Thursday, 28 December 2017

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 23rd 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 24th 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 25th 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
1st Seed New England Patriots (12-3)
2nd Seed Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3)

Wild Card Round
3rd Seed Jacksonville Jaguars (10-5)
4th Seed Kansas City Chiefs (9-6)
5th Seed Baltimore Ravens (9-6)
6th Seed Tennessee Titans (8-7)

In the hunt
7th Seed Los Angeles Chargers (8-7)
8th Seed Buffalo Bills (8-7)

NFC
Divisional Round
1st Seed Philadelphia Eagles (13-2)
2nd Seed Minnesota Vikings (12-3)

Wild Card Round
3rd Seed Los Angeles Rams (11-4)
4th Seed New Orleans Saints (11-4)
5th Seed Carolina Panthers (11-4)
6th Seed Atlanta Falcons (9-6)

In the hunt
7th Seed Seattle Seahawks (9-6)

Week 17 Schedule
Sunday 31st 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

Thursday, 21 December 2017

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 

Wednesday, 13 December 2017

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

Tuesday, 5 December 2017

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!!!

Thursday, 30 November 2017

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 

Tuesday, 21 November 2017

2017 Regular Season - Week 11

(With the Patriots winning in Mexico, Tom Brady & Bill Belichick have now won an NFL game in three different countries, thanks to NFL UK for the photo)

Thursday 16th November
Tennessee Titans 17 Pittsburgh Steelers 40
Ben Roethlisberger threw for 299 yards and 4 TDs as his Steelers ran away with their game in the fourth quarter to eventually see of the Titans at Heinz Field.  Brown received for 144 yards and scored 3 TDs for the Steelers, accounting for almost half his QB's yardage thrown.  Matthews received for 113 yards and scored a TD for the Titans however it was all in vain as they fell to 6-4 although are still well in the playoff hunt in the AFC, whilst Pittsburgh are in total charge of the AFC North at 8-2.

Sunday 19th November
Detroit Lions 27 Chicago Bears 24
Detroit edged past Chicago at Solder Field in their NFC North divisonal match up to keep their NFC playoff hopes alive.  Stafford threw for 299 yards and 2 TDs whilst Jones was main man for his QB, receiving for 85 yards and netting a TD.  The Bears pushed them all the way though and helped by Jo.Howard's 125 rushing yards and a TD almost pulled off victory here however they are now 3-7 and well out of the play off picture.

Jacksonville Jaguars 19 Cleveland Browns 7
The Jags are in pole position in the AFC South after they recorded a scratchy win over the winless Browns.  This was mainly down to Fournette whose 28 carries yielded 111 yards for the visitors on the ground.  Neither QB threw for many yards, Bortles 154 and Kizer 179, however both did throw for a TD with the top receiver in the game being the Browns Coleman with 80 yards.

Baltimore Ravens 23 Green Bay Packers 0
The Ravens shut out the Packers at Lambeau Field to go 5-5 and keep themselves well in the playoff picture in the AFC.  Flacco threw for only 183 yards with 1 TD though with top receiver being Wallace with 56 yards and that TD.  Adams did receive for 126 yards for the Packers however the Packers NFC playoff hopes hang in the balance after they fell to 5-5.

Arizona Cardinals 21 Houston Texans 31
Houston snapped a three game loosing streak to get themselves back in the play off picture after defeating Arizona, whose play off hopes in the NFC took a blow.  Savage threw for 230 yards and 2 TDs in a winning cause although losing QB Gabbert did better, throwing for 257 yards and all three of the Cardinals TDs.  Top receiver was also on the loosing side, Fitzgerland receiving for 91 yards and getting a TD too, however the Texans put up some good numbers throughout to take the win.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30 Miami Dolphins 20
Tampa Bay grabbed their fourth win on the season after downing the Dolphins in Miami, meaning both are 4-6 although with Miami being in the weaker AFC, they have a much better chance of making the playoffs still.  Bucs QB Fitzpatrick threw for 275 yards and 2 TDs and saw Evans receive for 92 yards from five plays.  Miami's Stills received for an incredible 180 yards from seven plays and scored a TD too but it was all in a loosing cause.

Los Angeles Rams 7 Minnesota Vikings 24
The Vikings won the all 7-2 NFC battle at the US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis to take charge of the NFC North.  The Rams scored with the games very first drive however failed to net a single point thereafter as the home side defense took over.  And the offensive star players for Vikings were Murray, who rushed for 95 yards and scored two TDs, and Thielen, who received for 123 yards and one TD.  Despite defeat LA are still top of the NFC West at 7-3.

