NFL 2020 Week 16 Recap
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints was the Christmas Friday afternoon game. The Vikings were pretty much eliminated and the 10-4 Saints were seeking to break a 2 game losing streak. On the first play of the game after a touchback, Alvin Kamara ran for 11 yards. Emanuel Sanders got around the end for 12 more. Kamara ran for a 40 yard touchdown. The Saints quickly led 7-0. After a touchback, Kirk Cousins hit Adam Thielen for 16 and Justin Jefferson for 11. Dalvin Cook ran for 15. On 3rd and 8 from the Saints 31, Cousins hit Conklin for 9 and Thielen for 7. Cook ran for a 15 yard touchdown and a 7-7 ballgame.
The Saints struck quickly from their own 34. Kamara gained 11 and caught a pass from Drew Brees for 9. Brees went to Jared Cook for 19 and Latavius Murray for 8. Defensive pass interference meant a 5 yard gain down to the one. Kamara got in for his second rushing touchdown to make it 14-7 Saints. The Saints got it back at their own 4 yard line. Brees went to Taysom Hill for 19. Murray ran for 21. Brees hit Johnson for 19. Kamara ran for 9 and Murray gained 11. On 3rd and 6 from the Minnesota 12, Brees threw incomplete. Wil Lutz hit a 30 yard field goal to make it 17-7 Saints early in the second quarter. The Vikings on 2nd and 8 from their own 27 saw Cousins hit Thielen for 19 and Johnson for 13. Cook gained 8, one, and on 3rd and 1 from the Saints 32, 3 more. Cousins hit Jefferson for 25. Boone ran for the 4 yard touchdown to get the Vikings within 17-14.
The Saints moved from their own 25 to a 3rd and 6 at the Minnesota 20. Brees was intercepted to kill the drive, one of the few times all day the Saints were stopped. Yet the Vikings went 3 and out and a short 34 yard punt gave the Saints a short field at the Minnesota 46 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the half. Brees hit Murray for 7, Callaway for 11 and Cook for 19. With 38 seconds left in the half, Kamara rushed for his third touchdown of the day from 5 yards out as the Saints took a 24-14 lead to the locker rooms. In the third quarter Brees was intercepted again to set up the Vikings at the Saints 18. Cook gained 5 and 11 and Cousins hit Irv Smith for a 2 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good but the Vikings were within 24-20.
The Saints soon faced 3rd and 5 at their own 31. Brees hit Murray for 9 and Sanders for 26. On 3rd and 2 from the Minnesota 26, Sean Payton brought Taysom Hill in. Out of the shotgun, Hill only gained one. Payton went for it on 4th and 1, and Hill gained 2. Kamara did the rest, running for 17 and then the 6 yard touchdown. Kamara’s fourth touchdown of the game had the Saints up 31-20. The Vikings soon faced 3rd and 6 at their own 29. Cousins hit Smith for just enough. Cook gained 7 and Cousins hit Thielen for 24. On 3rd and 9 from the Saints 33, Cousins threw incomplete. However, roughing the passer meant 15 yards. Then came defensive pass interference and a 17 yard gain down to the one. After a loss, Cousins hit Smith for a 4 yard touchdown. After three quarters, the Vikings were within 31-27.
The game was a shootout, but in the fourth quarter the Saints turned the lights out. On 3rd and 6 from their own 37, Brees went to Cook for a 44 yard gain. On 3rd and 1 from the Minnesota 10, Murray gained 3. Kamra ran for the 7 yard touchdown as his fifth rushing touchdown of the day had the Saints up 38-27 with 12 minutes left in regulation. The Saints held on defense and a 16 yard punt return had them at their own 42. Brees went to Sanders for 23, Kamara for 7 and Callaway for 6. On 3rd and 2 from the Minnesota 13, Brees hit Trautman for 4. On 3rd and goal at the one, Hill got in. The Saints led 45-27 with 4 minutes left. The 10 play, 58 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive was the only Saints touchdown drive not capped by Kamara.
The Viking moved from their own 25 to a 1st and goal at the one, but Cousins threw 3 straight incompletions as time whittled down. On 4th and goal at the one, Cousins hit Thielen for the touchdown. The 2 point try failed as the Vikings trailed 45-33 with 2:10 left. The onside kick failed and the Saints took over at the Minnesota 48. Brees hit Trautman for 41. Kamara ran for a 3 yard touchdown with 1:50 left to put the game away. Kamara tied an NFL record set by Ernie Nevers in 1929 with 6…yes, 6…rushing touchdowns. Nevers also kicked 4 extra points, so his 40 points in a game remains a record. Meanwhile, the Vikings were officially eliminated and the Saints at 11-4 clinched the NFC South. They still have an outside shot at home field throughout the playoffs, but they need to win next week and have Green Bay lose. Pinball Wizard Brees threw for 311 yards, but he has the most balanced offense he has ever directed. Just look at Kamara for the evidence. 52-33 Saints
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions was the Saturday morning game. The Buccaneers came in knowing the NFC South crown was out of reach but a playoff berth was still within reach. The Lions had nothing to play for and they played like it. Lions coach Darrell Bevell missed the game due to COVID, so the Lions played without their coach. They played like it. The Buccaneers faced 3rd and 9 from their own 19 when Tom Brady was sacked. Yet the defense jumped offside. On 3rd and 4, Brady hit Chris Godwin for 8, mike Evans for 33, and Rob Gronkowski for a 33 yard touchdown to quickly put the Buccaneers up 6-0. The extra point was doinked off the upright no good, but it wouldn’t matter on this day. The Lions soon faced 4th and 1 from just shy of midfield. They were going to go for it until a false start meant 4th and 6 and a punt. Making matters worse, Matthew Stafford was injured on their first series and would not return. The Buccaneers took over at their own 20 and made it look easy. Brady went to Godwin for 47 and Evans for a 27 yard touchdown to make it 13-0 Buccaneers.
In the second quarter the Buccaneers put the game away. From their own 49, Brady hit Godwin for 12 and Leonard Fournette for 12 and 13. Fournette ran for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 20-0 Buccaneers. The Buccaneers got it back at their own 9 and 91 yards came easily. Brady hit Evans for 7, Hudson for 20 and Evans for 22. Vaughn ran for 14, 12 and 9. Brady hit Godwin for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 27-0 Buccaneers. The Buccaneers got it back again and faced 3rd and 3 at their own 41. Brady hit Evans for 15. On 4th and 4 from the Detroit 38, Bruce Airans kept his foot on the gas and went for it. Brady hit Antonio Brown for 15, Cameron Brate for 16, and Brown for the 12 yard touchdown as the Buccaneer set a franchise record with a 34-0 halftime lead. Brady had 348 yards and 4 touchdowns, and that was only the first half. Brady took the second half off. The third quarter began with the Lions fumbling and Blaine Gabbert throwing a 25 yard touchdown pass to Gronk one play later to make it 40-0 Buccaneers. The Lions returned a punt for a touchdown to avoid the shutout while the Buccaneers added one more touchdown. The fourth quarter was scoreless as the Buccaneers got to 10-5 on the year. 47-7 Buccaneers
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals was the Saturday afternoon game. The 49ers were out of it and the Cardinals were desperate to stay in it. The 49ers went with 3rd string quarterback CJ Beathard in place of injured backup Nick Mullens. The Cardinals from their own 17 moved to a 3rd and 8 from the San Francisco 9. Kyler Murray threw incomplete. Mike Nugent hit a 27 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Cardinals. The 49ers took over at their own 26 and Beathard hit Aiyuk for 15, George Kittle for 24, and Jeff Wilson for a 21 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 49ers. The defenses dug in and a field position game had the Cardinals at their own 41 with 3 minutes left in the half. On 4th and 3 from their own 48 at the 2 minute warning, Kliff Kingsbury went for it. Murray ran for 9. On 3rd and 3 from the Frisco 20 a false start was a killer. Then Murray threw incompletion. Nugent hit from 43 as the Cardinals trailed 7-6 at the half.
