The Shenoa Report
January 13, 2024
SUPER WILDCARD WEEKEND
***MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT*** THE BUFFALO BILLS GAME HAS BEEN MOVED TO MONDAY AFTERNOON DUE TO WEATHER.
Playoffs? Playoffs! We’ve made it to the playoffs. Happy Super Wildcard Weekend! Let’s not waste any time! I went 10-6 on my picks.
Before we get into Super Wildcard Weekend let’s recap week 18.
Steelers @ Ravens 17-10
I was so mad that the Ravens let the Steelers win this game. I was hoping that the Bills would have already shored up a spot in the playoffs well before they had to play. I guess it’s easier to beat a team that isn’t starting most of their starters. It was nice to see Ravens outside linebacker, Jadeveon Clowney, get a sack which met his incentive of $750,000! The Steelers may have won this game but it came at a great cost. T.J. Watt injured his knee in the third quarter and didn’t finish the game. The Steelers will be headed to Buffalo next and the Ravens have a first round bye.
Texans @ Colts 23-19
The turn around that Houston has made this season is astounding. The Texans had the second pick in the draft coming into this season and using it on CJ Stroud has proved very fruitful. With this win over the Colts, the Texans are playoff bound for the first time in years. The Colts were eliminated with this loss. Next up the Texans will host Cleveland to face a very scary Browns team.
Buccaneers @ Panthers 9-0
The Bucs clinched the NFC South division title with this win. Panthers fans are just happy the season is over. This was the second shutout for Carolina this season. Not a good stat to have. Even though it was the Bucs defense and kicker that really won this game for Tampa it must have been a really nice feeling for Baker Mayfield to have won against the team that waived him in the offseason and get into the playoffs by beating said team.
Browns @ Bengals 14-31
The Bengals were able to finish the season above .500 after this win against a team that rested all of their starters. The Browns will head to Houston to take on the Texans next and the Bengals will be watching the playoffs from their couches.
Vikings @ Lions 20-30
The Lions were playing for the second seed in the playoffs. They needed the win and they needed the Cowboys to lose. Well, they got the win but they didn’t secure the second seed because the Cowboys also won. Unfortunately this Lions win came at a big cost especially with the playoffs right around the corner. Rookie tight end, Sam LaPorta, injured his knee early in the game and didn’t return. The Lions eliminated the Vikings in this victory over their rival. Next up the Lions will host the Rams.
Jets @ Patriots 17-3
The Jets hadn’t beaten the Patriots in the last 15 matchups. Then the Jets handed Bill Belicheck his very last loss with the Patriots. Probably not the sendoff that New England wanted, but it’s definitely the end of an era.
Falcons @ Saints 17-48
The Saints annihilated the Falcons but missed the playoffs because Green Bay won and by doing so knocked the Saints out. . The ending of this game was especially fun to watch as the Saints were in victory formation at the Falcons one yard line. Instead of kneeling it out they decided to fake it and handed the ball off to Jamaal Williams for a one yard run for his first touchdown of the season. Both head coaches were visibly upset but the Saints players wanted to honor Williams by letting him get his only touchdown for the entire season. The Saints coach said he and his staff had called for the offense to run out the clock, but players on the field decided on their own to give Williams a chance to score his only touchdown of the season. The Falcons head coach was fired just hours after the loss.
Jaguars @ Titans 20-28
I got this pick wrong but I’m glad I did because with the Titans winning it took some of the pressure off the Bills. The Bills were in a must win situation to get into the playoffs after the Steelers also won. I don’t think anyone thought that the Jags would lose this game, well maybe Titans fans. Derrick Henry ran for a season-high 153 yards and had a rushing touchdown in what might be his last game with Tennessee. It was the Titans defense that saved the day. They stopped Tevor Lawrence with about 7 minutes to go in the fourth on their one yard line. The Jags went for it on 4th and goal on a quarterback keep but the Titans defense stood strong and forced a turnover on downs. The Jags had one last chance late in the fourth but couldn't convert and the Titans were able to run out the clock. Even though the Titans won this game Mike Vrabel was relieved of his head coaching duties this past week. Both teams will be watching the playoffs from their couch.
