Pftt 2016 12 08

Way We Hear It • Predictions Fantasy Football • NFL Draft SINCE 1967

THURSDAY | DECEMBER 8, 2016

INSIDE

Prime numbers The NFL’s ratings should be on the rise this weekend with three top prime time matchups on the slate

COWBOYS AT GIANTS RAVENS AT PATRIOTS RAIDERS AT CHIEFS

Cowboy rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

1 DALLAS COWBOYS 2 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 3 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 4 OAKLAND RAIDERS 5 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 6 DENVER BRONCOS 7 PITTSBURGH STEELERS 8 BALTIMORE RAVENS 9 DETROIT LIONS 10 ATLANTA FALCONS 11 NEW YORK GIANTS 12 MIAMI DOLPHINS 13 GREEN BAY PACKERS 14 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 15 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 16 WASHINGTON 17 MINNESOTA VIKINGS 18 BUFFALO BILLS 19 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 20 HOUSTON TEXANS 21 TENNESSEE TITANS 22 ARIZONA CARDINALS 23 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 24 CINCINNATI BENGALS 25 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 26 CAROLINA PANTHERS 27 LOS ANGELES RAMS 28 CHICAGO BEARS 29 NEW YORK JETS 30 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 31 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 32 CLEVELAND BROWNS First team to clinch a playoff spot

Even without Gronk, they’re still a load

Club you to death with ‘D,’ find a way to win Not a team you want to see in a shootout

No one wants to go to Seattle in the playoffs Offense is an issue, defense is an answer

Don’t look now but Big Ben building big ‘mo’ Drubbing of Dolphins was awfully impressive ‘D’ shutting down Brees a big surprise

Injuries vs. Chiefs may be tougher than loss No shame in losing at Pitt but no run game either Next test: how they bounce back from Ravens loss Can they run the table and catch the Lions, too?

Looked like a contender Monday night at Jets

Power Rankings Welcome to our ProFootballWeekly.com NFL Week 14 Power Rankings

Not sure if Bucs Dangerfields or playing in clover Not quite good enough on ‘D’ or running the ball Close vs. Cowboys but this isn’t horseshoes Not enough weapons on either side of ball

Those fourth quarter picks absolutely kill you How far is the floor? Nothing working right now Caught the Texans but couldn’t handle Colts If they win out, back door could be open

No defense in sight; can’t lose to Lions at home Explosion over Eagles too little, too late

These rankings are based on each team’s performance in the first 13 weeks of the season.

The Falcons dropped after their loss to the Chiefs while the Ravens and Lions are on the rise.

AP PHOTO

63 passes, 16 runs at Cincy – can’t win that way What’s real message Rivera wants Newton to get?

Hard to understand why Fisher will be back Howard, a few other youngsters looking special Sure looked like they quit vs. Colts

Antonio Brown and the Pittsburgh Steelers move up three spots to No. 7 with their 24-14 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday

It’s almost hard to believe they can be this bad Forget Kelly leaving, do Niners want him to stay?

At least they couldn’t lose during the bye

Pro Football Weekly is produced by Shaw Media, the Daily Herald Media Group and the Chicago Sun-Times in partnership with other Illinois daily newspapers.

B

y now you’ve heard the story: last week was the first of the Detroit Lions’ eight wins this season in which they didn’t have to come from behind in the fourth quarter to claim victory.

And a great story it is, but the Lions are just a part of the story.

In fact, through 13 weeks there have been 57 fourth-quarter comebacks for wins, the fourth-most in NFL history trailing only 1989 (60), 2012 (59) and last year, when there were 58.

While the Lions didn’t need any last-minute heroics Sunday, five other clubs – Arizona, Dallas, Kansas City, Oakland and Tampa Bay – did.

Oakland’s Derek Carr became the first player in NFL history with five fourth-quarter or overtime game-winning touchdown passes in a season when the Raiders put up 29 unanswered points to overcome a 24-9 deficit to the Bills in their comeback win.

Oakland had been 0-72 in the past 72 games in which it had trailed by 15 points or more.

There actually have been 143

games this season that points itself.

The Broncos blocked were within one score a Saints extra point (8 points or less) in kick two weeks ago and the fourth quarter, an returned it all the way NFL record. for two points to win 25Seven of them came 23 in the final minute. last week alone and Sunday, the Chiefs’ the total of 143 is eight Eric Berry interceptmore than the previous record of 135 set in ed a two-point attempt 2013. by the Falcons to grab So what is with all a three-point lead and this drama? Is this the returned it 98 yards for ultimate measure of a 29-28 win. former NFL commisWe could go the next HUB ARKUSH sioner Pete Rozelle’s harkush@ProFootballWeekly.com 10 years and not see another play like those. dream of total parity @Hub_Arkush Some of it may be across the NFL? Or is it just mediocrity everyparity, as the Chiefs and Falcons were where and a time when any team can two very evenly-matched teams, but I beat any other team at any time if think most would argue the Broncos they just get the ball last? and Saints shouldn’t have been that Most likely it’s a little bit of a lot of close in the first place. things all coming together at once.

I believe the biggest reason for all For starters, let’s talk about the late heroics is rules changes made luck. For the second time in three over the years to favor offenses, and weeks, a team scored the game-winspecifically changes that have made ning points by taking the ball away it practically impossible for defensive backs to defend the pass. from a club trying to seal a victory Let’s face it folks, playing corneron point(s) after touchdowns and back or safety may be the most diffireturning it for the game-winning

cult jobs in American industry today.

Breathe on a receiver or look at him sideways and some striped individual 20 yards away is likely to throw a flag, move the opponent closer to the dramatic winning points and stop the clock to give them more time to work as well.

There isn’t a team in the NFL that doesn’t practice the two-minute drill incessantly and there isn’t a starting or even backup quarterback in the league who isn’t able to run it with some efficiency.

Play prevent and you will get burned. Come up and try and play tight defense and you will most likely get flagged.

The biggest danger in the NFL today when scoring late to take the lead is scoring too soon.

Teams are so proficient in their two-minute offenses that most can mount a field goal drive in 30 or 40 seconds or go the length of the field in a minute and a half.

I’ll bet if the guys who make the rules were to decide to give DBs a fighting chance, we wouldn’t be seeing nearly the drama we are today.

Get Your FREE Digital Subscription!

Taking You to The Heart of Tailgating...

Covering the nation’s top tailgate destinations, and the tailgaters who make it happen, each issue features entertaining articles, great food & drink recipes, and cool gear & products to make your next tailgate or backyard BBQ party the best ever!

Sign up today for your FREE Digital Subscription at:

www.tailgatermagazine.com

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

Why so many close games in the fourth quarter?

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

Three premium matchups boost this week’s prime time

By ARTHUR

ARKUSH

E

aarkush@profootballweekly.com

veryone has their own theory on the cause of the NFL’s ratings decline, but we can all agree on what chased people away from television sets during Week 13’s Sunday-Monday primetime docket: the favorite Seahawks and Colts eviscerating the bumbling Panthers and Jets, respectively, to the tune of a combined 81-17.

