NFL: Week 16 Recap/Week 17 Matchups

A lot of fun action this past week, but in general the favorites took care of business except in a couple of key cases.

Week 16 Recap

• Chargers Find Groove – After trailing 21-10 late in the first half, HC Jim Harbaugh dug into the rule book at the end of the half, with a Free Kick after a Fair Catch, which translated into a 57 yard FG. That may have swung the momentum, as in the 2nd half, the Bolts dominated scoring 21 points straight after a DEN FG to start the 2nd. The Chargers won, 34-27 and now are one win away from a playoff berth.
• Chiefs Defend Arrowhead – After the back and forth with the line and Patrick Mahomes’s ankle injury, he and KC looked just fine against a stingy HOU D. Still, the Texans were able to cut the lead to one, 17-16 in the 3rd Quarter unfortunately, WR Tank Dell was badly injured on the play, which shook the Texans. KC was able to put the game out of reach and essentially secure Home Field Advantage with the win (one win away now), 24-19.
• Ravens Throttle Steelers – It does not happen often in this matchup, but the Steelers could not keep up with the high powered Ravens this time. RB Derrick Henry compiled 162 yards on 24 carries, and BAL as a team gained 220 on the ground en route to the 34-17 win. The Steelers certainly missed WR George Pickens, but not sure he would of been enough. Now, the Ravens and Steelers are in a tie for the Division to be settled in the final 2 weeks of the season.
• Commanders Rally Past Eagles – WAS has had a great year, but PHI came into the matchup with a long win streak. That seemed to be continuing until QB Jalen Hurts was knocked out of the game in the 1st half with the Eagles up 14-0. Still, PHI led 27-14 in the 3rd Quarter. Then, the future Offensive Rookie of the Year, QB Jayden Daniels led 3 of 4 drives for TDs including the GW drive 10 seconds remaining for the huge win, 36-33.
• Vikings Stay Hot – MIN still has an outside shot at the 1 Seed in the NFC, which with that crowd means something. They went to SEA and despite being outgained in the game, forced 2 TOs that proved to be the difference in their 27-24 victory.
• Cowboys Spoil Bucs Chances – The Cowboys have had a rough season, but somehow despite being eliminated from the playoffs, played their best game of the season. It was the D that made 2 critical plays in the 4th Quarter – a big INT in the end zone on an apparent TD and on the final drive with a huge strip of the ball carrier to seal the 26-24 win. Now, the Bucs will need to win out and have ATL lose a game to win the NFC South and qualify for the playoffs.

Predictions: S/U – 3-2, ATS – 3-2, Totals – 3-2 – A mixed week, but some great games on that card.

Wegs Index After Week 16

We have a new team on top of the Index after the big MNF win.

Week 17 Key Matchups

• Chiefs at Steelers (+2.5, 44 Total) – Wednesday, 12/25 at 12 Noon Central on Netflix – The Chiefs can cement the #1 Seed in the AFC with the win, but the Steelers need to keep winning to keep the Ravens at bay for the AFC North crown. So, this one should be a fun one. WR George Pickens will play this week, which should bolster the PIT O, but I was impressed at how well the Chiefs attacked the HOU D in Week 16. The Chiefs are probably rightly favored here, but the Steelers do play very well as underdogs, especially at home. The key to the game is can the PIT Offense put up 20 points on the Chiefs? If they cannot, then KC will win and cover. So, I’m going to take the Chiefs to win the game, Cover -2.4, Total Under 44.
• Ravens at Texans (+5.5, 46.5 Total) – Wednesday, 12/25 at 3:30 PM Central on Netflix – The Ravens need to keep winning to get a home game in the playoffs. HOU really has not much to play for, and after the Tank Dell injury, I’m not in love with their Offense. I think the Ravens will continue to win here, but on the short week, home teams usually have an advantage. So, I’ll say BAL wins, HOU covers +5.5, Total Over 46.5.
• Broncos at Bengals (-3, 49.5 Total) – Saturday, 12/28 at 3:30 PM Central on NFL Network – The Bengals have a very slim chance of making the playoffs, but beating the Broncos will put them just that much closer. I like the way they have been playing, and DEN got exposed in the 2nd half at the Chargers. DEN should score some in this game, but the Bengals will keep winning and Cover -3. Total Over 49.5.
• Packers at Vikings (-1, 49 Total) – Sunday, 12/29 at 3:25 PM Central on FOX – The Pack are now on top of the Wegs Index, but the Vikes are not the Saints on D. This should be a fun game to watch on Sunday afternoon. I do think that MIN has been winning ugly lately. They have escaped again and again, but I like the Pack to take this game and knock the Vikings back to earth. GB wins outright, Cover +1, Total Over 49 – should be a lot of points.
• Falcons at Commanders (-4, 48 Total) – Sunday, 12/29 at 7:20 PM Central on NBC – The Falcons control their own destiny now, and with QB Michael Penix, Jr. at the helm, the Offense should be crisper. The Commanders got their big win over PHI, which was a bit of a miracle (as a lot of wins have been for them). I like the Commanders to move the ball on the ATL D, but the Falcons will be playing for their playoff lives in this one, so they will at least cover this number. It will be good to see the next generation of QBs duel in this game. WAS wins, ATL Covers +4, Total Over 48.

Just 2 weeks left. Here we go.

Wegs