Baltimore, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Charlotte get much needed wins. San Diego, Texas, Washington, and Memphis get tough losses as we close in on the final week of the season and the playoff picture gets just a little clearer. The week produces only 1 new berth locked up and one team removed from consideration, but we do start to see some divisions claimed and some positions locked in. We also see a bold move by Coach Jim Mora Jr. pay off as he benches Brandon Wheedon and gets the W that was 7 weeks in coming. Texas drops their 5th in a row, producing our Big Story of the Week and raising concerns about yet another late season swoon for the Outlaws, a pattern they had hoped was a part of history for them. All this, plus an update on free agency, some potential NFL talent available in September, and all the playoff scenarios as we head into the final week. Coming right up.
Texas Wear Down Over Long Road Season
The Texas Outlaws were well aware that their 2016 would be one unlike any in team history, or in league history for that matter. The Memorial Day Weekend tornadoes that devastated San Antonio and destroyed large sections of the Alamodome meant that the Outlaws would have to play all 8 home games outside of the city. The team split games between stadiums in San Marcos, Fort Worth, and Houston. Ongoing issues with the city, the stadium insurers, and within ownership threatened to extend the road trip to several seasons. Then, as the season was just starting, you add to this the discovery that the deal cut between the league, majority owner Red McCombs and an investment group from Oklahoma meant that this would be the team’s last season as the Texas Outlaws before a permanent sale and relocation would move the franchise to Oklahoma City in 2017. That is a lot to process, and all the while playing football at a high level.
But the Outlaws seemed to have found a way to work through the shock, confusion, and uncertainty. They began the season with 5 wins in their first 6 games, and extended the solid play another month, standing at 8-2 after 10 weeks. But the past 5 weeks have shown us that the combination of a grueling USFL season and a lot of distraction and discomfort have taken their toll. Texas has dropped their last 5 games, including 2 games where they were heavy favorites. They lost back-to-back games to Arizona and went 0-4 in their own division over the span. Now, with only 1 game left, they are on the outside of the playoff pool with a key game against the Michigan Panthers which could qualify them for a postseason that seemed almost assured 6 weeks ago. But even that is not guaranteed. The Outlaws will need the right combination of teams to finish at 9-7 in order for them to come out with a Wild Card. Too many tie breakers go against them thanks to the late season swoon and the drop in their own division.
This is not the first time the Texas Outlaws have swooned in the heat of summer, but this one might be the most painful because this was to be a season devoted to their home city as it tries to recover from the disaster of multiple tornado hits. It is also painful because of all the promise the team showed over the season’s opening months. The offense was clicking, Joe Flacco and Marshawn Lynch were complementing each other, with the pass built off the run and the run opened up by teams playing pass defense against deep threats like Marques Colston. Even the defense was looking solid, a rarity for the Outlaws, as they were in the top 10 at the 8 week halfway point of the year. But all that has come crashing down.
The Outlaws have not topped 20 points since Week 10 and have been held below 10 points twice. It does not help that the past 5 games have been played in 5 different stadiums, the toughest stretch of the year for the Outlaws, who seem to spend more time on buses driving across Texas than they do on the practice field. While ownership felt that playing games in 3 different venues gave them the best chance to avoid a financial catastrophe, it seems certain that for the players an entire season at one stadium, even a smaller venue like Texas State’s Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos, would have made this an easier season to complete. With one week left, and yet another road trip, this time to Detroit, Texas has slim playoff hopes. What may be more hopeful for this club is that next year they will indeed have a single home, a new stadium, and a very welcoming fanbase in Oklahoma City. Sure, the uniforms will be very different, the venue and atmosphere will be different, but it will once again be a true home schedule, with home town fans, and stability of a single venue, something that we now can plainly see is a valuable asset.
LOS ANGELES EXPRESS 27 SAN DIEGO THUNDER 24
The Express continue to impress, winning their 6th game in a row, a huge victory in San Diego, losers now of their last two, and flipping the division race on its head. LA now takes over the lead and can lock up the Pacific with a Week 16 victory as the win over the Thunder gives them the tiebreaker. San Diego has lost to Oakland and Los Angeles in consecutive weeks, turning a 2-game lead in the division into a tie with the Express and a need for help if they want to win the Division.
