Sunday night is the first night of Hanukkah. Yet before the festival of lights begins, there is no better way to begin the holiday than with a ginormous heaping of NFL Football with everything on the line. Former Minnesota Vikings standout John Randall is not Jewish, but his words ring through December and cross all lines of humanity.
This is when the Big Dogs come out.
So light a candle, or 8, and get ready for some football and an ever crystallizing playoff picture.
In addition, enjoy an article that I only wish I could have written, from another obsessed NFL fan.
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/12/18/drew-magary-on-the-disappearance-of-saturday-nfl-football/
Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars was the Thursday night game. This aerial show had each team gain about 400 yards. The Jaguars have long since been eliminated while the Colts have won 7 straight. Yet the Jaguars got off to the fast start when David Garrard hit Dennis Northcutt for a 28 yard touchdown pass and a 7-0 lead only 4 minutes into the game. After an Indy punt, The Jaguars took over at their own 7. Garrard led a ridiculous 93 yard, 15 play drive that gobbled up 9 1/2 minutes of clock. Garrard, who runs the quarterback draw to perfection, ran the final 2 yards to give the Jaguars a 14-0 second quarter Jaguars lead.
Midway through the second quarter, Peyton Manning finally got going, hitting Reggie Wayne for a 41 yard touchdown pass to pull the Colts to within 14-7. On the next Colts drive, Manning drive the team in position to score, but on 3rd and 1 from the Jacksonville 9, Dominic Rhodes was blown up in the backfield for a 2 yard loss. Adam Viniatieri came in for a 30 yard field goal, and the kick was blocked. With only one minute left in the half, Garrard took over at the Jacksonville 20 and got the job done. Maurice Jones-Drew picked up 15 yards, Garrard hit Lewis for 12 yards, Northcutt for 9 more, and Walker for another 12 to set up a Josh Scobee 44 yard field goal to make it 17-7 Jaguars at intermission.
The Colts took the second half kickoff and rapidly marched 75 yards. Manning hit Rhodes from 10 yards out to make it a 17-14 game. Yet the Jaguars continued to bleed the clock and keep Manning off the field. A 14 play, 8 minute drive covered 76 yards. A 2 yard run by Owens had the Jaguars leading 24-14 entering the final quarter. Manning responded with an 81 yard drive that 11 plays and 5 minutes. A 33 yard pass from Manning to Dallas Clark got the drive going. Manning hit Wayne for a pair of 15 yard gains and Robinson for a 13 yarder. On 3rd and goal from the 1, Manning hit Clark to to pull the Colts to within 24-21 with 12 1/2 minutes remaining.
After a Jacksonville punt, the Colts took over at their own 21. Manning moved the team to a 3rd and 1 at the Jacksonville 27, but again could not convert as Simpson came up short. Vinatieri came through from 46 yards out tie tie the game 24-24 with 6 1/2 minutes left.
Garrard, who had played well the entire game, had a nightmarish 4th quarter. 3 separate blunders doomed Jacksonville. With 5 minutes left, Garrard was intercepted by Keyvan Ratcliffe, who returned the pick 35 yards for a touchdown to give the Colts the 7 point lead. On the next drive, Garrard hit Wrightster for a 27 yard gain. Yet on 3rd and 4 from the Indy 34, Garrard was sacked for a 16 yard loss, forcing a punt.
Yet this game also exposed a weakness for the Colts, Trying to ice the game with 2:45 left, they failed to convert on 3rd and 1 for the 3rd time. Rhodes lost a yard, and the Colts punted. Jacksonville had one last shot with 2 1/2 minutes left from their own 10. Garrard hit Northcutt for 12 yards and Jones-Drew for 17 more to reach the Jacksonville 39 at the 2 minute warning. Passes to Northcutt of 15 and 6 yards followed by a 22 yard gain to Williams had the Jaguars at the Indy 17 with 48 seconds left. With 17 seconds left, the Jaguars were 7 yards away. An incomplete pass left 12 ticks. With no timeouts, the Jagaurs had time for 3 plays. Garrard took a sack, and the clock ran out for a crushing ending for the home team.
The Jaguars will regroup next year. The Colts continue to show resilience, winning 8 straight. Coach Tony Dungy became the very first coach in NFL history to reach the playoffs 10 straight seasons, 3 with Tampa Bay and 7 with Indy. The Colts are locked into the # 5 playoff seed. 31-24 Colts
Baltimore Ravens @ Dallas Cowboys was the Saturday night game. The final game ever at Texas Stadium featured a pair of 9-5 teams in the hunt for playoff spots. With Dallas legends in attendance and Tom Landry smiling from above, the first half was a defensive slugfest, which is unsurprising given the opponent.
From midfield, going for the long ball, Tony Romo was intercepted 2 minutes into the game by Ed Reed. Yet Disaster struck the Ravens. Starting from their own 8, Joe Flacco was hit and fumbled. Dallas recovered at the 4, and Teshard Choice ran it in from 2 yards out to put the Cowboys up 7-0 only 4 minutes into the game. The Cowboys were dreadful for the next 26 minutes, with Tony Romo having a nightmarish first half.
