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  • Backyard Banter Podcast
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 54: Kyle Crabbs - Build my own chair at the table
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 53: James Koh - Divorce the information from emotion
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 52: Will Brinson - That's how it'll have to be
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 51: Charles McDonald - Not an escape from reality
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 50: What you've learned - For you, by you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 49: Jourdan Rodrigue - Let's see what you think then
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 48: Justin Twell - Long process to come back
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 47: Justin Lonero - It's time to relearn life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 46: Scott Bischoff - Life presented the greatest challenge possible
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 45: Al Zeidenfeld - Little steps along the way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 44: Jason Romano - Just a different dream
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 43: Matt Harmon - But here we are (Season 1 finale)
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 42: Gregg Rosenthal - I have to make it work or else
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 41: Jon Moore - Determiner of what I want
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 40: Uncle Chaps - Just have fun with it
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 39: Bob Harris - The best addiction I've ever had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 38: Scott Fish - Everybody working together to make this big
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 37: Jene Bramel - Ask the questions you want answered
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 36: Mike Tagliere - Never going to leave this candy store
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 35: Ben Cummins - Starting at ground zero
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 34: Field Yates - It's the nature of what we do
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 33: Chris Heil - I gave it everything I had
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 32: Sal Stefanile - Just make them notice you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 31: Adam Levitan - Accept an alternate lifestyle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 30: Matthew Freedman - It's not built for everyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 29: George Kritikos - If your heart's not in it people notice
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 28: Marcas Grant - Certainly never expected this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 27: Steve Palazzolo - I understand the questions that come
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 26: Matt Miller - To build bridges not burn them
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 25: Graham Barfield - A human game played by humans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 24: Pat Daugherty - I just said yes to everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 23: Eric Galko - There's always work to be done
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 22: TJ Hernandez - In some roundabout way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 21: Alex Gelhar - Homework for the rest of your life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 20: The Fantasy Footballers - Because we were fans
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 19: Jessica Kleinschmidt - The scariest person you deal with is yourself
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 18: Evan Silva - A willingness to work hard
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 17: Jeff Risdon - It's hard to be in the middle
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 16: Cecil Lammey - Because I didn't ask for anything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 15: Patrick Claybon - If you shine people will see you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 14: Denny Carter - People want to know you
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 13: Adam Rank - Honestly just don't go away
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 12: Adam Pfeifer - Being happy is doing this
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 11: Mark Schofield - You get one drive in this life
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 10: Liz Loza - Ride the horse in the direction it's going
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 9: Matthew Berry - I've done it without being negative to anyone
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 8: Matt Franciscovich - Persistence is a huge deal
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 7: Matt Williamson - I got lucky, but I made my own luck
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 6: Eric Stoner - Passions are best left as hobbies
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 5: Josh Norris - You don't have to have an opinion on everything
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast Episode 4: Rumford Johnny - Elevate somebody or get out of their way
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 3: JJ Zachariason - No one cares because you're not established
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 2: Matt Waldman - Popular doesn't necessarily make it good
    • The Backyard Banter Podcast episode 1 - Sigmund Bloom
  • Fantasy Hipsters
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 28: We''l see you in a bit.
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 27: "Ehhh how about you people relax with that one"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 26: Mail Satchel - Davante Adams debate & "friends of the show"
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 25: NFL Network's Top 100 Players This or That
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 24: Mail Satchel - Surviving without Charlie and Tight Ends to Watch
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 23: Jeremy Maclin reaction, news recap and did Harmon pull off that hat?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 22: Mail satchel - WE ARE THE PODCAST OF THE PEOPLE
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 21: Reception Perception review of sleepers, breakouts and surprises
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 20: Evan Silva destroys our MFL10 hopes and dreams
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 19: Mail satchel - Will Brandon Marshall thrive with the Giants in 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 18: We Are Pretty Mad
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 17: Mail satchel - Rompers, clean eating and the 2007 NFL Draft class
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 16: NFL depth chart breakdowns and being sick of bad Eddie Lacy jokes
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 15: Mail satchel - Drafting too many rookies, breakouts and bell-cow RBs
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 14: French press vs. pour over coffee & mock draft review with James Koh
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 13: Mail satchel - Los Angeles Chargers the hipster's team of 2017?
