Tagged As: NFL, Cowboys, Steelers, Sports, Bears, Colts, Week 15, Playoffs

This week the NFL front office must be happy. Week 15’s slate of games ended with winners that are going to keep fans watching as two divisions are still far from settled and the wild card competition grew even more desperate.

Chicago Bears (8-6) 27 – New Orleans (7-7) 24

So let me get this straight. The Chicago Bears failed to put together any kind of a coherent offense in the second half and are unable to stop Drew Brees on third and long and the Saints still lose? I think the Bears owe the Saints a drink.

Atlanta Falcons (9-5) 13 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5) 10 OT

I really wish Antonio Bryant had a younger, healthier quarterback in Tampa. Really the guy has really emerged as the single reason to actually keep a safety deep when playing the Bucs. Unfortunately, the Atlanta Falcons simply was hungrier for the win. You might call it desperation, but what ever you call it, Michael Turner continued his season long terrorizing and John Abraham was able to get to the quarterback a little bit too often. In the end it was a Jason Elam field goal in overtime that won the game and kept the Falcons in the playoff hunt.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-11-1) 20 – Washington Redskins (7-7) 13

The Washington Redskins have now lost three straight after failing to beat the Bengals, a team starting Ryan Fitzgerald at quarterback and Cedric Benson. Oh how they have fallen from grace. With only 280 yards of total offense I think Jim Zorn is wondering why he did not just start Colt Brennan to make the game at least a little bit interesting.

Seattle Seahawks (3-11) 23 – St. Louis Rams (2-12) 20

I used to think that the Seahawks offensive line had to be the worst in football. After they only had one sack versus the Rams I am beginning to think maybe it is equally as bad as the team’s defensive line. Does anyone but fantasy owners really care about the recap of this game? I did not think so. Read the box score and you will get all the information you need.

Miami Dolphins (9-5) 14 – San Francisco 49ers (5-9) 9

The Miami Dolphins wildcat offense seemed quite tame in this game. The team only managed 248 total yards, but 80 of those came on the two touchdown passes by Chad Pennington that were just enough to win the game. The Dolphins defense stated strong despite spending nearly 40 minutes on the field. Joey Porter’s game ending sack was as devastating as the 61-yard touchdown pass to David Martin as the Dolphins held o for a win to keep in the AFC East race for first place.

New York Jets (9-5) 31 – Buffalo Bills (6-8) 27

The Jets managed to hold on for a win in a game that was much too close. The Jets won the yards battle 372 to 306 and the take away battle 4 to 2, but still managed to let the Bills dominate the time of possession thanks to Marshawn Lynch’s 127 yard performance. Brett Favre had his third straight game with a quarterback rating in the 60s in the sad effort. Is this Favre finally fading away or his classic rope-a-dope pattern that has been a staple of his entire career?

Indianapolis Colts (10-4) 31 – Detroit Lions (0-14) 21

The Indianapolis Colts became the first team not leading its division to get double digit wins as Peyton Manning and Dallas Clark had a field day. Clark accounted fro 142 of Manning’s 318 yards and caught the lone touchdown pass. The Lions moved another game closer to becoming the first 0-16 team in NFL history. The Lions had plenty of chances with a short filed, two takeaways, and a Colts defense still on the mend, but could not avoid another loss.

San Diego Chargers (6-8) 22 – Kansas City Chiefs (2-12) 21

Does anybody else realize that despite the terribly deflating season by the Chargers as a whole, that Philip Rivers is tied for the lead in touchdown passes and has the best quarterback rating in football? Apparently as necessary as a great QB is in today’s NFL, it is still far from the only thing needed. Really cannot think of anything else worth saying about this game. L.T. only had 39 yards, but that is hardly shocking for the 2008 season.

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-9) 20 – Green Bay Packers (5-9) 16

As much as I rip on games between losing teams that have no playoff implications, this game was actually kind of interesting. The Packers and the Jaguars are both quality football teams with poor records so this was actually a good game. It all came down to the last few minutes when Maurice Jones-Drew scored his customary touchdown from two yards out and to put an end to the Packers playoff hopes. That is not to say this was a great game, but a good finish to a good game that had plenty of missed chances on both sides on the field regardless.

Houston Texans (7-7) 13 – Tennessee Titans (12-2) 12

Matt Schaub did not deliver another tremendous performance like last week. It was good, but it was Andre Johnson was great. He had 11 receptions for 207 yards. Steve Slaton added 100 yards on the ground and the Texans handed the Titans their second loss. I have a feeling the Titans were simply flat after clinching the AFC South. The Titans looked painfully unfocused on offense and defense. The Johnson-White running back machine combined for a mere 91 yards and the vaunted Titans defense gave up 375 yards. Tennessee is still going to the playoffs, but now Houston can feel a little better about its season.

Minnesota Vikings (9-5) 35 – Arizona Cardinals (8-6) 14

The Vikings needed a win to stay ahead of the Chicago Bears and earned one with a devastating blow to the Cardinals confidence. Adrian Peterson was unstoppable with 165 yards but never made it into the end zone. Instead Tavaris Jackson stole the thunder with four touchdown passes. I think this is a greater symptom of the lack of defense that will end Arizona’s season in the first round of the playoffs.

Carolina Panthers (11-3) 30 – Denver Broncos (8-6) 10

I like to think of the Denver Broncos as the Arizona Cardinals of the AFC. They play in the West and are all offense. Unfortunately, the offense did not show up. Instead the Panthers ran for 147 yards and two touchdowns in a commanding performance to expose the seemingly every weakness of a Broncos squad getting into the playoffs simply because somebody from the AFC West has to.

Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) 13 – Baltimore Ravens (9-5) 9

In a meeting of the number one and two defenses it was the number one defense that won. The game was won on a four yard touchdown pass from Ben Roathlisberger to Santana Holmes that was originally called down a few inches from the goal line. Replays showed that there was definitely not enough evidence to overturn the original call and will reignite the replay controversy. The Ravens still have a very good shot at the playoffs, but the loss was still a blow to the young team.

New England Patriots (9-5) 49 – Oakland Raiders (3-11) 26

The Patriots were the only NFC East winner with a truly convincing win in Week 15. Mind you, the win came against the Oakland Raiders. Matt Cassel only threw for 218 yards, but four touchdown tosses and Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan trampled what should be a defensive line for the Raiders.

Dallas Cowboys (9-5) 20 – New York Giants (11-3) 8

The Cowboys won a huge game against the Giants. The Giants were without the key to their deadly running attack and they were still adjusting to life Post-Plaxico. Still the Cowboys managed to put together enough offense and enough big plays to beat the Giants despite a rush that will most likely leave Romo in bed for a few days. Manning did not have it any better, being sacked eight times. When a decent defense knows you have no weapons they will blitz relentlessly.

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