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Saturday: Indianapolis 27, New England 17 - The Colts put an end to that impressive winning streak by the Patriots. They took advantage of their opportunities and took a commanding 20-7 lead, then held off the rally by New England in the fourth quarter. Ultimately, they clinched it when Jonathan Taylor broke free for a 67-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter which put the game out of reach. The Colts improve to 8-6 on the season, seriously strengthening their positioning in the playoff race. As for the Patriots, they fall to 9-5, and their lead in the AFC East is now down to only one game, and with a huge showdown with the second place Bills coming this weekend. My pick: Inaccurate
Dallas 21, NY Giants 6 - It would have been nice, on a weekend simply filled with upsets of losing teams over winning, playoff-bound teams, for Big Blue to pull something special off like that as well. But that was not happening. The Cowboys had won 8 of the last 9 meetings between the two franchises, and the G-Men needed this win to realistically keep their slim and flickering playoff hopes alive. But it did not happen, they were not able to do it, as Dallas simply dominated this game, making it 9 wins for them in the last 10 against the Giants now. The 'Boys held onto the ball for well over 33 minutes and picked up 328 yards and 23 first downs on offense, to just 302 yards and 15 first downs for New York. Additionally, the Giants committed four turnovers, while Dallas had just one. All of which adds up to exactly the kind of result we saw in this game yesterday, as the Cowboys now improve to 10-4 on the season, and just about all but officially wrapped up the NFC East division title. Meanwhile, the Giants dropped to 4-10 on the season and, realistically speaking, whatever small sliver of a chance they had at qualifying for the playoffs is now over. My pick: Inaccurate (clearly the product of wishful thinking)
Buffalo 31, Carolina 14 - The Bills took care of business exactly the way that they needed to. True, they have been experiencing some problems in the past month and change, or so. But on this Sunday, they had to win at home against a weaker opponent, and they did it, leaving really no doubt. The two teams were actually relatively even in some major statistical categories, with Carolina hanging onto the ball for longer, at over 31 minutes. Buffalo produced 312 yards and 21 first downs, to 275 yards and 19 first downs for the Panthers. Both squads committed one turnover each. So simply put, it came down to Buffalo taking better advantage of their opportunities. They seemed to take over the game in the second quarter with two touchdowns before the Panthers answered with a touchdown of their own. A field goal on the last play of the quarter gave the Bills a fairly comfortable 17-8 halftime lead. Buffalo added a touchdown in the third quarter for a dominant 24-8 lead. When the Panthers scored a touchdown in the fourth, the Bills squelched the two-point conversion to keep it a two possession game. Then they effectively iced the win with a 9-play, 46 yard touchdown drive late in the final quarter for what turned out to be the final margin of 31-14. Buffalo improves to 8-6 on the season with the win and remain in decent position in the playoff picture, while the Panthers fall to 5-9. Most likely, they have been eliminated from any realistic chance at qualifying for the postseason. My pick: Accurate
Miami 31, NY Jets 24 - The Jets really hung in there in this game, despite being on the road and playing a better team, one who is making a real run and fostering serious playoff hopes. Yes, Gang Green almost succeeded in playing spoiler. Twice, they had a 10-point lead, and this game was tied in the third quarter and late in the fourth quarter. But the Dolphins with a drive of 9 plays and 78 yards that ate over four minutes of the clock in the second half of the fourth quarter, and which culminated in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa to DeVante Parker, providing the final score, as the Jets were unable to answer. Miami held onto the ball for over 34 minutes. They gained 379 yards and 23 first downs, to just 228 yards and 17 first downs for Gang Green. With the win, the Fins earn their sixth straight win on this incredible run, as they improve to 7-7. As for the Jets, just another loss here, as they now fall to 3-11 on the year. My pick: Accurate
