THE TYGRRRR EXPRESS

To the Jews, Happy Hanukkah, to the Christians, Merry Christmas. To the atheists, hope you win the lottery dude.

(Thank you Anthony Clark for that one.)

Happy Festivus to the rest of us.

Yet the one religion Americans of all stripes can agree on is the National Football League. Due to Christmas falling on a Sunday, most of the NFL games this week were played one day earlier on Saturday. All games on Saturday were to be played during the day so as not to interfere with Christmas Eve. However, one game will be played Christmas night.

During the day on Christmas Sunday, the National Basketball Association will begin its shortened season one month late. These games matter to those obsessed with basketball. This concludes anything involving basketball. This weekend is about football.

To quote legendary Hall of Famer and gift of gabber John Randall, “This is when the big dogs come out.”

Normally I put out the point spreads with predictions on Saturdays and do not mention that on Sundays as only the action of the field gets the attention. This is because I love the game of football, understand that gambling on football exists, and like to keep those elements separated. Also, this prevents people with short attention spans from remembering one day later how incredibly wrong my predictions most likely were.

So this one time they are in the same column. Here are the spreads with the predictions, followed by the results of the games.

Houston Texans (6) @ Indianapolis Colts was the Thursday night game.

(Colts win outright)

Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens (13 1/2)

(Ravens win but fail to cover)

Denver Broncos (3) @ Buffalo Bills

(Bills win outright)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers (7)

(Panthers cover)

Arizona Cardinals @ Cincinnati Bengals (4)

(Bengals cover)

Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs (2)

(Raiders win outright)

Miami Dolphin @ New England Patriots (9 1/2)

(Patriots cover)

New York Giants @ New York Jets (3)

(Giants win outright)

St. Louis Rams @ Pittsburgh Steelers (16 1/2)

(Steelers win but fail to cover)

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans (7)

(Titans cover)

Minnesota Vikings @ Washington Redskins (6 1/2)

(Redskins win but fail to cover)

San Diego Chargers @ Detroit Lions (2 1/2)

(Lions cover)

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys (1 1/2)

(Cowboys cover)

San Francisco 49ers (2) @ Seattle Seahawks

(Seahawks win outright)

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers is the Christmas night Sunday game.

(Packers cover)

Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints (6 1/2) is the Monday night game.

(Saints win but fail to cover)

Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts was the Thursday night game. The Texans had never beaten the Colts in Indianapolis, but then again this is not the same Colts team. They did finally win last week to get to 1-13 and avoid the winless season. The Texans lost at home last week to a Carolina tea not going to the playoffs. The Texans were 10-4, and a 10 win tea has never lost to a 0 or 1 win team this late in the season. Rather than Matt Schaub against Peyton Manning, it was TJ Yates taking on Dan Orlovsky.

Orlovsky fumbled on the first play from scrimmage, and the Texans recovered at the Indy 17. Arriun Foster ran for 8 and then for the 9 yard touchdown to put the Texans up 7-0 less than one minute into the game. The next 57 minutes produced nothing that should ever be shown to an audience unless the goal is to cure insomnia. TJ Yates was only allowed to throw 16 passes all game, completing 13 of them for 132 yards. He was asked to manage the game, which did not make for exciting football when it counted. Dan Orlovsky was allowed to do slightly more.

Indy punted, the Texans fumbled 2 plays later, and the Colts recovered at the Houston 36. On 3rd and 6 in long field goal range, Orlovsky was sacked and the result was a punt. Houston punted again, and a terrible shank with a 20 yard return had the Colts gifted field position at the Houston 27. Yet on 3rd and 2 at the 5, Joseph Addai got nothing. Adam Vinatieri hit a 23 yard field goal to have the Colts within 7-3. Neil Rackers would kick a 44 yarder for the Texans to have them back up 10-3. Midway through the second quarter Vinatieri hit from 32 to get the Colts within 10-6. The last play of the half saw Vinatieri miss from 42. Rackers hit a 35 yarder in the third quarter to put the Texans up 13-6. Vinatieri nailed a 47 yarder at the end of the third quarter and a 31 yarder with 7 minutes left in regulation as the Texans trailed 13-12.

From the 20, Yates bled the clock as the Colts were forced to use all of their timeouts. With 3rd and 5 at the Indy 16 with 2 1/2 minutes left, Gary Kubiak played it safe. Foster got the carry and only gained 3 yards. At the 2 minute warning, on 4th and 2 at the 13, a 1st down would end the game. Kubiak took no chances, and Rackers hit the 31 yarder to make it 16012 Texans. Despite defensive coordinator Wade Phillips away on personal leave and no Mario Williams, the Texans kept the Colts out of the end zone the whole game. All they had to do was stop the Colts one more time. This meant stopping Orlovsky, the quarterback of the 0-16 2008 Detroit team and the 2011 Colts that won their first game last week.

With 1:50 and 0 timeouts from the Indy 22, Orlovsky hit Pierre Garcon for 11. On 3rd and 10 from the 33, Orlovsky found Jacob Tamme for just enough with 1:15 to go. On 3rd and 7 from the Indy 46 with 1:06 to go, Orlovsky went deep to Reggie Wayne, who was well covered. Wayne made the leaping miracle catch for a 34 yard gain to the Houston 20 with 46 seconds left as Orlovsky spiked it. The Texans then continued to self-destruct as an illegal use of hands penalty moved the ball to the 13 and a questionable roughing the passe call meant 1st and goal at the 6. On 3rd and goal, Orlovsky threw his third straight incompletion. Yet this time defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the one with 24 seconds left. Orlovsky then threw to the corner, and again Wayne came down with it for the shocking finish.

This was a stunner. The Texans dropped to 10-5. They have pretty much lost out on the top seed, and are now a falling back in the race for the 1st round bye. They are in the playoffs but reeling. As for the Colts, a couple decades ago they started 0-13 and won their last 3 games. In 1997 they were the worst team in football and drafted Peyton Manning. This year they began 0-13 and have won 2 straight. For those who were hoping the team would “suck for (Andrew) Luck” to get the top pick in the draft, those people don’t understand football. These players and coaches have pride. Give Jim Caldwell some credit. His players never quit on him, and it showed. Give credit also to Dan Orlovsky. Despite all he has been through, he said after the game that the win meant less to him than going home to see his wife, who is about to give birth. In a very classy gesture after a tough loss, Gary Kubiak warmly congratulated his former player Orlovsky. As Chris Berman says, “That’s why they play the games.” 19-16 Colts

Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens–The Browns are a bad team on the road against a very good team angry about a loss last week. This has all the makings of a mismatch. The Ravens at 10-4 are tied for the division lead and they hold the tie-breaker. However, they are one game out in the chase for home field throughout the playoffs. A win here would move them into the # 2 seed and in the lead for the other 1st round bye.

Seneca Wallace got the nod over the concussed Colt McCoy and led the Browns from their own 26 to a 3rd and 1 at the Ravens 30. Wallace was then intercepted. From the Baltimore 36, Joe Flacco went deep on the first play, and a defensive pass interference call meant 60 yards and 1st and goal at the 4. On 3rd and goal from the 5, Flacco hit Dickson for the touchdown to have the Ravens up 7-0.

Baltimore got it back at their own 8 and Ray Rice ran for 1, 10, and 5. On 3rd and 5 Flacco hit Smith for 29 yards to the Cleveland 47. Williams ran for 14. Golding killed the drive but Shane Graham hit a 48 yarder to make it 10-0 Ravens. Baltimore in the second quarter got it at their own 18. Rice ran for 2, 8, and 11. On 3rd and 5 from the Baltimore 44, Flacco hit Dickson for 9. On 3rd and 5 from the Cleveland 42, Flacco went deep to Rice, who took it for the touchdown to make it 17-0 Ravens. Midway through the third quarter Baltimore took over at their own 42. On 3rd and 2 at midfield, Flacco hit Williams for 18. The defense held but Graham connected from 43 to make it 20-0 Ravens. The game was a laugher as expected,  but by the end the Ravens would not be laughing.

The Browns had no offense and no defense, making Mike Holmgren a most unhappy Walrus. Yet they do have special teams, and Joshua Cribbs did it again. He took a punt 84 yards for a touchdown to get the Browns within 20-7. Less than one minute into the fourth quarter, the Ravens faced 3rd and 10 at the Cleveland 33 with a chance to put the game away. Flacco went for it all, and was intercepted in the end zone for a touchback.

Peyton Hillis ran for a pair of 6 yard runs, the latter on 3rd and 4. On 3rd and 3 Seneca Wallace hit Massaquoi for 9 and Cribbs for 23. Hillis ran for 15 and then 3. On 3rd and goal from the 6, Wallace hit Moore for another touchdown. With 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the Browns were within 6. Cleveland got it back at their own 27 with 7 minutes left. The Browns took their final timeout with 4 minutes left facing 4th and 5 at their own 45. Wallace completed a pass to Hillis, but for no gain. This is the West Coast Offense, where throwing past the marker is a sin. The Browns dinked and dunked and died. At the 2 minute warning, the Ravens faced 4th and 2 at the Cleveland 37. John Harbaugh decided to go for it rather than punt or try a 5 yard field goal. With everything on the line, the Browns jumped offsides and that was that.

The Ravens got to 11-4 and maintained a tie atop the division. They hold the tie-breaker over Pittsburgh. If they win next week, they win the division and a 1st round bye and the # 2 seed. A loss and a Pittsburgh win means the Ravens again have to go on the road as a wildcard. 20-14 Browns

Denver Broncos @ Buffalo Bills–Denver at 8-6 leads their division by one game, and they have the benefit of playing a Buffalo team that has already quit. After starting 3-0, Buffalo has plunged to 5-9. Tebowmania saw Denver win 6 straight before getting throttled last week at home. Yet Buffalo is not New England.

After a Bills punt, Denver took over at their own 27. Denver running back ran for 24 yards against his former team. Ball gained a pair of 5 yard carries and McGahee added 4 more. Tim Tebow then hit Thomas for 14. McGahee gained 7 and Tobew found Thomas for 6 more. On 3rd and goal from inside the one, Tebow took it in to have the Broncos up 7-0.

Buffalo dominated the rest of the half but had virtually nothing to show for it. Buffalo moved from their own 29 to the Denver 27, but Dave Rayner missed a 45 yard field goal. Buffalo then moved from their own 28 to the Denver 13. Rayner shanked a 31 yarder. In the second quarter Buffalo moved from their 31 to a 3rd and 3 at the Denver 5. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw incomplete, and Rayner finally barely connected from 28 to have the Bills within 7-3.

Denver faced 3rd and 1 at their own 30 and Johnson got stopped cold. Denver punted, and Leodis McKelvin straddled the sideline, somehow stayed in bounds, and got the 80 yard touchdown to put the bills up 10-7. Eddie Royal then returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a Denver touchdown. Yet a penalty on the return nullified it and Denver still trailed.

After a Denver punt, the Bills took over at their own 42. Fitzpatrick hit CJ Spiller for a 16 yard gain. Fitzpatrick went deep to Nelson for a 30 yard gain and Spiller ran it in from 4 yards out to make it 17-7 Bills at halftime.

Denver began the third quarter at their own 26. Tim Tebow found Rosario for 32 yards. On 4th and 1 from the Buffalo 33 Jon Fox decided to go for it. Tebow gained 2. Tebow hit Green for 9 and Fells for the 17 yard touchdown to get the Broncos within 17-14. From the Buffalo 29, a completion to Nelson for 9 and unnecessary roughness moved the ball to the Denver 47. Fitzpatrick hit St Johnson for 8 and CJ Spiller ran for 10 and then 25 to make it 1st and goal at the 4. On 3rd and goal from the 2 Fitzpatrick was sacked, and Rayner made the 25 yarder to make it 20-14 Bills.

Another Denver punt had Buffalo at their own 37. Fitzpatrick hit Brock for 21. Spiller ran for 26, yet 2nd and goal at the 7 meant a pair of incompletions. Rayner hit another 25 yarder to make it 23-14 Bills. Denver soon faced 3rd and 11 at their own 18 and Tebow was intercepted. Buffalo began the fourth quarter at the Denver 27. Yet on 3rd and 5 from the 11, a sure touchdown pass was dropped. Rayner hit the 29 yarder for his 4th kick after the 2 misses to make it 26-14 Bills only 90 seconds into the fourth quarter. Of course the day before Christmas meant Tebow would be down by 2 scores and automatically win the game. There would be 2 more Tebow touchdowns in this game.

With 8 minutes left, Denver took over at their own 10. Tebow completed a pass to Byrd for a touchdown. Yet it was not a 90 yard Christmas miracle to make it 26-21. Byrd plays defense for Buffalo, and he took it 37 yards the other way to make it 33-14. Denver got it back at their own 25. Tebow immediately threw a touchdown to Johnson. Yet it was not a 75 yard Christmas miracle. Johnson plays defense for Buffalo as well, and he took it 17 yards the other way for another score. Denver was not up 28-26. They were getting blasted 40-14.

Tebow finished 13 of 30 for 185 yards and one touchdown. Yet he was intercepted 4 times. Buffalo has long been eliminated from contention but Chan Gailey saw his team finally break out the way they did to start the season and snap the losing streak. Denver has dropped 2 straight after winning 6 in a row to fall to 8-7 and in a first place tie in the division. If Denver wins next week at home against a Kansas City team with “nothing” to play for, they win the AFC West. If they lose and the Raiders win, Denver is out of the playoffs. The opposing quarterback for Kansas City will be Kyle Orton, who will want revenge against his former team who released him earlier this year. As for Tebow, he is not Jesus, nor has he ever claimed to be. He is a good football player who had his worst game at the worst possible time. 40-14 Bills

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers–Neither team i making the playoffs and Tampa Bay has lost 8 straight, putting Raheem Morris on the blazing hot seat. Carolina took over at their own 20 and Stewart ran for 13 and 9. Newton ran for 5 and hit Williams for 8. Williams ran for 14, and after a defensive facemask, Williams ran it in from 8 yards out to make it 7-0 Panthers. Tampa Bay took over at their own 17 and immediately fumbled. The Panthers took over at the Bucs 8. On 3rd and goal at the 3 Newton threw incomplete and settled for a 21 yard Jon Kasay field goal to make it 10-0.

The Bucs began at their 20 and the Panthers jumped offsides. Lumpkin ran for 7 and 8. On 3rd and 2 from their 40, Carolina jumped offsides again. Freeman hit Kellen Winslow for 13. On 3rd and 16 from the Carolina 48, Freeman found Parker for just enough. Lumpkin gained 9 and Freeman hit Winslow for 8. On 3rd and 4 from the 9 Freeman hit Williams for 3 as the opening quarter ended. The second quarter began with the Bucs facing 4th and 1 at the 6. Raheem Morris decided to go for it and Freeman gained 2. Freeman hit  Benn for the 4 yard touchdown to  get the Buccaneers within 10-7. Carolina got it back at their own 8. From the 9, Newton went for the bomb, and Brandon Lafell outjumped the defender, caught it, and raced for a 91 yard touchdown to make it 17-7 Panthers.

The Bucs soon faced 3rd and 9 at their own 16. Freeman hit Stoughter for 29 and Stocker for 9 and 4. The drive would stall, but a 42 yard Connor Barth field goal had  the Bucs within 17-10 after the 11 play, 7 1/2 minute drive. After a touchback, Newton hit Steve Smith for 9 and Stewart took a handoff 32 yards and another one for 24 more. Newton hit Williams for 10, and on 3rd and goal at the 8 Newton hit Legadu Naanee for 7. On 4th and goal at the 1 with 28 seconds left in the half, Ron Rivera had the crowd unhappy when he decided not to go for it. Olindo Mare hit the 19 yarder and the Panthers led 20-10 at halftime. In the second half the crwod would have plenty to cheer about.

The third quarter soon had the Buccaneers facing 3rd and 7 at their own 35. Freeman was intercepted, and the Panthers took over at the Tampa 32. Williams ran for a 22 yard touchdown to make it 27-10 Panthers. On the next Tampa series they were at their own 48 when Freeman found Winslow for 22 to the Carolina 30. Yet Winslow fumbled, and the Panthers took over at their own 39. Steve Smith took an end around 23 yards and Deangelo Williams gained 18 more. On 4th and 1 from the 11, this time Ron Rivera decided to go for it. Newton hit Stewart for the touchdown as the Panthers were rolling 34-10. On the next series Carolina faced 2nd and 4 just past midfield. In the great tradition of Steve Young and Michael Vick, Newton ran up the middle all the way for a 49 yard touchdown to make it 41-10 Panthers. The Bucs fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and the Panthers recovered. On the first play of the fourth quarter Newton hit Jeremy Shockey for the 8 yard score to make it 48-10 Panthers.

Ron Rivera pulled his starters. In three quarters of work Cam Newton was “only” 12 of 17 for 171 yards and one touchdown pass. Yet he also had the long rushing touchdown. He also broke Peyton Manning’s NFL rookie passing record, and he still has one game left to add to it. More importantly, last year’s worst team in football is 6-9 and has much hope to build on for next year. Yet sophomore seasons can be tough. Last year it was Raheem Morris and Josh Freeman going from 3-13 to 10-6. This year they regressed and have lost 9 straight. Tampa Bay did score one more touchdown, which did little to save this team from possibly being blown up after the season. 48-16 Panthers

Arizona Cardinals @ Cincinnati Bengals–Arizona began 1-6 but Ken Whisenhunt and John “Red” Skelton have them at 7-7. Yet they are at an 8-6 Bengals team that Marvin Lewis has revitalized with rookies Andy Dalton and AJ Green. Both of these teams are still in the playoff hunt.

