It was crunch time in the NFL this week as several teams went into this week needing a win to either secure a playoff berth or secure their positional seeding in the playoffs. With so much to cover this week I will be forgoing the usual game run down and instead breaking down how each division played out.
AFC EAST
In the AFC East it was the New England Patriots and Miami who had something to play for this week. New England were looking to secure a first round by with the win whilst Miami needed a win plus a little help from other results to get into the playoffs as the last wild card spot.
Let us start with New England as they played host to my beloved Buffalo Bills, unfortunately for me despite the added pressure on the Patriots they were able to come away with a comfortable victory 34 – 20 and secure second seed in the AFC for the playoffs. Now we head down to Florida as Miami were at home to the New York Jets. Although the Jets have had their struggles this year you can always rely on a division rivalry to bring the best out of a team.
In the second quarter things were looking good for Miami as they scored on five yard pass from Ryan Tannehill to Mike Wallace however after this score the Jets defence took over and the Miami offence could just not get anything going. The Jets on the other hand even had defenders scoring for them as Sheldon Richardson their defensive tackle scored on a one yard run. The Jets proved to be too much for Miami as they won the match 20 – 7. Check out some highlights of this game including Bilal Powell making sure Geno Smith gets in the endzone by clicking on the picture below:
AFC SOUTH
In the AFC South we already knew that the Indianapolis Colts were the Division winners and with this they had locked down their spot in the playoffs. The three remaining teams were already eliminated going into this weekend and so not much to talk about here I’m afraid.
AFC NORTH
Unlike the AFC South the AFC North would be heavily involved in the playoff outcome as they had three teams still in the playoff picture. First we start with Pittsburgh who were at home to the Cleveland. Pittsburgh needed a win plus a loss by Miami, Baltimore and San Diego to reach the playoffs. Pittsburgh convincingly won against Cleveland and then had to play the waiting game to see how the other results played out.
Cincinnati played host to the Baltimore Ravens and this game had implications for both teams depending on the result. Cincinnati seed position was still to be decided and the Ravens needed just a win to get into the playoffs with the Miami loss. The start of the game saw the return of the bad Andy Dalton as two early interceptions led to two field goals for the Ravens. The Bengals then answered back with 17 unanswered points making it 17 – 6 at halftime.
The third quarter belonged to the Ravens as they scored a field goal and an eight yard touchdown thanks to a great Marlon Brown reception. Ray Rice then converted the two points and we were tied at 17 all going into the fourth quarter. 15 minutes stood between the Ravens and a return to the playoffs to defend their crown. Unfortunately for the Ravens, The Bengals just proved to be too much and went on to win the game thanks to a touchdown run from Andy Dalton, a field goal and an interception returned for a touchdown by Dre Kirkpatrick. The Ravens were out the playoffs and with Miami loosing as well it was down to San Diego to stop Pittsburgh sneaking into the playoffs which brings us nicely onto ………………………………………..
AFC WEST
Denver faced off against Oakland knowing that a win would secure them first place in the AFC and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. I’m sure talking about this one too much would upset the Raiders fans out there so let’s just say that Peyton Manning didn’t play the second half so he could begin his two week rest.
Now onto the big game which saw the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the San Diego Charges who now only needed a win to get to the postseason. Kansas who had already sewn up fifth place decided that they would let their backups play a game to give their starters a rest going into the playoffs. Despite the likes of Alex Smith and Jamaal Charles not playing it was Kansas who took the early lead thanks to a 17 yard from Knile Davis. The game continued to go back and forth for the entire 60 minutes to be honest and it all came down to a Kansas field goal attempt with seconds left in regulation time. Kansas missed the kick and the game went into overtime.
In overtime it was the Chargers who took the early lead with a field goal and their defence then stepped up as they stopped Kansas completing a fourth down play to win the game.
Here is a full breakdown of the AFC results and how the teams stand in respect of the playoffs:
Buffalo 20 vs 34 New England
New York Jets 20 vs 7 Miami
Jacksonville 10 vs 30 Indianapolis
Houston 10 vs 16 Tennessee
Baltimore 17 vs 34 Cincinnati
Cleveland 7 vs 20 Pittsburgh
Denver 34 vs 14 Oakland
Kansas City 24 vs 27 San Diego
Buffalo 20 vs 34 New England
New York Jets 20 vs 7 Miami
Jacksonville 10 vs 30 Indianapolis
Houston 10 vs 16 Tennessee
Baltimore 17 vs 34 Cincinnati
Cleveland 7 vs 20 Pittsburgh
Denver 34 vs 14 Oakland
Kansas City 24 vs 27 San Diego
The six teams to make the playoffs for the AFC are:
1. Denver 13 – 3
2. New England 12 – 4
3. Cincinnati 11 – 5
4. Indianapolis 11 – 5
5. Kansas City 11 – 5
6. San Diego 8 – 8
1. Denver 13 – 3
2. New England 12 – 4
3. Cincinnati 11 – 5
4. Indianapolis 11 – 5
5. Kansas City 11 – 5
6. San Diego 8 – 8
Now we move onto the NFC and I think we shall go through the divisions in the same order as the AFC, with that said ’and here we go’ (he says in his best Joker voice)
NFC east
As I’m sure you are aware by now the game between the Washington Redskins and New York Giants was for nothing more than who gets the better draft pick! With that said we move quickly onto the big showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys vs Eagles match was a winner takes all battle for the NFC East title.
