THE TYGRRRR EXPRESS

NFL 2023 Week 17 Recap

New York Jets at Cleveland Browns was the Thursday night game. The 10-5 Browns looked to take down the lowly Jets. The Browns began facing 3rd and 15 at their own 20. Joe Flacco went to David Njoku for 36. Ford ran for 10. Flacco went back to Njoku for 28. Flacco went to Ford for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Browns. After a touchback, Trevor Siemian went to Wilson for 22. Breece Hall ran for 26. On 3rd and 5 from the Cleveland 21, Siemian went to Hall for the touchdown and a 7-7 game. After a touchback, Ford ran for 16 and 11. On 3rd and 12 from midfield, Flacco went to Njoku for 43. Kareem Hunt ran for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 13-7 Browns. Riley Patterson missed the extra point. The Jets fumbled the ensuing kickoff but the Browns after recovering water the chance. On 4th and 4 from the Jets 6, Kevin Stefanski inexplicably went for it rather than take the easy field goal. Flacco threw incomplete. It didn’t matter/ Siemian was soon intercepted by Hickman, who returned the pick 30 yards for a defensive touchdown to make it 20-7 Browns. In the second quarter the Browns faced 3rd and 3 at their own 28. Flacco went to Moore for 24 and Akins for 28. On 3rd and 1 from the Jets 11, Flacco gained 3. On 3rd and goal at the 8, Flacco went to Moore for the touchdown to make it 27-7 Browns.

With 2 minutes left in the half, Flacco was intercepted by Johnson, who returned the pick 37 yards as 4th teams now had a defensive touchdown. The Jets were within 27-14, but not for long. After a touchback, Flacco went to Moore for 22 and to Ford for a 50 yard touchdown to make it 34-14 Browns with 1:25 left in the half. The Jets managed a field goal before the half but this game was not a contest. Zuerlein’s third quarter field goal try was blocked. Zuerlein hit from 44 to get the Jets within 34-20 with 9 minutes remaining in regulation. The Jets got it back with 5 1/2 minutes left but turned it over on downs in their own territory. Riley Patterson hit a 33 yard field goal with 3 minutes left to officially put the game on ice. The 11-5 Browns are marching toward the playoffs. 37-20 Browns

Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys was the Saturday night game. The 11-4 Lions had already clinched their division. They and the 10-5 Dallas Cowboys were now fighting over seeding as both teams had a shot at the top seed, home field advantage throughout the playoffs, and a first round bye. Both teams were unbeaten at home but quite mortal on the road. After an opening touchback, the Lions drove to a 1st and 10 at the Dallas 23. Jared Goff threw a pair of incompletions and a completion for no gain. Mike Badly hit the 41 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Lions. The Cowboys after a touchback moved to a 2nd and 4 at the Detroit 32. Dak Prescott threw incomplete and then was intercepted by Melifonwu, who returned the pick 24 yards to his own 43. The Lions moved to a 2nd and 4 at the Dallas 36. Then a run lost 4 yards and Goff was sacked to push the Lions out of field goal range. Then came a play for the ages. The Cowboys faced 3rd and 13 at their own 8 yard line. Prescott was nearly sacked in the end zone for a safety. He somehow escaped and heaved a desperation ball to a wide open CeeDee Lamb The defender fell down and Lamb coasted his way to a 92 yard touchdown and a 7-3 Cowboys lead. 

The scoreless second quarter saw both teams blow scoring opportunities. From the Dallas 38, Goff was the victim of a diving interception by Lewis. The Cowboys moved to a 1st and goal at the 5. Prescott went to Lamb for 4 but he fumbled the ball through the back of the end zone. Instead of 14-3, it was a touchback. The Lions from their own 20 moved to a 1st and goal at the 2. A run lost 3 yards, Goff threw incomplete, and another run gained only one yard. On 4th and goal at the 4, the decision to kick a field goal was obvious. Yet Dan Campbell decided to go for it. Campbell has been very aggressive on 4th down and gets a lot of things right, but this seemed to cross the line from bold to reckless. Good threw incomplete as the Lions again came away with nothing.

The Lions in the third quarter took over at their own 26. David Montgomery ran for 3, 22, 4 and 4. On 3rd and 2 from the Dallas 41, Gibbs got stopped for no gain. Campbell went for it again. On 4th and 2, Goff hit Sam LaPorta for 4 and again for 7. Gibbs ran for 9. Goff hit Reynolds for 13. Montgomery did the rest, running for 6, 2, and on 3rd and 2 from the Dallas 3, the touchdown. The 13 play, 74 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive had the Lions up 10-7. After a touchback the Cowboys moved to a 2nd and 8 at the Detroit 33. Prescott threw incomplete twice. Aubrey nailed a 51 yard field goal for a 10-10 game as the third quarter was ending. After a touchback, the Lions moved to a 3rd and 3 at the Dallas 7. Goff threw incomplete. Dan Campbell decided to go for it again but this time it was just brinksmanship. The Lions tried to get the Cowboys to jump offside, but the defense didn’t bite. Badly hit from 30 as the Lions led 13-10 with 12 minutes left in the game.

After a touchback, Prescott hit Lamb for 11 and 5. On 3rd and 5 from his own 41, Prescott went to Brandin Cooks for 21. Prescott hit Tolbert for 9. Tony Pollard ran for 10 and 6. Prescott went to Cooks for the 8 yard touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Cowboys led 17-13. The Lions appeared all but dead when Goff was intercepted in his own territory with only 2:05 to play. Yet the Lions got a break when an offensive tripping penalty pushed the Cowboys back to 1st and 25. The Lions got another break when Mike McCarthy kept passing and an incompletion stopped the clock and saved Detroit a timeout. On 3rd and 14, a completion gained only 8. The Lions took their last timeout with 1:45 left. The incompletion saved the Lions 45 seconds. Aubrey hit the 43 yard field goal and the Cowboys led 20-13, but the Lions were very much alive with a chance to win. Then came the finish that will be debated for months to come if not longer.

After a touchback with 1:41 left, Goff put on a passing clinic. He hit LaPorta for gains of 10 and 25. He hit Amra St. Brown for 14. On 3rd and 10 from the Dallas 26, Goff hit Laporta for 15. Goff went to St. Brown for the 11 yard touchdown. With 23 seconds left, the Lions were an extra point from tying the game and possibly forcing overtime. Instead, Dan Campbell was going for it all with the 2 point conversion. A brilliant play call on a tackle eligible was completed as the Lions celebrated their 21-20 lead. Yet officials through a flag and ruled that the tackle was not eligible because he failed to report. Campbell went ballistic, insisting that the player did report. The 2 points were taken off the board. This will be debated forever, but what happened next should not be. With the ball back at the 7 yard line, now the extra point to tie the game was the only sane move. Perhaps Campbell let his emotions get the better of him, but he went for 2 again. 

This time Goff threw incomplete but the Cowboys jumped offside. Now the ball was on the 3 1/2 yard line. Campbell had a 3rd chance to kick the extra point. Again, he went for it. This time Goff threw a pass in the flat that was low and dropped. Even had it been caught, the receiver would have been tackled well short of the end zone. It was a bitter defeat for the Lions, but both teams are 11-5. The Lions are still guaranteed at least one home playoff game while the Cowboys right now would be going on the road as a wildcard. Both teams still have an outside shot at home at the top seed. They could even meet in the playoffs, and in this case the game would be in Detroit. A rematch would be well worth watching. 20-19 Cowboys

Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens — The 12-3 Ravens with a win would clinch the top seed, home field throughout the playoffs, and a the first round bye. The 11-4 Dolphins with a win and a win next week would rule the AFC. The Ravens went on the road and thrashed top seed san Francisco last week. After a touchback, Tua Tagovailoa went to Achane for 23, to Tyreek Hill for 12, and to Alec Ingold for 18. Achane ran for 13. On 3rd and goal at the 8, Tagovailoa went to Wilson for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Dolphins. The Ravens soon faced 3rd and 16 at their own 19. Lamar Jackson hit Justice Hill for 18. Zee Flowers for 25, Bateman for 14, and Hill again for a 20 yard touchdown to make it 7-7. The Dolphins quickly moved from their own 27 to a 3rd and 6 at the Baltimore 8. Tagovailoa threw incomplete. Jason Sanders hit a 27 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Dolphins. In the second quarter the Ravens took over at their own 11. Gud Edwards ran for 4 and 6. Jackson hit Nelson Agholor for 14. Edwards gained 6 and 12. Jackson went to O’Del Beckham Jr. for 33 down to the one. Edwards got the last yard to make it 14-10 Ravens. The Dolphins moved from their own 31 to a 4th and 5 at the Baltimore 45. Mike McDaniel went for it and Tagovailoa hit Hill for 25. Yet the Dolphins got nothing else. Sanders hit from 38 as the Dolphins were only down 14-13 with 3 minutes left in the half. Then this heavyweight fight changed.

On the first play after a touchback, Jackson went bombs away to Zee Flowers for a 75 yard touchdown to make it 21-13 Ravens. An interception of Tagovailoa gave the Ravens a short field at the Miami 38 with 1:50 left in the half. On 4th and 7, John Harbaugh decided to go for it rather than have Justin Tucker try a very makable 53 yard field goal. Jackson went to Isaiah Likely for the first down and the 35 yard touchdown as the Ravens led 28-13. The Dolphins after a touchback raced to a 4th and 1 at the Baltimore 48 With 15 seconds left. Tagovailoa went to Hill for 7 but offensive pass interference instead meant 4th and 11. The Ravens broke the game open when Justice Hill returned the second half kickoff 78 yards to the Miami 18. Jackson hit Likely for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 35-13 Ravens. 

The Dolphins managed one more touchdown early in the fourth quarter but the Ravens just carpet-bombed them. A 3rd and goal at the 4 touchdown pass from Jackson to Ricard capped a 75 yard drive and made it 42-19 Ravens. The Dolphins turned it over on downs at their own 32. Melvin Gordon ran for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 49-19 Ravens. One play after a touchback the Dolphins fumbled and the Ravens took over at the Miami 8 yard line. Jackson was done for the day and backup Tyler Huntley came in. After moving backward on 3rd and goal at the 19, Huntley went to Kolar for the touchdown. The Ravens are the best team in football. In successive weeks they dismantled their closest competition in both conferences. The dolphins need to win next week to lock up their division. If they lose, they are a wildcard. The 13-3 Ravens locked up home field throughout the playoffs and the top seed first round bye. 56-19 Ravens

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills — The 9-6 Bills were looking to make the playoffs. Yet 12 seconds into the game the Patriots led 7-0 when Jalen Reagor returned the opening kickoff 98b yards for a touchdown. Yet when the Patriots got it back at their own 18, their first play from scrimmage saw Bailey Zappe get intercepted. The Bills took over at the New England 21 and wasted the opportunity. On 2nd and 6, Josh Allen threw incomplete. Tyler Bass hit the 35 yard field goal to get the Bills within 7-3. Zappe was intercepted again and the 10 yard return had the Bills with gift field position again Allen ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 10-7 Bills. The Patriots then fumbled the ball to give the Bills yet another short field at the New England 30. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Allen threw incomplete. Bass hit the 24 yard field goal. Despite recovering 3 first quarter turnovers, the Bills only led 13-7. That changed when Zappe threw his 3rd interception. The 4th New England turnover of the half was a killer as Douglas returned the pick 40 yards for a defensive touchdown and a 20-7 Bills lead. No word on whether Bill Belichick contemplated retirement right on the spot.

The Patriots soon faced 3rd and 6 at his own 29. Zappe hit Harris for just enough. Zappe connected with Harris again for a 48 yard gain. Zappe ran for a 17 yard touchdown as the Patriots only trailed 20-14. An interception of Allen gave the Patriots a chance to take the lead. They moved from their own 11 to a 4th and 7 at the Buffalo 29. Ryland 47 yard field goal try was no good. The third quarter began with the Bills facing 2nd and 14 at their own 21. Allen went to Gabriel Davis for 15. Allen then went deep to Kincaid for 51. On 3rd and 1 from the 4, Allen gained 2. Allen ran for the one yard touchdown to make it 27-14 Bills. The Patriots began the fourth quarter facing 3rd and 1 at their own 25. Ezekiel Elliott gained 6. Zappe went deep to Reagor for 39. Zappe hit Douglas for 17 with unnecessary roughness adding 7 more. Elliott ran for a 6 yard touchdown. With 11 minutes left in regulation the Patriots were right back in it down 6 points. With 5 minute left the Patriots punted on 4th and 2 at their own 11. With 3 1/2 minutes left on 3rd and 7 from the New England 46, Allen hit Shakir for 11. With 2:41 left on 3rd and 1 from the New England 26, Allen gained 3. At the 2 minute warning on 3rd and 3 from the New England 16, Allen gained 4. The Patriots never got the ball back. With the win, the 10-6 Bills have a showdown with Miami next week. If the Bills win, they win the AFC East. A loss could knock them out of the playoffs altogether. 27-21 Bills

Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears — The 7-8 Falcons actually had a chance to win their awful division but they were one game back. Early on Younghoe Koo missed a 50 yard field goal try for the Falcons. The Bears took over at their own 40 and Justin Fields hit Moore for 32. On 3rd and 9 from the Atlanta 27, Fields hit Johnson for 24. On 3rd and goal at the 7, Fields hit Moore for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Bears. Koo then had a 42 yard field goal try that doinked off the upright no good. The Bears soon faced 3rd and 7 at their own 35. Fields went deep to Moore for 32. Fields ran for 9. The second quarter began with Fields hitting Robert Tonyan for 10. Fields ran for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Bears. Yet one play and 14 seconds after a touchback, the Falcons were right back in it. Taylor Heinecke hit Tyler Allgeier on a swing pass, and Allgeier broke free down the sideline for a 75 yard touchdown to get the Falcons within 14-7. The Bears soon faced 3rd and 8 at their own 27. Fields went to Moore for 9. Khalil Herbert gained 12. Fields went to Scott for 16 and Tonyan for 24. On 4th and 1 from the Atlanta 3, Matt Eberflus went for it. Fields got the yard. Johnson ran for the 2 yard touchdown to make it 21-7 Bears. 

Cairo Santos missed a 55 yard field goal try on the last play of the half that would have extended the lead. Santos did hit from 22 in the third quarter to make it 24-7 Bears. Koo hit from 38 but Santo hit from 42 to have the bears up comfortably 27-10 after three quarters. The Falcons began the fourth quarter at their own 36. Robinson ran for 12 and 3. On 3rd and 7 just past midfield, Heinecke hit Jefferson for only 5 but defensive unnecessary roughness added 15 more. On 3rd and 5 from the Chicago 24, Heinecke ran for the touchdown to get the Falcons within 27-17 with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation. A 15 yard punt return would give the Bears a short field at the Atlanta 44. Santos hit from 42 to make it 30-17 Bears. An interception of Heinecke meant another short field at the Atlanta 41. Herbert ran for 2, then ripped off a 38 yard gain, and then got the final yard to complete the scoring. Heinecke threw in one more interception. Both teams are 7-9 but the Falcons still have an outside shot of winning their awful division next week. 37-17 Bears

Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts — The 7-8 Raiders and 8-7 Colts were both fighting for their playoff lives. The Colts were tied for the AFC South lead but did not hold the tie-breaker. The Raiders were coming off an emotional win at Kansas City where Aidan O’Connell completed 0 passes for 0 yards over the final 3 quarters. These teams met for the 6th straight year, with the road team winning the previous 5. The Colts made it look super easy early on. On 3rd and 5 from their own 30, Gardner Minshew went deep to Downs for a 50 yard gain. Jonathan Taylor did the rest, running for 5, 10, and the 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Colts less than 3 minutes into the game. After a touchback, to the surprise of everyone, O’Connell came out throwing. After a touchback, the Raiders drove to a 3rd and 9 at the Indianapolis 21. O’Connell threw incomplete. Daniel Carlson hit a 40 yard field goal to get the Raiders within 7-3. 

The defenses dug in for awhile and in the second quarter the Colts took over at their own 10. Minshew hit Pittman for 11 and Jonathan Taylor for 8. With 4 minutes left in the half of a tight game, the key play came with the Colts facing 3rd and 1 at their own 42. Minshew escaped the  pressure and went bombs away to Pierce for a 58 yard touchdown and a 14-3 Colts lead. After a third quarter touchback, the Raiders played power football. Zamir White ran for 4 and 6. Aidan O’Connell hit Davante Adams for 11. White gained 9. On 3rd and 1 from the Indianapolis 45, a run lost a yard. After taking a delay of game penalty, on 4th and 7 the Raiders punted, but a roughing the kicker penalty meant 15 yards and a new set of downs. O’Connell went to Austin Hooper for 8 and 13. On 3rd and 3 from the Indy 6, Bolden gained 4. On 3rd and goal at the 4, O’Connell went to Adams for the touchdown. The 15 play, 75 yard drive took 8 1/2 minutes off the clock. The Raiders were right back in it down 14-10. 

