NFL Week 17

[TazFTW]

It looks like the Raiders' offense, defense, and special teams have taken the night off.

[Rizon]

It looks like the game isn't on TV either. I was looking forward to rooting against the Faiders.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by TazFTW

It looks like the Raiders' offense, defense, and special teams have taken the night off.

Why should the final week be any different from the rest of the season?

[terpkristin]

Originally Posted by Rizon

It looks like the game isn't on TV either. I was looking forward to rooting against the Faiders.

I've got it on ESPN....

/tk

[TazFTW]

Hmm, maybe the Raiders offense has shown up.

A Giants loss is in one of the scenarios for the Cowboys to make the playoffs.

Originally Posted by NFL.com

Dallas can clinch playoff berth with:
1) DAL win + WAS loss or tie OR
2) DAL win + CAR loss OR
3) DAL win + TB loss + NYG loss + NYG and DAL clinch strength of victory tiebreaker over TB OR
4) DAL tie + WAS loss

[Rizon]

Originally Posted by terpkristin

I've got it on ESPN....

/tk

I've got ESPN News and poker. It must be blacked out due to the NFL's policy of trying to lose as many fans as possible.

[Lorena]

Well, a dissapointing season ends for the San Diego Chargers. We lost far too many close games... 7 losses for 49 points. The last 2 losses were a combined 29 points... ho hum, always next year I guess.

Phillip Rivers played a horrific game, but who can blame him, he never takes any snaps. There's lots of teams out there in desperate need of a QB, so hopefully the Chargers get some good offers to trade him so we can keep Drew Brees.

[Solecismic]

Here's the guide to Week 17 viewing. I'll be updating during the afternoon as results come in.

Carolina at Atlanta, 1:00

Line: Carolina by 4.

Carolina: A win guarantees a playoff spot.
Atlanta: A win keeps them above .500.

Carolina Fans: None.
Atlanta Fans: DALLAS, Tampa Bay, Washington.


Baltimore at Cleveland, 1:00

Line: Balt by 3.

Baltimore: A win ends the season on a three-game winning streak.
Cleveland: More opportunity to evaluate Charlie Frye.

Baltimore Fans: Oakland, Houston, New Orleans.
Cleveland Fans: New York Jets.


Arizona at Indianapolis, 1:00

Line: Indy by 7.

Arizona: Just playing for jobs.
Indianapolis: Just trying not to get hurt.

Arizona Fans: Dallas, Houston, Tennessee.
Indianapolis Fans: Tampa Bay, New Orleans, New York Jets, San Francisco.


Cincinnati at Kansas City, 1:00

Line: Even.

Cincinnati: Some incentive to play for 3-seed, but secretly know they don't want to face Pittsburgh again.
Kansas City: A win keeps faint playoff hopes alive. I really question this line.

Cincinnati Fans: Pittsburgh, Carolina, Tampa Bay, New York Jets, Oakland.
Kansas City Fans: New York Giants, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Green Bay, Tennessee.

Miami at New England, 1:00

Line: NE by 5.

Miami: A chance to stay above .500 and wind up with a six-game winning streak, which would tie for the fourth-longest in the NFL this season.
New England: A chance at the 3-seed, but probably are better off in the 4-seed, so here's another line I question - even at home and with some new snow on the ground.

Miami Fans: New York Giants, Tampa Bay.
New England Fans: Carolina, Dallas, Tennessee.


Buffalo at New York Jets, 1:00

Line: Buff by 3.

Buffalo: Playing out the string.
New York Jets: Losing may well mean #2 pick.

Buffalo Fans: Tampa Bay.
Jets Fans: Dallas, New Orleans, San Francisco, Green Bay.


Detroit at Pittsburgh, 1:00

Line: Pitt by 17.

Detroit: One last gasp for Joey Harrington, and maybe some momentum heading into next season. I'm sure the 17-point spread made the locker-room wall.
Pittsburgh: Win, and they're in the playoffs.

