THE TYGRRRR EXPRESS

NFL 2014 Week 17 Recap

http://www.commdiginews.com/sports/nfl-2014-week-17-lessons-learned-and-not-learned-32487/

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens — The Browns went with 3rd string quarterback Connor Shaw. Cleveland moved to the Baltimore 25 and fumbled the ball away. Baltimore moved to a 4th and goal at the one. John Harbaugh went for it and Justin Forsett got driven backward. Midway through the second quarter Justin Tucker hit a 25 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Ravens. Garrett Hartley answered with a 38 yard field goal with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half for a 3-3 game.

With 3 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter and the Browns facing 3rd and 5 just shy of midfield, Shaw went deep to Gabriel for a 49 yard gain. On the next play West got the final 2 yards on the ground as the Browns led 10-3. The fourth quarter began with Joe Flacco moving the Ravens from their 17 to a 3rd and 5 at the Cleveland 10. Flacco then threw incomplete as the Ravens settled for a 28 yard Tucker field goal to trail 10-6 with 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Browns went 3 and out and the Ravens took over at their own 31. Flacco went deep to Troy Smith for a 53 yard gain. On the next play Flacco went back to Smith for the 16 yard touchdown. The Ravens finally had a 13-10 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Baltimore got it back at their own 43. A 24 yard completion from Flacco to Steve Smith led to the Ravens facing 3rd and goal at the 2 with under 4 minutes left. The Dawg Pound desperately needed a stop but could not get one. Flacco found Aiken for the clinching touchdown. It was hideous, but a 17 point fourth quarter was enough to get the Ravens into the playoffs with a 10-6 record. They had the same record when they won it all two years ago. The Browns began the season 7-4 but crumbled with five straight losses to miss the playoffs for the 12th straight year. 20-10 Ravens

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans — Houston was down to their fourth quarterback. Case Keenum hit Arian Foster for a 10 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Texans. Josh Scobee hit a 53 yard field goal to get the Jaguars on the board. Keen was then intercepted by Gratz, who raced 55 yards the other way for a touchdown and a 10-7 Jaguars lead. Houston moved 74 yards in 14 plays and took 6:45 off the clock as Alfred Blue got in from one yard out to make it 14-10 Texans. In the third quarter Scobee failed to close the lead when a 51 yard field goal dunked off the upright no good.

With 5 minutes left in the third quarter Keenum was sacked and fumbled, giving the Jaguars the ball at the Houston 23. Gus Bradley went to the bag of tricks on the first play, as Blake Bortles lateraled to Cecil Shorts. Shorts threw a halfback option pass to Jordan Todman for a 17-14 Jaguars lead. Keen moved the Texans 80 yards in 12 plays and 6 minutes. 90 seconds into the fourth quarter Keenum hit Andre Johnson for an 8 yard touchdown and a 21-17 Texans lead.

With 6 minutes left in the game the Jaguars faced 3rd and 7 at their own 10. Bottles went backward and was sacked in the end zone by J.J. Watt for a safety. The Texans led by 6 but could not add to their lead after the free kick. The Jaguars got it back at their own 15 with 2:51 to play. On 4th and 10 from their own 38, Bortles found Cecil Shorts for 18 yards. Bortles then scrambled for 34 yards. With 1:41 to play, the Jaguars had 1st and goal at the 10. On 3rd and goal from the 5, Bortles threw incomplete. On 4th and goal, Bortles again threw incomplete. Houston finished 9-7 but were eliminated from the playoffs when Baltimore came back to win their game. TThe 3-13 Jaguars have their quarterback of the future and for the second straight year will have the number three pick in next year’s Draft. 23-17 Texans

San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs — With everything on the line, Alex Smith was injured. Chase Daniel got his second career start. Carlo Santos hit a 43 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Chiefs. The Chiefs then moved 94 yards. Near the goal line Dwayne Bowe fumbled but Kelce recovered in the end zone for the Chiefs for a 10-0 lead in the second quarter. The Chargers got within 10-7 when Oliver got in from one yard out. Anthony Thomas returned a punt 41 yards to the San Diego 8 but the Chiefs squandered the opportunity and settled for a 21 yard Santos field goal to lead 13-7 with 4 minutes left in the half. Santos added another field goal from 27 with 30 seconds left in the half to make it 16-7 Chiefs.

In the third quarter Philip Rivers was sacked and fumbled, giving the Chiefs gift field position again at the San Diego 17. Again the Chiefs failed to capitalize as Santos hit his fourth field goal from 31 yards out to make it 19-7 Chiefs midway through the third quarter. With 30 seconds left in the third quarter Nick Novak missed a 52 yard field goal. With 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation, after making four attempts Santos missed from 50. Philip Rivers threw a 3 yard touchdown pass to Eddie Royal with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation, but on official review the ball was ruled to have hit the ground incomplete. On 4th and goal from the 3, Rivers threw incomplete. San Diego would get it back with no time left for a comeback and Rivers was intercepted on the final play. Both teams finished 9-7 and out of the playoffs due to Baltimore winning their game. 19-7 Chiefs

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins — Last year the eliminated Jets went into Miami and knocked the Dolphins out of the playoff race, saving Rex Ryan’s job and nearly costing Joe Philbin his. This year before the game Philbin was guaranteed to return next year while Ryan is a goner. Caleb Sturgis hit a 37 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Dolphins. Owes ran for a 23 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Jets. In the second quarter Geno Smith fumbled at the Dolphins recovered at the Jets 21. Thomas got in from one yard out to make it 10-7 Dolphins. Smith came back and hit Chris Ivory for an 8 yard score to make it 14-10 Jets. Ryan Tannehill moved the Dolphins 93 yards as a 23 yard touchdown pass to Clay made it 17-14 Dolphins.

The start of the third quarter symbolized everything wrong with the Jets this season and pretty much every season. Owes returned the second half kickoff 87 yards to the Miami 12. On 3rd and 1 from the 3, Powell got nothing. Rex Ryan decided to go for it on 4th and 1 and Chris Ivory got nothing. The Dolphins took over at their own 3. One play and 14 seconds later Miller had a 97 yard touchdown run. Instead of trailing 21-17, the 14 point swing had the Dolphins leading 24-14. The Jets did come right back as Smith found Eric Decker for a 74 yard touchdown to get the Jets within 24-21. The Jets got it back and Nick Folk hit a 26 yard field goal to tie the game 24-24.

The Jets got it back and moved 78 yards in 11 plays and 5 minutes. The fourth quarter began with the Jets facing 4th and 1 at the Miami 5. This time Rex Ryan decided not to gamble. Folk hit from 23 as the Jets led 27-24. With 4 minutes left, the Jets faced 4th and 12 at their own 39. Rex Ryan pulled out all the stops in his final game, calling a fake punt that worked perfectly and went for a 38 yard gain. On the next play Smith hit Cumberland for a 23 yard touchdown to make it 34-24 Jets.

Tannehill then fumbled as the Jets added a late field goal. A beaming Rex Ryan laughed and enjoyed his last press conference before Black Monday after a 4-12 season. Smith passed for a career high 358 yards. The Dolphins for the second straight season dropped to 8-8 by losing to the Jets at home. 37-24 Jets

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings — Blair Walsh hit a 37 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Vikings. Jay Feely answered from 48 in the second quarter as a hideous game went to the locker rooms tied 3-3. In the third quarter Teddy Bridgewater threw an interception that appeared to be returned 40 yards for a Chicago touchdown. On further review Fuller was ruled down after a 31 yard return to the Minnesota 9. On 3rd and goal from the 7 Jay Cutler threw a touchdown to Jeffery. Again officials reviewed the play and again the call was reversed to an incomplete pass. Feely hit the 25 yard field goal to make it 6-3 Bears. Bridgewater came back and threw a 44 yard touchdown Thielen for a 10-6 Vikings lead.

