Another day, another one of the Minnesota Vikings’ bigger names being placed on injured reserve. . .and this one ends one of the stranger and more disappointing sagas of the 2025 season for our favorite team. Head coach Kevin O’Connell just announced that the team will be placing offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw on injured reserve, […] Another day, another one of the Minnesota Vikings’ bigger names being placed on injured reserve. . .and this one ends one of the stranger and more disappointing sagas of the 2025 season for our favorite team. Head coach Kevin O’Connell just announced that the team will be placing offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw on injured reserve, a move that will end his 2025 season with three games remaining. Darrisaw tore his ACL midway through the 2024 season and spend the offseason rehabbing that injury. He did not wind up on the Physically Unable to Perform List at the start of Training Camp, but wound up missing the first two games of the regular season. He has had several games this season that have seen him leave early and has missed at least a couple of other games as well as he has worked back from the injury. He had not practiced all week this week leading up to Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, and now the speculation about his status for the rest of the season is officially over. Given that none of us are in the Vikings’ locker room or training room or anything like that, it’s hard to judge from the outside whether or not Darrisaw’s injury was mishandled or anything like that, or whether he may have come back too early from his 2024 injury. Hopefully any lingering issues that still exist will be addressed during the offseason and Darrisaw will be 100% and ready to go for the start of the 2026 season. Presumably this means that Justin Skule will start at left tackle for the final three games of the season, though the team could elect to use Blake Brandel at that spot as well. The team could even, potentially, give some opportunities to Walter Rouse, who has been inactive for a number of games this season and could use some evaluation time with the Vikings’ playoff prospects officially at zero. We’ll be along with the final injury report for Sunday’s game later on today, but you won’t see the name Christian Darrisaw on that list, because his 2025 season is officially over because the team will be placing him on injured reserve. See More:
Vikings to Place OT Christian Darrisaw on Injured Reserve
Phinsider Victory Of The Week Open Thread Vol. 659
It’s Friday, which means it’s time for our Victory of the Week (VOTW) post! This evening’s conversation prompt is straightforward: What was your victory this week? Did something remarkable happen? Is there a small achievement worth celebrating? This could relate to the Miami Dolphins, your professional life, or your personal life. We all experience victories, […] It’s Friday, which means it’s time for our Victory of the Week (VOTW) post! This evening’s conversation prompt is straightforward: What was your victory this week? Did something remarkable happen? Is there a small achievement worth celebrating? This could relate to the Miami Dolphins, your professional life, or your personal life. We all experience victories, big or small, and we want to hear about yours. This post is for you, our site members, who are part of our Phinsider family. This is your opportunity to share your successes from the past week. Your triumphs can be significant, such as the birth of a new child or grandchild, or finally landing that job or promotion you’ve been working hard for. They can also be smaller victories, like winning $100 on a lottery scratch-off ticket, or any other positive experience you’d like to share. This is your post to celebrate your achievements, so feel free to share them in the comments section below. See More: Miami Dolphins News
Lions, Steelers injury designations: Graham Glasgow Questionable in Week 16
The Detroit Lions (8-6) and Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) have declared their injury designations ahead of their Week 16 matchup in downtown Detroit. There are a lot of moving parts along the Lions’ interior offensive line right now, as several starters are dealing with injuries or attempting to return from one. Let’s take a look at […] The Detroit Lions (8-6) and Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) have declared their injury designations ahead of their Week 16 matchup in downtown Detroit. There are a lot of moving parts along the Lions’ interior offensive line right now, as several starters are dealing with injuries or attempting to return from one. Let’s take a look at the latest injury report and get you up to date with what we know. Note: Any changes from the last injury report will be bolded. Ruled OUT OT Giovanni Manu (knee, still on IR) — Days remaining in injury evaluation clock: 19 S Kerby