Week 16 Game Reviews
Week 16 Game Reviews
Week 16 Game Reviews
WEEK 16 NFL GAME REVIEWS
Since this is such a pivotal time of the season, i’ve decided to steer away from intense game details – i’m gonna tell
you about playoff pictures and offseason expectations this week – followed by season reviews next week. Happy
Holidays and Merry Xmas!
Indianapolis Colts (11‐4) 31 Jacksonville Jaguars (5‐10) 24
Thursday Night football again and this was a key game for the Colts, a win would cement
them in 5th place in the AFC and that’s precisely what happened. Peyton Manning has shown
tremendous resilience and determination over the past few weeks and his Colts have won
their eighth consecutive game and that means they’re in the playoffs for the seventh straight
year. So how have they done it – well today’s game really showed you how Indianapolis works
– they are not purely a passing team as the stats say, they are a team which consistently
exploits weaknesses. You may say that’s true of all winning teams, but the Colts should
especially pride themselves on it. The Jags have a superior run defence – one which allowed
only 32yds of Colt rushing in this game – but their weakness...the pass! Peyton Manning had a
field day – he completed 29 or 34 passes for 364yds and 3 TD’s. This truly is a team which can
have the run taken away, but still get the passing game going.
PLAYOFF wise, the Colts are very much the dark horses – building up an 11‐4 record is not
easy, coming back from their 3‐4 record in week 8. I can see the Colts breaching many a
defence in the playoffs, but some others are a little trickier. Dallas, Tampa and Tennessee can all cause Manning problems –
their experience may just mean that they don’t bite on those infamous play action fakes to Reggie and Marvin!
Baltimore Ravens (10‐5) 33 Dallas Cowboys (9‐6) 24
Clash of two teams who are very capable of going far in the playoffs – yet who have such very
different expectations. Dallas is expected to win every game – simple. They can run, pass and
defend the run and pass. Baltimore sure can defend, but they have the “rookie factor” – that
sympathy when something goes wrong, that we can accredit to “well Flacco is still a rookie”
It’s that which has allowed them to sneak in to the playoffs. Both teams now hold the second
wildcard in their divisions – the last playoff spot. Dallas can clinch a playoff spot by beating
streaky Philly, Baltimore can lock it up with a win over the pass friendly Jags.
PLAYOFF wise, I would expect both of these teams to reach the playoffs – Baltimore have it
easier than Dallas, but nothing’s certain in the NFL! If Dallas miss out then they can attribute
it to Romo’s pinkie finger – if the Ravens miss out they still have the “Rookie factor”. Dallas
will always be a threat in the playoffs and so will the Ravens – just don’t expect a Superbowl
win from a rookie QB or a banged up Romo.
Cincinnati Bengals (3‐11‐1) 14 Cleveland Browns (4‐11) 0
Neither team has a hope in hell of reaching the playoffs, so let’s look at the game. Brown’s fans
will have already spotted the shutout...so we need not mention that! Cincinnati has suffered
from day 1 – their season can be compared quite respectably, to the Patriots. Both teams lose
their star QB’s in week 1, both have star receivers. Yet the Patriots found Cassell a perfect fit
and the transition was effortless – the Bengals attempts to fit Ryan Fitzpatrick in have been in
vain. Winning only 3.5 games, they have a real problem going into the offseason – whether or
not Ocho Cinco is gonna hang around, whether they can find a competent RB and whether or
not they can buy a defence in the offseason. The Browns QB issues have been QB related – they
can put up a good defence and receiving core when they want – yet they have suffered from
injuries to Anderson and Quinn – Dorsey is not a suitable replacement...yet!
OFFSEASON – These teams must look ahead, this was an unlucky season – plagued by injuries
and not by inability to play offense. (Defence begs a different question.) Get Carson Palmer and
Brady Quinn settled, good draft and trades – both of these teams could be better next year.
New Orleans Saints (8‐7) 42 Detroit Lions (0‐15) 7
I’ll bet the one season review you all want to read is that of the Detroit Lions...it will
certainly be interesting when the draft comes around and there’s that small section in
magazines entitled “team needs”. The Detroit Lions list of needs must detail every position
in football, apart from a primary Wide receiver. New Orleans has had a disappointing
season; they have been unable to keep up with the unbelievable pace of the NFC south and
are set to miss the playoffs with a .500 record. Still...every cloud has a silver lining, the
Saints has been Drew Brees leading the league in passing, the emergence of Lance Moore
and the progression of Reggie Bush. The Saints will miss the playoffs narrowly, but should
be proud of what they’ve achieved this season.