Those matchups looked like mismatches from a mile away, unlike a fabulous slate of primetime viewing in Week 14: the upstart

Tom Brady won his NFL-record 201st game Sunday, but will now be without TE Rob Gronkowski

Raiders visiting the never-down Chiefs in, for all intents and purposes, the AFC West championship game; the scolding hot Cowboys and their rookie roadshow looking to avenge its singular loss, Week 1 to the Giants, whose longest winning streak since their most recent Super Bowl season was just snapped by Pittsburgh; and the mighty Patriots, with Tom Brady fresh off his NFL-record 201st victory, hosting Baltimore, which just earned its most impressive win of the season, and whose quarterback, Joe Flacco, is the only man not named Manning with multiple postseason victories over Brady.

With all due respect to the Raiders, Chiefs and Cowboys, all of whom have had plenty of ink dedicated to them in this space, let’s focus

7:25 p.m. Thursday, NBC Conference heavyweights with a combined 19-5 record clash with all the AFC West marbles and a potential No. 1 seed at stake.

Derek Carr, MVP? He must first exorcise his Chiefs demons.

STEELERS AT BILLS

12:00 p.m. Sunday, CBS Ben, Brown and Bell winning with defense? Scary premise for rest of AFC. Buffalo hard-pressed to overcome falling into black hole in Oakland.

CHARGERS AT PANTHERS

12:00 p.m. Sunday, FOX If NFL games consisted of only three quarters, Chargers might be Super Bowl contenders. The Panthers’ prime-time unraveling was a fitting cap for NFL’s most disappointing club.

BENGALS AT BROWNS

12:00 p.m. Sunday, CBS Marvin Lewis’ team will go down fighting — and we mean that in a good way. We don’t have anything good to say about the Browns, sorry.

BEARS AT LIONS

12:00 p.m. Sunday, FOX Chicago coming off first win in weeks, against the one-win Niners. Detroit coming off biggest win in years, buoyed by defense on the road vs. Drew Brees’ Saints.

TEXANS AT COLTS

12:00 p.m. Sunday, CBS The victor likely wins the AFC South and the right to get stomped in the first round of the playoffs.

The Ravens’ defense is in top form now that Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil are both healthy

on the last game of the weekend.

The AFC North-leading Ravens (7-5) have won four of their past five games with the lone blip coming the only time they ventured from Baltimore since Week 7, a 27-17 defeat to the Cowboys. Why is there reason to think it might be different Monday night, when they face another dominating division leader on the road?

Well, aside from the past success of John Harbaugh’s club in Foxborough, where he’ll bring the NFL’s No. 1 defense overall and on third down, Joe Flacco may have awoke from his season-long slumber at the perfect time.

Last week, Flacco tallied a season-high 381 passing yards and four touchdowns in a 38-6 beatdown of the Dolphins, easily the most impressive outing of the season for the quarterback and his offense, which switched coordinators in October. After calling out interim coordinator Marty Morninwheg for conservative game plans, Flacco was unleashed to terrorize the previously streaking Dolphins in the short and intermediate areas. Before getting most of the fourth quarter of a romp off, he hooked up with Dennis Pitta for two touchdowns – their first scoring connections in nearly three full calendar years; 2015 first-round pick Breshad Perriman found the end zone for the second consecutive week, flashing the sub4.3 speed for which defenses must account; and Baltimore’s offensive line, as healthy as we’ve seen it this season, had its best game while keeping Flacco clean and springing the slowly emerging tandem of Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon for 106 yards on just 16 carries.

Oh yeah, the Ravens once again dominated defensively, notching three picks to up their season takeaway total to 22 – as many as any NFL club not playing in the AFC West. Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil are healthy, Eric Weddle and LaDarius Webb continue to gel, and unsung trench men, Tim Jernigan and

AP PHOTO

Brandon Williams, and rookies Tavon Young and Matt Judon keep making plays.

Meantime, Brady’s record-breaker and the Patriots’ 10th victory of the season, 26-10 over Los Angeles, was New England’s first foray into a Gronk-less world the rest of the way after the All-Pro tight end underwent season-ending back surgery.

Brady himself was playing at less than full strength, but supplemented by his improving offensive line, stalwart Julian Edelman and ascending rookie WR Malcolm Mitchell, and versatile backfield, the Patriots still wielded more than enough weapons to dispatch the lowly Rams.

Brady now boasts a career-high 113.1 passer rating and 8.2 yards per attempt, in addition to a ridiculous 19:1 TD-to-INT ratio as he flirts with winning his third MVP award despite missing the first four games.

Since yielding 31 points in a Week 10 home loss to the Seahawks, Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia have overseen a defense that’s allowed 44 combined points, albeit to the 49ers, Jets and Rams, the past three weeks.

As for that playoff history between the two clubs, Flacco, believe it or not, has compared favorably to Brady with a 9:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio to Brady’s 6:8. The quarterbacks have split the four meetings, Brady’s Patriots prevailing most recently, 35-31 in the 2014 divisional round. That was a classic seesaw battle, including New England erasing a pair of 14-point deficits behind Josh McDaniels’ imaginative game plan and a pair of second half turnovers by Flacco.

Two of the game’s best organizations, coaches and big-game quarterbacks are heating up as the playoffs near. In a rivalry that’s almost always closely contested, it should make for a fun conclusion to what just might be the season’s best primetime slate.

VIKINGS AT JAGUARS

12:00 p.m. Sunday, FOX What did Jags do to deserve Broncos and Vikings defenses in consecutive weeks? That’s right, they still employ Gus Bradley.

CARDINALS AT DOLPHINS

12:00 p.m. Sunday, FOX Miami’s secondary was toasted for 371 yards and four TDs

by Ravens, gets only club that throws it more than Baltimore.

WASHINGTON AT EAGLES

12:00 p.m. Sunday, FOX Jay Gruden displeased with preparation before second straight loss, but Washington still in the mix. Doug Pederson getting same late-season effort from Eagles as Chip Kelly did.

SAINTS AT BUCCANEERS

3:05 p.m. Sunday, FOX Brees and Payton headed for third straight playoff miss but they can spoil Tampa’s playoff ambitions with two games over next three weeks.

BRONCOS AT TITANS

12:00 p.m. Sunday, CBS Trevor Siemian may not be the answer, but he isn’t as big a question as Paxton Lynch. No one questioning Marcus Mariota, who has his team playing meaningful December games.

JETS AT 49ERS

3:05 p.m. Sunday, FOX Colin Kaepernick can’t be worse than last week; scary for the Jets, who’ve turned to Bryce Petty, their other QBs actually worse than Fitzpatrick.

SEAHAWKS AT PACKERS

3:25 p.m. Sunday, FOX If Seattle can overcome that offensive line, can it withstand Earl Thomas’ loss? Packers can get back over .500 with win.

FALCONS AT RAMS

3:25 p.m. Sunday, FOX Atlanta’s loss to Chiefs compounded by injuries to Julio Jones and Jake Matthews; the Rams’ loss to Patriots compounded by news of Jeff Fisher extension.

COWBOYS AT GIANTS

7:30 p.m. Sunday, NBC Dallas continues its NFL record four-game run of primetime games by seeking revenge on Giants, who saw their six-game win streak snapped by Steelers a week ago.

