Week 16 in Review Dec 24, 2007 | More

Week 16 in Review

Thursday and Saturday Night Recaps

The Steelers clinched a playoff berth with their win over the Rams on Thursday night. The Cowboys held off the Panthers on Saturday night, but it was a costly win as Terrell Owens suffered a high ankle sprain. He is expected to play in their first playoff game since they have a first-round bye.

Eagles 38 --- Saints 23

The Eagles aren’t going to the playoffs and they’re taking down other teams with them. The Saints fell to 7-8 with their loss and will need a lot of help to claim a wildcard spot in the NFC. Donovan McNabb played very well in the Eagles win throwing for 263 yards and 3 TD’s. Brian Westbrook ran for 100 yards, but only had 3 catches for 9 yards. Buckhalter stole the only rushing TD for the Birds. Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown each caught 6 balls for 70+ yards. Brown had a TD catch while Curtis recovered a fumble in the endzone. The Eagles are now 7-8 and will look to improve to .500 next weekend vs the Bills in what could likely be the last home game for some Eagles.

The Saints playoff hopes are going down the drain. The 0-4 start will just come back to haunt them as they just could not overcome it. Drew Brees threw for 289 yards and 1 INT. The TD’s came on the ground from Aaron Stecker, who totaled 84 yards and had 2 scores. He left the game with an injury, but did later return. However, that was not the case for 2^nd-year WR, Marques Colston. He caught 3 balls for 16 before leaving with an injury. The Saints will travel to Chicago for their final game of the year.

Jaguars 49 --- Raiders 11

The Jags are on a roll. They have won 6 of their last 7 games and are a team that no one wants to face in January. David Garrard threw for 199 yards, 2 TD’s, and 1 INT. He also ran for a score before leaving early to rest. Quinn Gray came in and threw for 54 yards and 2 TD’s. However, it was the running game that stole the show again. Fred Taylor ran for 111 yards and a TD while Maurice Jones-Drew rushed for 44 yards and a TD. MJD also caught 6 balls for 96 yards, leading all Jacksonville receivers. Reggie Williams and Matt Jones each caught TD passes in the Jags 11^th win of the year.

The Raiders fell to 4-11 and Jamarcus Russell got a lot of playing time in this one. However, it wasn’t such a great day for him. He threw for 83 yards, 1 TD, and 3 INT’s. Dominic Rhodes played in place of the injured Justin Fargas and ran for 115 yards. Oakland will host the Chargers in Week 17.

Bengals 19 --- Browns 14

The Bengals wanted no part of allowing the Browns to make the playoffs as their defense proved to be the difference in this one. Derek Anderson was picked off 4 times as the Browns couldn’t clinch a playoff berth in Cincinnati. Kenny Watson ran well for the Bengals as he carried 30 times for 130 yards and a TD. TJ Houshmandzadeh caught the only TD pass from Palmer, who threw for only 115 yards, that lone TD, and 2 picks. The Bengals improved to 6-9 and will likely have some offseason changes.

As for Cleveland, their playoff hopes took a hit with this loss. A win and they were in. However, they couldn’t get it done. Braylon Edwards caught 8 balls for 52 yards and 2 TD’s in the loss while Jamal Lewis rumbled for 92 yards. The Browns can only hope for a win next week and a Tennessee loss to the 2^nd-string Colts on SNF in order to make the playoffs. It was a good run for Cleveland, but it appears that it may be over.

Lions 25 --- Chiefs 20

The Lions won’t lose 10 games this year! They have a shot to finish .500 as well after their win over Kansas City at home on Sunday. Jon Kitna threw for only 116 yards, but TJ Duckett played well in place of an injured Kevin Jones. Duckett ran for 102 yards and a score in the win.

As for KC, Damon Huard came in for Brodie Croyle who was hurt and threw for 302 yards and 2 TD’s. Tony Gonzalez led all receivers in this game with 10 catches for 137 yards. Dwayne Bowe had a big game as well with 8 catches for 97 yards and a TD. Kolby Smith totaled 115 yards on the day for the now 4-11 Chiefs.

Bears 35 --- Packers 7

Well, we know one place Brett Favre never wants to go after football: Chicago. His struggles against the Bears continued as he threw for 153 yards and 2 picks in their loss. Ryan Grant’s 66 yard TD run was the only bright spot for the Bears. He finished with 100 yards on the ground and that lone Packer score. The Packers blew their chance at the #1 seed and have locked themselves into the #2 seed in the NFC standing at 12-3.

The Bears got it done on the ground Sunday as Adrian Peterson carried the ball 30 times for 102 yards and a TD. Chicago ran the ball 45 times and threw only 14 times, but the defensive and special teams units played extremely well. The special teams squad blocked two punts, one of which was returned for a TD. Brian Urlacher also had an 85-yard interception return for a score to put a finishing touch on the game. Chicago will host the Saints next week in their season finale. There scene just won’t be the same as the one last January.

Giants 38 --- Bills 21

Four turnovers for Eli; no problem for the Giants. Brandon Jacobs carried the load for the Giants rushing for 145 yards and 2 TD’s. However, rookie Ahmad Bradshaw ran for 151 yards, including an 88-yard TD run to put the game away in the 4^th quarter. It was the longest run from scrimmage this season. Eli has been inconsistent, but he has made the playoffs as a starter every year. The Giants are now in the playoffs for the 3^rd straight year. Only Seattle is the other team to accomplish that feat.

