NFL 2023 Week 18 Recap
This is when the big dogs come out!
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens is the Saturday afternoon game. The 9-7 Steelers needed to win and get help to make the playoffs. The bad news was that they would be playing in a driving rainstorm on the road at hated Baltimore. The good news was that they would be playing against backups. The 13-3 Ravens already locked up the top seed with home field throughout the playoffs and the coveted first round bye. John Harbaugh gave Lamar Jackson and the rest of his stars the night off as Tyler Huntley played. The Steelers in the first quarter faced 3rd and 1 at their own 33. Najee Harris got the yard. Jalen Warren ran for 23. Austin gained 8. Harris ran for 9 and caught a pass from Mason Rudolph for 6. Harris ran for 2 and then for the 6 yard touchdown. The 12 play, 76 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive made it 7-0 Steelers. The defenses dug in and the Ravens faced 3rd and 9 at their own 30 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the half. Huntley went to Laquon Treadwell for 16. Gus Edwards ran for 29. Huntley went to Isaiah Likely for a 27 yard touchdown. With 2:19 left in the half, the game was deadlocked 7-7. This was a typical Mike Tomlin vs John Harbaugh AFC North street fight. A scoreless third quarter had this bare-fisted slobberknocker 7-7 entering the fourth quarter.
Late in the third quarter the Steelers faced 3rd and 1 at their own 20. George Pickens gained 3. The Fourth quarter began with then Steelers facing 3rd and 4 at their own 29. One play made the difference. Rudolph connected with Diontae Johnson for a 71 yard touchdown and a 14-7 Ravens lead. Midway through the fourth quarter the Steelers recovered a Ravens fumble at the Baltimore 32. On 3rd and goal at the 2, a run was blown up for a 5 yard loss. Chris Boswell hit a 25 yard field goal as the Steelers led 17-7 with only 3:13 left in regulation. After a touchback and needing 2 scores, the Ravens quickly moved to a 2nd and 5 at the Pittsburgh 9 with 53 seconds left. After an incompletion, Huntley took an ill-advised sack. By the time Justin Tucker hit the 36 yard field goal, only 16 seconds remained. The onside kick failed. In 17 years, Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season. The 10-7 Steelers awaited results of other games to find out if they could sneak into the playoffs. The 13-4 Ravens would have another week to rest and get healthy. They are the favorites to win their third Super Bowl in franchise history. On Sunday, the Steelers got their wish. Jacksonville lost, allowing the Steelers for the second straight year to beat the odds and sneaking the playoffs. 17-10 Steelers
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts is the Saturday night game. — For both of these 9-7 teams, the situation was cut and dry. The winner was in the playoffs. The loser was out. The Colts after an opening touchback moved 56 yards in 11 plays and nearly 6 minutes. On 3rd and 4 from the Houston 19, Gardner Minshew threw incomplete. On 4th and 4, Shane Steichen decided to go for it, but it was just gamesmanship to get the defense to jump. The defense didn’t bite. Matt Gay hit a 38 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Colts. Yet one play and 9 seconds after a touchback, the Texans had the lead. CJ Stroud went deep to Nico Collins for a 75 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Texans.
The defenses dug in. A field position game had the Texans taking over at their own 43 with 6 1/2 minutes left in the half. David Singletary gained 7, 6 and 2. Stroud went to Collins for 29. On 3rd and goal at the one, Stroud went to Andrew Beck for the touchdown to make it 14-3 Texans at the 2 minute warning. After a touchback, the Colts moved to a 4th and 4 at the Houston 34 35 seconds left. Gay hit from 52 to get the Colts within 14-6 at the break.
The Colts took over in the third quarter at their own 13 and made it look easy. Jonathan Taylor ran for 11 and 4. Minshew went to Granson for 23. Taylor took a handoff and broke free for a 49 yard touchdown. Shane Steichen went for 2 and Mnshew pitched a basketball pass over the middle to Mo Alive-Cox successfully for a 14-14 game. Then came the kickers. With 5 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter, Gay attempted a 57 yard try to give the Colts the lead. He doinked it off the upright no good. With 3 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter, Kaimi Fairbairn was good from 51 to make it 17-14 Texans. 90 seconds into the fourth quarter, Gay hit from 35 for a 17-17 game.
The Texans took over at their own 27. Stroud hit Beck for 8. After a sack of Stroud set up 2nd and 20 from his own 28, Stroud hit Schultz for 17. On 3rd and 3, Stroud hit Schultz again for 5. On 2nd and 14 from his own 46, Stroud backpedaled for his life and threw a duck that Collins somehow caught for the required 14. Stroud hit Schultz for 9. On 2nd and 13 from the Indianapolis 30, Stroud went to Collins for 23 with a horse collar tackle penalty adding 4 more. Singletary took it 3 yards up the gut for the touchdown. The 12 play, 73 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive made it 23-17 Texans with 6:20 left in regulation. Yet for the first time all year at the worst time, Fairbairn missed the extra point.
The Colts soon faced 2nd and 11 at their own 24. Minshew went to Downs for 28. The Colts faced 3rd and 6 at the Houston 44. With everyone expecting a pass, Shane Steichen called a delayed run. Taylor only gained 5 but instead of 4th and 1 it was another 5 yards and a first down thanks to defensive illegal use of hands. With 2:41 to play, the Colts faced 3rd and 5 at the Houston 29. Despite being 0 for 9 on 3rd down conversions, Steichen again called a run to Taylor, who initially appeared just short but was given the first down. The clock clicked down to the 2 minute warning, and Demeco Ryans decided not to challenge the spot. Taylor gained 2 and 6, but on 3rd and 2 from the Houston 16, Taylor gained only one. On 4th and 1, attempts to draw the defense offside failed. The Colts took a timeout with 1:06 to play and everything on the line. Taylor was on the sideline. The Colts would try their biggest play without their best player. Yet Minshew had a wide open Goodson in the flat.
