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stkelly52 · 01-06-2005, 12:57 AM

WEEK 16
Baltimore 10-4 @ Atlanta 10-4
This game is of huge importance to us. This is a chance for us to see how well we do against one of the better teams in the NFL. Baltimore is trying to hold onto their lead AFC North. They are currently tied with Cleveland, but the Ravens have the edge based on tie breakers. A loss would give the lead to the Browns.

The Ravens have quite a few injuries, but we don't expect many of them to greatly affect the amount of playing time they see. One big exception is Baltimore's all pro QB is out for the season with a damaged ACL. However the Ravens have managed to rally around a QB who's rated at just 20 and find a way to win 6 of his 8 starts this year. It may not be pretty, but they have been winning.

On paper the Ravens really look like an average team. They are right in the middle of the pack in rushing, passing, passing D, points, and turnovers. Their rushing defense is solid, though not spectacular. They may be able to make things difficult for Leland. Baltimore is favored by 5.

Nixon had another solid outing: he ran 33 times for 126 yards and a TD. This game stayed close until early in the fourth when Nixon made his way into the end zone for the 16th time this year giving us a 17-7 lead. A late insurance field goal made it a 20-7. This win, combined with losses by both Tampa and Green Bay gives us the NFC South title, and puts us in the driver's seat for at least a first round bye.

NIXON CAREER MILESTONE. In this game Nixon surpassed the 5000 yard mark for his career AND he surpassed Hall of Famer Reggie Suszkowski as the Falcon's all time leading rusher. Reggie was the first RB ever inducted into the Hall of Fame. Drafted in the third round by the Raiders, he stunned everyone when he became a breakout player in his first training camp. He spent the first two years of his career coming off of the bench, though he was still used a lot. Starting in his third season he became one of the 3 best RBs in the NFL. His numbers were incredible as he led Oakland from nobodies to one of the best teams in the NFL. In the last season of his contract he was traded to the Colts for one year. Finally he made his way to the Falcons. With the Falcons he was still one of the best RBs in the game for his first season. Then, late in the year, Reggie was injured. From that point on he was never the same kind of RB that he had been before. He stayed with the team for 4 more seasons, but it was clear that his skills had greatly eroded and he was no more than a fair RB. He retired after 11 years in the league. Reggie was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 with 80% of the votes. Reggie is now the RB coach at his Alma Mater USC.

WEEK 17
Tampa Bay 9-6 @ Atlanta 11-4
Tampa is clinging to the 6th and final playoff spot. It is possible for them to lose and still make it in, but it is unlikely. They had been in the division hunt until last week when they suffered a heartbreaking 27-30 loss that knocked them out of contention in the NFC South. Tampa Bay's only division loss this year came at the hands of my Falcons. In that game they were for the most part able to shut down Nixon, though he did score the winning TD late in the game.

We want this game badly because if we win, we will have some valuable time off to rest during the bye week of the playoffs. We could even take home field advantage through the playoffs (depending on tiebreakers).

Nixon needs just 45 yards to reach our goal of 1600 yards for the year. It should be easy, but Tampa has shown that they have a tough running defense and they have a knack for stopping Nixon. We are favored by 3.

Well we had some real positive moments in this game. Nixon ran for 87 yards, insuring that he would eclipse the 1600 yard mark. Our kicker, 42 year old Brent Diaz hit 3 field goals, giving him a career best (and team record) 33. Not bad for a guy that I picked up during the preseason when I just didn't feel like I could count on my kicker.

But all in all, this game was about a team that was desperate to get into the playoffs playing against a team that was content knowing that they were already there. We feel behind early, and with our starting QB still out, we turned to the feeble arms of Fisk who failed to complete 25% of his passes. We are crushed 38-23.

01-06-2005, 12:57 AM	#39
stkelly52 College Benchwarmer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Seattle WA	WEEK 16 Baltimore 10-4 @ Atlanta 10-4 This game is of huge importance to us. This is a chance for us to see how well we do against one of the better teams in the NFL. Baltimore is trying to hold onto their lead AFC North. They are currently tied with Cleveland, but the Ravens have the edge based on tie breakers. A loss would give the lead to the Browns. The Ravens have quite a few injuries, but we don't expect many of them to greatly affect the amount of playing time they see. One big exception is Baltimore's all pro QB is out for the season with a damaged ACL. However the Ravens have managed to rally around a QB who's rated at just 20 and find a way to win 6 of his 8 starts this year. It may not be pretty, but they have been winning. On paper the Ravens really look like an average team. They are right in the middle of the pack in rushing, passing, passing D, points, and turnovers. Their rushing defense is solid, though not spectacular. They may be able to make things difficult for Leland. Baltimore is favored by 5. Nixon had another solid outing: he ran 33 times for 126 yards and a TD. This game stayed close until early in the fourth when Nixon made his way into the end zone for the 16th time this year giving us a 17-7 lead. A late insurance field goal made it a 20-7. This win, combined with losses by both Tampa and Green Bay gives us the NFC South title, and puts us in the driver's seat for at least a first round bye. NIXON CAREER MILESTONE. In this game Nixon surpassed the 5000 yard mark for his career AND he surpassed Hall of Famer Reggie Suszkowski as the Falcon's all time leading rusher. Reggie was the first RB ever inducted into the Hall of Fame. Drafted in the third round by the Raiders, he stunned everyone when he became a breakout player in his first training camp. He spent the first two years of his career coming off of the bench, though he was still used a lot. Starting in his third season he became one of the 3 best RBs in the NFL. His numbers were incredible as he led Oakland from nobodies to one of the best teams in the NFL. In the last season of his contract he was traded to the Colts for one year. Finally he made his way to the Falcons. With the Falcons he was still one of the best RBs in the game for his first season. Then, late in the year, Reggie was injured. From that point on he was never the same kind of RB that he had been before. He stayed with the team for 4 more seasons, but it was clear that his skills had greatly eroded and he was no more than a fair RB. He retired after 11 years in the league. Reggie was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 with 80% of the votes. Reggie is now the RB coach at his Alma Mater USC. WEEK 17 Tampa Bay 9-6 @ Atlanta 11-4 Tampa is clinging to the 6th and final playoff spot. It is possible for them to lose and still make it in, but it is unlikely. They had been in the division hunt until last week when they suffered a heartbreaking 27-30 loss that knocked them out of contention in the NFC South. Tampa Bay's only division loss this year came at the hands of my Falcons. In that game they were for the most part able to shut down Nixon, though he did score the winning TD late in the game. We want this game badly because if we win, we will have some valuable time off to rest during the bye week of the playoffs. We could even take home field advantage through the playoffs (depending on tiebreakers). Nixon needs just 45 yards to reach our goal of 1600 yards for the year. It should be easy, but Tampa has shown that they have a tough running defense and they have a knack for stopping Nixon. We are favored by 3. Well we had some real positive moments in this game. Nixon ran for 87 yards, insuring that he would eclipse the 1600 yard mark. Our kicker, 42 year old Brent Diaz hit 3 field goals, giving him a career best (and team record) 33. Not bad for a guy that I picked up during the preseason when I just didn't feel like I could count on my kicker. But all in all, this game was about a team that was desperate to get into the playoffs playing against a team that was content knowing that they were already there. We feel behind early, and with our starting QB still out, we turned to the feeble arms of Fisk who failed to complete 25% of his passes. We are crushed 38-23.