NFL 2020 Week 17 Recap
Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — The Falcons were done for the year while the 10-5 Buccaneers had already clinched a Wildcard spot. Anything higher was out of reach. The Buccaneers went right to work from their own 32. Tom Brady went to Mike Evans for 12. On 3rd and 1 from the Atlanta 47, Brady gained 2. Brady hit Rob Gronkowski for 11 and Chris Godwin for a 29 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Buccaneers. The Falcons from their own 27 moved 70 yards in 13 plays and 7 1/2 minutes. Yet on 1st and goal the 4, two runs gained only one total yard and then Matt Ryan threw incomplete. Younghoe Koo hit a 22 yard field goal to get the Falcons within 7-3. The Buccaneers from their own 27 moved to a 1t and 10 at the Atlanta 11. Brady threw 3 incompletions. Ryan Succop hit a 29 yard field goal to make it 10-3 Buccaneers. The Buccaneers began the second quarter at their own 43. Ronald Jones ran for 16, 7 and 9. On 3rd and 10 from the Atlanta 25, Brady went to Antonio Brown for the touchdown to make it 17-3 Buccaneers. The Falcons then fumbled and the Buccaneers had a short field at the Altanta 39. Succop hit a 38 yard field goal as the Buccaneers were up big 20-3.
After a touchback the Falcons soon faced 2nd and 9 from midfield. Ryan hit Russell Gage for 7 with roughing the passer adding 15 more. On 4th and 4 from the Atlanta 10 after an incompletion, Raheem Morris decided to go for it. Ryan hit Hurst of 9. Ryan got the last yard to get the Falcons within 20-10. After a touchback, consecutive defensive pass interference calls gave the Buccaneers gains of 10 and 13. With 8 seconds left in the half the Buccaneers had 3rd and 4 at the Atlanta 7. Brady threw incomplete. Succop hit from 25 as the Buccaneers led 23-10. After a touchback to start the second half, Ryan went to Gage for gains of 7, 5 and 15. On 3rd and 2 from the Tampa 40, Ryan went to Gurley for 17 and Treadwell for 11. On 3rd and 17 from the Tampa 19, Ryan went to Gage for the touchdown. The 11 play, 75 yard, 6 minute drive had the Falcons within 23-17. After a touchback Brady went to Godwin for 46. Yet on 3rd and 10 from the Atlanta 29, Brady was intercepted. The Falcons took over at their own 18 and moved 79 yards in 15 plays and 7 minutes. Yet on 3rd and goal at the 3, Ryan threw incomplete. Again the Falcons settled for a 21 yard Koo field goal to trail 23-20 after three quarters,
Jones began the fourth quarter after a touchback running for 4, 9 and 8. Brady went to Brown for 8 and 12. Defensive pass interference added 10 more. Brady hit Brown for 14. Jones ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 30-20 Buccaneers. After a touchback, Hill ran for 9 and then broke off a 62 yard run. On 4th and goal at the one midway through the fourth quarter, Raheem Morris went for it. Ryan hit Hurst for the touchdown as the Buccaneers were within 30-27.
After a touchback, Brady hit Gronk for 18. On 3rd and 12 from their own 46, Brady went deep to Godwin for 47. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Brady hit Godwin for the score. The Buccaneers were up 37-27 with 4 minutes left. The Falcons took over at their own 31. From their own 42, a short completion was fumbled and the Buccaneers took over at the Atlanta 38. On 3rd and 2 Brady went to Brown for the 30 yard touchdown to put the game away. Again, Matty Ice went ice cold against Tom Brady in the fourth quarter. The 11-5 Buccaneers will travel to play the NFC East champion in the Wildcard round. Brady finished this game with 399 yards passing and 4 touchdowns.
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants — Despite the Cowboys being 6-9 and the Giants 5-10, both teams were alive to make the playoffs as NFC Least champion. The loser of this game would be eliminated from the playoffs. The winner would get in if Washington also lost their game. The Cowboys came in riding a 3 game win streak. The Giants went right to work from their own 22. Daniel Jones hit Evan Engram for 14. Wayne Gallman ran for 8 and 10. Jones hit Smith for 16 and ran for 7. Sterling Sherpard ran for a 23 yard touchdown and the Giants had the 6-0 lead. The extra point was no good.
The Giants got it back and Jones did what he does. He fumbled again and the Cowboys recovered at the Giants 27. Yet on 3rd and 8 from the Giants 14, Red Rifle Andy Dalton was sacked. Greg Zuerlein hit from 38 to get the Cowboys within 6-3. In the second quarter the Giants took over at their own 35 and defensive unnecessary roughness had the Giants at the Dallas 45. Jones hit Shepard for 21, Toilolo for 10 and Shepard for a 10 yard touchdown to make it 13-3 Giants. The Cowboys moved from their own 28 to a 1st and 10 at the Giants 32. A sack of Dalton killed the drive but Zuerlein hit the 46 yard field goal to get the Cowboys within 13-6 with 2:13 left in the half. After a touchback, the Giants faced 1st and 10 at their own 41 with 90 seconds left. Jones hit Shepard for 18. Defensive pass interference added 8. Jones went to Dante Pettis for a 33 yard touchdown. With 45 seconds left in the half the Giants were up big 20-6.
The Cowboys took over at their own 27. Dalton hit CeeDee Lamb for 14, Schultz for 9, Lamb for 6 and Schultz for 11. Greg “The Leg” Zuerlein earned his nickname by leveling a 57 yard field goal to end the half and get the Cowboys within 20-9. The Cowboys began the third quarter at their own 38 after an interception of Jones. On 3rd and 1 from their own 47, Dalton gained 2. Dalton went to Lamb for 21, Elliott for 7 and Schultz for 10. On 2nd and 13 from the Giants 16, Dalton threw incomplete but defensive holding meant a first down. Ezekiel Elliott ran for a one yard touchdown to get the Cowboys within 20-16. The Cowboys got it back at their own 20 and moved 62 yards in 13 plays and 5 minutes. Yet on 1st and 10 from the Giants 11, a run lost 2 yards. On the first play of the fourth quarter on 3rd and 9, Dalton was sacked. Zuerlein hit his 4th field goal from 36 as the Cowboys were within 20-19.