Early in the fourth quarter Sherels returned a Chicago punt 31 yards to the Minnesota 47. Walsh hit from 44 to make it 13-6 Vikings with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation. In the fourth quarter Cutler was intercepted again, but this time defensive offsides nullified the turnover. Feely hit his third field goal from 35 yards out as the Bears got within 13-9. The Vikings moved from their 32 to a 3rd and 1 at the Chicago 3. Asiata got the carry and got nothing. On 4th and 1 at the 3 Mike Zimmer decided to go for it to put the game away. Asiata again got nothing. From their own 3, Cutler moved the Bears to a 4th and 9 at their own 26 with 1:43 to play. A completion came up one yard short as the Bears awaited a Black Monday that could be uglier than their season. 13-9 Vikings

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots — Despite locking up home field, Bill Bellichick played Tom Brady and the rest of his starts in the first half. He could not have liked what he saw. Kyle Orton threw a 6 yard touchdown to Woods to make it 7-0 Bills. The Patriots came back down the field but  settled for a 24 yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal to trail 7-3. In the second quarter Dixon got in from one yard out as a 13 play, 80 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive made it 14-3 Bills. Orson then sacked and fumbled to give the Patriots a short field at the Buffalo 44. Gostkowski hit from 44 to get the Patriots within 14-6. Michael Thigpen returned the ensuing kickoff 49 yards to the Patriots 47. Carpenter hit from 48 to make it 17-6 Bills.

Jimmy Garoppolo played the second half and led the Patriots to a 4th and 1 at the Buffalo 13 with 6 minutes left in the third quarter. Bellichick went for it and Garoppolo lost a yard. The Patriots got it back and Danny Amendol returned a punt 26 yards to the Buffalo 44. Gostkowski hit his third field goal from 35 yards out as the Patriots got within eight after three quarters. Midway through the fourth quarter the Patriots faced 1st and 10 at the Buffalo 30 seeking to tie the game. Instead a sack of Garoppolo and an offensive holding penalty meant 3rd and 36, with the Patriots failed to convert. The Patriots got it back with 1:50 to play, but on 4th and 2 from their own 33 with one minute left, Garoppolo threw incomplete. The Patriots finished the season 12-4 and the Bills, despite finishing 9-7, missed the playoffs again for the 15 straight year. 17-9 Bills

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants — After starting 9-3 and having a shot at home field, the Eagles dropped three straight to miss the playoffs. After starting 3-9, the Giants won 3 straight to try and save Tom Coughlin. Williams ran it in from one yard out to make it 7-0 Giants. Mark Sanchez came back with a 44 yard touchdown pass to Matthews to make it 7-7. Sanchez then threw a one yard touchdown pass to Captain Morgan Brent Celek to make it 14-7 Eagles. Josh Brown hit a 38 yard field goal to get the Giants within 14-10. An interception of Sanchez set up the Giants just past midfield. On 3rd and goal at the 2 Eli Manning threw incomplete as the Giants settled for a 20 yard field goal to trail 14-13. Brown then hit his 3rd field goal from 36 as the Giants led 16-14. Cody Parkey hit a 32 yard field goal to put the Eagles up 17-16 at halftime.

In the third quarter the Eagles blocked a punt and Burton returned it 27 yards for a touchdown and a 24-16 Philadelphia lead. Brown then hit his fourth field goal from 53 yards out as the Giants got within 24-19. With 13 minutes left in regulation on 3rd and goal from the one, Polk got in for a 31-19 Eagles lead. Manning came back with a bomb to O’Dell Beckham for a 63 yard touchdown as the Giants were within 31-26 with 12 minutes left in regulation.

Parker added a 39 yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter to put the Eagles up by 8. With 3 minutes left and the Giants at their own 35, Manning was intercepted to set up the Eagles at the Giants 18. The Eagles ran out the clock to get to 10-6 and drop the Giants to 6-10. Coughlin wants to return next year. Black Monday will tell the story. 34-26 Eagles

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Murray hit a 39 yard field goal for a 3-0 Buccaneers lead. In the second quarter Josh McCown hit Mike Evans for a 10-0 Buccaneers lead. A 12 play, 80 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive saw Robinson get in from the one to get the Saints within 10-7. Sims answered with an 8 yard touchdown to make it 17-7 Buccaneers. Murray hit from 27 to have the Buccaneers up 20-7 at halftime over the reeling Saints. With 4 minutes left in the third quarter Drew Brees was intercepted at the Goal line. Tampa Bay went 3 and out and the Saints got it back at their own 46. One minute into the fourth quarter Mark Ingram got in from the one to get the Saints within 20-14.

With 5 1/2 minutes left in regulation McCown as intercepted, setting up the Saints at midfield. On 3rd and 8 from the Bucs 36, a short pass from Brees to Marques Colston went for a touchdown as the Saints had the one point lead at the 2 minute warning. The Bucs took over and soon faced 3rd and 21 at their own 6. McCown was sacked in the end zone for a safety by Galette. 16 fourth quarter points for the Saints had the preseason Super Bowl contenders finish 7-9. The Buccaneers finished 2-14 and will have the top pick in the 2015 Draft. 23-20 Saints

Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans – The 10-5 Colts were locked into their playoff seed and continued to beat up on bad teams to pad their record. Andrew Luck threw a 7 yard touchdown pass to Coby Fleener to make it 7-0 Colts. In the second quarter Luck threw an 80 yard completion to Reggie Wayne down to the one and then found Doyle for the touchdown to make it 14-0 Colts. Leon Washington returned the ensuing kickoff 52 yards to the Colts 47. On 3rd and goal from the 6 after an offensive penalty, Charlie Whitehurst hit Wright for the score to get the Titans within 14-7. Josh Cribs returned the ensuing kickoff 76 yards to the Tennessee 27. On 1st and goal from the 5, 3 straight plays gained nothing. Adam Vinatieri hit from 23 to make it 17-7 Colts at the half.

Matt Hasselbeck replaced Luck for the second half. In the third quarter after Vinatieri missed from 46,  Ryan Succop hit from 31 for the Titans. Vinatieri answered from 26 on the first play of the fourth quarter as the Colts led 20-10. Hasselbeck threw an 8 yard touchdown pass to Fleener for an 8 yard touchdown with 3 1/2 minutes left to drop the Titans to 2-14. That was still not good enough to be the worst, as the Titans will have the second pick in the 2015 Draft and not the top pick.

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins — Dan Bailey hit a 36 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Cowboys. Robert Griffin III threw a 69 yard touchdown pass to make it 7-3 Redskins. Tony Romo came right back with a 65 yard touchdown pass to Dez Bryant for a 10-7 Cowboys lead. Romo went back to Bryant for a 23 yard touchdown to make it 17-7 Cowboys. In the second quarter Dan Bailey hit from 32 to make it 20-7 Cowboys. Jason Garrett called a surprise onside kick and it succeeded as Dallas took over just past midfield. DeMarco Murray ran it in from 9 yards out as Dallas was all over hapless Washington 27-7. Forbath hit from 25 to get the Redskins with 27-10. Dallas quickly answered with an 80 yard touchdown but this one was nullified by a penalty.

