NFL 2021 Week 12 Recap
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions was the Thanksgiving Thursday morning game. The Bears ownership denied that Matt Nagy would be fired after the game regardless of who won. The Bears came in losers of 5 straight while the Lions remained winless. Justin Fields was injured as Red Rifle Andy Dalton got the start. Jared Goff came back from injury. The Lions began facing 3rd and 2 from their own 39. Goff hit Deandre Swift for 6 and Reynolds for 16. Goff then went deep to Reynolds for a 39 yard touchdown. The Lions led 7-0, concluding all Lions highlights for the first half.
The Bears moved from their own 16 to a 2nd and 8 at the Detroit 10. Dalton threw incomplete twice. Cairo Santos hit the 28 yard field goal to get the Bears within 7-3 early in the second quarter. The Lions took over at their own 33 and found a new way to engage in futility. They embarked on a 10 play drive that took 8 minutes off the clock. Yet somehow they only moved the ball 17 yards to midfield. They did actually reach a 1st and 10 at the Chicago 29 but a hail of penalties had them facing 3rd and 32. A give up run gained one yard and they punted in what may have been the worst 8 minute drive ever. From their own 31, the Bears needed only 2 plays and less than one minute. Dalton went deep to Mooney for 52 yards and then hit Jimmy Graham for a 17 yard touchdown to make it 10-7 Bears. After the teams exchanged turnovers, Santos hit a 43 yard field goal to put the Bears up 13-7 at the half.
In the third quarter, the Bears moved from their own 43 to a 3rd and 6 at the Detroit 25. A holding call meant Santos would be kicking from 53 rather than 43. His field goal try was dead center but short, no good. The Lions took over at their own 21 with 5 minutes left in the third quarter. Goff hit Raymond for 17 and Hockensen for 8. Igwebuike ran for 11. Goff went to St. Brown for 11 and to Hockensen for a 17 yard touchdown. After three quarters, the Lions had a 14-13 lead. The Lions managed to face 3rd and 32 for the 2nd time in the same game, and the Bears got it back at their own 21 with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Lions never saw the ball again as the Bears had their drive of the year. 18 plays took them 69 yards. The Lions showed why they are winless.At the 2 minute warning they began taking their timeouts on defense, a smart move. Yet Dan Campbell called 2 consecutive timeouts without a play being run in between. This is a defensive delay of game penalty. instead of 3rd and 9 from the Detroit 16, it was 3rd and 4 from the 11. Dalton hit Byrd for 7 yards, which allowed the Bears to take the clock down to one second. On the last play of the game, Cairo Santos from 28 yards was dead center. Again, the Lions lost on the final play. 16-14 Bears
Las Vegas Raiders at Dallas Cowboys was the Thanksgiving Thursday afternoon game. The Raiders had lost 3 straight and the Cowboys lost 2 straight. The Cowboys were without CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper. The Cowboys actually went 3 and out when on 3rd and 4 from their own 31, a completion gained only one yard. Hunter Renfrow returned the punt 21 yards and the Raiders took over at their own 29. Derek Carr went to Darren Waller for 12. Carr then went deep to Desean Jackson, who out jumped the defender and outraced everyone along the sideline for a 56 yard touchdown. Just like that, the Raiders led 7-0. The Raiders did everything right on defense, on special teams, and on offense. Yet there were still nearly 57 minutes left to play.
After a touchback, Prescott hit Tony Pollard for 6 and Brown for 15. On 3rd and 1 from the Raiders 35, Pollard gained 3. Prescott then went to Wilson for 17 and to McKeon for a 10 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good but the Cowboys were within 7-6. The Raiders then went 3 and out, so they had their defensive and offensive breakdown. However, they had yet to fail on special teams as AJ Cole hit a 68 yard punt that pinned the Cowboys back to their own 7 yard line. The defense held and the Raiders took over at their own 40. A defensive penalty even gave them 1st and 5 at their 45. The Raiders went backward but then on 3rd and 10 an incompletion saw the Raiders get bailed out by defensive pass interference for 11 yards. On 3rd and 8 from the Dallas 47, Carr fired over the middle to Bryan Edwards for 12. On 3rd and 6 from the Dallas 31, Carr went deep for Jackson and drew a defensive pass interference penalty in the end zone for 30 yards and 1st and goal at the one. Jacobs got the last yard off tackle for the score as the Raiders led 14-6 after the first quarter.
The Cowboys soon faced 2nd and 9 from their own 17. Prescott threw high incomplete but defensive pass interference gave the Cowboys an 8 yard gain and a first down. The ball was uncatchable but the officials called the penalty anyway. On 1st and 10 from their own 25, Pollard busted up the middle for a 31 yard gain, but offensive holding instead meant 1st and 20 as miscues plagued both teams early on. The second quarter began with the Cowboys facing 3rd and 10 from their own 25. A well thrown ball over the middle at the sticks was just dropped. On 3rd and 7 from their own 25, Carr fired over the middle incomplete, but defensive holding again bailed out the Raiders and gave them a new set of downs. On 3rd and 10 from their own 30, Carr fired over the middle to Zee Jones for 12. Waller then fired over the middle again to Waller for 23 more, but Waller limped off the field after the catch with a bum leg. A screen pass from Carr to Jacobs gained 17 more. Jacobs gained 9 and 4 to set up 1st and goal at the 7. Marcus Mariota came in for one play and gained 2 yards. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Carr fired incomplete. The 13 play, 74 yard, 6 minute drive went unfinished, a problem for the Raiders all season. Daniel Carlson hit the 22 yard field goal to make it 17-6 Raiders.
After a touchback, Prescott hit Michael Gallup for 9 and Schultz for 14, with 15 tacked on for a helmet to helmet hit. Yet on 3rd and 7 from the Raiders 40 under heavy pressure, Prescott threw incomplete. Mike McCarthy brought in Greg “The Leg” Zuerlein for a 59 yard field goal try. The kick was long enough but doinked off the left upright no good. That gave the Raiders great field position just shy of midfield. Carr immediately got hit and fumbled, but the Raiders retained possession. On 3rd and 7, Carr went to Jones on the sideline for a gorgeous 27 yard gain, but offensive illegal use of hands nullified the catch and killed the drive. The Cowboys took over at their own 14. Prescott went deep to Wilson for a 51 yard gain. Brown gained 8 as the Cowboys had 1st and 10 at the Raiders 25 at the 2 minute warning. On 3rd and 2 from the Raiders 14, Prescott found Pollard open in the flat for a 13 yard gain down to the one. Ezekiel Elliott crashed in for the score with 25 seconds left in the half to get the Cowboys within 17-13.