Yet the Raiders could not get the stops when necessary. Matt Gay nailed a 38 yard field goal late in the third quarter and a 33 yarder midway through the fourth quarter to make it 20-10 Colts. The Raiders after a touchback moved to a 2nd and 6 at the Indy 15 with 4 1/2 minutes left. Yet O’Connell threw incomplete twice. Needing 2 scores, Carlson hit a 33 yard field goal to get the Raiders within 20-13. Yet after a touchback, the Raiders could not get a defensive stop. On 3rd and 8 from their own 38, Minshew threw incomplete but defensive pass interference on Jack Jones meant a 26 yard gain. With 3:20 to play the Raiders took their last timeout on defense with the Colts facing 4th and 5 at the Raiders 31. Gay was coming in for a 50 yard try to ice the game. The kick was no good. The Raiders had life. Yet they didn’t. Jack Jones was the hero the past 2 weeks. This week he was the goat. He jumped offside on the field goal try. Now Gay had a second chance from 45 yards out. This time he was good. The Colts led 23-13. The Raiders eventually scored, but it took a 4th and goal at the one miracle catch by Adams from O’Connell with only 43 seconds left. The onside kick failed and the Raiders were out of miracles. The Colts at 9-7 are still alive for the playoffs. The 7-9 Raiders were eliminated in gut-wrenching fashion. 23-20 Colts

Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars — The 8-7 Jaguars came in having lost 4 straight. They were in a 3 way tie for their division lead and they held the tie-breaker. All they had to do was beat the worst team in the NFL. Sometimes a really bad team can go on the road and shock a better team. This was not that game. The Jaguars moved the ball up and down the field in the first half but could not reach the end zone. Brandon McManus hit field goals of 35 in the first quarter and 26 and 24 in the second quarter for a 9-0 Jaguars lead at halftime. In the third quarter, Travis Etienne broke free for a 62 yard touchdown run to make it 16-0 Jaguars. McManus hit his 4th field goal from 34 to make it 19-0 Jaguars. In the fourth quarter after the Panthers turned it over at their own 15, Etienne ran for a one yard touchdown. This is not why they play the games. The 9-7 Jaguars with a win next week win the NFC South. A loss could knock them out of the playoffs altogether. The Panthers are still on pace at 2-14 for the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but they already traded the pick away to Chicago. 26-0 Jaguars

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans — The 8-7 Texans were in the thick of the playoff race. They were tied atop their division but did not hold the tie-breaker. CJ Stroud returned from injury, sparking the team. The Texans moved from their own 32 to a 1st and goal at the 10. Stroud completed a pass for nothing and then threw incomplete twice. Kaimi Fairbairn hit a 28 yard field goal for a 3-0 Texans lead. The Texans got it back at their own 6 and soon faced 4th and 5 at their own 11. The Texans punted but a running into the kicker penalty meant 5 yards and the Texans keep the ball. The second quarter began with the Texans facing 2nd and 5 at their own 32. Singletary ran for 24. Collins ran for7 and caught a pass from Stroud for 10. On 3rd and 8 from the Tennessee 25, Stroud went to Collins for 13 and to Jordan for  12 yard touchdown to cap the 13 play, 94 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive and make it 10-0 Texans. After a touchback, disaster struck the Titans. Will Levis was sacked and fumbled. Rankin returned the fumble 13 yards for a defensive touchdown to make it 17-0 Texans. Levis was injured on the play as Ryan Tannehill came in for the second straight week. The Texans got it back at their own 36 and moved to a 3rd and 10 at the Tennessee 24. Stroud only gained 4. Fairbairn hit from 38 as the Texans were winning 20-0. Nick Folk managed a 53 yard field goal on the last play of the half but that is all the Titans got. The second half was a defensive slog. Fairbairn hit field goals of 27 in the third quarter and 51 in the fourth quarter. The 9-7 Texans with a win next week could make the playoffs . The division is in reach but they do not hold the tie-breaker. A loss next week could knock them out altogether. 26-3 Texans

Los Angeles Rams at New York Giants — The Rams started 3-6 but have gone 5-1 since and at 8-7 were very much alive in the playoff race. The Rams after a touchback moved to a 4th and 3 at the Giants 21. Sean McVay passed up a 39 yard field goal try to go for it. Matthew Stafford threw incomplete. The Rams got it back at their own 28. Stafford hit Williams for 5 and Robinson for 9. Stafford went to Tyler Higbee for 14. Williams ran for 10 and 8. Stafford went to Higbee for 18. Williams ran for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Rams. After a touchback, Tyrod Taylor hit Saquon Barkley for 6 and Barkley ran for 10. On 3rd and 4 from the Giants 47, Taylor went to Robinson for 7. The second quarter had the Rams facing 3rd and 6 at the Rams 42. Taylor went to Hyatt for 18. Robinson ran for a 24 yard touchdown to  make it 7-7. Stafford threw an interception but Brian Daboll went for it on 4th and 1 from his own 47 and Taylor fumbled the ball away.  

The Rams rook over at the Giants 46. Stafford went to Higbee and Williams for a pair of 9 yard gains. Stafford hit Nacua for 13. Stafford found Cooper Kupp for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Rams. Taylor was intercepted and the Rams fumbled the ball right back. The Giants took over at the Rams 43 with one minute left in the half. With 4 seconds left, a 45 yard field goal try by Mason Crosby was blocked. Yet a defensive leaping penalty gave Crosby another chance from 31. This time he was good as the Giants trailed 14-10 at the break. 

In the third quarter the Rams faced 3rd and 4 from their own 18. Stafford connected with Nacua on a short pass that went fo an 80 yard gain. On the next play Kyren Williams ran for a 2 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good as the Rams led 20-10. The Giants got it back and faced 3rd and 10 at their own 9. Taylor went o Darren Waller for 11. on the next play a short pass from Taylor to Darrius Slayton saw Slayton outrace everyone for an 80 yard touchdown. Another awful day for kickers saw another missed extra point as the Giants trailed 20-16. An interception of Stafford saw Belton return the pick 20 yards to the Rams 34. On 1st and goal at the 10 early in the fourth quarter, offensive holding killed the drive. Crosby hit a 32 yard field goal 90 seconds into the fourth quarter as the Giants trailed 20-19. 

The Rams after a touchback struck quickly. Stafford went to Robinson for 37. Williams ran for a 28 yard touchdown. Lucas Havrisisk missed his 2nd consecutive extra point on the day as the Rams led 26-19. The Giants after touchback moved to a 4th and 1 at the Rams 33 with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Brian Daboll went for it and a completion by Taylor lost a yard. With 3 1/2 minutes left the Rams punted on 4th and 17 from their own 36. The home crowd at Metlife Stadium exploded when Olszewski returned the punt 94 yards for a touchdown. In a game where neither kicker was able to make extra points, Daboll decided to go for the lead rather than the tie. Taylor threw incomplete and the Giants trailed by one. The Rams went 3 and out and the Giants got the ball back with 1:08 to play at their own 35. There was plenty of time to pull off the upset. Taylor ripped off a 31 yard gain to the Rams 34 and spiked the ball with 42 seconds left. Yet a run lost 2 yards and Taylor threw incomplete. With 34 seconds left, Crosby came in for the 54 yard field goal try to win it. Crosby was no good. As Paul Maguire said, “I hate kickers. They should be paid $50 per game.” The Rams survived to get to 9-7. With a win next week, they make the playoffs. With a loss, they are most likely out. 26-25 Rams

Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles — The Eagles barely survived last week to snap a 3 game losing streak. At 11-5 they still had a realistic chance at the top seed and home field throughout the playoffs. A win would put them in the driver’s seat to lock up their division with a win next week. All they had to do was beat the awful Cardinals at home. The Cardinals from their own 26 moved 64 yards in 14 plays and nearly 8 minutes. On 1st and goal at the 3, a run by Murray lost 9 yards to kill the drive. Matt Prater hit a 28 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Cardinals. After a touchback, Jalen Hurts went to AJ Brown for 16. On 3rd and 3 from their own 48, Hurts hit Dallas Goedert for 23. On 4th and 1 from the Arizona 20, Hurts gained 2 and the defense jumping offside added 5. Hurts hit Jones for a 12 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Eagles. The Cardinals moved from their own 33 in the second quarter to a 3rd and 7 at the Philadelphia 24. Murray went for it all and was intercepted by Brown. Brown then electrified the home Philadelphia crowd by returning the interception 99 yards the other way. The defensive touchdown made it 14-3 Eagles. 

The Cardinals after a touchback embarked on a mind-numbing drive that took 16 plays, went 59 yards, and consumed 10 minutes off the clock. Yet on 3rd and 7 from the Philadelphia 21, a false start killed the drive. Prater hit from 34 as the Cardinals trailed 14-6. After a touchback, the Eagles had 1:50 to work with. Hurts went to Smith for 8 and Brown for 9 and 10. On 3rd and 1 from the Arizona 39, Nick Sirianni went to the bag of tricks. Gainwell threw the halfback option to Smith for 17. Hurts then went to Jones for a 22 yard touchdown with 16 seconds left. The Eagles were winning a laugher 21-6 at the break. 

The Cardinals began the third quarter facing 3rd and 1 at their own 34. Conner had already run for 4 and 5 and now he got the 10th yard. Carter ripped off a 16 yard run. Murray hit Wilson for 11 and 6. Carter ran for 21 more. Murray hit Carter for a 6 yard touchdown. The 10 play, 75 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive had the Cardinals within 21-13. The Eagles went 3 and out and the Cardinals got it back at their own 23. Conner ran for 4. Then Conner ripped off a 22 yard gain. Murray went to Dortch for 12 and Wilson for 13. Conner ran for 7. Murray went to Conner for a 5 yard touchdown. Jonathan Gannon went for a 2 point conversion. Murray hit Wilson successfully. All of a sudden, this game was tied 21-21 after three quarters. 

After a touchback, Hurts ran for 9. Deandre Swift added 4, 16 and 10 to end the third quarter and 5 more to star the fourth quarter.   Swift added 6 and 3 more. On 3rd and 1 from the Arizona 16, Hurts got stopped short. Nick sirianni went for it and on 4th and 1 Hurts got the yard. On 3rd and 4 from the Arizona 9, Hurts went to Dallas Goedert for the touchdown. With 10 minutes left in regulation, the Eagles led 28-21. The Cardinals took over at their own 23. Defensive pass interference added 29. Carter ran for 3, 18 and 2. Murray added 14. On 4th and 4 from the Philly 5 after an incompletion, there was still 5 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Jonathan Gannon went for it. Murray hit Wilson for the touchdown and the game was tied 28-28.

In a shocking turn of events, Jonathan Gannon put new meaning into the phrase nothing left to lose. The Cardinals are one of the worst teams in the league, but this game was tied. Gannon tried a surprise onside kick that did not work. The Eagles took over at the Arizona 39. On 1st and 10 from the Arizona 20, offensive holding killed the drive. Jake Elliott hit a 43 yard field goal to give the Eagles the 31-28 with 2 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Cardinals took over at their own 30. Murray went to Moore for 12. Murray hit Dortch for 10 and again for 36. Conner ran for a 2 yard touchdown as the Cardinals and the 4 point lead in front of a shellshocked home crowd with 32 seconds left. After a touchback, the Eagles moved just shy of midfield with 14 seconds left. After Hurts threw deep incomplete, 7 seconds remained. Hurts’s Hail Mary reached the end zone and was intercepted. The Eagles with the loss are eliminated from the top seed. They fell back into a tie for the NFC East lead and they do not hold the tie-breaker. If they win next week and Dallas loses, the Eagles win the division and the first round bye most likely as the two seed. If the Eagles lose next week or Dallas wins, the Eagles drop all the way to the five seed wildcard. For the Cardinals, it was a stunner to build on. As ESPN uber-announcer Chris Berman reminds us: “THAT’s why they PLAY the GAMES!” 35-31 Cardinals 

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — The 7-8 Saints and 8-7 Buccaneers battled for the NFC South and playoff survival. The Buccaneers with a win would lock up the division. The Saints began at their own 27. Although Derek Carr started, on the second play Taysom Hill hit Johnson for 11. Aviv Kamara ran for 13. On 3rd and 7 from the Tampa 42, Carr went to Chris Olave for 11. Williams ran for 4 and 7. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Carr went to Johnson for the touchdown. The 14 play, 73 yard, 8 minute drive made it 7-0 Saints. In the second quarter the Saints took over at their own 40. Carr went to Johnson for 12 and to Foster Moreau for 13. On 3rd and 7 from the Tampa Bay 29, Carr hit Johnson for just enough. Carr went to Hill for a 22 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Saints. Dennis Allen’s defense unleashed for three quarters. Blake Grupe hit field goals of 45 to end the half and from 28 after a third quarter fumble to make it 20-0 Saints. The Buccaneers managed a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, but Grupe hit another field goal from 38 to make it 23-7 Saints with only 4 minutes left. The Buccaneers got another garbage touchdown with 1:37 left but the 2 point conversion try and onside kick both failed. Both teams are 8-8. If the Buccaneers win next week, they still win the division. If they lose and the Saints win, the Saints win the division. If both teams lose, 7-9 Atlanta with a losing record would win the 3 way tie-breaker and win the division. 23-13 Saints

San Francisco 49ers at Washington Commanders — Despite getting blown out last week at home by Baltimore, the 11-4 49ers with a win would lock up home field throughout the NFC playoffs. After an opening touchback, the 49ers moved to a 2nd and 6 at the Washington 15. A short pass lost 5 yards, killing the drive. Moody hit a 38 yard field goal to make it 10-0 49ers. The 49ers got it back at their own 37. Christian McCaffrey ran for 7 and Deebo Samuel added 10. On 3rd and 9 from the Washington 45, Brock Purdy went to Brandon Aiyuk for 17 and samuel for 16. McCaffrey ran for 10. Purdy hit Samuel for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 49ers. After a touchback, the Commanders moved to a 2nd and 8 at the San Francisco 28. A run lost a yard and Sam Howell then threw incomplete. Joey Slye hit a 47 yard field goal to get the Commanders within 10-3. The Commanders got it back at their own 16. Howell went to Terry McLaurin for 11. On 3rd and 2 from his own 40, Howell went deep to McLaurin for 42. Robinson gained 4, 8 and 3. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Howell went to McLaurin for the touchdown. With 4 1/2 minutes left in the half, the game was tied 10-10.

After that, reality set in. After a touchback, the 49ers moved to 1st and goal at the one. A run lost 3 yards and Purdy threw incomplete twice. Moody hit from 22 to end the half with the 49ers up 13-10. The second half belonged to the San Francisco defense. The 49ers in the third quarter took over at their own 17. Purdy hit McCaffrey for 10. Mitchell gained 7, 11 and 6. Purdy hit Aiyuk for 9 and Mitchell added 7. A defensive facemark added 15. On 3rd and 1 from the Washington 9, Mitchell ran for 4, 3 and the 2 yard touchdown. The 12 play, 83 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive made it 20-10 49ers. After a touchback, the Commanders moved to a 1st and goal at the 2 to start the fourth quarter. They were ready tog et right back in the game. Then Howell was intercepted by Ward. The 49ers took over at their own 5. Mitchell ran for 15 and 6. Purdy went to Kyle Juszczyk for 7 and 9. Purdy then went deep to Aiyuk for 38. On 3rd and 9 from the Washington 17, Purdy went to Aiyuk for the touchdown to lock up the win. The Commanders put up a fight, but the 49ers at 12-4 are the top seed in the NFC with home field advantage throughout the playoffs and a first round bye. 27-10 49ers

Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks — Both teams came in 8-7 and fighting for their playoff lives. The Steelers early on faced 3rd and 1 at their own 45. Mason Rudolph got stopped. Mike Tomlin went for it and this time Rudolph got the yard. Najee Harris ran for 8 and 5. Rudolph hit George Pickens for 10. Jaylen Warren ran for an 18 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Steelers. The Seahawks soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 32. Geno Smith hit Noah Fant for 7. The second quarter began with Smith hitting DK Metcalf for 33. Walker ran for 11 and again for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 7-7. After a touchback, Warren ran for 23. Rudolph went to Pickens for 37. Yet on 3rd and 8 at the Seattle 13, Rudolph was sacked. Chris Boswell hit from 39 to make it 10-7 Steelers. 

After a touchback, Smith hit Walker for 11 and Fant for 21. Walker ran for 7 and 9. Smith went to Metcalf for 21. On 3rd and 11 from the Pittsburgh 12, Smith went to Smith-Nigba for the touchdown and a 14-10 Seahawks lead. The Steelers soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 31. Rudolph went to Pat Freiermuth for 25. Harris ran for 23. On 3rd and 4 from the Seattle 15, Rudolph went to Johnson for 5. Harris ran for a 9 yard touchdown to put the Steelers up 17-14 with 1:36 left in the half. The Seahawks began the third quarter at their own 35 and moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Pittsburgh 24. Smith threw incomplete. Jason Myers hit from 43 as this well-played game was tied 17-17. 

The Steelers took over at their own 29. Rudolph went to Freiermuth for 14. Harris gained 5 and 7. Rudolph went to Johnson for 42. Harris ran for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 24-17 Steelers. The Seahakwd moved atom their own 14 to a 4th and 5 at the Pittsburgh 24 only 90 seconds into the fourth quarter. Myers hit the 42 yard field goal to get the Seahawks within 24-20. The Steelers moved from their own 27 to a 4th and 7 at the Seattle 8. Boswell hit from 26 to put the Steelers up 27-20 midway through the fourth quarter. One play after a touchback came the play of the game. Smith was sacked and fumbled. The Steelers took over at the Seattle 16. They settled for a 21 yard Boswell field goal, but the Steelers led 30-20 with only 4 1/2 minutes left. Needing 2 scores, the Seahawk moved to a 1st and goal at the 5. Yet Smith threw 3 straight incompletions. Pete Carroll opted for the field goal. Myers hit from 24 with 2:01 left. Yet the onside kick failed. At the 2 minute warning, Rudolph hit Pickens for 24. On 3rd and 7 from the Seattle 17, Harris gained 12 and slid to the ground as the Steelers ran out the clock. Both the 9-7 Steelers and 8-8 Seahawks need to win next week and get help to make the playoffs. 30-23 Steelers

Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs — For the last 2 years, this was the AFC Title Game. This time the 8-7 Bengals were fighting for playoff survival against a vulnerable 9-6 Chiefs team. After a touchback, the Bengals moved to a 4th and 7 at the Kansas City 16. Evan McPherson hit from 34 to make it 3-0 Bengals. After a touchback, Isaiah Pacheco ran for 9. Mahomes went to Rice for 18. Pacheco ran for 35. On 3rd and goal at the 8, Mahomes hit Pacheco for the touchdown to make it 7-3 Chiefs. The Bengals soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 33. Jake Browning went deep to JaMarr Chase for 24. The second quarter began with Browning hitting Sample for 11 and Joe Mixon for 10.  Browning hit Mixon for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 10-7 Bengals. The Chiefs soon faced 3rd and 7 at their own 28. Mahomes was sacked and fumbled. The Bengals recovered at the Kansas City 24. On 3rd and 2, Browning hit Hudson for 9. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Browning threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the one. On 3rd and goal, Browning got the yard for the touchdown with 6 1/2 minutes left in the half. For the second straight week, the Chiefs were losing at home by double digits by the exact same score as the Bengals led 17-7. 

Yet after that the entire rest of the game belonged to the Kansas City defense and kicker Harrison Butker. Butker hit from 54 and 43 in the second quarter to get the Chiefs within 17-13. The Bengals moved to a 4th and 1 at the Kansas City 6 midway through the third quarter. Zac Taylor went for it and Mixon got blasted for a 3 yard loss. Butker hit a 27 yard field goal to have the Chiefs within 17-16 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter Butker hit field goals of 24, 48 and 46. Butker’s 6 field goals had the Chiefs up by 8 with 3 minutes left in regulation. The Bengals after a touchback faced 4th and 18 at their own 32. Browning hit Boyd for 23. Yet consecutive sacks of Browning had the Bengals facing 3rd and 27 at their own 38 with 1:19 to play. Browning threw deep incomplete twice and the Chiefs survived. At 8-8, the Bengals after 2 consecutive trips to the AFC Title Game including one Super Bowl appearance were out of the playoffs. Browning played admirably, but he is not Joe Burrow. As for the Chiefs, nothing came easy this year. Yet they at 10-6 are locked into the three seed and an rest their players next week if they choose. The Chiefs hung on to win the AFC West for the 8th straight year, making Andy Reid a most happy walrus indeed. 25-17 Chiefs 

Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos — The 7-8 Broncos came into this game with slim playoff hopes against a Chargers team that was done for the year. Yet the controversial decision by Sean Payton to bench Russell Wilson for Jarrett Stidham sent shock waves through the Rocky Mountains. A hideous game became a battle of field goals. Wil Lutz hit from 32 in the first quarter for a 3-0 Broncos lead. Cameron Dicker hit from 36 in the second quarter to make it 3-3. The Broncos soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 33. McLaughlin gained 11. On 3rd and 8 from their own 46, Stidham threw a short pass that Humphrey took for a 54 yard touchdown. The Broncos led 10-3, but that was the game’s only touchdown. The Chargers gambled on 4th and 1 from their own 44 but fumbled the snap and the Broncos recovered. Lutz hit from 43 to make it 13–3 Broncos. On the last play of the half, Lutz missed from 48. In the third quarter Dicker hit from 50 to get the Chargers within 13-6. The Chargers got it back and fumbled the ball away as the Broncos took over at the Chargers 38 to start the fourth quarter. Despite reaching 1st and goal at the one, the Broncos got stopped and Payton was not in a gambling mood. Lutz hit from 20 to make it 16-6 Broncos with 11 minutes left in regulation. With 6 1/2 minutes left from 50 yards out, Dicker was no good. Dicker did hit from 52 to get the Chargers within 7, but by then only 1:17 remained. The onside kick failed as the game’s only touchdown was the difference. The 8-8 Broncos despite the win were eliminated from playoff contention based on other games. 16-9 Broncos

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings is the Sunday night game. Both teams came in 7-8 and fighting for their playoff lives. Yet with everything on the line, only one team showed up. The Packers moved from their own 20 and moved to a 2nd and 8 at the Minnesota 16. Jordan Love threw incomplete twice. Anders Carlson hit from 34 to make it 3-0 Packers. With Kirk Cousins injured and neither Joshua Dobbs or Nick Mullens getting it done, it was 4th string quarterback Hall who got the start. Hall was quickly intercepted to set up the Packers at the Minnesota 33. From that spot, Love went to Reed for the touchdown and the 10-0 Packers advantage. Greg Joseph did hit a 54 yard field goal for the Vikings in the second quarter, but the Packers after a touchback broke the game open. Love went to Reed for 15 and Kraft for 13. On 3rd and 1 from the Minnesota 24, Aaron Jones gained 8. Love ran for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 17-3 Packers with 4 minutes left in the half. With 30 seconds left in the half, Hall was sacked and fumbled. The Packers took over at the Minnesota 37.

