Monday, December 31, 2012
NFL - Week Seventeen Review
Rookies!
That seemed to be the theme for the 2012 NFL season as three rookie quarterbacks led their teams to the NFL Playoffs as the Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins all made it to the post-season.
The Colts knocked off the Houston Texans, 28-16 as QB Andrew Luck threw for two touchdowns to help keep the visiting Texans from clinching the top spot in the AFC playoffs.
The Seattle Seahawks are playoff bound with Russell Wilson exceeding expectations at quarterback and they finished the regular season with a 20-13 home win against the St. Louis Rams. Wilson passed for a score and also ran for one to lead the way to an 11-5 season and a wild card berth in next weekend's playoffs.
The Redskins rallied back from an early 7-0 hole to beat the Dallas Cowboys, 28-18 which enabled the 'Skins to win the NFC East (10-6 record) while the Cowboys (8-8) finished out of the playoffs for the third straight season. Cowboys QB Tony Romo was intercepted three times in the loss.
Robert Griffin III has been a top notch quarterback all season long and has led the way for the team's return to the post-season. But last night it was rookie running back Alfred Morris (200 yards rushing) leading the win by scoring three touchdowns and he is the Heftyinfo NFL Player of the Week.
RG3 added 63 yards on the ground and also scored a rushing touchdown.
The Minnesota Vikings are yet another surprise team crashing the post-season party in 2012 as they topped the visiting Green Bay Packers, 37-34 on a 29-yard field goal by rookie kicker Blair Walsh as time expired.
Vikings running back Adrian Peterson ran for 199 yards and scored two touchdowns and finished the season with 2,097 yards rushing, just nine yards short of breaking the all-time single season record of 2,105 yards by Eric Dickerson in 1984.
Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers threw for 365 yards and four touchdowns in the loss, which dropped the Packers to 11-5 and a third seed in the NFC playoffs.
The win by Minnesota eliminated the Chicago Bears from the playoff picture. The Bears beat the Detroit Lions 26-24 behind a touchdown pass by QB Jay Cutler and a TD run by running back Matt Forte' and four field goals by Olindo Mare.
Chicago finished 10-6 but lost the tie breaker with Minnesota (10-6) and today announced the firing of Head Coach Lovie Smith after nine seasons with the team.
Smith is one of SEVEN Head Coaches let go today on the day that has become known as "Black Monday" around the NFL following the final regular season game.
The San Francisco 49ers (11-4-1) clinched a first round playoff bye with a 27-13 home win against Arizona as QB Colin Kaepernick hooked up with wide receiver Michael Crabtree for two scores to clinch the NFC West division. Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt was fired as the team fell flat after a 4-0 start this season to finish with a 5-11 record.
The Denver Broncos (13-3) continued their roll with their eleventh straight victory, a 38-3 decision over Kansas City that gives them the home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
Quarterback Peyton Manning (pictured left) passed for 304 yards and three touchdowns and the defense limited the Kansas City Chiefs (which fired Head Coach Romeo Crennel after a 2-14 finish) to only 119 yards of offense, including just 26 passing yards.
The New York Giants, the defending Super Bowl champions, are done for the year as they finished 9-7 with a 42-7 pasting of the visiting Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants needed some help after their win, but neither the Bears or Vikings lost, so they are out of the post-season.
Giants QB Eli Manning threw five touchdown passes and the defense intercepted Eagles QB Michael Vick to help spark a quick 21-0 start in the first quarter. The Eagles finished 4-12 this season and fired Head Coach Andy Reid (14 seasons with the team) following the game.
The New England Patriots shut out the visiting Miami Dolphins, 28-0 as Tom Brady threw two TD passes and Stevan Ridley ran for two more scores. New England is the number-two seed in the AFC playoffs.
The Cincinnati Bengals (sixth seed) finished strong at 10-6 with a 23-17 home win against the Baltimore Ravens (10-6) as Carlos Dunlap took an interception in for a score and QB Andy Dalton threw a TD pass to go with three field goals by kicker Josh Brown. The Ravens are the AFC North division winner and the fourth seed in the AFC.
The NFC's top seeded Atlanta Falcons (13-3) mailed it in the home finale against Tampa Bay in a 22-17 loss as some of the reserves got plenty of time to play. The Buccaneers (7-9) got a 40-yard TD run from Doug Martin and a TD pass by Josh Freeman to lead the win, which snapped a five game losing streak.
Other teams playing out the string included a 24-10 home win by the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) against Cleveland as QB Ben Roethlisberger threw two TD passes. The Browns fired Head Coach Pat Shurmur after a 5-11 finish . . . The San Diego Chargers (7-9) finished with a 24-21 home win against Oakland as QB Philip Rivers had two TD passes. The 'Bolts fired Head Coach Norv Turner after missing the playoffs for the third straight season . . . The Buffalo Bills got a 28-9 win against the visiting New York Jets, which lost three straight down the stretch to finish at 6-10. The Bills also finished 6-10 and fired Head Coach Chan Gailey . . . Carolina won their fourth consecutive game to finish 7-9 as they topped the host New Orleans Saints, 44-38 behind running back DeAngelo Williams, who had 210 yards rushing and two TD along with a pair of rushing touchdowns from Mike Tolbert. Saints QB Drew Brees had 396 passing yards and three TD strikes in the loss . . . The Tennessee Titans had two interception returns for scores and also two kick returns for touchdowns as well in a 38-20 home win against the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14) to finish the season with a 6-10 record.
Next week the playoffs begin with Cincinnati at Houston and Minnesota at Green Bay on Saturday, January 5th while the Indianapolis Colts play at Baltimore and the Seattle Seahawks are at Washington on Sunday, January 6th.
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| Rookie QB's Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson excelled in 2012. |
The Colts knocked off the Houston Texans, 28-16 as QB Andrew Luck threw for two touchdowns to help keep the visiting Texans from clinching the top spot in the AFC playoffs.
The Seattle Seahawks are playoff bound with Russell Wilson exceeding expectations at quarterback and they finished the regular season with a 20-13 home win against the St. Louis Rams. Wilson passed for a score and also ran for one to lead the way to an 11-5 season and a wild card berth in next weekend's playoffs.
The Redskins rallied back from an early 7-0 hole to beat the Dallas Cowboys, 28-18 which enabled the 'Skins to win the NFC East (10-6 record) while the Cowboys (8-8) finished out of the playoffs for the third straight season. Cowboys QB Tony Romo was intercepted three times in the loss.
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| Redskins rookie RB Alfred Morris |
RG3 added 63 yards on the ground and also scored a rushing touchdown.
The Minnesota Vikings are yet another surprise team crashing the post-season party in 2012 as they topped the visiting Green Bay Packers, 37-34 on a 29-yard field goal by rookie kicker Blair Walsh as time expired.
Vikings running back Adrian Peterson ran for 199 yards and scored two touchdowns and finished the season with 2,097 yards rushing, just nine yards short of breaking the all-time single season record of 2,105 yards by Eric Dickerson in 1984.
Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers threw for 365 yards and four touchdowns in the loss, which dropped the Packers to 11-5 and a third seed in the NFC playoffs.
The win by Minnesota eliminated the Chicago Bears from the playoff picture. The Bears beat the Detroit Lions 26-24 behind a touchdown pass by QB Jay Cutler and a TD run by running back Matt Forte' and four field goals by Olindo Mare.
Chicago finished 10-6 but lost the tie breaker with Minnesota (10-6) and today announced the firing of Head Coach Lovie Smith after nine seasons with the team.
Smith is one of SEVEN Head Coaches let go today on the day that has become known as "Black Monday" around the NFL following the final regular season game.
The San Francisco 49ers (11-4-1) clinched a first round playoff bye with a 27-13 home win against Arizona as QB Colin Kaepernick hooked up with wide receiver Michael Crabtree for two scores to clinch the NFC West division. Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt was fired as the team fell flat after a 4-0 start this season to finish with a 5-11 record.
The Denver Broncos (13-3) continued their roll with their eleventh straight victory, a 38-3 decision over Kansas City that gives them the home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
The New York Giants, the defending Super Bowl champions, are done for the year as they finished 9-7 with a 42-7 pasting of the visiting Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants needed some help after their win, but neither the Bears or Vikings lost, so they are out of the post-season.
