Ricky’s Round-Up: NFL’s explosive New Year’s action in five key points
Welcome back to Ricky’s Round-Up, where I rank the top five points from last week’s explosive NFL action. Wishing you all a happy new year, and happy almost playoffs! Let’s get into the action.
#1- Number one rank for the number one team in the NFL- Baltimore baby!
Yes, I know they topped last week’s rankings too, but it’s hard not to when they drop 56 points on the second-best side in the AFC, and Lamar Jackson throws five touchdowns- the ‘Jackson 5’. Miami just did not have an answer for the magician that is Jackson.
The Dolphins started the better side, but it was WR Tyreek Hill, of all people, who dropped a crucial TD throw that really turned the tide. From that point, Todd Monken’s Ravens offence steam rolled through, with play calls that dazzled the Miami defence and left them stumped.
With that the Ravens secured the number one seed in the AFC, and a bye week in the playoffs to allow their players to recuperate before the divisional round. Miami has an all-important clash with Buffalo Bills to decide the winner of the AFC East.
#2- Los Angeles ‘rams’ its way into the playoffs against all odds.
Head coach Sean McVay has worked wonders this year. When the Rams won the Superbowl in 2022, they viewed it as an all or nothing, and as a result gave up a lot of draft capital to secure the best players to win it that year. Many thought that last year’s decline would continue in the same fashion this year.
How wrong we were. They drafted pure gold in WR Puka Nacua for the new campaign, who has been nothing short of incredible in his rookie season. He compliments QB Matthew Stafford and the offence so well, and with Stafford playing some high-class football, the Rams have been by far the biggest surprise this season. Getting RB Kyren Williams back was huge for them as well.
The Rams defeated the New Orleans Saints 30-22 on NYE to get the party started, and will most likely rest Stafford in week 18 ahead of their wildcard round playoff clash in just over a week’s time.
#3- Joe Flacco has still got it as the Cleveland Browns storm into the playoffs.
Flacco is 38 years old and was relaxing on the sofa until mid-November. Yet here he is, having thrown 1616 yards in five games, 13 touchdowns, and propelling the Browns into the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. He has thrown eight interceptions, but no one is perfect.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski has done a marvellous job having lost his starting QB Deshaun Watson midway through the season. I’d argue Flacco has been better than Watson was anyway! Bringing Flacco in was a no-brainer, and it’s baffling as to why the New York Jets let him go, especially when Aaron Rodgers got injured four snaps into the season.
Ironically, it was against the Jets that Flacco and the Browns secured their playoff spot, beating them comprehensively 37-20 after a magnificent first half performance from Flacco. He can take a well-earned break as the Browns will rest their starters this week.
#4- FraudWatch- Q: Who seriously needs some New Year’s Resolutions? A: Philadelphia Eagles!
Speechless. Absolutely speechless. Philly were 10-1 at one point of the season. Since then, they have lost four out of their last five, and important games also. They lost to their conference rivals San Francisco 49ers, their division rivals Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, and now the most shocking of all: the now 4-12 Arizona Cardinals.
Cardinals’ head coach is Jonathan Gannon, who was the defensive co-ordinator of the Eagles last season. There was some bad blood between him and the Philadelphia media during his tenure, and he certainly struck a huge blow to their high playoff aspirations with the victory.
With a last-minute touchdown from Cardinals RB James Connor, the Eagles lost out on the number one NFC seed. They now face an uphill battle to win their own division as the Cowboys took the league based on head-to-head. Shocking stuff.
#5- AFC South set for an incredible showdown in Week 18.
This is why we love the NFL. The final week of the regular season is almost upon us, and as sad as it may be, we’re set for a frantic finish in what is dubbed ‘division week’. Three out of the four teams in the AFC South are in the playoff race for the remaining three playoff spots. All three are 9-7.
Jacksonville Jaguars are in pole position to win the division with the best divisional record, with the Indianapolis Colts just ahead of the Houston Texans due to beating them earlier in the season. Guess what games we have in store:
Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans
Jacksonville may have QB Trevor Lawrence back, which could be crucial. At this point, it is win and you’re through, lose and you’re on the couch.
Time to wrap up the regular season.
I simply cannot wait, and whilst it feels like the season started two minutes ago, it has been magnificent. See you all next week to round up all the mind-blowing action!
