NFL 2023: Week 17 Power Rankings & The Rest

Tier I - The "2024 Is Almost Here" Trio

32.) Carolina Panthers  =  2-13  (236-381)

31.) Washington Commanders  =  4-11  (309-453)
30.) Arizona Cardinals  =  3-12  (275-403)

These three have separated themselves at such a low level, but let's go with some optimism in each area. First for the Panthers, Bryce Young has certainly looked better these last two weeks once Frank Reich left. The cupboard is still so barren but at least this offers some glimpse of a future. For the Commanders, next season is the real first one under new ownership without any Snyder stench left over. For the Cardinals, they could be in perfect position to get their QB of the future (assuming they don't mess things up and stick with Kyler....).

Tier II - The "Stupid QB Factory" Trio

29.) New York Giants  =  5-10  (214-371)

28.) New England Patriots  =  4-11  (212-322)

27.) Los Angeles Chargers  =  5-10  (326-369)

This group are teams that are having to me the most hilarious QB situations. The Giants rode Tommy DeVito to 15:01 of his fifteen minutes of fame. Tyrod Taylor is less high variance and more effective, I guess, but hard to say this inspires any confidence. If any team should throw the boar at the Bears for that #1 pick (assuming the Bears don't keep it), I would think the Giants are tops of that list. For the Patriots, they are almost assuredly not getting a Top-2 pick now. There goes the weird moment where all of us laughing at them for their ineptitude would get our just desserts when tehy drafted Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. But no, turns out we can continue to laugh. For the Chargers, good on them for giving the Bills a tough game. Easton Stick has a better arm and threw with more anticipation than I would have expected. Nothing really to discuss here - Herbert will be back next year and Easton will be some fever dream fading memory. 

Tier III - The "Eh, Meh, Eh" Trio

26.) New York Jets  =  6-9  (231-315)

25.) Tennessee Titans  =  5-10  (274-321)

24.) Chicago Bears  =  6-9  (314-345)

The Jets are so weird in how they can look absolutely dominant on defense for stretches, but then their pass rush goes weirdly silent for long stretches at times. I get that this isn't Robert Saleh's MO, but they need to mix up more blitzing. For the Titans, another inspired performance in a loss. Oddly this season (and to similar degree, last year) makes me more impressed with Mike Vrabel than his playoff teams he coached in 2019-2020. They have a lot of work to do to overhaul the roster, but Vrabel can coach them up when happens. For the Bears, they've quietly been decent for two months now. Justin Fields still isn't great but good enough that it will be a really interesting discussion in Chicago on what to do with that Panthers draft pick.

Tier IV - The "Annoyingly Still In It" Quadro

23.) Atlanta Falcons  =  7-8  (287-288)

22.) Las Vegas Raiders  =  7-8  (285-294)

21.) Indianapolis Colts  =  8-7  (354-372)
20.) Denver Broncos  =  7-8  (327-377)

There is such a huge mess of teams at either 7-8 or 8-7 - fourteen of them. Literally close to half the league. I guess if you assume a fairly normal distribution then it isn't too unexpected, but man has it created a jumble that was so tough to rank. The Falcons are my worst ranked team mostly out of spite - spite towards Arthur Smith for dicking around for weeks and not feeding his trio of Top-10 picks. Spite towards some of the NFL media that overhyped this team to all end. For teh Raiders, I just hope they give Antonio Pierce that job full time. He has the defense playing as one of the Top-12 defenses in the league since he took over full time. I know that there is a long trial of interim's fizzling out quickly when given the full time role (remember Freddie Kitchens?), but he's done more than enough to deserve it. The Colts haven't totally blown their chance at teh playoffs but man did they come out so flat for that game. I can't blame Steichen, this team is way overperforming and even if they lose out, while it may harken back some 2021 memories, most expected a 5-6 win season for the Colts. Finally the Broncos - writing this after the announcement that Russell Wilson is being benched/put on ice. A sad, but not surprising, end to the Russ experiment. Interested to see where he lands, and similarly interested in what Payton tries to do next there.

Tier V - The "Middling, Middlers" Trio

19.) Cincinnati Bengals  =  8-7  (318-345)

18.) Green Bay Packers  =  7-8  (333-331)
17.) Pittsburgh Steelers  =  8-7  (257-291)

Hey, three more 7/8 win teams! The Bengals finally saw Jake Browning turn back into a pumpkin. That may be harsh, but in reality he was awful in taht game. They have some inkling of a shot at the playoffs, but if the Jake Browning sheen is gone then we probably don't want them in the playoffs. The Packers are just a year early. Promising signs as the season progressed with Jordan Love and his connection with various skill players. For the umpteenth year the defense is not as good as it should be given the talent. Joe Barry needs to go, and Lafleur needs to get an older hand to bring some stability to that side. For teh Steelers, big win in their quest to avoid a losing season - but two tough games ahead. What is super interesting is the prospect of an 8-8 Steelers team going to Baltimore to play a 13-3 Ravens team. In that scenario they would've already clinced the #1 seed, but I'm sure many in Baltimore would want them to roll starters and take a shot at ending that streak.

Tier VI - The "QB Conundrums" Trio

16.) Houston Texans  =  8-7  (328-331)
15.) Minnesota Vikings  =  7-8  (314-299)

14.) New Orleans Saints  =  7-8  (331-294)

All three teams have shots at teh playoffs, but QB issues that may short-circuit any chances. For the Texans, the Stroud injury I'm thinking is more the Texans being careful and patient with their rookie superstar - and probably for the best. The division is right there for them, but the long game should be their focus at this point. For the Vikings, Mullens is just too turnover prone. They still have a clear path to the playoffs, but so hard to trust them with Mullens. Really curious what they do in the offseason at QB - ride with Cousins off his achilles injury with a better than we thought roster around him, or try something else? The Saints have their starter (most of the time) in Carr but the performance just isn't there week to week, or even quarter to quarter. The rest of the team is actually quite good, and their point differential is fine, but the Carr offense has held them back at times.

Tier VII - The "Good 8-7 Teams" Quadro

13.) Seattle Seahawks  =  8-7  (320-352)
12.) Jacksonville Jaguars  =  8-7  (331-343)
11.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers  =  8-7  (326-302
10.) Los Angeles Rams  =  8-7  (357-332)

Hey, it's four more 8-win teams. I really just can't get over how much of the league is in this bucket. Anyway, I do think these four are a cut above, though even that is probably overstating the Seahawks and Jaguars. The Seahawks have won their last two, but both required last minute comebacks. Geno being back is huge but the defense is nowhere near where it was earlier. For the Jags, four straight losses are rough. Lawrence hopefully is not out long term. They are still to me the most talented team in that division, but it isn't a shoo-in decision anymore. The Bucs ideally will win that division, as I do think they are the best and most likely to give us a competitive Wild Card game. Mayfield is playing really in structure at the moment. The Rams are not a shoo-in for the playoffs, but I too hope they get there. Aaron Donald has quietly had another great season. Stafford has just been unreal this year. Looking back, they really screwed things over by blowing games like to the Steelers. Anyway, do hope they get in.

Tier VIII - The "Joe Flacco's Moment" Uno

9.) Cleveland Browns  =  10-5  (345-311)

Joe Flacco io the year of our lord 2023 doing this is insane. Was always a Flacco guy in the sense I loved his arm, liked his poise and found him a compelling character in taht 2008-2012 Ravens run that was so instrumental. I have no idea how much longer it lasts - if the Jake Browning experience is any indication maybe not too much longer, but they're basically a playoff lock at this point and seeing Flacco in a playoff game will be just wild. The defense remains excellent despite losing Delpit and that offense is good enough. Flacco's used to this type of team formula enough as well.

