NFL Chronicles: Week 14
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by Behbigben15
Sunday Recap:
Yesterday was a very busy day in the NFL, as a few teams were able to clinch their respective divisions (Green Bay, Dallas, and Seattle). Others are still fighting for their lives just to get a Wild Card spot in this year's playoffs. These few factors mean nothing less than exciting football. Several games ended in the last minute or two, but of course there was a few blowouts, as well. Not to mention a few key injuries to add on to a crazy day in the NFL. First off, I would like to point out that Minnesota is on a roll, even without Adrian Peterson racking up Yards, and TD's. Minnesota's number 1 running game ran all over San Francisco, 27-7. But, the usual explosive Peterson ran for just 3 of Minnesota's 117 rushing yards (AP carried the ball 14 effin' times!!!), but Chester Taylor made up for Peterson's lack of success, as he ran for 101 Yards, including an 84-yard TD run. Minnesota is on a 4-game win streak, and at 7-6, could win the wild card in the NFC. The Vikes' face off with Division rivals, the Chicago Bears, and Peterson looks to rebound after his horrific game yesterday. If Minnesota can win their last three games, they will be a lock for a Wild Card spot in the NFC.
The Miami Dolphins wish they were in the same situation as the Vikings are. At 0-13, the Dolphins probably wish they were any other team in the league right about now. Miami is facing the struggling Baltimore Ravens this week, both teams need to get back on track, especially after Baltimore's last two games, which were disastrous. Miami lost 38-17 against their Division rivals, the 7-6 Buffalo Bills, as Buffalo's rookie QB, Trent Edwards had a career day with 241 Yards passing, and 4 TD's. Buffalo's 26-year old RB, Fred Jackson, added 115 Yards rushing. Miami decided not to start rookie QB, John Beck, who did play a little while (1 for 2, 6 passing yards). Starter, Cleo Lemon, threw 2 INT's, and fumbled 4 more times (only 1 was lost). After Miami faces Baltimore at home, they have to travel to New England to take on the perfect New England Patriots (13-0), who are coming off a blowout win over Ben Roethlisberger's Pittsburgh Steelers, 34-13. New England QB, Tom Brady, who is the favorite to win the regular season MVP award, threw for 399 yards (2nd most in his career), and 4 TD's. Two of his receivers, Randy Moss, and Jabar Gaffney had over 100 receiving yards on the night (Moss: 135, Gaffney: 122). Pittsburgh kept up with the now 13-0 Pats up until around 5 minutes into the 3rd QTR, when Brady threw 56-yard bomb to Gaffney to break the game open 24-13.
Okay, enough about the Steelers embarassing loss, who, by the way, are playing the also 9-4 Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday. Jacksonville is the current leader in the AFC Wild Card race, and is one of the most underrated teams. Jacksonville has finally found a decent QB in David Garrard, who has thrown just 1 INT this season. I don't think they have had a decent QB since the lefty, Mark Brunell, in the late 90's. Fred Taylor, their ancient RB (and future HOFer???), helped the Jags roll over 5-8 Carolina Panthers, with his 132 Yards on the ground, and his 80-yard TD run to seal the deal early in the 4th QTR. Garrad has the 3rd highest QB Rating in the NFL (103.3), and Taylor is tied for the 9th most rushing yards (944). Jacksonville improved to 9-4 after their 37-6 win over Carolina.
With QB, Jeff Garica, sitting out due to an injury, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had to look to Luke McCown for a seccond-straight week, but this time McCown was unsuccessful, after their 28-14 loss to the Houston Texans. McCown threw for 266 Yards, and TB's young RB, Earnest Graham, who has done a great job filling in for the injured Carnell Williams, and Michael Pittman, added 2 TD runs. But, Sage Rosenfels' 3 TD passes (to A. Johnson, Owen Daniels, and Kevin Walter) was too much for the young McCown. The loss pushes TB back a little, but, due to a weak Division, Tamp can still have a two game lead over the second-place team even if New Orleans losses tonight. The Tennessee Titans suffered a big blow with their loss, as well. Tennessee had a comfortable 17-3 lead over the San Diego Chargers early in the fourth, but somehow, the beat up Phillip Rivers was still able to lead the Chargers surge in a comeback after a 7-yard pass to Ladainian Tomlinson (LT for short) with 7 1/2 to go. Down 17-10 with under a minute to go, Rivers threw a 2-yard lob pass to TE Antonio Gates, and Nate Kaeding's XP tied up the ballgame at 17. In OT, LT ran for 16-yard TD to win the game 23-17, the win helps SD out a whole lot, giving them a two game lead over the Denver Broncos in the AFC West. The loss, puts Tennessee back at 7-6, and knocks them to a two-way tie with Buffalo, had Tennessee won, they would have been tied with Cleveland for the second Wild Card spot. Tennessee is in a must-win situation this Sunday against Kansas City.
