Sunday, January 30, 2022

The L.A. Rams Are Going To Host The Super Bowl

Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford had a big part in Rams win.

For the second consecutive season, a participant in the Super Bowl will be playing in their home stadium as the Los Angeles Rams beat the San Francisco 49ers, 20-17 to advance to Super Bowl LVI in two weeks against the Cincinnati Bengals. The game is scheduled to be played at SoFi Stadium, which is the Rams home field. 


Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (337 passing yards with two touchdowns and one interception) had a pair of scoring passes to wide receiver Cooper Kupp (11 receptions for 142 yards) and kicker Matt Gay made two field goals, including the game winning 30-yarder with just 1:46 remaining in the game to make the difference in the final outcome. 

The game was scoreless after one quarter, but then Stafford connected with Kupp on a 16-yard TD strike to give the Rams a 7-0 lead with 8:50 left in the second quarter. The Rams scoring drive was a 20 play, 97 yard effort that took 9:33 off the clock. San Francisco tied the game at 7-7 when QB Jimmy Garoppolo (232 yards with two TD and one INT) hooked up with WR Deebo Samuel for a 44-yard score. The 49ers held a 10-7 lead at the half when kicker Robbie Gould made a 38-yard field goal as time expired.  

In the third quarter, Garoppolo threw a 16-yard scoring pass to tight end George Kittle for a 17-7 lead with 2:04 remaining. But the Rams would rally back for 13 unanswered points in the final quarter as Stafford hit Kupp for an eleven yard scoring pass with 13:30 left to play to cut the deficit to 17-14. Gay would kick a 40-yard field goal with 6:49 left to tie it up at 17-17.

Then the Rams defense forced a three-and-out to give the offense the ball back. A ten play, 49-yard drive ensued, with the big play being a 25-yard pass from Stafford to Kupp to help set up the deciding field goal by Gay with 1:46 left to play for a 20-17 Rams lead.

The 49ers had one more chance, but an interception by Rams linebacker Travin Howard off a deflection on 3rd-and-13 with 1:09 remaining sealed the deal and sent the Rams to the Super Bowl. 






The Cincinnati Bengals Are Super Bowl Bound

Bengals kicker Evan McPherson (2) celebrates game winning field goal.
Who Dey? 

Super Bowl bound. 

 

The Cincinnati Bengals continue to confound the "experts" as they rolled onward to the Super Bowl after coming back from an 18-point first half deficit and beat the host Kansas City Chiefs, 27-24 in overtime to win the AFC Championship game.

 

 

Rookie kicker Evan McPherson made a 31-yard field goal to win the game after Vonn Bell intercepted Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to give Cincy the ball on their own 45-yard line. From there, the Bengals drove it down the field 42 yards to set up the game winning kick. 

The Chiefs had raced out to a 21-3 lead in the second quarter after Mahomes connected with wide receiver Mecole Hardman on a three-yard scoring pass. It was the third TD pass of the game for Mahomes, who had 275 passing yards with the three TD strikes and also two interceptions in the loss. 

The Bengals cut the deficit to 21-10 with 1:05 remaining in the first half when QB Joe Burrow (250 passing yards, two TD, one INT) connected with Sejine Perrine on a screen pass that went for a 41-yard touchdown. Kansas City drove right back down the field and had first-and-goal from the Bengals one-yard line after a pass interference penalty in the end zone. With five seconds left and no timeouts remaining for Kansas City, the Bengals stopped WR Tyreek Hill on a short pass at the one yard line and time expired as the Chiefs eschewed the field goal try. 

The second half saw the Bengals defense get an interception (by defensive lineman B.J. Hill) and four sacks and a second TD pass by Burrow (this one a two-yard strike to WR Ja'Marr Chase on third down) and a two-point conversion along with a 31-yard field goal by McPherson to tie the game at 21-21 late in the third quarter. McPherson later drilled a 52-yard FG to make it 24-21 with 6:04 left to play in the fourth quarter. Kansas City was able get the ball down to the Bengals four-yard line late in regulation, but Mahomes was sacked again and then Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker made a 44-yard field goal to force the overtime. 

But after all was said and done, it will be the Cincinnati Bengals headed to Super Bowl LVI in two weeks.


 




Saturday, January 29, 2022

It's Official - Tom Brady Calling It A Career

 

Tom Brady is retiring from pro football. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The quarterback is the all time leader in passing yardage and touchdown passes and is calling it a career after 22 seasons, including the last two years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after an incredible 20 season run with the New England Patriots. 

Brady was a member of seven Super Bowl winning teams (six with the Patriots and one with the Buccaneers) and also was in an individual record ten Super Bowls. 

His Patriots teams won the Super Bowl following the 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016 and 2018 seasons and the seventh in 2020 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Brady's Patriots teams lost Super Bowls following the 2007, 2011 and 2017 seasons. The 2007 Patriots team had gone 16-0 in the regular season, but fell just short of making NFL history by losing Super Bowl XLII to the New York Giants by a 17-14 final score. 

 

The duo of Brady and Head Coach Bill Belichick will forever be linked in the annals of pro football as the best ever player-coach duo. They combined to win those six Super Bowl titles in New England between 2000 - 2019 before Brady left for Tampa Bay. 

Congratulations on retirement Mr. Brady - you have definitely earned it. 

Next stop - The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Friday, January 28, 2022

NFC Championship Game Preview

 

The San Francisco 49ers are one game away from making the Super Bowl for the second time in the last three seasons. At the same time, the Los Angeles Rams are in the same spot and could be in their second Super Bowl in the last four years if they win this Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. 

These two teams know each other so well and they both play in the NFC West division, so this game should be another close one. Three weeks ago, the 49ers beat the Rams, 27-24 in overtime in L.A. after trailing 17-0 late in the first half. They also blew out the Rams, 31-10 in San Francisco back in November. In addition, the 'Niners have a six-game winning streak against the Rams. 

However, the Rams just dethroned the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week and quarterback Matthew Stafford played well in that win, once again getting the monkey off his back that he "cannot win the big (game)."  If he continues to play that way, the Rams have an excellent chance of defeating San Francisco this Sunday. 