Giants QB Eli Manning threw five touchdown passes and the defense intercepted Eagles QB Michael Vick to help spark a quick 21-0 start in the first quarter. The Eagles finished 4-12 this season and fired Head Coach Andy Reid (14 seasons with the team) following the game.
The New England Patriots shut out the visiting Miami Dolphins, 28-0 as Tom Brady threw two TD passes and Stevan Ridley ran for two more scores. New England is the number-two seed in the AFC playoffs.
The Cincinnati Bengals (sixth seed) finished strong at 10-6 with a 23-17 home win against the Baltimore Ravens (10-6) as Carlos Dunlap took an interception in for a score and QB Andy Dalton threw a TD pass to go with three field goals by kicker Josh Brown. The Ravens are the AFC North division winner and the fourth seed in the AFC.
The NFC's top seeded Atlanta Falcons (13-3) mailed it in the home finale against Tampa Bay in a 22-17 loss as some of the reserves got plenty of time to play. The Buccaneers (7-9) got a 40-yard TD run from Doug Martin and a TD pass by Josh Freeman to lead the win, which snapped a five game losing streak.
Other teams playing out the string included a 24-10 home win by the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) against Cleveland as QB Ben Roethlisberger threw two TD passes. The Browns fired Head Coach Pat Shurmur after a 5-11 finish . . . The San Diego Chargers (7-9) finished with a 24-21 home win against Oakland as QB Philip Rivers had two TD passes. The 'Bolts fired Head Coach Norv Turner after missing the playoffs for the third straight season . . . The Buffalo Bills got a 28-9 win against the visiting New York Jets, which lost three straight down the stretch to finish at 6-10. The Bills also finished 6-10 and fired Head Coach Chan Gailey . . . Carolina won their fourth consecutive game to finish 7-9 as they topped the host New Orleans Saints, 44-38 behind running back DeAngelo Williams, who had 210 yards rushing and two TD along with a pair of rushing touchdowns from Mike Tolbert. Saints QB Drew Brees had 396 passing yards and three TD strikes in the loss . . . The Tennessee Titans had two interception returns for scores and also two kick returns for touchdowns as well in a 38-20 home win against the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14) to finish the season with a 6-10 record.
Next week the playoffs begin with Cincinnati at Houston and Minnesota at Green Bay on Saturday, January 5th while the Indianapolis Colts play at Baltimore and the Seattle Seahawks are at Washington on Sunday, January 6th.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
2012 - The Year In Sports
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| New York Giants win the Super Bowl |
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| San Francisco Giants win World Series |
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| Miami Heat capture NBA Championship |
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| Los Angeles Kings win Stanley Cup |
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| Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps set the Gold Medal record |
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| Detroit Tigers Miguel Cabrera became Baseball's first triple crown winner in 45 years |
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| Record setting RB LaDainian Tomlinson retired from the NFL |
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| Tebowing |
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| A legend comes down after passing away |
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| Scab NFL refs blow the call in Green Bay-Seattle game |
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| Sandusky goes to prison |
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| Alabama wins the BCS College Football championship |
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| Kentucky Wildcats win NCAA Basketball championship |
Saturday, December 29, 2012
What A Year
The year 2012 is almost gone and we are still here.
Stupid Mayan Calendar!
There was much ado about nothing in politics this year because we all knew that Barack Obama would be re-elected President of the United States IN A LANDSLIDE over Mitt Romney.
Hell, that was a no brainer in spite of the so called mainstream media trying to spin it in a different light.
Good on America for that one, but the Republicans didn't get the message and still do not get it as they are acting like they won the election in November.
Fools!
Oh well, guess the good people of the United States of America will just have to spank them again in the 2014 mid-term elections.
In sports, the San Francisco Giants did it again (like in 2010) as they got red hot when it mattered most and won the World Series again.
The New York Giants captured their second Super Bowl title in five years by beating the New England Patriots in a thrilling game last February.
The Miami Heat, led by their "Big Three" of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, won the NBA championship, beating the Oklahoma City Thunder last summer.
The Los Angeles Kings made like the San Francisco Giants did in baseball, and stunned the NHL by winning their first ever Stanley Cup title.
The Olympics came and went and Michael Phelps did it again in swimming and became the all-time winningest athlete as far as Gold Medals are concerned.
Back to the real world and the number one news story, unfortunately, was the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, CT just two weeks ago where a mad man armed with an assault rifle gunned down 20 innocent school children (most ages 6 and 7 years old) and six teachers before eventually shooting himself too. He also killed his own mother prior to the rampage at the school.
The murder of Trayvon Martin (pictured on right in above photo) was also a big story last winter when George Zimmerman (pictured on left in above photo) gunned down the Florida teenager in cold blood and then claimed he was "standing his own ground" thanks to a bullshit law in that state.
The trial should be interesting when it finally happens.
The passing of Andy Griffith, an American icon, in July was sad indeed. (I bet there are some people reading this right now who are hearing the famous whistling title theme from the TV show.)
Others from the entertainment world as well as notable people and celebrities who passed away this year included Whitney Houston, Donna Summer, Angelo Dundee, Joe Paterno, Don Cornelius (Soul Train), Gary Carter, Davey Jones (The Monkees), Mike Wallace, Dick Clark, Robin Gibb (Bee Gees), Richard Dawson, Rodney King, Ray Bradbury, Ernest Borgnine, Sally Ride, Sherman Hemsley (aka TV's George Jefferson), Neil Armstrong, Phyllis Diller, Steve Sabol (NFL Films), Andy Williams, Alex Karras, Arlen Specter, George McGovern, Hector Camacho, Larry Hagman, Marvin Miller, Rick Majerus, Dave Brubeck, Jack Klugman and General H. Norman Schwarzkopf.
2012 . . . What A Year!
Stupid Mayan Calendar! 
Hell, that was a no brainer in spite of the so called mainstream media trying to spin it in a different light.
Good on America for that one, but the Republicans didn't get the message and still do not get it as they are acting like they won the election in November.
Fools!
Oh well, guess the good people of the United States of America will just have to spank them again in the 2014 mid-term elections.
In sports, the San Francisco Giants did it again (like in 2010) as they got red hot when it mattered most and won the World Series again.
The New York Giants captured their second Super Bowl title in five years by beating the New England Patriots in a thrilling game last February.
The Los Angeles Kings made like the San Francisco Giants did in baseball, and stunned the NHL by winning their first ever Stanley Cup title.
The Olympics came and went and Michael Phelps did it again in swimming and became the all-time winningest athlete as far as Gold Medals are concerned.
The trial should be interesting when it finally happens.
Others from the entertainment world as well as notable people and celebrities who passed away this year included Whitney Houston, Donna Summer, Angelo Dundee, Joe Paterno, Don Cornelius (Soul Train), Gary Carter, Davey Jones (The Monkees), Mike Wallace, Dick Clark, Robin Gibb (Bee Gees), Richard Dawson, Rodney King, Ray Bradbury, Ernest Borgnine, Sally Ride, Sherman Hemsley (aka TV's George Jefferson), Neil Armstrong, Phyllis Diller, Steve Sabol (NFL Films), Andy Williams, Alex Karras, Arlen Specter, George McGovern, Hector Camacho, Larry Hagman, Marvin Miller, Rick Majerus, Dave Brubeck, Jack Klugman and General H. Norman Schwarzkopf.
2012 . . . What A Year!
Friday, December 28, 2012
NFL - Week Seventeen Preview
The final weekend of the 2012 regular season is here an all 32 NFL teams will play on Sunday.
The AFC playoffs picture is set, except for the seedings and which two teams will have a "bye week" once the playoffs start.
The Houston Texans and Denver Broncos are currently one and two, respectively, entering the final week. The New England Patriots (11-4) and Baltimore Ravens (10-5) have clinched their divisions and are numbers three and four. The wild cards at five and six are the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals.
In the NFC, there is one thing certain and that is the road to the Super Bowl travels through Atlanta as long as the Falcons remain alive in the post-season.
The Falcons are 13-2 and have locked up the number-one rank this year. The Green Bay Packers are currently number-two and if they win at Minnesota that will not change.
Beyond that, the NFC playoffs picture is way more muddled than the AFC scenario.
