Week 16 NFL Review: Atlanta Falcons Make Playoffs, Other Cool Stuff Happens

Some absolute shockers occurred this week as teams struggled to get what seemed more likely a couple of weeks ago. A playoff berth this season. A number of teams played themselves out with horrible results this week.

Atlanta beat Minnesota, 24-17. Minnesota must beat the Giants next week to make the playoffs. Chicago still has an outside chance, but must win out and get some help from the Giants next week.

The Atlanta Falcons are in the playoffs and could still actually win the division with some help from other teams. This must give Matt Ryan Rookie of the Year and some MVP consideration as well. When has a rookie got the MVP for the conference?

The Dallas Cowboys lost to Baltimore, 33-24. They must win in Philadelphia next week to make the playoffs. If they win in Philly, the wild card goes to Dallas. 

Indianapolis won against Jacksonville to up their record to 11-4 and they are in the playoffs. Jacksonville continues their miserable season at 5-10.

Tennessee grabbed the number one seed in the AFC and home field throughout the playoffs with a big victory over the Steelers, 31-14.

Cincinnati won their game against Cleveland, 14-0, in a meaningless affair unless you live in Ohio and are a fan of one of these teams.

New Orleans killed Detroit, 42-7. Detroit breaks new ground at 0-15.

The Jets gagged in Seattle by losing, 13-3? That's right, 13-3. Brett Favre will be hung in effigy later this week in Times Square. The Jets are now one game behind—yup, you guessed it—the Patriots. The Jets have to have help from Buffalo next week, or they are out of the picture.

Meanwhile the Dophins looked ridiculously poised in their victory, despite being behind to Kansas City in 10 degree weather. The Dolphins win, 38-31. If the Dolphins beat the Jets next week, they win the division. If they lose and New England wins in Buffalo, the Patriots are in at 11-5.

New England destroyed Arizona in a snow game, 47-7. Arizona is going to have a rough time traveling east in any playoff game. New England can win the division with a Dolphin loss, or make a wild card still if by some small chance, Baltimore loses to Jacksonville, which does not seem likely. New England just became Jets fans.

The 49ers made a rally late in their game to beat St. Louis, 17-16.

San Diego is still alive for a playoff spot with a victory in Tampa Bay, 41-24. This sets up a revenge game for San Diego at home against Denver next week for the AFC West division title. Denver has lost three in a row, while San Diego has won three in a row, to set up an epic game in San Diego. Tampa Bay is out of the playoffs unless both Dallas and Minnesota loses next week. Then Tampa must win their game also.

That means Denver lost, of course—to Buffalo, 30-23. Unbelievable!

Houston could not handle the Raiders at home and lost to the Oakland team, 27-16, in an upset-filled week.

Philadelphia lost to Washington 10-3 in perhaps the end of the Donovan McNabb era. Andy Reid may be finished in Philly, as well. Changes must be made for this team to once more become successful.

The Giants play Carolina for the No. 1 seed in the NFC on Sunday Night in the NFL. Look for the Giants to bounce back from last week and take care of business at home.

The Bears will have trouble on Monday Night Football with a team that's no longer under pressure, The Green Bay Packers.The Packers won this last meeting 38-3.

Upsets killed me this week. 7-8. I need the Giants and the Pack to win to avoid a losing week! For the year i am currently 152-88-1. Still a healthy 64 games over 500. Giants win it 34-28.—Thomas [NFL Mikee] Moreland