Snow reschedules, relocates Jets vs. Bills, Cowboys win despite Beckham’s unbelievable catch, and all of NFL Week 12˗˗˗the Monday Morning Realist

Every Monday morning, Section 215’s Akiem Bailum gives an in-depth and unfiltered look at all of the latest sports news in The Monday Morning Realist. You can follow Akiem on Twitter @AkiemBailum.

The White Stuff

Nov 20, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; A general view of the field and seating area of Ralph Wilson Stadium after a major snow storm hit the area. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Realists, if you have lived virtually anyplace in the United States outside of Florida, Arizona, or Hawaii, the chances are high that you have lived through at least one snowstorm in your life. It may make for a beautiful sight on television, but tell that to folks who likely have to drive through the white mess.

There are snowstorms, and then there are blizzards. Or, as we call them in 2014, snowpocalypses.

The latter of which is what happened in Buffalo earlier this week when Lake Effect snow that came in from Lake Michigan eventually led to the dumping of around seven feet of snow in the Buffalo and Western New York areas. Many streets were impassable and many homes had snow up to the tops of their doors.

In addition, many of the homes that were affected by the heavy snow ended up with piles upon piles of snow on the roofs of their homes. Yeah, Realists. The roofs were not on fire, they were on ice.

Another caveat of the heavy snow that fell was the fact that much of the White Stuff found its way directly into Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park. That, of course, is the home of the Buffalo Bills.

Orchard Park was supposed to be the site of an AFC East division matchup between the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. Or, as it is referred to in some quarters in the Empire State, a matchup between a team that actually plays in the New York State line vs. the one that has New York in its title but actually takes the field in New Jersey.

That aside, this one actually had a chance (and still does have a chance to be a huge game for the Buffalo Bills. Believe it or not, the Bills and Miami Dolphins are probably the two teams in the AFC East that are zeroing in on potential Wild Card berths in the AFC.

The Bills really were hoping that some that were near Orchard Park (or near the stadium) would be able to pitch in in their efforts in shoveling out the snow from the stadium. How do we know this? This happens to be because the team paid citizens to arrive at Ralph Wilson Stadium that were willing to shovel snow from it.

This was not anyone’s garden variety snowstorm either. This was a complete blizzard: one in which even resulted in the deaths of several people.

Looking at the snowstorm in Buffalo is also another chance to reflect on one of the things the NFL prides itself on: historic games in cold weather.

Most football fans and football historians of a certain age remember “The Ice Bowl” and “The Fog Bowl.” Recent memory also should serve as a guide to remember that in the months of November, December, and January that NFL games were meant to be played in the elements.

In 2008, the year that the New York Giants eventually would go on to prevail in the Super Bowl over the New England Patriots, they played a matchup against the Green Bay Packers. This was a Packers team that at the time was still quarterbacked by someone by the name of Brett Favre and he was in the throes of a season in which he had seemingly stumbled upon some kind of fountain of youth somewhere in Wisconsin.

The Giants won that game in Lambeau vs. Green Bay, but it was played in sub˗zero temperatures. It was so cold in Green Bay that day that head coach Tom Coughlin’s face was redder than Santa Claus’ suit.

(More Christmas references coming up in the next few weeks as we get closer to December 25, Realists).

The point that has to be made is that while many an NFL game in the past and many an NFL game in the future will be played in the elements, it takes a turn for the worst when the weather is so bad that people and families are stranded in their homes and have no way to make it to the stadium.

This is why the NFL began looking at alternative sites for the game to be played. The site settled on was Ford Field in Detroit.

The press is already going in on the decision despite the fact that fans that attend the game will be able to do so for free.

There would probably be a fee attached to this one if the game featured two teams that had an opportunity to reach the Super Bowl this year (such as the New England Patriots or Green Bay Packers) but that’s another story.

The point is that this could be an example of how the press finds things to complain about. Fans are going to be able to get into Ford Field in Detroit for free to see two NFL teams (even if one of them is the hapless New York Jets) and the media still raises cain because of the location.

Realists, it is understandable the complaints of some who think this one should be played in Syracuse or Albany or even Toronto given the large quantity of Bills fans in all three cities. It does somewhat feel as if the fans are being robbed out of a home game after already paying season tickets.

