What's at Stake: Final Sunday
This is the first Sunday morning in over two years in which I'm not taping the Fantasy Fix. That left me some time to kill ...
I hope everyone got a nice break from football. Our final gift will be for the best Week 17 setup in years. What happens today will reverberate through the off-season. Here's a quick look at what games have the most at stake Sunday.
11. Falcons/Rams: Atlanta still has a decent chance for a bye, while no amount of signatures should save Jim Haslett. This could be the last game for Torry Holt and Marc Bulger in St. Louis.
10. Saints/Panthers: Carolina tries to break the road NFC South jinx in a difficult place to win. A loss will probably make Carolina have to play an extra week in the playoffs. Drew Brees goes for Dan Marino's playoff record. And Devery Henderson Deuce McAllister says a tearful goodbye to the Superdome faithful.
9. Lions/Packers: Detroit tries to avoid history. This game will be oddly compelling if it's close in the fourth quarter. I suspect it won't be.
8. Bears/Texans: An overachieving Bears team tries to pull off an unlikely division championship. Kyle Orton's uncertain future as a "franchise" quarterback would get a huge boost with a win.
7. Ravens/Jaguars: Underrated Super Bowl contender try to ride a rookie quarterback from Delaware to the playoffs.
6. Raiders/Bucs: It sounds silly, but this could be revenge for the Super Bowl. I think the Raiders have a decent chance. Jon Gruden's collapsing and calcifying team still has a good chance to get into the playoffs with a win. I can't imagine Jeff Garcia will get another year at the helm of this team. It's the end of the Monte Kiffin era and could be the same for Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber.
5. Vikings/Giants: Minnesota, looking to erase the memories of Nate Poole, tries to avoid another memorable final week choke. A loss against a Giants team with nothing to play for could lead to an ugly off-season for Brad Childress. The Vikings reportedly have strong interest in Matt Cassel, so this may be Tarvaris Jackson's last best chance to be the team's starter.
4. Bills/Patriots: New England tries to keep an improbable run going into the playoffs. A win would seemingly guarantee Dick Jauron staying Buffalo.
3. Broncos/Chargers: A game that will echo for a long time for both teams who legitimately hate each other, especially the quarterbacks. This is Jay Cutler's chance to step to another level of elite quarterback.
2. Cowboys/Eagles: Romo tries to get rid of his last-season choke reputation, deserved or not. Wade Phillips' job is reportedly secure, but another loss could still cause a shakeup. Donovan McNabb, who wants a contract extension, could be playing his last game for Philly. The Eagles are trying to avoid being the best team in DVOA history to miss the playoffs.
1. Jets/Dolphins: It doesn't get much better. Pennington vs. Favre in a bid to send all Jets fans into insane asylums for the off-season. Eric Mangini could be coaching his last game if Favre can't get a win in yet another one of his possible last games. I suspect the Jets won't get into the playoffs even if the win.
Comments
Rejoice in this festive holiday season! Your Patriots Gregg won't be in the playoffs this year. You just know Tom Brady is at home with his supermodel fiancee saying to himself, "I would have got us there for sure." There's always next year Gregg.
Posted by: The Bradyless Bunch | December 28, 2008 07:32 PM
Lawmakers in DC obviously bailed out the wrong part of Detroit, but somehow I don't think $34 Billion is enough to get the Lions a win. The BCS and NFL should get together on this, expel the Lions from the league, and promote the BCS winner./Cool widgets at statbeast. Take a look!
Posted by: Bill Tsiu | December 28, 2008 09:27 PM