Despite the spread, this is the game I'd want to watch if I had a choice. This is also the biggest game when it comes to deciding the Bush Bowl.

Detroit Fans: KANSAS CITY, Carolina, Houston, Tennessee.
Pittsburgh Fans: New York Giants, New Orleans, Green Bay.


New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 1:00

Line: TB by 14.

New Orleans: Losing just about locks up the #2 pick, with a very good shot at #1.
Tampa Bay: Winning locks up the division and the #3 seed.

New Orleans Fans: Carolina, New York Giants, San Francisco, Houston, New York Jets, Green Bay.
Tampa Bay Fans: None.


Seattle at Green Bay, 1:00

Line: GB by 3.

Seattle: Shaun Alexander has some hardware he wants to win, that should keep the team motivated for awhile.
Green Bay: Brett Favre's last game?

Seattle Fans: New York Giants, Dallas, New Orleans.
Green Bay Fans: Carolina, Tampa Bay, Houston, San Francisco, Oakland.


Tennessee at Jacksonville, 4:05

Line: Jax by 3.

Tennessee: They played Jacksonville tough a few weeks ago, but I think they're only paying lip-service to this meaning a lot right now.
Jacksonville: They have more reason to rest people than anyone. Nothing is at stake here. This should be a lousy game.

Tennessee Fans: New York Jets.
Jacksonville Fans: Oakland.


Houston at San Francisco, 4:05

Line: Houston by 2.

Houston: The players, at least, feel they're set at quarterback and running back. Houston has lost several close games recently, and I think making it to only a tie for the worst record and not getting the first pick means a lot to them.
San Francisco: Injuries have crushed this team. I think people would like to see Alex Smith throw his first touchdown pass, but basically they just want the season to end. The 49ers can not win the first pick, only the #2 with a lot of help.

Houston Fans: Carolina, Tampa Bay, New Orleans.
San Francisco Fans: New York Giants, Dallas, Green Bay, Oakland.


Chicago at Minnesota, 4:15

Line: Minn by 3.

Chicago: One last chance for Kyle Orton to impress people, but the rest of the team just wants to stay healthy.
Minnesota: A chance to stay above .500, but I doubt Mike Tice has any chance of staying.

Chicago Fans: New York Giants, Dallas, New York Jets, Green Bay.
Minnesota Fans: Carolina, Tampa Bay, San Francisco.


Washington at Philadelphia, 4:15

Line: Wash by 3.

Washington: A win clinches a playoff spot. Otherwise, they're staying up late watching Dallas.
Philadelphia: The veterans here will be very motivated just so they and the fans don't have to watch Washington celebrate a playoff spot on their home field.

Washington Fans: Tampa Bay (believe it or not), Green Bay
Philadelphia Fans: DALLAS, CAROLINA, New York Giants, San Francisco, Oakland, New York Jets.


St. Louis at Dallas, 8:30

Line: Dallas by 12.

St. Louis: Time to end a disappointing season.
Dallas: A win and some help garners a playoff spot.

St. Louis Fans: CAROLINA, WASHINGTON, Tampa Bay, New York Jets, Green Bay, Oakland.
Dallas Fans: Houston, New Orleans, San Francisco, Tennessee.


Playoff Rundown

AFC:

Indianapolis: Has clinched 1-seed.

Denver: Has clinched 2-seed.

Cincinnati: Has clinched division; Needs win or New England loss for 3-seed.

New England: Has clinched division; Needs win AND Cincinnati loss for 3-seed.

Jacksonville: Has clinched 5-seed.

Pittsburgh: Clinches 6-seed with win OR with Kansas City loss.

Kansas City: Clinches 6-seed with win AND Pittsburgh loss.

NFC:

Seattle: Has clinched #1 seed.

Chicago: Has clinched #2 seed.

