There’s still plenty to play for in the last two weeks of the season. While some teams jockey for playoff position, some players are looking to get into the record books. Both scenarios can be found in Week 16’s NFL Specials, starting with Ezekiel Elliott’s potentially record-breaking season.
Will Ezekiel Elliott Break the Single Season Rushing Record for a Rookie?
Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson holds the NFL’s rookie rushing record with 1,808 yards in 1983. Ezekiel Elliott will need to register 258 rushing yards over his final two contests to break that record. It looks hopeful, as Elliott has 266 rushing yards over his last two contests, and on top of that, he’ll face the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles – two teams that allow 4.2 yards per carry or more. But the Cowboys could decide to rest him. They’ve already clinched the top spot in the NFC and may decide to relax in Week 17.
Will the Denver Broncos Make the Playoffs?
The Broncos have crumbled over the last four weeks. They’ve dropped three of their last four games and are now the ninth seed in the AFC. To make the playoffs, they’ll have to win their final two games and get plenty of help. But it won’t be easy; they play the fifth seed Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday and the second seed Oakland Raiders the following week. The Broncos have managed only one win against a team in a playoff position: the Houston Texans. There’s a good chance the defending Super Bowl champs won’t make it back to the postseason.
Will the Cleveland Browns Finish 0-16?
The Browns’ push for a winless season continued last weekend with another blowout loss. They’re left with two more chances to elude a 0-16 season record. In Week 17, they’ll surely be double-digit road dogs when they play against the Pittsburgh Steelers, so Week 16 looks like their best opportunity to get in the win column. Their NFL odds have improved from 5.5 to 4.5 against the San Diego Chargers, who are a warm-weather, West Coast team that will travel across the country to play in the cold. The Chargers are also just 5-9 on the year and 2-5 on the road. This is the Browns chance to stay out of the record books.
Tom Savage Total Passing Yards in Week 16: 230.5
Backup quarterback Tom Savage will replace Brock Osweiler for Week 16, but it doesn’t mean he’s the answer to Houston’s quarterback woes. Guys like Brandon Weeden, Case Keenum and Brian Hoyer previously beat Savage for the job. Even so, Osweiler has been so turnover prone that the Texans had to make a change. Savage passed for 260 yards last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars and on Saturday, he’ll face the Cincinnati Bengals, who are 11th in points allowed.