Another upset week in the NFL, for which there may be ramifications for a couple teams.
Really, the big story in Week 16 is that the Panthers are no longer undefeated. The rest of the teams that are either jockeying for a playoff position or seeding don't have the kind of juice behind them that Carolina did, because they weren't on the verge of doing something historic.
And to that end, I have to say that Carolina's effort against Atlanta was not very good. Credit Atlanta if you like or point to the fact that it was a division game on the road; Carolina beat down Atlanta the last time they played and this time should have been the same thing. It wasn't, and that diminishes this NFL season.
We likely won't remember it much longer than it takes to get to the Super Bowl. And after the Super Bowl, especially if Carolina either doesn't win or fails to make it that far, we probably won't think about the undefeated season that could have been. I'm sure I won't.
Since it was a week with more upsets than usual, my picks suffered. The last few weeks haven't been all that kind anyway, but this week required a late comeback by Denver (in OT, no less) to get me to 9-7 straight up. I'm still toiling in mediocrity, in other words.
Here are the Rankings for Week 16:
1.) Arizona (13-2) [+1]
The Cardinals had the best win and the best performance of the week. A good team came to their place and Arizona was up to the task, beating them down and making Rodgers look foolish for most of the game. With some luck (okay, a lot of luck) they can take over the #1 seed in the NFC, but being #2 isn't all bad. After all, a bye is a bye, regardless. Someone will be coming to Arizona in the 2nd round of the playoffs and it won't be a juggernaut given how seeds 3-6 have played recently.
Next opponent: vs. Seattle (1/3/2016)
2.) Carolina (14-1) [-1]
As I tweeted not long after the game, the Panthers choked. I think it's safe to say that Cam Newton is still the MVP, though the end of the game against Atlanta would cast some extreme doubt on his candidacy if anybody else were within striking distance. I'm not sure Brady or Palmer are so close that not going undefeated will be a mark against Newton. So the tide hasn't really turned. Now that the Panthers are no longer undefeated, they can regroup and set their sights on the next major goal: winning playoff games and getting to the Super Bowl.
Next opponent: vs. Tampa Bay (1/3/2016)
3.) Denver (11-4) [+3]
Other than the missed field goal and all of the terrible offense, Denver is looking solid. But seriously, their offense is garbage and anyone who thinks Osweiler is better than Peyton (yes, even 2015 Peyton) should probably reevaluate said thought. Osweiler is not quite terrible, but he certainly isn't great and I would be exceptionally leery of handing the team over to him should Peyton retire after the season. Really, though, the worst part is the offensive system that's in place, especially with Kubiak's penchant for settling for field goals rather than take risks to get touchdowns. He coaches as though he's scared and that's going to get Denver beat, no matter how good their defense is (and given that people cite it as being the "#1 defense in yards allowed" I'm a bit skeptical).
Next opponent: vs. San Diego (1/3/2016)
4.) New England (12-3) [-1]
A bad loss. No other way to put it. While it has no bearing on seeding or the division title (which the Pats sewed up a couple weeks ago), it's not really a good thing to lose to a division rival, especially when it lets them get into the playoffs easier than it might have been otherwise. People have brought up that the Jets win and Pittsburgh's loss really hampers Pittsburgh's chances. Well, Pittsburgh's defense is a sieve, while the Jets' D manhandles people. No matter how tough Pittsburgh's offense is, they'll always be at the disadvantage because their defense looks more like New Orleans than Denver or Cincy.
Next opponent: at Miami (1/3/2016)
5.) NY Jets (10-5) [+3]
Bad move or not, the Jets took advantage of receiving the first possession in OT and did what was necessary to get a touchdown and the win. So many other teams would have done what we saw in Denver on Monday; they would have gone for gold for a little while, but once they got near the red zone they would turtle up and play for a field goal. The Jets did no such thing, and while I'm not pleased about the Patriots losing to them, at least I can appreciate the way the Jets picked up the win. They didn't play not to lose, they played to fucking win.
Next opponent: at Buffalo (1/3/2016)
6.) Cincinnati (11-4) [-1]
When you go up 14-0 in the first half, you really have to win the game. Instead, Cincy got a field goal in the entire second half and despite McManus shanking the hell out of a potential game-winning kick, ended up losing in OT after a fumble that was called an incomplete pass led to another fumble that was confirmed without a doubt. A truly bad game for the Bengals even when McCarron showed up and played well.
Next opponent: vs. Baltimore (1/3/2016)
7.) Kansas City (10-5) [+2]
Nine wins in a row and the train just keeps rolling. Since Denver won on Monday, KC now needs to win and have the Broncos lose in Week 17 to get the AFC West wrapped up. It's hard to believe given the start and whatnot, but it is still something of a possibility.
Next opponent: vs. Oakland (1/3/2016)
8.) Minnesota (10-5) [+2]
It's a wonder to me that a team with so little in the way of passing offense can put up points the way Minnesota did. I get that they were playing the Giants, a team that is inferior on multiple levels to most of the good NFC teams, but still, Minnesota almost scored 50. And this is a team that does not pass the ball well and has a QB who frequently looks very bad. Bridgewater was certainly better on Sunday and Peterson ran through anybody who tried to tackle him, but anyone who thinks that game and the next one will have much in common is likely a Vikings fan or out of his depth.
Next opponent: at Green Bay (1/3/2016)
9.) Green Bay (10-5) [-5]
Rodgers seems convinced that the Packers will show up when it really counts. Consider me skeptical. They didn't show up in any phase of the game on Sunday and were comprehensively beaten down as a result. The offense has problems that weren't solved by having McCarthy take over play-calling again (big surprise). Whoever wins the next game takes the NFC North and the #3 seed.
Next opponent: vs. Minnesota (1/3/2016)
10.) Seattle (9-6) [-3]
A thoroughly disappointing loss to an inferior team that was lucky to win back in September. This time was hardly luck; Seattle wasn't up for the game for the majority of it and the close score really belies the advantage that St. Louis held. I doubt that other teams are really all that worried about playing Seattle now; if they have to go to Green Bay again, for example, the Packers probably think they can win with relative ease.
Next opponent: at Arizona (1/3/2016)
That's all for this week. See you next week.