Seahawks @ Cardinals 21-20
Even though the Seahawks won this game they didn’t get the help that they needed from other teams and missed the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. It was a tight game and they almost lost it but Cardinals kicker, Matt Prater, missed a 51 yard field goal attempt that went wide right as time expired. It was his second missed field goal of the fourth quarter. Both teams played their hearts out. And both teams will be watching the playoffs from their homes. I don’t think the Seattle players knew that this would be the last game with Pete Carroll as their head coach. Carroll's 14 year run as Seahawks coach ended Wednesday when team owner Jody Allen announced that Carroll would be transitioning into an advisory role with the organization. Wow!
Bears @ Packers 9-17
I think Packer fans are happy. From what I gather, Packer fans kinda really soured on Aaron Rodgers and welcomed his departure after failing to get into the postseason last year. The Packers bounced back from a 2-5 start by winning seven of their last 10 games, including three straight and with this win they are now headed to the playoffs. Jordan Love threw for 316 yards and connected with Dontayvion Wicks on a pair of touchdowns that led his team to victory over their division rivals. The Packers will now head to Dallas to take on the Cowboys in one of the wildcard games. The Bears, not so much.
Chiefs @ Chargers 13-12
I am at a loss for words with these Chiefs. I’m glad they won. I’m glad I got the pick correct. I knew that they were resting their starters but the Chargers weren’t. It was a boring, somewhat meaningless game. The Chiefs will really have to step it up if they want to advance in the postseason. The Chiefs will host the Dolphins next.
Broncos @ Raiders 14-27
Really, I’m just glad Denver lost because F the Broncos organization. I’m also happy that Antonio Pierce has had such great success as the Raiders interim head coach. The Raiders organization would be smart to make Pierce their head coach next season.
Eagles @ NY Giants 10-27
Best. Game. Of. The. Season. WE BEAT THE EAGLES!!!!!!!!!!!! AND IT WASN’T EVEN CLOSE! Jalen Hurts was 7 of 16 for 55 yards and one interception. Tyrod Taylor threw for 229 yards in the first half and the Giants led 24-0. Saquon Barkley had two rushing touchdowns and Darius Slayton had a receiving touchdown, in what was most likely his last game with the Giants. Hopefully that wasn’t Barkley’s last touchdown with the Giants as well. I was so proud of the Giants. They finished strong and we even got to see Tommy DiVito for a few plays while Taylor was getting checked out on the sidelines. Of course the Giants didn’t make it to the postseason this year. We also found out that there was a big rift between coach Daboll and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. Wink was very displeased that his coaching staff was let go on Monday and basically told Daboll to pound sand and then quit and flew back to Florida. So the Giants have some coaching vacancies to fill in the off season which started after their last win. The Eagles head to Tampa next to face the Bucs.
Rams @ 49ers 21-20
With both teams already playoff bound before this game it was just fun for the backups to get some playing time. Carson Wentz started for the Rams and Sam Darnold started for the 49ers. I was surprised that the Rams got the win, so I got this pick incorrect. The Rams will head to Detroit next and the 49ers will wait until the following week as they have a first round bye in the wildcard weekend.
Cowboys @ Commanders 38-10
The Commanders came up short like they have this entire season. Washington’s losing streak reached eight games. That includes going 0-6 since head coach Ron Rivera fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and made himself the play-caller on that side of the ball. Rivera was fired Monday morning after this loss. The Cowboys will host the Packers next.
Bills @ Dolphins 21-14
I feel like the Bills nickname should be the cardiac kids. Man do they make it nail bitingly close. Josh Allen is the poster child for this. Allen made things very frustrating for fans with three turnovers in Miami territory, but finished the game with 359 yards and two touchdown passes. Buffalo trailed 14-7 in the 4th quarter before Deonte Harty returned a punt 96 yards for a touchdown. It was then that the momentum shifted for the Bills. Buffalo then forced a three-and-out and the offense marched down the field where Allen connected with Dawson Knox on a 5 yard touchdown pass to take the lead. Miami had one last chance, but Taylor Rapp intercepted Tua Tagovailoa on a pass intended for Chase Claypool with 1:13 left. With this win the Bills now have the second seed and will host the Steelers on Monday afternoon. The Dolphins will travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs on Saturday night.