From their own 20, Jones hit Shepard for gains of 9, 21 and 13. On 2nd and 6 from the Dallas 32, Jones was sacked for a 10 yard loss. Gano nailed a 50 yard field goal to put the Giants up by 4 with 6 1/2 minutes left. The Cowboys mounted a staggering 17 play drive that took over 5 minutes and moved the Cowboys 58 yards. With 1:53 left, the Cowboys had 1st and goal at the 7. Dalton was sacked for a 10 yard loss. Then came an incompletion. On 3rd and goal from the 17, Dalton went to the end zone and was intercepted for a touchback. Gallman ran for 5 and 8 as Jones took 3 knees. Both teams were 6-10. The Cowboys were out. The Giants waited to find out of they would be the worst team to ever win their division. Either way, they began the season 1-7 under Joe Judge and then rallied to go 5-3 down the stretch. 23-19 Giants
New York Jets at New England Patriots — The 6-9 Patriots have their first losing season in 20 years. The Jets began 0-13 before winning 2 straight. This was expected to be Adam Gase’s final game. The Patriots began facing 1st and 15 from their own 11. Cam Newton went to Sony Michel for 17 and Michel ran for 13 more. Newton then ran for a 49 yard gain, a franchise record. Newton hit James White for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Patriots. With 6 minutes left in an ugly first half, the Jets took over at their own 20. On 3rd and 1 from their own 29, Sam Darnold gained 3. On 3rd and 9 from their own 33, Darnold hit Brown for 18, Johnson for 15, Crownder for 12 and Herndon for a 21 yard touchdown. The game was tied 7-7 at the half. After a touchback to start the third quarter, Josh Adams ran for 10. Darnold went deep to Perriman for 53 and to Crowder for 10 down to the one. Adams got the yard as the Jets led 14-7. Could Gang Green pull off the upset? Could the Jets win 3 in a row? Is Adam Gase better than Bill Belichick? No, no, and good lord no.
Midway through the third quarter the Patriots faced 3rd and 3 just shy of midfield. Newton gained 4. On 3rd and 6 from the Jets 43, Newton hit Olszewski for 12. On 3rd and 3 from the Jets 24, Newton gained 5. Newton hit Jacob Meyers for a 19 yard touchdown and a 14-14 game. After a touchback the Jets faced 2nd and 5 from their 40. Darnold was intercepted by Jackson, who returned it 17 yards to the Jets 45. One minute into the fourth quarter, Newton hit Devin Asiasi for a 26 yard touchdown to make it 21-14 Patriots. The Patriots got it back at their own 43. Newton hit meyers for 11 with roughing the passer adding 15 more. Newton went to Michel for a 31 yard touchdown. The Jets embarked on a staggering 16 play, 65 yard, 8 minute drive, but ball control is not good when you’re losing. On 3rd and 7 from the Patriots 15, Darnold went to the end zone and was intercepted. Adam Gase did not have to wait until Black Monday to learn his fate. He was fired Sunday night. 28-14 Patriots
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions — Sometimes a pair of bad teams with nothing to play for can play a very exciting game. This actually was that game. The Lions took over at their own 10. Matthew Stafford went to TJ Hockenson for 9 and Marvin Jones for 23. On 3rd and 1 from the Minnesota 46, Mohammed Sanu gained 3. Stafford went to Jones for a 43 yard touchdown to make it 6-0. The extra point was no good. The Vikings soon faced 3rd and 4 from their own 36. Kirk Cousins went to Justin Jefferson for 13 and Mattison for 15. On 3rd and 13 from the Detroit 39, Cousins went to Jefferson for 9. Jefferson fumbled but the Vikings retained possession after an 11 yard gain. Mike Zimmer gambled on 4th and 2 from the Detroit 28. Cousins went to Mattison for the touchdown and the 7-6 Vikings lead.
In the second quarter after a touchback, Adrian Peterson went up the gut for a 38 yard gain. Stafford went to Hockensen for 15 and to Quintez Cephus for a 20 yard touchdown to make it 13-7 Lions. The Vikings took over at their own 21. Cousins went to Smith for 25, Conklin for 11 and 19, and Adam Thielen for 14. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Cousins hit Ameer Abdullah for the touchdown and the 14-13 Vikings lead. After a touchback, Stafford hit Jones for 38 yards. Then the drive died. Matt Prater nailed a 54 yard field goal to make it 16-14 Lions. Dan Bailey missed a 46 yard field goal try that would have given the Vikings the lead again. With 55 seconds left in the half the Vikings again took over at their own 21. Cousins went to Jefferson for 8, Chad Beebe for 4, Thielen for 14 and Conklin for 10. With 14 seconds left in the half, the Vikings had 1st and 10 at the Detroit 45. Cousins threw incomplete but the defense jumped offside. That left 4 seconds. Cousins threw the Hail Mary, and Beebe caught it for the 40 yard touchdown and the 21-16 Vikings halftime lead.
The second half was just as exciting and it started with a bang when Agnew returned the kickoff 70 yards to the Detroit 33. Two plays later Stafford went to Jones for a 26 yard touchdown. The 6th lead change of the game made it 23-21 Lions. The Vikings took over at their own 31. Cousins went to Jefferson for 15 and again for 38 with roughing the passer adding 7 more. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Mattison ran it in. The 7th led change had the Vikings up 28-23. Stafford was quickly intercepted to set up the Vikings at the Detroit 23. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Cousins threw incomplete. Bailey hit from 23 to make it 31-23 Vikings midway through the fourth quarter.
The Lions soon faced 3rd and 5 at their own 30. Stafford hit Danny Amendola for 6. On 3rd and 6 from their own 40, Stafford went to Cephus for 31. Swift ran for 6 and caught a pass from Stafford for 18. Peterson ran for a 2 yard touchdown. The 2 point conversion try to tie the game was no good as Stafford threw incomplete and the Lions trailed 31-29. The Vikings soon faced 3rd and 2 from their own 33. Mattison gained 4. Defensive pass interference added 18. Cousins hit Conklin for 14. On 1st and 20 from the Detroit 30, Boone ran for 19, 5 and 4. On 3rd and goal at the one, Boone got stopped. With 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation, Mike Zimmer went for it. On 4th and goal at the one, Cousins was sacked. Yet a roughing the passer call killed the Lions and made it 1st and goal at the one again. Cousins got in. Bailey missed the extra point that would have made it a 2 score game. Instead the 14 play, 75 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive had the Vikings only up 37-29 with 10 1/2 minutes left.
