Tag: games

Week 12: In which quarterbacks play special teams and one division sees zero wins and tight ends get off the turf untouched to run for pay dirt while defensive backs stand by and watch and a team comes back from a 24-point shut out at halftime to win.

Or, just another wild week in the NFL.

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (Saints won, 17-13)

The Saints continue to roll; the Falcons continue to slide.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns (Steelers won, 27-11)

It’s a quarterback! It’s a bumblebee! It’s Ben Roethlisburger punting just for the heck of it! And it was a good one, too, pinning the Browns to their own 1-yard line. Who knew?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions (Buccaneers won, 24-21)

Thank you, Bucs, for going on a timely 3-game win streak to take down the Lions and keep the NFC North standings as-is.

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (Stupid Tie, 26-26 OT)

I could (and likely will) write an entire post on why the NFL needs to do away with ties. Technically it’s a better outcome than a loss…but it’s so wholly unsatisfying. I had never personally experienced a tie as a fan before – the last one for the Packers was in ’87 – but now I feel like I understand firsthand why everyone hates ties so much. The game ends, the score is tied, and you feel…like you just ate a bucket of celery and cucumbers for lunch. It’s kind of healthy, and you’re kind of full, but you’re mostly annoyed that you just ate a bucket of celery and cucumbers for lunch. And you’re still hungry.

I don’t know when or why that would happen, but that’s what I felt like yesterday when the Packers game ended. Celery and cucumbers.

San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (Chargers won, 41-38)

Phillip Rivers had a banner day: throwing for 392 yards and 3 touchdowns, including the game-winner in the waning seconds of the 4th quarter. The Chargers are now back amongst the legion of 5-6 teams in the AFC fighting for a wildcard spot.

Chicago Bears at St. Louis Rams (Rams won, 42-21)

The elder bested the younger in this sibling rivalry game between the Long brothers. It was a bit of a beat down.

Carolina Panthers at Miami Dolphins (Panthers won, 20-16)

Beware, NFC: the Panthers are a force to be reckoned with, and they are only continuing to gain momentum.

NY Jets at Baltimore Ravens (Ravens won, 19-3)

I think we can safely say the Ravens defense is back.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (Jaguars, 13-6)

This is just unfathomable. What a season in Houston.

Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals (Cardinals won, 40-11)

Since beating the Broncos in Peyton’s return to Indy in Week 7, the Colts have won two games by 3-points each and have lost two games by a collective 59-points. 59-points! On the flip side, the Cardinals have quietly snuck into prime wildcard contention in the NFC West.

Tennessee Titans at Oakland Raiders (Titans won, 23-19)

The Titans made their way to the top of that 5-6 pile in the AFC with Sunday’s win over the Raiders.

Dallas Cowboys at NY Giants (Cowboys won, 24-21)

This was my favorite play of the day.

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots (Patriots won, 34-31 OT)

The 14th Brady vs. Manning game wrapped up early this morning, around 12:30am. And it was worth every minute. In a nutshell: the Patriots fumbled on their first 3 drives of the first half, scored on their first 3 drives of the second half, and kicked an easy field goal to end it after a terrible mistake by the Broncos special teams in overtime. In case you missed it: this game was 24-0, Broncos at halftime. What a classic.

San Francisco 49ers at Washington Redskins (MNF on ESPN)

Surprisingly, the Niners would fall to 6-5 and 3rd in the NFC West with a loss tonight. They could use this win. But so could the Redskins, if for nothing more than a morale boost.

Bye Week: Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks

Think wins and losses were pretty straightforward in Week 11 before the games even started? Think again! It was a week in which we relearned the weekly NFL lesson: you can never assume that you know what you don’t know. Anyone can win at anytime in this league.

Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans (Colts won, 30-27)

The Colts are the definition of a team that can never be counted out. They are the best in the business at the comeback win. Beyond that, they still have yet to lose back-to-back games under second-year head coach Chuck Pagano.

