Marinelli Podcast - Inaugural Episode

---Week 16 Matchups and Playoff Implications---

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Marinelli podcast. I’m your host, Adamo Marinelli and today, I will preview all of the week 16 matchups in the NFL and all the playoff implications. Incredibly, 14 of the 16 games this week have serious playoff implications. That hasn’t happened in a while; so without further ado, let's get started.

The first game of the week is a 4:30 pm start on Saturday, December 22nd between the Titans and the Redskins. The Titans have a must win on their hands because they are fighting with the Dolphins, Ravens, Colts and Browns for the AFC’s final wildcard spot. The Redskins are in the hunt with Minnesota, Philadelphia and Carolina for the final wildcard spot of the NFC so a win would be very beneficial. Titans win.

The second Saturday game between the Ravens and Chargers is an 8:30 kickoff. This game is important in AFC playoff implications because with a Ravens win and a Steelers loss against the Saints, the Ravens can overtake the Steelers for the division lead. If the Chargers win and the Chiefs lose, the Chargers can become the first seed; the Chiefs would have to play a home wildcard game, which they are 0-6 in their last 6 home playoff games. Chargers win.

The next game is Buccaneers visiting the Cowboys. The Buccaneers have been eliminated from the playoffs; this game is meaningless for them, however, they can play spoiler to the Cowboys who can clinch the NFC East with a win this weekend. They’re only one game ahead of the Eagles in the division and if they want to win the division, they must win this week. Cowboys win.

The next game sees an NFC North divisional clash between the Vikings and the Lions. With a Vikings’ win and an Eagles’ loss to the Texans, the Vikings can clinch the final wild-card spot. The Vikings have the final NFC wild-card spot and are trying to hold off the Eagles, Panthers and Redskins. The Lions have already been eliminated from the playoffs but can play spoiler. Vikings will win this game.

The game between the Falcons and Panthers also has playoff implications. While the Falcons have already been eliminated from postseason contention; the Panthers, who lost six straight games after starting 6-2, are fighting for their playoff lives against a beat up Atlanta Falcons’ team, whose defence is the most injured part of their team. Panthers win.

In the next game, the Texans visit the Eagles. The Texans have a 10-4 record, good enough for first place in their division, and the second seed in the AFC. With a win against the Eagles, the Texans will clinch their division and a make their third playoff appearance in four years. If they win and the Patriots lose, the Texans will clinch the second seed. The Eagles need to win and they need the Vikings to lose to grab the sixth wildcard spot. If the Eagles lose and the Vikings and Cowboys win, the Eagles are eliminated from the playoffs. Texans win.

Another of the 14 games with playoff implications is when the Giants visit the Colts. The Giants are officially done from the playoffs, and because they won 4 of the last 6 games, they look to be out of a top 5 draft pick. So not only could they not make the playoffs, they won’t be getting a great draft pick either, but it will still be a top 10 pick. The Colts are 8-6, good enough for the 7th seed in the AFC. The Colts would have to win on Sunday and have the Titans, Dolphins, Ravens and Browns to lose to take the final wildcard spot. Colts win.

The next game sees the red-hot Cleveland Browns, who are still alive in the playoff race in late December, which hasn’t happened in a while, host the injury-riddled Cincinnati Bengals who have already been eliminated from the playoffs. The Browns have the 10th seed and are 6-7-1; it is a long shot for them to make the playoffs: they need to win out, need the Dolphins, Colts, Titans, Ravens and Steelers to lose 2 of 3 games and they need the Colts vs Titans game to end in a tie, but it could still happen which is awesome! Browns win.

The Bills have been eliminated from postseason contention but can play spoiler when they visit Foxboro to play the Patriots. The Patriots have lost 2 consecutive games and have looked lifeless in those 2 games. Their offence has struggled, Brady has made abnormal mistakes and their defence is soft. They have looked the worst they have looked in a while in those 2 losses, but have the Bills and Jets to close out the season. That could get them the second seed, if not third. Patriots win.

