Unfortunately I have to start this week on a very sad note indeed as this weekend we lost another NFL player under tragic circumstances. On Saturday 1st December 2012 Jovan Belcher took the life of his Girlfriend by fatally shooting her and then proceeded to the Arrowhead facility where he took his own life in front of the Head Coach Romeo Crennell.
It may just be playing on my mind since we lost Junior Seau earlier in the year but Jovan is yet another linebacker who has committed suicide! I think we really have to ask if players at this position are more prone to severe brain trauma or alternatively it may just be coincidence. All I know is this, and that is that life is a precious gift and we should treasure every moment! I am sure that like me your thoughts and prayers are with the family of Jovan Belcher's girlfriend and indeed his family and friends.
It may just be playing on my mind since we lost Junior Seau earlier in the year but Jovan is yet another linebacker who has committed suicide! I think we really have to ask if players at this position are more prone to severe brain trauma or alternatively it may just be coincidence. All I know is this, and that is that life is a precious gift and we should treasure every moment! I am sure that like me your thoughts and prayers are with the family of Jovan Belcher's girlfriend and indeed his family and friends.
I still find myself in a sombre mood as I write this however in the words of Freddie Mercury and Queen 'The Show Must Go On!' With this in mind lets move to the on field action from week 13 where a few teams had a chance to clinch a playoff birth or even their division.
It started on Thursday night when the Atlanta Falcons hosted the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons found themselves needing a win against the Saints and results to go their way on Sunday so they could be crowned division winners of the NFC South. The game started very well for them as they racked up a 17 point lead by midway through the second quarter.
It started on Thursday night when the Atlanta Falcons hosted the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons found themselves needing a win against the Saints and results to go their way on Sunday so they could be crowned division winners of the NFC South. The game started very well for them as they racked up a 17 point lead by midway through the second quarter.
The Saints managed a score before half time however it was not through the record setting Drew Brees, instead it came from a one yard run by Mark Ingram. After halftime the Falcons looked as though they were loosing their grip on the game with New Orleans kicking two field goals making it 17 – 13 to the Falcons heading into the fourth quarter. Unfortunately that was to be all the scoring the Saints made in the game which finished 23 – 13. Not only did the Falcons get a much needed win but they also broke Drew Brees's consecutive games with a touchdown pass record and to put the icing on the cake, they intercepted Brees five times!
With the way the results transpired on Sunday as you will see further below, the Falcons have now won the NFC South and will be heading to the playoffs. The question will they collapse at the first sign of pressure like last year against the New York Giants!
With the way the results transpired on Sunday as you will see further below, the Falcons have now won the NFC South and will be heading to the playoffs. The question will they collapse at the first sign of pressure like last year against the New York Giants!
Another team who could win their division on Sunday was the New England Patriots. Going into the game against Miami you would have said they were odds on favourites for the win and the division clinch. Luckily for Patriots fans they did not disappoint and despite a late Miami come back attempt they managed to hold on for the win 23 – 16.
So we now know that Atlanta and New England are heading to the post season but who will join them, lets check out this weeks results so we can get a clearer picture:
So we now know that Atlanta and New England are heading to the post season but who will join them, lets check out this weeks results so we can get a clearer picture:
New Orleans 13 vs Atlanta 23
Jacksonville 18 vs Buffalo 34
Carolina 21 vs Kansas City 27
Seattle 23 vs Chicago 17
Indianapolis 35 vs Detroit 33
Minnesota 14 vs Green Bay 23
Houston 24 vs Tennessee 10
New England 23 vs Miami 16
Arizona 6 vs New York Jets 7
San Francisco 13 vs St Louis 16
Tampa Bay 23 vs Denver 31
Pittsburgh 23 vs Baltimore 20
Cleveland 20 vs Oakland 17
Cincinnati 20 vs San Diego 13
Philadelphia 33 vs Dallas 38
New York Giants 16 vs Washington 17
Jacksonville 18 vs Buffalo 34
Carolina 21 vs Kansas City 27
Seattle 23 vs Chicago 17
Indianapolis 35 vs Detroit 33
Minnesota 14 vs Green Bay 23
Houston 24 vs Tennessee 10
New England 23 vs Miami 16
Arizona 6 vs New York Jets 7
San Francisco 13 vs St Louis 16
Tampa Bay 23 vs Denver 31
Pittsburgh 23 vs Baltimore 20
Cleveland 20 vs Oakland 17
Cincinnati 20 vs San Diego 13
Philadelphia 33 vs Dallas 38
New York Giants 16 vs Washington 17
As you can see from above there have been some interesting results which have had a big impact on the playoffs. This week with the win by Denver and loss by San Diego it means that the Broncos have won the AFC West and Peyton Manning is heading to the playoffs in his first season back off a neck injury. The win by the Indianapolis Colts still leaves them in contention to win the AFC South if Houston lose their remaining games, Houston have however clinched a playoff birth with their win against the Titans this week. The win this week for the Colts also meant that Andrew Luck is not the first rookie quarterback drafted at number one to have an eight win rookie season!
In non playoff news here is an interesting fact for you, despite having a 5- 6 -1 record the St Louis Rams are undefeated in their division going 4 - 0 - 1 having played the 49ers twice. Rams fans did you really expect that at the start of the season! Okay so back to the playoffs, I know I have rambled on a bit so here is a clearer look at how the playoffs stand in both conferences after week 13:
In non playoff news here is an interesting fact for you, despite having a 5- 6 -1 record the St Louis Rams are undefeated in their division going 4 - 0 - 1 having played the 49ers twice. Rams fans did you really expect that at the start of the season! Okay so back to the playoffs, I know I have rambled on a bit so here is a clearer look at how the playoffs stand in both conferences after week 13:
1. Houston (11-1) x
2. New England (9-3) z
3. Baltimore (9-3)
4. Denver (9-3) z
5. Indianapolis (8-4)
6. Pittsburgh (7-5)
2. New England (9-3) z
3. Baltimore (9-3)
4. Denver (9-3) z
5. Indianapolis (8-4)
6. Pittsburgh (7-5)
1. Atlanta (11-1) z
2. San Francisco (8-3-1)
3. Green Bay (8-4)
4. New York Giants (7-4)
5. Chicago (8-4)
6. Seattle (7-5)
Key: Z = Division Winners, X = Clinched Playoff Birth Y= Clinched Wildcard * = Clinched Division and Home Field Advantage
2. San Francisco (8-3-1)
3. Green Bay (8-4)
4. New York Giants (7-4)
5. Chicago (8-4)
6. Seattle (7-5)
Key: Z = Division Winners, X = Clinched Playoff Birth Y= Clinched Wildcard * = Clinched Division and Home Field Advantage
I know that the next few weeks are going to be amazing and I can't wait to see how this unfolds up to and including week 17! As it worked so well last week I am going to leave the award winners up to my blog readers again this week however I will reveal my choices on the podcast!
Megatron award week thirteen
ray lewis award week thirteen
Well that raps it up for week 13 and so until next time take care, stay safe and enjoy the action of week 14!