Review and Preview : Week 16

football, news, week 16

We’re having a bit of an adjusted review and preview this week since we have important matters to discuss: the playoffs. The playoffs are upon us!!!

It’s so bittersweet.

There are teams that are definitely out, teams that are definitely in, and teams that have to jump through 150 hoops but still have a chance to get in. Let’s chat.

Teams that are OUT

AFC

Jets, Titans, Bills, Raiders, Jaguars, Browns, Texans

NFC

Lions, Rams, Giants, Vikings, Falcons, Bucs, Redskins

Teams that are IN

AFC

Broncos, Patriots, Bengals, Colts, Chiefs

NFC

Seahawks, Panthers, 49ers

So you’re sayin’ there’s a chance

AFC

Dolphins, Ravens, Chargers, Steelers

NFC

Eagles, Bears, Saints, Cardinals, Cowboys, Packers

It’s a “win and they’re in” situation for two of the NFC games – Cowboys vs. Eagles and Bears vs. Packers. For everyone else, the playoffs are a tangled web we weave. There are multiple scenarios in which the remaining on-the-fence teams could be in or out. I would spell them all out, but it turns my brain into spaghetti. So I’ll leave it to the pros: the NFL has the full list playoff scenarios that could result from this weekend’s outcomes.

One thing is for sure: it’s going to be a great weekend of football.

Enjoy, everyone!

At the Water Cooler : Week 16

football, games, week 16

Denver Broncos at Houston Texans (Broncos won, 37-13)

Peyton Manning wrote another line in his legacy yesterday: most touchdowns thrown in a season. In his postgame presser he said that it’ll probably be short-lived, that Brady will break it next season. He is the consummate pro: deflecting praise, accepting responsibility. Every single time.

Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (Bills won, 19-0)

In 8 years of living in Rochester and watching Bills games I learned to expect the unexpected. If you think the Bills have a good chance of winning, they’ll probably lose. If you think there’s no way for them to win, they just might pull it out. It’s not a complete surprise that they bested the Dolphins, but a shutout? Well done, Buffalo.

Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals (Bengals won, 42-14)

Welcome to the playoffs, Cincinnati. For the first time in three seasons, the Bengals are guaranteed to not play the Texans in the first round.

Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs (Colts won, 23-7)

The Colts have had some trouble ever since losing Reggie Wayne, but consider this: so far this season they’ve beaten the Broncos, Seahawks, 49ers, and Chiefs. That’s not a bad resume of work.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at St. Louis Rams (Rams won, 23-13)

When your quarterback gets sacked 7 times, you are going to have some trouble winning the game.

Cleveland Browns at NY Jets (Jets won, 24-13)

Jets with the win in what was rumored to be Rex Ryan’s last game as the head coach. It’s hard to imagine the Jets without him at the helm, and hard to see how he deserves to be fired for what he did this season.

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins (Cowboys won, 24-23)

Give this win to Romo. It was his touchdown in the waning minutes of the 4th quarter that won the game and kept the ‘Boys in playoff contention.

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers (Panthers won, 17-13)

With a win next week in Atlanta, the Panthers will win the NFC South. They’ve already clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2008. The Saints, winners of 7 of their first 8 games, are now just trying to make sure they get a wildcard spot. It’s a crazy league.

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (Titans won, 20-16)

The Titans didn’t play with a lead in this game until late in the 4th quarter, but it was enough to break their three-game losing streak with a win.

New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens (Patriots won, 41-7)

Nobody puts Brady in a corner.

(Nobody high fives Brady either, apparently.)

Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers (Chargers won, 26-13)

With a Chargers win, a Dolphins loss, a Steelers win, and a Ravens loss, that last AFC wildcard spot is still up for grabs. Seriously, does anybody want that spot?

Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks (Cardinals won, 17-10)

The Packers Cardinals did it. They found a way to beat the Seahawks at home for the first time since 2012 2011.

NY Giants at Detroit Lions (Giants won, 23-20 OT)

I’ve never loved the Giants more. The Lions, at one time the only team in the NFC North who seemed able-bodied enough to win the NFC North, have lost three in a row and knocked themselves out of playoff contention. Time for a shakeup in Detroit, it seems.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Green Bay Packers (Steelers won, 38-31)

I’m almost positive the NFC East got together and decided to give the Packers a trip to the playoffs for Christmas. Last week, the Cowboys practically gift-wrapped a win for the Packers. As we know, the Giants took out the Lions in overtime, and spoiler alert: the Eagles demolished the Bears. The Packers couldn’t hold up their end of the bargain…but miraculously, they’re still in contention. Unbelievable.

Chicago Bears at Philadelphia Eagles (Eagles won, 54-11)

I was the biggest Eagles fan out there last night, since a Bears loss meant the Packers were still alive in the fight to win the NFC North. The Eagles did not disappoint.

Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers (MNF on ESPN)

This is kind of like a homecoming game for San Francisco. It’s an opponent that shouldn’t be difficult to beat (sorry, Falcons) and it’s a time of celebration: what could be the last game played at Candlestick Park, home field advantage in the playoffs notwithstanding.

What To Know : Week 16

OH this time of year does a number on my heart. The last few days before Christmas…the last few weeks of the regular season…two things I love most approaching their end…I can’t take it! It’s too bittersweet! But whether I’m on board or not…here’s the Week 16…the second to LAST week of the regular season!…preview:

GAME OF THE WEEK: I’m loving Niners at Seahawks on Monday night. In the past three weeks Seattle has scored more than 50 points in each game…50 points!…and their offense is viewed as weaker than their defense. Seattle is also near-impossible to beat at home. However, the Niners are coming off of a win at Foxborough against the Patriots who haven’t lost a game at home in December in a decade. So they’re not all that intimidated by home field advantage.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: J.J. Watt and Aldon Smith are both closing in on Michael Strahan’s single season sack record of 22.5 sacks. They each currently lead the NFL with 19.5 sacks this season. With two more games to play, the record is definitely in sight. Another record-breaker to watch: Adrian Peterson chasing Eric Dickerson’s single season rushing record of 2105 yards. He needs to average 147 yards per game to beat it. And last but not least, Calvin Johnson is just over 180 yards away from breaking Jerry Rice’s single season receiving yardage record.

STORYLINE TO KNOW: Giants at Ravens. The Giants are coming off of a shutout by the Falcons, and the Ravens off of an ugly multiple game losing streak. If either of these playoff perennials are going to have a shot at a long playoff run, they’re going to need to right the sinking ship ASAP.

RECIPES TO MAKE: 

cheddar and bacon loaf

christmas tree veggie tray

cinnamon sugar candied nuts

easy chocolate fudge with pretzels

maple pecan cinnamon rolls