The BIG GAME this week will be the Sunday Night Football Game between the Dallas Cowboys (8-7) and the Washington Redskins (9-6) in the nation's capitol.
The NFC East division title is at stake in this one and for the Cowboys, it's this simple . . . win or go home.
The Cowboys MUST win or they are out of the playoffs altogether.
The Redskins already beat Dallas once this season and they would obviously win the NFC East division with a win over the 'Pokes.
Meanwhile, the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants (8-7) are hoping for a lot of help just to get a wild card spot in the post-season. Once upon a time, the Giants were 6-2 and looking real solid to get back to the playoffs. But a 2-5 stretch has them on the outside looking in right now.
The Giants must win against the Philadelphia Eagles and then have both the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings lose their games along with the Redskins beating the Cowboys on Sunday night. If all that happens, the Giants get the number six seed and a playoff game the following week.
The Bears play at Detroit while the Vikings host the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North divisional battles.
Minnesota (9-6) is currently in the playoffs as the sixth seed and a win at home on Sunday and they are in.
The Bears can get in with a win and a Vikings loss, which means the Bears and their fan base will perform an unusual act of rooting for a Packers' victory on Sunday.
Out West in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks (10-5) will host the St. Louis Rams while the division leading San Francisco 49ers (10-4-1) will host the Arizona Cardinals.
The 49ers win the West with a home victory while the Seahawks can gain the division crown with a win and a loss by the 'Niners to the Cardinals. No matter what, BOTH teams are in the playoffs already.
It should be interesting to see what unfolds in the final week, so stay tuned and then get ready for the post-season come next weekend.
The following is a capsule style breakdown of the finals games for this season, followed by the Heftyinfo selections for Week Seventeen.
Chicago (9-6) at Detroit (4-11) - For the Bears, it's win or go home.
Green Bay (11-4) at Minnesota (9-6) - Can the Pack stop running back Adrian Peterson from making history and the Vikings from crashing the post-season party?
Carolina (6-9) at New Orleans (7-8) - A battle of disappointing also-rans that should be a high scoring game.
Tampa Bay (6-9) at Atlanta (13-2) - The Bucs finishing this season with a huge thud. Falcons are on cruise control heading into the playoffs.
St. Louis (7-7-1) at Seattle (10-5) - The Seahawks are the hottest team in the NFL in December.
Arizona (5-10) at San Francisco (10-4-1) - The 49ers had their collective asses handed to them last week on national television and they are not happy about that. Poor Cardinals.
Philadelphia (4-11) at New York Giants (8-7) - For the Giants, it's win and then get A LOT of help.
Dallas (8-7) at Washington (9-6) - The Cowboys and the Redskins playing in prime time for the NFC East division title. What is this, a throwback to 1979? Cue Roger Staubach and Tony Hill for the final winning drive . . . no wait, that game was in Dallas. It's RG3 time to shine.
Cleveland (5-10) at Pittsburgh (7-8) - Who cares?
Baltimore (10-5) at Cincinnati (9-6) - Both of these teams are already in the AFC playoffs.
Houston (12-3) at Indianapolis (10-5) - See above comment . . . However, the Texans can clinch "home field" advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with a win. Colts riding emotional high with Head Coach Chuck Pagano back on the sidelines after battling cancer.
Jacksonville (2-13) at Tennessee (5-10) - Enough said.
New York Jets (6-9) at Buffalo (5-10) - Tebow! Tebow! Tebow!
Miami (7-8) at New England (11-4) - Patriots still have slim chance of getting the top seed in the AFC playoffs with a win and A LOT of help.
Kansas City (2-13) at Denver (12-3) - If the Chiefs win this game, then just write off the great season the Broncos have had with Comeback Player of the Year (and possibly also the MVP of the league) Peyton Manning.
Oakland (4-11) at San Diego (6-9) - Once this game ends, start the countdown to the firing of Chargers' Head Coach Norv Turner and possibly team GM A.J. Smith.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Seventeen . . . (Home teams are listed in BOLD)
Chicago over Detroit
Green Bay over Minnesota
New Orleans over Carolina
Atlanta over Tampa Bay
Seattle over St. Louis
San Francisco over Arizona
New York Giants over Philadelphia
Washington over Dallas
Cincinnati over Baltimore
Pittsburgh over Cleveland
Tennessee over Jacksonville
Indianapolis over Houston
Buffalo over New York Jets
New England over Miami
Denver over Kansas City
San Diego over Oakland
Last Week's Record: 11-5
SEASON RECORD: 147-92-1
The Houston Texans and Denver Broncos are currently one and two, respectively, entering the final week. The New England Patriots (11-4) and Baltimore Ravens (10-5) have clinched their divisions and are numbers three and four. The wild cards at five and six are the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals.
In the NFC, there is one thing certain and that is the road to the Super Bowl travels through Atlanta as long as the Falcons remain alive in the post-season.
The Falcons are 13-2 and have locked up the number-one rank this year. The Green Bay Packers are currently number-two and if they win at Minnesota that will not change.
Beyond that, the NFC playoffs picture is way more muddled than the AFC scenario.
The BIG GAME this week will be the Sunday Night Football Game between the Dallas Cowboys (8-7) and the Washington Redskins (9-6) in the nation's capitol.
The NFC East division title is at stake in this one and for the Cowboys, it's this simple . . . win or go home.
The Cowboys MUST win or they are out of the playoffs altogether.
The Redskins already beat Dallas once this season and they would obviously win the NFC East division with a win over the 'Pokes.
Meanwhile, the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants (8-7) are hoping for a lot of help just to get a wild card spot in the post-season. Once upon a time, the Giants were 6-2 and looking real solid to get back to the playoffs. But a 2-5 stretch has them on the outside looking in right now.
The Giants must win against the Philadelphia Eagles and then have both the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings lose their games along with the Redskins beating the Cowboys on Sunday night. If all that happens, the Giants get the number six seed and a playoff game the following week.
The Bears play at Detroit while the Vikings host the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North divisional battles.
Minnesota (9-6) is currently in the playoffs as the sixth seed and a win at home on Sunday and they are in.
The Bears can get in with a win and a Vikings loss, which means the Bears and their fan base will perform an unusual act of rooting for a Packers' victory on Sunday.
Out West in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks (10-5) will host the St. Louis Rams while the division leading San Francisco 49ers (10-4-1) will host the Arizona Cardinals.
The 49ers win the West with a home victory while the Seahawks can gain the division crown with a win and a loss by the 'Niners to the Cardinals. No matter what, BOTH teams are in the playoffs already.
It should be interesting to see what unfolds in the final week, so stay tuned and then get ready for the post-season come next weekend.
The following is a capsule style breakdown of the finals games for this season, followed by the Heftyinfo selections for Week Seventeen.
Chicago (9-6) at Detroit (4-11) - For the Bears, it's win or go home.
Green Bay (11-4) at Minnesota (9-6) - Can the Pack stop running back Adrian Peterson from making history and the Vikings from crashing the post-season party?
Carolina (6-9) at New Orleans (7-8) - A battle of disappointing also-rans that should be a high scoring game.
Tampa Bay (6-9) at Atlanta (13-2) - The Bucs finishing this season with a huge thud. Falcons are on cruise control heading into the playoffs.
St. Louis (7-7-1) at Seattle (10-5) - The Seahawks are the hottest team in the NFL in December.
Arizona (5-10) at San Francisco (10-4-1) - The 49ers had their collective asses handed to them last week on national television and they are not happy about that. Poor Cardinals.
Philadelphia (4-11) at New York Giants (8-7) - For the Giants, it's win and then get A LOT of help.
Dallas (8-7) at Washington (9-6) - The Cowboys and the Redskins playing in prime time for the NFC East division title. What is this, a throwback to 1979? Cue Roger Staubach and Tony Hill for the final winning drive . . . no wait, that game was in Dallas. It's RG3 time to shine.
Cleveland (5-10) at Pittsburgh (7-8) - Who cares?
Baltimore (10-5) at Cincinnati (9-6) - Both of these teams are already in the AFC playoffs.
Houston (12-3) at Indianapolis (10-5) - See above comment . . . However, the Texans can clinch "home field" advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with a win. Colts riding emotional high with Head Coach Chuck Pagano back on the sidelines after battling cancer.