On the other side, the 49ers did just enough to knock out the Green Bay Packers last weekend in Lambeau Field. The blocked punt that resulted in a touchdown for the 49ers in the final five minutes of the game was huge and then, of course, kicker Robbie Gould drilled the game winning field goal as time expired. It all came together at the right time for the 49ers and they continue to ride that momentum as the NFC title game approaches.

In fact, the run the 49ers have been on since their 3-5 start is reminiscent of what the New York Giants did in both of their Super Bowl winning seasons of 2007 and 2011 when they got hot at just the right time. Whether or not the Rams can stop that momentum remains to be seen, but having a tremendous defense helps. They can stop the run and get after the opposing quarterbacks in much the same manner as San Francisco's defense does. 

The key to the game will be ball control for the 49ers on offense, keeping the explosive offense of L.A. off the field and not turning over the football, which QB Jimmy Garoppolo is prone to do. As for the Rams, they must contain the 49ers running game and utilize their play makers on offense to outscore San Francisco. One thing for sure, this game should go down to the wire and it might even be another overtime affair.

 

                                           GAME PICK -  San Francisco 23, Los Angeles 20 



Thursday, January 27, 2022

AFC Championship Game Preview

This Sunday in Kansas City, the Chiefs will attempt to get to their third consecutive Super Bowl when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium. 

 

The Chiefs finished the 2021 season with a 12-5 record and easily won the AFC West division while the Bengals (10-7 in regular season) won the AFC North division by virtue of a season series sweep against both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. The Bengals surprised the AFC's top seeded Tennessee Titans last week, 19-16 in the divisional round of the playoffs. 

 

The Chiefs disposed of the Buffalo Bills, 42-36 in a memorable overtime classic in the divisional round last weekend as the two teams combined to score 25 points in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter to send the game to overtime, where quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw the winning touchdown pass to tight end Travis Kelce. 

These two teams met just four weeks ago in Cincinnati and the Bengals won a thriller, 34-31 which included rookie wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase setting a record with 266 receiving yards in the victory. Kansas City can move the ball on the Bengals and the same holds true when Cincy QB Joe Burrow is on the field. Both Burrow and Mahomes have been hot of late and who knows, we might be in for yet another classic battle that we saw last week between the Bills and Chiefs. 

All in all, this game looks to be a good possibility of being a shootout, but the key will be (as always) not turning over the football. Look for the Chiefs to get control of this one and as long as they can slow down Burrow and Chase this time around, they should get the win and a third straight trip to the Super Bowl. 

 

                      GAME PICK -  Kansas City 35, Cincinnati 24 

 



Sunday, January 23, 2022

NFL PLAYOFFS - Rams and Chiefs Advance To Conference Championship Games

 

Rams QB Matthew Stafford came up big in win over Tampa Bay.
And then there were four. 

Down in Tampa Bay, the Los Angeles Rams almost pulled an Atlanta Falcons Super Bowl LI style choke job after racing out to a 27-3 lead midway through the third quarter against Tom Brady and the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers. The Rams did eventually win the game, 30-27 but they allowed the Bucs to tie the game at 27-27 with just 42 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter when running back Leonard Fournette scored on a nine-yard run on fourth down. 

The game winning 30-yard field goal for the Rams by kicker Matt Gay came as time ran out and that was the third straight game in this divisional round of the NFL playoffs that it happened. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (366 passing yards with two TD passes) completed two passes to wide receiver Cooper Kupp for 63 yards to the Tampa Bay 12-yard line to set up the field goal attempt. All the drama was possible because the Rams turned the football over three times (on fumbles) in the second half, allowing Brady to stage another monumental comeback like he and the New England Patriots did five years ago in that Super Bowl win over the Falcons. 

That is why they play the games. 

Los Angeles took a 17-3 lead early in the second quarter when Kupp hauled in a 70-yard scoring pass from Stafford and Gay later added a 40-yard field goal to give L.A. a 20-3 halftime lead. The Buccaneers defense came up with a huge fumble recovery in the final seconds of the first half when Rams running back Cam Akers fumbled at the Tampa Bay one-yard line to keep it a 17-point game. 

Stafford scored on a one-yard run with 7:07 left in the third quarter for a 27-3 Rams lead and then Brady (329 passing yards with one TD and one interception and one lost fumble) and the Buccaneers began the big comeback after a 31-yard field goal by kicker Ryan Succop. Following a fumble by Kupp, Fournette scored the first of his two touchdowns on a one-yard plunge with 12 seconds remaining in the third quarter. After Gay missed a 47-yard field goal, Tampa Bay cut the Rams lead to just seven points (27-20) on a 55-yard TD pass from Brady to WR Mike Evans with 3:20 left in regulation. 

Then the Rams did it again as Akers lost another fumble at his own 30-yard line, setting the stage for the second TD of the game by Fournette and a tie game at 27-27 with 42 seconds left to play. But the Rams had enough left in the tank to get into field goal range to win it and advance to the NFC Championship Game next Sunday at home against the San Francisco 49ers. 


The fourth and final game of the divisional round in Kansas City saw the Chiefs win a game for the ages in overtime, 42-36 over the Buffalo Bills. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes connected with tight end Travis Kelce for an eight-yard scoring pass to win it. Mahomes passed for 378 yards with three touchdowns
and one rushing touchdown in the game.

But THE STORY of this one was the closing minutes of the fourth quarter when the lead changed hands three different times before K.C. tied it 36-36 on a 49-yard field goal by kicker Harrison Butker as time expired. The Chiefs held a 26-21 lead and the Bills drove downfield and eventually scored on a 27-yard TD pass from Josh Allen (329 passing yards with four TD passes) to WR Gabriel Davis on 4th-and-13 with two minutes left. The two-point conversion was successful and Buffalo led 29-26. Davis finished the game with eight receptions for 201 yards and four touchdowns.

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs won a thriller in OT.

The Chiefs came right back when Mahomes threw a 64-yard TD pass to Tyreek Hill (11 receptions for 150 yards) and K.C. led 33-29 with 1:13 remaining. 