Flacco then mounted a 10 play drive lasting almost 5 minutes. The drive bogged down at the 7 yard line, and the Ravens settled for a field goal to trail 7-3 after the first quarter. In the second quarter after a punt, the Ravens began at the Dallas 46. Although the 10 play drive again drove deep, Flacco took a sack on 3rd and goal from the 5. Another field goal had the Ravens within 7-6. With only 43 seconds left in the half, the Cowboys faced 3rd and 2 from their own 37. Romo again went deep, and again Ed Reed had the interception. Reed returned it 30 yards to midfield. In only 27 seconds, Flacco hit Willis McGahee for 20 yards, and a 13 yard McGahee run set up Matt Stover’s 3rd field goal and a 9-7 Ravens lead at halftime.
An ugly third quarter saw both teams misfiring on all cylinders. Romo missed a wide open bomb that ended up in a punt instead of a touchdown. The Ravens then began with another short field at the Dallas 37. Baltimore tried to fumble the ball back, but Dallas defenders insisted on trying to pick the ball up rather tha fall on it. After Flacco missed a wide open Derrick Mason, the Ravens lined up for their 4th field goal. Yet Jim Harbaugh called a fake, and it worked to perfection. The 9 yard gain on 4th and 6 set up a 13 yard touchdown pass from Flacco to Mason to put the Ravens up 16-7 after three quarters.
Dallas took over at their own 32 and mounted a 12 play, 6 1/2 minute drive. Yet on 3rd and 1 from the Baltimore 16, the pitchout was bobbled and eventually fumbled out of bounds for a one yard loss. Dallas settled for a field goal to close to within 16-10 with 11 1/2 minutes remaining in the game.
Yet Flacco stayed poised the whole game, forgetting he is a rookie. Taking over at the Baltimore 28, Flacco bled 5 minutes off of the clock in a 10 play drive helped along by a defensive personal foul. Stover did nail his 4th field goal with 6 1/2 minutes left to put the Ravens up 19-10. With 4 1/2 minutes left Romo hit Jason Witten for a 35 yard gain, followed by a juggling 15 yard completion to Patrick Crayton to set up first and goal. Romo hit Terrell Owens for the 7 yard score to make it 19-17.
With 3:50 left and all their timeouts, Dallas kicked deep. Baltimore fumbled the kickoff but was lucky enough to recover. From their own 21, Willis McGahee shocked the entire state of Texas by breaking right through the middle and racing 79 yards for the touchdown to give the Ravens the 26-17 lead. The Cowboys took their turn to fumble the ensuing kickoff, but recovered it.
With 3 1/2 minutes left, Romo fired rapidly, hitting Crayton for 25 yards and Owens for 20 more. Romo hit Witten for the final 21 yards to make it 26-24. 1:37 remained, and since the Cowboys still had all 3 timeouts, Wade Philips decided to kick it deep rather than go for the onsides kick. The Ravens took over at their own 18, and all the Cowboys needed was one big stop. As shocking as McGahee’s run was on the previous series, there was no way it could happen twice.
Except it did. Fullback McClain, of all people, barreled over several defenders, got some blocks, and rumbled 82 yards for the touchdown. It was the longest run against the Cowboys in the history of Texas Stadium, and it finally put the game away. The Ravens improved to 10-5 with the win. If they win next week, they are guaranteed a playoff spot. Dallas at 9-6 no longer controls its own destiny, needing other teams to lose to make the playoffs. 33-24 Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns–For some reason this game was played. Not an even an appearance by Joe the Plumber would have made it worth watching. In the first quarter, Ken Dorsey completed a 50 yard touchdown pass to Hall. Unfortunately for Browns Quarterback Dorsey, Hall plays for the Bengals. In the second quarter, Fitzpatrick led a 12 play, 89 yard drive for the Bengals that ate up 8 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 7 from the Cleveland 20, Fitzpatrick hit Travis Henry for the touchdown. The rest of the game was scoreless, and both of these teams are worthless. 14-0 Bengals
New Orleans Saints @ Detroit Lions–The following article explains why the Lions must go 0-16. I predicted the Lions to win a couple of weeks ago at home to Minnesota, and they almost did. I again predicted the Lions to win today. The Saints are eliminated at 7-7 and may be demoralized enough for a desperate Lions team to get it done. It is one thing to be just another bad team. It is another to be the worst team in history. In 1980, it was the Saints that started 0-14 before beating the Jets.
From the opening kickoff, my prediction looked pathetic, and so did the Lions. Green returned the kickoff 60 yards to set up the Saints at the Detroit 41. Robert Meachem ran an end run 20 yards to put the Saints up 7-0. After a 43 yard tying touchdown pass from Orlovsky to Calvin Johnson was nullified by a penalty, the Lions punted. The Saints began their next drive at their own 3 yard line. Drew Brees led a staggering 17 play, 97 yard drive that took 8 ½ minutes of clock. Deuce McAllister got the drive going with an 18 yard run. Short runs with a pair of 11 yard passes from Brees to Marquis Colston led to McAllister scoring on 3rd and goal from the 2 to give the Saints the 14-0 lead.
The Lions then took over at their own 15, and Orlovsky drove them 85 yards. Passes of 16 and 28 yards to Calvin Johnson had the Lions at the 5 yard line. On 4th and goal from the 3, Orlovsky threw incomplete, yet defensive pass interference gave the Lions new life. This is what the Lions need to score touchdowns, as Smith scored from one yard out to make it a 14-7 game.
