2021-2 NFL Pro Football (pls, no other sports!)

Where's Houston Texans, they have/had some decent players that have sunk to the level of their peer's play-their going to have to clean house
get rid of good and bad players, get a fistful of draft choices and start over.

It appears Florida has a lock on ineptitude (save Tampa Bay); has the inept virus crossed the state line-is that what is wrong with Atlanta?
It's the Sunshine Virus...

I've been watching Dallas Coach, Mike McCarthy for almost two seasons trying to figure out what he does on game day/
Obviously, his Defensive and Offensive Coord call the plays. Mike sometimes wears a headset, not sure he's talking to anybody.
Maybe he just stays out of the way. Jerry Jones like him so.......

Dallas scored too many points, they needed to save those points for playoffs against Rams and the evil Aaron Rodgers at Green Bay🥶
 

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Where's Houston Texans, they have/had some decent players that have sunk to the level of their peer's play-their going to have to clean house
get rid of good and bad players, get a fistful of draft choices and start over.
Click to expand...

Problem is, they have 'started over' every couple years since their inception...(2001) . At some point they need to build a solid foundation and try to do something with that.
But the owner, now the original owner's son, hasn't got a clue what that's about! ... And the people McNair hires are all in the same confused state of mind.
I feel sorry for the high draft picks they get - those guys don't have a chance for success while on the Texans.
 
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What We Learned From Week 16 in the NFL, Pt 1 of 3
The Bills take first place in the AFC East from the Patriots, and the Cardinals failed again to clinch the NFC West
NY Times, SB Nation, Fansided, London Guardian US, local media Dec 27, 2021

Saturday's Games

Packers 24, Browns 22
Aaron Rodgers broke Brett Favre’s career TD mark as Packers held off the Browns. Rodgers went 24 of 34 for 202 yds with three TD passes to increase his career total to 445. Favre threw 508 TD passes during his Hall of Fame career, 442 of them with GBay.

GBay’s defense sacked Baker Mayfield five times and forcing him into his first career four-interception performance. Mayfield finished with a horrible 55.3 QB rating. All three Packers TDs came after Mayfield interceptions. The Packers (12-3) sealed the victory when Rasul Douglas picked off his second pass of the day with 43 seconds left. Two missed extra points by the Browns proved to be the margin of victory.

Cleveland's D played fiercely, keeping the game close. CB MJ Stewart led all defenders with 10 total tackles (9 solo) and two tackles. The defensive front couldn't manage to rush a gimpy Rodgers, but they limited GBay to 109 total yds rushing. OL coach Bill Callahan has done a terrific job juggling the line despite injuries and COVID quarantines.

Although the OL gave up the sacks on Mayfield, their run blocking produced an impressive 219 yds rushing. Nick Chubb ran for 126 yds on 17 carries and a TD to lead the Browns’ rushing efforts that kept them in the game. Cleveland was missing at least eight regulars because of Covid-19.

Until the Browns (7-8) produced a second-half threat, the day belonged to Rodgers, who broke Favre’s record with an 11-yd TD pass to Allen Lazard in Q1. Favre sent a message to Rodgers in a video aired on the Lambeau Field scoreboard after the record-breaking TD pass. “Hey, 12, congratulations, man, on passing my TD record,” Favre said. “I have one request. Go get us another Super Bowl. Congrats.”

Rodgers later threw two TD passes to Davante Adams, who had 10 catches for 114 yds. Adams has caught at least 10 passes for 100 yds and two TDs in eight career games, the most of anyone in NFL history.

The Packers already have clinched the NFC North title and are seeking the conference’s top playoff seed to chase their first Super Bowl berth since their 2010 championship season. They have lost in the NFC championship game each of the last two seasons.

Colts 22-16 Cardinals
Carson Wentz threw a pair of TD passes as the banged-up Indianapolis Colts continued their late-season surge with a gritty 22-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night. The Colts (9-6) have won three straight and six of their past seven. They earned the road win despite missing 2020 All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard – who was put on the reserve/Covid-19 list earlier Saturday – and four starting OLmen.

Wentz made the game’s biggest play midway through Q4, when he bounced around in the pocket for a few seconds before hitting Dezmon Patmon for a 14-yd TD on a perfectly placed ball in the back of the end zone. That gave the Colts the lead, to which they added a FG.

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor ran for 108 yds. He came into the game as the NFL’s leading rusher by a wide margin with 1,518 yds on the ground. That’s more than 400 yds ahead of Cincinnati’s Joe Mixon, who sits at #2.

The Cardinals (10-5) failed to clinch a playoff spot for a third straight week. They are 3-4 over their last seven games after opening the season with a 7-0 record, transforming from the league’s only two-way juggernaut into a bundle of parts masquerading as a team.

