We are now only two weeks away from the end of the regular season and start the very exciting postseason! More teams have locked up their playoff spots, while some spots still remain open to anyone. One team that has suddenly caught fire, the San Francisco 49ers.
- They might have been playing a 4-9 Buccaneers team, but the San Francisco 49ers look like a team that keeps getting better and better. Michael Crabtree catching a pass in the end zone is a welcomed site to any 49ers fan and yesterday they finally got to see it again this season. They dominated time of possession, having the ball for nearly 40 minutes of the game, something key in winning games. Frank Gore has now rushed for over 1,000 yards this season, something helped by fullback Bruce Miller. One of the unsung heroes of San Francisco’s offense, Miller has helped guide Gore all season, but after suffering a shoulder injury on Sunday, his season is likely done. This could have a big impact on the 49ers dynamic running game, but at least Colin Kaepernick is throwing the ball great and making very few mistakes.
- The Detroit Lions, just do not want to win. They have one of the most talented teams on both sides of the ball, but still finds ways to lose and miss the playoffs. After last night’s loss, it looks like this year could end with the same result. In a game where their defense was able to hold the Ravens to field goals, the offense beat themselves with big dropped passes and three interceptions by Matthew Stafford. The MVP of the game was Baltimore’s kicker Justin Tucker who kicked the second longest field goal in Monday Night Football history at 61 yards. The kick won the game for the Ravens and will keep their playoff hopes alive a week longer. Detroit is still in the race for the NFC North, but it could have a dramatic lead over the Bears and Packers if it did not lose back to back games.
- The Miami Dolphins beat a depleted New England team and keeps its playoff hopes alive as well. This would be a perfect way to finish a tumultuous season that had more drama than a television show. All year, they have played competitive games, never getting blown out. It took the offense some time to get going, especially wide receiver Mike Wallace, but he seems to be getting on the same page as quarterback Mike Wallace more and more each week.
- It is December, and time for the Dallas Cowboys to implode once again. Taking a 26-3 lead into halftime, the Cowboys had to have been feeling good about the rest of the game. Too bad, they played like they were the team that only scored three points. They were trying to make big plays down the field instead of being conservation and trying to run the ball to run off as much time as possible. Because of the aggressive play calling, by Tony Romo himself it seems, the Packers had enough drives to make it a five point game. The Cowboys defense completely collapsed in the half and two late game interceptions by Romo certainly did not help and now the Cowboys find themselves at 7-7 and still a game behind the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys continue to be one of the most dysfunctional teams in the league and their owner seems just fine with it.
- The Cincinnati Bengals continued their inconsistent season with a big loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, keeping the Steelers season still alive. They had no offense in the first half and their special teams really struggled. They are now without punter Kevin Huber who suffered a broken jaw after being hit by Terence Garvin’s helmet. They started to score in the second half, but could not get over the deficit they created for themselves in the first half. The Bengals are not a good enough road team to make a deep playoff run as of this week.
