Like Cam Newton, I’mmmmm BBBaaaacccckkkk, after a long hiatus that I really don’t have an excuse about, but it doesn’t mean I wasn’t enjoying the football season! The blog takes a lot of time, so hope the 12 of you enjoy it haha.
The final weeks of the season had a huge number of teams realistically still in the hunt. This has been one of the more interesting playoff pushes that I can remember. And in Week 18, we probably saw more playoff movement than we ever have the final week of the season.
In a 5 week span, the Ravens, Chiefs, Patriots and Titans all held the #1 seed in the AFC.
The Colts had a chance to lockup a fairly high playoff seed by beating the worst team in the NFL, and couldn’t pull out off, thus being eliminated.
The Ravens started 8-3, and didn’t win a game the rest of the season. They were the #1 seed as of Week 12, and completely missed the playoffs. They had an outside shot at the playoffs entering Week 18, but dropped to the 12th seed in the AFC showing how close the AFC was this year. Also of note, the Ravens went for 2, two different times with a shot of either winning or losing the game, and lost both times. If they take any 1 of those, they’re likely in the playoffs.
The Rams had to win at home to get the #2 seed, and guaranteeing 2 home playoff games (if they won), but dropped 2 seeds to #4 seed.
The Chargers were in with a Win or a Tie, but fell to the 10th seed with the loss.
The NFC Playoff picture in WEEK THREE, had 6 of the 7 teams that would eventually make the playoffs.
For the record:
* The Dolphins started 1-7, and then won 8 in a row
* The Bengals snapped teh Chiefs 8 game win streak, as a reminder they were the worst team in the league 2 seasons ago
* Mike Tomlin has 15 straight seasons at .500 or better
Stats of the Week:
- We’re now up to 14 QB’s in the 5000 yard club, adding 2 more this year. Only 9 different QB’s have ever done it, welcome Justin Herbert to the list.
- The difference between 1st place in rushing yards (Jonathan Taylor) and 2nd place is 552 yards. Derrick Henry ended up in 9th place on the rushing list, despite being out since Week 9!
- Adrian Peterson has now scored a TD for 6 different teams.
- In Week 14, 26 of the 32 teams were within 1 game of making the playoffs.
- Joe Burrow threw for 942 yards in 2 games against the Ravens this season, that’s the most yards against 1 team in a season, beating Joe Montana’s record by 67 yards.
Say what you want about the Chargers calling a timeout with 39 seconds left, but I don’t buy in a heartbeat that the Raiders were going to kneel out the clock. The difference is going to Cincinnati against an albeit hot QB, but a QB with less than 2 seasons under his belt in his first playoff game, VS. going against the Chiefs which clobbered the Raiders twice this year.
Coaching Carousel:
As with every year, tons of coaching movements, with a full 25% of the league’s coaches getting fired! The Broncos, Texans, Vikings, Bears, Giants, Dolphins, Raiders and Jaguars will hall have new coaches next year.
Predictions:
I’m forcing myself to make 2 upset picks, the Division round typically goes by seed, but anything can happen in the Wild Card round.
Raiders at Bengals- Get ready for some fireworks, both QBs are playing their first playoff game. Burrow is coming into the game hot, but going to have the Raiders with the upset, Bengals 21, Raiders 24.
Patriots at Bills– 3rd time’s a charm! They each won on the road, the Patriots won a matchup by throwing the ball 3 times, and then the Bills dismantled the Patriots in Week 16. I have it low scoring again, but Buffalo winning 17-13
Eagles at Bucs– The Eagles should have a solid chance with the run game, but ultimately no match for Brady. Bucs 34, Eagles 17
49ers at Cowboys– In the 90s this would have been the game of the year (ahead of the Super Bowl even), and now it’s on Nickelodeon. Eitherway, I see the 49ers playing tough but Cowboys 31, 49ers 28.
Steelers at Chiefs– While I don’t think the Chiefs dismantle the Steelers like Vegas has them doing, I’ll have it Chiefs 24, Steelers 13
Cardinals at Rams– Two teams that are arguably limping into the playoffs, and another division rematch. I hate to do it, but I have the Cardinals pulling it out, another high scoring affair: 35-31 Arizona.
My Playoff Prediction
The #1 and #2 highest receiving yard seasons were both led by Matthew Stafford. Different receivers, different teams, and a decade apart
TJ Watt tied the season record for sacks at 22.5. Before you start clamboring about the 18th game, due to injuries he did it in 15!
Although I’m one of the people who think a ton of records will now fall due to the extra game, it’s interesting to note that the records for Interceptions came in a 15 game season and has still never been broken. And we see the sack record above.
Quote of the Week
“We’re like 20 point underdogs, we don’t have a chance” Ben Roethlisberger
Quote of the Week #2:
“You’ve seen the meme, f’it, Jamar’s out there somewhere” Joe Burrow
Memes, lots of Memes:
FMQB 