All the games are today, and by the end of the night, we know who's going to the playoffs and who's going home. All games are divisional matchups. The first comes from...
Cincinnati, as the Bengals host the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North. Baltimore opened in the first quarter as Justin Tucker kicked a 38 yard field goal. The Ravens added on as Tucker made a 22 yard field goal. Cincinnati took the lead when Andy Dalton connected with A.J. Green for a 53 yard touchdown, and Mike Nugent made the extra point. The Bengals extended the lead in the second quarter as Nugent nailed a 39 yard field goal. Cincinnati padded the lead as Dalton found Marvin Jones for 16 yards and a touchdown, and Nugent was true with the extra point. Baltimore shot back in the third quarter on a 34 yard field goal from Tucker. The Ravens chipped closer as Joe Flacco tossed an 8 yard touchdown to Marlon Brown, and then Ray Rice ran in the two-point conversion to tie the game. The Bengals retook the lead in the fourth quarter on a 1 yard touchdown rush by Dalton, and Nugent booted the PAT. Cincinnati struck again on a 38 yard field goal by Nugent. The Bengals wrapped it up at 34-17 when Dre Kirkpatrick picked off Flacco and returned the interception for 21 yards and a touchdown, and Nugent knocked in the extra point. The Bengals end the season at 11-5 while the Ravens are 8-8 and will not make the playoffs.
The other AFC North game comes from Pittsburgh, as the Steelers welcome the Cleveland Browns. Pittsburgh began in the first quarter on a 9 yard Ben Roethlisberger touchdown pass to Jericho Cotchery, and Shaun Suisham nailed the extra point. The Steelers added on in the second quarter as Le'Veon Bell ran 5 yards for a touchdown, and Suisham was there with the PAT. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Suisham kicked a 30 yard field goal in the third quarter. The Steelers padded the lead in the fourth quarter when Suisham supplied a 32 yard field goal. Cleveland got on the board as Jason Campbell tossed a 35 yard touchdown pass to Fozzy Whittaker, and Billy Cundiff made the extra point. This made it 20-7, the final, with the Steelers going to 8-8, staying alive for the postseason depending on what the San Diego Chargers do, and the Browns falling to 4-12 for the season.
Down in Tennessee, the Titans bring in the Houston Texans in an underwhelming AFC South battle. Houston was first to score in the first quarter on a 3 yard Jonathan Grimes touchdown run, and Randy Bullock made the extra point. Tennessee got on the board in the second quarter with a Rob Bironas field goal of 42 yards. The Titans pulled closer with a 55 yard Bironas field goal. Tennessee took the lead in the third quarter on an 11 yard Chris Johnson touchdown run, and Bironas tacked on the PAT. The Titans extended the lead as Bironas made a 37 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Texans got some back on a 19 yard Bullock field goal. This is as close as it got, with the final being 16-10, and the Titans wrap up at 7-9 while the Texans get the first overall draft pick at 2-14.
Southeast to Atlanta, as the Falcons host the Carolina Panthers with the NFC South on the line. Atlanta started in the first quarter as Matt Ryan tossed a 9 yard touchdown pass to Jason Snelling, and Matt Bryant kicked in the extra point. The Falcons added on in the second quarter as Bryant made a 42 yard field goal. Carolina got on the board with a Melvin White interception of Ryan, returned 8 yards for a touchdown, and Graham Gano supplied the extra point. The Panthers took the lead with a 3 yard Cam Newton touchdown pass to Ted Ginn, Jr., and Gano nailed the PAT. Atlanta retook the lead in the third quarter as Ryan connected with Roddy White for 39 yards and a touchdown, and Bryant booted the extra point. Carolina shot back and pulled ahead as Newton passed a 7 yard touchdown to Greg Olsen, and Gano drilled the extra point. The Falcons chipped closer in the fourth quarter on a Bryant field goal from 37 yards. They failed to gain a lead, losing 21-20, with the Panthers securing a first round bye at 12-4 while the Falcons leave the season a disappointing 4-12.
