The season has concluded! With the playoff spots settled and draft picks decided for the ones who missed their chance, we’re officially on the road to the Super Bowl! With the season-ending, who came up big to get to the big time, and whose season was cut short due to coming up short? Let’s get it!
Scrubs: Vikings
The consensus was that the Lions would win, but they didn’t just win; they DECISIVELY won. 31-9, Jahmyr Gibbs wrecked the house with FOUR TOTAL TDs, and Sam Darnold returned to Jets form. But the red zone turned into the dead zone for Minnesota as they were 0-4 to get touchdowns when they went inside the 20-yard line. The red zone mistakes would prove costly as they take a big hit as they go into the playoffs. Will this kill the Viking’s confidence as a threat in the playoffs, or is this fueling the fire for the eventual resurgence of Minnesota as they face the winners of the NFC West, the Los Angeles Rams?
Dubs: Broncos
A shutout? Against Kansas City? In this economy? The last time the Chiefs were held to zero points, you have to go back to 2012 in a week fifteen matchup versus the Raiders in a 15-0 score. Yes, I know, the Chiefs were resting their starters, but a shutout against an Andy Reid-led team is no easy task. But it was a nice win versus KC as the Broncos ride into the playoffs to travel to Buffalo in a matchup versus the winners of the AFC East, the Bills, which should be an intriguing watch.
Scrubs: Steelers
My word, Pittsburgh. The Steelers might be the worst team in the playoffs. The Texans are an interesting offer, so we’ll see who loses worse in the wild card. But the clock management, the play-calling, and the George Pickens. A QB sneak on 3rd and one doesn’t pan out, so you run up the middle on 4th and one with Jaylen Warren? No disrespect to Warren, but Najee Harris is right there! Russell Wilson has returned to Denver form, George Pickens had more drops and confrontations with fans than catches, and the two-minute drill showcased 15 yards in 1:40. The Steelers, in the past four games, have failed to score more than 17 points, a feat that wasn’t even achieved when Matt Canada was offensive coordinator. The Steelers need to do some serious soul-searching after this season, with nearly every position needing upgrades. The QB, WR, OL, and the secondary room must be examined.
Dubs: Buccaneers
From everyone that’s a fan of football, we thank you, Tampa Bay. Everyone wants to see Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, and Bucky Irving take their talents in the postseason and NOT Atlanta. Outscoring New Orleans 21-3 in the second half of the regular season finale brought Tampa Bay the win and an NFC South title. From being 4-6, winning six of their last seven, and winning the division in a tight race versus the Falcons. Now, the Buccaneers look to win against the first team that faced and beat in week one, the Commanders. This game will be fun in what should be an offensive showdown!
Scrubs: Patriots
WOAH, PLOT TWIST! A team won this week, but is it still a scrub? How can this be? Very simple. This win versus Buffalo did more harm than good. This win knocked the Patriots down in the draft by three picks! From first overall to fourth isn’t the worst thing, but to have the future in your hands brings a particular type of power to a team, whether it be more attention to the historic franchise of New England currently in limbo or some trade bait to get an already-made superstar. But it makes it more hilarious knowing it was heavily rumored that Jerad Mayo would be axed after his first season, so he decided to pull a Lovie Smith and blow up the tank before he left. And now that Mayo is gone, the Patriots will be held at the fourth overall pick in the draft. The last time the Patriots selected fourth overall, they drafted Willie McGinest. Could the next great Patriot be drafted this year?
Dubs: Lions
Ah, division supremacy. It doesn’t mean much in a division like the AFC South but is significant in the NFC North. In a division surrounded by the Lions, Vikings, Packers, and the broken wheel of the grocery cart, the Bears, a division win is great for any team. And this year, the division goes to the Lions. For the first time in NFC North history, the Detroit Lions are consecutive winners of the NFC North. And now, with a rocket strapped, the Lions are roaring to the first seed in the NFC. Can they finish the job this year, though?
Now that the season has concluded, who was given the most scrubs and dubs this year? That would be the Atlanta Falcons with five scrubs (2-5 overall record). And the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-1 overall record) and Philadelphia Eagles (4-0 overall record) with four dubs! What an interesting year of football! See you all next year, where I will hopefully not start with week seven!