RAVENS AT PATRIOTS

7:30 p.m. Monday, ESPN The Ravens suddenly look like complete football team as they head into biggest challenge yet; New England cruising but must find a way to get Martellus Bennett going in Gronk’s absence.

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

RAIDERS AT CHIEFS

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

THIS WEEK’S GAMES OAK @ KC PIT @ BUF DEN @ TEN WAS @ PHI AZ @ MIA SD @ CAR CIN @ CLE CHI @ DET HOU @ IND MIN @ JAX NYJ @ SF NO @ TB ATL @ LA SEA @ GB DAL @ NYG BAL @ NE

Kansas City 27, Oakland 23 | Chiefs been here before, Raiders haven’t

Kansas City 28, Oakland 24 | Raiders play with fire once too often

Pittsburgh 30, Buffalo 20 | Bills not good enough to run with big dogs

Pittsburgh 31, Buffalo 21 | Steelers coming on while Bills stuck in mud

Denver 23, Tennessee 16 | Bronco D too much for Mariota

Denver 31, Tennessee 25 | Titans are coming but Broncos already there

Washington 24, Philadelphia 17 | Washington needs this, has more weapons

Philadelphia 23, Washington 21 | Eagles have at least one big effort left

Arizona 28, Miami 27 | Cardinals just the more talented team

Arizona 32, Miami 22 | Dolphins back to Earth last Sunday

Carolina 27, San Diego 24 | Not over for Panthers ‘till fat lady sings

Carolina 35, San Diego 17 | Panthers pass rush reappears

Cincinnati 23, Cleveland 13 | Browns just don’t have the horses

Cincinnati 17, Cleveland 10 | Insomniac special, this’ll put you to sleep

Detroit 27, Chicago 20 | Lions won’t have to come from behind here

Detroit 25, Chicago 12 | Lions full of confidence, Bears too beat up

Indianapolis 27, Houston 24 | Hard to believe but Colts will win South

Indianapolis 22, Houston 10 | Colts looked so good last Monday night

Minnesota 16, Jacksonville 14 | Still seems strange Jaguars this bad

Minnesota 24, Jacksonville 10 | Big changes coming in Jacksonville

San Francisco 17, N.Y. Jets 13 | Jets look like a team that’s already quit

N.Y. Jets 12, San Francisco 9 | This one could set NFL back a decade

New Orleans 34, Tampa Bay 31 | I’ll take Winston but not buying Bucs ‘D’ yet

New Orleans 38, Tampa Bay 35 | Never start a shootout with Drew Brees

Atlanta 27, Los Angeles 20 | Why would anyone give Fisher a new deal

Atlanta 42, Los Angeles 15 | This is how Rams celebrate Fish’s new deal

Green Bay 24, Seattle 20 | Just betting it’s desperation time for Pack

Green Bay 19, Seattle 17 | Packers too desperate to lose

N.Y. Giants 27, Dallas 20 | You know how hard it is to win 12 in a row

N.Y. Giants 35, Dallas 28 | ‘Boys ‘D’ bound to get beat up sometime

New England 27, Baltimore 16 | Ravens over their heads here, Gronk or not

New England 31, Baltimore 14 | Pats pounce on Ravens struggling offense

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

T

o say that Brock Osweiler has been a $72 million disappointment in Houston would be the understatement of the decade.

When the Texans blew the Broncos out of the water with that offer in free agency, the minimum the club and its fans expected was a solid game manager with some unique traits who might someday grow into a special quarterback.

What they never bargained for was the NFL’s second-lowest rated quarterback at 74.2 – only Ryan Fitzpatrick is worse at 70.7 – completing only 59.8 percent of his passes for a paltry 5.8 yards per attempt with just 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

It’s not as if Osweiler hasn’t had any help, as the Texans are fifth in the NFL in rushing with 1,454 yards and he’s only been sacked 22 times, which is 11th-best in the league.

He’s just been really bad, and now the Texans have dropped three straight to fall into a threeway tie in the AFC South with Indianapolis and Tennessee. Osweiler actually had one of his better games in Sunday’s 21-13 loss at Green Bay, but he was awful in the losses in Mexico City to the Raiders and at home to San Diego.

Now we’re hearing that as bad as Osweiler has

Brock Osweiler

AP PHOTO

been on the field, he’s had issues with coaches off the field, too, and his salary will jump from $12 million this year to $19 million next year and he will still be guaranteed $25 million more after this season.

The off-the-field issues will come as no surprise to Broncos general manager John Elway, who we hear wasn’t as concerned about the big offer the Texans gave Osweiler as he was by doubts about whether he wanted to keep him at any price.

We hear Elway was concerned about what he perceived as a me-first attitude with Osweiler, the possibility that he was a selfish player who might never be able to lead his teammates and could eventually become a problem in the locker room.

There have been reports from the beginning that Osweiler was more the choice of team owner Bob McNair than he was necessarily of general manager Rick Smith or head coach Bill O’Brien, but we’re also hearing that neither strongly objected to him, either.

Minimally what this means is even if Osweiler does improve on the field, he’s going to have a lot of work to do off it to justify McNair’s investment in him, and there have been no consistent indications on the field that any improvement is coming.

It looks very much right now like Houston bought itself a lemon. How long the experiment will continue is an open question.

FOOTBALL FANS BID ON AUTOGRAPHS, SPORTS CARDS & COLLECTIBLES

d i B d n a m o c . n o i t c u A e n i t s i r P . w w w o t DAILY AUCTIONS Go All Daily Auctions Start at $1 with No Reserve Prices

www.PristineAuction.com

Authenticity is everything!

All autographed items in our auction include leading industry authentication.

adno=0321077

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

The plot thickens in Houston, Denver

As disappointing as the Minnesota Vikings’ season has been, one player who clearly is not to blame is quarterback Sam Bradford.

Granted, his late Thanksgiving Day interception at Detroit cost the Vikings that game, but it was just his third interception of the season and for the most part he has played very well.

Bradford’s 71.2 percent completion rate is second in the league only to Drew Brees’ 71.4, his three interceptions are third-best trailing only Tom Brady (1) and Dak Prescott (2), and he is a very respectable 12th in passer rating at 97.5 ahead of players like Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Philip Rivers, Carson Palmer and Eli Manning.

Still, Teddy Bridgewater was drafted just three seasons ago to be the franchise under center and he did lead Sam Bradford the Vikings to the playoffs in just his second season.

But in 29 games over his first two seasons, Bridgewater threw 21 interceptions against just 28 touchdowns and there have been questions about his arm strength since his days at Louisville.

So the Vikings gave up the 32nd pick in the 2014 draft for Bridgewater, and their first-round pick

us r io o ! ic s f l e ck h � D a t Sn al He

in 2017, which looks like it could be in the 15-to20 range right now, and a conditional third-round pick for Bradford.

If and when Bridgewater is ready to return to action, most likely not until sometime after the opening of the 2017 season, what are the Vikings to do?

The Way We Hear It, that decision has already been made and Bradford is now the Vikings’ quarterback of the present and the future.

The 29-year-old Bradford is substantially bigger than Bridgewater at 6-4, 225, more accurate and has a much stronger if not special arm.