Tier IX - The "Super Bowl XLVII Feels So Long Ago" Trio

8.) Kansas City Chiefs  =  9-6  (333-265)
7.) Philadelphia Eagles  =  11-4  (392-366)

Oh, wasn't it just yesterday these two played in a super competitive Super Bowl with all units playing well and generally seeming a level above. The Eagles had a semi get-right, and the Chiefs are still going to win that division, but how so much has changed? For teh Chiefs, the offense is just very much a problem - all the issues that cropped up the very first week have not been solved. They're plainly average at this point. Lucky for them the defense has been legitimately very good this season. The upside is still there. Same for the Eagles - the upside is there. On their good drives they look dominant. It's just the scatter-shot nature that is not helping. hey should be able to be far more consistent.

Tier X - The "Second Level Contenders" Quadro

6.) Buffalo Bills  =  9-6  (403-276)

5.) Detroit Lions  =  11-4  (412-355)

4.) Dallas Cowboys  =  10-5  (451-286)
3.) Miami Dolphins  =  11-4  (463-314)

I wouldn't be shocked if any of these four win the Super Bowl. Granted, I wouldn't pick them necessarily, but these are the next set behind the two in the next group that have separated themselves. The Bills have gone from being 11th in the AFC two weeks ago to being alone in 6th and with a fairly reasonable chance to clinch a playoff spot this week (just need Steelers and Bengals losses). The Lions offense really has come to life once Ragnow came back. The defense can be had, but they are the one offense I think can outscore the 49ers. The Cowboys have looked a bit fallow the last two weeks, but let's give them a bit of a break losing two road games to good teams. Granted, they'll need to play various road games in the playoffs, but I still (stupidly) believe. Finally with Miami, this is more about getting a good deal of comfortability and trust with their defense at this point - especially a reborn pass rush this last few weeks. That defense can overcome an offense that has, we all have to admit, been slowed down effectively by basically any good defense it has played against.

Tier XI - The "Let's Play it Twice" Duo

2.) San Francisco 49ers  =  11-4  (444-267)
1.) Baltimore Ravens  =  12-3  (417-244)

Yes, the Ravens won that game rather imposingly, but the 49ers still moved the ball well at times. It was surprising to see their OL rocked as consistently as the Ravens got to them. The Ravens offense was able to commit to the run, but I do worry about their tackle situation, as it is clear this Ronnie Stanley is not, and never will be, the super All-Pro that he was prior to his injury. Not surprising I guess that this is the case. Anyway, as for these two teams, to me they are the clear best two in the NFL this season. I would very much welcome a Super Bowl between them, fully expecting it to be more competitive than this one was.

Projecting the Playoffs

AFC

 

1.) Baltimore Ravens  =  14-3

2.) Buffalo Bills  =  11-6

3.) Kansas City Chiefs  =  11-6

4.) Jacksonville Jaguars  =  10-7

5.) Cleveland Browns  =  11-6

6.) Miami Dolphins  =  11-6

7.) Indianapolis Colts  =  10-7

NFC

1.) San Francisco 49ers  =  13-4

2.) Philadelphia Eagles  =  13-4

3.) Detroit Lions  =  12-5

4.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers  =  10-7

5.) Dallas Cowboys  =  12-5
6.) Seattle Seahawks  =  10-7

7.) Los Angeles Rams  =  9-8

Looking Ahead to Next Week's Games

16.) Arizona Cardinals (3-12)  @  Philadelphia Eagles (11-4)  (1:00 - FOX)

15.) Atlanta Falcons (7-8)  @  Chicago Bears (6-9)  (1:00 -CBS)

14.) Carolina Panthers (2-13)  @  Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7)  (1:00 - CBS)

13.) Los Angeles Rams (8-7)  @  New York Giants (5-10)  (1:00 - FOX)
12.) San Francisco 49ers (11-4)  @  Washington Commanders (4-11)  (1:00 - FOX)

11.) Los Angeles Chargers (5-10)  @  Denver Broncos (7-8)  (4:25 - CBS)

10.) New England Patriots (4-11)  @  Buffalo Bills (9-6)  (1:00 - CBS)

9.) Tennessee Titans (5-10)  @  Houston Texans (8-7)  (1:00 - FOX)

8.) New York Jets (6-9)  @  Cleveland Browns (10-5)  (Thu. - Prime)

7.) Los Angeles Chargers (5-10)  @  Denver Broncos (7-8)  (4:25 - CBS)

6.) Las Vegas Raiders (7-8)  @  Indianapolis Colts (8-7)  1:00 - CBS)

5.) Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7)  @  Seattle Seahawks (8-7)  (4:05 - FOX)

4.) Cincinnati Bengals (8-7)  @  Kansas City Chiefs (9-6)  (4:25 - CBS)

3.) Green Bay Packers (7-8)  @  Minnesota Vikings (7-8)  (SNF - NBC)

2.) Detroit Lions (11-4)  @  Dallas Cowboys (10-5)  (8:15, Sat - ABC)
1.) Miami Dolphins (11-4)  @  Baltimore Ravens (12-3)  (1:00 - CBS)

The Places I Most Miss

10.) Mak N Ming (Vancouver)

Being honest, I have no idea when I would go back to Vancouver. However, if I were to, or if I were to know someone who was who was hunting for recommendations, I would definitely toss out Mak N Ming, which is not possible anymore. It was a husband and wife co-chef spot that served an Asian Fusion (in the best form of that term) 7-course tasting menu. Nothing was groundbreaking, but for the pricepoint, you don't need ground breaking, you just need solidly great food, which Mak N Ming produced. They had a great ramen, an invetive dish called "dirt" (picture above), and some other great dishes with enough flavor and spice to know that these were authentic folks cooking it up. Sucks that it's gone, but great that it was there when I went.

9.) 

8.) The Petrol Station (Houston)

Part gourmet burger bar, part craft beer mecca, all buult into a small country house in a residential street halfway between Houston downtown and The Woodlands. The Petrol Station was a great spot. I once called it the best craft beer bar in America. Granted, that may not have been true, but it had probably the best food of any craft beer bar I've been to. The burgers were excellent. The place had some great beer options from all over the country, not necessarily just from Texas. It was a super dependable spot that I would go to when arriving into Houston in the evening on a project I did in late 2018. Petrol Station to my knowledge cclosed before Covid. Unsure why as it was always fairly busy. There are equally good spots in Houston (such as my beloved Hop Scholar Ale House), but this had that perfect combination of food and drink in a residential setting.

7.) Habitat Living Sound (Calgary)

Truly one of the best EDM clubs I've been to in North America. Perfect size, great crowd control, drinks weren't too expensive (like $8 for a mixed drink, which had a good enough amount of alcohol). Wasn't the hardest stuff in terms of music, but also wasn't that type of atmosphere. It was bright enough to see people, and the crowd was cool, young and carefree enough that it was better seeing people and making connections. The Calgary crowd that summer weekend was a perfect blend to make it a fun spot. Honestly, it should be higher, but given my age now I wonder if I would find the place as appealing today as I did four years ago. Still, from what I can tell there hasn't been a similar place to go for this type of fun in Calgary today.

