Five Wide: 2025 Week Sixteen

By Thomas Willoughby

Feels like the Saturday slate of fixtures gets added in earlier each year. I was stunned to be channel hopping on Saturday night to see an actual game on. Did I watch? Of course not. You think I’m giving up my Saturday night to watch the Commanders get battered? No thank you. But it was odd to see. 

It was fun to see the six sides playing on Christmas Day wearing that little candy cane patch, too. I’m a sucker for a good patch. Back in my day, the London games used to have a new patch a season. I spent ages scouring the web in 2014 for a Falcons jersey with a London patch on it. Didn’t exist. They’d stopped doing them by then. Idiot.

Season’s winding down, guys. Just two more weeks to go and it’s onto the playoffs. Time waits for no man, and nor does this series. Onto the good stuff.

The MVP Quandary

This year’s MVP race feels pretty muted this year, right? Over the last few years, it’s been pretty obvious who’s going to be in that conversation, but I tried discussing it with a friend on Sunday evening, and we truly struggled to put together a shortlist of candidates worthy of the title. One of the downsides of the AFC’s big three being rubbish this year, I guess.

If it has to be a quarterback, Matthew Stafford probably fits the bill the best. Through 16 games he’s on 40 TDs, only 5 INTS; that Rams offense is a juggernaut, and he’s steering it. I do think Drake Maye is going to get a few votes, given the strides taken by this Patriots offense this season. I’d like to see Justin Herbert considered, too, even if his raw numbers are a little less impressive than the other two.

Let’s be real, though, if ever there was a time for the NFL to break the QB stranglehold on the award, it’s this year. Myles Garrett is a sack away from breaking the all-time single season sack record. The current number, 22.5, has only been hit twice ever. Once by Michael Strahan in 2001, and once by TJ Watt in 2021. You have to imagine he’ll break the record over the next two weeks. Away from Garrett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s race to 2000 receiving yards may have slowed a little, but two monster games against the Panthers and 49ers could hand him the all-time single season record (and a shot at the big one).

Wouldn’t be a Five Wide if I didn’t shout out the Falcons, and Bijan Robinson passed 2000 rushing and receiving yards this past weekend. It’s unlikely he’ll break that particular record (Chris Johnson’s 2509 combined yards in 2009 holds honour), but you never know. 500 yards against the Rams and the Saints to do it would be extremely funny. And worthy of the award!

But no it should be Garrett.

David Richard-AP Photo

Small Market, Big Fight

I don’t know how, why, or when this happened, but the Jacksonville Jaguars are actually good now. And, I dare say, it’s all thanks to Liam Coen. The former Buccaneers offensive coordinator has achieved the unthinkable this season. He’s turned Trevor Lawrence into a capable NFL quarterback. He’s managed to (just about) avoid becoming a meme, which could have been fatal. And he’s turned the Jacksonville Jaguars into a legitimate contender. And, after downing the surging Broncos AT Mile High, he got a little snarky.

As Sean Payton’s number one hater, I love this so much. Anyone who’s willing to call out that man is alright by me. Even if he wasn’t even wrong. The Jaguars are comfortably the least popular side in their own State. I tell you what though; the Jaguars have a real shot at the number one seed. While I think having either of the Broncos or the Jaguars in the Super Bowl would be pretty rubbish, there might be a bit of bite in the week before the AFC Championship Game. Hopefully Coen’s working on some zinger soundbites just in case.

Father Christmas, give us a QB

When it rains, it pours. And, at Arrowhead Stadium, it’s absolutely lobbing it down. What was supposed to be a revenge tour of a season was nothing more than a whimper. The Kansas City Chiefs season ended last week with three games to play. All that’s left is to complete the season, and assess what sort of talent you’ve got kicking about in the bottom half of the roster that can stick in 2026.

That would be a lot better with a professional quarterback under center. Patrick Mahomes’ knee ligaments tearing ended the season, but Gardner Minshew going down for any length of time going might end careers. Chris Oladokun’s lived most of our dreams for the past 3 years. Imagine earning two Super Bowl rings, and being part of this decade’s dynasty, without playing a single game. That’s absolutely dreamy. Sadly for him, he was thrust into the fray on Sunday, and oversaw a defeat to one of the worst teams I’ve ever seen. Tennessee Titans 26, Kansas City Chiefs 9.

Kansas City’s next game is on CHRISTMAS DAY?!? Good grief. Chiefs fans, and the rest of the NFL watching public, better hope Father Christmas has space on his sleigh for an NFL calibre quarterback for Andy Reid this year. A Matt Ryan-shaped present under the tree, perhaps.

Andrew Nelles -The Tennessean

Kitwatch 2025: Part XII

The Seattle Seahawks debuted their Rivalries jersey in a Thursday Night thriller, and, I’ve got to say, I’m not keen. The initial promo material made these look like the most interesting of the bunch. In motion, however, they’re just a bit gross. Really not keep on the oil-spillage effect on the helmet and numbering. The Jersey colour, “wolf grey”, is a bit murky, too, almost like they’re a bit washed out. I appreciate the shoulder detailing, to an extent, but, in general, it’s quite an unpleasant look.

Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

The New Orleans Saints donned their alternate “gameday golds” for the season time this season (their debut came in week one), and brother they STINK. Again, the promo material makes them look better than they are. In reality, you’ve got lads running about in urine jerseys. A legitimate disgrace.

Gerald Herbert-AP Photo

The Indianapolis Colts dusted off their “Indiana Nights” ensemble from last season, which is kinda neat. I squint and I can see the vision. A much darker take on the classic Colts get up, you’ve got a black helmet, black detailing, and a heather effect on the Colts’ traditional blue. I don’t mind it. I appreciate the use of the classic numbering design, too. A good effort, I think.

The Miami Dolphins dropped a stinker in their home throwback uniforms. Nice to see them don the old-style logo, but there really isn’t a great difference between these and their regular home uniforms otherwise. They’re decent enough! I like the sleeve work.

Lynne Sladky-AP Photo

Eternal Champions

Congratulations to the Philadelphia Eagles, who secured their third NFC East crown in the past 5 years. The reigning Super Bowl champs will go back into the playoffs, and will host their first game at least. I don’t think anyone is really shocked by that.

That isn’t what’s interesting about the title, however. For the first time in 70 years, the NFC East has been won by the same team back to back. Slight exaggeration, yes, but you have to go back to 2004 before you find an instance of a team winning the division in back to back seasons. Four times in a row the Eagles won it between 2001 and 2004. So they’ve got previous.

Is this the beginning of a new era of Eagles in-division dominance? Yeah maybe. The Giants stink, the Commanders can’t stay healthy, and the Cowboys are hellbent on ruining Dak Prescott’s life. Feels like that top spot is Philadelphia’s for as long as they want it.

Features Image Credit: Justin Edmonds-Getty Images

Thomas Willoughby

NFL ANALYST

THOMAS IS A WRITER, AND REGULAR GUEST ON THE TOUCHDOWN REVIEW SHOW PODCAST, FOR THE TOUCHDOWN. YOU CAN FIND HIM @WILLO290592 ON TWITTER

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Rated 5 out of 5