NFL 12 week 17 synopsis

This was one of the most exciting week 17s I can remember. Being a Colts fan, I’ve seen a lot of seasons going 10-0, 12-0, 14-0, (0-12 thanks to Curtis Painter). I’ve seen a lot of games with pulled starters. I’ve seen a lot of games in week 17 that did not matter.


Some might say that the Colts had nothing to play for. They would be wrong. They had a lot to play for. They were playing for Chuck. They were playing for pride (Houston has never won in Indy, even when it was one of their two wins). And they were playing for momentum.

Momentum matters in the NFL. That’s why one big play can swing an entire game, allowing for the comebacks that make football so much fun. It also matters in seasons. Don’t believe me?

Ask the Giants, who, with nothing to gain, took it to New England, giving them momentum which they carried through the playoffs to ruin Tom “the Chump” Brady’s perfect season in the Super Bowl.

Or ask Houston. I said early in this season that Houston was unbeatable if they stayed hungry. They sat in first place for so long, they stopped being hungry. Then they lost momentum. Then they lost games. This week, they lost their first round bye.

The Colts came out emotional. Chuck was back on the sideline. That same emotion that boosted them to an amazing comeback against the Packers helped them topple the best team in their division. They had a drive that Greg Gumble summed up well: “nearly perfect.” They kept it up throughout the game for the win.

Is that momentum enough to help them beat the Ravens who will have a returning Ray Lewis and Ed Reed? Only a week will tell.

Rest of the league:
Bears-Lions. Lions end the season as they played the season, barely losing another game.

Steelers-Browns. Browns may have lost, but the fact that the Steelers are out of the playoffs is like a win to them.

Giants-Eagles. Man the Eagles suck. And where were these Giants all season? I still bELIeve in Eli.

Bills-Jets. Coach Ryan, please release Tebow so he can go to a team like Miami and we can get some Tebow Time.

Broncos-Chiefs. Yeah, just in case you were wondering, he’s STILL Peyton Manning. Congrats on first place.

Patriots-Dolphins. Yeah, just in case you were wondering, Tom Brady is STILL a chump.

Vikings-Packers. I’ve always thought AP was overrated. Not this day. He showed how he’s carried the Vikings all season, but was nine yards short of the record. That’s simply incredible.

Redskins-Cowboys. What a way to finish RGIII’s epic year.