NFL 2017 Week 17 Recap
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions — Both the 7-8 Packers and 8-7 Lions are out of the playoffs. The Lions have not swept the Packers since 1991. Mike McCarthy started the game with a successful surprise onside kick. However,a quick throw by Brett Hundley bounced right off the receiver’s hands and was intercepted by Jamal Williams. Green Bay got it back and Mason Crosby hit a 41 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Packers. A perfectly executed play action pass had Matthew Stafford go deep to Marlin Mack for a 56 yard gain. Matt Prater hit a 28 yard field goal for a 3-3 game. The Packers moved to the red zone but fumbled the ball away at the Detroit 15. In the second quarter the Lions moved 88 yards. Stafford went to Kenny Golladay for a 54 yard touchdown to make it 10-3 Lions. With 3 minutes left in the half the Packers fumbled a punt and the Lions took over at the Green Bay 14. Stafford threw a perfect 3 yard fade to the corner for Marvin Jones, who out jumped the defender for the touchdown and the 17-3 Lions lead. Earlier the Packers punted on 4th and 18 from their own 2. Now they were punting on 4th and 23 from their own one. The Lions took over at the Green Bay 35 with 1:41 left in the half. Prater hit from 30 as a close game was now a 20-3 Lions romp at the half.
One play in the third quarter was enough for Stafford to throw a 71 yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate to make it 27-3 Lions. Green Bay did get a garbage touchdown, but Amir Abdullah responded with a 7 yard touchdown for the Lions to extend the blowout. On the 2 point try, Stafford handed to Tate, who threw it back to Stafford in the end zone to complete the blowout win. The loss dropped the Packers to 7-9 while the Lions finished 9-7. Despite 3 winning seasons in 4 years, the Lions are actually thinking of firing Jim Caldwell. New England defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is the leading candidate. Mike McCarthy is safe, but Green Bay may fire longtime defensive coordinator Dom Capers despite his having to deal with an injury-riddled defense. 35-11 Lions
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts — The least important game of the day saw Fairbairn hit a 52 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Texans. The Colts came back 75 yards in 15 plays and 8 1/2 minutes. Jacoby Brissett hit Doyle for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Colts. The Texans moved 75 yards in 13 plays and 8 minutes. Alfred Blue ran for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 10-7 Texans. Fairbairn tacked on a 46 yard field goal in the second quarter to make it 13-7 Texans. In a game where both coaches were at risk of being fired after the game, Chuck Pagano literally had nothing to lose. He tried a surprise onside kick to start the second half. It was a good kick, but the Texans recovered it. The Colts got it back at their own 17. On 3rd and 6 from the Houston 29, Brissett threw incomplete but defensive holding kept the drive going. Marlin Mack bulled in from the one to complete the 13 play, 83 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive and make it 14-13 Colts. The Texans got it back at their own 8 yard line with 12 minutes left in regulation. TJ Yates was sacked in the end zone for a safety to make it 16-13 Colts. After the free kick Adam Vinatieri drilled a 54 yard field goal to make it 19-13 Colts with 9 minutes left. The Colts got it back with 6 1/2 minutes left, took almost all the time off the clock, and wrapped it up when Vinatieri hit from 22 with 30 seconds left. Both teams ended 4-12 as Bill O’Brien and Chuck Pagano awaited Black Monday. Pagano didn’t have to wait. Right after the game on Sunday he was Chuck Be-Gone-O. 22-13 Colts
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings — The 12-3 Vikings with a win would secure a first round bye although home field throughout the playoffs was out of reach. On the second play of the game a roughing the passer penalty on Chicago had the Vikings on the move. Case Keenum hit Sean Diggs for a 26 yard gain. Latavius Murray ran up the gut for a one yard touchdown to cap the 70 yard drive and make it 7-0 Vikings. In the second quarter the Vikings moved 71 yards in 11 plays and 6 minutes. Murray again got in from the one to make it 14-0 Vikings. The Bears had no offense and little defense, but special teams got them back in it. Brice Callahan returned a punt 59 yards for a touchdown to get the Bears within 14-7. The Bears actually faked who had the ball on the return. Chicago got it back and faced 2nd and 13 at their own 9. Mitchell Trubisky was called for intentional grounding in the end zone and the safety with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half made it 16-7 Vikings. In the third quarter the Vikings moved 63 yards and Keenum hit Diggs for a 15 yard touchdown to complete the scoring. Mike Zimmer’s defense did the rest as the 13-3 Vikings secured their first round bye and John Fox awaited his Black Monday fate. 23-7 Vikings
