NFL 2024 Week 14 Review

For the most part, I was able to watch the end of the Lions-Packers game on Thursday and, on Sunday evening, the end of the Rams-Bills game.

Both of those proved to be entertaining and competitive games. The Rams-Bills game was the highest scoring game of this season thus far, with a combined 86 points (Rams 44, Bills 42) and 902 total yards (Rams 457, Bills 445). The two teams combined for an NFL record, as they had five passing and five rushing touchdowns combined. And Josh Allen keeps making a strong case for MVP, as he became the first quarterback to throw for three touchdowns and run for three touchdowns in the same game. Still, in this case, it was a losing cause. Buffalo also made another kind of history, although this is a stat that they might not want. They became the first team in NFL history to score six touchdowns and not commit a single turnover, yet to still wind up losing.

It looked for a while in the third quarter that it would simply be a convincing Rams win. But the Bills, to their credit, fought back and made this actually a rather exciting game. Still, while the comeback made the came close and exciting, it fell short. Thus, Buffalo's streak of seven straight wins was snapped. With the loss, they once again are tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the second seed in the AFC.

Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs put some cushion between themselves and the Bills, the only team so far this season who has managed to best them. Buffalo had been breathing down KC's back, only one game behind. But their loss, coupled with the Chiefs managing to escape with a win against the Chargers, now gives KC a two game lead in the race for the top seed overall in the AFC, and home field advantage (as well as the bye, of course) that comes with it. 

My Giants remain one of the worst teams - if not possibly the worst team - in the league. They found a new way to lose, as a late field goal that would have tied the game and likely forced overtime was instead blocked. The Saints thus preserved their 14-11 lead, and earned a win that keeps their playoff hopes, and NFC South Division hopes, alive. As for Big Blue, they really have a chance at the first overall pick in the draft if they keep playing the way that they have been playing this season. There was a plane which flew near the stadium, asking Giants president and CEO John Mara to "Plz fix this dumpster fire."

This loss to the Saints was the eighth straight loss for the Giants, and sank their overall record this season to 2-11. Currently, they are tied with the Raiders for the worst overall record in the NFL. One of those two teams is likely to get the first overall pick in the draft after this season ends.

Yikes.

That other New York team, the one which tried to hype all of their fans for the past two seasons with Super Bowl hype, also lost. They did go into overtime in their divisional game in Miami against the Dolphins. The Jets are better this season than the G-Men, but not by much. This loss - their ninth loss in the last ten games) dropped them to 3-10 on the season. They currently possess the longest active playoff drought, having not qualified since the 2010 season. For all intents and purposes, they surely are not going to be going to the playoffs at the end of this season, either, so that drought will continue.

Elsewhere, Seattle managed to pull off an impressive road win against the Cardinals in Arizona. The Cardinals got off to a wonderful start with an early touchdown to go up 7-0. But the Seahawks owned the game from that point onward. Ultimately, Seattle won the game, 30-18. It was their fifth straight win, and allows them to maintain a hold on sole possession of first place in the NFC West. 

However, while they gained ground against the Cardinals, both the Rams and the 49ers won. I already mentioned the Rams, who had a very impressive win over the Bills to improve to 7-6, the first time that they had a winning record this season. The 49ers also stayed within two games of the Seahawks after beating Chicago, 38-13. So the NFC West remains a tight race, one that is simply too close to call at this point.

Philadelphia stayed hot, holding off the Carolina Panthers, 22-16. Saquon Barkley had another great day, pounding out 124 yards on 20 carries. This allowed him to set a new franchise record for most rushing yards in a single season, a truly incredible accomplishment. Also, this was a ninth straight win for the Eagles, allowing them to keep pace with the also 11-2 Minnesota Vikings, and to stay on the heels of the 12-1 Detroit Lions in the race for homefield advantage in the NFC. 

Speaking of Minnesota, they hosted the Falcons yesterday. And after some early struggled and a surprisingly competitive first three quarters (the two teams were tied, 21-21, at the end of the third quarter), the Vikings really exploded and secured a convincing win in the fourth quarter. Former Jets QB completed 22 of 28 passes for 348 yards and threw five touchdown passes. Truly a banner day for him, career highs. The Vikings get past the Falcons, with their old quarterback, Kirk Cousins, at the helm, and improve to 11-2. Meanwhile, Atlanta dropped their fourth straight and fall to 6-7. They now are one game behind first place Tampa Bay, who beat the Raiders, 28-13 to improve to 7-6, and now own sole possession of first place in the NFC South. And the New Orleans Saints, who I mentioned earlier with their win over the Giants, are a game behind the Falcons for second place in the division at 5-8.

This evening, two struggling teams, both with flickering playoff hopes, squared off when the Cowboys hosted the Bengals in Big D. Cincy came in with a 4-8 record, despite Joe Burrow having a solid season thus far. The Cowboys, meanwhile, entered with a 5-7 record, but are on the very bottom among NFC playoff contenders at this point in the season. In a tight game that could really have gone either way, the Bengals ultimately managed to pick up the crucial victory which keeps their flickering playoff hopes alive. The Cowboys, meanwhile, lost ground in their hunt for the playoffs. Both teams walk away from this game with identical 5-7 records. 

Giants lose as plane banner implores 'fix this dumpster fire' by Jordan Raanan, ESPN Staff Writer, Dec 8, 2024:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/42862259/giants-lose-plane-banner-implores-fix-dumpster-fire