Joe's Final Drive: Week 16

Holy idiotic decision Jim Caldwell! This week in the Final Drive features a barrel-full of storylines. The playoff contestants in the NFC were locked in while the AFC remains a dog-fight for the final two playoff spots. Let's wrap up week 16!

(8-7) Pittsburgh Steelers 23
(8-7) Baltimore Ravens 20

The Steelers took advantage of Raven penalties and missed opportunities to win a physical game and stay alive in the playoff hunt. Unfortunately for them, Baltimore still has the inside track to the post-season, only needing to beat Oakland next week in order to advance. The Steelers may have dug themselves too big a hole of which to climb out.

 
Was it too little too late?

(8-7) Houston Texans 27
(7-8) Miami Dolphins 20

Jumping out to a 27-3 first half lead, the Texans dropped their guard and let the Dolphins rally in the second half. Chad Henne went for over 300 yards passing, but he doesn't have enough weapons to overcome such a deficit. Even if the Texans don't make the playoffs, they have a chance for the first winning record in franchise history. 

(3-12) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20
(13-2) New Orleans Saints 17

This game was the WTF? moment of the weekend. The formerly 13-0 Saints have dropped two straight, but losing on a last second field goal to the lowly Buccaneers is inexcusable. Cadillac Williams ran all over the Saints defense, but it was the New Orleans offense struggling to put up points that lost them the game. That defense isn't good enough to keep teams under 17.

(7-8) Carolina Panthers 41
(8-7) New York Giants 9

Not exactly the way you want to close out your stadium. The last Giants era at the Meadowlands ended with a whimper as the G-men were bullied by the Panther offensive line and running back Jonathan Stewart. New York didn't crack the scoreboard until the third quarter when the game had already been decided. With the loss, the Giants are eliminated from the playoffs. With the win, John Fox saved his job for one more year.

(8-7) New York Jets 29
(14-1) Indianapolis Colts 15

I've never seen anyone toss away perfection as nonchalantly as Jim Caldwell did on Sunday. The Colts head coached pulled Peyton Manning and other starters out of the game in the third quarter of a game they were winning, giving up on a 19-0 season. It was clear on the sidelines that Manning had no love for the decision as he watched Curtis Painter come in and turn the ball over twice, giving the Jets easy scores and the easy win. Shame on you Jim Caldwell. You owed it to Manning and those players to at least try for perfection. If you lost or were getting blown out, then rest your players. I can't possibly believe this strategy will pay off for the Colts because it hasn't worked for them before. Caldwell should know that.

 
1st rule of the Indianapolis Colts: Don't make Peyton Manning upset.

(11-4) Philadelphia Eagles 30
(8-7) Denver Broncos 27

My how the once mighty have fallen. From 6-0 to 8-7, the Denver Broncos are on the outside of the playoff picture.Take that Kyle Orton. The Eagles on the other hand are primed for the number two seed and a bye thanks to Minnesota's head-scratching loss Monday night. Their explosive offense led by Donovan McNabb coupled with an aggressive defense makes them the hottest team in the NFC in my opinion. A looming showdown with the Cowboys has the NFC East title in the balance.

(10-5) Dallas Cowboys 17
(4-11) Washington Redskins 0 

Speaking of the Cowboys, they beat up on the small child that is the Redskins organization and surprisingly still have a shot at the NFC number two seed if they get some help. Winning two in a row in December goes a long way in shaking thir history, but they still need to win at least one playoff game for Wade Philips to keep his job. Tony Romo is playing mistake-free at the QB position and is supported by a trio of talented running backs. Dallas is getting hot at the right time.

Is it bad that I feel good for Tony?

Check back later in the week for my Opening Drive of week 17 in the NFL!