Love went to Jayden Reed for a 25 yard touchdown with 8 seconds left in the half. The extra point was no good but the Packers led 23-3. The Bikings began the third quarter at their own 43 and moved to a 3rd and 3 at the Green Bay 8. A run lost a yard. Kevin O’Connell went for it on 4th and 4. Mullins, who took over after halftime for a floundering Hall, threw incomplete. From his own 10, Jones ran for 25. On 3rd and 8 from his own 37, Love went to Heath for 13. Love hit Kraft and Jones for 10 apiece. Love hit Melton for a 9 yard touchdown to cap the 90 yard drive and make it 30-3 Packers. An irrelevant fourth quarter saw the Vikings get a garbage touchdown and the Packers tack on one more field goal. The 8-8 Packers and 7-9 Vikings both need to win next week and get help to make the playoffs. 33-10 Packers

NFL 2023 Week 17 Prequel

This is when the big dogs come out.

Thursday, December 28, 2023, 8pm

New York Jets at Cleveland Browns (-7) — The 10-5 Browns have a serious defense. Joe Flacco is playing well enough. As bad as the Jets have been, their defense still shows up. The spread is a bit high given that factor and because the Browns do not blow teams out. Browns win but fail to cover

Saturday, December 30, 8pm

Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys (-6) — The 11-4 Lions take on the 10-5 Cowboys. Both teams are in the playoffs. Both teams are good at home and fairly ordinary on the road. Both offenses can move the ball. This is one where you should just take the home field. Cowboys win but fail to cover

Sunday, December 31, 1pm

Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens (-3) — The 11-4 Dolphins are at the 12-3 Ravens. The stakes are very simple. If the Ravens win, they get home field throughout the AFC playoffs and the coveted first round bye as the top seed. If the Dolphins win and then win next week, then they get the top seed and home field. Both Tua Tagovailoa are playing lights out. The Ravens have the better defense. As good as the Dolphins are, watching Baltimore go on the road and tear apart San Francisco tells the story. The Ravens are in Super Bowl mode. Ravens cover

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (-12) — The Bills at 9-6 are fighting to make the playoffs. Yet the Patriots despite their awful record have a good defense. The Patriots just went on the road and shocked Denver. They will not do the same to Buffalo, but the spread is too high given that New England for the most part has been losing close games. Bills win but fail to cover

Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears (-3) — Neither of these teams are good, but the Falcons are only one game back in the wretched NFC South. Losing to awful Carolina was a killer for them. The Bears have played a little better in recent weeks. With neither of these teams offering anything compelling, just take the home field. The Falcons have everything to play for, but they don’t seem to play like it. Bears cover

Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts (-3) — The Raiders are 7-8 and the Colts are 8-7. The Raiders went on the road and shocked Kansas City to keep their season alive. They even have a very slight chance of winning their division. The Colts are tied for their division lead but do not hold the tie-breaker. The Raiders defense has vasty improved. Antonio Pierce is the real deal. Forget the home field advantage. Both teams can pound the rock. Josh Jacobs, Zamir White and Jonathan Taylor are all beasts. The Raiders are playing inspired football at the right time. Gardner Minshew is far better than Aidan O’Connell. Go with the better defense. Upset special, Raiders win outright

Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars (-6 1/2) — The Jaguars have lost 4 straight but at 8-7 they hold their division tie-breaker. The Panthers are awful. This game is just the tonic the Jaguars need. The Carolina defense is not that bad, but the Jaguars should finally get their frustrations out. Jaguars cover

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans (-3 1/2) — The 8-7 Texans are tied for their division lead but they do not hold the tie-breaker. The Titans finally got Ryan Tannehill back last week after he missed most of the season injured. The Titans still have Derrick Henry and a tough defense. CJ Stroud is back at practice and should clear concussion protocol in time for the game He will make the difference. Texans win but fail to cover

Los Angeles Rams (-6 1/2) at New York Giants — The Rams started 3-6 but have gone 5-1 since to get to 8-7. The Giants went to Philadelphia and gave them all they could handle in a loss. The Tommy Devito story seems to have peaked, given that he was benched for Tyrod Taylor. As well as the Rams are playing, the spread is too high for a road team given that the Giants have been fighting hard and competing. Rams win but fail to cover

Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles (-9 1/2) — The 11-4 Eagles barely survived the lowly Giants at home after taking an early 17 point lead. They snapped their three game losing streak the hard way. Yet the Cardinals are awful. Yes, Kyler Murray can still play. He doesn’t have enough help to make this game competitive. The spread is high but the Philadelphia defense should handle things. If they win out, they win the NFC East. They are tied atop the conference but do not hold that tie-breaker. Nevertheless, with a possible stop seed in reach, they will be focused. Eagles cover

New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3) — The 7-8 Saints take on the 8-7 Buccaneers. If the Buccaneers win, they win the NFC South for the third straight year. If the Saints win their final two games and the Buccaneers lose both games, the Saints win the division. The Buccaneers started 4-7 but have won four straight games since. The Saints have the better defense. Derek Carr has been uneven while Baker Mayfield has come on this past month. The Saints have talent but have underachieved all year. Go with the hot team. Buccaneers cover

San Francisco 49ers (-13 1/2) at Washington Commanders — The 11-4 49ers will be an angry bunch after getting humiliated at home against Baltimore. Now they get to take out their frustrations on the lowly Commanders. Ron Rivera may be fired at the end of the year. He has just benched Sam Howell in favor of Jacoby Brissett. Brissett is a competent backup. If the 49ers win their last two games, they win the top seed in the conference with the first round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The 49ers are far superior but the spread is sky high. A garbage touchdown to beat the spread is possible. 49ers win but fail to cover

4pm

Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks (-3 1/2) — Both teams are 8-7 and fighting for their playoff lives. A loss would be close to fatal for both teams. The Seahawks showed heart and guts in marching 92 yards in the final two minutes to shock Philadelphia last week. The Steelers have lost three of four since Kenny Pickett went down. Mitchell Trubisky was awful, but when he was benched in favor of Mason Rudolph, the Steelers went into Cincinnati and surprisingly beat them up. Yet the Seahawks have the home field, and Geno Smith is no slouch. Neither is his backup Drew Lock if Smith goes down again. The Seahawks have more weapons at wide receiver. Go with the home field in a close one between two great coaches. Seahawks win but fail to cover

Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs (-7 1/2) — For the last two years, this has been the AFC Title Game. Now it is a battle for survival as the 9-6 Chiefs take on the 8-7 Bengals. The Chiefs were shocked at home last week by the Raiders. The Chiefs offense has been out of sync and Patrick Mahomes has not been getting help. The Bengals were humiliated at home by Pittsburgh, another surprise. With one more win, the Chiefs win the AFC West for the eighth straight year. Jake Browning has played well in place of the injured Joe Burrow. Both teams are wounded. Go with an angry Chiefs team at home, but it will not be a cakewalk. Chiefs win but fail to cover

Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos (-5 1/2) — The 7-8 Broncos lost a stunner at home to New England last week. The Broncos went on the road and easily beat up the Chargers. They should easily beat them again. If the Broncos win out and Kansas City loses their final two games, the Broncos would even win their division. Yet for some reason, with everything to play for, Sean Payton has benched Russell Wilson for the final two games. This would seem to signal the end of the Wilson experiment in Denver after one year. This seems to be the same suicide strategy the Raiders used last year with Derek Carr that destroyed their team. The Broncos will win this game without difficulty, and their backup quarterback is Jarrett Stidham, who ironically took over for the Raiders last year. Stidham is competent and the Chargers with their backup quarterback Eason stick are hopeless. Broncos cover

8pm

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (-2) — Both teams are 7-8 and fighting for their playoff lives. A loss would knock out either team. Both teams are one game back in the playoff race and need a win and some help. Nick Mullens had a rough game at home in a loss to Detroit, but Mullens is still better than Joshua Dobbs. Jordan Love is nothing special but he is not awful either. Mullens is better. The Vikings have Justin Jefferson, among the best wide receivers in the game. The Vikings have the home field, and over the decade that has matter a lot in this series. Vikings cover

NFL 2023 Week 16 Recap

New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams was the Thursday night game. Both teams came in 7-7 and fighting for playoff survival. The Rams took over in the first quarter at their own 5 yard line. Matthew Stafford went to Tyler Higbee for 22. On 3rd and 6 from their own 38, Stafford hit Cooper Kupp for 17, Robinson for 15, and Kupp again for 12. On 3rd and 8 from the New Orleans 11, Stafford threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 6 yards and an automatic first down On 3rd and goal at the 2, Stafford threw incomplete. Sean McVay gambled. On 4th and goal at the 2, Stafford hit Puka Nacua for the touchdown. The 14 play, 95 yard, 8 minute drive had the Rams up 7-0. After a touchback, the Saints moved to a 3rd and 5 at the Rams 39. Derek Carr threw incomplete. Rather than punt or try a 57 yard field goal, Dennis Allen went for it. Carr was sacked. The Rams took over in the second quarter at their own 48 and again moved to a 3rd and goal at the 2. Again Stafford threw incomplete. This time, McVay played it conservative. Havrisik hit the 20 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Rams. Later on in the quarter Havrisik missed from 47 yards out. 

The Saints took over at their own 37 and struck quickly. Carr went to Johnson for 20 and Shaheed for a 45 yard touchdown. With 2 1/2 minutes left in the half, the Saints were within 10-7 despite being totally outplayed. The Saints got it back at their own 35 and moved to a 3rd and 5 at the Rams 42. Again Carr threw incomplete. Again Dennis Allen went for it and again on 4th and 5 Carr threw incomplete. The Rams had 56 seconds to work with and that was enough time. Stafford went to Robinson for 32. Stafford hit Nacua for 11. On 3rd and 3 from the New Orleans 4, Stafford went to Robinson for the touchdown. With 20 seconds left, the Saints led 17-7. After a third quarter touchback, the Rams moved to a 3rd and 2 at the New orleans 3 yard line. Again, Stafford threw incomplete. Again,Sean McVay went conservative at home with the lead. Havrisik hit the 22 yarder to make it 20-7 Saints. After a touchback, the Saints moved to a 3rd and 6 at their own 46. Carr was intercepted by Fuller, who returned the pick 21 yards to the New Orleans 41. Nacua ran for 7. Williams ran for 10, 7, and the 10 yard touchdown to make it 27-7 Rams. After a touchback, the Saints moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Rams 34. Carr threw incomplete twice. Allen went for it and Carr threw a 3rd straight incompletion. The Rams moved to a 4th and 2 at the New Orleans 13. Yet again, McVay refused to gamble. Havriisk hit from 31 to make it 30-7 Rams early in the fourth quarter.

The story of this game was that Sean McVay kept settling for field goals but Dennis Allen kept turning it over on downs to give the Rams great field position, stressing out the New Orleans defense. Was Allen to aggressive or was McVay too conservative? The end of the game would tell. The Saints mounted a furious rally. After a touchback, Carr hit Alvin Kamara for 9 and Chris Olave for 14. On 3rd and 1 from the Rams 41, Williams gained 4. On 3rd and 6 from the Rams 33, Carr hit Johnson for 20. On 3rd and 2 from the Rams 5, this time Carr hit Johnson for the touchdown. With 6 1/2 minutes left to play, the Saints were within 30-14. The Saints got it back in a big way thanks to a partially blocked punt at the Rams 35. From that spot on 2nd and 10, Car went to Perry for the 35 yard touchdown. Carr went to Olave for the 2 point conversion. With a full 4 minutes left, the Saints were right back in it down by 8 points. The onside kick failed. Williams ran for 5 and Nacua added 9. With the Rams facing 3rd and 5 at the New Orleans 25, the Saints jumped into the neutral zone, extinguishing their final hopes for a comeback. Stafford took a couple of knees to ice it. After starting 3-6 and appearing all but dead, the Rams have quietly gone 5-1 down the stretch to get to 8-7 on the year. 30-22 Rams. 

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers was the Saturday afternoon game. The 8-6 Bengals have seen Jake Browning play brilliantly in place of the injured Joe Burrow. On the flip side, the Steelers have lost 3 straight dropping to 7-7 because Mitchell Trubisky has been awful in place of the injured Kenny Pickett. Mike Tomlin had seen enough. For this game, Trubisky was benched and replaced with longtime Steelers backup Mason Rudolph. It made sense to start Rudolph just in time for Christmas. The Steelers took over at their own 8 yard line. On their second play from scrimmage, Rudolph fired over the middle to George Pickens, who split the seams and outraced everyone for an 86 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Steelers. After a touchback, the Bengals moved to a 2nd and 9 at the Pittsburgh 16. After an incompletion, Browning went to the end zone and was intercepted by Patrick Peterson for a touchback. The Steelers moved easily. Harris gained 8. Rudolph went to Robinson for 12. On 3rd and 5 from their own 45, Rudolph went to Warren for 18 and Robinson for 14. Harris gained 13. The second quarter began with Austin running around the end for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Steelers. Browning was intercepted again by Rowe, who returned it 25 yards to the Cincinnati 14. Harris ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 21-0 Steelers. Chris Boswell tacked on a 50 yard field goal to end the half with the Steelers up 24-0. In the third quarter, Browning did connect with Tee Higgins for an 80 yard touchdown, but this game was never a contest. After a touchback, the Steelers put the game away. On 3rd and 1 from their own 34, Rudolph went to Pickens for a 66 yard touchdown to make it 31-8 Steelers. The Bengals managed a field goal on the last play of the third quarter, but Browning’s third interception in the fourth quarter led to a 30 yard Boswell field goal to complete the scoring. Both teams are 8-7 on the year. 34-11 Steelers

Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Chargers is the Saturday night game. The Chargers got blasted last week, giving up 63 points. Brandon Staley was finally fired. The interim coach is Giff Smith. Nobody loses close games like the Chargers. The 8-6 Bills were looking to continue staying alive in the playoff race. Early on the Chargers took over at their own 8 and moved 90 yards in 14 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Eason Stick threw incomplete. Cameron Dicker hit the 20 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Chargers. The Bills then fumbled a punt and the Chargers recovered at the Buffalo 27 to start the second quarter. Stick went to Everett for 15, 2, and 9. Stick got the last yard himself to make it 10-0 Chargers.

A field position game had the Bills taking over at their own 43. One play and 10 seconds later the Bills were within 10-7 as Josh Allen went deep to Gabriel Davis for the touchdown. The Bills got it back at their own 37 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the half. Allen hit Dawson Knox for 9 and Davis for 20. Cook ran for 8. Leonard Fournette added 5 and 9. Allen ran for a 2 yard touchdown with 38 seconds left in the half to make it 14-10 Bills. A third quarter interception of Allen gave the Chargers the ball at their own 42. They moved to a 3rd and 9 at the Buffalo 16. Stick was sacked. Dicker hit from 40 to get the Chargers within 14-13. The Bills soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 32. Allen hit Stefan Diggs for 4. On 3rd and 4 from their own 42, Allen hit Shakir for 16. and Davis deep for 36. On 3rd and goal at the one, Allen got in to make it 21-13 Bills after three quarters. 

The Chargers kept moving the ball in the fourth quarter but could not penetrate the end zone. Yet Dicker hit field goals of 47, 45 and 53 to make it 22-21 Chargers with 5 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The last of Dicker’s 5 field goals came after a Buffalo fumble. After a touchback, the Bills moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Chargers 28. Allen went to Shakir, who spun away and went in for the touchdown. Yet the officials ruled Shakir was down by contact after a 15 yard gain. The decision actually helped the Bills, because the Chargers were out of timeouts. Sean McDermott took no chances, calling 3 very safe runs up the middle to take the clock down. From 29 yards out, Tyler Bass was good to give the Bills the 2 point lead with 28 seconds remaining. From his own 30 with 0 timeouts, Stick was sacked. The hook and laterals ended up about 70 yards shy of the end zone. The 9-6 Bills survived as the Chargers lost another heartbreaker as they tend to do. 24-22 Bills

Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans — The 9-5 Browns took on the 8-6 Texans, who were without the injured J Stroud. The Browns exploded right out of the gate. A 36 yard kickoff return had the Browns starting at their own 41. Joe Flacco then went bombs away to Amari Cooper for a 53 yard gain. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Ford took the direct snap and got in the end zone for a 7-0 Browns lead. The Browns got the ball back in the second quarter at their own 10 and made it look easy. Ford ran for 5 and 10. Flacco then went bombs away again to Cooper for a 75 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Browns. Yet 13 seconds later, the Texans were on the board in a big way as Damion Pierce returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown to get the Texans within 14-7. 

A 34 yard punt would set up the Browns at midfield. On 3rd and 10, Flacco went to Moore for 18, Akins for 13, and David Njoku for a 21 yard touchdown. Kicker Dustin Hopkins left the game in the second quarter injured. For the rest of the game, Kevin Stefanski would go for 2 point conversions and fourth down conversions rather than field goals. On this 2 point try, Dorian Thompson-Robinson got in to make it 22-7 Browns. The Browns took over in the third quarter at their own 6 yard line. On 3rd and 1, Flacco hit Cooper for 8. On 3rd and 3 from his own 42, Flacco hit Kareem Hunt for 6  and Cooper for 19. On 4th and 8 from the Houston 30, Kevin Stefanski went for it Flacco hit Cooper for 13. Flacco hit Cooper for a 7 yard touchdown. The mind-numbing 19 play, 94 yard drive took 9 1/2 minutes off the clock. Another 2 point try failed but the Browns led 28-7. An interception of Case Keenum set up the Browns in the fourth quarter just shy of midfield. Flacco went to Cooper for 21. On 4th and 5 from the Houston 25, Flacco hit Tillman for 7. On 4th and 5 from the Houston 13, Flacco hit Cooper for 11. Hunt got in and Flacco hit Cooper for the 2 point conversion as the Browns led 36-7. The Texans got a couple of garbage touchdowns long after the game was decided. The Browns got to 10-5 and are in very strong playoff position. The 8-7 Texans are still alive. 36-22 Browns

Washington Commanders at New York Jets — Robert Saleh was given the dreaded vote of confidence from Jets owner Woody Johnson that he would be back next year. Meanwhile, Ron Rivera will most likely be fired. Neither of these coaches have a good quarterback to develop. In a battle of bad teams after a touchback, on the second play from scrimmage Sam Howell was intercepted. The Jets took over at the Washington 24. On 3rd and goal at the 7, Trevor Siemian threw incomplete. Greg Zuerlein hit the 25 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Jets. The Commanders then punted on 4th and 25 from their own 10 and the Jets blocked the punt. The Jets took over at the Washington 9. On 3rd and goal at the 8, Siemiean went to Brownlee for the touchdown to make it 10-0 Jets. A short 36 yard punt gave the jets a short field at the Washington 42. Two plays later Breece Hall ran for a 36 yard touchdown to make it 17-0 Jets less than 6 minutes into the game. In the second quarter the Commanders fumbled a punt return and the Jets took over at their own 47. The Jets moved to a 1st and goal at the 4 before a false start and 3 straight Siemian incompletions. Zuerlein hit from 27 to make it 20-0 Jets. 