This one was a back-and-forth affair, with the lead changing hands 5 times over the course of the game, a battle of two teams both hoping to defy expectations and take home the Pacific title. LA started strong with an opening drive that went 12 plays and ended with Regie Bush taking a pitch off the left side and squirting through the defense to reach the endzone. San Diego responded on the next drive but were forced to settle for a field goal after getting stuffed on 3rd and goal with a sack at the 9 yard line.
LA added a field goal at the start of the second, ending a short drive that started with a pick of Joe Webb. San Diego would then equal the scoreboard at 10 with their best drive of the first half. Webb atoned for his pick with a nice TD strike to Chad Johnson as the Thunder marched down field in only 8 plays.
With the score tied up at the half, LA shut down San Diego’s first drive and then put themselves in range for Dan Bailey to connect from 42 yards out. Down 3, San Diego proved they were very much fighting in this game, mounting a 16-play drive, that took nearly 8 minutes, helped by a pair of defensive holding calls, before Ryan Williams plunged in from the 1. Williams would have only 54 yards on the day, but this one gave San Diego a 17-13 lead.
That lead would not last the quarter as LA responded with a drive of their own. The big play on the drive came as a San Diego lineman jumped offsides, giving Sam Bradford a free play. He took the shot on a deep ball to Roddy White, connecting with the receiver for 45 yards and putting LA in the red zone. From there Paul Perkins would get the touchdown, ending the drive with a leap over the pile form the 1. LA retook the lead at the end of 3, 20-17.
The game continued to go back and forth in the final quarter. After a pair of short possessions yielding no results, San Diego again found their groove, mounting a short 7-play drive that included a 30-yard completion to Chad Johnson and a nice 12-yard play on 3rd and 10, with Joe Webb eluding pressure and finding Nick Toon with the needed yardage. The drive ended with Ryan Williams earning his 2nd TD of the day, this time from the 2. Our fourth lead change of the day saw San Diego go up 24-20 with 7:40 left to play.
LA would take the ball at the 20 after the touchback kickoff. It would take them nearly 5 minutes and 11 plays, but they would again turn the scoreboard in their favor. On a 2nd and 8 from the 12, Sam Bradford was caught behind the line by Tye Smith of the Thunder, forcing a 3rd and 14 at the Thunder 18. With a field goal being of no use to the Express, they dialed up a man-beating play. San Diego, as expected, brought pressure, with Shantee Orr blitzing from the right side. The line picked up the blitz, giving Sam Bradford time to find Demaryius Thomas with the 18-yard TD pass, his biggest catch of the season since coming over from Atlanta. With just 1:47 left on the clock, LA had retaken the lead by a score of 27-24.
San Diego had 2 time outs and needed only a field goal to send the game to overtime. But carelessness cost them right away. With two players in motion at the time of the snap, they got called for illegal motion. That 5-yard penalty meant they had 15 yards for a first down. In 4 plays they would make only 11 of those 15, failing on 4th down and turning the ball over to Los Angeles. Sam Bradford handed off to Reggie Bush on the first LA play and his 8-yard run made it possible for LA to earn an easy 1st down on the next play and then take a knee as San Diego had no more timeouts to use.
With the win, LA equalized records with the Thunder at 10-5. The win also gave LA the tiebreaker over the Thunder with an 8-4 conference record (the 3rd tiebreaker). That means that if the Express can go into Seattle and win a 7th in a row by knocking off the 3-12 Dragons, they claim the division and the 2 seed, giving them a bye before their playoffs begin. San Diego is assured a playoff spot but need to defeat Portland at home and get help from the Dragons if they want the 2 seed, the bye, and the division title.
CHARLOTTE 26 ORLANDO 21
The Monarchs’ backs were against the wall, and they came out swinging. Orlando, having already clinched the division, were not as sharp, and with Calais Campbell sitting this one out, it gave the Monarchs a chance and they took it. Tyler Thigpen used play action based on a strong run game from Adrian Peterson (55 Yds, 2 TD) and Taiwan Jones (88 yds) to edge the Renegades and stay alive in the Wild Card hunt. Russell Wilson accounted for all 3 Orlando scores (2 passing, 1 rushing) but Charlotte got the W it needed.
