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| Texans RB Justin Forsett appears to be down, but ran for a touchdown in controversial play. |
Jim Schwartz made a decision that probably cost his team the game. This doesn't mean the Lions didn't have other opportunities to win the game. This was a game the Lions desperately needed if they wanted to keep their playoff hopes alive. With seven losses, the Lions will need to win out and need some help in order to make the playoffs. Usually, fans would have sympathy for a team for what transpired after Texans RB Justin Forsett scored. However, Schwartz was the same guy ripping 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh for not knowing the rules last year during a game.
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| Redskins QB Robert Griffin III celebrates after the victory. |
This was an important game for both teams, but realistically more important for the Cowboys. The Cowboys had an opportunity to improve to 6-5, and with their easy schedule, they had a chance to potentially win the NFC East. Now tied with the Redskins at 5-6, the Cowboys have put themselves in a hole once again. Kudos to Redskins QB Robert Griffin III. He has dominated so far against NFC East opponents. He has Round 2 against the defending champions next Monday.
New England Patriots 49 New York Jets 19
The fumble from Jets QB Mark Sanchez that was picked up and returned for a touchdown by S Steve Gregory is probably the most hilarious highlight of the season for any team. On the subsequent kickoff return for the Jets, RB Joe McKnight fumbled right into the hands of Patriots WR Julian Edelman, who returned that fumble for a touchdown. Patriots fans were clearly having a laugh while the Jets hit a season-low in this performance. It got so bad, fireman Ed is now calling it quits. Not because of the performance, but because of his support of Sanchez. Whatever.
Minnesota Vikings 10 Chicago Bears 28
It was reported that Vikings RB Adrian Peterson missed the team bus from the hotel to Soldier Field. That didn't affect his performance too much. Peterson still rushed for over 100 yards. However, he did lose a fumble, contributing to the Bears easy win. Many people are saying the Bears got back on track because of the return of QB Jay Cutler. Just imagine what Cutler would've done against the 49ers defense last week or the Texans defense in the second half had he not been injured. The Bears simply benefitted from an easy opponent.
Oakland Raiders 10 Cincinnati Bengals 34
That Bengals victory against the Giants two weeks ago is looking like one of the most important wins for any team this season. The Bengals were able to handle the Chiefs easily last week at Arrowhead Stadium. Handling the Raiders was just as easy. Now at 6-5, the Bengals are in the race. They are tied with the Steelers but the Steelers currently hold the tiebreaker because of their win against the Bengals earlier this season. However, if the Steelers don't get QB Ben Roethlisberger back soon, the Bengals will leap frog them and put themselves in prime position for another Wild Card playoff berth.
Pittsburgh Steelers 14 Cleveland Browns 20
Simply put, the Steelers need QB Ben Roethlisberger as soon as possible. Many people believed the Steelers can weather the storm. About three to four years ago, that may have been the case. The Steelers defense is still statistically great, but they're much older now and they need the offense to put up points in order to win games. Finally, the Browns are able to win a close one. Doing it against the Steelers must feel good to Browns fans as well. There is a little upside in Cleveland.
Buffalo Bills 13 Indianapolis Colts 20
The Colts have benefitted from a schedule that has not been tough at all, and they keep coming with the wins. It was a close one against the Bills. Colts QB Andrew Luck didn't get much help from the running game, forcing him into 37 passing attempts. The Colts have relied on his right arm and much improved defense to get by. The Bills, who haven't been to the playoffs since 1999, have to wonder what it's going to take to become a better team. Whatever they're doing now isn't working.
Tennessee Titans 19 Jacksonville Jaguars 24
The Jaguars placed QB Blaine Gabbert on injured reserve, and they probably didn't feel bad about it. After QB Chad Henne's performance against the Texans last week, the Jaguars were glad to insert him as the starter. Henne threw two touchdown passes in leading the Jaguars to a close victory over the Titans. In Titans QB Jake Locker's second game back from injury, he was certainly better than the performance against the Dolphins. Still, he threw two picks in the loss.