New York Jets at New England Patriots — With a win the Patriots would lock up home field throughout the playoffs. New England went right to work, moving 75 yards in 13 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. Dion Lewis from the 3 yard line got the carry and got the ball just over the plane of the goal to make it 7-0 Patriots. Early on the expected blowout did not materialize. Chandler Catanzaro hit a 48 yard field goal to get the Jets within 7-3. In the second quarter, Catanzaro missed from 40 yards out. The Patriots soon faced 3rd and 10 at their own 27. Tom Brady threw his 3rd straight incompletion but defensive holding kept the drive going. On 3rd and 1 from the New England 41, Lewis got the yard. A defensive pass interference penalty on a deep ball tacked on 42 yards to the 14 yard line. Brady threw a 5 yard touchdown to Brandon cooks to cap the 10 play, 73 yard drive and make it 14-3 Patriots with 4 minutes left in the half. New England got it back with 2:01 left in the half at their own 42. On 3rd and 5 from the Jets 31, Brady threw incomplete but defensive holding kept the drive going. Earlier the Jets jumped offsides on this drive. Brady hit Lewis for a 5 yard touchdown as the Patriots got the kill shot to take a 21-3 halftime lead. The uneventful second half saw each team kick a field goal and the Patriots added a safety as they locked up home field with a 13-3 record. The Jets were 5-7 before ending with 4 straight losses but they overachieved all year for Todd Bowles. 26-6 Patriots
Washington Redskins at New York Giants — Neither team is going to the playoffs. 17 seconds into the game and the Giants were on the board as Orleans Darkwa took a handoff and raced 75 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was no good as the Giants led 6-0. Washington quickly faced 3rd and 7 at their own 28. Kirk Cousins was intercepted, and the Giants took over at the Washington 19. Eli Manning went to Sharp for a 16 yard touchdown. The 2 point try failed but the Giants led 12-0 barely more than 2 minutes into the game. Eli Manning was quickly intercepted when the Giants got it back, setting up the Redskins at the Giants 20. Cousins ran for a 12 yard touchdown to get the Redskins within 12-7. After a touchback the Giants moved to a 1st and goal at the 6. On 3rd and goal from the 5, Manning fired over the middle to a wide open Adams. Adams just dropped it. Aldrick Rosas hit a 23 yard field goal to make it 15-7 Giants, The final 3 quarters were a hideous slog. With 18 seconds left in the half the Giants punted from their own 21. Crowder returned the punt 29 yards to the Giants 31 with 4 seconds left in the half. Dustin Hopkins to hit a 49 yard field goal to get the Redskins within 15-10. Midway through the third quarter Hopkins missed from 47. Early in the fourth quarter Rosas hit from 29 to put the Giants back up by 8 points.With 3 minutes left Cousins was intercepted. Despite the win, the 3-13 Giants still have the number 2 pick in the Draft while the 7-9 Redskins will go into 2018 with everyone on the hot seat. 18-10 Giants.
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles — Despite clinching home field throughout the playoffs, Doug Pederson had his starters play in this game. The Eagles are 13-2 but looked shaky in their last 2 wins. They faced an 8-7 Cowboys team eliminated from playoff contention. After a scoreless first quarter in which Nick Foles did not look good, Pederson pulled the starters. The game remained scoreless after three quarters. The Cowboys were pinned at their own one yard line. but by the fourth quarter had moved to their own 37. Dan Prescott then hit Ezekiel Elliott for 22 yards. On 3rd and 9 from the Philly 28, Prescott threw incomplete but illegal contact kept the drive going. on 3rd and 7 from the Dallas 20, prescott went to Brice Butler for the touchdown with 12 1/2 minutes left. Dan bailey missed the extra point. A chip shot field goal try by Bailey to lock up the win was also no good. With one second left from the Philly 40, the Eagles actually took a delay of game penalty. The hook and laterals failed. The Cowboys finished 9-7 and Jerry Jones insisted Jason Garrett is coming back next year. The Eagles are 13-3 but the fans will complain until and unless they “bring it home for Jerome.” The offense is very shaky. 6-0 Cowboys
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers — The 12-3 Steelers played all their backups against the winless Browns. Mike Tomlin concluded that there was no way the Jets would go on the road and beat New England. Tomlin conceded home field advantage throughout the playoffs before the games even started. Landry Jones started in place of ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers moved 72 yards and Darrius Hayward-Bey took an end around 29 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 Steelers lead. DeShone Kizer barely avoided a safety as he was sacked for losses of 8 and 12 and the Browns punted on 4th and 30 from their own 2 yard line. Yet Landry Jones was intercepted by Jabril Peppers to set up the Browns at their own 37 in a game that was expected to be this ugly. Pittsburgh got it back and made it look easy. A short pass from Jones to Juju Smith-Schuster followed by terrible tackling turned a gain of nothing into a 34 yard gain. Stephen Ridley then ran for 21 more yards. On 4th and 3 from the Cleveland 9, a 27 yard field goal was good. Yet Cleveland lined up in the neutral zone. Mike Tomlin took the points off the board. On 2nd and goal from the one, a pair of runs got stopped. Mike Tomlin decided to go for it. On 4th and goal at the one, Nix got the carry and got stopped cold. The winless Browns run defense celebrated the goal line stand.