Goodson dropped it and crumpled to the turf in heartbreak. The throw was not perfect, but Goodson should have caught it. He just blew it. The timeout the Colts took meant the Texans could take the clock down to 8 seconds before punting. Rather than risk a blocked punt, the punter took an intentional safety with one second left. The free kick brought the hook and laterals that went nowhere. The 9-8 Colts were out. The Texas were 3-13 last year. Led by rookie Stroud, the 10-7 Texans are at least the seven seed Wildcard. The players waited for the Jacksonville results Sunday knowing that a Jacksonville loss would make the Texans AFC South Champions. That would bump the Texans up to the four seed, meaning their Wildcard game would be at home rather than on the road. For a do-or-die game, both teams played like it. On Sunday, the Texans got their wish. Jacksonville lost, making the Texans the division winners. 23-19 Texans
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers — The 8-8 Buccaneers with a win would win the NFC South and be the four seed in the playoffs. With a loss, the Buccaneers are out and Todd Bowles is a possible Black monday coaching fatality. The Panthers are the worst team in football, and they have already traded away the top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. After a scoreless first quarter, a deep ball to DJ Chark saw him try to stretch the bay over the pylon. He got hit and fumbled and the Buccaneers recovered in the end zone. The officials initially ruled a touchdown, but on further review it was reversed to a touchback. A 36 yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin put the Buccaneers up 3-0 with 4 minutes left in the half. The Buccaneers got it back and McLaughlin drilled a 57 yard field goal to put the Buccaneers up 6-0 at the midpoint. The third quarter ended with Matthew Wright, the replacement for injured Eddie Pineiro, missing a 52 yard field goal try for the Panthers. McLaughlin hit again from 36 to with 10 minutes left to play. The NFL should burn the tape of this game, but the 9-8 Buccaneers are NFC South champions. 9-0 Buccaneers
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals — The 11-5 Browns were locked into the five seed and rested their starters. The Bengals were eliminated. With Joe Flacco resting, Jeff Driskel got the start. His first pass for the Browns was intercepted. Yet Jake Browning then had his pass intercepted as well. The Bengals got it back at their own 40. On 3rd and 9, Browning went to Jones for 35 and JaMarr Chase for 11. On 1st and 20, Joe Mixon ran for 13, 9, and the one yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Bengals. The Bengals got it back at their own 33. Mixon ripped off a 44 yard gain. On 3rd and 8 from the Cleveland 21, Browning went to Iosivals for 15 and to Mixon for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 14-0 Bengals. The Bengals got it back at their own 25. Brown ran for 16. Browning added 11. Mixon gained 12. Browning went to Iosivas for a 3 yard touchdown and a 21-0 Bengals lead in the second quarter. Another interception of Driskel led to Evan McPherson hitting a 45 yard field goal just past the 2 minute warning to make it 24-0 Bengals. In the third quarter, the Bengals were pinned at their own one yard line. They moved 99 yards in 14 plays and 8 minutes. Browning hit Iosivas for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 31-0 Bengals after three quarters. In the fourth quarter the Browns avoided the shutout with a pair of garbage touchdowns. The Bengals finished on a high note at 9-8. All four AFC North teams finished with a winning record. The Browns host a Wildcard game next week. While the Bengals beat backups, they played without starter Joe Burrow as their season spiraled. The Battle of Ohio will be more fiery in 2024 when Burrow returns. 31-14 Bengals
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions — The 7-9 Vikings needed a win and a bunch of other miracles to happen to make the playoffs. The 11-5 Lions are at worst the three seed. The Vikings played their starters because they have a slim shot at the two seed. A 42 yard punt return had the Lions at their own 48. Jared Goff went deep to Amra St. Brown for 34 and again for 13. Goff went to Sam Laporta for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Lions. The Lions got it back at their own 36. Goff went to St. Brown and Laporta for a pair of 8 yard gains. Dan Campbell gambled on 4th and 1 from the Detroit 45. Gibbs appeared stopped but lunged forward and got the yard. Goff then went deep to Khalif Raymond for 41. Gibbs got around the end for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 13-0 Lions. The extra point was partially blocked. The Vikings gradually got back into the game with Greg Joseph hitting second quarter field goals of 39 and 43 to end the half with the Lions only down 13-6. After a third quarter touchback, the Vikings moved to a 4th and 3 at the Detroit 31. Kevin O’Connell went for it and Nick Mullens completed a pass for only 2 yards.
The Lions took over at their own 29 and Goff hit St. Brown for 14. On 4th and 1 from the Minnesota 48, it was time for another Dan Campbell gamble. Goff went deep to Donovan Popeyes-Jones for 20. Defensive pass interference added 17 down to the one. David Montgomery got the last yard to make it 20-6 Lions. The Vikings took over at their own 20. Mullens hit Muse for 22. Mattison ran for 11. On 4th and 1 from the Detroit 38, Kevin O’Connell went for it. Like his counterpart, Mullens skipped the run up the middle for a deep ball to Justin Jefferson for the touchdown. Just like that, the Vikings were within 20-13. Yet after a touchback, the Lions struck quickly. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Goff went bombs away to St. Brown for a 70 yard touchdown to make it 27-13 Lions. The Vikings would not go away. After a touchback, Mullens went deep to Jefferson for 29 and deep again to Jordan Addison for a 41 yard touchdown. Only 90 seconds into the fourth quarter, the Vikings were right back in it down 27-20.
