Before getting to football, I want to wish a hearty thank you to all the veterans in our armed forces.
December 7th, 1941 was Pearl Harbor Day. Because of our brave soldiers, on December 7th, 2008, we are free. I shall use my freedom to enjoy a Sunday of football.
As November turns to December, it is with great pleasure that the NFL Hall of Fame has included former defensive standout John Randle as one of the 25 finalists for induction. As great as he was on the field, he was even better for a fun quote. He would playfully jawbone with teammates, opponents, and even the officials.
His best quote is one that is dedicated to December. You see, in September, all 32 teams are little puppies. They all have a dream that they will grow. Yet December separates the puppies from the adults.
As John Randle says during December…
“This is when the Big Dogs come out.”
With that, Week 14 of the NFL is now recapped.
Oakland Raiders @ San Diego Chargers was the Thursday night game. Yes, I left work early on Thursday. My priorities are set. I have done my part. It was up to the Raiders to do theirs. In the beginning of the game, it seemed that even Norvelous Norv Turner could not prevent the Chargers from success. The Chargers took the opening kickoff, and Philip Rivers threw deep for a 46 yard bomb. Despite having first and goal, the Silver and Black defense held San Diego to a field goal and a 3-0 lead. The Raiders opening possession was typical, in the sense that it was a disaster. Russell was hit and fumbled, and the Chargers took over at the Oakland 12. On 3rd and 1 form the 4, Ladanian Tomlinson walked into the end zone untouched to put the Chargers up 10-0. Yes, it seemed that the remaining 54 minutes would be a waste of time.
The Raiders do have a good punter, as if a team wants to be known for that. Yet Shane Lechler buried the Chargers at their own 4 yard lijne, and good field position seeme din store for the Raiders when the Chargers had 3 terrible plays. Yet after the 3rd down play weent nowhere, a personal foul after the play ended kept the drive alive. Yes, the nightmare keeps getting worse. Rivers eventually moved the Chargers 96 yards in 15 plays. On 4th and 1 from the Oakland 26, Rivers picked up 2 yards. On 3rd and 7 from the 8, Rivers hit Darren Sproles for the easy touchdown to make it 17-0.
Russell then moved the Raiders from the Oakland 19 past midfield, until he was intercepted at the San Diego 37. The Raiders confirmed their status as a joke of a franchise when another deep pass from Rivers to Jackson went for a 59 yard touchdown and a 24-0 San Diego lead.
For some reason the game continued. After a punt, the Raiders began at the San Diego 43. They actually reached a 1st and 10 at the 23, before collapsing in penalties to 2nd and 35 at the 48. They then ran the ball badly. On their next series, Russell was intercepted again. San Diego began at the Oakland 37, but it really did not matter. A field goal had the Chargers up 27-0 with 32 seconds remaining in the half.
Justin Miller returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown with 10 seconds left in the half. Normally that would get more celebration, but on the way to 3-10 and getting slaughtered minimized the thrilling play that had the Raiders down 27-7 at halftime. Out of respect for the game of football, and because the tears fried my keyboard, I will skip the second half. After all, the Raiders did, to secure their 6th straight 10+ loss season. 34-7 Chargers
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Chicago Bears–A nightmarish season for the Jaguars got worse when David Garrard 3 plays into the game at the Jacksonville 47 and returned to the 5 yard line. Kyle Orton hit Clark from 2 yards out to put the Bears up 7-0. Both teams led 6 minute drives that led to field goals, and the Bears added another field goal to take a 13-3 lead. Orton then hit Devon Hester for a 31 yard gain, and then hit Greg Jennings for the 22 yard touchdown with seconds left in the half to break the game open at 20-3. The Bears coasted from their to improve to 7-6, one game out of thier divison. The Jaguars at 4-9 are out. 23-10 Bears
Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions–The Vikings lead the division, and the Lions lead the league in futility. 3 times in the first half the Lions drove inside the Minnesota 10. Twice they settled for field goals, and on the 3rd trip Dante Culpepper failed to convert on 4th and 1 from the 6. The winless Lions did lead 6-3 at halftime. Gus Frerotte was intercepted 3 times in the first half, and was injured as well, requiring Brad Childress to do the unthinkable, and bring in Tarvaris Jackson at halftime. Perhaps Childress might wish to remember what happened when his former boss Andy Reid benched Donovan McNabb a couple of weeks ago in a winnable game. Unless Frerotte was in a wheelchair, it was a gamble.
