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Week 17 Preview
Wow! So here we are, the final week of this regular season, already! As usual during my adult years, it went fast This might have been the fastest season yet, at least for me. It felt in some ways like it just started, yet here we are, at the finish line, at least for the regular season, in any case. After that, it will be the postseason, and some call that a whole new season. I tend to agree, especially in the NFL of the 21st century, which has placed an emphasis on parody, and largely gotten it. Twice, we have seen 9-7 teams reach the Super Bowl, and once, we saw one win. We have seen numerous teams win three wildcard teams win three playoff games en route to the Super Bowl, and even two (Pittsburgh in 2005, the NY Giants in 2007) who won three road games, and then won the Super Bowl, too.
But I digress. Back to the regular season weekend finale.
Yes, this season has not just been the fastest, but also the weirdest. I mean, let’s face it: this was a very unusual regular season, one affected quite a bit by Covid-19 and lockdowns. It altered the actual schedule, particularly with some teams. And no team was affected quite as strongly by the coronavirus crisis as the Baltimore Ravens were. They got very cold at one point in the mid-season, with a watered down line-up, and a schedule that was all over the place. They had to play games that were delayed, sometimes playing games that had been scheduled for Thursday Night, but were pushed back to Monday Night, and even played on a Tuesday, which is rare. They were not the only ones, but they were the most obvious, because it really also impacted their level of play. While all of that nonsense was going on with them, they lagged and went on a losing streak that seemed to drop them from the ranks of the elites. Yet now, here they are, seemingly back among the elite teams, and surely heading towards the playoffs, barring what would seem now to be an unlikely collapse on the final weekend. Then again, they may fail to qualify. Who knows? After all, that is why they play the games, right?
The Ravens are not the only ones fighting for a playoff spot. The Dolphins, Browns, Colts, and Titans are all also desperately trying to reach that postseason, and the order of who will qualify where in the AFC is still unsettled. While the Chiefs, the defending champions, have already locked up the top seed and, along with it, the playoff bye, the other teams still could bounce around a bit. The Bills and Steelers are still fighting for the second spot, while the Titans and Colts are fighting to win the AFC South title, and the fourth seed. All of those teams, except for the Chiefs, are fighting for something, obviously. Either the Colts or Titans will win the division title, and the other one will be contending with the Dolphins and Browns for the other two Wildcard spots. The big match-up will be the Steelers at the Browns, as both teams have a lot riding on the outcome of this game. So it is pretty big.
On the NFC side, there is also a lot of uncertainty. More uncertainty, even. Like in the AFC, one division has yet to crown a winner. Washington, Dallas, and the Giants are all still in the running to try and win the NFC East division title. Whoever wins will host a playoff game as the fourth seed, and it is not out of the realm of possibility that the team doing it might be 6-10. At best, the winner of that division will join two other teams in NFL history. Both the Seattle Seahawks in 2010 and the Carolina Panthers in 2014 finished the season at 7-9, yet wound up winning their division titles, and thus qualifying. On the plus side, both of those teams went on to stun the NFL with wins in the Wild Card round, so perhaps there is hope for whoever emerges from the NFC East.
But the uncertainty in the NFC goes well beyond the NFC East. The Packers look like they are set o lock up the top seed, but it is not official yet. If they win, they get it. But there are scenarios where the Saints and even the Seahawks could get that top seed, so that makes it interesting. Otherwise, Tampa Bay has already clinched, but they likely want to remain where they are as the fifth seed, so that they can get their crack at the NFC East champions, because whoever it may be, they will be considered the weakest team in the NFC playoffs. Otherwise, the Rams, Cardinals, and Bears are all fighting for the final two playoff spots. For the Rams, it is simple: win and they are in. For the Bears and Cardinals, it is a little more complicated.
The final weekend is always fascinating for all of the playoff possibilities and scenarios that could play out.
