Week 16 is complete. There is amazingly just one week left in the 2020 NFL season.
There were fears that this season would not go ahead, so for the regular season to almost be over without too many issues is a credit to the NFL.
Let’s take a look at how week 16 unfolded.
Did Week 16 Show Us The Same Old Cleveland Browns?
The Cleveland Browns suffered a shock 23-16 loss to the New York Jets in Week 16. The Browns looked all but set to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season. After this loss, they have to win in week 17. They will face a rejuvenated Pittsburgh Steelers, who scored fourteen points in the fourth quarter without reply to beat the Indianapolis Colts 28-24.
This now leaves the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland all on ten wins.
If they win, then they are in the playoffs. Should the Browns slip up, then the teams around them can capitalise.
In a season that promised so much just a few weeks ago, will we end up with the same old Browns? For a team that have had so many years of pain, this would be a hard one to take for Cleveland fans.
Offensive Player Of Week 16: Alvin Kamara (Running Back- New Orleans Saints)
This award has to go to Kamara. The running back has had an excellent season. The 52-33 win over the Minnesota Vikings proved just how vital he is to this Saints offense, especially with quarterback Drew Brees throwing for 0 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Normally, this award is given by myself to players who play well in important wins. The Saints were already in the playoffs and this win keeps them within a chance of getting the number one seed.
Whilst the likes of Myles Gaskin had great performances in more important wins, you cannot ignore the performance from Alvin Kamara, which shows that New Orleans can be a Super Bowl contender.
Kamara ran for 155 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, the joint-most recorded by a player in any game.
Defensive Player Of Week 16: Roquan Smith (Linebacker- Chicago Bears)
The Bears got a crucial win on Sunday. With the Arizona Cardinals losing 20-12 to the San Francisco 49ers the evening before, Chicago beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 41-17. This now puts the Bears in the driving seat in the race for the final wildcard spot.
With the Green Bay Packers looking to tie down the number one seed in the NFC, this will be a hard task for the Bears in week 17. If linebacker Roquan Smith performs as well as he did in week 16, then Chicago have a chance to get a shock win over Green Bay.
Smith recorded eight tackles, two passes deflected, one fumble and two interceptions.
Elsewhere In The League
A Jason Sanders field goal with one second remaining won it for the Miami Dolphins against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Kansas City Chiefs secured the number one seed in the AFC after their 17-14 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
The Jacksonville Jaguars won the race for Trevor Lawrence with their aforementioned loss to Chicago and the Jets’ win. Unless Lawrence says he will not play for them, the Jags will have one of the best college prospects we have ever seen.
The NFC East will go down to the final day. The Washington Football Team were dominated by the Carolina Panthers, losing 20-13. After the 37-17 win for the Dallas Cowboys over the Philadelphia Eagles, they are level on 6 wins with Washington.
Dallas faces the 5 win New York Giants in week 17. The winner of this game will make it to the playoffs, provided Washington lose to Philadelphia on Sunday Night Football.
NFL Week 16 Scores
Minnesota Vikings 33-52 New Orleans Saints.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 47-7 Detroit Lions.
San Francisco 49ers 20-12 Arizona Cardinals.
Miami Dolphins 26-25 Las Vegas Raiders.
New York Giants 13-27 Baltimore Ravens.
Cincinnati Bengals 37-31 Houston Texans.
Chicago Bears 41-17 Jacksonville Jaguars.
Atlanta Falcons 14-17 Kansas City Chiefs.
Cleveland Browns 16-23 New York Jets.
Indianapolis Colts 24-28 Pittsburgh Steelers.
Denver Broncos 16-19 Los Angeles Chargers.
Carolina Panthers 20-13 Washington Football Team.
Philadelphia Eagles 17-37 Dallas Cowboys.
Los Angeles Rams 9-20 Seattle Seahawks.
Tennessee Titans 14-40 Green Bay Packers.
Buffalo Bills 38-9 New England Patriots.
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