NFL 2020 Week 15 Recap
Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders was the Thursday night game. The Raiders at 7-6 were technically alive, but they needed a miracle bomb to beat the winless Jets and a dropped pass in the end zone to survive the Chargers earlier in the year. The Raiders finally fired defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, elevating Rod Marinelli. Marinelli would have to scheme on a short week and without several players out with COVID. Jonathan Abram was one of several men on the secondary who were out. On the offense, Henry Ruggs was out due to COVID rules. So was offensive coordinator Greg Olsen. A defense unable to stop anyone and an offense that bogs down in the red zone meant the Raiders could get blown out by the 4-9 Chargers.
The Raiders began with 3rd and 3 at their own 32. Carr threw in the flat to…nobody…as the Raiders went 3 and out. The Chargers took over at their own 22 and Justin Herbert torched the pathetic Raiders secondary. Herbert hit Austin Ekeler for 8. On 3rd and 11 from his own 32, Herbert hit Hunter Henry for 14. and Johnson for 18. On 3rd and 6 from the Raiders 29, Herbert hit Keenan Allen for 17 and Henry for a 10 yard touchdown. The 12 play, 78 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive had the Chargers up 7-0.
After a touchback, the Raiders offense showed some promise. Josh Jacobs caught a pass from Derek Carr for 17 yards and then ran for 20 more. On 3rd and 7 from the Chargers 35, Carr went deep to Nelson Agholor for 30 yards. On 2nd and goal at the 2, Jacobs got stopped. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Carr rolled out and then all of a sudden began hobbling. He managed to hobble out of bounds for a 3 yard loss, but he was in tremendous pain. Without being touched, he had injured his groin. For the Raider Nation, it was a death blow. Carr was out for the rest of the game and perhaps the remainder of the season. Daniel Carlson hit the 23 yard field goal, but the Raiders trailed 7-3.
The Chargers got it back at their own 26 and moved to a 3rd and 4 just shy of midfield early in the second quarter. Herbert threw a perfect pass to Guyton, who just dropped it. It was Herbert’s first incompletion on the night. The Raiders took over at their own 14 and Marcus Mariota came in for Carr. Mariota looked good early, hitting Foster Moreau for 22 and Darren Waller for 13. Mariota out of the shotgun then ran for 11 yards. Mariota went deep to Waller for a 35 yard touchdown. The Raiders led 10-7. If their awful defense could give their offense the slightest amount of help, the Raiders would have a chance.
After a touchback, Kalen Ballage ran for 9 and 2. Herbert hit Guyton for 12 and Henry for 15. On 3rd and 5 from the Raiders 32, Herbert hit Henry for 7. On 3rd and 5 from the Raiders 20, Herbert hit Guyton for 11. At the 2 minute warning, it came down to 3rd and goal at the 4. Herbert threw incomplete. Mike Badgley hit the 22 yarder for a 10-10 deadlock. The 14 play, 71 yard drive ate up 7 1/2 minutes. Despite being totally outplayed, the Raiders were still in it. If they could just get to the half without doing something stupid…that was too much to ask.
After a touchback out of the shotgun, a run lost 5 yards. On 3rd and 9, a completion gained only 4 yards. Then punter AJ Cole shanked a punt for only 19 yards. With one minute left in the half, the Chargers were given gift field position just past midfield. With 30 seconds left, the Chargers faced 3rd and 12. It didn’t matter. Herbert went deep to hill for 25 and deep again to Johnson for a 26 yard touchdown. The Chargers led 17-10, and there was nothing that suggested the Raiders could come back.
The Chargers began the second half at their own 26. Herbert threw incomplete but defensive pass interference on AND a facemask on…who else? Travon Mullen…gave the Chargers 28 free yards. Mullen can always be counted on to get called for a penalty, but two on the same play is ridiculous even for him. On 3rd and 1 from the Raiders 38, Ballage got the ball and went up the middle, but this time the defense was ready as Ballage got hit for a 4 yard loss. Given that the Raiders have no pass defense, it was a wonder Anthony Lynn even bothered to call any running plays. Renfrow returned the punt 16 yards to the Raiders 24 before getting belted and exiting the game injured.
Mariota took a designed run 26 yards to midfield. On 3rd and 10, Mariota connected with Waller for a 25 yard gain. On 3rd and 1 from the Chargers 16, Jacobs lost a yard. Jon Gruden gambled on 4th and 2. Mariota rolled out and was about to be tackled short of the sticks. At the last moment he lunged the ball forward and got just barely enough for the first down. Two plays later defensive pass interference in the end zone meant 1st and goal at the one. Jacobs summoned his inner Marcus Allen and leapt over the top for the touchdown. The 10 play, 76 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive had the game tied 17-17 midway through the third quarter.
After a touchback, Herbert continued to torch Mullen, hitting Guyton for 15. Jon Gruden successfully challenged another completion. Although he won the challenge, it was only a 2 yard gain anyway. It didn’t matter. On the next play Herbert went to Mike Williams for 14. Ekeler ran for 5 and Kelly added 5 more. On 1st and 10 from the Raiders 36, Herbert went for the bomb and Guyton beat Mullen again. Yet at the last moment, what seemed like a sure touchdown wasn’t as Mullen pried it away incomplete. Again, it didn’t matter. On 3rd and 5, Herbert found a wide open Henry over the middle for 19 yards. On 3rd and 9 from the Raiders 11, nobody expected the defense to hold. Herbert went to the end zone incomplete, but naturally there was defensive pass interference. Does anyone want to guess who drew the foul? That’s right. Mullen. The Chargers had 1st and goal at the one with 2 minutes left in the third quarter. The Raiders burned a timeout on defense so they could talk about how to give up a touchdown. Ballage ran it in to cap the 12 play, 75 yard, 5 minute drive for the 24-17 Chargers lead.
After a touchback, Mariota hit Waller for 10. On 3rd and 2 from their own 43, Jacobs got stopped cold. Knowing his defense could not stop anyone, Jon Gruden had to go for it on 4th and 2 in his own territory as the third quarter ended. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Mariota rifled a quick pass to Agholor for a 5 yard gain. Mariota went deep and had a wide open Agolor, but the throw was off the mark incomplete. Agholor got blasted in the ribs on the play. On 3rd and 7 from midfield, Mariota raced for the sideline and gained 8. A 10 yard gain by Jacobs was wiped out by offensive holding. On 2nd and 13, Mariota hit Jacobs for 15. On 2nd and 13, Mariota fired over the middle to Waller for a 14 yard gain. On 3rd and 1 from the Chargers 10, Jacobs got stopped inches short.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Jon Gruden again had to go for it. Rather than give it to Jacobs on 4th and inches, Mariota went for the play action pass, pedaled backward, and off his back foot lobbed a pass to Waller for 6 yards to set up 1st and goal at the 4. On 2nd and goal at the 2, the Raiders had a receiver with no defender covering him. Mariota never saw it, giving the Chargers a chance to recover. Mariota threw high and incomplete. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Mariota rolled out and appeared stopped. Instead he hurdled over 2 defenders and stretched the ball over the pylon for the touchdown. The drive was staggering. 19…yes, 19…plays. 75 yards…11…yes, 11…minutes. With 6 minutes left the game was tied 24-24. The Raiders defense was beyond well rested. They had no excuses. They needed to make a stop. If they could, their offense could take advantage of the exhausted Chargers defense.
Of course they could not. Ekeler ran for a 27 yard gain. Then Herbert ran for 12. The Chargers were already in field goal range. On 3rd and 3 from the Raiders 28, Herbert threw over the middle and the pass was well defended and incomplete. Finally, the defense made a stop. Badgley came in for a 47 yard field goal try to give the Chargers the lead. The snap was low and hit the ground. Badgley’s kick was wide, no good. With 3 1/2 minutes left, the Raiders were very much alive. They would have the ball at their own 37. Their defense had survived. Now it was up to their offense not to have a meltdown against a Chargers defense that it had moved well against all game.
Jacobs got stopped for no gain. Then Mariota looked like he was about to be sacked when he somehow escaped and hit Waller for 15. Mariota again avoided a sack in the nick of time and hit Waller for 25 yards. The Raiders were well within field goal range. Now it was just about avoiding mistakes and setting up for the winning field goal. Instead Jon Gruden called a pass play. Mariota’s short pass to Zee Jones bounced off his hands and straight into the hands of defender Chris Harris, who returned it 52 yards to the Raiders 32. The Raiders were given a chance to save their season and with 1:54 left they literally threw it away. Mariota ran down Harris and prevented the touchdown. The Raiders took their final timeout on defense with 1:44 left as the Chargers faced 3rd and 2 at the Raiders 25. The defense desperately needed one more stop to even have a chance at getting the ball back. Rather than hand the ball off, Herbert rolled out and got sacked for an 8 yard loss. It was Herbert’s only mistake all game at the worst possible time. Now Badgley would have to try a 51 yarder rather than a 43 yarder. Badgley was again wide no good. The Raiders had again survived.
