We simulated all the 2019 season: Scores and storylines for all 267 video games
Usually once we venture out the NFL season, we offer a share likelihood of an occasion occurring — it is all levels of possibly. However there is no possibly at the moment.
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Earlier than every season, we simulate all the NFL slate 20,000 occasions utilizing the ESPN Soccer Energy Index (FPI), our prediction and projection system. Within the preseason, it’s primarily based on just a few elements, together with every staff’s preseason win whole matched with its schedule, previous efficiency in all three phases of the sport, returning starters and who the beginning and backup quarterbacks are anticipated to be. Altogether that will get us a energy score for each staff, which we in flip use to find out recreation predictions and the chance of 1 staff beating one other.
In the present day, we took only one of these 20,000 season-long simulations — No. 1,721 — and performed out all the slate with closing scores for all 267 video games. And we baked somewhat inventive license into the small print alongside the best way. Contemplate it one other option to preview what this 2019 NFL season would possibly appear to be. Let’s dive into the 2019 season, beginning with a handful of upsets and a standout rookie efficiency in Week 1.
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Remaining standings | Playoffs
Tremendous Bowl LIV
Week 1
Scores from Week 1
ARI 36, DET 10OAK 24, DEN 17CAR 25, LAR 20GB 34, CHI 27CLE 29, TEN 23KC 27, JAX 24DAL 20, NYG 17ATL 27, MIN 13LAC 27, IND 24PIT 24, NE 21MIA 20, BAL 14BUF 37, NYJ 32PHI 29, WSH 13CIN 24, SEA 23TB 37, SF 14HOU 34, NO 33
Aaron Rodgers, Packers maintain off Bears in opener: Not like final yr’s opening-week battle, the Packers will not want a valiant comeback to edge Chicago. Inexperienced Bay’s offensive line is ready to maintain Rodgers upright in its 34-27 victory. The Bears have been in a position to get better from a devastating Week 1 defeat final time … can they do it once more?
Kyler and Kliff flourish in debut: At the least on this night time, the Lions seemed like a Huge 12 protection attempting and failing to cease Kliff Kingsbury’s new Air Raid offense. Kyler Murray slices and dices Detroit together with his legs and arms within the blowout 36-10 win, rapidly inflicting followers to neglect his preseason inconsistency and remind them why he gained the Heisman Trophy and went No. 1 general in April’s draft.
Texans edge Saints: Deshaun Watson outplays Drew Brees in a Week 1 barnburner, torching the Saints’ secondary in a 34-33 win and delivering an early blow to a Tremendous Bowl hopeful. Keep in mind when the Buccaneers did the identical to New Orleans in 2018? The Saints rebounded with 10 straight wins.
Gradual begin for Pats, Rams: May it’s a Tremendous Bowl hangover? Invoice Belichick’s and Sean McVay’s groups stumble out of the gate, however nobody is frightened about both staff … but.
Week 2
Scores from Week 2
ATL 38, PHI 28TEN 16, IND 10BAL 24, ARI 10WSH 21, DAL 18DEN 30, CHI 21TB 35, CAR 28GB 29, MIN 23SF 42, CIN 28MIA 38, NE 28LAC 31, DET 27NYG 13, BUF 6JAX 30, HOU 25OAK 27, KC 20NO 27, LAR 3PIT 38, SEA 27CLE 17, NYJ Three
Candy, candy revenge for New Orleans: In a rematch of the NFC Championship Sport, the Saints avenge their loss and make it possible for a stray move interference name (or lack thereof) cannot get in the best way, as they smack down the Rams 27-Three.
Fearful but, New England? The defending Tremendous Bowl champs drop one other recreation, this time a 38-28 defeat by the hands of a (2-Zero!) Miami staff that no less than appeared within the preseason to be successfully tanking. However FitzMagic would not go down and not using a battle.
Raiders stun Chiefs, man: Jon Gruden cannot cease smirking after Derek Carr and his Oakland staff get the most effective of Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs 27-20. Oakland is out of the gate robust with a 2-Zero begin.