The Lions also mounted a 14 play, 75 yard drive that took 6 minutes. On 1st and 20 from their own 15, Stafford hit Jones for 21. Swift ran for 13 and 8. On 4th and 1 from the Minnesota 42 midway through the fourth quarter, Darrel Bevell went for it. Peterson gained 4. On 3rd and 11 from the Minnesota 39, Stafford went to Jones for 16. Stafford hit Sanu for 6, ran for 5, and hit Jones for 10. Swift ran for a 2 yard touchdown. With 4 1/2 minutes left, the Lions again had a chance for a 2 point try to tie the game. Again, Stafford threw incomplete. After a touchback, the Vikings took the clock down to 2 1/2 minutes as the Lions took their final timeout on defense. Everything came down to the Vikings facing 4th and 1 at the Detroit 25. A 43 yard field goal would not put the game away, so Zimmer went for it. Mattison gained 16 yards and Cousins took 3 knees. 37-35 Vikings
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns — The 12-3 Steelers had clinched the AFC North and Mike Tomlin rested Ben Roethlisberger. Mason Rudolph got the start against the 10-5 Browns, who would be in the playoffs with a win. A loss would require the Browns to get help. The Dawg Pound was ready. The Browns took over at their own 15. Nick Chubb ran for 11 and 3. Baker Mayfield hit Jarvis Landry for 14 and Austin Hooper for 10. Chubb ran for a 47 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Browns. The Browns began the second quarter facing 1st and 15 from their own 20. Chubb gained 13 and Mayfield went deep to Higgins for 42. Despite 1st and goal at the 4, a pair of incompletions were sandwiched around a run that lost a yard. Cody Parkey hit the 23 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Browns.
The Steelers began moving the ball but could not reach the end zone. Matthew Wright hit field goals of 28 and 46 in the second quarter and again from 46 in the third quarter as the Steelers were right back in it down 10-9. The Browns got it back at their own 24. Mayfield hit Higgins for 13. On 3rd and 5 from their 42, Mayfield hit nook for 14 and then ran for a 28 yard gain himself. Mayfield hit Hodge for 10 and Austin Hooper for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 17-9 Browns. An interception of Rudolph gave the Browns great field position at the Pittsburgh 20. On 3rd and 8, Mayfield hit Hodge for 15. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Landry ran for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 24-9 Browns.
The Steelers after a touchback fought back. Rudolph hit McDonald for 14. James Conner gained 7 and 4. Rudolph went o Chase Claypool for 10. On 4th and 6 from the Cleveland 36, Rudolph hit Johnson for 8. On 4th and 10 from the Cleveland 28, Rudolph went to Claypool for the touchdown. Twice the Browns were one stop away from ending it. Instead, the Steelers were within 24-16 with 10 minutes left. The Browns from their own 27 went on a 10 play drive that took 6 1/2 minutes off the clock. On 3rd and 3 from the Pittsburgh 31, Mayfield was sacked for a 4 yard loss. A 53 yard field goal with 3 1/2 minutes left would ice the game, but Kevin Stefanski decided against trying it. He went for it and on 4th and 7 and Mayfield through incomplete.
The Steelers soon faced 3rd and 10 from their own 35. Rudolph hit Juju Smith-Schuster for 13 and then went deep to Diontae Johnson for 47. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Rudolph hit Smith-Schuster for the touchdown. With 1:23 left, a 2 point conversion would tie the game. Rudolph threw incomplete. The onside kick failed. The Steelers took their timeouts on defense. With 1:10 to play, it came down to the Browns facing 3rd and 2 at the Pittsburgh 42. Mayfield rolled out, saw an opening, ran for 3, purposely went down inbounds, and pumped his fists. For the first time since 2002, the Browns are going to the playoffs. These 2 teams will play again next week in the Wildcard round. Yet that game will be in Pittsburgh, and Roethlisberger will be back. 24-22 Browns
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals — The Bengals were done for the year but had won 2 straight. The Ravens came in winning 4 straight and at 10-5 were guaranteed a Wildcard spot with a win. A loss would require the Ravens get help elsewhere. This game was over early. The Ravens pounded the Bengals for over 400 yards rushing. After a touchback the Ravens moved 59 yards in 12 plays and 7 minutes. The Ravens settled for a 34 yard Justin Tucker field goal to lead 3-0. The Ravens took over at their own 31. Lamar Jackson ran for 12 and threw a 43 yard touchdown pass to Miles Boykin to make it 10-0 Ravens. In the second quarter the Ravens mounted a mind-numbing 17 play, 93 yard drive that consumed over 8 1/2 minutes. Jackson threw an 18 yard touchdown pass to Marquise Brown for make it 17-0 Ravens. The Bengals avoided a shutout with a field goal late in the half, but this game was never close. In the third quarter the Ravens marched 70 yards and JK Dobbins ran for a 5 yard touchdown. The Ravens got it back at midfield and Jackson hit Brown for a 9 yard touchdown. An interception gave to back to the Ravens at their own 20. Dobbins ran for 8 and then raced for a 72 yard touchdown. Dobbins had 160 yards rushing and the fourth quarter was scoreless. John Harbaugh has an 11-5 squad that can pound the rock. 38-3 Ravens
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills — The 12-3 Bills clinched the AFC East for the first time in 25 years. The 10-5 Dolphins needed a miracle from Ryan Fitzpatrick’s beard last week, but he was out injured. Tua Tagovailoa has been benched a couple times, but it was up to him to go on the road and get the win. Sean McDermott played his starters despite the top seed being out of reach. With a win, the Dolphins were in the playoffs. They could still get in with a loss but would need help. An early interception of Josh Allen led to a field goal and a 3-0 Dolphins lead after the first quarter. The Bills exploded in the second quarter and put the game away.
The Bills began the second quarter at midfield. Allen hit Stefan Diggs for 5, Singletary for 6, and Diggs for 8 and 18. On 3rd and 4 from the Miami 7, Allen hit Isaiah McKenzie for the touchdown to make it 7-3 Bills. The Bills got it back at their own 12. Allen hit Diggs for 8, Knox for 10, Diggs for 16 and McKenzie for 19. On 3rd and 4 from the Miami 14. Allen went to McKenzie for the touchdown to make it 14-3 Bills. McKenzie then killed Miami on special teams by returning a punt 84 yards for a touchdown to make it 21-3 Bills. Miami got another field goal with 1:44 left in the half, but the Bills kept rolling. After a touchback, Allen went to Diggs for 16, to John Brown for 27, and to Brown again for a 32 yard touchdown. The Bills led 28-6 at halftime.
