NFL Week 16: Cowboys Wrap Up NFC East, Falcons Eliminate Saints & More!

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.

Atlanta Claus

Dec 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Tyson Jackson (99) celebrates after a sack against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

There are many ways to add fuel to the fire of a major sporting rivalry. One way could be if one says something negative about said rival in the media. Another can be via fan actions.

Another can be if there just so happens to be playoff implications revolving around a big game as was the case on Sunday.

The misadventures of the NFC South have been well documented. Recently, many began cheering for the New Orleans Saints to win said division just to bring some respectability to a division that will be stealing a playoff spot from the Philadelphia Eagles this year.

Last week included the Falcons losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers 27˗20, but the Saints had no problems with the hapless Chicago Bears as they dominated them in Chicago by a final of 31˗15.

As for this week…

The opening play of the game would be returned all the way to the Falcons’ one yard line by New Orleans’ Jalen Saunders. The following play would be a one yard run by Mark Ingram to give the Saints an early 7˗0 lead at home after a Shayne Graham extra point.

The Falcons got on the board then with their following possession. They would gain a pair of first downs, both on passes by Matt Ryan for a lot of yards (Julio Jones to the Atlanta 33 for 23 yards, and Devonta Freeman to the Saints 29 for 36 yards). Ultimately, the 7 play, 55 yard drive lasting 3:25 resulted in a 44 yard Matt Bryant field goal to bring the score to 7˗3.

Both teams then traded three and outs prior to the Saints getting the ball again and producing an efficient drive where they gained two first downs and moved the football to the 39 yard line of Atlanta. But, it was stymied by a Desmond Trufant interception of Brees on a pass intended for Marques Colston on 4th and 7 from the 39.

The ball would be returned to the Falcons 45, but both teams would then trade three and outs again.

On the Falcons’ last possession of the first quarter that would last until the beginning of the second quarter, they gained a pair of first downs and advanced the football to the 32 yard line of New Orleans. A 7 play, 32 yard drive lasting 4:03 resulted in another Bryant field goal as he was true from 50 yards out to make the score 7˗6.

The ensuing Saints possession would see the gaining of three first downs, including one that was a 22 yard pass from Brees to Kenny Stills to advance the football to the Falcons’ side of the field at the 36. New Orleans appeared to be in respectable position for at least another field goal, but a 3rd and 5 at the 31 resulted in an eight yard sack of Brees by Dwight Lowery and a fumble. The Saints recovered the fumble, but they were backed to the 49 yard line, out of field goal range.

Five first downs would be gained by Atlanta on the ensuing possession, including one that was a 24 yard pass from Ryan to Jones to force first and goal from the 3 yard line. The next play: Ryan found Eric Weems for a 3 yard touchdown for his only reception of the game. This put the Falcons ahead 13˗7.

New Orleans simply kneeled down on their last possession of the half.

Along with that, the Falcons had the ball to start the second half, but they only gained one first down prior to a punt back to the Saints. The Saints did the same on their ensuing drive.

But, Atlanta gained three on its next drive, including when Ryan found Jones again, this time for 23 yards to put the football at the Atlanta 37 yard line. The 7 play, 86 yard, 3:40 possession ended in a 31 yard TD run by Freeman to produce a 20˗7 score.

The Saints engineered a long drive on its final drive of the third quarter. How long: four first downs, 13 plays, 78 yards, 5:53. But no points. A first and 10 play from the Falcons 14 resulted in a 12 yard pass to Jimmy Graham that appeared to initially see Graham break the plane while fighting off a pair of Falcons defenders. But Graham was ruled short. In addition, Kemal Ishmael forced a fumble that was recovered at the two. He then returned the football to the 20 of the Falcons.

Atlanta gained a pair of first downs on its next drive, but only advanced the football to the Saints’ 43, forcing a punt.

New Orleans made good on that last missed call by the referees on their next possession. Five first downs would be gained, including one in which Brees threw to Nick Toon for 21 yards. The 12 play, 87 yard, 3:40 drive was capped off when Brees found Graham for a 4 yard touchdown pass to bring New Orleans within 20˗14.

The Falcons gained only one first down on their ensuing drive when Ryan found Harry Douglas for 27 yards to the Falcons’ 49 yard line. But the Saints defense did what it had to do when they forced Atlanta into a punting situation to put Brees and the offense back on the field.

But two plays into the Saints’ offensive drive, a Brees pass on 2nd and 10 from the 20 intended for Nick Toon had instead found Rolando McClain at the Saints 18. He then returned the pick to the 13.

