NFL Afternoon/Evening Games Week 17 2012

This post closes the regular season with seven total games. First up...

The San Francisco 49ers square off with the Arizona Cardinals by the bay in an NFC West game. Arizona opened in the first quarter as Jay Feely made a 35 yard field goal. The Cardinals padded the lead in the second quarter as Feely booted a 31 yard field goal. San Francisco got on the board as Colin Kaepernick tossed a 49 yard touchdown to Michael Crabtree, and David Akers made the extra point. The 49ers added on in the third quarter as Akers made a 43 yard field goal. San Francisco padded the lead as Kaepernick passed 7 yards for another touchdown to Crabtree, and Akers knocked in another PAT. The 49ers kept going with a 2 yard Frank Gore touchdown run in the fourth quarter, and Akers booted the extra point. San Francisco continued as Akers made a 26 yard field goal. Arizona answered as Brian Hoyer tossed a 37 yard touchdown pass to Michael Floyd, and Feely knocked in the extra point. This was all they could manage, falling 27-13, with San Francisco ending the year at 11-4-1 while Arizona finished at 5-11.

Down south, the San Diego Chargers host their AFC West rivals, the Oakland Raiders. San Diego began in the first quarter with a Micheal Spurlock 99 yard return of the opening kickoff for a touchdown, and Nick Novak booted the extra point. The Chargers padded the lead as Novak kicked a 30 yard field goal. Oakland got on the board in the second quarter with Terrelle Pryor passing 9 yards to Darrius Heyward-Bey for a touchdown, and Sebastian Janikowski kicked the extra point. San Diego extended the lead on an 11 yard touchdown pass from Philip Rivers to Antonio Gates, and Novak was true with the PAT. The Chargers scored some more as Rivers found Danario Alexander for 34 yards and a touchdown in the third quarter, and Novak tacked on the extra point. The Raiders got some back in the fourth quarter as Pryor ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and Janikowski supplied the extra point. Oakland pulled closer as Pryor passed 5 yards to Denarius Moore for a touchdown, and Janikowski was there with the extra point. They failed to tie the game, losing 24-21, with San Diego ending at 7-9 while Oakland drops to 4-12.

To the Northeast, as the Denver Broncos host the Kansas Chiefs in the other AFC West game. Denver started with a first quarter Knowshon Moreno 3 yard touchdown run, allowing Matt Prater to make the extra point. Kansas City got on the board in the second quarter as Ryan Succop made a 23 yard field goal. The Broncos padded the lead when Peyton Manning passed 11 yards to Eric Decker for a touchdown, and Prater nailed the extra point. Denver kept going as Manning found Decker for 16 yards and another touchdown, and Prater made another PAT. The Broncos extended the lead in the third quarter with a 13 yard Manning touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas, and Prater tacked on another extra point. Denver kept going as Lance Ball ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Prater supplied the extra point. The Broncos struck again on a Prater 42 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. This made it 38-3, a final, with Denver ending at 13-3 and Kansas City falling to 2-14.

Further north, the Minnesota Vikings welcome the Green Bay Packers in an NFC North game. Minnesota led off with a first quarter Blair Walsh 54 yard field goal. The Vikings extended the lead as Adrian Peterson ran for 7 yards for a touchdown, and Walsh made the extra point. Minnesota kept going in the second quarter as Walsh made a 37 yard field goal. Green Bay got on the board as Aaron Rodgers found Greg Jennings for 3 yards and a touchdown, and Mason Crosby made the extra point. The Vikings struck again as Christian Ponder threw an 8 yard touchdown pass to Jarius Wright, and Walsh supplied the PAT. The Packers got some back with a 51 yard field goal by Crosby. Green Bay pulled closer in the third quarter as Rodgers and Jennings connected for a 5 yard touchdown, and Crosby made another extra point. Minnesota extended the lead as Ponder found Peterson for two yards and a touchdown, and Walsh tacked on the extra point. The Packers shot back with an 8 yard touchdown pass from Rodgers to James Jones, and Crosby kicked in the extra point. Green Bay tied it in the fourth quarter on a 40 yard field goal by Crosby. The Vikings took the lead back as Ponder connected with Michael Jenkins for 3 yards and a touchdown, and Walsh knocked in the extra point. The Packers tied it again as Rodgers threw a 2 yard touchdown to Jordy Nelson, and Crosby had the equalizer with the extra point. Minnesota finished it at 37-34 with a Walsh field goal of 29 yards. They improve to 10-6 while Green Bay drops to 11-5.

Back east, the New England Patriots bring in the Miami Dolphins for an AFC East game. New England struck first in the first quarter as Tom Brady passed 9 yards to Wes Welker for a touchdown, and Stephen Gostkowski made the extra point. The Patriots padded the lead in the second quarter as Stevan Ridley ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Gostkowski booted the extra point. New England extended the lead as Ridley ran 2 yards for another touchdown, and Gostkowski made another extra point. The Patriots added on in the fourth quarter as Brady threw a 23 yard touchdown pass to Rob Gronkowski, and Gostkowski made the PAT. This was all they needed to win 28-0, and New England improved to 12-4 while Miami fell to 7-9.

Well to the west, the Seattle Seahawks host the St. Louis Rams in the other NFC West game. Seattle got going in the second quarter with a Steven Hauschka 43 yard field goal. St. Louis took the lead as Sam Bradford threw a 2 yard touchdown pass to Austin Pettis, and Greg Zuerlein made the extra point. The Seahawks got some back in the third quarter as Hauschka made a 49 yard field goal. The Rams added on as Zuerlein made a 39 yard field goal. Seattle took the lead as Russell Wilson tossed a 10 yard touchdown pass to Michael Robinson, and Hauschka was there with the PAT. St. Louis tied it again as Zuerlein made a 25 yard field goal. The Seahawks took the lead on a Wilson 1 yard touchdown run, and Hauschka drilled the extra point. This held up for a 20-13 win, with Seattle now at 11-5 and St. Louis falling to 7-8-1.

Finally, in prime time, the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys fight for the NFC East crown in Washington. Dallas was first to score in the second quarter as Tony Romo passed 9 yards for a touchdown to Jason Witten, and Dan Bailey made the extra point. Washington tied it as Alfred Morris ran 17 yards for a touchdown, and Kai Forbath made the extra point. The Redskins took the lead in the third quarter as Robert Griffin III ran 10 yards for a touchdown, and Forbath kicked in another extra point. The Cowboys took some back in the fourth quarter as Bailey made a 48 yard field goal. Washington padded the lead with a 32 yard touchdown rush by Morris, and Forbath booted the PAT. Dallas shot back as Romo threw a 10 yard touchdown pass to Kevin Ogletree, and then Romo found Dwayne Harris for the two-point conversion. The Redskins finished it at 28-18 when Morris ran in his third touchdown of the game from 1 yard out, and Forbath supplied another extra point. Washington wins the division at 10-6 and the Cowboys drop to 8-8.

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NFL Morning Games Week 17 2012

First post of the day for football. No Fantasy Football All-Stars this week, since my teams couldn't make it far enough to justify. The second post today will be the last for the year, and I'll be back with the KHL on Thursday. Nine games for this post, beginning in...

Buffalo, with the Bills hosting the New York Jets for an AFC East game. New York started in the first quarter with a Nick Folk field goal of 47 yards. Buffalo took the lead as Bryan Scott picked off Mark Sanchez and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown, allowing Rian Lindell to make the extra point. The Jets got some back with a second quarter Folk field goal of 23 yards. New York took the lead as Folk was true on a 28 yard field goal. The Bills replied as Ryan Fitzpatrick tossed a 66 yard touchdown pass to C.J. Spiller, and Lindell tacked on the PAT. Buffalo padded the lead in the fourth quarter as Brad Smith ran 4 yards for a touchdown, and Lindell kicked the extra point. The Bills struck again as Tashard Choice ran in a 13 yard touchdown, and Lindell made another extra point. Buffalo won 28-9, improving to 6-10, while dropping the Jets to the same mark.

To the south, the New Orleans Saints welcome the Carolina Panthers in an NFC South game. Carolina opened with a first quarter Graham Gano 20 yard field goal. The Panthers extended the lead in the second quarter as Mike Tolbert ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Gano was there with the extra point. New Orleans got on the board as Drew Brees threw a 7 yard touchdown pass to Marques Colston, and Garrett Hartley made the extra point. The Saints pulled ahead with Jonathan Vilma intercepting Cam Newton for 18 yards and a touchdown, and Hartley again made the PAT. Carolina shot back as Gano made a 31 yard field goal. New Orleans replied with Harley kicking a 53 yard field goal. The Saints extended the lead in the third quarter as Brees passed 19 yards to Jimmy Graham for a touchdown, and Hartley drove in the extra point. The Panthers chipped away as DeAngelo Williams ran 54 yards for a touchdown, and Gano was true with the extra point. Carolina took the lead on another Tolbert 1 yard touchdown run, and Gano again handled the extra point. The Panthers padded the lead with another Tolbert 1 yard touchdown rush, and Gano was there to make the extra point. Carolina kept going as Williams ran in a 12 yard touchdown, and Gano again booted the extra point. New Orleans shot back as Brees passed 9 yards for another touchdown pass to Colston, and Hartley knocked in the extra point. The Panthers scored some more with a 42 yard Gano field goal. The Saints responded as Brees passed 33 yards for a touchdown to Darren Sproles, and Hartley again kicked an extra point. They failed to score again, losing 44-38, and both teams end at 7-9.

East to Atlanta, as the Falcons host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the other NFC South game. Tampa Bay struck first in the first quarter on a Connor Barth 48 yard field goal. Atlanta tied it on a 28 yard field goal by Matt Bryant. The Buccaneers took the lead back in the second quarter as Josh Freeman passed 8 yards for a touchdown to Mike Williams, and Barth was there with the extra point. Tampa Bay padded the lead with a Barth 22 yard field goal. The Buccaneers added on as Barth made a 42 yard field goal in the third quarter. The Falcons shot back as Michael Turner ran 17 yards for a touchdown, and Bryant tacked on the PAT. Tampa Bay extended their lead as Doug Martin ran 40 yards for a touchdown, but the two-point attempt failed. Atlanta pulled back in the fourth quarter as Matt Ryan found Harry Douglas for 7 yards and a touchdown, and Bryant supplied the extra point. This was as close as it got, with the final being 22-17, allowing Tampa Bay to move up to 7-9 while Atlanta ends the year at 13-3.

Up north, the Detroit Lions bring in the Chicago Bears to close out a division game for the NFC North. Detroit got going in the first quarter as Jason Hanson made a 44 yard field goal. Chicago took the lead on a 60 yard Jay Cutler touchdown pass to Earl Bennett, and Olindo Mare supplied the extra point. The Bears added on with a Mare field goal of 33 yards. Chicago struck again on a second quarter 1 yard touchdown run by Matt Forte, and Mare nailed the extra point. The Bears padded the lead as Mare made a 40 yard field goal. The Lions answered with Matthew Stafford passing 25 yards to Kris Durham for a touchdown, and Hanson kicked the PAT. Detroit chipped away in the third quarter as Stafford connected with Will Heller for 10 yards and a touchdown, and Hanson knocked in the extra point. Chicago replied as Mare made a 28 yard field goal. The Bears struck again as Mare made a 20 yard field goal. The Lions got some back as Stafford passed 9 yards to Brian Robiskie for a touchdown, and Hanson knocked in the extra point. They failed to tie it, losing 26-24, with Chicago going to 10-6 while the Lions fall to 4-12.

Back east, the New York Giants host their NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles. New York was first to score in the first quarter as Eli Manning passed 3 yards for a touchdown to Rueben Randle, and Lawrence Tynes kicked in the extra point. The Giants added on with a 38 yard touchdown connection between Manning and Randle, and Tynes again handled the extra point. New York kept going as Manning found David Wilson for 15 yards and a touchdown, and Tynes again made the extra point. Philadelphia got on the board in the second quarter as Michael Vick passed 7 yards for a touchdown to Jeremy Maclin, and Alex Henery tacked on the extra point. The Giants answered with a 1 yard Ahmad Bradshaw touchdown run, and Tynes again handled the PAT. New York got some more as Manning threw a 24 yard touchdown pass to Victor Cruz, and Tynes kicked another extra point. The Giants padded the lead in the fourth quarter on a Manning 1 yard touchdown pass to Henry Hynoski, and Tynes was true with the extra point. This was good for a 42-7 win, with the Giants needing help to get in the playoffs at 9-7, while the Eagles end the year at a miserable 4-12.