The rest was all Saints. Brees needed 5 minutes and 11 plays to move the Saints 80 yards. A 29 yard run by Thomas eventually led to a 1 yard run by Bell to put the Saints up 21-7. After a punt, the Saints took over at their own 45. On 3rd an6 from the Detroit 40, Bres hit Devry Henderson for 32 yards down to the 8. Thomas ran it in from 2 yards out to give the Saints the 28-7 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, Brees hit Henderson on a 64 yard pass to set up Brees hitting Marquis Colston from 6 yards out to make it 35-7. After a punt, Brees hit Colston for 17 yards out and Miller for 21 yards, finishing the drive with a 3 yard toss to Colston to end the scoring after a scoreless final quarter.
The Saints at 8-7 are eliminated from playoff contention, while the Lions became the first team to start the season 0-15 and the second team to lose 15 straight in a season. Carolina won their season opener a few years back and nothing else. Detroit is at Green Bay next week in their final attempt to avoid being the first team in history to go 0-16. The 1976 Bucs are watching and waiting. 42-7 Saints
Arizona Cardinals @ New England Patriots–Arizona raced to a 7-3 record in an awful division, but have since lost 3 of 4. They have clinched their division. New England came in locked in a 3 way tie for first place in theirs at 9-5. New England came in locked in a 3 way tie for first place in theirs at 9-5. Wes Welker returned a punt 28 yards as the Patriots began their first drive at the Arizona 33 in a snowstorm that was most unwelcome for the visiting desert team. Lamont Jordan plunged over from 1 yard out to give the Patriots the 7-0 lead. Another punt had the Patriots starting at their own 45. Sammy Morris rambled 42 yards to the Arizona 14, setting up Lamont Jordan, who carried 9, 2, and 3 yards for the score to put the Patriots up 14-0.
In the second quarter the Patriots began a drive at midfield. After backing up a couple yards, Matt Cassel hit Jabar Gaffney for 37 yards and then tossed a 15 yard touchdown to Kevin Faulk to make it 21-0 Patriots. Arizona finally got a drive going, but on 4th and 1 from the New England 31, Kurt Warner fired incomplete. Cassel drove the Patriots 69 yards in 12 plays over 5 ½ minutes. An 11 yard touchdown pass from Cassel to Welker made it 28-0. New England added a field goal to lead 31-0 at halftime.
On the first play of the third quarter, Cassell threw a 76 yard touchdown pass to Randy Moss to make it 38-0, rendering any further coverage of this game long past unnecessary. The Cardinals mounted a furious rally after falling behind by 47 points, but they fell 40 points short. The 8-7 Cardinals long since clinched the # 4 seed, but have lost 4 of 5. The Patriots at 10-5 can win their division, or miss the playoffs entirely based on action next week. 47-7 Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Tennessee Titans–This could be a preview of athe AFC Title Game, and the NFL would love it. A pair of hardnosed teams that can run and play tenacious defense. The 12-2 Titans would lock up home field throughout the playoffs with a win. The Steelers with a win would claim the top seed by winning next week. Either way, both of these teams are the top two seeds with first round byes. The suspense is whether everything runs through Nashville or freezing cold Pittsburgh.
The teams traded field position as the Steelers eventually took over at the Tennessee 42. Ben Roethlisberger hit Hines Ward for 26 yards down to the 16, and Willie Parker ran another 13 yards to set up 1st and goal at the 3. Yet on 3rd and goal from the 7, Roethlisberger got belted y a pair of defenders while trying to run for the touchdown. He fumbled, and the Titans recovered to keep the game scoreless.
The field position battle eventually shifted, allowing the Titans to start a drive at the Pittsburgh 41. Justin McAareins picked up 13 yards to set up a field goal and a 3-0 Titans lead in the second quarter. On Pittsburgh’s next drive, from their own 40, Roethlisberger was sacked, and fumbled again. Starting from the Pittsburgh 39, Kerry Collins on 3rd an 5 threw a 34 yard touchdown pass to Justin Gage to put the Titans up 10-0.
The Steelers got going, as Roethlisberger drove the team 80 yards in 10 plays over 6 minutes. A 31 yard diving catch by Santonio Holmes for the touchdown had the Steelers within 10-7. With 1:53 left in the half, the Titans faced 4th and 3 at the Pittsburgh 37. Jeff Fisher went conservative and punted rather than try a 54 yard field goal in a game where points were expected to come at a premium. It almost proved costly as Roethlisberger drove the Steelers from their own 14 to the Tennessee 15. Nevertheless, Josh Reed missed the 33 yard field goal to keep the game 10-7 at halftime.
After an exchange of punts to start the second half, the Steelers took over at their own 38. Big Ben hit Homes for 20 yards and Hines Ward for a pair of 21 yarders, as the Steelers took a 14-10 lead. Kerry Collins, who all year has stayed under the radar, led the Titans 79 yards in 11 plays. On 3rd and 20 from the Pittsburgh 40, Collins hit McAreins for 19 yards. On 4th and 1 from the 21, Chris Johnson ran all the way for the score to give the Titans the 17-14 lead.