After three runs by Jacquizz Rodgers and the Saints burning their last two timeouts, Bryant was good from 32 yards out to bring the score to 23˗14.

The final Saints drive of the same would see them gain four first yards, but a 3rd and 6 from the Falcons’ 8 yard line resulted in a fumble and recovery by Osi Umenyiora who went 86 yards for a touchdown to end the game as the score became 30˗14, Atlanta. This also eliminated the Saints from the postseason picture.

• Ryan: 30/40, 322 yards, 1 TD
• Freeman: 5 carries, 36 yards, 1 TD
• Jones: 7 receptions, 107 yards

• Brees: 30/47, 313 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
• Ingram: 13 carries, 38 yards, 1 TD
• Colston: 6 receptions, 80 yards

Week 17: CAR at ATL, NO at TB

Carol˗ina

Dec 21, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) celebrates with quarterback Cam Newton (1) after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers won 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

As soon as the Falcons/Saints tilt from the Crescent City was in the books, all eyes in the Peach State turned to what the Carolina Panthers were doing.

This was a Panthers team that has been dealing with a lot of adversity as of late, especially in the wake of the car accident that starting quarterback Cam Newton was involved in. But thankfully for him, his family, the Panthers, the NFL, and fans everywhere, Newton was okay.

On the side of the Cleveland Browns, they also had to recover after the beatdown they received at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals the previous week in where Johnny Football was turned into Johnny Mincemeat at the hands of the Bengals defense.

Brian Hoyer was once again in at the starting quarterback position.

He had to perform better than Manziel did last week: right?

Carolina gained three first downs on its opening possession prior to Graham Gano attempting a 49 yard field goal. The field goal try was no good which put a 7 play, 49 yard, 4:31 drive to waste. Cleveland would only manage a three and out on its opening possession.

A long drive would then be engineered by Newton and the Panthers that resulted in points on the board. How long: six first downs, 14 plays, 77 yards, 6:25 and a 23 yard field goal by Gano that made the score 3˗0 Carolina. The Panthers moved the football to the four yard line and had 1st and goal from the 5, but had to settle for three instead of six.

A pair of first downs would be gained on the following drive for the Browns, including a 28 yard pass from Manziel to Anthony Hawkins. They advanced the football to the 25 of the Panthers, but the 10 play, 55 yard, 4:22 drive culminated in a Garrett Hartley field goal from 43 yards out to tie the score at 3.

Two first downs would be gained on the following Carolina possession, then the Panthers defense forced the Browns into a three and out.

The following Panthers drive would see four first downs, 12 plays, 57 yards for over six minutes, but resulting in a two yard run by Newton himself. That TD on the QB keeper brought the score to 10˗3.

After both teams then went three and out, Cleveland ran two plays on its final drive prior to halftime.

But the Browns would gain the football to start the second half. They only picked up one first down which was on a 26 yard run by Ian Cromwell to put the football at the Panthers’ 42 yard line.

A long drive would then be put together by Carolina. That lasted four minutes and 30 seconds and spanned four first downs, 12 plays and 44 yards. Despite being in position for at least another field goal if not a touchdown, a 3rd and 7 from the Browns 46 resulted in a pick of Newton on a pass intended for Jonathan Stewart. Billy Winn was on the pick as he got it at the Browns 44.

After two first down gains, 9 plays, 43 yards, and 5:06, Hartley made a 31 yard field goal to bring the score to 10˗6.

The Panthers got one first down prior to punting on their next drive to close out the third quarter.

Both teams then traded three and outs, but on the Browns’ second possession of the fourth quarter, Hoyer on 3rd and 6 from the 19 found Jordan Cameron for an 81 yard touchdown that allowed the Browns to assume a 13˗10 lead on the Panthers.

That advantage would be short lived. Carolina got three first downs on its next series, including the first one which was a 21 pass to Greg Olsen on 1st and 10 at the Panthers’ 34 to put the football at the 45 yard line of the Browns. The 7 play, 66 yard drive had resulted in a Newton pass to Stewart for 9 yards and six points (really, seven, of course). After the extra point from Gano, the Panthers had a lead again at 17˗13.

Midway through the fourth quarter, the next Browns possession lasted one play as Hoyer looked to throw deep to Travis Benjamin, but was picked off by Josh Norman at the Panthers’ 38. He then returned the football to the 29 of Cleveland before putting the ball on the turf himself. Benjamin was on the recovery, giving the Browns another drive.