Minnesota has a running game, and even much maligned Jackson can hand the ball off. A 22 yard run by Adrian Peterson was followed by a 17 yard touchdown run by Chester Taylor to put the Vikings up 10-6. Yet the Pride of the Lions came in the form of a 70 yard bomb from Culpepper to Calvin Johnson. The Lions were back in front 13-10. Yet an 11 play, 5 1/2 minute drive had Jackson hitting Vincent Shiancoe from 11 yards out to put the Vikings back in front 17-13 with 11 minutes left in the game.
The Lions would not quit, and on 3rd and 11 from the Minnesota 21, Culpepper hit Johnson at the 8 yard line. However, Childress challenged the call, and on further review,a reversal meant an incomplete pass and 4th down. Jason Hanson nailed the 39 yard field goal to pull the Lions within 17-16 with 5 minutes left. Ball security was a nightmare for Adrian Peterson in this game. He dropped it 4 times, but fell on it each time, saving disaster.
Everything came down to one play. With 27 seconds remaining, the Vikings had failed to run out the clock. Childress sent Ryan Longwell in for a 50 yard field. A missed kick would give the Lions fabulous field position with only a field goal to win it. It was not to be. Longwell nailed it. The Lions did not return the kickoff for a touchdown, and Drew Henson came in for Culpepper to try the hail Mary. The ball did not leave his hand, and the sack extended the misery of the Lions. The last time they were 0-12, they got the win. This time 0-13 is a reality. The Vikings at 8-5 remained in first place. 20-16 Lions
Cincinnati Bengals @ Indianapolis Colts–This game almost seemed unfair on paper. A perennially terrible team on the road against a perennially good team at home. Late in the opening quarter, Peyton Manning led a 79 yard drive, which was capped off with Dominic Rhodes running it in from 17 yards out to put the Colts up 7-0. Ryan Fitzpatrick did lead the Bengals on a long drive from the Cincinnati 20 to the Indianapolis 2, but on 3rd and goal at the 2 the Bengals failed to score. Marvin Lewis opted for the field goal to make it 7-3. Yet later in the quarter, Fitzpatrick was intercepted in his own territory by Hayden. With a penalty on the Bengals tacked on, the Colts began at the Cincinnati 7. Manning hit Marvin Harrison for the 5 yard score to give the Colts the 14-3 lead at the half.
The Colts took the second half kickoff, and Manning led a staggering 81 yard drive that took 8:45 off of the clock. From the Cincy 20, Manning hit Gonzalez for 17 yards before hitting Gonzalez again for a 2 yard toss and a 21-3 Colts advantage. After a Bengals punt, Manning threw a short pass to Harrison that went for a 67 yard gain. On the next play, Manning hit Dallas Clark for the 4 yard score. The Colts led 28-3. This is NOT why they play the games. The Colts improved to 9-4 with the win. 35-3 Colts
Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants–Throw out the records. This was expected to be an ugly defensive game. In the first quarter, David Akers nailed a 51 yard field goal. In the second quarter, the John Carney had his 47 yard attempt blocked. At the 2 minute warning, the Eagles had the ball at the New York 30. For those who do not know, the Eagles do have a running back named Bryan Westbrook. Pass happy Andy Reid actually handed the ball off, and Westbrook went straight up the middle for the 30 yard touchdown to give the Eagles a 10-0 lead. On the last play of the half, Akers lined up for a chip shot 32 yard field goal. Simplicity turned to shock as the kick was blocked and returned 71 yards for a touchdown by Ken Dockery. Instead of taking a 13-0 lead into the locker rooms, the stunned Eagles held a fragile 10-7 advantage.
