Each week, Hall of Fame wide receiver and Westwood One Sunday Night Football analyst James Lofton tells you about the teams, players and trends that are on the way out and those that are on the way up around the NFL.
OUT & IN: Marshawn Lynch sat out the first quarter Sunday night against the Arizona Cardinals. When it was time to go in, Lynch responded with an epic 79-yard Beast Mode touchdown run that showed why he is the toughest guy to tackle in the NFL!
UP! How high is the ceiling for Giants rookie receiver Odell Beckham, Jr.? His performance in the second half of this season may just save the jobs of some folks in upper management. No receiver has been as hot as Beckham as he racked up eight catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday. OBJ has at least six receptions and 90 receiving yards in each of his last six games.
OUT: 20 teams. That’s the number that end up out of the playoffs. Some are way out and other are just barely out. Joining that latter list after Week 16 are New Orleans, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Miami and Cleveland. Better luck next year.
FLAT: The Ravens turned up flat against a very tough-minded Texans defense. Baltimore was just four of 15 on third downs and had only 33 yards rushing, 211 total yards and tossed three interceptions. Add in only 25 minutes of possession and it’s no wonder the Ravens are headed to Week 17 needing help to find the playoffs.
IN: Put a pin in it and go. DeMarco Murray didn’t let a little broken hand hold him back. The Cowboys runner handled the ball 22 times and helped carry the Cowboys to their first NFC East crown since the days of Wade Phillips.
COMEBACK: Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s career best four touchdowns and a blocked punt with under a minute to play for a safety has head coach Joe Philbin coming back for the 2015 season with a vote of confidence from owner Stephen Ross.
ALL-PRO MOVE: Raiders tackle Menelik Watson donated his game check to 4-year-old Ava Urrea. Ava was born with hypoplastic left-heart syndrome and has had more than 2o surgeries because of her condition. Watson handed his game check over to her Dad when they met after Raiders practice last week. Now, that’s an ALL PRO MOVE!!! Raiders win BABY!!
– James Lofton
Pro Football Hall of Famer James Lofton is the analyst for Westwood One’s coverage of Sunday Night Football. This weekend you’ll find James in Pittsburgh as the Steelers take on the Cincinnati Bengals.