But they would not do much with that one as they only gained two first downs and had a drive that stalled at midfield, forcing a punt.

The Panthers then were able to keep the ball as time expired. One of the two first downs they gained was a Newton throw to Ed Dickson for 34 yards to the Browns’ 45 for only his second catch of the game. Shortly after the two minute warning and a three yard run by Stewart, Cleveland began burning timeouts as Carolina hoped to further burn clock.

They did so when they gained one more first down on a Stewart run for 30 yards to the Browns’ 10 on 3rd and 5 from the 40. That got him over 100 yards for the game.

One kneel down, another two yard run by Stewart and another kneel down later, the Panthers then knew they would be playing for the NFC South crown next week vs. the Falcons at the Georgia Dome

• Newton: 18/31, 201 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• Stewart: 24 carries, 122 yards
• Benjamin: 5 receptions, 47 yards

• Hoyer: 7/13, 134 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• Cromwell: 16 carries, 55 yards
• Cameron: 3 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD

Week 17: CLE at BAL, CAR at ATL

Coal in KC’s Christmas Stocking

Dec 21, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) is sacked by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jason Worilds (93) and defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Why continue to bring up the recent struggles of the Kansas City Chiefs? Because it may be redundant, but they are notable.

This was a team that earlier in the season and a few weeks prior to a major divisional matchup on Sunday Night Football was tied with the Denver Broncos for the top spot in the AFC West. It appeared that they would be in a position to compete once again for a divisional title.

Instead, this team has fallen on a lot of hard times. Coming into a tough road matchup against a Pittsburgh Steelers team that also had its eye on the postseason, the Chiefs had lost three of their last four games.

In addition, this is also a team that has been leapfrogged in the AFC West standings by both Denver and the San Diego Chargers who earlier in the season looked to be left for dead with media members already writing off Philip Rivers.

And with San Diego completing a miraculous comeback in San Francisco the Saturday night prior to Sunday, something had to happen for Kansas City in Pittsburgh.

This one began with the Steelers in possession of the football and gaining a trio of first downs, including when Ben Roethlisberger found Martavis Bryant for 44 yards to the Chiefs’ 35 yard line. Pittsburgh moved the football to the Kansas City 5 yard line, but were only able to get a 23 yard field goal courtesy of Shaun Suisham. 3˗0.

Five first downs would be gained by Kansas City on their first drive of the game. Their long drive would last 14 plays, 65 yards, and 7:09. This ended when after a drive stalled at the 17 yard line, Cairo Santos nailed a 35 yard field goal through the uprights for a tie at 3.

The Steelers then went three and out on their next possession prior to Kansas City regaining possession and only running one play prior to the first quarter concluding. They ran much more than just one play for that drive as they put together a long drive. After gaining three first downs on a 12 play, 44 yard, 6:10 drive, they forced first and goal at the Steelers’ six, but could not reach the end zone and had to settle for a 25 yard field goal by Santos to give them a 6˗3 lead.

That lead would be short lived as on the next Pittsburgh drive, they would gain six first downs. The 11 play, 80 yard drive spanning 5:07 would result in a one yard touchdown run from Le’Veon Bell to produce a 10˗6 score.

Three first downs would be gained on Kansas City’s ensuing drive, including a 33 yard pass from Smith to Albert Wilson. The nine play, 72 yard drive that eventually lasted almost four minutes would see the Chiefs deep in Pittsburgh territory and in position for another Santos field goal at the least with 4th and 1 at the Steelers’ 12.

Instead, the Chiefs went for it on 4th down, but Jamaal Charles’ rush attempt resulted in no gain and a turnover on downs.

One kneel down later, the half concluded.

Kansas City started the second half with the football, but only managed one first down before a punt. The Steelers followed that up with a three and out.

The ensuing Chiefs drive began at their 37 and would see them gain two first downs along with moving the football to the 28 yard line, well within Santos’ field goal range. But a 2nd and 7 at the Steelers’ 28 saw a short pass from Smith to Charles result in a fumble caused by Stephon Tuitt and recovered by Vince Williams at the Steelers’ 25.

After a review, the ruling on the field stood. Then the Steelers marched down the field for five first downs, 10 plays, 75 yards, and nearly six minutes. Roethlisberger then found Antonio Brown for six yards to conclude that drive After a Suisham extra point, the score became 17˗6.

The Chiefs got the football back, but only ran one play as the half concluded. That one play became much more as Kansas City was able to manage three first downs, 12 plays, 56 yards, and 6:56 into Santos’ third field goal of the game as he made one from 43 yards out. This made it 17˗9.