6.) Janse & Co (Cape Town)

There are many fine restaurants in Cape Town remaining, and as I've shown from 2022 through 2023 (and soon to be 2024), the closing of Janse & Co hasn't stopped me from going back. But still, Janse & Co., was a pretty perfect set-up. Chose a 6/7/8 course list out of about 15-18 options, all super South African in spriit, produce and design. All came out with the precision and exactness of a five star tasting spot. Becuase it was - my favorite part was the random local South Africa fish they would pull in, thinks like Jacopever and what-not. Because there's still a wealth of other dining options in Cape Town it isn't higher up. 

5.) Robin Square (Montreal)

I think I went here about five times. First was on a bachelor party, where we gorged down basically the entire menu over the course of two hours, including triple helpings of some dessert that we effectively called "The Momma." Not for no reason, the place was a super new Canadian style spot with Father adn Mother as chef, and kids as the front of house adn bartender. The food was great, particularly what I remember being some of the best pork belly preparations. Let's cut to the chase though, one of the reasons why I have a fond memory of this place was one waitress that weved me on a couple occassions - once the barchelor party and a second for work - who was truly one of the most beautiful people I'd ever seen. She also moonlighted as a DJ and was super chill. But honestly even if they didn't have this superstar waiting tables, this would be a long forgotten spot.

4.) Falling Rock Tap House (Denver)

Most of these places closed due to Covid. To some degree, Falling Rock was similar in that it was open the last time I went to Denver in January 2020, and closed by the time I went back in August 2021. However it closed due to some weird rent dispute with its landlord. If any place wouldn't close due to Covid, it was this one. It was stuffed at all times. It had about 30 beers on tap at all times, including a majority being Colorado local brews. Tons of stouts. Tons of great options. A great low-key vibe and decor, despite being placed a stone's throw from Coors Field. What's even worse is that there really is no similar place that has come up to replace it. Denver is a beer haven in the US, and its startling that there's no option that has come up to take the mantle from Falling Rock, which makes the loss of it even worse.

3.) Earth Bread & Brewery (Germantown)

I actually don't think I've written about this place previously, which is a shame. This is a weird spot in a suburb of Philly that I took a few ventures out to on the way to Parx casino a few times. Basically it was a spot in a charming, quiet little town that served its own craft beer, and flatbreads (pizza, basically). It was perfect. The waitresses were nice, good enough memories to basically remember me by the end of it. The flatbreads were amazing, and huge for the price. They were eco-conscious, being one of the first places I remember that gave you foil to wrap up any leftover slices. Covid was the death of Earth Bread & Brewery, sadly, and my aimless drives into random town PA will never be the same,.

2.) Reset (Cape Town)

To be honest, I don't know why I have this so high up given Cpae Town has a fairly similar EDM spot still open named Modular. But as each Saturday with tis lenghty lines attest - the Cape could use another EDM spot, and for that reason I rue the loss of the superior Reset. It had two levels, one with darker, harder musign downstairs and lighter but still authentically good music upstairs. Three bars. Great crowds. Good crowd control. It all added up to just a great spot. Reset was a great, great spot. I named it my 3rd favorite EDM spot recently and for good reason. What I really loved most was the combination of the two floors with separate vibes, boths o close to each other but differents worles to enjoy. And most places I go to with that type of set-up heavily favor one or the other. Here, they both got equal attention and care.

1.) Canis (Toronto)

Nothing will top losing this. I first when to Canis in 2019, when I had my flight back home after a week on site cancelled. It was a small place, seating about 24 people or so. A tasting menu joint with some incredible neat, tweezery, brillaint food but zero pretension. The staff were incredible. The food was divine, featuring inventive preparations on Canada based ingredients. I always loved the start with a hard taco and duck terrine done in the most playful way. The place was so well intentioned. Covid ruined it. I've tried to find alternatives in Toronto, but none truly come close, with both Canoe and Alo being more expensive and arguably not as good. Canis will long be in my memory.

Top-20 TV Shows of 2023: #5 - #1

5.) The Fall of the House of Usher (NETFLIX)

If I was someone who read the works of Edgar Allan Poe, this might be my #1 (or maybe lower, as apparently there's some Poe fanatics annoyed by it...). But I'm not, though I did enough Googling and the like to understand that the names, the daths, a lot of it was based on one of America's great literary masters work. In the end, this show was just beautiful from start to finish. The mythos, the emotion, the ridiculousness of all the characters. The slow reveal of the truth of what happened at that New Year's Eve party. The gore, oh the gore. Mike Flanagan has done many shows for NETFLIX at this point. I probably should've listed Haunting at Hill House whatever year he did that one. I didn't. I'm not making that mistake this time. The two parents where phenomenal in their roles, but so were all of the kids, and man was the inventiveness of the ways they died just so, well, poetically perfect. The first time I saw that title appear at the top of NETFLIX when I logged in, I thought it was a documentary about the artist. I quickly realized how wrong I was, and binged it in about three days, from start to the moment of the evil spirit putting little totems on all the graves. It was all so well made - NETFLIX at its best in giving a smart mind in Mike Flanagan carte blanche to make something really cool.

4.) Babylon Berlin (Season 4, not NETFLIX)

I may be the only person in America watchign this show. NETFLIX still hasn't released it, so I downloaded it and watched it. Anyway, with that out of the way, man did Babylon Berlin hit it out of the park, showng with such great detail the slow rise of fascism in Germany in such interesting ways. In the world of the show, we're still a long way away from WWII, but we see the terror of the SA (the first Hitler army), the lengths the forces of good tried to no avail to stop it, and the way that the German elites of the Weimar era just kind of let it happen. What I truly loved about this season compared to its predecessor was it diving back into the joy of vibe of life in Germany in those times. Yes, so much of this is just bringing back the Moka Efti, along with a memorable song to tie it all together. Yes, the song here wasn't as show-stopper-ey as "Zu Asche, Zu Staub" in the first season, but it came pretty close in its imapct of changing the tone just enough on the light side to make it all work. Also loved the storyline of the American jew coming to get what was truly his and the end of Frau Nyssen as a side plot, especially his passable disgust when eating with his cousin's family. Anyway, back to the real stuff - the main story with the White Hand, and the illegal tribunals, and Lotte conniving her way into the heat of the battle was all so well done. But if there is anything I will take away from this season, it is that smile on Lotte's face when she realizes that Rath was role-playing as a member of the SA. Those smiles, those human moments are what make this show so damn special.

3.) Succession (Season 4, HBO)

I honestly am already thinking this is too low. Succession's last season was fabulous. I'll get to my one main gripe in the second paragraph, but man did its final season hit every incredible note. So many just purely brillaitn scenes - like Tom and Shiv arguing on the balcony on election night, to Kendall's breaking down in the finale, to Logan's speech to the kids in the karaoke room with that iconic line of "you children are not serious people." Succession at its best was the best show on TV, and has been that way for a while. It's first season was my #1 show back in 2018 where I truly think I was early to the game. The machinations got grating after a while, but it didn't out stay its welcome and ended just fine. 

Ok, let's get to my gripe, which is just that the election stuff was too on the nose. If you go back and rewatch Season 1 of the show, it is odd how neutral politcally the family seems. Given what we know now you can't point to certain things to make it clear that the Roy's are right-leaning but that just wasn't teh case early on. In the end, them basically deciding the election by calling a state when a ballot site was literally on fire was a little too "real" to the close to dystopia we live in prior to the 2024 election. But if that is the show's only quibble - namely, shining a light on how broken we really are as a people, then that is actually quite defensible all things considered. Succession in the end was a masterpiece and ended that way. The drama version of Arrested Development may have ended with Buster (Cousin Greg) on the throne, but did it step by meticulous step to make it all seem believable in its insanty. The kids may have been not serious people, but the craft at hand in the show definitely was.

