Week 16 ATS Recap: Flying Solo

Dre left me the keys to the site this week, so I'm combining the ATS Recap with a little What I Learned.

• Steelers 27, Panthers 3 - Both winners - I learned early why the Falcons weren't going to be too worried about losing to the Saints on MNF.
• Cardinals 27, Cowboys 26 - Both losers - I learned that the NFL Network needs flex rights to it's games like NBC has. Also, that calling a Saturday game on Christmas night "A special edition of THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL" is ridiculously retarded.
• Lions 34, Dolphins 27 - Both winners - This game showed me that the Lions might do some damage next year. In other news: teams are now penciling in games at Miami as wins. 1-7 at home? Seriously?
• Rams 25, Niners 17 - Jason winner, Dre loser - The Rams put the last nail in the 49ers. FINALLY! All I know is, the Rams better beat Seattle on Sunday to spare us a 7-9 division champ.
• Bears 38, Jets 34 - Both winners - What do you get when the two most overrated teams in the NFL match up? A fairly entertaining game, and more questions than answers.
• Patriots 34, Bills 3 - Both winners - After almost losing to Matt Flynn, you just knew the Pats would go out and smoke the next team they ran across. With the #1 seed all locked up, it'll be scrub week for the Patsies on Sunday, and they'll probably still cover.
• Redskins 20, Second Place Jacksonville Jaguars 17 (OT) - Both winners - I learned that when a team folds a card table like the Jags did in the hot spotlight against Indy, not to take that team the next week.
• Chiefs 34, Titans 14 - Jason winner, Dre loser - I wonder if Dre will give the Chiefs any credit for their division crown considering he hasn't believed in this team all season? Granted, I'm not their biggest fan, but I do acknowledge they are a solid team, and they do have some lightning fast skill players.
• Ravens 20, Browns 10 - Both winners - It wasn't pretty, but the Ravens did what they had to do, and kept pace with the Steelers for a division title AND locked up a playoff berth. This team still infuriates me, they either look like the best team in football, or lost puppies. Who's gonna show up come playoff time? Maybe Ray Lewis on his flying, laser-firing raven?
• Colts 31, Raiders 26 - Dre winner, Jason loser - The Raiders were game, but just not enough to hang with the Colts. So what did I learn? That the Colts will scare NOBODY come playoff time.
• Broncos 24, Texans 23 - Both losers - Even Tim Fucking Tebow can throw for 300 yards on the Texans. The Houston secondary should be ashamed.
• Bengals 34, Chargers 20 - Both losers - So much for that second half surge San Diego. Looks like Cincy might have been better off not signing TO after all. Since he's been gone, the Bungles are 2-0.
• Buccaneers 38, Seahawks 15 - Jason winner, Dre loser - Truly sad that the Bucs have less of a playoff chance than the Seahawks. I learned nothing from this game that I didn't already know: Josh Freeman is the man! I'm gonna have a Dre moment: Seattle can still win that shit division.
• Packers 45, Giants 17 - Both winners - See also: Skins/Jags recap. Whoa...nice pep talk Eli! All week, the media was full of blowhards telling us that the Giants were dangerous coming off the embarassment handed upon them by the Eagles last week. Instead, what we thought would happen happened, the Packers, desperately clinging to their playoff chances, blew the Giants doors off. They'll probably do it to the Bears this Sunday coming up too, possibly going into the playoffs as one of the most dangerous 6-seeds in recent memory.
• Saints 17, Falcons 14 - Jason winner, Dre loser - I didn't say the Falcons would mail this one in, not exactly. I cited two issues: A) The Saints NEEDED this win, while the Falcons had a soft landing of facing Carolina in week 17 to wrap up the NFC and B) The Falcons historically stink in prime time. Hey, I know my team. On the bright side for Atlanta, they played about the worst game I've seen them play start-to-finish all season long, and only lost to a good Saints team by 3. I expected a double digit pounding to be handed out by Nawlins. Also, a tough late season loss like this can often refocus a team. Now, Falcons, would you please CRUSH THE PANTHERS?
• Vikings 24, Eagles 14 - Dre winner, Jason loser - This game accomplished multiple things. It locked up the first round bye for Chicago, who will most likely know they are the 2-seed going into a late start against Green Bay. Should Atlanta beat Carolina (they fucking better), the Bears will have zero to play for against a rabid Aaron Rodgers (just left off the Pro Bowl roster) and the Packers, who need only a win for a playoff berth. The Eagles, nestled nicely in the 3-seed, have potential rematches against the Packers OR Giants staring them in the face now. Amazing what a little blizzard and Joe Webb can do to your season!

Jason 11-5 - Season 122-115-3 .515

Dre 9-7 Season 123-114-3 .519

One game apart with one week of games left. They don't come much closer that that!