The Shenoa Report
December 24, 2024
Regular Season Week 17
Happy Holidays to all who celebrate! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Merry Christmas! And Happy New Years while we’re at it!
We’ve got football on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday!
I went 12-4 on my picks last week and I’m fighting for 5th place with “CMC Ya Next Season” and settled for 7th place with “Won’t You Be My Nabers”.
Let’s jump into the recap.
Broncos @ Chargers 27-34
If you get a chance, watch the press conference with Jim Harbaugh that he did after this game. Obviously he was happy with the win but he was particularly jazzed about one specific play. At the end of the first half, the Chargers fair caught a punt from the Broncos. Due to an interference penalty from the Broncos, the Chargers received one untimed down at the end of the half, and Jim knew just what play to call. A fair catch free kick. The unusual play allows a team to attempt a field goal from where they received a fair catch while the opponent is not allowed to rush the kick. Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker, successfully made a 57-yard free kick, the longest free kick in NFL history. Free kicks are rarely attempted. The last one attempted was a 60-yarder attempted by former Carolina Panthers kicker Joey Slye in 2019. Prior to Dicker's kick on Thursday, the last made kick was former San Diego Chargers kicker Ray Wersching in 1976. One of the recently attempted free kicks was by Harbaugh when he was the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 2013. That’s all I really had to say about that game.
Texans @ Chiefs 19-27
The Chiefs 14-1 record doesn’t reflect the team's performance until very recently. It's only been in the past two games that the Chiefs have had commanding wins. Should we be surprised? Probably not. I guess it’s just what the Chiefs do. They win. Mahomes didn’t seem to have any problems with his ankle that he supposedly had sprained just last week. Patrick had a rushing touchdown as well as a passing touchdown in this win over the Texans. Houston not only lost the game they also lost wide receiver Tank Dell to a devastating knee injury. Dell was taken to the hospital where he stayed overnight. There has been no update on whether or not he’ll return this season. I’m going with probably not.
Steelers @ Ravens 17-34
The Steelers would have clinched the division with a win but they couldn’t get it done in Baltimore. Now both teams are tied at 10-5 at the top of their division. The game was tied late in the 3rd quarter but then the Ravens went on a scoring spree to finish the game.
Rams @ Jets 19-9
I can’t believe I thought that Aaron Rodgers could have two consecutive good games. Silly me. At least I got the pick right. This wasn’t a pretty game. It was full of long drives ending in little scoring. I thought it would be a shoot out and it was more like a fizzle out type of game. With this win the Rams are still on the top of their division with playoff hopes alive. The Jets never had playoff hopes this season.
Eagles @ Commanders 33-36
Big deal game. A divisional game and a game that left the Eagles without their starting quarterback. I had picked the Eagles to win this game, but that was when I thought that Jalen Hurts would play the whole game. Hurts went out early in the first quarter with a concussion and Kenny Pickett replaced him as the backup. But, it was the Jayden Daniels show if you want to talk about quarterbacks. Daniels had 5 touchdowns in this win over their division rivals. We just happened to be out running errands and got to hear the last couple of minutes of this game on the drive home. It was EPIC. The local radio announcers for the Commanders were very entertaining. With just six seconds left in the game Daniels found Jamison Crowder for the winning touchdown, stunning the Eagles and bringing joy and happiness to the hometown crowd.
NY Giants @ Falcons 7-34
I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t watch the game. I really have nothing to say about this game either. I will say I’m kicking myself for not starting the Falcons defense in fantasy. I kept the Denver defense in my starting lineup. They got me 2 points. Had I switched to the Falcons defense I could have had 26 points. Oh well. If nothing else, we boosted the confidence of Micheal Penix Jr. Even though he didn’t have a touchdown pass, and he threw an interception, he wasn’t the worst quarterback on the field. Drew Lock had two pick six’s. SMH
Cardinals @ Panthers 30-36 OT
The Panthers have twice as many wins as the Giants. That stings a little bit. Carolina scored first with a Chubba Hubbard rushing touchdown. The Cards answered back in the second quarter with a field goal then Carolina went on a scoring spree. The Cards answered back with a spree of their own. The rest of the game was back and forth scoring. Cardinals kicker, Chad Ryland, kicked a 58 yard field goal to send the game into overtime. Chubba Hubbard put a book end to the day with a 21 yard rushing touchdown to end the game.
