NFL 2019 Week 16 Recap
Houston Texans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers was the Saturday morning game. The 9-5 Texans came in knowing a win would clinch the AFC South. The Buccaneers are out, as Jameis Winston is resembling Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get. Not since Brett Favre has a quarterback played with such reckless abandon. Winston became the first player in NFL history to throw for at least 450 yards in 2 consecutive weeks. He piles up yards, touchdowns…and interceptions. He is often good for a touchdown pass to both teams. Bruce Arians tells him to keep firing. Winston was playing with a fractured thumb and his counterpart Deshaun Watson had a banged up leg. Yet from the opening kickoff, this game was ridiculous.
On the second play from scrimmage from his own 17, Winston completed a pass to Bradley Roby. problem: Roby plays defense for the Texans. Roby returned the interception 27 yards for a touchdown to make it 7-0 Texans only 40 seconds into the game. 3 plays later on 3rd and 6 from his own 16, Winston completed a pass to Reid. Problem: Reid plays defense for the Texans. Reid returned it 27 yards for another defense touchdown less than 2 minutes into the game. This time an illegal blindside block on the return nullified the touchdown. Despite taking over at the Bucs 24, Houston’s offense could not capitalize. Kaimi Fairbairn hit a 32 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Texans. The Buccaneers took over at their own 15 and Ronald Jones escaped multiple tacklers for a 49 yard gain. On 4th and 2 from the Houston 28, Bruce Arians decided to go for it. Pierre Barber took a pitchout 17 yards, but offensive holding nullified the run and made it 4th and 10 from Tampa Bay 36. Matt Gay came on for a 54 yard field goal try. The kick was blocked. Houston moved from their own 49 to a 4th and 7 at the Tampa Bay 36. Fairbairn came in for a 54 yard field goal try, but Bill O’Brien called a fake and punted instead.
The Buccaneers took over at their own 10. On 2nd and 6 from their 14, Winston went to Perriman for 27 yards. On 2nd and 15 from their 36, Winston went to Howard for 13 and on 3rd and 3 hit Ogunbowale for 19. Yet despite 1st and 10 from the Houston 32, Winston kept going to the end zone and overthrowing open receivers. 3 incompletions later, Gay came on for a 50 yard field goal try. This time Gay was good as the Buccaneers trailed 10-3 after a wild first quarter. The second quarter was just as crazy. After a touchback, the Texans soon faced 1st and 10 at their own 40. Johnson got the carry and fumbled. The Buccaneers took over with a short field at the Houston 31 yard line. One play later, Winston went deep and found Jonathan Joseph. Problem: Joseph plays defense for the Texans. Houston took over at their own 14 yard line. The Buccaneers got it back at their own 30. One play later Barber ran for 7 yards and then fumbled the ball away. It was Reid again for the defense as the Texans took over at the Tampa Bay 42. Watson hit Darren Fells for 17. Carlos Hyde ran for 5, 6 and 3. On 3rd and 7 from the Bucs 11, Watson hit Fells for 10. Hyde got the last yard for the score. Thanks to 4 Buccaneers turnovers in the first 18 minutes, the Texans led 17-3.
With 5 minutes left in the half, the Buccaneers took over at their own 19. Howard gained 15. On 3rd and 10 from his own 34, Winston hit Watson for 12. A 32 yard completion to Perriman was successfully challenged by Bill O’Brien and reversed too incomplete. On 3rd and 3 from the Houston 47, Winston went to Perriman for 13 and then deep to McElroy for 30 yards to set up 1st and goal at the 4 at the 2 minute warning. On the next play Jones ran it in to get the Buccaneers within 17-10. With one minute left in the half, a sack of Watson had the Texans facing 2nd and 17 at their own 28. Watson went deep and found Dean. Problem: Dean plays defense for the Buccaneers. Dean weaved through traffic and returned the interception 31 yards to the Houston 39. Winston went deep to Hyman for 31 yards. With 13 seconds left in the half it came down to 3rd and goal at the 8. Winston fired to Watson for the touchdown. The Buccaneers had outgained the Texans 281-84 in yards. 6 turnovers, 4 of them by the Bucs, led to most of the points as the teams went to the locker rooms deadlocked 17-17.
The game calmed down in the third quarter. The Texans took over at their own 25. Watson hit Kenny stills for 12, Deandre Hopkins for 7, and back to Stills for 21. On 4th and 1 from the Tampa Bay 26, Bill O’Brien decided to go for it. Watson faked a handoff and kept it himself. He evaded a defender and lunged past the marker after initially appearing stopped. On 3rd and 15 from the Bucs 29, a clearly hobbled Watson somehow scrambled for a 19 yard gain. Yet despite 2nd and goal at the 7, Watson threw incomplete twice. After a 14 play, 63 yard, 5 1/2 minute drive, the Texans settled for a 25 yard Fairbairn field goal to lead 20-17. The Buccaneers soon faced 3rd and 8 at their own 22. Winston hit Cameron Brate for 12. On 3rd and 13 from their own 31, Winston somehow scrambled for 14. On 3rd and 1 from the Houston 46, Jones got the tough yard. On 3rd and 3 from the Houston 38, Winston hit Ogunbowale for 6. On 3rd and 1 from the Houston 23, Jones got stuffed. Bruce Arians is a gambler, but he took no chances on this 4th and 1. Gay hit the 41 yard field goal as the game was still tied 20-20 after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter the Texans took over at their own 12. Hyde ran for 4 and caught a pass for 10. On 3rd and 6 from their 30, Watson went to Carter for a 39 yard gain. On 2nd and 9 from the Bucs 19, Watson threw incomplete twice. Fairfairn hit from 37 as the Texans had the lead again midway through the fourth quarter. The Buccaneers soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 23. Winston went to Watson for 7, Jones for 23, and Perriman for 9. On 3rd and 1 from the Houston 38, an off-tackle run got blown up in the backfield for a 2 yard loss. With 3 1/2 minutes left in regulation, Bruce Arians went for it on 4th and 3 from the Houston 40. Winston hit a wide open Brate over the middle past the first down marker, and Brate just dropped it. Tampa’s defense had kept them in the game the whole day, and now they needed to do it again. Meanwhile, rather than try to run out the clock, Bill O’Brien went for a pass on first down. Watson was sacked for a 7 yard loss. Watson went to throw again and hit Stills for 11. On the critical 3rd and 6 from their own 44, Watson threw again and hit Carter for 5 yards. With 2 1/2 minutes left, it all came down to 4th and 1 from their own 49. The Buccaneers inexplicably took their second timeout before the play started. Bill O’Brien changed his mind about going for it and punted.