The Lions after a touchback moved 54 yards in 10 plays and 5 minutes. Mike Badly hit a 39 yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter to give the Lions some breathing room. Down by two scores in desperation mode, Mullens was intercepted twice. The Vikings were game, but they were eliminated. The Lions would need a couple big breaks to get the two seed, but at worst they are the three seed with a powerful offense. 30 years ago the Lions won their division by winning the final regular season game by the exact same score they won by today. They would be eliminated in the Wildcard round the next week. They are hoping history does not repeat itself so they can win their first playoff game since the 1991 season. 30-20 Lions
New York Jets at New England Patriots — After 24 years at the helm, this could be Bill Belichick’s final game in New England. Robert Kraft may be finding a way to make this Black Monday breakup amicable and respectful. With hard snow coming down, Belichick went against the team he hates the most, the Jets. The Patriots came in having beaten the Jets 15 straight times. Both teams are eliminated from playoff contention. Robert Saleh was told by Woody Johnson that he would be back as coach in 2024. A shanked punt from his their end zone gave t he Jets a short field at the New England 35. On 3rd and goal from the 3, Trevor Siemian threw incomplete. Greg Zuerlein hit the 21 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Jets. The Patriots moved from their own 38 to a 3rd and 4 at the Jets 12. Bailey Zappe threw incomplete. Ryland hit the 30 yard field goal to make it 3-3 in the second quarter. The Jets came back from their own 22 to a 2nd and 7 at the New England 22. Siemian threw incomplete twice. Zuerlein hit the 40 yard field goal with the snow everywhere for a 6-3 Jets lead. Early in the fourth quarter the Evil Hoodie went for it on 4th and 1 from his own 45. Zappe threw incomplete. Zuerlein hit a 33 yard field goal to make it 9-3 Jets midway through the fourth quarter.
With 2:44 to play Zappe was intercepted. Yet rather than go down, Davis returned the interception and fumbled the ball back in the snow. Two plays later at the 2 minute warning, Zappe was intercepted again. With 1:47 to play, Hall took a pitchout, got to the sideline, and made it 50 yards for the game’s only touchdown. The 2 point try was successful. After 15 straight losses, the Jets finally beat the Patriots. For Bill Belichick, it was a bitter defeat. He has a Black Monday meeting with Robert Kraft that could go either way. Kraft could keep him, get rid of him, or keep Belichick as coach but strip him of general manager capabilities. As Belichick;s former mentor Bill Parcells said, “If they expect you to cook the meal, they have to let you buy the groceries.” The Patriots have one of the top picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Patriots dynasty began with a controversial home playoff win in a snowstorm. The last vestiges of that dynasty may end in uninspiring, non-controversial loss in a snowstorm. This time it was the opposing team who made the big field goals. 17-3 Jets
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints — Both the 7-9 Falcons and 8-8 Saints with a loss would be eliminated from playoff contention. With a Tampa Bay loss, the winner of this game would win the NFC South and be the four seed on Wildcard weekend. A Tampa Bay win would eliminate Atlanta, although the Saints could still be a seven seed Wildcard if a bunch of things went right. The Saints would be playing without Alvin Kamara, a game time injury scratch.The Falcons began facing 3rd and 5 at their own 26. Desmond Ridder went deep to Miller for a 56 yard gain. Ridder hit Smith for a 15 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Falcons. The Saints soon faced 2nd and 11 at their own 24. Derek Carr went deep to Rasheed Shaheed for 20 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15 more. Taysom Hill ran for 8. Carr went to AT Perry for an 18 yard touchdown to make it 7-7.
Ridder threw a sideline pass to Bijan Robinson. The defender went for the interception and missed, allowing Robinson to outrace everyone for a 71 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Falcons. After a touchback, Taysom Hill ran for 8. On 3rd and 7 from their own 41, Carr went to Chris Olave for 14. On 3rd and 1 from the Atlanta 36, Williams gained 2 as the first quarter ended. The second quarter saw Dennis Allen gambling on 4th and 2 from the Atlanta 26. Carr hit Johnson for 12. Williams ran for 4, 1 and the 3 yard touchdown. Initially Williams was ruled short but Dennis Allen successfully challenged. Williams got the ball over the pylon to make it 14-14. The Saints got it back at their own 38 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half and moved to a 2nd and 4 at the Atlanta 5. Carr threw incomplete and Hill lost a yard. Blake Grupe hit from 24 as the Saints took a 17-14 lead with one minute left in the half. Yet after a touchback the Falcons quickly moved to the New Orleans 12 with 3 seconds left. Younghoe Koo hit from 30 to end the half with a 17-17 deadlock.
Demond Ridder began the third quarter throwing an interception that was returned by Taylor 16 yards to the Atlanta 25. Carr went to Olave for a 26 yard touchdown to make it 24-17 Saints. The Saints got it back at their own 20. Miller ran for 18 and 3. Carr hit Johnson for 20. Carr went bombs away to Rasheed Shaheed for a 39 yard touchdown to make it 31-17 Saints. The Falcons marched all the way to a 3rd and goal at the one. A run was blown up in the backfield for a one yard loss. Arthur Smith went for it and Ridder’s pass was defended incomplete. The Saints moved from their own 2 to a 3rd and 3 at the Atlanta 6 early in the fourth quarter. Carr threw incomplete. Grupe hit the 24 yard field goal to make it 34-17 Falcons. A spot gun snap sailed past Ridder and the Saints recovered the fumble at the Atlanta 10 yard line. Carr went to Perry for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 41-17 Saints. Late in the game Mathieu returned an interception of Ridder 74 yards down to the Atlanta one yard line. Jameis Winston came in with Carr done for the day and snuck for the yard himself to complete the scoring with just over one minute left. Atlanta was eliminated, and Arthur Smith screamed at Dennis Allen after the game over the last touchdown. Carr was 22 of 28 for 264 yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. The division was out of reach, but the Saints needed Seattle and Green Bay to lose to sneak into the playoffs as a Wildcard. They did not get their wishes and were eliminated from contention. Smith did not even make it to Black Monday. Arthur Blank fired Smith Sunday night after 3 seasons. 48-17 Saints
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans — The 9-7 Jaguars had a simple situation. Defeat the eliminated Titans and win the AFC South to be the four seed in the playoffs. A Jaguars loss would eliminate them from contention altogether. Rumors had Mike Vrabel possibly walking away on BlackMonday although he is not on the hot seat Brandon McManus hit a 44 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Jaguars. After a touchback, Derrick Henry ran for 12. A flea flicker from Ryan Tannehill to Henry back to Tannehill went to Chiggy Okonkwo for 21. On 3rd and 6 from the Jacksonville 28, a short pass from Tannehill to Tyjae Spears saw Spears break a sideline tackle and race for a touchdown to make it 7-3 Titans.