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 12: NFL Draft rookie fits and a cast iron running back with Matt Waldman
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 11: NFL Draft preview and drumset vomit with Josh Norris of Rotoworld
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 10: Mail satchel - Dynasty debate, bad impressions and hipster bands
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 9: Perfect Prospect Parings — identifying NFL fits for draft prospects
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 8: Corey Davis, DeVante Parker and what to drink at your draft
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 7: Carlos Hyde, Laquon Treadwell and NFL Draft rookie big board part 3
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 6: Valuing Jordan Howard for 2017 and NFL Draft rookie big board part 2
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 5: NFL Draft rookie top-12 big board and in-depth beer interview
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 4: Kaepernick saga, Harmon shaves his beard and Franchise gets roasted
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast Episode 3: Eddie Lacy, Free Agency, music & beer and picking best QB roommate
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 2: Early Free Agency Fallout, Combine Standouts & Mailbag
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast - Episode 1: NFL Scouting Combine preview and washed vets
    • Fantasy Hipsters Podcast: Teaser episode introduction
  • Reception Perception: 2017
    • Reception Perception: Investigating any correlation between the results and draft prospect age
  • The 2016 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception: 11 flags planted for the 2016 season
    • Reception Perception: Nelson Agholor can bounce-back in Doug Pederson's offense
    • Reception Perception: Improved technician Donte Moncrief is set to explode in 2016
    • Reception Perception: Only one concern can hold Sammy Watkins back from his ceiling
    • Reception Perception: Bruce Ellington has a chance to flash this season with the 49ers
    • Reception Perception: Albert Wilson and the Diary of a Truther
    • Reception Perception: Willie Snead built an impressive resume we must not ignore
    • Reception Perception: Welcome the ascending Tyler Lockett to rarified status
    • Reception Perception: Kamar Aiken is the answer to the Ravens receiver riddle
    • Reception Perception: DeSean Jackson and Josh Doctson make the Washington wide receivers a strength
    • Reception Perception: Browns make a refreshing first pick in Corey Coleman
    • Reception Perception: The fruitless search for fatal flaws with Laquon Treadwell
    • Reception Perception: Why there will never be a cumulative or overall grade
    • Reception Perception: The changing variables for Torrey Smith point to a rebound
    • Reception Perception: 2016 media appearances
    • Reception Perception: Rashard Higgins - never tell me the odds
    • Reception Perception: Keyarris Garrett is a unicorn in this draft class
    • Reception Perception: Malcolm Mitchell is a top-10 receiver in the 2016 NFL Draft
    • Reception Perception: 2016 NFL draft prospects results
    • Reception Perception: Golden Tate won't be able to replace Calvin Johnson
    • Reception Perception: Jeff Janis, trump cards and sorting through the noise
    • Reception Perception: Top-four college receiver primer
  • The 2015 Reception Perception Project
    • Reception Perception Based Media Appearances
    • Reception Perception: Steve Johnson is the Surest Sleeper Around
    • Reception Perception: Target and Contested Catch Data for Sophomore WRs
    • Reception Perception: Success Rate vs. Coverage Scores for the Sophomore Wide Receivers
    • Reception Perception: Why we Must Consider the Entire Range of Outcomes for Sammy Watkins
    • Reception Perception: Data Results from Year 1
    • Reception Perception: Scanning Through the Dolphins Receiving Corps for Fantasy Answers
    • Reception Perception: Allen Robinson is Quietly on the Precipice of a Massive Breakout
    • Reception Perception: Michael Crabtree is Exactly What the Raiders’ Passing Game Needs
    • Reception Perception: Justin Hunter and Wisely Shopping the Clearance Bins
    • Reception Perception: How Kevin White Began His Ascension to the Top
    • Reception Perception: Sammie Coates Falls Along a Dangerous Archetype
    • Reception Perception: A Video Rundown of the Data
    • Reception Perception: New Browns Receiver Dwayne Bowe Bring Value to a Depleted Pass Game
    • Reception Perception: Expectations and an Odd Coupling Doomed Mike Wallace in Miami
    • Reception Perception: Andre Johnson Still has Plenty Left to Offer the Colts
    • Reception Perception: Randall Cobb Made the Right Call Sticking With the Packers
    • Reception Perception: Where Do We Go From Here, Percy Harvin?