A great punt had the Buccaneers pinned at their own 10 yard line with 2:15 to play. Winston went to Perriman for 19 yards as the clock hit the 2 minute warning. With 90 seconds left, the Buccaneers faced 3rd and 1 from their own 38. Winston fired a completion to Jalil Addae. Problem: Addai plays defense for the Texans. From the Tampa Bay 37, the Texans could have run out the clock. All they had to do was take a knee. Instead out of the shotgun, a run led to an offensive holding penalty. That stopped the clock and preserved a precious 40 seconds. The Texans still had to punt the ball with 28 seconds left. In a game of mistakes, the Buccaneers made yet another mistake when the punt returner called for a fair catch at his own 3 yard line. With 21 seconds left and 0 timeouts, the Buccaneers needed a miracle. A meaningless short pass was followed by a hook and laterals attempt that never happened when the original pass was dropped for an incompletion. Had Houston lost this game, a loss next week at Tennessee would have knocked them out of the playoffs altogether. Instead the Texans clinched the AFC South and may even be getting JJ Watt back from injured reserve for the playoffs. A first round bye is out of reach, so Bill O’Brien may decide to bench his starters in the regular season finale to get everyone healthy. 23-20 Texans
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots was the Saturday afternoon game. The 10-4 Bills came in one game behind the 11-3 Patriots. A Buffalo win would give them a shot at finally break the New England stranglehold in the AFC East. A New England loss would put them in danger of losing a first round bye and the division all in one. Tom Brady came in 31-3 in his career against Buffalo. Earlier this year in Buffalo the Patriots won 16-10 but their only touchdown came on a blocked punt. Both Bill Belichick and Sean McDermott have very good defenses. The Patriots took over at their own 21 to start the game. From their own 35, Brady found Rex Burkhead for an 18 yard gain, but Burkhead fumbled. Micah Hyde recovered for the Bills at the New England 31. On 2nd and 7 from the New England 17, a run went nowhere and Josh Allen threw incomplete. Steve Hauschka hit the 35 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Bills. After a touchback, the running backs did the bulk of the work. From the New England 31, Burkhead ran for 6 and caught a pass for 5. Sony Michel ran for 7, 12, 6 and 2. On 3rd and 2 from the Buffalo 31, Brady hit Harry for 9 and Watson for 7. On 3rd and 2 from the Buffalo 14, Brady hit Watson for 6 and LaCosse for an 8 yard touchdown as the Patriots led 7-3. The 11 play, 75 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive was just the beginning.
In the second quarter the Patriots took over at their own one yard line and led a mind-numbing 17 play, 81 yard drive that consumed 9 minutes. On 3rd and 4 form their own 7, Brady went to Julian Edelman for 17 yards and Mohammed San for 10 more. On 3rd and 2 from their own 42, James White gained 4. Harry gained 18 and caught a pass for 12. On 4th and 1 from the Buffalo 27, Bill Belichcik decided to go for it. Michel got the hard yard. Yet on 3rd and 14 from the Buffalo 30, Brady’s completion to Edelman only gained 12. On 4th and 2 from the Buffalo 18, Belichick opted for the field goal. Nick Folk hit the 36 yard field goal as the Patriots led 10-3 with 5 minutes left in the half. A defensive bonelock had the Patriots going for it on 4th and 1 at the Buffalo 41 with 33 seconds left in the half. Harry got the carry and got stopped cold. It was a big momentum shift as Allen ran for 16 and went to Cole Beasley for 9 yards. From the New England 34 Allen went deep to Knox for 33 yards down to the one. With the clock ticking, Allen went to Dawkins for the touchdown as the clock hit double zeroes. In front of a stunned home crowd in New England, the teams went to the locker rooms deadlocked 10-10.
In the third quarter the Patriots took over at their own 23. Michel ran for 7 and 4. Brady went to Burkhead for a 31 yard gain. On 2nd and 8 from the Buffalo 33, Brady went to Watson for the touchdown. However, offensive pass interference on Julian Edelman nullified the score. On 3rd and 18, Brady went to san for 10 yards. Nick Folk drilled the 51 yard field goal to make it 13-10 Patriots. Roberts returned the ensuing kickoff 35 yards to the Buffalo 36. From the Buffalo 47, Allen went bombs away and found John Brown for a 53 yard touchdown. A disbelieving home crowd saw the Bills up 17-13 midway through the third quarter. This was no New England cakewalk. It was a real street fight. Late in the third quarter the Patriots took over at their own 21. Michel ran for 25 and Brady hit Meyers for 15 and Burkhead for 23. On 3rd and 5 from the Buffalo 10, Brady went to Burkhead for just enough. On 3rd and goal at the 5, Brady could not find a receiver and tried to run to the end zone. He took a stutter step and for once showed himself to be older, which he is. Buffalo’s defense is better than most of what Brady has seen most of the year. Brady gained only 3 yards. On 4th and goal from the 2 with 10:45 left in regulation, Bill Belichick was not taking any chances again the stout Buffalo defense. After 11 plays, 77 yards and 6:40, the Patriots settled for a 20 yard Nick Folk field goal and still trailed 17-16.
New England got it back at their own 41 and Brady hit Edelman for 30 yards. Michel gained 8, 7 and 6. On 3rd and 1 from the Buffalo 5, Brady gained 3 yards. On 1st and goal at the one, Burkhead got the carry and was stopped in the backfield. Somehow he broke through a tackle and bulldozed his way into the end zone. Brady went to Edelman for the 2 point conversion. With 5 minutes left in regulation, the Patriots were up by 7. After a touchback, Allen went to Beasley for 13 and 12 to midfield. Allen ran for 11. With 3 minutes left, Sean McDermott decided to go for it on 4th and 1 from the New England 30. Allen tried to go over the top and was stopped cold. Yet Allen landed on his feet, faked a handoff, and lunged forward again off-tackle for a gutty 2 yard gain. On 1st and 15 from the New England 33, Allen went to Beasley for 25 yards. The Patriots took a timeout on defense with 2:21 left as the Bills had 1st and goal at the 8. A pair of sacks surrounding an incompletion set up 4th and goal from the 15 with one minute left. Under heavy pressure, Allen threw off his back foot to the end zone and the defense knocked the ball down incomplete. The Bills were game, but at 10-5 will have to settle for being a wildcard. The 12-3 Patriots clinched the AFC East for the 11th straight year, extending their own record. They finished atop or tied for the AFC East lead for the 19th straight year. They are one game ahead of Kansas City in the race for a first round bye but have not locked it up yet. They still have an outside shot at the top seed and home field throughout the playoffs, but that is less likely. 24-17 Patriots
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers was the Saturday night game. The 11-3 49ers were one of 4 teams trying to get home field throughout the playoffs, including NFC West rival Seattle. The 8-6 Rams needed to win out and have Minnesota lose out to make the playoffs. The 49ers thumped the Rams 20-7 in Los Angeles, and were expected to steamroll over them in San Francisco. The Rams were desperate, and they gave the 49ers all they could handle. After a touchback to start the game for the Rams, Jared Goff hit Robert Woods for 12 and Reynolds for 24 more. Goff hit Cooks for a 10 yard touchdown as the Rams led 7-0 only 4 minutes into the game. James returned the ensuing kickoff 81 yards to the Rams 18. Yet despite the spectacular field position, the 49ers settled for a 26 yard Robbie Gould field goal and trailed 7-3. The first quarter was relatively quiet. The second quarter was a pinball machine.
With the 49ers facing 1st and 10 at the Rams 47 with 4 minutes left in the first quarter, Jimmy Garoppolo went deep and was intercepted by Jalen Ramsey, who returned it 13 yards to the Rams 37. On 3rd and 12 form their own 35, Goff went to Woods for 29 yards and Cooper Kupp for 8 more. On 3rd and 1 from the Frisco 13, Goff gained 2 with unnecessary roughness adding 6 more. The Rams began the second quarter facing 1st and goal at the 5. Todd Gurley got in to make it 14-3 Rams. The 49ers soon faced 3rd and 1 at their own 34. Garoppolo gained 2 with 4 more yards added for the defense having 12 men on the field. Garoppolo then went to Samuel for 18 and Juszczyk for 23. Samuel got around the end for a 19 yard touchdown run to get the 49ers within 14-10. The Rams soon faced 2nd and 6 at their own 40. Goff hit Tyler Higgle for 11. Woods caught a pass for 14 and ran for 6 more. Goff hit Kupp for 12 and Higbee for 9 down to the one. Gurley got in as the Rams led 21-10 with 6 1/2 minutes left in the second quarter.
