Quarterback
Tom Brady (New England Patriots)
Week 16 stats: 22/31 for 231 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
Not a great game given Brady's lofty standards, but he did enough to help force overtime after the Pats fell behind 17-3 early in the third quarter. Here's the "Brady Briefing" for this week:
- With one touchdown this week, Brady tied Brett Favre for most touchdowns thrown with a single team at 481 touchdowns. I'm not a betting man, but I don't think there's any chance that he doesn't throw number 482 before this season is over.
- He's also 364 passing yards away from his second 5,000 yard season.
- He supports Peyton Manning amid the HGH accusations
- Brady currently leads the league in both passing yards and touchdowns, and if he remains in first place through the final week of the season, it will be the second time he has done so in his career.
Running Back
Denard Robinson (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Week 16 stats: 6 carries for 20 yards, 5 receptions for 51 yards
Even though he protected the football better this week, Denard is failing to get the job done as a starter in Jacksonville. Big Cat Country isn't high on him right now at all: "It's very, very obvious that Denard Robinson can't be a feature back in the NFL." I don't think anyone expected him to be a "feature back," but it would be nice if he could find some consistency as a role player.
Wide Receiver
Jason Avant (Kansas City Chiefs)
Week 16 stats: None
Avant only played on 19 (35%) of Kansas City's offensive snaps this week and failed to record any stats. He now has nine games this season where he hasn't made an appearance on the stat sheet.
Devin Funchess (Carolina Panthers)
Week 16 stats: None
For only the second time this season, Funchess didn't haul in a pass. He was targeted once in Carolina's first loss of the season.
Defensive Line
Alan Branch (New England Patriots)
Week 16 stats: 1 solo tackle
Branch seemed to have an underwhelming game this week in an overtime loss to the Jets. The Boston Herald reported that he was "often unable to maintain gap control as [he] had in the past." He'll look to rebound in the season finale next week as the Pats attempt to secure the top seed in the AFC.
Linebackers
Brandon Graham (Philadelphia Eagles)
Week 16 stats: 1 assist
Another quiet game from Graham - his second one-tackle game in as many weeks - in a loss to Washington. The entire Eagles team seems to be in disarray right now which ultimately led to the firing of head coach Chip Kelly last night.
David Harris (New York Jets)
Week 16 stats: 3 solo tackles, 3 assists, 1 tackle for loss
Harris played a solid game, albeit with one big mistake. From Gang Green Nation:
Harris was toasted on the game-tying touchdown. I think there's no way around that. Other than that, he played a very strong game, though. He was so quick to the ball that it felt like he understood New England's plays better than the Pats did at points. Harris had 6 tackles.
Jake Ryan (Green Bay Packers)
Week 16 stats: 2 solo tackles, 3 assists
The Cardinals annihilated the Packers this Sunday, and Ryan was beat on multiple plays. He'll look to bounce back next week against the Vikings with the NFC North division on the line.
Secondary
Leon Hall (Cincinnati Bengals)
Week 16 stats: 4 solo tackles, 1 assist
Hall remains a consistent, if not spectacular, member of the Bengals secondary. He tallied five total tackles in an overtime loss to the Broncos this week. He's struggled with little injuries a bit this year, and he did leave the game briefly to be checked for a concussion. However, he returned to finish the game.
Charles Woodson (Oakland Raiders)
Week 16 stats: 1 solo tackles, 1 assist, 1 carry for -3 yards
In the final home game of his career, Woodson received his first NFL carry:
<img src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/5853451/Woodson2.0.0.gif">
While it didn't accomplish much in terms of the game, it was a great way to honor one of the all-time greats, especially considering the play was named "The Heisman Pass." Here's some videos you should watch, especially the Vine, if you haven't already:
<iframe src="https://vine.co/v/iAvp1HOwOez/embed/simple" width="480" height="480" frameborder="0"></iframe><script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-video" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Just know that I will never leave you. Go Raiders." ~ <a href="https://twitter.com/CwoodsonF">@CwoodsonF</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RaiderNation?src=hash">#RaiderNation</a> <a href="https://t.co/fRdAiaOGoq">https://t.co/fRdAiaOGoq</a></p>— OAKLAND RAIDERS (@RAIDERS) <a href="https://twitter.com/RAIDERS/status/680259157467910144">December 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
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PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Charles Woodson
For his first NFL carry. Only Woodson could make a -3 yard gain look alright.
PLAY OF THE WEEK
Woodson walks onto the field for his final home game
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Charles Woodson. One last time for Oakland. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SDvsOAK?src=hash">#SDvsOAK</a> <a href="https://t.co/IQXA9VbcUF">https://t.co/IQXA9VbcUF</a></p>— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) <a href="https://twitter.com/nflnetwork/status/680201343374458880">December 25, 2015</a></blockquote>
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WEEK 16 MATCHUPS REVISITED
Tom Brady vs. David Harris and the Jets Defensive Line
Behind a decimated offensive line, Brady had nearly no time to throw to his receivers on Sunday against the Jets, who had their way with the Patriots on Sunday. Brady was held to 231 passing yards while the Jets defensive line limited New England's running backs to 63 yards on the ground. On the other side of the ball, Harris came in fourth on the team in tackles with nine total and one for a loss.
WINNER: David Harris and the Jets Defensive Line
Devin Funchess vs. the Falcons Secondary
Funchess was held without a catch on Sunday, with only one target.
WINNER: Falcons Secondary
Jake Ryan vs. the Cardinals Offensive Line
Ryan came in fourth on the team in tackles on Sunday, recording a total of 5 (2 solo). Overall, the Cardinals offensive line had a solid game against the Packers defensive front, only giving up 2 sacks and allowing the running backs to rush for 121 yards.
WINNER: Cardinals Offensive Line
WEEK 17 MATCHUPS TO WATCH
David Harris vs. the Bills Offensive Line
Harris played a solid game on Sunday against the Patriots, recording six total tackles in the Jets win over the Patriots. During the NFL's final week, Harris and company will take on a Bills offensive line that is ranked 18th in run blocking and 27th in pass protection. In the Jets first game against the Bills this season, Harris recorded one of his best games of 2015, with eight tackles and a half-sack. Watch for Harris to have an impressive outing in Week 17, and perhaps even record his third sack of the season.
ADVANTAGE: David Harris
Jake Ryan vs. the Vikings Offensive Line
Ryan is coming off a very impressive month at the linebacker position for the Packers, recording a total of 28 tackles during the previous four games. This weekend, Ryan and the Packers defensive line will face a Vikings line that is currently ranked 12th in run blocking and 28th in pass protection. Look for Ryan to end the regular season on a high note, once again leading the team in tackles.
ADVANTAGE: Jake Ryan
Devin Funchess vs. the Buccaneers Secondary
Many expected Funchess to post big numbers during Week 16 against Atlanta; however, he was held without a catch during the game. During the final week of the regular season, the Panthers will take on the Buccaneers who are currently ranked 16th in terms of passing defense. During Carolina's first game against Tampa Bay this season, Funchess was held without a catch on 2 targets. Expect more of the same this weekend.
ADVANTAGE: Buccaneers Secondary