THE TYGRRRR EXPRESS

NFL 2024 Week 16 Prequel

This is when the big dogs come out!

Thursday, December 19, 2024, 8pm

Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers (-3) — The 9-5 Broncos and 8-6 Chargers are both in position for a wildcard slot but have not clinched anything. There is no home field advantage in Los Angeles. After getting blown out last week at home by Tampa Bay, it is tough to trust the Chargers. The Broncos have a very good defense. Upset special, Broncos win outright

Saturday, December 21, 1pm

Houston Texans (-1 1/2) at Kansas City Chiefs ‚ The only reason the Texans are favored is because Patrick Mahomes has a mild high ankle sprain. Nobody knows if he is playing. He was a full participant in practice. The Texans have a good defense but the Chiefs are just resilient. The 9-5 Texans have already locked up the AFC South and are trying to move higher the conference. The 13-1 Chiefs have locked up the AFC West and have a two game lead in the conference with three games left. Walrus Andy Reid will have his guys focused, regardless of who starts. Upset special, Chiefs win outright

4:30pm

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-6) — The 10-4 Steelers have a one game lead over the 9-5 Ravens. The Steelers have beaten Lamar Jackson four straight times. There is no home field advantage in this series. This is going to be a brutal game, as these AFC North street fights usually are. With the division on the line, everything will be left on the field. This could come down to the last play. Both Chris Boswell and Justin Tucker are great, although Tucker has struggled this year. This could go either way. Ravens win but fail to cover

Sunday, December 22, 1pm

Los Angeles Rams (-3 1/2) at New York Jets — The 8-6 Rams are tied atop the NFC West and they hold the tie-breaker. The Jets are done for the year. With everything to play for, expect Sean McVay to pull out all the stops. Rams cover

Philadelphia Eagles (-3 1/2) at Washington Commanders — The 12-2 Eagles are one win from clinching the NFC East. They are tied atop the conference but do not hold the tie-breaker. The Commanders survived a scare last week. At 9-5, they are in position to make the playoffs. Expect Dan Quinn to throw in some new defensive wrinkles and unleash Jayden Daniels so he can go blow for blow with Jalen Hurts. Go with the desperate team with the good defense at home. Upset special, Commanders win outright

New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons (-9 1/2) — After barely surviving on the road against one of the worst teams in the league, now the Falcons are at home against perhaps the worst team. The Giants are bad at everything. The spread is too high given that Kirk Cousins has been struggling in recent weeks. Falcons win but fail to cover

Arizona Cardinals (-4 1/2) at Carolina Panthers — The 7-7 Cardinals are uneven but one game back in their division. The Panthers have been awful but have improved in recent weeks. Last week at home against Dallas, they regressed. The spread is too high for a road team that is as inconsistent as the Cardinals. Cardinals win but fail to cover

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals (-7) – Both teams are bad, but Joe Burrow has been lighting up the league. At home against the lifeless Browns, Burrow can go wild early and often. Bengals cover

Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts (-4) — The 6-8 Colts collapsed last week due to a premature celebration at the one yard line. Expect them to be angry at home against an inferior Tennessee team. The Titans lack the talent to make this a game. Colts cover

Detroit Lions (-7) at Chicago Bears — After one of the worst clock management cases in NFL history, Matt Eberflus was Eberflustered and uber=fired after the game. The Bears have lost eight straight. The 12-2 Lions saw their 11 game win streak snapped last week. They remain tied atop their division and the conference and they hod the tie-breakers. The spread is too high for a road team that can score at will but has so many injuries, especially on defense. Lions win but fail to cover

4pm

Minnesota Vikings (-3) at Seattle Seahawks — The 12-2 Vikings are tied atop their division and the conference but do not hold the tie-breaker. The 8-6 Seahawks are tied atop their division and do not hold the tie-breaker either. The Seahawks are desperate, but with Geno Smith battling injury, expect Minnesota to tee off. Both teams have talent but the Vikings are just playing on another level right now. Vikings cover

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (-14) — 11-3 Bills have locked up the AFC East but are still two games back in the conference. The Patriots are awful. The Bills offense put up 90 points in the last two games. This game could be over by halftime. Bills cover

Jacksonville Jaguars (-1 1/2) at Las Vegas Raiders — Last week the 3-10 Jaguars dropped to 3-11 by losing at home to the now 4-10 New York Jets. Now the Jaguars take on the 2-12 Raiders, losers of 10 straight. This is a game of backup quarterbacks Mac Jones and Desmond Ridder. The Raiders are also without Maxx Crosby. There is no home field advantage in Las Vegas. The Raiders have been fighting to the last breath. This might be one game they can actually win. Upset special, Raiders win outright

San Francisco 49ers at Miami Dolphins (-1) — 40 years ago, this game mattered. This year these teams are both underachievers who have suffered key injuries. It is doubtful that either one is going to the playoffs, but the Dolphins still have an outside shot. With Christian McCaffrey out, give Tua Tagovailoa the slightest of edges over Brock Purdy. Dolphins cover 

8pm

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-4) at Dallas Cowboys — The 8-6 Buccaneers have a one game lead in their division after blasting the Chargers to pieces in Los Angeles. The 6-8 Cowboys are a shocking 1-6 at home with most of those losses being blowouts. The Cowboys won big at Carolina but the Buccaneers have more talent on offense. Baker Mayfield is playing well. Cooper Rush i not getting the help he needs as a placeholder. Yet the Buccaneers could have a letdown and Brandon Aubrey in a close game is a sensational kicker. Buccaneers win but fail to cover 

Monday, December 23, 8pm

New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers (-13 1/2) — This was once a an NFC Title Game preview as Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers slung it. The Saints lost a heartbreaker last week when interim coach Darren Rizzi went for a two point conversion try that failed. Yet the 10-4 Packers went into Seattle and dominated the Seahawks.  With Derek Carr doubtful, this game could get ugly early. Yet Spencer Rattler showed some progress. The Saints defense is not terrible. Packers win but fail to cover

NFL 2024 Week 15 Recap

This is when the big dogs come out!

Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers was the Thursday night game. The bunched up NFC West had the Rams one game out of the division lead and the 49ers one game in back of the Rams. Despite both teams having plenty of weapons on offense, this game was a defensive slog with 0 touchdowns. In the first quarter Jake Moody hit a 53 yard field goal for the 49ers. With one minute left in the half Joshua Karty answered from 48 for a 3-3 deadlock. Moody connected from 47 in the third quarter for a 6-3 49ers lead. Karty connected from 23 early in the fourth quarter and from 27 with 9 1/2 minutes left in regulation for a 9-6 Rams lead. An interception of Brock Purdy with 5 minutes left led to Karty hitting again from 29 with 18 seconds left. Despite taking over at midfield in Hail Mary position, Purdy was sacked and the clock ran out. The Rams are 8-6, the 49ers are 6-8, and league officials vowed to burn the tape of this game. 12-6 Rams 

Baltimore Ravens at New York Giants — One of the better teams in the league traveled to face perhaps the worst team in the league. For those looking for a historical upset that justifies why we watch football, this was not that game. The Ravens fumbled on their opening drive but suffered no consequences. A 22 yard punt return gave the Ravens the ball back at the Giants 33. Lamar Jackson ran for 15. Derrick Henry added 6 and 9. On 3rd and goal from the 13, Jackson went to Mark Andrews for the touchdown. In the second quarter Brian Daboll gambled on 4th and 1 from the Baltimore 30. Tommy Cutlets Devito got stopped for no gain. From that spot Jackson went to Andrews for 11 and to Isaiah Likely for 11 more. Jackson went to Rashad Bateman for a 49 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Ravens. 

The Giants took over at their own 20. Devito went to sabers for 14. On 3rd and 4 from their own 43, Devito threw incomplete but defensive holding kept the drive going. Devito went to Bellinger for 13. On 4th and 2 from the Baltimore 31, Brian Daboll went for it again and Devito hit Robinson for just enough. On 2nd and 17 from the Baltimore 36 after a sack, Devito threw incomplete but roughing the passer meant 15 yards and a new set of downs. Defensive pass interference added 18 yards. Singletary ran for a 2 yard touchdown to get the Giants on the board. Yet it came at a cost. Devito got belted on the drive and left the game injured. 3rd stringer Boyle finished the game. 

The Ravens took over at their own 20. Jackson went to Justice Hill for 14. Jackson hit Bateman for 11. Jackson ran for 21. On 3rd and 1 from the Giants 25, Jackson gained 4. Jackson went to Bateman for a 20 yard touchdown to make it 21-7 Ravens within 30 seconds left in the half. The Ravens quickly put the game away in the third quarter, moving 85 yards. On 3rd and 1 from the Giants 21, Jackson went to Walker foe the touchdown to make it 28-7 Ravens. The Giants moved to a 4th and goal at the 2, but Boyle threw incomplete. The Ravens easily moved 98 yards in the fourth quarter. Jackson went to Hill for a 27 yard touchdown to make it 35-7 Ravens. The Giants got a garbage touchdown in a garbage season as they fell to 2-12. The Ravens are 9-5 on the year. 35-14 Ravens

New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars — This was the stupor Bowl, as a pair of 3-10 teams faced off. While this was not a game for the ages, it was a pretty good football game. After an opening touchback, the Jaguars soon faced 3rd and 7 at their own 48. Mac Jones went to Thomas for 8. On 3rd and 1 from the Jets 21, Jones gained 2 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 10 more. On 3rd and goal at the 6, a sack of Jone was wiped out by defensive holding. Jones went to Thomas for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Jaguars. With nothing to lose, Jeff Ulbrich gambled on a fake punt on 4th and 5 from his own 35. Davis took the direct snap and got around the end for a 2 1yard gain. Aaron Rodgers went to Wilson for 19 and again for a 22 yard touchdown and a 7-7 game. 

The second quarter saw the Jaguars drive deep but bog down in the red zone. One of their drives lasted 18 plays and over 11 minutes. Yet the Jaguars settled for Chase Little field goals of 28 and 23 to lead 13-7 at the half. In the third quarter Anders Carlson hit from 43 and Little answered from 43 to have the Jaguars up 16-10. After a touchback, the Jets soon faced 3rd and 4 just shy of midfield. Rodgers connected with Davante Adams for 43. Rodgers went to Adams for a one yard touchdown to give the Jets their first lead 17-16. The Jaguars began the fourth quarter at their own 27. From just shy of midfield, Jones went to Devin Duvernay for 28. On 3rd and 6 from the Jets 19, Jones went to Thomas for the touchdown. Doug Pederson went for 2 and Jones threw incomplete. The Jaguars led 22-17 with 11 minutes left in regulation. The Jets missed an opportunity when Carlson missed a 48 yard field goal try midway through the fourth quarter.  

