2017 Regular Season - Week 17

(Buffalo Bills QB Tyrod Taylor, who has led his side to their first Playoff appearance since 1999, thanks to NFL for the photo)

Week 17 Results

Green Bay Packers 11-35 Detroit Lions

Houston Texans 13-22 Indianapolis Colts

Chicago Bears 10-23 Minnesota Vikings (Vikings clinch First Round Bye in NFC Playoffs)

New York Jets 6-26 New England Patriots (Patriots Clinch Home Field Advantage in AFC Playoffs)

Washington Redskins 10-18 New York Giants

Dallas Cowboys 6-0 Philadelphia Eagles

Cleveland Browns 24-28 Pittsburgh Steelers

Carolina Panthers 10-22 Atlanta Falcons (Falcons grab final NFC playoff spot)

Cincinnati Bengals 31-27 Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills 22-16 Miami Dolphins (Bills clinch AFC playoff Spot)

New Orleans Saints 24-31 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jacksonville Jaguars 10-15 Tennessee Titans (Titans clinch AFC playoff Spot)

Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 Denver Broncos

Oakland Raiders 10-30 Los Angeles Chargers

San Francisco 49ers 34-13 Los Angeles Rams

Arizona Cardinals 26-24 Seattle Seahawks

Week 17, the final weekend of the regular season, certainly threw up some dramatic moments.  The Minnesota Vikings knew a win over Chicago Bears in Minneapolis would clinch a First Round Bye in the NFC Playoffs, and they duly grabbed this and cemented the number two seed spot in the NFC.  Elsewhere the New England Patriots knew a win over New York Jets in Foxboro would cement the number one seed in the AFC and home field advantage, and they managed to do this too with an routine win over The Jets.  Atlanta Falcons grabbed the final NFC Playoff Spot after they saw off Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes Benz Stadium whilst Tennessee Titans clinched one of the remaining Wild Card spots in the AFC after they defeated Jacksonville Jaguars in a tight low scoring game in Tennessee.  However the most dramatic moment was saved till last, as the Buffalo Bills made it to the post season for the first time since 1999, clinching the other remaining AFC Wildcard Spot.  Baltimore Ravens had gone into the final weekend in pole position and knew a win at home to Cincinnati Bengals would see them take a playoff spot.  However with Bills winning their game against Miami Dolphins it left Ravens knowing if they could hold onto their 27-24 lead heading into the final minute they would make the post season and Bills would miss out.  But with 0:44 left Bengals scored a Touchdown and won the game 31-27 meaning Buffalo took the final playoff spot in dramatic circumstances.  However in the year we lost Bills fan Kevin Cadle, this seems so apt that they should finally break that 18 year hoodoo, so I'm sure Kevin is looking down with that big smile on his face we all loved.  RIP big man.

Some other notable Week 17 moments included:-

·       Frank Gore reached 14,000 career rushing yards, only the fifth player to reach this milestone in NFL history

·       Philip Rivers became the ninth Quarterback to reach 50,000 career passing yards in NFL history

·       Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara both put up 1,500+ rushing yards each for the Saints, meaning it’s the first time a Running Back duo have recorded such numbers in the same season

·       Shawn Lynch passed 10,000 career rushing yards

·       Indianapolis Colts fired coach Chuck Pagano, this despite winning their final game over Houston Texans 22-13, however they did end the season with a record of 4-12, so a change was probably needed after what was a difficult season.  And Oakland Raiders also fired their head coach, Jack Del Rio, after they ended the season with a 30-10 loss to LA Chargers to finish on 6-10.  They were in the hunt for a playoff place but ended the season disappointingly so maybe this had some say in that decision.

Here are the final standings

AFC East

New England Patriots (13-3) .813 (Clinched Home Field Advantage in Playoffs)

Buffalo Bills (9-7) .563 (Clinched Wild Card Spot in Playoffs)

Miami Dolphins (6-10) .375

New York Jets (5-11) .313

AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3) .813 (Clinched First Round Bye in Playoffs)

Baltimore Ravens (9-7) .563

Cincinnati Bengals (7-9) .438

Cleveland Browns (0-16) .000

AFC South

Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6) .625 (Clinched Wildcard Spot in Playoffs)

Tennessee Titans (9-7) .563 (Clinched Wildcard Spot in Playoffs)

Indianapolis Colts (4-12) .250

Houston Texans (4-12) .250

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) .625 (Clinched Wildcard Spot in Playoffs)

Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) .563

Oakland Raiders (6-10) .375

Denver Broncos (5-11) .313

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) .813 (Clinched Home Field Advantage in Playoffs)

Dallas Cowboys (9-7) .563

Washington Redskins (7-9) .438

New York Giants (3-13) .188

NFC North

Minnesota Vikings (13-3) .813 (Clinched First Round Bye in Playoffs)

Detroit Lions (9-7) .563

Green Bay Packers (7-9) .438

Chicago Bears (5-11) .313

NFC South

New Orleans Saints (11-5) .688 (Clinched Wild Card Spot in Playoffs)

Carolina Panthers (11-5) .688 (Clinched Wild Card Spot in Playoffs)

Atlanta Falcons (10-6) .625 (Clinched Wild Card Spot in Playoffs)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11) .313

NFC West

Los Angeles Rams (11-5) .688 (Clinched Wild Card Spot in Playoffs)

Seattle Seahawks (9-7) .563

Arizona Cardinals (8-8) .500

San Francisco 49ers (6-10) .375

These are the final playoff positions:-

AFC

Divisional Round

1^st Seed New England Patriots

2^nd Seed Pittsburgh Steelers

Wild Card Round

3^rd Seed Jacksonville Jaguars

4^th Seed Kansas City Chiefs

5^th Seed Tennessee Titans

6^th Seed Buffalo Bills

NFC

Divisional Round

1^st Seed Philadelphia Eagles

2^nd Seed Minnesota Vikings

Wild Card Round

3^rd Seed Los Angeles Rams

4^th Seed New Orleans Saints

5^th Seed Carolina Panthers

6^th Seed Atlanta Falcons

Here are next weekend’s Wild Card Round fixtures:-

Saturday 6^th January

AFC – Tennessee Titans @ Kansas City Chiefs

NFC – Atlanta Falcons @ Los Angeles Rams

Sunday 7^th January

AFC – Buffalo Bills @ Jacksonville Jaguars

NFC – Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints

The winners go through to their Conference Divisional Round of the playoffs and meet one of the top two seeded teams in their Conference.  The highest ranked Wild Card winner will meet seed number two and the lowest ranked Wild Card winner seed number one, and both Wild Card winners will be on the road of course. 

