NFL 2019 Week 16 Recap

Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action has gone by. The second to last week of the regular season has finished, with one week to go before the NFL's second season comes. This post will have an NFL 100 spotlight on the 1990's Buffalo Bills and the recap of the week's games. Let's get to work!

NFL 100: A Spotlight

History is written by the winners. At least as the old saying goes. Much goes the same with the National Football League as most people will remember who won a championship and the team who didn't. What if I told you there was a team that is remembered for going to the big game not once, not twice, certainly not three, but four straight times. The only team to do it was the 1990-1993 Buffalo Bills.

It had been 25 years since the city of Buffalo, New York saw its football team win a league championship. The 1964 and 1965 Buffalo Bills were the only team in the AFL's short history to win the league championship in consecutive years. From 1967 to 1987, the Buffalo Bills would endure one of their toughest stretches in franchise history, producing only four winning seasons during that year with three playoff appearances.

The Bills luck was starting to change with the inclusion of Jim Kelly (who was originally drafted by Buffalo in the 1983 draft but bolted to the USFL) at quarterback, Bruce Smith at defensive end, and Marv Levy (who would finish 1986 with a 2-5 record) at head coach.

By 1990, the Bills added such talents like Andre Reed, Thurman Thomas, Trumaine Johnson, and Darryl Talley. The Bills made the playoffs in 1988 and 1989 but couldn't make it to the Super Bowl. The team was destined to be the next biggest thing.

The 1990 Bills was a magical season. The team finished with 13-3 record and earned the top seed in the playoffs. They even beat the New York Giants, their future Super Bowl opponent, on the road in a close 17-13 win. They would easily handle the Dolphins and Raiders en route to their first Super Bowl appearance. 

Thurman Thomas would have a great day on the ground but the Bills passing game was grounded due to the masterful gameplan by Giants defensive coordinator Bill Belichek. It ultimately came down to Scott Norwood to hit a field goal to give the Bills the win. The kick was good but the ball was mere inches from making it, going wide right. They failed to win the Super Bowl but they were still a young team that hoped to win it next year.

They would return in 1991 with an identical 13-3 record to 1990. The Bills would beat the Chiefs and Broncos in the AFC Playoffs to get to their consecutive Super Bowl appearance. Their opponent was the Washington Redskins. 

The game would end up being worst than the year before as the Bills lost to the Redskins 37-24. The game was known for two things: Thurman Thomas's missing helmet and Bills defensive line coach Chuck Dickerson mocking the Redskins offensive line "The Hogs" before the game. Two straight losses were mounting but the window was still open.

The 1992 Bills would prove to be a tough test for Marv Levy and company as the Bills finished with a 11-5 record, getting into the playoffs as a wild-card team. During the Wild-card round against the Houston Oilers, Jim Kelly was out of the game with an injury. Frank Reich would have to guide the Bills out of a 35-3 deficit in the 3rd quarter. The Bills would finish the game with a 38-10 run to beat the Oilers in overtime. It was the biggest comeback in NFL history. They would finish the playoffs beating the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins to their 3rd straight championship apperance.

The Cowboys were their opponent, a young team that had talent on both sides of the ball. Dallas would get to Jim Kelly early and knock Kelly out and put Reich in. There would be no comeback for the Bills as the Cowboys routed them in a 52-17 loss. The losses were beginning to mount and at least one more year of their window was still left. 

The Buffalo Bills in 1993 had a better year, record wise, with a 12-4 finish. They would exact some revenge on the Cowboys with a 13-10 win in Week 2. The Bills would enter the playoffs with a first-round bye and would beat the Raiders and Chiefs in the playoffs to get to their 4th straight championship appearance. Perhaps, this would finally be their year. 

For the consecutive year, their opponent that stood between them and the Lombardi trophy was the Dallas Cowboys. The first half wasn't a blowout but the Bills maintained a 10-6 halftime lead, their only halftime lead during those years. Buffalo forgot to play in the 2nd half as the Cowboys would go on a 24-7 scoring run to beat the Bills 30-13. Four straight times to the Super Bowl and all four times they lost. 

The Bills would fail to make the playoffs in 1994 but would return to the postseason in 1995 and 1996 but ultimately failed to make it back to the big game. Their window was closed. Marv Levy would continue to coach the team until he retired after the 1997 season. 

