The List: Several Fantastic Games Highlight the Week 17 Push to the Playoffs
For anyone who wears glasses (such as myself), a trip to the eye doctor usually involves staring into a phoropter, which is a large, mask-like instrument that covers most of a person’s face and checks what lens level is needed to give each eye proper vision. The optometrist asks which of the settings allows you to see most clearly, and the one that does best resembles the NFL’s playoff picture after Sunday’s games.
The Week 17 schedule is the only part in which every game can be adjusted to create more intrigue for fans and scoreboard-watching for players and coaches. There are some drawbacks, as several teams are holding out top players, either to rest up for the playoffs or due to COVID-19 issues. Sit back and enjoy as The List recaps the final week of the highest-scoring regular season in NFL history.
THE GAMES
Giants kept themselves alive in NFC East race with a win over the Cowboys
Sterling Shepard had two touchdowns and the Giants got some late-game luck in a 23-19 win over the Cowboys that knocked out Dallas and kept New York alive in pursuit of the NFC East title. The Giants looked like a playoff team on the opening drive, with Shepard’s 23-yard run on a reverse putting his team on the board. Daniel Jones threw touchdown passes to Shepard and newcomer Dante Pettis to put New York up 20-6.
Dallas (6-10) chipped away at the lead, with Greg Zuerlein kicking a 57-yard field goal on the final play of the first half and Ezekiel Elliot scoring on a one-yard run midway through the third quarter to cut the deficit to four points. Zuerlein’s 36-yard field goal early in the fourth made the score 20-19. The teams traded punts before New York (6-1) took over on its 20 yard-line.
Jones hit Shepard with three passes on the drive, but a sack by Donovan Wilson took the Giants out of field goal range momentarily. On third down, Pettis made a diving catch, but there was some question over whether the ball hit the ground as he was bringing it into his body. The Giants quickly ran out the field goal unit, and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy decided against challenging the play as Graham Gano’s 50-yard kick gave New York a four-point cushion.
Andy Dalton drove the Cowboys down for the go-ahead score, using 17 plays to move inside the New York 10, including an 11-yard run on 4th-and-2. Dalton was sacked by Leonard Williams on first down just after the two-minute warning, and his next pass attempt bounced in front of rookie CeeDee Lamb. The Giants chased Dalton out of the pocket on third down, and rather than throw the ball away, he sent a pass into the end zone that was intercepted by Xavier McKinney.
The Giants could not simply run out the clock, since Dallas had three timeouts, but they made it unnecessarily painful to watch. Wayne Gallman ran for a first down, but lost the ball on his own. He sat on it at first and managed to corral it, but officials were pointing both ways as the scrum at the bottom of the pile continued. Replays show Gallman regained possession and New York was finally able to take home the victory.
Jones threw for 229 yards and two touchdowns, Shepard had a game-high 112 yards receiving and Gallman added 65 yards rushing for the Giants. Dalton had 243 yards and an interception and tight end Dalton Schultz had 70 yards receiving for the Cowboys.
Brady and the Buccaneers pull away from the Falcons
No matter, if it’s Washington or New York, the NFC East winner, will face a red hot Tom Brady in the Wild Card round. Brady threw for 399 yards and four touchdowns as the Buccaneers pulled away from the Falcons for a 44-27 win to wrap up the fifth seed in the NFC playoffs. At age 43, Brady became the oldest player in NFL history to throw 40 touchdowns in a season, and he joins Peyton Manning as the only passers to reach the mark with multiple teams.
Antonio Brown looked like he was back earning All-Pro honors with the Steelers after catching 11 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns, Chris Godwin added 133 yards and two scores, and Ronald Jones ran for 78 yards and a touchdown for Tampa Bay (11-5). Matt Ryan had 265 yards and two touchdowns, and he also had a rushing score. Brian Hill ran for a game-high 94 yards and Russell Gage added 91 yards receiving for Atlanta (4-12).
Jefferson sets rookie record in Vikings win
Justin Jefferson set the rookie single-season receiving yard record and the Vikings held on for a 37-35 win over the Vikings. Jefferson finished with nine catches for 133 yards, giving him an even 1,400 for the season. The former LSU star came into the game fourth on the rookie list, but he passed Odell Beckham Jr. (1,305 with the Giants in 2014), Randy Moss (1,313 with the Vikings in 1998), and finally, Anquan Boldin (1,377 with the Cardinals in 2003) to take over the top spot.
Kirk Cousins threw for 405 yards and three touchdowns, but it was his rushing score with 10:32 left that put Minnesota (7-9) in front for good, 37-29. D’Andre Swift had a two-yard touchdown run with 4:26 remaining, but Matthew Stafford could not complete the two-point pass to Quintez Cephus. Cousins completed passes to fullback C.J. Ham (30 yards) and Jefferson (13), and Alexander Mattison’s 16-yard run helped the Vikings run out the clock.
Mattison ran for 95 yards and Adam Thielen added 57 yards receiving for Minnesota. Stafford had 291 yards and three touchdowns, Adrian Peterson ran for 63 yards and Swift had 54, and Marvin Jones Jr. caught eight passes for 180 yards and two scores for Detroit (5-11).
Bills blow out Dolphins to clinch No. 2 seed in the AFC
Josh Allen had 224 yards and three touchdowns in the first half and the Bills cruised to a 56-26 win over the Dolphins to clinch the second seed in the AFC playoffs. Buffalo (13-3) clicked in every facet of the game. The Bills had four touchdowns passing, including a 56-yard pass from Matt Barkley to Gabriel Davis, got 63 yards and two fourth-quarter rushing scores from Antonio Williams, got an 84-yard punt return touchdown from Isaiah McKenzie (to go with two receiving scores), and added a defensive score when Josh Norman ran back an interception for a touchdown. Davis finished with 107 yards on just two receptions.