The second half was a formality. The Dolphins did manage a third quarter touchdown, but Tagovailoa was then intercepted by Josh Norman for a 16 yard defensive touchdown to have the Bills up 35-13 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter the Bills carpet-bombed the Dolphins. Two more interceptions of Tagovailoa led to two more Bills touchdowns to put them up 49-13. After a Miami touchdown, Allen retired for the day and Matt Barkley came in. Barkley’s first pass was a deep ball to Davis for a 56 yard touchdown and a 56-19 Bills lead. The Dolphins added one more garbage touchdown. The Bills are 13-3 and will host a Wildcard game. The 10-6 Dolphins could still make the playoffs if any one of four other teams lost. All four of those teams won and the Dolphins were the odd team out of the playoffs. 56-26 Bills
Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers — The 49ers were done for the year but were expected to put up a fight against their hated NFC West rival. The 11-4 Seahawks clinched the division and had an outside shot at the top seed. The first three quarters was a brutal slog. Jason Myers hit field goals of 36 in the first quarter and 30 in the second quarter to make it 6-0 Seahawks. Tristan Vizcaino was in for an injured Robbie Gould. Vizcaino hit from 36 to end the half and from 47 and 36 in the third quarter to have the 49ers up 9-6 after three quarters. The 49ers took over with 5 minutes left in the third quarter and soon faced 3rd and 8 from their own 29. CJ Beathard hit Kendrick Bourne for 27. On 4th and 3 from the Seattle 37, Kyle Shanahan passed up a 55 yard field goal try and went for it. Beathard hit Bourne for 11 and Dwlley for 13. The fourth quarter began with the game’s first touchdown as Jeff Wilson ran it in from 7 yards out to make it 16-6 49ers.
After a touchback the Seahawks finally got going. Russell Wilson hit Chris Carson for 10 and Tyler Lockett for 9 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15. Wilson went to Disney for 20. On 3rd and goal from the 6, Wilson hit Lockett for the touchdown to get the Seahawks within 16-12. The extra point was no good. The Seahawks got it back at their own 15. Wilson hit DK Metcalf for 12. Carson gained 9 and 5. Wilson added 11 and then hit Lockett for 9. Wilson ran for 16. With 2:20 to play in the game, the Seahawks faced 4th and goal at the 4 after a pair of Wilson incompletions. The earlier missed extra point forced the Seahawks to go for it. Wilson hit Lockett for the touchdown to make it 19-16 Seahawks. Beathard was soon sacked and fumbled. The Seahawks recovered at the Frisco 17. Alex Collins ran for an 8 yard touchdown with 1:49 left as 20 straight points made it 26-16 Seahawks. By the time the 49ers reached the end zone, only 23 seconds remained. The onside kick failed and the Seahawks for the second straight week survived with defense. They were denied the top seed and will host a Wildcard playoff game. 26-23 Seahawks
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams — The 8-7 Cardinals were once 6-3. The 9-6 Rams were once 9-4. Both teams with a win would be in the playoffs. The Cardinals would be out with a loss. The Rams could get in with a loss but would need help. Jared Goff was out injured. With everything on the line, backup John Wolford would start. He had never won an NFL game. These teams both have high-flying offenses, yet this game was about defense. On the first Arizona series, Kyler Murray went out injured. His backup was Chris Streveler. Wolford was quickly intercepted to set up the Cardinals at the Rams 14. Streveler threw an 11 yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Ward. The Cardinals led 7-0 after the first quarter, but the Rams defense took over after that.
The Rams mounted a 16 play, 69 yard, 8 minute drive. Despite 1st and goal at the one, consecutive false starts killed the drive. The second quarter began with Matt Gay hitting a 28 yard field goal for the Rams. The Rams in the second quarter took over at their 18 and moved 81 yards in 13 plays and 7 minutes. Again the Rams got down to the one. Again they did not punch it in as Cam Akers fumbled and the Cardinals recovered at the one. Yet 2 plays later the Cardinals were called for offensive holding in their own end zone. The safety got the Rams within 7-5. The Cardinals moved from their own 35 to a 2nd and 7 at the Rams 32 with 20 seconds left in the half. Then came the play of the game. Steveler was intercepted by Troy Hill, who weaved through traffic for an 84 yard defensive touchdown and a 12-7 Rams lead. The second half was all defense. Gay hit from 34 in the third quarter and from 27 in the fourth quarter. An Arizona field goal try was blocked. Murray tried to return, but it was too late. The 10-6 Rams will travel for a Wildcard game and hope to have Goff back. The 8-8 Cardinals are out. As for Wolford, his very first NFL win was a big one. 18-7 Rams
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts — The Colts were one of five 10-5 teams, but they were the only one who would automatically miss the playoffs with a loss. They were the only one who could win and still miss out if 4 other teams all won. The Jaguars won their opener and then lost 14 straight to lock up the first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Yet that sole win came against the Colts. The Colts began at their own 22. Taylor ran for 11 and then for 56. On 3rd and 5 from the Jacksonville 6, Philip Rivers hit TY Hilton for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Colts. The Colts got it back at their own 16 and mounted a 13 play, 80 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive. Rivers threw incomplete on 3rd and goal at the 4. Rodrigo Blankenship hit the 22 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Colts. The Jaguars moved from their own 15 to a 3rd and 6 at their 45. Glennon was sacked and fumbled and TJ Carrie returned it 25 yards to the Jags 15. Taylor ran for one, 13, and the one yard touchdown in the second quarter to make it 17-0 Colts. The Jaguars faced 4th and 1 from their own 49. Doug Marrone gambled and Glennon threw incomplete. The short field led to a 24 yard Blankenship field goal and a 20-0 Colts lead with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half.
