NFL Week 17 Recap + Eagles and Titans Analysis
Inside: Next Week's Schedule and Best Articles of the Week
Happy Monday, everyone.
I hope a few of you dug into the 2021 Reading Guide. If not, I highly recommend checking it out.
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Table of Contents:
What I Watched Last Week
What I Am Watching This Week
What I am Reading
What I Watched Last Week
Some highlights on quarterback play in week 17:
Undoubtedly, Aaron Rodgers has earned his second-straight MVP award, finishing atop the league in EPA and securing the NFC 1 seed
Mac Jones completed 22 of 30 passed for 227 yards, three touchdowns, and a passer rating of 128.1, plus an Average Depth of Target (aDOT) of 9.0
Mike Glennon registered a QBR of 0.0, which would have been the lowest ever recorded if Glennon reached enough attempts to qualify
Glennon’s performance was so disastrous that it led to a unique, 11-minute diatribe by coach Joe Judge in his press conference (excerpt)
Joe Burrow became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for back-to-back games of 400 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions
Additionally, I wanted to highlight the Eagles as they clinched a Wild Card birth.
General Manager Howie Roseman has done a terrific job injecting youth into the Eagles’ offense. Regardless of any postseason success this year, their three first-round selections in 2022 (currently slated as 15th, 20th, and 21st) provide the necessary ammunition to build a perennial contender.
Lastly, I wrote last week about potential Super Bowl future bets.
If any of my readers are contemplating a wager on the Super Bowl winner, I believe the value lies with Buffalo +800 (Draftkings). They are currently 3rd in the NFL for Team DVOA and played incredibly well in Foxborough.
Alternatively, I suggest the Chargers at +4000 (Draftkings) for a true dark horse. Their defense is horrific (24th in NFL at Defensive DVOA), but their team matches up well against fellow offensive juggernauts: the Chiefs and Bills.
After witnessing the week 17’s slate of games, I would add that the Titans at +1400 (Draftkings) remain heavily undervalued. The Titan can clinch the #1 seed if:
Beat Houston
Lose to Houston + Chiefs Loss + Bengals Loss + Patriots Loss
Lose to Houston + Chiefs Loss + Bengals Loss + Bills Win
If current standings hold, the Chiefs would be locked into the #2 seed, setting up potential playoff matchups with the Chargers and Bengals in consecutive weeks. The Chargers beat the Chargers in week 3 and, perhaps, should have won in week 15. Additionally, the Bengals beat the Chiefs yesterday in a shootout that proved Kansas City cannot cover Ja'Marr Chase. Furthermore, the Chiefs’ path to the Super Bowl is more challenging than many pundits and oddsmakers admit.
Yes, there is uncertainty concerning the degree to which Derrick Henry’s Jones fracture will hinder his effectiveness upon his return. However, the Titans have displayed a degree of grittiness that highlights their ability to win ugly games, an attribute that will bode well for their success come playoff time.
What I’m Watching This Week
Monday
Grizzlies vs Nets at 7:30 PM on NBA TV
Browns vs Steelers at 8:15 PM on ESPN
Heat vs Warriors at 10:00 PM on NBA TV
Tuesday
Pacers vs Knicks at 7:30 PM on NBA TV
Wednesday
Chelsea vs Tottenham at 2:45 PM on ESPN+
Jazz vs Nuggets at 10:00 PM on ESPN
Thursday
Juventus vs Napoli at 2:45 PM on Paramount +
Arsenal vs Liverpool at 2:45 PM on ESPN+
Clippers vs Suns at 10:00 PM on TNT
Friday
Bayern Munich vs Borussia Mönchengladbach at 2:30 PM on ESPN+
Bucks vs Nets at 7:30 PM on ESPN
Hawks vs Lakers at 10:00 PM on ESPN
Saturday
Real Madrid vs Valencia at 3:00 PM on ESPN+
Chiefs vs Broncos at 4:30 PM on ESPN
Cowboys vs Eagles at 8:15 PM on ESPN
Sunday
Bengals vs Browns at 1:00 PM on FOX **
Colts vs Jaguars at 1:00 PM on CBS **
Steelers vs Ravens at 1:00 PM on CBS **
Titans vs Texans at 1:00 PM on CBS **
Villareal vs Atletico Madrid at 3:00 PM on ESPN+
49ers vs Rams at 4:25 PM on FOX **
Saints vs Falcons at 4:25 PM on FOX **
Chargers vs Raiders at 8:20 PM on NBC
** = Check Local Listings
All times EST
What I’m Reading
Sports
What made Sir Alex Ferguson so successful? ***
Diving into Joe Burrow’s record-breaking stats bonanza in Bengals’ blowout of Ravens **
Josh McDaniels’ stock soars again despite scars of Broncos, Colts debacles **
Sports on TV: NBA gets modest Christmas TV numbers as NFL obliterates all competition **
Romelu Lukaku’s interview – the fallout, the meetings with Tuchel, the future **
Revealed: The obscure gambling firms with untraceable employees working with your football club **
Explained: Why Ferran Torres has left Manchester City for Barcelona *
A more familiar Kemba Walker arose from Knicks banishment: ‘A blessing in disguise’ *
Did Arsenal get stung again? – Ozil, Aubameyang and ‘the contract year’ *
For your consideration: The case for the Eagles’ Nick Sirianni as NFL coach of the year *
How the Falcons unlocked Cordarrelle Patterson’s offensive potential when others couldn’t *
Purpose, passion, profit: Sir Alex Ferguson, the businessman *
Overperforming Real Madrid? Underperforming Barca? Analysing how La Liga season could unfold *
Quiet rise: Bengals’ Tee Higgins is the best receiver nobody talks about *
Sensible Transfers – Chelsea: Analysing Digne, Dest and Pedrosa as Chilwell replacements *
NFL Week 17 takeaways: Bengals win AFC North; Should Rams be worried? *
Business
How Shopify Outfoxed Amazon to Become the Everywhere Store ***
Millions in Minutes : The Zoom Boom in Covid Era Startup Fundraising **
The Oculus VR Headset Dominated Christmas *
*** Must Read
** Very Good
* Recommended