Patriots have clinched their division and can finish anywhere from 1-4 in the AFC
Ravens have not clinched a playoff spot, but are in with a win over Cleveland this week. If they lose, they’ll need Pittsburgh to lose to Cincy as well. Can finish 2-4 (and a crazy scenario to finish 6th)
Colts have not clinched a playoff spot and their game against Tennessee is basically a playoff game with the winner making it in. Colts can still win the AFC South if they win and Texans lose. Can finish 3-4 or 6.
NFC
Rams have clinched their division and can finish 2nd or 3rd (loss coupled with Bears win)
“It’s incredible to think that not that many weeks ago I was sitting on my couch waiting for a team to call me, and now I’m back here starting an NFL game in my rookie season,” Allen said. “It’s improbable, but I made sure I was prepared for this opportunity. I feel like I have been preparing the right way, and I think I’m going to do great.”
I think Allen is a class act but he won’t be long for this game if he hasn’t learned how to pick up LBs that have dropped back in coverage underneath of the routes being ran by WRs.
I always like looking at the maps. Shows the Cowboys are more important in Houston than the Saints! Interesting that Chicago doesn’t get Green Bay-Detroit. Also at first look it doesn’t make sense why Lubbock and Tyler want a different game than the rest of Texas for CBS 3pm, until you realize its because of Patrick Mahomes (Tech, Tyler area kid).
DJ Hayden (Jaguars L 20-3 to Houston): DJ got the start; made 7 tackles and a QB hit to finish up a solid season.
Elandon Roberts (Patriots W 38-3 over Jets): Elandon made 6 tackles and was credited with a half a TFL on a stop on 4th down. Roberts has earned praise and looked healthy after being banged up as of late. The Patriots clinched a bye and get to rest for a week.
Kyle Allen (Panthers W 33-14 over Saints): Allen was 16-27 for 228 yards and 2 TDs for a 111.3 QB rating. He also ran 5 times for 19 yards and another TD. He did have to leave early due to a shoulder injury and was unable to finish the game.
Case Keenum (Broncos L 23-9 to Chargers): Case was 31-48 for 292 yards and 1 TD. He also threw a pick on a 2 point conversion that was returned for 2 points for the Chargers. He ended up with a 79.5 QB Rating on the day.
William Jackson III (Bengals L 16-13 to Steelers): Jackson has looked more like his dominant self from last year ever since Cincy fired their DC. Jackson stifled the Steelers weapons and was credited with 3 tackles.
Brandon Wilson (Bengals L 16-13 to Steelers): Wilson didn’t record a stat and had to leave early in the 2nd half after getting hit in the chest while he wasn’t looking on an illegal pick play by Pittsburgh.
Cameron Malveaux (Cardinals L 27-24 to Seahawks): Cam made one tackle, but his biggest impact was in the 3rd quarter where he blocked a punt that was returned for a TD
Steven Dunbar (49ers L 48-32 to Rams): Dunbar is officially an NFL player as he saw action on 1 offensive snap and 2 special teams snaps for San Francisco. He didn’t record a stat, but congratulations to Steven for getting in there.
Tyus Bowser (Ravens W 26-24 over Browns): Bowser was in on 10 defensive snaps and 20 special teams snaps, but didn’t record a snap. The Ravens did clinch their division and get to hose the Chargers next week.
D’Juan Hines (Browns L 26-24 to Ravens): Hines saw action on 19 special teams snaps and didn’t record a stat.
Matt Adams (Colts W 33-17 over Titans): Adams continued to start for the Colts and made 2 tackles on the night. The Colts clinched the final wildcard spot in the AFC which means that Adams will be coming to Houston next week for the 1st round of the playoffs.
Coaches
Chad O’Shea (Patriots @ 38-3 over Jets): New England receivers ran 2 times for 24 yards and caught 11 passes on 17 targets for 133 yards and a TD. In the redzone, the Patriots were 5 for 5 with 4 TDs and a field goal.
Thomas McGaughey (Giants L 36-35 to Cowboys): Giants lose a heartbreaker, but McGaughey’s special teams were on point again: 2 punts for 94 yards, 3 for 3 on XPs and 2 for 2 on FGs with a long of 48 yards, 1 punt return for 19 yards, and 5 kick returns for a 28.4 yard average
Wade Phillips (Rams W 48-32 over 49ers): The Rams defense was swarming and disrupted San Francisco enough to get the win. Overall, the Rams surrendered 264 passing yards and 127 rushing yards, but forced 4 turnovers (3 interceptions and a fumble), tallied 3 sacks and 9 QB hits, broke up 6 passes, and scored 2 TDs. Phillips and his defense get a week off now before the 2nd round of the playoffs.
Two of the three were part of division champions as Roberts’ Patriots claimed the AFC East and Bowser’s Ravens won the AFC North.
The trio were all drafted over the last three years as Houston is the only program in Texas to have a linebacker drafted in each of the last three NFL drafts.