Tua Tagovailoa threw for 361 yards and a touchdown, but he also tossed three interceptions. DeVante Parker had seven catches and 116 yards for Miami (10-6), who now can only sit and hope for one of four other teams to lose in order to clinch a playoff spot.
Will the Bills win against the Colts this weekend? Micah Jimoh makes his predictions for all the Wild Card games.
Ravens run over Bengals to earn a playoff spot
The Dolphins would get no help from the Ravens. Lamar Jackson threw three touchdown passes and became the first quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons as Baltimore (11-5) defeated Cincinnati, 38-3. Jackson ran for 97 yards and the Ravens totaled 404 yards on the ground in the victory. Rookie J.K. Dobbins had 160 yards and two touchdowns, Gus Edwards totaled 60 and Mark Ingram added 39 for the Ravens. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown had two touchdown receptions and Miles Boykin caught a 43-yard scoring pass from Jackson.
On the other side, the Bengals finished with 195 total yards, including just 48 by quarterback Brandon Allen. Trayveon ran for 74 yards and Samaje Perine added 51 for Cincinnati (4-11-1).
Browns reach the postseason for the first time in 18 years
Nick Chubb ran for 108 yards and a touchdown as the Browns almost blew a big lead but held on for a 24-22 win over the Steelers that not only allowed the Browns to clinch their first playoff spot since 2002, but also set up a Wild Card rematch between the teams. Chubb scored on a 47-yard run on Cleveland’s first possession. Baker Mayfield threw for 196 yards and a touchdown pass to tight end Austin Hooper late in the third quarter, and wide receiver Jarvis Landry added a three-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth to put the Browns up, 24-9.
Despite only getting three Matthew Wright field goals through the first three quarters, the Steelers responded with Ben Roethlisberger resting up for the playoffs. Mason Rudolph threw for 315 yards and fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Chase Claypool and JuJu Smith-Schuster, but he could not complete a two-point pass to Claypool with 1:23 left. Cleveland (11-5) recovered the onside kick, but the game was not over until Mayfield scrambled for three yards on 3rd-and-2. Claypool finished with 101 yards receiving and Diontae Johnson added 96 for Pittsburgh (12-4), which is the third seed in the AFC playoffs.
For more on the Browns ending their playoff drought, read this story by Richie Dordas.
Patriots beat Jets in AFC East contest
It took 16 games, but finally, Cam Newton showed glimpses of his 2015 MVP self. Newton threw for 242 yards and three touchdowns, ran for a game-high 79 yards, and caught a 19-yard score from wide receiver Jakobi Meyers to lead the Patriots to a 28-14 win over the Jets.
New York (2-14) grabbed a 14-7 lead on a Sam Darnold pass to Chris Herndon and a Josh Adams run in the third quarter, but New England (7-9) responded with the Meyers pass to Newton and two more touchdown passes by “Superman” in the fourth. Sony Michel ran for 76 yards and had 60 yards and a touchdown receiving, and Meyers added 68 yards for the Patriots. Darnold had 266 yards passing and Breshad Perriman had a game-high 84 receiving yards for the Jets.
After the early afternoon games
In the NFC, the Buccaneers clinched the No. 5 seed and the Giants stayed alive for the East title. In the AFC, the Ravens and Browns clinched playoff spots and the Titans also clinched, thanks to the Dolphins’ loss. Miami can still reach the postseason with a Colts loss to the Jaguars.
Packers pull away from the Bears to clinch the top spot in the NFC
Aaron Rodgers solidified his MVP case with a 240-yard, four-touchdown performance, leading the Packers to a 35-16 victory over the Bears that clinched the top seed in the NFC playoffs. Rodgers completed passes to eight receivers and each of his scores went to a different target.
The Bears took the lead at home on a touchdown run by David Montgomery midway through the first quarter, but Rodgers responded with first-half scoring passes to Robert Tonyan and Dominique Dafney, as well as a 72-yard strike to Marques Valdes-Scantling. After Chicago (8-8) pulled within 21-16 on three Cairo Santos field goals, Green Bay (13-3) pulled away in the fourth quarter on an Aaron Jones run and a pass from Rodgers to his favorite target, Davante Adams. Montgomery had 69 yards and a score rushing to go along with 63 yards receiving. Mitchell Trubisky threw for 252 yards and Darnell Mooney had 11 catches and 93 yards for the Bears, who now had to wait for the Rams-Cardinals result to see if they would make the playoffs.
Rams outlast the Cardinals to reach the postseason
Who would have thought that a game between two teams fighting for their playoff lives would feature a quarterback battle between John Wolford and Chris Streveler? Wolford threw for 231 yards in his first career start and Troy Hill returned a Streveler interception 84 yards late in the first half as the Rams pulled out an 18-7 win over the Cardinals, which clinched a playoff for Los Angeles and eliminated Arizona.
Wolford was starting in place of Jared Goff, who was out with a broken and dislocated right thumb and Streveler came in to replace Kyler Murray, who suffered an ankle injury early in the game. Streveler threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to John Ward five minutes into the contest, but the Rams controlled the pace from that point on. In addition to Hill’s interception, Matt Gay kicked three field goals and Los Angeles (10-6) got a safety on a penalty in the end zone. Murray returned in the fourth quarter to try to lead the Cardinals back, but the Rams blocked a Mike Nugent field goal with 9:08 left and Arizona (8-8) could not get any offensive momentum afterward.
