Bengals 19, Browns 14
Derek Anderson has been a fantastic surprise for the Browns this season. But he was brutal today. While he kept the Browns in the game with two touchdown passes in the second half, he also threw four interceptions, two of which led to Cincinnati touchdowns right before the half. Then when his defense gave him an opportunity to win the game by recovering a fumble with under a minute to play, Anderson seemed gun shy to go down field, often settling for check down passes that resulted in time being wasted off the clock. With how great he’s been for the Browns this season, it’s unfair to tear Anderson down after one loss. But it’s unfortunate that the Browns could have clinched a well-deserved playoff spot with a win, and he turned in his worst performance of the season.
Bears 35, Packers 7
While the weather conditions certainly didn’t help, Green Bay’s special teams were absolutely atrocious today. Punter Jon Ryan muffed a punt and had three more blocked, as the Bears played like they were the ones with the number one playoff spot on the line, not Green Bay. The whole Packer team looked lethargic, uninterested and completely affected by the weather – a complete role-reversal to how they’ve played all season. Hopefully for Packer fans, this game was an aberration and not a sign of things to come.
Patriots 28, Dolphins 7
Stop and think about this for a second: the Patriots are one win away from a 16-win season. One season…16 wins. That’s simply amazing. What’s even more amazing is how easy it has looked for New England. Three minutes into every game they’re up 7-0. Five minutes into every game, they’re up 14-0. Before you know it, they’re up 41-3 and Tom Brady has three touchdowns and 350 yards. I’ve never seen a team like this and it’s going to be thrilling to watch them over the next couple of weeks.
Colts 38, Texans 15
Kind of thought we’d the Texans would have played a little better today. After Houston took a 7-0 lead just minutes into the game, the Colts scored 31 unanswered points thanks to another typical Peyton Manning (28 of 35 for 311 yards and three touchdowns) performance. It’s funny that with how great the Patriots have been this year, no one seems to be talking about the Colts. They’ve been banged up all season, yet after an ugly loss to San Diego in Week 10, Indy has rattled off six straight wins. This season is just another testament to how good of a coach Tony Dungy is.
Jaguars 49, Raiders 11
Beware AFC playoff teams: Don’t fall asleep on the Jacksonville Jaguars. They can run the ball (201 yards today), have a solid defense (four turnovers) and a solid quarterback in David Garrard (11 for 18, 199 yards and three totals touchdowns). If anyone thinks they can’t knock off Indianapolis, San Diego or Pittsburgh on the road, then you’re crazy. At 11-4, the Jags would be the third best team in the AFC. Instead, they’re a Wild Card in the AFC. Amazing.
Giants 38, Bills 21
Before I get into the Giants, how great was it to see Kevin Everett at the game today? It was an absolutely fantastic site…It was an ugly start, but the Giants clinched a playoff berth thanks to fantastic rushing performances by Ahmad Bradshaw (151 yards) and Brandon Jacobs (145 yards, 2 touchdowns). Under Tom Coughlin, the Giants have made the playoffs in three of the past four seasons (’05, ’06, ’07). While winning the Super Bowl is the ultimate goal, aren’t coaches supposed to get their teams into the postseason? Granted, it’s tough to keep going to the playoffs and losing in the first round, but this guy deserves more credit than he’s received, especially since he’s changed around his style to become more of a “players coach.”
Seahawks 27, Ravens 6
This was a nice tune up game for the Seahawks and more specifically, Shaun Alexander. Seattle’s going to need Alexander to at least do what he did today which is to say – keep the chains moving. He only carried the ball 13 times, but he rushed for 73 yards and looked healthy for the first time in months. For Baltimore, rookie quarterback Troy Smith looked pretty good in his first start. He wasn’t spectacular, but then again he wasn’t asked to do too much. He finished 16 of 33 for 199 yards and one touchdown, while also running six times for 25 yards. Not a bad day for the former Heisman Trophy winner.
Titans 10, Jets 6
It wasn’t pretty, but with a victory today, the Titans are now back in control of their playoff destiny. Thanks to the Bengals defeating the Browns, Tennessee needs a win next week against the Colts to clinch a playoff berth. If the Titans can get another defensive effort like they did today, they certainly have a shot next week. It wouldn’t hurt if Indy rested some of their starters, either.
Eagles 38, Saints 23
Sorry Philly fans will disagree, but Donovan McNabb still looks like a player to me. He’s aging and injury prone, but if the Eagles are willing to part with him and don’t want a king’s ransom, he’s worth a look to a team like the Ravens or Falcons. McNabb threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns, but more importantly he was mobile and very efficient. Now granted, he did light up a generous New Orleans defense, but still, I think McNabb is still a playmaker in this league.
Lions 25, Chiefs 20
Lion fans must be thinking, “Where the F was this over the past six weeks?” Amazing what your offense can do when you run the football, huh Mike Martz? The run game kind of gives your offense balance and continuity doesn’t it, Martz? Might want to consider that for every game next year…After watching T.J. Duckett roll up 115 rushing yards, I find myself wondering why he didn’t get a multi-year deal in the offseason. He’s only 26, doesn’t have much tread on his tires, and obviously still has plenty left in the tank (sorry for so many car analogies).
49ers 21, Bucs 19
A week ago, the Bucs completely shredded the hapless Falcons 37-3. Today, they can only mount 67 yards against a 49er team playing only because the scheduled makers are forcing them, too. I know I’ve said this before, but I just can’t figure this Buccaneer team out. They can look so good at times and than play uninspired the very next week. While I could easily see them being a sleeper team in the NFC come playoff time, I wouldn’t be surprised if they got bounced in the first round, either.
Cardinals 30, Falcons 27 OT
Give the Falcons credit for showing up today, because last week they didn’t against the Bucs. They didn’t lie down and fought hard, but much like the entire season, a victory just wasn’t in the cards (pardon the pun). This was a nice statement win for Arizona and Ken Whisenhunt. I know it’s been said many times before, the Cards look like they’re on the right track and Whisenhunt has done a nice job instilling toughness in his players.
