It was the last Thursday night game of the year, so I made sure I was on the couch with my notebook at the ready and a cool beverage in hand. The teams were a collective 11-21 last year, so I'm not sure why the league said, We've got to get that matchup in primetime in Week 16. But they did, so I watched it, and here's what you didn't miss.
If you had to start Toby Gerhart, who was probably one of the only two players anyone needed to start from this game in most leagues, he plodded his way to 53 yards and a touchdown. I hesitate to call his touchdown a "spin move," because it wasn't that dramatic, but he did bounce off a tackler in the middle, pivot around once, and continue on into the end zone against the league's worst run defense. There is very little chance Gerhart is starting in the league next season, or any future season.
Delanie Walker, the other reasonable startable player, caught 4 balls for 54 yards. He's a good receiving tight end but this is an offense which offers very little in the way of touchdowns. Hopefully you didn't use him.
Kendall Wright returned and finished with decent numbers, though he needed a late 39-yard grab (the kind of throw Charlie Whitehurst manages every once in a while that probably keeps him employed) to do so.
Leon Washington scored and had a great receiving game for Tennessee. He did much more with the third-down role than injured Dexter McCluster did all season long. Washington was a little bit overcelebratory (you guys are 2-12, right?), but played well. It's curious he hasn't had more of a role, somewhere, the last few years. But he probably won't be guaranteed a job anywhere next year, since he turns 33 before next season.
Bishop Sankey looked like he has all year long, showing very little in the way of power, moves, or elusiveness. Probably hard to get a rhythm when they keep bringing in Shonn Greene to kill the offense. I honestly don't know what the Titans are doing out there. They're now 2-13. Why is Greene and for that matter Washington getting so many carries? It's befuddling.
The Jaguars have a nice receiving corps of young players in Marqise Lee, Allen Hurns and injured Allen Robinson. I am not mentioning Cecil Shorts III because he looks about as washed-up as it's possible for a 26-year-old to look, right there with Hakeem Nicks. Dropped at least 2 passes last night. I really liked him 2 years ago, but that player is gone. Lee and Robinson are the future of this receiving corps. Hurns probably the No. 3.
Nice game for Blake Bortles, who overcame an apparently really mild foot sprain to run for 50 yards while leading the offense on a couple of impressive drives. Jacksonville now won't get the top pick, and I think Bortles has shown enough to say he deserves to be their quarterback at least for another year or two. Showing some promise.
Nice breakaway touchdown run for Jordan Todman. We liked him last preseason and think it's odd the team quickly moved on from him. He looked way better than Gerhart last night, certainly.
The Titans are a really painful team to watch on offense. Part of it is Clipboard Jesus, but they just have a lot of ordinary, unexciting players. Jacksonville, in contrast, has some good young players on offense and some ability on defense, certainly to do the most important stuff (like rush the passer).
Whoever the Colts end up starting in Week 17 will have plenty of value against the Titans. Jaguars are at Houston, and their passing game might have some appeal in that one. Jordan Todman might be very good, if you need a running back in Week 17; Gerhart injured a rib last night, and Storm Johnson doesn't appear to be a factor.