Northward to Minnesota, as the Metrodome is sent away by the Vikings welcoming their NFC North rivals, the Detroit Lions. Minnesota led off as Cordarrelle Patterson ran 50 yards for a touchdown, and Blair Walsh made the extra point. Detroit tied it in the third quarter as Matthew Stafford threw a 19 yard touchdown pass to Reggie Bush, and David Akers made the extra point. The Lions took the lead in the fourth quarter on an Akers field goal of 25 yards. Detroit added on as Akers made a 53 yard field goal. The Vikings took the lead as Matt Cassel tossed an 8 yard touchdown to Patterson, and Walsh booted the PAT. This held up for a 14-13 win, with the Vikings ending at 5-10-1 while the Lions close out a failure of a season at 7-9.
Way south to Miami, as the Dolphins bring in the New York Jets for an AFC East showdown. Miami dented the scoreboard in the second quarter on a Ryan Tannehill touchdown pass of 5 yards to Mike Wallace, and Caleb Sturgis made the extra point. New York tied it on a 1 yard touchdown run by Sheldon Richardson, and Nick Folk blasted the PAT. The Jets took the lead as Geno Smith ran in a 7 yard touchdown, and Folk was there with the extra point. New York added on in the fourth quarter on a 35 yard Folk field goal. The Jets extended the lead as Folk made a 26 yard field goal. They went on to win 20-7, and both teams are out of playoff contention at 8-8.
Backtracking to Indianapolis for the other AFC South game, as the Colts host the Jacksonville Jaguars. Indianapolis struck first in the first quarter on a 1 yard Donald Brown touchdown run, and Adam Vinatieri made the extra point. The Colts added on as Trent Richardson rushed 2 yards for a touchdown, and Vinatieri handled the extra point. Indianapolis extended the lead on a Vinatieri field goal of 23 yards. Jacksonville got on the board when Josh Scobee made a 37 yard field goal in the second quarter. The Colts shot back on a 26 yard field goal by Vinatieri. Indianapolis padded the lead in the third quarter with a 7 yard Andrew Luck touchdown pass to Griff Whalen, and Vinatieri nailed the PAT. The Colts kept going in the fourth quarter as Vinatieri made a 39 yard field goal. The Jaguars got some back as Chad Henne tossed a 14 yard touchdown pass to Kerry Taylor, and Scobee supplied the extra point. This resulted in a 30-10 final, with the Colts as division champions at 11-5 while the Jaguars finish at 4-12.
Reaching halfway for the day, we have a meaningless NFC East game as the New York Giants welcome the Washington Redskins. Washington got going in the second quarter as Kai Forbath made a 31 yard field goal. New York took the lead as Eli Manning tossed a 24 yard touchdown pass to Jerrel Jernigan, and Josh Brown made the extra point. The Giants added on as Brown made a 34 yard field goal. The Redskins pulled back as Forbath booted a 49 yard field goal. New York extended their lead in the third quarter as Jernigan rushed 49 yards for a touchdown, and Brown made the PAT. The Giants iced it at 20-6 in the fourth quarter when Brown made a 38 yard field goal. The Giants finish at 7-9 while the Redskins end up at 3-13.
In the later wave of kickoffs, the Chicago Bears bring in the Green Bay Packers to fight for the NFC North crown and a playoff spot. Chicago opened in the first quarter on a Jay Cutler touchdown pass of 4 yards to Matt Forte, and Robbie Gould nailed the extra point. Green Bay got on the board in the second quarter with a 33 yard field goal by Mason Crosby. The Packers took the lead when Aaron Rodgers fumbled the ball, picked up by teammate Jarret Boykin, who then ran 15 yards for the touchdown, and Crosby supplied the PAT. Green Bay added on as Crosby made a 27 yard field goal. The Bears shot back in the third quarter on a 5 yard touchdown run by Forte, and Gould booted the extra point. The Packers reclaimed the lead as Rodgers tossed a 7 yard touchdown pass to Randall Cobb, and Crosby was there with the extra point. Chicago retook the lead when Forte ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Gould handled the extra point. The Bears extended the lead in the fourth quarter on a Cutler touchdown pass of 5 yards to Brandon Marshall, and Gould supplied the extra point. Green Bay answered as Eddie Lacy ran in a 6 yard touchdown, and Crosby kicked the extra point. The Packers took the lead with a Rodgers 48 yard touchdown pass to Cobb, but he failed to find anyone on the two-point attempt. It didn't matter, as the Packers won 33-28, and took the NFC North at 8-7-1 while the Bears dropped to 8-8 and will not be in the playoffs.