2.) The Last of Us (Season 1, HBO)

It's always a bit weird when my top shows air super early in the year. Granted, over the years a lot of my top shows have, be it Fargo in 2014 (May), Young Pope in 2017 (March), Tiger King in 2020 (March). The Last of Us basically started as the year did, and man was it incredible. I haven't played the video game. I didn't really know anything other than it was "another apocalypse show" or "another zombie show". And while they had some cool set pieces of the two main people or various gangs killing the infected, it was so much more. Just watch that episode with Nick Offerman as one half of this gay couple living their best isolated life, and you get that this was something special. Glad it came out this year, when the pandemic was more or less in our rear view, because we could appreciate how raw, how emotional, how brilliantly constructed this epic journey was.

The actual dynamics between Pedro Pascal's character and the little girl was fun and never boring, but focusing on that is not fair. The show itself was so much broader, so much more effective at building this barren world, despite a whole bunch of characters. Whether it was the various run ins with teh fireflies, or even the climax in the lab, the show was able to craft a whole world out of a fairly direct narrative video game. But more than anything expand on it. From what I can tell, they made up or greatly expanded side plots that are passing references in the game.

I can't wait to see where this show goes. There was a weird controversy when Pascal's character killed a bunch of scientists that in theory could have saved the world to save the girl, but I don't buy the weird controversy. First of all, this isn't real. Cordyceps is a real disease but far away from impacting humans. In the world of the show, that was a rational decision taht sets us up for a fascinating sequel season. All I hope though is the showrunners take the care to make the world even more interesting. It was the one zombie apocalypse show to focus on the people left behind, not hte zombies. Call it the anti-Walking Dead if you will. It earned that label, in the best way possible.

1.) The Bear (Season 2, Hulu)

I'm not going to lie, the fact that I love cooking plays a part in this ranking. Yes, I've longed dream of being a Carmy type and opening my own michelin star tasting menu joint. But the dirty secret of The Bear in its glorious second season is that it featured way less cooking than in Season 1. What it did feature more of was heart, was story, was unadulterated brilliance. Early on I got a bit annoyed with the whole "let's focus on a character a week" style that it took in its early installments, but like with most people who watched it, that all changed when I watched "Forks" - with Cousin going to work at Ever (a real restaurant I would love to dine at one day) and it all clicked. This is the ultimate story of growth, of yearning, of the possible.

Some of the stories of the week were just so great, like Sydney trying food all over Chicago to find what really works, to of course the incredible flashback episode of the family having Thanksgiving, fit with car through wall and yelling upon yelling in teh most charmingly awful way. This show knows its lane so well, that it cane mine perfection out of volume, out of silence, out of stoicism and out of zaniness. It left its sitcom roots a while back - it was far more drama this year - but in that it became better. With the overall plot culminating so well in the opening night, where everything generally goes OK, but that is the least OK thing that could happen for Carmy - season ending with him locked in a freezer, talking to cousin and, unbeknownst to him, his girlfriend.

The Carmy love story was even so well done in this season, as we all fell so in love with Molly Gordon just like Carmy did - knowing that she is too good for Carmy. Just like all the women on the show are too good for their men (definitely Gillian Jacobs character for Cousin). The Bear I guess is even better if you are one with Chicago and what not, but evevn if not, even if just viewing as an outside who loves perfect dramatic storytelling, The Bear was insanely good this year. I don't know where this would rank on all my #1 shows over the years. Definitely not the best, but nowhere near the worst either. And I think it would hold up - this was just a fantastic season of television, start to finish by writers who wrote for actors who embodied these neurotic, driven, weird, funny, charming, painful people.

Top-20 TV Shows of 2023: #10 - #6

10.) What We Do in the Shadows (Season 5, FX)

It's still the best comedy series on TV currently - it's relatively lower ranking more a factor of a strong run of other shows this season. This season saw some really inspired storylines - mainly everything to do with Guillermo becoming a vampire but one who didn't get converted by his master, and not becoming one in full. His overall storyline was getting a bit fallow so that really supercharged it. The Nadja stuff owning the vampire night club was also a great source of fun. And the dependable, such as literally any line read by Matt Berry ("Chilaquiles" being my favorite one this year), was as dependable as ever. What We Do in the Shadows has been TVs best comedy for a few years now (granted, a couple shows further up are very much half-comedies) and shows no signs of slowing down heading into what will be its final season next year.

9.) Telemarketers (HBO)

The first documentary to make my list since Tiger King and The Last Dance in 2020, and it was one that snuck up on me. At first it seemed like a mockumentary. Then it seemed like the story of the wild west zaniness of the semi-legal spam callers. And it very much was in that first episode. But I'll never remember midway through the second episode, when it became clear some of the police unions were fully in on this all the way, that I realized this was something truly special - and so well crafted by what can only be called truly amateur filmmakers. But man it worked - grab you in with the excess and hilarity and shock of what those telemarketers were doing in their weird little world in New Jersey and slowly peel back layer after layer to show a larger, more harrowing, more impactful view on corruption. And I'll be remiss to finish this without noting the performance of the GOAT, Mr. Patrick J. Pespas - everything about him was gold, especially seeing him reach some semblance of normalcy with his life in the third episode. For what was such a small little documentary released over the summer, it made a lasting impact.

8.) Only Murders in the Building (Season 3, Hulu)

The highs of this show remain as good as anything on TV. When Steve Martin and Martin Short are on, it is truly special, and I like that they let Selena Gomez have some more independent storylines this season as well. The guest stars the show can command is insane, with Meryl Streep being the add this year. But in her casting and role lies a bit of my challenge with what was my #1 show in 2021, and Top-5 last year. Namely it went a bit too wide to make all things work. The underlying plot device of the play itself was one, a show within a show which while giving us some great moments (like every time Steve Martin sang "which of the pickwick twins did it" or whatever that line was. The actual mystery strained a bit this year, but what made up for it were characters like Mabel's boyfriend, and the various times they wrung out for drama Mabel realizing that she just loves these two old fogies that she calls friends. It never doesn't work to be honest. I'm sure we're already on the back nine of this amazing show, but I still can't wait to see waht comes next.

7.) The Great (Season 3, Hulu)

For this one, we never will see what comes next. I was so saddened to hear The Great was cancelled. I truly wanted to see where they took the story next. Yes, the first couple episodes after Peter's death were a bit grim, but from the moment Catherine found herself again it could have gone on swimmingly. Alas, though, we end with one of the most caustic, biting shows living its best life. I was always curious how they were planning on killingt Peter, something that happened far more quickly in reality than they played it out. While I was sad when it happened, the genius idea of keeping Nicholas Hoult's brilliance alive by him playing a look-a-like was inspired. Elle Fanning was amazing as always, especially at her most evil in her finally taking it out on all the scores of people that crossed her in past seasons. Or in her most joyous, with that beautiful dance sequence being so hauntingly beautiful. This was supposed to be a transition season to a full reign of Catherine season 4. Alas, we'll never get a Season 4. For this show to last three seasons was a miracle, but the world can do with more hilarious political satire like this. Yes, it strayed basically 100% away from reality as we headed into Season 3, but who cares. For a show taht could blend Veep and Game of Thrones so effortlessly, I'll always be impressed.

