My weekly impressions of the NFL games last weekend..
* Falcons over Saints-
Atlanta saved their season by beating the red--hot Saints. The Falcons move to 8-5, while the Saints are tied with Carolina for first place in NFC South with a 9-3 slate. They play again- this time in New Orleans- next week. This week Atlanta goes on the road to Tampa Bay, who have packed it in. The Saints have the Jets in the Superdome.
Bills over Colts-
Buffalo beat Indianapolis, the second game of a three-game home stand in buffalo. The Bills move to 7-6 and keep their faint wild card hopes alive. The Colts continue to fold, playing out the string. The Bills have Miami in cold Buffalo this week, while Indy goes home to face Denver in a meaningless game.
Panthers over Vikings-
The Eagles needed Carolina to win this one, and they did, vaulting into a tie for first place in NFC South. Minnesota dropped to 9-3, still in good shape to get a playoff bye and a home playoff game. The Panthers host Green Bay this week, the second of three home games in a row, a contest that could knock the Packers out of the post-season contention. Will QB Aaron Rodgers play? The Vikes finally head home, this time to face Cincinnati in a game they should roll.
Bears over Bengals-
Surprisingly, the bears killed Cincy on the road. Isn't it about time the Bengals coach, Marvin Lewis, was fired? What an up and down season for Chicago, beating the likes of Pittsburgh- in Pittsburgh- yet their season still in a shambles? The Bengals were always pretenders, never a threat to the Steels, or even the Ravens, in AFC North. This weekend, Chicago travels to Detroit for a Saturday night rivalry match with the Lions. Cincinnati hits the road for a game with Minnesota.
Packers over Browns-
Cleveland led for the first time at half all year, and led by as many as 14 points-at home- over Green Bay, only to lose in overtime.Their coach is now 1-33 since taking over, yet he is coming back next year? What a losing organization. The Pack stayed alive in a wild card hunt, with Aaron Rodgers due back. Two once proud NFL franchises What would Jim Brown and Bart Starr say? The Browns take their 0-13 record and play their final home game of the season against Baltimore. The Pack go to Carolina in yet another must-win game.
49'ers over Texanz-
San Francisco, with their new QB, have hope for the future. The Texans are playing out the string, after losing QB Watson and DE Watt earlier in the year. The Niners return home to play Tennessee while Houston travels to Jacksonville.
Chargers over Redskins-
LA continues it's amazing run, after starting the season 0-4. They are now 7-6 and tied with Kansas City for the lead in AFC West. Washington, once again traveling west, has lost hope. What a disappointing year for the 'Skins. Ina huge game at Kansas City this weekend, the Chargers play the Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium. Washington comes home to play Arizona in a who cares kind of game.
Jaguars over Seahawks-
Jacksonville is for real. They will either win the AFC South outright,e specially if they beat the Titans in the last game of the season, or they will earn a wild card spot. Seattle, predictably, were caught in a trap game. They won a big Sunday night contest against the Eagles, had to fly east for an early game at Jacksonville, then play a key game this week in Seattle against rival Los Angeles Rams.The Jags play their last home game against Houston this week, while the Seahawks host the Rams in what should be for the NFC West crown. If Seattle wins they tie the Rams, but win the tie-breakers, having beaten LA twice this season. Lose and the Rams even the series plus go two games up in the division
Steelers over Ravens-
Pittsburgh won a 39-38 shoot-out over Baltimore on Sunday night. .The Steelers got even better news when New England lost to Miami on Monday night. Pittsburgh is now 11-2 and holds a one-game lead over the Patriots for home field advantage. It comes down to this week, when Pittsburgh hosts New England, in what may be a preview of the AFC Championship game. Baltimore plays in Cleveland this week, then goes home to play the lowly Colts and Bengals. All should be Raven victories, which would mean a wild card berth in the playoffs.
Chiefs over Raiders-
KC needed to win and win at home against their bitter division rival. They play another AFC West squad this week in the sizzling Chargers,Oakland is still only a game behind Kansas City ans Los Angeles, but they have tough schedule here on out, playing Dallas at home this week, then traveling to Philadelphia on Christmas night and then onto LA again to face the Chargers. A lot of traveling over the holidays, and not in a good way.
Lions over Buccaneers-
The Lions kept their faint playoff hopes alive with a victory over Tampa Bay. Detroit had their chance to duel with Minnesota for the NFC North, but lost to the Vikings on Thanksgiving Day. The Bucs continue a very disappointing year. The Lions can actually win their last three games and finish 10-6, but will it be good enough/ They start this Saturday night at home vs Chicago. Tampa hosts Atlanta this week but it's way too late for the Bucs to make any noise in their division.
Cowboys over Giants-
A game of two losers. The Cowboys pulled away in the second half and won, Big deal. They won't make the playoffs. The Giants face the Eagles this Sunday at the Meadowlands, bringing an embarrassing 2-11 record with them.Dallas needs to win in Oakland to even sniff a wild card spot.
Cardinals over Titans-
A surprise. Sure, the game was in the desert, but Arizona is done for the year, whereas Tennessee is fighting Jacksonville for their division lead.The Titans can still make the playoffs, and probably will, but I was shocked how poorly they played in Arizona. Tennessee stays out west to take on San Francisco, while the Cards fly east to face Washington.
Broncos over Jets-
It was like Denver took out a season's worth of frustration on the poor Jets. Two bad teams going nowhere. Back on the road for the Broncos, this week at Indianapolis, while the Jets get beat in New Orleans.
Eagles over Rams-
We already talked about this great game, one for the ages. One never to be forgotten by Philly fans, and not only because it clinched the NFC East for the Birds.How does the rest of the league view the Wentz injury? With glee. It gives the contenders hope for the Super Bowl, but if the Eagles can hang onto home field advantage, it will be a challenge for others to come into cold Philadelphia. The Birds have the giants in new York this Sunday,a good starting test for QB Nick Foles, to get his feet wet with the first team again. The Rams play their biggest game of the season this week in Seattle in a must-win game for their division. I can see LA making the playoffs as a wild card, winning in the first round, then playing at the Linc against the Eagles in round two.
Dolphins over Patriots-
Miami is still too far gone in the AFC East division for it to matter. At 6-7 they are also a long shot to make the playoffs as a wild card. Still, they have put a crimp in New England's plan to get home field advantage in the playoffs. The Pats need to win in Pittsburgh this week.Miami travels to Buffalo to try and keep whatever faint light of hope alive.
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