In this series, “NFL Game Day Takeaways,” fantasy football superstar, NFL analyst, and Del Pilar’s Diatribes columnist, William Del Pilar, provides concise thoughts. He captures the essence of each game, highlighting key takeaways from winning and losing teams. We aim to break down general observations into quick hits that reflect each team’s performance and trajectory.
There were many games with playoff implications and records to be set. However, it all turned out to be naught for nothing as the AFC playoff picture was shut down with a single win and the game of the week turned out to be “bleh” with one team dominating.
Saturday NFL Game Day
Baltimore Ravens 35, Cleveland Browns 10
Cleveland: 3-14
Let’s be honest, people. The Ravens played a Browns team that has the U-hauls set up and ready to go. This was a meaningless game for Cleveland, and they proved critics right by not showing up. They garnered only 174 receiving yards and 56 rushing to go with two interceptions, two sacks given up (that’s not too bad), and only a 33% third-down efficiency rating. They ended the season at 3-14.
The real story for them remains the fact they gave $260 million to QB Deshaun Watson, and since 2022, his first season, the team has accumulated a 21-30 record and, with him at quarterback, a 9-13 record. Remember, there have been 51 games (not counting playoffs) since his signing. He’s only played 32 and hasn’t played four full quarters in all of them.
That’s the story for the Browns heading into the offseason as they say thanks for nothing to backups Bailey Zappe, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and Jameis Winston – three quarterbacks because they chose not to keep Joe Flacco for fear of making Watson feel threatened with his starting job. With a top-three pick in the draft, do they dare take a quarterback?
Baltimore: 12-5 (Playoff Seed No. 3)
All this game did for the Ravens was pad the stats and scream Lamar, Lamar, Lamar for MVP as he concludes the season with 4,000-plus yards passing and 900-plus yards rushing in a single season. However, while unique, he’s not shown the ability to get his team over the playoff hunt. That said, with the Chief’s vulnerability, this could be their year, although the Bills, Lions, Eagles, and Vikings have as much of a shot as the Ravens do. This game did nothing but continue their momentum and an increase in confidence heading into the postseason.
Cincinnati Bengals 19, Pittsburgh Steelers 17
Cincinnati: 9-8
The Bengals are on fire, which is all for naught, as they don’t control their destiny and will not be in the playoffs. I say they’re on fire because they’ve won their last five games, but they did struggle to face a solid if underwhelming this season Steelers defense. Their defense played a more significant role, with four sacks and one turnover. More importantly, they limited and kept Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson in check.
The Bengals’ defense is terrible, so is this a product of them stepping up or the Steeler’s continual descent into mediocrity? The Bengals really haven’t been consistent in putting it all together on both sides of the ball in one game this season. It’s a reason they’re on the outside looking in. For this week, it was just enough.
Steelers: 10-7 (Playoff Seed No. 6)
The Steelers have lost four in a row and five of their last seven. Believe it or not, this is typical of a Mike Tomlin-led team. They tend to wear out, get tired of Tomlin, and who knows, but in the past seven seasons, this second-half swoon has become their trademark. They’ve been accused of “vanilla” offenses, and after a while, you must look at the head coach more than the offensive coordinator as they come and go. This game had it all: inaccurate throws, drops, and a lack of chemistry. Maybe it’s Wilson’s first season, but at this point, you would think the team would be coming together, not falling apart.
The struggles with short-yardage situations epitomize this team’s problems. They want to be a powerhouse that grinds it out and punishes defenses, but they haven’t done that for a while, making them one-dimensional. When you have average receivers, your top wideout would be a No. 2 on many teams; how far can this offense take you? Not far as we’re seeing. The offense only had 193 offensive yards with 74 rushing. It appears the Steelers are out of gas and now must hit the road for a playoff game as a Wild Card. Most will say to put a fork in them, but the playoffs are a “second season,” so never say never.