OFFSEASON hopes for the Lions are not good – sure they will get the number 1 draft pick,
but what do they take? It will certainly take more than a year to sort out this team. The
Saints can look forward to more development...just hope next year it’s on defence!
Arizona Cardinals (8‐7) 7 New England Patriots (10‐5) 47
Both teams should be in the playoffs – the Cardinals will be, but are on a slide at the
moment. The Patriots need a win and either a Miami or Baltimore loss to get in and that
looks very shaky to bet on. The Patriots have done remarkably well this season, especially
after losing the NFL MVP in week 1. Matt Cassell has proven himself as a capable QB and
has led the team to 10 wins. The Patriots RB core has also suffered – but BenJarvus Green‐
Ellis has, like Cassel, filled the large shoes perfectly. If the Patriots do miss the playoff it
will be due to a breaking in period for Cassell – one which could not have realistically been
shortened and the alternatives are hard to think of. Good season for the Patriots...which
may not be over yet! The Cardinals have arisen from Phoenix and with their 2 probowl
receivers in Boldin and Fitzgerald; they are looking deadly through the air.
PLAYOFFS – If New England make it through they will certainly be a force to be reckoned
with...look at what they did to the playoff Cardinals today! Defence is playing well, offense
is back to New England standard and it all looks positive. The Cardinals need to pick it up –
they’ve slumped to what may end up an 8‐8 .500 record. Good enough to get through...but good enough to get through the
playoffs?
Pittsburgh Steelers (11‐4) 14 Tennessee Titans (13‐2) 31
The top two teams in the AFC and they’ve both sewn up the number 1 and 2 slots. This
could so easily be a post season matchup, so it was particularly interesting. Many
pundits went with the obvious trick of picking the Steelers because of their top notch
defence. They must have overlooked the 12 win record the Titans had. This is the team
this year that just keeps finding ways to beat you. Be it defensively, offensively – they
can do it all. Their defensive backs have been solid, their running backs are top class
and Kerry Collins is in the zone. In Pittsburgh it’s been the same old story – they rely on
their defence and Roethlisberger has scored when he’s needed to. They’ve been part of
some of the lowest scoring games this year and it’s because of this very reason.
PLAYOFFS – The Titans are definitely Superbowl contenders, no questions asked.
They’ve beaten almost all of their opponents and their losses have come during close
games. They have the pieces and the players – let’s see what happens. The Steelers
have one problem...explosive opponents. Come up against the likes of Dallas, Arizona
and Indy, their defence MUST keep them in check – if they fall too far behind, they do
not have the pieces for quick scores. Correction – the pieces are there, they’re just lacking the will. I do so hope they will find it
in the postseason.
San Fransisco 49’ers (6‐9) 17 St. Louis Rams (2‐13) 16
Neither of these teams has had a brilliant season, yet the 49’ers are on a curious wave. That
wave is being fanned by new head coach Mike Singletary – he’s been motivational and
uplifting for this team, but he’s also made a crucial decision at the QB position, benching J.T.
O’Sullivan and making Shaun Hill the starter – bold move, and one which appears to be
paying off. The Rams however, like the Patriots, like the Bengals have lost their starting QB
in Marc Bulger. He may be back but he’s nowhere near full strength. Injury problems with
Steven Jackson have upset the dynamics and it’s resulted in a 2‐13 season so far. They have
a tendency to either completely get shut out, or come extremely close to winning – maybe
Marc Bulger was that little bit extra. The 49’ers won the match and seem to have more
confidence than the disappointing Rams.
OFFSEASON – This is a rebuilding year for the Rams, they need to look for RB and QB
backups who can aid them if Jackson and Bulger suffer the same fate next year. San Fran
should have a positive offseason, looking forward to the draft and concentrating on their
defence. The pieces are coming...
Miami Dolphins (10‐5) 38 Kansas City Chiefs (2‐13) 31
The most improved team in the NFL? Well the Dolphins are in direct contention with
Atlanta for that award, but Miami look like the more solid team. You could also argue that
Chad Pennington should be up for NFL MVP – his contribution to this team has been
incredible and he is now a quality QB. Kansas has had some problems – they’ve never
really had a great QB – but even finding an acceptable one has been hard for them this
year. The draft should be pretty clear for them – QB! This game did show though, they can
still score points. Tony Gonzalez is still a chief, as is Larry Johnson – two star players on an
all American rejects team.
POSTSEASON – The Dolphins will need to beat the Jets to remain in the playoffs and that’s
not exactly going to be easy. If they do make it they will have a tough time – they may be
the most improved, but that doesn’t make them elite in any way. Kansas just needs to
draft a QB!
