This is what the NFL is all about.
Heading into the final week of the regular season, not one NFC division has been clinched while both No. 1 seeds are up for grabs. In the AFC, the sixth seed will come down to four teams that all need help to reach the post-season and 13 of the 16 Week 17 games have playoff implications, including two win-and-get-in games.
All of that madness has overshadowed what has been one of the best seasons by an individual in league history. Peyton Manning put an exclamation point on what will be his greatest season to date with his 51st touchdown pass with one game left to go.
If there’s one piece of advice I can give you heading into Week 17 of the 2013 season, it’s just to sit back and enjoy the ride.
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If it wasn’t clear already, Sunday’s record-breaking performance sealed it: this is the best offence the NFL has ever seen. Peyton Manning has now surpassed Tom Brady’s mark of 50 touchdowns and is just 266 yards from breaking Drew Brees’s single-season record for passing yards in a season. The loss of Von Miller, though, could be devastating for a Broncos’ defence that has been much-improved since his return. |
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What a way to say farewell to Candlestick Park. The historic sporting venue was home to one of the wildest finishes to a game all season, culminating in an 89-yard interception return for a touchdown to seal San Francisco’s fifth-straight win and a playoff berth. While it came down to a defensive play, Colin Kaepernick was the difference for the Niners in the second half. |
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Russell Wilson’s home unbeaten streak had to come to an end at some point. Unfortunately it accompanied the second-year quarterback’s worst performance since entering the NFL. The Seahawks’ offence was simply stifled by the Cardinals’ defence. Seattle will get one more shot to lock down the top seed in the NFC next weekend, but it won’t come easy against a scrappy Rams squad. |
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It may not have been the most impressive performance offensively from Carolina, but Cam Newton got it done when it mattered most, proving this team is ready for playoff football. With a first-round bye in their grasp, the Panthers just need to hold off the Falcons to wrap up the second seed in the NFC. And how about Luke Kuechly? Racking up 24 tackles against the Saints, the second-year linebacker has to be a frontrunner for defensive player of the year. |
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Bill Belichick and Tom Brady must’ve had revenge on their minds heading into a crucial matchup against the defending champions. New England was able to bring the Ravens winning streak to a screaming halt with what was perhaps its most complete game of the season. Clinching their 10th division title in 11 years, the Patriots still have plenty to play for in Week 17, as they could end up with the No. 1 seed or have to host a wild card game if things don’t go their way. |
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Good luck nailing down this team. After putting up more than 100 points in their last two outings, the Chiefs’ offence was completely stymied by the equally unpredictable Colts. Alex Smith had his worst game of the season, a terrible turnover-ridden display, while the defence had a tough time with what has recently been a struggling Indianapolis offence. If that was a preview of a potential wild-card matchup, Kansas City’s storybook season will have anything but a happy ending. |
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Cincinnati’s season has been a tale of two quarterbacks. If the Andy Dalton that showed up against the Vikings Sunday sticks around for the playoffs, this team will be tough to beat. It could get even better for the Bengals: with a win next week and a Patriots loss, Cincinnati would get the No. 2 seed in the AFC and a first-round bye. |
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It was far from pretty, but the Cardinals – who have won seven of their last eight – achieved something no team has in almost two years – they won in Seattle. Carson Palmer needs to buy a round for Arizona’s defence, who made it possible for the quarterback to overcome four interceptions by dominating the Seahawks into their worst offensive output of the season. What’s crazy though is the Cards can win next week and still miss the post-season if the Saints beat the Buccaneers. |
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New Orleans was able to play the Panthers’ defensively-fuelled style of game in Carolina, but came up just short. Now thanks to their inability to win on the road, the Saints head to Tampa Bay in a must-win situation. Drew Brees and company have got to be pulling for the Cowboys in next Sunday night’s NFC East battle. A post-season trip to Philadelphia in what is bound to be unfavourable conditions doesn’t seem like a winnable situation for the road-weary Saints. |