Southwest to Tennessee, as the AFC South's cellar dwelling Tennessee Titans host their even-worse rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tennessee led off with a first quarter 2 yard touchdown run by Chris Johnson, and Rob Bironas made the extra point. Jacksonville tied it as Chad Henne found Jordan Shipley for 5 yards and a touchdown, and Josh Scobee made the extra point. The Jaguars took the lead with Henne passing 30 yards to Justin Blackmon for a touchdown in the second quarter, and Scobee was true with the extra point. The Titans retied it as Zach Brown returned an interception of Henne for 79 yards and a touchdown, and Bironas knocked in the extra point. Tennessee took the lead on a 69 yard Darius Reynaud punt return for a touchdown, and Bironas again kicked the PAT. The Titans struck again with another punt return for a touchdown by Reynaud, this time for 81 yards, and Bironas drilled the extra point. Tennessee extended the lead with another Brown interception returned for a touchdown, taking Henne's errant pass 30 yards to the house, allowing Bironas to make another extra point. The Titans scored some more in the fourth quarter on a 48 yard Bironas field goal. Jacksonville got some back as Mike Harris returned a blocked punt for 19 yards and a touchdown, but the two-point attempt failed. The defensively-oriented game ended here at 38-20, with Tennessee going to 6-10 and Jacksonville falling to 2-14.

The other AFC South game is in Indianapolis, with the Colts hosting the Houston Texans. Indianapolis began in the first quarter as Andrew Luck passed 1 yard to Coby Fleener for a touchdown, and Adam Vinatieri was there with the extra point. Houston got on the board as Shayne Graham made a 51 yard field goal. The Texans chipped away in the second quarter as Graham made a 37 yard field goal. The Colts padded the lead with a 1 yard touchdown run by Vick Ballard, and Vinatieri knocked in the extra point. Houston shot back as Arian Foster ran 13 yards for a touchdown, allowing Graham to make the PAT. The Texans edged ahead on a Graham 37 yard field goal. Indianapolis retook the lead as Deji Karim returned the ensuing kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown, and Vinatieri was there with the extra point. The Colts extended the lead with Luck passing 70 yards to T.Y. Hilton for a touchdown, and Vinatieri made another extra point. This was good for a 28-16 win, with Indianapolis going to 11-5 while the Texans drop to 12-4.

East again, as the Pittsburgh Steelers play a meaningless home game against their AFC North rivals, the Cleveland Browns. Pittsburgh got things going in the second quarter on a Shaun Suisham field goal of 41 yards. Cleveland tied it on a 51 yard Phil Dawson field goal. The Steelers took the lead with a 1 yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Leonard Pope, and Suisham handled the extra point. The Browns tied it again in the third quarter as Thaddeus Lewis found Greg Little for 7 yards and a touchdown, and Dawson knocked in the PAT. Pittsburgh regained the lead as Roethlisberger found Antonio Brown for 9 yards and a touchdown, and Suisham tacked on the extra point. The Steelers added on in the fourth quarter as Roethlisberger tossed a 12 yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress, and Suisham again kicked the extra point. This produced the 24-10 final, with Pittsburgh ending at 8-8 and Cleveland falling to 5-11.

Finally, the other AFC North teams, the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens play in Cincinnati. Baltimore finally started in the first quarter as Anthony Allen ran 2 yards for a touchdown, and Justin Tucker supplied the extra point. Cincinnati tied it on an 11 yard Andy Dalton touchdown pass to Marvin Jones, and Josh Brown's extra point was the equalizer. The Bengals took the lead in the third quarter on a 47 yard Brown field goal. Cincinnati struck again as Brown made a 32 yard field goal. The Ravens took the lead in the fourth quarter as Tyrod Taylor ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Tucker's extra point was the go-ahead point. The Bengals retook the lead with a Brown 38 yard field goal. Cincinnati added on as Carlos Dunlap intercepted Taylor and took it 14 yards for a touchdown, allowing Brown another PAT. Baltimore replied with a Tucker field goal of 49 yards. This was as close as it got, with the final being 23-17, and both teams go to 10-6.

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KHL December 30th 2012

Eight games before the three day break. First up...

Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Sibir Novosibirsk. Jeff Glass and Michael Garnett are the masked men. Novosibirsk opened in the first period with a Sergei Shumakov goal, assisted by Evgeny Fyodorov and Viktor Drugov. Sibir added on in the second period with a power play goal by Kristian Kudroc, powered by Alexander Romanov and Jori Lehtera. Chelyabinsk got on the board as Vladimir Antipov scored, via Yegor Dugin. Traktor tied it in the third period as Andrei Kostitsyn scored, courtesy of Anton Glinkin and Jan Bulis. The game was settled in the overtime as Novosibirsk got goals from Jonas Enlund and Lehtera to win 3-2. The three stars went to Lehtera, Glass (34 for 36 in saves), and Shumakov.

Southeast to Omsk, as Avangard welcomes Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Karri Ramo are in the blue paint. Mytishchi finally got going in the second period with a Rafael Batyrshin goal, passed from Igor Ignatushkin. This was the game's only goal, resulting in a 1-0 final. The three stars were given to Galimov (51(!) save shutout), Batyrshin, and Ramo (19 for 20).

To the west, Dynamo Moscow hosts their cross-town rivals, CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana and Alexander Yeryomenko will be between the pipes. Dynamo started in the first period with a Denis Kokarev goal, courtesy of Alexei Tsvetkov. CSKA tied it in the second period as Igor Radulov scored, thanks to Oleg Kvasha and Sergei Shirokov. CSKA took the lead with a power play goal by Niklas Persson, powered by Alexander Radulov and Mikhail Grabovsky. Dynamo tied it again as Alexander Ovechkin scored, with a helper from Konstantin Gorovikov. CSKA took the lead in the third period with a power play goal by Ilya Zubov, with a lone assist from Shirokov. CSKA padded the lead when Alexander Radulov scored an empty net goal to make it 4-2, guided in by Grabovsky. The three stars were Alexander Radulov, Shirokov, and Grabovsky.

Back in the east, Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosts Amur Khabarovsk. Alexei Kuznetsov and Ari Ahonen are in the creases. Magnitogorsk began in the first period as Evgeny Malkin scored, with help from Sergei Mozyakin. Metallurg added on in the second period as Mozyakin scored, via Nikolai Kulemin. Magnitogorsk padded the lead as Mozyakin scored again, thanks to Sergei Gonchar and Malkin. Metallurg kept going with a power play goal by Viktor Antipin, powered by Kulemin and Malkin, Magnitogorsk extended the lead as Mozyakin finished his hat trick with a power play goal, coming off of Kulemin and Malkin, both of whom got a sock trick. Metallurg got another in the third period with another Mozyakin goal, his fourth of the game, made possible by Kulemin and Malkin again. Magnitogorsk iced it at 7-0 with a Dmitry Kazionov goal, passed from Georgy Misharin and Yaroslav Khabarov. The three stars were Mozyakin, Malkin, and Kulemin, while Ahonen (26 save shutout) gets an honorable mention.

Over in Yekaterinburg, Avtomobilist hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Alexander Lazushin and Chris Holt are manning the goals. Yekaterinburg was first to score in the first period as Fyodor Malykhin scored, with the help of Sergei Gusev and Artyom Kryukov. Avtomobilist added on as Malykhin scored again in the second period, thanks to Rastislav Spriko and Alexei Simakov. Novokuznetsk got on the board with an Anton Lazarev goal, made possible by Stanislav Romanov. Metallurg tied it as Alexander Bumagin scored, via Dmitry Megalinsky. Yekaterinburg took the lead again on an unassisted goal by Simakov. Novokuznetsk tied it again when Bumagin scored a goal, guided in by Dmitry Kagarlitsky and Randy Robitaille on the power play goal. Metallurg won 4-3 in overtime with a power play goal by Kagarlitsky, powered by Robitaille and Bumagin. The three stars went to Bumagin, Malykhin, and Kagarlitsky, while Simakov and Robitaille get the honorable mentions.

Northeast to Khanty-Mansiysk, as Yugra hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Mikhail Biryukov guard the cages. Khanty-Mansiysk struck first in the first period as Anton But scored a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Yaroslavl tied it with an unassisted Niklas Hagman goal. Yugra took the lead back as Anton Krysanov scored a goal, assisted by Rinat Ibragimov and Konstantin Glazachev. Khanty-Mansiysk extended the lead with a power play goal by Sergei Demagin, powered by Dmitry Altaryov and But. Lokomotiv replied with an Emil Galimov goal in the second period, set up by Artyom Anisimov and Alexander Guskov. Yaroslavl tied it with a Maxim Trunyov goal, passed from Alexei Kalyuzhny. Lokomotiv took the lead as Anisimov scored a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Yaroslavl extended the lead with a Hagman goal, fueled by Kalyuzhny and Galimov. Lokomotiv kept going with Galimov scoring a goal, with a lone assist by Anisimov. Yiugra got one back in the third period as Igor Magogin scored, with helpers provided by Denis Grebeshkov and But. This was as close as it go, with the final being 6-4, leaving the three stars with Galimov, Hagman, and Anisimov, while Kalyuzhny and But get the honorable mentions.

South in Kazakhstan, with Barys Astana hosting Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Vitaly Koval and Vitaly Yeremeyev protect the nets. Nizhny Novgorod led off in the first period with a Vladimir Gorbunov goal, passed from Ilya Krikunov. Torpedo added on with a power play goal by Martin Thornberg, powered by Dmitry Makarov and Alexander Yevseyenkov. Astana got on the board in the second period as Roman Savchenko scored an unassisted goal. Barys tied as Talgat Zhailauov scored a power play goal, assisted by Savchenko and Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev. Astana took the lead in the third period as Nigel Dawes scored, with a lone assist from Dustin Boyd. Barys extended the lead as Dawes potted the puck again, an unassisted goal. Nizhny Novgorod got one back as Pyotr Schastlivy scored, thanks to Maxim Potapov and Matt Ellison. Torpedo tied it on another Thornberg goal, set up by Juuso Hietanen and Makarov. Astana won 5-4 in overtime on an Alexei Litvinenko goal, coming off of Dmitry Upper. The three stars went to Dawes, Thornberg, and Makarov.

Finally, in St. Petersburg, SKA hosts Lev Praha. Jakub Stepanek and Sergei Bobrovsky tend the twines. Praha got going in the first period with a power play goal by Ondrej Nemec, powered by Marcel Hossa and Petr Vrana. St. Petersburg tied it with a Kevin Dallman goal, with a lone assist from Ilya Kovalchuk. Lev took the lead back as Jakub Voracek scored, via Erik Christensen and Jaroslav Svoboda. SKA tied the game as Ivan Nepryayev scored, with assists from the goalie Bobrovsky and Andrei Pervyshin. St. Petersburg took the lead on a Petr Prucha goal, courtesy of Tony Martensson and Alexei Semenov. Praha retied it on a Svoboda goal, passed from Hossa and Tomas Surovy. SKA took the lead again as Kovalchuk scored, and Viktor Tikhonov recorded the only assist. St. Petersburg iced it at 5-3 with another Kovalchuk goal, guided in by Tikhonov and Dallman. The three stars went to Kovalchuk, Dallman, and Svoboda, while Tikhonov and Hossa get the honorable mentions.

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KHL December 29th 2012

Four games today, beginning in...

Kazan, with Ak Bars hosting Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Matt Dalton and Konstantin Barulin are in front of the nets. Kazan started with a first period goal by Konstantin Korneyev, courtesy of Danis Zaripov. Ak Bars added on in the second period with an Alexei Tereshchenko goal, fueled by Ilya Nikulin and Zaripov. Kazan padded the lead with a Tereshchenko power play goal, powered by Nikulin and Alexei Morozov. This prompted Maxim Sokolov to relieve Dalton in goal. Ak Bars struck again on an Artyom Lukoyanov goal, going down with help from Nikulin, who got a sock trick, and Evgeny Bodrov. Nizhnekamsk got one back as Maxim Pestushko scored, thanks to Martin Cibak. Neftekhimik chipped away as Cibak scored a goal, guided in by Yegor Milovzorov. The scoring went dry in the third period, leaving the final at 4-2 Ak Bars. Tereshchenko, Nikulin, and Cibak get the three stars while Zaripov gets an honorable mention.

