Cincinnati Bengals 34 Philadelphia Eagles 13
It appeared as if the Eagles were in prime position to win this game, taking a 13-10 lead into halftime. However, it got out of control from there, as five total turnovers and 24 unanswered points in the second half for the Bengals doomed a defeated Eagles team. They came into the game not forcing a turnover in five straight games. They broke that streak in this game when DE Brandon Graham had a sack and forced fumble, which was recovered by the Eagles. No positives in the second half for the Eagles.
New York Giants 0 Atlanta Falcons 34
The Giants are probably the most inconsistent team in the NFL, yet they are still being feared as a dangerous team in the playoffs. Their division lead was on the line and the Giants played as if they didn't care. Head coach Tom Coughlin was about the only person to show a sense of urgency, and it probably cost the Giants points in the first half. The Giants went for it on fourth down twice in the first half, failing to convert on both. The second fourth down conversion attempt came with the Giants in excellent field goal range for K Lawrence Tynes. Acting out of desperation down 17-0, Coughlin decided to go for it. That failed and any chance of a momentum swing was doomed.
Denver Broncos 34 Baltimore Ravens 17
The Ravens clinched a playoff berth after the Steelers lost to the Cowboys later in the day. However, the Ravens do not want to go into the playoffs playing the way they're playing right now. Ravens' QB Joe Flacco is still inconsistent, and the Ravens' defense can no longer carry the Ravens the way they used to. If Flacco doesn't get it together starting next week, they could lose the division crown to the Bengals. They don't want that. Meanwhile, the Broncos put themselves in great position for a 2 seed and a first-round bye. Also, they can get a home playoff game against the Patriots. That's critical.
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| Bears' WR Brandon Marshall scores a touchdown in the loss. |
The collapse for the Bears ended when the Packers marched into Soldier Field and got the victory for the NFC North crown. Now the Bears are in a bad spot because they will need to win their final two games and get some help in order to even make the playoffs. Depending on other teams is never a good thing. The Bears have no one to blame but themselves. Everyone said the Bears needed QB Jay Cutler back after QB Jason Campbell played terribly against the Texans and the 49ers. Cutler hasn't been any better, and it's time we start looking at him as a backup quarterback. He's not starter material.
Washington Redskins 38 Cleveland Browns 21
Redskins' QB Kirk Cousins is showing he's starter material. He started off shaky with an interception and the Browns capitalized off that turnover. From there, Cousins was razor sharp and calm in the pocket. I don't think this will create a quarterback controversy, but Cousins could be a starter in this league elsewhere. Will the Redskins look to get rid of him in the offseason so they can surround QB Robert Griffin III with more valuable pieces? That remains to be seen. If I were the Redskins, I'd keep him for a couple more years.
Indianapolis Colts 17 Houston Texans 29
The Colts had their opportunities to steal this game also. It just didn't happen as Colts' QB Andrew Luck completed less than 50% of his passes in the loss. The win for the Texans clinched them the AFC South title for the second consecutive year. The Texans remain the AFC's best team with a 12-2 record, and all they need to do is win their final two to get home-field advantage in the playoffs. If they end up 13-3 and the Broncos end up 13-3 as well, the Texans own the tiebreaker in that scenario so they'll still have the top seed.
Jacksonville Jaguars 3 Miami Dolphins 24
The Jaguars enhanced their chances of getting the first overall pick in next year's draft. Dolphins' QB Ryan Tannehill is showing he can potentially be a franchise quarterback. Tannehill completed 79% of his passes and threw for two touchdowns in the win. Jaguars' QB Chad Henne played in Miami for the first time since leaving in the offseason, and it didn't quite work out for him. The Jaguars were unable to score a touchdown as they dropped to 2-12.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0 New Orleans Saints 41
The Buccaneers were in the Wild Card race with an impressive winning streak in the middle of the season. Then they lost a close one to the Falcons at home. Then they lost a competitive one to the Broncos on the road. Those are two tough games that put the Buccaneers back a little bit. However, it was encouraging to see them compete against the league's better teams. However, there is no explanation for the past two games. An embarrassing home loss to the Eagles is followed up by a 41-point loss to the Saints. That has effectively eliminated the Buccaneers. Buccaneers' QB Josh Freeman threw four interceptions in the loss.