With 2 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter the Redskins faced 3rd and 1 at the Dallas 7. After RGIII threw incomplete, Jay Gruden decided to go for it. RGIII was intercepted by Carter, who returned it 35 yards to the Dallas 40. Dallas went 3 and out and the Cowboys got it back at their own 6. From their own 18, Romo was intercepted to give the Redskins the ball at the Dallas 16. After a couple of RGIII incompletions, he was intercepted at the Dallas 11. RGIII did scramble for a 2 yard touchdown with 6 1/2 minutes remaining to get the Redskins within 27-17.

Romo led the Cowboys from their 34 to 2nd and goal at the 5 before throwing incomplete twice. Bailey hit from 23 to make it 30-17 Cowboys. RGIII was then sacked and fumbled with 3 minutes left. Spencer returned it 5 yards for another touchdown to make it 37-17 Cowboys. Another Washington fumble after the 2 minute warning set up Dallas at their own 35. Just trying to run out the clock, Randle raced for a 65 yard touchdown to complete the blowout. Dallas at 12-4 will host a playoff game on wildcard weekend while Daniel Snyder may fire everybody or nobody after a miserable season. The Redskins have the number five pick in the 2014 Draft. 44-17 Cowboys

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons — The 6-8-1 Panthers and 6-9 Falcons faced off for the right to win the NFC South and make the playoffs with a losing record. Both Ron Rivera and Mike Smith are Black Monday casualty possibilities with a loss. Cam Newton led a 12 play, 77 yard, 7 minute drive that culminated in a 21 yard Graham Gano field goal for the Panthers. Newton then led the Panthers 87 yards as a 5 yard touchdown pass to Dickson ended the first quarter with Carolina up 10-0. In the second quarter Matt Bryant hit a 21 yard field goal to get the Falcons on the board after Matt Ryan threw incomplete twice on 2nd and goal at the 3.

With 4 1/2 minutes left in the half Matty Ice went ice cold as an interception by Roman Harper was returned 31 yards for a 17-3 Panthers lead. At the 2 minute warning Roddy White fumbled at the Atlanta 42 and Davis returned it 33 yards with an Atlanta penalty moving the ball to the 4. Newton ran for a 4 touchdown. One week after going on the road and belting New Orleans, Atlanta was getting throttled at home 24-3 at halftime.

Graham Gano hit a 48 yard field goal to make it 27-3 Panthers in the third quarter. Tre Boston returned another interception of Matt Ryan 84 yards for another Carolina touchdown to complete the scoring. Four straight wins after a 3-8-1 start meant the Panthers were NFC South champions for the second consecutive season. 34-3 Panthers

Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos — The Raiders ran 3 plays and lost 6 yards. Denver took over at their own 46 and Connor Barth hit a 49 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Broncos. The Raiders then faced 3rd and 2 at their own 28. David Carr was sacked and a delay of game on the punt meant this drive lost 5 yards. Denver took over just shy of midfield. CJ Anderson ran for an 11 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Broncos.

The Broncos got it back and faced a routine 2nd and 2 at their own 23. Peyton Manning threw a swing pass that was batted backward by Justin Tuck. Most of the players stopped playing despite no whistle for an incomplete pass. McGill picked up the ball and ran 18 yards for a defensive touchdown. The pass by Manning was ruled a lateral, a live ball, a fumble, and a touchdown. On further review the touchdown stood. Despite having only 4 net yards of offense and 0 first downs, the Raiders were only down 10-7.

Denver shrugged off the mistake and easily moved 80 yards. On 3rd and 4 from the Oakland 24, Manning found Denarius Thomas for 23 yards. CJ Anderson got the last yard for a 17-7 Broncos lead. The Raiders then faced 3rd and 5 from their own 25 when a high snap out of the shotgun was mishandled by Carr for a 21 yard loss. The Raiders punted on 4th and 26 from their own 4 and the Broncos again had excellent field position at their own 48. Barth hit from 36 as the Broncos led 20-7 at halftime. Manning was 15 of 22 for 199 yards in the first half while Carr was 4 of 10 for 34 yards.

Bolden returned the second half kickoff 76 yards to the Oakland 30. CJ Anderson quickly raced for a 25 yard touchdown as the Broncos led 27-7. After a touchback the Raiders soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 39. Carr found Latavius Murray, who took a short pass 46 yards. On 3rd and goal at the one, Carr hit Jermaise Olawale for the touchdown to get the Raiders within 27-14. Denver quickly reached the red zone again and Barth hit from 35 to make it 30-14 Broncos.

Late in the third quarter the Raiders faced 44th and 4 at the Denver 39. With nothing to lose, Tony Sparano decided to inspire his team by punting. Denver moved from their 11 to the Oakland 3 as Barth’s fourth field goal from 21 made it 33-14 Broncos in the fourth quarter. Carr was then stripped of the ball and Carter returned the fumble 20 yards to make it 40-14 Broncos. A short punt gave Denver the ball back at the Oakland 44. At the 2 minute warning on 3rd and goal at the one with Brock Osweiler in the game, Osweiler threw his first touchdown pass of the year. Denver at 12-4 easily rolled to their first round bye. Oakland at 3-13 lost out on getting Jon Gruden and appear to be losing out on Jim Harbaugh as well. Black Monday could be ugly for Tony Sparano and Reggie McKenzie. The Raiders have the number four pick in the 2015 Draft. 47-14 Broncos

Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers — An NFC North showdown between 11-4 teams still heavily favored the Packers, who had not lost at home to the Lions since 1991. Snow flurries meant Packers weather. On 3rd and 1 from their own 29, Matthew Stafford was sacked as the Lions went 3 and out. Aaron Rodgers moved the Packers from their 37 to a 3rd and goal at the 2. Rodgers threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the one. John Kuhn got stopped and Rodgers threw incomplete twice, setting up 4th and goal at the one. Mike McCarthy decided to go for it. Eddie Lacy got the carry and got blasted for a one yard loss. Jim Caldwell was pleased that he almost made a facial expression. The goal line stand was all for naught as the Lions punted and Hyde returned it for a 55 yard touchdown as the Packers got the 7-0 lead the hard way.

Rodgers would throw a 4 yard touchdown pass to Randall Cobb for a 14-0 Packers lead with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half. Rodgers pulled up limp on the play and left the game with a strained calf muscle. Stafford hit Megatron Calvin Johnson for a 20 yard touchdown with 25 seconds left in the half as the Lions only trailed 14-7. Of bigger concern was Matt Flynn starting the second half. Stafford found Johnson again for a 4 yard touchdown to tie the game 14-14, but Rodgers came back in the game. On 3rd and 4 from the Detroit 13, Rodgers hit Randall Cobb for the touchdown an the 21-14 Packers lead.

Early in the fourth quarter the Packers had a 52 yard field goal try blocked. On the first play after the block, Stafford fumbled. Green Bay took over at the Detroit 42. Rodgers took the one yard quarterback sneak just over the goal line to make it 28-14 Packers with 9 minutes left. Intentional grounding on Stafford in the end zone with 2 1/2 minutes to play made it 30-14 Packers. The Lions treated the free kick like an onside kick and recovered it at the Green Bay 44.Stafford quickly hit Riddick for a 6 yard touchdown with 1:50 left. The 2 point conversion was ruled good but on further review reversed as it was determined Bell did not break the plane of the goal. Green Bay locked up the NFC North and a first round bye for the Packers as the Lions will have to go the wildcard route. 30-20 Packers

St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks – All Seattle had to do was win at home to lock up home field throughout the playoffs for the second straight year. While Seattle has the Legion of Boom, Jeff Fisher teams have a defense every bit as tenacious as teams coached by Pete Carroll. This was another nasty NFC West slugfest. Greg Zuerlein hit a field goal of 33 yards in the first quarter to make it 3-0 Rams. The Seahawks moved to a 4th and 5 at the Rams 35. Pete Carroll decided to go for it rather than try a 53 yard field goal. Russell Wilson hit Luke Wilson but the Seahawks were one yard short.