Robbie Gould missed a 41 yard field goal in the third quarter, but the 49ers got the ball back at their own 29. Wilson ran for 23 and Beathard hit Kittle for 27 more. On 3rd and 10 from the Arizona 19, Beathard hit McKinnon for just enough and Kyle Juszczyk for the 9 yard touchdown to make it 14-6 49ers. The Cardinals took over at their own 13 Murray hit Hopkins for 9 with 15 more tacked on for unnecessary roughness. On 3rd and 5 from their own 42, Murry threw incomplete. Kliff Kingsbury gambled again in his own territory and Murray ran for 11 yards. A sack of Murray had the Cardinals facing 2nd and 23 from their own 40. Murray went deep to Johnson for a 45 yard gain. On 3rd and 3 from the San Francisco 8, Murray hit Hopkins for 5. On 3rd and goal at the one, Kenyan Drake got in. The 2 point conversion saw Murray throw incomplete. The 14 play, 87 yard, 7 minute drive had the Cardinals within 14-12 with 12 minutes left in regulation.
With 9 minutes left in regulation Kingsbury gambled a third time in his own territory on 4th and 2 from his own 35. Murray threw incomplete. The 49ers quickly took advantage. Wilson ran for 34 yards down to the one. Beathard hit Juszczyk for the touchdown. Gould missed the extra point, so the 49ers only led by 8 with 8 1/2 minutes left. The Cardinals after a touchback moved 61 yards in 10 pays. On 4th and 1 from the Frisco 43, Murray gained 30 yards. Yet on 2nd and 11 from the San Francisco 14, Murray went to the end zone and was intercepted for a touchback. The 49ers moved in position for Gould to lock up the win with a 37 yard chip shot. Yet the normally reliable kicker who had already missed a field goal and an extra point also missed this kick. With 1:05 left, the Cardinals had life from their own 27. With 26 seconds left, the Cardinals faced 3rd and 6 from their own 44. Murray threw incomplete twice, and that was that. The Cardinals fell to 8-7 and will need a ton of help to make the playoffs. 20-12 49ers
Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders is the Saturday night game. The 9-5 Dolphins took on the 7-7 Raiders. Both teams were alive for the playoffs, but the Raiders barely so. Derek Carr injured his groin last week but was back in the saddle. Hunter Renfrow returned a punt 32 yards weaving through traffic to give the Raiders a short field at the Miami 43. Carr hit Nelson Agholor for 16 and Renfrow for 11. Josh Jacobs banged ahead for 13 and 3. From inside the one, Carr took the quarterback sneak over the top to make it 7-0 Raiders.
The Dolphins soon faced 3rd and 9 from their own 26. Tua Tagovailoa hit Grant for 13. Gaskin ran for 14 and 8. On 3rd and 7 from the Raiders 44, Tagovailoa hit Grant for only 5. Brian Flores went for it on 4th and 2 from the Raiders 39. Tagovailoa ran for 7 and defensive holding added 5. On 3rd and 1 from the Raiders 18 out of the shotgun, Ahmed got the carry and lost a yard. This time Brian Flores played it safe. Jason Sanders hit the 37 yard field goal to get the Dolphins within 7-3. The Raiders moved from their own 25 to a 3rd and 8 at the Miami 33 early in the second quarter. In field goal range, Carr took a killer sack to end the drive.
The Raiders got it back at their own 38. Jacobs barreled ahead for 15. Carr went to Agholor for 19. Jacobs ran for 10. A sack of Carr had the Raiders facing 3rd and 19 at the Miami 27. Out of the shotgun, Jalen Richard gained 18. Jon Gruden went for it on 4th and 1 from the Miami 9. Davante Booker appeared stopped but on a second effort lunged past the marker. Yet on 2nd and goal from the 5, Carr threw incomplete twice. The 12 play, 57 yard drive had the Raiders settling for a 23 yard Daniel Carlson field goal and a 10-3 lead midway through the second quarter.
After a touchback the Dolphins soon faced 3rd and 5 from their own 46. Tagovailoa hit Gaskin for only 4. On 4th and 1 from midfield, Brian Flores decided to punt. Yet it was a fake punt. Fejedelem took the direct snap and appeared stopped but spun away from tacklers for a 22 yard gain. On 2nd and 1 from the Raiders 19, Gaskin got stopped for a one yard loss as the clock hit the 2 minute warning. On 3rd and 2, Ahmed went up the middle and lost another yard. Sanders hit the 39 yard field goal as the Dolphins trailed 10-6. The Raiders took a timeout on defense as they had 1:42 to work with.
In past games this has backfired against the Raiders. After a touchback, Carr hit Renfrow for 12. Defensive holding added 5. Carr hit Waller for 19 and Renfrow and Waller for a pair of 9 yard gains. After spiking the ball to stop the clock, a draw play gained only one yard and forced the Raiders to use their last timeout. On 3rd and 9 from the Miami 20 with 16 seconds left, Carr threw incomplete. Carlson hit the 38 yard field goal as the Raiders took a 13-6 lead to the locker rooms.
The Dolphins began the third quarter facing 2nd and 5 from their own 30. Gaskin ran for a 24 yard gain. Tagovailoa hit Grant for gains of 6 and 14. On 2nd and 9 from the Raiders 25, a short pass gained 4 yards and was fumbled, but the Dolphins fell on it. On 3rd and 4 from the Raiders 20, Tagovailoa hit Ford for 8 as an offensive facemask was missed. Tagovailoa hit Gaskin, who shook off two awful attempts at tackling, for a 10 yard touchdown and a 13-13 game. After a touchback, Carr hit Agholor for 13 and Jacobs gained 8. Yet on 2nd and 2 from their own 46, Jacobs got stopped On 3rd and 2, Carr rolled out and threw incomplete. jon Gruden gambled on 4th and 2. Jacobs ran into the teeth of the Miami defense and got stopped cold to give the Dolphins a short field. Yet on 3rd and 9 from the Raiders 45, Tagovailoa was sacked.
The Raiders got it back at their own 18. Carr went to Agholor for 22, to Edwards for 11, deep to Darren Waller for 33 and to Jason Witten for 10. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 5, Carr under pressure had to check down and hit Renfrow for only 3 yards. On 4th and goal at the 2, this time Jon Gruden was taking no chances. Carlson hit the 20 yarder as the Raiders led 16-13 late in the third quarter. The Raiders got another sack of Tagiovailo to force a 3 and out. The Raiders faced 2nd and 7 from their own 23. Carr went deep to Waller for 22 yards as the third quarter ended. Yet on 3rd and 3 from the Miami 48, Carr’s pass over the middle was batted high in the air. The Raiders were lucky to escape with an incompletion. Yet the Silver and Black were finally plying inspired defense, as a third sack of Tagovailoa ended another Miami drive.
