Bengals on Playoff Doorstep
Once again the Bengals made it interesting. The Bengals had a great first half, scoring 20 points, including Jerome Simpson's unbelievable touchdown catch, "Holy Crap." Arizona got back in the ballgame in the second half, however, and made a ball game out of it.
WR Larry Fitzgerald caught fire in the fourth quarter and hauled in a 30-yd TD pass, as the Cardinals scored 16 fourth quarter points. The Cardinals were threatening once again late in the fourth quarter, but a wide open Early Doucet fell on the goal line, saving the game, and maybe the season for the Bengals in a 23-16 victory.
With a win next week at home against the Baltimore Ravens clinches them a playoff berth. Baltimore will not only be playing for home-field advantage and a first-round bye, but the division crown as well.
There were only 41,273 fans at the game on Saturday and the Bengals players want more fans at the game. In an effort to fill Paul Brown Stadium for only the second time this season, the Bengals are offering a buy one, get one free for season ticket holders. According to The Enquirer's Joe Reedy, over 2,000 tickets were sold on Monday already and Taylor Mays and Frostee Rucker were some of the players who went up to the ticket office to show their appreciation to fans buying tickets. The team also supplied hot dogs, cotton candy, hot chocolate and water to those who were in line. "Holy Crap."
And it worked because Wednesday morning the game was officially declared a sellout. So, this week's mission is pretty simple, win in front of a sellout crowd and you're in. The Bengals can still get in if they lose, but they need losses by the Jets and the Raiders or Broncos. I wouldn't want to count on all of that. The Bengals almost beat Baltimore in Week 11, they had it first and goal late in the fourth quarter, but failed to convert. They also played without Pro Bowl WR A.J. Green the first time, so I think the Bengals have a chance.
If the Bengals make the playoffs or not, it has been a very good season. I thought they would be lucky to win four games and some people thought they would have trouble winning just one. I'll take a 9-7 season, but a 10-6 season and playoff berth, would be even sweeter.
"HOLY CRAP" PERFORMERS
Indianapolis Colts: After winning their first game of the season last week, the Colts are now on a winning streak after defeating the Houston Texans, 19-16 on Thursday night. QB Dan Orlovsky connected with WR Reggie Wayne -- 8 receptions, 106-yds, TD in the game -- for a 1-yd touchdown with 19 seconds left giving the Colts the lead for good. Although the Colts won again, with a loss this Sunday, they can still get the number one overall pick in April's draft.
RB Arian Foster, Texans: Solid game from Foster is a losing effort with 23 carries for 158-yds and a touchdown.
TE Jared Cook, Titans: Best game of the season for the tight end out of South Carolina, with 8 receptions for 169-yds and a touchdown in a win over the Jaguars.
New England Patriots: Down 17-0, Tom Brady rallied the troops as the Patriots scored 27 unanswered points and the Pats clinched a first-round bye in the win. Brady was 27/46 for 304-yds, a TD (2 Rush TD) in the comeback and WR Wes Welker increased his league lead in receptions and yards with 12 receptions for 138-yds. LB Jerod Mayo also had a nice game with 13 total tackles, a sack, and two hits on the quarterback.
RB Reggie Bush and WR Brandon Marshall, Dolphins: Reggie Bush rushed for 113-yds on 22 carries and Brandon Marshall had 7 receptions for 156-yds and a TD in Saturday's loss to the Patriots, marking the first time in Dolphins history that they have had a 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver in the same season.
WR Victor Cruz, Giants: Cruz not only set the Giants single-season record for receiving yards with 3 receptions for 164-yds, but he also had a 99-yd TD catch, another team record, in the Giants 29-14 win. The G-Men now play a winner take all game next week against the Cowboys at home.
QB Joe Webb, Vikings: I know Christian Ponder is the future at quarterback, but Joe Webb has been very effective coming in for Ponder this season. After Ponder was injured on Saturday, Webb came in and went 4/5 for 84-yds and a TD throwing the ball, and he ran for 34-yds and a TD, in the Vikings comeback win.
