NFL 2015 Week 15 Recap
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at St. Louis Rams was the Thursday night game. From 1999-2002, these teams won a bunch of games. The Rams had the Greatest Show on Turf offense. The Buccaneers had the Pewter Power defense. Now they are just both mediocre teams that will not be going to the playoffs next year. The first three quarters was all Rams.
Case Keenum threw a 17 yard touchdown pass to Tavon Austin to get the Rams on the board first. Connor Barth hit a 53 yard field goal for the Buccaneers, but Keenum came back with a 60 yard touchdown pass to Kenny Britt to make it 14-3 Rams after the first quarter. The Rams went 75 yards in the second quarter and Todd Gurley ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 21-3 Rams. In the third quarter Barth hit a 32 yard field goal, but the Rams came back 83 yards. Austin ran for a 21 yard touchdown as the Rams led 28-6 after three quarters.
The Buccaneers appeared finished in the fourth quarter when a good punt pinned them at their own 2 yard line. Jameis Winston quickly went to Mike Evans for gains of 20 and 30 and then Dye for a 47 yard gain. The Bucs fumbled on the play but retained possession. Winston hit Stocker for the 3 yard touchdown as 98 yards in 4 plays had the Buccaneers within 28-13. The Rams came right back with a 102 yard kickoff return that did not go for a touchdown. Cunningham was finally caught at the Tampa Bay 3. The Rams could not punch it in and on 4th and goal at the 1, Jeff Fisher opted for the field goal. It was the right decision as Greg zuerlein’s 19 yarder made it a 3 score game at 31-13 Rams with 10 1/2 minutes left.
The Bucs moved from their 20 to a 1st and goal at the Rams 6. Winston threw 3 straight incompletions. Needing 3 scores, Lovie Smith opted for the field goal. Barth hit from 24 as the Buccaneers trailed 31-16 midway through the fourth quarter. The Rams went 3 and out and the Bucs moved from their 31 to a 1st and 10 at the Rams 39. Winston was then intercepted with 5 minutes left. The Rams again went 3 and out and the Bucs moved from their 19 with 4 minutes left. Winston hit Sefarian-Jenkins for a 9 yard touchdown. The Buccaneers were within 8 with 1:39 to play. The onside kick failed and that was that. 31-23 Rams
New York Jets at Dallas Cowboys was the Saturday night game. Democrats held a presidential debate at the same time this game was on. It was also the premier of the new Star Wars movie. Nobody should care. This was a special Saturday night edition of Thursday Night Football, with playoff implications on the line. The 8-5 Jets were looking good while the 4-9 Cowboys were on the ropes. For three quarters it was a defensive slugfest.
Dan Bailey hit a 27 yard field goal for the Cowboys to start the scoring. The Jets moved after an interception of Matt Cassel to a 4th and 1 at the Dallas 3. Chris Ivory got the carry and got blasted back. Yet the Jets soon got it back and Powell ran for a 12 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good as the Jets led 6-3 after the first quarter. In the second quarter Dallas had their third string quarterback in their. Moore was also intercepted. Despite taking over at the Dallas 24, the Jets could not get a first down. Bullock hit a 36 yard field goal to make it 9-3 Jets. With 1:47 left in the half the Cowboys got it back at their own 45. Moore needed only 30 seconds, hitting Dez Bryant for a 10 yard touchdown. The Cowboys led 10-9. With only 1:11 left, Fitzpatrick quickly moved the Jets from their 21 to the Dallas 22. Fitzpatrick threw incomplete on 3rd and 2. Then came a false start. Then Bullock missed the 45 yard field goal try.
In the third quarter the Cowboys moved from their own 18 to the Jets 6. Moore was intercepted, but 2 plays later Fitzpatrick threw the interception right back. From the Jets 21, Moore could not do anything and Dallas settled for a 38 yard Bailey field goal to lead 13-9 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter the Jets moved 70 yards. Fitzpatrick hit Eric Decker for a 3 yard touchdown as the Jets led 16-13 with 9 minutes left in regulation. Moore then led an 11 play drive that took 7 minutes off the clock. Bailey came in for a 50 yard field goal try at the 2 minute warning. Bailey doinked it off the upright but got the lucky carom as it went through to tie the game 16-16. The Jets took over at their own 20 with 1:55 left.
