NFL 2016 Week 15 Recap
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks was the Thursday night game. Jeff Fisher was fired on Monday, and John Fassel took over as interim coach. His first task was to keep his rookie quarterback from getting killed by a Legion of Boom angry at losing last week. Early on this game was all defense. In the second quarter the Seahawks moved 93 yards in 13 plays and 7 minutes. On 4th and 1 from the Rams 13, Pete Carroll went for it. Russell Wilson threw incomplete but defensive holding killed the Rams. On the next play Wilson hit non-relative Willson for an 8 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Seahawks. After a potential tying touchdown bomb was dropped, the rams tried a fake punt that failed. Steve Hauschka hit a 48 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Seahawks. Although the Rams did get a second quarter field goal, Pete Carroll’s defense turned out the lights in the second half. Wilson hit Doug Baldwin for a one yard touchdown in the third quarter. The knockout blow in the fourth quarter saw Wilson go bombs away for a 57 yard touchdown to Tyler Lockett. For good measure Richard Sherman lit up Jared Goff and knocked him out of the game. Pete Carroll called a successful fake punt late that nearly got his own punter decapitated. Meanwhile, the Seahawks clinched the NFC West. 24-3 Seahawks
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets was the Saturday night game. Rookie Brice Petty faced off against Miami team that would have to rely on backup Matt Moore to make the playoffs. Despite being eliminated from contention, the Jets dominated early on. Petty threw a 40 yard touchdown pass to Anderson for a 7-0 Jets lead. Gang Green got it back at their own 46 and moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Miami 14. The home crowd was smelling upset. They should have known better. Petty was sacked and fumbled the ball away. In the second quarter the game changed. On 3rd and 6 from the Jets 48, Moore hit Parker for 17, Landry for 11 and Gray for 19 down to the one. On 3rd and goal Moore hit Sims for the touchdown. The extra point was no good as the Dolphins trailed 7-6. The Jets moved from their 25 to the Miami 27, but Petty was then intercepted for another wasted chance. With 2:06 left in the half the Jets still had the lead as Miami faced 3rd and 9 at their own 48. Moore went deep to Kenny Stills for a 52 yard touchdown to make it 13-7 Dolphins. Although the Jets got a 48 yard field goal from Nick Folk just before the half, they were only delaying the inevitable. The Jets trailed 13-10 at the break, but the roof caved in after that.
Early in the third quarter the Jets intercepted Moore. Yet after failing to move the ball, from their own 41, the Jets had a punt blocked. Aikens blocked it, picked it up at the Jets 11, and took it the rest of the way for the touchdown and the 20-10 Dolphins lead. The Jets took over at their own 19 and Petty was quickly intercepted again to give the Dolphins a short field at their own 40. Moore quickly hit Landry for 31 yards and Sims for 28 more down to the one. Again, on 3rd and goal Moore hit Sims for the score to make it 27-10 Dolphins. The Dolphins got it back at their own 34. One play and 10 seconds later a short pass from Moore to Landry went for a 66 yard touchdown. A close game at the half was now a 34-10 Dolphins blowout. Petty finished 20 of 36 for 235 yards, one touchdown, and 2 interceptions. Things were so bad that Ryan Fitzpatrick came in, going 5 for 10 for 31 yards, 0 touchdowns, and an interception. Moore only threw 18 passes, completing 12 of them for 236 yards, 4 touchdown passes, and one interception. The 9-5 Dolphins have the inside track on the final playoff spot for Adam Gase while Todd Bowles has a mess. Despite a fourth quarter field goal for the Jets, their fans are still chanting Just End The Season. 34-13 Dolphins.
Detroit Lions at New York Giants — A pair of 9-4 teams met for a big game. The Giants early on went 75 yards in 10 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. Eli Manning threw a fade to the end zone and sterling Shepard out-jumped the defenders for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Giants. In the second quarter the Lions got a 48 yard Matt Prater field goal to get within 7-3. The Lions got it back at their own 22. Matthew Stafford went deep to Golden Tate for a 67 yard gain. Yet on the next play Zenner fumbled at the 4 yard line and the Giants recovered in the end zone for a touchback. Big Blue held the ball for 6 minutes and Robbie Gould hit a 47 yard field goal to make it 10-3 Giants at halftime. In the third quarter the Lions took 12 plays and held the ball for 7 1/2 minutes. Yet in the red zone Stafford was sacked. Prater hit from 33 as the Lions trailed 10-6.
Midway through the fourth quarter of a game that was all defense, the Giants faced 3rd and 10 at their own 39. Manning went deep to O’Dell Beckham for a 36 yard gain and to Sterling Shepard for 23 more. On 3rd and 1 from the 4, Manning fired to the sideline and Beckham made a spectacular one-handed grab for the touchdown as the Giants had breathing room with 6 minutes left. Beckham also returned a punt for a touchdown but that was nullified by a penalty. Stafford has been Captain Comeback, but this time he threw to the end zone and was intercepted for a touchback. Ben McAdoo has a 10-4 team while the Lions at 9-5 still lead the NFC North by one game. 17-6 Giants
Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens — An interception of Carson Wentz set up Baltimore at the Philly 36 early. Joe Flacco hit Kamar Aiken for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Ravens. A field position game had the Eagles taking over at the Baltimore 43. That was enough for Caleb Sturgis to hit a 45 yard field goal to get the Eagles within 7-3. Justin Tucker answered with a 53 yard field goal in the cold weather that was dead center to make it 10-3 Ravens. The second quarter began with the Ravens facing 3rd and 7 at their own 13. Flake was sacked and fumbled and the Eagles recovered at the Baltimore 8. Mathews ran for a 4 yard touchdown. With the Eagles having long snapper problems, Doug Pederson decided to go for 2. Matthews got the carry, leapt from the 5, met a couple defenders in the air at the goal line, and spun over them to get in and make it 11-10 Eagles.