So the regular season is done for 2017, it’s now time for the post season!!!  Superbowl LII, which takes place at the US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, is now just over a month away.

2017 Regular Season - Week 16

(DeAndre Hopkins producing a magnificent one handed catch for Houston Texans against Pittsburgh Steelers, thanks to SkySportsNFL for picture)

Saturday 23^rd December

Indianapolis Colts 16 Baltimore Ravens 23

The Ravens moved up to fifth seed in the AFC playoffs after they saw off The Colts in Baltimore.  The hosts are now 9-6 and will clinch a wild card spot if they win in Week 17.  Indianapolis themselves are now 3-12 with one match remaining in the season.

Minnesota Vikings 16 Green Bay Packers 0

The Vikings shut out Green Bay at Lambeau Field to further strengthen their chances of a first round bye in the NFC Playoffs and remain the second seeds behind Philadelphia Eagles.  The Packers, who had already been eliminated from the playoff hunt, drop to 7-8 for the season.

Sunday 24^th December

Detroit Lions 17 Cincinnati Bengals 26

The Lions were eliminated from the NFC playoff race after they suffered defeat against an already eliminated Bengals in Cincinnati.  Detroit knew they had to keep winning to have any chance of reaching the post season, but this loss meant the end of that hope and they are now 8-7, whilst Cincinnati drop to 6-9.

Miami Dolphins 13 Kansas City Chiefs 29

The Chiefs clinched their division and a playoff berth in the AFC after defeating Miami in Kansas City and make the fourth seed spot their own.  They also improve their season record to 9-6, a relief no doubt after their mid-season wobble.  The Dolphins, who are eliminated from the AFC playoff race, drop to 6-9.

Buffalo Bills 16 New England Patriots 37

Buffalo’s chances of reaching the AFC Wild Card round suffered a blow after they were thrashed by The Patriots in Foxboro and saw them fall behind the Chargers in the hunt for the final Wild Card berth with just one game remaining in the regular season.  The win for New England sees them clinch a first-round bye in the AFC Playoffs and hold onto their number one seed going into the final weekend of the regular season.

Cleveland Browns 3 Chicago Bears 20

The Browns are now just one game away from an 0-16 season after they were beaten at Soldier Field by The Bears who for themselves this was only their fifth win of the season as they improve to 5-10 on the season.

 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19 Carolina Panthers 22

The Panthers clinched a playoff berth in the NFC after a narrow win over Tampa Bay in Carolina, and means the hosts currently hold the fifth seed spot and still have a chance of clinching their division with a win next weekend which could see them take a higher seed berth going into the post season.  The Buccaneers drop to 4-11 after this latest defeat and are statistically the second worst franchise in the NFC.

Atlanta Falcons 13 New Orleans Saints 23

The Saints clinched an NFC playoff berth after defeating The Falcons in New Orleans meaning they are in pole position to win their division and will do so with victory in their final regular season game.  They currently hold the fourth seed spot on 11-4, behind The Rams on head to head record, but ahead of the Panthers due to the same reason.  Defeat for Atlanta means they must win their final game to confirm their participation in the post season.  Defeat could see Seattle pinch the final wild card spot.

Denver Broncos 11 Washington Redskins 27

This was a dead rubber however pride is at stake this time of year and The Redskins improved to 7-8 after they downed Denver in the Capital, leaving the Mile High side on 5-10.

                                                                                                                    

Los Angeles Rams 27 Tennessee Titans 23

The Rams are in the driving seat for the Third Seed spot in the NFC playoffs after they sneaked past Tennessee Titans on the road.  LA have already clinched their division so defeat next week would mean they could finish no lower than fourth in the playoff shake up, but they will want that third seed spot so a win would confirm this.  As for Tennessee, they are 8-7 and in the coveted sixth spot in the AFC, and with LA Chargers and Buffalo Bills on 8-7 and in the hunt, along with the Ravens in fifth spot on 9-7, it’s all to play for in the final weekend in the regular season.   

Los Angeles Chargers 14 New York Jets 7

LA won a low scoring one in New York against the Jets, meaning they are in the driving seat to snatch a wild card slot if either Baltimore or Tennessee mess up on the final weekend of the regular season.  The Jets themselves lose for the tenth time this season to fall to 5-10.

Jacksonville Jaguars 33 San Francisco 49ers 44

The Niners good late season form continued as they stunned The Jags in San Francisco to take their record to 5-10 on the season and hopefully for their sakes take this form into the new season in 2018.  Defeat for Jacksonville doesn’t affect them too much after they clinched their division to confirm their post season participation in the AFC, however they will probably have to win next week to nail down their third seed spot.

Seattle Seahawks 21 Dallas Cowboys 12

The Seahawks set up a final weekend showdown for an NFC playoff spot after they eliminated the Cowboys from the playoff hunt with victory in Arlington.  A win for Seattle on the final weekend would see them sneak into the last wild card spot and knock Atlanta out if they lose their final game.

New York Giants 0 Arizona Cardinals 23

This dead rubber went the way of Arizona as they shut out the Giants to go 7-8 on the season.  New York themselves are the second worst team in the NFL this season on 2-13, and will no doubt want this season to end in a hurry.