After a touchback, Garoppolo hit Kittle for 13, Sanders for 12, Kittle for 15, Emanuel Sanders for 3, and Kevin Bourne for 11. Raheem Mostert ran for a 16 yard touchdown to get the 49ers within 21-17 with 2:21 left in the half. After a touchback, The Rams had 2nd and 10 at their own 48 with 46 seconds left in the half. Goff threw a sideline pass and Fred Warner made a heaping catch to jump the route for the interception. Warner kept his balance and raced 46 yards the other way for a defensive touchdown. Just like that, the 49ers had their first lead of the game up 24-21 at halftime. In the third quarter a Garoppolo pass was batted up in the air. After several players on both teams played the tip drill, it was eventually intercepted by Darius Williams. The Rams took over at the Frisco 25. Yet on 3rd and 9, Goff was called for a killer intentional grounding penalty and a 10 yard loss. Greg Zuerlein came in for a 52 yard field goal try to tie the game one minute into the third quarter. The kick was wide no good. The 49ers moved from their 42 to a 3rd and 6 at the Rams 40. A completion only gained 2 yards. On 4th and 4, Kyle Shanahan opted against going for it or trying a 56 yard field goal. The 49ers punted and the Rams took over at their own 3 yard line.
Midway through the third quarter the Rams took over at their own 32. Goff hit Woods for 11 and again for 26. On 2nd and 15 from the Frisco 31, Goff went to Higbee for 9 and Kupp for the 22 yard touchdown. With 5 minutes left in the third quarter, the Rams led 28-24. With 9 minutes left in regulation, the 49ers took over at their own 9 yard line. Garoppolo connected with Kittle for a 36 yard gain. Coleman ran for 12. Garoppolo went to Dwelley for 25. On 3rd and goal at the 7, Garoppolo hit Kittle for the touchdown. With 6 minutes left in regulation, the 49ers had the 31-28 lead. With the Rams facing 3rd and 8 at their own 27, Goff hit Cooks for 16 and Higbee for 19. On 2nd and 10 from the 49ers 38 yard line, Goff threw a high pass over the middle that should have been intercepted. The defender just dropped it. With 2 1/2 minutes left, Zuerlein came in for a 52 yard field goal try to tie it. Zuerlein snuck it inside the right upright as the game was tied 31-31.
After a touchback, Garoppolo got blasted by Aaron Donald and Dante Fowler for a 6 yard loss. On 3rd and 16 from their own 19, Garoppolo fired over the middle to Bourne for an 18 yard gain. On 2nd and 9 from their own 38, Garoppolo was sacked again to set up another 3rd and 16 from the San Francisco 38. With a man in his face, Garoppolo went for it all and hit Sanders on a 46 yard bomb. The Rams took their final timeout on defense with 35 seconds left, but they were helpless. The 49ers ran one play and Coleman gained 9. The 49ers then took their 2nd timeout with 17 seconds left. Garoppolo took a knee after centering the ball. With 3 seconds left, Gould came in for a 33 yard chip shot field goal try. Gould nailed it. The Rams were eliminated from playoff contention while the 49ers got to 12-3. The 49ers have a major showdown next week at Seattle. If the 49ers win, they get the top seed and home field throughout the playoffs. 34-31 49ers
Jacksonville Jaguars at Atlanta Falcons — Owner Shad Khan fired President Tom Coughlin and is expected to fire everyone else after the season. After starting 1-7, the Falcons have gone 4-2 since although Dan Quinn could be fired after the season as well. On 2nd and 6 from the Atlanta 22, Matt Ryan hit Julio Jones for 11, Devontae Feeman for 16 and Austin Hooper for 25. Freeman got around the end to make it -0 Falcons. The Jaguars fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Falcons recovered at the Jacksonville 25. On 3rd and 6 from the Jags 8, Ryan hit Freeman for the score to make it 14-0 Falcons. Josh Lambo did manage a 40 yard field goal for the Jaguars in the second quarter, but Koo hit a 23 yarder to end the half with the Falcons up 17-3. An uneventful second half saw the Jaguars kick a third quarter field goal. 90 seconds into the fourth quarter Qadree Ollison capped an 87 yard drive with a 3 yard touchdown run to make it 24-6 Falcons. Nobody piles up garbage yards and touchdowns like the Jaguars, and they got one in this game as well. 24-12 Falcons
New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans — The 11-3 Saints were one of four teams tied for the top record in the NFC and trying to get home field throughout the playoffs. The 8-6 Titans would clinch a playoff spot with 2 wins but would be in danger of being knocked out with a loss. They were playing without star running back Derrick Henry. The Titans took over at their own 27. Ryan Tannehill hit Davis for 12, Lewis for 19, and Smith for a 41 yard touchdown as Smith split the seams for a 7-0 Titans lead. The Saints punted on 4th and 25 from their own 28 and the Titans took over at their own 30. Tannehill hit Smith for 15. Lewis ran for 6. Then AJ Brown took a pitchout and raced 49 yards for another touchdown and a 14-0 Titans lead.
The Saints embarked on a 13 play drive that took over 6 minutes. On 3rd and 8 from the Titans 20, Brees was buried for a 9 yard loss. Wil Lutz hit the 47 yard field goal as the Saints trailed 14-3 early in the second quarter. With 2 1/2 minutes left in the half, the Saints took over at their own 39. Brees went deep to Jared Cook for a 61 yard touchdown. Just like that, the Saints were within 14-10. The Saints struck just as quickly in the third quarter from their 39. Defensive pass interference added 17 yards and Kamara ripped off a 40 yard touchdown run to make it 17-14 Saints. The Saints got it back and faced 3rd and 12 at their own 28. Brees went to Thomas for 26, Smith for 13, Kamala for 14 and Thomas for 10. Kamara ran for 3 and then the one yard touchdown. 24 straight points had the Saints up 24-14 midway through the third quarter.
After a touchback, Lewis ran for 8. Tannehill hit Davis for 22 and Pruitt for 5. On 3rd and 1 from the Saints 36, Tannehill found a wide open Sharpe, who coasted in for a touchdown to get the Titans within 24-21 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter. Harris returned the ensuing kickoff 47 yards to the Saints 48. On 3rd and 1 from from the Titans 43, Hill gained 4. Brees then went to Hill for 23 and to Cook for the 16 yard touchdown as the Saints led 31-21 after three quarters. A field position game in the fourth quarter had the Saints facing 3rd and 10 from their own 9. Brees was sacked and the Titans celebrated a safety. However, officials ruled that Brees was sacked just outside the end zone inside his own one yard line. A 12 yard punt return had the Titans at the Saints 42. Dawkins ran for 14, 9 and 4. On 3rd and 2 from the Saints 7, Tannehill went to Sharpe for the touchdown. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Titans were within 31-28.
