Here are my takeaways from the final week of the regular season … and the final week of the decade.
One of these things is not like the other
With the regular season in the books, the leading rushers on the season for their respective teams are Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley … and Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Even if we’ve seen it before, it’s still awesome
The Seahawks had the ball on the one-yard line and Marshawn Lynch leaped over the pile for a touchdown as the Seattle crowd showered the end zone with Skittles.
For one game, it would’ve been awesome
Robert Griffin III got the start for the Ravens. How cool would it have been if the league let the back of his jersey read simply RG and his number, which is No. 3.
30 for 30
He needed overtime, but Jameis Winston threw his 30th interception of the season. This works out to a cool million dollars per interception in his reported $30 million asking price. If it were baseball, the 30-for-30 would actually be a sign of a successful season.
Are you looking for a job?
There’s an opening in Cleveland, Ohio. Your employees are some of the best money can buy. You may even know them from the many television commercials. But don’t uproot your family, because the same job could open up again a year from now.
Too little, too late
The Cowboys finally played a solid game and blew somebody out, even if it was the Redskins. But there will be no playoff game for Dallas and maybe no job for Jason Garrett in the coming days.
Best for last
Miami had a subpar season, although the second half of the year was far better than the first half. On Sunday, the 16.5-point underdogs went into Foxborough and beat the Patriots. Talk about ending the season on a high note.
Making his case
Gardner Minshew had another magical performance in his team’s final game of 2019. Did he do enough to earn the starting job next season?
He gave it all he had
Philip Rivers, in what is being widely speculated as his final game in a Chargers uniform, left it all on the field in true Rivers fashion. But in the end, his Chargers fell to the Chiefs
QB1 is all heart. pic.twitter.com/kNalRfkWY7
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 29, 2019
Rushing title in Music City
Late in the fourth quarter, Titans running back Derrick Henry needed eight yards to claim the top spot. He knew it, as did Mike Vrabel. His next carry was a 53-yard touchdown run.
Derrick Henry takes the lead for the rushing title on a 53-yard TOUCHDOWN! #Titans @KingHenry_2
📺: #TENvsHOU on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/HYJhHN7b2Y pic.twitter.com/4O5zFyPgCT— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2019
Rest easy, Earl
Henry ended the season one touchdown behind legend and Hall of Famer, Earl Campbell, for the franchise record.
Speaking of awards and Music City…
Titans receiver A.J. Brown made one last-ditch effort to steal the rookie of the year award away from Raiders rookie running back Josh Jacobs to the tune of four catches for 124 yards, including a 51-yard touchdown and an amazing 47-yard catch at the one-yard line.
INSANE CATCH! 🤯@Brown1arthur | #TENvsHOU pic.twitter.com/z71X2J4r53
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 29, 2019
Lone Wolf … or Buffalo?
The Buffalo Bills will be the only team of the three from the state of New York represented in the playoffs.
Rodgers is still Rodgers
Once again, with his Packers down late in the game, the future Hall of Famer led his team to the late-game victory.
No letting up
The Saints had their game all but won by halftime. Still, that didn’t keep Drew Brees from being under center after the break.
Tough spot to be in
The Panthers are without a head coach. On Sunday, it was even more apparent they need to figure out the quarterback spot heading into next season. Luckily they have one of the top running backs in the league.
In dramatic fashion
The 49ers locked up the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a fourth-down stop in the waning seconds against the Seahawks. What a storybook ending in the last game of their Cinderella regular season. They definitely aren’t your father’s 49ers.
ALL GAS, NO BRAKE ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/cuOXBEOljv
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 30, 2019