In the second quarter Wilson was intercepted and later fumbled the ball away at the Seattle 34. Zuerlein hit from 52 to make it 6-0 Rams at halftime.

Steve Hauschka hit field goals of 42 and 45 as the Seahawks tied the game 6-6 with 5 minutes left in the third quarter. On the last play of the third quarter the Rams faced 2nd and 9 at the Seattle 24. Offensive holding hurt matters but the Rams were still in field goal range for the lead. On the first play of the fourth quarter Hill was intercepted. Seattle took over at their own 46. On 3rd and 7 from the Rams 40, Wilson found Norwood for a 31 yard gain. Marshawn Lynch ran for the 9 yard score as the game’s first touchdown had Seattle up 13-6 with 12 minutes left. Irvin then returned an interception of Hill 49 yards to put the game away and send the NFC playoffs through Seattle. 20-6 Seahawks

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers — Consecutive losses after an 11-3 start had the Cardinals go from locking up home field throughout to possibly falling to the wildcard. For the third straight game the Cardinals needed a win from third string quarterback Ryan Lindley. Four straight losses after a 7-4 start meant this was Jim Harbaugh’s final game coaching the 49ers. Bruce Arians does not close the playbook when top players go down. A perfectly executed flea flicker resulted in a 20 yard touchdown pass from Lindley to Michael Floyd as the Cardinals led 7-0.

Colin Kaepernick came right back with a 76 yard touchdown pass to Anquon Boldin to tie the game 7-7. Phil Dawson was up next, kicking field goals of 53 and 37 yards sandwiched around a Lindley interception to make it 13-7 49ers. With 6 minutes left in the half Lindley moved the Cardinals from their 10 to the 49ers 15. Catanzaro hit a 36 yard field goal as the Cardinals got within 13-10 with 90 seconds left in the half. with one minute left the Cardinals got it back at their own 25. Bruce Arians does not play conservative football. Lindley hit Larry Fitzgerald for 21, John Brown for 13, and Michael Floyd for a 41 yard touchdown bomb as the Cardinals stole a 17-13 halftime lead. Lindley had 260 yards passing by halftime.   

After another Lindley interception, Kaepernick led a 10 play, 82 yard, 6 minute drive and threw a 3 yard touchdown pass to Miller with 30 seconds left in the third quarter for a 20-17 49ers lead. The defenses took over as the Cardinals began their final drive at the 2 minute warning after a touchback without a timeout. Lindley was quickly sacked for a 9 yard loss and then intercepted. The Cardinals fell to 11-5 and will have to host a playoff game on wildcard weekend. The 49ers got to 8-8 to send Jim Harbaugh out of San Francisco a winner. Jed York did not wait until Black Monday, firing Harbaugh Sunday as soon as the game ended.  20-17 49ers

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers was the Sunday night game. This AFC North showdown to conclude the regular season saw 10-4-1 Cincinnati at 10-5 Pittsburgh. Both teams would be playing on wildcard weekend but the winner had a home game while the loser as the wildcard would go on the road. Antonio Brown returned a punt 71 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 Steelers lead early on. Andy Dalton came back with a 17 yard touchdown pass to Greg Bernard for a 7-7 game.

A Ben Roethlisberger fumble set up the Bengals at the Pittsburgh 34. Early in the second quarter Mike Nugent hit a 39 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Bengals. Shawn Suisham answered with a 29 yarder to tie it again 10-10. Dalton then had a pass bounce off of AJ Green’s fingers for an interception that was returned 31 yards to the Cincy 28. Big Ben found Bryant for a 21 yard touchdown and a 17-10 Steelers lead with 6 minutes left in the half. With 40 seconds left in the half Suisham doinked a 25 yard field goal off the upright but it bounced through good to make it 20-10 Steelers.

With four minutes left in the third quarter the Steelers faced 3rd and 9 at the Cincy 30 and was looking for the kill shot. Instead Roethlisberger was intercepted at the 11 by Nelson. Dalton led a 15 play, 89 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive and hit Gresham for a 5 yard touchdown to get the Bengals within 20-17 with 11 1/2 minutes remaining in regulation.

With 6 minutes left the Steelers set up to punt on 4th and 9 from the Cincinnati 45. Mike Tomlin called for a fake punt that did not work. The ball was intercepted, setting the Bengals at their own 41. With 4 minutes left the Bengals faced 1st and 10 at the Pittsburgh 48. A 17-yard reception by AJ Green had the Bengals in range for the tying field goal for a fraction of a second. Green got blasted on the play and Pittsburgh recovered the fumble at their own 30.

Rather than run out the clock, Tomlin again decided to go bold and aggressive. After missing on a deep ball but drawing a defensive penalty, another incompletion stopped the clock. With 3 minutes left the Steelers faced 3rd and 8 at their own 37. Big Ben went bombs away again and found Antonio Brown for a 63 yard touchdown to seal the win and keep the Steelers home for the first week of the playoffs as AFC North Champions. The Bengals will be going on the road for their annual first round playoff exit. 27-17 Steelers

The NFL 2014-2015 Playoffs are now set.

NFC: 6) Detroit Lions at 3) Dallas Cowboys, 5) Arizona Cardinals at 4) Carolina Panthers

1) Seattle Seahawks and 2) Green Bay Packers have the bye week.

AFC: 6) Baltimore Ravens at 3) Pittsburgh Steelers, 5) Cincinnati Bengals at 4) Indianapolis Colts

1) New England Patriots and 2) Denver Broncos have the bye week.

NFL 2014 Black Monday Predictions

http://www.commdiginews.com/sports/nfl-2014-black-monday-predictions-32454/

eric

NFL 2014 Week 17 Prequel

http://www.commdiginews.com/sports/nfl-2014-week-17-preview-and-bettors-guide-32365/

eric

NFL 2014 Playoff Possibilities: The AFC

http://www.commdiginews.com/sports/nfl-2014-afc-playoff-permutations-and-combinations-32215/

eric

NFL 2014 Playoff Possibilities: The NFC

http://www.commdiginews.com/sports/nfl-2014-nfc-playoff-permutations-combinations-and-predictions-32214/

eric

Happy Hanukkah Night 6. Now let’s get down to football. Here is the NFL 2014 Week 16 Recap.

http://www.commdiginews.com/sports/nfl-week-16-lessons-learned-and-not-learned-32146/

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars was the Thursday night game. A pair of 2-12 teams battling to see who could anger their fans by winning and blowing a shot at the top pick in the 2015 Draft. Charlie Whitehurst led a 12 play, 84 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive as an 8 yard touchdown pass to Leon Washington made it 7-0 Titans. with 4 minutes left in the half Ryan Succop hit a 50 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Titans.

The Jaguars finally woke up. Blake Bortles moved Jacksonville after a touchback to a 3rd and 1 at the Tennessee 4 with 36 seconds left in the half. Bottles hit Mercedes Lewis for the touchdown as the Jaguars trailed 10-7. Jacksonville took the second half kickoff and marched 72 yards. On 3rd and goal from the 14, Blake Bortles only gained 12 but defensive holding meant 1st and goal at the one. Toby Gerhart got the last yard to make it 14-10 Jaguars after three quarters.