 

But wait, there's more. 

 

 

 

The Bills roared back and scored with only 13 seconds left to play on the fourth TD pass of the game from Allen to Davis, this one from 19 yards to put the Bills back in front, 36-33. Too much time for Mahomes and company because they needed just two pass completions to move the ball into field goal range for Butker, who drilled the kick to send it into overtime. 

The Chiefs will host their fourth consecutive AFC Championship game next Sunday against the upstart Cincinnati Bengals, who defeated them 34-31 just three weeks ago in a thriller. 

Stay tuned. 

 

 

 


Saturday, January 22, 2022

NFL PLAYOFFS - Bengals, 49ers Advance To Conference Championship Games

The Bengals celebrate their playoff win against the Titans.
The Cincinnati Bengals continued their improbable run to playoff glory as they advanced to the AFC Championship Game by defeating the host Tennessee Titans, 19-16 thanks to a 52-yard field goal by kicker Evan McPherson as time expired. 

The kick was made possible by the third interception of the game thrown by Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill with just 20 seconds remaining in regulation. The pick was made by Logan Wilson off a deflection by Cincy defensive back Eli Apple. From there, Cincinnati advanced the ball from their own 47-yard line to set up the winning kick on a clutch 19-yard completion from QB Joe Burrow (348 yards passing) to wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. 

The Titans had rallied back from a ten-point deficit (16-6) on a 34-yard field goal by Randy Bullock and then a 33-yard touchdown pass from Tannehill to WR A.J. Brown with 22 seconds left in the third quarter. The Titans defense had come up with an interception to set up the game tying score. In addition, the Titans defense had nine sacks on Burrow in the loss.

The game was a 9-6 affair at the half thanks to three field goals from McPherson (including a 54-yarder) and Titans running back Derrick Henry (62 rushing yards) scoring on a three-yard run. It was Henry's first game action since suffering a broken foot on October 31. Tennessee's two-point attempt failed. Cincinnati made it 16-6 when RB Joe Mixon (54 yards rushing) scored on a 16-yard run midway through the third quarter. The Bengals will be in their first AFC Championship Game since the 1988 season when they travel to play the winner of the game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday evening. 

 

Meanwhile in Green Bay, the frosty weather  and swirling snow made for a bone chilling two-degree wind chill temperature in Lambeau Field as the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Green Bay Packers, 13-10 on a Robbie Gould 45-yard field goal as time ran out to stun the football world. 

A blocked punt by 49ers player Jordan Willis and then the scoop and score from the Green Bay six-yard line by Talanoa Hufanga tied the game at 10-10 with 4:50 remaining in the fourth quarter. The 'Niners special teams also blocked a field goal attempt by Packers kicker Mason Crosby as the first half ended, which saw the Packers holding a 7-0 lead thanks to a six-yard touchdown run by AJ Dillon on the first drive of the game. The 49ers defense had five sacks of Packers QB Aaron Rodgers while Green Bay sacked San Francisco QB Jimmy Garoppolo four times.

In the third quarter, Gould made a 29-yard field goal to cut the 49ers deficit to 7-3 before Green Bay got a 33-yard field goal by Crosby early in the fourth quarter to make it 10-3. That set the stage for all the craziness in the final five minutes of the game that sent the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game against either Tampa Bay or the Los Angeles Rams next weekend. 

 

 


Thursday, January 20, 2022

NFL PLAYOFFS - Divisional Round Previews

 

It's on to the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs this weekend (and no Monday night game this time around) as the two top seeded teams in both the NFC and AFC will be in action. The Green Bay Packers will host the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday evening in Lambeau Field. Over in the AFC, the Tennessee Titans will host the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday afternoon. The Sunday games will feature the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the Los Angeles Rams while the night game will be the Buffalo Bills traveling to face the Kansas City Chiefs. 

 

 

The following is a capsule style breakdown of the four games taking place with the Heftyinfo predictions for the games following up. 

 

Saturday, January 22 

Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans - The Bengals did what they were supposed to do against the Las Vegas Raiders, but now face the Titans on the road and the Titans will have running back Derrick Henry back in the fold. A big question will be whether the Tennessee secondary can slow down the potent Bengals passing game? 

PICK - Titans 30, Bengals 24 

 

San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers - After that exciting finish last week when they defeated the Dallas Cowboys, the 49ers now will face the mighty Packers, led by All Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who just might win a second consecutive NFL Most Valuable Player award. But this is the playoffs and the way the 'Niners defense has been playing, this game could be a real tight one. 

PICK - Packers 21, 49ers 17 


Sunday, January 23 

Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Tom Brady and the Buccaneers seem to be hitting their stride yet again as the post-season gets rolling. But the Rams were dominant against Arizona in their wild card game win on Monday night. So this game will likely go down to the wire, barring a ton of turnovers by either team. 

PICK - Rams 30, Buccaneers 28 


Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs - The Bills went into Kansas City and mopped the floor with the Chiefs back in October (a dominating 38-20 win) but the Chiefs defense has improved big time since that game. The Bills crushed the Patriots (47-17) last weekend while Kansas City did the same against Pittsburgh (42-21 victory) last Sunday evening. Both Bills QB Josh Allen and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes had five touchdown passes last week. The key to this game will be not committing turnovers and it will likely be a shootout. Expect a much closer game this time around. 

PICK - Bills 34, Chiefs 31 

 

Last Week's Record - 6-0 

NFL PLAYOFFS RECORD - 6-0 

Regular Season Record - 168-103-1  




Monday, January 17, 2022

NFL PLAYOFFS - Wild Card Round Recap

The NFL playoffs are under way and the Wild Card round has one game left to go on Monday night as the Los Angeles Rams will host the Arizona Cardinals. The winner of that game will travel to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday. 

As for the action on Saturday and Sunday, five teams have advanced so far to the divisional round next weekend. On Saturday afternoon in Cincinnati, the Bengals held off the Las Vegas Raiders, 26-19 with quarterback Joe Burrow throwing two touchdown passes and kicker Evan McPherson making four field goals. The Raiders had the ball in the red zone in the closing seconds, but QB Derek Carr's pass was intercepted to end it. Carr passed for 310 yards with one TD pass and the one interception while kicker Dan Carlson made four field goals in the loss. 

