2016 Week 17: AFC Storylines - tubaSimulator's Dynasty

tubaSimulator's Dynasty Blog

2016 Week 17: AFC Storylines

Posted on October 10, 2017 at 01:36 PM.

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THE BATTLE OF THE NORTH
Two AFC North rivals closed out the regular season in a highly entertaining game that had both set of fans on the edge of their seats through 60 minutes when the Ravens and the Bengals faced off in an all or nothing battle for the final Wild Card spot.

The Bengals won the first meeting between these two teams, 31-21, but tonight it was the visitors who took command and held a 24-10 lead going into half time. The Bengals received the 2nd half kickoff and scored a touchdown on their opening drive and the Ravens responded with a field goal. Another touchdown put the Ravens ahead by 17 points early in the 4th and despite two touchdowns by the home side in the final 7:34 of the game, the Ravens held on to win 34-31 and clinch the final playoff spot.

Denver Broncos knew they were already in the playoffs and played like a team who were resting up for next weeks games. The Raiders scored 36 points and their victory never looked threatened. In San Diego, the Chiefs were playing their hearts out to beat the Chargers who had nothing other than pride to play for at this stage but put up a good fight. The Chargers held a narrow 21-17 lead heading into the 4th quarter before the Chiefs took the lead but failed the 2-point conversion. The Chargers responded with a touchdown of their own, but also they failed a 2-point conversion. A field goal by Cairo Santos put the Chiefs within a point and when Marcus Peters picked off Philip Rivers in field goal territory, Cairo Santos converted from 33 yards out to seal a 29-27 victory for the Chiefs.

 With the win, the Chiefs take 1st place in the AFC West while the Broncos have to go on the road in the Wildcard round.

TWO COACHES LOST THE GAME; THEN THEIR JOB
Shortly after week 17 concluded, the disappointment among several teams was high having missed out on a playoff spot in their last game. Chuck Pagano was sacked by Jim Irsay weeks ago as soon as the Colts� playoff hopes were gone and Sunday�s games claimed two others who failed to deliver on expectations.

The first was Marvin Lewis who not only lost the final game, at home against the Ravens and ended the season 9-7, but the same evening he also lost his job. Lewis took the head coaching job in 2003 and was the longest tenured head coach in the NFL (after Bill Belichick retired last winter). He has won more games than he has lost, but with an 0-7 playoff record and failing to even get in this year, owner Mike Brown�s patience had worn out.

For the second season in a row, the Packers finished behind the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North but this year�s 2nd place was a big step in the wrong direction and consequently head coach Mike McCarthy was let go. While the Vikings went from an 11-5 team last year to a 13-3 team this year, the Packers went from last year�s 10-6 to an 8-8, missing out on the playoffs after a loss to the 6-9-1 Lions.

Mike McCarthy coached the Packers from 2006 and both him and Marvin Lewis shouldn�t have too much problem finding a new employer.