Mattie T’s Recap & Thoughts on Week 17 of the 2006 NFL Season

This is the final weekend of the regular season before the start of the playoffs, so let’s go!

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Star Performer of the Game: Giants RB Tiki Barber, who rushed 23 times for 234 yards & scored 3 touchdowns.

Giants LB Antonio Pierce on the team clinching a playoff berth despite finishing 8-8 & losing 6 of their final 8 games: “This is a soap opera to its fullest. This is New York at its prime right here. Hopefully, we’ll go out on top and do everything right. We finally got to the playoffs, and that was our ultimate goal.”

“We’re in the playoffs, and we’re 0-0, and I like that better than anything else.”

Mattie T’s Thoughts:

If this is indeed the end of Tiki Barber’s 10 year career, he definitely proved on Saturday night that he still is one of the best running backs in the NFL.

Barber posted his first game of 200 or more rushing yards since his 203 yard effort against the Oakland Raiders in Week 17 of the ‘05 season. (Giants won 30-21)

Barber will finish his regular-season career with 5 consecutive seasons in which he appeared in 16 games & 3 consecutive seasons of 1,500 yards or more rushing.

The Giants are in the playoffs for the 2nd consecutive season (lost to Carolina in ‘05 Wild Card playoffs) for the 1st time since 1989-90, when Bill Parcells was the team’s head coach.

The #6 seeded Giants have gone 2-3 in the playoffs since Barber’s (1 touchdown in 5 career playoff games) arrival & will face the #3 seeded Philadelphia Eagles in a NFC Wild Card game for a 3rd time this season (road team won both meetings) on Sunday from Lincoln Financial Field.

Washington finishes their season at 5-11 & 4th in the NFC East for the 2nd time in the past 3 seasons & have not recorded back-to-back winning seasons (10-6 in ‘05) since ‘96-97, when Norv Turner was the head coach.

The 5-11 record is also the worst in Joe Gibbs’ 15 year coaching career.

Gibbs is now 21-27 since coming out of retirement in 2004.

Redskins KR Rock Cartwright (1,541 yards) had 6 kickoff returns for 135 yards, breaking the franchise record previously held by Brian Mitchell, who had 1,478 yards during the ‘94 season.

Redskins RB Ladell Betts rushed 20 times for 92 yards on Saturday, snapping a franchise-tying record of 5 consecutive 100 yard games.

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Star Performer of the Game: Panthers WR Steve Smith, who caught 7 receptions for 85 yards & scored 2 touchdowns.

Saints QB Drew Brees on the team’s fan support throughout the season: “For these fans and these people, their spirit has been with us the entire time. Everything they’ve gone through … for us to be able to come back home and give them what they deserve, that feels good for us, and we just want to turn around and say thank you to them.”

Mattie T’s Thoughts: In a rather meaningless regular season finale, the Saints’ 2nd stringers played hard on Sunday & made Carolina work for their 10 point win.

#2nd seeded New Orleans will host an NFC Divisional Playoff Game on the weekend of January 13-14th from the Superdome.

It will be the first home playoff game for the Saints since 2000, when they beat the St. Louis Rams in a NFC Wild Card game.

Carolina finishes 8-8 in the NFC South & has never made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons during their 12 year existence in the NFL.

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Star Performer of the Game: Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander, who rushed 28 times for 92 yards & scored a touchdown.

Alexander on the team’s underdog status in the playoffs despite winning the NFC Championship Game a year ago: “I would much rather be that guy than the one that everybody is looking at. We know what happens when people take us lightly.”

Mattie T’s Thoughts:

This was an important win for Seattle, as they avoid entering the playoffs on a 4 game losing streak.

For the 3rd consecutive season, the Seahawks enter the playoffs as the NFC West Champions.

They are hoping that history doesn’t repeat itself, as the ‘04 team (Won NFC West, also at 9-7) lost in the Wild Card playoffs at home to their division-rival St. Louis Rams.

Seattle is 0-3 all-time in the playoffs after winning the division with a 9-7 record. (Lost in ‘88 to Cincinnati, Lost in ‘99 to Miami & Lost in ‘04 to St. Louis.)