But, it is possible that more fans may be on board with the idea of this game being played in Detroit instead of Toronto. Do you think Bills fans want anything to do with Toronto after going through a Jon Bon Jovi˗induced scare that the team would consider RELOCATING to Toronto? It got so bad in Buffalo that the former flagship radio station of the Bills, WGRZ˗FM 97Rock (whom is being sued by the Jills cheerleading team over wages) stopped playing Bon Jovi songs.

Detroit may not be ideal in terms of the logistics of getting Bills fans into the stadium. But those that proudly wear the Bills colors in upstate New York have more to worry about at this point than their football team.

Even though, football has got cities through rough periods in the past. There was no better example of this than what happened with the New Orleans Saints after Hurricane Katrina when they returned to the Superdome.

This snowstorm in upstate New York may not be on the same level as Katrina, but it is something that people in western and upstate New York are already rallying around as evidenced by the “One Buffalo” campaign that is being seen throughout the city, including at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

It is one thing to go from the cold and snowy outdoors of Ralph Wilson to the domed Ford Field. It’s also another thing to have to especially keep in mind that when you are part of a professional sports franchise, you are not simply just playing for a paycheck or a team, but for a city.

On Monday night in Detroit, the Bills will be in that position where they are once again reminded that they are Buffalo’s football team.

Time’s Up!

Nov 23, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Cleveland Browns kicker Billy Cundiff (8) reacts with team mates after kicking the game winning field goal to defeat the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Browns defeated the Falcons 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Now, on to the on the field stuff, Realists.

The Cleveland Browns ended up in the loss column for the fourth time this season last week. The beneficiary of the Browns’ defeat was the Houston Texans who beat them 23˗7.

It is commonplace in NFL culture to shrug off Browns losses as if they are nothing more than a common occurrence. After all, it is rare to find a season where the Browns have actually been any kind of decent or respectable.

But, even with that loss, Cleveland is still posting a record of 6˗4 so far this season. 6˗4! Are we sure these are really the Cleveland Browns?

Believe it or not, they are.

The Browns may not be in first place in the AFC North with the 6˗4 clip coming into their Week 12 road matchup vs. the Atlanta Falcons. You know who was in first place, though?

That’s right: the Dirty Birds of the Dirty South.

If the playoffs were to have began after Week 11, the Falcons would be in the playoffs despite only posting a record of 4˗6 in the NFC South. Yep, the Falcons would be in the playoffs and earn a home playoff game despite underperforming in 2014 and questions about their coach.

What a league, Realists. What a league.

Thankfully, this one would not be affected by weather as was the Buffalo game. Rains pelted the entire state of Georgia on Sunday, but no harm no foul since the Georgia Dome set the scene for this one.

The first big play of this game came in the Falcons’ first possession when Matt Ryan completed a pass for 20 yards to Roddy White for a first down. It would be the lone time where Atlanta would move the chains on its first possession prior to punting the football to Cleveland for its first drive.

The Browns only picked up one first down on its initial possession before they punted to Atlanta who turned three first downs into a 10 play, 57 yard scoring drive capped off by a Ryan throw to Julio Jones for 24 yards and a touchdown. The play was a 2nd and 10 from the 24. Matt Bryant’s field goal attempt was good for an early 7˗0 Falcons advantage.

Cleveland began its next possession at their own 20 and would pick up a pair of first downs prior to facing 4th and 1 at the Falcons’ 38. Brian Hoyer’s pass to Ray Agnew was incomplete, but a flag was assessed against Kemal Ishmael for defensive holding.

This gave Cleveland a fresh set of downs, and on the ensuing play, Hoyer connected for 20 yards to Josh Gordon in his first game back off his drug suspension to move the chains from the Falcons’ 33 to the 11. Two plays later, Isiah Crowell went 11 yards to find the end zone. Along with Billy Cundiff’s extra point, the game was tied at 7.

Atlanta then went three and out on their next drive, but the third was because of a Ryan pass intended for Julio Jones that instead found Joe Haden at the Falcons’ 29 yard line. Fortunately for the Falcons, the Browns only gained one first down off the pick and did not move the ball past the 15 yard line. Cundiff’s 33 yard field goal try was good to give the Browns a 10˗7 lead.

After gaining one first down on its next series, the Falcons would turn the ball over again when on 3rd and 3 at the 43, Ryan lost 3 yards on a sack by Paul Kruger. Desmond Bryant came up with the recovery at the Falcons 40 yard line.