The Saints went from their own 28 to a 2nd and 7 at the Titans 38. Brees threw incomplete twice. Sean Payton did not want to try a 56 yard field goal. With 4 1/2 minutes left, he opted to punt. Except the coach with “big balls” who called an onsides kick in the Super Bowl decided on a fake punt with the game on the line. Hill took the snap and fired a perfect pass to Hardee past the first down marker. Hardee dropped it. From their own 38 the Titans needed only a field goal to tie it. Tannehill went to Raymond for a 23 yard gain, but Raymond got blasted by 2 defenders and fumbled. Gardner-Johnson picked it up for the Saints and raced 37 yards to the Tennessee 25. Latavius Murray ran for 5 and Brees hit Kamara for 5 more. Brees went to Thomas for 13 yards down to the one. On 2nd and goal at the 2, Brees hit Thomas for the touchdown. With 2:10 to play the Saints led by 10. After a touchback, Tannehill hit Brown for 34 yards. Despite 1st and 10 at the Saints 41, Tannehill threw 4 straight incompletions. The Saints at 12-3 still have a shot at home field throughout the playoffs. The 8-7 Titans still control their own destiny. They make the playoffs as a wildcard next week with a win at Houston. If they lose, they will need a ton of help to still get in. Last week Brees broke Peyton Manning’s record for most NFL touchdowns, but Tom Brady is breathing down his neck. This week Michael Thomas broke Marvin Harrison’s record for most catches in a season. Harrison had 143 and Thomas still has a game to go. 38-28 Saints
New York Giants at Washington Redskins — Sometimes a pair of awful teams can come together and produce a thrilling game. This actually was that game. A pair of 3-11 teams was not even the worst game of the day. Eli Manning was back on the bench and Daniel Jones was starting for Big Blue. On the first play from scrimmage after a touchback, Wilson hit Shepard for 43, Scott for 11, and Shepard again for a 23 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Giants only 2 1/2 minutes into the game. The Giants needed only 3 plays. So did the Redskins. After a touchback, Thompson ran for 60 yards. On 3rd and 3 from the Giants 10, Dwayne Haskins hit Sims for the touchdown to make it 7-7. The Giants needed only 2 plays to take the lead again. After a touchback, Saquon Barkley ran for 8 and then broke free for a 67 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 Giants. The Redskins soon faced 3rd and 10 at their own 25 when Haskins hit Sims for just enough and then hit Harmon for 13. On the first play of the second quarter, Haskins hit Hentges for the 6 yard touchdown to make it 14-14.
The Giants took over at their own 17. On 3rd and 5 from their 30, Jones only gained 4 but defensive holding kept the drive going. On 3rd and 3 from the Giants 46, Jones went to Shepard for 5. On 3rd and 2 from the Washington 41, Jones went to Golden Tate for 8 and deep to Barkley for a 33 yard touchdown to make it 21-14 Giants. The Giants finally got a stop on defense and took over at their own 27. Barkley ran for 7 and 4. On 2nd and 10 from his own 38, Jones was sacked. However, unnecessary roughness on the defense meant a new set of downs. Jones then went deep to Tate for 31 yards. On 3rd and 3 from the Washington 15, Jones hit Tate for 5 and then found Latimer for a 10 yard touchdown. With 38 seconds left in the half, the Giants led 28-14.
In the third quarter the Redskins took over at their own 40. Case Keenum was in for an injured Haskins. Keenum hit McLaurin for 9 and Harmon for 22. Bill Callahan went with an option pass and the bag of tricks had Harmon finding Thompson for 11. Keenum hit Sims for a 7 yard touchdown to get the Redskins within 28-21. The Giants took over at their own 27. On 2nd and 7 from their 35, Jones went to Barkley for a 51 yard gain. On 3rd and 5 from the Washington 9, Jones went to Smith for the touchdown as the Giants led 35-21.
The fourth quarter began with the Giants punting on 4th and 15 from their own 28. Dixon’s punt was blocked by Orchard. The Redskins took over at the Giants 17. Defensive pass interference moved the ball down to the one. Adrian Peterson got in as the Redskins only trailed 35-28. The Giants moved from their 25 to a 4th and 4 at the Washington 35 With 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation, Aldrich Rosas came in for a 53 yard field goal try to give the Giants some breathing room. The kick was no good. With 6 1/2 minutes left the Redskins were pinned at their own one yard line. On 3rd and 9 from their 2, Keenum went deep to Sims for 32 yards. On 3rd and 5 from their 39, Keenum hit Hentges for 22 yards and McLaurin for 15 more. On 3rd and 1 from the Giants 15, Keenum hit McLaurin for 5. With 41 seconds left the Redskins were facing 4th and goal at the 3. Keenum threw incomplete, but defensive pass interference meant 1st and goal at the one. with 30 seconds left, Keenum got in himself. Despite this being an exciting game, nobody wants overtime between 3-11 teams. Bill Callahan took no mercy on the fans and opted for the extra point and the tie rather than go for the 2 point conversion. The kick was good. The Giants after a touchback moved to a 1st and 10 at the Washington 45 with 2 seconds left. Rosas wanted to try a 63 yard field goal but that was not happening. Jones threw the Hail Mary near the end zone and it was knocked down incomplete. Overtime it would be tied 35-35.
The Giants got the ball in overtime andScott returned it 35 yards to the Giants 34. On 3rd and 7 from the Giants 37, Jones went deep to Shepard for 23 yards. Barkley ran for 8 and 3. Jones hit Shepard for 9. Barkley ran for 6 and 12 to set up 1st and goal at the 2. With 4:15 left in overtime, it came down to 3rd and goal at the . A field goal would give the Redskins a chance with the ball. They never got that chance. Jones hit Smith for the touchdown. Forget Draft position. There is no tanking in football. These teams wanted to win, and beleaguered Pat Shurmur got the win. Jones was 28 of 42 for 352 yards, 5 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. 41-35 Giants, OT
Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets — The 8-6 Steelers would make the playoffs if they won out but could be knocked out with a loss. Sam darn old came out firing after a touchback. He hit Leveon Bell for 7 and Smith for 8. On 3rd and 3 from their own 46, Darnold threw incomplete but defensive pass interference added 14 yards. Arnold then hit Ty Montgomery for 17 and Robbie Anderson for a 23 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Jets. An interception of Devlin “Duck” Hodges led to a field position game that had the Jets taking over at their own 41. On 3rd and 2 from their own 49, Montgomery ran for 7 On 3rd and 2 from the Pittsburgh 36, Bell got stopped. Adam Gase brought in Sam Ficken for a 54 yard field goal try to start the second quarter. Ficken was good and the Jets led 10-0. The Steelers moved after a touchback to a 3rd and 3 at the Jets 19. Hodges went to the end zone and was intercepted by Maye for a touchback.
Mike Tomlin had seen enough. Hodges was benched, and Mason Rudolph started with 4 minutes left in the first quarter. The Steelers took over at their own 14. Rudolph hit Washington for 13, Johnson for 9 and Samuels for 27. A sack had the Steelers facing 3rd and 19 from the Jets 39. Rudolph hit Johnson for 8 and Boswell hit the 49 yard field goal to get the Steelers on the board with 1:22 left in the half. The Jets took over at their own 15. With 36 seconds left in the half the Jets had 1st and 10 just shy of midfield. Darnold was sacked and fumbled. The Steelers took over at the Jets 41 with 28 seconds left. On 3rd and 3 from the Jets 34 with 14 seconds left, Rudolph went deep incomplete but illegal contact meant 1st and 10 from the Jets 29 with 4 seconds left. Rudolph went deep to Johnson for the touchdown. Gregg Williams’s unit had a meltdown at the worst possible time. Despite Gang Green dominating the game, the teams were tied 10-10 at halftime.
A brutal second half saw Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey leave injured. In the third quarter the Jets moved from their 19 to a 1st and 10 at the Pittsburgh 19. A run gained one yard, Darnold threw incomplete, and on 3rd and 9 Darnold was sacked. Ficken hit the 37 yard field goal to make it 13-10 Jets with 6 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter. Rudolph got knocked out of the game and Hodges came back in to play the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter the Jets moved from their 39 to a 2nd and 7 at the Jets 29, in field goal range. Hodges was sacked for a 9 yard loss. On 3rd and 16 a horrendous snap out of the shotgun was covered by Hodges for another 8 yard loss. The Steelers had to punt. The Jets took over at their own 22. Darnold hit Smith for 14 and Crowder for 20. Bell ran for 3, 2, and on 3rd and 5 from the Pittsburgh 39 with the Steelers smelling pass, ran for 7 more. On 1st and 10 from the Pittsburgh 32, Darnold fumbled the snap out of the shotgun and covered it up for a 3 yard loss. On 3rd and 13, Adam Gase called a safe draw play. Bell gained 11. On 4th and 2 from the Pittsburgh 24, Gase took no chances. Ficken hit the 42 yard field goal. The Jets led by 6 with 3:11 to play.
