Well, here we are in mid-December, among the final weeks left of this regular season. If there is anything that this weekend in particular made clear, it is that there is no single team that looks dominant, much less appears unbeatable.
Maybe the Rams were closest to appearing in that role entering last night's game at Chicago, but that explosive offensive was humbled in frigid Soldier Field, looking decidedly more limited than they have all season. Their previous low for this season had been 23 points, against Denver. New Orleans, the only other team to have beaten the Rams, and an offense that had been putting up record numbers themselves, also looked vulnerable, scoring a mere six points in the first half, and trailing Tampa Bay. As that had come on the heels of a humbling loss at Dallas, where the offense had managed merely 10 points total and had been shut out in the first half, it felt like the Saints were seriously struggling. They came alive in the second half this time, to pull off the win and clinch the NFC South, but their earlier shakiness has to worry some. Kansas City would be the other of the "Big Three" so far this season, and it looked like they, too, were going to lose, as they trailed the Ravens late. But they came back to force overtime, and then just barely hung on for the win, setting up a huge showdown against the Chargers next weekend that just might be for the division title. Maybe Houston and New England were looking like they potentially belonged in that elite territory, although both teams lost yesterday, and were cut down to size a bit in the process. And the Steelers, who looked like one of the powerhouse teams just rolling over teams for much of the season, dropped their third straight as they were on the wrong end of an upset out in Oakland yesterday.
Otherwise, there were some other surprises. The Broncos lost to Denver, the Browns beat Carolina, and the Giants surprisingly crushed Washington. The playoffs became much harder to reach for each of the three teams that lost those contests yesterday.
Let's take a closer look at the surprising results from yesterday's games:
N.Y Giants 40, Washington 16 - Early in the 1993 regular season, the Giants, who were considered a struggling team because they had endured two straight disappointing seasons following their Super Bowl XXV championship. They had gotten off to a surprisingly strong start that season, however, getting off to a 3-0 start, before dropping one up in Buffalo. Washington, meanwhile was struggling at 1-3, but people were so used to them being an elite team, that there was an assumption that they would shake it off. When the two teams met, in Washington, the Giants jumped out to a 27-0 lead before Washington got a touchdown before halftime. But the Giants would go on to stun the NFL with a crushing 41-7 win on the road against a normally tough opponent. That was what I was reminded of when I tuned in yesterday afternoon and saw the Giants up 31-0, and driving to add some points just before the half. They did, notching a field goal, and running off the field and into the locker rooms with a commanding 34-0 halftime lead. They would score another touchdown in the third quarter, making the game 40-0 by that point, before Washington managed a couple of touchdowns to make it look closer and a bit more respectable on the socreboard than the game actually was. Big Blue wound up winning the game, 40-16, handing Washington their fourth, and most embarrassing, loss, and virtually knocking them out of the playoff hunt. It was the fourth win in a five game span for the G-Men, just as it had been in 1993. Unfortunately, this winning streak has come most likely too late in what had been a tough season for Big Blue, and the playoffs were effectively well out of reach before they finally seem to have turned the thing around. The offense, which was sputtering earlier this season, has come alive, as it has been years since the last time the Giants scored at least 40 points in a game. Veteran quarterback Eli Manning completed 14 of 22 for 197 yards and three touchdowns. Evan Engram was particularly effective for the G-Men, picking up 77 yards on just three receptions. Saquon Barkely picked up an additional 170 yards and one touchdown on the ground for the G-Men. Starting for Washington, the former Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez had a disastrous afternoon, completing only 6 of 14 passes for 38 yards, and with two INT's. He was benched, and replaced by Josh Johnson, who looked a bit better, completing 11 of 16 for 195 yards and a touchdown, although he also had one INT. A decisive victory for the Giants, who look like a dangerous spoiler team in these final weeks. My prediction: Accurate
Maybe the Rams were closest to appearing in that role entering last night's game at Chicago, but that explosive offensive was humbled in frigid Soldier Field, looking decidedly more limited than they have all season. Their previous low for this season had been 23 points, against Denver. New Orleans, the only other team to have beaten the Rams, and an offense that had been putting up record numbers themselves, also looked vulnerable, scoring a mere six points in the first half, and trailing Tampa Bay. As that had come on the heels of a humbling loss at Dallas, where the offense had managed merely 10 points total and had been shut out in the first half, it felt like the Saints were seriously struggling. They came alive in the second half this time, to pull off the win and clinch the NFC South, but their earlier shakiness has to worry some. Kansas City would be the other of the "Big Three" so far this season, and it looked like they, too, were going to lose, as they trailed the Ravens late. But they came back to force overtime, and then just barely hung on for the win, setting up a huge showdown against the Chargers next weekend that just might be for the division title. Maybe Houston and New England were looking like they potentially belonged in that elite territory, although both teams lost yesterday, and were cut down to size a bit in the process. And the Steelers, who looked like one of the powerhouse teams just rolling over teams for much of the season, dropped their third straight as they were on the wrong end of an upset out in Oakland yesterday.