NY Jets at Buffalo Bills (Bills won, 37-14)

The Jets odd-numbered-week win streak came crashing to a halt on Sunday. For whatever reason the Jets seems to struggle to win in Buffalo, and Sunday was no exception. It was a long one for Gang Green.

Baltimore Ravens at Chicago Bears (Bears won, 23-20 OT)

It seems like the ultimate in irony that a game delayed nearly 2 hours by severe weather would go into overtime. Total time: 6 hours, 19 minutes.

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals (Bengals won, 41-20)

The Browns came out with guns blazing, putting up 13 unanswered points in the 1st quarter, and then the game was played backwards in the 2nd quarter. Literally. The Bengals scored 31 unanswered points in the 2nd quarter.

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Buccaneers won, 41-28)

This has to be the low point for Atlanta, right?

Arizona Cardinals at Jacksonville Jaguars (Cardinals won, 27-14)

The Jags scored 14 points in the first quarter…and then decided to be done for the day. And the Cardinals were ok with that!

Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans (Raiders won, 28-13)

Way to go, Rookie. Raiders rookie backup QB Matt McGloin threw three touchdowns and no interceptions to lead the Raiders to the win against the Texans – who could probably use some of that good QB fortune on their side. Keenum was benched, Schuab was booed, mayhem ensued.

Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles (Eagles won, 24-16)

The losing streak is over: For the first time in over a year, the Eagles won at home. Philadelphians, rejoice! Or complain at a lower level of intensity!

Detroit Lions at Pittsburgh Steelers (Steelers won, 37-27)

When FOX switched to this game in the middle of the Redskins at Eagles game, my mom looked up at the TV, saw the Steelers throwback unis, and said, “Is this game sponsored by Honey Nut Cheerios?” It made my day. As did the Steelers handing the Lions an unlikely loss.

San Diego Chargers at Miami Dolphins (Miami won, 20-16)

Who wants the last wildcard slot in the AFC? Apparently no one in particular, since there are two 5-5 teams and seven 4-win teams who are all in the running for that last spot, Chargers and Dolphins among them.

Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks (Seahawks won, 41-20)

The last time the Seahawks lost at home it was the night before Christmas…2011. Apparently they were really, really good and Santa put nearly two years of home wins under their tree the next morning.

San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints (Saints won, 23-20)

The Saints are used to winning by multiple touchdowns at home, but I think they’ll take this hard fought home win against the Niners all the same.

Green Bay Packers at NY Giants (Giants won, 27-13)

This was a game until JPP made a crazy athletic pick six in the 3rd quarter. And then it was over. I’m borrowing hope from the fact that the Giants opened the season 0-6 and still have a shot to make the playoffs (because they play in the NFC East) to help heal the pain of the Packers losing three straight for the first time since Aaron Rodgers’ first year as a starter in 2008.

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos (Broncos won, 27-17)

Peyton Manning is a walking advertisement for athletic tape right now; his ankles were just about mummified when he took the field last night. But they didn’t take any extra beatings last night, since Manning did not get hit once in the entire game. That’s unreal. Kudos to his quick decision making and Denver’s O-line for keeping the Kansas City defense at bay. The Chiefs will be ready and waiting for a rematch at home in 2 weeks.

New England Patriots at Carolina Panthers (MNF on ESPN)

I am so excited for this Monday night matchup. The Panthers have a real shot to win this one and prove that last week’s win against the Niners wasn’t just a lucky fluke. But then again…who in their right mind would ever count the Patriots out? As Mr. T would say, I pity the fool who underestimates the tandem power of Brady and Belichick.

Bye: Dallas Cowboys, St. Louis Rams

Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings (Vikings won, 34-27)

Credit where credit is due: prior to leaving in the 3rd quarter with an injury, Vikings QB Christian Ponder went 17 of 21 for 174 yards and two touchdowns and one interception. Not amazing, but not too shabby for a guy who doesn’t get much r-e-s-p-e-c-t.

Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons (Seahawks won, 33-10)

Stick a fork in the Falcons. They’re done.

