THE TYGRRRR EXPRESS

Week 14 of the NFL season means that each team has 4 games left. We are at the 3/4 mark. That means it is time to tell the story that is told every single year at exactly this same time. The weather has gotten colder, and the words of retired Minnesota Vikings defensive frontman and Hall of Famer John Randall are spoken.

In September, all 32 teams are young puppies. They all have dreams, and stars in their eyes. Yet September has given way to December. Puppies need not apply. John Randall says it best.

“This is when the big dogs comes out.”

Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers was the Thursday night game. This was expected to be a mismatch, with a bad team going on the road to play a good. team. Yet it was a defensive slugfest. When Pittsburgh plays Baltimore, these defensive games are instant NFL classics. When The Browns play the Rams, it is simply ugly football. Since Pittsburgh is a solid team, the Browns deserve credit for an inspired effort on defense. Both quarterbacks got knocked silly as Colt McCoy suffered a concussion and Ben Roethlisberger had his leg landed on and was lucky it was not broken. Both quarterbacks stayed in the game.

Cleveland stunned Pittsburgh to start the game after a touchback. McCoy went deep to Moore for 33 yards and Josh Cribbs for 25 to set up 1st and goal at the 5. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 1, Peyton Hillis lost a yard. After 10 plays, 5 1/2 minutes, and 78 yards, Fritz Shurmur went for the field goal. The snap was actually good as the Browns led 3-0. That concluded the Browns offense for the game.

Pittsburgh took over at their own 27 and Big Ben hit Mike Wallace for 22 yards. From the Cleveland 44, Roethlisbergerfor 12. Wallace ran for 21. Big Ben then hit Jerricho Cotcherry for an 11 yard touchdown. The Steelers led 7-3, and this for the most part concluded their offense for the night as well. Each teams cored on their opening possession and then did virtually nothing else for the rest of the game as it became a war of attrition.

In the second quarter Pittsburgh reached the Cleveland 21 before fumbling the ball away. Cleveland then fumbled it back. From the Cleveland 15, Pittsburgh fumbled it away again. On the last play of the half, from the Pittsburgh 48, the Hail Mary never happened as McCoy was sacked and fumbled.

In the third quarter Pittsburgh moved from their own 7 to the Cleveland 30. A holding penalty killed Pittsburgh, and on 4th and 13 from the 36, Mike Tomlin opted against the field goal or going for it, opting to punt. Both teams then moved from their own 10 to past midfield, but then no further as punts were exchanged. In the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh soon faced 3rd and 20 at their own 49. Big Ben hit Brown for 27 and Wallace for 22. Initially it was ruled a touchdown, but then reversed to 1st and goal at the 2. Tomlin decided to play smashmouth with Rashard Mendenhall, who gained a yard, lost a yard, and then gained a yard. On 4th and goal at the 1 with 11 minutes left, Tomlin decided to go for it. Mendenhall got it a 4th straight time and ran into a brick Cleveland wall for no gain.

Cleveland punted, Pittsburgh took over at the Cleveland 38, and soon faced 3rd and 1. A critical holding penalty meant 3rd and 11, and Big Ben then went deep and was intercepted. Midway through the fourth quarter it was still a 7-3 game. From the Cleveland 44, I was McCoy who led the Browns to a 2nd and goal at the 6 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the game. McCoy was then called for intentional grounding. On 3rd and goal at the 16, McCoy went to the end zone and was intercepted by William Gay for the touchback.

With 3 minutes left, Cleveland had their timeouts, and a run gained only one yard. Mike Tomlin decided to get very bold. Rather than try to ram it up the middle and punt, he called a pass play. Cleveland had been solid all game on defense, but one play ended it. Roethlisberer hit Brown on a short route, and Brown took it all the way for a 79 yard touchdown. Just like that, Pittsburgh had put the game away to get to 10-3 while Cleveland lost another heartbreaker. Mike Holmgren once again remained an unhappy Walrus. 14-3 Steelers

Indianapolic Colts @ Baltimore Ravens–The Colt are trying to avoid going 0-16 while the Ravens with a win will be tied for the best record in the AFC. On paper this looks like a blowout. On paper this looks like a blowout. From the start, it was.

Indy went 3 and out and Lardarius Webb returned a punt 27 yards to have the Ravens starting at the Colts 40. Joe Flacco hit Ray Rice for 8, and then Rice ran for 6, 2, 5, and 11. Flacco hit Smith for the 8 yard touchdown to quickly have the Ravens up 7-0.

Indy punted again, and the Ravens took over at their own 16. On 3rd and 1 Rice gained 5. Flacco hit Dickson for 14, Smith for 12, and Rice for 18. From the Baltimore 22, Flacco hit Leach for 7. Yet a false start ended the drive. 13 plays and 6 1/2 minutes meant a 36 yard Billy Cundiff field goal and a 10-0 Ravens lead.

The second quarter meant another Indy punt and the Ravens taking over at their own 31. Flacco hit Boldiin for 7 and the Ravens soon faced 3rd and 7 just shy of midfield. Flacco hit Rice for 9, Smith for 17, and Pitta for 16. Rice ran it in from 6 yards out as the Ravens led easily 17-0.

Indy had a ray of hope when Lefeged returned the ensuing kickoff 51 yards to the Baltimore 47. On 4th and 3 Dan Orlovsky hit Dallas Clar for 12. On 3rd and 7 from the 25 Orlovsky hit Austin Collie for 8. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 4, Orlovsky threw incomplete. After 13 plays and 7 minutes, Indy settled for a 22 yard Adam Vinatieri field goal as the Colts trailed 17-3 at halftime.

Midway through the third quarter Baltimore took over at their own 37 and Rice ran for 7, 6, and 5. From midfield Flacco went to Evans for 21 and Rice ran for 19. On 3rd and goal at the 7 Flacco hit Pitta for the score to have the Ravens up 24-3. They just coasted from there. With 5 minutes left the Colts reached the Ravens 3 yard line but on 4th and goal Orlovsky threw incomplete. The Colts did get in the end zone with 8 seconds remaining, but it was way too little too late. The Colts fell to 0-12 as Jim Caldwell saw his team face another bad loss. The Ravens got to 10-3 for John Harbaugh to remain tied for the best record in the conference. 24-10 Ravens

Atlanta Falcons @ Carolina Panthers–Atlanta at 7-5 is fighting for their playoff lives and face a dangerous Carolina team that while out of the playoff picture can still put points on the board. After an exchange of punts, the Falcons took over at their own 38. Matt Ryan hit Tony Gonzalez for 18. On 3rd and 7 from the Carolina 41, Ryan hit Roddy White for 11. On 3rd and 3 from the 23, Ryan hit White for 9. Michael Turner ran for 10 and Ryan hit White again for the 5 yard touchdown to lead 7-0.

Cam Newton brought Carolina right back from their 26. He hit Brad LaFell for 11 and Steve Smith for 18. On 3rd and 3 from the Atlanta 38, Newton ran for 4. Newton then hit Greg Olsen for 9, LaFell for 6, and Jeremy Shockey for the 17 yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7. The defenses settled in, and midway through the second quarter Atlanta faced 3rd and 6 at their own 8. Ryan was sacked in the end zone for a safety as the Panthers led 9-7. Carolina took the free kick at their own 26. Deangelo Williams took a handoff around the end and raced 74 yards for a touchdown as the Panthers led 16-7. Carolina got the ball back at their own 40. Newton hit Smith for 20. On 3rd and 14 from the Atlanta 44, Newton hit Greg Olsen, who raced for another touchdown as the Panthers were winning a laugher 23-7.

The second half was a completely different game. After a Carolina punt, Atlanta took over at their own 43. On 3rd and 3 Ryan hit Gonzalez for 20. On 3rd and 5 from the 25, Ryan hit Gonzalez for 13. On 3rd and 10 from the 12, Ryan threw incomplete as the Falcons settled for a 30 yard Matt Bryant field goal to get within 23-10. Newton was then intercepted, setting Atlanta up at the Carolina 35. 2 plays later Ryan went deep to Rodgers for a 31 yard touchdown to have the Falcon within 23-17. On the next series Newton was intercepted again, setting Atlanta up at the Carolina 24. Yet Atlanta lost 4 yards and missed a field goal.

Late in the third quarter Atlanta took over at their own 10.Turner gained 13 and 4. On 3rd and 6 from the 27, Ryan hit White for 26 yards as Atlanta began the fourth quarter at the Carolina 47. On 3rd and 2 Ryan hit Gonzalez for 4 and 18 and Juloi Jones for a 17 yard touchdown to have the Falcons up 24-23 with 13 minutes left in regulation.

After an exchange of punts, Carolina took over at their own 13 with 9 minutes left. On 3rd and 10 Newton hit Smith and Stewart for a pair of 17 yard gains. On 2nd and 6 from the Atlanta 18, Newton fired incomplete twice. With 5 minutes left, Olindo Mare came in for the go ahead 36 yard field goal. In front of a stunned home crowd, it was no good. Atlanta immediately put the dagger in, as Ryan went deep to Jones for a 75 yard touchdown to have the Falcons up by 8.

