What a memorable weekend for NFL fans. Aaron Rodgers returned for Green Bay, with #12 making his first appearance in two months. Tom Brady locked horns with Big Ben with the AFC play-off hunt really starting to take shape. There was also pressure aplenty on Eagles backup QB Nick Foles, who made his first start in Carson Wentz’s absence.
Let’s see how the aforementioned quarterbacks, as well as others, got on during an intense week fifteen in the best league in the world.
Denver Broncos 25-13 Indianapolis Colts
I’ll be honest, this wasn’t a Thursday Night Football game I was willing to stay up for. Neither team has any play-off aspirations, and minus a high scoring third quarter, it was a real defensive tussle.
The less that’s said about this one, the better. Let’s swiftly move on.
Chicago Bears 10-20 Detroit Lions
Matt Stafford isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but once again, he guided Detroit to an all-important victory. The Lions are now 8-6 on the year, and they’ll have to win out to have any chance at making the play-offs.
Bears QB Mitch Trubisky threw for over 300 yards, but he only threw one TD while throwing three picks. He’s learning and improving with each passing week and next season could be huge for him.
Los Angeles Chargers 13-30 Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles’ win streak has officially been snapped. This was their opportunity to take command of the ultra-competitive AFC West, but Phillip Rivers had a rare off day. He threw three INTs, which cost his team the game.
Kansas City made it back-to-back victories to put their destiny back in their own hands. If they win their last two games, they’ll make the play-offs. Alex Smith threw two TDs for over 200 yards, with rookie running back Kareem Hunt also finding the end zone.
Cincinnati Bengals 7-34 Minnesota Vikings
The question regarding Cincinnati drafting a new QB should certainly be asked. It has been an awful year for Andy Dalton, and it continued as that swarming Minnesota defence absolutely mauled him.
Case Keenum took the Vikings to 11-3 on the season, throwing another two touchdowns. As this game was done and dusted, we got to see QB Teddy Bridgewater take to the field, and what a moment it was. Minnesota has now locked up the NFC North with two games to spare.
Arizona Cardinals 15-20 Washington Redskins
Another dead-rubber. Both teams now sit at 6-8 on the year as Arizona lost on the road. The Cardinals are certainly in rebuild mode, and expect them to try and get rid of a few of their ageing stars in the off-season.
As for Washington, Kirk Cousins is the future. Despite a poor outing from their QB, he managed to throw for two TDs, while avoiding turning the ball over. If the Redskins can keep healthy next year, they’ll be a threat to Philly in the NFC East.
Miami Dolphins 16-24 Buffalo Bills
Fresh on the back of their victory over New England, Miami were comfortably beaten by Buffalo. Jay Cutler threw three picks without a touchdown, immediately putting his side in a huge hole.
Tyrod Taylor took advantage of the short-fields to move The Bills to 8-6 on the year. They’re now in a wildcard play-off spot, but they may well have to win out if they want to stay there…
Philadelphia Eagles 34-29 New York Giants
It wouldn’t have been easy for Nick Foles, but my, he was impressive. He threw for 237 yards and four touchdowns, with the Eagles now sitting at 12-2. Their division is locked up and play-off preparations will be underway. The concerning thing for them has to be their defence over the last few weeks.
For the Big Blue, it’s all about next year. For them, a 2-12 record is just awful and everyone expected better. New York still have some excellent pieces they can build around, though, and they will bounce back in 2018.
New York Jets 19-31 New Orleans Saints
The Jets fought hard in New Orleans, but it wasn’t enough. Their dismal 1-6 away record has proven to be their downfall, because they’ve actually been pretty good at home. Bryce Petty started this game at QB, managing just 179 yards through the air.
Drew Brees threw for 285 yards to keep The Saints at the top of the NFC South, but Carolina are still breathing down their necks. Mark Ingram was an absolute beast on the ground, rushing for two touchdowns and a long of 50 yards.
Green Bay Packers 24-31 Carolina Panthers
Green Bay fans would have been delighted to see Aaron Rodgers back in action. In the first-half, he was playing like he’d never been away. But from the third quarter onwards, his struggles were evident. Rodgers finished the game with three TDs and three INTs.
The Panthers are keeping the pressure up on New Orleans, as Cam Newton’s side hunt down that division title. You have to be happy with the play from their #1 though, who threw four TDs in this one. They’ll threaten anyone in the post-season.
Baltimore Ravens 27-10 Cleveland Browns
With each passing week, Baltimore look likelier and likelier to make the play-offs. Joe Flacco has been Tom Brady’s kryptonite, particularly at Gillette Stadium, and this would certainly be an interesting match-up.
As for Cleveland, well, they’re still without a win. There’s not much else to say, really.
Houston Texans 7-45 Jacksonville Jaguars
I feel sorry for Houston. Injuries have ruined their season completely, but they have to be upbeat, because they’ve got some excellent pieces whom they can build around.
Jacksonville are my sleeper to go all the way. That defence is insanely good, and they’ll give both Pittsburgh and New England a real run for their money. They currently sit in the AFC #2 seed spot, meaning they’ll get a first-round bye.
Los Angeles Rams 42-7 Seattle Seahawks
Todd Gurley dominated this game. He scored three rushing TDs, while also tacking on one through the air thanks to a Jared Goff pass. Sitting at 10-4, they’re a certainty to make the play-offs, and they’re a hugely talented group.
This was the worst loss Seattle have suffered under Pete Carroll, and it certainly feels like a changing of the guard in the NFC West. Seattle are 8-6, and they’ll have to win their last two games to have any chance at post-season football.
New England Patriots 27-24 Pittsburgh Steelers
Wow. This game was just breathtaking. Tom Brady’s Patriots eventually won the fixture, but there was controversy galore. What can you say about TB12’s link-up with Rob Gronkowski on that final drive? It was just insane.
Was it a catch by Jesse James? I’m a Patriots fan, and I thought it was. Quite frankly, Pittsburgh were robbed by the officials in this one, and now they’re sitting at the #3 seed instead of the #1 seed. This could be crucial come the AFC Championship game.
Tennessee Titans 23-25 San Francisco 49ers
You get the feeling that Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans had to win this one, but they came up just short – largely due to an ineffective running game. They’re now 8-6 on the season.
Jimmy Garoppolo made it three straight wins in 49ers colours, as he threw for almost 400 yards with a TD. The young man is going from strength-to-strength since being traded by New England, and now San Francisco definitely have their franchise guy who they can build around.
Dallas Cowboys 20-17 Oakland Raiders
Dallas couldn’t do it, could they? They’ve won three on the trot and next week, Zeke comes back from suspension. This was a close game in which Dak Prescott still struggled at times, but the Cowboys deserved the W.
Derek Carr will be absolutely kicking himself. He tried to be the hero and fumbled the ball through the end zone, resulting in a touchback that effectively ended the game and Oakland’s play-off hopes.
Atlanta Falcons 24-21 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Atlanta managed to hang on for the victory, as they were heavily reliant on their excellent running game. Devonta Freeman ran for 126 yards and a touchdown, while Matt Ryan threw for over 200 yards with a TD, too.
I’ve been disappointed in Tampa Bay and Jameis Winston this season, but this was one of their better outings. Winston threw three picks for almost 300 yards, but their defence couldn’t stop Atlanta’s brilliant attack. They’ll be hoping for better next season.
With just two weeks left in the regular season, post-season football is just on the horizon. Last weekend, I picked Pittsburgh for the Super Bowl. I’m changing that now, and switching for New England who picked up that huge win at Heinz Field. I’m still sticking with Minnesota in the NFC, though.