Denver Broncos 17 Kansas City Chiefs 9
Defensively, the Chiefs played their hearts out. If only they could get a little more out of their offense. Chiefs QB Brady Quinn only completed 13 out of 25 pass attempts for just 126 yards. It is unfortunate for the Chiefs because their only other option is to go back to QB Matt Cassel, who has not been good in his tenure with the Chiefs. They got solid production out of their run game. They just need a quarterback who can play just a little better than Cassel and Quinn.
Seattle Seahawks 21 Miami Dolphins 24
The biggest story of this game might not be the interruption of the game due to the sprinklers. It may not be the game-winning field goal by K Dan Carpenter. It may be the reported upcoming suspensions for the two starting corners of the Seahawks, CB Richard Sherman and CB Brandon Browner. It was reported immediately after the game, but the Seahawks have yet to comment on it. Sherman has stated he knows he's not guilty and everything will be fine once all the facts come out. They all say that. Whatever the truth is, it may not make a difference. They are currently appealing and are eligible to play this Sunday against the Bears.
Atlanta Falcons 24 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23
Another close game for the Falcons! Another tight victory for the Falcons! This is the life of their season, and they hope to ride it out to New Orleans for the Super Bowl. It would suck for the Falcons to rack up all of these close wins in the regular season, only for them to lose a close one in the playoffs. The Buccaneers came in rolling, so credit the Falcons. However, the Buccaneers lost to the Saints at home and now the Falcons. This season looks like the 2010 season for the Buccaneers also. They are taking care of the easy teams. They are losing to the decent teams and the good teams. The Buccaneers have to get better.
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| Ravens RB Ray Rice picks up incredible first down on 4th and 29. |
There's not much people know about this game except for Ravens RB Ray Rice's 4th and 29 conversion. From the logistics of it all, it appeared the referees were incorrect in their spotting of the football. It was initially marked at the 33 yard line, with the first down being at the 34 yard line. However, replays indicate Rice's knee went down at the 35, and the ball didn't go much further. After the automatic review, the referees determined the ball was at the 33 1/2 yard line when Rice went down. That sounds like a joke, but the Chargers shouldn't have put themselves in that position to give up that many yards on 4th and 29.
St. Louis Rams 31 Arizona Cardinals 17
The Cardinals started the season at 4-0. Everyone was getting praised about how great they were. Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb was praised for turning the corner and becoming a better quarterback. Defensive coordinator Ray Horton was praised for turning around the Cardinals defense. Seven consecutive losses later, the praise has long gone. No one even remembers when the Cardinals beat the Patriots in Gillette Stadium. It seems like it happened last season.
San Francisco 49ers 31 New Orleans Saints 21
This was the first of two NFC Divisional round rematches on this day, and the team who won the divisional game ended up winning this game as well. Remember that thought. 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick was solid, and the 49ers returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the victory. The Saints were lauded for coming back to .500 after starting the season 0-4. However, with their rough schedule, which includes games against the Falcons and the Giants, the Saints just might have to say bye to their playoff chances.
Green Bay Packers 10 New York Giants 38
This was the second NFC Divisional round rematch, and the team who won the divisional game ended up winning this game as well. I told you to remember that thought. This performance from the Giants was totally unexpected. The Giants were reeling going into their bye week. The Packers had won five straight leading up to this game. Many expected the Giants to be rejuvenated after the bye, especially with their division lead slipping. No one thought they would be this dominant. All of a sudden, the Packers are in win-now mode. Four of their next five games are against division opponents. That should win them the division.
Carolina Panthers 30 Philadelphia Eagles 22
When the regular season schedule came out and this game was placed on Monday night, it was billed as a great matchup between two teams with dynamic quarterbacks who would be in playoff contention at this point. I really don't know why people thought that about the Panthers. They got in and over their heads telling fans they will win the Super Bowl this season. The Eagles, however, have been the most disappointing team this season, and their losing streak has no end in sight. Eagles head coach Andy Reid is definitely gone after the season. He should be applauded for not giving up in the worst of times. He could've easily resigned.
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