After a touchback on 3rd and 10, Newton went deep to Smith for 48 yards. With 4 minutes left the Panthers faced 1st and 5 at the Atlanta 27. Newton fired 4 straight incomplete passes and the Falcons ran out the clock. Carolina lost another one while the Falcons at 8-5 are very much alive in the playoff race for average non-descript white guy Mike Smith. Newton finished 19 of 39 for 276 with 2 touchdowns and 2 costly interceptions. Matty Ice was 22 of 38 for 320 with 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. 31-23 Falcons

Houston Texans @ Cincinnati Bengals–A win by Houston gets them to a tie for the best record in the conference, but they are without Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, and Mario Williams. TJ Yates will have to work miracles on the road against a 7-5 Bengals team that cannot beat anybody good but can win against weaker teams. In the first quarter Neil Rackers got the Texans on the board with a 46 yard field goal but Mike Nugent would connect from 22 and 47 to have the Bengals up 6-3.

In the second quarter TJ Yates would lead the Texans to a 1st and goal at the one. Brandon Tate took a handoff, lost 2 yards, and fumbled to kill the drive. The Bengals took over at their own 3. On 3rd and 2 Hawkins gained 4. From the 19, Andy Dalton hit Gresham for 26. On 3rd and 1 from the Houston 46, Cedric Benson gained 4 and 7. on 4th and 3 from the Houston 35, Marvin Lewis decided to go for it. Dalton hit AJ Green for 11. On 3rd and 3 from the 17, Dalton hit Simpson for the touchdown to complete the 15 play, 8 minute, 97 yard drive to have the Bengals up 13-3 with 3 minutes left in the half.

Yates led the Texans from their own 14 to the Cincinnati 30. Rackers came in for the 47 yard field goal, and it was no good. Instead of being tied 13-13, a pair of critical mistakes had the Bengals still up 13-3 as Cincy took over at their own 37 with 30 seconds left in the half. Dalton hit Hawkins for 22 and Gresham for 10. Nugent came in for a 49 yarder, and it was good to have the Bengals up 16-3 at halftime.

Cincinnati began the third quarter after a touchback and needed only 2 plays to fumble the ball away as the Texans took over at the Cincinnati 17. On 3rd and 5 Yates hit Dreesen for 6 and again for the 6 yard touchdown to quickly get within 16-10.

Earlier in the game Cincy started at their own 3 and moved 97 yard. Now they were backed up to heir own 2 yard line. On 3rd and 1 Scott gained 3 and 4 more. A 25 yard defensive pass interference penalty moved Cincy to their own 43. On 3rd and 1, Benson gained 3. Dalton went deep to Green for 36 yards to set up 1st and goal at the 9. Yet despite moving 88 yards in 12 plays and 7 minutes, the Bengals settled for a 28 yard field goal to lead 19-10 after three quarters.

Yates quickly moved the Texans from their 25 to a 3rd and 1 at the Cincinnati 31 just seconds into the fourth quarter. Arriun Foster lost a yard, and on 4th and 2 Gary Kubiakm decided to go for it. Yates was sacked for a 9 yard loss and also fumbled the ball away. The Bengals took over at the Houston 48 with a golden opportunity to put the game out of reach. Cincinnati went 3 and out and the Texans took over at their own 25. Then things got really bizarre. Yates swung to it Foster, who lost 6 yards and fumbled. Atkins picked it up for Cincinnati at the Houston 14 and returned it to the 5. Yet Atkins was stripped of the ball by Winston, and Winston got it back for the Texans at their own 2 yard line.

After moving backward 23 yards, Kubiak decided to have Yates throw it from his own 2. Yates hit Walter for 19. On 2nd and 13 Yates found Tate for 14. On 3rd and 3 from the Houston 39, Yates hit Jones for 18 and Tate for 8. After 13 plays and 6 minutes, the drive would stall at the Cincy 15. Yet 83 yards was enough for a 33 yard Rackers field goal as the Texans trailed 19-13 with 5 1/2 minutes left in the game.

After a touchback, runs and safe passes took time off the clock. With 3 minutes left, the Bengals faced 3rd and 15 at their own 34. Dalton hit Scott for 14 as the Texans called their final timeout. On 4th and 1 from the 48, Marvin Lewis had the Bengals line up to go for it. One more yard meant the game was over. Yet a critical false start   penalty meant a punt and a touchback. The Texans had 2 1/ 2 minutes and 80 yards. Yet there was no way TJ Yates was going to go on the road and get the win.

Yates hit Owent Daniels for 11 and 7 at the 2 minute warning. On 3rd and 3 Yates hit Daniels again for 8 and Walter for 19. A sack of Yates set up 3rd and 15 from the Cincy 40 with 44 seconds remaining and the clock running. Yates scrambled for 17 and spiked the ball with 25 seconds left. With 18 seconds left, it was 3rd and 10 at the 23. Yates threw incomplete, but defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the 6 with 12 seconds left. An incompletion left 8 seconds. Yates found Walter for the touchdown with 2 seconds left in front of a shellshocked home crowd.

TJ Yates was an unknown a couple of weeks ago, a 3rd string quarterback never destined to see the field. Today he was a hero for the Texans, who won their 7th straight as Houston got to 10-3 to stay tied for the best record in the conference. Yates finished 26 of 44 for 300 yards and 2 touchdowns with one interception. The Texans are battered, but they showed a ton of heart. The only team never to make the playoffs, Houston has now not only clinched a playoff spot but a division title as well. As for the Bengals, they showed none. They dropped to 7-6 after a 6-2 start. Last week they were in the playoffs and this week they are one game out. 20-19 Texans

Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions–Minnesota is long since finished while Detroit is reeling at 7-5 after their 5-0 start. Ndamokung Suh is serving a suspension, but at home the Lions should have enough firepower to get their 8th win. Detroit jumped all over Minnesota in the first quarter. After a Detroit punt, Minnesota took over at their own 10. Christian Ponder needed only one play for a touchdown, but it was a sack of him, a fumble, and an end zone recovery that had the Lions up 7-0.

After a touchback, Percy Harvin took an end around 32 yards to midfield. Yet on the next play Ponder was intercepted, giving the Lions the ball at their own 47. On 3rd and 14, Stafford went deep to Young for a 57 yard touchdown and just like that the Lions led 14-0.

Minnesota punted again and Stephan Logan returned it 28 yards to the Minnesota 34. On 3rd and 10 Stafford hit Brandon Pettigrew for 17 and again for a 12 yard touchdown as the Lions raced to a 21-0 lead only 9 minutes into the game. Yet Minnesota would mount a furious rally that would turn this laugher into a nailbiter. Nothing has come easy for Detroit this season and even a 2 win Minnesota team without Adrian Peterson has fought hard for Leslie Frazier.

After a touchback, Toby Gerhart ran for 15. Booker ran for 13 and fumbled it, but Minnesota retained possession. Ponder hit Vicente Shiancoe for 18. On 3rd and 4 from the 17 Ponder hit Harvin for 10 and Shiancoe for the 7 yard touchdown as the Vikings were down 21-7 after the opening quarter. In the second quarter after a Detroit touchback, Christian Ponder gave points to the opposing team. He was intercepted by Smith, who returned it 30 yards for a touchdown to have the Lions up 28-7.

Jason Hanson kicked the ensuing kickoff out of bounds, giving the Vikings the ball at their own 40. On 3rd and 2 Harvin got the deuce. Ponder hit Harvin for 16 and Aromashodu for 7. On 3rd and 3 from the 10 Ponder hit Aromashodu for 4 and Harvin for a 6 yard touchdown to get the Vikings within 28-14. With 2 1/2 minutes left in the half, Minnesota took over at their own 16. Again Ponder needed only one play, although this time it was a handoff to Booker, who fumbled it away. Detroit took over at the Minnesota 16. This time the defense held as Hanson kicked a 30 yarder to have the Lions up 31-14. Ponder would fumble again before the half ended.

Minnesota began the third quarter after a touchback and Ponder quickly led them to the Detroit 37. Yet Ponder was intercepted again, and Leslie Frazier had seen enough. When Minnesota got the ball back at their own 12, Ponder was benched and Joe Webb came in and immediately sparked Minnesota. On 3rd and 1 Webb gained 3. On 3rd and 8 from the 26, Webb ran for 9. On 3rd and 10 from the 35, Webb scrambled, and there was nothing but green in front of him. This was not Michael Vick or Donovan McNabb. It was Joe Webb at quarterback, and he ran for a 65 yard touchdown to have the Vikings within 31-21.

The Lions took over at their own 10, and Stafford led them over 15 plays and 7 minutes. On 3rd and 1, Stafford hit Young for 25. On 3rd and 4 from midfield, Stafford hit Young for just enough. On 3rd and 6, Stafford hit Pettigrew for 7 as the third quarter ended. Stafford hit Williams for 12 and a horse collar tackle added a dozen more. On 3rd and 2 from the 3, Williams only got half. On 4th and 1 from the 2, Jim Schwartz decided to go for it. Yet 88 yards were for naught, as a false start killed the opportunity. Hanson hit from 26 as have the Lions up 34-21 with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation.