Pittsburgh 19, Tennessee 13 - The Titans should have been able to win this. They were at home against a team that has been seriously struggling as of late, and twice held onto a 10-point lead. But after a field goal that gave them a 13-3 lead for halftime, the Steelers went on a run, shutting out Tennessee for the rest of the game. A touchdown in the third quarter, then three field goals in the fourth, and a Titans team that just could no longer do anything on offense. Despite hanging onto the ball for a whopping 39 minutes and putting up 318 yards and 22 first downs to just 168 yards and 12 first downs for the Steelers, the Titans somehow lost this ball game. Of course, committing four turnovers, while Pittsburgh had none, goes a long way in explaining how that could happen. In the end, the Steelers hung on and earned an important, even a huge win to improve to 7-6-1 on the year. Pittsburgh pulls within half a game of the lead in the AFC North, shared by the Ravens and Bengals, while simultaneously pulling half a game ahead of the Browns. As for the Titans, they fall to 9-5, and while they remain in first place in the divisional race, it is much tighter now. Also, they are almost certainly out of the race for the AFC's top seed now. My pick: Inaccurate
Houston 30, Jacksonville 16 - The Texans scored early and often, taking control of this game between the two teams with the worst records in the AFC. Houston kept the pressure up, and played probably their best game of the season, as they seemingly dominate the Jaguars, despite the two teams being quite even statistically speaking. In fact, the Jaguars held a slight advantage in almost every category. Yet, it is the Texans who earned the win and improve to 3-11, while Jax falls to 2-12 on the year. My pick: Inaccurate
Detroit 30, Arizona 12 – This was one of the most shocking results so far this NFL season. The Cardinals entered this game as arguably the team that looked the best this season, and were tied with the Packers and Buccaneers for the best record in the entire league. Then, they just got blasted by an inspired Lions team that played their best game in years. The Lions defense was spectacular, shutting out Arizona through the first half, and never seriously allowing them to get into the game. Statistically, the game did not look like it should have gone this way. The two teams were more or less even in terms of time of possession, first downs earned, and turnovers. Meanwhile, the Cardinals outgained the Lions, 398 yards to 338 yards. You might be forgiven if you looked at that and assumed that it was a close game. But Detroit was just far better at creating opportunities, and then capitalizing on them, especially in the second quarter, which they managed to dominate and set the tempo for the rest of the game. So the Lions win for only the second time this season and, in so doing, move themselves out of position to get the first overall pick in the next draft, as they improve to 2-11-1. Arizona falls to 10-4 on the season, and are now tied with the Rams in the race for the NFC West division title, and with some tough games still ahead of them. My pick: Inaccurate
Green Bay 31, Baltimore 30 - A huge game for both teams was decided in favor of the road team, the Packers, who now move closer to enjoying home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The two teams were very even in terms of all of the major statistical categories, reflecting just how close this game was on the scoreboard, as well. Indeed, Green Bay seemed to have clinched the game by taking a 31-17 lead midway through the fourth quarter. However, the Ravens stormed back with two touchdowns of their own, although they inexplicably went for the win, rather than the tie, despite being at home. The two-point conversion attempt failed, and Green Bay was able to hold on for the huge win. The Packers improve to 11-3, and now own the best overall record in the entire league all by themselves, and at least appear to be on course to earn that top spot in the NFC playoffs. As for the Ravens, they drop their third straight game. As quickly as seemingly possible, they go from being the AFC's top seed with an 8-3 record to in the battle for their lives not just for the division title, but even for the playoffs, as they fall to 8-6 with neither the division title nor the playoffs a foregone conclusion. That is especially true since they just keep losing, and this has been a really, really bad time for this losing streak. My pick: Inaccurate
Cincinnati 15, Denver 10 - A strange game. Both teams entered with serious playoff hopes. The Broncos actually held the advantage in most statistical categories. Yet it was Cincy that emerged victorious, capitalizing on their opportunities better, and with a defense that just kept frustrating the Broncos. The Bengals improve to 8-6 on the season and hold the advantage in the AFC North race, and look bound for the postseason. Denver falls to 7-7, and hurt their chances. On a more somber note, Teddy Bridgewater suffered a serious injury, and was carted off the field. Let us wish him the best. My pick: Inaccurate
