This National Football League season is truly flying by, and we’ve just one round left before play-off football gets underway in 2018. This weekend was a pretty straightforward one in results terms, with no real surprises taking place.
The play-off picture is beginning to take shape, with several teams’ places in the post-season already cemented. Let’s take a look at all the winners and losers from week 16.
Indianapolis Colts 16-23 Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore’s play-off push continued with an excellent victory against Indianapolis Colts. Over the last few weeks, Joe Flacco is starting to look like the quarterback he once was. He threw two TDs and no picks, for 237 yards.
As for Indianapolis, it’s all about next year when Andrew Luck will (hopefully) return. Their franchise guy has missed the whole season and although Jacoby Brissett has done well, he’s not an elite level QB.
Minnesota Vikings 16-0 Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers was placed back on injured reserve following Green Bay’s loss to Detroit, with Brett Hundley named the starter once again. Their offense just couldn’t get going, with The Pack being completely shut out.
Minnesota’s swarming defence will give any team nightmares. Their impressive 12-3 record means they sit second in the NFC standings, and a win next week will ensure a first-round bye.
Buffalo Bills 17-37 New England Patriots
New England’s first-round bye has already been secured, but they need a win in week 17 to ensure home-field advantage for the play-off duration. This was a routine victory for Tom Brady and co. as they beat up on the Buffalo Bills, particularly in the second-half.
As for The Bills, they still have an outside shot at making it into the post-season via a wildcard spot. They’ll need a W next weekend, while hoping for favours from others. Stranger things have happened…
Denver Broncos 11-27 Washington Redskins
All credit to Washington and Kirk Cousins. They’ve not given up despite their season being over already. They beat out Denver’s excellent defence pretty convincingly here, and with a win in the final game of the season, they’ll move to .500.
I feel sorry for Broncos fans. They’ve three mediocre QBs on their books, and we all know how tough it is to win without that franchise guy. A 5-10 record is truly dismal; so don’t be surprised to see them draft a QB in the off-season.
Cleveland Browns 3-20 Chicago Bears
It certainly looks like Chicago are improving with each passing week. Mitch Trubisky looked steady, and The Bears’ defence is starting to force turnovers. Watch out for huge improvements from them going into 2018.
As for Cleveland, well, they’re 0-15. It certainly looks like they are going to remain winless throughout the entire season. On the plus side, though, they’ll have the #1 pick in the draft again…
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19-22 Carolina Panthers
This game was closer than it should have been, but that’s what you get when the inconsistent Cam Newton is your QB. The Panthers picked up the win but it wasn’t easy, with #1 throwing for 160 yards and one INT. They move to 11-4.
Tampa Bay had their way with Carolina’s defence in terms of distance, with Jameis Winston throwing for 367 yards and 3 TDs. They’re a team that I feel should be doing a whole lot better than they are. A 4-11 record is hugely disappointing.
Los Angeles Chargers 14-7 New York Jets
The LA Chargers can force their way into the play-offs with just one more win, and credit to them for grinding this one out. Phillip Rivers is playing some wonderful football right now and I sincerely hope we see them in the play-offs.
New York have been capable of an upset on their day, and they kept this one close, but eventually they came out on the losing side. They’ve some nice pieces, including young Christian Hackenburg. For some reason, though, we’re yet to see him play a few snaps.
Miami Dolphins 13-29 Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas’ mid-season meltdown seems to be forgotten about now, with the Chiefs winning an AFC West title due to their victory against Miami. If they run the ball well through Kareem Hunt, they’ll win football games. It really is that simple.
Miami’s 6-9 record is largely due to the fact that they’ve had no running game whatsoever. I don’t think Jay Cutler has done that bad of a job under centre for them this season, but he’s not their franchise guy going forward.
Atlanta Falcons 13-23 New Orleans Saints
New Orleans and Drew Brees just keep marching on. This could have been a losable game, but they came through and continue to lead their division ahead of Carolina. Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara have made a real difference coming out of the backfield.
Atlanta’s 9-6 record is a great one, but their division is probably the best in the NFL right about now. They’ll go head-to-head with Seattle for a wildcard spot in the final round of fixtures.
Detroit Lions 17-26 Cincinnati Bengals
The highest-paid QB in football history always seems to struggle during December, as the Lions’ chances at play-off football were left in tatters. They need a running back whom they can rely upon when the going get’s tough. Until they have that, I don’t see them being contenders.
The Bengals gave their fans something to cheer about with a W here. However, questions about Andy Dalton still remain. He’s a B- QB at best, and although he won’t lose you a Super Bowl, he probably won’t win you one, either.
Los Angeles Rams 27-23 Tennessee Titans
That man Jared Goff is on fire! The second-year man threw for over 300 yards with 4 TDs and no INTs during this one. The system suits him wonderfully and he has some excellent weapons at WR. On top of that, Todd Gurley is an absolute machine and probably the best RB in the NFL.
I just cannot work out the Tennessee Titans. Their 8-7 record is decent, but on too many occasions, Marcus Mariota hasn’t stepped up to the plate. He hasn’t improved all that much since making the jump from college to the pros, and personally, I’d give him one more year before moving on.
Jacksonville Jaguars 33-44 San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy G made it four straight wins as the starting QB of the San Francisco 49ers, and their future looks to be in supremely good hands. They put up 44 points on arguably the toughest defence in football right now, and what a stunning game this was.
Jacksonville’s chances at a first-round bye were ended, but they’ll be a mismatch for anyone in the AFC. I’d fancy them to put up a real fight against either New England or Pittsburgh, and don’t be surprised to see them go all the way…
New York Giants 0-23 Arizona Cardinals
Eli Manning’s New York Giants were shut out by the Arizona Cardinals; moving The Big Blues to a 2-13 record. That’s nowhere near good enough for a team of their calibre.
Arizona haven’t had the best of years, but they’ll now have the opportunity to go 8-8 on the season if they can win in the final round of fixtures. Drew Stanton threw two TDs and two INTs for just over 200 yards.
Seattle Seahawks 21-12 Dallas Cowboys
You know what, despite countless injuries and an offence that is totally reliant on Russell Wilson, Seattle are looking likely to make the play-offs which is a huge achievement. Despite not playing well, they picked up a huge W on the road in Jerry World.
The Cowboys are done for the year. Dak Prescott seems to have regressed since his rookie season, throwing another two INTs in this one. Zeke Elliot did return, rushing for almost 100 yards, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough.
Pittsburgh Steelers 34-6 Houston Texans
Pittsburgh managed to keep up the pressure on New England for that #1 spot, as Big Ben threw a couple of TDs for over 220 yards. It was a routine win for The Steelers, as they secured a first-round bye.
I seem to say this every week, but injuries hit Houston hard. They’ve an excellent team, who’ll give anyone a run for their money when completely healthy. I fully expect them to bounce back in 2018.
Oakland Raiders 10-19 Philadelphia Eagles
Derek Carr made another late-game blunder that cost his team, and that sums up Oakland’s year. They have some immensely talented footballers on their books and I sincerely hope they bounce back in 2018.
As for Philly, they just keep marching on even without the likely MVP winner Carson Wentz. Nick Foles threw one TD and one INT during this one, but he did enough to get his team over the line; and that’s all that matters.
Well, that’s that. There are just a few details to be worked out during week seventeen which gets underway on New Years Eve. Have a great end to 2017 and we’ll see you in the New Year!