POTG: Charlotte DE Chandler Jones: 6 Tck, 2 TFL, 1 Sck
MEMPHIS 14 PHILADELPHIA 38
The Stars were another team with their playoff hopes on life support and they responded in a big way, an impressive win over the 11-3 Showboats. Derrick Henry rushed for 100 yards and 2 scores as Matt Gutierrez connected with Ronald Johnson for 2 more. The defense also came through, holding Todd Gurley to 50 yards rushing and stopping Memphis on 11 of 13 third down tries. The Stars still need help, but this win was a big step in the right direction.
POTG: Stars’ HB Derrick Henry: 17 Att, 100 Yds, 2 TD
HOUSTON 31 WASHINGTON 28
The Gamblers take a 1-game lead in the Central and damage Washington’s playoff hopes with a slim 3-opoint victory in DC. Houston got 3TD runs from Carlos Hyde, despite the back being held to only 30 yards rushing on the day. Mike Evans caught 4 for 116, and the Houston defense picked off David Garrard twice to help Houston get the road W. Washington outgained Houston 486-325 but needed 2 scores in the final quarter and could not get them both.
POTG: Houston SS Kenny Vaccaro: 7 Tck, 1 Int
OAKLAND 27 PORTLAND 10
The Invaders took care of business in Portland, keeping them in the Top 7 in the West and one win away from a Wild Card berth. Donald Brown had a big game, rushing for 121 and 2 scores against the Stag defense. Oakland’s D picked off Marcus Mariota twice and forced a Felix Jones fumble to help secure the needed win. Oakland now controls their destiny with 1 more win locking up a playoff berth.
POTG: Invader CB Eric Wright: 4 Tck, 2 Int
NEW ORLEANS 27 SEATTLE 13
The Breakers also stay in Wild Card position with a road win on the Pacific Coast. Two TDs from backup HB Jawan Jamison and a Randall Gay pick six help New Orleans outpace the offensively challenged Dragons. Seattle had a 10-0 lead after 1 quarter but would only score 3 more points the entire game as New Orleans’s defense clamped down.
POTG: Breaker CB Randall Gay: 4 Tck, 1 Int, 1 Def TD, 1 FF
ARIZONA 21 BALTIMORE 28
The Wranglers rest David Carr and that gave Baltimore a chance for a much-needed W. The Blitz responded with Big Ben throwing for 344 yards and 3 scores. With Darrius Heyward-Bey also sidelined, Brian Hartline stepped up with 4 receptions for 112 yards and a score. Anthony Dixon added a late TD to help the Blitz stay in Wild Card position at 9-6.
POTG: Blitz QB Ben Roethlisberger: 21/36, 344 Yds, 3 TD, 1 Int
PITTSBURGH 7 NEW JERSEY 36
No team is looking more primed for the postseason than the upstart New Jersey Generals as they obliterate Pittsburgh on their way to an impressive 11th win. Maurice Jones-Drew was held under 100 yards 977) but had 3 scores. OBJ caught 6 for 123 and Ka’imi Fairbairn set a league record with 4 field goals in 1 quarter as the Generals and DE Aaron Kampman simply obliterated rookie Kevin Hogan (7 sacks) and the Mauler offense.
POTG: Generals’ DE Aaron Kampman: 8 Tck, 5 Sck, 1 FR
TAMPA BAY 10 ATLANTA 16
Atlanta moves from the 2nd overall draft pick to 3rd, flipping spots with Tampa Bay after beating the Bandits for their 4th win. Only 18,010 showed up at the Georgia Dome for this battle of disappointing squads. Those who were there saw HB LeRon McClain rush for 118 yards, well outpacing the entire Bandit team, which gained only 27 yards on the ground.
POTG: Atlanta HB LeRon McClain: 16 Att, 118 Yds.
JACKSONVILLE 17 BIRMINGHAM 27
The Stallions avoid a 10th loss, giving it to Jacksonville with a solid outing from Cam Newton and Amari Cooper. Adrian McPherson continued to struggle for the Bulls as Jacksonville was outgained 407-213 on the day. Sean Lee was the one bright spot for the Bulls, racking up 13 tackles and a pick on the day.
