Detroit 19, Dallas 20
Hard to say what exactly happened at the end of the game, but this back and forth affair ended with the Cowboys taking a 20-13 lead with only 1:41 left and the Lions drove the field. Amon-Ra St. Brown scored a touchdown with only 23 seconds left. The two-point conversion was successful, but then had a failure to report penalty. Several plays and penalties later, the attempt was unsuccessful and no one is happy other than the Cowboys who maybe got a win they didn’t earn.
Jared Goff passed for 271 yards and a touchdown but also two interceptions. Amon-Ra St. Brown (6-90, TD) and Sam LaPorta (7-84) were the top receivers and Jameson Williams added a 63-yard catch. David Montgomery ran for 65 yards and a score on 14 carries and Jahmyr Gibbs settled for 43 yards on his 15 carries. The Lions struggled against the Dallas defense but a few nice plays and a masterful final drive kept them in the game.
Dak Prescott threw for 345 yards and two touchdowns. CeeDee Lamb set a franchise record with 227 yards on 13 catches with one score – and should have been two had he not fumbled out of the endzone. Brandin Cooks was the only other receiver with more than 33 yards. Tony Pollard gained 49 yards on 16 carries as the Cowboys lack of a rushing game led to the Lions getting that final drive.
Miami 19, Baltimore 56
When the No. 1 seed plays the No. 2 seed and wins by 37 points, maybe seeds No. 2 to No. 16 just do not matter. The Ravens cruised to an impressive win that wraps up the No. 1 seed and the Ravens look like the team to beat in the NFL – if that is possible.
Tua Tagovailoa played without Raheem Mostert and Jaylen Waddle, and settled for 237 passing yards and two touchdowns, Tyreek Hill (6-76) was a marked man and yet the top receiver. De’Von Achane did a great job by himself in the backfield, rushing for 107 yards on 14 carries and catching four passes for 30 yards and a score. The Dolphins had no chance with two offensive stars inactive.
Lamar Jackson probably won the NFL MVP award after this game. He threw for 321 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 35 more yards. He ended with a perfect 158.3 QB rating in his biggest game. Zay Flowers (3-106, TD), Justice Hill (5-64, TD), and Isaiah Likely (2-42, 2 TD) did the most damage but Tyler Huntley came in at the end of game and threw a sixth passing touchdown. Gus Edwards (16-68, TD) joined into the fun and even Melvin Gordon ran in a touchdown. The Ravens offense is diverse and dangerous and is not going to be stopped by missing any one or two players. Except for maybe Jackson.
New England 21, Buffalo 27
The Bills led the game from the first quarter on but the Pats made it interesting with a fourth quarter touchdown run by Ezekiel Elliott with eleven minutes left. The Bill should have won more convincingly but have long had problems with the Patriots.
Bailey Zappe passed for 209 yards with three interceptions, but at least he ran in a 17-yard touchdown. Kevin Harris (2-54) and Jalen Reagor (1-39) were the top receivers. Ezekiel Elliott (14-39, TD) only added one catch for six yards. The opening kickoff was returned for a touchdown so the Pats score looked like the offense was more productive than it really was.
Josh Allen only passed for 169 yards with an interception. He completed just 15 of 30 passes. But he ran for two scores and 44 yards on his 11 rushes. Dalton Kincaid (4-87) and Khalil Shakir (4-39) were the best receivers but the Bills passing offense continues to do less. Stefon Diggs only gained 26 yards on four catches. James Cook ran for 48 yards on 16 carries but his only catch lost four yards. It was good enough to beat the Patriots but did nothing to promote confidence that the Bills can make noise in the playoffs.
Atlanta 17, Chicago 37
The Bears’ lead was never in question. They led 7-21 at the half and rushed the ball 37 times in all. The Falcons could never catch up throwing four interceptions.
Taylor Heinicke passed for 163 yards and a score with three interceptions, and Desmond Ridder came in so that he could also throw an interception among his four passes. Drake London (4-56) and Van Jefferson (3-19) were the busiest receivers, Bijan Robinson ran for 75 yards on 15 carries and caught three passes for 11 yards. Tyler Allgeier only had six touches in the game but one went for a 75-yard touchdown reception.
Justin Fields threw for 268 yards and one score to DJ Moore (9-159, TD) while no other receiver mattered. Like every other week. Fields also ran for 45 yards and a touchdown on his 11 rushes. Khalil Herbert gained 124 yards and a score on his 18 rushes while Roschon Johnson carried seven times for 21 yards and a touchdown. The Falcons could slot down the Bears backfield or DJ Moore. Cole Kmet was active but never thrown a pass.
Tennessee 3, Houston 26
The Texans defense won this game, though the return of C.J. Stroud helped. The lone Titan’s score was a second quarter field goal while the Texans’ offense was just average. The Texans kicked four field goals which was plenty since the Titans couldn’t sustain drives.
Will Levis only lasted for six passes before being knocked from the game, and he combined with Ryan Tannehill for only 184 yards and no scores. DeAndre Hopkins managed to gain 72 yards on seven catches but no other players went for more than 34 yards. Derrick Henry only managed 42 yards on 12 carries with no catches.