    • Reception Perception: Devin Smith and The Value of a Trump Card (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: The Siren Song of Dorial Green-Beckham (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Impending Free Agent Michael Crabtree
    • Reception Perception: Amari Cooper Under the Microscope (FBG)
    • Reception Perception: Sammy Watkins and Cordarrelle Patterson
  • Matt Harmon's in-season film review blog
  • Bio Page
  • Harmon's Fantasy Football Tiered Rankings
  • The Backyard Banter Quarterback Typology
  • Analyzing the Landing Spots for the First Round Wide Recievers
  • Reception Perception
    • Reception Perception: Cordarrelle Patterson and a Developing Story
    • Reception Perception: Jordy Nelson and Mastering the Little Things
  • Ramblings
    • Rebuilding a broken house: losing weight, changing my lifestyle and never looking back
    • Fighting through negativity bias and a wide receiver's drops
    • Saying Goodbye to Dixie
    • The #FreeAustinTice Campaign
    • My Reaction to Adrian Peterson and The Cycle of Abuse
    • Steve Smith: A Lesson in the Dangers of Emotional Football
    • The Arizona Cardinals Will Make the Playoffs
    • The Redskins Better Not Blow This Thing Up
    • The Commodification of NFL Players
    • Digging Deeper: Why Josh Freeman Failed with the Buccaneers
    • The Fall of Aaron Hernandez and the Patriot Way
    • Washington Redskins Injury Concerns
    • Carolina Panther's Draft Bungles
    • Stubbornness the Silent Coaching Killer
  • The Fantasy Gameplan Podcast
  • Draft Class Jersey Number Grades
  • The Eye in the Sky
    • The Eye in the Sky: The St. Louis Rams Should Commit to Sam Bradford for 2014
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why the Cardinals Struggle Against Tight Ends
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Mike Brown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Uncovering a Diamond in the Rough, Brandon Bostick
    • The Eye in the Sky: E.J. Manuel's Improvement All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Why Defending the Colts Offense is too Easy All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Picking Apart the Jets Defense All-22 Breakdown
    • Eye in the Sky: Texans vs. Chiefs (Week Seven) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Redskins vs. Cowboys (Week Six) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Panthers vs. Cardinals (Week Five) All-22 Breakdown
    • The Eye in the Sky: Colts vs. Seahawks (Week Five)
  • 2014 Free Agent Profiles
    • Josh McCown Free Agent Profile
    • Jason Hatcher Free Agent Profile
    • Jarius Byrd Free Agent Profile
    • T.J. Ward Free Agent Profile
    • Lamarr Houston Free Agent Profile
    • Darrelle Revis Free Agent Profile
    • Eric Decker Free Agent Profile
    • Jared Veldheer Free Agent Profile
    • DeMarcus Ware Free Agent Profile
    • Tyson Jackson Free Agent Profile
    • Jon Asamoah Free Agent Profile
    • Michael Johnson Free Agent Profile
    • Brandon Albert Free Agent Profile
    • Louis Delmas Free Agent Profile
    • Red Bryant Free Agent Profile
    • John Carlson Free Agent Profile
    • D'Qwell Jackson Free Agent Profile
  • BYOB Forums (Bring Your Own Banter)
  • 2014 NFL Free Agency Position Breakdowns
    • 2014 Quarterback Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Running Back Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Fullback Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Wide Receiver Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Tight End Free Agent Rankings
    • 2014 Offensive Tackle Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Offensive Guard Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Offensive Center Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Interior Defensive Lineman Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Edge Player Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Linebacker Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Cornerback Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Safety Free Agent Breakdown
    • 2014 Specialist Free Agent Breakdown
  • 2014 NFL Draft Content
    • 2014 NFL Draft Tiered Prospect Big Board (Top 75)
    • 2014 Tiered Colored Position Board
    • 2014 NFL Draft Tiered Prospect Big Board (Top 32)
    • 2014 NFL Draft Top 10 Quarterback Ranking
    • 2014 NFL Draft Running Back Top 10 Ranking
    • 2014 NFL Mock Draft--Post Free Agency
    • 2014 NFL Mock Draft--Pre Free Agency
    • 2014 NFL Draft Wide Receiver Top 10 Ranking
  • Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down
    • April 27th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • April 13th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • April 6th Sunday Morning Coming Down
    • March 30th Sunday Morning Coming Down
  • 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Seventeen 2013 Power Rankings
    • Week Sixteen 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Fifteen 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Fourteen 2013 NFL Power Rankings
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    • Week Six 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Five 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • Week Four 2013 NFL Power Rankings
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    • Week Two 2013 NFL Power Rankings
    • 2013 Season Preview Edition/Week One
  • 2013 Weekly NFL Previews
    • Super Bowl Preview