They would not be celebrating for long. Punting out of their own end zone again, the punt was partially blocked to set the Steelers up at the Cleveland 28. Jones found a wide open Smith-Schuster for a 20 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Steelers.The Browns got a ray of hope when Kizer threw a 56 yard touchdown bomb to Josh Gordon to get the Browns on the board. Replay showed Brown was out of bounds at the 2 yard line, and Tomlin successfully challenged the call. On 1st and goal at the 2 a low but catchable ball to a wide open receiver was dropped. Duke Johnson ran it in and the call stood and the Browns were finally within 14-7. Yet after a touchback, defensive penalties killed the Brown. From the Cleveland 38, a defensive facemask had Pittsburgh at the Cleveland 16. On 3rd and 3 form the 9 Landry threw incomplete but roughing the passer on Myles Garrett kept the drive going. Ridley ran for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 21-7 Steelers. Cleveland did not give up. Kizer zipped a pass over the middle to Rashard Higgins, who split the seams and raced for a 56 yard touchdown to get the Browns within 21-14.
In the third quarter the Browns moved 68 yards. Kizer hit Njoku for a 34 yard gain. on 3rd and goal at the 5, Kizer hit Higgins for the touchdown. The winless Browns had tied the game 21-21. 12 seconds later the winless Browns were losing again. Juju Smith-Schuster, who is still not Jewish, returned the kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown to make it 28-21 Steelers. The Browns soon face 3rd and 15 at their own 7. Kizer scrambled for 16 and Browns were alive. On 3rd and 17 from the Pittsburgh 41, Kizer hit Coleman for 18 yards. On 3rd and 10 from the Pittsburgh 23, Kizer ran for 7 but offensive holding killed the drive. Gonzalez hit a 51 yard field goal as the Browns only trailed by 4 points after 3 quarters. The fourth quarter summed up the entire Browns season.
With 13 minutes left in regulation the Browns faced 3rd and 15 at their own 31. Kizer found Johnson for a 39 yard gain, but Johnson fumbled the ball away. With 7 minutes left in regulation from the Cleveland 31, Kizer was intercepted. With 4 1/2 minutes left the Browns took over at their own 15. They moved to a 4th and 2 at the Pittsburgh 27 with 1:54 left. Kizer miraculously avoided a sack and fired a pass to Coleman inside the Pittsburgh 10 yard line. Coleman dropped it. It was right in his hands and he just dropped it. The 13-3 Steelers survived to spare Mike Tomlin answering ridiculous questions about playing his backups. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said a couple weeks ago he was not firing Hue Jackson. An 0-16 season is forever, and that could change the calculation. The Browns are 1-31 the last 2 years, the worst stretch in NFL history. The 1976-1977 Buccaneers started 0-26 but won 2 straight. 28-24 Steelers
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons — The 11-4 Panthers had locked up a wildcard but could win the division with a win and a New Orleans loss. Atlanta at 9-6 would make the playoffs with a win but would miss the playoffs with a loss if Seattle also won. Early on the Falcons moved 75 yards in 10 plays. Matt Ryan hit Devonta Freeman for a 19 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Falcons. In the second quarter the Panthers had a staggering 16 play, 78 yard drive that took 8 1/2 minutes off the clock. Cam Newton hit Devon Funchess for a 7-7 ballgame. In the third quarter the Falcons moved 68 yards in 13 plays and 7 minutes. The drive died in the red zone as Matt Bryant hit a 30 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Falcons. An interception of Newton led to a 42 yard Bryant field goal to make it 13-7 Falcons. In the fourth quarter the Falcons moved 60 yards and Bryant hit from 30 to make it 16-7 Falcons. The Panthers came back 51 yards and Graham Gano hit from 42 to get the Panthers within 16-10. After a touchback Ryan went to Julio Jones for a 27 yard gain. With 6:43 to play Bryant came in for a 56 yard field goal knowing a miss would set up Carolina well. Dan Quinn’s trust paid off as Bryant drilled it to make it 19-10 Falcons.