West to Cherepovets, where Severstal welcomes Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco and Vasily Koshechkin will play goal. Cherepovets opened with a first period power play goal by Denis Kazionov, passed from Vadim Shipachyov. Donetsk tied it on a Sergei Varlamov goal, made possible by Denis Kochetkov and Vitaly Donika. Donbass took the lead as Lukas Kaspar scored, with a lone assist from Alexei Ponikarovsky. Severstal retied it as Pavel Dedunov scored a goal, via Alexander Fedoseyev. Cherepovets gained the lead as Shipachyov scored, thanks to Evgeny Ketov. Severstal padded the lead with an Alexei Medvedev goal, assisted by Niclas Bergfors. Donetsk chipped back in the third period on a power play goal by Peter Podhradsky, powered by Vaclav Nedorost. They failed to tie the game, losing 4-3, with the three stars being Shipachyov, Medvedev, and Kazionov.

South to Chekhov, as Vityaz hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Ivan Lisutin are the masked men. Chekhov led off with a first period goal by Artemy Panarin, going down unassisted. Riga tied it on an Alexandre Giroux goal, with a lone assist by Arvids Rekis. Vityaz took the lead back on a Dinar Khafizullin goal, courtesy of Alexei Badyukov. Chekhov extended the lead in the second period with an Evgeny Timkin goal, coming off of Georgy Belousov. This held up for a 3-1 win, with the three stars being Lisutin (31 for 32 in saves), Panarin, and Khafizullin.

Finally, in Minsk, Dinamo hosts Spartak Moscow. Alexei Yakhin and Lars Haugen will guard the cages. Minsk got going in the first period as Geoff Platt recorded a goal on a penalty shot he earned after being tripped on a breakaway by Jaroslav Obsut. Dinamo added on in the second period with a power play goal by Zbynek Irgl, powered by Libor Pivko. Minsk struck again in the third period as Janne Niskala scored, with the help of Pivko and Teemu Laine. This made it 3-0, the final, with the three stars being Haugen (30 save shutout), Pivko, and Platt.

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KHL December 28th 2012

Eight more games today, beginning in...

Omsk, as Avangard hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Vitaly Koval and Karri Ramo tend the twines. Omsk got going in the second period on an Alexander Perezhogin goal, with a lone assist by Alexander Popov. This was the game's only goal, leaving the final at 1-0. Ramo (30 save shutout), Perezhogin, and Koval (16 for 17 in saves) received the three stars.

Northwest to Chelyabinsk, as Traktor welcomes Amur Khabarovsk. Alexei Kuznetsov and Michael Garnett are starting in goal. Khabarovsk finally got going in the second period with a Perttu Lindgren goal, made possible by Nikita Gusev. Chelyabinsk tied it on an Andrei Popov goal, assisted by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dmitry Ryabykin. Traktor took the lead in the third period when Yegor Dugin scored, thanks to Konstantin Panov and Vladimir Antipov. Chelyabinsk added on with a goal by Panov, passed from Alexei Vasilchenko and Antipov. This made it a 3-1 final score, with Garnett (16 for 17 in saves), Panov, and Antipov getting the three stars.

A touch to the west, Metallurg Magnitogorsk hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Yury Klyuchnikov and Ari Ahonen are in the creases. Magnitogorsk led off with a first period Sergei Mozyakin goal, assisted by Sergei Gonchar and Evgeny Malkin. Magnitogorsk struck again in the second period as Mats Zuccarello scored, with the help of Alexei Bondarev. Magnitogorsk added on as Nikolai Kulemin scored, with assists provided by Mozyakin and Malkin. Magnitogorsk extended the lead with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, coming off of Denis Platonov. Magnitogorsk padded the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Malkin, powered by O'Reilly and Gonchar. Magnitogorsk iced it at 6-0 with an O'Reilly goal, and Georgy Misharin got the lone assist. The three stars went to O'Reilly, Malkin, and Mozyakin, while Gonchar and Ahonen (22 save shutout) get the honorable mentions.

A bit north, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg brings in Sibir Novosibirsk. Jeff Glass and Chris Holt are the masked men. Novosibirsk started in the second period as Evgeny Fyodorov scored an unassisted power play goal. Sibir iced it at 2-0 with a shorthanded empty net goal in the third period, recorded by Jori Lehtera and going down unassisted. Glass (20 save shutout), Fyodorov, and Holt (26 for 28 in saves) got the three stars. As a note, please remember these recaps are unofficial. I have no way to verify the statistics and actions presented in the KHL. 

Northeast to Khanty-Mansiysk, as Yugra hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Stanislav Galimov and Mikhail Biryukov will be between the pipes. Mytishchi began in the first period as Igor Ignatushkin scored, with the help of Jonas Andersson and Nikolai Zherdev. Atlant added on with an unassisted goal from Ilya Kablukov. Mytishchi extended the lead with an Andreas Engqvist goal, set up by Viktor Stalberg and Jonas Frogren. Khanty-Mansiysk got on the board in the second period as Anton But scored, with a lone assist from Dmitry Altaryov. Atlant replied on an Andersson goal, fueled by Zherdev. Yugra shot back on a Sergei Demagin goal, courtesy of Kirill Safronov and But. Mytishchi answered with Stalberg scoring a goal, guided in by Engqvist. Khanty-Mansiysk got one back in the third period on a power play goal by Rinat Ibragimov, powered by Konstantin Glazachev and Safronov. They failed to score again, losing 5-3, with the three stars going to Engqvist, Stalberg, and Andersson, while Zherdev, Safronov, and But receive the honorable mentions.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Curtis Sanford and Vitaly Yeremeyev protect the nets. Astana was first to score in the first period as Dmitry Upper potted the puck, thanks to Andrew Hutchinson and Konstantin Rudenko. Barys added on in the second period with a power play goal by Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev, powered by Talgat Zhailauov and Fyodor Polishchuk. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 2-0 win for Barys. Upper, Yeremeyev (27 save shutout), and Krasnoslobodtsev.

Northwest to Moscow, as Dynamo hosts Lev Praha. Tomas Popperle and Alexander Sharychenkov guard the cages. Praha opened in the first period with a Tomas Rachunek goal, coming off of Jiri Hunkes and Jakub Klepis. Lev added on in the second period as Jakub Krejcik scored a power play goal, powered by Jakub Voracek. Praha kept going in the third period with a Klepis goal, fueled by Rachunek and Petr Vrana. Lev struck again as Rachunek scored another goal, via Mathias Porseland and Voracek. Moscow got on the board with a shorthanded and unassisted goal by Denis Kokarev. Dynamo got another as Alexei Tsvetkov scored, with the help of Konstantin Volkov and Maxim Solovyov. This was as close as it got, with the final being 4-2, leaving the three stars were Rachunek, Klepis, and Voracek.

Finally, ending the day in St. Petersburg, with SKA welcoming Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Sergei Bobrovsky receive the starting nods. St. Petersburg struck first in the first period with an unassisted Ilya Kovalchuk goal. This stood throughout the game for a 1-0 final, with the three stars being Bobrovsky (27 save shutout), Kovalchuk, and Janus (23 for 24 in saves).

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KHL December 27th 2012

Four games on for today, the first coming from...

Cherepovets, as Severstal hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist and Vasily Koshechkin guard the cages. Riga led off with a first period goal by Girts Ankipans, assisted by Andris Dzerins and Mathieu Carle. Cherepovets tied it on a Denis Kazionov goal, fueled by Niclas Andersen and Gennady Stolyarov. Dinamo took the lead back in the second period on a power play goal by Kristaps Sotnieks, powered by Aleksandrs Nizivijs and Gints Meija. Riga padded the lead in the third period with Dzerins scoring a goal, passed from Nizivijs. Severstal got one back as Kazionov scored again, thanks to Bogdan Kiselevich and Vadim Shipachyov. Dinamo iced it at 4-2 with an unassisted empty net goal by Alexandre Giroux. The three stars went to Dzerins, Nizivijs, and Kazionov.

Back east, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin and Matt Dalton are in the blue paint. Kazan opened in the first period as Evgeny Medvedev scored, thanks to Jarkko Immonen and Dmitry Obukhov. Nizhnekamsk tied it in the second period on a power play goal by Yegor Milovzorov, powered by Maxim Pestushko and Alexander Seluyanov. Ak Bars took the lead back as Ilya Nikulin scored, with a lone assist from Niko Kapanen. Neftekhimik retied it on a Pyotr Khokhryakov goal, made possible by Yaroslav Alshevsky. The game went to overtime, where Kazan won 3-2 on a goal by Medvedev, helped along by Grigory Panin. The three stars were Medvedev, Barulin (29 for 31 in saves), and Dalton (35 for 38 in saves).

Back west, Vityaz Chekhov hosts Spartak Moscow. Sergei Borisov and Ivan Lisutin receive the starting nods. Georgy Belousov started the scoring for Chekhov, and he received helpers from Dinar Khafizullin and Alexei Badyukov. Moscow tied it with a power play goal by Mikhail Yunkov, with assists coming from Jaroslav Obshut and Branko Radivojevic. Vityaz retook the lead in the second period as Badyukov scored, courtesy of Evgeny Timkin. Spartak tied it again as Stefan Ruzicka scored, with the help of Oleg Petrov. Chekhov regained the lead in the third period on a power play goal from Alexander Korolyuk, powered by Josh Hennessy. Moscow tied it once more as Denis Bodrov scored, via Petrov. Spartak won 4-3 with a lone shootout tally by Mikhail Zhukov. The three stars were Petrov, Badyukov, and Zhukov.

Finally, in Minsk, Dinamo brings in Donbass Donetsk. Jan Laco and Lars Haugen are the masked men. Minsk began with a power play goal by Geoff Platt, powered by Teemu Laine and Janne Niskala. Dinamo added on as Andrei Stas scored, via Dmitry Meleshko and Zbynek Irgl. Minsk extended the lead in the second period on an unassisted Laine goal. Donetsk got on the board late in the third period with a power play goal by Ruslan Fedotenko, coming off of Lukas Kaspar and Oskars Bartulis. This only made it 3-1, a final, with Laine, Haugen (25 for 26 in saves), and Stas getting the three stars.

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KHL December 26th 2012

Eight games going on today as we approach the new year. First up...

Avangard Omsk hosts Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Semyon Varlamov and Karri Ramo tend the twines. Omsk led off in the first period with an Anssi Salmela goal, assisted by Alexander Nesterov and Vladimir Pervushin. Yaroslavl tied it in the second period on a Mikhail Pashnin goal with a lone assist from Yegor Yakovlev. Avangard retook the lead on an unassisted power play goal by Anton Kuryanov. Lokomotiv tied it again as Maxim Trunyov scored an unassisted goal. Omsk edged ahead on an Alexander Perezhogin goal, courtesy of Alexander Popov and Tomas Zaborsky. Avangard iced it at 4-2 with a power play goal going into an empty net off the tape of Perezhogin, with Popov claiming the only helper. This was a final, with the three stars being Perezhogin, Popov, and Salmela.

To the northwest, Traktor Chelyabinsk hosts Metallurg Novokuznetsk. Alexander Lazushin and Michael Garnett are the masked men. Chelyabinsk was first to score in the first period with a power play goal by Maxim Karpov, powered by Deron Quint and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Novokuznetsk tied it on a Yury Nazarov goal, fueled by Vadim Mitryakov. Traktor took the lead back with a power play goal by Maxim Yakutsenya, coming off of Vyacheslav Belov. Chelyabinsk added on in the second period as Yakutsenya scored again, with the help of Jan Bulis, and this goal chased Lazushin from the game. He was replaced by Yury Klyuchnikov. This worked well defensively, but the offense fell flat and lost 3-1. The three stars were Yakutsenya, Garnett (20 for 21 in saves), and Karpov.

A little southwest to Magnitogorsk, with Metallurg welcoming Sibir Novosibirsk. Sergei Gaiduchenko and Ari Ahonen receive the starting nods. Novosibirsk began in the first period as Viktor Drugov scored a power play goal with the help of Alexander Nikulin. Magnitogorsk tied it with a power play goal by Sergei Mozyakin, powered by Evgeny Malkin and Sergei Gonchar. Sibir retook the lead on a Viktor Bobrov goal, passed from Igor Velichkin. Novosibirsk extended the lead in the second period on a Maxim Krivonozhkin goal, guided in by Jori Lehtera. Metallurg replied on an unassisted power play goal by Dmitry Kazionov. Magnitogorsk tied it with another Mozyakin goal, made possible by Nikolai Kulemin and Malkin. Sibir took the lead back in the third period on an unassisted goal by Krivonozhkin. Novosibirsk struck again with a power play goal by Jonas Enlund, via Nikulin and Krivonozhkin. This made it 5-3, the final, with Krivonozhkin, Mozyakin, and Nikulin getting the three stars, while Malkin gets the honorable mention.