The Bills got off to an early 14-0 lead, but it vanished in the wind. Trent Edwards threw for 161 yards and 2 TD’s, but had 3 costly interceptions. Two of those three picks were returned for touchdowns. Marshawn Lynch ran for 70 yards and a score in the loss. Buffalo travels to Philadelphia next week in a game of two teams that haven’t given up, despite being eliminated from playoff contention.

Colts 38 --- Texans 15

The Colts didn’t rest their starters, but Anthony Gonzalez left the game early with a minor injury and Joseph Addai did the same. Addai was banged up, but then returned for a TD run. He didn’t return after that, though. Peyton Manning threw for 311 yards and 3 TD’s while his #1 target, Reggie Wayne, caught 10 balls for 143 yards and a score. Dallas Clark caught 2 TDs on six grabs as well.

Sage Rosenfels threw for 233 yards, 2 TD’s, and 3 picks in the Texans 8^th loss of the year. Andre Johnson caught 7 passes for 74 yards and a TD, but the Indy offense was too explosive for them. Houston will try to finish .500 as they host the Jags next weekend.

49ers 21 --- Bucs 19

The Bucs obviously didn’t care much about this one as they pulled Jeff Garcia before half and the 49ers played well enough to get a win. Garcia threw for 196 yards and a TD before leaving, but Shaun Hill outperformed everyone in this one. He tossed for 123 yards, 3 TD’s and 1 INT. Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, and Darrell Jackson each had a receiving TD for San Fran. It was a heart-felt win for the 49ers and their fans as Bryant Young got a victory in his last home game of his career.

The Bucs are now locked into the 4 seed and will host the NY Giants in the 1^st round of the playoffs. The weather shouldn’t be a factor in this one.

Cardinals 30 --- Falcons 27

The ATL comeback fell short as the Cards defeated the Falcons in OT. Kurt Warner had a big day throwing for 361 yards and 3 TD’s. Anquan Boldin was the beneficiary of Warner’s big day as he caught 13 balls for 162 yards and 2 scores. The Edge ran for 76 yards on 25 carries for Arizona.

Chris Redman threw for 315 yards, 2 TD’s, and 1 INT in the Falcons’ 12^th loss of the season. Roddy White had a big day with 141 yards, but Laurent Robinson had 114 yards, including a 74-yard TD reception. The Dirty Birds will host Seattle in Week 17.

Titans 10 --- Jets 6

Remember the Titans? They’re in the driver’s seat now in the AFC’s chase for the final wildcard spot. They did it on defense, though, as the offense continues to sputter. Vince Young threw for 166 yards and had two turnovers, but LenDale White picked up the slack rushing for over 100 yards. Tennessee will play the Colts in Indy on SNF next weekend in a “win-and-in” situation. If they lose, the Browns will make the playoffs. We’ll see what Dungy does as that will ultimately decide the game.

Chad Pennington threw for 264 yards, 1 TD, and 2 interceptions. One interception was in the endzone, which could have gave the Jets a great shot to win. It seemed like they didn’t want to win this game. Jerricho Cotchery had a huge game catching 8 balls for 152 yards and a score. Thomas Jones continued his disappointing season with 58 yards on 21 carries. Herman Edwards will come back to the Meadowlands next weekend for a Jets-Chiefs season finale.

Seahawks 27 --- Ravens 6

Seattle is ready for the playoffs, that’s for sure. They’ll be the 3 seed and will face the Redskins if they can beat the Cowboys next weekend. Matt Hasselbeck threw for 199 yards and a pair of TD’s and INT’s. Shaun Alexander ran for 73 yards and caught a TD.

Troy Smith started for Baltimore and threw for 199 yards and a TD to Derrick Mason. Willis McGahee ran for only 10 yards on 5 carries before leaving the game with broken ribs. He will miss the final game of the season.

Patriots 28 --- Dolphins 7

We’re getting closer to the record…

Oh, which one you ask? Tom Brady’s passing TD record? Randy Moss’ receiving TD record? Or how bout that 16-0 one… The Pats are now one win away from a perfect regular season. They’ll try to accomplish that feat in the Meadowlands Saturday night on NFL Network. On Sunday, Tom Brady threw for 215 yards, 3 TD’s, and 2 picks. Randy Moss had 5 catches for 50 yards and 2 of those scores. Laurence Maroney came back to haunt his fantasy owners’ dreams with 156 yards and a TD. He was a bust of a top 10 pick for the first 14 weeks, but in the last two playoff weeks he put up big numbers. However, it was too late to trust him.

Nothing to note for the Dolphins. Moving along…

Redskins 32 --- Vikings 21

Win at home and you’re in! It was as simple as that for the Vikes, but apparently the Skins were too much. Todd Collins was too much. Wow. He threw for 254 yards and 2 TD’s, but he wasn’t the only one tossing TD’s. Clinton Portis threw a TD to Randel El in the 2^nd quarter. Portis got it done on the ground too as he ran for 76 yards and a game-sealing TD in the 4^th quarter. Another Moss with a good day was Santana, who caught 4 balls for 71 yards and a TD. Washington needs to win in Dallas and they’re in the playoffs. Lucky for them, the Packers lost to give the Cowboys the #1 seed.

The Vikes will now need some help to play January football after blowing a prime opportunity Sunday night. Tarvaris Jackson scored 3 TD’s for Minny (2 rushing), but Adrian Peterson was shut down as he ran for only 27 yards. The Vikings fell behind early and their passing game is not their strong suit.

Monday Night Football

The Broncos face the Chargers on a Christmas Eve Monday Night Football game. Don’t forget the game is at a “special time” at 8:00pmEST. Have a happy holiday!