Power rankings system devised and compiled weekly by Stemshul. “Expert” analysis by paradroid.
We made it! The playoff field is set and wild card week awaits. Stemshul will have predictions on the match-ups coming up, but I will look back at the events of the weekend to see who blew it and who aced it. The good stuff first: Who got it together when they needed to? We’ll start with the #11 49ers, who had one of the toughest games of a team who hadn’t clinched. The #5 Rams were playing for the the division title and some home field advantage. Now, thanks to the #7 Cardinals disappointing loss to the #23 Seahawks, L.A. still managed to back into winning the NFC West, football’s best division and the only one to send three representatives to this year’s big dance. San Francisco beat the Rams for the second time this year and could argue that they’re in fact the best team from the brutal NFC West. They did lose to Arizona twice, but their 6-2 run to end the year easily eclipses Kyler Murray and co.’s fade from 7-0 to 11-6. As long as Jimmy G, the handsomest man in the world, can stay healthy and not make back-breaking mistakes, S.F. looks like a real contender in the NFC.
The least likely team to get in who did was the #9 Raiders. Our rankings say they’re good and deserve to be there, and they do, but between the Gruden scandal and the Henry Ruggs tragedy (it’s a sad fall from grace with a bright future ahead of him, but of course the real tragedy is what happened to victim and her dog. I know a human life has more value, but dog suffering always gets me. Get away from me, Sara McLachlan and ASPCA!). Interim coach Rich Bisaccia has done an impressive job since Chucky resigned, although things looked dire after a 48-9 loss to the #2 Chiefs left them at 6-7. But wins in over playoff contenders Cleveland (#20), Denver (#24), Indianapolis (#16), and the L.A. Chargers (#15), the latter of which was a thrilling overtime contest that, had it resulted in a tie, would have meant both teams got in. But L.V., went for the win and got it on a 47 yard field goal with time expiring (Pittsburgh, maybe the worst team who got it, should send the Raiders a few draft picks, because when the Silver and Black got the ball near the end of O.T., they could have just taken a knee and gotten in with the tie, but they went for the win and powered in to the postseason, dragging the Steelers in with them). Now, the Raiders’ minus 65 point differential, the worst of any playoff team, indicated maybe they aren’t likely to make a run, but I think Bisaccia deserves some strong consideration for the full time gig in Vegas next year (second worst point differential? The Steelers, of course, at minus 55).
Who blew it? Let’s start with the #17 Ravens. Baltimore was in really strong position to win the AFC outright, even as they began losing games. When Lamar Jackson went down, it was a tough blow. But the once 8-3 Ravens somehow lost 6 in a row to end the season. Even on the last day of the season, all they had to do was beat the Steelers and their anemic offense and they were still in. But they couldn’t do it, losing 16-13 at home. I wonder if John Harbaugh is going to have to start thinking about his job security soon. The decision to go for two (twice) with no time on the clock failed (twice) and cost them both games (or at least any chance of winning in overtime). You succeed and you’re a bold genius, but you don’t and you’re the one who lost the game. If you’re going to get the credit, you’re also going to get the blame.
But I saved the worst for last. The #16 Colts, after all that hard work to recover from a terrible 1-4 start, got all the way to 9-6 and were basically a lock for the postseason. But then a loss Las Vegas (understandable, but it was a home game and I think the Colts are clearly a better team than the Raiders) and suddenly they needed a win in their last game. What’s that, against the Jags? The absolute worst team in football? No problem! No way they blow this! Right? Umm…yep, they blew it. And it wasn’t close. 26-11! Ugh, what a epic bed-shitting. They should be back fairly strong next year, with Jonathan Taylor leaping into the conversation with Derrick Henry as best running back in the league and a solid coach in Frank Reich, but the curse of Carson Wentz continues. I’m not feeling super confident about next year if I’m a Colts fan.
Just a brief word on the Lions, who we’ll discuss plenty in the offseason. A fitting ending for an initially terrible year which had us wondering about Campbell and (especially) Goff. Detroit, albeit against only one half of Green Bay starters, had a thrilling win full of trick plays, fourth down conversions, and key turnovers. It was all the best stuff from the season packed into one game. Goff was pretty great again (he’s had the 4th best passer rating in the league since Campbell took over play calling duties), and although the Packers did rest their starters in the second half, the Lions were up 17-14 against the starters at halftime. In the first half of the season, Detroit was a pretty depressing watch. But my confidence is weirdly high for the future considering the team just went 3-13-1. Can’t wait for next year! But first, I can’t wait for this weekend’s playoff games! Here we go!
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