Browns @ Bengals 6-24
With this Bengals win, their playoff hopes are still alive. They’ll need a lot of help but they have not been eliminated as of yet. They’ve won their last three and they’ll need to win out the rest of the season and still get help from other teams. So you’re saying there’s a chance? Not a lot went right for the Browns, but Myles Garrett had reason to celebrate. Garrett recorded his 100th sack of his career in the second quarter of the game. Myles has 12 sacks this season, joining Lawrence Taylor as the only players with 12 or more sacks in five straight seasons.
Titans @ Colts 30-38
I played my mom this week in the consolation bracket for seventh place in the league. You already know I didn’t put my best defense in my line up. Well, to add insult to injury my mom started Jonathan Taylor. Taylor had 218 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns in this win over the Titans. Taylor had been averaging like 7 points a game this season. He had 39.8 fantasy points in this outing. Cool.
Lions @ Bears 34-17
The Lions, now 13-2, broke a tie with the 1991 and 2023 teams for the most wins in franchise history. The Lions also set a single-season record for scoring with 493 points, and they improved to 7-0 away from home, a franchise record for road wins. Keep winning Detroit!
Vikings @ Seahawks 27-24
The Seahawks only had the lead for about 30 seconds in the entire game and that came in the fourth quarter. The problem was, the Vikings got the ball back and Sam Darnold found Justin Jefferson, who found the endzone for the win.
Patriots @ Bills 21-24
The Bills definitely looked past this game and had to recalibrate during half time. The Patriots were up by two touchdowns in the second quarter before the Bills decided to score. After the half, the Bills shut the Patriots out in the third quarter and added two scores to the board. The Bills first tied the game in the third and then went up by a field goal. Buffalo scored again to start out the fourth quarter and the Patriots answered back late in the game but they couldn’t get the ball back again to upset the home team. Thank god. The Bills were lucky to win this one.
Jaguars @ Raiders 14-19
Dear Raiders, thank you for winning this game. Giants fans needed this. Thanks. Love, Shenoa. PS you can have Shedeur Sanders.
49ers @ Dolphins 17-29
The 49ers were eliminated from the playoffs before this game started with wins from the Rams and Commanders. With this win, the Dolphins still have a slim chance of making it to the postseason. They’ll need to win out as well as get help from losses by the Broncos and Chargers to make it to the postseason. I don’t have high hopes for the Dolphins, but I’m glad they got this win and I’m glad this game was kind of high scoring because it helped me in my fantasy matchups.
Buccaneers @ Cowboys 24-26
The Bucs don’t control their destiny to get into the playoffs but they still have a chance. The Commanders ruined the Cowboys chances of the playoffs by beating the Eagles earlier in the day. Thanks Washington! Even with this loss the Bucs are still tied with the Falcons at the top of the NFC South. The problem is, the Falcons have beaten the Bucs twice this season so they have the edge. Regardless, I got this pick wrong and that makes me mad.
Saints @ Packers 0-34
The Saints became the first team this season to be shut out. I’m just surprised it wasn’t the Giants. The Packers played a close to perfect game. So much so, they were starting to rest players at the beginning of the third quarter.
WEEK 17
Wednesday, December 25th
Chiefs (14-1) @ Steelers (10-5) (1pm Netflix)
Both teams have already clinched a spot in the playoffs so now they are just playing for seeding. If the Chiefs keep winning they could get home field advantage as well as a first round bye. The Steelers are also playing for positioning. I think that the Steelers might just be the team to beat the Chiefs. I’m picking the Steelers to win. The Chiefs luck has to run out at some point.
