And so its come to this. Week 17. The catalyst to the whimsical time of the year known as ‘playoffs’ and yet also the bringer of an almost empty feeling that resonates within every football fan.
Personally, I love football. I adore everything about it, from the eloquent poetry of a well-executed play-action to the over ambitious macho celebrations that are quickly made redundant by a belated penalty flag.
For every Adrian Peterson touchdown scamper I have witnessed, there have also been egregiously overthrown passes – not naming names (Brady Quinn).
Quick note: Brady Quinn you are all right in my book as you are just so devilishly handsome, but I digress.
The point is that I thoroughly love this sport, there have been times during Jets games that have tested my faithfulness but all in all I have remained loyal which is more than likely why I find it so difficult to part with 18 teams after this week of games.
Luckily though, in part what I attribute to watching my Vikings go through the whole Brett Favre saga, I have developed a level of mental toughness that allows me to move on with my life.
And with that being said, these are what you should be focusing on in Week 17 of the NFL season.
The NFC North
With two division games scheduled for the last week of the regular season, the NFC North is clearly the division to watch with not only playoff implications but all time records and milestones hanging in the balance.
Green Bay travel to Minnesota to take on the a Vikings outfit hell bent on not only getting Adrian Peterson the all time single season rushing record – needing 208 yards to break Eric Dickerson’s record – but doing so with a W.
The Pack will clinch a first round playoff bye with a win, while the Vikings with a victory will cap a remarkable season by guaranteeing a wildcard playoff spot.
Meanwhile, in the Motor City, the Lions will be attempting to make Calvin Johnson the only wide out in history to eclipse the 2000 yards receiving mark all the while playing spoiler to Chicago’s playoff hopes.
The Bears need a win and Minnesota loss to make the postseason.
Houston Texans vs Lucas Oil Field
In an ideal world for the Houston Texans, the road to Superbowl XLVI goes through Reliant Stadium.
However, in the real world the city of Indianapolis actually exists and Houston are yet to win in the state of Indiana in their ten year existence going an astonishing 0-10 on the road against the Colts.
Oh and this keep in mind this was including the Peyton Manning-less 2011 Colts team, don’t forget that.
Indianapolis have been playing inspired football the entire season and are likely to receive even more reason to continue the trend with the return of Chuck Pagano, who will coach from the sidelines for the first time since week three after he was diagnosed with leukemia.
Whether the Colts can continue to the play #Chuckstrong against #WisconsinFarmerBoyStrong defensive end J.J. Watt is another story all together.
The Texans can greatly improve their chances of bringing the first Lombardi back to Houston, they’ll just have to make sure history doesn’t repeat for an eleventh time.
DeMarcus Ware vs Trent Williams
In the game that will determine the NFC East winner is there a more important individual battle? Don’t answer that.
The most important factor in any football game is the amount of pressure on the quarterback. The importance of this is merely quadrupled (possibly more so?) when it comes to Robert Griffin III.
RGIII’s ability to step into the pocket and deliver the long ball to Garcon, Moss and Hankerson is a thing of beauty which is only trumped by his willingness to dance around any fool who thinks himself worthy enough to lay a finger on Washington’s savior.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys, they don’t really have much else in the pass-rush department after D-Ware but as we know, number 94 is the epitome of a ‘one man wrecking crew’.
Ware will be nursing both a shoulder and elbow injury into the Sunday Night game and what may even be more troubling is the fact that he will be facing a youthful, healthy, 2012 pro-bowler in LT Trent Williams.
If D-Ware can handle Williams the Cowboys have a chance, if not I cant see how they get enough pressure on the rookie quarterback to rattle him and like we all saw on thanksgiving, RGIII has no problem carving up the Dallas secondary when he has enough time to admire his crazy socks.
Head Coaches Last Impressions
Black Monday is coming. As sure as I am that the AFL will have unnecessary rule changes, Black Monday is coming.
Week 17 is the last chance that many head coaches will have to convince ownership that they are the best chance for future success.
There are certain names that are a virtual certainty for removal – Romeo Crennel in KC, Andy Reid in Philly and Norv Turner in San Diego come to mind – but to others this week is crucial in their future plans.
Gailey, Lovie, Whisenhunt, Rivera, Shurmur, Munchak, Mularkey … Rex?
All of the aforementioned coaches are firmly on the chopping block and one strong performance at either end of the spectrum could very well determine their fate.
No pressure on the players.
My Fantasy Team
Ned Balme’s ‘Advocates of Fairness’ are merely one week away from securing their first ever fantasy football championship.
Confident in a victory, the Advocates carry a 41 point lead heading into the season finale with potential delicious match-ups with notable names including Brady playing Miami, Julio Jones against Tampa Bay and the ever reliable kicker Blair Walsh.
I’ve been quite reserved this year so if you’d allow me to toot my own horn just a little bit – thank you kindly.
Must Watch: Dallas @ Washington
Division title on the line. Robert Griffin III. Rematch from Thanksgiving. Sunday Night Football. I could go all day, trust me.
Snooze Fest: Jacksonville @ Tennessee
Both teams are uninspiring, MJD was put on injured reserve, both quarterbacks are terrible and the aesthetic pleasure of the uniform match-up leaves much to be desired.
Cheeky Viewing: St Louis @ Seattle
Unfortunately the Rams still carry the stigma that years of ineptitude will result in and thus their games are often afterthoughts. The Seahawks are the best reason to watch the NFL right now yet the Rams have proven to be the NFC West bogey team on many occasions.
Hey, supercoach? Choose your own ultimate NFL team and compete with other players for cash prizes in daily competitions on any match. If you’re after the best odds on the NFL, PlayUp is your best bet. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
The extraordinary episodes after his life as an American Football hero quite overshadowed the career of O.J. Simpson, who has died at the age…
The Kansas City Chiefs, steered brilliamtly at the end by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, downed the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime to secure…
San Francisco 49ers will make their eighth appearance in the Super Bowl after a stellar season from a team stacked with real talent across the whole line-up.
The Chiefs are no longer strangers to playing matches in February. What was once a multi-generational 50-year drought has become an almost yearly tradition.
Daniel Faalele and Mitch Wishnowsky have kept their Super Bowl dreams alive, with Baltimore and San Francisco winning the divisional round playoff.
Six-time NFL champion Bill Belichick has agreed to part ways as the coach of the New England Patriots, bringing an end to his 24-year…