To the northwest, the Seattle Seahawks host their NFC West rivals, the St. Louis Rams. Seattle started in the first quarter on a Malcom Smith interception of Kellen Clemens, returned 37 yards for a touchdown, and Steven Hauschka made the extra point. The Seahawks added on in the second quarter as Hauschka made a 28 yard field goal. Seattle extended the lead on a 35 yard field goal by Hauschka. St. Louis got on the board in the third quarter with a Greg Zuerlein field goal of 36 yards. The Seahawks shot back on a 2 yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch, and Hauschka handled the PAT. Seattle padded the lead in the fourth quarter as Russell Wilson found Golden Tate for 47 yards and a touchdown, and Hauschka knocked in another extra point. The Rams got some back with a 2 yard Clemens touchdown pass to Jared Cook, but they failed on their two-point attempt. This produced a 27-9 final, with the Seahawks clinching home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs at 13-3, while the Rams end the year at 7-9.
Down in San Diego, the Chargers welcome the Kansas City Chiefs for an AFC West battle. Kansas City led off in the first quarter on a 17 yard touchdown run by Knile Davis, and Ryan Succop made the extra point. San Diego tied it as Philip Rivers tossed a 22 yard touchdown pass to Ladarius Green, and Nick Novak knocked in the extra point. The Chiefs retook the lead on a 2 yard Chase Daniel touchdown pass to Dexter McCluster, and Succop nailed the PAT. The Chargers pulled even again in the second quarter as Rivers found Antonio Gates for 4 yards and a touchdown, and Novak booted the extra point. Kansas City regained the lead on a 2 yard Davis touchdown run, followed by a Succop extra point. The Chiefs extended the lead in the third quarter when Succop made a 46 yard field goal. San Diego pulled back in the fourth quarter as Rivers tossed a 6 yard touchdown pass to Eddie Royal, and Novak was there with the extra point. The Chargers tied it with a Novak 22 yard field goal. San Diego went ahead in overtime as Novak made a 36 yard field goal, and the defense held to protect the 27-24 lead and make it a win. The Chargers improved to 8-8 and won the tiebreaker between five teams to be the second AFC wild card, while the Chiefs are the first wild card at 11-5.
A little east to Arizona, where the Cardinals bring in the San Francisco 49ers for the other NFC West game. San Francisco began in the first quarter as Phil Dawson booted a 27 yard field goal. The 49ers added on as Colin Kaepernick found Anquan Boldin for 4 yards and a touchdown, and Dawson was there with the extra point. San Francisco extended the lead on a Kaepernick touchdown pass of 3 yards to Vernon Davis, and Dawson was true with the extra point. Arizona got on the board in the second quarter when Carson Palmer threw a 1 yard touchdown pass to Jake Ballard, and Jay Feely nailed the PAT. The Cardinals pulled closer in the fourth quarter as Feely made a 49 yard field goal. Arizona tied it as Palmer tossed a 34 yard touchdown to Andre Roberts, and Feely supplied another extra point. The 49ers took the lead as Dawson made a 56 yard field goal. The Cardinals retied it with a Feely field goal of 43 yards. San Francisco still took the game 23-20 on a 40 yard Dawson field goal as time expired. The loss sent the Cardinals out of the playoff picture, with the 49ers at 12-4 and the fifth seed, and the Cardinals at 10-6.
Backtracking to Oakland, as the Raiders host the Denver Broncos in a mostly meaningless AFC West game. Denver got going in the first quarter on a 3 yard touchdown pass from Peyton Manning to Eric Decker, and Matt Prater made the extra point. The Broncos added on as Manning tossed a 7 yard touchdown pass to Knowshon Moreno, and Prater knocked in the extra point. Denver extended the lead in the second quarter with a 34 yard Prater field goal. The Broncos padded the lead with a 63 yard touchdown pass from Manning to Demaryius Thomas, and Prater booted the PAT. Denver kept going as Manning and Thomas connected again, this time for a 5 yard touchdown, and Prater was true with the extra point. The Broncos got some more in the fourth quarter on a 54 yard Prater field goal. Oakland got on the board as Terrelle Pryor threw a 14 yard touchdown pass to Rod Streater, and Sebastian Janikowski supplied the extra point. The Raiders pulled closer on a 9 yard Pryor touchdown pass to Nick Kasa, and Janikowski drilled the extra point. The final stood here at 34-14, with the Broncos clinching home field advantage in the AFC playoffs with a 13-3 record while the Raiders end at a dismal 4-12.
