NFL 2018 Week 17 Recap

Hello readers! Another week of National Football League action is in the books. With it the final week of the regular season. Out of the 32 teams, 20 of them are at home while the rest will move on into January for the playoffs. In the column, I'll give a recap of the week's games.

Dallas 36, NY Giants 35: TW: Cowboys, CV: Cowboys
It was an offensive game that put Dak Prescott against the entire Giants team. Jason Garrett rested Ezekiel Elliot and a few offensive linemen in the game. Ultimately it was Prescott that would give Dallas the win. Prescott threw the ball for 387 yards for four touchdowns. The Cowboys leading rusher was Rod Smith with 35 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Giants gave the 'Boys a fight. Eli Manning threw for 301 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Saquon Barkley would rush the ball for 109 yards with a touchdown. Wayne Gallman got a touchdown as well of his own while rushing for 23 yards. The Cowboys move on.

TW: 1-0; CV: 1-0

Carolina 33, New Orleans 14: TW: Saints, CV: Saints
The difficult part in predicting these games in week 17 is whether or not teams will rest their starters. This game was about as meaningless to the Saints as it was to the Panthers. The Panthers started Kyle Allen in his first NFL start. Allen had a great game throwing the ball for 228 yards for two touchdowns, at least until he injured his shoulder by Marcus Davenport before halftime. By then it was 23-0 at halftime. The Panthers got a boost in the running game with Cameron Artis-Payne rush for 56 yards and a touchdown. Teddy Bridgewater started the game for the Saints throwing the ball for 118 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Dwayne Washington rushed the ball for 106 yards. The Saints will have a bye week next week before their divisional game.

TW: 1-1; CV: 1-1

Atlanta 34, Tampa Bay 32: TW: Falcons, CV: Falcons
The game was a meaningless one for both. None of them were going to be playing next week. Matt Ryan threw the ball for 378 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Tevin Coleman got 45 yards rushing with a rushing touchdown. The Buccaneers got a good start out of Jameis Winston. Winston threw for 345 yards for four touchdowns and an interception. Peyton Barber got 66 rushing yards for zero touchdowns in the game. It was a shootout for the ages. Ultimately, Tampa will stay in the cellar of the NFC South for another year.

TW: 2-1; CV: 2-1

Detroit 31, Green Bay 0: TW: Packers, CV: Lions
Once again I pick the Packers, my team, and they fail to get the job done. Aaron Rodgers started the game throwing for 26 yards before getting a concussion. Deshone Kizer had some better stats throwing 132 yards with an interception. Kizer led the team in rushing with 40 yards. The Lions had better offensive stats. Matthew Stafford threw for 266 yards for two touchdowns while Matt Prater scored a touchdown on a fake field goal. Zach Zenner got 93 yards rushing with a touchdown in the game for the Lions. It'll be a cold winter in Green Bay, that's for sure.

TW: 2-2; CV: 3-1

Jacksonville 3, Houston 20: TW: Texans, CV: Texans
The season ends poorly for the Jaguars who were at this time last year a playoff team. Blake Bortles could only muster 107 passing yards with an interception. The quarterback led the team in rushing with 15. Deshaun Watson had a better day with 234 passing yards. Watson also got 66 rushing yards with a touchdown. Lamar Miller had 56 rushing yards with a touchdown of his own. Houston moves on to Wild Card.

TW: 3-2; CV: 4-1

NY Jets 3, New England 38: TW: Patriots, CV: Patriots
While the Patriots didn't get home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, they still got a respectable 2nd seed. Sam Darnold threw for 167 yards for zero touchdowns. Elijah McGuire mustered 41 rushing yards for zero touchdowns. Tom Brady would throw for 250 yards for four touchdowns (three of them in the first half). Sony Michel ran the ball for 50 yards for zero touchdowns. New York stays home for another year while their rival gets a week off.

TW: 4-2; CV: 5-1

Miami 17, Buffalo 42: TW: Bills, CV: Dolphins
It was a dominating effort. At the start of the season, not a lot of people looked highly on the Buffalo Bills. I was one of them. Ryan Tannehill threw for 147 yards for two interceptions. Kalen Ballege was the Dolphins leading rusher with 47 yards. Kenny Stills was credited with a touchdown pass to Ryan Tannehill for three yards. Josh Allen gave the Bills 224 passing yards with three touchdowns and an interception (the pick was also a pick-six). Allen was also the Bills leading rusher with 95. Buffalo still finishes with a last-place mark in the AFC East.

