The 100th season is officially in the books. In the final week, the 49ers and Seahawks battled it out in what was a game that came down to just a few inches. It was truly a fitting end to the last regular season game of the decade. The Patriots coughed up the two-seed and a first-round bye, leading them to their first Wild Card game since 2009. And, all throughout the league, playoff spots were solidified. If I were a betting man, I’d be putting my money on this year’s edition of the playoffs being the best of the decade. I return with the Week 17 and final edition of my NFL stock market. Whose stock rose just in time for the playoffs? Who is on the down trend going into a difficult postseason?
Stock Up: Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Seahawks
81.8 completion percentage, 285 passing yards, and a 118.8 passer rating.
We start the market off with the man who led the 49ers to the NFC West division crown. He didn’t throw a touchdown, but he didn’t have a bad game. Although Garoppolo is young, that doesn’t change the fact that he’s come through in the biggest games. In a game that came down to literal inches, Garoppolo was poised and consistent throughout. Usually, when a team like the 49ers gets into the playoffs, I have my doubts due to their lack of playoff experience. However, Jimmy G seems ready to take them all the way to the Super Bowl.
Seattle had a chance to snag the number one seed heading into Sunday. However, Jimmy G (along with some NFC help), erased that possibility. Beyond being Tom Brady’s backup, Garoppolo really has no experience in the bright lights. But, based on how he’s played in the toughest moments, I think he’s ready for the postseason. It’s a stock up for Jimmy G for not only leading his team to the NFC West, but home-field advantage throughout the NFC.
Stock Down: Aaron Rodgers vs. Lions
49.1 completion percentage, 323 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, and a 72.0 passer rating.
Aaron Rodgers looked bad against a bad Detroit Lions team. He started off slow, but how you finish is what matters, right? Rodgers and company almost lost home-field advantage themselves, and it didn’t look good. A team such as the Lions aren’t going to be a threat to the Packers going forward. However, this performance has to be alarming if you’re a Packers fan. The Saints (their likely next opponent) won’t let up and will run Rodgers and the Packers over if they have a similar start in two weeks.
Rodgers put up over 300+ passing yards but he threw at an under 50% completion rate. He’s a great football player. This may be just a bad game. It’s a stock down for him regardless because this is the worst time to start regressing. That is especially true when the NFC is the most stacked it’s been in years.
Stock Up: Derrick Henry vs. Texans
32 carries, 211 rushing yards, and 3 rushing touchdowns.
This is bad. This is very, very bad… at least for Patriots fans. Derrick Henry ran wild against the Texans in what looked like beast mode 2.0. Although the Texans were locked into a playoff spot (leading them to rest their starters), Henry still had another dominating January performance. He wanted all the smoke from Houston, and he was at his best when the Titans needed it most. Tennessee came into this game with a win and you’re in scenario on their hands. Because of Henry, they secured a playoff spot.
What’s more concerning is what faces the Titans next – the New England Patriots. Tennessee has been on fire to end the season, and Henry has been a huge part of that. December has been proven to be where he shines brightest which correlates well with Tennessee’s offensive explosions this time of year. The Titans will now move on to the Patriots in what very well can be another upset if Henry is running like this.
Stock Down: Julian Edelman vs. Dolphins
3 receptions and 26 yards.
The whole Patriots team should be on the stock down, but I’ve attacked Tom Brady enough. Julian Edelman, as of now, is the Patriots’ best offensive player (other than Brady) which is the reason why he’s on the stock down. If Edelman had over 100 yards receiving, the Patriots may have a first-round bye.
Whether it’s the coaches’ fault or Brady’s, Edelman needs to play better. He had a few great performances throughout the year, but now is when it counts. The Patriots really needed that bye because they’re old and banged up, especially Julian Edelman. Now, they have to play four games to win the Super Bowl. Every veteran needs to be playing their best football. Julian Edelman needs to improve as the patriots’ top weapon; stock down.
Stock Up: Carson Wentz vs. Giants
57.5 completion percentage, 289 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, and a 88.4 passer rating.
I may be ready to have Carson Wentz in the elite QB conversation. When you look at what he’s done this season, it’s pretty remarkable. The awful, but competitive NFC East was up for grabs, and Wentz showed up and showed out for the Eagles. He led them to the crown after taking down the Giants.
If the Eagles are healthy, we’d be talking about one of the best receiving corps in the NFL. That wasn’t the case. They had receivers play their first NFL games this season. The craziest stat of all was that Wentz’ 4,039 passing yards was ninth in the NFL. Those yards came without having a wide receiver reach 500 yards. That’s the first time in NFL history that’s happened.
Wentz has also been pretty clutch in the red zone in the 4th Quarter and overtime, ranking among the league leaders in efficiency. With the Eagles on their way to hosting the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card Round, anything can happen. I’ve been high on the NFC East representative being a threat in the playoffs. Even with Marshawn Lynch, the Eagles may have just enough momentum to knock off Seattle. It’s a stock up for Wentz for marching into the playoffs despite the team battling tough injuries all year to receivers.
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