NFL Takeaways: Week 16
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This was one of the best weeks of the NFL season, so I’m not going to make some dumb joke in the opening or anything of the sort.
Let’s just jump right in.
Seahawks defeat Rams 38-37
The Seahawks are elite.
If they can fix one thing, they would be the undisputed best team in the NFL.
But that one thing is turnovers, and they are terrible.in that department.
They are second worst in the entire NFL in total giveaways.
If they can fix that come playoff time, they should be dominant.
But I feel it’s way too late to fix that.
Eagles defeat Commanders 29-18
Another really iffy game for the Eagles.
Sure, it’s a division game, and those are always weird.
But it’s hard for me to think it’s not something bigger considering how their year has gone.
But hey, they are NFC East champions again.
And that’s what matters.
Bears defeat Packers 22-16
This was going to be a devastating loss for the Bears.
The offense stunk. Their best chance at a TD went sideways when Ben Johnson got too cute with his play calling. Malik Willis was handily outplaying Caleb Williams.
And then, with the flick of a switch, it all came together.
Williams started making huge plays, they got the benefit of a perfectly executed onside kick, and got the win in overtime thanks to the throw of the year by Williams to DJ Moore.
What was headed towards a disastrous loss for the Bears, ended up becoming a disastrous loss for the Packers.
Saints defeat Jets 29-6
Tyler Shough has earned the starting job in New Orleans next year with how good he has been this year.
I don’t know if he’s the long term answer, but I am very interested to see how he performs with some added talent around him.
He’s been very solid.
Bills defeat Browns 23-20
The Bills having a letdown game after a huge win against the Patriots last week was always on the cards, but this was almost a total disaster for the Bills.
Burn the film, and move on.
Titans defeat Chiefs 26-9
Boy, this Chiefs team is bad!
Chargers defeat Cowboys 34-17
The Chargers still have a realistic shot at the AFC West title, and if that happens, Justin Herbert could end up being the league MVP.
He has been excellent despite everything going on with his offense.
For the record, I don’t think they’ll win the AFC West.
But it’s not impossible!
Vikings defeat Giants 16-13
The Giants are bad.
Do with that what you will.
Panthers defeat Buccaneers 23-20
The advanced numbers say the Bucs still have a better chance to be NFC South champions instead of the Panthers, but I frankly don’t know how.
The Panthers have been playing very good football as of late, and the Bucs have been a disaster.
This loss just feels like another notch in the post of a wasted opportunity for Tampa Bay.
Bengals defeat Dolphins 45-21
Joe Burrow played a really good game.
Shame it was too late to matter.
Jaguars defeat Broncos 34-20
The Seahawks beat the Rams. That was a big win.
The Bears beat the Packers. That was a big win.
The Jags beating the Broncos was the statement win of the weekend.
The Jags were good, but didn’t play the toughest schedule, had some flaws, and there were some weird moments between quarterback Trevor Lawrence and head coach Liam Coen this year.
But Lawrence was amazing, the defense was good, and the Jags went into Denver and ended the Broncos 12 game home winning streak.
There was a question on if the Jags were legitimate contenders this year.
That question has been answered.
Falcons defeat Cardinals 26-19
The Cardinals just can’t find their way into the win column.
It looks like Jonathan Gannon is going to keep his job into next year, but at a certain point, all of these close losses fall onto the coaching staff.
Steelers defeat Lions 29-24
The Steelers offense went into Detroit, in a game the Lions desperately needed, and ran all over them.
The Steelers are now one win, or one Ravens loss, away from winning the North, and I don’t see these Steelers as a guaranteed one and done.
I think this team could actually win a playoff game!
Texans defeat Raiders 23-21
The Raiders played a good game offensively against one of, if not the leagues best defense this year.
That’s two games with Geno and Jeanty that the Raiders moved the ball well after Chip Kelly was fired.
It wouldn’t save the season considering how bad the team was, but it may have made it better if Kelly was never there.
As for the Texans, they’ve won 6 straight and look to be headed to the playoffs at the very least.
And with that defense, they are very dangerous.
Patriots defeat Ravens 28-24
That was an extremely apt way for this era of Ravens football to end.
Lamar was injured, they blew an 11 point lead in the 4th quarter thanks to some extremely questionable coaching (why did Derrick Henry not touch the ball after scoring the touchdown to go up 11?), and a costly Zay Flowers lost fumble despite a good game overall from the receiver.
It’s just time for a change in Baltimore.
It’s been a great 18 years with John Harbaugh, but sometimes it’s best to part ways.
This is one of those times.
49ers defeat Colts 48-27
Last week, Philip Rivers played admirably, and the Colts had a chance to win because the defense played a great game.
This week, Philip Rivers was actively good, and the Colts had no chance because they couldn’t get a stop.
Just like old times, and a big win for the Niners, who control their fate for the top seed in the NFC, somehow.