San Diego Chargers (7‐8) 41 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (still with Monty) (9‐6) 24
The Chargers late season push is coming way too late – after getting off to a less than
expected slow start, the Chargers have slowly began to work and win games. This was the
exact same problem last year and it killed their playoff chances then as well! They do
most certainly have the ability to beat any team – an explosive offense, explosive defence
and some true star players. They just keep putting THROW and RUN together and getting
TURNOVER. Bad play calling and clock management has cost them yet again. Tampa
however are really getting desperate – with Monte Kiffin leaving at the end of this season,
many of their defensive stars getting ready for retirement and trying to break in a new
offense will mean that the old faithful “Tampa 2” defence will struggle. They’ve relied on
the defence for years, but now times move on and the Bucs are struggling to get to the
playoffs.
POSTSEASON – Key game next week for San Diego – beat Denver and they go to the
playoffs, lose and they don’t – an all or nothing game. The Bucs do not control their
destiny, they need a win AND a Dallas loss...which I wouldn’t bet on. Good luck to the old defence and bad play callers – they’ll
need it against better teams.
Buffalo Bills (7‐8) 30 Denver Broncos (8‐7) 23
Denver started off the season looking very promising, but they’ve slipped into an 8‐7 record.
This is a team which a couple of weeks ago were poised to clinch the division – but they lost
it. They have been able to hold on for just long enough – their luck may run out next week
though. A winner takes all matches for playoff spot – Vs the San Diego Chargers. Can Cutler,
Marshall and Royal make it and cause another punishing upset to their division rivals? I think
they can – just don’t bet your mortgage on it! Buffalo, like Denver, started out extremely
promisingly – they’ve also slipped – but further. Their record is now below .500 and that
means they have no chance of a playoff spot this year. Several good things have come out of
this though – the emergence of Marshawn Lynch as a top RB, Trent Edwards developing and
a high quality receiving core for him to throw to. Next year’s team could be very similar; all
they need now is an offensive line!
PLAYOFFS? – Well if Denver does make it past the Chargers they will need to carry that
momentum with them into the post season. They need a downhill running game, less
mistakes by Cutler and a bit of luck to see them progress. Not strong Superbowl contenders
but most certainly worthy of a fluky consideration. Buffalo could be in the same position
next year – let’s see who stays and who goes.
Houston Texans (7‐8) 16 Oakland Raiders (4‐11) 27
What’s happened to the Raiders? Well after all of that business during the mid‐season,
they appear to have picked themselves up. Johnny Lee Higgins has proven himself a rose
amongst thorns but that’s all we can say for their season – Al Davies has fired yet
another coach, DeAngelo Hall got his $1 Million per game and left – the team is still in
meltdown, they’ve just been put in the fridge for a while. Houston is at a strange place
in its history – after a partially successful season, they have a few holes here and there,
but on the whole have proven themselves a capable team. Matt Schaub has really
stepped up to the mark and Andre Johnson will be the NFL leading receiver. With a bit
of luck they can progress next season and win a few more games. They never really
have a replacement for Schaub and it could have potentially cost them a playoff spot
their year – call it the “Tony Romo affect”.
OFFSEASON – The Texans will need some holes to be filled but over all, they look bright
next year. The Raiders...well...put it this way....naaaaaah! They really need new
everything – but they aren’t going to get it!
New York Jets (9‐6) 3 Seattle Seahawks (4‐11) 13
Big game for Seattle, Mike Holmgren’s last game at home and they won. Even Seattle
can win when they want it badly enough – pity they couldn’t do it for the rest of the
season! Seattle is yet another team who has suffered from the “Tony Romo” effect,
losing your star QB (In this case, Matt Hasslebeck) and getting them back from injury
too late to do anything. It’s been a miserable season in Seattle – in the Superbowl only
three years ago, now confined to the 5 wins or less column, along with Oakland, Kansas,
St Lois and Detroit. The Jets however, have had a big turnaround – it’s called the “Brett
Favre effect!” He has been a true saviour to the team, yet their offseason acquisitions
were not limited to Favre – Alan Faneca is another big difference to this team, one who
often gets overlooked. The Jets can get in with either a win and a Pats loss or a win and
a Ravens loss. Playoffs or not – this team is vastly improved.
PLAYOFFS ‐ I genuinely can’t think of any playmakers that they need in the NYJ, apart
from a QB if Favre Plays his last game next week against Miami. Defensively there’s
always room for improvement – that’s where they should look. Playoff wise, the Jets
have a very unpredictable offense – it’s down to them!
