By TLarner
It was a Merry Christmas so far this week for Pittsburgh and Arizona. Who else will find presents under the tree? Others may be looking forward to a New Year.
Thursday Night’s Results: Carolina 3, Pittsburgh 27
Panthers’ rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen and the Carolina offense continued to struggle against the playoff bound Steelers, managing a mere 119 total yards. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 320 yards and scored once through the air and once on the ground as Pittsburgh, 11-4, clinched at least a Wildcard spot.
Saturday Night Football: Dallas 26, Arizona 27
Santa gave the Arizona defense a nice present, including two interception returns for touchdowns in the first quarter. Stephan McGee replaced Jon Kitna for the Cowboys, who suffered a hip injury, and almost led a comeback until Cardinals’ kicker Jay Feeley made a 48-yard kick with only seconds left.
Game of the Week: New York Jets at Chicago Bears
The Week 16 Game of the Week can decide if the Jets clinch their own AFC playoff spot, or if the Bears will have home-field advantage and a first-round bye. New York was able to hold off Pittsburgh in a 22-17 victory in Week 15, while the Bears defeated division rival Minnesota 40-14. Both teams are currently 10-4.
The strength of the New York offense is their ground game, which ranks sixth in the league with 141.0 yards per game. All-Pro back LaDainian Tomlinson leads the Jets with 886 yards and five touchdowns. Shonn Greene has added another 696 yards with one touchdown. The duo had their best game against Buffalo in Week 4, when L.T. gained 133 yards with two touchdowns, while Greene added 117 yards of his own. Behind the defensive-minded Rex Ryan, New York ranks fifth in both points (18.5) and yards (298.6) allowed per game. Last week against the Steelers, the Jets’ defense held Roethlisberger to 52% completion rate, sacked Big Ben three times, forced two fumbles, and Jason Taylor tackled Mewelde Moore in the backfield for a safety.
The Bears have truly been a surprise this season, and they won the NFC North division with a blowout victory over the Vikings. Despite their record, many still question whether or not the Bears are good enough to make a serious run at the Championship. Quarterback Jay Cutler has improved from his awful 2009 season. Last week at Minnesota, Cutler threw for three touchdowns and finished with a 106.6 passer rating. Chicago also has played good defense this season. As Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Urlacher leads the defense for yet another season. The Bears rank third in points (17.3) and rushing yards (89.8) allowed per game. Urlacher is first on the team, and fifth in the NFC, in tackles with 112. Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije both have recorded eight sacks.
Key Matchup: Brad Smith vs. Devin Hester
In a game with top ranked defenses, special teams will also play a big role. Brad Smith has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. He is second in the league with six returns of over 40 yards. Devin Hester has been a leader in returns since he entered the league. He leads punt returners with a 16.4 yard average (minimum 10 returns). He also has a league best three punt return touchdowns. With his 64-yard touchdown return at Minnesota, Hester become the league leader in career returns with 14 kick and punt return touchdowns. Special teams will play a big role in the field position battle, as well as lighting up the scoreboard with return touchdowns.
Prediction
This game has important playoff implications for both teams. The Bears continue to win, although no one believes in them. Both teams are hoping to rebound from embarrassing losses to New England. In this matchup, I like the Jets. Although Chicago has a good run defense, I favor Mark Sanchez over Cutler. While he has played better this season, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bears’ QB throw a few picks to Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. The Jets will clinch a playoff spot.
Best of the Rest: (Home team in italics)
New England over Buffalo
Baltimore over Cleveland
Jacksonville over Washington
Kansas City over Tennessee
Detroit over Miami
St. Louis over San Francisco
San Diego over Cincinnati
Houston over Denver
Indianapolis over Oakland
Green Bay over New York
Tampa Bay over Seattle
Philadelphia over Minnesota
Atlanta over New Orleans
Last week’s results: 7-7
How ’bout them Cowboys!
Do not seek the treasure. It’s bushwhacked!
Jets vs Bears … it’s really about who wants it more. The Jets MUST win while the Bears want to win to earn the first round playoff bye since they’ve laready clinched the division. Will the Bears be as motivated as the Jets? Don’t really see Sanchez and the Jets scoring more than 14 points vs this Bears D on a cold and possibly snowy day. That is … if the Bears are “really motivated” to win this one. Conversely, I don’t see Bears putting up big points against Jets D either. Turnovers and special teams will have a lot to say in this one … I think the pressure gets to the Jets and the Bears eek out a 20-17 win. Robbie Gould kicking the game winner very late in the game.
Wally – I agree with you. Don’t see the Jets putting up big numbers against the Bears and you know that defense will be looking to take a shot at that Sanchez’s sore shoulder.
How about the Vikings??? They can’t catch a break. Now their game is postponed until Tuesday,
I may have missed it in the breakdown, but haven’t the Bears clinched their division? If that’s the case, I can see where they’d come out flat and not want it as much as the playoff seeking Jets. Defense seems to win and having an efficient QB doesn’t hurt either I suppose. I’m not surprised at the Bears; I’m actually surprised more didn’t expect them to be this good. I guess when Lovie Smith is the conductor, though, the passengers have to brace for impact all the time, eh?
For my personal game of the week, I can’t wait to see what happens in Atlanta between the Falcons and Saints. Another disturbing stat I saw today that makes me wonder if the NFL is tired of everyone talking about the BCS each year so they’d figure to ruin their playoff system as well: The Oakland Raiders may be the first team to win their division and make the playoffs withouth winning a divisional game. Intertesting.
Rey, I would think that a first round bye would be enough for the Bears not to be flat this week. In order to get it, I believe they have to win out..
But you are right.. the Lovie Smith factor makes things unpredictable.
Interesting stat.. The New England Patriots have turned the ball over 9 times all season. I think Eli Manning has tripled that number personally..
Oh yeah. First round byes. Forgot about those.
Well … I predicted the right outcome for the Bears, but I did not see that many points being scored. Wow … where were the vaunted defenses for both squads? Still, the Jets sneak into the playoffs via the backdoor due to Jacksonville’s loss.
What’s with the Geeeeeeeeeeeee-men?!?!? Packers are still alive and need to win next week at home vs the Bears. Bears will probably need to win that one to clinch a first round bye … unless the Eagles somehow drop one of their last two games.
Texans blew another close one which is good because this team needs to make some serious changes in the offseason … don’t want them to be fooled that theyre real close to turning the corner …. not with that sorry butt defense. Don’t buy into the “Tim Tebow for president” thing just yet … remember … he got those 300 yards against the worst defense the NFL has seen in 30+ seasons.
Hats off to the Lions … another win … they sure have played hard and improved during the last half of the season.
Note to Texans owner Bob McNair: Fire Gary Kubiak and staff immediately … and go hire Bill Cowher ASAP. Do NOT wait !!!!