This year our writers are teaming up to bring you weekly football coverage! Each week, a few of our writers will be sharing their thoughts and highlights from games they’ve watched. Who were the winners this week? Who remains undefeated? Which team will come out victorious at the end of the 2013-2014 season?
Time certainly flies! There are now only two weeks left in the 2013 NFL regular season! That means, not only is the push for playoffs in high gear, but the games are going to get far more fierce than they are already have proven in these last four months. This past week has shown that you can’t take any game for granted. The Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles both suffered surprising losses, with the Eagles contributing to their division’s consecutive fail as all four teams in the NFC East are now winless. Sunday’s game action evoked quite a bit of anger on the playing field between teams that we haven’t seen this far into the season and though it seems it’s only playoff pressure, it’s interesting to watch who cracks before hitting the big leagues.
There are teams that have created quite the buzz this season and have already claimed their ticket to ride on the playoff train. The Indianapolis Colts have tied up the AFC South title for themselves, while the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, and Seattle Seahawks have clinched playoff berths. With that in mind, the AFC has proven to be the more talented conference this year but the competition has made it hard to decipher which team could make it to the postseason. There are still eight positions up for grabs! Which teams will take them? Our writers Chris Hill and Tania Hussain team up and share some highlights from their favorite games, what they thought of the plays and what’s ahead for the teams as the season starts to wind down.
San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos
Image Credit: Justin Edmonds, Getty Images
Chargers, 27-20
Tania:
What a flop for the Broncos. Since starting this season, it was their third loss and first at home. They did have some big plays last Thursday, with the most important probably being on Denver’s offense that saw QB Peyton Manning hit WR Andre Caldwell for a 15-yard gain. Manning does what he does best which is analyzing the defense right off the bat and making the right choice for game play. Chargers QB Philip Rivers the team’s offense kept Manning on the sideline most of the game as they took charge of the field, and handed the Broncos an unexpected loss. If Denver wins their next two games (which I’m sure they will–they play the Texans and Raiders next), they would get a bye and a home-field advantage throughout playoffs which could be good for them considering their record at home currently stands this season at 7-1.
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
Image Credit: Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America
Colts, 25-3
Tania:
The Houston Texans took such a beating during this game, wow! It seems like they’re not really playing to their heart’s content–just for their pride and to keep the franchise alive, so it seems. If it wasn’t for Texans kicker Randy Bullock and his 49 yard field goal, Houston would go home scoreless. Indianapolis got off to a successful start for a change of pace from their last few games, dominating the first half of the game. Colts cornerback Darius Butler had two interceptions, with QB Andrew Luck completing 19 0f 32 passes on 180 yards, scoring two TDs. The Colts owned the first three quarters, scoring and possessing the ball every few minutes. Kicker Adam Vinatieri managed on five successful field goals, helping rally up a score. With Indy beating one of the worst teams in the NFL this season, it has helped maintain their power ranking and keep them atop the division. They play the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend and I expect them to have a close and tight finish. If Indy could beat Denver, why not the Chiefs?
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins
Image Credit: NFL/AP Photo
Dolphins, 24-20
Tania:
Miami won their third game in a row and broke the infamous seven consecutive losses to the New England Patriots. Finally, right?! Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill was a star–throwing for 312 yards and making three TDs. It was one of his best games and much needed for the 8-,6 Dolphins. Tannehill definitely helped give them a playoff boost and I think that confidence and tough attitude will benefit them as they take on the Buffalo Bills next. As for the Patriots, it was a disappointing game for them. QB Tom Brady did well, going for an interception, 364 yards and scoring two TDs, but his team’s comeback magic simply disappeared. The Patriots’ defense was all over the place and for being this far into the season with just two weeks left, you’d expect some consistency. The Patriots had the perfect opportunity to shut down the Dolphins with a little more than two minutes remaining in the game but made enough mistakes to have them lose everything they built up in the last few seconds. New England plays Baltimore this weekend, and I really would like to see take the Patriots down a peg.
Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons
Image Credit: AP Photo/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Curtis Compton
Falcons, 27-26
Chris:
Kirk Cousins could have started week 1…I bet that’s what Shanahan is thinking. Maybe if the OC had simplified the playbook for Griffin – like they apparently have for Cousins – he wouldn’t be on the bench watching right now. Too bad they went for 2, I think they could have beaten the Falcons. It’s really hard to tell if Atlanta is trying to mail the season in or actually win games. 7 turnovers usually puts you up by a couple scores around the two minute warning.
Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys
Image Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Packers, 37-36
Tania:
Very interesting game for sure. What a setback for “America’s team“. I actually didn’t expect such an turn of events, especially with Green Bay’s record this year but it happened. Green Bay was suffering heavily during the first half of the game. So much so that Dallas led the Packers 26-3 at halftime, but things didn’t turn out so well for the Cowboys as they began fumbling and making careless errors that ultimately spoiled their chances for breaking their two game losing streak. After halftime, Packers picked up the punch scoring two touchdowns and during the fourth quarter, dominated the Cowboys outscoring them 20-7. It’s upsetting to see a game loss its steam midway, but the Cowboys are known to torture their fans. They play the Redskins and Eagles next, and frankly, I couldn’t imagine how those games will play out since all four teams in the NFC East are real “losers” at the moment and I mean that in context, not personality–obviously. On the other hand, Packers keep their playoff hopes alive and are second to the Chicago Bears, who they play in Week 17.
Chris:
What was with the play calling? Remember that Dallas versus Denver game, where all the Cowboys had to do was keep the clock moving? Demarco Murray must be livid with the consistent clock mismanagement.
Green Bay’s system suits Matt Flynn. In the 4th quarter, he was making quicker decisions. It also helps to have Eddie Lacy breaking 100 yards each game.
Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants
Image Credit: AP Photo/Kathy Willens
Seahawks, 23-0
Tania:
Seattle pulverized the Giants last Sunday, leaving them scoreless throughout the game. It was really something! The Seahawks have been phenomenal this season, with their current record at 12-2, they manhandled QB Eli Manning and the G-Men. With the Kansas City Chiefs causing quite the attention before the middle of the season, no one saw the Seahawks rising. This game against the Giants showed us how strong the defense on Seattle is, intercepting Manning’s balls over and over and picking apart their plays. They play the Cardinals and Rams next and I guarantee they get their record to up to 14-2. There isn’t much to say about the Giants except…ouch, really?! Come on, guys. The New York Giants don’t look like a Super Bowl team at all and this season, have really suffered.
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
Image Credit: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Steelers, 30-20
Chris:
The Steelers have the look of a team who is playing for pride…why couldn’t they do that earlier? I’m not the biggest Todd Haley fan, but his system is helping Big Ben stay healthy; he only took 1 sack the whole game.
Andy Dalton is one of the keys for the Bengals success. But they need to get more wide receivers involved (a la Marvin Jones) before they are down by 2 or 3 scores. That defense and special teams took a beating. Once Harrison left, you knew the pass rush was going to be minimal.
Who are you rooting for? What games did you watch? Let us know what you thought of this second last week of NFL by sounding off in the comments below.
About the Authors
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Tania Hussain is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief here at The Hudsucker, and a freelance writer at the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF). She has her own column over at NBC News’ Newsvine and has completed a manuscript awaiting to be published. She is a member of The Canadian Authors Association, a national organization dedicated to promoting a flourishing community of writers across Canada. Tania is an avid Colts, Elvis and baseball fan as well as a lover of pancakes and fine cheeses. Follow her on Twitter as @westlifebunny.
Chris Hill graduated from Georgia State University in 2009 with degrees in Journalism and Creative Writing. He has spent a lot of time working with the media. From engineering radio broadcast for most of Atlanta’s major sports teams to shooting high school football games behind a camera, Chris has a lot of media experience. Besides that, he loves soccer, detective shows, and a buffet list of ‘nerdy’ things that would embarrass his wife. Follow him on Google+.
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