The Ravens came back 10 plays and 5 minutes, as a 47 yard Tucker field goal made it 13-11 Ravens. The Eagles countered with a staggering 17 play drive that consumed over 7 1/2 minutes. They settled for a 34 yard Sturgis kick for a 14-13 Eagles lead the hard way. In the 2 minute drill from their own 35, the ravens truck quickly. A deep ball from Flacco to Steve Smith was a 34 yard touchdown as the Ravens led 20-14 at halftime. The Eagles moved 79 yards in 13 plays and 7 minutes, but had to settle for a 27 yard Sturgis field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter to trail 20-17. The Ravens came back 69 yards and Kenneth Dixon ran for a 16 yard touchdown to give the Ravens some space up 27-17. Midway through the fourth quarter Doug Pederson decided to go for it on 4th and 1 from the Baltimore 34. He called a pitchout and for the second time in the game, Pederson’s fourth down gamble failed.
The Ravens soon faced 3rd and 8 at their own 35. A completion from Flacco to Mike Wallace went for a 54 yard gain to the 11 yard line. Yet on the verge of putting the game away, Flacco was intercepted by hicks at the six, and Hicks returned it 34 yards to the Philadelphia 40. Needing 2 scores with 6 minutes left, the Eagles drove to a 1st and goal at the 7 with 3 minutes left. A pair of incompletions sandwiched around a run that lost 4 yards had the Eagles settling for a 29 yard Sturgis field goal. The Eagles were within 27-20, but they needed the ball back. With all 3 timeouts and the 2 minute warning, Pederson decided to kick it deep and trust his defense rather than go onside.
The Ravens took over at their own 12 and went nowhere. The Eagles got it back with excellent field position at their own 41 with one timeout and 1:39 to play. From the Baltimore 41, Wentz went deep to Zac Ertz for 24 yards. With 12 seconds left, from the 4 yard line, without a timeout, Wentz scrambled and got in the end zone himself. Pederson decided on the road to go for the 2 point conversion. To try this against one of the league’s best defenses is sky high risk. Wentz fired to the end zone incomplete. With 4 seconds left, the onside kick failed. The Eagles dropped to 5-8 and officially eliminated from the playoffs. The Ravens survived to get to 8-6, one game back in the AFC North. Next week John Harbaugh’s squad has a division showdown with Pittsburgh. 27-26 Ravens
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears — 10 degrees below zero with the wind chill. In football heaven, Vince Lombardi and George Halas were happily scowling. Early on the Packers went 73 yards and Ty Montgomery ran for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Packers. In the second quarter the Bears moved 64 yards in 10 plays and 5 minutes but settled for a 26 yard Conor Barth field goal to trail 7-3. The Bears got it back at their own 45. Matt Barkley hit Bellamy for a 10 yard touchdown to make it 10-7 Bears. The Packers worked the 2 minute drill well as Mason Crosby hit from 34 and the teams took a 10-10 tie into the locker rooms.
On the first play after a touchback to start the second half, Matt Barkley was sacked by Julius Peppers and fumbled. Peppers got the recovery as well at the Chicago 17. On 2nd and goal at the 16, bad calf and all in the cold, consecutive runs by Rodgers set up 4th and goal at the one. Mike McCarthy took no chance on the road. Crosby hit the 18 yard field goal to make it 13-10 Packers. Chicago soon faced 3rd and 9 at their own 42. Barkley was intercepted by Haha Clinton-Dix. The Packers took over at their own 42. Ty Montgomery broke off a 26 yard run and then ran for the 3 yard touchdown to make it 20-10 Packers. History repeated itself as Barkley was again intercepted by Clinton-Dix. Christian Michael ran for a 42 yard touchdown as the Packers had broken open a close game to lead 27-10 with one minute left into the third quarter. The fourth quarter can best be described as shocking.
The Bears moved 75 yards quickly. Barkley threw an 8 yard touchdown pass to Alshon Jeffery to get the Bears within 27-17. A sack of Rodgers led to the Bears getting the ball back at their own 22. Barkley kept firing, and a roughing the passer penalty made it 1st and goal at the 9. Howard ran for the score as the Bears were within 27-24 midway through the fourth quarter. Chicago got it back again at their own 21 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Green Bay 16 at the 2 minute warning. Howard ran for 13 to set up 1st and goal at the 3. The Packers took all 3 timeouts on defense just in case the defense surrendered the lead. With 1:27 to play, on 3rd and goal at the 4, Barkley threw incomplete. Despite being 2-11, John Fox decided to go for the tie rather than the win. Coaches across the league were going for it, but he had Barth kick the 22 yard field goal. The game was tied 27-27 with 1:19 left. With 30 seconds left, the Packers faced 3rd and 11 from their own 26. Rodgers then did what he does.
