In their match against the Cowboys this week it was actually young Alfred Morris who for me, stole the show! On the night Morris rushed 33 times for 200 yards and three touchdowns, he also had two receptions for 12 yards. Personally I have often found myself overlooking Morris this year on account of RG3 but want to give credit where it is due. Morris has performed so well this year it is hard to believe that he was a sixth round draft pick back in April 2012!
This result for Washington means that Tony Romo has now lost two years in a row against a division opponent with the NFC East title on the line. I have to now ask is Tony Romo the ultimate choke artist? Let us stay in the NFC and go through the other games with playoff implications.
The scoring started late in the first quarter with a Detroit field goal from 44 yards however they were not looking convincing on either side of the ball. The outlook certainly looked promising for the Bears and by half time they had a lead of 20-10. In the second half we saw a completely different Lions team emerge from the tunnel and Matthew Stafford finally managed to start hitting 'Megatron' for some big gains. The Lions defence also had added enthusiasm and managed to hold the Bears to only six points in the second half. The Chicago Bears ended up sneaking this game with a 26-24 victory knocking the New York Giants out of the playoffs and meaning the only team in their way was the Minnesota Vikings.
Chicago 26 vs 24 Detroit
Carolina 44 vs 38 New Orleans
New York Giants 42 vs 7 Philadelphia
San Francisco 27 vs 13 Arizona
Washington 28 vs 18 Dallas
Seattle 20 vs 13 St Louis
Green Bay 34 vs 37 Minnesota
NFC EAST
Washington 10-6
New York Giants 9-7
Dallas 8-8
Philadelphia 4-12
NFC WEST
San Francisco 11-4-1
Seattle 11-5
St Louis 7-8-1
Arizona 5-11
NFC NORTH
Green Bay 11-5
Minnesota 10-6
Chicago 10-6
Detroit 4-12
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta 13-3
Carolina 7-9
New Orleans 7-9
Tampa Bay 7-9
In the third quarter the Texans scored ten unanswered points and looked to be getting back in the game. The great thing about football is that when you think you are getting on top the momentum can change in a heart beat. I say this as the Texans kick off after the go ahead field goal was returned 101 yards for a touchdown!
On Indianapolis's next drive Andrew Luck found TY Hylton for a 70 yard touchdown pass which iced the game. The Colts won this one 28-16 and it meant that Houston would only finish in the top two teams if either New England or Denver lost. As the day progressed it just got worse for Houston as the Patriots and Broncos won their games demoting the Texans to third in the AFC. Let us now check how the remaining AFC games turned out.
Cincinnati 23 vs 17 Baltimore
Indianapolis 28 vs 16 Houston
New England 28 vs 0 Miami
Denver 38 vs 3 Kansas City
San Diego 24 vs 21 Oakland
Tennessee 38 vs 20 Jacksonville
AFC EAST
New England 12-4
Miami 7-9
New York Jets 6-10
Buffalo 6-10
AFC WEST
Denver 13-3
San Diego 7-9
Oakland 4-12
Kansas City 2-14
AFC NORTH
Baltimore 10-6
Cincinnati 10-6
Pittsburgh 8-8
Cleveland 5-11
AFC SOUTH
Houston 12-4
Indianapolis 11-5
Tennessee 6-10
Jacksonville 2-14
The playoff teams are now all set and the matches we have to look forward to this weekend are:
Indianapolis at Baltimore
Cincinnati at Houston
Minnesota at Green Bay
Seattle at Washington
All of the above games look like mouth watering ties and I can't wait for the weekend. Well that is it for another week football fans but be sure to check out my podcast 'Spitball' for more playoff talk and our impact players of the week. Until next week ladies and gents take care and stay safe.