Some thoughts about Week 16/17 NFL.

Week 16 NFL

NOTE: On NNR Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports and I discussed the news of the day, injuries from the previous week, and previewed all of this week’s games including a detailed analysis of the Browns game.

Steelers pulled a “Buckeye” by not showing up against a Raven team with a defensive backfield that could not cover me running a pattern. What happened? They choked. If the Steelers get in the playoffs they will have fallen backwards across the goal line. They could be a force but not if they play like they did against the Ravens.

Chip Kelly is out and if you were surprised SHAME ON YOU for not listening to NNR. Samantha and I have been telling you for weeks that this was coming. It was well deserved. As a former coach myself I can say that anyone that makes player decisions based on who he likes will never succeed.

The NFL is about play makers and Kelly gave away the guys that had the best ability to make plays. It was also a HUGE mistake to try to force his system on players that did not fit it. A good coach adapts his system to fit the talent that he has.

Rumors have Kelly becoming the HC of the Titans. They have the 1st pick (or will after they loose to the Colts) and former Oregon QB Marcus Mariota. But the problem is that the only thing that the TN D has is consultant Dick Jauron. He will never stay if Kelly is named as head coach. The D that was really bad this year will be much much worse under Kelly’s hurry up O.

If the rumors are true about the Browns bring in Hall of Fame Ron Wolfe as a consultant to select the next GM are true it is the first great decision that the organization has made. It is critical that the GM and head coach are on the same page. The ONLY way to do that is to allow the new GM to pick his head coach.

The Falcons gave the NFC the blueprint to beat the Panthers—pressure Cam Newton in the pocket and don’t let him escape. Now we will see if any playoff team is smart enough to take advantage of it.

No NFC team wants to play the Seahawks in the playoffs. But no matter how good Russell Wilson is (and he is REALLY good) if the O line can not protect him the team will struggle. It had looked like the O line had jelled but last week it was pathetic.

The Packers will not be in the playoffs long unless the WRS can get open. The O line is a problem but the WRS are a crisis. With the run game so inconsistent, the Packer O is the problem. The D has held up well even in the losses.

That is what I think. Tell us what you think by commenting here or tweeting me @NNRonDSN.

NOTE: News, Notes and Rumors podcast are BACK. Check out our thoughts on Fridays about the games coming up and Monday on the results of the weekend. My co-host is Samantha Bunten of NBC Sports. Podcasts can be heard on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/. Thanks for your support.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He edits https://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on and a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/. Follow him on twitter @NNRonDSN to get the schedule of Special News, Notes and Rumors broadcasts. You can hear the previous shows on https://fryingpansports.com/radio-show/.

He also edits .

To keep up with the News, Notes & Rumors podcasts, follow me on twitter @NNRonDSN.

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