Early Sunday NFL Game Day
Carolina Panthers 44, Atlanta Falcons 38 (OT)
Carolina 5-12
Give Panthers QB Bryce Young credit. Since his benching and second opportunity, he’s made the most of it. The Panthers had nothing but pride to play for, and Young effectively took the Falcons out, who were playing for their playoff lives. He threw for 251 yards, with three touchdowns, passing with two rushing. He’s not a rusher but showed a remarkable ability to know when to use his legs. He has shocked many pundits, including this writer. Maybe new head coach Dave Canales is the right hire to build this team from a laughingstock into a powerhouse. This season’s over, but the future, right now, looks bright.
Atlanta 8-9
What an embarrassment. This writer is not a fan of Falcons head coach Raheem Morris after his embarrassing first tenure as a head coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He continues to “not disappoint.” Not going for two is a question mark as it’s the second time that’s happened, but there’s really no issue with that, as fans make more of it than the reality of what encompasses those decisions.
The fact this team couldn’t put a basement team away as they’re fighting for a playoff spot speaks more about the head coach and the coaching staff. Yes, players are to blame, but the coaching staff must be able to motivate their team to rise above mediocrity if they hope to be a playoff contender.
The only positive is rookie Michael Penix, who threw for 312 yards, two touchdowns, and showed accuracy to go with his big arm. He did nothing impressive, but that’s okay, as he did nothing to lose his two starts and showed a potential great future with some great plays. The other highlight was WR Drake London, who went 10-187-2 and gave hope to this offense.
The real offseason question is what to do with Kirk Cousins. The Falcons are a loser squad and still have 2-3 years to develop. Cousins can still play in the right situation, and some teams could use him as a quality backup and spot starter if he accepts that role. Maybe there’s a team with an injury-prone quarterback where he’ll be great insurance.
Washington Commanders 23, Dallas Cowboys 19
Washington 12-5 (Playoff Seed No. 6)
Leg soreness took rookie phenom QB Jayden Daniels out of this matchup, and the story became backup quarterback Marcus Mariota to come in and secure the No. 6 role with a win over a Cowboys squad that has collapsed this year. It was nice to see Mariota contribute with a win, as his career has been partially done in because of his injuries throughout the years. Daniels has a week to recover before seeing his first playoff start. However, the Commanders’ offense needs to get it together as they started slow and should’ve been able to take down a Cowboys’ team that has underperformed and more than likely have the U-hauls ready to go upon getting back to Dallas.
Dallas 7-10
The Cowboys had nothing to play for, but don’t tell that to No. 3 quarterback Trey Lance, who wanted to showcase and prove he’s an NFL-caliber quarterback. The jury is still out despite what you’ll hear. He threw for 244 yards and used his legs well enough to gain 26 rushing yards but came up empty with passing touchdowns. He was inconsistent and rusty, and his market next season will be there, but he won’t sign as a starter.
Chicago Bears 24, Green Bay Packers 22
Chicago 5-12
The Bears end on a high note with a legitimate upset of the Packers, who were playing for something. The team will be the most attractive because QB Caleb Williams didn’t show the immaturity he constantly displayed in college. He showed immaturity as a player, but that can be improved upon. If he keeps his off-the-field in check, he can be something. Learning the game and maturing into a leader may be a possibility. The offensive whiz kids will line up for interviews this offseason because of him. The future may not be bright immediately, but the key piece is in place.
Green Bay 11-6 (Playoff Seed No. 7)
The Packers were an embarrassment this week, but it wasn’t all their fault. They succumbed to injuries and lost WR Christian Watson (ACL) to a knee injury for the rest of the season and QB Jordan Love to an elbow injury, so they pulled him for safety precautions. However, it was apparent the Packers were looking past the Bears, which showed in their play.
They’re a young team, and this is part of their growth. However, they need to get their heads together because the playoffs are a different game. This happens, looking at past teams, and this is a coaching issue, and head coach Matt LaFleur needs to do a better job. He’s given all the credit and never criticism in cases like this in how he motivates his players. He also has a lousy playoff record in mentally preparing his teams to go.