A couple weeks ago the Cowboys broke a 16-16 tie and won on a late field goal. This was the exact reverse. From the Jets 31 with one minute left, Fitzpatrick went deep to Kendrell Thompkins for a 43 yard gain. Bullock came in for the 40 yarder to give the Jets the lead. The kick was good. Now Moore had to move the Cowboys from their own 24 with only 30 seconds left. He went deep into quadruple coverage and was interception. The Cowboys were officially eliminated at 4-10 while the 9-5 jets are looking very good, especially on defense. 19-16 Jets
Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens — The Chiefs came in having won seven in a row in hideously ugly fashion. They took over at their own 11. On 3rd and 11 from their own 32, knowing West Coast Offense Dink and Dunk Game Manager Alex Smith would not throw past the first down marker, a punt was expected. Yet after scrambling far short of the marker, Smith received a gift personal foul call when he was tapped out of bounds. On 3rd and 1 from the Baltimore 38, the entire world expects pass-happy Walrus Lite Andy Reid to throw the ball. Reid actually called a running play, and Charcandric West ran all the way for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Chiefs.
The Ravens were down to their third string quarterback from the most overrated university in America. A long kickoff return had Baltimore starting at the Chiefs 45. On 3rd and goal from the one, Jimmy Clausen hit Juszczyk for the touchdown to make it 7-7. The Ravens were moving the ball when Allen fumbled and Tyvon Branch returned it 73 yards for a touchdown and a 14-7 Chiefs lead. John Harbaugh then gambled on a fake punt on 4th and 9 from deep in Baltimore territory near the goal line. It failed. The second quarter began with Smith throwing a 13 yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin to make it 21-7 Chiefs. With 50 seconds left in the half, Cairo Santos nailed a 53 yard field for a 24-7 lead.
The Chiefs were in total control as the Ravens faced 3rd and 10 from the Chiefs 48 with 4 seconds left in the half. Jimmy Clausen threw a Hail Mary that did not even reach the end zone. Yet with all of the defenders watching the ball, nobody kept track of Kamar Aiken. Aiken plucked the under thrown ball out of the air and ran the remaining 7 yards untouched for the touchdown as The Ravens only trailed 24-14 at halftime.
After a scoreless third quarter, the Chiefs put the game away. Smith led his typical dink and dunk drive that took 14 plays, gained 81 yards, ate up over 8 1/2 minutes, and resulted in a 32 yard field goal. Asking Smith to go and win a game himself is not going to happen, but even less possible is asking Clausen to do it. Clausen was intercepted by Peters, who returned it 90 yards for a touchdown and the eighth straight Chiefs win. At 9-5, the Chiefs are very much in command of their playoff fate. 34-14 Chiefs
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts — These 6-7 teams came in tied for the AFC South lead and riddled by injuries to the quarterbacks. The Texans got the ball twice in the first quarter and turned it over both times. The Colts began their second drive at the Houston 42. Old Man Matt Hasselbeck threw an 11 yard touchdown pass to Donte Moncrief to start the second quarter and make it 7-0 Colts. Adam Vinatieri tacked on a 29 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Colts. TJ Yates was awful and it was back to the less awful Brandon Weeden. Weeded led an 87 yard drive to close the half. A 22 yard Nick Novak field goal had the Texans trailing 10-3 at intermission.
In the third quarter the Colts punted on 4th and 15 from their own 1, giving the ball to the Texans at the Indy 32. The Texans collapsed on a pair of offensive holding calls but managed a 46 yard Novak field goal to trail 10-6. The Texans got it back and moved 90 yards. Weeded threw an 8 yard touchdown pass to strong to give the Texans a 13-10 lead with 10 1/2 minutes in regulation despite Weeden still having less than 100 yards passing. With 3 minutes left the Colts had the ball at midfield needing only one first down for a long attempt at the tying field goal. A short pass was fumbled and returned by Jackson 34 yards to the Indy 21. Jackson was barely caught from behind, preventing a touchdown that would have iced the game. The defense held. Novak hit a 32 yarder with 1:57 to play but the Texans were only up by 6. The Colts had life, but not for long. Hasselbeck went deep and was intercepted. Houston is 7-7 and leading the AFC South while Indianapolis is 6-8 and in trouble. 16-10 Texans
Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars — Despite having lost 7 of 8 after a 5-0 start, the Falcons began this game with an 80 yard drive. Devonta Freeman got the last 5 yards to make it 7-0 Falcons. In the second quarter Josh Myers hit a 42 yard field goal to get the Jaguars within 7-3. Matt Ryan would lead an 11 play, 81 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive and Julio Jones for an 11 yard touchdown to make it 14-3 Falcons. With 1:41 left in the half, Blake Bortles moved the Jaguars from their own 12 to a 1st and goal at the one with 11 seconds left. The jaguars were out of timeouts so a failed run would end the half. Bortles threw a pass and disaster struck. Bortles was intercepted by Ishmael, who returned it 84 yards to the Jacksonville 16. Two seconds still remained, so Shane Graham hit a 34 yard field goal to close out the half with the Falcons up 17-3, a 10 point swing.