Big Ben was intercepted on the next Steelers drive, the third turnover against non for the Titans. Griffin returned it 32 yards to the Pittsburgh 37. Jeff Fisher, who was criticized last week for passing up a field goal with red hot Rob Bironas to gamble on 4th down, a move that cost the Titans the game, kept gambling on 4th down in this game. On 4th and 3 from the Steelers 30, Collins hit Gage for 17 yards. On 4th and 1 from the 4, the Titans lined up for a field goal. Yet unsportsmanlike conduct on the Steelers led to an automatic first down. It was a killer penalty, as Lendale White ran it in from 2 yards out on the first play of the 4th quarter to put the Titans up 24-14.
Both defenses clamped down in the 4th quarter, which was fine for Tennessee since they had the lead. With seconds left in the game, Big Ben was intercepted by Griffin, who returned it 83 yards for the exclamation point touchdown. The score did not reflect a hard fought game, but 4 turnovers did the Steelers in. The 13-2 Titans locked up home field throughout the playoffs, while the 11-4 Steelers have the second seed and the other first round bye. 31-14 Titans
San Francisco 49ers @ St. Louis Rams–These teams have long since been eliminated. The 49ers are fighting hard for Mike Singletary, While Jim Haslett has not been able to keep the Rams competitive, although they almost won last week against dreadful Seattle. A 3-3 tie was broken with just over one minute left in the half when Marc Bulger hit Burton for a 30 yard touchdown. Sean Hill was then intercepted at the Rams 32. Bulger hit Darby for 25 yards, setting up a field goal and a 13-3 Rams lead at the break.
A 15 play, 8 minute drive reached the San Francisco 4, but the Rams again settled for a field goal and a 16-3 lead with 11 ½ minutes remaining in the game. After an exchange of punts, the 49ers took over at their own 20 with 7 minutes left. Hill fired pass after pass, and his 3 yard touchdown to former Ram and future Hall of Famer Isaac Bruce had the 49ers within 16-10 with 4 minutes left.
The Rams went 3 and out, and the 49ers took over with 2 ½ minutes left at their own 33. A sack had them at their own 26 at the 2 minute warning. On 3rd and 4 from the 39, Hill hit Johnson for 13 yards to the St. Louis 48. On the next play Hill fired the 48 yard touchdown pass to Morgan to give the 49ers the lead with 1:22 remaining. With 22 seconds remaining, Bulger had the Rams at the San Francisco 49ers 48. One more first down meant a game attempting field goal for the win. Instead, Bulger was intercepted, and the 2-13 Rams had blown another one after leading by 13 late. 17-16 49ers
Miami Dolphins @ Kansas City Chiefs–The Dolphins at 9-5 are in a 3 way tie for their division lead, while the Chiefs are long since eliminated, and demoralized after blowing a 21-3 lead last week. They gave up 2 touchdowns in the final 75 seconds and then missed a field goal on the final play. After 20 years, President Carl Peterson resigned.
The whole team should have resigned based on the opening of the game. Patrick Cobbs returned the opening kickoff 60 yards to the Kansas City 31. On the first play from scrimmage, Ted Ginn took an end around all the way for the score to put the Dolphins up 7-0 seconds into the game. Tyler Thigpen then threw an interception at the Miami 27 that was returned 55 yards by Goodman, setting up a field goal and a 10-0 Miami lead. Starting at the Kansas City 35, a 25 yard run by Larry Johnson ignited the Chiefs, and Thigpen hit Darling for a 33 yard touchdown pass to make it a 10-7 game.
The Dolphins reached the Chiefs 39 on their next drive before having to punt. After a touchback, Thigpen led the team 80 yards in 17 plays, taking 8 minutes off the clock. On 4th and 5 from the Miami 29, Herm Edwards decided to go for it, and Thigpen hit Dwanyne Bowe for 12 yards. On 4th and 1 from the 8, Edwards decided to go fir it again, and Thigpen hit Gonzalez for the score to put the Chiefs up 14-10.
The lead was short lived as the Dolphins took over at their own 28. Ronnie Brown ran for 18 yards and Ricky Williams picked up another 13, with a defensive personal foul tacking on more yards. Chad Pennington hit Martin for the 11 yard touchdown to give the Dolphins the 17-14 lead.
Kansas City needed one minute go back in front. From the 23, Thigpen hit Charles for a 75 yard gain down to the 2 yard line. Larry Johnson scored on the next play as the Chiefs led 21-17. The pinball machine continued as the Dolphins took over at their own 34. From their own 46, Pennington hit Ginn for gains of 18 and 13 sandwiched around a 9 yarder to Bess. A 14 yard pass to Fasano completed the drive and had Miami up 24-21.
With only 2:16 left in the half, the Chiefs took over at their own 5 yard line. They gained 2 yards at the 2 minute warning, looking to run out the clock. Yet they ran a lot more, as Johnson picked up 14 yards, and Thigpen hit Darling for 32 yards. Thigpen then ran himself 27 yards to the Miami 8 yard line, and ran it again himself on the next play for the touchdown. The Chiefs led 28-24 at the break, and the aerial show continued.
The Chiefs took the opening kickoff and drove over 6 minutes to a first and goal. Yet the drive stalled and a field goal had them up 31-24. Yet Miami came right back. Operating out of the wildcat, the direct snap to Ronnie Brown was handed off to Patrick Cobbs, who raced 44 yards down to the Kansas City 4 yard line. Ricky Williams scored on the next play to tie the game 31-31.