With 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation Jordan Todman broke free for a 62-yard touchdown run to make it 21-10 Jaguars. With 6 minutes left the Titans faced 3rd and goal at the 5. Whitehorse threw incomplete and Ken Whisenhunt opted for the field goal. With 1:14 to play and the Jaguars facing 4th and 1 at the Tennessee 37, Gus Bradley played it ultraconservative and decided to punt. Nothing inspires the fans of a 2-12 team like a punt in that situation. After a touchback, Whitehurst got the Titans to a chance to tie the game. With 17 seconds left and the Titans at the Jacksonville 35, Whitehurst was sacked to end the worst game in the history of prime time football. 21-13 Jaguars

Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins was the Saturday afternoon game. On 3rd and 14 from the Washington 47, Mark Sanchez was sacked and fumbled to give the Redskins a short field. Kai Forbath hit a 25 yard field goal to get Washington on the board first. Sanchez came back and moved the Eagles 79 yards as an 11 yard touchdown run by LeSean McCoy had the Eagles up 7-3. The Redskins came right back as Robert Griffin III threw a 51 yard pass to DeSean Jackson. On the next play Alfred Morris raced for a 28 yard touchdown for a 10-7 Redskins lead. In the second quarter Sanchez moved the Eagles 93 yards in 15 plays and 7 minutes. On 3rd and goal from the 3 Sanchez hit Riley Cooper for the score as the Eagles led 14-10 at the half.

The Redskins fumbled away the second half kickoff, but from the Washington 16 the Eagles went nowhere. Cody Parkey missed the 34 yard field goal try. RGIII moved the Redskins 76 yards in 12 plays and 7 minutes. Young got the final yard as the fourth lead change had the Redskins up 17-14. The Eagles then moved from their 20 to 3rd and 1 at the Washington 28. McCoy got the carry and got nothing. Chip Kelly decided not to gamble on fourth and one. Playing it safe backfired as Parkey missed again, this time from 46 yards out.

Late in the third quarter RGIII went deep to Jackson again for a 55 yard gain to the Philly 13. RGIII then went to the end zone and benefitted from a very questionable defensive pass interference call. There was absolutely contact, but the ball was thrown out of the end zone. Young got in again from the one as the Redskins led 24-14 after three quarters.

In the fourth quarter Sanchez moved the Eagles 69 yards. On 3rd and 8 from the Washington 16, Sanchez went to Cooper for the touchdown as the Eagles got within 24-21 with 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation. RGIII went deep again and this time was intercepted at the Philadelphia 46. Sanchez got the Eagles to 3rd and goal at the 4 before firing over the middle in a crowd incomplete. This time Parkey hit from 22 as the game was tied 24–24 with 6 1/2 minutes left. The Eagles got it back at their own 15 with 2 1/2 minutes left. With 90 seconds left on a critical 3rd and 4 at the Washington 48, Sanchez was intercepted by Breeland at the Washington 42.

One play later, and the Eagles were in deep trouble. A short pass to Pierre Garcon saw Garcon spin out out of a tackle and sprint down the field. A roughing the passer tacked on 15 more yards as the Redskins were now at the Philly 20. A pair of Alfred Morris runs meant 1st and goal at the 8 with 1:10 to play. On 3rd and goal from the 5, a false start did not change anything. From the 10, the Eagles took their last timeout with one minute left. One strategy would be to let the Redskins score to save time. Chip Kelly instead allowed a run up the middle to take the clock down as Forbath came in with only 10 seconds left.    

From 26 yards out, Forbath was good. Kelly’s decision backfired since being down by 7 with one minute left is better than being down by 3 with 5 seconds left. The Redskins never make anything easy, as the ensuing kickoff meant to be a low line drive was covered by the Eagles at midfield. Sanchez threw the Hail Mary to the end zone where it was well defended and knocked down. Washington snapped a 6 game losing streak, got to 4-11 and now has no shot at the top pick in the 2015 Draft. The Eagles lost their third straight to fall to 9-6 and  elimination from the playoff race. 27-24 Redskins

San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers was the Saturday night game. This thriller will be talked about for quite some time. The Chargers gave up an astonishing 355 yards rushing. Colin Kaepernick only threw for 114 yards, but he ran for 151 more and Frank Gore added 158 more. Gore broke off a 52 yard touchdown run to put the 49ers up 7-0 after the first quarter. In the second quarter Kaepernick hit Ellington for an 8 yard touchdown. Then Philip Rivers had an interception returned 49 yards for a score by Antoine Bethea to make it 21-0 49ers. Rivers did hit Eddie Royal for a 15 yard touchdown pass, but Ellington ran it in from one yard out just before the half ended. The 49ers were leading 28-7 in a laugher. They would not be laughing in the second half.

Early in the third quarter the 49ers faced 4th and 2 at the San Diego 39. Jim Harbaugh decided to go for it and put the game away. Kaepernick was sacked for a 2 yard loss. Rivers hit Gates for a one yard touchdown to get the Chargers within 28-14 in the third quarter. Then came the key play of the game. The 49ers faced 3rd and 5 from their own 37. Kaepernick went deep to Vernon Davis  for a 63 yard touchdown and what appeared to be a 35-14 49ers lead. Yet an illegal chop block on Gore nullified the score. On the very next play the 49ers faced 3rd and 20 from their own 22. Kaepernick was sacked and fumbled. A mad scramble in the end zone led to the Chargers recovering the football for a touchdown. The wild 14 point swing turned a blowout into a game where the Chargers only trailed 28-21.

A blunder on the ensuing kickoff had the 49ers backed up to their own 6. From the 10, Kaepernick scrambled and raced all the way for a 90 yard touchdown as the 49ers were back up 35-21. Rivers then went deep and was intercepted as the 49ers took their 14 point lead into the fourth quarter. Despite a short field at the San Diego 47, the 49ers wasted the opportunity. With 9 minutes left the game the 49ers again reached the San Diego 47 but no further. One more first down would have meant a long field goal to put the game out of reach. The Chargers were down but not out.

Rivers moved the Chargers 85 yards as a 21 yard touchdown pass to Antonio Gates had the Chargers only down 35-28 with 5 minutes left. Cox returned the ensuing kickoff 57 yards to the San Diego 45. Again the 49ers failed to turn out the lights. The Chargers got it back after a touchback with 3 1/2 minutes left. The 49ers had every chance to ice the game on offense. They did not. The 49ers had every chance to get a stop on defense. They did not.

On 3rd and 2 from the San Francisco 37, Rivers was sacked and fumbled. The Chargers were saved by retaining possession. With 1:35 to play, the Chargers faced 4th and 8 at the San Francisco 43. Rivers found Eddie Royal for a 17 yard gain. With 54 seconds left the Chargers faced 4th and 10 at the San Francisco 26. Rivers found Inman for 17 more yards. Rivers hit Malcolm Floyd for an 11 yard touchdown with 30 seconds left to tie the game 35-35.

The 49ers took over at their own 28 with 26 seconds left. On 3rd and 4, Kaepernick scrambled for 20 yards. With 2 seconds left Phil Dawson came in for a 60 yard field goal try. It was no good. On the second play of overtime, with the 49ers at their own 35, Patton took an end around for a 20 yard gain but had the ball chopped out of his hand. The Chargers recovered the fumble at their own 38. A steady dose of Ronnie Brown set up Nick Novak for the 40 yard field goal try to win it.