Percy Harvin took the kickoff 7 yards deep in the end zone and returned it 47 yards to the Minnesota 40. On 3rd and 6, Webb hit Greg Camarillo for 14. Gerhart ran for 11. on 3rd and 10 from the Detroit 31, Webb ran for 8. On 4th and 2 Frazier decided to go for it, and Gerhart ran for 5. Webb hit Harvin for 7, ran for 9, and hit Gerhart for the 2 yard touchdown as the Vikings were within 6 points with 8 minutes left. Detroit took over at their own 26 and soon faced 2nd and 1 at their own 46. Williams lost a yard and a pass only gained the yard back. On 4th and 1, Jim Schwartz decided to punt. The Vikings would have one final chance at their own 20 with 3 1/2 minutes to play.

Webb hit Shiancoe for 8 and ran for 5. On 3rd and 10 from the 33, Webb hit Gerhart for 9. On 4th and 1 Gerhart gained 2 at the 2 minute warning. Webb hit Camarillo for 17 and Harvin for 8 to set up a critical 3rd and 2 at the Detroit 31 with 1:11 left. Booker gained 4. A short gain and a pass to Aromashadu moved the Vikings to the 16 with 42 seconds left. With 26 seconds remaining, the Vikings faced 4th and 6 from the 12. Webb gained 10. Detroit jumped offsides on the next play, and with 9 seconds remaining the Vikings had 1st and goal at the one. There was enough time for 2, maybe even 3 plays.

Yet one play was all Minnesota needed. It was not McNabb or Ponder. It was Webb. He would get sacked, fumble, and a mad scramble would eventually have Detroit recover the ball at the Minnesota 43 for a 56 yard loss. Yet it would not be a Lions game without controversy at the end. The replay clearly showed that Webb fumbled because his facemask was grabbed. Minnesota should have gotten one more chance. The penalty was not called. This is how Minnesota has only 2 wins on the year. They closed a 21 point gap to 6 points but fell one yard short. As for Detroit, they survived to get to 8-5 and remain in the playoff race. 34-28 Lions

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Jacksonville Jaguars–Tampa Bay has lost 6 straight while Jacksonville is a complete mess, losing by 24 at home last week against a San Diego team that had lost 6 straight. No matter who wins this game, it will be ugly. After a touchback, a pair of incompletions by Josh Freeman should have meant 3rd and 10, but a facemask instead meant 1st and 10 at the 35. On 3rd and 4 Freeman hit Parker for 14. On 4th and 1 at the Jacksonville 36, Raheem Morris decided to go for it. Freeman hit Winslow for 28 yards and Benn for 7. Blount ran it in from one yard out to have the Bucs up 7-0.

Jacksonville would punt, the Bucs would fumble the punt, and Jacksonville took over at the Tampa 38. Yet on 3rd and 4 Blaine Gabbert was sacked to end the drive. Jacksonville got it back at the Tampa 46, but on 3rd and 7 Gabbert was intercepted. From the Tampa 48, Madu gained 6 and Blount picked up 8. Freeman hit Lorig for 22. The second quarter quickly saw Tampa Bay facing 3rd and 7 at the 13. Freeman scrambled for the touchdown as the Buccaneers led 14-0. This game was headed for a blowout, but not in the way anyone expected.

Midway through the second quarter Jacksonville punted, and Tampa Bay fumbled it away. Cloherty recovered it at the 8 yard line and took it in for a touchdown to have the Jaguars within 14-7. With 4 1/2 minutes left in the half Jacksonville got it back at their own 23. Gabbert hit Dillard for 11 and then went deep to Mercedes Lewis for a 62 yard gain down to the 2. Maurice Jones-Drew took it in from one yard out to tie the game 14-14 just before the 2 minute warning.

After a touchback, a holding penalty gave the Bucs 1st and 19 at their own 11. Freeman was sacked, fumbled, and saw Collins fall on it in the end zone for another Jacksonville touchdown as the Jaguars led 21-14. After another touchback, Tampa soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 36. Freeman was intercepted, and Jacksonville took over just past midfield with one minute left in the half. On 3rd and 3 Gabbert hit Jones-Drew for 8. A 10 yard toss to Bolen had the Jags at the Bucs 22 with 29 ticks left. Gabbert hit West for 11, and the Jags faced 3rd and 4 at the 5 with 11 seconds left. Gabbert hit Jones Drew for the score as 4 touchdowns in half a quarter of football had Jacksonville up 28-14 at the break.

An ugly third quarter saw Freeman get intercepted, Jacksonville get to the 5, Gabbert get intercepted, and Tampa Bay fumble it right back although Jacksonville would not capitalize. A pair of defensive penalties against the Buccaneers for roughing the passer and holding had the Jaguars at their own 44 to start the fourth quarter. Jones-Drew ran for 14 and caught a pass for 17. On 2nd and 20 from the 35, Harris ran for 24. Again Jacksonville faced 3rd and 4 from the 5, and again Gabbert threw a touchdown to Jones-Drew as the Jaguars led in a route 35-14.

Jacksonville got it back at their own 45 and Gabbert hit Lewis for 15. A facemask tacked on 15 more. With 4 minutes left in the game and already leading by 21, Jacksonville faced 4th and 9 at the Tampa Bay 19. In a surprising turn, Jacksonville decided to go for it. Gabbert threw incomplete, but a personal foul moved the ball to the 9. On 3rd and goal from the 1 Jones-Drew took it in for his fourth touchdown. Yet in another odd move, up by 27, Jacksonville tried a 2 point conversion. It failed, as did the idea of sportsmanship. Both teams remained terrible although on this day the Buccaneers were much worse. 41-14 Jaguars

Philadelphia Eagles @ Miami Dolphins–Philly at 5-7 is all but eliminated and they face a Miami team that is 4-1 since an 0-7 start. Walrus Lite Andy Reid and Tony Sparano may both be fired, but strong cases can be made for keeping both of them. Philadelphia had some life injected into them with the return of Michael Vick to the starting lineup. Philly had to punt on 4th and 19 from their own 44, and Miami blocked it and took over at the Philly 15. On 3rd and 11 Matt Moore found Brandon Marshall for the 16 yard touchdown to have the Dolphins up 7-0. Miami had a chance to extend the lead when they took over at the Philly 41. They gained only 4 yards and a 55 yard field goal try was no good. In the second quarter, the roof caved in on Miami.

Philly took over at their own 46 and Vick hit McCoy for 18 and Captain Morgan Brent Celek for 11 and 8. Vick began the second quarter by hitting Jackson for 8. McCoy took it in from 2 yards out to tie the game 7-7. After a touchback, Miami soon faced 2nd and 17 at their 13. Moore was intercepted by Coleman, who took it 35 yards down to the one. McCoy got in to have the Eagles up 14-7. After another touchback, on 3rd and 3, Moore hit Bess for 4. Yet Bess fumbled, and Philly recovered at the Miami 34. Henery would his a 40 yard field goal to have the Eagles up 17-7.

Miami would punt on 4th and 13 from their own 17, and Philadelphia fumbled it when they tried doing the lateral game on the return. Miami took over at the Philly 24, but one play later Moore was sacked and fumbled it back. Philly took over at their own 27. Vick hit Celek for 9, Avant for 28, and Desean Jackson for a 34 yard touchdown as the Eagles led 24-7. Miami tried to get back in it from the Philly 48, but on 3rd and 1 and 4th and 1 runs up the middle got nothing.

The second half was unnecessary as both defenses clamped down. In the third quarter with a short field, Miami reached 3rd and goal at the 2. Thomas lost 2 yards and Miami settled for a 22 yard kick to get within 24-10.  Tony Sparano benched Moore and brought in JP Losman for the fourth quarter. Despite resembling Adam Sandler, Losman was not as heroic as The Waterboy. On 4th and 1 at the 47 he fumbled. Later on from his own 8 he was sacked for a safety to end the scoring. Miami is done and Philly is all but done. 26-10 Eagles

Kansas City Chiefs @ New York Jets–The Chiefs are hanging by a thread at 5-7 while the 7-5 Jets are in the thick of the playoff race. Gang Green should have no problem at home dispatching Tyler Palko, and even Kyle Orton taking over will not be enough. Palko got the nod, and the game was a mismatch from the start. Gang Green took over at their own 23 and Shon Greene ran for 31 yards. On 3rd and 4 from the Chiefs 40, Sanchez hit Turner for 10 and Dustin Keller for 11 and 7. On 3rd and goal at the 3 Sanchez threw incomplete, but defensive holding led to a one yard Sanchez run to complete the 11 play, 6 1/2 minute drive and have the Jets up 7-0. After an exchange of punts the Chiefs took over at the Jets 41. They gained 6 yards and settled for a 53 yard Ryan Succop field goal to get within 7-3.

In the second quarter the Chiefs faced 3rd and 11 from their 20. Palko was intercepted by Leonhard, and the Jets took over at the Chiefs 38. Sanchez found Greene, who took a short pass 36 yards. Sanchez hit Santonio Holmes for a 4 yard touchdown to have the Jets up 14-3. The Jets got it back at their own 31 and LaDanian Tomlinson ran for 7 and 4. Sanchez hit Greene for 14, and on 3rd and 8 from the Chiefs 44 Sanchez hit Tomlinson for 31. Green ran for 6 and was ruled to have fumbled. Yet Rex Ryan challenged the call and the Jets retained possession. Greene ran for the 7 yard score on the next play to have the Jets up 21-3.

