Bengals have field day with Manziel, Browns; Bills upset Packers, and all of NFL Week 15˗˗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.

Heinz South

Dec 14, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) greets fans after the Steelers win over the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Steelers won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The misadventures of the NFC South in 2014 are well˗documented and well˗known up to this point. Right now, the best hope (the only one) for a team to actually win this division with a record of 8˗8 is the New Orleans Saints if they manage to run the table for the rest of the season.

The two teams that are also looking at the playoffs (somehow) in that division are the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons. Remember: a team will not make the playoffs even though they have a better record than any team in the South because of the NFL’s rules regarding division winners.

Meanwhile, there is an opposite effect occurring in the AFC North, where all of the teams in that division are at least good and they have a very legitimate shot at being able to get three teams in the playoffs this year. That includes the Pittsburgh Steelers…

…whose fans on Sunday practically turned the Georgia Dome into an interior version of Heinz Field. All that was missing was the butchered up turf.

Pittsburgh’s opening drive would last 10 plays for 60 yards and 5:51 and would net them three points. It stalled at the Falcons’ 20 as the first points of the game came courtesy of a Shaun Suisham 38 yard field goal. 3˗0 Steelers.

The Falcons first possession would see them gain a pair of first downs, but after their series stalled at the Pittsburgh 44, they punted.

One of the two first downs Pittsburgh gained on their next possession would be off a short pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Le’Veon Bell for 44 yards. Similar to their first possession, this one would also stall at the 20, resulting in another 38 yard field goal by Suisham to make the score 6˗0.

Atlanta got the football back as the first quarter ended and the second was to begin, but the first play of that drive that was intended to be a Matt Ryan pass to Harry Douglas instead was picked off by William Gay at the Steelers’ 48. 52 yards later, the score became 13˗0.

The Falcons only gained one first down on their next drive prior to punting which would see a three and out by the Steelers. One of the four first downs Atlanta picked up on their next drive would be a 24 yard pass to Roddy White to move the football to the 48. A third and six from the 17 yard line was a Ryan TD pass to Devin Hester to cap off a nine play, 85 yard drive lasting 5:29.

The ensuing Steelers possession would see five first downs, 12 plays, 80 yards, and nearly four minutes, but would see seven more points put on the board when Bell found the end zone from one yard out to extend the Steelers’ lead to 20˗7.

Atlanta used all of its timeouts on its last drive of the first half, and it would stall at their 48.

The first play of the second half with the Falcons on possession of the football would see Ryan throw to Hester for 46 yards to the Steeler 34. Atlanta gained one more first down this drive but it would stall at the 10 yard line of the Steelers. Matt Bryant’s first field goal was 28 yards out to make the score 20˗10.

Pittsburgh only gained one first down on its next possession before punting.

The following Atlanta drive would see four first down gains, 13 plays, 75 yards, and 6:04. This drive would stall at the 4 yard line and would see the Falcons settle for a 22 yard field goal off Bryant’s cleats to make the score 20˗13.

Three first downs would be gained on Pittsburgh’s next possession, including one where Roethlisberger threw to Heath Miller for 26 yards to the Falcons’ 43. He then threw for 30 yards to the 13 to Markus Wheaton before Bell got the final 13 yards to end a six play, 80 yard drive lasting over three minutes.

The Falcons answered with a 10 play, 84 yard, 3:50 drive that would see seven points put on the board via a Ryan pass to Roddy White for a touchdown from four yards out.

Pittsburgh would only gain a pair of firsts on their next drive prior to punting back to Atlanta who followed that up with a three and out. The Steelers would gain a pair of first downs off runs by Bell as the Falcons were using their last timeouts. Their defense could not come off the field as a Roethlisberger pass to Miller for 25 yards to the Falcons 14 netted another first down and sealed the game for the Steelers after a pair of kneel downs.

• Roethlisberger: 27/35, 360 yards
• Bell: 20 carries, 47 yards, 2 TDs
• Brown: 10 receptions, 123 yards

• Ryan: 26/37, 310 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
• Jackson: 11 carries, 46 yards
• Douglas: 10 receptions, 131 yards

Week 16: KC at PIT, ATL at NO

Johnny Who?

