Key events
It’s GOOD! Panthers 20-20 Buccaneers 11:24, 4th quarter
Tampa level it up after Carolina force a field goal try. They sack Baker Mayfield for a nine-yard loss on 3rd down.
TOUCHDOWN! Dolphins 14-38 Bengals 2:25, 3rd quarter
There is still more than two minutes to go in the third quarter and Cinci score their third touchdown without reply. The Dolphins are up the creek and stranded on the shoreline. Call it off ref. Brown the hat-trick hero!
Browns 17-23 Bills 15:00, 4th quarter
Is anyone else playing on offense for the Bills? Allen hits Cook with a short pass and the running back chases up field for 15 yards to midfield.
TOUCHDOWN! Saints 16-6 Jets 0:41, 3rd quarter
New Orleans in complete control here.
Panthers 20-17 Buccaneers 15:00, 4th quarter
Tampa are off to the races before Baker Mayfield takes the field after a dazzling kick return takes them into Carolina territory and on to their 45-yard line. Keldon Johnson could have had a score there. Still, top work.
TOUCHDOWN! Browns 17-23 Bills 1:34, 3rd quarter
Cleveland are fighting hard in this one. The tight end does Cleveland’s version of the tush push. It works a treat. Game on!
TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 20-17 Buccaneers 0:08, 3rd quarter
Unbelievable, Bryce! He scrambles around in the pocket and is so close to being sacked but just ducks and dives through defenders then gets the pass off to Ja’Tavion Sanders. Carolina retake the lead. It’s heating up.
Panthers 13-17 Buccaneers 1:45, 3rd quarter
Wow. Tetairoa McMillan makes a wonder grab on the sideline to move the Panthers into the red zone. He barely sees it coming as Young threw it well before he turned around but he still hangs on … just for 11 yards. Bryce Young then barrels ahead on scramble and moves the chains again. They are just 10 yards out now.
TOUCHDOWN! Dolphins 14-31 Bengals 8:32, 3rd quarter
Miami appear to have not only mothballed the starting quarterback but the entire team as they give up a second touchdown to start the third quarter. Chase Brown is having a field day out there as he doubles up his touchdown tally.
It’s GOOD! Browns 10-23 Bills 9:34, 3rd quarter
The money badger strikes again. Buffalo settle for the boot after another pick from Shedeur Sanders. The rookie QB started well with a score but is now 12/18 for 109 yards, one score and two interceptions.
TOUCHDOWN! Titans 16-6 Chiefs 10:24, 3rd quarter
The Titans are playing themselves out of the No 1 pick and rookie QB Cam Ward will likely be very happy about that.
TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 13-17 Buccaneers 6:41, 3rd quarter
And they do on the very next play. Sean Tucker walks in untouched out to the left of the field. Carolina fans are booing the refs for the PI call.
Panthers 13-10 Buccaneers 6:46, 3rd quarter
Another 3rd down for the Bucs in the red zone as Mayfield drops back and finds Rachaad White wide open in the middle of the field. He scampers up to the one-yard line. Mayfield goes back to his mate Mike Evans in man coverage but the receiver can’t haul it in. They fake the handoff and he overthrows Evans again but pass interference is called. Back to 1st down with one yard to go. They’ll score eventually.
TOUCHDOWN! Dolphins 24-14 Bengals 9:45, 3rd quarter
Cini extend their lead with a rapid 3-minute drive from good field position.
Panthers 13-10 Buccaneers 9:13, 3rd quarter
Bucky Irving keeps the chains moving with a powerful short run. Mayfield throws a short ball that picks up a couple of yards Irving takes them to 3rd and 4. Mayfield hits Chris Godwin right on the sideline for another 1st down. Methodical and easily done.
Panthers 13-10 Buccaneers 12:55, 3rd quarter
Baker Mayfield has come out pumped up as he breaks off a 23-yard run to put the Bucs across midfield and on to the 35-yard line.
Browns 10-20 Bills 12:45, 3rd quarter
Buffalo are forced to punt after a quick three and out. C’mon Cleveland let’s get off to a fast start and put some pressure on the Bills.
It’s GOOD! Cowboys 17-24 Chargers 11:51, 3rd quarter
LA are in the red zone. Meanwhile Dak Prescott is trying to whip up the crowd distract the Chargers. It may have worked as Justin Herbert is sacked he runs into the nose tackle and they have to settle for the field goal. Bit dissapointing after that long gain.
Cowboys 17-21 Chargers 13:26, 3rd quarter
And I was just enjoying my break. Didn’t quite have the feet up though thankfully. They are back out there in Dallas with LA on the ball. And my, oh my! Justin Herbert drops back and sails one into the arms of Quentin Johnston on the sideline for a 50-yard gain. He has an absolute cannon for an arm. The Cowboys secondary had nothing there.