Southeast to New Orleans, where the Saints welcome the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a battle in the NFC South. New Orleans was first to score in the first quarter on a 44 yard Drew Brees touchdown pass to Lance Moore, and Shayne Graham made the extra point. Tampa Bay tied it as Mike Glennon found Tiquan Underwood for 48 yards and a touchdown, and Rian Lindell knocked in the extra point. The Saints retook the lead as Brees tossed a 10 yard touchdown to Jimmy Graham, and Shayne Graham made the extra point again. New Orleans added on in the second quarter with a 41 yard Brees touchdown pass to Robert Meachem, and Shayne Graham was there with the extra point. The Buccaneers replied on a 1 yard Glennon touchdown pass to Tim Wright, and Lindell booted the PAT. The Saints shot back as Brees connected for 76 yards and a touchdown to Kenny Stills, and Shayne Graham tacked on the extra point. Tampa Bay pulled back with a 54 yard Lindell field goal in the third quarter. New Orleans answered on an 8 yard touchdown run by Pierre Thomas, capped off by a Shayne Graham extra point. The Saints padded the lead in the fourth quarter as Brees rushed 9 yards for a touchdown, and Shayne Graham had another extra point. This resulted in a 42-17 final, with the Saints making the playoffs at 11-5 while the Buccaneers are 4-12 to close out the season.
Northeast to New England, as the Patriots bring in the Buffalo Bills for an AFC East showdown. New England struck first in the first quarter with a 43 yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski. Buffalo tied it on a 51 yard field goal from Dan Carpenter. The Patriots retook the lead as Gostkowski made a 35 yard field goal. New England added on in the second quarter as LeGarrette Blount rushed 36 yards for a touchdown, and Gostkowski was there with the extra point. The Patriots extended the lead on a 29 yard Gostkowski field goal. The Bills shot back in the third quarter as Thad Lewis threw a 12 yard touchdown pass to T.J. Graham, and Carpenter knocked in the PAT. New England answered in the fourth quarter with a Tom Brady touchdown pass of 5 yards to Shane Vereen, and then he successfully found Julian Edelman for the two-point conversion. Buffalo replied on a 5 yard Fred Jackson touchdown run, and Carpenter handled the extra point. The Patriots countered with a 35 yard field goal by Gostkowski. The Bills chipped closer on a 37 yard Carpenter field goal. New England iced it at 34-20 as Blount broke free for a 35 yard touchdown run, and Gostkowski nailed another extra point. The Patriots get a first round bye at 12-4, while the Bills fall to 6-10 to finish the year.