Four first downs, 12 plays, 70 yards, and 6:14 later on the ensuing Steelers drive saw another Suisham field goal (23 yards) to make the score 20˗9.

Kansas City began its next possession with great field position at midfield. They took advantage of this field position with the gaining of three first downs on 11 plays for 45 yards and 2:27. But in spite of moving the football to the 5 yard line, Santos was brought on for his fourth field goal of the game to make the score 20˗12.

The next play would be an onside kick attempt as the Chiefs hoped to get an onside kick then convert it into a touchdown and two point conversion. Kansas City would not have the chance as Pittsburgh recovered the kick. Three Roethlisberger kneel downs later, the Steelers had won a game and clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2011.

• Roethlisberger 18/25, 220 yards, 1 TD
• Bell: 20 carries, 63 yards
• Brown: 7 receptions, 72 yards

• Smith: 31/45, 311 yards
• Charles: 9 carries, 29 yards
• Wilson: 5 receptions, 87 yards

Week 17: SD at KC, CIN at PIT

Star on Top of the Tree

Dec 21, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) dunks head coach Jason Garrett with Gatorade after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium. The Cowboys beat the Colts 42-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Unlike in previous seasons where the Cowboys had become notorious for the mediocre 8˗8 ending, that was no longer the case in 2014 with Dallas already having clinched a winning season as opposed to being stuck in the quicksand that is 8˗8.

Between Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, and Dez Bryant, the Cowboys had gone from mediocre to arguably the class of the NFC even with Seattle and Green Bay also in the same division.

By virtue of a loss by the Philadelphia Eagles to the Washington Redskins the previous night, a win over the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium would clinch the NFC East for Dallas and also eliminate Philly from the playoff landscape this season.

Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts, given that they had recently won the AFC South and were a 10˗win team were expected to give Dallas a run for its money on its way to a division title.

But unlike last year’s Indianapolis team that defeated top tier competition, this year’s was not faring so well as they had already lost to New England, Denver, and Pittsburgh earlier in the season.

The Cowboys didn’t just want to win, but continue to make statements that they were not due for the typical December letdown.

The Cowboys began the game with the football and began the game with a long drive taking up almost half of the first quarter. The drive saw six first downs, 15 plays, 80 yards, and 8:24 taken off the clock. Tony Romo threw to Terrence Williams for nine yards and a touchdown to put Dallas ahead 7˗0 which was followed by a Dan Bailey extra point attempt.

The following Colts play would end in a three and out, but the 4th down actually was a fake punt. Pat McAfee’s pass to a wide open receiver was incomplete as he dropped it after it was in his hands.

This was actually a turnover on downs to give Dallas the ball again starting at the Colts’ 19 yard line. One play later, Romo found Dez Bryant for 19 yards and a touchdown. This upped the score to 14˗0.

Another three and out for the Colts (who were playing with no T.Y. Hilton) would be followed by another long Dallas possession resulting in a score. This time, they’d gain three first downs, including one in which Romo connected with Bryant for 24 yards to the Colts’ 46 yard line. It would last as the first quarter ended and as the second quarter began. On the second play of the second quarter, Cole Beasley found the end zone from 24 yards out to make the score 21˗0 in favor of Dallas.

The rout was on.

Off another Colts three and out, the Cowboys was on the move again. Four first downs would be gained including a 20 yard pass from Romo to Jason Witten to the Indy 46. 10 plays, 67 yards, and 6:31 later, the Cowboys added seven more when Murray ran into the end zone from one yard out. 28˗0.

The Colts only picked up one first down on their following possession, but after that drive stalled out at the 38, Indy punted.

Off a Cowboys three and out, Indianapolis then began moving the football as the half expired. They only gained one first down, but managed to advance the football to the Cowboys’ 22 yard line. The 2nd and 2 from the Cowboys’ 22 instead was a Luck pass intercepted by J.J. Wilcox on a pass intended for Fleener. The pick occurred at the end zone and was returned to the 37 of Dallas as the half expired.

Indianapolis would have the football to begin the second half, but they also would be picked on the second play of that drive when Luck was looking for Reggie Wayne on 2nd down and 6 at the 24, but instead found Anthony Hitchens after it was tipped by Nick Hayden at the line of scrimmage.

But the Colts defense forced Dallas back on two of their next three possessions, including an 11 yard sack of Romo. With the Cowboys at the 34 yard line, this put Bailey’s field goal attempt at 52 yards which was no good.

