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