The third quarter was a microcosm of the entire Atlanta season. Bortles led the Jaguars 80 yards and got the last yard himself to get the jags within 17-10. Ryan was then intercepted, setting up Jacksonville at the Atlanta 39. Bortles threw a 10 yard touchdown pass to Robinson for a 17-17 tie. Atlanta reclaimed the lead 20-17 when Graham hit a 33 yard field goal with 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
Atlanta got it back with 8 1/2 minutes left and Ryan calmly led the Falcons from the Atlanta 31. On 3rd and 9, Ryan hit Hardy for 20. On 3rd and 5 from the Jags 43, Ryan hit Hardy for 9. On 3rd and 13 from Jags 37, Ryan hit Roddy White for 20 with 3 minutes left. Jacksonville finally got a stop. Graham hit the 46 yard field goal to put the Falcons up by 6 with 1:40 to play. The Jaguars moved from their 11 to their 41, but on 4th and 10 Bortles went deep incomplete. At 5-9 the Jaguars are done while the reeling Falcons got to 7-7 and are mathematically alive in the playoff chase. 23-17 Falcons
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings — The Vikings at 8-5 have lost three of four but played the finished bears at home. Minnesota moved 93 yards in 13 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. Teddy Bridgewater through to Diggs for a 15 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Vikings. In the second quarter Blair Walsh hit a 53 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Vikings. Jay Cutler threw a 10 yard touchdown pass to Jeffery to get the Bears within 10-7. Bridgewater led the Vikings 80 yards and threw a 10 yard touchdown pass to McKinnon for a 17-7 Vikings lead at the half.
In the third quarter Bridgewater threw a 33 yard touchdown pass to Diggs to make it 24-7 Vikings. Robbie Gould hit a 51 yard field goal to get the Bears within 24-10. With 10 minutes left in regulation after a touchback, Cutler was intercepted. On 3rd and 9 from the Chicago 12, Bridgewater scrambled for the touchdown to put the game out of reach. Cutler did throw a 4 yard touchdown to Matt Forte, but Bridgewater responded with his fourth touchdown pass, a 4 yarder to Line. Bridgewater was a white hot 17 of 20 without being intercepted. The Vikings at 9-5 are very much alive in the playoff race. 38-17 Vikings
Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots — A few years ago the Patriots beat the Titans 59-0, and that was only because Bill Bellichick rested Tom Brady and everyone else in a scoreless fourth quarter. This time breaking the 73-0 NFL record for blowouts was possible. in this game Brady led the Patriots 79 yards in 11 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. A 5 yard touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski on 3rd and 3 made it 7-0 Patriots early on. The second quarter began with the Titans facing 3rd and 9 at their own 26. Mariota was sacked and fumbled. Hicks picked it up and took it 7 yards for the touchdown to make it 14-0 Patriots. Mariota was injured on the play and Zach Mettenberger played the rest of the way.
The 73-0 blowout was avoided when Danny Amendola fumbled a punt and the Titans recovered. The offense lost 5 yards but Ryan Succop hit a 49 yard field goal to get the Titans within 14-3. However, the blowout itself was still on as Martin returned the ensuing kickoff 75 yards to the Titans 30. Brady quickly hit White for the touchdown to make it 21-3 Patriots. Stephen Gostkowski tacked on a 43 yard field goal to make it 24-3 Patriots. League rules required the second half be played.
Mettenberger hit Melanie Walker for a 7 yard touchdown, but Gostkowski hit a 38 yard field goal to have the Patriots up comfortably 27-10 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter Mettenberger hooked up with Walker on a 57 yard touchdown. The extra point failed as the Titans trailed 27-16. Gostkowski added a 42 yard field goal to put the Patriots back up by 14 with 3 1/2 minutes left. wITH 2 1/2 minutes left from the New England 48, Mettenberger was intercepted. Collins returned it 51 yards to the Titans 16 and Gostkowski hit from 33 to ice the game. It was not 73-0, but even with a supposedly ill Tom Brady, it was a dominating performance. The Patriots at 11-2 have not locked up a first round bye yet, but they maintain a one game lead in that race. 33-16 Patriots
Carolina Panthers at New York Giants — In past years the Giants knocked off 13-0 Denver and 18-0 New England. Now the 6-7 Giants faced 13-0 Carolina. Early on the Giants missed a golden opportunity when a bomb from Eli Manning was dropped by a wide open Odell Beckham. The Panthers made them pay as Cam Newton ran for a 47 yard gain inside the Giants 5 yard line. On 3rd and goal Newton hit Ted gin for the 3 yard touchdown as the 88 yard drive made it 7-0 Panthers. The Giants stayed calm and Manning threw a 27 yard touchdown pass to reuben Randle to tie the game 7-7. With 3 1/2 minutes left in the half the Giants fumbled and the Panthers took over at the Giants 46. On 3rd and 1 Newton found Greg OIsen for a 37 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Panthers.
