Football 2013 - Week 17

by Bill Holmes

My recap of the only football games that matter

I know it is NFL week 16 but the colleges and I started a week before the professionals. Therefore it is week 17 or week 1 of NCAA bowl season. There were four bowl games on Saturday. I missed all of them. Not missed as in a void or longed for but missed as in unseen. None of them of any interest to me so no recaps. There are only 31 bowls remaining. On to Sunday and the pros.

First up the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost at St. Louis 23-13. The Bucs had only 177 total yards and two turnovers. Mike Glennon, the Tampa Bay QB was sacked seven times for 47 yards in loses. They also had held the ball eight fewer minutes than the Rams. I still find it strange to refer to the St. Louis Rams. The Cardinals belong in St. Louis and the Rams should be in Los Angeles. The Buccaneers are ending the year like they started it. This was their second straight lose after going 4-1 in the previous five games. They fall to 4-11 and have almost no chance next week at New Orleans against the 10-5 Saints.

The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't do much better as they lost their final home game of the season to the 5-9 Titans by a score of 20-16. The highlight of the game came when Jacksonville got retiring center Brad Meester his first career reception, good for a nine yard gain. This is Meester's 14th season, all with Jacksonville, and he holds several team records including most games played. Unfortunately they couldn't give Brad a final home field win. Meester will surely be placed in the Pride of the Jaguars ring of honor. The Jags held a 13-6 lead at the half but could only manage three second half points. Jaxs only had 63 rushing yards and Tennessee held the ball over 10 minutes longer. The final home game for Brad Meester and final home game of the season for the Jags was not a sellout. The Jaguars are now 4-11 for the season and must travel to the 10-5 Indianapolis Colts for their final game of the season. 

The 4-10 Atlanta Falcons play at the 10-4 San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. It will be the last regular season game ever at Candlestick Park. The 49ers move into a new stadium in Santa Clara next season.

   

In other news, the Houston Texans clinched at least a tie for worst record and first draft choice. After their lose to Denver (surprise) the Texans are 2-13. Only Washington at 3-12 can catch Houston. There are six teams with four wins. I have no idea how the tie breakers work or if any of these bottom feeders have traded their 2014 first round draft picks. I'm sure Mel Kiper will be informing us of all the draft ramifications.  

One more week of regular season NFL games then the playoffs and 31 more college bowls. We're just getting started.

wjh