Winners and losers in the 2017 regular season

The 2017 regular season play has ended.  This season produced many surprises.  Of course happy surprises ruled the day in places like Jacksonville and Buffalo.  

Equally important were the unhappy surprises in towns like Tampa and New York.  Let’s look at the winners and losers in the NFL regular season.

The Winners

First and most important winners (to me) the Jacksonville ended a long run of poor play.  The Jaguars host their first home playoff game since 1999.  In addition they won their first AFC South division title.  The Jags ended a playoff drought of ten long years.

Equally amazing winners were the Buffalo Bills who ended the longest playoff drought in all American pro sports.  This play off game is their first since 1999.

Next winners were the Los Angeles Rams who ended the season with an 11-5 record.  In addition the team went from last to first in team scoring.  Running back Todd Gurley is a candidate for league MVP.

Another winner has to be the  Minnesota Vikings.  The Vikings achieved 13 victories.  They have a first round bye to rest injured players and are the number two seed in the NFC.

Final winner is the San Fransisco 49ers.  They ended the season with an uninspiring 6-10 record.  However they lost their first nine games and won 6 of their last 7.  Impressive ending!  They acquired a new quarterback and turned around a potentially devastating season.

The losers

First and most important losers (to me) the Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t live up to expectations.  As a result of their 2016 record of 9-7 hopes were high.  Sadly the Bucs came back to earth with a thud.  The defense couldn’t rush the passer and the quarterback, Jamies Winston, didn’t make third year progress.  New coaching?

Above all losers is the New York Giants.  Their record was a pathetic 3-13.  They ended the season last in their division.  The Giants need a reboot.  Sadly Eli Manning may be the scapegoat of this disaster.

The Oakland Raiders entered 2017 with high expectations and ended the season as losers.  They had a breakout  season in 2016 and expected to continue in 2017.  In fact they ended the season in third place in their division with a 6-10 record.  They fired their coach because someone has to take the blame.

The Green Bay Packers will watch football at home this post season.  The perennial contenders had a mediocre 7-9 season.  They ended in third place in their division.  This loser season is a debacle for these consistent winners.

Final losers are the Cleveland Browns.  They ended the season with a dismal 0-16 record.  There is nothing else to say.

To summarize

These opinions are my opinions.  For example the Jaguars and Buccaneers are my favorite teams.  As a result their fate means more to me than to others.  Certainly many writers will produce similar articles.  I will stick by my opinions.  As for the post season.  Go Jags!