Monday 25^th December

Pittsburgh Steelers 34 Houston Texans 6

The Steelers clinched a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs after they smashed Houston in Texas to keep their chances of snatching the number one seed off New England going into the final weekend of the regular season.  Defeat for The Texans means they fall to 4-11.

Oakland Raiders 10 Philadelphia Eagles 19

The Eagles clinched home field advantage in the playoffs after they cemented the number one seed in the NFC after seeing off Oakland Raiders in Philly.  The hosts at 13-2 are still number one in the entire NFL this season so will no doubt be confident this could be their season, whilst Oakland, who will not be at the post season party, are now 6-9.

Latest Standings

AFC East

New England Patriots (12-3) .800 (Clinched Division, Playoff Place & First Round Bye)

Buffalo Bills (8-7) .533

Miami Dolphins (6-9) .400

New York Jets (5-10) .333

AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3) .800 (Clinched Division, Playoff Place & First Round Bye)

Baltimore Ravens (9-6) .600

Cincinnati Bengals (6-9) .400

Cleveland Browns (0-15) .000

AFC South

Jacksonville Jaguars (10-5) .667 (Clinched Division & Playoff Place)

Tennessee Titans (8-7) .533

Houston Texans (4-11) .267

Indianapolis Colts (3-12) .200

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs (9-6) .600 (Clinched Division & Playoff Place)

Los Angeles Chargers (8-7) .533

Oakland Raiders (6-9) .400

Denver Broncos (5-10) .333

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles (13-2) .867 (Clinched Division, Playoff Place & Home Field Advantage)

Dallas Cowboys (8-7) .533

Washington Redskins (7-8) .467

New York Giants (2-13) .133

NFC North

Minnesota Vikings (12-3) (Clinched Division, Playoff Place & First Round Bye)

Detroit Lions (8-7) .533

Green Bay Packers (7-8) .467

Chicago Bears (5-10) .333

NFC South

New Orleans Saints (11-4) .733 (Clinched Playoff Place)

Carolina Panthers (11-4) .733 (Clinched Playoff Place)

Atlanta Falcons (9-6) .600

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11) .267

NFC West

Los Angeles Rams (11-4) .733 (Clinched Division & Playoff Place)

Seattle Seahawks (9-6) .600

Arizona Cardinals (7-8) .467

San Francisco 49ers (5-10) .333

Latest Playoff Picture

AFC

Divisional Round

1^st Seed New England Patriots (12-3)

2^nd Seed Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3)

Wild Card Round

3^rd Seed Jacksonville Jaguars (10-5)

4^th Seed Kansas City Chiefs (9-6)

5^th Seed Baltimore Ravens (9-6)

6^th Seed Tennessee Titans (8-7)

In the hunt

7^th Seed Los Angeles Chargers (8-7)

8^th Seed Buffalo Bills (8-7)

NFC

Divisional Round

1^st Seed Philadelphia Eagles (13-2)

2^nd Seed Minnesota Vikings (12-3)

Wild Card Round

3^rd Seed Los Angeles Rams (11-4)

4^th Seed New Orleans Saints (11-4)

5^th Seed Carolina Panthers (11-4)

6^th Seed Atlanta Falcons (9-6)

In the hunt

7^th Seed Seattle Seahawks (9-6)

Week 17 Schedule

Sunday 31^st December

Washington Redskins @ New York Giants

New York Jets @ New England Patriots

Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings

Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions

Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts

Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers @ Los Angeles Rams

Oakland Raiders @ Los Angeles Chargers

Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans

New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buffalo Bills @ Miami Dolphins

Arizona Cardinals @ Seattle Seahawks

Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens

2017 Regular Season - Week 15

(Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger post match following New England Patriots thrilling win over Pittsburgh Steelers, thanks to Sky Sports NFL for the photo)

Thursday 14th December
Denver Broncos 25 Indianapolis Colts 13
Both sides knew they were just playing for pride after both have been out of the playoff picture for a few weeks now, but it was Denver who improved to 5-9 after defeating The Colts in Indianapolis and saw the home side drop to 3-11.

Saturday 16th December
Chicago Bears 10 Detroit Lions 20
The Lions remained in the NFC playoff hunt by improving to 8-6 after victory over a now 4-10 Bears who obviously cannot make the post season.

Los Angeles Chargers 13 Kansas City Chiefs 30
Kansas City grabbed another important win to remain on course for a divisional crown and the fourth seed spot in the AFC playoff picture after defeating an in form Chargers who themselves remain in the hunt for an AFC playoff berth despite defeat here.

Sunday 17th December
Houston 7 Jacksonville Jaguars 45
The Jags clinched a playoff berth after thrashing Houston in Jacksonville and currently occupy the third seed spot behind New England and Pittsburgh in the AFC playoff picture. The Texans are now 4-10 after this latest loss.

Baltimore Ravens 27 Cleveland Browns 10
The Ravens are still in the hunt for an AFC playoff berth after they downed the winless Browns in Cleveland. Baltimore are 8-6, along with fourth seed Chiefs, fifth seed Titans and sixth seed Bills, whilst Browns are now 0-14.

Green Bay Packers 24 Carolina Panthers 31
The Packers playoff hopes ended after defeat in Carolina, and saw the Panthers go 10-4 and hold fifth seed status in the NFC.

Miami Dolphins 16 Buffalo Bills 24
Buffalo remain in that all important sixth seed spot in the AFC playoffs after seeing off Miami. The Dolphins do still have faint hopes of a playoff place but at 6-8 need others to do them favours if that are to make the post season.

Cincinnati Bengals 7 Minnesota Vikings 34
Minnesota clinched their Division and a playoff berth in the NFC after dismantling the Bengals and remain in that second seed spot behind Philadelphia. Defeat saw Cincinnati's hopes of making the playoffs disappear.

