Four Down Territory: NFL Week 16

Photo of Matthew MatthewDecember 26, 2018
196 4 minutes read

First Down 

Poor JuJu.

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The Steelers receiver tweeted this Sunday before their matchup against the Saints.

Usually NFL players don’t care about fantasy but JuJu is well aware that normal Joes had a lot on the line Sunday. Overall, Schuster had a monster game with 11 catches and 115 yards. His one mistake, though, potentially cost the Steelers a spot in the playoffs.

For a guy to battle a groin injury all week to not only play in the biggest game of the season but recognizing, even though it shouldn’t matter, that fantasy owners were counting on him only to cough up the game sealing fumble is heart wrenching and a reason we love the NFL.

JuJu owned up to his fumble and took responsibility for the loss.

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Odell Beckham, in a heartwarming post, told JuJu to keep his head up. (I always have to say that in TuPac’s voice and I don’t know why.)

I know we live in a time, especially in the NBA, where fans hate seeing so much friendliness among competitors but I really do enjoy athletes reaching out to each other on public platforms. Twitter can be a dark place, especially when all guns are pointing at you, and to see someone who’s been there before (Lord knows Odell has been there PLENTY of times) reach out for support is a great sign of humanity.

Back to the Steelers; in order for them to make the playoffs a few things need to happen.

  • They need to beat the Bengals on Sunday and the Browns need to beat the Ravens and get in as AFC North champions. The way Baker has been lighting it up the second half of the season it’s not that far of a stretch.

OR

  • The Colts and Titans needs to end in a tie and they get in as the sixth seed.

Not impossible odds but a little luck will be needed if JuJu will have the opportunity to redeem himself in January.

Also, it’s a good thing AB got his money because it’s clear that JuJu is going to evolve into Pittsburgh’s number one receiver, and soon.

Second Down 

The Eagles beat the Texans on Sunday to keep their playoff hopes alive. Houston has already clinched a playoff berth but the loss really puts them in danger of losing the division and becoming a wild card team. The Eagles need a little luck themselves if they want a chance to repeat as champions. They need to beat Washington on Sunday and pray the Bears play their starters and beat Minnesota.

Now that we’ve covered that let’s get into Jadeveon Clowney‘s dominance Sunday.

We all know Clowney; he’s the guy that murdered some kid from Michigan on national television.

https://twitter.com/fballmedia/status/772273099366543360

HOW IS HE NOT IN JAIL OR THAT?

Anyway, Sunday Clowney dominated Eagles swing tackle swing tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai. Michael Kist (one of the absolute best in the business) posted a few videos of Clowney eating Vaitai’s lunch.

https://twitter.com/MichaelKistNFL/status/1077410469932158978

Here’s Clowney setting the edge on a Sproles run. This forces him back to JJ Watt and a lose on the play.

https://twitter.com/MichaelKistNFL/status/1077413921911463936

Check out this stunt; it led to a completion and a roughing the passer penalty but Clowney’s speed is something to awe at.

https://twitter.com/MichaelKistNFL/status/1077211927179395072

Philadephia’s second round pick Dallas Goedert has been surprisingly good at blocking this year. It’s still a bad idea to not give him some help against Clowney.

This is one of my favorite moves to see and hard to develop. Clowney lines up as if he’s going to go for the outside rush then slides back inside for the tackle. Call it the euro-step for NFL lineman.

As much as I gush over Khalil Mack and Aaron Donald it’s amazing to watch Clowney put his fingerprints all over games week after week. The Texans should get more national games for that alone.

There’s a reason he’s going to his third pro-bowl.

Third Down

The Cardinals stink, like really stink. So much so that they’re considering firing their head coach, Steve Wilks.

Here’s the thing. You hired Wilks a year ago to help rebuild your team. The key word in that sentence is rebuild…meaning they weren’t good to begin with. Josh Rosen‘s rookie year has had more downs than ups but there’s still time to develop.

Especially if you get him a few more weapons. Right now teams focus on David Johnson and daring Fitzgerald and Rosen to beat them. That’s not going to happen often if at all.

If you hire a coach to rebuild then give the man time to do so. What coach is going to want that job knowing they may get canned after one year? It’s no secret that the nature of the NFL ensures that job security is obsolete but it is kind of an unwritten rule that a rebuilding coach gets at least three years to change the tide.

Fourth Down

I don’t know if you know this but I’ll inform you just in case.

The Seahawks are coming.

Seattle beat the Chiefs 38-31 Sunday night and clinched a playoff spot. Mahomes had a great game throwing for 273 yds and three touchdowns but Wilson did matched him for 271 yds and three touchdowns as well.

The Seahawks are kind of weird.

While the rest of the league has morphed into this pass happy machine Pete Carroll still keeps it the old way; running the football and playing great defense. Chris Carson carried the ball 27 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Only seven other running backs got 20 carries or more and Only Adrian Peterson got over 25 carries (26).

This is the kind of football that travels; and Seattle is going to need it.

As of now they would play Dallas in the first round. Two teams that run the football and play great defense. The thing in Seattle’s favor, and it’s a damn good thing to have, is a battle tested, Super Bowl winning quarterback.

This team will go only as far as Wilson can take them. If you’re a Hawks fan that’s comforting because he can take you a loooonnnggg way.

Also, just marvel at this throw.

That’s the kind of throw that wins you a game.

Extra Points 

Khalil Mack: NFL monster on Sunday, NBA stretch-four on Monday.

Another week, another mind boggling throw from Pat.

He’s the MVP, stop trying to make this a lifetime achievement award for Drew Brees.

The city of Oakland deserves so much better than this. Look at these fans.

The NFL needs to start holding refs accountable for putrid calls. Seriously.

@ me: madads14 

As always, thanks for reading.

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Photo of Matthew MatthewDecember 26, 2018
196 4 minutes read
Photo of Matthew

Matthew

Never fight the funk, ever.

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