Week Three
Scores from Week Three
ARI 21, CAR 18NE 31, NYJ 28BUF 45, CIN 42PHI 26, DET 16CLE 17, LAR 7SF 29, PIT 24DAL 38, MIA 33TB 31, NYG 13GB 20, DEN 12WSH 21, CHI 19IND 34, ATL 24TEN 51, JAX 17KC 35, BAL 14HOU 34, LAC 27MIN 31, OAK 23NO 30, SEA 26
Browns dwelling as much as the hype: Beating the Titans and Jets was one factor, however taking down the Rams 17-7 in primetime has the league breaking out in Cleveland fever. Jarvis Landry arms out Bless ‘Ems to each one among his teammates. They’re driving excessive at Three-Zero.
Bears, Rams drop to Zero-Three: Mitchell Trubisky’s QBR has taken a precipitous drop, whereas the Chicago protection has regressed to the imply. Each of these occasions have been pretty anticipated. However L.A.’s nightmare begin? That got here out of nowhere. Instantly the Cardinals say Kliff Kingsbury and Sean McVay weren’t like greatest mates or something. Solely common mates. Possibly even simply acquaintances.
Marcus Mariota places up 51 on Jaguars: A once-elite protection is torched by a never-considered-elite offense, because the Titans flex a totally surprising degree of firepower. And their 2-1 file is all of the extra spectacular contemplating their lone loss got here towards the clearly unbeatable Browns.
Seahawks’ protection sends them to winless begin: Russell Wilson and the staff’s offense is doing sufficient, however the protection continues its early-season struggles — even after buying and selling for Jadeveon Clowney. After a stunning Week 1 loss to the Bengals and a troublesome defeat towards Pittsburgh, the Seahawks falter once more in a Week Three loss to New Orleans.
Week Four
Scores from Week Four
GB 44, PHI 7PIT 29, CIN 7ATL 31, TEN 24SEA 24, ARI 0CHI 30, MIN 21CLE 45, BAL 17HOU 33, CAR 7NE 27, BUF 24IND 20, OAK 17JAX 26, DEN 17LAR 23, TB 20KC 22, DET 17MIA 38, LAC 28WSH 23, NYG 17NO 48, DAL 29
Packers followers are loads R-E-L-A-X-E-D: A 44-7 win over the Eagles on Thursday Night time Soccer provides the Packers a Four-Zero begin, though it has include a shade much less buzz than the Browns’ undefeated begin (they trounced the Ravens 45-17). Mike McCarthy’s job prospects dim.
Your first place … Miami Dolphins? This was not how “Tank for Tua” was speculated to go. However then once more, we have seen this story with FitzMagic earlier than. Don’t fret, we all know how this ends: In a blaze of interceptions. The Dolphins sit at Three-1, even after dealing Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills proper earlier than the season started.
Again pages name for Daniel Jones: Pat Shurmur resists, telling reporters he is sticking with Eli Manning because the 1-Three Giants’ quarterback after Huge Blue’s 23-17 loss to the (immediately Three-1) Redskins.
Week 5
Scores from Week 5
SEA 31, LAR 23SF 28, CLE 16CIN 20, ARI 6JAX 38, CAR 14HOU 24, ATL 17GB 27, DAL 22KC 31, IND 26MIN 24, NYG 0LAC 34, DEN 7NYJ 30, PHI 28NO 19, TB 10BAL 27, PIT 13OAK 23, CHI 20NE 20, WSH 3TEN 23, BUF 7
Browns lastly lose: Cleveland was due for a actuality examine in some unspecified time in the future, and it is available in Week 5. In the meantime, Inexperienced Bay edges out Dallas 27-22 as the one undefeated staff left within the league.
New Orleans rebounds: Ever since their last-minute loss to Houston in Week 1, Drew Brees has had the Saints clicking at Four-1. Three of the staff’s 4 wins have been by greater than a landing, too.
Jones enters: With a goose egg on the scoreboard late within the third quarter, Shurmur obliges the chanting followers at MetLife Stadium and places Jones in at quarterback. The sport ends in a shutout, however the influence stretches past Week 5: Shurmur broadcasts Jones is now the starter.
Week 6
Scores from Week 6
NE 45, NYG 3MIA 13, WSH 6ARI 44, ATL 41NYJ 20, DAL 3BAL 20, CIN 15TB 23, CAR 20CLE 28, SEA 16GB 34, DET 7JAX 42, NO 17TEN 36, DEN 24KC 35, HOU 17PIT 27, LAC 24LAR 23, SF 16PHI 27, MIN 13
Murray bests Matt Ryan in shootout: It hasn’t all gone clean for the Cardinals since their opening-week wonders, however the Arizona offense will get it collectively towards Atlanta in a 44-41 extra time victory. Each groups are Three-Three after six video games.
Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper contained by Jets: The Cowboys cannot discover the tip zone and drop to 2-Four on the season. The Jets’ secondary — together with not solely Jamal Adams but additionally final yr’s disappointment, Trumaine Johnson — shuts down the Dallas passing assault in a 20-Three win. Gang Inexperienced opened with a three-game shedding streak however have now gained two in a row popping out of their bye.
Every part you want this week:
• Full schedule: All 16 video games »
• Transaction tracker: High information »
• Learn how to shorten the preseason »
Extra NFL protection »
Lions proceed to flounder: Two zeroes stay within the standings, because the Packers make fast work of the Lions to enhance to 6-Zero. Detroit, in the meantime, falls to Zero-5. Followers ponder calling for a quarterback change, however then keep in mind Josh Johnson is Matthew Stafford’s backup.
Denver loses its fifth recreation: The Broncos lose their fifth of six within the Joe Flacco period, because the Titans rating 36 on Von Miller, Bradley Chubb and the Denver protection. Coach Vic Fangio continues on the lookout for solutions at Mile Excessive. In the meantime, the Titans’ win places them in a three-way tie atop the AFC South at Four-2.
Week 7
Scores from Week 7
DEN 34, KC 3NYG 28, ARI 20ATL 38, LAR 24SEA 33, BAL 17BUF 38, MIA 10TEN 21, LAC 13CHI 24, NO 22JAX 38, CIN 14DAL 29, PHI 24MIN 20, DET 17GB 34, OAK 7SF 38, WSH 21IND 26, HOU 10NE 35, NYJ 11
Playoff Nick Foles, checking in: Jacksonville drops 38 on the Bengals, marking the third consecutive week the Jags have put up no less than that many factors. And every have ended with a win. The Jaguars transfer to 5-2, matching the Titans’ file within the division.
Jay Gruden switches it up: After Washington’s third consecutive loss (Three-Four) with Case Keenum on the helm — this time a 38-21 defeat by the hands of the 49ers — Gruden broadcasts that Dwayne Haskins will make his much-anticipated debut subsequent week towards the Vikings. He is the third rookie QB to be named starter, and it is solely Week 7.
Patrick Mahomes has an off day: Mahomes throws three interceptions — one turns right into a pick-six — in a 34-Three loss to the Broncos. It is the worst efficiency of his profession and never an excellent signal for subsequent week’s assembly with the undefeated Packers. The Chiefs are nonetheless 5-2 atop the AFC West, although.
Jones picks up his first win … over Murray: In faculty, Jones and Murray weren’t thought-about wherever close to the identical degree. However within the first bout between the 2 top-six general picks, the previous Duke QB comes out on prime, beating final yr’s Heisman winner and the Cardinals 28-20. It is the Giants’ second win of the season, whereas the Playing cards fall to Three-Four.
Week Eight
Scores from Week Eight
MIN 24, WSH 23LAC 34, CHI 27ATL 24, SEA 17NYG 16, DET 15BUF 18, PHI 10OAK 34, HOU 31IND 45, DEN 7NYJ 34, JAX 21LAR 41, CIN 17GB 30, KC 16NE 17, CLE 10ARI 20, NO 18SF 33, CAR 28MIA 36, PIT 25TEN 38, TB 10
Rodgers rolls over Mahomes, Chiefs: Mahomes is not any match for the red-hot and revitalized Rodgers. Rodgers turns into a consensus -1,000 favourite to win the MVP, as most take into account it a foregone conclusion at this level. Inexperienced Bay is flying at Eight-Zero.
One other outdated guard beats the brand new: After present process their typical September swoon, the Pats are again. They usually show it with a 17-10 win over Mayfield and the Browns. New England is in first place within the AFC East, although solely a half-game up on the Dolphins at 6-2. Cleveland is up a recreation on the Steelers within the North at 5-2.
