Contributors
-I really hate having to root for the Bengals
-Really, we shouldn’t be surprised by what happened to the Steelers on Sunday. Prior to this year, I had been chronicling Pittsburgh’s failures against bad teams. From 2012-2014, they lost games to Tennessee (twice), Oakland (twice), Cleveland (twice), Minnesota (5 wins), Tampa (2 wins), and the Jets (4 wins). Of course, they’ve also beaten many good teams, which is what makes them both dangerous and frustrating. As Tomlin said after the game on Sunday, “we’re capable of beating anyone, but we’re also capable of losing to anyone.” That last point has the Steelers on the outside looking in.
-Random thing from last week that carries into this week- Historically, the “under” hits roughly 55% of the time in divisional rematch games. This week’s examples were Steelers, Patriots, Panthers, and Seahawks.
-I have no idea why Bill Belichick decided that he wanted to kick the ball in OT, and even less idea why a veteran like Matthew Slater didn’t chose to kick instead of choosing a direction. But I’m 100% certain it had nothing to do with keeping the Steelers out of the playoffs by helping the Jets get in. The Jets are every bit as dangerous to New England, and perhaps even more so than Pittsburgh. With that defense, solid offensive players all over the field, and a confident veteran QB, the Jets are as good as anyone in the AFC.
-Brandon Marshall now has six seasons with at least 100 receptions. That’s a record.
-Real time alert- Brandon McManus just went Vanderjagt. We’re going to OT. I’m still not hopeful though, the Bengal defense looks worn down.
-Green Bay won the first two Super Bowls, but it was the Jets and Chiefs who legitimized the game. My rooting interests obviously lie elsewhere, but in many ways, leading to Super Bowl 50, it’s tough to think of a more fitting potential AFC Championship matchup than a battle between those two teams.
-I don’t think Carolina is any more or less fine after that loss. And yes, I think they’re still perfectly fine, and I’d still call them the favorite in the NFC as long they lock up home field.
-Big statement for Arizona. After combining for one of the least inspiring playoff games last year, a Panthers-Cardinals NFC Championship would be one of the more highly anticipated matchups in recent memory.
-I still can’t believe we have the two biggest games of the college season on New Year’s Eve.
-We have a big week 17 ahead of us, and a number of huge bowls to finish out the college season. Check into FP throughout the week for a special New Year’s Six edition of Tailgating on New Year’s Eve, along with our standard fare with Blitz Picks, Wagers and Lagers, and all of the other features that we hope you enjoy. Have a wonderful and healthy New Year!
P.S. Stupid Bengals… would have given the Steelers one more out next week (one they wouldn’t have deserved, by the way). The last playoff spot will be Jets or Steelers. Jets have the inside track. Steelers should have taken care of their own.