A 19 yard punt return by Renfrow gave the Raiders a short field at the Miami 45. On 2nd and 8 Carr went for the home run ball, but it was broken up at the last minute. On 3rd and 8 Carr threw incomplete. The Dolphins took over at their own 12 with 10 minutes left in regulation. Tagovailoa was benched and Ryan Fitzpatrick and his magic beard came in. On 3rd and 4 from their own 18, Fitzpatrick went to Ford for 13 and Hollins for 8. On 3rd and 5 from their own 48, Fitzpatrick fired over the middle to Gesicki for 17 and again for 31 down to the 4 yard line as the Dolphins took their first timeout. This was a typical Raiders game. The defense finally played well enough so the offense malfunctioned, allowing for the exhausted defense to break down as it always does. A run went nowhere. Then on 2nd and goal at the 4, a perfect pass into the receiver’s bread basket was dropped. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Fitzpatrick threw high and incomplete. The Dolphins moved 84 yards in 12 plays and 5 1/2 minutes, but settled for a 22 yard Sanders field goal. The game was tied 16-16 with 4 minutes left. The defense bent but did not break.
It was up to the offense to deliver rather than give the Dolphins the ball right back and lose the game. After 56 minutes, the Raiders were surviving a slugfest. At no time did they trail. Now it was time to see if they had heart when it mattered. The entire season was on the line. The Raiders after a touchback were immediately called for offense holding. On 1st and 20 from their own 15, Carr went for it all and found Agholor, who juked a couple defenders for an 85 yard touchdown bomb. Al Davis was smiling somewhere in heaven as the Raiders led 22-16 with 3 1/2 minutes to play. Yet in typical Raiders fashion, Carlson missed the extra point.
After a touchback, Fitzpatrick hit Ford for 7 and the Raiders secondary saw Joyner go down in pain. Fitzpatrick hit Ford again for 9. Fitzpatrick then threw a short pass to Gesicki, who shook off a horrendous attempt at tackling, got to the sideline, and outraced everyone for a 59 yard touchdown. Typical Raiders game. The Dolphins had their first lead all game up 23-22, but there was still 2:55 to play.
On 2nd and 6 from their own 29, Carr went bombs away again and drew a 49 yard defensive pass interference penalty. Jacobs ran for 7 as the clock hit the 2 minute warning. Jacobs gained 2 as the Dolphins took their 2nd timeout with 1:55 left. On 3rd and 1 from the Miami 13, the Dolphins jumped offside to set up 1st and goal a the 8. Jacobs gained 2 as the Dolphins took their final timeout. Jacobs raced up the middle and slid down at the one, purposely refusing to score so the clock would wind down. It was totally unselfish and smart, and if the Raiders lost it would not be his fault. On 3rd and goal from the one, Carr took a knee as the clock ticked down to 22 seconds. Carlson had a chance to redeem himself from 23 yards out. The season was on the line. The snap was not good. The hold was good enough. Carlson snuck it inside the right upright. The Raiders had the 2 point lead with 19 seconds left.
After a touchback, all the Raiders had to do on defense was hold on for 19 seconds. Fitzpatrick went deep to a wide open receiver. There was nobody within a mile of Hollins. He caught the ball at the sideline for a 34 yard gain. Making matters worse, a defensive facemask added 15 more yards. The Dolphins were already in field goal range. Sanders came in for a 44 yarder to win it. Naturally, the kick was good. The Dolphins at 10-5 are in the playoffs. The Raiders at 7-8 are out after losing 5 of their last 6, the last 2 in gut-wrenching fashion. The Raiders have one more game and 7 months to stew over how badly they screwed up this season. 19 seconds. They could not hold on for 19 seconds. For the 17th time in the lsat 18 years, the Raiders will not have a trip to the playoffs or a winning season. The problem is the same. The Raiders desperately need a defensive coordinator. 26-25 Dolphins
Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers — The 10-4 Colts took on a Steelers team that started 11-0 but has since lost 3 straight. The Colts soon faced 3rd and 8 from their own 32. Philip rivers hit Pittman for 26. Jonathan Taylor ran for 11. Rivers hit Zach Pascal for 16. Nyheim Hines ran for 11. On 3rd and goal at the 6 with the Steelers expecting a pass, Taylor ran for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Colts. The second quarter began with the Colts facing 1st and 10 at their own 32. Rivers was sacked and fumbled, and Hilton picked it up and ran for 14 yards to give the Steelers 1st and goal at the 4. On 3rd and goal from the one, James Conner got in for a 7-7 game.
The Colts took over at their own 15 Rivers hit Jacob Doyle for 17 and TY Hilton for 25 and 14. Taylor gained 4, 3, and on 3rd and 3 from the Pittsburgh 21, 5. Taylor ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Colts. The Colts got it back with a 22 yard punt return with 10 more tacked on for a rare illegal block call on the kicking team rather than the receiving team. The Colts took over at the Pittsburgh 43 and struck quickly. Rivers went to Pascal for a 42 yard touchdown to make it 21-7 Colts. The Colts began the third quarter at their own 25. Rivers hit Mo Alie-Cox for 20. Rivers hit Pittman for 8 and Taylor ran for 18. On 3rd and 3 from the Pittsburgh 7, Rivers was sacked. Rodrigo Blankenship hit a 28 yard field goal as the Colt led 24-7. The Steelers were on their way to a fourth straight loss. The Steelers moved from their own 20 to a 1st and goal at the one. A run lost a yard and Ben Roethlisberger threw incomplete twice. Needing 3 scores, Mike Tomlin gambled on 4th and goal at the 2 rather than kick a field goal. Big Ben threw incomplete. With 5 minutes left in the third quarter, the Steelers appeared dead.
Yet the Colts could not move the ball and a short punt had the Steelers getting the ball back with a short field at the Indy 39. One play and 7 seconds later Roethlisbger hit Diontae Johnson for the touchdown get the Steelers within 24-14. The Steelers got it back at their own 26. Defensive pass interference added 24 yards to midfield. Roethlisberger hit Washington for 13 Conner and Conner for 10. On the first play of the fourth quarter, defensive pass interference added 21 yards down to the 5. On the next play Roethlisberger hit Eric Ebron for the touchdown to get the Steelers within 24-21. The Steelers got it back at their own 16. Roethlisberger hit Johnson for 8, Ebron for 10 and Washington for 7. Conner ran for 12. On 2nd and 15 just pst midfield, Big Ben hit Conner for 10 and on 3rd and 5 hit Conner for 9 more. Roethlisberger then went to Juju Smith-Schuster for a 25 yard touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, 21 unanswered points had the Steelers up by 4.
