Philadelphia Eagles' DeSean Jackson returns a punt for a touchdown during the final moments of the fourth quarter of the game against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium. Kathy Willens/AP/Press Association Images
NFL
Tuesday morning quarterback: playoff picture still not clear
We learn a little bit more about the coming post-season – and are treated to one of the best games in years.
WITH JUST TWO remaining in the NFL regular season the playoff picture remains unclear as only four teams have managed to secure a postseason berth.
Week 15 in the NFL saw the Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears join the New England Patriots in the playoffs but, with just two weeks remaining, the Bears are the only confirmed division winners (NFC North) in the entire league.
While the Falcons (NFC South) and Patriots (AFC East) are likely to win their respective divisions, the Steelers loss to the New York Jets blows the AFC North title race wide open after the Baltimore Ravens took their record to 10-4 with a hard-fought win over the New Orleans Saints.
The game of the weekend though was undoubtedly the New York Giants shocking loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East. The Giants, leading by 21 points with just over seven minutes to go, allowed the Eagles to score 28 points, including a 65-yard punt return, to win the game.
It was the greatest capitulation in the Giants’ history and though head coach Tom Coughlin focused most of his rage at rookie punter Matt Dodge, the entire team should take the blame for this loss as blown defensive coverage on an onside kick and Eli Manning’s failure to run out the clock contributed to it as much as Dodge’s botched kick.
The other big shock of the weekend was the Detroit Lions managing to win away from home for the first time since they won in Chicago on October 28, 2007.
It brings to an end a 26 game losing streak on the road, the longest in NFL history.
The win, the Lions second in a row, has also dealt a massive blow to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ playoff ambitions. Though they can still mathematically qualify for the postseason, the Bucs will have to rely on other teams losing their remaining two games.
There is a good argument that Devin Hester’s NFL record 14th kick return for a touchdown should be our play of the week. However, this week we have to salute the New England Patriots’ Dan Connolly.
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Connolly, who weighs a whopping 22 stone (313 lbs), collected a kick before running for 71 yards, believed to be the longest return by an offensive lineman in NFL history.
Connolly should serve as inspiration to all of us who aren’t perfect athletic specimens:
Other Games and predicted winners:
San Francisco 49ers (7) @ San Diego Chargers (34)
New Orleans Saints (24) @ Baltimore Ravens (30)
Buffalo Bills (17) @ Miami Dolphins (14)
Arizona Cardinals (12) @ Carolina Panthers (19)
Detroit Lions (23) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20)
Philadelphia Eagles (38) @ New York Giants (31)
Kansas City Chiefs (27) @ St Louis Rams (13)
Washington Redskins (30) @ Dallas Cowboys (33)
Jacksonville Jaguars (24) @ Indianapolis Colts (34)
Cleveland Browns (17) @ Cincinnati Bengals (19)
Houston Texans (17) @ Tennessee Titans (31)
Atlanta Falcons (34) @ Seattle Seahawks (18)
Denver Broncos (23) @ Oakland Raiders (39)
New York Jets (22) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (17)
Green Bay Packers (27) @ New England Patriots (31)
Chicago Bears (40) @ Minnesota Vikings (14)
Steven O’Rourke is the offensive coordinator of Tullamore Phoenix American Football Club. When not obsessing with football he can be found at 4fortyfour.
Tuesday morning quarterback: playoff picture still not clear
WITH JUST TWO remaining in the NFL regular season the playoff picture remains unclear as only four teams have managed to secure a postseason berth.
Week 15 in the NFL saw the Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears join the New England Patriots in the playoffs but, with just two weeks remaining, the Bears are the only confirmed division winners (NFC North) in the entire league.
While the Falcons (NFC South) and Patriots (AFC East) are likely to win their respective divisions, the Steelers loss to the New York Jets blows the AFC North title race wide open after the Baltimore Ravens took their record to 10-4 with a hard-fought win over the New Orleans Saints.
The game of the weekend though was undoubtedly the New York Giants shocking loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East. The Giants, leading by 21 points with just over seven minutes to go, allowed the Eagles to score 28 points, including a 65-yard punt return, to win the game.
It was the greatest capitulation in the Giants’ history and though head coach Tom Coughlin focused most of his rage at rookie punter Matt Dodge, the entire team should take the blame for this loss as blown defensive coverage on an onside kick and Eli Manning’s failure to run out the clock contributed to it as much as Dodge’s botched kick.
Watch the amazing footage on the NFL’s site
The other big shock of the weekend was the Detroit Lions managing to win away from home for the first time since they won in Chicago on October 28, 2007.
It brings to an end a 26 game losing streak on the road, the longest in NFL history.
The win, the Lions second in a row, has also dealt a massive blow to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ playoff ambitions. Though they can still mathematically qualify for the postseason, the Bucs will have to rely on other teams losing their remaining two games.
There is a good argument that Devin Hester’s NFL record 14th kick return for a touchdown should be our play of the week. However, this week we have to salute the New England Patriots’ Dan Connolly.
Connolly, who weighs a whopping 22 stone (313 lbs), collected a kick before running for 71 yards, believed to be the longest return by an offensive lineman in NFL history.
Connolly should serve as inspiration to all of us who aren’t perfect athletic specimens:
Other Games and predicted winners:
San Francisco 49ers (7) @ San Diego Chargers (34)
New Orleans Saints (24) @ Baltimore Ravens (30)
Buffalo Bills (17) @ Miami Dolphins (14)
Arizona Cardinals (12) @ Carolina Panthers (19)
Detroit Lions (23) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20)
Philadelphia Eagles (38) @ New York Giants (31)
Kansas City Chiefs (27) @ St Louis Rams (13)
Washington Redskins (30) @ Dallas Cowboys (33)
Jacksonville Jaguars (24) @ Indianapolis Colts (34)
Cleveland Browns (17) @ Cincinnati Bengals (19)
Houston Texans (17) @ Tennessee Titans (31)
Atlanta Falcons (34) @ Seattle Seahawks (18)
Denver Broncos (23) @ Oakland Raiders (39)
New York Jets (22) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (17)
Green Bay Packers (27) @ New England Patriots (31)
Chicago Bears (40) @ Minnesota Vikings (14)
Steven O’Rourke is the offensive coordinator of Tullamore Phoenix American Football Club. When not obsessing with football he can be found at 4fortyfour.
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