Some huge games with surprise outcomes have, once again, thrown the playoff picture all out of whack, as the NFL now enters the final two weeks of regular season play.
Let's take a closer look at the games from yesterday's action:
Tennessee at N.Y. Giants 0 - The Giants went from scoring 34 points in the first half last weekend, and 40 points overall in a road game against a tough defensive team, to being shut out at home this weekend by a tough, defensive team.Tennessee outmuscled and outplayed Big Blue, with their defense simply playing lights out. On offense for the Titans, the story was all about Derrick Henry, who picked up 170 yards and two touchdowns on a rather incredible 33 carries. The Titans dominated time of possession and took advantage of New York turnovers to produce this very important road win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Both of the remaining Titans games will be played in Tennessee, as they host Washington, and then division rivals Indianapolis, in a game that should have huge playoff ramifications, one way or the other. My pick: Inaccurate
Baltimore 20, Tampa Bay 12 - The Ravens hardly blew away the Bucs, and did not exactly produce fireworks on offense. In fact, they had to hang on for an uncomfortably close win, but they will take it, because the most important thing was to win. With so much riding on it, with a chance to remain in control of their own destiny to make it to the playoffs, and even a chance to possible catch the Steelers for the division title, the Ravens did what they had to do. They took care of business, produced a solid enough win, and now look ahead to a very tough game at the Chargers, before closing their regular season out against Cleveland at home. My pick: Accurate
Atlanta 40, Arizona 16 - No playoff ramifications here. Still, finally, the Falcons looked like the team that they were capable of being all season long. They jumped all over the Cardinals from beginning to end, on both offense and defense. Arizona committed too many turnovers, and just could not stop a suddenly explosive Falcons offense. Of course, it is worth noting that the Cardinals are one of the worst teams in the league, although Atlanta has hardly themselves looked like one of the best teams this year. But a solid win nevertheless for the Falcons. My pick; Accurate
Minnesota 41, Miami 17- The Vikings offense was touted as one of the most explosive units in the league. But there were many games where they did not show it, especially when they got shut down last weekend on a nationally televised game in Seattle. But they came out swinging in a must-win situation yesterday, against a team that was also fighting for their playoff lives. Kirk Cousins completed 14-of 21 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns, as well as one INT. Running back Dalvin Cook also provided some muscle for the Vikings offense, pounding out 136 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Miami running back Kalen Ballage also had a solid day in a losing cause, picking up 123 yards and 1 TD on 12 carries. This loss might prove fatal for Miami's playoff hopes, while the Vikings have a road game at Detroit, and then a home game against Chicago, to see if they can qualify for the postseason. Minnesota at least controls their own destiny the rest of the way. My pick: Accurate
Indianapolis 23, Dallas 0 - Well, we knew that one of these two franchises is known for their solid defense. But the wrong team played incredible defense. Yes, it was the Colts defense that bruised and battered the opposing offense, actually managing to shut the Big D offense out in what was an important game for both teams. Meanwhile, the Indy offense hardly looked explosive, but running back Marlon Mack powered his way to 139 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries, helping his team earn an impressive shutout win against a playoff caliber opponent. The Colts look like serious playoff contenders, while the Cowboys seeming lock on the NFC East title, and a playoff spot, looks quite a bit murkier right now. Dallas laid an egg here. Or maybe, rather, a donut. My pick: Wildly Inaccurate
Washington 16, Jacksonville 13 - Washington had lost four straight at the worst possible time, and the injuries sustained seemed to have them as a cursed team destined to miss the playoffs. Then, they manage a comeback win on the road to snap that losing streak to remain relevant in the NFC playoff picture. This was hardly a game with tons of offensive fireworks, yet Josh Johnson played solidly in his first start, completing 16 of 25 for 151 yards and one touchdown. Most importantly, Washington won, and now have two more games to try and win with hopes to reach the postseason. But it will not be easy, as they take on a defensive juggernaut on the road in Tennessee, before closing out their season by hosting the defending champion Eagles in their regular season finale. My pick: Inaccurate
Cincinnati 30, Oakland 16 - The Bengals won as expected, but this was far too little, and much too late to do them any good, in terms of qualifying for the playoffs. Beating the Raiders at home in December might have meant a whole lot more had Cincy won a game or two more to be in the thick of the playoff race. But as it is, the Bengals were well outside of that inner circle, and despite winning, they know that their real chances were lost earlier this season. For the Raiders, just another loss in a season full of them, although their hopes rest on Jon Gruden being right in his assessment that he is building a future title team for the Raiders. My pick: Accurate
Buffalo 14, Detroit 13 - On December games, the Bills clearly have weather as an ally against most opponents who come up to visit them in frigid Orchard Park. You might expect a team from Detroit to be a bit tougher, but the Lions have long played their home games in the comfort of a dome. In what was a low-scoring contest, the Bills pulled off a solid fourth quarter comeback to earn another win this season, which has to be seen as a success for a team that many figured to be the worst in the league entering this season. My pick: Inaccurate
