This is a weird week in the NFL. Just like it always is when Christmas falls on Sunday. The normal Sunday slate of games gets moved to Christmas Eve. OK, nothing strange about that. But there's also a Saturday night game (which they usually don't have) and a Christmas afternoon game (which I don't think they've ever had in the regular season).
It's also the week where a lot of teams can give themselves (or somebody else) a Christmas present in the form of a playoff berth or division title. The Giants blew their chance to get in directly with their loss to the Eagles, but will still lock up a spot this week if any of four teams loses (although ESPN.com did show the only possible scenario that keeps the Giants out, which includes eight! different things all happening). It's possible that the entire AFC playoff field will be locked in after this week, too, which could create a very uneventful Week 17 in the AFC.
Dolphins (9-5) at Bills (7-7): Buffalo-Miami's one of those teams that can clinch a playoff berth, but in order to do it, they'll have to beat Rex Ryan's dysfunctional bunch of Buffalo Bills. Problem is the weather in Buffalo in December isn't the same as the weather in Miami in December. That's why the Bills like playing their home game against the Dolphins late in the season. They don't win in Buffalo in December. And you know the Bills would love to spoil their rival's playoff chances.
Redskins (7-6-1) at Bears (3-11): Washington-Washington really damaged its playoff hopes with that Monday night loss to Carolina. The Redskins aren't out of it, but they need a lot of things to happen in order to get in. If they find a way to lose to the Bears, it's definitely not going to happen. The chances of that actually happening don't seem to high, though.
Chargers (5-9) at Browns (0-14): Cleveland-If the Browns are going to avoid 0-16, this is probably their last chance. It really depends on what San Diego team shows up. If the Chargers jump on them early the way the Bengals did, Cleveland will lose in the first quarter yet again. But if the Browns manage to stay in the game until the end, we might finally see them turn that 0 into a 1.
Vikings (7-7) at Packers (8-6): Green Bay-Last year when these two met at the end of the season, Minnesota pulled the upset and ended up winning the NFC North. And the Vikings won again in Week 2 to open their new stadium. Should they complete the trifecta, it'll screw up Green Bay's playoff chances (and clinch a spot for the Giants). However, the Packers know that if they win their final two games, they'll end up as the division champions. And do you trust anyone more than Aaron Rodgers in December?
Jets (4-10) at Patriots (12-2): New England-Todd Bowles didn't travel to New England with the team and may not coach on Saturday. If he misses the game, he at least won't have to watch the Jets for a week. Last year, the Jets beat the Patriots in Week 16 at the Meadowlands. That was last year. Not happening this time.
Falcons (9-5) at Panthers (6-8): Atlanta-Here we've got perhaps the most fascinating matchup of the weekend. Atlanta pretty much clinches a playoff berth with a win and locks up the division with a win and a Bucs loss. Carolina won't make the playoffs, but can certainly play the role of spoiler. And don't forget, the Falcons beat the Panthers in Week 16 last year to come between Carolina and a 16-0 regular season. They haven't forgotten that. I do think the Falcons will win, but it'll be a close one.
Titans (8-6) at Jaguars (2-12): Tennessee-Why didn't the Jaguars wait until they got back to Jacksonville to fire Gus Bradley? That would've prevented the entire awkward situation on the flight home. Anyway, the Titans know that they'll be playing for a division title at home if they beat the perennial AFC cellar dwellers. Unless you're the Patriots, that opportunity doesn't come around very often. They won't want to waste it. Especially after they beat Denver and Kansas City to put themselves in that position.
Colts (7-7) at Raiders (11-3): Oakland-Oakland's in the playoffs for the first time in 14 years. Now the Raiders can move closer to an AFC West title against a Colts team that really can only hope for a three-way tie at 9-7. If the Raiders win, Indy's done. As we've seen all season, though, this Raiders team is really freakin good. You think they're losing their last home game of the season when a potential playoff bye is on the line?