On Saturday night, the host Buffalo Bills smoked the New England Patriots, 47-17 to advance as QB Josh Allen (pictured above left) passed for five touchdowns on 21-for-25 passing for 308 yards as well rushing for 66 yards. The Bills built a 27-3 halftime advantage and rolled the rest of the way as the defense had three sacks and two interceptions. Patriots rookie QB Mac Jones passed for two scores in defeat. 

The Sunday action saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominate the visiting Philadelphia Eagles, 31-15 as they built a 17-0 lead at the half with QB Tom Brady adding to their lead with a pair of scoring passes in the third quarter to make it 31-0. The Eagles scored twice in the final quarter, but three turnovers proved to be too much as they were eliminated from the playoffs. 

The San Francisco 49ers won a thriller in Dallas, toppling the Cowboys, 23-17 as the clock ran out as Dallas was attempting to spike the ball after a first down run by QB Dak Prescott (254 passing yards, one TD, one INT). The 'Niners built a 16-7 halftime lead thanks to a four-yard scoring run by running back Elijah Mitchell and three field goals by Robbie Gould. 

Following a pick, 49ers WR Deebo Samuel scored on a 26-yard end around run to make it 23-7. The Cowboys got a field goal and then a five-yard scramble run for a touchdown by Prescott with 8:02 remaining in the game. The 49ers appeared to have a first down in the final minute to wrap things up, but a review showed they were inches short and then two penalties forced them to punt, which set up the dramatic ending. 

Patrick Mahomes had five TD passes in big win.
In the Sunday night game in Kansas City, the Chiefs rolled to a 42-21 win against the Pittsburgh
Steelers in what was likely the final game of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's career. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (404 passing yards)  had five touchdown passes, including three in the first half as Kansas City led 21-7 at the break. The Steelers scored first when T.J. Watt took a Chiefs fumble in for the touchdown and a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter.

Kansas City scored the next 35 points to put the game away and advance to the divisional round next Sunday at home against the Buffalo Bills. Roethlisberger passed for 215 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. 

The Los Angeles Rams dominated in their home playoff game win, 34-11 against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night as QB Matthew Stafford threw for three scores while the Rams defense scored a touchdown on an interception return while holding the Cardinals to just 183 total yards in offense. The Rams will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road next Sunday afternoon in the divisional round.



WILD CARD ROUND RESULTS 

Cincinnati 26, Las Vegas 19 

Buffalo 47, New England 17 

Tampa Bay 31, Philadelphia 15 

San Francisco 23, Dallas 17

Kansas City 42, Pittsburgh 21 

L.A. Rams 34, Arizona 11

Thursday, January 13, 2022

NFL PLAYOFFS - Wild Card Round Previews

 

At long last, the NFL Playoffs are here. 

 

On Saturday, the Las Vegas Raiders will travel to Cincinnati and look to slow down the high powered air attack of the Bengals, who won the AFC North division. The Raiders have won four straight games that enabled them to earn a wild card berth and they won that thrilling overtime game last Sunday night against the Los Angeles Chargers on a last second field goal.

 

 

The Raiders are led by quarterback Derek Carr and his main target includes tight end Darren Waller and wideout Hunter Renfrow. The top running back is Josh Jacobs, who came back from injury last week to gash the Chargers defense for 132 yards and a touchdown. As for the Bengals, QB Joe Burrow has been the hottest passer in the NFL in recent weeks, teaming with WR Ja'Marr Chase, who set a rookie record for receiving yards in a single game against Kansas City two weeks ago with 266 yards and also caught three TD passes from Burrow. 

PICK - Bengals 31, Raiders 27 

 

Saturday night features the New England Patriots at the Buffalo Bills and these two teams split their two games this past regular season. The weather could be dicey again like their game on Monday Night Football in early December. The Pats won that one by rushing for over 200 yards and passing the ball just three times. 

The Bills and their offense features QB Josh Allen and wideout Stefon Diggs along with running back Devin Singletary, who had a pair of rushing touchdowns last week. New England has struggled of late on offense with the exception of a 50-10 blowout of Jacksonville, with rookie QB Mac Jones struggling with turnovers and being pressured. The Bills will look to do just that and force the rookie signal caller into making mistakes. This game could be a tight one, especially if the weather turns nasty. 

PICK - Bills 21, Patriots 17 

 

On Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles travel to Tampa Bay and will face the defending champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the league's leading passer Tom Brady, who has seen and done it all in his phenomenal 22-year career. 

The Eagles have ramped up the running attack after a slow start this past season, which included a 28-22 loss against Tampa Bay in Philly back in October. Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is a dual threat with the football, but along with Miles Sanders, Boston Scott and Jordan Howard, forms a formidable rushing attack for the Birds. Everybody knows about Brady and his offensive weapons, including WR Mike Evans, tight end Rob Gronkowski and RB Leonard Fournette. However, not having WR Chris Godwin (knee injury) will likely have an impact as he led the team in receptions and receiving yards this past season. Look for Brady to go to Gronk and Evans (14 TD receptions) when they reach the Red Zone. 

PICK - Buccaneers 34, Eagles 20

 

The San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys will renew a historic playoff rivalry in Big D this Sunday afternoon and it will be a battle for sure. The Cowboys have the league's highest scoring offense (530 points) and can pass and run the ball. But the 49ers defense has been stellar in recent weeks as they ripped off four wins in the final five games to get into the NFC playoffs. 

Look for the 'Niners to get after Cowboys QB Dak Prescott and limit the big plays Dallas thrives on. The 49ers offense will look to the rushing game with Elijah Mitchell, Deebo Samuel and perhaps Trey Lance in certain instances. Samuel averaged over six yards per carry and caught 77 passes for 1.405 yards while scoring 14 TD's in the regular season, six receiving and eight rushing. Tight end George Kittle is another prominent target for QB Jimmy Garoppolo. Meanwhile, the Cowboys will look to Prescott (37 TD passes) to spread it around to CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper and TE Dalton Schultz while mixing in the run with backs Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. 

