|
1
|
|
We knew MVP front-runner Aaron Rodgers was going to have himself a game against the Patriots, but what set the Packers apart Sunday was their big stops defensively. |
2
|
|
2
|
|
There aren’t many negatives to take away from Sunday’s loss, but what it came down to was not making plays the Patriots usually make: a dropped catch in the end zone from Gronk and a late missed field goal were the difference. |
1
|
|
3
|
|
For the second straight game, the Broncos rushed for more than 200 yards. With C.J. Anderson and the offensive line playing the way they are, Denver’s offence has become much more dangerous. |
3
|
|
4
|
|
Mark Sanchez, LeSean McCoy and Philly’s offence did a hell of a job on Thanksgiving, but what the Eagles should be thankful for is that defensive line. They were in Tony Romo’s head after halftime. |
5
|
|
5
|
|
The Seahawks aren’t winning pretty, but that doesn’t matter when the defence is playing at the level it is. After two more crucial picks, Richard Sherman has eight more interceptions than any other player since 2011. |
6
|
|
6
|
|
With RG3 watching as a backup on the sideline, Andrew Luck put on a clinic against the woeful Redskins on his way to his 10th 300-yard game of the season, breaking Peyton Manning’s Colts record. |
8
|
|
7
|
|
Even after two losses, the Cardinals still hold the top seed in the NFC. But with the Packers, Eagles and Seahawks all heating up, Arizona needs to get back on track or risk falling out of the post-season entirely. |
4
|
|
8
|
|
What a savvy move from Marvin Lewis to throw an illegal challenge flag after a missed 12-men call by the referees. Lewis ultimately saved the Bengals from a loss and what would’ve been a controversial finish for the NFL to deal with. |
10
|
|
9
|
|
The Lions finally found what they’ve been missing: offence. Not only did Matt Stafford and Megatron reappear, Joique Bell had his best game of the season. |
11
|
|
10
|
|
If it wasn’t painfully clear before Thanksgiving, it is now: Tony Romo is far from healthy. Sure, the short week didn’t help, but Romo was never comfortable in the pocket after halftime and it cost the Cowboys with two bad interceptions. |
8
|
|
11
|
|
Surely that wasn’t how the Dolphins expected to win in New York, but they’ll take it. I said last week they’d need a miracle, but now thanks to losses all around them in the AFC, Miami controls their own destiny. |
17
|
|
12
|
|
What a second-half showing from Philip Rivers. The Chargers rallied from 10 down with just over six minutes left and it was all thanks to Rivers. San Diego is now just one game back in the AFC West. |
16
|
|
13
|
|
After rattling off five-straight wins, the Chiefs have been agonizingly mediocre in two consecutive defeats. Jamaal Charles touched the ball just 14 times Sunday night. How is that possible? |
9
|
|
14
|
|
Sunday’s loss did major damage to the 49ers’ playoff hopes, and if they expect to get back in the picture, Colin Kaepernick has to be better. He threw away another game against the Seahawks on Thanksgiving. |
12
|
|
15
|
|
The failure of the Ravens’ defence late in games has to be concerning. In such a crucial AFC playoff race, allowing 21 points in the final quarter, and wasting a solid offensive game, just won’t cut it. |
14
|
|
16
|
|
After being shut out in the first half, 14 points in less than 10 seconds in the third quarter sealed it for Buffalo. Give these Bills a double-digit lead and it’ll be a challenge for any team to come back. |
18
|
|
17
|
|
Down 28-13 heading into the fourth quarter, Big Ben did a good job of rallying the troops; but, despite a 19-point final frame, it was too little, too late. Now Pittsburgh becomes part of the disheartening “In the hunt” group. |
13
|
|
18
|
|
Mike Pettine will stick with Hoyer over Manziel, but he should go with Johnny Football. Manziel gave the Browns more life on one drive than they’ve seen in weeks. |
15
|
|
19
|
|
If there were one word to describe the 2014 Rams, it would be “opportunistic.” Give St. Louis an inch and it’ll take a mile. On Sunday, the Rams took about 500 miles from the hapless Raiders. |
20
|
|
20
|
|
What a game for the Texans. Ryan Fitzpatrick and DeAndre Hopkins had career days, while J.J. Watt was back at it, scoring his fifth TD of the season in addition to a pair of sacks with a forced and recovered fumble. |
21
|
|
21
|
|
The Falcons had their best game of 2014 on Sunday, putting up 500 yards for the first time since Week 1 and forcing the Cardinals into a season-high three turnovers. The real test comes Week 14 in Green Bay. |
22
|
|
22
|
|
The Saints were lucky to hang on after a ferocious comeback from the Steelers and keep pace in the NFC South. With three divisional games in their last four, the game plan is simple: keep winning. |
23
|
|
23
|
|
Mimicking the Patriots’ plan against the Lions, the Bears got off to a quick start, and then the offence floundered. It’s incredible that with the talent Chicago has offensively, they rank just 20th in total offence. |
19
|
|
24
|
|
Minnesota used the seventh-coldest day in Vikings history to dominate the lowly Panthers. In the team’s biggest win of the Teddy Bridgewater era, the rookie QB led the offence to just 210 total yards. |
24
|
|
25
|
|
Only the Giants have lost more consecutive games than the Panthers heading into Week 14. Despite that, Carolina is still alive in the abysmal NFC South, but hope is fading fast. |
25
|
|
26
|
|
Colt McCoy (392 yards, 3 TDs) actually had a decent game in the Redskins’ blowout loss, proving that Washington’s problems run much deeper than the controversy surrounding Robert Griffin III. |
30
|
|
27
|
|
Sunday’s too-many men on the field debacle is a perfect example of why the Buccaneers are among the league’s bottom-feeders. All the talent in the world doesn’t mean anything if a team repeatedly makes stupid mistakes. |
28
|
|
28
|
|
The Titans’ worst season in 20 years continued Sunday with a simply horrible first-half performance against the Texans. This team has questions all over the field heading into the final month. |
27
|
|
29
|
|
After giving up 21 first-half points, it looked like just another day at the office for these Jaguars. But the second half was a different story – especially on defence, where they forced three crucial turnovers. |
32
|
|
30
|
|
I’m convinced this team just doesn’t want to win. The Jets executed a clear game plan but did everything in their power to throw it away in the late stages Monday night, and eventually Geno Smith did. |
31
|
|
31
|
|
Losers of seven straight and owners of the NFL’s longest skid, the Giants offence gained just 75 total yards in the second half against the Jaguars. Odell Beckham’s still doing cool stuff though. |
28
|
|
32
|
|
Talk about killing momentum. Coming off an exhilarating win over the Chiefs in Week 12, the Raiders were god-awful against the Rams – and that’s putting it kindly. |
29
|