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Before I get into each individual game, something happened this weekend that was a strange kind of history. And I, for one, am glad about it.
You see, two of the franchises that have epitomized struggles and failures - as well as heartbreak for their fans - are enjoying tremendous success this season. That would be the Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Browns. Both are teams from rough cities in the Rust Belt, and both cities have seen better days.
The Lions defeated the Vikings on the road in Minnesota. They improved to 11-4 on the season, and thus finally clinched the NFC North division title, which they have dominated all season. It is the first division title win for the team since 1991, which means that they get to host a playoff game for the first time since then. The last time that they won a playoff game was way back in 1991. I was a senior in high school. At the beginning of that season, I did not even have my license yet. The Soviet Union dissolved while that season was going on. Bill Clinton emerged as the likely nominee for the Democrats, but was still largely considered an upstart candidate who seemed likely to lose to incumbent President George H. W. Bush. War was raging in the former Yugoslavia. South Africa was beginning to get rid of apartheid, but it was still going to be a struggle. And a punk band from Seattle, Nirvana, was only beginning to get really big with "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Let's see if the Lions can use their home field advantage that they earned for their first playoff game this season and finally give their fans another playoff win.
SportsCenter @SportsCenter
The Browns and Lions have both won 10 games in the same season for just the second time in NFL history.
Last time it happened was in 1953
https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1739093244993036491?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Sunday:
NY Jets 30, Washington 28 - Gang Green very nearly blew a big 20-point lead, as the Commanders came roaring back. However, the Jets managed to hang on, but only just. Statistically, they still dominated, hanging onto the ball for over 36 minutes while earning 381 yards and 26 first downs, to just 245 yards and 18 first downs for Washington. So the Jets get another win, and hand Washington their sixth straight loss. My pick: Accurate
Cleveland 36, Houston 22 - The Browns dominated this one, thus almost assuring themselves a playoff spot. They were dominating on the scoreboard for much of the game, until Houston managed to score some rather hollow points at the end to make this one look more respectable. But Cleveland won vey convincingly on the road, getting a tough win that not everybody thought they could earn. As for the Texans, this one set them back, and casts some doubts about whether or not they can qualify for the postseason. My pick: Inaccurate
Green Bay 33, Carolina 30 - The Packers struggled, as the surprising Panthers managed to make Green Bay earn this one. It looked as if the Pack had blown a tight 13-10 game open with 10 unanswered points late in the second quarter, to take a comfortable 23-10 lead into the locker rooms by halftime. But Carolina fought back, and made this a close game. A missed PAT seemed to prove costly, although the Packers broke a tied game in the final seconds with a successful field goal attempt that lifted them to victory. Green Bay improved to 7-8 on the year, but they still need some serious help to qualify for the postseason. My pick: Accurate
Atlanta 29, Indianapolis 10 - The Colts got off to a solid start, taking an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter. But then, the Falcons answered, and kept answering. They dominated the game by capitalizing on their scoring opportunities, while Atlanta's tough defense made sure that they clamped down on any Indianapolis scoring opportunities. The result was that after that initial TD by Indy, they were outscored 29-3 the rest of the way. Atlanta improves to 7-8 to keep their playoff hopes, and even their division title aspirations, alive. Meanwhile, the Colts fall to 8-7 on the season. My pick: Accurate
Seattle 20, Tennessee 17 - The Titans tend to be fairly tough at home, and were in this one, as well. It was a back-and-forth affair, and Tennessee looked capable of winning almost until the end. But the Seahawks delivered when they absolutely had to, as quarterback Geno Smith capped a 14-play, 75 yard drive by Seattle with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson with just under a minute left to play. That lifted the Seahawks to their second straight win, as they improved to 8-7 on the season. My pick: Accurate
