Just kidding! But, the Christmas decorations are down, one month left in my beloved NFL... the winter blues might be setting in. But Brett did lose last week... whew!!! I feel much better! Tomorrow is the last in regular season for the NFL. Most of the questions about who is advancing and who is calling it a season has been decided.
Colts @ Bills: For me to agree 2 weeks in a row with Jason Whitlock must mean the apocalypse is coming soon! First he had a great read on Brett, then he ripped into the Colts foolish decision to bench their starters with 2 games left to play in the regular season. You play to win, ALWAYS. "well what if Peyton gets hurt"? Happens. Tom Brady was injured the first game of the season last year. If that is the philosophy we're dealing with, why play anyone if we're afraid of that? It's a reality, like it or not, of the game. "we're keeping our players fresh for post-season". Um, no you're not. Past seasons show when Peyton came into post-season "rested", he choked BIG TIME. Stay fresh by staying in the game: you won't lose your rhythm, your timing, your game face. "the perfect record means nothing to us". Laughable. Who doesn't what to break records? Isn't that what records are made for... to be broken? I was annoyed with last weeks game as a fan and as someone who thinks common sense is lacking in a lot of today's politics and athletics. Why let a team (the Jets) who if they lost, their chances for getting to playoffs is pretty much over, beat you so that now they are in the playoffs and give them the opportunity to maybe beat you again. Where's the genius in that decision? Sorry to rant, but I think what the Colts did last Sunday was pathetic. I imagine that many of the main starters for the Colts will be sitting on the sidelines again this week. The Colts should win this game, but if the previous statement is correct, it's any one's game. Colts by 10...
Saints @ Carolina: Another eye rolling induced here. Rumors are swirling that Brees may be watching this game from the sidelines too. Which would be ill-advised as the Panthers have been playing great football this month. Yes the Saints are in the playoffs, yes they are the team to beat in the NFC. Why give the Panthers reasons to doubt that? Rawr! People: PLAY TO WIN ALWAYS! Anyway, same situation with the Colts; if Brees play, Saints win, if not... who knows. Saints by 4.
Giants @ Vikings: This may be an interesting game. Vikings are floundering (I hate to say I told you so, but didn't I warn you about Brett!?) (and wasn't last weeks game against the Bears satisfying on so many levels... just me? ok) and the Giants are nothing but a giant train wreck. Giants were once considered the team to beat, but now aren't even in the playoff picture. Vikings are in, but for how long? This game may tell us a lot about both teams; one who had a QB who thinks he's running the show and undermining his coach while bringing his team down in flames with him and another team who is trying to decide if they got a little carried away with thoughts of waltzing to playoffs untouched. Giants by 7.
Steelers @ Dolphins: What happened to these 2 teams? The Steelers look nothing like last year... what a difference one player makes, huh Palomalu? The Dolphins started out in a wild-cat offense that was hard to beat, then nothing. I do think the Steelers should win this match up by 17.
Eagles @ Cowboys: Easily this week's game of the week. If the Eagles win, they are the #2 seed in the NFC. The Eagles have been thisclose to Super Bowl so many years, but their ability to be consistent this year it their Achilles heal. Cowgirls win could pose problems for the Eagles. The Cowgirls have struggled in December for years. The game is in Dallas, which may work against the Eagles. I think the Eagles have great potential, as long as Donovan can stay accurate. Eagles by 9.
Packers @ Cardinals: Another big NFC game. Both are in the playoffs, but where the Cardinals play is up to how they perform in this game. Packers have had a lack-luster season, but it was okay to may playoffs. We'll see. Cardinals by 12.
I've posted a playoffs tracker here to maybe make things a little easier to see what is at stake for who. I get confused with how this team's win affect that team's chances. Hope this helps!