A fast paced game was finally slowed down when the Dolphins took over with 12:41 remaining in the game and mounted an 85 yard, 13 play drive that lasted 8 ½ minutes. With 4 minutes left, Pennington hit Fasano for a 14 yard touchdown pass as Miami regained the lead. On 4th and 1 from their own 26, forced to go for it, Thigpen was sacked.
The Chiefs got the ball back with 1:45 left at their own 7 after Ricky Williams was ruled to have fumbled even though he was clearly down. Nevertheless, Thigpen was intercepted, and the Dolphins had survived. Miami improved to 10-5 after being 1-15 a year ago. They can still win the division, but can also miss the playoffs entirely. 38-31 Dolphins
San Diego Chargers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers The 6-8 Chargers under Norvelous Norv Turner can actually win their wretched division with a Denver collapse. The Buccaneers at 9-5 are in the playoff hunt by trailing Carolina by 2 games in the division.
On the first Tampa Bay Drive, Antonio Bryant fumbled in San Diego territory, allowing the Chargers to start at their own 41. Philip Rivers hit Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson for a pair of 15 yard completions before finally hitting Brandon Manomalieuna for the 11 yard score to put the Chargers up 7-0. Yet Smith returned the ensuing short kickoff 72 yards to the San Diego 11. Askew ran it in from 1 yard out to tie the game 7-7.
The Chargers took over at their own 31, and Ladanian Tomlinson began the drive by running 13 yards. Rivers then hit Jackson for 18 yards and Tomlinson for 22 yards, leading to a 3rd and 11 from the 15. Rivers rolled out and hit Hates for the touchdown to give the Chargers the 14-7 lead early in the second quarter.
Rivers then drove the Chargers from their own 15 to the Tampa Bay 9 over 12 plays and 6 ½ minutes. The Chargers settled for a field goal and a 17-7 lead. With 17 seconds left in the half the Buccaneers closed it to 17-10 with a 48 yard field goal. That should have been it, but Darren Sproles returned the kickoff to the San Diego 36. Rivers hit Jackson for 25 yards, and Nate Kaeting drilled a 57 yard field goal to give San Diego the 20-10 halftime lead.
Jeff Garcia got going in the second half, taking the Buccaneers 78 yards in 13 plays, using half the quarter. A pair of 17 yard passes to Clayton and Bryant set up Garcia from the 18. He ran it himself for 11 yards, and then again for the final 7 to get the Bucs to within 20-17. After San Diego used only one minute to go 3 and out, Garcia threw a 71 yard touchdown pass to Bryant to put the Buccaneers up 24-20 after 3 quarters.
Rivers then led a 63 yard drive over 11 plays and 5 minutes. On the first play of the fourth quarter, facing 3rd and goal at the 5, Rivers hit Gates for the touchdown to put the Chargers up 27-24. One minute later Garcia was intercepted, setting up the Chargers at the Tampa Bay 37. The Chargers failed to capitalized, but an exchange of punts had San Diego at the Tampa Bay 46. 3 plays later, Rivers hit Sproles for a 32 yard touchdown to give the Chargers a 34-24 lead midway through the 4th quarter.
With 3 minutes left, Garcia had a pass tipped and intercepted by Antoine Cason, who returned it 59 yards to ice the game. The Chargers were once 4-8, but at 7-8, had to wait for the results of the Denver game. A Denver win would eliminate them while a Denver loss would set up a division showdown between the teams next week. The Buccaneers at 9-6 are still in the hunt but need help to make the playoffs. 41-24 Chargers
Buffalo Bills @ Denver Broncos The Bills are eliminated thanks to a shocking loss at the Jets last week, while the 8-6 Broncos can clinch the division and the # 4 seed with a win at home. The Broncos made it look easy early on as Cutler tossed a 30 yard pass to Jackson, and then Cutler ran it in himself the final 2 yards to put Denver up 7-0. On their next couple drives, Denver moved to the Buffalo 5 and 12, respectively. On both drives they settled for field goals and a 13-0 second quarter lead that looked like a Denver route.
Midway through the second quarter Buffalo reached the red zone and kicked a field goal of their own. Denver then reached the Buffalo 36, but a 54 yard field goal attempt was no good. Taking over at their own 44, Trent Edwards worked the short field, and Marshawn Lynch ran it in from 2 yards out with only seconds left in the half to pull the Bills to within 13-10 at the break.
In the third quarter Ryan Lindell nailed the tying field goal from 49 yards out and a chip shot for the lead after a Buffalo drive fell short in the red zone, a problem for both teams all day. Yet the Bills led 16-13. Denver took over at their own 16, and Cutler quickly fired 24 and 23 yard passes to Graham. A pair of 12 yarders went to Marshall and Brandon Stokely. Cutler again finished the drive himself from 6 yards out, as the Broncos led 20-16 after three quarters.
From the Buffalo 32, Edwards hit Jackson for a 65 yard gain down to the Denver 3. Edwards then hit Johnson for the score to put the Bills back in front 23-20 with 13 minutes left. Cutler needed only 2 minutes to tie the game, as he hit Tony Scheffler for a 36 yard gain to set up the field goal at 23-23 with 11 minutes left.