The Eagles stayed calm, and the defenses ruled the 3rd quarter as they had for much of the first half. McNabb eventually led an 11 play, 6 minute drive. From the New York 40, He hit Westbrook for the 40 yard touchdown pass to give the Eagles a 17-7 lead just over one minute into the 4th quarter. With 9 1/2 minutes remaining, the Giants faced 4th and 1 from the Philly 38. Manning threw incomplete, and McNabb then led a 7 minute drive. A field goal made it 20-7. The Giants did score a touchdown with 15 seconds remaining, but the onsides kick failed. The Eagles stayed alive at 7-5 with the upset, while the Giants still remain atop the NFC at 11-2 despite the stunning home loss. Due to the Dallas loss later in the day, the Giants clinched their division. 20-14 Eagles.
Cleveland Browns @ Tennessee Titans–With Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn out for the season, Ken Dorsey led the Browns to a pair of field goals and a 6-0 lead. Yet the Titans finally got going, as Kerry Collins led a 68 yard drive. In the 2nd quarter, Jeff Fisher decided to go for it on 4th and 1 from the Cleveland 28. Rather than run up the gut, Collins went deep to Hall for the touchdown to give the Titans a 7-6 lead. With 6 minutes remaining in the half, the Titans took over at their own 7. Collins moved the team, and a pair of 20 yard passes to Alge Crumpler and Justin McCareins, combined with a defensive penalty, led to Lendale White running it in from 3 yards out. The Titans took the 14-6 lead into the locker rooms.
In the second half, Dorsey was intercepted again, setting up the Titans at the Cleveland 11. Collins hit Justin Gage for the 9 yard touchdown to put the Titans comfortably in front 21-6. They coasted form there, and remain the top team in the NFL at 12-1. They clinched their division, dethroning the Colts after 5 years. 28-9 Titans.
Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints–Matt Ryan was intercepted by David, setting the Saints up at their own 48. Reggie Bush ripped up a 43 yard run, leading to a 5 yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees to Bush to put the Saints up 7-0. In the second quarter, the Saints had a chance to do damage, facing a 3rd and 1 from the Atlanta 8. Deuce McAllister got stuffed, and Sean Payton decided not to gamble. The Saints settled for a field goal.
Ryan made up for his earlier interception by hitting White for a 59 yard bomb down to the New Orleans 15. Michael Turner ran it in from 5 yards out to get the Falcons to within 10-7. Brees did lead the Saints to a field goal on their next drive, but Ryan kept firing away. A 22 yarder to Douglas and a 15 yarder to Jenkins led to a 2 yard pass to Finneran for the score and the 14-13 Atlanta lead. Yet Brees ran the 2 minute drill to perfection, and a 3rd field goal had the Saints leading 16-14 at intermission.
In the third quarter, the game slowed considerably when Ryan led a 15 play drive that chewed up 9:15 off of the clock. However, the drive bogged down at the 5 yard line, and the Falcons settled for the go ahead field goal to lead 17-16 after three quarters.
The see-saw game saw a 4th lead change when Brees took over at the New Orleans 13 and went right to work. From midfield, Brees hit Devry Henderson down to the Atlanta 13. Brees hit Thomas for a 7 yard touchdown to give the Saints the lead. Reggie Bush fumbled on the 2 point conversion. He may have broke the plane, but the Saints were out of challenges. The Saints led 22-17 with 13 minutes left. The aerial show from both teams continued. Ryan led the Falcons 73 yards in 11 plays and 5 minutes. Ryan ran it in himself from 12 yards out, and a successful 2 point conversion put the Falcons back on top 25-22 with 8 minutes left.
One great thing about the NFL is that it does not involve French culture. However, Louisiana does, and Pierre Thomas returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards to the Atlanta 16. The crowd may have yelled “Vive Le Thomas,” when he ran it in from 5 yards out for the 6th lead change to put the Saints up by 4 with 6 minutes left. The Saints finally stopped Ryan on defense, and held on for the win. The Falcons fell to 8-5, while the Saints improves to 7-6. Both teams are in playoff contention, but trailing the Buc and Panthers, who play each other on Monday night. 29-25 Saints.