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The Eagles had nothing to play for heading into Sunday night’s showdown with the Bears after the Cowboys beat the Redskins, but someone forgot to tell Chip Kelly. Philadelphia started the game with a heavy foot on the gas and never backed off. With Tony Romo’s status in doubt heading to a winner-take-all matchup next week, the Eagles hold all of the momentum. |
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It appears the Colts have gotten the bad play out of their system, heading into one of the toughest places to play in the NFL and dominating the hometown Chiefs. If Andrew Luck and the offence can keep it up and the defence can continue to create turnovers, Indy will be a tough matchup for any AFC opponent in the post-season. |
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The Chargers may be at a disadvantage in terms of getting into the playoffs, but with three-straight wins, they’re the hottest of the teams still in contention for the sixth seed in the AFC. San Diego has a tough road to the post-season though, as they need to beat Kansas City and have both the Dolphins and Ravens lose…well, maybe it’s not that far-fetched. |
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The Dolphins had been playing so well as of late that no one would’ve expected them to lay an egg in Orchard Park. But giving up seven sacks to the best pass rushing team in the NFL wasn’t likely part of Joe Philbin’s game plan. Fortunately for the Dolphins, the Ravens were just as bad against the Patriots. |
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Chicago was well aware of the importance of Sunday night’s matchup against the Eagles: a win for the Bears would’ve meant a division title. Apparently no one mentioned it to the Bears, because they didn’t even show up for the game. The defence was expected to struggle against one of the league’s most dynamic offences, but for an offence with so many weapons to muster just 11 points on a defence that surrendered 48 to the Vikings the week prior was inexcusable. |
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This is far from last season’s Ravens. With everything on the line at home against New England, a team Baltimore has proven they can beat, the Ravens didn’t come to the party. The defence was able to keep the team in the game longer than they should’ve been, but the offence was absolutely horrid. Joe Flacco was paid $120 million to win in situations like Sunday’s and he put in his worst performance of the season. |
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If Tony Romo doesn’t lineup under centre next Sunday, the Cowboys’ chances of keeping up with the Eagles’ offence are slim to none. With a defence as porous as the one in Dallas, Jason Garrett will need a Christmas miracle in the form of Kyle Orton to get into the post-season for the first time since 2009. One positive note is the recent play of DeMarco Murray, who has been the lone bright spot in Dallas over the last couple of games. |
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They need a lot of help, but the Steelers are still mathematically alive in the playoff race. Pittsburgh has to beat the Browns next week and need losses from the Chargers, Dolphins and Ravens. All the Steelers can do is play their game, which they’ve done a much better job of lately. While Big Ben is clearly the Steelers’ MVP, the play of first-year back Le’veon Bell has been a huge stabilizer for Pittsburgh’s offence. |
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While Matt Flynn would most likely have some success against the leaky Bears defence, the Packers are obviously hoping their franchise quarterback will return for Green Bay’s most important game of the season. More important, however, is the health of rookie running back Eddie Lacy, who suffered an ankle injury late in the game against the Steelers. Lacy – the favourite to win offensive rookie of the year – has been the key to the Packers offence without Rodgers and his absence may be too much to overcome. |
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One win away from their first non-losing season since 2006, the Rams are riding the breathtaking play of defensive end Robert Quinn and a huge boost from a trio of rookies. Quinn had three sacks – including one to seal the win – while rookies Zac Stacy, Alec Ogletree and Stedman Bailey fueled an impressive St. Louis win over the Bucs. Despite big questions at quarterback, the future looks bright in the Midwest. |
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In what may have been Rex Ryan’s last home game as head coach of the Jets, Geno Smith gave fans something to cheer about. Smith had his best game since a Week 5 victory over the Falcons, accounting for all three of the Jets touchdowns. Smith will more than likely have to fight through another battle for the starting job next year, but performances like Sunday’s will help his cause. |
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Abysmal is the only way to describe the last six weeks for Jim Schwartz and the Lions. With just one victory since Nov. 17, Schwartz all but booked his ticket out of the Motor City by appearing to chirp at booing fans at Ford Field. Whoever is brought in to lead the Lions next season, they need to be a disciplinarian. The Lions are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, but stupid mistakes have hampered this team throughout Schwartz’s tenure in Detroit. |