When Arizona’s offense is rolling – when the aggressive plays, speedy weapons, and up-tempo pace work in unison – the offense is less about executing football plays as it is psychological warfare. There is no defense you can draw up to slow down Murray, Hopkins, Christian Kirk, Rondale Moore, AJ Green, and a free-flowing run-game. But rip one of the much-needed bricks out of the facade, and the whole thing can tumble down. Losing Hopkins (being rested until the playoffs due to injury) and the threat of the run game has seen the offense stall out, defaulting back to the “Save Us Kyler” territory that has been a feature ever since he was drafted.

Kyler Murray threw for 245 yds and a TD while also running for 74 yds. Arizona’s Matt Prater missed two FGs, including a potential go-ahead try early in Q4, and an extra point.

There are bigger issues on defense. Since Week 9, the Cardinals’ defense ranks 12th in EPA per play, a measure of a group’s down-to-down effectiveness. Worse: they’ve sunk all the way to 28th in EPA per play on first downs, the metric by which the league’s top defenses judge themselves.

First down is the new third down. It’s where a defense gets into attack mode, particularly if the offense is liable to get into predictable looks. Getting off the field on third downs is a staple of shouty-man-on-TV analyses, but success on first downs is more predictive of long-term success. Stopping a team on third down matters, but what difference does it make if they already strung together a succession of first downs on early downs?

Winning the first down – forcing a negative play or creating a second-and-10 – is how defenses can keep up in the era of the pace-and-space, chunk play offense.

The Cardinals two remaining games are against the Cowboys in Dallas, and hosting the Seahawks at home. Although they have clinched a playoff berth, their exact ranking depends on what happens with other teams.

Sunday’s games

Bills 33, Patriots 21
Better weather than before, efficient play and an aggressive strategy by Buffalo allowed them to win and reminded the league that they were still a potent championship threat. For their second meeting, Patriots rookie QB Mac Jones threw more passes, and it allowed the Bills’ defense to play to its strength. At the end of the game, Jones threw a last-ditch heave to the end zone that Bills safety Micah Hyde caught for his second interception.

The team was in that position because the offense picked up the burden. The Bills amassed 428 total yds, nearly 200 more than in the first meeting, and aggressively scored 23 more points. Buffalo converted three of its four fourth-down attempts, one of them resulting in a TD. In Q4, Josh Allen ran a bootleg on fourth down for 8 yds to extend a drive, and he threw his third TD pass five plays later.

The defense, which has been one of the best units against the pass all season, intercepted Jones twice (though one bounced off a receiver’s hands), holding him to 14 of 32 passing for 145 yds and no TDs. That’s one of his worst games of his otherwise strong rookie year. The Bills showed they are one of the better teams in the league when they play together.

The 9-6 Bills sit atop the 9-6 Pats due to a better division record. With games against the Falcons and Jets on tap, Buffalo should sweep. The Patriots fell to #6 seed, with the Jaguars and Dolphins remaining.
 

What We Learned From Week 16 in the NFL, Pt 2 of 3
NY Times, SB Nation, Fansided, London Guardian US, local media Dec 27, 2021

Bengals 41, Ravens 21
Despite being the most injured team in the league, the Ravens (8-7) are still in the playoff hunt despite a loss that was closer than the score appears. Because the LA Chargers lost, the Ravens can still vie for a playoff spot.

The Bengals (9-6) ultimately dispatched them behind four TDs and a career-high 525 passing yds by Joe Burrow. But a corps of reserve players kept the margin relatively close in the first half before the score got ugly. Just before halftime, with Cincinnati leading 24-14, the Ravens intercepted a pass near the goal line, but a penalty negated the play. They forced an incompletion on the next play, but that too was nullified. The Bengals scored on the next play.

The Bengals are the strongest candidate to win the AFC North. Cincinnati is playing the most complete football of any team in the division at this point, having won four of their last six games. A sprint from last place to first is very possible.

Burrow exploited a young Baltimore secondary without its top two CBs, Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters. To make matters worse for the Ravens, they lost the backup CB Anthony Averett in Q1 to injury. QB Lamar Jackson (ankle) and his backup, Tyler Huntley (Covid list) were out of action, forcing journeyman Josh Johnson to start.

Buccaneers 32, Panthers 6
When Sam Darnold entered the game, fans in Charlotte, N.C., booed him. He completed a 63-yd pass on the next play, and then was soon replaced by Cam Newton for a red-zone package. That perfectly sums up the conundrum for the Panthers — an organization with no certainty at its most important position. That murkiness has haunted them all season and was evident when Darnold and Newton both completed less than 60% of their passes. By handing the Panthers their fifth consecutive loss, the Buccaneers clinched the NFC South for the first since 2007.

Falcons 20, Lions 16
The Lions, as they’ve done all year, played competitively for much of the game, but committed a costly mistake. Near Atlanta’s goal line with a chance to score a game-winning TD, Tim Boyle, who started at QB because Jared Goff was on the Covid-19 list, instead threw an interception to seal it for the Falcons. In a mostly meaningless game for both teams, the Falcons can take the bragging rights.