6.) Bodies (NETFLIX)

For a while NETFLIX seemed a bit out of ideas. Well, at the tail end of 2023, they released this beauty (co-produced with BBC, admittedly) and my show to come at #5 and restored my faith in full. My word was Bodies excellently crafted. Unpeeling layer after layer just expertly over its episodes. Starting out so spookily, so greatly showing the different periods. We could tell early on it was all time travel related, but unsure how. I love that they kept so much of the reasoning for those last two episodes, be it who the person was that arrives nude, to waht the deal with teh kid is, and so much else. Yes, there was some messiness early on that never got adequately explained - like the Muslim kid in teh first two episodes, or how exaclty Elias's foster parents in 2023 were involved, but who cares because from Stephen Graham, to all the various detectives, were so excellent. That moment when the loop is finally broken with Hollingshead telling Mannix in 1883 that he knows who he is, and it unraveling everything, was one of the great moments of television in the year. I honestly don't know why I don't have this higher other than to say my Top-5 is super strong this year. In the end, this show, with its mythology, its reasoning, its performances, its perfect mystery was so good it outweighed the simple fact that there;'s no logical explanation of how the loop got started in the first place.

Top-20 TV Shows of 2022: #15 - #11

15.) Beef (Season 1, NETFLIX)

Great concept, great execution, and two far more complex and interesting performances from Ali Wong and Steven Yuen than I was expecting. NETFLIX had quite a good 2023 overall (a few other shows - some co-productions - are way up the list). The show really shone in its later episodes, once we got to know all the players and it really started turning the heat on the two characters mostly. Their interplay was great, but as good as the two leads were, the unmotivated brother just cracked me up every time. The story itself was wonderfully sweet center hiding behind a whole lot of messiness and drama, which again was something I wasn't expecting from this vehicle. It all worked though.

14.) Justified: Primeval (FX)

I'll admit, I was fully hoping it would earn a spot higher up this list. Justified was a show I never watched when it was first on, but binged at the very start of the pandemic. The return was not bad for sure. From Tom Olyphant just becoming Raylan so quickly, even in his fish out of pond set-up in Detroit, to anything that Boyd Holbrook was doing as a great villain (if a bit cartoonish). Yes, was I sad to see Justiified return without so many of the characters from the original show? Of course, but at its heart it kept its gothic style so well. At times it dawdled a bit, and while it was cute to see Olyphant get to act alongside his daughter, she was a bit part at best. But it crescendoed perfectly with both Raylan being quicker at teh draw in the final showdown, and of course the little bit of Walton Goggins's Boyd Crowder at the end. No guarantee it seems that there will be another season, but even if not, I am glad we got a bit more of Raylan and that amazing Olyphant performance.

13.) Winning Time (Season 2, HBO)

I'll start off by just saying it pissed me off that it got cancelled. I get that the ratings weren't as strong as HBO expected, but more than anything it just sucks that the show ended with the Celtics winning the 1984 title. This year was a bit all over the place, intentionally so with having to race from their triumph in 1981 through three seasons of ups and downs. The key parts, be it Pat Riley finally taking over as coach (and Adrien Brody was amazing in that role), the Magic Johnson v. Kareem bitterness, was played superbly. The show tamped down the Buss palace intrigue a bit this seasons which also was probably a good thing. In the end to me it was (a) a greatly entertaining show, and (b) had maybe the most realistic, best basketball action scenes ever filmed. Having to cover so many years was always going to make it seem a bit strained vs. the prior self-contained NBA season in Season 1, but I was more than happy that this show existed in our world. 

12.) It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Season 16, FX)

When Sunny last aired its 15th season, it ended it with a 4-episode jaunt through Ireland which had one of the most emotional moments within the show's run of Charlie finally meeting his Dad. The 16th Season was relatively lighter from a emotional stakes standpoint, it was arguably even funnier from a jokes standpoint. Everything Danny Devito did in the Russia Chess spoof episode was incredible. Dennis was as incredibly crazy as always. Den was brilliant in the bowling episode. Even Charlie in the Cryptocurrency episode got some incredible monologues being able to play the smart character for the first time in a while. But in the end, two things will stay with me from this seasons (again, this is season six-fucking-teen of this show!). First was the incredible two min back and forth with Mac, Deniis and Frank where Frank explains inflation to them. They haven't done one of these really quick pointed takedowns of the real world in a while, and it was brilliant. The second was the entire final episode with Dennis lashing out at people all day in a dream sequence. Sunny is better than maybe any comedy ever of doing these contained weird episodes, and it shone there. Another incredible season for the Gang.

11.) The Righteous Gemstones (Season 3, HBO)

It took me a minute or two to really get into the big bad this year of Peter and his cult with the bumbling cousins, but man did it crescendo really well at the end. The show went darker this year, both with that storyline itself involving domestic terrorism, kidnapping and death, but even with teh interplay with the characters being more biting and caustic than prior seasons. I would be remiss on not mentioning the incredible payoff to Baby Billy's Bible Bumpers game show he was forcing on everyone for the year. That's how you bring things full circle. While prior seasons may have been funnier, I don;t think any of the prior two found such a good place tonally, and did so well in introspection - particularly any scene with Goodman and Kristen Johnson as May-May. They keep expanding this universe, while keeping it within the family, and it has worked wonderfully so far. 

Top-20 TV Shows of 2023: #20 - #16

Changes from 2022:

As always with TV these days, this list will barely have any consistency year over year. In 2023, I will have 15 shows that didn't make the cut in 2022, namely because of a plethora of shows that either were miniseries or just ended in 2022, and two that I just didn't get around to watching. 

Shows Ended / Were a Miniseries

#19 - Irma Vep

#15 - The Flight Attendant

#14 - The Rehearsal (gonna assume it's done)

#7 - We Own This City

#5 - Better Call Saul

#2 - The Dropout

Didn't Air in 2023

#20 - The Old Man

#18 - Hacks

#16 - Peacemaker

#11 - Andor

#10 - House of the Dragon

#9 - The White Lotus

#1 - Stranger Things

Wasn't as Good / Didn't Watch

#17 - The Gilded Age

#13 - Minx

20.) Perry Mason (Season 2, HBO)

The show got cancelled during the HBO purge, and while I would've watched a 3rd season had there been one, it was a bit clear the show just never really stuck its landing. The performances were phenomenal all across the board, from Matthew Rhys in the lead role to all the supporting characters. The exploration of early-20th Century LA racial dynamics took an interesting viewpoint but ultimately even with better focus in its second season, the darkness of the show just played out a bit too negative on screen compared to the written material. Enough went on to keep it entertaining but in the end maybe another trip through this source material is needed to get it fully right.

19.) The Diplomat (Season 1, NETFLIX)

After talking about Matthew Rhys's latest vehicle, let's get to his The Americans co-star, with Keri Russell who carried this show about a career ambassador getting caught in a web of intrigue after being given what was supposed to be a do-nothing ambassador post. I don't know how much of the inner workings of the political stuff in teh show is true, but it definitely read interesting. The constant elevation of the wild husband didn't always work for me, but man was Keri Russell fantastic, as were the various British pols that had to control and manager her. Fun show, that I'm glad NETFLIX supported.

18.) Party Down (Season 3, Starz)

The revival people wanted (including myself) forever was worth the wait. It definitely wasn't as good as the original show, but I don't think anyone was expecting that. Missing out on getting Lizzy Kaplan was tough, and probably cost it a few spots as the Henry/Casey interplay was such a crucial part of the first run. But aside from that the new characters in Tyrell and Lucy were both well integrated super early and well. Jennifer Garner even was super believable in someone who would fall for a cater waiter. The show also maybe took the most creative approach to weaving in the pandemic as a story point. Not having Lizzy there made it feel just slightly incomplete at the end of the day, but it was just so good to have these seven doofuses back in our lives again after so many years.