At the 2 minute warning the Steelers faced 4th and 14 at their own 21. Mike Tomlin opted to punt and trust his defense. Adam tase ran 3 straight times and took only 20 seconds off the clock. A horrendous 28 yard punt had the Steelers at their own 40 with 1:27 to play. Hodges hit Cain for 16. On 3rd and 7 from the Pittsburgh 44, Hodges went for it all and found single coverage in the end zone. The defender made a spectacular play to pry the ball away incomplete. With 38 seconds left on 4th and 7, Hodges threw a ball that was well-defended and went through the receiver’s hands. Gregg Williams’s defense got it done as the Steelers playoff hopes took a blow. They are still alive but do not control their own destiny. 16-10 Jets
Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins — In the worst game of the year, the 1-13 Bengals could secure the top pick in the 2020 NFL Draft with a loss to the 3-11 Dolphins. Sometimes a pair of miserable teams can produce a thrilling game. shockingly, this actually also was that game. The Dolphins marched 75 yards in 11 plays and 6 1/2 minutes. Ryan Fitzpatrick hit Alex Hurns for 14. On 3rd and 3 from th Miami 48, Fitzpatrick hit Albert Wilson for 12. On 2nd and 19 from the Cincy 49, Fitzpatrick hit Hurns for 27 yards, and Wilson for gains of 14 and 7 down to the one. Fitzpatrick hit big man Wilkins at the goal line. Wilkins fumbled and recovered his own fumble in the en zone for a touchdown and a 7-0 Dolphins lead the hard way. Miami got it back and faced 3rd and 12 at their own 23. Fitzpatrick went deep to Parker for 19 and then deep again for a 51 yard gain. On 3rd and goal at the 7, Fitzpatrick hit Parker for the touchdown to make it 14-0 Dolphins as the Bengals began leaving early for the Draft.
In the second quarter the Bengals moved from their 20 to a 3rd and goal at the one. Joe Mixon got the carry and got hit for a one yard loss. Bullock hit the 20 yard field goal, but the last chance for the Bengals to make a game of it evaporated. The Dolphins took over at their own 13. Fitzpatrick ran for 15, hit Wilson for 35, hit Ford for 4, and then went deep to Matt Gesicki for a 31 yard touchdown to make it 21-3 Dolphins. The Bengals did get a 57 yard field goal to end the half, but the Dolphins shut the door in the third quarter. From their own 17, Fitzpatrick went to Parker for 22. On 3rd and 10 from their own 39, Fitzpatrick threw incomplete but roughing the passer kept the drive going. On 3rd and 13 from the Cincy 49, Fitzpatrick went to Ford for 15, Walford for 15 more, and Gesicki for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 28-6 Dolphins.
The Bengals soon faced 3rd and 11 at their own 24. Red Rifle Andy Dalton went to Erickson for 19 yards. On 3rd and 9 from their own 44, Dalton hit John Ross for 15. With 3 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter and down by 22, The Bengals went for it on 4th and 3 from the Miami 34. One stop would end the game. Instead Dalton went deep to Boyd for the touchdown. The 2 point conversion try failed but the Bengals were within 28-12. An interception of Fitzpatrick set up the Bengals at their own 40. Yet on 3rd and 10 from the Miami 43, Dalton was sacked and fumbled. The dolphins took over at the Cincinnati 45. The fourth quarter began with the Dolphins facing 3rd and 6 at the Cincy 41. Fitzpatrick threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 7 yard gain. On 3rd and 1 from the Cincy 14, Gaskin gained 3. Wilson ran for 9 and Gaskin got the final 2 yards. With 11 minutes left in regulation the Dolphins were wining a laugher 35-12. They would not be laughing much longer.
From their own 28, Dalton hit Mixon for 17, Tyler Eifert for 16, and Boyd for 13. On 3rd and 5 from the Miami 19, Dalton hit Erickson for 7. On 1st and 15 from the Miami 17, Dalton hit Bernard for 9 and Uzomah for the 8 yard touchdown. The Bengals were within 35-19, but only 6 minutes remained. The Dolphins moved from their own 14 to a 3rd and 1 at the Miami 27. This game was just about over. Then gaskin lost 2 yards. Sanders came in for the 47 yard field goal try to ice it. The kick was no good. The Bengals were still down by 16 with 3 minutes left. The Bengals took over at their own 37 and at the 2 minute warning were down to their last gasp at 4th and 10 from the Miami 32. One defensive stop would end the game. Dalton went deep and was intercepted by defensive holding gave the Bengals life. With 30 seconds left in the game, the Bengals faced 4th and goal at the 3. They needed a touchdown, a 2 point conversion, a successful onsides kick, another touchdown, and another 2 point conversion. They had 30 seconds to do it.
Dalton hit Boyd for the touchdown. Dalton hit Eifert for the 2 point conversion got the Bengals within 35-27. A perfectly executed onsides kick had the Bengals taking over at their own 46. Dalton went deep to Boyd for 29 yards. Dalton raced up to the line and spiked the ball to stop the clock with 4 seconds left. It all came down to one play from the Miami 25. Dalton went to Eifert for the touchdown. Are you kidding me!!!??!! After all of that it would mean nothing without the 2 point conversion. Dalton scrambled, got around the end, and got in the end zone. Are? You? Kidding? Me!!!???!!! 16 points in 30 seconds and 23 points in 3 minutes meant a 35-35 game and overtime.
Unlike other sports, there is no tanking in NFL football. The worst teams still badly want to win. They don’t want the top Draft pick. They want to win. Both teams tuned twice in overtime and the Dolphins took over with 3:19 left in overtime. On 3rd and 10 from their own 30, Fitzpatrick hit Ford for 15 and Gesicki for 14. At the 2 minute warning from the Cincinnati 42, Fitzpatrick went to Ford for a 28 yard gain. From the Cincy 14 with the Bengals out of timeouts, Fitzpatrick took 3 knees to center the ball and take the clock down to 4 seconds. Sanders came in for the 37 yard field goal try to win it. The kick was good. The Bengals were game, but they will have the top pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. These may be bad teams, but this was great football. Dalton was 33 of 56 for 396 yards. Fitzpatrick and his beard was 31 of 52 for 419 yards. Both quarterbacks threw 4 touchdown passes. Fitzpatrick had one interception, Dalton none. That’s why they play every game. That’s why we watch the games. 38-35 Dolphins, OT
Carolina Panthers at Indianapolis Colts — Both teams are out of the playoffs. Nyheim Hines returned a punt 40 yards to set up the Colts at the Carolina 36. Jacoby Brissett hit Doyle for 11. On 3rd and 1 from the Carolina 13, Marlon Mck was tackled for a 5 yard loss. However, the defense jumped offsides to keep the drive going. On 4th and goal at the one, Frank Reich decided to go for it. Brissett got in to make it 7-0 Colts. The next time Hines was even more deadly as he returned the next punt 84 yards for a touchdown to make it 14-0 Colts. The Panthers moved from their 30 to a 2nd and 6 at the Indy 9. Will Grier threw incomplete twice and the Panthers settled for a 27 yard Joey Slye field goal to trail 14-3. After a touchback, Marlon Mack ran for a pair of 6 yard gains. On 3rd and 4 at the Carolina 47, Brissett ran for a 24 yard gain and hit Alie-Cox for 21 more down to the 2 yard line. Mack ran it in from there as the Colts led 21-3 with 5 minutes left in the half. The second half was pointless. The Colts kicked a third quarter field goal to make it 24-3. The Panthers also kicked one to finish their offensive output. The only excitement in this game was Hines. For one game, he turned into the second coming of Devon Hester. In the fourth quarter he took another punt 71 yards to the house to make it 31-6 Colts. Jordan Wilkins added one more Colts score from one yards out to complete the blowout and the Colts defense got 2 more interceptions. Hines had 195 punt return yards on only 3 punt returns. Deion Sanders, call the man! 38-6 Colts
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns — Baltimore came in 12-2 and needing only one win in its final 2 games to clinch home field throughout the playoffs. A win today would give them the option of resting everyone in Week 17. The Dawg Pound is always jacked up for their hated rival. Early on john Harbaugh went for it on 4th and 3 at the Cleveland 41. Lamar Jackson threw incomplete. On their next series Jackson fumbled and the Browns took over at the Cleveland 45. On 4th and 2 from the Baltimore 37, Freddie Kitchen went for it rather than try a 55 yard field goal. Baker Mayfield went deep and was intercepted, but defensive holding nullified the pick and kept the drive going. Kitchens gambled again on 4th and 1 from the Baltimore 23. The defense committed encroachment. On 3rd and 6 from the Baltimore 13, Mayfield threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant 12 yards and 1st and goal at the one. Mayfield hit Harris for the touchdown and the extra point was no good as the Browns led 6-0.
