Tuesday 3 January 2017 18:04, UK
It was a good week for Green Bay and New England, but not so much for Oakland or Los Angeles in this week's NFL grades.
New York Giants (W 19-10 @ Washington)
The Giants edged a dull divisional match-up with the playoff-hunting Redskins. With their own postseason berth already assured, the Giants would perhaps be forgiven if they were already daydreaming about next weekend's Wildcard game. Not so; their defence was particularly dominant. And you know what they say? Defence wins champ... You know the rest. Grade A
Philadelphia Eagles (W 27-13 v Dallas)
A nice finish to the season for the Eagles, who have struggled in recent weeks. A 7-9 record for the season is a strong one for an overachieving squad that was expected to struggle this year, though this victory is a slightly hollow one against a Cowboys second string. Grade A-
Dallas Cowboys (L 13-27 @ Philadelphia)
Defeat for Dallas, only their third of the year. But it matters little, with the No 1 seed in the NFC already sewn up, and especially given their starters were rested and wrapped in cotton wool for the play-offs. Enter Tony Romo, who threw a first touchdown for 14 months coming in for rookie sensation, Dak Prescott. Grade C-
Washington Redskins (L 10-19 v New York Giants)
The Redskins choked. Motivation need not have been an issue for the team, with a win seeing them into the play-offs, and playing at home against a division rival - without anything further to play for - but given the stakes, Washington's efforts were hugely uninspiring, particularly the offence. Grade F
Green Bay Packers (W 31-24 @ Detroit)
Some stats for you: the Packers close out the season with six straight wins, Aaron Rodgers has gone seven games without an interception, throwing 18 touchdowns in that time - after his four in the win over the Lions - plus the team have gone four games without a turnover. Super Bowl winning form. Grade A
Minnesota Vikings (W 38-10 v Chicago)
A middling year for Minnesota reflected in an 8-8 record courtesy of an easy win over Chicago in their final game, though Sam Bradford at least has something to shout about - he went 25 for 33 for 250 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception, to finish with a 71.6 percent completion rate on the year, setting an NFL single-season record. Grade A
Detroit Lions (L 24-31 v Green Bay)
The Lions let a two-game lead in the NFC North slip by losing their last three games, including this one to the Packers after having been 14-7 up at one stage. It allows Green Bay to claim the division crown for the fifth time in six years and deny Detroit the title for the first time since 1993. Grade C-
Chicago Bears (L 10-38 @ Minnesota)
The three-win Bears finish with their fewest Ws in a non-strike year since 1973 after turning the ball over five times against the Vikings. Jordan Howard, however, is a lone bright spot for the season, and his 135 yards on 23 carries takes him to 1,313 yards on the year, breaking Matt Forte's franchise rookie record for Chicago. Grade D
Atlanta Falcons (W 38-32 v New Orleans)
A shootout was expected between these two explosive NFC South offences, and they didn't disappoint. Matt Ryan bolstered his MVP credentials, throwing four touchdowns. He finished 27 of 36 for 331 yards, leaving him with a franchise-record 4,944 yards, 38 touchdowns and just seven interceptions on the season. Grade A
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W 17-16 v Carolina)
The Buccaneers briefly kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a tight win over the Panthers in the early kick-offs. Quarterback Jameis Winston threw for 202 yards and one touchdown (plus an interception) and as a result, became the first player in NFL history to start his career with consecutive 4,000-yard seasons. Grade B+
Carolina Panthers (L 16-17 @ Tampa Bay)
Carolina had a chance to end their disappointing season with a win in the dying seconds in Tampa Bay. But Cam Newton's two-point conversion attempt was broken up. There will be no trip to the Super Bowl for Super Cam this year. Grade C-
New Orleans Saints (L 32-38 @ Atlanta)
Drew Brees became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 5,000 yards five times - his 29 of 50 for 350 yards, giving him 5,208 on the season. It wasn't enough for the Saints to see off the Falcons though, even with a late rally in the fourth quarter, scoring three touchdowns and recovering an onside kick. Grade C-
Seattle Seahawks (W 25-23 @ San Francisco)
Seattle rallied from an early 11-point deficit to defeat their fierce (though not so relevant these days) division rivals. The 49ers had raced out of the blocks with touchdowns on two of their first three drives, but were then outgained 366 yards to 99 over the final three quarters - Russell Wilson throwing for 258 yards and a touchdown. Grade A
Arizona Cardinals (W 44-6 @ Los Angeles)
A disappointing year for the Cardinals - who made it to the NFC Championship game last year - ended at least with a blowout win over the Rams. Carson Palmer, on his return to Los Angeles and the Coliseum where he won the Heisman Trophy 14 years ago with the University of Southern California, went 20 of 38 for 255 yards and three touchdowns. Grade A
San Francisco 49ers (L 23-25 @ Seattle)
A stoic effort from San Francisco's players, especially considering what was bubbling away behind the scenes with the rumoured - and subsequently confirmed - departures of general manager, Trent Baalke, and head coach, Chip Kelly. There can be no arguing that this team was playing for their coach, which makes the reason to sack him after just one year with an injury and talent-depleted roster all the more surprising. Grade C-
Los Angeles Rams (L 6-44 v Arizona)
Another late season shellacking for the Rams who end the season having lost seven straight, and 11 of their last 12. They also have the ignominy of finishing as the NFL's 32nd-ranked offense for the second straight season. Rookie QB Jared Goff's struggle continued too - he was sacked seven times. Grade F
New England Patriots (W 35-14 @ Miami)
Tom Brady and the Patriots offence are surging. From the first drive until the end of the game, New England controlled the game. Don't sleep on this defence either, which have quietly become the stingiest in the NFL, conceding an average of just 15.6 points per game. Grade A