After a touchback, Jacobs got stopped for no gain and the Cowboys took a timeout on defense. On 2nd and 10, Jacobs ran for 10 and got out of bounds with 14 seconds left. Jacobs gained another 5, but at this point from their own 40 with timeouts, Rich Bisaccia decided to let the clock run out rather than try a Hail Mary or get in position for a field goal. The Raiders got the ball to start the second half, but to not even try and get some more at the end of the first half was a questionable decision. The Raiders began the third quarter in terrible fashion. On 2nd and 5 from their own 30, Jones took an end around and had plenty of open space before tripping over his own man after a 4 yard gain. On 3rd and 1, rather than go straight ahead, the Raiders tried running laterally and and lost 4 yards. A fight broke out after the punt and Cowboys rookie cornerback and Raiders safety Roderic Teamer were both ejected.
The Cowboys took over at their own 17 and Pollard immediately gained 12. On 3rd and 10 from their own 29, Prescott threw incomplete but defensive holding meant a new set of downs. On 3rd and 10 from their own 34, a short pass gained only 7 yards. A rare illegal block in the back on the kicking team rather tan the receiving team had the Raiders at their own 25 rather than their own 15. Carr immediately hit Renfrow on a crossing route over the middle for a 31 yard gain. Carr then evaded traffic and hit Renfrow over the middle for 11 more. Another 15 yards was tacked on for roughing the passer as Carr took a shot to the head and neck. Jacobs gained 6 and then 6 more to set up 1st and goal at the 3. Mariota came in again as Carr lined up at wide receiver. Mariota faked the handoff and kept it himself for the touchdown. midway through the third quarter, the Raiders led 24-13. They were able to finish a key drive. The question was if they could finish a game.
13 seconds later the Cowboys were right back in it as Pollard returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. The Raiders had now officially had their special teams meltdown to have a failure in all 3 phases of the game. This is your reminder that Rich Bisaccia is a special teams coach. The Cowboys were right back in it down 24-20. The Raiders were called for a defensive leverage penalty on the extra point try. Mike McCarthy opted to put the ball on the one and go for a 2 point conversion instead of enforcing the penalty on the kickoff. McCarthy got too cute by half as a handoff to Elliott was lateraled and blown up in the backfield. So despite a pair of special teams screwups, the Raiders 24-20 lead was now 24-19 instead.
After a touchback, Carr hit a wide open Jacobs over a middle, but Jacobs dropped it. A swing pass lost a yard. On 3rd and 11 from their own 24, Carr rolled out, could not find anyone, and raced along the sideline for a 22 yard gain. The Cowboys took a timeout on defense. On 3rd and 8 from his own 48, Carr threw deep incomplete, but defensive pass interference meant a 17 yard gain. On 3rd and 6 from the Dallas 31, a completion to Renfrow gained only 4. Rich Bisaccia took no chances on 4th and 2 from the Dallas 27. Carlson hit the 46 yard field goal as the Raiders led 27-19 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter. The defense forced a 3 and out when Prescott threw incomplete on 3rd and 3 form his own 32. Yet a 58 yard punt pinned the Raiders at their own 9 yard line.
A perfectly executed curl route from Carr to Jones gained 35 yards. Carr hit Kenyan Drake for 10 more. The Raiders then after a deep incompletion for some reason burned a timeout with 2 seconds left in the third quarter. After that came a swing pass that lost 5 yards as the Raiders began the fourth quarter facing 3rd and 15 from the Dallas 47. a pass in the flat was slightly off the mark and dropped. The Cowboys took over at their own 11. Prescott hit Brown for gains of 15 and 7 and then went deep to Gallup for a 41 yard gain. Prescott then hit Elliott for 12. On 3rd and 3 from the Raiders 7, Prescott fired over the middle to Schultz in the end zone for the touchdown. Yet offensive holding instead meant 3rd and 13 from the 17. A short completion gained only 6 yards. With a full 12 minutes left in regulation, Mike McCarthy was not in a gambling mood on 4th and 7. Zuerlein hit the 29 yard field goal as the Cowboys were within 27-22.
After a touchback, Carr hit Jackson for 16. Offensive holding on the next play had the Raiders facing 1st and 20. Yet before the Raiders could be accused of a meltdown, Carr on the next play with all kinds of time went bombs away to Renfrow for a 54 yard gain. On 2nd and 6 from the Dallas 11, offensive holding again pushed them back. An incompletion had the Raiders facing 3rd and 16 from the Dallas 21. A completion to Renfrow gained only 9 yards. Carlson made the 30 yard field goal, but the Cowboys were called for an illegal formation on the defense. because it was only a 5 yard penalty and not an automatic 1st down, Rich Bisaccia decided to decline the penalty and take the points rather than take points off the board and gamble on 4th and 2. With 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the Raiders led 30-22. They had led all game but had not put the game away. It was still only a one score game. The offense could not finish the game, so it was up to the defense to try.
The Cowboys soon faced 3rd and 5 from their own 30, Prescott was sacked by Yannick Ngakoue. The 3 and out forced a punt. The Raiders midway through the fourth quarter had a chance on offense to finish the game. One drive and a field goal would do it. They took over at their own 25. A completion from Carr to Jones on 2nd and 8 gained 9 and kept the clock moving. On 2nd and 6 from their own 40, a 4 yard run by Jacobs was nullified by offensive holding that pushed them back and stopped the clock. On 3rd and 12, Carr went for it all and was lucky to escape with an incompletion. Then came a delay of game penalty. The Cowboys got the ball back at their own 31 with 3:40 to play. The offense again did not finish, so again the pressure was on the defense. Prescott then somehow despite getting decked unloaded a 32 yard completion to Gallup. Prescott then went over the middle to Schultz for the 32 yard touchdown. For the first time since 0-0, the Cowboys had tied the game 30-30. The defense had melted down. It was up to the offense with 3 minutes left after a touchback to avoid a complete collapse.
Carr went deep to Jackson for a 30 yard gain. On 2nd and 5 from the Dallas 40, all the Raiders had to do was let the clock go down to the 2 minute warning. Instead, the Raiders tried to rush a play to get the Cowboys to jump offsides and instead took a killer false start that stopped the clock with 2:04 left. A 7 yard completion from Carr to Renfrow had the Raiders facing 3rd and 3 at the Dallas 38 at the 2 minute warning. Carr then threw incomplete as the Cowboys escaped another defensive pass interference call. A field goal try would be 56 yards. Rich Bisaccia trusted Carlson, and Carlson delivered. The Raiders had the 33-30 lead with 1:52 to play. The offense certainly did not close the door, but they gave the Raiders the lead. The defense had to make a stop.
