With Finals just around the corner for many college students, I know most of you probably have less free time to spend reading my column (I know I have less time to write it). Thus, I will try (emphasis on the TRY) to give just a very brief review of each game and team so that you can read through real quick and get back to studying! (Or watching episodes of Breaking Bad on Netflix, whatever it is you may actually be doing)
Jets 7, Cardinals 6
Quite possibly the worst game of the season (or the century, for that matter). Just looking at the score can give you a pretty good idea of how boring this game was, but that doesn’t even do it justice. The easiest way to sum up this game is naming the quarterbacks who finished the game for both teams: Greg McElroy vs. Ryan Lindley. When no quarterback from either team passes for more than 100 yards, that’s probably not a good sign. The NFL should really think of refunding every fan who had to sit through this abomination…
Patriots 23, Dolphins 16
The Dolphins always seem to play the Pats tough, but it wasn’t enough to pull the upset this time around. At this point in the season, I think we can safely say the top 3 teams in the AFC (Texans, Pats, and Broncos) aren’t losing to anyone else in the AFC when they’re fully healthy (the Ravens would be on the list if not for all their injuries). After a slow start, the Pats are back to running the AFC East, and the Dolphins look like they are still a year or two away from challenging them for that title.
Rams 16, 49ers 13 (OT)
What the hell?! Why can’t the ‘Niners beat the Rams this year? For a moment there, it looked like they might actually tie for the second time in a month’s span (how weird would THAT have been?). The ‘Niners can take down the Bears and Saints in back-to-back weeks like they are college teams, then get dominated by the Rams? I just don’t get it. I give up, the NFL is just way too confusing for me.
Chiefs 27, Panthers 21
After the tragedy that occurred this week, the Chiefs needed this win. The ‘Chuckstrong game’ for the Colts, the Saints’ Superdome reopener after Katrina, the Pats after 9/11, the list goes on and on… When a tragedy occurs, it seems like teams always find a way to rally around it and win. It almost never fails! It is awful that these things happen, but there is something wonderful in knowing the power of unity- that a group of men can come together around a common bond and become more than the sum of their parts.
(The Chiefs got a much-needed victory Sunday, just days after the death of teammate Javon Belcher.
http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2012/12/02/chiefs-coach-AP234739101912_620x350.jpg)
Jets 7, Cardinals 6
Quite possibly the worst game of the season (or the century, for that matter). Just looking at the score can give you a pretty good idea of how boring this game was, but that doesn’t even do it justice. The easiest way to sum up this game is naming the quarterbacks who finished the game for both teams: Greg McElroy vs. Ryan Lindley. When no quarterback from either team passes for more than 100 yards, that’s probably not a good sign. The NFL should really think of refunding every fan who had to sit through this abomination…
Patriots 23, Dolphins 16
The Dolphins always seem to play the Pats tough, but it wasn’t enough to pull the upset this time around. At this point in the season, I think we can safely say the top 3 teams in the AFC (Texans, Pats, and Broncos) aren’t losing to anyone else in the AFC when they’re fully healthy (the Ravens would be on the list if not for all their injuries). After a slow start, the Pats are back to running the AFC East, and the Dolphins look like they are still a year or two away from challenging them for that title.
Rams 16, 49ers 13 (OT)
What the hell?! Why can’t the ‘Niners beat the Rams this year? For a moment there, it looked like they might actually tie for the second time in a month’s span (how weird would THAT have been?). The ‘Niners can take down the Bears and Saints in back-to-back weeks like they are college teams, then get dominated by the Rams? I just don’t get it. I give up, the NFL is just way too confusing for me.
Chiefs 27, Panthers 21
After the tragedy that occurred this week, the Chiefs needed this win. The ‘Chuckstrong game’ for the Colts, the Saints’ Superdome reopener after Katrina, the Pats after 9/11, the list goes on and on… When a tragedy occurs, it seems like teams always find a way to rally around it and win. It almost never fails! It is awful that these things happen, but there is something wonderful in knowing the power of unity- that a group of men can come together around a common bond and become more than the sum of their parts.
