Week 17 of the 2011 – 2012 NFL was the “End Of The Road” (in my Boys II Men singing voice ….. if you turn the shower on you would swear I sound like Luther ….. Chubby Luther of course! Skinny Luther was good but not as good as the Chubby version) and as it’s been all season all but three of the games scheduled had major playoff implications. The other plus that we got from the finale of this weeks action was the complete playoff picture. First I want to talk about the teams that missed there chance at gaining a ticket to the dance and what this could mean going forward for these teams.
The weekly drama in New York “As The JETS Turn”…. had it’s season ending episode in Miami as they face the Dolphins who as of late have looked like a different team after a slow early season start. The JETS held all the cards to there post season chances win this game and get a little help and your in. The Jets looked like they were up to the task early in the game driving the ball right down the field for an touchdown pass to TE Dustin Keller for a 7 – 0 lead. A couple of quick three and outs for the Dolphins would allow the Jets to put some solid drives together, but they could only manage another 3 points for a 10 – 3 late second quarter lead. Jets QB Mark Sanchez would make a huge mistake at the end of the half throwing an interception that lead to a Dolphins field goal cutting the lead to 10 – 6. Both teams would go scoreless throughout the third quarter, so we fast forward to the fourth quarter. The Dolphins were able to put a 20 play scoring drive together early in the quarter to take a 13 -10 lead. On the Jets next possession Sanchez would add more drama to a tight game with another interception his second of the game to Dolphin DE Randy Starks (Jackson Heights own …. in my Arsenio from Coming to America Voice) resulting in another Dolphins score pushing the lead to 16 – 10. The Jets got the ball back with 4 minuets left on the game clock and with the combination of key plays and a big personal foul call on the Dolphins would get right into red zone for a scoring opportunity. Then it happened again Sanchez threw another interception this time to Dolphins LB Marvin Mitchell who was able to return in deep in Jets territory. The Dolphins put another field goal on the board for 19 -10 lead. So 2 minuets left in the game the Jets get the ball back and what do they do…… drive the ball right down the field and score with a touchdown pass to WR Patrick Turner cutting the lead to 19 -17. A failed on-side kick would end the game and the Jets playoff chances. The drama however for the Jets was just as good as sneak peeks from Love & Hip Hop and MOB Wives. Jets WR Santiono Holmes was apparently benched in crunch time of the game due to his attitude. Even prompting some players to say after the game that “He’s been like this all season …pouting when things don’t go his way”. When asked by reporters after the game Holmes tried to play it off , but you could tell something wasn’t right. All in all this was a horrible ending to the Jets season and questions will surround this team and there fiery head coach all off season. Has the Rex Ryan era ended in New York???????????? In the words of a friend to the blog Jets LB Bart Scott ….”CAN’T WAIT” to see what happens
Next The Raiders had a chance to get in with a win against the Chargers. As usual the Chargers are on another late season tear in which they look like they cant be stopped , so could the Raiders end there playoff drought? The game would start off great with both offenses driving right down the field for early first quarter touchdowns. The second quarter would see both teams get right into what they do, for the Raiders penalties would hurt them resulting in limited scoring as they only managed two field goals during the period. The Chargers had one explosive play after another resulting in them scoring 17 points in the quarter and a 24 – 13 halftime lead. During the third quarter of the game it was know that Denver had lost there game against the Chiefs which opened the playoff door even more for the Raiders …..win and get in. The second half would be a tightly contested game as both offenses put points on the board , but the Chargers played mistake free football allowing them to control the rest of the game wrapping up the 38 – 26 victory. For the Raiders its another post season of watching the playoffs and wondering if they need to change there “Bad in Black” attitude as it cost them a chance at the post season again.
