Week 16 within the NFL received off to an early begin with three video games performed earlier than a brief Christmas Eve slate. Fourteen groups will play on the nationwide tv stage because of the Christmas vacation, with loads of video games having an impact on the AFC and NFC playoff races.
The Saturday slate featured the Pittsburgh Steelers internet hosting the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Payments heading to southern California to face the Los Angeles Chargers. Three of the 4 groups shall be shaking up the AFC playoff image, beginning with Pittsburgh’s win over Cincinnati.
With the Saturday slate of video games happening, it is by no means too early for overreactions to both recreation.
Mason Rudolph ought to begin for the Steelers for remainder of 12 months
Overreaction or Actuality: Overreaction
The Steelers determined to go together with Rudolph over Mitchell Trubisky because the beginning quarterback this week whereas Kenny Pickett has been out with an ankle harm. Naturally, Rudolph goes 17 of 27 for 290 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions (124.0 score) because the Steelers rating 34 factors in a blowout victory over the Bengals.
The 34 factors for the Steelers have been probably the most factors in a recreation since Week 11 of the 2021 season and the Steelers have not scored 30 factors in a win for the reason that 2020 season. Pittsburgh averaged 13.7 factors per recreation and 265.7 yards per recreation in its earlier three video games, all losses. The Steelers put up 34 factors and 397 yards towards the Bengals.
George Pickens truly appeared like an elite receiver, catching 4 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns — each landing catches over 60 yards. Rudolph had one thing to do with that proper?
The Steelers aren’t going to bench Pickett when he returns, however they will “be certain he is 100%.” Maybe Rudolph will get one other begin whereas they determine issues out.
Bengals playoff chances are high dashed
Overreaction or Actuality: Actuality
The Bengals could not afford to lose this recreation to a Steelers crew that was reeling, and so they did. Cincinnati’s margin for error was extraordinarily tin heading into this recreation with the Chiefs and Browns closing out the season. Attending to 9-6 was the precedence, irrespective of if the win was a blowout or ugly.
The Bengals sit at 8-7 with the Chiefs on the street and the Browns at residence. Cincinnati is nice exterior the AFC North (8-2), however sit 0-5 within the division. This is not ruling the Bengals out — as they will win out — but the convention report tiebreaker will considerably have an effect on their playoff probabilities.
Cincinnati is 3-7 within the AFC, worse than Pittsburgh (6-5), Buffalo (5-5), Houston (5-4), and Indianapolis (6-4). Pittsburgh additionally has the head-to-head tiebreaker by sweeping Cincinnati.
Even when the Bengals get to 10-7, it will not be sufficient with the convention report tiebreaker in place. The Bengals blew a golden alternative.
Payments are going to the playoffs
Overreaction or Actuality: Actuality
The one factor spectacular in regards to the Payments’ victory was that they win. At this level within the season, a win is all that issues. Unexpectedly the Payments are the No. 6 seed within the AFC at 9-6, enjoying pretty much as good of soccer as anybody within the NFL at this second.
In fact, the Colts and Texans have a tiebreaker over the Payments — but the strain is on each groups to win on Sunday. The Payments have two AFC East video games left with the Patriots (residence) and Dolphins (street). At worst, the Payments shall be 10-7 with the Colts and Texans enjoying one another in Week 18 (so one can have seven losses if not for a tie). If the Payments do win out, they’re going to have a playoff spot.
The way in which the Payments are enjoying — even in an unsightly win — they seem destined for the postseason. Having the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Texans is important in the intervening time as properly.