Falcons take the lead in NFC South: After the Four-Four Saints drop a detailed contest to the Cardinals and the Falcons beat the Seahawks by a landing, Atlanta features sole possession of first place within the division at 5-Three.
Week 9
Scores from Week 9
BAL 27, NE 13SEA 44, TB 6CAR 41, TEN 17CHI 29, PHI 29DEN 27, CLE 14SF 23, ARI 16KC 27, MIN 20WSH 13, BUF 10LAC 43, GB 18HOU 37, JAX 22MIA 24, NYJ 16IND 26, PIT 16OAK 14, DET 9DAL 23, NYG 20
Chargers turn out to be first to down the Packers: Philip Rivers and the Chargers’ offense are an excessive amount of for Rodgers & Co., as they surprisingly dominate a 43-18 recreation in Los Angeles. The 1972 Dolphins get away the bubbly. However Inexperienced Bay seems destined to win the NFC North, as no different staff within the division is even at .500, whereas the 5-Four Chargers maintain tempo with the Chiefs and stay one recreation again within the AFC West.
Niners beat Cardinals, take two-game lead in NFC West: A 23-16 win over Arizona provides the 49ers a three-game successful streak and a 6-2 file, as Jimmy Garoppolo and Kyle Shanahan begin to put collectively the form of run that San Francisco brass imagined after they landed the previous Patriot two years in the past. With the Rams stumbling at Three-5, the 49ers are in prime place to take benefit.
Eagles go for 2 to … tie: Ties are bizarre. However a late two-point conversion run by Jordan Howard secures one for the Eagles towards the Bears, 29-29. Philly holds at Three-5-1, whereas Chicago’s season stays bleak at 2-5-1.
The midway level
Let’s examine in on each division on the midway mark of the season:
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AFC East: Miami (6-2) has stunningly taken the lead within the AFC East by a half-game over the Patriots (6-Three).
AFC North: The Browns (5-Three) maintain a one-game edge over the Ravens (Four-Four) and Steelers (Four-Four).
AFC South: The Titans have the sting (6-Three), however the Colts (5-Three) have made a current surge as they discover their offense with out Andrew Luck. The Jags and Texans linger at 5-Four apiece.
AFC West: Regardless of a few hiccups, the Chiefs (6-Three) are doing what’s anticipated: Holding first place. The Raiders are literally subsequent on their tail at 5-Three.
NFC East: It is not fairly. The Cowboys (Four-Four) lead by a slim margin, whereas the Redskins (Four-5) — with Haskins at QB now — are a half-game again.
NFC North: Inexperienced Bay (Eight-1) all the best way. Oh, and the Lions are nonetheless winless (Zero-Eight).
NFC South: The Falcons (5-Three) maintain a one-game lead over a staff that many anticipated to be on the prime (Saints, Four-Four) and one other that nobody did (Bucs, Four-Four).
NFC West: The 49ers (6-2) have a powerful two-game lead over Arizona and Seattle (each Four-5).
Week 10
Scores from Week 10
CHI 24, DET 21SF 29, SEA 24GB 27, CAR 20LAR 27, PIT 27IND 26, MIA 24LAC 31, OAK 27NO 21, ATL 13BAL 38, CIN 21NYJ 31, NYG 28BUF 31, CLE 27TB 28, ARI 0MIN 24, DAL 10TEN 30, KC 13
Payments hand Browns their third straight loss: Josh Allen beats one other 2018 first-round QB in Mayfield and helps transfer the Payments above .500 and to only one recreation again within the AFC East. And all the fawning protection the Browns obtained initially of the season now seems like a decade in the past. Can Freddie Kitchens maintain the staff collectively and proper the ship and win the division? Cleveland is now tied at 5-Four with Baltimore, whereas the Steelers stay a half-game again.
Steelers’ big fourth quarter forces extra time at Heinz Area: For the second time this season, there’s a tie. Ben Roethlisberger and JuJu Smith-Schuster go to work within the recreation’s closing quarter to finish an enormous comeback towards the Rams and push the competition to further time — however neither staff can rating once more. Pittsburgh goes to Four-Four-1, whereas the Rams proceed their struggles at Three-5-1.
