’t mean that it will automatically win the uniform matchup. It’s what you wear in the instant matchup that counts.
And don’t forget the Triple Mismatch Club wrinkle. I’m making three unit plays whenever the best dressed team in the matchup is a member of the Club (different colored helmet, jersey, and pants). And nine unit plays if both members of the week’s best matchup are members.
Week 15 Saturday Uniform Matchups and Picks.
The Saturday slate kicks off with Colts at Vikings in a lopsided uniform matchup. The Colts are among the best dressed teams in the league while the Vikings fail to live up to their full potential. The icy white Colts are the runaway choice.
Things haven't exactly been going well for the Colts. A dark horse Super Bowl contender coming into the year. They're now a dreadful 4-8-1 and losers of three straight following an exciting victory over the Raiders in Jeff Saturday's interim coaching debut. But they draw a Vikings team looking far worse than their 10-3 record. And what better time for the Jeff Saturday Colts to turn things around than . . . dare I say it . . . Saturday.
The Pick: Colts +4 (-115)
NOTE - The Vikings have yet to unveil their choice of uniform.
Ravens at Browns. We have to start with the uniform news of the week: the Browns and those glorious white facemasks. It's always a delight when a subtle tweak makes an elite wardrobe even better. Purple pants from the Ravens would've likely made this the best of the week. But the black pants leave a bit too much to be desired. Browns in an easy decision.
The Ravens will be without Lamar Jackson for the second week in a row. They found a way to get it done against the Steelers last week, but the Browns (despite their record) are in another tier in terms of talent. Deshaun Watson has looked like someone that hasn't played organized football in well over a year. But if he starts to play with a baseline of competence, the Browns will be a tough out the rest of the season. The matchup to watch will be the Ravens top two rushing defense against the Browns top five rushing offense. Winner of that clash likely walks away with the win.
The Pick: Browns -2.5 (-115)
Safe to say we were all hoping for a throwback showdown in this one. Instead, we're stuck with the iced out Dolphins and red scare Bills. In defense of the Bills, if you're going to wear a red unitard, it might as well be in a game with lake effect snow in the forecast. I actually like the red jersey as an alternate; I just wish it was paired with white pants (even blue pants would be interesting). The Dolphins all-white ensemble is their best non-throwback outfit. But that's not exactly saying much. Because of the snow, I'm going to let the red slide and pick the Bills.
If there was ever a spot for the Bills to go nuclear on another team, this is it. Buffalo will have revenge on the brain after their 21-19 loss in Miami back in Week 3.* And the Orchard Park weather is shaping up to give the Bills more home field advantage than usual. The Dolphins are trying to avoid dropping three in a row for the second time this season. Two weeks ago, Miami was a lock for the postseason and right there with Buffalo for the top spot in the AFC East. Now, the Dolphins are fighting for their playoff lives. Josh Allen is 4-0 in his career against the Dolphins at home, putting up 39 points per game and an average margin of victory of 20 points. I think that trend continues.
*The aftermath of that Week 3 defeat made Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey a household name** for his notebook-smashing tirade in the booth.
**Real ones already knew Ken Dorsey as a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist and the starting quarterback of the 2001 Miami Hurricanes (arguably the greatest college football team ever).
The Pick: Bills -7 (-115)
The Gridiron Uniform Database.
The uniform graphics you see here are courtesy of The Gridiron Uniform Database. If you’ve never paid their site a visit, stop what you’re doing right now and check it out. It is my favorite site on the Internet and an invaluable resource to uniform nerds and casual fans alike.
Drop me a line.
You can always find me on Twitter at NFL Fashion Advice (@fashion_nfl) or via email at [email protected]. Come talk uniforms and all things football, and let me know what you think of the newsletter.
Coming Attractions.
We're back tomorrow to wrap up Week 15 with the full Sunday slate (plus Monday Night Football).
Look for the Sunday issue to hit your inbox prior to the early window kickoff. As I’ve noted previously, we live in a world without a uniform scheduling czar, so it’s sometimes a chore finding out a team’s wardrobe ahead of time. In instances where it’s not 100% clear, I’ll make a best guess and update the issue later.
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And always remember: Look Good. Feel Good. Pay Good.