It's been a crazy ride and it isn't even close to being over but a few thoughts on 2017 in the NFL…
AFC Bracket
New England - At the end of the Bill Russell era, the Boston Celtics limped through the regular season, then made a run in the playoffs to win the 11th title of Russell's hall of fame career. Despite the fact the Patriots may well secure the #1 seed in the AFC bracket, this season has felt a bit like that Celtics' season. Maybe it was the ugly 2-2-0 start in September. Or the inexplicable, alternate reality loss to the Dolphins or their recent reliance on the Catch Rule to win games but the 2017 Patriots haven't seemed quite themselves. If they can get healthy over that bye week though...
Buffalo - Would they be 9-6 right now and in the driver's seat for a wild card spot if they hadn't benched Tyrod Taylor against the Chargers? Given the mix of impressive wins (Falcons, Chiefs) and inexplicable losses (Jets, Bengals) it's hard to say but you can bet that question will lead to some sleepless nights in Buffalo during the offseason. The Bills need help and not just to sneak into the playoffs.
Miami - When you think the answer is Jay Cutler I don't think you understand the question.
New York (J) - I have caught the Jets actually playing hard from time to time in 2017 and I think Todd Bowles deserves a lot of credit for that. I don't think it will help him keep his job in New York but I do think it will help him get another job somewhere else. He'll be one of the lucky ones. The players under contract have to stay.
Pittsburgh - The Steelers will win the Super Bowl. If they can get past the Patriots. So, that's a no?
Baltimore - Proof you can win without an elite quarterback. In the regular season.
Cincinnati - How lucky are the Bengals to play in the same division as the Browns? Pretty lucky if your goal is consistently finishing 3rd in a 4 team race. Time to blow up the Bengals? Yes. The answer is yes.
Cleveland - Hitler wasn't born in Cleveland was he? No? I just can't figure out what the good people of Cleveland did to deserve this.
Jacksonville - Apparently, 20th century football still works. Two out of every three times, anyway.
Tennessee - I really thought Marcus Mariota was going to be a franchise quarterback. I guess that's why I'm not an NFL general manager.
Houston - Will Bill O'Brien get a chance to coach Deshaun Watson? Probably not. I picture him alone in a darkened room, the flickering TV light providing erratic illumination, a drink in his hand as he watches Watson lead the Texans to an AFC South clinching win in December 2018. And then throwing that drink at the TV.
Indianapolis - Did Andrew Luck go to Switzerland to get the "Manning Elixir?" Colts' fans better hope so. While they're at it, they can hope for world peace, winning lottery tickets, a really, really good frozen pizza, and an offensive line.
Kansas City - If teams have personalities, they must also have personality disorders. The Chiefs are clearly bipolar. Playoff opponents can only hope to catch them off their meds.
Los Angeles (C) - Ironic, given how his career began, that Philip Rivers has gone on to become the Archie Manning of his generation. Tough, never-say-die competitor that you simply can't help rooting for even as you know it just isn't going to happen.
Oakland - Remember when the Raiders were going to announce themselves as the next big thing with a win over the Patriots in Mexico City? There were plenty of pigskin pundits and bobbleheads had that game circled back in August. Now, their head coach is on the hot seat and their franchise quarterback looks like a guy who probably shouldn't be trusted with sharp objects.
Denver - After carrying the corpse of Peyton Manning to a Super Bowl win did the Broncos think quarterback play just didn't matter any more? Is John Elway actually insane, doing the same thing (Brock Osweiler) over and over, expecting a different result? Wait; that first part is kind of crazy, too.
NFC Bracket
Philadelphia - This may be the most talented Eagles team to ever lose the NFC Championship game at home. Come on. You know this is going to happen. When I think of Eagles football, I think of "Silver Linings Playbook," the movie where Eagles' fan Bradley Cooper and crazy girlfriend Jennifer Lawrence enter a dance contest. And lose.
Dallas - Regression to the mean for Dak Prescott. His best years behind him for Dez Bryant. Failing to learn from Tom Brady and Deflategate in mismanaging Ezekiel Elliott's suspension. Gonna miss you in the Super Bowl again this year, Cowboys.
Washington - You don't like that?
New York (G) - When losing one player causes your season to fall apart, even one as great as Odell Beckham, Jr., you're definitely not doing it right.
Minnesota - Old timey football. If only the Vikings still played outdoors. Just imagine a Vikings-Jaguars Super Bowl. I'd set the over/under on bodies carted off the field at 3.
Detroit - This was supposed to be the Lions' year, wasn't it? They may think they need to hire Josh McDaniels but I think they really need to hire Matt Patricia.
Green Bay - The loss of Aaron Rodgers was devastating. And illuminating. There's just a whole lot of average on this Packers roster.
Chicago - You could've made a run at hometown kid Jimmy Garoppolo; instead you traded up for Mitch Trubisky. Who knows? Maybe it will all work out. In the long run. Just remember to click your heels together when you say it.
New Orleans - The Saints are in the playoffs because of their running game and defense. These are words no one ever expected to see combined in that order in a single sentence ever.
Carolina - Cam Newton is an enigma wrapped in a riddle that can score from anywhere on the field by making a big throw or a big run. On the other hand, if you can stop Newton, you stop the Panthers.
Atlanta - The Falcons may or may not make the playoffs but either way, they're dealing with the worst Super Bowl hangovers in the history of Super Bowl hangovers way better than I thought they would.
Tampa Bay - The Buccaneers were a trendy preseason pick to challenge for the playoffs in 2017. No really. That happened. Expect a sequel to that movie when Tampa Bay announces the Jon Gruden hire.
Los Angeles (R) - I always knew Jeff Fisher was terrible but this terrible? Last year, with essentially the same roster, the Rams were 4-12-0 and Jared Goff looked like he owned a spot on any updated list of Top 10 Draft Busts of All Time. Enter "I Was A Teenage Head Coach" Sean McVay and Goff is a franchise QB, the Rams can flip their record to 12-4 with a Week 17 win and running back Todd Gurley is challenging for the league MVP. And Jeff Fisher was able to shut all of that down. Is there something you need to see destroyed? Figure out a way to put Jeff Fisher in charge of it.
Seattle - If they get into the playoffs, Russell Wilson gives them a puncher's chance but this Seahawks team looks like they're writing the final chapters of their story. Coordinators leave, players get old, players leave in free agency, you've got to draft studs at the bottom of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rounds; eventually it becomes too much to overcome. It was fun while it lasted, Pete Carroll. We'll always have Glendale.
Arizona - The Cardinals are following the same downward arc as the Seahawks only they have the added burden of not having Russell Wilson.
San Francisco - The Super Bowl 53 chatter has already started in the city by the bay thanks to Jimmy GQ's historically large small data sample. If you had any doubts about Garoppolo as a franchise QB, just consider his performance against Jacksonville and specifically, that scrambling to his left sidearm throw for a TD (right around the 3:45 mark). Everybody on the 49ers looks better since Garoppolo became the starter. The Jets are 5-10-0 and their fans are disconsolate. The Niners are 5-10-0 and their fans are Googling "Super Bowl LIII location."
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