The Jaguars actually made a game of it after a touchback. Glennon hit Conley for 17 and 9, Cole for 8, Godwin for 5, 6 and 21, and Laviska Shenault for a 9 yard touchdown. With 27 seconds left in the half the Jaguars were within 20-7. On the last play of the half, Blankenship missed a 56 yard field goal try. Blankenship missed again from 49 early in the third quarter when his kick doinked off the upright. The Jaguars soon faced 3rd and 14 from their own 35. Glennon hit Conley for 15. Ogunbowale gained 11. On 3rd and 8 from the Indy 37, Glennon hit Cole for 12 and Saubert for 9. Glennon went to Shenault for an 8 yard touchdown as the Jaguars were within 20-14 with 6 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter. With 4 1/2 minutes left in the game, the Colts took over at midfield. Taylor ran for 5 and then broke the backs of the Jaguars with a 45 yard touchdown run. The 2 point conversion was good. The Jaguars put up a fight, but they are now on the clock as Doug Marrone awaits Black Monday. The 11-5 Colts did not win their division, and 3 of the 4 other teams also won to get to 11-5. However, one team, Miami, lost. The Colts are in the playoffs as a Wildcard. 28-14 Colts
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans — The Titans were one of five 10-5 teams. A win would clinch them the AFC South while a loss would leave them depending on other results to make the playoffs. The Texans were done for the year but they put up a fight. The first quarter saw Sam Sloman hit a 47 yard field goal for the Titans and Kaimi Fairbairn respond from 24 for a 3-3 game after the first quarter. Then the offenses got going. On 2nd and 3 from their own 32, Derrick Henry gained 8 and then broke free for a 52 yard touchdown to make it 10-3 Titans. The Texans moved 51 yards in 11 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. On 4th and 2 from their own 46, Romeo Crennel called a fake punt. AJ McCarron hit Mitchell for 20. Yet the drive again stalled in the red zone. On 3rd and 10 from the Titans 18, Deshaun Watson was sacked. Fairbairn hit from 43 to get the Texans within 10-6.
After a touchback, Ryan Tannehill ran for 10 and Henry added 16. Tannehill went to Davis for 19. Henry added 28. Tannehill hit AJ Brown for the touchdown to make it 17-6 Titans. The kickoff went out of bounds to set up the Texans at their own 40. For the 3rd time in the half, the Texans drove into the red zone. For the 3rd time they did not get in the end zone. On 3rd and 8 from the Titans 10, Watson threw incomplete. Fairbairn hit from 28 to end the half with the Texans within 17-9. In the third quarter Henry ran for 4 and 14. On 3rd and 8 from their own 45, Tannehill hit Brown for 29. On 3rd and 10 from the Houston 26, Tannehill hit Anthony Firkser for 12. Henry ran for a 6 yard touchdown to cap the 10 play, 75 yard, 5 minute drive and put the Titans up 24-9.
After a touchback, Watson hit Brandin Cooks for 11 and Brown for 14. Defensive pass interference added 11. Watson went to Cooks for a 38 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good as the Texans were within 24-15. The Texans took over at their own 23. Henry ran for 8, 9, 4, and then a 45 yard gain. Tannehill ran for a 5 yard touchdown as the Titans led 31-15 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter.
The Texans began at their own 35. Johnson ran for 19 and 26. Watson hit Cooks for a 20 yard touchdown. The 2 point conversion was originally called good, but was reversed to short of the plane of the goal. The Titan were within 31-21. The Titans quickly fumbled after a touchback and the Texans took over at the Titans 28. Watson hit Cooks for 27 and Johnson got the last yard to get the Texans within 31-28. The Titans moved from their own 25 to a 4th and 11 at the Houston 37. Mike Vrabeld decided to go for it rather than try a 55 yard field goal. Tannehill was sacked for an 11 yard loss. The Texans took over at their own 48. Watson gained 7 with defensive unnecessary roughness added 15. On 3rd and 3 from the Titans 23, Watson hit Akins for 9, Cooks for 7 and pharaoh Brown for a 7 yard touchdown. With 10 minutes left in regulation, 20 straight points had the Texans up 35-31. They had 4 straight touchdown drives.
After a touchback the Titans had their drive of the year. 19 plays. 75 yards. 8 1/2 minutes. On 3rd and 6 from their own 29, Tannehill hit Brown for 11. On 3rd and 4 from the Houston 43, Tannehill hit Brown for 5. On 3rd and 8 from the Houston 21, Tannehill hit Davis for 9. On 3rd and 2 from the Houston 4, Tannehill gained 3. Tannehill ran for a 5 yard touchdown as the Titans led 38-35 with 1:40 to play. The Texnans began at their own 9 yard line. Watson went to Johnson for 32. A sack of Watson had the Texans facing 3rd and 13 from their own 38. Watson hit Keke Coutee for 29. After 3 straight incompletions, on 4th and 10 from the Titans 33, Fairbairn drilled a 51 yard field goal. With 18 seconds left the game was tied 38-38. Rather than play for overtime after a touchback, Tannehill went bombs away and found Brown for a 52 yard gain. Sloman came in for a 27 yard field goal try for the win. Sloman was good and the Titans at 11-5 won the AFC South the hard way. Henry became the 8th player in NFL history with at least 2,000 yards rushing as he bulldozed Houston for 250 yards. 41-38 Titans
Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos — Both teams were out of the playoffs, but this situation was exactly the same as last year. The Raiders were 7-8 and the Broncos were worse. Last year the Raiders went into Denver and lost 16-15 on the final play when a 2 point conversion try failed. This year’s game was a thriller. The Broncos moves from their own 28 to a 3rd and goal at the 4. Drew Lock threw incomplete. Brandon McManus hit a 22 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Broncos. The Raiders soon faced 4th and 1 at their own 34. Jon Gruden on the road decided to go for it. Derek Carr kept it and gained 2. Carr then went deep and found Nelson Agholor for a 57 yard gain. Had Carr led Agholor more, it would have been a touchdown. Agholor had to lay out for it, so instead it was 1st and goal at the 7. Again, the Raiders struggled down close. On the next play, a touchdown pass to Agholor was nullified by offensive pass interference on Zee Jones. The Raiders settled for a 33 yard Daniel Carlson field goal for a 3-3 game.
