Wow! What a fascinating weekend in the NFL!
Certain teams that looked like sure things for the playoffs lost against far weaker opponents, and are now out. And some teams that simply got the job done when it was asked of them.
The Giants managed to play very well, particularly on offense, and notched their third win in a row, although it was a relatively meaningless game.
As for the Jets...well, another almost. They almost beat the Patriots yesterday but, ultimately, fell short. It looks like this will be the last we will see of head coach Rex Ryan, who is expected to be gone shortly after the season ends.
He will likely be best remembered for his legendary trash talking, although the Jets rarely backed his words or approach up with solid play and wins.
The Jets did make it to two consecutive championship game appearances in 2008 and 2009, but they never made it to the Super Bowl, as he had predicted.
Some of his most famous words were reserved for Bill Belichick, the head coach of the Patriots (and for one day, former head coach of the Jets). Famously, he suggested that he was not there to kiss Bill's rings.
Maybe not, but it looks like Ryan will never have his own rings to kiss, either.
Rex Ryan on if he regrets Bill Belichick comments: 'Oh hell no' By Kristian Dyer of Shutdown Corner, December 21, 2014:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/rex-ryan--if-he-regrets-bill-belichick-comments---oh-hell-no-165048687.html
Houston 25, Baltimore 14 - This was pretty shocking! The Ravens were Super Bowl champions. Despite a disappointing season last year, many expected big things from them this season. And despite some ups and downs, the Ravens were right there....until they went to Houston yesterday. The Texans are not a great team, but they completely dismantled Baltimore this time around, and may very well have compromised Baltimore's playoff chances enough to have effectively eliminated them! Shocking! But not as shocking as...
Oakland 26, Buffalo 24 - What the hell? Really? The Bills have the longest active playoff drought in the NFL at the moment. At times this season, it looked like they were on the verge of finally putting that streak to an end. The highlight was probably the win over the Green Bay Packers last weekend, and the team seemed on a high. Now, they follow it with an extreme low. That is because they lost to one of the worst teams in the league in the Oakland Raiders, and in the process, were officially eliminated from the playoff race, just like that. Disappointing, to say the least!
Atlanta 30, New Orleans 14 - A big collapse down in the Big Easy. The Saints have now lost five home games in a row, which is almost unheard of in recent seasons, as they have traditionally been quite dominant there under Brees. Not this year, however. And by virtue of that, the Falcons eliminated New Orleans by completing the season sweep, setting up a winner take all showdown next weekend against Carolina.
Washington 27, Philadelphia 24 - This one was a shocker to me! The Eagles are clearly the better team, yet they found a way to lose at the most inopportune time. It was a close game, and they had their chances. But ultimately, they blew it, and it cost them big time, as they are now out of playoff contention.
Seattle 35, Arizona 6 - Well, this was rather embarrassing for the Cardinals. Despite a strong record all year long, the Cardinals were grasping for legitimacy, because the question marks kept being aimed at them.
Pittsburgh 20, Kansas City 12 - Pretty much exactly as you would have guessed, right? A low-scoring December game in Pittsburgh, and the Kansas City Chiefs were not able to get it done. The Steelers are going back to the playoffs.
Carolina 17, Cleveland 13 - The Panthers hung on and won a tough game against a Cleveland team that, only a few weeks ago, looked like they were read for the playoffs, and possibly even a division title. Now, those memories are long gone, it seems, and the Browns have a long offseason to look forward to, while the Panthers need to prepare for next week's winner take all showdown at Atlanta.
Dallas 42, Indianapolis 7 - Wow! The Colts played some sloppy football yesterday, and the Cowboys romped. This game was over well before it was officially over, and the Dallas Cowboys are the NFC East champions, with a chance still at a playoff bye, and possibly (but not likely) even home field advantage. What an accomplishment for them!
Detroit 20, Chicago 14 - The Lions got the win that they needed, although they had already clinched a playoff berth the previous day. Now, they must prepare for the huge showdown at Lambeau Field. Whoever wins that wins the NFC North, but the Lions have not won in Green Bay in well over two decades!
NY Giants 37, St. Louis 27 - Just when I had pretty much written my Giants off! For the first time since high school, I placed a bet against them. That's what I get, right? But the Rams defense looked off the charts for a while, and I'm still wondering what happened.
Green Bay 20, Tampa Bay 3 - Pretty much what you would expect in this game, right? The Packers won it convincingly, and made no huge mistakes or left no doubt, as they now prepare for the return flight to Green Bay as they welcome the Lions into town.
New England 17, NY Jets 16 - I already mentioned Rex Ryan. But the Jets really did play well yesterday. Almost well enough to win. But, unfortunately, the Patriots once again proved a bit too resourceful, and pulled out the win to stay ahead in the race for home field advantage. They are tied with the Broncos for best record in the league, but hold the tiebreaker advantage.
Miami 37, Minnesota 35 - You know, it is rather ironic, because I was wondering just a few days ago if any game had ever actually ended on a safety to win it. Then, this happened, with Miami able to get a safety in overtime that won it for them.
San Diego 38, San Francisco 35 (OT) - The 49ers held a 21-0 lead, and had some distinctions, such as Kaepernick's 90-yard touchdown run, but the Chargers came all the way back to force overtime. Once there, San Diego managed to win it on a field goal, and San Francisco's late season collapse has now reached 4 games in a row. The Chargers, in the meantime, kept their playoff hopes alive, but need to win against the Kansas City Chiefs next weekend to secure that final playoff spot.
Jacksonville 21, Tennessee 13 - An irrelevant game, largely. But for what it's worth, the Jaguars took care of business and handed the Titans their eighth loss in a row, and the distinction, tied with Tampa Bay, for the worst record in the league.
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