Jacksonville (2-13) at Tennessee (5-10) - Enough said.
New York Jets (6-9) at Buffalo (5-10) - Tebow! Tebow! Tebow!
Miami (7-8) at New England (11-4) - Patriots still have slim chance of getting the top seed in the AFC playoffs with a win and A LOT of help.
Kansas City (2-13) at Denver (12-3) - If the Chiefs win this game, then just write off the great season the Broncos have had with Comeback Player of the Year (and possibly also the MVP of the league) Peyton Manning.
Oakland (4-11) at San Diego (6-9) - Once this game ends, start the countdown to the firing of Chargers' Head Coach Norv Turner and possibly team GM A.J. Smith.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Seventeen . . . (Home teams are listed in BOLD)
Chicago over Detroit
Green Bay over Minnesota
New Orleans over Carolina
Atlanta over Tampa Bay
Seattle over St. Louis
San Francisco over Arizona
New York Giants over Philadelphia
Washington over Dallas
Cincinnati over Baltimore
Pittsburgh over Cleveland
Tennessee over Jacksonville
Indianapolis over Houston
Buffalo over New York Jets
New England over Miami
Denver over Kansas City
San Diego over Oakland
Last Week's Record: 11-5
SEASON RECORD: 147-92-1
Monday, December 24, 2012
NFL - Week Sixteen Review
Meanwhile, the picture isn't quite so clear in the NFC, where four of six teams are in with the NFC East and West division winners yet to be determined.
The Colts beat the stubborn Kansas City Chiefs, 20-13 thanks to a defensive touchdown off an interception, two Adam Vinatieri field goals and a fourth quarter touchdown pass by quarterback Andrew Luck to Reggie Wayne to help the Colts improve to 10-5 and a wild card playoff berth.
It's a fitting touch for the Colts in a season that has seen Head Coach Chuck Pagano (pictured below right) battle leukemia and has just recently returned to lead the team heading into the post-season.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens clinched the AFC North with a resounding 33-14 home win against the fading (and defending Super Bowl champion) New York Giants.
The Ravens (10-5) snapped out of a recent funk by exploding on offense for 533 yards, which included 309 yards passing and two TD passes from QB Joe Flacco. Running back Ray Rice ran for 107 yards and scored a touchdown as well.
The Giants slipped to 8-7 and are in serious danger of missing the playoffs, which would be the first time a defending Super Bowl winner would be out of the following season's playoffs since 2009 when the Pittsburgh Steelers missed out.
The Atlanta Falcons (13-2) clinched "home field" advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a 31-18 road win against the Detroit Lions on Saturday night as QB Matt Ryan threw four touchdown passes to lead the way.
Ryan is the Heftyinfo NFL co-Player of the Week along with the Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who set a new NFL record for most receiving yardage in a season in the loss. Johnson broke the mark of Hall-of-Famer Jerry Rice, who set the record in 1995 while playing with the San Francisco 49ers.
The Denver Broncos continue to be the hottest team in the NFL with their 10th straight win, a 34-12 whipping of the visiting Cleveland Browns. Broncos' QB Peyton Manning threw three touchdown passes and the defense limited the Browns to 233 yards in offense while recording six sacks, giving them a league leading 48 QB sacks this season.
The Broncos (12-3) win keeps the pressure on the Houston Texans (12-3), who lost at home to the Minnesota Vikings 23-6, for the top spot in the AFC playoffs.
The Vikings' defense dominated the game, limiting Houston to only 187 yards on offense while QB Christian Ponder threw a TD pass to pace the offense. The Vikings are now 9-6 and clan clinch a wild card playoff spot next weekend with a win against Green Bay.
The New England Patriots (11-4) kept pace with Denver and Houston for the top overall spot in the AFC with a 23-16 road win at Jacksonville as QB Tom Brady overcame two first half interceptions with a pair of TD passes.
In a wild game in Dallas, the New Orleans Saints beat the Cowboys, 34-31 in overtime as kicker Garrett Hartley hit a 20-yard field goal to decide things.
Dallas QB Tony Romo had 416 passing yards and four TD passes in the loss, which dropped the 'Pokes to 8-7 for the year. Saints' QB Drew Brees was slightly better with 446 yards passing and had three touchdowns to help lead the win.
The Cowboys will face the Washington Redskins (9-6) next week in DC for all the marbles in the NFC East thanks to the Redskins 27-20 road win against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Washington QB Robert Griffin III threw for two scores and running back Alfred Morris had a touchdown run to lead the way to the team's sixth consecutive victory.
The Green Bay Packers dismantled the visiting Tennessee Titans, 55-7 as QB Aaron Rodgers (342 pass yards) had three TD passes and a rushing touchdown as well to help the Packers improve to 11-4. Running back Ryan Grant chipped in the rout with two TD runs and the defense sacked Titans' QB Jake Locker seven times while holding the Titans offense to just 180 total yards.
The Chicago Bears (9-6) kept their playoff hopes alive with a 28-13 road win at Arizona as the defense scored twice and also held the Cardinals to 248 yards of offense. Bears' QB Jay Cutler threw a TD pass to Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte' added a touchdown run in the win, which snapped a three-game losing streak.
The Seattle Seahawks served notice in prime time on the Sunday Night Football game they are FOR REAL with a 42-13 beat down of the visiting San Francisco 49ers.
Russell Wilson, the team's rookie QB, had four touchdown passes and RB Marshawn Lynch rumbled for 111 yards and a touchdown to squash the vaunted San Francisco defense. The win improved the 'Hawks to 10-5 and still with a shot at winning the NFC West.
The 49ers are 10-4-1 and play at home against the Arizona Cardinals next week while the Seahawks will host the St. Louis Rams.
Other games around the NFL . . .
The St. Louis Rams (7-7-1) went on the road to Tampa Bay and came away with a 28-13 win as defensive back Janoris Jenkins took a interception back for a touchdown for the third time this season, which ties an NFL record . . . Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton ran and threw for touchdowns in a 17-6 home win against the Oakland Raiders . . . The Miami Dolphins (7-8) beat the visiting Buffalo Bills 24-10 behind two TD passes from QB Ryan Tannehill . . . The San Diego Chargers (6-9) got a 27-17 road win against the New York Jets (6-9) as QB Philip Rivers threw for two touchdowns and the defense recorded 11 QB sacks to lead the way.
The Heftyinfo NFL co-Players of the Week
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| Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan has led team to NFL's best record. |
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| Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson (81) set a new NFL receiving yardage record. |
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Saturday, December 22, 2012
NFL - Week Sixteen Preview
The Monday Night Football games are over with for the 2012 season, which is different from back in 2007 when there was one on Christmas Eve that season featuring the infamous game between San Diego and Denver when Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers and several other teammates taunted then Broncos' QB Jay Cutler from the sidelines late in the game with the Chargers well ahead and on their way to clinching the AFC West division crown.
My how things have changed since then as the Broncos now have Peyton Manning at quarterback and have run away with the division title this year. Cutler of course, now plays with the Chicago Bears as they seek to claim a "wild card" spot in the NFC playoffs.
The Broncos (11-3) are looking to earn a first round bye with their tenth straight win as they host the Cleveland Browns. They have no doubt been the hottest AFC team going this season. In the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks have suddenly caught fire and are 9-5 behind rookie QB Russell Wilson, who has been largely ignored in Rookie of the Year talk behind RG3 (Robert Griffin III of Washington) and Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts.
These three rookie signal callers have their respective teams on target for the playoffs.
Some of the other intriguing things of the 2012 season have been the disappointments of teams such as the New York Jets (6-8) and San Diego Chargers (5-9), who face each other in a "who cares" game this weekend.
The game was scheduled to be the prime time Sunday Night Football matchup, but with these two squads stinking it up the game was bumped and "flexed" in will be the huge NFC West division matchup between the San Francisco 49ers (10-3-1) and the Seattle Seahawks (9-5) in the great Northwest.
Along with the big game in Seattle will be the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Cincinnati Bengals for a shot at the wild card in the AFC playoffs. The Steelers are 7-7 and MUST WIN this one while the Bengals (8-6) will attempt to lock down the sixth and final playoff seed if they can get the win.