(The Chiefs got a much-needed victory Sunday, just days after the death of teammate Javon Belcher.
http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2012/12/02/chiefs-coach-AP234739101912_620x350.jpg)
Texans 24, Titans 10
The story remains the same for the Texans- week-in and week-out they take care of business, winning comfortably over teams they are better than, but without drawing too much attention. They are sort of the NFL equivalent to Notre Dame this year; they don’t earn a ton of style points, but they get it done when it counts. Don’t forget about them come playoff time, because the road to New Orleans will be going through Houston.
Packers 23, Vikings 14
This was a good bounce-back win for the Pack, after being embarrassed by the G-Men last weekend. The best sign: the defense stepped up and help an opponent to under 20 points. They aren’t the juggernaut they were last year, but then again flying under-the-radar may be a better path to the Super Bowl (let’s just hope they don’t have to play the damn Giants in the playoffs). As for the Vikings, it was a nice surprise season, but it now looks unlikely that they’ll make the playoffs. On the bright side, they still have Adrian Peterson, and he looks like he’s established his place as the best back of his era (and it’s not even remotely close).
Colts 35, Lions 33
What a comeback! Think the Colts regret letting go of that guy who talks to his car like it’s a freaking offensive line in every other commercial? Yea, me neither. Andrew Luck has proven, yet again, why he was the highest rated quarterback prospect since Elway. Getting a Colts team that struggled to win a game last year all the way to eight wins should be considered a minor miracle… and he still has four games left! As for the Lions, yikes. This game pretty much sums up their season, as it has slowly slipped away.
(Andrew Luck added to what is already one of the best seasons by a rookie quarterback ever, throwing the game-winning touchdown as time expired.
http://l.yimg.com/os/en/blogs/sptusnflexperts/uspw_6810658.jpg)
Seahawks 23, Bears 17 (OT)
I don’t know if he’s just the luckiest guy ever, but Russell Wilson seems to pull more out of his a** than a busted drug smuggler. I don’t get it, all I know is I wouldn’t want to see him in a close playoff game. With him, it seems like anything can happen- he has an almost (dare I say it?) Tebow-like effect on this ‘Hawks team. The Bears, on the other hand, are stumbling at the wrong time. I once thought they were the scariest team in the NFC. Now, they might be the least threatening of the teams currently in the NFC playoff field. Can you name one good team they’ve beaten? Go ahead, I’ll wait…
Bills 34, Jaguars 18
We’ve seen this before, haven’t we? Bills blow out bad team, people think they’re good, get blown out by good team, people realize they’re not, repeat. The Bills are a middling team and need a couple more additions here and there to make them a serious playoff team. Unfortunately for the Jags, there isn’t one thing to point to- they suck. They need a lot of work through the draft and free agency the next couple of years to get back on track.
Broncos 31, Buccaneers 23
This game really wasn’t as close as the score- a late score by the Bucs made it a one score game, but the result was never in doubt. The Broncos are getting good, and I mean real good. Manning is back to his old form- finally getting comfortable with his neck after surgery and his new team. They are a scary team, as is any quarterbacked by Manning. This is a tough loss for the Bucs, but they still look like a very dangerous team. If they can sneak into the playoffs somehow, there isn’t a team out there that would want to see them.
The story remains the same for the Texans- week-in and week-out they take care of business, winning comfortably over teams they are better than, but without drawing too much attention. They are sort of the NFL equivalent to Notre Dame this year; they don’t earn a ton of style points, but they get it done when it counts. Don’t forget about them come playoff time, because the road to New Orleans will be going through Houston.
Packers 23, Vikings 14
This was a good bounce-back win for the Pack, after being embarrassed by the G-Men last weekend. The best sign: the defense stepped up and help an opponent to under 20 points. They aren’t the juggernaut they were last year, but then again flying under-the-radar may be a better path to the Super Bowl (let’s just hope they don’t have to play the damn Giants in the playoffs). As for the Vikings, it was a nice surprise season, but it now looks unlikely that they’ll make the playoffs. On the bright side, they still have Adrian Peterson, and he looks like he’s established his place as the best back of his era (and it’s not even remotely close).
