I do love week 17, is probably my favorite week, even if some teams at this point have nothing to fight for, either being eliminated or with playoffs clinched, this week often offers us some of the greatest stories. I think 2017 week 17 will be one of the most fun, with 8 playoffs spots to be decided and a lot of draft implications almost every game will be fun. So here's an small recap of what's being played and some personal comments. When official file is release i'll run multiple scenarios for see tie breakers in game, so expect another article with playoffs picture update.
Teams have mathematically clinched playoffs (No tie breakers dependant)
Indianapolis Colts
Tennessee Titans
Dallas Cowboys
Detroit Lions
Teams are mathematically eliminated and team owns the 1st round pick
Buffalo Bills – Buffalo Bills
New York Jets – Denver Broncos
Cleveland Browns – Cleveland Browns
Jacksonville Jaguars – New York Jets
Kansas City Chiefs – Kansas City Chiefs
Houston Texans – Houston Texans
New Orleans Saints – New Orleans Saints
Arizona Cardinals – Arizona Cardinals
Seattle Seahawks – Seattle Seahawks
Chicago Bears – Chicago Bears
New York Giants – New York Giants
Green Bay Packers – Denver Broncos
Philadelphia Eagles – Philadelphia Eagles
Teams at playoffs hunt:
Baltimore Ravens
Oakland Raiders
New England Patriots
Cincinatti Bengals
San Diego Chargers
Denver Broncos
Pittsburgh Steelers
San Francisco 49ers
Carolina Panthers
Minnesota Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
St. Louis Rams
Atlanta Falcons
Washington Redskins
Hot Seat tracker
Gary Hickman – Green Bay Packers – To be fired
Gary Cohen – Pittsburgh Steelers – Extend 1 year (Could extend to 2 or 3 with playoffs)
Phill Mellon – Carolina Panthers – Extend 1 year (Could extend to 2 or 3 with playoffs)
Nathan Jones – New Orleans Saints – To be fired (Can use QB Clause for extend 1 year)
Anthony Cepparulo – Philadelphia Eagles – To be fired
Romeo Mendez – New York Giants – Extend 1 year (Stays at hot seat next season)
Felipe Santos – St. Louis Rams – Lose vs 49ers = To be fired, Win vs 49ers = Extend 2 or 3 years contract
Brad Barber – Oakland Raiders - Extend 1 year (Could extend to 2 or 3 with playoffs)
GM's with 2 years (Could be on hot seat next season)
Ian Coyle – Will be at Hot Seat
Olivier Ratajczak – Will be at Hot Seat
Garth Pearce – Lose = Will be at Hot seat – Win = Avoid Hot Seat – Win + Playoffs = Extend contract to 3 or 4 years
Kevin Mullendore – Will be at Hot Seat
Briston Redford – Avoid Hot Seat – If makes playoffs, extend to 3 or 4 years
Week 17 Schedule
49ers at St. Louis Rams
Probably one of my favorites games of the week and one that could change SFL. Winner takes NFC West, 49ers could lose and still make playoffs via Wildcard if results align but Rams only shot for playoffs is winning this game. Felipe Santos has 8-7 record and needs 9 wins or playoffs for keep his job, so the game decides if he's fired or instead he makes playoffs for the first time and extend his contract to 2 years, giving him job security for keep developing his young players. 49 ers won SB 2 seasons ago and still have most of his key players, so at least in my opinion they're SB contenders and despite some struggles during the season, if they make playoffs, are one of the most dangerous teams. SF had an awful week 16, losing 36-0 vs Lions, while Rams beat Cardinals by double digit. The game will be play in St.Louis i don't think home field plays a huge factor but on a game so important everything counts. The key matchup imo will be WR Mike Evans vs CB Cortez Allen, i think that matchup will define the winner.
New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings
Giants are a good football team, i've watched some of their games and they lost many of them in sad madden ways, but at this point of the season a lose is the best for them, they'll start Deshaun Watson, so they shouldn't be so competitive, Vikings have managed to survive the life without Tyler Wilson and he could be back for this game or for playoffs if Vikings win. Vikings depends on themselves for clinch playoffs a win is all they need, if they lose, need to wait results (More details at playoffs picture article). Minnesota is a perfect dark horse for win NFC and SB.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns
A game between 2 eliminated teams, and 2 GM's will be at the hot seat next season, both are benefited with the lose, for that same reason, keeping the required wins as low as posible. Based on the quality of their roster i don't think 6 or 7 wins next season will be hard to get. Now for draft purposes, Jaguars doesn't own their 1st, Jets do (Coming from Colts – Mark Sanchez deal) so the game is more important for Browns that do own their 1st round pick. Both teams will use this game for develop their QB, and young players trying to have a more competitive team for 2018
Pittsburgh Steelers at Miami Dolphins
Dolphins got 2 of the 4 needed results for win their division, they won and Pats lost, if they win this week depends on Texans beating Pats for win division, is an excellent scenario for a 7-8 team, while Steelers mathematically still have a chance, but need to win, wait for results and tie breakers. Pittsburgh defense was extremely dominant at the start of the season, but the offense uinit and the team in general fall apart with QB Woodson injury, they managed to win some games when he cameback but the loses during his absense have them in a complicated position. Dolphins are in a rebuild so they were not expecting playoffs, being on the hunt at this point and the performance of Mariota are good signals they're in the right direction.
