FMQB: Drop Your Buffs
Sorry for the Survivor reference, but now that all the riff-raff are out, it’s time to get down to business.
I missed a week, despite some time off. Here’s a snapshot of what Week 16-17 was going to look like.
- The Eagles suddenly aren’t looking invincible anymore
- Hope you didn’t bet on the Eagles game, their spread was 9.5. Scored a flukey TD at the end of the game to go up 9, and then kneeled during the extra point to be sportsmen. That’s a bad beat!
- 2 TD’s got called back against the Bills using the stupid catch rule. Go figure it was the Patriots who benefited
- Interesting situation in the NFC, where you almost want the 4th seed so if you win the first game you play the Wentz-less Eagles. Both the Panthers and Saints will be fighting for the NFC South, so one of them wants to win to get a home game. So if you’re the Rams, I think resting your starters and letting Garrapolo go 5-0 as a 49er makes perfect sense.
Back to Week 17, and the culmination of 20 team’s seasons.
Stat of the Week:
DeShaun Watson, who started only 6 games this season, has more TD passes than Joe Flacco, Tyrod Taylor, Marcus Mariotta, Jacoby Brissett, DeShone Kizer, and Mitch Trubisky; all who started their entire seasons.
Stat of the Week #2:
Frank Gore quietly jumped into 5th on the all time rushing yards list.
Stat of the Week #3:
Kansas City started the season 5-0, then went on a 1-6 slide, and ended on a 4-0 streak.
Stolen Stat of the Week #4:
In the two weeks that Nick Foles has been helming the Eagles, they are 3 for 25 on 3rd Down.
Stat of the Week #5:
In two matchups this year, the Steelers outscored the Browns 49-42. As bumbling as the Browns were all year (becoming the second team to go 0-16), that’s fairly impressive.
Stat of the Week #6:
Kareem Hunt is your rushing champion, although Gurley would have had it if he hadn’t sat out last week. Brady with passing yards, Russell Wilson with 34 TD’s (Carson Wentz’ would have had that one, he missed by one despite missing the last 2 games). Antonio Brown with receiving yards, again.
Stat of the Week #7:
After starting the season 0-9, the 49ers have a better record than 8 other teams in the league.
Coaching Carosel:
“Black Monday” was a bit of a surprise this year. I was shocked to hear that Jack Del Rio and Jim Caldwell were out. Equally shocked to hear Bruce Arians retire. John Fox was a given, as was Chuck Pagano. But maybe slightly surprised that’s all their was (Chargers, Broncos, Browns, and possibly Bucs could have started fresh). Bengals fans had their own Black Monday when they signed Marvin Lewis to a 2 year extension. Not sure I’ve seen as much hatred as I saw after somebody wasn’t fired! It was so bad that jerseys were burned. Is anybody else as excited and thrilled to hear that Jon Gruden will likely be back at the Raiders?!?!
Quick Hits:
- Cowboys Eagles may have been the worst game to watch this season. 6-0 victory
- Hugh Jackson is 1-31 in his career, and is being allowed to keep his job. Meanwhile Jim Caldwell led the Lions to their first back to back winning seasons in 22 years and gets fired.
- Apparently there is a pretty interesting report coming out this morning regarding the tensions between Brady and Belichick. It’ll be old news by next week, but I’m sure I’ll have to touch on it.
- Blair Walsh missed a FG which would have given them a chance at the playoffs. He missed 3 game winning kicks this year, meaning the Seahawks could have been 12-4 and won their division.
- Bills finally made it. Bengals were down by 3 and a 4th and 12, Dalton throws a TD pass. Longest active postseason drought in all American sports is now over at 18 years.
Fun Food of the Week:
To celebrate their first playoff game in over a decade, the Jaguars are selling teal beer and teal burger buns this weekend at the game. Admittedly it looks pretty cool, but then again so did the Halloween Whopper. Twice…
My predictions for the weekend:
It’s called the “Wild” Card round for a reason. It seems like most crazy games and most upsets happen the first week of the playoffs. Of course I’m dull and picked all 4 home teams to win, but expect me to be mistaken.
Tennessee at Kansas City
If any team limped to the playoffs, it was the Titans. And their reward is playing on the road at one of the hardest stadiums to play at. This isn’t an easy win by the Chiefs, but expect Mariota to struggle in his first postseason start. Chiefs 24, Titans 10
Atlanta at Los Angeles
If the first game is a snoozer, the Saturday night game will surely wake you up! If there’s a chance for a shootout, it’s this game. The Rams fan in me has me pessimistic, but unbiased me has the Rams winning 38-34.
Buffalo at Jacksonville
Wow the AFC matchups this week stink. I would be shocked if the Bills score more than 17 points, placing most of the onus on Blake Bortles. If he can not get INT happy, and get the Jags to 20, they win. Final score JAX 23, BUF 13
Carolina at New Orleans
Looks like another strong matchup between NFC South Rivals. Carolina had a shot at wrapping up the #2 Seed last week but instead looked completely flat at home. I think the Saints are too strong this year and their offense too explosive. It won’t be a blowout, but I’m picking NO 31, CAR 21.
Meme of the Week #1:
Bonus Meme of the Week #2:
FMQB 