What an interesting weekend of football, huh?
A number of these results were completely unexpected. Who could have predicted Denver taking the Texans apart in Houston, for example? Many saw Indy's loss to Tampa Bay as a big surprise, as well.
Some are also suggesting that the game between San Francisco and New Orleans was the best of the year so far.
Indeed, some fascinating results, and the playoff pictures grows clearer and clearer.
Let's take a closer look:
N.Y. Jets 22, Miami 21 – Despite how poorly the Fins have played all season, the Jets seemed to really struggle just to finally manage a win against them…barely. It took every second of a sixty minute game, and it took a field goal on the game’s final play, but yes, Gang Green finally won, and ended a losing streak against the Dolphins. Obviously, this did not matter in terms of playoff ramifications, as both teams, because neither of these teams were serious contenders since before September ended, even. But for what it’s worth, the Jets improve to 5-8, while the Dolphins fall to 3-10. My pick: Accurate
Green Bay 20, Washington 15 – The Packers remain in first place in the NFC North after holding off Washington in this one. But the Packers were dominating early, and looking like they would win in a blowout. To just barely hang on in a game that they actually could have lost, and against a 3-9 team to boot, makes me feel like this team is more vulnerable than perhaps they have appeared at times this season. They are a high profile team, and perhaps they will still win the division. But I am not a big fan of the way that they are playing. Remember them getting blown out against the Chargers and 49ers? They will host the Bears next weekend, a team that should test them far more than Washington should have, before going off to Minnesota for a huge showdown that could be for the division title, before closing out their season in Detroit. This division title is not guaranteed. My pick: Accurate
Denver 38, Houston 24 – The Broncos jumped all over the Texans early in this one, and just kind of rolled to a surprisingly convincing win on the road against a division leading team. The Texans seem to be a source of concern with their inconsistency, as this letdown occurred just one week after a huge and encouraging win against the Patriots. If those two teams meet in the playoffs – admittedly a big if at the moment – the game would most likely be in New England, and the results might wind up being very different there. I was surprised, and perhaps a bit dismayed, at just how easily the Broncos won this one, without all that much of a fight to seriously claw their way back into this one and at least make a game of it. Denver, for now, remains officially a playoff contender, although their chances are, admittedly, very slim, and they need a lot of help. My pick: Inaccurate
Minnesota 20, Detroit 7 – The Vikings have kind of stayed as one of the better NFC teams without nearly as much fanfare as some of the other teams in the conference have. Yet, they are only one game out of first place in the NFC North, and they seem to kee consistently winning. That is especially true at home, where the Pats loss at New England leaves them as the only remaining team with an undefeated home record. They pretty much dominated the Lions in this one, and will go off to Los Angeles next weekend to face the Chargers, before a huge divisional showdown against the Packers, and then another one against the Bears, also in Minnesota. This team still has a very realistic chance at the division title. My pick: Accurate
Atlanta 40, Carolina 20 – Well, the Panthers are officially out of it now. Once again, they started a season off strong, only to experience a collapse in the second half. This one has lasted a while, and spun them entirely and convincingly out of postseason contention. The Falcons looked like the team that they were a few years ago, as their offense moved the ball and scored seemingly at will against an overwhelmed Carolina defense. The Panthers managed to score some points towards the end to make it look closer and more respectable than it actually was, but Atlanta dominated this game. My pick: Inaccurate
Tampa Bay 38, Indianapolis 35 – Well, the Colts were competitive this season until the last three or four weeks, where they suffered an inexplicable collapse on almost every level. Now, they are virtually eliminated from playoff contention. It might not yet be official, but realistically, yes, it is over for them. This was their third loss in a row, and took them from being comfortably in the AFC playoff picture – a place they had been all season long until this losing streak – to being very much on the outside, with virtually zero percent chance of actually qualifying for the postseason. They lost this time in a back and forth shootout to the lowly Bucs, who have been eliminated for the better part of this season. Tampa improves to 6-7, and while that record is the same as both Dallas and Philadelphia, that means that, in the NFC, they are officially out. The Colts are also 6-7, and will be officially out soon enough. My pick: Inaccurate