Indianapolis Colts 26, Jacksonville Jaguars 23 (OT)
Indianapolis 8-9
QB Joe Flacco, a backup, led the team to a win, but we would have liked to have seen starter Anthony Richardson (back). If Flacco decides to continue his career, he’ll find a suitor, as he led this offense to over 400 yards and showed that he could come off the bench. However, this game also revealed that the team needed to make RB Jonathan Taylor the focal point as he rushed for 177 yards and one touchdown. Granted, he faced the hapless Jaguars, but with Richardson so raw, it’s obvious that is the road they should take, and they did not.
This team is 3-5 years away from contending with Richardson as their quarterback. This is their chosen route, and Taylor is likely not to see the potential fruits with a shelf-limited life. The reality is they need a stop-gap quarterback because as bad as Richardson is as a throwing quarterback, he’s also injury-prone, and the fans don’t realize it, but they’re not going to see much winning overall via this offense for the next few years.
Jacksonville 4-13
The Jaguars have already let Doug Pederson go as head coach, but they came to play this week against the Colts and fell short. Backup QB Mac Jones had an acceptable game with 225 yards and one touchdown and will get looks in a league that sees quarterbacks go down. However, they must toughen up and get better running backs versus the scat-backs they use right now. Trevor Lawrence (concussion) must become a leader and learn how to win and climb out of a hole when the times get tough, and he shows none of that ability.
The coaching regime that comes in needs to be more disciplined than Pederson showed. One more note: Pederson is seen as a quarterback guru, but he’s not. God blessed him with a magical season to win a Super Bowl, but the quarterback position became a mess, and because of too much loyalty to his coaching staff, he was let go. The tale is repeated in Jacksonville, and this writer, once a supporter, now sees him differently. Hopefully, he can learn from this, so we’ll see.
New England Patriots 23, Buffalo Bills 16
New England 4-13
In a game the Patriots’ fans wanted them to lose, they won and lost the overall No. 1 spot. There was a bright spot. Backup QB Joe Milton III showed potential. All you’re hearing is how great he is, but he played backups, and a team that was looking past this week and to the playoffs. That said, he gave himself momentum, and the team hopes that he can become a quality backup and potential spot starter.
Maybe even down the road, showcase and see his talent emerge into a potential starter. Head coach Jerod Mayo was let go immediately after the game, and the cultural wars have started, even though over the past dozen years, there have been many black and white coaches fired after one season.
The only explanation for his firing, and it is coming out, is his lack of ability to handle the job with examples. He threw his coaching staff under the bus and misled the media, and some reports state he may have lost the locker room or parts of it. Finally, reports stating ownership discovered traits about him they did not realize prior to the hire. Remember, he had zero head coaching experience and no coordinator position. The Patriots are a mess and have too many positions to fill, but they should look toward an offensive coordinator as head coach to properly lead the coaching staff in developing QB Drake Maye.
Buffalo 13-4 (Playoff Seed No. 2)
The Bills had nothing to gain, so they started QB Josh Allen to keep his starting streak alive and then sat down. The Bills played backups because they wanted to rest as many players as possible before the playoffs begin next week. They didn’t care about winning the game, but more about resting and letting some players hit incentives.
Philadelphia Eagles 20, New York Giants 13
Philadelphia 14-3 (Playoff Seed No. 2)
The Eagles had nothing to play for and rested their starters as they prepare for the playoffs. The big story was RB Saquon Barkley sitting out with a chance to break Eric Dickerson’s record (2,105 yards), but a case in point is the first time they played the Giants, and Barkley had a chance to keep running to break his record and said no. Had he not done that, he could’ve been allowed to break Dickerson’s record. However, the key here is that the team is responsible for keeping their players healthy, and the team comes before the individual, whether fair or not.