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens — The 9-6 Ravens are in the playoffs with a win. They could still get in with a loss and a lot of help. Marvin Lewis is resigning after the game after 15 seasons with the Bengals. Early on the Bengals moved 78 yards and Red Rifle Andy Dalton hit Kroft for a one yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Bengals. In the second quarter the Bengals fumbled and the Ravens recovered at the Cincy 34. The defense held Baltimore to a 46 yard field goal as the Ravens trailed 7-3. Late in the second quarter the Bengals faced 3rd and 6 at their own 32. Dalton hit LaFell for 13 yards. From the Baltimore 30, Dalton hit Kroft for 20 yards. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Dalton hit Kroft for the touchdown to make it 14-3 Bengals with 4:15 left in the half. The Bengals for it back less than one minute later and moved from their 23 to a 1st and 10 at the Baltimore 14. After spiking the ball to stop the clock, Dalton threw incomplete twice. Bullock hit a 32 yard field goal as the Bengals led 17-3 with just 22 seconds left in the half.
That was enough time for Moore to return the kickoff 87 yards to the Cincinnati 6 yard line with 8 seconds left. Flacco fired over the middle to Moore for the touchdown as the Ravens were back in down 17-10. In the third quarter the Ravens moved from their 23 to a 2nd and 5 at the Cincy 22. Flacco threw a short pass to Moore. Yet Moore juggled the easy throw and it was intercepted by Dennard. Dennard had a convoy of blockers and he followed them perfectly for an 89 yard touchdown. Rather than a 17-17 game, the Bengals led 24-10 in front of a shellshocked home crowd that saw their team’s playoff chances evaporating.
The Ravens came back 61 yards. On 4th and 3 from the Cincy 17, Alex collins took a handoff to the left, reversed his field, and made it all the way to the right pylon for a touchdown to get the Ravens within 24-17. Baltimore got it back and moved 62 yards in 14 plays and 6 minutes. Despite 1st and 10 at the Cincy 15, the drive died there. With 13 minutes left in regulation Tucker hit from 34 as the Ravens trailed 24-20. An unnecessary roughness penalty on a punt gave the Ravens the ball back at the Cincinnati 45. Joe Flacco hit Mike Wallace for 10 and Campanaro for 11 more. On 3rd and 5 from the Cincy 6, Flacco went to Wallace for the touchdown. With nearly 9 minutes left in regulation, 17 unanswered points and the Ravens storm back for a 27-24 lead.
After an exchange of punts, the Bengals took over at their own 10 with 2:43 to play. At the 2 minute warning the Bengals faced 2nd and 10 at their own 33. Dalton threw incomplete, but defensive pass interference meant a 10 yard gain. With 1:23 left the Bengals faced 3rd and 5 at their own 48. Dalton threw deep and was intercepted as the Bengals celebrated a return to the playoffs. They celebrated too early as defensive holding negated the turnover. With 53 seconds left and the Bengals out of timeouts, they faced 4th and 12 at the Baltimore 49. One more stop and the Ravens were in the playoffs. Instead, in front of a shocked and disbelieving home crowd, Dalton went deep to Boyd for a 49 yard touchdown. Just like that, Baltimore dropped to 9-7 and their playoff hopes went down in flames. The 7-9 Bengals will most likely see Marvin Lewis walk away after 15 seasons, but he went out in style with consecutive road wins that knocked two good teams out of the playoffs. 31-27 Bengals
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins — The 8-7 Bills needed a win and help to make the playoffs. Jay cutler played one series and then was benched for backup Fales, who played the rest of the game. Early on the Bills moved 72 yards. Tyrod Taylor hit Nick O’Leary for a 26 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Bills. In the third quarter the Bills just missed out on another touchdown. The 11 play, 80 yard drive took 5 minutes but had them settle for a 23 yard Steve Hauschka to make it 10-0 Bills. Huaschka hit from 49 in the third quarter to make it 13-0 Bills. The Dolphins then went for it on 4th and 8 from the Buffalo 37. Fales was called for intentional grounding on a 13 yard loss. On 3rd and 6 from the Miami 32, Tyrod Taylor went deep incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the one. Williams got in to make it 19-0 Bills. The Dolphins finally got on the board with a 36 yard Cody Parkey field goal. In the fourth quarter Buffalo answered with a 33 yard Hauschak field goal to make it 22-3 Bills.