Minnesota Vikings 36 St. Louis Rams 22
This game was surprisingly important for both teams, as both teams came in with six losses. Vikings' RB Adrian Peterson has a personal quest, trying to break Eric Dickerson's season rushing record. Peterson was able to help his team and himself. Peterson rushed for 212 yards, putting him at 1,812 yards with two games to go. The Vikings were up 30-7 at halftime before the Rams started to come back. However, they were unable to complete a comeback and the Vikings have put themselves in nice position. However, they play the Texans and Packers in their last two. Good luck.
Detroit Lions 10 Arizona Cardinals 38
It can't get any worse for the Lions than this loss right here. The Lions came in losers of five straight, but their last four were against teams that will most likely be in the playoffs. This was the perfect game to turn it around a little and try to end the season on a good note, with two home games to end the season. However, the Cardinals interceptions Lions' QB Matthew Stafford three times with two of them being returned for touchdowns. Cardinals' QB Ryan Lindley didn't do anything at all, only throwing for 104 yards with an interception. That makes this loss more disappointing. It was handed to the Cardinals by unforgivable mistakes.
Seattle Seahawks 50 Buffalo Bills 17
The Seahawks took their game to another country, and they kept on rolling. Seahawks' QB Russell Wilson threw for a touchdown but rushed for three more as the Seahawks put up 50 for the second consecutive week. While they appear to be rolling right now, a lot will ride on Friday's appeal for CB Richard Sherman, who's facing a four-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. His partner CB Brandon Browner is already serving his suspension. Losing both will be costly to any success the Seahawks look to have going forward.
Carolina Panthers 31 San Diego Chargers 7
The Chargers come off an impressive road victory against the Steelers, and they follow it up with an embarrassing home loss to the Panthers. I don't know if the Chargers or the Lions are more confusing. The loss eliminated the Chargers from playoff contention, and it also clinched their first losing season since 2003. Chargers' head coach Norv Turner is definitely on his way out, just like the Eagles' Andy Reid.
Kansas City Chiefs 0 Oakland Raiders 15
It just gets worse for the Chiefs. Being shut out by the Raiders is embarrassing. The Raiders didn't do much themselves, surviving off of five field goals from K Sebastian Janikowski. The Chiefs desperately want this season over with. They had their worst season ever in 2008 when they went 2-14. They are heading there again. Unfortunately, head coach Romeo Crennel will most likely be gone.
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| Cowboys' RB Demarco Murray celebrates after scoring touchdown. |
Steelers' QB Ben Roethlisberger was very critical of offensive coordinator Todd Haley after the game. I never agree with a player being critical of his coach after the fact. Roethlisberger may have a good point, as Haley does not fit in with the Steelers at all. However, Roethlisberger easily could've called audibles at the line of scrimmage if he saw something he could've exploited. Roethlisberger has no one to blame but himself. This loss for the Steelers is damaging. They are in danger of missing out on the postseason entirely.
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| 49ers' WR Michael Crabtree scores game-winning touchdown. |
The 49ers were able to overcome questionable calls against them early on to mount a 31-3 lead. However, the Patriots stormed back and tied it at 31 and there was still over five minutes left in the game. That didn't phase the 49ers, as they quickly scored another touchdown and sealed the deal later with a field goal from K David Akers. The Patriots looked rattled after making the comeback, with suspect playcalling and giving up sacks. It appears the genius Bill Belichick didn't have them prepared.
New York Jets 10 Tennessee Titans 14
Unbelievable to think that your season is on the line and you have the Titans to beat and you can't do it. The Jets had playoffs right in front of them, even though they still would've needed help from the Colts, Bengals or Steelers. Taking care of business yourself is the first order. The Jets couldn't do it. Four interceptions from QB Mark Sanchez doomed them, and just as the Jets thought they were getting one final chance after a bad punt from the Titans, Sanchez fumbles the snap away. Just shake your head for that one.
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