Arizona soon faced 2nd and 21 at their own 20 when Skelton was intercepted. The Bengals took over at the Arizona 23. Yet on 3rd and 5 from the 6, Dalton threw incomplete. Mike Nugent hit from 24 to make it 3-0 Bengals. Arizona punted, and the Bengals, and the Bengals took over at the Cardinals 49. One play meant defensive pass interference at the Arizona 28. Cedric Benson ran for 5 and Dalton added 6 more. On 3rd and 4 from the 11, Dalton hit Gresham for the touchdown to make it 10-0 Bengals.

The second quarter began with the Bengals on the move at the Arizona 45. Dalton hit Simpson for 8 and Green for 17 more. The drive stalled but Nugent hit from 35 to make it 13-0 Bengals. Nugent would later miss from 48, but after Skelton was intercepted, the Bengals took over at their own 42. On 3rd and 1 Dalton gained 17. On 3rd and 2 from the 24, Benson gained 3. Dalton then found Simpson, who near the goal line leapt over the defender summersault style for a touchdown to make it 20-0 Bengals. The uneventful third quarter saw Skelton intercepted again, and eventually Mike Nugent would kick a 32 yard field goal. The Bengals led 23-0 after three quarters, yet a blowout would become a nailbiter before the game was over.

Less than one minute into the fourth quarter the Cardinals took over at their own 39. On 3rd and 10 Skelton found Early Doucet for 22. On 4th and 2 from the Cincy 33, Ken Whisenhunt had no choice but to go for it. Beanie Wells gained 3. Despite it being Hanukkah and Yamulkas being Beanies, Wells is not Jewish. Skelton hit Larry Fitzgerald, who raced for a 30 yard touchdown to get the Cardinals within 23-7 with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Cedric Benson then fumbled, and the Cardinals recovered at the Cincy 39. Skelton hit Doucet for 27, Fitzgerald for 10, and King for the 2 yard touchdown. he  point conversion try failed, but the Cardinals were within 23-13 midway through the fourth quarter.

Cincinnati went 3 and out and the Cardinals took over at their own 21 with 6 minutes left in regulation. Skelton hit Fitzgerald for 11 and unnecessary roughness on the next play had the Cardinals at the Cincinnati 40. Skelton went deep to Fitzgerald for 39 yards. With 4 minutes left Arizona had 1st and goal at the 1. Yet disaster struck as Skelton fumbled on the next play. Arizona was lucky to retain possession all the way back at the 11. A pair of incompletions meant a 29 yard field goal try for Jay Feely. It was good, and the Cardinals were within 7 points.

After a touchback, one play was all Cedric Benson needed to fumble the ball back to the Cardinals. With 3 minutes left, the Cardian Cardinals now had 1st and 10 at the Cincy 22. With 1:18 to go, it came down to 4th and 5 at the 17. Skelton threw incomplete and the Bengals took over. A critical offensive personal foul combined with the Cardinals using their timeouts gave them one more shot. With 48 seconds left the Cardinals took over at their own 40 with 0 timeouts. Skelton hit Roberts for 8 and 10 and Wells for 8. With the clock running on 3rd and 2 from the Cincy 34, Skelton snapped the ball with 6 seconds left. He found Roberts over the middle of a 19 yard gain. Yet the clock ran out with the Cardinals 15 yards and one play away.

The loss dropped Arizona to 7-8 as the valiant fourth quarter comeback mirrored their entire season of coming up just short. Arizona is now eliminated from playoff contention. Marvin Lewis now has the Bengals at 9-6. If Cincinnati wins next week, they are in the playoffs as a wildcard. The control their own destiny. They can still lose and get in, but they would need lots of help. 23-16 Bengals

Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs–For more on the game of the day, go to http://www.justblogbaby.com

The Raiders after winning 3 straight have now lost 3 straight. They are 7-7 and fighting for their playoff lives. Hue Jackson has seen his offense try to function without Darren McFadden and Jacoby Ford, and it has been awful. Yet last week it was the defense who gave up a 99 yard drive in the final 2 minutes to lose a heartbreaker at home. Now they go on the road against a fired up Chiefs team still harboring slim playoff hopes at 6-8. New head coach Romeo Crennel saw his squad knock off unbeaten Green Bay last week. Theoretically if all 4 AFC West teams finished 8-8, the Chiefs would actually win the division. They would be out with a loss. While there were many reasons to consider the first half one of the worst halves in the history of football, much was going on beneath the hail of penalties.

With Jacoby Ford not returning kicks, Brian McCann took the opening kickoff 5 yards deep in the end zone and returned it 91 yards. The Raiders began the game at the Chiefs 14. Yet 3 plays netted only 4 yards as the Raiders totally wasted the opportunity. Sebastian Janikowski hit from 28 as the Raiders led 3-0 only 90 seconds into the game. Yet it was a win for the Chiefs, and the Raiders knew it. After a touchback Thomas Jones ran for 22 yards. The Silver and Black held after that and the Chiefs punted. The Raiders were pinned at their own 3 yard line.

Palmer led the Raiders to a 3rd and 6 at the Oakland 36. Palmer hit Denarius Moore for 8. Yet 2 plays later Palmer was intercepted by Johnson, who returned it 17 yards to the Oakland 36. On 3rd and 2, Kyle Orton hit Dexter McCluster for 6 and Dwayne Bowe for 7. Yet on 3rd and 6 from the 8, Jones only got half of it. Ryan Succop hit the 23 yard kick to make it 3-3 as each team managed to get a field goal with a short field. The rest of the half was pathetic.

Oakland took over at their own 34. On 3rd and 8 Palmer was intercepted again. Yet defensive holding meant 1st and 10 at the Oakland 41. Palmer found Tonga for 11. Offensive holding meant 2nd and 20 and Palmer hit Rock Cartwright for 8 as the first quarter ended. On the first play of the second quarterm a 3rd and 12 pass to TJ Houshmanzadeh came up one yard short. On 4th and 1 from the Chiefs 39, Riverboat Gambler Hue Jackson decided to play it safe and punt. Shane Lechler was his magnificent self, as the Chiefs were pinned at the 5. They would punt it back, giving the Raiders the ball at their own 32.

On 1st and 10, a 6 yard run b Michael Bush was nullified due to illegal formation. On 1st and 15 Palmer went to Denarius Moore for 20 yards. Bush gained 5, and another illegal formation meant another 1st and 15. On 2nd and 10 Palmer threw incomplete, but defensive pass interference meant 1st and 10 at the Chiefs 44. On 3rd and 2 from the 36, Bush got stopped. Hue Jackson brought in Seabass for a 53 yard field goal try. It was a fake, and holder Lechler shovel passed it to Brandon Myers, who took it all the way for a touchdown. Yet before the Raiders could celebrate a 10-3 lead on a brilliant call, it was all for naught. The Raiders were called for delay of game. A disgusted Jackson decided to have the Polish Cannon come in for a 58 yard field goal try. Seabass hit the crossbar, no good.

With 6 1/2 minutes left in the half the Chiefs took over just shy of midfield. Ortonw as sacked, but defensive holding on Stanford Routt meant 1st and 10 at the Oakland 46. Dexter McCluster ran for 6 and Thomas Jones added 5 more. O the next play Orto threw incomplete, and for some bizarre reason Houston was so excited at 2nd and 10 that he spiked the football, meaning a delay of game penalty and 2nd and 5 instead. Another defensive holding call on Routt followed by a 9 yard Jackie Battle run meant 2nd and 1 at the 8. Yet with the Raiders self-destructing, a false start and an incompletion meant 3r and 6 at the 13. Orton went to the end zone and was intercepted by Matt Giordano. Giordano returned it 62 yards to the Chiefs 41 with 3 minutes left in the half. Yet 3 plays later on 3rd and 9 Palmer threw it right back as the Chiefs took over at their own 38 at the 2 minute warning.

On 2nd and 5 from the Oakland 47, another incompletion was again nullified by yet another penalty on Routt for defensive pass interference. Orton then hit Bowe for 17 as the Chiefs had 1st and 10 at the Oakland 23 with 48 seconds left in the half. This time it was the Chiefs who imploded. Intentional grounding meant an 11 yard loss. A false start and a delay of game with 38 seconds left meant 3rd and 31 from the Oakland 44. Orton hit Pope for 13 yards as the Pope made his Christmas Eve reception. On the last play of the half, Succop came in for a 49 yard try. Richard Seymour blocked it as the 3-3 score was taken to the locker rooms.

The Chiefs began the third quarter at their own 23. On 3rd and 10 Orton found Bowe for a 22 yard gain. Yet offensive holding instead meant 3rd and 20. The Chiefs would punt, and the Raiders took over at their own 21. On 3rd and 5 Palmer hit Marcel Reece for 10, Bush for 7, and Darrius Heyward-Bey for 4. On 2nd and 8 from just shy of midfield, Michael Bush ran for 19 yards. Yet offensive holding instead meant 2nd and 18. At this point the team decided to finally honor Al Davis in the sky. Palmer went for the bomb, and Denarius Moore was open. Last week they failed to connect, but this time the result was a 61 yard touchdown and a 10-3 Raiders lead with 9 minutes left in the third quarter.

Naturally the Raiders have trouble with prosperity, and after a touchback the Chiefs came back. An incompletion was nullified by illegal contact, moving the ball to the 25. A run by Battle was offset by offensive holding, making it 1t and 20. Yet Orton then hit McCluster for 19 and Battle ran for 4. Orton then went deep to Copper for a 43 yard gain to the Oakland 19. Jones gained 4 and Battle 9 more to make it 1st and goal at the 6. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Orton rolled out and had an open receiver. Yet Rolando McClain jumped up and knocked the pass down incomplete to save the day. Romeo Crennel opted for the field goal in a game where points were at a premium. Succop hit from 20 to get the Chiefs within 10-6 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter.

Oakland went 3 and out, and the only bright spot was a 76 yard Lechler punt for a touchback. Orton hit Breaston for 14 The fourth quarter began with the Chiefs facing 3rd and 2 at their own 42. Orton hit Breaston for 10. On 2nd and 9 Orton threw incomplete but Routt was called for defensive holding for the billionth time. On 3rd and 3 at the Oakland 35, already in long field goal range, there was redemption as Orton was intercepted by Routt. A horsecollar tackle had the Raiders at their own 38. Now it was time to ask the question Raider fans always ask. Could they for once finish a game? No, they went 3 and out again. Lechler again was the lone bright spot as the Chiefs were pinned at their own 10 with 11 1/2 minutes left.

McClain ran for 11, Jones gained 9, and on 3rd and 1, Battle gained 4. On 3rd and 3 Orton only gained 2. The Chiefs were about an inch from the 1st down. This was the Any Given Sunday moment about fighting for the inch. From their own 43, Romeo Crennel decided to go for it. Battle got the carry and went airborne. Just like in the movie, he was belted back by a defense in black. Like the Miami Sharks, the Oakland Raiders had held. With 8 minutes left they had a short field. Could they finally finish a game?

Bush ran for 11, 4 and 2. On 3rd and 4 from the 26 with 6 minutes left, Palmer hit Houshmanzadeh for 8 yards and a vital first down. A pair of 2 yard Bush runs meant 3rd and 6 at the 14. Hue Jackson tried a pass, knowing that last week it stopped the clock and cost the Raiders the win. Jackson would not back down from his coaching style. The pass was complete to keep the clock running, but only for one yard. Janikowski came in for a 31 yarder. It was good, and the Raiders led 13-6 with 3 minutes left. Yet last week the defense gave up a 99 yard drive to lose. This week the Chiefs would have to go 80 yards. Could the Raiders finally finish a game?

No. Orton hit Bowe for 15 and again for 13 at the 2 minute warning. Orton then found McCluster, who raced 49 yards to the Oakland 3. On the next play Orton hit Bowe for the score. The game was 13-13, and one minute still remained. Perhaps the Chiefs had scored too early, but this was another Oakland meltdown for a team with little pride or poise when it matters. To make matters much worse, the Raiders actually could not even run down the clock. Bush ran for 4, and then Palmer threw a pair of incompletions. A 62 yard punt and a 19 yard return gave the Chiefs the ball at their own 33 with 16 seconds left.

The whole football world saw it coming. Orton hit Bowe for 25 yards and called timeout with 9 seconds left. Orton hit Copper for 11, and he got out of bounds with 5 seconds left. Succop was coming in for a 49 yard field goal to send the Raiders to their 4th straight loss and ruin the once promising season. The Raiders had collapsed again. The defense plays their hearts out, the offense does nothing, and the exhausted defense can’t hang on at the end. The Raiders only had one bright spot, special teams. Yet a punted and a field goal kicker could not save them At the darkest hour, Richard Seymour could. He blocked the kick at the end of the first half and blocked the kick at the end of the game. A relieved Hue Jackson saw his team still have life. It was time for overtime. Shane Lechler called tails, and the Raiders won the toss.

McCann returned the kick 27 yards to the Oakland 24. The Raiders needed one play. Again it was Al Davis time. Palmer went for the bomb, and Heyward-Bey came down with it for a 53 yard gain at the Chiefs 23. There was no way Palmer would throw again. Bush gained 3 and 2, and on 3rd and 5 from the 18 Hue Jackson brought out Seabass. From 36 yards out, it was good. The Raiders stopped the bleeding and won with their backs to the wall.

An emotionally exhausted Hue Jackson hung his head. He looked like the Raiders had lost, even though they won. He was spent. The Chiefs at 6-9 were eliminated from the playoffs. A pair of classy coaches in Jackson and Crennel shared a lengthy hug and warm conversation at midfield. The Raiders have beaten the Chiefs 5 straight times on the road, while the Chiefs win this game in Oakland with regularity. Both Orton and Palmer threw one touchdown and 2 interceptions, with Orton going 21 for 36 for 300 yards and Palmer going 16 for 26 for 237. Yet half of those yards for Palmer came on 2 bombs, and that was enough.

The Raiders at 8-7 are tied with Denver atop the AFC West. Next week both teams are at home. Denver hosts Kansas City while Oakland hosts San Diego. Neither of those teams have anything to play for, but they will fight hard. San Diego would love to knock the Raiders out and see Norv Turner get revenge on his old team and save his own job. As for Kansas City, Kyle Orton also wants revenge against the team that benched him and cut him earlier this year. Denver holds the tie-breaker. If they win next week they win the AFC West. If the Raiders win and Denver loses, the Raiders are division champs. The Raiders can still make it a a wildcard if they win and Cincinnati loses among other things. Cincy has a tough game hosting Baltimore.

This might be a rare situation where being the wildcard might be better than the division champ. The AFC West champ is the # 4 seed, but would host either Baltimore or Pittsburgh. The wildcard would be the # 6 seed and travel to Houston, who is reeling. For the first time since the 2002 season, the last week of the season means something for the Raiders. This will all be settled on New Years Day of 2012. Just win baby. 16-13 Raiders OT

Miami Dolphin @ New England Patriots–Miami has gone 5-2 since the 0-7 start, but reality sets in this week at 11-3 New England. The Patriots were the only 10-3 team to win last week, giving them sole control of the top seed. They have not wrapped up home field, although a win today will get them closer.

Miami took over at their own 20 and Reggie Bush had a pair of 5 yard gains. On 3rd and 9 Matt Moore went deep to Hartline for a 39 yard gain. Dan Carpenter hit a 47 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Dolphins. Miami began the second quarter at their own 32. Moore went deep to Brandon Marshall for a 47 yard gain and then again to Marshall for the 19 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Dolphins.

New England was uncharacteristically out of sync in the first half, and Tom Brady has had some of his worst games against the Dolphins, even when the Patriots were the much better team. On 3rd and 1 from their own 34, Brady threw incomplete and after a punt the Dolphins took over at their own 11. On 3rd and 12 Moore threw incomplete, but defensive pass interference meant an 18 yard gain. On 3rd and 4 from their own 33, Moore hit Bush for 14 and Brandon Marshall for 27 more. Another 3rd and 3 meant another incompletion but another defensive pass interference call to put the ball on the 3. On 3rd and goal at the 1, Moore hit Clay for the score to make it 17-0 Dolphins in front of a stunned home crowd.

New England began the second half at their own 20 and finally got going. Brady hit Rob Gronkowski for 22 and Chad Johnson for 15. On 4th and 1 from the Miami 34, Bill Bellichick opted to go for it. Brady gained 3. The defense held after that and Stephen Gostowski finally got the Patriots on the board with a 45 yard field goal to have New England down 17-3. Miami soon faced 3rd and 8 at their own 40, and Moore fumbled. The Patriots took over at the Miami 38. After offsides, Brady hit Wes Welker for 12. On 3rd and 3 from the 14, Brady hit Hernandez for 9. On 3rd and goal from the 1, Brady hit Branch for the score to get the patriots within 17-10.