Northeast to Yekaterinburg, where Avtomobilist brings in Amur Khabarovsk. Alexei Kuznetsov and Chris Holt are in the blue paint. Khabarovsk opened with a first period goal by Mikhail Fisenko, assisted by Dmitry Lugin and Andrei Stepanov. Amur added on with a Timofei Shishkanov goal, helped along by Evgeny Orlov. Yekaterinburg got on the board as Rastislav Spirko scored, with helpers provided by Sergei Gusev and Alexei Simakov. Khabarovsk answered in the second period with an Alexander Yunkov goal, via Janne Lahti and Anton Poleshchuk. Avtomobilist shot back on an Artyom Kryukov goal, courtesy of Branislav Mezei. Yekaterinburg tied it in the third period when Simakov potted the puck, thanks to Gusev and Alexei Makeyev. Amur won 4-3 in the shootout with a lone tally by Yunkov. The three stars were Yunkov, Simakov, and Gusev.

Farther to the northeast, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk hosts Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod. Vitaly Koval and Edgars Masalskis are between the pipes. Khanty-Mansiysk quickly opened in the first period with a Dmitry Altaryov goal fourteen seconds in, helped along by Anton But and Sergei Demagin. Nizhny Novgorod tied the game as Mikhail Varnakov scored on a penalty shot after being hooked by Altaryov on the breakaway. Yugra took the lead back in the second period as Stanislav Bocharov scored, with a lone assist coming from Khanty-Mansiysk added on as Igor Magogin scored a power play goal, powered by Vitaly Sitnikov and Denis Grebeshkov. Yugra padded the lead as Sitnikov scored, thanks to Igor Skorokhodov and Magogin. Torpedo answered in the third period on a Dmitry Makarov goal, set up by Alexei Ugarov. Nizhny Novgorod pulled closer on an unassisted Alexander Semin power play goal. They failed to tie the game, losing 4-3, with the three stars being Sitnikov, Magogin, and Altaryov.

Down in Kazakhstan, Barys Astana hosts Atlant Mytishchi. Anton Khudobin and Vitaly Yeremeyev are in the creases. Astana started in the first period with a Konstantin Pushkaryov goal, fueled by Mikhail Grigoryev. Barys added on as Brandon Bochenski scored, thanks to Maxim Spiridonov and Ilya Solaryov. Astana kept going with a Fyodor Polishchuk goal, made possible by Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev. Barys extended the lead in the second period as Dustin Boyd scored, with the help of Vitaly Novopashin and Pushkaryov. Mytishchi got on the board as Mikhail Glukhov scored a goal, assisted by Ilya Kablukov and Roman Rukavishnikov. Atlant pulled closer on an Alexander Shavchenko goal, coming off of Sandis Ozolins. Mytishchi chipped away in the third period on another Shavchenko goal, via Andreas Engqvist and Ozolins. Atlant tied the game as Viktor Stalberg scored, with a lone assist from Engqvist. They failed to complete the comeback, losing in the shootout as goals from Astana's Roman Starchenko and Nigel Dawes overpowered the lone tally from Mytishchi's Nikolai Zherdev. The three stars belong to Pushkaryov, Shavchenko, and Engqvist, while Ozolins gets an honorable mention.

To the west, Dynamo Moscow welcomes Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus and Alexander Yeryomenko guard the cages. Bratislava got going in the first period on a power play goal by Milan Bartovic, with a lone assist by Andrej Sekera. Moscow tied it as Alexander Ovechkin scored a power play goal, powered by Ilya Gorokhov and Leo Komarov. The game went into a shootout, where Dynamo came out on top, riding two goals from Richard Gynge and one from Marek Kvapil to top goals by Slovan's Mario Bliznak and Jan Lipiansky. The final was 2-1, with the three stars being Gynge, Yeryomenko (26 for 27 in saves), and Janus (33 for 34 in saves).

Finally, we end in St. Petersburg, with SKA hosting CSKA Moscow. Ilya Bryzgalov faces his former Philadelphia Flyers backup, Sergei Bobrovsky, in goal. St. Petersburg struck first in the first period as Petr Prucha scored a power play goal, powered by Maxim Chudinov and Patrick Thoresen. Moscow tied it in the second period with a Pavel Datsyuk goal, fueled by Alexander Radulov and Yakov Rylov. CSKA won 2-1 in overtime as Mikhail Grabovsky scored, with a lone assist by Radulov. The three stars were Radulov, Bryzgalov (16 for 17 in saves), and Grabovsky.

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KHL December 25th 2012

Merry Christmas everybody. This may be a first-time occurrence, with me blogging on Christmas. There's just one game on in the KHL, played between the host Donbass Donetsk and the visiting Vityaz Chekhov. Ivan Kasutin and Jan Laco play in goal. Chekhov opened with a first period goal by Josh Hennessy, assisted by Alexander Korolyuk. Donetsk tied it with a Jan Kolar goal, fueled by Lukas Kaspar and Jani Tuppurainen. Vityaz took the lead back in the second period as Hennessy scored again, a power play goal powered by Alexei Troshchinsky. Chekhov padded the lead with an unassisted Artemy Panarin goal. Donbass got one back as Petr Podhradsky scored a power play goal, made possible by Kaspar and Petteri Wirtanen. Donetsk tied it in the third period as Evgeny Dadonov scored, via Vaclav Nedorost. Donbass took the lead with a Ruslan Fedotenko goal, courtesy of Alexei Ponikarovsky and Fredrik Pettersson. Donetsk kept going with a Fedotenko power play goal with a lone assist by Clay Wilson. Donbass extended the lead with a Wirtanen power play goal, passed from Kaspar, who got a sock trick, and Podhradsky. Vityaz got one back late as Nikita Dvurechensky scored a power play goal, with helpers provided by Pavel Chernov and Panarin. This made it a 6-4 final score, with the three stars being Fedotenko, Podhradsky, and Wirtanen, while Hennessy, Kaspar, and Panarin get the honorable mentions.

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KHL December 24th 2012

Two games for Christmas Eve, none of which being played in Russia. First up...

Dinamo Riga hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Edgars Masalskis and Mikael Tellqvist are the masked men. Riga led off in the first period with an Alexandre Giroux goal, assisted by Paul Szczechura and Kaspars Daugavins. Khanty-Mansiysk tied it on an Igor Skorokhodov goal, passed from Vitaly Sitnikov and Igor Magogin. Yugra took the lead in the second period as Konstantin Glazachev scored, with the help of Marek Troncinsky and Alexander Rybakov. Khanty-Mansiysk iced it at 3-1 in the third period on an empty net goal by Anton But, set up by Kirill Safronov and Sergei Demagin. The three stars belong to Glazachev, Masalskis (24 for 25 in saves), and Skorokhodov.

Ending the day in Prague as Lev Praha hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Emil Garipov and Jakub Stepanek tend the twines. Kazan began with a first period power play goal from Lauris Darzins, powered by Ilya Nikulin and Alexei Morozov. Ak Bars extended the lead with a Janne Pesonen power play goal, coming off of Jarkko Immonen and Evgeny Medvedev. This was it for the scoring, resulting in a 2-0 final, and the three stars were Garipov (23 save shutout), Darzins, and Pesonen.

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Fantasy Football All-Stars Championship Weekend

Rough week for my teams, as I claimed a whopping 0 championships, as well as 4 second places, 0 third places, and 2 fourth places. Here's who was probably against me.

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers
Running Backs: Reggie Bush and Jamaal Charles
Wide Receivers: Dez Bryant and Roddy White
Tight End: Lance Kendricks
Kicker: Justin Tucker
Team Defense: San Diego and Chicago
Defensive Players: Richard Sherman and Julius Peppers

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NFL Afternoon/Evening Games Week 16 2012

Four games to close out the week. First up...

The Denver Broncos hosting the Cleveland Browns. Denver led off with a first quarter Peyton Manning 22 yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas, and Matt Prater was there with the extra point. Cleveland got on the board as Phil Dawson made a 27 yard field goal. The Broncos extended the lead in the second quarter on a 10 yard Manning touchdown pass to Eric Decker, and Prater handled the extra point. The Browns shot back in the third quarter with a 53 yard field goal by Dawson. Denver extended the lead as Manning found Decker for 8 yards and a touchdown, and Prater booted the extra point. The Broncos got some more in the fourth quarter on a field goal of 27 yards by Prater. Denver got some more as Jacob Hester ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Prater kicked the extra point. Cleveland shot back as Colt McCoy passed 6 yards for a touchdown to Greg Little, but the two-point attempt failed. The Broncos ended it at 34-12 with a Prater 41 yard field goal. Denver is now 12-3 while Cleveland falls to 5-10.

Down in Arizona, the Cardinals welcome the Chicago Bears. Chicago started in the first quarter as Zack Bowman pounced on a Beanie Wells fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, and Olindo Mare was there with the extra point. Arizona got on the board as Jay Feely made a 49 yard field goal. The Bears added on in the second quarter as Matt Forte ran 4 yards for a touchdown, and Mare nailed the extra point. The Cardinals replied with a Feely 35 yard field goal. Chicago padded the lead with Jay Cutler passing 11 yards to Brandon Marshall, and Mare again made the PAT. The Bears struck again in the third quarter on a Charles Tillman interception of 10 yards, returned for a touchdown, and Mare tacked on the extra point. Arizona got some back in the fourth quarter as Justin Bethel returned a blocked field goal attempt for 82 yards and a touchdown, and Feely kicked the extra point. This only made it 28-13, a final, with Chicago now at 9-6 while the Cardinals fall to 5-10.

To the east, the Baltimore Ravens host the New York Giants. Baltimore opened with a first quarter Joe Flacco touchdown pass of 6 yards to Torrey Smith, and Justin Tucker supplied the extra point. The Ravens padded the lead as Flacco ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Tucker again made the extra point. New York got going with a 14 yard David Wilson touchdown run, and Lawrence Tynes kicked the extra point. Baltimore replied in the second quarter as Tucker made a 23 yard field goal. The Ravens extended the lead as Flacco passed 27 yards to Ray Rice for a touchdown, and Tucker handled the PAT. Baltimore struck again in the third quarter on a Tucker 21 yard field goal. The Ravens got some more in the fourth quarter as Tucker made a 30 yard field goal. Baltimore continued as Tucker made a 29 yard field goal. The Giants chipped back as Eli Manning passed 13 yards to Domenik Hixon for a touchdown, and Tynes was true with the extra point. This made it 33-14, a final,with Baltimore at 10-5 and the Giants at 8-7.

Ending the day in Seattle, with the Seahawks hosting the San Francisco 49ers. Seattle began in the first quarter as Marshawn Lynch ran 24 yards for a touchdown, and Steven Hauschka made the extra point. The Seahawks added on as Russell Wilson passed 9 yards to Lynch for a touchdown, and Hauschka drilled the extra point. Seattle padded the lead in the second quarter as Richard Sherman returned a blocked field goal for 90 yards and a touchdown, and Hauschka made the extra point. San Francisco got on the board as David Akers made a 33 yard field goal. The Seahawks shot back with a Wilson 6 yard touchdown pass to Anthony McCoy, and Hauschka again supplied the extra point. The 49ers answered as Akers made a 54 yard field goal. Seattle kept going in the third quarter as Wilson passed 4 yards to Doug Baldwin for a touchdown, and Hauschka again tacked on the PAT. The Seahawks struck again in the fourth quarter as Wilson passed 6 yards for another touchdown to Baldwin, and Hauschka kicked in another extra point. San Francisco chipped back with Colin Kaepernick throwing 18 yards for a touchdown to Delanie Walker, and Akers notched the extra point. This produced a 42-13 final, with Seattle going to 10-5 and San Francisco falling to 10-4-1.

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NFL Morning Games Week 16 2012

This is probably the most brutal post-to-date, with eleven football games all at once. The back half of the day is much kinder if I can make it that far. KHL is in progress and should be the post just before this one. First up for football...

The Houston Texans hosting the Minnesota Vikings. Houston started with a first quarter Shayne Graham 51 yard field goal. Minnesota took the lead as Christian Ponder found Kyle Rudolph for 3 yards and a touchdown, and Blair Walsh made the extra point. The Vikings added on with a second quarter Walsh field goal from 56 yards out. Minnesota kept going as Walsh made a 41 yard field goal. The Vikings padded the lead in the third quarter as Walsh was good with a 39 yard field goal. The Texans replied as Graham made a 33 yard field goal. Minnesota extended the lead in the fourth quarter as Toby Gerhart ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and Walsh knocked in the PAT. This held up for a 23-6 win, with the Vikings going to 9-6 and the Texans falling to 12-3.