POTG: Stallion QB Cam Newton: 18/27, 337 Yds, 2 TD, 2 Int
ST. LOUIS 10 CHICAGO 27
The Machine stayed in range to win the Central if Michigan stumbles, knocking off a deflated Skyhawk squad. Doug Martin took the lead in the Machine backfield, rushing 22 times for 107 yards and 2 scores, while Ryan Fitzpatrick went 17 of 25 for 154 and 2 more scores as Chicago rolled. Jordy Nelson, perhaps auditioning for free agency, had 5 catches for 113 yards, the only Skyhawk showing any drive on the day.
POTG: Chicago HB Doug Martin: 22 Att, 107 Yds, 2 TDs
DALLAS 28 LAS VEGAS 20
A well-played game considering neither team has anything to play for. Johnny Manziel throws for 4 TDs and 319 yards, connecting for scores with 4 different receivers. Vipers kick returner Lance Moore had a moment in the sun as well, returning a kickoff 101 yards to keep the Vipers in the game. But, in the end, with Dallas outgaining the Vipers by over 100 yards, Dallas takes home the win and moves to 6-9 on the year.
POTG: Roughneck QB Johnny Manziel: 27/35, 319 Yds, 4 TD, 1 Int
TEXAS 20 DENVER 23
The Outlaws lose their 5th in a row, a spiral that has removed them from the playoff field and risks being classified as one of their biggest late season swoons ever. Denver takes the game with a 4th quarter Jamaal Charles TD run and is now in a position to make the postseason with a bit of help. Texas outgained the Gold 424-216 but suffered 2 big turnovers and failed on a key 4th down play, giving the Gold just enough advantage to pull out the game and send Texas to 8-7 on the season.
POTG: Denver DE Von Miller: 3 Tck, 2 Sck, 1 FF
MICHIGAN 34 OHIO 20
The Panthers shore up their shot at the Central Division and remove Ohio from playoff contention with a road win in Columbus. Ohio led 20-10 after 3 quarters but Michigan exploded for 24 points in the final period as Odell Thurman’s 45-yard pick six of Brock Osweiler sparked a huge quarter. Kirk Cousins would then connect with TE Rob Housler and LeVeon Bell would finalize the Panther victory with a late TD run to dishearten the Ohio fans and players.
POTG: Panther LB Odell Thurman: 7 Tck, 1 Int, 1 Def TD
Express the New Hot Ticket in LA
The Express clinched a playoff spot on the road this week and can clinch the 2 seed next week with a win in Seattle, but what may be more surprising is that the Express have turned a jaded LA fanbase into an enthusiastic one. After years of middling attendance numbers, LA had nearly 50,000 on hand at Farmers Insurance Field for their final home game against Texas in Week 14, and the calls have been coming in for playoff tickets even before the playoff situation for the Express has been decided.
Call it a fickle LA fanbase, or just a lot of bandwagon jumping, but the Express’s success, particularly their 6-game win streak, and a shot at the division title, seems to have hit LA right were it counts, turning the Express into a team fans want to watch. Can the Express extend this fan interest into next year? Can they capitalize on a good season, and perhaps the star power of Reggie Bush and Sam Bradford to expand their season ticket base? That is the hope of course, as ownership would love nothing more than to see the Express move out of the bottom 7 in ticket sales.
We all know that LA is a tough town for sports franchises, especially related to attendance. With 2 NBA clubs, 2 NHL clubs (we are counting Anaheim), and 2 MLB clubs (again counting Anaheim), the LA market has a lot of competition, especially in the spring, when weather also plays a factor. The NFL Raiders had better luck, largely due to their unique history and culture, but the Express have always struggled to compete with the Dodgers, Lakers, and everything else the city has to offer.
The 2016 season has been a surprise, and a very good one for LA and its football fans, and it seems that the fanbase is responding as they rarely do, with honest enthusiasm for their team. It is a development the league has to be happy with and one we know is music to the ears of the Express ownership, who are looking to expand by adding new minority owners this year. For them the timing of the Express’s win streak and playoff run could not have come at a better time.