Prescott hit Gallup for 11, Brown for 5, Elliott for 3, and on 3rd and 2 from his own 44, Gallup for 17. Prescott then hit Wilson for 10 as the Raiders and to take a defensive injury timeout. With 37 seconds let, each team had one timeout left. An incompletion left 3rd and 8 from the Raiders 27 with 28 seconds left. Prescott threw incomplete again. Zuerlein came in for a 46 yard try with 24 seconds left. Zuerlein was good and the game was tied 33-33 with 19 seconds left. Again, the Raiders could not put a game away. After a touchback, Carr took a knee and the game went to overtime. The Raiders did not trail the entire 60 minutes, yet they did not get the win in regulation either. Naturally, the Cowboys won the overtime coin toss.
A penalty on the kick had the Cowboys taking over at their own 7 yard line. On 3rd and 4 from their own 13, Prescott was flushed out of the pocket and threw incomplete. Yet a 59 yard punt with an illegal block against the Raiders tacked on, the Raiders got the ball at their own 22. A swing pass to Jacobs gained 8. Jacobs then broke free on the ground for a 21 yard gain. From just past midfield, a run lost a yard. Then Carr was sacked. On 3rd and 18 from their own 43, Carr went for it all and Anthony Brown was called for a 4th…yes 4th… defensive pass interference penalty. The 33 yard gain made it 1st and 10 at the Dallas 24. Already in field goal range, Rich Bisaccia played it very safe. 3 straight runs gained 8 yards. On 4th and 2, Carlson came in for a 34 yard field goal try to win it. The kick was good, but a false start instead made it 4th and 7. Now it was a 39 yard try. Then the cowboys jumped offsides. Now it was a 34 yard try again. This time the Cowboys jumped way offsides as the kick hit the upright. This gave the Raiders a first down. Carr wanted to go back on the field, but Bisaccia kept Carlson out there for a 29 yard try.
Carlson was good. There were no flags on the field. The 4 game losing streak of the Raiders was over. or the 3rd time on the year, the Raiders won in overtime to get to 6-5. The Cowboys have lost 3 straight, all of them to AFC West teams. At 7-4 they are still in a strong position in the NFC Least. Carr was 24 of 39 for 373 yards and one touchdown. Prescott was 32 of 47 for 375 yards and 2 touchdowns. Neither quarterback was intercepted in a game with 0 turnovers. The Raiders ran the ball 35 times for 143 yards, 4 yards per carry. Jacobs led rushers with 87 yards on 22 carries, also 4 yards per carry. Gallup and Wilson both had over 100 yards receiving, and Renfrow led all receivers with 134 yards. Jackson also had over 100 yards. Both teams had 14 penalties, with the Raiders giving up 110 yards and the Cowboys giving up a whopping 166 yards. The Raiders dominated the time of possession 39 minutes to 26 1/2 minutes. The Raiders racked up 509 yards of total offense to 437 for the Cowboys. Carlson was 5 for 5 on field goals and also made 3 extra points. This was an instant classic. It was far from pretty at times, but it was definitely an Al Davis type of win. Just win baby. 36-33 Raiders
Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints was the Thanksgiving Thursday night game. The Saints came in having lost 3 straight to be 5-5 while the 6-4 Bills recent losses had them out of first place in the AFC East. The Bills began their first drive at their own 35. Josh Allen hit Stefan Diggs for 14. Allen ran for 6 and hit Diggs for 9. Matt Breida had runs of 9, 5 and 2. On 3rd and 3 from the Saints 14, Allen ran for 8. Allen then hit Dawson Knox for a 7 yard touchdown. The 10 play, 65 yard, 6 minute drive had the Bills up 7-0, but both offenses slept for much of the half. In the second quarter Sean Payton gambled on 4th and 2 from the Buffalo 41. Jones got blown up for a 5 yard loss. The short field led to a 34 yard Tyler Bass field goal to make it 10-0 Bills. Allen was intercepted twice in the second quarter, but the Saints had no offense. The Bills began the third quarter facing 3rd and 7 from their own 28. Allen ran for 10. On 3rd and 2 from their own 46, Allen hit Cole Beasley for 14. Singletary ran for 11 and defensive pass interference added 9 more. Singletary ran for 15 more. Allen hit Diggs for a 5 yard touchdown to cap the 11 play, 75 yard, 6 minute drive and make it 17-0 Bills. The Bills got it back at their own 47. Allen hit Davis for 21. On 4th and 2 from the Saints 24, Sean McDermott decided to go for it. Allen went to Knox for the first down and the touchdown as the Bills were romping up 24-0. The Saints scored a fourth quarter touchdown to avoid the shutout but Allen threw a 23 yard touchdown pass to Breida to maintain the blowout. Allen finished 23 of 28 with 4 touchdown passes. The Saints have lost 4 straight. 31-6 Bills
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts — The Buccaneers came in 7-3. The Colts started 0-3 but have gone 6-2 since, with the only 2 losses being in overtime. This is the Tony Dungy Bowl, although he and Peyton Manning are both retired. Tom Brady and Carson went are not retired, but early on this game belonged to the defenses. Early on a shanked 14 yard punt had the Colts taking over at the Tampa 30. Yet all the Colts could muster was a 45 yard Mike Badgley field goal to lead 3-0. A Colts fumble gave the Buccaneers a short field at the Indianapolis 34. Brady hit Rob Gronkowski for 10, Leonard Fournette for 8, and Cameron Brate for 7. The second quarter began with the Buccaneers facing 3rd and 1 at the Colts 3. Fournette gained 2 and then got the last yard for a 7-3 Buccaneers lead.
After a touchback, the Colts struck back quickly. Carson Wentz went bombs away to Dulin for a 62 yard touchdown to make it 10-7 Colts. 3 plays later from his own 46, Brady went bombs away but was intercepted by Rodgers at the Indianapolis 10 yard line. Wentz hit Nyheim Hines for 10 and Jacob Doyle for 14. Defensive pass interference on the next play added 24 more yards. Taylor ran for 12 and 6. On 3rd and 2 from the Tampa Bay 19, Taylor only gained one. Frank Reich gambled on 4th and 1 and Wentz took the quarterback sneak up the gut for 3 yards. Wentz then went to Doyle for a 5 yard touchdown to cap the 90 yard, 6 minute drive and make it 17-7 Colts lead with 5 minutes left in the half.
The Buccaneers took over at their own 16. Brady hit Chris Godwin for 7, Gronk for 15 and Johnson for 9. Fournette ran for 6 and 12. Brady went deep to Gronk for 26 and to Fournette for 5 at the 2 minute warning. Gronk then hit Fournette again for a 4 yard touchdown to get the Buccaneers within 17-14. After a touchback, Wentz ran the 2 minute drill brilliantly. He hit TY Hilton for 9 and 5. On 3rd and 15 from his own 34, Wentz rolled out and scrambled for 16. Wentz hit Pittman for 12. On 3rd and 10 from the Tampa 35, Wentz hit Doyle for 22. On 3rd and 1 from the Bucs 4, Wentz threw incomplete as 22 seconds remained in the half. Frank Reich gambled again and Wentz fired to Hilton for the touchdown and the 24-14 Colts lead.