Finally, the NFL regular season ends with a battle in Dallas, as the Cowboys host the Philadelphia Eagles for NFC East supremacy and the right to go to the playoffs. Philadelphia dented the scoreboard in the first quarter on a 47 yard Alex Henery field goal. The Eagles added on in the second quarter with a Nick Foles touchdown pass of 3 yards to LeSean McCoy, and Henery knocked in the extra point. Dallas got on the board as Kyle Orton tossed a 17 yard touchdown pass to Gavin Escobar, and Dan Bailey supplied the PAT. Philadelphia replied as Foles tossed a 14 yard touchdown pass to Brent Celek, and Henery was true with the extra point. The Cowboys pulled back on a 44 yard field goal by Bailey. Dallas chipped closer in the third quarter with a 43 yard Bailey field goal. The Cowboys edged closer on a 36 yard Bailey field goal. The Eagles extended their lead in the fourth quarter when Bryce Brown ran 6 yards for a touchdown, and Henery knocked in the extra point. Dallas answered as Orton found Dez Bryant for 32 yards and a touchdown, but he couldn't get the game tied as his two-point attempt to Bryant was broken up. This cost them the game, as they lost 24-22. The Eagles go to the playoffs as NFC East champions at 10-6 while the Cowboys are on the outside looking in at 8-8.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Cincinnati, as the Bengals host the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North. Baltimore opened in the first quarter as Justin Tucker kicked a 38 yard field goal. The Ravens added on as Tucker made a 22 yard field goal. Cincinnati took the lead when Andy Dalton connected with A.J. Green for a 53 yard touchdown, and Mike Nugent made the extra point. The Bengals extended the lead in the second quarter as Nugent nailed a 39 yard field goal. Cincinnati padded the lead as Dalton found Marvin Jones for 16 yards and a touchdown, and Nugent was true with the extra point. Baltimore shot back in the third quarter on a 34 yard field goal from Tucker. The Ravens chipped closer as Joe Flacco tossed an 8 yard touchdown to Marlon Brown, and then Ray Rice ran in the two-point conversion to tie the game. The Bengals retook the lead in the fourth quarter on a 1 yard touchdown rush by Dalton, and Nugent booted the PAT. Cincinnati struck again on a 38 yard field goal by Nugent. The Bengals wrapped it up at 34-17 when Dre Kirkpatrick picked off Flacco and returned the interception for 21 yards and a touchdown, and Nugent knocked in the extra point. The Bengals end the season at 11-5 while the Ravens are 8-8 and will not make the playoffs.
The other AFC North game comes from Pittsburgh, as the Steelers welcome the Cleveland Browns. Pittsburgh began in the first quarter on a 9 yard Ben Roethlisberger touchdown pass to Jericho Cotchery, and Shaun Suisham nailed the extra point. The Steelers added on in the second quarter as Le'Veon Bell ran 5 yards for a touchdown, and Suisham was there with the PAT. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Suisham kicked a 30 yard field goal in the third quarter. The Steelers padded the lead in the fourth quarter when Suisham supplied a 32 yard field goal. Cleveland got on the board as Jason Campbell tossed a 35 yard touchdown pass to Fozzy Whittaker, and Billy Cundiff made the extra point. This made it 20-7, the final, with the Steelers going to 8-8, staying alive for the postseason depending on what the San Diego Chargers do, and the Browns falling to 4-12 for the season.
Down in Tennessee, the Titans bring in the Houston Texans in an underwhelming AFC South battle. Houston was first to score in the first quarter on a 3 yard Jonathan Grimes touchdown run, and Randy Bullock made the extra point. Tennessee got on the board in the second quarter with a Rob Bironas field goal of 42 yards. The Titans pulled closer with a 55 yard Bironas field goal. Tennessee took the lead in the third quarter on an 11 yard Chris Johnson touchdown run, and Bironas tacked on the PAT. The Titans extended the lead as Bironas made a 37 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Texans got some back on a 19 yard Bullock field goal. This is as close as it got, with the final being 16-10, and the Titans wrap up at 7-9 while the Texans get the first overall draft pick at 2-14.
Southeast to Atlanta, as the Falcons host the Carolina Panthers with the NFC South on the line. Atlanta started in the first quarter as Matt Ryan tossed a 9 yard touchdown pass to Jason Snelling, and Matt Bryant kicked in the extra point. The Falcons added on in the second quarter as Bryant made a 42 yard field goal. Carolina got on the board with a Melvin White interception of Ryan, returned 8 yards for a touchdown, and Graham Gano supplied the extra point. The Panthers took the lead with a 3 yard Cam Newton touchdown pass to Ted Ginn, Jr., and Gano nailed the PAT. Atlanta retook the lead in the third quarter as Ryan connected with Roddy White for 39 yards and a touchdown, and Bryant booted the extra point. Carolina shot back and pulled ahead as Newton passed a 7 yard touchdown to Greg Olsen, and Gano drilled the extra point. The Falcons chipped closer in the fourth quarter on a Bryant field goal from 37 yards. They failed to gain a lead, losing 21-20, with the Panthers securing a first round bye at 12-4 while the Falcons leave the season a disappointing 4-12.
