Here's my quick review of everything we saw in Week 17 of the 2001 NFL season:
| TJ'S TOP 13 |
W-L |
TJ SAYS |
| 1. Rams |
14-2 |
500-plus points for the third straight year.
|
| 2. Bears |
13-3 |
First NFC Central title since 1990.
|
| 3. Steelers |
13-3 |
Ran for 200-plus yards for seventh time in '01.
|
| 4. Packers |
12-4 |
Packers have never lost home playoff game (12-0).
|
| 5. 49ers |
12-4 |
Three shutouts in last six games.
|
| 6. Patriots |
11-5 |
First AFC East title since 1997.
|
| 7. Dolphins |
11-5 |
In the playoffs for an NFL-best fifth straight year.
|
| 8. Eagles |
10-5 |
Meaningless game in Tampa on Sunday night.
|
| 9. Bucs |
9-6 |
Ho-hummer with Eagles on Sunday night.
|
| 10. Jets |
10-6 |
Played six games decided by two points or less in '01.
|
| 11. Raiders |
10-6 |
Three-game losing streak makes them the No. 3 seed.
|
| 12. Ravens |
9-6 |
Have to beat the Vikings on Monday night.
|
| 13. Seahawks |
9-7 |
Hoping Randy Moss is in mood to play Monday.
|
Offensive player of the week:
49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia. After a few sub-par outings, he threw for 263 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-0 rout of the Saints.
Defensive player of the week:
Bears defensive tackle Keith Traylor. Had just two tackles, but his memorable 67-yard interception return (not bad for a 320-pounder) was one of the Plays of the Year.
Special teams player of the week:
Jets kicker John Hall. His 53-yard field goal gave the Jets a 24-22 win, their first Oakland since 1962, to put Herman Edwards' team in the playoffs.
Numbers of the week:
Rod Smith is the first Broncos' player to lead football in receiving since Lionel Taylor (AFL) in 1965.
Surprise of the week:
Jets over Raiders. Certainly not a shocker, but the Green and White hadn't won in Oakland since the N.Y. Titans turned the trick in 1962 (0-8-1).
Coaching move of the week:
Jim Mora. An emotional Colts head coach said he wasn't quitting following the team's 29-10 win over Denver. Let's hope he's back because he's one of the finest men to ever coach.
Rising this week:
Cincinnati Bengals. They opened the season 2-0, closed it 2-0 (beating the Steelers and Titans) and have a promising future (we hope).
Falling this week:
New Orleans Saints. They gave up 160 points in their final four games and embarrassed themselves in the process.
Store it away:
Six players caught 100 passes this season, the second most in NFL history (nine in 1995).
Tom Jackson is an NFL analyst for ESPN.