Miami went 75 yards in 10 plays and 5 1/2 minutes and got a one yard touchdown run from Jarvis Landry. The 2 point try failed but the Dolphins were within 22-9. Miami got it back and moved 68 yards. Fales got the last yard and the Dolphins were within 6 points. Miami even recovered the onside kick and had a chance to win the game. With 90 seconds left from the Miami 46, Fales threw a pass over the middle and was intercepted. The Dolphins finished 6-10 while the 9-7 Bills won the tie-breakers with other teams. The longest NFL playoff drought of 17 seasons is now over. In Sean McDermott’s first season at the helm, the Bills are going to the playoffs. 22-16 Bills
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Despite being 4-11, the Buccaneers announced after failing to rehire Jon Gruden that Dirk Koetter will return in 2018. The 11-4 Saints with a win would lock up the NFC South but with a loss and a Carolina win would fall to the Wildcard. The Buccaneers moved 75 yards in 14 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. Patrick Barber ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Buccaneers. 13 seconds later the game was tied as Alvin Kamara returned the ensuing kickoff 106 yards for a touchdown and a 7-7 game. The Saints got it back and moved 65 yards. Brees went deep to Thomas for a 43 yard gain. Kamara ran for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Saints. In the second quarter the Buccaneers moved 75 yards in 12 plays and over 6 minutes. Jameis Winston got in from the one. The extra point was no good as the Buccaneers trailed 14-13.
In the third quarter the Buccaneers moved to the Saints 23. Winston went to the end zone and was intercepted for a touchback, From the Saints 35, Brees went deep to Kamara for a 40 yard gain. Will Lutz hit a 48 yard field goal to make it 17-13 Saints. The fourth quarter began with the Buccaneers punting. The Saints fumbled it and Johnson recovered it for the Buccaneers and rumbled 7 yards for the touchdown to make it 20-17 Buccaneers. The Saints came back 92 yards in 13 plays and 7 minutes. Brees hit Line for a 3 yard touchdown to put the Saints back in front 24-20 midway through the fourth quarter. After a touchback the Bucs moved to a 1st and 10 at the Saints 24. 3 straight incompletions were followed by Dirk Koetter opting for the field goal. With only 4 1/2 minutes left, Koetter had faith in his defense. Patrick Murray hit from 42 and the Buccaneers trailed 24-23.
After a touchback, a 23 yard completion from Brees to Ted Ginn Jr. had the Saints with 1st and 10 at the Tampa 40 with 3 minutes left. Another first down would all but ice things as the Buccaneers took their final timeout. On 3rd and 10 a sack of Brees would give the Bucs won more chance. With 1:58 to play the Bucs took over at their own 5 yard line. 95 yards and 0 timeouts is not an easy feat, but a field goal would win it. After 3 straight Winston incompletions, the Bucs were down to their last gasp. On 4th and 10 from their own 5, Winston found Brate for 12 yards. On 3rd and 1 from their own 26 with one minute left, Winston hit Evans for 9 and then again for another 16 more. A 10 yard completion was followed by a surprise timeout on defense by Sean Payton with 15 seconds left. With the game on the line, Winston went deep to Evans for a 39 yard touchdown with 9 seconds left. With 2 seconds left from the Saints 26, a short pass came up 67 yards of the end zone. The Buccaneers finished 5-11. The Saints ended up 11-5, but because Carolina also lost, the Saints still won the NFC South and will host a Wildcard game next week. 31-24 Buccaneers
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans — The 10-5 Jaguars are locked into their spot as AFC North champions and the three seed, but Doug Marrone is not resting his starters. The Jaguars lost earlier this year to the 8-7 Titans. The Titans with a win are in the playoffs and with a loss are most likely out. So The Jaguars would love to knock Tennessee out. Mike Mularkey once had an 8-4 squad, so a fourth straight loss could cost him his job. In the second quarter of a scoreless game the Titans took over at their 18. From their own 34, Marcus Mariota hit Derrick Henry, who split the seams and raced for a 66 yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked as the Titans led 6-0. Josh Lambo got the Jaguars on the board with a 41 yard field goal. At the 2 minute warning the Titans punted on 4th and 1 from their own 29. The Jaguars fumbled the punt and the Titans recovered at the Jacksonville 12. The Jaguars held on defense as Ryan Succop hit a 25 yard field goal to make it 9-3 Titans. On the ensuing play from scrimmage the Jaguars fumbled and the Titans recovered at the Jacksonville 29. Succop hit from 39 to make it 12-3 Titans at halftime. Succop hit again from 38 to make it 15-3 Titans.