The Chiefs punted again, and Kerley returned it 26 yards to the Chiefs 35. Greene ran for 5 at the 2 minute warning. Sanchez hit Holmes for 8 and then went to Tomlinson for a 19 yard touchdown as the Jets were coasting 28-3 at the half. The second half saw little action as the Jets cruised. Midway through the third quarter the Jets faced 1st and 17 at their own 3. Yet roughing the passer and unsportsmanlike conduct gave the Jets 30 gift yards. From midfield, defensive pass interference on 2 consecutive plays gave the Jets 16 and 30 yards down to the 4. On 3rd and goal at the 3 Sanchez took it in. 90 yards was obtained by getting 76 of it on penalties as the Jets led 35-3.

Early in the fourth quarter Palko would throw a 24 yard touchdown to Urban, but that was it. Late in the game from their own 1, Battle was tackled in the end zone for a safety as the Jets defense closed out the scoring. Todd Haley is on the hot seat as the 5-8 Chiefs are done for the year. Meanwhile, Rex Ryan not only saw his Jets get to 8-5, but all of the other 7-5 wildcard competitors lost, giving the Jets a one game lead. The Jets are in the playoffs as of now, as 3 weeks remain. 37-10 Jets

New Orleans Saints @ Tennessee Titans–At 9-3 the Saints are one game back of a 1st round bye. Drew Brees is lighting up the scoreboard although the Titans at 7-5 are very much alive in the playoff race. Matt Hasselbeck has been revitalized. Matt Hasselbeck has been revitalized. After a touchback the Saints went right to work. Pierre Thomas gained 10, and on 3rd and 5 Drew Brees hit Robert Meachem for 15 to midfield. Ivory then gained 25 and Sproles 14 more. Yet the drive stalled and the Saints settled for a 25 yard Jon Kasay field goal to lead 3-0. Tennessee would punt, and Sproles returned it 81 yards for a touchdown. Yet it was nullified by penalty. The Saints would drive from their 10 and eat up 7 minutes of clock, but end up punting.

Midway through the second quarter the Titans took over at their 43. Jake Locker would have to play the rest of the way as Matt Hasselbeck was injured on the previous series. Locker hit Stevens for 31 yards, which was enough to set up a 43 yard Rob Bironas field goal to tie the game 3-3. With 3 minutes left in the half the Saints took over at their own 31. Brees hit Sproles for 20 and Marques Colston for 8. On 3rd and 11 from midfield Brees found Colston for 12 and Graham for 33 down to the 5. Yet Brees was sacked and the Saints settled for a 29 yard field goal and a 6-3 halftime lead.

In the third quarter the Saints moved from their own 10 in 15 plays, consuming 8 minutes of clock. On 3rd and 3 from the 17, Brees hit Colston for 4. On 3rd and 9 from the Saints 35, Brees found Devry Henderson for 19 and Thomas for 23. Sproels ran for 13, but on 3rd and goal from the 4, Brees threw incomplete and again the Saints settled for a field goal. Kasay hit the 22 yarder to have the Saints up 9-3.

Tennessee took over at their own 22. Locker ran for 12. On 3rd and 10, a short pass to Williams led to a 54 yard gain, with a facemask setting up 1st and goal at the 6. Locker took it in himself as the Titans led 10-9 after three quarters.

The Saints took over at their own 28. On 3rd and 1Brees gained 2 and hit Henderson for 12. The Saints began the fourth quarter just past midfield and Brees hit Gilmore for 9. On 3rd and 6 from the Titans 35, Brees went deep to Colston for the touchdown as the Saints led 16-10 with 13 minutes left in regulation.

After a punt the Saints took over at midfield. On 3rd and 4 Brees hit Henderson for 5. On 3rd and 1 from the 30 Ivory gained 2. Brees went deep to Colston again on the next play for a 28 yard touchdown. The 2 point conversion try failed, but the Saints led 22-10 with 7 minutes left in the game. Mariani returned the ensuing kickoff 30 yards to the Titans 35 and Locker struck quickly. He hit Williams for 8, ran for 17, and went deep to Nate Washington for a 40 yard touchdown. The Titans were within 5 with 6 minutes left. The Saints went 3 and out and the Titans took over at their own 35 with 4 1/2 minutes left.

Locker hit Washington for 18 and on 3rd and 10 went back to Washington for 9 to set up 4th and 1 at the Saints 36 with 3 1/2 minutes left. Chris Johnson gained 3 to keep the drive alive. Locker was then sacked and fumbled, but Mike Munchak challenged the call and it was reversed to an incomplete pass. Locker was injured on the play, and if Munchak went to his 3rd string emergency quarterback, Locker could not return. So an already injured Hasselbeck came in for one play and Johnson for 9 yards. On 4th and 1 with 2 1/2 minutes left, Locker came back in. He ran up the middle and got nothing.

The Titans used their timeouts and with 1:51 left the Saints faced 3rd and 7 at their own 41. Since the Titans were out of timeouts, the entire world knows you run the ball and bleed the clock. The quarterback should not even be allowed to lift his arm. Heck, take a knee if you have to. Sean Payton does have the phenomenal Drew Brees, but there is no excuse to ever throw the ball in this situation. Brees threw incomplete. The Saints punted, and the Titans took over at their own 20. Instead of having only about 40-50 seconds, they had 1:34. It was a horrendous blunder by Payton.

Locker quickly hit Hawkins for 25 and Washington for 10. From the Saints 45 with 27 seconds left, Locker went deep to Washington for a 40 yard gain. The Titans raced up to the line knowing that a false start would mean a 10 second runoff and end the game. Everyone got set and Locker spiked the ball with 7 seconds left. Locker quickly threw incomplete and 5 seconds remained. It came down to the final play. Locker was sacked, and the Saints had the win. The Saints got to 10-3 the hard way to all but lock up their division. They moved into a tie for the second best record in the conference, but they do not hold the tie-breaker. The Titans at 7-6 are now one game out of the playoff picture. It was a gutty effort that fell just short. 22-17 Saints

New England Patriots @ Washington Redskins–New England with a win would be tied for the best record in the conference, and the Patriots would be the top seed. Evil Hoodie Bill Bellichick and Tom Brady face a Washington team that has folded under Mike Shanahan. This game was expected to be a blowout, but as ESPN uber-announcer reminds us, “That’s why they play the games.” After an exchange of punts, the Redksins soon faced 3rd and 9 at their own 5. Grossman was sacked in the end zone by Carter, fumbled it, and saw Vince Wilfork recover it to quickly have the Patriots up 7-0. That is not why they play the games.

Washington took over at their own 19 and Helu ran for 15. On 3rd and 9 from the 35, Grossman went deep to Dante Stallworth for a 51 yard gain. On 3rd and 7 from the 11, Grossman hit Stallworth for 9. On 1st and goal at the 2, Helu gained 1 and then 0. On 3rd and goal at the 1, a killer false start ended things. After 11 plays and 5 1/2 minutes and 80 yards, the Redskins settled for a 24 yard Graham Gano field goal to get within 7-3. One minute later, New England was on the board again. The kickoff went out of bounds, giving the Patriots the ball at their own 40. Brady found Rob Gronkowski for a 49 yard gain and then hit him again for the 11 yard touchdown to make it 14-3 Patriots.

Washington soon faced 3rd and 18 at their own 8. Grossman threw incomplete, but defensive pass interference meant an 11 yard gain. Grossman then went deep to former New England receiver Jabar Gaffney for 24 yards and Santana Moss for 18 more. Helu ran for 26 and 4 more, and Grossman hit Gaffney for the 9 yard touchdown to have the Redskins within 14-10 after an exciting opening quarter. On the first play of the second quarter, the Redskins took over at the Patriots 49. The bag of tricks saw Banks get the ball instead of Grossman and go deep to Moss for a 49 yard touchdown and a 17-14 Redskins lead.

New England took over at their own 23 and moved 16 plays and 72 yards over 6 minutes. Green-Ellis gained 13 and 5, and on 3rd and 5 Brady hit Welker for 8. Danny Woodhead gained 12. On 3rd and 10 from the Washington 39, Brady hit Chad Johnson for 15. On 3rd and 2 from the 16 Woodhead gained 3. On 2nd and 2 and 3rd and 2 from the 5, Brady threw incomplete. Bill Bellichick played it safe and Stephen Gostkowski hit the 23 yard field goal to tie the game 17-17.

The Redskins took over at their own 22 with 9 minutes left in the half. Grossman hit Stallworth for 23 and Helu gained 8 and 2. From the Patriots 45, Grossman hit Young for 8 and Helu gained 14. On 3rd and 9 from the 22, Grossman was intercepted. Yet roughing the passer instead put the ball on the 11. Yet on 3rd and 11 from the 12, a short pass gained only 5 yards. Gano hit the 25 yard kick as the 11 play, 6 1/2 minute, 71 yard drive had the Redskins up 20-17 with just over 2 minutes left in the half.

After a touchback, Brady found Gronkowski for a 50 yard gain to the Washington 29. Kevin Faulk gained 6 and on the next play unnecessary roughness set up 1st and goal at the 10 with one minute left. On 3rd and goal at the 5 with seconds left, Brady fired incomplete. Gostkowski hit the 24 yarder as the teams went to the locker rooms tied 20-20.