After 28 minutes, the Browns defense was dominating. With 1:50 left in the half, the Ravens took over at their own 37. Jackson went deep to Mark Ingram for 24 yards and deep again to Andrews for a 39 yard touchdown. Just like that, the Ravens led 7-6. Cleveland went 3 and out and the Ravens got it back t their own 25 with one minute left. Jackson went too Andrews for 24. With 30 seconds left on 3rd and 10 just shy of midfield, Jackson went to Hill for 14 and Seth Roberts for 12 and 11. With 9 seconds left in the half from the Cleveland 14, Jackson avoided the rush, stayed in the pocket, and fired high in the end zone. Andrews made a leaping catch near the back of the end zone as the Ravens led 14-6 over the heartbroken home fans in the Dawg Pound. The Ravens began the third quarter facing 3rd and 10 at their own 31. Jackson scrambled for 15 yards. On 3rd and 5 just past midfield, Jackson hit Andrews for 7. On 2nd and 10 from the Cleveland 42, Jackson ran for 18 more yards. Jackson hit Boyle for 8 and ran for 8 more. Jackson hit Ingram for the 12 yard touchdown as the 13 play, 69 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive put the Ravens up 21-6.
The Browns did manage another field goal, but in the fourth quarter Justin Tucker hit one for Baltimore as the Ravens led 24-9 with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Browns moved 75 yards and Mayfield hit O’Dell Beckham for a 3 yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. Freddie Kitchens made the decision to go for 2 rather than kick and make it an 8 point game. Mayfield threw incomplete and the Browns still trailed 24-15. Baltimore took over at their own 16. Edwards ran for 7 and 9. Jackson gained 6 and Edwards added 10. Jackson added 8 more. On 3rd and 1 from the Cleveland 43 Edwards gained 10 and unsportsmanlike conduct on the defense added 15 more. On the next play Justice Hill ran for the 18 yard touchdown to put the game away. The Brows were officially eliminated from the playoffs while the 12-3 Ravens clinched home field throughout the playoffs. 31-15 Ravens
Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos — Both teams are eliminated form playoff contention. Matt Patricia was assured he would be back in 2020 to coach the Lions. The Lions moved from their 25 to a 3rd and 6 at the Denver 7. Blough threw incomplete. Matt Prater hit the 26 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Lions. In the second quarter the Broncos punted on 4th and 15 form their own 15. Agnew lugged it back 64 yards for a touchdown to make it 10-0 Lions. The Broncos woke up after a touchback. Lindsay ran for 6, 3 and 14 with defensive holding adding 5 more. From the Detroit 47, Drew Lock hit Hamilton for 13 and Cortland Sutton for 15. Lock hit Patrick for 10 yards down the one. Freeman got in to get the broncos within 10-7. Brandon McManus hit a 34 yard field goal near the end of the half to tie the game and again from 26 in the third quarter to give the Broncos the 13-10 lead.
After a touchback Johnson ran for 8 and Scarborough added 18. On 3rd and 9 from the Denver 48, Blough went to Danny Amendola for 12. Johnson gained 6 and 8. Blough hit Kenny Golladay for 11. On 3rd and 2 from the Denver 3, Blough hit Golladay for the score. The 11 play, 75 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive had the Lions up 17-13 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter. Denver moved from their 25 to a 4th and 1 just shy of midfield with one minute left in the third quarter. Vic Fangio decided to go for it and went to the bag of tricks. It was Beck rather thAN drew Lock who hit Lindsay for 6 yards. Lock then went to Sutton for 13 and Patrick for 12. Lindsay ran for 13. With 13 minutes left in regulation, Lock hit Hamilton for the touchdown to make it 20-17 Broncos. The 11 play, 75 yard drive took 6 minutes off the clock. The Broncos got it back and faced 3rd and 3 at their own 46. Lock hit Patrick for 5 yards, Heuerman for 6, and Patrick for 16. Lindsay then raced up the middle for a 27 yard touchdown to lock up the win with 6:40 to play. 27-17 Broncos
Oakland Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers — Despite losing 4 straight to drop to 6-8, the Raiders needed a Hanukah miracle to even have a shot at the playoffs. They got it when, Pittsburgh Tennessee and Cleveland all lost before their game started. The Raiders needs d2 road wins and other help, but they were still barely alive. The game in Los Angeles felt like a home game for the Raiders. They had a shot, but would have to win without Josh Jacobs. Just like last week, they started out red hot. From their own 29, Derek Carr hit Darren Waller for 11 yards. On 3rd and 6 from their own 44, Carr fired over the middle to Hunter Renfrow, who split the seams and raced for a 56 yard touchdown. 4 minutes into the game, the Raiders led 7-0. Just like last week, they then went into an offensive shell and put way too much on their defense. With 5 minute left in the half the Chargers faced 3rd and 9 at their own 23. The Raiders defense had stopped them for 25 minutes but finally bent. Rivers threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 17 yard gain. Rivers then went to Hunter henry for 17 more and Keenan Allen for another 10. Rivers hit Williams for 10 down to the one at the 2 minute warning. Melvin Gordon got the yard as the game was tied 7-7.
It looked like another Oakland collapse. This time after a touchback, Carr worked the 2 minute drill to perfection. Carr hit Waller for 5, Williams for 20, Jones for 3 and Williams for 6. On 3rd and 1 at the Chargers 41, Jalen Richard lost a yard. With one minute left, Jon Gruden gambled on 4th and 2. This seemed like a suicide mission and the reason the Raiders lose so many games. Yet Carr rolled out and found Richard for 10 yards, Jones for 7 more, and Renfrow for 13 and 9. With 8 seconds left in the half the Raiders faced 3rd and 1 at the Chargers 3. The Raiders still had one timeout left. Carr faked the handoff, rolled out, and headed for the pylon. He has had disastrous experiences diving for pylons in the past, but this time he got there as the Raiders led 14-7 at halftime. The Raiders got the ball to start the third quarter after a touchback and Jon Gruden went full-on smashmouth. Deandre Washington gained 4, 6 and 4. Carr went to Waller for 20 and Carrier for 6. On 3rd and 1 from the Chargers 32, Washington gained 5 and then 6 more. Richard gained 5, 2 and 3. On 3rd and 5 from the Chargers 11, Carr hit Richard for 6. Washington then ran for the 5 yard touchdown. The 13 play, 75 yard drive took nearly 9 minutes off the clock. The Raiders led 21-7. Now the defense had a chance to put the game away.