The #4 seeded Seahawks will host the #5 seed Dallas Cowboys on Saturday from Qwest Field in the NFC Wild Card playoffs.

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Star Performer of the Game: Steelers RB Willie Parker, who rushed 37 times for 134 yards & scored 2 touchdowns.

Honorable mention goes to Steelers WR Santonio Holmes, who caught 4 receptions for 124 yards & a touchdown, which was the game-winning 67 yard score in overtime.

Steelers head coach Bill Cowher on whether he’ll return for a 16th season with the team:

“I know where I’m leaning. I want to make sure I’m thinking clearly about it. I’m not burned out. When I make a decision, it’s a well-thought-out one. I’m not a hindsight kind of guy.”
Mattie T’s Thoughts:

If yesterday was Bill Cowher’s final game with the Steelers, they sent him out in winning fashion.

Sunday’s win kept Pittsburgh from suffering just their 3rd losing season in Cowher’s 15 year tenure with the team, which includes 8 division titles, 12 playoff wins (42.9% of the franchise’s all-time playoff wins), 2 Conference Championship wins & 1 Super Bowl title.

Cowher has complied a career record of 161 wins, 99 losses and 1 tie with the Steelers.

Cowher improved to 21-9 against the Bengals, his most victories against any team in the NFL.

Steelers assistant coach Dick Hoak announced his retirement after the game, ending his NFL record 35th season with the team.

Hoak is the only assistant coach to work for Chuck Noll & Bill Cowher, who have won 5 Super Bowls between them.

Steelers RB Willie Parker’s two touchdowns (16) on Sunday set a franchise record for most touchdowns in a season, previously held by Louis Lipps’ 15 touchdowns during the 1985 season.

Cincinnati finished their season poorly, losing their final 3 games to eliminate themselves from the playoffs.

It denied Cincinnati a chance to make back-to-back postseason apperances for the first time since 1981-82, when Forrest Gregg was the team’s head coach.

Bengals QB Carson Palmer threw for 258 passing yards on Sunday, putting him over the 4,000 yard mark for the 1st time in his 3 year career.

Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh caught 4 receptions for 44 yards, putting him over the 1,000 yard mark for the 1st time in his 5 year career.

Bengals K Shayne Graham had a chance to end the game with 8 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter, but missed a 39 yard field goal to force overtime.

Bengals WR Chad Johnson (1,369 yards) caught 4 receptions for 53 yards, winning the NFL’s receiving title by 3 yards over the Colts’ Marvin Harrison.

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Star Performer of the Game: Jets LB Eric Barton, who recorded 4 tackles, 1 sack & forced a fumble.

Jets RB Leon Washington on the team clinching a playoff spot with the win: “Playoffs, playoffs, playoffs — three times for ya. It feels good to say it.”

Mattie T’s Thoughts:

The #5 seeded Jets have definitely been a surprise all season long in the AFC & will travel to Gillette Stadium to face the #4 seeded New England Patriots (road team won both meetings this season) on Sunday from Gillette Stadium during AFC Wild Card weekend.

The Jets have won their last two Wild Card games, with the most recent coming in 2004 when they beat the San Diego Chargers before being eliminated by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional Playoffs.

Oakland finishes their season with the worst record in the NFL at 2-14 & the worst record for the franchise since they went 1-13 in 1962, when Marty Feldman was the team’s head coach.

The Raiders finished 0-8 on the road for the 2nd time in the past 4 seasons, were held without an offensive touchdown for the 8th time this season & scored the fewest points (168) in franchise history.

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Star Performer of the Game: Texans RB Chris Taylor, who rushed 20 times for 99 yards & scored a touchdown.

Taylor on his breakout game: “I’ve been hungry. It’s been kind of frustrating, but I finally got the reward I was waiting for.”

Mattie T’s Thoughts: Houston got their franchise-best 6th win of the season on Sunday.

The Texans found a defensive gem this season in LB DeMeco Ryans, who finished 2nd in the NFL with 156 tackles.