    • Playoffs- Conference Championship Round NFL Preview
    • Playoffs- Divisional Round NFL Preview
    • Playoffs- Wildcard Round NFL Preview
    • Week Sixteen NFL Preview
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  • Week in Review 2013
    • Playoffs- Wildcard Round in Review
    • Week Seventeen in Review
    • Week Sixteen in Review
    • Week Fifteen in Review
    • Week Fourteen in Review
    • Week Thirteen in Review
    • Week Twelve in Review
    • Week Eleven in Review
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    • Week Nine in Review
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  • 2013 Team Record Predictions
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  • Rapid Reactions
    • Rapid Reactions Heading into Week Eleven
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  • The 2013 All-Surprise Teams
    • AFC 2013 All-Surprise Team
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  • NFL Player Rankings (2013)
    • Top 10 NFL Quarterback Rankings
    • Top 10 NFL Running Back Rankings
    • Top 10 NFL Wide Receiver Rankings
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Week Sixteen in Review

Sunday and Monday Games:

The Five Major Story Lines
  1. Every single NFC North team lost on Sunday. The Lions officially bowed out of the race by falling to the hapless Giants. Detroit was eliminated from playoff contention and now heads into the final week of the season with major changes likely looming. The Packers lost in dramatic fashion to the Steelers, but remain alive by virtue of their tie. Aaron Rodgers returning next week is by no means a certainty either. The Eagles slaughtered the Bears on Sunday night. It is debatable whether the Bears were just that overmatched or just extremely unprepared. They certainly did not look like a team deserving of a playoff spot. It seems that whatever team comes out of the NFC North is merely going to be a candidate for a quick playoff exit. 
  2. Everything looked set for an epic Dallas collapse, but the Redskins defense had other plans. In the early stages of the second half, the Cowboys looked as if they learned absolutely nothing from their loss last week. However, as the game wore on the Cowboys went back to their running game, and eased the burden on their quarterback. Tony Romo led a clutch fourth quarter that he topped off with a touchdown pass; further contributing to the see-saw nature of the narrative surrounding him. In light of this win, the Cowboys are merely setting up the true dramatic tragedy for next Sunday night when they face the Eagles for the NFC East crown. 
  3. The Panthers and Saints game lived up to the billing. The Panthers dominated the game defensively, but their offense sputtered along almost the entire day. Drew Brees finally broke a touchdown drive through on their ferocious defense and it looked like the Panthers would not be able to regain the lead. Then magic happened. Cam Newton was downright bad the entire game, but flipped the switch with under a minute left in the contest. Newton made three of the best throws you will ever see and took his team down for the game-winning touchdown. It was a huge moment for the quarterback and his entire team, who are now booked for the playoffs. 
  4. In one of the worst games of the day, the Patriots trounced the Ravens. Baltimore’s offense was embarrassing, and most of that falls on their knee brace wearing quarterback. Flacco looked uncomfortable all day, and the Ravens were hopeless to move the ball. The Patriots took care of business and are AFC East champions once again. 
  5. The Browns certainly did not seem interested in playing for anything other than a higher draft pick. The Jets were very impressive in their win over Cleveland. Houston predictably fell to the Broncos, but that was to be expected. The Bills put up a great fight in beating the Dolphins, and even the Giants came to play. Of all the non-playoff teams, only the Vikings were completely humiliated. 

The Best Matchups to Watch
1)    Michael Crabtree vs. Falcons cornerbacks
  • Crabtree, and the entire 49ers offense started pretty slow. However, Crabtree exploded in the second half, finished with over. This was the game that showed Crabtree is back to his old self. A master route runner, Crabtree toyed with the Falcons young corner backs on some deception routes. He also showed his physicality by high pointing passes and breaking tackles after the catch. Crabtree is without a doubt a top ten wideout in the league when healthy and playing this well. 
  • Mike Nolan really used his secondary to confuse Colin Kaepernick. At first glance it looked like the corners were in press man coverage, and that seemed to rattle the 49ers quarterback. Unfortunately the inexperience of the backend players showed itself eventually. Crabtree and Anquan Boldin began to outmuscle and exploit them in the second half. The Falcons put up a great fight in this game, but eventually the better team rose to the top. 
2)    Al Woods vs. Packers offensive line
  • At first look of this game, Al Woods and the Steelers d-line were not nearly as effective as they were week. Eddie Lacy found plenty of room against Pittsburgh’s front. On Lacy’s longer touchdown run the entire Steelers defense looked as if it was washed away against the run. The Steelers were fortunate Lacy had to leave the game at one point, or this outcome may have been different. Woods can still be a promising young player for the Steelers, but this was a setback. 