San Francisco 31, Atlanta 13 - These two teams were all nodded up at 10 midway through the second quarter. Then, the 49ers simply took this game over, and dominated the rest of the way, outscoring Atlanta, 21-3 from midway through the second on to the end of the game. The Niners gained 397 yards and 23 first downs to just 275 yards and 13 first downs for the Falcons. With the win, the 49ers improve to 8=6 and improve their chances to reach the playoffs. As for the Falcons, they fall to 6-8 and likely were dealt a critical blow to their flickering playoff hopes. My pick: Accurate
SNF: New Orleans 9, Tampa Bay 0 – If anyone would raise their hands after being asked whether or not this game went the way that they expected, they would have to be lying. Who could have foreseen that the Saints would play the absolutely perfect defensive game here, and manage to shut out Brady and the Bucs at home? It was the first time that a Tom Brady team was shut out in a decade and a half, and this was a big game for Tampa Bay, for that matter. They could have clinched not only a playoff spot, but the NFC South division title with a win, at that. It is still likely that they will be NFC South champions, but they sure were not expecting to be embarrassed at home, where they had been undefeated this season prior to this game. But this was a weekend of shocking results, and this was just another one of those stunning results. The Saints complete a season sweep of Tampa Bay (remember, they beat the Bucs in the first meeting) and now move into the seventh spot in the NFC playoffs at the moment with their second straight win, and move ahead of Washington, at least temporarily. With the win, the Saints improve to 7-7 and are very much alive in the NFC playoff picture, and even remain alive - at least technically - to win the NFC South, although those hopes are on life support. As for the Bucs, they fall to 10-4 and fail to clinch the NFC South title, but remain well on course to get it eventually, although they seriously hurt their chances to earn the top seed in the NFC playoffs. My pick: Inaccurate
Monday Delayed Game: Las Vegas 16, Cleveland 14 - Here we go again. Yet another disappointing, even crushing, loss for Browns fans. They were flirting with being a playoff team, and had amassed some impressive wins in individual games. Yet, they also had suffered some embarrassing and demoralizing losses, as well. This one had to be the worst of them, however. At home by the lake on the frigid football field against a warm weather team, fighting for their playoff lives, the Browns just could not put it together enough to secure a win. The Silver and Black had jumped out to an early 10-0 lead, but Cleveland aswered. First, they got a touchdown to make it a close game in the third quarter. Then, down 13-7 in the fourth, the Browns scored a hue touchdown that appeared to be the game winner, and they were that close to being tied for the lead in the AFC North. But the Raiders just kept hanging in there, and finished the game with a drive of 41 yards on eight plays that ended on the game's final play, which was a successful field goal attempt by Daniel Carlson to clinch a key road win. Strange, the Raiders had seemed dead in the water, but they manage to earn a huge win on the road in a frigid Eastern city against a playoff contending team. Las Vegas improves to 7-7 on the year, and earn only their second win in their last seven games, as they improve to 7-7. As for the Browns, they fall to 7-7, and obviously, behind the Raiders for that playoff spot. However, they are half a game behind Pittsburgh and only one game behind the Bengals and Ravens in the AFC North, so they are far from officially eliminated. But they have to host the Packers on Christmas, then travel to Pittsburgh, before hosting the Bengals in the regular season finale. At least in theory, they still control their own destiny, as wins in all three would surely be enough not only for a spot in the playoffs, but likely a division title, to boot. However, that will not be easy, especially since part of the challenge will be overcoming the crushing disappointment from this result. My pick: Not Accurate