With 11 minutes left in regulation, the Titans were in total control as they moved to the Jacksonville 26 after an interception of Blake Bortles. Mariota fumbled and Ngakoue returned it 67 yards for a defensive touchdown. Just like that, the Jaguars were right back in it down by 5 points. With 2:13 to play the Titans faced 3rd and 5 at their own 44. Mariota avoided pressure and scrambled for a 13 yard gain. By the time the Jaguars got the ball back, only 18 seconds remained with the Jaguars at their own 18. Bortles went deep and was intercepted. In a stunner, the Titans got to 9-7. Rather than get their coach fired, they are going to the playoffs. The Jaguars at 10-6 enter the playoffs with 2 straight losses. Jacksonville won the division, but Tennessee swept the season series. 15-10 Titans
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos — The 9-6 Chiefs wrapped up the AFC West and Walrus Lite Andy Reid rested his starters. Patrick Mahomes started his first NFL game as Alex Smith rested. Early on the Chiefs moved 86 yards. Kareem Hunt ran for a 35 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Chiefs. Mahomes would later throw his first NFL interception. The Broncos had Paxton Lynch start this game. Denvermoved 72 yards in 12 plays and 6 1/2 minutes, settling for a 36 yard Brandon McManus field goal to trail 7-3. In the second quarter the Broncos moved 80 yards in 10 plays and over 5 1/2 minutes. Lynch went to Henderson for a 299 yard touchdown to make it 10-7 Broncos. The Chiefs came back 73 yards and Sherman ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 14-10 Chiefs.
In the third quarter the Chiefs had a mind-numbing 18 play drive that went 90 yards and took 9 minutes off the clock. Despite 2nd and goal at the one, a run lost a yard and Mahomes then threw incomplete. Andy Reid played it safe and Harrison Butker hit a 20 yard field goal to make it 17-10 Chiefs. Lynch was then sacked and fumbled. Wilson recovered it and ran 11 yards for a defensive touchdown to make it 24-10 Chiefs. Denver moved from their 20 to a 1st and 10 at the Chiefs 11. On 4th and 15 from the 16, Lynch was intercepted and the Chiefs took over at their own 42. The game appeared over. However, on the next play Bray fumbled and Anderson returned it 38 yards for a defense touchdown. The Broncos were right back in it down 24-17 midway through the fourth quarter. Denver got it back at their own 38 and Lynch went to Bennie Fowler for 22 yards. On 3rd and 7 from the Chiefs 37, Lynch found Booker for 12 yards. With 3 minutes left, on 4th and 4 from the 6, Lynch hit Denarius Thomas for the touchdown for a 24-24 tie.
The Chiefs took over at their own 21 and a sack of Mahomes meant 2nd and 17 at their own 14 at the 2 minute warning. On 3rd and 4 Mahomes threw incomplete but the Broncos jumped offsides. Mahomes then went to Robinson for 12, Wilson for 13, and Wilson again for 14. With 4 seconds left, Butker came in for a 30 yard field goal try to win it. Butker was good and the 5-11 Broncos will find out soon if rookie Vance Joseph returns in 2018. The Chiefs started 5-0, dropped to 6-6, and then went 4-0 down the stretch. They won the AFC West at 10-6 and will host a Wildcard matchup next week, making Andy Reid a Happy Walrus Lite. 27-24 Chiefs
Oakland Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers — The 8-7 Chargers need a win and help to get in. A loss and they are out. The 6-9 Raiders give games away, and one year after going 12-4, rumors are swirling that Jack Del Rio will be fired and Jon Gruden will return. Mark Davis is rumored to be offering Chucky coaching power and even minority ownership in the team. The Raiders moved from their own 11 to the Chargers 31. Offensive holding then killed the drive in a scoreless first quarter. Late in the first quarter the Chargers took over at their own one yard line. Early in the second quarter they faced 3rd and 16 at their own 30. Philip Rivers threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 30 yard gain. On the next play from the Oakland 40, Melvin Gordon ran for 14 yards, fumbled the ball right into the arms of teammate Keenan Allen. Allen raced the remaining 26 yards for a 7-0 Chargers lead. The Raiders soon faced 3rd and 22 at their own 13. Carr went bombs away to Amari Cooper for an 87 yard touchdown and a 7-7 ballgame. Plays like that are how offensive coordinator Todd Downing can lobby to keep his job.