Novak was good and the Chargers had the biggest comeback win in franchise history. The 49ers were eliminated one week earlier and are now 7-8. The Chargers snapped a two game losing streak and got to 9-6 as Rivers finished 33 of 54 for 356 yards, four touchdown passes and three interceptions. 38-35 Chargers, OT

Cleveland Browns at Carolina Panthers — Graham gang hit from 23 in the first quarter for the Panthers and Garrett Hartley answered from 43 in the second quarter for a 3-3 tie. Late in the half from the Carolina 43, Cam Newton led a 12 play, 6 1/2 minute, 57 yard drive. At the 2 minute warning Carolina faced 3rd and goal at the 2. Newton got in himself for the 10-3 Panthers lead. Johnny Manziel went from Johnny Football to Johnny Locker Room after getting belted. Bryan Hoyer played the second half.

In the third quarter Hartley hit from 31 to get the Browns within 10-6. In the fourth quarter Hoyer connected with Cameron on an 81 yard touchdown connection to put the Browns up 13-10. Newton came back with a 9 yard touchdown to Stewart to make it 17-13 Panthers. Midway through the fourth quarter Hoyer was intercepted but the Panthers fumbled the ball back to Cleveland on the return. The Browns punted anyway and the Panthers took over at their 20 with 3 1/2 minutes left. With 1:47 left and both teams out of timeouts, the Panthers faced 3rd and 5 from the Cleveland 40. Stewart gained 30 as the Panthers ran out the clock. The Browns lost their fourth straight to fall to 7-8 while the 6-8-1 Panthers have a division showdown next week at Atlanta. 17-13 Panthers

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears — Jay Cutler was benched before the game started in favor of Jimmy Clausen in what appeared to be a suicide strategy by Marc Trestman. Meanwhile Reggie Bush ran for a 13 yard touchdown in the first quarter for a 7-0 Lions lead. Early in the second quarter the Lions had 2nd and goal at the one. Clausen threw incomplete. On 3rd and goal, Matt Forte got stopped. Trestman decided to go for it on 4th and goal. Clausen threw incomplete. Stafford moved the Lions from their one to the Chicago 17. Then Stafford was intercepted in the end zone for a touchback. The Lions got it back and moved the Chicago 18. Again Stafford was intercepted for a touchback. With the Lions defense playing lights out, special teams killed them when Detroit fumbled a punt with 45 seconds left in the half. The Bears took over at the Detroit 11 and one play was enough for Clausen to hit Forte for the 7-7 halftime tie.

Matt Prater hit a 39 yard field goal in the third quarter for a 10-7 Lions lead. Clausen then moved the Bears 80 yards in 14 plays and 7 1/2 minutes. A 20 yard touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery put the Bears up 14-10. With 11 minutes left in regulation Prater had a 37 yard field goal try blocked. The Lions got it back and a 46 yard defensive pass interference call was followed by Bell running for a 17 yard touchdown to put the Lions up 17-14 midway through the fourth quarter.

With 2 1/2 minutes left Prater hit from 30 to put the Lions up by 6. At the 2 minute warning facing 4th and 10 at their own 45, Clausen went deep and was intercepted. with Chicago out of timeouts, Stafford took 3 knees to end the game. At 11-4 the Lions are in the playoffs and have a showdown for the NFC North division title next week. The Bears are one game away from ending the Trestman era. Jim Caldwell was so pleased over the Lions win that he almost made a facial expression. 20-14 Lions

Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans — Randy Bullock hit field goals of 35 yards in the first quarter and 25 and 30 yards in the second quarter for a 9-0 Texans lead. The last kick came after an interception of Joe Flacco set the Texans up at the Baltimore 16 but the Texans failed to capitalize. Flacco was intercepted again, giving the Texans the ball at the Houston 19. From the 5 yard line, Arian Foster threw a halfback option pass to Fiedorowicz for the touchdown and the 16-0 Texans lead.

The Ravens finally got on the board in the third quarter when Flacco hit Troy Smith for an 8 yard touchdown to get Baltimore within 16-7. After that Bullock took over, hitting from 20 in the third quarter and 39 and 33 in the fourth quarter to put the Texans up 25-7. Flacoo did connect with Smith again for a 20 yard touchdown but after that the Houston defense clamped down. The loss dropped Baltimore to 9-6 while the Texans are at 8-7. Both teams will need help to make the playoffs. 25-13 Texans

Minnesota Vikings at Miami Dolphins — In the first quarter Asiata got in from the one for the Vikings. In the second quarter Ryan Tannehill was intercepted, setting up the Vikings at the Dolphins 23. Teddy Bridgewater hit Greg Jennings for a 21 yard touchdown and a 14-0 Vikings lead. Tannehill then led a 12 play, 92 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive that culminated in his hitting Sims for a 14 yard touchdown to get the Dolphins within 14-7. With one minute left in the half, Bridgewater rapidly moved the Vikings 86 yards to 1st and goal at the one with 14 seconds left in the half. After a run and an incomplete pass, the Vikings faced 3rd and goal at the one with 6 seconds left and no timeouts. In a curious decision, Mike Zimmer decided not to try and run one more quick pass play. Blair Walsh hit the 18 yard field goal as the Vikings took a 17-7 lead into the locker rooms. In the third quarter Tannehill hit Mike Wallace for a 16 yard touchdown t cap an 80 yard drive and get the Dolphins within 17-14. Three quarters of defense was followed by a fourth quarter shootout.

On the first play of the fourth quarter with the Dolphins facing 3rd and goal at the one, Miller got in to make it 21-17 Dolphins. Walsh then hit a 33 yard field goal to get the Vikings within 21-20. Tannehill hit Wallace for a 7 yard touchdown on 3rd and 5 to make it 28-20 Dolphins with 6 1/2 minutes left in the game. A very short kick had the Vikings taking over at their own 40. Bridgewater hit Wright for an 8 yard score  and Asiata ran in the two point conversion to tie the game 28-28 with 4:45 to play. This game was only beginning to get ridiculous.

The Dolphins fumbled the ensuing kickoff, giving the Vikings the ball at the Dolphins 5. One play later Asiata was in the end zone as 2 scores in 15 seconds had the Vikings up 35-28. Tannehill after a touchback moved the Dolphins to a critical 3rd and 14 at the Minnesota 18 with 1:21 to play. Tannehill threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the 3. Tannehill hit Williams on the next play and the game was tied 35-35.

This time Minnesota took over at their own 13 with one minute left. After a short gain the Vikings called timeout rather than let the clock wind down to overtime. On 3rd and 8 Bridgewater was sacked and the Dolphins called their last timeout. With 45 seconds left, they wanted one last shot in regulation. The offense did not need it. In a game of wild plays, the Dolphins blocked the punt for a safety. The free kick was treated like an onside kick, which went out of bounds as the Dolphins hung on for the crazy win. Tannehill finished 35 of 47 for 396 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Neither the 8-7 Dolphins or 6-9 Vikings are playoff bound, but this was the game of the day. 31 points in 3 quarters was followed by a 41 point fourth quarter. A supposedly boring coach sure has a team with some exciting finishes. After the game owner Stephen Ross announced that Philbin is not being fired. He will coach the team next year. 37-35 Dolphins

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints — With the hideous NFC South division title on the line, Saunders took the opening kickoff for the Saints and raced 99 yards for what looked like a touchdown. He was ruled down at the Atlanta one, and Mark Ingram plunged in to make it 7-0 Saints. Matt Bryant hit a 44 yard field goal and then added a 50 yarder in the second quarter to get the Falcons within 7-6. Matt Ryan then led a 15 play, 89 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive. A 3 yard touchdown pass to Eric Weems as the half ended to give the Falcons a 13-7 lead.

