NFL - Week Fourteen Recap

 

Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa chat following the game.

The much anticipated match between the host Los Angeles Chargers and the Miami Dolphins and their top tier quarterbacks went to the Chargers, 23-17 as QB Justin Herbert passed for 367 yards and threw a ten-yard TD pass to wide receiver Mike Williams (six receptions for 116 yards) while RB Austin Ekelker scored a rushing touchdown and kicker Cameron Dicker made three field goals as the Chargers improved to 7-6 this season. The Dolphins (8-5) dropped their second straight game as QB Tua Tagovailoa was limited to a season low 145 passing yards, which included a 60-yard TD pass to WR Tyreek Hill, who also scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery he took 57 yards to paydirt in the losing effort. In addition, the Chargers defense held the Dolphins to 219 yards in total offense. 

The Philadelphia Eagles (12-1) became the first team to officially clinch a playoff spot as they destroyed the host New York Giants, 48-22 on Sunday afternoon. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts had a pair of touchdown passes while running back Miles Sanders (144 rushing yards) scored twice on runs of 40 yards and three yards as the Eagles piled up 253 rushing yards in the win. The Giants (7-5-1) never were in this one, falling behind 21-0 in the second quarter while the Eagles defense amassed seven QB sacks for the game. 

Dallas (10-3) got a real scare from the Houston Texans (1-11-1) as they trailed late into the game before rallying with a 98-yard TD drive as RB Ezekiel Elliott scored on a two-yard run with just 41 seconds remaining to get the 27-23 home victory. The Texans led 23-17 after three quarters before the Cowboys overcame three turnovers to pull it out as RB Tony Pollard scored twice, one rushing and one receiving. 

The Detroit Lions (6-7) won their fifth game in the last six as they blasted the visiting Minnesota Vikings, 34-23 behind three TD passes from QB Jared Goff, who also passed for 330 yards. Quarterback Kirk Cousins passed for 425 yards and two touchdowns while WR Justin Jefferson had 11 receptions for 223 yards for the Vikings (10-3) in the loss. The Lions defense had four sacks and two fumble recoveries to add to the win. 

The Kansas City Chiefs (10-3) held on for a 34-28 road win against the Denver Broncos (3-10) as they nearly blew a 27-0 first half lead, which included a defensive score by Willie Gay with a 47-yard interception return. The Broncos stormed back as QB Russell Wilson had three TD passes (two of them  to WR Jerry Jeudy, who had three in the loss) before being knocked out of the game with a concussion. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (352 passing yards) had three TD passes along with three interceptions. 

The Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) won their fifth straight game with a 23-10 win at home against the Cleveland Browns (5-8) with QB Joe Burrow passing for two scores. Browns QB Deshaun Watson threw his first TD pass this season along with an interception in his second game back from suspension. 

The Buffalo Bills improved to 10-3 as they beat the visiting New York Jets, 20-12 as QB Josh Allen passed and ran for touchdowns to lead the way in miserable weather. The Jets (7-6) dropped their fourth game in the last six as QB Mike White was pummeled and sacked four times and briefly left the game with sore ribs. 

 

49ers QB Brock Purdy celebrates his touchdown run.

 The San Francisco 49ers served notice they are serious contenders in the NFC as they won their sixth consecutive game to improve to 9-4 as they throttled the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 35-7. Quarterback Brock Purdy had a pair of TD passes and also scored a rushing touchdown in his first career start. Running back Christian McCaffrey (119 yards rushing) scored twice, including a 38-yard run and a 27-yard receiving score. The Buccaneers (6-7) had three turnovers in the loss.  

 

The Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8) surprised the Tennessee Titans, 36-22 for the road win as QB Trevor Lawrence (368 passing yards) had three TD passes and also rushed for a score. The Titans dropped to 7-6 as they lost for a third straight time while turning the ball over four times (three fumbles and one interception). 

Last Thursday night was a miracle come back win for the host Los Angeles Rams (4-9) as they snapped a six-game losing streak, topping the Las Vegas Raiders, 17-16 as QB Baker Mayfield had a 23-yard scoring pass to WR Van Jefferson with ten seconds left in the game. The Raiders (5-8) had a 16-3 lead with just 3:19 left in the game when Rams RB Cam Akers scored on a one-yard run to trim the deficit to 16-10. The Rams defense stopped Las Vegas and got the ball back for Mayfield, who directed a 98-yard drive in the final two minutes for the winning score. Raiders RB Josh Jacobs had 99 rushing yards and the only touchdown for his team in the loss. 

The Baltimore Ravens (9-4) won in Pittsburgh, 16-14 as they lost their reserve QB Tyler Huntley (concussion) but did rush for 215 yards in the win as JK Dobbins (120 rushing yards) scored on a four-yard run and Justin Tucker made three field goals. The Steelers (5-8) lost their starting QB Kenny Pickett to a concussion and backup QB Mitch Trubisky was intercepted three times, including two of them deep in Ravens territory to spoil any comeback hopes. 

In Seattle, the host Seahawks (7-6) lost 30-24 to the Carolina Panthers (5-8) thanks to the Panthers getting 223 yards rushing and controlling the ball for over 39 minutes. Panthers QB Sam Darnold had a TD pass while running backs Chuba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear each scored rushing touchdowns to pace the win. Seahawks QB Geno Smith had three TD passes along with two interceptions during the setback. 

The Monday night game in Arizona was all New England Patriots (7-6) in the second half as they beat the Cardinals, 27-13 with linebacker Raekwon McMillan getting a touchdown on a 23-yard return of a fumble recovery and RB Pierre Strong, Jr. getting a three-yard TD run along with the defense getting six sacks to lead the comeback. The Cardinals (4-9) lost starting QB Kyler Murray to a knee injury in the first quarter and he is out for the rest of the season.

WEEK FOURTEEN RESULTS 

L.A. Rams 17, Las Vegas 16 

Detroit 34, Minnesota 23 

Buffalo 20, N.Y. Jets 12

Philadelphia 48, N.Y. Giants 22 

Baltimore 16, Pittsburgh 14 

Dallas 27, Houston 23 

Jacksonville 36, Tennessee 22  

Cincinnati 23, Cleveland 10 

San Francisco 35, Tampa Bay 7

Kansas City 34, Denver 28

Carolina 30, Seattle 24

L.A. Chargers 23, Miami 17

New England 27, Arizona 13