Tis’ the season of giving and in a surprise to exactly no one, the NFL once again offers a slate of festive treats for your viewing pleasure.
Week 16 sees late-season division games, bogey opponents for playoff bound teams, potential shootouts as well as some seemingly insignificant games that if for nothing else will carry job implications for those involved.
So with Tebowmania well and truly behind us (side note: I currently have carpal tunnel from so profusely knocking on wood), the Eagles well and truly behind the old woodshed, Cleveland doing just enough to allow their coach to be fired with dignity and Jermichael Finley almost a certain to be on the first bus out of Wisconsin, it’s time to focus on the things that matter this holiday season.
The critical match-ups to watch in Week 16.
Houston run defence vs The Single Greatest Person to Ever Live
To anyone whom thought I was referring to Stephen Fry, a year ago you would have been correct.
However, as times changes so does my perspective and that prestigious title now goes to Adrian ‘AD’ Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings.
Everyone knows the story, man meets ball, man runs ball well, man hurts knee – badly, man returns after eight months and decimates every living person in his way 1812 rushing yards through 14 games.
Adrian Peterson has rewrote the book on how the public, the media and coaching staff view the injury recover process and what is attainable upon return.
Unfortunately for many other people in similar situations to AD’s, they aren’t AD, though I’m sure many of them secretly hope.
Peterson needs 294 yards over the last two games to break Eric Dickerson’s single season rushing record set way back in 1984. Much of Peterson’s success however will hinge on how he performs in the penultimate regular season game against the Houston Texans.
The Texans led by JJ Watt have only allowed two running backs to rush for over 80 yards this season, and while there has been much talk about Houston’s performance dwindling on defence much of this can be attributed to their poor Pass D.
Texans linebacker Bradie James has already cast the first stone, in stating that it “wont happen against us” and in fairness it may be quite the easy assumption to make given that AD would have to break his own single-game record to break Dickerson’s.
If the Texans D limits Adrian Peterson this weekend it could very well put a dent in AD’s record plans as he would have to break the record against an improving Packers D with a returning Clay Matthews and possibly Charles Woodson in the final week of the season.
Keep an eye on how hell-bent the Texans are to stop Adrian Peterson, even if just out of spite.
The Jets use of quarterback Greg McElroy vs Chargers
Firstly, a disclaimer. I am not endorsing anyone at all to participate in the viewing of this game. Do not mistake my intentions, I am merely mentioning an interesting storyline.
Now that’s out of the way, the reality is that I will be very intrigued as to see how the Jets coaching staff reacts to first time starter and former seventh round pick Greg McElroy.
For four years now coach Rex Ryan has remained steadfast in his opinion that former starting quarterback Mark Sanchez was a franchise quarterback who gave the Jets the best chance to win.
With that being said, and how much of Ryan’s job security relies on the success of Mark Sanchez I will be interested as to how long he sticks it out with McElroy.
Will we see a return to Sanchez after McElroy’s third interception? Is that even possible? Would that make Rex the only coach in history to quit on three quarterbacks in one season?
I don’t see McElroy doing much in this game and while there are those who claim that all he needs to do is take care of the ball, I would answer that with the fact that for that to work one needs a running game.
Shonn Greene does not a running game make.
McElroy at some stage during this game will have to work his magic with such household names as Jeff Cumberland, Chaz Schilens and Jeremy Kerley.
This performance will once again dictate headlines around the league and an ugly loss to a bad San Diego team will convincingly place Rex Ryan in deep water, so look forward to that.
Pittsburgh O-Line vs Cincinnati front seven
What we have here is a good old AFC North ‘slobberknocker’ and what’s more (and quite a rarity mind you) is that the Bengals also have implications going into this game.
Cincinnati are playoff bound and are engaged in a simple ‘win and in’ situation with the Steelers on the weekend.
On the other hand, if the Steelers win they keep their playoff hopes alive and allow the chips to land where they may.
The Bengals are notorious for coming up small in big game situations which has resulted in a franchise that more or less has a reputation for being unable to handle success. This is their chance to change that image and it comes down to the battle in the trenches.
Cincinnati have quietly assembled one of, if not the, best defensive line in the league with defensive tackles Domata Peko and Geno Atkins dominating the interior as well as complimentary pass rushers in Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap.
Combine this with a physical linebacking corps led by Rey Maualuga and the scary, ‘rip your face off and wear it as a mask’ violence of rookie Vontaze Burfict and the Cincinnati front-seven is a daunting task for any offensive line.
Let alone one of the most perennially shaky offensive lines, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers have one of the best receiving corps in the league with Wallace, Sanders and Brown all capable of achieving separation on a shaky Bengals secondary.
The big question is whether his O-Line will be able to keep him upright long enough to exploit those match-ups.
This key match-up will go a long way in deciding the playoff picture in the AFC.
Everything about the Seahawks vs 49ers
No excuses. I don’t want to hear about your festive activities, the truth of the matter is that you deserve to treat yourself once in a while and if I may be so bold, I’d recommend this game.
Colin Kaepernick vs Russell Wilson. Marshawn Lynch vs Navorro Bowman and Patrick Willis. Dashon Goldson and Kam Chancellor duelling it out for the ‘most violent safety’ award.
Richard Sherman and Randy Moss joining forces to destroy the concept of modesty. The Bullying Seahawks D line against the big maulers of San Francisco.
Former Pac-12 rival coaches in Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh fighting it out for NFC West supremacy.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it does not get any better than this. Sometimes critical analysis just doesn’t do a game justice.
Watch it. Or else I will unleash every ounce of my inner Ebenezer Scrooge on you.
Must Watch: 49ers @ Seahawks
Dominant defences, Loud Coaches and for control of the division. Its more or less the Steelers and Ravens of the West Coast.
Snooze Fest: Chargers @ Jets
This could be said about any Jets game the play-calling is that vanilla. The fact that it’s against the Chargers just about wraps it up. (side note: should have made that a christmas pun)
Cheeky Viewing: Raiders @ Panthers
Not an obvious choice I know but the Raiders are planning to use more of former Ohio State quarterback Terrell Pryor which should prove entertaining.
This has the potential to really turn into a shootout and Cam Newton is playing as well as anyone in the league right now.
Merry Christmas to all. Go Vikings and On Wisconsin!
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