Top 10 Takeaways from week 16 of the 2022 NFL season

What did we learn

1) Tom Brady is still the GOAT, at least at the end of close games

After taking a 10-point lead in quarter four, the Cardinals were able to score a touchdown drive in under two minutes. Then classic Brady emerged from three-quarters of poor play. After a Tampa touchdown drive that took less than two minutes, the Cardinals could score again, with a field goal. In overtime, the Cardinals’ QB Trace McSorley couldn’t make more than one first down on their first possession. Arizona then handed the ball to Brady, who had plenty of time and the chance to win with any score. Brady didn’t falter and completed all six passes for 69 yards, setting up kicker Ryan Succop to win the game with a 40-yard field goal. If the Bucs can get a little healthier, they could be a dangerous out with Brady at the helm, but it’s more than likely they will be one and done.

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2) Tua Tagovailoa is the problem in Miami

Tua Tagovailoa’s three fourth-quarter INTs were the most memorable storyline in a disappointing home loss. Tagovailoa made those picks on the Dolphins’ final three possessions, which included a poorly underthrown pass on his last throw that sealed the win. The Packers converted those points into points during a string of 13 unanswered second-half drives. Tua is a good quarterback when the first option is open; when it’s not, and he needs to go through his progression, he becomes increasingly worse. The coaching in Miami is not up to par, either.

3) Nick Bosa will be the DPOY

While we greatly respect Dallas’ Micah Parsons, Bosa will likely be the frontrunner to win Defensive Player Of The Year following Saturday’s victory over the Commanders. Bosa was able to score two sacks as well as a crucial fourth-down stop during a game in which the defense was dominant. Bosa now has 17.5 sacks and is almost impossible to block. The 49ers defense is why they have to be one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl. Check out the top football odds.

4) Gardner Minshew should start somewhere next season

You can’t blame Minshew for the Eagles’ loss on Saturday, as he led the Eagles to 34 points and played well. With all of the teams that need a starting quarterback Minshew should be able to fit in somewhere.

Minshew Mania once again showed his skill in timely completions, and he was able to throw a few excellent passes to deceive opponents into converting crucial third downs. Philadelphia was 8-14 in such situations. Minshew converted three third downs on one drive, the last being a touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith, who also had a fantastic day. Minshew did throw two interceptions, but the Eagles did not lose this game due to him.

5) The Buffalo Bills find a run game

Josh Allen had issues in the windy city on Saturday, but it did not matter as the Bills cranked up the run game. The rushing attack was hot enough to win a big victory. Buffalo ran for 254 yards in 31 attempts, with three ground scores. One of the concerns with the Bills was a lack of a significant run game, on Saturday the run game won them the game. The question has to be, was this a by-product of a bad Bears defense or something that we will see in the future? We should get an answer next Monday night as the Bills will travel to Cincinnati to play the red-hot Bengals who excel against the run.

6) The Carolina Panthers rush into playoff contention

Coach Wilks has done an outstanding job with this team, and he should be rewarded at the end of the season. The Panthers were left for dead weeks ago, and now they find themselves just one game back of the Bucs with two games to go. The ability to run the ball is what makes this team difficult to play, as they have transformed into a tough physical, smash-mouth team. Carolina blitzed the Lions’ already suspect defense for 325 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Carolina controlled this fast-paced, frigid game and set the franchise’s record for most rushing yards.

7) Bengals lose Collins, will the Offensive line once again be the downfall

The Bengals offensive line had look improved over the last month as they had seemingly jelled. Now they have lost their starting Left Tackle, La’el Collins, who was injured on Saturday. Now the line is still better than last season, but with the loss of Collins and no real backup to replace him, what will the Bengals do? This Bengals team is deep everywhere, but the offensive line and have lost players during the season and had the next man up keep it rolling. Can they find a way to do it yet again? Check out the top football betting strategies.

8) Kevin Stefanski is on the hot seat in Cleveland

This season has seen a lot of questionable decisions by the Browns’ play-caller and coach. Saturday was no exception. The offense of Cleveland fell apart after taking a 10-0 lead. Watson’s pass catchers were prone to dropping well-placed passes, especially on the Browns’ last drive. Stefanski called two passes on third and 2 and fourth and 2 in a game that was played with wind gusts over 20 mph. The Browns should have more wins than this, as they are solid on the offensive line, and the defensive line is very good.

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9) The Zac Wilson experiment needs to end

Quarterback play is why the New York Jets will not make the playoffs. It’s sad when you draft a quarterback in the first round and what he will be remembered for the most is sleeping with his mom’s friend. Wilson does not have the skillset or the mentality to be an NFL quarterback; he is so bad that he reminds me of Akili Smith and JaMarcus Russell.

10) Added playoff teams are not good

I know it brings excitement that all of these under .500 teams have a shot at the playoffs, right? Wrong! This hurts the playoffs adding teams that should have no business even thinking about the playoffs. We could have two or even three teams with losing records make the playoffs this season, and if it doesn’t happen this year, it will happen soon. The Playoffs are watered down and it looks more like the NHL or NBA playoffs.