The Giants quickly went 3 and out when Manning threw incomplete on 3rd and 1. The Panthers got it back at their own 28 with 1:24 left in the half. With 26 seconds left in the half the Panthers had 3rd and 7 at the Giants 26. Newton hit Jerricho Cotchery for 12 and Finches for the 14 yard touchdown as 2 touchdowns in the final 2 1/2 minutes made it 21-7 Panthers at the break.
The Panthers quickly turned out the lights in the third quarter. Newton led the panthers 80 yards and threw a 20 yard touchdown to Brown. Gina then returned a punt 36 yards to the Giants 37. On 3rd and goal from the 14, Newton threw his fifth touchdown pass to Ginn as the Panthers were cruising 35-7. The Giants tried to make a game of it as Manning threw an 8 yard touchdown pass to Wye in the third quarter and Rashad Jennings ran for a 38 yard fourth quarter touchdown to get big Blue within 35-21.
With 9 minutes left the Panthers had to make it a three score game again with a Graham Gano field goal try from 34 yards out. Tom Coughlin teams do not quit. The kick was blocked by Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and returned by Prince Amukamara 38 yards to the Carolina 46. Manning then found Shave Vereen for 25 yards and Beckham for 8 more. From the 13, Manning went to the end zone and was intercepted for a touchback midway through the fourth quarter. Two plays later Newton was sacked and fumbled, and the Giants got it right back at the Carolina 14. This time on 3rd and 4 Manning threw an 8 yard touchdown pass to Vereen. With 5 1/2 minutes left the Giants were only down by 35-28.
The Panthers could not move the ball as the Giants got it back at their own 34 with 4 1/2 minutes left. With 1:51 to play, it all came down to 4th and 5 from the Carolina 14. Manning went to the end zone for Beckham, and this time he caught it perfectly. 28 unanswered points and Manning’s fourth touchdown pass turned a 35-7 Panthers laugher into a 35-35 tie. The Panthers had 1:40 left from their own 26. A pair of completions had Carolina at the Giants 47 with 53 seconds left. Newton then fired to Ginn for 12 more. Newton scrambled for 10 more to the Giants 25 and spiked the ball to stop the clock with 5 seconds left. Beckham redeemed himself earlier. Now it was Gano who wanted redemption from 43 yards out.
Garo was good and the phenomenal Giants comeback was for naught. The Giants fell to 6-8. They can still win the horrendous NFC Least, while the 14-0 Panthers soon have to decide between rest and rust. They have not locked up home field yet, so Ron Rivera will keep his starters going next week. 38-35 Panthers
Buffalo Bills at Washington Redskins — A pair of 6-7 teams still alive battled. Kirk Cousins led the Redskins 84 yards in 10 plays and 5 1/2 minutes and threw a 3 yard touchdown pass to Reed to make it 7-0 Redskins. Washington got it back and moved 71 yards as Cousins ran for the 13 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Redskins. Washington got it back again and went 56 yards as Cousins hit Reed for an 18 yard touchdown and a 21-0 Redskins lead.
Dan Carpenter hit a 32 yard field goal in the third quarter to get the Bills on the board. One play later Cousins threw a 77 yard touchdown to DeSean Jackson for a 28-3 Redskins lead. The Bills finally made a game of it at that point. Gillislee ran for a 60 yard touchdown. Then Tyrod Taylor needed only 2 plays to move the Bills 85 yards, as a 48 yard touchdown to Sammy Watkins had Buffalo within 28-17 after three quarters.
The Redskins put the game away in the fourth quarter. Cousins led a 13 play, 80 yard drive that took 7 1/2 minutes off the clock. Cousins hit Pierre Garcon for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 35-17 Redskins. Taylor would throw a 20 yard touchdown to Watkins and run for the 2 point conversion himself, but with 90 seconds left it was too little, too late. The Redskins at 7-7 have a one game lead in the NFC Least while the 6-8 Bills are done one year after going 9-7. Buffalo has not made the playoffs since the 1999 season and the heartbreaking Music City Miracle. Meanwhile, Rex Ryan has to be bitter about seeing the Jets steamroll toward the playoffs one year after they were 4-12 under him. 35-25 Redskins
Green Bay Packers at Oakland Raiders — The 9-4 Packers took on the 6-7 Raiders. The Packers did nothing on offense on their first couple drives, but the Raiders just give points away. On 3rd and 9 from the Oakland 17, Carr was intercepted by Hyde. The Packers took over at the Oakland 17. John Kuhn ran for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Packers. Carr was then intercepted again, and Damarius Randall returned it 43 yards for another touchdown as the Packers led 14-0. With 50 minutes still to play, the Raiders were well on their way to their 13th straight non-winning, non-playoff season.