In the third quarter the Falcons quickly moved 86 yards as Freeman raced for a 31 yard touchdown to put Atlanta up 20-7. With 6 minutes left in the third quarter after a touchback Brees moved the Saints down the field. Controversy ensued on the first play of the fourth quarter with the Saints at the Atlanta 14. Bree threw complete to Jimmy Graham at the goal line as Graham was met by three defenders. Graham struggled to get the ball past the goal line. The ball was ripped out of his hands and the fumble was returned to the Atlanta 20. Sean Payton challenged the call but the replay showed Graham was an inch or two short of breaking the plane of the goal.

The Saints got it back at their own 13 and quickly moved down the field again. On 3rd and goal at the 4 Brees went to Graham, and this time the result was a touchdown as the Saints got within 20-14 with 6 minutes left in regulation. With 2 1/2 minutes left Brees was intercepted by Rolando McClain, setting up the Falcons at the Saints 13. Bryant hit from 32 at the 2 minute warning to make it 23-14 Falcons. With 13 seconds left in the game the Saints faced 3rd and 6 from the Atlanta 8. Brees was sacked and fumbled as Osi Umenyiora strolled 86 yards the other way for the final touchdown.

While the game was a lot closer than the score indicated, turnovers in the fourth quarter killed the Saints. Both teams are 6-9 but the Saints are eliminated from playoff contention due to an inferior division record. The Falcons host Carolina next week for the division title and a playoff berth. 30-14 Falcons

New England Patriots at New York Jets — The Jets wanted nothing better than to send Rex Ryan out a winner over their most hated rival and deny the Patriots home field throughout the playoffs. As expected, the Jets played tough early on. After a scoreless first quarter, the second quarter began with Danny Amendola returning a punt 39 yards to the Jets 36. Tom Brady hit Rob Gronkowski for a 3 yard touchdown and a 7-0 Patriots lead. Geno Smith came back and moved the Jets 87 yards in 12 plays and 6 minutes. Smith hit Cumberland for a 20 yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7. Nick Folk added a 26 yard field goal for a 10-7 Jets lead.

In the third quarter the Jets moved 11 plays, 66 yards and took up 6 minutes but got not further than the 5. Folk hit from 23 to make it 13-7 Jets. Next the Patriots moved to a 3rd and 2 at the Jets 6 when Tom Brady threw incomplete. Bill Bellichick went with the field goal as the Patriots trailed 13-10 late in the third quarter. The Jets needed a perfect game to beat the Patriots, and one mistake cost them. Smith was intercepted, setting up the Patriots at the Jets 38. One minute into the fourth quarter, Gray got in from the one to make it 17-13 Patriots. Midway through the fourth quarter Folk hit from 37 to get the Jets within 17-16.

With 5 minutes left Folk came in for a 52 yard field goal try to give the Jets the lead. This time Folk was no good as the Patriots had good field position. On 3rd and 7 at their own 45, Brady found Amendola for just enough. Rex Ryan challenged the spot. The first down was upheld and the Jets lost their second timeout. With 1:55 to play and the Jets out of timeouts, the Patriots faced 3rd and 1 at the Jets 25. Bolden took an end around 17 yards as the Patriots got to 12-3. New England clinched a first round bye and has home field throughout with a win next week. The Jets at 3-12 are one game away from ending the Rex Ryan era. 17-16 Patriots

Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers — Early on it was the kickers as Shawn Suisham hit from 23 for the Steelers and Carlo Santos hit from 35 to tie the game. In the second quarter Santos hit from 25 to put the Chiefs in front. The Steelers then moved 80 yards in 11 plays and 5 minutes and LeVeon Bell got in from the one to make it 10-6 Steelers. With less than 30 seconds left in the half Andy Reid decided to gamble on 4th and 1 from the Pittsburgh 11. Jamal Charles got nothing. Ben Roethilsberger led a 10 play, 75 yard, 6 minute drive and threw a 3 yard touchdown pass to Antonio Brown as the Steelers led 17-6 after three quarters.

Santos hit from 43 to get the Chiefs within 17-9 with 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Suisham answered from 23 to put the Steelers up 20-9 with only 4 minutes left. With 1:37 to play Santos hit from 23. The onside kick never had a chance. The Steelers at 10-5 clinched a playoff spot and face a division showdown next week while the 8-7 Chiefs are on life support.

Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Sometimes statistics tell the absolute truth. Aaron Rodgers began 17 of 22 for 164 yards while Josh McCown was 1 of 8 for 5 yards. Eddie Lacy raced for a 44 yard touchdown and Mason Crosby added a 42 yard second quarter field goal for a 10-0 Packers lead. Murray hit a 43 yard field goal to get the Buccaneers within 10-3 at halftime. Crosby hit from 25 in the fourth quarter to make it 13-3 Packers.  Rodgers threw a one yard touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson as the Packers got to 11-4 and the Buccaneers fell to 2-13 with a chance for the top pick in the 2015 Draft. The Packers clinched a playoff spot and host a division showdown against Detroit next week. 20-3 Packers

New York Giants at St. Louis Rams — Neither of these teams is playoff bound but Tom Coughlin and Jeff Fisher teams always play hard. Josh Brown hit a 29 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Giants. The Rams fumbled the ensuing kickoff at the Giants took over at the Rams 21. Eli Manning found Odell Beckham for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Giants. Greg Zuerlein hit from 51 to get the Rams within 10-3.

Brown hit from 37 in the second quarter to make it 13-3 Giants. Darkwa capped off an 80 yard, 10 play, 5 1/2 minute drive by running in from 12 yards out to make it 20-3 Giants. True Mason answered with a 10 yard run to get the Rams within 20-10. The Rams got it back and moved from their own 40 to 1st and goal at the 2 with 8 seconds left. Shawn Hill threw incomplete, and with 4 seconds left Jeff Fisher took no chances. Zuerlein hit from 20 as the Rams trailed 20-13.

In the third quarter Manning moved the Giants 87 yards and hit Reuben Randle for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 27-13 Giants. Hill brought the Rams back 90 yards in 10 plays and 6 minutes as a 23 yard touchdown pass to Kendricks had the Rams within 27-20. Manning then went back to Beckham for an 80 yard touchdown and a 34-20 Giants lead after three quarters. Josh Brown hit a 52 yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. Hill did find Chris Givens for a 47 yard touchdown with 4 minutes left but it was not enough.

Manning finished 24 of 29 for 360 yards, 3 touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Coughlin says he wants to coach next year and the normally patients Giants ownership would be crazy to force him into retirement. 37-27 Giants

Indianapolis Colts at Dallas Cowboys — A pair of 10-4 teams looked to firm up playoff positions but only one team showed up. Tony Romo began with a staggering 15 play, 80 yard drive that took 8 1/2 minutes off the clock. Romo hit Williams for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Cowboys. The Colts ran the ball 3 times and lost one yard. On 4th and 11 from their own 19 Chuck Pagano called a fake punt. Punter McAfee threw a perfect pass and McDonald just dropped it. One play later Romo went to Dez Bryant for the touchdown as the Cowboys led 14-0 before Andrew Luck had thrown a single pass. Less than one minute into the second quarter Romo threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Cole Beasley to make it 21-0 Cowboys. Romo completed 12 of his first 13 passes for 150 yards and 3 touchdown passes. A 10 play, 67 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive was capped off by DeMarco Murray getting in from one yard out to make it 28-0 Cowboys.

