Top 10 Most Surprising NFL Teams of Week 16 (2019)
'Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the NFL world, not a creature was stirring, but something was stirring. The playoffs were coming. They'd be here in a flash. So, teams across the league came together for a clash.
Some took care of business and got a win. Others may need a little more help to get in.
With the playoffs on their way, who made the best decision on game day? (Did you like my little poem?)
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New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. They compete in the National Football League as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The Jets play their home games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which... read more
Jets, why are we even trying? You should be tanking! Instead, Le'Veon Bell threw a dagger into his former team's playoff chances while also hurting their own tank at the same time. Congratulations - you've Buttfumbled the tank. Everyone loses.
I think the Steelers forgot who was playing which role this season. It's the Jets who are tanking.
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Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football franchise based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. They are part of the National Football League's NFC West division. The Cardinals are the oldest continuously run professional football team in the United States, founded in 1898.
Arizona is pretty bad, and just like the Niners against the Falcons last week, Seattle fell for a trap game. Larry Fitzgerald and Kenyan Drake both had big games, denting Seattle's chances at a first-round bye. At the same time, they also ruined their own tank. But at least there's a semblance of hope and life in the desert.
I know it doesn't matter for the NFC West title, but this made me extremely happy as a 49ers fan.
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Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional football franchise based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles compete in the National Football League as a member club of the league's National Football Conference East division. They were established in 1933 and have won five NFL Championships, including... read more
Philly, you needed that win, and holding Dallas to under 10 points is shocking. They knew this game was do or die, and they survived. Don't celebrate yet, Philly - you haven't won it yet, but you're a huge step closer. To be fair, Dak was having trouble with an injury, but the Eagles still bottled up Zeke, and Sidney Jones came up clutch to seal the deal.
I didn't see this result coming. I hope they beat the Giants.
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Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams are a professional American football team based in the Greater Los Angeles area. They compete in the National Football League as a member of the NFC West. The team plays its home games at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
The Rams needed this win to keep their playoff hopes on life support. They had the lead, but the Niners led a game-winning drive to eliminate them. Congratulations, guys - you've been eliminated. Want to avoid this outcome? Don't lose to Dallas.
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Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team based in the Dallas - Fort Worth metroplex. The Cowboys compete in the National Football League as a member club of the league's National Football Conference East division. The team was established in 1960 and has won five Super Bowl championships... read more
Dallas, you had the opportunity to win the division and end the madness on your biggest rival's home turf. Instead, you laid a dud. Zeke couldn't do anything, and Dak struggled all game long. You're not eliminated yet, but you need help. Congratulations - you now face more questions surrounding Jason Garrett. That's the type of game you have to win, and Jerry isn't happy about it. Want to avoid this outcome? Stop underachieving in half your games.
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Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that competes in the National Football League. The Steelers have won six Super Bowls, tying them with the New England Patriots for the most in NFL history. Their championships were earned in the years... read more
Steelers, you had one job. Don't lose, and you're fine. The Jets had other plans, and injuries hit hard. James Conner is out again, and so is Rudolph. That's fine - you have Duck Hodges, right? Well, it turns out he's been going through a rough patch. Tennessee has taken over, and now you have to beat Baltimore next week while hoping Tennessee loses. No pressure.
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Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football franchise based in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks compete in the National Football League as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) West division.... read more
Seattle, you thought you had an easy game, but you were mistaken. Arizona may be bad, but they have potential. The Seahawks looked flat all game long and may have cost themselves a bye. Next week, you face San Francisco. Good luck with that.
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Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears compete in the National Football League as a member club of the league's National Football Conference North division. Founded in 1919, the team has won nine NFL championships, including one Super Bowl.
Hey Bears fans, are you tired of the comparisons between Mahomes and Trubisky? No? Good, because you're going to be hearing a lot more of them. The Chiefs showed no mercy to you at Soldier Field. That offense was a whole lot of nothing against a surprisingly solid defense. I thought they'd at least do something, but that wasn't the case.
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Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are an American football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts compete in the National Football League as a member club of the American Football Conference South division. The franchise has won two Super Bowls, in 1970 and 2006.
Oh, so now you show up when it's a week too late? Nyheim Hines balled out, and the Colts never let off the gas. Too bad it doesn't matter now. If only you hadn't lost to, oh, I don't know - Miami, Tampa, Tennessee, Oakland, etc.
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Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, that competes in the National Football League. They are part of the NFC South division and began play in 1995 as an expansion team. The Panthers have appeared in two Super Bowls, in 2003 and 2015.
Oh, Panthers, you better hope that's the worst of Will Grier. As for Cam's replacement, he threw three interceptions in his first game. Good luck with your QB carousel. Who will you play? Grier, Allen, Newton, or none of the above? Plus, you need a head coach. Fun times in Carolina.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers currently compete in the National Football League as a member team of the National Football Conference South division. The franchise was founded in 1976 and has won two Super Bowl championships,... read more