Carr settled down and the Raiders benefitted from a 25 yard defensive pass interference call. Carr found Amari Cooper for 26 more yards. On 1st and goal from the 6, two Latavius Murray runs gained one total yard. The second quarter began with the Raiders facing 3rd and goal at the 5 and Carr throwing incomplete. Sebastian Janikowski hit the 23 yard field goal as the Raiders trailed 14-3.
Last week Oakland had a miserable performance on offense, with negative 12 yards by halftime. yet they played lights out on defense. This week the offense dug the Raiders an early hole, but the defense early on harassed Aaron Rodgers. Oakland got it back at their own 22 and Jack Del Rio was determined to run the football to take the pressure off of Carr. Murray gained 10, and on 3rd and 3, another 22 yards to the Green Bay 39. After Murray gained 5 more, Carr found Michael crabtree for 23 yards to the Green Bay 11. Again the Raiders did nothing in the red zone. Seabass hit from 30 as the Raiders trailed 14-6.
The Raiders held again on defense when a 3rd and 8 pass from the Green Bay 38 by Rodgers to non-relative Richard Rodgers came up one yard short. After an exchange of punts the Packers had the ball at their own 2 yard with 5 minutes left in the half. Several third down conversions had the Packers with a 2nd and 2 at the Oakland 32. Starks gained 11 yards but fumbled the ball away. The Raiders took over at their own 21 and Carr went right to work with 1:22 left in the half. He found Marcel Reece for 29 and Mychel Rivera for 14 more. Carr ran for 17 yards and then threw a 19 yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper with 20 seconds left in the half. The extra point was good as the Raiders went to the locker rooms down 14-13 but with all the momentum.
The momentum was squandered when the Raiders went 3 and out to start the second half. The Packers took over at midfield. On 4th and 2 from the Oakland 42, Mike McCarthy decided to go for it. Rodgers threw deep incomplete, but defensive pass interference meant a 28 yard gain. On 3rd and 2 from the 6, Rodgers threw incomplete. This time Mike McCarthy took no chances. Crosby kicked the 24 yard field goal to make it 17-13 Packers.
From the Oakland 19, Carr went deep to Cooper for a 41 yard gain. Carr then went deep incomplete twice to Andre Holmes, setting up 3rd and 10 from the Green Bay 40. A pass to Reece came up one yard short. Jack del Rio decided to play power football on 4th and 1 from the Green Bay 31. murray gained 3 yards up the gut. 2 plays later Carr went deep to Cooper for a 26 yard touchdown. Midway through the third quarter, the Raiders had their first lead of the game up 20-17. Carr showed plenty of heart, guts and character in overcoming his early mistakes. Now it was up to the Raiders to do what they did last week but have struggled to do throughout the season. They needed to finish a football game. They again had all the momentum.
Again momentum was seized away as a strong kickoff return had the Packers starting at their own 47. Rodgers made it look easy, throwing a 30 yard touchdown to former Raider James Jones for a 24-20 Packers lead with 6 minutes left in the third quarter. The Raiders soon faced 3rd and 6 at the their own 24. Carr scrambled for 19 yards. Carr then threw 3 straight incompletions as the Raiders had to punt. Another great punt by Marquette King pinned the Packers back at their own 5.
It didn’t matter. Rodgers was now in a rhythm. On 3rd and 5 from the 10, he found Abbrederis for 13 yards as Green Bay charged down the field. Even offensive pass interference that pushed the Packers temporarily out of field goal range did not stop them. On 2nd and 17 from the Oakland 34, Rodgers hit Randall Cobb for 19 as the Raiders were in full collapse mode. On 3rd and 6 from the 11, Rodgers threw incomplete, but defensive pass interference on DJ Hayden meant 1st and goal at the one. The Raiders are just too stupid to win games and the former first round pick Hayden is a major contribution to that stupidity. After Rodgers threw incomplete, Eddie Lacy was knocked back for a loss. On 3rd and goal from the 3, the Raiders finally got a stop as Rodgers threw incomplete. This was a staggering 19 play, 92 yard drive that consumed 8 minutes. Yet all the Packers got was a 21 yard Crosby field goal. The Packers led 27-20 with 10 minutes left in regulation.