While Bridgewater is highly respected among his teammates, Bradford has quickly earned that respect, too.

Whether Bridgewater remains as the backup the next few seasons or is traded remains to be seen, but the Vikings appear to believe there is a lot more upside with Bradford than Bridgewater.

Is Ron Rivera worried about something more than Cam Newton’s neckwear?

According to our sources, no one should read too much into Ron Rivera’s benching of Cam Newton for the first play of Sunday night’s game in Seattle, but we also can’t assume it was about nothing more than Newton’s failure to sport a necktie on the team’s flight to Seattle.

Coming from a military family, Rivera is a stickler for details and rules and we’re sure Newton’s wardrobe malfunction was the reason for his min-

iature suspension.

We also know that Rivera has been a staunch supporter of Newton from Day One and does not have a problem with Newton’s individualism.

In fact, after Newton’s controversial press conference following the Super Bowl loss, Rivera actually went to bat for his quarterback, suggesting impractically that losers of Super Bowl games shouldn’t be forced to do interviews.

We know Rivera would never dodge his own responsibilities like that and that he was just sticking up for his guy.

But we are hearing now that Rivera might not mind Cam Newton it if Newton found a bit of double entendre in the suspension and realized that the mistake in his wardrobe was the result of a lack of attention to detail that has been missing in Newton’s game this season as well.

Few players in the league have declined as much from last season to this as Newton – 14 touchdowns, eight interceptions and 26 yards rushing per game this year compared to 35 touchdowns, 10 picks and 44 yards per game rushing last season – and we’re hearing Newton may not be fully accepting his share of the blame for his decline.

Rivera is still very much in Newton’s corner, but in some arenas a little poking of the bear is often necessary.

100%

SaTIsfacTIon Guaranteed

Start Your Day Right With Our Delicious and Nutritious Powder Bundles - Created By Our Registered Dietician!

Green Protein Powder Bundle

Premium Vitality Powder Bundle

Pink Powder Bundle

Provides a unique set of nutrients, along with a major protein boost.

Combines the power of maca with the protein of hemp, and the antioxidants of cacao powder.

Contains the antioxidant power of VitaCherry powder, as well as heart-healthy nitrates from beet powder.

In addition to our powder bundles, we offer a wide selection of other tasty options! Healthy Snacks For Everyone!

Extra Special Offer For New Customers: FREE

nuts.com/strong

N

*Offer valid for new customers only, with $25 minimum order. See website for full details.

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

Vikings’ choice between Bridgewater and Bradford may be no choice at all

ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY |

Intriguing fantasy matchups from surprising teams

By J.C.

Green Bay Packers

TALON

W

Fantasy writer | ProFootballWeekly.com

eek 14 is either the final week of the regular season or the start of the playoffs in many fantasy leagues. If you are in need of a win to secure a playoff spot or to stay alive in the postseason, you might find some help from unusual sources. The Bucs, Jets and Bengals are not necessarily synonymous with fantasy success, but all three teams have intriguing matchups this week.

On to Week 14 …

MATCHUPS TO EXPLOIT Oakland Raiders

OPPONENT: AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, THURSDAY, 7:25 We don’t always recommend Thursday games, but when we do, we prefer Oakland. This might not be the most interesting game in the world, but it’s close, and it’s the only game this week that offers a top-five offense (Oakland) versus a bottom-five defense (KC). Although the Chiefs yield just 20.2 points per game, they give up a 28th-ranked 385 yards per contest. They bend against the rush (27th) and the pass (22nd), so don’t shy away from your Raiders just because of KC’s defensive reputation. Like the Cowboys, Oakland is a young team on the rise and they should be competitive in a game that will go a long way toward deciding the AFC West.

MUST START: Amari Cooper SOLID PLAY: Derek Carr, Latavius Murray, Michael Crabtree WORTH A LOOK: Sebastian Janikowski LAST RESORT: Jalen Richard, Clive Walford STAY AWAY: Raiders D/ST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

OPPONENT: VS NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, SUNDAY, NOON Opening spreads have Tampa as a 2.5-point favorite with an over/under of 51. If those numbers play out, the Bucs would score about 27 points, which actually seems a bit low considering they have scored at least 28 in three of their past five games. The two teams that held them below 28 – Kansas City and Seattle – play much better defense than New Orleans. Doug Martin said he was “fine” after being sidelined with an undisclosed injury during last week’s win in San Diego. Be sure to monitor his status.

MUST START: Mike Evans SOLID PLAY: Jameis Winston, Martin*, Cameron Brate WORTH A LOOK: Jacquizz Rodgers (if no Martin), Roberto Aguayo LAST RESORT: Freddie Martino, Adam Humphries, Bucs D/ST

Dallas Cowboys

OPPONENT: AT NEW YORK GIANTS, SUNDAY, 7:30 The Giants have the league’s fifth-best run defense, but are just 25th against the pass. Dallas has the league’s second-most productive running attack at 155.8 yards per game. With New York focused on stopping Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys should be able to find success in the air. Dak Prescott had 227 passing yards and no TDs in the first matchup, but that was way back in Week 1. A

Jeremy Hill

Matt Forte

much more productive, confident squad travels to New Jersey this week.

MUST START: Elliott, Dez Bryant SOLID PLAY: Dak Prescott, Cole Beasley, Dan Bailey WORTH A LOOK: Jason Witten LAST RESORT: Cowboys D/ST STAY AWAY: Alfred Morris, Terrance Williams

ALSO CONSIDER Kansas City Chiefs

OPPONENT: VS OAKLAND RAIDERS, THURSDAY, 7:25 Spencer Ware is a must start this week. Oakland gives up 4.9 yards per carry – tied with the 49ers for worst in the league. Another must start, Travis Kelce, continues to be the bellcow in KC’s low-octane passing game, but Tyreek Hill’s versatility makes him a solid play.

Cincinnati Bengals

OPPONENT: AT CLEVELAND BROWNS, SUNDAY, NOON The Bengals have been a huge disappointment to their fans and to those who drafted Jeremy Hill.

But, facing the Browns and their 31st-ranked defense, Hill and Tyler Eifert warrant fantasy consideration. Monitor the injury status of A.J. Green.

New York Jets

OPPONENT: AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS, SUNDAY, 3:05 The Jets are a hot mess, but they have enough talent to produce against the 49ers and their leagueworst defense. Matt Forte is an especially good play against a San Fran defense that is giving up a league-worst 4.9 yards per carry.

MATCHUPS TO AVOID Minnesota Vikings

OPPONENT: AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS, SUNDAY, NOON The woeful Jaguars are 2-10, but only three teams (Ravens, Cardinals, Vikings) give up fewer yards to their opponents. The Jags are particularly tough in pass defense – they yield just 196 yards per game and 6.4 yards per attempt. Minnesota counters with … well, not much. They have the 31st-ranked offense and the league’s worst rushing attack. Likewise, the Jags are not a good play against the thirdranked Vikings defense.

