NFL Week 16 Results
The penultimate week’s big winners included the Bucs, Patriots, and Jets, while the favorites unanimously faltered. With the playoff picture almost complete, where does your team stand for the playoffs?
San Diego Chargers 42, Tennessee Titans 17 (predicted: San Diego Chargers 27, Tennessee Titans 24)
The Chargers locked up the #2 seed in the AFC bludgeoning the Titans in Tennessee. The Titans will just be playing for Chris Johnson to break 2000 yards next week as they’re officially out of the race.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20, New Orleans Saints 17 (predicted: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13, New Orleans Saints 37)
The Saints looked like they couldn’t lose the first 14 weeks of the season, but straight losses to the Cowboys and the lowly Buccaneers have them trending in the wrong direction heading into the playoffs.
Houston Texans 27, Miami Dolphins 20 (predicted: Houston Texans 16, Miami Dolphins 20)
The Dolphins dimmed their playoff hopes by letting the Texans jump ahead early. Chad Henne has mounted a few impressive comebacks in the past, but wasn’t able to finish the job in Land Shark Stadium.
Seattle Seahawks 10, Green Bay Packers 48 (predicted: Seattle Seahawks 10, Green Bay Packers 34)
The Packers poured it onto the Seahawks and clinched a wildcard spot in the postseason. The Seahawks were apparently trying to improve their draft position.
Carolina Panthers 41, New York Giants 9 (predicted: Carolina Panthers 21, New York Giants 30)
Carolina ran all over a once-feared Giants defense in the final game at Giants Stadium. With the loss to already-eliminated Carolina and Dallas’ victory over the Redskins, the Giants will be watching the playoffs from home.
Oakland Raiders 9, Cleveland Browns 23 (predicted: Oakland Raiders 17, Cleveland Browns 16)
Cleveland goes on a 3-game winning streak for the first time in years with the announcement of adding Mike Holmgren to the front office.
Jacksonville Jaguars 7, New England Patriots 35 (predicted: Jacksonville Jaguars 23, New England Patriots 27)
The Patriots clinched the AFC East title with an offensive show against the Jaguars. Tom Brady was firing on all cylinders as New England dominated all phases of the game.
Kansas City Chiefs 10, Cincinnati Bengals 17 (predicted: Kansas City Chiefs 12, Cincinnati Bengals 23)
Kansas City actually kept this one competitive for most of the game. A late touchdown drive capped with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Chad Ochocinco just before the 2-minute warning in the fourth quarter turned out to be the game winner. One is still left wondering how the Bengals’ offense is going to be able to win against an offense-oriented AFC playoff field.
Baltimore Ravens 20, Pittsburgh Steelers 23 (predicted: Baltimore Ravens 28, Pittsburgh Steelers 27)
Pittsburgh hangs on by a thread to their postseason hopes winning against the Ravens. Ironically the Ravens are in better shape than the Steelers even with the loss due to tiebreaker rules.
Buffalo Bills 3, Atlanta Falcons 31 (predicted: Buffalo Bills 17, Atlanta Falcons 20)
Meaningless game for both teams, but the Falcons set themselves back further in the draft with the win.
St. Louis Rams 10, Arizona Cardinals 31 (predicted: St. Louis Rams 13, Arizona Cardinals 32)
The Rams continue their quest to draft first overall in 2010. The Cardinals reach 10 wins for the first time since 1976, and have a shot at the #2 seed in the NFC due to the Vikings loss.
Detroit Lions 6, San Francisco 49ers 20 (predicted: Detroit Lions 19, San Francisco 49ers 27)
Neither team is in playoff contention (surprise!) but Frank Gore achieved his fourth consecutive 1000-yard season and Drew Stanton got his first NFL start.
Denver Broncos 27, Philadelphia Eagles 30 (predicted: Denver Broncos 17, Philadelphia Eagles 35)
The Eagles withstood a late rally to hang on in Brian Dawkins’ return to Philadelphia. After Denver scored 10 unanswered points to tie the game in the fourth quarter, David Akers kicked a field goal with 4 seconds remaining to win it.
New York Jets 29, Indianapolis Colts 15 (predicted: New York Jets 13, Indianapolis Colts 24)
In an otherwise meaningless game for the Colts, Jim Caldwell started pulling starters in the third quarter. Curtis Painter reminded everyone why he was undrafted as the Jets defense took over the game, handing the Colts their first loss and keeping the Jets in the AFC wildcard hunt.
Dallas Cowboys 17, Washington Redskins 0 (predicted: Dallas Cowboys 28, Washington Redskins 24)
Dallas is one of the league’s hot teams going into January, and the NFC East title hangs on their regular season finale against Philadelphia.
Minnesota Vikings 30, Chicago Bears 36 (predicted: Minnesota Vikings 17, Chicago Bears 21)
Speaking of trending downward, the Vikings appear to be in even worse shape than the Saints at the top of the NFC. Jay Cutler threw 4 touchdowns against just 1 interception against the Vikings, whose pass rush was fairly ineffective. Yet another lost fumble by Adrian Peterson gave the ball back to the Bears in overtime which was followed by the game-winning touchdown pass to Devin Aromashadu.
10-6 again this week, 162-78 on the season.