Northward to Minnesota, as the Metrodome is sent away by the Vikings welcoming their NFC North rivals, the Detroit Lions. Minnesota led off as Cordarrelle Patterson ran 50 yards for a touchdown, and Blair Walsh made the extra point. Detroit tied it in the third quarter as Matthew Stafford threw a 19 yard touchdown pass to Reggie Bush, and David Akers made the extra point. The Lions took the lead in the fourth quarter on an Akers field goal of 25 yards. Detroit added on as Akers made a 53 yard field goal. The Vikings took the lead as Matt Cassel tossed an 8 yard touchdown to Patterson, and Walsh booted the PAT. This held up for a 14-13 win, with the Vikings ending at 5-10-1 while the Lions close out a failure of a season at 7-9.
Way south to Miami, as the Dolphins bring in the New York Jets for an AFC East showdown. Miami dented the scoreboard in the second quarter on a Ryan Tannehill touchdown pass of 5 yards to Mike Wallace, and Caleb Sturgis made the extra point. New York tied it on a 1 yard touchdown run by Sheldon Richardson, and Nick Folk blasted the PAT. The Jets took the lead as Geno Smith ran in a 7 yard touchdown, and Folk was there with the extra point. New York added on in the fourth quarter on a 35 yard Folk field goal. The Jets extended the lead as Folk made a 26 yard field goal. They went on to win 20-7, and both teams are out of playoff contention at 8-8.
Backtracking to Indianapolis for the other AFC South game, as the Colts host the Jacksonville Jaguars. Indianapolis struck first in the first quarter on a 1 yard Donald Brown touchdown run, and Adam Vinatieri made the extra point. The Colts added on as Trent Richardson rushed 2 yards for a touchdown, and Vinatieri handled the extra point. Indianapolis extended the lead on a Vinatieri field goal of 23 yards. Jacksonville got on the board when Josh Scobee made a 37 yard field goal in the second quarter. The Colts shot back on a 26 yard field goal by Vinatieri. Indianapolis padded the lead in the third quarter with a 7 yard Andrew Luck touchdown pass to Griff Whalen, and Vinatieri nailed the PAT. The Colts kept going in the fourth quarter as Vinatieri made a 39 yard field goal. The Jaguars got some back as Chad Henne tossed a 14 yard touchdown pass to Kerry Taylor, and Scobee supplied the extra point. This resulted in a 30-10 final, with the Colts as division champions at 11-5 while the Jaguars finish at 4-12.
Reaching halfway for the day, we have a meaningless NFC East game as the New York Giants welcome the Washington Redskins. Washington got going in the second quarter as Kai Forbath made a 31 yard field goal. New York took the lead as Eli Manning tossed a 24 yard touchdown pass to Jerrel Jernigan, and Josh Brown made the extra point. The Giants added on as Brown made a 34 yard field goal. The Redskins pulled back as Forbath booted a 49 yard field goal. New York extended their lead in the third quarter as Jernigan rushed 49 yards for a touchdown, and Brown made the PAT. The Giants iced it at 20-6 in the fourth quarter when Brown made a 38 yard field goal. The Giants finish at 7-9 while the Redskins end up at 3-13.
In the later wave of kickoffs, the Chicago Bears bring in the Green Bay Packers to fight for the NFC North crown and a playoff spot. Chicago opened in the first quarter on a Jay Cutler touchdown pass of 4 yards to Matt Forte, and Robbie Gould nailed the extra point. Green Bay got on the board in the second quarter with a 33 yard field goal by Mason Crosby. The Packers took the lead when Aaron Rodgers fumbled the ball, picked up by teammate Jarret Boykin, who then ran 15 yards for the touchdown, and Crosby supplied the PAT. Green Bay added on as Crosby made a 27 yard field goal. The Bears shot back in the third quarter on a 5 yard touchdown run by Forte, and Gould booted the extra point. The Packers reclaimed the lead as Rodgers tossed a 7 yard touchdown pass to Randall Cobb, and Crosby was there with the extra point. Chicago retook the lead when Forte ran in a 1 yard touchdown, and Gould handled the extra point. The Bears extended the lead in the fourth quarter on a Cutler touchdown pass of 5 yards to Brandon Marshall, and Gould supplied the extra point. Green Bay answered as Eddie Lacy ran in a 6 yard touchdown, and Crosby kicked the extra point. The Packers took the lead with a Rodgers 48 yard touchdown pass to Cobb, but he failed to find anyone on the two-point attempt. It didn't matter, as the Packers won 33-28, and took the NFC North at 8-7-1 while the Bears dropped to 8-8 and will not be in the playoffs.