Each team has a good rookie to keep a future eye on. Lions rookie receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown carried his team's offense Sunday, getting open for a 20-yard TD pass that required some power at the end of the run to cross the plane of the goal line. St. Brown finished with nine catches on 11 targets for 91 yds, and two rushes for 19 yds. Falcons Kyle Pitts' 949 receiving yds are the second-most all-time by a rookie TE. He needs 128 to pass Hall of Famer Mike Ditka for the record.

Jets 26, Jaguars 21
The Jaguars botched a potential game-winning drive against the Jets because of miscommunication at the line of scrimmage and rushing a disorganized play in the red zone. In the matchup of the top two picks from the 2021 draft, both Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson showed promise. But it was an impressive performance as the Jets were without Coach Robert Saleh and almost 20 players because of the coronavirus.

Eagles 34, Giants 10
The Eagles recovered from an underwhelming first half to dominate the Giants with a balanced offense. Jalen Hurts played a responsible game without any turnovers and threw two TD passes. One of the scores was a 4-yd strike to the rookie receiver DeVonta Smith, who completed a challenging toe-tapping catch near the pylon. Philly’s biggest weakness is incurring penalties: they got dinged eleven times on Sunday.

The Giants’ abysmal QB carousel failed to step up in the loss to Eagles. NY has started three different QB’s in a single season for the first time since 1992. Jake Fromm got the start under center over Mike Glennon (and in place of Daniel Jones, who is out for the rest of the season with a neck injury). It’s been a rough year for QBs: the Giants also became the sixth team in the league to start three QBs this season, joining the Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, NY Jets and Washington Football Team.

Fromm, a 2020 fifth-round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills, was in over his head. He finished 6 of 17 for 25 yds with one interception and a 19.4 passer rating. After an interception in the third quarter, Fromm was replaced by Glennon. With a passer rating under 25.0 against the Dallas Cowboys, Glennon did not deserve to start Sunday’s game. Glennon wasn’t the solution this time either. He finished 17 of 27 for 93 yds with one TD and one interception. The Giants have now lost four games in a row and were officially eliminated from postseason contention on Sunday.

Rams 30, Vikings 23
A 61-yd punt return for a TD by Rams return specialist Brandon Powell in Q3 was the difference in a competitive afternoon. LA struggled early to separate itself from the Vikings, who were without the star RB Dalvin Cook because of the coronavirus. The Rams clinched a playoff berth with the win, but if Matthew Stafford throws three interceptions like he did on Sunday, the team’s postseason journey will be short. LAR moves to #1 spot in NFC West, as the Cardinals lost.

With uncertainty along the OL and with their QB struggling, the Rams leaned on the run game. Sony Michel took control, rushing 27 times for 131 yds (4.9 average) and a TD. Stafford was a liability this time for the Rams, but the defense kept Kirk Cousins under wraps. Rams All-Pro DT Aaron Donald put on a show, with three tackles for loss, three run stuffs, a whopping seven QB pressures, two QB hits and a big sack late.

For Minnesota, the next two games are must-wins. It will need help from others to earn a wild-card spot. Cousins had very little to work with. Vikings WR Adam Thielen battled injuries on Sunday and had trouble staying on the field. WR Justin Jefferson was productive until the Rams shut him down by assigning star DB Jalen Ramsey in the second half.
 
What We Learned From Week 16 in the NFL, Pt 3 of 3
NY Times, SB Nation, Fansided, London Guardian US, local media Dec 27, 2021

Texans 41, Chargers 29
An upset victory by the Texans complicated the playoff equation for the Chargers, who were without Austin Ekeler and Mike Williams, two of their best offensive players, because of COVID. LAC’s defense, which all season has been one of the worst units against the run, allowed Rex Burkhead to rush for 149 yds and two TDs.

The Chargers came into Sunday’s game as the worst defense in the NFL when it comes to getting off the field on third down. By the time the final whistle blew, they had allowed the Texans to convert on nine of 13 third down attempts. Having Joey Bosa sit on the Covid list didn’t help, either. LAC is now in a race for the AFC’s final wild-card spot, and will be forced to monitor Ravens scores for the remainder of the season.

KC 36, Steelers 10
KC effortlessly clinched the AFC West by drubbing the Steelers, doing so without TE Travis Kelce, who was on the Covid-19 list. Its early season struggles seem like a distant memory. KC has not lost a game since October and has a legitimate shot to win the conference title for a third consecutive season. They totaled over 375 yds of offense, and the D stifled Pittsburgh while making three takeaways.

For Pittsburgh, with the postseason largely out of reach, it may now be time to give the other QBs on the roster more playing time to get a head start on a succession plan for the era post-Roethlisberger.

