It’s been a few weeks, Roll Bama Roll, since I’ve posted my last Built By Bama. For all of my fan that missed me, I’m sorry. If you haven’t been following the NFL lately, let me bring you up to date. The Playoffs begin this Saturday at 4:35 EST with a Wildcard matchup between the Raiders and the Texans. Then at 8:15, the Lions take on the Seahawks. Sunday’s action begins at 1 PM with the Dolphins taking on the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Finally, at 4:40 the Giants travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers. For a more in depth guide to the NFL Playoffs (and more importantly what to expect from former Alabama players in the Playoffs), check back later this week on Roll Bama Roll. Without further ado, let’s delve into this sweet, sweet Week 17 NFL goodness.

---

Week 17’s Top Performances

Throughout the majority of the season, Julio Jones had seemed like a lock for finishing the year as the league leader in reception yards. However, a toe injury kept Jones sidelined for weeks 14 and 15. In those two weeks without seeing any action, both TY Hilton and Odell Beckham Jr. jumped the Falcons wide receiver in total reception yards for 2016. This week, Before the Falcons faced the Saints, the Colts wide receiver TY Hilton accounted for 95 yards to remain ahead of Julio Jones as the league leader in reception yards for the season. In order to finish the regular season on top, Julio Jones would have had to account for 136 yards against the Saints defense this week. Unfortunately, Julio finished the regular season only 39 yards short of TY Hilton, however his performance against the Saints lands him a well deserved top spot in Built By Bama’s Top Performers of Week 17.

The Falcons only had possession of the ball for 3 minutes and 14 seconds of the 1^st Quarter. With 52 seconds left in the 1^st Quarter, Julio Jones was targeted for the first time. The pass went incomplete and drew a flag as fellow Tide alumni, Roman Harper, was called for pass interference which would have given Julio Jones at least 46 more yards. Those 46 extra yards would have given Julio enough yards to retake first place in reception yardage this season. Thanks Roman. With the exception of his second reception, which went for 7 yards only to be stopped a yard short of the goal line, all 6 remaining receptions went for either a first down or a touchdown. Jones finished the day with 13.71 yards per reception and could not have been more clutch against a Saints team that threatened to come back late in the game. Although it hurt his average yards per reception, Jones’ 1 yard touchdown grab was once again a thing of beauty.

The Falcons now get ready to enjoy a bye week, which will hopefully give Julio Jones enough time to recover from his foot injury. This upcoming weekend will decide whether Jones and the Falcons have to face the Giants, the Packers, or the Seahawks in the semifinals of the NFC Championship. The NFC appears to be the most confusing road to the Super Bowl, but if QB Matt Ryan can continue to play at a MVP caliber level and Julio Jones can play at 100% throughout the playoffs, the Falcons have a very realistic shot at making an appearance in the Super Bowl.

Moving on to a team with about as realistic of a shot at making the Super Bowl, let alone the playoffs, as Auburn does being given Alabama’s spot in the National Championship Game. Before week 17, the Jets were 4-11 and sitting pretty to draft Cam Robinson for their first pick since their line is going to need some serious rebuilding. This horrible season for the Jets and a better draft pick was within their grasp, however the Jets overlooked one very large detail - They were playing the Buffalo Bills: Disappointment Incarnate. After the firing of brothers Rex and Rob Ryan this past week, OC Anthony Lynn took over as the interim head coach of the Bills. In typical Buffalo fashion, the Bills were unable to win a game they were supposed to.

James Carpenter had an extremely solid day for the Jets as well as being the only staple at the offensive line position. After this game, all four of the offensive linemen besides Carpenter have combined for a total of 20 starts. Carpenter started his 32^nd straight game starting for the Jets offensive line Sunday against the Bills. Carpenter’s pass blocking against the Bill’s front seven was practically flawless, as he allowed no pass rushes to pressure QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick completed 20 of his 30 passes for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Jets offensive live also allowed running back Bilal Powell to rush for 122 yards on 22 carries.

Although neither the Bengals nor the Ravens had a shot at making the NFL post-season by winning this game, Cincinnati certainly didn’t play as if that was the case. The then 5-9-1 Bengals dominated the then 8-7 Ravens for all four quarters. Up until about three minutes left in the game, Cincinnati was up 20-3 until the Ravens were able to score their first touchdown of the game on a 1-yard run from Kenneth Dixon after an 8 play, 70 yard drive.

With under 5 minutes to go in the game, the Ravens were down 20-10 and faced with a 4^th and 5. Baltimore went for it and Dre Kirkpatrick broke up Joe Flacco’s pass intended for Breshad Perriman. Cincinnati took over the ball at the Raven’s 25 yard line. The Bengals offense was able to put the nail in the coffin as they were able to eat up 2 minutes and 24 seconds on a touchdown-scoring drive that consisted of 8 run plays.

Against the Ravens, Kirkpatrick accounted for 3 solo tackles, 3 assisted tackles, as well as a pass deflection. Kirkpatrick was on the field for 93% of the defensive snaps and was targeted 10 times and gave up only 6 receptions for 47 yards.