Arizona Cardinals 15 Washington Redskins 20
Washington joined Arizona on 6-8 after they won a close battle in the Capital however neither side can make the NFC post season.

Philadelphia Eagles 34 New York Giants 29
The Eagles remain the best team in football after going 12-2 to confirm a first round bye in the NFC playoffs after they won a hard fought battle against New York Giants at Meadowlands. The Giants now drop to 2-12 as they look to rebuild for next season.

New York Jets 19 New Orleans Saints 31
New Orleans improved to 10-4 after they downed the Jets and meant they sit in the fourth seed spot as one of the divisional leaders in the NFC, whilst The Jets are out of the AFC playoff hunt at 5-9.

Los Angeles Rams 42 Seattle Seahawks 7
The Rams stuffed fellow NFC franchise Seattle by putting up 42 points on the road as they remain in the third seed spot in the NFC, whilst the Seahawks do still remain in the hunt at 8-6.

Tennessee Titans 23 San Francisco 49ers 25
The Titans suffered a surprising defeat against San Francisco in Calafornia, meaning the Jags Won their Division and saw the Titans in fifth spot on the playoff picture. This was a big win for the Niners as they look to finish a largely poor season in a positive way and saw them go 4-10.

New England Patriots 27 Pittsburgh Steelers 24
In the battle of seeds one and two in the AFC, The Pats came out on top in a thriller in Pittsburgh to see New England clinch their Division and also take the number one seed status. The Steelers are already guaranteed a playoff berth and probably need one more win to confirm a first round bye, as do The Patriots.

Dallas Cowboys 20 Oakland Raiders 17
The Cowboys kept their NFC playoff hopes alive for another week after seeing off Oakland Raiders in Calafornia, meaning the Raiders drop down the pecking order in the hunt for an AFC playoff berth.

Monday 18th December
Atlanta Falcons 24 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21
The Falcons Won a nailbiter in Tampa against the Bucs to hold onto sixth spot in the NFC playoff race, whilst Tampa Bay are now 4-10 and have two more weeks before their season comes to an end.

Latest Standings
AFC East
New England Patriots (11-3) .786 (Clinched Division)
Buffalo Bills (8-6) .571
Miami Dolphins (6-8) .429
New York Jets (5-9) .357

AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) .786 (Clinched Division)
Baltimore Ravens (8-6) .571
Cincinnati Bengals (5-9) .357
Cleveland Browns (0-14) .000

AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) .714 (Clinched Playoff Berth)
Tennessee Titans (8-6) .571
Houston Texans (4-10) .286
Indianapolis Colts (3-11) .214

AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs (8-6) .571
Los Angeles Chargers (7-7) .500
Oakland Raiders (6-8) .429
Denver Broncos (5-9) .357

NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles (12-2) .857 (Clinched Division)
Dallas Cowboys (8-6) .571
Washington Redskins (6-8) .429
New York Giants (2-12) .143

NFC North
Minnesota Vikings (11-3) .786 (Clinched Division)
Detroit Lions (8-6) .571
Green Bay Packers (7-7) .500
Chicago Bears (4-10) .286

NFC South
New Orleans Saints (10-4) .714
Carolina Panthers (10-4) .714
Atlanta Falcons (9-5) .643
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10) .286

NFC West
Los Angeles Rams (10-4) .714
Seattle Seahawks (8-6) .571
Arizona Cardinals (6-8) .429
San Francisco 49ers (4-10) .286

Latest Playoff Picture
AFC
Divisional Round
1st Seed New England Patriots (11-3) (Clinched Division & Playoff Place)
2nd Seed Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) (Clinched Division & Playoff Place)

Wild Card Round
3rd Seed Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) (Clinched Playoff Place)
4th Seed Kansas City Chiefs (8-6)
5th Seed Tennessee Titans (8-6)
6th Seed Buffalo Bills (8-6)

In the hunt
7th Seed Baltimore Ravens (8-6)
8th Seed Los Angeles Chargers (7-7)
9th Seed Oakland Raiders (6-8)
10th Seed Miami Dolphins (6-8)

NFC
Divisional Round
1st Seed Philadelphia Eagles (12-2) (Clinched Division, Playoff Place & First Round Bye)
2nd Seed Minnesota Vikings (11-3) (Clinched Division & Playoff Place)

Wild Card Round
3rd Seed Los Angeles Rams (10-4)
4th Seed New Orleans Saints (10-4)
5th Seed Carolina Panthers (10-4)
6th Seed Atlanta Falcons (9-5)

In the hunt
7th Seed Detroit Lions (8-6)
8th Seed Seattle Seahawks (8-6)
9th Seed Dallas Cowboys (8-6)

Week 16 Schedule
Saturday 23rd December
Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens
Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers

Sunday 24th December
Detroit Lions @ Cincinnati Bengals
Miami Dolphins @ Kansas City Chiefs
Buffalo Bills @ New England Patriots
Cleveland Browns @ Chicago Bears
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers
Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints
Denver Broncos @ Washington Redskins
Los Angeles Rams @ Tennessee Titans
Los Angeles Chargers @ New York Jets
Jacksonville Jaguars @ San Francisco 49ers
Seattle Seahawks @ Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants @ Arizona Cardinals

Monday 25th December
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Houston Texans
Oakland Raiders @ Philadelphia Eagles 

2017 Regular Season - Week 14

(Eagles QB Carson Wentz in action against LA Rams before he tore his ACL meaning he is out for the remainder of the season, thanks to Sky Sports NFL for the photo)

Thursday 7th December
New Orleans Saints 17 Atlanta Falcons 20
This all NFC South battle went the way of the Falcons and saw them improve to 8-5 and sit in the sixth spot in the playoff race, whilst the Saints remain divisonal leaders, just, on 9-4 and currently occupy the fourth seed spot in the NFC playoff race.

