Week 13 saw some close games and some dirty plays. Gronk has been suspended by the NFL for the Patriots’ Week 14 contest against the Dolphins, while JuJu Smith-Schuster may face discipline for his big hit last night on Vontaze Burfict. As the calendar flips to December, the intensity (and desperation) increase in the NFL.
In Vegas, the underdogs finally had themselves a day, going 8-7 ATS – with six underdogs winning straight up. With 4 weeks to go, there are 4 division races up for grabs and 4 that are already locked up:
IT’S OVER
AFC East
The Patriots (10-2) now have a 4-game lead over the Bills (6-6) after going into Buffalo on Sunday and winning 23-3. Brady didn’t throw a touchdown pass but Burkhead ran for two scores and the Bills offense is…the Bills offense. The Patriots defense is rounding into form and they have a 4-game lead with 4 weeks to go. The real AFC East surprise was the Jets beating the floundering K.C. Chiefs to go to 5-7. The Jets keep winning – which means they keep losing their best chance at drafting a rookie QB – which is the most Jets outcome possible. But who needs Josh Rosen when you have Josh McCown?
In Miami, the Dolphins blew out the Broncos in a game that has almost no playoff implications whatsoever. At least Adam Gase got some Elway-revenge with a 4th quarter onside kick up 20+ points.
AFC North
Any chance that the Ravens or Bengals had of challenging the Steelers went up in smoke last night when Cincy choked away a 17-point lead. Pittsburgh is up 3 games on Baltimore in the loss column and they close the season with games against the Texans and Browns. If the Ravens sneak in as a wild-card team, they could be dangerous as they’ve won 3 in a row and the rest of the AFC field, minus the Patriots and Steelers, is vulnerable.
In L.A., the Browns lost again. That’s really the end of the analysis.
NFC East
The Eagles (10-2) have a 4 game lead over the Cowboys (6-6) with 4 to play. Barring a miraculous run here by the Cowboys, it looks like the NFC East will only have one playoff team. 2017 is going to go down as a bitter disappointment for Jerry Jones / Chris Christie / Cowboys fans after they went 14-2 last year. Since the division is sewn up, the big NFC East news this week is that the Giants fired Ben McAdoo and Jerry Reese. A 2-10 record, especially in New York, is bad news but McAdoo was also feeling the heat for benching Eli in favor of the immortal Geno Smith. McAdoo should’ve asked someone – anyone – if starting Geno Smith was a good idea before he did it. It wasn’t.
NFC North
The Vikings keep winning and Case Keenum keeps throwing darts. They are 10-2, have a 4-game lead over the Lions, and if the playoffs started today the Vikings would be the NFC’s No. 1 seed. On Sunday, they marched into Atlanta and beat the Falcons (7-5) – holding them to 9 points in the process. Elsewhere in the division, the Lions and Packers – both at 6-6 – cling to faint playoff hopes while Bears fans can at least look forward to the draft and watching the Bulls (just kidding).
UP FOR GRABS
AFC West
Before the season, many pundits/prognosticators/Skip Bayless (probably) said the AFC West was the NFL’s toughest division. But after K.C. has disintegrated, it looks like just the opposite. The Chiefs, Chargers, and Raiders are all tied at 6-6 and they all still have plenty of games against one another. The Chiefs, for example, still have games against the Chargers, Raiders, and Broncos. None of these teams are particularly good but it’ll be fun to watch them slug it out down the stretch for a playoff berth.
While K.C. lost to the Jets, the Chargers beat the Browns and the Raiders managed to take care of the Giants. The Broncos don’t have much to play for outside of draft positioning, but they have a few chances to play spoiler against some hated division rivals.
AFC South
It’s somewhat unclear whether the Titans (8-4) and Jaguars (8-4) are actually any good. Tennessee has 8 wins but have been outscored on the season by 16 points overall. The Jaguars defense is great but their quarterback is Blake Bortles. Both teams won last week but continue to do it in underwhelming and perplexing ways. But regardless of style points, this is a two-team race that may very well be decided in Week 17 when the Titans host the Jaguars in the regular-season finale.
NFC West
Led by their 16-year old coach, the Rams are still in first place at 9-3 but the Seahawks are breathing down their neck. The Rams offense had another solid day on Sunday as Goff threw up a 21/31, 220 yards, 2 TDs. The defense also chipped in with some big plays.
In Seattle, the Seahawks got their biggest win of the season by beating the Eagles 24-10. No matter how much it looks like Seattle has lost a step, every season they seem to put it together in December and make a run. This year looks no different. Carroll and Co. held Carson Wentz relatively in check and completely smothered the Eagles ground game. The Seahawks will host the Rams in Week 15 – a game likely to determine the division winner.
NFC South
Drew Brees and the resurgent Saints are still in first place after beating the Panthers on Sunday. Brees threw for 269 yards and 1 TD while Ingram and Kamara had a big day running the football. With the loss, Carolina falls a game back. Atlanta is still alive and lurking. The Falcons are two games back of the Saints but still play them twice this season – with the first matchup coming on Thursday night. If Atlanta has any hopes of staying in the playoff discussion, this is a game they need to have.
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