Panthers 28 (5-9) Texans 13 (10-4)
The Carolina Panthers got two early touchdown passes from rookie quarterback Cam Newton and never looked back. The Panthers were in control all day and Deangelo Williams added a fourth quarter touchdown run to give the Panthers the upset victory. The Texans stout defense didn’t seem the same without coordinator Wade Phillips who had surgery earlier in the week and wasn’t available. The Texans fall to 10-4 and no longer control their own destiny for one of the two first round byes in the AFC playoffs. Arian Foster rushed for 109 yards in a loss for the Texans.
Redskins 23 (5-9) Giants 10 (7-7)
The Redskins came into Met Life Stadium with nothing to play for but pride and they walked out with a victory that will impact the outcome of the NFC East. The Redskins got first half touchdowns from Santana Moss and Darrel Young and took a 17-3 lead at half-time. There defense did the rest. Eli Manning was intercepted three times and was held to only 257 yards passing. The Giants got a late touchdown from Ahmad Bradshaw but it was too little too late. The Giants failed to keep pace with the Cowboys and fell to 7-7 a game behind them in the NFC East.
Bengals 20 (8-6) Rams 13 (2-12)
The Bengals got rushing touchdowns from Bernard Scott and Cedric Benson and a pair of field goals from Mike Nugent to over power the hapless Rams. With Sam Bradford and AJ Feeley out with injuries, the Rams were forced to start Kellen Clemens at quarterback. Clemens was okay throwing his first touchdown pass in over four years. The Bengals victory will put pressure on the Jets to win and maintain their one game lead over the Bengals for the last playoff spot in the AFC.
Chiefs 19 (6-8) Packers 14 (13-1)
The Kansas City Chiefs pulled off the upset of the season defeating the previously undefeated Packers at Arrowhead Stadium. Despite a slew of injuries and the firing of their head coach, the Chiefs held the Packers scoreless in the first half and took a 6-0 lead into the locker room. The Packers came back to take a 7-6 lead on a Donald Driver touchdown. The Chiefs took over from they adding two more Ryan Succop field goals and a Jackie Battle touchdown. The Packers found themselves trailing for the first time in the fourth quarter during their 19 game winning streak. Aaron Rodgers scored his third rushing touchdown of the season late in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough to keep the dream of a perfect season alive. The Packers can still clinch home field advantage in the NFC playoffs with a 49ers loss to the Steelers tomorrow night.
Colts 27 (1-13) Titans 13 (7-7)
The Indianapolis Colts have finally won a game without Peyton Manning. Dan Orlovsky threw for only 82 yards, but his touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne and an 80 yard touchdown run by Donald Brown was enough to lead the Colts over the Titans. Matt Hasselbeck struggled and was eventually pulled in favor of Jake Locker but his touchdown pass to Nate Washington wasn’t enough. The Titans have all but been eliminated from the AFC playoff picture with this bitter defeat. The Colts still have a one game lead over the Rams and the Vikings for the first pick in the NFL draft in April.
Seahawks 38 (7-7) Bears 14 (7-7)
The Chicago Bears have had a tough December. Jay Cutler and Matt Forte have been lost for the season and the team was forced to cut WR Sam Hurd earlier in the week after he was arrested after agreeing to buy a massive amount of cocaine from an undercover agent. Despite the destruction, a Caleb Hanie touchdown pass late in the first half gave the Bears a 14-7 lead at halftime. The second half was all Seahawks. The Birds outscored the Bears 31-0 in the second half and cruised to a 38-14 victory. Marshawn Lynch rushed for a touchdown in his tenth straight game and added another. The Seahawks defense added two touchdowns of their own and the Seahawks stayed alive in the for the final spot in the AFC playoffs. The Bears, who were once 7-3, lost their fourth consecutive game and have all but officially been eliminated from playoff contention.
Saints 42 (11-3) Vikings 20 (2-12)
Drew Brees was 32-40 for 412 yards passing with 5 touchdowns to lead the Saints to a blow out victory over the Vikings. Brees was virtually perfect all day and moved to within 304 yards of breaking Dan Marino’s record for most passing yards in an NFL season. Brees threw touchdowns to Lance Moore (2), Jimmy Graham, Darren Sproles, and John Gilmore. Toby Gerhart had two touchdowns for the Vikings. Adrian Peterson returned to action after missing a few games with and ankle injury but was only handed the ball ten times. The Saints inched even closer to another NFC South championship and could take over the second seed in the NFC if the 49ers were to loose to the Steelers tomorrow night.
Patriots 41 (11-3) Broncos (8-6)
The Broncos and Tim Tebow got off to a great start building a 16-7 lead headed into the second quarter. It was all down hill for the Broncos from that point. Fumbles, penalties, and the inability to stop Aaron Hernandez resulted in a blow out victory for the Patriots. Tom Brady passed for 320 yards and had a pair of touchdown passes. Hernandez caught 9 passes for 129 yards and a score. The Patriots clinched the AFC East with their victory. The Broncos still have a one game lead on the Raiders and own the tiebreakers on the Chargers giving them the inside track to the AFC West title.
Lions 28 (9-5) Raiders 27 (7-7)
Facing a 3rd and 2 from around mid field with a 6 point lead, Carson Palmer and the Raiders went for the kill shot. A deep pass to a wide open Chaz Schilens just missed and the Raiders were forced to punt. The Raiders pinned the Lions back to their 1 yard line but their defense couldn’t start Calvin Johnson and the Lions reviver scored the winning touchdown with :39 seconds left on the clock. Sebastian Janikowski had a last second 65 yard field goal attempt blocked and the Lions held on for a second consecutive victory. The Raiders remain a game behind the Broncos for first place in the AFC West. The Lions have a 2 game lead on the Seahawks, Bears, Giants, and the Cardinals for the last spot in the NFC Playoffs with only 2 games to play.
Eagles 45 (6-8) Jets 19 (8-6)
The Eagles raced out to a 28-0 lead over the Jets and then weathered a 13 point surge by the Jets at the end of the second half to surge to a blowout victory. LeSean McCoy had three touchdowns and Brent Celek caught 5 passes for 156 yards. Mark Sanchez has 2 touchdown passes for the Jets but also made a handful of mistakes that doomed his team. The Jets are now tied with the Bengals for the last wild card spot in the AFC and do own the tiebreaker. The Eagles have put themselves into a position to possibly sneak into the back door of the playoffs. If the Eagles, Giants, and Cowboys each finish 8-8 the Eagles will win the NFC East.
Cardinals 20 (7-7) Browns 17 (4-10)
The Arizona Cardinals recovered from a 10-0 deficit early in the second quarter and fought back to defeat the Browns in overtime. Greg Little had 131 yards receiving and a touchdown for the Browns, but it wasn’t enough. John Skelton threw for 313 yards for the Cardinals and Beanie Wells had a rushing touchdown. The Browns are out of the playoff hunt, but the Cardinals have an outside chance at catching the Lions. The Cardinals have 7 wins this season in each of those wins they trailed at halftime.