Buffalo are destroying Cleveland on the ground. They have 16 total carries for 133 yards at 8.3 yards per pop. James Cook has 100 of them on nine carries and two touchdowns. Meanwhile Josh Allen has only thrown the ball seven times.
Half-time
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Carolina Panthers 13-10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Cleveland Browns 10-20 Buffalo Bills
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Dallas Cowboys 17-21 Los Angeles Chargers
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Miami Dolphins 14-17 Cincinnati Bengals
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New Orleans Saints 9-6 New York Jets
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New York Giants 10-13 Minnesota Vikings
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Tennessee Titans 9-6 Kansas City Chiefs
In a gigantic turn up for the books all of our games are actually in for half-time at the same time. The Panthers are the big story so far as they took control at the whistle. Tampa Bay started strong but have fallen off a cliff. Pressure is on Carolina to win to keep their playoff hopes alive. They are handling it so far.
TOUCHDOWN! Giants 10-13 Vikings 0:17, 2nd quarter
The Giants sack JJ McCarthy and the QB fumbles to Tyler Nubin who gets the 27-yard scoop and score.
TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 13-10 Buccaneers 0:07, 2nd quarter
Who needs a field goal? Dave Canales beats the blitz by calling the deep pass and TMac finishes it off with an easy catch from the gorgeous arcing pass into the end zone. That is the Carolina that beat the Rams a few weeks ago. Aggressive and perfectly executed.
TOUCHDOWN! Titans 9-3 Chiefs 1:36, 2nd quarter
Panthers 6-10 Buccaneers 0:26, 2nd quarter
Carolina are moving into field goal range. Tampa allowing underneath throws that keep the chains moving.
Browns 10-20 Bills 1:00, 2nd quarter
Josh Allen getting all in a muddle as he tries desperately to evade Myles Garrett and almost falls into his own end zone to give away a safety. He just manages to hold the ball out so he is marked down at the one-yard line. Lucky and bizarre in equal measure. Just throw it away, Josh. 3rd and 23 on the way. Ha!
TOUCHDOWN! Dolphins 14-17 Bengals 1:24, 2nd quarter
The lesser-spotted backup rusher drives up the gut and Miami break apart leaving a lane and handing Cincinnati the lead.
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 17-21 Chargers 7:51, 2nd quarter
We have a shootout developing in Dallas as the quarterback keeps it and dives over to give LA back the lead.
Panthers 6-10 Buccaneers 1:20, 2nd quarter
Tampa go three and out quickly. After the touchdown drive the Bucs have been struggling to move the ball. Baker Mayfield is averaging 4.1 yards per play.
TOUCHDOWN! Giants 3-13 Vikings 2:01, 2nd quarter
Browns 10-20 Bills 1:47, 2nd quarter
The Browns catch a break after Quinshon Judkins fumbles and the Bills run it back for the touchdown. But! But Judkins is ruled down by contact on the review. Phew. Buffalo would have been close to home and dry already with a scoop and score.
It’s GOOD! Panthers 6-10 Buccaneers 2:06, 2nd quarter
Two incompletions from Bryce Young force the Panthers to boot it as they fail to capitalise on great field position from a punt return.
TOUCHDOWN! Browns 10-20 Bills 2:23, 2nd quarter
Buffalo’s running game continues to demolish Cleveland as they take out a commanding lead.
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 17-14 Chargers 8:08, 2nd quarter
It’s GOOD! Browns 10-13 Bills 5:38, 2nd quarter
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 7-14 Chargers 9:45, 2nd quarter
TOUCHDOWN! Browns 7-13 Bills 12:51, 2nd quarter
Buffalo are 1st and Goal as they pound the ball down Cleveland’s throats. Run after run after run from Cook and Allen then Johnson just keeps them rolling straight into the end zone for the score and the lead. Money Badger hits a post and misses the extra point.
Browns 7-7 Bills 1:29, 1st quarter
Josh Allen continues to do Josh Allen things. He scrambles to his right and directs traffic, buys time and finds Ray Davis for a 1st down. They are in Browns territory.
Panthers 3-7 Buccaneers 0:26, 1st quarter
Panthers punt it back to the Bucs giving Baker Mayfield a crack at extending the lead.
TOUCHDOWN! Dolphins 7-7 Bengals 2:35, 1st quarter
Miami level it up after the little speedster races away to the left and in for the score.
PICK! Browns 7-7 Bills 2:55, 1st quarter
Former Cleveland Brown Jordan Poyer picks off Sanders after the catch is bobbled high into the sky by Quinshon Judkins. A promising drive stopped drive, very unlucky.
Browns 7-7 Bills 3:57, 1st quarter
The Browns are moving again into Bills territory after an 18-yard pass then a 14-yard rush from Malachi Corley. A holding penalty from Buffalo’s CJ Epenesa then pushes Cleveland to the 30-yard line. Strong stuff.
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 7-7 Chargers 6:43, 1st quarter
Beautiful throw to Johnston on the sideline who tip toes in for the score.