Next, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers welcome the St. Louis Rams. Tampa Bay led off with a first quarter Connor Barth field goal from 29 yards out. St. Louis took the lead in the second quarter when Janoris Jenkins returned an interception of Josh Freeman for 41 yards and a touchdown, and Greg Zuerlein made the extra point. The Buccaneers pulled back on a Barth field goal of 49 yards. The Rams extended the lead as Steven Jackson ran 5 yards for a touchdown, and Zuerlein made the PAT. St. Louis quickly padded the lead in the third quarter as Sam Bradford passed 80 yards for a touchdown to Lance Kendricks, and Zuerlein kicked in the extra point. The Rams added on again as Bradford passed 5 yards to Austin Pettis for a touchdown, and Zuerlein was there with the extra point. Tampa Bay got some back with Freeman connecting with Mike Williams for 61 yards and a touchdown, and Barth tacked on the extra point. There was no scoring in the fourth quarter, leaving St. Louis with the 28-13 win, moving them to 7-7-1 while dropping the Buccaneers to 6-9.

Up north, the Philadelphia Eagles bring in the Washington Redskins. Philadelphia got going in the first quarter as Nick Foles passed 27 yards to Jeremy Maclin for a touchdown, and Alex Henery was there with the extra point. Washington got on the board in the second quarter as Kai Forbath made a 45 yard field goal. The Redskins got closer as Forbath made a 42 yard field goal. Washington took the lead as Robert Griffin III passed 11 yards to Joshua Morgan for a touchdown, and Forbath supplied the extra point. The Eagles shot back with a 38 yard Henery field goal. The Redskins answered again in the third quarter as Alfred Morris ran 10 yards for a touchdown, allowing Forbath to make the extra point. Philadelphia shot back as Henery kicked a 30 yard field goal. Washington replied on a 22 yard Griffin touchdown pass to Santana Moss, and Forbath supplied the extra point. The Eagles pulled back on a 17 yard touchdown run by Dion Lewis, and Henery tacked on the PAT. They failed to tie the game, losing 27-20, with Washington now at 9-6 and Philadelphia falling to 4-11.

Back south, the Dallas Cowboys host the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans was first on the board in the first quarter after a 9 yard Mark Ingram touchdown run, and Garrett Hartley handled the extra point. Dallas tied the game as Tony Romo passed 58 yards for a touchdown to Dez Bryant, and Dan Bailey knocked in the extra point. The Cowboys took the lead when Romo and Bryant put us through dé jà vu all over again, meeting for another 58 yard touchdown, and Bailey kicked the PAT. The Saints tied the game as Drew Brees passed 6 yards for a touchdown to Lance Moore, and Hartley nailed the extra point. New Orleans gained the lead on a Hartley 37 yard field goal. Dallas retied it in the third quarter as Bailey booted a 47 yard field goal. The Saints took the lead on a Brees touchdown pass of 5 yards to Pierre Thomas, and Hartley tacked on the extra point. New Orleans extended the lead with a Brees touchdown pass to David Thomas, good for 3 yards, and Hartley made the extra point. The Cowboys got some back on a Romo touchdown pass of 16 yards to Dwayne Harris, and Bailey drove in the extra point. Dallas tied it as Romo passed 19 yards for a touchdown to Miles Austin, and Bailey's extra point was the equalizer. The Saints got the last laugh in overtime, winning 34-31 on a Hartley 20 yard field goal. New Orleans is now 7-8 while Dallas goes to 8-7.

A little north, the Kansas City Chiefs host the Indianapolis Colts. Indianapolis was first to score in the first quarter as Darius Butler picked off Brady Quinn and returned the ball 32 yards for a touchdown, allowing Adam Vinatieri to make the extra point. Kansas City got on the board with a Ryan Succop 47 yard field goal. The Colts shot back in the second quarter as Vinatieri made a 48 yard field goal. Indianapolis kept going as Vinatieri made a 36 yard field goal. The Chiefs chipped away in the third quarter as Jamaal Charles ran 86 yards for a touchdown, and Succop nailed the PAT. Succop tied the game for Kansas City on a 47 yard field goal. The Colts took the lead in the fourth quarter as T.Y. Hilton passed 7 yards to Reggie Wayne for a touchdown, and Vinatieri booted the extra point. This gave them a 20-13 lead they would not let go of, winning by such a margin. Indianapolis is now at 10-5 while Kansas City falls to 2-13.

Back in Florida, the Jacksonville Jaguars host the New England Patriots. Jacksonville opened with a first quarter touchdown pass off 3 yards from Chad Henne to Justin Blackmon, and Josh Scobee booted the extra point. The Jaguars added on as Scobee made a 41 yard field goal. New England answered with a Stephen Gostkowski 25 yard field goal. Jacksonville replied in the second quarter as Scobee was true on a 35 yard field goal. The Patriots kept pace as Gostkowski made a 49 yard field goal. New England tied it as Tom Brady passed 14 yards for a touchdown to Danny Woodhead, and Gostkowski's extra point was the equalizer. The Patriots took the lead in the third quarter with Gostkowski kicking a 38 yard field goal. New England extended the lead in the fourth quarter with Brady passing 2 yards for a touchdown to Wes Welker, and Gostkowski supplied the PAT. The Jaguars got some back with a Scobee field goal of 42 yards. They couldn't score again, falling 23-16, with New England moving to 11-4 while the Jaguars drop to 2-13.

Northward to Pittsburgh, where the Steelers welcome the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati busted things opened with a 17 yard interception return for a touchdown by Leon Hall, and Josh Brown kicked the extra point. The Bengals added on in the second quarter with a Brown 41 yard field goal. Pittsburgh quickly answered as Ben Roethlisberger hit Antonio Brown for 60 yards and a touchdown, and Shaun Suisham kicked in the PAT. The Steelers tied it in the third quarter with a Suisham 40 yard field goal. Cincinnati made it 13-10 in the fourth quarter as Brown made a 43 yard field goal. This was a final, allowing the Bengals to go to 9-6 while the Steelers fell to 7-8.

South to Florida once more, as the Miami Dolphins host the Buffalo Bills. Miami finally began in the first quarter with a 17 yard Ryan Tannehill touchdown pass to Reggie Bush, and Nate Kaeding made the extra point. Buffalo shot back with a second quarter Rian Lindell field goal of 42 yards. The Dolphins padded the lead as Bush ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Kaeding kicked in the extra point. Miami extended the lead in the third quarter as Tannehill found Bush again for a 12 yard touchdown connection, and Kaeding was true with the PAT. The Dolphins got some more as Kaeding made a 45 yard field goal. The Bills replied in the fourth quarter as Ryan Fitzpatrick passed 2 yards for a touchdown to Brad Smith, and Lindell drove in the extra point. They came no closer, dropping a 24-10 final. Miami moves to 7-8 while Buffalo is now 5-10.

Up the coast, the Carolina Panthers bring in the Oakland Raiders. Carolina was first to score in the first quarter as Cam Newton passed 23 yards to Steve Smith for a touchdown, and Graham Gano made the extra point. Oakland got on the board in the second quarter as Sebastian Janikowski made a 21 yard field goal. The Panthers shot back as Newton ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and Gano was there with the PAT. The Raiders got closer in the fourth quarter with a Janikowski 31 yard field goal. Carolina shot back on a Gano 51 yard field goal. This produced the 17-6 final, with Carolina moving to 6-9 while Oakland fell to 4-11.

Northwest to Green Bay, where the Packers host the Tennessee Titans. Green Bay struck first in the first quarter on a 6 yard touchdown run by Aaron Rodgers, and Mason Crosby knocked in the extra point. The Packers added on as Rodgers passed 20 yards to Randall Cobb for a touchdown, and Crosby was true with the PAT. Green Bay kept going in the second quarter as Crosby made a 26 yard field goal. The Packers continued as Crosby mas good with a 48 yard field goal. Green Bay struck again in the third quarter on a DuJuan Harris 7 yard touchdown run, and Crosby tacked on the extra point. The Packers extended the lead with a Rodgers touchdown pass of 1 yard to Greg Jennings, and Crosby nailed the extra point. Green Bay padded the lead again in the fourth quarter as Rodgers passed 12 yards for a touchdown to James Jones, and Crosby knocked in the extra point. The Packers got some more as Ryan Grant ran 7 yards for a touchdown, and Crosby tacked on the extra point. Green Bay was relentless as Grant ran in a 9 yard touchdown, and Crosby was given another extra point. Tennessee got on the board late as Jake Locker passed 2 yards to Kenny Britt for a touchdown, and Rob Bironas was there with the extra point. The final was 55-7, with Green Bay going to 11-4 while Tennessee fell to 5-10.

To the east, we end this post at MetLife Stadium, with the New York Jets hosting the San Diego Chargers. San Diego led off with a first quarter punt return touchdown of 63 yards by Micheal Spurlock, and Nick Novak made the extra point. New York tied it as Shonn Greene ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Nick Folk made the extra point. The Jets took the lead on another Greene 1 yard touchdown run, and Folk again made the PAT. The Chargers answered as Novak made a 51 yard field goal. San Diego gained the lead in the third quarter on a 37 yard Philip Rivers touchdown pass to Danario Alexander, and Novak handled the extra point. The Chargers padded the lead as Rivers passed 34 yards to Antonio Gates for a touchdown, and Novak again made the extra point. San Diego got some more in the fourth quarter on a Novak 27 yard field goal. New York got some back with a Folk 40 yard field goal. They couldn't score again, losing 27-17, with both teams going to 6-9.

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KHL December 23rd 2012

Nine games on today, beginning in...

Khabarovsk, as Amur hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov and Alexei Kuznetsov play in front of the goals. Moscow got going with a first period penalty shot goal by Konstantin Kasyanchuk, after drawing the penalty shot by being hooked on the breakaway. Dynamo added on in the second period with an unassisted Alexander Ovechkin goal. Moscow padded the lead in the third period when Denis Kokarev scored, thanks to Konstantin Volkov and Ilya Gorokhov. Khabarovsk got on the board as Nikita Gusev scored, with the help of Juha-Pekka Hytonen and Janne Lahti. This was as close as it got, with the final being 3-1, and the three stars were Sharychenkov (21 for 22 in saves), Ovechkin, and Kasyanchuk.

A little to the west, Sibir Novosibirsk hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Sergei Bobrovsky and Jeff Glass are all padded up. St. Petersburg quickly began in the first period with an unassisted goal by Patrick Thoresen. SKA added on with a Petr Prucha goal, with a lone assist by Tony Martensson. Novosibirsk got on the board in the third period when Viktor Drugov scored a goal, guided in by Jori Lehtera. They failed to tie the game, falling 2-1, with the three stars going to Bobrovsky (27 for 28 in saves), Prucha, and Thoresen.

Way to the west, Spartak Moscow welcomes Barys Astana. Teemu Lassila and Sergei Borisov play in the creases. Astana led off in the second period as Nigel Dawes scored, via Vitaly Novopashin. Moscow tied it with a third period power play goal by Mikhail Yunkov, powered by Jakub Nakladal and Nikita Shchitov. The game went to a shootout, where Barys won with two goals by Dmitry Upper and Dawes to take down a lone Spartak tally from Stefan Ruzicka. This made it a 2-1 final, and Dawes, Lassila (32 for 33 in saves), and Borisov (26 for 27 in saves) got the three stars.

Staying in the city, CSKA Moscow hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vadim Tarasov and Sergei Bobrovsky have the green light to start. Moscow opened with a first period power play goal by Andrei Sergeyev, powered by Igor Grigorenko and Oleg Kvasha. Ufa tied with a shorthanded and unassisted goal by Alexei Glukhov. CSKA took the lead again on a Yakov Rylov goal, fueled by Alexander Radulov on the power play. Moscow extended the lead in the second period as Mikhail Grabovsky potted the puck, with helpers provided by Radulov and Pavel Datsyuk. CSKA made it 4-1 in the third period with a shorthanded, unassisted, and empty net goal by Kvasha. This was a final, with the three stars being Bryzgalov (20 for 21 in saves), Kvasha, and Radulov.

Up in Mytishchi, Atlant welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Chris Holt and Stanislav Galimov receive the starting nods. Yekaterinburg started in the first period as Vasily Streltsov scored an unassisted goal. Avtomobilist padded the lead as Stanislav Zhmakin scored, thanks to Atyom Kryukov and Evgeny Lapenkov. Yekaterinburg extended the lead with a Zhmakin power play goal, powered by Denis Sokolov and Lapenkov. Anton Khudobin relieved Galimov for the remainder of the game. Mytishchi got on the board in the second period on a power play goal by Roman Rukavishnikov, with a lone helper from Viktor Stalberg. Avtomobilist replied in the third period with an Alexei Makeyev goal, courtesy of Rastislav Spirko and Alexei Simakov. Yekaterinburg kept going as Branislav Mezei notched a goal, via Kryukov and Lapenkov on the power play, the latter getting a sock trick. Avtomobilist struck again with a power play goal by Spriko, with a lone assist coming from Simakov. Atlant got one back as Stalberg scored a power play goal, with the help of Andreas Engqvist and Fyodor Tyutin. This made it a 6-2 final, with the three stars being Zhmakin, Lapenkov, and Spirko, and the honorable mentions go to Stalberg, Kryukov, and Simakov.