The following offers a capsule style look at the action for Week 16 with the Heftyinfo picks following.
Atlanta (12-2) at Detroit (4-10) - The Falcons lock up "home field" advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a win. Enough said.
Chicago (8-6) at Arizona (5-9) - The Bears are who we thought they were.
Tennessee (5-9) at Green Bay (10-4) - If the Packers lose this one, they ought to just pack it in and go home 'til next year.
Indianapolis (9-5) at Kansas City (2-12) - When the schedule was released, most people would have thought these two teams records would be reversed coming into this game. Surprise!
New Orleans (6-8) at Dallas (8-6) - Saints playing the spoiler role this weekend.
Minnesota (8-6) at Houston (12-2) - Two teams vying for post-season positioning as the Texans D attempts to slow down Vikes' RB Adrian Peterson.
Oakland (4-10) at Carolina (5-9) - Who cares?
Buffalo (5-9) at Miami (6-8) - The Dolphins are still "mathematically" alive for the AFC playoffs. Yeah, right!
Cincinnati (8-6) at Pittsburgh (7-7) - The game of the week in the AFC. Take the Steelers.
New England (10-4) at Jacksonville (2-12) - Sometimes games like this can be a total surprise. The Patriots don't like surprises.
Washington (8-6) at Philadelphia (4-10) - RG3 is expected back this week Redskins fans.
St. Louis (6-7-1) at Tampa Bay (6-8) - Yawn.
San Diego (5-9) at New York Jets (6-8) - See above comment.
Cleveland (5-9) at Denver (11-3) - Peyton Manning and company will not be denied their tenth consecutive win.
New York Giants (8-6) at Baltimore (9-5) - Both of these teams are reeling at this point of the season. What gives?
San Francisco (10-3-1) at Seattle (9-5) - The game of the week in the NFC. It's a toss up that will feature two very good defenses.
The Heftyinfo predictions for this week's games . . . (Home teams are listed in BOLD)
Atlanta over Detroit
Chicago over Arizona
Green Bay over Tennessee
Indianapolis over Kansas City
New Orleans over Dallas
Houston over Minnesota
Carolina over Oakland
Miami over Buffalo
Pittsburgh over Cincinnati
New England over Jacksonville
Washington over Philadelphia
Tampa Bay over St. Louis
San Diego over New York Jets
Denver over Cleveland
New York Giants over Baltimore
San Francisco over Seattle
Last Week's Record: 10-6
SEASON RECORD: 136-87-1
Friday, December 21, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
NFL - Week Fifteen Review
The playoff picture around the NFL is taking form with two weeks left in the regular season as six of the twelve eligible teams are already in following this weekend's action.
The Green Bay Packers clinched the NFC North division with a 21-13 road win at Chicago against the slumping Bears, who have lost five of their last six games and fallen out of the playoff picture.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (pictured left) hooked up with WR James Jones for three touchdowns in the win.
The Baltimore Ravens lost their game to Denver, 34-17 but still clinched a playoff spot when the Pittsburgh Steelers fell to the Dallas Cowboys, 27-24 in overtime later in the day.
Denver rolled to their ninth consecutive win at Baltimore as running back Knowshon Moreno rushed for 118 yards and scored a touchdown while QB Peyton Manning threw a TD pass. Broncos' DB Chris Harris raced 98 yards with an interception for a touchdown to help the cause.
Meanwhile, the host Dallas Cowboys beat Pittsburgh on a 21-yard field goal by Dan Bailey following an interception of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger.
The Cowboys (8-6) got a pair of TD passes from QB Tony Romo and scoring run from RB DeMarco Murray and are now in a three-way tie for first place in the NFC East with Washington and the New York Giants.
The Redskins, playing without starting QB Robert Griffin III, won their fifth straight game, 38-21 at Cleveland.
Reserve QB Kirk Cousins threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns to WR Leonard Hankerson while running back Alfred Morris ran for two scores. The loss eliminated the Browns (5-9) from playoff contention.
The New York Giants were crushed 34-0 in Atlanta as the Falcons intercepted Giants QB Eli Manning twice and limited New York to just 256 total yards in offense.
Falcons QB Matt Ryan passed for three touchdowns, including two to Julio Jones as they improved to 12-2 for the season while taking another step closer to home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The surprising Minnesota Vikings rode the legs of Adrian Peterson, the Heftyinfo NFL Player of the Week, to the tune of 212 yards rushing (including an 82-yard TD run) in a 36-22 road win against the St. Louis Rams, to improve to 8-6 and bolt into the sixth spot of the NFC playoff picture.
The Houston Texans (12-2) clinched the AFC South division for the second straight season, beating the visiting Indianapolis Colts, 29-17 as kicker Shayne Graham nailed five field goals to with a special teams score on a blocked punt and a TD pass from QB Matt Schaub to WR Andre Johnson.
The Colts are 9-5 as they saw their three-game winning streak snapped, but they still control their own playoff destiny as they are currently in the five spot in the AFC playoff picture.
The surging Seattle Seahwks won again as they routed the Buffalo Bills, 50-17 to improve to 9-5 and keep the pressure on the NFC West division leading San Francisco 49ers heading into a huge game between the two teams next week.
After putting up 58 points a week ago, the Seahawks became the first team since 1950 to score 50 points in successive games as QB Russell Wilson rushed for three touchdowns while RB Marshawn Lynch (113 yards rushing) scored a TD as well.
The Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) remained in the sixth spot in the AFC playoff picture with a 34-13 win last Thursday night at Philadelphia.
Trailing 13-10 at the half, the Bengals outscored the Eagles 24-0 as QB Andy Dalton ran and threw for a score while RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (106 yards rushing) also scored a touchdown in the win.
The much anticipated Sunday Night Football game was all it was supposed to be and more as the San Francisco 49ers (10-3-1) won on the road against the New England Patriots, 41-34 behind four touchdown passes by QB Colin Kaepernick, including the game winner to WR Michael Crabtree (who had two TD catches) late in the fourth quarter to put the 'Niners ahead for good at 38-31 after the Patriots rallied from a 28-point deficit to tie the game in the fourth quarter.
New England saw it's seven game winning streak snapped despite QB Tom Brady passing for 443 yards and a touchdown while RB Danny Woodhead ran for two more scores in the frantic second half comeback.
The Patriots (10-4) had already clinched a playoff spot in the AFC, but the loss puts them behind Houston and Denver for the first round "bye" in the post-season.
Other games around the league included the Carolina Panthers romping past the host San Diego Chargers, 31-7 behind a pair of rushing touchdowns by former Charger RB Mike Tolbert . . . The Miami Dolphins honored the 1972 undefeated team's 40th Anniversary and also remained mathematically alive in the AFC playoff race with a 24-3 win against Jacksonville as QB Ryan Tannehill threw two TD passes . . . The New Orleans Saints pasted visiting Tampa Bay, 41-0 to eliminate the Buccaneers (6-8 and losers of four in a row) from the NFC playoff picture as QB Drew Brees passed for 307 yards and four touchdowns in the game . . . The Arizona Cardinals stopped a nine-game losing streak with a 38-10 home rout of the Detroit Lions (4-10) behind three TD runs by RB Beanie Wells . . . The Oakland Raiders, the worst defensive team in points allowed in the NFL, shut out the visiting Kansas City Chiefs, 15-0 behind five field goals (including two from beyond 50 yards) by kicker Sebastian Janikowski . . . The Monday Night Football game had the Tennessee Titans getting a home win, 14-10 against the New York Jets as running back Chris Johnson (122 yards) scored on a 94-yard run and QB Jake Locker also scored a rushing touchdown. The Jets were eliminated from playoff contention with the loss as QB Mark Sanchez was intercepted four times and also lost a fumble in the closing seconds of the game with the ball on the Titans' 25-yard line.
The Green Bay Packers clinched the NFC North division with a 21-13 road win at Chicago against the slumping Bears, who have lost five of their last six games and fallen out of the playoff picture.
The Baltimore Ravens lost their game to Denver, 34-17 but still clinched a playoff spot when the Pittsburgh Steelers fell to the Dallas Cowboys, 27-24 in overtime later in the day.
