Welcome to Week 15. Hard to believe we only have four weeks left of the 2024 regular season. And even harder to believe Mike Shanahan - patron saint of the zone blocking scheme and patriarch of one of the great modern coaching trees (including his actual son and the wunderkind coaching against him tonight) - still isn’t in the Hall of Fame.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Shanahan Tree Bowl!

A quick note on methodology.

As always, I’m analyzing every NFL uniform matchup and picking a winner against the spread based on which team dresses best. And just because a team is ranked higher in the Uniform Wardrobe Power Rankings doesn’t mean it will automatically win the uniform matchup. It’s what you wear in the instant matchup that counts.

Looking back at Week 14.

8-5 on the week, and we’re on the verge of clawing our way back to .500 (and beyond). 103-104-1 on the year. Time to cross the threshold in style.

Thursday Night Football Uniform Matchup.

Starting our week off with a nice little NFC West uniform matchup.* Niners do no wrong in their classic red primaries. And with the 49ers in gold pants, the Rams countered correctly in blue.** No surprise here: San Francisco is the pick.

This time of year, I often find myself messing with end of season scenarios on ESPN’s NFL Playoff Machine. There’s one such scenario where every team in the NFC West finishes 9-8 with the Niners coming out on top thanks to the tiebreaker. And the only way that happens is if San Fran takes care of business on Thursday Night Football. Might as well cover the spread while they’re at it.

*Second time this season we’re getting this specific aesthetic showdown.

**Though that gradient pant stripe still gets on my nerves.

The Pick: 49ers -3

Club SDR - Week 15 Player Props.

After a monster 2023, the theme of this season is regression to the mean. 1-2 on the week and 20-24-1 on the year. Time’s running out. But things are far from unsalvageable.

Kyle Pitts - Over 0.5 Touchdowns

The generational ship has sailed on Kyle Pitts. But he still has his moments. With all focus on the young tight end across the sideline and against a Raiders defense that is Bottom 3 in touchdowns allowed to opposing tight ends, my money is on Pitts to rope me back in for another week of belief (only to disappoint me again at some point in the near future).

Josh Jacobs - Over 73.5 Rushing Yards

Jacobs may be the third wheel in the Free Agent Running Back Renaissance. But he’s been the straw that stirs the drink in Green Bay. And he now gets a Seahawks run defense that is Bottom 7 in yards allowed to opposing running backs. Plus he cleared the number last time he rocked the White Cheddar alternate.

Bryce Young - Over 14.5 Rushing Yards

The Bryce Young redemption arc is one of the my favorite developments of the season. The Panthers have played legitimately good ball their last five games - winning two and hanging with two juggernauts (Chiefs and Eagles) and a playoff contender (Bucs). Bryce has cleared the number four games in a row while averaging 24 rushing yards. Up next is a Dallas defense that is giving up the second most rushing yards to opposing quarterbacks.

The Gridiron Uniform Database.

Uniform graphics seen 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. Best site on the Internet and an invaluable resource to uniform nerds and casuals alike.

Coming Attractions.

You know the drill. Full Week 15 Slate drops Sunday morning.

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