  • The Packers offensive line is a solid unit, especially inside. Guards Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang are so strong as run blockers, its no wonder Woods did not have the same impact as he did against the Bengals. With a nice interior line and a young powerful running back, the Packers are set up as a dangerous ground team for the next several years. 
3)    Greg Hardy vs. Terron Armstead
  • This one was no contest; Greg Hardy continually got the better of this matchup. Hardy was credited with three sacks on the day, and was wrecking several drives early on in the game. His burst and power were too much for the young rookie tackle at times. Hardy used the same inside move that was sampled in this week’s preview on one of his sacks, and Armstead looked completely lost. Hardy showed why he is one of the best edge rushers in the game by doing exactly what was expected of him today.
  • All that being said, Terron Armstead was not a colossal disaster. Seriously. As was predicted in the preview, when Armstead failed to engage Hardy and get his hands on him, he stood no chance. Armstead had a few positive moments, but his ugly sacks allowed and penalties will justifiably overshadow them. This was as tough a first test there could have been for a rookie offensive tackle, and he will certainly improve going forward. 

Parting Shots
  • What an embarrassing performance by the Dolphins. With the chance to take themselves into the playoffs, they put up a shocking zero points against the Bills. A dreadful offensive performance for the ages. The Bills defensive line threw that Dolphins offensive line around like it was early in the season all over again. Ryan Tannehill finally sustained an injury, which was frankly long overdue behind this line. The Dolphins really should be ashamed of that effort.
  • So the Seahawks are not completely invincible at home? That loss to the Cardinals should remind analysts out there making definitive statements about what is going to happen several weeks in the future, much less in the playoffs, is a great way to make yourself look foolish. The Cardinals are a good team, with a great defense; they even won this game with Carson Palmer throwing interceptions at an alarming rate. Teams with great defensive front sevens like the Panthers, 49ers, or Eagles can absolutely walk into Seattle and get a playoff win. 
  • Kirk Cousins’ laughably bad four and out drive to close out Washington’s loss to Dallas should dispel any notion he can be a high-end starter in this league. He threw several passes to no one at all. When the defense is solely focused on shutting him down, he just does not have the physical tools to overcome. 
  • What happened to the Chiefs today? The Colts had been pretty dull for over a month now, but they obliterated the eleven-win Chiefs. Lets hope they were not taking their foot off the gas in anticipation of playing the Colts again in a few weeks. That strategy hardly ever pays off.
  • The Jets have to be encouraged they got very good games from their much maligned early picks, Geno Smith and Dee Milliner. Milliner shadowed Josh Gordon most of the day and held his own. That not only shows the growth of the young cornerback, but also what this team thinks of the rapidly fading Antonio Cromartie. Smith looked as poised as we have seen him since the win over the Falcons. The players clearly responded to Rex Ryan’s telling them he was likely losing his job. If the Jets do not retain him, it will be a travesty. He would excel as the head coach of the Cowboys or Lions. 
  • If Steve Smith is out for an extended period of time, that is a pretty big hit to an already lackluster Panthers offense. While Smith has not been a stat stuffer this season, his impact is still felt on a team starving for playmakers. At least Newton led the game-winning drive without him, but life without Smith would make the going pretty tough in the playoffs. 
  • The talk out trying to put anyone else other than Peyton Manning into the MVP race is an embarrassment to the sport. No one else holds a candle to Manning right now, and its just that simple.  
  • Three Monday Night Parting Shots:
  1. Harry Douglas is the biggest example of “stats are for losers” we have this year. Douglas is an incredibly inefficient receiver, who is lacking in a number of areas. However, be prepared to be lambasted with talk all offseason about how he really improved this season, all because he topped 1,000 yards. That number is incredibly meaningless nowadays.
  2. Matt Ryan was criticized in last week’s review, but he was quite impressive tonight. The 49ers pass rushers were exploding off the ball on almost every snap, and Ryan’s line did little to stop them. Ryan was masterful in evading them, climbing the pocket and keeping his eyes downfield. Qualities like that give you reason to hope he will be right back to his prior standard, and maybe even better, next year with an improved roster. 
  3. The 49ers offense was so dynamic in the second half, but stinkers like the first thirty minutes of this game make you hesitant to think they can go on another Super Bowl run. Colin Kaepernick looked lost in the first half, and unable to locate open receivers. He also looked very slow and timid as a runner. If Kaepernick is great, this is a championship caliber roster. Will he be great for four games in the postseason? That remains to be seen.
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