Kansas City Chiefs 9 New York Giants 12 (OT)
The Giants recorded only their second win of the season with victory over AFC play off hopefuls Kansas City at Meadowlands.  The only TD of the entire game came from the Giants when Manning found Darkwa in the endzone in the games first score.  FG's were the order of the day and at 9-9 in OT, the Giants kicked the winning kick and inflicted Chiefs fourth defeat in five as their season continues to stutter after such a good start.

Washington Redskins 31 New Orleans Saints 34 (OT)
The Saints have now won eight straight after they came from 31-16 down in the final quarter to win in OT and go 8-2 to maintain their front runners status in the NFC playoff hunt.  Cousins threw for 322 yards and 3 TDs and saw Perine rush for 117 yards and one TD and also saw Doctson and Crowder receive for a combined 153 yards as it looked for all money the Redskins were going to snap the Saints amazing winning run.  However Brees threw for 385 yards and 2 TDs with Ingram rushing for 134 yards and 1 TD, and that together with Fleener and Thomas receiving for a combined 182 yards, the Saints pinched it in OT and seriously hurt Washington's play off chances.

Buffalo Bills 24 Los Angeles Chargers 54
Bills decision to bench starting QB Tyrod Taylor spectaculary backfired as rookie QB Peterman threw for five interceptions and had an appauling first half which saw the Bills trail 37-7 at the break.  Taylor was then recalled for the second half and managed to throw for 158 yards and a TD, however the damage was already done.  Rivers threw for 251 yards and 2 TDs as the Chargers ran all over the Bills defense and star man was Allen who received for 159 yards and 2 TDs and it means the LA side are right in the playoff hunt now in the AFC.  Bills are also in the hunt still but are sliding fast and the decision to bench Taylor looks even more ridiculous now.

Cincinnati Bengals 20 Denver Broncos 17
Dalton threw for 3 TDs as the Bengals held on to win at Mile High in Denver and keep their play off hopes well and truly alive in the AFC.  Green and Erickson both netted receiving TDs and netted a combined 92 yards, whilst on the other side Anderson scored a rushing TD for the Broncos and Thomas a receiving TD, netting a combined 118 yards with Booker in the air.  However the Broncos are now 3-7 and probably just out of the play off picture now, although in this wide open AFC, you never know.

New England Patriots 33 Oakland Raiders 8
Another faultless performance from Tom Brady helped the Pats to go 8-2 and remain one of the top teams in football right now after they comfortably saw off Oakland in Mexico City's Estadio Azteca.  Brady threw for 339 yards and 3 TDs and saw WR Cooks put up some big numbers, receiving for 149 yards and a 64 yard TD reception too.  Oakland aren't out of the playoff picture yet though, 4-6 and two wins behind Kansas City in the AFC West.

Philadelphia Eagles 37 Dallas Cowboys 9
The Eagles scored thirty unanswered second half points as they ended up thrashing Dallas in their own backyard to send out another statement to the other franchises within the NFL that they are the real deal.  The Cowboys, who really needed to win this one to have any chance of winning their division and giving their playoff chances a boost, led 9-7 at the half, however they saw british born Ajayi rush for 91 yards as the Eagles steamrolled them in the final two quarters and drop to 5-5, whilst the Eagles are still the number one team at 9-1.

Monday 20th November
Atlanta Falcons 34 Seattle Seahawks 31
The Falcons stunned Seattle in the final Week 11 matchup in the NFL on Monday night, clinging on to win after Blair Walsh missed a 52 yard FG attempt to tie the game and force OT.  Wilson threw for 258 yards and 2 TDs for the Seahawks and was also top rusher for his side, netting 86 yards on the floor as well as a TD, however it was in vain as Ryan threw 2 TD passes, keeping Falcons playoff hopes alive in the process, and denying Seahawks top spot in the NFC West.

Here are the latest standings:-
AFC East
New England Patriots (8-2) .800
Buffalo Bills (5-5) .500
Miami Dolphins (4-6) .400
New York Jets (4-6) .400

AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2) .800
Baltimore Ravens (5-5) .500
Cincinnati Bengals (4-6) .400
Cleveland Browns (0-10) .000

AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars (7-3) .700
Tennessee Titans (6-4) .600
Houston Texans (4-6) .400
Indianapolis Colts (3-7) .300

AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs (6-4) .600
Los Angeles Chargers (4-6) .400
Oakland Raiders (4-6) .400
Denver Broncos (3-7) .300

NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles (9-1) .900
Dallas Cowboys (5-5) .500
Washington Redskins (4-6) .400
New York Giants (2-8) .200