The Jets got the ball back at their own 13 with 4:20 to play. Rodgers went to Ruckert for 12. Rodgers went bombs away to Adams for a 71 yard touchdown. Matt LaFleur went for 2 and Rodgers hit Adams successfully. The Jets led 25-22 with 3 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Jaguars moved from their own 33 to a 3rd and 5 at the Jets 25. Jones threw incomplete. Little hit from 43 for a 25-25 tie with 1:51 left. After a touchback on 3rd and 10, Rodgers went to Adams for 23. On 3rd and 5 from the Jacksonville 42, Rodgers connected with Adams again for a 41 yard gain down to the one. Breece Hall got the yard to have the Jets up by 7 with 1:05 left. After a touchback the Jaguars moved to a 3rd and 1 at the Jets 47 with 44 seconds left. Jones was intercepted. Despite being completely shut out with 0 receiving yards in the first half, Adams torched the Jacksonville defense for nearly 200 receiving yards in the second half. 32–25 Jets

Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers — A pair of bad teams faced off. Despite being 3-10, the Panthers were actually favored for the first time in 34 games. After a scoreless first quarter, the Cowboys began the second quarter at their own 23. On 3rd and 8, Cooper Rush went to Ceedee Lamb for 20. On 3rd and 3 from the Carolina 48, Rush went to Lamb for 28. On 3rd and 4 from the Carolina 14, Rush went to Lamb for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Cowboys. Bryce Young was intercepted by Kendricks to give the Cowboys a short field at the Carolina 48. That was enough for Brandon Aubrey to hit from 52 to make it 10-0 Cowboys. The Cowboys got it back at their own 32 and moved to a 3rd and 1 at the Carolina 14 with 45 seconds left in the half. Rush got hit and fumbled and the Panthers took over at their own 17. Young went bombs away to Coker for an 83 yard touchdown. Instead of trailing 17-0, the Panthers were right back in it down 10-7. The Cowboys tried to make history to end the half, but Aubrey’s 70 yard field goal try was no good.

Yet the Panthers momentum quickly evaporated on the first play of the third quarter. From their own 34, Young was sacked and fumbled. The Cowboys recovered at the Carolina 29. On 3rd and 1, Ezekiel Elliott gained 4. Rush went to Tolbert for an 11 yard touchdown to make it 17-7 Cowboys. The Cowboys got it back at their own 22. Kevontae Turpin gained 16. Rico Dowdle added 6 and 10. Rush hit Cooks for 18, Lamb for 11, and Brooks for a 17 yard touchdown to make it 24-7 Cowboys. A pointless fourth quarter saw the Panthers get one garbage touchdown sandwiched in between Aubrey field goals of 45 and 41. The Cowboys at 6-8 are still mathematically alive for a playoff spot but on life support. 30-14 Cowboys  

Washington Commanders at New Orleans Saints — The Saints are finishing out the season with Derek Carr and Taysom Hill both out injured. Third string quarterback Jake Haener got the start. In the first half he was mauled by the Washington defense. The Commanders began facing 3rd and 1 from the Saints 47. Robinson got the yard and then gained 9 and 5. On 4th and 4 from the New Orleans 26, Greg Jospeh hit the 45 yard field goal. Yet defensive unnecessary roughness for hitting the long snapper caused Dan Quinn to take the points off the board. On 2nd and goal at the 16, Jayden Daniels went to Terry McLaurin for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Commanders. A second quarter intercepted of Haener had the Commanders at their own 47. On 3rd and 8, Daniels went to Crowder for 12. On 3rd and 2 from the New Orleans 31, Daniels gained just enough. On 3rd and 3 from the New Orleans 22, Daniels went to Ertz for 19. Daniels went to McLaurin for a 3 yard touchdown to have the Commanders up 14-0 at the half. The Commanders began the third quarter at their own 32 and moved to a 3rd and goal at the one. On the verge of putting the game away, Daniels was sacked. Joseph hit the 23 yard chip shot to have the Commanders up 17-0. After 2 1/2 quarters of futility, Haener was benched. Fourth stringer Spencer Rattler played the rest of the game as the Saints mounted a furious comeback.

On 3rd and 10 from his own 29, Rattler went to Bettis for 12. Rattler went deep to Marques Valdes-Scantling for 39 and deep again to Alvin Kamara for a 21 yard touchdown to get the Saints on the board. The Commanders moved from their own 32 to a 2nd and 9 at the New Orleans 23. A false start and a sack of Daniels killed the drive. Joseph hit from 41 on the first play of the fourth quarter to have the Commanders up 20-7. The Saints moved on their next two drives but settled for Blake Grupe field goals of 41 and 51 to get within 20-13 midway through the fourth quarter. The Commanders moved from their own 36 to a 1st and 10 at the New Orleans 30 with 2 1/2 minutes left in regulation. A run lost yards and offensive holding killed the drive. At the 2 minute warning, Joseph came in for a 54 yard field goal try to ice the game. No Good! The Saints had life from their own 44. Miller gained 12. On 3rd and 1 from the Washington 35, Rattler hit Kavon Austin for 8. Miller gained 12. On 4th and 3 from the Washington 8, Rattler went to Foster Moreau for 7 and spiked the ball to stop the clock with 4 seconds left. Rattler rolled out and fired to Moreau in the corner just past the pylon for the touchdown. The Saints were an extra point from overtime, but Darren Rizzi wanted it all. He went for the 2 point conversion and the win as everyone held their breath. Rattler rolled out and fired to the exact same spot, but this time the ball fell incomplete. Dan Quinn exhaled. The Commanders survived to get to 9-5 the hard way. 20-19 Commanders 

Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans — Joe Burrow is lighting up the league but the Bengals are still bad. Luckily for them, the Titans are worse. On the third play form scrimmage, Burrow was intercepted to set up the Titans at the Cincinnati 29. From the 18, Tony Pollard ran for 6, 5, 4, and the 3 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Titans. After a touchback on 3rd and 7 from his own 33, Burrow went to Mike Gesicki for 17. Burrow went to JaMarr chase for 29. On 3rd and 1 from the Tennessee 12, Brown gained 6. Burrow went to Brown for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 7-7. After a touchback on 3rd and 9 from their own 31, Will Levis went to Boyd for 40. Defensive pass interference added 27. Spears ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Titans. After an exchange of fumbles, the Bengals took over the game in the second quarter. 

From their own 38, Burrow went to Chase for 18, to Tee Higgins for 8, to Chase for 6 and 11, and to Hubbard for a 2 yard touchdown to tie the game 14-14. After a touchback, Levis was intercepted by Taylor-Britt, who returned the pick 28 yards to the Tennessee 23. Unnecessary roughness on the return moved the Bengals back to the Tennessee 38. On 3rd and 10, Burrow went to Higgins for the touchdown to make it 21-14 Bengals. One play after a touchbackLevis was intercepted again. The Bengals took over again at the Tennessee 38 with one minute left in the half. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Burrow threw incomplete. With 2 seconds left in the half, Zac Taylor was not in a gambling mood. Cade York hit from 21 to make it 24-14 Bengals. After Burrow was intercepted in the third quarter, Levis gave the ball right back. Yet Stone’s interception of Levis had a higher cost as Stone returned it 39 yards for a defensive touchdown. 24 unanswered points had the Bengals up 31-14. 

After throwing consecutive interceptions in the second quarter, Levis would see the Titans turn the ball over on consecutive third quarter possessions. HIs pick six was his last play as he was benched in favor of Mason Rudolph. This game would have been an even bigger blowout had a Cincinnati defender not pulled a Leon Lett. After returning a fumble 60 yards, the defender voluntarily dropped the ball just before crossing the goal line. Instead of another touchdown, the Bengals gifted the Titans a touchback. It didn’t matter as Rudolph was intercepted on the next series anyway. Rudolph would throw a 17 yard touchdown pass to Spears to have the Titans within 31-21 midway through the fourth quarter, but they would get no closer. The Bengals from their own 33 marched 67 yards in 14 plays and 5 1/2 minutes. With one minute left on 3rd and goal at the 5, Brown ran for the touchdown to ice the game. The extra point was no good but the Bengals led 37-21. The Titans managed a garbage touchdown on the final play of the game to make the score look closer than it really was. The Bengals at 6-8 are on life support while the 3-11 Titans are awaiting the draft. 37-27 Bengals 

Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns — The 12-1 Chiefs keep winning games by the skin of their teeth on the final play against inferior teams. The Browns were determined to give the game away from the start. After the Cleveland defense held early on, the Browns special teams fumbled a punt. The Chiefs recovered at the Cleveland 21. Patrick Mahomes went to Juju Smith-Schuster for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Chiefs. The Chiefs took over at their own 13 in the second quarter. Mahomes went to Travis Kelce for 8 and to Isaiah Pacheco for 15. Karim Hunt ran for 11 and 7. On 3rd and 9 from the Cleveland 34, Mahomes ran for 10. Pacheco added 9. Mahomes went to Noah Gray for a 6 yard touchdown to have the Chiefs up 14-0 at the half. Harrison Butker returned from injury but ended the half by shanking a 29 yard field goal. Other than that, the Chiefs coasted. On the first play of the third quarter after a touchback, Jameis Winston was intercepted. The Chiefs took over at the Cleveland 34. Xavier Worthy ran for a 21 yard touchdown to make it 21-0 Chiefs. On the next Cleveland play from scrimmage, the Browns fumbled the ball away again. The Browns managed one third quarter touchdown but nothing else. After throwing another interception in the fourth quarter, Winston was benched. Backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson added another interception. The 3-11 Browns are awaiting the Draft. The Chiefs finally won easily. Being 13-1 would normally make Andy Reid a most happy Walrus indeed, but this was a costly win. In the fourth quarter Mahomes suffered a mild high ankle sprain. X-rays were negative. The Chiefs have a short week but Mahomes was a full participant at practice. With the top seed and home field throughout the playoffs in reach, Andy Reid is now a most concerned furrow browed Walrus indeed. 21-7 Chiefs

Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans — The Texans are good. The Dolphins are not. Kaimi Fairbairn hit a 44 yard field goal in the first quarter. Jason Sanders answered from 55 in the second quarter for a 3-3 game. The Dolphins fumbled and the Texans took over at the Miami 28. CJ Stroud hit Tank Dell for 15. On 3rd and 1, Stroud went to Nico Collins for the 6 yard touchdown to make it 10-3 Texans. The final 2 minutes were ugly. Sanders hit from 36 to get the Dolphins within 10-6. The Texans fumbled the ball away but the Dolphins squandered the golden opportunity when Tua Tagovailoa was intercepted. Bullock returned the pick 68 yards to the Miami 5 with 13 seconds left in the half. Stroud was tackled for no gain and then threw incomplete. Fairbairn hit from 23 to have the Texans up 13-6. The Texans began the third quarter after a touchback facing 3rd and 3 at their own 37. Stroud went to Dell for 11 and to Joe Nixon for 8. Demeco Ryans gambled on 4th and 2 from the Miami 44. Stroud went deep for a 40 yard gain. Stroud went to Collins for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 20-6 Texans. The Dolphins from their own 27 did manage to go 73 yards in 11 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. On 4th and 2 from the Houston 7, Tagovailoa went to Smith for the touchdown. The extra point was no good. The Dolphins were only down 8 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter, but the Houston defense clamped down. Tagovailoa was intercepted twice in the fourth quarter. The 6-8 Dolphins are on the verge of elimination. The 9-5 Texans officially clinched the AFC South. 20-12 Texans

Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos — The Broncos entered this game in playoff position while the Colts were on the onside looking in. One play changed this entire game. After an opening touchback on 3rd and 10 from his own 30, Anthony Richardson went to Downs for 22. On 3rd and 10 from the Denver 38, a surprise run by Taylor gained 15. Richardson ran for a 23 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Colts. An interception of Bo Nix had the Colts taking over at their own 30. The Colts moved to a 3rd and 5 at the Denver 18 to start the second quarter. Richardson threw incomplete. Matt Gay hit the 37 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Colts. A field position game had the broncos taking over at their own 46. On 3rd and 1, Nix gained 2. On 3rd and 8 from the Indianapolis 41, Nix went to Marvin Mims for 11. Defensive pass interference added 10. Nix went to Adam Trautman for a 13 yard touchdown to get the Broncos within 10-7. A 36 yard punt return just past the 2 minute warning had the Colts at the Denver 47. Gay ended the half with a 49 yard field goal to make it 13-7 Colts. Things got worse for the Broncos in the third quarter when Nix was intercepted again. The Colts took over at their own 38. Two plays later from the Denver 41 came the play of the game. 