Seahawks come back to beat the 49ers in an NFC West showdown
Russell Wilson threw for 181 yards and tossed two fourth-quarter touchdowns to Tyler Lockett as the Seahawks came from behind to beat the 49ers, 26-23. The teams traded field goals through the first three quarters with San Francisco (6-10) holding a 9-6 advantage.
Jeff Wilson Jr. expanded the lead with a seven-yard touchdown run early in the fourth, but Russell Wilson responded with two scoring passes to Lockett. Alex Collins added an insurance touchdown with 1:49 left for Seattle (12-4), and C.J. Beathard’s scoring pass to Wilson Jr. was too little and too late. Lockett had 12 receptions for 90 yards to lead the Seahawks. Beathard had 273 yards and a touchdown, Wilson Jr. ran for 76 yards and a score, and the 49ers got 76 yards receiving from Kendrick Bourne, 68 from George Kittle, and 66 from Richie James.
No Kamara, no problem for the Saints
Drew Brees threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns as the Saints blew out the Panthers, 33-7, to clinch the second seed in the NFC playoffs. Although all of the team’s active running backs were on the reserve/COVID-19 list after Alvin Kamara tested positive during the week, Ty Montgomery picked up the slack. Montgomery, a converted wide receiver who was Green Bay’s starting back in 2016, ran for 105 yards, and Emmanuel Sanders caught nine passes for 63 yards and a touchdown for New Orleans (12-4).
The Saints put up a solid defensive performance as well, intercepting Panthers quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater and P.J. Walker five times and registering three sacks. Curtis Samuel had 118 yards receiving and DJ Moore added 101 for Carolina (5-11).
Taylor powers the Colts past the Jaguars to preserve a playoff spot
Rookie Jonathan Taylor ran 30 times for 253 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Colts past the Jaguars, 28-14, to clinch a playoff spot and knock out the Dolphins. Taylor’s amazing performance included a 56-yard run early in the first quarter and a 45-yard touchdown in the fourth that capped the scoring.
Philip Rivers threw for 164 yards and a touchdown for Indianapolis (11-5) in what could be the final game of his illustrious career. Mike Glennon had 261 yards and two touchdown passes to Laviska Shenault Jr., and Chris Conley added a game-high 87 receiving yards for Jacksonville (1-15).
The Jaguars are expected to take Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first pick in the draft. Jacob Keppen and Ben Schwartz fill in the rest of the first round with their mock draft.
Raiders win wild finale over the Broncos
Another staple of Week 17 football in the NFL is a team who is out of contention going for a two-point conversion to win, rather than an extra point to tie, in the closing seconds. That was exactly the case in the Las Vegas-Denver game, with Derek Carr finding tight end Darren Waller on the conversion pass with 24 seconds left to give the Raiders a 32-31 win over the Broncos in a wild finish.
The teams traded scores throughout the first half, with Drew Lock hitting tight end Tony Fumigali and Carr responding with passes to Waller and Bryan Edwards for a 17-10 halftime lead for the Raiders. The Broncos closed the gap on two Brandon McManus field goals and took a 24-17 lead on the first play of the fourth. Melvin Gordon scored on a 10-yard run and Lock hit rookie Jerry Jeudy with the conversion. Josh Jacobs tie the score with a 28-yard run with 7:27 on the clock.
Denver (5-11) responded less than a minute later, with Lock and Jeudy hooking up for a 92-yard score. After the teams traded punts, Las Vegas (8-8) got the ball back at the 23 with 1:47 left. Carr hit Zay Jones with a 37-yard pass and completed two others to Waller to move the ball deep into Broncos territory. A seven-yard pass to Theo Riddick set up Jacobs’ second score. On the two-point pass, Carr found Waller in tight space for the lead. The Broncos would not go away. Lock hit Jeudy with a 25-yard pass, but McManus’ 63-yard field goal attempt was blocked.
Carr threw for 371 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, Jacobs ran for 89 yards and two scores, and Waller added nine catches for 117 yards and a touchdown for Las Vegas. Lock had 339 yards and two scores, Melvin Gordon had 93 yards rushing and Jeudy totaled 140 yards and a touchdown for Denver.
Jacobs was arrested on a DUI charge after the running back was involved in a single-vehicle accident in Las Vegas early Monday morning. He sustained minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital before being transferred to the Clark County Detention Center for processing.
Herbert leads the Chargers past the shorthanded Chiefs
Justin Herbert threw for 302 yards and three touchdowns, and he also ran for a score to lead the Chargers to a 38-21 win over the Chiefs, who were playing without most of their stars. Kansas City (14-2) actually had a lead early in the second quarter, but Herbert tossed a touchdown pass to Austin Ekeler, ran for another score, and completed a two-point conversion for a 24-14 halftime lead
Justin Jackson totaled 104 yards (72 rushing, 32 receiving) and Mike William had a game-high 108 yards receiving to lead Los Angeles (7-9). Chad Henne had 218 yards and two touchdowns passing, and Darwin Thompson had 45 yards and a score rushing and 65 yards receiving for a Kansas City squad that was resting offensive stars Patrick Mahomes, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce.
Henry and the Titans outlast the Texans to win the AFC South
Derrick Henry ran for 250 yards and two touchdowns, becoming just the eighth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season in a 41-38 Titans win over the Texans that clinches the AFC South and can be added to the shortlist for the game of the year. Henry’s performance gives him 2,027 yards, the fifth-highest single-season total in league history. It is also his fifth career 200-yard game and his third straight against the Texans, which also sets an NFL record.
Henry ran for two touchdowns and Ryan Tannehill tossed a score to A.J. Brown as Tennessee (11-5) took a 24-9 lead early in the third quarter. Deshaun Watson hit Brandin Cooks with a 38-yard touchdown midway through the third, but Tannehill countered with a rushing score for a 31-15 Titans advantage. Houston (4-12) fought back to take the lead. Watson found Cooks for another score, David Johnson had a one-yard touchdown and another Watson scoring pass to Pharaoh Brown gave the Texans a 35-31 lead with 10:14 left.
