Tuesday, December 5
Week 14 wrap-ups



Patriots 30, Chiefs 24
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It was over when ... Game ball goes to ...
The driving Chiefs ran out of time at the Patriots' 11-yard line while trailing by six points. Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe. He threw two TD passes and had 282 yards in the air for his best game of the season.
UP NEXT: Patriots (4-9) at Bears (3-10)   |    Chiefs (5-8) vs. Panthers (6-7)

Panthers 16, Rams 3
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It was over when ... Game ball goes to ... Tom Donahoe's analysis
Jimmy Hitchcock intercepted Kurt Warner's pass and returned it 88 yards for the touchdown. It gave the Panthers a 7-3 lead in the third quarter and took any wind out of the Rams' sails. Panthers kicker Joe Nedney, who converted three kicks for 20, 23 and 37 yards -- all in the fourth quarter -- to ensure the Panthers' win. It's amazing that the Carolina Panthers could hold the Rams without a touchdown. A short while ago all the experts were talking about the Rams going 16-0 -- and now they are danger of not even making the playoffs.
UP NEXT: Panthers (6-7) at Chiefs (5-7)   |    Rams (8-5) vs. Vikings (11-2)

Giants 9, Redskins 7
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It was over when ... Game ball goes to ... Tom Donahoe's analysis
Eddie Murray's 49-yard field goal attempt fell short with 56 seconds left in the game, giving the Giants the win. The Giants defense and special teams. The defense held Stephen Davis to just 29 yards on 19 carries and didn't give QB Brad Johnson any time. Special teams got good field position as the Giants' two first-half drives started near midfield. The Redskins' kicking situation has been a joke all year, and it continued in the same vein Sunday. Eddie Murray missed two makable field goals. This team is a far cry from the preseason Super Bowl hype.
UP NEXT: Giants (9-4) vs. Steelers (7-6)   |    Redskins (7-6) at Cowboys (4-9)

Seahawks 30, Falcons 10
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It was over when ... Game ball goes to ... Tom Donahoe's analysis
Rian Lindell kicked a 46-yard field goal to cap a 17-point first quarter for the Seahawks. The Falcons have been outscored 71-24 in the last two weeks. The Seahawks offense, which managed to score against the league's second-worst defense. Jon Kitna threw for 252 yards and a TD and Ricky Watters amassed 79 yards, going past 10,000 for his career. Every time coach Mike Holmgren takes a look at Brock Huard to see if he's the Seahawks' QB of the future, Jon Kitna steps up and gives a good performance. Kitna did that again today, and he may be trying to prove something to Holmgren.
UP NEXT: Seahawks (5-8) at Broncos (9-4)   |    Falcons (3-11) -- BYE

Dolphins 33, Bills 6
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It was over when ... Game ball goes to ... Tom Donahoe's analysis
Jay Fiedler completed a 14-yard TD pass to Leslie Shepherd to give the Dolphins a 24-0 halftime lead. Fiedler had three touchdown passes in the half. Dolphins running back Lamar Smith, who returned strong from missing a game with a strained right hamstring. Smith had 28 carries for 100 yards and also caught a TD pass in Miami's rout. The return of Jay Fiedler and Lamar Smith proved to be a great combination for Miami. Rarely are the Dolphins able to go to Buffalo and come away with a win. But the effort was fueled by Fiedler's precision passing and Smith's physical runs.
UP NEXT: Dolphins (10-3) vs. Buccaneers (8-5)   |    Bills (7-6) at Colts (7-6)

Bengals 24, Cardinals 13
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It was over when ... Game ball goes to ... Tom Donahoe's analysis
When Cincy's Tom Carter intercepted Jake Plummer at the Bengals 7-yard line with 8:27 left in the game. The Bengals ran out the clock and scored on a field goal to nullify the Cards' chances. Cincinnati's Corey Dillon, who pretty much did it all Sunday. He ran for 216 yards and a TD, and set two Bengals records -- most 100-yard games (18) and most yards in a season (1,278). Corey Dillon has proven his value to the Bengals this year. From the Bengals' perspective, it is imperative they sign him. He can be the cornerstone of an offense -- someone to build a game plan around.
UP NEXT: Bengals (3-10) at Titans (10-3)   |    Cardinals (3-10) at Jaguars (6-7)

Broncos 38, Saints 23
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It was over when ... Game ball goes to ... Tom Donahoe's analysis
In the second quarter, where the Broncos scored three touchdowns to take a 28-13 lead. At that point, the Saints ran for just 21 yards -- and did not run once in the second half. Denver's Mike Anderson, who ran for 251 yards on 37 carries and four touchdowns to break the NFL rookie rushing record. The running back also eclipsed Terrell Davis' 215-yard single-game rushing record for the Broncos. The Saints' defensive front had a bad game. It may not be so much what they didn't do as it was an outstanding game plan and blocking scheme by Denver, which seemed to keep the Saints off balance.
UP NEXT: Broncos (9-4) vs. Seahawks (5-8)   |    Saints (8-5) at Niners (5-8)

