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NY Jets 26, Jacksonville 21 – If you looked at just the statistics in this one, you would be forgiven to assume that the Jaguars wound up winning. They did not. But they held onto the ball for over 32 minutes, gaining 384 yards and 27 first downs to 373 yards and 18 first downs for Gang Green. However, the Jets benefited by one Jaguars turnover, while committing none themselves. This was a back and forth game, and the outcome was in doubt pretty much until the end. However, the Jets earned only their fourth win of the season, while the Jaguars remain the team with the worst overall record in the league at 2-13. My pick: Accurate
Philadelphia 34, NY Giants 10 - The Giants were on the wrong end of payback for beating the Eagles at the Meadowlands a few weeks ago. Philly really pounded the G-Men in this one, as they went on a 34-0 run after Big Blue scored a field goal to take the lead in the second quarter. The Giants scored a mostly meaningless touchdown late in the game during garbage time, when the outcome was no longer in doubt. The Eagles earned 324 yards and 19 first downs to 192 yards and 17 first downs for New York. The Giants also committed two turnovers, while Philly had none. All of which helped to lead to this decisive win, which improves the Eagles to 8-7 on the season, as they improved their chances at qualifying for the postseason. As for the Giants, they fall to 4-11 on the season with their fourth straight loss. My pick: Accurate
Buffalo 33, New England 21 - The Bills got their revenge for the home loss to New England earlier this month, beating the Patriots convincingly at Foxboro. Josh Allen looked like the quarterback who we got used to him being, improvising and hurting the Pats repeatedly with unorthodox plays, throwing for over 300 yards and three first downs. The Bills held onto the ball for over 35 minutes and gained 428 yards and 28 first downs, to just 288 yards and 20 first downs for New England. The Pats held a two game lead in the division just a week and a half ago, but now find themselves in second place after suffering two straight losses, while the Bills have won two in a row. Both teams are 9-6 right now, and while they will likely both reach the playoffs, the division title is still very much up in the air. A solid win for the Bills. My pick: Accurate
LA Rams 30, Minnesota 23 - The Rams took care of business here. They took the early lead and then held on, holding each of Minnesota's comeback attempts at bay. The two teams split the time of possession evenly, each with 30 minutes exactly. The Vikings actually outgained the Rams, 361 yards to 356, although the Rams earned 22 first downs, to 19 for the hometown Vikings. The Rams also overcame three turnovers, while Minnesota had just one. But it was Los Angeles who ultimately held on for this huge win, giving them sole possession of first place in the NFC West for the first time all season at 11-4. As for the Vikings, this loss really hurts their playoff chances, dropping them to 7-8 on the season. My pick: Accurate
Tampa Bay 32, Carolina 6 - The Panthers were 3-0 at one point this season, and in sole possession of first place in the NFC South, and one of only two remaining unbeaten teams in the NFC at the time. They were surprising everyone with their level of success. That was back in September. Now it is late December, and the Panthers are not surprising anyone anymore. They suffer their fifth straight loss here, and got absolutely blasted in the process. The Bucs earned 391 yards and 21 first downs to 273 yards and 16 first downs for Carolina. Tampa Bay took over the game in the second quarter and just never looked back. With this win, Tampa Bay improves to 11-4 on the season and have now clinched the NFC South division title. As for the Panthers, they fall to 5-10. My pick: Accurate
Cincinnati 41, Baltimore 21 - The Bengals jumped out to a commanding 24-7 lead, and then held on for the convincing win. It was a key win, because it pushes them much closer to taking the AFC North division title, as they now have a game lead over the Ravens and a game and a half over the Steelers, and own the tiebreaker advantage over each, having swept both teams. Cincy held onto ball for over 37 minutes and gained a whopping 575 yards and 33 first downs, to just 334 yards and 21 first downs for Baltimore. The Bengals are now 9-6 and close to winning this division, while the Ravens fall to 8-7 with a fourth straight loss, although they still are holding onto that last playoff spot, albeit barely. My pick: My pick: Accurate
Houston 41, LA Chargers 29 - Now, this was one of the most stunning results from this past weekend. The lowly Houston Texans upended the Chargers, who sure looked like they were playoff bound prior to this game. The Texans have struggled on offense all season, nut they looked pretty darn good in this game. They held onto the ball for almost 35 minutes and gained 437 yards and 26 first downs to 417 and 25 first downs. With this win, Houston improves to 4-11 on the season, playing spoilers in a major way to the Chargers in this one. Los Angeles falls to 8-7 on the season, and seriously compromised their playoff chances. My pick: Inaccurate
Chicago 25, Seattle 24 - Now, this felt like a surprising result, even if neither team will be heading to the playoffs. Da Bears benefited by some magic by former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles, who helped lead Chicago to a late, fourth quarter comeback win. The Bears held onto the ball for over 38 minutes, earning 317 yards and 26 first downs to 331 yards and 18 first downs by Seattle. Both teams walk away from this game with identical 5-10 records. My pick: Inaccurate
Kansas City 36, Pittsburgh 10 - The Chiefs jumped all over the Steelers early, and then basically coasted to a convincing win, making it look easy. They had built up a 23-0 lead by halftime, and never allowed Pittsburgh to get seriously back in this one. KC held onto the ball for well over 34 minutes and gained 384 yards and 25 first downs, to just 303 yards and 20 first downs for Pittsburgh. Also, they capitalized on three turnovers by the Steelers, while the Chiefs committed none themselves. This marked the eighth straight win by Kansas City, as they now improve to 11-4 on the season. They also managed to win their sixth straight AFC West division title, since the Chargers rather shockingly suffered an upset loss. It also was enough to make head coach Andy Reid the second winningest head coach in franchise history for regular season wins. As for the Steelers, they fall to 7-7-1 on the season, and hurt their flickering chances of reaching the playoffs. My pick: Accurate
Las Vegas 17, Denver 13 - The Raiders strengthened their positioning in the playoff race by completing the season sweep of the Broncos, who's own playoff hopes are now in critical condition. Las Vegas earned the win as they held onto the ball for well over 36 minutes and piled up 342 yards and 22 first downs on offense, while allowing the Broncos only 158 yards and 8 first downs. That helped them to overcome three turnovers, while Denver had none, which was part of the reason that such a lopsided game statistically still wound up being this close. But the Raiders improve to 8-7, and are tied with the Chargers for second place in the AFC West, while the Broncos fall to 7-8 and in last place in the division. My pick: Accurate
SNF: Dallas 56, Washington 14 - Yikes! It seems like the Cowboys were not only far better than Washington on this day, but that they really made a point of rubbing it in, as well. Actually, believe it or not, Dallas took it a bit easy on Washington after taking a 56-7 lead in the fourth quarter. A touchdown in the final minutes of the fourth quarter made this game look a little bit more respectable than it had previously been. But the 'Boys scorched Washington by accumulating a whopping 497 yards and 28 first downs, to just 257 yards and 14 first downs for the visiting team, who also suffered two turnovers. Dak Prescott was very solid, as he threw for 330 yards and four touchdowns passes. With the win, the Cowboys improve to 11-4 on the season and now officially have clinched the NFC East division title. Washington, meanwhile, falls to 6-9 with a third straight loss, and while they have not yet officially been eliminated, it is only a matter of time now. My pick: Accurate
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