After a touchback to start the third quarter, the Colts moved to a 1st and 10 at the Tampa 20 with a chance to make it a 3 score game. Then came the play that changed the game entirely. Wentz was sacked and fumbled. The Buccaneers took over at their own 35. On 3rd and 8, Brady hit Gronk for 11. Defensive pass interference on the next play added 37 yards. Brady hit Brate for 10. Fournette ran for a 4 yard touchdown to get the Buccaneers within 24-21. After another touchback, the Colts moved to a 2nd and 3 at the Tampa 46. Wentz went deep for it all and was intercepted. Antoine Winfield returned the interception 30 yards to the Tampa 35. Ronald Jones ran for 5, 8 and 8. Brady went deep to Gronk for 32. On 3rd and 8 from the Indy 10, Brady threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the one. Jones got in for the score as the Buccaneers now led 28-24. In the fourth quarter the Colts fumbled a punt and the Buccaneers took over at the Indy 19. Now it was the Bucs who had a chance to put the game away. Yet on 2nd and goal at the 6, Brady threw incomplete twice. Ryan Succop hit a 25 yard field goal as 3 turnovers gifted the Buccaneers 17 points and a 31-24 lead with 10 minutes left in regulation.
After a touchback, Taylor ran for 5, 15, 5, 10, 15, 4, and 3. On 3rd and 6 from the Tampa Bay 14, Wents hit Hilton for 10. Taylor ran for the 4 yard touchdown to make it 31-31 with 3 1/2 minutes remaining. After a touchback, Brady hit Evans for 3 and Godwin for 8. Fournette ran for 11. Brady hit Brate for 6 and Fournette for 13. Fournette ran for 8 as the the Colts took their 2nd timeout with 1:07 left. The goal was to take the clock down to a few seconds and kick the winning field goal. Instead, Fournette broke free for a 28 yard touchdown. The Buccaneers led by 7 but 20 seconds still remained. Things got even crazier when Rodgers took the ensuing deep kickoff 4 yards deep in the end zone, broke to the sideline, and had a chance to go 104 yards for a shocking tying touchdown. Rodgers was eventually pushed out of bounds after a 72 yard return. The Colts had 10 seconds to work with from the Tampa 32. An incompletion left 5 seconds. Wentz threw the relatively short Hail Mary that was intercepted at the one yard line. 38-31 Buccaneers
New York Jets at Houston Texans — League rules prevented a cancellation between a pair of 2-8 teams, but the Texans won a shocking road game at Tennessee last week after getting Tyrod Taylor back. This week the Jets got Zach Wilson back. The Texans took over at their own 21 and moved 62 yards in 12 plays and 6 minutes. Yet on 2nd and 9 from the Jets 17, Taylor was intercepted by Franklin-Myers, who returned it 32 yards to the Houston 37. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Wilson was sacked. Matt Ammendola hit the 31 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Jets. On the next Jets series they faced 3rd and 17 from their own 18. Wilson was intercepted to set up the Texans at the Jets 24. On 3rd and 10 from the Jets 19, Taylor threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 10 yards. On 3rd and goal from the 13 to start the second quarter, Taylor hit Jordan for the touchdown to make it 7-3 Texans. The Texans got it back and faced 3rd and 2 from their own 41. Taylor hit Rex Burkhead for 20. On 3rd and 11 from the Jets 40, Taylor went deep to Brandon Cooks for the score and the 14-3 Texans lead.
The Jets eventually took over at their own 30, and a roughing the passer penalty had the Jets at midfield. Wilson hit Moore for 11. On 3rd and 9 from the Houston 26, Wilson hit Griffin for 10. Walter did the rest, running for 12, 2, and the 2 yard touchdown. Robert Saleh went for the 2 point conversion and Josh Johnson ran it in to get the Jets within 14-11 with one minute left in the half. After a third quarter touchback, Wilson went to Moore for 22 and 16. On 3rd and 3 from the Houston 43, Coleman gained 8 and 6. Johnson added 11. On 4th and 8 from the Houston 16, Ammendola hit the 34 yard field goal to tie the game. Yet the defense was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct leverage penalty. Robert Saleh took the points off the board. On 1st and goal at the 8, Wilson was sacked but the defense jumped offside. Wilson then rushed for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 18-14 Jets.
Then this game got every bit as ugly as expected. Early in the fourth quarter, Ammendola missed a 42 yard field goal try to extend the lead. The Texans soon took over at the Jets 37 and went nowhere. Kiami Fairbairn’s 55 yard field goal try was no good. The Jets took over at their own 45 and embarked on a 13 play drive that took 6 minutes off the clock. On 4th and 1 from the Houston 15, Moore gained 7. Yet on 1st and goal at the 8, offensive holding killed the drive. Ammendola hit from 37 to put the Jets up by 7 with 3 1/2 minutes left. With 2:10 left the Texans faced 4th and 2 at their own 39. Taylor threw incomplete. The Texans got it back at their own 20 with 20 second left. On 3rd and 4 from their own 26 with 6 seconds left, Taylor completed a 5 yard pass as the Texans celebrated a first down and another loss. 21-14 Jets
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants — An NFC Least battle was as ugly as expected. The Giants just fired offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, allowing them to have even less offense. In the first quarter Graham Gano hit a 35 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Giants. The Eagles moved from their own 26 to a 3rd and 5 at the Giants 20. Jalen Hurts was intercepted. The Giants moved in position for a 51 yard field goal try, but this time Gano was no good. The Eagles used up the last 6 minutes of the first quarter by moving from their own 7 on a 15 play, 92 yard drive. On 3rd and goal from the 9, Hurts was intercepted again. In the third quarter after a touchback the Eagles moved to a 4th and 2 at the Giants 40. Kevin Siriani went for it and Hurts threw incomplete. Daniel Jones then hit Evan Engram for 10. On 3rd and 7 from the Philadelphia 46, Jones hit Booker and Slayton for a pair of 17 yard gains. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Jones threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the one. Jones hit Myarick for the touchdown to make it 10-0 Giants. Hurts then went deep for his 3rd interception.