Taylor broke free and raced for a 41 yard touchdown in front of a shell shocked home crowd in Denver. The Colts were an extra point from being up 20-7, but it was not meant to be. This was Leon Lett week in the NFL, and Taylor was one of two players in the same week who lost a touchdown due to premature showboating. Replay shows that Taylor voluntarily let go of the ball just before crossing the goal line. Instead of a touchdown, he gifted the Broncos a touchback. The game got uglier as Nix was intercepted again. Yet on the very next play from scrimmage, the Colts fumbled the ball right back. The Broncos took over at the Indianapolis 31 and did nothing. On 3rd and 7 a completion gained only 2 yards. Will Lutz hit from 44 to have the Broncos within 13-10. 

The fourth quarter began with Mim returning a punt yards to the Indianapolis 15. On 2nd and 10, nix went to Adkins for the touchdown to have the Broncos up 17-13. Ater a touchback, a trick play from midfield blew up on the Colts. Out of the shotgun, Mitchell lost 10 yards and fumbled. Bonitto returned it 50 yards for a defensive touchdown to make it 24-13 Colts. Shane Steichen gambled on 4th and 6 from the Denver 45 Richardson threw incomplete. The Colts got it back and Richardson was intercepted yet again. This time it was Patrick Surtain with the pick setting up the Broncos at the Indianapolis 35. On 4th and 4, Lutz hit the 47 yard field goal but the defense jumped offside. Sean Payton took the points off the board. On 3rd and 6 from the Indy 20, Nix went to Cortland Sutton for the dagger with 6 minutes left in regulation. 24 unanswered points including a 21 point fourth quarter explosion turned a potential colts upset into a Broncos rout. The 6-8 Colts are almost eliminated while the 9-5 Broncos are in strong playoff position. 31-13 Broncos

New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals — The Cardinals are an uneven team while the Patriots are just bad. Early on a Joey Slye 53 yard field goal try to give the Patriots the lead was no good. Ryland hit from 49 to put the Cardinals on the board first. The Cardinals got it back at their own 20. James Conner ran for a 53 yard gain. On 3rd and 1 from the New England 18,  Dallas took the direct snap and gained 3. From the New England 8, Dortch got the carry, gained 6, fumbled at the 2, and a scramble ensued. Offensive tackle Williams pounced on it for the touchdown and the 10-0 Cardinals lead. Just before the 2 minute warning, Slye hit from 50. After a touchback the Cardinals moved to a 3rd and 6 at the New England 17 with 25 seconds left. Kyler Murray threw incomplete. Ryland hit from 35 to put the Cardinals up 13-3. After a third quarter touchback, the Cardinals moved to a 3rd and 5 at the New England 21. Murray threw incomplete. Ryland hit from 40 to make it 16-3 Cardinals. The Patriots after a touchback moved to a 4th and 1 at the Arizona 4. Jerod Mayo went for it and Raimondre Stevenson got stuffed for no gain. Drake Moye was then intercepted to set up the Cardinals at their own 45 to start the fourth quarter. On 3rd and 4, Murray went to McBride for 29. On 3rd and 3 from the New England 13, Murray went to Conner for 12. On 3rd and goal at the one, Conner took it up the gut for the score to make it 23-3 Cardinals. The Patriots reached the end zone midway through the fourth quarter but the Cardinals then put the game out of reach. On 3rd and 4 from their own 36 after a touchback, Murray went to McBride for 9. On 3rd and 4 just past midfield, Murray went to McBride for 26. Conner ran for 5, 17, and finally the one yard touchdown to make it 30-10 Cardinals. The Patriots got one more garbage touchdown. At 3-11 they await the draft. The 7-7 Cardinals are alive and one game back in the NFC West. 30-17 Cardinals

Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions — This potential Super Bowl preview between the 10-3 Bills and 12-1 Lions is why we watch football. The Bills have never won the Super Bowl. The Lions have never been to one. Yet one week after losing 44-42 to the Rams, the Buffalo offense remained as hot as it has been since Jim Kelly. The Bills took over at their own 27, Josh Allen went to Johnson for 33. On 3rd and 5 from the Detroit 30, Allen went to Johnson for 24. Allen ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Bills. The Bills got it back at their own 22. Allen went deep to Cook for 28. Allen went to Shakir for 10. Cook ran for 13 and 5. Allen ran for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Bills.

After a touchback Jared Goff went to Jahmyr Gibbs for 13 and to Amra St. Brown for 24. The second quarter began with Detroit at the Buffalo 26. Gibbs ran for 13. On 3rd and 9 from the Buffalo 12, Goff went to Patrick for the touchdown to get the Lions within 14-7. After a touchback on 1st and 20, Allen went to Dawson Knox for 19. Sean McDermott gambled on 4th and 2 just shy of midfield. Allen went deep to Johnson for 31. Cook ran for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 21-7 Lions. After a touchback Goff went to Williams for 18. On 4th and 4 from his own 46, Dan Campbell went for it. Goff hit St Brown for 21. On 3rd and 10 from the Buffalo 25, Goff ran for just enough. Goff hit Skipper for a 9 yard touchdown to get the Lions within 21-14 with 3 minutes left in the half. 

After a touchback Allen immediately went deep to Coleman for a 64 yard gain, but on 3rd and goal at the one, a false start and an incompletion killed the drive. Tyler Bass stunningly shanked the 24 yard field goal try. Bates also missed from 52 to end the half. After a third quarter touchback, Allen went deep too Johnson for a 19 yard gain. Cook raced for a 41 yard touchdown to make it 28-14 Bills. The Lions then fumbled, giving the Bills golden field position at the Detroit 26. Cook gained 8 and on 3rd and 2 gained 8 more. Allen went to a Shakir for  3 yard touchdown. The Bills were dominating up 35-14 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter, but this game was not over. 

After a touchback Goff went to Gibbs for 11. On 3rd and 17 from their own 34, Goff went for it all and St. Brown caught the bomb for a 66 yard touchdown to get the Lions within 35-21. After a touchback the Bills moved to a 2nd and 7 at the Detroit 32 to start the fourth quarter. Allen threw incomplete twice. Bass hit from 50 to have the Bills up 38-21. After a touchback Goff went to Gibbs for 15 and to Sam Laporta for 31. Goff went to St. Brown for 6 and to Gibbs for a 12 yard touchdown. With 12 minutes left in regulation, the Lions were within 38-28. It seemed early for an onside kick, but Dan Campbell saw his defense was gassed and out of answers. Mack Hollins recovered the onside kick for the Bills and raced 33 yards to the Detroit 5 yard line. One play later Allen went to Davis for the touchdown to have the Bills comfortably up by 3 scores 45-28.

After a touchback, Goff went to Williams for 16 and to LaPorta for 14 and 11. On 3rd and 7 from the Buffalo 26, Goff went to Laporta for 10. On 3rd and 9 from the Buffalo 15, Goff went to St Brown for 10. Gibbs ran for a one yard touchdown to have the Lions within 45-35 midway through the fourth quarter. After a touchback the Buffalo offense kept moving, taking 6 minutes off the clock. On 3rd and goal at the 10 with 3 minutes left, a touchdown pass by Allen was nullified by offensive holding. Bass hit a 41 yard field goal. The Bills led 48-35 with 2:03 to play. After a touchback in des[eration mode, the Lions did reach the end zone again but needed 16 plays to do it. On 3rd and goal from the 3, Goff hit Williams for the touchdown. The Lions were within 6, but only 12 seconds remained. The onside kick was a good one, and the Lions had a real shot at setting up the Hail Mary. Yet when the bodies finally uncovered, the Bills did recover. One week after losing 44-42, the Bills outlasted their opponent with 90 combined points. Goff was a ridiculous 38 of 59 for 494 yards and 5 touchdown passes. Allen was 23 of 34 for 362 yards with 2 touchdowns. Neither quarterback was intercepted. The Bills also ran for nearly 200 yards. The Lions had their 11 game winning streak snapped The 11-3 Bills and 12-2 Lions are both in the playoffs. The Bills clinched the AFC East. The Lions are tied atop the NFC North and they hold the tie-breaker. A rematch would be eagerly anticipated. 48-42 Bills

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Chargers — Both teams came in above .500 and in the thick of the playoff race. After an opening touchback, Baker Mayfield went to McMillan for 17. Mayfield hit Cade Otton for 11. On 3rd and 3 from the Chargers 26, Mayfield went deep to McMillan for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Buccaneers. After a touchback, Justin Herbert went to Ladd McConkey for gains of 7 and 13 and to Johnston for 13. Gus Edwards ran for 8 and 4. On 3rd and 10 from the Tampa Bay 22, defensive pass interference on an incompletion meant 10 yards. Herbert went to monkey for a 7 yard touchdown for a 7-7 game. After a touchback the Buccaneers moved to a 4th and goal at the 3 early in the second quarter. Chase McLaughlin hit the 22 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Buccaneers. Cameron Dicker responded from 41 for a 10-10 tie. An interception of Mayfield had the Chargers set up at the Tampa Bay 27. Herbert went to Johnston for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 17-10 Chargers midway through the second quarter. After that the game changed drastically. 

The Buccaneers moved from their own 20 to a 3rd and 7 at the Chargers 19. Mayfield threw incomplete. McLaughlin hit form 37 to have the Buccaneers within 17-13 with 45 seconds left in the half. The Buccaneers took over at their own 17 in the third quarter. Irving ran for 6, 5 and 18. Mayfield went deep to Mike Evans for a 57 yard touchdown to have the Buccaneers up 20-17. Te Buccaneer got it back at their own 30 and moved to a 3rd and 9 at the Chargers 15. An offensive penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct killed the drive. McLaughlin hit from 42 to make it 23-17 Buccaneers. Herbert was quickly intercepted to set up the Buccaneers at the Chargers 42. On 3rd and 12 from the Chargers 35, Mayfield again went deep to Evans for the touchdown to make it 30-17 Buccaneers. Early in the fourth quarter Jim Harbaugh went for it on 4th and 6 from the Tampa Bay 34. Herbert threw incomplete. On 3rd and 3, Mayfield went to Evans for 23. On 3rd and 3 from the Chargers 29, White gained 5. Mayfield went to Otton for 13 and to White for an 11 yard touchdown to make it 37-17 Buccaneers. The Chargers turned it over on downs again, leading to a 43 yard McLaughlin field goal to complete the scoring. With the outcome not in doubt, Herbert took a seat and Taylor Heinecke did mop up work. On his first snap, Heinecke fumbled. 30 unanswered points including a 27-0 second half whitewash had both teams at 8-6. The Buccaneers lead their division by one game while the Chargers are now a wildcard but have not clinched anything. 40-17 Buccaneers  

Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles — The battle of Pennsylvania was a big one as the 10-3 Steelers took on the 11-2 Eagles. The Eagles began at their own 30 and moved to a 3rd and 7 at the Pittsburgh 17. A shotgun run by Jalen Hurts gained only one yard. Jake Elliott hit from 34 to make it 3-0 Eagles. The Eagles fumbled on their next series without consequences. Yet the Eagles then fumbled a punt and this time the Steelers got it at their Philadelphia 11. offensive unnecessary roughness killed the drive. Chris Boswell hit the 37 yard field goal for a 3-3 game. After a touchback, Hurts went to AJ Brown for 16 and afar for 20. Hurts ran for 7 and Saquon Barkley added 22. Hurts hit Brown for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 10-3 Eagles. A 23 yard punt return gave the Eagles a short field at the Pittsburgh 45 early in the second quarter. On 3rd and 7, Hurts went to Brown for 17. On 3rd and 3 from the Pittsburgh 18, Hurts went to Kenneth Gainwell for 16. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Hurts went to Devonta Smith for the touchdown and the 17-3 Eagles lead.