North to Yaroslavl, Lokomotiv hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Ari Ahonen and Curtis Sanford are in the blue paint. Yaroslavl was first to score in the first period with a Sergei Plotnikov goal, assisted by Staffan Kronwall. Magnitogorsk tied it with a Mats Zuccarello goal, fueled by Justin Hodgman and Dmitry Mikhailov. Metallurg took the lead in the second period as Denis Platonov scored, with the help of Ryan O'Reilly and Dmitry Kazionov. Magnitogorsk struck again with a goal from O'Reilly, passed from Zuccarello and Sergei Bernatsky. Metallurg extended the lead with another Zuccarello goal, guided in by Viktor Antipin and Sergei Mozyakin. Magnitogorsk got another in the third period as Bernatsky scored, courtesy of Kazionov and Evgeny Malkin. This was it for the scoring, leaving the final at 5-1. The three stars were Zuccarello, Bernatsky, and O'Reilly, while Kazionov and Ahonen (26 for 27 in saves) get the honorable mentions.

Eastward, as Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Vitaly Koval guard the cages. Chelyabinsk struck first in the first period with a Maxim Karpov goal, going in unassisted. Nizhny Novgorod tied it in the second period on an Alexander Semin goal, passed from Matt Ellison and Mikhail Varnakov. Torpedo took the lead as Pyotr Schastlivy scored a power play goal, powered by Varnakov and Semin. Nizhny Novgorod iced it at 3-1 with a third period goal from Varnakov, an empty-netter with a lone assist by Ellison. The three stars were Varnakov, Semin, and Koval (25 for 26 in saves), and Ellison gets an honorable mention.

Over in Prague, Lev Praha hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Matt Dalton and Tomas Popperle will be the goalies. Praha began with a first period Tomas Rachunek goal, fueled by Marcel Hossa and Jiri Hunkes. Nizhnekamsk tied it in the second period with a power play goal by Stanislav Alshevsky, powered by Pyotr Khokhryakov and Yaroslav Alshevsky. Neftekhimik took the lead in the third period with a shorthanded goal by Igor Polygalov, set up by Petr Koukal. Lev tied it with a power play goal by Nicklas Danielsson, assisted by Jakub Klepis and Ondrej Nemec. Nizhnekamsk won 3-2 in overtime on a Khokhryakov goal, with a lone Yaroslav Alshevsky assist. The three stars belong to Khokhryakov, Yaroslav Alshevsky, and Dalton (27 for 29 in saves).

Finally, in Donetsk, Donbass hosts Avangard Omsk. Karri Ramo and Jan Laco tend the twines. Omsk led off with a first period goal by Andrei Ivanov, going in unassisted. Avangard extended the lead as Tomas Zaborsky scored a power play goal, powered by Anton Kuryanov and Anton Belov. This was all for the scoring, resulting in a 2-0 final, with Ramo (40 save shutout), Ivanov, and Zaborsky getting the three stars.

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"Monday" Night Football Week 16 2012

This week, the Monday Night game leads the pack instead of closing the week, as to avoid Christmas Eve for gameplay. We have...

The Detroit Lions hosting the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta led off in the first quarter with a Matt Ryan touchdown pass of 44 yards to Roddy White, and Matt Bryant booted the extra point. Detroit got on the board as Jason Hanson made a 34 yard field goal. The Falcons replied with another Ryan touchdown pass to White in the second quarter, this time for 39 yards, and Bryant knocked in another extra point. Atlanta extended the lead as Ryan passed 16 yards to Julio Jones for a touchdown, and Bryant supplied another PAT. The Lions shot back on a 38 yard field goal by Hanson. Detroit chipped away in the third quarter as Mikel Leshoure ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Hanson was there with the extra point. The Lions got closer in the fourth quarter as Hanson nailed a 20 yard field goal. The Falcons responded as Ryan passed 1 yard to Michael Palmer for a touchdown, and Bryant made the extra point. Atlanta struck again as Bryant made a 20 yard field goal. Detroit got some back as Michael Turner was stuffed for a 2 yard loss on a run, resulting in a safety. This only made it 31-18, a final, with Atlanta now at 13-2 while the Lions drop to 4-11.

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KHL December 22nd 2012

Three games on today, and none of them are being played in Russia. First up is...

Dinamo Riga hosting Avangard Omsk. Karri Ramo and Mikael Tellqvist will be between the pipes. Riga began with a first period goal by Kristaps Sotnieks, assisted by Kaspars Daugavins and Martins Karsums. Omsk got on the board in the second period with a Dmitry Syomin goal, passed from Anton Kuryanov and Alexander Frolov. Dinamo retook the lead on a Krisjanis Redlihs goal, coming off of Aleksandrs Nizivijs and Jamie Johnson. Riga added on in the third period with a power play goal from Miks Indrasis, powered by Nizivijs and Johnson. Dinamo iced it at 4-1 with a Daugavins goal, going into the empty net courtesy of Alexander Giroux and Paul Szczechura. The three stars were Daugavins, Nizivijs, and Johnson, while Tellqvist (27 for 28 in saves) gets the honorable mention.

Next up, Dinamo Minsk hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Vasily Koshechkin and Lars Haugen are the masked men. Minsk led off with a Joe Pavelski first period power play goal, with a lone Tim Stapleton assist. Cherepovets answered on a Tom Wandell goal, fueled by Niclas Bergfors. Dinamo regained the lead as Zbynek Irgl scored a power play goal, coming off of Cory Murphy. Severstal tied it in the second period as Evgeny Ketov scored, thanks to Bogdan Kiselevich. Cherepovets gained the lead in the third period as Vadim Shipachyov scored a power play goal, made possible by Stanislav Yegorshev. Minsk retied it as Stapleton scored, via Pavelski and Irgl on the power play. Severstal won 4-3 with two shootout goals potted by Vadim Berdnikov and Shipachyov. The three stars went to Shipachyov, Pavelski, and Stapleton, while Irgl gets an honorable mention.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin and Jaroslav Janus have the green light to play goal. Bratislava opened in the first period on a Libor Hudacek power play goal, powered by Milan Bartovic and Michal Sersen. Kazan tied it in the second period on a Jarkko Immonen goal, set up by Evgeny Medvedev and Dmitry Obukhov. Ak Bars took the lead in the third period on an Alexei Morozov goal, passed from Konstantin Korneyev on the power play. Slovan tied it as Mario Bliznak scored a power play goal, courtesy of Andrej Sekera and Michel Miklik. The game went into a shootout, where goals from Bratislava's Jan Lipiansky and Michal Vondrka topped a lone tally by Kazan's Lauris Darzins for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Vondrka, Bliznak, and Morozov.

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KHL December 21st 2012

Russia knows that the world didn't end, and celebrated with nine hockey games. First on the slate...

Amur Khabarovsk hosting SKA St. Petersburg. Ilya Ezhov and Alexei Kuznetsov will be in goal. St. Petersburg got going in the first period as Viktor Tikhonov scored a goal, assisted by Kevin Dallman and Vladimir Tarasenko. SKA added on with a power play goal from Dallman, powered by Ilya Kovalchuk and Tarasenko. St. Petersburg struck again in the second period on an Ivan Nepryayev goal, coming off of Fyodor Fedorov and Anton Burdasov. SKA kept going in the third period as Igor Makarov scored a goal with a lone assist from Gleb Klimenko. St. Petersburg extended the lead with a Tikhonov goal, passed from Dmitry Kalinin. Khabarovsk got on the board as Topi Jaakola scored, thanks to Nikita Gusev. SKA answered on a Tarasenko goal, courtesy of Tikhonov and Kovalchuk. Amur shot back with a Janne Lahti goal, fueled by Juha-Pekka Hytonen. This was it for the scoring, with the final being 6-2, and the three stars were Tikhonov, Tarasenko, and Dallman, with Kovalchuk getting the honorable mention.

To the west, Metallurg Novokuznetsk welcomes Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov and Alexander Lazushin play between the pipes. Novokuznetsk was first on the board in the first period with an Alexander Islamov goal, set up by Anton Lazarev. Moscow tied it when Dominik Granak scored a power play goal with a lone assist by Ilya Gorokhov. Metallurg retook the lead on an unassisted Nikolai Skladnichenko goal. Dynamo retied the game in the second period as Sergei Soin put the puck in the net, with the help of Igor Shchadilov. Moscow took the lead as Nicklas Backstrom scored a power play goal, powered by Alexander Ovechkin. Dynamo extended the lead in the third period as Ovechkin scored, via Leo Komarov and Backstrom. This made it 4-2, the final, with the three stars being Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Skladnichenko.

Further west, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosts Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Chris Holt and Semyon Varlamov are the masked men. Yekaterinburg opened in the first period with a Stanislav Zhmakin goal, a power play goal powered by Denis Sokolov and Evgeny Lapenkov. Yaroslavl tied it with an unassisted Artyom Anisimov goal. Lokomotiv tied it in the second period as Maxim Trunyov scored, courtesy of Daniil Apalkov. Yaroslavl extended the lead in the third period with a goal by Sergei Plotnikov, helped along by Dmitry Kulikov and Emil Galimov. Lokomotiv iced it at 4-1 with a Dmitry Maltsev goal, passed from Yegor Yakovlev and Trunyov. Trunyov, Varlamov (24 for 25 in saves), and Anisimov.

A touch east, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Georgy Gelashvili and Vitaly Koval are in the blue paint. Nizhny Novgorod struck first in the first period with a Pyotr Schastlivy goal, courtesy of Maxim Potapov. Magnitogorsk tied it with a Nikolai Kulemin goal, assisted by Evgeny Malkin. Torpedo retook the lead on an Alexander Semin goal, with a lone assist by Mikhail Varnakov. Nizhny Novgorod extended the lead as Radek Smolenak potted the puck, with a helper from Martin Thornberg. Metallurg got one back in the second period as Justin Hodgman scored, thanks to Mats Zuccarello and Viktor Antipin. Magnitgorsk tied it in the third period as Ryan O'Reilly scored a goal, set up by Alexei Bondarev. Metallurg took the lead on another Kulemin goal, guided in by Sergei Gonchar and Sergei Mozyakin. Magnitgorsk won 5-3 after a Malkin empty net goal, via O'Reilly and Antipin. The three stars belonged to Kulemin, Malkin, and O'Reilly, while Antipin gets an honorable mention.

Into Moscow, where Spartak hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Alexei Yakhin received the starting nods. Khanty-Mansiysk finally got going in the third period with a power play goal by Vitaly Sitnikov, powered by Igor Skorokhodov and Alexei Pepelyaev. This was the game's only goal, with Biryukov (22 save shutout), Sitnikov, and Yakhin (22 for 23 in saves) getting the three stars.

Up in Mytishchi, Atlant hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Anton Khudobin guard the cages. Mytishchi started with a first period Maxim Mayorov goal, a power play goal powered by Andreas Engqvist and Sandis Ozolins. Chelyabinsk tied it as Andrei Kostitsyn scored, thanks to Konstantin Klimontov and Konstantin Panov. Traktor took the lead on an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, fueled by Yegor Dugin. Atlant retied it on another Mayorov goal in the second period, coming off of Engqvist and Ozolins. Mytishchi took the lead again as Nikolai Lemtyugov scored, with the help of Rafael Batyrshin and Nikita Tochitsky. Chelyabinsk tied the game again as Kuznetsov scored another goal, made possible by Vyacheslav Belov. The tie required a shootout to be broken, where Traktor prevailed 4-3 as Maxim Yakutsenya and Kuznetsov each scored. Kuznetsov, Mayorov, and Engqvist get the three stars while Ozolins is the honorable mention.

Over in Ukraine, Donbass Donetsk hosts Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev and Jan Laco stand in the creases. Astana led off in the first period with a Dmitry Upper goal, assisted by Konstantin Rudenko. Donetsk tied the game as Lukas Kaspar scored an unassisted power play goal. Barys took the lead back with a power play goal from Brandon Bochenski, powered by Maxim Spiridonov and Mikhail Grigoryev. Astana extended the lead as Nikolai Antropov scored a power play goal, via Spiridonov. Donbass replied as Oskars Bartulis scored, with helpers provided by Ruslan Fedotenko and Sergei Varlamov. Barys iced it at 4-2 with a Rudenko empty net goal, going in unassisted. The three stars were Spiridonov, Rudenko, and Antropov.