Houston Texans @ Green Bay Packers–On the 3rd play of the game, Matt Schaub, back from injury, threw a 58 yard bomb to Walter to put the Texans up 7-0. In the second quarter, Schaub was intercepted in his own own territory by Williams. Starting at the Houston 23, Ryan Grant ripped off a 20 yard gain. On the next play, Rodgers hit Lee for the touchdown to tie the game 7-7. The Texans added a field goal before the half, and in the 3rd quarter, Gary Kubiak opted for another field goal rather than gamble on 4th and 1 from the Green Bay 23. Kris Brown converted to put Houston up 13-7.
Schaub then led an 8 minute drive that moved the Texans from their own 10 to the Green Bay 16. It all went for naught when Steve Slaton fumbled. The Packers quickly took advantage, as Aaron Rodgers went deep to Greg Jennings for a 63 yard gain as the 3rd quarter ended. On the first play of the 4th quarter, Grant ran it in from 6 yards out to give the Packers the 14-13 lead. Schaub came right back, hitting Andre Davis for 21 yards, and then tossing an 11 yard touchdown pass to Andre Johnson. The 2 point conversion had the Texans up 21-14 with 10 minutes left.
Green Bay took over at their own 11, went nowhere, and punted. The punt was fumbled, and the Packers took over again at midfield. A 22 yard run by Grant led to a 9 yard toss from Rodgers to Nelson. The game was tied 21-21 with 6 minutes left. The Texans faced 4th and 1 at their own 44 and Gary Kubiak played it safe. The Texans punted. At the 2 minute warning, Green Bay faced 4th and 23 at the Houston 38. A 55 yard field goal was bypassed by Mike McCarthy, the man who traded Brett Favre. The Texans were pinned at their own 3 yard line.
Schaub stayed calm, and hit Leach for a 22 yard gain. He then Anderson for a 17 yard gain, and Daniels for 25 yards. With 4 seconds left, Kris Brown came in for a 40 yard field goal to win. He nailed it, and the Packers are virtually eliminated from playoff contention at 5-8. The Texans kept faint hopes alive at 6-7. Brett Favre leads his division. 24-21 Texans
Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills–After an exchange of punts to start the game, Miami took over at their own 46. Chad Pennington hit Anthony Fasano for a 20 yard score to put the Dolphins up 7-0. Field goals reigned for the rest of the half as Miami took a 13-3 lead at intermission. The second half was all defense. The only Buffalo threat ended when J P Losman, on 1st and goal from the Miami 3, was intercepted in the end zone. After a 4-0 and 5-1 start to the season, the Bills are now on the brink of elimination at 6-7. The Dolphins have gone from 1-15 to a 3 way tie for the division lead at 8-5. The Tuna has done it again, as the Bill Parcells legend grows. 16-3 Dolphins
New York Jets @ San Francisco 49ers–An ugly touchdown put the 49ers up 7-0. Driving deep, the 49ers fumbled. One of their players picked it up and fumbled again. Eventually the 49ers fell on it in the Jets end zone for the score. In the second quarter, Favre led a 61 yard drive that ended with Favre running it in himself from 2 yards out to tie the game 7-7. Sean Hill led the 49ers back with a 14 play, 6 1/2 minute drive that covered 74 yards. Hill hit Vernon Davis for 20 yards, Ziegler for 13 more, Isaac Bruce for 19, and Frank Gore for the last 4 for the score and a 14-7 49ers lead.
In the third quarter, a punt had the Jets starting with a short field at the San Francisco 45. Favre hit Baker for 15 yards, and Thomas Jones ran it in from 17 yards out to tie the game 14-14. Hill moved the 49ers 12 plays in 5 1/2 minutes, but the drive bogged down at the New York 14. A field goal put the 49ers back in front 17-14. The always dangerous Leon Washington returned another kickoff back for a touchdown, but his 99 yard return was nullified by a penalty.