The Commanders finally showed some life on defense. Siemian was sacked and fumbled to give the commanders gift field position at the Jets 12. One play later carlos Rodriguez ran it in to get the Commanders on the board. The Commanders forced a 3 and out but kept self-destructing. With the Jets punting on 4th and 3 from their own 36, the defense encroached and the Jets kept the ball. Siemian then went to Garrett Wilson for 15. and again for 9. Abanikanda ran for 4 and 7. Siemian went to Breece Hall for 15. Hall then made an acrobatic pivot as he was being forced out of bounds by 3 defenders, shifting the ball into his other hand and breaking the plane of the goal before his body landed out of bunds. The 11 play, 71 yard, 5 minute drive had the Jets up 27-7 with 1:35 left in the half. With 6 minutes left in the third quarter, an interception of Howell had the Jets at the Washington 22. One play later, the Jets had 1st and goal at the 6. Whether a touchdown and 34-7 or a field goal and 30-7, this game should have been over. 

Rather than grind out clock, Siemian was intercepted by Barton, who returned the pic 52 yards to the Jets 44. A horse collar tackle on the return added 15 yards to the Jets 29. This was the Jets Failure to Close Out, FC1. Sam Howell was on the bench and Jacoby Brissett was quarterbacking the Commanders the rest of the way. On 3rd and 4, Brissett hit Jahan Dotson for 10. On 3rd and 12 from the Jets 15, Brissett hit Thomas for the touchdown to get the Commanders within 27-14. The Commanders got the ball back and faced 4th and 1 at their own 32. Curtis Samuel gained 6. That was FCO 2. Brissett went to McLaurin for 29 and to Bates for 11. Defensive pass interference on an incompletion added 21 down to the one. Rodgriguez got the last yard to get the Commanders within 27-21 with 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Commanders got it back at their own 17. Defensive pass interference on an incompletion added 20 yards. Rodriguez gained 11 and 16. Brissett went to Dotson for 21 with a defensive facemask adding 9. Gibson gained 9. On 3rd and 1 from the Jets 2, Gibson got in for the touchdown. 21 unanswered points had the Commanders up 28-27.

This was an epic Jets collapse, but the Jets still had 5 minutes left in regulation. They went nowhere, but their defense got a key stop and the Jets got the ball back at their own 33 with 1:41 to play and one timeout needing only a field goal. On 3rd and 1, Hall gained 5. Siemian went to Hall for 14. With 5 seconds left, it was up to Greg “The Leg” Zuerlein. From 54 yards out, Zuerlein was good. In a season gone wrong, this was a rare bright spot for the Jets. As for the Commanders, that bright spot did not come. 30-28 Jets

Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans — The 7-7 Seahawks were fighting for playoff survival. Geno Smith was back from injury, sending Drew Lock back to the bench. After being out most of the year injured, Ryan Tannehill was finally back under center, sending backup Will Levis back to the bench. A field position game had the Seahawks punting from their own 5 and the Titans taking over at their own 43. Defensive unnecessary roughness added 15 yards. On 3rd and 2 from the Seattle 34, Spears gained 7. The second quarter began with the Titans at the Seattle 25. Tannehill went to Deandre Hopkins for 13. Mike Vrabel then went to the bag of tricks. Out of the shotgun, Derrick Henry threw the halfback option pass to Okonkwo for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Titans. The Seahawks moved from their own 30 to a 3rd and 4 at the Tennessee 10. Geno Smith threw incomplete. Jason Myers hit a 28 yard field goal to get the Seahawks on the board. After a touchback the Titans moved to a 4th and 8 at the Seattle 15. Nick Folk hit the 33 yard field goal to make it 10-3 Titans at the half. The Seahawks began the third quarter with excellent field position at their own 45 and moved to a 2nd and 8 at the Tennessee 9. Smith threw incomplete twice. Myers hit from 27 to get the Seahawks within 10-6. 

Late in the third quarter the Seahawks got the ball back at their own 4 yard line. Smith went to Smith-Nigba for 20. On 2nd and 14 a completion only gained 4 but defensive illegal contact meant 5 yards and an automatic first down. Defensive unnecessary roughness added 15. Smith went to Tyler Lockett for 21 as the fourth quarter began with the Seahawks facing 3rd and 3 at the Tennessee 24. Smith went to DK Metcalf for 12. Smith went back to Metcalf for an 11 yard touchdown to culminate the 10 play, 96 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive and make it 13-10 Seahawks with 12 minutes left in regulation. The Titans soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 32. Tannehill went to Spears for 4. Tannehill hit Burs for 13 and Spears for 11. On 4th and 1 from the Seattle 27, Mike Vrabel went for it and Spears gained 2. On 3rd and 11 from the Seattle 26, Tannehill threw incomplete but defensive passes interference added 15 yards. Derrick Hery ran for 6 and then for a 2 yard touchdown. With 3:20 to play, the Titans led 17-13. The Seahawks soon faced 3rd and 6 at their own 29. Smith went to Lockett for 7. On 3rd and 14 from their own 32 at the 2 minute warning, Smith went to Smith-Nigba for 18. Smith went to Lockett for 12. Defensive pass interference added 22 yards. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Smith went to Parkinson for the touchdown with one minute left. After a touchback the Titans got to midfield with 30 seconds left needing only a field goal to force overtime. Tannehill was sacked. Tannehill then inexplicably threw a 3 yard sideline pass that turned disastrous when the receiver didn’t get out of bounds as the clock ran out. For 2 straight weeks, the Seahawks overcame a 17-13 deficit late to pull out a heroic win. The Seahawks are 8-7 and alive in the playoff chase. 20-17 Seahawks.  

Indianapolis Colts at Atlanta Falcons — The 8-6 Colts and 6-8 Falcons were both alive for the playoffs because both teams play in a bad division. The Colts began facing 3rd and 11 at their own 24. Gardner Minshew went to Mallory for 18, to pierce for 7, and to Malory for 12. Jonathan Taylor ran for 6, 13 and 2. On 3rd and 8 from the Atlanta 14, defensive pass interference meant 13 yards. on 3rd and goal at the one, Taylor banged in for the touchdown to cap the 13 play, 75 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-0 Colts. The Falcons soon faced 3rd and 6 at their own 29 and struck quickly. Taylor Heinecke went to Milelr for 15. Robinson ran for 32. Heinecke went to Pitts for a 24 yard touchdown to make it 7-7. In the second quarter Younghoe Koo doinked a 49 yard field goal try off the upright no good. Yet a defensive penalty gave the Falcons a new set of downs. Koo hit from 23 and again from 47 to end the half with the Falcons up 13-7. After a third quarter touchback, Heinecke went to Robinson for 14. Cordarelle Patterson ran for 11, 6 and 6. Tyler Allgeier took a pitcher around the end for a 31 yard touchdown to make it 20-7 Falcons. 20 unanswered points had the Falcons in command. The Colts managed a third quarter field goal but nothing more. Koo hit fourth quarter field goals of 46, 35 and 25 to complete the scoring. The 7-8 Falcons and 8-7 Colts are alive for a playoff spot and even their division. 29-10 Falcons

Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers — The 6-8 Packers clung to playoff life against a Panthers team that last week won their second game of the year. From his own 20, Aaron Jones ran fro 10, 13, and 3 and then caught an 8 yard pass from Jordan Love. Love connected with Kraft for a 27 yard gain. Jones ran for 12. AJ Dillon got the last yard to make it 7-0 Packers. The Panthers moved from their own 31 to a 1st and 10 at the Green Bay 34. Bryce Young threw incomplete thrice. Eddie Pineiro hit a 52 yard field goal to get the Panthers on the board. The Packers got it back at their own 21. Jones ran for 29. Love went to Melton for 17. Melton ran for 7 more. On 3rd and 7 from the Carolina 10, Love hit Kraft hit for 8. On 3rd and goal at the one to start the second quarter, Love got in. The extra point was no good but the Packers led 13-3. 

The Panthers soon faced 3rd and 7 at their own 26. Young went to DJ Shark for 19. On 3rd and 5 from midfield, Young went to Adam Thielen for 17. Chuba Hubbard ran for 13. Smith-Marsette ran for a 20 yard touchdown to have the Panthers right back in it down 13-10. After a touchback the Packers moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Carolina 35. Love threw incomplete twice. Anders Carlson hit from 53 to make it 16-10 Packers. The Panthers rater a touchback moved to a 3rd and 2 at the Green Bay 38. Chuba Hubbard got stopped and interim coach Chris Tabor went for it. On 4th and 2, Hubbard got blasted for a 2 yard loss. Love went to Melton for 14. On 3rd and 1 from the Carolina 37, Jones gained 3. On 3rd and 10 from the Carolina 34, Love went to Melton for 11. On 3rd and 8 from the Carolina 21, Love went to Wicks for the touchdown to make it 23-10 Packers with 49 seconds left in the half. 

Early in the third quarter the Panthers faced 3rd and 1 at their own 37. Hubbard gained 3. On 4th and 1 from the Green Bay 38, Young gained 2. Roughing the passer 2 plays later added 15 more. Young ran for 9. Hubbard ran for 6, 1, and the 4 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good as the Panthers trailed 23-16. The Packers took over at their own 34. Love went to Romeo Doubs for 25. Jones ran for 10, 4, 4, and on 3rd and 2 from the Carolina 13, 6. The fourth quarter began with the Packers facing 3rd and goal at the 5. Love went to Doubs for the touchdown. The Packers led 30-16 and appeared to have put the game away.

A field position game had the Panthers taking over at their own 40 with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Young went to Thielen for 15 and to Tommy Tremble for 9. On 3rd and 1 from the Green Bay 36, Smith-Marsette gained 13. Offensivee unnecessary roughness moved the Packers back 15 yards, but it was after the play was over so it was still 1st and 10. On 3rd and 12 from the Green Bay 40, Young went to DJ Shark for 16. with defensive unsportsmanlike conduct adding 12 more. Young went to Chark for an 11 yard touchdown. Pineiro missed his 2nd extra point on the day and the third miss between both teams as the Panthers trailed 30-22 midway through the fourth quarter. The Panthers got it back with 6 minutes left and soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 38. Young went to Chark for 20 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15 more. Young then went to Thielen for 17 and Shark for a 10 yard touchdown. The 2 point conversion try saw Blackshear get in for a 30-30 tie with 4 minutes left.

The Packers soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 31. Love went deep to Doubs for a 36 yard gain. The Panthers unsuccessfully challenged the call, costing them a valuable timeout. Love went to Kraft for 20. The Panthers took their timeouts on defense. With 22 seconds left, Carlson came in for a 32 yard field goal try to give the Packers the lead. Carlson was good. After a touchback, the Panthers had 19 seconds left. Young quickly went o Chark and Thielen for a pair of 22 yard gains to the Green Bay 31, in range of the tying field goal to force overtime. Young raced everybody up to the line to spike the ball and stop the clock. The Panthers insisted they had one second left. Officials ruled the clock hit zeroes. The game was over. The Packers had survived and at 7-8 are still alive in the playoff race. 33-30 Packers 

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings — The 10-4 Lions looked to wrap up their first NFC North crown since 1993 while the 7-7 Vikings tried to stay alive in the playoffs. The Lions came in unabated 7-0 at home but only 3-4 on the road. Yet this game was indoors. After an opening touchback, Jared Goff went to Reynolds for 16. David Montgomery ran for 10. On 3rd and 5 from the Minnesota 43, Goff went to Amra St Brown for 14. On 3rd and 1 at the Minnesota 20, Montgomery gained 4. Goff went to Williams for 12. On 3rd and goal at the one, Montgomery ran it in to culminate a 14 play, 75 yard, 8 minute drive and make it 7-0 Lions. After a touchback, Nick Mullens went to Oliver for 33 yards, KJ Osborne for 14, Justin Jefferson for 8, and Osborn again for 14 more. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Mullens threw incomplete but defensive holding meant 2 yards and an automatic first down. Chandler got in for the 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-7. 

In the second quarter the Lions took over at their own 22. A sack and delay of game had the Lions facing 2nd and 26 at their own 34. Goff went to LaPorta for only 5 yards, but roughing the passer meant 15 yards and a new set of downs rather than 3rd and 21. On 3rd and 6 from the Minnesota 18, a sack of Goff and fumble was reversed to an incompletion. Mike Badgley hit a 37 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Lions. An interception of Mullens was returned 22 yards by Karl Joseph to the Minnesota 33. Gibbs ran for a 14 yard touchdown to make it 17-7 Lions with 1:48 left in the half. 

After a touchback, Mullens went to TJ Hockenson for 7 and Jefferson for 22. On 3rd and 19 from his own 45, Mullens went to Jefferson for 29. Mullens went deep again to Jefferson for a 26 yard touchdown. With 30 seconds left, the Vikings were within 17-14. The Vikings began the third quarter at their own 19. Mullens went deep to Hockenson for 24 and even deeper to Osborn for a 47 yard gain. Mullens went right back to Osborn for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 21-17 Vikings. 

After a touchback Goff went to Raymond for 18. Gibbs ran for 6 and 7. On 4th and 1 from the Minnesota 34, Dan Campbell went for it and Gibbs gained 18. On 4th and 1 from the Minnesota 7, Campbell went for it again and Goff gained 2. Goff hit St Brown for a one yard touchdown. The 13 play, 75 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive had the Lions up 23-21, but the extra point was blocked. The Lions got it back and faced 3rd and 4 at their own 23. Goff went to St. Brown for 25 and again for 15. On 3rd and 8 from the Minnesota 25 early in the fourth quarter, Goff went to Donovan Peoples-Jones for 11. On 3rd and 4 from the Minnesota 8, Goff hit Gibbs for 5. Gibbs ran for a 3 yard touchdown. The 14 play, 83 yard, 7 minute drive had the Lions up 30-21 with 11 minutes left in regulation. 

An interception Mullens appeared to end it, but the Minnesota defense held and got the ball back at their own 16 yard line. The Vikings moved to a 1st and goal at the 9. Mullens threw incomplete twice and on 3rd and goal gained only one yard. Greg Joseph hit the 26 yard field goal to get the Vikings within 6 with 5 1/2 minutes left. The Vikings got it back at their own 22 with 2:23 left. With 1:36 left the Vikings appeared dead facing 3rd and 27 from their own 16. Mullens threw a prayer to Jefferson between 2 defenders, and Jefferson somehow came down with a 28 yard reception. Jefferson initially appeared short, but officials did not bother to review the spot. Dan Campbell did not demand a booth review. Mullens then went to Powell for 26 yards. With one minute left the Vikings were at the Detroit 30. Mullens went for it all and was intercepted at the 6 yard line. The Vikings were game but fell to 7-8. A jubilant Campbell has an 11-4 squad. For the first time in 30 years, the Lions are NFC North Champions. 30-24 Lions

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — The 8-6 Jaguars came in having lost 3 straight as they faced the 7-7 Buccaneers. Both teams were very much alive in the postseason race due to playing in bad divisions. This game was never a contest. After an opening touchback, the Buccaneers moved 69 yards in 14 plays and 7 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Baker Mayfield threw incomplete. Chase McLaughlin hit a 24 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Buccaneers. An interception of Trevor Lawrence had the Buccaneers taking over at their own 44. Mayfield went to Mike Evans for 5 and 19. The second quarter began with Todd Bowles deciding to gamble on 4th and 2 at the Jacksonville 18. White gained 4. On 3rd and 6 from the Jacksonville 10, Mayfield gained 7. Mayfield hit Evans for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Buccaneers. Brandon McManus missed a 52 yard field goal try for the Jaguars. The resulting good field position led to McLaughlin hitting from 31 to make it 13-0 Buccaneers with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half. An interception of Lawrence gave the Buccaneers the ball back at their own 35 with 1:34 left. Mayfield went to White for 5, Chris Godwin for 6, and Evans for 11. On 3rd and 5 from the Jacksonville 38, Mayfield went to Evans for 16 and again for a 22 yard touchdown with 45 seconds left to make it 20-0 Buccaneers. The Jaguars fumbled on the third play of the third quarter as the Buccaneers had a short field at the Jacksonville 37. On 3rd and 6, Mayfield went to Palmer for just enough. Mayfield went to Durham for 25. White ran for the 2 yard touchdown to make it 27-0 Buccaneers. The Jaguars turned it over on downs and McLaughlin tacked on a 51 yard field goal to make it 30-0 Buccaneers. The Jaguars avoided a shutout with a garbage touchdown in the third quarter and another one in the fourth quarter. Both teams are 8-7 and alive for the playoffs and their horrendous division crowns, but the Jaguars have lost 4 straight. 30-12 Buccaneers

Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears — The Bears are bad but the Cardinals are worse. The Bears took over at their own 26. Justin Fields went deep to Cole Kmet for a 53 yard gain. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Fields was sacked but defensive holding instead meant 1st and goal at the 3. On the next play, Fields ran it in to make it 7-0 Bears. The Bears got it back at their own 10 yard line. Herbert gained 15 and Fields went to Kmet for 20. On 3rd and 3 from the Arizona 46, Fields went to Mooney for 6.  The Bears began the second quarter facing 3rd and 4 at the Arizona 34. Fields ran for 24. Herbert ran for an 11 yard touchdown to cap the 11 play, 90 yard, 6 minute drive and make it 14-0 Bears.  The Bears got ti back and faced 3rd and 2 at the Arizona 46. Johnson ran for 5 and 5 more. Fields went to Kmet for 29. O 3rd and goal at the one, Fields hit Marcedes Lewis for the touchdown. Midway through the second quarter, the Bears led 21-0. 