17.) I Think You Should Leave (Season 3, NETFLIX)

On the downside, I don't think there was one out and out masterpiece sketch. On the upside, there probably was as high a floor or median sketch than the past two seasons. There were some brilliant moments, like the High Security Doggy Door sketch which may have some of the funniest moments of any sketch to date, and of course the food order for the Pay it Forward sketch. As always it used the roving trope of regulars super well also. I'm just glad NETFLIX has supported this show that I'm sure is watched less than its great constant meme-ified presence in the areas of the net I frequent make me think it was. Tim Robinson is a god, and even if there wasn't an outright killer like a Coffin Flop or whatnot, the little moments were every bit as good on the 3rd go aroud.

16) A Murder at the End of the World (FX)

This show was very good, but really should have been better. Namely I wish this would've been a 10-episode miniseries. I hate that the new norm is the 7-8 episode range. There was a lot of good stuff here, namely anything Emma Corrin did. Corrin was amazing throughout, both in the flashbacks where we got to see them and the younger Bill character fall in love, and undersatnd what made Darby tick, and then everything in the present as she unraveled the fake world around Darby. The scenery, the views, the magic of that Iceland bunker was amazing as well. I could've done without the final conceit being this is all a giant AI-goes-bad story, but even that was well played and not at all what I expected when firing up the final episode. Great show, but with a few tweaks could have been even better.

NFL 2023: Week 16 Power Rankings & The Rest

Tier I - The "Start Scouting QBs.... and the Panthers" Quadro

32.) Carolina Panthers  =  2-12  (206-348)

31.) Washington Commanders  =  4-10  (281-423) 

30.) New England Patriots  =  3-11  (186-299)

29.) Arizona Cardinals  =  3-11  (259-376)

The Panthers got a win, but not in a way that will make anyone stop asking questions about Bryce Young as a long term option. It would be interesting if for a second straight year there's some improvement defensively after firing a coach. Speaking of firing a coach, it's fairly certain Rivera is gone in Washington, and the porous play of his defense cements it. It didn't help his cause that they traded away some of their better players in Sweat and Young, but he hasn't done anything to improve things. For the Patriots and Cardinals, that was return to normal - being thoroughly outclassed at home to better teams. The Patriots had Zappe play ok - but in their good luck they are in prime position for a #2 or #3 pick, with the fact that all the teams that could possibly top them (Commanders excluded) don't necessarily need a QB. I do have to wonder though of Murray has done well enough the last few games to not at least think of Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.

Tier II - The "New York, New York" Duo

28.) New York Jets  =  5-9  (201-287)

27.) New York Giants  =  5-9  (189-338)

Last year with the Giants at 10-6-1 and the Jets at 7-10 was basically the best season for the New York teams collectively since 2011 (Giants Super Bowl, Jets 8-8). Well, this is more like it. I can't believe that we are basically a full decade of both New York teams basically being irrelevabnt - from 2012-2023 the Giants and Jets have combined for two playoff appearances (Giants in 2016, 2022), and one playoff win. The future is a bit dim also - with the hopes having to be pinned to a 40-year old Rodgers coming back from injury.

Tier III - The "Languishing at the Bottom" Quadro

26.) Los Angeles Chargers  =  5-9  (303-345)

25.) Chicago Bears  =  5-9  (287-329)
24.) Tennessee Titans  =  5-9  (257-301)
23.) Las Vegas Raiders  =  6-8  (265-280)

These four teams may steal a win or two on their way out the door, but their seasons are all basically done. For our benefit truly - we may see some pretty meh teams in the playoffs, but these four are a cut below that. The Chargers are just helpless without Herbert. I'm glad their firings involved both Telesco along with Staley - Tom Telesco deserves to be fired after the number of fallow drafts. The Bears really blew that game, and what could have been a super oblique chance at the playoffs. That's all done though and may likely spell the end of Eberflus. For the Titans, they too blew that game. Levis's injury was scary and sad, given he had put some life in that team. Finally for the Raiders - incredible win of course, but doing that against the lifeless companion Chargers in this group probably isn't all that meaningful at this point.

Tier IV - The "Losing Steam & Quick" Trio

22.) Atlanta Falcons  =  6-8  (258-278)
21.) Pittsburgh Steelers  =  7-7  (223-280)
20.) Green Bay Packers  =  6-8  (300-301)

The Falcons should be better than this. I feel like they'll hover close enough to .500 for Arthur Smith to keep his job, but in my view he really shouldn't. Their complete lack of direction and effectiveness despite all the draft capital they've poured into the offense is just bizarre to see. For the Steelers, the playoffs are probably a distant dream at this point with the bevy of 8-6 teams. The real goal at this point is just can they finish 2-1 to keep Tomlin's .500 streak alive. They've deserved it less in past years, but this will be tough. The Packers are a mystery. Their offense was so good for weeks on weeks but were impotent against the Giants and now their defense had maybe one of the worst games I can remember a team had all season.

Tier V - The "Good, Bad teams" Trio

19.) Denver Broncos  =  7-7  (304-351)

18.) Minnesota Vikings  =  7-7  (290-269)

17.) Seattle Seahawks  =  7-7  (300-335)

16.) New Orleans Saints  =  7-7  (309-267)

All three have a shoat at the playoffs. If anything the Vikings adn Saints are tied with playoff teams right now. But I hope none of them make it. The Broncos are a nice story but that offense is just not consistent enough down to down to really put that honor of the "nice story" on Payton and Wilson. For the Vikings, Mullens was better than recent Josh Dobbs play. The revelation has been the Vikings defense under Flores. If they can get some improved talent on that unit it can be a scary one come 2024 (especially if they can pair that with a healthy Jefferson. The Seahawks are not a very good team but have enough prime skill talent in teh receivers, in the running back, in certain defenders. They can sneak in for sure, but unless Geno reverts super quick to early-2022 form, they aren;t long for January anyway. For the Saints, they are so high variance. The Giants were useless once they got DeVito out of the game (a ludicrous thing to say in 2023...) but that is the Saints at their best.

Tier VI - The "Not Bad, Good Teams" Quadro

15.) Cincinnati Bengals  =  8-6  (307-311)

14.) Indianapolis Colts  =  8-6  (344-343)
13.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers  =  7-7  (296-290)
12.) Houston Texans  =  8-6  (306-295)

I don't understand this Bengals team, other than to say the coaching staff is excellent, Chase & Higgins are that good, and they've gotten some ridiculous plays in their favor. Tough schedule down the stretch, but the fact they are in prime playoff position at this point with Burrow out is crazy. The Colts have a lighter schedule, but are too high variance to really trust. The defense had one of their good days. The pass rush is what does it for this team. As we saw the previous game with the Bengals, when they can't get home that defense is very porous. For the Bucs, quietly Mayfield has been quite good at maximizing the Bucs strengths this year - namely getting Evans deep. For the Texans, hopefully Stroud gets back, but good on Case Keenum filling in without two of the top weapons. Even better, how about Demeco Ryans's defense without Will Anderson. The Texans are a scary team going forward.

