Okay, so the playoff picture seemed to gain a lot more clarity in this weekend of NFL action. All but one of the wildcard spots is locked up now in both the AFC and NFC, although there is still a possibility that the Houston Texans could screw up and lose the division that seems to belong to them at the moment.
However, Cincinnati and Washington clinched their division titles, respectively. The Bengals did so on Sunday, despite being scheduled for a Monday Night Football game, by virtue of the Steelers surprising upset loss at Baltimore. The Ravens were able to complete the season sweep by knocking off Pittsburgh for a second time this season, and that, coupled with wins by both the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets, makes it so that the Steelers are no longer in the driver's seat in terms of the playoff race.
There are no undefeated teams remaining, as Carolina lost and, in fact, could rather shockingly find themselves removed from being the top seed in a given scenario next weekend.
Let's take a look at what happened in this weekend's NFL action:
(TNF) Oakland 23, San Diego 20 (OT) - If this is the last ever NFL game played in Oakland, what a game it was! The Raiders and Chargers have a long rivalry, and there is a chance that they were both saying goodbye to their current home crowds and stadiums, as the possibility of a move to greener pastures in Los Angeles looms for both franchises. If so, what a way to go! A well played game by both teams, with the home town Raiders ultimately providing the home fans what they wanted, kicking a field goal to secure the win in overtime.
(SAT) Washington 38, Philadelphia 24 - Washington produced far more offense than Philly could keep up with, as the very high expectations during the preseason once again failed to materialize for Chip Kelly's Eagles. With this victory, Washington clinched the NFC East title and the fourth seed, and will host a playoff game against either Seattle, Minnesota, or Green Bay.
NY Jets 26, New England 20 (OT) - One of the most exciting games in recent Jets history. Needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Jets entered this game tied with Kansas City and Pittsburgh for the final playoff spots in the AFC, but they needed help. Of course, they certainly also needed to take care of business and win, first and foremost. That they did, although it was not easy. Then again, it rarely ever is against the New England Patriots. New York dictated the tempo for the vast majority of the game, but the Pats came back right at the end, scoring a touchdown very late in the fourth quarter to tie it and send this game to overtime. There was a controversy to open overtime, and it came during the coin flip, of all things. The Patriots elected to kick to the Jets, which is odd, considering that this was overtime, and New England would not be guaranteed a chance to even get the ball back. That is how it actually wound up, as well, as New York drove down the field and Fitzpatrick found Eric Decker for the winning touchdown to give the Jets as huge win. That, coupled with the Steelers upset loss at Baltimore, puts the Jets in control of their own destiny as they head up to Buffalo next weekend.
Baltimore 20, Pittsburgh 17 - The Ravens may have been forced to endure a miserable season with high expectations dashed early, but they somehow found a way to sweep the highly regarded Steelers, at least. In the process, the Ravens knocked Pittsburgh out of the driver's seat in the playoff hunt, and the Steelers now no longer control their own destiny. It was a tight game, and the Steelers did rally late, although the Ravens defense hung on and acted as a major spoiler to Pittsburgh's playoff chances. Now, if the Jets take care of business next week in Buffalo, the Steelers would be out, highly regarded or not.
Kansas City 17, Cleveland 13 - It was not a pretty win for the Chiefs, certainly. Yet, they managed to hang on against a surprisingly tough and determined Browns team absolutely determined to play spoiler and end Kansas City's rather amazing nine-game win streak. But time ran out, as a frustrated Browns team, led by Manziel, who had a solid performance, looked very upset at having been deprived of the chance to knock off the Chiefs in KC.
Atlanta 20, Carolina 13 - You kind of saw this one coming from a mile away, didn't you? The Panthers were at a historic 14-0, and were on the edge of a truly historical achievement by completing a rare undefeated regular season if they won out in their final two games. But the pressure was building and building, and Atlanta, having finally snapped their dreadful losing streak last weekend, were fighting for their playoff lives. The Falcons are not going to the playoffs, as it turns out, but at least they can boast ending Carolina's chances at a perfect season. They did so by coming back in the second half, and building slowly on a slim lead with field goals, until the Panthers needed a touchdown just to tie it in the final minutes. They failed to do so, and Atlanta came out on top. The Panthers could conceivably lose the top seed in the NFC, rather unbelievably, with a loss next week and an Arizona win.
Houston 34, Tennessee 6 - The Texans absolutely bullied the Titans all over the field with this victory yesterday, coming ever closer to the AFC South division title, which will be theirs if they manage to win that final game against Jacksonville. Houston was brutally impressive in completely dismantling Tennessee on the road yesterday, suspending any mystery or doubts early, and just pouring on the points in this blowout. They are looking playoff ready at the moment.
Detroit 32, San Francisco 17 - The 49ers looked tough early on, but the Lions began to assert themselves more strongly, as they have been doing in recent weeks. Detroit kept the 49ers scoreless in the second half, making this more or less a blowout win.
Chicago 26, Tampa Bay 21 - These two teams were mostly playing for pride in this game, and it was the Bears who ultimately showed more of it. Chicago came from behind in a tight game to take a double digit lead, then hung on to wear down the Bucs and earn a victory on the road in sunny Florida.
Buffalo 16, Dallas 6 - This was nothing like the Super Bowl meetings between these two teams. Neither team scored much in this one, as it was mostly a battle of field goals. Ultimately, home field in Buffalo helped the Bills to hang on and win in a game more for pride than anything else, while both defenses looked tough again in this contest. Too little, too late?
New Orleans 38, Jacksonville 27 - The Saints earned yet another victory, possibly the last one with Brees at the helm, and with their current lineup. They did so against the hapless Jaguars, who seem to have given up on the season in the last few weeks.
Indianapolis 18, Miami 12 - The Colts got a needed win to keep their flickering playoff hopes alive, but one cannot help but wonder if it was not too little, too late. Still, Indianapolis needed a win to at least stay in the playoff picture for now, even if they do not control their own destiny. And they managed to win a tough road game at Miami, hanging on against a Dolphins team playing tougher than they have played in several weeks now.
Arizona 38, Green Bay 8 - The Cardinals have continued to leave doubters in the dust this season, as they solidified their elite status by clinching a playoff bye with a surprisingly easy and very convincing blowout win over Green Bay. This was a big game for both teams, as the Packers still had an outside chance to catch the Cardinals and earn the playoff bye. But this game was decided quite early, and the Cardinals poured on the points early in the third, putting the game out of reach for the Packers, who looked flustered and frustrated, and were beaten soundly on both sides of the ball.
St. Louis 23, Seattle 17 - The Rams became the first team since the 2011 49ers to sweep the Seahawks in the regular season, and they did it as a franchise for the first time since the 2004 season, in what was considered one of the surprises of the week yesterday. The Seahawks never led, and never seemed to be in this contest. It was a letdown by a team that had already earned a playoff spot on an ugly, rainy day in Seattle. For the Rams, this was a tease, a glimpse of what they are capable of, but showed little of during the almost two months when they could not buy a win. Like last season's great defensive stance for almost a month, it was much too little, much too late.
Minnesota 49, NY Giants 17 - When the Giants have to go to Minnesota in a nationally televised game in the final couple of weeks of the season, it rarely ever seems to turn out well. Such was the case last night, as the Vikings made short work of the G-Men, blasting them out of the stadium early and often. It was hardly a game, as the Giants are ending a disappointing season in the worst way possible, suffering a blowout loss in a game when they had already lost any hope of qualifying for the playoffs. The Vikings, in the meantime, earned a playoff spot with the win, and will now head to Lambeau for a winner take all showdown against the Pack.
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