Joseph (knee) Manu returned to practice this week, but with only two practices under his belt, he’s not ready to return to action just yet. He still has over two weeks remaining in his injury evaluation window, so the Lions are in no rush to return him quicker than necessary. Joseph has now missed five practices since coach Dan Campbell noted that the All-Pro safety had a setback last week, and he looks no closer to returning than he did two months ago. It may be just a matter of time before he is placed on injured reserve. Questionable C Graham Glasgow (knee) LT Taylor Decker (shoulder) LG Christian Mahogany (fibula, still on IR) — Days remaining in injury evaluation clock: 11 OL Trystan Colon (wrist) CB Amik Robertson (hand) Glasgow was estimated to have been able to practice on Wednesday during the Lions walkthrough, but he showed up as a non-participant on Thursday, was still unable to practice on Friday, and has been listed as questionable. If he is downgraded or ruled inactive for this game, the Lions will most likely turn to Trystan Colon—as they have done previously—but he is also dealing with an injury and is listed as questionable. If Colon is unable to play, the Lions will likely turn to Michael Niese (who was the Lions’ backup center last season) or practice squader Kingsley Eguakun. “We’ve obviously worked Colon because he’s been there. I know he’s got the wrist, but he was out there working with it yesterday,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said on Friday. “Just trying to get Graham off his feet. But I mean, we’ve worked Niese, we’ve worked Kingsley. We’ve kind of just hit all around, and we’re rolling the guards, too. So, it’s really been a little bit of a revolving door trying to get a number of guys ready because there’s a lot of flex going into this game right now.” Decker missed practice on Wednesday and Friday, but got in a Thursday practice, which is more than he was able to do in Week 15. He’s been getting considerable rest as the season has progressed, so this pattern is not unusual, and he is expected to start at left tackle on Sunday. Mahogany has made steady progress toward returning from injured reserve, and he’ll have a chance to see that happen this weekend. If he is activated, expect him to jump back into his starting left guard role, but there’s still a chance he will need another week before he’s ready. “Yesterday, I thought he looked pretty good. Wasn’t perfect, but I thought he looked pretty good,” Campbell said of Mahogany. “And some of it’s going to be, I know he’s a little sore today, and how he feels in today’s practice. That’s what a lot of it’s going to come down to.” Colon has been limited in practice this week, but he’s been present and participating in all three. If he’s able to play through his wrist injury, he’ll potentially have a chance to fill a big role against the Steelers. Robertson has been practicing with a club/brace on his hand, and he has suggested that he will have a chance to play in this game with its protection. Robertson has previously played with a club on his hand (in college) and has noted he is familiar with its limitations. Not listed with an injury designation RB Sione Vaki (thumb) LG Kayode Awosika (foot) S Thomas Harper (concussion) Vaki has been playing through a thumb injury for several weeks now, but he was fortunately able to return to a full level of participation this week, suggesting he is very close to putting the injury behind him. Awosika missed the previous two games with a foot injury, but he’s been practicing in full this week and looks ready to return to the game day roster. Depending on how things shake out with the rest of the interior offensive line, there’s a chance Awosika could be called upon to start at left tackle this week. Harper was unable to clear the NFL’s concussion protocols last week, but he’s been practicing in full this week and appears close to being able to return to game action. If cleared, he’ll return to the starting free safety role, likely starting alongside Avonte Maddox. Steelers’ injury designations Ruled OUT: LG Isaac Seumalo (triceps) EDGE T.J. Watt (lung) CB James Pierre (calf) Doubtful: EDGE Nick Herbig (hamstring) – started for Watt last week Questionable: LS Christian Kuntz (knee) Not listed with an injury designation: QB Aaron Rodgers (left wrist) WR Ben Skowronek (illness/hand) LT Andrus Peat (concussion) C Zach Frazier (triceps) DL Cam Heyward (rest) DT Keeanu Benton (ankle) DT Derrick Harmon (knee) S Jabrill Peppers (illness) See More:
Eagles Opponent Film Room: Scouting the Washington Commanders’ defense