The Broncos faced 3rd and 10 from their own 25. Lock went to Cleveland for 17. Freeman ran for 20. Lock hit Patrick for 29. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Lock threw incomplete. Yet defensive holding instead meant 1st and goal at the one. Lock hit Troy Fumagalli for the touchdown and the 10-3 Broncos lead after the first quarter. After a touchback, the Raiders began the second quarter with a completion from Carr to standout Darren Waller. Yet this time Waller got hit and fumbled the ball. The Broncos took over at the Raiders 39. Three plays gained a total of 2 yards. Vic Fangio brought in McManus for a 56 yard field goal try. McManus was no good.
The Raiders took over at their own 46. Carr hit Hunter Renfrow for 8. On 3rd and 2 from the Denver 28, Carr went deep to Waller for the touchdown and a 10-10 game. The Broncos after a touchback moved to a 4th and 1 at the Raiders 38. After missing from 56, Fangio did not want to have McManus try from 57. Fangio went for it and Lock threw incomplete. A 21 yard punt return by Renfrow had the Raiders taking over at their own 44 with 1:39 left in the half. Carr went to Theo Riddick for 5 and 15 and Henry Ruggs for 15. With 26 seconds left in the half, the Raiders faced 3rd and 15 from the Denver 26. Carr delivered a dime to Bryan Edwards in the end zone as Edwards beat the defender for the touchdown and the 17-10 Raiders lead. With 3 seconds left in the half, Vic Fangio decided to try and make NFL history. He brought in McManus for a 70 yard field goal try. The kick was blocked.
In the third quarter the Broncos moved from their own 25 to a 2nd and 6 at the Denver 18. Lock threw incomplete twice. From 37 yards out, McManus was good and the Broncos were within 17-13. The Raiders could not handle prosperity. They spent the second half of the third quarter self-destructing. They moved from their own 5 to a 3rd and 3 at their own 30. Carr was intercepted and the Broncos took over at the Raiders 44. Yet on 3rd and 9 from the Raiders 14, Lock hit Hamilton for only 5. On 4th and 2 from the 9, Vic Fangio opted for the field goal. McManus hit from 27 and the Broncos were within 17-16. Two plays after a touchback, Ruggs fumbled and the Broncos took over at the Raiders 34. Lock hit Melvin Gordon for 13 and Noah Fant for 10. On 3rd and 1 from the Raiders 12, Lock gained 2. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Gordon ran for a 10 yard touchdown. Fangio went for 2 and Lock hit Jerry Jeudy for the conversion as the Broncos led 24-17. After a touchback the Raiders soon faced 1st and 20 from their own 31. Carr was intercepted by Jackson, who returned it 13 yards to the Raiders 31. The Silver and Black had 3 straight drives end in turnovers and 4 turnovers overall.
A field goal would put the Broncos up 27-17. They were already in range. Yet on 3rd and 7 from the Raiders 28, Lock was sacked for an 11 yard loss. It was a tremendous mistake, and Fangio was not going to try a 57 yard field goal in that situation. The Broncos punted and the Raiders took over at their own 10. On 3rd and 1 from their own 19, Josh Jacobs gained 4. Carr went to Edwards for 25 and Waller for 6. On 3rd and 4 from the Denver 43, Carr went to Waller for 15. Jacobs banged through the line and raced for a 28 yard touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, the game was tied 24-24. The offense had finally calmed down and the defense had played reasonably well. So naturally it was time for the mother of all defensive breakdowns. The Broncos faced 3rd and 10 from their own 8. Lock fired over the middle to Jeudy, who outraced everybody for a 92 yard touchdown. Just like that, the Broncos were up 31-24 with 6 1/2 minutes left. After an exchange of punts, the Raiders were in desperation mode at their own 23 with 1:47 left.
Carr put on a clinic. He went deep to Jones for 37 and to Waller for gains of 10 and 21. With 53 seconds left in the game the Raiders had 1st and goal at the 9. Then came the red zone struggles. Carr threw incomplete twice. On 3rd and goal at the 9, Carr hit Riddick for 8 yards. With 27 seconds left, everything came down to 4th and goal at the one. angio took a timeout on defense, which actually gave the Raiders more time to try different ideas. Out of the shotgun, the handoff went to Jacobs. He banged into the line, saw a brick wall, and rammed through it into the end zone. Yet Jon Gruden was not done. For the second year in a row on the road at Denver, he was going for the win rather than the tie. There would be no overtime. Last year Carr’s pass was broken up. This year Carr fired over the middle through a microscopic window and delivered a laser to Waller. The Raiders led by a point.
Yet this Raiders team was the defense that could not hold a lead against Miami for 19 seconds. After a touchback, Lock hit Jeudy for 25 to midfield. Then the Raiders were called for delay of game on defense to give the Broncos 5 more yards. With 2 seconds left, McManus came in for a 63 yard field goal try. He has the leg. The Raiders were about to go down in flames 3 straight weeks on the final play. Not this time. The kick was blocked. The Raiders won. They were 8-8 the hard way. Jacobs and Waller set franchise records on offense for the season. Despite 4 turnovers and 14 penalties, the Raiders won. Lock was 25 of 41 for 339 yards and 2 touchdowns with 0 interceptions. Carr was 24 of 38 for 371 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Most importantly, Carr got the final 2 point conversion and the win. The defense needs a lot of improvement, but the Raiders have improved under Jon Gruden from 4-12 to 7-9 to 8-8. The building blocks are there. A great defensive coordinator could finally get the Raiders to the next level in 2021. For now, this was an instant classic and a sweet win to end the season. Just win baby. 32-31 Raiders
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs — The Chargers were out of contention while the 14-1 Chiefs clinched home field throughout the playoffs and rested their starters. Chad Henne started in place of Patrick Mahomes, who worked on his clipboard-holding skills. The Chiefs began the game facing 3rd and 9 at their own 45. Henne went to Thompson for a 37 yard gain. After a defensive facemask penalty, Henne hit Byron Pringle for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Chiefs. After a touchback Justin Herbert hit Austin Ekeler for 3 and 7, Parham for 7, Anderson for 17, Mike Williams for 11, and Parham for an 8 yard touchdown. The 12 play, 75 yard, 7 minute drive tied the game 7-7. The Chiefs took over at their own 28. Henne hit Robinson for 11, Yelder and Robinson for 8 each, and Mecole Hardman for 18. On 3rd and 7 from the Chargers 13, Henne hit Pringle for 12. Henne got the last yard himself. The 12 play, 75 yard, 6 minute drive made it 14-7 Chiefs early in the second quarter. After that the Chargers took over.