After a touchback, Russell Wilson went to Skowronek for 17. Justin Fields came in for one play and ran for 9. Defensive unnecessary roughness added 15. On 3rd and 2 from the Philadelphia 22, Wilson gained 3. Wilson ran for 8 and on 3rd and 1 from the Philadelphia 10 gained 2. On 3rd and goal at the 9, Wilson went to Pat Freiermuth for the touchdown to have the Steelers within 17-10 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half. The Eagles punted on 4th and 24 from their own 15 and a short 29 yard punt gave the Steelers a short field at the Philadelphia 45. Boswell hit from 49 to get the Steelers within 17-13. Yet the second half was all about the Philadelphia defense. After a third quarter touchback the Eagles moved to a 2nd and 9 at the Pittsburgh 14. Offensive holding killed the drive. Elliott hit from 41 to make it 20-13 Eagles. Wilson then fumbled and the Eagles took over at their own 26. On 3rd and 5, Hurts went to Smith for 6. Barkley gained 9 and 4. Hurts added 23. On 3rd and 9 from the Pittsburgh 15, Hurts went to Gainwell for 14 as the third quarter ended. Hurts began the fourth quarter with the one yard tush push touchdown to have the Eagles up by 14. The Eagles got it back with 10 1/2 minutes left. They held the ball for 21…yes, 21…plays. From their own 3 they moved to a 4th and 1 at the Pittsburgh 9 at the 2 minute warning. Gainwell gained 2 and Hurts took 3 knees to finish off all 10 1/2 minutes. The Eagles held the ball for 40 minutes. Both teams are in the playoffs. The 10-4 Steelers are one game up in the AFC North. The 12-2 Eagles have won 9 straight and can lock up the NFC East with one more win. The Eagles are tied atop the conference but do not hold the tie-breaker. 27-13 Eagles

Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks was the Sunday night game. While there was no Fail Mary, miracle Russell Wilson comeback, or Matt Hasselbeck battle with Al Harris, this game featured two good football teams. Yet only one showed up. The Packers began at their own 37. Jordan Love went to Josh Jacobs for 4 and 13 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15. On 3rd and 3 from the Seattle 24, Jacobs gained 5, 8, 5, and one. Jacobs ran for a one yard touchdown to cap the 10 play, 63 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-0 Packers. The Packers got it back at their own 20. Love went to Jacobs for 21 and to Reed for 9. Jacobs ran for 19. Reed added 9 and Brooks gained 6. Love went to Romeo Doubs for the 13 yard touchdown. The Packers led 14-0 after the first quarter. The next two quarters belonged to the kickers. Jake Myers hit from 48 in the second quarter for the Seahawks. McManus hit from 39 and again from 21 to end the half to have the Packers cruising 20-3. An interception of Smith set up the latter kick. In the third quarter Myers hit from 45. Yet Geno Smith was injured on the drive and did not return. Howell finished the game.  McManus hit from 23 to make it 23-6 Packers. A fourth quarter Green Bay fumble gave the Seahawks a short field at the Green Bay 45. Zach Charbonnet ran for a 24 yard touchdown to get the Seahawks within 23-13 with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation. With 5 1/2 minutes left an interception of Howell by Cooper was returned 22 yards to the Seattle 27. On 3rd and 5, Love went to Doubs for the 22 yard touchdown to ice the game. The 10-4 Packers are all but in the playoffs as a wildcard while the 8-6 Seahawks are tied atop the NFC West but do not hold the tie-breaker. 30-13 Packers

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings was the early Monday night game. Sometimes a really bad road team can shock a very good home team in an upset for the ages. This was not that game. Bears interim coach Thomas Brown early on gambled on 4th and 1 form his own 39. Deandre Swift got nothing. The short field allowed Will Reichard to hit a 52 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Vikings. The Bears after a touchback moved to a 3rd and 9 at the Minnesota 29. Caleb Williams was sacked and fumbled. Cashman returned the fumble 16 yards  as the Vikings took over at the Chicago 39.Aaron Jones gained 9 and 13. Sam Darnold went to Jordan Addison for 9 and to Justin Jefferson for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Vikings. An emotional Jefferson dedicated his end zone dance to Hall of Fame Vikings receiver Randy Moss, who just announced he is battling cancer. With 2 1/2 minutes left in the half Jones gambled again on 4th and 1 from the Minnesota 29. Swift got stopped cold again. Reichard ended the half with a 31 yard field goal to make it 13-0 Vikings. 

The Bears managed a third quarter field goal but the Vikings then put the game away. On 3rd and 3 from their own 37, Darnold went to TJ Hockenson for 4. On 3rd and 7 from their own 44, defensive pass interference on an incompletion meant 8 yards as the drive continued. Jones ran for 8, 9, 14, and the one yard touchdown to make it 20-3 Vikings. The Bears managed another fourth quarter field goal but the Vikings kept scoring. On 3rd and 1 from their own 40, Cam Akers got the yard. An interception was waved off by defensive pass interference for a 30 yard gain down to the one. Akers got the touchdown to make it 27-6 with 10 minutes left in regulation. The Vikings did suffer a blocked punt that led to the Bears only touchdown, Reichard hit one more field goal from 46 with 1”12 left to complete the scoring. The 4-10 Bears lost their 8th straight while the 12-2 Vikings have won 7 straight. The Vikings are in the playoffs and tied atop their division and their conference. Right now they do not hold either tie-breaker. 30-12 Vikings 

Atlanta Falcons at Las Vegas Raiders was the late Monday night game. The Falcons came in having lost 4 straight and in danger of missing the playoffs. The Raiders entered having lost 9 straight to remain tied for the top draft pick. They do not have the tie-breaker. With their top 2 quarterbacks out for the year, former Falcons backup Desmond Ridder started for the Raiders. With Maxx Crosby now out for the final 3 games with an injured ankle, the Raiders were a mess on both sides of the ball. The team keeps fighting hard, but they keep losing. The Raiders began at their own 28 and moved to a 1st and 10 at midfield. A sack lost 10, a give up run lost 3 more, and a 3rd and 23 give up run resulted in a fumble. A field position game after a 30 yard punt had the Falcons just shy of midfield. Robinson gained 10 and 8. On 3rd and 4 from the Raiders 35, Kirk Cousins went to Pitts for 5. Cousins went deep to London for a 30 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Falcons. After a touchback to start the second quarter, the Raiders moved to a 1st and 10 at the Atlanta 33. Ridder threw a pair of incompletions surrounded by a run that went nowhere. Daniel Carlson hit a 52 yard field goal to get the Raiders within 7-3. The Raiders got it back at their own 3. A run lost 2 yards. From the one, another failed run resulted in a safety and a 9-3 Falcons lead. On the first play of the third quarter, Cousins was intercepted to set up the Raiders at their own 45. The Raiders went backward and AJ Cole’s punt was blocked. Younghoe Koo hit field goals of 40 in the third quarter and from 48 early in the fourth quarter to make it 15-3 Falcons.

The Raiders tried to make a game of it in the fourth quarter. Yet on 2nd and 11 from their own 8, Ridder went deep and was intercepted. Koo missed a 42 yard field goal try. Yet with 5 1/2 minutes left, this game seemed over. From his own 32, Ridder went to Tre Tucker for 8 and to Jacob Meyers for 11 and 8. On 3rd and 4 from the Atlanta 43, Ridder went to Meyers for 7 and to Marshall for 7 more. On 3rd and 3 from the Atlanta 29, Ridder went Amir Abdullah for 24 and again to Abdullah for  5 yard touchdown. On a miserable day for the Raiders special teams, the extra point was blocked. Yet with 3 minutes left the Raiders were within 6 points. After a touchback on 3rd and 4 from their own 36, Cousins threw incomplete but a horrendous roughing the passer call kept the drive going. Yet at the 2 minute warning on 3rd and 6 from the Raiders 45, Cousins threw incomplete. This tine the Raiders held. They had life. The Raiders got the ball back at their own 20 with 1:50 left needing only a touchdown and extra point to win. With 35 seconds left on 4th and 8 from the Atlanta 34, Ridder threw a swing pass to Abdullah, who evaded everyone and somehow gained 9 and got out of bounds. After spiking the ball with 10 seconds left, the Raider had 2 chances from the Atlanta 35. Both Hail Mary’s were well thrown well defended, and fell incomplete. The Falcons at 7-7 are still alive and one game back in their division. The Raiders lost their 10th straight to fall to 2-12. Close does not count. There are no moral victories. 15-9 Falcons 

NFL 2024 Week 15 Prequel

College football is over. The professionals take over the entire weekend going forward. Religious Jews can always tape the Saturday games, just as religious Christians can do when games conflict with church.

Week 15 begins the home stretch. The stakes are sky high.

In September, all 32 NFL teams are like little puppies with dreams in their eyes. This is December. Put the NFL puppies to bed. December brings the words of John Randle and Mike Singletary that ring as true as a quarterback getting his bell rung.

“This is when the big dogs come out.”

You can yap and yelp in September. You better be snarling mad dog mean to win in the National Football League in December.

This is when the big dogs come out.

There is room for finesse in September. The weather is colder in December. The bodies are bruised, beaten, battered and bloodied. The best of these men will refuse to stay down. Talking does not win Super Bowls. The Lombardi Trophy is not hoisted by engaging in words. Winning teams in December bring their battering rams. December is smash-mouth offense, bone-crunching defense, and brutal, blustery football weather.

This is when the big dogs come out.

September brings sunshine and ease at moving the ball. December is a war of attrition where every yard is contested. Fourth and goal at the one is not so easy when the men in the trenches are fighting the elements of rain, snow, and cold as well as each other. Every loss brings a team closer to the season’s end short of the goal. In December, only the very strongest of the strong survive. The very strongest of those men thrive.

This is December football. These are the big dogs. This is when the big dogs come out.

Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers (-2 1/2) — The Rams looked impressive in their win against Buffalo, but the 49ers in recent years seem to have the Rams number. The home field matters very little in this series. Both teams have offensive weapons. Both teams are desperate, with the 49ers on the brink. Yet go with the 49ers until the trend in this rivalry is broken. 49ers cover

Baltimore Ravens (-16 1/2) at New York Giants — Yes, on paper this should be a major blowout. Yet the spread is simply too high for a road team. The Giants are awful but the Ravens do not blow teams out. A garbage touchdown to beat the spread is possible. Ravens win but fail to cover

New York Jets (-3 1/2) at Jacksonville Jaguars — This is the Stupor Bowl between a pair of 3-10 teams Trevor Lawrence is out for the year. Aaron Jones in theory is better than Mac Jones. The spread is too high to trust a road team as miserable as the Jets. Jets win but fail to cover

Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers (-2 1/2) — The Panthers have improved in recent weeks. Bryce Young is slowly coming into his own. Chuba Hubbard can pound the rock. The Cowboys are in desperation mode, but at home give the team that took Philadelphia to the limit the benefit of the doubt. Panthers cover

Washington Commanders (-7 1/2) at New Orleans Saints — Derek Carr is done for the year. The Saints have improved since interim coach Darren Rizzi took over. The Commanders have cooled in recent weeks since their hot start. The Commanders are the better team but the spread is too high for a road team that has been inconsistent in recent weeks. The Saints defense will rally around their third string quarterback. Commanders win but fail to cover

Cincinnati Bengals (-5) at Tennessee Titans — The Bengals needed dumb luck to beat Dallas, but it counts in the standings. The Titans are awful. Joe Burrow is better than Will Levis. Burrow has more weapons. The Bengals are not blowing anyone away. Bengals win but fail to cover

Kansas City Chiefs (-4) at Cleveland Browns — As bad as the Browns are, the Chiefs win close games. Jameis Winston is exciting but he throws too many touchdowns to both teams. The Browns will keep it close for awhile at home, but Patrick Mahomes has too many weapons to be stopped when it counts. The Chiefs offensive line has allowed too many sacks of Mahomes, making for closer games. Chiefs win but fail to cover

Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans (-3) — The Texans are the better team. The Texans are at home. CJ Stroud and Tua Tagovailoa can both sling it. The Texans defense has more talent than the Dolphins offense. Texans cover

Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos (-4) — Bo Nix is getting better by the week. The Broncos defense is returning to form. Grabbing an early lead will force the Colts to move away from Jonathan Taylor as a focal point of an attack. Anthony Richardson has talent, but the Denver defense will swallow him up as both teams fight for the playoffs. Broncos cover

New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals (-6) — Kyler Murray is talented but the Cardinals are too inconsistent to trust, even against a bad Patriots team. Drake Maye is improving. James Conner could have a big day. Cardinals win but fail to cover

Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions (-2 1/2) — This could be a Super Bowl preview as the 10-3 Bill take on the 12-1 Lions. The Bills are coming off a loss where their defense gave up 44 points to the Rams. Now the Rams defense faced a relentless Lions offense. Jared Goff has so many weapons. Josh Allen is special, but the Lions at home have earned the benefit of the doubt. This should be a great game. Lions cover

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Los Angeles Chargers (-3) — Baker Mayfield and Justin Herbert can both sling it, but the Chargers have the better defense and the better coach in Jim Harbaugh. Home field means nothing for the Chargers. Go with the better defense. Chargers cover

Pittsburgh Steelers at Philadelphia Eagles (-5) — This could be a potential Super Bowl as well as the 10-3 Steelers battle the 11-2 Eagles. The Eagles win close games. They barely survived Carolina. Russell Wilson and Jalen Hurts are both playing well. In the battle for the Keystone State, this is a game to just take the home field. Eagles win but fail to cover

Green Bay Packers (-2 1/2) at Seattle Seahawks — Matt Hasselbeck has long retired, but both of these teams can make the playoffs. Jordan Love is good and Geno Smith is competent. The Packers nearly took down Detroit at Detroit last week. This game could come down to who has the ball last. Go with the better quarterback in a good one. Packers cover

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings (-7) — The 11-2 Vikings take on a Bears team that has lost 7 straight. Sam Darnold lit up the Atlanta defense last week and should be able to do the same at home against Chicago. Justin Jefferson should be able to torch the opposing defenders. This game is a mismatch. Vikings cover

Atlanta Falcons (-3 1/2) at Las Vegas Raiders — The 2-11 Raiders have lost 9 straight games. The Falcons have been terrible in recent weeks, but not nearly as awful as the Raiders. The Raiders are starting their 3rd string quarterback and former Falcons backup Desmond Ridder with Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew both out for the season. The Raiders have no home field advantage. Their defense usually breaks because their offense does nothing. The Raiders long ago stopped deserving the benefit of the doubt but the Falcons are one team that the Raiders could hang in with. The Raiders lose close games. Falcons win but fail to cover

NFL 2024 Week 14 Recap

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions was the Thursday night game. This is why we watch football. The 9-3 Packers took on the 11-1 Lions. This game was everything the fans could have asked for. It featured some key Dan Campbell gambles. After an opening touchback the Lions faced 3rd and 2 at their own 38. Jared Goff went to Am-ra St. Brown for 4. David Montgomery gained 13. On 3rd and 3 from the Green Bay 38, Goff went to Williams for 28. On 3rd and goal at the 7, Goff threw incomplete but defensive illegal contact meant 4 yards and an automatic first down. Montgomery ran for a 3 yard touchdown to cap the 11 play,70 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-0  Lions. On the first play of the second quarter the Packers fumbled and the Lion took over at their own 46. The Lions moved to a 1st and 10 at the Green Bay 25. Goff threw incomplete twice sandwiched around a run that went nowhere. Bates hit a 43 yard field goal for a 10-0 Lions lead. 

After a touchback, Josh Jacobs ran for 4 and 19. On 2nd and 12 from the Detroit 37, Jordan Love ran for 14. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Love went to the end zone and was intercepted. Yet defensive pass interference instead meant 1st and goal at the one. Jacobs ran it in to have the Packers within 10-7. After a touchback Montgomery ran for 8 and Goff hit Williams for 20. On 3rd and 5 from the Green Bay 37, Goff hit Montgomery for 6 and Sam LaPorta for 13. Goff found LaPorta again for 11. On 3rd and goal from the one just inches from the goal line, Montgomery went off tackle and got blasted for a one yard loss. Only 11 seconds remained in the half. On 4th and goal at the 2, rather than kick the easy field goal, it was time for the first big Dan Campbell gamble of the game. He went for it and Goff hit Jahmyr Gibbs for the touchdown to complete the 12 play, 70 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive and have the Lions up 17-7 at the break.

After a second half touchback, momentum changed drastically. On the second play from scrimmage on 2nd and 11, Love went bombs away to Watson for a 59 yard gain. On 3rd and 10 from the detroit 12, Love went to Kraft for the touchdown to have the Packers within 17-14. Three plays after a touchback on 2nd and 14 from their own 26, Goff was intercepted. Nixon ran the interception back 16 yards to have the Packers set up at the Detroit 16. Jacobs ran for a 6 yard touchdown to give the Packers the 21-17 lead less than 4 minutes into the third quarter. 

After a touchback the Lions soon faced 4th and 1 just shy of midfield. Again it was time for a Dan Campbell gamble. It did not come easy but Goff got the yard. Goff then went to Montgomery for 13. Goff ran for 9 and Gibbs added 20. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 4, Gibbs only gained one yard. For the third time in the game, it was Campbell taking a risk. Each risk seemed bigger than the one before it. There was plenty of time to kick a chip shot field goal. Campbell wanted it all. Goff hit Patrick for the touchdown and the 24-21 Lions lead. The Lions got the ball back and soon faced 4th and 1 at their own 31. For the 4th time, Campbell went for it on 4th down. Yet this was beyond bold. This was just crazy. This was Barry Switzer and Brandon Staley crazy. This time Campbell came up snake eyes. Gibbs lost a yard. The Packers received gift field position at the Detroit 30. On the last play of the third quarter, Love went to Kraft for 21. The fourth quarter began with Jacobs running it in for a 4 yard touchdown. Campbell’s aggressiveness backfired as the Packers led 28-24.

After a touchback, Goff went to Patrick for 18. On 3rd and 2 from the Green Bay 44, Goff hit St. Brown for 11 and LPorta for 14. St. Brown took an end around for 10. On 3rd and goal at the one, Goff went to Patrick for the touchdown. With 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation the Lions reclaimed the lead 31-28. After a touchback the Packers moved to a 2nd and goal at the 6. With 4 1/2 minutes left in regulation, Love went to Jacobs for the touchdown to have the Packers in the lead. Yet it was all for naught as offensive pass interference nullified the touchdown and killed the drive. Brandon McManus hit a 32 yard field goal. The game was tied 31-31, but 3 1/2 minutes still remained. The Lions had the ball and needed only a field goal to win. 

After a touchback, Goff went to Williams for 19 and to Patrick for 11. On 3rd and 7 from the Green Bay 37, Goff went to Gibbs for just enough. On 2nd and 17 from the Green Bay 37, Goff went to St. Brown for 16. On 3rd and inches, the Packers took their final timeout on defense. From the Green Bay 21, Montgomery for stopped. The clock ticked down to 43 seconds left in regulation. On 4th and 1, this time Dan Campbell had to kick the field goal. Yes it would leave the Packers time for a win, but going for it at this stage of the game was crazy. If the Lions turned it over ron downs, the Packers would need only a field goal to win it. Maybe Dan Campbell is just crazy…or crazy like a fox. With the entire game and perhaps the division on the line, he again went for it all. The handoff was a disaster as Goff slipped and fell trying to hand the ball off. Yet on his knees he did hand it off, and Montgomery broke through for a 7 yard gain. Goff took a knee to center the ball. With 2 seconds left, Bates came in for a 35 yard chip shot indoors with no wind resistance. Bates was dead center. Rather than get within game of the Lions, the Packers fell 3 games back with 4 to play. The Lions sweet the Packers and own the tie-breaker. The Lions are 12-1. As for all the gambling, this is who the Lions are. This is who Campbell is. His players trust him, and the entire football world loves him. 34-31 Lions

New Orleans Saints at New York Giants — A pair of bad teams faced off, but the Saints have improved since Darren Rizzi took over. Sometimes a pair of bad teams can come together and play a thrilling game for the ages. This was definitely not that game. Early on the Giants turned it over on downs and the Saints missed a field goal. The Saints got it back at their own 2 yard line. On 3rd and 5, Derek Carr went deep to Marques Valdes-Scantling for 22 and to Johnson for 30. Carr went to holker for 10. Alvin Kamara gained 12. Miller ran for the 8 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Saints. The Giants managed a second quarter field goal for their entire offensive output of the half. The half ended with Blake Grupe having a 60 yard field goal try blocked. In the third quarter Carr was intercepted on a deep ball but the Saints got the ball back at their own 31. On 3rd and 12 Carr went to Wilson for 18. On 3rd and 1 from the Giants 44, Miller gained 3. Carr went to Foster Moreau for 32 and to Johnson for an 11 yard touchdown to make it 14-3 Saints. 

With 10 minutes left in regulation the Giants took over at their own 18. Drew Lock went to Bellinger for 12. On 3rd and 9 from their own 34, Lock ran for 14. With 5 minutes left the Giants were down to their last gasp facing 4th and 20 at the New Orleans 41. Lock went to Robinson for 18. Lock went to Nabers for 22. Tracy ran for a one yard touchdown. Lock hit Nabers for the 2 point conversion. With 4 minutes left the Giants were within 3 points. The Giants got it back at their one 14 with 3 minutes left and moved to a 4th and 9 at the New Orleans 38 with 1:52 left. Lock was intercepted. The Giants defense held again and the Giants got it back at their own 27 with 1:20 left. The Giants moved to a 1st and 10 at the New Orleans 12 with 21 seconds left. They had plenty of time to tie or even win the game. After a spike to stop the clock came a false start. Then Lock threw incomplete twice. With 11 seconds left, Graham Gano came in to force overtime. This was a 35 yard chip shot. Gano’s kick was blocked as the Giants fell to 2-11. The Saints are 3-1 since Darren Rizzi took over.  14-11 Saints

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers – A couple of weeks ago in the Cleveland snow a bad Browns team shocked a good Pittsburgh team 24-19. Now in Pittsburgh the Steelers wanted revenge. Early in the game the Browns punted on 4th and 22 form their own 5. An 11 yard punt return had the Steelers taking over at the Cleveland 36. On 3rd and 1 from the Cleveland 7, Russell Wilson got the yard but an illegal shift nullified the gain. Chris Boswell hit a 30 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Steelers. After a touchback Ford and Nick Chubb each ran for 7. Jameis Winston went to Moore for 20. On 3rd and 9 from the Pittsburgh 35, Winston went to Jerry Jeudy for the touchdown to make it 7-3 Browns. After that, reality set in. 