Ryans’ 156 tackles is the most by a rookie since Chris Spielman’s 153 tackles for Detroit in 1988.

Texans WR Andre Johnson caught 103 receptions (led NFL) this season for 1,147 yards & and caught 55 receptions for 1st downs, all career-highs.

Houston used a running back-by-committe approach all season after passing on Reggie Bush in April’s NFL Draft & saw just two 100 yard efforts all season of a combo that included Wali Lundy, Ron Dayne, Samkon Gado, & Chris Taylor.

The Texans were able to record consecutive wins for the 1st time since 2004 with Sunday’s victory.

Cleveland has compiled a 36-76 record over the past 7 seasons.

Browns TE Kellen Winslow’s 89 receptions ties a franchise record.

Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome caught 89 receptions during the 1983 & 1984 season.

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Star Performer of the Game: Patriots WR Reche Caldwell, who caught 4 receptions for 134 yards & scored a touchdown.

Honorable mention goes to Patriots CB Asante Samuel, who recorded 4 tackles, deflected 4 passes & caught 2 interceptons.

Titans LB Keith Bulluck on Bill Belichick’s decision to put Vinny Testaverde in late so he can have a shot of at least 1 touchdown pass in the last 20 seasons: “I don’t think that was really necessary.”

Mattie T’s Thoughts:

This was a very devastating loss for Tennessee, because the scenario for them to get into the playoffs worked: Jacksonville, Cincinnati & Denver all lost on Sunday.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick may catch some heat for allowing 43 year old Vinny Testaverde to enter the game late in the 4th quarter in order for Testaverde to keep his streak alive of at least 1 touchdown pass over the last 19 seasons.

Testaverde extended his streak to 20 seasons on his 6 yard touchdown pass to WR Troy Brown with 1:45 remaining.

Patriots RB Corey Dillon rushed for 67 yards on Sunday, passing O.J. Simpson (11, 236) for 14th on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 11,241 yards.

Dillon also scored 2 touchdowns to give him 13 on the season, tying the franchise record alongside Curtis Martin, who scored 13 touchdowns in ‘95 & ‘96.

The loss eliminated Tennessee from the playoffs, but every player on their 53 man roster should have nothing but high hopes for next season after the incredible second half run that the Titans made to erase an 0-5 start & coming so close to clinching a playoff berth.

Rookie QB Vince Young was a big reason for Tennessee’s second half turnaround.

Young finishes his rookie season with an 8-5, the 5th most wins by a rookie quarterback since 1970.

Young has already promised fans that the Titans will be in the playoffs next season.

Tennessee’s last playoff apperance came in 2003 when they finished 12-4 & finished 2nd in the AFC South.

The Titans were eliminated by the New England Patriots in the Divisional Playoffs.

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Star Performer of the Game: Lions QB Jon Kitna, who completed 28 of 42 passes for 306 yards, 4 touchdowns & 1 interception.

Cowboys QB Tony Romo on the team losing 3 of their final 4 regular-season games: “We are definitely going in backwards from the way we wanted to. We may not scare anyone right now. We win a game or two and that will change.”

Mattie T’s Thoughts:

Not a good way for Dallas to enter the playoffs, but all 3 losses came at Texas Stadium.

#5 seeded Dallas will travel to Qwest Field on Saturday to face the #4 seeded Seattle Seahawks.

The Cowboys have lost their last 3 Wild Card playoff games, with the last win coming in the 1996 season when they beat the Minnesota Vikings at Texas Stadium.

Detroit’s win ensures that Oakland will get the first overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.

Lions QB Jon Kitna is the first quarterback in franchise history to take every snap for the team this season since Bobby Layne in 1951.

Kitna finished the season with 4,208 passing yards (4th in NFL) , which is a career-high.

Lions WR Mike Furrey caught 98 receptions this season, which is the most ever by a non-rookie following a season with no catches.

Furrrey made the successful conversion to wide receiver after playing defensive back for the St. Louis Rams last season.

Detroit finishes their season at 3-13, their worst record since their 3-13 campaign in ‘02 when Marty Mornhinweg was the team’s head coach.

Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware had 3 sacks on Sunday to finish with 11.5 for the season, the most ever by a Dallas linebacker & the most by any player in franchise history since Tony Tolbert’s 12 sacks during the 1996 season.

Cowboys WR Terrell Owens caught his 800th career reception during the game, while Cowboys WR Terry Glenn went over the 1,000 yard mark for the second consecutive seson.

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Star Performer of the Game: Chiefs RB Larry Johnson, who rushed 33 times for 138 yards & scored 3 touchdowns.

Johnson on his league-leading 416 carries this season: “It just means that I know I can carry the ball through an entire season and you have something to gauge me by. Now you know you don’t have to worry about tiring me out because you know how far I can go.”

Mattie T’s Thoughts:

Herm Edwards depended a lot for Larry Johnson to carry the offensive load & the number of Johnson’s carries against Indianapolis on Saturday during Wild Card weekend will determine the impact on whether the Chiefs will be able to advance.

When Johnson receives 30 or more carries in a game this season, the Chiefs are 6-0.

When Johnson receives less than 30 carries in a game this season, the Chiefs are 3-7.

The 4th year back also broke his own record, rushing for 1,789 yards to break the 1,750 yards that he set in just 9 starts during the 2005 season.

Kansas City will make their first Wild Card apperance in 12 years when they travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts on Saturday at the RCA Dome.

The Chiefs lost 27-17 to the Miami Dolphins in their last Wild Card apperance.

Jacksonville slumped to the finish, losing their last 3 games after their Week 14 win against Indianapolis in which the team rushed for 375 yards, the 2nd highest total since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger.

The Jaguars fell 59 yards short of becoming the 5th team in NFL History with two 1,000 yard rushers.

Fred Taylor led the team with 1,141 yards rushing, while Maurice Jones-Drew finished 2nd with 941 yards rushing.

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Star Performer of the Game: Rams RB Steven Jackson, who rushed 25 times for 142 yards & rushed for 3 touchdowns. Jackson also added 2 receptions for 24 yards & a receiving touchdown.

Vikings head coach Brad Childress on his team losing 8 of 10 games to end their season:

“It’s like remodeling a house when you’re in it. It’s not comfortable, and the neighbors don’t like looking at it with the family room knocked off. … It’s a little bit painful sometimes, a little bit uncomfortable sometimes.”

Mattie T’s Thoughts:

Steven Jackson is quickly becoming one of the best all-purpose backs in the league, and his 59 yard touchdown run in the 4th quarter prevented Minnesota from setting the single-season record for fewest rushing yards allowed.

The 2000 Baltimore Ravens still hold the record with 970 yards allowed on the ground during their Super Bowl-winning season.

Jackson finished 5th in the NFL with 1,528 yards rushing & led all running backs this season with 806 yards receiving.

St. Louis finishes 8-8 in ‘06 & have not had a winning season since their division winning 12-4 team in ‘03, when Mike Martz was the team’s head coach.

Vikings QB Brad Johnson completes his 13th NFL season with just 9 passing touchdowns, the lowest total for him in his career when he has started 10 or more games at quarterback.

Minnesota does have a future quarterback in Tavaris Jackson that can get some time to develop in 2007 if the Vikings choose to part ways with Johnson this offseason.

Jackson completed 44 of 77 passes (57.1%) for 440 yards, 2 touchdowns & 4 interceptions in his 3 starts this season. (Vikings went 0-3 during that stretch.)

Vikings RB Chester Taylor set a franchise record with 304 carries this season & became the 4th back in team history to rush for 1,200 yards.

Minnesota finishes with a 6-10 record, the worst for the franchise since 2002 (also finished 6-10), when Mike Tice was the team’s head coach.

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Star Performer of the Game: Colts QB Peyton Manning, who completed 22 of 37 passes for 282 yards & 2 touchdowns.

Colts DT Dan Klecko on his 1st career touchdown catch in the NFL: “It’s nothing out of the ordinary. I have a couple of touchdown catches, but that’s my first in the NFL.”