New England Patriots at Houston Texans
To talk about Pats is not easy, i've followed some of their games and had the disgrace of broadcast 2 very very ugly maddened, then on the road they somehow got that karma back with a miracle comeback vs Panthers. Being on the weakest division probably ever, they control their destiny with a win, and in playoffs they could be as dangerous as any other team. Once in the playoffs is a different story and they have Derek Carr as QB, already progressed. The season have been a roller coaster of emotions for GM Briston Redford, and when he thought division was on the hand, scenario gets complicated but still depends entirely on themselves, always good reaching week 17. Texans "joking" said were going to try and spoil Pats playoffs, Houston has a very good roster, i had them as my pick for win AFC South and they played very well till QB Matt Ryan went down, Wade's not here anymore but the curse stayed. Even with that situation feels like Brandon will be succesfull here.
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Another critical game for playoffs race, Bucs have complicated themselves by losing vs Seahawks and Saints, 2 games that in theory were easy considering both teams were eliminated from playoffs run, the Buccs were very dominant during a 7 games win streak and that gaves them credit but that credit is over and must win for make playoffs, or lose and wait for results – tie breakers. Falcons flew under the radar all the time and now they're entirely on the playoffs run and even with chances of winning the division. The exact combinations and what each team needs will be detailed at the other article, but spoiler alert, if Falcons win they own tie breaker over Buccs, and wouldsay they'll probably being in and Bucs out. The game is hard to predict, i still consider Tampa should be the favorites and more playing at home, but the last 2 weeks version is worrying, while Falcons are playing their best football, On the playoffs i consider Tampa is more dangerous , QB wise, Cousins is better than Blake Bortles, but for the future, Bortles will be a super star. This game also carry special value for Garth, a lose send him to hot seat while a win likely to playoffs and 3 – 4 years contract, this game might be one of the most important games at Pearce SFL / Falcons career, and for Bryan Mellon will be also important specially at the moral side, if he loses i see him changing back to his old method, and let behind young players.
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers
If 2 teams could agree a result without game being played i'm sure this one would be on the top priority list, Saints need to lose for guarantee 1.1, (Or Cardinals lose) while Panthers needs to win for guarantee division / playoffs, and at least 2 years contract for Phil. Nate already lost 2.2 pick last season by trading up 1 slot, so he knows the difference between being 1.1 and 1.2, while Phil had precedents of heart breaking missing playoffs. The game has to be play, Saints just beat Buccs and i really like their roster, so i think will be closer than expected. Many teams on the wildcard run from NFC likely hoping for Saints to win, and complicate Panthers run. The good news for Carolina is that they depends on themselves, and the combinations of them making playoffs are more than them missing it.
Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets
Dream scenario for Bengals, a win and they clinch playoffs, vs a team that has nothing to fight for. It's interesting to see which QB Bengals use, i think they'll send Goff, Brady seems confident on him and have won last 2 games with him, i think Stainbach offers them better chances but Brady knows his team better than me or anyone else. Kevin threw away his chances of winning an easy division, when traded Sanchez but i think he did the right move, he got an excellent compensation, for a player that had underperform his whole career, and will be on the hot seat with no QB but with an small wins requirement. They have the ammo for trade for a QB or draft one if class convince them. Bengals were the best team last season, it took an inspiring Devante Parker for defeat them, but they were best 2016 team, their team stays almost the same, excluding some injuries, at playoffs they have potential to be a dark horse.
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
Anthony Bowl, this game had the potential to be the best game in SFL history, if Eagles had win last week, AC job would've been on the line, while Cowboys were 1 or 2 yards away to keep the perfect season. I was rooting for them, to have a 16-0 team was an excellent story and i love that kind of content, but Cowboys fall vs the hated rival Redskins. Now instead we get an irrelevant game, AC will try to say goodbye to Eagles by beating AF, and Cowboys will rest starters thinking at playoffs, they're still 14-1 and are the favorites for win it all. To lose a job never a good thing, but wish the best of luck to AC on his new team.
Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills
An old divisional rivals meetup, Colts have clinched everything and should be resting starters, while Bills were hit by the Wade Pearce QB curse. It's hard to evaluate a Bills team that was on rebuild and lost their key player, probably what affects them more, is not the season results but missing progression for McCarron, Wade said on discord they're in an scenario were could improve draft pick or could keep 3 years contract. In my opinion the 2nd one is way more important, 1 year contract is harder to recover, and force moves at team management. While some slots, can be easily recover with draft skills, Bills getting a top rookie anyway. Colts are a different team without and with Quinn, the good news for them, is they got a bye and Quinn will be back.
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
Bears have a rookie QB on Mahomes, so they didn't need to send QB Ainge to IR for improve draft pick this time. Lions have been very dominant this season, GM Justin Herr have been an expert dealing top players, and have being involved on many big money trades, right now Lions are one of my favorite teams for win SB, and if they fail this season, will have many more shots, QB Bridgewater is a stud, he doesn't need a rocket arm for perform, cornebacks are one of the best of league. They should be resting starters, as the bye week is a guarantee.
Washington Redskins at San Diego Chargers
Another critical game for playoffs. Destiny face GM William Cook with Washington Redskins for decide playoffs spot, PTSD for our commish?, probably, but the times are different, he isn't Cowboys GM anymore, and Bryan not at Washington anymore. Chargers sat at 9-3 record before facing the hardest part of schedule, undefeated Cowboys that took some Madden help for beat them with a KR TD at last second. Bengals that as stated above are very dangerous and Titans that having the best statisticallty defensive season, despite those loses, Chargers do control their destiny, with a win they're in, and they have a shot at bye week if Raiders lose. For this game SD has to be considered favorites as Washington has young players, specially QB Wenning, but also they had proven are a very competitive team, Justin had done an outstanding job and is showing why he has 2 rings, Redskins needs to win and some results for make playoffs but still on the race, they likely would be happy with 9 wins as Justin extend his contract, on a season wasn't expecting anything. One of the most fun games to watch on week 17.
Baltimore Ravens at Oakland Raiders
Another MUST watch game, currently the 2 teams lead their divisions, but only cause tie breaker, Bengals and Chargers share the same record. So for those 2 teams are excellent news to know at least 1 team will fall. Raiders do clinch division and bye week with a win, but Baltimore do need to win and Chargers to lose if want the bye week. Is a hard game to predict, initially i didn't have Ravens this far on the season with GM Jimmy Garapollo, but if have learned something on my time here is that doubt GM Norbert is always a bad idea, he knows how to line up competitive teams, while Brad was killing the season before found some hard games and then found a QB injury, he went 2-1 without Henne so can say he did very well and the team proved to be more than just his QB, I picked Raiders to win last SB, they also had an injury that killed their season, but this season could be their year, they have one of the most explosive offenses, and if their defense force plays, i can't find a team will beat them. They also won the Mushroom Kingdom Tournament (Special thanks for all the teams that participated). It's a 50-50 game with too much in play, the winner clinch playoffs and division, the loser could end watching playoffs from couch.
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos
Nothing have going the Chiefs way this season, is a burn the tape season, even when they wanted to lose they started winning, so early on the season they were eliminated, i think their roster is solid but they missed the most important element on this game: luck. Broncos faced a change of GM at mid-season, and Tim Miller traded the best CB of the team for a haul of picks, for current season he decreased his chances, but at long term was an excellent move for a team that was already too powerful. Broncos has everything to being SB contenders next season, 2017 is mathamatically alive, at least prior tie breakers, personally i think they're eliminated but need to run the tie breakers for confirm + with a win + results if get to 9-7 anything can happen.
Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals
A game without playoffs relevance, both teams have been eliminated since weeks ago, sadly Gary Hickman will be fired after this game, so for him is a goodbye game. Wish him the best luck at his next team, while Scott is aiming for a lose that gives him chances of 1.1 pick if Saints lose. Not the most important game of the week from a competitive aspect, but a very emotional one, it's been a 16 seasons journey for Mr. Hickman, with some ups and downs, Green Bay will always remember him.
Tennessee Titans at Seattle Seahawks
SB Rematch in a very different scenario, with the win vs Chargers + Ravens win vs Steelers, Titans clinched playoffs, the lineup from this game depends much if seed #5 is at risk, depending the tie breakers, if can get seed #5 will try to get it. No disrespect, but traveling to New England or Miami seems a better matchup than going to Baltimore, Cincinnati or Oakland, specially as has awful precedents and record vs those teams / gm. The record for best defense PPG is also on the line, the chances is that some starters will rest, Seahawks had a complicated season, so focusing in grabbing a high pick and comeback stronger next season.
Thanks for read the article, in some days will be old news, but guess is good to enjoy the final week of season. Expect a playoffs picture with in-game tie breakers tonight or tomorrow, depending when site advance
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