New York 3-14
The Giants got an outstanding performance but not spectacular from WR Malik Nabers, going 5-64-1 as he continued to show he is the real deal and a building block in the receiver groups as he showcased himself as a league leader in receptions. The team is hunting for a quarterback and has the overall No. 3 pick with the Tennessee Titans and Browns ahead of them.
We’ll see how this plays out, but head coach Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen should be let go but are returning. Whether the fans like it or not, this is a one-year reset, meaning they are starting from scratch but only have one season to get it together. That’s a big mountain to climb, and the loss against the Eagles’ backups epitomizes the Giants. They’re that bad.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27, New Orleans Saints 19
Tampa Bay 10-7 (Playoff Seed No. 3)
This game started with the Saints looking to pull the upset, leaving fans, analysts, and others scratching their heads at what the Bucs were doing. However, these are the Bucs, and they are not a dominant team. However, QB Baker Mayfield came through. Mind you, Mayfield can win as many games as he can lose you. This means you don’t look at him and go; I want the ball in his hands at the end of a game.
He still must show he can shoulder that load. However, he came through this week with multiple drives in the fourth quarter to end the game with 221 passing yards for two touchdowns and another interception. He contributed 68 rushing yards as well. In this game, he put the team on his shoulders to win. Maybe he’s on his way? Only time will tell.
WR Mike Evans crossed the 1,000-yard mark for the 11th straight season and a $3 million bonus. However, Jalen McMillan had a solid game with 5-74-1, and with the continual play of RB, Bucky Irving shows they can compete. However, they’ve got to put together a great game for four quarters. They’re not there yet as a team. They need another 1-2 seasons to become a legitimate powerhouse, but they head into the playoffs on a high note with some momentum.
New Orleans 5-12
The Saints came in to play spoiler, gave it their all, and got a solid performance out of backup quarterback Spencer Rattler, who threw for 240 yards and one touchdown. However, this team is a salary cap mess with mediocrity and no depth. Since the game ended, QB Derek Carr (hand), who missed seven games, stated he will not take a pay cut.
You can only kick the salary cap down the road for so long and even then, the latter half of kicking it down the road will create mediocrity, not championships. That’s where the Saints are. Their offseason should consist of determining their long-term future and not thinking of a fix here or there, and they can compete for a championship.
Houston Texans 23, Tennessee Titans 14
Houston 10-7 (Playoff Seed No. 4)
The Texans needed this win after two straight losses, including an embarrassment against the Baltimore Ravens and a beat down against the Kansas City Chiefs. Lucky for them, they faced the loser Titans. This game combined starters playing a few series and the backups then stepping in. However, the key here is stopping their losing streak, getting that monkey off their back mentally, and helping them change gears to the postseason without a slump hanging over them.
Tennessee 3-14
The Titans are a mess, and we don’t know anything about their quarterback position and if Will Levis is the answer. Mason Rudolph is a backup at best, despite his belief that he can start. Granted, he’s on a terrible team and played well with the Steelers, but he was never given a fair shot there. This season pretty much cemented his status as a backup. However, this season also showed Brian Callahan is not long for this position.
It’s one thing not to be able to win, but it’s another in your coaching ability to know your talent and determine who you’ll build around. That said, I’ll give him a pass this season as the bulk of the issues reside with general manager Ran Carthon after two miserable seasons of player evaluation. They must return to the drawing board and reset the rebuild, starting with evaluating the quarterback position.
Sunday Afternoon NFL Game Day
Arizona Cardinals 47, San Francisco 49ers 24
Arizona 8-9
The Cardinals ended the season on a high note with 47 points in a meaningless game. In other words, it was an excellent game for them to end the season on, but that was it. Mabey developing some more chemistry but what can you say? The Niners likely had their U-hauls ready to go, so it’s not meaningful. The real question is their offseason and building around what they gained this season with a full year with Murray and his targets, TE Trey McBride and WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
That’s about it, but the future does look bright for this team. However, this writer doesn’t see greatness in Kyler Murray, and he still needs to mature despite the fact he’ll be entering his seventh season next year.