Sunday 10th December
Indianapolis Colts 7 Buffalo Bills 13
The Bills won a tight battle in the blizzard in Buffalo to reclaim sixth spot the the AFC playoff race and go 7-6, whilst the Colts, who are just playing for pride now, drop to 3-10.

Dallas Cowboys 30 New York Giants 10
The Cowboys thumped The Giants in New York in their all NFC East clash and means Dallas improve to 7-6 and keep their very slim hopes of a playoff berth alive.  New York, who probably cant wait for the season to end, are now 2-11.

Detroit Lions 24 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21
The Lions were victorious in Tampa Bay to keep their slim play off hopes alive after improving to 7-6 and are two seeds off the coverted sixth spot in the NFC, whilst The Bucs, who have no chance of making the post season, are 4-9.

Oakland Raiders 15 Kansas City Chiefs 26
The Chiefs won a huge battle in their all AFC West battle against Oakland to remain in the driving seat for the divisional title, and hold that fourth seed spot in the AFC too.  The Raiders are now behind both Kansas City and LA Chargers in the divisional now and are three spots off the sixth seed in the AFC, with a 6-7 record.

San Francisco 49ers 26 Houston Texans 16
Houston's play off hopes were pretty much ended after they became the Niners third scalp of the season.  The Texans now drop to 4-9 whilst San Fran are now 3-10.

Green Bay Packers 27 Cleveland Browns 21
The Packers remain in the play off hunt, just, after a six point win over the winless 0-13 Browns in Cleveland, and with the news that Aaron Rodgers will start next week's game after a miracle recovery from his broken collarbone, they will fancy three wins in the remaining three weeks which would see them end with a 10-6 record, which could be enough for a play off spot.  After that who knows?

Chicago Bears 33 Cincinnati Bengals 7
The Bears pretty much ended the Bengals play off hopes after trashing the Cincinnati franchise in their own backyard.  It was Chicago's fourth win of the season, one behind the Bengals now who are 5-8.

Minnesota Vikings 24 Carolina Panthers 31
The Vikings will have to wait another week before clinching the NFC North after they fell to defeat in Carolina against the Panthers who are still in with a shout of clinching the NFC South.  It did mean that Minnesota lost the number one seed in the NFC and dropped to number two, whilst Carolina occupy the fifth seed spot in the NFC.

Washington Redskins 13 Los Angeles Chargers 30
The Chargers are well, Charging right now, after they smashed The Redskins in LA to keep up their play off hopes in the AFC, as well as stay in with a great chance of clinching the AFC West too.  The Redskins faint playoff hopes are well and truly gone now although on this performance they kind of felt this was already the case.

New York Jets 0 Denver Broncos 23
The Broncos netted a rare win as they shut out the Jets in Denver to go 4-9, whilst the New York franchise are 5-8, although both have no chance of reaching the post season now in any case.

Tennessee Titans 7 Arizona Cardinals 12
The Titans hopes of clinching the AFC South took a blow as they fell a game behind current leaders Jacksonville after they lost a tight defensive battle in Arizona against the Cardinals.  Tennessee do still occupy the fifth seed spot in the AFC playoffs but despite the Cardinals winning, their NFC playoff hopes seem unlikely.

Philadelphia Eagles 43 Los Angeles Rams 35
The Eagles clinched the NFC East, comfirmed their post season participation and also reclaimed the number one seed after winning a shoot out against the Rams in LA.  However they were dealt a massive blow when QB Carson Wentz, who has been instrumental in Philadelphia's success this campaign and was a possible MVP candidate, suffered a season ending ACL tear.  Who knows what impact it will have on one of the best teams in football this season.  As for LA Rams, they remain in the driving seat to clinch the NFC West despite this loss, and occupy the third seed spot in the NFC.

Seattle Seahawks 24 Jacksonville Jaguars 30
The Jags are in the driving seat to clinch the AFC South after downing Seattle in Florida, meaning the currently occupy the third seed spot in the AFC.  The Seahawks meanwhile remain a game behind LA Rams in the race for the NFC West, and are just outside the wild card places in the NFC with it all to play for still.

Baltimore Ravens 38 Pittsburgh Steelers 39
Pittsburgh remain number one seed in the AFC after they won an AFC North thriller against Baltimore and in doing so clinched the AFC North and confirmed their post season participation too.  The Ravens remain right in the hunt for the playoffs though along with possibly half a dozen other franchises, so proves to be an exciting three weeks to come!!

Monday 11th December
New England Patriots 20 Miami Dolphins 27
Tom Brady had an off day as the Pats suffered a suprise defeat in Miami against the Dolphins although they still remain in the seconds seed spot in the AFC and will clinch the AFC East with one more win, so it's not all doom and gloom at Foxboro.  The Dolphins win also kept them in the hunt for a wild card spot in the AFC playoffs too along with a clutch of others.

Latest Standings
AFC East
New England Patriots (10-3) .769
Buffalo Bills (7-6) .538
Miami Dolphins (6-7) .462
New York Jets (5-8) .385

AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-2) .846 (Clinched division and playoff berth)
Baltimore Ravens (7-6) .538
Cincinnati Bengals (5-8) .385
Cleveland Browns (0-13) .000

AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) .692
Tennessee Titans (8-5) .615
Houston Texans (4-9) .308
Indianapolis Colts (3-10) .231

AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs (7-6) .538
Los Angeles Chargers (7-6) .538
Oakland Raiders (6-7) .462
Denver Broncos (4-9) .308

NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles (11-2) .846  (Clinched division and playoff berth)
Dallas Cowboys (7-6) .538
Washington Redskins (5-8) .385
New York Giants (2-11) .154

NFC North
Minnesota Vikings (10-3) .769
Detroit Lions (7-6) .538
Green Bay Packers (7-6) .538
Chicago Bears (4-9) .308