Rodgers threw a deep bomb to Jordy Nelson on a day when several receivers dropped passes in the cold weather. This one was hauled by Nelson for a 60 yard gain to the Chicago 14. Rodgers spiked the ball to stop the clock with 3 seconds left. Crosby came in for the 32 yarder to win it. Crosby was good, and Mike McCarthy’s squad escaped. Rodgers finished 19 of 31 for 252 yards without a touchdown or interception. Barkley was 30 of 43 for 362 yards and 2 touchdowns, but 3 costly interceptions. Despite being 4-6 at one point, Rodgers said the Packers had the talent to run the table. Four straight wins have them at 8-6 and one game back in the NFC North with a showdown against Detroit still to come. As Rodgers would say, relax. 30-27 Packers
Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings — Adrian Peterson returned after 14 weeks of injury in a game where both teams were fighting for their playoff lives. Only one team played like it. Early on Adam Vinatieri hit a 48 yard field goal for a 3-0 Colts lead. The Colts got it back, and on 1st and goal at the 3, Andrew Luck threw 3 straight incompletions. Yet a defensive leverage penalty on the field goal try meant automatic 1st and goal as Chuck Pagano took the points off the board. Robert Turbin crashed in for the score to make it 10-0 Colts. In the second quarter Mike Zimmer’s heralded defense melted. Luck led drives of 92 and 91 yards that each took 5 1/2 minutes. Luck threw a 27 yard touchdown pass to Swoope and Turbin ran for a 6 yard score to make it 24-0 Colts in front of a shellshocked home crows. With 28 seconds left in the half from the Minnesota 23, rather than take a knee, Sam Bradford was intercepted. Vinatieri hit a 50 yard field goal to end the half with the Colts leading 27-0. The uneventful second half saw Luck throw a touchdown bomb on the first play of the fourth quarter and a pair of Minnesota field goals avoid the shutout. Both teams are 7-7 and clinging to playoff life. 34-6 Colts
Cleveland Browns at Buffalo Bills — Buffalo needed a win to keep slim playoff hopes alive while Cleveland just needed a win anywhere. Early on from midfield, LeSean Shady McCoy had gains of 20 and 24. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 5, Tyrod Taylor only gained 2 yards. Dan Carpenter hit the 21 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Bills. The Browns moved from their 20 to a 1st and goal at the 5. Yet a run lost 2 yards and back to back sacks of Robert Griffin III had the Browns settling for a 35 yard Cody Parker field goal and a 3-3 tie. Buffalo took over at their 26. From the Cleveland 42, wildcat snap to Mike Gillislee saw him pitch it to Brandon Tate for a 30 yard gain. Gillislee ran for a 3 yard touchdown on the last play of the first quarter to make it 10-3 Bills. Buffalo in the second quarter moved 91 yards in 13 plays and 7 1/2 minutes. Taylor hit Clay for a 19 yard touchdown to make it 17-3 Bills over the hapless Browns.
The Browns moved 80 yards to start the third quarter. RGIII showed some of the flash that electrified the league before injuries derailed his career. He ran for an 18 yard touchdown as the Browns were only down 17-10. Yet after a touchback the Bills came back, aided along by a roughing the passer call. From the Cleveland 31, Taylor scrambled for 28 yards. McCoy got the last 3 yards to make it 24-10 Bills. The Browns came back again but settled for a 40 yard field goal to trail 24-13. Yet the Bill salted it away early in the fourth quarter. A 75 yard drive saw McCoy run for an 8 yard touchdown to make it 30-13 Bills. Buffalo tacked on one more field goal to complete the blowout. With the win, Rex Ryan’s Bills are 7-7 and still technically alive in the playoff race. Meanwhile, Hue Jackson has an 0-14 Browns team that has 2 weeks left to avoid permanent NFL infamy. 33-13 Bills
Tennessee Titans at Kansas City Chiefs — Tyreeq Hill raced for a 68 yard touchdown and a 7-0 Chiefs lead in a game between playoff contenders. The Titans then moved from their 26 to a 3rd and 5 at the Chiefs 40. Marcus Mariota went deep to Ryan Matthews for a 35 yard gain, but Matthews was stripped of the ball at the 5 yard line by Eric Berry. Sorensen picked it up 8 yards deep in the end zone and returned it 55 yards to the Chiefs 47. Alex Smith went deep to Jeremy Maclin for a 44 yard gain and on 3rd and goal from the 10 Smith ran for the score. Instead of a 7-7 game, it was 14-0 Chiefs, who continue to win with their defense forcing turnovers.