From their own 17, Rivers hit Gordon for 5, Henry for 10, and Allen for 14. On 3rd and 2 from the Oakland 46, Rivers threw incomplete. With 3 minutes left in the third quarter, Anthony Lynn decided to go for it. One defensive stop would all but end it. Gordon gained 10 yards. The Raiders do not close out games. Rivers hit Austin Ekeler for 17 and Allen for 18 down to the one. Gordon got in from there. With one minute left in the third quarter the Charger were right back in it down 21-14 after the 10 play, 83 yard, 5 minute rive. Again, the Raiders do not close out games. Yet the offense remained resilient. From their own 23, Washington ran for 4, caught a pass for 13, and ran for 4 more. On 3rd and 5 from their own 45, Carr hit Renfrwo for 6. On 3rd and 3 from the Chargers 42, Carr hit Renfrow for 5. On 3rd and 2 from the Chargers 29, Washington got stopped. Daniel Carlson came in for a 48 yard field goal try to give the Raiders some breathing room. Last week Carlson was the goat who blew the game. This week he was good as the Raiders led 24-14 with 8 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The 12 play drive took another 7 1/2 minutes off the clock.
After a touchback, the Chargers faced 2nd and 6 from just shy of midfield. Rivers was buried for a 14 yard loss on a sack and the Chargers had to punt. the Raiders got it back at their own 32 with 6:40 to play. On 2nd and 12 from their 30, Washington gained 12. Yet on 3rd and 6 from their own 46, Richard only gained 4. On 4th and 2 from midfield, Jon Gruden took no chances. A good punt had the Chargers pinned at their own 10 with 3 1/2 minutes left and one timeout plus the 2 minute warning. Again, the Raiders had not closed out a game. Rivers hit Williams for 23, Henry for 4, Williams for 12 and 6 and Allen for 9. Despite clearly being tackled inbounds, for the second straight week the officials ruled a catch against the Raiders out of bounds to stop the clock. On the next play Rivers hit Green for 4 and Patton for 10 to the Oakland 22. Trayvon Mullen was injured on defense, stopping the clock with 2:05. The Raiders were doing everything they could to give the Chargers more time. Mullin was taken out by his own man and stayed down. The stretcher came out but Mullin was moving his arms and legs.
After a lengthy delay, Rivers hit Ekeler for 8. Then the defense jumped offsides. With 1:51 left the Chargers faced 1st and goal at the 9. 24-21 seemed inevitable. Then the Raiders defense that completely broke last week bent but refused to break this week. Rivers threw 3 straight incompletions under heavy pressure. Needing 2 scores, Anthony Lynn went with the field goal. Mike Badgley hit from 27 to get the Chargers within 7. Now it came down to the onsides kick. Waller mishandled it but quickly fell on it foe the Raiders. On 3rd and 10 from the Chargers 49, Washington broke through the middle for a 13 yard gain as the clock hit double zeroes. The Oakland Raiders at 7-8 are still alive for a playoff spot. They will need another miracle, but they got one today. They have enough oil to last 8 days, and on the 8th night of Hanukkah they will know their fate. One week after their most heartless effort in years, they showed a ton of heart and character in getting the win. Rivers finished 27 of 39 for 279 yards without a touchdown pass. Carr was a lights out 26 of 30 for 291 yards and one touchdown pass. Neither quarterback was intercepted in a clean game without a turnover. 24-17 Raiders
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles — Both teams came in 7-7 tied atop the NFC Least in a do or die game. This was a street fight. The Eagles on their opening drive moved after a touchback to a 1st and 10 at the Dallas 24. After an incompletion, a run was blown up for a 5 yard loss. Jake Elliott hit a 36 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Eagles. The Eagles got it back at their own 37. Sanders gained 6 , 4 and 8. Carson Wentz hit Sanders for 29 and Dallas Goedert for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Eagles. The game tightened in the second quarter. Kai Forbath hit a 49 yard field goal to get Dallas on the board. The Eagles faced 4th and 1 at the Dallas 33 and Doug Pedersen decided to go for it. Wentz threw incomplete. With 33 seconds left in the half the Eagles faced the and 6 at the Dallas 35. Pedersen opted for the 53 yard field goal try. The kick was no good. From their own 43 with 30 seconds left, Dan Prescott hit Michael Gallup for 16, Amari cooper for 6, Gallup again for 13, and Jason Witten for 8. On 2nd and 2 from the Philly 14, only 6 seconds remained. Jason Garrett decided not to get greedy. Forbath hit from 32 as the Cowboys trailed 10-6 at the intermission.
The second half was just as brutal. The Cowboys moved from their 25 to a 3rd and 1 at the Philly 25. Pollard got the carry and fumbled and the Eagles recovered. With 5 minutes left in the third quarter the Eagles took over at their own 20. Wentz hit Scott for 6, Zac Ertz for 5 and 7, and Ward deep for a 38 yard gain. Wentz ran for 7 and hit Ertz for 6. On 3rd and goal at the one on the last play of the third quarter, Sanders got in up the gut as the Eagles led 17-6. With 11 minutes left in regulation Doug Peterson gambled on a 55 yard field goal try to extend the lead. Elliott was no good. With 9 minutes left in the game the Cowboys were down to their last gasp as they faced 4th and 9 at their own 46. Prescott hit Randall Cobb for 17 yards. That was enough for Forbath to hit from 49 as the Cowboys trailed by 8 midway through the fourth quarter. Dallas got it back at their own 12 with 4 1/2 minutes left. Prescott hit Cobb for big gains of 13, 21 and 18, Austin for 5, and Cooper for a pair of 6 yard gains. On 2nd and 4 from the Philly 19 with 1:54 left, Prescott was sacked. On 3rd and 8 he threw incomplete. On 4th and 8, a well thrown ball to the end zone was perfectly defended incomplete. With 1:15 left, the Cowboys still had all 3 timeouts. With 52 seconds left and the Cowboys out of timeouts, it came down to the Eagles facing 3rd and 2 at the Dallas 42. Sanders got the carry, broke free, and was racing toward the end zone when he unselfishly slid to the ground inbounds so the Eagles could run out the clock. The 8-7 Eagles can lock up the NFC Least with a win next week or a Dallas loss. If the Eagles lose next week and the Cowboys win, Dallas wins the division. 17-9 Eagles
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks — The 11-3 Seahawks entered one of four teams tied atop the NFC with a shot at home field throughout the playoffs. All they had to do was beat the woeful Cardinals at home. Cue ESPN uber-announcer Chris Berman. “THAT’s why they PLAY the games!” The Seahawks made it look easy from their own 11. Chris Carson ran for 10. Russell Wilson hit Hollister for 20. Carson gained 16 and Moore added 19. Wilson went to Turner for 23 and to Bellore for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Seahawks. Then came the inexplicable.
17 seconds later the game was tied. Kenyon Drake raced for an 80 yard touchdown and a 7-7 game. A field position game had the Cardinals taking over at their own 46. Kyler Murray scrambled for 10 and 17. Murray threw a 21 yard touchdown pass to Lary Fitzgerald. With 5 minutes left in the half the Cardinals led 14-7. With 2 1/2 minutes left the Cardinals got it back at their own 45. On 3rd and 1 from the Seattle 46 at the 2 minute warning, Murray lost a yard. Cliff Kingsbury went for it on 4th and 2. Murray hit Cooper for 14 yards and Fitzgerald for 11 more. With 27 seconds left on 3rd and goal at the 4, Murray went to Fitzgerald for the touchdown.On further review it was reversed incompelte. Zane Gonzalez hit the 22 yard field goal as the Cardinals led 17-7 at the break in front of a stunned Pacific Northwest home crowd. The third quarter began with the Seahawks facing 3rd and 10 at their own 34. Wilson hit Moore for 21 yards, but Moore fumbled and the Cardinals took over at their own 36. Murray hit Arnold for 20 and Drake ran for 15. Gonzalez hit a 46 yard field goal as the Cardinals led 20-7. However, Murray was injured on the drive and did not return. The Cardinals had to go the rest of the way with Hundley.