AFC Standings (After Week 16)
SEED. TEAM (RECORD)
1. Indianapolis Colts (14-1-0)***, AFC South Winner
2. San Diego Chargers (12-3-0)**, AFC West Winner
3. New England Patriots (10-5-0)*, AFC East Winner
4. Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-0)*, AFC North Winner
5. Denver Broncos (8-7-0)
6. New York Jets (8-7-0)
Still In Playoff Contention
7. Baltimore Ravens (8-7-0)
8. Houston Texans (8-7-0)
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-0)
10. Miami Dolphins (7-8-0)
11. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8-0)
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Baltimore clinches a playoff spot with a win
New York clinches a playoff spot with a win
Denver clinches a playoff spot with:
1) DEN win + NYJ loss or tie + BAL loss or tie OR
2) DEN win + NYJ loss or tie + PIT loss or tie OR
3) DEN win + NYJ loss or tie + HOU win OR
4) DEN win + BAL loss or tie + PIT loss or tie OR
5) DEN win + BAL loss or tie + HOU win OR
6) PIT loss + BAL loss + HOU loss + JAC loss OR
7) PIT loss + BAL loss + HOU loss + NYJ loss OR
8) PIT loss + BAL loss + JAC loss + NYJ loss OR
9) PIT loss + HOU loss + JAC loss + NYJ loss OR
10) MIA loss or tie + NYJ loss + BAL loss + HOU loss + JAC loss or tie
Pittsburgh clinches a playoff spot with:
1) PIT win + HOU loss or tie + NYJ loss or tie OR
2) PIT win + HOU loss or tie + BAL loss or tie OR
3) PIT win + NYJ loss or tie + BAL loss or tie + DEN loss or tie
Houston clinches a playoff spot with:
1) HOU win + NYJ loss or tie + BAL loss or tie OR
2) HOU win + NYJ loss or tie + DEN loss or tie OR
3) HOU win + BAL loss or tie + DEN loss or tie
Jacksonville clinches a playoff spot with:
1) JAC win + PIT loss + BAL loss + DEN loss + HOU loss OR
2) JAC win + PIT loss + BAL loss + DEN loss + NYJ loss OR
3) JAC win + PIT loss + BAL loss + HOU loss + NYJ loss OR
4) JAC win + PIT loss + DEN loss + HOU loss + NYJ loss OR
5) JAC win + NYJ loss + DEN loss + HOU loss + BAL loss
Miami clinches a playoff spot with:
MIA win + NYJ loss + BAL loss + HOU loss + JAC loss or tie
ELIMINATED
Tennessee Titans (7-8-0)
Oakland Raiders (5-10-0)
Buffalo Bills (5-10-0)
Cleveland Browns (4-11-0)
Kansas City Chiefs (3-12-0)
NFC Standings (After Week 16)
SEED. TEAM (RECORD)
1. New Orleans Saints (13-2-0)***, NFC South Winner
2. Philadelphia Eagles (11-4-0)*, NFC East Leader
3. Minnesota Vikings (11-4-0)*, NFC North Winner
4. Arizona Cardinals (10-5-0)*, NFC West Winner
5. Green Bay Packers (10-5-0)*
6. Dallas Cowboys (10-5-0)*
PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Arizona clinches a first-round bye with: ARI win + MIN loss + PHI loss
Philadelphia clinches NFC East with:
PHI win or tie
Philadelphia clinches a first-round bye with:1) PHI win OR
2) PHI tie + MIN loss or tie
Dallas clinches NFC East with a win
Dallas clinches a first-round bye with:
DAL win + MIN loss + ARI loss or tie
ELIMINATED
New York Giants (8-7-0)
Atlanta Falcons (8-7-0)
Carolina Panthers (7-8-0)
San Francisco 49ers (7-8-0)
Chicago Bears (6-9-0)
Seattle Seahawks (5-10-0)
Washington Redskins (4-11-0)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-12-0)
Detroit Lions (2-13-0)
St. Louis Rams (1-14-0)
* - Clinched playoff spot | ** - Clinched first round bye
*** - Clinched Home-Field Advantage
Enjoy Week 17, everyone... see you in Playoffs!