A glimpse on the 2020 class’ expertise:
• Kiper/McShay information to CFB season »
• Kiper’s Huge Board: High 25 prospects »
• McShay’s High 32: Why Tua is No. 1 »
• Bowen: Comps for the highest receivers »
• McShay’s way-too-early mock draft »
• Full draft rankings from Scouts Inc. »
Bucs shut out the Playing cards: Arizona’s offensive line implodes and Murray cannot get away from the Tampa Bay protection, which shuts down the Air Raid after which some. The Buccaneers transfer to 5-Four.
Jets take the regular-season Snoopy Bowl: The once-every-four-years recreation between the 2 New York groups that really counts comes right down to the wire. Whereas neither are actually contenders — the Giants are Three-7, whereas the Jets are Four-5 — it is a battle for future dominance. Sam Darnold orchestrates a profitable two-minute drill that ends in a game-winning discipline objective.
Week 11
Scores from Week 11
CLE 24, PIT 17HOU 41, BAL 14LAR 34, CHI 24ATL 27, CAR 22MIA 34, BUF 16DAL 35, DET 10MIN 23, DEN 16JAX 30, IND 25OAK 30, CIN 27NO 34, TB 20PHI 38, NE 24NYJ 13, WSH 8SF 25, ARI 16KC 34, LAC 27
Lions hearth Matt Patricia: Sufficient is sufficient for Martha Ford. Desirous to keep away from one other winless season, she removes Patricia from his position as head coach after an Zero-10 begin and an general 6-20 file for his tenure. Defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni takes over because the interim head coach.
Miami cannot be stopped: These Fitzpatrick interceptions? They have not begun. And Miami, after beating the Payments, is now 7-Three and a full recreation up on the Patriots, who misplaced to the Eagles this week. Overlook tanking. Miami is attempting to win a division right here! May this actually occur?
A four-way tie in AFC South: Yup, all 4 groups are 6-Four. Loads across the league are stunned with how the Colts have managed with out Luck. Jacoby Brissett and T.Y. Hilton have constructed up a rapport. However Watson can be lighting it up, Mariota is having a profession yr and Foles is settling into Jacksonville very nicely. It ought to be an thrilling stretch run for what has usually been an anything-but-thrilling division.
Week 12
Scores from Week 12
HOU 23, IND 0NYJ 48, OAK 10ATL 34, TB 7PHI 29, SEA 19BUF 27, DEN 20TEN 23, JAX 16CHI 43, NYG 16WSH 36, DET 10CLE 10, MIA 3LAR 44, BAL 6NE 23, DAL 13PIT 27, CIN 24NO 48, CAR 29GB 35, SF 10
NFC East distress: All 4 groups within the NFC East sit at .500 or worse, with the Eagles — recent off of a 29-19 win over the Seahawks — barely main the pack at 5-5-1.
Payments win third straight: Buffalo defeats the Broncos for 3 straight wins. The Payments’ nice offseason is lastly displaying outcomes, as they climb to 6-5, tied with the Jets for one recreation again within the division behind the Dolphins and Patriots.
Packers turn out to be first staff to 10 wins: With 35 factors towards the Niners, Rodgers has Inexperienced Bay at double-digit wins and in cruise management. It is the Packers’ largest NFC problem but — the 49ers are the one different staff within the convention with no less than eight wins.
Week 13
Scores from Week 13
ATL 37, NO 21PIT 28, CLE 16DAL 30, BUF 20LAR 20, ARI 3DET 27, CHI 13WSH 22, CAR 20BAL 33, SF 17LAC 14, DEN 13CIN 19, NYJ 13NE 18, HOU 16IND 26, TEN 10TB 34, JAX 27KC 23, OAK 20PHI 30, MIA 28NYG 13, GB 3MIN 24, SEA 10
Falcons beat the Saints, take lead in NFC South: The 2 groups entered this rivalry recreation tied within the standings, however Atlanta had no downside throwing on the Saints on this 37-21 win. For the primary time shortly, New Orleans seems to be awfully mortal, and at 7-5, they’re no certain factor for the postseason.
The Motor Metropolis Nightmare is over: The Lions win! This isn’t 2008 once more. Detroit takes down the Bears, the most recent indignity for a Chicago staff that entered the yr with Tremendous Bowl aspirations and now wallows in third place within the division at Four-7-1.
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Vikings win third straight: You want that?! A 24-10 win over the Seahawks places Kirk Cousins and the Vikings at 7-5 and crops them firmly within the wild-card race.