The big story going into the game was that Tony Romo would not be able to play for the Cowboys due to a back injury requiring surgery. Instead the reins were given to Kyle Orton to take down the mighty Eagles and their blistering offence which put up over 50 points on Chicago last week.
Philadelphia took first blood as went ahead in the first quarter courtesy of an Alex Henrey 47 yard field goal. The second quarter also started with a Philadelphia score this time thanks to a three yard touchdown reception by LeSean McCoy. This time the Cowboys managed to answer back with a touchdown of their own before Brent Celek caught a 14 yard touchdown pass for the Eagles. The score at halftime was 17 – 10 to the Eagles and by the beginning of the fourth quarter the Cowboys were right back in the game thanks to two field goals.
Now we move onto the fourth quarter where Bryce Brown scored on a six yard touchdown run making it 24 – 16 to the Eagles. The Cowboys managed to get a score back thanks to Dez Bryant however they failed on their two point conversion. In the end the Cowboys just couldn’t manage to get the required field goal sending the Eagles into the playoffs. There was also some amazing plays in this game so I suggest you check out the highlights by clicking the picture below:
NFC SOUTH
The Carolina Panthers had already sealed a postseason spot with their victory over the Saints last week and a Victory this week would also mean that they clinched a first round bye in the playoffs. To get this first round bye the Panthers had to beat the Atlanta Falcans and despite a close game the Panthers were able to get the victory and clinch second place in the NFC.
The New Orleans Saints also needed a victory to clinch a playoff spot and for the first time in a number of weeks we saw the real Drew Brees as he tore apart the Tampa Bay secondary on their way to victory.
NFC NORTH
In the NFC north the game this week between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings didn’t mean anything and so I shall gloss over that and move straight onto the crunch game between the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers.
I heard an amazing stat on NFL Redzone this week and that was in the long and historic rivalry between the Bears and Packers this was the first time they had ever met in a one off playoff match to see who wins the NFC North title. Just amazing really when there has been over 180 games in this rivalry!
The Green Bay Packers had a massive boost going into the game as Aaron Rodgers returned to the starting line up along with Randall Cobb who had both been out a long time through injury. In their opening drive the Packers drove the ball all the way down the field and just when you thought they were about to score, Aaron Rodgers threw a pass to the endzone which was skilfully intercepted by Chris Conte.
Chicago were able to then able to drive the field and score a touchdown taking a seven nil lead. Green Bay’s next possession also ended with an interception and things did not look so good for the Packers. This time however Chicago were unable to capitalise and had to punt the ball. The game would eb and flow back and forth for the entire 60 minutes and instead of listening to me waffle on I think you should check out the highlights by clicking the picture below:
NFC WEST
Finally we finish up in the NFC West where Arizona had a chance of making the postseason joining Seattle and San Francisco who locked up their postseason spots last week. Arizona needed a win against San Francisco and a New Orleans loss to make it to the playoffs. Now you know from above that New Orleans but that didn’t stop the Cardinals vs 49ers game being a dramatic encounter. Don’t just take my word for it check out the highlights by clicking on the picture below:
Oh yeah there was another game in the NFC West and that was Seattle vs St Louis Rams, who can guess who won that game! (Sorry Marcus)
Here is a full breakdown of the NFC results and how the teams stand in respect of the playoffs:
Washington 6 vs 20 New York Giants
Dallas 22 vs 24 Philadelphia
Carolina 21 vs 20 Atlanta
Tampa Bay 17 vs 42 New Orleans
Green Bay 33 vs 28 Chicago
Detroit 13 vs 14 Minnesota
St Louis 9 vs 27 Seattle
San Francisco 23 vs 20 Arizona
Washington 6 vs 20 New York Giants
Dallas 22 vs 24 Philadelphia
Carolina 21 vs 20 Atlanta
Tampa Bay 17 vs 42 New Orleans
Green Bay 33 vs 28 Chicago
Detroit 13 vs 14 Minnesota
St Louis 9 vs 27 Seattle
San Francisco 23 vs 20 Arizona
The six teams to make the playoffs for the NFC are:
1. Seattle 13 – 3
2. Carolina 12 – 4
3. Philadelphia 10 – 6
4. Green Bay 8 – 7 – 1
5. San Francisco 12 – 4
6. New Orleans 11 – 5
1. Seattle 13 – 3
2. Carolina 12 – 4
3. Philadelphia 10 – 6
4. Green Bay 8 – 7 – 1
5. San Francisco 12 – 4
6. New Orleans 11 – 5
It was a great final week to the season and personally I can’t wait till wild card weekend next week as we have the following games to look forward too:
AFC Wildcard Games
San Diego vs Cincinnati
Kansas City vs Indianapolis
San Diego vs Cincinnati
Kansas City vs Indianapolis
NFC Wildcard Games
New Orleans vs Philadelphia
San Francisco vs Green Bay
New Orleans vs Philadelphia
San Francisco vs Green Bay
That wraps it up from me for this week but be sure to check out our podcast ‘Spitball’ later in the week. Until next time football fans, stay safe, take care and ‘Thanks for Stopping By!’