The Eagles got it back at their own 34. Hurts ran for 12. On 3rd and 1 from the Giants 45, Hurts ran for a pair of 13 yard gains as Boston Scott added 5 and 12. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Scott ran for a one yard touchdown to complete the 10 play, 66 yard drive as the Eagles were very much alive down 10-7. The Giants moved on a 12 play, 70 yard drive that took 7 1/2 minutes off the clock. On 3rd and 2 from the Philly 16 looking to close the door, a false start was followed by an incompletion. Gano hit the 39 yard field goal with 3 minutes left, but the Giants up by 6 had not closed to door. The Eagles moved from their 30 to just past midfield. Scott then fumbled and the Giants recovered at their own 37. Only 1:34 remained but the Eagles had all 3 timeouts and took them on defense. The Eagles got it back at their own 41 with 1:11 left. Hurts hit Kenneth Gainwell for 14 and 11 and spiked the ball to stop the clock with 37 seconds left. From the Giants 27, Hurts had 3 chances to win it and his receivers kept dropping his passes. One final dropped pass on 4th and 10 was the difference. 13-7 Giants
Carolina Panthers at Miami Dolphins — The 1-7 Dolphins quietly won 3 straight by playing teams as and as they are. In the first quarter the Panthers punted on 4th and 6 from their own 9. The punt was blocked and returned 2 yards by Coleman for a 7-0 Dolphins lead. The Panthers soon faced 3rd and 6 from their own 29. Cam Newton went deep to DJ Moore for a 64 yard gain. On 3rd and goal at the one, Newton got in for a 7-7 game. Newton was intercepted on his next 2 drives, and the second one set up the Dolphins at the Carolina 9 yard line. On 3rd and goal, Tua Tagovailoa hit Jalen waddle for the 9 yard touchdown and the 14-7 Dolphins advantage. The Dolphins got it back at their own 27. A completion from Tagovailoa to Waddle went for 57 yards. On 3rd and 1 from the Carolina 5, Tagovailoa got around the end for a 2 yard gain. Myles Gaskin took the direct snap for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 21-7 Dolphins.
With 12 seconds left in then half the Dolphins were in field goal range facing 2nd and 3 at the Carolina 27. Tagovailoa fumbled and Luvu picked it up for the Panthers the other way 28 yards to the Miami 23. The clock appeared to run out, but Matt Rhule demanded one second be added as Brian Flores protested otherwise. Officials gave the Panthers the one second. Zane Gonzalez hit a 41 yard field goal to get the Panthers within 21-10. In the third quarter the Dolphins faced 3rd and 1 from their own 29. Ahmed gained 16. On 3rd and 6 just shy of midfield, Tagovailoa hit Waddle for 11 and Smythe for 11 more. On 2nd and 18 from the Carolina 37, Gaskin gained only 4 but a taunting penalty on the defense meant 15 yards and new downs. Gaskin took a another direct snap 3 yards for another touchdown. The extra point was no good but the 13 play, 80 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive had the Dolphins dominating 27-10. Newton was a miserable 5 for 21 for 92 yards, 0 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Matt Rhule benched Newton in the third quarter for PJ Walker, who threw an interception. Sanders hit field goals of 46 and 33 in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring. Both teams are 5-7, but it is the Dolphins who have won 4 straight. 33-10 Dolphins
Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots — In the 2019 playoffs, Mike Vrabel’s Titans won a slugfest over his former boss Bill Belichick’s Patriots in Tom Brady’s final game in New England. These teams are mirror images that rely on hard-nosed running and defense. The Titans punted on 4th and 16 from their own 5 and a 15 yard return gave the Patriots a short field at the Tennessee 37. On 3rd and 10 from the Tennessee 19, Mac Jones hit Bolden for 11. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Jones hit Kendrick Bourne for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Patriots. The Titans took over at their own 26. On 3rd and 3 from the New England 48, Ryan Tannehill hit Rodgers for only 2. Vrabel went for it on 4th and 1. Tannehill gained 2 and then 11 more. Tannehill hit Hollister for 14 and 8. The second quarter began with the Titans facing 3rd and goal at the one. Tannehill hit Westbrook-Ikhine for no gain, but Vrabel challenged the spot and officials reversed it to a touchdown. Randy Bullock’s extra point try to tie the game doinked off the upright no good as the Titans trailed 7-6.
The Patriots moved from their own 21 to a 3rd and goal at the 4. Jones threw incomplete. Nick Folk hit a 22 yard field goal to make it 10-6 Patriots. Randy Bullock’s 44 yard field goal try to get within 10-9 was no good. Folk hit again from 37 to make it 13-6 Patriots. The Titans quickly moved after a touchback to the New England 38, but then fumbled the ball away. The Patriots moved from their own 32 to a 3rd and 7 at the Tennessee 26. Jones threw incomplete. Folk’s 3rd field goal from 44 made it 16-6 Patriots. The Titans soon faced 3rd and 3 from their own 32. With Derrick Henry gone for the year and Adrian Peterson released, it was Dontrell Hilliard breaking free for a 68 yard touchdown to get the Titans within 16-13. The half ended with Folk missing a 53 yard field goal.
With snow flurries coming down, the Patriots took over the second half. Folk hit his 4th field goal from 28 yards out to make it 19-13 Patriots. On 2nd and 4 from their own 24, Foreman raced for a 30 yard gain for the Titans but then fumbled the ball away. Later in the third quarter the Patriots took over at their own 44. On 3rd and 6 from the Tennessee 41, Jones hit Bourne for a touchdown and a 26-13 Patriots lead. The Titans after a touchback mounted a 14 play, 73 yard, 8 minute drive. On 4th and goal at the 2 needing to go for it, Tannehill went to the end zone and was intercepted for a touchback. The Patriots ran 10 plays of their own and burned 6 minutes of clock. Folk hit his 5th field goal in 6 tries from 52 yards out to make it 29-13 Patriots in the fourth quarter. With 5 1/2 minutes left in regulation on 4th and 14 from their own 21, Tannehill threw incomplete. Harris ran for 7 and then the 14 yard touchdown to turn the close game into a blowout. Both teams are 8-4 as the Titans lost their grip on the top seed in the AFC. The Patriots have won 6 straight. 36-13 Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals — The Steelers came in 1/2 game behind the 6-4 Bengals, but the Steelers are the big brother who always beat up the little brother Bengals. After a touchback, runs and short passes had the Bengals facing 3rd and 1 at the Pittsburgh 29. Joe Mixon gained 3. Mixon added gains of 6 and 3 and Joe Burrow ran for an 8 yard touchdown to culminate the 10 play, 75 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-0 Bengals. Eli Apple returned an interception of Ben Roethlisberger 50 yards to the Pittsburgh 5. The Bengals settled for a 31 yard Evan McPherson field goal to lead 10-0. The Steelers managed a 40 yard Chris Boswell field goal to get within 10-3, but in the second quarter the Bengals blasted the Steelers into little pieces.