Chicagoans Rooting for Outlaws This Week
As a general rule, Chicagoans have little love for Texans, who they view as brash and boastful, but this week at least there is one set of Texans who will be getting the full support of Chicago’s football fanbase, the Texas Outlaws. The Outlaws finish their season with a road game in Michigan, and an upset win by the visitors will give Chicago a legitimate shot at winning the Central Division, only 1 year after finishing the 2015 season with the worst record in the league.
Chicago has to do their part of course, defeating the Stars in Philadelphia, no easy task since Philly’s playoff hopes also depend on a win at home, but even with a victory in Philadelphia, Chicago needs help to capture the Central. They need Texas to snap their losing streak and get a W in Michigan. Seems a big ask, and perhaps the Machine faithful should focus on rooting for their team on the road in a tough environment, but they will have their attention split. As Chicago is playing the Stars, the scoreboard will be getting a lot of attention as the Texas-Michigan game occurs simultaneously. That is the magic of Week 16 scheduling, where the league tries to align gametimes to maximize drama. That drama will certainly be there if Texas can muster one more win this year and if Chicago is caught up in a tight game with the equally desperate Stars.
Can a 10-Loss Team Play Spoiler
There is often little a coach can do to motivate a team that is already eliminated from the playoffs, especially a 10-loss team that may well be seeing a change of coach at the season’s conclusion. One of the few options is to push the players to play with pride and play the spoiler. We have 5 games this week where a 10-loss team could impact the playoff picture by doing just that. History shows us that at least one of these 5 teams will come up big and crush the playoff dreams of their opponent. The hard part is figuring out who it will be. Who has the drive to play spoiler this week?
ATL @ DEN: The Gold need a win and some help to squeak into the playoffs, but they have to take care of the 4-11 Atlanta Fire first. Atlanta fans are likely split on their desire for the Fire to win a 2nd game in a row. Every win at this point takes them further and further down the draft list and reduces their leverage in trying to negotiate with another team to land a T-Draft pick that will bring a new QB to town. It is expected that Coach Ramsey will not be with the team in one week’s time, so it is hard to envision how or why the Fire would pull off the upset with Denver, especially on the road.
LA @ SEA: The Express are already in the playoffs, so there is no pressure there, but a win gives LA the Pacific title. Seattle is a division rival, and likely a very bitter one as it seems LA has the storyline this year that the Dragons expected to hold. Coach Mitchell is on the edge and could potentially make a case for another season if he can both win this game and show that he is developing rookie QB Jacoby Brissett. LA is clearly the better team, but we expect Seattle to put the effort in, especially at home, to play spoiler.
STL @ WSH: The Federals need a win and help to make the postseason. St. Louis “earns” the 1st overall pick in the 2017 USFL draft with a loss, so is there really motivation for the Skyhawks to put in the work to upset Washington at home? We are not even sure Josh Freeman will play, and Ricky Stanzi has struggled in his recent starts. Washington will be motivated because they see potential in a loss from either Baltimore or New Orleans as a gateway to a playoff spot. Hard to see a St. Louis victory here.
POR @ SD: San Diego has lost two straight division games. They need to defeat the Stags at home in Snapdragon Stadium and hope Seattle pulls off the upset of LA. Portland coach Pep Hamilton does not appear to be in the hot seat despite a disappointing 2nd season, so there may not be much pressure on him, but that lack of pressure, paired with the intense pressure San Diego must be feeling to not fritter away the division and enter the playoffs on a 3-game losing streak could well play into Portland’s hands.
PIT @ BAL: The Maulers have nothing to play for except pride. The Blitz have everything to play for, with a victory getting them a Wild Card ticket. So, will the Maulers rise up and give the Blitz a nasty parting gift? Or will a flat Mauler team be easy prey for the Blitz? If Andy Dalton were starting we would likely give Pittsburgh a fair chance to play spoiler, but with Dalton out with a knee injury, we think Baltimore has every advantage in this one, both on a talent level and a motivational level.
With 5 playoff spots still unclaimed and 3 divisions yet to have been decided, there is a lot on the line for Week 16. We will run down the situation in each conference along with the best and worst case scenarios for each team, starting in the East.