PICK - 49ers 28, Cowboys 27 

 

The Sunday night game will be the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers, who squeaked into the post-season with a win on Sunday in OT and then sweating it out in the closing seconds of the Chargers and Raiders game that DID NOT end in a tie, allowing Pittsburgh in the playoffs. 

The Chiefs throttled the Steelers just three weeks ago to the tune of 36-10 with Patrick Mahomes doing his thing and the defense making life miserable for QB Ben Roethlisberger and company. Kansas City simply has too much fire power, even for the strong Steelers defense, which features NFL sacks leader T.J. Watt (22.5 sacks) and a ball hawking secondary. If K.C. gets off to a quick start and Mahomes can hook up with his two main targets (Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce), this one could get ugly again. Pittsburgh has to try and dictate the tempo at Arrowhead Stadium to have any chance at all in this one. 

PICK - Chiefs 33, Steelers 17 

 

The Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams will do battle at SoFi Stadium on Monday night in the first ever third day of the wild card round. Look for Aaron Donald and the Rams defense to get after Cards QB Kyler Murray and force mistakes as they did in the teams second meeting when the Rams won, 30-23 in mid-December. 

The Cardinals have to force things and let Murray get it going as they did in a 37-20 blowout win against L.A. back in October at this same venue in Los Angeles. The Cards have some weapons but are without WR DeAndre Hopkins and might not have RB James Conner (18 touchdowns this season) for this game. Conner has been dealing with sore ribs and a heel injury as well, so he could be a game time decision. The Rams have QB Matthew Stafford and his favorite target Cooper Kupp, who had a monster season with 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns. Stafford was solid for the most part this season, but has been a turnover machine in recent weeks, including three straight games with multiple interceptions thrown. 

PICK - Rams 24, Cardinals 17


Last Week's Record - 7-9 

FINAL REGULAR SEASON RECORD - 168-103-1

Lock of the Week Record - 12-6 

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Georgia Wins College Football National Championship

 

Georgia Bulldogs players and Head Coach Kirby Smart celebrate the title.

 

The Georgia Bulldogs scored 20 points in the fourth quarter and the defense sealed the deal with a 79-yard interception return for touchdown to defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide, 33-18 and win the CFP National Championship on Monday night in Indianapolis. 

Alabama came in as the top rated team and were the defending national champions, but when Kelee Ringo intercepted 'Bama quarterback Bryce Young and returned it 79 yards for the clinching touchdown, that gave Georgia a 33-18 lead with under a minute to play and the Bulldogs were the champions.

 It was the first football championship title for Georgia since the 1980 season. 

 

Congratulations to the GEORGIA BULLDOGS  - 2021 College Football National Champions!

Monday, January 10, 2022

NFL - Week Eighteen Recap

Raiders kicker Dan Carlson (number 2) celebrates game winning kick in overtime.
The 2021 NFL regular season came to an end on Sunday night as the Las Vegas Raiders (10-7) wrapped up the last remaining AFC playoff spot with a 35-32 win in overtime on the final play of the game against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers. It was the fourth straight win for the Raiders as kicker Dan Carlson made his fifth field goal in the game, a 47-yarder as time expired. The Chargers (9-8) had tied the game on the final play of regulation when quarterback Justin Herbert (383 passing yards with three TD and one interception) threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Williams. The PAT tied the game at 29-29 to send it into overtime. 

The back and forth affair saw the Raiders get out to a 10-0 lead before L.A. took a 14-10 lead late in the first half on running back Austin Ekeler's second touchdown in the game. The Raiders were able to score on a one-yard run by RB Josh Jacobs (132 rushing yards) just before halftime in a drive that saw them convert a 3rd-and-23 on a draw play and then a questionable pass interference penalty called on the Chargers defense in the end zone on third down. The second half was mostly Las Vegas as they put 12 more points on the board on a two-yard TD pass from QB Derek Carr to WR Hunter Renfrow and two more field goals. 

In the fourth quarter, the Bolts made their comeback as Herbert threw two TD passes in the final five minutes to get it tied up. Each team kicked a field goal in the OT before Carlson's winning kick ended the marathon game. The Raiders will travel to Cincinnati next weekend in the wild card game while the Chargers were eliminated from the playoffs. A tie game would have sent both teams into the AFC playoffs and left the Pittsburgh Steelers out.

Earlier in the day, the Pittsburgh Steelers did what they needed to do as they topped the host Baltimore Ravens, 16-13 in overtime to finish the regular season at 9-7-1. Steelers kicker Chris Boswell made a 36-yard field goal with less than two minutes left in the OT session to win it. On the game winning drive, Pittsburgh's offense converted on two third downs and also a 4th-and-8 to help set up the winning kick. 

The only touchdowns in the game were a 46-yard run by Baltimore's Latavius Murray (16 carries for 150 yards) and a six-yard TD pass from Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger to WR Chase Claypool with 2:54 left in the fourth quarter. The Ravens (8-9) lost their final six games this season to drop out of contention for the playoffs. 

The Indianapolis Colts (9-8) blew their opportunity to make the AFC playoffs as they were beaten on the road by the Jacksonville Jaguars, 26-11 as Jags rookie QB Trevor Lawrence threw for two scores and kicker Matthew Wright made four field goals. The Colts were never in this one as they turned the football over twice and QB Carson Wentz was sacked six times while their vaunted rushing attack was limited to only 94 yards. Jacksonville (3-14) snapped a nine game losing streak and will have the top draft pick for the second straight year.

The Tennessee Titans (12-5) clinched the number one seed and home field advantage in the AFC playoffs with a 28-25 road win against the Houston Texans (4-13) as QB Ryan Tannehill had four TD passes to lead the way. Texans QB Davis Mills threw for three scores in the loss.