Atlanta Falcons (10‐5) 24 Minnesota Vikings (9‐6) 17
The perfect turnaround is almost complete. It’s been 10 years this season since the Falcons
advanced to the Superbowl, only to lose to John Elway’s Denver Broncos. Could we see a
repeat this year? Well the Falcons have prospered thanks to a very good draft choice in
Matt Ryan and Curtis Lofton, excellent coaching by Mike Smith and the unbelievable
success of Michael Turner. The Falcons started off as the “home‐birds” winning at home,
losing away – this victory against the Vikings takes their road victories to .500 and we can
attribute that to the growing confidence of Matt Ryan. The Vikings suffered a huge loss
last week – Pat Williams out for the rest of the regular season, a crucial rock in their run
defence; he could be the difference between playoff victory and loss. The Vikings QB
issues have raged on all season – Frerotte or Jackson? Well they’ve gone back to Jackson
now and in this game he produced 233 passing yards and 2 TD’s – a good choice?
POSTSEASON – The Falcons sewed up a postseason place last week and could even win
the NFC South with a Panthers loss and Falcon win. With a great QB in Ryan, receiving core
featuring Probowler Roddy White, the Burner in the backfield and a capable defence – they may surprise a few in the playoffs.
The Vikings need a win or a loss by Chicago to clinch the NFC North and they will be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs if
Jackson can get hot. Adrian Peterson can turn games in an instant – he’s this year’s Ladanian Tomlinson. Can Jackson keep cool
under pressure...I doubt it this year.
Philadelphia Eagles (8‐6‐1) 3 Washington Redskins (8‐7) 10
Haven’t I been saying for weeks that Jason Campbell would cost the Redskins a playoff spot?
Well he did! Not this week, but over the course of the season his games have been less than
impressive. He’s thrown hardly any interceptions, but alongside that – he’s thrown hardly
any TD’s! 12 TD’s all season is poor. The Eagles have been “Streaky”, one week McNabb can
throw 4TD’s, the next he can throw 4 picks – they have done well under the circumstances
though – the fans in Philadelphia are most certainly not forgiving!
POSTSEASON – Neither of these teams now stand a chance in the playoffs, the Redskins
have been too lenient with Jason Campbell and have wasted too much effort in him over the
past few years – Time to move on in the postseason. As far as the eagles go, they should be
disappointed with their season performance – a team not drastically different from last
year, unable to utilise Brian Westbrook and a strong defence. The offseason seems unclear,
but maybe start looking for the replacement Westbrook???
Carolina Panthers (11‐4) 28 New York Giants (12‐3) 34
Carolina is the thorn in the side of the Falcons perfect season. This is a team we’ve been
expecting great things from for many years now and John Fox just hasn’t been able to
deliver! With Steve Smith, Jake Delhomme and now Mushin Muhammad back, they
needed a good season and they have one. They are now “packin’” possibly the most
effective dual‐running back system in the NFL in Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart
and Delhomme is finally back on form. The Giants also had high expectations after the
upset they pulled in the desert last February, and they have delivered – but now quite as
spectacularly as we had expected. Earth, Wind and Fire has been successful, yet Eli hasn’t
had a breakout year that makes him a “superstar QB”...I guess he won’t ever be his
brother.............or father.
POSTSEASON – Both teams in the playoffs, both teams stand a great chance at upsetting a
powerhouse team. Very similar running games with very similar problems. Defensively
they are both average in the NFL with a few standout players (Julius Peppers being the
star), but can the Giants retain the title....I think not. The Panthers however...well unless
someone can slow down their dominant run game; they could just bulldoze their way to Ray Jay.
Greenbay Packers (5‐10) 17 Chicago Bears (9‐6) 20
Well I wouldn’t have expected either of these records at the beginning of the season,
although there are countless teams that have impressed and unimpressed. The Packers
being the worst of the “unimpressers”. Apart from managing to show us how valuable
Lord Favre was, Aaron Rodgers has managed to bow to pressure and put up an
acceptable season. No‐one was expecting Favre‐esque numbers....but....they were. It
sounds harsh, yes, but the modern NFL QB has to deal with media pressure...which I
have just added too...oops! The Bears have been quite extraordinary – with two
mediocre QB’s they have managed to run up a 9‐6 record, including a win here today.
Matt Forte was a real key find for them in last year’s draft, he could have a long and
successful career in the NFL.
POSTSEASON – Whilst the Packers are already out of contention – and were by week 8,
the Bears should join them pretty soon. They do have a shot in the playoffs but coming
up against teams that can shutdown the run – The Ravens, Vikings, Steelers...can
completely stump them. You need a solid QB to progress in the playoffs and Sexy Rexy and Short‐One Orton have little chance.
Good luck to the Bears – I just don’t see it.