SUPER WILDCARD WEEKEND
Saturday, January 13th
Browns (11-6) @ Texans (10-7) (4:30pm NBC)
I think this is going to be a good game. I think both teams are evenly matched. It’s tough for me to pick a winner or to know who I am going to root for in this game. I’ve liked the Browns ever since watching their season of Hard Knocks. But I also like Houston’s story of getting CJ Stroud second overall and making the playoffs. Stroud is the only rookie starting quarterback to make the playoffs this season and the 22-year-old will face off against the oldest QB in the postseason in Cleveland’s Joe Flacco, who turns 39 three days after the game. I am picking the Texans to win, but only because they have the home field advantage. That, and Cleveland has only won 3 games on the road this season.
Dolphins (11-6) @ Chiefs (11-6) (8pm Peacock)
When this game kicks off it’ll be a balmy -5 degrees. It’ll make the list of one of the coldest games in NFL history. Heading into Saturday's matchup, the NFL official record book lists the 1967 NFL Championship as the coldest playoff game, with the Ice Bowl played at -13 degrees with -48 wind chill, per NFL Research. The Bills Steelers game has already been postponed due to weather and people have been calling for this game to be postponed too. Will that happen? Unlikely. Peacock paid a lot of money to have this game streamed on their service.
While the Dolphins are in the postseason in consecutive years for the first time since 2001, the Chiefs will be playing their 15th straight home playoff game. I think that Kansas City definitely has the home field advantage. We know that Tyreek Hill is accustomed to this weather too as he played with the Chiefs for years before being traded to Miami. As for the rest of the Dolphins, will they be ready for these bone chilling temperatures? I don’t think so. Tua has stated that he will not be wearing gloves for this game. That’s just dumb. I’ve liked watching the Dolphins in the Hard Knocks In Season episodes but I think this is the end of the road for Miami. I’m picking the Chiefs to win this game.
Sunday, January 14th
Packers (9-8) @ Cowboys (11-5) (4:30pm FOX)
Alright, you already know that I’ll be rooting for Green Bay. Go Pack Go! I don’t think it’s at all likely that they’ll win but they’ve got my support. The Cowboys haven’t lost at home in two seasons. I don’t think they are going to start now. I mean, it would be epic and I wouldn’t be sad if they did, but I’m picking the Cowboys to win this game hoping I’m wrong.
Rams (10-7) @ Lions (12-5) (8pm NBC)
Matt Stafford will be back in Detroit and Jared Goff will also be playing against his former team. This will be the Lions first playoff home game in three decades. I am all in on the Lions. I’ll be rooting for them and picking them to win this game. Everyone rooting for the Lions is hoping and praying that rookie tight end Sam LaPorta will be able to play after injuring his knee in the prior game.
Monday, January 15th
Steelers (10-7) @ Bills (11-6) (4:30pm CBS)
This game was slated for 1pm on Sunday but due to the State of Emergency in Western NY the game has been postponed to Monday afternoon. Governor Kathy Hochul made the announcement Saturday afternoon. “We want our Bills to win, but we don’t want 60 to 70 thousand people traveling to the football game in what is going to be horrible conditions,” said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. Even with the game moved to Monday there is still a risk of inclement weather. Regardless of when this game is played I am all in on the Bills. I’ll be rooting for them and picking them to win this game. I’m just bummed that I’ll have to leave work early on Monday to get home in time to catch it. That’s sarcasm. I am not bummed about leaving work early, but I don’t know what I’m going to do at 1pm on Sunday now! GO BILLS!
Eagles (11-6) @ Buccaneers (9-8) (8:15pm ABC/ESPN/ESPN+)
The Manningcast is back for this game and maybe, just maybe, Eli will show double birds again for the Eagles fans. Philadelphia started 10-1 before losing five of six to fall all the way to the No. 5 seed. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, rebounded from a stretch in which it lost six of seven to go 5-1 over the last six weeks to win its third consecutive division title and earn the No. 4 seed. To say the Eagles are banged up is an understatement. Hurts injured the middle finger on his throwing hand last week against the Giants. In the same game, AJ Brown injured his knee and won’t be able to play in this game. The Bucs aren’t faring much better injury wise. Baker Mayfield is dealing with rib and ankle injuries. I’ll be rooting for the Bucs for sure. I hope they win this game. I’m going to pick the Eagles to win though and I hope I’m wrong.
GO LIONS! GO BILLS!
Thanks for the edit Eric!
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