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The Bengals aren’t expected to play A.J. Green in Sunday’s regular-season finale, but it looks like they’re not going to put him on injured reserve and instead Monday placed two other starters on the season-ending list.
AFC North Bytes
Ben Roethlisberger thinks Steelers “should get healthy” in Week 17
The Steelers locked up the AFC North on Sunday afternoon with their 31-27 victory over the Ravens and the other results around the league in Week 16 have left them without much to play for in Week 17.
Cold, hard reality awaits Browns after emotional release of first win
There is emotion, and there is stark reality. The Cleveland Browns get their share of both this week. The emotion that ran unchecked on Saturday was a result of this team getting its first victory. The Browns avoided what would have been the longest week of their NFL lives with a three-point win over San Diego.
Baltimore Ravens' best decision would be to stick with John Harbaugh
The Baltimore Ravens have missed the playoffs for the third time in four seasons, and changes need to be made. Just not at head coach. The Ravens' best decision this offseason would be to keep John Harbaugh. Baltimore was within inches and seconds of being in control of the AFC North, and the Ravens had the potential to make a deep run in the playoffs given the quarterback injuries with the Oakland Raiders and Miami Dolphins.
Random Bytes
Texans will play to win, not sure if Lamar Miller will return
Last Saturday’s combination of a Texans win and a Titans loss ended the intrigue in the AFC South and left Houston as the division champion for the second straight year. They will be the fourth seed in the AFC regardless of what happens when they face Tennessee in Week 17, but coach Bill O’Brien said that won’t impact their decisions about which players will fill out the lineup.
Lions vs. Cowboys: Score and Twitter Reaction for Monday Night Football
The Detroit Lions had a chance to lock up a playoff spot Monday night against the Dallas Cowboys, but the NFC East champions thwarted those plans with an emphatic 42-21 win at AT&T Stadium that showcased the hosts' breathtaking balance. The Cowboys tied a franchise record with 13 wins—a mark they also hit in 1992 and 2007. The Lions, meanwhile, dropped to 9-6.
Tuesday Morning Digest: Patriots, Packers and the Art of Postseason Peaking
Has Week 16 become the new Week 17? The NFL likes to hold off as much playoff drama as possible for a Week 17 grand finale. But the teams themselves had holiday plans. The Chiefs made rump roast of the Broncos playoff hopes, the Texans cashed in their AFC South EZ pass when Marcus Mariota got injured, the Colts did Colts things and the Dolphins ... took care of their own business, despite injuries? That can't be right. (Double checks). Yep, that happened too.
Gary Kubiak: Paxton Lynch might start vs. Raiders
When it comes to the AFC playoff picture, the Broncos are out, which means plenty of the team's future prospects could be in come Week 17. Coach Gary Kubiak told reporters Monday that rookie quarterback Paxton Lynch might be among the players who see significant time against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.
Dirk Koetter mum on Doug Martin's Week 17 status
The Bucs turned heads on Saturday when they made Doug Martin a healthy scratch. Coach Dirk Koetter explained Monday his decision to sit the running back for Tampa Bay's 31-24 loss to the Saints, but refused to say if Martin would suit up for the team's regular-season finale against the Carolina Panthers.