Cleveland gained one first down before their ensuing drive stalled at the 19 yard line. This time, it would be a 37 yard field goal from Cundiff as the Browns expanded their lead to 13˗7.

This would be a thing later in this game.

The first play of the ensuing Falcons possession would result in a penalty on Roddy White for holding to turn 1st and 10 into 1st and 18. But on 3rd and 11, Ryan got those yards back and then some with a 32 yard connection to White to midfield from the Falcons’ 19 yard line. Atlanta would waste the big play as their drive stalled at the 43.

The Browns also got two first downs on its drive, but the play that followed the second was a Hoyer interception by Ishmael and a pass intended for Jim Dray. Ishmael’s return went from the Atlanta 36 to the 50.

The first play of the next Falcons drive would be a Ryan pass to Julio Jones for 21 yards. After gaining two more first downs, they gained a touchdown from eight yards out when Ryan found Jacquizz Rodgers for six points. This made the score 14˗13.

Cleveland attempted to put more points on the board with just 55 second left in the first half. After beginning with possession at their 20, they advanced the football to the Falcons’ 42 including a pair of first down pickups. But, Cundiff’s 60 yard field goal attempt was no good, preserving Atlanta’s halftime lead.

The second half commenced with the Browns having possession of the football. A drive that began at the 20 would see three first down gains, including one for 40 yards from Hoyer to Andrew Hawkins. Cleveland forced third and goal from the five before Kroy Biermann sacked Hoyer for a nine yard loss, forcing the Browns to settle for a 32 yard field goal from Cundiff to give Cleveland the lead again at 16˗14.

Atlanta only gained a single first down on its next drive which only went as far as their 32 yard line before it was stymied by a false start penalty and a 12 yard sack.

Three first downs, 9 plays, and 70 yards were what the Browns needed to put seven more on the scoreboard with the scoring play coming on a 2nd and 7 from the 26. Cromwell got those 26 yards to up the Browns’ point total to 23.

The Falcons responded with a 14 play, 80 yard drive that lasted just over six minutes that resulted in a one yard touchdown run courtesy of Steven Jackson. Atlanta had cut the deficit to within two at 23˗21 in the early moments of the fourth quarter.

On 2nd and 10 from the Browns’ 25 on their ensuing possession, Cromwell gained 18. An illegal use of hands flag charged to the Falcons tacked on five more yards, moving the chains to the 48.

Terrance West, a few plays later, had Cleveland knocking on the door as a 20 yard run put the Browns at the Falcons’ six yard line. The ensuing play would be a Hoyer pick by Desmond Trufant as Hoyer was targeting Gordon. The pick occurred in the end zone for a touchback.

Atlanta only gained one first down off the turnover, then Cleveland gave it right back to the Falcons when three plays into its drive, Hoyer was intercepted by Dezmen Southward.

The next Atlanta possession began at their 45, then concluded at the Cleveland 35 after only gaining one first down before Bryant drilled a 53 yard field goal to give the Falcons a 24˗23 with under a minute to play.

Then, two things happened. Johnny Manziel’s girlfriend sent a tweet that said “put bae in”….

And, Falcons coach Mike Smith committed a case of porous clock management. That equaled a Hoyer pass to Gordon for 24 yards from the Browns’ 31 to the 45 of Atlanta. Cleveland would eventually move the football to the Falcons’ 19 prior to Cundiff being true from 37 yards out for the game winner and a 26˗24 Browns victory.

• Hoyer: 23/40, 322 yards, 3 INTs
• Cromwell: 12 carries, 88 yards, 2 TDs
• Gordon: 8 receptions, 120 yards

• Ryan: 27/43, 273 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
• Jackson: 13 carries, 34 yards, 1 TD
• White: 9 receptions, 96 yards

Week 13: CLE at BUF (?) ARI at ATL

Beatdowns are Best Served Cold

Nov 23, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) congratulates running back LeGarrette Blount (29) on his touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Lions 34-9. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

We know how the story has gone as of late for the New England Patriots, it has been mentioned in seemingly every single Realist column over the past five or so weeks. Beginning slow, blown out by Kansas City, questions about Tom Brady, before reeling off statement wins over Chicago, Denver, and Indianapolis on the road despite a season ending injury to Stevan Ridley.

Simply put, Tom Brady makes a lot of football players into better football players. Just ask Jonas Grey from last week, even though he was late this week. That of course is a no˗no in the Kingdom of Belichick.