MUST START: Vikings D/ST SOLID PLAY: Kyle Rudolph WORTH A LOOK: Stefon Diggs LAST RESORT: Jerick McKinnon, Adam Thielen STAY AWAY: Sam Bradford, Kai Forbath

OPPONENT: VS SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, SUNDAY, 3:25 Green Bay certainly has a chance to win this game, but that doesn’t mean you should be loading your lineup with Packers. Seattle’s defense is eighth in yards allowed, but tops in points allowed at just 16.2 per game. The Packers have no semblance of a ground game and could struggle against a strong pass defense. It will be interesting to see how the Seattle secondary adjusts to the absence of Earl Thomas. Jordy Nelson has re-established himself as Aaron Rodgers’ primary target. He has topped 90 yards in five of his past six games.

MUST START: Rodgers, Nelson SOLID PLAY: none WORTH A LOOK: Christine Michael, Davante Adams, Mason Crosby LAST RESORT: Randall Cobb, Jared Cook, Packers D/ST

Baltimore Ravens

OPPONENT: AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS, MONDAY, 7:30 Baltimore’s offense is coming off its best game of the season. Last week at home against Miami, the Ravens produced 496 yards of net offense, including 381 passing yards and four TDs for Joe Flacco. That’s a very different outcome from what Flacco and the offense usually deliver. They average just 21.3 points and 347 yards per game. Coming into the Miami game, Flacco had thrown just 11 TDs against 10 picks with only two multi-touchdown games all year. Fantasy owners with Ravens on their rosters will have to decide if last week was a fluke or if Flacco and the offense have turned a corner. Baltimore will likely find New England’s defense not nearly as accommodating as Miami’s. The Patriots give up just 17.2 points per game. Coincidentally, the Ravens give up that same 17.2 per game. This looks to be a hard fought, low-scoring game.

MUST START: none SOLID PLAY: none LAST RESORT: Terrance West, Mike Wallace, Dennis Pitta, Justin Tucker, Ravens D/ST LAST RESORT: Flacco, Kenneth Dixon, Steve Smith, Breshad Perriman

ALSO BEWARE

New Orleans Saints

OPPONENT: AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, SUNDAY, NOON Even though Drew Brees is coming off a disappointing three-interception performance, an argument could be made for him as the No. 1 fantasy QB in Week 14. At first glance, Tampa’s 22nd-ranked defense wouldn’t seem to be much of a roadblock to the Saints and their league-best 428.7 yards of offense per game. On the other hand, no one has scored more than 21 points on the Bucs since Atlanta in Week 9. Probably not wise to bet against Brees, but be cautious with other Saints.

New England Patriots

OPPONENT: AT BALTIMORE RAVENS, MONDAY, 7:30 New England should win this game, but Baltimore’s top-ranked defense won’t be a pushover. Martellus Bennett has the second-most receptions (44) on the Pats, but he’s caught just six balls for 40 yards in the past three games. His last TD was in Week 5.

* — Check injury status

By JOHN

I

SAHLY

jsahly@shawmedia.com

f you can believe it, we’re already to the final four weeks of the NFL season. And unless you plan on playing what is always a weird final week with random benchings and strange games (hi, Matt Flynn), three weeks left in the fantasy and DFS seasons.

With that in mind, here are a few useful tips for the home stretch.

At this point of the season, I’m focused more on how a team has performed the past few weeks than the season as a whole when choosing to attack a position. In some cases, a team has been bad against a position all year long. But in others, things have changed and you need to pay attention to whatever is causing a fluctuation (injury, suspension, etc.)

1. The Detroit Lions

are playing keep away

Remember the big-play explosions led by Marvin Jones in the opening month of the season for the Lions?

Those are long gone by now.

Detroit, in its ascension to first

Mike Evans

AP PHOTO

Travis Kelce

place in the NFC North, has opted to slow down the game to keep what has been – last week in New Orleans aside – a bad defense off the field.

The Lions held the ball for almost 37 minutes against the Saints, and held them 11 offensive snaps below their season average. Detroit held Minnesota the week before to nine plays below average. The week before that, Jacksonville got four fewer plays off on offense.

All of that adds up to a defense that hasn’t given up more than 19 points in a game since Week 6.

It makes targeting offensive players against the Lions in DFS as

AP PHOTO

much of a risk against a similarly porous Cowboys defense. It’s hard to rack up a ton of fantasy points when you don’t have the ball. The Lions get the Bears, Giants and Cowboys the next three weeks. I’m not downgrading a matchup-proof Ezekiel Elliott, but you’ll have to weigh the risk of rostering Jordan Howard and Odell Beckham Jr.

2. Mike Evans could be the No. 1 fantasy WR for the next three weeks Sharp Football points us in the direction of target-hog Mike Evans for the next three weeks. The Bucs

get the Saints twice and the Cowboys once, so there is no reason to be afraid of those burnable secondaries.

But more important than the easy pass defenses, Sharp Football has the Bucs facing the top two most efficient offenses. That puts Tampa Bay in the position of having to throw the ball more often. And nobody gets targeted on his team more than Evans.

After getting shut down against Casey Hayward of the Chargers, and now as the most expensive wide receiver this week on DraftKings, Evans could be due for low ownership this week, too.

3. Travis Kelce, No. 1?

With Jeremy Maclin injured, it’s no secret that Travis Kelce has been the biggest beneficiary with three straight 100-yard games. Maclin may be out for at least another week, but even if he’s back, it’s hard to argue that the Chiefs’ offense has been better since targeting Kelce first.

Kelce gets the Raiders, Titans and Broncos for the next three weeks, and the Titans and Raiders are both in the top half of giving up points to tight ends.

AUTO CLUB OF AMERICA, BE REWARDED RATHER THAN SLAPPED IN THE FACE.

ASK ABOUT OUR

25

$

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN NOW...

Unlike the other popular auto clubs, an Auto Club of America (ACA) membership is simple and has real value: ■

No hidden fees or costs.

■

Unlimited annual roadside assistance.

■

Unlimited towing & ‘’Sign and drive promise!’’

■

■ ■

■

We get you back on the road or we tow you to the nearest service facility. (no mileage or dollar caps, no out-ofpocket expenses, no additional stress.)

No-hassle locksmith service.

Car rentals, hotel reservations, restaurant discounts - you’re in control! ACA doesn’t limit you to just the higher priced options.

*ACA Rewards can be used at more than 70,000 participating restaurants in the U.S. and Canada with more than 150,000 unique discount dining offers. Enjoy discounts off the lowest guaranteed rates at more than 25,000 hotel properties. Discounts on car rentals and cruises. More than 150 brand name gift cards offered at a 10% discount and more than 4,000 SKU’s are in our ACA Rewards catalog, including popular items like jewelry, clothing, movie tickets, magazines and more.

Each month, ACA members get $100 in ACA Rewards at no additional charge.

■

■

GIFT CARD BONUS

Our rewards program is unmatched in the auto club industry.

Unlike other auto clubs, ACA doesn’t lock you into using only certain providers and retailers.

ACA members receive a free Wellcard, for discounts on many healthcare needs - prescriptions, dental, vision and hearing services.

EXCLUSIVE BONUS - DOUBLE REWARDS! SIGN UP TODAY AND RECEIVE $200 IN ACA REWARDS! CALL TODAY: 1-800-912-7458

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

DFS: Three notes that may be crucial down the stretch

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

Is Notre Dame QB DeShone Kizer worthy of a first-round pick?

