The 2014 NFL thread

[Pies4shaw]

With 7m, 6s to go in the 3rd quarter, the Patriots lead the Colts 21:13. Brady has the ball on 3rd and 3 at the Indy 43.

[Pies4shaw]

New England now lead 28:13, 3 m 23 s to go in the third.

[Pies4shaw]

New England lead 35:20 with 8 minutes, 43 seconds to go in the last quarter.

Bad mistake by the Indy defence - they had Brady on a 3rd and 2 (and stopped Gray's attempt to run it) - but a 15 yard face mask penalty gifted the Pats the 1st down and another shot from the red zone.

[Pies4shaw]

Desperate times for the Colts, now - Luck just threw 4 consecutive incomplete passes to turn the ball over on downs. Brady has another short field - 1st and 10 at the Indy 32.

[Pies4shaw]

And Brady converts it to 7 more points. Pats now lead the Colts 42:20 and that, with 6 m 46s remaining, is that.

[Pies4shaw]

So, the big interest is now, I think, focussed on the following issues:

1 Can Arizona maintain its brilliant record (presently 9:1), given that in coming weeks it plays Seattle twice, the 49ers away, the Rams and Atlanta away and the Chiefs (who are now tied with the Broncos for leadership of the AFC West and on a 5-game winning streak)?

2. Who will win the NFC East - Dallas and Philly are neck and neck on 7:3?

3. Will Green Bay beat Detroit in the return game (at Lambeau) on December 28? If they do, they probably win the NFC North unless there are some very unusual results between now and then.

4. Which of the pack of dreadful NFC South teams will make it? Atlanta are presently "on top" with a 4:6 record but they are level on wins with New Orleans and Carolina is only half a game behind. Even Tampa Bay (2:8 ) remains a mathematical possibility to win the Division, although you'd think the Bucs' record so far suggests that they are incapable of getting on a big-enough roll to make it.

5. Can the Chiefs win their return match at home against the Broncos? If they do, they are a good chance to win the AFC West. Otherwise, the Broncos look like going through.

6. What will happen in the AFC North? This is the strongest division in the NFL, by the looks of things: 4 teams with records of .600 or better and the 4 separated by only half a win (the Bengals' tie against Carolina has them sitting on top - but only just).

7. Will Indy hold off the Texans? The answer is probably "yes" but they are only 1 game ahead after today's (just confirmed 42:20) loss to New England.

8. In the AFC, can anyone beat New England between now and the Championship game? With their 8:2 record, they look a good thing to make it to the Superbowl. The Chiefs sorted them out in week 4 (41:14) but any return match is likely to be in New England.

[Pies4shaw]

So, the Steelers trail the Titans (yes, you'd better believe it) 17:13 with 8 and a half minutes left in the 3rd quarter and the Titans about to get the ball back, after sacking Ben. The Steelers only TD came from an interception and return by William Gay.

How does this happen?

[Pies4shaw]

One further TD each and the Titans still lead 24:20 and they have the ball again.

[Pies4shaw]

But after forcing the Titans to punt, the Steelers have taken the lead with a Big Ben to Antonio Brown (who else, really?) TD pass. 9 minutes, 1 second to go in the last quarter and the Steelers lead 26:24.

[Pies4shaw]

Pittsburgh got the extra point (so they lead 27:24) and have forced the Titans to punt again. Big Ben will start from his own 19-yard line with 6 minutes and 58 seconds to go, so he really can't afford a three and out.

[Pies4shaw]

And he doesn't let that happen. A 12 play, 53-yard drive, holds the ball for the Steelers who end the game 27:24 winners. And so they are now half-a game ahead in the AFC, with 7 wins - although, bearing in mind that they have played one more game than the other three teams, they are still behind the Bengals' 6-3-1 record. Still, they have the bye this week and then play the Bengals twice in the last 5 games, so they have their fate largely in their own hands.

[Pies4shaw]

The free-to-air games for next Monday are, I believe:

5 am - Cleveland at Atlanta - a lot hinges on this (both could win their respective divisions, as surprising as that sounds), even though it isn't perhaps an exciting prospect on paper;

8.30 am - Miami at Denver - the Broncos are now neck and neck with the Chiefs in the AFC West and must win. Meanwhile, the Dolphins probably won't catch New England in the AFC East (they are presently two games behind) but they could certainly challenge for one of the wildcard spots in the AFC; and

12.30 pm Dallas at NY Giants. Dallas must win to keep afloat in the battle with Philly. They are playing in New York, so it is a big ask, despite the Giants' poor record - but if they have serious playoff aspirations the Cowboys really must win this.

[blackmissionary]

Raiders up 14-0 over the Chiefs early in second quarter.

[blackmissionary]

Raiders muff punt return, Chiefs recover on Raiders 11, but can only get field goal. Now 14-3. Listening to the game on radio, apparently pissing down.

[blackmissionary]

Field goal Raiders, 17-3 during third quarter.