The Cardinals tried to put up a fight after a touchback. Kyler Murray went to Higgins for 12. Murray ran for 12 more. On 3rd and 6 from the Chicago 47. Murray hit Moore for 8. James Conner gained 16. On 3rd and 3 from the Chicago 16, Murray went to Conner for the touchdown to get the Cardinals within 21-7. Matt prater nailed a 55 yard field goal early in the third quarter to get the Cardinals within 21-10. Cairo Santos responded from 49 to put the Bears up 24-10 after three quarters. The Bears had a chance to ice the game early in the fourth quarter but Fields was intercepted for a touchback. Murray then went to Conner for 20. On 4th and 2 from the Chicago 48, Murray threw incomplete but defensive holding meant a 5 yard gain. On 3rd and 5 from the Chicago 38, Murray went to Greg Dortch for the touchdown. An unnecessary 2 point conversion try failed but the Cardinals were within 24-16 with 6 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Cardinals got it back at their own 9 with 4 1/2 minutes left and moved to a 2nd and 6 at their own 27 with 3 minutes left. Murray threw 3 straight incompletions. With one minute left, Santos hit a 29 yard field goal to lock up the win. The Bears are who we thought they were, but so are the Cardinals. 27-16 Bears

Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins — A pair of 10-4 teams put on a great game in a potential Super Bowl preview. After an opening touchback, the Cowboys moved 73 yards in 15 plays and 8 minutes. On 1st and goal at the one, Dak Prescott fumbled and the Dolphins recovered at their own 2. The Dolphins moved all the way to a 1st and 10 at the Dallas 36. A pair of Tua Tagovailoa incompletions were sandwiched around a run that lost 3 yards. Mike McDaniel went bold and Jason Sanders nailed a 57 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Dolphins. After a touchback, the Cowboys came back quickly. Prescott hit CeeDee Lamb for 22 and went deep to Lamb for a 49 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Cowboys. 

After a touchback, the Dolphins moved to a 1st and goal at the 3 in the second quarter. A pair of runs lost a couple yards. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Tagovailoa threw incomplete. This time McDaniel went for it rather than accept the gift 23 yard field goal try. On 4th and goal from the 5, Tagovailoa threw incomplete. The Dolphins got the ball back at their own 35 and moved to a 2nd and 4 at the Dallas 33. A run lost a yard and on 3rd and 5, Tagovailoa threw incomplete. Sanders hit another big field goal from 52 to get the Dolphins with 7-6. 

The Dolphins got it back at their own 29. Tagovailoa went to Smythe for 11. Tagovailoa went to Wilson for 15. Achane ran for 9. Tagovailoa went to Smythe for gains of 8 and 10. Tagovailoa hit Tyreek Hill for 9. Roughing the passer added 5 more yards. Tagovailoa hit Raheem Mostert for a 4 yard touchdown with 17 seconds left in the half for a 13-7 Dolphins lead.  The third quarter belonged to the field goal kickers. Sanders hit from 54 for the Dolphins. Aubrey hit from 43 for the Cowboys. Sanders hit from 35 for the Dolphins. Early in the fourth quarter Aubrey hit from 33 as the Cowboys trailed 19-13 with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation. 

The Cowboys got it back and faced 3rd and 6 at their own 35. Prescott went to Lamb for 14. On 4th and 2 from the Miami 43 with 8 1/2 minutes left, Mike McCarthy went for it and Prescott hit Lamb for 11. Prescott went tp Ferguson for 7 and Michael Gallup for 8. With 4 1/2 minutes left, the Cowboys faced 4th and goal at the 4. Kicking a field goal and playing defense would have been fine, but again McCarthy decided to go for it. Prescott threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 3 more yards and a first down. On 1st and goal at the one, Prescott was sacked. On 3rd and goal at the 8, Prescott went to Brandin Cooks for the touchdown. Aubrey hit the key extra point to culminate the staggering 17 play, 69 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive and have the Cowboys up 20-19 with 3 1/2 minutes left. 

After a touchback, a defensive facemask had the Dolphins on the move. At the 2 minute warning, the Dolphins had 3rd and 3 at the Dallas 33. Tagovailoa hit Hill for 10. On 3rd and 2 from the Dallas 15, Wilson gained 6. With the Cowboys out of timeouts, the Dolphins took the clock down. With 2 seconds left, Sanders came in for a 29 yard field goal try to win it. 30 years after Thanksgiving snow and Leon Lett, this final kick continued no drama. It was good. Sanders was 5 for 5. The 11-4 Dolphins lead their division by 2 games while the 10-5 Cowboys fell out of a first place tie in theirs. Both teams are in the playoffs. Both teams have an outside shot at home field throughout the playoffs. 22-20 Dolphins

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos was the Christmas Eve Sunday night game. The 7-7 Broncos were alive in the playoff race and needed only to beat the lowly New England Patriots at home. Both teams have good defenses, but Russell Wilson was not going to be outplayed by Bailey Zappe. After an opening touchback, Bailey Zappe on the very first play from scrimmage was sacked and fumbled. The Broncos recovered at the New England 6. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 2, Wilson threw incomplete. Sean Payton, On 4th and goal at the 2, a run gained only one yard. The Broncos got another break when Marvin Mims returned a punt 52 yards to set up the Broncos at the New England 25. Williams ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Broncos.

After a touchback, the Patriots moved to a 3rd and 7 at the Denver 17. A completion gained only 3 yards. Ryland hit a 33 yard field goal to get the Patriots on the board early in the second quarter. The defenses dug in and both kickers missed a field goal late in the half. Early in the third quarter the Patriots took over at their own 30. Zappe went deep to Douglas for a 41 yard gain. Zappe went to Douglas again for 13 more. Zappe went to Ezekiel Elliott for a 15 yard touchdown. Ryland doinked the extra point off the upright no good as the Patriots led 9-7. 

The Broncos eventually punted on 4th and 22 from their own 3 yard line to set the Patriots up with a short field at the Denver 42. Zappe went to savants Parker for 30. On 3rd and 9 from the Denver 11, Zappe went to Mike Gesicki for the touchdown and the 16-7 Patriots lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Mims fumbled it without being touched, picked it up, and had the ball stripped away again. The Patriots recovered in the end zone for a gift touchdown and a 23-7 Patriots lead in front of a shellshocked Denver home crowd. 23 unanswered points had the Patriots turning a slugfest into a blowout. 

Early in the fourth quarter, the Broncos took over at their own 17. Wilson went to Perine for 13. On 3rd and 1 from their own 39, Burton got stopped. In desperation mode, the Broncos had to gamble on 4th and 1. One defensive stop would end the game. Wilson gained 2. This was the Patriots FCO1. On the next play, Wilson went deep to Mims for a 47 yard gain. The ball clearly hit the ground but the issue was whether it moved. It appeared Mmis did not maintain complete control, but officials ruled it a catch and Bill Belichick lost the challenge and a timeout. On 3rd and 1 from the New England 3, Wilson went to Lucas Krull. Yet the Broncos still needed the 2 point conversion. Wilson hit Johnson successfully. With 8 1/2 minutes left, FCO2 had the Broncos within 23-15.

The Broncos got the ball back at their own 22 with 6 1/2 minutes left. Wilson went to Krull for 9 and Jerry Jeudy for 15. McLaughlin gained 11. On 3rd and 10 from the New England 04, Wilson went to Johnson for 13. On 3rd and 4 from the New England 21, Wilson went to Johnson for the touchdown. The Broncos still needed another 2 point conversion. Wilson hit William successfully. FCO3 had the game tied 23-23 with 3 minutes to play. The Broncos held on defense and got the ball with 1:42 left at their own 39 and all the momentum. A couple of first downs would give the Broncos a chance at the win. 

This time, New England’s defense got the stop. The Patriots took over at their own 19, but with only one minute left. On 3rd and 3 form their own 26, Zappe went deep to Parker for 27 yards. On 2nd and 5 from the Denver 42, Zappe went to Gesicki for only 4. Making matters worse, the clock was ticking. Zappe had to spoke the ball on 3rd and 1 to stop the clock. On 4th and 1 from the Denver 38, only 2 seconds remained. A field goal try would be 56 yards. With nothing to lose, Bill Belichick went with his kicker in the cold weather. Ryland leveled it. The stunned home crowd saw the Broncos fall to 7-8 and the brink of playoff elimination. Don’t count out the Evil Hoodie just yet. 26-23 Patriots

Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs is the Christmas Day Monday morning game. The 9-5 Chiefs looked to lock up the AFC West for the 8th straight year by knocking off the 6-8 Raiders. The Raiders had 11 days to prepare after scoring a franchise high 63 points in their last game. When asked what it would take for the Raiders to win, Antonio pierce replied that the Raiders have to take the Chiefs and “hit them in the mouth.” Yet without Josh Jacobs, it would be a tall order. The Raiders defense came ready to play. The Chiefs got the ball first and Patrick Mahomes was sacked on 2 of his first 3 plays. He fumbled the ball but got it back. The Chiefs punted and the Raiders fumbled it, but managed to hang on to it to avoid disaster. The Chiefs reached a 3rd and 8 at the Raiders 44, but Mahomes was sacked a third time. A great punt gave the Raiders the ball at their own 7 yard line. Zamir White ran for gains of 5 and 6 as power runs and short passes had the Raiders on a drive that lasted nearly 9 minutes. Yet the Raiders did not finish the drive. On 3rd and 5 from the Kansas City 7, a completion by Aidan O’Connell gained only one yard. After 15 plays and 87 yards, Daniel Carlson hit the 24 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Raiders.The Chiefs had 0 first downs and negative 18…yes minus 18…total yards.

The Chiefs began the second quarter facing 3rd and 15 from their own 20. Mahomes threw incomplete but defensive holding gave the Chiefs an automatic first down. Yet the Raiders defense held again. Unfortunately for them, the offense went nowhere. Rather than run the ball, 3 straight O’Connell incompletions saw him get knocked down on every play. The Chiefs offense was bound to wake up. On 3rd and 10 from his own 26, Mahomes hit Rice for 15 yards and the first Chiefs offensive first down. After over 18 minutes, the Chiefs had positive yardage. On 3rd and 3 from their own 48, Mahoems went to Rice for 5. Homes then threw a West Coast Offense dink and dunk pass to Travis Kelce that he took for a 24 yard gain. The Chiefs then lined up in the shotgun with Pacheco taking the snap instead of Mahomes. Pacheco faked the reverse and took it in himself for a 12 yard touchdown. The 10 play, 74 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive had the Chiefs up 7-3 midway through the second quarter. 

The Raiders offense did nothing, but the Raiders defense exploded in a manner that left the home crowd in shock and disbelief. It started by walrus Andy Reid getting too cute by half. He is one of the great play-callers, but in cold bad weather deep in your own territory, sometimes it makes sense to go basic. From his pwn 13, Reid tried the shotgun direct snap to Pacheco again. This time he was supposed to hand it to Mahomes instead of fake it. Mahomes fumbled the exchange from Pacheco. Brandon Nichols picked up the fumble and waltzed 8 yards into the end zone for a defensive touchdown. Normally reliable punter and holder AJ Cole fumbled the snap on the extra point. Carlson never got a chance to kick it as Cole kept it and got tackled. The Raiders led 9-7. On the next play after a touchback, Mahomes went to the sideline and Jack Jones for the second week in a row turned into Jack Squirek. Jones jumped the route and coasted 33 yards for another defensive touchdown. Jones had a pick six in 2 straight weeks and the Raiders had 2 defensive touchdowns in 7 seconds. Antonio Pierce went for a 2 point conversion and called a trick play of his own. O’Connell out of the shotgun faked like the snap went way over his head. Meanwhile the direct snap went to Brandon Bolden, who banged ahead and with a great second effort barely broke the plane of the goal for a 17-7 Raiders lead with 5 minutes left in the half. 

The Chiefs after a touchback moved to a 2nd and 5 at his own 48. Mahomes threw incomplete twice. The Raiders had all the momentum, but the Chiefs quickly took it back. Walrus Andy Reid gambled on a fake punt and punter Townsend through a completion to a sliding Watson at the sideline for a 11 yard gain as the clock hit the 2 minute warning. On 3rd and 10 from the Raiders 23, a completion gained only 5 yards. Harrison Butker came in for a 36 yard field goal try, having missed only one kick all year last week. His kick was wide no good as the home crowd booed the players. The Raiders in the third quarter had a chance to really put a dagger in, but after one first down they punted the ball. A good punt followed by a facemark penalty on the receiving team pinned the Chiefs at their own 9 yard line. On 3rd and 8, Mahomes scrambled but gained only 4 yards. Yet a horrendous defensive holding call gave the Chiefs a new set of downs. Walrus Andy Reid then decided to go for it on 4th and 1 at his own 30 after getting stopped on 3rd and 1. After taking a timeout, Reid still went for it and Mahomes gained 7. Yet on 4th and 5 from the Raiders 43 after an incompletion, Reid went for it again and Mahomes threw incomplete. With 5 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter, the Raiders could take control of the game if they had even an ounce of offense.  

They could not. After throwing his 7th straight incompletion, O’Connell was sacked. Yet the Raiders defense sacked Mahmes again and forced a 3 and out. A bad punt gave the Raiders a short field at the Kansas City 42. One first down meant long field goal range. A touchdown would be a dagger. The Raiders had to run the ball and grind the clock. There was no need to keep throwing the ball with a quarterback in O’Connell who was not completing passes. He was managing the game, and in this case that should have meant handing off the ball again and again. Antonio Pierce said at halftime that the way to finish the game was to take the Chiefs while they were down and “squeeze them by the throat.” Now he and his players had to back it up. The Raiders kept running the ball. Yet on 1st and 10 from the Kansas City 17, a run went nowhere. O’Connell then threw incomplete twice. O’Connell had 0 completions for 0 yards passing in the second and third quarters. Yet Carlson hit a 35 yard field goal as the Raiders led 20-7 after three quarters. 

As long as Mahomes is under center, the Chiefs have a chance. The Raiders defense had been brilliant for three quarters. The question as always would be if they could finish a game, especially a big one against the best competitor in the league. The Raiders had not delivered the dagger, which meant Mahomes needed only 2 touchdowns to win again. Mahomes quickly moved the Chiefs from their own 24 to a 1st and 10 just past midfield. Mahomes under heavy pressure rolled out and was intercepted by Moehring. The Raiders all celebrated but the turnover was ruled incomplete. Next time a defender celebrates, he should make d@mn sure he caught the ball. On 2nd and 17 from the Raiders 41, Mahomes went to Clyde Edwards-Helaire for what should have been no gain. Instead Edwards-Helaire broke through bad tackling for a 32 yard gain. On 2nd and goal at the 7, Mahomes threw incomplete twice. Walrus Andy Reid went for it. This up until now was the play of the game. Mahomes threw a fade that was perfectly defended and incomplete. with 10 minutes left in regulation, the Raiders needed an ounce of offense to grind out some first downs and the clock. They could not afford to go 3 and out and keep giving Mahomes more chances.

On 3rd and 5 from their own 12, a perfectly executed draw play allowed Amir Abdullah to gained 7 and a key first down. Yet on 3rd and 4 from his own 25, O’Connell threw incomplete. The dagger still had not been put in. The Chiefs took over with 6 minutes left at their own 31. Before the snap, the Raiders had 12 men on the defense. On 3rd and 1, Edwards-Helaire was blown up for a one yard loss. With 5 minutes left the Chiefs were down to their last gasp facing 4th and 2 at their own 39. Mahomes scrambled for 3 yards. On 2nd and 6 from their own 46, Mahomes should have been sacked but somehow shook off 2 guys and heaved a desperation ball downfield. James caught it for a 45 yard gain. On 3rd and goal at the 7, Mahomes again appeared to be taken down when somehow he escaped the grasped and fired a touchdown to Watson. With 2:42 to play, the Chiefs were right back in it down by 6 points. The Raiders had to try and win with a quarterback unable to complete a pass.

After a touchback, White ran for 6 as the Chiefs took their 2nd timeout on defense with 2:35 left. The Raiders had been trying to pound the ball all game. Finally, at the most critical possible moment, the Kansas City defense broke. White broke through tired tacklers for a 43 yard gain. The Chiefs took their final timeout but the Raiders were now in field goal range. White then broke off another 15 yard run as the clock hit the 2 minute warning. The Chiefs were out of timeouts. This game was over. O’Connell took 3 knees. Mahomes was not getting the ball back. Nobody in silver and black cared that some billionaire pop singer had her Christmas ruined. She’ll get over it. 

Mahomes was 17-0 in the month of December against AFC West rivals in his career. No more. The Chiefs had hosted the AFC Title Game 4 straight years. Not this year. Mahomes had played every playoff game at home. Not this year. The Chiefs still need only one more win to win the AFC West for the 8th straight year. If they lose their last 2 and the Raiders win their last 2, the Raiders win the division. In the first quarter, O’Connell was 9 for 11 for 62 yards. He had 0 completions on 10 attempts for 0 yards over the final three quarters. Yet he did not turn the ball over. Mahomes turned it over twice in catastrophic fashion and was also sacked 4 times. For the first time in over a decade, the Raiders have a defense. They have a real running game even without the injured Josh Jacobs. The Raiders ran the ball 29 times for 157 yards, led by White’s 145 yards on 22 carries, a 6.6 average. Running the ball and playing defense? This is called power football. This is smash mouth. This is Antonio Pierce football. Mark Davis can cancel his coaching search now. He has his man. Remove the interim tag and make pierce the full-time head coach immediately. It wasn’t pretty but it doesn’t have to be. Pierce backed up his tough talk. The Raiders hit the Chiefs in the mouth. Just win baby. 20-14 Raiders

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles was the Christmas Day Monday afternoon game. The Eagles started 10-1 but came in having lost 3 straight. With a win the eagles would still lead the NFC East by one game. Early in the game Covey returned a punt 54 yards for the Eagles to the Giants 13. Deandre Swift ran for 12. Hurts got the last yard for a one yard touchdown to Make it 7-0 Eagles. The Giants after a touchback moved to a 3rd and 7 at the Philadelphia 34. Danny Devito’s cousin Tommy thew incomplete. Mason Crosby, who was sitting at home a couple of days ago, nailed a 52 yard field goal to get the Giants on the board. The Eagles moved from their own 18 to a 2nd and goal at the 3. Swift appeared to make an acrobatic play for a touchdown, but he was ruled down by contact for a 2 yard loss. Hurts then threw incomplete. Jake Elliott hit a 28 yard field goal to start the second quarter for a 10-3 Eagles lead.

The Eagles got it back at their own 48. Hurts ran for 16. Hurts then went to Devanta Smith for a 35 yard touchdown to make it 17-3 Eagles. The Giants moved from their own 37 to a 4th and 1 at the Philadelphia 21. Brin Daboll went for it. sequin Barkley got the carry and got blasted for a 4 yard loss. After a touchback the Eagles moved to a 1st and goal at the 9 with 24 seconds left in the half. A sack of Hurts killed the drive. Elliott hit from 21 as the Eagles took a 20-3 lead to the locker rooms. Tyrod Taylor played the second half as Tommy Cutlets was sent to the bench.

The Giants desperately needed a break and got one when the Eagles fumbled the second half kickoff. The Giants recovered at the Philadelphia 14. Barkley ran for 5, 2, and on 3rd and 3, the 7 yard touchdown to get the Giants within 20-10. The Eagles moved from their own 6 yard line to a 1st and 10 at the Giants 18. An offensive illegal block above the waist moved the Eagles back. After an incompletion, 2nd and 20 brought disaster. On the last play of the third quarter, Hurts went to the sideline and Jackson jumped the route. Jackson returned the interception 78 yards for a defensive touchdown. A horse collar tackle on Hurts on the return allowed Brian Daboll to go for a 2 point conversion from the one yard line. Barkley got in as the Giants only trailed 20-18 after three quarters.