C.J. Stroud was back but only threw for 213 yards and one score. Nico Collins (7-80) and Robert Woods (4-58) were the only receivers with more than 19 yards. Devin Singletary carried 16 times for 80 yards while Dameon Pierce was allowed eight rushes to gain 16 yards, There was nothing special with the Houston offense, but that was still plenty to beat the Titans.
Las Vegas 20, Indianapolis 23
This back-and-forth matchup saw both teams record two scores in the fourth quarter and the Raiders drew to within three points with a Davante Adams touchdown with only 43 seconds left to play. The Colts won with the better rushing offense and a 58-yard touchdown catch by Alec Pierce.
Aiden O’Connell threw for 299 yards and two scores that both went to Davante Adams (13-126, 2 TD). Jakobi Meyers ended with 56 yards on six catches but no other receivers gained more than 36 yards. Zamir White ran for 71 yards on 20 carries and caught five passes for 35 yards. Adams was thrown 21 passes of the 47 total.
Gardner Minshew managed 224 passing yards and one score to Alec Pierce (1-58). Josh Downs (2-53) and Michael Pittman (5-46) were the other top receivers. Jonathan Taylor ran for 96 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. It was an average sort of output but just enough to beat the road Raiders.
Carolina 0, Jacksonville 26
The Panthers’ rough season just gets worse. The Jaguars only managed three field goals in the first half but Travis Etienne broke free with two touchdowns in the second half. The Panthers offense looks worse than it did at the start of the season.
Bryce Young passed for only 112 yards and an interception. Chuba Hubbard was held to only 45 yards on 11 carries but added four catches for 26 yards. Adam Thielen ended with 38 yards on six receptions. Not much going on with the offense.
C.J. Beathard started and passed for just 178 yards but only bothered with 24 throws in the game. Travis Etienne ran for 102 yards and two scores on 16 carries as the player of the game. Evan Engram (6-60) and Calvin Ridley (4-39) were the best receivers. This game was never in question and the Jaguars did not need to press to win this game. Tank Bigsby ran the ball ten times for 32 yards to end the game.
Los Angeles Rams 26, New York Giants 25
The Rams took the 20-10 lead to start the second half but the Giants had Darius Slayton score on an 80-yard pass play but they missed the extra point. They drew within 20-19 with a field goal and the Rams responded with a Kyren Williams 29-yard touchdown run but they, too, missed the extra point. The Giants returned a punt for a 94-yard touchdown to draw within one point but went for the two-point conversion and the pass failed.
Matt Stafford threw for 317 yards and one score but had two interceptions. Puke Nacua (5-118) and Demarcus Robinson (6-92) led the receivers and while Cooper Kupp settled for only four catches and 27 yards, he caught the lone passing score. Kyren Williams was the clear star with 87 yards and three touchdowns on his 20 carries. The Rams won with a balanced offense but three turnovers were not a help.
Tyrod Taylor passed for 319 yards and one score to Darius Slayton (4-106, TD) but no other Giants receiver scored or gained more than 55 yards. Darren Waller ended with 51 yards on five receptions. Saquon Barkley only gained 39 yards on his 12 runs and added three catches for 19 yards, Taylor also added 40 yards on his six runs. The Giants had two long scoring touchdowns to stay in the game.
New Orleans 23, Tampa Bay 13
The Buccaneers needed this game to lock up the NFC South but the Saints had a different idea. They led 20-0 before the Buccaneers scored in the fourth quarter. They allowed another score in the final quarter but the damage had already been done. So now, the NFC South won’t be decided until Week 18.
Derek Carr passed for 197 yards and two scores between Juwan Johnson (8-90, TD) and Taysom Hill (2-30, TD). Chris Olave was held to only 26 yards on three receptions. Alvin Kamara (10-45) was knocked out of the game and Jamaal Williams (19-58) finished. The Saints had no turnovers compared to four for the Buccaneers.
Baker Mayfield threw for 309 yards and two scores between Trey Palmer (4-84, TD) and Chris Godwin (3-81, TD). Mike Evans ended with 70 yards on three catches. Rachaad White cooled down with just 11 runs for 42 yards and four receptions for 24 yards. Mayfield had the passing yardage but tossed two interceptions.
San Francisco 27, Washington 10
The Commanders tied the game 10-10 in the second quarter but never scored again. The 49ers did not look nearly as sharp as usual despite playing for the No. 1 seed but they showed up for the second half, unlike the Commanders.
Brock Purdy threw for 230 yards and two scores between Brandon Aiyuk (7-114, TD) and Deebo Samuel (5-37, TD) who also ran for 35 yards on three carries. Christian McCaffrey ran for 64 yards and caught four passes for 27 yards but left in the middle of the third quarter with a calf injury. Elijah Mitchell (17-80, TD) replaced him the rest of the game. The 49ers were sluggish at first but finished well. But now the playoffs depend on the health of McCaffrey.
