FMQB: Wild Card Weekend

Week 17 Recap:

• The Browns ended the longest NFL playoff drought for their first playoff appearance in 18 years. Then as luck would have it, COVID struck and they’ll be missing their head coach and a handful of players.
• The Dolphins laid an egg on Sunday, but will miss the playoffs at 10-6 while the NFC has an 8-8 and 7-9 team make it. I was fairly convinced that adding a 7^th playoff team, that any team at 9 wins was essentially in.
• The Rams and Cardinals essentially had a “win and you’re in game,” and Murray was out after the first series making this a lousy battle of the backups. In which case defense tends to win. That being said, props to Cardinals QB who went to my alma mater the University of South Dakota! We rarely see players in the limelight.
• The winner of Dallas and NYG would have a shot at the playoffs and it ended up being a pretty crazy ending. The Cowboys made it to the 7 yard line and 1^st and goal, but would throw a pick in the endzone. Looking over, the Giants actually fumbled the ball but were able to recover and win the game.

Eagles Tanking:

The Giants went into Sunday night knowing that if Philly could win, they’d be in the playoffs. Philly was up late in the 2^nd quarter with Jalen Hurts, but inexplicably benched him for the 3^rd string QB Nate Sudfield, who would end the game with a 14.6 QB Rating. A couple points, and I’m not exactly sure where I stand on the issue, although leaning towards purposefully losing is bad football ethics. That being said, the difference between Philly winning and losing is either the 6^th pick or the 9^th pick and no playoff chances, so why not lose? I think it’s more poetic justice rather than purposeful shading that their rival the Giants miss the playoffs because of it.

Titans Texans finish

I only caught the last 2 minutes of this game, but was quite the doozy. There were 7 TD’s in the 2^nd half alone, and 13 points scored in the last 1:42. The win probability flipped 3 times in the last 2 minutes. The AFC South was on the line, and Tennessee was looking at either a 4 seed or 7 seed. The Texans scored with 18 seconds left to take the lead. 1 play later, the Titans were in FG range and nailed a 37 yarder that went off the post to win the game and division, and right to host a playoff game.

Stat of the Week:

Deshaun Watson led the league in passing yards after the team traded away their top receiver

Stat of the Week #2:

The difference between the #1 and #2 RB’s was 470 yards. The difference between #1 and #3 was 858 yards

Stat of the Week #3:

Dak Prescott ended the season with more TD’s than Cam Newton, despite his season ending injury in Week 5.

Stat of the Week #4:

Derek Henry became the 8^th player to amass 2000 yards. He had a 250 yard day, so it sort of snuck up on everybody.

Stat of the Week #5:

The Giants started the season 1-7, and weren’t eliminated from playoff contention until the 256^th game of the season.

Stat of the Week #6:

Stat of the Week #7:

Wild Card Weekend

We’re in for a treat with two triple-headers for playoff season now instead of just 4 games. Here are my picks:

Bills (2) vs. Colts (7)

The Bills are a very scary team this year, with their offense finally catching up to their vaunted defense. I have this as a blowout, Bills 34- Colts 17

Steelers (3) vs. Browns (6)

Last week’s teaser was against number twos for Pittsburgh. I think a rested group takes care of them. Steelers 27- Browns 21

Titans (4) vs. Ravens (5)

This is the biggest toss up in my opinion, and I think it depends on which Lamar Jackson shows up. I think the Titans eek it out 37-27.

Saints (2) vs. Bears (7)

Rematch from earlier in the season, and the Bears hung with them into OT. Different QB. I have this one as not as close, Saints 28, Bears 10.

Seahawks (3) vs. Rams (6)

Will come down to who is QB’ing for the Rams. If it’s Wolford, look for it to turn ugly 6+ sacks and Seattle 35, Rams 6. If it’s Goff, I have it closer, but an unfortunately picking against my team SEA 27, LAR 24.

RedTails (4) vs. Buccaneers (5)

The most likely “upset” this week, I have Brady ramming past Washington 35-17. Chance their D puts up a fight, but hard to see Washington winning this game.

Memes of the Week: