(Week 16) Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs

(6-9)

(9-6)

VS.

Recap: Chiefs 29 Dolphins 13

Would you look at that!? The Chiefs actually didn't play down to their competition! As crazy as it sounds, the choking storm for the Chiefs may be over. Every part of this Chiefs team looked competent, and there were some serious flashbacks to their win over the Patriots in Week One. The Dolphins proved once again that tight-ends are their kryptonite, unable to stop a blazing-hot meteorite in the form of Travis Kelce. Alex Smith and Kareem Hunt proved they are a QB/RB combination to fear this January. Tyreek Hill was a one man receiving machine, a proverbial Rembrandt when it comes to keeping his feet in bounds, making catches that would make the average Dolphins receiver say "screw it" and hit up the Miami club scene instead. Even the Chiefs defense had a stellar day, forcing multiple fumbles and making the offensive line look like filet o'fish. If the CHIEFS DEFENSE plugs you, you know your offense needs work. Contrags, Dolphins. You continue to disappoint a fanbase still longing for the days of Bob Griese and Dan Marino to return in the form of...SOMEBODY competent. Enjoy being stuck with Cutler for another season...or Tannehill. But, then again, both fates sound pretty terrible. Say, is Aaron Rodgers sitting around anywhere?

(Week 16) Detroit Lions vs. Cincinnati Bengals

(8-7)

(6-9)

VS.

Recap: Bengals 26 Lions 17

And that was the day the Lions sunk to mediocrity yet again. Suffice to say, I was rooting for the Lions to come on strong this year. Matt Stafford may have enough money now to purchase a third-world country, but he still goes out there every week like he cares. Meanwhile, Andy Dalton checked out two years ago. How does this happen? Two words: second half. A back-and-forth affair between two competent offenses, where the Bengals overcame a slow start (including an ATROCIOUS interception) to gain the 9 point edge with less than two minutes remaining. Cincinnati simply went ahead at the right time, and nothing the Lions could've done would've made a difference. 

(Week 16) Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers

(12-3)

(7-8)

VS.

Recap: Vikings 16 Packers 0

Some claim that Green Bay relies on Aaron Rodgers to bail them out of tight spots. Some claim the Packers offense relies on him entirely. Some even claim the Packers front office is a gaggle of lemmings pretending to be team managers. I'm here to tell you, that you're ALL right. This game basically confirmed everything we know to be true about Green Bay, and I'm not trying to be salty merely because I'm a Vikings fan. The Packers looked like the worst team in the NFC last Saturday, and I can't think of a Christmas present more appropriate for a front office that props Aaron Rodgers on the football field like the Christmas tree from Charlie Brown before putting him back on IR. As for the rumors about Rodgers switching teams...please. Personally, I want him to stay in Green Bay, just so I can laugh when Packers fans call every win a "team effort." As for the Vikings, the offense seemed a little sluggish in subzero temps, but the defense was like a frozen pool, making an abysmal Packers offense look like a drunk father trying to dive in. You don't need many points to record a rare shutout victory. The tides are a turnin' in the NFC North, and with an underachieving Eagles squad the only team ahead of them in the seeding, it looks like the NFC Championship is there for the Minnesota's taking. #skol

(Week 16) Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens

(3-12)

(9-6)

VS.

Recap: Ravens 23 Colts 16

Conglaturation, Baltimore (Ravens)! You actually made the Colts NOT look like fetid manure. Ravens, you may have scored a win against the NFL's equivalent of a second bye-week, and you may be one step closer to playoff glory...but seriously? You struggled against the Colts? After your defense made Matt Stafford your bitch back in November, I was praying for Jacoby Brissett in this game, but you barely made a dent in their offensive line! Thankfully for you, even without pressure, the Colts offense rides on field goals from Adam Vinatieri and on-off performances from Frank Gore. Not even a blocked punt can get the Colts anywhere near the End Zone. Have fun in January, Ravens, and pray Alex Smith doesn't show up that day.

(Week 15) Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

(9-5)

(4-10)

VS.

Recap: Falcons 24 Buccaneers 21

What do you get when a team who chokes in the second half matches up with a team that surges in the second half? A pretty intriguing game. The Falcons managed to stay one step ahead, thanks to a phenomenal running effort from Devonta Freeman and a beautiful 50+ yard FG from Matt Bryant, but crucial mistakes kept the Bucs alive late in the game. The aformentioned Freeman fumbled twice, and the Bucs kept Matt Ryan's lightning pass game bottled up. Jameis Winston finally emerged from the cobwebs with a 3 TD game, and his chemistry with Mike Evans and O.J Howard was on point. The Falcons emerged victorious, but the Bucs looked decent in defeat. Aside from that fumble in the Red Zone in the second quarter, of course.

(Week 15) Dallas Cowboys vs. Oakland Raiders

(8-6)

(6-8)

VS.

Recap: Cowboys 20 Raiders 17

The Cowboys and Raiders in Week 15 on Sunday night football? If it was 2016, I'd be freaking out right now. A battle between two QB's who have fallen back to the Earth this season, Derek Carr and Dak Prescott, to determine who is the least mediocre of them all. The Cowboys may have pulled a few succesful drives together, but the Raiders have the ball in the Red Zone with a chance to win it all, or at least tie it up. Thankfully for the Cowboys, neither would happen, and Derek Carr would give Jerry Jones an early Christmas present in the form of a touchback off a botched quarterback sneak. Enjoy your lucky victory Cowboys: you still have a hell of a battle ahead if you want to play a game in January. Until then, tell Prescott that the guys in different uniforms are NOT your receivers. He was lucky to only get picked off once... 

(Week 15) Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers

(8-6)

(4-10)

VS.

Recap: 49ers 25 Titans 23

How am I supposed to feel here? Elation for Jimmy Garoppolo and a resurging 49ers squad? Sadness for Marcus Mariota? The 49ers continue to build momentum...about 9 games too late. I have to admit, even I teared up a little bit watching the 49ers sideline celebrate at the end. The 49ers may still live and die on Robbie Gould's shoulders, but at least Garoppolo can put the ball in the Red Zone. Close but no cigar for Mariota...I sound like a broken record. The Titans love to live on the edge, and it bit them hard in the backside on Sunday. I hope the 49ers have a long offseason to develop some of their new tools, because who knows what the NFC West will look like next year? If the Rams can surge, so can the 49ers. It's a changing of the guard in the NFC West, and I can't wait.