The Panthers put themselves in the driver's seat for the NFC South crown, and the Lions are eliminated after losing at home to the lowly Giants. Let's recap Week 16.
Miami Dolphins 0 Buffalo Bills 19
The Dolphins put forth the most disappointing effort of any team in Week 16. With a playoff spot on the line, all they needed to do was win their final two games and they were most likely in. Instead, they were blanked by the Bills. The Dolphins need some help now and a win in the final week of the season against the Jets to get in. If the Dolphins can't score against the Bills, they don't deserve to be in the playoffs.
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| Panthers' WR Domenik Hixon and RB Mike Tolbert celebrate the game-winning touchdown against the Saints. |
The Saints had the win in the bag, as the Panthers' offense was stagnant all day. The Saints' offense was stagnant as well, but a late touchdown from Drew Brees to Jimmy Graham put them in position for a great road win and to position themselves to win the NFC South and secure a first-round bye. Instead, the Panthers are in the driver's seat for the division crown and a first-round bye thanks to clutch play from Cam Newton.
Minnesota Vikings 14 Cincinnati Bengals 42
The Bengals took care of business like they should've, and they have another home game against the Ravens next week. They have put themselves in good position to clinch the division, and they can even secure the #2 seed and a first-round bye if other things happen in their favor throughout the AFC. The Bengals have good weapons on offense and a solid defense. The only question mark remains the play of Andy Dalton. When he's consistent, this team scores a ton of points like they did against the Vikings. When he's awful, they struggle to score.
Denver Broncos 37 Houston Texans 13
Peyton Manning set the regular season passing touchdowns record in this game with a touchdown to Julius Thomas. The Broncos will most likely win their season finale against the Raiders so they'll have the #1 seed in the AFC. As it always is, the only question that remains is the play of Manning in the postseason. I believe he's been unfairly criticized for having teammates who have played bad at the worst possible times. Manning's postseason numbers are still good, but Manning has lost games in the postseason his teams should've won. Let's see how things play out this postseason. He has an opportunity to win a Super Bowl in the house his brother Eli built, after Eli did it in Indianapolis two years ago.
Tennessee Titans 20 Jacksonville Jaguars 16
This games was one of two games in Week 16 without any playoff implications. The Jaguars won their first game of the season against the Titans in Tennessee, so you know the Titans were looking for a little payback. The Titans had a three-game losing streak entering this game, so they were relieved to finally get a win. It'll be interesting to see if Mike Munchak keeps his job after the season. They went the second half of the season without Jake Locker, so he could make that case when meeting with management in the offseason.
Indianapolis Colts 23 Kansas City Chiefs 7
The Colts pulled the surprise of the day, easily beating the Chiefs in Kansas City. While the Colts have struggled, they have very impressive wins against the Chiefs, Broncos, Seahawks and 49ers. If the Colts play at their very best, they can be a team that can make a surprising run to the Super Bowl. The Chiefs may have to see the Colts in Indianapolis in the Wild Card round. They must learn from this game quickly.
Cleveland Browns 13 New York Jets 24
Surprisingly, this game had playoff implications despite the fact both teams are eliminated from playoff contention. The Steelers needed the Jets to win this game, and the Jets delivered for them. For the Jets, they were expected to be one of the worst teams in the league, but through the ups and downs of Geno Smith, they have had a season better than many expected. Geno Smith has to prove to management that he is the franchise quarterback, as it's anyone's guess if Rex Ryan will be back.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13 St. Louis Rams 23
Kellen Clemens did very well in the home finale for the Rams, but we know the Rams' future lies with Sam Bradford. No one knows if he'll be ready by the start of next season, but the Rams hope Bradford can fully recover and become the franchise player every team needs. The Buccaneers are hoping Mike Glennon is their franchise quarterback, and who knows if Greg Schiano will be around beyond this season. The future is cloudy for both teams.
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| Cowboys' RB DeMarco Murray scores the game-winning touchdown on fourth and goal. |
Tony Romo had a gutsy performance, and then it was followed the next day with devastating news. Romo was clearly laboring through an enormous amount of pain, but was able to throw a touchdown pass to DeMarco Murray on fourth and goal to win the game. However, it was revealed Romo has a herniated disc that needs to be taken care of immediately. Just when the Cowboys get a home game for the division title, they lose their starting quarterback. One must feel very sorry for them.
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| Giants' K Josh Brown and P Steve Weatherford celebrate after Brown kicks the game-winning field goal in overtime. |
It was unlikely the Bears were going to beat the Eagles, and there was a good shot the Steelers could go into Lambeau Field and beat the Packers, who were again rolling with Matt Flynn. All the Lions had to do was beat the Giants and Vikings to make the playoffs. They couldn't even manage to do that. I don't see how Jim Schwartz keeps his job beyond this season. They have been very inconsistent, and have lost games they should've won. After beating the Bears in Soldier Field and improving to 6-3, many people felt the Lions were going to win the division. Now they're eliminated from the postseason.
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| Cardinals' WR Michael Floyd scores the game-winning touchdown against the Seahawks. |
Carson Palmer threw four interceptions, and the Cardinals still found a way to win the game. Many teams will be looking at the video of this game to see what they did to beat the Seahawks in their building. Russell Wilson had not lost a single home game in his NFL career, so what the Cardinals just did is huge. It is unfortunate it may be too late for them. They'll probably look at some of their losses, especially against the Eagles in which they lost a close one, and think of what could've been.
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| Steelers' WR Emmanuel Sanders scores a touchdown in the victory at Lambeau Field against the Packers. |
The Steelers got the win they needed to hang on to their slim playoff hopes. It'll be a miracle if they're able to capture the final playoff spot. The Packers blew a huge opportunity as well with the Lions and Bears losing. However, they still have an opportunity to win the division if they win at Soldier Field. It'll be hard to do without Aaron Rodgers. If they get Rodgers for that game, the Bears are in trouble.
Oakland Raiders 13 San Diego Chargers 26
The Chargers keep their playoff hopes alive with this win, and they have a tall order winning against the Chiefs but it's a game they have at home. They have also beaten the Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium, so that should give them enough confidence to beat them again. The Chargers need other things to happen also to capture the final playoff spot, so they'll be praying as well.
New England Patriots 41 Baltimore Ravens 7
The Ravens were thoroughly dominated by the Patriots, and now it may be two consecutive years the defending champions will have missed the postseason the following year. The Ravens can still get in, but they'll need to beat the Bengals in Cincinnati and get some help in order to get in. It'll be tough but they have no other choice if they'll like to see the postseason.
Chicago Bears 11 Philadelphia Eagles 54
If the Bears plan on making the playoffs, they better not display what they showed in Philadelphia. Giving up 54 points will not get them far, even if they get a playoff spot and a playoff game at home. They are horrendous against the run, and there are no signs of anything improving over the last week and beyond. For the Eagles, they have a game against the Cowboys who will be without Tony Romo. They should be the NFC East champions.
Atlanta Falcons 24 San Francisco 49ers 34
The Falcons made this a game surprisingly, but it was a great interception from Navorro Bowman that clinched a playoff spot for the 49ers. The 49ers still have a chance to win the division and secure a first-round bye, which would mean another game at Candlestick Park. For now, this is the last game at Candlestick Park. I doubt the Seahawks lose to the Rams at home, so the 49ers will have to settle for the Wild Card spot.
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