It was a great NFL season that ended with the Patriots going 16-0 in the regular season for the first time in history (for a 16 game schedule). It didn’t hurt being in a division that held no other teams with a winning record but then again, there were ten other chances for someone – anyone – to be the Patriots. Now they head onto undisputable NFL history if they can just come up with three more wins before it is all over. It’s like the NFL channel commercial asks – “what comes after dynasty?” The Patriots take a two week break now just to accommodate all the media requests to interview Tom Brady.

The Colts end the season still a bit scary to the rest of the AFC. Harrison is expected back for the playoffs and could add a “new” dimension to the offense. The AFC still looks like it will come down to the old IND vs. NE again and this time it’ll be outside in likely bad weather. But both teams cool their heels for a week to see who they will host.

The AFC North was won by the Steelers that have the look of a team that peaked too early and then lost their starting running back. They actually ended up with the same 10-6 record as the Browns but took the division thanks to a tie breaker. In the end, the Pittsburgh defense is still quite good but perhaps one step backwards from previous seasons. The problem for the Steelers is that they will be hosting the Jaguars in round one and one of the commentators on Sunday said it well – “the Jaguars are the new Steelers”. That’s appropriate in all facets of the game. The Jaguars are playing great defense, rushing well and even passing well. They actually look more complete than many playoff teams including the Steelers.

The AFC West was won by the Chargers who have been improving as the season goes until they are very close to the awesome unit that blew it in the game against the Pats last year. They get to host the Titans who are not only the #6 seed, but look very much like the weakest team in the conference. Add in Vince Young having quadriceps problems again and we likely get to see the Chargers visit the Patriots in week two for what should be a Patriots win filled with fights and bad feelings.

The Packers and Cowboys head into their bye weeks but the Packers look more solid with the #2 seed than the Cowboys who have struggled in recent weeks and got blown out in Washington. All Marion Barber needed was 18 yards to top 1000 for the season. He ran six times for a net six yard loss. It was only one meaningless game and realistically, the Cowboys were on the road and facing a team that was fighting for the final wildcard spot, but Dallas will need both weeks to figure out how to fire up and rediscover their swagger. The Packers get two week off to make sure Ryan Grant is healthy.

The Seahawks host the Redskins on Saturday and may be getting more than they could handle if recent history serves. Seattle is usually very good at home and well versed in recent playoff experience but the Skins are playing emotional and they are peaking at the right time. That should be a really good game. The Seahawks may think Alexander is getting back into form but the Skins defense has really kicked it up a notch in recent weeks.

The Buccaneers will host the Giants who could be down emotionally from nearly beating the Patriots but this is the game that holds the least amount of promise for an eventual round two winner. The Bucs have been just getting by for the last three weeks and are little more than Earnest Graham and Joey Galloway every fourth game. The Giants were in top form this week and will be a big challenge if they do not allow the loss to the Pats to bother them.

It should be a great playoff slate this season. In the AFC, most expect it to just be IND vs NE and the rest are just getting additional paychecks for a week or two. In the NFC, it’s almost anything goes. Both Dallas and the NY Giants lost in the first round last year and Seattle won only to get beaten in Chicago. In the NFC, only the Seahawks are in the playoffs this year and made it to the Divisional round in 2006.

Hopefully you can find a playoff league to participate in and if you don’t, that’s okay. After playing fantasy football for the regular season, it’s kind of nice to return to being fans (or enemies) of entire teams and rooting for those teams to score in any way they can – not just the one way that benefits you.

What should be an interesting facet this year is weather. The Patriots, Steelers and Green Bay will all host games that should at least be cold if not more than “wintry”. Time to return to a fan of the league and cheer on your favorite teams.

For those of you with Week 17 Super Bowls, good luck! It’s been a fun season and I truly hope these blog entries have helped you out. Looking forward to a speedy off-season and an awesome ‘08. Now let’s take a look at some sleepers for this final regular season week.

Stephen Gostkowski (PK – NE): Figure the overmatched Giants will cry uncle early in this one, and after Brady and Moss get their record-setting TDs, there could be plenty of FG opportunities for Gostkowski.

Correll Buckhalter (RB -PHI): The Bills yield a boatload of rushing yards to opposing RBs and while you know Brian Westbrook will run wild, you gotta think Buckhalter will get his share of carries, and could steal a TD.

DeAngelo Williams (RB – CAR): With the Bucs resting key defenders and Williams getting more carries, this could be the week the talented RB gets 100 yards and a score.

Cleo Lemon (QB – MIA): This week’s uber-sleeper. We all know the Bengal pass D is atrocious and Lemon has shown a few flashes of brilliance in the past few weeks. Could be a barn-burning offensive explosion with Lemon getting 200-225 yards, 1-2 scores and 30-40 rushing yards with the possible rushing TD.