HOUSTON (12-3)
The Gamblers are assured of a playoff spot, but could still lose the division. A win and they are division champions. A loss plus a Memphis win over Charlotte and the Gamblers drop down to the 4 spot, hosting a Wild Card game against the 5 seed.
NEW JERSEY (11-4)
Even with a win and losses by Houston and Memphis, the Generals cannot claim the 1 spot. They stil lose the tiebreaker to the Gamblers, so New Jersey is locked into the 2 spot and their game against New Orleans may well be a time to rest some starters.
ORLANDO (9-6)
The Renegades are locked into the 3 seed and will play the 6 seed next week. They face Las Vegas at home this week and Coach Fox has said they will play their starters in an effort to build momentum leading into the Wild Card playoffs.
MEMPHIS (11-4)
The Showboats will finish no worse than 4th, but they are hoping for a Houston loss and a win over Charlotte to propel them to the 1 seed.
BALTIMORE (9-6)
A win and they are in as the 5 seed. A loss and they are at risk, with New Orleans, and Charlotte as potential teams that could leapfrog them and cut them out of the playoffs.
NEW ORLEANS (9-6)
The Breakers control their own destiny. They may well face a lot of backups in New Jersey, which is just fine with them. Win and they are in, a win and a loss by Baltimore and they move from the 6 slot up to 5th. But a loss and they could well drop out of the playoffs.
WASHINGTON (8-7)
The Federals need to win this week, and they need a significant amount of help due to the better division record of the Blitz and the better conference record of the Breakers.
PHILADELPHIA (8-7)
The Stars are in some trouble due to a 2-6 division record. They would land behind Baltimore and Washington in the standings if all three were to finish at 9-7, and that does not bode well for them.
CHARLOTTE (8-7)
A win over Memphis and losses by either Baltimore or New Orleans could catapult the Monarchs right back into the playoffs, despite their nasty losing streak. It seems unlikely, but if they can beat Memphis, their odds are better than either Washington’s or Baltimore’s.
ARIZONA (12-3)
The Wranglers have the 1 seed all locked up and the only question is if Coach Tomsula wants David Carr to get some snaps ahead of the bye week, because he has been out the past 2 weeks and you don’t want a rusty QB in a divisional playoff.
LOS ANGELES (10-5)
Win and you get the division and the bye week as the 2nd seed. That is a lot to play for. Lose and they could slip all the way to the 6th seed if all the games go against them. That would be a huge step down, so expect LA to be very motivated this week.
MICHIGAN (9-6)
A win gets them the Central Division, regardless of the Chicago-Philadelphia result. A win plus losses by both LA and San Diego is unlikely, but if it happens, Michigan gets the 2-seed and a bye. A loss and Michigan could drop to the 6 seed, with only a very minute chance of being ousted from the playoffs altogether.
SAN DIEGO (10-5)
The Thunder need a win and an LA loss to reclaim the Pacific Division title and a bye as the 2 seed. A loss, however unlikely, would drop them even further down the Wild Card ranks.
OAKLAND (9-6)
The Invaders cannot win the division, but they can improve to the 4 seed with a win and a San Diego loss. A loss and it is possible, though unlikely, that they would be removed from playoff contention. Their stronger conference record helps, but in a 1-v-1 matchup of 9-7 teams they could lose the tiebreaker of head-to-head.
CHICAGO (9-6)
Chicago’s situation is feast or famine. Win and they are in. Win and have Michigan lose and they also claim the Central. Lose and they could face the same head-to-head issues as Oakland and that could remove them from playoff contention.
TEXAS (8-7)
Due to Tiebreakers, the Outlaws only hope is to defeat Michigan at Ford Field and hope that they end up in a 1-v-1 matchup with the Panthers for the final playoff spot. That win this week would be the tiebreaker that gives the Outlaws the win.
DENVER (8-7)
Defeat Atlanta and they have a shot, but their shot, due to a worse conference record, depends on head-to-head. Denver has defeated Michigan, so just like Texas, their only real scenario is to end up with a tie at 9-6 with the Panthers for the final spot. Anything else and they are out. That means Denver actually has to root for Texas, and hope the Invaders also win, so that they are not included in the mix. It is complicated, but let’s just say the odds are against the Gold this time.