NFC North
Minnesota Vikings (8-2) .800
Detroit Lions (6-4) .600
Green Bay Packers (5-5) .500
Chicago Bears (3-7) .300

NFC South
New Orleans Saints (8-2) .800
Carolina Panthers (7-3) .700
Atlanta Falcons (6-4) .600
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) .400

NFC West
Los Angeles Rams (7-3) .700
Seattle Seahawks (6-4) .600
Arizona Cardinals (4-6) .400
San Francisco 49ers (1-9) .100

Here is the current play off picture:-
AFC
Divisional Round (Jan 13th/14th)
1st Seed - Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2)
2nd Seed - New England Patriots (8-2)

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

In the hunt
Buffalo Bills (5-5)
Miami Dolphins (4-6)
New York Jets (4-6)
Cincinnati Bengals (4-6)
Houston Texans (4-6)
Los Angeles Chargers (4-6)
Oakland Raiders (4-6)

The AFC sees pretty much the whole conference in with a chance of a play off spot still.  Their are six teams on 4-6 who could easily still make the playoffs, so it's all to play for in that conference that's for sure!!!

NFC
Divisional Round (Jan 13th/14th)
1st Seed - Philadelphia Eagles (9-1)
2nd Seed - Minnesota Vikings (8-2)

Wild Card Round (Jan 6th/7th)
3rd Seed - New Orleans Saints (8-2)
4th Seed - Los Angeles Rams (7-3) 
5th Seed - Carolina Panthers (7-3)
6th Seed - Atlanta Falcons (6-4)

In the hunt
Detroit Lions (6-4)
Seattle Seahawks (6-4)
Green Bay Packers (5-5)
Dallas Cowboys (5-5)

The NFC looks a much stronger conference and realistically you would say one of the 6-4 sides will take that sixth seed spot, however you never know in this competitive NFL.

Here are Week 12's matchups:-
Thanksgiving Day (Thursday 23rd November)
Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions (important matchup for NFC playoffs)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Dallas Cowboys (both need to win to maintain playoff ambitions)
New York Giants @ Washington Redskins (local rivarly at stake in this NFC East battle)

Sunday 26th November
Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs (both sides sliding at moment and so victory would be welcome for either in play off battle)
Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts (Titans win would strengthen play off place)
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals (Bengals win would give play off hopes boost)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons (Falcons win would maintain their seeded status in the play offs)
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (Dolphins in the hunt, Pats one of the top seeds)
Chicago Bears @ Philadephia Eagles (Bears out of the running, Phily top seed)
Carolina Panthers @ New York Jets (fifth seeded Panthers up against an in the hunt Jets)
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (Seahawks could gran wild card seed with win)
New Orleans Saints @ Los Angeles Rams (Saints going for nine straight, Rams could go 8-3 with Saints with win, big game)
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Arizona Cardinals (Jags 3rd seeds in the AFC, Cards probably out of NFC picture)
Denver Broncos @ Oakland Raiders (Oakland still in hunt, Broncos out of it)
Green Bay Packers @ Pittsburgh Steelers (Packers still in the hunt in NFC, Pittsburgh top seeds in the AFC)

Monday 27th November
Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens (Texans in the hunt and one of many chasing sixth seed spot in AFC currently occupied by the Ravens, big game)

So the play off race is hotting up now, ill be back with Week 12 next week.

Wednesday, 15 November 2017

2017 Regular Season - Week 10

(Jacksonville Jaguars RB Corey Grant runs in 56 yard TD after a fake punt play against LA Chargers, thanks to Sky Sports NFL for photo)

Thursday 9th November
Seattle Seahawks 22 Arizona Cardinals 16
In the all NFC West Divisional matchup on Thursday night football The Seahawks improved to 6-3 after dowining the Cardinals at Arrowhead leaving the home side 4-5 on the season.  Russell Wilson threw for 238 yards and 2 TDs whilst Baldwin caught five passes for 95 yards.  The Cardinals saw Larry Fitzgerald make ten receptions for 113 yards but it was all in vain for the defeated Cardinals who drop below 0.500 for the season.

Sunday 12th November
Green Bay Packers 23 Chicago Bears 16
In an all NFC North rivalry at Soldier Field the Packers got the better of the Bears to go 5-4 and remain two wins behind the Minnesota Vikings whilst the Bears drop to 3-6 on the season. Williams rushed twenty times for 67 yards whilst Adams caught five passes from Hundley for 90 yards as well as a TD.  Bears QB Trubisky threw for almost 300 yards and 1 TD with Inman and Bellamy receiving almost half of those yards with 145 between them, however it was in a losing cause as the Packers kept themselves in the hunt for the playoffs.

