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Vikings 20, Giants 19: Minnesota's Finally Back In the Playoffs

Posted: Dec 28th 2008 11:31PM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Giants, Vikings, NFC East, NFC North

It's time for Vikings fans to celebrate. Minnesota is in the playoffs for the first time in four seasons, and thanks to Ryan Longwell's last-second game-winning field goal, Minnesota earned its way in, instead of relying on the Bears' loss to back into the playoffs.

Adrian Peterson wrapped up his first rushing title, the Vikings finished with the league's stingiest rushing defense and Tarvaris Jackson proved why he should be the team's quarterback in the playoffs by leading a fourth-quarter comeback.

But while there's a lot to celebrate for Vikings fans, there's also some reasons to be concerned:

Continue Reading Vikings 20, Giants 19: Minnesota's Finally Back In the Playoffs

Bengals 16, Chiefs 6: Kansas City Finishes Worst Season in Franchise History

Posted: Dec 28th 2008 5:18PM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, Chiefs, AFC North, AFC West

4 COMMENTS

Compared to what Lions fans are dealing with, folks in Kansas City and Cincinnati are rooting for a team that is on the right track. Of course, we all know that isn't true, as the Chiefs just capped off a 2-14 season, their worst in franchise history.

They did manage to win two games, but this truly was one of the worst teams in NFL history. Counting last year, they have lost 23 of 25 games. The Chiefs recorded just 10 sacks this season, breaking the record for least sacks in a season (the Colts had 11 in 1982).

What is amazing is that they were sharing the field with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have been one of the worst franchises in the NFL over the past 17 years and were 1-11-1 just three weeks ago. An upset win over the Redskins and wins over the listless Browns and Chiefs gave Cincy a nice three-game winning streak to end the season. It also gives an excuse for owner Mike Brown to stay the course and keep head coach Marvin Lewis.

Continue Reading Bengals 16, Chiefs 6: Kansas City Finishes Worst Season in Franchise History

Falcons 24, Vikings 17: Falcons Are Headed to the Playoffs; Yes, We're Serious

Posted: Dec 21st 2008 7:54PM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Atlanta Falcons, Vikings, NFC North, NFC South, NFL Playoffs

2 COMMENTS

Minnesota got a Pro Bowl caliber performance from Tarvaris Jackson, the best game of Visanthe Shiancoe's life, won the battle of time of possession and outgained Atlanta by nearly 130 yards.

But as the clock hit zero on Sunday night, Minnesota still needs one win or a Bears loss to make the playoffs, and they can thank their own mistakes for that. Jackson threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another 76 yards, but he also fumbled four times with Minnesota losing two of them. Bernard Berrian fumbled a punt that the Falcons recovered and Adrian Peterson fumbled twice, losing one of them. In all, Minnesota lost four fumbles while Atlanta didn't turn the ball over at all.

Continue Reading Falcons 24, Vikings 17: Falcons Are Headed to the Playoffs; Yes, We're Serious

Redskins 10, Eagles 3: Philadelphia Missed It By Thaaaat Much

Posted: Dec 21st 2008 7:44PM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Chargers, Eagles, Redskins, NFC East

6 COMMENTS

There is no way I can stat up this game -- it was a stinker. Neither offense could really get anything going, both defenses were all over the field and there were enough bad plays to fill Daniel Snyder's mansion.

Still, it was a gripping game that went down to the final play of the game. It also came down to the final inches of the field.

Down 10-3, the Eagles made a last second drive to tie the game. With :12 left on the clock, Donovan McNabb completed a pass to Reggie Brown on the two, maybe three, inch line. The Redskins LaRon Landry and Fred Smoot stopped him there and with Philly out of timeouts, the clock ran out. Yes, that is the play pictured above.

This is a huge blow to the Eagles playoff chances. Coming into the game, Philly actually held its own destiny. With a win over the Redskins and next week against the Cowboys, the Eagles would have been in the playoffs. Now Philly needs to win and hope Tampa Bay loses to Oakland and Chicago loses tomorrow against Green Bay or in Houston next week. While possible, it's hard to pin your hopes on Oakland winning in Tampa against Jon Gruden.

