"The Stack" 12-11-17
What a scene in Buffalo yesterday where the Colts and Bills played in a blizzard. That is one of the best 13-7 games you will ever see.
The Stack is back on this Monday and there were some really cool scenes in the NFL yesterday (I’m thinking in Buffalo mainly). We also some ugliness (I’m thinking in Jacksonville) and some ugly injuries (Carson Wentz). Let’s get to all of the week 14 Sunday NFL reaction and more in “the stack” for today, Monday, December 11th:
Bills 13 Colts 7
Absolutely crazy game and scene in Buffalo yesterday with the blizzard thanks to the lake effect snow. Made for not a lot of throwing and a whole lot of running. Both LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore went over 100 yards on the ground. It was McCoy’s breakaway touchdown that won the game late in overtime, but the snow. I mean it was all about the snow. So cool.
Panthers 31 Vikings 24
The Vikings had a few more turnovers in this one than they normally do. Case Keenum had two interceptions and a fumble though one of the interceptions and maybe even the fumble weren’t necessary his fault. The defense committed a couple of bad penalties, but give credit to the Panthers and running back Jonathan Stewart who ran for 103 yards and three touchdowns. Stewart is the first Panthers running back to rush for over 100 yards against the Vikings this season. Big win for the Panthers. The Vikings will look to clinch the NFC North next week.
Bears 33 Bengals 7
With the Bengals missing Vontaze Burfict and Joe Mixon, you knew it would be a little more difficult for the Bengals, but apparently they all just decided not to show up. Bears running back Jordan Howard had a big day on the ground and the Bears defense made life miserable for Andy Dalton and company. It would appear that Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is as good as gone.
Packers 27 Browns 21
My heart aches as I write this and not just because I wanted the Browns to beat the Packers, but it was so they could get their first win of the year, but the Browns were the Browns. They held a 21-7 lead going into the fourth quarter, but the Packers scored quickly in the fourth quarter and then with the Browns having a chance to put the game away, they dropped a third down pass that should have been brought in and gave up a 60 plus yard punt return, setting up a Devante Adams touchdown catch. Adams would add another touchdown catch in overtime and the Packers survived and have kept their season alive. A loss would have crippled any chance they had of making the playoffs. Now with Aaron Rodgers coming back they still have life. For the Browns, oh the Browns. That’s all you can say.
49ers 26 Texans 16
If I’m the 49ers in the offseason, I call Jimmy Garoppolo in and give him a blank check, because he has been great the two games he has started this year. He threw for over 300 yards in this one and the 49ers beat a Texans team that had to resort to having T.J. Yates play after Tom Savage left with a concussion. Even though DeAndre Hopkins had a big day, it was all for not.
Chiefs 26 Raiders 15
Did the Raiders even make the trip to Kansas City? What the he** kind of performance was that from Derek Carr and the Raiders against a Chiefs secondary that had been gashed in recent weeks and was without Marcus Peters. Terrible. They couldn’t do anything worth a lick and now the Chiefs appear to be back in control of the division with the red hot Chargers coming to town. Kareem Hunt had a good day for the Chiefs.
Lions 24 Buccaneers 21
The Lions jumped out early and Matthew Stafford didn’t look too bad. It helped that Theo Riddick was able to run for a couple of touchdowns. The Buccaneers battled back, but the Lions would not be deterred. Kenny Galloday had a big catch and the Lions kept their playoff lives alive with the win. A disappointing season in Tampa continues.
Cowboys 30 Giants 10
Close early on, the Cowboys poured it on late against the Giants thanks to running back Rod Smith and a nice touchdown catch by Jason Witten. The Cowboys defense didn’t make life particularly easy for Eli Manning and company and the Cowboys keep their playoff hopes alive. For the Giants, it was much of the same as we’ve seen all season.
Cardinals 12 Titans 7
This was the type of game I think a lot of Titans fans feared. This was a game that the Titans tend to lose. They did, but maybe more because of an apparent knee injury quarterback Marcus Mariota suffered. He played through it, but he struggled. Tough loss for the Titans who now are a game back of the Jaguars for the lead in the AFC South.
Broncos 23 Jets 0
This was the Jets team we expected this year. To add injury to insult, Josh McCown broke his hand. That’s not good news for the Jets at all. The Broncos defense played well and they played angry. This was a much needed win for the Broncos.
Chargers 30 Washington 13
Philip Rivers and the Chargers are on a roll. Rivers had another big game with over 300 yards through the air and two touchdowns and Washington appeared uninterested in making this a game. The Chargers were great and a huge matchup next Saturday at Kansas City will likely decide the AFC West. My money is on the Chargers right now.
Jaguars 30 Seahawks 24
This was a big game for the Jaguars and they played like it. It helped that Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner got hurt and had to leave the game with the score 10-10. With him out, the Jaguars struck quickly with two touchdowns and though Russell Wilson did all he could to lead the Seahawks back to victory, it was not enough. They did have a shot at the end, but couldn’t get it done and that is when the ugliness ensued with Seahawks defense tackle Michael Bennett being cheap and going low on a kneel down. Then a fight broke out, there were multiple ejections and a Jaguars fan threw something at Seahawks defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson and he tried to get into the stands. Will there be suspension? That would be bad for Seattle with the Rams coming to town.
Eagles 43 Rams 35
What a shootout in L.A. Carson Wentz and the Eagles were flying high early, but the Rams responded right away in the third quarter with two quick touchdowns to take the lead including a blocked punt returned for a touchdown. The Eagles though would respond, but it came at a price. Wentz got hurt on a run to the endzone and the team fears it is an ACL injury. It would be a devastating blow to a team that looks like they are the best in the NFC. Feels a little bit more wide open now.
Steelers 39 Ravens 38
What an unbelievable game. The Steelers jumped out early to a 14-0 lead, but the Ravens led by running back Alex Collins who had a monster game rushing the football and making a few catches along the way. Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell got nicked up and the Steelers weren’t able to run the football very well after that, but instead took a bunch of checkdowns. Antonio Brown was getting double covered a lot, but found ways to make a couple of long catches in the second half including one catch to help set up the game-winning field goal. What an unbelievable game. Chris Boswell is turning into an absolutely clutch kicker.
New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins 8:30 PM ET ESPN MNF
No Gronk tonight. Shouldn’t be a problem for Tom Brady and company. He’ll use his running backs. He’ll use Brandin Cooks. The Dolphins defense isn’t very good and their offense isn’t very good either. I’ll take the Patriots for the win to keep pace with the Steelers for first in the AFC.
Prediction: Patriots 30 Dolphins 17
Coming up Tuesday: MNF reaction plus other top stories in sports