Miami went 3 and out and the Patriots took over after a very short punt at the Miami 41. Welker ran for 7 and caught a pass for 8. Brady hit Hernandez for 10  and Ridley ran for 5 and 7. Brady took it in from one yard out as the halftime deficit was completely erased in a 17-17 tie with 2 minutes left in the third quarter.

Early in the fourth quarter More led the Dolphins to a 1st and 10 at the New England 44. Moore then went for it all, and was intercepted by McCourty. The Patriots took over at their own 2 with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Brady went to Gronkowski for 20 an Welker for 6. Brady ran for 5 and Ridley gained 16 more. On 2nd and 15 from the New England 44, Brady went deep to Welker for a 42 yard gain. Illegal formation and a sack stopped the drive, but Gostkowski hit the 42 yarder to have the Patriots up 20-17 with 9 minutes left in the game.

Miami punted again and again the Patriots had good field position at their own 41. Brady Hit Gronkowski for 9 and on 3rd and 9 from the Miami 46, found Welker for just enough. Bady went back to Welker for 22 more. On 3rd and 1 from the 6, Ridley gained 2 and 3 more. Brady again ran it in from one yards out to make it 27-17 with only 3 minutes left.

Despite surrendering 27 unanswered points in a lifeless second half, Miami finally came back. On 3rd and 10 from their 20, Moore found Marshall for a 41 yard gain. Moore found Hartline for 10 at the 2 minute warning. From the Patriots 29, Moore went to Bess for half of it and then for the other half as the Dolphins were within 3 points with 1:48 left. Miami had all of their timeouts, and the very controversial decision was made not to go for the onsides kick. After a touchback, everything came down to 3rd and 5 at the 25 with 1:35 left. Brady hit Welker for 6 yards. Ridley ran for 18 and Miami never got the back. Moore would finish 17 of 33  for 294 yards, 3 touchdowns, and one interception. Brady was 27 of 46 for 304 yards and one touchdown, but he also ran for two more. New England at 12-3 clinched a 1st round bye. A win next week means home field throughout. They can still lose and get homefield, but they would need help. 27-24 Patriots

New York Giants @ New York Jets–The battle of New York has seen Rex Ryan proclaim the Jets as the true New York team over the Giants. The Jets are the home team for this game. Both of these teams can make the playoffs but the loser of this game is in trouble. The 8-6 Jets got blasted last week. As of now they are in the playoffs but barely. The Giants at 7-7 are one game back in their division after an unfathomable loss at home last week. If they win this game, then next week hosting Dallas is a winner take all for the division.

The Giants punted, and the Jets took over at their own 47 after a 22 yard return by Kerley. Mark Sanchez hit Shone Greene for 8 and Greene ran for 3 more. On 4th and 4 from the Giants 36, Rex Ryan decided to go for it. Sanchez threw incomplet, but the Giants had 12 men on the field. After the automatic first down, Sanchez hit Santonio Holmes for 13, Plaxico Burress for 13, and Baker for the 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Jets. Gang Green and Big Blue settled in on defense after that.

The Giants began the second quarter at midfield. Eli Manning hit Hakeem Nicks for 20 and Victor Cruz for 29 on 3rd and 11. Yet 1st and goal at the 2 meant a pair of incompletions surrounding a failed run as the Giants settled for a 21 yard Lawrence Tynes field goal to get within 7-3. A field position game had the Giants facing 3rd and 10 at their own 1 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half. Manning then put himself in the NFL record books as a short pass to Victor Cruz went for a 99 yard touchdown in front of a shocked “home” Jets crowd. Rex Ryan was stunned and Tom Coughlin almost smiled as the Giants led 10-7.

The Jets then fumbled and Ross returned it 26 yards for another touchdown. Yet Rex Ryan challenged the call and it was reversed. Sanchez would work the 2 minute drill but get sacked on 3rd and 10. Nick Folk came in for a 44 yarder to end the half. It was no good. The third quarter was all defense. With 2 minutes left in the period the Giants took over at their own 19. Manning went deep to Cruz for a 42 yard gain. Brandon Jacobs ran for 28 yards down to the 14. Ahmad Bradshaw then took it all the way in as the 14 yard touchdown had the Giants up 17-7 after three quarters. On the first play of the fourth quarter the Jets faced 3rd and 9 at their own 21. Sanchez was intercepted by Phillips, who returned it 31 yards to the Jets 14. The Giants moved backwards but Tynes connected from 36 to lead 20-7 only 90 seconds into the fourth quarter.

The Jets soon faced 3rd and 11 at their own 25. Sanchez hit Dustin Keller for 13 and again for 9 on 3rd and 10. On 4th and 1 from the Jets 47, Sanchez threw incomplete. Yet the Jets had life as defensive pass interferences was a 27 yard gain to the Giants 26. On 2nd and 7 from the 23, Sanchez went to Burress for the touchdown. Burress was the hero in the Giants Super Bowl season of 2007, and after coming back from a prison stint as a Jets player he badly wanted revenge against his former team. Yet Burress was called for offensive pass intereference. On the next play Sanchez was sacked by Justin Tuck and fumbled. Yet the Jets were saved by a different tuck, the tuck rule. On 3rd and 17, Sanchez hit Holmes for 15. On 4th and 2 Sanchez hit Kerley for 10. On 3rd and goal from the 1, Sanchez tried to take it in himself. He fumbled, and the Giants recovered for a touchback with 9 minutes left in regulation.

Yet rather than run down some clock, Eli Manning came out throwing and was quickly intercepted by Harris. The Jets took over at the Giants 11. On 3rd and 12, Sanchez scrambled for 11. Yet rather than 4th ad 1 at the 2, Defensive holding instead meant 1st and goal at the 1. Sanchez this time did take it in as the Jets were within 20-14 midway through the fourth quarter. The Giants went 3 and out, and the Jets took over at midfield. The Jets also went 3 and out and the Giants took over at their 18 with 5 minutes left.

On 3rd and 3 with 3 1/2 minutes left, Ware ran for 17. Unnecessary roughness tacked on 15 more. The Jets still had their timeouts, and on 3rd and 6 from the 39 Tom Coughlin played it safe and called a run to force another timeout. On 4th and 6 Coughlin opted to punt, and the Jets were pinned at their own 8 with 2:24 left and one timeout. One play was all that was needed for Sanchez to be sacked in the end zone for a safety. The Giants led 22-14, and the free kick seemed to finish the Jets. Yet rather than an onsides kick it was an onsides punt. It bounced around, but the Jets failed to recover it. The Giants took over at the Jets 19. Desperately needing a stop, instead Rex Ryan saw Ahmad Bradshaw take it all the way for the touchdown to ice the game.

This was not Giants Stadium. It was Metlife Stadium, and the lights were in green and not blue. Yet the Giants have always been the big brother and the Jets the little brother. Nothing has changed. Rex Ryan talked big about how now the Jets would be the new top team in New York. Talk is cheap when not backed up. Both teams are 8-7, but in very different situations.  The Giants host Dallas in a division showdown. The winner wins the division and the loser is out with no wildcard possibilities. The Jets are out if they lose next week but even if they win they need help. The Giants control their own destiny. 29-14 Giants

St. Louis Rams @ Pittsburgh Steelers–A very bad team travels on the road to play a very good team coming off a road loss last week. Yes, the top 2 teams in the AFC North are mirror images of eachother. Pittsburgh is tied for the division lead but loses the tie-breaker. They are one game back in the conference, but still have a chance at a 1st round bye and even home field throughout. Ben Roethlisberger is banged up, but Mike Tomlin might not even need him against a team that has gotten Steve Spagnuolo only 2 wins. The Rams still have a shot at the top pick in the draft.

Big Ben did sit this one out and Charlie Batch got the nod for Pittsburgh. The Rams would punt, and Batch led the Steelers from their own 21 to a 3rd and 2 at the Rams 3. Batch threw incomplete, and Shawn Suisham hit a 21 yarder to make it 3-0 Steelers. In the second quarter Batch was intercepted and the Rams failed to capitalize. Pittsburgh took over at their own 25 and Batch did not need to throw a pass. Rashard Mendenhall ran for 9, 4, and then broke free for a 52 yard gain. Clay ran for the 10 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Steelers. Josh Brown would miss a 52 yard field goal on the last play of the half to keep the Steelers from increasing the lead.

In the third quarter Pittsburgh took over at their own 27 and this time did extend the lead. Batch hit Brown for 18 and on 3rd and 6 from the Rams 47, Batch found Mike Wallace for 20. Suisham hit a 49 yarder to make it 13-0. Despite not a terrific offensive day, Charlie Batch was managing the game. He finished only 15 of 22 for 1 touchdown, but with 0 interceptions. Kelly Clemens filling in for injured Sam Bradford had a miserable day, going only 9 of 24 for 91 total yards.

With 9 minutes left in regulation, Pittsburgh looked to put the game away. From the Rams 47, Batch went deep to Wallace for a 46 yard gain. Mendenhall got the last yard to make it 20-0. Redman would add another Pittsburgh touchdown from 2 yards out late to complete the scoring.

The Rams have won only 2 games all year, but the bigger concern is that they are not even competitive. Steve Spagnuolo has seen Indy and Minnesota refuse to roll over and just lose out to get Andrew Luck. Yet the Rams are playing like the top pick matters more than winning. As for the Steelers, they got to 11-4 and remain tied with Baltimore atop the division. However, Baltimore holds the tie breaker. If both teams win or lose next week, the Steelers are the wildcard and the # 5 seed. If Pittsburgh wins and Baltimore loses, the Steelers have the # 2 seed and the 1st round bye. If they win, Baltimore loses, and New England loses, the Steelers would have home field throughout the playoffs as the top seed. Next week they get Big Ben back. 27-0 Steelers

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans–The Jaguars are out of it and they face an angry Titans team that dropped to 7-7 last week by losing to previously winless Indianapolis. It was a crushing loss, and The Titans have to put away a Jacksonville team that has mailed it in to have any chance at the playoffs.

After an exchange of punts, the Titans took over at their own 43. Matt Hasselbeck hit Cook for 18 yards, and that was enough for Rob Bironas to hit a 51 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Titans. Jacksonville punted, and the Titans got it back at their own 45. One play was enough for Hasselbeck to go deep to Cook for a 55 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Titans.

Jacksonville took over at their own 18. On 3rd and 6 Blaine Gabbert hit Dillard for 11 and again for 12. Gabbert found Potter for 22 and Cloherty for 21. Maurice Jones-Drew ran for the 10 yard touchdown to get the Jaguars within 10-7. The second quarter began with the Titans at their own 36. On 3rd and 2, a neutral zone infraction meant an automatic 1st down. Hasselbeck then found Cook for 24 yards and Nate Washington for 26 more down to the one. Harper took it in to make it 17-7 Titans.

With 2:24 left in the half after several punts, the Jagars took over at their own 36. On 4th and 1 the decision was made to go for it in their own territory with 1:38 left. Gabbert found Jones for 6 yards. On 3rd and 10 Gabbert found West for 14. Josh Scobee hit a 39 yard field goal to have the Jaguars within 17-10 at halftime.

Midway through the third quarter the Titans took over on their own 34. On 3rd and 1 Hasselbeck hit Stevens for 17. The defense held after that but Bironas hit a 51 yarder to make it 20-10 Titans. The fourth quarter began with the Titans at their own 20. Hasselbeck went deep to Williams for a 48 yard gain. Hasselbeck ran for 7 and Harper gained 8 more. Yet from the 17, the drive just stopped and Bironas hit a 35 yarder to make 23-10 Titans with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation.

With 10 1/2 minutes left, the Titans had 3rd and 6 at their own 29. Hasselbeck was intercepted by Trent, who returned it 22 yards to the Tennessee 18. Yet on 4th and 1 at the 9, Gabbert threw it right back to Griffin for a touchback. Several plays later Tennessee fumbled in their own territory and Jacksonville had another short field at the Titans 35 wit 5 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 7 Gabbert hit Thomas for 8. On 4th and 10 from the 24, Gabbert found Dillard for 21 yards. On 3rd and goal at the 1 Jones got in as the Jaguars were within 6 points with 3:44 left.

Tennessee took over at their own 17 and the Jaguars had all of their timeouts. On 3rd and 5 from the 22, Mike Munchak gambled and had Hasselbeck throw. An incompletion would stop the clock, but Hasselbeck found Cook for 29 yards. On 2nd and 8 from the Jacksonville 47, the Jaguars had taken their final timeout with 2 1/2 minutes left. Chris Johnson ran for 13 yards as the Titans knelt down 3 times and ended it. The long since eliminated Jaguars were game, but the Titans rebounded after a crushing loss last week at previously winless Indy. Tennessee is 8-7. If they lose next week they are out of the playoffs. If they win, they still need some help.  23-17 Titans

Minnesota Vikings @ Washington Redskins–Both of these teams have been eliminated from playoff contention, although Minnesota still has a shot at the top pick in the draft. Rex Grossman would be sacked for a loss and the fumble gave the Vikings the ball at the Washington 20. Minnesota did nothing and Ryan Longwell hit the 36 yarder to make it 3-0 Vikings.

Minnesota got it back at their own 32. Christian Ponder hit Adrian Peterson for 8 and then ran for 8. On 4th and 4 from the Washington 45, Leslie Fraizer decided to punt. Yet the Redskins were in the neutral zone, giving Minnesota an automatic first down. Ponder found Percy Harvin for 10, and unnecessary roughness moved the ball to the Washington 14. . On 3rd and 6 Ponder found Harvin for 9. Peterson took it in from the one on the first play of the second quarter to make it 10-0 Vikings.

The kickoff was out of bounds, and Washington took over at their own 40. Grossman found Jabar Gaffney for 11. Royster gained 3 and 11, and Grosman hit Young for 16 and 17. Grossman found Dante Stallworth for the 5 yard touchdown to get the Redskins within 10-7. Ponder led the Vikings to a 4th and 1 at the Washington 26. Frazier decided to go for it but a false start killed that. From 49 yards out, Longwell missed the field goal. Grossman led the Redskins from their own 39 to a 1st and goal at the 9. A failed run and a pair of incompletions meant a 26 yard Graham Gano field goal and a 10-10 game.

The Vikings began the second half at their own 12 and disaster struck beleaguered Minnesota. Adrian Peterson ran for 3 yards, but he reinjured his knee on the carry. For those wondering why he would even return with the season lost, it is because he is a professional. He would not return. On the next play Christian Ponder was sacked, and he would suffer a concussion and not return. Just like that, the Vikings were without their starting running back and quarterback. Joe Webb and Toby Gerhart would come in off the bench, but they are no ordinary backup.

After a punt, the Redskins had a short field at the Minnesota 39.  Royster ran for 9, 2, and 3, although a sack ended the drive. Gano came in for a 53 yarder. It was good, and the Redskins led 13-10.  From the Minnesota 25, Gerhart ran for a 67 yard gain. Webb then ran it in from 9 yards out as the Vikings led 17-13. Banks returned the ensuing kickoff all the way to the Minnesota 43. On 3rd and 9 Grossman found Jabar Gaffney for 20. Royster ran for 5 and Grossman went back to Gaffney for 6, 7, and finally for the 4 yard touchdown to have the Redskins back on top 20-17.

The seesaw game had the Vikings taking over at their own 27. Gerhart gained 8 and on 3rd and 1 another 14 to midfield. Harvin took an end around for 31 yards and Webb hit Rudolph for a 17 yard touchdown. The Christmas Eve score by Rudolph was a win for Reindeers and their fans everywhere, although Ryan Longwell was the Grinch who somehow shanked the extra point. The Vikings led 23-20 after three quarters, but both offenses were just warming up.

Washington took over at their own 14, and Grossman found Santana Moss for 11. Royster ran for 28 yards. On 2nd and 19 from the Washington 44, Grossman found Gaffney for 29 yards. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Royster ran for 16 to the 11. Yet on 3rd and 6 from the 7, Grossman threw incomplete. Gano hit from 25 to tie it 23-23 with 12:45 left in the game. Minnesota took over at their own 28. On 3rd and 10 Webb found Harvin for 36 yards and Armoashodue for 23 more. Webb then ran for 5 and hit Harvin for the 8 yard touchdown to put the Vikings up 30-23 with 10 minutes left.

Washington took over at their own 19. On 2nd and 1 from the Washington 41, Banks took an end around 59 yards for a touchdown. Yet before the extra point to tie the game 30-30, the score was nullified by offensive holding. On the next play Grossman was intercepted by Raymond, who returned it 31 yards to the Washington 24 midway through the fourth quarter. The defense held, but Longwell hit the 23 yarder to have the Vikings up 33-23. Washington needed 2 scores and only had 4 minutes to do it.

From the 20, Grossman hit Stallworth for 8, Austin for 7, Armstrong for 6, Royster for 9, Austin for 9, and Moss for 7. 6 straight completions was followed by a spike to stop the clock with 2 1/2 minutes left. Yet on 3rd and 12 from the 36, Grossman hit Moss for only 8 yards. Gano came in for a critical 47 yarder. He hit it, and with 90 seconds remaining the Redskins were within 7. The Redskins had all of their timeouts, so Mike Shanahan decided against the onsides kick. It was still a curious decision given the lack of defense throughout the second half by either team.