Further west to Prague, as Lev Praha hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Iiro Tarkki and Jakub Stepanek protect the nets. Praha began in the first period on a Nicklas Danielsson goal, coming off of Erik Christensen. Ufa tied it with an Andrei Zubarev goal, with a lone assist by Alexander Pankov. Lev took the lead again in the second period as Jakub Klepis scored a power play goal, made possible by Ondrej Nemec. Praha extended the lead as Jakub Voracek scored, via Danielsson and Christensen. Lev kept going in the third period on another Danielsson goal, assisted by Voracek. Praha struck again on a shorthanded empty net goal by Lubos Bartecko, with Danielsson picking up the only helper. Lev iced it at 6-1 with an unassisted Voracek goal. The three stars were given to Danielsson, Voracek, and Christensen.

Finally, Slovan Bratislava brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Matt Dalton and Jaroslav Janus tend the twines. Slovan opened in the first period as Ivan Svarny scored, with the help of Roman Kukumberg. Nizhnekamsk tied it in the third period with an Igor Polygalov goal, assisted by Alexander Seluyanov and Yegor Milovzorov. The game was decided in the shootout, where Neftekhimik got goals from Polygalov and Petr Koukal to take the game 2-1. The three stars were Polygalov, Janus (43 for 44 in saves), and Dalton (28 for 29 in saves).

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KHL December 20th 2012

Two games today, both in the west. First...

Vityaz Chekhov hosts Severstal Cherepovets. Vasily Koshechkin and Ivan Kasutin will be in the blue paint. Cherepovets was first to score in the first period on a Petr Caslava goal, assisted by Alexei Medvedev. The scoring ended here, so Severstal won 1-0, with the three stars being Koshechkin (34 save shutout), Kasutin (41 for 42 in saves), and Caslava.

Ending the day in Moscow, as CSKA welcomes Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin and Rastislav Stana protect the nets. Moscow led off in the second period as Patrick Davis scored, thanks to Vyacheslav Buravchikov. Kazan tied it on a Kirill Petrov goal, fueled by Alexei Tereshchenko and Alexei Yemelin. Ak Bars extended the lead as Petrov scored again, with the help of Lauris Darzins and Tereshchenko. This made it 2-1, a final, with the three stars being Petrov, Barulin (26 for 27 in saves), and Tereshchenko.

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KHL December 19th 2012

Hockey is back, at least in eastern Europe, and we have ten games on today. Remember that when goalies are named, it's road team before home team when I'm writing. First up...

Metallurg Novokuznetsk hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Sergei Bobrovsky and Alexander Lazushin are in front of the nets. St. Petersburg opened in the first period on a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, assisted by Viktor Tikhonov and Ilya Kovalchuk. SKA added on as Tikhonov scored in the second, with a lone assist from Dmitry Kalinin. St. Petersburg struck again as Fyodor Fedorov scored, thanks to Anton Burdasov. Novokuznetsk got on the board as Randy Robitaille potted the puck, with the help of Alexander Bumagin. SKA padded the lead in the third period as Maxim Chudinov put down a power play goal, powered by Patrick Thoresen and Tony Martensson. This was good for a 4-1 win, with the three stars belonging to Tikhonov, Bobrovsky (21 for 22 in saves), and Tarasenko.

A little to the northwest, Sibir Novosibirsk hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexander Sharychenkov and Jeff Glass receive the starting nods. Moscow began in the first period as Alexander Ovechkin scored, via Maxim Solovyov. Dynamo added on in the second period as Kirill Knyazov scored, thanks to Sergei Soin. Novosibirsk got on the board in the third period when Alexander Romanov scored, with the help of Alexei Kopeikin and Kristian Kudroc. Moscow replied with a Nicklas Backstrom power play goal, set up by Leo Komarov. Sibir shot back on a Jori Lehtera goal, fueled by Jonas Enlund and Kudroc. Novosibirsk tied it late with an Ivan Lekomtsev goal, with a lone Lehtera assist. The game was decided in the shootout, with Sibir winning 4-3 on a lone tally by Arturs Kulda. The three stars went to Lehtera, Kulda, and Kudroc.

Way to the west, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosts Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett and Curtis Sanford are the North American goalies. Yaroslavl was first to score with a first period Artyom Anisimov goal, passed from Yegor Averin. Lokomotiv extended the lead in the second period on a Sergei Plotnikov goal, made possible by Anisimov and Alexei Kalyuzhny. Chelyabinsk got on the board in the third period on an Evgeny Kuznetsov goal, pushed through by Stanislav Chistov and Gennady Razin. They failed to tie the game, losing 2-1, with the three stars being Anisimov, Sanford (28 for 29 in saves), and Plotnikov.

A touch to the east, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Chris Holt and Vitaly Koval are between the pipes. Nizhny Novgorod struck first in the second period with an Alexander Semin power play goal, coming off of Mikhail Varnakov. Yekaterinburg tied it as Josef Straka scored a power play goal goal, courtesy of Rastislav Spirko and Sergei Gusev. Torpedo took the lead back in the third period when Evgeny Varlamov scored a power play goal, powered by Artyom Chernov and Semin. This held up for a 2-1 win, with the three stars being Semin, Koval (24 for 25 in saves), and Varlamov.

Into Moscow, where Spartak hosts Avangard Omsk. Karri Ramo and Sergei Borisov are given the starting nods. Omsk led off in the first period with an Alexander Frolov goal, thanks to Andrei Ivanov. Avangard padded the lead in the second period when Igor Volkov scored, with the help of Anton Kuryanov. Omsk extended the lead in the third period as Vladimir Pervushin potted the puck, via Kuryanov. This made it a 3-0 final, with the three stars being Ramo (32 save shutout), Kuryanov, and Frolov.

Staying in the Oblast but heading to Mytishchi, where Atlant welcomes Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Ari Ahonen and Anton Khudobin guard the cages. Mytishchi started with a first period goal by Mikhail Glukhov, assisted by Rafael Batyrshin. Magnitogorsk tied it with an Evgeny Malkin goal, fueled by Sergei Mozyakin. Atlant retook the lead in the second period on a power play goal by Glukhov, coming off of Maxim Semyonov and Sandis Ozolins. Metallurg retied it with another Malkin goal, courtesy of Mozyakin and Justin Hodgman. Mytishchi regained the lead again as Maxim Mayorov scored an unassisted power play goal. Magnitogorsk tied it again in the third period when Hodgman scored on the power play, with a lone assist by Mats Zuccarello. Metallurg took the lead as Mozyakin scored a power play goal, powered by Nikolai Kulemin and Malkin. Magnitogorsk iced it at 5-3 when Malkin put in an unassisted empty net goal to finish his hat trick. Malkin, Mozyakin, and Glukhov were the three stars, while Hodgman gets an honorable mention.

Onward to Belarus, as Dinamo Minsk brings in Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Maxim Sokolov and Lars Haugen will be the masked men. Minsk got going in the second period with a Joe Pavelski goal, assisted by Vladimir Denisov and Teemu Laine. Nizhnekamsk tied the game with a power play goal from Renat Mamashev, powered by Alexander Seluyanov. Dinamo replied as Pavelski scored a power play goal, made possible by Tim Stapleton and Cory Murphy. Minsk padded the lead in the third period on a Stapleton goal, coming off of Geoff Platt and Lukas Krajicek. This made it 3-1, the final, with the three stars being Pavelski, Stapleton, and Haugen (33 for 34 in saves).

Next up, Donbass Donetsk hosts Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk. Mikhail Biryukov and Jan Laco tend the twines. Khanty-Mansiysk began with a first period goal from Andrei Kuzmin, with a lone assist by Alexander Rybakov. Donetsk got on the board with an unassisted and shorthanded second period goal scored by Vaclav Nedorost. Yugra took the lead back as Konstantin Glazachev scored, thanks to Linus Videll and Dmitry Altaryov. Donbass retied it with a Denis Kochetkov goal, made possible by Evgeny Nikiforov and Clay Wilson. Donetsk took the lead on a Peter Podhradsky goal, fueled by Evgeny Dadonov and Lukas Kaspar. Donbass extended the lead in the third period as Kaspar scored, with helpers provided by Dadonov and Nedorost. This held up for a 4-2 win, with the three stars being Nedorost, Kaspar, and Dadonov.

Continuing to Riga, as Dinamo hosts Barys Astana. Vitaly Yeremeyev and Mikael Tellqvist are all padded up. Riga struck first in the first period as Jamie Johnson scored, with the help of Guntis Galvins and Krisjanis Redlihs on the power play. Dinamo added on with an Andris Dzerins goal, coming off of Gints Meija. Astana responded in the second period with a Roman Savchenko goal, with a lone assist by Vadim Krasnoslobodtsev. Barys tied it in the third period as Brandon Bochenski scored a power play goal via Nikolai Antropov. Astana won 3-2 in overtime on an unassisted Konstantin Rudenko goal. The three stars were Rudenko, Bochenski, and Savchenko.

Finally, in Bratislava, Slovan hosts Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Iiro Tarkki and Jaroslav Janus are in the blue paint. The scoring just wasn't there in the regularly played game, and the scoreless tie was to be broken in the shootout. Here, Ufa got a goal from Yury Trubachyov, but it wasn't enough to overcome two goals in a row from Bratislava's Michal Vondrka. The 1-0 score was a final, with Vondrka, Janus (38 save shutout), and Tarkki (25 save shutout) getting the three stars.

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Fantasy Football All-Stars Week 15 2012

The playoff field has been cut in half by now, and I've got 4 teams out of my nine that made the playoffs going for the gold next week. Here's who had the best scoring totals last week.

Quarterback: Russell Wilson
Running Backs: Adrian Peterson and Beanie Wells
Wide Receivers: James Jones and Michael Crabtree
Tight End: Dennis Pitta
Kicker: Blair Walsh
Team Defense: Arizona
Defensive Players: J.J.Watt and Greg Toler

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Monday Night Football Week 15 2012

Closing out this week, we have the Tennessee Titans hosting the New York Jets. New York started in the first quarter as Nick Folk made a field goal of 22 yards. Tennessee took the lead in the second quarter on a 94 yard touchdown run by Chris Johnson, and Rob Bironas was there with the extra point. The Jets pulled ahead in the third quarter as Mark Sanchez passed 17 yards for a touchdown to Jeff Cumberland, and Folk knocked in the extra point. The Titans regained the lead as Jake Locker ran 13 yards for a touchdown, and Bironas supplied the PAT. This held up for a 14-10 win, with Tennessee now at 5-9 and the Jets falling to 6-8.

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NFL Afternoon/Evening Games Week 15 2012

Six games covered in this post, beginning with...

The Buffalo Bills hosting the Seattle Seahawks in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Seattle began with a 14 yard Russell Wilson touchdown run, and Steven Hauschka made the extra point in the first quarter. The Seahawks added on as Wilson ran 25 yards for a touchdown, and Hauschka again handled the extra point. Buffalo got on the board as C.J. Spiller ran 14 yards for a touchdown, and Rian Lindell nailed the extra point. Seattle responded in the second quarter with a 19 yard Hauschka field goal. The Seahawks padded the lead as Wilson passed 4 yards to Zach Miller for a touchdown, and Hauschka was true with the extra point. Seattle kept going as Wilson ran 13 yards for his third touchdown of the day, and Hauschka supplied the PAT. The Bills shot back as Ryan Fitzpatrick passed 20 yards to Stevie Johnson for a touchdown, and Lindell nailed the extra point. Buffalo chipped away as Lindell made a 41 yard field goal. The Seahawks extended the lead in the third quarter as Marshawn Lynch ran 13 yards for a touchdown, but the Hauschka extra point was blocked. Seattle struck again on a 33 yard Hauschka field goal. The Seahawks got defensive for their next score, as Earl Thomas picked off Fitzpatrick and ran it back 57 yards (and sideline to sideline) for a touchdown, allowing Hauschka the extra point. Seattle iced it at 50-17 in the fourth quarter on a Hauschka 23 yard field goal. Seattle is now 9-5 while the Bills fall to 5-9.