Tannehill responded with a 19-play drive that took 8:36 off the clock and culminated with the quarterback scoring on a five-yard scramble with 1:42 left to put Tennessee up, 38-35. Watson came back, hitting David Johnson with a 32-yard screen pass and finding Keke Coutee with a 29-yard gain to set up Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 51-yard field goal to tie the score with 18 seconds left.
You think the game is going to overtime, right? WRONG! Tannehill threw a 52-yard strike to Brown to set up a last-second field goal attempt. Sam Sloman hit a 37-yard field goal, but interim Texans coach Romeo Crennel called a timeout before the snap. Sloman, who was filling in for reserve list member Stephen Gostkowski, got a favorable bounce off the right upright and through on the second kick, giving the Titans the AFC South title.
Tannehill had 216 yards and a touchdown passing, to go along with two rushing scores, and Brown added 10 catches, 151 yards, and a touchdown for Tennessee. Watson threw for 365 yards and three scores passing, Johnson had 84 yards and a touchdown rushing, and Cooks (11 catches, 166 yards, two scores) and Coutee (6-90) were the top receivers for Houston.
After the late afternoon games
In the NFC, the Packers clinched the top seed and home-field advantage, with the Saints and Seahawks taking the next two spots. The Rams and Bears earned the final two wild card spots. The only position left to determine is the East. In the AFC, the Titans clinched the South, with the Colts grabbing a Wild Card spot and knocking out the Dolphins.
Washington wins NFC East over injury-riddled Philadelphia
For Giants fans, at no time did the lyrics for NBC’s game coverage (“I’ve been waiting all day for Sunday night”) match their mood more than on this particular Sunday night. Alex Smith threw two touchdown passes as the Washington Playoff Bounds crushed the Giants’ hopes by knocking off the depleted Philadelphia Eagles, 20-14.
Washington took a 10-0 lead, with Smith hitting Terry McLaurin with a touchdown pass and Dustin Hopkins adding a field goal. Philadelphia took the lead on two Jalen Hurts rushing scores in the second quarter, but Smith responded with a touchdown pass to tight end Logan Thomas to put Washington up, 17-14.
The Eagles had a chance to put points on the board after Marcus Epps intercepted Smith on the Washington 15. Philadelphia got it to a 4th-and-goal from the four, but decided against a game-tying short field goal, and Hurts’ pass to Quez Watkins fell short. Both teams had a sloppy play in the fourth quarter, with Smith throwing another interception, and Philadelphia returning the favor two plays later. Nate Sudfeld, who was replacing Hurts, fumbled the ball, Chase Young recovered and Hopkins added an insurance field goal for Washington (7-9).
The teams traded punts, but Philadelphia (4-11-1) could not get anything going with Sudfeld under center. Despite the quarterback rushing for 12 yards on the final possession, the clock ran out with the Eagles still deep in their own territory. Smith had 162 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions and was sacked three times. Antonio Gibson added a game-high 75 yards rushing for Washington. Hurts had 72 yards passing to go along with 34 yards and two scores rushing, and Boston Scott totaled 65 yards on the ground for Philadelphia, who was without 10 starters due to injury.
Wild Card schedule
There will be a tripleheader of games on both days this weekend, with games beginning at 1:05, 4:40, and 8:15. On Saturday, the Bills host the Colts in the early game, followed by the Rams at the Seahawks and the Buccaneers at Washington. The Ravens at Titans and Bears at Saints lead into the night game, a rematch from Week 17 with the Steelers hosting the Browns.
Stat Leaders for Week 17
Kirk Cousins’ 405-yard performance in Minnesota’s win over Detroit was the league’s best in Week 17. Tom Brady was close behind after throwing for 399 yards and four touchdowns in a Tampa Bay win against Atlanta and Derek Carr (371 yards) outplayed Drew Lock (339) in Las Vegas’ win over Denver. Other 300-yard passers include Houston’s Deshaun Watson (365), Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa (361), Pittsburgh’s Mason Rudolph (315), and the Chargers’ Justin Herbert (302).
Colts rookie Jonathan Taylor had a breakout game, rushing for 253 yards and two touchdowns against the Jaguars. Imagine running for 250 yards and not leading the league that week. Even though that happened to Derrick Henry in Week 17, you shouldn’t feel bad, since he became the first player in NFL history to rush for 200 yards against one opponent (in this case, the Texans) for the third time in his career. Another rookie, Baltimore’s J.K. Dobbins, ran for 160 yards and the Ravens totaled 404 in a win against the Bengals. Cleveland’s Nick Chubb (108) and New Orleans’ Ty Montgomery (105) round out the 100-yard rushers.
Although the Lions lost to the Vikings, Marvin Jones Jr. was the receiving star of the week, totaling eight catches for 180 yards. Brandin Cooks (11-166 and two touchdowns) outdueled A.J. Brown (10-151) statistically, but Brown’s Titans defeated Cooks and the Texans. Rookie Jerry Jeudy had 140 yards, but the Broncos fell to the Raiders. Antonio Brown (138 yards) and Chris Godwin (133) starred in a Buccaneers’ win over the Falcons. Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson set a rookie record thanks to a 133-yard performance against Detroit and Tyler Lockett had a league-high 12 catches in Seattle’s win against San Francisco.