Green Bay clinched the NFC North Division with their 38-7 win over the Oakland Raiders, while Eli Manning, and his New York Giants saved themselves with the 16-13 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, after Philly kicker, David Akers, missed a potential game-tying FG with seconds left. Seattle clinched their Division, as well, with a win over the Arizona Cardinals, 42-21. Seattle had won their 4th straight NFC West title. The Dallas Cowboys survived a BIG scare in Detroit as QB, Tony Romo, lead Dallas on a last-minute scoring drive which ended with a 16-yard pass to TE, Jason Witten. Dallas was down 13 at one point, but Romo used his leadership skills to come back from a 27-14 deficit to win 28-27 over Jon Kitna's Lions. Detroit is pretty much out of the playoff hunt, and if they lose to SD this Sunday, they will be out of it officially. Indianapolis moved up on my power rankings with their 44-20 domination over the Baltimore Ravens last night. Cleveland is still alive, and well into the AFC North Division race, with their 24-18 win over the New York Jets, but it looks like they pretty much have at least a Wild Card spot wrapped up with their 8-5 record, if, and only if they win Sunday's game against Buffalo, and the Steelers beat the Jaguars.
Other Scores From Yesterday:
St. Louis Rams 10 Cincinnati Bengals 19
Kansas City Cheifs 7 Denver Broncos 41
Sunday's Stat Leaders:
Passing:
Tom Brady- 32/46, 399 Yards, 4 TD
Tony Romo- 35/44, 302 Yards, 2 TD
Brett Favre- 15/23, 266 Yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Kurt Warner- 28/46, 337 Yards, 3 TD, 5 INT (reason for loss)
Peyton Manning- 13-17, 249 Yards, 4 TD
Rushing:
Ladainian Tomlinson- 146 Yards
Ryan Grant- 156 Yards
Fred Taylor- 132 Yards
Selvin Young- 156 Yards
Willie Parker- 124 Yards
Receiving:
Plaxico Burress- 136 Yards
Jason Witten- 135 Yards (also had 15 catches, a Dallas franchise record)
Randy Moss- 135 Yards
Greg Jennings- 100 Yards (on just 2 catches, one for a TD)
Anthony Gonzalez- 134 Yards
Awards (after Week 14):
MVP- Tom Brady
Offensive ROY- Adrian Peterson
Defensive ROY- Patrick Willis
ROY- Adrian Peterson
Coach of Year- Mike McCarthy
Surprise team- Cleveland Browns
Biggest Disappointment- St. Louis Rams
My Top 5 Teams:
1. Patriots (13-0)- I think this one's kind of obvious, don't ya think??
2. Cowboys (12-1)- Romo proved he knows how to lead a team on Sunday.
3. Colts (11-2)- Indy moved past the Packers after Manning's dominant win over Baltimore last night.
4. Packers (11-2)- Favre had another great game, as he helped lead his team to the NFC North title.
5. Steelers/Jaguars (9-4)- Both these teams are tied for 5th for right now, but we'll find out the better of the two when they play eachother this Sunday.
Who will win tonight??
Can you say ironic??? Earlier today Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in jail, plus 3 years probation. The Falcons just aren't the Falcons without Vick at QB.
The Saints are going to go back home to New Orleans with a 6-7 record, which will put them right back in the playoff hunt. Even without Reggie Bush (who has been a big disappointment in his short NFL career, so far), the Saints will easily win this one, the Falcons have had a terrible season.