After a punt, the 49ers took over at midfield. Hill bled the clock, taking 12 plays and 6 1/2 minutes to go half the field. A 3 yard touchdown pass to Johnson gave the 49ers a 10 point lead with 6 minutes remaining. The Jets the tried a lateral on the kickoff return, and the results were disastrous. Luckily for the Jets, Leon Washington fell on the free ball, and just avoided a safety by getting it to the one yard line. Nevertheless, the Jets had too much ground to cover and not enough time trailing by two scores. They fell into a 3 way tie atop the division at 8-5, and have now lost 2 straight after knocking Tennessee from the unbeaten ranks. Mike Singletary seems to be giving the 49ers some attitude. 24-14 49ers
New England Patriots @ Seattle Seahawks–A miserable Seattle season had Seneca Wallace starting for Matt Hasselbeck. Wallace led a 13 play, 87 yard drive that ate up 6 1/2 minutes. Wallace hit Deon Branch for a 14 yard touchdown to put the Seahawks up 7-0. Leading 7-3, Wallace hit Carlson for 21 yards, scrambled himself for 11 yards, and hit Carlson again for the 10 yard score that had Seattle leading 14-3. Ellis Hobbs returned the ensuing kickoff 55 yards to the Seattle 43. With the short field goal, Matt Cassel hit Watson for a 2 yard touchdown to pull the Patriots to within 14-10.
After New England kicked a field goal, Wallace hit Branch on a short swing pass that went for a 63 yard gain to the New England 9. Wallace hit Branch a couple plays later for a 4 yard touchdown and a 21-13 Seahawks lead after three quarters. On the last play of the 3rd quarter, on 3rd and from their own 23, Cassel hit Jabar Gaffney for a 28 yard gain just past midfield. The drive bogged down at the Seattle 9 yard line, but a field goal had the Patriots within 21-16 with 12:20 left.
After a Seattle punt, New England took over at their own 29 with 8:47 left. Cassel led a 14 play, 6 minute drive. On 3rd and 5 from their own 34, Cassel hit Kevin Faulk for 11 yards. On 3rd and 4 from the Seattle 49, Cassel hit Gaffney for 5 yards. The Seahawks could not get off of the field, and on 3rd and 10 from the Seattle 44, Cassel connected with Wes Welker for 13 yards. With 3 1/2 minutes left, on 3rd and goal from the 1, Sammy Morris got stuffed for no gain. With 2:50 left, with everything on the line for both teams, 4th and goal from the 1 saw Sammy Morris get the ball again. This time he scored, and the 2 point conversion to Welker had the Patriots up 24-21.
Wallace had 3 touchdown passes on the day, but the 21-13 lead had evaporated just as Seattle’s entire season had weeks ago. Yet at the 2 minute warning, the Seahawks had the ball at the New England 44, needing only a few more yards to be in long field goal range. The Seahawks never got the chance, as Wallace was sacked, causing a fumble. The Patriots recovered and ran out the clock. Mike Holmgren is a good coach, but this team has just suffered all season. The Walrus is too proud to say it, but the 2-11 record is eating him. As for the Patriots, they are in a 3 way tie for 1st place in the division with 3 games remaining. It was not easy, but they avoided the upset. 24-21 Patriots
Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos–Kansas City drove deep on their second possession, but stalled at the 8 yard line and settled for a field goal. Jay Cutler the completed a 27 yard touchdown pass to Leggett, who plays defense for the Chiefs. It was the second consecutive week that Leggett had a defensive touchdown. Trailing 10-0, Cutler came back with an 11 play, 5 1/2 minute drive that covered 80 yards. Peyton Hillis ran it in from 18 yards out to make it 10-7. In the second quarter, Tyler Thigpen responded with a ridiculous 17 play drive that went for 80 yards over 7 1/2 minutes. An interception was overruled on replay, keeping the drive alive. Thigpen hit Tony Gonzalez for a 13 yard touchdown pass to put the Chiefs up 17-7. Cutler responded with a 14 play, 7 minute drive that went 80 yards. Cutler hit Brandon Marshall for the 12 yard score to make it a 17-14 game at halftime.
The Broncos took the second half kickoff and moved 12 plays in 6:43. The drive stalled in the red zone, but the tying field goal made it a 17-17 game. While Denver had a pair of missed field goals, and no timeouts with 13 minutes remaining, they did manage to retake the lead. From their own 5, Cutler moved the team in 95 yards. Tatum Bell ran 22 yards,and Cutler hit Marshall for a 6 yard touchdown pass to put Denver up 24-17 with 10 minutes remaining. Thigpen drove the Chiefs from their own 24 to the Denver 5, and on 4th and goal from the 5, Thigpen ran a quarterback draw up the middle. It appeared he had the hole, but it closed at the last second, and he ended up inches short of the goal line.