On 3rd and 5 from their 18, Webb was sacked. The Redskins would get one last chance with 55 seconds left from their own 36. Grossman found Stallworth for 16, but with 35 seconds left a critical illegal motion penalty meant a 10 second runoff. The final play of the game was a Hail Mary from the Minnesota 42. It fell incomplete, and the Vikings had the win. The Redskins make no sense. They lose a bunch of games and go into New York and shock the Giants. Then at home they lose to one of the worst teams in the league. As for Minnesota, they were not interested in losing just to get the top pick. This is a league of professionals, and Leslie Frazier saw his team show a ton of pride in a bad season. 33-26 Vikings

San Diego Chargers @ Detroit Lions–Norvelous Norv Turner cannot get fired. Like Lazarus, he will not ever die. The Chargers lost 6 straight to drop to 4-7, but have since won 3 straight. At 7-7 they are only one game back in the division. They could make the playoffs, but they will have a tough time at the 9-5 Lions. Jim Schwartz has this team all but in the postseason, and the last 2 weeks they have come away with miracle wins not decided until the final play. This game was tense before it started as pushing and shoving broke out as teams were coming out of the tunnels. Yet the game itself was not an equal fight.

Detroit set the tone from the very first play from their own 26 as Matthews Stafford went deep to Calvin Johnson for a 46 yard gain. Stafford hit Brandon Pettigrew and Nate Burleson for a pair of 10 yard gains. On 3rd and 1 from the 8, Safford gained 3. On 3rd and goal from the 7, Stafford hit Pettigrew for the score as the Lions led 7-0. Detroit got it back at their own 3. On 3rd and 5 Stafford hit Burleson for just enough. On 3rd and 5 from the 18 Stafford hit Titus Young for 8. Stafford went to Johnson for 21 and Kevin Smith ran for 21 more. Jason Hanson would kick a 50 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Lions.

In the second quarter the Lions took over at their own 13. Stafford hit Tony Scheffler for 12. Burleson ran for 11. On 3rd and 1 at their 48, Stafford gained 2 to midfield and then threw to Scheffler for a 26 yard gain. On 3rd and 19 from the 33, Stafford went deep to Burleson for a 30 yard gain. Stafford then found Smith for the 3 yard touchdown to make it 17-0 Lions.

With 5 minutes left in the half, the Lions took over at their own 26. Stafford hit Pettigrew for 14, 8, and 16 on 3rd and 1. From the San Diego 35, Morris ran for 8. Stafford hit Pettigrew for 9. Morris ran for 4 and Stafford hit Johnson for the 14 yard touchdown to make it 24-0 Lions at halftime. Yet every time it looks like Norv Turner is going to be fired, the next Lazarus act happens.

San Diego took a punt and began at their own 43. Philip Rivers hit Vincent Jackson for 18 yards. On 1st and 20 Rovers hit Brown for 27. Mathews ran for 11 and Rovers hit Malcolm Floyd for the 11 yard touchdown to make it 24-7.  A perfectly executed onsides kick had the Chargers at the Lions 47. On 3rd and 3 Rivers hit McMichael for 9. On 3rd and 12, Rivers went to Floyd for a 30 yard gain to make it 1st and goal at the 3. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Rivers threw incomplete. Nick Novak hit from 22 as the Chargers were within 24-10. Only 2 more touchdowns would tie it up, and the game saw 2 more touchdowns. Yet it was not good for San Diego.

After a touchback Staffor hit Burleson for 17,Johnson for 21, and Burleson again for 12. On 3rd and 7 from the Chargers 26, Stafford hit Pettigrew for 11 and Scheffler for 9. Smith ran it in from 6 yards out as the Lions led 31-10 after three quarters. After a touchback, the Chargers began the fourth quarter with Rovers hitting Jackson for 23 yards. On 4th and 5 from the Detroit 39, Rivers hit Gates for 6. On 3rd and 3 from the 26, Rivers found Floys for 24 to make it 1st and goal at the 2. Rivers then threw 4 straight incompletions as the Chargers turned it over on downs with 11 minutes left to play.

San Diego got it back at their own 29 midway though the fourth quarter. on 4th and 3 Rovers hit Floyd for 4. On 3rd and 1 just shy of midfield, Mathews gained 6. From the Detroit 45, Rivers went deep and was intercepted at the one yard line. Houston returned it to the Detroit 44 with 5 minutes left. San Diego got it back at their own 2 with 3 minutes left. Rivers was then intercepted by Avril, who batted the pass came down with it, and lumbered 4 yards for the final touchdown.

The Lions in 2008 were 0-16. Jim Schwartz took over and they were 2-14 in 2009 and began 2-10 in 2010. They finished 4-0 last year, began this year 5-0, and then went 2-5 to a desperate 7-5 situation. Yet 3 straight wins meant 10-5, the first Lions 10 win season since 1995. More importantly, it was the first playoff season since 1999. 11 straight missed seasons is gone as Schwartz got the Gatorade bath. Despite it being Hanukkah, Jim Schwartz is not Jewish. He is Catholic, giving the Christmas Eve win special meaning.

As for the Chargers, every year fans of the other 31 teams have to listen to nonsense about how everybody should be scared of the Chargers. We get the claptrap about how they are the best team not to make the playoffs or the most dangerous team in the hunt. They have been to one AFC Title Game under Turner, and that right when he inherited a 14-2 team. They won one division at 8-8 and a win today would have given them another chance to run the table and win. The Chargers are now 7-8 and out of the playoffs again. They go at the Raiders next week against an Oakland team desperate for a playoff spot. Norvelous Norv Turner might finally be out of miracles, although beating the second team to fire him might save him from being fired a third time. At least Turner is not Jewish. Rich Kotite was bad enough for us and Marv Levy brought agony when it counted. 38-10 Lions

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys–Shockingly enough, 6-8 Philly can still win the division. However, Dallas at 8-6 is in better position, one game ahead overall. Michael Vick and Tonoy Romo are playing at a high level, and Walrus Lite Andy Reid and Jason Garrett both know that losing this game will possibly cost them some of their staff if not their own job. This game started out with potentially everything on the line. If the Giants would lose to the Jets and Philly beat Dallas, all 3 teams would be 7-8. Philly could actually then win next week, and win the division at 8-8. The Giants-Jets game was still in doubt when the Eagles and Cowboys kicked off.

Philly went right to work from their 20. On 3rd and 6 Michael Vick found Jeremy Maclin for 7 and Harbor for 9. McCoy ran for 6. Vick hit Riley Cooper for 28 yards, and a facemask added 13 more to the Dallas 13. Vick then hit Captain Morgan Brent Celek for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Eagles. Dallas took over at their own 34. Felix Jones ran for 10 and 6. On 3rd and 4 from midfield, Romo threw his second incompletion on the drive. Even worse, Romo banged his throwing hand on a Philadelphia defender’s helmet. Dallas would punt.

At this point the score of the Giants-Jets game came in, and the Giants had won. All of a sudden the Dallas-Philadelphia game went from being a fight to the death to a completely meaningless game for both teams. Even if all 3 teams in the NFC East finish 8-8, Philly was eliminated from the playoffs. With Philly eliminated, Dallas would have a division showdown with the GIants next week no matter what happened in this game. So with Romo seeing his hand swell up like a bowling ball, he was left out the rest of the game as the Cowboys treated the game as a bye week at this point. Stephen McGhee came in at quarterback and did very little.

A meaningless game eventually saw the Eagles take over at their own 5 with 9 minutes left in the half. Vick hit Maclin for 20 and Jackson gained 18 and 9. McCoy gained 11. On 2nd and 13 from the Dallas 36, Vick found Maclin for half of it with unnecessary roughness making it 1st and goal at the 9. Vick found Avant, who stretched just past the pileon to make it 14-0. Yet on further review, it was ruled that Avant lost the ball just before reaching the pileon. Since it hit the cone, it was a touchback as the game remained 7-0.

With one minute left in the half McGhee had led Dallas to a 3rd and 1 at the Philly 30. An end run by Morris was blown up for a 9 yard loss, pushing the Cowboys out of field goal range. With only 55 seconds left in the half, the Eagles were at their own 13. Yet with nothing to lose, Andy Reid got very aggressive. Vick hit Maclin for 22, Jackson for 33, and Avant for 27 to the 5. On 3rd and goal from the 5 with 10 seconds left in the half, Vick hit Maclin for the score to make it 14-0 Eagles.

The second half was treated like a preseason game, and should have been canceled altogether. Philadelphia padded the lead when Henery hit a 43 yard field goal in the third quarter and a 51 yarder in the fourth quarter to make it 20-0 Eagles. The only reason Dallas got on the board at all is because a shanked Philly punt with 30 seconds left gave Dallas the ball at the Philly 15. They got it in just before the game ended.

Dallas and Philly are both 7-8 while the Giants are 8-7. Yet the NFL tie-breaker system is what it is. The system says the winner of the Dallas game at the Giants wins the NFC East. Dallas can make the playoffs at 8-8 while the Eagles cannot. Making things even more confusing, Philly no matter what will finish with the best division record. Yet at 7-8 Dallas is still in it while the Eagles are out. Of course this makes no sense, and some will lament that the Eagles have won 3 straight and yet have no chance to get in. Football purists count the whole season, and starting 4-8 is what killed them, not the system. The late run will probably convince owner Jeff Lurie to maintain continuity although Andy Reid may have to fire some assistants. As for Dallas, all they want for Christmas and New Years is a healthy Tony Romo. X-rays on X-Mas Eve were negative. 20-7 Eagles

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks–San Francisco is coming off an emotional win and at 11-3 they still hold the tie-breaker for the #2 seed with the top seed pretty much out of reach. Seattle began the year 2-6 but somehow got to 7-7 and desperately needs this win to stay in the playoff hunt. Jim Harbaugh has the better team, but Pete Carroll has the home field and the 12th man. Neither Alex Smith or Tarvaris Jackson are superstars, but they are both playing better than expected as of late.

Although neither quarterback was terribly impressive in this game, Jackson got Seattle off to a hot start after a touchback. Jackson went deep to Lockette for a 44 yard gain. On 3rd and 4 from the 30, Jackson hit Zach Miller for 9, Golden Tate for 8, and Danny Baldwin for the 13 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Seahawks. Smith led the 49ers from their own 31 to the Seattle 35. David Akers came in for a 52 yard field goal. It was no good, but Akers would have many more chances before the day was out.

Seattle failed to capitalize and the 49ers started at their own 9. Smith led them down the field and the second quarter began with the 49ers facing 3rd and 4 at the Seattle 31. Smith was sacked for a 4 yard loss. Despite the earlier miss, Jim Harbaugh trusted Akers to try again from 53. It was good and the 49ers were within 7-3. With 6 1/2 minutes left in the half, Seattle took over at the Frisco 43. Marshawn Lynch gained 5 and 10. A pair of short 3rd down conversions led to 3rd and goal at the 1. Jackson took it himself and got stopped. With 90 seconds left in the half on 4th and goal from the 1, Pete Carroll opted for the field goal. Steve Hauschka hit from 19 as Seattle led 10-3.

The 49ers began the third quarter at their own 25. Smith found Michael Crabtree for 27 yards. On 3rd and 5 from the Seattle 43, Smith lot 7 yards, fumbled, and then somehow gained 10 yards for a net gain of 3. Jim Harbaugh decided to go for it on 4th and 2 from the Detroit 40. Smith hit Vernon Davis for 16 and again for 17. Frank Gore ran it in from 4 yards out to tie the game 10-10. San Francisco got it back after a 46 yard punt return at the Seattle 48. On 3rd and 8 Smith ran for 12 and Gore ran for 11 and 6. A horecollar tackle meant 1st and goal at the 8. The defense held, and Akers hit from 29 to make it 13-10 49ers. San Francisco got it back at their own 34. Hunter gained 6, 2, and 15, with Gore adding 5 inbetween. Smith began the fourth quarter by hitting Hunter for 11 to the Seattle 27. Again the drive stalled, and again Akers connected from 44 to have the 49ers up 16-10 with 12 1/2 minutes left to play.

With 9 1/2 minutes left in the game, Seattle faced 4th and 1 at the Frisco 45. Pete Carroll decided to punt and play field position. The 49ers would have to punt it back on 4th and 9 at their own 38 with 7 minutes left. The punt was blocked, and Seattle took over at the 4 yard line. One play later Lynch took it in as the Seahawk led 17-16 in front of a fired up home crowd smelling an upset. The 49ers were on the verge of seeing their 1st round bye possibly slip away.

The 49ers soon found themselves with 2nd and 18 at their own 31 with 6 minutes left after offensive interference. Smith went deep to Crabtree for a 41 yard gain. With 3 minutes left, Akers came in for a 39 yard try. The kick was good, and Akers set the NFL record with 41 kicks in a season with one game still left. The 49ers led by a deuce, and Seattle would take over at their own 19.

Lynch gained 6 and caught a pass for 20 at the 2 minute warning. With 1:18 left, the Seahawks faced a critical 3rd and 3 at the Frisco 48. Jackson scrambled for 2 yards but then had the ball chopped out of his hand. The 49ers fell on it at their own 36. Only 1:07 remained. Yet Seattle had all of their timeouts. On 3rd and 4 from their own 42, Jim Harbaugh took no chances. Smith lost 4 yards but that ball was not being thrown. Seattle got it back at their own 26 with 41 seconds left and 0 timeouts. On 4th and 2 from their 34 with 18 seconds left, Jackson threw incomplete. There would be no field goal try as the 49ers hung on. Seattle at 7-8 is eliminated from contention while the 49ers at 12-3 lock up the 1st round bye with a win next week. Yet if they lose and the Saints win out, the 49ers are the # 3 seed which means hosting a wildcard game. 19-17 49ers

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers is the Christmas night Sunday game. Chicago has lost 4 straight since Jay Cutler went down and at 7-7 are on the verge of elimination and the end of the Lovie Smith regime only one year after getting to the NFC Title Game. The team that throttled them can knock them out of the playoffs this year, and Mike McCarthy will have a ticked off squad at home who saw their perfect season go up in smoke last week.

Aaron Rodgers went right to work from the 20. He hit Crabtree for 7, Finley for 11 on 3rd and 3, and Ryan Grant for 32 yards to the Chicago 27. Rodgers then hit Nelson for 16, Finley for 7, and again to Finley again to make it 7-0 Packers. The Caleb Hanie experiment seemed over in Chicago as Josh McCown got the start. From the Chicago 14, McCown handed the ball off to Bell 6 straight times for 5, 5, 3, 6, 13, and 2. McCown then hit Williams for 17, and Robbie Gould would come in for a 49 yard field goal try. It was no good.

The defenses stiffened and in the second quarter Chicago took over at their own 19. On 3rd and 9 McCown hit Williams for 20. On 3rd and 8 from the Chicago 42, McCown found Bell for 19. Yet on 2nd and 5 from the Green Bay 22, McCown was intercepted by Clay Matthews. Chicago got it back at their own 22. McCown hit Sanzebacher for 16. Bell ran for 9 and 20, and Allen gained 13. Yet on 3rd and 4 from the Green Bay 13, Allen lost 4. Gould hit the 35 yarder at the 2 minute warning and the Bears were only down 7-3. If they could hold Green Bay in the 2 minute drill they were very much alive.

Randall Cobb took the ensuing kickoff tot he Green Bay 35. With 1:50 on the clock, ROdgers went to Jones, who went 32 yards. On 3rd and 7 from the Chicago 30, Rodgers hit Nelson for 17 and Driver for 11 down to the 2 with 18 seconds left in the half. Rodgers hit Jones for the score as the Packers led 14-3 at halftime.

Chicago began the second half at their own 29. Bell gained 6 and 10, and on 3rd and 5 from midfield, McCown hit Bennett on a pass over the middle that split the seams and went for 49 yards down to the one. Bell got the carry, was, hit, and fumbled. Alert offensive lineman Williams saved the day by recovering it in the ened zone as the Bears got the touchdown to get within 14-10. After a touchback, Green Bay quickly created distance again. Grant ran for 24 and Rodgers went deep to Nelson for a 55 yard touchdown bomb to make it 21-10 Packers.

Chicago went 3 and out and the Packers took over at their own 25. Rodgers hit Cobb for 19. On 3rd and 5 just shy of midfield, Rodgers ran for 12. On 3rd and 7 from the Bears 36, Rodgers hit Donald Driver for 18. On 3rd and 8 from the 16, Rodgers found Jones for 9 and again for the 7 yard touchdown to make it 28-10 Packers. On the next series McCown was intercepted by Peprah, giving the Packers the ball after a 21 yard return to the Chicago 33. Rodgers hit Nelson for 25.  The fourth quarter began with Rodgers hitting Nelson for a 2 yard touchdown to have Green Bay Cruising 35-10. Rodgers was 21 of 29 for 283 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions in 3 quarters of work. He put on a baseball cap and picked up a clipboard, as Mike McCarthy took no chances with the win in hand. Matt Flynn played the fourth quarter.