The Jaguars in the second quarter took over at their own 12. On 3rd and 2, Lawrence hit Ridley for 11. On 3rd and 6 from their own 35, Lawrence went to Zee Jones for 11. Lawrence then went bombs away to Ridley for a 59 yard touchdown to make it 10-7 Jaguars. After a touchback, Tannehill went to Deandre Hopkins for 16. On 3rd and 2 just shy of midfield, Spears ran for 22. On 3rd and 7 from the Jacksonville 26, Tannehill went to Moore for 8. Henry ran for an 18 yard touchdown to make it 14-10 Titans. The Jaguars soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 36. A short pass from Lawrence to Evan Engram saw Engram bobble the ball and bat it in the air, where it was intercepted at the same spot. On 3rd and 1 from the Jacksonville 22, Tannehill went to Okonkwo for 15. Spears banged up the middle for a 3 yard touchdown and 21-10 Titans lead with 3 minutes left in the half.
Lawrence was then intercepted, but the Titans failed to capitalize. Instead the Titans punter fumbled a perfectly good snap and the Jaguars took over at the Tennessee 36. That allowed McManus to hit a 30 yard field goal to get the Jaguar within 21-13 at the intermission. After a touchback, Henry ripped off a 69 yard gain. Tannehill hit Hopkins for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 28-13 Titans. The Jaguars moved from their own 29 to a 4th and 7 at the Tennessee 33. Doug Pederson went for it and a completion gained only 4 yards. The Jaguars got it back at their own 37. Lawrence went to Engram for 13. On 3rd and 9 from the Tennessee 44, Lawrence went to Engram for 17. On 3rd and 1 from the Tennessee 18, Travis Etienne gained 4. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Lawrence went to Engram for a 14 yard touchdown to get the Jaguars within 8 points.
An interception of Tannehill was returned by Cisco 29 yards to the Tennessee 28. The Jaguars had a golden chance to tie the game. On 3rd and goal at the one, Lawrence threw incomplete. Doug Pederson went for it midway through the fourth quarter. Lawrence kept it and got stopped stone cold. The Jaguars got it back at their on 25 with 2:18 left and 0 timeouts. On 2nd and 2 Lawrence went bombs away and had a wide open Ridley. The ball bounced off of Ridley’s fingertips incomplete. On 4th and 2 with just over one minute left, Lawrence threw incomplete. It was a bitter defeat for the Jaguars. After starting 8-3, they collapsed down the stretch. Much of this was due to Trevor Lawrence playing with an injured shoulder, but nobody was offering excuses. The Jaguars finished 9-8 and were out of the playoffs. 28-20 Titans
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals — For the second straight year, the 8-8 Seahawks need to win and get help to make the playoffs. Last year they got the required breaks. They were at an awful Cardinals team that could still be dangerous with Kyler Murray. The Seahawks from their own 7 yard line moved 78 yards in 11 plays and 6 minutes. Yet on 2nd and 3 from the Arizona 14, a run lost a yard and Geno Smith threw incomplete. Jason Myers hit a 33 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Seahawks. The Cardinals in the second quarter moved from their own 16 to a 3rd and goal at the 2. Murray lost 3 yards. Matt Prater hit a 23 yard field goal for a 3-3 game. After a touchback, Walker ran for 3, 11 and 5. On 3rd and 8 from their own 41, Smith went to Tyler Lockett for 37 and to Wil Dissly for a 19 yard touchdown to make it 10-3 Seahawks. Both teams moved into the red zone before the half but could not finish. Prater hit from 34 at the 2 minute warning and Myers hit from 29 as the Seahawks led 13-6 at the intermission.