The second quarter began with the Titans at their own 24. Derrick Henry ran for 15 yards. On the next play Mike Mularkey went to his bag of tricks. A perfectly executed Flea Flicker saw Mariota go deep to Matthews for a 46 yard gain. Henry then ran for a 4 yard touchdown to get the Titans within 14-7. The Titans got it back and faced 3rd and 6 at their own 36. Mariota was sacked and fumbled. The Chiefs took over at the Titans 40. Yet on 3rd and goal at the one, Ware did not get in. Walrus Lite Andy Reid went for it. Ware got the carry again and got stopped stone cold for a goal line stand. However, the Tennessee offense could not move the ball so the Chiefs got it back at the Tennessee 45. Cairo Santos hit a 34 yard field goal to make it 17-7 Chiefs at halftime.
The third quarter was all defense. The Chiefs missed a golden chance to extend the lead when Smith was intercepted in the end zone for a touchback. Ryan Succop hit a 39 yard field goal with 12 minutes left in regulation as the Titans only trailed 17-10. With 4 minutes left, the Titans had moved to a 3rd and 5 at the Chiefs 16. Mariota threw to the goal line and the well defended pass was broken up. Mike Mularkey decided to go for it. Mariota calmly fired to DeMarco Murray for a 1st and goal at the one. On the next play Derrick Henry got in the end zone. With 3:12 to play and the Titans out of timeouts, Mike Mularkey decided to go for the 2 point conversion. Jack Del Rio did it in Week 1 against a porous defense. Mularkey was testing one of the NFL’s top defense. The conversion try never had a chance as Mariota was eventually belted, maintaining the Chiefs one-point lead. In another surprising move, Mularkey opted to kick it deep rather than go onside. At the 2 minute warning, the Chiefs faced 3rd and 2 at their own 33. A first down would end things.
Smith kept the ball and got stopped cold. The Titans were alive. They got the ball at their own 25 with 1:07 left. Mariota hit Mathews for 19 yards and Delanie Walker for 6 more to midfield. Mariota hit Walker for 15 more as the Titans raced up to the line to spoke the clock. With 5 seconds left, Succop came in for a 53 yard field goal try for the win against his former team. The kick was good, but Andy Reid called timeout at the last moment. Succop tried again, and was dead center again. At 8-6 the Titans are tied atop the AFC South and hold the tiebreaker. The Chiefs at 10-4 fell out of the AFC West lead. 19-17 Titans
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans — Houston was tied atop the weak AFC North, and only had to dispatch of the 2-11 Jaguars at home. Cue ESPN user-announcer Chris Berman. “That’s why they play the games.” After a scoreless first quarter, Jason Myers hit field goals of 26 and 50 yards to make it 6-0 Jaguars. Brock Osweiler threw a pair of early interceptions, as a short field had the Jaguars at the Houston 37. Bortles got the last yard himself to make it 13-0 Jaguars. Bill O’Brien had seen enough from his 72 million dollar bust. Osweiler was benched and Tom Savage came in. Savage’s first pass went for a 32 yard gain to Wendell Williams. On 3rd and goal at the one, Miller fumbled at the goal line and the Texans recovered for a touchdown. On further review, Miller did not break the plane and only he could recover his own fumble. So instead it was 4th and goal from a foot away. Bill O’Brien went for it and had a quarterback who has never thrown an NFL touchdown pass try a fade route. The pass was broken up.
With less than 2 minutes left in the half, the Jaguars had to punt from the back of their end zone. Holding on the kick meant an automatic safety as the Texans were finally on the board. With the free kick, the Texans moved in position for Nick Novak to hit a 39 yard field goal as the Texans trailed 13-5 at the half. In the third quarter Savage stayed in the game and the Texans held the ball for 5 minutes Novak hit from 45 as the Texans were right back in it down 13-8. Yet before we could say typical Jaguars collapse, Marquis Lee returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown to make it 20-8 Jaguars. Novak would hit a 43 yard field goal at the end of the third quarter to get the Texans within 20-11. Midway though the fourth quarter the Texans had moved to a 3rd and 2 at the Jaguars 10. A running play was blown up in the backfield. Novak hit from 27 to get the Texans within 20-14.
The Jaguars punted on 4th and 20 form their own 15 and the Texans took over at their own 48 with 6 minutes left. On 3rd and 7 from the Jacksonville 35 with 3:50 to play, Savage threw incomplete. Yet defensive pass interference instead meant 1st and 10 at the 25. On 2nd and goal from the 7 with 3 minutes left, Savage threw incomplete. Yet again defensive pass interference killed the Jaguars and meant 1st and goal at the one. Miller got the last yard as the Texans took a one point lead. With 1:58 to play, on 4th and 15 from the Jacksonville 40, Blake Bortles threw incomplete. The Jaguars held on defense and got it back at their own 7 with 1:10 left and 0 timeouts. Bortles was quickly intercepted as Gus Bradley prepared for his final 2 games as head coach. Bortles was an awful 12 of 28 for 92 yards, 0 touchdowns, and one interception when it mattered most. Savage did not throw a touchdown or interception, but he was 23 of 36 for 260 yards despite not playing the whole game. Houston is 8-6 and tied for the division lead, but they have a serious quarterback controversy. Meanwhile, the Wrath of Khan exploded in Jacksonville. Owner Shad Khan did not even wait until Monday. Gus Bradley was fired immediately after the game. 21-20 Texans
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals — Pittsburgh came in with a one game lead in the AFC North while the Bengals are all but done. Yet Cincinnati was burning for revenge of last year’s playoff loss. The Bengals moved 70 yards in 14 plays and 7 1/2 minutes. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 5, Red Rifle Andy Dalton threw to the end zone incomplete. Mike nugget has been cut, and Randy bullock is now the Bengals kicker. Bullock hit from 23 to make it 3-0 Bengals. Pittsburgh answered with a 45 yard Chris Boswell field goal for a 3-3 game. The Bengals moved from their 36 to the Pittsburgh 40. Dalton went deep and drew a defensive pass interference penalty. It was 1st and goal at the one.