Denver rolled to their ninth consecutive win at Baltimore as running back Knowshon Moreno rushed for 118 yards and scored a touchdown while QB Peyton Manning threw a TD pass. Broncos' DB Chris Harris raced 98 yards with an interception for a touchdown to help the cause.
Meanwhile, the host Dallas Cowboys beat Pittsburgh on a 21-yard field goal by Dan Bailey following an interception of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger.
The Cowboys (8-6) got a pair of TD passes from QB Tony Romo and scoring run from RB DeMarco Murray and are now in a three-way tie for first place in the NFC East with Washington and the New York Giants.
The Redskins, playing without starting QB Robert Griffin III, won their fifth straight game, 38-21 at Cleveland.
Reserve QB Kirk Cousins threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns to WR Leonard Hankerson while running back Alfred Morris ran for two scores. The loss eliminated the Browns (5-9) from playoff contention.
The New York Giants were crushed 34-0 in Atlanta as the Falcons intercepted Giants QB Eli Manning twice and limited New York to just 256 total yards in offense.
Falcons QB Matt Ryan passed for three touchdowns, including two to Julio Jones as they improved to 12-2 for the season while taking another step closer to home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
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| Vikings RB Adrian Peterson topped 200 yards rushing in win. |
The Houston Texans (12-2) clinched the AFC South division for the second straight season, beating the visiting Indianapolis Colts, 29-17 as kicker Shayne Graham nailed five field goals to with a special teams score on a blocked punt and a TD pass from QB Matt Schaub to WR Andre Johnson.
The Colts are 9-5 as they saw their three-game winning streak snapped, but they still control their own playoff destiny as they are currently in the five spot in the AFC playoff picture.
The surging Seattle Seahwks won again as they routed the Buffalo Bills, 50-17 to improve to 9-5 and keep the pressure on the NFC West division leading San Francisco 49ers heading into a huge game between the two teams next week.
After putting up 58 points a week ago, the Seahawks became the first team since 1950 to score 50 points in successive games as QB Russell Wilson rushed for three touchdowns while RB Marshawn Lynch (113 yards rushing) scored a TD as well.
The Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) remained in the sixth spot in the AFC playoff picture with a 34-13 win last Thursday night at Philadelphia.
Trailing 13-10 at the half, the Bengals outscored the Eagles 24-0 as QB Andy Dalton ran and threw for a score while RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (106 yards rushing) also scored a touchdown in the win.
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| 49ers' QB Colin Kaepernick had four TD passes in win over Patriots. |
New England saw it's seven game winning streak snapped despite QB Tom Brady passing for 443 yards and a touchdown while RB Danny Woodhead ran for two more scores in the frantic second half comeback.
The Patriots (10-4) had already clinched a playoff spot in the AFC, but the loss puts them behind Houston and Denver for the first round "bye" in the post-season.
Other games around the league included the Carolina Panthers romping past the host San Diego Chargers, 31-7 behind a pair of rushing touchdowns by former Charger RB Mike Tolbert . . . The Miami Dolphins honored the 1972 undefeated team's 40th Anniversary and also remained mathematically alive in the AFC playoff race with a 24-3 win against Jacksonville as QB Ryan Tannehill threw two TD passes . . . The New Orleans Saints pasted visiting Tampa Bay, 41-0 to eliminate the Buccaneers (6-8 and losers of four in a row) from the NFC playoff picture as QB Drew Brees passed for 307 yards and four touchdowns in the game . . . The Arizona Cardinals stopped a nine-game losing streak with a 38-10 home rout of the Detroit Lions (4-10) behind three TD runs by RB Beanie Wells . . . The Oakland Raiders, the worst defensive team in points allowed in the NFL, shut out the visiting Kansas City Chiefs, 15-0 behind five field goals (including two from beyond 50 yards) by kicker Sebastian Janikowski . . . The Monday Night Football game had the Tennessee Titans getting a home win, 14-10 against the New York Jets as running back Chris Johnson (122 yards) scored on a 94-yard run and QB Jake Locker also scored a rushing touchdown. The Jets were eliminated from playoff contention with the loss as QB Mark Sanchez was intercepted four times and also lost a fumble in the closing seconds of the game with the ball on the Titans' 25-yard line.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
Tragic
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| The school children are led out of the school where 27 people died, including at least 20 small children, as a result of a mass school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. |
Thursday, December 13, 2012
NFL - Week Fifteen Preview
With just three weeks left in the 2012 NFL season, it's put up or shut up time for several teams on the "playoff bubble" around the league.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys face each other in a huge showdown in Big D this Sunday afternoon.
Both squads are 7-6 and in dire need of a win to keep playoff hopes alive, although the Cowboys are more backed into a corner than Pittsburgh is at this point.
The Chicago Bears (8-5) host the Green Bay Packers (9-4) in a NFC North division battle that will give the division crown to the Packers if they beat the Bears in Soldier Field.
Green Bay has been surging, having won seven of eight games while the Bears have gone in the opposite direction, losing four of their last five games to drop out of first place in the division race.
The Sunday Night Football Game could very well be a Super Bowl 47 preview between the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
San Francisco leads the NFC West at 9-3-1 and has a hungry Seattle team hot on their heels at 8-5 while Patriots have already clinched the AFC East division and are looking to secure possible home field advantage through the playoffs with their 10-3 record, having won seven in a row coming into this game.
There are many matchups that will make or break several teams this week, so here's a capsule style look at the action around the NFL with the Heftyinfo predictions following up.
Cincinnati (7-6) at Philadelphia (4-9) - The Eagles finally broke through with a win last week and face a Bengals team that MUST WIN in tonight's final Thursday Night Football Game of 2012 to keep alive their playoff hopes.
Green Bay (9-4) at Chicago (8-5) - Green Bay dominated the Bears in Lambeau Field in Week Two and may do the same this Sunday in the Windy City.
New York Giants (8-5) at Atlanta (11-2) - Suddenly the Falcons don't seem so invincible any more and the Giants are getting it rolling late in the season once again as they did last year on their way to a Super Bowl title.
Washington (7-6) at Cleveland (5-8) - RG3 says he will be ready to lead the 'Skins in this one. Both teams have been red hot, so something has to give on the shores of Lake Erie this Sunday.
Minnesota (7-6) at St. Louis (6-6-1) - The loser of this game will be OUT of the NFC Playoffs picture.
Jacksonville (2-11) at Miami (5-8) - The battle of Florida. Is it really worth fighting for?
Tampa Bay (6-7) at New Orleans (5-8) - Two "also rans" just playing out the string.
Denver (10-3) at Baltimore (9-4) - Broncos' QB Peyton Manning has a history of dissecting the Ravens defense. This is a HUGE game with a possible first round playoff bye week at stake... take Peyton and the Broncos.
Indianapolis (9-4) at Houston (11-2) - The Texans were given a big piece of humble pie last week at New England while the Colts have won three straight and seven of eight. Can they keep it going in Houston this Sunday?
Seattle (8-5) at Buffalo (5-8) - Beware of the "trap" game Seattle. The Bills could spring the surprise here against a hot Seahawks team.
Detroit (4-9) at Arizona (4-9) - Can the Lions get a win on the road against a team that lost 58-0 last week?
Carolina (4-9) at San Diego (5-8) - Can the Chargers make their annual December run and finish at .500 again this year?
Pittsburgh (7-6) at Dallas (7-6) - The Steelers and the Cowboys. With playoff implications riding on the game. It doesn't get any better than that. Actually it does because neither of these two is going very far even IF they make the playoffs.
Kansas City (2-11) at Oakland (3-10) - Why bother?
San Francisco (9-3-1) at New England (10-3) - Two of the BEST teams in the NFL go at it in "prime time" this Sunday night. (Take the Patriots)
New York Jets (6-7) at Tennessee (4-9) - The final Monday Night Football Game this season and the Jets are still mathematically alive for a playoff spot in the AFC so it stands to reason they will win this game, right? Not necessarily.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week 15 . . . (Home teams are listed in BOLD)
Philadelphia over Cincinnati
Green Bay over Chicago
Atlanta over New York Giants
Washington over Cleveland
St. Louis over Minnesota
Miami over Jacksonville
New Orleans over Tampa Bay
Denver over Baltimore
Houston over Indianapolis
Seattle over Buffalo
Detroit over Arizona
San Diego over Carolina
Pittsburgh over Dallas
Oakland over Kansas City
New England over San Francisco
Tennessee over New York Jets
Last Week's Record: 9-7
SEASON RECORD: 126-81-1
Both squads are 7-6 and in dire need of a win to keep playoff hopes alive, although the Cowboys are more backed into a corner than Pittsburgh is at this point.