Ravens (10-5) @ Texans (9-6) (4:30pm Netflix)
Both teams have already clinched a spot in the playoffs so now they are just playing for seeding. I’m pretty sure that the Ravens will win this game and that’s who I’m going to pick.
Thursday, December 26th
Seahawks (8-7) @ Bears (4-11) (8:15pm Prime Video)
The Seahawks haven’t been officially eliminated from the playoffs but it’ll be a steep battle to get in. The Bears have no chance at the postseason. I am picking the Seahawks to win this game.
Saturday, December 28th
Chargers (9-6) @ Patriots (3-12) (1pm NFLN)
The Chargers are also not quite eliminated and will need this win if there are any hopes of the postseason. The Patriots never had hope of a playoff trip. I am picking the Chargers to win this game.
Broncos (9-6) @ Bengals (7-8) (4:30pm NFLN)
Neither team has been eliminated yet from the playoffs but both teams need to win this game to further their chances of making it. I’m picking the Bengals to win this game.
Cardinals (7-8) @ Rams (9-6) (8pm NFLN)
The Cardinals have already been eliminated from postseason contention and the Rams are playing for positioning. I’m picking the Rams to win this game.
Sunday, December 29th
NY Jets (4-11) @ Bills (12-3) (1pm CBS)
Dear Bills, Please do not look past this game. Play better than you did last week. Love, Shenoa.
The Jets never had a chance at the postseason and the Bills are looking for home field advantage and a first round bye. They’ll need help from KC to get these things. I already picked the Chiefs to lose on Christmas day so that should help the Bills. Also, I am picking the Bills to win this game! Go Bills!
Titans (3-12) @ Jaguars (3-12) (1pm CBS)
Just by looking at their records you know neither of these teams are playing for the postseason. They are now playing for draft order. I’m picking the Jags to win but only because they are the home team.
Panthers (4-11) @ Buccaneers (8-7) (1pm CBS)
Tampa Bay hasn’t been officially eliminated from the postseason yet but they need to win out and need help from other teams as well. I am picking the Bucs to win this game but can’t guarantee that’ll be enough to get them into the playoffs.
Raiders (3-12) @ Saints (5-10) (1pm FOX)
Neither team is making it to the playoffs and the Raiders should lose this game just to maintain a high draft placement. I am picking the Saints to win this game.
Cowboys (7-8) @ Eagles (12-3) (1pm FOX)
Ugh. For the first time this season I guess I have to root for the Cowboys. They were eliminated from playoff contention last week but they can still play spoilers to their division rivals!
Colts (7-8) @ NY Giants (2-13) (1pm FOX)
The Colts have technically not been eliminated from the postseason and will need a win to keep them alive. I think they can do it. I am picking the Colts to win this game. Fun fact, the Giants were the first team to be eliminated this season. Woot! We’re number 1 in something!
Dolphins (7-8) @ Browns (3-12) (4:05pm CBS)
The Dolphins haven’t been eliminated but will need a lot of help getting into the postseason. The good news is the Dolphins usually win when the other team doesn’t have a winning record. The bad news is the Dolphins usually lose when it's below 40 degrees. I think it all comes down to the weather in this game. It’s supposed to be in the 50s at kickoff… I’m picking the Dolphins to win this game.
Packers (11-4) @ Vikings (13-2) (4:25pm FOX)
Both teams have made the playoffs and now are playing for positioning. The Vikings already beat the Packers once this season so now I think it’s the Packers turn to win. I am picking the Packers to win this game.
Falcons (8-7) @ Commanders (10-5) (8:20pm NBC/Peacock)
Neither team has officially made the playoffs yet but neither team has been eliminated either. The name of the game is to win. I am picking the Commanders to win this game!
Monday, December 30th
Lions (13-2) @ 49ers (6-9) (8:15pm ABC/ESPN)
The 49ers have already been eliminated from the playoffs and the Lions are playing for home field advantage as well as the potential for a first round bye. I am picking the Lions to win this game! Go Lions!
GO G-MEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the edit Eric!
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