The Raiders had 53 seconds left and no timeouts from their own 41 yard line. On 3rd and 10 a completion gained only 9. Jon Gruden went for it on 4th and 1 knowing a stop would give the Chargers excellent field position. Mariota snuck across and then spiked the ball with 4 seconds left. Rather than try a Hail Mary, Carlson came in for an NFL record 65 yard field goal try. He never got the chance as punter AJ Cole fumbled the snap. Cole quickly fell on it rather than go Garo Yepremian. The game was headed to overtime. Very rarely has a coin toss meant so much, given that neither defense did much all game. The Raiders won the toss. They again had a puncher’s chance.
After a touchback, Jacobs was not on the field. His knee was bothering him. Joey Bosa was not on the field for the Chargers. Both teams were missing one of their best players when it mattered most. Davante booker gained 7. Jacobs came back in. Mariota faked a handoff to Jacobs and kept it himself for 13 yards. Mariota then hit Jones for 9. Jacobs banged ahead for 2 and another first down. Mariota went for it all and threw into double coverage. He was lucky it was not intercepted. The defender dropped it. Mariota again faked a handoff to Jacobs and ran for 17 yards. The Raiders were again in field goal range. It was critical they not let Herbert take the field. Mariota threw a swing pass to Jacobs, who faked out defenders and turned nothing into a 9 yard gain. The Raiders had 3rd down and 1/2 a yard at the Chargers 18. Alec Ingold took it up the gut for 2 yards. Jacobs had been bottled up all game, but he barreled over defenders for a 12 yard gain to set up 1st and goal at the 4. Jacobs gained one and on the next carry slipped and lost 2 yards. The Chargers took a timeout on defense with 3 1/2 minutes left in overtime. On 3rd and goal at the 5, a touchdown would end the game. Mariota threw incomplete. The 13 play, 70 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive came down to Carlson from 23 yards out. Carlson was dead center. The Raiders had the lead, but Herbert would get one more chance with the ball. As awful as the Raiders defense has been, they were beyond well rested.
After a touchback, Herbert went deep incomplete and drew defensive pass interference against…who else? Mullen. Again. It was a 20 yard gain. On the next play Herbert went bombs away again and hit Guyton for a 53 yard gain down to the Raiders 2 yard line. The Raiders took a timeout on defense with 2:20 left. Herbert lost a yard, but a defensive penalty for a blow to the head meant 1st and goal at the one. Ballage got stopped. Then on 2nd and goal Herbert tried to go over the top on the quarterback sneak. The ball was knocked out. The Chargers recovered the fumble in the end zone, but by rule only Herbert could recover it. It went back to the spot of the fumble. On 3rd and goal at the one, Herbert again tried the sneak. Again he got stopped, but on second effort stretched the ball barley over the pylon. Although his knee was down before he stretched it, the touchdown stood. The Raiders defense is worse than talentless. They are gutless and heartless. A 4-9 team with nothing to play for beat a 7-6 team with everything on the line. At 7-7, the only question would be if the Raiders would have another losing season or somehow find an 8th win. 9-7 with this defense? Forget it. The once 6-3 Raiders have collapsed for the second straight year because the defense is an embarrassment to football. 30-27 Chargers, OT
Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos was the Saturday afternoon game. The 10-3 Bills were steamrolling toward the playoffs while the Broncos were playing out the string. The game was not competitive. The Broncos missed a 51 yard field goal, giving the Bills the ball at their own 41. On 3rd and 8 from the Denver 46, Josh Allen hit Stefan Diggs for 15. On 3rd and 9 from the Denver 30, Allen was intercepted but the defense jumped offside, nullifying the play. On 3rd and 4, Allen hit Cole Beasley for 5. On 3rd and 2 from the Denver 9, Allen hit Diggs for 3 and Knox for the 9 yard touchdown. The 13 play, 59 yard, 6 minute drive had the Bills up 7-0. The Bills got it back a their own 5 and began the second quarter facing 2nd and 8 from their own 17. Allen hit Diggs for 12. On 3rd and 4 from their own 35, Allen hit Diggs for just enough. Allen went Beasley for 17 and Allen for 15. On 3rd and 5 from the Denver 24, Allen scrambled all the way for the touchdown. The 11 play, 95 yard, 5 minute drive meant a 14-0 Bills lead.
The Broncos got a break when the Bills fumbled a punt and the Broncos recovered at the Buffalo 35. On 3rd and 1 from the Buffalo 26, Drew Lock ran for 14. On 3rd and 8 from the Buffalo 10, Melvin Gordon ran it in to get the Broncos within 14-7. The Broncos got it back and had to punt on 4th and 8 from their own 7. The Bills got it back at their own 41. Allen hit Diggs for 11, Davis for 11 more, Knox for 27 with 5 more added for roughing the passer. 3 straight offensive penalties had the Bills facing 1st and goal at the 30. It didn’t matter. Allen hit McKenzie for 8 and Kumerow for a 22 yard touchdown to make it 21-7 Bills with 1:49 left in the half. After a touchback, Lock hit Fant for a pair of 5 yard gains and Gordon for gains of 9 and 6. On 2nd and 6 from the Buffalo 46, Lock threw incomplete but roughing the passer meant a 15 yard gain. On 3rd and 4 from the Buffalo 25, Lock hit Jerry Jeudy for 19 as both teams called timeout with 11 seconds left. Allen went to Fant for the 6 yard touchdown. Brandon McManus is a great kicker, but he was out injured. His backup, who missed a field goal earlier, missed the extra point as the Broncos trailed 21-13 at the midpoint.
The Bills blew the game open in the third quarter. Roberts returned the second half kickoff 53 yards to set the Bills up with a short field at the Denver 43. Allen hit Beasley for 22 and 10. On 3rd and 7 from the Denver 8, Allen hit Davis for just enough down to the one. Allen got in to make it 28-13 Bills. One play after a touchback, Lock was sacked and fumbled. Hughes picked it up and raced 21 yards for a defensive touchdown as the Bills were winning a laugher 35-13. Tyler Bass hit a pair of 27 yard field goals, one at the end of the third quarter and the other one early in the fourth quarter to make it 41-13 Bills. The Broncos got a garbage touchdown with less than 2 minutes left and missed the extra point. The Bills added an exclamation point when Singletary in trying to run out the clock ran for a 51 yard touchdown to complete the blowout. For the first time since 1995, the Bills are champs of the AFC East. Jim Kelly was running the K-Gun under Marv Levy then. Sean McDermott’s team even has an outside chance at home field throughout the playoffs. After 25 years, the Bills are back in a big way. 48-19 Bills
Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers was the Saturday night game. The 10-3 Packers can in knowing that if they won their final 3 games, they would have home field throughout the playoffs. The Panthers are done for the year. The Packers made it look easy from the start. On 3rd and 1 from their own 28, Aaron Jones broke free for a 46 yard gain. Aaron Rodgers hit Williams for 12, Tonyan for 7, and Tonyan again for a one yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Packers. After a touchback, Teddy Bridgewater went deep to Moore for a 37 yard gain and then to Thomas for 15 more. Yet on 1st and 10, from the Green Bay 22, a sack of Bridgewater killed the drive. Joey Slye hit a 36 yard field goal to get the Panthers within 7-3.
In the second quarter the Packers soon faced 3rd and 7 from their own 28. Rodgers went to Devonta Adams for 14. On 3rd and 8 from their own 29, defensive pass interference added 16 more yards. On 3rd and 1 from the Carolina 46, Rodgers hit Adams again for 14. The second quarter began with the Packers facing 3rd and goal at the 6. Rodgers ran it in himself as the 13 play, 75 yard, 7 minute drive had the Packers up 14-3. The Panthers came back with a 12 play, 70 yard, 7 minute drive. The key play came on 1st and goal at the one. Bridgewater tried to sneak over the top. He stretched the ball and had it punched out short of the goal line. King picked it up and raced 48 yards to the Carolina 47. From the Carolina 37, Aaron Jones did the rest. Jones ran for gains of 6, 7, 3, 8, 5, and the 8 yard touchdown. With 4 minutes left in the half, instead of only being up 14-10, the Packers led 21-3.
