Tuesday 27 December 2016 13:54, UK
Top marks for the Chiefs, Patriots, Cardinals and Cleveland Browns, who won their first game of the season! Improvement required in Chicago and San Diego.
Dallas Cowboys (W 42-21 v Detroit)
A fantastic showing against legitimate play-off opposition. Dez Bryant scored two touchdowns, including a contender for Catch of the Year, as well as throwing a touchdown pass! Ezekiel Elliott ripped off a 55-yard run into the end zone, and Dallas look primed to make their run for Super Bowl glory. Grade A+
Washington Redskins (W 41-21 v Chicago)
The Redskins maintained play-off hopes, taking apart a Bears team who had looked competitive in recent weeks. The defence intercepted Matt Barkley five times, for the first time in 25 years! DeSean Jackson led a dynamic offence, with 114 yards from just five carries, while the running game scored a season-high four touchdowns. Detroit's loss to Dallas now means that, if Washington can beat the Giants on New Year's Day, Jay Gruden's team will be headed to the post-season. Grade A
Philadelphia Eagles (W 24-19 v New York Giants)
There are enough positives in this Philadelphia team to suggest they can be competitive in 2017. Rookie Carson Wentz has demonstrated his ability on a number of occasions. The biggest reason for optimism is the return of tackle Lane Johnson. After serving a 10-game suspension, Johnson made his comeback, and the Eagles offensive line looked dominant once more. It's no coincidence - he is a difference-maker for this team. Grade B
New York Giants (L 24-19 @ Philadelphia)
Quarterback Eli Manning is the danger man for New York, but not in a good way. The two-time Super Bowl winner threw three interceptions, including one which Malcolm Jenkins returned for a touchdown. Despite this, the visitors remained competitive throughout, and could have won it on their final drive.
The Giants have a great defence, an improving running game, and a game-changing wide receiver in Odell Beckham. If Manning can manage the game, this team could have a say come January. Grade C-
Arizona Cardinals (W 34-31 @ Seattle)
Bruce Arien's team did something no other side has done this year - beat the Seahawks in Seattle. David Johnson scored three rushing touchdowns, taking his tally to 20 for the season. He is a legitimate MVP candidate - a bright spot in a disappointing season for Arizona. As time expired, Chandler Catanzaro kicked the winning field goal, which could have implications for the NFC's play-off picture. Grade A
San Francisco 49ers (W 22-21 @ Los Angeles)
It took the visitors a half to get into their stride before claiming their second win of the season. Four sacks and seven punts in, the 49ers took off as Colin Kaepernick led his team downfield late on, before converting the two-point attempt himself. Victory snaps San Francisco's 13-game losing streak - a franchise record. Grade B
Seattle Seahawks (L 31-34 v Arizona)
A late rally wasn't enough for Russell Wilson and the Seahawks, who are now in danger of losing their play-off bye week. Quarterback Wilson was hit 20 times in the first half alone, and both Tyler Lockett and Thomas Rawls left the game with injuries.
The offence got going in the second half, but it coincided with a defensive collapse, allowing Arizona to score on four of their last six drives. Seattle are missing safety Earl Thomas, and need to come together if they are going to go deep into the post-season. Grade C-
Los Angeles Rams (L 22-21 v San Francisco)
Leading by 14 points in the fourth quarter, the Rams gave up two touchdowns and a two-point play, handing the 49ers their second win (the other also came against the Rams in week 1!). Los Angeles have now lost 10 of their last 11, and fall to 4-11. The end of the season can't come quick enough. Grade E
Green Bay Packers (W 38-25 v Minnesota)
Aaron Rodgers promised the Packer faithful that this team could 'run the table', and return to the play-offs once more. Since then, Green Bay have won their last five and took control of the division. The Packers dominated on both sides of the ball, as the defence sacked Sam Bradford four times, while Rodgers' four scoring throws - two of which went to Jordy Nelson - give him the lead in touchdown passes. Grade B+
Minnesota Vikings (L 38-25 @ Green Bay)
It sounds as though Minnesota lost this one before they started, when they decided to ignore head Mike Zimmer's game plan and, instead devise their own way of dealing with wide receiver Nelson. Whatever they decided, it plainly didn't work, as Nelson had 154 yards and two touchdowns from nine catches.