The Oakland defense was exhausted. The offense from the Oakland 16 had to do something to give their defense a rest. On 3rd and 8 from the Oakland 28, Carr was sacked for a 14 yard loss by Julius Peppers. Midway through the fourth quarter, the offense had to punt. If the exhausted defense could not get another stop, Oakland’s entire season would be over.
A short punt followed by a penalty on Oakland had the Packers starting at the Oakland 36 as Raider fans began tearing their hair out at 13 straight years of losing football. Starks ripped off a 25 yard gain. On 3rd and goal at the 5 with 4 1/2 minutes left, a touchdown pass to Jones was nullified by offensive pas interference. After an incompletion, Crosby came in for a 33 yard field goal try to lock up the game. Crosby was good as the Packers led by 10. Needing a miracle, the Raiders faced 3rd and 8 at their own 22. Carr was again sacked by Peppers. On 4th and 14 from the Oakland 16 and forced to go for it, Carr threw incomplete and the Raiders were done.
For some bizarre reason, pass happy Mike McCarthy refused to just run out the clock. He called a pass play and Rodgers was intercepted at the goal line. Yet there would be no touchback as the Raiders were taking over at their own one. They had 2:44 to try to get two scores from the shadow of their own goal. Maybe the Packers were just daring the Raiders to give them a safety. Carr threw for a couple first downs, but on 4th and 4 from the Oakland 36 with 1:49 left, a completion to Reece actually lost a yard. The inevitable was delayed, but now all hope was extinguished. The Raiders were eliminated from playoff contention.
The Packers at 10-4 are still one game up in the NFC North. Those in the Raider Nation wanting to see the glass as half full will point out that the Raiders are 6-8 only one year after being 3-13. Yet 13 straight years of non-winning, non-playoff football take their toll. The Raiders have some talented players, but they just do not win enough games. They blow games in the fourth quarter. They have a terrible secondary outside of Charles Woodson. The last 2 weeks will determine if the Pride and Poise boys have any of either. 30-20 Packers
Cleveland Browns at Seattle Seahawks — The only reason people watch the 3-10 Browns is to find out what Johnny Manziel will do. Meanwhile, Seattle at 8-5 is barreling toward the playoffs. Early on it was the Browns moving 80 yards in 15 plays and taking 7 minutes to do it. Manuel threw a 7 yard touchdown to Gary Barnidge as the Browns had the surprising 7-0 lead. The Seahawks came back 69 yards in 14 plays, chewing up 7 1/2 minutes of clock. Russell Wilson hit Doug Baldwin for the 3 yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7. In the second quarter 57 yards was capped off by Wilson hitting Baldwin for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Seahawks. Travis Coon would hit a 34 yard field goal to get the Browns within 14-10.
With one minute left in the half, Steve Hauschka hit a 49 yard field goal to make it 17-10 Seahawks. The Browns did not gain a first down, but the Seahawks got it back at their own 27 with only 16 seconds left. Yet the Browns are 3-10 for a reason. From the Seattle 43 with 2 seconds left, Wilson went deep to Kearse for a 39 yard gain. The half should have ended but a defensive facemask gave the Seahawks one more untimed down. Hauschka hit the 27 yard field goal as the Seahawks led 20-10 at recess. After a scoreless third quarter Wilson threw a 27 yard touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett for a 27-10 Seahawks lead. Coons did hit a 37 yard field goal, but the Legion of Boom clamped down and Hauschka added one more field goal from30 yards out. The 9-5 Seahawks are a very dangerous team. 30-13 Seahawks
Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers — Pittsburgh is a scary 8-5, having just gone on the road and walloped Cincinnati. Now they were home for 10-3 Denver, coming off a stunning home loss to the Raiders. The Broncos fumbled the ball and the Steelers recovered at the Denver 20. Williams banged in from 3 yards out to make it 7-0 Steelers. The Broncos came back 85 yards in 12 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. Brock Osweiler found Denarius Thomas for an 18 yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7. Denver got it back and needed only one play and 8 seconds as Osweiler went deep to Emanuel Sanders for a 61 yard touchdown and a 14-7 Broncos lead.
The Broncos intercepted Ben Roethlisberger in the second quarter, taking over at midfield. Osweiler ran for a 7 yard touchdown on 3rd and goal. The extra point was no good but Denver was up 20-7. Chris Boswell hit a 24 yard field goal to get the Steelers within 20-10 midway through the second quarter. Yet Osweiler moved the Broncos patiently. At the 2 minute warning the Broncos had 2nd and goal at the 6. Osweiler then found Thomas for the touchdown as the Broncos took a commanding 27-10 lead. Denver relaxed a bit during the 2 minute drill, allowing Boswell to hit a 41 yard field goal to end the half with the Steelers trailing 27-13. Osweiler had 4 touchdown passes, 0 interceptions, and over 200 yards passing in the first half.
