Each week in the Fall and Winter, the season dwindles while the excitement grows. This season feels like it is building towards an exceptionally exciting climax. With four weeks to go, one team is pursuing immortality by winning three Superbowls in a row. Another team is pursuing immortality by reaching their first. The Chiefs and The Lions have the best records in their conferences and seem to be on a collision course in February.
WINNERS:
Pittsburgh Steelers:
The Steelers avenged their loss to the dreadful Browns a few weeks ago. Russell Wilson only threw for 158 yards but did add two TDs. The game was fairly comfortable throughout, with Wilson completing passes to eight different receivers. The running game was a perfect two-headed monster of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, rushing 25 times for 100 yards. And as always, the team was led by their stout defense.
Miami Dolphins:
The win kept the Dolphins in the playoff race, but the win shouldn’t have been this tough against a New York Jets team ready for the offseason. It took overtime for Tua Tagolvailoa to finally prevail. He completed 33-47 passes for 331 yards and two TDs including the 10 yd game winner to Jonny Smith. Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddle combined for 24 catches, 214 yards and a TD.
Minnesota Vikings:
Sam Darnold’s paycheck just keeps going up. He had a career-high five TD day, completing 22 of 28 passes for 347 yards. And if you stacked him with WRs Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson, you had the best day of your fantasy life. The two men combined for 15 passes and 265 yards. Addison caught three TDs, while Jefferson had two.
Philadelphia Eagles:
It’s been awfully easy for the Eagles lately, but Sunday was anything but easy. In the long run, they will benefit from a game like this. They were losing 16-14 heading into the fourth quarter. Jalen Hurts only completed 14 passes, but two of them were TDs…and he added a rushing TD. Saquon Barkley had another solid game, rushing the ball 20 times for 124 yards. He did add a 2-point conversion. It tells you the kind of season he’s having, when 124 yards is considered a run-of-the-mill effort.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Another win for Baker Mayfield and the Bucs has catapulted them into the no.4 seed in the NFC. They are now 7-6 and in first place in the NFC South. Rachaad White was the star of this game, gaining 109 total yds with two TDs.
Seattle Seahawks:
The Seahawks went to Arizona and took no prisoners. They now have a two-game lead over the Cardinals, and this is fast becoming another famous late-season fade in Arizona. The first quarter ended 17-7, and the half ended 24-10. The Cardinals were never in it, losing 30-18. Geno Smith was a very efficient 24-30 with 233 yards and a TD, but the star of the game was Zach Charbonnet, who had 134 yards with two TDs.
San Fransisco 49ers:
It may only be a symbolic win for the 49ers, but at least they went down fighting. The win still has them two games behind the Seahawks with a 6-7 record, but as Lloyd Christmas from Dumb and Dumber said, “So you’re saying there’s a chance.” They currently have an 8% playoff chance. There were many superlatives in this game for the 49ers. Brock Purdy was 20-25 with 325 yards and two TDs. RB Isaac Guerendo had two TDs. WR Juaun Jennings had two TDs as well. And George Kittle caught six passes for 151 yards.
Los Angeles Rams:
With their big home win over the Bills, the Rams effectively saved their season. They are still only sitting with a 29% playoff chance, but they are in sole possession of second place in the NFC West, only one game behind the Seahawks. And they have clawed themselves into the wildcard race as well, only one game behind the 8-5 Commanders. They defeated the Bills 44-42 and showed what this offense is capable of. Matthew Stafford threw for 320 yards and threw TDs. Kyren Williams rushed for 87 yards and two TDs. Puka Nacua caught 12 passes for 162 yards and a TD.
LOSERS:
Green Bay Packers:
It’s tough to call a team who loses to the Lions by 3 points, losers…but this was a winnable game for the Packers. Jordan Love was only 12-20 with 206 yds.
Atlanta Falcons:
The Falcons are now on the outside looking in on the playoffs. They have lost four games in a row, and QB Kirk Cousins has been awful. It may be time to switch to rookie Michael Penix.
Arizona Cardinals:
The Cardinals are also in a freefall, losing three in a row. Kyler Murray was inconsistent, throwing two interceptions, and again showed that when the lights are brightest, he wilts.
Buffalo Bills:
This may have been the game of the year, and Josh Allen certainly did all he could. He accounted for six TDs, three passing and three rushing. This was a tough spot for the Bills, going on the road across the country, knowing they had a road matchup against the Lions the following week. The loss may have cost them the No. 1 seed, as they are now two games behind the Chiefs.
Los Angeles Chargers:
The Chargers are now 8-5 and sitting with the no.6 seed. They have a 90% chance of making the playoffs, with the next closest team two games behind them. The Colts have the No. 8 seed, sitting at 6-7. The win would have gone a long way in letting the team know they are ready for prime time, but a doinked FG by the Chiefs with no time left gave them another improbable win, and the Chargers left KC with a really tough loss.