The Cardinals were dominating the game and in position for the upset as they drove again from their 28 to a 2nd and 5 at the Seattle 26. Hundley threw incomplete twice. With 1:20 left in the third quarter, Gonzalez came in for a 45 yard field goal try to make it 23-7 Cardinals. Instead it was blocked and returned by Blair 46 yards to the Arizona 16. Yet the Arizona defense brought it today. on 3rd and 3 from the Arizona 9, Homer got the carry and lost 3 yards. On the first play o h fourth quarter, Myers hit a 30 yard field goal to get the Seahawks within 20-10. Seattle got it back at their 25 and Wilson went to Tyler Lockett for 12 yards with 15 more tacked on for unnecessary roughness. On 3rd and 11 just past midfield, Wilson hit Hollister for 16. Yet on 1st and 10 from the Arizona 33, Wilson threw 3 straight incompletions. Myers nailed a 51 yard field goal as the Seahawks crept within 20-13 with 10 minutes left in regulation. From their own 22, Hundley hit Williams for 28 to midfield. On 3rd and 2 from the Seattle 42, Hundley ran for 14, 6 and 12. Drake ran for the 3 yard touchdown as the Cardinals were winning a shocker up 14 with 4:18 to play. With 3 minutes left the Seahawks faced a desperate 4th and 22 from their own 35. Wilson went deep but there were no miracles as he threw incomplete. The stunning upset dropped the Seahawks to 11-4. Next week they have a showdown at home against San Francisco. If they win, they win the NFC West. If they lose, they are a wildcard and have to play all their playoff games on the road. Home field advantage throughout the playoffs seems unlikely with 3 teams all one game ahead of them. 27-13 Cardinals.
Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears was the Sunday night game. The 10-4 Chiefs still had an outside chance at a first round bye but with a loss would have to settle for hosting a playoff game on wildcard weekend. The Bears punted on 4th and 21 from their own 39. The Chiefs soon faced 3rd and 10 at their own 18. Patrick Mahomes hit Sammy Watkins for 17, Robinson for 13, Bell for 10 and Ware for 4. A sack of Mahomes meant 3rd and 18 from their own 47. Mahomes went to Tyreeq Hill for 19 and again for 6. On 3rd and 4 from the Chicago 22, the Bears entered the neutral zone. On 3rd and 5 from the Chicago 12, Mahomes ran for the touchdown to cap the 15 play, 82 yard, 8 minute drive and make it 7-0 Chiefs.The Chiefs began the second quarter at their own 30 and moved to a 2nd and 9 at the Chicago 39. Mahomes threw incomplete twice but Harrison Butker leveled a 56 yard field goal to make it 10-0 Chiefs. The Chiefs got it back at their own 5 and had 2nd and 28 from their own 33. A pair of 12 yard completions had the Chiefs punting on 4th and 4 from the Chicago 43 at the 2 minute warning. The Bears ran into the kicker and the Chiefs kept the ball. That penalty was a killer as Mahomes from the Chicago 19 hit Travis Kelce for 13 and again for the 6 yard touchdown to finish the 13 play, 95 yard, 6 1/2 minute drive and make it 17-0 Chiefs. The second half was pointless. The Bear in the third quarter moved from their own 13 on a 15 play, 83 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive. On 4th and goal at the 4, Matt Nagy went for it and Mitchell Trubisky threw incomplete. The Bears did get a field goal on the last play of the third quarter to avoid the shutout. In the fourth quarter Mahomes on 3rd and 8 hit Damien Williams for a 14 yard touchdown and Butker tacked on a 32 yard field goal to complete the scoring. The 11-4 Chiefs need a win next week and a New England loss to get a 1st round bye. Another win has Andy Reid a most happy Walrus Lite indeed. 26-3 Chiefs
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings was the Monday night game. A major NFC North showdown took place as the 11-3 Green Bay Packers took on the 10-4 Minnesota Vikings. Both teams are in the playoffs. A Packers win would clinch the NFC North and give them a shot at a first round bye and even home field throughout the playoffs. The Vikings would be a Wildcard. A Vikings win and a win next week combined with another Green Bay loss would give Minnesota the NFC North crown and a shot at a first round bye although home field throughout the playoffs is out of reach. The Packers would be a Wildcard. On 3rd and 5 from their own 30 on the third play of the game, a short completion from Aaron Rodgers to Aaron Jones gained 3 yards. Then Jones had the ball chopped out of his hands. Kendricks returned the fumble 10 yards to set up the Vikings at the Green Bay 24. Despite 2nd and goal at the 5, Kirk Cousins threw incomplete. Dan Bailey hit from 23 to put the Vikings up 3-0 less than 2 minutes into the game. The Packers rebounded and moved from their own 27 to a 2nd and 3 at the Minnesota 24. Rodgers threw incomplete twice. Mason Crosby hit a 42 yard field goal for a 3-3 game.
The second quarter began with the Packers facing 2nd and 18 at their own 28. Rodgers was intercepted by Harris, who returned it 10 yards to the Green Bay 26. On 3rd and 5, Cousins went to the end zone and Stefan Diggs made a catch in the back of the end zone and got both feet down for the touchdown and the 10-3 Vikings lead. The Packers responded from their 25 and again drove to the red zone with a 2nd and 5 at the Minnesota 15. Again Rodgers threw incomplete twice. Again Mason Crosby hit from 33 as the Packers still trailed 10-6. A third Green Bay turnover on a fumble had the Vikings taking over at the Green Bay 48. On 3rd and 4 from the Packers 42, Mike Zimmer called a double reverse with a pass to Cousins. The ball was slightly overthrown incomplete. Zimmer decided to go for it on 4th and 4 and Cousins threw deep incomplete. With 55 seconds left the Packers took over at their own 45. Rodgers went to Graham for 18, Williams for 11, Devonta Adams for 13 and 6 and Williams for 8 to set up 1st and goal at the one with 7 seconds left. Rodgers fired to Adams in the end zone, and Adams just dropped it. 3 seconds remained. Matt LaFleur decided not to gamble. Mason Crosby hit the 19 yard field goal as the Packers trailed 10-9 at halftime despite holding the Vikings to 26 yards passing.
The Vikings moved from their own 23 to a 1st and 10 at the Green Bay 46. Cousins went for it all and threw into double coverage. King made the leaping interception at his own 8 yard line and returned it 39 yards to his 47. The Vikings offense never got going. The defense kept the Vikings in the game, but in the second half they finally broke. Williams ran for 8 and 4. On 3rd and 2 from the Minnesota 33, Rodgers hit Adams for 6. Jones ran for 9. Rodgers hit Valdes-Scantling for 6. Jones ran for the 12 yard touchdown. Rodgers then hit Greg Allison for the touchdown as the Packers led 17-10 late in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter the Packers faced 2nd and 9 at their own 26. Rodgers went to Adams for 18. Then Jones busted through some tackles, got to the sideline, and raced for a 56 yard touchdown. The extra point was no good but with 6 minutes left in regulation the Packers led by 13. With 4 minutes left on 2nd and 14 from their own 47, Cousins went bombs away for a 53 yard touchdown. Yet offensive holding nullified the score. Two years ago with the division on the line, the Vikings went into Green Bay and hit the Packers in the mouth. Two years later it was the Packers going into Minnesota and knocking a very good Vikings team on their hides. As Aaron Rodgers reminded the league in Week 1, the Packers now have a defense. The Vikings are now locked into the six seed Wildcard. The Packers are currently the two seed with a first round bye. They could fall as low as the three seed or go as high as the top seed with home field throughout the playoffs. 23-10 Packers