The Packers and the Jets game has no playoff implications: both teams have been eliminated from the playoffs. For the Jets, it is understandable as they have a rookie QB who’s learning the system and needs time to be a starter. However, it’s disappointing for the Packers because they said last year was bad only because Rodgers was injured. If this season is what the Packers do with Rodgers, they are in a lot of trouble. They don’t have a second wide receiver behind Davantae Adams, a running back because Aaron Jones is out with injury and their defence isn't that great either. Jets win this game.

The Jaguars at 4-10, are having a very rough season and are officially out of the playoffs. This comes after going to the AFC Championship game last season. This game has no implications for the Jaguars but the Dolphins are still alive in the AFC playoff hunt and need a big win to stay alive in the hunt for the last wildcard spot because the Dolphins are currently ninth seed in the AFC. The Jaguars with their deteriorating defence, and offence with a non-productive Blake Bortles and Leonard Fournette. Dolphins win, keep playoff hopes alive.

The 49ers with a 4-10 record are only competing for the 1st overall draft pick this year and their season kind of ended after QB Jimmy Garapollo’s ACL injury. The Bears, at 10-4, have clinched their division and a playoff spot as the third seed, but if they win and the Rams lose, they will take the 2nd seed from the Rams, because they beat the Rams in the head-to-head matchup.

When the Rams visit the Cardinals, they look to take advantage of a 3-11 Cardinals team who have been eliminated from the playoffs for several weeks. The Rams have the second seed in the NFC at 11-3, have clinched a playoff spot already by winning their relatively non-competitive division minus the Seahawks; but they want the first seed in the NFC. That might be hard to get after losing to the 12-2 Saints head to head and losing while the Saints won in week 15. If the Rams win this week and the Bears lose though, they lock up 2nd seed and a first-round bye. Rams win.

Another very important game for both sides is when the Steelers make a visit to the Super Dome to play the Saints. The Steelers beat the Patriots 17-10, after losing three straight games to AFC West opponents starting with a loss to the Broncos in week 12. They are 8-5-1, only a half-game ahead of the Ravens at 8-6, and it isn’t a must win by any means, the Steelers have the Bengals in week 17; whereas the Ravens have the Browns. A win and a Ravens loss would help the Steelers clinch the division. The Saints are 12-2, have already won their division, clinched a playoff spot and with a win this week and a Rams’ loss, they will lock up the NFC’s first seed. Saints win.

In Sunday night’s game, kickoff is at 8:20 pm, the Chiefs will meet the Seahawks in Seattle. Seattle at 8-6, would clinch the 5th seed in the NFC with a Seattle win and a Vikings’ loss. Whereas, the Chiefs would likely lock up the 1st seed in the AFC with a win and a Chargers’ loss this week. The Chiefs, if they get home field advantage throughout the playoffs this year, hopefully, won’t lose again and make it 7 straight losses. Chiefs win.

The last game of the week is on Monday Night Football between the Broncos and Raiders on Christmas Eve. This is the second and final game with no playoff implications this week but it is still interesting to talk about. The Raiders, are having a terrible season at 3-11, under John Gruden. They’ve traded away arguably their best defensive player in Khalil Mack and their best offensive player in Amari Cooper. Gruden hasn’t had very much luck in the first season of his 10-year tenure and Raiders fans can only hope for improvement. The Broncos, apart from some amazing wins against the Chargers and Steelers have had a disappointing season: for the first 12 games or so, they had one of the toughest schedules in the NFL. Arguably, if their schedule was a little easier, if the Broncos avoided one or two costly mistakes that cost them a loss against the Rams, Chiefs twice, the Texans; or if the Broncos actually won games in which their opponent is worse than them, which they had a hard time doing this season, they would have had a better record. They are also having a bad year because of a lacklustre coaching staff, and many key injuries to both the offence, particularly the line and the receiving core and their defence, notably the secondary where they have had over 10 starters this year. Either way, their record should have been better than it is, but right now it is 6-8 and the Broncos are out of the playoffs but are trying to avoid back-to-back losing seasons since 1971 and 1972 with a win on Monday and next Sunday. Looking ahead to next year, Vance Joseph will likely be fired at the end of the season, which means change is coming in Denver and soon. Broncos win, but not in blowout fashion by any means.

Note: The YouTube video for this article will be out soon. Just spent time with family and I'm having some technical difficulties.