LB NaVorro Bowman, 49ers: Bowman is one of the leaders of a very good 49ers defense and he had a great game Saturday against the Seahawks with 12 total tackles, a sack, one tackle for loss, and two quarterback hits.
K David Akers, 49ers: Akers set an NFL-record Saturday making his 42nd field goal of the season. Akers is now an impressive 42-49 on the season and 7-9 on field goals from 50-plus yards. Akers also now holds the 49ers single-season points' record, once held by Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice.
QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers: Rodgers and the Pack clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a 35-21 win over the Bears on Christmas night and Rodgers may have solidified him being named MVP with 283-yds passing and 5 TD. WR Jordy Nelson also had a nice game with 6 receptions for 115-yds and 2 TD.
"Holy Crap" Performances of the Week
Detroit Lions: For the first time since 1999, the Detroit Lions are going to the playoffs. They went 0-16 three years ago and now they have one of the league's best up and coming teams looking to make some noise in the playoffs. The Lions clinched a playoff berth with 38-10 over the San Diego Chargers on Saturday night led by QB Matthew Stafford who was 29/36 for 373-yds and 3 TD.
QB Drew Brees, Saints: On Monday night, Drew Brees broke Dan Marino's single-season passing record with 5,087-yds on the season. Brees also tied the NFL-record with his sixth straight game with 300-yds passing and he now has thrown a TD pass in 41 consecutive games. Brees threw for 307-yds and 4 TD in New Orleans' 45-16 win, in which the Saints clinched the NFC South.
"C'MON MAN" PERFORMANCES
New York Jets: The mission for the Jets was pretty simple, win out, and make the playoffs. However, a loss to the inner city rival Giants, the Jets now need a win in Miami plus losses by the Bengals, Titans, and either Raiders or Broncos to make the playoffs. It's the NFL, so it's possible, but very unlikely. QB Mark Sanchez had another less than stellar performance Saturday going 30/59 for 258-yds, TD, 2 Int, and a fumble lost. Sanchez will still be the quarterback next season if the Jets miss the playoffs, but I would start looking a replacement this offseason if I were the Jets.
QB Eli Manning, Giants: Although the Giants won their game, they need Eli Manning to play much better than he did against the Jets. Eli was just 9 of 27 on the day (33% completion percentage) for 225-yds, TD and a Int.
QB Kellen Clemens, Rams: Just like Eli Manning, Clemens completed just 9 passes on Saturday in 24 attempts (37.5% completion percentage), as the Rams were shutout by the Steelers who played without QB Ben Roethlisberger.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The season can't come to an end soon enough for the Bucs, who lost for the ninth straight time on Saturday. Tampa turned the ball over four times, gave up 433-yds of offense -- 270 of those yards on the ground -- and managed to run for just 59-yds. Expect major changes in Tampa Bay this offseason.
San Diego Chargers: Seemingly every season, the San Diego Chargers are picked to win the division and contend for a Super Bowl, but once again, they failed to live up to expectations. They will finish the season at best 8-8 after suffering a six game losing streak during the season. QB Philip Rivers also has had a disappointing season throwing 19 interceptions and head coach Norv Turner will not be back next season.
"C'mon Man" Performance of the Week
QB Tim Tebow, Broncos: It just wasn't Tim Tebow's day on Christmas Eve. Tebow and the Broncos got rocked in Buffalo, losing 40-14, in which Tebow was 13/30 for 185-yds, TD (Rush TD), and 4 Int. Two of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns and now the Broncos need a win against Kansas City or a Raiders loss in San Diego to make the playoffs.