Antwaan Randle-El (WR – WAS): Randle-El was a big part of the offensive gameplan this past week and will be used heavily this week in a must-win for the Skins.

Donald Lee (TE – GB): Law of averages. Lee’s been cooling off and had a lousy game against the Lions in their first meeting. Now watch him catch 4+ balls, including a TD.

Darius Walker (RB – HOU): The Jags have nothing to play for and the Texans will look to test their rookie runner against a stout D (although many key defenders will rest in this one).

Chicago DEF: The Saints would clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Viking/Redskin loss. Small chance of that happening and the Bear D will do everything in its power to make sure the Saints are out.

Pittsburgh DEF: The Steeler D has not played too well this season, especially in the fantasy realm, but face a horrible Raven team that they absolutely decimated in Week 9.

Morten Anderson (PK – ATL): Yes, the guy is like 100 but the Seahawks will certainly be resting key players and the Falcon offense could actually move the ball. But they’re still the Falcons and will have issues getting the pigskin past the goal-line.

Derek Anderson (QB – CLE): This could be one of Anderson’s best games of the season. The Niner D will definitely give up passing yardage and scores. Those in one-and-done contests that have Anderson available should certainly consider him.

Leon Washington (RB – NYJ): Both of these teams are on losing streaks and have nothing to play for. Look for the Jets to showcase Washington in the second half of this game. Could be 15+ carries, 60+ yards and a score. And the usual handful of catches.

Ryan Longwell (PK – MIN): Lots for the Vikings to play for, Longwell looking to make good on a poor Week 16 showing, the thin air of Mile High. Longwell should boot at least a pair of FGs.

Zach Miller (TE – OAK): Looks like rookie QB JaMarcus Russell likes to target his big TE. The Bolts could sit key defensive players later in this ball game, so Miller (and the entire Raider passing game) could get rolling at some point.

Kurt Warner (QB – ARI): This could be a HUGE game for Warner, playing against his former team. There’s gonna be a ton of passing from both sides and Warner could potentially go for 350 yards or more.

Vince Young (QB – TEN): Alright Mr. Heisman Trophy winner… you’ve been on this list many a time and quite frankly, each time you’re here, you end up stinking it up and making me look like a fool. Well, now’s your time to shine. National TV. Must-win. Facing a Colt squad sure to sit its key players. If you can’t pass for 200+ yards and a score – and heck, rush for another 40 yards and a score – then maybe it’s time to go after your masters and play college ball for another season.

I am here to plead with the New York Giants. I consider myself a somewhat proud man, but I will get on my knees and beg if I have to.

Come on Giants. Don’t mail this one in.

Yeah, I know. You have to play a playoff game in the first round. You need to rest your players. But why?

I mean lets get real. You aren’t going anywhere in the playoffs. You know that.

The New York Giants have a real shot at glory this Saturday when they face the undefeated Patriots. If they could somehow muster up a win and kill the perfect season, they would earn a permanent place in football lore.

Nobody will remember the ‘07 Giants a 5 seed that goes down in the playoff quarterfinals. But everybody will remember the Giants if they successfully fight the unbeatable foe.

New York Giants. This Saturday is your Superbowl. It would mean a lot more to the majority of football fans than somehow clawing out a first round win, then getting your clock cleaned in the second round.

If you beat the Patriots, then get your ass kicked in the first round of the playoffs people won’t care. People will say, “Yeah, but they did beat the Patriots.”

If the Patriots want an undefeated season, and are willing to risk the health of their starters to get it, I think you almost owe it to the game of football to make them earn #16.

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Here we are. The end of the road. How quickly it slips away from us.

Oh sure, I know the playoffs are about to start. And conceivably the best football of the year is about to play out over the next month and a half. But I find myself dreading the end so much, the playoffs are almost like a goodbye boink with the girlfriend who is dumping me.

But all good things must come to an end. We have lives to lead outside of our obsession. Our loved ones have suffered enough with our hogging of the big TV.

And we need to step back from the table for about 6 months and let our minds sort out what just happened over the last four.

I wrote an article about drafting from the 9-12 hole before this season, and the thing I was trying to get across was that the running backs typically available at the end of the first round and early second were dicey at best. I suggested being more creative with your fantasy draft since there were so many crap shoot running backs after the first 4 or so.

The theory proved well founded. My practice of it was not.

I had the opportunity to draft killer teams from the 9 hole this season. I got Westbrook in both leagues where I drafted 9th. If I would have followed that pick up with Owens in the second, Moss in the third, and Brady in the 4th, or Romo even later, I would have had close to if not the greatest fantasy team ever assembled.