N

otre Dame redshirt sophomore quarterback DeShone Kizer has not announced yet if he will enter the 2017 NFL Draft. I was told during the college football season that this past season was going to be his last as a college football player.

Kizer is a talented player, albeit inconsistent, but there isn’t any part of his game that can’t be improved upon with good coaching and hard work. As for raw talent, Kizer will be the most talented quarterback in this year’s class if he in fact decides to come out.

Going back to the beginning of the 2015 season, Kizer was listed as the backup to Malik Zaire. The two are very different types of players.

Zaire is about 6-0, 225 pounds and very athletic. He was the perfect quarterback to run Brian Kelly’s zone-option offense. In Game Two last year, Zaire was injured in the second half and lost for the season and in came Kizer. All Kizer did in that game is complete 8 of 12 throws for 92 yards and two touchdowns

including the game-win2,915 yards and 26 touchning score very late in downs along with nine the game. From that interceptions.

Those point on, Kizer was the stats are remarkable starter. especially when you For the 2015 season, he consider that Kizer was finished completing 211 not the quarterback of 335 passes for 2,884 that Brian Kelly wantyards, 21 touchdowns ed playing. Kelly would and 10 interceptions. He have preferred that had a veteran receiving Zaire win the quarterGREG GABRIEL back job and even startcorps led by first-round @greggabe pick Will Fuller and seed Zaire in the opening game versus Texas. niors Chris Brown and Kelly had the two QBs alternating Amir Carlisle. That group, and with series but when it was obvious that Fuller having great deep threat Kizer was clearly the better and skills, gave Kizer as good a receivmore productive player, Zaire was ing corps as any in the country. made the backup.

This year, Kizer’s completion Even though Kizer re-won the percentage went down from 63 perstarting job, the damage had been cent to 59 percent mainly because done. There was no question who he had a very inexperienced group the more talented player was, but of receivers. Except for Torii Huntwhen the head coach prefers aner Jr., who missed almost half the season with injuries, the receiving other it can be tough to play with corps was basically first-year playconfidence. Add to that the fact that Notre Dame redshirted their quarers. The offensive line lost two players to the NFL after the 2015 season terback of the future this past seaand wasn’t nearly as good as it was son. Sophomore Brandon Wimbush last year. has size and traits similar to Zaire and is the quarterback Kelly wants Still, Kizer was able to throw for

While he may not be the first quarterback drafted, DeShone Kizer should eventually be the best of this class

AP PHOTO

to lead Notre Dame in 2017.

The offense Notre Dame played this year also hurt Kizer’s development. In 2015, we saw a lot of quick passes where Kizer was able to get the ball out of his hand quickly. Of course, he had receivers who were very good after the catch. This year, except for some bubble screens, most of the pass plays were slower developing downfield throws. That type of offense is a much lower percentage passing offense and will hurt any quarterback’s stats.

Kizer is about 6-4, 235 pounds with good to very good athletic ability. He doesn’t have the suddenness of a smaller player but he has good speed and can run well with the ball. He has a good feel for pass rushers and can keep plays alive with his feet.

His arm strength is second to none when compared to other quarterbacks who may be in this draft class.

Kizer can make all the throws that an NFL quarterback needs to make. The Notre Dame offense is more sophisticated than most of the spread offenses we see and Kizer is asked to do things similar to what NFL quarterbacks have to do.

He can change plays at the line as well as protections. The offense is a full-field offense and the route tree the receivers run is an NFL-type.

This gives him an advantage over many spread formation QBs, as they have half-field reads and minimal route trees.

For the most part, Kizer sees the field well and is a good decision-maker, but he will make the occasional poor decision and force a throw. If he goes back to school for 2017, I see him taking care of this problem with more college experience. The problem is, I doubt he returns, which means it’s up to his NFL coaches to help him correct his flaws.

Kizer most likely won’t be the first quarterback drafted and maybe not the second, but I do believe that two to three years down the road he will be the best quarterback in this class. He has as good or better natural tools than any other quarterback in this class, plus he has superb football character. He works at the game and wants to be a great player. Of course, time will tell, but some team in the middle of the first round will hit a home run.

31. DeSean Jackson, Washington (vs Eagles) 32. Steve Smith, Ravens (at Patriots) 33. Dontrelle Inman, Chargers (at Panthers) 34. Kenny Britt, Rams (vs Falcons) 35. Allen Robinson, Jaguars (vs Vikings) 36. Malcolm Mitchell, Patriots (vs Ravens)

TIGHT ENDS

Drew Brees

AP PHOTO

Odell Beckham

AP PHOTO

RUNNING BACKS

. Johnson faces Miami ‘D’ that gives up D 4.7 ypc.

1. David Johnson, Cardinals (at Dolphins) 2. Le’Veon Bell, Steelers (at Bills) 3. DeMarco Murray, Titans (vs Broncos) 4. Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys (at Giants) 5. LeSean McCoy, Bills (vs Steelers) 6. Melvin Gordon, Chargers (at Panthers) 7. Jordan Howard, Bears (at Lions) 8. Devonta Freeman, Falcons (at Rams) 9. Spencer Ware, Chiefs (vs Raiders) 10. Thomas Rawls, Seahawks (at Packers) 11. Matt Forte, Jets (at 49ers) 12. Mark Ingram, Saints (at Bucs) 13. Lamar Miller*, Texans (at Colts) 14. Latavius Murray, Raiders (vs Chiefs) 15. Jay Ajayi, Dolphins (vs Cardinals) 16. Jeremy Hill, Bengals (at Browns) 17. Robert Kelley, Washington (at Eagles) 18. Doug Martin*, Bucs (vs Saints) 19. Todd Gurley, Rams (vs Falcons) 20. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers (vs Chargers) 21. Theo Riddick, Lions (vs Bears) 22. LeGarrette Blount, Patriots (vs Ravens) 23. Frank Gore, Colts (vs Texans) 24. Carlos Hyde, 49ers (vs Jets) 25. Devontae Booker, Broncos (at Jaguars) 26. Tevin Coleman, Falcons (at Rams) 27. Rashad Jennings, Giants (vs Cowboys) 28. Kenneth Dixon, Ravens (at Patriots) 29. Tim Hightower, Saints (at Bucs) 30. Dion Lewis, Patriots (vs Ravens) 31. Darren Sproles, Eagles (at Washington) 32. Mike Gillislee, Bills (vs Steelers) 33. Christine Michael, Packers (vs Seahawks) 34. Wendell Smallwood, Eagles (at Washington) 35. T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars (vs Vikings) 36. Isaiah Crowell, Browns (vs Bengals)

I f Jordan Reed can go, slot him at No. 3 1. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs Raiders) 2. Jimmy Graham, Seahawks (at Packers) 3. Tyler Eifert, Bengals (at Browns) 4. Greg Olsen, Panthers (vs Chargers) 5. Delanie Walker, Titans (vs Broncos) 6. Cameron Brate, Bucs (vs Saints) 7. Eric Ebron, Lions (vs Bears) 8. Coby Fleener, Saints (at Bucs) 9. Ladarius Green, Steelers (at Bills) 10. Antonio Gates, Chargers (at Panthers) 11. Zach Ertz, Eagles (vs Washington) 12. Martellus Bennett*, Patriots (vs Ravens) 13. Vernon Davis, Washington (at Eagles) 14. C.J. Fiedorowicz, Texans (at Colts) 15. Gary Barnidge, Browns (at Bengals) 16. Dennis Pitta, Ravens (at Patriots) 17. Kyle Rudolph, Vikings (at Jaguars) 18. Jason Witten, Cowboys (at Giants) 19. Dwayne Allen, Colts (vs Texans) 20. Lance Kendricks, Rams (vs Falcons)

PLACEKICKERS

David Johnson

AP PHOTO

WIDE RECEIVERS

Beckham v. Bryant in prime time. Julio Jones dealing with turf toe, faces Rams secondary.