BOLD PREDICTION
Carolina Panthers: They have gone from a 2-14 team with the worst offense in the NFL, to having one of the most explosive offenses in the league. Cam Newton and Company put on another display Saturday, putting up 433-yds of offense and 48 points on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Newton threw three touchdown passes and ran for another in the rout, and I will go ahead and make a bold prediction that the Carolina Panthers will be a playoff contender in 2012.
| WR Jerome Simpson front flip TD over Daryl Washington was simply spectacular and possibly the play of the year in sports. (The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger) |
With a win next week at home against the Baltimore Ravens clinches them a playoff berth. Baltimore will not only be playing for home-field advantage and a first-round bye, but the division crown as well.
There were only 41,273 fans at the game on Saturday and the Bengals players want more fans at the game. In an effort to fill Paul Brown Stadium for only the second time this season, the Bengals are offering a buy one, get one free for season ticket holders. According to The Enquirer's Joe Reedy, over 2,000 tickets were sold on Monday already and Taylor Mays and Frostee Rucker were some of the players who went up to the ticket office to show their appreciation to fans buying tickets. The team also supplied hot dogs, cotton candy, hot chocolate and water to those who were in line. "Holy Crap."
And it worked because Wednesday morning the game was officially declared a sellout. So, this week's mission is pretty simple, win in front of a sellout crowd and you're in. The Bengals can still get in if they lose, but they need losses by the Jets and the Raiders or Broncos. I wouldn't want to count on all of that. The Bengals almost beat Baltimore in Week 11, they had it first and goal late in the fourth quarter, but failed to convert. They also played without Pro Bowl WR A.J. Green the first time, so I think the Bengals have a chance.
If the Bengals make the playoffs or not, it has been a very good season. I thought they would be lucky to win four games and some people thought they would have trouble winning just one. I'll take a 9-7 season, but a 10-6 season and playoff berth, would be even sweeter.
"HOLY CRAP" PERFORMERS
Indianapolis Colts: After winning their first game of the season last week, the Colts are now on a winning streak after defeating the Houston Texans, 19-16 on Thursday night. QB Dan Orlovsky connected with WR Reggie Wayne -- 8 receptions, 106-yds, TD in the game -- for a 1-yd touchdown with 19 seconds left giving the Colts the lead for good. Although the Colts won again, with a loss this Sunday, they can still get the number one overall pick in April's draft.
RB Arian Foster, Texans: Solid game from Foster is a losing effort with 23 carries for 158-yds and a touchdown.
TE Jared Cook, Titans: Best game of the season for the tight end out of South Carolina, with 8 receptions for 169-yds and a touchdown in a win over the Jaguars.
New England Patriots: Down 17-0, Tom Brady rallied the troops as the Patriots scored 27 unanswered points and the Pats clinched a first-round bye in the win. Brady was 27/46 for 304-yds, a TD (2 Rush TD) in the comeback and WR Wes Welker increased his league lead in receptions and yards with 12 receptions for 138-yds. LB Jerod Mayo also had a nice game with 13 total tackles, a sack, and two hits on the quarterback.
RB Reggie Bush and WR Brandon Marshall, Dolphins: Reggie Bush rushed for 113-yds on 22 carries and Brandon Marshall had 7 receptions for 156-yds and a TD in Saturday's loss to the Patriots, marking the first time in Dolphins history that they have had a 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver in the same season.
WR Victor Cruz, Giants: Cruz not only set the Giants single-season record for receiving yards with 3 receptions for 164-yds, but he also had a 99-yd TD catch, another team record, in the Giants 29-14 win. The G-Men now play a winner take all game next week against the Cowboys at home.
QB Joe Webb, Vikings: I know Christian Ponder is the future at quarterback, but Joe Webb has been very effective coming in for Ponder this season. After Ponder was injured on Saturday, Webb came in and went 4/5 for 84-yds and a TD throwing the ball, and he ran for 34-yds and a TD, in the Vikings comeback win.