And that combination of players were probably available at those draft spots in many drafts.

The key to the puzzle is always right there in front of us every season. If only we could see it as clearly in August as we do in December.

I got lots of stuff right this year. I picked up Earnest Graham and Kenny Watson at just the right time. Those two free agent pickups were the difference between also-ran and playoff team for me.

I was right about Brett Favre. I drafted him in all of my redraft leagues this year as a backup. I was right about Housh over Chad Johnson.

But the guys I was wrong about were the ones that killed me.

I played “old guy” roulette with Marvin Harrison one year too many.

I played “overhyped guy” roulette with Moss and he made me look like an ass.

For the love of God I drafted Lee Evans. On more than one team. Instead of Moss and Owens I got Evans and Harrison. Gak.

I ended up a combined 21-16 in my head to head leagues. And in total points leagues I had a 2nd place finish and a miserable 8th place in the Huddle Writers league.

Some success. No championships. Ouch. That is going to leave a mark.

Every pick you make in your draft may be the one that dooms you. I don’t think that has ever been more clear than it has been this season. I expect we will see some changes in the way drafts play out next season. I think a lot of the old “rules” may go out the window. It should be interesting to say the least.

I hope that my picks helped you out this week and for the entire season. Feel free to post comments (positive or otherwise, although I’d prefer the former).

Santonio Holmes (WR – PIT): Sure enough, Holmes came through. And the bulk of his yardage came on the Steelers’ first offensive play. Didn’t make for much drama for me, as I had a prop bet that he’d get over 82 yards, and that play went for 83. Sweet! Taking a gander into his 2008 prospects, things look good. He’s obviously a favorite target of Big Ben Roethlisberger and appears to be their big-play WR.

Steve Smith (WR – CAR): Two for two! Smith had one of his best games of the season on Saturday night against the Cowboys. With Jake Delhomme hopefully healthy going into 2008, Smith should return to elite WR status.

Kenny Watson (RB – CIN): And that’s three for three. Nice start on this holiday! Watson tied his career best in yards (130) and added 3 catches and a TD on the ground. With Rudi Johnson seemingly always nursing injuries, Watson will be an interesting choice in 2008.

James Jones (WR – GB): Bzzzzzzt. The first miss of Week 16. Jones and the rest of the Packer WRs were handcuffed by the weather and poor play from Brett Favre. Favre had tremendous success in Chicago in years past, so this was a bit of a surprise.

Ron Dayne (RB – HOU): Doh, another miss. Dayne got no carries on Sunday, giving way to rookie Darius Walker, who ended up having a nice game. With the Texan running game in complete disarray, Dayne should be an afterthought in drafts in ‘08.

John Carney (PK – KC): So much for being busy in the dome. Carney’s a tried and true vet and could land on a lineup in 2008.

Jabar Gaffney (WR – NE): Gaffney led the team in receptions (5), yards (82) and scored a TD. Nice game for Gaffney, and could be a nice late-round selection in ‘08 as the Pat offense could still be just as explosive.

Marshawn Lynch (RB – BUF): Lynch didn’t have much yardage (70) but got a TD and caught a couple of balls for 42 yards. He’ll be a solid fantasy RB in ‘08.

Jacksonville DEF: The Jags were the #5 DEF scorer in Week 16, better than usual studly Ds like the Patriots, Steelers, Cowboys and Vikings. They will again be a bit of a fantasy tease in ‘08 due to being a solid NFL defense, but inconsistent fantasy-wise.

Aaron Stecker (RB – NO): Stecker followed up his best fantasy game (last week against the Cards) with another solid effort. With both Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister prone to injury (so it seems), Stecker may be a nice handcuff pick in ‘08.

Tarvaris Jackson (QB – MIN): Well it wasn’t pretty, but Jackson came through with nearly 30 fantasy points (in typical scoring formats), which was his best fantasy game in his rookie season. Jackson could be a decent fantasy backup in ‘08.

Arizona DEF: Eh. Guess the Cards’ D was not up to the challenge. Every other fantasy D had whipped the Falcons, but the Cards just decided to outscore Atlanta on the offensive side and slide on by defensively. They’ll be a fantasy nobody in ‘08.

Maurice Morris (RB – SEA): Typical MoMo. Dude gets the opportunity (15 carries) but does little to nothing with it (40 yards, no TDs). He will be a handcuff to Shaun Alexander in ‘08, but you can probably ignore him in drafts unless you’re in a larger league.

Vince Young (QB – TEN): I guess it’s fitting that I totally miss on this one. Young has been a fantasy tease in ‘08. He has the talent but just can’t seem to put it together on a consistent basis. He’ll probably drop a bit in next season’s drafts, so you may be able to steal him late and reap the potential benefits if he turns his game up.