On 2nd and 4 from their own 31, Burrow hit Tee Higgins for 16. The second quarter began with Burrow hitting Jamarr Chase for 12 and Higgins for a 32 yard touchdown to make it 17-3 Bengals. The Bengals got it back and faced 3rd and 12 from their own 25. Burrow hit Higgins for 16. On 3rd and 5 from their own 46Burrow hit CJ Uzomah for 7. Mixon ran for 9, 8, 9, and on 3rd and 1 from the Pittsburgh 21, 9 more. Mixon then ran for 5 and then the one yard touchdown to make it 24-3 Bengals with 2:43 left in the half. With 30 seconds left, an interception of Burrow gave the Steelers the ball at their own 21. Mike Tomlin decided to get aggressive rather than take a knee. Big Ben was immediately intercepted by Hilton for a 24 yard defensive touchdown and a 31-3 Bengals halftime lead. The Bengals added a third quarter field goal and a fourth quarter touchdown from Mixon who ripped off a 32 yard run and took it in from one yard out. Down 41-3, the Steelers managed one garbage touchdown. The little brother hit back today in a big way. 41-10 Bengals
Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars — Somewhere in the Southeast, somebody cared about this game. In the first quarter the Falcons faced 3rd and 13 at their own 16. Matt Ryan hit Davis for 18. Cordarelle Patterson got around the end for 19. Gallman ran for 15. Ryan hit Sharpe for 13. Patterson did the rest, getting around the end again for 13 and running for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Falcons. The Jaguars turned it over on their next possessions on an interception and a fumble. The fumble set up the Falcons at the Jacksonville 29. On 4th and 6 from the Jags 25, Arthur Smith went for a 43 yard field goal try. Younghoe Koo was good, but the defense was called for unsportsmanlike conduct due to leverage. Smith took the points off the board as it was now 1st and 10 at the Jags 12. One play later Patterson ran for the touchdown to make it 14-0 Falcons.
The Jaguars did move from their own 27 on a 14 play, 70 yard, 6 minute drive. On 3rd and goal at the 11, Trevor Lawrence hit Treadwell for only 8. Matthew Wright hit the 22 yard field goal to get the Jaguars within 14-3 with 45 seconds left in the half. Ryan was quickly intercepted as the Jaguars took over at midfield with 19 seconds left. Yet on 2nd and 1 from the Atlanta 41, Lawrence threw incomplete twice. Urban Meyer opted for the Hail Mary rather than a 59 yard field goal try. Lawrence threw deep incomplete again. Early in the third quarter the Falcons took over at their own 12. Ryan went to Gage for 15, Smith for 10, Patterson for 20, Pitts for 19, and Xacceaus for 5. On 3rd and 4 from the Jacksonville 12, Ryan went to Russell Gage for the touchdown. Midway through the third quarter, the Falcons led 21-3.
The Jaguars took over at their own 28. Lawrence went to Treadwell for 14. Robinson gained 12 and on 3rd and 3 just shy of midfield, Robinson gained 7 then 9 more. On 3rd and 1 from the Atlanta 35, Lawrence gained 7. Lawrence then went deep to James O’Shaughnessy for 21. Lawrence hit Tavon Austin for the 7 yard touchdowN. Urban Meyer went for 2 and Lawrence hit O’Shaughnessy for the conversion as the Jaguars were within 21-11. The Jaguars got it back at their own 10 with 13 minutes left in regulation and moved 74 yards in 14 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. On 1st and goal at the 6, offensive holding killed the drive as Lawrence then threw 3 straight incompletions. Wright hit the 34 yard field goal with 6 1/2 minutes left. The Jaguars got it back with 2:13 left at their own 18. From their own 29, Lawrence threw 4 straight incompletions. 21-14 Falcons
Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos — The 6-4 Chargers took on the 5-5 Broncos in a critical AFC West matchup that was all about defense. A field position game had the Broncos taking over at midfield. Teddy Bridgewater went to Tony Patrick for 19. On 3rd and 4 from the Chargers 14, Bridgewater hit Sutton for 5.Bridgewater ran for an 11 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Broncos. The Broncos got it back at their own 25. Bridgewater hit Patrick for 7 and Okquegbonam for 12. On 3rd and 3 just past midfield, the Broncos fumbled but retained possession. Williams gained 12 as the second quarter began with the Broncos at the Chargers 32. Melvin Gordon ran for 8 and 16. On 3rd and goal at the 9, Williams ran it in to make it 14-0 Broncos. The Chargers then held the ball for 10 plays and 6 minutes, but Brandon Staley’s decision to gamble on 4th and 3 from the Denver 35 saw Justin Herbert throw incomplete.
The Broncos were totally in control with 1:16 left in the half and facing 2nd and 8 from the Chargers 48.Drew Lock was intercepted and the Chargers took over at the Denver 47. On 3rd and 7, Herbert went to Keenan Allen for 18 and 14. With 30 seconds left, Herbert hit Austin Ekeler for the 12 yard touchdown to get the Chargers within 14-7. Midway through the third quarter, a 52 yard field goal try for the Chargers was no good. The Chargers got it back at their own 25 and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Denver 19. On 3rd and 9 to start the fourth quarter, Herbert hit Ekeler for 12 but an ineligible man downfield instead meant 3rd and 14. Herbert was then intercepted by Pat Surtain for a touchback.
On 3rd and 7 from his own 23, Bridgwater hit Sutton for 12. On 3rd and 10 from his own 35, Bridgewater hit Williams for 14. Bridgwater then connected with Williams on a 42 yard completion with roughing the passer adding 5 more. On 3rd and goal at the one, Bridgwater hit Saubert for the touchdown to put the Broncos up 21-7. After a touchback from his own 37, Herbert was intercepted again by Surtain, and this one was a dagger as Surtain returned it 70 yards for a defensive touchdown and a 28-7 Broncos lead. The Chargers got the equivalent of a Hail Mary miracle when Herbert found Cook in the end zone for a 16 yard touchdown. Cook out-jumped 5 or 6 other players to get the Chargers within 15 after an inexplicable 2 point try failed. The onside kick slo failed. The Broncos, Chargers and Raiders are all 6-5, one game back of 7-4 Kansas City in the AFC West. 28-13 Broncos.
Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers — Both teams started 7-1 but the Rams have lost 2 straight and the Packers 2 of 3 in a key NFC showdown. In the first quarter the Rams fumbled and the Packers took over at the Rams 6 yard line. On 3rd and goal from the one, Aaron Rodgers got around the end and in for the score to make it 7-0 Packers. Sean McVay then summoned his inner Barry swather and went for it on 4th and 1 from his own 29. Darrell Henderson got stopped cold. The short field was enough for Mason Crosby to hit a 45 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Packers in the second quarter.