In the second quarter Winston was intercepted by Benton, who returned the pick 11 yards to the Cleveland 31. On 3rd and 7 Wilson threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 16 yards. Najee Harris ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 10-7 Steelers. The Steelers got it back at their own 19 and moved to a 4th and 2 at the Cleveland 36. Boswell hit from 54 to make it 13-7 Steelers. The Browns missed golden opportunities when Dustin Hopkins missed short field goals of 38 late in the second quarter and 43 early in the third quarter. The Steelers soon faced 3rd and 10 at their own 33. Wilson went to Pat Freiermuth for 21. Jalen Warren gained 14. Wilson went to Warren for 14. Wilson hit Van Jefferson for a 14 yard touchdown to make it 20-7 Steelers. Kevin Stefanski gambled on 4th and 1 just past midfield. Ford ran around the end and got blown up for a 5 yard loss. The Steelers on 3rd and 6 from the Cleveland 42 had Wilson go to Mike Williams for 22. Wilson went to Freiermuth for a 20 yard touchdown to make it 27-7 Steelers. The Browns managed a fourth quarter garbage touchdown but nothing else. The Steelers are 10-3 while the Browns are a woeful 3-10 on the year. 27-14 Steelers

Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings — Kirk Cousins faced off against his old team. After an opening touchback the Falcons went right to work. Robinson gained 12. On 3rd and 8  from their own 44, Cousins went to Mooney for 28. Cousins found London for 16. On 4th and 1 from the Minnesota 8, Raheem Morris went for it. Robinson gained 2. Tyler Allgeier ran for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Falcons. The Falcons got it back at their own 18 and moved to a 4th and 5 at the Minnesota 38. Morris gambled again and this time Cousins threw incomplete. The Vikings struck quickly. Aaron Jones ran for 13. Sam Darnold went deep to Jordan Addison for a 49 yard touchdown and a 7-7 game. In the second quarter the Vikings faced 3rd and 13 from their own 17. Darnold went to Jefferson for 20. Defensive pass interference on a deep incompletion added 47. On 3rd and 15 from the Atlanta 21, Darnold was sacked and fumbled. Yet on further review Darnold’s arm was going forward. Reichard’s 39 yard field goal try was good but defensive holding caused Kevin O’Connell to take the points off the board. On 3rd and 6 from the Atlanta 12, Darnold went to Justin Jefferson for the touchdown and the 14-7 Vikings lead just before the 2 minute warning. 

After a touchback the Falcons moved to a 2nd and goal at the one with 20 seconds left. A run lost a yard and Cousins then threw incomplete. This time on 4th and goal from the 2, Raheem Morris took no chances. Younghoe Koo hit from 20 to have the Falcons within 14-10. In the third quarter Reichard doinked a 47 yard try off the left upright no good. Koo hit again from 29 as the Falcons were within 14-13. The Vikings took over at their own 25. Darnold went to Jefferson for 21. On 3rd and 8 from their own 48, Darnold went deep to Jefferson for a 52 yard touchdown and a 21-13 Vikings lead. After a touchback Allgeier rushed for big gains of 25 and 5. Cousins went to London for 11 and to McCloud for 16. Robinson ran for a 13 yard touchdown. Morris went for 2 and Robison got in. After three quarters the game was tied 21-21. 

The Vikings began the fourth quarter facing 2nd and 12 at their own 28. Darnold went to TJ Hockenson for 14. Darnold went deep to Addison for 42. On 3rd and 5 from the Atlanta 11, Darnold went to Addison for the touchdown to make it 28-21 Vikings. The Falcons fumbled he ensuing kickoff and the Vikings took over at the Minnesota 32. Darnold hit Jefferson for 7, Jones for 5, and Addison for 9. Darnold went back to Addison for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 35-21 Vikings. An interception of Cousins had the Vikings at their own 2 yard line with 6 1/2 minutes left. Cam Akers ran for 4, 25 and 11. Darnold went to Oliver for 26. On 3rd and 8 from the Atlanta 15, Jones ran it in to turn a shootout into a blowout. Darnold was a lights out 22 of 28 for 347 yards, 5 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. The 6-7 Falcons can still win their awful division while the 11-2 Vikings are steamrolling toward the playoffs. 42-21 Vikings 

Las Vegas Raiders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — The Raiders entered this game a 2-10 mess having lost 8 straight. The Raiders were a good team until the Buccaneers throttled them in the 2002 Super Bowl. They are still rebuilding 22 years later. For those who thought that super Bowl was a blowout, this game early on was not much better. The Buccaneers began facing 3rd and 1 from their own 24. White gained 4. Baker Mayfield went to Mike Evans for 15. Mayfield went to Shepard for 9 and White for 7. On 4th and 1 from the Raider 37, Todd Bowles decided to go for it. White gained 7. Mayfield went to Irving for 15 and to McMillan for a 15 yard touchdown to cap the 12 play, 85 yard, 7 minute drive and make it 7-0 Buccaneers. The Raiders punted on 4th and 20 from their own 10. The Buccaneers took over at their own 48. Mayfield went to Cade Otton for 20. White gashed the defense for gains of 13 and 12 and then caught a 5 yard touchdown pass form Mayfield to make it 14-0 Buccaneers. 

Early in the second quarter Mayfield had a pass tipped in the air and intercepted by Chaisson. It was a spectacular one handed tip and catch while Chaisson was on the ground. The Raiders had a ray of hope starting at the Tampa Bay 36. Yet on the first offensive play from scrimmage, Aidan O’Connell fumbled the snap and gave the ball right back. Yet 3 plays later Mayfield was sacked and fumbled.The Raiders took over with another short field at the Tampa Bay 45. O’Connell went to Brock Bowers for 12 and to Mayer for 29. On 3rd and goal at the 2, O’Connell got stepped on by his own center and fell. Just before going down he heaved a wounded duck to the end zone. The Raiders caught a major break with a defensive pass interference call. Given a new set of downs, O’Connell got the one yard quarterback sneak to have the Raiders within 14-7. The Raiders got it back at their own 46 and moved to a 3rd and 2 at the Tampa Bay 6. O’Connell rolled out and eventually threw the ball away. Antonio Pierce was not in a gambling mood. Daniel Carlson hit the 25 yard field goal to get the Raiders within 14-10. The Buccaneers had a chance to score again before the half but Mayfield was intercepted in the end zone for a touchback. The Raiders defense had forced only 5 turnovers all season, worst in the league. They forced 3 in the first half of this game. 

The Raiders began the third quarter and mounted one of their longest drives in several years. Pounding the ball on the ground, the Raiders held the ball for 16 plays. They moved 61 yards. They held the ball for a mind-numbing 10 minutes and 20 seconds. The running game was working well. Yet on 2nd and 8 from the Tampa Bay 10, the offensive geniuses decided to have O’Connell line up in the shotgun with an empty backfield. O’Connell was intercepted. 10 1/2 minutes down the drain. The Raiders defense did their jobs and Amir Abdullah returned the punt 15 yards as their offense got the ball back just shy of midfield. Yet the Raiders offensive brain trust again had O’Connell line up in the shotgun. He threw another duck where only a defender could catch it. The defender did as O’Connell’s third interception killed the Raiders and wasted the defense’s efforts. After a lengthy review, the Raiders caught a break when it was reversed to an incompletion. On 3rd and 10, O’Connell rolled to his right and completed a pass to Jakobi Meyers for 8. After the throw O’Connell received a late but very light shove from the defender. O’Connell stayed down. It was a shove, not even a hit. O’Connell was taken off the field on a stretcher. Again, the defender barely touched him. Rather than bring in third stringer Desmond Ridder in such a key situation, Antonio Pierce from the Tampa Bay 44 opted to punt. 

Early in the fourth quarter Ridder came in. On his second play from scrimmage, he fumbled the snap and fell on it. The Buccaneers soon faced 3rd and 9 from their own 24. Mayfield went to Evans for 32. Tucker ran for 34. White want ran for a 3 yard touchdown. With 9 minutes left in regulation the Buccaneers led 21-10. The Raiders moved from their own 35 to a 3rd and goal at the 5. Ridder threw a completion that lost 3 yards. Needing 2 scores with 3m minutes left, Antonio Pierce opted for the field goal. Carlson hit from 27 to get the Raiders within 8. The Buccaneers took over at their own 20. Mayfield went to Otton for 44. On 3rd and 6 from the Raiders 29 at the 2  minute warning, Mayfield went to McMillan for the touchdown. The game was now out of reach.The 7-6 Buccaneers are alive in their wretched division while the 2-11 Raiders have lost 9 straight games. 28-13 Buccaneers

Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles — The Panthers are a bad team that has improved in recent weeks. The Eagles are a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Yet the Panthers played the Eagles tough. A first quarter field position game had the Panthers taking over at the Philadlephia 47. Eddie Pieniro hit a 38 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Panthers. After a touchback, Saquon Barkley ran for 7 and 12. The Eagles began the second quarter at the Carolina 46. Barkley ran for 11. On 3rd and 8 from the Carolina 35, Jalen Hurts went to Devonta Smith for 27. On 3rd and goal at the one, Hurts took the Philly tush push into the end zone for a 7-3 Eagles lead. The Panthers took over at their own 31. Chuba Hubbard gained 8 and 4. Bryce Young hit Adam Thielen for 11. On 3rd and 2 from the Philadelphia 25, Young went to Moore for 19. On 3rd and goal at the one, Hubbard lost 2 yards. Dave Canales went for it. On 4th and goal, Young found Tommy Tremble in the flat for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 10-7 Panthers with 4 minutes left in the half. 

The Panthers got it back and soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 36 at the 2 minute warning. Young went deep and was intercepted by Gardner-Johnson, who returned the pick 15 yards to the Carolina 44. Hurts hit AJ Brown for 10. Hurts ran for 15. With 14 seconds left in the half, Hurts went to Smith for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 14-10 Eagles. Early in the third quarter Jake Elliott missed a 52 yard field goal try that would have extended the lead. The Panthers took over at their own 42. Hubbard ran for 7 and 2. Young went to Thielen for 15. Hubbard ran for 4, 6 and 2. On 4th and 2 from the Philly 11, Dave Canales gambled. Young went to Thielen for 6. On 3rd and goal at the one, Hubbard got in.The extra point was no good but the Panthers led 16-14 after three quarters and had a shot at the upset of the year. After a touchback, Barkley ran for 11 and 15. on 3rd and 10 from the Carolina 44 Hurts scrambled for a 35 yard gain to end the third quarter. The fourth quarter began with the Eagles facing 3rd and goal at the 4. Hurts went to Calcaterra for the touchdown. Barkley ran in the 2 point conversion for a 6 point Eagles lead. 