Patriots regain management of AFC East: Miami loses on the wire in dramatic trend to the Eagles 30-28, and it prices them first place thanks to a different slim end result elsewhere: An 18-16 win for the Pats over the Texans. New England sits at Eight-Four.
Week 14
Scores from Week 14
CHI 45, DAL 16PHI 31, NYG 24CLE 38, CIN 33PIT 23, ARI 20GB 26, WSH 10CAR 23, ATL 17HOU 33, DEN 31BAL 14, BUF 10LAR 23, SEA 13LAC 37, JAX 27NO 30, SF 10DET 30, MIN 17NYJ 23, MIA 20KC 35, NE 31OAK 30, TEN 27IND 31, TB 27
Right here come the Rams: Aaron Donald has been indignant. After reaching the underside of the division a month earlier, he has turn out to be a nonstop drive of destruction. And the Rams? They’ve quietly gained six straight, simply because the Eight-5 Niners drop their third in a row. They’re 7-5-1 and proper again on this factor!
After a protracted wait, Chiefs avenge AFC title recreation loss: A 35-31 win over the Patriots will not imply as a lot to the Chiefs as a visit to the Tremendous Bowl would have, however it’s one thing. The victory retains the Chiefs in first place of their division, and at 9-Four, provides them the No. 1 seed for the second in an AFC and not using a runaway staff. The Eight-5 Patriots maintain a one-game lead within the AFC East after 7-6 Miami stumbles towards the Jets.
PLAYOFF PICTURE: Cleveland (Eight-5) is a half-game up on the Steelers within the AFC North, as are the 49ers within the NFC West over the charging Rams. The AFC South is deadlocked but once more with the Colts, Texans and Titans all tied at Eight-5. The Falcons and Saints are additionally tied atop the NFC North (Eight-5). And out within the NFC East, the Eagles personal a 7-5-1 file and are 1½ video games up.
Week 15
Scores from Week 15
BAL 34, NYJ 17NO 38, IND 10DET 38, TB 14CLE 27, ARI 17LAC 26, MIN 10SEA 31, CAR 7NYG 19, MIA 9NE 29, CIN 24OAK 27, JAX 24LAR 40, DAL 24PIT 24, BUF 0CHI 26, GB 16SF 30, ATL 27DEN 26, KC 24WSH 31, PHI 14HOU 17, TEN 15
Monday Night time Soccer drama within the AFC South: The Eight-6 Colts’ loss units up a battle for first place within the division between the Titans and Texans. It got here right down to the tip, however the Texans have been in a position to cease Mariota’s closing drive and maintain on for a 17-15 victory. The win stored 9-5 Houston in competition for a bye, too.
Three-way race for the No. 1 decide: Maybe motivated by the teaching change, the Lions have immediately gained three video games, tying them for the league’s worst file with the Panthers and Bengals to arrange a chase for subsequent yr’s No. 1 decide. Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Jeudy and the remainder of the 2020 draft class provide the cluster of groups plenty of choices come subsequent April.
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PLAYOFF PICTURE: The Patriots, Browns, Texans, Chiefs and Chargers all are tied with 9 wins, and every both leads or is tied for the lead within the division. The Ravens, Colts, Titans and Raiders all are in practical playoff competition, as nicely. Within the NFC, the Packers maintain a two-game lead for No. 1 seed. The 49ers and Eagles every have a half-game lead of their divisions, whereas the Saints at the moment are up by a recreation on the Falcons. However Atlanta joins the Rams, Vikings and Redskins in a battle for the postseason.
Week 16
Scores from Week 16
CHI 31, KC 23JAX 34, ATL 6IND 28, CAR 27BAL 51, CLE 17LAC 28, OAK 7DET 27, DEN 22MIA 13, CIN 6BUF 20, NE 17NYJ 25, PIT 21HOU 31, TB 27PHI 27, DAL 20NO 30, TEN 26SF 26, LAR 24NYG 23, WSH 17SEA 38, ARI 33GB 27, MIN 13
49ers clinch NFC West: It appeared preposterous, then probably, then tenuous — however now sure. The 10-win 49ers are division champs, and so they get it carried out by beating their division-rival Rams 26-24. For the primary time, a pang of remorse strikes Invoice Belichick for dealing a quarterback.