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears (Lions won, 21-19)

This NFC North matchup was everything it was promised to be. Megatron and his two second half touchdowns sealed the deal for the Lions, who now own first place in the division.

Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers (Eagles won, 27-13)

The Packers own first place in the game they are playing, called Let’s See How Many Backups We Can Field In One Season. All appearances would suggest they are a lock to win it.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (Jaguars won(!), 29-27)

The Jaguars can breathe a sigh of relief: they will not be the 2013 version of the winless ’08 Lions. Your move, Tampa Bay.

St. Louis Rams at Indianapolis Colts (Rams won, 38-8)

Not to take anything away from the Rams, who played very well, but this was a complete collapse by the Colts. And likely the worst game of Andrew Luck’s life: 29 of 47 for 353 yards, 1 TD, and 3 INT’s. That’s a bad day at the office right there.

Oakland Raiders at NY Giants (Giants won, 24-20)

The Giants are officially on a 3-game winning streak. It wouldn’t be news in any other season, but in this one, it’s cause for major celebration – especially considering that two other NFC East rivals fell (Redskins and Cowboys) this week.

Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers (Steelers won, 23-10)

This wasn’t quite the welcome back party Bills fans were anticipating with EJ Manuel back in the lineup.

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (Ravens won, 20-17 OT)

The Bengals, somehow, came all the way back from a 17-point deficit, thanks in part to an insane AJ Green TD catch. (Even more insane than is usual insane TD catches.) But in the end it wasn’t enough to best the Ravens, who are now only one game behind the Bengals in the wide open AFC North.

Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers (Panthers won, 10-9)

This was the litmus test for the Panthers. They had won four straight…but not against teams like the 49ers…and the 49ers coming off a bye and playing at home, no less. With their fifth straight win coming against the well-rested defending NFC Champs and a Carolina defense that looks scary good, the Panthers can officially be recognized as the real deal.

Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers (Broncos won, 28-20)

Cue the script for the rest of the week in the world of sports: Is Peyton ok? It’s a legitimate question – one we’ll get more answers to after his MRI today – and one that will be talked to death until the Broncos hit the field against the undefeated Chiefs next Sunday.

Houston Texans at Arizona Cardinals (Cardinals won, 27-24)

That fork we used for the Falcons? Feel free to stick it in the Texans. It’s kind of hard to believe they’ve dropped to 2-7.

Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints (Saints won, 49-17)

In Friday’s post we had talked about both the Saints and the Cowboys needing a big statement win after their mediocre Week 9 games. The Saints certainly held up their end of the bargain on that one; it was a thorough stomping.

Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (MNF on ESPN)

Florida football has seen brighter days, that’s for sure. The fallout in Miami gets a little messier every day and the Bucs – afflicted with MRSA, an ousted QB, and generally bad play – are still looking for their first win. Tonight might be their best chance to get it.

Bye: Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, NY Jets

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Panthers won, 31-13)

Who would have guessed at the start of the season that at the halfway point the Buccaneers would still be winless? It’s probably safe to say that things will probably get worse before they get better.

Dallas Cowboys at Detroit Lions (Lions won, 31-30)

I was watching the end of this game, rejoicing in the winning pick of the Cowboys that would give me the edge in our family fantasy league and an NFC North team loss, when the Lions charged down the field to score and win in the final minute of regulation. It kind of took the wind out of my sail…but mostly, it was awesome. That’s why we love football.

Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs (Chiefs won, 23-17)

Hail to the Chiefs, who remain unbeaten and are making a legitimate run at taking the AFC West title from the reigning Broncos.

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (Patriots won, 27-17)

Apparently Tom Brady started celebrating Halloween early with a freaky right hand. But because of his year-round magical powers, it didn’t seem to hinder him any.

Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints (Saints won, 35-17)

The Bills almost gave the Saints a run for their money there at the beginning, but the Saints are so hard to beat at home. Especially when the “limited” Jimmy Graham plays like a beast.

NY Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (Giants won, 15-7)

The Giants and Eagles practiced solidarity in this one. No one really felt like scoring offensive touchdowns, so they let their defense and special teams do all the scoring. Someone probably needs to go get Giants’ kicker Josh Brown an ice pack.