The Colts took over at their own 30. From their own 47, Rivers went for it all and was intercepted. The Steelers took over at their own 9 with 6 minutes left. The Steelers ground down the clock. With 2 1/2 minutes left on 3rd and 2 from their own 43, a completion gained only one yard as the Colts took their final timeout with 2 1/2 minutes left. On 4th and 1 from their own 44, a first down would end it. Mike Tomlin decided not to gamble. The Colts took over at their own 15 with 2:18 left and 0 timeouts. At the 2 minute warning, the Colts faced 4th and 5 from their own 31. Rivers was intercepted, but defensive pass interference meant 9 yards. On 3rd and 6 from their own 44, Rivers hit Hilton for 21. With 90 seconds left, on 2nd and 8 from the Pittsburgh 33, Rivers threw 3 straight incompletions. The Colts fell to 10-5 and still have not clinched a playoff spot. If they win next week, they are in. If they lose, they can still get in but would need help. The 12-3 Steelers finally locked up the AFC North. The top seed in the AFC is out of reach. 28-24 Steelers
Atlanta Falcons at Kansas City Chiefs — The Chiefs had all but locked up the top seed in the AFC. A win over lowly Atlanta would cement this. Cue ESPN uber-announcer Chris Berman: “THAT’s why they PLAY the GAMES!” After a scoreless first quarter, the Chiefs in the second quarter moved from their own 45 to a 4th and 1 at the Atlanta 26. Andy Reid went for it and went to the bag of tricks. Rather than run the ball or have Patrick Mahomes throw it, Darrell williams took the direct snap, pitched it to Sammy Watkins, and had Watkins try to throw it to Mahomes, who went out as a receiver. The ball was intercepted at the Atlanta 2 yard line.
Matt Ryan hit Smith for 7 and 5 and on 3rd and 2 from his own 23, hit Todd Gurley for 8. On 2nd and 6 from his own 35, Ryan connected with Calvin Ridley for a 54 yard gain. Ryan went to Hayden Hurst for a 5 yard touchdown. The 98 yard, 5 minute drive had the Falcons up 7-0 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the half. The Chiefs took over at their own 22. Mahomes hit Leveon Bell for 9, Watkins for 9 and 5, and Travis Kelce for 11. Mahomes ran for 13 and 9. On 3rd and 1 from the Atlanta 22, Mahomes hit Kelce for 2. On 3rd and 1 from the Atlanta 11, Williams gained 7 as the Chiefs took a timeout with 35 seconds left. Mahomes went to Kelce for the touchdown as the game was deadlocked 7-7 at the half. The Chiefs after a touchback to star the third quarter moved 68 yards in 10 plays. On 3rd and goal from the 7, Mahomes was intercepted at the one yard line by Oluokon, who returned it 51 yards to the Chiefs 48. The Falcons did not capitalize.
Late in the third quarter, the Chiefs faced 3rd and 11 from their own 36. Mahomes hit Kelce for 26. On 3rd and 7 from the Atlanta 35 to start the fourth quarter, a completion gained nothing. Andy Reid brought in Harrison Butker for a 53 yard field goal try. Butker was good and the Chiefs led 10-7. The Falcons moved from their own 25 to a 2nd and 4 at the Chiefs 20. Ryan hit Powell for 2 yards, but Powell fumbled and the Chiefs recovered. The Falcons got it back and after an offensive holding penalty faced 1st and 20 from their own 15. Ryan went deep to Ridley for 31. Hill gained 17. On 3rd and 4 from the Chiefs 31, Ryan hit Gage for 9, Hill for 17 and Laquon Treadwell for a 5 yard touchdown. With 4 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the Falcons were winning a shocker up 14-10.
On 3rd and 10 from their own 25, Mahomes went to Kelce for a big gain. An illegal block against the Chiefs wiped out nearly half of the 36 yard gain, but it was still good for 19 yards and a first down. Mahomes went to Kelce for 16 and Mecole Hardman for 9. With 1:55 left, Mahomes threw a 25 yard touchdown pass to Demarcus Robinson. After a touchback and defensive holding, Ryan hit Gage for 12 and Ridley for 21 and 9. With 54 seconds left on 3rd and 1 from the Chiefs 28, Gurley gained 2. With 27 seconds to play, the Falcons had 1st and 5 at the Chiefs 21 with a real shot at the upset of the year. Matty Ice went ice cold with 3 straight incompletions. Yet Younghoe Koo only needed a 39 yard field goal to send the game to overtime. In a season gone wrong for the Falcons, Koo was no good. It was ugly, but the Chiefs at 14-1 locked up home field throughout the AFC playoffs. They can rest their starters in Week 17 if they choose, making Andy Reid a most happy and relieved walrus indeed. 17-14 Chiefs
Chicago Bears at Jacksonville Jaguars — The Jaguars won their opener and then lost 13 straight to give them the inside track at the top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Bears began 5-1, lost 6 straight, and then won 2 in a row to get to 7-7 and actually have a shot at the playoffs. The Jaguars began at their own 21 and moved 71 yards in 12 plays and 7 minutes. Yet on 3rd and 5 from the Chicago 8, Mike Glennon threw incomplete. Aldrick Rosas hit the 26 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Jaguars.
The Bears soon faced 3rd and 3 from their own 32. Mitchell Trubisky went to Allen Robinson for just enough. Trubisky went back to Robinson for 21. Montgomery ran for 26. Trubisky went to Jimmy Graham for 12 and again for the 5 yard touchdown. The 10 play, 75 yard, 5 minute drive made it 7-3 Bears. The Bears got it back at their own 35. Trubisky went to Graham for 30. On 3rd and 9 from the Jags 34, Trubisky went to Mooney for 12. Defensive pass interference meant 21 more yards and 1st and goal at the one to start the second quarter. A run lost 3 yards and on 3rd and goal at the 2, Tribusly threw incomplete. Cairo Santos hit the 20 yard field goal to make it 10-3 Bears.
The Jaguars got it back at their own 30. Ogunbowale had gains of 8 and 2. Glennon hit Kenneth Cole for 14, Conley for 10, Cole for 7, and DJ Chark for a 20 yard touchdown. Midway through the second quarter, the game was tied 10-10. The Bears took over at their own 19 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the half. They moved 68 yards in 11 plays. With 35 seconds left in the half, on 1st and 10 from the Jags 13, Trubisky went to the end zone and was intercepted for a touchback. Had Doug Marrone just gone to the locker room, his Jaguars would have been fired up and smelling upset. Yet in a season gone wrong, the Jaguars unraveled.
On 2nd and 4 from their own 26, Glennon was intercepted by Smith, setting up the Bears at the Jacksonville 32 with 17 seconds left. Santos hit from 40 to put the Bears up 13-10 at the break. The Bears began the third quarter at their own 23. Trubisky hit Robinson for 12 and Montgomery for 24. On 3rd and 5 from the Jacksonville 36, Trubisky threw incomplete. Matt Nagy went for it on 4th and 5 rather than try a 54 yard field goal. Trubisky hit Robinson for 8 and Miller for 8 more. On 3rd and 3 from the Jacksonville 21, Trubisky hit Robinson for 7. Trubisky ran for a 6 yard touchdown. The 11 play, 77 yard, 6 minute drive put the Bears up 20-10. The Jaguars committed unnecessary roughness on a punt to set the Bears up at their own 46. Montgomery ran for 12. On 3rd and 2 from the Jags 34, Trubisky hit Robinson for 13. Montgomery did the rest, running for 13, 3, 12, and the 6 yard touchdown to make it 27-10 Bears.
Two plays after a touchback, Glennon was intercepted as the Bears took over at the Jags 25. Two plays later Trubisky hit Graham for a 22 yard touchdown to make it 34-10 Bears. Another unnecessary roughness penalty against the Jaguars on a punt gave the Bears another short field at the Jags 48. On 4th and 1 from the Jags 29, Matt Nagy wanted the exclamation point. Montgomery gained 3 and then 23. Artavis Pierce ran for the 3 yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter as 31 unanswered points broke open a tie game and made it 41-10 Bears. The Jaguars got a garbage touchdown to complete the scoring. The 1-14 Jaguars secured the top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The 8-7 Bears control their own destiny. If they win next week, they are in the playoffs. It will be a tough one. They will be playing Green Bay, who will not be resting their starters because they need a win to lock up home field throughout. 41-17 Bears
Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans — Sometimes a pair of really bad teams can come together and play a great game. This actually was that game. Bengals third string quarterback Ryan Finley was back on the bench as backup Brandon Allen returned from injury. The Bengals took over at their own 29. Allen hit Giovanni Bernard for 28 and Erickson for 8. On 3rd and 1 from the Houston 34, Perine gained 3 and caught a pass from Allen for 15. On 3rd and 2 from the Houston 8, Allen hit Drew Sample for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Bengals. The Bengals got it back and moved from their 17 to a 4th and 2 at the Houston 43. Zac Taylor went for it and Allen threw incomplete. Deshaun Watson went to Brandon Cooks for a 50 yard gain. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 3, Watson threw incomplete. Kaimi Fairbairn hit the 21 yard field goal to get the Texans within 7-3.
The Bengals after a touchback moved 44 yards in 12 plays and over 6 minutes. Yet on 2nd and 5 from the Houston 31, Allen threw incomplete twice. Austin Seibert had a 49 yard field goal try to extend the lead, but the kick was no good. The Bengals got it back at their own 9 and moved 74 yards. On 3rd and 7 from the Houston 17, Allen threw incomplete. This time from 35 yards out, Seibert was good to make it 10-3 Bengals. After a touchback, Watson hit Keke Coutee for 17 and Cooks for 7. On 3rd and 3 just shy of midfield, Watson went to Cooks for 26 and again for the 25 yard touchdown just past the 2 minute warning. The game was deadlocked 10-10 at the half, but a defensive first half gave away to a shootout in the second half.
After a touchback to start the third quarter, Bernard caught a pass from Allen for 6 and ran for 11. Allen hit AJ Green for 12. Perine then raced for a 46 yard touchdown to make it 17-10 Bengals. The Texans faced 3rd and 1 from their own 34. Watson gained 5. Johnson gained 5 and then ran for a 38 yard gain. Watson hit Akins for 14. Johnson ran for the 4 yard touchdown to make it 17-17. The Bengals soon faced 3rd and 11 from their own 24. Allen went to AJ Green for 14, deep to Erickson for 42, and to Tee Higgins for a 20 yard touchdown and a 24-17 Bengals lead. After a touchback Watson hit Coutee for 13. Johnson broke free for a 48 yard gain. On 3rd and 13 from the Cincy 17, Watson ran and got enough. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Watson hit Johnson for the touchdown. Each team had two 75 yard touchdown drives in the third quarter as a 10-10 game became a 24-24 game after three quarters.
The Bengals took over at their own 10. Allen hit Perine for 14 and Perine ran for 7 more. Allen went to Higgins for 22 to start the fourth quarter. On 4th and 5 from the Houston 42, Zac Taylor went for it. The Texans jumped offside, but it was still 4th and 1. Taylor went for it again and Allen hit Erickson for 4. On 3rd and 2 from the Houston 26, Perine only gained one. Zac Taylor gambled on 4th and 1 from the 25 and Allen got the yard, but an illegal formation nullified the play. Seibert hit a 48 yard field goal as the Bengals led 27-24 with 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
The Texans took over at their own 22. After a defensive holding penalty, Johnson gained 10. Watson went to Brown for 29. Unnecessary roughness on the offense reduced it to a 14 yard gain, but still enough for a first down. Watson then ran for 14 and hit Coutee for 13. Watson hit Darren Fells for a 22 yard touchdown as the Texans reclaimed the lead 31-27 with 6:15 to play. The Texans had 2nd and 8 from their own 27. Allen hit Higgins for 11. Bernard gained 9, 3 and 11. Allen hit Erickson for 20. Perine ran for 7, caught a pass for 4, and ran for the 5 yard touchdown. At the 2 minute warning, the Bengals had the 34-31 lead.
After a touchback, Watson hit Akins for 15. Yet Watson was then sacked and fumbled. The Bengals recovered at the Houston 38 with 1:35 to play and a chance to close out the game. The Texans had all 3 timeouts and took them on defense. With 1:09 left and the Texans out of timeouts, The Bengals faced 3rd and 6 at the Houston 22. A first down would ice it. Zac Taylor played it safe and Allen ran for 4. The Bengals rook the clock down. Seibert hit a 36 yard field goal. Only 18 seconds remained and the Bengals were up by 6. The Texans took over at their own 18 with 14 seconds left. Watson hit Cooks for 12, leaving 9 seconds. Yet 70 yards was too far away for a Hail Mary. The Hook and laterals actually gained 30 yards to the Cincy 40, but nothing more. Both teams have lost 10 games, but they put on an exciting battle on this Sunday. The Bengals have won 2 straight, giving them something to build on. 37-31 Bengals.
New York Giants at Baltimore Ravens — The Giants were 5-9 and the Ravens 9-5, but both teams were in the playoff race while not having clinched anything. The Ravens dominated from the start, taking over at their own 18. Lamar Jackson went to Willie Snead for 13, Boykin for 13 and Marquise Brown for 9. On 3rd and 2 from the Giants 27, Duvernay gained 7. Jackson gained 8 and threw a 6 yard touchdown to Brown. The 13 play, 82 yard drive took more than 8 minutes off the clock and made it 7-0 Ravens. The Ravens got it back at their own 35 and Jackson ran for gains of 18 and 6. On 3rd and 1 from the Giants 38, Edwards gained 2. On 3rd and 4 from the Giants 30, Jackson hit Snead for 11. JK Dobbins ran for 17. and then the 2 yard touchdown. The Ravens led 14-0 after the first quarter. There were still three quarters left, but this game was basically over. In the second quarter the Ravens had another 13 play, 60 yard drive that again took over 8 minutes. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Jackson threw incomplete. Justin Tucker hit from 20 to make it 17-0 Ravens with 5 minutes left in the half. The rest of the game was pointless.
Graham Gano managed a 31 yard field goal with one minute left in the half to get the Giants on the board, but that was enough time for the Ravens to move 65 yards in 10 plays. On 2nd and goal from the 10 with 7 seconds left, Jackson threw incomplete. Tucker hit from 28 as the Ravens led 20-3 at the intermission. The Giants in the third quarter from their own 10 moved 66 yards in 13 plays and 7 minutes. Yet on 1st and 10 from the Baltimore 19, a short pass lost 5 yards. Then Daniel Jones was sacked. Gano hit another field goal from 42 to get the Giants within 20-6 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter. A 23 yard kickoff return had the Ravens at their own 41. Jackson went to Edwards for 10. Dobbins ran for 25. On 3rd and 1 from the Giants 14, Edwards ran for 6. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Jackson hit Dez Bryant for an 8 yard touchdown to make it 27-6 Ravens. The Giants managed a 15 play, 76 yard, 6 minute drive for a touchdown, but ball control is not good when down by 21 points. The Giants got it back twice more and both times turned it over on downs. The 10-5 Ravens cannot win their division but are in the playoffs with a win next week. If they lose, they will need help to get in. The 5-10 Giants can actually win the NFC Least if they win next week and Washington loses. They would be the worst division winner in NFL history, but they would still host a playoff game. 27-13 Ravens
Cleveland Browns at New York Jets — The Jets finally got a win last week after 13 losses. The 10-4 Browns still had an outside shot at the AFC North but were not in the playoffs yet. The Brows were missing their wide receivers due to COVID. Yet surely they could run over the Jets. Again, cue ESPN uber-announcer Chris Berman: “THAT’s why they PLAY the GAMES!” A short 38 yard punt and a 10 yard return had the Browns taking over at their own 40. Baker Mayfield went deep to Austin Hooper for a 28 yard gain. Yet at the Jets 21, the drive died. Cody Parkey hit a 44 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Browns.
Late in the first quarter the Jets took over at their own 34. Sam Darnold hit Jermaine Crowder for a pair of 9 yard gains. Adam Gase then went to the bag of tricks. Rather than Mayfield, it was Crowder throwing the halfback option pass to Braxton Berrios for a 43 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Jets. After a touchback, Mayfield hit Bryant for 13 as the Browns began the second quarter at their own 38. Mayfield was then sacked and fumbled. The Jets recovered at the Cleveland 30. Crowder gained 14 and Darnold hit Chris Herndon for an 11 yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked but the Jets led 13-3. After a touchback to s tart the third quarter, the Jets soon faced 3rd and 4 from their own 41. Darnold hit Crowder for 25. On 3rd and 6 from the Cleveland 30, Darnold went to Crowder for the touchdown. For the second straight week, the Jets led 20-3 in the third quarter. For the second straight week, the finish would be a close one.
The Jets moved from their own 37 to a 4th and 7 at the Cleveland 32. Ficken came in for a 50 yard field goal try to extend the lead. The kick was blocked and the Browns took over at their own 40. Mayfield went to Bradley for 7, Nick Chubb for 15, Bradley for 22 and Karim Hunt for 9. On 3rd and 1 from the Jets 7, Mayfield gained 4. On 2nd and goal from the 3, Mayfield threw incomplete but the defense had too many men on the field. Chubb ran for a one yard touchdown to get the Browns within 20-10. The Browns got it back at their own 17. Mayfield hit Njoku for 11 and Bradley for 8 and 17. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Chubb ran for 16. On 3rd and 10 from the Jets 26, Mayfield threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant an 11 yard gain. On 3rd and 1 from the Jets 6, Mayfield gained 2. Hunt ran for the 4 yard touchdown. Then came the King of doinks as Parkey doinked yet another kick off the upright no good. Someone needs to check who holds the doink record, because Parkey has potential. Meanwhile, the Browns were within 20-16 with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation.
The Jets stiffened after that. With 3 1/2 minutes left the Browns faced 3rd and 6 from their own 15. Mayfield was sacked and fumbled. The Jets took over at the Cleveland 17 with a chance to put the game away. Yet on 3rd and 4, Darnold threw incomplete. Ficken hit the 34 yard field goal to put the Jets up by 7 with 3 minutes left. Yet Ficken hit the ensuing kickoff out of bounds to set up the Browns at their own 40. Mayfield hit Hunt for 24 and Hooper for 8. On 3rd and 2 from the Jets 28, Hunt gained 3. On 3rd and 10 from the Jets 25, Mayfield hit Hooper for 9 with 90 seconds to play. It came down to 4th and 1 from the Jets 16. Mayfield took the sneak, fumbled the ball for the third time, and saw hit teammate recover short of the sticks. Darnold took 3 knees as the Jets won 2 straight over winning teams. The Jets cannot win the top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Browns lost out on the AFC North. With a win next week, the 10-5 Browns are in the playoffs. If they lose, they would need help to make it in. 23-16 Jets
Carolina Panthers at Washington Lumps of Coal — The Panthers are done while the Washington Lumps of Coal at 6-8 were actually one game up in the NFC Least. Riverboat Ron Rivera was hoping for a win against his former team. Rivera stripped Dwayne Haskins of his captaincy due to his being caught in a strip club in violation of COVID rules. With Alex Smith injured, Rivera let Haskins start. Late in the first quarter the Panthers punted and the Washington return man got blasted in a perfectly timed hit that caused a fumble. Brandon Zylstra fell on it in the end zone for a touchdown and a 6-0 Panthers lead. The extra point was no good. The Panthers got it back and moved 80 yards in 10 plays and 6 minutes. Curtis Samuel ran for a 45 yard gain. On 3rd and goal at the one, Mike Davis got stopped. Matt Rhule went for it. On 4th and goal at the one, Davis got in to make it 13-0 Panthers. After a touchback, the No-Names faced 1st and 10 at their own 44. Haskins was intercepted and the Panthers took over at their own 45. On 3rd and 16 from their own 39, Teddy Bridgewater went to Samuel for 44. On 3rd and 7 from the Washington 14, Bridgewater went to Robby Anderson for the touchdown to make it 20-0 Panthers with 3 minutes left in the half.
After a touchback, the Non-Redskins moved to a 1st and 10 at the Carolina 29 at the 2 minute warning. On 3rd and 11, Haskins threw incomplete. Dustin Hopkins hit a 48 yard field goal to get the No-Names on the board. The Panthers began the third quarter at their own 29 and moved 45 yards in 13 plays, taking 8 minutes off the clock. Yet on 2nd and 12 from the Washington 19, Bridgwater was sacked and fumbled. The No-Names recovered and faced 3rd and 2 from their own 34. Haskins hit Sims for a 50 yard gain. On 3rd and 2 from the Carolina 8, Haskins threw incomplete. Needing 3 scores, Ron Rivers was not in a Riverboat gambler mood. Hopkins hit the 26 yard field goal to get the Non-Redskins within 20-6 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter the No-Names moved from their own 13 to a 4th and 2 at the Carolina 36 with 10 1/2 minutes left. Haskins was sacked. The No-Names got it back at their own 8. Haskins was benched and Heinecke came in. Heinecke led a staggering 16 play, 70 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive. On 4th and 8 from the Carolina 12, Heinecke hit Logan Thomas for the touchdown. Yet offensive holding nullified the score. On 4th and 18 with 3 1/2 minutes left, Heinecke threw incomplete. Washington got it back again at their own 9 with 3 minutes left. Heinecke quickly moved them 91 yards and hit JD McKissic for a 29 yard touchdown to get the No-Names within 7 with 1:50 left. The onside kick failed and Bridgewater took 3 knees. Despite being 6-9, Washington still leads the NFC Least by one game. If they win next week against Philadelphia, they win the division with a losing record and would host a playoff game. If they lose, they are almost certainly out. They would still get in if the Giants game against Dallas ends in a tie. Barring that, a Washington loss means whoever wins the Dallas game against the Giants wins the division and Washington is out. That would truly give them Lumps of Coal. 20-13 Panthers
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers — Both teams are eliminated from the playoffs. The Chargers almost always play close games, including this one. Adderly returned the opening kickoff 53 yards to set up the Chargers at the Denver 39. Yet on 3rd and 4 from the Denver 19, Justin Herbert threw incomplete. Mike Badgley hit the 37 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Chargers. The Broncos took over at their own 13 and move 71 yards in 14 plays and nearly 8 minutes. Yet on 3rd and 6 from the Chargers 16, Drew Lock went to the end zone and was intercepted in the end zone. A 15 yard punt return gave the Broncos the ball back at their own 45. Yet Brandon McManus missed a 37 yard field goal early in the second quarter.
The Chargers faced 3rd and 2 from their own 35. Herbert went to Williams for 25 and 10 and to Johnson for 10. On 3rd and 3 from the Denver 9, Herbert went to Austin Ekeler for the touchdown to make it 10-0 Chargers. The Chargers got it back at their own 35. On 3rd and 8 from their own 47, Herbert hit Guyton for 29. An illegal use of hands call on the offense on the next play meant 1st and 25 and killed the drive. Badgley hit a 43 yard field goal as the Chargers took a 13-0 lead to the locker rooms.
A 21 yard punt return in the third quarter had the Broncos taking over at their own 47. Yet on 2nd and 5 from the Chargers 12, Lock was tackled for no gain and then threw incomplete. McManus hit from 30 as the Broncos were on the board with 5 minutes left in the third quarter. After a touchback, the Chargers moved 68 yards in 11 plays and nearly 5 1/2 minutes. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 2 to start the fourth quarter, Herbert threw incomplete. Anthony Lynn played it safe with the lead. Badgley hit the 25 yard field goal to put the Chargers up 16-3.
The Broncos moved from their own 21 to a 2nd and 7 at the Chargers 31. Lock threw incomplete twice. With 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation, Vic Fangio opted for the field goal. McManus hit from 50 to get the Broncos within 16-6. The Denver defense held on 3rd and 1 and the Broncos got it back and soon faced 3rd and 5 from their own 33. Lock hit Jerry Jeudy for 10. On 4th and 7 from their own 46 and down to their last gasp, Lock hit Patrick for 27 and Hamilton for 15 down to the one. Lock got in to get the Broncos within 16-13 with 6 1/2 minutes left. The Broncos got it back in excellent field position at their own 42. Lock went to Fant for 19. Yet on 3rd and 10 from the Chargers 37, a short completion gained only 4 yards. McManus came in for a 52 yard field goal try to tie the game. It was good and another Chargers meltdown meant a 16-16 game.
Yet after a touchback, the Chargers still had 2:42 to play and all 3 timeouts. Ekeler gained 11. Herbert went to Guyton for 23. Ekeler ran for 23 more. On 3rd and 5 from the Denver 13, Herbert was sacked. With 45 seconds left, Badgley came in for a 37 yard field goal try to give the Chargers the lead. For the 4th time on the day, Badgley was good. After a touchback and 3 incompletions, it came down to 4th and 10 for the Broncos. Lock hit Hamilton for 25 to midfield and spiked the ball to stop the clock with one second left. Lock threw the Hail Mary, and it was intercepted at the one yard line. 19-16 Chargers
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys — Both teams came in with 9 losses but were still alive for the division crown in the horrendous NFC Least. The loser of this game would be out. Early on it was all Eagles. After a touchback and defensive holding, Miles Sanders ran for 7, 5 and 3, with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15. Jalen Hurts ran for 11, 12 and 5. On 3rd and 3 from the Dallas 10, Sanders gained 6. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Sanders ran for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Eagles. The Cowboys after a touchback moved to a 2nd and 5 at the Philadelphia 8. Yet a sack of Red Rifle Andy Dalton killed the drive. Greg “The Leg” Zuerlein hit the 35 yard field goal to get the Cowboys on the board. Yet 20 seconds later the Eagles were on the board again. Hurts went bombs away to DeSean Jackson, who out jumped the defender and outraced everyone for an 81 yard touchdown to make it 14-3 Eagles. After the first quarter, the game drastically changed.
The Cowboys late in the first quarter faced 3rd and 9 from their own 38. Dalton went to Michael Gallup for 14. On 3rd and 4 from the Philly 42, Tony Pollard got just enough as the first quarter ended. Dalton began the second quarter by hitting Ezekiel Elliott for 9 and 7 and Gallup for a 21 yard touchdown to get the Cowboys within 14-10. The Cowboys got it back at their own 23. From their 36, Dalton connected with Gallup for a 55 yard gain. Yet on 3rd and goal at the one, Dalton lost a yard. Mike McCarthy took no chances. Zuerlein hit the 20 yard field goal to get the Cowboys within 14-13. The Eagles soon faced 3rd and 9 at their own 26. Hurts went to Ward for 17 and ran for 8 himself. Hurts hit Dallas Goedert for 23. On 3rd and 4 from the Dallas 20, Hurts threw incomplete. Jake Elliott hit the 38 yard field goal just before the 2 minute warning. The Eagles led 17-13, but then came the avalanche.
On 3rd and 4 from their own 31, Dalton hit Gallup for 5 and Pollard for 8. On 3rd and 2 from their own 44, Dalton hit Schultz for 16. On 3rd and 3 from the Philly 33, Dalton hit Lamb for 7, Gallup for 19, and Gallup again for a 7 yard touchdown with 12 seconds left in the half. The Cowboys only led 20-17, but it was a back-breaker. The second half was all Dallas. After a touchback to start the second half, Dalton hit Amari Cooper for 11. On 3rd and 3 from their own 48, Dalton went to CeeDee Lamb for a 52 yard touchdown to make it 27-17 Cowboys. The Cowboys got it back and faced 2nd and 5 from their own 22. Dalton connected with Cooper for a 69 yard touchdown. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Dalton threw incomplete. Zuerlein hit from 21 to make it 30-17 Cowboys. The Eagles had 3 turnovers in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys capped an 87 yard drive with Lamb running for a 19 yard touchdown. A 34-3 difference including 24 straight points gave the Cowboys their 3rd straight win after a 3-9 start. If they beat the Giants next week and Washington loses, the Cowboys win the division and are in the playoffs. If the Cowboys lose, they are out. The Eagles are out. 37-17 Cowboys
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks — The 9-5 Rams suffered a shocking home loss to the previously winless Jets to fall one game back of the 10-4 Seahawks. This showdown was for the NFC West crown. A Seahawks win, and they clinch, A Rams win would still require them to win next week. The first half was a defensive slog. Matt Gay hit a 44 yard first quarter field goal for the Rams. In the second quarter Jason Myers answers from 45 for a 3-3 game. Gay hit from 51 and Myers answered from 49 as the teams went to the half deadlocked 6-6.
The Seahawks began the third quarter facing 3rd and 8 from their own 32. Russell Wilson went deep to Moore for a 45 yard gain. On 3rd and 9 from the Rams 22, Wilson went to Hyde for 18. Wilson ran for the 4 yard touchdown as the Seahawks led 13-6. The Rams moved from their own 30 and moved 69 yards in 12 plays and nearly 7 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and goal at the one. Jared Goff got stopped. Sean McVay went for it and on 4th and goal at the one, Malcolm Brown got stopped cold by Pete Carroll’s defense. The Rams got it back at the Seattle 44 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Seattle 16 early in the fourth quarter. Goff was sacked to kill the drive. Gay hit from 33 but the Rams trailed 13-9.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Seahawks took over at their own 20. Wilson hit Tyler Lockett for 11. Chris Carson ran for 15. Wilson hit Lockett again for 24. On 3rd and 7 from the Rams 27, Wilson hit DK Metcalf for 8. The Rams defense desperately needed to hold the Seahawks to a field goal. On 3rd and 4 from the Rams 13, Wilson hit Jacob Hollister for the clinching touchdown with 3 minutes left. The 9-6 Rams have lost 2 straight. If they win their regular season finale, they make the playoffs. They can still lose and get in, but if the Rams lose and Chicago and Arizona both win, the Rams are out. The 11-4 Seahawks clinched the NFC West. Right now they are the 3 seed. If they win their finale and New Orleans loses, the Seahawks move up to the 2 seed. If the Seahawks win and New Orleans and Green Bay both lose, the Seahawks would be the top seed in the NFC with home field throughout the playoffs and a first round bye. 20-9 Seahawks
Tennessee Titans at Green Bay Packers was the Sunday night game. The 10-4 Titans came in tied for the AFC South lead and they held the tie-breaker. However, they had not clinched a playoff spot. The 11-3 Packers clinched the NFC North and had a one game lead in the race for home field throughout the playoffs. With snow coming down, the Packers jumped all over the Titans from the start. Stephen Gostkowski kicked the opening kickoff out of bounds to set up the Packers at their own 40. There was mild amusement as the officials had trouble finding the 40 amidst the snow. Aaron Rodgers hit Davante Adams for 7 and 8. Aaron Jones ran for 12. Rodgers hit Dafney for 13. Rodgers hit Lazard for 7 and Adams for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 6-0 Packers. The extra point was no good.
The Packers got it back and soon faced 2nd and 9 from their own 21. Rodgers ran for 14. On 3rd and 10 from their own 35, Rodgers hit Dillon for nothing, but defensive illegal use of hands meant 5 yards and a new set of downs. From the Titans 47, Rodgers hit Robert Tonyan for 17. The second quarter began with the Packers facing 3rd and 1 from the Titans 21. Rodgers went to Equanimeous St. Brown for the touchdown. The 2 point try failed but the Packers led 12-0. Ryan Tannehill was soon intercepted and the Packers took over at the Tennessee 34. Dillon ran for 14. On 3rd and 3 from the Titans 13, Dillon ran for 6. Rodgers hit Adams for the 7 yard touchdown to make it 19-0 Packers.
The Titans punted on 4th and 27 from their own 14 and the Packers got it back at their own 45. They moved to a 2nd and 5 at the Titans 14 and were about to blow the game open. A run lost 3 yards and Rodgers threw incomplete. Mason Crosby came in for a 35 yard field goal. It was blocked and returned 66 yards to the Green Bay 20. Yet a horrendous defensive offside call nullified the entire play and gave the Packers another shot on 4th and 3. This time Matt LaFleur went for it. Rodgers was sacked for a 17 yard loss. The Titans faced 3rd and 4 from their own 35. Tannehill hit AJ Brown for 10 and 12. Derrick Henry gained 10. On 2nd and 12 from the Packers 32, Tannehill hit Brown for 12, Jonnu Smith for 8, and Smith again for the 12 yard touchdown just before the half as the Titans were within 19-7. The Titans struck quickly in the third quarter from their own 34. Tannehill hit Brown for 9. On 3rd and 1 from their own 45, Tannehill faked a handoff to Henry and raced untouched up the middle for a 55 yard touchdown. The Titans were within 19-14 with plenty of time left.
Yet on the very next play from the Packers 34, the door was slammed shut. Jones tried to go up the middle, got stopped, bounced to the outside, and raced down the sideline for a 59 yard gain. Replay showed Jones may have stepped out of bounds, but officials never saw it. Mike Vrabel never saw it so he did not challenge the play. 2 plays later Rodgers hit Adams for an 8 yard touchdown to make it 26-14 Packers. The Packers got it back at their own 26. Rodgers hit Adams for 11. Dillon ran for 8 and 6. Rodgers hit Dillon for 7 and Adams for 8. On 3rd and 1 from the Titans 30, Jones got stopped. Matt LaFleur gambled on 4th and 1 and Dillon got the first down and the 30 yard touchdown to make it 33-14 Packers. In the fourth quarter the Packers chewed up 6 minutes with a 91 yard touchdown drive. Dillon ran for a 7 yard touchdown to complete the blowout. The 10-5 Titans still win the AFC South with a win next week or a loss by Indianapolis. If the Titans lose and Indianapolis wins, the Titans could miss the playoffs depending on other results. The 12-3 Packers clinch the top NFC seed with a win next week. They can lose and still get the top seed only if New Orleans and Seattle both lose.
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots is the Monday night game. The 11-3 Bills have already clinched the AFC East. The top seed was out of reach, so this was just about whether they would be the two, three or four seed. The 6-8 Patriots are done for the year. The Patriots started out strong, although they settled for a 45 yard Nick Folk field goal to lead 3-0. The Bills moved from their own 47 to a 3rd and 2 at the Patriots 3. Singletary lost a yard. Tyler Bass hit a 22 yard field goal for a 3-3 game.
The Bills soon faced 4th and 5 from their own 35. Bill Belichick went for a punt block, leaving a wide open man on the edge. Sean McDermott called a fake punt and Johnson hit the open Neal for 13. On 4th and 1 from the Patriots 43, this time McDermott went for it. Josh Allen ran for a 22 yard gain. Moss gained 11. On 1st and goal at the 10, an interception of Allen was nullified by the defense jumping offside. Moss ran for a 5 yard touchdown to start the second quarter as the 12 play, 70 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive made it 10-3 Bills. The Patriots got it back at their own 10. Runs and short passes had the Patriots facing 3rd and 2 from their own 39. Sony michel ran for 21 and JJ Taylor added 28 and 3. Cam Newton appeared sacked when he somehow broke free, joked out defenders, and banged in for a 9 yard touchdown. It was a brief flash of 2015 Newton. The extra point was no good but the Patriots were within 10-9.
After that the Bills took over. After a touchback, Allen went to Knox for 24, Cole Beasley for 6 and Knox for 12. On 3rd and 7 from the Patriots 28, Allen ran for 11. Allen hit McKenzie for 13 and Smith for a 4 yard touchdown. The 10 play, 75 yard, 5 minute drive made it 17-9 Bills. The Bills got it back at their own 33 and struck quickly. Allen went to Stefan Diggs for 17 and again for a 50 yard touchdown to make it 24-9 Bills. In the third quarter after a touchback, Allen went to Knox for 15, Diggs for 11 and Beasley for 7. On 3rd and 3 from the Patriots 42, Singletary gained 4. Allen hit Davis for 10 and Diggs for 10 and then again for the 18 yard touchdown to make it 31-9 Bills. The Bills made it a humiliation with a 10 play, 95 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive. Early in the fourth quarter Allen’s fourth touchdown pass went to Diggs for 8 yards. The Bills led 38-9, and Allen’s backup Matt Barkley played most of the fourth quarter. Jarrett Stidham played mop-up for Newton. The 6-9 Patriots had their streak of 19 straight non-losing seasons snapped, as did coach Bill Belichick. The Patriots were swept by a division opponent for the first time in 20 seasons. The 12-3 Bills are a legitimate contender. 38-9 Bills