In the third quarter the Cardinals faced 2nd and 11 at their own 12. Murray hit James Conner for 34 and Higgins for 25. Conner ran for a 29 yard touchdown to tie the game 13-13. The Cardinals got it back at their own 39. Carter ran for 15. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Murray hit Moore for 10. Murray hit Wilson for 11. On 4th and 3 from the Seattle 8 with absolutely nothing to lose, Jonathan Gannon went for the touchdown rather than just kick a 26 yard field goal to take the lead. Murray hit McBride for the touchdown for a 20-13 Cardinals lead with 10 minutes left in regulation. With 3 minutes left in regulation, Prater came in for a 43 yard field goal try to ice the game. The kick was wide right no good. The Seahawks had life. From their own 33, Smith hit Parkinson for 5 and Charbonnet for 13 and 15. A the 2 minute warning from the Arizona 34, Smith went deep to Lockett for the touchdown. Normally in this situation you kick the extra point, but apparently Pete Carroll got the news that the Seahawks had been eliminated from playoff contention. Smith went to Lockett successfully and the Seahawks led by a point With 1:54 left. After a touchback, the Cardinals moved right down the field. With 16 seconds left on 1st and 10 from he Seattle 30, a pair of safe runs lost a combined 3 yards. Prater came in for a 51 yard field goal try to redeem himself and get the win. Again Prater was wide right no good. The Seahawks finished with a winning season but Green Bay’s win eliminated them. 21-20 Seahawks
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers — For the second straight year, the Packers are 8-8 and need to win at home to make the playoffs against a team that is already eliminated. Last year Detroit belted them. This year Chicago tries to spoil their season. The Bears moved from their own 31 and held the ball for 10 plays and 6 minutes. Cairo Santos hit a 50 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Bears. From 41 yards out, Anders Carlson’s field goal try to tie the game was no good. The Packers got the ball at their own 8 to start the second quarter. Jordan Love went to Reed for 32. On 3rd and 5 from the Chicago 41, Love went to Melton for 10. Aaron Jones ran for 12. On 3rd and 1 from the Chicago 10, Love went to Wicks for the touchdown. The 11 play, 92 yard, nearly 7 minute drive had the Packers up 7-3. Santos managed a 39 yard field goal to get the Bears within 7-6 at the half, but this game was about the Green Bay defense. After a third quarter touchback, Love hit Wicks for 9 and Melston for 17. Jones ran for 7, 3 and 4. On 3rd and 3, Love hit Wicks for a 12 yard touchdown to make it 14-6 Packers. A fumble by Love led to a 35 yard Santos field goal with 13 minutes left in regulation, but Carlson answered form 25 ti put the Packers back up by 8 with 11 minutes left. The Bears reached a 2nd and 6 at the Green Bay 34, but offensive holding an a sack meant a punt. The Packers took over at their own 6 yard line with 6 minutes left. The Bears never saw the ball again. On 3rd and 7 from his own 43, Love hit Kraft for 15. Jones ran for 10 as Love took a couple of knees. The 9-8 Packers are in the playoffs as the seven seed Wildcard. Matt Eberflus awaited Black Monday. 17-9 Packers
Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers — The 10-6 Chiefs won the AFC West for the eighth straight year and are locked into the three seed. Walrus Andy Reid rested his starters against a Chargers team done for the year.The Chargers began at their own 25 and moved to a 3rd and goal at the 5. Eason Stick was sacked and fumbled. Edwards returned it 97 yards the other way for a defensive touchdown and a 7-0 Chiefs lead. It was the only touchdown of the game as neither offense reached the end zone. The Chiefs did reach 2nd and goal at the one but lost yards. Harrison Butker hit from 22 to make it 10-0 Chiefs. Cameron Dicker hit field goals of 49 and 40 in the second quarter, the latter set up by an interception of Blaine Gabbert. Dicker hit from 43 in the third quarter. The Chargers managed to move to a 2nd and goal at the one, but Stick threw incomplete and Austin Ekeler lost a couple yards. Dicker hit from 20 as 4 straight field goals made it 12-10 Chargers with 4 minutes left in regulation. Yet after a touchback, the Chiefs moved to a 4th and 1 at the Chargers 24. Butker hit from 41 to pu the Chiefs up by one point with 49 seconds left. The Chargers after a touchback needed only one more field goal to win. Yet on 3rd and 2 from their own 33, Stick threw incomplete twice. Even with backups, the Chiefs are better than the Chargers. Andy Reid won the AFC West for the 8th straight year and got to keep Patrick Mahonmes, Travis Kelce and the rest of the starters healthy for a home playoff game. This makes Reid a most happy Walrus indeed. The Chargers awaited Black Monday. 13-12 Chiefs
Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders — The 8-8 Broncos and 7-9 Raiders are both done for the year. The Raiders were fighting to give interim coach Antonio Pierce the full time job. The Raider Nation flags were at half staff with the untimely death of Super Bowl hero Jack Squirek at age 64. Squirek died 2 weeks before the 40th anniversary of his Super Bowl interception touchdown that will live in NFL history forever. Josh Jacobs was again out injured, and whether he returns next year is anyone’s guess. With him out, Zamir White again carried the load.
From his own 22, White ran for 4 and 12 and caught a pass for 9. White then ran for 6 and 2. On 3rd and 8 from the Denver 37, Aidan O’Connell went to Tre Tucker for 10 and 8. White gained 6 and 3. On 3rd and 1 from the Denver 5, Antonio Pierce went to the bag of tricks. Jakobi Meyers took the handoff and rolled to his right in what was supposed to be a halfback option pass. Yet Meyers saw nobody was open and smartly ad-libbed. He rolled all the way back to his left, faked a run to the corner and cut back inside, and ran it into the end zone. The 13 play, 70 yard, 8 minute drive made it 7-0 Raiders.
The Broncos took over at their own 16. Jarrett Stidham went to Johnson for 36. Stidham went to Williams as the Broncos began the second quarter at the Raiders 33. Williams ran for 2 and caught a pass from Stidham for 9. On 3rd and 2 from the Raiders 22, Stidham went to Cortland Sutton for just enough. A sack of stidham appeared to kill the drive. Yet on 2nd and 22 from the Raiders 24, a short give-up pass from Stidham to Jerry Jeudy saw Jeudy weave through everybody and somehow pinball his way into the end zone for a 7-7 game.