FYI: I had an issue with my NFL Pro and my recording software, so this one will have no film clips. Apologies, but I’m hoping it will be resolved quickly. Pass Defense Washington’s defense has become one of the weakest units in the NFL statistically, and that assessment holds up on film. This is an […] FYI: I had an issue with my NFL Pro and my recording software, so this one will have no film clips. Apologies, but I’m hoping it will be resolved quickly. Pass Defense Washington’s defense has become one of the weakest units in the NFL statistically, and that assessment holds up on film. This is an old and slow group that has struggled to adapt to the modern game as the season has worn on. The coverage structure feels flawed in a number of different ways. Linebackers struggle badly in space, with Frankie Luvu offering blitz value but little else, and Bobby Wagner no longer able to carry vertical routes or close throwing windows. Wagner is a huge liability in coverage. I would love to see the Eagles commit to some under center play-action and go after the intermediate areas of the middle of the field. I expect those zones to be wide open if the Eagles can get the linebackers coming downhill. Behind the linebackers, the secondary is struggling with injuries and a lack of talent. Marshon Lattimore and Trey Amos are unavailable, leaving young corners exposed against good receivers this year. Mike Sainristil has playmaking instincts, but has also allowed significant production when targeted. Washington plays a lot of cover 1, and the Eagles should look to throw vertically outside the numbers when they get single-high coverage. They don’t have cornerbacks who can handle AJ Brown or DeVonta Smith. Their most significant issue is the lack of pass rush. They don’t have enough to win with just 4, but they don’t blitz a lot or use a ton of simulated pressure. This allows quarterbacks to sit in the pocket and attack the intermediate middle of the field, an area Washington has failed to protect all season. Run Defense I have been a big proponent of the quarterback run game, but I would be cautious with Jalen Hurts in this game. Frankie Luvu is either aggressive or dirty (depending on what team you support), and he has already knocked Hurts out of a game once. If the Eagles do get Hurts on the move, I hope they tell him to slide early or get out of bounds. The Eagles might not need the quarterback run game to be a big thing this week, anyway. Poor run fits, missed tackles, and soft interior play have led to a bad run defense for most of the season. They are giving up 136 rushing yards a game for a reason. Javon Kinlaw, signed to be a stabilizing force inside, has been ineffective both anchoring and shedding blocks. Frankie Luvu plays tough but is very inconsistent and can end up being blocked or in the wrong gap entirely. Wagner is still a good run defender, but he can’t do it by himself. This is a great week to get the running game going. The Eagles need to commit to making their run game an identity again. That means under-center work, downhill runs, and consistent physicality on early downs. This is not just about winning this matchup. I want to continue to see an identity from this offense. Final Thoughts The Eagles enter this game as heavy favorites, and rightfully so. Washington’s defense simply does not have the talent or structural integrity to stop this offense. If the Eagles lean into the run game and then use play-action off of this, they should do very well. Washington’s linebackers and outside corners are real issues. I don’t want to sound too confident, but I want to do more than just win this week. I am hopeful this game will be a meaningful step toward stabilizing the Eagles’ offensive identity for the playoffs, just as it was last week against the Raiders. Thank you for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to comment below and ask any questions. If you enjoyed this piece, you can find more of my work and podcast here. If you would like to support me further, please check out my Patreon here! See More:
NY Giants don’t have an answer for Jalin Hyatt’s continued struggles
Confidence isn’t always built on Sundays. For New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, the snaps have been limited and the spotlight unforgiving, with communication miscues and timing issues surfacing when opportunities do come. Still, offensive coordinator Tim Kelly made it clear Thursday that the organization’s belief in the young receiver hasn’t wavered. Kelly acknowledged the challenges Hyatt faces in a depth role. “That fourth, fifth receiver role is tough in this league,” Kelly said. “You’ve got to know everything. You have to be able to step in and execute whatever position we need you in at that point in time.” Kelly admitted communication breakdowns have occurred — and that Hyatt has been “right there in the center of them” — he emphasized that the receiver is actively working to correct those issues and earn trust. Why that progress hasn’t consistently translated to game days remains unanswered. “I wish I had that answer,” Kelly said. “If I had that answer, I don’t think we’d be having this conversation.” See More:
(8) Oklahoma vs. (9) Alabama: Draft prospects for the NY Giants
Good evening New York Giants fans! Bowl Season is well and truly under way, and we have the first game of the College Football Playoffs under the Friday Night lights. Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl (8) Oklahoma vs. (9) Alabama TV: ABCTime: 8 p.m. This should be an exciting game and will also be a “must watch” game from a scouting perspective. While Alabama lost to Georgia in an embarrassing fashion in the SEC Championship, they still have a ton of future NFL players on their roster. Oklahoma, meanwhile, features talented players of their own as well as a well-schemed defense courtesy of Brent Venables. Speaking of the Draft and scouting, the Giants might want to pay attention to Alabama receiver Germie Bernard. The injury to Malik Nabers has revealed a lack of depth in the Giants’ receiving corps, with Wan’Dale Robinson as the team’s only other natural separator. There have been far too many instances of the Giants’ receivers not getting open, forcing Jaxson Dart to hold the ball or scramble. Either way, it exposes him to risk as he takes it upon himself to make a play when his teammates can’t. Bernard has solid size at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, with strong hands, good ball skills and body control, as well as high football IQ as a route runner. He might not be a high-ceiling WR 1b like the Giants could find at the top of the first round, but he could be a good possession receiver and a dependable number two across from Nabers. It’s also notable that Robinson is a free agent after the season, and the team could be left with a particularly bare cupboard even with Nabers returning. Oklahoma’s John Mateer is another fascinating case. He got off to a hot start at the beginning of the season and looked like he built upon a promising 2024 season to become a first round pick. Then he suffered an injury to his throwing hand and his play (understandably) fell off a cliff. Mateer has said that he feels better than at any point following the injury, but we’ll just have to see whether that translates to better play on the field. The two quarterbacks will be one of the bigger stories of the game. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson could be one of the first two or three quarterbacks off the board in April — assuming he decides to come out. Players to watch (8) Oklahoma John Mateer (QB – 10) Jaren Kanak (TE – 12) Deion Burks (WR – 4) Jayden Ott (RB – 0) Damonic Williams (iDL – 52) Gracen Halton (iDL – 56) R. Mason Thomas (DE/EDGE – 32) Sammy Omosigho (LB – 7) Kendal Daniels (S/LB – 5) Peyton Bowen (S – 22) (9) Alabama Ty Simpson (QB – 15) Kadyn Proctor (OT – 74) Parker Brailsford (OC – 72) Jaeden Roberts (OG – 77) Josh Cuevas (TE – 80) Germie Bernard (WR – 5) Tim Keenan III (iDL – 96) Deontae Lawson (LB – 0) Domani Jackson (CB – 1) Keon Sabb (S – 3) Bray Hubbard (S – 18) See More: New York Giants Draft
Fire and Ice: Top starts, sits and sleepers in fantasy football for Week 16
This fantasy football start-sit article aims to identify sleepers and the best and worst performers of the week. Start Brock Purdy: The Indianapolis Colts have allowed the second-most passing yards in the NFL this season, behind only the Dallas Cowboys. Sit Trevor Lawrence: The Denver Broncos have allowed just 10.7 fantasy points on average at home to opposing starting quarterbacks in 2025. Get PFF+ for 30% off: Use promo code HOLIDAY30 to unlock the PFF Player Prop Tool, Premium Stats, fantasy dashboards, the PFF Mock Draft Simulator, industry-leading fantasy rankings and much more — everything you need to win your season. Estimated Reading Time: 6minutes Are you struggling to set your Week 16 fantasy lineups? Maybe I can help… Below you can find my top fire (boom) and ice (bust) players at each position for Week 16. I also include my sleeper of the week at each position in case you are in a deeper league or in need of a replacement for an ice player. Don’t miss my Fire and Ice chart at the bottom of this page. There, I have listed out all of my fire, good, sleeper and ice plays for Week 16 of the 2025 fantasy football season. Quarterbacks Fire QB Start of the Week: Brock Purdy (at IND) Brock Purdy has now gone two straight games without throwing an interception after being reckless with the football over his first four games played this season. He had his best fantasy performance of the season last week against the Tennessee Titans with three touchdowns, nearly 300 passing yards and 26.2 fantasy points. This is another good matchup for Purdy as the Indianapolis Colts have allowed the second-most passing yards in the NFL this season, behind only the Dallas Cowboys. Sleeper QB of the Week: J.J. McCarthy (at NYG) McCarthy has put together back-to-back good fantasy performances against the weak Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys secondaries over the last two weeks — throwing six touchdowns and just one interception in that span. He gets another juicy matchup this weekend against the New York Giants, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to the quarterback position in 2025. Ice QB Start of the Week: Trevor Lawrence (at DEN) It has been a very nice stretch for Trevor Lawrence, who has thrown at least two touchdowns in each of the last four games and had an insane six-touchdown performance in Week 15. However, he has had a very kind schedule over the last month, facing the Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets defenses. This week will be much harder, on the road in Denver, against the Broncos‘ elite pass defense. The Broncos have allowed just 10.7 fantasy points on average at home to opposing starting quarterbacks in 2025. Running Backs Fire RB Start of the Week: Woody Marks (vs. LV) The Las Vegas Raiders‘ defense has not been able to stop opposing running backs over the last month, allowing R.J. Harvey (22), Kimani Vidal (20.7), Saquon Barkley (17.2), Quinshon Judkins (16.7) and Dylan Sampson (16.2) to each hit at least 16 points against them over the last four weeks. The Houston Texans are the biggest favorites of the week, currently favored by 14.5 points with one of the league’s top defenses, which should put Woody Marks in line for plenty of work, especially as Nick Chubb works through a rib injury. Sleeper RB of the Week: Kenneth Gainwell (at DET) The Steelers have leaned on Jaylen Warren as a starter this season, but Kenneth Gainwell has started gaining some steam in the backfield lately and could be a viable sleeper through the fantasy playoffs. Gainwell has seen six-plus targets in four of the past five games, finishing with 100-plus scrimmage yards in three of his past five games. Gainwell has been the RB6 in full PPR-scoring formats dating back to Week 11 and could see plenty of work in the passing game this week, given the Detroit Lions’ strength against the run. Ice RB Start of the Week: Ashton Jeanty (at HOU) It seems inconceivable to consider benching a star like Ashton Jeanty, but between the Raiders’ offensive line play and a challenging matchup against the Texans, it may be time. The Raiders have the second-lowest run blocking grade in the league this year at 50.8, while the Texans rank third in the league with a 77.6 run defense grade. Jeanty has scored fewer than 10 fantasy points in three of his last five matchups. Wide Receivers Fire WR Start of the Week: Michael Wilson (vs. ATL) Jacoby Brissett clearly has a stronger connection with Michael Wilson over Marvin Harrison Jr. Even though the latter could be back on the field this weekend, that shouldn’t mean fantasy managers should shy away from Wilson. No defense has allowed more points per game to the wide receiver position than the Atlanta Falcons since Week 8. In that span, 10 different wide receivers have put up 16-plus fantasy points against the Falcons, including Tetairoa McMillan, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Adonai Mitchell, Jaylen Waddle and DeMario Douglas, who all hit at least 20 points against them. Sleeper WR Start of the Week: Jalen Coker (vs. TB) Jalen Coker has double-digit fantasy points in three of the last four games while scoring 17.4 and 14.0 points in the last two weeks. He has been beating opponents deep as of late, coming down with a receiving touchdown of over 30 yards in each of the last two games. Coker has turned into Bryce Young’s go-to guy. He leads the team in targets, receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns since Week 12. Ice WR Starts of the Week: George Pickens (vs. LAC) George Pickens may have officially checked out for the season. He has been a ghost as of late, putting up just 37 and 33 yards and zero touchdowns in the last two games. Last weekend, the stingy Minnesota Vikings secondary shut down Pickens, and it won’t get any easier this Sunday when
Rams-Seahawks: 5 plays that cost LA the 1 seed
It hurts. It stings. As it should. The Los Angeles Rams (11-4) did not finish all 60 minutes (and then some) and that is why they are now in 5th place in the NFC. Thursday night was another example of Los Angeles still having yet to prove that they can consistently close out games. Ever […] It hurts. It stings. As it should. The Los Angeles Rams (11-4) did not finish all 60 minutes (and then some) and that is why they are now in 5th place in the NFC. Thursday night was another example of Los Angeles still having yet to prove that they can consistently close out games. Ever since the 2024 Divisional Round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Rams are 1-4 in games where it came down to the final possession. Wk 3 – Loss @ Philadelphia Eagles Wk 4 – Win vs Indianapolis Colts Wk 5 – Loss vs San Francisco 49ers Wk 12 – Loss @ Carolina Panthers Wk 16 – Loss @ Seattle Seahawks In all 5 of those games, the Rams failed to execute a few plays that could have easily changed the outcome in their favor. Last night in Seattle was no different. Here are the five keys plays that