Chicago 24, Green Bay 17 - This time, the Bears did not let Green Bay off the hook. The Packers were able to keep this thing close, and they had some chances towards the end. But the Bears defense, which has been one of the better units all season, did not suffer a collapse like they did on opening night, and Chicago hung on for the most important divisional win that they have had in years. Finally, they beat the Packers, holding Aaron Rodgers to zero touchdown passes in so doing, and in the process, the Bears also finally capture the NFC North division title. They also move two games ahead of Dallas for that third spot in the NFC Wildcard, and with Los Angeles also losing, they are within a game of moving ahead of the Rams for a possible playoff bye! However, they will now face the tricky 49ers, who are playing their best football this season in recent weeks, and then Chicago will visit Minnesota, who likely will be fighting for their playoff lives. Still, the Bears earned a huge win here, and deserve all of the accolades for the huge turnaround that they managed this season! My pick: Accurate
San Francisco 26, Seattle 23 (OT) - The 49ers managed to get arguably their most impressive win of the season against a team that, at least in recent seasons, has given them more difficulties than likely any other franchise. The Seahwaks looked solidly in position to just about officially clinch a playoff spot, although this tough loss forces them to at least work for it in these final couple of weeks. San Fran ground out a tough and physical win, keeping the game close (indeed seeming to have a slight advantage through most of the game), and then forcing overtime, then winning it in the overtime session. The Niners look good once again with wins at the end of the season, just like last year. The Seahawks, meanwhile, are still on the inside track to qualify for the playoffs, but they clearly cannot overlook anyone at this point. Both of their remaining games are at home, against the Chiefs and then closing the regular season by hosting the Arizona Cardinals. My pick: Inaccurate
Pittsburgh 17, New England 10 - There is something interesting that the commentators mentioned during this game, and that was that one of these two teams has at least made it to the AFC Championship game in 13 of the last 14 seasons. Of course, the Patriots by themselves have been to the last seven AFC title games, which is an NFL record in it's own right. But the number that they mentioned is actually wrong, and shortchanging the two teams. One of these two teams has been to the AFC title game in 14 of the last 15 AFC title games, dating back to the 2002-03 season. And don't forget that these two franchises actually met the year before that in the AFC title game of 2001-02, which means that in 15 of the last 17 AFC Championship Games, at least one of these two franchises has been there. Three times during that span, these two teams have actually faced one another in the AFC Championship (2001, 2004, and 2016). All of that is incredibly impressive, and speaks to the resilience of both franchises in recent seasons. That said, however, neither team feels like a lock for another AFC Championship Game appearance. The Steelers entered this game with a three game winning-streak which saw them seemingly the runaway de facto division champs figthing for home field advantage, to a team fighting tooth and nail not only to stay ahead in the division, but not to sink so far as to knock themselves out of being on the inside of the playoff picture. And they did hang on to beat New England, a team that has haunted them for some time now, but does not seem like they have the same veneer of invincibility as they had had in recent seasons. This was New England's second straight loss, following that improbable miracle play by the Dolphins that the Pats were on the wrong side of. In the clutch, Tom Brady made some poor decisions and bad throws, and the Patriots offense kept stalling at the most inopportune times. With this loss, the Patriots finish the regular season with a surprisingly vulnerable record of 3-5 in away games. Luckily for them, they now have a chance to straighten out some of their issues with both of their remaining games against the Bills and Jets at home, where they still remain unbeaten. But they need to win both games, most likely, and need some help from one of Houston's remaining opponents, if they hope to get to enjoy their usual playoff bye. My pick: Inaccurate
Sunday Night Football
Philadelphia 30, L.A. Rams 23 - Well, this is a perfect example of what I meant last week upon mentioning that there do not seem to be any truly dominant or unbeatable teams in the league this season. If there had been one in the minds of most people, it very well might have been the Rams, who were 11-1 entering last week's game against the Bears, and had been doing some amazing things on the offensive end in particular, earning their title as "The Greatest Show on Turf 2." But after two straight losses at about the most inopportune time possible in the regular season, during which that mighty offense produced less than 30 points total, the Rams may very well be in trouble. It seemed like they had a virtual lock on home field advantage, or at the very least, a playoff bye, a few weeks ago when the Saints were struggling, and they were still flying high. Yet now, they actually could drop to the third seed if they lose another game and the Bears win their remaining two games. That might mean another game in Chicago's frigid Soldier Field, and most likely, none of us would like their chances in that situation. The Eagles finally looked the part of defending champions in this win last night, pulling off a pretty big upset and handing the Rams their first, and so far only, home loss of the season. Philly managed the first, and likely the most difficult, of the three straight wins that they would need at the end of the regular season to qualify for the playoffs and give themselves a chance to actually defend their title. As for the Rams, who often looked like the heir apparent to the Eagles as the NFC representative to the Super Bowl? Well, they clearly have some issues that they need to fix, and time is running out on them to go ahead and fix them, before this season might feel like a wasted opportunity. My pick: Inaccurate
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