After a touchback, the Chargers moved to a 3rd and 2 at the Oakland 27. Rivers threw incomplete and then tried to go for it on 4th and 2. A false start instead meant a field goal try of 50 yards for Nick Rose. The kick was blocked, and the Raiders took over at the Chargers 30. On 4th and 2 from the 22, Georgio Tavecchio came in to try and give the Raiders the lead from 40 yards out. The kick was good and the Raiders led 10-7. Yet in a season gone wrong, the Raiders stopped playing and took the rest of the game off. The Chargers faced 1st and 20 at their own 28. A run gained only one yard. Yet a tricky tack unnecessary roughness penalty on khalil Mack gave the Chargers 1st and 10 at their own 44. On the next play Rivers went deep to Williams for a 56 yard touchdown and a 14-10 Chargers lead. The Raiders moved to a 1st and at the Chargers 43 at the 2 minute warning. Carr went to the end zone and was intercepted. With 1:48 left from their own 23, Rivers went to work. He hit Melvin Gordon for 12 and Keenan Allen for 17. With 38 seconds left from the Oakland 26, Rivers hit Gates for 20 yards and Allen for the 6 yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked bu the Chargers led 20-10 at halftime.
In the third quarter after a touchback, the Chargers moved to a 1st and goal at the 7. The defense held and Rose hit a 25 yard field goal. The Chargers led 23-10, but the Raiders were not out of it. After a touchback they moved to a 4th and 2 at the Chargers 18. With 6 minutes still left in the third quarter a field goal would have made it a 10 point game. Jack Del Rio decided to go for it which was fine. Yet Todd Downing dialed up a dreadful play call. Rather than pass it or have Marshawn Lynch bang up the gut, a pitchout to Lynch had him running laterally. The play failed and the Raiders came up empty. With one minute left in the third quarter the Chargers faced 3rd and 13 at their own 38. Rivers went deep to Travis Benjamin for a 62 yard touchdown bomb. Although the entire fourth quarter remained, the game was now essentially over.
Late in the fourth quarter the Raiders moved from their own 8 to 2nd and goal at the Chargers 5 with 4 minutes left. Forgetting they ere down by 20 rather than winning, the Raiders ran down the clock and on 4th and goal at the 5, Carr threw incomplete. The 1992 Chargers are the only team to start 0-4 and make the playoffs, winning their division a 11-5. The 25th anniversary team of 2017 started 0-4 and fought back to 9-7, but they were one game back in the division. Due to a stunning result in another playoff game, the Chargers lost the tie-breaker to other teams and were out of the playoffs. The Raiders immediately fired Jack Del Rio after the game. Last year the Raiders were 12-4. This year they were 6-6 and tied atop the AFC West. 4 straight losses and a 6-10 team still would not have been enough to sack Del Rio. If the Raiders do indeed have Jon Gruden coming back, Mark Davis is a hero. If the Raiders do not land Gruden, Mark Davis will be seen as a bumbling imbecile. The Raider Nation will know soon whether to celebrate or cry. The Raiders regressed this year, but blowing up the entire coaching staff is not the answer unless Gruden returns. 30-10 Chargers
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams — The 49ers started 1-10 but have won 4 straight under Jimmy Garoppollo. The 11-4 Rams clinched the NFC West and Sean McCoy rested all starters. Early on Robbie Gould hit a 33 yard field goal for the 49ers. San Francisco got it back and moved 82 yards. Garoppollo hit Goodwin for an 8 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 49ers. With Sean Mannion in for Jared Goff, it was tough going. However, an interception of Garoppollo had the Rams at the san Francisco 22. Despite 2nd and goal at the 5, Mannion threw incomplete twice. Ficken is the backup kicker and he hit from 23 to get the Rams within 10-3. In the second quarter the 49ers moved 67 yards in 11 plays from their own 4 to a 3rd and 3 at the Rams 29. Garoppollo threw incomplete, but Gould hit from 48 to make it 13-3 49ers. The 49ers got it back at their own 43. Garoppollo went to Kittle for 35 yards. Carlos Hyde ran for an 8 yard touchdown to make it 20-3 49ers.