New York Jets (W 30-10 v Buffalo)
This win may have kept Todd Bowles in a job. It was last year that the Bills ended the play-off hopes of New York, and Ryan Fitzpatrick made sure there wasn't a repeat, with two touchdown passes as Bilal Powell put up 122 yards on the ground. Despite the win, there are worrying signs for the future if you're a Jets fan. Uncertainty surrounds all major position groups, and even Darelle Revis' first interception this season can't mask his regression. Grade B
Miami Dolphins (L 14-35 v New England)
Head coach Adam Gase won't spend too much time dissecting this game, but will instead turn his attention to Pittsburgh, after leading the Dolphins to their first post-season since 2008. However, this was an opportunity to show the league Miami were a contender. They couldn't do that, with poor tackling on defence and a lack of quality in attack. Grade D
Buffalo Bills (L 17-30 @ New York Jets)
Interim head coach Anthony Lynn said he wanted to use this game to see what he had in quarterback E.J. Manuel. Three quarters and just 86 yards later, the Bills have their answer. His replacement, rookie Cardale Jones, looked a long way from being an NFL starter, and there will be much work to do if Buffalo decide to part with Tyrod Taylor. Running back LeSean McCoy left the game with a foot injury, but it was a disappointing game across the field, with many players having checked out on another failed season. Grade E
Cincinnati Bengals (W 27-10 v Baltimore)
Rex Burkhead stole the show with a career-high 119 rushing yards, and Andy Dalton threw two touchdown passes to lift the Bengals over an already-defeated Ravens team. Cincinnati will miss the play-offs for the first time in five years but for Burkhead, a free-agent in the offseason, a big performance may just secure him a new deal. Grade B
Pittsburgh Steelers (W 27-24 (OT) v Cleveland)
Resting Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown, the Steelers needed overtime to take care of business at home to Cleveland. They could have easily lost this one, but week 17 was all about getting the key players into the play-offs healthy and rested. Grade B-
Cleveland Browns (L 24-27 (OT) @ Pittsburgh)
This is almost a win for the Browns. After getting an actual W last week against the Chargers, Cleveland pick up the moral victory by securing the first pick in next year's draft. Another uninspired showing from Robert Griffin III will give head coach Hue Jackson a decision to make at quarterback, but they did register 231 yards on the ground - a season high. Grade C
Baltimore Ravens (L 10-27 @ Cincinnati)
After elimination in week 16, it was evident that the Ravens weren't right for this game. The defence allowed two touchdowns from the Bengals' two opening drives, and the offence couldn't find a rhythm. Wide receiver Steve Smith now looks likely to retire, walking away from a 16-year career, with his Hall of Fame candidacy ready to be debated. Grade E
Tennessee Titans (W 24-17 v Houston)
It has been an odd season for the Titans, who have beaten five play-off bound teams this year, yet will not be heading there themselves. Had Tennessee beaten the Jacksonville Jaguars last weekend, they would have been celebrating an AFC South championship this week, but instead they settle for a 9-7 record. Wide receiver Rishard Matthews gave the team 114 yards and a touchdown while the defence registered four sacks. Grade B
Indianapolis Colts (W 24-20 v Jacksonville)
At 17-0 down, Chuck Pagano must have feared for his job. However, Andrew Luck led his team back from the brink to secure the win, and the Colts' second consecutive 8-8 finish. The one-yard touchdown pass to Jack Doyle prompted bizarrely over-the-top celebrations for a team who must use the offseason to address glaring weaknesses in their defence and offensive line. Grade C+
Jacksonville Jaguars (L 20-24 @ Indianapolis)
Leading with 1:33 left to go in the game, the Jaguars managed to throw away a 17-point lead, and finish the year 3-13. This team has some defensive weapons, but requires more from quarterback Blake Bortles if they are to push on in 2017. Grade C-
Houston Texans (L 17-24 @ Tennessee)
The Texans will represent the AFC South in the play-offs, but are still unsure of their first-choice quarterback. After starting Tom Savage against Tennessee, the third year left the game with a concussion, but then returned for a kneel down later on. Brock Osweiler found the end zone himself late on, but Bill O'Brien's decision to rest six starters ultimately left too much for Houston to do. Grade D
Kansas City Chiefs (W 37-27 @ San Diego)
Tyreek Hill scored his 12th touchdown of the year, returning a punt 95 yards in the third quarter. The Chiefs' win pushes them into the AFC's second seed, handing Andy Reid's men an all-important bye week. Kansas City yet again won on turnovers, protecting the ball better than their opponent. It's that formula that could see the team go deep through the post-season. Grade B+
Denver Broncos (W 24-6 v Oakland)
Before the game, head coach Gary Kubiak hinted at retirement, and it was confirmed on Monday that the Denver Broncos are looking for their next man. It is arguably the best job available, especially after a strong showing to end the season. Quarterback Trevor Siemian played well, the defence smothered Oakland's back-up QBs, and even the run game showed up as Justin Forsett managed a 90-yard performance. A fitting way to end Kubiak's Super Bowl winning tenure. Grade B+
San Diego Chargers (L 27-37 v Kansas City)
In what proved to be Mike McCoy's final game in charge, San Diego played with all the uncertainty and confusion of a team about to be uprooted. The attendance was bleak, and those that were there directed their ire towards McCoy and owner Dean Spanos. Philip Rivers threw two interceptions, recording a career high of 21 this season. Grade E
Oakland Raiders (L 6-24 @ Denver)
It is hard not to feel sorry for this organisation. 14 years they wait for the play-offs, and their MVP quarterback is lost in week 16. The Raiders looked as though they were still mourning Derek Carr's loss, and with it their Super Bowl chances. Neither back-up Matt McGloin or Conor Cook looked ready to take on the mantle, while there was little running game to take the strain. Grade E