After a touchback, O’Connell went to Devontae Adams for 17. White gained 8 and 5. O’Connell hit Tucker for 10. On 3rd and 6 from the Denver 31, O’Connell threw incomplete. Daniel Carlson nailed a 49 yard field goal for a 10-7 Raiders lead. With 1:43 left in the half, a special teams error backed the Raiders up to their own 2 yard line. Just trying to get to the half, White broke off a 25 yard run. A sack of O’Connell had the Raiders facing 2nd and 18 at their own 20. Antonio Pierce decided to be very aggressive. O’Connell went to Adams for 11 and on 3rd and 7 hit Austin Hooper for the exact amount. O’Connell then went deep to Tucker for a 47 yard gain. With 26 seconds left, the Raiders faced 3rd and 3 at the Denver 8. O’Connell hit Hooper for 5 and spiked the ball to stop the clock with 11 seconds left. The Raiders were out of timeouts and did not want to pass up an easy field goal by taking a sack or turnover. Yet O’Connell fired to Adams, who made a perfect catch on a well-defended ball for a 3 yard touchdown with 7 seconds left to make it 17-7 Raiders.
The Raiders do not put games away, and the Broncos in the third quarter moved from their own 13 to a 3rd and 3 at the Raiders 36. Stidham threw incomplete. Sean Payton passed up a 54 yard field goal try and went for it. Stidham threw incomplete again. White gained 8 and 4. On 3rd and 9 from midfield, O’Connell went to Meyers for 17 as the third quarter ended. On the first play of the fourth quarter, O’Connell went deep to a wide open Meyers for a 33 yard touchdown to make it 24-7 Raiders.
After a touchback, Stidham quickly went to Johnson for 25 to midfield. On 3rd and 10, Stidham went deep to Jeudy for a 47 yard gain. On 3rd and goal at the one, Stidham fumbled the snap but fell on it for a one yard loss. On 4th and goal at the 2, a stop probably would hav ended the game. Williams got the carry and it was very close, but the ball broke the plane of the goal. With 10 minutes left in regulation, the Broncos were within 24-14. After a touchback, the Raiders did not go into a shell. They did not ice the game, but a staggering 16 play, 72 yard drive took 8 minutes off the clock. On 3rd and goal at the 3 and the Broncos out of timeouts, a run would have taken the clock to the 2 minute warning. Yet Antonio Pierce wanted it all and O’Connell threw incomplete. Carlson hit the 21 yard field goal to put the Raiders up 13, but it preserved 20 seconds for the Broncos.
After a touchback the Broncos moved to a 1st and 10 at the Raiders 43 with 1:07 left. A touchdown would give the Broncos a chance at an onside kick. Yet stidham got hit as he there and Moehrig made a diving interception to seal the win. Both teams are 8-9 but the trend is clearly upward. Both teams need to find a quarterback since Sean Payton is getting rid of Russell Wilson and Stidham is a competent backup at best. O’Connell is a game manager, but he nearly threw an interception for a defensive touchdown early in the game and was lucky to escape with an incompletion. He is not a star. Antonio Pierce deserves to have the interim label removed. The players and Raider Nation fans love him.Yet if Jim Harbaugh is available, Mark Davis has to grab Harbaugh. Otherwise. Pierce deserves a shot. He has earned it. The Raiders beat the Broncos for the 8th straight time. 27-14 Raiders
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants — The Eagles were in the playoffs but have been reeling. After starting 10-1, the Eagles have gone 1-4. Their only win was a home loss against the Giants where they barely survived on the final play. The Giants were done for the year. The Eagles needed to win and have Dallas lose to win the NFC East and lock up the two seed. Otherwise the Eagles would remain the five seed. This would mean a road playoff game rather than being at home. The Giants in the first quarter moved from their own 27 to a 4th and goal at the 6. Mason Crosby hit the 24 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Giants. In the second quarter Nick Sirianni went for it with the Eagles facing 4th and 3 at their own 48. Jalen Hurts threw incomplete. On 3rd and 1, Tyrod Taylor gained 2. On 3rd and 11 from the Philadelphia 28, Taylor went to Robinson for 26. Saquon Barkley ran for the 2 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Giants. A 15 yard punt return gave the Giants great field position at their own 45. Taylor went to Hodgins for 8. Taylor went to Darren Waller for 23 and to Robinson for 19. Barkley got around the end for a 3 yard touchdown and a 17-0 Giants lead with 5 minutes left in the half. The Giants got it back and faced 3rd and 2 at their own 35 at the 2 minute warning. Taylor went deep to Barkley for 46 and to Darrius Slayton for a 19 yard touchdown for a 24-0 Giants lead at the half. The Eagles managed a third quarter field goal and a fourth quarter touchdown, but the Giants locked up the win with a 21 yard Crosby field goal with 3 1/2 minutes left. The Eagles have gone 1-5 down the stretch to stagger to an 11-6 record. They will start the playoffs on the road and have to salvage their season the hard way. 27-10 Giants
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers — The 9-7 Rams were the six seed and could go no higher. They could fall to the seven seed but that was not enough to concern Sean McVay. The 13-3 49ers had locked up the top seed with home field advantage throughout the playoffs and the first round bye. So with McVay and kyle Shanahan both playing backups, this was just about escaping the finale healthy. Sam Darnold replaced Brock Purdy and Carson Wentz, playing for his fourth team in four seasons, replaced Matthew Stafford. After an opening touchback, Darnold went to Deebo Samuel for 6 and Woerner for 20. On 3rd and 4 from the Rams 43, Darnold went to Brandon Aiyuk for 5 and to Mitchell for 7. Samuel ran for 11. Darnold went to Aiyuk for 11. On 3rd and goal at the one, Mitchell got in to cap the 12 play 75 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive to make it 7-0 49ers. The Rams after a touchback saw Wentz hit Allen and Nacua for a pair of 9 yard gains. Rivers ran for 10. On 4th and 2 from the San Francisco 34, McVay went for it. Wentz hit Allen for 10. On 3rd and 5 from he San Francisco 19, Wentz hit Nacua for the touchdown to make it 7-7.