Raiders 17, Broncos 13
The Raiders kept their playoff hopes alive in a sloppy divisional win. They turned the ball over three times, including twice before halftime, to give Denver 10 points. However, their electrifying RB Josh Jacobs came out after halftime and ran over the Broncos. The former first-round pick gobbled up 129 yards on 27 carries -- 104 in the second half. Credit OC Greg Olson calling a good game, helping the Raiders generate 342 yards and 22 first downs. Vegas moved the ball up and down the field against a solid Broncos defense. If it weren't for the self-inflicted errors, the game wouldn't have been close. The Raiders’ win could set up an important divisional game vs the Chargers in the regular-season finale if LVegas can beat the Colts in Week 17.

For Denver, its unbearably average season is nearing its end. HC Vic Fangio has stuck by his hapless OC Pat Shurmur, with the result the D is having to bear all the weight. Were it not for Bradley Chubb’s interception and near-touchdown, Denver would have ended Sunday’s game with fewer than 7-points total. The defense has held its opponents below 20 pts in eight games this season, even managing to hold the high-powered KC Chiefs to only 22 pts earlier this month. But the offense cannot generate points no matter who is at QB.

Bears 25, Seahawks 24
A late 2-point conversion lifted the Bears, who started the third-string QB Nick Foles, over the Seahawks in snowy conditions. It was a meaningless game, as both teams are already eliminated from playoff contention, but it may give Russell Wilson more ammunition to force his way out of Seattle this off-season. The list of teams who can afford his massive 2022–2023 salary hit, however, is not as large as one might expect for a potential Hall of Fame QB.

The Seahawks blew their second Q4 home lead of 10-plus points this season (Week 2 vs. Titans was the other). Entering the season, they were 38-0 in the Russell Wilson era (2012-2020) in such games.

Bears QB Nick Foles struggled for most of the game, but he came through late. Getting the start Sunday, the Bears' third-string QB took possession with 2:56 remaining, down 24-17, and blazed through the Seattle defense in just six plays to steal a game in which Chicago trailed for nearly its entirety.

Monday Night Football

Dolphins 20, Saints 3
The surging Miami Dolphins beat the depleted Saints for a seventh straight win. The D intercepted Saints rookie Ian Book twice and sacked him eight times. Miami becomes one of four 8-7 teams – along with Baltimore, LA Chargers and LVegas – in contention for one of the final playoff spots in the AFC.

Miami also got a big lift from rookie sensation Jaylen Waddle. Waddle caught 10 passes for 92 yds and a TD in his return from the Covid list. The Dolphins became the first NFL team to win seven straight after losing seven in a row.

Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa, who entered the game with an NFL best 69.9% completion rate, connected on 19 of 26 passes (73.1%) for 198 yds and a short TD. He was intercepted once by Marshon Lattimore.

The Dolphins’ eight sacks tied a team record for a game. They became the first team in the Super Bowl era to have that many sacks, score a defensive TD and hold an opponent under 200 total yds while allowing no TDs or third-down conversions.

Despite missing key players, the Saints’ defense showed up and played hard. They held the Dolphins offense to 13 points (seven of the team’s 20 points came off a pick six). The Dolphins mustered only 259 total yards, Tagovailoa was picked off once, sacked twice, and pressured most of the game. Miami was only 5-of-15 on third down (33%), but the Dolphins would only need seven points to win, given that New Orleans’ offense was largely missing in action all night.

New Orleans didn’t get a first down until Q2. They went 0 for 12 on third down. Book started for the Saints (7-8) with over 20 players off the active roster, including starting QB Taysom Hill and veteran backup Trevor Siemian. With the Saints’ OL missing three starters including both tackles, Book completed 12 of 20 passes for 135 yds.

The Saints are reportedly desperate enough to be contacting retired QBs Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers and Josh McCown to see if any of them are interested in returning to the NFL.
 
John Madden
Madden in 2007
Born:April 10, 1936
Austin, Minnesota
Died:December 28, 2021 (aged 85)
High school:Jefferson
(Daly City, California)
College:Cal Poly
NFL Draft:1958 / Round: 21 / Pick: 244
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Win-loss record:103–32–7
Winning %:76.3
Playoff record:9–7
Overall record:112–39–7
Coaching stats at PFR
Pro Football Hall of Fame
 
One of the best NFL coaches, and well-loved by his players.

The Raiders back in those days were known as being a group of non-conformist, wild-and-crazy individuals who played dirty and partied hard, LOL. Madden was the perfect coach for them - he told them all they had to do was show up for the game, as long as they won it was okay with him!

Ken Stabler, their Hall of Fame QB, was the classic "good ole boy" who partied so hard, he was actually hung over when he led them to their Super Bowl win in SB XI. I loved to watch OL Ted Hendricks, nicknamed "The Stork" because he was 6'7" at a time when that wasn't common. He'd use that height and extra-long arms to block kicks (career total 25 blocked kicks!) and knock down passes.