Jeff Garcia (QB – TB): OK, so if you play in leagues that use “team QBs”, you’re sittin’ pretty, as Garcia and Luke McCown combined for a boatload of passing yardage and had 2 TDs. Garcia got 196 of his own with no picks. Look for Garcia to be a solid backup for fantasy teams in 2008.

Tony Scheffler (TE – DEN): TBD on Monday night

As you know by now, Bill Parcells has taken the VP job with the Miami Dolphins. This is a sad sad day for a sad, sad man, Dan LeBatard.

The first time I really took note of Le Batard was back in 1999 before the start of the playoffs. He was being interviewed via satellite on ESPN, and gave a lengthy diatribe about how the favored Rams weren’t even going to make it to the Superbowl. Their whole season was a fluke in his tiny little mind. A month later the Rams were hoisting the trophy, and Le Batard proved to be every bit as talented at predicting sporting events as his French ancestors were at defending their country.

This has nothing to do with the subject at hand, but did you know that Le Batard translated in French means “The Bastard.” I can roll with that.

Anyway, since that time I have payed closer attention to the idiotic things Lebatard says on a regular basis. And my dislike for him has grown over the years with every bowel movement that spills from his lips.

This morning I was listening to Colin Cowherd on ESPN, and Colin was gracious enough to let the ‘Tard come on his show and spread his usual truckload of fertilizer all over the national airways.

Parcells has an instant enemy in the Miami press. The big ‘Tard hates the big Tuna.

But it doesn’t stop with just the hating. The ‘Tard has actually convinced himself that the Tuna has been getting by all these years on luck alone.

Now, I’m sure that opinion has nothing to do with the fact that the ‘Tard has his nose so far up Terrell Owens ass he charges him for a monthly prostate exam. I’m sure that his opinion is based on facts. That’s what big time newspaper people do. They deal in facts. Unfortunately Lebatard came up empty in the facts department during his little radio segment.

Danny boy pointed out that Parcells was against signing Terrell Owens while head coach of the Cowboys as one of his main transgressions. The ‘Tard points out that Owens had a phenomenal year with the Cowboys this year as proof positive that Parcells doesn’t know what he is doing.

Excuse me there ‘Tard. But I was amazed that any team would take a chance on that mental midget after the way he single-handedly blew up the Eagles. And as Cowherd pointed out on the radio show, 99% of Dallas fans did not want him there either. Parcells was hardly in the minority.

Then the ‘Tard went on to explain away all of Parcells rebuilding successes as pure luck. He threw out some half baked theory about how Parcells took over teams that had been down for awhile and had accumulated high draft picks. According to this dimwit theory, Parcells just happened to come along at the right time with each team he coached.

If that were the case, Wisenhunt should have had no problems guiding the Arizona Cardinals to the promised land this season, because they have had high draft picks for years.

The Cowboys won 5 games in each of the three years before Parcells showed up. In his first season he took them to 10-6 with the weed huffing Quincy Carter lining up behind center. Do the math.

You can make the argument that Parcells diciplinarian style of coaching is antiquated and no longer the best way to go in the NFL as it currently stands. I will listen to that argument. That argument is reasonable. It might even be true. But to question Bill Parcells talent evaluation (which is why he was hired by the Dolphins) is sheer lunacy. It shows a serious lack of objectivity, and a severe disconnect with reality.

To further his case, Le Batard pointed out that Parcells resisted going with the inexperienced Romo over Bledsoe. That makes Parcells a dumbass?

Colin Cowherd crushed that argument like a steamroller. He mentioned how a “genius” named Belichik resisted turning the ball over to another inexperienced guy named Tom Brady. It took a Drew Bledsoe injury to get that done. Yet Belichick is widely regarded as the best coach in the game today.

But despite all Danny’s whining and grandstanding, Parcells is now a part of the team he covers on a daily basis. I’m sure Le Batard has only begun to throw his little temper tantrum. He will likely be stuffing his face in any camera and microphone that presents itself over the next few weeks, using this opportunity to say the outlandishly ignorant type of things that get him the attention he desperately needs to survive.

But it will be to no avail. Parcells is unproven in his new position. He could fail. But he is going to get the chance to turn around a legendarily bad football team. I’m sure though, that even if he succeeds, The Bastard will be there with an explanation of how the foundation was already laid with this 2007 1-15 team. All Parcells did was reap the benefits.

I guess that Parcells is just one lucky bastard.

But not as lucky as those of us far removed from daily exposure to Miami’s number one manure production facility, doing business under the name – Dan Le Baturd.