Detroit 30, Minnesota 24 - Detroit kept one step ahead of the hometown Vikings, jumping ahead early and continually keeping the pressure on. The Vikings kept having to battle uphill, fighting from behind and doing everything possible just to get back into the game. At one point in the third quarter, Minnesota took a brief lead. But to their credit, the Lions kept their composure and responded immediately with a touchdown to retake the lead quickly. Another touchdown early in the fourth quarter made things very difficult for the Vikings. They managed to score a touchdown, but could not get another to take this game, giving the Lions the win, which clinched the NFC North division title for them. My pick: Accurate
Tampa Bay 30, Jacksonville 12 - Is it time to start wondering what's wrong with the Jaguars yet? They looked lifeless in the first half and through most of the third quarter, allowing the Bucs to take a commanding 30-point lead, and putting this game out of reach before Jax finally even got on the scoreboard. This was the fourth straight loss for the Jaguars, who at one point looked like they might be one of the elite teams in the AFC but have since fallen to 8-7. As for the Bucs, they improve to 8-7 with this win, which was their fourth straight, and are now in sole possession of first place in the NFC South. My pick: Inaccurate
Miami 22, Dallas 20 - What a game! In what proved to be a back and forth affair, the Cowboys seemed to have possibly come up with the comeback win when Dak Prescott capped a 17-play, 69 yard drive with an 8-yard TD pass to Brandon Cooks. The extra point gave Dallas a narrow 20-19 lead. However, the Dolphins used the ensuing drive to hold onto the ball until the last play, which was a successful 29-yard field goal attempt by placekicker Jason Sanders to cap a 12-play, 64-yard drive. That was enough to lift Miami to victory, as they improve to 11-4 and retain their two-game lead over Buffalo in the AFC East. As for Dallas, this loss proved costly, as they now trail the Eagles by a game in the NFC East. My pick: Accurate
Chicago 27, Arizona 16 - The Bears jumped ahead with three touchdowns by the midway point of the second quarter, to grab a 21-0 lead. The Cardinals fought back, getting a touchdown just before the half, and then a field goal early in the third quarter. They even pulled to within 8 points at one point. But Chicago did enough to earn the win in this one. My pick: Inaccurate
Sunday Night Football - New England 26, Denver 23 - The Broncos seemed to be well on their way to a win early on, after forcing a New England turnover, and then getting a touchdown out of that in the first quarter. But then, however, the Patriots dominated most of the rest of the way. They outscored Denver 23-0 in the second and third quarters. And while Denver did get two touchdowns in the fourth to tie the game, the Pats earned the win when placekicker Chad Ryland split the uprights on a 56-yard field attempt with two seconds left. New England improves to 4-11 on the year, while the Broncos fall to 7-8. This loss may have been fatal to their playoff hopes. My pick: Inaccurate
Christmas Day Games:
Las Vegas 20, Kansas City 14 - The Raiders defense played exceptionally well, forcing two KC turnovers and holding the Chiefs to just one touchdown until the final minutes of the fourth quarter. But by then, it was pretty much too late. KC was unable to complete a comeback, and the Raiders managed to earn an impressive division win against a tough rival on the road to improve to 7-8 and keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Kansas City will still likely win the division title, which would make eight straight seasons. But they still look shaky and suspicious at the moment. My pick: Inaccurate
Philadelphia 33, NY Giants 25 - The G-Men fell too far behind early for their comeback attempt to be complete in the end. They got within five late in the fourth to give themselves a chance. But Philly deserved this win, producing 465 yards to just 292 for New York, and doubling the amount of first downs BIg Blue got, 28 for Philly to just 14 for New York. The Eagles also controlled the clock efficiently, hanging onto the ball for well over 34 minutes and change. All of which means that Philly ends their three-game skid and improves to 11-4 on the year. They also assume sole possession of first place in the NFC East again with this win, coupled with the Dallas loss. My pick: Accurate
Monday Night Football: Baltimore 33, San Francisco 19 - This one came as a surprise. The battle of the two top teams in the league was won by the team that most people assumed would lose. That includes me, as I got this wrong. Lamar Jackson played spectacularly well, throwing for 252 yards and two TD's, while adding 45 more yards rushing. The Niners committed five turnovers in all, with Brock Purdy throwing four picks. The Ravens defense showed that they are for real. Baltimore just was thoroughly dominant in this one. My pick: Inaccurate
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