Jeremy Hill got the carry and got stopped. On 2nd and goal Hill got the ball again. He appeared to get in but was ruled short. On 3rd and goal Hill went airborne and got knocked back as Mike Tomlin pumped his fist. Marvin Lewis challenged that Hill broke the plane of the goal. He lost the challenge. On 4th and goal only inches away, Lewis went for it on the last play of the first quarter. Dalton took the quarterback sneak and got in for a 10-3 Bengals lead. In the second quarter the Bengals went 82 yards in 10 plays. Hill ran for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 17-3 Bengals.
The Steelers moved form their 19 to a 3rd and 7 at the Cincinnati 13. Ben Roethlisberger went to Antonio Brown for the touchdown, but a chop block penalty on LeVeon Bell instead meant 3rd and 22. Big Ben was sacked as the Steelers settled for a 49 yard Boswell field goal to trail 17-6. Alex Erickson returned the ensuing kickoff 72 yards to the Pittsburgh 26. On 3rd and goal at the 4 Dalton threw incomplete. Bullock hit from 22 to make it 20-6 Bengals with 3 minutes left in the half. That was enough time for Bullock to hit a 49 yard field goal just before the half as the Steelers trailed 20-9.
Early in the third quarter a questionable personal foul call on Vontaze Burfect for roughing Roethlisberger kept a drive going. Burfect’s meltdown led to last year’s playoff loss, and this time his teammates made sure that did not repeat. Nevertheless, Boswell hit his fourth field goal from 40 yards out to get the Steelers within 20-12. The Steelers got it back and again moved into field goal range. Very late in the third quarter, Boswell hit his fifth field goal from 49 yards out as the Steelers were only down 20-15. The Bengals kept self-destructing as Dalton was quickly intercepted by Lawrence Timmons on the last play of the third quarter, setting up Pittsburgh at the Cincy 34. Boswell made his sixth field goal from 30 yards as the Steelers were only down 20-18 with a full 12 1/2 minutes left.
The Bengals were lifeless on offense in the second half. Pittsburgh got it back at their own 31. Just like in last year’s playoff games, the Bengals killed themselves with defensive penalties. On 3rd and 1 from the Cincy 48, the Bengals jumped offsides. on the next play there was defensive holding. On the next play came defensive unnecessary roughness. On 2nd and 16 from the Cincy 24, Big Ben went deep to Rogers for the touchdown. 18 unanswered points had the Steelers take a 4 point lead midway through the fourth quarter.
The Bengals went backward and punted. The Steelers took over with 6 minutes left at their own 16. With 3 1/2 minutes left, on 3rd and 8 from the Pittsburgh 29, Roethlisberger went deep to Green for a 28 yard gain. With 1:51 to play and the Bengals out of timeouts, the Steelers faced 2nd and 11 at their own 20. In a surprising decision, the Steelers decided to pass even though a run would take the clock down to one minute. Big Ben threw incomplete, but defensive pass interference was the final nail in the Bengals coffin. It did not appear to be a good call, but the Bengals have earned their reputation. They are now officially eliminated from playoff contention, which could be the end of Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati. Meanwhile Mike Tomlin’s Steelers at 9-5 have a one game lead in the AFC North and a tough division showdown next week with arch rival Baltimore. 24-20 Steelers
New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals — This had all the hallmarks of a pinball machine, and it was. Sean Payton and Bruce Arians each have a 5-win team, but the offenses can move the ball at will when hot. Arizona struck first when Williams ran for a 49 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Cardinals. The Saints would move 56 yards in 14 plays, holding the ball for 7 minutes. The Saints settled for a 37 yard Will Lutz field goal to trail 7-3. The Cardinals fumbled the ball and the saints took over at the Arizona 30. On 3rd and goal at the 10, Drew Brees hit Cadet for the touchdown to make it 10-7 Saints. Early in the second quarter the Cardinals missed a chance to tie the game when a 55 yard field goal try by Chandler Catanzaro was no good.
Midway through the second quarter the Saints faced 2nd and 20 at the Arizona 40. Brees was sacked by Golden and fumbled. Campbell picked it up and raced 53 yards for a defensive touchdown to make it 13-10 Cardinals. The extra point was no good. New Orleans came right back when Brees went to Brandon Cooks for a 65 yard touchdown to make it 17-13 Saints. With 2 minutes left in the half the Saints faced 3rd and 4 at the Arizona 45. A short pass from Brees to Cooks went all the way for another touchdown as the Saints led 24-13. Carson Palmer had his chance next and worked the two minute drill to perfection. After hitting Jermaine Gresham for 23, the Cardinals soon faced 3rd and 10 at the Saints 44. Palmer found John Brown for 11 yards. On 3rd and 2 from the 10, Palmer found JJ Nelson for the touchdown as the Cardinals trailed 24-20 at halftime. The teams kept firing in the second half.