So, let’s take a look:
NY Giants 23, Dallas 19 – When pressed to do what they absolutely had to do, the G-Men finally pulled through. Yes, they won the big showdown, in a do or die game for both teams. The winner had a chance to take the division title and move onto the playoffs, while the loser would begin a long off-season by ending the season on a tremendously disappointing note. Under those circumstances, and having lost seven straight to the Cowboys entering this game, the Giants finally managed to win. Oh, it wasn't easy. The game was close throughout, and the Giants struggled to keep Dallas from a late comeback. In the end, however, the Giants did manage to hang on for the win, and their first victory over the 'Boys in over four years. The defense stepped up and held when they needed to. And the offense had a relatively big game, certainly under the circumstances. It was a solid game overall, as the Giants pulled off a huge win, likely the biggest for the franchise in four years. My pick: Accurate
New England 28, NY Jets 14 – These two teams both had disappointing seasons. For the Jets, it was an embarrassing fall from talk of the playoffs to an 0-13 start. They recovered a bit with two straight wins, yet failed to beat the one team that seemed to own them in recent seasons. They entered this game with a ton of momentum, and seemed capable of pulling off what would have been a bit win for them, at least symbolically. Yet, in the end, the Pats shut them down. The offense grew cold again, and the defense could not prevent a pretty major Patriots rally. So, once again, Gang Green falls short to the Patriots, diminished or not. For the Jets, they finish this disastrous season at 2-14, which qualifies as one of the worst regular seasons that this team has ever had. Although at least they avoided tying, or surpassing, their worst season ever, which was when they finished 1-15 back in 1996. As for the Patriots, their record of 17 straight seasons with double digits in the win columns, as well as their impressive streak of 19 straight winning seasons overall, ended with this season. They finish the year with a 7-9 mark, their first losing season since they went 5-11 in 2000, which was the first year for then new head coach, Bill Belichick. It will be a long off-season for both franchises, although I would not be surprised if Belichick and Robert Kraft manages to get this team turned around surprisingly quickly. My pick: Accurate
Cleveland 24, Pittsburgh 22 – Finally, finally, the Browns got that boot off from their necks. They defeated the Steelers in the regular season finale, in a game that nevertheless meant something for the Steelers. Yes, while it is true that Pittsburgh decided to sit out their normal starting quarterback, and thus were not at full strength. Still, this game was a struggle, but the Browns pulled it out. They simply could not afford to lose, and knew that come what may, a win would get them into the playoffs. A loss might very well knock them out. Facing those odds, and having to deal with the team that traditionally has given them the hardest time, Cleveland came out swinging, and did just enough to pull off a hug win that qualifies them for the postseason for the first time in 18 seasons. After all, this was only their fourth win against the Steelers since 2003, and remember that these teams meet one another two times every season. What a solid win for the Browns, who finish the regular season with an 11-5 mark, the best for this franchise in over a quarter of a century. Most importantly, they will be in a game next weekend, as they finally made the playoffs again. As for the Steelers, they fall to 12-4, and will be the third seed in the AFC playoffs. They finished the season having lost four of their last five games, so it will be interesting to see how they respond next week. My pick: Accurate
Buffalo 56, Miami 26 – Wow! The Bills are looking so good at this point, it's scary. They finish the season by blasting the Dolphins in a blowout win, producing the second most points in one game ever for the franchise, and the most since 1966. This was a crushing loss for the Dolphins, who fought hard all season long, and then lost this last, and likely most important game, in a rather humiliating manner. The loss drops them to 10-6 on the season, and they just miss qualifying for the postseason. But this day was all about the Bills, who finished the regular season with a very impressive 13-3 mark, tying the best record for the franchise since they finished 13-3 in both 1990 and 1991. Everything seemed to be working well for Buffalo on this day, and they look more than capable of winning at least one playoff game, if not perhaps making a deep run through the upcoming playoffs. Impressive! My pick: Accurate