On the Detroit Lions side, they are not necessarily dealing with the fact that snow in Buffalo has made their stadium the site of the Jets/Bills game, but they would be going to another place that is difficult to play in the month of November: Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

What also has to scare the rest of the AFC more and more is that as the Patriots win more and more games, stay healthy, and seemingly improve as the season goes longer, it is looking more and more likely that the path to Glendale (the Super Bowl) through the AFC will go through Foxboro.

If the path to the Super Bowl through the AFC goes through Foxboro, it’s almost a given that New England will make the Super Bowl. Realists, do you know what Tom Brady’s record is at Gillette during the months of November, December, and January? If you are a team not named New England in the AFC, it gives opponents nightmares at night.
Just ask Detroit on Sunday.

The Lions did begin the game with possession of the football. The first play was a Matthew Stafford pass to Golden Tate for 24 yards. Detroit would gain one more first down and move the football to the 30 yard line of the Patriots. Matt Prater then kicked a 48 yard field goal through the uprights to give the Lions an early 3˗0 lead.

Surprisingly, the Patriots began the game with a three and out before the same happened to Detroit later in the first quarter. New England also suffered another three and out, then on the ensuing punt attempt, fumbled the football before Ryan Allen recovered and punted. After another three and out for Detroit…

New England then took a lead. The Patriots gained four first downs, all on Tom Brady passes, and the drive was capped off with a Brady four yard pass to Tim Wright for a touchdown and a 7˗3 Pats lead after a Stephen Gostkowski extra point.

The Lions maintained possession through the remainder of the quarter and into the beginning of the second quarter. They picked up three first downs, the second of which came via a Stafford pass to Tate for 42 yards. In spite of a first and goal situation from the three, they couldn’t overcome a New England attempt at a goal line stand and had to settle for a Prater field goal from 20 yards out.

Where the Lions could only notch field goals, the Patriots scored touchdowns. The Pats began their next possession at the Detroit 22 after an 81 yard kickoff return via Danny Amendola. Three plays later, LeGarrette Blount (yes, the same Blount who was just kicked off the Steelers for trying to board the team bus early after their Monday Night victory over Tennessee last week because he was ticked about not getting enough carries when Le’Veon Bell had over 200 yards in a win) found the end zone from three yards out to up the Pats score to 14˗6.

After getting three yards and moving the football to the Patriots’ 39 yard line, Detroit punted instead of attempting a 50+ yard field goal. New England was able to get away with no Lions points being scored despite committing two defensive penalties, both on Jamie Collins.

The Patriots would then engineer a six first down, 13 play, 93 yard drive lasting just over five minutes that culminated when Brady connected again with Wright for an eight yard touchdown, to expand the Pats’ lead to 21˗6.

Detroit then put together its own drive after that in which they also looked for more points (and seemed to be in pretty good position to do it). This time after gaining a pair of first downs and getting the ball to the Pats’ 35 yard line, they did attempt a Prater field goal from 53 yards out, but Prater’s try was no good.

The Patriots began their next drive at the 43 yard line, and they converted that one into points. With less than thirty seconds to go, Brady completed to passes of over 20 yards (24 on 2nd and 17 from the Pats’ 36 and 23 on 1st and 10 from the Lions 40, respectively) to Rob Gronkowski for first down gains. New England also used all three of their timeouts in hopes of being able to have a field goal try. They did when Gostkowski drilled a 35 yard field goal through the uprights to increase the Patriots’ lead to 24˗6.

This ended the first half. On top of this, New England would also begin the second half with the football. They gained five first downs, and looked to be in good position to tack on more points after the halftime period. But a 1st and 10 play from the Lions’ 10 yard line resulted in a Brady interception by James Ihedigbo on a pass intended for Gronk. Gronk denied and Ihedigbo returned to the seven yard line of New England.

The Lions would only move the chains once before their ensuing possession stalled at the 27 yard line, bringing up a punt. Three first downs (one of which was a Blount 23 yard run), nine plays, 50 yards, and 3:27 later after a drive that began at the Patriots’ 25, Gostkowski was true from 43 yards out to up the Patriot lead to 27˗6.

After trading three and outs, the Lions would have possession again and would move the football again in which they would gain a pair of first downs. One of them was on 3rd and 8 from the 49 yard line, Stafford threw to Calvin Johnson for 22 yards to the 27 yard line of New England.