NFC South
New Orleans Saints (9-4) .692
Carolina Panthers (9-4) .692
Atlanta Falcons (8-5) .615
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-9) .308

NFC West
Los Angeles Rams (9-4) .692
Seattle Seahawks (8-5) .615
Arizona Cardinals (6-7) .462
San Francisco 49ers (3-10) .231

Latest Playoff Picture
AFC
Divisional Round
1st Seed Pittsburgh Steelers
2nd Seed New England Patriots

Wild Card Round
3rd Seed Jacksonville Jaguars
4th Seed Kansas City Chiefs
5th Seed Tennessee Titans
6th Seed Buffalo Bills

In the hunt
Baltimore Ravens
Los Angeles Chargers
Oakland Raiders
Miami Dolphins

NFC
Divisional Round
1st Seed Philadelphia Eagles
2nd Seed Minnesota Vikings

Wild Card Round
3rd Seed Los Angeles Rams
4th Seed New Orleans Saints
5th Seed Carolina Panthers
6th Seed Atlanta Falcons

In the hunt
Seattle Seahawks
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Dallas Cowboys

Week 15 Schedule
Thursday 14th December
Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts

Saturday 16th December
Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions
Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs

Sunday 17th December
Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns
Green Bay Packers @ Carolina Panthers
Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills
Cincinnati Bengals @ Minnesota Vikings
Arizona Cardinals @ Washington Redskins
Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants
New York Jets @ New Orleans Saints
Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks
Tennessee Titans @ San Francisco 49ers
New England Patriots @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Dallas Cowboys @ Oakland Raiders

Monday 18th December

Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2017 Regular Season - Week 13

(Le'Veon Bell runs in a 35 yard TD for Pittsburgh Steelers in their all AFC North matchup against Cincinnati Bengals on MNF, thanks to Sky Sports NFL for photo)

Thursday 30th November 
Washington Redskins 14 Dallas Cowboys 38
This all NFC East match up went the way of Dallas as they scored a big home win over the Washington Redskins, meaning Dallas just about stay in the NFC play off hunt at 6-6, whilst Redskins are pretty much out of the reckoning now as they fall to 5-7.

Sunday 3rd December 
Minnesota Vikings 14 Atlanta Falcons 9
The Vikings won a defensive match against The Falcons in Atlanta, meaning they are now one win away from clinching the NFC North, and also took the number one seed off the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC playoffs by improving to 10-2.  Atlanta are still in the hunt at 7-5 but will struggle to clinch their division now after falling behind both Saints and Panthers in the NFC South.

Detroit Lions 20 Baltimore Ravens 44
The Ravens improve to 7-5 in the AFC after crushing the Lions in Detroit meaning they remain in the final wild card spot in the playoffs.  Defeat for The Lions means they are now 6-6 and tied with fellow NFC North outfit Green Bay, however they are still in with a chance of the playoffs abeit a small one.

New England Patriots 23 Buffalo Bills 3
This all AFC East showdown in Buffalo went the way of New England, meaning they can clinch the division with one more win.  They also keep the number two seed in the play offs, just behind Pittsburgh, whilst for The Bills they are now 6-6 although still in with a chance of a wild card slot.

San Francisco 49ers 15 Chicago Bears 14
Neither of these sides will be at the post season party although the Niners grabbed only their second win of the season with a late field goal to go to 2-10 on the season, whilst the Bears drop to 3-9.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20 Green Bay Packers 26 (OT)
A touchdown in Overtime handed Green Bay a massive win over Tampa Bay at Lambeau Field to keep themselves well in the play off hunt in the NFC, and with Aaron Rogers possibly return in a couple of weeks they need to stay in the hunt for his return and then who knows what the Packers could do?  The Bucs, who pushed the Winsconsin side all the way, drop to 4-8.

Indianapolis Colts 10 Jacksonville Jaguars 30
This all AFC South matchup unsurprisingly went the way of the Jags as they kept tabs with divisional leaders Tennessee on 8-4 whilst also holding onto their fifth seed spot in the playoff hunt.  The Colts are just playing for pride now but were well beaten here and drop to 3-9.

Denver Broncos 9 Miami Dolphins 35
The Broncos terrible slide continued as they dropped to 3-9 after being destroyed by Miami in Florida.  The win for the Dolphins takes them to 5-7 and still with a slim chance of an AFC playoff wild card slot.

Kansas City Chiefs 31 New York Jets 38
What has happened to The Chiefs over the last eight weeks?  5-0 and the best team in football after five weeks have now lost six of their last seven outings to go in a three way 6-6 battle in the AFC West with Chargers and Raiders.  Chiefs still have the divisional lead, but only just, along with that fourth seed spot in the playoff race.  The Jets improve to 5-7 and are ahead of the Dolphins in the seedings in the hunt for the wild card slots so still have a slim chance of making it.

Houston Texans 13 Tennessee Titans 24
The Titans kept top spot in the AFC South, just ahead of the Jaguars, after downing the Texans in an all AFC South contest in Houston.  Tennessee remain the third seed in the playoffs too whilst it's pretty much all over for Houston at 4-8.

Cleveland Browns 10 Los Angeles Chargers 19
The Chargers are now level with The Chiefs and The Raiders at 6-6 in the wide open AFC West after they handed the worst team in football their 12th straight loss this season to remain the only side without a win in the current campaign.  The LA side are right on the heals of that sixth play off spot, occupied by Kansas City, so a tense few weeks is ahead for those AFC West teams.

Carolina Panthers 21 New Orleans Saints 31
This was billed as a huge NFC  South clash and the winners knew they would gain an advantage at the top of the division with a win, and the Saints took it to go a game ahead of the Panthers and also take the fourth seed spot in the NFC playoff race as the Panthers now occupy the final wild card spot in the race for post season.