The Chicago Bears (8-5) host the Green Bay Packers (9-4) in a NFC North division battle that will give the division crown to the Packers if they beat the Bears in Soldier Field.
Green Bay has been surging, having won seven of eight games while the Bears have gone in the opposite direction, losing four of their last five games to drop out of first place in the division race.
The Sunday Night Football Game could very well be a Super Bowl 47 preview between the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
San Francisco leads the NFC West at 9-3-1 and has a hungry Seattle team hot on their heels at 8-5 while Patriots have already clinched the AFC East division and are looking to secure possible home field advantage through the playoffs with their 10-3 record, having won seven in a row coming into this game.
There are many matchups that will make or break several teams this week, so here's a capsule style look at the action around the NFL with the Heftyinfo predictions following up.
Cincinnati (7-6) at Philadelphia (4-9) - The Eagles finally broke through with a win last week and face a Bengals team that MUST WIN in tonight's final Thursday Night Football Game of 2012 to keep alive their playoff hopes.
Green Bay (9-4) at Chicago (8-5) - Green Bay dominated the Bears in Lambeau Field in Week Two and may do the same this Sunday in the Windy City.
New York Giants (8-5) at Atlanta (11-2) - Suddenly the Falcons don't seem so invincible any more and the Giants are getting it rolling late in the season once again as they did last year on their way to a Super Bowl title.
Washington (7-6) at Cleveland (5-8) - RG3 says he will be ready to lead the 'Skins in this one. Both teams have been red hot, so something has to give on the shores of Lake Erie this Sunday.
Minnesota (7-6) at St. Louis (6-6-1) - The loser of this game will be OUT of the NFC Playoffs picture.
Jacksonville (2-11) at Miami (5-8) - The battle of Florida. Is it really worth fighting for?
Tampa Bay (6-7) at New Orleans (5-8) - Two "also rans" just playing out the string.
Denver (10-3) at Baltimore (9-4) - Broncos' QB Peyton Manning has a history of dissecting the Ravens defense. This is a HUGE game with a possible first round playoff bye week at stake... take Peyton and the Broncos.
Indianapolis (9-4) at Houston (11-2) - The Texans were given a big piece of humble pie last week at New England while the Colts have won three straight and seven of eight. Can they keep it going in Houston this Sunday?
Seattle (8-5) at Buffalo (5-8) - Beware of the "trap" game Seattle. The Bills could spring the surprise here against a hot Seahawks team.
Detroit (4-9) at Arizona (4-9) - Can the Lions get a win on the road against a team that lost 58-0 last week?
Carolina (4-9) at San Diego (5-8) - Can the Chargers make their annual December run and finish at .500 again this year?
Pittsburgh (7-6) at Dallas (7-6) - The Steelers and the Cowboys. With playoff implications riding on the game. It doesn't get any better than that. Actually it does because neither of these two is going very far even IF they make the playoffs.
Kansas City (2-11) at Oakland (3-10) - Why bother?
San Francisco (9-3-1) at New England (10-3) - Two of the BEST teams in the NFL go at it in "prime time" this Sunday night. (Take the Patriots)
New York Jets (6-7) at Tennessee (4-9) - The final Monday Night Football Game this season and the Jets are still mathematically alive for a playoff spot in the AFC so it stands to reason they will win this game, right? Not necessarily.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week 15 . . . (Home teams are listed in BOLD)
Philadelphia over Cincinnati
Green Bay over Chicago
Atlanta over New York Giants
Washington over Cleveland
St. Louis over Minnesota
Miami over Jacksonville
New Orleans over Tampa Bay
Denver over Baltimore
Houston over Indianapolis
Seattle over Buffalo
Detroit over Arizona
San Diego over Carolina
Pittsburgh over Dallas
Oakland over Kansas City
New England over San Francisco
Tennessee over New York Jets
Last Week's Record: 9-7
SEASON RECORD: 126-81-1
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Here We Go Again
The Republicans just do not know when to quit, do they?
Now along comes Michigan governor (Republican of course) Rick Snyder to ram through, along with the GOP dominated Michigan state legislature, the "right to work" (For less money of course) law in that state.
When are these idiots going to learn that you don't mess with the hard working people of this country, especially in Michigan.
I also have to ask the people of Michigan (just like Wisconsin and Ohio when the middle class people came under attack from the GOP there) ... "Why in the hell are you people voting for Republicans?"
Two simple illustrations below sum it all up folks... TAKE A GOOD LOOK!
The picture below is a direct message for Rick Snyder and all his cohorts in the Republican party in the state of Michigan.
Now along comes Michigan governor (Republican of course) Rick Snyder to ram through, along with the GOP dominated Michigan state legislature, the "right to work" (For less money of course) law in that state.
When are these idiots going to learn that you don't mess with the hard working people of this country, especially in Michigan.
I also have to ask the people of Michigan (just like Wisconsin and Ohio when the middle class people came under attack from the GOP there) ... "Why in the hell are you people voting for Republicans?"
Two simple illustrations below sum it all up folks... TAKE A GOOD LOOK!
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| OK MICHIGAN VOTERS, YOU ARE CHARLIE BROWN AND THE GOP IS LUCY |
The picture below is a direct message for Rick Snyder and all his cohorts in the Republican party in the state of Michigan.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
NFL - Week Fourteen Review
There were some last second thrillers along with surprises around the NFL this past weekend.
Perhaps the biggest surprise came in Pittsburgh, where the San Diego Chargers shocked the Steelers, 34-24 behind opportunistic defense and three touchdown passes from quarterback Philip Rivers.
The Steelers had quarterback Ben Roethlisberger back for the first time in four weeks, but it wasn't enough as the Chargers bolted out to a 27-3 lead early in the second half thanks to a defensive score on a fumble recovery in the end zone by DB Quentin Jammer and cruised from there. The loss dropped Pittsburgh to 7-6 in the AFC North.
The Dallas Cowboys got a 40-yard field goal from kicker Dan Bailey at the buzzer to edge host Cincinnati, 20-19 to improve to 7-6 and keep pace with the resurgent Washington Redskins in the NFC "wild card" race.
The Redskins stormed back in the final seconds to sneak past the visiting Baltimore Ravens, 31-28 in overtime.
Reserve QB Kirk Cousins threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon and then ran in for the two-point conversion to force the OT session. Kicker Kai Forbath nailed a 34-yard field goal to win it.
The Ravens (9-4) had a 28-20 lead, but starting QB Robert Griffin III led the 'Skins on a drive down field in the closing minutes before being forced to the bench with a knee injury. That's where Cousins stepped in and finished the drive to propel Washington to a fourth straight win and 7-6 record in the NFC East.
The New York Giants kept their hold on first place at 8-5 in the NFC East with a 52-27 thumping of the visiting New Orleans Saints, who dropped their third straight game.
Giants QB Eli Manning had four TD passes and David Wilson rushed for two scores to go with 100 yards on the ground and also took a kickoff back 97 yards for a third touchdown.
The Minnesota Vikings beat the visiting Chicago Bears, 21-14 behind a big game from running back Adrian Peterson, who ran for 154 yards and two touchdowns to go with a defensive score by the Vikings (7-6) that made the difference. The Bears lost for the fourth time in five games and slipped to 8-5 in the NFC North, one game behind the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers came from behind to top the visiting Detroit Lions, 27-20 in the Sunday Night Football game.
Detroit went ahead 14-0 in the second quarter when QB Matthew Stafford connected with tight end Tony Scheffler for a touchdown pass. But then Green Bay got a huge break when defensive lineman Mike Daniels rumbled 43 yards with a fumble recovery for a touchdown to make it 14-10 in favor of Detroit.
The Packers won for then eighth time in nine games and now are alone in first place (9-4) in the NFC North with big game at Chicago next Sunday.