Mattie T’s Thoughts:

Indianapolis was able to finish their season with a perfect 8-0 record at home, the 1st for the franchise since 1958.

But the Colts will have to travel on the road if they defeat Kansas City on Saturday, which is where their recent troubles have occured.

Indianapolis has lost 3 of their last 5 regular season games away from the RCA Dome to Tennessee, Jacksonville & Houston, who have a combined 22-26 record.

The Colts won a franchise-record 4th consecutive division title & will host Kansas City on Saturday. Indianapolis has won their last 2 Wild Card games, with the most recent apperance coming in 2004 when they defeated Denver 49-24.

Indianapolis was the only team this season to allow all 16 of its’ opponents to rush for at least 100 yards & will try to slow down the Chiefs’ Larry Johnson (2nd in NFL with 1,789 yards) in order for them to advance to the Divisional Playoffs.

Colts WR Marvin Harrison caught 5 receptions for 74 yards & finished 5 receptions short of breaking Jerry Rice’s record of 4 consecutive 100 reception seasons.

Harrison (1,366 receiving yards) also finished just 3 yards behind the Bengals’ Chad Johnson (1,369 yards) for the NFL receiving title.

Dolphins rookie QB Cleo Lemon made his 1st start of the season & completed 18 of 36 passes for 210 yards, 1 touchdown & 1 interception.

Miami could see some changes in 2007, starting with the head coaching position.

Dolphins head coach Nick Saban has been mulling an 8 year, $35-40 million offer from the University of Alabama to head back to college football after compiling a 15-17 records in 2 seasons with Miami.

Saban will make a final decision tomorrow morning.

Dolphins DE Jason Taylor, who just finished an outstanding season with 13.5 sacks (4th in NFL) that will merit strong consideration for the Defensive Player of the Year award, is considering retirement after completing his 10th season with the team.

Taylor became the first non-defensive back since Bob Matheson in 1978 to share the team lead in interceptions with 2. (Both returned for touchdowns.)

If Taylor does return in 2007, he will attempt to record 10 or more sacks for a 3rd consecutive season, which will be a new career-high.

Miami completes its’ 3rd consecutive season with a losing record, the 1st for the franchise since the team suffered 4 consecutive losing seasons from 1966-1969 during the AFL era.

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Star Performer of the Game: 49ers RB Frank Gore, who rushed 31 times for 153 yards.

49ers QB Alex Smith on the team knocking Denver out of the playoffs: “You better believe it felt good taking them out. If we were going to be home for the playoffs we wanted them to be right with us.”

Mattie T’s Thoughts:

The 12 hours between Denver’s season-ending loss & January 1st, 2007 will probably be the worst timeframe that the 36 year franchise has ever endured.

Starting cornerback Darrent Williams, who recorded 2 tackles & deflected a pass during the Week 17 loss was shot & killed early Monday morning in the downtown Denver area after leaving a birthday party that was held for Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin, an event that was advertised by the team.

Teammate Javon Walker was in the stretch white Hummer limo that was fired at during the shooting, but Walker was not injured during the incident.

Williams was 24.

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Star Performer of the Game: Ravens LB Ray Lewis, who recorded 8 tackles, 1 sack & forced a fumble.

Ravens CB Chris McAlister on the importance of Sunday’s win, clinching a 1st round bye:

“Coming into the game it was something at the top of our agenda, to come in and get the victory just so we can have that week off. A lot of people can really use it. We can rest up a couple of injuries in guys we have that didn’t suit up today.”

Mattie T’s Thoughts:

Big win for Baltimore, who will host an AFC Divisional Playoff Game for the first time in franchise history.

The rest will be key for the Ravens, who are 2-0 this season when playing on 10 days or more of rest. (Defeated New Orleans & Kansas City.)

Rex Ryan’s unit finished their season ranked among the top 10 in several key defensive categories.