Continue Reading Redskins 10, Eagles 3: Philadelphia Missed It By Thaaaat Much

Ravens 33, Cowboys 24: Dallas' Dream Season Falling Fast

Posted: Dec 21st 2008 2:54AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Cowboys, Ravens, AFC North, NFC East

13 COMMENTS

Remember at the beginning of the season when we were all convinced that the Cowboys were the best team in the NFL? Remember when we all were wondering if this was they year they would put it together in the playoffs (not to mention the naysayers saying they'd blow it again)?

That team may not get into the postseason. The Baltimore Ravens went into Texas Stadium and beat the Cowboys, 33-24.

The loss damages Dallas' playoff hopes, but it isn't a death knell. Now they need to win next week in Philadelphia and have Tampa Bay or Atlanta lose one more time, which is a realistic possibility. Still, the Cowboys cannot feel good about themselves after their pitiful performance last night.

Continue Reading Ravens 33, Cowboys 24: Dallas' Dream Season Falling Fast

Falcons 13, Bucs 10: Falcons Don't Mind Working Overtime for Another Win

Posted: Dec 15th 2008 9:00AM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, NFC South

1 COMMENT

The Falcons had long ago exceeded any expectations for the 2008 season, but on Sunday, they just added to coach Mike Smith's now-impressive resume.

The Falcons had to wait until Jason Elam's overtime field goal to knock off the Bucs in a key NFC South game, keeping the team's playoff hopes alive, but this was a game that the team had almost wrapped up several times before.

If backup tight end Jason Radar hadn't fumbled at the one-yard line, the Falcons could have put this game away during regulation. If Matt Ryan hadn't actually looked like a rookie on a couple of plays, the Falcons could have put the game away. If Michael Koenen hadn't had a punt blocked in the final three minutes of regulation, Atlanta would have walked off winners without the need for an overtime.

Continue Reading Falcons 13, Bucs 10: Falcons Don't Mind Working Overtime for Another Win

Panthers 30, Broncos 10: Carolina Sets Up Showdown With Giants Next Week

Posted: Dec 15th 2008 1:21AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Broncos, Panthers, AFC West, NFC South

1 COMMENT

The Carolina Panthers are peaking at the right time. As they are ascending the conference standings, the once-mighty Giants are falling a bit.

Those two will collide in New York next week with the winner earning home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.

Carolina discarded the likely AFC West Champion Denver Broncos, 30-10. They have clinched at least a tie for the NFC South title and need just one win in their last two games to win it outright.

It was business as usual for Carolina. Steve Smith looked good with 165 receiving yards and a touchdown. DeAngelo Williams blasted a 56-yard touchdown run that put the game out of reach. Jake Delhomme actually looked like a functional quarterback with 253 yards passing and that TD to Smith.

Continue Reading Panthers 30, Broncos 10: Carolina Sets Up Showdown With Giants Next Week

Cowboys 20, Giants 8: Forget T.O. and Witten, This is Tashard's Team!

Posted: Dec 15th 2008 12:57AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Cowboys, Giants, NFC East

5 COMMENTS

Who cares if Terrell Owens and Jason Witten don't like each other? All that matters is that the Cowboys keep winning and will perhaps be able to reach their once-lofty goals.

Forget about T.O., Witten and Tony Romo! That Cowboys defense sacked Eli Manning eight times and picked him off twice in their 20-8 win over the Giants. DeMarcus Ware had three of those sacks and Dallas' defense allowed just 218 yards of offense.

Did I say offense? Okay, let's get to it. Witten caught more passes than Owens (five to three) for more yards (44 to 38) with neither scoring a touchdown. Owens also dropped a pass which led to a chorus of boos from Texas Stadium. Romo would throw two touchdown passes and then shrugged off the reported locker room tift in post game interviews.

How about an offensive name you may not know? Tashard Choice ran for 91 yards on just nine carries and led the 'Boys with 52 receiving yards. His 38-yard touchdown romp in the fourth quarter sealed the win.

Continue Reading Cowboys 20, Giants 8: Forget T.O. and Witten, This is Tashard's Team!