Buccaneers 27, Cowboys 7
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It was over when ... Game ball goes to ... Tom Donahoe's analysis
When Warrick Dunn goes up against the league's worst rushing defense, it's over from the start. Dunn scored on his first carry -- a 70-yard run that gave the Bucs a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. On a day where running backs ruled, Warrick Dunn led his team as well. He rushed for a career-high 210 yards and two touchdowns, fully taking advantage of the opportunity opened up by Mike Alstott's knee injury. The Cowboys have had difficulty all year stopping the run. They are not big in their defensive front seven -- and especially at linebacker. Why? Lack of size and to some poor defensive technique.
UP NEXT: Buccaneers (8-5) at Dolphins (10-3)   |    Cowboys (4-9) vs. Redskins (7-6)

Steelers 21, Raiders 20
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It was over when ... Game ball goes to ... Tom Donahoe's analysis
Oakland's Sebastian Janikowski missed a 44-yard FG attempt with just under four minutes left in the game. Janikowski converted a 42-yarder earlier in the quarter, but it was the only score the Steelers allowed in the second half. Steelers QB Kordell Stewart, who made an unexpected return from a supposedly game-ending knee injury. He led Pittsburgh's comeback win and scored the go-ahead touchdown -- a 17-yard run in the fourth quarter. The Raiders' loss Sunday was nothing more than that. They are an outstanding football team and will not go into a tailspin because of one road loss. The Steelers were well-prepared and had a lot on the line.
UP NEXT: Steelers (7-6) at Giants (9-4)   |    Raiders (10-3) vs. Jets (9-4)

Titans 15, Eagles 13
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It was over when ... Game ball goes to ... Tom Donahoe's analysis
Al Del Greco hit a 50-yard field goal as time expired. It has to be kicker Al Del Greco. Amid all the criticism over his poor performance the past two weeks, Del Greco was the sole scorer for the Titans, putting in a 15-point performance. Even though the Eagles lost the statistical battle, they were right there till the end with a tough Tennessee team. The Eagles have proven all year they are a resilient group and they hang tough -- and usually they've found a way to win.
UP NEXT: Titans (10-3) vs. Bengals (3-10)   |    Eagles (9-5) at Browns (3-11)

49ers 45, Chargers 17
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It was over when ... Game ball goes to ... Tom Donahoe's analysis
The Niners scored 17 points in the second quarter to erase a 7-0 deficit and take the lead for good. Niners wideout Jerry Rice. After 16 seasons, the future Hall of Famer had two touchdown receptions against the host Chargers and was "speechless" and "embarrassed" after the crowd chanted his name. The 49ers have been playing great football of late. Whether it's a simplification of the defensive scheme or simply the development of some players, there has been a big difference over the last month.
UP NEXT: Niners (5-8) vs. Saints (8-5)   |    Chargers (1-12) at Ravens (9-4)

Jets 27, Colts 17
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It was over when ... Game ball goes to ... Tom Donahoe's analysis
Jeff Saturday's bad snap was jumped on by the Jets' Bryan Cox on the Indianapolis 20, thwarting what could have been a turnaround drive for the Colts late in the fourth quarter. Curtis Martin had a career day (203 rushing yards), but Vinny Testaverde led the Jets offense. He threw an interception, but he went 26-of-41 for 295 yards and two touchdowns. The Colts have one of the best running backs in the game in Edgerrin James, but often they are forced to go away from him because they are in a catch-up mode. The Jets have a strong defense and challenged the Colts in this game.
UP NEXT: Jets (9-4) at Raiders (10-3)   |    Colts (7-6) vs. Bills (7-6)

Jaguars 48, Browns 0
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It was over when ... Game ball goes to ... Tom Donahoe's analysis
By halftime. Mike Hollis' two field goals and touchdowns by Fred Taylor and Keenan McCardell gave the Jaguars a 20-0 lead after two quarters. Against the Browns, how do you pick the Jags offense over the defense, or visa versa? The Browns were held to 53 total yards and didn't get past the 50. Taylor broke the Jags' career rushing record (181 yards) and scored three TDs. Having lost their top two quarterbacks, Tim Couch and Ty Detmer, the Browns are in a difficult situation. Using third- and fourth-string quarterbacks is not conducive to moving the football and scoring points.
UP NEXT: Jaguars (6-7) vs. Falcons (3-11)   |    Browns (3-11) vs. Eagles (9-5)

Packers 28, Bears 6
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It was over when ... Game ball goes to ...
Brett Favre connected with Antonio Freeman on a 5-yard touchdown pass that gave the Packers a 14-3 halftime lead. Packers QB Brett Favre, who went 19-of-31 for 225 yards and a touchdown. He also reached 3,000 yards passing for a ninth straight season to tie Dan Marino's NFL record.
UP NEXT: Packers (6-7) vs. Lions (8-5)   |    Bears (3-10) vs. Patriots (3-9)







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