Otherwise, there were some other surprises. The Broncos lost to Denver, the Browns beat Carolina, and the Giants surprisingly crushed Washington. The playoffs became much harder to reach for each of the three teams that lost those contests yesterday.
Let's take a closer look at the surprising results from yesterday's games:
N.Y Giants 40, Washington 16 - Early in the 1993 regular season, the Giants, who were considered a struggling team because they had endured two straight disappointing seasons following their Super Bowl XXV championship. They had gotten off to a surprisingly strong start that season, however, getting off to a 3-0 start, before dropping one up in Buffalo. Washington, meanwhile was struggling at 1-3, but people were so used to them being an elite team, that there was an assumption that they would shake it off. When the two teams met, in Washington, the Giants jumped out to a 27-0 lead before Washington got a touchdown before halftime. But the Giants would go on to stun the NFL with a crushing 41-7 win on the road against a normally tough opponent. That was what I was reminded of when I tuned in yesterday afternoon and saw the Giants up 31-0, and driving to add some points just before the half. They did, notching a field goal, and running off the field and into the locker rooms with a commanding 34-0 halftime lead. They would score another touchdown in the third quarter, making the game 40-0 by that point, before Washington managed a couple of touchdowns to make it look closer and a bit more respectable on the socreboard than the game actually was. Big Blue wound up winning the game, 40-16, handing Washington their fourth, and most embarrassing, loss, and virtually knocking them out of the playoff hunt. It was the fourth win in a five game span for the G-Men, just as it had been in 1993. Unfortunately, this winning streak has come most likely too late in what had been a tough season for Big Blue, and the playoffs were effectively well out of reach before they finally seem to have turned the thing around. The offense, which was sputtering earlier this season, has come alive, as it has been years since the last time the Giants scored at least 40 points in a game. Veteran quarterback Eli Manning completed 14 of 22 for 197 yards and three touchdowns. Evan Engram was particularly effective for the G-Men, picking up 77 yards on just three receptions. Saquon Barkely picked up an additional 170 yards and one touchdown on the ground for the G-Men. Starting for Washington, the former Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez had a disastrous afternoon, completing only 6 of 14 passes for 38 yards, and with two INT's. He was benched, and replaced by Josh Johnson, who looked a bit better, completing 11 of 16 for 195 yards and a touchdown, although he also had one INT. A decisive victory for the Giants, who look like a dangerous spoiler team in these final weeks. My prediction: Accurate
N.Y. Jets 27, Buffalo 23 - The Jets managed to get a measure of revenge for their earlier blowout loss at home to Buffalo, as Gang Green. Sam Darnold drove New York down the field on a nine play, 61 yard drive within the final couple of minutes, before capping it with an Elijah McGuire one-yard touchdown run, allowing the Jets to pull off an improbable comeback win. On the day, Darnold completed 16-of 24 passes for 170 yards, with one TD and one Buffalo's Josh Allen had another big game before he was sidelined with an injury, as he completed 18 of 36 passes for 206 yards, with two INT's, although he also picked up 101 yards and a touchdown on nine carries on the ground. My pick: Inaccurate
Kansas City 27, Baltimore 24 (OT) - The Ravens appeared to have the game won. They had contained the explosive Chiefs offense to just 17 points for the first 59 minutes of the game, and seemed on their way to a huge win to stay ahead in the playoff race. But that was when KC's offense came alive, as Mahomes led his team on an 11-play, 58 yard drive that culminated with Mahomes finding Damien Williams for a 5-yard touchdown pass. The extra point tied the game to force overtime. There, the Chiefs got a field goal, and then held defensively to ice the win. Kansas City remains unbeaten at home, and they now prepare for an even bigger showdown next weekend when the Chargers come to town, as that might very well be what decides the AFC West. Baltimore, meanwhile, is tied with the Colts, Titans, and Dolphins for that final playoff spot for the AFC. My pick: Accurate