To the northwest, the Seattle Seahawks host their NFC West rivals, the St. Louis Rams. Seattle started in the first quarter on a Malcom Smith interception of Kellen Clemens, returned 37 yards for a touchdown, and Steven Hauschka made the extra point. The Seahawks added on in the second quarter as Hauschka made a 28 yard field goal. Seattle extended the lead on a 35 yard field goal by Hauschka. St. Louis got on the board in the third quarter with a Greg Zuerlein field goal of 36 yards. The Seahawks shot back on a 2 yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch, and Hauschka handled the PAT. Seattle padded the lead in the fourth quarter as Russell Wilson found Golden Tate for 47 yards and a touchdown, and Hauschka knocked in another extra point. The Rams got some back with a 2 yard Clemens touchdown pass to Jared Cook, but they failed on their two-point attempt. This produced a 27-9 final, with the Seahawks clinching home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs at 13-3, while the Rams end the year at 7-9.
Down in San Diego, the Chargers welcome the Kansas City Chiefs for an AFC West battle. Kansas City led off in the first quarter on a 17 yard touchdown run by Knile Davis, and Ryan Succop made the extra point. San Diego tied it as Philip Rivers tossed a 22 yard touchdown pass to Ladarius Green, and Nick Novak knocked in the extra point. The Chiefs retook the lead on a 2 yard Chase Daniel touchdown pass to Dexter McCluster, and Succop nailed the PAT. The Chargers pulled even again in the second quarter as Rivers found Antonio Gates for 4 yards and a touchdown, and Novak booted the extra point. Kansas City regained the lead on a 2 yard Davis touchdown run, followed by a Succop extra point. The Chiefs extended the lead in the third quarter when Succop made a 46 yard field goal. San Diego pulled back in the fourth quarter as Rivers tossed a 6 yard touchdown pass to Eddie Royal, and Novak was there with the extra point. The Chargers tied it with a Novak 22 yard field goal. San Diego went ahead in overtime as Novak made a 36 yard field goal, and the defense held to protect the 27-24 lead and make it a win. The Chargers improved to 8-8 and won the tiebreaker between five teams to be the second AFC wild card, while the Chiefs are the first wild card at 11-5.
A little east to Arizona, where the Cardinals bring in the San Francisco 49ers for the other NFC West game. San Francisco began in the first quarter as Phil Dawson booted a 27 yard field goal. The 49ers added on as Colin Kaepernick found Anquan Boldin for 4 yards and a touchdown, and Dawson was there with the extra point. San Francisco extended the lead on a Kaepernick touchdown pass of 3 yards to Vernon Davis, and Dawson was true with the extra point. Arizona got on the board in the second quarter when Carson Palmer threw a 1 yard touchdown pass to Jake Ballard, and Jay Feely nailed the PAT. The Cardinals pulled closer in the fourth quarter as Feely made a 49 yard field goal. Arizona tied it as Palmer tossed a 34 yard touchdown to Andre Roberts, and Feely supplied another extra point. The 49ers took the lead as Dawson made a 56 yard field goal. The Cardinals retied it with a Feely field goal of 43 yards. San Francisco still took the game 23-20 on a 40 yard Dawson field goal as time expired. The loss sent the Cardinals out of the playoff picture, with the 49ers at 12-4 and the fifth seed, and the Cardinals at 10-6.
Backtracking to Oakland, as the Raiders host the Denver Broncos in a mostly meaningless AFC West game. Denver got going in the first quarter on a 3 yard touchdown pass from Peyton Manning to Eric Decker, and Matt Prater made the extra point. The Broncos added on as Manning tossed a 7 yard touchdown pass to Knowshon Moreno, and Prater knocked in the extra point. Denver extended the lead in the second quarter with a 34 yard Prater field goal. The Broncos padded the lead with a 63 yard touchdown pass from Manning to Demaryius Thomas, and Prater booted the PAT. Denver kept going as Manning and Thomas connected again, this time for a 5 yard touchdown, and Prater was true with the extra point. The Broncos got some more in the fourth quarter on a 54 yard Prater field goal. Oakland got on the board as Terrelle Pryor threw a 14 yard touchdown pass to Rod Streater, and Sebastian Janikowski supplied the extra point. The Raiders pulled closer on a 9 yard Pryor touchdown pass to Nick Kasa, and Janikowski drilled the extra point. The final stood here at 34-14, with the Broncos clinching home field advantage in the AFC playoffs with a 13-3 record while the Raiders end at a dismal 4-12.