Bengals 20, Redskins 13: Washington Officially Concedes a Playoff Berth

Posted: Dec 15th 2008 12:32AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Bengals, Redskins, AFC North, NFC East

12 COMMENTS

In Washington, it is good etiquette to concede when it looks like you aren't going to win. The Redskins made today the day the told the world that they aren't ready for a playoff berth.

That's what happens when you lose to the Cincinnati Bengals, 20-13.

Just yesterday I showed how this game trended toward a Bengals' victory. The trend I forgot to point out was that the Redskins aren't playing well at all right now. The offense isn't very efficient, the defense can come unglued and they are making mistakes that they weren't making earlier in the year.

Examples? How about a Chris Cooley fumble on the opening drive? Or Mike Sellers' fumble at the goal line? Or giving up 79 yards on a screen pass when it was 2nd-and-23? Or being down 17-0 before you get a first down? Or getting a celebration penalty which causes the kickoff to be penalized 15 yards? Then that kickoff goes out of bounds and gives the Bengals the ball in your territory?

Playoff teams don't do that. They certainly don't do that against a team that entered mid-December with just one win.

Continue Reading Bengals 20, Redskins 13: Washington Officially Concedes a Playoff Berth

Steelers 13, Ravens 9: Controversial Call Locks Up Division for Steelers

Posted: Dec 14th 2008 9:02PM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Ravens, Steelers, AFC North

270 COMMENTS

If you like defense, hard hitting and quarterbacks running for their lives, Sunday's Steelers-Ravens game was everything you could ask for. It's unfortunate that what it will ultimately be remembered for is one of the more controversial replay calls in recent NFL history.

No matter whether you're a Steelers fan or a Ravens fan, this much is indisputable. With the game on the line, Pittsburgh's offense drove 91-plus yards against the league's No. 2 defense in the final minutes of the game. Whether they drove 92 yards is all a matter of opinion.

Did You See That?

The field clears a fence during the New Season Handicap Steeplechase during the at Ludlow Racecourse on September 16, 2008 in Ludlow, England.

Emanuele Canonica of Italy helps his caddie in the rescue of a pigeon from the water around the 18th green during the first round of the Portugal Masters at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course on October 16, 2008 in Vilamoura, Portugal.

A multiexposure image showing Britain's Andy Murray returning to Croatian Marin Cilic during a last sixteen tennis match at the Madrid Masters in Madrid on October 16, 2008. Andy Murray won 7-5, 7-6.

English football fans dressed in armours and tunics play in a friendly match against Belarus fans in Minsk on October 15, 2008 before the start of the Belarus vs. England 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier of European group 6 match.

Travis Brigley (R) of Hamburg fights with Matt Keith (L) of Ingolstadt during the DEL match between Hamburg Freezers and ERC Ingolstadt at the Color Line Arena on October 14, 2008 in Hamburg, Germany.

Russian Nikolay Davydenko returns a ball to US Robby Ginepri during a second round tennis match at the Masters in Madrid on October 15, 2008.

A golf ball which has been enveloped by the tree over many years is pictured during the pro-am for the Portugal Masters at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course on October 15, 2008 in Vilamoura, Portugal.

Andy Murray of Great Britain plays football during his training session prior to his thrid round match tomorrow at the Madrid Masters tennis tournament at the Madrid Arena on October 15, 2008 in Madrid, Spain.

Samuel Peter from Nigeria gets a punch from Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine during their WBC heavyweight boxing world championship fight in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008. Klitschko won the fight after round nine due to technical knock out.

Herbert Knosowski, AP

Japan's Kyoko Hamaguchi (lower) fights with China's Hong Yan (red) during the semi-final of the 72kg class of the Women's Wrestling World Championships in Tokyo on October 13, 2008. Hong defeated Hamaguchi and will face Bulgaria's Stanka Zlateva in the final.

Yoshikazu Tsuno, AFP/Getty Images

On third and goal, Ben Roethlisberger rolled out, scrambled around like Fran Tarkenton and eventually found Santonio Holmes at the goal line. There's no doubt that Holmes feet and legs were in the end zone when he caught the ball, but on the field, the officials ruled that the ball never crossed the line, giving Pittsburgh a fourth and an inch trailing by three with under 45 seconds to go.

Continue Reading Steelers 13, Ravens 9: Controversial Call Locks Up Division for Steelers