Eagles clinch NFC East: It was far, far uglier than Philadelphia ever imagined it could be, however it nonetheless managed to grind out a division title at Eight-6-1. A 27-20 win over the Cowboys (6-9) seals the deal.
Saints clinch NFC South: Atlanta gave them a run for his or her cash, however finally Brees and Sean Payton have been in a position to maintain their foot on the gasoline down the stretch and construct up a two-game benefit over Atlanta at 10-5. The Falcons stay alive for the postseason at Eight-7.
Baltimore stacks 51 factors on Browns: The 9-6 Ravens keep within the AFC North combine heading into the ultimate week of the season, as Lamar Jackson runs throughout Cleveland’s protection. The Week 17 matchup with Pittsburgh (Eight-6-1) might hand John Harbaugh the division title for a second straight yr.
PLAYOFF PICTURE: It is all up within the air within the AFC. The Patriots and Dolphins have a Week 17 showdown for the AFC East title (no, actually). The Browns, Ravens and Steelers can all nonetheless win the AFC North. Both the Chargers or Chiefs can win the AFC West. And the Texans have not wrapped up the AFC South simply but. Out within the NFC, it is the other. Each division is settled, and the Rams are locked into one wild-card spot. The one query now’s whether or not the Falcons or Redskins take the final berth.
Week 17
Scores from Week 17
BUF 24, NYJ 17NO 31, CAR 26DAL 24, WSH 0CLE 24, CIN 0DEN 38, OAK 35GB 35, DET 34JAX 26, IND 20TEN 19, HOU 17LAR 27, ARI 10LAC 27, KC 24NE 16, MIA 9CHI 27, MIN 24NYG 13, PHI 3SF 31, SEA 10PIT 27, BAL 22ATL 37, TB 20
Patriots maintain off Dolphins for AFC East title: Xavien Howard and the Miami protection did all the pieces they might to make Tom Brady’s day powerful, however it simply wasn’t sufficient. Stephon Gilmore and the remainder of the Pats’ top-five protection shut down Fitzpatrick’s passing assault. The Patriots squeak by to win the division title once more, and someway handle to earn a bye, as nicely. And it really is the worst of all worlds for Miami: It loses a heartbreaker, misses the playoffs, by no means will get to see Josh Rosen play a significant down and will not have an early draft decide.
Chiefs stumble on the final second to … miss the playoffs: Rivers guts out a superb Week 17 efficiency to topple Mahomes and the Chiefs 27-24. Andy Reid’s staff finishes 9-7 with a cluster of different groups and finally ends up on the flawed finish of the tiebreaker. It by no means really felt just like the Chiefs have been going to overlook the postseason, however after three straight losses to shut the yr, right here we’re.
Steeling a playoff spot: Pittsburgh sat a half-game behind Baltimore heading into their Week 17 showdown. Jackson performed ok all yr, coupled with a powerful protection, however on this one, he could not fairly maintain his personal towards Roethlisberger, who confirmed he had simply sufficient left within the tank for one more playoff push. With the victory, Pittsburgh locks up a wild-card spot.
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Browns clinch AFC North: A Ravens loss and a Browns win landed Cleveland the division crown. The Steelers took care of the primary half, and Freddie Kitchens’ staff did not hassle to make it shut. Whereas Mayfield and Odell Beckham Jr. obtained a lot of the glory through the season, this efficiency was all about Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, Joe Schobert, Sheldon Richardson and Olivier Vernon. The league’s second-best protection confirmed up in a shutout of the Bengals.
Texans fall however win divisional title anyway, Titans snag playoff berth: This was a hardly ever seen win-win within the NFL, as Mariota continued his breakout season by knocking off the Texans in Week 17. Tennessee had been two video games again of Houston going into the sport, and since Indianapolis misplaced to Jacksonville, the Texans ended up taking the AFC South anyway. The Titans take house a wild card for his or her efforts.
Falcons safe closing wild-card spot: Julio Jones and the remainder of Atlanta’s top-five offense outdo Jameis Winston and Mike Evans, as they draw back early within the second half to ice this one.
Cincinnati on the clock: After ending with simply three wins, the Bengals edge out the Panthers on tiebreakers for the No. 1 decide within the 2020 NFL draft.