Colts 35, Lions 33
What a comeback! Think the Colts regret letting go of that guy who talks to his car like it’s a freaking offensive line in every other commercial? Yea, me neither. Andrew Luck has proven, yet again, why he was the highest rated quarterback prospect since Elway. Getting a Colts team that struggled to win a game last year all the way to eight wins should be considered a minor miracle… and he still has four games left! As for the Lions, yikes. This game pretty much sums up their season, as it has slowly slipped away.
(Andrew Luck added to what is already one of the best seasons by a rookie quarterback ever, throwing the game-winning touchdown as time expired.
http://l.yimg.com/os/en/blogs/sptusnflexperts/uspw_6810658.jpg)
Seahawks 23, Bears 17 (OT)
I don’t know if he’s just the luckiest guy ever, but Russell Wilson seems to pull more out of his a** than a busted drug smuggler. I don’t get it, all I know is I wouldn’t want to see him in a close playoff game. With him, it seems like anything can happen- he has an almost (dare I say it?) Tebow-like effect on this ‘Hawks team. The Bears, on the other hand, are stumbling at the wrong time. I once thought they were the scariest team in the NFC. Now, they might be the least threatening of the teams currently in the NFC playoff field. Can you name one good team they’ve beaten? Go ahead, I’ll wait…
Bills 34, Jaguars 18
We’ve seen this before, haven’t we? Bills blow out bad team, people think they’re good, get blown out by good team, people realize they’re not, repeat. The Bills are a middling team and need a couple more additions here and there to make them a serious playoff team. Unfortunately for the Jags, there isn’t one thing to point to- they suck. They need a lot of work through the draft and free agency the next couple of years to get back on track.
Broncos 31, Buccaneers 23
This game really wasn’t as close as the score- a late score by the Bucs made it a one score game, but the result was never in doubt. The Broncos are getting good, and I mean real good. Manning is back to his old form- finally getting comfortable with his neck after surgery and his new team. They are a scary team, as is any quarterbacked by Manning. This is a tough loss for the Bucs, but they still look like a very dangerous team. If they can sneak into the playoffs somehow, there isn’t a team out there that would want to see them.
Steelers 23, Ravens 20
Is it just me, or is Charlie Batch good for one replacement win a year for an injured ‘Big Ben’? He played just about as well as you can expect a 3rd stringer to (minus one errant throw to Mike Wallace, wipe open in the back of the endzone, that looked like it was intended for the Concessions vendor selling popcorn five rows up in the stands). Batch’s Annual Miracle kept the Steelers playoff hopes alive, but it also exposed the Ravens. If they don’t get healthy soon, they have no chance of doing any damage come playoff time.
(Charlie Batch, seen embracing 'Big Ben' after the game, helped lead the Steelers to a big win over their division rival Ravens.
http://boringpittsburgh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/charlie-batch-hugging-big-ben-roethlisberger-steelers.jpg)
Bengals 20, Chargers 13
The Bengals got a much needed win and kept themselves in decent shape to make a playoff run, even though it certainly wasn’t the dominant performance they would like. The Chargers are pretty bad, yet somehow always seem to lose close games. Maybe they aren’t as bad as we think, or the Bengals and Ravens are just worse than most thought. Right now, I’d lean towards that conclusion. Rivers is still a good quarterback, but he desperately needs a change of scenery. He looks like he simply doesn’t care in San Diego.
Browns 20, Raiders 17
This is one of those games where it might actually be better to lose. Neither has a hope of making the playoffs, and losing gives you a better spot in the draft. Obviously grown men playing for their jobs won’t lose on purpose, but this might be the best thing to happen to both teams. The Browns could use the confidence a few wins to end the season would give them, and the Raiders could really use a high draft pick.
Cowboys 38, Eagles 33
Honestly, I’m shocked it was this close. Dez Bryant finally played to his potential, and if he continues to do so the Cowboys will have a good shot. The Eagles have essentially thrown in the towel this season and, as shocking as it sounds, the ‘Boys are only a game out of the lead in the East. It will be an interesting four weeks to see who can claim the title between the ‘Boys, ‘Skins, and G-Men.