The prime time game had all the social feeds buzzing all day as the Giants hosted the Cowboys in a game that was simple “Win or Go Home”. As usual big questions surrounded this game …. What Giants team would show up , How would Tony Romo play with his injured throwing hand , Would Brandon Jacobs wear that 3rd game sweater again ( I know nothing to do with the game . but some things are more important…..lol)? From the start the Giants were out to prove that they were ready for this moment as WR Victor Cruz and the offense made big play after another leading to a 21 – 0 and salsa lessons courtesy of CRUZZZZZZZZZZZ. The Cowboys would look different at the start of the second half with an opening drive that resulted in a quick touch down to WR L. Robinson …. (Really Son you gonna do the LBJ Powder celebration when you down 21 – 7) to cut into the lead. The Giants helped make it interesting with a quick three and out on there next possession, but Romo & the Cowboys would give it right back with an interception. The Dallas “D” did its part stopping the Giants on there next drive giving the ball back to there offense , but they could do nothing as a questionable 4th and 1 call ended the drive. The Giants didn’t do much on there next drive either keeping the door open for the Cowboys to get back in the game. The Cowboys would answer with a scoring drive ending in another touchdown by WR L. Robinson … (OK so now you gonna do a salsa dance down 21 -14 in the fourth quarter). Just as they did a couple of weeks ago the Giants would shut the door on the Cowboys chances of making a comeback with two scores sealing the 31 -14 victory. For the Cowboys another blown opportunity and I don’t care what Jerry Jones said after the game about jobs being safe and he’s satisfied with Romo ……Man Please…. y’all know something is gonna change in Dallas.
Here are the rest of the scores from this weeks action ………
- Packers 45 – Lions 41 (GO PACK GO …… Great regular Season Fellas)
- Titans 23 – Texans 22
- Jagz 19 – Colts 13 ( Did they throw this game to get Andrew Luck???)
- Bears 17 – Viks 13 (The Bears are who we thought they were)
- Pats 49 – Bills 21 (Brady gets another record…..)
- Saints 45 – Panthers 17 (Supercam had a great season and they will be a bigger problem next season / Drew Bress is a BEAST)
- Eagles 34 – Redskins 10 (Eagles finish strong , but what do you do about D. Jackson????)
- Niners 34 – Rams 27 (Niners wrap up # 2 seed in NFC)
- Cardinals 23 - Seahawks 20
- Falcons 45 – Bucs 24 (Sad to say it but Raheem Morris will loss his job after this one)
- Ravens 24 – Bengals 16 ( Ravens wrap up # 2 seed in AFC)
- Steelers 13 – Browns 9
- Chiefs 7 – Broncos 3 ( Tebow time makes the playoffs even with a loss)
So lets take a quick look at the wild card playoff match that we have coming up this week.
The Giants after ther victory against the Cowboys get to welcome in the Falcons. Both teams have explosive offense’s and defense’s that can rush the passer. The deciding factor will be which running game can get established first and as always during this time of year weather will play a part. Can the boys from Hot-Lanta stand this cold northeast weather and rebound from last years playoff showing? Can the Giants have two solid performances together for another championship run? Well see on Saturday …….
The Steelers limp into there playoff match up with the Broncos concerned about the health of there QB Big Ben. Is his ankle well enough to get them through a game vs. the Broncos “D”. Will the Broncos regain there swagger after three straight losses to end the season? How will Tebow Time stand up against a defense that not only is battle tested but has more than enough play makers to shut an offense down especially one that has trouble scoring like the Broncos. Hey you know what they say ……. players can become legendary after big playoff performances.
The Lions end there playoff drought this season and what do they get for it a trip to the super dome to face Drew Bress and the Saints. For the Lions they have proven throughout the season that when focused they are one of the most explosive teams in the league with an opportunistic defense lead by Ndamukong Suh. The question is can anyone stop the Saint offense ….. especially at home where they haven’t lost all season. Now Megatron may be a problem but Bress and his “Autobots” may have him outnumbered …. you know Starcream gonna be out when ish get real!!!!!!!!
The Bengals and Texans link up for a match up of upstarts. For the Texans the future was gonna be bright this season with Peyton Manning out and is was…..then the injury bug bit hard. The lost the first and second string quarterbacks only to find that third string / rookie TJ Yates could hold it down. But then he got hurt in yesterday’s season finale and Andre Johnson still isn’t 100% coming off a hamstring injury. For the Bengals its been a longtime coming as the team played well enough all season to get here. With a good mix of veteran’s and outstanding rookies this is set up to be a good game. Add in the fact that the Texans pulled out a last second win against the Bengals a couple weeks ago just adds more fuel to the fire.
This is what we’ve all been waiting for people….. the playoffs cant wait to see how this will play out. Til next week people “Be Easy” …… You’ve just read The Rucker Report.