The Panthers tried to claw back in the second half. A short 38 yard punt had the Panthers just shy of midfield in the third quarter. Davis ran for 9 and 2. Bridgewater went to Moore for 18. On 3rd and 9 from the Packers 21, a completion gained only 4 yards. However, defensive holding meant 5 yards and a first down. Bridgewater ran for a 13 yard touchdown. With 5 minutes left in the third quarter, the Panthers were within 21-10. The Panthers got it back at their own 20 and moved to a 1st and goal at the 8. On 3rd and goal at the 7, Bridgewater ran again and got drilled at the one yard line again and fumbled again. This time the Panthers recovered in the end zone for a touchdown, but the entire play was nullified by offensive holding. On 3rd and goal from the 17, Bridgewater hit Curtis Samuel for 13. On 4th and goal from the 4 and needing 2 scores, Matt Rhule played it safe. Slye hit the 22 yard field goal to get the Panthers within 21-13 with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
The Packers offense had been stymied the entire second half, but after a touchback they looked to put the game away. On 3rd and 7 just shy of midfield, Rodgers hit Lazard for 22. On 3rd and 6 from the Carolina 25, Rodgers was sacked for an 8 yard loss. Instead of a 43 yarder, now it would be a 51 yard field goal try with 3 1/2 minutes left. Mason Crosby was good and the Packers had breathing room up by 11. The Panthers kept fighting as they took over from their own 24. On 2nd and 15 from their own 31, Bridgewater hit Moore for 14. On 3rd and 1 from their own 45, Bridgewater went deep to Moore for a 40 yard gain. With 2:08 to play, Matt Rhule made a very curious decision. Rather than take a couple shots at the end zone, he immediately on first down brought in Slye for a field goal. He wanted the points before the 2 minute warning. Slye barely snuck the 33 yarder inside the upright good. The Panthers trailed by 8 with 2:04 left. Rhule decided not to go onside kick.
After a touchback, the Panthers had 4 chances to stop the clock instead of 3. With 1:53 left, the Packers faced 3rd and 4 from their own 31. The Panthers were out of timeouts and the Packers took one timeout to talk it over. Rodgers rolled out and was sacked for a 14 yard loss. The Panthers nearly blocked the punt and appeared to have the ball at their own 41. Yet a penalty on the return had the Panthers taking over at their own 20 with 55 seconds left. Intentional grounding meant a loss of 10, a 10 second runoff, and a moving clock. On 3rd and 9 from his own 21 with 30 seconds left, Bridgewater went for the bomb and had Samuel over the middle but it was just overthrown. Samuel could not make the leaping one-handed grab. On 4th and 9 Bridgewater was intercepted but the Packers jumped offside. On 4th and 4 from his own 26 with 18 seconds left, Bridgewater threw incomplete. It was a tough one but the Packers survived. Rodgers became the first quarterback in NFL history to have 3 seasons with at least 40 touchdown passes. The Packers at 11-3 remain atop the NFC and can lock up home field throughout the playoffs with 2 more wins. 24-16 Packers
San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys — For decades these teams produced games for the ages. These are not those teams and this was not that game, although it was a good football game between bad teams. Early on the 49ers fumbled a punt and the Cowboys recovered at the San Francisco 22. On 3rd and goal at the one, Tony Pollard got in to make it -7-0 Cowboys. The 49ers fumbled again and the Cowboys had another short field at the San Francisco 24. Red Rifle Andy Dalton threw a 3 yard touchdown pass to Michael Gallup for a 14-0 Cowboys lead.
The 49ers soon faced 3rd and 1 from their own 34. Raheem Mostert got the yard. On 3rd and 2 from their own 35, Nick Mullens hit Kenrdick Bourne for 12. Mullens hit Aiyuk for 13. On 3rd and 1 from the Dallas 19, Mostert gained 17. Mullens hit Jordan Reed for a 5 yard touchdown to cap the 13 play, 75 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive and get the 49ers within 14-7. The Cowboys took over at their own 33. Dalton hit Pollard for a 30 yard gain as the first quarter ended. On 3rd and 6 from the San Francisco 21, Dalton was sacked for a 9 yard loss. Greg “The Leg” Zuerlein hit a 48 yard field goal to make it 17-7 Cowboys. A touchback and a sack of Mullens had the 49ers facing 2nd and 18 from their own 17.. Mullens went deep to James for 22 and Dwelley for gains of 19 and 9. Mostert ran for 10 and Jeff Wilson added gains of 5 and 7. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Mostert got stopped. Kyle Shanahan went for it. On 4th and goal at the 2, Mullens hit Aiyuk for the score to get the 49ers within 17-14 with 5 minutes left in the half. Mike McCarthy allowed Zuerlein to try a 60 yard field goal late in the half, but it was no good.
Early in the third quarter the 49ers were at their own 30. Mullens went to James for 23 with 15 more added on for lowering the head to initiate contact. On 3rd and 1 from the Dallas 23, Wilson got stopped. This time Kyle Shanahan decided not to gamble on 4th and 1. Robbie Gould hit the 41 yard field goal for a 17=17 game. The Cowboys took over at their own 27. Dalton hit Gallup for 12. On 3rd and 7 from his own 43, Dalton hit CeeDee Lamb for 45 yards and then went to Dalton Schultz for a 12 yard touchdown to make it 24-17 Cowboys midway through the third quarter. After a touchback, Wilson gained 5 and 10. Mullens went to Kyle Juszczyk for 25. On 3rd and 1 from the Dallas 20, Juszczyk gained 3. On 3rd and 7 from the Dallas 14, Mullens went to Reed for 13 down to the one. Wilson got in for a 24-24 game after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter the the 49ers were pinned at their own 2 yard line. On 3rd and 6 from their own 16, Mullens was intercepted and the Cowboys for the third time had a short field at the San Francisco 28. Dalton threw 3 straight incompletions. Zuerlein hit a 46 yard field goal to put the Cowboys back up 27-24 with 10 minutes left in regulation. The 49ers got it back at their own 29 and soon were just shy of midfield. Mullens was then intercepted by Brown, who returned it 14 yards to the San Francisco 46. The 49ers took their 2nd timeout with 2 1/2 minutes left and the Cowboys facing 2nd and 4 at the Frisco 40. Pollard broke through all the way for the touchdown and the Cowboys led 34-24.
After a touchback the 49ers faced 3rd and 10 at their own 39 with 1:50 left. Mullens hit Cracraft for 8 with 15 more tacked on for roughing the passer. Mullens was shaken up on the play and 3rd stringer CJ Beathard had to try and lead a comeback down by 10. On 3rd and 11 from the Dallas 39, Beathard hit McKinnon for 23. However, from the Dallas 16, a short pass gained only 3 yards and forced the 49ers to take their final timeout with 42 seconds left. Needing 2 scores, Kyle Shanahan went for the field goal on second down. Gould hit from 31 and the 49ers were within 34-27. Only 6 seconds later, the Cowboys turned out the lights as Lamb returned the onside kick 47 yards for a touchdown to put the Cowboys up 41-27. On the last play of the game, Beathard completed the Hail Mary to Bourne for a 49 yard touchdown, but there were zeroes on the clock. There would not be another onside kick. 41-33 Cowboys
Seattle Seahawks at Washington Indians — The 9-4 Seahawks came in tied for the NFC West lead. The non-Redskins started 2-7 but then won 4 straight to lead the NFC Least by one game. With the Cleveland Indians changing their name, the Washington No-names could adopt that team moniker. Alex Smith was out with an injured calf so Dwayne Haskins got his first start since Week 4. Pete Carroll and Riverboat Ron Rivera both know defense. A 43 yard Jason Myers field goal was the only first quarter score as the Seahawks led 3-0. Myers hit again from 40 in the second quarter to make it 6-0 Seahawks. After a touchback the No-Names moved to the Seattle 27. Haskins went for it all and had his pass tipped by Diggs and intercepted by Griffin at the Seattle 3 yard line.
Russell Wilson came out throwing and hit DK Metcalf for 6. On 3rd and 3 from their own 20, Wilson hit Moore for 9. Wilson had an earlier 6 yard run on the drive and broke free for a 38 yard gain. Defensive pass interference added 17 more. On 3rd and 7 from the Washington 10, Wilson went to Jacob Hollister for the score. After 28 minutes of defense, the game’s first touchdown had the Seahawk up 13-0 with 1:45 left in the half. Dustin Hopkins did hit a 48 yard field goal for the No-Names to end the half, but after a touchback to start the third quarter, the Seahawks struck quickly. Chris Carson ran for gains of 13 and 9 and Carlos Hyde raced for a 50 yard touchdown to make it 20-3 Seahawks. Haskins threw another interception but the Seahawks did not capitalize.
With 5 minutes left in the third quarter, the Indians took over at their own 4 yard line. On 3rd and 6 from their own 8, Haskins hit Foster for 9 with 15 more added on for roughing the passer. Haskins then hit Thomas for 7 and 17 and ran for 12. On 3rd and 11 from the Seattle 33, Haskins hit Terry McLaurin for 17. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Haskins hit McKissic for 12 down to the one. On 3rd and goal from the one, Peyton Barber got in. The extra point was no good as the Indians trailed 20-9 after the 14 play, 96 yard, 6 minute drive. The Seahawks after a touchback moved to a 1st and 10 at the Washington 39. Wilson was then intercepted by Payne. The No-Names took over at their own 36. Haskins hit McKissic for 13 and 5. On 3rd and 5 from the Seattle 46, Haskins hit Sims for 10. Runs and short passes led to a 6 yard touchdown pass from Haskins to McKissic. The 2 point conversion try failed as the No-Names trailed by 5 midway through the fourth quarter. Washington got it back at their own 14 with 5 1/2 minutes left. They moved to a 1st and 10 at the Seattle 23 with 1:18 to play. Yet there would been miracle comeback. Consecutive sacks of Haskins had the No-Names facing 4th and 24 from the Seattle 37 with 51 seconds left. Haskins went deep incomplete. The 10-4 Seahawks clinched a playoff spot and with one more win will wrap up the NFC West. They have an outside shot at home field throughout the playoffs. 20-15 Seahawks.