3 plays later the Rams were on the board. On 3rd and 8 from his own 21, Matthew Stafford went bombs away. Van Jefferson out-jumped the defender, shook the tackle, maintained his balance, and coasted to a 79 yard touchdown to get the Rams within 10-7. The Packers soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 32. Rodgers went deep to Randall Cobb for a 54 yard gain. Yet on 2nd and 5 from the Rams 9, a run went nowhere and Rodgers then threw incomplete. Crosby hit from 28 to make it 13-7 Packers. The Rams then punted and the Packers fumbled it away. The Packers took over at the Rams 25. Sean McVay went to the bag of tricks. From Stafford, Cooper Kupp threw the halfback option pass to Van Jefferson for the touchdown. Yet on further review, Jefferson did not get both feet in bounds, resulting in an incompletion. On 3rd and 3 from the Packers 18, Stafford threw incomplete. Matt Gay hit the 36 yard field goal to get the Rams within 13-10.
The Packers took over at their own 11. Rodgers went to Cobb for 27. On 3rd and 2 from his own 46, Rodgers went deep to Devonta Adams for 43. Rodgers hit Cobb for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 20-10 Packers. After a touchback, Stafford hit Sony Michel for 11. Michel ran for 5 and 7. Stafford went to Kupp for 22 and again for 19. With 90 seconds left in a very exciting first half, Stafford went to Henderson for a 6 yard touchdown to get the Rams within 20-17. An illegal blindside block on the first play of the third quarter had the Packers facing 1st and 22 from their own 13. Rodgers went to Dillon for 8 and deep to Marques Valdes-Scantling for 28. Dillon gained one, 8, and on 3rd and 1 from the Rams 42, 2 followed by 5 more. Dillon then caught a pass from Rodgers for 6. On 3rd and 2 from the Rams 21, Rodgers threw incomplete. Matt LaFleur went for it. On 4th and 2, Rodgers hit Deguara for 12. Dillon ran for 4 and then the 5 yard touchdown. The 13 play, 75 yard, nearly 8 minute drive had the Packers up 27-17 midway through the third quarter.
Things got worse for the Rams when they fumbled a punt and the Packers recovered at the Rams 27. On 3rd and 6 from the Rams 11, Rodgers threw incomplete. Crosby hit the 29 yard field goal to make it 30-17 Packers. 3 plays later the Packers put in the dagger. The Rams on 3rd and 7 from their own 28 saw Stafford intercepted by Douglas, who returned it 33 yards for a defensive touchdown. A 2 point conversion try failed but the Packers led 36-17. The Rams soon faced 3rd and 1 from their own 29. Henderson gained 5. On 3rd and 1 from their own 43, Henderson gained 3. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Stafford went bombs away to O’Dell Beckham for a 46 yard touchdown. Stafford hit Kupp for the 2 point conversion as the Rams were within 36-25. The Packers did miss another field goal that would have extended the lead, but the Rams still needed 2 scores. They got the field goal with 18 seconds left but got no closer as the onside kick failed. 36-28 Packers
Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers — A pair of 5-5 teams fighting to make the playoffs played a competitive game. An early interception of Jimmy Garoppolo had the Vikings taking over just past midfield. Kirk Cousins hit Dalvin Cook for gains of 2 and 11. Cousins went to Adam Thielen for 29. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Cousins threw incomplete. Mike Zimmer went for it and on 4th and goal, Cousins fired to Thielen for the 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Vikings. The 49ers still faced 3rd and 13 from their own 22. Garoppolo went deep to Brandon Aiyuk for 37. Mitchell ran for 6 and 15 and Deebo Samuel ran around the end for a 20 yard touchdown and a 7-7 game.
The Vikings began the second quarter facing 3rd and 2 from their own 28. Cousins went deep to Justin Jefferson for 30 and again to Jefferson for 15. Cousins then went to Thielen for a 20 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Vikings. with 8 1/2 minutes left in the half, the 49ers took over at their own 15. Mitchell ran for 9 and 3. Garoppolo hit Woerner for 11. Mitchell ran for 4 and 10. On 3rd and 8 from the Minnesota 44, Patrick play lost 3 yards but defensive holding meant 5 yards and an automatic first down. On 3rd and 2 from the Minnesota 31, Garoppolo got the deuce. On 3rd and 11 from the Minnesota 30, Garoppolo went to Aiyuk for 24. With 18 seconds left in the half, Garoppolo hit Jennings for the 3 yard touchdown to culminate the 15 play, 85 yard, 8 1/2 minute drive. The game tied after the first quarter was now tied air halftime 14-14.
After a touchback to start the third quarter, Garoppolo hit Mitchell for 13. Samuel got around the end for a 49 yard gain. Samuel ran for the 3 yard touchdown as the 49ers had their first lead up 21-14. On the first play from scrimmage from his own 21, Cousins was intercepted. Al-Shaair returned the interception 24 yards to the Minnesota 2. One play later Mitchell got in to make it 28-14 49ers. The Vikings battled back. After a touchback, Cook ran for 30. Cousins hit Jefferson for 15. Mike Zimmer then went for the trick play and Cousins lateraled to Jefferson, who threw the halfback option pass to Cook for 24. Mattison then ran for the 6 yard touchdown. Greg Joseph missed the extra point as the Vikings trailed 28-20.
The 49ers after a touchback moved to a 1st and 10 at the Minnesota 29. Two runs gained one total yard and on 3rd and 9, Garoppolo threw incomplete. Robbie Gould hit the 46 yard field goal to make it 31-20 49ers. Yet 12 seconds later the Vikings were in the end zone again. Kene Nwangwu took the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. The 2 point conversion trie failed but the Vikings were within 31-26. The Vikings held on defense but one play after a touchback fumbled the ball away. The 49ers took over at the Minnesota 9. A run lost 6 yards and a 15 yard touchdown to put the game away was reversed to an incompletion. On 3rd and goal from the 15, Garoppolo hit Kyle Juszczyk for only 11. Gould hit the 22 yard field goal to put the 49ers up by 8 after three quarters.
A touchback had the Vikings at their own 25 to start the fourth quarter. Cousins hit Ham for 16. On 3rd and 8 from their own 43, Cousins went deep incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 22 yard gain. On 3rd and 9 from the Frisco 34, Cousins hit Conklin for 17. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Cousins threw incomplete. With 9 minutes left in regulation, Mike Zimmer went for it. Cousins threw incomplete again. The 49ers from their own 3 yard line went on a time consuming drive that took down the clock. On 3rd and 4 from their own 10, Garoppolo hit Sherfield for 5. Garoppolo then went deep to Juszczyk for 26. Mitchell went for 6, 7 and 9. On 3rd and 3 from the Minnesota 25, a run gained only one yard as the clock hit the 2 minute warning. Kyle Shanahan opted for the field goal. From 42 yards out to lock up the win, Gould was no good wide right. The Vikings had life at their own 32 with 1:56 left. On 4th and 8 from the Minnesota 38 with 50 seconds left, Cousins threw incomplete. 34-26 49ers
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens was the Sunday night game. This was an old-fashioned AFC North street fight. In the first quarter Chase McLaughlin missed a 46 yard field goal for the Browns. Justin Tucker hit a 52 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Ravens. In the second quarter the Ravens mounted a staggering 17 play, 59 yard drive that took over 8 1/2 minutes. John Harbaugh gambled on 4th and 1 from his own 44 and Lamar Jackson got the yard. On 3rd and goal at the one, Jackson threw incomplete. Harbaugh again went for it but on 4th and goal, a false start killed the try. Tucker hit a 25 yard field goal to make it 6-0. Ravens. The last 4 minutes of the half were insane. The Browns fumbled, but then Jackson was intercepted. McLaughlin hit a 46 yard field goal to get the Browns within 6-3. Jackson was then intercepted again. The Browns fumbled a second time and Jackson was intercepted a 3rd time. 5 turnovers in the final 3:14 of the half had both teams at a standstill.