MNF: Minnesota 17, Chicago 9 - This was a classic late season NFC North showdown. An ugly game, very physical and without much scoring on frigid Soldier Field in the Windy City. Ultimately, however, the better team won. Strangely, when you look at the state, you might be forgiven if you assumed that Da Bears had actually won this game. They narrowly won the time of possession battle, but seriously outgained the Vikings on offense with 370 yards and 24 first downs to just 193 yards and 13 first downs for Minnesota. But Chicago also committed three turnovers, while the Vikings committed just one. The Vikings had taken a commanding 10-0 lead by the second quarter, before the Bears finally put some points on the scoreboard with a field goal. But when the Vikings scored a touchdown deep in the third quarter, it was just about desperation time for Da Bears. To their credit, they did finally score a touchdown, but it was literally on the game's final play, by which time the game was decided already. Minnesota improves to 7-7 and, for the moment, they hold onto that seventh and final playoff spot in the NFC. Chicago, meanwhile, drops their third straight game, and are out of the playoff picture altogether now, not having won a game since Thanksgiving, and having lost eight out of their last nine games. My pick: Accurate
Tuesday: LA Rams 20, Seattle 10 - Another one bites the dust. The Seahawks had looked just awful for most of the season, but seemed to be coming on in recent weeks, and maybe could have had a slim chance at a run that might - just might - qualify as a run to reach the playoffs. But this loss here pretty much does away with that. It looked good for them for a while in this game, as they were up 10-3 after scoring a touchdown midway through the third quarter. But the Rams took the game over after that point, scoring two touchdowns to take the lead in the fourth quarter, then adding a field goal late to put the game out of reach. In all, the Rams held onto the ball for over 35 minutes and amassed 332 yards and 20 first downs, to just 214 yards and 13 first downs for Seattle. This win seriously helps the Rams not only to get closer to a spot in the playoffs, but with their hopes for a division title, as they finally manage to pull even with the Cardinals, as the two teams are now tied atop the NFC West. Arizona will have some tough games remaining, but so do the Rams, so this will be an interesting couple of weeks, with the Niners actually hanging in there to this point, as well. As for the 'Hawks, they fall to 5-9 on the season, and are now pretty much eliminated from playoff contention. My pick: Accurate
Tuesday: Philadelphia 27, Washington 17 - Like with the Rams, the Eagles got the job done when they absolutely needed to get it done. They took on a seriously weakened and depleted Washington squad hit hard by Covid, and scrambling to pick up players and form a lineup that could at least get them to field a team. No, the Eagles did not humiliate Washington, did not hand them a record shattering loss, or anything. In fact, this was more competitive than I had assumed it would be. In the end, however what matters most was that the Eagies won this game. Philly dominated the time of possession battle, hanging onto the ball for over 35 minutes. They outgained Washington 519 yards to 237 yards, more than doubling Washington's total. They earned 23 first downs, to just 14 for Washington. Yet, the Eagles also committed two turnovers, and they probably did not take advantage of their scoring opportunities as much as perhaps they should have. However, they nevertheless overcame an early 10-0 first quarter deficit, managing to tie the game up by halftime, then seemingly taking the game over in the third quarter, when they scored 10 points and allowed none. But Washington hung in there, and scored a touchdown themselves to make it a close game. Indeed, Philly was flirting with what would have been a disastrous loss. But the Eagles answered the call when it was time for a gut check. They responded to the touchdown with an eight play, 80-yard drive that took just under four minutes off the clock and which culminated with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts to Greg Ward. That pretty much put the game out of reach, and the Eagles had earned a very important win. Now, Philadelphia improves to 7-7 with a second straight win, and put themselves ahead of Washington in second place in the NFC East, although the two teams will meet again in a couple of weeks. As for Washington, they drop their second straight game to fall to 6-8. This was likely a critical blow to their playoff hopes, hopes that were riding high just a couple of weeks ago, when Washington was holding onto the sixth spot. Right now, however, they are very much on the outside looking in. My pick: Accurate
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