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings — Both teams came in 6-7 and clinging to playoff life. A field position game had the Bears at their own 42. Montgomery ran for 19. On 3rd and 3 from the Minnesota 32, Mitchell Trubisky went to Robinson for 24 and to Darnell Mooney for an 8 yard touchdown and a 7-0 Bears lead. The Vikings soon faced 3rd and 2 from their own 33. Kirk Cousins hit Isaiah Smith for 21. Dalvin Cook gained 13. Cousins went to Justin Jefferson for 23. On 3rd and goal from the 3, Cousins hit Adam Thielen for the touchdown and the 7-7 game.
After a touchback, Trubisky hit Robinson for 14, Mooney for 12 and Robinson for 10. Yet on 3rd and 3 from the Minnesota 24, Trubisky threw incomplete. Cairo Santos hit the 42 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Bears. The Bears got it back to start the second quarter at their own 24. Mooney ran for 16 and Trubisky hit Graham for 16 more. Trubisky ran for 8 and Montgomery added 10 and 9. On 3rd and 1 from the Minnesota 17, Trubisky got the yard. On 3rd and 7 from the Minnesota 13, the defense jumped into the neutral zone. On 3rd and 2, Trubksy gained 7 down to the one. On 3rd and goal from the one, Montgomery got in to make it 17-7 Bears. With 6 minutes left in the half, Mike Zimmer gambled on 4th and 1 from his own 34. Cook got stopped. On 2nd and 4 from the Minnesota 17, Trubisky threw incomplete twice. Santos hit from 35 as the Bears led 20-7 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the half.
After a touchback, the Vikings moved to a 2nd and goal at the 6 with 44 seconds left. Cousins threw incomplete twice. Dan Bailey hit the 24 yarder to get the Vikings within 20-10. After a touchback Cousins gained 8 and Cook ran for 4 and 18. Cousins went to Jefferson for 16 with roughing the passer adding 15 more. Cook did the rest, running for 11, 2 and the one yard touchdown to get the Vikings within 20-17.
The Bears soon faced 3rd and 4 from their own 31. Trubisky hit Montgomery for 16. Montgomery ran for 7 and 6. On 3rd and 11 from the Minnesota 41, Trubisky hit Miller for 13. Montgomery ran for 11 and then for the 14 yard touchdown to make it 27-17 Bears with 5 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter. After a touchback, Cousins went to Jefferson for 26 and to Conklin for 30 more. Yet on 1st and goal at the 6, Cousins threw incomplete. On 3rd and goal from the 4, Cousins threw incomplete again. Bailey hit the 22 yarder as the Vikings trailed 27-20 after three quarters. The Bears took over at their own 28. From their own 41, Trubisky hit Mooney for 22. The fourth quarter began with the Bears facing 3rd and 4 from the Minnesota 31. A completion only gained one yard but Santos hit the critical 48 yard field goal to make it 30-20 Bears.
The Vikings soon faced 3rd and 5 at their own 30. Cousins went to Beebe for 9. On 3rd and 5 from their own 44, Cousins threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 12 yard gain. Cook gained 9 and one. On 3rd and 5 from the Chicago 29, Cousins hit Jefferson for 9 and Conklin for the 20 yard touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Vikings were back within 30-27. The Bears moved from their own 29 to a 3rd and goal at the Minnesota 6 with 3 minutes left. A touchdown would ice the game. Instead Trubisky was intercepted for a touchback. On 3rd and 1 from their own 29, Cook got stopped as the Clock hit the 2 minute warning. On 4th and 1, Cousins threw incomplete. Yet 3 runs by Montgomery only gained 5 total yards. Matt Nagy was not going to let Trubisky throw the ball. The Vikings took their timeouts on defense. With 56 seconds left, santos hit from 42. The Bears led by 6, but the Vikings took over at their own 30 with a chance to win. Cousins hit Beebe for 12, Conkin for 7, Smith for 11 and Jefferson for 7. With 7 seconds left, it came down to 3rd and 3 from the Chicago 33. Cousins went to the end zone and his Hail Mary was intercepted. 33-27 Bears
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins — The Patriots 19 year dynasty was on the verge of collapse, and even those great Patriots teams lost to the Dolphins in Miami in December. This year the Patriots were 6-7 and the Dolphins at 8-5 were in position to make a playoff run. An ugly first half saw Nick Folk hit second quarter field goals of 45 and 36 for a 6-0 Patriots lead. Jason Sanders missed a 52 yard field goal to end the half. The Dolphins began the third quarter facing 2nd and 5 from their own 33. A run gained 4 but a defensive facemask added 15. Tua Tagovailoa hit Hollins for 10. Bowden gained 9 and Matt Breida gained 14, 2 and 7. On 3rd and 1 from the Patriots 6, Tagovailoa gained 5. Salvon Ahmed got the last yard to put the Dolphins up 7-6. The Patriots fumbled, the Dolphins failed to capitalize, and the Patriots got it back at their own 8. From their own 19, Cam Newton hit Meyers for 35 and ran for 11. On 3rd and 10 from the Miami 35, Newton hit Meyers for only 8. On 4th and 2 from the Miami 27, Bill Belichick opted for the field goal. Folk hit from 45 as the Patriots led 9-7 with 4:20 left in the third quarter and were smelling upset.
The Dolphins took over at their own 10. From their own 22, Ahmed gained 31 and Breida gained 8, 3, 2, and 0. On 3rd and 8 from the New England 34 and the Patriots smelling pass, Brian Flores called a shotgun run. Laird took the draw for 12 yards. The Patriots began the fourth quarter with too many men on the field as the Dolphins had 2nd and 2 at the New England 14. Tagovailoa hit Smythe for 6. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Tagovailoa ran it in. Flores went for 2 and Tagovailoa hit Ahmed for the score as the Dolphins led 15-9. The Patriots moved from their 25 to a 3rd and 5 at the Miami 24. Newton threw incomplete. For the 4th time on the day, the Patriots had to settle for a field goal. Folk hit from 42 but the Patriots trailed 15-12 with 9 minutes left in regulation.
After a touchback, Ahmed gained 13. Tagovailoa hit Smythe for 10. Breida gashed the defense for 24 and 9. On 3rd and 1 from the New England 2, Ahmed got the yard. Tagovailoa got the last yard. With 3 1/2 minutes left the Dolphins finally put the game away. The Patriots quickly moved after a touchback to a 1st and 10 at the Miami 30 with 2:16 to play. Newton was then sacked. On 3rd and 15 at the 2 minute warning, Newton hit James White for 12. Needing 2 scores with 1:14 left, Bill Belichick inexplicably went for it rather than try a 41 yard field goal with a kicker who was 4 for 4. On 4th and 3, Newton was sacked. Brian Flores took over a Dolphins team that had been mediocre and worse since they won their last division title in 2008. While the AFC East is out of reach, the Dolphins at 9-5 are in the playoff chase. The Patriots accomplishments have been staggering. 19 Straight winning seasons from 2001-2019. 17 straight playoff seasons from 2003-2019. 11 straight AFC East titles from 2009-2019. 17 straight years winning or tied atop the AFC East from 2003-2019. 8 straight AFC Title Game appearances from 2011-2018. 9 Super Bowl appearances. 6 Super Bowl victories. At 6-8 the Patriots are out of the playoff and need 2 more wins for their 20th straight non-losing season. Brian Flores is a Bill Belichick disciple. Like the early Patriots teams, Flores has built a team that wins with defense. 22-12 Dolphins
Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens — The Ravens won a 47-42 Monday night thriller over Cleveland and at 8-5 had to defeat the 1-12 Jaguars to have a good shot at the playoffs. Sometimes a bad team can go on the road and win a shocker. This was not that game. Early on, Lamar Jackson threw a deep ball that was intercepted. The Jaguars took over at their own one yard line. The Ravens defense came up with a safety to start the scoring. The Ravens took the free kick at their own 32. On 3rd and 2 from their own 40, Dobbins gained 8. From midfield, Jackson hit Andrews for 18, Brown for 28, and Miles Boykin for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 9-0 Ravens. After a touchback the Jaguars moved to a 4th and 5 at the Baltimore 47. Doug Marrone went for it and Gardner Minshew was sacked. With a short field just past midfield, Jackson hit Andrews for 27. On 3rd and 1 from the Jags 13, Dobbins gained 3, fumbled, and recovered it for another 3 yards. Dobbins began the second quarter by running for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 16-0 Ravens. The Ravens got it back at their own 32 and moved to a 2nd and 5 at the Jags 27. Jackson threw incomplete twice but Justin Tucker hit from 46 to make it 19-0 Ravens. Doug Marrone gambled again on 4th and 5 from the Baltimore 43. Minshew threw incomplete. Jackson hit Dobbins for 17 and Brown for 11. On 3rd and 8 from the Jags 11, Jackson hit Dez Bryant for the score to make it 26-0 Ravens.