1. Odell Beckham, Giants (vs Cowboys) 2. Mike Evans, Bucs (vs Saints) 3. Antonio Brown, Steelers (at Bills) 4. T.Y. Hilton, Colts (vs Texans) 5. Dez Bryant, Cowboys (at Giants) 6. Amari Cooper, Raiders (at Chiefs) 7. Julian Edelman, Patriots (vs Ravens) 8. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals (at Dolphins) 9. Jordy Nelson, Packers (vs Seahawks) 10. Julio Jones*, Falcons (at Rams) 11. Doug Baldwin, Seahawks (at Packers) 12. Michael Crabtree, Raiders (at Chiefs) 13. Brandin Cooks, Saints (at Bucs)

Travis Kelce

AP PHOTO

14. Demaryius Thomas, Broncos (at Titans) 15. Terrelle Pryor, Browns (vs Bengals) 16. Michael Thomas, Saints (at Bucs) 17. Donte Moncrief, Colts (vs Texans) 18. Golden Tate, Lions (vs Bears) 19. DeAndre Hopkins, Texans (at Colts) 20. Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos (at Titans) 21. Davante Adams, Packers (vs Seahawks) 22. Brandon Marshall, Jets (at 49ers) 23. Tyreek Hill, Chiefs (vs Raiders) 24. Tyrell Williams, Chargers (at Panthers) 25. Jarvis Landry, Dolphins (vs Cardinals) 26. Jordan Matthews*, Eagles (vs Washington) 27. Sammy Watkins, Bills (vs Steelers) 28. DeVante Parker*, Dolphins (vs Cardinals) 29. Jamison Crowder, Washington (vs Eagles) 30. Stefon Diggs, Vikings (at Jaguars)

1. Dan Bailey, Cowboys (at Giants) 2. Cairo Santos, Chiefs (vs Raiders) 3. Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots (vs Ravens) 4. Justin Tucker, Ravens (at Patriots) 5. Adam Vinatieri, Colts (vs Texans) 6. Dustin Hopkins, Washington (at Eagles) 7. Brandon McManus, Broncos (at Titans) 8. Matt Prater, Lions (vs Bears) 9. Matt Bryant, Falcons (at Rams) 10. Stephen Hauschka, Seahawks (at Packers) 11. Sebastian Janikowski, Raiders (at Chiefs) 12. Graham Gano, Panthers (vs Chargers) 13. Josh Lambo, Chargers (at Panthers) 14. Robbie Gould, Giants (vs Cowboys) 15. Mason Crosby, Packers (vs Seahawks)

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS 1. Vikings (at Jaguars) 2. Broncos (at Titans) 3. Patriots (vs Ravens) 4. Bengals (at Browns) 5. Falcons (at Rams) 6. Cardinals (at Dolphins) 7. Lions (vs Bears) 8. Steelers (at Bills) 9. Seahawks (at Packers) 10. Chiefs (vs Raiders) 11. Jaguars (vs Vikings) 12. Washington (at Eagles) 13. Packers (vs Seahawks) 14. Ravens (at Patriots) 15. Titans (vs Broncos)

*Check injury status

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

QUARTERBACKS

Top 10 QBs mostly face pretty good defenses this week.

1. Drew Brees, Saints (at Bucs) 2. Tom Brady, Patriots (vs Ravens) 3. Aaron Rodgers, Packers (vs Seahawks) 4. Matthew Stafford, Lions (vs Bears) 5. Andrew Luck, Colts (vs Texans) 6. Russell Wilson, Seahawks (at Packers) 7. Matt Ryan, Falcons (at Rams) 8. Jameis Winston, Bucs (vs Saints) 9. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers (at Bills) 10. Derek Carr, Raiders (at Chiefs) 11. Philip Rivers, Chargers (at Panthers) 12. Eli Manning, Giants (vs Cowboys) 13. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at Giants) 14. Cam Newton, Panthers (vs Chargers) 15. Kirk Cousins, Washington (at Eagles) 16. Andy Dalton, Bengals (at Browns) 17. Carson Palmer, Cardinals (at Dolphins) 18. Alex Smith, Chiefs (vs Raiders) 19. Joe Flacco, Ravens (at Patriots) 20. Marcus Mariota, Titans (vs Broncos)

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

Should the NFL expand the playoffs from 12 teams?

NATE ATKINS HUB ARKUSH be welcome?

McCaleb: Hey Hub, I definitely think more playoff games are welcome ... if we were talking about college football. At least three deserving teams were left out of the College Football Playoff: Big Ten Champion Penn State, Big 12 Champion Oklahoma and, um, what is the other one? Oh yeah, your Mich . . . I mean, that team up north. An eightteam college football playoff would be just about perfect.

But since we’re talking about the NFL, there’s no way they should be adding more playoff teams. Remember those miserable wild-card round games last year featuring the 9-7 Texans getting blown out

PATRICK FINLEY DAN McCALEB

by the Chiefs and 9-7 Washington overmatched by Green Bay? Expand the playoffs and you’re looking at more mediocre 9-7 or even 8-8 teams. No thank you. Do you agree?

Arkush: For those of you who don’t know, McCaleb is one of those smug Buckeye backers.

You know, the team Penn St. beat and the one that watched the stripes beat Michigan. But hey, even Browns fans are entitled to some joy. However, Dan, I don’t agree with you on the colleges. I think four is fine.

Michigan is one of the top four but has no one but themselves to blame for losing to Ohio State, and Penn State is a fluke.

I’m not convinced Clemson or Washington are top four but

other than maybe – and I say it with the slightest of maybes – Ohio St. or Michigan, none has a prayer to give Alabama a game anyway. Getting back to our wheelhouse, I couldn’t agree with you more on the NFL. I think adding even a single playoff team would be the dumbest thing ever. Twelve is just right with only six or at best seven teams any season with a prayer of getting to the Super Bowl. The other question here is, more teams would almost certainly eliminate the bye before the Super Bowl. We don’t want more games, but is the bye worth keeping?

McCaleb: All I know is, that was clearly a first down on the fourth-and-1 QB keeper

in the second overtime. Now back to the NFL ... I wouldn’t mind getting rid of the bye week. There’s so much hype leading up to the Super Bowl, two weeks of it leaves me exhausted. And maybe if the NFL eliminates the bye week, it also gets rid of the Pro Bowl, which has been held on the bye week Sunday the past several years. I know that’s not going to happen, but that game is almost as unwatchable as the Week 4 preseason games (and any Browns game this year.) I think we’re getting pretty close to our word limit here, Hub, so I’ll give you the final word.