With 4 1/2 minutes, Denver threw the ball instead of grinding it out. On 3rd and from their own 1, Cutler went back to pass from his own end zone and hit Marshall for 19 yards. On 3rd and 9 from their own 21, Cutler hit Tony Scheffler for 11 yards to lock up the victory and run out the clock. Denver moved to 8-5, all but locking up the division. Kansas City, despite shocking Denver earlier in the year, fell to 2-11. It was not pretty, but it was a win. 24-17 Broncos
St. Louis Rams @ Arizona Cardinals–The Cardinals used to play in St. Louis, but now the football misery of the town is led by the Rams. The Rams used to be the Greatest Show on Turf. Now Kurt Warner is with Arizona, and they are the Greatest Show in the Desert. After all, trading NFL MVP Quarterbacks is all the rage among teams that wish to fail. The Cardinals took the opening kickoff and went 76 yards in 10 plays and 6 minutes. Tim Hightower crashed through from one yard out to put the Cardinals up 7-0. After a punt, Kurt Warner hit Anquon Boldin for 36 yards, and then tossed a 12 yard touchdown to Larry Fitzgerald to have the Cardinals up 14-0.
Arizona was dominating the game when Warner was intercepted in his own territory, with the return and a penalty allowing the Rams gift field position at the Arizona 6. Marc Bulger hit Stephen Jackson for a 3 yard touchdown to pull the Rams to within 14-7. Neil Rackers nailed a pair of field goals for the Cardinals, sandwiched around a missed field goal for the Rams. The Cardinals led 20-7 at halftime. The game was broken open in the third quarter when Stephen Jackson fumbled and Dockett returned it 11 yards for the score to put the Cardinals up 27-7. The Cardinals cruised from there, improved to 8-5, and clinched their 1st division title since 1975, their first playoff game since 1998, and their 1st home playoff game since 1947. Between them and Ball State, this is the year of the Cardinals. A 99 yard interception return off of another Bulger pass set a franchise record and icing on a sweet 2008 cake. The Rams at 2-11 are losing badly week after week. 34-10 Cardinals
Dallas Cowboys @ Pittsburgh Steelers–No, this is not the 1970s, or even the 1990s, but a pair of very good teams faced off in the 8-4 Cowboys and 9-3 Steelers. The game was scoreless when Tony Romo was intercepted with 5 1/2 minutes left in the half by Taylor. With 2:44 left in the half, facing 4th and goal at the 6, Josh Reed kicked the field goal for a 3-0 Steelers lead. Yet Romo, who had been stymied the entire half, worked the 2 minute drill. The Cowboys tied it 3-3 at halftime. For defensive gurus such as Wade Phillips and Mike Tomlin, this was their type of game.
In the third quarter, Choice ran off gains of 22 and 12 yards. Romo then hit Terrell Owens, who loves him some him. Nevertheless, the end zone had finally been reached, and Dallas led 10-3. Later in the period Romo hit Choice for a 50 yard gain to the Pittsburgh 10, setting up a field goal to make it a 10 point game. Ben Roethlisberger finally connected, hitting Santonio Holmes for a 47 yard gain. Pittsburgh faced 1st and goal at the Dallas one. A pair of Willie Parker runs set up 3rd and goal at the one, where Big Ben completed a pass for no gain. On 4th and goal from the 1, Russell was blown up in the backfield for a 2 yard loss. The goal line stand kept the Cowboys up by 10 with 12 1/2 minutes left.
As routine and businesslike the first three quarters were, the 4th quarter was a shocker. A 35 yard punt return with under 9 minutes left had the Steelers at the Dallas 25. They kicked a field goal to get within 13-6. Dallas went 3 and out, and Pittsburgh took over at their own 33. Big Ben hit Nate Washington for gains of 21 and 16 yards. After 58 minutes of futility, Big Ben hit Heath Miller for the 6 yard touchdown pass to tie the game 13-13 with 2:04 left.
