WEEK 16
After Week 16, we see the tale of two conferences. The AFC has a logjam in the Wild Cards that should allow for an epic Week 17. The NFC has a logjam but frankly with embarrassing teams. It should be exciting to see how the AFC playoff picture shapes up with the potential of a 10-6 or 11-5 team being booted from the playoffs. The NFC doesn’t have the same intrigue. After Week 16, we see a broken Rams team, and inconsistent Cardinals team, and a weirdly good Bears team in the playoff hunt. Frankly, none of those teams deserve to make it and face the Saints.
Colts-Steelers
The Steelers have found their offense. After weeks of looking like an absolute mess, this was the ideal bounce-back that reminded us how the Steelers can win games. The first half was one to forget but despite the obvious passing downs, Ben Roethlisberger found the ideal matchups downfield and exploited them. Defenses like the Colts might try to double Juju Smith-Schuster or Chase Claypool but if Ben can find a receiver one on one, he can take those shots downfield. It’s hard to say if the Steelers can continue to find viable matchups but as they enter the postseason, it’s useful to know that this is a possibility for Pittsburgh.
Falcons-Chiefs
There are many angles that can be taken from this game. We can say that this was a trap game for Kansas City and we can’t make any decisive judgments on the lackluster performance. Likewise, we can say that this game was the one that exposed the Chiefs’ offense as the Falcons only held them to 17 points in the 17-14 Week 16 loss. The final angle that we can take is that the Chiefs defense is one of the underrated components to the success of this modern dynasty. With the Chiefs securing the top seed in the low scoring victory, we can take a little bit of information from all three angles. Andy Reid has to be concerned about the offense but not enough where he needs to change anything. At this point, we are just waiting to see who they will face in the Divisional Round.
Bears-Jaguars
The Jaguars have secured the top pick and thus Trevor Lawrence is likely going to Jacksonville. This Jaguars team has been an exceptional case of tanking that almost feels impressive. This offseason, they traded all their stars for pennies on the dollar and after accidentally winning their first game, they lost their last 14. The reality is, if Trevor Lawrence is the greatest quarterback to ever live, it will all be worth it.
The Bears make me wonder. This season has seen peaks and valleys unlike any other, and with Foles and Trubisky rotating the starting role in the process. Likewise, the Bears just haven’t been a good team this year. The offense has been great in recent games but it’s hard to forget the rest of the season and the same can be said about the defense. In the end, it’s hard to buy in on the Bears and it’s a reminder why we shouldn’t expand the playoffs. Honestly, does anybody want to see this Bears team play the Saints on Wild Card Weekend?
Bengals-Texans
This was the “We have mentally checked out of this season a while ago game.” Both teams are simply waiting for the season to end at this point and for different reasons, have given up on this season. The Bengals playing as well as they did (in addition to last week’s victory) remind us what this team can and might look like with a healthy Joe Burrow. The defense hasn’t been great this year (it’s had some good games) and the offensive line is a disaster. However, the players are there, and with a solid draft class, the Bengals can become legitimate contenders next season. The Texans don’t have the same optimism, rather they just have Deshaun Watson.
Giants-Ravens
I don’t know how this happened to the Ravens but they were given one of the easiest schedules to end their season. While the wins are still impressive, they were expected. The Ravens needed to beat these teams to climb into the playoff discussion and they did just that behind Lamar Jackson’s playmaking ability. This Ravens victory only adds to the logjam that is taking place in the AFC playoffs within the Wild Card teams with the Week 16 fallout. The reality is that we have five teams fighting for 4 spots and a 10-6 team or even 11-5 team can get snubbed. The final week is going to be exciting for this reason (at least on the AFC side of things).