In the third quarter the Saints moved 68 yards in 14 plays and held the ball for 6 minutes. Yet they settled for a 39 yard Lutz field goal to make it 27-20 Saints. The Cardinals quickly came back 62 yards. Palmer found Johnson for 25 yards and defensive pass interference moved the ball 11 yards closer to the two yard line. Johnson ran it in for a 27-27 game after three quarters. This shootout was not even close to being done. Early in the fourth quarter the Saints lined up for a field goal on 4th and 2 from the Arizona 7. Lutz hit the 25 yarder, but the Arizona defense jumped offsides. Sean Payton took the points off the board. On the next play Tim Hightower ran for a 3 yard touchdown against his former team to cap a 10 play, 75 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive and make it 34-27 Saints. The Cardinals came back 75 yards and Johnson ran it in for a 7 yard touchdown for a 34-34 game with 9 minutes left in regulation.
After a touchback, the Saints struck again. From the Saints 48, a short pass from trees to Cooks went for 36 yards. Brees hit Marcellus Thomas for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 41-34 Saints. Arizona soon faced 3rd and 10 at their own 25. Palmer hit Golden for a short gain but Golden fumbled the ball and the Saints took over at the Arizona 29. Hightower got in from the 2 for a 48-34 Saints lead with 3 1/2 minutes left. Needing 2 scores, the Cardinals moved 75 yards rapidly. Palmer threw a 30 yard touchdown pass to Brown to make it a one score game with 2 1/2 minutes left. The onside kick failed. At the 2 minute warning, everything came down to the Saints facing 3rd and 3 at the Arizona 45 and both teams out of timeouts. Rather than play it safe, Sean Payton called a pass play. Brees hit Coby Fleener for 6 yards and the Saints then ran out the clock. Palmer was 28 of 40 for 318 yards and 2 touchdowns. Brees was a ridiculous 37 of 48 for 389 yards and 4 touchdowns. Neither signal caller was intercepted. 48-41 Saints
San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons — This is not why they play the games, as the expected blowout materialized in the first quarter. Eric Weems returned a punt 42 yards to have Atlanta starting at the San Francisco 47. Devonta Freeman ran for a 5 yard touchdown to begin the Atlanta deluge. 2 plays later Carlos Hyde fumbled and the Falcons took over at midfield. Matt Ryan hit Gabriel for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Falcons. The Falcons got it back at their own 45 and kept making it look easy. Ryan threw a 9 yard touchdown to Hooper to make it 21-0 Falcons after the first quarter. For some reason, league rules required the rest of the game be played.
The 49ers tried to make a game of it in the second quarter. The 49ers moved 75 yards and and Colin Kapernick threw a 16 yard touchdown pass to Celek to get the 49ers on the board. From the Atlanta 25, a short pass from Ryan to Robinson gained 59 yards. On 1st and goal at the one the Falcons fumbled the ball away, the only thing preventing an even bigger blowout. The Falcons quickly came back 94 yards on their next drive. Coleman ran for a 29 yard gain and Freeman ran for 20 and then the 9 yard touchdown to make it 28-7 Falcons. Kaepernick did throw a 5 yard touchdown pass to Rod Streater before the half to get the 49ers within 28-13, but in the third quarter the Falcons closed the door.
Matt Bryant hit a 50 yard field goal and Freeman ran for a 34 yard touchdown to cap a 77 yard drive and make it 38-13 Falcons. Atlanta added a fourth quarter field goal to complete the carpet bombing. With the win Dan Quinn saw the Falcons get to 9-5 and in strong position for the playoffs. The 49ers dropped their 13th straight game under Chip Kelly, who has not been fired. 41-13 Falcons
New England Patriots at Denver Broncos — The rematch of last year’s AFC Title Game lacked Peyton Manning, and the difference was huge. The Patriots went three and out, but the Broncos quickly fumbled the punt to give the Patriots the ball at the Denver 31. The defense held and the Patriots settled for a 45 yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal to lead 3-0. Midway through the first quarter the Broncos moved from their 38 to the red zone, but the drive stopped at the 15. Brandon McManus hit from 33 to tie the game 3-3. On the first play of the second quarter the Broncos faced 3rd and 3 at the New England 14. Trevor Siemian was intercepted by Ryan, who returned it 46 yards to the Denver 46. Tom Brady hit Julian Edelman for gains of 15 and 12. LaGuerrette Blount ran it in from the one to make it 10-3 Patriots. Gostkowski hit a 40 yard field goal in the third quarter and a 21 yarder in the fourth quarter to close out a game dominated by the defenses. Siemian finished 25 of 40 for 282 yards, 0 touchdowns and the one killer interception. Brady was only 16 of 32 for 188 yards without an interception or touchdown, but the Patriots got to 12-2 and the inside track for home field. Denver at 8-6 is now on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. 16-3 Patriots
Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers — The Raiders came in knowing a win would put them in the playoffs. The Chargers came in knowing they had been eliminated from playoff contention one day earlier. Yet the Chargers always play the Raiders tough. Even though this game was in San Diego, it felt like a Raiders home game. The Chargers started out at their own 9 yard line. It did not matter. On 3rd and 8 from the Oakland 47, Philip Rivers went deep to Travis Benjamin for the touchdown. Just like that the Chargers led 7-0. The Raiders moved from their 29 to a 2nd and 4 at the san Diego 23. A run lot 4 yards and then Derek Carr threw incomplete. Sebastian Janikowski hit the 45 yard field goal to get the Raiders within 7-3, but nothing would come easy on this day.