LB NaVorro Bowman, 49ers: Bowman is one of the leaders of a very good 49ers defense and he had a great game Saturday against the Seahawks with 12 total tackles, a sack, one tackle for loss, and two quarterback hits.
K David Akers, 49ers: Akers set an NFL-record Saturday making his 42nd field goal of the season. Akers is now an impressive 42-49 on the season and 7-9 on field goals from 50-plus yards. Akers also now holds the 49ers single-season points' record, once held by Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice.
QB Aaron Rodgers, Packers: Rodgers and the Pack clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a 35-21 win over the Bears on Christmas night and Rodgers may have solidified him being named MVP with 283-yds passing and 5 TD. WR Jordy Nelson also had a nice game with 6 receptions for 115-yds and 2 TD.
"Holy Crap" Performances of the Week
Detroit Lions: For the first time since 1999, the Detroit Lions are going to the playoffs. They went 0-16 three years ago and now they have one of the league's best up and coming teams looking to make some noise in the playoffs. The Lions clinched a playoff berth with 38-10 over the San Diego Chargers on Saturday night led by QB Matthew Stafford who was 29/36 for 373-yds and 3 TD.
QB Drew Brees, Saints: On Monday night, Drew Brees broke Dan Marino's single-season passing record with 5,087-yds on the season. Brees also tied the NFL-record with his sixth straight game with 300-yds passing and he now has thrown a TD pass in 41 consecutive games. Brees threw for 307-yds and 4 TD in New Orleans' 45-16 win, in which the Saints clinched the NFC South.
"C'MON MAN" PERFORMANCES
New York Jets: The mission for the Jets was pretty simple, win out, and make the playoffs. However, a loss to the inner city rival Giants, the Jets now need a win in Miami plus losses by the Bengals, Titans, and either Raiders or Broncos to make the playoffs. It's the NFL, so it's possible, but very unlikely. QB Mark Sanchez had another less than stellar performance Saturday going 30/59 for 258-yds, TD, 2 Int, and a fumble lost. Sanchez will still be the quarterback next season if the Jets miss the playoffs, but I would start looking a replacement this offseason if I were the Jets.
QB Eli Manning, Giants: Although the Giants won their game, they need Eli Manning to play much better than he did against the Jets. Eli was just 9 of 27 on the day (33% completion percentage) for 225-yds, TD and a Int.
QB Kellen Clemens, Rams: Just like Eli Manning, Clemens completed just 9 passes on Saturday in 24 attempts (37.5% completion percentage), as the Rams were shutout by the Steelers who played without QB Ben Roethlisberger.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The season can't come to an end soon enough for the Bucs, who lost for the ninth straight time on Saturday. Tampa turned the ball over four times, gave up 433-yds of offense -- 270 of those yards on the ground -- and managed to run for just 59-yds. Expect major changes in Tampa Bay this offseason.
San Diego Chargers: Seemingly every season, the San Diego Chargers are picked to win the division and contend for a Super Bowl, but once again, they failed to live up to expectations. They will finish the season at best 8-8 after suffering a six game losing streak during the season. QB Philip Rivers also has had a disappointing season throwing 19 interceptions and head coach Norv Turner will not be back next season.
"C'mon Man" Performance of the Week
QB Tim Tebow, Broncos: It just wasn't Tim Tebow's day on Christmas Eve. Tebow and the Broncos got rocked in Buffalo, losing 40-14, in which Tebow was 13/30 for 185-yds, TD (Rush TD), and 4 Int. Two of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns and now the Broncos need a win against Kansas City or a Raiders loss in San Diego to make the playoffs.
BOLD PREDICTION
Carolina Panthers: They have gone from a 2-14 team with the worst offense in the NFL, to having one of the most explosive offenses in the league. Cam Newton and Company put on another display Saturday, putting up 433-yds of offense and 48 points on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Newton threw three touchdown passes and ran for another in the rout, and I will go ahead and make a bold prediction that the Carolina Panthers will be a playoff contender in 2012.
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