After a couple of tough weeks, it was nice to get a solid 5-2 week. I was a little bummed to not get the Chiefs game, though when they elected to go for it on 4th & 4 instead of punting and pinning the Cards deep, I figured I was hosed. That stop was such a momentum changer. Still, KC had opportunities down the stretch to to take the lead, but two costly turnovers (an INT and a fumble deep in Arizona territory) sealed it.
The Steelers, Ravens and Panthers picks were pretty easy wins, though it took the first two teams until the second half to really pull away. The Carolina game-- wow. I figured that this one would be reliant on a backdoor, late garbage time TD, but no-- the Saints just imploded at home.... again. I wonder how different the Saints' season would be now if they didn't have that bogus call in the SF game. Things have been way downhill since then, in a season that has never been more than about a third way up the hill.
The Pats D secured the cover here, in a night when Brady made a few uncharacteristically bad throws (including the Cutleresque toss to Mant'i Teo near the end zone). Holding the Chargers to a single offensive score was massive, and speaks to the Patriots' much, much improved secondary.
Seattle seemed in control of the game at the Eagles, despite the early lead (what was essentially a special teams TD). The Eagles couldn't get anything going against the improved Seattle stop unit, which has been playing much, much better as of late. Suddenly, the defending champs look the part with this late season surge.
I was impressed with Denver's run game; feeding the ball the C. J. Anderson seems to be working for them. On a day when Manning had 0 TDs (a streak ended), the run was powerful. This bodes well for the playoffs, especially with the aforementioned improved secondary in New England. Plus, the string of RB injuries that allowed them to discover Anderson's talents is a great story.
The bad situation in the Bay area just went from bad to much, much worse-- and for once, we are not talking about the Raiders. Losing to the Raiders probably put the signatures on the divorce papers between the Niners and Harbaugh. I can't see him taking the gig at Oakland, but there seems to be a great deal of buzz around that move. I don't know who the 49ers think they will be able to get that's an upgrade, but there are some big egos involved in this thing. I also don't see Harbaugh going back to the college game without a Super Bowl ring to match his brother's-- he's just too competitive. I wondered about this game, after a recent ESPN polling of top-level NFL personnel execs picked Carr over Kaepernick in a head-to-head "who would you rather build your team around" question.
And what about Andrew Luck-- despite playing poorly for most of the game, he rallies his team for yet another late comeback win. The win is great for Indy, but with their stranglehold on the AFC South, the biggest winner is probably Johnny Football. With only a faint glimmer of playoff hopes still alive, the Browns could bench Hoyer (who was a dismal 14-31 with 0 TDs and 2 INTs, in a game where his D was giving him all the opportunity in the world) and see what they've got in their draft pick.
All in all, a solid week. One game under .500 and still have a shot to get mostly even for the season.
NFL 2014 Week 14: 5-2
NFL 2014 Season Total: 22-23
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