Romo then threw a bad pass that was intercepted by Townsend in front of an elated crowd. Townsend returned it 25 yards for a score to give the Steelers the 7 point lead. WIth 1:40 left, the Cowboys got the ball back and went nowhere but home in a stunning loss. A 13-3 lead evaporated in a 4th quarter collapse. Pittsburgh improved to 10-3, while Dallas is now at 8-5. 20-13 Steelers
Washington Redskins @ Baltimore Ravens was the Sunday night game. The first 5 minutes were very ugly for the Redskins. Ed Reed intercepted Jason Campbell, allowing the Ravens to take over at their own 45. Joe Flacco hit Derrick Mason for 26 yards. A 21 yard run by Rice was followed by an 8 yard touchdown run by McCLain to make it 7-0. Clinton Portis then fumbled at his own 22, and once again it was Ed Reed around the ball. Reed picked the ball up and raced to the end zone for a 14-0 Ravens lead. The Ravens added a field goal in the 3rd quarter to lead 17-0 entering the final quarter.
One minute into the 4th quarter, the Redskins finally got in the board with a field goal of their own. A Baltimore fumble took a game completely in hand and gave Washington life. Starting at the Baltimore 30, Jason Campbell hit Betts for a 23 yard gain down to the 7. On 4th and goal at the 5, Campbell hit Antwon-Randle El for the touchdown to make it 17-10 with 11 1/2 minutes left. Yet Joe Flacco stayed calm, and led an 83 yard drive that ate up 8 minutes. The 12 play drive culminated in Flacco hitting Mason for the 28 yard touchdown to ice the game. As the game began, Jason Campbell ended it by being intercepted by…who else? Ed Reed. After a 6-2 start, the Redskins have struggled against the better teams. The Ravens at 9-4 are one game out of 1st place with a showdown against Pittsburgh next week. 24-10 Ravens
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers was the Monday night game. A pair of 9-3 division rivals battled for the division lead. It was expected to be a defensive slugfest, and in the first half, it was. A 3-3 game was changed late in the second quarter when Williams broke through for a 40 yard gain, leading to a 2 yard Stewart touchdown and a 10-3 Panthers lead at the half. Out of nowhere, the second half saw both offenses moving at will against defenses that are solid year after year.
Early in the 3rd quarter, Jeff Garcia hit Antonio Bryant for a 50 yard touchdown to tie the game 10-10. Jake Delhomme came right back and hit Steve Smith for a 38 yard touchdown to put Carolina back up 17-10. Garcia hit Bryant again, this time for 39 yards to set up a 4 yard run by Williams. The game was tied 17-17 entering the final quarter, and defensive specialists John Fox and Monte Kiffin had no answers.
Stewart had runs of 18 and 9 yards, and capped off the next Carolina drive with a 4 yard run to put the Panthers back on top 24-17. After a Tampa punt, Carolina simply gashed one of the perrenniall best defenses with surprising ease. Williams ripped off a 41 yard gain, followed by Stewart adding 30 more. Williams ran the final 16 yards to give the Panthers a 31-17 lead with 8 1/2 minutes left.
After an exchange of punts, Garcia fired to everybody. He hit SMith for 20, Ike Hilliard for 8, Warrick Dunn for 5, Jeremy Stevens for 8, and finally Bryant for 15. The Panthers, as they have done so mnay times in big games, blocked the extra point.
In a Panthers-Bucs game several years ago, the Panthers led 9-3 when Keyshawn Johnson caught a touchdown pass for Tampa Bay on the final play of regulation. a 10-9 win for the Bucs instead became a shocker when Carolina blocked the point after, and won the game in overtime 12-9. In this Monday night game, they led 31-23. It was still a once score game, but the Panthers running game made it all moot. The onsides kick with 2:07 left failed, and the key play of the game came with the Panthers facing 3rd and 4 at the Tampa Bay 36. Williams broke through all the way for the touchdown to ice the game.
The Buccanneers at 9-4 are still headed for the playoffs, one game behind the 10-3 Panthers. Carolina is one game behind New York, who lead the NFC. Carolina has a showdown later in the year with the Giants in a game that could possibly be for home field advantage. Both Tampa Bay and Carolina are unbeaten at home, so getting home field is vital. 38-23 Panthers