The 7-8 Vikings have fallen apart and, with no chance of play-off qualification despite beginning the season 5-0, it won't be long before the season's postmortem begins. Grade D
Detroit Lions (L 42-21 @ Dallas)
The Lions are in danger of missing the play-offs after their second loss in two weeks. Zach Zenner kept his team competitive with two rushing touchdowns in the first half, but the Lions defence was overpowered from start to finish, even when running back Elliott was rested. Up next: a massive 'prove-it' game against the Packers. Grade D
Chicago Bears (L 41-21 @ Washington)
Back up quarterback Matt Barkley has exceeded expectations since his call-up to the starting job, but this one was on him. Five interceptions thrown, and it could have been worse with a raft of inaccurate passes. Defensively, the team were far from blameless, and failed to register a sack all game, while the secondary couldn't live with Kirk Cousin's passing attack. Grade E
Atlanta Falcons (W 33-16 @ Carolina)
This Atlanta offence continues to roll. Matt Ryan is having a career year, Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman are unstoppable on the ground, and then of course Julio Jones is a constant threat . Against Carolina, two back up tight ends were accountable for a touchdown each, while Jalen Collins and Brian Poole picked off Cam Newton to lift Atlanta into the NFC's number two seed. Grade B+
New Orleans Saints (W 31-24 v Tampa Bay)
What a frustrating campaign for New Orleans, who have looked unplayable at times, but remain all-too-inconsistent. Drew Brees threw for 299 yards and a touchdown, while Mark Ingram added 90 on the ground. Jairus Byrd profited from a strong pass rush, claiming two interceptions, as New Orleans showed flickers of what might have been this season. Grade B
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (L 31-24 @ New Orleans)
Though they still possess a mathematical shot at the play-offs, back-to-back losses put the breaks on the Bucs' late season surge. Winston threw two picks, and now must play for pride - Tampa haven't finished with a winning record since 2010. Grade C-
Carolina Panthers (L 33-16 v Atlanta)
While Ron Rivera is ready to wash his hands of a disappointing 2016 campaign, he now has to fend off rumours linking him with the head coaching vacancy in Los Angeles. There is talent in Carolina, but Cam Newton struggled with accuracy on Saturday, completing just 14 of 43 passes, and throwing two interceptions. Having said that, the Panthers would do well to invest in better protection for their quarterback this offseason. Grade D-
New England Patriots (W 41-3 v New York Jets)
Difficult to learn much from any team playing the Jets, who have checked out for the remainder of the season. Tom Brady's MVP candidacy strengthened, as he continued to elevate the receivers around him (Matt Lengel had a touchdown score today!). Reports are surfacing that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will take a head coaching job in the summer, but not before he leads New England on a play-off charge. Grade A
Miami Dolphins (W 34-31 @ Buffalo)
The Dolphins are returning to the play-offs for the first time since 2008, courtesy of running back Jay Ajayi! Putting some indifferent form behind him, Ajayi ran for 206 yards and a score, and Andrew Franks scored two clutch field goals; one to force over-time and the other to win the game. As it stands, Miami will play the third seed Pittsburgh, but could have first choice QB Ryan Tannehill back for the tie. Grade B
Buffalo Bills (L 34-31 v Miami)
If there's a positive to take from this loss, it is that the Bills players haven't quit on head coach Rex Ryan. It was a hard fought game from Buffalo, who came up just short on the day. The running game, which has been a constant strength for this team, racked up 282 yards and took the lead late on, but Ryan's defence couldn't hold on to it. Dan Carpenter missed a go-ahead field goal in overtime, handing the advantage to Miami, and extending Buffalo's play-off drought to 17 seasons. Grade C-
New York Jets (L 41-3 @ New England)
After three quarters of this game, the Jets had as many completed passes as they did turnovers (four). Held without a score, New York never threatened to breach New England's defensive ranks, and it got worse after the game when Sheldon Rankins called out team-mate Brandon Marshall, for an undisclosed transgression. Team rows are unhelpful, but not totally surprising after a torrid season. Grade E
Kansas City Chiefs (W 33-10 v Denver)
The Chiefs dominated their division rivals, racing into a 14-0 lead and controlling the game from start to finish. Tyreek Hill looked unstoppable, and tight end Travis Kelce ripped off an 80-yard touchdown score. Kansas finished with a flourish as Dontari Poe came on for the Wildcat touchdown. This team looks ready for the play-offs, with a feast of weapons for QB Alex Smith to utilise. Grade A