Cleveland Browns 24 Detroit Lions 38
The Browns are now the only remaining side with a 0.000 record now after the AFC North outfit lost on the road at Detroit Lions who remain level with the Packers in the NFC North at 5-4 and in the play off hunt still.  Matthew Stafford threw for 249 yards and 3 TDs with Abdullah (52 yards) the best rusher and Tate (6 receptions and 97 yards with 1 TD) the top receiver for the Lions.  For the Browns Crowell ran for 90 yards and DeValve caught 4 passes from Kizer for 70 yards. 

Pittsburgh Steelers 20 Indianapolis Colts 17
The Steelers overcame a 10-3 half time deficit to squeeze past the Colts in Indianapolis and take total charge of the AFC North in the process.  Ben Roethlisberger threw for 231 yards and 2 TDs whilst Bell ran for 80 yards in his 26 carries and Smith-Schuster caught five passes for 97 yards as well as 1 TD.  For the Colts Brissett threw for 222 yards and 2TDs with Rogers receiving for over 100 yards and scoring one TD in a losing cause.  The AFC South side now drop to 3-7 on the season.

Los Angeles Chargers 17 Jacksonville Jaguars 20 (OT)
The Jaguars won a tight one at home to the Chargers in overtime to join Tennessee Titans on 6-3 at the top of the AFC South.  Blake Bortles threw for 273 yards and 1 TD as well as being the second best rusher with 34 yards in five rushes, whilst the best receivers for the hosts were Hurns and Cole, who caught ten passes for 131 yards between them.  Phillip Rivers didn't have a bad night either, throwing for 235 yards and 2TDs, but the Chargers now drop to 3-6 in the AFC West.

New Orleans Saints 47 Buffalo Bills 10
The Saints put up almost 500 yards of offense as they made it seven wins on the spin after thrashing the Bills in Buffalo.  The Bills led early on through a field goal but once the visitors got going it was one way traffic as the damage was done on the ground, with Ingram and Kamara recording 100+ rushing stats and Thomas receving for over 100 yards too.  Even Drew Brees scored a rushing TD as the Bills defense had no answer to the Saints offensive power.  The Saints now sit top of the NFC South with a 7-2 record whilst Bills lose ground on the New England Patriots in the AFC East, on 5-4 now and two wins behind the Foxboro outfit.

New York Jets 10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 15
The Buccaneers recorded a rare victory when they defeated the Jets in Tampa, leaving the New Yorkers bottom of the AFC East on 4-6.  Martin rushed twenty times for 51 yards for the home side whilst Jackson and Godwin caught 11 passes for 150 yards between them.  Jets QB McCown threw for 262 yards and a TD in a losing cause but victory for Tampa Bay means they improve to 3-6 at the bottom of the NFC South.

Minnesota Vikings 38 Washington Redskins 30
The Vikings took charge of the NFC North after seeing off the Redskins in Washington to go 7-2 on the season.  QB Keenum had a good day, throwing for 304 yards and 4 TDs and found Thielen eight times as the receiver notched up 166 yards and a TD to boot.  Redskins QB Cousins also threw for over 300 yards however he could only complete half his attempts as the home side slipped to 4-5 and drop below the 0.500 mark in the NFC East.

Cincinnati Bengals 20 Tennessee Titans 24
A late TD from the Titans saw them take victory over the Bengals meaning the AFC South divisional battle heats up as they tied up at 6-3 with the Jaguars.  QB Mariota threw for 264 yards and 1 TD as he led his side to victory, with receivers Walker and Matthews the main pass receipients with 113 yards between them.  Mariota was also one of the top rushers with 51 yards along with Henry, who rushed for 52 yards from his 11 carries.  For the Bengals Andy Dalton threw for 265 yards and 2 TDs whilst Green received for 115 yards, but it wasn't enough as the Bengals now drop to 3-6.

Houston Texans 7 Los Angeles Rams 33
The Rams continue their fine season after downing the Texans in LA to remain top of the NFC West, one win ahead of the Seahawks.  Jared Goff had an excellent day at QB for the Rams, throwing for 355 yards and 3 TDs with Woods the star receiver netting 171 yards in his eight receptions and scoring 2 TDs too.  Hopkins did net 111 yards receiving for the Texans but it was a rare bright spark for the Texans who drop to 3-6 and fall three wins behind Titans and Jaguars in the AFC South.