Minnesota 37, Detroit 35 – Now, this is an example of a game where both teams are playing to win, playing for pride, and not deliberately shanking just for the draft order. Both teams played hard, came out swinging. It was kind of a back and forth game, and both teams had some things for the highlight reels. The Vikings seemed to have the game in hand with an eight point lead late, but Detroit managed to score a touchdown, only to fall just short with a failed two-point conversion. This may have been a game between two struggling, losing team that failed to reach the playoffs, but they put on the best show possible together. What a game! My pick: Accurate
Tampa Bay 44, Atlanta 27 – The Falcons endured a bad season, but it finally came to an end this weekend. Unfortunately for Atlanta, they had to end it against a hot Tampa Bay team that wanted to leave no doubt in order to pick up the fifth seed, which gives them a date against the winner of the NFC East division, which is Washington. Why would that be so important? Because that division is generally regarded as the weakest in the NFC, by far. So it would seem that the Bucs have a better chance than almost any other road team next weekend to pick up a win. Knowing this as they entered this game against the Falcons, they took care of business. With the win, they finish the season with an 11-5 mark, which I believe is their best record since they went 12-4 in their Super Bowl championship season back in 2002-03. Their offense was clearly on point, and they look sharp heading into the postseason. Meanwhile, the Falcons finish the season with a miserable 4-12 mark, and will limp into a difficult off-season mired with uncertainty and many questions. My pick: Accurate
Indianapolis 28, Jacksonville 14 – The Colts jumped out early in this game, and just made sure to hang on for the all important win. It was a good thing, too, because a loss would have bounced them out of the playoffs. They did not get lucky in terms of the division title, because the Titans took care of what they needed to do in Houston, and captured the division title. But Indy at least won this game, getting revenge for the game that they should have won, but didn't, against Jax earlier in the year. For the Jaguars, that 1-0 start after their win against the Colts went bad very quickly, as they lost all 15 of their remaining games to finish with a league worst 1-15 record. But the Colts finish the season with an impressive 11-5 mark, and will now head on the road for a big game next weekend in the Wildcard round of the playoffs. My pick: Accurate
Baltimore 38, Cincinnati 3 – The Ravens obviously did not want to leave any doubts whatsoever in this one. They jumped ahead early and were unrelenting, pounding the weaker Bengals into submission and getting a very easy victory that solidified their playoff status. Baltimore finishes the season with an impressive 11-5 mark, after falling to 6-5 at the mid-season point, and looking shaky for the playoff push. Five straight wins later, they may be the hottest team, and certainly one of the hottest, entering the postseason. They will next go to Tennessee to take on the Titans in the Wildcard. Meanwhile, the Bengals finish the season at 4-11-1. Not a very good mark, but they are going in the right direction, it seems. My pick: Accurate
LA Rams 18, Arizona 7 – For all intents and purposes, this might as well have been a playoff game. Both teams faced possible elimination with a loss, and whoever won stood a very good shot at moving on. Who knew that the Bears would lose, and that the Rams could have gotten in even with a loss, anyway? But the Rams took care of business. Yes, with their backs to the wall, the Rams played their best game, especially on defense. The Cardinals went ahead early, but then never got much of anything going again. It was not the highest scoring or most exciting game, but for the Rams, it is more than enough to finally clinch that elusive playoff berth. Next up for them, a rematch with the division champion Seahawks in Seattle. As for the Cardinals, they improved by leaps and bounds, but ultimately fell short of reaching the playoffs. Disappointing for them, obviously, although they seem to have a lot of potential for the future. My pick: Accurate
Green Bay 35, Chicago 16 – Now admittedly, my prediction called for Da Bears to beat the Packers in order to secure that final Wildcard spot. But the Packers proved to be too much for them. Yes, Green Bay played very well, and earned the top seed and home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with this win at Soldier Field. Also, and this is not some minor point, they will get to rest and watch the games from home next weekend like the rest of us. They finish with an impressive 13-3 mark for a second year in a row, and enter the postseason looking quite formidable. As long as they survive, the road through the NFC playoffs to reach the Super Bowl will go through Lambeau Field. As for Chicago, they lost yet again to the Packers, yet still manage to somehow stumble into the playoffs by virtue of Arizona's loss to the Rams. But they will have to go down to New Orleans next Sunday, which is not an easy game. And they hardly looked ready for such a test with that performance against their traditional tormentors, the Packers. My pick: Inaccurate
