Week 16 Sunday Scores & Monday Prediction

By TLarner

Game of the Week Results: New York Jets 34, Chicago 38

Is it safe to say that the Bears are a real playoff team now after beating the Jets? With two good defenses, I don’t think anyone expected such a high scoring game. As for Chicago, they won seven of their last eight games, and are close to getting a first round bye in the playoffs. New York luckily made the playoffs due to Jacksonville’s loss to Washington, but have lost three of their last four games.

Sunday’s contest began with the Bears jumping ahead 10-0 in the first quarter. Running back Matt Forte, who totaled 113 yards on the ground and another 56 receiving, scored the game’s first touchdown on a 22-yard run, which was setup by a Santonio Holmes fumble on a reverse. It appeared, however, that the Jets took control of the game in the second quarter. New York scored 21 unanswered points on touchdown runs by both Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson, and a 20-yard interception return by Jets’ corner Dwight Lowery. Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler scrambled for a score before the break, as Chicago entered the break down 24-17. The third quarter belonged to Cutler. He threw three touchdowns in the period, and 215 yards in the game. Receiver Johnny Knox hauled in a 40 yard touchdown catch. Devin Hester also caught a touchdown pass on a drive he started with a 38-yard punt return. New York quarterback Mark Sanchez threw his only touchdown of the game to Holmes to tie the game at 31 all. Hester followed up with a 40-yard kick return to give the Bears great field position, which led to another Cutler-to-Knox touchdown. The Jets had a chance in the fourth quarter, but with about a minute left, Chicago free safety Chris Harris, who had a game high 10 tackles, intercepted Sanchez.

Remaining Scores from Sunday

New England 34, Buffalo 3

Baltimore 20, Cleveland 10

Washington 20, Jacksonville 17 (Overtime)

Tennessee 14, Kansas City 34

Detroit 34, Miami 27

San Francisco 17, St. Louis 25

San Diego 20, Cincinnati 34

Houston 23, Denver 24

Indianapolis 31. Oakland 26

New York Giants 17, Green Bay 45

Seattle 15, Tampa Bay 38

News from Sunday

The San Francisco 49ers fired Mike Singletary following their loss to the St. Louis Rams, which eliminated them from the NFC West playoff picture. This season, the 49ers, who were expected to win their division, underachieved with a 5-10 record. Singletary was 18-22 since taking over as head coach in 2008. Defensive line coach Jim Tomsula will finish the season as the interim coach.

As the legacy of Brett Favre is coming to the end, I thought it would be appropriate to hype up the legacy that is Tim Tebow. I think we are all aware of his accolades at Florida, but yesterday, Tebow notched his first win as a starting quarterback for Denver, and will make his third start in the final game of the season against San Diego. As a starter, Tebow has thrown for 446 yards with two touchdowns and one pick. He has also rushed for 105 yards and two more touchdowns. Tebow also has a passing touchdown and three rushing touchdowns in the little time he played earlier this season. If he plays well against the Chargers, does he enter next season as the starter?

Baltimore’s second round pick in this year’s draft was arrested Sunday. Sergio Kindle, a former linebacker at Texas, was charged with a DUI and speeding. Kindle, who has been on injured reserve all season, fell down two flights of stairs and fractured his skull before the season began. He was informed by doctors last week that he may have to sit out next season as well.

Due to a snowstorm that hit Philadelphia, the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Eagles was moved to Tuesday night at 8pm. The mayor of Philadelphia, Michael Nutter, declared a snow emergency on Sunday, and the game was postponed due to public safety concerns. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell was upset with the move, saying, “This is football; football’s played in bad weather.” He also cited the short week the Tuesday game will create for the Eagles’ Week 17 matchup against Dallas.

Monday Night Football: New Orleans at Atlanta

This Monday night matchup will help shape the playoff picture for the NFC as rivals from the South faceoff. The Falcons are currently atop the NFC South at 12-2, and would clinch both the division and the first seed with a win tonight or a win against Carolina next week. The Saints, 10-4, would secure a wildcard spot with a win over Atlanta. Important note, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still alive at 9-6 and are third in the division.

The defending Super Bowl Champions are coming of a 30-24 loss to Baltimore last week. Drew Brees leads the New Orleans offense. He is third in the league with 4,122 passing yards, and tied for second with Peyton Manning with 31 touchdowns. This is the third consecutive season Brees has thrown for over 30 touchdowns. The Saints are third in the league with 281.9 passing yards per game. Marques Colston has breached the 1,000 yard receiving mark for the fourth time in his five years with the Saints. He leads the team with 1,002 yards on 82 receptions. Colston also has seven touchdown catches. The New Orleans defense is sixth in the league, allowing only 19.3 points per game. Middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma has a team high 99 tackles. Vilma has also recorded four sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception.

The Atlanta Falcons have won eight straight games, and are looking to clinch the NFC South for the first time in six years. The Falcons offense, which is fifth in the league in points per game with 26.4, has a trio of athletes that can take over any game. Quarterback Matt Ryan continues to improve in his third season calling the signals. Over the eight game win streak, he was thrown 16 touchdowns and only five interceptions. In a Week 3 victory against the Saints, he threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan’s favorite target is Roddy White. White is third in the league with 1,284 receiving yards. He has caught eight of Ryan’s 25 touchdowns. Running back Michael Turner is the final piece of the puzzle. Fifth in the league with 1,256 yards on the ground, Turner has 11 touchdowns, seven games with over 100 yards, and has yet to fumble this season. Defensively, veteran end John Abraham has recorded 12 sacks, which is fifth best in the league.

Prediction

The Falcons are the best team in the NFC, and have a tough challenge trying to sweep the season series with New Orleans. When the offense is clicking, Brees and the Saints are dangerous. The young but mature Ryan has what it takes to lead this team far into the playoffs, and that starts with a first round bye, which he will clinch tonight.

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