Flynn did not enter the game until midway through the fourth quarter since Chicago kept the ball on a long drive. McCown would hit Davis for a 1 yard touchdown pass and a successful 2 point conversion to make the score more respectable, but the onsides kick failed to end the threat. Chicago tacked on a field goal with just over one minute to play, but that was it. Green Bay is now 14-1 and has locked up home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Chicago has lost 5 straight since Jay Cutler went down to fall to 7-8 and out of the playoff picture. 35-21 Packers

Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints is the Monday night game. Atlanta is 9-5 and New Orleans is 11-3. The Saints can clinch the division, but more importantly stay in the hunt for the # 2 seed. Atlanta is in the playoffs as a wildcard, but needs to win out and have the Saints lose out to win the division. Drew Brees needs only 305 yards to shatter Dan Marino’s passing record, and Sean Payton will have him air it out at will. Mike Smith and Matt Ryan can put points on the board as well, so this could be a track meet. The first half went virtually exactly as expected Matty Ice was 13 of 20 for 159 yards. Yet Drew Brees was ridiculous, going 15 of 25 for 230 yards. He began the second half needing only 75 yards  to break the passing record.

Atlanta began at the 20 and on 3rd and 2 Ryan found Tony Gonzalez for 7. On 3rd and 4 from the Atlanta 41, Ryan hit Jason Snelling for 16 and Roddy White for 23. A 3rd and 11 pass came up 3 yards short and the Falcons settled for a 34 yard Matt Bryant field goal and a 3-0 lead. Unfortunately for Atlanta, that meant Drew Brees would take the field. From their 16, Brees immediately went deep to Moore for 38 yards. Ivory ran for 11 and Brees hit Graham for 11 more. Pierre Thomas ran for 12 and 8. On 3rd and 2 from the 4, Thomas took it in to have the Saints up 7-3.

Atlanta took over at their 28. On 2nd and 11 from the 38, Ryan went to Julio Jones for 25 yards and Roddy White for 16 more. On 3rd and 10 from the 21, Ryan went deep to Jones for the touchdown as the Falcons were back on top 10-7. The Saints began at their 19. Brees hit Graham for 17. Darren Sproles ran for 7 and Ivory picked up 8 more as the pinball machine first quarter finally ended. The second quarter had the Saints facing 3rd and 12 from just shy of midfield. Brees went to Marques Colston for 14, and unnecessary roughness added 14 more. On 3rd and 4 from the 8, Brees found Colston for the touchdown as now the Saints led 14-10.

After a touchback, Atlanta faced 3rd and 1 from the 29. Ryan threw incomplete. The last time these teams met Mike Smith gambled in overtime on 4th and 1 from the Atlanta 29. It failed, and is a main reason why Atlanta entered the day 2 games back instead of tied for the division lead. This time the riverboat gambler punted. Brees led the Saints down the field again from their 26 to 1st and 10 at the 12. With everything clicking, Brees fired to Graham in the end zone. Graham could not haul it in, and then a defender batted it up in the air. Playing the tip drill perfectly, Franks intercepted it for a touchback with 5 minutes left in the half.

Atlanta punted again, and the Saints began at their 20 with 2:19 left in the half. On 3rd and 5 Brees ht Meachem for 10. On 3rd and 13 from the Saints 32, Brees went deep to Meachem again for 41 yards. On 3rd and 8 from the 25, Sproles gained 9. With 30 seconds left, facing 1st and goal at the 9, Brees found Graham in the end zone. A perfect pass just got past 2 defenders for the score as the Saints led 21-10 at halftime.

The Saints began the third quarter at their own 21. From the Saints 41, Brees went for the bomb again and a well thrown ball was also well defended. It was batted up in the air and intercepted by Robinson, who returned it 14 yards to the Falcons 30. Atlanta failed to capitalize, and the Saints took over at their own 14. Sproles took a handoff 36 yards to midfield. On 3rd and 1 from the Atlanta 41, Brees quickly fired to Graham for 5. Thomas then ran for 12. Brees then rolled out, avoided a sack, and went to the end zone for Meachem for a 24 yard touchdown as the Saints now led 28-10. Brees was now 31 yards from the record.

After a touchback Ryan had the Falcons in business on the first play with a 40 yard completion to Jones. On 3rd and 4 Ryan hit Gonzalez for 6, but offensive holding instead made it 14. Ryan found Jones, but 3 yards short. Bryant hit a 51 yard field goal to make it 28-13. Brees would not have an opportunity to break the record on the next series because he did not have a long enough field to work with. Darren Sproles returned the ensuing kickoff from 6 yards deep in the end zone and raced 92 yards to the Atlanta 14. The Saints wasted the field position as 3 plays netted only 3 yards. Jon Kasay hit the 29 yard field goal to make it 31-13 Saints. For statwatchers, Brees had one passing yard on the drive to remain 30 short.

Atlanta took over at their own 20. On 3rd and 1, Ryan gained 2. A 12 yard toss to Michael Turner with defensive unnecessary roughness tacked on led to 3rd and 8 at the Saints 40. Ryan hit White for 12. The fourth quarter began with the Falcons facing 3rd and 6 at the Saints 24. Ryan hit White for 8 and Palmer for 10. Yet again Atlanta came up short as 2nd and goal at the 6 was followed by intentional grounding. Bryant hit a 30 yard field goal as the Falcons were down 31-16 with 13 minutes left in regulation.

After a touchback, Ivory ran for 9 and Brees fired incomplete, nearly avoiding a third interception. On 3rd and 1, Ivory got blown up in the backfield for a one yard loss as the Saints punted. The Falcons took over at their own 27, and disaster immediately struck. Ryan hit Jones for 8, but he was hit and fumbled. Jenkins recovered at the Atlanta 35. Brees would still not get a chance at the record but he did not seem to mind since Jenkins returned it 35 yards for a touchdown to make it 38-16 Saints. 11 1/2 minutes still remained, and Sean Payton knew the home crowd would boo relentlessly if Brees was benched with the victory locked up. The goal is the Super Bowl, and nothing else.

From the Atlanta 20, Ryan kept firing. He hit White for 4 and 6, to Jones for 17, to Gonzalez for 9, and to White for 26. Yet with 8 minutes left in regulation, it came down to 4th and 2 at the 10. The Saints sent a jailbreak and Ryan threw it away. Now Brees had 90 yards to work with needing only 30. Benching him was not happening.  Yet on 3rd and 12, Brees was forced to run and only gained 9. The Saints punted and Atlanta took over at their own 23. On 4th and 1 the Falcons had to go for it, and the pass was broken up. With 5 minutes left, the Saints had just enough room at the Atlanta 32.

On 3rd and 9, Brees hit Colston for 12 and Devry Henderson for 11. 1st and goal at the 9 had Brees only 7 yards away. In a moment even Hollywood could not have scripted, Brees fired over the middle to Sproles for the 9 yard touchdown. The extra point would have to wait a few minutes as the game was stopped to honor the achievement. Brees was hugged by everybody on the sideline as the announcer let the crowd know what they already knew. Drew Brees is now the single season NFL passing record holder with 5087 yards, and he still has one game to go. The Saints for the second time in three years are division champs. Matt Ryan finished 34 of 52 for 373 yards and one touchdown. Brees was 23 of 39 for 307 yards, 4 touchdown passes, and the 2 interceptions.

Saints fans should still only consider this the third most important game in franchise history. The Super Bowl win two years ago tops it all, and the Steve Gleason blocked punt game in 2006 in the first game back in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina also ranks higher. Gleason now has ALS, yet he was on the sidelines hugging Brees. Brees and the Saints are raising money for Gleason. Through it all, a stoic Sean Payton will make sure the team keeps perspective. They can still win the # 2 seed next week if they win and San Francisco loses. Otherwise the Saints are the # 3 seed. Last year’s top seed, the Falcons now are the # 6 seed, although they could get the # 5 seed. If they are the # 6 seed, they would have to come to New Orleans again no matter what if they want to get to the Super Bowl. 45-16 Saints

eric

With 3 weeks to go, the NFL is getting red hot as teams jockey for position.

In the AFC, 4 teams are 10-3. New England, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore all have tough road games. Only Houston is at home, and they have to contend with rookie phenom Cam Newton. In the NFC, Green Bay is 13-0 but a pair of teams are 10-3 as well. On the other end, Indy is 0-13. We saw an unbeaten team at 14-0 in 1972 and a winless team at 0-14 in 1976. Yet then we went to 16 games. We saw a 16-0 team in 2007 and an 0-16 team in 2008. This year we may see both. This is the week where a bunch of 7-6 teams will either get above .500 and help themselves or drop to even and face a perilous final couple weeks. As football philosopher and Hall of Famer John Randall reminds, this is December. “This is when the big dogs come out.”

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Atlanta Falcons was the Thursday night game. The game was on the same night as a Fox News presidential debate, which means that the debate was given less relevance than baseball. Football took center stage, as it always does. Yet the game of football took a back seat to reality last week. The Falcons won their game but afterward coach Mike Smith was hospitalized with chest pains. Everything came back negative and he was released, but it was a scary moment for the entire Falcons family.

We joke about how Mike Smith is the poster child for average non-descript white guy monthly, but what he really is, is the best coach in Falcons history. As for the Jaguars, the owner sold the team and fired the coach. The Jaguars are awful, and the NFL loves to brag about how awful teams can go on the road and shock very good teams. This was not that game, and not why they play the games. Goliath beat up David and stole his lunch money.

Atlanta took over at their own 25 and quickly put the game away. Michael Turner gained 15 and 4. Matt Ryan hit Roddy White for 7 and Tony Gonzalez for 14. On 3rd and 4 from the Jacksonville 29, Ryan found Julio Jones, who took it the distance for the touchdown and the 7-0 Falcons lead. Jacksonville punted and Atlanta took over at their own 42. Ryan led the Falcons to a 4th and 1 at the Jaguars 10. Mike Smith decided to go for it, but a delay of game penalty instead resulted in a 33 yard Matt Bryant field goal and a 10-0 Falcons advantage. In the second quarter Atlanta would punt, and Jacksonville fumbled deep in their own territory. The Falcons recovered at the Jaguars 5 yard line, and one play was enough for Turner to take it in and put the Falcons up 17-0.

The game was not completely out of reach when Atlanta took over at their own 28 with 6 minutes left in the half. On 3rd and 6 Ryan hit White for 27 yards. Turner gained 16 and Ryan went back to White for 18 more. On 3rd and goal at the 6 Ryan hit White again for the touchdown just past the 2 minute warning to have the Falcons cruising 24-0. With one minute left in the half, Blaine Gabbert was sacked by John Abraham, who is not Jewish. The resulting fumble had the Falcons at the Jaguars 19. The defense held, but a 31 yard Bryant field goal had the Falcons up 27-0 at halftime. The NFL does not have a mercy rule, and the Falcons showed none.

The third quarter was deja vu all over again. Gabbert was sacked by Abraham, resulting in another fumble. Corey Peters picked it up and rumbled 13 yards for a touchdown to have the Falcons up 34-0. Atlanta got it back at their own 21. Turner ran for 9 and Jones gained 6 more. Ryan hit White for 13. On 3rd and 14 from the Atlanta 47, a completion would have meant 4th and 5. Yet unnecessary roughness instead meant 1st and 10 at the Jacksonville 29. Ryan went deep to White for another touchdown to make it 41-0 with a quarter and a half still to play. Mike Smith smartly gave Matt Ryan a baseball cap and clipboard at that point, as Ryan finished 19 of 26 for 224 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Chris Redman finished the game.

Jacksonville finally cracked the scoreboard late in the third quarter on special teams when Osgood blocked a punt and Potter returned it 46 yards for a touchdown. After completing a pass to the Atlanta defense, Gabbert would eventually throw a touchdown pass during garbage time to make the score something nowhere near respectable but slightly less horrid. Atlanta is 9-5 and on track for the playoffs despite their division being out of reach. 41-14 Falcons

Dallas Cowboys @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers was the Saturday night game. Dallas is coming off a tough loss and is tied for their division lead at 7-6. They are desperate, and facing a Buccaneers team that seems to have quit on Raheem Morris.

It was over from the start. Tampa Bay fumbled on their first series and Dallas tok over at their own 44. Tony Romo quickly hit Felix Jones for 14 and Dez Bryant for 16. Jones ran for 9 and 7. On 3rd and goal from the 8 Romo hit Miles Austin for the touchdown. Although it clearly looked like Austin did not have full control of the ball until he was back at the one, Raheem Morris did not challenge the ruling as the Cowboys led 7-0. Dallas got it back at their own 31. On 3rd and 10 Romo found Jason Witten for 28 and Robinson for 9. Morris ran for 15. On 3rd and goal at the 8 Romo hit Bryan for the score as the Cowboys led 14-0 after the opening quarter.

Midway through the second quarter Dallas took over at their own 11. A defensive penalty added 15 yards and Romo hit Robinson for 11. Jones broke free for a 38 yard gain and Romo hit Bennett for 11 more. On 3rd and 5 from the 9 Romo found Robinson for another touchdown to put Dallas up 21-0. With 3 minutes left in the half Dallas got it back at their own 38. Romo hit Jones for 7, Austin for 9, Bryant for 11, Witten for 22, and Austin for 9 more. On 3rd and 2 from the 5 with 40 seconds left in the half, Romo hit Ogletree for 3 and then snuck it in himself to have Dallas up 28-0 at halftime.

Tampa Bay desperately tried to rally in the second half. With Dallas facing 3rd and 19 at their own 11, Romo was sacked and fumbled. Watson picked it up and returned it 7 yards for a touchdown to get the Bucs within 28-7. Romo settled down and led a 12 play, 7 minute drive after a touchback. Yet on 3rd and 2 from the Tampa 12, Romo threw incomplete. Dan Bailey hit the 30 yard field goal to have the Cowboys up 31-7. Josh Freeman responded by putting together a 12 play, 6 minute, 75 yard drive for Tampa Bay. On 3rd and 7 from the Tampa 28 Freeman hit Briscoe for 17. On 3rd and 3 from the Dallas 48, Freeman hit Lumpkin for 13. On 3rd and 3 from the Dallas 28 Freeman found Lumpkin for 9. On 3rd and 4 from the 13 Freeman went to Briscoe for the touchdown. The 2 point conversion to Kellen Winslow succeeded and the Bucs were only down 31-15 after three quarters.

In the fourth quarter Dallas reached the Bucs 33, but a sack of Romo ended the drive. Freeman led the Bucs from their 20 to a 4th and 9 at the Tampa 44. Freeman hit Lumpkin for 14. Yet on 4th and 12 from the Dallas 44 with 6 minutes left, Freeman threw incomplete as the Bucs were out of miracles. The scoreless fourth quarter sent the Bucs to their 8th straight loss while Dallas got to 8-6 to temporarily regain the lead in the NFC East and stay alive in the playoff race. 31-15 Cowboys

Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills–Miami started 0-7 and then 4 of their next 5 before losing at home last week. That was enough to get Tony Sparano fired. Meanwhile Buffalo started 3-0 but has gone 2-8 since as Chan Gailey can’t seem to right the ship. This game has no playoff implications, as Dan Marino and Jim Kelly remained retired.

With the snow coming down, Miami would fumble and the Bills would fail to capitalize. Miami fumbled again, and Buffalo took over at the Miami 42. CJ Spiller did the rest, running for 18 and then the 24 yard touchdown to have the Bills up 7-0.  On the last play of the first quarter Miami took over at their own 48. Matt Moore hit Clay for a 30 yard gain. On the first play of the second quarter Moore hit Anthony Fasano for the 22 yard touchdown to make it 7-7.

Miami got it right back after a punt at their own 15. On 2nd and 15 Moore found Brad Hartline for 31 yards. Reggie Bush ran for 11 more. On 3rd and 2 from the Buffalo 40, Bush ran for 28 with a personal foul adding 6 more. On 2nd and goal from the 2, an incomplete pass was wiped out by defensive holding. Yet 1st and goal at the 1 led to a run that lost a yard and 2 more incomplete passes. On 4th and goal at the 2 it was field goal time as Dan Carpenter put the Dolphins up 10-7. Ryan Fitzpatrick was quickly intercepted, and the Dolphins took over at the Buffalo 24. Defensive pass interference quickly meant 1st and goal at the 9. Yet again the Bills held on defense and a 26 yard field goal made it 13-7 Miami.

The third quarter saw Miami take over at their own 20. On 3rd and 2 from the 28, Moore hit Marshall for 5. From the 35, Moore went deep to Marshall for a 65 yard touchdown bomb as the Dolphins led 20-7. The rest of the third quarter saw Fitzpatrick get intercepted twice and Miami fumble it once. Miami began the fourth quarter at their own 41. Reggie Bush ran for 14 and Thomas added 28 more. Yet on 3rd and 2 from the 9, Bush, who dated a Kardashian, came up short. On 4th and 1 from the 8, it was time for a field goal and a 23-7 Dolphins lead.

After a touchback Fitzpatrick hit Nelson for 8 and Spiller ran for 8 more. Fitzpatrick went to Nelson again for 6 and Stevie St Johnson for 21. On 3rd and 15 from the 19 Fitzptrick found Spiller one yard short. On 4th and 1 from the 3 FItzpatrick gained 2 and then hit Spiller for the 3 yard score. The 2 point conversion failed as the Bills trailed 23-13. Reggie Bush would quickly atone for his dating a Kardashian and his failed run earlier. He quickly broke free for a 76 yard touchdown run and would finish with 203 yards on the day. The Dolphins now led 30-13 with only 6 minutes remaining.