San Francisco 6-10
The Niners’ season was injury-riddled, but it was also filled with errors and locker room issues. This team is a year older and has a lost season, and you have huge contracts with players underperforming overall once they receive them. They were great, but the truth is when you have a team that gels well and a playbook that is executed well because of a great coaching staff, those players will eventually show themselves not to be as elite as most thought.
By elite, this writer means consistently elite, not highlight reel elite combined with injuries or disappearing for periods. That’s what the Niners currently have. Why is this brought up? QB Brock Purdy won’t break the bank, but the going rate for quarterbacks will impact their current salary cap. There are big decisions to be made on a team that has been living large with a quarterback on a rookie deal. This team may only have one more season with this current crop of players.
Denver Broncos 38, Kansas City Chiefs 0
Denver 10-7 (Playoff Seed No. 7)
There were so many playoff implications heading into the final week in the AFC, but it all began with the Broncos needing to lose. However, they faced backups, and it was a lopsided win. Essentially, all this win did was boost the team’s confidence after two straight losses. With their backs to the wall, they responded in a big way. QB Bo Nix had a massive game with 321 yards and four touchdowns, with 47 rushing yards to boot! Like the Texans, it was a much-needed win and, in their case, a loss, and they would’ve been out of the playoffs, so an even bigger win than the Texans.
Kansas City 15-2 (Playoff Seed No. 1)
What can you say? This team didn’t even compete, but the starters were all resting to give them two full weeks of rest and the ability to heal. Former prospect and now backup QB Carson Wentz didn’t show up to play, going 10-for-17 for 98 yards and four sacks. Wentz will hit free agency and should likely try to stick with the Chiefs to regain his lost confidence and get his head on right. The other side, as Big John, one of Grumblings Media’s NFL analysts, pointed out – the Chiefs would rather have the Broncos in than the Bengals. No, they weren’t playing to lose, but they won’t lose any sleep over this loss and the Broncos getting in.
Seattle Seahawks 30, Los Angeles Rams 25
Seattle 10-7
What is disappointing about this game is that it was clear that QB Geno Smith was on and for one reason. He had multiple contractual targets to hit. It made this writer think that he may not be the long-term quarterback, not only because he’s streaky, but because it looks like it took money to bring out his “A” game in a meaningless game.
He did just that, earning a cool $6 million. Maybe this writer is too hard as the team did go 10-7 and appear on their way to remain competitive and can build on this season. This team needs to have a great offseason in free agency and the draft, and they could be legitimate contenders for the NFC crown next year.
Los Angeles 10-7 (Playoff Seed No. 4)
The Rams had nothing to play for and rested their players. Backup QB Jimmy Garoppolo, unlike Carson Wentz, made himself attractive if he hits the free agent market this offseason. He threw 334 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. However, he led six scoring drives. In essence, they were able to see what their backup could do in this system, and they liked what they saw. They must feel good if Stafford, at 38, gets injured in the playoffs this season.
Los Angeles Chargers 34, Las Vegas Raiders 20
Los Angeles 11-6 (Playoff Seed No. 5)
Reports state the Chargers started slow, but this was a division game, and despite everything, the players seem to like now-former head coach Antonio Pierce. They played hard, but Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh epitomizes the toughness that the Chargers have lacked since the Bobby Ross days two decades ago. The Chargers’ lack of toughness could have resulted in a loss in the past, but with Harbaugh, they regrouped and came out and took care of business.
That is what this game helped do for them. Continue to set a mental toughness to allow them to compete with the big boys. They showed they could play from behind, hit crucial two-point scores, and handle business. Granted, this was a Raiders team that lacked a quality quarterback; it was a division game where rivalry usurps records. The concern is the Chargers’ consistent offensive line issues, which will doom them this year, but overall, this team is going in the right direction.