Tier VII - The "How are they doing this?" Uno

11.) Cleveland Browns  =  9-5  (309-289)

The Browns should have lost that game. They should ahve lost the Colts game. They probably should ahve lost the 49ers game. Yes, they have a great defense, but they have injuries all over the offense. They're starting Joe Flacco in the year of Our Lord 2023. I don't understand any of it. People are probably overplaying their playoff odds a bit, as they have raod games against the Bengals and Texans who they are competing against, but knowing how this team has somehow got to 9-5, I wouldn't put the 11-6 (more or less all they need) to get there.

Tier VIII - The "High Upside Midllers" Trio

10.) Los Angeles Rams  =  7-7  (327-310)
9.) Jacksonville Jaguars  =  8-6  (319-313)

8.) Buffalo Bills  =  8-6  (379-254)

The Rams are probably making the playoffs, especially if the schedulers break their way and their Week 18 contest in San Francisco is meaningless for the 49ers. The Rams are a good offense elevated by a special Stafford season, and Kupp reviving his career. I truly hope they make the playoffs. For the Jaguars, their defense is so high variance but been better of late with consistency in the pass rush. Lawrence has to stop making dumb mistakes but the talent is so there. For the Bills, the defense settling in to their post-Milano world took a while but they've consistently been good for six games now. Technically they don't control their own destiny, but if they win out (possible, though that Week 17 game in Miami looms large...) they almost certainly would get in.

Tier IX - The "Plain Good Teams, but Questions Remain" Quadro

7.) Philadelphia Eagles  =  10-4  (359-341)

6.) Detroit Lions  =  10-4  (382-331)

5.) Kansas City Chiefs  =  9-5  (319-245)

4.) Dallas Cowboys  =  10-4  (431-264)

The Eagles were skating by on luck and top plays for weeks but man it has caught up to them big time. The defense showed some life with teh pass rush playing its best game in weeks, but the offense is so inconsistent. They could have ran on teh Seahawks all day, but just chose not to weirdly. The Lions and Chiefs had get-right games. Specifically for the Lions it was nice to see their offense play in rhythm again, starting with a great performance by the OL after a few fallow weeks. Goff is so good when given time. For teh Chiefs, Rice is turning into the dependable option they so sorely need. The best sign for them is the defense had a super strong game again. That defense is good, and if Rice can elevate his game, and they never throw the ball anywhere near Toney again, they have still a greatly high ceiling. For the Cowboys, a concerning loss but this is still a team that hammered the Eagles just a week back. 

Tier X - The "Class of the League" Trio

3.) Miami Dolphins  =  10-4  (441-294)
2.) Baltimore Ravens  =  11-3  (384-225)
1.) San Francisco 49ers  =  11-3  (425-334)

I've bumped the Dolphins up here know their resume isn't as strong as the two above them, and they've beat up a bad schedule. But man have they really beat up that schedule. Their schedule is super tough to end, but their defense is playing at a level that can keep them in games even if better defenses in Dallas, Baltimore and Buffalo can slow down their offense. Phillips and Chubb have been great of late. For the Ravens, the injuries are starting to pile up, but the offense has enough weapons, especially with teh sudden maturating of Isaiah Likely. The defense is also finding stars in guys like Medubike. Their matchup against the 49ers may not matter too much for the Ravens in teh sense they would get the #1 seed if they win out even with dropping that game since they play Miami, but it is a great spot to make a statement against the 49ers, who are absolutely the best team in the league right now. So curious to see how they match up with the blitz-heavy approach that Baltimore unleashes.

Projecting the Playoffs

AFC

1.) Baltimore Ravens  =  13-4

2.) Kansas City Chiefs  =  12-5

3.) Jacksonville Jaguars  =  11-6

4.) Buffalo Bills  =  11-6

5.) Houston Texans  =  11-6

6.) Cleveland Browns  =  11-6

7.) Miami Dolphins  =  11-6

NFC

 

1.) San Francisco 49ers  =  14-3

2.) Philadelphia Eagles  =  13-4

3.) Detroit Lions  =  12-5

4.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers  =  9-8

5.) Dallas Cowboys  =  12-5

6.) Los Angeles Rams  =  9-8

7.) Seattle Seahawks  =  9-8

Looking Ahead to Next Week's Schedule

16.) Washington Commanders (4-10)  @  New York Jets (5-9)  (1:00 - CBS)

15.) Arizona Cardinals (3-11)  @  Chicago Bears (5-9)  (4:25 - FOX)
14.) Green Bay Packers (6-8)  @  Carolina Panthers (2-12)  (1:00 - FOX)
13.) New York Giants (5-9)  @  Philadelphia Eagles (10-4)  (MON, 4:30 - FOX)

12.) New England Patriots (3-11)  @  Denver Broncos (7-7)  (SNF - NFLNet)
11.) Buffalo Bills (8-6)  @  Los Angeles Charges (5-9)  (Sat, 8:00 - Peacock)

10.) Las Vegas Raiders (6-8)  @  Kansas City Chiefs (MON, 1:00 - CBS)
9.) Seattle Seahawks (7-7)  @  Tennessee Titans (5-9)  (1:00 - CBS)

8.) Indianapolis Colts (8-6)  @  Atlanta Falcons (6-8)  (1:00 - FOX)

7.) New Orleans Saints (7-7)  @  Los Angeles Rams (7-7)  (TNF - Prime)

6.) Detroit Lions (10-4)  @  Minnesota Vikings (7-7)  (1:00 - FOX)

5.) Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)  @  Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)  (Sat, 4:30 - NBC)

4.) Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6)  @  Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)  (4:05 - CBS)

3.) Cleveland Browns (9-5)  @  Houston Texans (8-6)  (1:00 - CBS)
2.) Dallas Cowboys (10-4)  @  Miami Dolphins (10-4)  (4:25 - FOX)
1.) Baltimore Ravens (11-3)  @  San Francisco 49ers (11-3)  (MNF - ABC)

Nostalgia Diaries, Pt. 29: Season Ending SNF Games, Pt. 2 (2014 - 2021)

2014 - Dec 28th: Cincinnati Bengals - 17  @  Pittsburgh Steelers - 27
Significance: Winner wins the AFC North, Loser gets the #5 seed
Where Was I: Watching the game with friends at Winberies bar in Princeton

The Game: 2014 was peak AFC North, with the winner of this game getting the #3 seed and the loser the #5 seed. The Bengals were in year four of the Dalton experience, somehow still easily a playoff team but one that was just so set-up to lose games like this. The Bengals were actually winning 10-7 midway through the second quarter, before a Suisham FG to tie it, a Dalton pick turned into a Roethlisberger TD two plays later, and another Suisham FG at the first half gun. They kept it close, but the Bengals were just always a step behind.

The Memory: One of my good friends Birthday is December 28th. He and his extended family of cousins and friends and the like are regulars at a bar in Princeton called Winberies - as our myself and the rest of our friend group. So we were all packed into Winberies, closing down the place with drink after drink, with this game on in teh background. Nothing really notable about this other than it being just a damn good time all around. Winberies will always a have a huge soft spot in my heart.

2015 - Jan 3rd: Minnesota Vikings - 20  @  Green Bay Packers - 13

Significance: Winner wins the NFC North, Loser gets the #6 or #5 seed

Where Was I: Attempting to take a flight from Mumbai to Istanbul

The Game: The Vikings were a great defense, with the last vestiges of Adrian Peterson as a good player. The Packers were a great QB and little else, and even by this tail end of 2015 we were starting to see for the first time some cracks in the Rodgers/McCarthy pairing. The Packers were at home, and favored, but played miserably. The Vikings paired a Peterson TD and a Captain Munnerlyn to go up 20-3 and coast from there on out. Of course, the Packers would end up going further in the playoffs.