TW: 5-2; CV: 5-2

San Francisco 32, LA Rams 48: TW: Rams, CV: Rams
The Rams have proven to be the NFL's best team all season long. It was a shootout to be sure. Nick Mullens had 282 yards passing with three touchdowns and interceptions. Former Redskin and Cowboy Alfred Morris had 111 yards rushing with a touchdown. Jared Goff threw the ball for 199 yards for four touchdowns. CJ Anderson rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown. San Francisco will stay at home while the Rams get a week off.

TW: 6-2; CV: 6-2

Philadelphia 24, Washington 0: TW: Eagles, CV: Eagles
Philadelphia had business to finish, then help would come. Nick Foles threw for 221 yards for two touchdowns and an interception. Nate Sudfeld would also get a touchdown from a 22-yard pass from Sudfeld to Nelson Aghalor. Wendell Smallwood rushed the ball for 53 yards for zero touchdowns. The Redskins on offense couldn't get a lot going. Josh Johnson only threw the ball for 91 yards with an interception. Chris Thompson could only get 10 rushing yards in the game for Washington.

TW: 7-2; CV: 7-2

Chicago 24, Minnesota 10: TW: Vikings, CV: Vikings
Most cases pointed to the Bears letting their foot off the gas. They didn't move a muscle. Mitchell Trubisky would throw the ball for 163 yards for zero touchdowns or interceptions. Jordan Howard ran the ball for 109 yards for two touchdowns. Tarik Cohen would get a touchdown of his own while rushing for 24 yards. Kirk Cousins got the start for the Vikings. Cousins threw the ball for 132 yards for a touchdown. The Vikings running game didn't get a lot going as Dalvin Cook ran the ball for 39 yards for zero touchdowns. The year ends in disappointment in Minnesota.

TW: 7-3; CV: 7-3

Arizona 24, Seattle 27: TW: Seahawks, CV: Seahawks
At the start of the season, the Seahawks looked to be in a rebuilding mode. After a 10-6 record, that talk diminished quickly. The Cardinals started Josh Rosen at quarterback. Rosen threw the ball for 149 yards for a touchdown. David Johnson ran the ball for 62 yards. Russell Wilson threw the ball for 152 yards for a touchdown and interception. The Seahawks running game was led by Chris Carson's 122 yards for a touchdown. Mike Davis also got the ball for 44 yards with a touchdown of his own. Seattle travels to Dallas on Saturday.

TW: 8-3; CV: 8-3

Cincinnati 13, Pittsburgh 16: TW: Steelers, CV: Steelers
Pittsburgh would win the game, however, they needed help to get a sniff at a playoff berth. Jake Driskell threw the ball for 95 yards for zero touchdowns. Joe Mixon was the Bengals leading rusher with 105 yards in the game. Ben Roethlisberger got 287 yards passing for a touchdown and an interception. James Conner would return to the team to start for the game. Conner got 64 rushing yards.

TW: 9-3; CV: 9-3

Cleveland 24, Baltimore 26: TW: Ravens, CV: Ravens
The Ravens kept it interesting in this one. Baker Mayfield threw the ball for 376 yards for three touchdowns and three interceptions. Nick Chubb couldn't quite get a lot going only rushing the ball for 24 yards. Lamar Jackson threw the ball for 179 yards for zero touchdowns. Jackson would run the ball for 90 yards for two touchdowns. Kenneth Dixon ran the ball for 117 yards for zero touchdowns. Cleveland played respectable football all year, maybe they might not be the butt of all jokes now.

TW: 10-3; CV: 10-3

Oakland 3, Kansas City 35: TW: Chiefs, CV: Chiefs
The light of the tunnel finally reached for Oakland in this game. Derek Carr threw the ball for 185 yards for two interceptions. Doug Martin ran the ball for the century mark at 100 yards on 21 carries. Patrick Mahomes threw the ball for 281 yards for two touchdowns and an interception. Damien Williams ran the ball for 51 yards with a touchdown. Tyreek Hill also got a rushing touchdown as well on a 15-yard play. Kansas City gets a week off.