After a touchback to start the fourth quarter, Hurts hit AJ Brown for 11. On 3rd and 20 from their own 26 and the Giants preparing to get the ball back and take the lead, Hurts went deep to Brown for 32. Kenneth Gainwell then ran for 22. Hurts hit Brown for 12. Swift ran for a 5 yard touchdown to have the Eagles up 27-18 with 11 minutes left in regulation. The Giants after a touchback moved to a 3rd and 1 at the Philadelphia 42. Taylor threw incomplete. Brian Daboll went for it and Taylor threw incomplete. The Eagles moved to a 3rd and 6 at the Giants 26. Hurts threw incomplete Elliott hit a 44 yard field goal. With 6 minutes left the Eagles led 30-18.

After a touchback, the Giants struck back right away. Taylor went deep to Darrius Slayton for a 69 yard touchdown bomb. With 5 1/2 minutes left the Giants were right back in it down 30-25. After a touchback, the Eagles moved to a 1st and 10 at the Giants 27. A pair of runs went backward and a 3rd and 15 completion got only half the necessary yardage. Elliott nailed a 43 yard field goal. The Eagles led by 8 points. After a touchback, the Giants had 1:10 to work with and 0 timeouts. A rouging the passer call had the Giants at their own 40. On 3rd and 10, Taylor went to Darren Waller for 11. Taylor spiked the ball to stop the clock with 37 seconds left. On 4th and 7 from the Philadelphia 46 with 26 seconds left, Taylor went to Waller for 20 yards. Taylor spiked the ball with 3 seconds left. From the Philadelphia 26, Taylor scrambled around and fired to the end zone. He was intercepted and Ringo was his Name-O. Ringo immediately went down for a touchback.

The Giants were game, but the Eagles with far more difficulty than anticipated snapped their losing streak to get to 11-4 on the year. The Eagles have beaten the Giants 11 straight times at home. The Eagles are one game up in the NFC East and still alive for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. 33-25 Eagles

Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers was the Christmas Day Monday night game. This was not as big as the Harbowl, but it was the game of the year with a pair of 11-3 teams trying to win their respective conferences and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. After a Ravens punt, the 49ers moved from their own 11 to a 1st and 10 at the Baltimore 15. Brock Purdy went to the end zone and was intercepted by Hamilton. Hamilton should have stayed in the end zone for a touchback, but instead returned it to his own 8 yard line. From his own 20, Lamar Jackson scrambled all the way back into his own end zone. He tripped over an official who was in the way. in trying to get up and get rid of the ball, Jackson was called for intentional grounding in the end zone. He pleaded his case that the official messed up the play, but the call stood and the safety had the 49ers up 2-0. The 49ers took the free kick at their own 21 and moved to a 4th and 1 at the Baltimore 33. Kyle Shanahan went for it and Purdy was sacked for a 13 yard loss out of field goal range. Yet defensive holding instead gave the 49ers 5 yards and a new set of downs. That was the difference in Moody hitting a 45 yard field goal to make it 5-0 49ers.

After a touchback, the Ravens moved all the way to a 2nd and 5 at the San Francisco 9 yard line. Jackson was stopped for a 3 yard loss. Then on 3rd and 8 a completion gained only 2 yards. Justin Tucker hit a 28 yard field goal to get the Ravens within 5-3. The 49ers began the second quarter after a touchback with Purdy going to George Kittle for 20 and Deebo Samuel for 15. Yet Purdy was then intercepted for the 2nd time as the Ravens took over at their own 47. Jackson went to Bateman for 14 and Zee Flowers for gains of 6 and 10. On 3rd and 4 from the San Francisco 15, Jackson went to O’Dell Beckham Jr. for 5. On 3rd and goal at the 10, Jackson went to Isaiah Likely for 9. John Harbaugh went for it on 4th and goal at the one. Gus  Edwards got in for the game’s first touchdown to make it 10-5 Ravens. The 49ers soon faced 3rd and 5 from their own 30. Purdy was intercepted a 3rd time. Despite taking over at the San Francisco 20, the Ravens moved backward. Tucker hit from 41 to make it 13-5 Ravens. The 49ers soon faced 3rd and 1 at their own 42. Purdy gained 2. Christian McCaffrey ripped off a 39 yard gain. McCaffrey then ran for the 9 yard touchdown. Kyle Shanahan decided not to go for a 2 point conversion. Nevertheless, the 49ers were right back in it down 13-12. They seemed to have taken the Ravens best punch and looked ready to take over the game. 

Not even close. After a touchback, the Ravens moved to a 1st and 10 at the San Francisco 11 with 10 seconds left in the half. After Jackson threw incomplete, John Harbaugh took no chances. Tucker hit from 28 to put the Ravens up 16-12 at the midpoint. The 49ers went nowhere to start the third quarter. A key play came when Wallace returned the punt 23 yards to his own 41 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15 yards to the San Francisco 44. A short pass from Jackson to Edwards went for 39 yards. Jackson went to Nelson Agholor for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 23-12 Ravens. One play after a touchback, Purdy quickly threw his 4th interception. Patrick Queen returned the pick 21 yards to the San Francisco 9 yard line. One play and 3 seconds later, Jackson quickly fired to Flowers for another touchdown as the Ravens led 30-12. The 49ers went nowhere and the Ravens took over at their own 5. They moved 89 yards in 11 plays and nearly 7 minutes. On 3rd and g goal at the one. Jackson got stopped fr no gain. John Harbaugh decided not to gamble. Tucker hit his 4th field goal from 24 to make it 33-12 Ravens early in the fourth quarter. 

After a touchback, the 49ers quickly moved to a 2nd and 4 at the Baltimore 38. A 14 yard gain by McCaffrey was wiped out by offensive holding. The fourth quarter began with the 49ers going for it on 4th and 11. Purdy threw incomplete. The 49ers got it back at their own 10 yard line and moved to a 1st and 10 at the Baltimore 28. Purdy was sacked and left the game with a mild injury. Sam Darnold came in and finished the drive with a 12 yard touchdown to Bell. Down by 14, the 49ers got it back at their own 36 with 4 1/2 minutes left. They moved to a 3rd and goal at the one at the 2 minute warning. Darnold was then sacked for an 11 yard loss. After a false start meant 4th and goal at the 17, Darnold went to the end zone and was intercepted. The Baltimore defense had 5 interceptions on the night. This was a statement game. The 49ers fell to 11-4. They have already locked up their division but are now tied atop the conference. The hold the tie-breaker, so if they win their final 2 games they get the top NFC seed. The 12-3 Ravens with a win next week would lock up the top seed in the AFC and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. 33-19 Ravens

NFL 2023 Week 16 Prequel

This is when the big dogs come out!

Yes, I’m Jewish. Yes, my Christmas 2023 plans are set. God willing it will be a silver and black Christmas. At 10am Pacific time on December 25th, the Raiders are at the Kansas City Chiefs.

Out of respect for my fellow Christians everywhere, I am posting this today rather than on Christmas Eve or Day.

I hate the Chiefs. I hate their families. I hate their dogs and cats. My best t-shirt supplier is a Chiefs fan. Every time before the Raiders play the Chiefs, I fire him before the game and rehire him after the game. I really hate the Chiefs.
Raiders interim coach was asked what it would take for the Raiders to beat the Chiefs. His answer was perfect.

“Hit them in he mouth.”

He’s totally right. Now the players have to back it up.

This is not going to be easy. Arrowhead is one of the toughest stadiums to play in. 3 years ago, Derek Carr went blow for blow with Patrick Mahomes in Arrowhead and beat him.

I summoned up my inner Brian Billick: “The Kansas City Chiefs…the best team in football…maybe they are…but NOT TODAY!”

Last year Carr staked the Raiders to a 17-0 lead in Arrowhead. The Chiefs came back to lead 31-24. Carr drove the Raiders right down the field in the closing seconds and scored a touchdown. Sadly, the previous coach who’s name I will not mention went for the 2 point conversion rather than a tie and overtime. It was the right call but it didn’t work as the Raiders lost 31-30.

This year at home the Raiders at home led 14-0 but couldn’t finish the job. The Chiefs stormed back to win 31-17.
The Raiders have competed with the Chiefs. They are better, but we have a puncher’s chance to win. That’s what we need to do…hit them in the mouth.

If Taylor Swift steps on the field, hit her in the mouth as well.

If a priest or minister includes in his Christmas pregame prayer calls for a Chiefs victory, hit that priest or minister in the mouth as well.

In 1984, a Miami minister offered a pregame prayer where he asked God to deliver a Miami Dolphins victory over the Raiders. Retired Raiders linebacker Ted Hendricks slammed his own head into a locker and said, “That’s how you hit people! Now take no prisoners, and that goes for that minister as well!” The God Hendricks believed in didn’t give a flying fig about the Dolphins. The Dolphins went 14-2 that year. The Raiders thrashed them on that day 45-34.
Talk is cheap. Hit the Chiefs in the mouth. Win the d@mn game.

Peace on earth? Good will toward men? Not when it’s Kansas City. Not during the game. This is a big one.

(Dear nose-ringed, blue-haired Gen Z Facebook censors: In case you are too stupid to know, this is football hyperbole and not an actual call to violence. Most of you are emasculated beta males and hideous females who do not understand or appreciate football.)

Hit them in the mouth.

Thursday, December 21, 2023, 8pm

New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams (-4) — Both 7-7 teams are fighting for their playoff lives. The Rams have been better in recent weeks. They have the offense while the Saints have the defense. There really is no home field advantage in Los Angeles. Given the Rams offensive weapons, trust them to do just enough in a close game against a Saints team that has been inconsistent all years. Rams win but fail to cover

Saturday, December 23, 4:30pm

Cincinnati Bengals (-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers — The 8-6 Bengals and 7-7 Steelers are fighting for playoff survival. The Steelers have lost three straight games against inferior competition since Mitch Trubisky entered in place of the injured Kenny Pickett. Jake Browning has played well in place of the in injured Joe Burrow. The Bengals have more weapons. Home field rarely matters in AFC North street fights. This will be another barefisted slobberknocker. The Bengals have the better kicker and the better quarterback. The Steeles are spiraling downward. Bengals cover

8pm

Buffalo Bills (-12) at Los Angeles Chargers — The Bills are a good team. The Chargers went from being below average to being truly bad when Justin Herbert went out injured. The Chargers fell behind last week by 56 points, including a 42 point halftime deficit. Yet the long overdue firing of Brandon Staley could give the Chargers a temporary jolt. There is no home field advantage in Los Angeles. The Bills are better, but the spread is too high for an 8-6 road team against an angry bad team playing its first game after its worst game. Bills win but fail to cover

Sunday, December 24, 1pm

Cleveland Browns (-2 1/2) at Houston Texans — The 9-5 Browns and 8-6 Texans both have a legitimate chance at making the playoffs. Joe Flacco has found the fountain of youth, especially when throwing the deep ball. Both teams have good defenses. CJ Stroud is playing well. Yet this game is about the defenses. In a dog fight, trust the Dawg Pound in a year where the Browns are winning in 1980 Cardiac Kids style. Browns cover

Washington Commanders at New York Jets (-3) — Both teams are bad. The Jets have a good decent and an awful quarterback. In a game with no playoff implications, go with the defense and the home field. Jets cover

Seattle Seahawks (-2 1/2) at Tennessee Titans — The Seahawks won a thriller against Philadelphia on Monday night. Now they have a short week to play against a Tennessee team that is injury-riddled but plays hard. The Titans have the better defense. Drew Lock and Will Levis have played well in place of the injured Geno Smith and Ryan Tannehill. The Seahawks are primed for a letdown after such a huge emotional win. Upset special, Titans win outright

Indianapolis Colts at Atlanta Falcons (-1) — The 8-6 Colts have gotten solid play from backup Gardner Minshew. The Falcons just lost to previously one-win Carolina. Both of these teams are surprisingly very much alive in their dreadful divisions. The Falcons do not get the benefit of the doubt after last week. Jonathan Taylor, thumb injury and all, will run wild. Upset special, Colts win outright

Green Bay Packers (-4 1/2) at Carolina Panthers — In 1997, this was the NFC Title Game. Now it is a bad Packers team at 6-8 clinging to playoff life against the worst team in the NFL. The Panthers won their second game of the season last week. The spread is too high for an unimpressive road team against a bad team that competes hard. The Panthers have improved slightly since Interim Coach Chris Tabor took over for the fired Frank Reich. Upset special, Panthers win outright

Detroit Lions (-3 1/2) at Minnesota Vikings — The 10-4 Lions have all but wrapped up the NFC North division while the 7-7 Vikings are in survival mode. Yet the Lions are simply a different team on the road. The Lions are 7-0 at home and 3-4 on the road. The Vikings will be desperate. Nick Mullens is an upgrade over Joshua Dobbs. The Lions offense is unstoppable indoors. The Vikings play indoors. Go with the desperate team at home against the inconsistent road team. Upset special, Vikings win outright

4pm

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1) — Both teams are 8-6 but moving in different directions. The Jaguars have lost three straight games. Baker Mayfield has lifted the team. Trevor Lawrence has made uncharacteristic mistakes for him in recent weeks. The Buccaneers have more offensive weapons at wide receiver while the Jaguars have the edge at running back. Home field and weather are not factors. Go with the trend. Buccaneers cover

Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears (-4) — The Bears are who we thought they were. That never gets old. Yet the Cardinals are even worse. For their fans, that is very old. The Cardinals are improved since Kyler Murray returned. Justin Fields gets very little help. The Bears are not good enough to justify winning by more than a field goal. The Cardinals played San Francisco tough last week before wilting late. Bears win but fail to cover

Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins (-1 1/2) — 30 years ago last month, Leon Lett had his second blunder in nine months. His snowstorm fumble after a blocked field goal allowed the Dolphins to steal a win. This year both teams are very good. Both teams are 10-4 and legitimate Super Bowl contenders. The Dolphins have the better defense. Tua Tagovailoa throwing bombs to Tyreek Hill is virtually unstoppable. Dak Prescott has many weapons. Weather and home field will not be a factor.  Go with the better defense in what could be a shootout. Dolphins cover

8pm

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos (-6 1/2) — Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are long retired. Bill Belichick is hanging by a thread. Sean Payton has turned around the Broncos, but they got blasted last week at Detroit. At 7-7, the Broncos are barely alive for a playoff spot. The Patriots have a god defense, but the Broncos are angry and at home. Russell Wilson is much better than Bailey Zappe. Broncos cover

Monday, December 25, 1pm

Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (-10) — The Chiefs usually beat the Raiders, but the 6-8 Raiders make it tough. The last two times, the Chiefs overcame 17-0 and 14-0 deficits to win. The Raiders scored a franchise record 63 points last week, but that was at home. Arrowhead is a different animal. Patrick Mahomes is far better than Aidan O’Connell. Antonio Pierce has infused a new attitude to the Raider, but the 9-5 Chiefs have more talent. The spread is high. If the Raiders can run the ball, they can keep it close. The Chiefs will be enraged after losing at home to Buffalo on a controversial call, but the Raiders will be in desperate fighting mode. Chiefs win but fail to cover

4:30pm

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (-12) — The Eagles started 10-1 before losing three straight. They lost last Monday night at Seattle when their defense gave up a 92 yard drive in the final two minutes. The Giants have come to life in recent weeks under backup Tommy Devito, but they reverted back to being terrible in a lifeless loss at New Orleans. The spread is too high to trust an Eagles team in free fall. The Giants will not come close to winning this game, but they could get a garbage touchdown. Eagles win but fail to cover

8pm

Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers (-5 1/2) — The 2012 season brought us the Harbowl. John Harbaugh is still coaching Baltimore while his brother Jim might be returning to the NFL. Both of these teams are 11-3. Lamar Jackson is a dual threat. The 49ers have a nasty defense. The Ravens win by running the ball and playing defense. The 49ers have plenty of offensive weapons for Brock Purdy to throw to. Christian McCaffrey is running with power and purpose. The spread is a bit high, but the 49ers have more offensive firepower. 49ers win but fail to cover

NFL 2023 Week 15 Recap

This is when the big dogs come out!

Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders was the Thursday night game. Both teams came in 5-8 and pretty much done for the year. The Chargers won earlier this season 24-17 when Khalil Mack had 6 sacks in one game against his former team. The Raiders lost a pathetic game last week 3-0. The defense improved but the offense was horrendous. The Raiders were supposed to get swept by the Chargers, but last week Justin Herbert suffered an injured finger and is out for the rest of the year. His backup Eason Stick started this game. Josh Jacobs was also out with a sore knee. Both teams played this game without the heart and soul of their team. What transpired in this game was so unbelievable that even those who saw it had to rub their eyes in shock and disbelief. 

The Raiders faced 3rd and 2 at their own 40 early in the game. Amir Abdullah gained 6. On 3rd and 3 from the Chargers 47, Abdullah gained 5. Aidan O’Connell then went to Davante Adams for 24 yards. On 3rd and 10 from the Chargers 14, O’Connell hit Michael Mayer for 13 down to the one. Zamir White got the last yard to cap the 12 play, 68 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-0 Raiders. The Chargers took over at their own 21 and moved to their own 48. Stick was sacked by Malcolm Koonce and fumbled. The Raiders took over at the Chargers 42. On 3rd and 8, O’Connell went to Mayer for 10. O’Connell then went to Tre Tucker for a 30 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Raiders. One play after a touchback, the Chargers fumbled the ball away again. The Raiders had another short field at the Chargers 31. On 3rd and 1, O’Connell went to Jakobi Meyers for a 22 yard touchdown to make it 21-0 Raiders.

In the second quarter the Chargers fumbled a punt and the Raiders took over at the Chargers 14. D Turner just ripped the ball out of the return man’s hands and kept it. Two plays later O’Connell hit Mayer for an 11 yard touchdown to make it 28-0 Raiders. The Raiders got the ball back and kept rolling. On 3rd and 2 from their own 43, O’Connell went to Adams for 24 and 9. On 3rd and 3 from the Chargers 26, Bolden took the direct snap and got around the end for the first down and the touchdown. With 4 minutes left in the half, the Raiders led 35-0. After a touchback, the Chargers Austin Ekeler got stopped on 3rd and 1 just shy of midfield. Brandon Staley went for it at the 2 minute warning and Ekeler got stopped again. Another short field had O’Connell hitting Adams for 9 and White for 6. On 3rd and 1 from the Chargers 25, Abdullah gained 5. O’Connell went to Tucker for a 20 yard touchdown. The Raiders were up 42-0 and absolutely obliterating the Chargers, and there was still 30 seconds left in the first half. 

After a third quarter touchback, O’Connell went to Adams for 18. White ran for 15. On 3rd and 10 from the Chargers 38, a run only gained 5. Yet a defensive facemark added 15 yards. O’Connell hit Meyers for 10. Up by 42, Antonio Pierce pulled out all the stops. O’Connell threw 4 touchdown passes in the first half. This time it was Meyers who threw the 3 yard halfback option pass to Adams for another touchdown to make it 49-0 

Raiders. At this point the Raiders had outgained the Chargers 344 to 89. 

One play later, the Chargers avoided the shutout. Stick went to Joshua Palmer for a 79 yard touchdown to get the Chargers on the board. The Chargers even got the ball back and moved from their own 20 to a 1st and 10 at the Raiders 46. Yet Stick then got stuck, and hard. Koonce belted him, and big John Jenkins picked up the resulting fumble and with a convoy rumbled 44 yards for a defensive touchdown. The score on the last play of the third quarter had the Raiders up 56-7. Only 30 seconds later on the 3rd play of the fourth quarter, the Raiders were in the end zone again. Stick threw a West Coast Offense dink and dunk pass and Jack Jones turned into Jack Squirek. Jones returned the one-handed interception 16 yards for another defensive touchdown. With most of the entire fourth quarter remaining, the Raiders led 63-7. 