Detroit’s possession would continue as the fourth quarter commenced. Four plays into the fourth quarter as a false start flag moved the Lions back to the 31 from the 26, Prater nailed a 49 yard field goal to bring the score to 27˗9.

After a Patriots three and out, the Lions regained possession in which they maintained possession for over two minutes. Detroit got three first downs. The first of which came from a Brandon Browner defensive pass interference penalty. The next play would see the Lions moved back with an illegal use of hands flag assessed against them.

Another of the first downs came via a 4th down and 6 conversion when Stafford threw complete to Eric Ebron for 17 yards to the Patriots’ 38 yard line. Detroit attempted another 4th down conversion down by a huge amount to the Pats, but a Stafford QB keeper for nine yards was short of the 10 needed for first down yardage…a turnover on downs back to the Patriots.

New England would then make two first downs on their next drive, the second one making history when Brady threw complete to Gronk for 10 yards on 3rd and 7 from their 30 yard line. He became the sixth player in NFL history to reach 7,000 passing yards. The drive would eventually end in a punt back to the Lions.

After a 12 yard pickup for a first down from Stafford to Megatron to the New England 28, Stafford was looking for Tate but was picked off by Logan Ryan at the New England 49. A penalty assessed for an illegal block above the waist was enforced at the Pats’ 44 yard line, moving New England back to the 34 to begin its next drive.

The first play was a Blount run for 33 yards from the New England 34 to the Detroit 44. They would gain one more first down and keep possession through the two minute warning as the Lions burned their last two timeouts.

After a Blount run on 3rd and goal from the Detroit six yard line was short, it looked like Gostkowski would attempt a 20 yard field goal before a personal foul assessed against C.J. Mosley gave the Patriots a fresh set of downs.
And when you do that to the Patriots when they are that close to hitting paydirt at home, you are likely to pay. Detroit did when Blount reached the end zone from two yards out to up the Patriots lead to 34˗9.

The Lions would gain three first downs on their final drive of the game, but would not move the ball to the Patriots side of the field and the final play was a Stafford kneel down at their 31 yard line. The drive was also hampered by a false start penalty for five yards on 2nd and 4 from the Lions’ 40, moving them back to the 35. Corey Fuller was also hit with a 1st and 10 from the 46 with 24 seconds left to play. It was for 15 yards to move Detroit back to the 31.

Crazy things have happened in the NFL, but 24 seconds is not enough to make up a 29 point deficit as the Pats won 34˗9.

• Brady: 38/53, 349 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
• Blount: 12 carries, 78 yards, 1 TD
• LaFell: 9 receptions, 98 yards

• Stafford: 18/46, 264 yards, 1 INT
• Bell: 19 carries, 48 yards
• Tate: 4 receptions, 97 yards

Week 13: CHI at DET, NE at GB

Lowering the Boom

Nov 23, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is pressured by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

If there is one word that can be accurately used to describe the 2014 Arizona Cardinals, it would be underrated.
The Cardinals came into their Week 12 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field having won nine of their first ten games to start the season. The fact that any Arizona Cardinals team is sitting pretty in terms of the playoff picture is remarkable in itself, even if it has not been the loudest of 9˗1 starts.

They have seemingly struggled as of late on the offensive side of the football, as evidenced by Carson Palmer’ season ending ACL injury and for the reigns to be turned over to Drew Stanton. But, last week, Arizona did earn a 14˗6 victory over the Detroit Lions.

If there was any chance the Cardinals had of really making a statement, it would be by defeating the Seahawks in Seattle as the Dallas Cowboys already accomplished earlier in the season.

Those Seahawks also suffered defeat last week at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs by a final score of 24˗20. That loss is said to have been fueled by internal pressure as there appears to be a rift between Marshawn Lynch and Seattle brass.

Even if there were issues, there didn’t appear to be any on the Seattle side of the field on Sunday. The only issues were on Arizona’s.

The game began with a three and out from the Cardinals before the Seahawks took over on offense. After the Cardinals’ opening drive stalled at their own 17, Drew Butler’s punt only went to the Seahawks 40 before it was returned by Bryan Walters to the Arizona side of the field.

Seattle would gain two first downs and cap off the 9 play, 40 yard drive with a Steven Hauschka 27 yard field goal to give the Seahawks an early 3˗0 lead despite forcing 4th and 1 from the 9 yard line.