Dec 14, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Wallace Gilberry (95)during the first quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

This one can be seen moreso than anything else as an indictment on the media.

One of the teams playing in this game has a legitimate shot to make the playoffs. In fact one of the teams playing in this game will probably make the playoffs despite playing in a very tough division with a pair of division rivals.

But, thanks to ESPN, all of the hype leading up to this game had to do with a certain Johnny Manziel being tagged as the starter for this game. Forgetting that it is only the first time he’s started and is now playing real NFL competition. Everyone expected him to have a Peyton Manning like performance.

If it was similar to Manning’s it resembled more the Manning that he was in his first season and not the soon to be Hall of Famer he’s been since that first year in Indianapolis.

Five first downs would be gained on the Bengals’ opening drive that lasted over seven minutes and spanned 14 plays for 81 yards. The score came from a two yard touchdown run courtesy of Jeremy Hill for a 7˗0 lead for Cincinnati after a Mike Nugent extra point.

A three and out from Cleveland was followed by another Bengals possession in which three first downs would be gained, including one where Hill went 20 yards to the Browns’ 37. This drive stalled after 4th and long at the 27 and would see a 44 yard field goal by Nugent to make the score 10˗0.

This would be followed by another three and out from the Browns. Brandon Tate converted a 41 yard punt return into Cleveland beginning with possession at the Browns’ 36 after a penalty. Two first downs, five plays, 36 yards, and 1:57 later, Hill’s 16 yard TD run made it a 17˗0 game.

The Browns did gain one first down on their ensuing possession, but then gave it back to Cincinnati when Manziel threw a pass intended for Andrew Hawkins to Dre Kirkpatrick who took the football to the 33.

This would be followed up by another Cincinnati possession in which Nugent nailed a 44 yard field goal to make the score 20˗0.

Another three and out by the Browns (this is becoming a theme) would be followed by another Cincinnati drive in which two first downs were gained. A Dalton pass intended for Ryan Hewitt instead found Craig Robertson on 1st and 10 from the Browns’ 41. The football was placed at the Browns’ 30 after a Cleveland penalty.

Four first downs actually would be picked up by the Browns and Manziel did engineer a 10 play, 51 yard drive lasting 5:12. Well, he and Isaiah Cromwell did. But a 3rd and 4 play at the 19 was intended to be a pass to Taylor Gabriel. The recipient was Adam Jones. The pick was in the end zone meaning touchback.

Two plays by Hill later, the quarter and half concluded.

Cleveland began with the football, but would only muster a three and out. Cincinnati gained one first down on its first drive courtesy of a 21 yard run by Hill. That took the ball to the Browns’ 42, but the drive stalled after failing to advance past the 45.

Another Browns three and out was followed by a long 11 play, 30 yard, 6:39 drive by the Bengals that saw a pair of first down gains and a Nugent 34 yard field goal after the drive stalled at the 16.

The lone first down on the next drive came on a Manziel pass to Josh Gordon for 32 yards that advanced the football to midfield. They seemingly continued to make progress on that possession but were driven back to near midfield, producing a punt.

The Bengals only got one first down on their next drive before punting. Another Browns three and out also prompted a punt.

The final drive for the Bengals would see them put an exclamation point on a dominant performance. Five first downs, 14 plays, 86 yards, and 8:44 later, Rex Burkhead put six more on the board from 10 yards out to make the game 30˗0.
One pass by Manziel to Travis Benjamin later, this game was good as over.

• Dalton: 14/24, 117 yards, 1 INT
• Hill: 25 carries, 148 yards, 2 TD
• Green: 5 receptions, 49 yards

• Manziel: 10/18, 80 yards, 2 INTs
• West: 5 carries, 23 yards
• Gordon: 3 receptions, 48 yards

Week 16: CLE at CAR, DEN at CIN

First Ones In˗dy

Dec 14, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Daniel Herron (36) runs with the ball against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats Houston 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

It is Week 15 after all, meaning it is right on cue for teams to begin clinching playoff berths. Several teams were in perfect position to clinch playoff berths this week, including the Patriots, Packers, Broncos, Cardinals, and Colts.

The Indianapolis Colts were in position to clinch a playoff berth not only because they are playing in a paper weak division, but also thanks to the fact that they actually are a good team. Going 9˗4 is no easy feat, no matter who your quarterback is. And as we know, the Colts have a good one in Luck.