Overall Stat Leaders
Watson’s Week 17 performance allowed him to overtake the resting Patrick Mahomes with 4,823 yards to 4,740 for the Chiefs star. Brady finished third with 4,633, followed by Atlanta’s Matt Ryan (4,581) and Buffalo’s Josh Allen (4,544). In all, a dozen quarterbacks reached the 4,000-yard mark this season. Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers tossed four more touchdown passes in Week 17, giving him a league-best 48 in 2020. Brady and Seattle’s Russell Wilson each had 40, with Mahomes (38) and Josh Allen (37) rounding out the top five.
Henry was the first player in more than 50 years to lead the NFL in rushing attempts, yards, and touchdowns in consecutive seasons. He also became the eighth player to finish with more than 2,000 yards in a season, finishing with 2,027, the fifth-most in league history. Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook finished a distant second with 1,557 and Indianapolis rookie used his 253-yard performance to jump into third with 1,169. Nine players rushed for 1,000 yards in 2020, including Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, who became the first quarterback to reach the mark in back-to-back years. Henry’s two scores in the final regular-season game gave him 17 for the year, edging out Cook and Saints star Alvin Kamara, who both had 16.
Buffalo’s Stefon Diggs led the NFL with 127 receptions and 1,535 yards. Arizona’s DeAndre Hopkins and Green Bay’s Davante Adams each had 115 catches, with the top five also including tight ends Darren Waller (107 with Las Vegas) and Travis Kelce (105 with Kansas City). Kelce finished second with 1,416 receiving yards, and he was followed by Hopkins (1,407) and Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson (who set an NFL rookie record with 1,400). Adams and Atlanta’s Calvin Ridley were tied for fifth with 1,374 yards. Adams led the league with 18 touchdowns, followed by Kansas City’s Tyreek Hill (15), Minnesota’s Adam Thielen (14), and Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans (13).
Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt led the NFL with 15 sacks, followed by New Orleans’ Trey Hendrickson and the Rams’ Aaron Donald with 13½ each. Houston’s Zach Cunningham topped the league with 164 tackles, beating out Dallas’ Jaylon Smith (154), and the Giants’ Blake Martinez (151) for the top spot. Miami’s Xavien Howard (10) edged out New England’s J.C. Jackson (nine) for the interception title and Baltimore safety Marlon Humphrey led the league with eight forced fumbles.
On special teams, two Pro Bowlers held the top spots in kickoff returns, with Chicago’s Cordarrelle Patterson (1,017) leading the league, followed by Buffalo’s Andre Roberts (961). New England’s Gunner Olszewski led the NFL with 346 punt return yards. Miami’s Jakeem Grant (330) was second and Indianapolis’ Nyheim Hines (300) finished third. Two Pro Bowl selections were also the league’s best punters with New England’s Jake Bailey leading the league with a 45.6 net average and Detroit’s Jake Fox finishing second with 44.8 yards per punt after returns. Atlanta Pro Bowl kicker Younghoe Koo led the NFL with 37 field goals, and he was joined by Las Vegas’ Daniel Carlson and Miami’s Jason Sanders atop the league’s scoring leaders with 144 total points. The trio was followed by two rookies, Buffalo’s Tyler Bass with 141 and Indianapolis’ Rodrigo Blankenship with 139.
Many of these leaders were selected to the Pro Bowl. Check out my breakdown of the rosters.
THE NEWS
Jets fire Gase after two seasons
The Adam Gase era in New York is over (please, Jets fans, do NOT break COVID-19 protocols to celebrate). The Jets fired their head coach on Sunday night after he posted a 9-23 record over the past two seasons. Jets fans and executives had high hopes for Gase when he was hired in 2019 after he led the Dolphins to a 23-25 mark in the previous three years. Instead of bringing New York to the playoffs for the first time since 2010, Gase failed to develop quarterback Sam Darnold, who was taken third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. He also had rocky relationships with running back Le’Veon Bell and safety Jamal Adams, who was the team’s best player before he was traded to the Seahawks in 2020.
The Jets will now search for a new leader to try and turn around a team that has had five straight losing seasons. Among the potential candidates for the vacancy are Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Ravens defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale, and former 49ers field boss, and current University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Marrone let go by the Jaguars
After a 23-43 record in four-plus seasons, including a 1-15 mark in 2020, Jaguars owner Shad Khan had enough of Doug Marrone and fired him on Monday morning. Marrone took over when Gus Bradley was fired with two games left in 2016 (Jacksonville went 1-15 that year as well), and he led the Jaguars to a 10-6 record and a run to the AFC Championship Game the following year (a 24-20 loss at New England), which was the team’s only playoff appearance since 2008.
Marrone’s tenure has been known for mismanaging quarterbacks (the team has used six starters in his time in Jacksonville), as well as watching star defensive players (Jalen Ramsey, Calais Campbell, and Yannick Ngakoue) leave for other teams. The Jaguars are also in search of a new general manager after David Caldwell was fired on Nov. 29. Jacksonville needs these two positions filled before selected first overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Chargers part ways with Anthony Lynn
A solid performance against the Chiefs on Sunday was not enough to save Anthony Lynn’s job. The Chargers fired their head coach after four seasons and a 33-31 record. Lynn led Los Angeles to a 12-4 mark in 2018, but the promising season ended with a disappointing loss to the Patriots in the Division round. Lynn oversaw the transition from Philip Rivers to rookie Justin Herbert this season, but the Chargers lost several key players to injuries, including defensive backs Derwin James and Chris Harris, offensive linemen Mike Pouncey, Trai Turner and Bryan Bulaga, and defensive linemen Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa.
Bengals will retain head coach Zac Taylor
Zac Taylor will remain in Cincinnati for a third season after owner Mike Brown gave the head coach a vote of confidence on Monday morning. Taylor has led the Bengals to a 6-25-1 record in his first two years, and the team finished in last place in the AFC North in both seasons. Taylor, who came to the Bengals after spending two seasons with the Rams under Sean McVay, will hopefully get a full season out of 2020 top pick, Joe Burrow, as well as running back Joe Mixon and young receivers Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins.