It’s been 10 years since the New Orleans Saints have produced a 1,000-yard rusher. Who was the last one to do it? Deuce McAllister, back in 2006. After this Sunday, the answer is Mark Ingram in 2016. Although the Saints will be missing out on the playoffs, New Orleans fans can rest easy knowing that Mark Ingram is getting better with age. In his six year NFL career, former Heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram had never rushed for over 1,000 yards until this season. In 2014, Ingram was selected for the Pro Bowl, however he barely missed out on 1,000 yards rushing on the season by 36 yards.

Although the Saints came up with a loss against the NFC South Champion Atlanta Falcons, Mark Ingram had a day that should put a smile on anyone’s face regardless of fanbase. Ingram finished the day with 103 rushing yards on 20 carries. He also accounted for a 1-yard touchdown run in the 4^th Quarter to cap off his career high yardage breaking drive. Ingram’s longest rush of the day went for 38 yards. Ingram also played a role in the passing game for the Saints as he accounted for 29 yards on 6 receptions. Now I’m no math magician, but I drunkenly drew out a chart in crayons of Mark Ingram’s career and if my calculations are correct, Ingram will end next season with under 1,000 yards rushing and finish the 2018 season with around 1,279 yards rushing.

This Sunday, Landon Collins and the Giants took on a Washington Redskins team that absolutely had to win this game to make it to the playoffs. The final score reads 19-10 New York Giants, however the game was much closer than the score appears. The score was tied 10-10 in the 4^th quarter until 2 minutes and 12 seconds was left on the clock. The Giants’ Robbie Gould hit a 40-yard field goal to put New York up 13-10. The Redskins were given one final shot at winning the game with 6 seconds left on the clock on their own 6-yard line. A botched lateral by Jordan Reed was recovered by NYG’s Trevin Wade for a touchdown to seal the game.

Collins played in all 55 defensive snaps as well as 4 special teams snaps. He also finished the day with 4 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles, and a sack on Kurt Cousins.

The Giants will be playing this weekend in the NFC Wildcard matchup against the Packers. Even though the AFC Divisional Race appears to be the Patriots’ to lose, the NFC will be the one to watch. Personally, I’m picking the Falcons to win the NFC, but anything can happen with this selection of teams. Should the Giants beat the Packers and the Seahawks beat the Lions, the Giants would have to play the Cowboys in the next round. If Pro Football isn’t your thing or you forgot, the Cowboys are 13-3 this season and 2 of their losses have been to the New York Giants. Not only will Landon Collins be going to the Pro Bowl, but the former Alabama star may also be making a trip to the Super Bowl to face the Patriots. If that doesn’t make your undercarriage tingle just a little, then I don’t know what will. Let me remind you: The last two times the Giants won a Super Bowl was in 2008 and 2012. Both of those times were against the Patriots who had the best record at the time entering the playoffs. Here’s a little sabermetrics for you: 2012 was four years after 2008, 2016 is four years after 2012; the Patriots have the best record entering the playoffs. The hat trick is coming, Boston.

---

More Takeaways From Week 19

Did Evan Mathis Just Announce His Retirement?

Of all the active players that served in Alabama like Roll Tide, Evan Mathis has been in the NFL the longest. He started his pro career in 2005 after being drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 3^rd Round. It wasn’t until 2011 and three different teams after the Panthers before the Eagles realized they signed an absolute stud. Since being a part of the Eagles, Mathis has been to two Pro Bowls, and even won a Super Bowl when he was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2015. Earlier this week, Mathis tweeted out a tweet insinuating his eminent retirement.

That’ll do, Pig. There’s not much more a 12-year vet in the NFL could ask for after going to the Pro Bowl multiple times and winning a Super Bowl. Of the 43 active Alabama alumni in the NFL, Evan Mathis is one of only five that has never won a college National Championship. If this truly is Mathis’ retirement announcement, Roman Harper (2006) would take over as the oldest former Alabama player on an NFL roster. This season has been riddled with injuries for Evan Mathis and retirement is definitely the best decision for this veteran. So enjoy your retirement, you deserve it. Roll Tide, Evan Mathis.

Amari Cooper’s Gonna Need a QB That Can Win Playoffs

Overall, Amari Cooper didn’t have a stand out day. Although this may have been due to Raiders starting quarterback Derek Carr having to miss the remainder of the season with a broken fibula. This is merely speculation though. Before his 32 yard touchdown in the 3rd Quarter, Cooper only had 2 receptions for 5 yards. Despite only putting up 39 yards against the Broncos, Amari Cooper was a huge part of this game and could have been an even bigger part had Derek Carr never been injured. Quarterback Matt McGloin overthrew a wide open Amari Cooper on what would have been another touchdown and this time for 64-yards. Fortunately if you’re a Raiders fan, your playoff hopes will lie on rookie quarterback Connor Cook. As we all know, Cook was made for high pressure situations such as the playoffs... Congrats on your Super Bowl appearance, New England.

---