49ers (1-13) at Rams (4-10): Los Angeles-Kevin Harlan is getting all kinds of year-end accolades for his call of the drunken idiot running on the field during the miserable Monday night game between these two in Week 1. Well, San Francisco has won as many games as Cleveland since that 28-0 shutout. The best thing about this game, though, is that the Rams will be wearing their vintage LA Rams uniforms from the 80s (we're talking the Eric Dickerson Rams here).
Buccaneers (8-6) at Saints (6-8): Tampa Bay-These two meet for the second time in three weeks. Why? I don't know. And it took an outstanding defensive effort for Tampa Bay to notch a 16-11 win (what's with all the weird scores this season?). Now they visit the Superdome, where you think the Saints offense is more likely to actually show up. I can see New Orleans pulling the upset here, but I'd like to see the Bucs in the playoffs, so I'm gonna say they find a way to get it done.
Cardinals (5-8-1) at Seahawks (9-4-1): Seattle-They've certainly taken different paths since playing the first tie in Sunday Night Football history. Arizona's finishing up a lost season, while Seattle has already secured another NFC West title. A win this week, and they move closer to a first-round bye, which they can clinch if the Lions and Falcons both lose, as well. As a bonus, the Seahawks won't be wearing fluorescent green this week, so you won't have to adjust the brightness on your TV during this game.
Bengals (5-8-1) at Texans (8-6): Houston-Whenever the NFL scheduled a Christmas Eve night game in the past, it usually involved two West Coast teams (they actually used to have a rule against it). That's clearly not the case anymore, as the Texans host the Bengals in a Saturday night special. They both won their division last year, so you can see why the NFL picked it. Now, with Cincinnati out of it, the Texans know this is a must-win for them if they're going to defend their AFC South title. Especially since they'll already know if the Titans beat the Jaguars (which seems likely).
Ravens (8-6) at Steelers (9-5): Pittsburgh-Likewise, the NFL never plays during the day on Christmas. (I remember a Cowboys-Eagles game on a Monday right after NBC got the Sunday night package, but that's really it.) But as someone who thinks five NBA games is excessive, I'll take the extra helping of the NFL. Especially when it's a great rivalry game like Pittsburgh-Baltimore. This game has huge playoff implications, too. If the Steelers win, they clinch the division and severely damage the Ravens' wild card chances. But if Baltimore wins, they'll have a sweep and will just need to win next week to win the AFC North. Like I said, big game. Big Ben usually performs in big games. Especially at home.
Broncos (8-6) at Chiefs (10-4): Denver-NBC flexed into the first Broncos-Chiefs game, and it was one of the best games of the year. Now the pre-planned Christmas night rematch. The defending champs will be out if they lose. The Chiefs can clinch with a win, which was also the case last week when they lost to the Titans on a last-second field goal. Denver's offense is going to need to actually show up if they're going to snap their losing streak and have any hopes of next week being relevant. Kansas City would also like next week's game to be relevant for them. Everything points to the Chiefs winning and making Week 17 matter. So, of course, I'm going with my gut feeling and picking the Broncos.
Lions (9-5) at Cowboys (12-2): Dallas-The final Thursday night game made the final Monday night game a whole lot more interesting. Dallas has nothing to play for now. Do they play all out and go for the win, or do they do that whole rest the starters for the playoffs thing. Should they do that, they'll be doing teams like the Packers and Giants a huge favor. Because Detroit hasn't locked up anything yet, and a Cowboys win sets up that Lions-Packers game next week as a winner-take-all. I think Dallas does play all out. This is their final home game, and they won't want to go three weeks without their starters playing in game situations. Which will be a late Christmas present for the Giants, Packers and everyone else who needs a Lions loss.
Just for fun, I'll throw in a bonus prediction. The Sunday night game for Week 17, which the NFL doesn't decide until after the relevant Week 16 games are all done, will be Titans-Texans. That one will decide the AFC South and the loser will be out. The only other option that seems realistic is Packers-Lions (which could easily be chosen because it is the Packers), but I think that more likely to have that be FOX's 4:25 national game.
This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 10-6
Overall: 147-76-2
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