Happy New Year and here's your final week recap. What was supposed to be an epic end of the season game turned into a one sided affair. Despite Jay Cutler out throwing San Diego QB Philip Rivers by over hundred yards, the Chargers out scored Denver 52-21. San Diego was an offensive machine scoring on 6 of their first 7 drives and only punting once, with 57 seconds left in the third. The story of the game was Ladamian Tomlinson. LT had 3 touchdowns on 14 carries for 96 yards. A total of 3 Chargers rushers had touchdowns totaling 5 on the ground. Rivers connected with Tight End Brandon Manumaleuna and running back Darren Sproles for touch downs. The result is a few firsts; The Chargers become the first team to make the playoffs with an 8-8 record since the 1985 Browns, Denver becomes the first team since division play began in 67 to blow a 3 game lead with 3 weeks left in the season. And as a result coach Mike Shanahan got the ax. San Diego won the division which means they will host the Colts tomorrow night and LT might not be there. Tomlinson suffered a strained abdominal during the game and is questionable. The Chargers fought hard and Denver's blundering allowed them to turn around an almost disastrous season but it will probably end against Indy.
As impressive Matt Cassel has been he still is not Tom Brady. For the first time in 5 consecutive seasons the Patriots will miss the playoffs. It was a windy game that saw the goal post actually get blown off into an angle prompting an in game adjustment. The Pats have won 16 of their last 17 against Buffalo including the past 11 straight games but it wasn't enough to reach postseason. New England needed either a loss from Baltimore or Miami and a win to reach the playoffs but the Ravens and Dolphins both were victorious. Miami clinches the division creating the greatest one year turn around in what I think is ever. Last year they had just one win! Now they host Baltimore who stumbled into the playoffs after seemingly challenging Pittsburgh for their division.
In the NFC Drama filled Dallas may finally have some relief to their problems. Dallas missed the playoffs in dismal fashion by being destroyed by the Eagles 44-6. The Eagles forced 5 Dallas turnovers and scored back to back on two of them. All of the turnovers led to Philadelphia points. The Eagles make an unexpected rally to the playoffs thanks in part to Houston beating Chicago, and Oakland upsetting Tampa Bay. Tampa missing the playoffs is a bit of a disappointment as they were considered a preseason favorite. Chicago on the other hand over achieved since they were predicted to be a 5 win team and in the end won 9 games. The Eagles will visit Minnesota on Sunday.
Many question if Arizona deserved their playoff spot. They've won only two of their last 5 games and all their losses were seemingly blowouts. There is even a threat to black out the home TV market from their first home playoff game in 60 years.
For my last regular season picks I went 1-3 making my grand total 25-27
My playoff picks will be Atlanta over the Cardinals
The Ravens over Miami
The Colts over San Diego
And The Vikings over the Eagles
Check back as I'll have a year in review along with my awards
photo courtesy of Jeff Gross
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