The Shenoa Report Week 17 '18 #theshenoareport

The Shenoa Report

December 29, 2018

Regular Season Week 17

Week 17 is here, the last Sunday of the regular season. The last game for many teams, mine included. Fantasy playoffs are over; there were no games on Thursday or Saturday and no game Monday night. Sunday is the day, the last day of the regular season. For some players, it will be their last game ever. Week 17 is always bittersweet. With the New Year right around the corner it is the end of so many story lines. This football season went faster than any other, for me, at least. Maybe it was because I worked most Sundays, maybe it’s because we’re another year older. Christmas has come and gone and I hope it was merry and bright for you and yours. Anyway, enough of this nostalgic blah blah blah, back to football.  I went 11-5 on picks and won in my fantasy consolation championship bracket so I’m still reining champion. I’m glad this stupid fantasy season is over and I can enjoy football on Sunday, with no work and no fantasy implications. Just football.

Let’s recap week sixteen.

Redskins @ Titans 16-25

The Titans are still “alive” in the playoff hunt even though Marcus Mariota left the game with an injury. It was Blaine Gabbert who led Tennessee to victory. And even though the Redskins have lost 5 out of their last 6 games they are technically still “alive” too.

Ravens @ Chargers 22-10

I guess I was wrong about this game; forgetting that the Chargers had already clinched the playoffs, they didn’t play as hard as they could have. These Chargers didn’t seem to stand a chance against the Ravens defense. The Ravens haven’t made the playoffs in four years but after this win over the Chargers they are one step closer to making it to the postseason. With Pittsburgh losing to New Orleans on Sunday the Ravens moved into first place in the AFC North. The end of the season is a lot of fun for those teams with a chance at making the postseason.

Bengals @ Browns 18-26

The Browns had a sellout crowd in this win over the Bengals. It’s been years since the Browns have had a winning record. Baker Mayfield threw three touchdowns as the Browns improved their season over the Bengals. Former head coach Hue Jackson did not get a warm welcome from Browns fans, instead he was booed. Browns interim head coach, Gregg Williams, has a legitimate chance of being the head coach now that the team has improved to 5-2 under his lead. The Browns were officially eliminated from the playoffs on Saturday but having a 7-7-1 record is thrilling after going 0-16 last season.

Buccaneers @ Cowboys 20-27

With this win the Cowboys took the Bucs pride and the NFC East title. I really don’t have much more to say about it.

Vikings @ Lions 27-9

By beating the Lions the Vikings move one step closer to the postseason. Kyle Rudolph caught his first touchdown of the season on a Hail Mary as time expired in the first half. As for the Vikings it was Rudolph who saved Christmas for the team. The Vikings could have clinched a playoff spot after their win but the Eagles ruined that by beating Houston on a game winning field goal. Stupid Eagles.

NY Giants @ Colts 27-28

Having no expectation for the Giants to win this game and just wanting them to score a touchdown, made it easier to take this loss somehow. We didn’t get this game on local TV so I wasn’t able to watch it at work. I was very surprised to learn that the Giants lead for all but one minute of the game. It just happened to be the last minute that the Colts took the lead by one point and won the game. With this win the Colts are still alive with a chance to make the playoffs. You’re welcome Indy.

Jaguars @ Dolphins 17-7

The Jaguars ruined the Dolphins hope of making the playoffs this season by beating them at home. Blake Bortles came off the bench late in the third quarter and helped bring the Jags to victory, but neither team will make it to the postseason.

Bills @ Patriots 12-24

The Patriots got their 10th straight AFC East title with this win over the Bills. Is anyone surprised? I doubt it. Of course the Pats are making the postseason and of course the Bills are not.

Packers @ Jets 44-38 OT

It came in overtime, but the Packers got their first road win of the year. The Jets led early but the Packers wouldn’t quit. Neither team is going to make it to the playoffs this year so pride was on the line; not so much for the Jets because they haven’t been good in years but the Packers were definitely playing for pride.

Texans @ Eagles 30-32

Eagles kicker, Jake Elliott, has ruined more games than I can count by kicking a game winning field goal as time expired, and he did it again against the Texans. This win also keeps the Eagles playoff hopes alive. The Texans missed an opportunity to clinch the AFC South and also allowed the Pats to take control of the number 2 seed. But, because the Steelers lost to the Saints, Houston earned at least a wild-card berth.

Falcons @ Panthers 24-10

The Panthers have now lost seven straight and the possibility of the post season. The Falcons don’t have a chance at the post season either but they were able to play the upset. With Cam out for the rest of the season the Panthers really didn’t have a hope anyway.

Rams @ Cardinals 31-9

The Rams were able to bounce back from their two game losing streak in this win over the Cardinals. With Todd Gurley out, newly signed C.J. Anderson took the job in stride with a touchdown and rushing for 167, one yard short of his career high game. Arizona, on the other hand, did not have a good day allowing 269 rushing yards, which is the most they’ve allowed all season.

Bears @ 49ers 14-9

This was a good defensive game; scoreless in the first and fourth quarters, the only points came in the second and third. The Bears quarterback, Mitch Trubisky, threw for one touchdown and Jordan Howard ran for another. That was all it took to beat the 49ers. Robbie Gould was the only one to score for the 49ers, kicking 3 field goals in the second quarter. The Bears clinched the number 3 seed with this win over San Francisco.

Steelers @ Saints 28-31

This game was super close and came down to a last minute fumble to give the Saints the win and the top seed in the NFC playoffs. I, for one, was happy with this outcome.  