Miami 34, New England Patriots 33 - Here was yet one more game that served as evidence that that the Patriots, one of the seeming favorites this season, are hardly unbeatable. They had a chance to finally clinch the division outright with a win, but fell short. It's almost funny that I happened to mention a memorable loss for New England that took place on a Monday Night in the 2004-05 season, when the Dolphins managed to score two touchdowns in the final minute to pull off an improbable victory. These Dolphins managed a dramatic "Hail Mary" touchdown on the final play of the game to grab victory from the jaws of certain defeat, and stun the perennial favorites in New England, who had seemed to have clinched the division title just moments before. The Pats had seemed to hold every advantage in the game prior to that, with more yards gained, better time of possession, more first downs, and of course, most importantly, a lead. But it was not enough on another day when miracles helped Miami win, albeit in improbable fashion. Tom Brady completed 27 of 43 passes for 358 yards and three touchdowns. His favorite target, Rob Gronkowski, had eight receptions good for 107 yards and one touchdown. Sony Michel added 57 yards on 20 carries. Miami's Ryan Tannehill completed 14 of 19 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns, with Kenny Stills being his favorite target on this day, reeling in eight receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, Frank Gore picked up an additional 92 yards on 12 carries. Witt the win, the Fins are now tied with the Ravens and the Titans for that final AFC playoff spot. The Pats are still likely to take the division, although that will at least have to wait until another day. My pick: Inaccurate
Cleveland 26, Carolina 20 - The Panthers looked like legitimate Super Bowl contenders just a few weeks ago. Now, with a fifth straight loss, they have effectively almost taken themselves out of the playoff picture. Carolina really could have won this one, too. They owned advantages in first downs, total yards picked up, and time of possession. But in the end, they fell short in what counts the most: the scoreboard. Baker Mayfield played solidly for Cleveland, completing 18 of 22 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown. Nick Chubb added 66 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries for Cleveland. In a losing effort, Carolina's Cam Newton completed 26 of 42 for 265 yards, and had one INT. Christian McCaffrey picked up 63 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries for Carolina. My pick: Accurate
Indianapolis 24, Houston 21 - Indianapolis managed to snap Houston's nine-game winning streak with an explosive second quarter that saw them score 17 points, to take a commanding 17-7 lead into the lockers for halftime. The Colts kept the pressure on, and although Houston tried to rally late, they fell short. Andrew Luck completed 27 of 41 for 399 yards and two touchdowns, with one INT. He hit T.Y. Hilton nine times for 199 yards. Houston QB Deshaun Watson completed 27 of 38 for 267 yards and one touchdown. The Colts remain very much in the hunt for that final playoff spot, and also prevented the Texans from winning the division outright. Houston still owns a comfortable lead for the division title, however, and they also did not lose much in the way of playoff positioning, at least not to New England, who also lost. My pick: Inaccurate
Green Bay 34, Atlanta 20 - In the frozen tundra, the Packers finally started to look a lot more like the team that we have grown used to seeing in Green Bay. They beat the Falcons, who just continue to lose, and in so doing, the Pack earned new head coach Joe Philbin his first career victory. The Falcons managed to get a touchdown early in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead, but then were buried underneath an avalanche of Packers points. Green Bay went on a 34-0 run that saw them take a decisive 34-7 lead into the final quarter, before Atlanta finally answered with a couple of meaningless touchdowns in the fourth quarter, when the outcome was no longer in question. A good win for Green Bay. It is likely much too late to do them any real good this season, but it might build confidence to end this season, which could carry over a bit into next season. As for the Falcons? Well, right now, they are simply a hot mess! My pick: Accurate