The Raiders moved from the San Diego 48 to a 1st and 10 at the 14. Latavius Murray gained 4 yards and then fumbled the ball away. In the second quarter the Raiders moved from their 37 to a 3rd and 6 at the San Diego 16. Carr went over the middle and was intercepted. Turnovers were killing the Raiders. The Raiders got it back at the San Diego 48, but could not move the ball. Defense was keeping the Raiders in the game, but on 3rd and 10 from the San Diego 20, Rivers hit Antonio Gates for 11 yards. Despite 2nd and 5 at the Oakland 17, Rivers threw incomplete twice. Josh Lambo hit a 35 yard field goal to make it 10-3 Chargers.
Yet they left the Raiders 90 seconds. After a touchback, Murray gained d9 and then broke free for a 33 yard gain. Dwayne Washington gained 12 more. On 3rd and 7 from the 18, Carr threw incomplete but defensive holding gave the Raiders another chance with 27 seconds left. Carr went to the end zone and Michael Crabtree caught the ball and somehow got both feet down just inbounds. Initially called incomplete, it was reversed to a touchdown. Despite playing badly the entire first half, somehow the Raiders had gotten to a 10-10 tie with the Chargers.
Lambo kicked the second half kickoff out of bounds, giving the Raiders the ball at their own 40. The Raiders moved to a 3rd and 2 at the San Diego 15, but Carr threw incomplete. Janikowski hit from 33 to make it 13-10 Raiders. From the San Diego 23, Rivers quickly hit Dontrelle Inman for 21 yards. On 3rd and 4 from midfield, Rivers hit Inman for 6 and went to him a 3rd time for 26 yards. Rivers hit Henry for a 7 yard touchdown. Lambo shanked the extra point no good but the Chargers led 16-13 with 6 minutes left in the third quarter.
A field position game had the Chargers beginning the fourth quarter at their own 5. From the San Diego 16, Farrow got the carry and fumbled the ball away. With 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the Raiders had the ball at the San Diego 13. Olawale gained 12 to set up 1st and goal at the one. Yet after that Murray got stopped, Carr threw incomplete, and on 3rd and goal Murray got blasted and lost a yard. Disgusted, the Raiders settled for a 21 yard Seabass field goal. The score was tied 16-16 with 8 1/2 minutes left.
The Chargers soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 33. Rivers fired to Williams, who got blasted by David Amerson short of the sticks. The Chargers punted and the Raiders took over at their own 20. Murray gained 27 yards and Carr fired to Seth Roberts for a 22 yard gain. On 3rd and 8 from the Chargers 29, Carr scrambled and was marked short with 4 1/2 minutes left. Initially ready to gamble on 4th and inches, instead Jack Del Rio challenged the spot. Officials reversed the call to a first down. On 3rd and 8 from the 19, Carr was sacked. Janikowski hit the 44 yard field goal to give the Raiders the lead with 2 1/2 minutes to play. The Chargers took over at their own 14. A sack of Rivers had the Chargers facing 4th and 15 at their own 9. Rivers went deep and was intercepted by Reggie Nelson. Carr took three knees and the Raiders went wild.
After 14 long, painful years, the Oakland Raiders are back in the playoffs. Congratulations to owner Mark Davis. He hired General Manager Reggie McKenzie. Congratulations to McKenzie, who drafted Khalil Mack in Derek Carr in 2014. Congratulations to Mack and Carr, who started their careers 0-10 but never gave up. McKenzie in 2015 hired Jack Del Rio. Congratulations to Del Rio, who made a major decision in Week 1 this year. With the game on the line on the road, he went for the two point conversion. Carr hit Michael Crabtree for the 35-34 win. This was the beginning of the end of the losing culture. Now at 11-3, it is official. The Oakland Raiders are no longer losers. Whatever happens the rest of the year, they are winners. To the Raider Nation, who never gave up, enjoy every minute of this. I know I bleed Silver and Black, and I know I will. As expected, this was a difficult win. With the Raiders it is never easy. Nothing worth fighting for is easy. From Al Davis to John Madden to Tom Flores to today, it was never easy. Just win baby. 19-16 Raiders
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys was the Sunday night game. The Buccaneers came in winning 5 straight to get to 8-5 while Dallas had their 11 game win streak snapped last week. In the first quarter the Cowboys tried a 56 yard field goal but Dan Bailey was no good. The Bucs then moved from their 46 to a 3rd and 3 at the Dallas 7. Jameis Winston threw incomplete but Roberto Aguayo hit the 25 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Buccaneers. The Cowboys then moved from their 26 into the red zone. Yet on the first play of the second quarter, with the Cowboys facing 4th and 3 at the 9, Bailey hit a 27 yarder for a 3-3 game. After a touchback, Winston was sacked and fumbled. The Cowboys took over at the Dallas 14. Ezekiel Elliott ran for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 10-3 Cowboys. Dallas got it back and moved 64 yards in 10 plays and 5 minutes. Dak Prescott ran for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 17-3 Cowboys. With 1:52 left in the half Aguayo hit from 34 to get the Buccaneers within 17-6. At the end of the half looking to extend the lead, Bailey missed again from 52. Winston actually had a Hail Mary try as well for the Buccaneers, but he was intercepted in the end zone.