Meanwhile, the Houston Texans can at least take solace in this: 2014 was not as disastrous as last season was. They actually are still in a playoff chase, albeit barely. Even if they don’t make it, 7˗7 is nowhere near 2˗14. Plus, what about J.J. Watt for MVP?

A Colts three and out to begin this game was followed by a drive from Houston in which they picked up only one first down before punting. Two firsts would be gained on Indianapolis’ ensuing possession and one would be gained for the Texans.

The Colts’ next drive lasted only three plays with the third being a 3rd and 9 from the 16 that saw a Luck pass intended for Fleener instead find Kendrick Lewis who returned it 27 yards for a touchdown. Randy Bullock’s extra point was good. 7˗0 Texans.

After trading three and outs, Indianapolis’ next possession would see three first downs including a 20 yard pass from Luck to T.Y. Hilton to move the football to the Houston 41. On 3rd and 4 from the 26 (the first play of the second quarter), Luck threw to Hakeem Nicks for 26 yards and a touchdown to tie the game at 7. The drive lasted six plays for 78 yards and 2:54.

Houston’s ensuing drive saw two first downs gained prior to a punt. The first play of the next Colts series would be a 22 yard pass to Fleener from Luck. That accounted for one of three first downs, but Indy no longer had possession after a short pass to Reggie Wayne resulted in a fumble caused by A.J. Bouye. Bouye also recovered.

But the Texans now had a new quarterback with Ryan Fitzpatrick injured and done for the season. The first play would see Tom Savage fumble and Bjoern Warner recover. Three first downs later on 1st and goal from the 3, Luck found Dwayne Allen for a score and 7 more points. 14˗7.

A three and out was for Houston was followed by only one first down gain for Indianapolis, prompting a punt. The same would be true for the Texans who only gained one first down. After their next drive began at their own 42, it appeared that a 48 yard pass from Luck to Donte Montcrief would equal a touchdown, but an offensive holding penalty took the points off the board. The score would be 14˗7 going into the half.

The first possession of the half would see a three and out for the Texans. Both teams then traded drives that only saw two first down gains. The Colts then had another drive that saw only one first down gain.

The next possession for the Texans saw then gain four first downs, including a 2nd and 9 that saw Savage throw to DeVier Posey for 30 yards to move the football to the Colts’ 47. That drive stalled at the 35 and would produce a 53 yard field goal from the foot of Bullock to make the score 14˗10.

A three and out from the Colts was followed by a drive that saw three first downs by Houston. Then, Indy gained three first downs on 10 plays, 47 yards, and 5:03. The drive ended in a 29 yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri for a 17˗10 Indianapolis lead.

The last possession for the Texans with an opportunity to tie saw one first down and one Savage interception by Vontae Davis on 4th and 3 at the Texans’ 48. Three Colts kneel downs later, it was done and the Colts had won the AFC South.

• Luck: 18/34, 187 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
• Herron: 11 carries, 60 yards
• Hilton: 4 receptions, 50 yards

• Savage: 10/19, 127 yards, 1 INT
• Foster: 26 carries, 99 yards
• Hopkins: 5 receptions, 77 yards

Week 16: IND at DAL, BAL at HOU

Stampede

Dec 14, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams (94) celebrates with defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) after causing a fumble against the Green Bay Packers during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills beat the Packers 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

And this one is exactly why football games are never won inside the Bristol and Los Angeles studios.

Everyone seems to forget that the Buffalo Bills are actually good this season. They were 7˗6 coming into this game, but it can be overshadowed by the fact that they are in the same division as Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. But 7˗6 and an identical record as the Kansas City Chiefs is nothing to scoff at.

And of course, the way that the Green Bay Packers have been playing as of late, everyone and their mothers is already penciling them into the Super Bowl. And for good reason. Aaron Rodgers looks like Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay appears to be showing everyone what would have happened if he were healthy all of last year.

So, yeah. Green Bay blowout in Buffalo?

Hold everything…

The opening Green Bay drive only saw one first down gain that prompted a punt to Buffalo. One first down would also be gained by the Bills prior to a punt from them. The next two possessions overall would be punts. Two first downs were gained on Green Bay’s ensuing possession and the Packers moved the football to the 27 of the Bills. The first points of the game came from Mason Crosby as his 45 yard field goal made it 3˗0 Packers.