Dallas Cowboys 7 Atlanta Falcons 27
The Falcons came from an early TD deficit to record a comfortable win at the Mercedes Benz Stadium over the Cowboys.  Much was made of the absence of the suspended Elliott and although their offense appeared to miss him, the big problem was the protection given to QB Dak Prescott, who was sacked eight times, six of those by Adrian Clayborn who had a superb day in the Atlanta defense.  It meant the Cowboys now trail Philadelphia Eagles by three wins in the NFC East, handing the division to the Eagles so it seems.  The Falcons, who had this game down as must win after four straight losses, are now 5-4 and in the hunt for the playoffs.

New York Giants 21 San Francisco 49ers 31
The Niners finally won their first match of the season after the Giants season lurched from bad to worse to even worse still following defeat in California.  Niners QB Beatherd threw for 288 yards and 2 TDs whilst Hyde rushed for almost 100 yards and Goodwin netted 83 yards receiving.  Eli Manning didn't have too bad a game for the Giants, throwing for 273 yards and 2 TDs, with Shepard netting 142 yards receiving, however this loss heaps more woe on the Giants who now drop to 1-8 on the season.

New England Patriots 41 Denver Broncos 16
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick tied Tom Landry for the third all time wins as a head coach on 270 after his side thrashed the Broncos at Mile High in Colorado.  Tom Brady was at his imperial best, throwing for 266 yards and 3 TDs with Cooks and Gronkowski his main receivers with 151 yards between them.  Sanders received for 137 yards for the hosts but they have now conceded 92 points in their last two outings, admittidly against arguelbly the two best sides in the NFL right now, however this result leaves them down at the bottom of the AFC West on 3-6, whilst the Patriots march on and are in charge of the AFC East on 7-2.

Monday 13th November
Miami Dolphins 21 Carolina Panthers 45
Cam Newton led the Panthers to victory over the Dolphins in Charlotte and saw his side move to 7-3 and sit just behind the Saints in the NFC South.  The talented QB threw for 254 yards and 4 TDs and was also the second best rusher with 95 yards from five carries, an average 19 yards per carry, with Stewart the top rusher with 110 yards from 17 carries.  Jay Cutler threw two TD passes for the Dolphins however defeat leaves the Miami franchise on 4-5 and clinging onto their play off chances.

Here are the latest standings:-
AFC East
New England Patriots (7-2) 0.778
Buffalo Bills (5-4) 0.556
Miami Dolphins (4-5) 0.444
New York Jets (4-6) 0.400

AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2) 0.778
Baltimore Ravens (4-5) 0.444
Cincinnati Bengals (3-6) 0.333
Cleveland Browns (0-9) 0.000

AFC South 
Tennessee Titans (6-3) 0.667
Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3) 0.667
Houston Texans (3-6) 0.333
Indianapolis Colts (3-7) 0.300

AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs (6-3) 0.667
Oakland Raiders (4-5) 0.444
Los Angeles Chargers (3-6) 0.333
Denver Broncos (3-6) 0.333

NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles (8-1) 0.889
Dallas Cowboys (5-4) 0.556
Washington Redskins (4-5) 0.444
New York Giants (1-8) 0.111

NFC North
Minnesota Vikings (7-2) 0.778
Detroit Lions (5-4) 0.556
Green Bay Packers (5-4) 0.556
Chicago Bears (3-6) 0.333

NFC South
New Orleans Saints (7-2) 0.778
Carolina Panthers (7-3) 0.700
Atlanta Falcons (5-4) 0.556
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-6) 0.333

NFC West
Los Angeles Rams (7-2) 0.778
Seattle Seahawks (6-3) 0.667
Arizona Cardinals (4-5) 0.444
San Francisco 49ers (1-9) 0.100

Here is the Play Off Picture after week 10:-
AFC
Divisional Round
1st Seed Pittsburgh Steelers
2nd Seed New England Patriots

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

In the hunt
Baltimore Ravens
Oakland Raiders
Miami Dolphins

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

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

In the hunt
Atlanta Falcons
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Dallas Cowboys

Here are Week 11's fixtures:-
Thursday 16th November 
Tennessee Titans @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Sunday 19th November
Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cleveland Browns
Baltimore Ravens @ Green Bay Packers
Arizona Cardinals @ Houston Texans
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Miami Dolphins
Los Angeles Rams @ Minnesota Vikings
Kansas City Chiefs @ New York Giants
Washington Redskins @ New Orleans Saints
Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Chargers
Cincinnati Bengals @ Denver Broncos
New England Patriots @ Oakland Raiders
Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys

Monday 20th November
Atlanta Falcons @ Seattle Seahawks