The 1990's Bills legacy is certainly mixed by NFL fans. They went to four straight Super Bowls. At that time, they joined the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos as the only teams to lose four of those games before winning their first (then Denver won the big game in 1997 and 1998). Some of the biggest names in NFL history never made it to a Super Bowl. Such names like Dan Fouts, Jim Brown, OJ Simpson, and Barry Sanders never made it to the big game. To make it to a Super Bowl is a tough challenge unto itself but to make it four times in a row is an achievement. Their place in NFL history may not be remembered as being a winner but they have to be one that has to be mentioned. 

Week 16 Recap

Houston 23, Tampa Bay 20: TW: Buccaneers; CV: Texans

The game started at 1:00 pm Eastern. Jameis Winston would throw his first interception at 1:02 pm Eastern. DeShaun Watson threw for 184 yards with an interception. He would run the ball for 37 yards while Carlos Hyde ran for 27 yards with a touchdown. Jameis Winston would throw for more yards as he finished with 335 yards with a touchdown but threw four interceptions (three were in the first half). Ronald Jones would finish with 77 yards rushing with a touchdown, his longest was from 49 yards. Despite the five turnovers by Tampa, the Texans wasn't dominating like they should've. Typical Houston. 

All-time series: Texans lead 4-1

Next week: Houston: vs Tennessee; Tampa Bay: vs Atlanta

TW: 0-1; CV: 1-0

Buffalo 17, New England 24: TW: Patriots; CV: Bills

Pretty entertaining game but New England earned its 11th straight AFC East title. Josh Allen did fine in the game with 208 yards passing with two touchdowns while running it for 43 yards. Devin Singletary was the leading rusher for Buffalo with 46 yards. Tom Brady returned to his old self with 271 yards passing with a touchdown and zero interceptions. Sony Michel was the leading rusher in the game with 96 yards. Rex Burkhead had 20 yards rushing with a touchdown. Not an easy division title clincher but all in a day's work for them. 

All-time series: Patriots 76-34-1

Next week: Buffalo: vs NY Jets; New England: vs Miami

TW: 1-1; CV: 1-1

LA Rams 31, San Francisco 34: TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers

Emmanuel Sanders would give Robbie Gould a chance to get a tough win against the rival Rams. Jared Goff threw the ball for 323 yards with two touchdowns with an interception. Todd Gurley ran the ball for 48 yards with two touchdowns. Jimmy Garoppolo threw the ball for 248 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Raheem Mostert and Deebo Samuel both scored rushing touchdowns while getting 53 and 28 yards rushing respectively. Robbie Gould would hit a 33-yard field goal to give San Francisco the win and an edge in the NFC West division.

All-time series: 49ers lead 71-67-3

Next week: LA Rams: vs Arizona; San Francisco: @ Seattle

TW: 2-1; CV: 2-1

Jacksonville 12, Atlanta 24: TW: Falcons; CV: Falcons

It might be Dan Quinn's last season in Atlanta but at least he got a home win. Gardner Minshew threw 13 of 31 passes for 181 yards with a touchdown. Leonard Fournette ran the ball well fine with 71 yards. Matt Ryan didn't throw particularly well but he finished with 384 yards passing with a touchdown and two interceptions. Devonta Freeman and Quinton Ollison scored rushing touchdowns, finishing the game with 53 and 3 yards rushing respectively. Minshewmania faded pretty quickly. 

All-time series: Falcons lead 4-3

Next week: Jacksonville: vs Indianapolis; Atlanta: @ Tampa Bay

TW: 3-1; CV: 3-1

New Orleans 38, Tennessee 28: TW: Saints; CV: Saints

The Titans are now in the drivers seat for the playoffs as the Steelers lost on Sunday. Drew Brees threw for 279 yards with three touchdowns. Alvin Kamara ran the ball with 80 rushing yards with two touchdowns. Michael Thomas would beat Marvin Harrison's single season receptions record set in 2002 with 145 receptions for Thomas. Ryan Tannehill threw for similar numbers with 272 yards passing with three touchdowns. Dion Lewis ran the ball for 68 yards and AJ Brown ran the ball for 49 yards for a touchdown on his only carry in the game. 