Midway through the third quarter Roethlisberger threw a 9 yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown as the Steelers only trailed 27-20. The Steelers began the fourth quarter after a Denver punt at their own 40. Big Ben found Brown for gains of 11 and 17 and Wheaton for 13, with unnecessary roughness setting up 1st and goal. Rioethlisberger hit Wheaton for a 9 yard touchdown to tie the game 27-27 with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Broncos faced 3rd and 16 at their own 10. For the second straight week in a critical situation, Osweiler threw a perfect pass to Vernon Davis past the first down marker. For the second straight week, Davis dropped it. With 4 1/2 minutes left after an exchange of punts, the Broncos faced 2nd and 7 at their own 27. Osweiler was intercepted by Shazier at the Denver 37. Two plays later Roethlisberger went deep to Brown for a 23 yard touchdown. 24 unanswered points had the Steelers up by 7 with 3 1/2 minutes to play.
A well executed reverse on the kickoff had the Broncos starting at their own 40. On 3rd and 4, Osweiler found Sanders for 13 yards. On 4th and 5 from the Pittsburgh 36 with 2:21 to play, Osweiler threw high and incomplete. Denver still had all of their timeouts plus the 2 minute warning. Denver’s vaunted defense needed a stop. In a stunning turn of events, Mike Tomlin called a pass play rather than run the ball. Roethlisberger was intercepted by Brandon Marshall at the Pittsburgh 41. Since 2:01 remained, that one extra second allowed the Broncos to do whatever they wanted on first down before the 2 minute warning.
It did not matter. Osweiler threw 4 straight incompletions. Denver still had 2 timeouts, and they took their last timeout with the Steelers facing 3rd and 5 at their own 46 with 90 seconds left. A run would take the clock down to less than 45 seconds but again Tomlin went high risk and called a pass play. Big Ben hit Brown for 8 yards and that was that. The playoff picture for both of these teams is up for grabs. The Broncos fell to 10-4. They are now one game out of the lead for the first round bye. However, they have a major showdown with 11-3 Cincinnati next week in Denver. Denver only leads Kansas City by one game in the AFC West, a division that was assumed locked up weeks ago. Pittsburgh at 9-5 is very much alive for a playoff berth. Osweiler finished 21 of 44 for 296 yards. Roethlisberger was a ridiculous 40 of 55 for 380 yards. Both quarterbacks threw 3 touchdown passes while Osweiler was intercepted once and Roethlisberger twice. 34-27 Steelers
Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers — neither team is going to the playoffs. The Chargers moved 86 yards in 12 plays and 6 minutes and Philip Rivers found Danny Woodhead for a 20 yard touchdown to make it 6-0 Chargers. The extra point doinked off the upright no good. In the second quarter Josh Lamb hit a 28 yard field goal for the Chargers. The Chargers got it back and moved 63 yards. Woodhead got the last 2 yards to make it 16-0 Chargers. San Diego on their next drive moved 75 yards. Rivers hit Woodhead for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 23-0 Chargers against the lifeless Dolphins. Miami did reach the end zone in the third quarter, but Woodhead scored his fourth touchdown of the day on a 9 yard reception from Rivers, who threw his third touchdown pass. Miami added one more late garbage touchdown. 30-14 Chargers
Cincinnati Bengals at San Francisco 49ers — This was not Joe Montana or Steve young against Ken Anderson or Boomer Esiason. It was not even Colin Kapernick against Red Rifle Andy Dalton. Instead Blaine Gabbert battled AJ McCarron. The Bengals are 10-3 but their home loss last week could cost them a first round bye. Midway through the second quarter of a horrendous scoreless tie, Anquon Boldin fumbled and Dunlap returned it 21 yards to the San Francisco 11. Hill got in form the one to make it 7-0 Bengals. Then the 49ers shanked an 18 yard punt, giving the Bengals a short field at the San Francisco 36. Hill again got in from the one with 1:19 left in the half to make it 14-0 Bengals. Gabbers was then quickly intercepted, giving the Bengals the ball at the San Francisco 20. One play later McCarron hit Kroft for the touchdown to make it 21-0 Bengals. All three scores came with a short field as the 49ers were just giving touchdowns away for the holidays.