Tampa Bay: Clinches #3 seed with win; if loses, then wins division and #4 seed if Carolina loses; if loses and Carolina wins, holds #5 seed unless Washington loses, Dallas wins and Dallas holds SoV over Tampa Bay. In that case, is #6 seed.

New York Giants: Clinched Division; Clinches #3 seed with Tampa Bay loss; takes #4 seed with Tampa Bay win.

Carolina: Clinches Division and #4 seed with win AND Tampa Bay loss; Clinches #5 seed with win and Tampa Bay win; if lose, takes #5 seed with Washington loss AND Dallas loss, and #6 seed with Washington loss OR Dallas loss. If lose, and Dallas AND Washington win, out of the playoffs.

Washington: Clinches WC if wins OR Dallas loses; With win, takes #5 seed with Carolina loss; takes #6 seed with Carolina win; if loss, takes #6 seed with Dallas loss, otherwise out of the playoffs.

Dallas: Clinches WC with win AND Carolina loss OR Washington loss; Clinches #5 seed if Carolina AND Washington lose; Clinches #6 seed with Carolina OR Washington loss.

[TazFTW]

Vermeil retires. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2276661

Parcells talks to Darren Woodson about a playoff comeback. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2276586

[Dutch]

I forgot football was on TV yesterday and missed the Giants win. That removes the doubt that Tampa gets to move on to the playoffs.

Tampa Bay being in the playoffs this year is somewhat remarkable considering many people (including myself) assumed a crippling collapse once Chris Simms took the helm.

EDIT: Oh, and Jim, in case it needs to be re-iterated, you should be paid by NFL coaches to have your weekly memo sent to them for the last 3 or 4 weeks of the season.

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by Dodgerchick

Phillip Rivers played a horrific game, but who can blame him, he never takes any snaps. There's lots of teams out there in desperate need of a QB, so hopefully the Chargers get some good offers to trade him so we can keep Drew Brees.

It makes very little financial sense to trade him. Rivers rides the pine again in '06.

[Eaglesfan27]

I actually get to watch the Eagles today. I hope Jim's prediction is right (I expect it to be.)

[cthomer5000]

So what's everyone rooting for? I want the Cowboys in the playoffs badly, because I'm a huge fan of Parcells and a number of his guys that are down there now.

I also want my Jets to lose, since it should make a huge difference in where they draft.

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by Dodgerchick

Well, a dissapointing season ends for the San Diego Chargers. We lost far too many close games... 7 losses for 49 points. The last 2 losses were a combined 29 points... ho hum, always next year I guess.

Phillip Rivers played a horrific game, but who can blame him, he never takes any snaps. There's lots of teams out there in desperate need of a QB, so hopefully the Chargers get some good offers to trade him so we can keep Drew Brees.

The Chargers are a scary, scary team. Only two things i don't like about them (assuming Marty leaves, which would be a third if he stays. OK, as a Bronco fan, I LIKE Marty being with them. . .)

1) The secondary. Despite a great pass rush and a dominating run stopping defensive line, the secondary is prone to huge mistakes.

2) Drew Brees under pressure. No, I understand every QB is going to struggle if they are getting hit all day. But Brees doesn't seem to be able to adjust at all to heavy pressure and makes some incredibly horrific decisions.

That said, they do have to keep him and trade Rivers. They also have to be careful with LT. He's a special back, but I'm not sure even he can keep this up. Over 380 touches for five consecutive years.

They have a chance to be special next year. Early on, I'd put them as a top five team for The Super Bowl next year.

[Greyroofoo]

Jake Delhomme ripped his pants

[tucker rocky]

Nice comeback drive for a TD by the Lions, after Pitt returned a punt for a TD.

[Lorena]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

It makes very little financial sense to trade him. Rivers rides the pine again in '06.

Alright, Antmeister just explained it to me. Information overload, to say the least, but okay. I get it... sucks for the Chargers to be in this position... should be an interesting off-season for sure.

I just hope they do the right thing and KEEP Drew Brees... the Chargers have done some pretty stupid things in the past, so I hope they're smart about this one.