The turning point came when the Chiefs fumbled a punt and the Chargers took over at the Kansas City 17. Herbert hit Ekeler for 9 and again for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 14-14. The Chargers got it back at their own 22 and embarked on a 15 play, 77 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive. On 2nd and goal at the 2, Herbert threw incomplete twice. Anthony Lynn went for it. On 4th and goal at the 2, Herbert initially was ruled getting a touchdown. On further review, Herbert was short and the Chiefs took over at their own one yard line. The defense had an inspired goal line stand and the offense wasted it by giving up a safety to make it 16-14 Chargers. The Chargers took the free kick at their own 41. Herbert hit Hill for 7, Williams for 6 and 12 and Ekeler for 4. A defensive penalty for lowering the head to initiate contact added 15 and defensive pass interference added 21 more down to the one. Kalen Ballage got in as the Chargers took a 24-14 lead to the locker rooms.
In the third quarter the Chiefs moved from their own 8 to a 4th and 1 at the Chicago 30. Andy Reid went for it and Thomson got stopped. Herbert hit Nabers for 5, Johnson for 8, and Williams for a 48 yard touchdown as 24 unanswered points made it 31-14 Chargers after three quarters. The Chiefs began the fourth quarter at their own 26. Henne hit Robinson for 8, Dieter for 10 and Thompson for 12. On 3rd and 8 from the Chargers 42, Henne hit Pringle for 31. On 3rd and 7 from the Chargers 8, Henne hit Thompson for the touchdown to get the Chiefs within 31-21 with 12 minutes left in regulation. The Chargers took over at their own 23. Ballage ran for 9, 3 and 3. Herbert went to Johnson for 27. Jackson ran for 34 yards down to the one. Ballage got the last yard to lock up the win. The Chargers began 3-9, but 4 straight wins to close out the season was not enough to save Anthony Lynn. The Chargers fired him on Monday after 4 seasons. At 14-2 the Chiefs will have next week off to get everybody healthy, making Andy Reid a most happy walrus indeed. 38-21 Chargers
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears — The 12-3 Packers clinched the NFC North and with a win would lock up home field throughout the playoffs. The 8-7 Bears were in the playoffs with a win but would need help to get in if they lost. The Packers kicked the opening kickoff out of bounds, and wasted a challenge on that play. On Bears faced 3rd and 1 from their own 49. Montgomery gained 3. On 3rd and 1 from the Packers 41, Montgomery gained 3. On 3rd and 2 from the Packers 30, a run lost a yard. Matt Nagy went for it on 4th and 3 and Mitchell Trubisky hit Anthony Miller for 7. Montgomery ran for 8 and then for a 2 yard touchdown to cap the 14 play, 60 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive and make it 7-0 Bears. The Packers took over at their own 20. Aaron Rodgers hit Marques Valdes-Scantling for 15 and Devonta Adams for 9. Aaron Jones ran for 10. On 3rd and 8 from the Chicago 45, Rodgers hit Jones for 15. On 3rd and 5 from the Chicago 25, Jones gained 2. Matt Lafleur decided to go for it. On 4th and 3, Rodgers threw deep incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 16 yard gain. Rodgers hit Robert Tonyan for a 3 yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. The 12 play, 80 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive made it 7-7 as each team had the ball once in the first quarter and scored a touchdown.
The Packers fumbled a punt early in the second quarter and he Bears recovered at the Green Bay 20. Yet on 3rd and 3 from the 13, a run gained only one yard. Matt Nagy played it safe and Cairo Santos hit the 30 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Bears. After that reality set in. The Packers soon faced 3rd and 4 from their own 28. Rodgers connected with Valdes-Scantling for a 72 yard touchdown to make it 14-10 Packers. The Bears quickly fumbled the ball and the Packers recovered at the Chicago 22. On 3rd and 4, Rodgers hit Adams for 9 and Dominique Daffney for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 21-10 Packers. The Bears mounted 2 very long drives but could not put the ball in the end zone With 11 seconds left in the half they had 1st and goal at the 9. Trubisky threw incomplete and left only 3 seconds. Santos hit from 27 to get the Bears within 21-13. In the third quarter the Bears moved from their own 11 to a 3rd and goal at the 7. Trubisky completed a pass for only 5 yards. On 4th and goal at the 2, Matt Nagy again decided not to go for the potential tie. Santos hit from 20 to get the Bears within 21-16. The Bears got it back and moved from their own 24 on a 15 play, 51 yard, 8 minute drive. They twice converted on 4th and 1. Yet a third 4th and 1 from the Green Bay 25 resulted in Trubisky throwing incomplete with 11 1/2 minutes remaining in regulation.
In the fourth quarter the Packers closed the door. From their own 24, Rodgers hit Adams for 6 and 7. On 3rd and 7 from their own 40, Rodgers hit Adams for 9 and Jones for 8. On 2nd and 6 from the Chicago 36, Rodgers hit Jones for 17 and Lazard for 14. Jones ran for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 28-16 Packers with 4 minutes left in regulation. Trubisky was then quickly intercepted at midfield by Amos, who returned it 24 yards to the Chicago 26. Williams ran for 6 and 14. Rodgers hit Adams for a 6 yard touchdown with 3 minutes left. The Bears showed who they are with 9 seconds left and 1st and goal at the 4. Trubisky threw a 3 yard pass and the clock ran out. Even a garbage touchdown was too much to ask. Despite the loss, the 8-8 Bears backed into the playoffs because Arizona also lost. The Packers are 13-3 for the second straight year, but last year they were the 2 seed and lost the NFC Title Game on the road. This year, the Packers are the top seed with home field throughout the playoffs and a first round bye. Rodgers finished the year with 48 touchdown passes and should be the NFL MVP. 35-16 Packers
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers — The Panthers are done for the year. The 11-4 Saints clinched the NFC South and had an outside shot at the top seed and home field throughout the playoffs. The Panthers punted on 4th and 22 from their own 13. A 39 yard punt with a 10 yard return set up the Saints at the Carolina 42. Sean Payton gambled on 4th and 1 from the Carolina 21. Taysom Hill gained 3. Pinball Wizard Drew Brees hit Jared Cook for an 18 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Saints. The Panthers later on faced 3r and 3 from their own 43. Bridgewater threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 6 yard gain. Bridgewater went to Moore for 14 and Samuel for 25. Bridgewater ran for 7 down to the one. Rodney Smith got in for a 7-7 game after the first quarter.