The "cardiac kids" known as the Indianapolis Colts, did it again in come from behind fashion with a 27-23 home win over the Tennessee Titans as kicker Adam Vinatieri made two field goals in the final minute of play to provide the outcome for the Colts, who improved to 9-4 in the AFC South and secured a two-game edge over both Pittsburgh and Cincinnati in the AFC "wild card " race. Indy trailed 20-7 at halftime before mounting their sixth comeback win this season.
The St. Louis Rams rallied late with a 13-yard touchdown pass from QB Sam Bradford to WR Brandon Gibson with just 48 seconds remaining to edge the host Buffalo Bills, 15-12 and improve to 6-6-1 in the NFC West.
The Seattle Seahawks (8-5) DESTROYED the visiting Arizona Cardinals, losers of nine consecutive games, 58-0 in the Great Northwest.
Running back Marshawn Lynch ran for 111 yards and scored three touchdowns while the tenacious Seattle defense forced EIGHT turnovers in the easy win.
The New York Jets (6-7) kept very slim playoff hopes alive with a 17-10 yawner win over the host Jacksonville Jaguars behind rushing touchdowns from Shonn Greene and Bilal Powell.
Philadelphia snapped an eight game losing streak and dealt the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers' playoff chances a serious blow with a 23-21 win as QB Nick Foles hit WR Jeremy Maclin on a one-yard scoring pass on the game's final play. The Bucs (6-7) blew a 21-10 fourth quarter lead with their third consecutive loss.
The San Francisco 49ers beat the visiting Miami Dolphins, 27-13 as the defense limited the Dolphins to just 227 yards of offense and the offense scored three rushing touchdowns, including a 50-yard jaunt by QB Colin Kaepernick to put the game out of reach.
The Carolina Panthers surprised the visiting Atlanta Falcons, 30-20 as QB Cam Newton threw for two scores and also had a 72-yard touchdown run to pace the win. The Falcons (11-2) fell behind 23-0 before mounting a rally with two scoring passes from QB Matt Ryan. But Newton's second TD pass, a 53-yard hook up with running back DeAngelo Williams, put the game out of reach for good with 4:11 remaining,
The host Cleveland Browns (5-8) blew out hapless Kansas City, 30-7 behind a 93-yard punt return for touchdown by Travis Benjamin and two rushing touchdowns by RB Trent Richardson. Jamaal Charles (165 yards rushing) scored the Chiefs' only touchdown on an 80-yard sprint on the first play from scrimmage.
The Denver Broncos outlasted the host Oakland Raiders last Thursday night, 26-13 to improve to 10-3 with their eighth straight win. Quarterback Peyton Manning had a TD pass to go with 310 yards and RB Knowshon Moreno ran for 119 yards and a touchdown. Broncos' kicker Matt Prater made four field goals as well.
The New England Patriots (10-3) served notice to the visiting Houston Texans (11-2) that they are the team to beat in the AFC with a 42-14 thumping in the Monday Night Football game.
Patriots QB Tom Brady (pictured right), the Heftyinfo NFL Player of the Week, threw for 296 yards and had four touchdown passes, including two to tight end Aaron Hernandez in the first half as the Pats built a 21-0 advantage.
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| Chargers' QB Philip Rivers and WR Danario Alexander celebrate TD. |
The Steelers had quarterback Ben Roethlisberger back for the first time in four weeks, but it wasn't enough as the Chargers bolted out to a 27-3 lead early in the second half thanks to a defensive score on a fumble recovery in the end zone by DB Quentin Jammer and cruised from there. The loss dropped Pittsburgh to 7-6 in the AFC North.
The Dallas Cowboys got a 40-yard field goal from kicker Dan Bailey at the buzzer to edge host Cincinnati, 20-19 to improve to 7-6 and keep pace with the resurgent Washington Redskins in the NFC "wild card" race.
The Redskins stormed back in the final seconds to sneak past the visiting Baltimore Ravens, 31-28 in overtime.
Reserve QB Kirk Cousins threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon and then ran in for the two-point conversion to force the OT session. Kicker Kai Forbath nailed a 34-yard field goal to win it.
The Ravens (9-4) had a 28-20 lead, but starting QB Robert Griffin III led the 'Skins on a drive down field in the closing minutes before being forced to the bench with a knee injury. That's where Cousins stepped in and finished the drive to propel Washington to a fourth straight win and 7-6 record in the NFC East.
The New York Giants kept their hold on first place at 8-5 in the NFC East with a 52-27 thumping of the visiting New Orleans Saints, who dropped their third straight game.
Giants QB Eli Manning had four TD passes and David Wilson rushed for two scores to go with 100 yards on the ground and also took a kickoff back 97 yards for a third touchdown.
The Minnesota Vikings beat the visiting Chicago Bears, 21-14 behind a big game from running back Adrian Peterson, who ran for 154 yards and two touchdowns to go with a defensive score by the Vikings (7-6) that made the difference. The Bears lost for the fourth time in five games and slipped to 8-5 in the NFC North, one game behind the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers came from behind to top the visiting Detroit Lions, 27-20 in the Sunday Night Football game.
Detroit went ahead 14-0 in the second quarter when QB Matthew Stafford connected with tight end Tony Scheffler for a touchdown pass. But then Green Bay got a huge break when defensive lineman Mike Daniels rumbled 43 yards with a fumble recovery for a touchdown to make it 14-10 in favor of Detroit.
The Packers won for then eighth time in nine games and now are alone in first place (9-4) in the NFC North with big game at Chicago next Sunday.
The "cardiac kids" known as the Indianapolis Colts, did it again in come from behind fashion with a 27-23 home win over the Tennessee Titans as kicker Adam Vinatieri made two field goals in the final minute of play to provide the outcome for the Colts, who improved to 9-4 in the AFC South and secured a two-game edge over both Pittsburgh and Cincinnati in the AFC "wild card " race. Indy trailed 20-7 at halftime before mounting their sixth comeback win this season.
The St. Louis Rams rallied late with a 13-yard touchdown pass from QB Sam Bradford to WR Brandon Gibson with just 48 seconds remaining to edge the host Buffalo Bills, 15-12 and improve to 6-6-1 in the NFC West.
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| The Seattle Seahawks cruised 58-0 over the Arizona Cardinals. |
Running back Marshawn Lynch ran for 111 yards and scored three touchdowns while the tenacious Seattle defense forced EIGHT turnovers in the easy win.
The New York Jets (6-7) kept very slim playoff hopes alive with a 17-10 yawner win over the host Jacksonville Jaguars behind rushing touchdowns from Shonn Greene and Bilal Powell.
Philadelphia snapped an eight game losing streak and dealt the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers' playoff chances a serious blow with a 23-21 win as QB Nick Foles hit WR Jeremy Maclin on a one-yard scoring pass on the game's final play. The Bucs (6-7) blew a 21-10 fourth quarter lead with their third consecutive loss.
The San Francisco 49ers beat the visiting Miami Dolphins, 27-13 as the defense limited the Dolphins to just 227 yards of offense and the offense scored three rushing touchdowns, including a 50-yard jaunt by QB Colin Kaepernick to put the game out of reach.
The Carolina Panthers surprised the visiting Atlanta Falcons, 30-20 as QB Cam Newton threw for two scores and also had a 72-yard touchdown run to pace the win. The Falcons (11-2) fell behind 23-0 before mounting a rally with two scoring passes from QB Matt Ryan. But Newton's second TD pass, a 53-yard hook up with running back DeAngelo Williams, put the game out of reach for good with 4:11 remaining,
The host Cleveland Browns (5-8) blew out hapless Kansas City, 30-7 behind a 93-yard punt return for touchdown by Travis Benjamin and two rushing touchdowns by RB Trent Richardson. Jamaal Charles (165 yards rushing) scored the Chiefs' only touchdown on an 80-yard sprint on the first play from scrimmage.
The New England Patriots (10-3) served notice to the visiting Houston Texans (11-2) that they are the team to beat in the AFC with a 42-14 thumping in the Monday Night Football game.
Patriots QB Tom Brady (pictured right), the Heftyinfo NFL Player of the Week, threw for 296 yards and had four touchdown passes, including two to tight end Aaron Hernandez in the first half as the Pats built a 21-0 advantage.
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