[st.cronin]

Isn't it much more likely that Brees gets traded?

[Rizon]

Originally Posted by TroyF

The Chargers are a scary, scary team. Only two things i don't like about them (assuming Marty leaves, which would be a third if he stays. OK, as a Bronco fan, I LIKE Marty being with them. . .)

What, you don't care for his 5-12 career playoff record?

[Rizon]

Originally Posted by Greyroofoo

Jake Delhomme ripped his pants

Why do they keep showing it???

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by Rizon

Why do they keep showing it???

I guess you don't know that women are the fastest growing demographic of NFL fans.

[Lorena]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Isn't it much more likely that Brees gets traded?

Ahhhh... my ears! Nope, this is not a scenario I wanna see.

[Coffee Warlord]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Isn't it much more likely that Brees gets traded?

Dunno how his contract is set up, but he's almost certainly easier on the Chargers to trade from a cap perspective. Thing is...I can't see em doing it. Brees has shown he's a very competant QB, and I can't fathom any team trading a good starting quarterback. It's just not a position you wanna shake up if you have someone good already there.

...unless someone wants to *really* overpay for him.

[Greyroofoo]

Joey Harrington with 2 TD passes in the 1st qtr? WTF!?!?!?!??!!

[Coffee Warlord]

Originally Posted by Greyroofoo

Joey Harrington with 2 TD passes in the 1st qtr? WTF!?!?!?!??!!

He's due for his annual "I'll look competant this one game so some sucker keeps me around next season" play.

[ice4277]

Originally Posted by Greyroofoo

Joey Harrington with 2 TD passes in the 1st qtr? WTF!?!?!?!??!!

I think that was the best quarter of football he's played in the NFL.

[st.cronin]

Joey Harrington = John Friesz

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

Dunno how his contract is set up, but he's almost certainly easier on the Chargers to trade from a cap perspective. Thing is...I can't see em doing it. Brees has shown he's a very competant QB, and I can't fathom any team trading a good starting quarterback. It's just not a position you wanna shake up if you have someone good already there.

...unless someone wants to *really* overpay for him.

He has no contract. He'll presumably be franchised again.

And here are the financial ramifications of trading rivers:

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

Clarification on Philip Rivers...

The Chargers gave him a 14.25 million dollar bonus on a 6 year deal. That leaves 9.5 million of cap charge hanging out there.

If they traded him before June 1st, they would take a 9.5 million cap hit in 2006.
If they traded him after June 1st, they would take a 4.75 million cap hit in 2006, and a 4.75 cap hit in 2007.


Realistically, what could they even get for him at this point? I see him riding the pine again in 2006.
Also, his base salaries are so low that it's not really too big an issue. The bonus money is already spent, so I say keep him around as the backup. And Brees has played too well for you to let him walk or trade him. I think you keep him at #1, keep Rivers at #2, and let Rivers pout. It's what's best for your team.

[Rizon]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

I guess you don't know that women are the fastest growing demographic of NFL fans.

I'm going to draw the line at Fabio becoming a sideline reporter.

[cthomer5000]

I can't see the game, but I guess Carlolina isn't screwing around today, eh?

[cthomer5000]

BY the way, I think I'd pay about $500 out of my own pocket to see Shaun Alexander come up 1 yard short of the rushing title again.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by Dodgerchick

Well, a dissapointing season ends for the San Diego Chargers. We lost far too many close games... 7 losses for 49 points. The last 2 losses were a combined 29 points... ho hum, always next year I guess.

Phillip Rivers played a horrific game, but who can blame him, he never takes any snaps. There's lots of teams out there in desperate need of a QB, so hopefully the Chargers get some good offers to trade him so we can keep Drew Brees.

If it helps you feel better, last season Tampa Bay lost 11 games by 80 points or virtually the same margin of loss as San Diego this season.

Of course they lost 9 the season before by a combined 65 points for the same margin so it may take a couple of seasons.