handed the division lead to the Seattle Seahawks… 1. Sean McVay elects to kick XP after Puka Nacua’s 1 yard TD, (Rams 29 – Seahawks 14), 13:34 left in the 4th Quarter This was pointed out a lot by people on X. The Rams casually elected to kick the XP when they were up 15 with one quarter left to play. The strategic move would have been to go for 2 in order to make it a three score game. Had Los Angeles done so and converted, they would have likely increased their chances of winning the game exponentially. Even if LA did not convert, the game would still have been a two score game and requiring Seattle to convert at least one two-point try. This is one of the moments where keeping your foot on the gas could have put away Seattle for good instead of keeping the door open. 2. Rashid Shaheed returns punt 58 yards for touchdown, (Rams 30 – Seahawks 22), 8:03 left in 4th Quarter After intercepting a Sam Darnold pass to kill a drive, the Los Angeles Rams had a three & out on offense. Ethan Evans punted 43 yards (YIKES) to Shaheed in the middle of the field with no one in a 10 yard radius to make the tackle. The talented speedster took the kick towards the SEA sideline, getting past Derion Kendrick, Jordan Whittington, and company to make the game a one score game after a successful two point try to Cooper Kupp. 3. Inadvertent whistle and questionable call on Seattle 2 point try ties the game, (Rams 30 – Seahawks 30), 6:23 left in the 4th Quarter It is the most talked about play last night which is unfortunate. For a game to be decided by something like this is an indictment on the NFL and referees. See for yourself… 4. Harrison misses first field goal of the year from 48 yards out, (Rams 30 – Seahawks 30), 2:11 left in the 4th Quarter Los Angeles had multiple chances to still win the game despite blown coverages and breakdowns. After driving 51 yards in just over a minute, LA attempted a field goal from the SEA 29. The initial kick looked promising but it just kept pushing right. 5. Omar Speights blown coverage on final 2 point try gives Seattle win, (Rams 37 – Seahawks 38), 3:13 left in Overtime The Rams had a good play call on the final 2 point try but Omar Speights came out of his zone coverage to follow the running back into the flat, vacating the middle of the endzone for Eric Saubert. Sam Darnold went through his progression and finally landed on Saubert for the easy conversion. What other plays do you think caused the Rams collapse in the 4th quarter and overtime? Comment below. See More: Los Angeles Rams Scores and Results
3 key players for Bengals vs. Dolphins
The 4-10 Cincinnati Bengals will travel to Miami to face the 6-8 Miami Dolphins. There really isn’t anything on the line in this game for either team. The Dolphins have decided to go ahead and bench Tua Tagovailoa, opting to start rookie Quinn Ewers in his place this week. The Cincinnati Bengals have said they […] The 4-10 Cincinnati Bengals will travel to Miami to face the 6-8 Miami Dolphins. There really isn’t anything on the line in this game for either team. The Dolphins have decided to go ahead and bench Tua Tagovailoa, opting to start rookie Quinn Ewers in his place this week. The Cincinnati Bengals have said they plan to start Joe Burrow for the rest of the season. With that in mind, let’s take a look at three key players for the matchup this week. Joe Burrow I normally wouldn’t even put Joe Burrow as a key player; that is typically assumed. With that said, his recent comments and performance have been a bit uncharacteristic. The Bengals are coming off a shutout loss to Baltimore, losing 24-0. Burrow had two interceptions and was sacked three times during the game. Burrow also threw two interceptions in the previous game versus Buffalo. If the Bengals are going to keep playing Burrow down the stretch, I am at least hoping to see some fun football out of this offense. The performance versus Baltimore was unacceptable. I expect Burrow and the rest of that offense to bounce back this week versus the Dolphins. Myles Murphy Murphy is coming off a two-sack performance against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. Murphy has looked like a building block for this defense going forward, the past couple of months. Murphy will need to continue applying pressure to opposing quarterbacks, but will also have to be a big factor against De’Von Achane and the Miami rushing attack this week. Demetrius Knight Jr. Knight recorded the first two sacks of his career against the Ravens. I will be watching this week to see if he can build on that success. The Bengals desperately need to find out who they feel can continue moving forward with these last few games of the season. Hopefully, Knight can show that he has what it takes to at least be one starting-caliber linebacker for this team heading into next season. See More: Cincinnati Bengals Analysis
What sort of miracle would it take for the Colts to advance to the playoffs?