San Francisco 49ers at Jacksonville Jaguars (49ers won, 42-10)

We’re sorry, London. That was a rough one.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Oakland Raiders (Raiders won, 21-18)

Raiders QB Terrelle Pryor now owns the record for longest touchdown run by a quarterback with his 93-yard touchdown run on Sunday. He has taken this starting job…and is literally running with it.

(I’m sorry. I had to.)

NY Jets at Cincinnati Bengals (Bengals won, 49-9)

More Halloween fun in the AFC. This time, slaughter-themed.

Washington Redskins at Denver Broncos (Broncos won, 45-21)

This one was really close until the Broncos opened up a little slaughter fest of their own and scored 38 unanswered points in the second half in Coach Shanahan’s return to Denver.

Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals (Cardinals won, 27-13)

Even more surprising than the Bucs fall from grace is their fellow NFC South team’s demise. It’s shocking to see the Falcons at  2-5 on the season.

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (Packers won, 44-31)

Watching Aaron Rodgers throw a ball is an exercise in leaving your mouth hanging ajar. He’s just so good.

Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams (MNF on ESPN)

Rams second strong QB Kellen Clemens will be meeting the Legion of Boom tonight. Chances are he won’t be looking to repeat the introduction anytime soon.

Bye: Chicago Bears, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans

Would you like your Week 7 with a side of injuries? Or maybe you’d like to make them your main dish? No problem. The NFL was awash with big ticket injuries this week – along with a bunch of great games. Here’s the recap!

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (Seahawks won, 34-22)

The Seahawks are rolling, that’s for sure. The Cardinals? They’re hanging in there.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons (Falcons won, 31-23)

A win is a win, even if it comes against a winless team. And the Falcons certainly needed a win.

Cincinnati Bengals at Detroit Lions (Bengals won, 27-24)

Another week, another game-winning field goal by Bengals kicker Mike Nugent. He’s incredible.

Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs (Chiefs won, 17-16)

The Chiefs squeaked by the Texans to remain unbeaten. The good news for Houston: Case Keenum, rookie starter at QB, looks like the real deal. The bad news for Houston: Brian Cushing broke his leg and tore his ACL and, clearly, will be out for the rest of the season. A crushing blow considering Cushing mised almost all of last season with a torn ACL on the same leg.

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins (Bills won, 23-21)

AFC East Shakeup: Part I. The Bills win in Miami with standout defense.

New England Patriots at NY Jets (Jets won, 30-27 OT)

AFC East Shakeup: Part II. The Jets win in overtime at home against the Patriots with standout defense…and an odd, but correct, penalty call at the end of the game.

Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (Cowboys won, 17-3)

The Eagles score also indicates the number of the quarterback they’re on at this point: QB 3, Matt Barkley, rookie out of USC. Vick and Foles are both injured.

Chicago Bears at Washington Redskins (Redskins won, 45-41)

Now, who predicted this one? A high-scorer with the Redskins coming out on top in the final seconds? It’s this sort of craziness that makes us love the NFL. Bears QB Jay Cutler may not love the NFL all too much right now – or at least not the groin injury that sidelined him in the middle of the game and looks like it might keep him there for a few weeks.

St. Louis Rams at Carolina Panthers (Panthers won, 30-15)

It’s not a happy Monday morning for the Rams or their fans. Franchise QB Sam Bradford was having the best season of his career thus far and will now miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. Huge blow for him and for the Rams, who only have one other quarterback (Kellen Clemens) on the roster and will definitely be hiring another this week.

San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars (Chargers won, 24-6)

I was wrong. My upset pick upset me.

San Francisco 49ers at Tennessee Titans (49ers won, 31-17)

Let’s just say it was a rough welcome back for Titans QB Jake Locker, who returned after missing several weeks with a hip injury.

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers (Steelers won, 19-16)

Interesting stat on this rivalry: the last 6 regular season games in Pittsburgh against the Ravens have all been decided by 3 points. It’s always a good time when these two teams get together.

Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers (Packers won, 31-13)

Glad to see my construction workers Packers won this one.

Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts (Colts won, 39-33)

What a NIGHT. It was an emotional return to Indy for Peyton – and for everyone watching the game and crying on their couch as he ran in to overwhelming cheers. Even though it was a rough start for the Broncos and he nearly engineered a signature Manning comeback win, the Colts were the better team on the field last night. They look like the real deal.

Minnesota Vikings at NY Giants (Monday night on ESPN)

Both of these teams are desperate for a win, but I’d venture to say the Giants are more desperate. In every way.

Bye Week: Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints

 

Team in trouble? Lost your QB? Facing a fierce foe? No problem! This was the week of close calls – few of them wins for the underdog – but closer than expected all the same. Let’s review:

NY Giants at Chicago Bears (Bears won, 27-21)

To get the week off to a great start, this one was a lot closer than most people expected it to be. But the interceptions (among other things) are killing the Giants. To their credit, Chicago is really good at causing turnovers. And to their credit, the Giants are really good at turning it over this season.

Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills (Bengals won, 27-24 OT)

Apparently Buffalo is on a quarterback streak. Thad Lewis started for the ailing EJ Manuel after being promoted from the practice squad earlier this week and he did a great job holding down the fort against a solid team.

Detroit Lions at Cleveland Browns (Detroit won, 31-17)

Matthew Stafford must have ripped the top off a can of spinach and downed it at halftime. He and the Lions trampled all over the Browns in the second half, scoring 24 unanswered points.

Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (Chiefs won, 24-7)

It’s good for football when the Chiefs and Raiders are competitive, and it’s been awhile since that has happened. This game was a good start – and holy sacks! After tasting the turf TEN TIMES it’s no wonder Raiders QB Terrelle Pryor had so many interceptions.

Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings (Panthers won, 35-10)

Unless you are a Panthers fan you were probably hoping this one would end in a win for the Vikings after what Adrian Peterson endured last week. Good showing by the Panthers all the same.

Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Eagles won, 31-20)

Well hey there, Nick Foles! The Eagles backup QB had quite a day against the plague-infested Bucs.

Green Bay Packers at Baltimore Ravens (Packers won, 19-17)

The Packers may have lost wide receivers James Jones and Randall Cobb but came away with a win. And a lot of confidence in the leading scorer…kicker Mason Crosby.

St. Louis Rams at Houston Texans (Rams won, 38-13)

Apologies to the good fans out there, but the Texans deserved to lose this one based on fan behavior (or misbehavior) alone. It’s time for the league to step in and address out of control fanatics. As fate would have it, after cheering when Matt Schaub went down with an injury and backup T.J. Yates came in, Yates proceeded to throw a Pick 6…the very thing that has been haunting Schaub as of late.

Pittsburgh Steelers at NY Jets (Steelers won, 19-6)

The defense looks to be back in Pittsburgh, as are the wins as a result.

Tennessee Titans at Seattle Seahawks (Seahawks won, 20-13)

And the streak continues: 11 consecutive home wins. Although the Titans did put up a good fight in this round.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos (Broncos won, 35-19)

This one could have been a lot worse – in fact, it was only a 2-point game at the half. Nicely done, Jags.

New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots (Patriots won, 30-27)

This game came down to one factor: Tom Brady being Tom Brady. In what has to be one of his most gratifying wins, Brady led the Patriots down the field at lightening speed in the last minute for a game-winning touchdown. It was awesome.

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (49ers won, 32-20)

Four forced turnovers sealed the deal for the Niners in this one.

Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys (Cowboys won, 31-16)

A collective sigh of relief was probably exhaled last night in Dallas by fans of both teams – the Cowboys didn’t look rattled after their heartbreaker of a loss last week, and RGIII definitely looks like RGIII again.

Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers (MNF on ESPN)

Bolts vs. Colts should be a great matchup in the Normal Girl Game of the Week. Can’t wait to see how this one shapes up for both teams.

Bye: Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins