Big Dakota
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With playoff pictures becoming clearer, several teams helped their postseason chances with Week 12 wins. The Seahawks got by the Rams, the Browns handled the Texans, and the up-and-down Chargers toppled the struggling Ravens to take over sole possession of the AFC West.
Some teams weren’t so lucky. The Lions, Giants, Commanders, Eagles and Cardinals all lost crucial games. In the AFC, the Broncos let one slip away in Chicago, while the Titans couldn’t do anything on offense against the suspect Bengals D.
In what’s been a downright unpredictable year, two things remained the same in the end. The Patriots are still undefeated and the Dolphins are still winless. Neither team’s fate was settled until the final minute of their respective games. Video: Cowboys-Packers showdown
NFL Power Rankings Week 13
Patriots1-1/2In what was arguably the biggest surprise of the weekend, the A.J. Feeley-led Eagles gave the Patriots their toughest test of the season in Foxboro on Sunday night. New England came into the game as three-touchdown favorites. They left fortunate to escape as 3-point victors. Tom Brady connected with Wes Welker 13 times for 149 yards, while Asante Samuel had two key interceptions in the win. Having already clinched the AFC East before Sunday night's opening kickoff, the Patriots will try to make history from here on out. They take on the ice-cold Baltimore Ravens this Sunday. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy2
Cowboys2-2/12Tony Romo got his second Thanksgiving victory of his young career, as the Cowboys dismantled the visiting Jets 34-3 on Thursday. Dallas is now off to its best start in franchise history, and looks to be getting better each week. The 31-point margin was Dallas' biggest point differential of the year. The offense is downright rolling, while the defense seems to be jelling. A week after gashing the top-ranked Steelers defense for 117 yards on the ground, Thomas Jones managed just 40 yards on 17 carries vs. Dallas. The Cowboys take on the Packers Thursday night in a potential NFC Championship preview.Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy3
Packers3-3/22Brett Favre did it again. In front of a national audience on Thanksgiving, the 38-year-old three-time MVP went 31-41 for 381 yards and tossed three touchdowns in the Packers' 37-26 win over Detroit. Favre was fabulous. So was running back Ryan Grant. The former Giants practice-squad member carried the ball 15 times for 101 yards and a touchdown. With the win, Green Bay matched its best 11-game record since 1929. They take on the Cowboys Thursday night in a battle that could end up deciding the NFC's top seed. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy4
Colts4-1/4After falling behind 10-0 early in Atlanta, the Colts woke up to outscore the Falcons 31-3 over the game's final three quarters. Indy improved to 9-2 with the win, and kept a one-game lead over the surging Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC South. Anthony Gonzalez had the best game of his young NFL career, hauling in 6 passes for 105 yards in the victory. The AFC South title could be sealed up on Sunday in Indianapolis. The 8-3 Jaguars come to town in what should make for the day's premier game. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy5
Jaguars7(+2)4/18For years, Jimmy Smith was the ageless wonder down in Jacksonville. Fred Taylor may own that title now. The longtime Jaguar ran for a season-high 104 yards and a touchdown in a 36-14 demolition of Buffalo. Josh Scobee kicked five field goals in the Jags' third consecutive victory. Downright cruising, Jacksonville has a chance to join the Colts atop of the AFC South standings with a win over Indy this weekend. David Garrard still hasn't thrown an interception this season. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy6
Steelers5(-1)3/14In a game none too pleasant on the eyes, the Steelers edged the Dolphins 3-0 in the Pittsburgh rain on Monday night. It was a brutal one to watch, but Steelers fans will take the win with no complaints. Pittsburgh improves to 8-3 as the league's No. 1 ranked defense recorded its second shutout of the season. The Steelers take on the Bengals this weekend. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy7
Seahawks10(+3)5/20The Seahawks won their sixth straight over the rival Rams, improving to 7-4 on the year with a hard-fought 24-19 victory. Seattle was tested by St. Louis, but came up with their third straight W after a Gus Frerotte fumble on the Seahawks' 1-yard line in the final minute of play. The Seahawks trailed early, but rallied to score 17 unanswered second-half points. No Shaun Alexander? No issue. The Seahawks look just fine without the former league MVP in their lineup. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy8
Buccaneers8-8/30The Fox NFL pregame studio crew anointed Tampa Bay as the most underrated team in the NFC on Sunday. "Underrated" or not, Tampa's been great all year — and they continued their quest towards their first division crown since 2002 with a win over Washington. Though the Bucs didn't convert a single first down in the second half, the defense did the job, forcing six turnovers in the victory. The Bucs can pretty much wrap up the NFC South division title with a win over the Saints in New Orleans on Sunday. Jeff Garcia — injured during Sunday's game — should be in the lineup.Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy9
Browns9-9/32Break up the Browns! Derek Anderson continued his dream season, going 24-35 and tossing for two touchdowns, while Jamal Lewis gashed the Houston defense for 134 yards and a touchdown in Cleveland's 27-17 win over the Texans. Cleveland improved to 7-4 with the victory — its fifth straight win at home. With Arizona, the Jets, Buffalo, Cincinnati, and San Francisco up ahead — there are five winnable games on the docket. A playoff berth in 2007? It's very possible. A 12-win season, an AFC North title, and a first round bye? Hey, if Cleveland keeps playing like they have been the past few weeks, there's definitely a chance. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy10
Giants6(-4)4/29Playing with brother Peyton in attendance on Sunday, Eli Manning had his worst effort of the season, and quite possibly the worst game of his career. Intercepted four times, Manning never got it going in the Giants' 41-17 disaster against Minnesota. At 7-4, the Giants remain in good shape as far as an NFC Wild Card spot goes. They have a tough road test at Chicago this weekend. Lose that one, and it's time for Giants fans to start worrying. That is, of course, if they're not in worry mode already. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy11
Chargers13(+2)3/21In a game between the teams with the top two records in the AFC last year, the struggling Chargers beat the woeful Ravens in San Diego. Philip Rivers played arguably his best game of the year, silencing the boo birds, going 25-35 for 249 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Despite being labeled an utter disappointment by most in the media this season, San Diego has actually won five of its last seven games and is in sole possession of first place in the AFC West. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy12
Eagles18(+6)11/27Philadelphia turned some heads with a strong performance Sunday evening in Foxboro. Three-touchdown underdogs, the A.J. Feeley-led Eagles hung tight with the NFL's best team from start to finish. Feeley played his best game of the season, while the Eagles' used a creative mix of trickery and efficiency on offense and special teams to keep within arm's length of the Patriots. With fellow New York, Arizona, Detroit, and Washington all losing this weekend — the 5-6 Eagles' flickering playoff dreams are still alive. Barely. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy13
Broncos11(-2)7/26Devastating loss Sunday in Chicago. Despite a fabulous game from Jay Cutler and a pretty solid day out of their defense, the Broncos' special teams unit had a woeful afternoon, giving up two Devin Hester returns for touchdowns and having a crucial fourth-quarter punt blocked. Up 14 with the ball and less than six minutes left in regulation, the Broncos lost in overtime. At 5-6, the Broncos fall to second place in the AFC West. They take on the division-leading Chargers in Week 15. They've got the Raiders on Sunday. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy14
Lions14-9/26The Lions lost their third straight game on Thursday, dropping to 6-5 on the year. With the Giants, Commanders, Eagles, and Cardinals all losing on Sunday — the Lions lucked out and avoided really slipping from the NFC Wild Card picture. Once 6-2 with 8 games left, Detroit once looked like a shoe-in to finish above .500. To do so now, they'll have to win three of five games in matchups against Dallas, Green Bay, San Diego, Minnesota, and Kansas City. It won't be easy. As for Jon Kitna's off-season 10-win prediction? It's not looking good. Winning four of those five could be darn near impossible.Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy15