Tucker did miss a 57 yard field goal to end the half, but the second half was pointless. Each team scored one touchdown in each of the final two quarters. At 9-5, the AFC North is out of reach but the Ravens are in a position to make the playoffs. The 1-13 Jaguars can clinch the top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by losing their final two games. 40-14 Ravens
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons — The Buccaneers at 8-5 were in the playoff picture while the Falcons were out after blowing several large fourth quarter leads this season. They have had several famous collapses in the last decade. In the 2012 NFC Title Game, the Falcons blew a 17-0 halftime lead and lost to the 49ers 28-24. In the 2016 Super Bowl, The Falcons blew a 28-3 third quarter lead and lost to the Tom Brady-led Patriots 34-28 in overtime. In the 2020 regular season, the Falcons blew a 39-24 fourth quarter lead and lost to the Cowboys 40-39 after refusing to cover an onside kick. In this game they began by facing 3rd and 9 from their own 26. Matt Ryan hit Todd Gurley for 10. On 3rd and 1 from their own 45, Ryan went to Gage for 27 and to Gage again for the 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Falcons. In the second quarter the Falcons faced 3rd and 2 at their own 43. Smith gained 3. Raheem Morris gambled on 4th and 2 from the Tampa Bay 46. Ryan hit Gage for 7, Smith for 13, Treadwell for 14 and Calvin Ridley for the 12 yard touchdown. The 10 play, 65 yard, 5 minute drive made it 14-0 Falcons. The Falcons got it back at their own 11 with 3:40 left in the half and moved 75 yards in 13 plays. Despite 1st and 10 from the Tampa 13 with 33 seconds left, Ryan threw a completion that lost yard followed by 2 more incompletions. Younghoe Koo hit a 32 yard field goal as the Falcons led 17-0 at the break. Falcons fans have seen this movie before.
The Buccaneers began the third quarter at their own 20. Brady hit Antonio Brown for 20 and Cameron Brate for 14. Leonard Fournette ran for 9 and 4. Brady went to Mike Evans for 32 yards down to the one. Fournette got the yard and the Buccaneers were within 17-7. After a touchback, Ryan went to Ridley for 13 and 28. From the Tampa 25, Matty Ice hit Smith for 4, Gage for 14 and Hayden Hurst for the 7 yard touchdown. Midway through the third quarter, the Falcons led 24-7. Falcons fans have seen this movie before.
The Buccaneers soon faced 3rd and 5 at their own 30. Brady hit Evans for 26, Fournette for 16, Evans for 24, and Chris Godwin for the 4 yard touchdown to get the Buccaneers within 24-14. The Buccaneers quickly got it back at their own 24. Brady hit Rob Gronkowski for 17 and Miller for 14. Defensive pass interference and a defensive facemask on the same incompletion added 28. Brady hit Fournette and Brown for a pair of 8 yard gains down to the one. Fournette got in at the end of the third quarter to get the Buccaneers right back in it down 24-21. The Falcons again went backward and a 21 yard punt return gave the Buccaneers the ball just shy of midfield to start the fourth quarter. The Buccaneers moved to a 3rd and 6 at the Atlanta 9. Brady threw incomplete but Ryan Succop hit a 27 yard field goal to tie the game 24-24 with 11 minutes left in regulation. The 17 point lead had evaporated. Falcons fans have seen this movie before.
After a touchback, Ryan hit Smith for 11 and Ridley for 33 yards. Yet on 2nd and 6 from the Bucs 27, Ryan threw incomplete. Then on 3rd and 6 he was sacked. Koo drilled a 52 yard field goal as the Falcons reclaimed the lead 27-24 with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation. From their own 22, the Buccaneers responded quickly. Brady hit Brate for 18, Godwin for 13, and Brown for a 46 yard touchdown. The Buccaneers led by 4 points with 6:19 left. With 2:02 left the Falcons aced 4th and 16 at their own 6. Ryan hit Ridley for 13 and the Falcons had blown another game. The Buccaneers are 9-5 and have an outside shot at winning the NFC South. Brady has now had 20 consecutive winning seasons and is on the verge of 18 straight playoff appearances. 31-27 Buccaneers
Detroit Lions at Tennessee Titans — The Titans came in 9-4 and tied atop the AFC South. The Lions are done for the year. The Titans began facing 3rd and 2 from their own 33. Ryan Tannehill hit Antonio Brown for 6. On 2nd and 14 from their own 35, Tannehill hit Smith for 19, AJ Brown for 10 and Pruitt for 10. Derrick Henry ran for 9, 5 and the 3 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Titans. The Lions soon faced 3rd and 4 from their own 31. Matthew Stafford hit Marvin Jones for just enough. Stafford went to Agnew for 11. On 3rd and 7 from the The Titans 42, Stafford hit TJ Hockensen for 11 and Jones for 12. Adrian Peterson rushed for 7, 8 and 3. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Stafford hit Jones for the touchdown to cap the 14 play, 75 yard, 7 minute drive and make it a 7-7 game.
Yet 12 seconds later the Titans had the lead again. Tannehill connected with Corey Davis for a 75 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Titans. The Titans got it back at their own 7 yard line early in the second quarter. Henry ran for 12 and 8. Defensive pass interference added 23. Henry ran for 13 and 6. On 3rd and 4 from the Detroit 31, Tannehill hit Davis for 7. Henry ran for 7 and Tannehill ran for a 17 yard touchdown to make it 21-7 Titans.
After a touchback the Lions moved to a 3rd and goal at the one. D’Andre Swift got the carry and fumbled. The Titans recovered at their own 3 yard line. Yet a safety got the Lions within 21-9. Agnew returned the free kick 13 yards to his own 45. On 3rd and 2 from the Titans 47, Stafford hit Jones for 6 and then again deep for 39. This time from the 2, Swift got in. The extra point was no good but the Lions were within 21-15 with one minute left in the half. The Titans took over at their own 28. Henry ran for 8 and Tannehill hit Brown for 14. On 3rd and 10 from midfield, Tannehill hit Davis for 14 and Smith for 16. Stephen Gostkowski hit a 38 yard field goal to end the half with the Titans up 24-15. After a touchback to start the third quarter the Lions moved to a 3rd and 1 from the Titans 21. Hockenson got the carry and the yard, but Mike Vrabel challenged the call. It was reversed to a fumble recovered by the Titans. The Lions got it back at their own 7. Swift ran for 10 and Stafford went to Cephu for 36. Defensive pass interference added 12. On 1st and 10 from the Titans 35, Stafford threw 3 straight incompletions. Matt Prater hit a 53 yard field goal as the Lions only trailed 24-18 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter.
After that the Titans slammed the door shut. On 3rd and 11 from their own 16, Tannehill hit Anthony Firkser for 20. Tannehill hit Davis for 14. Henry ran for 4, 5, and on 3rd and 1 from the Detroit 36, a 33 yard gain. Tannehill ran for a 3 yard touchdown. Henry rushed in the 2 point conversion to make it 32-18 Titans early in the fourth quarter. The Lions faced 4th and 4 from their own 31 with 12 minutes left and opted tp punt. They called a fake punt that gained only 3 yards. It turned out that the special teams coach called a fake punt on his own without consulting the other coaches. He was fired after the game. With a short field, Tannehill hit Evans for 24. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Tannehill hit Brown for the score to make it 39-18 Titans. The Lions did get one more touchdown with 6 1/2 minutes left, A failed onside kick meant another short field for the Titans. On 3rd and goal from the 3, Tannehill hit Darrynton Evans for the last touchdown to complete the blowout. The 10-4 Titans remain tied atop the AFC South, and they have the tie-breaker. 46-25 Titans
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts — The Texans are done for the year, but the 9-4 Colts barely survived a 26-20 win at Houston earlier this year. Early on the Colts faced 3rd and 3 at their own 26. Philip Rivers hit Jacob Doyle for 7. On 3rd and 3 from their own 40, Rivers hit Zach Pascal for 13. Jonathan Taylor gained 12 and Nyheim Hines added 23. Taylor ran for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Colts. The Texans moved from their own 23 to a 3rd and just past midfield. Watson was sacked and fumbled and the Colts took over at the Houston 42. On 3rd and 5 from the Houston 37, Rivers went to Pascal for 26 and again for the 11 yard touchdown as the Colts led 14-0 after the opening quarter.