A 30 yard kickoff return had the Bills starting at the Denver 45. Edwards hit Reed for gains of 16 and 11. Jackson then ran for 10 yards and then for the 8 yard score to put the Bills up by 7 only 2 minutes after Denver tied it. 9 minutes remained.
Cutler shredded Buffalo throughout the game, but after moving Denver from their own 24 to the Buffalo 15, he blundered. Cutler was intercepted at the one yard line by Kavika Mitchell with 5 ½ minutes left. Denver got the ball back at their own 39 with 3 ½ minutes left. With 1:16 left, Denver had reached the Buffalo 20. Yet passes on 3rd and 5 and 4th and 5 to Brandon Stokely were incomplete, and Buffalo held.
Buffalo is eliminated at 7-8, while Denver at 8-7 has a clear scenario. They are at 7-8 San Diego next week. The winner wins the division and grabs the # 4 seed while the loser is eliminated. Despite outgaining Buffalo 523 to 275, with 259 yards passing by Cutler, Denver failed for the second straight week to wrap up the division. 30-23 Broncos
New York Jets @ Seattle Seahawks It has been a miserable final season for the Walrus, aka Mike Holmgren. The Seahawks are playing out the string while the Jets remain in a 3 way tie at 9-5 for their division lead. The Jets won the sequel to the Miracle at the Meadowlands last week at Buffalo, preventing a 3 game skid and keeping their season hopeful.
The Jets took the opening kickoff and Brett Favre moved them from the 20 on 13 plays over 7 minutes. Yet on 4th and 1 from the Seattle 2 in a game with snow coming down, Eric Mangini went conservative and kicked the field goal to put the Jets up 3-0. Seattle wasted an opportunity in the second quarter by fumbling at the Jets 5 yard line. Late in the half Seattle began a drive at the Jets 40. Seneca Wallace tossed a 2 yard touchdown to Carlson with 30 seconds left in the half to put Seattle up 7-3.
In the third quarter Wallace led a 13 play, 7minute drive that led to a field goal and a 10-3 Seahawks lead entering the final quarter. The Jets could not mount any offense, and with 3 minutes left, facing 4th and 2 at their own 20, Favre fired incomplete. Seattle kicked a field goal, and Favre threw an interception to end things.
After the game, Favre and his former Coach Mike Holmgren shared a lengthy hug. The Seattle fans, despite having a 4-11 team, held up signs thanking Holmgren for his decade run. The Walrus is retiring after next week. As for the Jets, the loss drops them to 9-6, one game behind both New England Miami. The Jets host Miami next week. They could still win the division, but may be out of the playoff picture altogether. Since road wins over Tennessee and New England, the Jets have lost 3 of 4, needing a miracle last week to get that win. 13-3 Seahawks
Houston Texans @ Oakland Raiders The Texans shocked Tennessee to improve to 7-7 while the Raiders are 3-11. They became the first team in NFL history to lose 11 games in at least 6 straight seasons. Houston Texans @ Oakland Raiders The Texans shocked Tennessee to improve to 7-7 while the Raiders are 3-11. They became the first team in NFL history to lose 11 games in at least 6 straight seasons. The Texans came in riding a 4 game winning streak to a 7-7 record in search of their first winning season. For more on the game of the day, go to http://www.justblogbaby.com
The much maligned Oakland offense looked very sharp at times in this game. A 64 yard drive to start the game had JaMarcus Russell firing 21 yards to Zach Miller and 10 yards to Darren McFadden, completing the drive with a 20 yard touchdown pass to Schilens to put the Raiders up 7-0. The Texans took over at their own 29, and Matt Schaub quickly passed to Daniels for gains of 20 and 35 yards. Walter then ran 13 yards out, setting up a Leach touchdown from the one to tie the game 7-7.
On the next Oakland Drive, Russell again led the Raiders down the field. However, on 3rd and 1 from the Houston 14, the Raiders lost a yard and settled for a field goal. Credit Coach Cable for still being willing to call trick plays despite one that blew up a few weeks back. A perfectly executed surprise onsides kick by Sebastian Janikowski had the Raiders on the move again. Yet again the drive stalled when the Raiders could not convert on 3rd and 2 from the Houston 12. Seabass hit another short field goal to put the Raiders up 13-7 after the first quarter.
The Texans took over at their own 10 and drove 12 plays over 5 minutes. Kris Brown nailed a 53 yard field goal to close the Texans to within 13-10. After a punt, the Texans took over on their own 19. From the 21, Schaub threw a 65 yard pass to Leach to the Oakland 14. Yet on 3rd and 1 from the 5, Steve Slaton lost a yard. Another field goal tied the game 13-13.
With 38 seconds left in the half, the Raiders took over at their own 42 after a squib kick. With 11 seconds left, the Raiders were at the Houston 44, and they still had a timeout. A 61 yard field goal is makeable for Seabass, but a few yards on the ground would have helped matters. An incomplete pass left 7 seconds. Russell then hit Johnny Lee Higgins for a 23 yard gain, but he rolled out of the pocket to do it, and the clock ran out. It was brain dead football at its Oakland finest, as the teams stayed tied at the half.