All-time series: Titans lead 8-6-1

Next week: New Orleans: @ Carolina; Tennessee: @ Houston

TW: 4-1; CV: 4-1

NY Giants 41, Washington 35: TW: Giants; CV: Giants

Daniel Jones had a pretty darn good game. Jones threw for 352 yards with five touchdown passes in the game. Saquon Barkley arguably had an even better game with 189 yards from the ground with a touchdown. Dwayne Haskins started for the Redskins, throwing for 133 yards with two touchdowns, before going down with an injury. Case Keenum would finish the game with 158 yards with a touchdown. 

All-time series: Giants lead 103-69-4

Next week: NY Giants: vs Philadelphia; Washington: @ Dallas

TW: 5-1; CV: 5-1

Pittsburgh 10, NY Jets 16: TW: Steelers; CV: Steelers

Pittsburgh's quarterbacks let the team down. Devlin Hodges started for Pittsburgh and threw for 84 yards with two interceptions before getting benched for Mason Rudolph. Rudolph played better with 129 yards passing with a touchdown. James Conner could only muster 32 yards rushing. Sam Darnold threw the ball for 183 yards with a touchdown pass. Le'Veon Bell did fine in the game rushing for 72 yards against his former team. The Steelers are still alive but they'll need a miracle if they want to get a playoff spot. 

All-time series: Steelers lead 20-6

Next week: Pittsburgh: @ Baltimore; NY Jets: @ Buffalo

TW: 5-2; CV: 5-2

Carolina 6, Indianapolis 38: TW: Colts; CV: Panthers

Nyheim Hines gave the Colts all the offense they needed on punt return. Will Grier didn't have a particularly great game as he threw for 224 yards with three interceptions. Christian McCaffrey ran the ball for 54 yards with 119 receiving yards. Jacoby Brissett threw for 119 yards in the game. Marlon Mack, Jordan Wilkins and Jacoby Brissett would score rushing touchdowns while getting 5, 84, and 37 yards rushing respectively. Nyheim Hines scored two touchdowns on punt returns with his longest was from 84 yards. 

All-time series: Panthers lead 5-2

Next week: Carolina: vs New Orleans; Indianapolis: @ Jacksonville

TW: 6-2; CV: 5-3

Baltimore 31, Cleveland 15: TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens

The Ravens beat the last team that beat them back on September 29th. Lamar Jackson threw for 238 yards passing with three touchdowns with 103 yards rushing. Justice Hill would get 19 yards rushing with a touchdown run. Baker Mayfield threw for 192 yards with two touchdowns with an interception. Nick Chubb would get 45 yards rushing on the day. The AFC playoffs will go through Baltimore. 

All-time series: Ravens lead 31-11

Next week: Baltimore: vs Pittsburgh; Cleveland: @ Cincinnati

TW: 7-2; CV: 6-3

Oakland 24, LA Chargers 17: TW: Raiders; CV: Raiders

The Raiders are still alive?! Derek Carr threw for 291 yards with a touchdown. Deandre Washington ran the ball for 85 yards with a touchdown as well. Derek Carr would score a touchdown on a 3-yard run. Phillip Rivers threw for 279 yards but neither scored a touchdown or threw an interception. Melvin Gordon ran the ball for 15 yards with two touchdowns on the ground. At least the Chargers don't have to play in that soccer stadium anymore. 

All-time series: Raiders lead 65-54-2

Next week: Oakland: @ Denver; LA Chargers: @ Kansas City

TW: 8-2; CV: 7-3

Detroit 17, Denver 27: TW: Broncos; CV: Broncos

The Drew Lock Shuffle could become a thing. David Blough started again for Detroit and threw for 117 yards with a touchdown. Kerryon Johnson did return for the Lions after missing a huge chunk of the season due to injury. Johnson would finish with 42 yards rushing. Drew Lock finished the game with 192 yards with a touchdown. Philip Lindsay and Royce Freeman carried their load in the offense, getting 109 and 28 yards rushing with a touchdown each. Looking like a possible 7-9 or 6-10 season finish for Denver. 

All-time series: Broncos lead 8-5

Next week: Detroit: vs Green Bay; Denver: vs Oakland

TW: 9-2; CV: 8-3

Arizona 27, Seattle 13: TW: Seahawks; CV: Seahawks

Huge surprise. Kyler Murray threw the ball for 118 yards with a touchdown. Brett Hundley would see some action as well with 49 yards passing but didn't throw a touchdown. Kenyon Drake had another big game as the runner racked up 166 yards rushing with two touchdowns. Russell Wilson threw the ball for 169 yards with a touchdown. Chris Carson was rather quiet in the game as he only ran for 40 yards with zero touchdowns. 