Titans12(-3)6/26After starting the season off as one of the league's great surprises, the Titans lost their third straight game on Sunday. Tennessee struggled to get anything going against the woeful Cincy defense, while giving up 35 points in the loss. The same week that news of a reported altercation between sidelined defensive leader Albert Haynesworth and Pacman Jones hit the wires, the D gave up 28 points or more for the third straight week. Vince Young sat on the bench by himself after the game, his head in his hands. He explained to reporters after the game, "Thoughts, man, just thoughts, trying to see what's going on, what's the problem, what we need to do to get back to where we need to be at. Why is this all of a sudden happening to us, going back to that bad feeling that we had last year with getting our butt whooped?" The Titans finished the '06 season as one of the best teams in the league. They've been the complete opposite down the stretch this year.Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy16
Texans15(-1)11/26Houston's usually potent offensive attack failed to do much against the 32nd-ranked Cleveland defense on Sunday. Texans quarterback Matt Schaub was picked off twice and had multiple passes batted down by the Browns' hit-or-miss secondary in the 27-17 loss. The defense couldn't stop Jamal Lewis, who ran 29 times for 134 yards. At 5-6 with tough games against Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Denver, Indy, and Jacksonville up ahead — the playoffs probably aren't happening for Houston this season. Another top fifteen pick in April's draft? Unfortunately, that's probably more likely. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy17
Bears21(+4)4/24The Bears scored two touchdowns in the final 5:17 of regulation, keeping their season alive with a miracle 37-34 overtime victory over Denver on Sunday. With the offense struggling and the defense unable to stop the Broncos, it was special teams play that led Chicago to its fifth win of the season. Devin Hester ran a kick and a punt back for touchdowns, and Charles Tillman blocked a punt — all in the second half of the comeback victory. The Bears have now alternated wins and losses since Week 4. They take on the 7-4 Giants on Sunday. To keep their slim playoff chances alive, a win this weekend is likely required. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy18
Saints19(+1)4/30Drew Brees played one good half of football Sunday, and it was more than enough to get by the lowly Panthers. The Saints stayed alive in the NFC South race with the 31-6 win, behind Brees' 260 yards, three passing touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown. Now two games and a tie-breaker behind Tampa, New Orleans takes on the Bucs in the Superdome this weekend. Win that one and the division crown is a two-horse race. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy19
Vikings23(+4)18/28The Vikings sure have Eli Manning's number. Two years after picking Manning off four times, the Vikings intercepted Manning did it again, returning three of them for scores. The defensive effort took some of the heat off the offense. Without having to play from behind, beleaguered Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson went 10-12 for 129 yards and a touchdown. At 5-6, the Vikings are still alive for a wild card spot. With winnable games against Detroit, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington, and Denver up ahead — running the table is not impossible. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy20
Cardinals17(-3)12/26Just a terrible loss for Arizona on Sunday. Despite putting up 552 yards of offense, the Cardinals turned the ball over four times and fell to the lowly 49ers at home. The loss put the Cardinals two games back in the NFC West standings, and marked an embarrassing 0-2 record against the rival Niners this season. San Francisco is now 3-8 on the season, but 2-0 against Arizona. The Cards don't have it easy this weekend. They take on the red-hot Browns in what should make for a game without any shortage of offensive fireworks.Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy21
Bills16(-5)11/31A week after being manhandled on national TV by the Patriots, the Bills fell to the Jaguars. Now 5-6 in the crowded AFC, it'll take a strong finish and a lot of help for Buffalo to still make the playoffs this season. In a game hyped as "make or break", J.P. Losman threw two interceptions and fumbled once. Bad penalties, turnovers and an inability to stop the Jaguars on D led to Buffalo's sixth loss.Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy22
Commanders20(-2)10/24You don't win NFL games when you turn the ball over six times. That's just what the Commanders did Sunday in Tampa. Despite another solid effort from Jason Campbell (30-49 for 301 yards) and holding the Bucs to zero first downs in the second half, Washington fell just short on Sunday. Washington outgained Tampa 412-192 in total yards in the loss, its third straight.Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy23
