Quick game recap from meaningful games in the AFC
Another entertaining week around the AFC in Week 17 led to the final playoff picture. From teams benching their starters to othes with nothing to play for stepping up, it was an interesting week of games. For many of these teams, their seasons are over. Some of them left fans with optimism while other franchises left much to be desired going into the offseason.
Miami Dolphins beat New England Patriots
Talk about a wild football game. There were fake punts, jet sweeps that had wide receivers looking to throw, and a linebacker lining up as a fullback to catch a pass out of the backfield to score. The game ended with the Patriots trying to pull off a series of lateral passes, which ended up in Tom Brady just getting knocked down multiple times. It was a fun game to watch that no one expected.
Storylines from this game should read “the Ryan Fitzpatrick and DeVante Parker show.” While New England spent most of the day having Stephon Gilmore shadow Parker, it was not enough to even slow him down. Parker ended the day hauling in 8 receptions for 137 yards on 11 targets. On the final drive for Miami, Fitzpatrick and the offense moved 75 yards downfield to score a touchdown leaving only 24 seconds on the clock with a 27-24 lead.
Miami won five of its last nine games to finish the 2019 season. While the front office sent talent packing or to injured reserve, the coaching staff rallied the rest of their players to win games—many of whom wouldn’t have been in the NFL otherwise. Dolphins fans should be excited about their future after watching their first-year head coach Brian Flores. With a coaching staff that got everything out of little talent, along with the draft capital and cap room to make significant moves this offseason, Miami fans should have a big smile on their face.
New England, on the other hand, should be feeling concerned following their performance. It was another game riddled with mistakes on both sides of the ball. Brady and his receivers continue to struggle between off-target throws and dropped passes. A defense that had carried this team throughout the season was unable to force a turnover. Instead they allowed Fitzpatrick to throw for 320 yards and a touchdown.
Raiders go out with a loss
With the game on the line between these West rivals, Raiders coach Jon Gruden elected to go for a two-point conversion instead of tying the game for overtime.
After Broncos left tackle Garrett Bolles delivered a horrible penalty to push their kicker further back on a field goal attempt, which ended up sailing wide, the Raiders had a shot. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr led the offense down the field and found the end zone for the first time in 5 red zone attempts on Sunday. Down by a point, the Raiders would go for two only for Broncos defensive tackle Shelby Harris to knock it down.
For the second consecutive season under Gruden, the Raiders missed the playoffs. Losing five of their last six games, it’s not an outcome to be excited about as the team moves to its new city. The Black and Silver needed more than just a victory to advance to the playoffs. Given that the Tennessee Titans won, the Raiders wouldn’t have made the playoff picture regardless. Nonetheless, it’s hard to be excited about what we’ve seen from this team in the last month and a half.
Broncos fans should be optimistic as rookie quarterback Drew Lock started the final five games of the season. Winning four of those games, Lock threw for 843 yards, 6 touchdowns, and only 3 interceptions. Denver started the season winless in September but would finish the remainder of its games 7-5. Not a bad ending at all for first-year head coach Vic Fangio who many were calling for his head midway through the season.
Pittsburgh Steelers lose horribly to finish the season
Despite the Baltimore Ravens sitting many of their starters, the Pittsburgh Steelers were unable to move the ball on Sunday. The Devlin Hodges-led offense had a total of 168 yards to finish out the season. Finishing with just 95 yards passing, the undrafted rookie quarterback fumbled and gave up a safety after intentional grounding in the end zone. He had no chance against an aggressive Baltimore defense that was sending everything at him.
Even with most of the starters sitting, the Ravens offense was still able to run the ball. Gus Edwards led the team with 130 rushing yards. With eight players getting carries, Baltimore finished the day with 223 yards on the ground. It was quickly the worst run defense performance by Pittsburgh all season. Baltimore’s production surpassed the record for team rushing in a single season. Pittsburgh performed well above expectations on the season without their starting quarterback but fell short of making the playoffs.
Tennessee Titans secure a postseason spot
With the Houston Texans already locking up the No. 4 seed, Bill O’Brien determined there was no reason to play their starters with a Chiefs victory. The Tennessee Titans, on the other hand, were fighting to keep their spot as the No. 6 seed. Tennessee dominated the game against their divisional opponents, backups or not, winning 35-14. If anything, the game gave the Titans some needed momentum entering the postseason.
Running back Derrick Henry surpassed Cleveland Browns Nick Chubb for rushing leader on the season after rushing for 211 yards and 3 touchdowns. Playing in 15 games, Henry rushed for 1,329 yards (4.9 avg) and 13 touchdowns. Another standout performance was made by rookie wide receiver A.J. Brown who caught 4 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown.
It seems that all the Titans needed to get over the mediocre hump was to replace Marcus Mariota with Ryan Tannehill. As the team gets ready to travel to New England, they might be the best matchup to eliminate the Patriots from the playoffs.