WINNERS
Seattle Seahawks
7-5 (6th in NFC Wildcard race)
After a shaky start to the season, it appears that the Seattle Seahawks have regained their footing as one of the premier teams in the NFL. Facing off against the NFC North leading Minnesota Vikings, Russell Wilson led Seattle to a 38-7 victory behind 3 passing TDs, 1 rushing score, on 274 yards passing. Though sans Marshawn Lynch, the ground game was effective, with Rawls piling up 101 yards, with 1 score on 19 carries. The Seahawks signature defense was back in form as they held the Vikings to only 7 points, which came on a kickoff return, and held rushing leader Adrian Peterson to only 18 yards. Looks like the Panthers and Cardinals might have some sturdy competition in the playoffs.
Arizona Cardinals
10-2 (Lead NFC West)
With the division rival Seattle Seahawks gaining momentum, NFC West leaders Arizona Cardinals still look stout. Currently sporting a hefty 10-2 record, the birds took on the St. Louis Rams and punched them right in the mouth 27-3, even though they were undermanned. Replacement running backs David Johnson and Kerwynn Williams both found the end zone, and Johnson, a rookie on his first career start, also hauled in a TD pass from QB Carson Palmer. For his efforts, the veteran quarterback had another outstanding day with 356 yards passing and 2 TDs. All-Pro wideout Larry Fitzgerald reached a milestone making his 1,000th career reception and surpassing 1,000 yards for the seventh time.
Pittsburgh Steelers
7-5 (Lead AFC North)
Though it has been a struggle for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to remain on the field due to injury, the big man had a major performance Sunday night against the Indianapolis Colts, tallying up 364 passing yards and 4 TDs. Pittsburgh simply outmuscled the Colts, pounding them 45-10. WR Antonio Brown made the opposing defense look like swiss cheese, as he shredded them for 2 TDs, 118 Rec yards and a 71 yard punt return score. Running DeAngelo Williams also got his licks in with 134 yards on the ground. The biggest takeaway from this is the fact that Big Ben has 886 yards passing and 10 TDs in his last two starts against the Colts. If Roethlisberger can remain healthy, the Steelers might be scary team in the playoffs.
LOSERS
New York Giants
5-7 (10th in NFC Wildcard Race)
New York Giants fans seem to be running out of adjectives to describe the piss poor performances by the franchise this season. Currently sitting at a 5-7 record in the NFL’s weakest division, the G-men failed to finish the job once again yesterday against the hometown rival New York Jets, making it the 5th time they have blown a lead with under 2 minutes in the game this season. The offense had a rather mediocre outing, as the only bright spot was Odell Beckham‘s 1 TD on 149 yards receiving. Finally, the screams for head coach Tom Coughlin to be fired seem to be getting louder as his awful play calling was magnified yesterday when he went for it on 4th down and 2 on the Jets 4 yard line. Needless to say, they did not convert and it opened the door for the Jets to comeback from a 20-10 deficit. Down 3 in overtime, and needing a field goal to remain alive, in true underachiever fashion, the Giants Josh Brown missed his first FG attempt of the year, sealing the victory for the Jets. Giants general manager Jerry Reese will have a lot of explaining to do at the end of this season.
This is the second time this year Tom Coughlin has been out-coached by a rookie head coach. Week 2 vs. Falcons and today vs. Jets.
— Giants Daily (@NYGDaily) December 6, 2015
Minnesota Vikings
8-4 (Tied for 1st in NFC North)
After having one of their strongest starts to a regular season in quite a few years, racking up 8 victories, once having sole ownership atop the NFC North, the Vikings of Minnesota showed their true colors yesterday when they faced off against the Seattle Seahawks. Only able to muster 7 points, which came off a kickoff return when the game was already far out of reach, the offense and defense looked abysmal. Quarterback Tedy Bridgewater looked out of sync all game, throwing for only 118 yards, and NFL rushing leader Adrian Peterson didn’t fare much better, amassing 18 yards on 8 carries. The Vikings are slowly losing control of the division, as they are tied for 1st place with the still dangerous Green Bay Packers. As former Head Coach Dennis Green once said “they are who we thought they were!” Ain’t that the truth.
Atlanta Falcons
6-6 (Tied For 5th in NFC Wildcard race)
Loaded with talent, the Atlanta Falcons started this season 5-0 behind fantastic performances by the league’s best wideout Julio Jones and a strong showing by 2nd year running back Devonta Freeman. Remaining neck and neck with division rivals Carolina Panthers, the wheels came off as the team succumbed to a horrendous losing streak which saw them lose their 5th straight yesterday to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Falcons offense was all over the place, yielding only 1 TD and the defense gave the game away, as Buccs rookie QB Jameis Winston led the team to a game changing drive that culminated in a TD pass to take the lead with 1:39 left in the game. Sitting at 6-6, the Falcons are tied with the Buccaneers for a wildcard spot, but with the teams lackluster play the past few weeks, it is difficult to see them achieving anything meaningful in 2015. Atlanta, along with the New York Giants might be neck and neck for the biggest underachievers of this season.