The Patriots took the second half kickoff after a touchback and Brady hit Welker for 14. Unsportsmanlike conduct on the next play had New England at the Washington 46. Brady hit Welker for 9 and 8. On 3rd and 12 from the 37, Brady found Gronkowski, who took it all the way for the touchdown as the Patriots quickly retook the lead 27-20.

Washington took over at their own 28 and Grossman hit Gaffney for 22 to midfield. Helu ran for 8. Grossman fumbled but the Redskins kept it. On 3rd and 3, Grossman hit Moss for 14. Unnecessary roughness on the defense moved it to the 18. Helu gained 12, and on 3rd and goal at the 6, Grossman hit Anderson for the touchdown as the teams were tied 27-27 midway through the third quarter.

After a touchback, on 3rd and 1, Brady ran for 2 and then found Hernandez for a 29 yard gain to the Washington 40. Brady then found Welker for 16 and again for the 24 yard touchdown as New England was back on top again 34-27 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter. Yet 41 minutes of pinball machine action would be followed by defense in the final 19 minutes.

Grossman led the Redskins from their own 12 to a 2nd and 8 at the Patriots 44. Yet a pair of incompletions meant a punt. New England began the fourth quarter at their 18, but on 3rd and 1 from their 39, Green-Ellis got nothing. Washington went 3 and out, and the Patriots took over at the Washington 49 looking to put the game away. Brady marched them down the field, but on 3rd and goal at the 4 Brady was intercepted for a touchback with 6 1/2 minutes to play. It was an uncharacteristic Brady blunder as even a field goal would have most likely iced it.

Washington soon faced 3rd and 9, and Grossman hit Stallworth for 13. Royster ran for 14 and 6. On 3rd and 2 from the Patriots 44, Grossman found Gaffney for 23 yards. Helu gained 9 and 3 as the 2 minute warning saw the Redskins with 1st and goal at the 9. Time was not a factor at this point. Helu gained 4, and on the next play Grossman hit Moss for the 5 yard touchdown with 1:15 left. Yet offensive pass interference on Moss nullified it. On 3rd and goal at the 9 with 29 seconds to play, Grossman was intercepted by Jerrard Mayo. Despite not being related to Whitman Mayo, who played Grady on Sanford and Son, the Redskins continued their junkyard season. The Patriots are one of 4 teams tied at 10-3 atop the conference, and New England has the tiebreaker. Mike Shanahan did not immediately blame the late Al Davis for the losing season. Brady was 22 of 37 for 357 yards, 3 touchdowns, and one interception. 34-27 Patriots

San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals–Last week Arizona shocked Dallas, but this week in the desert they face a San Francisco team looking to move one step closer to a 1st round bye. It is hard to criticize a 10-2 team, but Alex Smith is still a question mark at quarterback for Jim Harbaugh. The 49ers kick far too many field goals and have been trying to win with field goals and defense. That can only work for so long. The Cardinals thought they had a break when Kevin Kolb returned from injury, but he was injured again in the first quarter as John “Red” Skelton played the rest of the way.

A 46 yard David Akers field goal had the 49ers leading 3-0 after the first quarter. On the last play of the first quarter Tedd Ginn returned a punt 52 yards as the 49ers began the second quarter qith 1st and goal at the 4. 3 plays lost 1 yard and Akers hit a 22 yarder to put the 49ers up 6-0. On the next Arizona series Skelton fumbled, and the 49ers took over at their own 43. Yet all they could mister was a 50 yard Akers try, and this time he was no good. Despite dominating, the 49ers only led 6-0. After the missed kick, Arizona took the lead on one play as Skelton found Early Doucet, who raced 60 yards to paydirt to put the Cardinals up 7-6 midway through the second quarter.

San Francisco moved in 10 plays and 5 minutes from their own 22 to 2nd and 3 at the Arizona 6. Alex Smith fired incomplete, and lost 3 yards on the next play as again the 49ers settled for a 27 yard Akers field goal to led 9-7. Skelton was intercepted again, and the 49ers had golden field position with 1:10 left in the half at the Arizona 16. On 3rd and 5 Smith hit Ginn for 7 to set up 1st and goal at the 4 with 13 seconds left. Yet again the end zone was not happening as Smith threw incomplete twice. On 3rd and goal there was not enough time to run another play and Akers hit from 22 to put the 49ers up 12-7 at halftime.

The Cardinals took over in the third quarter and soon faced 4th and 28 from their own 2. Ginn returned the punt 11 yards to the Arizona 37. One play from scrimmage was enough for Frank Gore to race for the touchdown as the 49ers led 19-7. That concluded the 49ers offense as they took the entire second half off. After a touchback, roughing the passer had the Cardinals at their own 40. On 3rd and 3 Skelton hit Doucet for 4. Skelton then went deep to Larry Fitzgerald, who did what he does. The 46 yard touchdown had the Cardinals within 19-14. Late in the third quarter the Cardinals had 3rd and 2 at the San Francisco 27, but Skelton was intercepted again to end the threat.

The Cardinals began the fourth quarter at their own 22. Skelton hit Fitzgerald for 5 and then went deep to Fitzgerald, who still does what he does. The 53 yard gain had the Cardinals at the Frisco 20. On 3rd and 2, Skelton hit Doucet for 9 and Roberts for the 3 yard touchdown. With 12 minutes left in regulation, Ken Whisenhunt opted against the 2 point conversion. It was a curious decision given that a 2 point lead is not any better than a 1 point lead. Nevertheless, Arizona had taken the 2 point lead. Akers had already made 4 of 5 field goals in the first half alone, and one more would give the 49ers the win.

On 3rd and 2 from the Frisco 35, Smith threw incomplete. The Cardinals had 3rd and 1 at their own 34 and Beanie Wells got nothing. San Francisco went 3 and out again and so did Arizona. With 2:14 left the 49ers faced 3rd and 1 at their own 41. Smith threw incomplete twice and Arizona had their second consecutive upset win against playoff bound teams at home in the desert. Arizona is only 6-7 but playing hard for Ken Whisenhunt. The 49ers are 10-3 but have now slipped into a tie for the second seed and the 1st round bye. San Francisco holds the tiebreaker but the top seed is now gone for them. 21-19 Cardinals.

Chicago Bears @ Denver Broncos–Caleb Hanie had a miserable week last week and now he and the Bears have to go into Denver to take on Tebowmania. Both quarterbacks have detractors, but Tebow wins. Both teams are 7-5 and very much alive in the playoff race. Denver is tied for their division lead and holds the tiebreaker. Tebow has led 5 straight 4th quarter comebacks with John Elway watching up above in the president’s box. Tebow had a miserable game throwing as usual, but his running was not as good as usual since Brian Urlacher leads a ferocious Bears defense that was well prepared on this day. Yet once again, the ending will be talked about for some time.

A miserable first half saw a 28 yard Denver field goal attempt by Matt Prater get blocked. Tebow was intercepted, and the teams were scoreless at halftime. Midway through the third quarter, Devon Hester did what he does. He appeared trapped for a loss on a punt return, somehow escaped tackles, stayed on his feet, and ran 26 yards to the Denver 42. Marion Barber ran for 5, 17, and 3. On 3rd and 1, Barber gained 2 and then ran for the 9 yard touchdown as the Bears led 7-0 with 5 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter.

The Bears got it back at their own 37 and Barber ran for 9 and then lost a yard. On 3rd and 2 Caleb Hanie hit Williams for 17. A facemask penalty on Hester led to the Bears facing 3rd and 27 at their own 45. Hanie found Barber for a 16 yard gain as the third quarter ended. To start the fourth quarter Lovie Smith had a major decision on 4th and 11 from Denver 39. A field goal would be 57 yards, and his defense was playing well. Smith is criticized for being too conservative, but he showed cojones of steel by bringing in Robbie Gould. Gould leveled the 57 yarder as the Bears led 10-0. After three quarters Tim Tebow was a miserable 3 of 16 for 45 yards. Yet the fourth quarter would be the test.

After an exchange of punts, Denver moved from their 37 to the Chicago 38. Yet Tebow was sacked and the Bars took over at their own 46. Only 9 minutes remained in regulation. Yet at this point Lovie Smith went way too conservative. Jon Fox has pretty much forced Tebow to run, barely allowing him to throw the ball. Lovie Smith did the same with Caleb Hanie. Hanie threw only 15 passes in regulation, completing 10 of them. Despite the Denver defense stopping the run, Smith insisted on playing smashmouth. Barber got 3 straight carries for only 5 yards and Chicago punted. Denver punted back, and again Lovie Smith called 3 straight runs. This time it was Bell, but the carries netted only 7 yards and Chicago again punted.

After 55 minutes Denver trailed 10-0.  Yet with 4 1/2 minutes left Denver took over at their own 37. The entire football world saw it coming. Tebow hit Ball for 6 and 10, and Johnson for 8 and 3. From the Chicago 36, Tebow hit Willis for 19, and Thomas for 7 and then again for the 10 yard touchdown. Only 2:15 remained, and the Broncos were within 10-7. The onsides kick was kicked perfectly, and a couple Broncos had a clear shot at it. It bounced around forever but Roach came down with it for the Bears.