In the third quarter Romo found Jason Witten for a 25 yard touchdown to make it 35-0 Cowboys. Evan Brandon Weeden got into the act, throwing a 43 yard touchdown pass to Terrence Williams for a 42-0 Cowboys lead. With the win Dallas got to 11-4 and clinched the NFC East. After three straight 8-8 seasons and missing the playoffs in Week 17, this was sweet vindication for Jason Garrett, Tony Romo and the uncharacteristically patient Jerry Jones. 42-7 Cowboys

Buffalo Bills at Oakland Raiders — Kyle Orton went deep to Sammy Watkins for a 42 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Bills. Derek Carr moved the Raiders 64 yards. On 3rd and 13 from the Oakland 46, Carr went deep to Tompkins for a 50 yard gain. On the first play of the second quarter Carr hit James Jones for a 3 yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7. Midway through the second quarter Sebastian Janikowski hit a 45 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Raiders. Carr moved the Raiders late in the half to a 2nd and 4 at the Buffalo 18. Carr threw incomplete twice but Seabass hit from 36. Buffalo came in with the number one defense but it was the Oakland defense propelling the Raiders to a 13-7 lead. Once again, even average offense would get the Raiders a win. The defense let up at the end of the half and Dan Carpenter drilled a 54 yard field goal to get the Bills within 13-10.

In the third quarter the Raiders moved to the red zone but from the 19 Carr threw incomplete twice. Seabees hit from 38 to make it 16-10 Raiders. The Raiders kept playing ball control as another 6 minute drive led to a fourth Seabass field goal from 49 yards out and a 19-10 Raiders lead late in the third quarter. On the first play of the fourth quarter Horton went deep to Steve Chandler for a 29 yard touchdown as the Bills were within 19-17.

With 12 minutes left the Raiders failed to convert on 3rd and 1 from their own 41 when Latavius Murray got stopped. The Bills took over at their 14 and moved to a 3rd and 1 at their own 46. Orson threw incomplete and it was Buffalo punting. With 8 1/2 minutes left at their own 20, the offense had another chance to try and put the game away.

On 3rd and 1 from the Oakland 29, Carr gained 2. With 5 minutes left, on 3rd and 22 from their own 19, Carr went deep to Andre Holmes for a 51 yard gain. McFadden then burst outside for a 25 yard run down to the Buffalo one. With 3 minutes left Carr found Jamize Olawale alone in the flat for the touchdown as the Raiders were back up by 9 points. After earlier being intercepted by Charles Woodson, this time Orton was intercepted by Brandon Ross to supposedly seal Buffalo’s fate.

Yet the Raiders got soft. First Seabass missed a 48 yard field goal at the 2 minute warning. Then Orton threw a 30 yard touchdown pass to Woods as the Bills were within 2 again with one minute left. The onside kick failed and the Raiders finally had the win.The Bills and their number one defense were knocked out of the playoff race. After starting 0-10, the Raiders have won three of five including three straight home games. It may not save Tony Sparano, but it is something to build for next year. 26-17 Raiders

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals was the Sunday night game. Both the 10-4 Seahawks and 11-3 Cardinals clinched playoff spots before this game began. An Arizona win would lock up home field throughout the playoffs. Russell Wilson finished 20 of 31 for 339 yards and two touchdowns while third string quarterback Ryan Lindley only completed 18 of 44 passes. After a scoreless first quarter, Chandler Catanzaro hit a 27 yard field goal for the Cardinals. After that Seattle took over.

Wilson hit Luke Wilson for an 80 yard touchdown and Marshawn Lynch ran for a 6 yard touchdown for a 14-3 Seahawks lead at halftime. Catanzaro hit from 32 in the third quarter as the Seahawks held a 14-6 lead after three quarters.

The fourth quarter was all Seattle as Wilson went back to his namesake with a 20-yard touchdown and Marshawn Lynch broke through tackles for a 79-yard touchdown run. Russell Wilson added a 5 yard touchdown run of his own. In two games against Seattle, Arizona did not crack the end zone. If Seattle wins next week at home against St. Louis, they would win the NFC West and home field throughout the playoffs. 35-6 Seahawks

Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals was the Monday night game. Denver came in needing a win to keep pace with New England and have a shot at home field throughout the playoffs. Early on Red Rifle Andy Dalton threw a high pass that was deflected, resulting in a diving interception by Aqib Talib. Taleb got up and raced 33 yards for a 7-0 Broncos lead. One play later the game was tied as Jeremy Hill broke free for an 85 yard touchdown run.

After a 21 yard punt return, the Bengals began the second quarter with a short field at the Denver 45. Mike Nugent hit a 37 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Bengals. Peyton Manning was then intercepted, setting up the Bengals at the Denver 22. Dalton hit Gresham for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 17-7 Bengals. Nugent tacked on a 49 yard field goal as 20 unanswered points had the Bengals up 20-7 at halftime.

The Broncos got a big jolt when the second half kickoff was returned 77 yards by Omar Bolden to the Cincy 21. Maning quickly went to Denarius Thomas for a 19 yard gain and CJ Anderson ran in the 2 yard touchdown to get the Broncos within 20-14. Adam Pacman Jones returned the favor, taking the ensuing kickoff 8 yards deep and returning it 80 yards to the Denver 28. On 3rd and 5 Giovanni Bernard took a swing pass, broke a tackle, and strolled in for a 23 yard touchdown and a 27-14 Bengals lead. Denver got it back at their own 21 and on 3rd and 3 from their 48 Manning went deep to Emanuel Sanders for a 33 yard gain. Manning went back to Sanders for a 4 yard touchdown to get the Broncos within 27-21.

Cincinnati moved from their 33 to the Denver 8. Hill got the carry and Von Miller ripped it out of his hands. With 5 minutes left in the third quarter Denver took over at their own 9. Manning went deep to Denarius Thomas for a 46 yard gain to the Cincy 24. Manning fired a laser over the middle to Sanders for a 5 yard touchdown as the Broncos came back to lead 28-27. Rain started coming down, providing another development into the mix for the fourth quarter.

The Bengals caught a break with an interception of Manning, but a taunting penalty against the Bengals pushed them out of field goal range. The defense held and the Bengals were back in business when Brandon Tate took a punt return 49 yards to the Denver 12. The Denver defense held as the Bengals settled for a 30 yard field goal from Nugent and a 30-28 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

On 3rd and 6 from the Denver 24, Manning went deep to Thomas for a 27 yard gain. Yet a very questionable offensive faces penalty nullified the play. There appeared to be defensive pass interference, but the call put Denver in a 3rd and 18 hole from their own 12. Manning was sacked and the Broncos punted. From the Cincinnati 42, the Bengals benefitted again from another highly questionable call. The Broncos were called for roughing the passer as the Bengals crossed midfield and the clock ticked below 5 minutes with hard rain coming down. Cincinnati was unable to capitalize as the Broncos got the ball back after a touchback with 4:14 to play.

On 3rd and 1 from the Denver 29, Manning threw an off-balance pass that was intercepted by Kirkpatrick and returned 30 yards for a touchdown with 2:50 to play. Manning rapidly bought the Broncos back. Needing 2 scores with just over one minute to play, Denver still had 2 timeouts. From the Cincinnati 19, Manning threw a route to the sideline that was again intercepted by Kirkpatrick as the home crowd exploded. The Bengals clinched a playoff spot for the fourth straight year but still need to win next week to clinch their division. Denver can still gain a first round bye with a win next week but the top seed and home field is out of reach. If Manning wants to beat Bill Bellichick and Tom Brady in the expected AFC Title Game, he will have to do it on the road. 37-28 Bengals