Baltimore is the league leader in points allowed defensively (12.6), yards allowed per game (264.1), interceptions (28), interceptions returned for touchdowns (5), defensive touchdowns (6), 2nd in sacks (60), 2nd in run defense (75.9 yards allowed per game), & 6th in pass defense. (188.2 yards allowed per game)

Ravens QB Steve McNair became just the 3rd player in NFL History to amass 30,000 yards passing & 3,500 yards rushing with his 216 passing yards on Sunday.

Steve Young & Fran Tarkenton are the other two players to accomplish the feat.

Buffalo finishes their season at 8-8 & have not made the playoffs since 1999, when they lost an AFC Wild Card playoff game to Tennessee by a play that is now dubbed “The Music City Miracle”.

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Star Performer of the Game: Chargers LB Donnie Edwards, who recorded 11 tackles & forced a fumble.

Chargers QB Philip Rivers on his foot injury, which was suffered during Sunday’s win:

“To me, it’s not the biggest news of the day. To me, it’ll be a non-issue come two weeks from now.”

Mattie T’s Thoughts:

Stealing a quote from Harlem rapper Jim Jones, the Chargers continue to fly high and are definitely ballin’ heading into the playoffs with a 10 game win streak.

San Diego finishes at 14-2, which is the best record in their 36 year franchise history & will host an AFC Divisional Playoff game for the first time since ‘94 when they defeated Miami 22-21.

San Diego would end up advancing to Super Bowl XXIX, but lost 49-26 to the San Francisco 49ers in their only previous Super Bowl apperance.

Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson won the rushing title with 1,815 yards (career-high) & now holds the single-season NFL record with 31 touchdowns.

Chargers LB Shawne Merriman won the sack title with 17 sacks (career-high) despite missing 4 games earlier in the season for failing a steroid test.

Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer won his 200th game on Sunday, joining Don Shula, George Halas, Tom Landry & Curly Lambeau as the only coaches to win 200 games or more.

However, Schottenheimer is the only 200-win member without a Super Bowl win & has a career playoff record of 5-12 with Cleveland, Kansas City & San Diego.

Cardinals head coach Dennis Green was fired Monday after compiling a 16-32 record in 3 seasons with the team.

Arizona finished Sunday with their 8th consecutive losing season & have not had a winning season since ‘98, when they went 9-7 & made the playoffs with Vince Tobin as the team’s head coach.

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Star Performer of the Game: Packers S Nick Collins, who recorded 6 tackles, deflected 3 passes, & caught 2 interceptions. (Returned an interception 63 yards for a touchdown.)

Packers QB Brett Favre on Sunday’s win possibly being the final game of his 16th season:

“If this is my last game, I want to remember it. It’s tough. I love these guys. I love this game. What a great way to go out against a great football team. I couldn’t ask for a better way to get out.”

Mattie T’s Thoughts:

Although i personally think that Favre will be back for a 17th NFL season, he is going to be a first time Hall of Famer no matter what he does from here on out.

One incentive to return in 2007 could be to break Dan Marino’s NFL record of 420 career touchdown passes (Favre has 414 after throwing a touchdown during Sunday’s win) & to help get Green Bay back to the playoffs for the first time since 2004, when Mike Sherman was the team’s head coach.

Favre is 1st in NFL history with 5,021 completions & 2nd with 57,500 passing yards.

Chicago won their division in back-to-back seasons for the 1st time since 1987-88, when Mike Ditka was head coach & will host an NFC Divisional Playoff Game for the 3rd time in the past 6 seasons.

The Bears will look to win their 1st Divisional Playoff Game since 1988, when they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 20-12 with Mike Tomczak as the team’s starting quarterback.

Chicago will try & improve in several areas during their bye week after scoring a season-low 7 points on Sunday & allowing 300 yards or more defensively for the 6th straight game after holding their opponents to 300 yards or less for the first 11 weeks of the season.

That’s a wrap with the Week 17 Recap!

Saturday will begin the start of the NFL Playoffs, with 12 teams battling for one goal: a win in Super Bowl XLI on February 4th from Miami.

I’ll have my Wild Card Weekend previews & picks on Friday.

Until then,

Mattie T

Sports Writer for BMS Radio Chicago

www.bmsradio.com

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