Buffalo would mount a furious rally. Yet by the time Fitzptrick hit Hagan with a 2 yard touchdown pass, only 2 1/2 minutes remained. Down 30-20, an onsides kick worked perfectly and Buffalo retained possession at their own 45. Fitzpatrick hit Martin for 28 yards. Yet on 2nd and 2 from the 6 with 1:34 to play, a false start and  a pair of incompletions meant a field goal. Buffalo was within 7. Yet the next onsides  kick was recovered Miami to end the comeback. 30-23 Dolphins

Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears–Seattle has clawed to a 6-7 record for Pete Carroll and faces a reeling 7-6 Bears team that has lost 3 straight since Jay Cutler went down. Lovie Smith also had to deal with the shocker that his wide receiver Hurd was arrested on federal drug charges. This was not a guy getting caught enjoying recreational pharmaceuticals. This was kingpin distribution territory and perhaps the biggest black eye for the NFL since the Rae Carruth tragedy. Chicago is fighting for its playoff life and Caleb Hanie will have to deliver.

After a couple punts the Bears faced 3rd and 6 from their own 7. Hanie hit Johnny Knox for 17 yards, but Knox fumbled and the Seahawks took over at the Chicago 22. Tarvaris Jackson hit Morrah for 21 down to the one. A pair of plays lost 6 yards and on 4th and goal at the 4 the choice was the 22 yard field goal. The kick was good but the Bears were flagged for a leverage penalty. Pete Carroll took the points off the board and Marshawn Lynch ran for the 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Seahawks.

The Bears would move to a 4th and 6 at the Seattle 38. Lovie Smith decided to punt and play field position. Seattle soon faced 3rd and 13 at their own 1. Jackson was sacked in the end zone by Julius Peppers, and the resulting fumble was recovered by Israel Idonije, who is not Jewish. The non-Hanukkah present was still a gift touchdown as the game was tied 7-7 after the opening quarter.

In the second quarter Hanie led the Bears from their own 26 to the Seattle 29. Yet he was then intercepted in the end zone to kill the drive. Midway through the second quarter the Bears got it back at their own 43. On 3rd and 4 Hanie got just enough. On 3rd and 4 from the Seattle 41 Hanie hit Sanzenbacher for 8. On 2nd and 12 from the 25, Hanie went for it all again and this time found Bell in the end zone to at the 2 minute warning to have the Bears up 14-7.

In the third quarter after a touchback, Seattle soon faced 3rd and 9. Jackson found Golden Tate for 33 yards and then went deep to Obomanu for a 43 yard gain. Marshawn Lynch ran it in from 3 yards out to tie the game 14-14. Only 2 plays later on 2nd and 7 from their 28, Hanie was intercepted by Bryant. Bryant returned it 20 yards for the score to put the Seahawks  up 21-14.

A field position game hd the Seahawks starting at their own 46 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter. On 3rd and 5 an incompletion was nullified by defensive pass interference at the Chicago 33. Jackson hit Butler for 15. The drive stalled but a 33 yard Steve Hauschka field goal had the Seahawks up 24-14 after three quarters.

The fourth quarter began with the Bear punting, and Leon Washington returned it 36 yards to the Chicago 29. Jackson found Tate for 11. On 3rd and 4 from the 12, Jackson hit Forsett for 9. Jackson found Robinson for the 2 yard score as Seattle led 31-14 early in the fourth.

Late in the game Hanie was intercepted by Browner, who returned it 42 yards for the final nail in the coffin. Last year Seattle was knocked out of the playoffs in Chicago. This year they outscored the Bears 31-0 in the second half. Seattle started 2-6 but has gone 5-1 since to get to 7-7. Chicago has lost 4 straight to drop to 7-7. Both of these teams will be fighting for their playoff lives as the screws just got tighter. 38-14 Seahawks

Carolina Panthers @ Houston Texans–Houston lost Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, and Mario Williams, and still won 7 straight to get to 10-3 and their first playoff birth and division championship. Now they have lost defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who is taking leave for health reasons. Gary Kubiak has the Texans in a 4 way tie for the top seed and home field advantage in the conference. Carolina has the dangerous Cam Newton.

A couple plays into the game Houston fumbled in their own territory and the Panthers recovered. On 2nd and 20 from the 26, Newton went deep to Steve Smith, who did what he does to quickly put the Panthers up 7-0. Late in the quarter Carolina took over at their own 39. On 3rd and 15 Newton hit Smith for 20. On 2nd and 10 from the Texans 47 Newton threw incomplete but roughing the passer tacked on 15 more yards as the quarter ended. On 3rd and 3 from the 25 Newton hit Greg Olsen for 17. Newton found Jeremy Shockey for a 9 yard touchdown to have the Panthers up 14-0.

With 6 minutes left in the half the Texans faced 3rd and 13 at the Carolina 43. TJ Yates was intercepted by Senn, giving Carolina the ball at the Houston 48. On 2nd and 12 Newton gained 11 and Stewart gained 5 more. It was Edwards who threw a pass to Smith for an 11 yard gain. At the 2 minute warning the Panthers faced 3rd and 2 at the 15. Stewart gained 4, and with one minute left in the half Brockel took it in to have the Panthers all over Houston 21-0 at halftime.

Last week the Panthers blew a 23-7 lead on the road to give up 28 unanswered points. Houston would chip away at their deficit as again Carolina saw an easy lead dwindle. After a Carolina punt in the third quarter, Jones returned it 42 yards to the Carolina 35. Arriun Foster ran for 5, 18, and another 5. With the running game working, on 2nd and 5 from the 7 Gary Kubiak called pass plays and a pair of incompletions meant a 26 yard Neil Rackers field goal. The Texans were finally on the board but down 21-3.

Carolina punted again and the Texans were backed up to their own 9. On 3rd and 6 Yates found Walter for 7 and Joel Dreesen for 11. Foster ran for 9. Yates hit Iwen Daneils for 17 and Foster for 25 more. Yet on 3rd and 8 from the 16 Yates threw incomplete and a 34 yard field goal had the Texans down 21-6.

Houston got it back at their own 32 and Yates scrambled for 15. Foster ran for 7 and 22. On 2nd and 16 from the Carolina 30, Yates found Walter for 19 as the third quarter ended. Foster then ran for 6, 4, and the final yard as the Texas were now down only 21-13 only one minute into the fourth quarter. After the touchback Newton scrambled for 13. on 3rd and 4 from their 41, Newton found Legadu Naanee for 9 to midfield. Newton then found Shockey for 26 and Deangelo Williams ran the final 24 as the Panthers were back with a comfortable 28-13 lead with 10 minutes left in regulation.

Quentin Demps returned the ensuing kickoff 50 yards to the Houston 44. Yates hit Jones for 24 and Foster for 22. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 9 Yates was intercepted to kill the drive. With 7 1/2 minutes left the Panthers were at their own 3. On 3rd and 8 Newton gained 8. Newton then hit Smith for 22. Stewart gained 12. On 3rd and 2 from the Houston 43, Newton gained 3. On 3rd and 4 from the Houston 34, Williams gained 6. Houston never got the ball back as they fell to 10-4 and saw their chances at the top seed take a serious hit. 28-13 Panthers

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts–Jim Caldwell wants to get his team one win, and the Colts face a desperate 7-6 Titans team under Mike Munchak who is fighting for playoff survival.

After several punts, the Colts took over at their own 15. On 3rd and 1 Carter ran for 10. On another 3rd and 1 from the Indy 43, Carter gained 4. Donald Brown then ran for 17. The drive stalled, but Adam Vinatieri hit from 47 yards out to put the Colts up 3-0. Bill Polian then cut Peyton Manning and made Dan Orlovsky the permanent starter. No, not really.

Midway through the second quarter a field position game had the Titans starting at their own 47. Matt Hasselbeck found Chris Johnson for 16, and that was just enough to allow Rob Bironas to try a 53 yard field goal. It was good to tie the game 3-3. With less than 3 minutes left in the half from the Colts 31, Orlovsky hit Garcon for 17 yards. Yet Garcon fumbled and the Titans took over at the Indy 48. On 3rd and 1 from the 28 Hasselbeck hit Hawkins for 22. Yet on 3rd and goal from the 3 Hasselbeck threw incomplete and another field goal had the Titans only up 6-3 at halftime.

After a Titans punt to start the third quarter, unsportsmanlike conduct on the Titans had the Colts starting at the Tennessee 43. On 3rd and 6 Orlovsky connected with Joseph Addai for 7 yards. Orlovsky hit Felton for 9. On 2nd and 6 from the 18, Orlovsky found Reggie Wayne for the touchdown as the Colts led 10-6. On the next series the Titans faced 3rd and 16 from their own 14. A completion came up short but illegal contact meant 1st and 10. Yet the Colts did not fold. On 1st and 10 from their 29, Hasselbeck was intercepted by Lacey. Lacey jumped the route and raced 32 yards for another touchdown as the Colts now led 17-6. Things got worse for the Titans when they fumbled on the ensuing kickoff and had to start at their own 1. Tennessee barely avoided a safety before punting.

After the touchback, Donald Brown quickly raced 39 yards, then ran for 2 more and another 9 as the third quarter ended. Brown kept getting the ball, losing 3 but gaining 6. On 3rd and 7 from the Titans 27 it was Addai who got the carry, gaining 5. On 4th and 2 from the 22 Jim Caldwell took no chances. Vinatieri hit from 40 as the Colts led 20-6 with 13 minutes left in regulation.  Hasselbeck quickly after a touchback fired to Nate Washington for 15 and to Cook for 27 more. Yet Cook was stripped of the ball and Chris Rucker recovered as the Colts got one step closer to the upset.

With 10 minutes left Hasselbeck moved the Titans from their 25 to the Indy 25. Hasselbeck then went to the end zone and was intercepted by Angerer for a touchback midway through the fourth quarter.

Tennessee got it back at their own 31 with 6 minutes left. Mike Munchak benched Hasselbeck and brought in Jake Locker to try and spark the Titans. On 3rd and 1 Locker hit Cook for 9 and ran for 9. On 2nd and 19 from the Indy 42, Chris Johnson broke free for a 35 yard gain. Locker hit Washington for the 7 yard touchdown as the Titans were only down 20-13 with 4 minutes left. Needing one stop, it did not come.  Donald Brown exploded for an 80 yard touchdown run to end things.

The 1976 Bucs and 2008 Lions popped their champagne corks as the 2011 Colts would not be joining them. For the first since 1997, the Colts won a game without Peyton Manning. The Colts won their first game of the season. There was no gatorade bath as Jim Caldwell remained as dignified and stoic in defeat as he had during the losses. As for the Titans, it was a crushing loss that dropped them to 7-7 and may kill their playoff hopes. 27-13 Colts

Green Bay Packers @ Kansas City Chiefs–Green Bay has all but locked up home field throughout the playoffs, and Mike McCarthy is going full throttle. Kansas City is a mess, having just fired Todd Haley and replaced him with Romeo Crennel. With Mike Holmgren in a front office position, Crennel joins Andy Reid as the only other Walrus on the sidelines.

The Tyler Palko era was over as Kyle Orton started. After a touchback, on 3rd and 8, Orton hit Copper for 10 and the Chiefs were on the move. Ortone led a staggerin 19 play drive that consumed 6 minutes and led to 1st and goal at the 1. Battle then got stopped, and Orton threw incomplete twice. On 4th and goal at the 1 Romeo Crennel opted for the field goal and Ryan Succop hit from 19 to put the Chiefs up 3-0. Aaron Rodgers would move Green Bay in position for a 59 yard field goal by Mason Crosby. He missed it, but a penalty on the Chiefs gave him a second chance from 54. He missed again.

The Chiefs took over at their own 44. Orton hit Steve Breaston for 12 and 8 and to McClain for 12. Yet on 3rd and 6 from the Packers 14, Orton threw incomplete and another field goal from 32 made it 6-0 Chiefs. In the second quarter the Chiefs would get it back at their own 15 and Orton led a 9 minute drive. On 3rd and 5 from the Chiefs 40 Orton hit Dwayne Bowe for 7. From midfield Orton hit Battle for 7, Bowe for 15, and Breaston for 13. On 3rd and 2 from the 4 Thomas Jones came up short. On 4th and 1 from the 3 Romeo Crennel decided to go for it. Battle got stopped by big man BJ Raji and the defense as the entire drive was for naught. Aaron Rodgers and the offense were totally out of sync with several dropped passes, but the Packers only trailed 6-0 at halftime.

After an exchange of punts, the packers took over in the third quarter with excellent field position at their own 46. On 3rd and 4 Aaron Rodgers went deep to Finley for a 41 yard gain. On 3rd and goal from the 2 Rodgers hit Donald Driver for the score as the Packers finally got on the board to lead 7-6. Kansas City was backed up to their own 11 but Orton found Pope for 39 yards to midfield and then to Baldwin for 17 more. The drive stalled but Succop hit from 46 as the Chiefs retook the lead 9-7.

The fourth quarter began with the Packers facing 3rd and 8 at the Chiefs 39. Rodgers threw incomplete and Mike McCarthy decided to go for it rather than try a 57 yard field goal. Rodgers threw incomplete again. Orton quickly hit Breaston for 16. McCalin ran for 9 and Orton went deep to Pope for 33 yards to set up 1st and goal at the 3. Yet a failed run and a false start meant 3rd and goal at the 10. Orton hit Dexter McCluster but that only meant 4th and goal at the 2. Again Romeo Crennel went with the field goal. The Chiefs led 12-7 with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation.

A sack of Rodgers meant another punt and the Chiefs took over at their own 34 with 9 minutes left. Breaston took an end around 25 yards and Orton hit Bowe for 13 more. McClain ran for 7 and Rodhers hit Becht for 16 down to the 5. From the 4, McClain got it down to the one. Replay clearly showed that McClain fumbled it out of the end zone for a touchback before he stepped out of bounds. Yet Mike McCarthy never challenged the call. On 3rd and goal from the 1, Battle took it in to have the Chiefs up 19-7 with 5 minutes left.

Champions don’t down without a fight. After a touchback, Rodgers hit Randall Cobb for 16. On 2nd and 20 from the 26, Rodgers hit Nelson for 22, John Kuhn for 11, and Finley for 31 more. on 3rd and 3 from the 8 Rodgers took it in himself. With just over 2 minutes to play the Packers were within 5. They had all of their timeouts and the 2 minute warning. One more stop meant a chance to save their perfect season.

The onsides kick failed, and the Chiefs took over at their own 44. Thomas Jones ran for 6 to the 2 minute warning. Jones ran for another 7 and a critical first down. Battle gained 4 as the Packers took their second timeout. On 2nd and 6 Battle ran for 15. It was all over. There would be no comeback and no perfect season as the 1972 Dolphins popped their champagne corks again. Green Bay can now just focus on being the best team of 2011. Romeo Crennel got the Gatorade bath as his first game as the head coach with Orton’s first game as the quarterback meant a win over the world champs. 19-14 Chiefs

New Orleans Saints @ Minnesota Vikings–The Saints at 10-3 are clicking on all cylinders and are tied for the #2 seed in the conference, although the Saints lose the tie-breaker. Sean Payton and Drew Brees look every bit as good as they did when they won it all a couple of years ago. Minnesota only has 2 wins all year for Leslie Frazier, and Adrian Peterson has decided to play rather than let his injured body heal in a lost season.

After a touchback, the Saints soon faced 2nd and 10 from their 30. Drew Brees hit Graham for 18 yards, but Graham coughed it up and Raymond recovered it for the Vikings. Raymond returned it 26 yards to the Saints 26. Minnesota would go 3 and out, but Ryan Longwell hit a 44 yarder to put the Vikings up 3-0.

Later in the quarter the Saints would take over at their own 16. Brees hit Robert Meachem for 13 and Marques Colston for 16. On 1st and 20 from midfield Brees hit Colston for 10 and Pierre Thomas for 25 more. Thomas then ran for 10 and Brees hit Moore for the 5 yard touchdown to have the Saints up 7-3. The second quarter began with the Saints fumbling again and the Vikings having excellent field position at the Saints 21. Yet 3 plays actually lost 10 yards. Longwell hit from 49 as the Vikings were down 7-6 with nothing earned.

After a touchback Brees went back to work. Ivory gained 7 and Brees hit Colston for  more. From the Saints 36, Brees found Darren Sproles, who raced 39 yards with unnecessary roughness tacking on 13 more. A pair of penalties on the Saints appeared to kill the drive. Yet on 1st and 25 from the 27, Brees went deep and defensive pass interference made it 1st and goal at the one. Brees hit Graham for the score as the Saints were up 14-6.

This time Minnesota came right back from their own 39. Peterson gained 8, 1, and on 3rd and 1 rumbled for a 39 yard gain. On 3rd and 7 from the 10 Christian Ponder hit Toby Gerhart for the touchdown to have the Vikings within 14-13  with 5 1/2 minutes left in the half. The Saints took over at their own 24 and on 3rd and 1 Collins gained 2. On 3rd and 1 from the Saints 44 Brees hit Graham for 5 and Moore for 22 more. On 3rd and 11 from the 30 Brees found Moore for just enough. On 3rd and 4 from the 13 Brees hit Sproles for the touchdown to have the Saints up 21-13 at halftime.