Las Vegas 4-13
The Raiders have no quarterback and need to start there. While Aidan O’Connell has shown glimpses of being an NFL quarterback, he is better suited as a backup. In the end, the position cost Pierce his job, as the team let him go. The team heads into the offseason with significant holes, starting with a head coach and quarterback.
New York Jets 32, Miami Dolphins 20
New York 5-12
The question is if this is the final game for QB Aaron Rodgers, and if it is, he ended it with a win and shutting the Dolphins, who needed a win to remain in the playoff hunt. He threw 274 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. His future may not be with the Jets. He does not want to be there. However, the salary cap implications may keep him there if he chooses not to retire. However, he says he is willing to take a pay cut and mentor whomever they bring in. Regardless, this is a dysfunctional team with a meddling owner and where quarterbacks and head coaches go to die.
Miami 8-9
The Dolphins had to win and lost. This team is at its best with QB Tua Tagovailoa, but he has a ceiling and is injury-prone. Backup QB Tyler Huntley is a backup and a subpar one. This offense is not suited for him, so look for the team to upgrade the position. This loss is by a team that was unprepared to play without Tua this season.
Between his concussions and injuries, he missed six games, and this team’s future is going nowhere with him at quarterback because you cannot count on him and his concussion issues. However, they are locked into him with a $212 million contract and will regret it. Now they have problems with WR Tyreek Hill being happy, as he pretty much stated he wants out right after the game. This team is in turmoil, whether people realize it or not.
NFL Game Day Sunday Night
Detroit Lions 31, Minnesota Vikings 9
Minnesota 14-3 (Playoff Seed No. 5)
What happened to the vaunted Vikings’ defense? Let’s be clear: Brian Flores, who wrongly believes he deserves a head coaching job, has a magnificent defense when it’s clicking or playing young or average quarterbacks. He struggles when he faces an offensive coordinator or quarterback who can pick up the blitz. Why? He’s predictable. You see a defense that slowly is worn down both physically and mentally, and when combined with an offense that struggles, you realize the Vikings are good but not in the class of the NFL’s elite teams.
QB Sam Darnold went 18 of 41 for 166 yards and had some players open. He’s still learning, and this game likely hurt his offseason contractual demand as a free agent; it was a game he can learn and grow from. Despite the injuries, Darnold faced a team that prepared well enough to know how to play him and wore that offensive line down. Lions’ defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn leap-frogged Flores on many interview lists.
The Stars did not align with the Viking’s offense, but they needed a more consistent rushing attack where they could rely on a power rush to give the quarterback more time to throw. While the stats looked good, the play was inconsistent at times. The Vikings have had and are having a magical season, and they can grow from this, but this is likely not their year. They now face a Rams team that has been playing some of their best football defensively in the playoffs. Darnold will have his hands full.
Detroit 15-2 (Playoff Seed No. 1)
The Lions are injury-riddled defensively, but defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is maximizing what he has to work with, and they earned a hard-fought victory for the No. 1 seed. They were able to lock in on Vikings QB Sam Darnold and pressure him to have one of his worst games this season. This was a chess game that turned into checkers as the game wore on. The Lions exposed Darnold’s weakness, and the Vikings couldn’t rely on the rushing attack despite some nice numbers on paper to take over the game for them and set up the pass.
Offensively, the Vikings blitz limited Jared Goff, but here’s the problem – Lions defensive coordinator Ben Johnson dialed up the rushing attack perfectly to counter Flores blitzing. Jahmyr Gibbs went 23-139-3, and receiving went 5-31-1, thus showing his star power and ability to take over a game. Something the Vikings rushing attack could not do. The Lions can now rest a week and may get back RB David Montgomery, and while a Super Bowl is not a given with the Eagles in their conference, the road to the Super Bowl does go through Detroit.
There are your NFL game day takeaways for the final week of the NFL season. Don’t forget to check out our “Blindside Blitz” and “Points on the Board” podcasts. Where we discuss NFL game day issues and other sports making headlines.