After a touchback to start the third quarter, the Ravens soon faced 3rd and 6 at their own 35. Jackson hit Hollywood Brown for 7. On 3rd and 4 from their own 48, Jackson went deep to Mark Andrews for 39. On 3rd and 10 from the Cleveland 13, Jackson went to Andrews for the touchdown to cap the 10 play, 75 yard, 5 minute drive and give the Ravens a 13-3 lead. Late in the third quarter the Browns took over at their own 13. Mayfield went deep to Jarvis Landry for 38. Mayfield went to David Njoku for 8 and roughing the passer on the next play added 15. Mayfield went to nook for a 20 yard touchdown as the Browns only trailed 13-10 after three quarters. Jackson then went bombs away and was intercepted for the fourth time. Yet the defenses dug in. With 6 1/2 minutes left in regulation the Ravens moved from their own 24 on an 11 play drive that took nearly 5 1/2 minutes. Tucker nailed a 49 yard field goal to put the Ravens up by 6 with 1:10 to play. After a touchback, the Browns had a chance to win. Yet 3 incompletions later, it was now down to 4th and 10. The Ravens defense brought the house, and Mayfield’s completion to Njoku only gained 7 yards. This was a bare-fisted slobberknocker, as the Ravens defense carried them to 8-3 while the Browns at 6-6 are fighting for survival. 16-10 Ravens
Seattle Seahawks at Washington Stuffed Turduckens was the Monday night game. Early on the No-Names embarked on a 15 play, 68 yard drive that took 9 1/2 minutes off the clock. The drive bogged down at the 5 yard line. On 3rd and goal, Taylor heinicke hit JD McKissic for no gain. Joey Slye’s 23 yard field goal had the No-Names up 3-0. The Seahawks responded quickly. On 3rd and 1 from their own 34, Russell Wilson hit Tyler Lockett deep for 55 yards. On 3rd and 9 from the Washington 6, Wilson hit Greg Everett for the touchdown to make it 7-3 Seahawks. In the second quarter saw the No-Names move from their own 9 to the Seattle 41 before Heinicke was intercepted at the Seattle 11. Wilson went to Lockett for 39 and Alex Collins for 13, but Collins fumbled and the No-Names took over at their own 27.
Heinicke went to Logan Thomas for 14 and Gibson for 9. On 3rd and 1 from midfield, Gibson got the yard as the clock hit the 2 minute warning. On 3rd and 9 from the Seattle 48, Hence threw incomplete but defensive holding meant a new set of downs with 90 seconds left. Heinicke then went to Carter for 16 with roughing the passer adding 14 more. With one minute left in the half, Heinicke hit McKissic for the touchdown to make it 9-7 No-Names. Then came the chaos. The extra point was blocked and returned all the way the other way for a 2 point play. The No-Names had dominated statistically but not on the scoreboard. Rather than the No-Names leading, the game was tied 9-9 at the half. Making matters worse for the No-Names, Slye pulled a hamstring on the play and was lost for the rest of the game.
In the third quarter, the No-Names took over at their own 27. Heinicke hit Terry McLaurin for 20. On 3rd and 2 from the Seattle 45, Heinicke hit Carter for just enough. On 3rd and 1 from the Seattle 34, McKissic gained 3. Heinicke hit Gibson for 11 and Gibson ran for 10 more. Mckissic ran for the 10 yard score to finish the 11 play, 73 yard, 5 minute drive. After the touchdown, Riverboat Ron Rivera had nobody to kick the extra point. With Slye out, Rivera had to go for two. Gibson banged it in up the gut for a 17-9 No-Names lead. In the fourth quarter, the No-Names from their own 13 embarked on a staggering 16 play, 84 yard, 8 1/2 minute drive.
On 3rd and 12 from the Seattle 30, a completion from Heinicke to McKissic only gained 8. With 3 1/2 minutes left on 4th and 4 from the Seattle 22, a field goal of 40 yards would lock up the win. Yet Ron Rivera did not have a kicker. He had to go for it. Heinicke fired over the middle to Carter for 15. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Rivera took no chances. A run gained only 2 yards, and even worse, Gibson was driven out of bounds. With 2:25 left, Rivera again had to go for it. Under heavy pressure on 4th and goal from the 3, Heinicke fired over the middle to Thomas for the touchdown. However, on further review, the ball hit the ground for an incompletion.
The Seahawks had 2:19 to go 97 yards. On 3rd and 5 from their own 21 at the 2 minute warning, Wilson threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 19 yard gain. On the next play Wilson was sacked for an 11 yard loss. On 3rd and 6 from their own 44, Wilson hit DK Metcalf for 13 with one minute left. On 3rd and 6 from the Washington 39, Wilson hit a Dallas for 7 as the clock ticked down and kept running. Rather than spike the ball, Wilson calmly went to the line and fired over the middle to a wide open Swain for a 32 yard touchdown. With 15 seconds left, the 10 play, 97 yard drive had the Seahawks within a 2 point conversion of tying the game. Wilson fired over the middle in the end zone and appeared to have the completion. At the last moment, the ball was intercepted.
The No-Names celebrated, and did so too early. A perfectly executed onside kick was recovered by the Seahawks at their own 45. Yet this time the Seahawks celebrated too early. Pete Carroll watched helplessly as officials ruled the ball did not go 10 yards before being touched. The officials were wrong. It did. The Seahawk tried another onside kick from their 30 rather than their 35, but this one was recovered by the No-Names. Instead of getting a chance at a field goal and a shocking comeback, the Seahawks valiant effort went down to defeat as they dropped to 3-8. It was far from pretty, but the No-Names at 5-6 would be in the playoffs if the regular season ended today. It doesn’t, and they aren’t. However, they have won 3 straight and even teased that soon they will even have a team name announcement. 17-15 Stuffed Turduckens.