With only 1 week left teams who have players injured often add them to IR just so that they have room to bring up some practice squad guys, which is what we are seeing in several cases. The one exception is Jerrel Jernigan in Michigan, where the reserve receiver is truly lost to a PCL tear even if Michigan were to go on a long playoff run. Several other teams are likely to have their dinged up veterans sit out the finale, particularly teams whose playoff position is set or who are already eliminated from contention.
OUT
WR Andre Caldwell JAX Back IR
WR Jerrel Jernigan MGN PCL IR
FB LeRon McClain ARZ Quad IR
OT David Bakhtiari DEN Arm 2-4 Weeks
TE Hunter Henry BIR Hand 2-4 Weeks
SS Troy Polamalu ARZ Concussion 1-2 Weeks
LB Channing Crowder POR Groin 1-2 Weeks
DOUBTFUL
FS Earl Thomas ATL Thigh
LB Melvin Ingram DAL Neck
SS DaJuan Morgan LA Hamstring
DE Kony Ealy STL Thigh
QUESTIONABLE
DT Fili Moala SD Concussion
Agents Are Open About Their Players Looking to Join Marketplace
It may anger fans to have star players openly announce that they are going to test the free agent waters and get the best deal they can, rather than retaining loyalty to their current club, but that is the way of the football business, and it certainly is a business. Over the past few weeks, as teams draw closer to the end of the season and the end of the resigning period, tension has been high as it seems several star players are interested in exploring their options. What has made this worse, at least in the eyes of local fans, is that the player agents are not staying tight lipped about this.
Just in the past 2 weeks we have learned of several outstanding players who are very much open to moving on from their current teams. We knew about Eli Manning already, having not taken the signing of Paxton Lynch as a good sign for his future in Memphis. And, of course, we have seen the signs for Byron Leftwich’s departure from Seattle, but they are hardly alone in feeling that their own best interests are served by putting their names in the hat for free agent consideration. Among those who have all but come out and said that they plan to test the waters are wideouts Keenan Allen (OAK) and Roy Williams (HOU), both on teams currently slated for the playoffs. The same can be said for Orlando DT Albert Haynesworth, who seems eager to see if he can parlay the success of the Renegade D-line into a personal windfall.
Add to these names some veterans who feel that their teams are unlikely to sign them to shorter-term end-of-career deals, players like Denver LB Shawne Merriman, Philadelphia LB Terrell Suggs, and Arizona DT Glenn Dorsey. We could also see New Orleans safety Mike Doss, Dallas safety Will Allen, and Ohio DT Tommy Harris take this route. Of course there are others where it is the team, and not the player, who seem to be heading in a new direction. This is the case with Leftwich in Seattle, and quite possibly Brock Osweiler in Ohio, but it is also the case for HB Chris Johnson in Tampa Bay, WR Austin Pettis in Chicago, and HB Ben Tate in Houston. They are all solid players, but their asking prices may not be aligned with their current roles. There will be more free agents, of course, but when starting players, particularly on playoff bound teams, openly admit that they are going to test the waters, it tends to be a big deal, especially for fans that worry that the players may not give 100% to the team if they are preoccupied with their market value after the season is over.
Five NFL Players Still Unsigned as Mini-camps Conclude
It is “voluntary” camp season in the NFL and despite the league’s free agency period being in its 4th month, there remain several player who may well be delaying a decision until the USFL-NFL transfer window opens in early September, just as the NFL season kicks off. It is a risky move, but there are several players every year who may feel that the NFL offers they are receiving are below their market value and are willing to bet that the USFL will see value in them, or at least provide enough pressure that NFL clubs will up the ante to match them. We looked at the somewhat smallish pool of talent that remains unsigned and we think we can identify 5 players who are almost certainly delaying a decision in hopes of a more lucrative deal, or a better team fit, by holding out for the USFL to get a shot to enter the discussion. These five could well be of interest to USFL clubs in the next 2 months.
QB E. J. Manuel (Buffalo)
Following a promising rookie year in which he started 10 games and threw for nearly 2,000 yards, E. J. Manuel’s health and productivity have taken major hits the past two years, producing the label of “draft bust” and leaving him unsigned after his rookie contract expired. He has gotten a couple of nibbles from NFL teams, including the Raiders and Chiefs, but no signing as of yet. Can a USFL club see his potential and consider a reclamation project?