It's weird to think about losing 20 games over two seasons by a margin of 145. You can't consider yourself a good team when you lose that many of course but it shouldn't shock people when they turn it around fairly easily.

I'm not saying that Simms, Cadillac, Smith and Buenning aren't crucial additions for us this season, only that there was a pretty solid team there for these guys to add too.

Don't mind me, the bucs are up 14-3 and are just a tad over 30 minutes away from the NFC South division title. I'm celebrating just a little bit this new year.

For the heck of it, in the 9 loss season we lost 1 by 2 pts, 4 by 3 points, and 2 by 7. Only two games were we outscored by more than a touchdown. That is the perfect example of a horrible season.

[Rizon]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

I can't see the game, but I guess Carlolina isn't screwing around today, eh?

Up until they couldn't punch it in 1st and goal from the 1. Then they screwed around.

[General Mike]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

I also want my Jets to lose, since it should make a huge difference in where they draft.

What does it matter where they draft? That idiot GM you have will just trade the pick for another Doug Jolley type player.

[Solecismic]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

Dunno how his contract is set up, but he's almost certainly easier on the Chargers to trade from a cap perspective. Thing is...I can't see em doing it. Brees has shown he's a very competant QB, and I can't fathom any team trading a good starting quarterback. It's just not a position you wanna shake up if you have someone good already there.

...unless someone wants to *really* overpay for him.

Brees has been one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL for the last two seasons. I can't imagine him being traded. Brees was the team's franchise player this season, so he's a free agent unless they franchise him again. There's no cap impact from franchising and trading him, however the team he's traded to would have to have room for that franchise salary (nearly $10 million).

Trading Rivers would be about a $9 million future cap impact, depending on the timing. I don't have his salary in much detail, but I believe the base gets pretty high. If San Diego doesn't intend to start him, it's starting to make a lot of sense to trade him. However, the cap impact on the team trading for him is starting to get large, and there's little incentive for Rivers to renegotiate.

It's expected Rivers will fetch a very high first-rounder in trade, so I'd be surprised if the Chargers weren't active during the draft. If the Saints have the number-one pick, I can see some sort of three-way deal developing, where the Chargers wind up with an impact player and a third team winds up with Bush.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by Dutch

I forgot football was on TV yesterday and missed the Giants win. That removes the doubt that Tampa gets to move on to the playoffs.

Tampa Bay being in the playoffs this year is somewhat remarkable considering many people (including myself) assumed a crippling collapse once Chris Simms took the helm.

EDIT: Oh, and Jim, in case it needs to be re-iterated, you should be paid by NFL coaches to have your weekly memo sent to them for the last 3 or 4 weeks of the season.

Hehe, read my last post and you'll know why the Bucs turnaround didn't surprise me. As for Simms, I'll admit I was worried but at that point in the season, despite the 5-1 record, I was beginning to tire of Griese. His last 16 games he hadn't looked that good and was throwing stupid picks that were being returned for TD's ala Dilfer.

I was worried more because we were going to an untested qb than that we were losing a good one if you know what I mean. Plus, I really thought Simms was going to be a good qb one day but I expected him to have a harder trial by fire behind our pathetic Oline.

[cthomer5000]

Go Jets! Blow that lead! Pleassssssseeeeeeee~!

[General Mike]

Is this Herm Edwards last game as coach of the Jets?

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by General Mike

Is this Herm Edwards last game as coach of the Jets?

I reallly hope, but i dont think so.

[gottimd]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

BY the way, I think I'd pay about $500 out of my own pocket to see Shaun Alexander come up 1 yard short of the rushing title again.

So ESPN posts that he broke the record and all, and you gotta love the last sentence...Alexander hasn't lost a fumble all year.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2277221

[Hurst2112]

congrats to Shaun.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by gottimd

So ESPN posts that he broke the record and all, and you gotta love the last sentence...Alexander hasn't lost a fumble all year.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2277221

holiday for staff writers. they give the nfl to a bunch of interns i bet.