NFC playoff seeds: 1. Inexperienced Bay Packers, 2. New Orleans Saints, Three. San Francisco 49ers, Four. Philadelphia Eagles, 5. Los Angeles Rams, 6. Atlanta Falcons
AFC playoff seeds: 1. Los Angeles Chargers, 2. New England Patriots, Three. Cleveland Browns, Four. Houston Texans, 5. Pittsburgh Steelers, 6. Tennessee Titans
Wild-card weekend
(Three) 49ers 37 (6) Falcons Zero: Holy Garoppolo. It is one factor to shock the world through the common season. However to return out like this within the postseason and take down a gifted and skilled staff just like the Falcons? The world higher get up: The 49ers are Tremendous Bowl contenders.
(5) Rams 30, (Four) Eagles 26: It is the outdated 2016 NFL draft postseason battle. And sure, Carson Wentz is wholesome this January. However maybe as a result of the Eagles lacked the magic of Foles or maybe as a result of the Rams are simply scorching after their second-half run, Sean McVay will get the most effective of Doug Pederson in a intently contested matchup.
Expanded Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Bowen: Eight most popular picks
Karabell: RB Tiers | WR tiers
Schefter: Worth picks and sleepers
Clay: My draft board | 13 breakouts
(6) Titans 10, (Three) Browns 9: Oh, Browns. Even within the postseason, they discover a option to torture their fan base. After a profitable common season, they get a winnable house recreation within the playoffs towards a Titans staff that’s higher than all of us thought, however the offense sputters on the worst time. Three discipline objectives is all they’ll muster in a loss to Tennessee’s top-five protection.
(Four) Texans 27, (5) Steelers 17: Watson earns his first playoff victory, as he and DeAndre Hopkins join repeatedly in Houston’s win. The Texans transfer on to face New England.
Divisional weekend
(5) Rams 30, (1) Packers 17: And identical to that, it is over. The Packers’ magical season, that includes the league’s No. 1 protection and No. Four scoring offense and Rodgers’ resurgence — it is all gone. The quarterback will nonetheless win the MVP, however the 13-win Packers pack their luggage and not using a playoff win. Contemplate that, in Week 9, the Packers have been Eight-1, and Los Angeles was Three-5. Now, it is the latter that continues on.
(2) Saints 27, (Three) 49ers 17: And here is the place Jimmy G’s highway involves an finish. Brees’ devastatingly correct passing assault was an excessive amount of for this protection. Nonetheless, it was a really profitable season for San Francisco.
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(1) Chargers 39, (6) Titans 30: Mariota places on a present, however so does Rivers. And Joey Bosa has clearly turn out to be one of many recreation’s elite defensive gamers.
(Four) Texans 38, (2) Patriots 26: Houston lastly received previous New England within the playoffs. The Patriots stopped Houston in 2012 and 2016, however with Watson beneath heart and Brady displaying indicators of age on the opposite sideline, Invoice O’Brien is ready to get one over on his former superior. However no, neither Brady nor Belichick retires.
Convention championships
Saints 17, Rams 10: Lastly, justice. Certain, it was good for the Saints to beat the Rams within the common season, however they held the grudge from final yr for 12 full months. They usually received the chance to essentially pay again L.A. Protection stole the present, too, stifling McVay and Jared Goff.
Chargers 34, Texans 26: Rivers is simply flying now. He and Keenan Allen are tearing up defenses. Hunter Henry has damaged out to turn out to be one of many recreation’s prime receiving tight ends. And Bosa picks up a trifecta of sacks towards Watson, who’s vulnerable to take them. Ultimately, Rivers is lastly going to the Tremendous Bowl.
Tremendous Bowl LIV: Saints 40, Chargers 33
In a gathering of the No. 1 (Saints) and No. 2 (Chargers) offenses within the NFL, Brees is again on prime. A decade after he and Payton beat Peyton Manning and the Colts in Tremendous Bowl XLIV, the duo get it carried out once more. It is heartbreak for Rivers, having come so near lastly successful that elusive championship, however he comes up a landing quick. He says you will need to simulate the offseason to search out out whether or not he is coming again for a 17th season at 38 years outdated, however FPI leaves us on the Saints’ victory parade down Bourbon Avenue.