Also a Hall of Famer and All-Pro, Hendricks was well-known for being a gagster, too. Older fans might remember this photo taken on the sidelines:
HendricksJokerMask.jpg

I kinda doubt that would fly nowadays with Bill Belichick or Jerry Jones, hee hee.......
 
One last witty quote from Madden:

A great excerpt from the WashPost article 12/29/2021 on John Madden’s career as coach, announcer, and videogame pioneer:

“....In his 10 seasons as the coach, Madden posted a 103-32-7 record. He never had a losing season, made the playoffs eight times and won Super Bowl XI on Jan. 9, 1977. His winning percentage of .759 remains the highest for an NFL coach with at least 100 victories.

....In his funny, relatable way, Madden once said this about coaching: “When you win, you get to be a genius. But if you look at it, you’re a guy that was a P.E. major in college. Your best class was recess, and then you become a coach. When you win some games, you’re a genius. You go from being good at recess to genius.” “
 
NFL Week 17 Predictions | Pt 1 of 3
By Monday Dec. 27th 90 players had tested positive. Teams get two tools to deal with the coronavirus surge: shorter quarantines for players who test positive and no Thursday night games.
NYTimes, WashPost, SB Nation and local media 31Dec2021

The new rules particularly affect the AFC, which has seven teams still mathematically alive to contend for the final wild-card spot, and where Chargers will host the bubble-clinging Denver Broncos and Colts will try to end the hopes of LVegas Raiders.

KC at Cincinnati Bengals, 1p, CBS
Pick: KC
Expect this to be a shootout. The Bengals are looking for their sixth division title since 1990. Joe Burrow threw for 525 yds last week against the depleted Ravens. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Joe Mixon all posted over 100 yds from scrimmage. It’s showing that Burrow is something special and so the Bengals have a legitimate chance against any team in the AFC playoffs. The Bengals (9-6) will want to keep those high-flying performances going with a statement win over KC (11-4), the conference’s top seed.

After a 3-4 start, KC has not lost since October, and its defense has improved drastically after being one of the league’s worst. The #1 seed is well within their grasp, but Cincinnati won’t make it easy for them. TE Travis Kelce should return from the Covid-19 list, a big plus for KC.

LA Rams at Baltimore Ravens, 1p, Fox
Pick: Rams
Though injuries to key starters have decimated the Ravens (8-7) all season, they still have about a 30% chance to make the postseason. But there is little wiggle room, and a loss to the Rams (11-4) would end their playoff hopes. QB Lamar Jackson is off the COVID list but still struggling with his ankle injury, making him a gametime decision. Backup Tyler Huntley remains on the Covid-19 list and is not expected to be activated.

This means the Ravens may fight for first place in the AFC North with a third-string, journeyman QB, Josh Johnson. Baltimore’s secondary, also depleted by injuries, has allowed the most passing yds per game this season (280.5), which should excite Rams QB Matthew Stafford.

Unfortunately for the Ravens, LA’s pass rush is tied for fourth in the NFL in sacks with 42. But if Jackson plays and Stafford produces a turnover or two, the Ravens could keep the Rams on their toes.

Denver Broncos at LA Chargers, 4:05p, CBS
Pick: Chargers
LAC (8-7) complicated its wild-card scenario by losing to the Texans last week, dropping its chances of entering the postseason to 40%. This game and the final vs the Raiders are now “must-wins” for the Chargers. RB Austin Ekeler (Covid list) is likely to return, but it is uncertain if DBs Chris Harris Jr. and Nasir Adderley, and DE Joey Bosa will be cleared to return from the Covid-19 list. Safety Derwin James’s status is also questionable because of a hamstring injury.

The Broncos (7-8) beat the full-strength Chargers in Week 12. But last week’s deflating defeat in LVegas showed Drew Lock failing to take advantage of the opportunity to show he’s a starting-caliber QB. The Broncos could have a difficult decision to make at season’s end on whether to retain Coach Vic Fangio after what might be his third losing year. Their final opponent is the divisional KC Chiefs, and a win isn’t likely unless the Chiefs decide to rest most of their starters.

Both teams are struggling with players on the Covid list, but Denver’s been hit harder than LAC.

Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25p, Fox
Pick: Cowboys
Kyler Murray and the Cardinals (10-5) have lost three consecutive games, looking lost on offense with WR DeAndre Hopkins resting his hamstring until the playoffs. The offense sputtered again in Saturday’s loss to the Colts. There were kicking misadventures with Matt Prater. An early exit from the postseason is looking likely.

Facing a renewed Dallas D will be tough. Fueled by pressure from sensational rookie LB Micah Parsons, and Trevon Diggs, the turnover-inducing CB, the Cowboys (11-4) allow an average of only 20.5 points per game. Arizona is 1-3 this season when held below 21 points. They can likely win this game if they don’t make mistakes. But the Cowboys are a safer bet at home right now.