The Memory: I was leaving India on this day, on the way to Johannesburg, via Istanbul. I boarded my flight as this game started, and then re-boarded it as it just ended. How does one do this? Well, that's what happens when a flight attendant finds a cell phone in the plane that no one claimed, and with the scintilla of a feeling of foul play, deboarded everyone to sweep the plane. The only really surprising part of this story is that Mumbai airport staff actually did this entire process far quicker than one would think. Still long enough to know how the 2015 regular season ended before we finally took off.

2016 - Jan 1st: Green Bay Packers - 31  @  Detroit Lions - 24

Significance: Winner wins the NFC North, Loser gets the #'6 seed

Where Was I: No idea....

The Game: The Lions were an average at best team when they were 9-4. The Packers were an average at best team, with a great Aaron Rodgers, when they were 6-6. Rodgers made some comments about running the table, and it ended here with them going into Ford Field, and ruining Detroit's dream. Granted, the loser in this game was also assured a playoff spot, which took a bit of heat out of the game, but the Packers went on a 24-3 run after falling behind 14-7, and calmly finished the game off with Rodgers going 27-39 for 300 yards.

The Memory: I have none. Like seriously. The 2016 season was not my favorite in any way - the first psot-Peyton season, with an annoyingly good Patriots team, little else that was truly compelling. If you ever had to ask me when was my NFL fandom at its low point, it was definitely during this season. Which of course culminated then with the harrowing Super Bowl. Let's just move on.

2017: Did Not Hold a Finale

Where Was I: Puerto Natales, Chile (aka, honestly did not know till right now the NFL didn't have a SNF game)

The Memory: Of course I don't have a memory of this game because there wasn't a game. Again, I don't understand this. I guess that there was no real game that would have significant playoff implications for both teams. Or I guess no game that would definitely have playoff implications for at least one team. Anyway, for the second straight year... let's quickly move on.

2018 - Dec 30th: Indianapolis Colts - 33  @  Tennessee Titans - 17

Significance: Winner gets the #6 seed, loser gets eliminated

Where Was I: Tel Aviv (asleep)

The Game: Eleven years after these two played one of the weakest games in this set, they played a far more meaningful one here. Winner would make the playoffs, loser would be eliminated. Perfect. The Colts though ruined some of the drama by winning wire to wire, Taking a 14-0 lead in the second quarter, and always being a step or two ahead of the Titans all game. Andrew Luck never lost to Tennessee in his career, with this being a classic performance for him, going 24-35 for 305 yards. Marlon Mack ran for 119. It was a dominant win.

The Memory: We were in Israel for that Christmas time, and I remember watching some of the Week 17 festivities at a craft beer spot in Tel Aviv named the Dancing Camel. The owners there were from New York. They had a projector screen set-up adn were playing red zone. This specific game would have started at 5am or so local time, so needless to say I did not watch it. I was fairly confident of the outcome to be fair, and for good reason.

2019 - Dec 29th: San Francisco 49ers - 26  @  Seattle Seahawks - 21

Significance: Winner wins NFC West (and #1 seed for SF), Loser gets #5 seed

Where Was I; At home, watching live

The Game: This is it. This is what this SNF Final Game is all about - the perfect match of two division rivals, a great scene, tons of stakes and it resulted in a tackle at the goal line that if half a second later would've given teh Seahawks a TD to win it. The 2019 49ers were way better than the 2019 Seahawks, but someone we were one foot away from the Seahawks winning the division and sending the 49ers to a wild card slot. Even in the game itself, the 49ers led 19-7, before the Seahawks staged theri comeback. Just one yard shoft of what they needed, though.

The Memory: This was just an incredible game to watch - before what was a pretty meh postseason (livened up by a very good Super Bowl). Also what was interesting to me is watching a game like this before the world was about to change completely. All the things that happend over 2019 Christmas into January - February, 2020, is just weird thinking about now. Also, very unrelated, but there's an amazing NFL films version fo the final play taht is just superb. The drama, the intrigue, the importance, and the one yard short.

2020 - Jan 3rd: Washington Football Team - 20  @  Philadelphia Eagles - 14

Significance: Washington gets division with a win, Giants win division with a loss

Where Was I: At home, watching live

The Game: For the first time in a while, we had a Week 17 game that was meaningful for only one team. Worse than that though the team that it wasn't meaningful for was also very bad. It led to a bizarre game where the Eagles started a rookie Jalen Hurts who was not good, and replaced him in teh second half with Nate Sudfeld who was worse. The Football Team won in the end, heading to the playoffs where they would host Tom Brady and the Bucs. The less said about what happened there the better.

The Memory: I watched the game live, not every play to be sure but kept some awareness. What is most meaningful is people losing their minds at the QB shenanigans by the Eagles. Neither Hurts or Sudfeld was good. But many people saw this as the Eagles just throwing the game and giving away the division, wanting Washington to get it over their more-hated rival in the Giants. Of course none of that was true, but it was still such an overblown embarrassment that it cost Doug Pederson his job. Also super funny looking back at this controversy with Jalen Hurts given what he would then become.

2021 - Jan 9th: Los Angeles Chargers - 32  @  Las Vegas Raiders - 35

Significance: Winner gets the #5/#6 seed, loser is eliminated (both get in with tie)

Where Was I: At home, watching live

The Game: Nothing may really top 2019 for a long time, but in terms of pure drama this one came really close, with teh added benefit of the loser not making the playoffs. The Raiders took a 29-14 lead looking calmer and generally just better, as Maxx Crosby abused the Chargers LT and made Justin Herbert's life hell. But then Herbert came alive, especially on the drive to tie the game at 29-29, hitting three straight 4th and 10s with increasingly sharp throws. It led to OT where they traded field goals until a field goal at the gun won it.

The Memory: Like the game above, watching this at home makes it tough to have some specific memory to latch onto. But this game was an NFL Twitter masterpiece, from Herbert's fourth downs, to such interesting analytical and sociological debates around the ending. Both teams would get in with a tie, but if one team won the game then the loser would be out. So it all became a debate of shoudl either team really try in OT knowing they could risk losing. I do remember specific discussion aruond what the NFL would do if each team agreed to just kneel out the entire extra time. Got even more absurd when it hit the two minute warning in OT with teh Raiders at midfield. A tie wasn't even all that crazy an outcome at that time. Anyway, the Radiers did win, got a terrible Steelers team into the playoffs and annoyingly didn't let us all see what Goodell would've done in case of a handshake agreement tie.

2022 - Jan 8th: Detroit Lions - 20  @  Green Bay Packers - 16

Significance: Green Bay gets the 7th seed with a win, eliminated with a loss

Where Was I: At home, watching live

The Game: This is the only occurrence in this time period of a final game where only one team had something to play for and that one team lost. Of course, if you ask Lions players - they had something to play for. Namely, knocking out the Packers. And man did they take that to heart. The Lions defensive line was incredible, pressuring Rodgers constantly. Goff and the offense was good enough. The game climaxed with Rodgers throwing a pick on his last pass as a Packer, and the Lions going for the kill, hitting a 4th and 1 conversion to end it.

The Memory: I was just astounded by this game. I know rivalries matter and the like, but I didn't think Detroit would go into Lambeau in a game that for them meant noting, and beat the Packers. For the dreamer in me, this was such a cool crystallization of what makes football great. I guess in the otehr football this type of result happens as well, but it was so great watching a team with "nothing" to play for take it so seriously to ruin another fanbases life.