All-time series: Seahawks lead 21-20-1

Next week: Arizona: @ LA Rams; Seattle: vs San Francisco

TW: 9-3; CV: 8-4

Dallas 9, Philadelphia 17: TW: Eagles; CV: Eagles

I was hesitating on taking the Eagles, but Carson Wentz reassured me that I was making the right call. Dak Prescott threw the ball for 265 yards with zero touchdowns. Ezekiel Elliot ran the ball for 47 yards, in a rather quiet game for him. Carson Wentz threw the ball for 319 yards with a touchdown. Miles Sanders had a solid day on the ground with 79 yards rushing with a touchdown, his longest run was from 38 yards. Philly's pass catchers actually figured out to catch balls.

All-time series: Cowboys lead 69-53

Next week: Dallas: vs Washington; Philadelphia: @ NY Giants

TW: 10-3; CV: 9-4

Kansas City 26, Chicago 3: TW: Chiefs; CV: Chiefs

The final score was as to be expected. Sorry Chicago. Patrick Mahomes threw the ball for 251 yards with two touchdowns but all in all it was an average day for the stellar passer. Damien Williams ran the ball for 65 yards with zero touchdowns. Mitchel Trubisky would finish the game with 18 of 34 completions for 157 yards with zero touchdowns. Devin Montgomery had an alright game with 57 yards rushing but didn't score a touchdown. 

All-time series: Bears lead 7-6

Next week: Kansas City: vs LA Chargers; Chicago: @ Minnesota

TW: 11-3; CV: 10-4

Cincinnati 35, Miami 38 (F/OT): TW: Dolphins; CV: Dolphins

Nearly forgot about this gem of a game. Andy Dalton did have a good game with 396 yards with four touchdowns. Joe Mixon ran the ball for 50 yards on 21 carries. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 419 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. Miles Gaskin ran the ball for 55 yards rushing with a touchdown. Biggest difference was that the Dolphins made one more play than the Bengals, in terms of kickers. Jason Sanders would hit a 37-yard field goal to give the Dolphins their 4th win and won't pick #1 in the draft.

All-time series: Dolphins lead 17-7

Next week: Cincinnati: vs Cleveland; Miami: @ New England

TW: 12-3; CV: 11-4

Green Bay 23, Minnesota 10: TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings

Well it was still a win-win if I lost the pick. NFC North Champs! Aaron Rodgers wasn't quite at his best as he threw for 216 yards with an interception. Aaron Jones would have a monster game with 154 yards rushing for two touchdowns. His longest run was from 56 yards for a score. Kirk Cousins threw for 122 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Mike Boone was the leading rusher for Minnesota and finished with 28 yards rushing. Packers gave up three turnovers but defense kept them in it. 

All-time series: Packers lead 62-54-3

Next week: Green Bay: @ Detroit; Minnesota: vs Chicago

TW: 12-4; CV: 11-5

The Records (By Week & Year):

Cardinal Viking:

2017: 167-89

2018: 156-98-2

2019:

Week 1: 11-4-1

Week 2: 10-6

Week 3: 10-6

Week 4: 7-8

Week 5: 9-6

Week 6: 7-7

Week 7: 10-4

Week 8: 11-4

Week 9: 8-6

Week 10: 2-11

Week 11: 12-2

Week 12: 9-5

Week 13: 8-8

Week 14: 9-7

Week 15: 10-6

Week 16: 11-5

Overall: 146-95-1

My record: 

2012: 164-90-2

2013: 162-92-1

2014: 172-83-1

2017: 164-92

2018: 156-98-2

2019:

Week 1: 12-3-1

Week 2: 10-6

Week 3: 11-5

Week 4: 8-7

Week 5: 5-10

Week 6: 9-5

Week 7: 7-7

Week 8: 14-1

Week 9: 8-6

Week 10: 5-8

Week 11: 10-4

Week 12: 10-4

Week 13: 10-6

Week 14: 9-7

Week 15: 10-6

Week 16: 12-4

Overall: 150-89-1

See you guys on Friday for the Week 17 Picks post! 

-Tom