The Panthers began the second quarter at their own 46. Yet on 1st and 10 from the Saints 18, Bridgwater went to the end zone and was intercepted by Malcolm Jenkins. Jenkins returned the interception 48 yards to the Saints 46. After that the Saints rolled. On 3rd and 3 from the Carolina 47, Montgomery ran for 36 and Brees hit Emmanuel Sanders for an 8 yard touchdown to make it 13-7 Saints. The extra point was no good. After a touchback the Panthers had another long drive including a 4th and 1 conversion. Yet on 4th and 1 from the Saints 21, Matt Rhule went for it again and a run lost a yard. The Saints moved from their own 22 to a 2nd and 1 at the Carolina 15 with 13 seconds left in the half. Brees threw incomplete twice. Wil Lutz hit the 33 yard field goal to make it 16-7 Saints at the half.
The second half was a formality. Lutz hit a 48 yard field goal in the third quarter to make it 19-7. Bridgwater was intercepted on 2 consecutive possessions, the second of which set up the Saints at the Carolina 24. Hill ran for 6. Montgomery ran for 15 and then for the 3 yard touchdown to make it 26-7 Saints. Brees threw an 11 yard touchdown pass to Austin Carr on the first play of the fourth quarter. Bridgewater threw two more interceptions. The 12-4 Saints did not get the top seed, but they will be a force to be reckoned with. Rumors are swirling that Brees will retire at the end of the season. He has a legitimate shot to go out on top. 33-7 Saints
Washington Non-Haskinses at Philadelphia Eagles was the regular season finale Sunday night game. The Eagles were done for the year but had the chance to play spoiler. The Washington Miscellaneouses were 6-9 but had the tie-breaker advantage in the NFC Least. Even with a losing record, Washington would win the division with a win. A loss, and they were out. This game featured quarterback controversies before the game even started. Ron Rivera cut Dwayne Haskins earlier in the week. After nearly 2 seasons, the 2019 top round draft pick was turning into a bust. The last straw was when he was caught in a strip club without a mask in violation of NFL COVID rules. The Eagles deactivated Carson Wentz before the game. Jalen Hurts was playing well, but this game would be talked about long after it was over for all the wrong reasons.
The No-Names took over at their own 9. On 3rd and 1 from their own 18, Pierre Barber gained 3. On 3rd and 8 from their own 23, Alex Smith hit McKissic for 10. Sims gained 18 and Smith hit Thomas for 18 more. On 3rd and 10 from the Philadelphia 25, Smith hit Sims for 16. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Smith hit Terry McLaurin for a touchdown to make it 7-0 No-Names. Hurts was quickly intercepted to set up the Non-Redskins at the Philly 32. On 3rd and 7, Smith hit McLaurin for only 5. Riverboat Ron Rivera decided not to gamble on 4th and 2. Dustin Hopkins hit a 42 yard field goal as the No-Names led 10-0 after the first quarter.
The game changed in the second quarter. After a touchback and defensive holding, the Eagles faced 3rd and 10 at their own 30. Hurts threw incomplete but defensive pass interference added 21. Doug Pederson called a trick play and Ward hit Fulgham for 15. Hurts ran for 9 and one and hit Boston Scott for 9. On 3rd and 6 from the Washington 20, Hurts was sacked but defensive holding meant a new set of downs. O 3rd and 1 from the 6, Hurts ran it in to get the Eagles within 10-7. The Eagles got it back at their own 35. Hurts hit Zac Ertz for 7 and 4 and Reagor for 15. On 3rd and 7 from the Washington 36, Hurts went to Arcega-Whiteside for 30. Hurts ran for a 6 yard touchdown to put the Eagles up 14-10 with 4 minutes left in the half.
A 20 yard punt return had the No-Names taking over at their own 45 with 1:24 left in the half. On 3rd and 6 just shy of midfield, Smith hit Sims for 15. On 3rd and 4 from the Philly 30, the Eagles jumped into the neutral zone. Smith hit Sims and McKissic for 6 each. With 20 seconds left in the half, the Non-Redskins faced 2nd and 10 from the Philly 13. Smith went to Logan Thomas for the touchdown. The No-Names led 17-14 at halftime. The second half was all defense. The third quarter was scoreless. Then came a series of bizarre late decisions by Doug Pederson.
An interception of Smith gave the Eagles gift field position at the Washington 15. On 2nd and goal from the 4, Hurts threw incomplete twice. With 2 minutes left in the third quarter, a 22 yard chip shot field goal would tie the game. Doug Pederson decided to go for it. Not from the one or even the two, but from the 4. He passed up an easy field goal. Hurts threw incomplete again and the Eagles still trailed. Then things got even crazier. The Eagles got it back at their own 11 with 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Yet Hurts was on the bench. Doug Pederson said before the game that Nate Sudfeld would get some playing time, but sitting Hurts down in a situation like this was insane. On 3rd and 5 from his own 16. Sudfeld began his quest to be the next Curtis Painter or Nathan Pederman. He was intercepted. Smith was intercepted as well, giving Sudfeld another chance. Sudfeld quickly fumbled and the No-Names took over at the Philly 25. Offensive holding killed the drive but Hopkins hit from 42 to put the No-Names up by 6. The entire Eagles season came down to 3rd and 10 from their own 26 with 6 seconds left. Forget the Hail Mary or the hook and laterals. Sudfeld completed a 6 yard pass.
After the game, Doug Pederson was accused of tanking, the worst thing you could say about a guy in sports. The Eagles draft position moved up from 9 to 6 with the loss. Pederson vehemently denied the tanking charges. Hurts was stoic but his teammates were angry at his being removed. Wentz says his relationship with Pederson is broken beyond repair. As for Washington, at 7-9 they are tied for the worst division champion ever. However, the two previous division winners with losing records won their opening playoff game. This was a feel-good moment for Smith, who came back from a life-threatening injury. It was also a feel-good moment for Rivera, who coached his squad to a division title while battling cancer. This team may not have a name, but they have an identity, especially on defense. Rivera is building something. 20-14 Non-Redskins