The Bears had the ball at their own 49 with 2:05. Denver was out of timeouts. All Chicago had to do was keep running it. Even if they failed to gain a first down, Denver would have maybe 30 seconds to work with. Barber got nothing as the 2 minute warning came. What happened next was impossible to believe and will be talked about in both cities for years. Barber got the carry. No matter what, the clock should have ticked down to about 1:15. Yet Barber accidentally ran out of bounds before realizing his colossal error. A stunned Lovie Smith saw 3rd and 5, but 1:55 still remained. Barber got another carry for only one yard. The Bears punted, and Denver took over at their own 20. Instead of having only about 15 seconds, Denver had a full 56 seconds. The entire world saw what was coming next.

Tebow hit Eric Decker for 11 and Ball for 9 more. Tebow spiked the clock at the Denver 40 with 30 seconds left. Tebow then hit Willis for 19 yards, and Willis got out of bounds with 23 seconds left. Tebow threw incomplete twice and ran for 0, and with 8 seconds left Prater came in for the tying field goal. His 28 yarder was blocked and this one was from 59. It would take a Mile High Miracle, but with Tebow, was there any doubt? The kick was good by a Mile High Mile as the home crowd erupted and a shellshocked Chicago bench saw the game go into overtime 10-10. A disconsolate Marion Barber prayed for a chance at redemption.

Chicago got the ball first at their 20 and Lovie Smith let Hanie throw the ball. Hanie hit Johnny Knox for 18 and Williams for 5 more. Hanie then threw to Barber, who made a diving catch for a 16 yard gain. Chicago was at the Denver 41. After an incompletion, Barber carried for 3 yards. It was now 3rd and 7 at the Denver 38. Gould had connected from 57 earlier and if Chicago did nothing else this try would be 56. Yet what happened next again will be talked about. All Barber had to do was gain a few yards to make it a slightly closer kick. He gained 5, and appeared to break free and possibly go to the end zone. Yet just before getting past the last man, he was stripped of the ball. Gould never got his chance as Denver recovered the fumble at their own 34. Barber was twice as sick inside as again the entire world knew what was happening next.

Denver soon faced 3rd and 8 at their own 36. One more stop for Chicago and Barber would be off the hook for is second blunder. Tebow hit Thomas for 10 and the drive continued as Barber sat by himself. On 2nd and 12 from the Denver 44, Tebow found Thomas for 16. On 3rd and 4 from the Chicago 34, Tebow tried to run again. Yet Chicago contained him all game, and he got only one yard. On 4th and 3, Jon Fox sent in Prater for a 51 yarder. After making the 59 yarder, 51 yards seemed like a breeze. There was no doubt. Prater leveled it and the game was over as Barber was disconsolate.

Chicago fell to 7-6 and is now one game out of the playoff chase. Denver got to 8-5 with their 6th straight win, all of them 4th quarter comebacks. Denver is one game ahead in their division and has a tough game next week hosting New England. Tebow was 18 of 24 in the fourth quarter and overtime while Hanie finished only 12 of 19 for 115 yards. He made no mistakes, but was not allowed to win the game in the fourth quarter. Barber gained 108 yards on 27 carries, but he knows he will be remembered as the goat in this game. Ernest Byner went on to have a solid career and Barber will hopefully get past this.

On a side note that almost nobody will care about, my friend Jerry had his wedding celebration on this day. Jerry is a die hard Broncos fan, born and raised in Colorado. His ceremony began at 11am, and he sent emails to everybody all week demanding that they be on time rather than adhere to “Jewish Standard Time.” The Rabbi explained that they were going to start right after 11am so that the ceremony could be concluded by 1pm. It was explained that after the ceremony Jerry would go root for Tim Tebow. The actual wedding was a few months ago, and the ceremony was enjoyable and fast-paced. Jerry is in his 50s, and he finally got married for the first time. On the day of his celebration ceremony he saw his Broncos win a big one in miracle fashion. His wife is British, but has promised to pretend to care since Denver winning makes for a happy husband. Tim Tebow is still not Jewish. 13-10 Broncos, OT

Oakland Raiders @ Green Bay Packers–Oakland is still injury riddled, and at 7-5 lose the tie-breaker for the division lead. 5 teams are 7-5, and the Raiders would be out if things ended today. At the worst possible time they go on the road to play the 12-0 Packers, who are chasing history. The 1972 Dolphins are getting very nervous, and they should be. For more on the game of the day, go to http://www.justblogbaby.com

The Packers have had several big blowout wins against the Raiders over the year. In Super Bowl II the Packers won 33-14 in Vince Lombardi’s final game as coach of the Packers. In 2003, the day after Brett Favre lost his father, he threw for 399 yards in the first half alone as the Packers romped 41-7. The last time these teams met the Packers only won 38-14. Different year, same result. The Raiders still were without their injured starters Darren McFadden and Jacoby Ford, but that was about as significant as the Raiders being without Bo Jackson in their playoff loss to Buffalo. They would have lost, perhaps not as badly.

Oakland moved from their 20 to a 2nd and 6 at the Green Bay 43, but turned it over and paid the price. Ryan Grant quickly ran for a 47 yard touchdown and only 3 minutes into the game the route was on with the Packers up 7-0. Green Bay took over at their own 20 and Aaron Rodgers led a 10 play, 80 yard drive with ease, as a 4 yard touchdown had the Packers up 14-0. Early in the second quarter Green Bay was on the move again, but on 3rd and 6 from the 11, a penalty meant settling for a 34 yard Mason Crosby field goal and a 17-0 Packers lead. The nightmare for the Raiders was just beginning.

Green Bay got it back at their own 16 and needed only 5 plays to go 84 yards as Rodgers went deep for a 37 yard touchdown pass to make it 24-0 Packers. The Raiders turned it over again and the Pacekrs took over at their own 10. On 3rd and 16, Rodgers fired for a 25 yard gain as a 6 yard touchdown had the Packers up 31-0 midway through the second quarter. To add major insult to injury, on the next Green Bay series Rodgers was hit and fumbled. It was returned for a touchdown, but on further review it was another case of the Tuck Rule, and an incomplete pass. 10 years after the original Tuck Rule, it is still a bitter pill to swallow.

Rodgers had a chance to make it 38-0, but on 3rd and goal at the 4 Rodgers was intercepted in the end zone by Mitchell as the Raiders trailed 31-0 at halftime. Palmer led the Raiders from their 20 to 1st and 10 at the Packers 14 with 48 seconds left in the half. Palmer was intercepted in the end zone to return the touchback and keep the game 31-0. Another lowlight for the Raiders came when Hue Jackson called a fake punt. It totally fooled the Packers, and Shane Lechler had a wide open receiver that he simply overthrew. Lechler is one of the best punters of all time, and it was not his incompletion that had the team down by 31.

Randall Cobb returned the second half kickoff 50 yards to the Oakland 47. Hue Jackson wanted to challenge the return but in a case of nothing working, even the replay system was not working. The system itself failed, and the refs told Jackson he would have been able to challenge it if it worked. Rodgers then went to Donald Driver for 28 yards and to Greg Jennings for 8. On 3rd and 2 from the 11 Rodgers was sacked. Crosby kicked the 38 yarder, and for the second straight week on the road the Raiders trailed 34-0 in the third quarter.

This time after a touchback, on 3rd and 2, Palmer hit Marcel Reese for 12. Louis Murphy ran for 10 and Micgael Bush gained 8 and 4. Palmer went deep to Darrius Heyward-Bey for 34 yards down to the 4. Bush gained 2 and then 2 more as for the second straight week the Raiders offense cut a 34-0 deficit to 34-7. This was not anything to be proud of. Rodgers would lead the Packers from their 20 and soon faced 3rd and 19 at their own 11. Rodgers hit Cobb for 26, and the Packers moved to the Oakland 31. Crosby connected from 49 to make it 37-7 Packers.

On the next series after a touchback, Reece fumbled. Although it looked like Carson Palmer fell on it, it got away from him and was picked up Walden at the 5. Walden took it in. For those wanting anything positive for the Raiders, when down by 36 they blocked the extra point. The return man tried to run it the other way not knowing that once out of college, a blocked extra point ends the play. The Raiders trailed 43-7. Another almost Raiders highlight came when Green Bay faced 3rd and 2 at the Oakland 13 looking to reach 50 points. The defense held and the Packers settled for a 33 yard Crosby field goal and a 46-7 lead.

Aaron Rodgers was done after three quarters of work and replaced with Matt Flynn. Flynn has played well in rare backup action, but he is not Aaron Rodgers in the same way Curtis Painter is not Peyton Manning. Flynn was sacked in the end zone for a safety. The Raiders took the free kick and moved 77 yards as Palmer hit Kevin Boss for a 5 yard touchdown to have the Raiders within 30 points. With less than 2 minutes left, Palmer would throw his fourth interception.

The Raiders are now 7-6 and one game back in their division and in the wildcard chase as well. If the season ended today they would be out. There is hope despite being outscored 80-30 in their last 2 games. They host reeling Detroit while Denver has a tough home game against surging New England. Also, the other 7-5 teams in Tennessee and Cincy did lose. The Jets won to get to 8-5 but if the Raiders can catch them, the Raiders have the tie-breaker from beating them earlier this year.