Three NFC East teams make coaching decisions
Jim Schwartz has decided to take a break after 30 years of coaching. The 54-year-old Eagles defensive coordinator has told the team he will let his contract expire while he takes some time off to contemplate retirement.
Schwartz began his NFL career as a scout with the Browns from 1993-95 and became an outside linebackers coach for three seasons after the team moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens. Schwartz joined the Titans in 1999 as a defensive assistant and then linebackers coach before spending eight seasons as defensive coordinator He got his first head coaching role with the Lions, but his teams amassed a 29-51 record in five seasons and lost their only playoff game in 2010. After spending one year as Bills defensive coordinator and another as an NFL officiating consultant, he joined the Eagles in 2016. In five seasons with Schwartz calling defensive plays, Philadelphia amassed a 42-37-1 record. The Eagles had the best defense against the run in 2017 and finished the season with a 13-3 record and a win against the Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
Late on Saturday night, the Dallas Cowboys gave offensive coordinator Kellen Moore a three-year contract extension. Despite Dak Prescott suffering a season-ending compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle in Week 5, Dallas stayed in playoff contention for the rest of the year with the likes of Andy Dalton, Ben DiNucci, and Garrett Gilbert at quarterback. Moore retired as a player in 2017, was hired to be the Cowboys’ quarterbacks coach the following year, and was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2019 under head coach Jason Garrett. He was kept on the staff after Dallas fired Garrett and hired Mike McCarthy this season.
On Tuesday, the Giants signed defensive coordinator Patrick Graham to an undisclosed contract extension. The 41-year-old spent seven seasons in various defensive coaching roles with the Patriots and also was the Giants’ defensive line coach in 2016-17. After one year each with Green Bay and Miami, Graham returned to New York, helping the Giants go from 30th in points allowed in 2019 to ninth this season.
Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little passed away
Floyd Little followed two legendary running backs in college but forged his own path as a professional. The Pro Football Hall of Famer passed away on Friday at age 78 after battling cancer since May.
Little drew interest from Notre Dame and Army, who sent General Douglas MacArthur with a recruiting pitch. He instead chose Syracuse after speaking with Ernie Davis, who was the first African-American Heisman Trophy winner while playing for the Orangemen. Three months later, Davis died from a rare form of leukemia. His life was the subject of the 2008 movie The Express: The Ernie Davis Story, in which Little was played by Chadwick Boseman (who succumbed to colon cancer on August 28).
Despite having big shoes to fill at Syracuse following Davis and Jim Brown, Little was a three-time All-American who was taken sixth overall by the Broncos in 1967. He earned two AFL All-Star Game selections and was named an All-Pro in 1969, the year before the AFL-NFL merger. Little led the league with 1,133 rushing yards in 1971 and posted an NFL-high 12 touchdowns two years later.
Little was nicknamed “The Franchise” and became Denver’s first superstar. The five-time Pro Bowler ranks second in Broncos history with 6,323 yards and 43 touchdowns, and also returned kickoffs and punts. However, he never reached the postseason in his nine-year career. After he retired in 1975, Little earned his Masters degree in legal administration from the University of Denver, owned several auto dealerships, and had an athletic center in his hometown of New Haven, Conn., renamed in his honor. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010 in a class that also featured Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Rickey Jackson, and John Randle.
Former Bears CB Richardson charged in death of an Arizona man
Mike Richardson, a two-time Super Bowl champion cornerback, was arrested in Phoenix on Dec. 31 and charged in connection with the death of 47-year-old Ronald Like. Richardson was a two-time All-American at Arizona State, and he spent seven seasons in the NFL with the Bears and 49ers. He was a part of Chicago’s victory over New England in Super Bowl XX and earned a ring with San Francisco three years later, although he did not play in the Super Bowl XXIII win against Cincinnati. He retired after the 1989 season, and he totaled 20 interceptions in seven seasons.
Richardson has been arrested several times after his playing career, mostly for drug-related infractions, including twice earlier in 2020. In this most recent incident, Like was found around 9 a.m. on Dec. 30 and was taken to a Phoenix hospital, where he later died. Investigators believe Richardson shot Like in a dispute over $200 worth of cocaine, and police arrested the former cornerback on suspicion of second-degree murder and weapons misconduct the following day. Richardson was booked on a $1 million bond and will have a preliminary hearing on January 11.
Hall of Fame names 15 Modern-Era finalists
As expected, first-timers Peyton Manning, Calvin Johnson, Charles Woodson, and Jared Allen are among the 15 Modern-Era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame that were announced on Tuesday evening. Manning is the lone quarterback in the group and Johnson is joined by two other wide receivers, former Rams star Torry Holt and one of Manning’s favorite targets, Reggie Wayne. Woodson is one of four defensive backs named along with Buccaneers star cornerback Ronde Barber and safety John Lynch, as well as longtime Packers safety LeRoy Butler. Allen and former Patriots and Raiders star Richard Seymour are the lone defensive linemen among the finalists.
Also among the 15 players selected are former Jaguars tackle Tony Boselli, ex-Steelers guard Alan Faneca and three linebackers, 1990s Browns star Clay Matthews Jr., former Saints, and Panthers leader Sam Mills, and Dolphins great Zach Thomas. The Modern-Era ballot started at 130 players in September before being whittled down to 25 semifinalists in late November. The players on that list that did not move forward were former Eagles cornerback Eric Allen, ex-Bengals tackle Willie Anderson, former Bills linebacker Cornelius Bennett, hard-hitting Chargers and Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, Bills special teams star Steve Tasker, the Jaguars’ all-time leading rusher Fred Taylor, Pittsburgh’s all-time leading receiver Hines Ward, former 49ers stud linebacker Patrick Willis, three-time Super Bowl champions safety with the Cowboys Darren Woodson and San Francisco’s all-time sacks leader in defensive tackle Bryant Young.