Arizona gained only one first down and that came on a defensive pass interference flag that was assessed against Byron Maxwell. The virtual three and out drive then resulted in another punt back to Seattle.

The Seahawks then went three and out prior to the Cardinals’ ensuing possession where they only had one first down. Seattle would have possession and complete one play prior to the end of the half, but it was a big play as Russell Wilson completed to Ricardo Lockette for 48 yards.

The second quarter commenced with Seattle running three plays in the Cardinals’ red zone before settling for another Hauschka field goal, as he was good from 32 yards out to extend the Seahawks’ lead to 6˗0. Say what you want about baseball scores.

After Arizona gained a first down on its ensuing possession, the next play would result in a Stanton pick by Maxwell on a 1st and 10 play from the 35 intended for John Brown. The ball then went to the 48 of Arizona.

The drive for the Seahawks would go to the 34 yard line before Hauschka nailed another field goal. The 52˗yarder for three points made the Seattle advantage 9˗0.

A three and out from the Cardinals was followed by one that might as well be counted as such for the Seahawks.

Except on Seattle’s fourth down, they had a shot at another field goal after beginning a drive at the 48 yard line of Arizona after an out of bounds punt. 4th and 22 from the Cardinals’ 31 would see Hauschka attempt another field goal before it was blocked by the Cardinals and recovered by Arizona’s Tony Jefferson.

The Cardinals would use all of their timeouts on their following drive which would be the last one of the half.

Arizona would gain six first downs on this drive and would advance the football to the Seahawks’ five yard line. The biggest gain of the drive came when on 2nd and 10 from the 45, Stanton threw for 22 yards to Jaron Brown to the 23 yard line of Seattle. But the Seahawks would keep Arizona out of the end zone, forcing the Cardinals to settle for a 23 yard field goal from Chandler Catanzaro for a 9˗3 score.

One kneel down from the Seahawks would conclude the first half, but Seattle would begin the second half with the football. But, Seattle would only go three and out. Arizona would do the same, but the Cardinals’ three and out would result in a big play on special teams as Seattle blocked a Butler punt.

It was recovered by the Cardinals before Cooper Helfet forced a fumble that went out of bounds.

The Seahawks began their next drive with a short field at the 24 yard line, but only netted two yards to set the stage for another Hauschka field goal try. His 40 yarder was good for a 12˗3 Seattle lead.

Another Arizona three and out was followed by the Seahawks retaking possession again. The Seahawks picked up four first downs, including one for 23 yards on a short pass from Wilson to Lynch. The 9 play, 75 yard drive lasting over five minutes that featured mainly Wilson passes and scrambles concluded with a Wilson pass to Helfet for a 20 yard touchdown. This made the score 19˗3 in favor of Seattle.

The next Arizona drive that lasted from the end of the third quarter to the beginning of the fourth would see the Cardinals only gain two first downs before punting. The Seahawks got two on their next drive before punting back to the Cardinals.

Arizona’s anemic offense with its backup quarterback on the field only got one first down on its last drive before Seattle would control the football for the remainder of the game.

With 6:53 left, the Seahawks controlled the football by converting four plays into first downs, including one for 23 yards from Wilson to Luke Willson for 21 yards from the 36 on 2nd and 6 to the 15 for a 1st and 10.

Seattle would maintain possession through the two minute warning, and two plays plus a kneel down later, the Seahawks had sealed a 19˗3 victory over their division rivals.

• Wilson: 17/22, 211 yards, 1 TD
• Wilson: 10 carries, 73 yards
• Lockette: 1 reception, 48 yards

• Stanton: 14/26, 149 yards, 1 INT
• Ellington: 10 carries, 24 yards
• John Brown: 3 receptions, 61 yards

Week 13: SEA at SF (TNF), MIA at NYJ (MNF)

One Catch Doth Not a Game Make

Nov 23, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) catches a one handed touchdown against by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr (39) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

That catch…

Dallas was on a bye week last week, but the one prior to that, they might as well have been on bye week as well since they were up against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Cowboys made mincemeat of the Jaguars 31˗17.
That catch…

As for the Giants, their playoff chances are all but gone at 3˗7 on the season in an NFC East that has both Dallas and Philadelphia in it.

That catch…

This game was scheduled for Sunday Night Football even though there was talk about it being flexed since New York was falling more and more out of contention.

That catch….

NBC had to be happy eventually that it was not flexed out….for one specific reason….
That catch….