Throughout this year the Raiders have shown resiliency and character. Denver has Tebowmania, while the Raiders are fighting for their departed owner Al Davis. Yet they need their star players back. The backups can only do so much. The playoffs are still within reach. As for the Packers, they remain perfect at 13-0 and have all but locked up home field throughout the playoffs. Mike McCarthy very well could see his team finish the regular season unbeaten, since they go on the road at a depleted Kansas City team and then have 2 home games. The Raiders had no answers for the Packers, but neither has anyone else this year. 46-16 Packers

Buffalo Bills @ San Diego Chargers–Both of these teams started strong as Buffalo was 3-0 and San Diego 4-1. Yet both teams collapsed, and are now 5-7. Norvelous Norv Turner saw his team snap a 6 game losing streak last week, and San Diego winning at home will have them talking about running the table. It was over from the beginning.

After a touchback, Philip Rivers went to Antonio Gates for 17. Mathews ran for 4, caught a pass for 6, and ran for 3 to midfield. Rivers hit Gates for 12 and was then sacked for an 8 yard loss. On 2nd a d18 Rivers hit Malcolm Floyd for 14 and Patrick Crayton for 5. Mathews ran for 2 and 10, and defensive holding meant 1st and goal at the 10. Rivers hit Gates for the 9 yard touchdown to complete the 12 play, 7 minute, 80 yard drive and have the Chargers up 7-0.

Ryan Fitzpatrick led the Bills from their 32 to a 3rd and 2 at the Chargers 47. Yet Fitzpatrick was intercepted by Eric Weddle, giving the Chargers the ball at their own 45. Mathews ran for 7, 2, and 16 on 3rd and 1. Rivers hit Gates for 7 and Mathews ran for 2 and 4 on another 3rd and 1. Rivers hit Gates for 13. San Diego began the second quarter at the Buffalo 2, and Mike Tolbert got one yard and then one more to have the Chargers up 13-0. The extra point was blocked. San diego got it back at their own 25. Mathews broke free for a 37 yard run, which was enough to set up a 47 yard Nick Novak field goal as the Chargers led 16-0 at halftime. Buffalo would miss a field goal to keep them scoreless.

Buffalo began the third quarter at their own 21. On 3rd and 5 Fitzpatrick went deep to Stevie St Johnson for a 53 yard gain. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 9, Fitzpatrick was sacked. Buffalo settled for a 37 yard Dave Raynor field goal to get within 16-3. San Diego soon faced 3rd and 7 at their own 16. Rivers was sacked at the goal line, fumbled, and saw Scott recover for a gift Buffalo touchdown to have the Bills within 16-10 only 5 minutes into the second half. Yet after that San Diego clamped down.

The play of the game came with the Chargers being forced to punt on 4th and 2 from their own 30. Buffalo had all of the momentum, and Norv Turner gambled on a fake punt. It worked perfectly as Weddle ran for 10. Mathews ran for 5 and Rivers hit Vincent Jackson for 16, 17, and 13. Rivers scrambled for a 9 yard touchdown but offensive holding nullfiied it. Rivers hit McMichael for 17, and on 3rd and goal at the 2 Rivers hit Gates for the touchdown to have the Chargers up 23-10. After a touchback, Fitzpatrick needed one play to complete a pass to Gregory, who plays defense for San Diego. Gregory returned it 26 yards for a touchdown to have the Chargers up 30-10.

In the fourth quarter Rivers would throw a 26 yard touchdown to Crayton to complete the scoring. Lat year Buffalo began 0-8 but finished 4-4. This year they began 3-0 for Chan Gailey but have been 2-8 since. Fitzpatrick was an awful 13 of 34 for 176 yards and 2 interceptions. Rivers was a white hot 24 of 33 for 240 yards and 3 touchdowns with 0 interceptions. San Diego is only 6-7 and 2 games back with 3 to play, but if any team refuses to die, it is the Chargers under Norvelous Norv Turner. Now we will again have to listen to how nobody wants to play them, and they can beat anybody if they make the playoffs despite being in the bottom third of the teams. 37-10 Chargers

New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys is the Sunday night game. The 6-6 Giants have lost 4 straight while Dallas lost a shocker in the desert last week. They blew the game. The Giants took Green Bay to the limit but lost a heartbreaker. Dallas is 7-5, and a Cowboys win could finish the Giants even though these teams meet again in the season finale. The very first game ever in the 1.2 billion dollar Jerry Jones Metropolis a few years ago was between these teams at night. 8 lead changes saw a field goal on the final play win it for the Giants 33-31. This game was another thriller and an instant classic as Eli Manning threw for 400 yards in going 27 of 47 for 2 touchdowns and an interception while Tony Romo was 21 of 31 for 321 yards, 4 touchdowns, an 0 interceptions.

Dallas punted, and the Giants faced 4th and 9 at the Dallas 37. Tom Coughlin opted against the 55 yard field goal and punted it back. Dallas took over at their own 8. From the 9, Romo was hit around the one yard line and almost went down. It would have been better had he. He barely held his balance, fell backwards, and then fell down in the end zone. Because he did not go down at the one, but he was never totally upright either, it was ruled a safety. Dallas did not challenge the call and it is worth looking at the NFL rulebook. Anyway, the Giants led 2-0. The Giants got the free kick at their own 29. On 3rd and 7 Manning went deep to Hakeem Nicks for 64 yards down to the 4. Yet 3 more plays lost one yard and the Giants settled for a 23 yard Lawrence Tynes field goal and a 5-0 lead.

After a touchback, Murray ran for 9 and 4 and caught a pass for 6. On 3rd and 1 from the Cowboys 42, Fiametta gained 3. Romo hit Miles Austin for 12. Felix Jones ran for 26 and illegal use of hands added 5 more. Romo hit Phillips for the 12 yard touchdown as the 1st lead change of the game had the Cowboys up 7-5.

After a touchback, Manning went to Nicks for 23 yards. Brandon Jacobs ran for 15 and Manning hit Nicks again for 11. Big Blue began the second quarter at the Dallas 23. Manning hit Beckum for 11. On 3rd and 7 from the 9, Manning fired incomplete. Yet defensive pass interference instead led to a one yard Jacobs run. The second lead change of the game had the Giants up 12-7.

Another touchback soon had Dallas facing 3rd and 2. Jones had a pair of 11 yard gains sandwiched around a 10 yard toss to Fiametta. Jones then had a pair of 6 yard runs and a third 11 yarder. Romo hit Robinson for a 9 yard touchdown to have the Cowboys up 14-12 after the third lead change.

The Giants moved from their 20 to a 3rd and 4 at the Dallas 43. Yet Manning went deep incomplete and punted. Dallas took over at their own 4 and Jones quickly fumbled, giving the Giants golden field position at the Dallas 14. Yet on 3rd and 4 from the 8 Manning threw incomplete. Tynes hit a 26 yarder as the 4th lead change had the Giants up 15-14 with one minute left in the half. After a touchback, Romo hit Jason Witten for 6 and went deep to Robinson for a 40 yard gain. That was enough for Dan Bailey to hit a 49 yarder as the 5th lead change of the game had the Cowboys up 17-15 at intermission.

In the third quarter after a Giants punt, Dallas took over at their own 28. Jones gained 8 and 2. On 2nd and 14, Romo hit Robinson at the marker. On 3rd and 4 from the Giants 46, Romo hit Jones for 8. On 3rd and 3 from the Giants 31, Romo threw incomplete. Bailey hit another 49 yarder to have the Cowboys up 20-15.

The Giants took over at their own 15. On 3rd and 1 Manning hit Nicks for 8. on 3rd and 4 Manning found Victor Cruz for 10. On 2nd and 22 from the Giants 36, Maning hit Nicks for 17 and then went deep to Mario Manningham for a 47 yard touchdown. The 6th lead change of the game had the Giants up 22-20 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter.

Both teams would punt, and Dallas began the fourth quarter at their own 20. On 3rd and 10 Romo went deep to Robinson for the bomb. The 74 yard gain was followed by a 6 yard touchdown pass to Miles Austin as the 7th lead change had the Cowboys up 27-22 with 13 minutes left in regulation.

After a touchback, Jacobs gained 7 and Ahmad Bradhshaw gained 4. Bradhsaw was benched for the first half because Tom Coughlin is a disciplinarian. He has a Super Bowl ring, and will not hesitate to bench anyone for violating team rules. With 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation the Giants faced a critical 4th and 3 at the Dallas 37. Coughlin decided to go for it, and Manning hit Manningham for 15. With 7 minutes left facing 3rd and 9 at the Dallas 21, Manning had a pass deflected and intercepted by Lee. Lee returned it 30 yards to midfield. 2 plays later Romo went for the kill. A 50 yard bomb to Dez Bryant had the Cowboys up 34-22 with only 6 minutes left.