The most points ever scored by one team in an NFL game came in the 1940 NFL Title Game when the Chicago Bears walloped the Washington Redskins 73-0. The regular season record came in 1966 when the Redskins beat the Giants 72-41. Earlier this season, the Miami Dolphins belted the Denver Broncos 70-20. The 63 points were already a Raiders franchise record for points. Now they had a chance to make NFL history. They would fall short, as the remaining two touchdowns were garbage scores by the Chargers. 8 different Raiders scored a touchdown, a feat not seen since the 1950 Rams. 5 turnovers doomed the Chargers. The Raiders probably would have scored more, but once the United Nations found out Mark Davis is Jewish, it was inevitable that the Raiders would face demands for a ceasefire. One can be forgiven for thinking the 63 number was an inflated fiction of the Gaza Health ministry. The Raiders scored 9 touchdowns, but in defeat the Chargers got a measure of consolation. The Friday after the game, Brandon Staley was fired. He and Josh McDaniels are now both gone, ending the AFC West Nakba. 63-21 Raiders

Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals was the Saturday morning game. Both teams came in 7-6. After an opening touchback, the Bengals moved to a 3rd and 1 at the Minnesota 12. Rather than run or have Jake Browning throw a pass, it was Hudson getting the ball and losing 4 yards. Evan McPherson hit a 34 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Bengals. The Vikings soon faced 3rd and 1 at their own 34. Nick Mullens gained 2. Mullins hit Justin Jefferson for 17.Chandler gained 7 and 4. On 3rd and 1 from the Cincinnati 17, Mullins went to Chandler for 16 down to the one. Chandler got the last yard to cap the 12 play, 75 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-3 Vikings. 

The second quarter was scoreless as Mullens was intercepted twice. The Vikings bang the third quarter at their own 8 yard line. Chandler gained 24 and 3. Mullens hit Jefferson hit 12 and Jordan Addison for 10. Mullens went to Addison again for a 37 yard  touchdown to make it 14-3 Vikings. A third quarter interception of Browning gave the Vikings the ball at their own 33. They moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Cincinnati 21. Mullens threw incomplete. Greg Joseph hit a 39 yard field goal to make it 17-3 Vikings with 4 minutes left in the third quarter. 

The Bengals after a touchback soon faced 3rd and 1 at their own 34. Browning hit Hudson for 7 and 14, Smith for 14 more, and JaMarr Chase for 16. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Browning hit Tee Higgins for a 13 yard touchdown to get the Bengals within 17-10. The Bengals got it back at their own 37, Browning went to Joe Mixon for 7. Mixon then ran for 10. Browning went to Tee Higgins for 14. On 3rd and 21 from the Minnesota 43, Browning went to 24 and to Wilcox for 10. On 3rd and goal at the one, Browning kept the ball and got stopped. On 4th and goal at the one, Mixon got in. The 11 play, 63 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive tied the game 17-17 midway through the fourth quarter. 

After a touchback, Mullens went to Jefferson for 19. Mullens was intercepted by Pratt, who returned it 41 yards for a defensive touchdown. Yet the defense jumped offside and the Vikings kept the ball. Chandler gained. Mullens went to Addison for 9. Chandler ran for 4 and 30 down to the one. Mullens went to Addison for the touchdown. The Vikings led 24-17 with 4 minutes left. After a touchback, Browning went to Hudson for 13 and to Boyd for 9. Browning went to Higgins for 13  On 3rd and 2 from the Minnesota 26, Browning went to Iosivas for 5. Browning went to Higgins for a 2 1yard touchdown to tie the game 24-24 with 40 seconds left in regulation.

 In overtime, the Bengals punted and the Vikings faced 3rd and 1 at the Cincinnati 42. Mullens kept it and got stopped stone cold. Kevin O’Connell went for it on 4th and inches. Mullens tried a second tush push and again got stopped. The key play came midway through overtime. The Bengals faced 3rd and 9 at their own 43. Browning went deep to Boyd, who broke a couple tackles and bulldozed his way for a 44 yard gain. On 3rd and 8 from the Minnesota 11, Zac Taylor brought in Evan McPherson for a 29 yard field goal to win the game. McPherson was good, as the Bengals beat t he Vikings by the exact same score as they did when these teams last met. 27—24 Bengals, OT

Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts was the Saturday afternoon game. Both teams came in 7-6 but moving in different directions. The Colts had won 4 of their last 5 while the Steelers dropped consecutive home games to two of the worst teams in the league. Gardner Minshew has played well enough for the Colts while Mitchell Trubisky has not played well in place of the injured Kenny Pickett. Midway through the first quarter Matt Gay missed a 56 yard field goal try for the Colts. The Steelers soon faced 3rd and 3 from the Indianapolis 47. Trubisky hit Pat Freiermuth for 5. On 3rd and 6 from the Indianapolis 38, Trubisky hit George Pickens for a pair of 15 yard gains. On 3rd and goal at the one, Trubisky got stopped. Mike Tomlin went for it. On 4th and goal at the one, Trubisky kept it himself again and this time got in. The extra point was no good but the Steelers led 6-0. The Colts then punted and the Steelers blocked the punt. The Steelers eventually recovered the ball at the Indy one yard line. After a loss, the Steelers began the second quarter with Trubisky hitting Johnson for a 4 yard touchdown. The Steelers led 13-0. 

After a touchback, Minshew hit Pittman for 21. On 3rd and 5 just past midfield, MInshew went deep to Pittman for 42. On 2nd and goal at the 16, Minshew went to Moss for the touchdown to get the Colts within 13-7. An interception of Trubisky had the Colts moving from their own 29 to a 3rd and goal at the one. Minshew threw incomplete. Shane Steichen went for it. On 4th and goal at the one, Minshew threw incomplete again. The Colts got the ball at their own 26 with 44 seconds left in the half. Steichen went aggressive and Minshew went deep to David Montgomery for 34. Defensive pass interference added 26 more. Mnishew went to Montgomery for a 14 yard touchdown. With 22 seconds left in the half, the Colts had the 14-13 lead. 

The key play came early in the third quarter. The Steelers from their own 10 saw Najee Harris cough up the football. The Colts recovered at the Pittsburgh 18. One play and 6 seconds later, Minshew hit Mo Alie-Cox for the touchdown and the 21-13 Colts lead. the final 28 minutes belonged to the Colts defense and kicker Gay. He hit from 29 in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter Gay hit from 31, doinked a 43 yarder off the upright no good, and hit from 42 with 48 seconds to play. The Steelers offense was shut out for the final 44 minutes, and their second touchdown was really a special teams score. 30 unanswered points have the Colts in a string position for a playoff spot and the Steelers spiraling downward but alive. 30-13 Colts

Denver Broncos at Detroit Lions was the Saturday night game. The Lions are 9-4 but have stumbled in recent weeks. The Broncos started 1-5 but have gone 6-1 since fo a 7-6 record. Russell Wilson got belted, resulting in a fumble. Buggs was the Big man with football who should have lateraled the football. Rather than a defensive touchdown for the Lions, they only had a short field as Buggs returned the fumble 33 yards to the Denver 37. On 3rd and 4 from the Denver 31, Goff took an ill-advised 8 yard sack that pushed the Lions out of field goal range. After a scoreless first quarter, the Lions exploded in the second quarter.

The Lions began the second quarter at their own 20. Montgomery ran for 6 and 5. Goff hit Sam Laporta for 17. On 3rd and 5 from the Denver 47, Goff went to Laporta for 7. Goff hit Reynolds for 21 and went back to LaPorta for a 19 yard touchdown to make ti 7-0 Lions. The Lions got it back at their own 39 and Goff went to LaPorta for 20. On 2nd and 17 from the Denver 27, Goff went to Williams for 18. Goff hit Jahmyr Gibbs for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Lions. The Lions got it back at their own 19 and kept rolling. Goff went to Amra St. Brown for 8 and 29. Montgomery gained 8, 1, and on 3rd and 1 from the Denver 33, 4. Montgomery added 11 more. On 3rd and 7 from the Denver 15, Goff went to St. Brown for the touchdown to make it 21-0 Lions at the midpoint. The Lions led in yardage at the half 279 to 75 and had 17 first downs compared to only 4 for Denver. 

The Broncos began the third quarter facing 3rd and 12 at their own 23. Defensive illegal contact on an incompletion meant a new set of downs. Wilson went to Cortland Sutton for 14. On 3rd and 4 from the Detroit 11, Wilson went to Humphrey for 5. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Wilson went to Humphrey for the touchdown to get the Broncos within 21-7. After a touchback, Goff went to St. Brown for 26. On 3rd and 10 just past midfield Gibbs ran for 11 and then 34. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Goff went to LaPorta for the touchdown. 4 straight touchdown drives had the Lions up 28-7.

Down by 21, after a touchback the Broncos moved to 2nd and goal at the 9. A completion saw McLaughlin get pinball by multiple defenders at the goal line. The Broncos thought they had a touchdown, but officials ruled the ball down inches short of the goal line. A third down run appeared to show Williams just barely break the plane of the goal. Again, it was ruled just short. Sean Payton did not challenge either spot on 2nd or 3rd down. He may have lost the 2nd down challenge but the 3rd down play seemed to clearly show a touchdown. On 4th and goal from inches out, Sean Payton went for it. This time the Burton got knocked back but only after clearly breaking the plane of the goal. Yet a very questionable offside call on the offense killed the drive. Offside on the offense did not even seem to be a thing until a few weeks ago. Now it had an enraged Payton screaming at anyone within shouting distance. Wil Lutz hit the 19 yard field goal but the Broncos trailed 28-10. 

After a touchback to start the fourth quarter, the Lions quickly put the game away. Goff went to Williams for 14. Montgomery ran for 4 and 9. Defensive pass interference added 16. Montgomery ran for 13. Gibbs ran for a 12 yard touchdown to make it 35-10 Lions. The Broncos managed one more touchdown with 6 1/2 minutes left, but the onside kick failed and the Lions took over at the Denver 44. On 4th and 2 from the Denver 10, Goff went to LaPorta for the touchdown. Goff’s 5 touchdown passes with 0 interceptions completed the blowout. 42-17 Lions

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins — After a stunning home loss last week, the 9-4 Dolphins looked to right the ship. The Dolphins became the first team in nearly 800 games to blow a 14 point lead with 3 minutes left. Zach Wilson got blasted early on by Chubb, and the Dolphins recovered at the Jets one yard line. On 3rd and goal at the one, Raheem Mostert got in to make it 7-0 Dolphins. His 19th rushing touchdown on the year is a Dolphins franchise record. On 4th and 4 from his own 42 in the second quarter, Robert Saleh gambled on a fake punt that didn’t work. The Dolphins took over at the Jets 41 and Jason Sanders hit a 37 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Jets. The Dolphins got it back at their own 40 and needed one play and 9 seconds to strike again. Tua Tagovailoa went bombs away to Jalen Waddle for a 60 yard touchdown to make it 17-0 Dolphins. The Dolphins got it back again and faced 3rd and 4 at their own 26. Tagovailoa went to Waddle for 8 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15 more. On 3rd and 6 from the Jets 47, Tagovailoa went to Braxton Berrios for 12. On 3rd and 7 from the Jets 32, Tagovialoa went to Waddle for 13. Mostert gained 12 and then got the last yard to make it 24-0 Dolphins with one minute left in the half. For some reason, the rest of the game was played. A hideous second half saw Sanders hit from 27 in the third quarter and from 35 in the fourth quarter. The 10-4 Dolphins are storming toward the playoffs. 30-0 Dolphins 

Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans — It was Luv Ya Blue as the Titans brought out the old Houston Oilers throwback uniforms. More importantly, they became the first team in nearly 800 games to trail by 14 points with 3 minutes left and gut out a shocking road win at Miami. Early on Mike Vrabel seemed to lose his mind by gambling on 4th and 1 from his own 26. Derrick Henry got the yard. Will Levis went deep to Burks for 37. On 3rd and 10 from the Houston 34, Levis went deep to Westbrook-Ikhine for 33 down to the one. Levis got the last yard himself. The extra point was no good but the Titans led 6-0. The second quarter began with the Texans facing 3rd and 10 at their own 40. Case Keenum was in for the injured CJ Stroud, and Keenum was intercepted by Elijah Molden. Molden returned the interception 45 yards to paydirt to make it 13-0 Titans. 

The Texans moved from their own 43 to a 2nd and 1 at the Tennessee 5 yard line with 30 seconds left in the half. Keenum threw incomplete and on 3rd and 1 Singletary got stopped cold for no gain. On 4th and 1, Demeco Ryans decided not to gamble. Kaimi Fairbairn hit a 23 yard field goal to end the half. A third quarter interception of Levis gave the Texans the ball at their own 40. They moved to a 2nd and 5 at the Tennessee 8. A run lost yard and on 3rd down Keenum threw incomplete. Fairbairn hit form 27 to get the Texans within 13-6 with 6 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter. The Titans would punt on 4th and 27 from their own 8 and the Texans had a short field at the Tennessee 46. On 3rd and 4 from the Tennessee 30, Keenum went to Brown for 15. Yet offensive offside wiped away the gain. Fairbairn hit a 53 yard field goal to get the Texans within 13-9. 

In the fourth quarter it was the Texans punting on 4th and 12 from their own 12 and the Titans with a short field at the Houston 46. The Titans moved to a 1st and 10 at the Houston 15 with a chance to put the game away. Instead, Levis got belted and fumbled. The Titans retained possession, but after an 18 yard loss. Nick Folk hit a 45 yard field goal for a 16-9 Titans lead midway through the fourth quarter. The Texans took over at their own 21. Keenum went to Dalton Schultz for 19. Keenum hit Schultz for 8 and Brown for 11. Defensive pass interference added 20. Keenum went to Schultz for 15. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Keenum hit Brown for the touchdown. It took 57 minutes to reach the end zone, but the Texans tied the game 16-16. The defenses dug in for the rest of regulation and overtime. Keenum and Levis were both getting belted by the opposing defenses. With 2 minutes left in overtime, Levis got taken down hard and stayed down. With 1:43 left in overtime, the Texans began their final drive at their own 20. Keenum went deep to Singletary for a 41 yard gain. Singletary ran for a 34 yard touchdown, but it was nullified by offensive holding. With 2 seconds left, Fairbairn came in for a 54 yard field goal try for the win. Fairbairn was good as the Texans got to 8-6 the hardest of the hard ways. 19-16 Texans

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers — A pair of 6-7 teams came in fighting for survival. After a touchback the Buccaneers moved to a 3rd and 6 at the Green Bay 15. Baker Mayfield was sacked. Chase McLaughlin hit a 39 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Buccaneers. The Packers after a touchback moved to a 3rd and 1 at the Tampa Bay 3. A run lost a yard but Matt LaFleur gambled anyway. On 4th and 2 from the 4, Jordan Love threw incomplete. The goal line stand was all for naught. Baker Mayfield got belted and fumbled. The Packers recovered at the Tampa Bay 4 yard line. After a loss, Love hit Kraft for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Packers. After a touchback, White ran for 8 and 5. Mayfield hit Mike Evans for 14 and Chris Godwin for 25. On 3rd and 6 from the Green Bay 19, Mayfield hit Evans for the touchdown to make it 10-7 Buccaneers. The Packers after a touchback moved to a 3rd and 9 at the Tampa Bay 22. A completion gained only 4 yards. Anders Carlson hit a 36 yard field goal for a 10-10 tie. 

The Buccaneers got the ball at their own 11 with 2:13 left in the half. They moved to a 3rd and 5 at the Green Bay 28 with 10 seconds left. Mayfield threw incomplete. McLaughlin hit a 46 yard field goal to make it 13-10 Buccaneers. The Buccaneers in the third quarter faced 3rd and 6 at their own 38.MAyfield Evans for 18. On 3rd and 12 from the Green Bay 46, Mayfield hit Godwin for 15. Mayfield went to White for a 26 yard touchdown to make it 20-10 Buccaneers. The Packers soon faced 3rd and 5 from their own 30. Love went to Wicks for 22. On 3rd and 8 from the Tampa 46, Love went to Wicks for 21. On 3rd and 14 from the Tampa 17, Love fired a laser to Jayden Reed, who got both feet down for the touchdown to get the Packers within 20-17 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter.

After a touchback, Mayfield went to Cade Otton for 22. On 2nd and 18 from his own 39 after a sack, Mayfield hit Godwin for 21. On 3rd and 8 from the Green Bay 38, Mayfield threw incomplete but defensive pass interference added 11 yards. Mayfield went to Otton for 22 and to Kieft for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 27-17 Buccaneers. After a touchback to start the fourth quarter, the Packers moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Tampa 15. Love threw incomplete. Carlson hit a 33 yard field goal to get the Packers within 27-20 with 10 minutes left in regulation. The Buccaneers soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 31. Mayfield went to Godwin for 11. On 3rd and 4 from his own 48, Mayfield fired over the middle to Moore, who split the seams and raced for a 52 yard touchdown to ice the game with 6 1/2 minutes left. The 7-7 Buccaneers are actually in a realistic position to win their horrendous division. 34-20 Buccaneers

New York Giants at New Orleans Saints — Early on Randy Bullock drilled a 56 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Giants. The Saints soon faced 3rd and 5 at their own 37. Derek Carr hit Shaheed for 6. Carr went to Johnson for 15. Carr hit Bowden for 17. Carr found Kirkwood for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Saints. In the second quarter the Giants moved from their own 40 to a 3rd and 2 at the Saints 21. Yet with one minute left in the half, Danny Devito’s 3rd cousin Tommy, who had led the Giants to 3 straight wins, was injured. Tyrod Taylor finished the drive. After spiking the ball to stop the clock with 6 seconds left, Gillan hit a 40 yard field goal to get the Giants within 7-6. 