San Francisco 48, New Orleans 46 – A lot of people are suggesting that this was the game of the year thus far. Maybe. Certainly, it was entertaining, although it featured a whole lot of offense and points, but not much defense. The 49ers have one of the highest rated defenses in the league, but they looked vulnerable in this game. Then again, that is true of many teams who have to face Drew Breese and the Saints offense, right? But this was a wild one, filled with offensive firepower and wild plays. It was back and forth, all game long. Hell, the 49ers narrowly led, 28-27, by halftime! How often do we see scores like that by halftime? The Saints were down by five in the fourth quarter, and absolutely needed a touchdown. They got it, too, and took a 46-45 lead, but failed on the all-important two-point conversion. That meant that San Francisco would not need a field goal to tie it, but to win it. And it seemed that the 49ers drive was stalling, but they kept getting through. Then, George Kittle caught a ball and broke numerous tackles, refusing to go down even when a defender was relentlessly pulling on his facemask. He picked up enough for the Niners to get into field goal territory, and the 49ers ran down the clock for the attempt. San Fran’s placekicker, Robbie Gould, had just returned from an injury. But he was able to get the clutch field goal, and split the uprights, giving the 49ers the victory. They now improve to 11-2, and with the best record in the NFC, now are in position to earn home field advantage throughout if they win out. That said, they still have a big showdown with the Seahawks, and another one at home against the suddenly resurgent Rams. But a huge win for the 49ers. Meanwhile, the Saints fall to 10-3, but will still keep fighting for the highest available seed to them. My pick: Accurate
Baltimore 24, Buffalo 17 – This game more or less played out the way that many people – myself included – expected it to go. The Ravens did not completely blow out the Bills, like they have so many other teams as of late. Two close wins in a row, first against the 49ers, and this weekend against the Bills, should bring the Ravens back down to earth, without the costliness of an outright loss. A solid win for the Ravens, who improve to 11-2, tied for the best record with San Francisco. Buffalo, meanwhile, drops to a still impressive 9-4 record, and look forward to a big showdown with the Patriots in a game that might go far in deciding who wins the AFC East this season. My pick: Accurate
Cleveland 27, Cincinnati 19 – As a Giants fan, I was actually hoping that Cincy would win this one, so that the G-Men might get that first pick in the draft. But one week after putting it all together and looking like a serious contender against the Jets, they reverted back to their regularly scheduled losing ways, losing the battle of Ohio. And while the Browns are, at least officially, still in the playoff hunt, realistically, they are not a serious contender. News seems to be coming out of Cleveland that wide receiver Odell Beckham wants out after this season. He is a very selfish player, and I believe that, despite his obvious enormous talent and physical gifts, he actually has been detrimental to the health of now two NFL franchises, the Giants and the Browns. Maybe he will grow up, but right now, I believe that level of toxicity will likely harm more teams. Is he the new “T.O.” of this new era? My prediction: Accurate
L.A. Chargers 45, Jacksonville 10 – Well, I was clearly off on this one. The Chargers jumped all over the Jaguars, who looked like they did not know what hit them. This was a brutal loss for the home town Jags, losing in a blowout fashion against a relatively lowly team that has been out of playoff contention for quite some time this season. Really, this was a glimpse of the Chargers team that was one of the relative elite teams in the AFC last season, perhaps the team that they should have been this season. A solid win for the Chargers in what feels like a meaningless game. My pick: Inaccurate
Pittsburgh 23, Arizona 17 – For whatever the reason, even though I made clear in my description that I believed the Steelers would win it, I wrote the Cardinals as my pick, while meaning to write Pittsburgh. Still, I am giving myself credit, because I explained that they were my pick, and why, and just seemed to have a brain fart for that one thing. Indeed, this was not a surprise, as these two teams are going in opposite directions. The Steelers are red hot, having won eight of their last ten following that 0-3 start to the season, while the Cardinals have lost six straight games. Pittsburgh improves to 8-5, and look like they will qualify for the playoffs. Meanwhile, Arizona drops to 3-9-1 on the year, and have been out of the playoff race for some time now. My pick: Accurate
Tennessee 42, Oakland 21 – There are a few teams that have completely imploded in recent weeks, such as the Panthers and the Colts. Well, it looks like we can add the Raiders to that list. Just a few weeks ago, they were 6-4, and looking like a definite playoff team, and perhaps even a team that could challenge the Chiefs for AFC West supremacy. Now, after this third straight blowout loss in a row, the Silver and Black are just barely hanging on by a threat to flickering playoff hopes that are beginning to feel less and les realistic now. Another bad loss for the Raiders, who fall to 6-7. As for the Titans, they are red hot with a fourth straight win, and have reached a tie with Houston for first place in the AFC South at 8-5. Impressive West Coast road win for the Titans. My pick: Accurate
Sunday Night Football - L.A. Rams 28, Seattle 12 – Another game that I got wrong. Perhaps it seemed a bit too easy to simply believe that the Seahawks would just keep winning and winning. But they did not win this one, or even come close. The Rams dominated, avenging a loss earlier this season in Seattle. Russell Wilson and that offense never got in rhythm, as the Los Angeles defense constantly were able to frustrate them and broke any chance of them getting into anything resembling a rhythm. And the Rams offense, while not on fire, was more than adequate, and looked pretty solid. The Rams improve to 8-5 on the season, and remain in playoff contention, as they appear to be getting hot at the right moment. Seattle, meanwhile, drops to 10-3, and while still almost assured of a playoff spot, they nevertheless relinquish their share of first place in the NFC West for now. My pick: Inaccurate
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