Tennessee 41, Houston 38 – The Titans had to fight for this one. Ultimately, however, they came through and won when they absolutely needed to. It was a tight win against the Texans, to be sure. But it was an important one, as Tennessee finishes the season with an 11-5 mark. More importantly, they finally clinch the AFC South division title, and get the fourth seed, and a home game, along with it. As for Houston, this loss ends a mostly forgettable season for them. Their 4-12 record, following an impressive season when they wound up winning the division title last year, underscores exactly how disappointing this season was by way of comparison. My pick: Accurate
New Orleans 33, Carolina 7 – The Carolina Panthers never had a chance. The Saints, going into this game, still at least believed that they had at least a bit of a chance at the top seed in the NFC playoffs, which would have included a playoff bye. Yet, they also could have dropped to the third seed, which would have meant a tougher opponent in the Wildcard round. They got the Bears, who did not even manage a winning record, and who should be a team that the Saints feel extremely confident facing next weekend. They were able to get that by soundly thrashing the Panthers, who were consistently inconsistent this season. The Saints finish this season with a 12-4 mark. Carolina, meanwhile, are likely happy just to put this 5-11 season behind them. My pick: Accurate
LA Chargers 38, Kansas City 21 – No real surprise here. Yes, the Chiefs entered this game at 14-1, and the Chargers were obviously a losing team. But KC had clinched everything that they could already, and so they were resting their starters, a luxury that only the truly elite teams heading into the playoffs this season can afford. Obviously, the Chargers took advantage, and managed a decent win on the road against a team that is usually much tougher to beat. The Chargers improve to 7-9 on the season, while the Chiefs finish with a 14-2 mark, which is still their best record in a very long time, if not possibly ever. They will wait to see who they will play next, but will enjoy home field advantage for as long as they are in the AFC playoffs. My pick: Accurate
Seattle 26, San Francisco 23 – The Seahawks entered this game believing that they had a chance at taking the number one seed. It did not work out that way, as both the Packer and the Saints won. Still the Seahawks earned a tough divisional road win at San Francisco, outlasting the 49ers and finished 12-4 for the first time since their Super Bowl season in 2014. They won the division title, and will next host yet another divisional opponent, the Rams, for Wildcard weekend on Saturday. As for San Francisco, a disappointing season comes to an end, as they finish with a 6-10 record. Some questions will likely need to be answered in the off-season, but remember that this team were the NFC champs and nearly won the Super Bowl just one year ago. A turnaround season next year would not be surprising. My pick: Accurate
Las Vegas 32, Denver 31 – A great and close game with a lot of fireworks to finish this season off. No, neither of these teams will be heading into the playoffs, but this was a solid way to finish the season off, especially for the Raiders. It will serve as small consolation, but it nevertheless is a positive sign. The Raiders end the season with an 8-8 mark, and basically just managed to avoid another losing season in their first year in Las Vegas. As for the Broncos, they finish 5-11, and still have a lot of work to do to get back to being a contender. My pick: Inaccurate
SNF: Washington 20, Philadelphia 14 – This was the game that caused so much controversy after the fact. Were the Eagles deliberately tanking towards the end? The Giants sure seem to think so. Maybe, and maybe not. But ultimately, Washington played well enough to win, and win they did. Not by much. This was hardly a blowout, after all. But the defense in particular proved tough once again, and with the win, Washington ties the 2010 Seahawks and the 2014 Panthers as the only division winners with losing records, as they finish 7-9. They will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next weekend. As for Philly, they finish the season with a dismal 4-11-1 record, and do so on a losing note, dropping seven of their last eight, including their final three games of the season. My pick: Accurate
