Saturday Games
Washington (7-7)
v.
Tennessee Titans (8-6)
Tennessee 25, Washington 16
Washington was eliminated from playoff contention with a convincing loss to Tennessee. Now, the Titans are 9-6, and after some strange scenarios during the past couple of weeks, they now face the Indianapolis Colts this coming weekend, with the winner officially punching their way to the playoffs. Now, it is as clear as that.
Marcus Mariota had another fairly subpar day, completing 10 of 13 for 110 yards. But the real power behind the Titans offense was Derrick Henry, who carried 21 times and picked up 84 yards and a touchdown.
In a losing cause for Washington, Josh Johnson completed 13 of 23 passes for 153 yards, with one touchdown and two INT's. Adrian Peterson had a solid day, picking up 119 yards on 26 carries. However, the loss completes the negative turnaround for Washington, who led the NFC East for most of the season, and looked almost like a lock for the NFC East title at mid-season, with a 6-3 mark, and a two game cushion over their closest competitors. But injuries plagued them, and ultimately did them in, culminating in their having lost five of their last six, and finding themselves finishing third in the division.
Meanwhile, the Titans still have a bit of a chance to win the division title, something that looked impossible not all that long ago. But a couple of recent losses by the Texans makes them a bit vulnerable. So, if the Titans win next weekend, they would win the division only in the unlikely scenario that the Texans lose at home to lowly Jacksonville. But regardless, Tennessee is in if they win next weekend. It really is that simple.
My pick: Accurate
Marcus Mariota had another fairly subpar day, completing 10 of 13 for 110 yards. But the real power behind the Titans offense was Derrick Henry, who carried 21 times and picked up 84 yards and a touchdown.
In a losing cause for Washington, Josh Johnson completed 13 of 23 passes for 153 yards, with one touchdown and two INT's. Adrian Peterson had a solid day, picking up 119 yards on 26 carries. However, the loss completes the negative turnaround for Washington, who led the NFC East for most of the season, and looked almost like a lock for the NFC East title at mid-season, with a 6-3 mark, and a two game cushion over their closest competitors. But injuries plagued them, and ultimately did them in, culminating in their having lost five of their last six, and finding themselves finishing third in the division.
Meanwhile, the Titans still have a bit of a chance to win the division title, something that looked impossible not all that long ago. But a couple of recent losses by the Texans makes them a bit vulnerable. So, if the Titans win next weekend, they would win the division only in the unlikely scenario that the Texans lose at home to lowly Jacksonville. But regardless, Tennessee is in if they win next weekend. It really is that simple.
My pick: Accurate
Baltimore Ravens (8-6)
v.
Los Angeles Chargers (11-3)
Baltimore 22, L.A. Chargers 10
Just like that, the Chargers shot themselves in the foot and hurt their chances at winning the division title, a week after earning their biggest win of the season and looking capable of stealing the AFC West division title away from Kansas City. Had the Chargers won, they would have taken over first place in the AFC West, and would need only to win on the final weekend to capture the division title. Now, they would need a bit of help, as they now have to hope that the Chiefs are stunned by the lowly Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead. It's not impossible, but it feels very unlikely. The Chiefs have been tough all season, but that is especially true at their home, where their only loss was the improbable comeback that the Chargers had against them.
But give Baltimore credit: they needed to come up big in each of the past few weeks, and they pretty much have. The Steelers suddenly seemed vulnerable, and the Ravens kept finding ways to win late in the season, with the result now being this unlikely turnaround. What the Ravens would need to do now to win the division outright is beat Cleveland in Baltimore next weekend. Do that, and it does not matter what anyone else does, because the Ravens would clinch the division, and most likely, Pittsburgh would be out.
Baltimore's Lamar. Jackson completed 12 of 22 passes for 204 yards and one TD. Receiver Mark Andrews had a big game receiving, with 83 yards and one touchdown on just two receptions. Gus Edwards also had a solid day running for Baltimore, as he picked up 92 yards on 14 carries.
For the Chargers, Philip Rivers had an uncharacteristically off day, completing 23 of 37 passes for 181 yards and two INT's. That included the critical pick six late in the game that essentially iced it for Baltimore. Most likely, the Chargers will now have to settle for the fifth seed, which means that they would likely have to play every playoff game that they qualify for on the road, despite what will likely be the second best record in the AFC.
My pick: Inaccurates
But give Baltimore credit: they needed to come up big in each of the past few weeks, and they pretty much have. The Steelers suddenly seemed vulnerable, and the Ravens kept finding ways to win late in the season, with the result now being this unlikely turnaround. What the Ravens would need to do now to win the division outright is beat Cleveland in Baltimore next weekend. Do that, and it does not matter what anyone else does, because the Ravens would clinch the division, and most likely, Pittsburgh would be out.
Baltimore's Lamar. Jackson completed 12 of 22 passes for 204 yards and one TD. Receiver Mark Andrews had a big game receiving, with 83 yards and one touchdown on just two receptions. Gus Edwards also had a solid day running for Baltimore, as he picked up 92 yards on 14 carries.
For the Chargers, Philip Rivers had an uncharacteristically off day, completing 23 of 37 passes for 181 yards and two INT's. That included the critical pick six late in the game that essentially iced it for Baltimore. Most likely, the Chargers will now have to settle for the fifth seed, which means that they would likely have to play every playoff game that they qualify for on the road, despite what will likely be the second best record in the AFC.
My pick: Inaccurates
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