Manning was not done, as he led a furious comeback. From the 20, Manning hit Cruz for 11, 9, and 23 on 3rd and 1. On 1st and 5 from the Dallas 32, Manning went to Nicks for 24 and to Ballard for the 8 yard touchdown. With 3:20 to play, the Giants were within 34-29. After a touchback, a pair of JOnes runs forced the Giants to use their second timeout with 2:25 to play. A run would have forced the Giants to take their last timeout. Instead Jason Garrett went for the jugular, and Romo went deep to Austin. The pass was well thrown but Austin did once date a Kardashian. The incompletion gave the Giants life when a first down would have possibly ended it.

A terrible 33 yard punt had the Giants at their own 42 with 2:12 left. Manning hit Ballard for 21 yards at the 2 minute warning. Defensive offsides was followed by Manning hitting Cruz for 8. Another defensive penalty for holding moved the ball to the 19. Manning then found Ballard for an 18 yard gain down to the one. At this point both teams had little time to reflect on what happened a week earlier.

For the Giants, it was scoring too early and giving up the winning score. For the Cowboys it was not taking their timeouts and letting the clock run down, blowing a game they had won. This time the Cowboys took a timeout with one minute left rather than let the clock run down on them in case the Giants scored. Jacobs got stopped on 1st down but on 2nd and goal from the one he went off right tackle and just barely made it over the pileon. Both teams smartly avoided 2 point conversion tries all game, but now it was time to go for it. Ware took a draw play and got in and the Giants led by a field goal after the 8th lead change of the game.

Dallas began at their own 20 with 46 seconds left. Romo hit Austin for 22 and then spiked the ball with 29 seconds left. on 3rd and 4 from the Dallas 48, Romo found Austin for 23. His dating a Kardashian notwithstanding, in the clutch he got the job done. Romo spiked the ball with 8 seconds left at the Giants 29. Bailey had already hit a pair of 49 yarders, and this one was from 47. The kick was good, but it did not count because Coughlin called the timeout at the last moment. Bailey kicked it again, and with everyone looking on the kick was blocked by Jason Pierre-Paul. There would be no overtime.

Both of these teams are now 7-6. Jason Garrett and Tom Coughlin know that both of these teams meet in the regular season finale. As of now due to this win, the G-men hold the tiebreaker and would be in the playoffs if things ended today. Dallas would be out. Yet this instant classic will be played again in 3 weeks, and it cannot come soon enough. Coughlin even briefly smiled after the game. 37-34 Giants

St. Louis Rams @ Seattle Seahawks is the Monday night game. There is no reason whatsoever to watch this game The Rams are a mess. Seattle has won 3 of their last 4 to get to 5-7, and another win could keep them in the playoff picture. Given that they made it last year at 7-9, they should be banned from post-season play for life. Sam Bradford did return from his injury, but it was tough going for him.

The first half was virtually lifeless in terms of offense, with special teams providing the only real spark. Pete Carroll went to the bag of tricks at the outset as a lateral on the opening kickoff went for 43 yards. It led to nothing. Seattle punted and the Rams punted back. Yet Seattle blocked it and Robinson picked it up in front of a frenzied home crowd as the Seahawks led 7-0.

The best one could say about the Rams is that their next punt was successful. Yet Tarvaris Jackson led the Seahawks in 14 plays and 7 minutes, eventually settling for a 42 yard Stephen Hauschka field goal and a 10-0 lead. After a touchback Bradford led the Rams in 11 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. A 46 yard Josh Brown field goal with 11 minutes left in the half had the Rams within 10-3. The Rams got it back and Bradford led them to a 4th and 1 at the Seattle 36 with 6 minutes left in the half. Steve Spagnuolo decided to go for it and Bradford threw incomplete. Jackson brought the Seahawks to a 3rd and 1 at the Rams 27. Yet Jackson then fumbled to kill that drive at the 2 minute warning.

The third quarter continued the ugliness as the Rams took over at their own 23. Bradford was quickly intercepted and Seattle took over at the Rams 34. Jackson led Seattle to 2nd and goal at the 5 before throwing incomplete twice as another field goal meant a 13-3 Seattle lead. Seattle got it back and Jackson led them from their own 37 to a 3rd and 3 at the Rams 19. Jackson then threw incomplete and Hauschka missed the 38 yarder.

The Rams soon faced 3rd and 13 at their own 30. Bradofrd found Stephen Jackson on a short route that went for a 50 yard gain. Defensive pass interference in the end zone then moved the ball to the one. Yet on 2nd and goal an intentional grounding call meant a 10 yard loss and yet another field goal as the Rams trailed 13-6 with 2 minutes left in the third quarter of a game with 0 offensive touchdowns.

Seattle got another long kickoff return as Leon Washington took it 54 yards to midfield. On 3rd and 11 Jackson hit Danny Baldwin for 22 and then again for the 29 yard touchdown as a close game was broken open. Seattle led 20-6 and the Rams were not coming back. In the fourth quarter Jackson led Seattle from their own 14 to the Rams 30 and Hauschka hit from 48 to make it 23-6 with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation.

Bradford brought the Rams back from their own 24. Williams gained 12 and 7. From the Rams 48, Bradford went deep to Brandon Lloyd for 37 yards. Defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the one. On 3rd and goal Brdford threw incomplete. Yet a braindead taunting penalty on the Seattle defense meant an automatic first down instead of 4th and goal. Again came 3rd and goal at the 1 and on the 6th try from one yard out Stephen Jackson got in to make it 23-13 with 5 minutes left.

The onsides kick failed and Seattle quickly turned out the lights from the Rams 42. Marshawn Lynch ran for 11, Jackson hit Baldwin for 15, and Lynch took it the final 16 to end the scoring. The Rams continue their season of misery while Seattle has quietly gotten to 6-7. Last year they won the NFC Worst at 7-9. This year the real world returns as they miss the playoffs as teams with their records should. 30-13 Seahawks

eric

I had the pleasure a couple nights ago of meeting former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons running back Warrick Dunn. There is a special place in heaven for Mr. Dunn.

We were at the Atlanta airport, and both taking the train to the last terminal. I did not know who he was, but I knew I recognized him. After pretending to be a rapper, he saw I was skeptical and then he laughed and told me who he really was. He is a very nice guy and a very good guy.

While Mr. Dunn was a very good running back at Florida State and in the NFL (he retired 3 years ago), his off the field deeds are what may be his most honorable legacy.

The Warrick Dunn Foundation is a truly worthwhile endeavor. Warrick Dunn was raised by a single mother, and he has a special place in his heart for all single mothers. Every year, he accepts applications from single mothers all over the country. One lucky winner gets to receive the American dream. He buys them a house.

He makes the down payment, fully stocks the fridge, and fully furnishes the place. All the woman has to do is keep up with the monthly mortgage payments. Applicants are screened to make sure they are not addicted to drugs or alcohol or beat their children. Character matters to Mr. Dunn.

Even though he is retired, when I saw him at the airport he had just come back from meeting with a couple women and working on helping them achieve the dream of home ownership.

Even if one does not know a football from a meatball, we are all going to stand before God one day. Warrick Dunn will stand tall.

May God bless him always, and for single mothers out there, reach out to him.

eric

As we get to Week 14 of this NFL Season, we are starting to see some separation, especially in the AFC. All 4 of the 8-3 teams won to get to 9-3. There are 0 teams at 8-4 and 5 teams at 7-5. There are also 0 teams at 6-6.

Adding to the confusion, last week Houston was the top seed and New England second. They both won, yet New England is now the top seed. Denver and the Raiders are 7-5, yet Denver would be the #4 seed while the Raiders are #9 and out of it. Cincinnati would get the #6 seed while Tennessee and the Jets would also be on the outside looking in.

The NFC has Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, and Chicago all at 7-5, although only Dallas leads their division. They are up on the Giants by one game, but those teams play twice in the last 4 weeks. Yet the top seed is all but locked up by Green Bay while San Francisco is trying to hold off New Orleans for the 2 seed.

Yet again, there seems to be separation. Will the Packers go 16-0? Will the Colts go 0-16?

December will tell the story.

eric

Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers was the Thursday night game.

Indianapolic Colts @ Baltimore Ravens (16 1/2)

(Ravens win but fail to cover)

Atlanta Falcons (3) @ Carolina Panthers

(Panthers win outright)

Houston Texans @ Cincinnati Bengals (3)

(Bengals cover)

Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions (9 1/2)

(Lions win but fail to cover)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3) @ Jacksonville Jaguars

(Jaguars win outright)

Philadelphia Eagles @ Miami Dolphins (3)

(Dolphins cover)

Kansas City Chiefs @ New York Jets (10 1/2)

(Jets win but fail to cover)

New Orleans Saints (3 1/2) @ Tennessee Titans

(Saints cover)

New England Patriots (8) @ Washington Redskins

(Patriots win but fail to cover)

San Francisco 49ers (4) @ Arizona Cardinals

(49ers win but fail to cover)

Chicago Bears @ Denver Broncos (3 1/2)

(Broncos win but fail to cover)

Oakland Raiders @ Green Bay Packers (12)

(Packers cover)

Buffalo Bills @ San Diego Chargers (7)

(Chargers win but fail to cover)

New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys (4 1/2) is the Sunday night game.

(Cowboys win but fail to cover)

St. Louis Rams @ Seattle Seahawks (10 1/2) is the Monday night game.

(Seahawks cover)

eric