The New Orleans Saints (9-8) did their part to remain in the NFC playoff picture with a 30-20 road victory against the Atlanta Falcons (7-10) even without starting QB Taysom Hill, who left the game with an injury. New Orleans backup QB Trevor Siemian had two TD passes in relief and the defense forced three turnovers and had three sacks to help get the victory.

The Los Angeles Rams (12-5) and San Francisco 49ers went into overtime as the 'Niners overcame a 17-point deficit to eventually win, 27-24 and secure a playoff spot in the NFC. San Francisco (10-7) battled back behind QB Jimmy Garoppolo (316 passing yards) and wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who rushed for 45 yards (including a 16-yard TD run) and caught four passes for 95 yards and also threw a 24-yard TD pass to WR Jauan Jennings, who caught two scoring passes in the huge win. 

The 49ers defense intercepted two passes and sacked Rams QB Matthew Stafford five times as they limited the Rams offense to just one touchdown in the second half. An interception by Ambry Thomas ended the game after 49ers kicker Robbie Gould drilled a 24-yard field goal with 2:45 left in overtime. Both the Rams and 49ers will be in the NFC playoffs along with the Arizona Cardinals, giving the NFC West division three playoff teams this season.

Arizona and Seattle battled it out and finally with 4:34 remaining in the final quarter, Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny (23 carries for 190 yards) raced 62 yards for the clinching touchdown (and a 38-27 lead) as the visiting Seahawks (7-10) defeated the already playoff bound Cardinals, 38-30. The loss for Arizona (11-6) gave the NFC West division title to the Los Angeles Rams. The Cards will face the Rams in L.A. next Monday night in the first ever third day of wild card playoffs.

Miami defeated the New England Patriots, 33-24 to finish with a 9-8 record while the Patriots (10-7) will be a wild card team in the AFC playoffs and will take on the Buffalo Bills on the road on Saturday night. The Dolphins took advantage of three Patriots turnovers, including a 37-yard "pick six" interception touchdown return by Xavien Howard in the first quarter as they raced out to a 14-0 lead. 

The Pats battled back to within 27-24 late in the game when Brandon Bolden scored twice and RB Damien Harris also scored. The Miami defense scored their second touchdown of the game on a fumble recovery in the end zone on the final play of the game. The Dolphins pulled a surprise on Monday as they announced Head Coach Brian Flores was being fired after three seasons.

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills (11-6) defeated the visiting New York Jets, 27-10 to win their second consecutive AFC East division title as RB Devin Singletary scored twice on rushing touchdowns to secure the win. The Jets (4-13) managed just 54 yards in total offense and four first downs as the Bills defense had NINE quarterback sacks and limited the Jets to only five net yards passing in the rout.


                                                         Elsewhere Around the NFL  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 


The Kansas City Chiefs (12-5) toppled the host Denver Broncos, 28-24 on Saturday with rookie linebacker Nick Bolton going 86 yards on a fumble recovery return to ice the game. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes had two TD passes in the victory while Denver QB Drew Lock scored twice on the ground. The Broncos finished the season at 7-10 and then fired Head Coach Vic Fangio on Sunday . . .  On Saturday night in Philadelphia, the Dallas Cowboys (12-5) whooped the Eagles, 51-26 as they played most of their starters while the already playoff bound Eagles (9-8) rested nearly all of theirs in the game. Cowboys QB Dak Prescott threw for five touchdowns in the win as Dallas secured the number three seed in the NFC playoffs . . . The Minnesota Vikings (8-9) roared back to defeat the Chicago Bears, 31-17 after falling behind 14-0 in the home field win. Vikings DB Patrick Peterson sealed the effort with a 66-yard INT return for a score. Both the Vikings and Bears (6-11) announced they had fired their head coaches (Mike Zimmer and Matt Nagy) along with the teams' general managers on Monday morning . . .  The Washington Football Team (7-10) defeated the host New York Giants, 22-7 as the defense dominated, scoring a TD on a 30-yard interception return by Bobby McCain, who had two picks in the win and limiting the Giants (4-13) to just 177 yards in total offense . . .  Detroit (3-13-1) won at home, 37-30 against the Green Bay Packers (13-4) to finish the season on high note as QB Jared Goff threw for two scores. The Packers (already the top seed in the NFC playoffs) rested many starters in the second half, including QB Aaron Rodgers, who had two TD passes in the first half. Packers backup QB Jordan Love was intercepted twice in the loss  . . . The Cleveland Browns held off the playoff bound Cincinnati Bengals, 21-16 to finish their disappointing season at 8-9. Meanwhile, the 10-7 Bengals will host the Las Vegas Raiders in the wild card round next weekend. The Browns got two TD passes from backup QB Case Keenum in the win while Cincinnati rested many starters . . .  Tampa Bay (13-4) locked up the number two seed in the NFC playoffs with a 41-17 thumping of the visiting Carolina Panthers (5-12) as QB Tom Brady had three TD passes and finished the 2021 season as the league's passing yardage leader as well as throwing for the most touchdowns. Carolina lost their final seven games to end the season.

 

WEEK EIGHTEEN RESULTS 

Kansas City 28, Denver 24

Dallas 51, Philadelphia 26  

Minnesota 31, Chicago 17

Detroit 37, Green Bay 30 

Jacksonville 26, Indianapolis 11 

Cleveland 21, Cincinnati 16 

Pittsburgh 16,  Baltimore 13 (OT)

Washington 22, N.Y. Giants 7

Tennessee 28, Houston 25 

New Orleans 30, Atlanta 20

Tampa Bay 41, Carolina 17

Miami 33, New England 24

Buffalo 27, N.Y. Jets 10

Seattle 38, Arizona 30

San Francisco 27, L.A. Rams 24 (OT)

Las Vegas 35, L.A. Chargers 32 (OT)

 

 


Thursday, January 6, 2022

NFL - Week Eighteen Preview

Here it is the last weekend of the 2021 NFL season and (COVID problems aside) the teams still in contention for the NFL playoffs will be going at it to fill out the brackets in each conference. 

The Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders will square off on Sunday night in Vegas with a "win and you are in" scenario for both teams.  The Chargers and Raiders are both 9-7 and the Chargers beat the Raiders in Los Angeles, 28-14 on Monday Night Football back in October. The Raiders have been the hotter team, winning three straight games to get to this point while the Chargers won last week against Denver to snap a two-game skid and get back into the number seven playoff spot in the AFC. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1) and the Baltimore Ravens (8-8) still have hopes to make the playoffs, but they will need help after they play each other in Baltimore this Sunday afternoon. The winner of their game obviously has a shot to make it while the loser will be out. Stay tuned. 


Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts (9-7) control their own destiny. If they beat the 2-14 Jacksonville Jaguars (on the road) they are in. The Colts should win the game, but the Jags have been a thorn in the side for the Colts in recent years. As long as Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has a normal game and does his thing, the Colts should finish the season 10-7 and be playoff bound. 

Over in the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers (9-7) will look to lock down the final playoff spot when they face the Los Angeles Rams (12-4) in a road game. They will likely be without injured starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, meaning rookie Trey Lance will get the call. The Rams have a lot to play for as well. If they win this game, they are the NFC West division champions. The Arizona Cardinals (11-5) play at home against Seattle, so the Rams know they would be better off taking care of business. 

The New Orleans Saints (8-8) can still make the playoffs if they beat the Atlanta Falcons on the road and the 'Niners lose to the Rams. The six teams already in the NFC playoffs include Green Bay (already clinched number one seed and the bye week), Tampa Bay, Dallas, Los Angeles Rams, Arizona and Philadelphia. 

Those are the games that have the biggest importance this week, but the other games being played around the NFL will impact both playoff positioning and the final NFL Draft order. The following offers a capsule style preview of all the games with the Heftyinfo picks following up. 


Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) at Denver Broncos (7-9) - Take the Chiefs in this one. They can still get the top seed in the AFC with a win and some help. 

Dallas Cowboys (11-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) - Both of these teams are already in the NFC playoffs, so it's a matter of how many starters will see game action. Toss up in this one. 

Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) at Cleveland Browns (7-9) - The Bengals will rest some regulars while the Browns are backing up the U-Haul trucks. Another toss up game here. 

Green Bay Packers (13-3) at Detroit Lions (2-13-1) - Packers should roll in this one, but they have already clinched a bye in the NFC playoffs. The Lions would love to end a miserable season on a winning note. 

Tennessee Titans (11-5) at Houston Texans (4-12) - The Texans beat the Titans in Tennessee earlier this season, so this is no gimme for the Titans, who currently are the top dog in the AFC playoff race. 

Chicago Bears (6-10) at Minnesota Vikings (7-9) - Will either of these teams head coaches still be around for next season? 

Washington (6-10) at New York Giants (4-12) - Giants have lost five straight while Washington has dropped four games in a row. Something has to give. 

New Orleans Saints (8-8) at Atlanta Falcons (7-9) - The Falcons would love to prevent their rivals from having a shot at making the playoffs. 

Indianapolis Colts (9-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14) - It's simple for the Colts . . .  win and they are in the playoffs. 

New York Jets (4-12) at Buffalo Bills (10-6) - The Bills need to win this one to capture a second consecutive AFC East division title. The Jets are woeful. 

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1) at Baltimore Ravens (8-8) - Can Big Ben and company make one last playoff appearance before he hangs 'em up? The Ravens are looking to snap a five game skid and ruin the Steelers chances to get into the playoffs. 

New England Patriots (10-6) at Miami Dolphins (8-8) - The Dolphins have nothing to lose and can go all out to keep New England from possibly winning the AFC East. 

Carolina Panthers (5-11) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4) - The defending Super Bowl champs want to go into the post season in high gear. 

Seattle Seahawks (6-10) at Arizona Cardinals (11-5) - The Cards had a big win in Dallas last week, so they better be ready for a nothing to lose Seahawks team that usually gives them fits. 

San Francisco 49ers (9-7) at Los Angeles Rams (12-4) - The Rams want to remain the number two seed in the NFC playoffs while the 49ers are looking to make the post season party. Toss up here. 

Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) at Las Vegas Raiders (9-7) - Whoever wins this one is in the AFC playoffs. Chargers rate a slight edge, but they tend to lose in big games. Toss up in this game. 


The Heftyinfo picks for Week Eighteen  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS


Kansas City over Denver 

Dallas over Philadelphia 

Cincinnati over Cleveland 

Green Bay over Detroit 

Tennessee over Houston 

Minnesota over Chicago 

N.Y. Giants over Washington

Atlanta over New Orleans 

INDIANAPOLIS over Jacksonville 

Buffalo over N.Y. Jets 

Baltimore over Pittsburgh 

Miami over New England

Tampa Bay over Carolina 

Arizona over Seattle 

L.A. Rams over San Francisco 

L.A. Chargers over Las Vegas 


Last Week's Record - 12-4

SEASON RECORD - 161-94-1 

Lock of the Week Record - 12-5




Monday, January 3, 2022

NFL - Week Seventeen Recap

 

The Cincinnati Bengals made a big comeback in their 34-31 home victory against the Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) to clinch the AFC North division title. The Bengals improved to 10-6 with the win as quarterback Joe Burrow remained red hot by passing for 446 yards with four touchdowns, including three of them to wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (pictured left), who had 11 receptions for a rookie record 266 yards. Two of his scoring catches were huge plays, from 72 yards and 69 yards. 



The Chiefs blew a 14-point lead in the game as they also fell out of the number-one spot in the AFC playoff chase. The end of the game was very strange as the Bengals repeatedly went for it on fourth-and-goal from the KC one-yard line, but were thwarted twice only to get another chance because of defensive penalties on the Chiefs. Finally, kicker Evan McPherson won the game with a 20-yard field goal as time expired. In addition, the Bengals defense limited the Chiefs to just a field goal in the second half.

The Tennessee Titans (11-5) blew out the Miami Dolphins, 34-3 to take over the top spot in the AFC playoff race as QB Ryan Tannehill had two TD passes and Dontrell Hilliard (39 yards) and D'Onta Foreman (21 yards) each had a scoring run.  The Dolphins (8-8) had two turnovers and also had their seven game win streak snapped as they were eliminated from playoff contention as a result of the Los Angeles Chargers victory. 