Southeast to New Orleans, where the Saints welcome the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a battle in the NFC South. New Orleans was first to score in the first quarter on a 44 yard Drew Brees touchdown pass to Lance Moore, and Shayne Graham made the extra point. Tampa Bay tied it as Mike Glennon found Tiquan Underwood for 48 yards and a touchdown, and Rian Lindell knocked in the extra point. The Saints retook the lead as Brees tossed a 10 yard touchdown to Jimmy Graham, and Shayne Graham made the extra point again. New Orleans added on in the second quarter with a 41 yard Brees touchdown pass to Robert Meachem, and Shayne Graham was there with the extra point. The Buccaneers replied on a 1 yard Glennon touchdown pass to Tim Wright, and Lindell booted the PAT. The Saints shot back as Brees connected for 76 yards and a touchdown to Kenny Stills, and Shayne Graham tacked on the extra point. Tampa Bay pulled back with a 54 yard Lindell field goal in the third quarter. New Orleans answered on an 8 yard touchdown run by Pierre Thomas, capped off by a Shayne Graham extra point. The Saints padded the lead in the fourth quarter as Brees rushed 9 yards for a touchdown, and Shayne Graham had another extra point. This resulted in a 42-17 final, with the Saints making the playoffs at 11-5 while the Buccaneers are 4-12 to close out the season.
Northeast to New England, as the Patriots bring in the Buffalo Bills for an AFC East showdown. New England struck first in the first quarter with a 43 yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski. Buffalo tied it on a 51 yard field goal from Dan Carpenter. The Patriots retook the lead as Gostkowski made a 35 yard field goal. New England added on in the second quarter as LeGarrette Blount rushed 36 yards for a touchdown, and Gostkowski was there with the extra point. The Patriots extended the lead on a 29 yard Gostkowski field goal. The Bills shot back in the third quarter as Thad Lewis threw a 12 yard touchdown pass to T.J. Graham, and Carpenter knocked in the PAT. New England answered in the fourth quarter with a Tom Brady touchdown pass of 5 yards to Shane Vereen, and then he successfully found Julian Edelman for the two-point conversion. Buffalo replied on a 5 yard Fred Jackson touchdown run, and Carpenter handled the extra point. The Patriots countered with a 35 yard field goal by Gostkowski. The Bills chipped closer on a 37 yard Carpenter field goal. New England iced it at 34-20 as Blount broke free for a 35 yard touchdown run, and Gostkowski nailed another extra point. The Patriots get a first round bye at 12-4, while the Bills fall to 6-10 to finish the year.
Finally, the NFL regular season ends with a battle in Dallas, as the Cowboys host the Philadelphia Eagles for NFC East supremacy and the right to go to the playoffs. Philadelphia dented the scoreboard in the first quarter on a 47 yard Alex Henery field goal. The Eagles added on in the second quarter with a Nick Foles touchdown pass of 3 yards to LeSean McCoy, and Henery knocked in the extra point. Dallas got on the board as Kyle Orton tossed a 17 yard touchdown pass to Gavin Escobar, and Dan Bailey supplied the PAT. Philadelphia replied as Foles tossed a 14 yard touchdown pass to Brent Celek, and Henery was true with the extra point. The Cowboys pulled back on a 44 yard field goal by Bailey. Dallas chipped closer in the third quarter with a 43 yard Bailey field goal. The Cowboys edged closer on a 36 yard Bailey field goal. The Eagles extended their lead in the fourth quarter when Bryce Brown ran 6 yards for a touchdown, and Henery knocked in the extra point. Dallas answered as Orton found Dez Bryant for 32 yards and a touchdown, but he couldn't get the game tied as his two-point attempt to Bryant was broken up. This cost them the game, as they lost 24-22. The Eagles go to the playoffs as NFC East champions at 10-6 while the Cowboys are on the outside looking in at 8-8.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
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