NFL Takeaways: Week 16
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson from Getty Images
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Pretty crazy that 2023 is almost at its end.
Which means it’s also almost playoff time, and we are getting to the nitty gritty for a lot of bubble teams.
So let’s just dive right in.
Rams defeat Saints 30-22
Last seasons disaster for the Rams was proving to be just a flash in the pan, or simply due to a hurt Matthew Stafford.
Regardless, they’re really, really good again.
Steelers defeat Bengals 34-11
I don’t understand the Steelers. I just don’t.
They need one more win against the Seahawks or Ravens to keep Mike Tomlin’s winning seasons streak alive.
They should absolutely lose both of the games.
They won’t.
Because this team makes no sense.
Bills defeat Chargers 24-22
I thought it would have been peak Chargers to beat the Bills without Justin Herbert and an interim coach after giving up 60+ to the Raiders.
But then they showed me what peak Chargers actually is, by still finding a way to lose it.
Never change, Chargers!
Falcons defeat Colts 29-10
Speaking of teams making no sense, I can not figure out the Falcons.
But then again, I never can.
Seahawks defeat Titans 20-17
Wouldn’t be a Seahawks game without it being a completely unnecessary nailbiter.
Lions defeat Vikings 30-24
For the first time ever, the Detroit Lions have won the NFC North.
Their team and fan base deserves it.
But of course, where one Detroit team finds success, another must find failure.
Congratulations on 27 straight losses, Pistons!
Jets defeat Commanders 30-28
The Commanders watched Jacoby Brissett lead a great comeback a week ago, even though it ended in a loss, and decided to start Sam Howell again.
Once again, Howell got benched.
Once again, Brissett almost led an improbable comeback.
It doesn’t take rocket science to figure this stuff out, Ron!
Packers defeat Panthers 33-30
Bryce Young is finally starting to come into his own.
That’s a very good sign for the Panthers, but this offseason is crucial.
They need to make sure they get the right coach and the right weapons around him.
Browns defeat Texans 36-22
The Browns have an actual, legitimate Super Bowl window.
A window they are slamming shut due to the Deshaun Watson contract.
The Browns will always be the Browns!
Buccaneers defeat Jaguars 30-12
And here we have the QB the Browns replaced for a “grown up” who has a lead in his division and is likely to lead his new team to the playoffs.
Once again, if the Browns had just kept Baker Mayfield at a discounted price, the window would stay open for a lot longer.
But hey.
The Browns are the Browns.
Bears defeat Cardinals 27-16
Justin Fields looked pretty good again!
Just saying!
Dolphins defeat Cowboys 22-20
It’s been enjoyable watching the NFL talking heads try and figure out if they should credit the Dolphins or discredit the Cowboys.
Just kidding, it’s been all discredit to the Cowboys.
Patriots defeat Broncos 26-23
The Broncos had that win in their hands, and Sean Payton decided to throw a stupid screen and ruin the drive.
Then they had a chance for overtime, and blew that one too.
I don’t know if it’s Russell Wilson’s fault, Sean Payton’s fault, the defenses fault.
I don’t know.
But it’s someone’s, and nothing will be fixed until they figure it out.
Raiders defeat Chiefs 20-14
The Chiefs losing isn’t an issue.
They’ve lost before. They’ll lose again.
It’s the vibes around their losses.
In years past, if the Chiefs were trailing there was this underlying feeling that everything was fine and they’d come back and win the game.
I never felt that they would after they started trailing Sunday.
Arguments on the sidelines. Trouble getting the plays in.
There are big, big problems in Kansas City.
Eagles defeat Giants 33-25
It wasn’t pretty, but it did stop the 3 game losing skid for the Eagles.
Hey, take ‘em as you get ‘em.
Ravens defeat 49ers 33-19
I’m not going to talk about Brock Purdy or the Ravens. That’s been done ad nauseum.
What hasn’t been discussed, however, is another game where Kyle Shanahan’s play calling and game management turns into a disaster when the Niners fall behind.
Monday’s example? Having a chance to make it a 7 point game with over 2 minutes left and all 3 timeouts with a good defense and an excellent running back in Christian McCaffery.
And he decided to…throw. With Sam Darnold. Twice. On the 1 yard line.
The man is an offensive genius, but he can not manage a game whatsoever.
I have said this for years.
Being a great play caller does not mean you are a great head coach.
Shanahan still has a lot to prove there.