After a Minnesota punt, Sproles returned it 22 yards to the Minnesota 44. Brees hit Graham for 18, Sproles ran for 6, and Brees hit Sproles for 18 more down to the 2. Brees hit Gilmore for the touchdown to make it 28-13 Saints. The Saints got it back at their own 47. On 3rd and 4 Brees found Moore, who raced 47 yards for another touchdown to make it 35-13. The Saints got it back again at their own 13. This time it was not a quick strike but a blistering 19 play, 87 yard drive that consumed over 10 1/2 minutes. Pierre Thomas would crash over from one yard out with 13 minutes left in regulation to make it a 42-13 Saints Carpetbombing.

The Saints would get it back again and miss a field goal, the only thing that went wrong on the day. Christian Ponder would throw a touchdown pass to Gerhart to round out the scoring as Brees put on a baseball cap and held a clipboard for most of the fourth quarter. In barely more than three quarters of work he was a ridiculous 32 of 40 for 412 yards out with 5 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Even in the Brees era this was lights out as the Saints got to 11-3 to keep their chances of a 1st round bye very much alive. Minnesota has an outside chance at the top pick inthe draft. 42-20 Saints

Washington Redskins @ New York Giants–Mike Shanahan saw a promising season go down the drain while Tom Coughlin saw the Giants right the ship with a major road win after 4 straight losses. Big Blue is 7-6 and tied for the division lead.

Rex Grossman was intercepted early but the Giants went 3 and out. Washington got it back at their own 30 and Grossman quickly hit Jabar Gaffney for 15. Armstrong gained 14 more. On 3rd and 12 from the Giants 39 Grossman hit Dante Stallworth for 19. The drive stalled and Graham Gano hit a 36 yard field goal to have the Redskins up 3-0. Grossman would get intercepted again and again the Giants would fail to capitalize.

With 5 1/2 minutes left in the opening quarter Washington took over at their own 18. A defensive facemask moved the ball to the Washington 40. On 3rd and 17 from the Washington 43, Grossman found Stallworth for 16. On 4th and 1 Mike Shanahan decided to go for it and Grossman found Gaffney for 7 yards. The second quarter began with the Redskins facing 3rd and 1 at the Giants 25. Young gained 3. On 3rd and 8 from the 20, Grossman went deep to Santana Moss for the touchdown to have the Redskins up 10-0.

Eli Manning was intercepted, and the Redskins took over at the Giants 41. Helu ran for 8 and Young gained 3. On 3rd and 1 from the 21 Helu gained 3. On 3rd and 14 from the 22, Grossman found Gaffney for 16. Young ran it in from 6 yards out to have the Redskins up 17-0 in front of a shellshocked home crowd.

With one minute left in the half the Redskins were looking for more and they soon faced a 4th and 1 at the Giants 32. Mike Shanahan decided to go for it and Grossman threw incomplete. Manning quickly hit Ballard for 15, Mario Manningham for 13, and Ahmad Bradshaw for 22. Lawrence Tynes hit a 40 yard field goal as the half ended with the Giants down 17-3.

The Giants got the ball to start the second half but Eli Manning was quickly intercepted. Hall returned it 26 yards to the Giants 34. On 3rd and 1 Helu got stopped and on 4th and 1 Shahanan decided on the field goal. Gano was good and the Redskins led 20-3. Manning led the Giants from their own 20 to 3rd and 6 at the Washington 18. Yet Manning was then sacked and Tynes missed a 44 yard field goal. Grossman led the Redskins from their 34 to a 3rd and 10 at the Giants 14. A pass to Helu meant 4th and 3 at the 7. On the first play of the fourth quarter Gano hit from 25 to have the Giants up 23-3.

From the Giants 23, Manning hit Cruz for 4, Barden for 6, Manningham for 34, and Nicks for 20. Yet from the Washington 13, Manning went to the end zone and was intercepted. The Giants got it back with 11 minutes left at their own 25 and Manning quickly led them to a 3rd and goal at the 4.  Manning hit Ware for the touchdown but on further review it was ruled Ware was down at the 2. On 4th and goal Manning threw for the touchdown again but offensive holding instead meant 4th and goal at the 12. Manning was sacked for a 13 yard loss to kill that drive.

The Giants would finally reach the end zone with a garbage time touchdown with 37 seconds remaining, but the stunning upset was complete. One week after an inspired road win over Dallas, the Giants looked uncharacteristically flat in the Tom Coughlin era. The loss dropped Big Blue to 7-7 and one game behind Dallas in the division. Yet if they win next week, they have a rematch with Dallas at home in the finale and can still win the division. 23-10 Redskins

Cincinnati Bengals @ St. Louis Rams–The Rams are a total mess and Steve Spagnuolo is on the hot seat. Marvin Lewis saw the Bengals get to 6-2 by beating up weaker teams and then go 1-4 as reality set in. Yet at 7-6 Cincy is still in the hunt and desperate. A loss here would probably finish them off.

The Rams punted and the Bengals soon faced 3r and 7 from their 23. Andy Dalton threw incomplete but roughing the passer kept the drive going. From the Cincy 43, Dalton went deep to AJ Green for a 55 yard gain to make it 1st and goal at the 2. Yet Cedric Benson lost a yard and Dalton threw incomplete twice as the Bengals settled for a 21 yard Mike Nugent field goal to lead 3-0.

The Bengals began the second quarter at the Rams 19 looking to add more. Yet a penalty led to 2nd and 21. Dalton was then intercepted by Gordy, who returned it 30 yards to the Bengals 48. It led to nothing. Midway through the second quarter a key play would be a Bengals punt that would be shanked for only 21 yards. The Rams took over at the Cincy 39. On 3rd and 1 a run lost 3 yards, but a defensive facemask instead meant 1st and 10 at the 15. On 3rd and 4 from the 9 a short pass gained only one yard as a 26 yard Josh Brown field goal made it 3-3 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the half.

Cincinnati then moved from their own 26 to a 3rd and 1 at the Rams 42 at the 2 minute warning. Cedric Benson got stopped, and on 4th and 1 Marvin Lewis decided to go for it. Benson got stopped again and the Rams had 1:17 to work with.  Kelly Clemens hit Stephen Jackson for 11 and Brandon Lloyd for 12. On 4th and 1 from the Cincy 25 with 30 seconds left in the half, Steve Spagnuolo took no chances. Josh Brown hit the 43 yarder and the Rams led 6-3 at halftime.

The Bengals began the third quarter at their own 26. On 3rd and 5 Dalton hit Whalen for 7. Cedric Benson gained 12. On 3rd and 3 from the Rams 42, Dalton hit Simpson for 10 and Gresham for 9. Yet on 2nd and 1 from the 23, Dalton threw incomplete and Benson got stopped cold. On 4th and 1 Marvin Lewis opted for the field goal and the game was tied 6-6.

Late in the third quarter the Rams punted and Tate returned it 56 yards to the Rams 24. Unnecessary roughness moved the ball to the 12. Scott ran up the middle for 11. As the third quarter was ending, Scott got the final yard to have the Bengals in the end zone to lead 13-6. The Ram punted and the Bengals got it back at their own 20 with 12 minutes left in the game. Dalton hit Green for 14 and Benson gained 11 more. Benson would fumble but the Bengal retained possession at the Rams 47. A pair of unnecessary roughness penalties on the defense made it easy as Benson took it in from 4 yards out to put the Bengals up 20-6 with 9 minutes left.

Clemens would lead the Rams in desperation time to a 4th and 6 at the Cincy 23 with 2 1/2 minutes left. Yet he was then called for intentional grounding to kill the drive. Clemens would throw a 25 yard touchdown pass to Alexander with just over one minute left, but the onsides kick failed. Even with Sam Bradford the Rams are awful. Without him they have no chance. The Rams still have an outside shot at the top pick next year in the draft, while the Bengals at 8-6 continue to beat bad teams to keep their playoff hopes very much alive. 20-13 Bengals

Detroit Lions @ Oakland Raiders–For more on the game of the day, go to http://www.justblogbaby.com

Both of these teams are in the playoff hunt and fighting for survival. Detroit started 5-0 but has gone 3-5 since. Jim Schwartz gets Ndamokung Suh back from suspension. The Raiders have dropped 2 straight on the road to fall to 7-6, one game out of the division lead. They need a win at home and still do not have their top offensive playmakers. Hue Jackson knows a loss here could finish off what was a promising season for the Raiders. These are the 2 most penalized teams in the league as usual, so discipline will be key. Richard Seymour and Rolando McClain will be key in this area.

The Lions took overt at their own 20 and Matthew Stafford led them to a 3rd and 2 at their own 47. Yet Stafford then threw incomplete and the Lions punted. The Raiders took over at their own 36. They were still without Darren McFadden and Jacoby Ford, but at least Denarius Moor returned after missing 3 games. Carson Palmer hit Darrius Heyward-Bey for 5 and Moore took an end around 13 yards. Palmer found Michael Bush for 18. On 3rd and 6 Palmer found Schilens for 5. On 4th and 1 from the 24 Hue Jackson decided to go for it. Faking the run up the middle, Palmer had a wide open Denarius Moore for an easy touchdown. Yet Palmer overthrew Moore incomplete and the game remained scoreless.

Detroit punted again and the Raiders took over at their own 24. Marcel Reese appeared to run for a 56 yard gain but Detroit challenged the play and on review Reece stepped out of bounds at midfield after a 26 yard gain. At this point Detroit came unglued. 3 straight defensive penalties, 2 for horse collar and one for illegal contact, put the ball on the 12. Louis Murphy took an end around for the score to have the Raiders up 7-0.

After a touchback Detroit soon faced 3rd and 4. Stafford threw incomplete but defensive holding on Stanford Routt kept the drive going. On 3rd and 11 from the 30, Stafford hit Young for 13 and Nate Burleson for 6. Stafford then went deep to Calvin Johnson for a 51 yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7.

The Raiders took over at their own 12. On 3rd and 1 Bush gained 4. Yet on 2nd and 1 from the 25 Palmer threw incomplet, and on 3rd and 1 Bush lost 3 as the Raiders punted. In the second quarter the Lions punted and the Raiders soon faced 2nd and 12 at their own 4. Palmer made it look easy, going deep to Heyward-Bey for a 35 yard gain and then to Moore for 13 more. Palmer then found Heyward-Bey in traffic, and he broke free for a 43 yard touchdown to put the Raiders back up 14-7.

After an exchange of punts the Lions took over at their own 32 with 3:40 left in the half. Stafford found Johnson for 17. At the 2 minute warning the Lions faced 3rd and 4 at the Raiders 45. Stafford hit Johnson for 6 and then went deep to Nate Burleson for the 39 yard touchdown to tie the game 14-14 with 1:14 left in the half.

From the Oakland 21, Palmer hit Bush for 13, TJ Houshmanzadeh for 6, Bush again for 10, and Houshmanzadeh again for 16. Bush gained 6 more and Sebastian Janikowski came in for a 46 yard field goal on the last play of the half. Seabass was good and the Raiders led 17-14 at the break.

The Raiders had to begin the second half at their own 5 yard line. Palmer calmly went to eyward-Bey for 11 and 12. Bush ran for 7 and Palmer found Heyward-Bey for 11 more. On 3rd and 3 from the Detroit 37, Palmer found Chaz Schillens for 15. Yet rather than be in field goal range, offensive pass interference on Schillens instead killed the drive. The Lions took over at their own 12 and on 3rd and 4 Stafford hit Young for 5. Yet on 3rd and 5 from the Oakland 48, Stafford threw incomplete and the Lions punted.

The Raiders were trapped back at their own 8 yard line and would punt. The Lions took over at their own 40. On 1st and 20 from the 30, Stafford hit Johnson for 17 and Smith for 5. On 3rd and 1 from the Oakland 39, Smith got stopped cold. On 4th and 1 Jim Schwartz decided to go for it. This time Williams got the carry and he also got stopped cold by a Silver and Black brick wall. From the 39, Palmer hit Kevin Boss for 13. On 2nd and 6 from the Lions 44, Palmer found Heyward Bey for a 29 yard gain down to the 15. Yet Heyward-Bey would fumble it as the Lions recovered at their own 8 to kill another promising drive.

After the scoreless third quarter, the Lions would punt as the Raiders took over at their own 34 with 12 minutes left in regulation. Bush gained 5 and Palmer hit Heyward-Bey for 9. After an offsides, Bush ran for 2, 5, and 2. On 3rd and 8 from the Lions 38, Palmer hit Houshmanzadeh for only 5. On 4th and 33 from the 33, Seabass came in for  51 yarder. He leveled it as the Raiders led 20-14 with 8 1/2 minutes left.

The Lions took over at their own 14. On 3rd and 10 Stafford was sacked by Tommy Kelly and fumbled. Aaron Curry recovered it and ran 5 yards for the touchdown. With 8 minutes remaining, Hue Jackson curiously decided not to go for the 2 point conversion. The extra point had the Raiders up 27-14. Curry was called for unsportsmanlike conduct after the score for doing the Ken Norton Jr/Vai Sikehema move of punching the goal posts. That is no longer allowed in the No Fun League. The Lions would take over at their own 29, and the key would be if the Raiders could finally finish a game. All year this has been a problem.

Stafford threw incomplete but defensive pass interference on Stanford Routt meant 1st and 10 at the Detroit 43. On 3rd and 10 the Raiders needed a stop. Stafford hit Brandon Pettigrew for 17 and Calvin Johnson for 24. On 3rd and 10 from the 16, Stafford found Pettigrew for 8. Only 5 1/2 minutes remained, and on 4th and 2 one stop on defense could end it. Stafford ran, broke through a tackle short of the line of scrimmage, and gained 5. Stafford hit Young for the 3 yard touchdown. 5 minutes remained and the Lions were within 27-21. The Raiders do not finish games.

The Raiders took over at their own 15. The key was to run out the clock and not give Stafford one more chance. Bush ran for 12, a critical 1st down. Bush gained 3 more as the Lions took their second timeout. Bush broke free for a 15 yard gain and another critical 1st down as the Lions took their final timeout with 4 minutes left. One more 1st down would end it. Bush ran for 5 and then 2. The clock ticked down to 2 1/2 minutes with the Raiders facing 3rd and 3 at the Lions 48. 3 more yards would end the game. A run would take it down to the 2 minute warning. Hue Jackson is a riverboat gambler, and he decided to go for it all with a pass play.

Palmer had Schillens open and it bounced off his hands. For the second time in the game, a bold gamble had backfired. The Lions were going to have one more chance, but Shane Lechler buried Detroit at their own 2 yard line. The Lions had not led at any point in this game, and to win they would have to go 98 yards in 2:14 with no timeouts. Had the Raiders run instead of pass he would not have the 2 minute warning. Now it was up to the defense. The Raiders had every chance to finish the game.

After an incompletion, Stafford hit Pettigrew for 8 as the 2 minute warning saw the Lions with 3rd and 2 at their own 10. Stafford found Burleson for 8 and then went to Johnson for a 21 yard gain. It looked like he may have only gotten one foot down but it was ruled a catch. From the Detroit 39, Stafford went deep to Johnson, who got past double coverage, and caught an underthrown ball for a 48 yard gain. With one minute to play the Lions were at the Oakland 13 as the Raiders were in full meltdown mode. Offensive holding moved the Lions back to 1st and 20 at the 23.

Yet this time Stafford went deep to Johnson again, and Routt was called for defensive pass interference at the 6. Despite the entire world knowing who Stafford was going to throw to, on 2nd and goal he went to Johnson. The decision earlier not to go for 2 loomed large as the extra point now had the Lions up by one point. Unlike the miracle finish earlier this year in Houston, at home the Raiders were unable to make a stop. They had every chance to put the game away. Now they needed a miracle on offense.

The Raiders took over at their own 16 with 35 seconds left and 2 timeouts. Palmer hit Boss for 13 and called their second timeout. Palmer then found Boss again for 29 yards as the Raiders were at midfield with 21 seconds left. Yet on the next play Palmer was sacked for a 3 yard loss and the Raiders had to burn their final timeout with 13 seconds left. A quick incompletion left 8 seconds left. On 3rd and 13 Palmer hit Houshmanzadeh for a 6 yard gain at the sideline. Houshmanzadeh got out of bounds with 4 seconds left.

On 4th and 7 from the Detroit 47, Seabass came in for a 65 yard field goal attempt. Earlier this year Seabass hit from 63 to tie the NFL record. While nobody could blame him if he missed, a successful kick would put him in the history books all by himself and be one of the great Raider wins of all time. With Al Davis looking up above, his 1st round Polish Cannon swung his foot. Ndomakung Suh blocked it.