Arkush: Interesting Dan, I didn’t know it was 10 yards for the visitors and 9½ yards for the Buckeyes to get first downs in Columbus. As for the bye week, I’m actually ambivalent. While the hype is overdone, the game really is so big I think the teams really need the bye week to prepare and fans really need it to arrange to make the trip. But if they want to cancel the Pro Bowl, I’ll be more than happy to support that.

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

P

ro Football Weekly’s Hub Arkush and Dan McCaleb discuss whether the NFL should expand the playoffs.

Arkush: Dan, the season hit the three-quarters pole Sunday and now with just four weeks left, all eyes are turned to the chase for the NFL’s 12 playoff spots in the postseason tournament this year. For some time, we’ve been aware of the NFL owners’ desire to add two or even four clubs to the playoffs because of the new revenue it would generate. To anyone who loves the game, it is clear it isn’t necessary because deserving teams just aren’t left out all that often. In fact, as we posited at ProFootballWeekly. com this week, we can only see 11 teams right now with a solid chance of winning a playoff game. One of the things many love about the NFL playoffs is that only 12 of the 32 teams are in them as opposed to the NBA and NHL, where more than half the league’s teams make the playoffs. What do you think? Is 12 the right number or would more playoff games

PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY | ProFootballWeekly.com | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2016

.

Y A D N U S Y R E V E .

E M A G E V RY L I E .

E M A G E V V RY L I R Y S U N DA .

D AY TICKET INCLUDE AY 2016 NFL SUNDA TO DIRECTV. WHEN YOU SWITCH

2-Yeluadred

CHOICE™

60

all-inc g pr icin

$

All-Included Package

00 MO.

Plus taxes.

For 24 months W/ 24-mo. TV agmt. & other qual. AT&T service.* Regional Sports fee applies in certain markets.

With DIRECTV you’ll score:

IVS

FREE

Out-of-market games only.

Choose any live game you want to watch on Sunday, all in HD. Only with DIRECTV — you can’t get this with Cable or DISH. (Out-of-market games only.)

DIRECTV FANTASY ZONE CHANNEL†^ Exclusive channel dedicated to fantasy.

Get key stats and player scoring around the league in real time, right on your screen.

RED ZONE CHANNEL® †^ Never miss a play inside the 20, all on one channel, all in HD.

WATCH UP TO 8 GAMES AT ONCE OR PICK ONE † Game Mix Channel lets you watch up to 4 or 8 games live on one screen.

GENIE HD DVR UPGRADE ®

™

WATCH LIVE GAMES WHEREVER YOU GO Stream every live out-of-market game, every Sunday afternoon, from virtually anywhere with a tablet, mobile device or computer.

Only available in HD. ^With NFL SUNDAY TICKET MAX.

†

NO equipment to buy.

NO start-up costs.

99%

worry-free signal reliability.

Based on a Nationwide study of representative cities.

CALL NOW and ask about Next Day Installation.

800-538-7139 203-542-7271

Geographic and service restrictions apply to U-Verse services. Call or go to www.att.com/u-verse to see if you qualify. $60 2-YR CHOICE ALL INCLUDED PACKAGE PRICE: Ends 10/22/16. New DIRECTV residential customers who bundle w/ eligible new or existing AT&T wireless svc. Price includes CHOICE All Included TV Pkg and monthly fees for a Genie HD DVR + one (1) add’l receiver. Internet: 12-mo. agmt req’d. Prorated ETF (up to $180) and Equipment Non-Return fees apply. Wireless: Consumers only. Sold separately. Reqs AT&T postpaid svc on elig. plan (excl. Lifeline & Residential Wireless) on a smartphone or phone (excl. Wireless Home Phone). Svcs: Svc addresses must match. To be elig. for 2nd yr price guarantee both services must remain active & in good-standing during 2nd year. Price Guarantee: TV Pkg only. After 24 mos. or loss of eligibility, then-prevailing monthly rate for All Included TV Pkg applies (currently $104/mo for CHOICE All Included), unless customer calls to cancel /change service prior to the end of 24 mos. Price excludes taxes, equipment upgrades/add-ons and other chrgs. Some offers may not be available through all channels and in select areas. See att.com/directv.

DIRECTV SVC TERMS: Subject to Equipment Lease and Customer Agreements. Must maintain a min. base TV pkg of $29.99/mo. Add'l Fees & Terms: In certain markets, Regional Sports fee of up to $6.39/mo. assessed with CHOICE and MÁS ULTRA Pkg and above. $19.95 Handling & Delivery fee may apply. Programming, pricing, terms and conditions subject to change at any time. Visit directv.com/legal for details.

WIRELESS SVC TERMS: Subj. to Wireless Customer Agmt (att.com/wca). Svcs are not for resale. Credit approval req’d. Deposit may apply. Fees, monthly & other charges, usage & other restrictions apply. Pricing, promotions, & terms subject to change & may be modified or terminated at any time without notice. Coverage & svc not avail. everywhere. You get an off-net (roaming) usage allowance for each svc.

If you exceed the allowance, your svc(s) may be restricted or terminated. Other restr’s apply & may result in svc termination. See att.com/wireless or a store for details.

GENIE HD DVR UPGRADE OFFER: Includes instant rebates on one Genie HD DVR and up to three Genie Minis. Req’s SELECT Pkg or above; ÓPTIMO MÁS Pkg or above; or any int’l service bundle w/PREFERRED CHOICE Pkg. $99 fee applies for Wireless Genie Mini upgrade.

2016 NFL SUNDAY TICKET OFFER: Package consists of all live out-of-market NFL games (based on customer’s service address) broadcast on FOX and CBS. Games available via remote viewing based on device location. Other conditions apply. 2016 NFL SUNDAY TICKET regular full-season retail price is $257.94. 2016 NFL SUNDAY TICKET MAX regular full-season retail price is $359.94. Customers activating CHOICE Pkg or above or MÁS ULTRA Pkg or above will be eligible to receive the 2016 season of NFL SUNDAY TICKET at no add’l cost and will receive a free upgrade to NFL SUNDAY TICKET MAX for the 2016 season. NFL SUNDAY TICKET subscription will automatically continue each season at a special renewal rate unless customer calls to cancel prior to start of season. To renew NFL SUNDAY TICKET MAX, customer must call to upgrade after the 2016 season. Subscription cannot be canceled (in part or in whole) after the start of the season and subscription fee cannot be refunded. Only one game may be accessed remotely at any given time. Compatible device/operating system required for online/mobile access. Additional data charges may apply. Visit directv.com/nfl for a list of compatible devices/system requirements. For full Mix Channel and interactive functionality, HD equipment model H/HR 21 or later is required. NFL: AP Photo.

HD: HD television req’d. Number of HD channels based on TV plan.

NFL, the NFL Shield design and the NFL SUNDAY TICKET name and logo are registered trademarks of the NFL and its affiliates. NFL team names and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. ©2016 AT&T Intellectual Property. All Rights Reserved. AT&T, Globe logo, DIRECTV, and all other DIRECTV marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.