League rules required the second half be played. Mike Nugent tacked on a 22 yard field goal in the third quarter to make it 24-0 Bengals. The Bengals would fumble to give the 49ers a short field, leading to one San Francisco touchdown. The 49ers had a field goal try blocked in the fourth quarter, but got another touchdown when Gabbert hit Boldin for a 15 yard score. The 49ers even recovered the onside kick, but soon after Gabbert threw his third interception. The Bengals got to 11-3 as McCarron, who sleeps with Miss Alabama, played mistake free football in his first professional start. 24-14 Bengals
Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles was the Sunday night game. The 11-2 Cardinals traveled to play the 6-7 Eagles, who entered the week in a three-way tie for the NFC Least lead. The Cardinals jumped on the Eagles from the start. Arizona moved 78 yards and David Johnson got in from the one to make it 7-0 Cardinals. The Eagles moved into the red zone but settled for a 36 yard Caleb Sturgis field goal to trail 7-3. The Cardinals came back into the red zone as well, but on 3rd and 5 from the 6 Carson Palmer was sacked. The second quarter began with Chandler Catanzaro hitting a 28 yard field goal to make it 10-3 Cardinals.
A field position game had the Eagles starting at their own 47. Sam Bradford threw a 22 yard touchdown pass to Zac Ertz to tie the game 10-10. With 4 minutes left in the half, Johnson broke free for a 47 yard touchdown to make it 17-10 Cardinals. A strong kickoff return had the Eagles at their own 44. With 50 seconds left in the half the Eagles faced 4th and 1 at the Arizona 8. Chip Kelly decided to go for it and tie the game. Ryan Mathews got the carry and got nothing.
One minute into the third quarter the Cardinals took over at their own 13. On 3rd and 2 from the Philly 30, Palmer went deep to Malcolm Floyd down to the one. Johnson got in on the next play. The extra point was no good but the Cardinals led 23-10. The Eagles moved from their own 7 to the Arizona 38, but Sam Bradford was then sacked and fumbled. The Eagles got it back and fumbled again. The Cardinals this time took over at midfield. Palmer found Brown for a 16 yard touchdown to make it 30-10 Cardinals.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Bradford was intercepted by Bucannon, who returned it 39 yards for another touchdown and a 37-10 Cardinals lead. Bradford quickly came back with a 78 yard touchdown pass for the Eagles, but nothing else. Arizona tacked on one more field goal yo complete the blowout. The Eagles at 6-8 are one game behind Washington, but they host Washington next week. Meanwhile, the 12-2 Cardinals locked up the NFC West. They finish the season with tough games against Green Bay and Seattle, but both of those game are at home. A win in either of them clinches a first round bye, although home field throughout is most likely out of reach. 40-17 Cardinals
Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints was the Monday night game. Neither team is going to the playoffs, and this looked like a terrible game for awhile. A field position game had the Lions taking over at the Saints 40. On 3rd and goal at the one, Matthew Stafford threw a touchdown pass to Golden Tate to make it 7-0 Lions. The Saints got on the board with a 45 yard Kai Forbath field goal, but then the Lions poured it on.
In the second quarter Stafford led the Lions 65 yards and threw a 4 yard touchdown pass to Burton. Then he led them 69 yards and hit Tate for the 5 yard touchdown to make it 21-3 Lions. With 1:12 left in the half from the Saints 29, Drew Brees threw to Cooks for the touchdown. Yet the play was reversed and ruled down at the one. On 3rd and goal, Tim Hightower could not get in. On 4th and goal from the one with 3 seconds left, Brees hit Marquis Colston, who got the ball over the plane of the goal. Yet ineligible man downfield, which is hard to fathom on a one yard play, nullified the score as the Saints were denied. In the third quarter the Lions moved 78 yards and Abdullah ran for a 15 yard touchdown to make it 28-3 Lions. Yet these are the Lions. Prosperity does not work for them.
Brees then threw a 27 yard touchdown to Cooks, and this time the score stood. Early in the fourth quarter Brees led the Saints deep but threw incomplete on 3rd and goal at the 4. Forbath hit from 22 to get the Saints within 28-13. The Lions fumbled on the first play from scrimmage and the Saints took over at the Detroit 38. Brees hit colton for the 11 yard touchdown. This one counted and the Saints trailed 28-20 with 10 minutes left in regulation.
The Lions rebounded and moved 76 yards. Bell got in from the one as the Lions had some breathing room up 35-20 with 5 1/2 minutes left. Brees moved the Saints back 80 yards and hit Watson for a 1 yard touchdown. The Saints were within 8 with 1:55 left. The onside kick failed. from the Saints 45, Bell raced for a 36 yard gain. Matt Prater came in for a 38 yard field goal to ice the game. It was no good, but only 9 seconds remained. The Saints needed 72 yards. Brees completed a pass but the Saints were left 54 yards short. Brees and Stafford both threw 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Brees was 34 of 52 for 341 yards, and he passed the 60,000 yard mark for his career. Stafford was a lights out 22 of 25 for 254 yards. 35-27 Lions