The Panthers after a touchback moved to a 4th and 2 at the Philly 27 with 8 1/2 minutes left. Young threw incomplete. With 3 minutes left the Panthers got the ball back at their own 3 yard line. They moved to a 2nd and 4 at the Philadelphia 32 with 52 seconds left. One touchdown would give them the lead. Young went bombs away to a wide open Leggett, who cradled the ball at the one and rolled into the end zone untouched. Yet before the Panthers could kick the extra point and celebrate, further review showed that the ball hit the ground. Leggett did not fully secure it. The Eagles dodged a major bullet. On 4th and 9 with 37 seconds left, Young went deep incomplete. It was far from pretty, but the Eagles survived to get to 11-2 while the Panthers are 3-10 on the year. 22-16 Eagles

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans — A pair of awful teams played. Trevor Lawrence is out for the rest of the season after taking a brutal illegal hit to the head last week. Sometimes a pair of awful teams can come together and play a thrilling game for the ages. This was absolutely not that game. Nick Folk hit a 46 yard first quarter field goal for the only score of the half. The Titans had chances to build on their 3-0 lead but failed to do so. Folk hit again from 39 in the third quarter to make it 6-0 Titans. Chase Little hit from 23 to have the Jaguars within 6-3 with 12 minutes left in regulation. The Jaguars got it back at their own 19. Mac Jones went to Thomas for 21. Travis Etienne ran for 11. On 3rd and 4 from the Tennessee 43, Jones went deep to Thomas for 31. Tyler Bigsby ran for 4 and then for the 8 yard touchdown. After more than 53 minutes, the first touchdown of the game had the Jaguars up by 4. After a touchback the Titans moved to a 4th and 3 at the Jacksonville 9 with 1:15 to play. Levis threw incomplete. The Titans took their timeouts on defense and got the ball back at their own 40 with 50 seconds left. On 4th and 15 Levis threw deep incomplete. The Jaguars snapped their 5 game losing streak. Both teams are 3-10. League officials vowed to burn the tape of this game. 10-6 Jaguars 

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins — Aaron Rodgers and Tua Tagovailoa are both good quarterbacks with some weapons, but for some reason both of their teams suck. After an opening touchback, Tagovailoa hit Jalen Waddle for 20, Tyreek Hill for 11, and Devon Achane for 14. On 3rd and goal at the one, Tagovailoa threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a new set of downs. Achane ran for a 2 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good but the Dolphins led 6-0. After a touchback the Jets moved to a 2nd and 2 at the Miami 10. Rodgers threw incomplete twice. Anders Carlson hit the 28 yard field goal to get the Jets on the board. After a touchback the Dolphins moved to a 3rd and 1 at the Jets 21. On the first play of the second quarter Tagovailoa threw incomplete. Mike MadDaniel was not in a gambling mood. Jason Sanders hit the 39 yard field goal to make it 9-3 Dolphins. After a touchback, Rodgers went to Wilson fo 12. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich gambled on 4th and 4 from his own 48. Rodgers connected with Wilson for a 35 yard gain. Davis ran for a 12 yard gain to make it 10-9 Jets. The rest of the half belonged to the field goal kickers. Jason Sanders hit from 24 to put the Dolphins up 12-10. Carlson responded from 30 to make it 13-12 Jets. Sanders drilled a 57 yarder to end the half as the 4th lead change of the first half had the Dolphins back on top 15-13. 

After a third quarter touchback, Rodgers went deep to Wilson for 42. On 3rd and 2 from the Miami 18, Rodgers threw incomplete. A field goal would give the Jets the lead, but Jeff Ulbrich decided to go for it. Rodgers went to Davis for 15. Rodgers went to Davantae Adams for a 3 yard touchdown. The 5th lead change of the game had the Jets up 20-15. The Jets got the ball back at their own 20 and moved to a 3rd and 4 at the Miami 17. Rodgers was sacked. Carlson hit the 40 yard field goal. The Jets led 23-15, but they did not put the dagger in. A field position game had the Dolphins at their own 40 early in the fourth quarter. On 3rd and 10, Tagovailoa went to Hill for 18. Tagovailoa went deep incomplete and drew a 23 yard defensive pass interference penalty. On 3rd and goal at the one, a run lost 3 yards. With 10 minutes left in regulation, a field goal was still reasonable. Yet Mike MacDaniel went for it. Tagovailoa went to Hill for the touchdown. Tagovailoa hit Waddle for the 2 point conversion. With 9 minutes left the game was tied 23-23. 

The Jets moved from their own 13 to a 4th and 7 at the Miami 24. Carlson hit the 42 yard field goal. With only 52 seconds left in the game, the Jets led 26-23 with a chance to snap their long losing streak. A strong kickoff return had the Dolphins at their on 46 with 44 seconds left. With 7 seconds left, Sanders came in for a 52 yard field goal try to tie the game. Sanders was good. The Dolphins got the ball first in overtime. Tagovailoa went to Smith for 20 and again for 14. Tagovailoa hit Achance for 4, Hill for 9, and Achane again for 10. A touchdown would end the game but a field goal would give the Jets a chance with the ball. Rodgers never took the field in overtime. Tagovailoa went to Smith for a 10 yard touchdown. The 6th lead change of the game ended the game. The Dolphins at 6-7 are clinging to playoff life while the Jet are a 3-10 mess. 32-26 Dolphins, OT

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals — All 4 teams in the NFC West were bunched up in the battle for the division. The Seahawks entered with the one game lead. After an opening touchback, Kyler Murray went to James Conner for 11. On 3rd and 9 from their own 42, Murray went to Bay Jones for 13. Murray went deep to Wilson for a 41 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Cardinals. After that the Seahawks took over. They moved from their own 27 to a 3rd and goal at the 2. Geno Smith threw incomplete. Mike McDonald was not in a gambling mood. Jason Myers hit the 20 yard field goal to get the Seahawks within 7-3. Murray was then quickly intercepted by Jones, who returned the pick 12 yards to the Arizona 19. One play and 6 seconds later, Smith went to non-relative Jackson Smith-Nigba for the touchdown to have the Seahawks up 10-7. Murray was then intercepted again. The Seahawks had a short field at the Arizona 46. Smith went to Smith-Nigba for 19. Zach Charbonnet ran for 22. On 3rd and goal at the one, Charbonnet got in to have the Seahawks up 17-7 after the first quarter. 

After a touchback to start the second quarter, the Cardinals moved to a 2nd and goal at the 9. Murray threw incomplete twice. Ryland hit the 28 yard field goal to get the Cardinals within 17-10. The Seahawks soon faced 3rd and 10 at their own 20. Smith went to Smith-Nigba for 24. Charbonnet broke free for a 51 yard touchdown to have the Seahawks up 24-10. In the third quarter the Seahawks took over at their own 37. They moved to a 1st and 10 at the Arizona 14. Smith fumbled the snap but the Seahawks retained possession. Myers hit the 36 yard field goal to have the Seahawks up 27-10. The Cardinals managed one more touchdown late in the third quarter but could get no closer. Needing 2 scores midway through the fourth quarter, Ryland’s 40 yard field goal try doinked off the left upright no good. Myers added a 35 yard field goal just past the 2 minute warning to complete the scoring. The Cardinals are alive at 6-7 but the Seahawks are still atop the division at 8-5 on the year. 30-18 Seahawks

Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams — The Bills came in 10-2 and one game back in the conference. The 6-6 Rams were just trying to survive. After an opening touchback the Rams faced 3rd and 1 at their own 39. Karen Williams gained 3. On 3rd and 9 from their own 43, Matthew Stafford went to Puka Nacua for 17. Williams gained 7, 12 and 4. Nacua gained 5 and 9. Williams ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Rams. The Bills after a touchback faced 3rd and 9 at their own 31. Allen threw incomplete but roughing the passer added 15 yards. Josh Allen went to Shakir and Mack Hollins for 16 apiece and to Johnson for 14. On 3rd and goal at the one, Allen got in for a 7-7 game. The Rams moved from their own 32 to a 3rd and goal at the 3 early in the second quarter. Stafford threw incomplete. Joshua Karty hit the 22 yard field goal to have the Rams up 10-7. The Bills won had to punt from their own 48, bringing about a key play in the game. The Rams crashed through the line and blocked the punt. Hunter Long picked it up and raced 22 yards for a touchdown to have the Rams up 17-7. 

After a touchback the Bills struck quickly. Allen went to Hollins for 12, to Amari Cooper for 14, and to Johnson for a 41 yard touchdown to have the Bills within 17-14. The Rams took over at their own 24. Defensive pass interference added 10 yards. Stafford went to Nacua for 16 and again for 19. On 3rd and 4 from the Buffalo 25, Stafford went to Cooper Kupp for 6. Williams ran for 10. Nacua ran for a 4 yard touchdown to have the Rams up 24-14 at the intermission. In the third quarter the Rams faced 3rd and 10 at their own 24. Stafford went to Nacua for 13. On 3rd and 6 from their own 41, Stafford hit Nacua for 7. Stafford went deep to Kupp for 37. Williams ran for 3, 4, and on 3rd and 3 from the Buffalo 7, the touchdown to make it  31-14 Rams.The Bills soon faced 3rd and 9 from their own 21. Allen went to Cooper for 26. After reducing a 1st and 30 to a 3rd and 8 just shy of midfield, Allen went to Shakir for a 51 yard touchdown to get the Bills within 31-21. After a touchback, Stafford went to Tutu Atwell for 21. On 3rd and 6 from the Buffalo 45, it was Blackjack again as Stafford hit Nacua for 21 more. On 3rd and 3 from the Buffalo 17, Stafford went to Cooper Kupp for the touchdown. The Rams were rolling up 38-21 after three quarters. Yet the Bills did not get to 10-2 by being easily vanquished.

After a touchback on 3rd and 10 from their own 30, Allen ran for 20 as the third quarter ended. A horse collar tackle added 15. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Allen went deep to Shakir for 34 down to the one. Allen got the yard to have the Bills within 38-28. The Buffalo defense finally forced a 3 and out but a good punt pinned the Bills back to their own 9 yard line. On 3rd and 1, Allen gained 18. Allen ran for a 30 yard gain. Allen went to Samuel for 11. On 3rd and 3 from the Rams 26, the defense got caught with too many men on the field. Allen hit Hollins for a 2 1yard touchdown to have the Bills within 38-35 with a full 9 minutes left in regulation. The Rams took over at their own 29. Stafford went to Williams for 6 and to Nacua for 19. On 3rd and 9 from the Buffalo 45, Stafford threw incomplete but defensive pass interference was a killer that kept the drive going and added 5 yards. With 4 minutes left in regulation the Rams had 4th and 5 at the Buffalo 35. A field goal would be 53 yards but would allow the Bills to have a chance to win. So Sean McVay gambled. Stafford hit Atwell for 11. On 3rd and 5 from the Buffalo 19, Stafford went to Nacua for the touchdown. The 11 play, 71 yard drive took 7 minutes off the clock. The extra point was no good but the Rams led 44-35 with only 1:56 left. Allen quickly moved the Bills 70 yards and scored on a one yard touchdown run with one minute left. Yet the onside kick failed as the Rams survived a thriller. The 7-6 Rams survived. The 10-3 Bills, having won their division, fell back in the race for the conference lead. 44-42 Rams

Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers — 40 years ago, these teams played big games that mattered. This game was just a battle of bad tams, although the 49ers still had faint playoff hopes. After an opening touchback the 49ers faced 3rd and 3 at their own 37. Brock Purdy went to Guerendo for 23 and to George Kittle for 33. Purdy found Jennings for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 49ers. The 49ers got it back at their own 36. Purdy went to Kittle for 32 and to Guerendo for 27 down to the one. Guerendo ran it in from there to make it 14-0 49ers. The 49ers began the second quarter facing 2nd and 14 from their own 25. Purdy went to Kittle for 23. On 3rd and 8 from midfield, Purdy went to Kittle for 18. On 4th and 1 from the Chicago 23, Kyle SHanahan went for it and Purdy got the yard. On 3rd and 3 from the Chicago 16, Purdy went to Jennings for the touchdown to make it 21-0 49ers. Jake Moody tacked on a 23 yard field goal to have the 49ers up 24-0 at the break. League rules prevented the second half from being canceled. Each team scored 2 touchdowns in successive order in a game that was never a contest. The 6-7 49ers are still alive. 38-13 49ers

Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs was the Sunday night game. — The 11-1 Chiefs came in having won 14 straight one score games. The 8-4 Chargers came in having lost 10 straight games decided by 3 points or less. Nobody loses close games like the Chargers while the Chiefs have needed divine intervention to survive against inferior competition. The first half was a defensive slugfest. Matt Wright hit field goals of 47 in the first quarter and 33 in the second quarter to have the Chiefs up 6-0. With 3 1/2 minutes left in the half, the Chiefs took over at their own 23. On3rd and 7, Patrick Mahomes went to Xavier Worthy for 11. Defensive pass interference added 15. Mahoems hit Travis Kelce for 13. Mahomes found Deandre Hopkins for a 9 yard touchdown to have the Chiefs up 13-0 at the half. it was their only touchdown of the entire game. 