The 49ers soon faced 1st and 20 at their own 15. Darnold hit Samuel for 15. Mason ran for 6 and 16. On 3rd and 1 from the Rams 39n in the second quarter, Darnold gained 2. On 4th and 1 from the Rams 28, Kyle Shanahan went for it. Mason gained 3. Mitchell ran for 14 and 7. On 3rd and 4 from the Rams 5, Darnold threw incomplete but defensive holding meant 3 yards and 1st and goal at the 2. Darnold ran for a one yard touchdown The staggering 16 play, 75 yard drive took 10 minutes off the clock and made it 14-7 49ers. An interception of went led to a missed field goal for the 49ers. The 49ers got it back at their own 10. McCloud ran for 7 and caught a pass from Darnold for 6. Mitchell ran for 5 and caught a pass from Darnold for 8. Darnold went deep to Conley for a 48 yard gain On 3rd and 4 from the Rams 5, Darnold hit Bell for the touchdown with 11 seconds left in the half. The extra point was no good but the 49ers led 20-7.
After a third quarter touchback the Rams faced 3rd and 1 at their own 34. Wentz gained 2. Rivers gained 8. Wentz hit Nacua for 7 and 6. On 3rd and 1 from the San Francisco 40, Wentz gained 4. On 3rd and 1 from the Frisco 27, Freeman got the yard. On 3rd and 17 from the San Francisco 33 after a sack, Wentz went deep to Hopkins for 29. On 3rd and goal at the 8, Wentz hit Johnson for the score. The staggering 17 play, 75 yard, nearly 10 1/2 minute drive had the Rams within 20-13. Maher missed the extra point. Both teams had drives of at least 10 minutes and 16 plays but with a missed extra point. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Rams took over at their own 29. Defensive pass interference on a deep incompletion meant a 45 yard gain. On 4th and 2 from the San Francisco 15 with 5:40 left, Sean McVay went for it. Went hit Tutu Atwell for 3. Wentz ran for a 12 yard touchdown. Neither team wanted overtime in a meaningless game, so McVay went for 2. Wentz hit Atwell successfully and the Rams led by a point with 5 minutes left. The 49ers went 3 and out and punted with 4 minutes left. The 49ers got it back at their own 22 with 55 seconds left. From his own 40, Darnold was sacked and fumbled and the Rams recovered. After starting 3-6, the Rams have gone 7-1 since. The Rams will go on the road for the playoffs while the 49ers have the week off to rest up. 21-20 Rams
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders — The 11-5 Cowboys with a win would win the NFC East and be the two seed in the playoffs. A loss and a Philadelphia win would drop the Cowboys down to the five seed. Ron Rivera was expected to be a Black Monday casualty for the eliminated Commanders. After an opening touchback, the Commanders moved to a 4th and 1 at the Dallas 31. With absolutely nothing left to lose, Riverboat Ron Rivera went for it. A completion lost 2 yards. From his own 33, Dak Prescott hit Brandin Cooks for 15 and Ceedee Lamb for 15 and 9. Prescott hit Tony Pollard for 12 and Tolbert for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Cowboys. Robinson immediately fumbled the ball back to the Cowboys, but they squandered the opportunity when a field goal try was blocked and returned 51 yards to the Dallas 20. On 3rd and 10, Howell went to Arman for just enough. The second quarter began with the Commanders facing 4th and goal at the one. Rivera went for it again. Howell hit Robinson for the touchdown and a 7-7 game. An interception of Prescott gave the Commanders the ball at their own 45. On 4th and 1, Rivera was gambling again. Robinson gained 2. On 3rd and 1 from the Dallas 16, consecutive false starts made it 3rd and 10. Howell hit Crowder for only 8. On 4th and 2, this time Rivera played it safe. Joey Slye hit the 36 yard field goal. The Commanders led 10-7, but after that reality set in.
The Cowboys took over at their own 29. Prescott went to Lamb for 8 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15. Prescott hit Ferguson for 12. Pollard ran for 9, 9, 12, and the one yard touchdown to make it 14-10 Cowboys. An interception of Howell gave the Cowboys the ball at their own 35 with 1:40 left in the half. Prescott went to Dowdle for 32. Prescott then hit Lamb for 15 and 6 and Cooks for 8. Prescott went to Lamb for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 21-10 Cowboys with 23 seconds left in the half. After a touchback, the Cowboys looked to break open the close game. Prescott hit Lamb for 12 and 7. On 3rd and 5 from the Washington 32, Prescott hit Ferguson for 7. Dowdle ran for 20. Prescott hit Lamb for a 6 yard touchdown to finish a 12 play, 75 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive and make it 28-10 Cowboys. The back-breaker came on special teams when the Cowboys blocked a Washington punt to set up 1st and goal at the 9. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Prescott hit Cooks for the touchdown to make it 35-10 Cowboys. Aubrey would doink one 36 yard field goal try in the fourth quarter off the upright no good but did hit from 50 with one minute left in regulation. Jerry Jones was all smiles as 31 unanswered points gave the Cowboys the NFC East crown and the two seed. Rivera awaited Black Monday while Jerrah posed for pictures. 38-10 Cowboys
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins was the regular season ending Sunday night game. The 10-6 Bills and 11-5 Dolphins were both in the playoffs before this game started. This was an AFC East showdown. The winner wins the division and is the two seed. The loser drops down to the six seed wildcard. The difference is playing a Wildcard at home or on the road. Ironically, a Dolphins win would mean these two teams playing again next week in Miami. In Buffalo, the Bills won easily 48-20. Now the Dolphins wanted revenge. The Bills entered December 6-6 but entered this game winning 4 straight. The Dolphins were 11-4 last week with a chance at clinching their division and getting home field advantage throughout the playoffs Then they got blasted at Baltimore 56-19, putting the top seed out of reach. With Josh Allen and Tua Tagovailoa, this could have been a shootout. Instead it was a defensive slugfest. Allen was intercepted on his first series and Tagovailoa was picked off on his first two series in a scoreless first quarter.