The two teams then traded three and outs, but Green Bay’s punt would see a 75 yard punt return by Marcus Thigpen for a touchdown to make the score 7˗3 in favor of the Bills.

Five first downs were gained on the next Packers drive including one that was a 22 yard run by Eddie Lacy to the Bills’ 26 yard line. That seven play, 80 yard, 2:55 drive resulted in a one yard run by Lacy for a touchdown to retake the lead for the Packers at 10˗7.

Four were gained for Buffalo on their next possession including when Kyle Orton threw to Sammy Watkins for 28 yards to move the ball to the Packers’ 49. The drive would stall at the Packers’ 9 and the 10 play, 71 yard, 6:10 drive ended in a 27 yard field goal by Dan Carpenter. 10˗10.

Three were gained by Green Bay on its next drive before punting back to Buffalo who only managed a three and out. The Packers did so as well on their next drive. Two plays into the next drive for the Bills, Orton was looking for Watkins but instead found Tramon Williams at the Packers’ 34. An unnecessary roughness flag moved the Packers back to their 19.

Only one first down would be gained by Green Bay prior to another punt. Three Bills plays and one timeout burn by the Packers later, we were at the half.

The first possession for the Bills of the second half saw three first downs, 11 plays, 40 yards, five and a half minutes and a 51 yard field goal by Carpenter to make the score 13˗10.

Then two plays into the following Green Bay possession. Rodgers was looking for Randall Cobb on 2nd and 7 from their 23. Rodgers instead threw to Bacarri Rambo at the 45 and he returned the rock to the 25. The ensuing Bills possession: a three and out.

Four first downs would be gained on the ensuing Green Bay drive and they moved the football somewhat deep into Bills territory. But a 3rd and 4 at the Buffalo 34 was a pick by Rambo at the Bills 20. He returned the football to the 48 of Buffalo.

The first drive of the ensuing Buffalo drive was an Orton pass to Fred Jackson for 20 yards. It was the lone first down of the drive but it moved the football to the Packers’ 32. Eventually, said drive stalled at the 30 and Carpenter nailed a 48 yard field goal through the uprights for the score to be 19˗10.

Green Bay responded with three of their own. Four first downs, including a 20 yard pass from Rodgers to Jordy Nelson would be gained on a 10 play, 66 yard drive that lasted 4:32. Eventually, the drive stalled at the 16 and Crosby’s 34 yard field goal made it 19˗13.

A punt would ensue after Buffalo only gained two first downs. The next Green Bay possession lasted only one play: a Rodgers sack in the end zone by Mario Williams. Safety. 21˗13. Exclamation point.

After an unsuccessful onside kick attempt, three kneel downs later sealed the eighth win of the year (and a non losing season) for Buffalo.

• Orton: 14/27, 158 yards, 1 INT
• Jackson: 20 carries, 71 yards
• Brown: 1 reception, 40 yards

• Rodgers: 17/42, 185 yards, 2 INT
• Lacy: 15 carries, 97 yards, 1 TD
• Cobb: 7 receptions, 96 yards

Week 16: GB at TB, BUF at OAK

Dallas’ Linc to Victory

Dec 14, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) catches a pass for a touchdown as Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Bradley Fletcher (24) defend in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

After what the Philadelphia Eagles were able to do to the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington the week of Thanksgiving, many Eagles fans had this game circled on their calendars anticipating that a similar result would come from this game.

Even though Dallas had beaten the Chicago Bears 41˗28 on Thursday Night Football last week. The Eagles had received a wakeup call when they were defeated by the Seattle Seahawks 24˗14. But many in Philadelphia were beyond optimistic about Sunday night.

Mark Sanchez or no Mark Sanchez at quarterback, they knew that an Eagles victory all but assured them the NFC East.
Thanks to this game, though, all of that changed.

Philadelphia had won the right to receive to begin the first half, but C.J. Spillman recovered a kicked ball that was muffed by the Eagles’ Josh Huff. After gaining one first down, a one yard touchdown run by DeMarco Murray along with an extra point from Dan Bailey made the score 7˗0 early.