It was difficult to ascertain whether Sunday’s night lopsided result was because the Cowboys were that good or because the Washington Football Team was that bad. Probably both. The Cowboys can feel encouraged about QB Dak Prescott’s crisp outing. The defense continues to show it can do its part in a run deep into the postseason.

Minnesota Vikings at GBay Packers, 8:20p, NBC
Pick: Packers
Fourteen(!) of Minnesota’s games have been decided by one score, a vivid depiction of its dancing-on-a-needle-point season. One of those was a Week 11 win over GBay in which it exploited the Packers’ lone weakness: defending the run. In their last three games, the Packers (12-3) have given up an average of 166.3 rushing yds.

The Vikings (7-8) expect star RB Dalvin Cook from the Covid-19 list to return. Completing the season sweep of GBay (at Lambeau Field) is probably too tall a task, but Minnesota could edge its way into a playoff berth if it feeds Cook during a night game in which the temperature isn’t expected to top 13 degrees. The Vikings are just good enough to hang around the wild-card chase but not good enough to actually matter.

QB Aaron Rodgers surpassed Brett Favre for the most career TD passes for the Packers and played well again in Saturday’s triumph over the Browns. Rodgers appeared bothered by the fractured toe, but it never seems to diminish his productivity. The Packers moved another step closer to securing the #1 seed in the NFC. The opening-round playoff bye that comes with being the top seed would provide Rodgers with some badly needed time to heal.

Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills, 1p, Fox
Pick: Bills
Put this down as a reasonably successful first season for Coach Arthur Smith, with the Falcons so close to .500 with two games remaining. They barely escaped with the triumph over the Lions, and now have a game in Buffalo with playoff implications.

This could be considered a trap game for the Bills (9-6), who would lose their newly established grip on the AFC East if the Falcons (7-8) pull off an upset. It would also be a stunner if Atlanta did so, with below-freezing temperatures and snow predicted for kickoff.

If Buffalo keeps Josh Allen upright against the pass rush, which it failed to do in a Week 9 loss to Jacksonville (a true trap game), the Bills will win easily. Last week the Bills looked the way we expected a Super Bowl contender to perform. They were simply too good for the Patriots. QB Josh Allen was unstoppable as both a passer and a runner. There were playmakers around him on offense. The defense was very good.

The issue, of course, remains whether the Bills can maintain anything approaching that level of play this week.
 
NFL Week 17 Predictions | Pt 2 of 3
NYTimes, WashPost, SB Nation and local media 31Dec2021

Giants at Chicago Bears, 1p, CBS
Pick: Bears
The Bears (5-10) and the Giants (4-11) are two of the worst teams in the league, but Giants Coach Joe Judge is reportedly staying for at least one more season while Matt Nagy’s future in Chicago is unclear. The result of this game is unlikely to change either of those circumstances, though the Bears will probably win.

The Giants’ offense struggled even before Daniel Jones injured his neck, and has not had more than 200 yds passing in a game since early November. Nick Foles, the Bears’ third-string QB, pulled out an upset win over Seattle last week. After confirming this week that he had criticized Nagy’s offense, he may relish the chance to be the reason they win.

LVegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts, 1p, Fox
Pick: Colts
The Colts (9-6) have the top wild-card spot, making this game more important for the Raiders (8-7), who still technically have a chance at the playoffs. Indianapolis placed Carson Wentz on the Covid-19 list this week, and Coach Frank Reich said it will not be clear until Sunday if he will pass protocols. If Wentz cannot play, the rookie Sam Ehlinger will start.

Jonathan Taylor is still the league’s leading rusher (1,626 yds on 297 carries), and the Raiders’ defense is average against the run (14th in yds allowed, with 1,736). With this game and the final vs Jaguars, a big showing by Taylor can help him close that 374-yard gap to reach the prized 2,000-yard rushing season. In NFL history only six players have achieved this: Jamal Lewis, Chris Johnson, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis, O.J. Simpson and Eric Dickerson.

No one can figure out the Raiders. In a season of inconsistent play and unpredictable results leaguewide, the Raiders have perhaps been the most inconsistent and unpredictable team of all. They had a sloppy victory Sunday over the Broncos, and enter Week 17 in a tight race for the final AFC playoff spot.

LVR committed three turnovers last week, so they must hold onto the ball to keep Taylor from exploiting LVegas’s defense. If Ehlinger must start, he’ll need Taylor’s running and his OL’s protection to keep the Raiders’ All-Pro LBs Maxx Crosby and Denzel Perryman from giving the traditional smash-into-the-ground “welcome to the NFL, rookie” greeting.

Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans, 1p, CBS
Pick: Titans
It’s time for the Dolphins (8-7) to face reality. Their seven straight wins have given them (for now) the AFC’s final wild-card spot. But those victories came against Covid-19-ravaged Saints and Ravens, and the ineffective Giants, Texans, Jets (twice) and Panthers – all teams that will be selecting in the top eight of the upcoming draft. It gets far tougher with the Titans and Patriots on the remaining regular schedule.

