Week 16 Recap

Atlanta Falcons 31 Detroit Lions 18

Lions WR Calvin Johnson broke the single season record for most receiving yards in this game, but it was the play of Falcons WR Roddy White and WR Julio Jones that was the difference in this game. White had two touchdown catches and eight catches overall, while Jones chipped in with seven catches and a touchdown reception. Lions QB Matthew Stafford threw for 443 yards and didn't pass for a touchdown, the most yards thrown in a game with a touchdown in NFL history. It's been that kind of season.

Oakland Raiders 6 Carolina Panthers 17

In the first half of the season, it appeared the Panthers were the worst team in football. However, they have turned it around a bit in the second half. However, they have done it too late, but they have some positives to look forward to heading into next season. They played the Falcons tough in the Georgia Dome and should've won the game. Then they easily handle the Falcons at home. They also easily handled the Redskins and QB Robert Griffin III in FedEx Field. They need to be more consistent if they want to contend for a playoff spot next year.

Tennessee Titans 7 Green Bay Packers 55

The Titans were coming off of a high, eliminating the Jets from playoff contention after beating them Monday night. If they felt they could carry that into Lambeau Field, they were dead wrong. Titans QB Jake Locker was sacked seven times and he threw two interceptions, giving an indication of how bad the Titans were. The Titans were in danger of being shut out, but they were able to score with under two minutes left to avoid the shut out. The Packers are looking to hit their stride and this is the time to do it. I'm not sure this is the team to do it against.

Minnesota Vikings 23 Houston Texans 6

If the Vikings beat the Packers next week, they will win the final Wild Card spot. If that happens, the Vikings would have definitely earned their playoff spot. Routing the Texans in Reliant Stadium is a big deal, even if the Texans appear to be struggling and coming back down to earth. RB Adrian Peterson only managed to rush for 85 yards, so he'll look to have an epic game against the Packers to set the single season rushing record. He needs slightly over 200 yards to do it. All of these significant records are on the line this year. DE J.J. Watt is looking to break Michael Strahan's single season sack record as well.

New England Patriots 23 Jacksonville Jaguars 16

Many players always say there's no such thing as a bad win in the NFL. However, if you saw QB Tom Brady's face and attitude at the postgame press conference, he clearly was not thrilled at the way the Patriots struggled to beat the Jaguars. Brady has every reason to be upset. His performance was a little off in the beginnning, but was able to get it together. If the Patriots want to get back to the Super Bowl, they'll need to play better than last year. Last year's Ravens team isn't close to this year's Broncos team, so the Patriots have to get it together.

Indianapolis Colts 20 Kansas City Chiefs 13

It's great to see that Chuck Pagano will take over the team this week and will coach next week's game. ESPN's Trent Dilfer said it best when describing the Colts. This is a team of belief. All of the close games that have gone their way has them believing they can get the job done every single time they step onto the field. I think it's a little too much to think the Colts will have a deep playoff run. However, if they play against the Ravens, they can beat them. We'll see.

Buffalo Bills 10 Miami Dolphins 24

This game did not have a single storyline. So we'll talk about the futures of both teams. For the Dolphins, they should feel good about QB Ryan Tannehill. He certainly has to get better, but I believe he will get better. The Bills have some decisions to make. Do they attempt to draft a quarterback to lead their franchise? There aren't really any quarterbacks in this year's draft with the exception of USC's Matt Barkley. The Bills probably don't want to stick with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick much longer if he can't find any consistency. Let's see what this offseason brings for the Bills.

San Diego Chargers 27 New York Jets 17

QB Greg McElroy got his first start of his career, and it appeared he was going to get the win for the Jets. However, he was sacked 11 times and threw an interception, as the Chargers were able to handle the Jets after starting off slow. The Jets should be encouraged by McElroy's performance. The offensive line has to play better. McElroy didn't force any passes down the field, which has gotten QB Mark Sanchez in a lot of trouble. QB Tim Tebow apparently wasn't thrilled, but he should be looking to join the Jaguars next season. If Tebow can't show he's a quarterback there, his time in the NFL may be ending.