The Chargers began the third quarter facing 3rd and 1 at their own 30. Justin Herbert got the yard. Vidal ran for a pair of 8 yard gains. On 3rd and 2 from the Chiefs 40, a run went nowhere. Jim Harbaugh went for it. On 4th and 2, Herbert found Palmer for 15. Herbert went to Smartt for 21. Gus Edwards ran for a 3 yard touchdown. The 13 play, 79 yard, 8 minute drive had the Chargers within 13-7. The chargers forced a 3 and out and got the ball back at their own 26. A defensive pass interference call on a deep incompletion added 39 yards. Herbert went to Samrtt for 24. On 3rd and 3 from the Kansas City 4, Herbert went to Johnston for the touchdown to have the Chargers up 14-13 after three quarters. Early in the fourth quarter Wright hit a 50 yard field goal to have the Chiefs up 16-14. Yet Dicker responded from 37 to make it 17-16 Chargers with 4 1/2 minutes left. 

The ensuing kickoff was short of the landing zone to set up the Chiefs at their own 40. The entire football world knew what was coming. The Chiefs moved down the field. With exactly one second left in regulation, Wright came in for a 31 yard field goal try. What came next was chaos. Wright’s kick doinked off the left upright, but inside the upright. He got the favorable bounce as it snuck through inside the right upright. It was good. The Chiefs this season have beaten all 3 of their divisional opponents by exactly 2 points due to field goal chaos on the final play. With Denver, the Chiefs blocked the kick. Last week against the Raiders, a fumbled snap prevented the kick from being attempted. This week it was a favorable doink. For the 2nd straight week against a divisional rival, the Chiefs won by the exact same score. The Chargers lost their 11th straight game decided by 3 points or less. The Chiefs won their 15th straight one score game. The Chargers at 8-5 are still very much alive for a Wildcard but no more. The 12-1 Chiefs clinched the AFC West for the 9th straight year. The Chiefs are also 2 games up in the conference battle for home field advantage throughout the playoffs and the bye week. It was harrowing, but Andy Reid is a most relieved and happy Walrus indeed. 19-17 Chiefs

Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys was the Monday night game. These preseason darlings are two of the biggest bust of the entire season, with both teams expected to miss the playoffs. A 20 yard punt return by Kevontae Turpin had the Cowboys at their own 40. On 3rd and 1, Cooper Rush went to Schoonmaker for 14. Rush went to Cede Lamb for 13. Mike McCarthy gambled on 4th and 1 from the Cincinnati 11. Rush went to Lamb for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Cowboys. After a touchback, Joe Burrow went to Brown for 13. JaMarr Chase got around the end for 14. On 3rd and 2 from the Dallas 27, Burrow went to Brown for 8. On 3rd and 10 from the Dallas 19, Burrow went to Tee Higgins for 13. Burrow went to Chase for a 5 yard touchdown to make it a 7-7 ballgame. Rush was then intercepted but the Bengals turned it back over on downs. The Cowboys moved from their own 44 to a 3rd and 5 at the Cincinnati 17. Rush threw incomplete. Brandon Aubrey hit a 35 yard field goal 10 make it 10-7 Cowboys in the second quarter. The Bengals soon faced 3rd and 7 at their own 39. Burrow went to Iosivas for 23, to Chase for 14, to Mike Gesicki for 5, and to Brown for a 19 yard touchdown to make it 14-10 Bengals. The Bengals got the ball back at their own 45 with 1:50 left in the half. They moved to a 3rd and 7 at the Dallas 19. Burrow threw incomplete. Evan McPherson hit from 37 with 30 seconds left to make it 17-10 Bengals. 

After a third quarter touchback the Cowboy faced 3rd and 2 from their own 43.  Rush went to Turpin for 15 and to Schoonmaker for 8. Rico Dowdle ran for 27. Rush went to Cooks for a 3 yard touchdown and a 17-17 game. After a touchback the Bengals moved to a 2nd and 4 at the Dallas 33. After an off naive penalty, Burrow was intercepted. The Cowboys moved from their own 17 to a 1st and 10 at the Dallas 29. A penalty for unnecessary roughness on the offense killed the drive. Aubrey hit a 47 yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter to make it 20-17 Cowboys. The Bengals moved form their own 32 to a 3rd and 2 at the Dallas 10. Burrow threw incomplete. Zac Taylor was not in a gambling mood. McPherson hit from 29 for a 20-20 tie with 10 1/2 minutes left in regulation. A the 2 minute warning, the Bengals and to punt on 4th and 27 from their own 29. Then all hell broke loose. 

The Cowboys partially blocked the punt. It traveled only 14 yards. The Cowboys were ready to take over at the Cincinnati 43 needing only a few yards to get in long field goal range. Aubrey has the leg. The game was played at Jerrahworld Metropolis indoors with no wind. Aubrey never got the chance. A Cowboys player named Amani Oruwariye picked a bad time to turn into the new Leon Lett. 30 years after Lett’s blunder cost the Cowboys a game, Oruwariye entered Cowboys hall of shame and infamy for the same boneheaded mistake. Football 101 teaches kids that when a punt is blocked, it is a live ball. A full block means the ball goes backward behind the punter. the kicking team can pick up the ball and advance it. The team that blocked the punt can also pick it up and run it the other way. Yet if the team that blocked the punt tries to pick it up and run with it but mishandles it, there is no harm done. A partially blocked punt is a completely different animal.

A partially blocked punt sees the ball travel beyond the line of scrimmage. As long as the defenders stay far away from the ball, the play is dead. The kicking team cannot pick it up and advance it. All the defenders have to do is leave the ball alone. Yet if for some reason a defender touches and mishandles the ball, it then becomes  alive ball and is treated like a fumble. The play in this game should have been dead. Yet Oruwariye tried to pick the ball up. He mishandled it and the Bengals recovered the fumble. Instead of being in the driver’s seat and being able to milk the clock and kick a field goal, the Cowboys gave the Bengals another chance from their own 43. Burrow went to Iosivals for 7. Brown ran for 10. Brown connected with Chase for a 40 yard touchdown. Wit one minute left, the Bengals led by 7. After a touchback the Cowboys moved to a 4th and 7 at their own 48 with 24 seconds left. Rush threw incomplete Both teams are 5-8 as Jerrah debated whether to blow up his own stadium for the insurance money. 27-20 Bengals

NFL 2024 Week 14 Prequel

Thursday, December 5, 2024, 8pm

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions (-3 1/2) — This is why we watch football. The Packers are 9-3. The Lions are 11-1. A few weeks ago the Lions went into Green Bay and beat them up. The Packers are a good team. The Lions are a great team. Their offense is virtually unstoppable. Jared Goff has a pinball offense. At home in the dome, the Lions will continue to roll. Lions cover

Sunday, December 8, 1pm

New Orleans Saints (-5) at New York Giants — Despite losing last week, the Saints have improved since Darren Rizzi took over as interim coach. The Giants are just dreadful. Derek Carr does have options, but Taysom Hill is not one of them. Hill suffered a season ending knee injury last week. The Saints should win, but the spread is high for a road team with a losing record. Saints win but fail to cover

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers (-6 1/2) — Two weeks ago the Browns shocked the Steelers in the snow in Cleveland. Yet the Browns are coming off a short week. Jameis Winston throws too many interceptions. The Steelers can run the ball. The Browns have improved since Winston took over. He might be able to keep it close, but the Steelers should be able to grind out a win. Steelers win but fail to cover 

Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings (-5 1/2) — The Falcons have lost three straight to drop to 6-6. The Vikings overcame a double digit second half deficit to eke out a win last week to get to 10-2. Kirk Cousins sis facing his old team, but he does not have enough weapons. The Vikings have all world Justin Jefferson to stretch the defense. Vikings cover

Las Vegas Raiders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6 1/2) — Twenty years after the Buccaneers shellacked the Raiders in the Super Bowl, the Raiders still have not recovered. Now the Raiders have lost eight straight. The Buccaneers t 6-6 are tied atop their division. The Raiders took Kansas City to the limit. The Raiders defense is competent. The Buccaneers have far more talent on offense. Buccaneers win but fail to cover

Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles (-12 1/2) — The Eagles usually win close games, but their road win at Baltimore was very impressive. The Panthers have played much better football in the last three weeks than the rest of the season. The Eagles will win, but a garbage touchdown to beat the spread is very possible. Eagles win but fail to cover

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (-3 1/2) — Both teas are awful. Trevor Lawrence suffered a concussion last week on a brutal hit. Without Lawrence, the Jaguars have zero chance. Go with the home field against a depleted team. Titans cover

New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-6 1/2 ) — The Dolphins are nothing special but the Jets are pathetic. Other bad teams have far less talent and are still competing. The Jets have talented players but never gelled as a team. The worst thing to say about a team as that they quit. The Jets seem to have quit. Tua Tagovailoa is healthy for the moment. Dolphins cover

4pm

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (-2 1/2) — The 7-5 Seahawks and 6-6 Cardinals are fighting for the division lead. The Cardinals blew a double digit second half lead on the road last week. Home field matters very little in this series. Geno Smith is competent. Kyler Murray is exciting but has less help than Smith.If James Conner can run the ball, the Cardinals can shorten the game. Cardinals win but fail to cover

Buffalo Bills(-4 1/2) at Los Angeles Rams — The Rams started 1-4 but Sean McVay held the team together to get them to 6-6. Yet the 10-2 Bills are in Super Bowl mode. The Rams have enough offensive talent to make this a close game, but go with the better team. Josh Allen is a dual threat quarterback. The Bills have the better defense. Bills win but fail to cover

Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers (-3 1/2) — 40 years ago, this game mattered greatly. The Bears finally fired Matt Eberflus. The 49ers are 5-7, one game better than the Bears. Yet the 49ers are only two games back in their division. The 49ers lost Christian McCaffrey for the rest of the year to injury. Brock Purdy still has more weapons than Caleb Williams. The Bears find ways to lose. 49ers cover

8pm

Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (-4) — The Chief are the better team but they win close games. The Chargers tend to play the Chiefs tough, and with Jim Harbaugh at the helm, the Chargers defense has improved. Yet the Chiefs are still 11-1. Chiefs cover

Monday, December 9, 8pm

Cincinnati Bengals (-5 1/2) at Dallas Cowboys — The Cowboys have won two straight with Cooper Rush. The Bengals are doing badly despite Joe Burrow leading the league in touchdown passes. As for why the Bengals are favored at all is a mystery. Go with the trend. Upset special, Cowboys win outright