After the teams traded turnovers, the Rams took over at their own 47 with 9 seconds left in the half. The Hail Mary was caught by the Rams for a 50 yard gain, but they were still 3 yards short. One second remained and Ficken hit the 21 yard field goal as the Rams trailed 20-6 at halftime. In the third quarter the 49ers moved 60 yards and Hyde ran for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 27-6 49ers. In the fourth quarter the 49ers moved 53 yards and Garoppollo hit Robinson for a 12 yard touchdown to make it 34-6 49ers. The Rams got a garbage touchdown to complete the scoring. The 49ers ended the year with 5 straight wins. The 1980 49ers went 6-10 and then Joe Montana in 1981 led them to the beginning of a dynasty. 2018 will see the 49ers with high expectations. As for the 11-5 Rams, there is nothing to learn from or worry about this game. They played their backups, and will host a playoff game next week. Sean McVay is a legitimate coach of the year candidate. 34-13 49ers
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks — Rumors were swirling that Bruce Arians, Larry Fitzgerald, and the injured Carson Palmer would all retire after this game. Meanwhile, the 9-6 Seahawks needed a win and an Atlanta loss to make the playoffs. Early on the Cardinals moved 73 yards in 10 plays and 6 minutes. Drew Stanton went to Brown for a 25 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Cardinals. 12 seconds later Tyler Lockett’s 99 yard kickoff return on the ensuing kickoff made it 7-7. Foster returned the ensuing kickoff 55 yards to the Seattle 43. Phil Dawson hit a 49 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Cardinals. Seattle then punted on 4th and 19 from their own 11 and a shanked 32 yard punt had the Cardinals taking over at the Seattle 36. In the second quarter Penny ran it in from 4 yards out to make it 17-7 Cardinals. With 2 1/2 minutes left in the half the Cardinals faced 3rd and 9 at their own 27. Drew Stanton hit Fitzgerald for 12 yards. Defensive pass interference added 22 more yards. Dawson hit from 46 as the Cardinals led 20-7 at halftime in front of a stunned home crowd.
In the third quarter, the Seahawks finally got going. They moved 80 yards in 10 plays and 6 minutes. On 4th and 6 from the Arizona 35, Russell Wilson found Jimmy Graham for 20 yards. Wilson hit Doug Baldwin for an 18 yard touchdown and the Seahawks were within 20-14. On 1st and 15 from the Arizona 20, Stanton was quickly intercepted on a deep ball. Yet the Arizona defense held and a short 28 yard punt had the Cardinals at their own 46. That was enough for Dawson to nail a 53 yard field goal to make it 23-14 Cardinals. The Seahawks got a punt back and took over at their own 40 and began the fourth quarter with 3rd and 4 at their own 46. Wilson hit McKissic for 14 yards. On 3rd and 1 from the Arizona 31, Wilson threw incomplete. With 13 minutes left in regulation, Pete Carroll opted for the field goal. Blair Walsh hit the 49 yarder to get the Seahawks within 23-17.
A 27 yard punt return by Lockett had the Seahawks taking over at their own 40. They struck right away as Wilson ran for 31 yard and then threw a 29 yard touchdown pass to Doug Baldwin. With 10 1/2 minutes left the Seahawks had come back for a 24-23 lead. After an exchange of punts, the Cardinals soon faced 3rd and 7 at their own 17. Stanton threw incomplete but roughing the passer kept the drive going. On 3rd and 2 just past midfield, Stanton hit Foster for 17 yards. With 2 1/2 minutes left, Dawson came in for a 42 yarder to give the Cardinals the 2 point lead. Dawson was good. After a touchback, Wilson hit Baldwin for 23 yards and Graham for 21 more. With 37 seconds left, Walsh came in for a 48 yard field goal to give the Seahawks the one point lead. Walsh has missed some big kicks in his day, and he missed this one as well. The Seahawks with a win would have missed the playoffs anyway, but the loss at 9-7 was the exclamation point. The Cardinals finished 7-9. If this was Bruce Arians’s final game, he went out in style. 26-24 Cardinals
The 2018 Wildcard Playoff games (all times Eastern) are set:
Saturday, January 6:
4:30 pm: AFC: 5) Tennessee Titans at 4) Kansas City Chiefs
8:15 pm: NFC: 6) Atlanta Falcons at 3) Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, January 7:
1:00 pm: AFC: 6) Buffalo Bills at 3) Jacksonville Jaguars
4:30 pm: NFC) 5) Carolina Panthers at 4) New Orleans Saints
Bye weeks:
AFC: 1) New England Patriots and 2) Pittsburgh Steelers
NFC: 1) Philadelphia Eagles and 2) Minnesota Vikings
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