This one began with a Dallas three and out, followed by a long New York drive in which Big Blue gained four first downs. This was including an Eli Manning pass to Reuben Randle for 21 yards. It was capped off after 13 plays and 80 yards with a Manning pass to Beckham (not That catch, though…) for three yards and a TD for a 7˗0 lead.

The Cowboys answered with three when after gaining two first downs (including one with a Tony Romo pass to James Hanna). The 8 play, 60 yard drive culminated in a 38 yard field goal from Dan Bailey for a 7˗3 score.

The Giants would gain one first down as the first quarter ended before a 43 yard pass from Manning resulting in…
That catch…

It gave the Giants a 14˗3 lead. Dallas challenged it, which failed. But, honestly. Move over David Tyree! Where did Odell Beckham Jr.’s hands come from?

If games were judged on style points, the Giants would have won at that moment.

Unfortunately if you are an aficionado of Big Blue, games are not won via style points.

And Dallas would respond anyway when they would gain four first downs, including one for 26 yards on a Romo completion to Lance Dunbar. The recipient of the seven points was Jason Witten who caught a four yard pass from Romo.

At 14˗10, this put New York on the move again. Four first downs, 11 plays, 80 yards, and 5:57 later, Andre Williams went three yards on 2nd and goal from the three for six more points and a 21˗10 G˗Men lead.

Each team then traded three and outs. The ensuing Cowboys possession would see them gain one first down before Romo was sacked by Mathias Kiwanuka. Then, Jason Pierre˗Paul recovered the fumble caused by the sack.

Manning would find Beckham again for 22 yards as the half expired, but New York would have the football coming out of the halftime period.

It would only result in a three and out. The next Cowboys drive would stall at their 35. The big moment would come when Romo found Dez Bryant for 39 yards but it was nullified by an offensive holding penalty. The next two plays would be incompletions, bringing up a punt.

After a Giants three and out, the Cowboys notched their first points of the third quarter when on 3rd and 5 at the Giants’ 45, Cole Beasley caught a 45 yard TD pass from Romo to make the tally 21˗17.

The ensuing New York possession appeared to be promising. They got three first downs and advanced the football to the Dallas 18 yard line, but Manning was picked off by Barry Church on a pass intended for Preston Parker. He returned it to the Cowboys’ 48.

On 2nd and 10 from the Giants’ 31, Dallas converted that turnover into points when Romo found Bryant for 31 yards and seven more points to bring the score to 24˗21 in favor of the Cowboys.

As the third quarter ended and the fourth began, New York would be in possession of the football. The drive resulted in them only gaining one first down before punting.

Dallas would also gain only one first down before punting back to the Giants who gained five first downs including one in which Manning found Rashad Jennings for 27 yards. The drive ended when Manning found Adrien Robinson for a one yard touchdown for Robinson’s only catch of the day to give New York a 28˗24 lead.

Dallas then responded when after three first down gains (including a 21 yard pass from Romo to Beasley) they capped off a 7 play, 80 yard drive lasting just under two minutes when Romo found Bryant for 13 yards and a 31˗28 lead.

The final drive for New York would see then burn a timeout, and of course, go for it on fourth down in hopes of getting in field goal range. But it was not to be as a 4th and 2 play from Manning to Jennings was ruled to have only gone one yard instead of two.

Dallas then took the field one more time for a kneel to seal a victory, but still…

That catch….

• Romo: 18/26, 275 yards, 4 TDs
• Murray: 24 carries, 121 yards
• Bryant: 7 receptions, 86 yards, 2 TDs

• Manning: 29/40, 338 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
• Jennings: 19 carries, 52 yards
• Beckham: 10 receptions, 146 yards, 2 TDs

Week 13: PHI at DAL (Thanksgiving), NYG at JAC

Other Games

Nov 16, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; A general view of footballs with a salute to service logo prior to the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Denver Broncos at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders defeat Chiefs 24˗20

Eagles defeat Titans 46˗24

Packers defeat Vikings 24˗21

Colts defeat Jaguars 23˗3

Bengals defeat Texans 22˗13

Bears defeat Buccaneers 21˗13

Chargers defeat Rams 27˗24

Broncos defeat Dolphins 39˗36

49ers defeat Redskins 19˗16

Jets at Bills (Detroit): 7:00

Ravens at Saints: 8:30 Monday Night Football