Chiefs @ Seahawks 31-38

The Seahawks clinched a playoff berth with this win over the Chiefs. The Chiefs are also heading to the playoffs but could have had home field had they won this game. Chris Carson had a monster of a game with two rushing touchdowns and 116 yards. This helped me win my fantasy “championship” game. Championship is in quotes because it was the consolation bracket even though I would have beaten all but two teams again. Whatever.

Broncos @ Raiders 14-27

The Raiders came out and played like it was the last time they were ever going to play on that field… And they dominated. For the first time all season they looked like a threat. The play of the game came on a Dwayne Harris touchdown punt return for 99 yards after the Broncos failed to down the ball. Of course both teams are out of playoff contention so this game was just for fun, and I think that the Raiders had the most fun.

WEEK 17

 Sunday, December 30th  

Dolphins [7-8] @ Bills [5-10] (1pm CBS)

Both teams have no hope of making the playoffs so this will be their final game of the season. I think fans for both teams are glad for this. It’s been a tough season for Dolphins fans and Bills fans alike, but really, when isn’t it? I’m picking the Bills to win, which will probably mean that Miami will.

Lions [5-10] @ Packers [6-8-1] (1pm FOX)

This game also has no playoff implications and, like the above mentioned teams and fans, I think they are all glad that this will be their last game of this season. I’m going to pick the Packers to win this game, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t.

Jets [4-11] @ Patriots [10-5]  (1pm CBS)

One of these teams is going to make the playoffs and it isn’t the Jets. I’m picking the Pats to win this game. In doing so they would also get a first round bye, shocking.  

Panthers [6-9] @ Saints [13-2] (1pm FOX)

Neither team is going with their starting quarterback. I am still picking Teddy Bridgewater leading the Saints to victory. They lose absolutely nothing if they lose this game but I don’t think that’ll happen.  

Cowboys [9-6] @ NY Giants [5-10] (1pm FOX)

The Cowboys have already made the playoffs and the Giants were mathematically eliminated weeks ago. The Giants could win this game because the Cowboys don’t need this win. The Giants, however, are not going to have OBJ, not that it’s made a big difference without him. This is the last time I can pick the Giants to win this season so I guess I’m going to pick them to win. GO GMEN!!!!!!

Falcons [6-9] @ Buccaneers [5-10] (1pm FOX)

No playoff implications here. I’m picking the Falcons to win this game.

Jaguars [5-10] @ Texans [10-5] (1pm CBS)

With a win the Texans could win the AFC South, with a loss they would have to play the winner of the Colts/Titans game in the Wild Card game next week. I think the Texans will get it done this week and beat the Jags.

Chargers [11-4] @ Broncos [6-9] (4:25pm CBS)

The Chargers have already made the playoffs and winning or losing this game isn’t really much of a factor. The Broncos have nothing to play for, having not made the playoffs at all. I’m picking the Chargers to win this game.

Raiders [4-11] @ Chiefs [11-4] (4:25pm CBS)

The Chiefs can lock up home field advantage and clinch the AFC West with a win over the Raiders. If they lose and the Chargers win they would have to downgrade to a wildcard position. I’m picking the Chiefs to win this game.

49ers [4-11] @ Rams [12-3] (4:25pm FOX)

To ensure a first round bye in the playoffs the Rams need to beat the 49ers or have the Bears lose to the Vikings. The 49ers are just out of it. I’m picking the Rams to win this game.  

Bears  [11-4] @ Vikings [8-6-1] (4:25pm FOX)

The Bears have already made the playoffs and the Vikings control their own destiny. They need to win or have the Eagles lose to make it into the playoffs. I don’t think that the Eagles are going to lose so the Vikings really need this win. The Vikings could get the fifth seed with a win and a Seattle loss. With all that being said I’m picking the Bears to win, being a division rival I don’t think the Bears are going to let the Vikings into the postseason.

Bengals [6-9] @ Steelers [8-6-1] (4:25pm CBS)

Even with a win the Steelers only have a 17% chance of making the playoffs. They would need to beat the Bengals and have the Ravens lose. They could also get into the wildcard with a win and have the Titans and Colts tie. I’m picking the Steelers to win but hope they don’t make it to the postseason.

Cardinals [3-12] @ Seahawks [9-6] (4:25pm FOX)

The Cardinals were never even close to being in the playoffs and the Seahawks have already made the playoffs. If Seattle wins this game they’ll lock up the 5th seed.  Should they lose and the Vikings win they would drop down to the 6th seed. I’m picking the Seahawks to win this game.

Eagles [8-7] @ Redskins [7-8] (4:25pm FOX)

The Redskins need losses by Minnesota and Seattle to avoid being eliminated. I think it’s safe to say that the Redskins really don’t have much of a chance at the playoffs at this point. The Eagles need to beat the Redskins and a Minnesota loss to get a wild-card berth. I’m picking the Eagles to win but hope that I’m wrong and the Redskins spoil the Eagles chances.

Browns [7-7-1] @ Ravens [9-6]  (4:25pm CBS)

If the Ravens win this game or the Steelers lose the Ravens will win their division. The Browns have been eliminated from the playoffs but have been playing tough football and have won the last 5 out of 7 games. I think that the Ravens will win this game but would laugh if the Browns upset the Ravens chances at the post season.

Colts [9-6] @ Titans [9-6] (8:20pm NBC)

If the Colts win they are in the playoffs. If the Titans win they are in the playoffs. The Titans may be without their starting quarterback Marcus Mariota. I’m going to pick the Colts to win this game as I think they have been playing tougher these past few weeks.

GO GMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Thanks for the edit Eric!