WR Terrance Williams (Dallas)
A solid contributor for the Cowboys, Williams has been unhappy with his role in Dallas and is hoping to land a primary receiver gig, which may explain why he is still unsigned. Williams, at this stage, is almost certainly hoping that a USFL team will make a better offer than the Cowboys or other NFL clubs have made to date.
OT Luke Joeckel (Jacksonville)
The number one overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, Joeckel has not panned out as the Jaguars wanted. A left tackle at A&M, he began at right tackle in the NFL, switching over to left tackle only last season, where he started 14 games. Just weeks ago, Jacksonville announced they would not pick up the 4th year option on his rookie deal, making him a free agent at that time. The Jags say they want to resign him as a guard, but Joeckel would prefer to play tackle, and could look at the USFL as his best shot to do so.
DE Darryl Tapp (Lions)
A 10-year veteran of the NFL, Tapp played for Seattle from 2006-20008, then spent 3 years in Philadelphia, before bouncing around on several 1- and 2-year deals. In 2015 he started only 1 game for Detroit, but appeared in all 16 games as a swing linebacker. He could find a home in the USFL for a team looking to add depth and experience.
S Rafael Bush (Saints)
Another veteran defender, Bush had his best years in 2013 and 2014. Injuries forced him to miss most of the 2015 season with New Orleans. He was not resigned this offseason and is still looking for a home. There has been interest shown by a few NFL teams, so the fact that he remains unsigned either indicates that there remain health concerns or that he is hoping the USFL will provide a better landing spot.
Here is your Week 16 lineup, with its unique Saturday-Sunday lineup of games, designed to avoid teams knowing their playoff position before they play. Lot’s of scoreboard watching is likely this weekend, which could lead to some serious drama. We give you the playoff impact of each game as we outline the schedule for you. Teams with a chance for a playoff spot, but not one guaranteed will be indicated in bold font. Enjoy.
Saturday @ 12 PM Tampa Bay (3-12) @ Jacksonville (5-10) ESPN
No playoff implications
Saturday @ 12 PM Las Vegas (6-9) @ Orlando (9-6) ABC
No playoff implications. Orlando is locked into 3rd seed in East.
Saturday @ 4 PM Atlanta (4-11) @ Denver (8-7) FOX
Denver needs a win + help to earn a Wild Card
Saturday @ 4 PM Dallas (6-9) @ Arizona (12-3) ABC
No playoff implications. Arizona is locked into 1st seed in West
Saturday @ 4 PM Pittsburgh (5-10) @ Baltimore (9-6) FOX
Baltimore clinches a Wild Card with a Win.
Saturday @ 8 PM Chicago (9-6) @ Philadelphia (8-7) NBC
A Chicago win locks up a Wild Card. A win + Michigan loss = Division.
Philadelphia needs a win + help to earn a Wild Card.
Saturday @ 8 PM Texas (8-7) @ Michigan (9-6) ESPN/EFN
Texas needs a win + help to earn a Wild Card. Michigan wins the Central with a win.
Sunday @ 12 PM St. Louis (2-13) @ Washington (8-7) NBC
Washington needs a win + help to earn a Wild Card.
Sunday @ 12 PM Oakland (9-6) @ Ohio (7-8) ABC
Oakland earns a Wild Card with a Win.
Sunday @ 12 PM New Orleans (9-6) @ New Jersey (11-4) FOX
New Orleans earns a Wild Card with a win. New Jersey is locked into 2nd seed in East.
Sunday @ 4 PM Charlotte (8-7) @ Memphis (11-4) ABC
Charlotte needs a win + help for a Wild Card. Memphis is locked into the 4 seed in the East.
Sunday @ 4 PM Houston (12-3) @ Birmingham (6-9) FOX
Houston is locked into the 1 seed in the East
Sunday @ 8 PM Los Angeles (10-5) @ Seattle (3-12) NBC
A win and Los Angeles is the 2 seed and the Pacific Champion.
Sunday @ 8 PM Portland (3-12) @ San Diego (10-5) ESPN/EFN
A win + LA loss and San Diego is the 2 seed and the Pacific Champion.
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