After another Indy three and out, the Cowboys moved again. This time, they converted four more plays into first downs and turned a 10 play, 75 yard, 6:17 drive into points when Witten caught a 25 yard pass from Romo for six points for a 35˗0 score.

Luck was then taken out of the game by head coach Chuck Pagano in favor of Matt Hasselbeck. Translation: game over and Eagles’ season over.

Hasselbeck would manage two first downs on their next drive, but a 1st and 10 play from the Colts’ 48 was a sack for a loss of 8 yards by Orlando Scandrick and a recovery by George Selvie for two yards to the 49. The fumble ruling was challenged and it stood. Dallas then ran two more plays on offense prior to the end of the third quarter.

Two first downs would be gained on that drive. The seven play, 34 yard drive would actually end on a 3rd and 11 at the 27 yard line of Indianapolis when Joseph Randle went 14 yards to the 13 yard line, but then fumbled thanks to Darius Butler. D’Qwell Jackson was on the recovery.

After another Colts three and out, Dallas had the ball again. The third play of the ensuing Cowboys drive was a 43 yard pass from Brandon Weeden to Williams. 42˗0.

The Colts finally scored on their second to last possession of the game. Five first downs, eight plays, 78 yards, and 4:48 later, Hasselbeck found Zurlon Tipton for seven points. After Adam Vinatieri’s extra point, it became 42˗7.

The play prior to that was a Hasselbeck pass intended for Reggie Wayne but actually was picked by Brandon Carr, but he was booked for defensive pass interference leading to the first and goal from the one and the ensuing touchdown.

After a Cowboys three and out, the last drive of the game would see Indianapolis convert four plays into first downs, including a 21 yard gain on a pass to Hakeem Nicks on 1st and 10 from the Indy 41 to the Cowboys’ 38. They moved the football to the 12 yard line but the last play of the game would be an incompletion in the end zone on a pass intended for Nicks. Game over. Cowboys: division champs.

• Romo: 18/20, 218 yards, 4 TDs
• Murray: 22 carries, 58 yards, 1 TD
• Witten: 7 receptions, 90 yards

• Hasselbeck: 15/21, 126 yards, 1 TD
• Herron: 7 carries, 3 yards
• Nicks 9 receptions, 72 yards

Week 17: IND at TEN, DAL at WAS

12th Man of Christmas

Dec 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 35-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Over the course of the second half of the season, the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals could not have gone in more opposite directions.

Earlier in the season, the Seahawks were dealing with a lot of internal locker room drama. Golden Tate had left. Percy Harvin was released. There was even trouble as Marshawn Lynch appeared to be going Beast Mode on his own front office.

Then, Harvin was released, Cam Chancellor had returned and all was well again in the Pacific Northwest. And lately, the Seahawks defense is once again looking like the same defense that won them a Lombardi Trophy last season.

Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals have been hapless as of late. They already lost Carson Palmer for the season, now they had lost Drew Stanton for the season as well. Ryan Lindley, their third string quarterback was brought in to help clean the mess, but the mess was too big for a third stringer to clean up with a team in the throes of a playoff race.

Plus, the Seahawks had already beaten the Cardinals earlier in the season. Given the trajectory of these two teams heading into their Sunday Night Football tilt at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale (where the Super Bowl will be held), there was little reason to believe anything would be different.

Early on, it was close. Seattle only picked up two first downs on their opening drive prior to punting to the Cardinals. They only gained one first down on their first possession prompting a punt of their own.

The Seahawks gained three first downs on its next drive, but no points and another punt. The only first down Arizona got on its ensuing possession would be via a defensive pass interference flag on Byron Maxwell on a pass intended for Malcolm Floyd. Then, a punt would occur after a series that would essentially be a three and out.

Seattle then ran two plays as the first quarter expired. One of them was a 55 yard run by Russell Wilson (the longest of his career) to end the period. The drive would then stall. After the run took the Seahawks to the 40 yard line, it stalled at the 34 yard line. Steven Hauschka’s ensuing field goal attempt from 52 yards out was no good.

The ensuing Cardinals series would span three first downs, 10 plays, 49 yards, and 6:15 and got them all the way nine yard line of the Seahawks. Unlike Hauschka’s, Chandler Catanzaro made his first field goal attempt as his 27 yard field goal was good. 3˗0 Arizona.

The second play of the ensuing Seattle drive was a 2nd and 10 from the 20 that resulted in Wilson throwing to Luke Willson for 80 yards and seven points. This gave the Seahawks a 7˗3 lead.