In the third quarter after a touchback the Buccaneers struck quickly. On 3rd and 1 from the Dallas 42, Winston rolled to his left and unleashed a slightly underthrown bomb to the end zone. After bouncing off the fingers of the defender, Humphries came down with it for the touchdown to get the Buccaneers within 17-13. The Bucs got it back and soon faced 2nd and 18 at their own 11. Winston fired to Shepard for 19 and to Brate for 17 more. On 3rd and 2 from the dallas 45, Winston found Brate again for 22 more. On 2nd and 14 from the Dallas 27, Winston hit Mike Evans for 17 and then fired a laser between defenders to Brace for the 10 yard touchdown. With 4 minutes left in the third quarter, the Buccaneers led 20-17.
The Cowboys came back 58 yards in 10 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. 90 seconds into the fourth quarter, Bailey hit a 40 yard field goal for a 20-20 game. The Buccaneers soon faced 3rd and 14 at their own 21. Winston went deep and was intercepted by Heath, who returned it 19 yards to the Tampa Bay 22. Prescott threw a 20 yard touchdown to Dunbar, but it was nullified by offensive holding. the Cowboys settled for 38 yard field goal from Bailey to lead 23-20 with 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Dallas got to right back at their own 41. Prescott hit Jason Witten for a 4 yard gain, but Witten fumbled and the Buccaneers recovered at the Dallas 45. Yet on 3rd and 5 from the Dallas 40, very close to tying field goal range, Winston threw incomplete and the Buccaneers punted.
The Cowboys took over at their own 4 yard line. Prescott hit Dez Bryant for 19. Elliott then raced for a 42 yard gain. On 3rd and 2 from the Tampa Bay 16, Elliott came up a yard short. Jason Garrett took no chances. Bailey hit from 33 to put Dallas up by 6, but with 3 minutes left the Buccaneers still had life. Tampa Bay quickly went 3 and out, and Dirk Koetter decided to punt and trust his defense. The Bucs took their timeouts on defense. With 1:50 to play the Cowboys faced 3rd and 3 at the Tampa Bay 48. Prescott was sacked for a 3 yard loss. The Buccaneers got it back with 1:36 to play at their own 11. Yet a sack of Winston had the Buccaneers facing 4th and 12 at their own 20 with 35 seconds left. Winston went deep and was intercepted by Orlando Scandrick. The Buccaneers fell to 8-6 and will need help to make the playoffs. The 12-2 Cowboys are already in, and one step closer to home field throughout the playoffs. 26-20 Cowboys
Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins was the Monday night game. Early on the field goal kickers got into the act. Graham Gano hit from 35 to get the Panthers on the board first. Dustin Hopkins countered from 43 for a 3-3 game. The Panthers then moved 84 yards and Cam Newton hit Ted Ginn for a 30 yard touchdown to make it 10-3 Panthers. Kirk Cousins was then intercepted by Coleman, who returned it 37 yards to the Washington 24 at the end of the first quarter. Gang hit from 23 in the second quarter to make it 13-3 Panthers. The Redskins moved 89 yards and R Kelly got in from 5 yards out. The extra point failed as the Redskins trailed 13-9 at halftime. On the first play of the third quarter, disaster struck the Redskins. From their own 14, Cousins was sacked and fumbled. Carolina took over at the Washington one yard line and Newton hit Mike Tolbert for the touchdown to make it 20-9 Panthers. Gano tacked on another 23 yard field goal to make it 23-9 Panthers.
After a touchback the Redskins moved to a 4th and 2 at the Carolina 18. Jay Gruden decided to go for it and Cousins hit crowder for 8 yards. Yet on 1st and goal at the 10, an unnecessary roughness penalty on the offense meant 2nd and goal at the 27 as the third quarter ended. The fourth quarter began with the Redskins settling for a 26 yard Hopkins field goal to trail 23-12. The Panthers missed a chance to extend the lead when Gano was no good with 5 1/2 minutes left. The Redskins moved from their 28 to a 3rd and goal at the 6. An offensive penalty killed the drive. Needing two scores, the Redskins settled for a 34 yard Hopkins field goal to get within 23-15 with 3:45 left in regulation. The Panthers took over at their own 30, and Jonathan Stewart ran for a 34 yard gain. Tolbert gained another 10 yards. With 1:07 left from 41 yards out, this time Gano was good as the Panthers locked up the win. The Panthers will not be going to the playoffs, and the crushing home loss that dropped Washington to 7-6 means they will not be going either. 26-15 Panthers