Last week of the regular season with the playoffs starting next week. Packers went in controlling their own destiny and needing a win over the Bears to claim the last Wild Card spot. Even though the Bears clinched a bye week already, they were still hoping for Home Field Advantage and gave it their all. It turned out to be a defensive game at Lambeau with the edge going to the Packers, 10-3. They get into the playoffs as the 6th seed. The Packers have had a crazy year but get back to the Postseason.
The Colts also needed a win to get a playoff spot or risk losing it to Jacksonville. The Colts would get a game winning field goal by Adam Vinatieri as time expired, 23-20. Peyton Manning threw for 264 yards and 2 TDs while the ground game ran for 101 combined yards. Jacksonville would lose their game, anyway, to the Texans, 34-17. As for settling the AFC North, Steelers had a edge going into the week over Baltimore with a better division record. The Steelers knew that and won their game over the Browns, 41-9, for a first round bye. Big Ben threw for 280 yards and 2 TDs in the AFC North Clinching game. The Ravens still win their game over the Bengals, 13-7, but doesn't amount to anything more than the 5th seed in the AFC postseason picture.
The Sunday Night Game featured a default NFC West Division Title game between the Rams and the Seahawks in a loud Qwest Field. It was a defensive game throughout and, other than a 4 yard TD pass from Charlie Whitehurst to Mike Williams on the first drive, there were no TDs scored. Thanks to the crowd noise and some cushion from that first drive, the Seahawks won the game and the Division, 16-6. They finish at 7-9 and are the first team to win a division title with a record under .500. An historic low for any playoff team but it's a playoff spot and that's what counts. This 7-9 team will host the 11-5 Saints next week. That's weird to say.
Other games included Brett Favre watching his last game go bye bye as the Vikings lose to the Lions, 20-13. Joe Webb not as great tonight as he threw for 145 yards, no TDs, and 1 INT. Giants and Bucs wins their respective games but do not get into the playoffs because of the Packers beating the Bears. Giants say they will keep Tom Coughlin, despite missing the playoffs, while Raheem Morris is looking good knowing that he has improved the Bucs considerably with Josh Freeman as QB. And the Atlanta Falcons take Home Field Advantage by beating the Panthers, 31-10. Matt Ryan threw for 236 Yards and 2 TDs in important last regular season game.
The Playoff picture is now crystal clear: The NFC games will be the Saints at the Seahawks and the Packers at the Eagles with the Falcons and Bears getting the bye. The AFC games will be the Jets at the Colts and the Ravens at the Chiefs while the Patriots and the Steelers take the week off as the top 2 seeds. Is it Super Bowl time yet?
P.S. Looks like Bill Cowher will not go to the Giants. Can somebody tell him there is an opening in San Francisco? It doesn't snow at all.
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