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Down by 10 early in the second half, the Titans were able to snap a three-game skid thanks to the rushing game. The duo of Chris Johnson and Shonn Greene were able to rack up 180 yards on the ground against the Jags, while only surrendering 63 yards rushing, the lowest amount Tennessee has given up since Nov. 10. |
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It seems like Bills’ fans say this at the end of every season, but this year it’s true – there are a ton of positives to take away from what looks on the outside like another woeful season in western New York. Buffalo boasts what is arguably the best rookie class in the entire league while the Bills’ defensive line leads the NFL with 56 sacks after getting to Ryan Tannehill seven times on Sunday. Believe it or not, the Bills are trending up. |
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At this point in the season for the Giants, it’s the little victories that mean a lot and eliminating the Lions from playoff contention is one of those victories. But New York’s first win in three tries was far from a pretty one. The turnover issues continue to haunt the offence and the defence gave up almost 150 yards on the ground. |
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After pulling off the upset against the Eagles last week in Minnesota, the Vikings came out completely flat against the Bengals. Nothing worked for this team after tying the game up at seven early in the first quarter. Even Adrian Peterson was a complete non-factor, being outrushed by exciting rookie receiver Cordarelle Patterson. |
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Since taking a beating from the Bucs in Week 11, the Falcons have been competitive in every game but they lack what it takes to get the job done. Case in point: Monday night’s loss to the 49ers. After an incredible touchdown-drive led by Matt Ryan and Roddy White, the Falcons were in place to win the game after an impressive onside kick recovery. But Atlanta blew it with a bad pass play deep in the Niners’ zone. This team obviously has plenty of potential, but Atlanta’s faults are too plentiful. |
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The Buccaneers appeared to be getting back on track since starting 0-8, but the offence has been completely ineffective over the last two weeks, racking up a mere 353 yards on offence in consecutive losses. The Bucs will get the chance to play spoiler next week as they head to New Orleans, who could miss the playoffs if they lose to Tampa. |
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With their position in the bottom-5 of the league all but sealed, one thing is clear: this team needs to draft a quarterback with their first pick. Matt McGloin has potential but isn’t the answer and Terrelle Pryor is getting a pity start on Sunday – one last chance to prove to other teams he might be able to start in this league. Once again, the Raiders will undergo a complete makeover this off-season with more than $60 million in cap space. |
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Despite blowing a 10-point lead to the Titans in Sunday’s loss, the second half of the season has to be considered a success for Gus Bradley and the coaching staff. If this team is able to draft well, add the right pieces in free agency and continue on the path it did in over the last month and a half, don’t be surprised to see a competitive team in Jacksonville sooner rather than later. |
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It’s been a rough second half of the season for the Browns, who have lost nine of their last 10 since starting the season 3-2. As was on display Sunday, the Browns have massive holes on offence, specifically at quarterback and running back. The good news is the Browns have 10 picks in the upcoming draft, five of which are in the first three rounds. |
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The Redskins played well against the Cowboys until the final minutes of the fourth quarter, allowing Tony Romo and DeMarco Murray to burn them on fourth down to win the game. Other than a breakout season from Pierre Garcon, no good has come from a drama-riddled season in Washington. The Redskins don’t even benefit from their terrible record as they traded next draft’s first-round pick to the Rams for the quarterback currently sitting on their bench. |
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The way the 2013 season has gone for the Texans, it only makes sense that this would be the team to allow Peyton Manning’s record-breaking touchdown. To their credit, Houston kept it close until Manning blew it wide open in the fourth quarter. Matt Schaub proved to the football world once again that he doesn’t have what it takes to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. |
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