The Raiders began their first drive of the second half at their own 27, and stayed on the ground. Justin Fargas picked up gains of 11 and 8, while Darren McFadden picked up gains of 11 and 14. Russell then hit Higgins for the 29 yard touchdown pass to put the Raiders up 20-13. The Texans punted, and Higgins set a new Raiders record by returning the punt for a touchdown for the 3rd time this season. Previous returns were 93 and 89 yards, while this one went for 80 yards. The Raiders were in command 27-13 after 3 quarters. Yet the Raiders have trouble finishing games.
From their own 20, the Texans began the 4th quarter by moving the ball over 12 plays and 5 minutes. On 2nd and goal from the 7, a personal foul was called, but shockingly enough, it was not against the Raiders. The offensive blunder forced the Texans to settle for a field goal, cutting the gap to 11 points with 10 minutes left.
Instead of running the ball, Russell went back to pass, was hit, and fumbled. The Texans began at the Oakland 14. On 3rd and inches form the 5, Schaub threw incomplete. Gary Kubiak decided to go for it, yet on 4th and inches the Texans threw again, and Schaub was again incomplete. The Raiders held after their only turnover of the day, as 8 minutes remained.
With 4 ½ minutes left the Texans got the ball back on the Oakland 40. Schaub was promptly intercepted by Chris Johnson, who has played outstanding since Deangelo Hall was released. The defense made one final statement by sacking Schaub on the game’s final play. The Texans fell to 7-8, and still have not had a winning season. The Raiders improved to 4-11, and again showed flashes of hope for next year. 27-16 Raiders
Atlanta Falcons @ Minnesota Vikings A pair of 9-5 teams are battling for playoff spots, with the Vikings in position to win their division. Atlanta trails Carolina by 2 games. The Falcons took the opening kickoff and moved 74 yards on 12 plays over 6 minutes. Michael Turner crashed in from one yard out to put the Falcons up 7-0. The Vikings answered with a 90 yard drive over 12 plays and 7 minutes. Tarvaris Jackson hit Vincent Shiancoe for a 21 yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7.
A fumble on a punt was one of 7…yes 7…fumbles on the day for the Vikings. They lost 4 of them. Starting at the Minnesota 22, Matt Ryan hit Jerrius Norwood from 8 yards out to put the Falcons up 14-7 in the second quarter. Late in the half, another Minnesota fumble set up Atlanta at the Minnesota 46. The Falcons reached the 3 yard line but had to settle for a field goal and a 17-7 halftime lead.
Midway through the third quarter the Falcons began a drive just shy of midfield. Ryan hit Jenkins for 22 yards, and Turner ripped off a 13 yard run to set up a Matt Ryan scramble from the 5. Ryan actually fumbled at the 1, but his teammate Blaylock recovered in the end zone for a 24-7 Falcons lead entering the last quarter.
The Vikings mounted a furious rally in the final quarter. A 12 play, 6 minute drive reached the 7 yard line, but on 3rd down Jackson was sacked. The field goal had the Vikings within 24-10 with 11 ½ minutes remaining.With 6 minutes left, Jackson rapidly moved the Vikings 82 yards over 12 plays, hitting Shiancoe from 17 yards out. The Vikings were within 7 with 3:14 left. The Vikings got the ball back with 2:14 left at their own 33. With 56 seconds left, facing 4th and 16 at their own 41, the Vikings turned it over on downs.
The Falcons at 10-5 are moving forward, while the Vikings at 9-6 are only ½ game above the Bears in the division. Chicago plays Monday night. First year quarterback and coach? No problem. Vick who? 24-17 Falcons
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins If only Philly had beaten Cincy instead of tying them, they would be 9-5. Instead, at 8-5-1, they need to win and get help to sneak into the playoffs. After starting 6-2, the Redskins at 7-7 are eliminated. A defensive slugfested was broken when a 16 play, 8 ½ minute drive led to a field goal and a 3-0 Redskins lead at intermission.
A game with no offense required defense to extend the scoring. In the 3rd quarter, Donovan McNabb was hit, fumbled, and the Redskins recovered at the Philadelphia 18. On 3rd and goal at the 1, Clinton Portis broke through to put the Redskins up 10-0. McNabb drove the Eagles deep on their next drive, but bogged down at the 4 yard line. A field goal had the Eagles within 10-3.
With 3:48 left in the game, the Eagles began their final drive at their own 9 yard line. At the 2 minute warning, Philly had reached their own 35. McNabb had the Eagles at the Washington 40 with 57 seconds left. After a completion to Smith, the Eagles faced 3rd and 10 at the Washington 29 with 34 seconds left. On 4th and 4, McNabb converted, and spiked the ball at the Washington 18 with 12 seconds left. The Eagles were out of timeouts, but 12 seconds should have been enough for 2 plays.
