Jay Cutler is on his way to his first playoff experience with the Bears, but prevailing opinion holds that he still sucks
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Chargers 34, 49ers 7
In his third game back from his long holdout Vincent Jackson finally returned to form, catching 5 passes for 112 yards and 3 TD’s (including a 58-yarder two minutes into the game), leading the Chargers to an easy win.
Chiefs 27, Rams 13
After an awful offensive showing in San Diego without him, QB Matt Cassel returned to the Chiefs’ lineup and the team responded. KC’s outstanding rushing attack racked up another 210 yards (Jamaal Charles gained 126 and a TD), while Cassel added 184 and a TD through the air to keep the Chiefs a game ahead of the Chargers in the AFC West.
Eagles 38, Giants 31
With the NFC East lead at stake, the amazing resurgence of Michael Vick reached a whole new level.
Trailing 31-10 with 8:17 remaining in the 4th quarter, Vick took the game over. He hit tight end Brent Celek on a 65-yard TD strike. Then the Eagles kept the ball when they surprised the Giants with a perfect onside kick by David Akers, followed by a 35-yard run by Vick which set up his 4-yard TD run a short time later. On the Eagles’ next drive, Vick had scrambles of 33 and 22 yards to set up a TD pass to Jeremy Maclin to tie the game with 1:16 left. Vick passed for 242 yards and 3 TD’s, and rushed for 130 and one more TD. With 14 seconds left, Giants rookie punter Matt Dodge (who was told to kick the ball out of bounds) hit a bad line-drive punt to DeSean Jackson. After initially dropping it, Jackson scooped it up and returned it 65 yards as time ran out for the game-winning score.
Hands-down the game of the year in the NFL.
Colts 34, Jaguars 24
This game was do-or-die for the Colts, and the most important game the Jaguars have played in years.
Peyton Manning & David Garrard, not surprisingly, both played strong games.  What was surprising was that the Jaguars’ usually strong running game was a non-factor, while the Colts’ normally pedestrian ground attack was very good. Donald Brown ran for 129 yards and a score for the Colts, while Manning added 2 TD passes. The Jags’ late rally fell short when their onside kick attempt bounced right into the arms of Colts LB Tyjuan Hagler for a 41-yard TD return, sealing a victory and keeping the Colts in the playoff hunt.
Lions 23, Buccaneers 20 (OT)
The two teams had almost identical stats (total yards: 433-403 Detroit; rushing yards: 181-176 Detroit; passing yards: 252-227 Detroit). The Lions’ Calvin Johnson caught 10 passes for 152 yards to lead the Lions to an overtime win, snapping their league record 26-game road losing streak (3+ seasons of road games!) and dealing a huge blow to Tampa’s postseason chances.
Panthers 19, Cardinals 12
Ahhh, who cares?
Bengals 19, Browns 17
Cedric Benson rushed for 150 yards and scored Cincinnati’s lone touchdown as the Bengals snapped a 10-game losing streak. The Browns lost despite a solid 19/25, 243 yard, 2 TD performance by rookie QB Colt McCoy.
Bills 17, Dolphins 14
The Dolphins managed only 65 yards rushing against the NFL’s worst run defense and fell to 1-6 at home. Right now the Dolphins probably wish that their stadium would collapse so that they could play somewhere else.
Titans 31, Texans 17
The Titans snapped a six-game losing skid behind 130 rushing yards from Chris Johnson and a strong effort from the defense, which held Houston’s Arian Foster to just 15 yards on the ground.
Cowboys 33, Redskins 30
With Donovan McNabb on the bench the Redskins struggled much of the way, but still almost stole one in Dallas. The Cowboys blew a 20-point lead as a result of Rex Grossman’s 4 TD passes for Washington. A late drive by the Cowboys led to a field goal in the final minute to give Dallas the win.
Ravens 30, Saints 24
The Ravens took a major step toward clinching a playoff spot thanks in huge part to Ray Rice’s performance. Rice gained 153 yards on the ground, caught 5 passes for 80 yards, and scored two touchdowns to lead the Ravens to the win. The Saints six-game winning streak ended despite 267 yards passing and 3 TD’s from Drew Brees.
Falcons 34, Seahawks 18
With the Saints’ loss, the Falcons had a chance to put a stranglehold on the NFC South. They made the best of it. The Falcons’ D forced three turnovers, and Matt Ryan tossed 3 TD passes to give Atlanta a two-game lead in the division. The Falcons can lock up the division, and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, next Monday Night at home against the Saints.
Raiders 39, Broncos 23
Tim Tebow provided a spark for the Broncos in his first NFL start, running 40 yards for a touchdown on a 3rd-and-24 and hitting Brandon Lloyd on a 33-yard TD pass in the 1st quarter. Tebow was solid in his debut. The Bronco defense, however, is about as solid as the marshmallows in your cup of hot chocolate. The Raiders scored on a 71-yard end around by Jacoby Ford on their first play from scrimmage, beginning a 502-yard onslaught on the hapless Broncos.
Jets 22, Steelers 17
Despite Troy Polamalu’s absence the Steeler defense remained strong, holding the Jets to 276 yards of offense. But the Jets were sparked by Brad Smith’s 97-yard touchdown return on the opening kickoff. Mark Sanchez scored on a perfect play-action fake and bootleg on a 4th-and-1 in the 3rd quarter to tie the game at 17. Nick Folk’s 34-yard field goal and Jason Taylor’s safety in the 4th put the Jets ahead, and a late drive for the Steelers fell 10 yards short as time ran out, dropping Pittsburgh back into a tie with the Ravens.
Patriots 31, Packers 27
The Patriots prevailed yet again despite holding the ball for less than 20 minutes. Green Bay QB Matt Flynn was strong in his first NFL start with 251 yards and 3 TD’s, but also threw a costly pick-six in the 3rd quarter and fumbled in the final seconds with a chance to win the game. Patriots lineman Dan Connolly (313 lbs.) made the strangest big play of the year when he returned a squib kick 71 yards to set up a touchdown late in the first half. Tom Brady threw 2 TD’s, including the game-winner to Aaron Hernandez with 7:14 remaining. The Pats should lock up home-field next week in Buffalo.
Bears 40, Vikings 14
Brett Favre made a surprising return to the Vikings’ lineup, but was knocked out in the 2nd quarter with a concussion. Playing their first outdoor home game in almost 30 years, the Vikings’ offense fell into a deep freeze in the frigid, snowy conditions as they committed five turnovers. The Bears thrived on the frozen turf and clinched the NFC North title led by Jay Cutler’s 3 TD passes.
But Jay Cutler still sucks.
…And now a prediction for Thursday Night Football…
Panthers @ Steelers
The Steelers are good, the Panthers are awful. End of story.
Steelers 31, Panthers 3