The Dolphins’ blitz-happy defense can get pressure on Ryan Tannehill, but if the Titans can protect him long enough for him to get the ball to WR AJ Brown, they should more than handle Miami’s one-note offense. Brown has recovered from a chest injury that kept him out of three games, and the Titans (10-5) used him to upset the Niners last Thursday.

But the Titans were only in the game because of the 49ers’ blunders. They need to get better on offense. And it’s difficult to imagine them being a significant factor in the playoffs unless RB Derrick Henry can return from his foot injury and resemble his dominant self.

Jacksonville Jaguars at NE Patriots, 1p, CBS
Pick: Patriots
The Jaguars (2-13) have been the NFL’s all-purpose doormat that allows an elite team to get its rhythm back after a frustrating loss. Now it’s NE’s turn. The Patriots (9-6) haven’t been the same team since their Week 14 bye. They entered that idle time on a seven-game winning streak, resembling the AFC’s top team, since then but have suffered two straight losses.

Mac Jones’s has production slipped from his normally efficient standards. In losses to the Colts and Bills, Jones completed 51.9% of his passes, a far cry from his 67.2% completion rate for the season, throwing two interceptions in both games. He will likely play better against the Jags, whose defense is average against the pass and allows 229 yds per game.

The Patriots’ defense was trashed by Josh Allen and the Bills last week, but this week should pounce on rookie QB Trevor Lawrence, who will play without starting RB James Robinson (ankle). The spread is large, but after losing control of the AFC East, NE will likely want to run up the score.

As the Jaguars begin looking for a new coach, here’s the question: Is this an attractive job? The feeling is that it’s reasonably attractive, given the presence of the promising rookie QB Trevor Lawrence. And the odds are favorable that you will outperform your predecessor. That bar is exceedingly low.

Niners fans will feel genuinely sorry for anyone who takes the HC job, as GM Trent Baalke was universally loathed for his incompetence when he was previously the Niners GM. In fact, none of us can understand how the guy is still in football, earning a high salary? Go figure.

TBay Buccaneers at Jets, 1p, Fox
Pick: Buccaneers
The division title in hand, the Buccaneers (11-4) can coast to the playoffs while key starters heal. Their next two games are against the Jets (4-11) and Panthers, the league’s bottom feeders. RB Leonard Fournette (hamstring) is on IR and receiver Mike Evans’s status is unclear, with a hamstring injury and being placed on the Covid-19 list.

Without Evans and Chris Godwin, Tom Brady will continue rebuilding his chemistry with Antonio Brown, who caught 10 passes for 101 yds in his return from a three-game suspension. The Bucs have made it clear by welcoming him back for yet another chance, that they’ll put up with quite a bit in terms of his off-field issues as long as he produces on the field. And they and QB Tom Brady certainly need him now, with the team’s injuries at receiver. This game should mark Brady’s 30th win over the Jets.

The Jets allow the fifth-most passing yds per game (250) and will struggle even against TBay’s backups. Any euphoria remaining from their gutsy win against Jacksonville last week will be sadly short-lived. Still, who knew that rookie QB Zach Wilson had that 52-yard TD run in him? It was a rare feel-good day for the Jets and their fans. Never mind that it came against the Jaguars. Take your good days when you can get them.
 
NFL Week 17 Predictions | Pt 3 of 3
NYTimes, WashPost, SB Nation and local media 31Dec2021

Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Footballers, 1p, Fox
Pick: Eagles
The Eagles (8-7) are currently in the NFC’s final wild-card slot and have a 55% chance to make the postseason. That probability increases to 78% with a win against Washington (6-9). NFL teams rarely take a beating like the Footballers did from Dallas last week, and the sideline skirmish between Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen epitomized the frustration of Washington’s season.

The Eagles’ top RB, Miles Sanders, fractured a bone in his hand and will be out Sunday, but the team can lean on Jordan Howard and Boston Scott in his absence. Philadelphia can balance the running game against Washington, which allows the third-most passing yds per game (269.2) and should not be able to keep pace.

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints, 4:25p, Fox
Pick: Saints
Saints rookie Ian Book had no chance last Monday night against the Dolphins. The results were predictable as he was sacked eight times and threw two interceptions, the first of which was returned for a TD. Coach Sean Payton is no doubt relieved that Taysom Hill will return to play against the Panthers (5-10), hoping that Hill will lift an offense that has scored a meagre total of 12 points over the last two games. The Saints are a game out of the final playoff spot in the NFC and the schedule is relatively favorable, with the Panthers and Falcons remaining.

It has gotten bad enough for Carolina fans to be chanting for Coach Matt Rhule to be fired. But the only opinion that matters is owner David Tepper. He’s not exactly known for his patience. Both Sam Darnold and Cam Newton have underwhelmed this season, and Coach Rhule has named Darnold as starter for the Panthers.