Midway through the second quarter the Texans faced 3rd and 7 from their own 24. Watson hit Chad Hansen for 17. On 3rd and 15 from their own 36, Watson hit Johnson for 26 and Hansen for a 38 yard touchdown. With 3:46 left in the half the Texans were within 14-7. Then came a bunch of field goals. Despite 2nd and goal from the 5 with 16 seconds left in the half, Watson threw incomplete twice. Kaimi Fairbairn hit from 23 to get the Texans within 14-10. In the third quarter the Colts moved to a 1st and 10 at the Houston 17. A completion gained nothing followed by 2 Rivers incompletions. Rodrigo Blankenship hit from 35 to make it 17-10 Colts. The Texans moved to a 3rd and 1 at the Colts 7. Then came a false start and a completion that lost 2 yards. Fairbairn hit from 31 to get the Texans within 17-13. The Colts moved to a 3rd and 5 at the Houston 35. Rivers threw incompletion. 90 seconds into the fourth quarter, Blankenship hit from 53 to make it 20-13 Colts.
The Texans took over at their own 20. Watson hit Johnson for 14 and 5. On 3rd and 1 from their own 43, Johnson got stopped. On 4th and 1, Watson gained 4. Watson hit Warring for 23. Watson hit Akins for 6, Johnson for 8 and Keke Coutee for a 9 yard touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, the game was tied 20-20 after the 10 play, 80 yard, 6 minute drive. The Colts faced 3rd and 2 from their own 33. Rivers hit Burton for 8. Taylor gained 14. On 3rd and 7 from the Houston 42, Rivers hit Pittman for 6. On 4th and 1 from the Houston 36 with 3:20 to play, Frank Reich gambled rather than try a 54 yard field goal, also a gamble. Jacoby Brissett gained 2. Offensive pass interference had the Colts facing 2nd and 20 from the Houston 44. Rivers went deep to TY Hilton for a 41 yard gain as the clock hit the 2 minute warning. Rivers hit Pascal for a 5 yard touchdown as the Colts retook the 7 point lead. The Texans took over at their own 25 with 1:47 left and 2 timeouts. In the earlier game the Texans lost 26-20 when Watson fumbled near the goal line trying to take the led. This time with 28 seconds left the Texans faced 4th and 5 at the Indy 15. Watson went to Coutee for 13, and he fumbled the ball away. The Colts recovered in the end zone for a touchback. The Colts at 10-4 are tied atop the AFC South, but they do not have the tie-breaker. 27-20 Titans
Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals — The Eagles are pretty much eliminated even in the NFC Least while the Cardinals at 7-6 were clinging to playoff life. The Eagles looked revitalized when Jalen Hurts won his first ever NFL start lsat week in place of the benched Carson Wentz. Early on it was all Cardinals. They moved from their own 25 to a 1st and goal at the 9. Kyler Murray hit Deandre Hopkins for 4 but hopkins fumbled and the Eagles recovered at their own 8. On 3rd and 8 from their own 10, The Cardinals defense produced a safety for a 2-0 lead. The Cardinals took over at their own 34 and defensive unnecessary roughness had them just shy of midfield. Murray went to Williams for a 42 yard gain and then ran for the 8 yard touchdown himself to make it 9-0 Cardinals. The Eagles punted on 4th and 19 from their own 42. The punt was blocked and rolled out of bounds at the Philly 6. From there, Chase Edmonds ran it in as the Cardinals were dominating 16-0 after the first quarter.
The Eagles took over at their own 26. Hurts hit Reagor for 10, Alshon Jeffery for 24 and Dallas Goedert for 16. The second quarter began with a sack of Hurts that set up 3rd and 20 at the Arizona 32. Hurts went to Quez Watkins for the touchdown to get the Eagles within 16-7. One play after a touchback, Murray went deep to Hopkins for a 45 yard gain. On 3rd and 4 from the Philly 24, Murray hit Kirk for only 2. Kliff Kingsbury decided not to gamble on 4th and 2. Mike Nugent hit the 40 yard field goal to make it 19-7 Cardinals. The Cardinals got it back at their own 17. From their own 30, Murray was sacked and fumbled and the Eagles recovered at the Arizona 21. Myles Sanders ran for 10, 4, 3, and on 3rd and 3 from the 4, nothing. Doug Pederson gambled, and on 4th and 3 Hurts hit Greg Ward for the score. With 6:20 left in the half the Eagles were within 19-14. The Cardinals soon faced 3rd and 5 from their own 30 when the Eagles jumped into the neutral zone. Murray went to Arnold for 21, to Larry Fitzgerald for 6, to Arnold again for 23, and to Fitzgerald again for a 14 yard touchdown. With 2:13 left in the half the Cardinals led 26-14.
At the 2 minute warning the Eagles had 2nd and 6 at their own 26. Hurts hit Reagor for 12 and went deep to Ertz for a 42 yard gain. Defensive pass interference added 12. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Hurts hit Ward for the score. Doug Pederson likes to go for 2 point conversion in completely unnecessary situations. Only heinous why. Sanders got the carry and got stopped but the Eagles were within 26-20 at the half. Midway through the third quarter, a field position game had the Cardinals taking over at the Philly 43. On 2nd and goal at the 7 with a chance to expand the lead, Murray was intercepted in the end zone for a touchback. The Eagles faced 3rd and 1 from their own 29, Hurts hit Goedert for 4. Defensive pass interference added 14. A sack of Hurts and a false start had the Eagles facing 3rd and 29 at their own 28. Hurts hit Reagor for 23. On 4th and 6 just past midfield, Doug Pederson gambled. Hurts scrambled for a 17 yard gain. Defensive pass interference added 26 yards. Hurts ran for a 7 yard touchdown. With the game tied, Pederson again inexplicably went for 2. Ertz got stopped. The Eagles had come all the way back, but instead of them having the lead, the game was tied 26-26 after three quarters.
The fourth quarter began with the Cardinals having to punt on 4th and 2 from their own 33. Kliff Kingsbury called a fake punt and a short pass from punter Lee to Turner gained 26 yards. Yet on 3rd and 1 from the Philly 32, Edmonds lost a yard. Kingsbury gambled and this time on 4th and 2 from the Philly 33, Murray threw incomplete. The Cardinals got it back and soon faced 3rd and 8 from their own 16. Murray hit Hopkins for a 44 yard gain. ,Murray hit Edmonds for 12. On 3rd and 2 from the Philly 20, Murray rolled all the way to his left. Just before being knocked out of bounds, Murray fired to Hopkins, who made an acrobatic catch on the sideline and somehow got his feet down inbounds. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Cardinals reclaimed the 7 point lead.
The Eagles had 3rd and 7 from their own 27. Hurts hit Ward for 12. On 3rd and 12 from their own 37, Hurts went deep to Jeffery for 39. On 3rd and 2 from the Arizona 16, Hurts hit Watkins for 5. Yet on 1st and 10 from the Arizona 11, Hurts was sacked twice and threw incomplete. On 4th and 21 from the Arizona 22, Hurts threw incomplete again with 1:55 left. The Eagles took their timeouts on defense. On 3rd and 5 from their own 27, Murray only gained 4. Only 20 seconds came off the clock as the Eagles got it back at their own 22 with 1:35 left. On 4th and 7 from their own 25, Hurts hit Fulgham for 12, Goedert for 14, and Fulgham for 18. With 15 seconds left the Eagles had 1st and 10 at the Arizona 31. Hurts had 3 shots at the end zone and all 3 Hail Marys went unanswered. The Cardinals survived to get to 8-6 and remain alive in the playoff chase. 33-26 Cardinals
New York Jets at Los Angeles Rams — The 9-4 Rams began the day tied atop the NFC West. They held the tie-breaker, and 3 more wins would make them division champs. All they had to do was steamroll over the 0-13 Jets. The Rams were 17 point favorites. The Jets began at their own 26. Sam Darnold went to Herndon for 12. On 3rd and 5 from their own 43, Darnold went to Ty Johnson for 8. Frank Gore gained 4, 2, and on 3rd and 4 from the Rams 43, 5 and a first down. Darnold gained 9. On 3rd and 1 from the Rams 29, Darnold hit Johnson for 6. On 3rd and 5 from the Rams 18, Darnold went to Johnson for the touchdown. The 13 play, 74 yard, 7 minute drive had the Jets up 7-0. The second quarter began with the Rams punting on 4th and 19 from their own 38. The punt was blocked and the Jets took over at the Rams 27. Darnold threw incomplete on 3rd and 4 but Sam Ficken hit a 39 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Jets. The Rams faced 4th and 1 at their own 28 and Sean McVay lined up to go for it. The Jets jumped. Yet on the next play Jared Goff was intercepted by Hall, who returned it 20 yards to the Rams 22. On 2nd and goal at the 3, Gore lost 4 and Darnold threw incomplete. Yet Ficken hit a 25 yard field goal. Midway through the second quarter, the Jets led 13-0.