Oakland Raiders (W 33-25 v Indianapolis)
A 12th win, but it didn't feel like that for Raider nation at the end of this one. Going into this game, Oakland appeared to be the only team ready to challenge the New England Patriots in the AFC, but quarterback and MVP Derek Carr suffered a broken leg late on, ending his season and delivering a massive blow to the Raiders' Super Bowl aspirations. A desperately unlucky gut-punch to one of the most entertaining teams in the league this season. Grade B (Injury outcome - F)
Denver Broncos (L 33-10 @ Kansas City)
Play-off hopes were extinguished with a limp loss, and both sides of the ball must take responsibility for the Christmas Day defeat. Trevor Siemian had little pass protection, and the run game continued to struggle. However, there were holes on defence, which Kansas City picked apart with ease. Denver haven't missed the post-season since 2010. Grade D-
San Diego Chargers (L 20-17 @ Cleveland)
The Chargers lost to the Browns! That in itself is an indictment of the mood surrounding this franchise, unsure of its future, head coach or playing personnel. Philip Rivers' offence was ineffective for large parts of this contest, and with time running out, Josh Lambo sent a 45-yard field goal wide to hand Cleveland their only win of 2016. Grade F
Cleveland Browns (W 20-17 v San Diego)
Hue Jackson has never slept better. A huge relief for the first-year head coach, who was staring an 0-16 in the face. Isiah Crowell scored two touchdowns, and Cleveland got out to a 10-0 lead, but it could have all ended differently. Had the Chargers not wasted TWO field goal opportunities in the final five minutes, we could have been talking about the 0-15 Browns. However, they managed toe scrape home, and this week's grade is for the team spirit and fight Cleveland have shown week in, week out. Grade A+
Pittsburgh Steelers (W 31-27 v Baltimore)
Ben Roethlisberger looks ready for the play-offs. Despite a couple of early interceptions, the Steelers QB rallied to lead the game-winning drive and clinch the division from under the noses of Baltimore. Antonio Brown, underused in the first half, was a difference maker in the second, and showed great awareness to stick his arm over the goal line despite a swarm of defenders around him. Grade B+
Baltimore Ravens (L 31-27 @ Pittsburgh)
No January NFL for wide receiver Steve Smith, who now has to decide whether he will come back for another year or call time on a 16-year career. The Ravens looked set for their fifth straight win, but were powerless when the combination of Roethlisberger, Brown and Le'Veon Bell shifted gear to score 21 fourth quarter points. Grade C-
Cincinnati Bengals (L 12-10 @ Houston)
Randy Bullock missed a field goal with five seconds to go, which really summed up a drab game. Andy Dalton's numbers were boosted with an 86-yard catch and run touchdown to Brandon LaFell, but there was not much else to cheer about. Tight end Tyler Eifert will spend his second straight off-season recovering from injury, this time on his back, and left guard Clint Boling will also miss the final game of the season after he suffered his shoulder. Grade D-
Jacksonville Jaguars (W 38-17 v Tennessee)
All a bit late for the Jaguars, who sacked head coach Gus Bradley last week. 415 yards of total offence, a dominant defensive performance, and even a touchdown reception for QB Blake Bortles! Interim head coach Doug Marrone played a more aggressive game against the Titans, and it certainly now paid off. Marrone now has one more game, against the Colts, to cement his case for the job on a full-time basis. Grade B+
Houston Texans (W 12-10 v Cincinnati)
Tom Savage made his first career start, threw a touchdown pass and avoided interception, but the Texans should have lost this game. Bullock's late field goal miss handed Houston victory, on a weekend when they were confirmed as AFC South champions for the second straight year. Grade C
Indianapolis Colts (L 33-25 @ Oakland)
Andrew Luck rallied in the fourth quarter, but it was too late after his two interceptions handed the Raiders a third quarter, 33-7 lead. It's the same old issue for the Colts - no pass protection for Luck which puts him under severe pressure. The team ran the ball well, but the defence didn't help as they were held at bay by Oakland's dominant offensive line. Grade D
Tennessee Titans (L 39-17 @ Jacksonville)
It has been very difficult to judge Tennessee this season. Just when you begin to trust them as a play-off contender, they go and collapse, allowing the Jaguars to dominate in every area of the field. Titans QB Marcus Mariota fell to the same fate as Carr, breaking his leg as he tried to escape the pocket. The loss eliminates Tennessee, but the future is bright, if Mariota can return to full strength. Grade E
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