The Dolphins began the second quarter facing 2nd and 16 at their own 14 after a sack. Wilson ran for 10. On 3rd and 6, Tagovailoa went to Braxton Berrios for 7. On 3rd and 14 from their own 27, Tagovailoa went deep to Tyreek Hill for 23. Wilson ran for 13. Achane ran for a 25 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Dolphins. After a touchback, Allen went to Dawson Knox for 17. Allen ran for 10. Allen went deep to Stefan Diggs, who made a diving catch on a well-defended ball for a 36 yard gain. Allen hit Sherfield for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 7-7 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the half.
After a touchback, Achane gained 9. The defense then encroached. Tagovailoa hit Smythe for 14. On 3rd and 3 from the Buffalo 36 at the 2 minute warning, Tagovailoa went deep to Wilson for 24. On 3rd and 1 from the Buffalo 3, Tagovailoa hit Hill for the touchdown. With 1:43 left in the half, the Dolphins led 14-7. After a touchback, the Bills rapidly marched down the field. With 11 seconds left in the half, the Bills had 1st and 10 at the Miami 11. The Bills had 0 timeouts, but enough time for 2 quick passes to the end zone and an easy field goal try at worst. Yet rather than fire to the sideline or the end zone, Allen hit Johnson over the middle. Johnson tried to reach the goal line but got blasted at the one yard line. An angry Sean McDermott blasted the decision by his offense as the clock ran out.
Midway through the third quarter, the Bills took over at their own 24. They moved 49 yards in 13 plays and held the ball for 7 1/2 minutes. Late in the third quarter, Bills faced 1st and 10 at the Miami 18. A run lost 3 yards. The Bills were still in short field goal range at 39 yards. Allen was sacked and fumbled. and the Dolphins recovered. Rather than be within 14-13, the Bills were still down 14-7 thanks to 3 Allen turnovers and the blunder at the end of the first half. Yet the Dolphins did not put the game away. They let the Bills hang around. The Dolphins defense was suffocating but their offense was not icing the game. Just over one minute into the fourth quarter, one play on special teams changed the entire game.
The Dolphins punted deep, and Harty should have let the ball bounce into his own end zone. Instead Hardy fielded the ball at his own 4 yard line, blasted through a large hole, and outraced everyone for a 96 yard touchdown. In front of a shellshocked home crowd and an stunned Mike McDaniel, the game was tied 14-14. The Dolphins went 3 and out, and the Bills soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 34. Allen gained 5. Allen then went deep to Kincaid for a 26 yard gain. Allen then went deep to Shakir for 28 more. Allen hit Knox for a 5 yard touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, now it was t he Bills up by 7 points.
The Dolphins again went 3 and out and the Bills took over at their own 26 with 6:14 left. With 4 minutes left, Sean McDermott made what seemed to be an insane decision by going for it on 4th and 1 from his own 35. His defense was playing well, but this was very high risk. Allen gained 2 and the clock ticked down. With 3:12 left, the Bills faced 3rd and 13 from their own 34. Allen on a give-up run somehow scrambled passed everyone and gained 15. At the 2 minute warning, the Bills faced 4th and 1 at the Miami 37. The Dolphins were out of timeouts. A first down would end the game. A field goal try would be 55 yards. McDermott went for it all. Allen kept it and his quarterback sneak initially appeared stopped but he had a good second effort. Yet he was still short.
The Dolphins were very much alive with 1:53 to play at their own 37. They moved to the Buffalo 40 with 1:17 left, plenty of time to force overtime or even win. One bomb from Tagovailoa to Hill would do the trick. Instead Tagovailoa got hit as he threw and a wounded duck fluttered in the air. Rapp made the diving interception to preserve the win. Both teams were 11-6, but instead of the Dolphins winning their first AFC East title in 15 years, the Bills won the division for the fourth year in a row the hard way. The Bills went from left for dead to the two seed. The Dolphins went from a potential top seed all the way down to the six seed. The Bills will be at home next week in the frigid Buffalo weather with momentum while the Dolphins will go on the road for the playoffs rather than enjoy the Miami sun. One play made the difference. The Bills showed grit and resilience in winning a fine, fine football game to end the 2023 NFL regular season. 21-14 Bills
COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: Michigan Wolverines vs Alabama Crimson Tide — Nick Saban retired two days after the game with his 7 college football championships intact, 6 with Alabama and one with LSU. Jim Harbaugh won his first college football championship and now has almost all 32 NFL teams and Michigan fighting over him. 34-13 Wolverines
The NFL 2023-2024 Playoffs are set:
Saturday, January 13, 2024:
4:30pm: AFC: (5)(Cleveland Browns) at (4)(Houston Texans) on NBC
8pm: AFC: (6)(Miami Dolphins) at (3)(Kansas City Chiefs) on NBC
Sunday, January 14:
1pm: AFC: (7)(Pittsburgh Steelers) at (2)(Buffalo Bills) on CBS
4:30pm: NFC: (7)(Green Bay Packers) at (2)(Dallas Cowboys) on FOX
8pm: NFC: (6)(Los Angeles Rams) at (3)(Detroit Lions) on NBC
Monday, January 15:
8pm: NFC: (5)(Philadelphia Eagles) at (4)(Tampa Bay Buccaneers) on ABC/ESPN
The top seeded San Francisco 49ers (NFC) and Baltimore Ravens (AFC) have the week off.
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