Los Angeles Rams 32 Arizona Cardinals 16
The Rams kept the divisional lead at one game in the NFC West over Seattle after blasting the Cardinals in Arizona in this all NFC West matchup to go 9-3 on the season and occupy the number three seed in the NFC.  The Cardinals are now the lowest seeded 5-7 team and see their slim chances of qualifying for the playoffs almost disappear here.

New York Giants 17 Oakland Raiders 24
The Giants decision to bench Eli Manning drew all the headlines prior to this encounter but his replacement Gino Smith could not help his side to victory as the Raiders took an important win to make it a three way 6-6 battle in the AFC West.  New York dropped to 2-10 and yesterday fired head coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese as they look to make wholesale changes after one of their worst seasons on record.

Philadelphia Eagles 10 Seattle Seahawks 24
The Eagles lost their number one seeding in the NFC after they fell to only their second loss of the season at Seattle to go 10-2 on the season.  A win would of seen Philly clinch the NFC East however that looks like only a matter of time anyway, however they need to make sure they dont fall out of those Divisional Round spots with anymore slip ups.  The Seahawks remain a game behind the Rams in the NFC West but are in the fifth seed spot still in the play off race.

Monday 4th December 
Pittsburgh Steelers 23 Cincinnati Bengals 20 
Steelers won this all AFC North match up after coming from behind to win with a field goal as time expired to hold onto their number one seed spot in the AFC playoffs.  They could also clinch their division next week.  For the Bengals it was so near yet so far to toppling one of the best teams about right now, and they drop to 5-7 as a result of this defeat with slim hopes of a play off spot.

Latest Standings
AFC East
New England Patriots (10-2) .833
Buffalo Bills (6-6) .500
New York Jets (5-7) .417
Miami Dolphins (5-7) .417

AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-2) .833
Baltimore Ravens (7-5) .583
Cincinnati Bengals (5-7) .417
Cleveland Browns (0-12) .000

AFC South
Tennessee Titans (8-4) .667
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) .667
Houston Texans (4-8) .333
Indianapolis Colts (3-9) .250

AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs (6-6) .500
Los Angeles Chargers (6-6) .500
Oakland Raiders (6-6) .500
Denver Broncos (3-9) .250

NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) .833
Dallas Cowboys (6-6) .500
Washington Redskins (5-7) .417
New York Giants (2-10) .167

NFC North
Minnesota Vikings (10-2) .833
Detroit Lions (6-6) .500
Green Bay Packers (6-6) .500
Chicago Bears (3-9) .250

NFC South
New Orleans Saints (9-3) .750
Carolina Panthers (8-4) .667
Atlanta Falcons (7-5) .583
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-8) .333

NFC West
Los Angeles Rams (9-3) .750
Seattle Seahawks (8-4) .667
Arizona Cardinals (5-7) .417
San Francisco 49ers (2-10) .167

Playoff Picture after Week 13
AFC
Divisional Round
1st Seed Pittsburgh Steelers (10-2)
2nd Seed New England Patriots (10-2)

Wild Card Round
3rd Seed Tennessee Titans (8-4)
4th Seed Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
5th Seed Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
6th Seed Baltimore Ravens (7-5)

In The Hunt
Los Angeles Chargers (6-6)
Buffalo Bills (6-6)
Oakland Raiders (6-6)

NFC
Divisional Round 
1st Seed Minnesota Vikings (10-2)
2nd Seed Philadelphia Eagles (10-2)

Wild Card Round
3rd Seed Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
4th Seed New Orleans Saints (9-3)
5th Seed Seattle Seahawks (8-4)
6th Seed Carolina Panthers (8-4)

In The Hunt
Atlanta Falcons (7-5)

Here are Week 14's fixtures
Thursday 7th December
New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons

Sunday 10th December
Indianapolis Colts @ Buffalo Bills
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
Detroit Lions @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs
San Francisco 49ers @ Houston Texans
Green Bay Packers @ Cleveland Browns
Chicago Bears @ Cincinnati Bengals
Minnesota Vikings @ Carolina Panthers
Washington Redskins @ Los Angeles Chargers
New York Jets @ Denver Broncos
Tennessee Titans @ Arizona Cardinals
Philadelphia Eagles @ Los Angeles Rams
Seattle Seahawks @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Monday 11th December
New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins


Some mouthwatering matchups there, it's hotting up in the NFL!!!

2017 Regular Season - Week 12

(Action between New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Rams in LA, thanks to Sky Sports NFL for the photo)

Thursday 23rd November (Thanksgiving Day)

Minnesota Vikings 30 Detroit Lions 23

Vikings remain the second seeded team in the NFC playoff picture after downing Detroit to go 9-2 whilst defeat for the Lions leaves them on 6-5 although still in the huny for a NFC playoff position. 

Los Angeles Chargers 28 Dallas Cowboys 6

The Chargers are right in the mix for the AFC playoffs after improving to 5-6 following a crushing win in Dallas, which left the Cowboys NFC playoff hopes in the balance after they fell to 5-6.

New York Giants 10 Washington Redskins 20

The Redskins kept their playoff hopes alive just after going to 5-6 by seeing off the New York Giants in the capital, which leaves the north east coast franchise now on 2-9 and are now officially out of the playoff picture, although we kind of knew that already.

Sunday 26th November 

Buffalo Bills 16 Kansas City Chiefs 10

The Bills are right in the hunt for an AFC playoff place after downing a fast sliding Chiefs team who themselves have now lost five of their last six games and are now 6-5 after starting the season 5-0. They do remain the fourth seed in the AFC playoffs right now although they will need to stop this slide to maintain that position. 

Tennessee Titans 20 Indianapolis Colts 16

The Titans edged out the Colts to remain the third seed in the AFC playoffs whilst the Colts drop to 3-8 and although not officially out of the AFC playoff hunt, they are as good as.