Lets start with the elephant in the room. The three remaining teams on the schedule, are a combined 29 – 13. Two of those teams have beaten the Colts in the last three weeks and the third team is from the strongest division in the league and has every reason to treat the game as […] Lets start with the elephant in the room. The three remaining teams on the schedule, are a combined 29 – 13. Two of those teams have beaten the Colts in the last three weeks and the third team is from the strongest division in the league and has every reason to treat the game as a must win. Another thing working against our guys is the injuries to Jones, Gardner, Ward, Smith, and Raimann, not to mention Buckner. We may get a couple of them back over the next three weeks, but this group makes up a healthy chuck of salary, so the team is missing much of the core that they were counting on. Our QB is limited and I feel like I am being kind. Do you want to know why our OL looked serviceable against one of the top defenses last week? Seattle didn’t go after Rivers much at all. Rather than sending an extra guy that would leave an opening somewhere in the secondary, they correctly decided that since the ball was coming out quickly, just make him throw into tighter windows. Without the threat of the deep ball, they had seven guys to cover 15 – 20 yards. It is basically a red zone defense, no matter where you are on the field. So, looking at the charts, if the Colts go 3 – 0, they have approximately a one in three chance to make the playoffs as the division winner, the 6th seed, or the 7th seed. It would mean that there was only a 2% chance that they were excluded from the tourney. Starting with game one, lets dream that there is a raucous crowd for a Monday Night game and the defense forces four turnovers, with one of them producing immediate points. Rivers and Grupe stay clean and the Colts emerge victorious. In the mean time, The Jags lose to Denver and the Texans handle the Raiders, but maybe a physical game slows them down a little. Colts 9 -6, Jags 10 – 5, Texans 10-5. During our game, we again see Rivers trying to loosen his shoulder on the sidelines. He tries to soldier through it, but a total quacker of a pass makes him realize that he simply cant threaten the D with his arm and he hands over the reigns to his mentee. Leonard looks calmer and Rivers is in his ear between each series to the point that the 6th rounder actually looks good. A couple of “dag-gummits, you can do this” later, Leonard looks more like a guy at the end of his first season, rather than the beginning. I have not made it a secret that I believe that Leonard gives us the better chance to win, because we can use more of the playbook. If Rivers can’t go and knows he cant go, he has to make the call. Week 17 sees Jacksonville come to town with a 60% chance to win the South with a win vs. the Colts. Lucas Oil is not the same house of horrors as Duvall County. Sauce and Buck are as close to healthy as they are going to get at this late date. Another inspired crowd and defensive effort hands the Colts a lead and they do what they do when they have a lead, which is feed JT. Houston travels to play the Chargers, who are also playing for their playoff lives. The Chargers can ease some of the burden of the history of their late season collapses and Herbert is good enough to do to the Texans, what the big four (Mahomes, Jackson, Allen, and Burrow) regularly do to them in the playoffs. Colts 10 – 6, Jags 10 -6, Texans 10 – 6. Week 18 would mean that there is not chance for a 3-way tie, unless the miracle event occurred where we tied the Texans and the Jags tied the Titans. For miracles sake, lets say that us beating the Texans is less of a miracle than us tying them, while the Jags also tie. I can’t consciously pick the Titans to beat anyone, especially on the road. A Colts win would mean that the Colts and Jacksonville tied for the division title with 11 – 6 records. I think it would go the 5th tie-breaker. This one is called the, “Strength of victory” tie-breaker. It is defined as the combined record of all of the teams that you have beaten. I do not believe this is a good one for the Colts. I think we have to have something unexpected, like the Jags losing out, to have a chance to win the East. We’ve played better at home, so that would be a bummer, but the most encouraging thing about what would lie ahead is that there is every chance that Allen is the only A-list QB that you would have to go through. The Bills and Broncos are the co-favorites as far as the betting line concerned, but neither look as formidable as the Chiefs, Ravens and Bengals of recent years. For all this wild ride to even start to look like it has a chance, the Colts have to do something that they have not accomplished since November 9th, which is to win a game. They haven’t won a game against a team with a winning record since October 19, against the Chargers. It would require the team to look like it has some “Want to”, which has not been the case since Luck retired. It would take a Herculean effort by a defense that has shown flashes, but has not really taken over