TW: 11-3; CV: 11-3

LA Chargers 23, Denver 9: TW: Chargers, CV: Chargers
The Chargers still won the game despite some ineptitude on offense. Phillip Rivers threw the ball for 176 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Austin Ekeler was the Chargers leading rusher with 58 yards and a touchdown. Case Keenum threw the ball for 292 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Royce Freeman ran the ball for 60 yards. Another losing season in Denver.

TW: 12-3; CV: 12-3

Indianapolis 33, Tennessee 17: TW: Titans, CV: Colts
Indy moves on to Wild Card weekend. Andrew Luck threw the ball for 285 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Marlon Mack ran the ball for 119 yards with a touchdown. Blaine Gabbert got the start for the Titans. Gabbert threw the ball for 165 yards for a touchdown and two interceptions. Derrick Henry put up good numbers with his 93 rushing yards. Tennessee won't move on to next weekend.

TW: 12-4, CV: 13-3

Records:

Tom (me)
2018:
Week 1: 10-5-1
Week 2: 6-9-1
Week 3: 8-8
Week 4: 12-3
Week 5: 6-9
Week 6: 10-5
Week 7: 10-4
Week 8: 11-3
Week 9: 9-4
Week 10: 7-7
Week 11: 8-5
Week 12: 11-4
Week 13: 10-6
Week 14: 7-9
Week 15: 8-8
Week 16: 11-5
Week 17: 12-4
Overall: 156-98-2

Cardinal Viking
2018:
Week 1: 8-7-1
Week 2: 9-6-1
Week 3: 5-11
Week 4: 9-6
Week 5: 9-6
Week 6: 6-9
Week 7: 12-2
Week 8: 10-4
Week 9: 8-5
Week 10: 9-5
Week 11: 7-6
Week 12: 13-2
Week 13: 11-5
Week 14: 7-9
Week 15: 10-6
Week 16: 10-6
Week 17: 13-3
Overall: 156-98-2

I know I did promise to have this up on Tusday as it is Thursday. I will try to get the Wild Card + Preseason Prediction results up soon. Until then, see you soon!
-Tom

NFL Week 17 Picks

Hello Readers! The final week of the regular season is upon us! Bringing with much intriguing matchups and a look ahead into next week's start of the playoffs. The blog will feature all the regular stuff as well as which head coaches could be seeing a spot in the unemployment line come January 1st.

The playoff picture going into last week was still hazy but with the Seahawks win over the Cowboys, Big D will be watching the playoffs at home after a disappointing season. The Rams win over the Titans last week gave them the NFC West division crown. The first time since 2003 since they were the St. Louis Rams (sorry St. Louis) and 1985 when they were the Los Angeles Rams. Here's a look at the playoff picture at the moment:

AFC:

#1: Patriots (12-3)
#2: Steelers (12-3)
#3: Jaguars (10-5)
#4: Chiefs (9-6)
#5: Ravens (9-6)
#6: Titans (8-7)

Wild card:
Titans @ Jaguars
Ravens @ Chiefs

In the hunt:
LA Chargers (8-7), Buffalo (8-7)

Eliminated:
Every other team not mentioned

NFC:

#1: Eagles (13-2)
#2: Vikings (12-3)
#3: Rams (11-4)
#4: Saints (11-4)
#5: Panthers (11-4)
#6: Falcons (9-6)

In the hunt:
Seattle (9-6)

Eliminated:
Every other team mentioned.

The playoff picture boils down to this: In order for Buffalo to get in they would need to win, and the Chargers + Titans to lose. Chargers beat the Bills earlier in the season so they would be ahead of the Bills due to head-to-head record. For the Seahawks to get into the playoffs, they would need to win and an Atlanta loss to get in. Much more easy to get into the playoffs if you were the Seahawks than the Bills.

Once the regular season is over and every game has been played 12 of the 32 teams will move on to the playoffs while the other 20 teams look for answers to get back to the playoffs for the next season. Much of these decisions loom largely on the coaching staff, or rather the head coach. There's a phrase used in the National Football League for head coaches that get fired/sacked the following Monday after the final week, BLACK MONDAY! Here's a list of head coaches who's on the hot seat, or have already made plans to step down:

Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati: The league's second longest tenured head coach made plans to step down back on December 17th of this year. Despite being the Bengals head coach since 2003, he has made the playoffs in 2005, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. However, the name of the game is did you win the Super Bowl that season, and all those playoff appearances mean nothing if you don't win a playoff game. Sadly this news of stepping down should've happened a few years ago.

Chuck Pagano, Indianapolis: The Colts head coach has certainly been dealt with a bad hand especially this season. With no Andrew Luck to help the Colts this season, the brass at the Colts camp could be looking to get rid of Chuck Pagano. Bad draft picks, bad personnel decisions could be seeing this head coach out the door despite making the playoffs in 2012, 2013, and 2014 (making the AFC Championship game in 2014, mind you).

Hue Jackson, Cleveland: The season for the Browns has been horrible (which doesn't say much) and questions of Hue Jackson's tenure at Cleveland once again surfaces. The Browns are sadly a mess that can't necessarily be fixed in a day's time. It seems every time the Browns try to do something good, it comes back to haunt them twofold. For example, the AJ McCarron botched trade earlier in the season. Hue Jackson doesn't necessarily see eye-to-eye on upper management either which could play into it as well.

Other head coaches to look out for: Dirk Kotter (Tampa Bay), John Fox (Chicago), and Jay Gruden (Washington).

A fun contest that has also been had during this season is the pick-em contest between me and my roommate, Cardinal Viking. The winner doesn't get a fancy trophy, money, or get put into the higher echelon of Pick-Em's, nope. The greatest glory is the glory to BRAG! The beginning of the season saw dominance from me while down the stretch it was Cardinal Viking that has been the dominating factor. The last time I did a column for picks we were back to the deadlock tie. Let's take a look at last week's results:

My record:
12-4 (Packers lost, Lions lost, Giants and Cowboys lost, GRRR)

Cardinal Viking's record:
14-2 (only losses were the Lions and Cowboys)

Make a note that in the event of a tie when I write next week's column I'll go to the week results and determine who won.

Week 17 of the regular season will have no Thursday night games, no Saturday games, and no Monday night games. The week will have 7 early games and 9 late games. There won't be a Sunday night football game due to apparently this Sunday will be New Years Eve and who watches football in primetime (uh makes sense I guess). It would be the first time since 1977 that there won't be a prime-time game to end the regular season. Certainly the NFL could've at least gave NBC the Titans-Jaguars game or Panthers-Falcons which has some playoff implications on it. Current TV rules gives both CBS and FOX 8 weeks each to have a doubleheader and the final week will have both TV partners a doubleheader to finish off the week. The week will feature only division games. HERE ARE THE PICKS:

Chicago @ Minnesota: Vikings. Both teams took wins last week as the Bears beat the Browns and the Vikings beat the Packers. The Vikings stellar season finishes off by beating the Bears at home.

Cleveland @ Pittsburgh: Steelers. The Steelers got a win against the Texans and the Browns lost to the Bears last week. The 0-16 parade will happen for the Browns as the Steelers beat the Browns handily, even if the Steelers rest their starters.

Dallas @ Philadelphia: Eagles. The Cowboys lost to the Seahawks while the Eagles beat the Raiders last week. The Cowboys could play spoiler to the Philly faithful but when it comes to the Eagles/Cowboys rivalry, I don't think they could possibly let the Cowboys off easy with a win.

Green Bay @ Detroit: Lions. Both teams took losses last week as the Packers lost to the Vikings and the Lions lost to the Bengals. The Lions won easily the previous meeting of the two teams and I hope the Lions beat the Packers so bad, that Dom Capers (defensive coordinator of the Packers) hands his resignation letter and that Aaron Rodgers gives him the bird. Go Lions!

Houston @ Indianapolis: Texans. Both teams took losses last week as the Texans lost to the Steelers and the Colts to the Ravens. The Colts barely won the last time these two teams won and this will change this week as the Texans despite not having DeShaun Watson at QB. Give him something to cheer for!

NY Jets @ New England: The Patriots. The Jets lost to the Chargers and the Patriots beat the Bills last week. The Jets-Patriots rivalry reaches its conclusion for this season as I feel the Patriots will beat the Jets. If the game gets out of hand I feel the Pats could bench their starters in favor of having a healthy Brady come playoff time.

Washington @ NY Giants: Redskins. The Redskins beat the Broncos last week and the Giants lost to the Cardinals. The game could be close as all division games get in the NFC East but the Giants have had a terrible season and maybe they could win, but I won't give them a benefit of the doubt. HTTR

Arizona @ Seattle: Seahawks. Both teams picked up wins last week as the Cardinals beat the Giants and the Seahawks beat the Cowboys. The Cardinals could play a bit of a spoiler in the season finale but it seems to me that the Seahawks look to get hot at the right time and have momentum at their side come playoff time, should they get in.

Buffalo @ Miami: Bills. Both teams took losses last week as the Bills lost to the Patriots and the Dolphins lost to the Chiefs. The Bills look to get back into the playoffs since 1999 and I feel they can do it in this game as the Dolphins aren't particularly great. However, its the Bills and they can choke, still if they win, half the battle is over as they need help to get in.

Carolina @ Atlanta: Falcons. The Falcons lost to the Saints while the Panthers beat the Buccaneers last week. The last time these two teams met the game was very close and the final result came at the end of the game. The Falcons faithful will be loud as the Falcons make it back to the playoffs despite all the 28-3 jokes. I won't let that meme go.

Cincinnati @ Baltimore: Ravens. Both teams got wins last week as the Bengals beat the Lions and the Ravens beat the Colts. The game boils down to the whole spoiler vs hungry teams again. The Ravens look to get momentum on their side as they have a solid offense, great defense and special teams that could make a run into the playoffs. The Bengals however I don't trust them.

Jacksonville @ Tennessee: Jaguars. Both teams took losses as the Jaguars lost to the 49ers and the Titans to the Rams. The Jaguars will have a rebound week as they send the Titans packing out of their own building. The Titans could be out of the playoffs as well.

Kansas City @ Denver: Chiefs. The Chiefs beat the Dolphins last week and the Broncos lost to the Redskins. The Chiefs have had a limp season after starting 5-0, and I think they'll limp their way to a 10-6 record going into the playoffs.

New Orleans @ Tampa Bay: Saints. The Saints took a win last week against the Falcons and the Buccaneers lost to the Panthers. Drew Brees and company look to make a run to the playoffs as they hand their division rival a loss. The Saints could rest their starters as well.

Oakland @ LA Chargers: Raiders. The Raiders lost to the Eagles and the Chargers beat the Jets last week. The Raiders have the power to play spoiler to the Chargers postseason plans and I think I'll take them. Oakland has had a dreadful season with Derek Carr's injury early in the year and I think the Raiders can salvage their record to a 7-9. The game has playoff implications for the Chargers.

San Francisco @ LA Rams: Rams. Both teams got wins last week as the Rams beat the Titans and the 49ers beat the Jaguars. The last time these two teams met was way back in Week 3. The 49ers were a different team then and I don't think they'll quite get over the hump against their division rival. Jimmy Garoppolo of the 49ers hasn't had a loss yet, interesting fact.

Local TV Schedule (vis 506sports.com, subject to change)

CBS Early:
NY Jets @ New England
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo

CBS Late:
Kansas City @ Denver
Beth Mowins, Jay Feely

FOX Early:
Chicago @ Minnesota
Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis

FOX Late:
Carolina @ Atlanta
Joe Buck, Troy Aikman

For more information on which game is shown in your area check out: NFL Week 17 Maps

Record:

Week 1: 10-5

Week 2: 10-6

Week 3: 8-8

Week 4: 11-5

Week 5: 7-7

Week 6: 7-7

Week 7: 8-7

Week 8: 12-1

Week 9: 6-7

Week 10: 9-5

Week 11: 8-6

Week 12: 14-2

Week 13: 12-4

Week 14: 8-8

Week 15: 14-2

Week 16: 12-4

Overall: 156-84

Cardinal Viking, my roommates record:

Week 1: 7-8

Week 2: 13-3

Week 3: 8-8

Week 4: 11-5

Week 5: 4-10

Week 6: 7-7

Week 7: 10-5

Week 8: 11-2

Week 9: 7-6

Week 10: 9-5

Week 11: 12-2

Week 12: 13-3

Week 13: 10-6

Week 14: 9-7

Week 15: 13-3

Week 16: 14-2

Overall: 158-82

Here's a cool video of some of the best Week 17 playoff clinchers in NFL History. May your team get into the playoffs. The video also features the choke job of the 2003 Vikings (muahhahaha):

See you next week for the Wild-Card picks and playoff predictions, as well as what I got right and wrong back in the Week 1 column.

-Tom