A three and out by the Eagles was followed by Dallas gaining six more first downs on a 16 play, 88 yard drive lasting over six minutes. The Cowboys upped their advantage to 14˗0 after Tony Romo found Dez Bryant for four yards.

Another Eagles three and out was followed by another long Cowboys drive that lasted from the end of the first quarter until the start of the second. They gained three first downs. The eight play, 56 yard drive lasting 4:42 ended when Romo found Bryant again, this time for 26 yards on 2nd and 11 from the 26. 21˗0.

Then came the comeback. Philadelphia’s first real productive drive of the game spanned four first downs, 11 plays, 84 yards and 3:24, but resulted in a five yard touchdown run by Chris Polk. After Cody Parkey’s extra point, it was 21˗7.

A Dallas drive that saw only one first down gain would eventually translate into one for Philadelphia where four were picked up. That 11 play, 43 yard, 2:58 drive would see a Parkey field goal from 47 yards out to make the score 21˗10. The final Cowboys drive would only see two first downs gained prior to the half.

The Cowboys would have possession first to begin the second half. Their opening drive only saw one first down gain prior to a punt. The ensuing Eagles possession would see three first downs, including a 72 yard pass from Sanchez to Jeremy Maclin to the one yard line of Dallas. The next play would be a one yard touchdown run by Polk for a one yard touchdown. 21˗17.

The ensuing Cowboys possession would see one first down gain, and one turnover when Romo was sacked. Vinny Curry caused the sack and Fletcher Cox was on the recovery.

Also, they were deep in Dallas territory. Three plays into the following Philadelphia drive, they took their first lead of the game on a Darren Sproles touchdown from one yard out. 24˗21.

That would not last long as the following Cowboys drive featured four first downs, 8 plays, 78 yards, and 5:03. Two of them were for plays of over 20 yards (Romo to Bryant for 22 yards to the Cowboys 45 and a Murray run for 21 yards to the Eagles’ 23. The score would come on a 2 yard touchdown run by Murray for a 28˗24 lead for Dallas.

The Eagles next drive would be three and out, but the third would be because a Sanchez pass intended for Zach Ertz instead was a pick by J.J. Wilcox at the Eagles 42 as the quarter expired.

Dallas would convert the turnover into points when Romo found Bryant for 25 yards and his third touchdown of the game. 35˗24.

On 2nd and 21 in the second play of the ensuing Philadelphia drive, Sanchez found Huff for 44 yards and an unsportsmanlike penalty on Rolando McClain put the football at the Cowboys’ 32. Eventually, the score for the Eagles would come via a 43 yard Parkey field goal. 35˗27.

After a Cowboys three and out, the following Philadelphia possession would see 2nd and 13 at their own 20. It was a pass to Brent Celek for 14 yards and what would have been a first down, but Dallas said Celek fumbled and that he was not down by contact. It was ruled a fumble caused by Wilcox and recovered by Kyle Wilber.

The Cowboys turned that turnover into points when after gaining one first down, they set the stage for a Bailey field goal from 49 yards out. 38˗27.

The Eagles only gained one first down on their next drive while the Cowboys would go three and out. The second play of the final Philadelphia drive would be an interception of Sanchez by Bruce Carter at the 45 to the 47.

Three kneel downs later, the Cowboys earned their tenth win of the season.

• Romo: 22/31, 265 yards, 3 TDs
• Murray: 31 carries, 81 yards, 2 TDs
• Bryant: 6 receptions, 114 yards, 3 TDs

• Sanchez: 17/28, 252 yards, 2 INTs
• McCoy: 16 carries, 64 yards
• Maclin: 4 receptions, 98 yards

Week 16: IND at DAL, PHI at WAS

Other Games

Nov 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; General view NFL logo during an NFL game between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Cardinals defeat Rams 12˗6

Giants defeat Redskins 24˗13

Patriots defeat Dolphins 41˗13

Chiefs defeat Raiders 31˗13

Ravens defeat Jaguars 20˗12

Panthers defeat Buccaneers 19˗17

Jets defeat Titans 16˗11

Broncos defeat Chargers 22˗10

Lions defeat Vikings 16˗14

Seahawks defeat 49ers 17˗7

Saints at Bears (8:30, Monday Night Football)