McNabb went back to pass, found Brown, who caught it at the goal line before being met by Fred Smoot and Landry on defense. After further review, in the great tradition of the Al Pacino movie “Any Given Sunday,” the Eagles came up inches short. The Redskins, out of the playoff picture, survived to move to 8-7 under rookie Coach Jim Zorn. The Eagles at 8-6-1 are still in it, but need help thanks to that blasted tie against Cincy. Somewhere Baltimore was still cursing the controversial call ending the Pittsburgh game. This time the officials got it right, to the chagrin of Andy Reid. 10-3 Redskins
Carolina Panthers @ New York Giants was the Sunday night game As night fell in New York, the Jewish community lit candles for Hanukkah as all of New York lit a candle for the Giants. After starting 11-1, they lost 2 straight. The Panthers also came in at 11-3. The bottom line is this could be the NFC Title game. The winner of this game locks up the # 1 seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Giants moved down the field on their opening drive over 5 ½ minutes. Eli Manning hit Dominic Hixon for a 40 yard gain down to the Carolina 18. The drive stalled at the 14, and the Giants settled for a field goal to lead 3-0. Jake Delhomme brought the Panthers right back, hooking up with Steve Smith for a 35 yard gain to set up Deangelo Williams from 13 yards out to put the Panthers up 7-3 after the first quarter.
The Giants then mounted a 13 play, 7 ½ minute drive. Brandon Jacobs got the ball at the 2 yard line, bulled straight ahead into a Carolina wall, and eventually had the longest short yardage touchdown run since Mike Alstott. The Battering Ram Jacobs had the Giants up 10-7. The Panthers then took over at their own 34 and moved 66 yards in 10 plays over 5 ½ minutes. Delhomme completed passes of 15 yards to Stewart and 11 yards to King. Williams ran for 16 more, and finished off the drive from 5 yards out to put the Panthers back on top 14-10.
When the Giants failed to convert on 3rd and 1 from their own 29, the game saw its first punt. The Panthers took over at their own 35. Delhomme then went deep to Muhsin Muhammad for 60 yards down to the Giants 5 yard line. On 3rd and goal from the 1, Williams scored to put the Panthers up 21-10 with 5 minutes left in the half. After an exchange of punts, the Giants took over at their own 45 with 1:39 remaining. Ward rumbled 34 yards to the Carolina 21, but then the drive bogged down. A field goal had the Giants within 21-13 at halftime.
In the third quarter the Giants mounted an 84 yard drive that took 8 plays and 8 ½ minutes. On 3rd and 10 from the 16, Manning hit Kevin Boss for 11 yards. From the Giants 45, Ward gained 22 yards to the Carolina 33. Eli Manning hit Amani Toomer for 13 yards and Hedgecock for another 12 to reach the 8 yard line. On 3rd and goal form the 4, Manning hit Boss for the touchdown. Tom Coughlin opted to kick the extra point rather than go for the game tying 2 point conversion with an entire quarter to play. The Panthers led 21-20 entering the fourth quarter.
The Panthers took over at their own 37. On 3rd and 9 from the Giants 49, Delhomme hit Jarrett for 19 yards. On the next play Williams broke through for a 30 yard touchdown run to put the Panthers up 28-20 with 13 minutes left in the game.
With 9 ½ minutes remaining, the Giants punted, and Jeff Feagles put it out of bounds at the Carolina one. Carolina went nowhere and punted the ball back, as the Giants took over at the Carolina 44 with 7 minutes left.
On 3rd and 3 from the 37, Manning hit Toomer for 15 yards. On 3rd and 5 from the 17, Manning hit Boss for 12 yards down to the 5. In this cleanly played game, neither team had a first half penalty. The Giants had a couple penalties in the second half, but the very first Carolina penalty was a defensive pass interference call in the end zone. It was the first defensive pass interference call against the Panthers all season. Brandon Jacobs barreled in. Manning faked to Jacobs and threw the 2 point conversion pass to Hixon to tie the game 28-28 with 3 ½ minutes left.
The Panthers began at their own 38, and Delhomme moved them to the Giants 37. A first down run was nullified by Carolina’s second penalty of the game, holding. With 12 seconds left, John Kasay lined up for a 50 yard field goal with unpredictable winds. For all the marbles and home field, the kick was no good, just wide left. It was only fitting that the game of the year would go to overtime. The Giants won the toss.
Both teams punted on their opening drive, and the Giants took over on their own 13. One play determined the entire game when Ward broke through for a 51 yard gain on the ground to the Carolina 36. On 3rd and 7 from the 33, Ward picked up another 14 yards to the 19 against an exhausted Carolina defense. Ward then picked up another 17 yards to the 2. Ward finished with 215 yards on 15 carries. Brandon Jacobs got the ball, and bringing back visions of Rodney Hampton, refused to go down, barreling over the Carolina defense to make it past the goal line.
The Giants finished the game with 301 yards rushing, their highest total since 1959. While this was not the greatest game ever played, it was a nice game to see on the 50th anniversary of that game. The Giants at 12-3 locked up home field throughout the playoffs. The Panthers at 11-4 can clinch the # 2 seed and a 1st round bye next week with a win at New Orleans. Yet if they lose and Atlanta wins, Atlanta gets the division and the # 2 seed while the Panthers would get the # 5 seed. The NFL should hope these teams meet again in the playoffs. 34-28 Giants, OT
Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears is the Monday night game. The 8-6 Bears are one game out of the division lead, while the 5-9 Packers are eliminated and privately lamenting Brett Favre possibly leading the Jets to the playoffs.
Week 17 does not have any games on Thursday, Saturday, or Monday. All 16 games are on Sunday. This Saturday I will display all the possible playoff permutations and combinations.
Week 17 will end the NFL regular Season as the 8th and final night of Hanukkah ends. Well done NFL!
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