Cleveland Browns 16 Cincinnati Bengals 30

The Browns are now officially out of the playoff picture after dropping to 0-11 on the season with defeat on Cincinnati. The Bengals however are right in the hunt for an AFC playoff place at 5-6 after this win.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20 Atlanta Falcons 34

The Falcons beat the Bucs to maintain their sixth seed status in the NFC playoff race, whilst Tampa are now 4-7 and pretty much out of the NFC playoff picture. 

Miami 17 New England Patriots 35

The Pats are still the number two seed in the AFC playoff picture after defeating the Dolphins in Foxboro, a defeat that leaves the Miami side struggling to make the AFC playoff picture. 

Chicago Bears 3 Philadelphia Eagles 31

The Eagles are still the best team in football at 10-1 after they thrashed Chicago in Philly. The Eagles are unsurprisingly the number one seeds right now in the NFC whilst The Bears at 3-8 are most likely out of the NFC playoff picture.

Carolina Panthers 35 New York Jets 27

The Panthers are now the fifth seed in the NFC after they defeated The Jets in New York, and in doing so harmed the hosts play off hopes in the AFC after they dropped to 4-7. 

Seattle Seahawks 24 San Francisco 49ers 13

The Niners are now officially out of the play off hunt after they lost to Seattle in San Francisco although this was pretty much confirmed a while ago, however it's a different story for the Seahawks who are right in the play off hunt in the NFC at 7-4 and battling the Falcons for that sixth seed spot.

New Orleans Saints 20 Los Angeles Rams 26

The Rams ended The Saints winning run to become the NFC's third seed in the play off picture as their opponents are now seeded fourth in the NFC's race to the post season showdown.  Both teams are on 8-3 for the season.

Jacksonville Jaguars 24 Arizona Cardinals 27

Arizona scored a late late field goal to take the spoils in this one and give themselves an outside chance of still making the NFC play off picture.  Defeat for the Jags saw them drop from third to fifth seed in the AFC as they went to 7-4 on the season.

Denver Broncos 14 Oakland Raiders 21

Oakland got themselves into the playoff hunt in the AFC after beating a fast sinking Broncos outfit in Calafornia.  Raiders join three other sides on 5-6 in the playoff hunt whilst Denver are pretty much out of the AFC playoff race at 3-8.

Green Bay Packers 28 Pittsburgh Steelers 31

Sunday night football saw a cracker between The Packers and The Steelers in Pittsburgh and it took a field goal as time expired from the hosts to finally settle this one, meaning Pittsburgh remain the number one seed in the AFC whilst the Packers it's now a 5-6 record in the NFC and along with The Cowboys, Redskins and Cardinals are relying on others to slip if they are to make the NFC post season.

Monday 27th November 

Houston Texans 16 Baltimore Ravens 23

Baltimore netted a win over Houston on Monday Night Football to become the AFC's sixth seed at the expense of Buffalo who had sneaked back into that spot on Sunday, however for the Texans its now a 4-7 record and a struggle to reach the playoffs it seems.

Latest Standings:-

AFC East

New England Patriots (9-2) .818

Buffalo Bills (6-5) .545

New York Jets (4-7) .364

Miami Dolphins (4-7) .364

AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-2) .818

Baltimore Ravens (6-5) .545

Cincinnati Bengals (5-6) .455

Cleveland Browns (0-11) .000

AFC South

Tennessee Titans (7-4) .636

Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4) .636

Houston Texans (4-7) .364

Indianapolis Colts (3-8) .273

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) .545

Los Angeles Chargers (5-6) .455

Oakland Raiders (5-6) .455

Denver Broncos (3-8) .273

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) .909

Dallas Cowboys (5-6) .455

Washington Redskins (5-6) .455

New York Giants (2-9) .182

NFC North

Minnesota Vikings (9-2) .818

Detroit Lions (6-5) .545

Green Bay Packers (5-6) .455

Chicago Bears (3-8) .273

NFC South

New Orleans Saints (8-3) .727

Carolina Panthers (8-3) .727

Atlanta Falcons (7-4) .636

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7) .364

NFC West

Los Angeles Rams (8-3) .727

Seattle Seahawks (7-4) .636

Arizona Cardinals (5-6) .455

San Francisco 49ers (1-10) .091

Full playoff picture after Week 12:-

AFC

1st Seed Pittsburgh Steelers (9-2)

2nd Seed New England Patriots (9-2)

3rd Seed Tennessee Titans (7-4)

4th Seed Kansas City Chiefs (6-5)

5th Seed Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4)

6th Seed Baltimore Ravens (6-5)

In the hunt

Buffalo Bills (6-5)

Cincinnati Bengals (5-6)

Los Angeles Chargers (5-6)

Oakland Raiders (5-6)

NFC

1st Seed Philadelphia Eagles (10-1)

2nd Seed Minnesota Vikings (9-2)

3rd Seed Los Angeles Rams (8-3)

4th Seed New Orleans Saints (8-3)

5th Seed Carolina Panthers (8-3)

6th Seed Atlanta Falcons (7-4)

In the hunt

Seattle Seahawks (7-4)

Detroit Lions (6-5)

Green Bay Packers (5-6)

Dallas Cowboys (5-6)

Washington Redskins (5-6)

Arizona Cardinals (5-6)

Here are Week 13's fixtures:-

Thursday 30th November

Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys

Sunday 3rd December

Minnesota Vikings @ Atlanta Falcons

Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans

Kansas City Chiefs @ New York Jets

Denver Broncos @ Miami Dolphins

Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Green Bay Packers

Detroit Lions @ Baltimore Ravens

New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills

San Francisco 49ers @ Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns @ Los Angeles Chargers

New York Giants @ Oakland Raiders

Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints

Los Angeles Rams @ Arizona Cardinals 

Philadelphia Eagles @ Seattle Seahawks

Monday 4th December

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cincinnati Bengals