Four Down Territory: Week 17
After seventeen weeks of fun and excitement I’m here to sadly announce that the regular season is over. For most of us, including me, the next time our favorite team suits up it will be many months from now. For fans of the remaining twelve teams it’s the most exciting time of the year. Who will win it all?
I don’t know, honestly.
Let’s start the drive.
1st Down: Michael Crabtree is in a lose-lose situation. During Sunday’s finale against the eliminated Broncos Aqib Talib walked up to Crabtree after a play, ripped the gold chain off his neck and then jokes about it on the sideline. Let’s check the replay.
https://vine.co/v/59pqegtWd6p
That’s Rick James “f*** your couch” level of disrespect.
Your first thought is probably the same as mine; drop that fool right then and there. There’s no way you let someone snatch a chain off your next without immediate retaliation. I don’t care if he’s wearing a helmet, bulletproof vest, or knights armor. You punch him square in the face.
Had this been any other Raiders team of the past ten years then that’s probably what would have happened. Crabtree did the right thing by not retaliating on the field. His Raiders have to play next week while Talib will be sitting at home watching his Super Bowl crown slip through his fingers. Props for Crabtree for keeping his cool, not many people can do that.
With all that being said, next year Crabtree is going to have to wreck Talib’s face in the Denver locker room with everyone watching. It’s the only way.
2nd Down: Sunday Washington went into their week 17 showdown against the Giants with one stipulation: win and you’re in. Kirk Cousins had the stage he’s always wanted. Leading the game winning drive Cousins did what most of us thought he’d do; blow the game. Washington fans may swear by Kirk but those of us on the outside know what’s really going on. Cousins is extremely fortunate to be surrounded by one of the best group of skill players in the league.
Yes, Cousins has put up amazing numbers and holds a few Washington records but when the real competition comes up Kirk shrinks. Peep this tweet.
Kirk Cousins’ starting record: 19-21-1
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Cousins’ record against teams with 9+ wins: 2-11
Teams with 8+ wins: 5-13https://t.co/8g1soNsA5E
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) January 2, 2017
Luckily, for Kirk, Washington doesn’t have any other options at quarterback. He’s going to get PAID.
3rd Down: Time to start casting MVP ballots. There’s a lot of hype surrounding Aaron Rodgers and I get it. Over the past five games he’s set the league on fire and reminded everyone why he’s the best in the business. In the other corner is Matt Ryan. The Falcons QB has had success before but has always fallen off towards the end of the year. Now Ryan has the Falcons sitting in the number two seed of the NFC and commands one of, if not the, best offense in the league.
The MVP usually goes to the best quarterback but this year it needs to go to Zeke. The Cowboys running back has put up astronomical numbers and has already etched his name as the number one back in the league, in his rookie season no less. Sorry Matty Ice, maybe next year.
4th Down: The playoffs start Saturday and we get the “privilege” of watching the Texans and Raiders. Since Carr‘s injury this Raiders team isn’t that exciting. I expect them to win, though. Game two of Saturday’s double header takes us to Seattle as the Lions take on the Seahawks. This isn’t the Hawks of old but I do expect them to beat the Lions. Sunday Pittsburgh will dismantle Miami and Rodgers continues his hot streak and barely beats New York.
Extra Tidbits: Jake Butt tore his ACL during the Orange Bowl and will need surgery. He was Matt Miller’s number two tight end overall. That, my friends, is why McCaffrey and Fournette sat out of their respective bowl games. Butt has lost millions of dollars playing in a meaningless game. Keep preaching about amateurism, though.
Tweet Me: @mattgarrett41
As always, thanks for reading.
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