The Saints began the third quarter facing 3rd and 1 at their own 41. Alvin Kamara gained 2. On 3rd and 7 from his own 46, Carr threw incomplete but defensive holding meant a new set of downs. On 3rd and 3 from the Giants 42, Carr went to Jimmy Graham for 8. Carr went to Shaheed for 11 and to Jimmy Graham for a 23 yard touchdown to make it 14-6 Saints. The Saints got it back at their own 43 and moved to a 4th and 3 at the Giants 32. Blake Grupe hit a 50 yard field goal to make it 17-6 Saints. The Saints got it back at their own 35. Kamara ran for 15. Carr hit Kamara for 17. The fourth quarter began with the Saints facing 3rd and 16 at the Giants 39. Carr hit Perry for 16. Kamara ran for 8 and 7. On 3rd and goal at the 6, Carr went to Perry for the touchdown with 11 minutes left in regulation to complete the scoring. The 7-7 Saints have a very real chance of winning their terrible division. 24-6 Giants

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers — While this game probably would have been terrible in good weather, it was worse in a driving rainstorm. The 6-7 Falcons still had a chance to win their horrendous division while the Panthers were headed for the top pick in the Draft. After 21 minutes of scoreless drudge, one play made the difference. From his own 37, Desmond Ridder went deep to Smith for 56 yards. Ridder hit Cordarelle Patterson for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Falcons. Eddie Pineiro hit a 34 yard field goal late in the half to get the Panthers on the board. The Panthers managed to drive to a 2nd and 1 at the Atlanta 4 to start the fourth quarter, but a run lost 3 yards and Bryce Young threw incomplete. Pineiro hit again from 25 to get the Panthers within 7-6. The Falcons moved from their own 31 to the Carolina 18. Ridder was intercepted. The Panthers took over at their own 5 yard line midway through the fourth quarter. A field goal would win it but the rain was relentless. Young went to Tommy Tremble for 19. On 3rd and 3 from their own 37, Young went to Bingo for 20 and DJ Shark for 18. On 3rd and 3 from the Atlanta 8, Chuba Hubbard banged ahead for 6. The Falcons took their last timeout on defense with 1:41 left. From the 2 yard line, the Panthers refused to score a touchdown and give the Falcons the ball back. Young took 3 knees and took the clock down to one second. Pineiro came in for the 23 yarder to win it. The kick was good. League officials burned the tape of this game afterward. 9-7 Panthers

Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns — The Browns came in 8-5 with a tough defense but a suspect offense. After a scoreless first quarter, Joe Flacco was intercepted by Jackson, who returned the pick 27 yards to the Cleveland one yard line. On 3rd and goal from the 5 after a false start, Justin Fields scrambled all over the place and found Cole Kmet for a the touchdown to make it 7-0 Browns. The Browns took over at their own 16. Flacco went to Ford for 3 and Tillman for 9. On 3rd and 7 from his own 31, Flacco went deep to Amari Cooper for a 42 yard gain. On 4th and 2 from the Chicago 19, Kevin Stefanski went for it. Rather than Flacco, it Was Dorian Thompson-Robinson hitting Ford for 5. Flacco came back in and hit Tillman for 13. Flacco went to David Njoku for a 2 yard touchdown for a 7-7 game. 

Early in the third quarter, Flacco was intercepted by Edmunds, who returned the pick 45 yards for a defensive touchdown to make it 14-7 Browns. The Bears got it back at their own 30 and moved to a 3rd and 7 at the Cleveland 23. Fields threw incomplete. Cairo Santos hit a 41 yard field goal to make it 17-7 Bears. The Browns got a major break when the Bears fumbled a punt. The Browns squandered the opportunity when Flacco thew his third interception. The Bears took over at their own 35 and moved to a 4th and 1 at the Cleveland 33 to start the fourth quarter. Looking to put the game away, Matt Eberflus decided to go for it. Fields was taken down for no gain. The Browns had life, but barely.

The Browns moved to a 2nd and 5 at the Chicago 10 yard line. Offensive holding killed the drive. Dustin Hopkins hit a 33 yard field goal to get the Browns within 17-10 with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation. With 5 1/2 minutes left the Browns took over at their own 20. On 3rd and 2 Kareem Hunt gained 3. Flacco hit Hunt for 12. With 3 minutes left, the Browns were just shy of midfield. Understand this about Flacco. He may be a shell of what he was a decade ago, but he still has a cannon of an arm. He went bombs away to Cooper for a 51 yard touchdown. Just like that, it was 17-17. 

The Browns got it back at their own 21 with 1:50 left. Flacco went to Njoku for 31. On 3rd and 15 from their own 47, Flacco went to Njoku for 34. Yet on 3rd and 6 from the Chicago 15, Kevin Stefanski made a very questionable decision. He had Flacco take a knee. This would make sense if the Browns were out of timeouts, but they quickly called their last timeout with 36 seconds left. Hopkins hit the 34 yard field goal to give the Browns the lead, but after a touchback the Bears still had a chance. They moved to a 1st and 10 at the Cleveland 45 with 15 seconds left. Fields threw incomplete twice, leaving 5 seconds. Rather than try a 63 yard field goal, Matt Eberflus opted for the Hail Mary. It was a dandy. After getting batted around, it went straight to Darryl Mooney, who was laying on his back. Mooney had the miracle in his hands. It bounced off his body back in the air and was intercepted. The Bears were that close to a miracle win. Stefanski’s conservative approach nearly backfired. Yet the Browns are 9-5 and winning like they did in 1980, in Cardiac Kid fashion. 20-17 Browns

Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots — The 2 combined winningest coaches of all time faced off as Bill Belichick’s defense tried to stop Walrus Andy Reid’s offense.  Early on both teams missed a field goal. The Chiefs soon faced 2nd and 4 at their own 37. Patrick Mahomes found Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who with a convoy rumbled 48 yards. Mahomes hit Rasheed Rice for 11. Jerock McKinnon took the wildcat snap and hit Rice for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Chiefs. The Patriots in the second quarter faced 3rd and 12 at their own 37. Bailey Zappe went to Hunter Henry for 15. On 3rd and 5 from the Kansas City 43, Zappe went to Parker for 19. On 4th and 2 from the Kansas City 16, Evil Hoodie Belichick went for it. Zappe hit Henry for the first down and the touchdown for a 7-7 game. Mahomes was immediately intercepted by Mapu, who returned the pick 20 yards to the Kansas City 8. A touchdown on 3rd and goal at the 3 was wiped away by offensive holding. Ryland hit a 25 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Patriots with 5 minutes left in the half. Yet Patrick Mahomes had never lost 3 straight, and the Patriots were a 3-10 team. 

The Chiefs soon faced 3rd and 8 at their own 27. Mahomes went to Watson for 31. On 3rd and 9 from the New England 41, Mahomes went to Rice for 20. On 3rd and 1 from the New England 12, Clyde Edwards-Helaire gained 2 Mahomes went to McKinnon for an 8 yard touchdown with 35 seconds left in the half to make it 14-10 Chiefs. After a third quarter touchback, the Chiefs moved to a 3rd and 7 at the New England 11. Mahomes threw incomplete. Harrison Butker hit from 29 to make it 17-10 Chiefs. The Patriots took over at their own 21 and Zappe was immediately intercepted. William Gay returned the pick 24 yards to the New England 7. Mahomes hit Edwards Helaire for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 24-10 Chiefs. Butker tacked on a 54 yard field goal as 20 unanswered points had the Chiefs up 27-10 after three quarters. 

The Patriots managed one more touchdown but nothing more. Yet with the game out of reach, a very class move showed how much respect these coaches have of each other. Evil Hoodie Bill Belichick and Walrus Andy Reid have had some tough battles at the highest levels. Yet now Belichick has his worst team in over 25 years, and he may be unceremoniously fired at the end of the season. With 2 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the Patriots turned the ball over on downs at their own 6 yard line. After a 2 yard run allowed the clock to hit the 2 minute warning, Reid was not going to run up the score. Reid had Mahomes take a pair of knees. On 4th and 4 from the 7, Reid had Mahomes take another knee, giving the Patriots the ball back. Belichick just handed the ball off to end the game. The Patriots put up a fight, but the Chiefs got to 9-5, a full 2 games up in the AFC West with only 3 games left. This makes Andy Reid a most happy walrus indeed. 27-17 Patriots 

San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals — The 10-3 49ers faced a tough challenge from the 3-10 Cardinals. After a touchback and a defensive offside, Kyler Murray went to McBride for gains of 11 and 38. Murray ran for 12. James Conner ran for 3 and then for the 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Cardinals. The 49ers soon faced 3rd and 1 from their own 34. Christian McCaffrey gained 13. Brock Purdy hit Deebo Samuel for 11. McCaffrey ran for 4 and 26. Purdy hit Samuel for a 12 yard touchdown to make it 7-7. After a touchback, Jonathan Gannon gambled on 4th and 3 from the San Francisco 42. Murray was intercepted by Ward, who returned the pick 66 yards for a defensive touchdown to make it 14-7 49ers. Matt Prater nailed second quarter field goals of 58 and 43 to get the Cardinals within 14-13.

The 49ers soon faced 3rd and 5 at their own 30. Purdy went to Brandon Aiyuk for 8. Purdy hit Kyle Juszczyk for 8 with 15 more tacked on for roughing the passer. On 3rd and 2 from the Arizona 25, Purdy went to George Kittle for 19. Purdy hit McCaffrey for a 5 yard touchdown to cap the 10 play, 75 yard, 5 minute drive and make it 21-13 49ers with one minute left in the half. Early in the third quarter the 49ers faced 3rd and 11 at their own 24. Purdy went to Kittle for 35 and deep to McCaffrey for a 41 yard touchdown to make it 28-13 49ers. The Cardinals moved from their own 10 to a 1st and goal at the 5. A pair of incompletions were sandwiched around a sack of Murray. Prater hit from 28 to get the Cardinals within 28-16.They got no closer. Juszczyke returned a short kickoff 18 yards to his own 40. Purdy went to Kittle for 22. McCaffrey ran for 5, 18 and 11. McCaffrey ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 35-16 49ers after three quarters. The Cardinals managed one fourth quarter touchdown, but the 49ers kept pouring it on. Purdy hit Samuel for a 19 yard touchdown to cap a 75 yard drive and make it 42-22 49ers. An interception of Murray led to Moody hitting a 43 yard field goal to make it 45-22 49ers with 3 minutes left. The Cardinals managed one more touchdown but the 49ers are in strong position heading into the playoffs. They became the first team to clinch their division and have a shot at home field throughout the playoffs. 45-29 49ers

Washington Commanders at Los Angeles Rams — The Rams in the first quarter moved from their own 19 to a 3rd and goal at the 3. Matthew Stafford was sacked. Havrisik hit a 22 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Rams. The Rams took over at their own 47 midway through the second quarter. On 3rd and 5, Stafford went to Cooper Kupp for 8. Robinson gained 23. On 3rd and 4 from the Washington 11, Stafford went to Kupp for 9. On 3rd and goal at the one, Williams got the yard up the middle. Just before the 2 minute warning, the Rams led 10-0. With 34 seconds left, the Commanders fumbled a punt and the Rams recovered at the Washington 15. On 3rd and goal at the 9, Stafford threw incomplete with 3 seconds left. Havrisik hit from 27 to make it 13-0 Rams at the break. After a third quarter touchback, the Rams needed two plays to score. Williams ran for 13. Stafford went deep to Kupp for a 68 yard touchdown and a 20-0 Rams lead.

A 15 yard punt return gave the Commanders a short field at the Rams 48. On 4th and 3, Sam Howell went to Terry McLaurin for 17. On 3rd and 5 from the Rams 19, Howell hit Samuel for the touchdown to get the Commanders within 20-7. The Rams took over just shy of midfield to start the fourth quarter. Stafford went to Nacua for 9 and 18. On 3rd and 9 from the Washington 23, Stafford went to Robinson for the touchdown. Sean McVay went for 2 and Williams ran it in to make it 28-7 Rams 90 seconds into the fourth quarter. Havrisik missed a 43 yard field goal try with 9 minutes left that would have extended the lead. 

Ron Rivera benched Sam Howell for Jacoby Brissett. The Commanders from their own 33 mounted a furious comeback. Brissett ran for 9. Brissett went to Jahan Dotson for 12 and Samuel for 9. Brissett went to McLaurin for a 29 yard touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Commanders were within 28-14. The Commanders got it back at their own 35 with 6 minutes left. Brissett went bombs away to McLaurin for a 48 yard gain down to the one. Twice a touchdown was taken off the board. Yet on 4th and goal at the 7, defensive pass interference saved the Commanders after an incompletion. On 4th and goal at the 3, Brissett hit Samuel for the touchdown. The extra point was blocked. The Commanders were within 8, but only 1:46 remained. The onside kick failed. Williams did the rest, running for 8, 4, 6, 2, and one final yard as the clock hit triple zeroes. The 7-7 Rams are still alive for a playoff spot. 28-20 Rams 

Dallas Cowboys at Buffalo Bills — The Bills got a controversial win to get to 7-6 on the year as they fight for survival. The Cowboys came in 10-3 and having clinched a playoff spot earlier in the day due to other action. This game was never a contest. The Bills began facing 3rd and 2 at their own 33. Josh Allen ran for 5. James Cook ripped off gains of 10 and 12. Allen went to Stefan Diggs for 18. Cook ripped off 7 and 3. On 3rd and 4 at the Dallas 6, Allen threw incomplete but roughing the passer meant 1st and goal at the 3. Latavius Murray ran for a 2 yard touchdown. The 12 play, 75 yard, 7 minute drive made it 7-0 Bills. In the second quarter the Bills took over at their own 14. Cook gained 8, 2 and 2. On 4th and 8 from their own 26, the Bills punted. Yet roughing the passer instead gave the Bills 15 yards and new life. Allen went to Cook for 24 as the first quarter expired. On 3rd and 1 from the Dallas 26 in the second quarter, Johnson gained 8. Allen went to Cook for an 18 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Bills. 

The Cowboys managed a field goal, but this game was over. The Bills took over at their own 24. Cook ran for 12 and 4. On 2nd and 19 from their own 38, Allen threw incomplete but defensive unnecessary roughness added 15 yards and new downs. Allen ran for 9 and Cook added 9 more. Cook ran for 20 down to the one. Allen got the last yard as the Bills led 21-3 at the midpoint. In the third quarter the Bills from their own 30 moved 63 yards in 15 plays and 8 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Allen threw incomplete. Tyler Bass hit from 23 to make it 24-3 Bills. The Bills got it back at their own 33 to start the fourth quarter. Cook ran for 17. On 3rd and 8 from the Dallas 46, Allen hit Diggs for 17. Cook ran for a 24 yard touchdown to have the Bills cruising 31-3. Allen threw only 15 passes, completing 7 of them for 94 yards. He didn’t need to throw. The Bills ran the ball 49 times for 266 yards. Cook led the way with 179 yards on 25 carries, a whopping 7 yards per carry. The Cowboys managed a garbage touchdown. 31-10 Bills

Baltimore Ravens at Jacksonville Jaguars is the Sunday night game. Two good teams went at it in a defensive slugfest as the 10-3 Ravens took on the 8-5 Jaguars. Justin Tucker hit a 43 yard field goal early on to make it 3-0 Ravens. The Jaguars on consecutive possessions saw Brandon McManus miss field goal tries of 50 and 55 yards. The 50 yarder doinked off the upright no good. An interception of Lamar Jackson led to a drive to the red zone, but Trevor Lawrence inexplicably fumbled the ball away without being touched. The Ravens faced 3rd and 10 at their 40. Jackson went to Bateman for 12. On 3rd and 6 from the Jacksonville 44, Jackson went O’Dell Beckham for 14. Jackson ran for 9 and hit Kolar for 15. Jackson went to Isaiah Likely for a 16 yard touchdown. With one minute left in the half, the Ravens led 10-0. A strong kickoff return had the Jaguars at their own 41. With 30 seconds left from the Baltimore 41, Lawrence went deep to Zee Jones for a 36 yard gain and 1st and goal at the 5. The Jaguars had 11 seconds but 0 timeouts. There was plenty of time for 2 or even 3 shots at the end zone. A field gal would be a chip shot 23 yarder. Instead Lawrence inexplicably completed a one yard pass inbounds and the clock ran out. These mistakes were very uncharacteristic of Lawrence or any Doug Pederson coached team. 

The Jaguars moved the ball up and down the field in the first half but did not score. Then in the third quarter it all came in one big bite. On 3rd and 2 from his own 20, Lawrence went to Evan Engram for 12. Lawrence then went bombs away to a wide open Jamal Agnew for a 65 yard touchdown. Just like that, the Jaguars were within 10-7. The Ravens after a touchback moved to a 4th and 7 at the Jacksonville 39. Tucker ran onto the field since a 57 yard try is well within his range. Yet John Harbaugh decided to go for it. It turned out just to be gamesmanship get the Jaguars to jump offside for a closer field goal try. The Jacksonville defense didn’t bite. After the delay of game, the Ravens punted. Yet a sack of Lawrence had the Jaguars punting on 4th and 19 from his own one. The Ravens got it back at their own 42. Mitchell gained 24. Jackson then nearly had his head taken off, avoided the sack and threw a deep prayer into double coverage right before getting nailed. Somehow, Likely came down with it for a 26 yard gain. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Edwards ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 17-7 Ravens. The Ravens got it back at their own 24 and moved to a 2nd and goal at the 4. Jackson was sacked. Tucker hit a 26 yard field goal to make it 20-7 Ravens midway through the fourth quarter. As Lawrence was about to be sacked, he tried to throw the ball and fumbled it away instead. The Ravens took over at the Jacksonville 19. Tucker hit from 34 to finish the scoring. The 11-3 Ravens are one game up in the race for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. 23-7 Ravens

Philadelphia Eagles at Seattle Seahawks was the Monday night game. The 10-3 Eagles looked to right the ship after two straight losses. Jalen Hurts battled illness during the week but played. After a touchback, Hurts ran for 13 on the first play. On 3rd and 9 from their own 39, Hurts hit Dallas Goedert for 18. On 3rd and 6 from the Seattle 39, Hurts went to aJ Brown for 11. Kenneth Gainwell ran for 5 and 8. On 3rd and 3 from the Seattle 8, Gainwell gained 4. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Hurts ran for the touchdown. The 15 play, 75 yard, 8 1/2 minute drive made it 7-0 Eagles. The Eagles began the second quarter at their own 29 and moved 63 yards in 10 plays and another 8 1/2 minutes. Yet on 3rd and 1 from the Seattle 3, a false start was a killer. A run on 3rd and 6 went nowhere. Jake Elliott hit a 27 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Eagles. After a touchback, the Seahawks moved to a 3rd and 7 at the Philadelphia 11. A completion gained only 3 yards. Jason Myers hit a 26 yard field goal to get the Seahawks within 10-3 with 1:42 left in the half. After a third quarter touchback, Drew Lock hit walker for 8 and 2. Walker ran for 7. Lock hit Walker again for 15. Charbonnet ran for 6 and 5. On 3rd and 1 from the Philadelphia 23, Walker broke free for the touchdown and a 10-10 game. 

The Eagles soon faced 3rd and 1 at their own 34. Deandre Swift gained 3 with defensive illegal use of hands adding 5 more. Hurts ran for 13. On 3rd and 9 from the Seattle 44, Hurts went to Brown for 11. On 3rd and 3 from the Seattle 26, Hurts went to Smith for 17. Swift ran for 8 and Hurts got the last yard. The 12 play, 75 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive made it 17-10 Eagles. In the fourth quarter the Seahawks moved from their own 30 to a 3rd and 2 at the Seattle 18. Lock was sacked. Myers hit a 43 yard field goal to cap the 11 play, 45 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive and get the Seahawks within 17-13 with 10 minutes left in regulation. With 1:52 left the Seahawks took over at their own 8 yard line. Lock went to DK Metcalf for 18, to Fant for 5, and to Metcalf for 6. On 3rd and 7 from their own 37, Lock went deep to Metcalf for 34 yards. With 28 seconds left on 3rd and 10 from the Philadelphia 29, Lock went to Smith-Njigba for the touchdown. After a touchback, Hurts ran for 20 and the Eagles took their first timeout with 13 seconds left. Hurts went deep into double coverage and Love made a diving interception at his own 17. The Seahawks stopped the downward slide to get to 7-7 while the Eagles after a 10-1 start have lost three straight games. The Eagles are now one game back in the race for home field advantage throughout the conference playoffs. 20-17 Seahawks