Houston Texans at SF 49ers, 4:05p, CBS
Pick: 49ers
The 49ers (8-7), currently clinging to the NFC’s sixth seed, are without QB Jimmy Garoppolo, who tore the ulnar collateral ligament of his right thumb last Thursday. Rookie Trey Lance could make his second career start. Lance has a strong arm and fast legs, two assets that Jimmy G lacks, but lacks game experience. Due to the 2020 pandemic, he played only 19 games in three yrs of college football before being drafted by the Niners. He is very raw, but looked good in the two early appearances he made in 2021 when Garoppolo was injured. Word is that he has made great strides in practice.

The Texans (4-11) upset the Chargers last week behind Rex Burkhead’s 149 rushing yds. Chargers rookie QB Davis Mills’ last two games were impressive. But the 49ers defense has given up an average of only 79 rushing yds in each of its last three games. Houston will be forced to throw the ball more than it likes, with SF’s ferocious All-Pro LBs Nick Bosa and Denzel Perryman chasing Mills around in the backfield. The Chargers OL must keep Mills upright so he can find opportunities against SF’s awful, horrible CBs.

Not much positive has been said about Coach David Culley since the Texans hired him. And it’s not like going 4-11 makes you a coach of the year candidate. But considering the team he inherited and the untenable Deshaun Watson situation, Culley has not done a terrible job. Sunday’s victory over the contending Chargers was a testament to the fact that the Texans are still competing.

This will be a battle of rookie QBs, and could be fun to watch regardless of wild card hopes.

Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25p, Fox
Pick: Seahawks
Last week’s 1-point loss to the Bears and the Lions’ (2-12-1) paltry record should motivate Seattle to save face at home. It’s been rightfully pointed out that earlier this year QB Russell Wilson played coy – he did not actually demand to be traded. He merely said there were four other teams he would consider consenting to be traded to, and yesterday 12/30 reiterated that “he hopes it’s not my last game (in Seattle). But at the same time, I know it won’t be my last game in the NFL.”

HC Pete Carroll, oldest of the NFL coaches, will have his first ever losing season. The betting is that someone – whether Wilson, Carroll, or GM John Schneider – will not be with Seattle in 2022.

Detroit QB Jared Goff is out this week with a knee injury. His replacement is Tim Boyle, who did not impress when last week he threw a red zone-interception on a potential game-winning drive. The Lions are 9-6 against the spread, and normally lose games late due to poor clock management, a turnover, or just sheer bad luck. But give Coach Dan Campbell and his players credit for remaining generally competitive in the late stages of a season, in which going 0-17 once seemed possible. They are capable of keeping this one close, especially if the Seahawks implode again.

Monday’s Matchup
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:15p, ESPN
Pick: Browns
Both the Browns (7-8) and the Steelers (7-7-1) have less than a 20% chance of making the playoffs. The winner of this game would need the Ravens, Chargers, Dolphins and Raiders to lose in order to make the season finale matter. Baker Mayfield’s four interceptions last week against the Packers cost the Browns a prime chance of improving their odds, but they should handle Pittsburgh with relative ease.

The Steelers are the worst defense against the run this season, allowing an average of 142.7 rushing yds per game. Nick Chubb, the NFL’s third-leading rusher this season (1,143 yds) should find enough success against a horrible unit so that Mayfield may not even need to attempt a pass.
 
Don't think Burrows (Bengals) can stay with Mahomes, but :oops:what if he can?
Settle and Detroit, zzzzzzz
49's struggling, but improving-playoffs: looks like it.

Wish Cardinals would play good ball and test the Cowboys.
 
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One of the great joys of my life was rehashing Sunday's game at work on Mondays.
As 'experts' our opinions demanded attention.
Now, living in the rural, there are no neighbors or football fans -I really miss that.
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The Ravens played like the Ravens of yesteryear, but Rams defensive line was too much, great game.
Burrows (Bengals) stayed with Mahomes, even when the Chiefs Defensive Line was slamming him around.
 
I wanted to see how the Cowboys performed against a good team: for three quarters they have dropped passes, hikes (3)...
(a lot of Dak's passes were uncatchable, but a lot were dropped by receivers)

You can't flub around for three quarters, then expect to win.
Dallas was outplayed and out coached by a better team, today at least-maybe they will meet in the playoffs.
 
Goggle tells me Antonio Brown could have pocketed $999,999.00 in incentives payments had he meet certain performance goals.
His antics today forfeited this million bucks. :rolleyes:
 
We equate people with money as rationa, regards of their antics; he probably will not seek held-i do not think he
has sufficient friends to talk him into it., nor a support group that cares about his destroying his life as a football player.
A shame, but he is so abrasive, he is very difficult to approach. He doesn't want to hear about it.
 
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