Instead of a pair of 8-6 teams, the Lions got to 9-5 and are now all but in the playoffs as everyone around them lost. As for the 7-7 Raiders, this may not have been the worst loss in franchise history, but it was one of the most heart-breaking. Everyone around the Raiders lost, and a win would have put them solidly in the playoff picture. The gut-wrenching loss keeps the Raiders one game back in the division. They no longer control their own destiny. After winning 3 straight they have lost 3 straight. A desperate situation in a game they had every chance to win now has their entire season on the brink. Carson Palmer was a fantastic 32 of 40 for 367 yards and a touchdown. Yet the 2 critical incompletions loomed large. Stafford was 29 of 52 for 391 yards and 4 touchdowns. Neither quarterback was intercepted, and in the end one point separated the playoffs from misery. 28-27 Lions

Cleveland Browns @ Arizona Cardinals–Arizona has fought back to 6-7 with a pair of hard fought wins over superior teams. Their third straight home game comes at a good time since Cleveland is a disaster. Walrus Mike Holmgren has come under fire since nobody seems to know who let Colt McCoy go back on the field after sustaining a concussion. He got belted by James Harrison and both players would be out this week as Harrison was suspended one game and McCoy was just knocked silly. Walrus protege Seneca Wallace got the start. Kevin Kolb was also concussed, forcing Ken Whisenhunt to start John “Red” Skelton again.

From the Cleveland 24, Peyton Hillis gained 18 and Wallace hit Little for 12 more. Hillis gained another 12 and Wallace went to Massaquoi for 29 yards down to the 4. Hillis took it in from one yard out to have the Browns quickly up 7-0. The Browns began the second quarter facing 3rd and 4 at their own 48. Wallace gained 7. On 3rd and 1 from the Arizona 36, Hillis gained 2. Phil Dawson would hit a 44 yard field goal to put the Browns up 10-0.

With 1:49 left in the half the Cardinals got it back at their own 35. On 3rd and 3 Skelton hit Todd Heap for 18 and 7 and then Taylor for 10 and 11. Skelton would hit Roberts for the 9 yard touchdown with seconds left in the half to get the Cardinals within 10-7. A quiet third quarter saw only one notable play, but it was a big one. With 3 minutes left in the period Seneca Wallace went deep to Little for a 76 yard touchdown as the Browns led 17-7, making Mike Holmgren a most unhappy Walrus. Skelton would be intercepted late in the third quarter.

Arizona took over 90 seconds into the fourth quarter at their own 13. Skelton hit Doucet for 11. A sack meant 2nd and 19, but Skelton found Larry Fitzgerald for 23. On 3rd and 3 from the Arizona 45, Skelton hit Roberts for 21 and Early Doucet for 20. Beanie Wells took it in from one yard out to complete the 11 play, 5 minute, 87 yard drive and have the Cardinals within 17-14. Cleveland quickly fumbled on their next drive, and the Cardinals faced 1st and goal at the 5. They lost 10 yards and kicked a 3 yard field goal to tie the game 17-17 with 6 minutes left.

The game went into overtime and the Browns got the ball first. They would punt, and once again Patrick Peterson was the difference.  The second coming of Devon Hester returned it 32 yards to the Cleveland 40. On 3rd and 6 Skelton went to Larry Fitzgerald for a 32 yard gain. On 1st and goal at the 4 Ken Whisenhunt took no chances. Jay Feely came in right away for the 22 yarder. It was good, and the Cardinals after starting 1-6 have gone 6-1 since to get to 7-7 and actually stay alive in the playoff hunt. Mike Holmgren once again was a most unhappy Walrus as the Cardiac Cards did it again. 20-17 Cardinals, OT

New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos–Two of the most charmed individuals on Earth play against each other for the first time as Tom Brady and Tim Tebow face off. Denver has won 6 straight to get to 8-5 and hold a one game division lead while New England at 10-3 is in the 4 way tie for top conference record. Evil Hoodie Bill Bellichick defeated John Fox in the Super Bowl 8 years ago on the final play, and Bellichick will have surprises for Tebow. The question is if Tebow will win that chess match.

On 3rd and 4 from the 26 at the start, Tebow ran for 7. Willis McGahee ran for 15. Tebow hit Lance Ball for 7 and Johnson then ran for 25 down to the 13. Tebow scrambled got the 9 yard score. A bad snap on the extra point kept it at 6-0 Broncos. New England quickly faced 3rd and 9 from their 21. Brady found Hernandez, who broke several tackles for a 46 yard gain. Brady then went deep to Chad Johnson for the 33 yard touchdown as the Patriots led 7-6. From the Denver 18, McGahee ran for 29, Tebow hit Thomas for 22, and Ball raced for a 32 yard score to have the Broncos up 13-7.

After a punt, Denver took over at their own 29. Tebow hit Eric Decker for 22 yards. Ball ran for 12. On 3rd and 9 from the Patriots 36, Tebow ran for 19. The second quarter began with 3rd and 6 from the 13. Tebow gained 5, and on 4tha nd 1 from the 8 John Fox went for the field goal. Matt Prater connected from 26 to have the Broncos up 16-7.

After a touchback Brady went to Hernandez for 8 and Welker for 5. Danny Woodhead ran for 8 and Hernandez ran for 16. Brady hit Woodhead for 12 and Woodhead ran for 4 and 6. From the 20, Brady Hit Welker for 19. Brady hit Hernandez for the one yard score to have the Patriots within 16-14.  Denver fumbled on the first play from scrimmage as the Patriots took over at the Denver 19. On 3rd and goal from the 3, Brady threw incomplete as the Patriots settled for a 21 yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal and a 17-16 lead.

With 6 minutes left in the half the Broncos were in full self-destruction mode. They quickly moved from their 20 to their 46 but then Tebow fumbled. The Patriots took over at the Denver 40. On 3rd and 1 Green-Ellis got stopped, and on 4th and 1 Bill Bellichick decided to go for it. Brady went to Hernandez for a 25 yard gain. Brady took it in himself from one yard out to lead 24-16 with just over one minute left in the half. An exchange of punts had the Patriots kicking away with 14 seconds left in the half. Denver fumbled it again and the Patriots recovered at the Denver 16 with 3 seconds to go. Gostkowski hit from 34 as the 20 point barrage had New England up 27-16 at halftime.

The defenses settled in for much of the third quarter and the Patriots took over at their own 15 with 4 minutes left in the half. Brady found Green-Ellis for 21. Green-Ellis then ran for 7, 2, and 5. From midfield Brady hit Welker for 13 and Hernandez for 8 with a facemask adding 15 more. Woodhead would run it in from 10 yards out to put the Patriots up 34-16.

With 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation Denver took over at their own 11. Tebow hit Thomas for 8 and 14. Tebow was sacked to set up 3rd and 18 at the Denver 25. Tebow went deep to Thomas for 39 and found Ball for 34 more down to the 2. Tebow took it in himself and with 9 minutes left the Broncos were within 34-23. With 6 straight comeback wins, Tebow was trying to get a 7th.

Yet Tom Brady had other ideas. After a touchback, Brady found Rob Gronkowski for a 38 yard gain and Hernandez for 16 more to the Denver 19. On 2nd and 14 Brady hit Hernandez for 22. On 3rd and goal at the 1, Green-Ellis took it in to turn out the lights. The final indignity came on 4th and 17 from the New England 37. Tebow was chased until he was finally sacked for a 28 yard loss.

Denver dropped to 8-6 but maintained a one game lead in the division. They need one more win to clinch it. New England got to 11-3 to maintain the inside track on home field advantage. For those witnessing Tebow miracles, the bottom line is that today he simply ran into one of the greatest leaders of all time on a team on pace to reach another Super Bowl. The loss does not diminish Tebow, but it clearly shows that Tom Brady is still the master. 41-23 Patriots

New York Jets @ Philadelphia Eagles–The Jest have won 3 straight and at 8-5 are in the playoffs if they ended before this game. They don’t, but the Eagles are a disaster. Walrus Lite Andy Reid will have Michael Vick but the season is over. Rex Ryan has seen his defense get carved up this year, and Vick will provide another test.

Vick moved the Eagles from their 17 to a 3rd and 6 at the Jets 40 before an incompletion ended the drive. The Jets began at their own 7 and Mark Sanchez led them  to a 2nd and 14 at the Jets 36. Sanchez hit Santonio Holmes for 7 more, but Holmes fumbled. Parker picked it up and raced 47 yards for a touchdown to have the Eagles up 7-0.

The Jets would receive a break of their own when they punted and the Eagles fumbled it. The Jets took over at the Eagles 14, but Sanchez was then intercepted by Asanti Samuel. Samuel returned it 19 yards to the 23. Vick hit Jeremy Maclin for 16. Lewis ran for 7 and McCoy gained 11 and 6. Vick scrambled for 10 and then hit Captain Morgan Brent Celek for a 26 yard touchdown and a 14-0 Eagles lead.

The Jets punted again and the Eagles began the second quarter with a critical 3rd and 1 at the Jets 48. McCoy gained 3 and a defensive personal foul added 15 more. On 3rd and 7 from the Jets 27, Vick hit Desean Jackson for 16. Vick then scrambled for the 11 yard touchdown to have the Eagles up 21-0. The Jets took over at their own 9 and on 3rd and 2 Sanchez was hit and fumbled. The Eagles recovered at the Jets 17. McCoy ran it in from 9 yards out as the Eagles led 28-0 only 20 minutes into the game.

The Jets took over at their own 21 and finally got going. Shon Greene ran for 6 and Sanchez hit Dustin Keller for 12 and then again for a 41 yard gain down to the 20. The drive stalled and down by 28, Rex Ryan went for the field goal just to have something on the board. Nick Folk hit from 39 as the Jets trailed 28-3 with 6 1/2 minutes left in the half. The Eagles fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Jets took over at the Philly 24. On 2nd and 21 from the 25, Sanchez went to Holmes for the touchdown as the Jets were within 28-10. On the next series Philly fumbled again and the Jets took over at the Philly 27. On 3rd and 3 Sanchez hit Kerly for 6. Yet the defense held and a 28 yard field goal had the Jets within 28-13. There was plenty of time for a comeback for the ages.

Yet it would not be coming. After a punt in the third quarter, the Eagles took over at their own 11. Vick hit Harbor for 16 and then found Captain Morgan Brent Celek for a 73 yard gain down to the one. McCoy took it in to have the Eagles up 35-13. The Eagles got it back at their own 47. Vick hit Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper for a pair of 18 yard gains. The drive stalled but a 28 yard Henery field goal made it 38-13. A bad punt had the Eagles beginning the fourth quarter at the Jets 39. McCoy ran for 6 and then broke free for a 33 yard touchdown as the Eagles were carpetbombing the Jets 45-13.

The Jets would eventually reach the end zone again but Rex Ryan saw is team get blasted to fall to 8-6. By sheer luck, virtually all of their playoff competitors also lost, keeping the Jets in the hunt by default. As for Andy Reid, the Eagles for the second week in a row played like the team everybody expected them to be before the season got away from them. 45-19 Eagles

Baltimore Ravens @ San Diego Chargers is the Sunday night game. Norvelous Norv Turner has seen the Chargers win 2 straight to get to 6-7, leading everyone to talk about running the table and sneaking into the playoffs. John Harbaugh has one of the 4 teams in the AFC at 10-3, and the Ravens are still fighting to win their division and the conference. Ray Lewis returns, and Philip Rivers will throw early and often at the vaunted Baltimore defense.

After a touchback Ray Rice ran for 22 and the Ravens were on the move. On 3rd and 12 Joe Flacco hit Anquon Boldin for 33 yards. On 4th and 1 from the 18 John Harbaugh decided not to go for it. Billy Cundiff missed the 36 yard field goal. From the 26, Philip Rivers hit Mathews for 13. On 3rd and 8 from the 41 Rivers hit McMichael for 9 to midfield. Vincent Jackson gained 9 and Mathews picked up 6. Rivers hit Jackson for 15 and Malcolm Floyd for 12. On 3rd and goal at the 2 Mike Tolbert took it in to make it 7-0 Chargers.

From the Baltimore 25, Rice gained 7 and 3. Flacco hit Pitta for 11. Rice gained 6 and Williams added 7. On 3rd and 10 from the Chargers 41, Flacco scrambled for 12 as the first quarter ended. RIce gained 12 more. On 3rd and 8 from the 15 Flacco hit Dickson for the touchdown to make it 7-7.

After a touchback Rivers hit Antonio Gates for 11. On 2nd and 9 from the 35, Rivers was sacked. Yet unnecessary roughness on Terrell Suggs instead moved the ball to midfield. Rivers hit Gates for 20 and Nick Novak hit a 45 yarder to put the Chargers up 10-7. San Diego got it back after a touchback with 3 minutes left in the half. On 3rd and 8 Rivers went deep to Jackson for a 58 yard gain at the 2 minute warning. Rivers then found Floyd for 19 down to the one. Mathews took it in as the Chargers led 17-7 at halftime.

San Diego began the third quarter and again faced 3rd and 8 at their own 22. Rivers hit Floyd for 16 and Brown for 13. Mathews ran for 18 and Rivers went to Floyd for a 28 yard touchdown to have the Chargers up 24-7. From their 20, Flacco hit Smith for 10 and Dickson for 12. On 3rd and 14 from their 38, Flacco was sacked. Yet a facemask instead meant 1st and 10 at their 46. Flacco hit Rice for 9 and Williams ran for 8. From the Chargers 37, Flacco was intercepted by Taeko Spikes to kill the drive. From the Baltimore 4, Rivers hit Jackson for 11 and Floyd for 21. Mathews took it in from 3 yards out as the Chargers now led a blowout 31-7.

Flacco would get intercepted again, but Novak doinked a 37 yarder off the upright no good. In the fourth quarter San Diego took over at their own 1 yard line and Rivers led a 14 play, 89 yard drive that consumed over 9 minutes. Novak hit a 28 yard field goal to make it 34-7. The Ravens would get a garbage time touchdown to complete the scoring.

The Ravens are 10-4 but the loss put them behind Pittsburgh in he division pending the Monday night game. The Ravens are one game out of the best conference record with the New England win. As for San Diego, Norvelous Norv Turner refuses to die. The 4-7 Chargers have won 3 straight and are now 7-7. They were 3 games back of Oakland and have now tied them, one game back of Denver. San Diego could even win the division. 34-14 Chargers

Pittsburgh Steelers @ San Francisco 49ers is the Monday night game. Ben Roethlisberger is injured and may play anyway. Both of these teams are 10-3. Pittsburgh is tied for the division and conference lead, but could end up playing road games in January if they lose this game. San Francisco long ago locked up the NFC Worst, and is on track for a 1st round bye. Yet a loss could force the 49ers to play a wildcard game. Both Mike Tomlin and Jim Harbaugh are about defense, which could make for a hard hitting game.

Pittsburgh was without James Harrison, who was serving a one game suspension for helmet to helmet hits. The game was expected to be lights out even without Harrison, but apparently that applied to Candlestick Park itself. A power failure delayed the start of the game, and again in the second quarter the power went out to cause another delay.

As for the offense, there was virtually none. Roethlisberger did drive the Steelers from their 30 to the Frisco 19, but Big Ben was then intercepted in the end zone. Alex Smith responded by moving the 49ers from their 27 to a 1st and goal at the 2. Yet a run lost 2 yards and a pair of incompletions meant a 22 yard David Akers to put the 49ers up 3-0. Big Ben was intercepted again, and the 49ers were at the Steelers 36 to start the second quarter. David Akers would connect from 38 to make it 6-0 49ers. The last play of the half had the Steelers with 3rd and 5 at the Frisco 38. Mike Tomlin passed up a 55 yard field goal try, but rather than go for the Hail Mary, Roethlisberger threw a medium range pass. It was caught for 24 yards at the 14, but the clock ran out.

In the third quarter Roethlisberger moved the Steelers from their own 10 to a 3rd and 2 at the Frisco 33. Roethlisberger hit Brown, but it was ruled incomplete. Tomlin unsuccessfully challenged the call. On 4th and 2, Shawn Suisham was brought in for a 51 yard field goal. It was good, and the Steelers were within 6-3. From the Frisco 21, Alex Smith went deep to Vernon Davis for a 31 yard gain. Smith then hit Hunter for 27 and back to Davis for 21 down to the one. Smith hit Davis for the game’s first touchdown as the 49ers led 13-3 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter. Roethlisberger moved the Steelers from their 20 to the Frisco 30. Yet from 48, Suisham was no good as the 13-3 score remained after three quarters.

Early in the fourth quarter the Steelers faced 3rd and 10 at their own 8. Roethlisberger hit Jerricho Cotcherry for 20. Yet Big Ben was then sacked and fumbled. The 49ers took over at the Steelers 18 with a chance to close out the game. The defense held and on 4th and 3 Akers connected on a 28 yard field goal to make it 16-3. However, the defense was called for unsportsmanlike conduct for using leverage on the kick. Jim Harbaugh took the points off the board as it became 1st and goal at the 5. On 2nd and goal Frank Gore ran it in to have the 49ers up 20-3 with 9 minutes left in regulation.

The 49ers got to 11-3 to maintain tied for the second best record in the conference. The 49ers hold the tie-breaker edge for the 1st round bye. Pittsburgh dropped to 10-4. They are now one game back of New England for the best conference record. They are also tied with Baltimore for the division lead, and Baltimore holds the tie-breaker. Pittsburgh still could win home field throughout the playoffs, but as of now are a wildcard having to travel on the road. 20-3 49ers

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