New Orleans 28, Tampa Bay 14 - Tampa Bay seriously looked like they were capable of sweeping that Saints throughout the first half of this game, when they held that powerful and dangerous New Orleans offense to a pedestrian 3 points, and seemed to hold a fairly comfortable halftime lead of 14-3. At that point, the Saints offense - which had been touted at points by many as one of the best units in league history - had scored a grand total of 13 points in their last six quarters. But they came alive in the second half, and finally started to look like the same New Orleans team that we have grown used to. They took over the game, holding Tampa Bay's offense scoreless in the second half, while the offense finally got in gear again, scoring 25 unanswered points, and earning a decisive win that finally officially clinches the NFC South division title for them. This win, coupled with the Rams loss later that evening at Chicago, now has the Saints, once again, as the NFC's top seed. An impressive, come fro m behind wind for the Saints, which should help them get past their brief offensive struggles, and get them back on track in these final weeks. My pick: Accurate
San Francisco 20, Denver 14 - The Broncos had pulled off three consecutive big wins to lift themselves into serious contention for that final AFC playoff spot. Then, even more quickly, they may have sunk their hopes and chances for good with a disappointing loss to the 49ers in this one. But the 49ers came out to play. They notched two field goals early, while holding the Broncos scoreless through the first half. Midway through the second quarter, Mick Mullins hit George Kittle for an 85-yard touchdown strike to stun the Broncos. Another touchdown just before the first half ended gave San Francisco a commanding 20-0 lead at halftime. Denver fought back, and even made a bit of a game of it, scoring a touchdown to pull within six late in the fourth quarter. But it was a bit too little, and just too late. They had dug themselves too big of a hole in the first half, and simply were unable to dig themselves fully out in the second half. SF's quarterback, Mullens, had a solid day, completing 20 of 33 for 332 yards and two touchdowns, with one INT. His favorite target was Kittle. Other than that 85-yard touchdown, Kittle had seven receptions for 210 yards, and that one huge touchdown. In a losing cause for Denver, Case Keenum completed 24 of 42 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown. My pick: Inaccurate
L.A. Chargers 26, Cincinnati 21 - The Bengals were trying to play spoilers, and in fact, they really pushed the Chargers and kept the game close. But in the end, the Chargers did what the best teams manage to do: they found a way to win even when they were not playing anywhere near their best. LA's veteran QB Philip Rivers had a stellar day, completing 19 of 29 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown. Chargers running back Austin Ekeler collected 66 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries, while wide receiver Keenan Allen had 78 yards and one touchdown on five receptions. Despite falling short, Bengals QB Jeff Driskel had a decent day, completing 18 of 27 for 170 yards and one touchdown, while Cincy running back Joe Mixon picked up 111 yards and one touchdown on 26 carries. The Bengals edge closer to the abyss of elimination, while the Chargers now look forward to that huge showdown at Arrowhead against the Kansas City Chiefs, in a game that likely could determine who wins the AFC West. My pick: L.A. Chargers