The 15 finalists will go to the 48-member Selection Committee, which will announce their final decision on “Selection Saturday,” February 6, the day before Super Bowl LV. In addition to the Modern-Era players, the committee will also be considering former Cowboys wide receiver Drew Pearson, the senior ballot finalist, as well as former Raiders coach Tom Flores and Bill Nunn, a former sportswriter and Steelers scout who was nominated in the contributor category.
For a breakdown of the 15 finalists (as well as the 10 other semifinalists), check out this story.
Kamara was fined for cleats and then placed on the COVID-19 list
Alvin Kamara’s record-tying performance on Christmas Day came with a price. The Saints back ran for 155 yards and scored six touchdowns in a 52-33 New Orleans win against Minnesota on Dec. 25, but the No Fun League reared its ugly head again, fining Kamara $5,000 for a uniform violation. Kamara wore red and great Christmas-themed cleats, which go against the league’s policy of wearing either white or team-related colors. Kamara responded to a question about the shoes in his postgame press conference, saying “If they fine me, I’ll just match it and send it to charity. The Grinch always tries to steal Christmas.”
Not only was Kamara fined, but his season ended early after he tested positive for the coronavirus on Dec. 31. A four-time Pro Bowler and the 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year, Kamara finished the 2020 season with 932 yards and a league-high (through 15 games) total of 16 touchdowns rushing to go with 83 catches for 756 yards and five scores receiving. Not only were the Saints without their top rusher in Kamara on Sunday, but their entire set of running backs had to miss the game against the Panthers. Halfbacks Latavius Murray and Dwayne Washington, as well as fullback Michael Burton and running backs coach Joel Thomas, were unavailable against Carolina.
Ravens punter Koch’s streak ends with a visit to the COVID-19 list
The Ravens have gone from Super Bowl champion to also-ran back to a contender in the 21st century, but the one constant has been Sam Koch. The punter played in a franchise-record 239 consecutive regular-season games since Baltimore drafted him in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft, but that streak came to an end on Sunday after the team placed him on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Dec. 30. The 2015 Pro Bowler has also appeared in 18 playoff games, including a Super Bowl XLVII win over the 49ers.
More COVID-19 news around the league
An increase in COVID-19 cases was expected during the holiday season and the NFL was no exception. The Browns got all four of their receivers (plus linebacker Jacob Phillips) back after missing the Week 16 loss to the Jets, but linebacker Malcolm Brown and tight end Harrison Bryant tested positive, and cornerback Denzel Ward also went on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Cleveland closed its facilities on Saturday and announced that cornerback Kevin Johnson was added to the list, and both offensive line coach Bill Callahan and assistant offensive line coach Scott Peters would not coach against the Steelers due to COVID-19 protocols.
On Tuesday, the Browns got hit again. Head coach Kevin Stefanski and two other coaches tested positive for the coronavirus, along with Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge. The entire group was placed on the reserve list and will miss Sunday night’s Wild Card rematch against the Steelers.
The Browns’ opponents on Sunday also had another incident with the coronavirus during the week. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he will have to “address” the team’s mask-less celebration in the locker room after winning the AFC North last Sunday with a victory over the Colts. NFL guidelines mandate that players and coaches wear masks in the locker room before and after games, as well as during halftime and on the field when a player is not in the game. On Saturday, Pittsburgh placed cornerback Joe Haden, tight end Eric Ebron and linebacker Cassius Marsh on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Other teams added players to the reserve list throughout the week, with Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp getting placed on the list Tuesday and several players, including Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, Rams defensive end Michael Brockers, Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, Falcons center Alex Mack, Eagles safety Jalen Mills and Cardinals safety Chris Banjo, being added on Thursday.
Buccaneers linebackers Devin White and Shaquil Barrett, as well as defensive lineman Steve McLendon, were added to the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday, and several more players and coaches from the Giants-Cowboys matchup were placed on the list the following day. Giants offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo missed Sunday’s game, as did Cowboys safety Darian Thompson, who tested positive for the coronavirus, and defensive tackle Jackson Hamilton, who was deemed a close contact. Other players who were placed on the reserve list on Saturday include Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk, Bengals defensive tackle Mike Daniels, Seahawks tackle Brandon Shell and safety Damarious Randall, along with Bills tight end Tyler Kroft.
Players and coaches are not the only ones associated with the NFL that have to deal with the coronavirus. Tony Romo, the former Cowboys quarterback who is now part of the top CBS announce team with Jim Nantz, was unable to be in the broadcast booth on Sunday due to COVID-19 protocols. CBS announced the news on Saturday afternoon, with The NFL Today studio analyst Boomer Esiason taking Romo’s spot in the booth.
The Bills had some positive COVID-related news this week. The team took wide receiver John Brown off the reserve list on Friday. Brown had missed the previous five games with an ankle injury. Bills Stadium will also have live fans for the first time this season when Buffalo hosts a Wild Card game. The Bills will play their first home playoff game in 25 years, and the team made 6,200 seats available to season ticket holders on Dec. 31. All fans need to have a negative COVID-19 test to enter and fans will be required to wear masks at all times in the stadium.