The Los Angeles Rams (12-4) won a thriller in Baltimore, 20-19 as QB Matthew Stafford (309 passing yards with two TD and two INT) threw a seven-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. with 57 seconds left in the game. The Ravens (8-8) dropped their fifth straight game as the only touchdown for them came via an 18-yard interception return by Chuck Clark in the first quarter.

Philadelphia won on the road, 20-16 against Washington (6-10) as they overcame a 16-7 halftime deficit. The Eagles (9-7) clinched a wild card playoff spot as a result of the Green Bay Packers win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night. Eagles running back Boston Scott scored a pair of rushing touchdowns and Jake Elliott kicked two field goals to make the difference.

The Las Vegas Raiders beat the Indianapolis Colts, 23-20 on a 33-yard field goal by Dan Carlson as time ran out to improve to 9-7 and stay alive in the AFC playoff race. The Colts (9-7) fell behind 13-3 in the first half before scoring a pair of touchdowns to go ahead 17-13, but the Raiders took a 20-17 lead in the fourth quarter on an 11-yard TD pass from Derek Carr to WR Hunter Renfrow. The Colts tied it again at 20-20 on a 41-yard field goal by Mike Badgley with 1:56 remaining.  

The Arizona Cardinals defeated the host Dallas Cowboys, 25-22 to improve to 11-5 and stay alive for the NFC West title.  Cards QB Kyler Murray had two TD passes in the win while Matt Prater kicked four field goals to make the difference.  Dallas QB Dak Prescott had three TD passes in the setback as the Cowboys (11-5) had already clinched the NFC East title, but the loss dropped them to fourth place in the NFC race.

The Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) bolted back into playoff contention in the AFC with a 34-13 trouncing of the visiting Denver Broncos (7-9) as QB Justin Herbert threw for two touchdowns and Andre Roberts returned a kickoff 101 yards for another score while the defense made two big stops in the red zone against the Broncos offense. The Chargers will travel to face the Las Vegas Raiders in a showdown for the last remaining AFC wild card playoff spot next Sunday night.

On Sunday night, the Green Bay Packers (13-3) routed the visiting Minnesota Vikings, 37-10 with QB Aaron Rodgers (288 passing yards) tossing two TD passes, including one to WR Davante Adams (11 receptions for 136 yards) and RB AJ Dillon scoring a pair of rushing touchdowns to lead the way. Green Bay more than doubled the Vikings (7-9) in total yardage (481-206) as they built up a 20-3 halftime lead. Minnesota was eliminated from playoff contention with the loss.

Both the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots were easy winners on Sunday as they both have 10-6 records heading into the final game. Both teams are in the AFC playoffs with the Bills leading the AFC East division. The Patriots rolled the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars, 50-10 as Mac Jones had three TD passes and running backs Rhamondre Stevenson and Damien Harris each scored twice on the ground. Jaguars rookie QB Trevor Lawrence was intercepted three times as his team (2-14) lost their ninth consecutive game. 

The Buffalo Bills took over in the second half in the 29-15 home field win against the Atlanta Falcons (7-9) as their defense shut down the Falcons, who led the Bills, 15-14 at the half. Buffalo RB Devin Singletary scored two rushing touchdowns in the second half to help ensure the win.


                                                     Elsewhere Around the NFL  . . . . . . . . .    


The San Francisco 49ers (9-7) defeated the visiting Houston Texans, 23-7 as rookie QB Trey Lance had a pair of passing touchdowns and Robbie Gould drilled three field goals to stay in the sixth playoff spot in the NFC race . . .  The Chicago Bears (6-10) throttled the hapless New York Giants, 29-3 in blustery Soldier Field with RB David Montgomery scoring two rushing touchdowns and the defense limiting the Giants (4-12) to 151 total yards, including minus-10 passing yards as they had four QB sacks and forced four turnovers . . .  The Seattle Seahawks (6-10) rolled the visiting Detroit Lions, 51-29 with RB Rashaad Penny (25 carries for 170 yards) scoring twice on the ground while QB Russell Wilson threw four TD passes, with three of them going to WR DK Metcalf. Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown scored two touchdowns in the loss . . .  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4) scored on a 33-yard TD pass from QB Tom Brady to WR Cyril Grayson with just 15 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to steal a 28-24 road victory against the New York Jets (4-12). Brady had 410 passing yards and three TD passes in the win to offset a pair of touchdowns by Jets WR Braxton Berrios . . .  The New Orleans Saints (8-8) stayed alive in the NFC wild card playoff race with a come from behind 18-10 home victory against the Carolina Panthers (5-11), who lost their sixth straight game. Saints kicker Brett Maher made four field goals and RB Alvin Kamara caught a 12-yard TD pass from QB Taysom Hill to help aid the win . . .  In likely his last ever home game in Pittsburgh, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger had a touchdown pass and RB Najee Harris (28 carries for 188 yards) rambled 37 yards with 51 seconds remaining for the clinching touchdown as the Steelers (8-7-1) kept alive their slim playoff hopes with a 26-14 win against the Cleveland Browns (7-9) on Monday Night Football. The Steelers defense also had nine quarterback sacks in the win, including four by linebacker T.J. Watt. Browns QB Baker Mayfield had two TD passes and two interceptions thrown in the loss.


WEEK SEVENTEEN RESULTS 

New England 50, Jacksonville 10 

Chicago 29, N.Y. Giants 3 

L.A. Rams 20, Baltimore 19

Buffalo 29, Atlanta 15

Tennessee 34, Miami 3 

Cincinnati 34, Kansas City 31

Philadelphia 20, Washington 16 

Las Vegas 23, Indianapolis 20

Tampa Bay 28, N.Y. Jets 24

L.A. Chargers 34, Denver 13

San Francisco 23, Houston 7 

New Orleans 18, Carolina 10

Arizona 25, Dallas 22

Seattle 51, Detroit 29

Green Bay 37, Minnesota 10  

Pittsburgh 26, Cleveland 14