Sunday Games
AFC
Los Angeles Chargers (12-4)
v.
Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
L.A. Chargers 23, Baltimore 17
This was a rematch of a game from just a few weekends ago at the Chargers, which the Ravens needed more and which they ultimately won. It cost the Chargers any realistic hopes that they had of winning their division title and taking home field advantage.
The Chargers showed how dominant they could be on defense, as well. For most of the game, even well into the fourth quarter, the Chargers had contained the Ravens to a total of three first downs, and Baltimore had a total of negative two yards for their passing offense. Those are some frightful numbers, although Baltimore did find their offensive footing a bit in the fourth quarter, and finally made a game of it, ultimately falling short in the end.
On the day, Philip Rivers completed 22 of 32 passes for 160 yards for the Chargers. Running back Melvin Gordon added 40 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries. Clearly, it was not a day when either offense would dazzle. The Ravens had the best defense in the league, but the Chargers showed how dominant they could be on defense, as well. For most of the game, even well into the fourth quarter, the Chargers had contained the Ravens to a total of three first downs, and Baltimore had a total of negative two yards for their passing offense. Those are some frightful numbers, although Baltimore did find their offensive footing a bit in the fourth quarter, and finally made a game of it, ultimately falling short in the end.
Baltimore QB Lamar. Jackson had a very rough day, until he very end of the game, when he finally came alive. But early in the fourth quarter, he was so completely ineffective that the home crowd booed when he jogged back onto the field. In the end, his ability to get the offense going a bit in the end helped his statistics look a lot more respectable than they did early in that final quarter, when most of the commentators, and clearly the vast majority of the crowd, were aching to see him benched and replaced with former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. But that was not to be, and Jackson stayed in. He completed 14 of 29 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns, but with one costly INT in that disastrous first half, which was one of the worst stretches that any quarterback has ever had in the playoffs. Jackson also led his team in rushing, with 54 yards picked up on nine carries overall.
The Chargers were able to exact a serious measure of revenge yesterday, however, as they completely dominated the vast majority of this game, then held on in a tough fourth quarter in which the Ravens suddenly came alive!
In the end, the Chargers were easily one of the best teams in the AFC pretty much all season, and were far more consistent than the Ravens were. So, it is fitting that they advance, although their game next weekend up in Foxboro against the New England Patriots should prove a lot tougher than this game against the Ravens was.
My pick: Inaccurate
NFC
Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)
at
Chicago Bears (12-4)
Philadelphia 16. Chicago 15
The Bears had their chances. Indeed, there were times where they played brilliantly in this game. Their defense was rugged and tough, with few lapses - although the lapses that they did have were costly and came at inopportune times. Yet, for all of that, Chicago was still in a position to win towards the end of the game with what would have been a game-winning field goal.
It almost went through, but it bobbled after hitting the post. One of the commentators mentioned that if the ball had come down at a different angle, it might very well have bounced in, and then we might be having an entirely different discussion. Instead, it bounced just out, and the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles managed to keep their unlikely run alive, at least for one more week. They will live to defend their title for at least one more game, one more week.
Nick Foles, the man who led Philadelphia to the Super Bowl title and earned MVP honors in that game in so doing, was solid in this game as well. Foles completed 25 of 40 passes for 266 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Alshon Jeffery was his favorite target, as Jeffrey reined in six receptions for 82 yards.
In a losing effort for Chicago, Mitchell Trubisky completed 26 of 43 passes for 303 yards and one touchdown. Allen Robinson brought in 10 of those receptions for 143 yards and one touchdown.
So, the Eagles narrowly escape with a win and avert elimination. They now will head to New Orleans to take on the top-seeded Saints. The Bears, meanwhile, see a very promising season end earlier than they had wanted or expected, but they took many positive steps this year, and appear to have a very bright future ahead of them.
My pick: Inaccurate
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