[Solecismic]

Gotta love the Lions today. If they just removed all the punt plays from the game, they're destroying Pittsburgh.

Baltimore is one of the top ten teams in the league right now.

Buffalo wanted to give Kelly Holcomb one more game to show if he's worth starting next season. Three interceptions against the Jets already in a game the Jets have no incentive to win.

With the three-seed on the line, which probably means facing Pittsburgh instead of Jacksonville in the playoffs, both New England and Cincinnati removed their starting quarterbacks in the second quarter of their respective games.

Larry Johnson is in that zone right now - he's impacting the game every time he touches the ball.

If Mike Vick is going to remain a starting quarterback in this league, he needs a receiver like Randy Moss and a downfield passing game.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

He's due for his annual "I'll look competant this one game so some sucker keeps me around next season" play.

Indeed. He does this every so often. He did it a few years back in the last game against St. Louis. He looked fantastic and won the game. He is still wildly inconsistent. If the Lions do end up hiring Saunders from KC, it is likely Joey will stay on for one more year. Even if not, Garcia is a goner for sure, so Joey may stick around.

There is no real hope for next year.

[st.cronin]

Originally Posted by Solecismic

Gotta love the Lions today. If they just removed all the punt plays from the game, they're destroying Pittsburgh.

Baltimore is one of the top ten teams in the league right now.

Buffalo wanted to give Kelly Holcomb one more game to show if he's worth starting next season. Three interceptions against the Jets already in a game the Jets have no incentive to win.

With the three-seed on the line, which probably means facing Pittsburgh instead of Jacksonville in the playoffs, both New England and Cincinnati removed their starting quarterbacks in the second quarter of their respective games.

Larry Johnson is in that zone right now - he's impacting the game every time he touches the ball.

If Mike Vick is going to remain a starting quarterback in this league, he needs a receiver like Randy Moss and a downfield passing game.

Vick/Mexico looks totally lost today. I wonder if he was out partying last night.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Vick/Mexico looks totally lost today. I wonder if he was out partying last night.

Yeah, he's only 14/21 for 112 yards. I wish he was this 'lost' in the passing game most games .

Though he hasn't run at all.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Solecismic

Gotta love the Lions today. If they just removed all the punt plays from the game, they're destroying Pittsburgh.

Now that's what i call celebrating mediocrity!

[Hurst2112]

dola....Just as Im celebrating the mediocrity of the Steeler D. christ!

[st.cronin]

Cassell in the game for the Pats. He's the guy they drafted after riding the bench his entire Pac 10 career.

[Solecismic]

The news department is now projecting winners in two contests:

Carolina, with a 34-3 lead late in the third quarter, is projected to beat Atlanta.

Kansas City, with a 30-3 lead at the end of the third quarter, is projected to beat Cincinnati.

Here are the updated playoff scenarios:

AFC

Indianapolis: Has clinched 1-seed.

Denver: Has clinched 2-seed.

Cincinnati: Has clinched division; Needs New England loss for 3-seed.

New England: Has clinched division; Needs win for 3-seed.

Jacksonville: Has clinched 5-seed.

Pittsburgh: Clinches 6-seed with win.

Kansas City: Clinches 6-seed with Pittsburgh loss.

NFC:

Seattle: Has clinched #1 seed.

Chicago: Has clinched #2 seed.

Tampa Bay: Clinches #3 seed with win; if loses, holds #5 seed unless Washington loses, Dallas wins and Dallas holds SoV over Tampa Bay. In that case, is #6 seed.

New York Giants: Clinched Division; Clinches #3 seed with Tampa Bay loss; takes #4 seed with Tampa Bay win.

Carolina: Clinches Division and #4 seed with Tampa Bay loss; Takes #5 seed with Tampa Bay win.

Washington: Clinches #6 seed if wins OR Dallas loses.

Dallas: Clinches #6 seed with win AND Washington loss.