Browns-Jets
The Browns had the door wide open for them to finally make the playoffs with an easy Week 16 opponent. This was their game to take control and erase the playoff drought that is attached to this franchise and has been with them since their expansion. Of course, Covid-19 had to take away the Browns receiving group, just when you think the Browns are going to make the playoffs. Also, just when you think the Browns are going to win the game, after finding a rhythm on offense and driving down the field, Baker Mayfield fumbles the ball with less than two minutes in the game. The Browns are going to have to hope the woes of history don’t strike again in Week 17, this is the team to make the playoffs and it would be a shame if they failed at 10-6.
Panthers-Washington
As though we needed any more evidence, Dwyane Haskins isn’t going to be the answer in the NFL for any team. The sad reality is he isn’t mobile and can’t make the throws at the pro level. This game was only a reminder that if Alex Smith was their quarterback and not Haskins, they would have won the game and clinched their playoff spot. The Panthers have been playing in close games but were more than beatable for the Football Team considering they were on the doorstep of the playoffs. Washington has to beat the Eagles next week and considering how they played in Week 16, it’s no guarantee.
Broncos-Chargers
This game was only a reminder of what can be next season. Both teams have promise but it’s about developing that promise into a winning formula. The Chargers jumping ahead early and letting the Broncos crawl back into the game only felt like a re-run or summary of the entire season for the Chargers. Whether it be great defense or Michael Badgley making a game-winning kick in a wild turn of events, the Chargers won this game. Naturally, they lose draft position but this might keep Anthony Lynn his head coaching job. The Broncos also remind us that there is a lot to look forward to, one thing that comes to mind is the emerging star in Jerry Jeudy (who is becoming one of the best route-runners in the league).
Eagles-Cowboys
It might be happening but teams might be figuring out Jalen Hurts. The second half had Hurts looking flat and if the Football Team is going to watch the film on this game, they should take notes. One thing that stood out was how the Cowboys rushed Hurts, with four linemen. Now Hurts is most effective outside the pocket and with his legs, this is where the Cowboys forced Hurts to beat them with difficult throws and specifically with underneath throws. Hurts should be able to make the adjustments but it looks like the defenses are catching up with him. In terms of optimism, there isn’t much with the Eagles considering they need to figure out their quarterback situation. They might stick with Hurts but this game was concerning (also consider the fact that Nick Saban benched him for Tua).
The Cowboys won again and they have crawled back into the NFC East division hunt. Andy Dalton has looked good enough and it was easy to think that these victories were only fools gold (beating the Bengals and 49ers). However, the Cowboys look more promising than the Football Team at the moment. They will need some help but rounding off the season with a string of wins does leave some optimism for the future regardless.
Rams-Seahawks
Both offenses looked pitiful and it makes anyone think. Either we can say that both teams have terrible offenses and are both doomed for the postseason. Or we can say that both teams have great defenses and one was simply better. When watching Seattle in recent weeks, it was very easy to ignore their defense as potent considering that they were facing some of the worst offenses in the NFL. However, we have to consider this defense has looked better not only with the addition of Jamal Adams as a regular but the progressions of the younger players on that side of the ball. This doesn’t make the Seahawks Super Bowl contenders, in fact, Russell Wilson looks different in the recent games, rather it erases the idea that the Seahawks don’t have the formula to stop anyone (they do).
In other news, Jared Goff broke his thumb. This usually isn’t a concern except the broken thumb is on his throwing hand and he might not play next week. The Rams can lose to the Cardinals next week and potentially miss out on the playoffs (with a little bit of help). The Rams were regarded as one of the Super Bowl favorites a few weeks ago, it is interesting to see how far they have fallen.
Titans-Packers
This was not the Titans game. From the moment we heard that it was going to be a snow game, we knew the Packers would be ready and the Titans would have to adjust. It took a half for the Titans to find out how they were going to play in the elements but by then, it was 19-0. The Packers reminded us with this win not only how they are the top team in the NFC but why it will be vital. Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams didn’t lose a step in the snow and the Packers saw rookie AJ Dillion break out to give the running game another dimension. The defense isn’t a great defense but when their opponents are in obvious passing situations, they are at their best. The Titans never were able to establish the run and the Packers defense basked in the opportunity.