With one minute left in the half, the Rams took over at their own 39. Goff went to Tyler Higbee for 17, Cooper Kupp for 6 and Robert Woods for 8. On 1st and 10 from the Jets 27 with 21 seconds left in the half, Goff hit Higbee for 16. Yet on further review it was reversed to an incompletion. Goff threw 2 more incompletions. Matt Gay hit a 45 yard field goal but the Rams trailed 13-3 at the intermission. The Jets began the third quarter at their own 28. Darnold hit Crowder for 10. On 3rd and 2 from their own 46, Gore gained 3. Darnold went to Brad Perriman for 21 and Herndon for 22. On 3rd and goal at the one, Gore got stopped as both teams took their first timeout of the second half. With absolutely nothing else left to lose, Adam Gase went for it. On 4th and goal at the one, Old Reliable Gore got in. with 8 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter, this game was turning into a shocker. Entering as 17 point underdogs, it was the Jets leading by 17 by a score of 20-3.
The Rams have the offensive firepower to come back, and they did. After a touchback, Goff connected with Higbee for a 44 yard gain. Cam Akers ran for 11. On 3rd and 5 from the Jets 15, Goff hit Woods for the touchdown to get the Rams within 20-10. After a touchback, Gore gained 8 and Darnold hit Herndon for 14. On 3rd and 3 from the Rams 46, Darnold hit Crowder for big gains of 16 and 24. On 2nd and goal at the 3, rather than ride Gore, Adam Gase called pass plays and Darnold threw incomplete twice. Ficken hit the 21 yard field goal to have the Jets up 23-10 after three quarters.
After a touchback, Goff hit Kupp for 9. Woods took an end around 40 yards on the last play of the third quarter. Defensive pass interference added 11. Goff hit Higbee for a 3 yard touchdown. The Rams were within 23-17 only one minute into the fourth quarter, plenty of time for the Jets to collapse. The Rams got it back and soon faced 3rd and 8 from their own 33. Goff hit Woods for 16. Akers ran for 7 and 6 sandwiched around a 13 yard completion from Goff to Everett. On 2nd and 4 from the Jets 18 midway through the fourth quarter, Akers ran for an 18 yard touchdown. The extra point would put the Rams up 24-23 and make the Jets collapse complete. Except the touchdown was nullified by offensive holding. On 3rd and 15, a pass from Goff to Malcolm Brown gained only 6. With 6 1/2 minutes left and his team with all the momentum, Sean McVay decided to play it safe, kick the field goal, and trust his defense. Gay hit from 42 to get the Rams within 3 points.
Rather than run Gore and grind down clock, Adam Gase again kept throwing and Darnold threw incomplete twice, taking only 10 seconds off the clock. A 3rd and 10 completion gained only 2 yards. Then a 34 yard punt return had the Rams with gift field position at the Jets 43. The Jets were giving the game away, as winless teams often do. 5 1/2 minutes still remained. On 2nd and 6 from the Jets 39, Akers ran for 22 yards to the Jets 17. Yet an illegal block nullified the run. On 3rd and 4 from the Jets 37, Goff threw deep incomplete. The tying field goal would be 55 yards. With 4 minutes left, Sean McVay decided to go for it. Goff again went deep incomplete. The Jets from their own 37 this time fed Gore, who gained 3 and 8 for a critical first down. With 2:17 to play and the Rams out of timeouts, it all came down to the Jets facing 3rd and 6 at the Rams 48. Darnold hit Gore at the marker, and the officials called it a first down. The Jets erupted in celebration and relief as Darnold took 3 knees.
The 1976 Buccaneers popped champagne corks. Adam Gase would not be worse than Rich Kotite. The Jets would not be 0-16. The Rams at 9-5 fell one game back in the NFC West. Sean McVay expressed deep embarrassment at losing to a winless team. This was not Super Bowl III in 1968 or the 2001 Super Bowl, but it was a stunning Jets win and an equally stunning Rams loss. With the win, the Jets are no longer a lock for the top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. They are tied with Jacksonville with one win apiece. If Jacksonville loses their last two games, Jacksonville gets the top pick, expected to be Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Some Jets fans expressed disappointment because they wanted the Jets to purposely lose so they could draft Lawrence. Thankfully the Jets as a team care more about the integrity of the game than those fans. Tanking represents the worst of sports. Losing on purpose should be a mortal sports sin. Thankfully there is no tanking in the NFL. The players have pride. They want to win. 1-15 makes you a joke that year. 0-16 is forever. The Jets played their guts out and avoided that permanent ignominy. If ever there was a game that defined ESPN uber-announcer Chris Berman’s maxim, this game was it. “THAT’s why they PLAY the GAMES!” 23-20 Jets
Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints — This was a potential Super Bowl preview. The Chiefs were rolling at 12-1 atop the AFC. The Saints came in 10-3 and tied for the NFC lead. They also got Drew Brees back from injury, and this would be the first time the all time passing leader would face off against Patrick Mahomes. The fans allowed to attend got their money’s worth. In the third quarter the Saints faced 3rd and 5 from their own 27. Brees was then intercepted to set up the Chiefs at the Saints 36. On 3rd and 9 Mahomes hit Travis Kelce for 11. Mahomes ran for 13. On 3rd and 4 from the Saints 5, Mahomes hit Tyreek Hill for the score to make it 7-0 Saints. The Chiefs got it back at their own 20 and MahomEs hit Leveon Bell for 14. A sack of Mahomes meant 2nd and 18 from their own 26. Mahomes hit Sammy Watkins for 10 and on 3rd and 8 found Watkins again for 23. Mahomes then went to Robinson for 23. On 3rd and 15 from the Saints 23, Mahomes hit Hill for 19. On the first play of the second quarter, Mahomes hit Kelce for a one yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Chiefs.
The Saints took over at their own 34. On 3rd and 10 from their own 46, Brees went deep to Emanuel Sanders for a 51 yard gain. Taysom Hill came in and gained 2 followed by a one yard touchdown to get the Saints within 14-7. With 25 seconds left in the half, the Saints had to punt on 4th and 2 from their own 36. Robinson fielded it near his own goal line and fumbled it backward into the end zone. Robertson had a chance to fall on it for the tying touchdown, but it squirted out of his hands out the back of the end zone. The safety had the Saints within 14-9 with 3 seconds left in the half. On the first play of the third quarter after a touchback, Brees went to Smith for 25 with roughing the passer adding 15 more. On 2nd and 14 from the Chiefs 39, Brees threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 19 yard gain. On 2nd and 14 from the Chiefs 24, Brees went to Latavius Murray for the touchdown. The 2 point conversion try failed but the Saints led 15-14.
After a touchback, Carl Edwards-Helaire for 16. Mahomes hit Kelce for 13. On 3rd and 5 from the Saints 41, Mahomes hit Watkins for 20 and Mecole Hardman for 9. Bell gained 3 and 4. Mahomes hit Hardman for a 5 yard touchdown as the Chiefs reclaimed the lead 21-15 with 8 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter. A field position game had the Saints punting on 4th and 16 from their own 11. The Chiefs got it back at their own 41. Mahomes hit Kelce for a pair of 9 yard gains. The fourth quarter began with the Chiefs facing 3rd and 1 at the Saints 29. Mahomes gained 2. One minute into the fourth quarter, on 2nd and 9 from the Saints 26, Mahomes threw incomplete. However, a personal foul for throwing a punch on Jordan meant 13 yard gain. Worse for the Saints, Jordan was ejected. On the next play Bell ran for the 13 yard touchdown, Mahomes went to Kelce for the 2 point conversion and the 29-15 Chiefs advantage.
The Chiefs got it back at their own 22. On 3rd and 10 from their own 34, Mahomes was sacked and fumbled. The Saints desperately needed a spark, and they got it and took over at the Chiefs 25. Brees hit Alvin Kamara for a 14 yard touchdown. With 10 minutes left in regulation, the Saints were within 29-22. After a touchback, Mahomes hit Hill for 16 and Watkins for 7. Mahomes ran for 24. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Mahomes threw incomplete. Harrison Butker hit the 22 yard field goal. With 4:18 to play the Chiefs had breathing room up 32-22.
The Saints quickly faced 4th and 2 at their own 33. Brees went deep to Jared Cook for 21. Brees then hit Humphrey for 12, Emanuel Sanders for 5 and 12, and Humphrey for a 17 yard touchdown. With 2:06 to play, the Saints were within a field goal. With 2 timeouts and the 2 minute warning, Sean Payton decided to kick it deep rather than go onside. This was a big gamble with the reigning Super Bowl and regular season MVP on the other sideline. On 2nd and 8 from their own 27, Mahomes went to Kelce for 10 and a key first down. With 1:45 left on 2nd and 5 from their own 42, Bell got just enough with a defensive facemask adding 15 and putting the final nail in the Saints coffin. Mahomes took 3 knees as the young and old competing superstar quarterbacks met for a lengthy friendly chat after the game. The Saints have lost 2 straight and at 10-4 fell one game back in the overall NFC. They still lead the NFC South by one game and need one more win to wrap the division up. Meanwhile, the 13-2 Chiefs are a juggernaut high atop the AFC, making Andy Reid a most happy walrus indeed. 32-29 Chiefs
Cleveland Browns at New York Giants was the Sunday night game. The 9-4 Browns still had a very outside shot at the AFC North title, but they were in a strong position to make the playoffs. The 5-8 Giants entered the week one game back in the NFC Least and be tied for the division lead and hold the tie-breaker with a win. A strong opening kickoff return had the Giants starting at their own 48. On 3rd and 5 from the Cleveland 8, McCoy threw incomplete. A 26 yard field goal would be a chip shot, but Joe Judge called a fake. Punter Dixon is the holder, and he threw incomplete. The Browns moved to a 4th and 2 at the Giants 43. Kevin Stefanski decided to go for it. Baker Mayfield threw incomplete as both teams turned it over on downs. The Giants moved to a 1st and 10 at the Cleveland 18. McCoy then completed a pass that lost a yard and threw incomplete twice. Graham Gano hit a 37 yard field goal as the Giants led 3-0 after the first quarter. After that reality set in.
After a touchback, the Browns soon faced 2nd and 12 from their own 34. Mayfield hit Hooper for 17, Bryant for 10, Higgins for 22 and Bryant for 9. On 3rd and 1 from the 7, Mayfield gained 2. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Mayfield hit Hooper for the touchdown. The 13 play, 75 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive had the Browns up 7-3 lead early in the second quarter. The Giants took over at their own 27 and moved 68 yards in 12 plays and over 7 minutes. On 3rd and 6 from the Browns 10, a draw play out of the shotgun gained only 4 yards. Joe Judge again gambled rather than kick an easy field goal. On 4th and 2 from the Cleveland 6, Wayne Gallman only gained one. From their own 5, Karim Hunt gained 14. Mayfield hit Hunt for 7, Donovan Peoples-Jones for 18, Jarvis Landry for 15 and Njoku for 22 at the 2 minute warning. On 3rd and 1 from the Giants 10, Nick Chubb gained 4. With 21 seconds left in the half, Mayfield hit Landry for the touchdown. Cody Parkey is the king of doinks, and he doinked the extra point off the upright no good. Nevertheless, the 10 play, 95 yard, 5 minute drive had the Browns up 13-3 at the intermission.
The Browns unleashed their defense in the second half. The third quarter was scoreless. The Browns again began a drive at their own 5 yard line and again broke the backs of the Giants defense. On 3rd and 4 from their 11, Mayfield ran for 5. On 3rd and 7 from their own 19, Mayfield went to Higgins for 20. Mayfield hit Chubb for 8 and Chubb then ran for 15. Mayfield went to Landry for 22. A clipping penalty nullified a touchdown run and meant 1st and goal at the 21. Mayfield went to Higgins for 17. After a false start, Mayfield hit Chubb for 8. On 3rd and goal at the one, Chubb got in. With 13 minutes left in regulation the Browns led 20-3. All the Giants could muster was another field goal with 4 minutes left. The Giants fell to 5-9 and remain one game back in the NFC Least. The 10-4 Browns have an excellent chance of making the playoffs and are only one game back in the AFC North. The Browns last went 10-6 in 2007 but did not make the playoffs that year. They have not been to the playoffs since 2002. They have not won a playoff game since 1994. The Dawg Pound is starving for a playoff win, and 2020 may be the season they get it. 20-6 Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals was the Monday night game. The Steelers came in 11-2 and atop the AFC North. The Bengals were a 2-10 mess. The Steelers had beaten the Bengals 10 straight times. Yet the Steelers were going in the wrong direction. They started 11-0 and lost 2 straight. They fell behind in the overall AFC race for home field by one game. Ben Roethlisberger made remarks that were critical of his offensive line. Nevertheless, beating up on the team they always beat up on would right the ship. The Bengals were playing with backup Ryan Finley at quarterback. Then came shock after shock after shock, delivered courtesy of the Bengals defense.
From their own 19, Roethlisberger fumbled and the Bengals recovered at the Pittsburgh 20. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Finley was sacked for an 11 yard loss. Austin Siebert hit a 34 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Bengals. Late in the first quarter missed a 55 yard field goal try that would have extended the lead. The Steelers soon faced 3rd and 7 at their own 48. Roetholisberger completed a pass to Juju Smith-Schuster, who got absolutely blasted by Bell. The Bengals recovered at the Pittsburgh 38. The Bengals began the second quarter with 3rd and 3 at the Pittsburgh 31. Finley hit Higgins for 14. On 3rd and 5 from the Pittsburgh 12, Finley hit Higgins for 8. Giovani Bernard ran for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Bengals early in the second quarter. The Steelers moved from their own 35 to a 3rd and 14 at the Cincy 48. Big Ben threw over the middle and was intercepted by Alexander, who returned it 21 yards to the Pittsburgh 41, with 15 more tacked on for a late hit out of bounds. Bernard ran for 11 and caught a 14 yard touchdown pass from Finley. In an absolute stunner, the Bengals led 17-0 at halftime due to 3 Pittsburgh turnovers.
There was plenty of time for the Bengals to collapse and have everyone roll their eyes and say, “These are the Bengals.” Early in the third quarter the Steelers faced 3rd and 3 from their own 40. Roethlisberger connected with Chase Claypool for a 37 yard gain and then hit Diontae Johnson for a 23 yard touchdown to get the Steelers within 17-7. The Steelers soon got it back at their own 26 and moved to a 1st and goal at the 10. On 3rd and goal from the 7, Roethlisberger completed a pass for no gain. Chris Boswell hit a 25 yard field goal as the Steelers were only down 17-10. The Steelers got it back again and soon faced 3rd and 1 from their own 41. Bennie Snell got the carry up the middle and got blown up in the backfield by Bynes for a 2 yard loss. The Steelers punted and momentum shifted again.
From their own 20, Bernard gained 5 and 7. Finley hit AJ Green for 10. Bernard gained 9, one and 4. On 3rd and 5 from the Pittsburgh 39, Finley on a designed run gained 8. Perine added 8 more. This was pure ground and pound. Finley then saw an opening up the middle and raced all the way for a 23 yard touchdown. 80 yards took up 6 minutes of clock. With 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation the Bengals led 24-10.
The Steelers soon faced 3rd and 6 from their own 29. Roethlisberger hit Smith-Schuster for 21 to midfield. Roethlisberger went to Snell for 14. On 3rd and 4 from the Cincy 26, Roethlisberger hit Claypool for 8 and 9. On 2nd and 1 from the Cincy 9, Roethlisberger threw incomplete. On 3rd and 1 Snell got belted in the backfield again for a 3 yard loss by an inspired Bengals defense. Then came a moment that gave all the Bengals doubters doubts. Earlier in the drive Jackson had dropped an easy interception on a ball thrown right to him. This time on 4th and 4 from the Cincinnati 12, Roethlisberger threw incomplete. However, defensive pass interference on Jackson meant an 11 yard gain and 1st and goal at the one. This time Snell got the yard. With 5 1/2 minutes left after the 12 play, 75 yard, 6 minute drive, the Steelers were within 24-17. There was time for the Bengals to fall apart.
The Bengals faced 3rd and 1 from their own 34 with 4 minutes left. Finley got the yard and the clock kept ticking. On 3rd and 3 from their own 42, Finley again tried to keep it and had only one defender in his way. Finley tried to turn the corner but Minkah Fitzpatrick made the saving tackle for a one yard loss. A short 35 yard punt had the Steelers taking over at their own 24 with 2:22 left. Big Ben threw 3 straight incompletions as the Bengals took their first timeout with 1:56 left. On 4th and 10, Roethlisberger threw high for his 4th straight incompletion. With 20 seconds left the Bengals faced 3rd and 1 at the Pittsburgh 15. Bernard got stopped and the Steelers took their last timeout with 16 seconds left. After initially trying to go for it, it seems Zac Taylor did not lose his mind. His attempt to draw Pittsburgh offside failed. On 4th and 1 Seibert came out for the 33 yard try to lock up the win. A blocked field goal returned for a touchdown would tie the game or give Pittsburgh the win. Instead, Seibert was good.
David beat up Goliath. The Bengals beat the Steelers. More than that, they beat them up. Roethlisberger had only 170 yards passing. Finley only threw for 89 yards, but he only threw 13 passes, completing 7 of them. The Bengals rushed for 152 yards, including 47 by Finley on 10 carries. A frustrated Mike Tomlin had no answers as the Steelers lost their third straight game and have virtually no shot at home field throughout the playoffs. They are now only one game up in the AFC North. Again, this is why we watch football and why ESPN uber-announcer Chris Berman’s maxim keeps being proven right. Games are not won on paper or decided by Vegas oddsmakers. No matter how much of a mismatch a game seems on paper, Berman’s truism still remains. “THAT’s why they PLAY the GAMES!” 27-17 Bengals