NFL Week 16 Review
A thrilling Week 16 in the NFL brought some closure for several teams in both conferences that already know whether or not they will be postseason participants.
For many other teams however, the final week of the 2008-09 NFL regular will decide their playoff fates whether for good or bad.
Here is a look back at all the Week 16 NFL action, along with a glimpse ahead into the possible playoff scenarios surround each remaining postseason contender.
Colts 31 Jaguars 24
The Colts clinched the fifth seed in the AFC as a wild card at the very least – while thankfully bringing the Jaguars season one step closer toward an end. Indianapolis has won eight straight and has the look of a team I wouldn’t want to face in the playoffs.
Ravens 33 Cowboys 24
The Ravens exposed the Cowboys for the frauds they are of you ask me. The Ravens will clinch a wild-card spot in the AFC with a win over Jacksonville while the Cowboys will clinch a wild-card spot with a win over Philadelphia.
Titans 31 Steelers 14
The Titans made my pick in the BetUS Locker Room on Sunday turn out to be gold as they pounded the Steelers to take home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. Still, the Steelers have the look of a team that could do some postseason damage.
Giants 34 Panthers 28
New York has clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with their big win, but I’m thinking this rematch will take place in the NFC Conference Championship if you ask me.
Bengals 14 Browns 0
Bye-bye Romeo Crennel in Cleveland. Could Marvin Lewis also be shown the door in Cincy?
Saints 42 Lions 7
The Saints are eliminated from the playoffs despite having arguably the game’s best offense. The Lions will become the first 0-16 team in NFL history next week.
Dolphins 38 Chiefs 31
Miami picked up a big win and will look to beat the mediocre Jets next week in order to clinch the AFC East title. Kansas City at least knows they have a budding young quarterback in Tyler Thigpen, the brightest spot on a team that doesn’t have many.
49ers 17 Rams 16
You go Mike Singletary! I say the Niners bring back their interim head coach after finishing strong under the former Chicago Bears Hall of Fame middle line backer.
Patriots 47 Cardinals 7
The Cards are frauds! The Pats, should they reach the playoffs, could be dangerous – once again.
Chargers 41 Buccaneers 24
The Buccaneers clearly miss Jeff Garcia in the worst way, while the underachieving Chargers still have their playoff hopes intact after picking up their must-win victory in this matchup.
Seahawks 13 Jets 3
If this contest doesn’t tell bettors that the Jets are mediocre at best – then nothing will. Seattle can finish of the Mike Holmgren era in fine fashion with a win in his final game next week.
Bills 30 Broncos 23
Every time I expect something good for the Broncos, they show their true – inconsistent – colors. Denver’s playoff hopes will be on the line in San Diego on Sunday.
Raiders 27 Texans 16
The Texans saw their nice four-game winning streak go down the tube in a head-scratching loss to the lowly Raiders. Thankfully, both teams’ seasons are coming to a swift end soon.
Falcons 24 Vikings 17
Mike Smith, Matt Ryan and Michael Turner look like they have the foundation in place for sustained success in what is arguably the best story of the season. I wouldn’t want to pay the Falcons in the postseason. Despite their failure in this contest, the Vikings remain alive for a playoff berth.
Redskins 10 Eagles 3
Washington head coach Jim Zorn is a genius! While the Skins have been eliminated from postseason contention, the mediocre Eagles are somehow still alive – and that just doesn’t seem right if you ask me.
Here is a quick look at all of the possible playoff scenarios surrounding each team that still has a mathematical chance at reaching the postseason.
NFC
Clinched: New York Giants, NFC East, first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs; Arizona, NFC West; Carolina, playoff berth; Atlanta, playoff berth.
Eliminated: Detroit, St. Louis, San Francisco, Seattle, Green Bay, New Orleans, Washington
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers clinch the NFC South title and a first-round bye with a win or Atlanta loss.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons clinch the NFC South title and a first-round bye with a win and a Carolina loss.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings clinch the NFC North title with a win or a Chicago loss.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys clinch a wild-card spot with a win over Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles clinch a wild-card spot with a win over Dallas and losses by Tampa Bay and Chicago.
AFC
Clinched: Tennessee, AFC South, first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout playoffs; Pittsburgh, AFC North and first-round bye; Indianapolis, wild card and No. 5 seeding
Eliminated: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Oakland, Buffalo
Denver Broncos
The Broncos clinch the AFC West with a win over San Diego.
San Diego Chargers
The Chargers clinch the AFC West with a win over Denver.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens clinch a wild-card spot with a win over Jacksonville.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins clinch the AFC East with a win over the New York Jets.
New England Patriots
The Patriots clinch the AFC East with a win over Buffalo and a New York Jets win.
New York Jets
The Jets clinch the AFC East with a win over Miami and a New England loss.