Monday Night Monster
Redskins 17, Giants 16
How did the Giants blow out the Packers then lose this one? I’m not sure, but it seems to fit their trend for both this season and the last couple. The Redskins have turned their franchise around quicker than almost anyone expected, largely thanks to RGIII. Will they be able to take the next step and unseat the reigning Super Bowl Champions from their throne atop the division? Only time will tell…
Thursday Night Rewind
Falcons 23, Saints 13
What happened here?! Maybe we were underrating the Falcons, because not only did they end Drew Brees’ streak of consecutive games with a touchdown pass, they also picked him off five times! FIVE TIMES!! How many teams can claim to have their QB throw five picks in on game, then pick off the opposing QB five times in another game in one season? Oh, and they won both games! Don’t be distracted by the fact that they’ve lost early in the playoffs the last few years, this is a different team… and they’re damn good.
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I hope you enjoyed reading! If you have any questions, comments, or other suggestions on how to improve the column or any other topic feel free to contact me at my email address [email protected], on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/adam.colman.9 or on Twitter @AdamRColman.
Thanks for the support!
Is it just me, or is Charlie Batch good for one replacement win a year for an injured ‘Big Ben’? He played just about as well as you can expect a 3rd stringer to (minus one errant throw to Mike Wallace, wipe open in the back of the endzone, that looked like it was intended for the Concessions vendor selling popcorn five rows up in the stands). Batch’s Annual Miracle kept the Steelers playoff hopes alive, but it also exposed the Ravens. If they don’t get healthy soon, they have no chance of doing any damage come playoff time.
(Charlie Batch, seen embracing 'Big Ben' after the game, helped lead the Steelers to a big win over their division rival Ravens.
http://boringpittsburgh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/charlie-batch-hugging-big-ben-roethlisberger-steelers.jpg)
Bengals 20, Chargers 13
The Bengals got a much needed win and kept themselves in decent shape to make a playoff run, even though it certainly wasn’t the dominant performance they would like. The Chargers are pretty bad, yet somehow always seem to lose close games. Maybe they aren’t as bad as we think, or the Bengals and Ravens are just worse than most thought. Right now, I’d lean towards that conclusion. Rivers is still a good quarterback, but he desperately needs a change of scenery. He looks like he simply doesn’t care in San Diego.
Browns 20, Raiders 17
This is one of those games where it might actually be better to lose. Neither has a hope of making the playoffs, and losing gives you a better spot in the draft. Obviously grown men playing for their jobs won’t lose on purpose, but this might be the best thing to happen to both teams. The Browns could use the confidence a few wins to end the season would give them, and the Raiders could really use a high draft pick.
Cowboys 38, Eagles 33
Honestly, I’m shocked it was this close. Dez Bryant finally played to his potential, and if he continues to do so the Cowboys will have a good shot. The Eagles have essentially thrown in the towel this season and, as shocking as it sounds, the ‘Boys are only a game out of the lead in the East. It will be an interesting four weeks to see who can claim the title between the ‘Boys, ‘Skins, and G-Men.
Monday Night Monster
Redskins 17, Giants 16
How did the Giants blow out the Packers then lose this one? I’m not sure, but it seems to fit their trend for both this season and the last couple. The Redskins have turned their franchise around quicker than almost anyone expected, largely thanks to RGIII. Will they be able to take the next step and unseat the reigning Super Bowl Champions from their throne atop the division? Only time will tell…
Thursday Night Rewind
Falcons 23, Saints 13
What happened here?! Maybe we were underrating the Falcons, because not only did they end Drew Brees’ streak of consecutive games with a touchdown pass, they also picked him off five times! FIVE TIMES!! How many teams can claim to have their QB throw five picks in on game, then pick off the opposing QB five times in another game in one season? Oh, and they won both games! Don’t be distracted by the fact that they’ve lost early in the playoffs the last few years, this is a different team… and they’re damn good.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I hope you enjoyed reading! If you have any questions, comments, or other suggestions on how to improve the column or any other topic feel free to contact me at my email address [email protected], on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/adam.colman.9 or on Twitter @AdamRColman.
Thanks for the support!
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