And after another Cardinals three and out, Seattle was on the move again after starting with a short field at the Cardinals’ 39. They gained a pair of first downs, including one on a 22 yard Wilson run to the 17. Six plays, 39 yards, and 2:48 into the drive, Arizona’s defense got a full dosage of BeastMode when he ran into the end zone from six yards out. 14˗3 Seattle.

Also, Lynch entered the game later after entering the sidelines late. Reason: upset stomach.

Another three and out would then translate into another Seahawks drive that saw a pair of first down gains including one in which Wilson found Paul Richardson for 22 yards to the Seahawks 42 on a 2nd and 1 play at the 20. The drive would end at the 43 yard line of the Cardinals as time expired for the half.

The Cardinals began the second half with the football and another three and out. Seattle gained one first down which was on a Wilson pass to Doug Baldwin for 20 yards to the 33 yard line of the Cardinals from the 47 of the Seahawks.

They would move the football to the 32 yard line of Arizona, but Hauschka’s ensuing field goal try from 50 yards out was no good.

This was followed by three and outs from both teams. Another one from Arizona was followed by one in which the Seahawks were once again in a scoring predicament. The first play of that drive (1st and 10 from their own 20) was a long pass from Wilson to Baldwin for 49 yards to the 31. The drive stalled at the Cardinals’ 29, but another Hauschka field goal try (47 yards) also did not go through the uprights.

Arizona then was on the move. They gained a pair of first downs which one of them coming on a 4th and 1 run from the Arizona 46 by Stepfan Taylor to the 48 for two yards. Then, Lindley found Floyd for 32 yards to the 20 yard line of the Seahawks. The Seattle defense only allowed six more yards, including a 3rd and 4 from the 14 in which Lindley could not handle a snap. Catanzaro then made a 32 yard field goal after said drive stalled at the 14 to bring Arizona within 14˗6.

Three first downs were gained on the ensuing Seattle drive which lasted from the end of the third quarter until the start of the fourth. One of them would be via a 39 yard pass to Willson to the Cardinals’ 30 on a 1st and 10 play.

This came after a play in which Wilson was sacked for a loss of 10. Then, Wilson connected with Willson again as a 1st and 10 from the 20 resulted in a 20 yard pass for a touchdown to bring the score to 21˗6. That drive lasted 7 plays, 79 yards, and four minutes.

Arizona only gained one first down on their next drive before punting. Then, the only play of the next Seattle drive saw Lynch evade several Cardinals defenders then dive into the end zone backwards for a 79 yard touchdown run and a 28˗6 lead.

The Cardinals got two first downs on their next drive including a 24 yard pass to John Brown from Lindley to the Seahawks’ 40 on a 1st and 10 play from the 36 of Arizona. But a 2nd and 3 play from the 33 of the Seahawks was picked off by Richard Sherman at the ‘Hawks seven yard line when the pass was intended for Floyd. After a 53 yard return, the football was spotted at the Cardinals’ 40 yard line.

After a pair of first down gains, the second one forcing first and goal, a 2nd and 5 play resulted in a five yard Wilson run in which he stiff armed Alex Okafor on his way to evading more Arizona defenders and finding the end zone. 35˗6.

The next Cardinals drive only saw them gain one first down which was followed by a Seattle three and out. The last drive of the game would see Arizona gain only two first downs, and the last play of the game, a 2nd and 10 play from the Seahawks 38, resulted in a sack of Lindley by David King to the 44. Time expired and the Seahawks found themselves at the top of the NFC playoff standings once again.

• Wilson: 20/31, 331 yards, 2 TDs
• Lynch: 10 carries, 113 yards, 2 TDs
• Willson: 3 receptions, 139 yards, 2 TDs

• Lindley: 18/44, 216 yards, 1 INT
• Taylor: 11 carries, 19 yards
• John Brown: 3 receptions, 54 yards

Week 17: ARI at SF, STL at SEA

Other Games

Dec 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders perform against the Seattle Seahawks at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Seahawks won 35-6. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Jaguars defeat Titans 21˗13

Redskins defeat Eagles 27˗24

Chargers defeat 49ers 35˗34

Dolphins defeat Vikings 37˗35

Texans defeat Ravens 25˗13

Lions defeat Bears 20˗14

Packers defeat Buccaneers 20˗3

Patriots defeat Jets 17˗16

Giants defeat Rams 37˗27

Raiders defeat Bills 26˗24

Broncos at Bengals (8:30, Monday Night Football)