Dallas 29, Philadelphia 23 - This was a huge showdown between the NFC East's top two teams. The defending champions, the Eagles, came to Big D in hopes of knokcing off the Cowboys and pulling into a first place tie, but the 'Boys had other ideas. Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott completed 42 of 54 passes for a whopping 455 yards and thre touchdowns, although he also had three INT's. His favorite target on this day was Amari Cooper, who grabbed 10 receptions for 217 yards and three touchdowns. Ezekiel Elliott added 113 yards on 28 carries in the Dallas ground game. In a losing effort for Philadelphia, Carson Wentz completed 22 of 32 for 228 yards and three TD's. They needed a touchdown in the final two minutes to essentially ice the game, but Dallas now owns a comfortable two-game lead in the NFC East, with three games to go for each team. The Eagles likely need to win out simply to qualify for the playoffs, as their chances are now very seriously in jeopardy. My pick: Accurate
Oakland 24, Pittsburgh 21 - The Oakland Raiders have looked dead in the water throughout the entire season. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has looked like an elite team with realistic title hopes. The Steelers might still have some aspirations to win titles, but they will have to overcome the problems that have led to their current three-game slide first. Indeed, Pittsburgh looked like a lock to win the division title just a few short weeks ago, but KC's comeback win against the Ravens yesterday was all that prevented the Steelers from falling to second place following this upset loss to the lowly Raiders. Derek Carr had a great day, completing 25 of 34 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns. He hit Jared Cook seven times for 116 yards. In a losing effort, Ben Roethlisberger completed 25 of 29 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns, with receiver Julu Smith-Schuster having a monster day with eight receptions which were good for 130 yards and two touchdowns. The Steelers still remain half a game ahead of the Ravens in the AFC North. My pick: Inaccurate
Detroit 17, Arizona 3 - Neither team was especially effective, much less successful, on offense in this game yesterday. Until a one-yard touchdown run by Zach Zenner essentially iced the game for the Lions, the two teams had combined for two field goals in terms of total points during yesterday's game. Detroit cornerback Darius Slay returned an interception 67 yards for a touchdown that gave the Lions a decisive 10-0 lead for the first half. My pick: Accurate
Sunday Night Football
Chicago 15, L.A. Rams 6 - Another contest where one of the powerhouse looking teams of this season so far looked far from stellar. In fact, the Rams looked downright shaky in this one. That mighty offensive machine was stopped dead in their tracks, managing to contain the mighty Rams to a mere six points total. Hell, the Rams did not even get a single touchdown in this game. This made their earlier loss to the Saints this season look like a great game for Los Angeles by way of comparison. Chicago's defense did a number on the overwhelmed Rams, as Jared Goff completed only 20 of 44 passes for 180 yards, with no touchdowns and a whopping four INT's. Todd Gurley II was also rendered in effective, picking up a mere 28 yards on 11 carries. As good as the Rams had looked all season long, they simply had no answers for the Bears "D" in this game. I had a coworker who is a Rams fan, and he was complaining that the Rams looked like trash, and lacked the toughness to play in the cold weather. Indeed, they looked like they were ready to warm up and hit the showers early, even though they were only behind by 9 points at most during this entire game. He was glad that his team would most likely not have to go on the road and face any cold weather teams once the postseason rolls around. Chicago's Mitchell Trubisky returned, completing 16 of 30 passes for 110 yards and one touchdown, although he also threw three INT's. Josh Howard picked up 101 yards on 19 carries for Da Bears, who remain fairly comfortably ahead of the Vikings in the NFC North. My coworkers was complaining quite a bit about the "California pretty boy," as he put it, Jared Goff, so I looked him up, not knowing exactly what he looked like. In some pictures, he almost looked like Ryan Gossling. But there was one funny thing, on his Wikepedia page, which stated that his position with the team was not quarterback, but "Turn over machine." Somebody clearly had changed that status very recently, frustrated presumably by this game. It was surely going to be taken down, but I thought it was funny, and decided to go ahead and take a picture to share here (see below). My pick: Accurate
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