NFL Week 16 Early Thoughts

A few thoughts to ponder on Christmas Eve for week 16 of the NFL...

* For the second straight week, the Patriots make huge adjustments in the 2nd half in order to get past early deficits, this time a 17-0 hole against Miami, to win.  That's what good teams do.

* Here's hoping Adrian Peterson doesn't have the torn ACL that most fear he does.

* Maybe it's time for Rex Ryan and the NY Jets to stop with the bravado. They looked great for the first few minutes in a 7-0 lead over the Giants, only to get blasted 29-14.  The Jets now need to win in Miami next Sunday and hope the Bengals, Titans and Raiders (or Broncos) all lose.  Good luck with that NYJ!

* Speaking of the Giants, they now host the Cowboys in a winner-wins-the NFC-East battle next Sunday night in primetime in NY.

* Congratulations to the Lions, who work their way back into the playoffs with a 38-10 win over the Chargers that should put an end to the Norv Turner era in SD.

* As for the AFC West, it's comes down to the Broncos and the Raiders as Denver gets the title with either a win over the Chiefs or a loss by the Raiders to the Chargers.  For the second straight week, Tim Tebow looked mortally, this time with 4 INT's (2 returned for TD's) in a 40-14 loss to the Bills.

* It comes down to week 17 for the Ravens, Steelers and the AFC North Title. Too bad they're not playing each other since the Ravens already swept the season series.

* Too little, too late for the Eagles.

* The Bengals are still alive! All they have to do now is beat the Ravens to get a playoff spot.

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