TOUCHDOWN! Dolphins 0-7 Bengals 4:01, 1st quarter
TOUCHDOWN! Panthers 3-7 Buccaneers 6:29, 1st quarter
Bucky Irving smashes through the Panthers defensive line and almost scores but for a touchdown saving tackle. On the next play, who else? Baker Mayfield hits his old friend Mike Evans. The giant receiver is one-on-one and we know what that means. The ball is going his way and he hangs on for the score.
Panthers 3-0 Buccaneers 5:04, 1st quarter
Tampa are moving the ball deep into Carolina territory but the Panthers force a big 3rd down. Nine yards to get and Jalen McMillan juggles the short pass but hangs on. He had three bites at the cherry and manages to bring it in for the 1st down.
TOUCHDOWN! Browns 7-7 Bills 7:47, 1st quarter
Well they were off to a slow start. The running back quickens matters with a mazy run through to the left then back across the field to avoid two free defenders. They just can’t quite bring him down and Cook levels it up.
TOUCHDOWN! Cowboys 7-0 Chargers 10:20, 1st quarter
Our AFC playoff-bound teams are off to a slow start.
Browns 7-0 Bills 10:09, 1st quarter
Josh Allen is jogging out for Buffalo. He rolls out, fakes to throw and picks up six yards on the ground. That’s our Josh.
It’s GOOD! Panthers 3-0 Buccaneers 10:30, 1st quarter
Tampa stiffen up on defense and get the stop. Carolina take the narrow lead.
TOUCHDOWN! Browns 7-0 Bills 10:42, 1st quarter
Cracking start for Cleveland who march down the field in eight plays. Some lovely chunk plays behind Sanders’ arm.
Panthers 0-0 Buccaneers 13:20, 1st quarter
Carolina are making light work of Tampa’s stodgy defense. Three passes and a 25-yard run from Jimmy Horn put them in the red zone.
Here we go! Kick-offs on the way with the Browns and Panthers on offense in their respective games.
Did anyone catch Chicago v Green Bay last night? If you missed it enjoy the highlights. What a comeback from the Bears, talk about drama! Chicago now just have to beat either the 49ers or Lions to win the NFC North. Easy.
Elsewhere we have two teams amid the eliminated chaff aiming to flex their muscles and punch their ticket for the postseason.
A win for the LA Chargers and a loss for the Colts to the 49ers on Monday or a loss for the Texans to the Raiders later confirms LA’s spot while the scenario is exactly the same for the Buffalo Bills. A win then a loss for the Colts or Texans locks them into the playoffs too. Bills fans will also be watching the Chargers score as a loss and a win over the Browns gives Buffalo the No 5 seed heading into week 17.
Tonight’s matchup between the Patriots and Ravens has no bearing on the direct of the AFC East title. If New England lose to either Miami or New York Jets to close the season and Buffalo win all three of their remaining games then the Bills take the crown. A defeat for the Patriots to the Ravens only helps should they lose one game to either the Browns, Eagles or Jets.
Now all the boring stuff is out of the way, who is excited to watch Cleveland’s pulverising pass rusher Josh Garrett take on Buffalo’s quarterback extraordinaire Josh Allen? Yep, me too. Garrett needs only one sack of Allen to earn 22.5 for the year and break the NFL regular-season record.
Preamble
Happy holidays football fans, may week 16 be merry and bright for you all! And good luck to all in your fantasy playoff semi-finals … if you made it that is! Now, on we march to the harsh reality of the NFL in deepest December. There are playoffs places, seedings and stragglers still to sort out and eliminate, we begin in the early window of seven games starting at 12pm CST/1pm EST/6pm GMT (home teams listed first):
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(7-7) Carolina Panthers v Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
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(3-11) Cleveland Browns v Buffalo Bills (10-4)
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(6-7-1) Dallas Cowboys v Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)
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(6-8) Miami Dolphins v Cincinnati Bengals (4-10)
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(4-10) New Orleans Saints v New York Jets (3-11)
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(2-12) New York Giants v Minnesota Vikings (6-8)
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(2-12) Tennessee Titans v Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)
There is high drama occurring in the ever-iffy NFC South. Carolina and Tampa Bay are locked at the division’s summit with seven wins and seven losses each. Only the odds of making the postseason are far from even between these rivals.
The Bucs hold the tie-breaker at present with a better record against common opponents (5-5 v Carolina’s 4-6) so a win against the Panthers would further improve their standing while pushing their chances of clinching the title to 95% (per NFL.com). Thus Carolina only have a 5% shot if they lose today. That slim shot requires the Bucs to lose their next game to the eliminated Dolphins and lose to the Panthers at home when they play again in week 18 while Carolina would have to beat mighty Seattle next week as well.
So far, so complicated. What it means to say realistically is that this is a win or go home game for Carolina. Victory keeps their season alive. Keep pounding!