Sam Howell passed for 169 yards and a score with two interceptions. Terry McLaurin (4-61, TD) was the top receiver but no one else had more than 35 receiving yards. Brian Robinson ran for 44 yards on nine carries but the Commanders only totaled 14 carries. The Commanders were predictably punchless aside from one 42-yard catch by McLaurin.
Pittsburgh 30, Seattle 23
These teams were tied 17-17 at the start of third quarter and the Seahawks only managed three field goals to the Steelers two touchdowns and a field goal to end the game. It was a surprising loss in a game where the Seahawks were pretty healthy.
Mason Rudolph passed for 274 yards and only four players caught a pass. George Pickens (7-131) and Diontae Johnson (4-76) were the top receivers but the backfield took care of all the scoring. Najee Harris (27-122, 2 TD) and Jaylen Warren (13-75, TD) both turned in high stats. The Steelers ran the ball 46 times compared to only 24 passes.
Los Angeles Chargers 9, Denver 16
Two disappointing teams meet, so the disappointing results should not be a surprise. The only touchdown came on a 54-yard completion to Lil ‘Jordan Humphrey. Plus six field goals between the two teams. This was one of those games that “didn’t help anyone.”
Easton Stick passed for 220 yards and no scores with Alex Erickson (7-98) and Gerald Everett (4-31) were the best receivers, Austin Ekeler only gained 46 yards on 13 carries and caught one pass for four yards near the end of the game. The Chargers offense has lost nearly all punch with the injuries to the original first team.
Jarrett threw for 224 yards and one score to Lil ‘Jordan Humphrey (2-69, TD) while Jerry Jeudy (3-54) and Brandon Johnson (4-27) were the only receivers with more than 20 yards. Javonte Williams (15-41) added three catches for 17 yards while Jaleel McLaughlin led the backfield with 44 yards on eight carries.
Cincinnati 17, Kansas City 25
The Chiefs got their win but only Isiah Pacheco looked good getting there. The Bengals led 17-7 midway through the second quarter but never scored again while Harrison Butker kicked six field goals because the offense couldn’t score a touchdown. Jake Browning lost his magic and looks ordinary – even more than Patrick Mahomes SHUT YOUR MOUTH!
Jake Browning was limited to 197 passing yards and a touchdown to Joe Mixon (4-22, TD). Browning ran for 32 yards and a score as well. Ja’Marr Chase was the leading receiver with just three catches for 41 yards for a less than glorious end to a disappointing fantasy season.
Patrick Mahomes threw for 245 yards and one score to Isiah Pacheco (7-35, TD). Rashee Rice ended with a team-high 127 yards on five catches but no other receiver scored or gained more than 41 yards. Travis Kelce only caught three passes for 16 yards. Pacheco was the star with 130 yards on 18 carries. The Chiefs won the game and the AFC West, but it was hardly dominating or anything like the Chiefs have been in recent seasons.
Green Bay 33, Minnesota 10
There was never a doubt who would win. The Packers led 10-0 before the Vikings kicked a field goal. They led 30-3 before the Vikings got a mercy touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was a dominating performance that witnessed the Packers looking as good as was always hoped and yet never really seen.
Jordan Love passed for 256 yards and three touchdowns between Bo Melton (6-105) and Jayden Reed (6-89, 2 TD). Tucker Kraft (6-48) was the only other receiver with more than 30 yards. Aaron Jones (12-120) was everything we wanted all year long and finally just saw. The Packers took advantage of a declining Vikings defense and their inability to sustain drives.
Whatever the reasoning was for starting Jaren Hall went away soon enough and Nick Mullens ended the game. Justin Jefferson was held to 59 yards on five catches as the leading receiver. Johnny Mundt (4-39, TD) scored while Jordan Addison only managed three catches for 28 yards.
Game-o-the-Week: Arizona 35, Philadelphia 31
Well. This wasn’t supposed to happen.
The Eagles had everything to win – the No. 1 seed and the NFC East crown. The visiting Cardinals had nothing to win at the end of their disappointing season. But the Eagles led 14-3 in the second quarter and then were tied at 21-21 and again at 28-28 in the fourth quarter, The Eagles only managed a field goal while the Cardinals drove the field in the final two minutes and James Conner scored his second touchdown with 32 seconds left to play,
Kyler Murray passed for 232 yards and three scores despite Marquise Brown inactive. Greg Dortch (7-82) and Trey McBride (6-48) were the top receivers and Michael Wilson (4-35, TD) scored. James Conner ran for 128 yards on 26 carries with a rushing touchdown and another as a receiver. The Cardinals just never quit. Plus the Eagles defense that was already a liability dropped another notch.
Jalen Hurts passed for 167 yards and three touchdowns between Dallas Goedert (5-47, TD) and Julio Jones (2-34). AJ Brown (4-53) was the top receiver while Devonta Smith (3-30) left the game on crutches. D’Andre Swift ran for 61 yards on 13 carries while Hurts only ran eight times to gain 25 yards. It was an alarming loss that maybe says even more than the loss to the Seahawks or Cowboys.