Washington Redskins 27 Philadelphia Eagles 20

QB Nick Foles didn't play that bad but once again, the Eagles just didn't have enough to win. The Redskins are in the driver's seat in the NFC East, but it is mostly due to their performance. They have been on a roll since losing at home to the Panthers. The Giants have struggled mightily in the second half, but would still be in the driver's seat if the Redskins were simply mediocre. That has not been the case. It's hard to believe the Redskins haven't won the NFC East since 1999.

Bengals K Josh Brown kicks the game-winner.

Cincinnati Bengals 13 Pittsburgh Steelers 10

Many people, including myself, believed the Steelers needed QB Ben Roethlisberger back from injury as soon as possible if the Steelers wanted to make a run for the playoffs. Roethlisberger has started the past three games since returning from injury, and the Steelers are 0-3, including two home losses. This loss to the Bengals eliminated the Steelers from playoff contention, and it also clinched a Wild Card spot for the Bengals. It is rare the Bengals follow up a playoff season with another playoff year, but that is a positive sign for the franchise. The way things are looking now, they'll probably have to play the Patriots. That isn't a good sign.

St. Louis Rams 28 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13

The Rams had a solid outing, thanks to interceptions from QB Josh Freeman. The Rams are doing this too little too late, as they needed this performance against the Vikings last week. However, Rams' fans have to be impressed with the way Jeff Fisher was able to turn this team into mediocrity after a dismal season. The Buccaneers continue to slide, and some will probably wonder if Greg Schiano's job is on the line after just one season. It doesn't appear the team is responding to him.

Saints QB Drew Brees throws a pass under pressure.

New Orleans Saints 34 Dallas Cowboys 31 OT 

All the Cowboys had to do is win at home to keep pace with the Redskins and put themselves in a position to win the division or a Wild Card spot. With this loss now, their only chance of making it to the playoffs is to win at FedEx Field next week against the Redskins. The Redskins put a hurt on them Thanksgiving Day, so I don't know if that'll happen. They lost the luxury of still getting into the playoffs via Wild Card. The defense of the Cowboys simply hasn't been there lately, dating back to that Thanksgiving Day loss. It's setting up to be another disappointing finish.

Cleveland Browns 12 Denver Broncos 34

What more is there to say about the Broncos? They are just rolling, feasting on an easy second half schedule. All that's left is the Chiefs next week and we've seen how poorly they've played all year. The Broncos will easily finish at 13-3, and this season by the Broncos just goes to show that QB Peyton Manning is the best quarterback in NFL history. He turned a mediocre Broncos team, after multiple neck surgeries and doubts that his career can continue, into title contenders in his very first year. The Broncos' defense is probably better than any defense Manning had with the Colts, so I expect the Broncos to be in the Super Bowl.

Chicago Bears 28 Arizona Cardinals 13

QB Jay Cutler didn't really perform well again, but the Bears relied on something that has gotten them quite far this year. The Bears were able to feast on the Cardinals' inept offense, and CB Charles Tillman returned an interception for a touchdown. Even though the Cardinals have five wins, including a four-game winning streak to start the season, no one has looked worse than them. It sucks for Ken Whisenhunt that he has turned to three quarterbacks and all of them are so inept. It'll cost him his job.

Ravens RB Ray Rice scores an easy touchdown.

New York Giants 14 Baltimore Ravens 33

A lot of analysts continue to give the Giants a pass, saying they underestimated teams and weren't able to turn it up. Losing 34-0 and then 33-14 with your season on the line isn't exactly failing to turn it up when need be. The Giants simply aren't a good football team on both sides of the ball. The defense hasn't played well at all, especially the secondary. Since Perry Fewell took over as defensive coordinator, there has been constant miscommunication in the secondary. Something has to be done about that. The Giants' offense is stagnant. Receivers simply aren't getting open for QB Eli Manning and holes are not being created for the running game. Is this Kevin Gilbride's fault?

San Francisco 49ers 13 Seattle Seahawks 42

This game really was not about what the 49ers didn't do. It was really about what the Seahawks did. Trashing the Cardinals and Bills made people open up their eyes a little bit, but trashing the 49ers made the open them up much wider. All of a sudden, the Seahawks are what the Giants were last season. The Seahawks are a team no one wants to play in the playoffs. For the 49ers, is it too late to go back to QB Alex Smith? QB Colin Kaepernick hasn't played terrible, but he's just not giving them all they need in this offense yet. It's probably too late to make the switch, however.