Bengals26(+3)7/26Chad Johnson caught a career-high 12 balls, scored three touchdowns and set the Bengals franchise record for career receptions in a dominating 35-6 victory over Tennessee. More impressive than the offensive fireworks from Ocho Cinco was the performance out of the usually shaky defense in the win. Cincinnati's D — among the bottom of the league in every category — held Tennessee to just six points in the effort. At 4-7, the playoffs are probably unlikely. But don't be surprised to see Cincinnati play the role of spoiler from here on out. With games against Pittsburgh and Cleveland up ahead, there will be opportunities to do just that.Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy24
Chiefs22(-2)10/30Tough loss for the Chiefs on Sunday against the Raiders. K.C. fell to 4-7 with the 20-17 defeat, becoming the first AFC West team to lose to Oakland in 17 games. The fourth straight loss for Kansas City means any distant shot at the playoffs is now all but gone. Kolby Smith, a rookie out of Louisville, was a bright spot in the loss — running the ball 31 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns.Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy25
Raiders30(+5)18/32The Raiders broke a bunch of dubious streaks with their win over Kansas City on Sunday. The 17-game AFC West losing streak? Done. The nine straight losses to the Chiefs? Done. The six straight losses overall? Over. Justin Fargas became the first Raider to rush for 100 yards in Kansas City in 29 years, handling the ball 22 times for 139 yards and a touchdown in the 20-17 win. The victory was the first Raiders win since September, and moves Oakland to 3-8. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy26
Rams24(-2)17/32The final four plays of Sunday's devastating 24-19 loss served as a microcosm of the entire Rams season. A backup quarterback fumbled, a star receiver went down with an injury and the offense came up just short in a game they should've won. Thus has been the 2007 campaign for St. Louis. The Rams fell to 0-5 at home and lost their sixth straight game to the hated Seahawks.Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy27
Ravens25(-2)5/27The Ravens lost their franchise record fifth straight game on Sunday, falling 32-14 in San Diego. Quarterback Kyle Boller was sacked four times, Baltimore turned the ball over twice and the Chargers ran up 32 points on the beaten up defense in the loss. Baltimore was outscored 22-7 in the second quarter and failed to ever recover. Now 4-7, it's probably time for Ravens fans to start thinking about the draft.Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy28
49ers31(+3)9/31In a game that spoiled survivor pools across the country, the 49ers discovered an offense, broke an eight-game losing streak and got their third win of the year. An overtime sack and fumble recovery in the end zone completed the season sweep of the rival Cardinals. Frank Gore broke the 100-yard mark for the first time all season, running for 116 yards on 21 carries and catching 11 passes for 98 yards. He also scored two touchdowns. San Fran takes on the struggling Panthers this weekend. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy29
Jets27(-2)12/29Five days after pulling off an upset against Pittsburgh, the Jets got their clocks cleaned in Dallas on Thanksgiving. There were no positives in the 34-3 loss. The defense reverted back to its pre-week 11 porous ways and the offense sputtered throughout. New York fell to 2-9 with the loss. The good news? They take on winless Miami this weekend. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy30
Panthers28(-2)12/30The Panthers lost their fourth straight game and dropped to 0-5 at home with a disgusting 31-6 defeat. David Carr struggled early and often in the effort, starting the game with seven incomplete passes and being benched in the fourth quarter. Replacement Matt Moore fared no better, throwing an interception and only completing eight passes in limited action. For the second year in a row, fans will spend the final months of the season wondering what could have been had Jake Delhomme been healthy.Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy31
Falcons29(-2)25/32In what seems like a yearly tradition, Joey Harrington struggled mightily on Thanksgiving. The Falcons looked hapless in the effort, being outscored 31-3 over the final three quarters of their 31-13 loss to Indianapolis. Atlanta managed just 92 yards in the second half. In a five-day span, the Falcons were outscored 62-20 in two home games. Now 3-8 and at the bottom of the NFC South standings, Atlanta takes on the 2-9 Rams in St. Louis this weekend. Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy32
Dolphins32-28/32Ugh. That's all that can be said. With Monday night's unwatchable 3-0 loss to Pittsburgh, Miami dropped to 0-11 on the year. The Dolphins are now just 5 games away from becoming the first 0-16 team in NFL history. They'll have their best chance to win a game when they play the struggling Jets in Miami on Sunday. That one should be rated "R".Team: Home | Stats | Fantasy