Two-star tackles end their seasons early
Anthony Castonzo and David Bakhtiari, two offensive tackles who have combined to start 262 games over the past decade, have both had their 2020 seasons end early. Castonzo, a two-time All-ACC selection at Boston College, had ankle surgery on Dec. 30. He has appeared in 144 regular-season games since being selected by Indianapolis in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He also started for the Colts in the 2014 AFC Championship Game loss to the Patriots. Jared Veldheer, a 10-year veteran who most recently played with the Packers in 2019, was signed to take Castonzo’s roster spot.
Bakhtiari was a two-time All-Pac-12 tackle at Colorado and was selected in the fourth round in 2013 by the Packers. He soon became one of the best at his position, starting 118 games in eight seasons while earning three Pro Bowl selections. The 2016 NFC Championship Game participant was also named an All-Pro in 2018. Bakhtiari, who recently became the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history, suffered a torn ACL in practice on Dec. 31.
Teams sit stars during Week 17
A common practice among teams, especially ones that have already clinched a playoff spot, is letting star players rest. Patrick Mahomes will not suit up for the Chiefs this week, and neither will rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle), as well as wide receivers Tyreek Hill (hamstring) and Sammy Watkins (calf). Minnesota running back Dalvin Cook will also miss Sunday’s game against the Lions after his father passed away unexpectedly.
Several players also left Sunday’s games due to injuries, including Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (hamstring), Bears linebacker Roquan Smith (elbow) and wide receiver Darnell Mooney (ankle), Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks (neck), Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (shoulder) and wide receiver Henry Ruggs (concussion), Chargers guard Trai Turner (chest) and running back Austin Ekeler (concussion), Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick (foot), Seahawks safety Jamal Adams (shoulder), Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (knee), Jets tackle Mekhi Becton (ankle), Patriots safety Adrian Phillips (hip), Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (groin), Lions offensive linemen Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Jonah Jackson (both with concussions), and Cowboys tight end Blake Bell (stinger).
The Browns will be without defensive end Olivier Vernon for their playoff game against the Steelers after he tore his Achilles during the fourth quarter of the victory against the Steelers on Sunday. Cleveland’s Ohio neighbors in Cincinnati also lost a player in Week 17. Center Trey Hopkins suffered a torn ACL against Baltimore. He will have surgery and could miss the start of the 2021 season.
Packers claim Harrison off waivers from Seahawks
The Packers are hoping that having “Snacks” now will not spoil their Super Bowl dinner. On Dec. 30, Green Bay claimed 350-pound defensive tackle Damon Harrison off waivers from Seattle, allowing the big man to move from a team that is ranked third in the NFC to one that has already clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Harrison was an NAIA All-American in 2011 at William Penn, but he went undrafted the following year. He became a starter during his first four years with the Jets and was selected to his lone All-Pro team in his first season with the Giants in 2016. Snacks was traded to the Lions during the 2018 season and he registered 5½ sacks in 25 games with Detroit. Harrison signed with Seattle in October 2020 and alternated between the main roster and the practice squad over the next two months. He has 11 sacks and 494 tackles in 123 career games.
Ravens sign cornerback Smith for one more season
The Baltimore Ravens will not have to worry about right cornerback in 2021 after giving Jimmy Smith a one-year, $5 million extension on Dec. 31. He has been plagued by injuries this season, including a shoulder injury that has kept him out for several recent games. Smith has totaled 14 interceptions, 356 tackles, and 71 passes defensed in 10 seasons, all with the Ravens. The 2011 first-round pick out of Colorado and Super Bowl XLVII champion has registered 27 stops and one sack in 11 games this season, with five starts as Baltimore’s third cornerback.
Washington gives Roullier a four-year extension
On Saturday, Washington and center Chase Roullier agreed to a four-year, $40.5 million extension, including $19 million guaranteed. Roullier was an All-Mountain West center at Wyoming in 2016 and was selected by the Redskins in the sixth round the following year. He was originally a backup as a rookie, but he took over the starting role in 2018 after Spencer Long left as a free agent. Roullier has stabilized the middle of Washington’s offensive line, starting 53 games in four seasons.
This is the final 2020 installment of The List. You can check out all of the previous weeks, as well as all the Trade History series by clicking on the links below. Note: I had an early “bye week” this season and there was no column for Week 2.
NFLPA president Tretter seeks the elimination of offseason programs
One of the main ways the NFL had to adjust during the coronavirus pandemic was by limiting player contact before the season, especially organized team activities. The league also authorized less rigorous training camps and eliminated preseason games, two changes that were welcomed by players and fans. One player, in particular, would like to see those changes become permanent. J.C. Tretter, a Browns center who was voted president of the NFL Players Association this season, has said that players no longer need such rigid training schedules and that solid play through the league this season demonstrates that fact.
“We are the only major sports league with an offseason program. The most physically demanding sport is the only league that brings their players back for extra practices outside the season. The argument in favor of these offseason practices is based on the assumption that players need reps during OTAs to develop and learn while teams need the practices to gel. Yet, the lack of OTAs this year demonstrated that those theories aren’t substantiated.”
While at least some players share Tretter’s thoughts about the extra drills, I’m sure quite a few coaches believe that offseason training activities are still essential and will push back against this movement. Permanent elimination of OTAs could be a contentious issue, should it end up in negotiations this offseason.
The List 2020 Editions
Week 1, Week 2 (no column, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12, Week 13, Week 14, Week 15, and Week 16.
Trade History Series
Cardinals, Falcons, Ravens, Bills, Panthers, Bears, Bengals, Browns, Cowboys, Broncos, Lions, Packers, Texans, Colts, Jaguars, Chiefs, Raiders, Chargers, Rams, Dolphins, Vikings, Patriots, Saints, Giants, Jets, Eagles, Steelers, 49ers, Seahawks, Buccaneers, Titans and Redskins.
Writer
-By: Kevin Rakas