Way southwest to San Diego, as the Chargers host the Carolina Panthers. Carolina opened in the first quarter on a Mike Tolbert 1 yard touchdown run, followed by a Graham Gano extra point. Tolbert added on for the Panthers with another 1 yard touchdown, allowing Gano another extra point. Carolina padded the lead with a 45 yard Cam Newton touchdown pass to DeAngelo Williams (tipped), and Gano was true with the extra point. The Panthers struck again in the second quarter as Gano made a 33 yard field goal. Carolina kept going in the third quarter as Newton found Steve Smith for 4 yards and a touchdown, and Gano was there with the PAT. San Diego got on the board in the fourth quarter as Philip Rivers tossed a 9 yard touchdown pass to Antonio Gates, and Nick Novak supplied the extra point. This made it 31-7, a final, with both teams moving to 5-9.

A little east, the Arizona Cardinals bring in the Detroit Lions. Detroit got going in the second quarter as Mikel Leshoure ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Jason Hanson kicked the extra point. Arizona tied it on a 5 yard Beanie Wells touchdown run, and Jay Feely knocked in the extra point. The Cardinals took the lead as Wells ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Feely made another extra point. Arizona padded the lead as Rashad Johnson picked off Matthew Stafford and returned the ball 53 yards for a touchdown, allowing another Feely PAT. The Cardinals extended the lead in the third quarter on a 51 yard Feely field goal. The Lions answered with a 41 yard Hanson field goal. Arizona responded in the fourth quarter as an interception of Stafford was returned 102 yards by Greg Toler, and Feely capped off the stunning play with the extra point. The Cardinals made it 38-10 when Wells ran in his third touchdown of the day, a 31 yard rush, with Feely supplying the extra point. Arizona is now 5-9 while the Lions fall to 4-10.

Northwest to Oakland, with the Raiders welcoming the Kansas City Chiefs. Oakland was first to score in the first quarter as Sebastian Janikowski made a 20 yard field goal. The Raiders added on in the second quarter with a Janikowski field goal from 50 yards. Oakland padded the lead as Janikowski made a 57 yard whopper of a field goal. The Raiders struck again in the third quarter when Janikowski was true on a 30 yard field goal. Oakland made it 15-0 in the fourth quarter when (you guessed it) Janikowski made a field goal, this time from 41 yards. This was it for the scoring, with the Janikowskis Raiders going to 4-10 while the Chiefs drop to 2-12.

Back east, the Dallas Cowboys host the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dallas led off in the first quarter on a Dan Bailey 50 yard field goal. The Cowboys added on in the second quarter as Tony Romo passed 17 yards to Jason Witten for a touchdown, and Bailey was there with the extra point. Pittsburgh got on the board as Shaun Suishm made a 32 yard field goal. The Steelers tied the game as Ben Roethlisberger passed 30 yards to Heath Miller for a touchdown, and Suisham had the equalizing extra point. Dallas took the lead back in the third quarter as Romo passed to Dez Broken-Finger Bryant for a 24 yard touchdown, and Bailey knocked in the extra point. Pittsburgh retied it as Jonathan Dwyer ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Suisham made the PAT. The Steelers took the lead in the fourth quarter on a 7 yard touchdown pass from Roethlisberger to Antonio Brown, and Suisham booted the extra point. The Cowboys pulled even again as DeMarco Murray ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and Bailey kicked the extra point. The game went to overtime, where Dallas won 27-24 on a field goal by Bailey from 21 yards away. The Cowboys go to 8-6 while the Steelers are 7-7.

Finally, the night game comes from New England, as the Patriots welcome the San Francisco 49ers. San Francisco started in the first quarter as Colin Kaepernick passed 24 yards to Randy Moss for a touchdown, and David Akers made the extra point. New England got on the board in the second quarter as Stephen Gostkowski made a 32 yard field goal. The 49ers answered as Kaepernick found Delanie Walker for 34 yards and a touchdown, and Akers supplied the extra point. San Francisco added on as Akers made a 20 yard field goal. The 49ers extended the lead in the third quarter as Frank Gore recovered a fumble by Kaepernick and took it 91 yards for a touchdown, with Akers tacking on the PAT. San Francisco kept going as Kaepernick passed 27 yards to Michael Crabtree for a touchdown, and Akers again made the extra point. The Patriots replied as Danny Woodhead ran 6 yards for a touchdown, and Gostkowski nailed the extra point. New England pulled closer in the fourth quarter on a 1 yard Tom Brady touchdown run, with Gostkowski kicking the extra point. The Patriots chipped away as Brady passed 5 yards to Aaron Hernandez for a touchdown, and Gostkowski knocked in the extra point. New England tied it on a 1 yard Woodhead touchdown run, and Gostkowski drilled the extra point. The 49ers edged ahead again as Kaepernick passed 38 yards for a touchdown to Crabtree, and Akers made the extra point with ease. San Francisco padded the lead as Akers made a 28 yard field goal. The Patriots shot back with a Gostkowski 41 yard field goal. This wasn't enough to avoid the 41-34 loss, with San Francisco now at 10-3-1 and the Patriots falling to 10-4.

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NFL Morning Games Week 15 2012

Again, my bid for a peaceful day of football blogging is interrupted by family matters. This post will be delayed, as will the later post for the day, but I expect both to be out by the end of the day. Eight games going early today, beginning with...

The Houston Texans hosting the Indianapolis Colts. Houston began in the first quarter as Shayne Graham kicked a 29 yard field goal. The Texans added on with a Matt Schaub 3 yard touchdown pass to Andre Johnson, and Graham was there with the extra point. Indianapolis got on the board in the second quarter with an Adam Vinatieri field goal from 26 yards away. Graham replied for Houston with a 35 yard field goal. The Texans extended the lead as Bryan Braman recovered a blocked punt for 8 yards and a touchdown, and Graham knocked in the extra point. The Colts answered on an Andrew Luck 61 yard touchdown pass to T.Y. Hilton, and Vinatieri kicked the PAT. Houston shot back in the third quarter as Graham made a 27 yard field goal. Indianapolis responded with Luck finding Dwayne Allen for 8 yards and a touchdown, and Vinatieri again booted the extra point. The Texans padded the lead on a fourth quarter Graham 46 yard field goal. Houston scored again as Graham made a 33 yard field goal. This produced a 29-17 final score, with Houston now at 12-2 and Indianapolis falling to 9-5.

Up north, the Baltimore Ravens bring in the Denver Broncos. Denver struck first in the first quarter as Matt Prater made a 27 yard field goal. The Broncos added on in the second quarter as Jacob Hester ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Prater made the extra point. Denver kept going as Chris Harris returned an interception of Joe Flacco 98 yards for a touchdown, and Prater was true with the extra point. Baltimore got on the board in the third quarter as Justin Tucker booted a 45 yard field goal. The Broncos replied as Peyton Manning passed 51 yards for a touchdown to Eric Decker, and Prater was there with the PAT. Denver struck again on a 6 yard touchdown run by Knowshon Moreno, and Prater supplied the extra point. The Ravens got some back in the fourth quarter as Flacco connected with Dennis Pitta for 31 yards and a touchdown, and Tucker nailed the extra point. The Broncos answered on a Prater 36 yard field goal. Baltimore replied as Flacco and Pitta hooked up for a 61 yard touchdown connection, and Tucker again handled the extra point. This was as close as it got, with the final favoring Denver at 34-17, with the Broncos now at 11-3 and the Ravens dropping to 9-5.

Down in Florida, the Miami Dolphins host their neighbors to the north, the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville led off in the first quarter on a Josh Scobee field goal from 37 yards out. Miami tied it on a 53 yard Dan Carpenter field goal. The Dolphins took the lead in the second quarter on a Ryan Tannehill 4 yard touchdown pass to Jorvorskie Lane, and Carpenter kicked in the PAT. Miami struck again in the third quarter as Carpenter made a 30 yard field goal. The Dolphins padded the lead as Carpenter made a 31 yard field goal. Miami extended the lead in the fourth quarter when Tannehill passed 2 yards to Anthony Fasano for a touchdown, and then went back to him for the two-point conversion. This made it a 24-3 win, with Miami now at 6-8 while the Jaguars drop to 2-12.

North again, as the Cleveland Browns welcome the Washington Redskins. Cleveland got going in the first quarter with a 6 yard touchdown run by Trent Richardson, and Phil Dawson tacked on the extra point. Washington pulled even with a Kirk Cousins 54 yard touchdown pass to Leonard Hankerson, and Kai Forbath made the extra point. The Redskins gained the lead in the second quarter on a Forbath 44 yard field goal. The Brown retook the lead as Richardson ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Dawson nailed the extra point. Washington pulled ahead in the third quarter as Alfred Morris ran in a 3 yard touchdown, and Forbath kicked the extra point. The Redskins extended the lead on another Cousins touchdown pass to Hankerson, this time for 2 yards, and Forbath was true with the PAT. Washington struck again in the fourth quarter on a 4 yard Evan Royster touchdown run, and Forbath handled the extra point. Cleveland responded as Brandon Weeden found Travis Benjamin for 69 yards and a touchdown, and Dawson tacked on the extra point. The Redskins put it away at 38-21 when Morris ran 8 yards for another touchdown, and Forbath supplied the extra point. Washington is now at 8-6 and the Browns fall to 5-9.

Over in St. Louis, the Rams host the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota opened in the first quarter with a 5 yard Christian Ponder touchdown run, and Blair Walsh handled the extra point. St. Louis tied it with a second quarter Sam Bradford 4 yard touchdown pass to Brian Quick, and Greg Zuerlein booted the extra point. The Vikings took the lead back as Adrian Peterson ran 82 yards for a touchdown, and Walsh kicked the extra point. Minnesota added on as Walsh made a 50 yard field goal. The Vikings struck again with Everson Griffen intercepting Bradford and returning it 29 yards for a touchdown, allowing Walsh the PAT. Minnesota extended the lead as Walsh kicked a 38 yard field goal. The Vikings padded the lead on a Walsh 42 yard field goal. Minnesota cruised along in the third quarter as Walsh made a 53 yard field goal. The Rams finally answered in the fourth quarter as Bradford tossed a 6 yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola, and Zuerlein nailed the extra point. St. Louis chipped away with a 6 yard Bradford touchdown pass to Lance Kendricks, before finding Amendola for the two-point conversion. The Vikings iced it at 36-22 when Wlash made a 51 yard field goal. Minnesota improved to 8-6 while the Rams drop to 6-7-1.

South to New Orleans, as the Saints host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. New Orleans was first to score in the first quarter as Drew Brees passed 9 yards to David Thomas for a touchdown, and Garrett Hartley knocked in the extra point. The Saints added on in the second quarter as Hartley made a 25 yard field goal. New Orleans struck again as Brees passed 2 yards for a touchdown to Darren Sproles, and Hartley nailed the extra point. The Saints extended the lead as Brees found Lance Moore for 7 yards and a touchdown, and Hartley booted the extra point. New Orleans kept going in the third quarter on a 34 yard touchdown pass from Brees to Joseph Morgan, and Hartley supplied the PAT. The Saints got some more as Hartley made a 36 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. New Orleans ended it at 41-0 with an 11 yard Mark Ingram touchdown run, and Hartley was true with the extra point. Both teams end the day at 6-8.

East to Atlanta, with the Falcons hosting the New York Giants. Atlanta started in the first quarter with a 1 yard touchdown run by Michael Turner, and Matt Bryant was there with the extra point. The Falcons extended the lead as Matt Ryan passed 12 yards for a touchdown to Tony Gonzalez, and Bryant again made the extra point. Atlanta struck again in the second quarter as Bryant made a 38 yard field goal. The Falcons added on in the third quarter as Ryan passed 40 yards to Julio Jones for a touchdown, and Bryant made the extra point. Atlanta kept going as Bryant made a 19 yard field goal. The Falcons padded the lead in the fourth quarter as Ryan and Jones hooked up for a 3 yard touchdown, and Bryant again tacked on the PAT. This produced the 34-0 final, with Atlanta going to 12-2 and New York falling to 8-6.

Finally, the Chicago Bears welcome the Green Bay Packers. Chicago finally began in the second quarter with Jay Cutler passing 15 yards to Brandon Marshall for a touchdown, and Olindo Mare made the extra point. Green Bay tied it with a 29 yard Aaron Rodgers touchdown pass to James Jones, and Mason Crosby's extra point was the equalizer. The Packers took the lead as Rodgers found Jones again, this time for 8 yards and the touchdown, and Crosby again tacked on the extra point. Green Bay extended the lead in the third quarter when Rodgers and Jones connected for a third touchdown, this time for 6 yards, and Crosby again supplied the PAT. The Bears answered with a 34 yard Mare field goal. Chicago chipped away in the fourth quarter as Mare made another 34 yard field goal. They scored no more, falling 21-13, with the Packers now at 10-4 and the Bears dropping to 8-6.

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